After the email exchange I had with Allyson on Wednesday, I feel compelled to write this review…read more First, I will take you back to September of 2010; it was not my finest hour by any means. I had graduated from college that May and had been sitting around the house collecting dust ever since. Once you have been unemployed long enough to see Family Feud go through two hosts, you know that the time had come to once again give your life purpose, so I actively began to tackle items on my bucket list. Through some research on handy-dandy Yelp, I discovered Sweatshop of Love. Last September, I started with Allyson's 'Holiday Present Prep' class (which she is repeating again this year). It is basically the class you make out of it. Everyone in the class contributes to a Google Doc list of homemade gifts that they would like to make for their friends and family. All class participants can access and alter it so everyone can encourage each other and get ideas for their gifts as well. During this 10-session course, I learned not only the knitting basics, but also how to make scarves, socks, mittens, gloves, bags, the ever popular beer cozy, and 80% of a sweater (I ran out of steam on it toward the end; smaller projects provide more instant gratification!). Granted, I was knitting like it was paying the rent and the rent was due tomorrow, but I couldn't believe the quality and amount of instruction I was able to receive for $95. Allyson is so sweet and patient; she will never say anything but encouraging things to you in class. I may not have had a job, but I still had the satisfaction of knowing I could make practical items for myself, which was (and still is) so invaluable. Almost immediately after Holiday Present Prep finished, I landed a job...and started a lunchtime knitting group. The student had become the teacher? Not quite Allyson caliber, but I knew enough to teach a group of ladies at work how to make 'Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth'. I felt like such a proud parent when my coworkers would come up to me on Monday morning and show me the progress they had made over the weekend. Anyway, this Wednesday, Allyson sent out an email regarding her upcoming fall classes, which included another item on my bucket list: learn how to crochet. Nice! If you are not ready to make that 10-week commitment, she also offers a one-night introduction to knitting and individual one or two-night projects you can choose to work on. If you are completely new to this and don't know where to begin, Allyson will also buy your supplies for the first day for an additional fee. So to sum it all up, you can learn some yarn arts at a reasonable price with a friendly group of people in a cozy coffee shop in Logan Square. If you have always wanted to learn how to knit or crochet, this is a great place to start! The only thing you stand to lose is that trip to Target when you need a new pair of socks.

The Sweatshop of Love totally rocks!…read more I had my first class with Allyson last year and she was super patient and understanding with me and my clumsy fingers. After she taught me how to knit, I wanted to take it up a notch and learn how to crochet. I went to her beginner's crochet class with a friend and we had a great time! We all chatted and drank coffee and had so much fun! She always takes the time out to help you and she never makes you feel stupid for not getting something the first (or second, or third) time. BONUS: She always sends detailed notes and instructions following a class so you don't forget what you have learned! I would HIGHLY recommend The Sweatshop of Love for your knitting and crocheting education!

Small but welcoming community in Chicago…read more The play space is well equipped with a variety of accoutrements whether your heart desires a light spanking or full flogging. There's an entire medical play space for those seeking a cure. And the rules are pretty simple. No biosports. With the exception of blood. Check the website for events. Tours for non-members are offered regularly to check the place out.

How can there be no reviews on this group yet? How?!…read more Fine. I'll bite. I am not a member of the LRA, but I did attend one of their functions and had a seriously great time. People were friendly, and introduced me to other friendly people, who in turn got me up to speed on well...pretty much everything. It was a really good night, I have to say. The LRA are good people. If its you're scene look them up!

You'll recognize this private club's clubhouse as the place next door to the Lincoln Square Old…read moreTown School of Folk Music building with the big "Home of the Niedersachcen" sign/banner on it. So it is a private club, but they welcome newcomers who might be interested in participating or joining their club, which is comprised of German immigrants and German Americans or anybody who's interested in preserving German culture and traditions in Chicago. This in general means German holiday traditions, German Food and Drinking traditions, some German language (although not required) and German partying. And do they ever throw one hell of a party! I've been to several events here and had a fabulous time at each! The Kappenabend, or Hat night is a real hoot- everybody puts on their craziest hat and shows up and enjoys food and drink and singing German beer drinking songs. The first Saturday of every month is their open house night- a perfect time to show up and meet and drink with other German minded people. The clubhouse itself is great- like a mini German Restaurant basement bar. A beautiful mural of Hamburg is painted in one corner, a nice functional bar where various German Beers are served (and pretty cheap too!), and a small kitchen from which all manner of German food may emanate: yummy powdered sugar donuts to potato pancakes to Bratwurst- mmmm. The people I've met here have been very welcoming & friendly- and they've a great mix of stories to tell too! So of all the German-American type experiences in Chicago, a party at the Niedersachsen Club may be the closest you'll get to a little taste of Germany. Meyer deli up the street is the only other thing that comes close for me.

