Posts by Lori Dake

Let's be honest here: even if you happen to be fortunate enough to live just a stroll away from just about everything you need, and just about everyplace else you need to get to can be done by hopping on the train, bus or a bike ride, there are just some instances where you really do need to drive a car. Renting one for an entire day seems so illogical and full of hassle, and owning a car for those couple of trips every month is really just so impractical. Be it for industrial sized shopping for the month or getting out to the western burbs for an hour or two, sometimes it sure would be nice not to have to rent a car or call in a favor. For folks like you, may I present I-Go cars: a Chicago based company that's making the city a little greener, one car at a time.

I know you must have seen one parked at the store and it got you thinking a bit. Maybe you have even wondered if it really is as easy as the ads portray. Well let me tell you: I-Go cars are the wave of the future, and now that they have been around long enough to pass the business litmus test, it looks like they really are here to stay! Even my alderman drives one!

It's little wonder why it's so popular: on top of dealing with fighting for a parking spot or dropping hundreds of dollars on car payments, mandatory insurance and maintenance, folks are also waiving paying for city stickers, zoned parking and lot fees. Plus, with so many neighborhoods covered, pretty much anyone can reserve one within walking distance of their homes, right on their computers, for as little as $5 per hour. An added advantage is the cars available are rather nice, with many of them available in hybrid versions!

So hey, why not explore going car free? In this day and age, Chicagoans no longer need to be shackled to cars they hardly drive, now that I-Go has become such a fixture. Of course, folks are also discovering Zip Cars, which operate pretty much the same way and are available in many cities around the country, but for me, I'd rather go with the home team!

So you think you're playing it safe by buying flowers for the mom in your life? Not necessarily! You're not five years old anymore, and pulling dandelions out from the back yard just isn't going to cut it, and neither is grabbing a five dollar bouquet from the convenience or chain drug store. Even if you are one heck of a landscaper and can cut the perfect arrangement from your patio, you just might want to kick it up a notch and present it in a nice vase, with a card, of course!

Here's some fantastic places to shop that can make her forget all about the teen angst grief you gave her as a kid!

Fleur: Hands down, this place is the BEST in Chicago when it comes to beautiful arrangements, fantastic prices and wonderful, caring staff. If you tell them no carnations, they will oblige. If you just want a single, long stemmed rose, they will treat you just as well as they do for their big weddings. What I like is they stick with the seasons, so you always know what you order will be fresh, long lasting and treasured.

I recommend you visit the store instead of calling your order in, because you will find a lot of nice additions here you won't find anyplace else, like unique and locally made jewelry, soaps and purses. Besides, when it comes to Mother's Day, you really should be doing the delivery yourself. Like I said, this place is the BEST!

Cattails in Wicker Park is my second favorite place for all of the reasons above. I love working with the independent shops for things like this, because they genuinely seem to care and not treat you like a number. And wow - when you walk in, you feel like you have just stepped into paradise, with all the sights and smells of the most vivid romance or fantasy film ever created.

Now granted, they seem to run on the pricey side, but if you go in and chat it up with the staff, they can most assuredly assist you within your budget and not have you walk out feeling like a cheap skate.

Gethsemane Garden Center: Now if you're looking for guaranteed organic cut flowers, your best bet is to hit up your neighborhood WF. However, if you're going that route, I would suggest taking it a step further and tapping this local, indie nursery. Buy a couple flats for mom to plant in her garden (after the 15th, of course!) and decorate them in an open, gift wrapped box, lined to prevent water seepage. Go perennial if you can, so she can cherish the blooms year after year!

This place isn't cheap by any stretch, but you get what you pay for, and you just might end up calling it even when you count the gas and headache you save from heading out to the 'burbs to wheel n' deal with the chains. And hey - they're just plain sweet and helpful!

Whatever you like to call it, many South Siders prefer to call the park where the White Sox play their home away from home during the baseball season. There’s no denying this ball park houses some winners, because if the fact that these guys won the World Series not too long ago escapes your memory, anyone driving by on the Dan Ryan or riding the Red Line can see that the home run fireworks never seem to stop! And of course, even though the original grounds are no more, it’s still the place that houses legends, including the landmark where Disco came to a bitter end.

Besides the fireworks, there are just so many cool features this modern park has to offer that really deserves mention. For one thing, you aren’t confined to either your seat or the bleacher spot you have to defend with dear life – you can actually move about! Go down to under the right field stands and grab a beer at the bar: you can sit down at a picnic table and watch the game! If you came with the kids and they’re starting to get antsy, take them down to see some of the attractions, like the Sox Hall of Fame, the baseball card booth, the speed pitch booths and the baseball skills area. Another thing that’s good is the food – no matter what you’re craving, this place probably has it, from dogs, to ribs and just about everything snacky. Even die hard vegans won’t go hungry here!

Now when the Sox play against the Cubs for the Cross Town Classic, fans can easily get to either park by simply riding the Red Line El. Believe me, this is one heck of a party train, so while it can get pretty crowded, it does so in a good way! Now it’s true Wrigley Field is a much prettier park with a lot more character (and is located in a much better neighborhood!), Sox Park is much less expensive, is much bigger, has more amenities and the bulk of the fans in attendance are genuinely there to see the game – the park is corporate, but the butts in the seats are certainly not. And hey – for $15, you can be rest assured you WILL find parking! To be honest, I like both ball parks about the same, but for the obviously very different reasons. I say, let the die hard fans duke it out for themselves, and let us fair weather fans have our cake and eat it, too!

Now that spring is finally here, we all are just itching to break our cabin fever! Here's my top picks for driving out of the city for a couple nights and snuggle with your bunny!

Wisconsin Dells: Sure it has been transformed into Tourist Trap Central over the last decade or so, but there are still plenty of those classic nooks and crannies that are the real draws of the land. And because the kids are still in school, most of the craziness is still subdued for a good month or so! Not only that, but you can score some really sweet room rates at some of the most luxurious hotels in town!

If you go here, you got to have breakfast at Paul Bunyan's, ride the Ducks and explore the wilderness, be it by foot or horse! Also, the Deer Park is just so magical, and the hey - you can hit the slots, too!

Starved Rock State Park: Even with rush hour traffic, it only takes a couple hours to get from the urban jungle to the unspoiled wilderness. Be sure to pack your walking shoes and go on a marvelous hike to see the waterfalls and the budding greenery. There is truly no other place I like to escape to more when I just want to be, especially when I go with my snuggle bunny!

Lake Geneva: Crossing the Wisconsin border once again to what many have begun referring to it as "Illinois' Playground", this picturesque town is the perfect location when a bed and breakfast is definitely in order. Sure, there's plenty to do on the water and a romantic horse drawn carriage ride is truly memorable, but if you really want to see everything all at once, why not take a ride through the air - by plane, helicopter or even hot air balloon!

Indiana Dunes and more: Most of us born and bred Chicagoans know the experience well, that jumping on the Skyway means we're going someplace special. So why not relive that childhood thrill? Whether you want to lay out on the beach at the Dunes, go horseback riding or antiquing, there is just so many things here to fill up a weekend. And hey! Indiana's sales tax is a whole lot less too, so be sure to get some shopping in!

Brown County: What? Did someone mention antiquing? Well, if you don't mind a little more driving, keep heading due south and tap one of the most gorgeous regions in the Midwest! Down here, you can taste some truly incredible wine, relish in a much warmer climate and bask in the all the quaint, simple pleasures of the countryside. I've even found some incredible folk art down here that now sits prominently in my home.

With the weather finally cooperating and the date is drawing ever nearer, many of you are considering doing something for Earth Day this year. After all, anything that provides a glimmer of hope to lowering the price of gas while making you feel good about yourself and helps to improve the health of you and yours is always a good thing! Here’s a list of events around the city you just might want to check out!

Green Scene Earth Day Festival - Saturday, April 19th, noon to 5pm: Head up north to North Side Prep for this second annual fest, featuring vendors, informational booths, hands-on activities and kids’ crafts that highlight all the different aspects of leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle, such as organic food, fair-trade products, green energy sources, and recycling and conservation programs.

Sell used books, movies and music at Half Price Books and gently used brand name clothing and accessories for young adults at Plato's Closet. Also, bring old computers, cell phones and ink cartridges to recycle.

Participating Vendors:

• Chicago Fair Trade
• Ethical Planet
• Urban Habitat Chicago
• Temptation Vegan Ice Cream
• Green Wise Organic Lawn Care
• Sparkle Queen
• Consolidated Printing Company
• PoopBags.com
• Bower Natural Bedding
• Supporting Hands
• Bean Products
• Independent Mechanical Industries
• Choose Kindness
• Cartridge World
• Plato's Closet
• Half Price Books
• Soul Vegetarian East
• ecoLogical Home Ideas
• Wagner Farm Rescue Fund
• Department of Environment
• Roger Rickshaw
• I-GO Car Sharing
• Greenheart
• Lillstreet Art Center
• Renewal by Andersen
• Mercy for Animals
• Notice
• Tink Tinks
• The Leash We Can Do!
• Hannah's Bretzel
• Green Bag Lunch
• Chiro One Wellness Center
• SenTeaMental Moods
• Environmentally Sustainable Design

Lincoln Park Zoo - April 18th – 20th: Three days of fun and information for the whole family, with a day-long concert and speaking engagements on Sunday!

