CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – LOOP, PORTAGE PARK, LAKEVIEW, GOLD COAST, OAK PARK

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LOOP

Tomorrow, Friday 6/10, is the last day applications are being accepted for the Women’s Business Development Center’s (8 S. Michigan Ave.) 6 month LEAD Program, which stands for Latina Entrepreneurial Accelerated Development, that begins on June 22nd. This intensive leadership training program will focus on only 25 Latina business owners who have been in operation for at least 2 years and have at least 2 employees. The cost is only $200 for the program of seminars by successful peers who will connect, assess, and help actualize plans to move businesses forward. Follow this WBDC link for more information and to apply before the deadline.

PORTAGE PARK

Friends of The Chicago Academy have their Summer Flea Market fundraiser coming up this Saturday, 6/11, from 9:00am – 3:00pm to benefit The Chicago Academy Elementary School at 3400 N. Austin Ave. There will be lots of vendors on the front lawn of the Academy for a neighborly shopping experience. There will also be a donation table for items you’d like to donate to the cause. It’s not too late to purchase a 12′ by 12 ‘ vendor space for $25. All proceeds go to The Chicago Academy but you get to keep your profits from your sales. Contact Julie Aleyne via email at alleynejulie@gmail.com for more information as soon as possible.

LAKEVIEW

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Fashion Show & Shopping Event will bring five neighborhood retailers together next Thursday, 6/16, from 7:00pm – 8:30pm to showcase their wares at a fun, glamorous event. WineHouse will host and provide wine samples at 3164A N. Broadway St. with boutique fashions from Colette Collection (2858 N. Clark St.) and Spare Parts (2949 N. Broadway St.) on display. Models’ hairstyles will be created by Ingmar James Salon (3255 N. Broadway St.) and Vanille Patisserie (3243 N. Broadway St.) will tempt your taste buds with macarons and petit fours at this $10 per person event. Reservations are required! Follow the link above to Register Now.

GOLD COAST

We’re giving you fair warning to get your pups in a row for the Gold Coast Neighbors Association’s inaugural “Best in Gold Coast” Dog Show which will be held on Saturday 6/25 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the Southeast Corner of South Lincoln Park, along North Ave. near Astor St. General admission to attend is only $10 but to participate, proof of dogs’ vaccination, City of Chicago registration, and tickets ranging from $50 – $125 are required for your dog to be part of the show. There are also volunteering opportunities for any true dog lovers out there so email LaurenBurny@hotmail.com if interested, or call GCNA at 312-332-6122 for more information. Proceeds will benefit SitStayRead which was founded in 2003 to improve literacy skills in children from low-income families by engaging and putting them at ease with the help of trained dogs in the classroom.

OAK PARK

The Oak Park Board of Trustees is joining the City of Chicago by cracking down on tobacco use with a new ordinance that raises the tobacco-purchasing age from 18 to 21. According to CityofChicago.org, Chicago’s ordinance will go into effect on July 1st. OakPark.com reports that the age increase will go into effect on August 1st, and sellers of tobacco products must also be aged 21 years or older. This may force retailers to have to think twice about hiring and scheduling to ensure that a properly aged worker is on hand at all times. This issue was brought up during the Board’s meeting but was reasoned out that most retailers of tobacco also sell alcohol and already have to take their workers’ ages into account. The new ordinance received unanimous approval.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO