Getting to The (Burger) Point

The Burger Point at 1900 S. State St. looks like it’s getting closer to opening, but as far as we can tell, no exact opening date has been set. Walking by yesterday, there was a lot of activity inside. It looks like they have a long way to go with the build out, but things are definitely moving forward.

S. State St. to the left, Archer Ave. to the right

Someone posted a recent image of the interior work to The Burger Point’s Facebook page. From the pictures posted here, you can see that both the State St. and Archer Ave. entrance doors are open to accommodate contractors. Their Web site still says opening summer 2011, but it looks more like an early fall opening to us.

Since early spring, we’ve seen lots of entrepreneurs set up shop on S. State St., The Burger Point is the latest.

What do you think? Are you happy to see a new burger place in the South Loop?

Waiting for Waffles

We told you. Barely open two weeks, Waffles at 1400 S. Michigan Ave., and their weekend business is out the door. The unique new brunch spot is carving a niche for itself in the neighborhood with it’s sweet and savory waffle creations.

General Manager, Alex Hernandez says Waffles will be adding more items specifically for take-out, including freshly made doughnuts.

Have you been to Waffles? What was your experience like? You can “like” them on Facebook and “follow” them on Twitter.

3rd Annual Greener South Loop Awards

• Is your business or residential building reducing its impact on the environment?
• Are you proud of your business’s or building’s earth-friendly efforts?
• Are you willing to share your green practices with other South Loop businesses and residential buildings?

The Alliance for a Greener South Loop’s 3rd Annual Greener South Loop Awards Program is underway! Any South Loop institution, business, or residential building – rental or condo – that is proud of its efforts to be greener is invited to apply for recognition from the Alliance. Simply complete the online form or download and print a hard copy application and submit by September 30, 2011.

The program is designed to celebrate – and share – successes. Early efforts as well as those that are well advanced will be recognized. All applicants will be invited to an event in the fall to celebrate the winners and share their green practices in an idea-exchange forum.

Alliance for Greener South Loop boundaries are: Van Buren to Cermak; Chicago River to Lake Michigan. E-mail awards@greenersouthloop.com for more information.

Around the South Loop

Enjoy these images from around the neighborhood. We're sure you'll notice a lot of familiar places and spaces.

"Around the South Loop"

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Illinois Warrior Summit at Soldier Field

The 2011 Illinois Warrior Summit was held at Soldier Field on Monday. The event included precision skydivers, job fair, and free food. The mission of the Illinois Warriors is to support veterans and their families as they transition to civilian life. Included in the summit, the Midwest Valor Games, a competitive event for “injured and wounded veterans.”

Click for larger images.

The precision skydivers were a big hit. The second diver nailed the target to cheers, clapping, and lots of cameras clicking. Check out the video below.

Weekend Happenings

Chicago Art Exchange “Grand Opening Celebration” August 19 and 20, 2011, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. This new art gallery located at 1530 S. State St.,  will be serving “Hors D’Oeuvres and Libations courtesy of Tapas Valencia.” If you want to attend this event, you need to RSVP. Click here for more information.

The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen’s official grand is August 19 and 20, 2011. You probably thought this new pub was already open, but today and tomorrow makes it official. The Scout is located at 1301 S. Wabash Ave.

Jazz at Donna’s Café August 19, 2011. Friday night jazz has become a regular weekly event at the local breakfast and lunch spot located at 1255 S. State St. No cover charge; five dollar minimum purchase for BYOB. Jazz starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

Greater South Loop Association (GSLA) Open Meeting at Tribute. Find out what’s happening in the greater South Loop and meet and mingle with friends and neighbors. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. with meet-and-greet starting at 9:00 a.m. with refreshments. Tribute is located at 800 S. Michigan Ave. (Essex Hotel).

Air and Water Show August 19 and 20, 2011, is the oldest and largest of its kind. North Avenue Beach is the central location for viewing this annual event that attracts over 2 million fans. This year the headliners are the Thunderbirds, Leap Frogs, and Golden Knights. The show runs from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. both days.

Serenity Now: Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens at Twilight

View from the fountain looking west

Waffles is a Winner

Welcome to Waffles
Waffles at 1400 S. Michigan Ave. had their friends and family opening today. We were first in line and ready to be impressed by this much-anticipated breakfast/lunch spot in the South Loop. We were not disappointed.

Not Your Grandfather’s Waffles
We ordered the chicken and bacon waffle and the Mexican chocolate waffle. The chicken waffle was savory rather than sweet and the fried chicken (drum and thigh) was crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. The waffle had pieces of bacon baked into it and was topped with a spicy maple syrup. The waffle didn’t just taste good, it looked beautiful on the plate. The Mexican chocolate waffle with orange Anglaise was topped with a spicy cocoa powder and shaved dark chocolate. Another piece of art on a plate, but that didn’t stop us from eating every bite of it.

Green Tea Waffle: Going, going, gone!

Light and Crispy
The waffles for both dishes were light and crispy, not a bit oily or heavy, which was good because General Manager, Alex Hernandez asked if we’d like to try the green tea waffle. This unusual creation is served with lemon ginger, Chantilly cream topped with ground pistachio, powdered sugar, and candied violet. It’s a good thing we had enough self-control to take photos of each waffle dish; otherwise the pictures would be of empty plates.

"Waffles: Friends and Family"

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Other Fare
Besides waffles, Waffles serves eggs and omelets and sandwiches. A friend who stopped by a bit later, ordered the vegetable omelet and it looked just as inviting as any of the waffles served. The space is modern, but warm, and is family-friendly. Don’t be afraid to bring your stroller. Intelligentsia coffee is served, alongside fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juices. Waffles will begin normal operation Thursday, August 17, 2011. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. You may call them for information and reservations at 312-854-8572.

EPA Announces 2011 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants in Illinois

Richard Geller, Founder of Nassau Concierge and South Loop resident, spoke with Congressman Danny K. Davis today about greater green initiatives.  Both attended the Environmental Protection Agency grant ceremony promoting a greener lakefront at 12th Street Beach today. Geller and Congressmen Davis are both champions for environmental initiatives. Geller’s corporation is directly involved in creating a greener Chicago through environmentally sound building maintenance services.

Congressman Danny K. Davis (left) with Rich Geller at 12th Street Beach

According to a post at NewsRoom America, the EPA has established grants totaling more than $2.6 million for nine grants to help “protect and restore” Lake Michigan. The Chicago Park District will get $1.1 million of the grant to improve water quality at city beaches. 

“Toy Story 3” at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens

The third in the animated Toy Story series, Toy Story 3 earned over $600 million in box office grosses worldwide, making it one of the biggest hits of 2010. The family-friendly film will be presented at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, located at 1801 S. Indiana Ave., on Thursday, August 19, 2011, as part of the Chicago Park District’s summer “Movies in the Park” series sponsored by Charter One. The film will begin at dusk.

Movie will be screened outdoors at Chicago Women's Park and Gardens.

Toy Story 3 boast A-list voice talent, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack as Jessie.

Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens Advisory Council volunteers will sell snacks and beverages before the movie to help fund programming and field house improvements. To download a flyer to post in your building or office, click here.

No Waffling: Waffles To (Really) Open August 17, 2011

It’s been a long journey, but Waffles is really ready to open next Wednesday. Like The Scout, Waffles had set and missed several opening dates, but the 17th looks like the real deal. We’ll be attending Waffles’s “friends and family” event on Tuesday and you can be sure we’ll have a review of the space and, we hope, the food, soon thereafter.

The crowd at The Scout was standing room only last night.

Most Anticipated
Of all the recent restaurant openings or rumors of openings, Waffles has by far received the most attention. When we first reported on June 11 that Waffles was opening at 1400 S. Michigan Ave., the post garnered over 200 reads in less than two hours. That original post eventually racked up over 690 reads. The follow-up post on June 13 has received over 1,060 to date!

Ready For Restaurants
It’s pretty obvious that the South Loop is ready to support new restaurants. Since The Scout’s soft opening on August 10, the place has been packed. We predict the same will be true of Waffles. You can find Waffles on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to stay up to date on their opening and other news.

Meet Jewelry Maker and South Loop Resident, Dobrila Pintar

Dobrila Pintar

Dreaming in the South Loop

Twenty-one years ago, Dobrila Pintar came to the United States from Croatia, formerly part of Yugoslavia. She didn’t speak English, but Dobrila studied hard and learned it quickly. In her native country, Dobrila had earned an art degree with a focus on painting. Once she had settled in Chicago, specifically, the South Loop, Dobrila set about fulfilling a dream. She wants to bring more art and culture to the Southside of the city.

Jewelry Maker

About five years ago, Dobrila became interested in making jewelry. That interest lead her to rent a studio in the Bridgeport Art Center at 1200 W. 35th St. where she designs and makes original creations for her business, Eleven Eleven Jewelry. Dobrila’s jewelry work involves glass sculpting. In glass sculpting, glass rods are heated and molded. It’s a precise and painstaking process, but the results are extraordinary. By carefully heating the glass rods, you can create vibrant colors and patterns in the molded glass. Dobrila makes glass beads that are incorporated in jewelry pieces that may include silver and other metals that she forges herself.

One of Dobrila’s original pieces

Artist in Residence

Dobrila’s interest in glass work took off after she enrolled in a class at Lillstreet Art Center at 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave. Now she is a teaching artist in residence there, sharing her expertise in glass flameworking and fusing. Dobrila loves teaching students, especially teens. “My goal and dream is to show and teach students what they can do with jewelry.” Another dream she has is to see more artistic and cultural opportunities available in the South Loop. As Dobrila says, “Why should everything only be on the Northside?”

Activity at the Former Ole' Hardwood?

There was some activity at the former Ole' Hardwood located at 1315 S. Wabash Ave. this morning. Workers were removing charred remains of the upscale "gastro-smokehouse" restaurant.

Workers removed some of the charred remains from 1315 S. Wabash Ave.

Ole' Hardwood was destroyed in a fire on December 30, 2010. The fire was later labeled "incendiary" by the Chicago Fire Department.

Organizing With You Tip of the Week: Off To College !

Pooja Gugnani


Starting college this fall and want to have an organized dorm room?  Follow these three rules.

1. Plan ahead. 
2. Buy the right products. 
3. Personalize your room a little. 

Dorm room organization is all about space maximization. Use under the bed storage containers and utilize that space, invest in accessories such as hooks and baskets and buy clever organizing products such as pocketed hanging clothes organizers for the closet, which you will likely share with your roommate(s).

Before founding Organizing With You, Inc., Pooja Gugnani worked for six years as a marketing and communications executive in a health care non-profit organization. Her belief that organizing paves the way for personal development and general well-being led her to explore a career as a professional organizer. Pooja is passionate about organizing and loves that she is able work with clients ranging from executives, busy moms, entrepreneurs, students to seniors. Pooja resides in downtown Chicago with her husband, and is also an avid artist. She has had numerous clients benefit from her services. You can find Organizing With You on Facebook and you can follow her on Twitter.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words: Trader Joe's in the South Loop

Scout’s Honor: The Scout’s Grand Opening Is Set For August 19th and 20th

It seems like we’ve been reporting about the opening date for The Scout Waterhouse and Kitchen for months. Well, maybe that’s because we have. But it’s really close to opening, really! The official opening is August 19th and 20th. However, rumor has it that they’ll be open the middle of next week, so keep your eyes peeled as you walk or cruise down S. Wabash Ave.

The Scout is located at 1301 S. Wabash

Recycled, Rustic, and Real Cool
Chris Bravos, Managing Partner for The Scout and former co-owner of The Pony in Lakeview, took us on a tour of the facility, which is now complete. The rustic upscale tavern and sports bar is sure to impress with its interesting mix of wood, metal, and glass. Bravos pointed out the custom wood and metalwork throughout. The front and back bar countertops are made from 2" old growth pine, with metal inlay, replicating the look of old wine barrels. Bravos was quick to point out that the pine is solid and not pressed wood. The wood blocks behind the back bar were reclaimed from Lake Michigan piers, which is a nice touch considering the tavern’s location.

