#Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

[ajl1963]

Deco Doings - October, 2023

Autumn by William Welsh, 1930. Image from Pinterest. Here are some Art Deco events to partake during October. Metropolitan Museum of Art Art for the Millions: American Culture and Politics in the 1930s (In Person Event)      Thursday, September 7 – Sunday, December 10, 2023, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY Ida York Abelman (American, New York 1910–2002)Man and Machine,…

[gotankgo]

«Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (4802 N. Broadway) — Opened in 1907

©Raymond Kunst Photography»

[k8epot8e]

Train in Vain: Chapter 9 Another Time

Summary:

Doflamingo has you cornered and that's never a good place to be.

Notes:

The boys are back. (Y/N) continues making bad decisions. Will we see Dofy again?

TWs: Panic attack, acute anxiety, intimidation, drinking, cursing.

You considered your options and quickly realized that you had few. The colossal man had you quite literally cornered.

“Hah. Was just heading out. Like Vergo.” You managed to exhale while staring at the floor, avoiding his shielded eye contact.

“Now, that’s no fun. You’ve never been here before and you’re leaving after thirty minutes?” He tsked. “Don’t hurt the host’s feelings. Join me for a drink. I insist.” He retracted his long arm from its aggressive position in front of your face and turned, walking back towards the bar.

Immediately, you felt propelled to follow; you were a celestial body pulled into his overwhelming orbit.

You trailed behind him as he maneuvered through the long room. The fancily-dressed guests chatted with him as he passed. You found it difficult to keep up with him, despite his laidback pace and his hunched, somewhat peculiar way of walking. You guessed that each movement of his long legs equaled about three of your pokey strides.

After a couple of minutes of acting like his shadow, you and Dofy finally reached the bar.

Great, you thought, right back where I started. The long man turned around to face the room, resting his elbows on the bar’s wooden lip. You stood awkwardly at his side, attempting to convey confidence through leaning nonchalantly like Dofy.

Without any conversation or knowing glances, the bartender promptly delivered a bright green drink in a coupe glass to Doflamingo’s right hand.

“She’ll have one as well,” Dofy said without turning around. He sipped his drink.

You watched the green liquid travel past his lips. It had to be absinthe, you thought, as you couldn’t imagine Doflamingo drinking grasshoppers.

The bartender returned and handed you an identical drink. You’d only had absinthe once before. You felt Dofy’s eyes studying you despite his head remaining still. There was no alternative, you decided, and you took a big swig.

The man’s evil grin grew.

“Nice isn’t it? I have it imported from France.” Dofy said.

Surprisingly, you quite liked the cocktail. It was herbaceous and smooth. You offered the intimidating kingpin the most genuine smile you could muster.

“You’ll have to come by our little meeting space more often. I have others you can try as well. I stock nothing but the best.” He said.

There was a brief silence that you did not feel compelled to fill. The two of you watched the people at the party milling about, playing cards, and talking in groups.

“You are different than I’d thought.” He said breaking the comforting silence. His serpentine tongue danced between the corners of his mouth.

You held your breath.

“But if you haven’t noticed, fufu, everyone in the family is very different.” He chuckled. “You’ve been doing good work for me in the south, Monet. How has your position in the lab been treating you?” He asked.

Shit. This was what Smoker had warned you about.

“It’s going as smoothly as it can be. Ha.” You replied. You could hear your heartbeat ringing in your ears again.

“Caesar isn’t giving you too much trouble?” Doflamingo asked cheekily, finishing his drink. He positioned the coupe glass above his right shoulder; the vigilant bartender appeared out of thin air to replace the empty glass promptly with another.

“Well, you know Caesar.” You said and took another sip of your drink, looking away.

You felt the air thin around you. Doflamingo didn’t move, his trademark smirk still adorning his face. Nothing in your exchange was noticeably different, but you felt something fall out of place. An unspoken and intangible faultline appeared in your discourse. Normally, you wouldn’t have paid this any mind but with Doflamingo, you knew it meant danger.

Dofy stood up out of his lounged position and he turned, pointing his body towards you. You were caught in the crosshairs of his full attention. Your pulse drummed like incoming enemy fire in your ears.

“Tell me about the development of our new drug. I’d love to hear your perspective.” Dofy said, licking the left corner of his mouth.

You couldn’t tell if he knew or what he knew. All you knew was that you were absolutely fucked. Even if somehow he hadn’t caught on yet, he would soon. You were trapped.

Your body flipped an internal switch, all the blood rushed to your head as your gut sank and your heartbeat threatened to break through your ribs. Your brain yanked you unceremoniously into a panic attack.

You stared into Dofy’s sunglasses, mouth agape, body short-circuiting.

“W—well—” You stammered.

Suddenly, a large body slipped quickly towards you. The mass bobbed and weaved between the groups of guests. It was Trebol. He slid into Dofy’s side, placing a damp hand on the man’s right shoulder.

Doflamingo snapped to attention. “Trebol, what is it?”

“Law…is in the warehouse! He’s…destroying the new shipments! We need…you to help us handle him!” Trebol attempted to whisper while panting.

Doflamingo’s smile faltered for the first time all night. He furrowed his brow, hesitating.

He considered you and sneered, “We’ll finish this another time.”

Dofy huffed, promptly turning on his heel, and swept down one of the hallways at the other end of the bar with Trebol close behind.

--

At first, you didn’t move. Tears welled in your eyes and your jaw still hung slack. Your body trembled. Your brain finally locked in.

You propelled yourself, stumbling through the crowds of buzzing, happy people in a daze. Colors bled into one another and noises sounded tinny and sharp; your poor overstimulated brain attempting to keep up with your surroundings.

On reaching the parlor, you broke into a run as you fled down the steep staircase. You opened the door to the dive bar. Not seeing any sign of Disco, you kept running, throwing open the front door of the dive as the bell clanged loudly.

The cold, outside air stung your cheeks and lungs as you gasped for breath. You broke into a sprint, running down the sidewalk as fast as you could. You couldn’t remember if this was the right way back to the police cruiser, but it didn’t matter. As long as it was away.

You saw the cruiser coming up on your left as well as some shadowed figures you couldn’t make out. You grabbed at the wire and ripped it off your stomach, dropping it on the sidewalk next to the cruiser. You didn’t stop.

Your muscles and lungs ached with exertion as you tried to speed up even more, never looking anywhere but forward. You wanted to keep running, keep going, for as long as you could.

You managed to make it another block before you felt a large hand grasp your right arm. You screamed and started to flail. Two arms wrapped themselves around you and pulled you into the chest of a person behind you. You continued to yell and writhe, digging your fingers into the person’s skin. It wasn’t until you were locked into a full embrace did you realize that the person holding you was Kid.

On recognizing your friend you stopped screaming but your body continued to shake. He used a large hand, gently but firmly, to tilt your chin so that your eyes met. His amber gaze was stern and unwavering. Hot tears flooded your eyes blurring your vision of him. You began to sob.

--

The two of you stayed like that. You sobbing and vibrating with Kid silently holding you firm against him. After a couple of minutes, your shaking slowed and the gaps between your sobs lengthened. You felt your heartbeat recede back to your chest.

You suddenly realized that, in your panic, you’d dug your fingernails into Kid’s chest. You’d clawed deep enough to draw blood. You gasped and withdrew your fingers, watching his blood trickle down from the marks you scratched into his skin.

“Eustass I—” You stammered.

“It’s fine.” He said, “Wouldn’t be the first time a woman has left some marks on me.”

You were still preoccupied enough with your own emotions to not have the brain space to react to his little brag.

From behind Kid’s large shoulders, you saw Kil tentatively approach the two of you. Kid released his wrought-iron grip on you as Kil came over and pulled you into an embrace. His enormous arms coiled you tightly into his body, the side of your face resting against one of his large pecs.

You knew that you were finally coming down from the panic attack by your body’s reaction to your proximity to his boobs. Your ear against his chest, you could hear him inhale, gathering air to say something to you but he changed his mind and stayed silent.

He released you slowly and you took a step back. Both men were now eyeing you with concern.

“Where’s Franky?” You asked, breaking the silence.

“Smoker sent him home,” Kil said. “They said they’d give you a ride. We’ll be fine since we’re not too far from the venue.”

There was a pause.

“What do you mean?” You asked.

Kil hesitated. “Smoker and Tashigi said they’d give you a ride home.”

“You—you're sending me home?” You asked.

