On Wednesday, Lesley Showers, ICA-USA's Facilities Manager, and I attended an event where the Mayor marked the expansion of the City's Chicago Retrofit Commercial Building Initiative. The "ICA GreenRise Uptown Building" -- which some of you remember it as "Kemper" -- received official recognition (see link below). A full page ad in Chicago newspapers showcases GreenRise with the other buildings (see attached). http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2... The significance of this multifold. First, it opens the door for pro bono assistance organized by the City to support our efforts to build a green culture at 4750. This includes the creation of a major monitoring system for the upcoming solar project on our roof. They understand GreenRise to be a pilot for other nonprofits. Second, this occurred largely because of the reinforcing strategies of our city-wide neighborhood work with "Accelerate 77" and our leadership development program with universities. As I think many of you know, over 220 students were involved last year in the doing the crucial field work for A77. (If this is news to anyone, let me know I'll elaborate.) The synergy of GreenRise, Accelerate 77, and university partnerships advance our strategy of becoming a high profile, reputable, nonprofit player in our hometown of Chicago. This is crucial for building a durable institutional home so that national and international programs of transformative change can continue far into the future. Nothing less, of course, is worthy of our history. Take care, Terry