CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – NORWOOD PARK, LAKEVIEW, WEST LOOP, GOLD COAST, OAK PARK
NORWOOD PARK
Sometimes you just never know what you're going to find as a hidden gem in your local neighborhood. Take Kouks Vintage Café for example.
They offer not only a cozy home away from home where you can go and sip tea or coffee, but they also offer a wide array of vintage goods for sale. Everything is reasonably priced and it typifies what shopping local is all about. And if you speak Greek, the can accommodate that too.
LAKEVIEW
It's time to get your skates on. A new ice skating rink will welcome skaters to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field this winter, thanks to the generosity of the Ricketts family, new owners of the Cubs, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney and others.
The rink just opened yesterday and is sure to be a hit with local residents. The Rink at Wrigley will be available to the public beginning December 15, 2009, through February 2010. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. Levy Restaurants will offer refreshments. A Grand Opening celebration is planned for Saturday, December 19, 2009, at 11 a.m.
WEST LOOP
Have you been to the market yet? Recently opened and already becoming a one-stop destination that provides not only cultural and culinary experiences, but also life's essentials and convenience products.
Unlike seasonal outdoor farmer's markets, MetraMarket's Chicago French Market and its vendors will stay open year-round, six days per week - the first and only market of its kind in Chicago.
GOLD COAST
Ah the holidays. A time when you get gifts that are absolutely amazing and you also get those tragic sweaters (think Bridget Jones). Not to fear, this weekend those lovely items will not go unappreciated as 10Pin Bowling Lounge is hosting their Tacky Sweater Party.
The Worst Sweater Gets: A chance to win a trip for two to Jamaica, where sweaters (ugly or otherwise) aren't allowed.
OAK PARK
Oak Park is home to many Frank Lloyd Wright designs spanning an amazing history of this world-renowned architect. For the month of December the Oak Park Architectural League (OPAL) will have their work on display at the Oak Park Public Library.
The exhibit will include photographs of completed work, renderings of works in progress, models, decorative details and artwork by architects who live or work in Oak Park.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