“Well…no. But—” Kil began.

“I risk my ass for you two and you try to pawn me off on the cops the minute I turn around?” You raised your voice, surprised at the hurt you felt.

“You know it’s not like that. We just assumed you wouldn’t want to keep going.” Kil said. He sighed. “(Y/N) you heard Smoker. We’re criminals. We didn’t tell you earlier because we were having a good time but being with us put you in danger. Doflamingo had you cornered! We were this close to—” He trailed off. It was the first time you’d seen him somewhat flustered.

“You didn’t put me in danger, Smoker did.” You said.

There was a brief silence.

“Also, frankly, I’d already assumed you were criminals when I met you, no offense. What kind of crimes are we talking anyway?” You asked.

Taken aback, Kil responded, “Um, black market stuff, mostly.”

It took you a minute to think. You knew you were being reckless…again, but it felt right to say.

“You two saved me earlier tonight. Now I’ve saved you. We’re even. I could walk away, I know that I probably should and that this would be the chance to do so but I’ve never had friends that cared enough to save each other like that before. I know it’s stupid and it goes against everything I’ve been taught to do in my life, especially after what happened in there, but I don’t care. I felt afraid because I was by myself but you two criminals make me feel safe. I want to keep going. I’m not going to let you send me home. I went in there in the first place to save you because I wanted to keep hanging out with you so that’s what we’re going to do.”

Neither man spoke. After a minute, Kid turned and began walking in the opposite direction.

“Alright, let’s go then.” He said

[urbs-in-horto]

Edgewater Historical Society presents:

Unearthing the Mysteries of the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge 1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024 Chicago Public Library Edgewater Branch Betty A. Barclay Community Room 6000 N. Broadway

Robert Loerzel has been delving deeply into the early years of the Green Mill – and related things, like the development of the Uptown neighborhood – in a history posted on his website, robertloerzel.com. He also reported on this topic for WBEZ’s Curious City program. Find out some of the secrets he has uncovered about the beginnings of this beloved jazz club.

[stevenmendel]

Frank Catalano Quartet! @catalanomusic #frankcatalano #catalanomusic #greenmill #greenmillcocktaillounge #coolestbarinchicago #jazz #chicago #livemusic #hashtag (at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpWxD3RuWXH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[globalfilmlocations]

The Lake House (2006) Film Locations

The Lake House (2006) Film Locations

The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock was filmed in and around Illinois. Locations: Maple Lake, Palos Hills, Illinois, USA (Lake House) Google Maps Co-ordinates: 41.714119, -87.886411 Richard J. Daley Center, West Washington Street, Chicago, IL, USA Google Maps Co-ordinates: 41.883630, -87.629874 Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, North Broadway, Chicago, IL, USA Google Maps…

[ukdamo]

Jazz at the Green Mill

One of mine... from March, 2012.

On my first ever trip to Chicago, I knew I wanted to go to the Green Mill.

Why? Well mostly for the music – for the easy, swingin’, free-wheelin’, makes-you-smile-whoop-and-holler, tap-your-feet, makes-your-jaw-drop, jazz.

The Green Mill has been an entertainment venue for over 100 years, offering a home to jazz for eighty of those. Al Capone’s side kick "Machinegun" McGurn ran the joint in the 20’s. The man behind the St. Valentine's Day Massacre was rumoured to "coerce" the talent onto Green Mill's stage. Well, you wouldn’t argue of he called you up and said; “Play!”

Al had his own booth – facing both front and side exits to the club - and the place has tunnels underneath, accessed from behind the bar, which were no doubt helpful if you were in a tight corner. Never been down, personally, but then they are supposed to be haunted.

So, the Green Mill has jazz and a long pedigree. Anyone who was anyone played here. 

So, that’s why I was determined to go, step into that history, and claim me a piece. It’s the same feeling of connectivity that impelled me to clink glasses in the ‘Top of the Mark’ in San Francisco, and to hear As Time Goes By played in ‘Sam’s Bar’ in Casablanca. When you’re a wagon driver’s boy from Nelson, with a penchant for travel and burdened by heavy duty cultural exposure to Hollywood’s film output from the 30s and 40s, you simply have to.

It’s a burden. But I carry it.

