One fact that few people know about me is that before I went to law school, I was a working stiff journalist (Medill, MSJ ‘73), and I spent a fair part of my life attending various meetings. So I was a bit surprised, even dismayed when I saw the headline on the Roscoe View Journal’s article about the meeting at which South Lakeview Neighbors discussed, then voted on a “special use” permit for a hookah lounge: “Proposed Hookah Lounge Meets Ethnic Prejudice at SLVN Meeting.” I wasn’t sure that Mr. Fourcher and I had been at the same meeting.
Next Meeting: September 6
September 6, 2011
Location:
- Basement — St.Alphonsus Church
- 1429 W. Wellington
Agenda:
- 7:00PM : Coffee & Cookies
- 7:30PM : Meeting
- Alderman Scott Waguespack
- Hookah Lounge
- Sign Proposal — Pockets
MEETING PREVIEW
ALDERMAN SCOTT WAGUESPACK — STATE of the WARD ADDRESS
A tradition started more than a decade ago, the 32nd Ward Alderman will present the State of the Ward and City talk at the first meeting of the year. Alderman Waguespack will answer questions after his speech. His staff will be in attendance.
If you have a topic you would like covered, email SLN at : president@slneighbors.org.
HOOKAH LOUNGE 1351 W. Belmont
Hookah — a smoking pipe with a long tube passing through a container of water that cools the smoke as it is drawn through.
Shisha Café is a new concept for a hookah lounge which centers around the community aspect of smoking hookah pipes. The business will sell flavored tobacco, coffee, tea and juices and packaged Mediterranean and American snacks and appetizers. No alcohol will be served. Hours of operation are expected to be Monday-Friday 4PM-1AM, Saturday 4PM-2AM, Sunday 4PM-3AM.
The business requires a Special Use Permit to conduct business. This is a voting issue. The immediate area will be flyered.
As of October 2009, www.hookah-bars.com reports that 470 hookah bars are operating in the US with 5 new bars opening each month. 10% of patrons are of Middle East origin and the remaining are groups of American origin. Patrons are expected to be from all ethnic backgrounds interested in the hookah culture and young (18-35) urbanites as an alternative to bars and coffee shops.
SIGNAGE PROPOSAL at Pockets Restaurant — Lincoln/Southport/Wellington intersection.
Mr. Joseph E. Dahir of 24 Seven Outdoor will present his plans for a 10×10 billboard to be located on the face of Pockets Restaurant. The billboard will be located 30ft at the top between floors #2 and #3. The billboard is static in that there are no moving images or flashing lights. The ad simply changes a few times per minute. Mr. Dahir states that the billboard conforms with the City of Chicago Sign Ordinance.
Alderman Waguespack’s office forwarded the request to SLN for our input and comments. This will be a voting issue and the immediate area will be flyered.
Summer Bash, July 12, 2011
The next meeting of South Lakeview Neighbors will be our Summer Get-Together on Tuesday, July 12.
Location: Will’s Northwoods Inn Beer Garden
3030 N. Racine
Agenda: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Free beer, wine, and pop & hot dogs with all the trimmings
The next Membership Meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2001.
What happened at the May meeting?
- The S&G Restaurant presented a plan for a street cafe and the membership voted to support it.
- Bottles & Bottega presented their new business at 2900 N. Lincoln Ave.
- Ed Silverstein, owner of Lakeview Computer Specialist, LLC talked about protecting your important data.
- A new slated of officers and directors was approved by the membership.
Want to know more? Read the June Newsletter. The newsletter also contains news from our elected officials, the Lakeview Citizens Council, The South Lakeview Park Advisory Council, and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.
Next Meeting: May 10
The next meeting of South Lakeview Neighbors will be Tuesday, May 10.
Location: Basement of St. Alphonsus Church
1429 W. Wellington
Agenda:
- 7:00 pm
- Beer, wine, pop & mini-burgers
- 7:30 pm
- S&G Restaurant – street cafe
- Lakeview Computer Specialists
- Bottles & Bottega – new business presentation
- Officers and Directors election
May Meeting Social Time
An SLN tradition, Chicagoland Deck is donating beer and pop, Messr. Toth is supplying some wine from his cellar and S&G Restaurant is supplying some mini-burgers, chicken fingers and tater-tots, which are making a huge comeback according to Johnny B (first-come, first-serve). So come at 7PM or a little earlier is OK, meet us at the St. Alphonsus basement bar, have a drink, a little conversation, attend the meeting, vote on a few issues and then back to the bar to finish off the remainder. See you early and later.
S&G Restaurant – Street Cafe
S&G located at the corner of Lincoln and Wellington has submitted a plan to place 6 tables seating 4-6 people and 4 tables of romantic seating for 2 at the curb on the Wellington side of the building, facing St. Alphonsus Church. Hours of operation would be about 7AM for breakfast in the morning, lunch and dinner wrapping up at 8PM. This is a voting issue and the immediate area will be flyered.
Lakeview Computer Specialist
Everyone has important data on their computers: digital music, photos, email, spreadsheets, etc. What would you do if you lost some or all of that data? Are you prepared in case of accidental damage to your computer? What if you were the victim of a burglary or your child spilled juice on your new laptop? Ed Silverstein, owner, SLN advertiser and member, will speak on how and why to backup the important data on your computers.
Bottles & Bottega – New business @2900 N. Lincoln Ave
Have an “Art Party.” The owners will give a short presentation on how to combine painting and partying. They provide all supplies, you supply the wine. Hello party.
OFFICERS and DIRECTORS – Election
The Nominating Committee met April 21.
President – David Duggan
1st Vice President – Sam Samatas
2nd Vice President – Perry Castrovillari (NEW)
Recording Secretary – Bill Haderlein
Treasurer – Ann Sychowski (42 straight years)
Corresponding Secretary – Ernie Toth (NEW)
Board of Directors – NEW: Mark Anderson and Lisa Voight, RETURNING: Marge Farhrenbach (officer last year), Joseph Semerling, Robert Taugner, Joni Gatz, James Volkober, Greg Brown, James Frendreis, Susan Radzinowicz.
Nominations for any position can be taken from the floor at election time.
In the May Newsletter, read President David Duggan’s column about gardening, civics, and South Lakeview Neighbors’ demographics, follow up on news about the Belmont medical office building and re-zoning at Racine and Wellington, and learn about Cubs Care. The newsletter also has updates from Representative Quigley, Alderman Waguespack, the South Lakeview Park Advisory Council, and much more. Click here to download the current and past newsletters.
If you are not currently a member of South Lakeview Neighbors, please come to our May meeting to join and participate in this neighborhood resource.