Fifteen Beers on Tap
If you visited the space when it was Opera, you may remember the private booths in the back. Those have been converted to coolers with full see-through glass doors. Bravos explained that those spaces were dressing rooms when the building housed a department store and before that, movie canister storage rooms when it was a film exchange facility for Warner Brothers. The Scout has 15 beers on tap. For a full list of beers and wines served at The Scout, click here.

"The Scout Waterhouse and Kitchen"

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A Well Organized Space
One of the things that struck us is the way the space is organized. It’s big, but Bravos and his team have created smaller spaces within the larger space. There are tables with their own flat screen TVs for those who don’t want to watch what everyone else is watching. They’ve included a special room that could be used for private parties or meetings. It’s fully wired for movies and audio visual presentations.

Prices Range from $3 - $19
Food menu prices range from $3 - $19 for salads, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees. Some entrees on the menu include black Angus pot roast, dry rubbed rib eye, and bacon wrapped Angus meatloaf. Okay, they had us at bacon! According to the restaurant’s press release, Executive Chef George DeZutti is “excited to try several new dishes on The Scout customers, like an Andouille Stuffed Pork Chop.”

Hours of Operation
The Scout will be open seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hours of operation are Sunday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.; Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 a..m.; Saturday and Sunday brunch starts at 9:00 a.m.

The Scout is located at 1301 S. Wabash Ave. For more information, visit their Web site or call 312-705-1595.

From Jazz to MTV?

Friday Jazz
August 5, 2011 will be the third Friday in a row that Donna’s Café will be showcasing jazz group The Randy Ford Trio. The trio attracted a large crowd both inside and outside last week, so we expect to see just as big a crowd this Friday. On Saturday, Donna’s was the setting for a different style of music.

The Randy Ford Trio at Donna's Cafe last Friday night

The Next R & B Star?
Tarnia Mcclinton-Lake, a young singer, performed in a music video in support of her new single “Woman’s Intuition.” The production team needed a café to shoot both inside and outside and Donna’s fit the bill. When we came upon the scene, they were filming on the patio with diners and passersby looking on. Check out the slide show below to get an idea of how the shoot went.

Tarnia Mcclinton-Lake emotes for the camera outside Donna's Cafe

""A Woman's Intuition""

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Art Opening Saturday August 6th at Three Peas Art Lounge

Three Peas Art Gallery at 75 E. 16th St. will have a new art exhibit on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 6 – 10 p.m. “In Your Face,” a solo exhibit by artist Marion Bolognesi will be featured.

For more information on this exhibit and other events, call 312-624-9414 or visit the Three Peas Web site.

Rise and Shine with Daystar!

For Immediate Release

Convenient. Safe. Economical. Practical. Fun.
When you wake up every morning, you have those expectations for your child’s activities for the day. Daystar Center provides such activities.

Convenient
Daystar Center is conveniently located in the heart of the greater South Loop at 1550 S. St. along with Overflow Coffee Bar where you can also grab a great cup of coffee or some food.

Safe
Daystar Center has a safe, clean environment in the same building as the Daystar School, a pre-K to 8th grade private school.

Economical
Daystar Center sets the pricing for classes and lessons at a competitive market rate.

Practical
Daystar Center classes teach practical life skills like social aptitude, creativity, and cultural awareness in fun ways.  You child can learn

• a new language in an immersion setting,
• a musical instrument using Suzuki methods, theatre and story-telling skills through acting out fairytales, and
• social skills such as playing well with others

FUN
Daystar Center is FUN! You and your toddler can do yoga or learn a language together in a place with a scale and “feel” that’s great for kids.

Learn more at our Open House - August 20 from 10am to 1pm.

For more information, including a schedule of classes, visit www.daystarcenter.org.  Have questions?  Call (312) 674-0001 or email info@daystarcenter.org.

The above release was submitted to SLC by the Daystar Center.

Got Dam (Dance-Art-Music) Event August 6, 2011