Lakeview Area Master Plan (LAMP)

The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce have partnered with the online neighborhood news publisher, Brown Line Media, and Chicago's independent culture news site, Gapers Block, to create the soon-to-be-unveiled arts and entertainment website, Lakeviewing.com.  This website will focus on cultural news and events in Lakeview and will be updated by Lakeviewing's editorial staff each weekday with new articles and coverage of Lakeview's local arts venues and restaurants.  The events calender will provide a quick guide for neighbors and visitors looking for a great comedy show or dance performance just around the corner.  Click here to sign up for the publication, and you'll also receive notification when this exciting new site goes live!

When the LAMP documents were rolled out in March of 2011, one of the initiatives outlined included the creation of a subsidiary 501(c)(3) organization to accept grants and donations that further economic development.  The Friends of Lakeview is the product of this initiative.  The Friends of Lakeview board of directors has begun to meet regularly and is currently working on finalizing the mission and vision of this not-for-profit organization.  The directors have hit the ground running and will soon be moving forward with a number of exciting projects, including the Low-Line Market, blank wall development, and neighborhood branding, to name a few.  A number of community members expressed interest in getting involved during the LAMP planning process, but as always, new volunteers are also welcome!  Please contact us at 773.471.7171 or info@lakeviewchamber.com.

Sheil Park is hosting a babysitting instruction and safety course on Saturday, April 14, 2012.  The course runs from 9am - 3pm at Sheil Park in room A on the first floor.  Babysitting for ages 11+ will cover the following topics: babysitting as a business, success on the job, child care essentials, safety for the sitter, injury management, preventing problem behavior, care of a choking infant, care of a choking child, and introduction to preventing injuries and prevention management.  Instruction provided by Safe Sitter (www.safesitter.com).

Please supply a bag lunch for your child (Sheil Park is a peanut free environment).  Healthy drinks and snacks will also be provided.

Cost: $35pp for children living in zip codes 60613 and 60657, $50pp for children living in any other zip code.

This program is supported by a generous grant received by the Sheil Park Advisory Council (SPAC) from the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce in an effort to bring additional youth programming to the Lakeview community, as outlined in LAMP.

Registration is limited to the first ten registrants on a first come/first serve basis upon receipt of a non-refundable payment.

If interested, please send an email to jillprojectimagine@yahoo.com AND drop off your payment to the Sheil Park Advisory Council, 3501 N. Southport, #188, Chicago IL 60657.  Checks should be made payable to the Sheil Park Advisory Council.  Please include the following information in your email: child name, child age, parent name, parent contact number, alternate contact number.

Please note that registration/payment will NOT be accepted at Sheil Park.

The SPAC will consider providing additional classes based on interest.

SSA 27 works hard to help ensure that Lakeview is a neighborhood where people wish to live, linger, and long to return.  This vibrancy is accomplished through a number of services provided throughout the year, many of them on a daily basis.  We have assembled an annual report that outlines some of SSA 27's history, accomplishments, and plans for the future.  We have hard copies available in our office, located at 1409 W. Addison, or you can click here to view a PDF of the report.  As always, we thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to get involved with any of the projects you see in this report, please call (773.472.7171) or email us (info@lakeviewchamber.com).  We look forward to another exciting year of big things in Lakeview!

SSA 27 is excited to announce the development of the Low-Line Market.  This market is set to take place at the Southport "L" station, beginning late June and will run through mid October on Thursday evenings.  Vendors will be offering a mix of prepared foods as well as farm fresh fruits and vegetables.  Our goal is to make this a place to visit with your neighbors and pick up prepared meals or ingredients for dinner.  We're working hard on getting this market up and running, and would love your help!  If you have any interest or experience in volunteering at a local farmers market, please contact Mary Kate Rohan at 773.472.7171 or via email: mkrohan@lakeviewchamber.com

On Tuesday, January 24th, the first meeting of the 2012 SSA 27 Commission was held.  This meeting took place at St. Luke Church, and included an orientation for the new Commissioners by Gina Caruso from the City of Chicago.  The Commission is off to an exciting start, and we look forward to working with the Commissioners on a number of projects that will help to further the needs of the business and residential communities represented in SSA 27.  If you are interested in attending one these meetings, you can find the full schedule here.  We look forward to seeing you!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the SHOP Lakeview Holiday program.  The shopping period has ended (as of 12/31/2011), so make sure to stop into our office (1409 W. Addison) to drop off your receipts and pick up your SHOP Lakeview gift cards.  These can be used at any of the participating merchants.  The gift card redemption period has begun and runs through 2/29/2012.  Thanks for making this cycle another success!

