This was a delightful garden walk! I'll be up front: I wasn't sure, and to be honest we almost…read moredidn't attend this walk because they have an individual admission fee and a family fee--in other words, you're asked to pay for children of any age; I was a little annoyed about paying for a one year old. But in the end I decided it went to a neighborhood org that I want to support so, water under the bridge. The walk started at a small community garden outside Creativo!, the children's store. There we obtained the map for the garden walk. The members of the Edgebrook Community Association let us know that after the official hours of the garden walk, there would be activities in the Creativo! garden, including a magician at 4:45 (hope the little one is in the mood for magic, because I am, and we'll be heading back that way after her nap!). When I was speaking with one of the homeowners, I found that the ECA hasn't held the garden walk since 2019. I'm hoping that this is the resurgence because I very much enjoyed the afternoon. The homes are generally walkable, I think, though certainly not today on this 100 degree afternoon. Today though we visited in clusters to avoid the heat. The hosts were welcoming, as is generally the case on a garden walk. I love exploring others' garden and backyard spaces to see how people make them their won and to gather ideas for myself. I really love that this garden walk has a couple unique features that I haven't seen part of the other garden walks I've attended over the last few years. Besides the Creativo! garden gathering, there's a silent auction that takes place, and of course the entertainment like the magician. But they also have a scavenger hunt for the kids to participate in, which is cute and fun and definitely a way to keep them interested in something that would typically bore the heck out of most kids. We got a bit of the away through the scavenger hunt but since we had to head home for nap and weren't able to visit all the homes, we weren't able to finish. But we will do our best next year!

What an absolutely tranquil garden just plopped in Chicago. The garden is so beautiful, peaceful,…read moreand clearly well and carefully maintained and curated. As you walk along the gravel and stone paths, there are a variety of trees and greenery, a lovely small bridge, and a waterfall with a koi fish pond. The gold koi fish were so cool! I think I've only seen orange ones before. I really enjoyed that. There's also a stone lantern that dates back to the worlds fair. There was a kind guy at the entrance who gave us some history on the garden as well, which was a really nice intro before we perused the space. I hope they're able to continue to maintain this little sanctuary in Chicago (if not grow it to be even larger)! I also hope that some benches and potential seating areas could be incorporated to allow for time to sit and reflect.

Osaka Garden was created for the 1893 World's Columbian Expo. It was a gift from Japan to Chicago…read more To this day, the garden still has a strong connection to Osaka Japan, which has provided funding for its restoration. Also known, as the "Garden of the Phoenix," it is a traditional strolling garden with wonderful winding paths. Some features that we liked were the waterfalls, the moon bridge, and the koi ponds. At the entrance, there is a majestic Shinto gate. It offered a beautiful respite from our bustling and busy downtown Chicago stay. On a Saturday morning, we didn't find it too crowded yet. If you don't have a car, it is an easy 20 minute ride on the Metra from Millenium Park. Know BEFORE you go: -Located inside Jackson Park on Wooded Island -Hours: Mondays closed. Tues-Sun (10am-6pm) -Allows no more than 50 guests at a time to ensure the best experience for each guest. - Dogs, bicycles, and strollers are not allowed in the garden. Picnics are also not allowed. -You can request a tour for a group of 5 or more guests on their website.

The event I was attending was the Green Tie ball 2018 extravaganza…read moreThe theme was Green Eggs and Glam and this place got the memo on the theme and the decor in a lighting and the all out sexiness Swanky There were well-stocked bars and bar staff where you didn't have to wait too long for your drink what I absolutely love and kept telling the other party going on yours that I love the seating the arrangement it was so plentiful along with the plush couches and the different Q's of lighting depending on what was happening on the stage there are numerous things that can actually be achieved at this venue wedding, masquerade balls parties from the formal to the informal Bathroom clean well stocked and great lighting for you or inFAMOUS bathroom pics This particular staff was on their game far as keeping everything tidy lol I loved it

"The 2006 Green Tie Ball, with Fantasy Island theme at the Adler Planetarium was definitely an…read moreinterestingly presented event with lots to do and see. However, if you were a girl in high heels at this formal event you were in for a surprise, because there wasn't a place for you to sit except at the front of the venue away from the action. (I noticed this even though I wasn't in uncomfortable shoes) There were music stages, a casino, Texas Hold-em, fireworks and an endless supply of cocktails and a ton of food. Though the food appeared to be quite impressive, I went stag and having eaten dinner beforehand I had no intent of dripping anything on my evening gown. The DJ's and live bands could be seen on huge stadium-sized screens if you were on a different part of "Fantasy Island". There was an absolute sea of beautiful, handsome well-dressed (tuxedos and evening gowns) men and women. Would I go again? It was a fun time, I got to really dress up, I won $600 smackeroos (you turn in the chips for raffle tickets) in the casino and its for a good cause...yeah, I just might."

I discovered Proud To Run after searching runguides.com for running events in the Chicago and…read moreChicagoland area during the month of June. I considered it because I support anything LGBTQ, plus I imagined that it would be a fun event to participate in with it being pride month. Out of the option to run either the 5k or 10k, I selected the 5k being that it was my preference in distance at the time. As for Proud to Run as an organization, it is staffed entirely by volunteers and donates 100% of its net revenues to mission-driven LGBTQ non-profits across Chicago. For packet pick-up, we were required to pick up our bib number and Proud to Run tank top from either Fleet Feet Old Town, or Montrose Harbor Grove 16 leading up to the event depending on the date. The hours were pretty much the same each day at Fleet Feet Old Town, but I ended up picking up my bib and tank top the day of the event at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 being that it was most suitable for me. I eased into the run with the mindset of taking it easy and using it as a training run since it has been so hot as of late in Chicago. I kept my pace within a 7:10 - 7:45 minute mile pace, with the goal of finishing the 5k in no more than 25:00 minutes. This flat course started at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 and headed along the Lakefront path slightly passed Foster Avenue Beach and back to Montrose Harbor Grove 16. Always a lovely sight is the Lakefront, which I have visited many times for training runs as well as run events. Along the course each mile was marked and there was an identifiable hydration station featuring water within it. And the volunteers working at the hydration station were enthusiastic and supportive of all participants. There were affiliates of Proud To Run near the finish line within Montrose Harbor Grove 16. After finishing the run, I just wanted to grab whatever hydration and snacks were available, relax and see what other festivities followed the event. I loved hearing about the history of the event which was organized by Peg Gray of the Gay Athletic Association, along with Rob Williams and Jim White back in 1982. Along with that and hearing more about the struggles of the LGBTQ community this year with some I am familiar with, I cherished the experience even more. Now as for the swag, I anticipated picking up the Proud To Run tank top prior to the start of the event. I quickly put it on after I picked it up minutes before the event. It was maroon with the event name written on the lower half, with the words "Love right now" inside of a heart; and it fit my body frame perfectly! The cute medal given once I crossed the finish line featured a moveable heart with birds on each side and the event name on the lower half; the color of it matched the tank top. As a memory of the event, I am grateful to add the medal to my collection that goes back to 2007 when I initially started running. With my Garmin 235 GPS watch on my wrist, a sparkle in my eye underneath my sunglasses, I took on Proud To Run 5k.... and conquered it! As a supporter of LGBTQ, I would surely run Proud To Run again in time. Any event that brings individuals together of different ethnic backgrounds, gender, and age groups I am all for it! Thank you very much, Proud to Run Chicago. ~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~ Thomas G

This year was my second year running Proud to Run. Last year I ran the 5k, and this year I ran the…read more10k. I'm already planning to run the race again next year, because it is one of my favorite things about Chicago's Pride celebration. Proud to Run is awesome for a lot of reasons. It has been part of Chicago's Pride activities since 1982, and everyone is invited to come out to run and celebrate, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. In addition to celebrating pride, the race raises funds for local LGBT organizations. This year's beneficiaries were Affinity Community Services, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, and Chicago House. With race entries getting more expensive every year regardless of distance, I'm always more willing to hand over my money when I know the money is going to a good cause. And, in order to keep as much of the money as possible going to the chosen charities every year, Proud to Run is organized by an all volunteer, community based board of directors. How great is that? Even with it being all volunteer led, the race is extremely well organized. Online registration is quick and simple, and there is always plenty of information about the race available at the website and email reminders sent leading up to race day. There are also plenty of packet pick up opportunities, with five different advance packet pick up dates offered this year, in addition to race day packet pick up. The course is pretty standard, starting at Montrose Harbor and winding through the park, utilizing the Lake Front Trail. The course this year was well marked and easy to follow, with volunteers stationed at any turns to make sure that racers went in the right direction. All of the volunteers, from packet pick up, to water stations, to those just making sure folks know where to turn on the course, were lovely. These were some of the best and happiest race volunteers I've ever seen! As I mentioned, I ran the 5k last year and the 10k this year. I love that there are two distances to choose from, giving more people an opportunity to participate. I have friends who aren't interested in a 10k, but they will run a 5k, so we can all run our chosen distance and then meet back up after the race. The 10k starts about 10 minutes before the 5k, allowing a little extra time for 10k runners and keeping the course a little less crowded for everyone. Every runner gets a medal once you cross the finish line (sorry, but I love some race bling!) and various post race goodies (bagels, fruit, water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, etc.). There are prizes for the top finishers for each distance, as well as a pretty sweet raffle after the race with prizes from various local business, including Universal Sole. Just be aware that you must be present to win raffle prizes, so if your bib number is called and you are not there, then a new winner is selected. So stick around for the post race entertainment!

I first stumbled upon this garden a couple years ago. Rosemoor is a neighborhood on the south side…read morebordering North Pullman, and they have created this garden along the overpass. It's an interesting and unusual one because it spans about a mile west to east, I think, and is in just this little patch of green along the side of the road. There are spots along this stretch where there are quotes or statements posted and a little more beautification besides just the grass to ornament the sign. They're currently running a brick campaign for the memorial gateway to continue improving this site.

It. A. Bad. Joke. To. Talk. To. Some one. At. Crohn a colitis. Like. Booklets…read more On. The. Phone. No. Good. Did. Not. Call. Back. Phone. Says. Do. That. Do. This. No. Go. I. Would. Call. People. On. The. Phone. Not. Now. Put. You. On. A. List. I. Will. Be. 80s. Be. For. Crohns. Call. Me.

I was happy to be reminded that this is an annual event when I got a postcard in the mail the other…read moreday. I'll definitely be walking again. The CCFA has an annual walk in several parts of Chicago and the suburbs. Last year, I participated in the walk on June 3 in Naperville at the Riverwalk in support of a friend who had passed from complications. The walk itself was surprisingly short. I guess it was a 3k or 5k, but it passed so quickly. Most of the time was spent socializing and visiting booths who sponsored the event. Food was supplied by local vendors like Q BBQ and Home Run Inn pizza. It was also easy to register online and sign in and get our t-shirts at the event. CCFA is extremely thankful for any donations. We had a "kiss jar" at our wedding that held donations for CCFA. Clinking glasses were ignored. Donations got a kiss. I encourage anyone to do this in remembrance of a friend or family member who has passed or currently suffering from these diseases. I mailed in my check and promptly received a postcard tax receipt. I'm giving this organization, and their walk, five stars because anyone can participate in this walk. It isn't a marathon, but a nice way to remember those special to you and support a great cause.

Great opportunities for business are in bedford! Donna is the most helpful person I've dealt with…read morewhen trying to pick a place for my business!! There was so mug to goose from! Thank you BPCIA!

El Paseo Community Garden is one of those things that defines the greatness of Chicago. Humble…read morebeginnings of vacated land made way for the sunlight and brought neighbors together. Plants, specifically edible varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs are the focus, but there are beautiful flowers and indigenous prairie species in abundance as well. Translated to English, El Paseo means the way. The name speaks to this green spaces role as a path connecting two streets, as well as an approach to life in the city that generally speaking is the way for us all to stay sane and even happy living together in the vast urban jungle of Chicago. Growing things together.