Place: Tea Hows...

There may be a Starbucks on every street corner, but skip the Tazo, the prepackaged goods and the long lines... and head to your local tea shop. For month's I've been wanting to check out Tea Essence - a little place just a few steps from the L and a few blocks from my house. Well, today I finally did - and let me tell you fresh is best. When you walk into this place they have a table with an impressive spread of over 50 different types of blends all in little sampling jars for you to take a sniff. After a friendly recommendation from the hostess - I went with a warm treat off the signature list - the Autumn Kauai Cocktail... a blend which was quite lite & tasty.

On top of several drinks to choose from, Tea Essence also offers tea tasting & blending classes - and to piggy back on the game posts... they have board games too! Make the most of the unpredictable Winter/Spring climate - and go with a hot masala chai one day & a sweet Arnold Palmer the next.

My prediction: First - 40 was the new 30, now Tea is the new Coffee....

To find your own neighborhood tea house - check out All the Tea in Chicago, and if Tea Essence is in your hood - try Yelp or Twitter for more.

Tea Essence
1913 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-2727

(Photo: nytimes.com)

Event: T-A-N-G-O/Creative Gaming

The Museum of Contemporary Art is definitely a place to check out for some good random fun... everything from the flirtfest that is First Friday, the popular Stitch & Bitch - and now introducing: Bingo/Tango. Actually, this monthly happening has been going on for a while now, but it's new to me - so I thought I'd share with you. Talk about an interesting twist on the senior citizen center favorite, the MCA integrates the classic game of Bingo with interesting art & tango turns.

Bingo/Tango - second Tuesday of each month
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.280.2660

If Bingo excites you... check out a few of the other places you can go for a good game day.

• Scrabble Sundays at Swim Café (from 1-6pm)
• Blue Line: Board Game Night (Monday nights, Beer & Wine Specials)
• Cat-n-Mouse Game Store (various themed game nights)
  

Bars with Board Games: Coopers (Lakeview), Guthries Tavern (Wrigleyville), Lemmings (Bucktown), Green Eye Lounge (Bucktown), Blue Frog (River North)

(Photos: www.kidsinmo.com & wikimedia.org)

Events: Hear Ye, Hear Ye... Introducing Festivals '09!

It's just a few weeks to go until festival season is upon us. I've pooled together some of the windy city winners - and even a few that may be new on your list. Click on each event for more information straight from the horse's mouth. Now, rest up & get ready!

April
17-19: Green Apple Festival

May

15-17: Chicago Mayfest
24: Bike the Drive
27-30: Chicago Turkish Festival
28-31: Mayfest in Lincoln Square
30-31: Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
30-31: Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale

June
12-14: Chicago Blues Festival
12-14: Party at St. Mike's
13-14: Andersonville Midsommarfest
13-14: Old Town Art Fair
13-14: Wells Street Art Festival
20-21: Chicago Summerfest
26-(July) 5: Taste of Chicago
27: Chicago Pride Fest

July
(June) 26-5: Taste of Chicago
10-12: Irish American Heritage Festival
11-12: Chicago Folk and Roots Festival
11-12: Rock Around the Block
11-12: West Fest 2009
14-(Aug) 25: Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park
17-19: Pitchfork Music Festival
19: Chinatown Summer Fair
25: Venetian Night
25-26: Taste of Lincoln Avenue

August
(July)14-25: Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park
1-2: Northalsted Market Days
1-2: Retro on Roscoe
7-9: Lollapalooza
14-16: North Side Summerfest
15-16: Green Music Fest
22-23: Lakeview Music Fest
29-30: Bucktown Arts Fest
29-30: Taste of Greece 2009
29-30: !Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival

September
4-6: Chicago Jazz Festival
12-13: Celtic Fest Chicago
12-13: Renegade Craft Fair

October
3-4: Chicago Country Music Festival

(Photo: www.chicagofests.com)

Place: Blow, Blow, Blow

It may be cold outside, but it's hot in Humboldt Park. For nearly 8 years, Chicago Hot Glass brings a creative spin to a material that people often look past for brighter bling. Providing education in glassblowing, fusing, kilnforming, and torchworking - CHG is your glass headquarters. Whether you are looking to learn, attend an event or host a glass party of your own - their is an assortment of ways you can get involved.

*Thanks to Jess for the "hot" tip!

Chicago Hot Glass
1250 N. Central Park Avenue
Chicago IL, 60651
(773) 394 - 3252

(Photo: www.chicagohotglass.com)

Event: Whiskey a Go-Go

Whether you like it with a little soda or on the rocks - a scotch, bourbon or irish - single or double malt... picking one favorite doesn't matter because Delilah's on Lincoln is bringing you a week of Whiskey. With samplings, music & liquor lectures - a week's worth of the wheaty wonder is sure to temp the tastebuds.

For more info visit here...

Delilah's
2771 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-472-2771

(Photo: www.delilahschicago.com)

You Ask - and I Shall Return...

After hearing "Whatever happened to your blog?!" many times over the past few months... I'm trying to carve out a little time each day to fill you in on some on my favorite random events. So, read the blog and join the Facebook group... the more of you that read, the more I'll write!