Around the South Loop: 2011 Volume 3

No Parking
It was an interesting week, even though the Bears didn't make it to the Super Bowl. There was lots of activity surrounding the game here in the South Loop, especially on Wabash Ave., where flatbed trucks were towing cars at a brisk pace. It begs the question, who are these people that park on Wabash during the game? Are they from the suburbs? Are they unable to read the signs posted everywhere? Do they think they won't get towed because they're special? Well, as the photo below illustrates, the tow truck man is no respecter of persons.

Don't park here: Why do Bears fans continue to park on Wabash during home games?

Good-bye South Loop Wine Cellar
Another small business closed its doors in the South Loop. Many may have noticed that the South Loop Wine Cellar hasn't been open since before the December holidays. I was hoping things would improve and owner/operator Amy Garman would be able to stay open, but it wasn't meant to be. I visited the shop many times and attended numerous events there as well. Amy was someone I enjoyed knowing as a local merchant. She contributed several posts on wine to the South Loop Connection, which are still very popular. I wish Amy the best.

I'm sorry that South Loop Wine Cellar is no more.

Car Capital
During the early years of the 20th century, the South Loop was famous for it's many car dealerships and businesses related to the automobile industry. So famous that the area was nicknamed Motor Row. Michigan Ave. was one of the smoothest roads in America at the time and perfect for taking that new coupe out for a test drive. The Buick building, built in 1906, at 1454 S. Michigan was the first Buick dealership in Chicago. For many months it was home to the sales offices of the Marquee and Terrazio condo developments. Just recently, the banner covering the Buick shield came down.

The Buick building was built in 1906.

Art in the Everyday
When I walk around the South Loop, it's interesting to see utilitarian structures take on intriguing shapes and shadows. Even the L tracks above our heads can become works of art. When the light is shining just right, even rusty old steel beams look great.

The L tracks above Wabash Ave.

And the Oscar (nomination) Goes To...
One of the great things about living in a city like Chicago is you don't miss out on anything, even when you're walking to work in the morning. Where else can you see the Academy Award nominations on your commute to the office and on a jumbo screen no less?

The giant screen at CBS on Washington and Dearborn

Perfectly Centered
Remember the picture of the white clock in the lobby of the Chicago Hilton and Towers? During the holidays, it was replaced by a Christmas tree. After the New Year, they put the clock back, but it wasn't centered on the rug and it kind of drove me crazy. Someone from the Hilton read my blog post and had it fixed. See, people do read the stuff I write!

The clock in the Chicago Hilton and Towers lobby is "right" on the carpet.

South Loop Connection Roundup

Animal Wellness Center: Working Hard to Open
According to Dr. Steven Andres, the South State-N-16th Animal Wellness Center, 1601 S. State St., he's still hoping to open some time this month. Contractors are currently working to build out the space.

The "White City" surrounds the Court of Honor

The Devil in the White City Finally Coming to the Big Screen?
Yesterday's RedEye reported that Leonardo DiCaprio was set to play serial killer H.H. Holmes. According to Internet Movie Database.com (IMDb), there were plans for movie versions of Eric Larson's nonfiction bestseller set for release in 2011 and 2013 respectively. RedEye also reported that DiCaprio was signed on as a producer. Perhaps his clout will ensure that this film will finally be made. We can't wait to see the recreation of the 1893 World's Fair on the big screen.

Discover Some New Italian Wines
This Friday, South Loop Wine Cellar, 1442 S. Michigan Ave., will be featuring "Italian varietals you probably haven't tried." The wine-tasting is 7-9 p.m. Cost is $5 (wine club members free).

A Midsummer Night's Dream opens at the Civic Opera House
The Lyric Opera of Chicago takes on the Shakespeare-inspired opera. Catch a free pre-opera lecture an hour before each performance. Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $66 - $207. 20 N. Wacker Drive, (312) 332-2244, www.lyricopera.org. Listen to a brief mp3 preview by Sir Andrew Davis.

