The year the festival will have two stages  located just up the street from the Old Chicago Inn,  at 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.  New to the festival this year, and new to Chicago too, Jet’s Pizza will be serving up some thick slices of pizza pie this year.  In the past I’ve blogged about all the wonderful pizza options we have in Lakeview, from Leona’s to Giordanos, and now we have what my husband lovingly refers to as “Detroit-style Pie” to choose from too.  Being from the motor city himself,  Jet’s is close to his ideal of a thick crust, heavy with tomato sauce and edges that are close to caramelized, typical of the pizzerias in the Detroit area.

And don’t forget to check out our sister business, Trader Todd’s,  just two doors south of the Inn.   You can  join the fun by taking the Karaoke stage at Trader Todd’s where you can serenade the crowds from their cafe.   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!

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.”

At 5pm the Cubs will host their annual holiday celebration.  The festivities will include the lighting of the Cubs’ Christmas tree under the famed Marquee at Addison and Clark, a visit from Santa Claus and plenty of hot cocoa.  The event is free.  Residents and fans have through today at 5pm to bring an unwrapped toy for the Cubs’ toy drive for needy children.  In exchange, gift givers will receive a free pass to the Rink at Wrigley.  So grab a gift, bring your skates and start your holiday season with Cubs!

If you are staying with us this winter and want to enjoy ice-skating, the Rink at Wrigley is just four blocks away and offers refreshments and skate rentals.  For hours of operation and more information check out their website.

Whether you just like to wander along side streets, rolling through the dried leaves along the curbs or you prefer a serious workout along our lakefront, Lakeview is a great neighborhood for cyclists.   If you plan to bring your bicycle with you please let us know when you make your reservation.  The Old Chicago Inn offers a gated area for bike storage during your stay.  If you decide to rent a bicycle during your visit we are happy to assist you in making those arrangements.   For local travel in our neighborhood, we suggest stopping in to the Central Lakeview Merchants Association (CLMA) office for one of their free bike rentals.  The CLMA bikes are provided by Heritage Bicycles, a local premiere cycle manufacturer.   If you’re looking to venture outside our area, then check out Bike and Roll Chicago.  With locations at North Avenue Beach, Millennium Park and Navy Pier,  Bike and Roll has something for everyone: cruisers, tandems, quad cycles, hand cycles, wagon and child seat attachments.   Bike and Roll also offers a variety of bicycle tours.

The city of Chicago enjoys a reputation for being one of the nation’s best big cities for cyclists.  In the past year, the city has begun installation of protected bike lanes on busy thoroughfares throughout the city.  In fact, Chicago, as the city website declares, boasts over “170 miles of on-street protected, buffered and shared bike lanes” and of course many more miles of lake front and park system paths.   Your innkeeper has complimentary copies of the official Chicago bike map which shows all bike paths from shared lanes to trails.

While you’re out and about be sure to stop in to Heritage Bicycles at 2959 North Lincoln Avenue.  This local shop produces unique handcrafted bicycles, accessories and clothing, as well as a coffee and sandwich counter.  My husband and I like to peddle over there in the morning and grab a cup of coffee and a scone.  If the weather’s nice we’ll sit outside at the bike shop’s picnic tables in the adjacent lot or better yet in the new “people spot” out front.  The parklet, or “people spot,” is one of the first of its kind in the city. Sponsored by the Lakeview Chamber this three space parking area has been designated and converted for pedestrian use, and transformed into a rest stop along the Lincoln Avenue retail corridor.   The People Spot is a small masterpiece of scenery, designed by Patch Landscaping, and definitely a neighborhood gem.

If you brought your bicycle to the city and need a repair, Johnny Sprockets is not too far from the Inn.  Located at 3001 North Broadway, this shop offers complete repair work seven days a week, starting with a free evaluation and estimate.   They accept walk in repairs, but, you may wish to call ahead for an appointment to avoid wait time.  This is the place to go if you’re looking for racing wear and accessories too.

As with every season we hope our guests will enjoy our neighborhood and city this autumn, and maybe even take in a bike ride.  This weekend we will be giving away two complimentary bike rentals for Bike and Roll Chicago.   To enter the drawing, simply sign in at the front desk any time Friday.  The lucky winner will be announced at breakfast on Saturday morning.

Lakeview’s iO Theater was founded in 1981 as the Improv Olympic.  The name was relinquished under pressure from International Olympic Committee during Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid and changed to the initials that many performers and regulars already used as the theater’s nickname.  iO, located at 3541 N. Clark St.,  has two stages,  both with bars, and specializes in the “long form improvisation” created by the theater’s founders Charna Halpern and Del Close.   Like Second City, iO boasts a long list of comedic alumni including Tina Fey, Mike Myers and Adam McKay.   iO has shows seven nights a week; prices range from free for student shows to $20 for well known troupes.

