The Chicago Traveler

If you are like me, you are always looking for fun activities for the kids.' Since they are out of school (or pretty close), it’s time to start plugging in time on the calendar to give them a well rounded fun time for the summer.

This summer, the Chicago Children’s Museum is bringing back the Block Party.' It begins on May 30 and runs through September 7th.

Kids can use their imagination at the Grill and prepare hot dogs for the customers.' They can also create some great pretend pizzas at the Pizza Stand.' At the ice cream car there are all types of pretend ice cream.

If you like playing the air guitar, you can jump on stage and become a rock star or cheer on your favorite performer from the ‘lawn’.

Photo Credit:' Chicago Children’s Museum

It’s that time again for my favorite shopping experience.' This Saturday and Sunday May 30th-31st'is the Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk sale.' This place will be packed full of people sampling food and shopping from area vendors.' The sale is huge.' If you like getting out and walking among people who are out for a great time, this is it.' It is 10 city blocks from Ashland to Leavitt on of course, Division street.'

There will be plent to eat and there will be kid’s activities.' There will be a family area that will have face painting and crafts.' The fest will have a petting zoo and pony rides as well as a bouncy house.' For the foodies, there will be organic pizza, Sushi, Thai, Mexican and everything else.' Mmmm I can already smell the smells of the food from the street.' And if that wasn’t all, there is shopping!' Those of you who shop know about Division street so you can just imagine the sidewalk sale.' Bring those charge cards!

If you love music, you will also love this festival.' There are about 10 different bands playing and they are on stage every 30 minutes.

We don’t need a reason to enjoy music and fun, but here is a great opportunity to get out of the house.' This weekend brings a few activities for your entertainment enjoyment.' Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival begins on Saturday.' If you are familiar with the area, you know that there are some great clubs in the area.' Trader Todd’s Leona’s, Spin and many others are in that area so it will really be a fun time for music lovers.'

There will be live entertainment as well as crafts and fine arts rounding out your experience.' The hours are Saturday Noon to 10pm and Sunday Noon to 9pm.' Make sure you get out there to enjoy it.' Hopefully the weather holds out enough to hang out.

Here’s a look at the entertainment:

Saturday features:

• Hooked on Sonics - Noon
• Stache - 1:30pm
• Dot Dot Dot - 3pm
• Elevation - 4:30pm
• Modern Day Romeos - 6:30pm
• Trippin Billies rounds it out at 8:30pm

Sunday features:

• Sugarbeats - Noon
• Mr. Blotto - 2pm
• Mike and Joe - 4pm
• Rock Candy - 6:30pm
• Sixteen Candles for the closing at 8:30pm

Your $5 donation at the front gates goes to the Central Lake View Merchans Association.

Picture Credit:' Flickr

The Turkish Festival begins this morning at 10am on Daley Plaza.' It is the seventh year of the festival and it has become quite popular.' There are many festivals throughout Chicago but this one will help you learn about Turkish art, dance, music and of course food.' That’s why we love festivals.' There is'always a sampling of the finest foods.' You cannot help but to join in on the fun if you are anywhere close to downtown.

The festival is free of charge and runs from 10am-6pm through the 30th.' You can stop by during your lunch hour and grab a bite of something to eat that is distinctive and of course, Turkish.' There will be kabobs, doner sandwiches, baklava, and Turkish delight.' Try some Kahraman Maras orchid ice creme which is a popular Turkish dessert.' If you are visiting Chicago, you know that we are a very diverse city.' Come join in on the fun and also learn a thing or two about the Turkish and Turkish-Americans that live right here in our city.'

There will also be vendors and activities for kids.' The kids will get to see clowns and shows in the shadow theater.' There will also be story telling, face painting, and games.' Kids will also enjoy Turkish cotton candy and waffle treats.' It’s a great opportunity to allow kids to explore other customs while having a lot of fun.'

Get ready to experience authentic performances at the Festival.'The performances will take place between'Noon and 2pm.' 'You will be glad you stopped by.' Because it’s at Daley Plaza, you know that it will have a lot of people.' It’s right across from City Hall.' The event will also be broadcast on on a few US and Turkish channels.

