HyperLocal News for Brown Deer, Wisconsin

Chicago Food Planet Food Tours: Honing in on the best neighborhood food and beveragesWith an overwhelming amount of food and drink options in the city, Chicago Food Planet helps narrows it down. Part food tour, part architectural tour, Planet enlists knowledgeable tour guides to navigate groups of foodies through Chicago’s hippest neighborhoods.

Lake County Fielders: Diamond in the roughThis Northern League team has risen in tough economic times from the unlikely location of Zion, Illinois, where the street names are biblical and baseball is a blessing.

The Wilmette Theatre: A restoration brings film, live theater and musicWhether it be for art films or a burlesque show, The Wilmette Theatre's vast and creative line-up of events will take you by surprise.

Angelic Organics Farm: A Place to Grow WiseCity life can be grueling. Have you ever had the urge to get away from it all and plant yourself in the middle of a farm? Angelic Organics in Caledonia, Illinois, offers the opportunity for learning and serenity.

Garfield Park Conservatory: Under the glass an entire sphere of plants growBuilt over a 100 years ago in the Garfield Park area of Chicago resides the idyllic Garfield Park Conservatory bursting with plants as old as 300 years old. The botanic gardens grow an array of plants and flowers in some of the most natural landscapes under glass.

The Signature Lounge: Drinking and dining in the cloudsReaching the 96th floor of John Hancock Center radiates a postcard panorama view of the city where on a clear day, parts of Michigan can be spotted. Soaring to such great heights as 1,300 feet, eat and drink at the apex of the city.

Chicago Cultural Center: Bringing the art world to ChicagoChicago is a culturally diverse city, so it makes sense to have a center dedicated to the arts. Completed in 1897 and originally a library, the Center offers free movies, admission and art exhibits year round and even performs civil ceremonies.

Morseland: Music and great food In Rogers ParkMorseland's motto, "Good Eats, Nice Beats" best describes this low-key live music and food venue in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood.

SPACE: The perfect setting for live musicFrom the exposed brick walls and custom curtains to the lighting and large stage, Evanston's SPACE has easily become one of the best venues to hear live music in the Chicago area.

Chicago Dine Around: Chicago's premier progressive dining tourChicago’s renowned for numerous of things, especially being a food epicenter. Chicago Dine Around aims to combine the best of the city’s world gourmet cuisine and electrifying sights into one memorable dining evening.

The Empty Bottle: Music, cheap drinks and dancingUkrainian Village’s Empty Bottle has been delivering top notch musical acts to Chicago since opening in the early ‘90s. A launching pad for up and coming national and local acts, the Bottle also serves cheap beer and excellent food at its Bite Café next door.

Handlebar Bar and Grill: Wheeling drinks and veggie foodThe Handlebar is a biker bar, but of the cyclist kind, not the rough and tumble motor bike type. Bucktown’s neighborhood pit-stop welcomes both the peddling-friendly and non-wheeled set for breakfast, dinner and drinks.

Big Star: Tasty tacos from the border and beyondNamed after the Lone Star state of Texas and not the band Big Star, the honky tonk taqueria and whiskey bar brings affordable gourmet tacos to the denizens of Wicker Park. An extensive list of tequilas and American whiskeys presents itself along with daily $3 shots.

The Red Line Tap: An Old Chicago Tavern Is Given New Life.Named for the elevated train line that rumbles outside its front door, the Red Line Tap offers music and libations.

The historic Green Mill Cocktail Lounge offers up great jazz and big bandA favorite of Chicago gangster Al Capone, the Green Mill still draws an eclectic crowd sprinkled with artists, musicians and poets.

Fitzgerald's: A classic music joint with loads of charmThis popular west suburb music venue has a bar, restaurant, patio and sprawling live performance area made famous in several Hollywood films.

The Violet Hour has people talking (quietly)One of Chicago’s most popular bars is less a bar and more a cocktail lounge. Called The Violet Hour, (a name taken from T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”) this Wicker Park neighborhood has received rave reviews from around the world.

Goose Island Beer Company: a Cubs fan favoriteA brewpub down the street from Wrigley Field attracts fans with big TVs, an even bigger menu, and best of all, beers brewed on-site.

The Velvet Lounge: big Chicago Sound in a compact clubThe Velvet Lounge in Chicago is a small storefront jazz club, but inside the sound is big Chicago experimental led by the legendary jazz great Fred Anderson.

Hoosier Mama Pie Company: Home-made pies just like mom makesWith a play on words of the Indiana Hoosiers and the slang “who’s your mama?”, Hoosier Mama Pie Company cooks up scrumptious seasonal desserts in its tiny, West Town storefront. When Agent Cooper from the show Twin Peaks said, “This must be where pies go when they die,” he must’ve been talking about this place.

