Ravinia Neighbors Association IN-PERSON Board Meeting @ Steep Ravine Brewing Company, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Call to Order and Roll Call (Noah Plotkin) 4:43pm
Attendance: Jeff L, Nancy Shafer (new Moraine Township supervisor), Noah P, Doug, Jeff S, Beth, Faye & Richard Rosenberg
II. President’s Report (Noah Plotkin) City stops funding FTT through to September because City thought no crowds after that, but Noah said there was a crowd in September, so Noah’s Life Rhythms is funding first September FTT. Usually the cost is $1500/night for food, sound, talent but could get it down to $800/night for September 11 & 18th and Noah won’t take a cut. Brewery said they would kick in $200.
III. Residents’ Time: Open for discussion
• Refer to New Business below
• Jamie Elder with City Manager-contact re Yana’s parking
IV. Treasurer’s Report (Michael Babian)
RNA Treasurers Report as of May 9th, 2025
Checking Balance $6466.03
CD Balance $6546.41
Total Balance $13,012.44
Payments issued over $50: $473.46 to State Graphics newsletters (check not cleared yet)
V. Publicity/Membership/Ravinia District Report (Doug Purington)
• Annual Membership Update
• Publicity Update
• Ravinia District Update
• Newsletter Update
Membership Update:
• 39 total renewals
• 22 before the fee increase
• 15 after the fee increase
• 2 renewals from 2021
• 3 new members
• Total monies received: $1,830
• Payment for 2 ads, $270, not collected yet
• Total monies = $2,100
• Sending another reminder on May 16th
Publicity Update:
• Sent out a promo on behalf of the 12 venues….yes, 12!... that serve food/drinks in Ravinia/Braeside!
• Sent out Mother’s Day Promos for Fluffy Bunny & Steep Ravine with good results
Ravinia District Update:
• Fluffy Bunny
• They plan a grand opening on Sunday, May 18th
• Sent emails & posted on Facebook
• Met with David W Silver of CRG (Community Restaurant Group) along with Ed Kugler, re: the proposed restaurant @ 565 Roger Williams, former site of cleaners
• Met with Elliott Miller who will collaborate with the CRG team and use his historical knowledge of the Ravinia area to help them create a promotional concept that would appeal to their future audience
• Met with Mike Weiss, Braeside Market, to review his plans and offer feedback
• Veterinary Clinic is proposed for 592-594 Roger Williams, the corner building opposite Walgreens that has been empty for over 7 years
• It would be run by Dr. Jeff Kordell who has a successful clinic in Highwood
• They have applied to the City Council for a zoning variance and were unanimously approved
• No further update just now
• A home healthcare business, Remedy Care LLC, is coming to 559 Roger Williams (former site of Farmers Insurance) toward the end of June
• It’s relocating from Libertyville (https://www.remedycare.co/)
• I have reached out to the owner for more details to be shared at a later date
Newsletter Update:
• Spring 2025 Newsletter has published
• 75 copies printed
• Copies to Ed Kugler for the RFM
• Copies to article writers & advertisers
• Posted on our website
• Emailed to current members
• Summer 2025 to be published mid – late July
• The cover story will be the Past, Present & Future of the Ravinia School reopening
• I’ve touched base with NSSD District 112 to coordinate with them the text, interviews, photos, images, drawings, etc. needed for a comprehensive cover story
• Elliott Miller, with his historical knowledge of Ravinia School, will be part of the process
• Jeff Stern, with his interview prowess, will also be part of the process
• Tentative deadline for articles and ads is June 30, 2025
• Bonnie Wegner will interview Mike Weiss of Braeside Market
Asking for interviews with Fluffy Bunny & Furry Finesse
VI. Previous Action Items:
• Update on RNA T-Shirt Project
• July 4th Parade: RNA/RFM participation
VII. New Business:
• 2025 Governing Board Election: Timing of notices (Doug Purington) Doug will sent out notices.
• Discussed neighbors’ concerns about loss of parking spaces
• Change of meeting times? We’re going to keep the present meeting time.
• Nancy is taking over as Moraine Township Supervisor. The township needs help with food pantry. Also, Township wants to do a table at FTT and RFM.
VIII. Other Business/Additional Comments or Concerns from Board Members:
IX. Adjournment: 5:30pm (Next Board Meeting: June 11, 2025)
