Monday, September 28, 2009

Upcoming Garden Club Lectures








WORKSHOP
Saturday, October 3 - 10am-12 noon - $15
Wicker Park Field House - 1425 N. Damen, Chicago
Reservations: wpgarden@aol.com (773) 278-9075

Container Design for Fall and Winter
Susan Fontana
Thinking Outside the Pot
With the arrival of fall and the variable weather that comes with it - it is often difficult to keep your containers looking great at all times. In this workshop, Susan will give you ideas how to choose plants, dried grasses and flowers, and other materials that will work together to keep your containers looking colorful, exciting and healthy through the season. Please bring with you questions that will help you design the containers that you have at home - think what shape, size and color they are in determining the final design for your containers.


LECTURE
Monday, October 5 - 7-8:30 PM -Free - Donations Accepted
Wicker Park Field House - 1425 N. Damen, Chicago
Reservations: wpgarden@aol.com (773) 278-9075 (Pay at Door)

Native Landscapes - Created - Conserved - Evolved
An Historic & Philosophic Overview of Selected Designers
Wicker Park 2009-10 Lecture Series Introduction
Doug Wood
www.wpgarden.org

From the research he did in designing this series, Doug Wood will give a survey of the landscape designers who created either 'natural' or 'native' landscapes, their philosophies, and what may have influenced them to choose the 'natural' or 'native' approach to design. He will then focus on early 'natural landscape' designers: Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, Gertrude Jekyll, William Robinson. Critiques of the native designer's work and philosophies will be reviewed including a discussion of the publications by Joachim Wolschke-Bulmahn. He will give an overview of the speakers for the series and pose the questions that we are attempting to answer together in this series. What can we bring from a study of these designers to our current landscape designs that are influenced by our knowledge of global warming and the need to conserve natural resources and yet - create what we consider to be a sustainable, functional and 'beautiful ' landscape.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Spend $35, get $50 worth of Sushi*



$30 Gift Card for $20*
$50 Gift Card for $35*

1265 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago
773-252-2020
www.blucoralchicago.com

*Pre-purchase only. Please call 773-252-2020 to purchase.
To be used for Dine-in Only
One GC/table w/ minimum of 2 people
No Cash Changes will be given
Not valid with any discount or coupon
Valid thru November 30, 2009

New Patient: 45% Off Coupon





Chicago Conservative Care is located at North, and Wolcott, in the spot where Gabriella Shoes used to be. The office is very clean, bright, and airy. Dr. Otylia, pictured here with a Thera-Band, is a neighborhood local able to walk to her job. Otylia is trilingual (English, Polish, Spanish), and works with a wide variety of patients, from car crash victims, to marathoners, and pregnant woman with lower back pain. The name "Conservative" stems from the fact that all possible noninvasive therapies will be used rather than escalating to other options too soon, though in some cases surgery is necessary. Jennifer Bisbing of the Wicker Women blog recently snapped a shot of Otylia, too.

Having trouble reading the coupon? Please click on it to enlarge.

** Chicago Conservative Care is not a Pipeline eNewsletter sponsor, though time permitting I post press releases, and the occasional coupon relating to Wicker Park Bucktown if it is for savings at an independently owned shop, or business, or for a community organization. If myself or Pat cannot cover your event, or expand on it within the frame of the weekly eNewsletter, I will link to your press release or coupon, which is hosted here. In absence of figuring out how to create a web site, this is my round-a-bout way of dealing with the promotion aspect of The Pipeline's mission. It's a tough economy out there, and by sharing news, coupons, and savings, I am hoping more dollars will flow back into the neighborhood. For more information on this philosophy, please visit the Gangs of the New Economy Facebook page, and join the gang if you are so inclined.

Please send coupons, and press releases to streetsofwicker@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

No Place Like Home for Renovation Coach









More on Dina Petrakis of Renovation Coaching in the next Pipeline eNewsletter, but for now here are a few pics taken inside her favorite place...

