• Recent LCA News •

Summer Block Party is July 13!

Lincoln Central Association is excited to again partner with Carnival Grocery for the Summer Block Party on Saturday, July 13 from noon – 3 p.m. on Dickens Ave. This family friendly block party will offer fun, food and activities for families and adults. For kids, the event will feature face painting, a balloon artist, games from Lakeshore Sports and Fitness, music and more. Adults can enjoy some complimentary food and drinks from Carnival Foods. The event is free and open to all.

Help Us Improve Safety by Taking LCA's 2024 Public Safety Survey

Because improving public safety requires law enforcement and community to work together more effectively, we try to provide useful information in LCA Newsletters on public safety topics of concern, news you can use, tips on how to work more effectively with CPD, and ideas on how to keep yourself, and your family and household safe from harm.

Three years ago, knowing that your input would help us provide you with useful and relevant public safety information, LCA sent a survey (to be completed anonymously) to our listserv members that we adapted from a “Community Survey on Public Safety and Law Enforcement” developed and widely used by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. With summer upon us and the DNC just two months away, we’ve revised that survey with a few locally relevant questions and are asking you to respond by selecting appropriate answers to each item below based on your observations and opinions. As we did in 2021, we’ll share survey results with you, with our 18th CPD District leadership, and with our Alderman.

Take the Survey Here.

Please take the survey by Friday, July 12 and watch for LCA survey results reporting in a forthcoming newsletter.

Elvis at Ella Jenkins Park on June 21

Join Us for a Ward Walk on Monday, July 15

Want to Get Involved? Join LCA's Community Affairs Committee

Save the Date for Upcoming LCA Events

Evening in the Garden – Sunday, September 15

Evening in the Garden celebrates the close of summer, our garden volunteers and the garden harvest. This garden party is used to honor the heart put into many neighborhood achievements including retiring police officers and especially the volunteers who make our neighborhood parks such special gathering places. The event includes food, wine and beverages from neighborhood restaurants and businesses. The event is free and open to the public.

Howler at Bauler – Saturday, October 26, 3 – 5 p.m.

Known as “The Haunt of the Neighborhood”, Howler at Bauler is held each year during Halloween weekend in Bauler Park. From the neighborhood firehouse bringing its truck, to the neighborhood fitness center staffing games, to our congressman, alderman and state representatives greeting the crowds, everyone puts their heart into making this a great neighborhood event. Howler at Bauler includes a bouncy house, costume parade, games, candy, a DJ to dance to and more to local neighborhood children and families.

Thank You LCA Sponsors!

LCA is dedicated to inspiring people to join together for the social, cultural, and physical enrichment of our neighborhood, and our local businesses are a critical part of that! LCA is honored to work with local businesses to improve our neighborhood and promote their business.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Feature •

A Tribute to Judy

by Larry Sachs

Have you ever taken a moment to appreciate and wonder about Oz Park’s incredible Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Dorothy and Toto sculptures? Or enjoyed the beauty of Dorothy’s Emerald Garden, or played tennis, pickleball or basketball on Oz Park courts, or attended an Oz Park Movie or Concert? Have your kids participated in a baseball league or played softball on one of three Oz baseball diamonds? Have you ever chilled out or ‘sunned’ on an Oz Park bench, picnicked or partied in, or jogged around or strolled through Oz Park? Or enjoyed an Oz Park doggie play date? Or gleefully sung Christmas carols at the Oz Christmas Tree Lighting? Have you ever been thrilled to show off “your” Oz Park to visiting friends and family members? Have you and your kids taken a look at the incredible Dorothy’s Playground reconstruction and transformation that’s just a few weeks from completion?

Then you may want to say a big “Thank You” to Judy Johanson who, as President of the Oz Park Advisory Council for many years, has been the inspiration and fundraiser and driving force and community manager behind so much that we enjoy about the fabulous Oz Park!

Only in Oz park!

Judy has lived across the street from Oz Park for some 50 years and simply put, she's someone who get things done. When you notice that Oz sidewalks are clean, thank Judy who can’t walk through the park with her dog Glinda without picking up and disposing of litter. When you see a woman pointing out that dogs aren’t allowed in the garden, or helping a visitor find their way, or smiling at children and parents and visitors enjoying Oz Park – that’s our Judy!

