A beautiful Night in the Neighborhood

and another one is on the horizon for Friday

07/13/2010 9:25 PM

By Bonnie McGrath

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First stop for me tonight was dollar burger night at Bar Louie where my daughter Molly and I lazed in the nice summer air on their urban patio, watching life pass us by on Polk Street, waiting for a friend who never showed, keeping an eye on the windows at the Donahue--and ordering a burger for a buck plus 50 cents for the extras like tomato, bacon and onion (bun and lettuce are free), accompanied by a 20 ounce beer and a basket of tater tots for $3.50. The whole bill with tax and tip was under $20.


It was like Mayberry in the neighborhood tonight big time. After dinner, I stopped in my house for a few minutes at Roosevelt and State to watch the first few minutes of the All-Star Game because I wanted to see what they would do with Steinbrenner. (Just what you would think, a little video with narration and a moment of silence.)

Then we walked to the Women's Park and Gardens at 18th and Prairie for a concert in the park. Vandercook College of Music did the honors, from a drum circle to a rousing march--sponsored by Lakeside Bank. Tons of people meandered through the mature trees--and if it wasn't the spitting image of a small town concert in a green and flowery main square, I don't know what would be.

Which brings me to a good tip. Roosevelt Park on Friday. Movie in the Park--Where the Wild Things Are--at dusk. But come early for all the pre-movie hoopla. Setting up the lawn chairs, the light drifting off the horizon, the setting up of the chicago Park District portable movie truck screen, the seeing of the neighbors and the eating of treats. Be there or be square.


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