St. Aloysius, Charles Wicker Statues Vandalized








Sometime within the past week, vandals removed St. Aloysius's left hand. The statue of the saint reigns over a small garden flanked by two benches. St. Aloysius is a neighborhood church with roots that go back as far as 125 years. Though Saint Aloysius lived a short life, and succumbed to the plague at age 32, he is known as the Patron of Catholic Youth, per this article on Catholic-Pages.com

In addition to St. Aloysius, vandals removed Charles Gustavus Wicker from his base, and caused considerable damage. The statue of Charles Wicker is being assessed by an expert in sculpture restoration. The plan is to restore, and return Charles Wicker to the park that bears his name, per a Chicago Park District representative, though no word yet on when. For now there's an empty pedestal.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

New Chef, New Brunch, and Lunch at Club Lucky



NEW CHEF INTRODUCES NEW SUNDAY BRUNCH AND SATURDAY LUNCH MENU WITH A CLASSIC ITALIAN TWIST AT CLUB LUCKY

CHICAGO, IL (JULY, 2009) – Club Lucky, a Bucktown institution known for its “1940’s supper club style,” authentic Italian American cuisine and classic cocktails, is proud to introduce its new head chef, Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch. Chef Anthony Reyes (formerly executive chef of Rosebud Restaurants, executive chef at Dan Marino’s/Miami Dolphins, and a disciple of Emeril’s) is passionate about the expanded affordable Sicilian style menu that has made Club Lucky successful for almost 20 years.

Club Lucky, already a popular lunch spot during the week, got the idea to add Saturday and Sunday afternoon meals simply from observing the changing neighborhood. “We started seeing an abundance of young permanent residents and destination shoppers around the neighborhood on weekends,” says co-owner, Jim Higgins, “and decided Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch would give the neighborhood a great local option.”

Chef Anthony brings over 15 years experience and Italian heritage to Club Lucky. He has designed the new brunch menu to include inventive uses of some Sicilian favorite ingredients such as: Prosciutto Wrapped Melon with balsamic syrup, Nana’s Meatball Insalata, the Pepper, Egg and Italian Sausage sandwich and the baked Pesto Eggs with Parmesan Tomatoes. The menu also includes imaginative culinary creations such as a Frittata of the day, three eggs Benedict options and classic buttermilk, chocolate chip or banana rum with vanilla crème anglaise, nutella and cinnamon pancakes, as well as Chef Anthony’s signature burger served on a pretzel bun.

Some of the new Sunday brunch house cocktail specialties include the Italian Lemonade, a blend of Limoncello with raspberry, orange or mango flavored vodka, fresh lemon and a splash of soda, the pear or peach Bellini, a strawberry basil mint Mojito, and a Lucky Mary, a blend of Ketle One ™ vodka and homemade bloody mary mix with a chef prepared antipasti spear served in a celery salted rim pint glass.

In keeping with the restaurants homage to its local roots in Chicago, Chef Anthony sources as much local produce, bakers and organic fed meat and poultry as possible. Diners will find such area favorites as granola from neighboring Milk and Honey Café (1920 W Division St) and local produce from Wisconsin, Michigan and Southern Illinois farmers, even the window treatments of the restaurant were designed by a local Bucktown artist. All stuffed pastas, sauces, sorbetos and ice creams are made on site as well.
-more-

CLUB LUCKY NEW CHEF LUNCH & BRUNCH/ADD ONE

When Club Lucky opened in 1990 in a neighborhood with very few restaurants, naysayers did not believe a restaurant could last off the beaten path on the corner of Wabansia and Honore, but co-owners Bobby Paladino and Jim Higgins disagreed. “This was a tight community to begin with whose residents love watching businesses in the area succeed,” says Higgins.

“Almost 20 years later, after we’ve seen the neighborhood change from old timers, to young professional and now evolving to accommodate families, we’re still viewed as a destination spot for Bucktown/Wicker Park residents, Chicago city dwellers, suburbanites and tourists. It is our good food and classic Chicago vibe that keep people coming back.”

Club Lucky is known for its solid menu of over 100 items (many award winning), killer martini list (voted reader’s choice best martini by Today’s Chicago Woman 2009), private party room and large al fresco seating area, in addition to having one of the most eclectic jukeboxes in the city.

Chef Anthony’s personal approach to creative cooking and sourcing fresh, seasonal menu items is found on daily lunch and dinner ‘Chef Special’ cards, giving Club Lucky patrons additional options to the abundant menu.

“As a restaurant, we’ve certainly stood the test of time in Chicago,” adds Higgins. “By expanding our offerings, we want to make it clear to our clientele that we understand their needs and have adapted to the changing landscape and residents of Bucktown/Wicker Park. Adding lunch on Saturday, brunch on Sundays and Chef Anthony’s daily seasonal specials gives customers more options to enjoy being in a true Chicago neighborhood on the weekends.”

“Club Lucky is all about getting to know our customers and giving them what they want. We keep things comfortable and classic, and above all, always provide a good meal, great service, fun ambiance and friendly open arms,” says Paladino. “We plan on being around for another 20 years and then some.”

As the saying goes at Club Lucky, “Come in as strangers and leave as friends!”

ABOUT CLUB LUCKY
Located at 1824 West Wabansia in Bucktown, Club Lucky is the perfect destination for a private party or a large event. It is open for bunch on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., lunch Monday thru Saturday starting at 11:30, and dinner seven nights a week, with a unique cocktail lounge that is open late night. For more information please visit www.clubluckychicago.com or call (773) 227-2300.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Bucktown Bridal Walk Slated for Sat. Oct. 17th



There is a story on all four of the bridal walk collaborators forthcoming in today's Pipeline eNewsletter. Following is a press release about the upcoming bridal walk, as well as photos taken inside Virtu, Larkspur, Radiance, and Crosell Co. last week.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Julie Horowitz Jackson, Virtu 773.235.3790

Bucktown Bridal Walk October 17, 2009

On Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 11 am to 6 pm four North Bucktown boutiques will present a shopping event featuring a journey down the North end of Damen Avenue highlighting all things concerning the bride and groom. The event starts at Radiance Fine Jewelry (2139 N. Damen Ave. www.radiancefinejewelry.com) and proceeds South on Damen. Saturday, October 17, 11AM-6PM. RSVP required to bucktownbridalevent@radiancefinejewelry.com or 773.486.5710.

Let Radiance Fine Jewelry, Larkspur (2123 N. Damen Ave. www.larkspurchicago.com), Virtu (2034 N. Damen Ave. www.virtuchicago.com), and Crosell & Co. (1922 N. Damen Ave. www.crosellandco.com) help you design the wedding of your dreams, from flowers and jewelry to bridal registry and gifts. Shop at all four boutiques to receive an entry for an exciting bridal giveaway. Raffle tickets will be available at each of our locations. Participants need not be present at the time of the drawing to win. Sweet, savory, and sparkling treats will be served.

Radiance Fine Jewelry will be featuring trunk shows from Diana Classic, The Triton Collection and Amy Moy. Come in to see Diana Classic for the bride and groom. Diana features elegant engagement rings and exquisite wedding bands in 18K Platinum and Palladium. For your wedding party, The Triton Collection with its rugged elegance will be perfect for groom’s men gifts. Design a beautiful ensemble for your bridesmaids with Amy Moy. Enjoy 10% off throughout the event at Radiance Fine Jewelry when you purchase wedding bands for both the bride and groom as well as when you purchase gifts for your entire bridal party.

Larkspur is proud to present our designs along with the neighborhood independent stores whose products inspire us. For the Bucktown Bridal Walk, we will display some of our best sample bridal bouquets and centerpieces. We will also offer you mini wedding consultations during the event. Larkspur creates exquisite designs from classic vintage to modern elegance. Our designers achieve superior quality by working one on one with each client to ensure every detail is given our full attention. Inspired by nature’s inherent texture and palette, we create a flower setting that is unique to each couple and location. Creative, unusual blooms are our specialty. With over 15 years of experience creating magical weddings in Chicago, we continue to follow our passion for seasonal, naturally elegant designs.