Workshop: A hub of sustainability in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhoodMore than a store, Workshop is fast becoming a hub of sustainability in ethnically diverse Pilsen. Designer and Workshop owner, Annie Novotny sets a trend in this Chicago neighborhood showing businesses can make a difference. Fall production is now underway.

Wolfbait & B-girls: A showcase for Chicago designersFrom hats to dresses to chunky jewelry, Wolfbait & B-girls supports Chicago artists and designers and the movement to shop local.

The Wormhole Coffee: Modern-day coffee meets the pastGeneration X and Y grew up on Star Wars, Back to the Future and other pop culture gems, but now as adults they can add caffeine to their addictions. Wicker Park is saturated with trendy coffee shops, but Wormhole Coffee is the only one with a full-sized DeLorean in it.

Bridgeport Bakery: A new crowd enjoys Old World pastriesBridgeport Bakery is located on Archer Avenue in Chicago. Easy to miss, but difficult to forget, this small clapboard establishment offers some of the city's best Old World pastries.

Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park: One-stop healthy food shopping and diningWhole Foods Market may be a household name when it comes to grocery shopping for health food, but Lincoln Park’s version takes the mission a step further introducing exclusive products and several food bars for eating on-site.

Market Fresh Books deli style: Used books by the pound a bargain at any weightOnce the raggedy, dog eared cousin of the book trade, used books stores are now heavy players. Weigh in on Market Fresh Books deli style where books are sold for $3.99 a pound.

Metro: Where rock stars have come and goneFor almost three decades, Metro has been one of Chicago’s most beloved rock music venues. With a rich and expansive history, today the venue still showcases distinguished and respected acts from all over the globe.

The Green Grocer: Organic food for a better lifeBeing health conscious and eating organic food has been on the rise in the past couple of years, but it’s not just a gimmick. The Green Grocer eschews name brands sold at a traditional chain grocery to sell fresh products grown at local farms that inevitably bolsters health.

Chicago French Market: A market with a European flairIn the West Loop resides the Chicago French Market, a one-stop shopping haven offering fine cheeses, wine, olives and raw foods. With over 30 specialty vendors from all over the world, experience Europe’s finest epicurean delights without leaving the confines of the city.

The 2010 Fall Throwback Series at the McHenry Outdoor Theater: Double features of modern cinema's finestDrive-in cinemas have been in decline for the past 30 years, but the ones remaining in Chicagoland have figured out a way to remain relevant. Beginning at the end of summer and concluding around the autumnal equinox, McHenry Outdoor Theater hosts six weekends of double feature cult films, ‘80s movies and themed-weekends to perpetuate the drive-in spirit.

First Annual Chicago Food Film Festival: "Taste what you see on the screen"Pairing food with films about food seems like a genius idea, and luckily someone’s thought of it. The Food Film Festival began four years ago in New York, but September 24th-25th, it makes its way to Chicago for a weekend filled with movies and of course exquisite gourmet offerings.

Sufjan Stevens at the Chicago Theatre: The Midwestern singer/songwriter comes home October 15thWith his captivating 50 States Project, singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens used his multi-instrumental gifts to create a voice for a young generation. On Friday, October 15th, Stevens will perform his transcendent songs at the ornate and roomy Chicago Theatre for the largest Chicago crowd of his career.

Chicago Underground Library: Bury your nose in uncommon works August 27thChicago's most treasured library debuts its first fundraiser. Dedicated to the printed word unlike any other book depository, The Chicago Underground Library presents STACKS: Soul Librarian Dance Party. Come up, get down! for the Underground!

Festival Cubano: Chicago's first and only Cuban-themed fiestaOn August 7th-8th, Chicago’s first annual Cuban festival will merge the distinct cultures of the United States and Cuba into a melting pot fun for the entire family. Featuring live music, Cuban and Latin American cuisine and games, the West side festival “brings a bit of Havana to Chicago.”

Pavement at Pritzker PavilionAfter an acrid breakup over a decade ago, one of the most influential bands of the ‘90s, Pavement, decided to reunite for a world reunion tour this summer. The Stockton, CA quintet recently played their first Chicago show in 11 years at Pitchfork Festival on July 18, but will touch down again and perform more of their beloved classics on September 13 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

Devo at the Congress Theater: A pre-Lollapalooza show of mythical proportionsAkron, OH quintet Devo may best be known for their ubiquitous 1980 hit Whip It, but throughout the past 30 years, they’ve demystified the one-hit wonder status through touring and releasing a new album of chart topping songs.

North Coast Music Festival: Chicago's newest and brightest music celebrationIn its inaugural year, the North Coast Fest acts as a means to close out the summer concert season with one last hurrah. Taking place in Union Park over Labor Day weekend (September 3-5), bands and artists from all over the world will make “summer’s last stand” a reality.

Milwaukee SummerfestAlthough it is still a small city, Milwaukee strikes it big with Summerfest.

Wicker Park Festival: Top-notch fun for seven yearsFrom the parks to the streets, Chicago’s summer festivals are anything but dull. Taking a cue from other neighborhood fests like Do-Division, Wicker Park Fest has been attracting top-notch bands, vendors and neighborhood friends for over seven years now.

Evanston aldermen consider chicken ordinance: coop-keepers to be grilledEvanston chicken owners are weary of keeping their secret cooped-up.

Trooper Victim of Hit-and-RunIllinois State Police are on the lookout for for motorist in hit-and-run accident involving a State Trooper.

TRANSIT, a new artist residency program on the move in ChicagoA new kind of transient artist residency designed to "help artists go places" has been launched in Chicago's Logan Square.

Vince Vaughn Skydives at Chicago Air and Water ShowThe 52nd annual Chicago Air and Water Show kicked off Saturday morning with local celebrity and mega movie star Vince Vaughn and his mom tandem skydiving from a plane.

23 Arrested in Heroin BustFederal authorities arrested 23 in Chicago after seizing $1.2 million worth of heroin.

Firefighter Dies After Fall From LadderChicago firefighter dies after falling from his ladder earlier Monday morning.

5-year-old Chicago Boy Shot to DeathA 5-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed while playing with a gun.

2 Men Lost in Lake MichiganAuthorities are looking for two lost swimmers in Lake Michigan.

Fire Breaks Out in West DenverA grass fire broke out burning up to 73 acres on the western edge of Denver.

7 Puppies Dead after Flight7 puppies die after flight to Chicago O'Hare Airport.

Russian Tea Time: Afternoon tea and other European delightsWhen one thinks of afternoon tea, images of English royalty sipping English Breakfast in a garden jump to mind, but since the 17th century, tea drinking has probably been more widely practiced by the Russians. Chicago’s Russian Tea Time acknowledges the importance of the lost art of afternoon tea drinking with its refined daily service.

Hot Dougs: Revolutionizing the boring hot dogIf Chicago’s known for one thing, it’s their encased meats, or hot dogs. Avondale hot dog shop Hot Doug’s not only knows the signature Chicago Dog, but it also knows how to create a delicious, unparalleled gourmet sausage.

The Bongo Room: Pancakes, sandwiches and mimosasCrowned one of the most likable brunch spots in the city, The Bongo Room’s popularity stems from friendly service and scrumptious lunch and breakfast dishes.

Nightwood: Casting light on Lower West Side diningBoth in its design as well as in Chef Jason Vincent's food interpretations, Nightwood captures the essence of Chicago's ethnically diverse and vibrant Pilsen neighborhood.

Morton's The Steakhouse: The original for prime chops and seafoodSince opening in Chicago in 1978, this old school joint has grown into a foremost steakhouse (notice it’s “the” steakhouse not “a” steakhouse) with over 70 locations nationwide, but Chicago will always stake claim to the original. With their “go big or go home” mentality, Morton’s challenges to leave your wallet and diet at the door and devour some hearty prime meat.

it's all good: A Coffee House That Lives Up To Its NameThis great cafe located in what was once a 1930s gas station beat the odds and became a success. Don't worry, the owners reminded one another as they started the blueprints for their dream coffee house, its all good.

Eleven City Diner: The Jewish deli is alive and wellCarnegie Deli in New York set the pace for Jewish delis back in the ‘30s serving heaping portions of corned beef and pastrami, and luckily the South Loop’s Eleven City Diner is one of the few places in Chicago that recognizes the importance of that tradition.

Union Pizzeria: Fresh from the brick ovenUnion Pizzeria serves pizza the Italian way: a crunchy, thin crust topped with fresh ingredients.

Bistro Bordeaux: Authentic French cuisineFrom the butcher papered tables to Chef Frank Mnuk's interpretations, Bistro Bordeaux has earned the title as one of Chicago's top new restaurants. Even though it's in Evanston.

Sultan's Market: Bucktown's cheap and delicious Middle Eastern foodSince 1995, the Jordanian family owned Sultan’s Market has served the Bucktown community flavorful and affordable Middle Eastern bites. From hummus to spinach pie, Sultan’s knows how to satisfy the palate.