And now, to be in Chicago and not visit the Green Mill? I’d be bereft. It’s become a fixed point – a marker to myself that I am here. Really. Taking in a Cubs game (in season) has the same inevitability about it (like them loosing).

Last night’s offering was Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan. Think Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. A veritable hot club offering of gypsy jazz – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, violin and double bass.

Swing Gitan was to play 9 till 1, and then the second band was playing the late session.

The cover is a very modest $6. The Green Mill lives up to its cocktail lounge tag, and serves excellent booze. I went along with Tom (who was due in work at 11pm). Adam was coming along after band rehearsal (due to finish around 11) – so I was the continuing presence at the table. We were to be joined by a couple of Tom and Adam’s friends, which was always going to be fun.

The Lounge is a big rectangular space, with the bar running part way down the long side, making an L shaped-space for the punters. The performance space is on the short side of the L, with the wall to the rear.  The set up in the space is a combination of booths and cocktail tables with chairs or stools depending on their height. Lighting is low. Décor – Art Nouveau ambience with chunky fittings and recessed murals on the walls, complete with elaborate, and heavy-duty, framing.

Once you’re seated, the waitress takes your order and the drinks arrive: always good. Always what you asked for. Tip seriously.

Tom and I settled into a groove – a shot for openers, then Manhattan for me and Vodka for Tom. They were followed by a steady succession of bourbons and the occasional shot. Later in the evening, I asked for a coffee: our waitress declined payment for that. I told you, this is a classy joint.

But if the booze is good, the music is of the best.

The band covered some great jazz standards, Avalon, Since You’ve Been Gone, La Vie en Rose, It Don’t Mean a Thing, Les Feuilles Mort, Honeysuckle Rose, and a raft of others. They passed the solos around and bounced off one another, throwing in musical quotations and high jinks, making the crowd laugh with them. There was consummate art and virtuosity of playing right from the off. But if anything, the sets got better and better. They were in a groove and we were riding along with them.

There moments of sheer pleasure and exhilaration as the soloists brought us up short with displays of technical skill, artistry and creativity that simply wowed us all. Jazz is so exciting when it’s delivered like this!

The crowd thinned out at 1am but we were still finishing up drinks, talking low and chatting to our waitress (whom Tom knew). Tom finished his shift at Sofo and returned to us. We adjourned to a neighbouring bar – the Uptown Lounge - leaving those patrons remaining at the Green Mill to check out the second band of the night.

Adam ordered a Key Lime Martini. Helluva thing. Sharp, zesty and bites like an alligator. I got myself one.

The waitress from the Green Mill got off shift and joined us. Before we knew where we were, it had turned 3am, so we headed back home to bed.

This is as good a Chicago night as a man can have. Fine liquor, good company, music that is very heaven, and the murmur of conversation among friends.

[withsarahj]

phnom penh guide

RESTAURANTS 

Mexicano/Itacate - Really yummy Mexican food, probably the best in town, two branches are run by the same owner so if you want to skip the crowd go for Itacate (cooler atmosphere too). Get any of the classic tacos with a side of guacamole and sour cream + one of their lime sodas that come in a huge pot. Cute colourful interior and friendly staff. 

Jaru - Good value Korean food, chicken wings are great and they do a solid stew. Nice banchan and good atmosphere, is always full but you can always get a table.

Tokkiya - Homey Korean food for cheap, their Bimbimbap is the best I’ve tried. Low-key and very casual. Feels like your Korean grandma is cooking for you. 

Enso - Great for breafast/brunch. Australian style, healthy, fresh and has something for everyone. I always either get the mushroom omelette or the pancakes. Their bakery is pretty good too. Yummy smoothies.

Lot 369 - Along the same vein as Enso, Aussie style cafe, a bit more pared down. Nice ambiance and has a good range of food, service sometimes unreliable in the busier hours though. 

Java Cafe - One of the first cafes in town ever and still going strong. Go for the bagels, mushroom burger and huge salads. Friendly staff and very approachable with cool interiors. 

Backyard Cafe - Healthy food to the max but I love it when I’m in that mood. Huge portions, lots of veggies, salads and good for you food. Cold-press juice + healthy desserts too. 

The Shop - A Phnom Penh classic. Perfect breakfasts and even more perfect lunches. Go for the Benedict and the mango and passionfruit pancake. Smoothies and juices, I love their lychee mint one + they do a mean eclair. 

Origami - On the pricier side but they do set lunches for less than 10 if you’re on a budget. Great quality fish and good service. Feels like you’re in Japan.

O-san Ramen - The only acceptable ramen in the city. A super solid bowl of noodles. Hole in the wall kind of feeling, business guys getting off work and having dinner.

Shiva Shakti - Best Indian food in PP, a bit pricier but really worth it. Order your favourites + sweet lassi. 

Sesame Noodle Bar - Cute and quirky interiors, draws a nice crowd. Cheap and small menu. Star is the sesame noodles + Thor buns. 

Brooklyn Bistro - If you want to pig out, get the pepperoni pizza and the ribs. I can only go there when the mood hits since the food is on the heavier side.

Kravanh - Great Khmer food. Pricier side with traditional yet chic interior. 

Sakana Lab/Sushi Lab - Owned by the same people but different vibe. Sushi Lab for a one-time omakase experience. Sakana Lab for great japanese food for good value. Nice atmosphere and crowd.

Luna - My favourite pizza in town. Tuna salad + the seafood pasta is a favourite. Desserts are also great. 

Adachi - Solid Japanese food on the pricier side. Great service, super reliable and very high quality. You can get small Japanese style booths. Lively atmosphere usually. 

Fuwari - Small Japanese bakery. Best cream puffs and the mille feulle is wow. Takeaway is best, their seating is pretty limited.  

DRINKS

Tini - Tiny spot but beautiful and minimalist interiors. Nice coffee and artsy books to look through. Small menu + a few cakes. 

Kinin - Converted wooden house turned bar/restaurant. Nice open atmosphere, don’t really dig the food but the drinks are great. Mocktails are one of the best here too. 

Bassac Lane - Quickly turning into PP’s own Pub St so some areas can be seedier but Harry’s and Le Boutier are definitely the highlights. Yummy cocktails and a good vibe. Very hipster.

Sundown Social Club - Overlooks Russian Market, good spot for people watching. Nice cocktails and bar food but mainly go there for the beautiful interior and atmosphere. 

Brown - The ultimate local coffeeshop/brand. Brown is a PP icon. Delicious cold drinks and frappes. Ice lemon tea or ice latte is a go-to. Go for the great interiors, vibe and service, the food is not a highlight IMO. You’ll get a sense of the local coffee culture here.

Koi - Bubble tea is big here, so go for a takeaway cup. Oolong tea + their house grass jelly is my favourite. Another local fave is the green tea macchiato that you get a baby knife to cut and drink out of at a 45 degree angle. Extra but so yummy !

THINGS TO DO  Rooftop swim at Penh House or Patio: Rooftop swims are a big thing in the city, spend an afternoon just lounging around, drinking a coconut, eating too much from the poolside menu while watching the sunset. These two spots have the best views and ambience but can get crowded so go earlier.

Spa and massage at Bliss/Champei: Bliss has gorgeous interior and a super serene atmosphere, the building inside is very unique. Champei gives a good massage but on a budget. Cambodia is well-known for their spa-game so this is a must !

Russian market - Probably the most popular market in PP, I usually go for swimsuits, silver jewelry and sports clothes. They also have a food market inside, get the freshly squeezed orange juice to cool off.

Games cafe - So many games to play for cheap, paid hourly. I always have a good time here, there’s also a food and drink menu to order off of. 

Factory - Very cool and interesting co-working space + a bunch of other things. Huge place with coffee shop, basketball, games room + bikes for getting around. Trampolining is also here + a skatepark. 

Odom park - Relatively new park and one of the only truly green areas in the city. A space of calmness, draws a really diverse crowd. Has a cafe and some markets on the weekends. Worth it to check out. 

Now.here - Sweet studio run by a creative duo/couple. They do workshops, have prints and have other things for sale. 

Wander around in front of the Royal Palace - The street is blocked off from traffic, very rare in the city. Nice for people watching and has an otherworldly vibe. 

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Hanging around an old timey town

If I were to describe Tenney in one word, it would be cloudy. Idyllic would probably be more accurate, but I feel like that’s too vague. Cloudy’s a bit of an unusual description, I admit - especially when it's not used to describe the weather. 

