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Calvin Co lle ge
Alu m n i As s o c iat io n
Ch ic ago
We lc o m e Bo o k le t
2 0 1 3 -2 0 1 4
WHO IS THE GUIDE FOR?
Recent graduates of Calvin
College moving to Chicago
Alumni moving to Chicago
Summer interns &
Chicago Semester
students
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OVERVIEW &
DOWNTOWN LEADERSHIP TEAM
 Mission: The Calvin Alumni Association connects alumni,
strengthens the college, and inspires alumni to answer God’s call.
 Vision: An active engaged network of Calvin students, alumni and
friends who:
 Help each other through lifelong connections
 Support the college
 Inspire each other to be agents of renewal
 Chicago Network Downtown Leadership Team
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Dave Fortosis (Chair) – dfortosis@mbres.com
Tim Bloem - timm@thinkboxcreative.com
Jori Brink - jori.brink@gmail.com
Linnea Chambery - linneachambery@gmail.com
Lauren Dillon - lauren@triadresourcegroup.com
Chris Kowalewski – c.kowalewski@gmail.com
Keri Morton - keri.morton.24@gmail.com
Andrea Stoit – andreastoit2@gmail.com
Alden Van Solkema - alden.vansolkema@gmail.com
Chris Wiesehan – cwieseh1@alumni.nd.edu
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CALVIN CHICAGO NETWORK DOWNTOWN –
RECENT & UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
 Goose Island/Cubs game
 River City Improv (Calvin’s alumni
improv team)
 Networking Events
 Luncheon with President Michael Le
Roy at the University Club
 Streetfest International
 Career Fair for Calvin students
 Calvin/Hope Rivalry Game Watch
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CALVIN ONLINE PRESENCE
CHICAGO FOCUSED
 F a ce book:
 www.facebook.com/calvin.network.chicagoland
 LinkedIn:
 www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3245458
 C a l v i n W e bsi te:
 www.calvin.edu/alumni/chapters/regional/illinois
NATIONAL
 F a ce book:
 www.facebook.com/calvinalumni
 LinkedIn:
 www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=81949
 uK ni g ht ( Pl e ase r e g i st er t o r e ce iv e a l um ni upda t es):
 http://www.calvin.edu/alumni/uknight/learn.htm
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APARTMENT SEARCH
 F r e e a p a rt m e n t f i n d i n g s e r v i c e s c a n b e u s e d t o f i n d a n a p a r t m e n t .
 I f y o u u s e o n e b e v e r y s p e c i f i c a b o u t t h e h i g h e s t p r i c e y o u ’ re w i l l i n g t o p a y
(employees of these firms are paid a percentage of your rent price by the person
l i s t i n g t h e a p a rt m e n t , a h i g h e r r e n t m a k e s f o r a l a r g e r c o m m i s si o n f o r t h e m ) .
 M a k e s u r e t o t a k e y o u r w o r k da y c o m m u t e i n t o c o n s i de ra t i o n ( w i l l w a n t t o l o o k
at bus, “L,” and car options).
 A p a r t m e n t s f a c i n g m a i n s t r e e t s c a n b e v e r y n o i s y , m a k e s u r e t o c o n s i de r h o w
h i g h y o u a r e i n t h e b u i l d i n g a n d w h a t s i d e o f t h e b u i l d i n g y o u ’ re o n .
 T r y t o s t a r t l o o k i n g t w o m o n t h s b e f o re y o u e x p e c t t o m o v e . M o s t l a n d l o r ds g i v e
n o t i c e t h a t t h e y w i l l b e s e a rc h i n g f o r n e w t e n a n t s t w o m o n t h s b e f o r e a l e a s e
expires.
 I f y o u h a v e a v e h i c l e m a k e s u r e t o a s k a b o u t p a r k i n g o p t i o n s. S o m e t i m e s
parking comes at an additional cost.
 Bring a notebook on your apartment visits so that you can remember pros, cons,
building amenities, etc.
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APARTMENT SEARCH CONT’D
 Chicago Apartment Finders
 The Apartment Guys
 Phone: 1-888-Finders
 Phone: 773-549-3474/312440-8530
 Website:
www.chicagoapartmentfinders.
 Website:
com
www.apartmentguysofchica
go.com
 Apartment People
 Other Websites
 Phone: 1-800-44-RENT-4
 www.rent.com
 Website:
www.apartmentpeople.com
 www.craigslist.com
 Apartment Savvy
 www.domu.com
 Phone: 773-348-8921
 www.chicagotribune.com
 Website:
 www.rentometer.com
www.apartmentsavvy.com
 www.housingmaps.com
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CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS RENT PRICE RANGES
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CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS
 The Loop
 Central location, most (if not all) high rise apartments, near - Art
Institute, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue, etc.
 CTA: Most mass transit options converge here
 South Loop
 Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Soldier Field,
etc.
 CTA: Green Line, Red Line, Orange Line
 West Loop
 Home of the United Center (Bulls, Blackhawks), Greektown, and
Little Italy
 CTA: Blue Line
 River North
 Area north of Chicago River, many restaurants and art galleries
 CTA: Red Line, Brown Line, Purple Line
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CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS CONT’D
 Hyde Park
 University of Chicago, Washington Park, Museum of Science and
Industry
 CTA: Green Line, Hyde Park Express Bus, Metra Trains (non-CTA)
 Lincoln Park
 Zoo, several parks, Green City Farmers Mkt, North Avenue Beach,
Notebaert Nature Museum, Conservatory
 CTA: Red Line, Brown Line, Purple Line
 Lakeview
 Wrigley Field (Cubs), beaches, restaurants, golf course, many young
people
 CTA: Red Line, Brown Line, Purple Line
 Gold Coast
 Beach, shopping, restaurants, Michigan Avenue
 CTA: Red Line
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CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS CONT’D
 Old Town
 Second City Improv Troop (many famous comedians got there start
here), shops, and restaurants
 CTA: Brown Line, Purple Line
 Bucktown/Wicker Park
 Many shops and restaurants, less expensive than Lincoln Park
 CTA: Blue Line
 Roscoe Village
 Famous for its many antique shops
 CTA: Brown Line
 Pilsen
 Hispanic neighborhood, near University of Illinois - Chicago, many
art galleries, popular Cinco de Mayo celebration
 CTA: Pink Line, Orange Line
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GETTING AROUND THE CITY
 Chicago Transit Authority: CTA
 “L” Trains and Buses
 www.transitchicago.com
 Metra–Suburban Rail
 Commuter trains to/from suburbs
 www.metrarail.com
 Pace –Suburban buses
 Provides bus transportation in the suburbs
 www.pacebus.com
 Walking/Biking
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HAVING A CAR IN CHICAGO
 If you bring a car to Chicago
 http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/
 Change Driver’s License
 Also changes your voter registration at the same time!
 Change License Plates
 Change Title of your Car
 Update/Change Insurance to Chicago
 Vehicle Stickers (You must update yearly)
 City Street Parking Sticker (some neighborhoods have a neighborhood specific
sticker)
 http://www.chicityclerk.com/licenses/citystickers.html
 If you have a guests visitor parking passes are necessary for some
neighborhoods (visit neighborhood alderman to purchase, the won’t take cash)
 Illinois State Inspection
 Other
 Never leave your car at a meter passed expiration or park in a “No Parking”
zone. They will catch you!
 Talking on your cell phone while driving can result in a ticket
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CHICAGO AIRPORTS
 O’Hare
 Major Hub for United Airlines
 CTA – Blue Line
 Midway
 Major Hub for Southwest Airlines
 CTA – Orange Line
 Additional Airport
Transportation Options
 Taxi – Approximately $40 from Loop
 Airport Shuttles
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SEEING A DOCTOR
 Care depends on health coverage.
 Make sure to check with your insurance provider to know where
you can be covered.
 Some Local Hospitals in the City
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Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
John H. Stroger Junior Hospital Cook County
Northwestern Memorial Hospitals
Rush University Medical Center
St. Joseph Hospital
University of Chicago Hospitals
University of Illinois Medical Center
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WHERE TO SHOP
DOWNTOWN
 Michigan Avenue
 Water Tower
 900 Building (900 N. Michigan)
 State Street
 Macy’s, Block 37, Nordstrom Rack,
Urban Outfitters, etc.
FULLERTON/ELSTON/CLYBOURN
 Clothing & Accessorie s
 Kohl’s, Old Navy, etc.
 Discount Dept. Stores
 Costco, Target, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, etc.
 Specialty Stores
HALSTED/ARMITA GE/WEBSTER
 Many non big box boutique stores
NORTH AVE/CLYBOURN
CORRIDOR
 Clothing & Accessorie s
 Gap, Banana Republic, Express, Old
Navy, etc.
 Grocery & Specialty Foods
 Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s
 Home Furnishings
 Bed, Bath & Beyond, Cost Plus,
Container Store, Pottery Barn, Home
Depot, Crate & Barrel, Crate & Barrel
Outlet - CB2
 Office Max, Party City, PetSmart, Sports  Specialty Stores
 Best Buy, Borders, Petco
Authority, etc.
SUBURBS – SCHAUMBURG
 Woodfie ld Mall
 IKEA
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WHAT TO DO
JOHN HANCOCK
BUILDING
MAGNIFICENT MILE
MILLENNIUM PARK
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
GREEN CITY FARMERS MKT
WILLIS TOWER
(SEARS TOWER)
WHAT TO DO CONTINUED
GRANT PARK
CHICAGO THEATRE
HOUSE OF BLUES
NAVY PIER
LYRIC OPERA
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WHAT TO DO CONTINUED
ART INSTITUTE OF
CHICAGO
FIELD MUSEUM
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
AND INDUSTRY
ADLER PLANETARIUM
SHEDD AQUARIUM
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CHICAGO ANNUAL EVENTS
Events Winter
 Christkindlma rket (Daley Plaza)
–December
 Ice Skating in Millennium Park
 Chicago Auto Show
Fall
 Lincoln Park Oktoberfe st –
September
 Chicago Maratho n –Octo ber
Spring
 St. Patrick‟s Day –Parade
downtown and annual dyeing of
the river
 For more information on
festivals: cityofchicago.org and
Chicago.metromix.com
Other
Summer
 Taste of Chicago – July
 Lollapalooza – August
 Air & Water Show – August
 Chicago Triathlon – August
CHRISTKINDLMARKET
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PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS
IN CHICAGO
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Cubs: http://cubs.mlb.com
White Sox: http://whitesox.mlb.com
Bears: www.chicagobears.com
Bulls: www.nba.com/bulls
Chicago Fire: http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com
Blackhawks: http://blackhawks.nhl.com
Chicago Sky (WNBA): http://www.wnba.com/sky
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LIST OF CHURCHES
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Loop Church CRC (South Loop)
Pullman CRC (Pullman)
Hyde Park CRC (Chinese Ministry)
Lawndale CRC (Lawndale)
Park Community Church (Multiple)
Willow Creek Downtown (Loop)
Holy Trinity (Multiple)
4 th Presbyterian (Gold Coast)
St. James Lutheran (Lincoln Park)
First St. Paul’s Lutheran (Old Town)
LaSalle Street Church (Near North/Old Town)
Missio Dei (Multiple)
The Moody Church (Old Town/Lincoln Park)
New Community (Logan Square)
Grace Commons (Wicker Park)
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