Please note that the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce will be operating with limited hours and services provided the week of 12/26/11 - 12/30/11.  A staff person will be on hand to receive Shop Lakeview receipts each day from 10am - 2pm.

Regular hours and services will resume January 2, 2012.  

We would like to extend a heartfelt 'Thank You' to the following outgoing SSA 27 Commissioners:

• Pastor David Abrahamson
• Norm Dinkel
• Joe Kenny
• Ann McCabe
• Denny Moore

Their hard work, dedication, and support allowed for a number of accomplishments in 2011 including, but certainly not limited to, the creation and unveiling of the Lakeview Area Master Plan, as well as the achievement of a number of goals laid out in the LAMP.

While we are sad to say goodbye to the 2011 Commissioners, we would also like to welcome and introduce the 2012 SSA 27 Commission:

• Frank Campise
• Susan Eriksen
• Ray Hallowell
• Jill Heise
• Yael Hochberg
• Beth Kraszewski
• Matt Lederer
• Lisa Santos
• Natalie Schab
• Kevin Vaughan
• Nabil Zahrah

We look forward to another exciting and productive year!

Join us for the first ever Paulina Station Merchants Holiday Open House.  This inaugural event will be taking place Thursday, December 1st from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, on Lincoln Avenue between Belmont and Addison.  Be sure to check out the holiday ice sculptures, listen to the carolers, and pay a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be spending the evening at Dinkel's (3329 N. Lincoln).  

We would like to invite you to participate in the 2011-2012 SHOP Lakeview Holiday Program.  Spend just $300 at a minimum of five participating merchants and earn $50 in SHOP Lakeview dollars.  The holiday shopping period runs through December 31, 2011, and SHOP Lakeview dollars can be redeemed at any participating merchant beginning January 1, 2012 through February 28, 2012.  Support your local merchants through this great program!

For further information and a complete list of participating merchants, visit www.ShopLakeview.com, or contact Mary Kate Rohan at 773.472.7171.

Come join the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and SSA #27 as we proudly present Trick or Treat on Southport.  This event will take place on Sunday, October 30th, from 1:00pm-4:00pm.  Trick or Treating at participating businesses will take place on Southport, from Roscoe to Byron, from 1:00pm-3:00pm.  The Halloween Festivities will be taking place from 1:00pm-4:00pm on Southport, from Grace to Byron.  Festivities will include: pumpkin decorating, moon jumps, Smarty Pants balloon artistry, face painting, games and prizes!  

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Kate Rohan at 773.472.7171 or mkrohan@lakeviewchamber.com for more information.

Spread the word to your friends and neighbors.  We hope to see you there!

$5 per child, suggested donation.

The Chamber is extremely grateful for all of those who turned out for the Broker Breakfast and Trolley Tour today!  We were able to hear from contributing members of the Lakeview Area Master Plan during breakfast at Mystic Celt.  The breakfast was followed by the trolley tour, which focused on available commercial spaces within the community.

The tour included a stop at Dinkel's Bakery, as Norm Dinkel greeted the group and guided a walk-through of the facility. The inaugural tour was a huge success, as trolley goers were also able to see firsthand the variety of successful and innovative developments the Chamber and community leaders have accomplished over the last few years -- plus, explore ideas for our future.

Special thanks to our sponsors Central Federal Savings!

Don't miss the next good time. Check our calendar to see what is coming up next. Click here!

Check out some photos from the event below.
More on our website!

Last night at the Mercury Theater on Southport, 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney, the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, SSA 27 Advisory Committee members, and the City of Chicago, Department of Housing and Economic Development met with community stakeholders for an important discussion regarding the renewal of SSA 27. 

PLACE consultants and the SSA 27 Advisory Committee presented an overview of the proposed SSA programs, renewal budget, and new boundaries, as well as all of the valuable services the SSA 27 has provided to the community since 2003.

Thanks to all that attended! Did you miss the meeting? We will be having another meeting on Monday, June 6th at 9:00 AM at St. Luke (1500 West Belmont).  The next meeting is hosted by the 32nd Ward.

In terms of places to do business, Lakeview is "The Perfect Storm".  Join us on June 2nd for an informative tour and we'll show you why your clients can't afford to not be setting up shop in Lakeview!

Click here to RSVP today!

Trolley Tour & Light Breakfast
Meet at Mystic Celt, 3443 North Southport 
8:30 AM
(Trolley will depart promptly at 8:50 AM)

Complimentary for LCC Members
$15 for non-members

RSVP by May 27, 2011

Don't forget to stop into Southport Grocery this month to pick up a FREE cookie with purchase. (Limit one per customer. While supplies last.) The VIP cards were handed out as a thank you for participating in the visioning exercises and completing the LAMP surveys. Thank you to everyone that participated!

Expect to see more information and updates on this blog in the coming weeks. We can't wait to update you on our progress since the big reveal of LAMP!

Thank you to everyone that came out last night for the Reveal event! What a great turnout! Click on the image of the proposed "Low-Line" above to visit the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce's website where you can download the workplan, executive summary, sustainable business guide and business attraction guide. You can also find all the plan documents here.

We need you to make all this happen. Please contact the Chamber if you'd like to get involved in the implementation phase.

Don't forget about the big Reveal event March 15th!

We will be unveiling the Lakeview Area Master Plan (LAMP), building on all the great ideas we heard from the community and our extensive research and analysis.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
7:00-9:00PM
St. Luke's Church - Memorial Hall
(Parking available in the LaSalle Bank lot or, for a small fee, you may park in Greenview Place)
See the Show Up page to RSVP.

VIP Deals for month of March:
Flourish Studios - $5.00 off any retail purchase* of $20.00 or more and a free gift to "Seed The Future"

*does not include items from the Artisan Boutique. May not be combined with any other deals or offers. One card per customer.

The Board of Commissioners of Special Service Area 27 (SSA 27) and the Board of Directors of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce are pleased to invite you to:

The Unveiling of the Lakeview Area Master Plan (LAMP)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
7:00-9:00PM
St. Luke's Church - Memorial Hall
(Parking available in the LaSalle Bank lot or, for a small fee, you may park in Greenview Place)

An economic development master plan, LAMP seeks to reinvision and enliven the commercial corridors of Lincoln, Southport, and Belmont Avenues. Listen as our consulting team describes aspects of the Plan in detail, sharing months of hard work with the Lakeview community. Please join us afterwards for a question and answer period and short break-out session. RSVP here

It's coming Lakeview! The results of all the great visions shared by the community and the extensive research we conducted will all be coming together soon. An unveiling celebration will be announced soon!

In the meantime here is the VIP reward for February:

Rockit Wrigley – 20% off your entire meal. Cannot be combined with other offers or promotions. Exclusions may apply.

Enjoy the snow.

Happy New Year!

We are busy processing all of the great visionary ideas we heard as part of the many Lakeview Area Master Planning activities and events. Check back for some interesting findings over the next few weeks and look for a final plan for action in the near future.

In the meantime, the VIP card discounts for January have arrived. These cards were handed as a thank you for participating in the visioning exercises and completing a survey. Thank you to everyone that participated.

January VIP Rewards:

* Southport Grocery – Free cookie with purchase. Limit one per customer. While supplies last.
* Dog-a-holics - 15% off regularly priced merchandise, excludes dog and cat food.

Thank you to everyone that turned out to the Open House this past Friday. It was a great success! We heard and recorded a lot of amazing ideas about your vision for your community. We'll be putting together all of the great information from the two open houses we hosted, the shoppers surveys, business owner surveys, interviews and other myriad of sources over the next few weeks.

The goal is to create an implementable plan to make Southport, Lincoln and Belmont in West Lakeview a place to live, linger and come back to. Check back to see findings over the next few weeks and a final plan of action early next year.

The VIP card discounts for December have arrived. These cards were handed as a thank you for participating in the visioning exercises and completing a survey. Thank you to everyone that participated.

DECEMBER VIP DEALS

* Finley Dunne's - Receive one free sandwich or wrap with the regular price purchase of a sandwich or wrap. Free item must be of equal or lesser value. While supplies last. Cannot be combined in conjunction with any other offer or discount.

* WineStyles - Join Wine Club and receive 2 additional bottles of wine (a $40 value)

This Friday, between 5pm and 9pm at 3440 N Southport (the former Fianco space) is your last chance to contribute your ideas to the Lakeview Area Master Plan for economic development.

Its your community, be involved!

Do some shopping at the Southport Holiday Stroll and stop in anytime. It only takes 20 minutes to have an impact on the future of your community.

Refreshments will be provided by Winestyles and snacks will be provided by La Gondola.

Get to know your local businesses.



As part of the Lakeview Area Master Plan for economic development we've interviewed and surveyed many businesses throughout the community. We thought we'd share some of our highlights and help you learn more about the great business owners in your community.

WOW! What a great weekend! The Open House was a hit. Thank you to everyone that came out to share their thoughts and big ideas about the community. Looking forward to seeing everyone on December 3rd at our second and final open house! Come and share your vision for YOUR community.

Refreshments will be provided by La Gondola and Winestyles.

