by Sr. Editor on February 18, 2010
Springtime in Illinois is the perfect time to start planning your garden, no matter how big or small. Whether you live in a house or apartment, you can have a successful spring garden in Chicago. Shake off the winter blahs and take advantage of the fertile soil and mild weather in Chicago to plant beautiful flowers, delicious veggies and bountiful herbs.
Image: Per Ola Wiberg (Flickr)
How to Plan Your Spring Garden in Chicago
First of all, before you go nuts at your local nursery picking out bulbs and plants to plant in your garden; it is a good idea to draft up a garden plan, especially if you are planting your Chicago garden for the first time. Start with a design, even if is just a simple sketch with a pencil and paper. What kind of spring garden do you want? Some people prefer edibles such as fruits and vegetables over ornamental plants such as tulips or roses. Maybe you like to have a mix of each. Be sure to use your space wisely and consider the full-grown plant. If you are planning a container garden, make sure that you have the right kind of pots with good drainage.
When to Plant Your Garden in Chicago
For a spring garden, the best time to plant is after May 15. Don’t make the mistake of getting spring fever and planting on a warm weekend in March. Just because they are selling the bulbs and plants in stores in April, does not mean that they will do well outside yet. For outdoor plants it is best to wait until the official freeze days are over, which is May 15. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t start sooner with a grow light in your own apartment. Get the seedlings going strong inside your home and you will have a head start for planting outside when the middle of May rolls around.
Plants That Do Well in Chicago
The Chicago Botanical Garden is a great resource when considering what to plant in your Chicago Garden. For a database of searchable plants, check out bestplants.org to search its recommended list of plants for Illinois. Officially, Chicago is in the USDA planting zone 5a, but due to the lake effect there are areas that could be considered Zone 6b. Here are some of the more popular plants for Chicago by category:
Plants and Flowers:
Petunia
Hosta
Daylily
Coneflower
Dahlias
Gladioulus
Lilies
Vegetables:
Leaf lettuce
Onion
Parsley
Peas
Potato
Radishes
Sunflowers
Tomatoes
Herbs:
Basil
Rosemary
Lavender
Mint
Planning and planting a spring garden in Chicago is the perfect way to get over the cold-weather blues. Remember to plan carefully, and don’t rush the season. Start indoors if you have to, then plant the seedlings outside when the harsh winter freezes are over.
April Lentini writes for Greektown Chicago Apartment Guide
by Sr. Editor on February 15, 2010
Whether the economy is booming or collapsing, people all over the world need food, and you can always help your neighbors in need by donating canned food items to local food banks.
In Chicago, food banks are all over the city, so there are plenty of places to donate non-perishable items to help in the fight against hunger. Or, you can organize a food drive at your church, school or workplace, especially since February is National Canned Food Month.
Contact the following organizations to provide resources for economically disadvantaged Chicagoans. Unless noted, you can donate food to these places at any time.
Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation
Sister Donna Preston
(773) 252-3663
dpreston@antihunger.org
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Food Resources Department
(773) 843-2656
A Safe Haven Foundation
2010 Chicago Auto Show
McCormick Center
Only Feb. 17-19
Care For Real
(773) 769-6182
careforreal@juno.com
Lakeview Pantry
Jenny Dwyer
(773) 525-1777, ext. 12
Sabeel Food Pantry
(773) 267-7031 or (773) 539-2793
info@sabeelpantry.org
Common Pantry
Epiphany United Church of Christ
(773) 327-0553
Redeeming Grace Church Food Pantry
Valerie Brown
(773) 995-7721
Redeeminggrace@ameritech.net
by Sr. Editor on January 21, 2010
Looking for a place to get some serious cha cha or salsa practice in Chicago? The Latin dance scene is exploding in this town and serious dancers of all levels are tearing it up in these exciting Chicago dance clubs. Don’t expect to go to Chicago’s Latin dance hotspots to sit back and observe. If you like to stay busy on the dance floor, you may be pulled out of your seat and spun around faster than you can say “Oye Papi!”
Photo by lepiaf.geo on Flickr
Nacional 27
325 W Huron St
Chicago, IL 60610
During the week, this classy place serves up some of the finest food and drinks in Chicago. They have a large tapas menu and the staff is very attentive, keeping the mojitos, martinis and caprihanas coming your way. Be prepared to drop some money, however. While they make some of the most delicious drinks you have ever put to your lips, they are not cheap. Just when you are ready to work off all those calories, they clear the chairs and make room for the action. On Fridays, free dance lessons begin at 9pm and the dancing begins at 10pm. If you like salsa, with the occasional meringue and bachata song, this a great place to get busy on the dance floor.
Rumba
351 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60654
Located in downtown Chicago, Rumba offers guests a Latin dining and dance experience in a seductive, lavish atmosphere. The décor is kind of a throwback to the 50’s, a sort of palladium-style mambo Cuban club, but it’s still sexy looking. The Rumba hosts live entertainment Thursday through Saturday, and you will find their dance floor packed four days a week beginning as early as 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, which is “Salsa After-Work” night. Many salseros complain that the dance floor is small. However, be assured that you will never be alone on the dance floor, and the great live music alone may make up for the lack of space for fancy salsa moves.
Circuit Night Club
3641 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60613
The first thing you may notice about Circuit Night Club is that it hosts a lot of big into theme nights. Fortunately for Latin dancers, there are many Latin-themed nights that feature all kinds of Latin music, including salsa, merengue, cumbia and bachata. Sunday night is Noche Latina and caters to a Latino crowd. Thursdays are La Noche Loca (“the crazy night”) and feature the latest Latin dance music. You may want to note that this dance club has a large gay and lesbian crowd. Also, if you are squeamish about seeing scantily clad entertainers, you may want to avoid a night when the go-go dancers are out. But even if you are one of those rare dancers with reservations about frequenting an alternative night club, it’s a small price to pay for some good Latin music and dancing.
Martini Club
3124 N Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 773-403-8288
At the Marini club you will find old school salsa, bachata and merengue dancers. Thursday is Latin night, and ladies get in free until 12pm. This is not your down-to-earth dance dive. There is a steep $15 cover charge, and be prepared to dress to impress. The décor in this club is impressive, considering it used to be a bowling alley.
Green Dolphin Street
2200 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
For serious salsa dancers, the Green Dolphin is the only place to go to show off some dance moves and get noticed. If you are a beginner salsa dancer, try the place out on a Tuesday night when it is less crowded and a dance instructor gives out free dance lessons. The Green Dolphin in Chicago has a more intimate setting than most dance clubs, but the dancing and music do not get more authentic.
April Lentini writes for Chicago Apartment Guide. Browse the wide variety of apartments available near your favorite Chicago Latin dance club.