Homemade Popsicles That Hydrate

by Karen Hanrahan

It's that time of year when it's definitely hot enough to enjoy popsicles again. I have always been a tad horrified by those plastic tubes with food dye colored popsicle treats.

Something that turns your mouth blue just doesn't seem very natural.

The expense of alternative fruit juice pops has always seemed too high.

For years and years we make our own popsicles by combining water diluted fruit juice with a hydration product - today we made orange mango ones!

What makes our popsicles more nutritionally valid is we add a remarkable sports nutrition hydration product .

When it gets this hot, you feel limp. Electrolytes get lost. Water is hydrating, but a quality sports nutrition product hydrates you faster and restores your energy.

The list of high powered and impressive athletes who rely on our sports nutrition for their winning edge is amazing.

The history of the design of this high quality hydration product is pretty darn cool

This product was designed to fuel an athlete on a 72 mile human powered airplane flight over the Agean Sea, called the Flight of the Daedalus.

Comes in delicious orange and lemon lime flavors and a very cost effective sports team pack.



flickr image popsicle stick credit


Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

LG LIBRARY HOSTS LOCAL AUTHOR

A program on writing and designing a children's picture book will be presented at the La Grange Public Library this week.

Local author and illustrator Eric Rohmann will visit the library, at Cossitt Avenue and La Grange Road, from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 5.

Rohmann, winner of the Caldecott Award, will also demonstrate the art of illustration.

His appearance is presented with donations made to the Tyler’s Time program series.

Registration is not required, but further information is available by calling (708) 352-0576 or visiting http://www.lagangelibrary.org/.

TAPAS DINING RETURNS TO CALENDAR

For those who follow the local restaurant scene, take a peek inside the former La Pinta, 25 Calendar, for new things to come. We interviewed co-owner Trini Soto as he monitored kitchen upgrades this week inside downtown La Grange's latest epicurean delight: the newly renovated upscale Mambo Room Bar & Grill, scheduled to open at 4 p.m. Monday, June 8.

The Latin-inspired tapas restaurant, owned by Trini, Rafael, Tony and Thipi Soto, has changed its interior design and colors to red and grey and the entire bar area dining room where the live bands used to play. Though the former name will soon be replaced on the outdoor sign, the wooden overhang above the sidewalk patio will remain. But passersby can now see in the new main glass doors, which replaced heavy wooden doors that adorned the last place.

"We're bringing back all the tapas," said Trini, a response to the queries of so many customers who so often asked what happened to the signature appetizers menu they first introduced to La Grange about five years ago. "It's Latin-American, but still our own way: a 'fusion' of flavors."

He admits local foodies did not really "get" the concept -- popularized over the years by Emilio's in Hillside and Meson Sabika in Naperville -- when it first came on the scene, which is part of the reason why La Pinta later changed to a full menu before it closed its doors May 4.

But, he said, the owners believe La Grange is now ready to please its collective palate with such tapas as guacamole, scalloped-wrapped bacon, stuffed red pepper and boneless duck dishes -- and the idea of ordering several items and sharing it with a large group of people.
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In addition to the 33 tapas dishes, what's also new on the expansive menu is some salads and sandwiches -- including our favorites: Tango Salad comprised of grilled steak, roasted red onion, tomatoes and a Dijon-Aioli sauce and a tilapia sandwich with tartar. Entrees include a baby lamp chop served with tequila mango salsa, in addition to steak, shrimp, chicken and tilapia specialties.

Mambo Room, owned by the same family as the popular Thipi Thai,will be open 7 days a week, at 4 p.m. each day, and its bar will stay open later. Bands will still perform monthly for starters, but in the great room amongst four-top tables and chairs with a perfect view of the open kitchen. Dining will be until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday.

As Trini looked out at his future "new" neighbors, one particular entity caught his eye, making him wince at the thought of the temptation it, too, will be to him. The banner inside the window at 26 West, where zoe's resale shop once was, screams out in big red script "Bakery Coming Soon." Mmm.

Besides Knead, the former Great Harvest and Corner Bakery, La Grange hasn't had a traditional bakery in nearly a decade.




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LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Hearts melt over Café 36
Valentine’s Day Dinner

Classic oysters Rockefeller,
Coconut shrimp trio w/
tangy chipotle mayonnaise
and mango salsa .....
' And that's just the appetizer '

Jorge Flores
executive chef

By Deanna C. White

Looking for a truly, swoon-worthy dining experience this Valentine’s Day?

The newly revitalized Café 36 in downtown La Grange will offer a feast to tantalize all senses Saturday, February 14, when it pairs a menu of rich culinary delights made famous by internationally-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay with the lush, jazz tones of legendary saxophonist David Schumacher.

“Valentine’s Day is a day when people truly want to go out and celebrate,” said Café 36 owner Terry Gilmer. “So we picked a menu featuring some classic dishes like oysters and surf-and- turf, and will serve them in an intimate atmosphere with candlelight and soft jazz music.”

The contemporary American bistro has been packing in huge crowds since it made its national television debut this January when multi-Star Michelin Chef Ramsay transformed the restaurant, and the menu, on his culinary makeover show “Kitchen Nightmares.”

New Executive Chef Jorge Flores will present dishes designed by Ramsay for the special Valentine’s Day menu. Appetizers include the classic oysters Rockefeller, and a coconut shrimp trio with tangy chipotle mayonnaise and mango salsa.

Some of the amour- inspiring entrees include twin lobster tails, slow-roasted prime rib of beef, shrimp linguini and filet mignon, while the luxurious dessert menu showcases chocolate mousse, chocolate covered strawberries, New York style cheesecake, and a tribute to old-school romance: a sundae built for two.

“I guarantee every customer will leave with a smile on their face and a song in their heart,” Flores said.

Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Schumacher will provide the perfect accompaniment to Flores’ dishes. A Chicago native who has been active in the New York music scene for more than 25 years, Schumacher is an original member of the Harry Connick Jr. orchestra.

He has also recorded with jazz greats such as Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Scott Whitfield and Ben Wolfe.

Schumacher will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.


Reservations for the Café 36 Valentine’s Day dinner are still available, and strongly recommended.

To make a reservation call 708.354.5722.

For more information, and a complete menu listing, visit http://www.cafe36.com/ or log on to Facebook under Café 36.

Upcoming special events at Café 36 include a Fat Tuesday celebration on Tuesday, February 24, and a St. Patrick’s Day party Saturday, March 14, with live music and a traditional Irish menu featuring corned beef and cabbage, stew and salmon.

Café 36 is located in downtown La Grange at 22 Calendar Avenue.

The bistro features, steaks, chops, pastas and fresh fish and is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

ART BEAT

“The world today doesn't make sense, 

so why should I paint pictures that do?” 

Pablo Picasso

Picasso, if he did nothing else, knew how to keep the art world stirred up.

Hello and welcome to the first posting of Art Beat.

My family and I have been LaGrange residents for over 45 years and we’ve seen the village grow from a sleepy commuter stop to a vibrant shopping and dining destination. Part of that growth has been an interest in the visual arts with new galleries opening and increased attendance at art classes and workshops.

My goal is to keep you interested and informed about art, artists and art events locally, wherever and whatever. I’ll stick to the visual arts...painting, drawing, sculpture etc. because that’s what I know best. I’ll talk about artists, exhibits, art shows and festivals, and art classes of note. In future postings, I’ll offer critiques of submitted work whether from a budding artist or a lifelong devotee. At school, I remember Art History class was an early Monday morning slide show conducted, apparently, by a deaf lecturer because you couldn’t hear anything but hangover snoring. So I’ll make it a point not to be tedious if I write about art history. Did you ever try painting a landscape picture or consider how a beautiful outdoor painting was accomplished? Rain, lightning, heat, cold, wind, mosquitoes and sidewalk critics can all be part of the experience. Look for anecdotes occasionally such as when painting in Italy recently, a goat ate several tubes of my oil paint!

The Chicago area is a mecca for art, artists and art collectors, from the classical

to bizarre and abstract and there is no shortage of interesting stories right here. Did you know that a La Grange resident and painter is the grandson of the founder of one of the country’s most prestigious art academies? And one of our public schools houses a superb collection by a nationally acclaimed painter? 

More of these in future posts.

In case you need to know, here’s a brief version of my background.

I graduated from The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago and my youthful ambition was  to be a famous painter. It dawned on me that this might take some time and I would be eating corn flakes for dinner so maybe I should get a job. I then began a forty year career in Chicago advertising from studio artist to ad agency creative director. 

I resumed painting in 1994 after attending evening classes at The Art Institute and began painting full time in 2000 after retiring. Since then I’ve had successful one-man gallery exhibits and art shows, including La Grange’s West End Festival, in the midwest and east coast. My paintings have won several show and gallery merit awards and ribbons including Best Of Show and First Prize. Commissions include a Street Art Series painting for the introduction of the Chevrolet SSR and a series for Edward Hospital’s Healing Arts Division.

I frequently do critiques and painting demonstrations for art organizations and schools, Cossitt school in particular, and have been a featured artist on WGN-TV, WMAQ-TV, in the Chicago Tribune and area suburban newspapers. My favorite painting subjects are sports, cityscapes and urban life. Most recently, “Wrigley Rainout” was awarded 3rd place in American Artist magazine’s 70th Anniversary watercolor competition. The painting has become somewhat of a local favorite, thanks in no small part to Scotty at the House Of Color who features a beautifully framed print front and center at his shop.

My wife, Jacqueline and I regularly attend painting workshops in the US and Europe and we both teach painting classes at the La Grange Art League and DuPage Art League.

My paintings hang in private and corporate collections in Italy, the UK, Canada and throughout the US. I’m a member of the La Grange Art League, where my work is exhibited locally, Elmhurst Artists Guild, Naperville Art League, DuPage Art League and the National Transparent Watercolor Society. I’m represented Phyllis Lucas Galleries, NYC.

Thanks for dropping by. See you next post.

Gordon France

LTHS Presents Metamorphoses

The Lyons Township High School Theatre Board proudly presents “Metamorphoses” by Mary Zimmerman. Faculty member Lawrence Keller is the director, and juniors Kristie Denlinger, of Western Springs, and Tim Johnson, of LaGrange, are the assistant directors. A magical evening of ancient myths comes to life in ways you never imagined. “Metamorphoses” tells the stories of such mythological figures as Midas, Aphrodite, and Narcissus. Join us for an evening of theatre that is literally thousands of years in the making.

Performance dates are Thursday, Friday, Saturday November 20, 21, 22 at 7:30pm in the North Campus Reber Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Brainard, LaGrange. Tickets are $10 ($5 for children and senior citizens). Tickets may be purchased in the box office before the show. The theatre opens thirty minutes before curtain and the show starts promptly.

GETTING MY JAZZ ON AT SoTISH

by Scott Hardesty

I ventured into SoTish (www.sotish.com) on a Saturday evening not knowing who was playing or what to expect. My posse’s musical tastes are as divergent as our ages but we all like the jazz and we all like the blues, which made SoTish a good option for our after-dinner evening out.

First, about the music. While I appreciate jazz I am far from an aficionado and couldn’t BS my way through a discussion on jazz without sounding like I was BS’ing my way through a discussion on jazz. While my musical preferences are too schizophrenic to articulate in the space of a blog posting, one rule does apply: regardless of genre, I seek music that oozes soul. I don’t do music “lite” and if a band’s repertoire includes TOO many songs co-opted as VW or Budweiser jingles generally I’m not having it.

So, when it comes to jazz all I can talk about is what sounds and feels good to me. And the act that Saturday night at SoTish sounded and felt REAL good. The Black Earth Strings Quintet, led by flutist Nicole Mitchell (www.nicolemitchell.com), rocked out jazz-style. One piece in particular, Journey for Three Blue Stones, had everyone at my table transfixed, very much in the moment, and quick to plunk down cash for the quintet’s CD. I doubt anyone in the room would have objected if BESQ wanted to play all night long. Kudos to owners Tim and Sue for bringing this excellent quintet to LaGrange. If the Black Earth Strings Quintet is any indication of the type and quality of the acts performing at SoTish then I will definitely be back for the music.

As for the venue, SoTish’s cozy size makes for a uniquely intimate concert experience as you get up close and personal with the musicians in action. If you prefer your music delivered in a comfortable almost homey atmosphere, surrounded by eclectic decorative art (available for purchase), where you can enjoy unobstructed acoustics and views without bumping elbows then SoTish delivers.

I was so pleased with this place that I found myself making a mental commitment to visit again as it just “worked for me.” Great music, eye-catching art, a decent beverage and dessert menu and a friendly and attentive staff combined to create a very cool yet laid back vibe.

So, if you’re looking to make a foray into the local music/art scene (or maybe you just don’t want to schlep into Chicago to satisfy your hankering for a hunk of culture) then SoTish is So worth checking out.


INFO:
Visit before or after dinner as the menu at SoTish is limited to beverages, appetizers and desserts. Show times are 7:30 and 9:30 and last approximately 60-90 minutes. Admission is $20 per person. A complimentary appetizer is served during the first show and dessert with the second. There is a two-drink minimum. Reservations are recommended. Dress is evening casual.