May 15, 2008 Newsletter - Vol. 2, Issue #20

Spring hasn’t spring until you’ve flown your kite at least once – so knock yourself out this weekend!
Kids ages 4 and up can enjoy all sorts of great crafts activities including a chance to try out the pottery wheels – and Chicago Kite will be on hand to tackle the outdoor fun, with stunt kites on display and in action! Kites will also be available to purchase.

Event: Spring Fling Into the Arts& Kite Festival
Date: Saturday, May 17
Location: West Ridge Center and Park, 6363 Ridge Rd., Highland Park
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone: 847.579.3120
Cost: None

It’s been around since 1991 for a reason – the Skokie Festival of Cultures is a state and national award winner! Take some time this weekend to check out the festivities – two days of food, arts and crafts, children’s games from around the world, a bazaar and wide variety of educational booths and displays!

Event: 2008 Skokie Festival of Cultures
Date: Saturday, May 18 - Sunday, May 18
Location: Oakton Park, 4701 West Oakton, Skokie
Time: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Cost: None for admission
Phone: 847.674.1500

May is National Bike Month – and there’s a number of chances to help kids get safe this season, including two events here on the North Shore this week:

Event: Glenview Bicycle Safety Fair
Date: Saturday, May 17
Location: 2500 East Lake Ave., Glenview
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Details: Safety skills course, bicycle maintenance tips and education, prizes and drawings
Cost: None

Event: Winnetka Police Department Bike Rodeo
Date: Thursday, May 22
Location: Hubbard School Playground, 1110 Chatfield, Winnetka
Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Details: bike inspection, safety checks, obstacle courses
Cost: None

Looking for something eclectic? Check out elementary school teacher-slash-folk rocker Ross Cabin this Saturday at Border’s in Highland Park! It’s just one of a bunch of Late Nite HP activities!

Event: Ross Cabin, folk rock musician
Date: Saturday, May 17
Location: Borders, 595 Central Ave., Highland Park
Time: 9 p.m.
Phone: 847.433.9130
Cost: None

What’s 19 miles long, wet, starts in Libertyville and ends just west of Glenview? The Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon! Here, paddlers can throw down with the best using their own canoe or a rental. Landlubbers, you can watch, with one of the best spots at Ryerson Nature Center in Riverwoods.

Event: Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon
Date: Sunday, May 18
Location: Oak Spring Canoe Launch, Libertyville
Time: Begins at 8 a.m.
Phone:847.604.2445
Cost: $30 late registration
Web site for additional info: http://www.canoemarathon.com

Join in 12th Annual Prairie Pedal -- this family event that isn’t just about biking – there are a number of routes varying in length, great educational stops along the way, massage stations and a manicotti lunch waiting for you at the end of the ride!

Event: Prairie Pedal Family Bike Ride
Date: Sunday, May 18
Location: starts at the Lake Forest Hospital in Grayslake
Time: 8:30 - 11 a.m.
Phone: 847.548.5989
Cost: $15 - $25 (Kids under 6 are free)

It’s an acclaimed North Shore Chicago event – Glenview Park District’s “Springtime On The Farm.” Here’s a chance for kids to get up close and personal with animals on the last remaining working farm in the county. Learn while you work alongside farmers performing daily chores and working the fields. There’s a hayride, storytelling, and snacks, too!

Event: Springtime On The Farm
Date: Saturday, May 17
Location: Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Rd., Glenview
Time: 12 - 3 p.m.
Phone: 847.657.1506
Cost: $3 per person

Introduce the kids to a new culture with a trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend – there’ll be tea ceremonies, Taiko drumming, storytelling, a harp performance and chances to make fans, kites and more!

Event: Malott Japanese Garden Children’s Festival
Date: Saturday, May 17 - Sunday, May 18
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, 100 Lake Cook Rd. Glencoe
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone: 847.835.5440
Cost: $5 parking for non-members

Catch the grand opening of the 2008 Evanston Farmers’ Market this weekend! As the season hits its stride, you can expect up to 30 different vendors every Saturday offering up the freshest in produce, meat, cheese, flowers and baked goods!

Insider Tip: You can also check out the Garden Faire in Evanston this weekend, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., at the corner of Central and Stewart in Independence Park!

Event: Evanston Farmers’ Market Opening
Date: Saturday, May 17
Location: University Place and Oak Ave., Evanston
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: None for admission

The annual Plant & Garden Sale is this weekend, with your favorite flowers, garden accessories, crafts, antiques and refreshments all available for purchase.

Insider Tip: While you’re shopping, the kids can check out The Grove’s educational and natural exhibits, keeping them busy while you browse!

Event: The Grove Plant and Garden Sale
Date: Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
Location: The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone: 847.299.6096
Cost: None for admission or parking!

If you missed them this spring, the Chicago Kids Company is back in Wilmette this weekend for encore presentations of CINDERELLA – Live On Stage! Their version is a hilarious send-up designed to entertain kids of all ages!

Event: Cinderella Live On Stage
Date: Saturday, May 17
Location: Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave.
Time: 10 a.m.
Phone: 847.251.7424
Cost: $10 in advance/$12 at door

Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada will be on the North Shore this weekend talking about his new autobiography, “The Good Fight” – his story about overcoming life’s obstacles.

Event: Sen. Harry Reid at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
Date: Friday, May 16
Location: 811 Elm St., Winnetka
Time: 6 p.m.
Phone: 847.446.8880
Cost: None, but call ahead to register

If you’re tired of your favorite and don’t know where to turn, let NorthShoreInsider point you in the right direction! There’s two tasting events this weekend:

Binny’s in Highland Park is hosting a Bordeaux Tasting

Sample from more than two dozen reds and whites, including Chateau Lagrange, Chateau Leoville Barton, Chateau Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande, Chateau Lascombes and Chateau Lafon Rochet.

Call ahead for a reservation!

Insider Tip: If you’re not a Binny’s member, stop by the store and sign up – it’s free and gets you reduced prices on tastings such as this one!

Event: Bordeaux Tasting
Date: Friday, May 16
Location: Binny’s, 153 Skokie Valley Highway, Highland Park
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Phone: 847.831.5400
Cost: $35 members/$45 non-members

Lovell’s of Lake Forest is also hosting a tasting event, where several wine merchants will be on hand with more than 60 wines from around the world for you to sample and/or purchase!

Event: Spring Wine Tasting at Lovell’s of Lake Forest
Date: Friday, May 16
Location: 915 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest
Time: 6 - 9 p.m.
Phone: 847.234.8013
Cost: $25

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Warmest Wishes,

Loren & the NorthShoreInsider.com Team

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