Burger, beer, bike

Buying bicycles a few years ago has opened up a new world for me. My husband had been an avid bike rider in the 70’s and 80’s putting on hundreds of miles in the Midwest and also had a couple solo bike trips in Ireland.




It was my idea to get bikes. I read an article about biking in middle age and how it makes you feel like a young kid again – wind blowing in your hair, that sense of freedom and independence that you get from powering on your own.



Since I hadn’t been on a bike for 15 years, I figured we were on maybe a 20-minute ride through the neighborhood. We took the Salt Creek Trail first from Brainard to Wolf Rd – I was fine – then we crossed Wolf, went through the picnic grounds, then behind Meadow Lark Golf Course and under the tollway. I was getting worried. We then pedaled down Canterberry Lane onto York Road and we were at 31st and York when he posed the leading suggestion – ‘let’s just see where this goes…..’



We crossed 31st, went along the trail that goes in front of the soccer fields, by the Oakbrook Public Library, picked up the trail again and went through the parking lot of the Oak Brook Bath & Tennis, following around to McDonald’s headquarters – a really lovely bike ride.



Since that maiden voyage, we have biked many places and many miles. Now, before we head out, we take a look at the Illinois Bike Path map and figure out not only where to go, but a route that is easily accessible to a neighborhood watering hole.



One of our favorite destinations for lunch or dinner without getting in the car is the York Tavern on York Road just north of Ogden. It’s an easy bike ride from La Grange Park.



Starting at Brainard on the Salt Creek Trail, you can take the route as I described above and instead of going north to 31st, you can stay on the trail on York Rd. If you stay on York, you do have to cross the street to get on the trail rather than riding on the road.



A more interesting route is crossing York Rd at Canterberry, and then taking the trail to Robin Hood Ranch, a pristine and quiet subdivision. There is a path into Fullersburg Woods. If you take that path south, you are practically at the back entrance of the York.



The York Tavern was built in 1843 by Benjamin Fuller and still stands in its original location north of the Salt Creek Bridge on the west side of York Road. It is believed that the York is the oldest continuously operating privately owned eating and drinking spot in DuPage County. Should you pedal over to the York, you will find it to be a great spot to re-fuel and rest a bit. The burgers are great as are many other sandwich offerings. Beer is ice cold, served in frosty mugs and the selection both on tap and in bottles is substantial. There is something for everyone – even a nice wine list.

The place is comfortable – getting back on the Salt Creek Bike Trail to home is only about 25 minutes. That’s about 500 calories burned to and from the York – takes a substantial bite out of that burger and beer. For further information, a complete history, menu and hours of operations, check out their website at http://www.yorktavernoakbrook.com./

Happy New Year

A calm has transcended upon the neighborhood.  There is a lot of commotion around 8:00 in the morning, then it is dead quiet.  The start of the school year, the start of the new year for me.

As long as I can remember, my year has started with September.  It is time to return to structure, to schedules.  The days are getting shorter, the light looks just a bit different during the day and the moon is so bright in the early evening sky.  Sitting on the porch in the evening now is so different than in June when the anticipation of the summer awaits....now it is time to re-group, evaluate, get out the 'cold weather' recipes - time for change.  Time to reflect, letting the calm wash over me.

Living in the Midwest gives me an appreciation of the weather.  This summer has been hell-ish to say the least.  I know, I know - wait till January.  But me, I love the cold - and I love the autumn with the crunchy, crisp days and the spring with the pastel colors popping out.

Welcome, autumn - maybe the Bears will provide some real entertainment this year!

LuEllen Joy Giera

The Salt Creek Wine Bar of Brookfield, IL

is pleased to welcome award winning artist LuEllen Joy Giera (of Lagrange Park) in a

Solo Fine Art Collage Show during the month of August 2010

"The Periodic Journal - Collage ReDux"

This show is a compilation of images from magazines and other periodics journals assembled into collages on small canvases. This project took over four months to complete. These 'boxes' are one of the most colorful and enjoyable collection of collages she has creted so far. LuEllen creates works in collage, pastels, photography, pen & ink and watercolor and acrylics. She uses her photography in collages and as studies. LuEllen often combines many types of media and frequently experiments with different techniques.



Her art has been shown extensively in solo and group (juried and non-juried) shows in museums, brick & mortar galleries and some virtual galleries. She has cretaed commissioned work for private collections throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe. She earned her Certificate in Drawing from the School of the Art Institute in 2005.

LuEllen founded an international society called Planet Collage (est. 9-2005) and co-founded the Midwest Collage Society. She curates a monthly international postcard collage exchange (est. 4-2006) and a periodic international candy tin exchange (est. 3-2007). She also curates periodic group shows for the members of planetcollage.com. LuEllen co-facilitates “Her Group” which is sponsored by Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, Illinois. She teaches art classes and seminars on a regular basis.



Salt Creek Wine Bar is located at 8900 Fairview Ave - Brookfield, IL 60513 - 708-387-2432
http://www.saltcreekwinebar.com/


Please view LuEllen's web page at http://www.planetcollage.com/

A Week of Saturdays

Why is it that the only time we see our own beloved city is when we have out-of-town guests?  There is so much to see and do and Chicago continues to enchant, amuse and entertain.

My stepson and his family from Tulsa came into town on a Thursday.  They bought Explorer passes - these are passes that can be loaded with the venues and events that you specifically want to see.  Available on line, they offer a discount off the regular admission price.  You may visit each of the venues once in a 30-day time period - it's a great bargain.  www.smartdestinations.com/chicago

The four of them were off and running to see the Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, Legoland, Museum of Science and Industry and the Skydeck at Sears/Willis Tower.  They also had a wedding to attend on one of the days, so they fit all of that in along with a Cubs game (the Sunday game that they lost to St Louis), a trip to the beach and a trip to Centennial Beach in Naperville where they also had lunch with family. 

We had charge of the kids the day of the wedding - ages 12 and 10.  We met the group downtown and had a hot dog at Millenium Park while we watched the kids run and jump with glee in the fountain.  We then took our charges to see 'The Emperor's New Clothes' at Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier.  It is a delightful show - the theatre itself does not have a bad seat and everyone of all ages can enjoy this lively and vibrant performance.

Upon exiting the show, we discovered the USS Hollyhock, a Coast Guard buoy tender ship that was resting at Navy Pier.  The crew were giving on-board tours, so we climbed aboard for a tour of a real Great Lakes ship - then onto another Chicago icon, Uno's for pizza.  At 4:30 the wait was still a half hour and when asked if we wanted outside or inside, we promptly responded with 'inside' as it was that terrible hot day of the big rain - the temperature humidity index hit 104.

They left on Wednesday morning and on the ride back to Tulsa, stopped in Springfield to see the Lincoln Museum.  It was a great trip!

On Wednesday night, my husband's son and his family came for a 4-day visit.  The tour started with a trip to Twin Anchors for the best ribs in the world. 

We purchased Go Cards on line (www.smartdestinations.com/chicago) and found that they include absolutely everything you would want to do in Chicago.  You can purchase either a one-day or multiple day pass.  Included was the trolley and/or double decker tour bus.  After spending the first afternoon at the Shedd, we jumped on a double decker and we all learned a lot about our city that we didn't know before that ride.  The end of the tour is Sears/Willis and we went up to the skydeck. 

Through Goldstar.com (http://www.goldstar.com/) I was able to get half price tickets to the Chicago White Sox.  The Sox had Mullet night and Kid Rock joined some other Mullet Heads in a tour around the park before the game.  We were hoping he would sing the national anthem, but he had to get to Soldier Field to open for Bon Jovi.

Prior to the game, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry and took the on-board tour of the submarine.  It is truly a sight to see.  The U-505 has undergone a 37 million dollar restoration and looks beautiful.  Though the tour costs an additional $8, it is well worth it.  There are retired Navy personnel who serve as docents making the experience all the more authentic.  Having toured the sub many times as a kid when it was outside the museum, I asked about the hatches, as it was easy to climb through them.  The guide told me that as soon as the donor members could not climb thru the old circular hatches, they opened them up. 

They left Sunday - now we can honestly say that we have had a vacation - in our own fair city, Chicago. 

Shopping at home

A while ago, while shopping at Vintage Charm on the west end of downtown La Grange, I picked up a flyer entitled 'the 3/50 project.'  It was of interest to me because its tag line was 'Save your local economy - three stores at a time.'

The 3/50 project involves an individual stopping at three of the independent businesses you would miss if they were not there.  The 50 stands for spending $50 in your favorites haunts.  Just think of the impact of this project is just one half of the population did that.

As recently featured in the Suburban Life, Teri Tabor, formerly of La Grange Park, incorporates this philosophy into her business in Riverside.  Having done hair in her home for many years, Tabor opened a salon in downtown Riverside sic and a half years ago -  Salon D'Amore located at 37 E Burlington St.  When she was asked to speak at the Riverside Junior Women's Charity group, Tabor was trying to encourage people to shop locally. 

"I came up with a shopping bag program:  'Love Riverside, Shop Riverside.'  I wanted to give Riverside businesses a chance.  Even if you don't come into my salon to get your hair done, you might come in for a manicure.  You might not do all of your grocery shopping at Riverside Foods, but you can run in and try their lunchmeat or cheese." 

The bags are a burlap and bright yellow design and sell for $5 each - clearly a bargain, as each bag includes ten coupons giving discounts and free items with purchase at some of the businesses in Riverside. 

I have long been a proponent of shopping locally.  Individuals with families own our local establishments - not huge conglomerates who are trying to improve their bottom line.  According to the 3/50 project, for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.  If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 remains here.  Spend it online and nothing comes home.

Take a tour of our local businesses - both La Grange and La Grange Park.  Pick up a little something.  That is what will keep our businesses around. 

For more information on the 3/50 project, visit the350project.net

conduit

So far, I have sent about 3500 postcards to residents in La Grange Park to let them know about my blog.  It seems that there is more and more interest as time goes by - there is so little in the way of real local news that I think we all like to read about what our neighbors are doing and what is happening in our village.

This last postcard mailing resulted in some people in search of events:

1) - Does anyone know of a singles group or is anyone interested in starting one?

2)  - A senior bicycle rider called me and told me that his biking partner can no longer bike - he was wondering if anyone knew of a senior biking group in the area?  I suggested that he call the Wheel Thing downtown La Grange or maybe start one.  Any ideas?

I will post responses here. 

Summertime

I recently participated in one of the focus groups for La Grange Park Public Library.  We were a group of five; four women and one man.  We each lead different lives, therefore use the library for different things.  Ages ranged from 30's to 60's, so there were some preconceived notions about the library - a throwback to when we were kids.


Me, I grew up in Des Plaines where our library was located in the basement of the police station.  Apparently, the collection of books was relatively small, as we could check out only four books at a time.  There were not a great deal of extra programs offered, though in the summer, there was the summer reading club - a participant had to read ten books in order to attend a party at the end of summer.  Also, I took a babysitting clinic when I was in fourth grade.


Libraries and their functions have changed a thousand fold since the 60's.  There are so many programs and things available at La Grange Park Public Library that there is a brochure on the table by the staircase to spread the word.  The brochure is entitled 'Enriching Lives in La Grange Park.' I believe our local library does enrich our lives.


Now with summer in full swing, one of the best things to know about our library is that we are part of the Museum Adventure Pass Program.  Your library card will let you check out local museums at no cost - to name a few -  Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny Park, Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum, Bronzeville Children's Museum, Graue Mill, KidsWork Children's Museum, Kohl Children's Museum, Lake County Discovery Museum, National Hellenic Museum, Oriental Institute Museum, St. Charles Heritage Museum and The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn.  We did check out a week's pass in November for Brookfield Zoo when we had out-of-town guests and it's a great deal - ! 


And, remember - the summer is like the weekend:  June is Friday, oh, I have lots of time to do things, I can just relax and enjoy; July is Saturday - didn't do much yesterday, I have to get it in gear today, the time is slipping away; and finally, August is Sunday - YIKES it's Sunday already and I have done nothing.  Don't let that happen to you - check out a pass at our library!


http://www.lplibrary.org/