2008 Earth Day Network/Green Apple Festival Free Line-up for Sunday:

• Derek Trucks Band
• Dirty Dozen Brass Band
• Meshell Ndegeocello
• Chicago Afrobeat Orchestra
• Miss Lori Holton Nash
• The Gwalla Gwallas
• Event MC- Kyle Orton - Chicago Bears

And remember, even when it’s not Earth Day, see what you can do at home. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Welcome to the Friendly Confines! This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ball parks in the country, and probably also the smallest. And yeah, it has a tendency to fill up with a bunch of yuppies and suburbanites, but if you’re a longtime local like me, you know how to wing this place pretty well. After all, baseball is for everyone, and whether they win or lose (which is often), you can ensure you can have a great time here. While I prefer the Sox as a team, Wrigley Field is hands down a much better park!

The first rule of thumb is to leave the car at home! Seriously! There is hardly anywhere to park, and even if you *do* find parking, you’ll be sitting in traffic for an hour or two before you make your way out! The L train right behind the place is leads to just about anywhere you want to go, so do that instead.

Second – if you’re having trouble getting tickets before you go, there is always somebody selling theirs outside. While it’s true scalping is illegal, the cops tend to look the other way. Just walk around with your fingers in the air of how many you want and someone will approach you. Just keep it on the down low! That is of course, if you don’t want to hit the ticket brokers nearby so you can use a credit card.

Third – be a Bleacher Bum! Scoring pricey home plate seats are for corporate types trying to impress clients. And suburbanites. And basically all the people who go to be seen than to actually see the game, as well as transplants and other non locals. Besides, the real party is up by the score board anyway. Think the scene in “Titanic” and you’ll know where I’m going with this. Just remember anytime before mid June to dress for 40F weather, because that shade and lake breeze can be pretty brutal! However, in late August, you’ll be more than happy with the temperature difference!

The fourth rule is to never EVER keep a home run ball from the opposing team! Throw it back! I don’t care how much you can get off eBay with it – it just ain’t worth it! Also, never reach out for a ball! Have we not learned the Bartman lesson yet, people?

And finally – it’s Old Style or nuttin! There is just no replacing that taste of cheap domestic beer with those waxed paper cups. Is it a chemical thing? I don’t know, just if you want to party with the Big Boys, this is what you order – and plenty of it!

Remember when you lived at home and your income was yours to spend as you liked? Remember back when you two were jealously referred to as DINKs by your straddled coworkers and clothes shopping was considered to be a leisurely pastime? Remember all those beautiful designer shoes your closet used to be loaded with but you can no longer afford to shop for? Well buck up! This is the best time of the year for getting a new wardrobe, for you and even your kids, and your wallet won’t even complain!

First off, the department stores are all trying to lure you in with their various sales, because they know many of you have your tax returns on hand, and you also need to start stocking up on a lot less layering. If you want to go that route, Carsons should be your first stop, because they’re having their annual Goodwill sale. For every item you donate, you get a coupon for a new item for 20% off, even if it’s on sale, and of which there is a lot of! You do good for someone else, and you get treated for it. Not bad! The other stores of its caliper, like Macy’s and Kohl's, are also having big sales right now, so you might want to explore all three.

Now if you’re like me and want to go vintage and retro, your first stop should be the Village Discount Outlet, especially if you’ve never tapped a store like this before. Hey! You there! Stop your moaning and eye rolling! Yes, thrift store clothes are used, and yes they have that weird smell to everything, but they’re also fun, cool places to shop and have really nice stuff if you know where to go! I like the one on Elston when driving, and the one by Diversey and Halsted has some pretty high end stuff to check out.

Now, once you get broken in to how the system works, you might just be ready for the smaller boutiques and theme shops. Shangrila Vintage in Roscoe Village is just so fun to check out, and the people working there are awesome! A Ragstock location is another place you’ll want to check out if you’re of the 20-30 year old persuasion, because they always have a sale going on, the stuff is so friggin’ cool, and they’re even a happy medium between new and used. I like the store on Belmont the best, even though the parking is pretty scarce.

So definitely get your shopping freak on and enjoy your new duds! Just remember to bring cash to the vintage joints!

The thermometer is finally reading above freezing, buds are popping up on the tree limbs and the migrating birds are starting to arrive. And hey – even the calendar is agreeing with what Nature is saying – it’s Spring! Even though it’s not quite time to head to the beach and catch some rays, it still is time to get out there and enjoy the longer days and take in some fresh air! Check out some ideas for taking advantage of the slush free streets around Chicago.

March Critical Mass - March 28th: If you’ve never gotten the gumption to attend a Critical Mass bike ride, this is a great time to do it. Head down to Daley Plaza at 5:30 and find a group that’s planning on going where you’d like explore. Many go north, some go west and south, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. And remember, if you go towards the Wicker Park/Bucktown area, cap off at Handlebar’s for a brew and some good grub!

