The Quiet Workshop at Daystar Center May 30, 2015

When: Tuesday, May 30, 2015 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street

Cost:  The Early Bird rate (by May 16) is $75. Includes all materials, morning pastries, coffee, lunch, and afternoon snack. Childcare available upon request.

Slowing down in order to keep up with our basic needs
Our society is moving at an ever-increasing speed of fast. “If you want to hang on, you better speed up.” is the message of today. And as a result, many in our world find themselves stressed to the max, with calendars filled to the brim. When was the last time, for example, someone told you they were not very busy?

Basic needs never change
It could be useful, however, to remind ourselves that our basic needs never change. The need to be seen and appreciated. The need to belong. The need for nearness and care, and for a little love. This is given only through slowness in human relations. In order to master transformations in our ever-changing world, we have to recover slowness, reflection and togetherness – and thereby find real renewal.

Rediscover centuries-old tools
This is what The Quiet Workshop is all about. We’ll take a relaxed approach to the important topic of soul care, giving you a handful of tools which have been used for centuries in helping busy people step out of the traffic and take time to re-acquaint themselves with their God, their family and neighbors, and most importantly, themselves.

There is more to life than...
All are invited to attend The Quiet Workshop but it’s best suited for those who think to themselves, “There’s gotta be more to life than this…” whatever “this” is. Those in leadership roles at work, in the community, at church, and at home will benefit greatly. The Quiet Workshop also serves as a great introduction to spiritual direction for those interested in being directed or becoming a director.


To register, click here. For additional information, call 312.674.0001.

Local Brew: Spoke & Bird Open for Business

Spoke & Bird at 205 E. 18th St. is now serving breakfast and lunch, featuring coffee from Counter Culture. Check  out the menu below. They are open seven days a week 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. They can be reached by phone at 765.748.6661.

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.