Free summer workouts return to Millennium Park

Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., will once again offer Free Summer Workouts on the Great Lawn funded by McDonald’s.

These free workout sessions will be held from 7 am to 11 am on Saturdays, June 4 - September 3, 2016. Workouts are 45 minutes long with classes in Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates and Zumba®. On Wednesdays, June 1–August 31, Yoga is offered 7:30–8:15am.

Full schedule below:

Wednesday Free Workout Schedule

WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 1–29:
Wednesday Yoga • 7:30–8:15 a.m.
Lani Granum of Moksha Yoga

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 6–27:
Wednesday Yoga • 7:30–8:15 a.m.
Trevor Dye

WEDNESDAYS, AUGUST 3–31:
Wednesday Yoga • 7:30–8:15 a.m.
Shakta Kaur, Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL)

Saturday Free Workout Schedule

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 (ONLY) – CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL:

Yoga • 7 a.m.
Led by Marta Bailey from Dunamis Yoga

Cardio Workout • 8 a.m.
Led by LaTonya Ellis

Pilates • 9 a.m.
Led by East Bank Club

Zumba® • 10 a.m.
Led by East Bank Club

Gospel music during yoga and cardio workout

SATURDAYS, JUNE 11–25:

Tai Chi • 7 a.m.
Led by Christopher Zalek from the Great Lakes Tai Chi

Yoga • 8 a.m.
Led by Lani Granum of Moksha Yoga

Pilates • 9 a.m.
Led by Leah Ousley, Skyy Level Group Fitness

Zumba® • 10 a.m.
Led by DANCEYTUDE with Meagan Ponce

Music during yoga and Pilates by Carlo Basile of Las Guitarras de Espana and Friends

Drumming during Zumba® by Crozier Percussion Collective

SATURDAYS, JULY 2–JULY 30:

Tai Chi • 7 a.m.
Led by Gilda’s Club Chicago with Deb Sitron and Martin Romero

Yoga • 8 a.m.
Led by Alie McManus

Pilates • 9 a.m.
Led by Emily Gross, At The Core

Zumba® • 10 a.m.
Led by Iris T. London, ITL Fitness

Music during yoga and Pilates by Bill Mackay

Drumming during Zumba® by The Rhythm Revolution Drummers

SATURDAYS, AUGUST 6–SEPTEMBER 3:

Tai Chi • 7 a.m.
Led by East Bank Club

Yoga • 8 a.m.
Led by Chicago Park District/Park Family Wellness

Pilates • 9 a.m.
Led by East Bank Club

Zumba® • 10 a.m.
Led by Janice Lofton

Music during yoga and Pilates by DJ John Simmons

Wildberry Pancakes and Café at Prudential Plaza

We visited Wildberry Pancakes and Café at 130 E. Randolph St. at Prudential Plaza recently. Being across the street from Millennium Park almost guarantees business from a steady stream of tourists, but it’s good enough to be one of our favorite breakfast/lunch joints.

The space inside is bright and pleasant with table and booth seating. During the warmer months—Wildberry opened this summer—outdoor seating is available. Wildberry serves Intelligensia Coffee, not that unusual for a Chicago eatery. What is unusual is that they have a mini Intelligensia shop inside the entrance, with a barista ready to make espresso and other specialty coffee drinks. For workers in and around Prudential Plaza who just want coffee to-go on their way to the office, this is a great convenience. The large breakfast menu has an assortment of egg, pancake, and waffle dishes sure to please most. The lunch menu includes hamburgers, paninis, sandwiches, and salads. Prices are reasonable and are comparable with other area breakfast/lunch restaurants, offering similar fare.

We arrived for breakfast on our visit and ordered the corned beef benny: English muffin, corned beef hash, poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise. The corned beef, poached eggs, and chipotle hollandaise were cooked, prepared, and presented perfectly; we would order it again. The corned beef benny came with hash browns. Service was prompt and our waitress was pleasant and attentive. And the Intelligensia coffee is a huge plus (we had several cups).

Overall, our experience was very positive and look forward to our next visit (maybe we’ll try lunch). With their ample menu, large space, and good service, Wildberry should establish itself as one of the more popular breakfast and lunch spots in the loop. Wildberry also has locations in Libertyville and Schaumburg.

Hours: Monday – Sunday 6:30 a.m – 2:30 p.m.

If you’ve eaten at Wildberry, tell us about your experience.

We Get Knocked Down, But We Get Up Again!

If you've walked along Michigan Ave. near the Art Institute, you probably noticed the painted trees a bit to the south. The trees died from disease, but rather than throw them away, the park district had them painted and installed as art. There is another group of similar painted trees by the bend on Lake Shore Drive near Randolph St.

Earlier in the week, some of the trees were bent, others were completely out of the ground.

Yesterday, the trees were upright and standing again, with what looked bricks placed around the trunks for extra support.

Around Chicago

The sunshine made Millennium Park an afternoon destination on Tuesday.

It was warm enough to eat lunch or read a book in the park.

Movie trailers on Randolph St. across from the Blue Cross Blue Shield building

You can see the Museum Park towers between the trees and movie trailers.

Not sure what they're shooting, but according to the Chicago Film Office Web site, Fox is currently filming Ride Along, a new Television series starring Jennifer Beals. Beals starred in Flashdance, one of the biggest box office hits during the 1980s.