Chicago Neighborhood News - January 8, 2010

Hope the first Business Week of 2010 has been a productive one for you!

Here's the first Chicago Neighborhood News Update of the new year, courtesy of our Team Member Cathy Mallers.  This week, she covers the Chicago Neighborhoods of Norwood Park, Lincoln Park, The Loop, and the Gold Coast, as well as the Chicago Suburb of Oak Park IL.

Have you an upcoming Community or Neighborhood Event, in Chicago or any Chicago Suburb?   Let us know, and we'll help spread the word!

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NORWOOD PARK

Not only does the Norwood Park Historical Society offer many events for the local community, it also offers a Museum with exhibits.  There are four different exhibit rooms which include Margaret's Room, Norwood Park History, Prehistoric American Indian Artifacts and Can You Dig It? and New Items.

A free museum to the community, it gives you the history of the Norwood Park community from a pioneer farming settlement to an independent 19th Century railroad suburb to a city neighborhood.  The warmer months provide more to do outside and the indoor facilities are definitely worth the trip.

LINCOLN PARK

You can always take a trip to a local hothouse, aka, The Lincoln Park Conservatory.  You'll find ancient ferns and tropical palms in any one of the four display houses - the Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House.

This is yet another free venue in the city and offers a look into the history of not only architecture but also during a time of great fascination with nature.  Well known Victorian, Joespeh L. Silsbee, built the Conservatory.  The Conservatory is open 362 days of the year and closed only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

THE LOOP

Now is the time for indoor activities and this is one you should not miss.  I've been there several times myself and the fact that it's free doesn't hurt any either.

The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows housed in an 800-ft.-long series of galleries along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall, Navy Pier.  With Chicago artists like Ed Paschke and Roger Brown on display you get a great insight into some wonderful local talent.

THE GOLD COAST

During the holidays I'll admit that the Magnificent Mile can be quite crowded.  As some of the crowds have rescinded and the temperatures are staying very low, a great place to visit is the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower.  This is another free exhibit to the public.

It's located across the street from Water Tower Place and is a program of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Photography Department at Columbia College Chicago.  With four exhibitions per year, you once again get to see not only Chicago-themed photography but get to know the work of local artists and photographers.

OAK PARK

The city outside the city is not one to be shy of museums for the whole family.  Traditionally, when you think of Oak Park, Frank Lloyd Wright and his many contributions to the architectural community come to mind.

Another well-known museum is Wonder Works, Children's Museum.  Boasting a 6400 square foot space, Wonder Works provides "a hands-on environment intended to strengthen the social, emotional, and intellectual development of children up to age ten."  While there is educational programming, don't forget the many exhibits brought to this wonderful gem and its over 1000 members.

Here's a link to Cathy's Chicago Neighborhood News Blog Archive, via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

Enjoy the weekend!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO