- 1 Mother: 10-year-old daughter fled undetected from S'ville school because of bullies (122)
- 2 Gunman dead following hostage standoff (93)
- 3 3 men charged in Schererville killing (87)
- 4 County Council member accused of making anti-gay remark (70)
- 5 Schererville woman fatally shot in front of her home (53)
sponsored by
RSSAdventures In Everyday Living
Adventures in Everyday Living
Shore's Associate Publisher and Editor Pat Colander brings you up-to-date on what's going on in the Shore universe-evenings, weekends and all times in between issues.
Adventures in Everyday Living, Shorelines Thursday, May 24th
Last call for artists to register for ArtPrize today at 5 pm (EDT): Look for folk hero, author, chef and PBS Star Ming Tsai along with Salt of the Earth Executive Chef Matt Pietsch doing cooking demos at Harbor Shores this afternoon and don’t forget the Fashion on the Shore event on Saturday showcasing the best student designers from the Lake Michigan area (also Tabor Hill wine and chocolates and food by Bistro’s Ryan Thornburg) at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center on Main in St. Joe. Celebrity MCs and judges, including artist Anneke Dekker and TV personalities Andy Shaw and Dawn Yarbrough, will be on hand.
Alongside the Senior PGA the all-city exhibition by Benton Harbor’s New Territory Arts Association public art season will kickoff on Friday. Headliner is the “I Am the Greatest” public art display created by sculptor John Sauve. His 16 Muhammad Ali-inspired sculptures will be seen on pathways, sidewalks and rooftops throughout the Benton Harbor Arts District and St. Joseph, May 25-Oct. 1. The free exhibit pays tribute to the world heavyweight boxing champion, philanthropist and social activist who retired in Southwestern Michigan.
Benton Harbor landmarks participating in the public art installation are Water Street Glassworks, The Citadel Dance and Music, Brammall Supply, The Iron Gate, Tabor Hill Wine & Art Gallery, The Livery, Boys & Girls Teen Center, Harbor Shores, The Vincent Place, Thayer Products, Studios @ 210, Lark & Sons Bar-B-Que and Anna Russo-Sieber Gallery. In neighboring St. Joseph sculptures will appear at Krasl Art Center, Box Factory for the Arts and Silver Beach Carousel.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, May 17th
With Memorial Day and the official start of summer only a week away, and sunny and 70s forecast for the weekend, it is the perfect time to leave the city and NATO conference behind and enjoy the big beach life in Northwest Indiana and southwestern Michigan.
A Weekend Made for Michigan, Feel Free to Flee the City: If you are not deaf, you have heard the warnings that the NICTD South Shore trains are cutting back schedules, there will police searches at the Hegewisch stop, one bag and no food or beverages permitted; also sporadic closing of exits and entrances along the expressways and other New York-style heavy-security inconveniences.
Of course, there is an upside to all this: should everything work right, Chicago will get plenty of positive international attention but there is no reason to hold back now. Hit the road, and head southeast to Indiana and Michigan. I happened to be in St. Joe last Friday for the Fashion on the Shore Event committee meeting finale (and it will be a spectacular show) at the Heritage Cultural Center & Museum on Main Street. The venue happened to be set up for a wedding last Friday—crystal and cream everywhere, the ultimate beach town is already well into the nuptial season—but it is absolutely stunning at the Heritage and everywhere else in town.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, May 10th
Mark calendars next Thursday for Post Mother’s Day Zombie-fest: WBEZ (91.5 FM Chicago) Filmspotting hosts Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen are throwing a drive-in event, double-feature starting with Zombieland followed by Shaun of the Dead, at the Cascade Drive-In at 1100 E. North Avenue in West Chicago and in Munster, SS Arts presents Sanctuary: Works by Union Street Gallery Studio Artists on display through June 24.
Chicago Public Media (WBEZ 91.5 FM) 4th Annual Off-Air Series with A Drive-In Double Feature!: Zombie Apocalypse takes place next Thursday at the largest outdoor cinema in Illinois, Cascade Drive-In, 1100 E. North Avenue in West Chicago. (In 1952, the Cascade Drive-In opened as one of the largest in Illinois with 1,200 car spaces and it remains one of the few still in business. As is the Drive-In way, outside window speakers or a car FM radio provide the sound.)
On Thursday, May 17, Filmspotting hosts Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen will present on the big screen a pair of zombie comedies from different countries: the American “zom-com” Zombieland immediately followed by Britain’s zombie genre parody Shaun of the Dead.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, May 3rd
Lunch with Tyler and Manolie at Gio's in Munster: Even though the international standard of Munster attractions is set pretty high with Dark Lord Day at Three Floyds (last weekend), there are other world-class categories where Northwest Indiana's finest can compete. And at the top of that list is Giovanni's restaurant on Ridge Road, where I've had good meals so often that I do tend to take it for granted. Though I tend to order the fabulous and perfect crab cake salad, I have never been disappointed going off script to the fish of the day or an Italian specialty. So Gio's was the natural choice to meet Tyler Lennox Bush, region booster and CMO at the Rustedblue design and apparel brand and his partner Manolie Pappas of Rustedblue and Main Street Café in Crown Point. And of course, these guys like to talk parties and events --- lining up a fashion show for the Fall --- contemplating another White Party at the Aquatorium in Miller last year--- and in general thinking about rounding up other beautiful people for events on the beach. Tyler is the most plugged in of social networkers, so see him next at the Silver Spoon on Mother's Day.
Don't Forget to be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown: I've just been reminded that the Smart Home - Green + Wired that sits outside the Museum of Science & Industry opened for its 4th season a couple of weeks ago. I have not been on the tour, but have heard about enough to know I am a typical former Chicagoan in my ability to take the rich opportunities of the city for granted. The fully-functioning modular Smart Home-conceived by MSI, designed by architect Michelle Kaufmann DesignsTM and built by All American Homes® of Decatur, Indiana-was opened to the public in May 2008. The home was so popular---300,000 guests have taken the 20-minute guided tour--- that it has been re-designed and re-opened every year since. Some of the green features that remain year to year include rooftop solar film, a wind turbine, and an interior that has been designed to maximize light and space.
This exhibit is not included in general admission and requires an additional timed-entry ticket. Tour times vary and are subject to change. It works the other way though: Home tour tickets include general Museum admission. Prices are $23 for adults, $22 for seniors and $12 for children 3-11. City of Chicago residents receive a discount. Visit msichicago.org for more information on schedules and to purchase tickets in advance. Smart Home: Green + Wired is proudly sponsored by ComEd and Allstate Insurance Company.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, April 26th
Fail-Safe Harbor Country Art Attack Weekend 2012 with new work at Three Oaks' Blue Gallery, Red Arrow in Harbert; Fritz Olsen in Sawyer and Craig Smith Gallery in Union Pier and a burst of creativity at the Acorn with commercial comedy on Friday and Steven Fischer, Barbara Allen, Allen Turner, Rick Kogan Kim Clark in the afternoon and Corky Siegel and Chamber Blues on Saturday night.
In Three Oaks, Judy Ferrara's Blue Gallery presents new works by Louisiana artists George Marks & Lisa Distefano; down the road events at the Acorn Theater include the funniest television commercials of 2011 with cuisine by local chefs on Friday at 7 p.m. (Tickets are $40) and on Saturday at 1 p.m. there is a creativity seminar with a panel who ought to know something about the subject. The moderator is film producer Steven Fischer, the two-time Emmy® nominated director of Old School New School, his 2011 personal study on creativity with actor Brian Cox, jazz artist McCoy Tyner, and legendary cinematographer William Fraker. Confirmed panelists:Barbara Allen, the Emmy® Award winning producer of the PBS film DuSable to Obama: Chicago's Black Metropolis; Allen M. Turner, chairman of Columbia College Chicago's Board of Trustees; Rick Kogan, a 44-year veteran of journalism, columnist for the Chicago Tribune's Sunday section, and creator and host of "The Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan" on WGN-AM and Kim Clark, co-owner of the Acorn Theater, film director, producer, and writer, and full-time faculty member in DePaul University College of Communication. Tickets are $15.
On Saturday night Musician Corky Siegel and Chamber Blues with Sue Demel start at 8, tickets are $25 http://www.chamberblues.com take the stage to help celebrate an important 40th Anniversary for the Chicago label Alligator Records.
