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!

Beer and fried chicken, anyone? If this sounds like your cup of tea, you’re going to want to check out Stanley's Kitchen and Tap. The one I visited was located on Racine, right off 290, in the West Loop. A huge blue sign stands tall and calls out to your inner drunkard.

I have a friend who just happens to live a hop, skip and a jump away from this joint, so one Saturday night we headed there for a few drinks, planning to catch a nice buzz and then head somewhere else. But truth be told, we never left.

When you walk in, the place is split into two parts. There’s a quaint, cutely decorated dining area where you could ideally take your aunt Judy to lunch. Then, there’s the bar, a dimly lit, cozy, sexy area that is warmed up by a rustic (fake) fireplace. It sort of gives off the feeling of a secluded pub.

Me and my friend got a table. We weren’t surrounded by many people, although the night was still young. I ordered my favorite: a gin and grapefruit. My friend had beer.

I was surprised when the drinks arrived. My gin and juice came in a huge glass, as big as the mug of beer my friend got! I guess I was expecting to get shafted as usual. When I took a sip and the liquor proportion wasn’t to my liking, the super-cool waitress snuck behind the bar and dumped a whole crap-load more gin in my glass. Kick-awesome!

Needless to say, three more of these babies and I was pretty toasty. The conversation got lively. We ordered food. Me: a giant salad full of fresh, juicy chunks of cucumber and tomatoes. My friend: a huge, sloppy, greasy burger overflowing with cheese. I like salads and all, but I was mesmerized by this burger.

At some point, I think I fell out of my chair. But the waitress was still super great about everything! That’s what makes Stanley’s special. The staff really takes the time to get it just right.

And just at the point when I thought I was gonna be sick, the heroic waitress came by with a magical concoction of mashed potatoes and gravy and literally saved my life! There’s nothing like some carbs to bring you back to sobriety!

I hear Stanley’s has a great Sunday brunch, but I don’t know. We didn’t wake up the next day till it was already afternoon.

It's no secret Chicago has a huge Polish population, many of whom speak English as a second language. Just go down to any public building around here, and you’ll see signs translated for them, along with the standard Spanish. There are so many Polish people here in fact, that it is believed there are more here than in Warsaw! Wow! With so many people, you’re guaranteed to find a plethora of good eatin' around here! So let’s get our pierogi, kielbasa and golabki fix on and check out some of these places below!

Podhalanka (1549 W Division): Okay, so the place looks like a total dump on the outside. Well, if that bothers you, then I say Fine! More Pierogies for me then! And potato pancakes! The place is just so charming inside, like what you’d expect to find at your Nanna’s house in eastern Europe someplace, which it does very well. One problem with that though is the pace at which everything runs around here is just about as fast as Nanna moves, but then again, you can’t hustle love into food. Of course, parking is a pain around here, but since it’s right by the Division Blue Line and just south of Hipster Central, it’s the sort of place you tap while you’re on the go and need some down time.

Red Apple Restaurant: You have two locations to choose from, but I prefer the one up north in Norwood Park, due to the parking issue, unless I’m already on foot in the other neighborhood. Either way, the food is always good and the wait staff are quiet, yet very polite. Just so you know, it is a buffet, in of which most Polish places are, but there is some table service involved. I will say though, if you are on any kind of a restrictive diet, you will be staring at a rather empty plate, because this is good, hearty and inexpensive food, and just about everything has meat or broth in it.

Jolly Inn: This is my other favorite place for buffet style Polish food. I think the blintzes here are better than other places I’ve been to, and the potato pancakes are kept in good rotation so as not to get mooshie from laying out too long. Again, no dieters welcome, because EVERYTHING has meat, butter and dairy on and in it; it does it’s best at being true comfort food. One thing that does irk me though is that even though it’s a buffet and you can eat all you want, each drink you get costs extra, and they don’t bring around enough water.

Peter Cottontail is packing up his gear and is getting ready to make his annual appearance, hiding eggs in just about every nook and cranny! Here's a list of fun-filled events of a secular nature the whole family will enjoy!

Celebrate Easter in the Parks! - Now through Saturday, March 22nd!: Pick a spot and go! The biggest event is down at Soldier Field this Saturday before the St Pat's parade, making it an egg-sellent way to spend time together and revel in the festivities!

Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club - Saturday, March 22nd at 10am: I remember going to this event as a kid, and I can tell you it was A LOT of fun! It's on Irving Park Road next to the river, where that HUMUNGOUS carnival is held every year! Mom and Dad will be up to their long, floppy ears with all the eggs the kids will be bringing home on this one!

Lamb's Farm Bunny and Easter Brunch - Friday, March 21st – Sunday, March 23rd: If you've never been to Lamb's Farm before, this will surely be a real treat for you all! And Easter weekend is even better! It's just a hop, skip and a jump north of the city, making the drive on the expressway so very worth it. (It also helps benefit folks with developmental disabilities to lead personally fulfilling lives.)

Easter Bunny Photos at the HIP - Now through Saturday, March 22nd: This is probably one of the nicest Easter mall displays around, so if you want to get your kids' annual photo taken, check this one out!

Breakfast with the Bunny at Brookfield Zoo - Now through Sunday, March 23rd: All you can east buffets every weekend leading up to Easter, and on the Big Day, photo ops with The Bunny are included, along with visits from his furry friends from the children's zoo! Seating is limited, so be sure to make a reservation!

Odyssey Easter Brunch Cruise - Sunday, March 23rd: Looking to step it up a notch for Easter Brunch where the kids can have fun at the same time? Then this might just be the perfect combo. It launches from Navy Pier, so if you really want to go all out, you can also take part in all the fun activities that's going on there as well! And don't forget to visit the Chicago Children's Museum while you're there and perhaps catch a flick at the IMAX at Navy Pier, too!

Since it opened in 2006, the Mercury Cafe has hosted many poetry, art and music events. Located in West Town at Chicago and Greenview in an old brick house, the Mercury offers great coffee, food and a fun meeting spot for you and your friends.

Come for lunch, dinner, coffee or one of the open mics. Mercury’s Italian style menu features coffee, sandwiches, salads and yummy pastries. Well-roasted coffee comes in espresso, macchiato and lattes ($2.85) or mochas ($3.35) with iced coffee in summer. Most sandwiches include chewy ciabatta rolls. My favorites are the Veggie Medici with pesto, provolone, artichoke hearts, lettuce and tomato and the Sorta Italian with salty, savory prosciutto, salami, pesto, basil and sun-dried tomato. The Caprese salad is the classic trio of tomato, mozzarella, and basil ($5.45) and the roast beef salad is a meal in itself. The inexpensive prices remain the same for lunch or dinner; you and your friends can have half a sandwich and soup $6.10 or half a sandwich and a salad or $6.35. Splurge and split a lamington, chocolate and coconut-covered yellow cake with raspberry jam or try a scone, brownie or cupcake. Loose-leaf tea flavors include rosehips, ginger and Chinese gunpowder green. Chocolate, Tahitian vanilla and hazelnut gelato complete the menu. Tahitian vanilla, with flecks of vanilla bean, is my favorite

The Mercury’s large, open layout with tables and couches and chairs lends itself to hanging out for hours. Groups and clubs sometimes meet up at the tables behind the library shelf in the back. You can take or leave library books from paperback fiction to revolutionary history and social commentaries. Each month new local art is for sale on the walls.

There are three regular open mics at Mercury Café. Poets meet here on the third and last Fridays of the month and an open mic for music, poetry, comedy and all types of performers takes place on the first Wednesday of each month. All open mics begin at 7pm and end at 9pm. Look for art openings and music acts on Mercury’s calendar. Many clubs meet here, including language groups and political meet-ups. The Mercury’s groups are good places to meet friends with similar musical and cultural interests.

You can also bring laptops and take advantage of Marcury Café’s free wireless Internet. If you and your coworkers want to order from the Mercury, call 312-455-9924 for bike delivery to any location between Damen, Lake, Halsted and North Avenue between 11am and 3pm.

For many, Daylight Savings Time is one of those indicators that summer isn’t too long off, and with that is the looming dread of how many pounds have been accumulated over the winter. Well, buck up and buckle down! There are a lot of places around here that cater to your overall betterment, especially when it comes to fitting into that swim suit!

Galter Life Center: Looking to avoid the standard meat market mentality and want an affordable, accommodating and an attitude free atmosphere? Then head to Galter up on the north side. Besides the fact they offer a wide range of classes, machines, a lap pool and a track, their customer service is definitely something to tell all of your friends about! Not only will they remember your name and what you’re there or, but they don’t try to sucker you in on a bunch of add-ons you don’t really need. Oh and yes, this place is very clean and organized, too!

Bucktown Fitness Center: Two major great things that strike a cord with me are:
a) NO CONTRACT! Really! You get three free days to check it out, and you set up how you want to pay afterwards. Even if you want to pay by the day, that’s fine by them! How cool is THAT?

b) Free weights downstairs, machines upstairs. How nice is it for us ladies to peddle, peddle, peddle - without some meat head grunting behind you and staring at your keister? Seriously, this place is designed for getting into shape, not getting hit on!
I also like it for the simple fact that it’s a neighborhood gym and fitness center, where everybody and (body type!) are welcome. No real space for stretching unfortunately, but definitely worth the bucks.

