VOL. 4 NO. 5
A NEWSLETTER FROM THE NEW EASTSIDE COMMUNITY
Got a story tip or question? Call 708-628-3652
May 2016
www.neatside.com
Working in the sky over New Eastside
FREE
New Eastside’s global ad agency — DDB Chicago
Page 6
Chicago Farmers Markets opening in May
Page 7
New restaurant coming to Maggie Daley Park Corporate Cleaning Services employee Efrem Salas prepares to clean the windows of 225 N. Michigan Ave. Photo: Robert Stockwell.
By Daniel Patton | Staff Writer The architecture of the New Eastside may shape the neighborhood’s skyline, but window washers make it really shine. The squeegee-wielding glass-tenders who hang from the Aon tower, Aqua, Fairmont, Hyatt Hotel and several more local buildings are trained and employed by Corporate Cleaning Services, a company founded by a tireless entrepreneur. Turn to page 9.
Page 8
2016 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Distinction AUTHENTIC CANTONESE CUISINE HONG KONG STYLE DIM SUM Lunch Special Monday - Friday 11:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
20% OFF HAPPY HOUR Monday - Friday 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (except holidays)
— GRANT PARK —
333 E Benton Pl · 312 228 1333
www.MingHinCuisine.com — CHINATOWN —
2168 S Archer · 312 808 1999
2 / MAY 2016
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
NEWS
Springtime races
Hyatt Hotel converting Pedway shops into meeting spaces
On the morning of May 22, Lakeshore East Park will once again be inundated with runners hoping to eat 13.1 miles for breakfast at the Chicago Spring Half Marathon.
In response to a growing demand for meeting spaces, the Hyatt Hotel has purchased several former retail locations in Columbus Plaza at 233 E. Wacker Dr. with the intention of converting them into meeting spaces for guests and non-guests alike. According to Hyatt Hotel Marketing / PR representative Patricka Kanke, locations formerly belonging to the Khyber Pass restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and a music store are among the retailers that will be converted. Spa di la Fronza’s former location will also be converted into meeting space, but the salon remains in the Pedway at a new location. The location now boasts the new Lakeshore Meeting Space, which is open to visitors. Contact Hyatt for further details. — Daniel Patton and Shanti Nagarkatti
According to Scott “Hootie” Hutmacher, Lifetime Athletic Events Regional Brand Manager, the event was “originally created to find a way to bring a special event into Lakeshore East Park.” Now in its eighth year, the spirit of this race really captures the uniqueness of Lakeshore East Park and its proximity to the Lakefront Trail. In addition to the half marathon, the race program also includes a 10K and a Junior Dash, and all participants can relax and celebrate at the post-race picnic right in the park. For New Eastside residents, it’s a short walk to the starting line and according to Hootie, the perfect way to “join thousands of race participants pushing themselves to meet new goals” in a healthy and invigorating kickoff of the spring season. — Angela Gagnon
New Eastside real estate trends In April, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) released its Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report, with some fascinating data on the trends of just who is buying. While the largest group of homebuyers, according to the study, 67 percent, are married couples, the second largest group is single females. According to trade association, single women comprise 15 percent of all home buyers, and this number increases when looking at buyers between the ages of 51 and 60, to 20 percent. By contrast, single male buyers come in at 9 percent of the buying population. So, what does this mean to residents in the New Eastside? Matt Farrell, Managing Partner of Urban Real Estate says in our market, singles looking to buy care most about our optimum location, and often the amenities of the building. “Our neighborhood is attractive to those who want to be downtown, but still feel like they live in a community which is private
enough to feel like you are away from it all,” Farrell adds. “We have a very special place in the city, and the right mix of businesses paired with buildings that offer stellar services to their residents to make our community attractive to buyers and renters, alike,” Farrell notes. In the first quarter of 2016, Urban Real Estate sold more units in the New East Side community than any other office. Farrell concludes, “Singles looking to live here invest knowing that this can be their home now, and as their life evolves and perhaps family expands, they still see themselves as vested and wanting to keep their home for years to come.” — Urban Real Estate
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
MAY 2016 / 3
NEWS Lake FX Summit & Expo May 13 - 15
By Daniel Patton | Staff Writer
CAPS meeting addresses street performer volume The April meeting of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) at 130 N. Garland Ct. included a lengthy discussion between residents, police officers and a representative of Alerman Reilly’s office about the volume of street performers near Michigan Ave. and Lake St. A local resident explained that music played outdoors sounds like noise to people indoors. Others implied that at least one of the performers is unable to play more than two songs. An officer present stated that he had responded to several complaints in the past. He informed the group that most of the alleged sonic violators were licensed to perform by the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). In such cases, he continued, the CPD can ask musicians to move to another location, but not order them to stop playing. Although some acknowledged that passersby and tourists seem to enjoy street musicians, they felt that restrictions on licenses, volume, locations and/or hours are necessary to reduce the aural strain on the local residency. A representative from the Alerman’s office remarked that “Alderman Reilly in a million years would never issue these permits.” She encouraged residents to join Alderman Reilly in a letter writing campaign directed towards Michelle T. Boone, Commssioner of DCASE, as a “pre-cursor to an ordinance campaign.” “At the end of the day,” she explained, “we want the person who issues these permits to understand how the performers effect the quality of your life.” The Commissioner’s office responded to a request for comment by noting via email that it had “not heard about” the Alderman’s intentions but looks forwad to seeing his proposal and is “always happy to hear from the public.” Alderman Reilly’s office did not respond to a request for additonal information.
Lake FX, “the Midwest’s largest free convening of artists and creative entrepreneurs,” will include presentations, discussions and workshops at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Gene Siskel Film Center, and the Hard Rock Hotel from May 13 to 15.