Pat and Gina Neely will do a' book signing on May 29th at the Borders on State Street.' If you have watched the Food Network, you have seen this husband and wife duo in action.' They make cooking together look easy.' I’m not sure how that is done.' They seem to be all about having a good time and of course eating great food.' They are also the proprieters of their own eateries in Nashville and Memphis - Neely’s Bar-B-Que.'

These recipes are southern and handed down from generation to generation.' They can cook with the best of them.' Here are some of their signature favorites:

• Pat’s Wings of Fire
• Gina’s Collards
• Grandma Jean’s Potato Salad
• Nan’s Southern Gumbo
• Sock-It-To-Me Cake
• Barbeque Deviled Eggs

You know that here in Chicago we love to eat.' We are looking forward to their debut cookbook that is sure to help you with Sunday cooking at Big Momma’s house.

The book signing begins at 12:30pm on May 29th.' Borders is at 150 North State Street.' It’s best to get there early because there is sure to be a crowd of people there.

Photo Credit:' Barnes and Noble

Beginning June 6, you can tour the Hyde Park area, home to President Barack Obama with the InstaGreeter program.' This free service is offered by the Chicago Office of Tourism.' The greeter’s outpost is at the Hyde Park Art Center located at 5020 South Cornell Avenue.' Each Saturday between 10am and 3pm, you can attend a 1 hour walkabout guided by one of the Greeters.' No reservation is necessary, just stop by.' The Greeters are very knowledgeable of the area and can provide lots of inside knowledge.'

Hyde Park offers such historic landmarks as the University of Chicago, Frank Lloyde Wright’s Robie House, Museum of Science and Industry, DuSable Museum of African American History, Oriental Institute and of course, the home to President Obama.

Enjoy the annual Chicago Memorial Day Parade on May 23.' Make sure you add it to your list of things to do for your holiday weekend.' It is where Chicagoans honor the members of our Military.' This year, like previous one, we honor what they do to keep us safe.' They give their lives in service for our country and not everyone can say that they do that.' The event here in Chicago is one fo the largest ones in the United States.' It will draw thousands of spectators.

The day begins with a Wreath Laying on Daley Plaza’s Eternal Flame which begins at 11am.' The parade will start right after that at noon.' The parade will be enjoyable for the entire family.' Get there early, because it is sure to have a large crowd.

Looking for something to do this Sunday' Think about attending the Chicago Mayfest.' The cost to get in is $5 per person and it goes on until 10pm.' Thre will be live music, a pet parade and of course, food.' There will be Ice Cold Beer and all types of food treats.' Local artisians will be on hand to show off their Art.' There will be other arts and crafts vendors will be on hand to sell their wares.' Tonights live entertainment is Maggie Speaks at 5pm and at 8pm Mike and Joe.' The fest is in Lakeview at Ashland and Barry Avenues.' You can’t miss it once you get there.' Enjoy the first festival of the season as we kick off a busy summer season of fun in the sun.

Do you have a card ready for your Mom, but are looking for just a little more to wow Mom' Here is a great idea just for you.' Take your Mom to lunch at Letizia’s Bakeria or Enoteca Roma’s for Brunch or Dinner.' Letizia’s is open'now and Enoteca will be open until 3pm for Brunch and then re-open at 4pm till 11 for Dinner.' You can still make dinner reservations.' It will be a great last minute save.

Enoteca Roma has great meals and wine.' Enjoy home-made pasta and yummy Bruschetta.' They also have about 40 wines by the glass if you like or the bottle if you dare.' Enoteca Roma Ristorante and Wine Bar along with Letizia’s Natural Bakery are located on W Division Street.

If you are looking for a market area'with attitude, Fulton Market is the place for you.' Fulton Market on the West Loop'opens today until 5pm.' It is their annual Spring afternoon open house and you are sure to see all types of items in the galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

You never know what you will find in this food-warehousing district that evolved into beautiful art galleries, lofts, boutiques, and eateries.' If you love trying to find items that you won’t find at the mall, you will love the funky artwork and interesting restaurants that are available to you.' There is no fee to enter and every age is welcome.