May June 2012 Shore magazine's letter from the editor
Do you remember how traveling used to be? Months, sometimes years, went into planning a big family trip back to Ireland to see where our ancestors grew up, for a second honeymoon in Hawaii or Las Vegas, or the trip to Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California before it was an obligatory annual event. Meticulous records were kept, diaries that blended history and observation in perfect symmetry were written. The simple explanation for the long-standing popularity of memoirs is that that type of writing is filled with journeys—of both body and mind. What has changed is we used to read with longing and anguish about places we knew we would never see. Now we research destinations we are planning to visit. We don't miss the slide shows and scrapbooks our parents put together so carefully (now collecting dust in attics or garages), but sometimes feel that something is lost in the debris of incessant noise of social networkers in the heat of the moment, tweeting about their trips. The absence is reflection, the articulation of memory, the thinking connecting past to present and the far away to the up-close-and-personal.
Twelve years ago, my husband and I visited Rome and spent probably an inordinate amount of time wandering around the ruins. (I cursed the years I spent wrecking my feet in high heels.) But what made the trip so special for me was my husband's endless interest in the Caesars and the society of that ancient civilization. He had devoured dozens of books on the subject and could expound on topics like "Here's where Caligula stood when he married his horse," or "Here's where Livia's maids combed her hair while she plotted to poison her relatives."
This is an issue for reflections on how and why we want to experience journeys, whether it is an exotic locale with a huge learning curve or a short distance that takes us to another place inside ourselves. Andy Shaw deconstructs the multilayered urban environment as well as the simplistic island experience in Southeast Asia. The juxtaposition of the historic romance of Istanbul and the romantic impulse of discovering the off-track and unusual part of Turkey run through Jeremy Gantz's riveting account of his honeymoon trip. And Karin Saltanovitz articulates the depth of sheer joy, the meaning for her family of "going to Michigan." More than the next state over, the lakeshore is a state of mind that you cannot duplicate anywhere else.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, April 19th
Sunset with Appetizers Around the Outdoor Fireplace at the Harbor Shores Clubhouse Opening: The Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours at the new Grille Restaurant was awe-inspiring, in addition to being warm and fuzzy. The invitation-only event headed up by BH Cornerstone's Pat Moody and Regina Ciaravino was a picture perfect combination of outstanding food, cocktails, service and conversation. General Manager Aaron Williams did a masterful job of hosting VIPS like Steve Skinner and Jim Steggal of Kemper-Lesnick; U.S. Rep. Fred Upton; Dawn Yarborough, who now has her own local television show in southwestern Michigan (and commutes between a home in Italy with her husband and Benton Harbor where her family lives) and her mother Mamie; Harbortown Interiors' Stephanie Grille, Mary Kay Hylton and Kerry Wright; State Senator John Proos and Vicki Nemethy, proprietor at Gallery on the Alley in St. Joe. Others may have their own favorite moments from this splendid evening, but the part I can't get out of my head was eating the most excellent grilled scallop ever while seated by the fireplace in the sun. Occasionally a cool breeze would come along. The dining room has a panoramic view of the surrounding vivid green golf course; for more privacy or a small meeting members can use a cozy upstairs room with its own deck and balcony. The staff had also set up and outfitted a tent for a wedding or event that was perfect. Congratulations to Benton Harbor and the hundreds of individuals who worked for years to make this opening possible.
Two Weeks Left for Bret Bortner 30 Year Retrospective at the Krasl: The exhibit, which will run through April 29th, has a catalog FORM: Essence and Simplicity in Product Design that traces Bortner's design work and follows the evolution of his pottery production from its inception. Bortner started in a garage in Dundee, Illinois, in 1982. During his peak years he employed twenty four people and shipped a million dollars a year to retail stores around the country, including Form's biggest buyer, Crate & Barrel.
The retrospective and catalog include early work from 1965 through 1981 and features many of his terra cotta and stoneware designs along with ceramic and wood table lamps produced during the last thirty years. The exhibit also features his porcelain serve ware designed for BIA Cordon Bleu.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, April 12th
Tonight: The official opening of the Grille at Harbor Shores in BH and a White Pine wine-pairing dinner at the Bistro in St. Joe along with Anne Vonk, Amy Zapal, Millicent Huminsky, Amanda Muha, Mary Sorensen, Dani Lane and 25 unknown others; Friday the 13th special exhibit Morbid Curiosity (and related events) continues at the Chicago Cultural Center through July and don't miss the free museum Sunday in Grand Rapids.
