If you actually have some time to tear yourselves away, there were a few places I hit when I was visiting the warm and windy city a few weeks ago. If you love vintage shopping like I do, check out Clothes Optional located at 2918 N. Clark Street (773.296.6630). They have a very hip but organized layout to their store, filled with both men’s and women’s clothes, along with a great collection of vintage purses, a complete weakness for me. I picked up a very unique ‘60s poka dot bag for only $14, so the bargains are to be had. Then there’s the DvA Gallery located at 2568 N. Lincoln Avenue (773.871.4382, www.dvagallery.com) who recently celebrated their one year anniversary with their “Gala-Tiki” party featuring The Pop Tarts, Shag, Jen Greenbury and several other artists. Specializing in lowbrow art to rival our own DC Gallery, this is a great stop over while you’re strolling through the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

If the heat hasn’t wiped you out but you’re still thirsty, we had quite a time in Bucktown. We hit up Subterranean first, which is located at 2011 W. North Avenue, but didn’t stay for more than one drink that we gulped down just to escape the cheesy, mainstream R&B crap they had playing that night. In their defense, Steve Albini’s band played there the following night, so I guess it just depends on what they have going on. Where we found our home was at Estelles located next door at 2013 W. North Avenue (773.782.0450). My friend Jennifer was my tour guide and she kept true to her word that this would be the spot for the night. After weeding out the rookie drinkers we made fast friends with Kevin, Charlie, and Charlie’s brother who was acting like a third wheel. Filled with a bevy of the musician and art types, we got to know about Charlie’s band Stripping the Pistol (www.strippingthepistol.com) and talked about god-knows-what until dawn. Yea, it was light out when we left. You have to remember that the bars stay open longer than they do here, which can be very dangerous, so you’ve been warned.

Then there’s Viagra Triangle on Rush Street, where all the young chicks go to meet the sugar daddy loves of their lives. Feeling a bit bleary from the night/morning before, we found refuge at Carmines located at 1043 North Rush Street (312.988.7676 www.rosebudrestaurants.com/carmines.htm). Not only is it a great spot for people watching (so much so I lost my train of though in mid sentence, captivated by the stream of Harley Riders and Bentley drivers), but their food is great and the service even better. My friend Jen did some celebrity spotting when one of MTV Real World’s former participants stopped in for some take out. To me he was just some guy that popped out of a huge SUV type vehicle, turned the brim of his hat down so he wouldn’t get noticed, and emerged a few minutes later with huge bags of food. I haven’t watched that show since San Francisco, so what did I know.

If you are not able to venture out much, there’s plenty within walking distance from Grant Park, including the adjacent Millennium Park located on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets. This is like you’ve taken a trip into what architects in the 1950s may have envisioned as the future. On 24 acres they have a metal sculpture that also serves as a building and walkway, leading you to the amazing Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Another chance to cool off is presented in a monolithic fashion as a fountain streams water over a huge video screen that changes out every few minutes. There’s also an outdoor restaurant and open air art gallery. If you keep walking, you’ll hit the infamous street of Michigan Avenue lined with all the shops you could die for, including H&M.

Chicago is a great city and a place I hope to visit again before the chilling winds start coming off of Lake Michigan. If you’re lucky enough to be there this weekend, just remember what I said about the sunscreen.

-Kim Owens, July 22, 2005