CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Portage Park, Lincoln Square, Old Town, West Loop, Evanston

Ready or not, the Holidays and the end of 2016 are nigh! Our neighborhoods are keeping us engaged down to the wire with celebrations, openings, closings, and assistance for keeping kids busy during Winter Break.

PORTAGE PARK

What are you going to do with the kids during Winter Break? Art Side Out Studio at 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. #302 offers Art Day Camps solutions that coincide with Chicago Public Schools’ break schedules. The Winter Break Art Day Camp will run for 10 week days between Monday 12/26/16 – Friday 1/6/17 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All ages are welcome to be led through arts and crafts activities including owner Jeff Semmerling’s specialty, mask-making. Pre-registration is not required but please call Jeff at 773-687-5012 ahead of time for further information as prices may vary: $40 one day of camp; $110 three days of camp; $35 per day for four or more days of camp. Please pack lunches for your children as lunch will not be provided by Art Side Out Studio.

LINCOLN SQUARE

Everyone is welcome for Chanukah in the Square at Giddings Plaza on Monday, 12/26, 6:00 p.m.  – 7:00 p.m. The Celebration of Light is presented by the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish organization and culminates with the lighting of a grand Menorah. There will also be children’s entertainment, music, hot latkes and donuts for this hour-long event that begins at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Don’t be late!

OLD TOWN

The five-year-old American cuisine restaurant, Perennial Virant, is winding up to its last hurrah its last day of service on New Year’s Eve as this iteration of Boka Restaurant Group’s establishment will be going through re-conceptualization in 2017. There’s no reason for tears since Chef Paul Virant will continue cooking at his suburban restaurants, Vie in Western Springs and Vistro in Hinsdale. Stay tuned to see what becomes of Perennial Virant with Boka Restaurant Group partnering with Ryan See (co-owner of Compass Bar and Bridge House Tavern) and Dan Warren (owner of Common Ground, New York). These restaurateur professionals definitely know how to deliver. In the meantime, be sure to Reserve Your Table at Perennial Virant while it’s still 2016.

WEST LOOP

Catering company, Paramount Events (1750 W. Lake St.), has found a way to showcase their food and hospitality services year round by opening its restaurant, Eden, at 1748 W. Lake St. this month. The kitchen creates cuisine inspired by the cultures of Portugal, Lebanon and Spain and have an on-site 1,800-square-foot greenhouse for homegrown vegetables. Regular hours are Tuesdays – Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Thursdays – Saturdays 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; and Sundays 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Call ahead (312-366-2294) since the Holidays are sure to affect operating hours or to make your reservations for the New Year’s Eve seating.

EVANSTON

My personal interest in truthful American history recently led me to stumble upon the 2010 documentary The Lost Civilizations of North America. The documentary may be too heavy for little ones but it’s never too early to ignite their curiosities about the people and the cultures that thrived before modern American history began. Mitchell Museum is one of the few North American museums dedicated to the preservation of Native American artifacts and contemporary artwork which has been in operation since 1977. So I am thrilled to report that Mitchell Museum of the American Indian at 3001 Central St. is open for Winter Break through 1/6/17, except 12/24/16 – 12/26/16 and 1/1/17 – 1/2/17, to offer DIY All Day Crafts to keep kids busy from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Adults will need to be present for children to participate. There is no age requirement but activities are generally recommended for children aged 5 years and over.  For more information, call 847-475-1030.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO