Chicago tips

A Chaise Of Your Own At The Oak Street Beach

current calendar, parks

Who'd have thunk it?  Your very own chaise at a cool public beach, that's admittedly jammed on hot weekend days. 
Because the resident restaurant at this crucial corner, Oak Street Beachstro is always thinking of new draws, you can now rent one of these swell chaises and even keep it all day. Rentals are $7 for 3 hours or $10 for a full day.  (A $50 refundable security deposit is necessary.) Towels are available for an additional $5.  You provide the sunscreen.
The "Beachstro" opens at 11AM on weekdays and 8AM on weekends, when breakfast is available. If you want one of those chaises it's best to get there early since there are just 50 for rent.  Sandwiches, salads, pizza, quesadillas etc. are served in the restaurant, either at a table or at "in restaurant" chaises.  A "to go" window is another option if you'd prefer to eat on the beach itself.  Food is ok but not exceptional;  the setting is akin to a tropical resort.
They're planning a "Luau on the Lake" on Sunday June 15.  Check out oakstreetbeachstro.com or phone 312.915.4100 for more info.

Wow! A Big Top Rises In Millenium Park

current calendar, culture, parks

A coup by the Chicago Children's Theatre has brought us a  brilliantly colored "Big Top" as a venue for the group's upcoming production of  "Go, Dog. Go!", an adaptation of P.D. Eastman's children's classic with original music by Michael Koerner.  The huge tent just went up in Butler Field in the park, directly south of Monroe Street and between Michigan Av. and Lake Shore Drive. 

Dates are April 13- May 20 and tickets are on sale as you read this, either by calling 312.334.7777 or accessing the theatre's website, www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org.  Performances are held mornings, afternoons and evenings, depending on the day.  The full schedule may be viewed on their website. Ticket prices vary.  The play is suitable for age 4 and up.  Target will sponsor a family matinee series on Sunday afternoons with 2 for 1 ticket prices, depending on availability. 

When I stopped by today Michael Andrew Currey, the production manager was arranging to install sandbags to hold back spring rains and keep everything dry during the month plus run and enabling the play to go on, rain or shine.

A gala benefit is scheduled for Saturday, April 21.  For info, call 773.227.0180, ext.50.

The bright gold and fuschia tent looks pretty spectacular, especially against the loop skyline.  It was rented from the Giovanni family in Florida and shipped here especially for "Go, Dog. Go!"

"Go Dog.  Go!" by Chicago Children's Theatre in Millenium Park at the Big Top.  312.334.7777.

Skate, Skate, Skate In Millenium Park

current calendar, parks

Now I know why some skaters have weak ankles.  I used to be able to "shoot the duck" but alas no more.  Lack of practice has resulted in that unbecoming look common to new or former ice skaters.

There's plenty of time left to enjoy skating on the 16,000 square feet pond just inside Millenium Park beyond the intersection of Michigan Av. and Washington St., the locale of the McCormick Tribune Foundation's marvelous gift to the city.  The rink will be open through March 16, weather permitting.  Call 312.742.5222 to double check on conditions.  Hours are 10AM til 10PM unless a private event is scheduled, when the rink will close at 8PM.

Skating is absolutely free.  You may bring your own skates or rent them for $7.  Facilities include a warming enclosure, toilets and lockers.

Thanks to a state of the art cooling system, the ice remains solid enough for skating even if the weather is unseasonably warm.  I saw skaters enjoying themselves earlier in the winter when the thermometer was well above freezing.

Private events for 100-400 people may be scheduled for a fee of $1000.  You must provide  liability insurance.  Email emontano@westrecchicago for additional event info.

New Crowd, Old Statesman

art, culture, parks

A new sculpture to add to my favorites list.  Magdalena Abakanowicz'  "Agora" or meeting place is a riveting assemblage of iron figures recently installed at the southern-most edge of Grant Park, at the confluence of Roosevelt Rd and Michigan Av.

I went to explore on a cold sunny day and because of this I was alone at the site but I felt observed because of the crowd already assembled.  I've noted real people coming for a closer view in recent weeks and this day there were tracks in the snow so it's clear the city has a welcome addition.

If you're lucky enough to be there when the sun is out you'll enjoy the interplay of light and shadows but a somber day will have its' own allure.

What does it mean?  Different things to different people, so visit and let me know what you think.

An old favorite of mine but virtually ignored except for art historians is the magnificent statue of Abraham Lincoln at the south end of Lincoln Park, east of the Chicago History Museum and just north of North Avenue at the end of either Dearborn or State, I forget which.  It's by the famed sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens who used a life mask of the statesman made in 1860 by Chicago sculptor Leonard Volk in his work.

Walk all around and you'll note that it holds its' integrity from all angles.  The statue was completed in 1887.  The enormous chair adds to the monumentality of the work.  You'll have fun finding it because it's more or less hidden away.  So much so that an occasional homeless person finds refuge on the bench area that surrounds The Great Emancipator.

Try Biking SOUTH Along The Lake

parks

Our son was visiting from Seattle so we decided we all might enjoy biking along the lake on the south side of the Loop.  The traffic is oh so much less that the experience is a real joy, especially compared to the (especially) weekend madness on the north side.  We got there by cheating a bit to avoid the north side crush.  We've got a bike rack for the back of our car that makes us much more mobile for jaunts hither and yon.

The Japanese garden in Jackson Park and a bit south of the Museum of Science and Industry offered a restful pause.

The weather was perfect, although we were waylaid briefly by an intense rainstorm.  We made a dash for the Marina Cafe in the nick of time.

Storm over, we headed north again where we enjoyed an extensive view of the Loop and I took these two pix, honestly within moments of each other.

I wouldn't be surprised if the great blue heron hangs out in this spot on a regular basis.  It's very serene, and thus ideal.  When you get to the small parking lot just south of 31st St. proceed carefully on your bike toward the lake, beyond the yellow uprights and peek around the corner;  that's how my son found him, motioning for me to approach quietly for a lengthy view and photo. (Do watch your footing!)

The whole afternoon, I thought, was fully as glorious as the northwest but right here in our own front yard.

Recycling Progress In Parks

parks, services

Driving along through Jackson Park the other day I noticed some bright blue containers, cousins to the trash bins all around town and placed there by The Chicago Park District.  It says that right on the side of the new recycling cans.  They're in Hyde Park too.  Maybe they were at Lalapalooza but I wasn't so I don't know for sure. 

Of course when I call to ask why they aren't all over town or whether there are plans to blanket the city with them soon it takes forever to get a live person and when and if I do they don't know what I'm talking about.  Thus the photo. 

You can see for yourself that these are meant for newspapers, aluminum cans and plastic bottles, just not glass.  That seems fair.

I guess it's picky of me to want them to be in a more muted color so they're not so obvious but I s'pose that's the point, to be obvious.

(Addendum as of 8/21.  I've seen them now in Lincoln Park as well.) Now you know we're making some environmental progress in at least parts of town.

Keep Cool In This Pool

parks

Although it's not a secret in the neighborhood, Holstein Park bordered by Oakley on (both!) the east and west and by Shakespeare on the south boasts a beautiful swimming pool that's available to all.  The caveat is that there's a strict schedule for its many differentiated activities ranging from adult lap swimming to day camp to open swim and family swim.

Adrian Loza, the instructor and charge de affaires at the pool seems to deal with all situations with a friendly and unflappable disposition.  He suggests that "Family Swim" which is offered on weekdays from 9 to 10:45AM and again at 5:45 to 6:45PM is the best time to visit since it tends to be quieter then.  On weekends Family Swim is from 12:45 to 1:45 PM and from 5:30 to 6:45PM. 

"Open Swim" is also a possibility but may be busier.  It is from 1-3:45PM on weekdays and from 2-5:15PM on weekends.

The pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more info., call 312.742.7554 direct to the park.

Additionally the park has a well-equipped playground, complete with a fountain central to a wading pool.  The park is shady, pleasant and well-used.  There are a couple of baseball fields and a basketball practice area south of the fieldhouse as well.

The neighborhood surrounding the park is mixed.  It's now a combination of old time multi-ethnic residents that have lived in the area for fifty years or more and young urban professionals who are more recent arrivals.  If you're a sociology buff, it's interesting to note the interplay of these groups which is much in evidence in this park.

Friends of Holstein Park, a neighborhood group will sponsor its 4th annual pool party on August 13th from 3 to 7PM.  All are welcome.

Marina Cafe Is A Hideout On The Lake

food and drink, parks
Transport yourself and a few friends to this relatively unknown little haven, an intimate cafe in a vintage and no longer used U.S. Coast Guard building on the edge of Jackson Park.  The Marina Cafe overlooks lovely Jackson Harbor in Lake Michigan.  It's quiet and oh-so-pleasant to be there.  Eating outdoors is the key and the seating has been increased to make this more feasible.

The cafe itself is a work in progress.  The food is simple but perfectly good.  I've only been there for lunch and when we recently tried to order crab cakes or pecan and brazil nut crusted shrimp as appetizers we found that they, having just arrived on the premises, would be ready for dinner.  It's very casual here and you should be in the same frame of mind to enjoy this special experience.

The menu offers quite a few choices of sandwiches and salads.  A friend of ours from the South proclaimed the po-boy the best ever.   Entrees include grilled salmon with fruit salsa, red snapper with pico de gallo and catfish with chicken and sausage jambalya.  There are vegetarian offerings and a kids menu.  Beer and wine and some cocktails are available.  Singrid Jackson, the chef and general manager says the martinis are terrific.  She hopes live music will be possible in July.

Directions, etc: Take Lake Shore Drive to Hayes Drive at 6400 South.  The turnoff is to your left and traffic lights mark the intersection.  Proceed ahead to the parking lot.  You'll see a large fieldhouse to the left.  Ignore that and park as far south as possible, taking the path south as well, and keeping alert for speeding cyclists who won't be expecting you.  You're aiming for the white clapboard building a short distance ahead where you'll see signs.

It's a must to bring a jacket or wrap since lake breezes can be much cooler here.  It could be a fine refuge on a hot summer day.

Also, you can bike.  That's how we found it in the first place.  Hours are Tues.-Sat. 11-10 and Sun. 11-7.

Marina Cafe, 6401 S. Coast Guard Dr.  773.947.0400.   Open in the summer only

Practically Private Concerts At Millenium Park

music, culture, parks
One evening last summer my husband and I wandered over to Millenium Park to view Terry Evans' photographs when suddenly we heard a deep bass voice singing from the bandshell.  We knew there was no concert that evening but wandered over to discover Samuel Ramey, the world famous opera star rehearsing for one, wearing blue jeans, stopping and having casual conversations with staff, correcting things, and proceeding on.  Susanne Mentzer, the mezzo soprano joined him and transformed herself magically from a normal-looking person in street clothes into the same with an extraordinary voice.  It was a great behind the scenes experience.  There were just a few people in the audience which added to our sense of privilege.

Unbeknownst to us at the time, and to many others,  The Grant Park Orchestra holds regularly scheduled open rehearsals which are free and open to the public, rain or shine.  If you want to hear a guest artist for an upcoming concert in a totally different atmosphere you should try these.  Of course the same is true with the orchestral presentations.

If you want to hear a guest artist in rehearsal or a final rehearsal prior to a concert the best time to visit is the day prior to the concert itself. For example if you attend the rehearsal on Thursday, June 22 from 11AM-1:30PM it will be in preparation for the two concerts, A Tibetan Mozart Requiem, to be given Friday June 23 at 6:30PM and Saturday June 24 at 7:30PM.  (See photo of the monks of Tibet's Drepung Loseling Monastery in photo at right.)  The Requiem is preceded by Mozart's Piano Concerto #25 with Robert Levin at the piano.

Also before the regular performance itself, on specified Saturdays you may join Artistic and General Director James W. Palermo for a  45 minute backstage discussion which includes guest artists.  On Saturday June 24, for example the discussion begins at 6:30PM.  It is held backstage at the Pritzker Pavilion Choral Hall.  Enter from the walkway just east of the Pavilion.  Coffee is served.  On July 1 and 8 the discussion begins at 8PM;  on July 22 and August 19 it begins at 6:30PM.

For a complete rehearsal schedule access www.grantparkmusicfestival.com.  You'll find all kinds of info re the regular schedule as well.  You may be one of a few or many in the audience but it's great fun to peek behind the scenes like this.  Everything, of course takes place in the Gehry bandshell at the foot of Washington St. at Michigan Av.

Join The Volunteer Gardeners At The Lincoln Park Zoo

gardening, parks, volunteer

I almost thought I was part of a fairy tale while biking past a tiny cottage just south of Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park, but a sign proclaimed it  the headquarters of the Volunteer Gardening Program of the Lincoln Park Zoo.

If you used to have a garden but have moved to an apartment in the city or if you hope to have a garden some day, this may be a perfect solution.

Gardeners are a special breed so it's quite fitting that this organization is supremely flexible.  Members range from complete novices to master gardeners and schedules are varied to suit one's own.  Volunteers may work on a regular weekly schedule or a monthly one (such as once a month) or even work occasionally.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30AM to 12Noon.  No application is necessary and on the job training is available.  The areas covered include those within and around the zoo from Fullerton on the north to Armitage on the south.  The Farm in the Zoo  and the South Pond are serviced as well.  The program continues from May through October and all tools, water and snacks are provided.

This program has been ongoing for ten years and boasts from 80 to 100 volunteers.  For further information contact 312.742.2124 or volunteer@lpzoo.org.