Hot Times at Old Town

Appearing below are selections from the hard copy Hot Times. The objective is to highlight activities at the School and in the larger community, especially those featuring or of special interest to teachers and staff. Your suggestions are welcome. Enter a comment (under any item); it will come to me rather than automatically appearing.

The Magic Hedge at Montrose Harbor

The Magic Hedge folks would love your help!

What is ithe Magic Hedge? Ah, you’ll have to go to earlier listings in this column to find out.

David Painter is the major domo for this effort. His number appears below — call him for more information (like specifics on the location). OK, here’s a hint: from his note to volunteers he was enlisting for May 9th:

“We will be planting 5,000 plants on the slope adjacent to the dunes. This is important work that will enhance the beauty of the point and protect the dunes. To find the area where we will be working, walk past the Magic Hedge to the sidewalk that separates us from the beach. You will find us there along with the coffee and donuts. This will be fun and what an accomplishment! If you have questions, you can contact me on my cell phone - 773-383-0721. I will have this with me on the workday — David

If you’re looking for an outdoor activity on occasional Saturdays, give David a call — and mention you read about the Magic Hedge in Hot Times at Old Town.

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | May 6, 2009 | Comments (0)

Spring! and family fun!

What better than a family outing that is educational and fun at the same time? The (almost) Chicago Botanic Garden has weekend classes through which adults and children can explore cool things about how plants connect to science, art, history, and culture.

Each program includes a variety of hands-on activities and projects, as well as opportunities to bring the Garden home. Ages: Children ages 4 to 10 accompanied by adults (limit of three children per adult). Times: 9:30 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 2:30 p.m. Fees: $17 per child member, $20 per child nonmember.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Rd. in
Glencoe - (847) 835-5440 or www.Chicago-Botanic.org.

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | March 22, 2009 | Comments (0)

Another spring outing…

Lovers of handmade items may want to go down and visit Renegade Handmade (oh, how nicely that passes the lips!) at 1924 W. Division.

We haven’t been there, but the 25% off sale on selected items may appeal to you if you’ve had your eye on something that’s been shelf-sitting a while.

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | March 22, 2009 | Comments (0)

Sing for Your Supper Series

Sunday afternoon — a time to settle in with friends and good music. What better place than Uncommon Ground on Devon, when fine musicians sing for their supper?

This weekly event is organized by Colby Maddox, lead teacher in the String Department at OTSFM and principal member of the 21st Century bluegrass group Sunnyside Up. His idea: bring together 4 or 5 musicians who rarely get a chance to perform together and take turns leading songs and backing each-other up. The music gets little (if any) rehearsal, has no one “style.” The result: music growing out of fellowship and love for the craft.

Placed pre-dinner on Sunday afternoons, this event has the flavor that combines a jam session of skilled musicians with a gathering of old friends. Rather than presenting a polished band performance, these sessions give great players and singers a chance to put new and different ideas to the test with a great backup band made up of peers.

The comfortable supper-club setting of the room and the listener friendly, appropriate volume make it possible for folks of all ages to get settle in and forget that Monday morning is just around the corner.

This series is the musical cure for late winter stagnation: it’s bound to make you smile, tap your feet and listen in new fresh ways. (And the food is great!)

Details: Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon, 4-6 pm Sundays.
$10 suggested donation.

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | March 22, 2009 | Comments (0)

Antiques you can taste!

Ever wonder what apple pies tasted like 100 years ago? That was before designer products, crossbred for characteristics such as shelf life. At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were over 7000 different varieties of apples. Now there are less then 2000 varieties available.

It’s too late for this year, but next early in spring 2010 you can learn how to grow an antique apple tree or three in your own backyard, courtesy of Garfield Farm, that wonderful, old-time, working farm out in the burbs. On a Sunday in early March, the Garfield Farm folks are had their annual tree grafting seminar. « Read more »

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | February 18, 2009 | Comments (0)

Develop your storytelling

Passing along on our stories to future generations involves practicing an age-old, sustainable skill. If you’re a story-teller or interested in story-telling, think about getting involved in the North Park Nature Center North Shore Storytelling Guild. They meet the third Wednesday of the month at the Nature Center of North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski.

The evening begins by getting-acquainted at 7:30, with stories from 8 to 10 pm. Meetings are open to all, with no experience necessary, i.e., you can come to tell a story of just to listen. (It’s a down home gathering , not a performance). Stories include adult-themed material). Info: Mark Kater, 847-673-5786.

The Nature Center is in the midst of a wonderful, natural area of Peterson Park — a place to enjoy the passing seasons, far away from the invisible city surrounding it. Any opportunity for a visit is worth the time, and what better excuse for a visit than to enjoy this ancient art?

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | September 5, 2008 | Comments (0)

Azul de Noches

If you missed the Latin Fest, here’s a taste of what you would have seen on the Jackson Stage — Azul de Noches, a band including percussion teacher Raul Fernandez and harp student David Kachalon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEJWZTOFfN0

Hot stuff!

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere, Teacher gigs by Skip | August 15, 2008 | Comments (0)

Go fishing…courtesy of the Chicago Public Library?

« Read more »

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | August 14, 2008 | Comments (0)

Amazing harmonica playing

Youtube now has a series of harmonica clips by Sam Hinton. The clips are from his harmonica instructional DVD – possibly the entire disk. This is old-time playing, including the “no hands” trick where the harp is held in his mouth (along with the secret of how he does it!). « Read more »

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | August 14, 2008 | Comments (0)

Relax, take off your tie!

If you’re wearing one. The tie business is in a bind: fewer men are wearing ‘em.

Really? After all these years? The iconic gift for dad and the hallmark of professionalism? Yep. Tie sales have slipped coninuously for the past ten years. According a Gallup poll conducted last fall, the number of men wearing ties to work every day is now down to 6%. A recent story in the Wall Street Journal noted that fhe power of the tie has diminished so much so that the trade organization of American tie makers recently disbanded: the Men’s Dress Furnishings Association, which started as the Men’s Tie Foundation in 1947, dissolved last month.

Can it be that the nation is going folky? Anyway, guys, feel free to doff the neckware.

Filed under: Interesting elsewhere by Skip | July 13, 2008 | Comments (0)


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