HyperLocal News for Grafton, Wisconsin
Attractions,Bars and Nightclubs,Businesses,Events,Leisure Activities,Neighborhoods,Breaking News,Political News,Restaurants,Schools,Travel
Attractions
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Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
(Sep 6, 2010)
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider ArtOne of the city's most intriguing museums exhibits the best in Outsider Art.
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Lake County Fielders: Diamond in the rough
(Aug 25, 2010)
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.
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The Wilmette Theatre: A restoration brings film, live theater and music
(Aug 23, 2010)
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.
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Garfield Park Conservatory: Under the glass an entire sphere of plants grow
(Aug 11, 2010)
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.
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The Signature Lounge: Drinking and dining in the clouds
(Aug 5, 2010)
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.
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Morseland: Music and great food In Rogers Park
(Jul 25, 2010)
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.
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SPACE: The perfect setting for live music
(Jul 24, 2010)
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.
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Chicago Dine Around: Chicago's premier progressive dining tour
(Jul 16, 2010)
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.
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Montrose Beach: Respite from Chicago's downtown
(Jul 10, 2010)
Montrose Beach: Respite from Chicago's downtownOak Street and North Avenue Beach in the Gold Coast absorb a lot of the summer beach traffic, but with more space and calmer waters, Montrose Beach further north up the lakefront acts as a respite from the overflowing downtown beach scenes.
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Tastebud Tour: feeding all of the senses
(Jul 2, 2010)
Tastebud Tour: feeding all of the sensesEach year Chicago’s culinary expertise grows in scope and Chicagoan Lynn F. Jaynes acknowledges this in creating a food tour called Tastebud Tours. Throughout the three-hour walking tour, out-of-towners and locals alike learn about Chicago’s history and get to experience the city’s world famous cuisine first-hand.
Bars and Nightclubs
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The Empty Bottle: Music, cheap drinks and dancing
(Jul 25, 2010)
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.
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Handlebar Bar and Grill: Wheeling drinks and veggie food
(Jun 23, 2010)
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.
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Big Star: Tasty tacos from the border and beyond
(Jun 6, 2010)
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.
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The Red Line Tap: An Old Chicago Tavern Is Given New Life.
(Sep 20, 2009)
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.
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The historic Green Mill Cocktail Lounge offers up great jazz and big band
(Sep 11, 2009)
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.
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The Violet Hour has people talking (quietly)
(May 4, 2009)
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.
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Goose Island Beer Company: a Cubs fan favorite
(May 1, 2009)
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.
Businesses
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Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop: A piece of San Francisco sweetness in Chicago
(Sep 8, 2010)
Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop: A piece of San Francisco sweetness in ChicagoLeaving the heart in San Francisco is one thing, but being able to get a piece of it anytime is another thing. Even though it was founded in the Bay Area, Chicago’s branch of Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop is the Midwest’s answer to the world famous chocolatier.
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Hoosier Mama Pie Company: Home-made pies just like mom makes
(Aug 29, 2010)
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.
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The Wormhole Coffee: Modern-day coffee meets the past
(Aug 23, 2010)
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.
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Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park: One-stop healthy food shopping and dining
(Aug 11, 2010)
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.
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Metro: Where rock stars have come and gone
(Aug 5, 2010)
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.
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Market Fresh Books deli style: Used books by the pound a bargain at any weight
(Aug 5, 2010)
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.
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The Green Grocer: Organic food for a better life
(Aug 3, 2010)
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.
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Reckless Records: Keeping records and CDs relevant
(Jul 4, 2010)
Reckless Records: Keeping records and CDs relevantSome people think record stores are a dying breed, but since 1989, Chicago’s High Fidelity-esque Reckless Records has thrived even when corporate chains like Virgin and Tower have tumbled. It’s Reckless’ independent spirit and ability to find rare music that keeps it essential.
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Cascade Drive-In Theater: reliving the past in the present
(Jul 4, 2010)
Cascade Drive-In Theater: reliving the past in the presentWith only approximately 300 drive-in movie theaters still in existence, the Chicagoland area is lucky enough to harbor three of them, namely the biggest, Cascade Drive-In located an hour from Chicago in the West Chicago suburbs. When the sun sets, vehicles transform into personal living rooms under the stars.
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Starfruit Cafe: A healthy alternative to ice cream
(Jun 27, 2010)
Starfruit Cafe: A healthy alternative to ice creamAll forms of ice cream are delicious, especially those relished during the hot days of summer, but dessert doesn’t always have to be high in fat and sugar. With four locations throughout Chicago, Starfruit's quaint and sunny cafe replaces the triple scoop sundae with delectable and healthy treats made from kefir.
Events
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The Vaselines at Lincoln Hall: The return of Kurt Cobain's muse
(Sep 4, 2010)
The Vaselines at Lincoln Hall: The return of Kurt Cobain's museIf it weren’t for a little group named Nirvana, Scottish group the Vaselines would still be unknowns in the U.S. After releasing one album then taking a 20-year break, the duo is back with a new record and a tour.
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The 2010 Fall Throwback Series at the McHenry Outdoor Theater: Double features of modern cinema's finest
(Aug 29, 2010)
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.
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First Annual Chicago Food Film Festival: "Taste what you see on the screen"
(Aug 25, 2010)
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.
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Festival Cubano: Chicago's first and only Cuban-themed fiesta
(Aug 2, 2010)
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.”
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Devo at the Congress Theater: A pre-Lollapalooza show of mythical proportions
(Jul 25, 2010)
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.
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Milwaukee Summerfest
(Jun 24, 2010)
Milwaukee SummerfestAlthough it is still a small city, Milwaukee strikes it big with Summerfest.
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Wicker Park Festival: Top-notch fun for seven years
(Jun 23, 2010)
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.
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Bucktown Arts Festival
(Aug 6, 2009)
Bucktown Arts FestivalThere's a reason the Bucktown Arts Fest has been a popular Chicago draw for 24 years. This two-day event attracts more than 180 artists from across the country and provides great food and entertainment.
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Chicago Air & Water Show: A surefire summer spectacle
(Jul 23, 2009)
Chicago Air & Water Show: A surefire summer spectacleThe largest spectator event in the country, the annual air show wows more than 2 million fans with aerial acrobatics and amazing stunts, with the Chicago skyline as a backdrop.
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Vintage Baseball: Old school summer entertainment
(Jul 22, 2009)
Vintage Baseball: Old school summer entertainmentLeagues like Wisconsin's Eagle Diamonds are using historic uniforms, equipment and 1860's rules to recreate the beginnings of baseball, all with very entertaining results.
Breaking News
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Evanston aldermen consider chicken ordinance: coop-keepers to be grilled
(Aug 30, 2010)
Evanston aldermen consider chicken ordinance: coop-keepers to be grilledEvanston chicken owners are weary of keeping their secret cooped-up.
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TRANSIT, a new artist residency program on the move in Chicago
(Aug 26, 2010)
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.
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Vince Vaughn Skydives at Chicago Air and Water Show
(Aug 18, 2010)
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.
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23 Arrested in Heroin Bust
(Aug 12, 2010)
23 Arrested in Heroin BustFederal authorities arrested 23 in Chicago after seizing $1.2 million worth of heroin.
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2 Men Lost in Lake Michigan
(Aug 6, 2010)
2 Men Lost in Lake MichiganAuthorities are looking for two lost swimmers in Lake Michigan.
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Fire Breaks Out in West Denver
(Aug 5, 2010)
Fire Breaks Out in West DenverA grass fire broke out burning up to 73 acres on the western edge of Denver.
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7 Puppies Dead after Flight
(Aug 4, 2010)
7 Puppies Dead after Flight7 puppies die after flight to Chicago O'Hare Airport.
Restaurants
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Hot Dougs: Revolutionizing the boring hot dog
(Aug 27, 2010)
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.
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The Bongo Room: Pancakes, sandwiches and mimosas
(Aug 25, 2010)
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.
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Morton's The Steakhouse: The original for prime chops and seafood
(Aug 3, 2010)
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.
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it's all good: A Coffee House That Lives Up To Its Name
(Aug 1, 2010)
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.
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Union Pizzeria: Fresh from the brick oven
(Jul 21, 2010)
Union Pizzeria: Fresh from the brick ovenUnion Pizzeria serves pizza the Italian way: a crunchy, thin crust topped with fresh ingredients.
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Bistro Bordeaux: Authentic French cuisine
(Jul 16, 2010)
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.
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Sultan's Market: Bucktown's cheap and delicious Middle Eastern food
(Jul 16, 2010)
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.
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Bridgeport Coffee House: A neighborhood hub
(Jul 8, 2010)
Bridgeport Coffee House: A neighborhood hubMore than a local cafe, Bridgeport Coffee House is a neighborhood hub that features jazz, bake sales and sometimes even a movie or two.
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Alterra At The Lake Cafe
(Jul 2, 2010)
Alterra At The Lake CafeLocated in one of Milwaukee's old pumping stations, Alterra At The Lake Cafe offers up not only coffee but live theater and a great view as well.
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BAT 17
(May 11, 2010)
BAT 17Lean and Mean homemade deli sandwiches, chopped salads and desserts only found in dreams make up the menu at Evanston's Benson Avenue Tavern.
