a soggy Memorial Day

We had a fine morning for the Ridge Run, and quite a crowd. Unfortunately, the mother of all thunderstorms moved in during the parade, making it a soggy experience. Between last night's storms and the waves that came through today, we had 4" of rain in just over 12 hours. I think we're saturated for a while.

It was nice to see Caroline's commitment to opening Blue Moon for the run and parade crowds rewarded by a steady stream of customers. I hope that plenty will come for jazz, food and drinks on Wednesday night. Want to enjoy some wine or beer? For a modest corkage fee, you can sip your drink of choice and support this fine business.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

non sequitur Friday

busy weekend

This will be a busy weekend. Bike the Drive will give you an opportunity to ride your bike on Lake Shore Drive in the morning. You can still register online (use discount code EVEDOG5 for $5 off) and pick up your rider packet at the Merchandise Mart today thru Saturday, or at Grant Park on Sunday morning. If you're registering online at the last minute, don't forget to print out your e-mail confirmation and take it with you.

The Ridge Run is happening on Monday morning. You can still register for the run, too, or volunteer.

The Memorial Day parade starts at 10:30, following the run.

Or do a Monday ride from Tinley Park to Frankfort and back with Chicago Cycling Club.

Wishing you all a fun and safe weekend!

wetlands wind and water festival at Wolf Lake

I just got an announcement about an event happening this weekend at Wolf Lake and wanted to share the info. Here's a map link for the location.

Boy Scout Troop 533 of Munster will assist the Hammond Port Authority in
launching canoes and kayaks at the 10th annual Wolf Lake Bi-State
Wetlands, Wind and Water festival Saturday afternoon 5/29 at the
Wolf Lake beach area along Calumet Avenue.

Kayaks and canoes will be provided by the Hammond Port Authority.
The festival, sponsored by the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative
(AWLI), is free to the public.

Schedule is subject to change. Outdoor activities will occur, weather
permitting. Activities include:

Saturday morning 5/29 Wm Powers Conservation Area, Chicago near boat launch
9 a.m. Fishing Clinic by Jerry Carter of Southeast Chicago Sportsmen’s
Club (under 16 years). Fishing poles provided by the Chicago Public Library, Hegewisch and Vodak/East Side branches.

9 a.m. Water Safety display by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

10 a.m. Kite Flying by American Legion Illiana Post 220 and Chicago’s
10th Ward Aldermanic Office. Free kites are provided by American Legion Illiana Post 220 to the first 100.

10 a.m. Wacky Face Painting

Saturday afternoon 5/29 Environmental Education Ctr, 2405 Calumet Ave., Hammond
1 p.m. Winners of poster contest honored

Wolf Lake Park at beach area, Calumet Avenue, Hammond
1 p.m. Canoe/Kayak Paddle Fishing Clinic, Kite Flying by Hammond Port
Authority and Boy Scout Troop 533, Munster. Free kites are provided by the Hammond Port Authority.

2 p.m. Wind Surfing & Sailing Demonstrations by Jackie Butzen of
Windward Sports Inc. and the Hammond Port Authority.

3 p.m. American Trust & Savings Happy Trails Nature Hike by Rachel
McMahon, Purdue University Calumet

Saturday Evening - Nike Missile Launch Site parking lot
5 p.m. Sunset Campfire Song & Story by John Pastirik, Calumet Ecological
Park Association (CEPA)

Sunday morning 5/30 - Wm Powers Conservation Area, Chicago at obelisk near 126th Street entrance and shelter #2
6 a.m. Sunrise Worship Service by Rev. Zaki L. Zaki of East Side United
Methodist Church with Ecumenical Choir directed by Mary Kuzniar and Color Guard by Polish Legion of American Veterans

7 a.m. Breakfast by Cheryl Gould, AWLI

8 a.m. Tour of the Wolf Lake Watershed by John Pastirik, CEPA

Noon Picnic for cyclists at Shelter #2.

AWLI is a bi-state not-for-profit organization and land trust dedicated
to the enhancement of the Wolf Lake watershed.
--
Michael L. Boos
Executive Director, AWLI
2405 Calumet Avenue
Hammond IN 46327
219-933-7149

PO Box 17080
Chicago, IL 60617
312-220-0120

Beverly All Stars on Wednesday night

The Beverly All Stars will be at Blue Moon tomorrow night (1742 W. 99th St., near the 99th St. Metra station). You can BYOB for a modest corkage fee. Enjoy dinner or dessert on the patio with some tasty tunes from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

non sequitur Friday

plant sale this Saturday

While walking through the neighborhood today, I happened to notice some signs for a plant sale and thought I'd share the info. It will be this Saturday 5/22 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. at 96th & Winchester.

