CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Ravenswood, Loop, Lakeview, Evanston, Norwood Park

RAVENSWOOD

It’s not too late to take advantage of this year’s Restaurant Week brought to you by the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. From last Sunday, 10/16, through tomorrow, Friday 10/21, participating neighborhood restaurants have been offering specials such as prix fixe menus, freebies,  and discounted prices.  Every kind of cuisine is covered including Italian, Japanese, German, French Filipino, and more with 23 restaurants taking part in the action.

LOOP

The Loop is abuzz this week, 10/17/16 – 10/23/16, for the 6th Annual Chicago Ideas Week which gives over 250 thought provoking speakers a platform “to drive meaningful change by sharing big ideas with as many people as possible” as topics such as global affairs, personal growth, business & finance, food, community engagement, and entrepreneurship are explored. See the full schedule of lectures, conversations and labs here. Attendance prices start at $15 with a boundless range of topics and forums.

LAKEVIEW

One of the biggest names participating in this year’s Chicago Ideas Week is Emmy Award-winning actor, Bryan Cranston, best known for his role as Walter White in the TV series Breaking Bad. He is now also an author of his memoir, A Life in Parts, which was released last week on 10/11. Purchase tickets before they sell out to attend In Conversation with Bryan Cranston while he discusses his career and personal life at the Vic Theatre (3145 N. Sheffield Ave.) on Sunday, 10/23, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Ticket price of $35 includes a signed copy of his book.

EVANSTON

Evanston is halfway through their month-long informal art-making festival called The Big Draw Evanston. Artists of all skill level, or none at all, are welcome to engage in demonstrations and communal art-making activities all over Evanston. For example, Blick Art (1755 Maple Ave.) will have a Still Life Drawing demonstration on Saturday, 10/22, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Noyes Cultural Arts Center (927 Noyes St. Room 106) will host Funny Faces & Favorite Places for families  to create self-portraits and a group mural using drawing and collage materials. Most events are free and open to the public. Follow the link above for the schedule of upcoming events that continues through October 31st.

NORWOOD PARK

Adding another Halloween event to the list, Oriole Park at 5430 N. Olcott Ave. is holding their 2nd annual Oriole Park Fall Festival on Wednesday 10/26 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This family friendly festival will have inflatables, games, crafts and obstacle courses for the kids. According to DNAinfo.com event hosts, Oriole Park Advisory Council, is looking for new members so this would be a great opportunity to see them in action.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO