The Chicago Traveler

Chicago is known worldwide for its architecture, but that doesn’t mean Windy City residents don’t appreciate “amber waves of grain.”
Openlands is a local, independent, non-profit conservation society that preserves and enhances public open spaces in northeastern Illinois. Since its beginning in 1963, the organization has secured more than 45,000 acres of land for public parks, forest preserves, and urban gardens.
You can do your part by volunteering in one of their many projects, including farmers markets in Humboldt Park and community gardens in Austin, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, and Lawndale. You can also get certified to care for and maintain the city’s …read more

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More and more people have been making a conscious effort to live “green.” The popularity of Chicago’s Green City Market is proof of that, as customers support local farmers and buy high-quality, organic foods. You can easily keep away from foods that put chemicals in your body, but what about the products you put on your body?
Many companies use animal byproducts, mineral oils, artificial colors, and harsh chemicals in their soaps, cosmetics, and lotions. In response to all this manufactured nastiness, Chicagoan Victoria Slone created Lotions & Potions. She has extensively studied the practices of aromatherapy, herbalism, and homeopathy and …read more

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The Illinois Bureau of Tourism asked the state’s residents and visitors to nominate their favorite destinations in Illinois. In May of 2007, seven of these were selected as the Seven Wonders of Illinois.

• Chicago: Wrigley Field. The atmosphere, neighborhood, and fans put this stadium in a league of its own. It’s not just a ballpark; it’s an experience.
• Chicagoland: The Baha’I House of Worship. This unforgettable sight is beautiful both inside and out. Its intricate construction took nearly 30 years to complete.
• Northern: Starved Rock State Park. Visitors can witness firsthand the results of Mother Nature’s power: 18 canyons framed …read more

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When people think about this country’s Native American populations, they often think of Alaska, New Mexico, or South Dakota. But a number of tribes settled in or traveled through what is now the state of Illinois, including the Chippewa, the Delaware (who were driven west by White settlers), the Foxes, the Kickapoo, the Miami (who once had a town near modern-day Chicago), the Potawatomi, and the state’s namesake, the Illinois (a hodgepodge of related tribes). Illinois is a word which means “men” or “people.” (The original word was Illiniwek, but was changed by the French to –ois.)
The Black Hawk State …read more

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You are the Sudoku Master. You can parallel park like it’s no one’s business. But when it comes to cleaning your space, maybe you could use some help.
Sparkle Queen is the superhero-sounding service that will save your day. Not only will their team clean your place up, down, and sideways, they do it all using products that are eco-friendly, biodegradable, non-toxic, and pet-safe. For example, their hardwood-floor cleaner is derived from coconut, olive, and pine oils, with no artificial dyes or fragrances.
You’ll come home to a tidy bedroom, shining kitchen, sanitized bathroom, and clean everything-else. For first-time cleaning, Sparkle Queen …read more

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