Two-Party Thursday Night in Benton Harbor-St. Joe: This afternoon I'm headed for the highly-anticipated official business-after-hours pre-opening reception for the new Grille at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor. The transformation that has occurred in Benton Harbor and St. Joe over the past three years has been amazing. My first visit with the developers of Harbor Shores in the winter of 2008 was in an office building near the river. I saw nice renderings in colored pencil of beautiful buildings and landscapes. And one by one those buildings were built. The opening of the upscale restaurant in the clubhouse is just another milestone in a phenomenal turnaround for these communities. Congratulations to so many of the hard-working tourism and marketing professionals who made this happen. After that, it is on to the Bistro on the Boulevard for the White Pine pairing dinner with the Fashion on the Shore event committee including Shore stalwarts Mary Sorensen and Amanda Muha, along with the Boulevard's Anne Vonk, Amy Zapal from the Heritage Center, SWMTC's Millicent Huminsky and 25 others who we don't know yet. (Dinner is strictly limited to 32 lucky guests.) Check your social networks for updates throughout the parties.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, April 5th
Ivy Tech Dean Rick Soria rounds up suspects for mystery theater dinner next Friday including Senator Ed Charbonneau, Porter County Sheriff David Lain, Ivy Tech, Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Times and Shore Publisher Bill Masterson, and Geminus' Heather McCarthy. ---- Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine.
Vaudeville Mystery for Ivy Tech at Aberdeen Manor: There are typically more bad guys than good guys in the dinner-theater Ivy Tech fundraiser that I have begun to look forward to every April. Dean of Public and Social Services Rick Soria has rounded up the usual group of celebrity-prime suspects including Senator Ed Charbonneau, Porter County Sheriff David Lain, Ivy Tech, Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Times and Shore Publisher Bill Masterson, and Geminus' Heather McCarthy. The festivities begin on Friday, April 13 at 5:30 with a silent auction and cash bar followed by dinner and entertainment at 7.
The event is going to be held at Aberdeen Manor, 216 Ballantrae in Valpo where there is ample off-stage space to commit plenty of murder and mayhem without disturbing the audience. Tickets are $60.00 per person ($30.00 tax deductible). Proceeds benefit program enhancements at the Ivy Tech campuses in East Chicago, Gary, Michigan City and Valparaiso. For more info contact Rick at rsoria@ivytech.edu.
Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, March 29th
Shore and Southwest Michigan Partners Splash Down at Cottage and Lakefront Living Show: Shore Michigan Sales Manager Jeff Precourt, Mary Sorensen and I spent a lively afternoon on Friday at the opening of the 6th annual Grand Rapids Cottage &Lakefront Living Show at the gorgeous DeVos Place exhibition center. With a total of 13 spaces, our area was a must stop for 10,000 visitors who learned about the Box Factory for the Arts, City of St. Joseph, Curious Kids' Museum and Discovery Zone, Harbortown Interiors, Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, Krasl Art Center, New Territory Arts Association, Silver Beach Carousel, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, St. Joseph Today and Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant. Gina Henson and Blaine Montgomery of Tabor Hill were busy offering wine-tastings of Tabor Hill award-winning favorites from the time the show opened in the afternoon. Though my personal preference Cab Franc has already sold out, Tabor's Chardonnay and Cab Sauvignon are truly excellent. Other showcases included Amish woodworking and an outstanding selection of pre-fab (some with multiple rooms) carriage houses, garden studios, playhouses, mini-barns and chalets. Prices start at around $2,000. Of course, I liked the deluxe upstairs-downstairs ready-to-plumb mini-house for $30,000. Thanks to all our wonderful partners and especially SWMTC Exec Millicent Huminsky who makes it all happen for everyone in southwestern Michigan.
Late to A Midsummer Nights Dream: The long-running hit show at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is coming to an end next weekend on Sunday, April 8th --- and that performance is already sold out. But if you can possibly work it into your schedule, don't miss this production. I've seen this play several times and it is always confusing, but not this show. The cast including Shore friend Tim Kazurinsky, in the role of carpenter Peter Quince who doubles as the producer of the play within the play, is outstanding. Mara Blumenfeld does wonderful job on costumes and Daniel Ostling on design. Gary Griffin's direction is precise and imaginative, the production flew by, there was so much going on. I had not seen Tim on stage in years and almost forgot what a delightful character actor he is. (You probably remember Tim from Saturday Night Live, the movies Neighbors and Police Academy II, III and IV and recently Curb Your Enthusiasm.) Four days after Midsummer closes is opening night for Hairspray at Drury Lane and Tim has a lead role in that production too. Tim once advised me that all you have to do is stay in the game and he obviously follows his own rules.
Please Wait…