Mother’s Day brunch is as popular a tradition here in Chicago as it is throughout the United States, so if you wish to include a Mother’s Day brunch in your plans, please check with us for a complete listing of all the wonderful choices Lake View has to offer, many within walking distance of the Inn.  David, your innkeeper, will be happy to assist with reservations and recommendations.

If my mother were in town this weekend, here’s what I would plan for her.  On Saturday after a leisurely morning and continental breakfast at the Inn, we’d take a nice log walk along the lakefront and Lincoln Park.   Then I’d take her for a little pampering at my favorite nail salon, MyNail.com at 3171 N. Clark for the time honored tradition of the “mani/pedi”.  One of my Mom’s favorite restaurants in Lakeview is right down the street, Twist , a tapas café at 3412 N. Sheffield, so that would be the choice for dinner on Saturday, followed by classic cocktails at Room 13 before retiring for the night.

Then Sunday I’d take Mom to brunch at the Southport Grocery & Café, 3552 N. Southport,  before the 2 pm show time of Barnum at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport.  Southport Grocery is the perfect choice for my Mom, who delights in all things gourmet.   She’d probably enjoy perusing their shelves after brunch for some goodies to take home, like Chicago’s own Metropolis coffee and some of Southport Grocery’s preserves.   Barnum, an acrobatic musical that tells the story of P.T. Barnum, might make any mother muse about the similarities between raising a family and running a three ring circus.  Click here for info and tickets to Barnum.

Whatever your plans this weekend, we hope all of our guests will enjoy a very Happy Mother’s Day here in Lake View.

Whether you are here for the concert or visiting family in the area, you won’t be able to help notice that on Saturday we will all be Irish.  In our vibrant neighborhood celebrants start early and go late.  Just about every bar and restaurant in the area will have St. Patrick’s Day specials.  If you would like to see the parade downtown Saturday morning, our sister business, Trader Todd’s, will be running a courtesy shuttle all morning for parade goers.  The parade steps off at 12 noon.  For the full downtown experience go early and watch the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers dye the Chicago river a brilliant emerald green at 10 am.

On major holidays, such as St. Patrick’s day, it’s good to allow a little extra time to get around due to increased traffic and pedestrians. Watch for parking restrictions throughout the city and in our area.  I want to remind our guests that Clark St. will have no parking on Saturday, so please avoid parking on Clark as towing will be enforced.  Be sure to carry your ID with you on Saturday – bars and most restaurants will require them for entry.

And, did you remember to pack something green?  If not, the luck of the Irish is still with you, because I am happy to suggest one of our neighborhood favorites for last minute party wear.  Strange Cargo,  a unique vintage clothing and accessory store, is also Chicago’s premier custom T-shirt shop.  Bring your own idea or pick from the several clever suggestions on display and you can walk out with your own customized green St. Patrick’s T-shirt.  What better souvenir to take home?  Be sure to browse the rest of the store while they are lettering your shirt,  as their website says you can find anything from “Converse Chuck Taylors and Whoopee cushions.”  My husband, a self-proclaimed T-shirt poet, and I just love this store; I hope you will too.

If there is anything we can do to make your St. Patrick’s weekend more special just let us know.  And as my grandmother used to say”May the wind be always at your back, and the sun be always on your face.”

Chicago is known of course, for its famous improv venues:  Second City and IO (formerly Improv Olympics) where audiences enjoy shows that are unscripted and spontaneous.  Sketchfest, however, brings a much different type of comedy to the stage.  As the name suggests, sketch comedy is defined by scripted vignettes.  While every group may not tickle your particular funny bone, well written, well rehearsed performances abound at Sketchfest.

One of our very favorite comedy sketch groups, Think Tank, will be appearing at Sketchfest on Saturday, January 12 at 6pm.  It’s no wonder this group has been included in the festival for six years now.  Think Tank’s humor is satirical, absurd, sometimes psychedelic and at its best downright sidesplitting. For a glimpse into their world visit: http://www.thinktankcomedy.blogspot.com/  Complimentary shuttle service to and from Stage 773 is avaible for this show through our sister business Trader Todd’s;  just speak with your innkeeper if you’d like help securing seats.

