July 17, 2008 Newsletter - Vol. 2, Issue #29

KILLER DEAL: Frames For Hanging – Run, don’t walk to your local Target, where a bunch of “Class of 2008” and “Congrats, Graduate!” frames are 75 percent off!

One NorthShoreInsider staffer was able to snag two large square 20” x 20” black wooden frames for kids’ art for just $4.75 a piece. With most frames, all you need to do is take out the matte – poof, done you’ve got art!

Tired of the same old, same old at summer art fairs…enough! Time to try something different and more ethnic. You’ll discover 80 different cultures represented through 125 national and regional juried artists. And yes, there’s dancing, music, family activities and did we mention food, food, food!

We've got the North Shore music scene covered - here's what's coming up this week:

Thursday, July 17:

Concert In The Square
Market Square, Lake Forest
Concerts are 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Free

Friday, July 18:

Blood On The Tracks
A Bob Dylan homage, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie
Tix are $20 at the door, Concert is at 8 p.m. (Also Saturday!)

Noah Andreas (Hip Hop Alternative)
Lincolnshire Gourmet, 675 Central, Highland Park
Free concert, starts at 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 19:

The Fabulous Thunderbirds (Blues/Rock)
Vernon Hills Summer Celebration, Century Park
Concert is free and band takes the stage at 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 20:

Mario (Pop)
Six Flags Great America, Gurnee 5 p.m.,
Concert is free with admission to the park

Old Orchard Summer Concert Series
Larry Eckerling and His Orchestra
Concert starts at 2 p.m. at north end of shopping center

Tuesday, July 22:

Maggie Speaks (Modern)
The Glen Town Center, Glenview
Admission is free, concert starts around 6 p.m.

If elephant ears and carnival rides are your kind of fun, hop in the car and head up to Grayslake for the 80th Lake County Fair, which kicks off Tuesday the 22nd! There’s carnival rides, games, live music and a demolition derby too!

Event: Lake County Fair
Date: Tuesday, July 22 though Sunday, July 27
Location: 1060 E. Peterson, Grayslake
Time: Fairgrounds open at 10 a.m.
Cost: $4 - $8

Need someone to give you a kick in the rear to get in gear? Check out the free Outdoor Fitness Bootcamp this weekend in Deerfield – StrongFitWomen.com and ASAP Training is hosting this 45-minute event that’ll get you up and going - don’t forget a towel and water!

Event: Outdoor Fitness Bootcamp
Date: Saturday, July 19
Location: Brickyards Park, Pfingsten Rd., Deerfield
Time: 8:15 - 9 a.m.
Phone: 847.877.6673
Cost: Nada!

Vernon Hills is partying it up as they celebrate 50 years of villagedom! Catch free music from the likes of Hot Rocks and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, fireworks, carnival rides and great “Kids Korner” activities all day long!

Event: Vernon Hills Summer Celebration
Date: Now through Sunday, July 20
Location: Century Park, Lakeview Pkwy and Center Drive
Time: Varies, Kids Korner is open from 1 - 3 p.m.. Midway opens at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m. on the weekend, concerts usually kick off at 7 p.m.
Phone: 847.367.3700
Cost: Zilch

Here’s a chance to camp without leaving the North Shore backyard...Deerfield Park District is hosting a Family Campout. There’s sports activities and on outdoor movie planned, grills available, and breakfast the next morning - yummy!

Event: Family Camp Out
Date: Saturday, July 19 - Sunday, July 20
Location: Maplewood Park, Clay Court and Hazel Ave., Deerfield
Time: Starts at 5 p.m.
Cost: Not one penny

Prefer to skip the overnight, check out this Old-Fashioned Camp Fire night. For a few bucks you can kick back and let the Park District staff tend the fire while you catch a sugar rush!

