5 Chicago Date Ideas

So you just asked out that person you’ve been eyeing for a while now. You catch a break when he/she agrees to go out with you, until you realize you need to come up with a great first date idea to win them over-on a tight budget. Not to worry. Whether you are going on a first date, or going on your hundredth date, here are some fun and cheap date ideas around Chicago.

Get In The Holiday Spirit

You can make a date this upcoming winter season to join in on some holiday activities. November 22, 2008 is the annual Magnificent Mile Parade of Lights on Michigan Avenue. With over 1 million lights illuminating The Mile with a grand finale of fireworks over the Chicago River, this is sure to be a romantic evening on the town. Also, check out the fun at Navy Pier for the 8^th annual Winter Wonderfest from December 5, 2008-January 4, 2009. There is sure to be enough festive activities to keep you entertained.

AVERAGE PRICE: FREE

Catch a Cheap Flick

The Brew and View at the Vic in Chicago is an inexpensive theater ($5) where you can enjoy a great movie while drinking a cold beer or cocktail. Spice up your usual weekday routine. Make a date night when they offer $2 drink specials Monday through Wednesday.

AVERAGE PRICE: $5-10

Get Cultured Together

First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art put the happy in Happy Hour. With a cash bar, free Wolfgang Puck appetizers, and live music from local DJs, it sure makes getting cultured more exciting. First Fridays are from 6-10pm and you can sure make them last by joining in on the after party fun at the hottest spots in Chicago. Save money by buying your tickets for $10 in advance online.

AVERAGE PRICE: $10-$30 (including drinks)

Also, take advantage of these museums in Chicago when they offer free days throughout the year:

• Art Institute of Chicago (Thursdays, 5pm-8pm)
• Museum of Science and Industry (Dec. 24, 31; Jan. 5-31; June 1-5, 19)
• Field Museum (2^nd Mondays of each month, plus list of regular free days)
• Museum of Contemporary Photography (Free everyday)

Indulge in a Juicy Burger

If you want a fun atmosphere and a good old fashioned burger, RJ Grunts is where you will find it. With their mouth-watering half pound burgers averaging $8.50, you can’t go wrong. Not a meat lover? They also have a huge salad bar with variety ranging from fresh veggies, nuts and berries and even chocolate chip cream cheese. You’re sure to find something to delight your taste buds.

“This place hasn’t changed a bit from when I was in my twenties-which was 30 years ago,” said Mary Kopel, a Chicago resident, “They have the same great music and fun atmosphere as they did back then.”

They are located right across from the Lincoln Park Zoo, so afterward you can take a stroll and check out the animals.

AVERAGE ENTRE PRICE: $8.50

Ice Skating In Millenium Park

Bundle up in your winter coat, scarf and gloves, grab a partner and head down to Millenium Park to go on an ice skating adventure. McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is tentatively scheduled to open November 19, 2008 and is free to the public plus $10 skate rental. If you can’t beat the cold you might as well join in and when you’re done and frozen, you can warm up with some hot chocolate or coffee. Or better yet, use the cold as an excuse to snuggle and keep warm with your other half.

AVERAGE PRICE: FREE + skates

Pictures by: Associated Press/Jeff Roberson, Associated Press/Beth A. Keiser, Associated Press/Charles Rex Arbogast

ING DIRECT Cafe-Drink Coffee, Save Money

Food/Drinks: 9.5

Service: 10

Ambience: 8.5


The warm friendly smile and “hello Sarah” when I walk into the ING DIRECT Café tells me A) The service is really great, B) I am a coffee addict who clearly comes in too often, or C) All of the above. I will go with C) on this one.


ING DIRECT does not only offer savings accounts for those looking to earn interest, but they also have 8 cafe locations across the country brewing Pete's Coffee and Tea while serving delicious pastries and sandwiches. Their friendly service and great tasting low price coffee is what brings in the customers and keep them coming back for more.


Where The Coffee Is Cheaper Than Water

The great taste, variety and price of ING’s drinks will have you asking, Starbucks who? They serve drinks such as Macchiato, Lattes, and Café Americano and their quick service leaves little time for standing around waiting. Regular coffee will cost you a measly $1, while lattes are $2 and blended drinks are $3. They also have a wide variety of tea, such as Hibiscus C Blend, Chai and Chamomile for those who want to spice things up.


QUICK TIP: Buy an ING DIRECT travel mug and your first drink will be free, and every time you bring in your mug your drinks are half price.


The Orange Glow

Sensitive eyes beware! The bright orange color inside the ING DIRECT Café is sure to keep you awake if the coffee fails to do so. From the orange walls to the employee’s orange shirts, I think the only thing that isn’t orange is the toilet paper in the bathroom, which by the way is kept up to cleanliness standards.


Computer Users Welcome

Customers can bring in their laptops without the extra fee for Wi-Fi. ING offers free Wi-Fi and also has individual computer kiosks for those who may not have a laptop to browse the internet as well. You can set up at any one of their many tables or comfortable couches and chairs for lounging.


Side of Savings With Your Coffee?

Open up a checking or savings account with ING and you can connect it with your already active checking account. The only downfall of having a coffee shop linked with banking is the occasional pesky sales person looking to lure in another banking customer when all you want to do is get your coffee and get on with your day.


Orange You Glad It’s Free Friday

I am saving the best for last. Come into ING on Fridays wearing orange and get any one of their drinks for free. It just gives you another reason to look forward to the weekend. What other ways can you enjoy a Friday?


FREE COFFEE COUPON



FAST FACTS


Location: On the corner of Wabash and Chestnut

Parking: Street parking or parking garage

Prices: Drinks range from $1-3, food and pastries range from $1-5

Payment Methods: Major credit card

Hours: M-F: 7AM-7PM, Sat. & Sun: 9AM-5PM

Internet: Free Wi-Fi


Photo by: Sarah Henry

Loyola Students Produce Biodiesel Fuel From Grease

How does saving money at the gas pump all while saving the environment sound to most people? It probably sounds too good to be true. How does eating onion rings to help improve the atmosphere sound? That sounds just plain crazy.


Well then someone needs to tell the students in the Loyola University STEP: Biodiesel class they’re crazy because they are using all that grease used to cook onion rings and fries and are actually helping the environment.


STEP: Biodiesel Course


STEP (Solutions to Environmental Problems) is course entering into its’ second year at Loyola, consisting of students from all different academic departments working together to address current environmental problems.


The focus in the first two years has been to produce biodiesel fuel, which is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic renewable resources, from waste vegetable oil within Loyola’s cafeterias.


The students in the class produce, market, and distribute the biodiesel fuel. They work together on group projects such as producing biodiesel from algae found in lakes, setting up small scale biodiesel labs in nearby high schools, and also trying to make soap from glycerin, which is a waste product created when making biodiesel.


“It’s an innovative and very hands-on way of teaching students about sustainability,” said Nancy Tuchman, director of Center for Urban Research and Policy (CUERP). “It’s empowering for the students and shows them what the working world is like.”


Biodiesel Helps Environment And Loyola


During the course’s first year, the students built their own reactor to produce biodiesel. After the first semester they were able to move their lab into the Facilities building on Broadway Avenue. Here they are able to produce 80 gallons of biodiesel fuel per week. This amount prevents 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide from getting into the atmosphere.


The biodiesel fuel being produced in this course is helping Loyola and the environment. Loyola spent roughly $25,000 last year disposing of waste materials which were mostly waste grease.


The STEP program is cutting down that price by using that grease to produce environmentally friendly fuel. This is turn will save Loyola a huge chunk of change, and also the students will benefit because tuition gets raised for funding such necessities.


What's The Goal For The Course?


“We are lowering tuition by a penny this year because of this program,” joked Zach Waickman, a student who participated in the course during its’ first year.


While the students may be hoping to get the tuition lowered, a more realistic goal they have is to get the shuttle buses running on their fuel.


“It would be a cool direction to go with the buses,” said Shane Lishawa, forest ecologist and biodiesel lab manager. “I’m confident that the fuel we’re making is good quality; we just need to get their trust.” Lishawa has been running his personal vehicle, a 1986 Mercedes, on biodiesel fuel for about three years.


Make Your Own Biodiesel


The conversion of vegetable waste into biodiesel fuel may seem difficult, but it’s not as hard as it sounds. The course website breaks the process into six steps:

• Retrieving the waste vegetable oil (WVO) from Loyola's dining facilities


• Straining the oil to remove unwanted particles


• Titration to determine the amount of catalyst needed in the reaction


• Mixing the calculated amounts methanol and lye (catalyst) into WVO to create biodiesel


• Washing the biodiesel with water to remove remaining methanol and lye


• Draining the wash water

Simple, right? Now all you need is a lab and the proper equipment and you’re all set to make your own biodiesel fuel.


So whether you’re a Loyola student looking to advance your curriculum, or just someone who wants to help the environment, biodiesel fuel is a great place to start. Now that you’ve got the steps, start eating those onion rings. - By Sarah Henry


Photos by: Mark Beane/Loyola University Chicago

Instructional Guide to Make Biodiesel at Home:

Loyola Labre Ministry Students Connect With Homeless-It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

Loyola University Chicago are feeding the mouths of the homeless in Chicago one peanut butter and jelly sandwich at a time.


Loyola students are joining together Thursday nights at the Terry Student Center, not to party like many college students, but to reach out and connect with those who walk the cold streets of Chicago with no home to go to at night.


Who They Are


The Labre (pronounced lah-bra) Ministry is a student-led outreach program in its’ first year at Loyola. Students provide food and companionship to the homeless on the streets downtown.


The students get together Thursday night at 6pm to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and also fill bags with chips, bananas and juice boxes. They end the first portion with a prayer and then head out onto the streets in three small groups, with their arms full of food and their hearts full of warmth.


The three groups venture out into different areas of the downtown Chicago area. They try and stick to the same paths every week, so they can visit the same people and really make a lasting connection.


Homelessness in Chicago

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the country and it is easy to feel lost and alone on the streets. 73,656 men, women, youths, and children were homeless in Chicago during 2006, according to a study from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH).


Out To The Streets


Now begins the three hour prayer.


Once out on the street, there is no escaping what is staring right at you. The face of someone who has no home or family to turn to. The face of someone who needs a friend. The face of someone who has a story.


The students of Labre are there to listen to those stories. They are there to make a difference in these people's lives.


“I have volunteered at soup kitchens before, but I didn’t like how I couldn’t get a chance to talk to anyone, otherwise I’d be holding up the line,” says Joselyn, a freshmen Loyola student.


Many people agree that this program is not about the sandwiches or even the fun juice boxes. It is about reaching out to people on a level one may normally not venture on.


The Labre students start up conversations with the men and women on the streets and sometimes are surprised to find out how much they may have in common with certain people. They connect in ways of growing up in the same area, or they come from the same state. They also can bond by speaking a different language they both know.


Many people only see the person on the outside, when walking down the street, but Labre sees the people on the inside as well.


“Labre has helped me grow in my faith by allowing me an opportunity to practice that faith and grow in solidarity with those the ministry serves, which I believe is both the students as well as the poor,” says Caulder Mellino of his experience with the program.



How They Began


Labre was started by Caulder Mellino, a sophomore student at Loyola, with the help of other student leaders. The program originated from St Ignacious High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where Mellino attended school, and he carried the idea over to Loyola where it resides within the Ministry program.


“Labre for me is a great opportunity for me to grow in my experience and understanding of Solidarity,” says Mellino.



How Can You Help?


What can you do to help out the homeless? Here are some programs that always welcome volunteers:


• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Connections For the Homeless
• REST
• Good News Soup Kitchen


What else can you do to help out the homeless or those less fortunate?

According to Wednesday's Washington Times article, sex offenders in Maryland will not be celebrating Halloween this year. Their hopes of dressing up as young children will be crushed.


Bright orange pumpkin signs with the words “NO CANDY AT THIS RESIDENCE” in capital letters written across, started being sent to the mailboxes of around 1,200 violent and child-sex offenders. These signs are meant to be hung up on October 31 to prevent young trick-or-treaters from going to these houses.


They are also being told to stay in their home with their lights off on Halloween.


Bright Pumpkin Sign, Not Quite Fitting

While I agree with the concept of keeping these sex offenders inside while young children are interacting all around the neighborhood, this Halloween decorated sign sends out the wrong message.
The bright orange pumpkin sign from far can be mistaken as a holiday decoration and kids may not notice the words until they are up to the doorstep. This allows for a dangerous situation, even if the offenders are told to stay inside. Is there an alarm that will signal if they step out on the front step? I don’t think so.


A Joke? Not So Funny

One agent, according to the Washington Times, was upset and said they were making “a joke” out of the issue. He also asked, “whether we would we be giving him a turkey decoration at Thanksgiving."


Thanksgiving? What about a sign warning Santa Clause at Christmas? Actually, I’m sure he already knows they haven’t been good this year…



A Question For You: What kind of rules and regulations should be set for violent and child-sex offenders on holidays and even regular days? - Sarah Henry




Photo by: Sarah Henry

If She Never Met Spencer...

Oh, The Hills are alive with drama…

Season 4 episode 9: Lauren tells Lo she’s meeting Holly for a drink and says that’s it weird to hang out with Holly because Holly wants to play “matchmaker” between Heidi and Lauren. Lo says “drinks are harmless” -which of course is their motto for life.

At work, Audrina talks about her upcoming date with a new guy, Colin. She’s excited and is hoping that it makes Justin Bobby jealous. Their on and off again relationship is apparently off, for now.

Heidi and Holly talk about Lauren and Heidi says she misses her and wants to know how she is doing. Holly tells her that Lauren misses her too and knows that she has a good heart; wait, is Holly still talking about the same Heidi? Heidi says LC has forgotten her heart. I just think Spencer’s icy persona has just frozen it.

Maybe Drinks Are Not So Harmless

Audrina and Colin go out for dinner and Audrina can’t seem to stop talking about JB. She mentions him when she talks about her strong drink-go figure she associates JB with alcohol-and mentions that he’s an angry drunk. Colin lightens the mood by stating that he’s the happiest drunk out there-Audrina agrees that she is as well. What a perfect match! They go on to live happily ever after. Until Audrina realizes that Colin is a nice guy and needs another dose of jerk and heads back to JB. The end.

LC and Lo meet up with Holly for drinks. The main topic seems to be Heidi again. Same old story here, and Lo goes on to tell Holly that she reminds her of Heidi. Nice, Lo. Way to insult the girl.

Friends Again In The Future?

LC receives a letter from Heidi stating that she is sorry for everything and all the mean things she has said-must have been one long letter to list all those things. Lauren questions why she is writing this letter now and Whitney tells her that, "she must feel really lost and lonely." But she has Spencer, so isn't that enough? LC tells Holly about the letter and says that she would love to be friends with Heidi again, but as long as Spencer is in the picture that will never happen.

Audrina meets up with JB and tells him she went on a date with Colin. He didn’t seem to be too bothered by it, and he asked if she minded if he dated other girls. Nice. Sounds like a great relationship guys.

Holly tells Heidi that LC got the letter and as Heidi says she would like to be friends with her again, Spencer walks in and overhears. Heidi tells him about the letter. (Insert Spencer’s childish, controlling, rant here). Holly mentions LC and Heidi will never be friends with Spencer in the picture. Of course Spencer thinks that’s great, one less person for Heidi to have in her life.

Lauren questions where would we all be if Heidi never met Spencer? Well, maybe you shouldn’t ask that LC because without him and all the drama he’s created, the Hills may never have made it through four seasons. -By Sarah Henry

Photo by: Tina Fineberg/Associated Press