Buckingham Fountain “Switch on Summer” event May 7 The Chicago Park District and ComEd have partnered to celebrate Buckingham Fountain’s “wake from hibernation” during the 2nd annual “Switch on Summer” event May 7. WGN’s Ana Belaval hosts the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. festivities. Highlights will include free giveaways, family activities, entertainment, and tips to save money and energy. The Buckingham Fountain will mark the start of summer with a ceremonial bubbling eruption at 6 p.m., when it gets switched on by the lucky winner of a ComEd contest that ran through April. Additional partners in the celebration include Adler Planetarium, Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago History Museum, Navy Pier, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Lincoln Park Zoo. For more information, visit www. comed.com/switchonsummer.
Randolph St. resident criticizes shopping cart courtesy A local resident underscored her dissatisfaction with people who take shopping carts out of Mariano’s and leave them on the sidewalk during the April CAPS meeting at 130 N. Garland. Displaying numerous photographs of unreturned carts in the area, she claims to have launched an “artistic protest” by turning stranded carts upside-down and setting them in the Randolph St. median.
According the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, which hosts the event, “If you create, perform or produce… you’re in.” Topics will include a flying physical workshop hosted by the Walkabout Theater Company, a candid interview with African American advertising legend Tom Burrell, and performances by Lupe Fiasco and Che “Rhymefest” Smith. Times and locations of select highlights are listed in our Events section. Admission to all events is free, but advanced registration is recommended. To register and see a complete schedule, visit www.cityofchicago.org/dcase.
New Navy Pier Ferris wheel debuts May 27 Navy Pier’s luxurious new Ferris wheel is scheduled to take its inaugural rotation on May 27. The nearly 200 foot-tall structure will feature 42 enclosed gondolas with leather seats and video screens playing information about the pier, which celebrates its centennial this year. The Pier’s former Ferris wheel has been relocated to Branson, MO, where it will become an attraction at Track Family Fun Parks.
Movable bridges raise for boats in May Twice a week from May 4 to June 29, the bridges spanning the Chicago River will raise to make way for vessells rolling down the river. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, the bridges will raise one at a time from Ashaland Ave. on the south branch to Lake Shore Drive.
Gospel Festival spans Grant Park, Cultural Center in early June The 2016 Chicago Gospel Festival will feature concerts, discussions and a centennial mass in honor of the Great Migration in Millennium Park and the Cultural Center from June 3-4. Performers and speakers will range from local high school choirs and new artists to veteran Grammy-nominees. The Great Migration Mass will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday June 4 with a special set by The Great Migration Choir at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. For a list of headlining performances, see our Events section. For the complete agenda, visit the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs at www. chicagogospelmusicfestival.us.
Hotel coming to Navy Pier in 2018 On May 1, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Navy Pier officials announced plans for construction of a $90 million, five-story hotel to be located on Navy Pier. Scheduled to open in 2018, the facility will be open year-round and help the city achieve its goal to attract 55 million visitors annually by 2020.
4 / MAY 2016
How to Contact Us info@ neweastsidecommuniy.com (708) 628-3652 Editor: Elaine Hyde info@neweastsidecommunity.com Managing Editor: Daniel Patton dpatton@ neweastsidecommunity.com Copy Editors: Tracey Lewis, Kari Greczek Layout/Design: Daniel Patton Community Contributors: Jon Cohn, Elizabeth Johnston, Tracey Lewis, Shanti Nagarkatti, Matthew Reiss, Angela Gagnon New Eastside News is published monthly by Eastside Enterprises LLC. New Eastside News uses and values community writers and contributors. Views expressed by community contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of New Eastside News. New Eastside News does not take responsibility for third-party announcements or events. New Eastside News is independently owned and operated. Copyright @2016. All rights reserved.
Community Contributors NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
Frequent fireworks, wonderment fizzles By Matthew Reiss | Community Contributor It’s painful to admit, but living in Lakeshore East for eight years has made me a bit jaded about fireworks. “Oh, are there fireworks? It must be a Wednesday.” The ubiquitous nature of the spectacle has dulled its impact. But last summer I found a way to make them fun again. I still remember my very first fireworks extravaganza: Fourth of July in Fort Benning, Georgia. I was six yearsold, and I stared at the sky with my mouth open, shouting gleefully every time one of those fireworks sent its lazy tendrils look like a weeping willow tree back towards the earth. Sure, I had a sore neck and an eye full of ash, but I didn’t care. This was the greatest invention of all time. I would never get bored with fireworks; I just wished I could see them more often. Flash forward 40 years. I am now living my childhood fantasy, and it has become part of the background. For a time, I enjoyed watching the fireworks reflected in the glass of the buildings across the river, and it meant I could watch the show without fighting the spiders on my balcony. But lately, I’ve
Fireworks at Navy Pier. Photo: Chicago Genie.
felt like a curmudgeon, unable to take pleasure in an event whose sole purpose is to entertain. But wait! All of that changed when I decided to partake in a firework cruise. There are probably many such cruises, but this one was part of the incredibly worthwhile “Jazzin’ at the Shedd” event. The boat took off into the dark waters of Lake Michigan and came to rest near the lighthouse by Navy Pier.
When the fireworks began exploding all around us, the boat was under a beautifully colored siege. That alone brought a few gasps of wonder, but what really sold the moment, and brought back a sense of childhood awe, was seeing the lights of mighty Chicago framing this pyrotechnic spectacular. All these years, I’ve been staring out at the lake, taking for granted what I see every day. I just needed a change of perspective.
Chicago Fire Department discusses safety procedures at Aqua Condominium By Daniel Patton | Staff Writer Chicago Fire Department Battalion Commander Steve Little advised Aqua Condominum residents about fire safety procedures on April 21. In addition to presenting an overview of the Aqua’s specific fire prevention capabilities, Commander Little offered a summary of actions that should be taken by any hi-rise dweller in the face of a flaming emergency. The following checklist is a condensed version of a summary prepared by Priscilla Mims of the Aqua Condos Communications Committee.
If a fire should occur in your unit: · Leave immediately and close the door but do not lock it so fire officials can enter if necessary. · Go to a safe location and call 911 to report the fire. · If safe, alert other neighbors on your floor. · Do not use the elevators. · Alert the front desk. In case of a medical emergency: · Call 911. · Alert the front desk so they can direct the emergency responders.
If a fire should occur elsewhere: · Call 911 to report the fire. · Alert the front desk. · Move to safety or evacuate if you are in immediate danger. · Generally, it is safest to remain in your unit. Keep all doors closed and seal them by placing a wet towel at the bottom of the door. If conditions worsen, call 911 and report the situation. · Listen to instructions from fire officials that will be transmitted over the public address system.
Community Contributors
MAY 2016 / 5
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
Doorperson of the month: Nita Thornton, Coast apartments
By Daniel Patton | Staff Writer
her father, who is of African American and Puerto Rican descent.
Nita Thornton, doorperson at Coast Apartments, 345 E. Wacker Dr., learned how to handle the front desk responsibilities of a busy New Eastside high rise from a former coworker and friend who she believes to be without equal in the business.
Although she wishes that she had learned to speak more than “just” two languages — “There are a lot of people and I would love to speak with them all,” says Ms. Thornton — she has taken full advantage of her bilingual and bicultural upbringing.
“The good man from the Shoreham, Fred Crocker, is the best Doorman I’ve ever known,” she says. “He looked out for me. Got me all set up. Got me through training.” It was Fred’s mother, a trusted friend for years, who encouraged Ms. Thornton to investigate an opportunity in the building where her son worked in October 2012. At the time, Ms. Thornton was a Moraine Valley Community College nursing student, but her natural instinct for helping others was growing restless. So she decided to give it a try. There is no doubt in her mind that it was the right move to make.
“The beat of Reggeatone is amazing,” she says. “And I like to dance.”
Nita Thornton of the Coast Apartment building at 345 E. Wacker Dr. Photo by Daniel Patton.
“You get to put your arms out and extend yourself,” she explains. “It’s beneficial all the way around.” Roughly a year later, she accepted a postion at Coast when it opened.
said the resident who nominated her for this honor. “Everyone loves her. She always has a smile on her face and the right answer to give to anybody. We know we can count on her.”
Since then, her personalized brand of courtesy and service has been a hit with the tenants. “Nita is always on it,”
The position also allows her to frequently communicate in Spanish, which she speaks fluently thanks to
When she’s not enjoying the calypso rhythms of her heritage, Ms. Thornton likes to “just hang back” and spend time with family. Whether it’s with her own cousins, who rely on her wisdom as the oldest, or the children of friends, she cherishes being a helpful and mature friend. “For some reason, kids take a liking to me,” she says. “I like to claim them when I can.” To nominate your doorperson, please email info@neweastsidecommunity.com.
Hear in the neighborhood
Cute pet alert
Rambo is a mix of miniature Poodle and Schnauzer who came to the Aqua from a Missouri kennel six years ago. “When we got him, he was the size of a small loaf of bread,” explains his owner, whose son thought it was funny to name the pup after a fictitious musclebound military veteran portrayed by Sylvester Stallone. Althgough some of Rambo’s ancestors may have been employed to track and destroy rodents, he uses his instincts to stir up affection. Acording to his owner, “he’s a love sponge.” — Daniel Patton
Guitarist Larry Bluesman was born in Mississippi 67 years ago and moved to Chicago with his family when he was “about ten years-old.” Inspired by the guitarists who played in church functions that his mother used to take him to, he eventually joined a travelling church choir and studied music at the Chicago Conservatory. These days, he works as a professional touring musician. When not on the road, Mr. Bluesman performs in the Jackson Red Line station on Friday mornings. “I like pleasing people,” he says. “That’s why I’m a musician.” — Daniel Patton
6 / MAY 2016
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
Award-winning DDB Chicago creates ads for the world’s largest brands right here in New Eastside’s AON Center By Daniel Patton | Staff Writer
newfangled portal of social media, they could potentially connect their client’s brand with an audience that exceeded the record-breaking numbers normally associated with the event. It would require the expertise of several vendors in addition to DDB.
In the early 2000s, advertising agency DDB Chicago turned the expression “Whassup?” into an everyday salutation by shamelessly repeating it in a series of award-winning Budweiser television commercials that were conceived in the New Eastside’s Aon Center.
“It was a totally new and unheard of way to go to the Super Bowl,” says Gunning.
Since then, the company has continued to influence popular culture from the same location; but a lot of its work doesn’t look anything like a commercial or even play on a TV. Here’s how the mid-sized agency keeps its wits. “Creativity is at the heart of everything,” says Chief Executive Officer Paul Gunning. “I love the creative process.” Gunning, who has been at the helm of DDB Chicago since 2013, is frequently hailed as a “successful new breed” of CEO. The description generally implies two things: First that he has worked for a company with an interesting name (in this case, “Tribal Worldwide,” the digital unit of DDB; Secondly, the company with the interesting name is still in business (in Tribal’s case, excessively so: it consistently ranks among the world’s best digital agencies). To create effective advertising, DDB Chicago sizes up the tastes of millions of people who might be tempted to buy a product the agency wants to sell. In order to accomplish this, the agency must conduct hard research, oftentimes in the slippery social mediascape of modern America. The task comes naturally to the successful new breed of CEOs. “We look at the average U.S. shopper all the time,” Gunning says. “They’re willing to forego a lot of things in their life to have a sizable mobile phone contract.” Gunning understands that people are not only willing to make a “serious trade-off” to enjoy the luxury of their smart phones — “the average bill is $110 per month,” he continues — but they also might fund their phones by paying for and watching less TV. “It’s changed everything,” he says.
It also made quite an exciting game for the team behind the scenes, which, according to Gunning, “involved well over a hundred people from four or five different agencies.”
McDonald’s “GOL!” promotion created by DDB Chicago.
“Where they spend their time, how they find things. Advertising has to change with it.” Fortunately, DDB Chicago works with McDonald’s, a restaurant that offers an affordable product and, as it turns out, shares his commitment to deal with customers on their own digital terms. One of the early programs to emerge from their relationship was a French fry box that could transform a smart phone into an interactive digital soccer game when diners scanned a QVC code on the package’s design. It was
a campaign called “Gol” that ran in conjunction with the World Cup and won praise for technical innovation and creativity. But that was just the beginning. DDB Chicago dialed it up even more for last year’s Super Bowl. Their idea was for McDonald’s to award a prize corresponding to every commercial that aired during the game on a contest run through the restaurant’s Twitter account. They called it “McDonald’s ‘Lovin’ the Super Bowl.’” By channeling the hype of the traditionally famous ads through the
Behind-the-scenes of the McDonald’s Super Bowl giveaway conceived by DDB Chicago
Their greatest challenge was to create and deliver Tweets from a downtown Chicago office while the action was happening live. Since the NFL often does not identify all of the commercials scheduled to run during a Super Bowl, some of them were constructed in real time. “We had everything from producers to creative,” Gunning says. “We had account folks who were checking off on legal.” As the commercials ran, a chief production officer would contact an associate in New York and California to ensure that the ad was, indeed, playing all over the country. Then the team back in Chicago would Tweet a message offering the chance to win a prize for anyone who re-tweeted it. There was also a blizzard, which complicated the commute for some of the people who needed to join the crew on the back end, but Gunning says that only “added to the level of excitement.” “The trickiest parts were to make it exciting,” he remembers. “For the Mexican Avocado Growers Association, we gave away one avocado. But you got a trip to Mexico to pick it up.” In March, DDB Chicago won the 2016 Shorty Award for Mid-Size Agency of the Year, an honor that Fast Company magazine describes as “The Oscars of Social Media.” The company earned that recognition partly due to the success of “McDonald’s ‘Lovin’ the Super Bowl’” campaign, which won three Shorties.
Meet Your Neighbor NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
MAY 2016 / 7
New Eastside resident Gloria Irwin opens Chicago’s largest flotation and sensory deprivation studio By Daniel Patton | Staff Writer When Gloria Irwin rented a place at the Chandler three years ago, she thought it would make for great weekend getaways from her suburban Indiana home. The neighborhood — as well as her three children and her boyfriend — quickly agreed. “We love Lakeshore East because it gives such a neighborhood feel in the city,” she says. Little did she know what dramatic and excellent changes life had in store for her. At the time, she was an IT professional who had found an abundance of success analyzing large quantities of information for the likes of Harrah’s Entertainment and Trump Hotels and as the owner of her own business. She found that the New Eastside helped her reduce the stress by offering peaceful places to stroll, bike, and, most
importantly, spend time with her five year-old Bichon Shih Tzu, Lola.
open FloatSixty, Chicago’s largest flotation and sensory deprivation studio.
“If you’re stressed out and you go over to the dog park, you cannot help but feel happy,” she says. “It is my happy place.”
Each of the facility’s five individual suites offer state of the art tanks filled with ten inches of warm water and 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, which contains magnesium, a natural muscle relaxer.
Then her boyfriend asked her to try “something new,” a from of therapeutic rejuvenation that invololved floating in a giant tank full of saltwater and darkness. Alone. She hesitated. “We had been dating for four years at this time,” she explains. “He had been exposed to this. He kind of talked me into trying.” The experience changed her life. “I got the best sleep of my life that night,” she says. “So I did it again to make sure it was really that effective.” That was April 2015. Within a year, Gloria would leave the IT industry and
“The environment is most akin to what you would experience floating in the Dead Sea,” she says. Although her studio has proven its worthiness to people who push their bodies to the limit for a living — Jeremy Roenick, Matt Forte, and Jonathan Toews are all clients — the rejuvenating effects of an hour spent floating in one of the tanks is something that Ms. Irwin believes everyone can use. “Afterwards, you feel energy and everything’s more hi-def and more clear,” she says. “You’re a lot more calm.” The studio is so busy that Ms. Irwin
FloatSixty founder / owner Gloria Irwin
and her staff must do their personal floating after hours, but FloatSixty still offers a neighborhood discount for all New Eastside first-timers. Turns out that her boyfriend’s advice was worth taking. Perhaps that’s part of the reason she said yes when he asked her to marry him last November. FloatSixty · 303 W. Erie St. · (844) 3562860 · www.floatsixty.com.
Farmers harvesting for downtown farmers markets
By Angela Gagnon | Staff Writer
crop that’s about to bloom.”
The Daley Plaza Farmer’s Market, the longest running farmer’s market in Chicago, will open on Thursday, May 12, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Offering fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and more, it will mark a welcome and celebratory end to the long, cold winter.