A newcomer on the scene, Laugh Factory, opened its doors at 3175 N Broadway just a few months ago. The original Laugh Factory opened in southern California in 1979.  Robin Williams, Damon Wayans, Ellen DeGeneres, Andy Kaufman and Bob Hope are just a few of the famous comics that have appeared on their stage.  Here in Chicago a lot of local talent entertains audiences with special guests, such as Mike Marino and Kevin Nealon, making  week-long  appearances.  Laugh Factory renovated the former Lakeshore Theater making a fairly large space seem rather intimate.   Ticket prices average around $20 – $30 per night and there is a two drink minimum.

One of the cheapest laughs you’ll find in Lakeview is at the non-profit Studio Be, just down the street from the Old Chicago Inn at 3110 N. Sheffield.  On Tuesday nights, check out Potential Boyfriends featuring Peter Corey, Pat Ivansek, Nick Johnson, and Joey Lesiak .  These guys are just that – guys being quintessential guys, while popping back and forth between sketch comedy and improv.   The theater is BYOB so take a bottle of wine if you like.  You innkeeper David will be happy to provide you with a wine opener and plastic cups to take along.

If you are staying with us the second week in June be sure and pick up a festival schedule for TBS’s “Just for Laughs Chicago ‘12”.  Laugh Factory, iO, Playground Theater and the Vic Theater all are hosting shows during the festival and are all in walking distance of the Inn.

So come visit Lakeview and laugh a little (or a lot)!

If your New Years Plans take you out of the neighborhood, remember to take advantage of the penny rides on Chicago’s public transit system.  According to the Sun-Times “the 1-cent fares on the L and CTA buses start at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, and end at 4 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1.”

For the ladies staying with us, if you’re still looking for that perfect dress or perhaps just a little bling to add to your outfit check out one of our favorite neighborhood boutiques.  Hubba Hubba, located at 3309 N. Clark Street, has been a neighborhood favorite since 1988.  They offer fashions and accessories, from many unique sources, so you’ll be sure to find something that will stand out in the crowd.  Hubba Hubba is open on New Year’s Eve from 11am to 3pm.

Need an up do for your big night out?  May I suggest a visit to Genacelli Salon and The East Studio? Both are full service hair salons offering everything from simple blow outs to full glamour hairstyles and makeup application, including lash extensions!   “Blow Outs” start at $25 and “Full Glam” styles start at $65.  Makeup can be added to any style service for $45.  Both salons, located just seven blocks south of the Inn, will open on New Year’s Eve at 10 am. If you’d like assistance making an appointment please see your innkeeper.

As usual, all guests staying at the Old Chicago Inn for New Year’s Eve will receive our complimentary “New Year’s Survival Kits” with a few things to help you ease in to 2012 after all the parties have ended, including a nice big bottle of water and a voucher for brunch at our sister business Trader Todd’s on New Year’s day.  Brunch is served until 3pm on New Year’s Day and everyone who stops in will get a side of black eyed peas, a southern tradition to bring you good luck in 2012.

Wishing you a stylish, safe and happy New Year!

Before you go Santa spotting, pop into the “el” themed Forever Yogurt at 931 W. Belmont  for an Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate.   This is one delicious cup of cocoa which will keep you warm and happy while you wait at the Belmont station for the Santa Express.  A ride on the CTA is just $2.25 and farecards can be purchased at vending machines at the train station on either side of Belmont Avenue.  For complete information about the Santa Express and the Chicago Transit Authority visit the CTA online at http://www.transitchicago.com/ .

             How would you like to take home a customized Monopoly Board Game, featuring local businesses and “el stops” in place of the traditional spots like Park Place and Reading Railroad.  The Central Lakeview Edition Monopoly Board game is FREE, while supplies last, when you spend $200 or more at any of the 250+ Central Lakeview Merchants. So dinner out, a show at a local comedy club, and a gift or two from one of our local boutiques and you could qualify for that Monopoly game. For a full list of participants go to:  www.centrallakview.biz .

             If you want to check out the Central Lakeview Edition Monopoly Board, our innkeeper David will be happy to let you use ours in the lounge.  You’ll find The Old Chicago Inn and our sister business Trader Todd’s featured on the board along with other neighborhood favorites.   So roll high, pass go and don’t forget to collect $200!

 Happy Holidays!

One of my favorite neighborhood events kicks off the holiday season on December 2.  The16th annual Southport Holiday Stroll will bring the magic of Christmas to Southport Avenue.  This avenue, from Belmont to Irving Park, is known for unique boutiques and eateries which are the perfect backdrop for this family friendly event.  Enjoy a ride in a horse drawn sleigh, listen to old fashioned caroling, or whisper your dearest wish in St. Nick’s ear from 5pm to 8pm.

To get to Southport Avenue from the Old Chicago Inn, hop on the Brown line (marked bound for Kimball) at the Belmont El Station and travel just one stop to Southport. The Southport Holiday Stroll is sponsored by The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.   For suggestions and directions to holiday events our innkeepers are always happy to offer information.

Happy Holidays!

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!