What I mean by cloudy is that it’s a charming, almost dreamlike place. Like a mix of cottagecore aesthetics with the gardens and woodland creatures as well as colorful pictures of the sky in various shades of pastel. Imagine sitting outside, surrounded by flowers underneath a colorful sky, getting lost in a book while the breeze blows gently in your direction and the sun beams gently from above.

When you visit a place like Tenney, a day trip does not do it justice. No, in order to get the full idyllic, cloudy, and zen experience, you need to be there for at least two days. A short escape to turn to when you need a break. Spending the hours doing mundane stuff that’s rewarding really goes a long way.

I’m here with Jenny, Clarry, Lyndi, and Louie, who are in need of a vacation. The four came over from Chariott, where they were helping their uncle Ludwig move into a new house. 

Ludwig is what happens when you combine a mad scientist, a chaotic inventor, a mischievous magician, and a disaster bisexual into one lanky bespectacled guy. He’s either super brilliant or beyond baffling or somewhere in between. Either way his chaotic energy is contagious. Pretty much everyone in he’s ever spoken to told him “Ludwig no!”, in which he responds with “Ludwig yes!” and the results wildly vary depending on whether or not explosions were involved.

So the family has been spending the past week helping Ludwig bring various gadgets and gizmos from various labs scattered across the globe as well as some that are outside of that scope. After spending over a decade as a traveling adventurer/scientist, Ludwig decided that it was time to finally settle down. Chariott was his second choice, a remote island off the Diamond Coast, not too far from uncharted territory. His second choice was Rainbow Shores, another remote island, but it’s one of many places where he’s sorta banned from - meaning he can visit but not overstay his welcome.

Not surprisingly, Ludwig underestimated how many labs he set up so Jenny called up some reinforcements like Isabelle and us campers. Turns out he has a base not too far from Wizpire so we spent a day there packing all his stuff. While I find Ludwig’s stuff to be fascinating, going through everything and putting them in boxes felt like sticking my hand in  a sink full of dishes to find utensils and not knowing there’s a knife in there. A couple explosions aside, it went smoothly.

Louie and the triplets have been helping Ludwig for two and a half weeks straight. Finally, two days ago, they were done. The place is still a mess, but Ludwig has his own ways and insisted that his nieces and nephews take a break.

That’s why I planned this trip for them. Then after spending a couple days at Tenney, they’ll be staying at the campsite on the newly renovated second floor of the cabin for a week. Knowing Jenny, she’s made a mile long itinerary, and knowing her sisters and cousin, they won’t stick to it. I’m sure we’ll find a happy medium.

We left Chariott around 5 am with Jenny insisting on driving the whole way since the others were passed out in the back. I offered to take over but she declined, which I didn’t mind too much since she’s a morning person and I’m not. Though I feel kinda bad for having her drive since she’s supposed to be relaxing - then again, she does find driving relaxing, especially on a day like today when there’s no traffic and we’re taking the scenic route.

From Chariott to Tenney, the drive took about three hours. Once we got settled in the Bed and Breakfast, we were ready to take on the day! 

One of the things I love about Tenney is the outdoor workshop classes it offers. From cross breeding flowers to hand lettering to culinary arts to building carriages - there’s no limit to what kind of new skills you can pick up! 

We went to a morning workshop session, where Jenny and I made journals. As in we made our own paper, made the covers with linen we designed, hand stitched the pages - literally the whole thing is made from scratch! It’s a lot of work, but I enjoyed it a lot. Clarry made a bunch of cute stickers while Lyndi and Louie hung out at the beach, where we met up after we finished making our creations.

Around noon we set up a picnic at the beach, taking the time to enjoy the sights and sounds surrounding us. The food, like pretty much everything in this town, is made from scratch. Fragrant jasmine rice from the fields, fruits and veggies picked at the peak of ripeness, flour from the wheat fields to the mill - it’s amazing how much work is put into everything!

A while ago I started following Lia Yi, a vlogger from Tenney who makes videos about her everyday life. Watching her bake bread or work on her garden or using her handmade paints to decorate a canvas while classical music (pieces composed by her) plays in the background is super relaxing. We had the pleasure of meeting her while taking a stroll in the community garden, where she gave us a tour and showed us her latest projects.

After lunch we stopped by the library, which looks like a greenhouse except it’s full of books, and hung around the lounge for a couple hours. Lying on a branch surrounded by vibrant greens and pastel pinks while on my laptop listening to music and scrolling social media makes me feel like I’m one of those lo-fi girls. Speaking of which, I’ve been really into lo-fi lately and it’s been doing wonders with my creative output in terms of art journaling.

Then we headed to the orchard/bakery where we picked fruits and made pastries. It was super cool to see how much work goes into making lemon poppyseed muffins and cherry pies because, like I said, everything is made from scratch! We also learned how to make lingonberry jam, rose, and ice wine, which was super cool as well. 

The villagers are always more than happy to show us around and teach us how to make stuff, another reason why I enjoy visiting Tenney. Even making dough at the bakery (something I have a love/hate thing with) was more relaxing than usual. Something about going back to our roots and doing things the old fashioned way - I guess doing all this stuff by hand is kinda like a form of mindfulness. 

Before we knew it, night had come. Since we were at the bakery, we made dinner paired with rose and dessert. A quick trip to the B&B to drop off the jam and wine crates and a walk around town square followed, leading to a two hour karaoke session at the rec center. 

Clarry’s latest hit, Somewhere in Your Mind, was one of the selections on the machine, which she found flattering. When she came up to sing it to see what would happen, a couple villagers immediately recognized her and she gave her fans the VIP treatment. 

It took a couple cocktails but Clarry convinced me to step up to the stage and sing some tunes. I like watching people sing karaoke but ask me to go up there I’d be like no way. Unless I’m in a group and/or slightly buzzed, then maybe.

So we hung out at the rec center until it closed around 1. After karaoke, we went to the arcade, where Louie and I fought to the death in a sword fighting game, Jenny had to wrestle Lyndi away from a VR game when things got too intense, and Clarry beat the high score in a ukulele game. 

Then we got back to the B&B, where we hung out a bit at the lobby sharing drinks and stories for about an hour before heading off to bed. Jenny’s starting an internship at Viola Francois in August and she’s super hyped about that. Clarry has been busy with her newest songwriting partner on her upcoming album planned to be out next year. Lyndi started getting into tik toks and has been making a bunch of vids that have gone viral. And Louie’s taking it easy after surviving freshman year at Seashore Path as well as reconciling with his uncle, who he has a love/hate relationship with. 

Maybe it’s because I’m super tired, but this bed feels like I’m floating on a cloud. The mattress’s even kinda lumpy like one - and super soft too, I must say. 

[rolandopujol]

For me, no trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, even if all I have is time to grab a photo. The lounge traces back to 1907, and a few years later acquired its current name and for a time a green mill on its roof — a play on the Moulin Rouge, or Red Mill, in Paris. Today, the pedestrian gets to enjoy the sumptuous neon and chasing-light bulb sign, with its magnificent cursive. Inside, the music lover can slip into a jazz club that’s been restored to its Prohibition-vintage splendor, a time when legends of jazz (Billie Holiday) and crime (Al Capone most famously — you can still sit in his booth) haunted the place. Heroically and presciently restored by Dave Jemilo in the 1980s, when the lounge and the Uptown neighborhood were going through rough times, the Green Mill is today an international destination. I’ve visited twice, in November, at night, seen in my second photo, and last month in the late afternoon. I can’t get enough of the Green Mill. I like to say it’s a grand place to commune with spirits — and not just those on the cocktail menu. If you’ve been there, you know what I mean. #retrologist (at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1r-MFcF4cT/?igshid=uj1bmcz4z6s2

[braidedjanes]

Juny play her @roland_us kit at The Green Mill #femaledrummer #guayaca #greenmill #rolandvdrums (at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_nmfNAHKs/?igshid=md4w3kyzcuw0

[harpers-mirror]

at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge https://www.instagram.com/p/B5MmavKgvs0/?igshid=b6szo3ptgtsi

[atsunderecactus]

The Green Mill - Part 1

I went to the Green Mill today, a cocktail lounge that Al Capone used to frequent. I'm so glad I got to visit this place; the artwork and woodwork were gorgeous.

[ukdamo]

The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

(This is one of my efforts)

On my first ever trip to Chicago, I knew I wanted to go to the Green Mill. Why? Well mostly for the music – for the easy, swingin’, free-wheelin’, makes you smile-whoop-and-holler, tap-your-feet, makes your jaw-drop, jazz.

