UPTOWN CHICAGO COMMISSION

2004 Annual Holiday Party

December 7, 2004 – The Uptown Chicago Commission [UCC] awarded two local individuals with its “Good Neighbor” award at its annual holiday bash at Jane Addam's Hull House Center for Arts and Culture, 1136 West Wilson Avenue. About 100 residents, business owners and community leaders attended the event, which also featured performances by local musicians.

Hull House Director Louise Smith donated 2 free classes (valued at $300) for the silent auction. Clients of Uptown Recording Studio were gracious enough to donate their time for this event. Among the acts that were featured were Thomas Pace, Thomas Pace Band Juan Avila, from the band Gooey; and Sean McGarry, from the band Say Uncle.

Ellen Feinberg receiving the UCC's 2004 Good Neighbor Award

One of UCC's Good Neighbor Awards was given to Buena Park resident Ellen Feinberg, an active member of the Buena Park Neighbors organization. To help unite a diverse community, Ms. Feinberg organizes a number of annual holiday events to bring neighborhood residents, especially children, together. Events include organizing Halloween parties and trick-or-treating, sponsoring a family at Christmas, and hosting the block club's annual Easter egg hunt. Ms. Feinberg's generosity and ability to unite people of all backgrounds makes her a leader in Uptown.

Cathy Tokarski (board member and secretary of UCC), Gary Griffin (resident), and James Cappleman

The UCC also presented a Good Neighbor Award to Robert Davis, owner of Unique So Chique on Wilson Avenue. Mr. Davis' efforts have helped spur much of the emerging retail development in Uptown. His first store, Unique Findings, was a pioneer for the more upscale retail that has followed, and he has been tireless in promoting Uptown as a viable place for retail to other new or potential merchants.

Mr. Davis has devoted considerable energy to improving the safety of the surrounding neighborhood, and is active in several community organizations. In particular, his efforts to get a large turnout by the community at a “positive loitering” demonstration in the Sheridan Park area has been instrumental in reducing crime in the surrounding area.

Richard Thale and Bill Hersh