At the farm, they grow an impressive 250 types of apples and are able to offer between 30 and 50 types of apples at the market. In addition, they grow over 1000 types of fruits and vegetables so they have an extraordinary selection of fresh produce to offer year round. “Because of the mild winter, our perennial food crops should be ready (when the markets open),” says Nichols.
The process of “Farm to Market” is not an easy one. On market days, farmers start preparing shortly after midnight, loading trucks, driving downtown, unloading and setting up so they can be open for business at 7 a.m. River Valley Ranch, a sustainable family food business that offers a wide selection of products and specializes in mushrooms, was among the first vendors to participate at Daley Plaza when it first started. According to Eric Rose, son of founder Bill Rose and “Head Shroom” at the farm, “The process of cultivating mushrooms involves a lot of work and a lot of attention.” RVR is certified organic, so everything is grown chemical free. “Sanitation’s a
A Chicago farmers market vendor shows off his cheese. Photo: Daniel Patton
big deal at the farm for keeping problems at bay,” says Rose. He even offers tours at the farm for anyone wanting to see first hand how their mushrooms and produce are grown. Besides offering fresh produce, RVR also serves hot food like tamales, chili, and soup. “We make 300 tamales on a typical day,” says Rose. The long lines of hungry patrons waiting for tamales during the busy lunch time rush is testament of their outstanding and
delicious reputation. Nichols Farm is another popular vendor at Daley Plaza known for their large variety of products. Todd Nichols, Farm Manager and second-generation owner, says they basically grow everything you can grow. “We have a large variety of the earliest to the latest crops,” he explains. “Right now I’m planting sweet corn and I’ve got asparagus coming in and an apple
Both Rose and Nichols suggest customers shop early for best selection and develop relationships with farmers by asking thoughtful questions. Farming is hard work that requires a team to be successful, according to Nichols. The hours can be grueling, but there is clearly a dedicated passion fueling their businesses. “We are grateful for everyone’s ongoing support,” says Rose, “and [we are] very committed to providing good food for our customers.” For more information, visit www.cityofchicago.org.
8 / MAY 2016
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
Get your car clean and ready to be seen
Neighborhood CondoWash prepares your ride while you’re away By Jon Cohn | Staff Writer Everybody is enjoying the end of winter, getting outdoors and looking good, but let’s not forget one other item that also takes a beating in the winter and looks forward to getting outside in warmer temperatures: our automobiles. Our beloved cars look forward to going outside and getting all spruced up, just like we do. And that is where New Eastside business CondoWash comes in. CondoWash is a unique car wash service that caters specifically to residents and people who work and live in the New Eastside.
getting it done in time, I remembered my car had been sitting in its parking place all day. So, I thought maybe there is a better way,” explains Gray. He put his idea into motion, and a year later CondoWash became a reality.
building (some buildings have CondoWash drop-boxes). Alternatively, keys can be placed in envelopes provided at the CondoWash drop-box in the Shoreham garage lobby, located at 400 E. South Water St.
To use the service, customers schedule time on the CondoWash website.
All washes take place at the Shoreham building garage. Once the wash is complete, CondoWash returns your car to its original parking space and delivers
On the day of service, customers drop their car keys at the front desk of their
A sampling of CondoWash customers from on the company’s webiste
the keys back to the corresponding front desk security person. Gray and his staff thoroughly enjoy their job. “I enjoy the customer service part,” Gray says. “I like meeting people and, believe it or not, I really love cleaning and washing cars.” So if you want to get your car looking spiffy and are a little short on time, call the crew at CondoWash. There are different service packages available, from the full-body interior/exterior wash and wax to the simple exterior clean. And remember… your car will thank you.
Owner Mr. Barney Gray founded the company in 2011. “One night I had to attend a special event and after coming home from work realized I needed to get my car washed. After barely
CondoWash 400 E. South Water St. Chicago, IL 60601 · 312-453-7308 www.condowash.com.
Bob O’Neill on why the proposed Maggie Daley Park restaurant is worth all the time and effort By Daniel Patton | Staff Writer
rant’s design by Chicago’s Space Architects + Planners will blend seamlessly with the nature that surrounds it. The glass-walled, grass-topped structure, he explains, is “like an extension of the park, which is really cool because when you’re in the park, you don’t actually see a building.” It will also complement the modern wing of the Art Institute across the street.
The original design for Maggie Daley Park excluded a restaurant because the city wanted to make sure that people liked the place before adding brick and mortar to it. Now that the Pritzker Pavilion and the Bean and the Lurie Garden have proven their ability to attract worldwide attention, a dining establishment is on its way. Bob O’Neill, President of the Grant Park Conservancy, explains the challenges and the potential of turning it into reality. “It’s a risky venture,” he says. “The vendor had to pay for the building.” This is just one of the hurdles facing the Chicago restaurant group that ultimately decided to jump and, last month, received approval to move forward by the city’s Planning Commission. Others include the notion that people don’t go to parks in the wintertime and that the restaurant’s designated location, a former bus turnaround near Columbus and Monroe, is too far off the beaten path.
Design for the Maggie Daley Park restaurant by Space Architects + Planners
But O’Neill is confident that Chicago’s current renaissance can help the restaurant overcome those obstacles. “Maggie Daley Park is wildly successful,” he explains. “This is actually going to work.” There is plenty of evidence to support his optimism. Immediately south of Maggie Daley Park, the area once recognized largely as the place where they
held Blues Fest and Taste of Chicago has become the home of Lollapalooza, Draft Town, and a winding museum campus. The streets surrounding it are boasting new upscale restaurants and breathtaking hi-rise developments. An innovative Green Fitness Space and, with any luck, the George Lucas Museum will follow. O’Neill also believes that the restau-
When it opens, the restaurant will offer seating for 120 people inside and 240 people outside. According to O’Neil, “it will really open people to the idea of how interesting and great it is to eat in a really green setting.” If all goes according to plan, the restaurant should be completed early next year. For O’Neill, it will mark a satisfying conclusion to a long journey. “When I was growing up, everybody used to talk about Tavern on the Green in Central Park,” he remembers. “We’re getting more of that. We have this great city. If you do it well, you’ll have this great restaurant.”
MAY 2016 / 9
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
Corporate Cleaning services adds sparkle to the New Eastside Continued from Page 1. By Daniel Patton — Staff Writer CEO Neal Zucker was inspired to get into the window washing business by an epiphany that appeared before him in downtown Chicago in 1994. “I was walking around and I saw that there was a lot of glass around,” he says. At the time, he was a trader pursuing a Kellogg MBA who wanted to avoid the road typically travelled by his peers. “I just knew, sitting in those classes, that I was not going to be an investment banker,” he remembers. “There’s so much more.” So he “bought into” a housekeeping and window washing business. “I lived in a building and there was a need to hire housekeepers to clean the corporate apartments,” he explains. “It filled that need.” As the company grew, he increasingly focused on the window washing service. Today, Corporate Cleaning Services is the largest window washing company in Chicago. “We have over a hundred window washers and a very diverse portfolio,” Zucker says. Roughly 1,200 properties rely on the company to wash their windows and perform interior cleaning operations. Besides the top shelf properties in New Eastside, Corporate Cleaning handles the Hancock, the United Center, the Willis Tower and a list of condominiums, high-rises and universities that reads like a who’s who of architectural greatness. Zucker’s enthusiasm for the company’s success is matched by a devotion to the “amazing staff of hardworking people” who make it happen. He is quick to point out that Corporate Cleaning is the largest employer of union washers in Chicago and one of the largest employers of Latinos in the city. Above all else, he seems proud to protect them.
Erenesto Rodriguez prepares to descend the Blue Cross Blue Shield building on Randolph in a commercial for Anthem Health Insurance by director Robert Stockwell of Cinema Libertad.
Oralia Castañeda oversees this over compliance. She knows ropes and harnesses like a veteran, and hopes to hang from the side of a building for her first time this summer. She came to Chicago from Rockford for a career in law, but something about the company’s culture intrigued her. Corporate Cleaning Services Founder and CEO Neal Zucker.
nervous” the first time he hung from the side of a building. “But now I can do it,” he laughs. “It’s easy for me.” Salas immigrated to Chicago from Zacatecas, Mexico, seven years ago and got the job at Corporate Cleaning with the help of his brother. In conversation, he speaks with impeccable grace and kindness, a manner that filmmaker Nadav Kurtz found to be common among the company’s employees while making “Paraiso,” an award-winning 2012 documentary about window washers. During production, Kurtz grew close to three of the men and their families. “I felt really welcome and comfortable,” he remembers. “They were always trying to buy me tacos and stuff.”
Working in the window washing business “We thrive on each others’ success,” Castañeda explains. “That goes for the entire team. I know every single one of the window washers by name. I know the story behind them.”
“When we say safety’s our priority, we mean it,” he says. The company not only employs a safety manager — which is somewhat rare in the industry — but it also exceeds requirements prescribed by the government’s Occupational Safety Hazard Authority.
Two in particular, Ernesto Rodriguez and Efrem Salas, were featured in a commercial for Blue Cross Blue Shield. It shows them preparing and descending from the top of BCBS’ New Eastside high-rise on E. Randolph St. — another one of Corporate Cleaning’s customers — while a narrator explains why Anthem Health Insurance is so good for hardworking people.
Executive Director of Operations
According to Salas, he was “a little bit
The footage of “Paraiso” is no doubt breathtaking, but the theme is even more powerful: “This is a film about guys who work really hard and take care of their families,” Kurtz explains. As it turns out, these guys work hard for other peoples’ families as well. Twice a year, Corporate Cleaning’s window washers entertain patients at Kolmer Hospital and Lurie Children’s Hospital by wearing superhero costumes while scaling the exterior. Immediately after the inagural event, says Castañeda, they started figuring out how to have more interaction with the kids on the next trip down. CEO Zucker, who spends much of his success serving on boards for charitable organizations, could not be more pleased with the way business is going.
Now Enrolling
Preschool through
8th Grade
Experience the Future of Education. Today. Chicago’s Premier Preschool through 8th Grade International School Located in the heart of Lakeshore East, GEMS World Academy – Chicago’s inquiry-based curriculum empowers student exploration and critical-thinking. Our technologyrich campus helps students forge rewarding relationships in a valuesdrien environment. As students make connections to the world, they gain the solid academic foundation necessary to become successful life-long learners.
Schedule a Visit and Tour To learn more about GEMS World Academy - Chicago, meet with the admissions team, and reserve your spot, visit: www.gemschicago.org/eastside or call: 312-809-8910
10 / MAY 2016
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
Events
Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confim event information.
Ongoing Events
Spring Planting Day
Through May 22
June 4
The King and I at the Civic Opera The Lyric Opera presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic favorite about a British schoolteacher hired to tutor the King of Siam’s children in 19th century Bangkok with 25 performances featuring an all-Chicagoland children’s ensemble at the Civic Opera House. $25-$149. 1:30 p.m., 7 p.m. 20 N. Wacker Dr. (312) 827-5600. www.lyricopera.org
Help sustain the beauty of Lake Shore East Park by planting some plants!
Through May 28 Pedway Walking Tour & Brunch Explore underground Chicago from the Radisson Blu to Macy’s. Brunch at the Hyatt Regency. $50 - $70. 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Saturdays Radisson Blu · 221 N. Columbus Dr. www.chicagosfinesttours.com/winter-tours/pedway-brunch-tour/
Through June 21 Citizen’s Police Academy The Chicago Police Department offers residents the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the law and help keep the community safe. Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Chicago Police Academy, 1300 W. Jackson · (312) 745-4381
Through September 16 Five Star Fitness Signature Boot Camp Trainer Scott McClain promises to “get you into the best shape of your life“ with six-week programs in Lake Shore East Park. (312) 273-9795. www.fivestarfitnessbootcamps.com
Through December 31 Chicago Chocolate Tour A 90-minute guided to well known Chicago purveyors of chocolate and hidden gems that sell chocoloate. Includes chocolate. Tours begin at S/E corner of Pearson St. and Tower Ct. Saturdays at 1 p.m. · Sundays at Noon beginning May 7. (773) 7547562. www.americastours.net
Summer film series at Millennium Park
Enjoy a selection of America’s favorite movies in America’s greatest park. All screenings take place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and begin at 6:30 p.m. June 21 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off | 1986, rated PG-13 June 28 Soul Food | 1997, rated R
Plants and tools will be provided to volunteers. Friends and families are encouraged to participate in this neighborhood favorite. Open to all
July 5 A League of Their Own | 1992, rated PG July 12 Thelma & Louise | 1991, rated R
Saturday, June 4 · 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Meet at the top of the grand stairs.
July 19 Full Moon Double Feature Moonstruck | 1988, rated PG Silence of the Lambs | 1991, rated R
May 4 The Big Fake Wedding Chicago “A bridal show alternative” with appetizers, drinks and an “emotional” wedding ceremony. $25. 7 p.m. · Pinstripes · 435 E. Illinois St. www.thebigfakewedding.com
July 26 Kartemquin Films 50th Anniversary Celebration Celebration of the filmmakers who created “Hoop Dreams” and others Aug. 2 West Side Story | 1961, unrated Aug. 9 Grease | 1978, rated PG-13
May 5 Art in Motion Art exhibition and fundraiser featuring work selected by James Rondeau, curator of the MCA and the Art Institute, from hundreds of submissions. Hosted by Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Associate Board. $75 (add’l packages available). 5:30 p.m. · 303 E. Superior St. (312) 238-6013 · http://donate.ric. org/artinmotion
May 6 GEMS World Academy Admissions and Coffee Tour “A great way for parents, local business leaders, and other members of the community to get to know our school.” Free. Noon - 1 p.m. · Admissions office 350 E. South Water · (312) 809-8900 www.gemsworldacademy-chicago.com Lincoln Park Zoo Challenge Teams of friends solve clues and compete for prizes in an adult scavenger hunt in the zoo’s Café at Wild Things. “Costumes welcome.” $25 ($20 for members). 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lincoln Park Zoo · 2001 N. Clark St. (312) 742-2000 · www.lpzoo.org
Aug. 16 Finding Nemo | 2003, rated G Aug. 23 Purple Rain | 1984, rated R Aug. 30 Audience Choice (voting details coming soon)
May 7 2016 Season Opener at III Forks Restaurant Watch the Kentucky Derby at III Forks rooftop grand opening with $5 Makers Mark Mint Juleps and specialty cocktails, and Kentucky Fried Chicken with Bourbon Sauce. Doors open at 4 p.m. Derby post time is 5:34 p.m. 180 N. Field Blvd. · (312) 938-4303 · www.3forks.com/ 18th Annual Kids and Kites Festival Build, decorate and fly kites supplied by the city (while supplies last). Enjoy the Big Kite Candy Drop, a candy-filled kite drops from the sky. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Cricket Hill (Montrose and Wilson) · (312) 827-5600 www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/ dca/supp_info/kids_and_kites_festival.html/
Chicago Beer Classic at Soldier Field Hundreds of beers, a lot of food that goes with beer, and some seminars about beer. 11:30 and 4:00 p.m. (VIPs start a half hour earlier). $75/$95. Soldier Field · 1410 Museum Campus Dr. · (312) 235-7000 http://chicagobeerclassic.com/ Switch On Summer at Buckingham Fountain Activities, entertainment, giveaways and energy-saving tips to celebrate the 6 p.m. summer launch of the fountain. Free. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. · Buckingham Fountain · Balbo Ave. and Lake Shore Dr.
May 13 Manifest Urban Arts Festival Columbia College’s 16th annual festival of student work featuring art, drama,
NEW EASTSIDE NEWS
MAY 2016 / 11
Events
Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information.
2016 Chicago Gospel Music Festival headliners Headliners and kenynote speakers for this year’s free event. View the complete program at www.chicagogospelmusicfestival.us. Friday June 3 Chicago Cultural Center When Shepherds Worship 3 p.m. — First floor north Kinsmen 3:30 p.m. — Third floor south Jay Pritzker Pavilion Percy Gray, Jr. & Joshua’s Troop, New Direction Chicago Mass Choir 8:30 p.m. Saturday June 4 Jay Pritzker Pavilion Centennial Celebration of the Great Migration featuring the Great Migration Mass Choir 4 p.m. Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir 8:30 p.m. photography, dance and more. Free · Multiple venues, times on South Loop Campus · www.colum.edu/manifest After Dark at the Art Institute Mix, mingle, eat, drink and enjoy music ath the Art Institute’s celebrated
evening social program. 21+. $15-$30. 9 p.m. to Midnight. Art Institute of Chicago · 111 S. Mighican · (312) 4433600 · www.artic.edu/event/after-dark
May 13-15 LakeFX Creativity Summit & Expo Evening Showcases w/iHeartMedia Chicago’s hottest talent in multiple artist reviews. Friday features Che “Rhymefest” Smith and others. Saturday features Lupe Fiasco and others. Free. 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. · Cultural Center · 78 E. Washington St. · RSVP required, registration begins May 2 visit www. lakefxchicago.us for details.
