Come to the Apple Store, where you'll enjoy a new kind of shopping experience. Inside the store, all Apple products are available for you to purchase, and you can spend as much time as you like trying them out. Check out the next generation of MacBooks with the new MacBook Air, listen to music on an iPod, see everything iPhone can do, or experience the magic of iPad. Outside the store, we've created a plaza with complimentary Wi-Fi for everyone to enjoy. In celebration of this special store, current Mac owners can buy a One to One membership, normally available only with the purchase of a new Mac.* And if you're one of the first 4000 customers, you'll get a free commemorative T-shirt.** *Limited to the first 500 customers. **No purchase necessary. While supplies last.

The Field Museum Gold Exhibit Opens Today! Check Out The History, Mystery, Magic and Science of Gold.

I had the pleasure of previewing The Field Museum's Gold Exhibit which will open to the public today and will run October 22-March 6th.   I was especially taken with the impressive melding of science, poetry, ancient culture, and modern ceremony.   We'll continue to post gold nuggets of information throughout the run of this intriguing exhibit.   Come learn about the tears of the sun, the seahorse nugget, and how a thin veneer of gold protects astronauts from heat and light.


  


This exhibit combines history, mystery, poetry and science, all centered around that magical mineral, gold.   Kids can even step on a scale and find out what "worth your weight in gold" literally means.   Where else can you see real Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Olympic Gold Medals, and The White Sox World Series Trophy in one room?! 

At the preview, a lucky class of 5th graders from St. Paul-Our Lady of Vilna school in Pilsen, were able to enter with the press.   They were suitably impressed with the exhibit.   Adults and older kids will find plenty to fascinate.   Check out their web site for details about this golden opportunity.

Look for ChiIL Mama Sunday: Last Full Moon Fire Jam of the Season

Sunday, October 24th, 2010 

The Full Moon is coming!!!

It's time to dust off your fire spinning gear and drums for our LAST JAM of the season!!!
Bundle up and come out to enjoy one of the FINEST ways to spend your Chicago evening!

Here are all the pertinant details from Chicago Fire Tribe:
Because the sunset time is super early at 5:56 pm, the jam will not begin until 7:30 pm
Jam ends by 10:15pm and everyone must be out of the park by 11:00pm
: leave no trace : no alcohol etc. : rain or shine : photography / no flash : 

ALL THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2010

Full Moon Jams are a community event:  Fire Spinners from Chicago and beyond gather together, with the passion filled music from local drummers to share with you their combined passions.  The result:  an evening of beautiful flames, dances, music and laughter.

The jams always start around the time of the sunset. and always end by 10:15pm.  Everyone must be in their cars and out of the park by 11:00pm.

Jams happen rain or shine... but please know that these events, despite their size, are informal in many ways.  No one fire spinner or drummer is required to come and share gifts at the jam.  Thus.. sometimes there are less drummers and sometimes there are less fire spinners.  This is just how it is.  

The Jam is open to everyone and anyone.  It is a free event and will continue to be.  This event is NOT organized by the City of Chicago.. it is put together by a community of fire loving friends.  
Important things to know about the Jam
... and please help everyone know these important things. 
-The Jams are a family event... please no alcohol
-The Jams have worked hard to develop a great working and understanding relationship with Local Area Police... please be kind to them, they are our friends. 
-We encourage everyone to take pictures at the Jams, but we have found that flash photography is disruptive to the event and to our flow. Please turn off the flash feature of any camera you bring! Tag us with (chifire) and (full moon jam) on any photos you post online, or email us at chicagofiretribe@gmail.com so we can share talents.
-The Jams are a LEAVE NO TRACE event... this means... pack it in, pack it out.  Please clean up after yourselves and if you see and litter, please help and clean it up.
Please bring:
your smiles
your fun, positive attitude
your fire gear
your camera (NO FLASH please)
your safety gear and safety person
your drums or other musical instruments
a blanket to sit on and something to keep you warm
The Location of the Jam
This is the actual address of the field where the jam is held:

5050 N. Simonds Dr Chicago, IL 60640
west side of Simonds Dr

please note::: The jam is NOT!!! at Foster Ave Beach.. it is South of the beach, on the west side of the path.

go to www.googlemaps.com and plug in the address.

DRIVING:
Foster Ave and the Lake front.. . *not the beach!*
If you take Lake Shore Drive to Foster Ave, turn right and go east (towards the Lake) on Foster Ave.
When the street curves around to the right, follow it. The jam is 1/4 a mile down the path on the west side of the street.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Red Line to Argyle or Berwyn
Walk to Foster Ave - if at Argyle stop, go North; if at Berwyn stop, go South to Foster.
Then walk east on Foster till you hit the Lake front and follow the path as it curves around to the right (south)
We are 1/2 a mile down the path.

Look For ChiIL Mama Friday and Saturday: At The Chicago International Children's Film Festival

It's really here!   We've been workin' it for 20 years and promoting it all month...it's The Chicago International Children's Film Festival.   Check 'em out on line for world class family films that span the globe, creative classes for future film makers, and guest appearances by current film makers!   ChiIL Mama will be volunteering with Du-Jay and Sagezilla this Saturday at noon and next Sunday at 9:00am at Facets.   Stop by and say hey if you're in the area.   Enjoy.

CircEsteem's Fall Benefit Gala Tonight

We ♥ CircEsteem!  These guys are a truly amazing local treasure.   We'll have more circus class and aerial arts photos, and information about upcoming offerings in the very near future.     Keep your kids from running away to join the circus.   Take them to CircEsteem right here in Chi-Town, near Sheridan and Lawrence in Uptown.    Sign up is happening now.   Register today at CircEsteem on line.   You can also friend them on Facebook and stalk (I mean follow) them on Twitter.   Sagezilla and Du-Jay are completely enthralled with their circus classes and I'm impressed with the talented and energetic staff and the great community vibe. Also, come on out to their Gala tonight, to support their free after school programs.   Unfortunately, we're double booked on the gala front and can't attend, but we do highly recommend it!   Absentee donations are also cheerfully accepted if you want to support their great work, and you have other simultaneous galas to attend as well. CircEsteem's Fall Benefit Gala It's not to late to join us this Friday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for a cocktail party with a twist of circus. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.  If you unable to attend the event but would still like to support CircEsteem, please consider making a donation.   Proceeds from the Gala will support HomeWork & CircusWork, CircEsteem's free after-school program. (Click here to view invite in a larger format)

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Event and raffle tickets can be purchased online here or by downloading the reservation form and mailing a check to CircEsteem at 4730 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60640.

Green Grocer--Newly Redesigned Jewel Now Open On Southport

ChiIL Mama got to take a sneak peek at the latest Jewel in the crown of Supervalu, and it is impressive.   In 2009, the 30 year old Jewel Food Store that stood at 3630 N. Southport Ave. near Addison for over 30 years, was demolished, so a new, green building twice as large could take it's place.  Designed by Chicago architects Camburas & Theodore, the outside has been loudly criticized for being ugly, but the inside is bright, open and creative.  Those of you who geek out on numbers, the new store is 62,349 square feet.


Jewel pulled out all the stops, with a free, underground parking garage for the spot challenged Lakeview Community, a green roof with vegetation, energy efficient LED lighting, water saving fixtures and faucets, recycled construction materials, and recycling of materials during and after construction.  The next step is applying for silver LEED certification which could not be done prior to the store's opening.


The new Jewel has a store staff of more than 200 employees including full time Chef Shawn and Sushi Sue, ready to feed and enlighten you.   With an upscale CK grill with seating, a sushi bar, olive and salad bars, and expanded organic and kosher sections, they're prepared to give Whole Foods some friendly competition.   They haven't gone the in store bar route, but they do have an extensive, impressive liquor department that spans the entire top floor and still manages to be open and airy.   The store plans weekend wine samplings with knowledgeable experts, to educate the Friday night "keg parade". 


The Southport location is the 3rd green redesign Jewel has completed in the Chicago area with more to come.   In 2008, the first opened at 370 N. Desplaines St. in Chicago's Fulton River District.   The following year, the 2nd green store opened in Marshfield Plaza, on Chicago's South Side.  Each redesign is meticulously planned and includes many place specific touches.   Southport features local street names on the aisles, large windows designed to include the community beyond, and giant Wrigley Field related murals.   The light, spacious feel is welcoming.


Jewel also met with community members and sought input during the redesign, which resulted in a greatly expanded Kosher section, including a dedicated Kosher meat-cutting room.   The natural and organic sections, including produce and wild harvest private label products, have been expanded as well.   An entire gluten-free product section is well marked, and diabetics and their families are welcome to plan a store tour with a dietitian, who will assist them in making wise, well informed food choices.


The pharmacy delivers, so parents don't have to drag their ill children out to the store.   And flu shots, tetanus/pertussis shots, and even regular check ups are available on site for anyone over 14.   Walk ins are possible, but appointments are recommended.


Press was treated to a tour with a host of experts, whom Jewel employs to educate the staff who will be on hand daily.   They aim to help shoppers not only find product but find OUT about product.   The cheese girls, train staff to be well informed about 24 feet of cheese, including the real deal, like freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano that wouldn't be caught dead in a fluorescent, green can.   Other regional experts (including another who shares my name) make sure on site employees are well briefed on all store product.   We got the low down on produce, meat, seafood, wine, prepared foods, deli, baked goods, floral, and in house lines like Jewel's own wild harvest organics.


Yakov Yarmove literally travels the world, researching the freshest, best certified kosher products.   Even if you're not Jewish, with these picks you know you're getting safely prepared, flavorful foods.   The new kosher section goes well beyond matzo balls and will include fresh meat and pre-packaged chicken, kosher baked goods, and domestic and imported wine, including wine from Israel.