If you want to thank her, better do it soon as our good friend Judy will be relocating away from Chicago in the near future to be closer to family. One way to say ‘Thanks’ is by making a tax-deductible donation on the Oz Park Advisory Council website (Support OPAC - Oz Park Advisory Council) to help them continue to maintain and improve this fabulous community resource – or by channeling Judy by picking up and disposing of Oz Park litter whenever you visit Oz Park! 

Judy, thank you for your passion and tireless efforts in support of the amazing Oz Park, the Crown Jewel at the center and heart of our wonderful community - you will be sorely missed! 

• Neighborhood News •

Download the Chicago OEMC App

Put safety and emergency preparedness in the palm of your hand and download the Chicago Emergency Management & Communications OEMC APP. Notable features include: CHI Safe Walk, interactive City maps, access to current weather conditions, road closures, special events safety information along with emergency management related services at your fingertips.

Learn more and download the app here.

Upcoming Events at Lincoln Common

Check out these upcoming summer events at Lincoln Common! 

Broadway & Me Summer Saturday Series

Saturdays June 15th - August 31

10:00am

Lincoln Common Plaza

Cost: $25 per family

SING, DANCE, & PLAY!

Enjoy a live performance with our friends from Stages Chicago every Saturday morning (weather permitting). Check out the lineup here!

SUMMER ROLL

Thursday, June 20th

5:00-8:00PM

Lincoln Common Plaza

Roller Skate! Rock Out! Repeat!

Lincoln Common is rolling (literally) into summer on Thursday, June 20th! Join us for an evening of roller-skating, live music, and more on the plaza! Checkout all the fun here!

*Roller skates will be provided at no cost.

Summer Roll is free and open to the public. Food and drinks are for purchase.

Event is weather permitting.

Events for the Whole Family this Summer at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness

Camp Lakeshore  

Did you know Lakeshore offers Summer Camps for kids ages 2-14yrs including Traditional Camp, Specialty Camps, Sports Camps, Field Trips, and more? Swimming, lunch, and snacks are included! To learn more about summer camps, click HERE. 

Wine Down Wednesday 

Enjoy a rooftop yoga class with the best views in Chicago or a heart-pumping, body-moving fitness class followed by a complimentary glass of featured wine at Harvest—LSF's rooftop restaurant! Hang out and socialize at one of Chicago’s best outdoor rooftop venues. 

6-7 PM Yoga 

6-6:45 PM Body Conditioning 

6:45-7:45 PM Zumba 

Jazzy Thursday 

On Thursday nights join us for live jazz music on the Harvest rooftop from 6-8pm. Grab a cocktail, mocktail, or dinner as you take in the views and the music. Open seating on the lawn and reservations for Harvest restaurant can be made on Tock. 

Thursday Night Outdoor Family Movie Night 

Grab your family and join us on our dedicated kid’s rooftop for outdoor movies! We will start the movie at 8pm or as soon as the sun sets. Candy, snacks, drinks, and rooftop dinner service are available. Here are a few of our upcoming shows, with new movies each week all summer long! 

June 6th – Camp Rock 

June 13th – Adventures in Babysitting 

June 20th – Wall-E 

June 27th – Muppet Treasure Island 

Friday Family Night Out 

Join us at Lakeshore this summer for a different activity for the whole family every Friday night 4-6pm on the Kid's Rooftop. Grab the whole family and maybe a friend or two—all ages are welcome! 

June 7th – Giant Lawn Games 

June 14th – S'mores, Slime & Style 

June 21st – Make Your Own: Ice Cream 

June 28th – Magic Show 

Snow cone & Swim Saturdays 

Meet us on the Kid’s Rooftop from 2-4pm for snow cones every Saturday! Splash in the pool, run on the playground, and enjoy a snow cone on us. 

Brunch & Bocce at Harvest 

Take in the best views in Chicago, while enjoying a delicious brunch and playing bocce ball on the great lawn. May through August bocce ball will be available from 12 – 3pm on the rooftop. 

Save the Date!  

Family Field Day - July 21st 2pm-4pm 

Join us on the Kid’s Rooftop for relay races, water balloon toss, tug of war, obstacle course, slip & slide, and more! Food, drinks, and all the summer fun you could want!

Jonquil Family Fest Rescheduled to August 17

Chicago Craft Beer Fest Happening July 5, 6 & 7 Happening at Jonquil Park

Taste of Lincoln Ave Happening July 26 - 28

From the Heart is an award-winning newsletter published by Lincoln Central Association.

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