The Green Mill had been an entertainment venue for over 100 years, offering a home to jazz for eighty of those. Al Capone’s side kick “Machinegun” McGurn ran the joint in the 20’s. The man behind the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was rumored to “coerce” the talent onto Green Mill’s stage. Well, you wouldn’t argue if he called you up and said; “Play!”

Al had his own booth – facing both front and side exits to the club - and the place has tunnels underneath, accessed from behind the bar, that were no doubt helpful if you were in a tight corner. Never been down, but then they are supposed to be haunted. So, the Green Mill has jazz and a long pedigree. Anyone who was anyone played here. And they still do.

So, that’s why I was determined to go step into that history and claim me a piece. It’s the same feeling of connectivity that impelled me to clink glasses in the ‘Top of the Mark’ in San Francisco, and to hear As Time Goes By played in ‘Sam’s Bar’ in Casablanca. When you’re a teamster’s boy, with a penchant for travel and burdened by heavy duty cultural exposure to Hollywood’s film output from the 30s and 40s, you simply have to.

It’s a burden. But I carry it.

And now, to be in Chicago and not visit the Green Mill? I’d be bereft. It’s become a fixed point – a marker to myself that I am here. Really. Taking in a Cubs game (in season) has the same inevitability about it (like them loosing).

Last night’s offering was Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan. Think Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. A veritable hot club offering of gypsy jazz – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, violin and double bass.

Swing Gitan was to play 9 till 1, and then the second band was playing the late session. The cover is a very modest $6. The Green Mill lives up to its cocktail lounge tag, and serves excellent booze. The Lounge is a big rectangular space, with the bar running part way down the long side, making an L shaped-space for the punters. The performance space is on the short side of the L, with the wall to the rear. The set up in the space is a combination of booths and cocktail tables with chairs or stools depending on their height. Lighting is low. Décor – Art Nouveau ambience with chunky fittings and recessed murals on the walls, complete with elaborate, and heavy-duty, framing.

Once you’re seated, the waitress takes your order and the drinks arrive: always good. Always what you asked for. Tip seriously. I settled into a groove – a shot for openers, then a Manhattan for me and a vodka for my drinking, and jazz, buddy. They were followed by a steady succession of bourbons and the occasional shot. Later in the evening, I asked for a coffee: our waitress declined payment for that. I told you, this is a classy joint.

But if the booze is good, the music is of the best.

The band covered some great jazz standards, Avalon, Since You’ve Been Gone, La Vie en Rose, It Don’t Mean a Thing, Les Feuilles Mortes, Honeysuckle Rose, and a raft of others. They passed the solos around and bounced off one another, throwing in musical quotations and high jinx, making the crowd laugh with them. It was consummate art and virtuosity of playing right from the off. But if anything, the sets got better and better. They were in a groove and we were riding along with them. There were moments of sheer pleasure and exhilaration as the soloists brought us up short with displays of technical skill, artistry and creativity that simply wowed us all. Jazz is so exciting when it’s delivered like this!

The crowd thinned out at 1am but we were still finishing up drinks, talking low and chatting to our waitress. We adjourned to a neighboring bar – the Uptown Lounge - leaving those patrons remaining at the Green Mill to check out the second band of the night.

I ordered a Key Lime Martini. Helluva thing. Sharp, zesty and bites like an alligator. The waitress from the Green Mill got off shift and joined us. Before we knew where we were, it had turned 3am, so we headed back home to bed.

This is as good a Chicago night as a man can have. Fine liquor, good company, music that is very heaven, and the murmur of conversation among friends.

Make mine Jim Bean on the rocks.

[arthurwrightart]

TIM WARFIELD ON SAX AT THE GREEN MILL @greenmilljazz.com 5 inches by 7 inches Mixed Media on Paper AVAILABLE: wrightdesigninc@aol.com GETITWRIGHT.COM Music Promoter @lgentry266 #JazzInstiuteOfChicago #logancenterforthearts #hydeparkjazzsociety #jazz #greenmilljazzclub #coltrane #sax #MusicArt #classicalmusic (at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzty5k_pgJ5/?igshid=q3qnzwbdca60