I assume it's at the house on the NW corner with all the beautiful flowers and ornamentals, as one of the signs was on their corner.

Beverly All Stars at Blue Moon on Wednesday night

The Beverly All Stars will be at Blue Moon tomorrow night (1742 W. 99th St., near the 99th St. Metra station). Enjoy dinner or dessert with some tasty tunes from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

visiting Chicago neighborhoods: Uptown

Uptown is an intriguing mix of beautiful old architecture, green spaces, entertainment and dining destinations and urban grit. Take a look for yourself.

The first video tour starts at Lawrence and Broadway


The second tour starts at Argyle and Broadway.


The third is a short clip of the Lunar New Year parade on Argyle St.


Check it out for yourself. There are lots of great places to eat.

non sequitur Friday

This makes me feel good. They sound great together.

Beverly All Stars on Wednesday night

The Beverly All Stars will be at Iona's tomorrow night (1767 W. 95th St., opposite the 95th St. Metra station, 773.233.0027). It's a friendly little place with tasty Southern comfort food. Come on down for dinner or dessert with some tasty tunes from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Beverly/Morgan Park home tour this Sunday 5/16

Tickets for the 40th Annual Beverly / Morgan Park Home Tour are now on sale. The Home Tour is this Sunday 5/16. You can buy tickets online or at these ticket outlets:

* Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., 773-445-3838
* Beverly's Pantry, 1907 W. 103rd St., 773-238-8550
* Calabria Imports, 1905 W. 103rd St., 773-396-5800
* County Fair Foods, 10800 S. Western Ave., 773-238-5576
* Heritage Gallery, 1915 W. 103rd St., 773-233-0084
* Markland-Hubbard Gourmet Provisions, 1807 W. 95th St., 773-233-0632
* Town Liquor, 10000 S. Western Ave., 773-239-2800

gardening volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to help spruce up the grounds of the 99th St. Metra station (99th @ Walden/Wood) on Saturday May, 15, 10:00am. Volunteers will need to bring their own tools and gloves.

Come out and help keep our neighborhood beautiful.

95th St. flower market this Saturday

News from BAPA: Just in time for Mother's Day, Michigan growers will be offering a wide variety of hanging baskets, bedding plants, seedlings, and herbs at the 95th Street Flower Market, Sat., May 8, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 95th and Longwood Drive.

The Beverly Farmer's Market will begin Sun., May 16, same hours, same location.

non sequitur Friday

Beverly All Stars on Wednesday night

The Beverly All Stars will be at Iona's tomorrow night (1767 W. 95th St., opposite the 95th St. Metra station, 773.233.0027). It's a friendly little place with tasty Southern comfort food. Come on down for dinner or dessert with some tasty tunes from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

events at Blue Moon

There's a lot going on at Blue Moon this month. The summer starts with Jazz Under the Stars, featuring The Beverly All-stars on the veranda! Also, for moms and tots, the Cloth Diapers Chicago Moms and Tots club will be meeting every 4th Wednesday at 10:30 beginning on the 26th of this month.

Wednesday May 19th & May 26th
The Beverly All Stars – 7:30 p.m. - two sets of classic jazz in the courtyard.

Every Thursday:
Foreign Language Round Tables – 7PM

and The Ordinary Person’s Investment Club – 7PM: Learn how to pick stocks for short-term and long-term investment using tools like Investor’s Business Daily and Barron’s. Group is moderated by Reid Henderson, retired stock-broker and author.

Psychic Evolution with Aria Norman – 3:30-6:30PM

Wednesday May 5:
Reading on Walden Political Discussion Group – 7PM

Saturday May 8:
Cedar Valley Meat CSA Monthly Pick-Up – 2:00-2:30PM

Great Books Discussion Group – 3PM. For May and June, the group will discuss the first six chapters of Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States. Chapters 1-3, May 8, Chapters 4-6, June 12.

Stop by 1742 W. 99th St. for a meal, a snack, or a little liquid refreshment.