Sketchfest, which began on January 3^rd and runs through the 13^th, has been an annual event since 2002 where it has made its home at Lakeview’s Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.  For detailed information about performers, schedules and great tidbits of the festivals history be sure and visit the events website http://www.chicagosketchfest.com/

But you don’t have to go downtown this year for Christmas markets.  For the first time, Lakeview is host to its own Christmas Market, just a few blocks west of the Old Chicago Inn on Belmont , between Greenview and Ashland.  This market is produced by the folks at Chicago Special Events who bring us many great summer street festivals, so you know there will be plenty of food vendors, libations and good bands.  In addition,  there will be holiday craft vendors, activities for kids and a tree farm. The festival begins tonight and continues through Sunday.  Your innkeeper, David, can provide you with a complete band schedule and event details.

If shopping is your raison d’être for your visit to Chicago this season, you’ll of course be going to the Magnificent Mile, but a stroll through our neighborhood will lead you to lots of unique stores.  To get a taste of area merchants, start at Central Lakeview Merchants holiday “pop-up” store, located at 3309 N. Clark St.   The holiday store, open through December 22, features 20 local merchants all under one roof, and it’s just around the corner from the Inn.

After shopping, take a break and enjoy some hot chocolate in the lobby by the fireplace.  If you need to wrap a gift while you are here we have complimentary wrapping paper, ribbons and bows available for our guests.   So whether you venture far or near during your stay with us this holiday season we hope you’ll enjoy the many Christmas markets in Chicago!

If you are a runner staying with us this weekend here are a few local tips.  Is your pre-race favorite a pasta dinner?  You don’t have to go far from the Inn at all.  Leona’s is a great place to fuel up on hearty Italian favorites and they are right across the street.  From decadent lasagnas and macaroni and cheese entrees, to a match your own noodle to sauce option, the menu is full of pasta choices.  The portions at Leona’s are generous so you’ll have plenty of fuel for your run.

In need of last minute gear?  You’re in luck because Lakeview is home to Chicago’s best running specialty store, Universal Sole (3052 North Lincoln).   As their name suggests they are reverent of all things running and carry only the best lines of clothing, shoes, eye wear, accessories and nutritional items.  So if you need an extra pair of socks or want to pick up some power gel or balm before race day, this is the place to shop.

For those of you joining us as spectators this weekend, you’ll be glad to know that one of the eight McDonald’s Runner Update Centers is just a one mile walk from the Inn.   At the McDonald’s at 2635 N. Clark Street (at Wrightwood Avenue) you’ll be able to go online and check the status of your runner.  Miles 6 – 10 bring the race through the eastern part of Lakeview.  For a map of the race route and a complete spectator’s guide consult the marathon’s website www.chicagomarathon.com .

Whether you’re here as a runner, a spectator or for other reasons,  we hope you’ll enjoy this weekend in Chicago.

Happy Running!

Saturday, May 26
12:30 p.m. 2nd Generation Pilots
2:00 p.m. Our Name Is Jonas
4:00 p.m. Stache
5:30 p.m. Dot Dot Dot
8:00 p.m. Wedding Banned

Sunday, May 27
Noon School of Rock
1:30 p.m. A Thousand Julys
3:30 p.m. Your Villain, My Hero
6:00 p.m. Infinity
8:30 p.m. Trippin’ Billies

The main stage is located just up the street from the Old Chicago Inn,  north of the intersection of School Street and Sheffield Avenue.   In addition to the music, the festival offers an assortment of vendors.  There are plenty of local restaurants showcasing their fare this weekend and lots of craft vendors as well.  I’m especially happy to see local business Bottle and Bottega joining the festival this year.  They will have a booth set up where attendees can paint their own 6×6 canvas for just $5.  What a great souvenir for your stay in the city this weekend ~ your own masterpiece painted at a Chicago street festival!

And don’t forget to check out our sister business, Trader Todd’s,  just two doors south of the Inn.   You can also join the fun by taking the Karaoke stage at Trader Todd’s where you can serenade the crowds from their cafe.    Then you will have bragging rights, a la Ferris Bueller, to tell your friends that you sang at a Chicago street festival during your visit.  As usual you will be able to use your meal vouchers at Trader Todd’s over the weekend,  but we recommend arriving early for a table as reservations are not accepted during the festival weekend.

Guests of the Inn are able to come and go as usual and will be provided with courtesy passes for the gate entrances.  Our street will be closed to all but pedestrian traffic from late Friday night to very early Monday morning.  Please be sure to ask your innkeeper David about parking restrictions if you are bringing your vehicle and planning to street park. Please call ahead for assistance at check in if you are arriving over the weekend.

The proceeds from the festival benefit the Central Lakeview Merchants Association which provides a variety of services to our neighborhood including street cleaning and beautification.  For more festival information  click here.

Throughout the summer there a many festivals on any given weekend so if you are interested in experiencing this Chicago tradition please ask your innkeeper for a list of current festivals and their locations. Once again Happy Summer, Happy Festing!

This event is popular and some show times do sell out so you’ll want to call ahead.  Tickets can be purchased for just one movie or both as a double feature and are available for purchase at the box office,over the phone at 773-871-6607, or online at www.musicboxtheatre.com.  Seating is assigned for these shows. Tickets prices start at $12 for adults for a single show or $17 for the double feature.

Another opportunity to enjoy some caroling in Lakeview presents itself this Wednesday evening at Lake View Presbyterian Church.  As part of their advent celebration members of Lake View Presbyterian will be singing Christmas carols on the front porch of the church starting at 6pm.  It’s a little under a mile to walk there, including a slight detour down Clark to see the Cubs Christmas tree.  (Just ask you innkeeper David for a map.)  The Cub’s towering evergreen stands by the main entrance at Clark and Addison, and with the marquis just behind, it’s a great spot to get a photo.   If you need a warm-up on your way, duck into Starbucks at 1023 W. Addison for an Eggnog or Gingerbread Latte.

And of course any evening in the holiday season guests of the Old Chicago Inn can enjoy “Merry-oke”  (that’s Karaoke holiday style)  at our sister business Trader Todd’s.  Recently featured on WGN’s morning show, Trader Todd’s is Chicago’s favorite karaoke destination.  And with lots of seasonal song selections, the holidays are no exception.  Stop in and enjoy your complimentary meal with your stay and you take your turn on the stage with some “Jingle Bell Rock.”

We look forward to having you with us this holiday season.  If we can assist you in last minute gift shopping, dining options for Christmas Eve or Christmas day, or holiday worship services please let us know.   We wish you happy travels and a Merry Christmas from all of us at the Old Chicago Inn.

The lobby is decorated for the holidays, complete with our very own mechanized, life-size Santa Claus.  A recent acquisition to our antique collection, this Santa was found two weekends ago at The Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot-Machine & Jukebox Show .  He dates to the early fifties and was one of several to grace storefront windows around Chicagoland in that decade.

We are certain you’ll have plenty to enjoy during your Thanksgiving visit.  If you find yourself wanting any suggestions for dining options on Thanksgiving please ask David, our innkeeper, for suggestions.  Also our local merchants association has a list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day here in Lakeview.  Should you want to burn off some of those extra holiday calories, you’ll want to know about the third annual reopening of the Rink at Wrigley.

That’s right, adjacent to Wrigley Field, on Clark Street between Addison and Waveland, the Cubs will be home to a full-size, cheerfully decorated Ice Rink .  The Rink at Wrigley officially opens on November 25, 2011 and will operate through February 27, 2012.  Hours for the rink are posted as Monday through Thursday from 2pm until 9pm, Friday from 2pm until 11pm, Saturday from 10 am until 11pm and then Sunday 10 am until 8pm.   Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for kids during peak hours and is as low as $5 for adults, $3 for kids Monday through Wednesday.  Skate rentals are available at reasonable rates.  For complete details you can call 312-617-7017 or visit them online at http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/community/rink_at_wrigley.jsp

The Rink at Wrigley is made possible through the generosity of  the Ricketts family and the Chicago Cubs, Ald. Tom Tunney, the Chicago Park District, Westrec Marinas, the Central Lakeview Merchants Association, Patch Landscaping and the Lake View Citizens’ Council.

The Halloween Parade is an outlandish pageant but not recommended for young ones. So if you are traveling with children you’ll want to head over to Southport Avenue on Sunday. Kids can “trick or treat” on Southport from Belmont to Irving starting at 1pm and ending at 3pm. The “Pumpkin Party” features kid friendly games, entertainment and activities at Southport and grace from 1pm to 4pm. Just hop on the brown line at the Belmont station, take the Brown line north (marked Kimball) one stop to Newport and walk north about six blocks to Grace. The Pumpkin Party is presented by the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and Southport Merchants.

If you forgot to pack a Halloween costume you can find some great gear at a couple of nearby vintage clothing shops. I’ve always had good luck at Ragstock, 812 West Belmont Avenue, above the fun and funky Hollywood Mirror shop; it’s entrance is actually off the alley just west of the building Belmont façade. Another unique retailer, Beatnix, at 3400 N Halsted St, has an impressive assortment of wigs and accessories to compliment their vintage gear. Halloween Hallway has a temporary location at the corner of Belmont and Seminary if you want to take the quick “costume in a bag” approach. Whatever your garb happy haunting this weekend!