Jewel has become savvy to the fact that customers crave information to make smart, personal shopping decisions without scrutinizing labels.   I was impressed with bold, clear signage, to assist with informing without overwhelming consumers.   Health conscious shoppers will find it easier than ever to customize their carts for optimal eating.


For more information on store events and hours, recipes, coupons, and in store product information, check with Jewel on line HERE, and/or friend them on Facebook.

Win A Disc Wednesday: The Flannery Brothers--Free 12 Song Download For All & The New Explorers Club

ChiIL Mama's WIN A DISC WEDNESDAY

Oh yeah.   We really dig these guys!   First off, here's the super good news.   This week everyone's a winner.   The Flannery Brothers are generous dudes, and they've given me a link so you--not just one of you per week--but ALL of YOU can download 12 free songs.   Just click HERE and Dance Songs 4 Silly Kids is yours.


Now for the other super good news...   ChiIL Mama has 3 copies of The Flannery Brothers brand new disc, The New Explorers Club, for you to explore.   Here are 13 upbeat, danceable tracks and a fun poster, too.   Enter to win 1 this week through Tuesday midnight and we'll save the other two for when you least expect it.   Then, woo hoo, you'll have yet another chance to win.


The 3rd time's certainly a charm for these 3, but then again, their 1st two releases were pretty darn charming, too.   They won 13 prestigious awards including a Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award and the Lennon Award for Best Children's Song in the 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.


All of us enjoy their award winning music and fun sense of humor.   My favorite, hands down, is the second track, Swallowed A Bug.   Admit it.   It's happened to all of us.   But who woulda thunk to write a whole rockin' song about it and how to avoid freaking out when it happens to you?!   I'll tell ya who.   Mike, Jonathan and Dan.   


I'm a sucker for clever word play, and amid the plethora of pirates ballads, this one, Pirate or Parrot, is particularly witty and wonderful.   Sagezilla and Du-Jay were uncharacteristically engrossed and didn't say "Blech, skip this one,   or ahhhh fast forward!" for any of it.   They were too busy dancing, laughing and enjoying it.   The CD skews a bit young without being babyish, and is suggested for ages 2-8.   Run time is 45 min.


Dan Flannery says, "Our overall goal is to increase kids' level of knowledge, engagement with, and curiosity about the world-and never to address children in a condescending manner."


Mike adds, "There are things that make all of us human-both adults and kids-and that's what we sing about."


- Lynne Heffley ©2010 Parents' Choice Awards says:  A happy quirkiness bubbles throughout this new CD from brothers Dan and Mike Flannery. Versatile musicians and zippy vocalists, they reflect an understanding of a growing child's world in songs crafted with comic and thoughtful twists. "Swallowed a Bug" is about the inevitability of life's little mishaps ("but it's all fine, just play in the sunshine"). "Pirate or Parrot?" dispels any doubt about which is which. In "Sea Glass," a bit of bottle washed up on the beach isn't trash; it's a mysterious treasure. A "Quiet Place" can inspire peaceful thoughts to bloom and "In the Middle" manages to include a goat, a molecule and a basketball among unexpected illustrations of tall, small, big and little. The Flannerys and other able musicians provide apt instrumental layers with accordion, ukulele, horns, percussion, keyboards, guitar and more. 

Enter here to win.   One per family per week.   Winners picked by random number generator.   Good luck!

Win A Disc Wednesday (And/Or A $135 Language Class at Multilingual Chicago!): The Limiñanas--And The Winners Are...

Our winner for The Limiñanas CD, from Chicago's Troubleinmind Records label is Tiffany G. and her son Cyrus.   Congrats!

*Please e-mail ChiIL Mamazbluesun@gmail.com with your mailing address this week and we'll get that right out to you.   Winners have 1 week to step forward or a new winner will be chosen.

****

Our winner for The 6 week children's language class for the fall II session, from Multilingual Chicago, is Alyse, with children Arden and Gunner.   Big congrats!

Some of our favorite responses to "Why would you like to win?" are below:

• to give an opportunity I can't afford
• We love Multilingual Chicago!
• I would like for my daughter to learn a language that might helped her in her future.
• I would like for my daughter to learn a 3rd language
• I want to give my child the gift of multi-lingualism.
• Because the gift of words is the one of best gifts to give my child!
• We love love Multilingual! the staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. 
• The Class!!!
• children must be exposed to differences....period!

Thanks to all who entered.   Check out The Flannery Brothers, this weeks Win A Disc feature, coming later today.   We have a free album length download, Dance Songs For Silly Kids, for everyone!!   We also have 3 CDs of The New Explorer's Club, their brand new release (1 day out).   We'll be choosing 1 winner this week and offering the others in subsequent weeks.