ASNA Chicago

2008 Midwinter Blahs! Neighborhood Party

by Noel Suarez on January 24th, 2008 at 9:40 pm cst

[UPDATED] Join us for one of ASNA’s favorite events – our 3rd Annual Mid-Winter Blahs Party. We’re set for Sunday, February 10, 3-6 p.m. at one of our neighbor’s newer restaurants Il Fiasco, 5101 North Clark St. (formerly Rioja, Atlantique). Meet your neighbors, play games and sample some great food . The suggested donation of $7 includes a ticket for a free drink and appetizers. If you are not yet a member of ASNA, join at the door and receive a free drink ticket. Bring a new member and you get another free drink ticket! Questions? Call Lisa Spiegler (728-3030).

A little something about of Il Fiasco:

Il Fiasco is located at 5101 North Clark Street (formerly Rioja, Atlantique) and is owned by Michael and Natalie Moore (original owners of Lincoln Park’s “Pasta Palazzo” and founders of Lakeview’s “Twist”). The Moores named the restaurant “Il Fiasco” to play on the word used for the wicker-based Chianti bottles named “fiasco” in Italian. The restaurant was also named “Il Fiasco” because while vacationing in Italy with their first daughter, Charlotte, they came across a restaurant named “Il Fiasca”. During the dinner, Charlotte, who was a baby at the time, nibbled on her first bites of solid food – pasta of course! So the restaurant was named for sentimental reasons, as well as for the fact that running a restaurant can sometimes become a “fiasco”! On January 2nd, Executive Chef, Eric Aubriot (“Taste” Food and Wine, “Aubriot”, and two time James Beard Rising Star nominee), was welcomed to Il Fiasco and has added accents to the current dishes, while also collaborating with Sous Chef Samuel Voss on new favorites, including an Antipasti Platter, Sea Bass fillet, and Octopus dish. The menu is vast, with classic Italian dishes, and has always boasted a reasonable price tag per check.

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ASNA Meeting Minutes, 1-14-08

by Laurie Daley on January 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm cst

ASNA Meeting Minutes, 1-14-08

Meeting location: Kate Robinson/Chris Bayard’s home, 1752 West Carmen

Present: Gary Forrell, Ben Hollis, Scott Plummer, Kate Robinson, Lisa Spiegler, Linda Wallace, Laurie DaleyThe meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Kate.

Welcome!

Scott Plummer was welcomed as a new member of ASNA.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the December 10, 2007 meeting were reviewed. Gary moved to approve the minutes, and the motion was seconded by Lisa.

Treasurer’s Report

Gary presented the updated treasurer’s report, reflecting balances of $2,695.67 and $1,844.91 in the General and Landscaping Funds, respectively. We are still awaiting a $400 check from Chase Bank for their sponsorship of Howl-o-Ween, which will be added to the Landscaping Fund.

Committee Reports

Social “ Chairperson Lisa suggested that the Beat-the-Winter-Blahs party be held at Il Fiasco this year in lieu of T’s. Since there was no objection to this suggestion, Lisa will work with a representative from Il Fiasco to make the party arrangements. The party will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2008, starting around 3:00 p.m. As in years past, there will be a nominal donation at the door. Attendees will get one free drink and enjoy tasty flatbread pizza and appetizers. Look in your mailbox for the upcoming flyer that will provide further details on the party. The summer block party was discussed with a suggested date of July 12 or July 19, 2008. Lisa will work with the alderman’s office to determine when and on what street the party will take place.

Greening “ Stephen Christy sent a message indicating a spring greening/cleaning date of March 22, 2008 to clean up the parkway after the Winter. This would include picking up and cutting dead vegetation, as well as planting grass seed and perhaps mulching. Why not get the whole family involved in this beautification project?

Membership/Communication “ New officers will be selected in March; nominations will take place at the Blahs party. Kate will talk to Chris regarding formation of a nominating committee. Lisa suggested that two-year terms be put into effect, and Linda suggested that terms should be staggered to avoid concurrent turnover of officers. Linda noted that there are currently 32 paid ASNA members and distributed the list of paid members. She urged meeting attendees to remind neighbors who are not on the list to pay their dues. Dues will also be collected at the Blahs party. For more information, look for the February ASNA newsletter.

CAPS Report

CAPS has indicated that for the second month in a row, Andersonville is the safest neighborhood in the city! The next Beat 2032 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2008, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Ravenswood Evangelical Church, 4900 North Damen Avenue. Their website is www.beat2032@gmail.com.

Old Business/New Business

ASNA will follow up on the low energy lightbulb distribution program. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.. The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 10, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., location to be determined. (There will be no February ASNA meeting; however, ideas and issues may be discussed at the Blah’s party. Hope to see you there!)

–Laurie Daley

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