Maple Syrup Festival - March 29th and 30th: Where else in Chicago can you actually witness then taste for yourself how good fresh and natural maple syrup can be? At the North Park Nature Center of course! This annual event is free for all ages, and it includes a tour of the woods and even learn a thing or two!

Glenview Kite Day - April 5th, 9am – 2pm: Head down to the Attea Middle School in Glenview for some family fun and some kite flying action! This is the perfect weather for it, everyone is welcome and hey – it’s free! Professional kite flyers will also be there to show off their skills and offer up some tips.

Millennium Park - Taking a stroll through the park in spring has already become an annual event for me, especially when the trees begin to bloom those delicate little white flowers and watch the care takers plant the annuals. And since the weather here can get rather summer like at the drop of a hat, you won’t have to wait long to head down there for a much deserved lunch break, be it with coworkers or your partner.

And remember, any day is a great day to take your doggie out to the park! Wicker Park is the best park in the city for letting your four footed baby out to play and mingle with other dog lovers just as varied as their pups. Just be sure to wear your best looking grubs, because it can get muddy there and the other friendly dogs are bound to want to come up and say Hi!

Well folks, we have yet another sign that it truly is spring – the Wendella Water Taxis are back in service! Yep, the water is finally thawed enough for people to take a fun, quick ride on the river from one part of the Loop to the other at a price that can’t be beat - $2! Why take a regular taxi from Ogilve station when you can have more fun doing this? And when the traffic is bad (and when is it ever really good?), it can even end up being an overall faster commute! Just be sure to zip up, because it’s always cooler along the river.

Of course, there are lots of other ways to get around town that it seems only tourists take advantage of. In the summer, the free trolley service Chicago offers can get you away from one stop to another all over the Loop and beyond. Sure, they’re notreal trolleys, since they run on fuel, but the antique styled wooden benches and the open windows sure is a much more pleasant commute than riding the bus! And hey, you might even learn something new from the driver! Many people who work downtown will find a stop right in front of their buildings that will drop them off by many L train stops and other businesses; it can really save your feet when you need to run an errand! And just so you know, there is one free trolley that runs year round that heads up to Navy Pier. So if that’s your destination, hop on board.

Also, more and more people are taking advantage of the city being much more bike friendly. In case you haven’t noticed, almost all of the main streets are now marked off for bikes, so the fear of not having designated space is a lot more diminished. In fact, new laws have been passed for riders’ safety, so be sure to check out Chicago Bikes for more information. You may even have noticed that there are more bike racks springing up all over the place, and many business owners are now allowing their employees to bring their bikes inside. After all, encouraging bike riding equates to healthier and timelier employees! And don’t forget, as long as it’s not rush hour, you can even board a bus or train with your bike nowadays – just be sure to oblige by the rules.

I don't know about the rest of yas, but I sure do love a good maki roll, but I hate breaking the bank when it comes to fixing that hankerin’! Fortunately, there are quite a few places in Chicago that can satiate that craving for lunch or dinner, and on any day of the week! And no, “cheap sushi” does not always mean fishy, so be brave! Go ahead and indulge – it’s good for ya, too!

Under 55 – 55 E Monroe, Lower Level: Folks who work in the center of the Loop have probably ventured down to this high end food court at one time or another, especially when in groups. However, I know of so many people who are wary of giving the sushi cart the time of day, because they’re leery the food is going to be a complete disappointment… or worse! Have no fear – eat here! I’ve had their maki rolls and miso soup specials a number of times, and I can assure you it’s always fresh and delicious! Not too many options, but you really can’t beat the price or the service. And yes, great place to go with your co-workers!

House of Sushi and Noodles: Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner here, folks! Go to this Bucktown location hungry!!! If you go as a couple, you can get in on their $13.95 per person all you can eat buffet! Just be sure to go here early, because a lot of other people have been getting a clue about this place as well!

Kanok - Not only do they prepare a decent roll and also offer buffet specials, but it’s BYOB with NO corkage fee! This place is kind of smallish but modern and dimly lit, and fortunately not nearly as crowded as its more pretentious counterparts. This place serves as a nice Lakeview location to tap for an inexpensive (not cheap!) date.

Green Tea - Again small and no corkage, but what’s interesting about this restaurant is its location and it’s delivery service! Imagine this – a couple can dine on some of the freshest sushi in the area for under $30, and it’s not a buffet special! They also have some pretty large portions, and the presentations are very nice. And, because the bulk of their business is from delivery, you get to witness so many dishes being prepared while you decide on what to order. Only bad thing her is the delivery service – when they say an hour, they mean it!