Chicago.com
There are those who like sunny weather and then there are those who love a good storm. Well, those in search of some wild weather should consider themselves lucky enough to be in Chicago this summer. Why? Because there is an exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry for those in search of answers: Science Storms.
Ever wondered how lighting occurs? Or even a tornado spins? Perhaps how does a flame burn the way it does? The answer to these and numerous other questions can be found at this exhibit. People who come to Science Storms can ask questions about a specific natural wonder and have those question answered by an experiment right in front of them. That way no one leaves the place wondering how certain things work.
The exhibit features over 50 different experiments and it spreads over two floors and over 26,000 square feet. People who come to the exhibit can learn about a variety of different natural phenomena: tornado, lightning, fire, tsunami, atom, avalanche and even sunlight. For example in the tornado exhibit, one stands in front of a 40-foot tube that recreates what a tornado looks like. The best part about this is that a person standing in front of it can actually control the speed and the power of this man-made toy.
For every one of these amazing wonders displayed at Science Storms, there are buttons and or controls allowing those who came to the exhibit to play the role of God, even if only for a couple of seconds.
This exhibit is for anyone who has ever been good at Physics in school, or all those that wondered for years how certain natural wonders work. Young or old, people of all ages will find this fascinating and will not be sorry for attending this outstanding exhibit.
In a world of widening waistlines, accumulating calories, and proliferating portions, it’s no wonder why obesity rates have risen dramatically not only among adults, but among children as well. Obesity has become a serious problem plaguing our society, and, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. With society’s well-being seemingly spiraling downwards, something must be done to prevent this disturbing trend; this is exactly the mindset of Veggie U, an organization dedicated to educating children for healthy living.
Veggie U is a not-for-profit organization that strives to encourage a harmonious balance between agricultural, educational, and nutritional factors, using these factors to oppose the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. Veggie U stresses the importance of teaching children healthy living, allowing children to integrate these valuable lessons as they mature into adults. As their mission states, “Veggie U promotes the well-being of children through a healthy lifestyle. It is dedicated to the creation and distribution of curricula nationally, with a focus on making wise food choices, combating adolescent and juvenile disease, and attaining an understanding of sustainable agriculture.” By incorporating seminars, outreach programs, and hands-on curricula designed for classrooms nationwide, Veggie U strives to emphasize the relationship between agriculture and good nutrition. As part of the Culinary Vegetable Institute, Veggie U fights obesity by combining educators, nutritionists, physicians, and chefs, using their knowledge and expertise to teach children the benefits of healthy living. To learn more about Veggie U, as well as the Culinary Vegetable Institute, please visit their website at www.veggieu.org.
On Saturday, July 17, the Culinary Vegetable Institute will host its 8th Annual Food and Wine Celebration, a benefit for Veggie U’s children’s program. This benefit will include a meet and greet with some of the most prominent and reputable chefs in the world, a food and wine demonstration by special guest chefs, and a silent auction featuring a vast array of items and specialties for your bidding pleasure. This wonderful event will help raise funds to continue the fight against obesity and continue to teach children the important lessons of healthy living.
Veggie U’s 8th Annual Food & Wine Celebration will be held Saturday, July 17 from 5:00-9:00pm at The Culinary Vegetable Institute, 12304 State Route 13 in Milan, Ohio. To purchase tickets for this event please call 419-499-7500. For more information about this event, please visit their website at www.veggieufoodandwine.com.
Help fight childhood obesity with some of the best chefs in the world and make unhealthy living a thing of the past.
The Old Town School of Folk Music, at more than 50 years strong, is nothing less than a Chicago legend. Its annual festival, now in its thirteenth year, is making a case to be the same.
Spanning just two days over the July 10th & 11th weekend, the festival makes sure to pack the most programming it can between noon and 9:30 p.m. each day. Featuring entertainment on six stages–internationally influenced music on the Main Stage, fun for children at the Kids Tent, eclectic beats at the Dance Tent, talented faculty showing off on the Staff Stage, open jams and sing-a-longs at the Gazebo, and Chicago-area Latino artists in the Nuestra Musica Tent–the festival makes sure to draw from a wide array of musical perspectives. Welles Park, on Lincoln Ave. between Sunnyside and Montrose, is the center of all the stages and vendors.
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International
It’s time to bring out your mini flags and sparklers, cause the 4th of July is right around the corner!
Get ready to celebrate the 4th with a spectacular display of fireworks along Chicago’s lakefront.
It all starts at 9pm on Sunday, July 4th. The three simultaneous displays will be viewable at Navy Pier, north between Montrose Ave. and Foster Ave., as well as south between 63rd St. and Promontory Point.
Patriotic music will be broadcast live on 101.9 The Mix, and WGN-TV will do a special broadcast from 8:30 to 9:30pm.
Get the whole family together to enjoy the festivities!
It was a scathingly hot day during the kick-off of the Taste of Chicago on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people packed Grant Park and the surrounding area to sample the delicious offerings of this year’s vendors. The 53 represented restaurants lined the streets in decorated booths. Some vendors shouted or sang to draw in customers.
Taste favorites Harry Carry’s, Eli’s Cheesecake, and Lou Malnati’s had long lines of eager customers in front of their booths. Another popular vendor, Rainbow Cone also had quite a crowd of people craving cold items to beat the heat. Tons of people were walking around with ears of corn from Abbey’s Pub, or Italian ice from Franco’s. Newcomers Iyanze, a West African restaurant, thrilled Taste goers with their interesting selection of foreign delicacies. Beverages included Pepsi products- 20 oz. bottles are 5 tickets.
We tried several “Taste Of” portions at different booths. Here is what we tried and what we thought:
Star of Siam – Pad Thai – 4 Tickets: “It’s spicier than I remember, but still very delicious. I got a few nice pieces of tofu in my portion which I really enjoyed.”-Zoe
The Grill – Gazpacho – 3 Tickets: “I love gazpacho, this is fantastic!” -Bela
Cubby Bear – Garlic Fries – 3 Tickets: “They’re good, but they should be warmer…” -Vujadin
Bacino’s – Stuffed Spinach Pizza – 4 Tickets: “The top is soft and the bottom has the perfect crunch” -Bela
Iyanze – Bissap Sorbet (frozen hibiscus tea with whipped cream)- 3 Tickets: “It’s very refreshing!” -Bela “I like how it’s sweet and flower-y. It’s such an interesting and pleasant flavor” -Zoe
Vermilion – Grilled Shredded Tandori Turkey – 4 Tickets: “It’s good. It tastes like grilled turkey” -Vujadin
Franco’s – Watermelon Italian Ice – 4 Tickets: “It’s a good flavor, messy to eat though.” -Bela
Eli’s Cheesecake – Plain Cheesecake – 3 Tickets: “Simple and delicious.” -Zoe
There are a lot of great options this year at the Taste of Chicago’s 30th anniversary event. For more information be sure to check out our Taste of Chicago preview and our Taste of Chicago FAQ.
Above: Chicago.com interns Zoe and Bela enjoy some Bissap Sorbet
Above: Taste goers cool off by Buckingham Fountain.
Above: people enjoying all that the Taste has to offer.