Historic South Loop Trolley Tour

Take a trolley tour of  the South Loop Sunday afternoon, December 5. South Loop Neighbors (SLN) president Dennis McClendon, is one of the area’s most knowledgeable residents. He will give two, one and a half hour tours at 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. departing from in front of Dearborn Station. McClendon will cover the history and architecture of the whole South Loop. As an extra added attraction, Bar Louie at the Dearborn Station will be giving all trolley tour participants 20 percent off any food purchases that day!

Dearborn Station 47 W. Polk St.

Chicago Code To Debut in February
Fox TV will debut Chicago Code (formerly known as Ride-Along) on February 7, 2011 at 9 p.m., the day after the Super Bowl. The show filming around Chicago, stars Jennifer Beals and Jason Clarke.

Jennifer Beals  plays superintendent Teresa Colvin and Jason Clarke plays Chicago detective Jarek Wysocki in Fox TV's new police drama Chicago Code.

Pizza Night with a Twist at South Loop Wine Cellar

What's more American than Friday pizza night?
South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. is hosting a wine and pizza pairing this evening (October 22) from 7-9 p.m. The cost for this event is $10 per person. Pizzas courtesy of Doreen's Gourmet Frozen Pizza. Each pizza will be paired with a different wine. Wines and Pizzas will be available for purchase.

To learn more about South Loop Wine Cellar, visit their Web site. To read an article on owner/proprietor Amy Garman, click here.

"Thank You" 2010 Bash Volunteers

That was the message last night at the Greater South Loop event at South Loop Wine Cellar 1442 S. Michigan Ave. For those who volunteered at this year's Bash on Wabash, the reward was wine, sangria, quesadillas, and some good conversation with friends and neighbors from the South Loop.

South Loop residents mingle at South Loop Wine Cellar.

The food and wine was provided by Weather Mark Tavern and South Loop Wine Cellar respectively. For more information on the Bash on Wabash or other events happening in the South Loop, visit the GSLA Web site.

Friends and neighbors catch up

Bash on Wabash Volunteers Party

Thank You Bash Volunteers

The Greater South Loop Association would like all volunteers to join them for an evening of food and wine as a special thank you for the role they played in this year's Bash on Wabash. The GSLA could not have pulled off such a large event without the help of volunteers.

This "thank you" event will be held at South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. on Thursday October 7, 2010 from 6-9 p.m. Food will be provided by Weather Mark Tavern. The South Loop Wine Cellar will be providing the wine.

RSPV, Please
To RSVP for this event, please click here. When you RSVP, you'll also be able to take a survey about the 2010 Bash. The GSLA would really appreciate your feedback.

A Wine Tour of Italy...on the Cheap at South Loop Wine Cellar

Amy Garman, owner of South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave., hosted a wine-tasting event last night: "Italian Value Wines." The selection included white and red wines, all under $20 per bottle.

Customers sample "value wines of Italy."

Weekly Wine-Tasting Events
Friday night's event isn't unique. The South Loop Wine Cellar hosts wine-tasting events every Friday from 7-9 p.m. Wine-tastings are $5 per person; however, if you're a wine club member, the tastings are free. Wine-tasting events generally have a theme, often focusing on a particular region (like next month's wines from Argentina and Chile) or price point.

Live "background music" by singer-guitarist Starr Peterson

Live Music
Another feature of these wine-tastings is musical entertainment by singer-guitarist Starr Peterson. The music is pleasant, but never overpowers the evening; it's main purpose is to provide live background music (for a sample of her performance, see video below). If Ms. Peterson looks familiar, perhaps you've seen her working at the Bongo Room on the corner of Wabash and Roosevelt. She's been working at the Bongo Room since they opened almost seven years ago.

For future wine-tasting events, check the South Loop Wine Cellar's Web site.

Wine-tasting makes you smile.

Happenings in the South Loop

Wine Tasting
The South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. has a great wine-tasting event coming up this Friday September 17, featuring value wines from Italy. Wines that taste great and are easy on your budget; what could be better than that? This Friday's event is from 7-9 p.m. A mere five spot allows you to take this wine-tasting tour of Italy.



New Church
Gospel Life Church at 1921 S. Archer Ave., will be celebrating their opening service this Sunday September 19 at 10:45 a.m. The church is lead by Pastor John Ro. For more information, visit the church Web site.

Another One Bites the Dust: WineStyles Closes

It's been reported elsewhere, but it's still a surprise to see WineStyles at 1240 S. Michigan Ave. closed and empty. This is especially hard to believe since I was there about a week ago on a week night and it was filled with customers. Many neighbors enjoyed the friendly staff and atmosphere. WineStyles will be missed.

WineStyles at 1240 S. Michigan closes

Two Left Standing
After years of having no specialty wine shops in the South Loop, seemingly overnight we had four: South Loop Wine Cellar, Sam's, Binney's, and WineStyles. Sam's was the first to go. Now WineStyles is no more, leaving South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. (the first wine shop to open here) and Binney's at 1132 S. Jefferson St.

Cubbies once filled with dozens of wine bottles are now empty.

It’s Rosé season!

by Amy Garman

Rosé misconceptions

Rosé wines are nothing if not misunderstood. There is a common misconception, thanks to white Zinfandel, that all pink wines are sweet – this couldn’t be farther from the truth! While you can certainly find some sweet Rosés, most are dry and delicious.

In the pink
How do they get the pink color? Most Rosés worth their salt are made from red wine grapes; the wine making process starts out exactly the same as it would if a red wine were being made, however instead of fermenting the grape juice with the skins for, let’s say 2 weeks, the winemakers only let Rosé juice ferment with the skins for maybe 24 hours. This way the juice has only a fraction of the time to soak up the pigment from the grape skins, turning it pink instead of the deep burgundy color of red wine.

Perfect middle ground

Other than the color, how are Rosé wines different than white or red wines? Well, the simplest answer is that a Rosé has features of both red and white wine: the crisp refreshing flavors of a white with the extra body and fruit flavors gained from the time spent in fermentation with the grape skins. The perfect middle ground.

Perfect pairings
What foods pair with Rosé wines? Rosé is extremely versatile when it comes to food pairing – especially in the warm summer months when meals often consist of lighter fare and are eaten outdoors. Rosé is a great match with salmon, salads, grilled seafood, or chicken dishes. Additionally, Rosé works well served as an aperitif with charcuterie or cheeses.

South Loop Wine Cellar is featuring 3 really great Rosés this spring: Elk Cove Rosé of Pinot Noir from Oregon: $17.99, Juno Rose of Pinotage & Shiraz from South Africa: $13.99, Capҫanes Mas Donis Rosat of Grenache & Syrah from Spain: $13.99

Amy Garman is the owner of the South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave.

"Post Tax Season Stress Relief" Night

The Greater South Loop Association (GSLA) is sponsoring a "Post Tax Season Stress Relief" Night at ATI Physical Therapy, 1226 S. Canal Street. This event will be held on Tuesday April 20, from 6-8 p.m.

Free appetizers, wine, and beer will be served. There will also be a raffle for a $100 gift card to South Loop Wine Cellar.

Join your friends and neighbors in welcoming ATI to the neighborhood.

Looking Ahead

The dates for 2010's Bash on Wabash have been set: September 4th and 5th. For more information, click on the link.

Continue the St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations on March 20!

Come, have fun, and enjoy some organic wine, food, live music, ideas for "going green" throughout the year, and networking. There will be a leprechaun there too!

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Location: South Loop Wine Cellar (1442 South Michigan Avenue)

Cover: $12 for wine, coffee, appetizers, and desserts.  For those under 21, the cover is $7 for coffee, appetizers, and desserts.

RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=301653302220&ref=ts or to amanda@overflowcoffeebar.org.

This event is sponsored by Overflow Coffee Bar in partnership with the Alliance for a Greener South Loop.

Overflow Coffee Bar is a South Loop community coffee shop being started by South Loop residents to give area residents, students and workers the opportunity to change the world.  We are more than your typical coffee shop because we give our profits back into the community, use fair-labor and environmentally-responsible products, and support local artists.  Find out more at www.overflowcoffeebar.org.

"Closetology" wine tasting at South Loop Wine Cellar

Wednesday March 10

6:30-8 pm, $20

South Loop Wine Cellar 

Jackie Walker, the Dr. of Closetology, will be presenting another installment of Closetology, the psychology of your closet at South Loop Wine Cellar, 1442 S. Michigan Ave.  

The event starts at 6:30 for a wine tasting followed at 7:00 by the Closetology lesson and discussion.  Learn the ins and outs of your wardrobe!

Walker is an author, speaker, fashion consultant, and a Chicago resident. Her book I Don't Have a Thing to Wear: The Psychology of Your Closet is a bestseller and is available at Amazon.com and bookstores everywhere. To order a copy from Amazon, click on the link below.

For a video explanation of Closetology, click here.

South Loop Valentine Wine Tasting

Date:     Thursday, February 4, 2010

Time:     6-8pm

Where:   South Loop Wine Cellar, 1442 S. Michigan Ave.

This meeting and networking event will feature recipes and wine pairings for a 3 course meal with samples of the appetizer and dessert.

This is a South Loop wide, all inclusive networking event.

Admission is $5.

Call South Loop Wine Cellar for more information at 312-356-0630

Choosing wines for the holidays

by Amy Garma, owner of the South Loop Wine Cellar

Amongst the flurry of activity - parties, shopping , gift wrapping, food preparation - that accompanies the holidays, don’t let choosing the wines for your holiday feasts add to your stress.  Follow the simple guidelines below for easy delicious food and wine pairings.

Be the perfect party host
If you’re hosting this holiday season, start your party off on a festive note by pairing traditional appetizers like smoked salmon with a light champagne or sparkling wine.  Our customers love the Ruggeri & C. Prosecco Valdobbiadene Black Label ($23.50).  Alternatively, snack on your favorite artichoke dip, veggie tray or appetizer with our 2007 Casa Alle Vacche Vernaccia ($18.50); or try some shrimp cocktail or oysters with a refreshing sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio.  We like the 2007 Matthais Roblin sancerre from Fance’s Loire Valley ($27.99) and the Monte Volpe pinot grigio ($15.50).

There's a wine for every dish
With the wide assortment of dishes that might comprise your main course, finding the perfect wine to accompany everything might seem like too great a challenge – but don’t worry.  Food friendly wines like the 2007 Preludio tempranillo ($16.99) or the Row Eleven pinot noir ($22.00) will pair well with most dishes, including turkey, roasts or other wild game.  If you’re planning on serving up some prime rib or succulent steak at your holiday meal, you can’t go wrong with a hearty cabernet sauvignon.  We recommend the 2007 Duckhorn Decoy ($32.99) or the 2005 Cafaro Cab ($40.00).

Sweet endings
But let’s not forget dessert!  If you’re serving a fruity dessert, like a traditional or Dutch apple pie, open a Moscato d’Asti like our 2007 Tranchero from Piemonte, Italy ($19.00) or the Tabali late harvest muscat, from Chile ($15.50).  With a cheese plate, try a tawny port like the Quinta do Noval 10 Year ($35.00) (we hear this also goes well with peanut butter and chocolate Christmas cookies.) 

Need a last minute gift?  Give the sweet, spicy taste of Chicago’s Chriskindlesmarket Gluhwein ($11.99), a traditional favorite served warm, and the perfect antidote to the winter blues.

All of the above wines are available at South Loop Wine Cellar, 1442 S. Michigan Ave.

The "Doctor of Closetology" makes a call

Jackie Walker,  "Doctor of Closetology," held an event at the South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The event combined wine tasting along with practical advice on how to organize that "room of emotion," your closet.

Walker, a professional in the fashion industry, has lectured across the country on how to match your clothing choices to inner you. Most women have full outfits hanging in their closets that they've never worn, have not intention of wearing, yet can't seem to bid them farewell. Most of the time, the clothes you don't wear just don't fit your personality, or as Walker says, your fashion persona.

In Walker's best-selling book I Don't Have a Thing to Wear: The Psychology of Your Closet, she identifies five fashion personas: The Classic, The Romantic, The Natural, The Dramatic, The Mood Dresser. Most women don't fit one persona, but are usually a combination of two or more. The important thing is to discover what your fashion persona is, so you feel good about the clothes you purchase and wear.

As Jilly Brady, Founding Director and President of The Sackrider Museum of Handbags said, "I'm my authentic self. This seminar confirmed what I've always believed." Brady doesn't buy clothes based on the latest fashion, but rather on clothes that make her feel and look good. And that's the goal of the Closetology experience: helping you realize your fashion persona so you can discover what clothes work best for you. According to Walker, once you discover your fashion persona, you'll never say, "I don't have a thing to wear."

Think Global, Drink Local: A Recap

On October 29, Overflow Coffee Bar had it's first educational event at the South Loop Wine Cellar.  The event was better than could have been expected!  Here's the night in review:

• 30 people attended.
• There were lots of cupcakes, cookies, fruit, and chocolate covered expresso beans.  One of the students there said the cupcakes were the best he's ever had. 
• Coffee Ambassadors brought some great coffee from Guatemala and Honduras.  A woman said this was the best coffee she's ever had.
• Tim Taylor spoke about direct trade coffee.  He shared that direct trade is about relationship, excellence and transparency.
• Amanda Neely, Executive Director, spoke about Overflow Coffee Bar's mission and vision for the South Loop: uniting all South Loopers - residents, students and workers - to change the world.
• There was a great Q & A time and people had some wonderful questions about direct trade coffee and Overflow. 

More photos can be viewed at www.facebook.com/overflowcoffeebar. 

Think Global, Drink Local: Direct Trade Coffee and Changing the World

After oil, coffee is the second most widely traded product in the world.  Its impact on human cultures and the natural environment extends literally around the world.  It takes hundreds of people to get each coffee bean from plant to cup.  Every cup of coffee we buy and drink connects us with a web of hidden stories.

The leading producers of coffee are developing countries in Latin American, Africa and Asia.  A major source of income, coffee is critical to their economies.  Yet, less than 15% of the revenues end up in their hands.  This is roughly 3 cents for your average $3 latte or americano.  The United States consumes over 18 million 60 kg bags of coffee per year.  We have the potential to change the circumstances for developing counties – getting more revenue directly into the hands of the communities that grow and harvest the coffee beans.  Our choices as consumers make a real difference in their lives.

 

Want to learn more?  Overflow Coffee Bar is sponsoring an educational event on October 29, 2009 from 7:00pm to 8:00 at (locally owned) South Loop Wine Cellar.  Tim Taylor, a Chicago-based coffee buyer and roaster will share from his personal experience in the direct trade coffee movement.  Amanda Neely, Executive Director of Overflow Coffee Bar will share about a new non-profit coffee shop opening in the South Loop.

For more information about the event, download the flyer at: http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/OctoberEventFlyer.pdf.

To RSVP email info@overflowcoffeebar.org or call 773-919-6960.

"Shot Fairy" comes to South Loop Wine Cellar

As reported yesterday, the shot fairy was scheduled to appear at the South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. I am happy to report they showed up on schedule.

For $40, folks got flu shots and then sampled five different wines, served by Amy Garman, owner of the South Loop Wine Cellar. According the Dr. Hanlon, a board-certified family practice physician, having some wine after a vaccination poses no risk. He added that "immunity takes seven to 14 days to develop."

Joining Dr. Hanlon was nurse Peggy McKeever, a registered family practice nurse at Evergreen Medical Ltd. Nurse McKeever administered my shot; I didn't feel a thing and this was before I had any wine! Dr. Hanlon and McKeever will do more events this fall, including flu and brew at Kroll's, 1736 S. Michigan Ave. on September 30, 2009.

Both Dr. Hanlon and Nurse McKeever have young children who were afraid or in McKeever's case "terrified" of vaccinations. Dr. Hanlon and his team go to homes to administer vaccinations to adults and children. They will administer vaccinations to children, while they sleep, leaving a lollipop under their pillows.

If you are nervous about getting vaccinated, the shot fairy is here to help. Currently, the shot fairy's services are being offered in the South Loop and Beverly. For more information on events like vaccines and vino or scheduling the shot fairy to come to your home or office, please visit shotfairy.com.

"Vaccine & Vino" at South Loop Wine Cellar

The South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. will be hosting a wine tasting event that includes a flu shot courtesy of the "shot fairy," Thursday September 17, 2009. Yes, you read wine tasting and a flu shot. The shot fairy is Dr. Scott Hanlon. Dr. Hanlon is a board certified family practice physician in practice for 10 years.
 
 A cure for shot anxiety

As a father three boys, Dr. Hanlon knows how important vaccinations are for healthy living. To help his boys with their anxiety about getting shots, he started vaccinating them in their sleep. The shot fairy was born. Now, Dr. Hanlon also sponsors and participates in events like the above to help adults with shot anxiety.

To participate in the Vaccine & Vino, stop by the South Loop Wine Cellar between 7-9 p.m. this evening. To register, visit www.shotfairy.com.

I would like to learn more about wine . . .

by Amy Garman

One of the most commonly asked questions by my customers is, “how can I learn more about wine?” You might be thinking the answer to this question is easy: drink more wine! Unfortunately it is not that simple; what you actually need to do is taste more wine. So what’s the difference between drinking and tasting? Drinking is easy enough: sip, swallow, repeat. Very little attention is paid to the wine itself. Tasting, on the other hand, involves a bit more work. In fact, there are even a few different steps involved–here are the most important ones.

Appearance

Tilt the glass at a 45-degree angle away from you in front of a white background and look at the wine's appearance. Why is this important? This may not be the most important step for beginners, but the color can give you an idea of the region, climate, grape variety, and age of the wine.

Smell

With about a quarter of a glass of wine, swirl the glass in order to activate the aromatics of the wine. Then, don’t be afraid, stick your nose directly into the glass and try to describe a fruit smell, earth smell, and/or a wood smell. If the wine smells like wine, don’t be discouraged, the more you taste, the more you will become comfortable picking out descriptors. Hint: try going out of your way to smell things at the grocery store (produce, spices, and herbs) and then making a mental note. The next time you smell wine, your sense of smell may have awoken!

Taste

Sip a small portion of wine into your mouth, roll it around so it coats all surfaces of your mouth focusing on how it feels and tastes. You can enhance the flavor of the wine by drawing air in through the mouth over the wine (Be careful with this step; you may want to practice this at home before you try this in public.). Try to describe the body, tartness level, alcohol burn, sweetness, and general flavor profile. Complex wines will give you a lot more to talk about, and the flavor will persist long after you have swallowed it.

Final Conclusion

Do you like it or not? In the end this is all that matters! Either way, try to remember the characteristics about the wine you did or did not like; the next time you go shopping for wine, it will be a tremendous help. Also, if this was your first time with a new grape variety or region, was there anything unique about the wine that really stood out versus other wines you have had?

Now that you know the basics, check out your local wine tastings. Most stores host regular tastings; this allows you to taste many varietals at the same time, which will help you compare and contrast the different styles.


Amy Garman is the owner of the South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave.