What's New in Old Town?
April 29, 2021
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In this Issue:
- Welcome New OTMRA Executive Director, Linda Fleener
- Member Spotlight: VIVE Float Studio
- Crunch & Brunch Classes Return This May
- Industry Meet-Ups Are Back
- Stay Safe and Support the OTMRA with Old Town Face Masks
- Old Town Neighborhood Foundation
- Upcoming Member Promotions and Events
- Membership Information
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Please Welcome the New OTMRA
Executive Director, Linda Fleener
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The OTMRA welcomes its new Executive Director, Linda Fleener!
Linda brings to the table 8 years of experience in community organizing, and has spent her career building strategic relationships within both business and residential communities in order to achieve common goals.
Linda comes to the OTMRA from the office of 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, where she served as the Director of Business Affairs. In this role, Linda worked closely with Old Town’s businesses and residents on a day-to-day basis, providing responsive constituent services and critical guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also served as the Field Director for Alderman Hopkins’ 2019 re-election campaign, and consulted on 39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent’s successful 2019 election campaign.
Prior to this, Linda worked as the Director of Membership Engagement for the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC), where she spearheaded IBIC’s suburban and central Illinois strategy to advocate for commonsense immigration reform legislation at the federal, state, and municipal level.
Linda first got to know Old Town when she moved to Chicago in 2015 to work on the campaign of then-candidate Brian Hopkins. The OTMRA’s office is actually the same space that the campaign office occupied! During the campaign, Linda fell in love with Old Town’s charming architecture and array of unique, locally-owned shops and restaurants. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Old Town, which she credits as being the neighborhood that made her fall in love with Chicago.
Linda is a graduate of Wheaton College, class of 2014. She currently resides in Albany Park, where she is an active member of her community, and serves as the Worship Leader at her church. In her free time, Linda enjoys baking, tabletop gaming, cycling for miles on the North Branch Trail, and spending quiet afternoons reading with her beloved cat, Big Papa.
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Member Spotlight: VIVE Float Studio |
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VIVE Float Studio is the first national REST and RECOVERY wellness center dedicated solely to simultaneous mental and physical restoration using the most advanced equipment available in today’s marketplace. VIVE specializes exclusively in Float, Cryogenics, Full-Spectrum Infrared Sauna, Vibroacoustic, and Halo/Dry Salt therapies for those seeking an all-natural, alternative resource through the power of passive wellness. |
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Crunch & Brunch Classes Return in May |
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Experience a weekend workout and brunch, Old Town style! Sign up for a fitness class hosted by one of our neighborhood fitness studios, and receive a voucher for a complimentary cocktail from Utopian Tailgate.
Sign up for an outdoor class at Utopian Tailgate Below:
Saturday, May 8 at 9AM: Pure Barre (Waitlist Only)
Spots are limited so sign up today!
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Spring & Summer Industry Meet-Ups |
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As a resource for businesses and residents in the Old Town neighborhood, the OTMRA will host several Virtual Industry Meet-Ups throughout the summer. As Chicago begins to reopen, the OTMRA would like to hear from businesses on what resources or programming they need.
These virtual meetups are a platform for in-depth conversations between businesses, and are open to all merchants in
Old Town.
Virtual Industry Meet-Up Schedule:
Non-profits:
Tuesday, May 11 at 2PM
Register by emailing Rachel Rubinson (email below)
Dial-In: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Retail:
Thursday, May 27 at 10AM
Register by emailing Rachel Rubinson (email below)
Dial-In: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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Stay Safe and Support the OTMRA with
Old Town Face Masks
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The OTMRA is offering a fun and colorful way to stay safe in Old Town: Old Town Face Masks! Learn more and purchase a mask for $12 below.
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Old Town Neighborhood Foundation |
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The Old Town Neighborhood Foundation (OTNF) is a 501c3 non-profit that was created to help finance projects in the neighborhood that enhance the quality-of-life in Old Town. Presently, the OTNF is focused on community enhancement projects that will bring additional open space to Old Town. This includes a re-design of Burton Place Park and a new park on North Orleans Street.
Check out the ongoing OTNF projects and how you can support them at the link below.
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Upcoming Member Promotions & Events |
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Hello Chicagoland! Put on your best sneakers and please join us for YBF's 2021 summer fitness relaunch event, Run or Walk for a Cause. All proceeds will benefit Youth For a Better Future.
YBF's mission is to empower youth to become future leaders and stewards of their community through positive mentorship. Join us on May 1st to promote healthy lifestyle habits and to kickoff a great summer full of events!
Please meet at the YBF center, 1348 N Sedgwick Street, Chicago, IL. Masks required due to COVID-19 regulations.
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Immersive Van Gogh:
MAMA'STAY YO-GOGH
Immersive Van Gogh + CorePower Yoga Session Combined
The Drake Hotel has partnered with the Immersive Van Gogh Experience to offer an exclusive Immersive Van Gogh + CorePower Yoga experience only available at The Drake Hotel over Mother’s Day. Take respite with tranquility and opportunity to focus on yourself after a year of feeling you coined the term, “Multitasking.”
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The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association has revamped our membership program for 2021.
We now offer memberships designed for residents, businesses, non-profits, and residential buildings. Benefits include marketing and sponsorship opportunities, positions of engagement, discounts on OTMRA events, and more!
See below for information on each membership or to become a member!
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See what else is going on in the Old Town neighborhood by checking out the
Submit to the calendar by filling out this form.
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