Was there only once for my cousin's wedding. Can't say enough great things about the club. Talk…read moreabout a hidden gem.

A beautiful country club tucked into the Edgewater neighborhood. I've been invited several times as…read morea guest for lunch or dinner and each time has been excellent. The staff is very attentive and steps in at the exact right moment. Apart from dining there is a venue for events, a few holes for golf, tennis courts, a pool, an area for bocce ball, and an ice rink. It's quite an expensive initiation fee to join, but definitely a beautiful place to be.

I've volunteered with Cradles to Crayons several times already by myself and with my kids. Their…read moremission and goals are clear and evident. They are extremely organized and can take large group of volunteers but also work with smaller ones. I highly recommend coming here as part of a group from work or even with your family especially if you have never volunteered before.

I've volunteered for countless field trips for my 3 kids over the years and Cradles to Crayons is…read moremy personal favorites. My son's class came here to help sort thru the many many bags of donations they receive. I thought the staff at Cradles to Crayons did an amazing job explaining to a group of 3rd graders how this was an opportunity to help those less fortunate and love that they also got to help with the process. We spent a few hours sorting thru piles of clothing and dividing them into different categories (winter coats, girls short sleeve shirts, skirts to name a few). The kids had a lot of fun and even got a few chuckles when they came across things like bras and thongs, which were thrown in the "recycle bin." After a few hours of work they took a tour of the amazing facility, ate lunch and the Cradles to Crayon staff wrapped it up by praising them on their hard work! My son mentioned it was a super fun day and I think he enjoyed it more than the other field trips we've taken this year (ex: Chicago History Museum). I've now been here 3 times for field trips with my kids and each time I make a note that I need to come separately of school. This time I'm determined to make the time to donate my time to this amazing organization and great excuse to clean out my closets ahead of time to make a donation!

I have been going to the Mosaic School since January 2025 and have taken 3 classes. The teachers…read moreare great, the atmosphere is welcoming, and I tell all of my friends and family about this place! Nowhere else in the U.S. is there an art school that has such a focus on mosaics. I've learned so much -- they provide the materials and the expertise. I've met some really wonderful people and friends and am already signed up for their stained glass class in September!

Just spent the most amazing weekend at the Chicago Mosaic School. I traveled over 500 miles to get…read morethere and it was well worth my time and effort. I felt the atmosphere to be warm and accepting, accommodating those with little experience and those who spend their lives being creative. It was a perfect balance of informational, historical and hands on Glass work. All my questions were thoroughly answered and I left feeling inspired and eager to utilize what I learned. I would recommend this school to any and all. An added bonus is the eclectic neighborhood, warm and charming teacher, Lydia, inclusive atmosphere and creative vibe that persisted throughout the class.

A great local Ravenswood / Lincoln Square organization helping to serve the underserved and hungry…read morein the area. By working with shipping volunteers (among others), shoppers are able to pick out food with dignity. I've only volunteered here once so far but I think they're doing some really good work. Sign up to volunteer via their website!

The Friendship Center is doing some good things for three community…read more I've always wanted to help out my neighbors by volunteering, and what a pleasure it has been to dedicate my time here. TFC treats all shoppers with dignity and respect and does it's best to provide a much-needed service to those in need. Operating in 4-hour increments, shoppers have the opportunity to pick out their choice of groceries from an assortment of items. Shopping volunteers guide them around the pantry and bag the items for the shoppers. Hot meals and delivery meals are also provided on occasion. I encourage anyone interested in volunteering to come by and help out. It could not be easier or more fun. I also encourage anyone in need to check to the website to see if they qualify.

Chicago Beer Club is FREE to join and creates tasting events at various venues in and around…read moreChicago. You get to learn about micro brews while you socialize, network and of course sip on beer! Enough said . . .see website to join for FREE

With one and soon to be two kids at RC4, we have only positive things to say about this daycare…read more The lead teachers/caregivers are uniformly excellent and well prepared - our daughter has loved each of them as she's grown up there. The rooms are well maintained and well stocked with appropriate toys/activities as is the small playground. The building is clean and functional but not super fancy, as you would expect from being an extension of a community church, but all perfectly appropriate for a daycare. Like most child care in Chicago the price is high but very competitive compared to other facilities in the area. We also love how plugged into the community RC4 is, specifically the weekly farmers market in their parking lot in the summer. Our only quibble is with some of the sick policies that can be more restrictive than the recommendations of local health authorities, but this is a relatively infrequent annoyance. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a daycare!

Very strong recommendation after almost 4 years of having our child attend here. High quality care,…read moretrained professionals, responsible policies and consistent support. We have the utmost trust for them.