Please welcome a true Virtu signature to the city, Dahlia Kanner, while she presents her entire collection of 18kt gold, sterling silver, and gemstone jewelry. We will showcase both the special occasion and engagement rings alongside our exclusive core collection of Dahlia’s perfectly wearable everyday designs. As each of our items is hand crafted in limited edition, we will help you honor your wedding day with a piece that is as thoughtful and unique as you are to each other. During this event, we will share some of our favorite gift ideas for your hosts and attendants. Join us and find out why Virtu has come to be known as the perfect place to find something for someone who has everything. We will offer 10% on the Dahlia Kanner collection for the weekend of Friday, October 16th through Sunday, October 18th.

Crosell & Co. is nestled in a quaint Bucktown cottage where you will find an unbeatable selection of tableware, kitchenware, linens and more to create your registry of gifts that will be cherished for many years to come. We will help you navigate the sea of options available today so you will choose the right items for the lifestyle you envision. You will find American and European fine crafted lines at Crosell & Co. – Juliska, Michael Aram, Vietri, Match Pewter, Arte Italica, Simon Pearce, Garnier Theibaut, Jars, Arte Italica, Nambe, Viking, Staub, WMF just to name a few! See the benefits of working with a store with personal customer service that also has a national presence with an e-commerce website to fill your wedding registry needs. Stop in to learn more about the unique registry rewards program at Crosell & Co.

The independent merchants of North Bucktown offer a unique array of sophisticated, contemporary specialty products in a true Chicago neighborhood environment. Owner operated and designer driven, you will find exceptional service at each of our fine establishments. Whether you are planning a wedding, shopping for the bride and groom, or simply out for an afternoon stroll, there is always something lovely here in our neck of the woods.

Bucktown 5K Parking/Towing ALERT




DO YOU PARK YOUR CAR ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING STREETS:

Oakley, Charleston, Hoyne, Wilmot, Churchill, St. Paul, Winchester, Cortland, Ashland, or Wabansia???

After having my trusty 1997 Ford Escort towed to the tune of $210 ($160 for towing; a $50 ticket from the city) before a neighborhood street festival in May (the only sign on the stretch of street I parked my car at in the dark was tacked to a VERY leafy tree, and obscured, see picture), I am determined to not allow a similar misfortune happen to anyone else in the neighborhood. The economy certainly sucks right now, and parking violations are to be avoided. Please spread the word of the no parking pre 5K race to every local you know! Let No Car Be Towed! In POSITIVE news, it should be an awesome event, and it will benefit Gilda's Club, the Bucktown Community Organization, and Burr Elementary School, all great, community/people focused groups. Let's just make sure that the 5K will not benefit the City of Chicago's Dept. of Revenue, too! There are now four teams able to administer tickets, and special events no doubt are the easiest of targets. Best Buy/Kohl's will provide free shuttling to, and from their parking garage to any displaced vehicles. See www.bucktown5k/neighbors for more information.

The Bucktown 5K will take place on Sunday, Oct. 4th. FIFTEEN STREETS will be no-parking zones from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack's office is working hard to get the word out to prevent mishaps like in past years when many residents, including Waguespack if I recall correctly, got their cars towed due to lack of adequate signage.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Inside Lenny & Me








Lenny & Me is located at 1459 N. Milwaukee.

Inside StoreB









StoreB is located at 1472 N. Milwaukee.

Inside DeciBel Audio












A new Pipeline eNewsletter sponsor, DeciBel at 1429 N. Milwaukee is offering 15% off in-store merchandise through Nov. 15th. Just say, "Pipeline," and start saving on new, and used turntables, speakers, amplifiers, headphones, and other items.