Enjoy the Fourth!

We can't believe it's already July! And with this summer month, comes the always fun celebration of Independence Day.

The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce wants to inform you of some fireworks display changes this year. The city will NOT be hosting fireworks downtown on the 3rd, but they will have them on the 4th between Foster Avenue and Lawrence (5000 North) at 9 PM. Limited parking will ONLY be available at the Foster Avenue parking lot and CTA services will be limited east of Sheridan Road from Lawrence to Foster Avenue. Keep this information in mind as you plan your evening!

Enjoy your time with family at annual gatherings, with friends at neighborhood barbeques, and with the city of Chicago at the fireworks shows. Featured below is a simple dessert to bring to these events (easily made by fruit from the Thursday Farmer's Market!):

Red, White, and Blue Trifle

Ingredients:

• 1 box of red velvet cake mix (if you can't find this, use chocolate cake mix with a bottle of red food coloring)
• 1 (16 oz.) tub of whipped topping
• 2 pints of bluberries
• 1 pint of strawberries, tops removed

Preparation:

1. Bake the red velvet cake mix according to package directions and let cool.
2. Using a serrated knife, cut the red velvet cake into 1 inch square pieces and line the bottom of the trifle bowl with half of the cake squares.
3. Using a spatula, spread about a 2-inch layer of whipped topping on top of the cake squares.
4. Layer about 1 1/2 pints of blueberries on top of whipped topping.
5. Layer the remaining cake pieces on top of the blueberries, forming a second layer of cake.
6. Using a spatula, spread the remaining whipped topping over the cake pieces.
7. Decorate the perimeter with the strawberries, placing the strawberries cut side down. Sprinkle the remaining blueberries on top of the trifle inside the strawberry perimeter.

Find this and other recipes at http://www.foodnetwork.com/

As always, LSCC wishes you a fun and safe 4th of July!

The Flat Cats: Cat Caught Your Ear

July 1st 6:30

This week the square will be swinging at 6:30 to the rhythmic sounds and energy of the Flat Cats. The Cats are a Chicago based band that has played throughout Second City as well as in the Midwest some include performances at Navy Pier and the Summer Dance series in Grant Park. They also play at many smaller events such as weddings.

There are six members in The Flat Cats: Amanda Wolf (Vocals), Jon Kostal (Tenor Sax), Kevin Gawthorp (Baritone Sax), Stuart Olsen III (Electric Guitar), Nathan Kawaller (Bass), and Barry Rose (Drums). When you hear Wolf's sweet and pleasant voice, you feel as if you are going back in time to a day of flappers, lounge singers and brass instruments being popular instead of Rappers or Techno dance music. With the Combination of Sax, Guitar, Bass and Drums, it is hard to not want to break out in a Charleston.

On the Cats MySpace page, two songs are featured, and I would suggest taking a listen. 'Exactly like you' is an upbeat song that could be on the Chicago soundtrack. 'Can you dig' is The Cats contemporary example of a traditional Swing sound. They have a fun sound and an energetic buzz about them.
http://www.flatcatsmusic.com
So come cut a rug with us on July 1st at 6:30 and be taken back in time for an evening.

Doko Benjo

Thursday June 24, 2010 @ 6:30 Giddings Plaza

One of the best parts of the Summer Concert Series is that the majority of artists play in Chicago frequently. And Doko Benjo is no different. The band has played at venues across Chicago including the House of Blues, The Metro, Double Door and at festivals across the city. With their funk, soul and pop inspired music, it is hard not to want to break out into your version of a funk inspired dance. The band consists of Cary Kanno, Amy Totch, Matt Spooner, Rusty BassEhler, Dave Schacht, Joey Bohlmann and Jerry Spiering a group of friends that formed the band in 2004. With a mix of guitar, drums, bass, sax, trumpet and vocals their sound is very fun and summery which is very appropriate for the venue.

The band is also releasing their new cd "I Say Disaster" out on August 20, 2010 and will have advanced copies available at our concert this Thursday! Their music is available to hear at their website http://www.dokobenjo.com/ and don't forget to join us this Thursday at 6:30 to get funk-a-fid.

Rhubarb: A veggie or a fruit

What is it?

A less popular produce that one might think of purchasing this summer is a mysterious item:rhubarb. Rhubarb has often been referred to as both a fruit and a vegetable. In most countries, rhubarb is considered a vegetable. However, in the United States in 1947, a court actually ruled it a fruit which led to a reduction in tax. Because of its tart taste, it makes for delicious pies of sweetness and tart all mixed into one.

Most fruit is high in carbohydrates but rhubard is quite low (like most vegetables) with only about 4.5 g of carbs in a serving. It also has a large amount of both Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Below is a description of how to cook rhubarb:

It is advised to cut the stalks into pieces and boil them in water. Then add sugar (about 1/2 a cup to 3/4 a cup) for each pound of Rhubarb, add cinnamon or nutmeg for further taste. Some also suggest adding citrus flavors such as lime and lemon to make the taste richer. Rhubarb can make great fruit spreads and jams, be mixed with other fruits, sauces, wines and most commonly in pies.

Rhubarb and Strawberry Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
About 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
About 3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2 Cups sliced strawberries
2 Cups sliced rhubarb (1/2 inch in thickness)
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

Preparation:
1. In a food processor or a bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar and salt. Cut all but 2 teaspoons of butter into small pieces and add to flour mixture. Whirl or rub with your fingers until fine crumbs form. Add 1/4 cup water; whirl or stir with a fork just until dough holds together. Pat into a smooth 5-inch round. Wrap airtight and freeze until slightly firm, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a bowl, gently mix strawberries, rhubarb, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, and cardamom.
3. On a lightly floured board, roll dough into a 14-inch round. Slide onto a 14- by 17 inch baking sheet; if dough tears, press back together.
4. Stir berry mixture; spoon evenly onto pastry, leaving a 3-inch border. Fold dough border over edges of fruit, tucking to incorporate excess pastry.
5. Melt remaining 2 teaspoons butter in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave oven at full power (100%) about 15 seconds. Brush pastry rim with butter and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar.
6. Bake in a 375 degrees regular oven or 350 degrees in a convection oven until pastry is browned and the fruit is bubbling, 40-45 minutes.
7. Let cool at least 30 minutes. Slide a long metal spatula under pastry to release. Slide pie onto a platter. Serve warm or cool. Cut into wedges. ENJOY

Find this and other recipes at http://find.myrecipes.com/

If you have a recipe you would like to share with the rest of those that visit the blog, email it to us at lincolnsquareccintern@gmail.com.

Berries, Berries Everywhere

Summer is here (even though it has been quite cloudy/rainy lately) and that means delicious fruit is out and in abundance! Nowadays we can get strawberries, blueberries and raspberries throughout the year, but they are always more juicy and delicious during the prime summer months.

Since this Thursday June 17th from 4-8pm is the kick off of the Lincoln Square Summer Farmers Market, we at the Chamber have decided to feature a recipe each week about a different spotlight
ingredient for fun summer recipies. When anyone thinks
of summer fruit, the first ones that come to mind is an array
or berries: strawberries, blueberries,raspberries and blackberries.

Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries not only add fantastic color to our tables but offer us nutrition as well. These luscious fruits are free of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and a cup of raspberres offer eight grams of fiber for just 50 calories, while a cup of fresh blackberries provide half of your Vitamin C requirement for a day.

Eat these healthy fruits by themselves or incorporate into your diet in different ways:
- Add to bran muffins or whole wheat pancakes
- Try as toppings on your cereal or oatmeal
- Serve with low-fat yogurt for dessert
- Sprinkle on a spinach salad and serve with Vidalia onion dressing or balsamic vinegar
- Make a smoothie
- Use in salsas to serve with fish or chicken
- Add to frozen juice popsicles

For a fantastic smoothie, get creative and experiment with different berry combinations. To get started blend the following ingredients together:
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup low fat yogurt
1 cup fresh berries
1/2 cup of ice
For added sweetness, include a little honey or a splash of Orange juice
For extra fiber, include ground flaxseed

So get out to the Farmer's Market this Thursday and get some delicious berries!!

The Son's of the Never Wrong

Peformance on June 17th 6:30 pm

Sing, Take your Time, Sing, Let it Be, Sing, You Have Every Right, With or Without me"-From The Good Reason (1995)

The Chamber is very excited to introduce the start of the 2010 Summer Concert Series. Every Thursday throughout the summer at percisely 6:30 a different band will play in Giddings Plaza (4731 N. Lincoln Avenue) for the folks who come out for the entertainment as well as those who visit the Farmers Market that coincidentally also begins on the 17th from 4pm-8pm. Each week we will blog about the band that will be performing on Thursday to give you a taste before you come out and join us for them live and in action!

The first band of the summer is The Son's of the Never Wrong made up of Sue Demel, Deborah Lader and Bruce Roper. The Son's sound is a blend of Folk, Jazz and Rock influences that join together to create a version of sound that some have called "Turbo-Charged Folk Music". One review stated that the band's performance is "Eclectic, influenced, and crafted together witty lyrics that culminate in three-part harmony that creates a unique brand of folk music". The band has played in Lincoln Square before and we are thrilled to have them again as the opener to the Summer Concert Series.

http://sons.com/Video.html Click to have a listen

Website of the band http://sons.com/index.html

Summer Happenings

Summer Has Begun
Every summer is a great time to be in Lincoln Square and this summer is no different.

This weekend June 3rd-6th is the first festival of the summer, May Fest and everyone at the Chamber as well as many wonderful volunteers are ready for the masses to commence in the square. Lets hope for good weather!

Also we are very excited for both the Farmer's Market and Summer Concert series that begin on Thursday June 17th-September 2nd from 6:30-9:00.

Stay tuned for further info on bands, events and summer fun.