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    State Representative Kevin Olickal

    4.0 (1 review)

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    2 years ago

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    Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce - Giddings Plaza, looking towards Cafe Selmarie

    Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce

    3.8(4 reviews)
    2.4 miRavenswood, Lincoln Square

    Another brilliant summer afternoon spent people-watching, reading, sun-tanning, chilling, in…read moreGiddings Plaza, the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood, and realizing that this is definitely the best neighborhood in Chicago. Giddings Plaza is the center of the area. On a beautiful summer day like today, it is filled with parents and babies, children playing, people having lunch, and even someone like me, who uses a day off to enjoy the whole panorama. Lincoln Square has a diverse population that's best seen on Thursday evenings when the farmer's market is operating, and the free concerts take place in the Plaza. It really feels like you're in a small, friendly town. The area has restaurants (many, many), an independent bookstore (BookCellar), a fantastic deli (Gene's Sausage Shop), independent and unique stores (Merz Apothecary, Eclectricity, Gallimaufry Gallery, and more), coffeeshops, a wine shop (Fine Wine Brokers), entertainment (Davis Theatre, Old Town School of Folk Music, free events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce), a large park district (Welles Park), a big public library (Sulzer Branch) -- just too many pluses to list here. The neighborhood features plenty of housing, without feeling like you're living in one of those high-rise caverns alongside Sheridan Road. There are apartments, condos and single family homes. And the neighborhood luckily escaped the worst of the housing boom - there are a few McMansions around here, those hulking monsters that fill up their lots with not enough land left to place a flower pot - but not nearly as many as in other neighborhoods or suburbs. It still maintains the old Chicago 'hood character. The one thing that may develop into a problem is parking. Thursday night is already challenging in the area, since the Market fills a parking lot. Now that Lincoln Square Athletic Club has opened, there will be a lot more people coming into the area with their cars. On the nights when Old Town School has a big concert, parking is already an issue. Old Town School is expanding into a much larger, new building across the street from its current location, and you can be sure that will add stress to the parking issues. But for me, I love it. Nights on our block are quiet and peaceful. But when we want action, summer or winter, we can find whatever we want in Lincoln Square.

    Out of all of Chicago's 77 unique neighborhoods, Lincoln Square is truly my favorite. This is also…read moreprobably why I chose to live here. It's far enough north from much of the city congestion, has a true neighborhood feel amongst an urban surrounding, and still manages to maintain a good amount of it's German culture. It's truly "A village in a city." Several German businesses are still alive and booming with pride: Chicago Brahaus, Merz Apothecary, Lutz Continental Café, Huttenbar, the Chicago branches of DANK HAUS (The German American Cultural Center) and the Niedersachsen German Club, to name a few. The Chamber of Commerce does a lovely job in making sure the neighborhood maintain's this "life" with many festivals and events like the SpringRavenswood Run, May Fest, Fold & Roots Festival, Apple Fest, German Fest, and the Christkindl Market. I love exploring the neighborhood whether it is sitting in a lovely cafe reading a book, strolling past the many shops or watching the kids play by the fountain Square.

    Photos
    Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce - From Shutter Soul's website

    From Shutter Soul's website

    Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce
    Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce - The fountain at Giddings Plaza

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    The fountain at Giddings Plaza

    Cambodian Association of Illinois

    Cambodian Association of Illinois

    5.0(4 reviews)
    2.0 miRavenswood

    Growing up in Albany Park, I had many Cambodian friends. Both my elementary school and community…read morecenter offered Cambodian ESL classes and other programs geared towards Cambodian immigrants. Throughout the years, I've learned a little bit of their culture through my friends, school, and festivals. But my recent visit to the Cambodian Association of Illinois was a true learning experience. This review is based primarily on my tour of their Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial. The museum director, Mr. Daas was my guide, walking me through the exhibits and memorial. He spoke about Cambodian Buddhism, its origins, practices, and art. There are several sculptures throughout the museum, created by their own artist (Chhoeut Tuy), and other carved wood and stone art. The current exhibit explores socio-economic, cultural, and historical issues in Cambodia. I learned about fishing, rice harvest, and silk production. After viewing the exhibits, we headed over to the Killing Fields Memorial. The Wall of Remembrance honors the 2 million people who died during the Khmer Rouge regime. Many Cambodians throughout the country come here to pay their respects and to add names of family and friends lost in the genocide. The Cambodian Association of Illinois itself was formed in 1976 by a group of Cambodian refugee volunteers to assist those who fled the war-torn country. They provide several programs for this community: education, citizenship help, employment assistance, seniors services, health fairs, counseling, summer camp for children, and cultural workshops. This place is vital to Cambodian-Americans here in Chicago. They help immigrants adjust to life in America while maintaining their culture and heritage. That's what community is all about. Definitely check out their museum the next time you're in the neighborhood.

    It's no small undertaking to have a building that's both a museum and a community resource center -…read moreespecially for a community that's as relatively small as Chicago's Cambodians. I feel weird with Yelp giving a "Woohoo!" to a place dedicated to honoring and remembering a genocide, but this place is worth seeing both for the historical value and to get a perspective on genocides other than those that took place during WWII. I found the staff - particularly the executive director - tremendously friendly and informative and the information is well presented. Also, it must be said as part of my general enthusiasm -- they have a nice little gift shop area where you can buy interesting textiles and other things at very reasonable prices. Stuff you won't see anywhere else. Interesting that Yelp says that this is in Ravenswood. Given that's it's on the south side of Lawrence, it might be Ravenswood Manor, but most would consider it Albany Park. A really nice thing to have in a very interesting neighborhood.

    Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Alderwoman 48th Ward

    Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Alderwoman 48th Ward

    5.0(2 reviews)
    2.2 miEdgewater

    I really appreciate Leni's approach to governance. She fights for the average person and against…read morebig Trump aligned special interest groups which is why the dark money groups spend so much on mailers opposing her. She is also great at communicating and constituent outreach and services. We are very lucky to have such a people oriented city council membe representing our Ward.

    I'd initially shrugged off this office. I contacted them, knowing they weren't my alderwoman but…read morebelieving that the company I was complaining about may be affiliated with their area. The response I initially got was that I apparently (accidentally?) contacted a campaign address. I just assumed that was the end of it and moved on to the next politician. For whatever reason, 10 days later, I got two more responses with VERY HELPFUL tips that educated me on an organization I didn't even know about during my reporting days. I don't know how I slept through the organization they recommended, but I leaped at the chance to contact it to resolve my complaint. I genuinely appreciate that they followed up even after some time because they really could've chosen to ignore me the way my ACTUAL alderwoman is (while taking selfies on Instagram and posting about renaming parks). Instead, they did the exact opposite. They read and responded to my email, and then came back with other ways to assist. Even if the alternate organization cannot resolve my complaint, I respect the effort. Thank you!

    State Representative Kevin Olickal - publicservicesgovt - Updated May 2026

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