Hapkido and Tae Kwan Do: Hiyeeee-YAH! Kick your butt back into shape the fun way, and you won’t even need a form fitting yellow jump suit to do it in! This place has been a mainstay in the city for generations, making it no surprise it’s also one of the most popular places to get your moves on! Try it out – the first week is free! And ladies, a third of the people here are women, so don’t be shy about getting a little extreme! An added plus is your “workout outfit” is comfy and can be very flattering and sexy to boot! Besides, that back of the mind worry you might have walking to your car in the dark will definitely become a distant memory. Now for those of you who think getting fit means you need machines to do it on, they have those too, and showers to match!

Meet your friends at the Red Line Tap in Rogers Park for plenty of good beer, all kinds of music, and good food from the Heartland Cafe. The Red Line Tap shares a building with the Heartland Café; look for the broken missile on the roof next to the Morse Red Line El stop.

At first glance the Red Line looks ordinary with a small stage, concrete floors and one pool table. The selection of beer and music, both modestly priced, sets the Red Line apart from other bars. On a Saturday night I saw three bands there for only $5, including rock, folk and jazz. Many types of bands play here including the regular features: country and rock with Poverty Tax on Sundays, jazz, jam and funk with Project 99 on Mondays, the much-loved bluegrass band Sexfist on Tuesdays, punk rock and metal acts on Wednesdays and an open mic on Thursdays. No matter what your friends’ musical tastes, you can find something they like at the Red Line. Covers are $5 and entertainment is free on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Bring your instruments and vocals to the long-running Thursday night open mic. Sign-up is at 8pm with the music starting at 9. Miki Croisant from Funk to Punk hosts and visiting bands can use the house drum kit. Performers each get one free drink, which your musician friends will love.

With over two dozen beers on tap, the Red Line serves a mix of local and domestic beers from Goose Island 312 to New Holland’s Mad Hatter to Sapporo and Fransiskaner Weiss. The $2.50 or $3 nightly beer specials always offer a good domestic or import like German Jever, and never wuss out and give you an overpriced can of corporate beer. You can also order cocktails and wine from the bar.

When you get hungry at Red Line, order quesadillas, nachos or other food from the Heartland Café kitchen, which also serves a smaller menu here. You could make a night of it, meeting up at the Heartland for dinner first, then moving to the Red Line to enjoy the music. The Heartland Café has been a cornerstone of Rogers Park for over 30 years. Since 1996, the Red Line has served drinks in this location, which housed Roy Kawaguchi’s bar before that. All types and ages of people feel welcome here and the small bar offers great music, beer and food for you and your friends.

Just like that particular brand of breakfast cereal that promises to cater to your inner child while satiating your adult need to eat healthy, Chicago has plenty to offer those who want to plan a fun date that is also all about da love that never needs dressing up! Take a look at some of these fabulous fun and romantic dating ideas and see what sparks your interest!

Drive-Ins and Car Hops
Remember the excitement you had as a kid about going to a place like this? Well, now that you’re all grown up, you may think eating in the car is a major faux pas, but not so! You’re responsible enough not to get mustard on the seats, aren’t ya? Well then, let’s do this! There are a couple of these rare gems left around Chicago, and if the weather is cooperating, you two just might want to relive your youth, even if only for an hour or two!

Carnivals and Theme Parks
What girl doesn’t swoon over her man winning her a teddy bear? And how completely liberating and exhilarating is it to take that plunge 70 stories down at breakneck speeds? And admit it – even you fraidy cats like it when Frankenstein jumps out at you in a haunted house! Chicago is host to many carnivals throughout the summer, many for charitable causes, on top of full-scale theme parks just a short drive away. And you know what? Food always seems to taste better when served on a stick, even if it isn’t all that healthy.

Bowling Alleys, Arcades and Miniature Golf
So you’re not the most athletically inclined. Who cares at places like these! The idea of these games is not to win or lose, but to honestly have fun… and the more hokey, the better! And what’s more, many of these places are open 24/7 around here, because in Chicago, anytime is the right time to have a little fun! And hey – most of those pinball machines you loved as a kid were built here, too, many of which are still in action!

Sporting Events and Concerts
Rediscovering your youth almost always includes screaming at the top of your lungs, and aside from the aforementioned carnivals, these are the places to do so, right alongside hundreds and even thousands of other "adults" like yourselves! Whether it’s a favorite team or a rock concert, anything housed under a stadium is a great place to get the blood flowing! And surprise, surprise, us Chicagoans have plenty of events to choose from at venues of all sizes!