May 11-22 The Joffrey Ballet’s “Cinderella” The venerable dance company performs ten matinee and evening shows of this timeless classic (see schedule for exact days and times). $32 - $170. 2 p.m. / 7:30 p.m. · Auditorium Theatre 50 E. Congress Pkwy. · (312) 386-8905 joffrey.org/cinderella
May 14 Regeneration at the Radisson Blu Raw Food Centre presents Dr. Cristina Torres Moore and Chef Sunita Vira’s take on how to regernate the body, mind and soul. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel · 221 N. Columbus Dr. · (312) 631-3095 · www. rawfoodcentre.com/events
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts at the Chicago Cultural Center The international music foundation presents free weekly concerts under the exquisite dome of Preston Bradley Hall. May 4 · 12:15 p.m. Pianist Abdiel Vázquez performs Rachmaninoff’s Four Songs Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and four pieces by Pletnev. May 11 · 12:15 p.m. Violinist Kinga Augustyn and pianist Benjamin Laude Trio perform Beethoven’s Violin Sonata and others.
May 18 · 12:15 p.m. Pianist Esther Park performs Debussy’s Images and others. May 25 · 12:15 p.m. Mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski and Pianist Daniel Pesca perform Grieg’s Gruss, Liszt’s Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen and others.
78 E. Washington Presented by the international music foundation (312) 670-6888 · www.imfchicago.org/hess/main#/hess/schedules/395
“Take Flight” ballet at Harris Theatre Features noted choreographer George Balanchine’s Square Dance, and Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux. $35 - $50 2 p.m. / 7:30 p.m. · Harris Theatre at Millennium Park · 205 E. Randolph St. (312) 334.7777 · www.harristheaterchicago.org
May 26 Mid-America Club Exclusive Tour & Reception for Lakeshore East and New Eastside Residents Experience the club’s classic ambience and breathtaking views while learning about the personal and professional enrichment opportunities that make it one of the best in Chicago. Free. RSVP required (contact info below). 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Aon Center · 80th floor · 200 E. Randolph St. RSVP to 312-861-1100 or susan.marzec@clubcorp.com
May 28 “Blues for Peace” fundraiser at the Mid-America Club Foloshades Entertainment and the United Nations present a black tie celebration of the Blues. Dinner and performances by The Mike Wheeler Band and Cash McCall. $250. Aon Center · 80th floor 200 E. Randolph St. 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. www.eventbrite.com/e/folashades-entertainment-w-the-united-nations-presents-blues-for-peace-fundraiser-tickets-24581618282
May 29 Bike the Drive Take a 15-mile bike ride on Lake Shore Drive while the thoroughfare is closed to automobiles. “Bicycles reign.” $17$64. 7 a.m. recommended start time · Multiple locations · For more info, visit www.bikethedrive.org
June 4 Spring Planting Day in New Eastside Help keep the neighborhood beautiful. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Meet at the top of the grand stairs.
CHICAGO
SPRING RACES Active residents of New Eastside are leaving gyms and fitness centers in favor of streets and paths of our beautiful Chicago lakefront neighborhood. Many New Eastsiders are ramping up their training for many of the 5K or 10K events coming up. Here’s a list of upcoming runs. —Jon Cohn Cinco de Miler 5 miles 9 a.m., Saturday May 7 Soldier Field Komen Chicago Race for the Cure 10K / 5K run / walk, 1 mile walk 8 a.m., Sunday May 8 Grant Park Wanderlust May 14 Move for the Kids 5K run / walk 9 a.m., Sunday May 15 Soldier Field Universal Sole 4 Mile Classic 4 miles Thursday May 19 Montrose Harbor Greater Chicago Epilepsy 5K Run / Walk Saturday, May 21 Montrose Harbor Colon Cancer Alliance Chicago Undy Run 5K / 1 mile fun run 9 a.m., Saturday, May 21 Lincoln Park Bark in the Park 5K 9 a.m., Saturday, May 21 Soldier Field Chicago Spring Half Marathon 13.1 / 10K, Junior Dash 7 a.m., Sunday, May 22 Lakeshore East Park JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge 3.5 miles 7 a.m., Thursday, May 26 Grant Park Soldier Field 10 Mile 2 mile walk, kids run 7 a.m., Saturday, May 28 Soldier Field
12 / MAY 2016
340 ON THE PARK
▪
340 E Randolph St.
THE CHANDLER
450 E Waterside Dr.
2 Bed / 2.1 Bath
▪
2 Bed / 2.1 Bath
Floor-to-ceiling windows and a unique floor plan offer rare lake and park views. $1,775,000
Fully upgraded luxury home overlooks the Chicago River from private balcony. $1,279,000
HARBOR POINT
340 ON THE PARK
155 N Harbor Dr.
▪
2 Bed / 2.1 Bath
340 E Randolph St.
Recently renovated with breathtaking views from wrap-around windows on high floor. $1,000,000
400 E Randolph ▪ Suite 500
▪
2 Bed / 2 Bath
Stunning views from south-facing beauty feat. chef’s kitchen and bamboo floors. $1,620,000
312 ▪ 528 ▪ 9200
www.UrbanRealEstate.com