Event: Old-Fashioned Camp Fire
Date: Friday, July 18
Location: Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd., Highland Park
Time: 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Phone: 847.433.6901
Cost: $6 per person

Not summering in France checking out the big boys of cycling? Bike fans can still catch great action this weekend in Evanston, when the ENH Grand Prix of Cycling kicks off at 10 a.m. in downtown Evanston. Come early and enjoy some shopping and a great lunch at one of Evanston’s many great restaurants before the race hits the road at 2 p.m. from Fountain Square.

Event: ENH Grand Prix of Cycling
Date: Sunday, July 20
Location: Downtown Evanston
Time: Activities start at 10 a.m.
Cost: None

Check out the North Shore Car Show this Sunday at the Glen Town Center in Glenview. Classic, vintage autos can be spotted along Tower Drive, and there’s even a NASCAR simulator in which fans can take a spin!

Event: North Shore Car Show
Date: Sunday, July 20
Location: Glen Town Center, Glenview (located between Lake and Willow Rds. on Patriot Blvd.)
Time: 12 p.m.
Phone: 847.724.2025
Cost: None

or...check out the Antique Auto Show in Lake Forest. Also on Sunday, the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Rotary Club sponsors this event, which turns 60 this year! The highlight this year is “Post-War” cars from 1946 - 1949 on display, including a rarely-seen Tucker 48 sedan.

It’s a pool party this weekend and a birthday-themed pool party at that -- complete with cupcakes and giveaways!

Event: Centennial Pool Party
Date: Saturday, July 19
Location: Centennial Pool, 2300 Old Glenview Rd., Wilmette
Time: Starts at 11 a.m.
Phone: 847.256.9680
Cost: $7 resident, $13 non-resident

Buy a beach pass this Saturday in Glencoe and enjoy Sailfest – with sailboat demos, youth and adult regattas, a youth sailing clinic and a hot dog lunch! For more information and to sign up for specific events, call ahead!

Event: Sailfest
Date: Saturday, July 19
Location: Glencoe Boating Beach, 160 Hazel Ave.
Time: 10 a.m.
Phone: 847.835.8910
Cost: call for specifics

Catch the live production of “Jack and the Beanstalk” this weekend, opening weekend for the play, which will run every Saturday into mid-August. Music, jokes and solid entertainment for kids of all ages, but especially those 3 and up.

Event: “Jack and the Beanstalk”
Date: Saturday, July 19
Location: Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave.
Time: 11 a.m.
Phone: 847.251.7411
Cost: $12 at the door, $10 in advance

Here’s where to go to knock those sales socks off:

Winnetka: Friday - Saturday
Throughout the various shopping districts, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
What’s so special: It’s a “Jazzing Up” sidewalk sale, complete with New Orleans-style live music, food and entertainment for the kids!

Glencoe: Friday - Saturday
Throughout the various shopping districts, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
What’s so special: Specialty vendors, artisans and crafters also on hand during the sales!

Lincolnshire’s City Park: Friday - Sunday
275 Parkway Drive
What’s so special: A live DJ from 1 - 3 on Sunday!

Live like the French for just a day and partake in some really great wine – Binny’s is hosting a Bastille Day wine tasting this Friday in Highland Park. Over 25 reds and whites will be cracked open to enjoy with friends!

Event: Bastille Day Wine Tasting
Date: Friday, July 18
Location: Binny’s, 153 Skokie Valley Hwy., Highland Park
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Phone: 847.831.5400 (Reservations are recommended - call now!)
Cost: $5 Binny’s Card members, $10 non-members

Help celebrate National Hot Dog Month and Ice Cream Day at Deerfield’s Whole Foods with a kid’s cooking class. You’ll be making all-beef pigs ‘n blankets, and topping it off with ice cream sundaes!

Event: Kids Class: Hots Dogs and Ice Cream
Date: Friday, July 18
Location: Whole Foods Market, 760 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield
Time: 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.
Phone: 847.444.1900
Cost: $10 per child, must be at least 4 years old