March 27, 2008 Newsletter - Vol. 2, Issue #13

Insider Tips Of The Week:

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We Can, You Can, Any One Can Make A Difference This Saturday!
Check Out Earth Hour North Shore!




The greater Chicago area is participating in Earth Hour - a global event designed to place the spotlight on energy use.

From 8 until 9 p.m. this Saturday everyone is encouraged to turn off the lights. In just ONE small house and you'd be surprised at what a difference those 60 minutes can make.

Just last year, Sydney, Australia experienced a 10 percent drop in the total use of energy!

Find out more at www.earthhour.org

Time to grin and bear it:



North Shore I-94 Construction is on its way - beginning Friday, April 4th. Expect lane closures between Lake Cook Road and Lawrence Ave, through September.
Yes, September.



And with I-294 also under construction, there just won't be any easy way around it, unless you're feeling adventurous and are willing to stick to surface streets, such as:

• Waukegan Rd
• Milwaukee Ave
• Harlem Ave
• Green Bay Road

Other Not-so-pleasant Insider News:

Sheridan Road won't be much better until after road improvements along that route are completed, sometime in July.

Here's Our Tip:



Headed south? Want to avoid tearing all your hair out, exit at Patterson and head east, and cut over to Lake Shore Drive.

Where to Go:

Can't Wait Until Summer for Ravinia?



Go now!
Check out Joseph Kaiser this weekend at Ravinia Festival's Bennett-Gordon Hall.

He's an accomplished tenor, having performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and appearing at both the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He'll be accompanied this weekend by Craig Rutenberg on piano.


Event: Joseph Kaiser
Date: Friday, March 28th
Location: Ravinia - Bennett-Gordon Hall, corner of Lake Cook and Green Bay Rds., Highland Park
Time: 8 p.m.
Phone: 847.266.5100
Cost: $20

Looking For Variety?



Where better to find it than the Winnetka Village Follies, "It's All Fun & Games," an annual variety show at the Winnetka Community House. It's two weekends only, so don't miss out on some great community-based fun!



Event: Winnetka Village Follies, "It's All Fun & Games"
Date: Friday, March 28th - Saturday, March 29th (also April 3 - 5)
Location: Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Phone: 847.329.6070
Cost: $20

Get Your Art Fix

The Grove is hosting an art exhibit featuring the works of Dennis Downes, and accomplished painter and sculptor who is committed to bringing to life the story of trail marker trees - the trees that guided many of the Great Lakes indigenous residents from one location to another long before there were maps and streets and lights and well, you get the picture! It's a beautiful peek at our region's history, and paintings, prints and sculptures will be available for sale.

Event: Dennis Downes Art Exhibit
Date: Thursday, March 27th - Sunday, March 30th
Location: The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
Time: Thursday, 5 - 10 p.m.; Friday, 1 - 10 p.m.; Saturday, 12 - 10 p.m.; Sunday, 12 - 5 p.m.
Cost: none
Phone: 847.299.6096

North Shore Theater Spotlight: Skokie

Need a great date night? Catch Chicago favorites John Mahoney and Mike Nussbaum in a romantic comedy, authored by the Tony-award winning Larry Gelbart and Craig Wright.

Event: "Better Late"
Date: April 2nd - May 11th
Location: Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Time: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 and 7 p.m.
Phone: 847.673.6300
Cost: $35 - $40

What To Do

Spring Break RELIEF ...
That Virtually Every Kid Will Say YES to



Kids making you crazy? Spring Break's ALMOST over so go ahead and treat your little angels to an afternoon of all-out gaming at Wilmette Public Library. It's for kids 10 and up - just call ahead to register! There's a double-elimination tournament, so get those thumbs warmed up and ready to go!

Event: Gaming Lollapalooza and Smashfest
Date: Saturday, March 29th
Location: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
Time: 1 - 4 p.m.
Phone: 847.256.6945 to register
Cost: none


Go 'Cats!



Catch Big Ten sports, Northwestern style! The Wildcats mens' lacrosse team is in action Friday night against Georgetown. Here's a great way to expose your kids to something other then their Playstation or Wii - for just a few bucks.

Event: Mens' Lacrosse - NU v. Georgetown
Date: Friday, March 28th
Location: Lakeside Field, Evanston
Time: 7 p.m.
Phone: 847.467.3758
Cost: $7 adult, $4 youth


When You're Feeling Crafty...

We all need a break once in a while, from the kids, the husband, maybe the wife (yep - guys are welcome, too!) Head over to Evanston's Linz and Vail for Craft Nights on Mondays where you're welcome to knit, paint, scrapbook - whatever craft floats your boat! (Insider Tip: Always call ahead in case of event cancellation.)