Don't forget that the winners of the scavenger hunt, photo contest and audio story competitions will also be announced at the event on December 3rd.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As part of our Lakeview Area Master Plan (LAMP) project, we are holding the first of two public open houses this Saturday, November 20th from 11a-4p at Flourish Studios at 3020 North Lincoln Avenue. The open houses are designed to allow users / residents / acquaintances of Lakeview (that would be YOU!) to share their vision for the neighborhood. We also want your feedback to help fine tune our preliminary findings and plans for the neighborhood sustainable and environmental improvements. Please join us and help to shape the community. Drop in anytime, we promise it will be fun!

Wondering if there will be snacks?
Yes, there will be

Cant make this one?
No problem, the next open house is Friday, December 03 from 5p-8p at 3440 North Southport Avenue.

Thank you to the Southport Grocery for hosting a LAMP Party last night. Team Southport Grocery Blue Barracudas are now in the lead for the scavenger hunt competition to win some great prizes! Several other LAMP parties are scheduled before our last open house on December 3rd. There is still time to participate, if you'd like to host your own LAMP Party, let George know. We provide all of the materials you'll need. The final winning team will be announced at the Open House at the former Fianco Space (3440 N Southport) on December 3rd.

LAKEVIEW VIP CARD

As a "thank you" for taking the Lakeview Area Master Plan shopper survey, the Chamber is rewarding participants with a Lakeview VIP Card. This card entitles the holder to rotating monthly discounts at participating retailers. Each month, a new discount will be posted below. Check back often for updates.

NOVEMBER VIP DEAL

* Witt's: free chips + guacamole appetizer with the purchase of 2 sandwiches, salads or
flatbreads.
* Wine Styles: Join Wine Club and receive 2 additional bottles of wine (a $40 value)

Enter our Tree Museum AUDIO STORY CONTEST for a chance to win naming
rights to a City tree and great gift certificates to local businesses! Its easy, all you have to do is record an audio story between 30 seconds

and 2 minutes long about your favorite tree in the commercial districts and the great things around them.

The winning entries will also be featured on the West Lakeview tourism audio tour! The contest aims to enhance our connection to the neighborhood's public spaces and businesses through nature and landscaping.

To learn more read this.

Email your stories to: thisislakeview@gmail.com

Get to know your neighbors.
Test what you know about your neighborhood.
Compete in a scavenger hunt.
As part of the Lakeview Area Master Plan, we are organizing "parties in a box"; one more way for you to help us understand how people use the neighborhood and for all of us to shape its future.

If you are interested in hosting one of these parties, either at your home with friends and neighbors, or at one of the many great restaurants, bars or cafes we have in the neighborhood, then let us know. We will give you everything you need, including materials and a video explaining the activity. You will just have to lead the fun.

Can't host but you want to participate? Let us know too, and we'll connect you to the closest LAMP Party near you. It's going to be fun! And you'll be helping to develop a plan to transform your community. For more information call George at the Chamber: (773) 472-7171 or click here.

What does your Lakeview look like? We want your pictures! The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and SSA #27 are hosting a photo competition for West Lakeview in two categories:
1. Your Postcard: Best Promotional Picture of West Lakeview and
2. Favorite Biz: Best Picture of a Favorite Local Business.

Submit your entries on our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/groups/thisislakeviewcontest/

The contest will close December 1st. Early Favorites will be announced at an open house event on November 20th. The winner and finalists will be displayed at a second open house on December 3rd. See the "Show Up" page for more details.

Submissions will be judged on the following criteria: composition and quality, ability to elicit an emotion from the viewer, creativity and showing people participating in activities within the West Lakeview area (Your Postcard contest) or highlighting what's unique and special about a local business (Favorite Biz contest). You must tag your photos with "thisislakeviewcontest" and either "Postcard" or "FavBiz" depending on which competition you are submitting for. Please also include your zipcode in the description.

Prizes for the winners will be announced soon!

LAKEVIEW VIP CARD

As a "thank you" for taking the Lakeview Area Master Plan shopper survey, the Chamber is rewarding participants with a Lakeview VIP Card. This card entitles the holder to rotating monthly discounts at participating retailers. Each month, a new discount will be posted below. Check back often for updates.

OCTOBER VIP DEAL

* Make any purchase at Southport Grocery & Cafe and receive one free cookie. One per customer, while supplies last.

* Join the Wine Club at WineStyles and receive 2 additional bottles of wine (a $40 value).

Check back for updates and posts about how you can get involved in shaping your community! The goal of LAMP is to create a comprehensive plan to add to the vibrancy of the commercial disricts in West Lakeview, producing opportunities for existing businesses, attracting new businesses and developing a commercially rich and diverse community where people will want to live, linger and have a longing to come back. The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and SSA 27 are developing a comprehensive plan that engages all parts of the community to contribute to the vision of the commercial districts. The plan will identify areas of retail growth while finding ways to capitalize on existing assets.