Event: Craft Nights at Linz and Vail
Date: Monday nights
Location: 2012 Central Street, Evanston
Time: 6 -8 p.m.
Phone: 847.475.1381
Cost: none


Make a Wish Upon A Starry Sky



It may be gray today but who knows about tomorrow - especially tomorrow night. Dearborn Observatory on Northwestern U's campus will be open this Friday evening to do some star gazing. Our recommendation - call ahead because if its cloudy you'll be better off making your wishes another night. If it's clear, call ahead for an 8 - 9 p.m. reservation.

Event: Dearborn Observatory Public Observing
Date: Friday, March 28th
Location: 2131 Tech Drive (northeast of Garrett-Evangelical Seminary)
Time: 8 - 10 p.m. (Reservations required from 8 - 9 p.m., walk-ins after 9 p.m.)
Phone: 847.491.7650
Cost: none


This Kindergarten Teaches The Basics:



Ahhh the joys of puppy-hood.
Sooo adorable and sooooo much work.

Try Puppy Kindergarten at Lake Forest's Gorton Community Center. This upcoming class gets kids involved and taught by local expert "Gee" Cunningham. You and your child will soon have the basics down pat and spend more time enjoying their cuteness!

Event: Saturday Puppy Kindergarten
Date: Starts April 4th - register NOW! (Runs through May 31st)
Location: Gorton Community Center, 400 East Illinois, Lake Forest
Time: 9 - 10 a.m.
Phone: 847.234.6060
Cost: $155


Where to Shop

Treat your Tootsies



Who doesn't LOVE a great shoe sale? Get ready for the season with a trip to Macy's shoe department - spend $200 and you'll get 20 percent off the total purchase (minus EveryDay Value items)!

Event: Shoe Diva at Macy's
Date: Saturday, March 29th
Location: 1555 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Cost: none


Green Your Bling!



Got the shopping bug? Head to Mindscape Adornments in Evanston and check out "Green Goes Artistic" - jewelry, clothing, accessories and home decor all made from recycled products. And while you're there, enjoy the Maralyce Ferree Spring Linens and Rainwear 208 Collections.

Event: "Green Goes Artistic" at Mindscape Adornments
Date: Friday, March 28th
Location: 2114 Central Street, Evanston
Phone: 847.864.2660


You Look Marvelous...



As we age, our skin starts to betray us - wrinkles, fine lines, and skin conditions all take their toll. Want to learn how to slow it down and even turn back the clock? Sign up for "Anti-Aging 101" at Nordstrom Old Orchard and learn from Carrie Goodman, an MD Skincare Regional Education Manager. She'll give you the scoop and even customize a skincare regimen just for you!

Event: Anti-Aging 101: Lessons In Turning Back the Clock
Date: Thursday, April 3rd (Space is limited, so register now!)
Location: Nordstrom Old Orchard
Time: 3 and 6 p.m.
Phone: 847.677.2121, ext. 1417
Cost: $25 reservation fee, and can be applied to product purchase.


Spend Money and Feel Good



Your checkbook may not know it, but you're supporting cancer wellness when you shop at lucy this weekend at Northbrook Court. Plus you'll save 20% on your purchase!

Event: Benefit the Cancer Wellness Center of Northbrook at lucy
Date: Friday, March 28th
Location: lucy, upper level of Northbrook Court
Time: Regular store hours
Phone: 847.412.4623



Where (Or What!) To Eat

March Madness Re DO
Think Maki Madness



Why not take that NCAA tourney spirit and being it to a culinary experience! Cheer on your favorite sushi eater this Friday night at the Glen Town Center and RA Sushi, where the single-elimination sushi-eating contest has its North Shore round. The finals are scheduled for RA Sushi Chicago on April 9th.

Event: Maki Madness Showdown
Date: Friday, March 28th
Location: RA Sushi, Glen Town Center, Glenview
Time: 6 p.m.


Chew On This!

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court is pleased to host local cookbook author and TV personality Bill Kurtis this weekend at Prairie Grass in Northbrook, where he'll present his newest book, The Prairie Tale Cookbook, all the while sampling some of Chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris' tasty work!

Event: Bill Kurtis at Prairie Grass
Date: Saturday, March 29th
Location: Prairie Grass, 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook
Time: 1 p.m.
Phone: 847.205.4433
Cost: $35

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latest happenings on Chicago's North Shore! 

Warmest Wishes,

Loren & the NorthShoreInsider.com Team

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