Windy City Times, in conjunction with QponChicago.com, is profiling neighborhood businesses in a series of features over the coming months.
Articles by Ross Forman. See www.qponchicago.com for offers this week on Rogers Park LGBT-friendly companies and services.
Bark Place
1775 W. Greenleaf Ave., 773-761-4444
If you ask Fido, you can bet he'd wag his tail in joy at Bark Place in Rogers Park, where a safe, healthy and comfortable environment is ever-present for the facility's furry, four-legged friends.
"All guests are treated as though they were our own pets and the individuality of each guest is recognized and respected," said Anthony Mesok, who founded Bark Place in 2007. "We strongly believe that all guests are entitled to our complete professionalism, competency, concern, and affection."
Mesok's personal joy comes from dogs Ted and Sela as well as Sprinkles, his 13-year-old cat. Mesok's professional pride comes from satisfied customers—and, of course, their happy "parents." Mesok also has a strong commitment to his community and has been successful working with other Roger Park citizens to create a new dog park, which is scheduled to open in October.
Bark Place—where pets play and stay, as the logo says—offers reasonably-priced day-care, overnight boarding and professional grooming services. In addition, they carry an excellent selection of Natural Dog and Cat food and treats.
"We have several distinct [day-care] areas to accommodate the varying needs of each guest, from the quiet and reserved to the gregarious social hounds," Mesok said. "Whether needing a comfortable hideaway, party atmosphere, or a place to work on your physique, Bark Place has what you need."
Those who board their loved ones at Bark Place can rest assured, just as the animals do, because guests have a big fluffy blanket, and soft classical music.
"Our hope and goal is to accommodate any guest request," Mesok said. "Just ask us and we will find a way to accommodate your special needs."
The grooming services at Bark Place range from a luxurious bath and blow dry, to a stylish new look. Full grooming services are currently available by appointment only, and it includes clipping, bathing, drying, brushing, massage, ear cleaning, nail trimming and anal-gland cleaning.
Mesok and the staff at Bark Place have a keen understanding of dog behavior and training, knowledgeable in nutrition and supplements, and are certified in pet first-aid by the American Red Cross.
Sweet Attila's Bake Shop
312-835-8444, Laura@sweetattilas.com
Need to satisfy that sweet tooth?
Then look no further than Sweet Attila's.
Building off the success from its time at the Glenwood Sunday Market, Sweet Attila's, a bake shop, is now a permanent fixture in the Rogers Park neighborhood, along with its new sister company, The Growling Rabbit, a café. Both are located in the former Café Ennui space at the corner of Sheridan Road and Lunt Avenue. The bake shop and the café now offer a new, vibrant destination for the Rogers Park neighborhood.
With its distinct lime green wall color, The Growling Rabbit serves an assortment of sandwiches, soups, salads, and other items, such as quiche and vegetable pot pie, while Sweet Attila's supplies its ever-expanding menu of baked goods including muffins, scones, tarts, brownies and cookies for the café and neighborhood.
With advanced notice, the bake shop can accommodate large and special orders. The Growling Rabbit and Sweet Attila's are open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
All bakery goods are flavorful, made with high quality ingredients, said founder Laura Soncrant, who operates on the principle that everyone should be able to enjoy amazing cookies and more.
After being diagnosed with a number of food allergies in 2006, Soncrant has learned to bake with alternate ingredients out of necessity and has spent the last four years perfecting all of her favorite cookie recipes.
"Whether you order cookies made with traditional ingredients, [with] alternative ingredients, or whether you order cookies as a gift or for yourself, Sweet Attila's guarantees you will enjoy a remarkable treat," Soncrant said.
There are multiple savory options at Sweet Attila's, as expected. Such as numerous shortbread cookies and biscottis in a multitude of flavors. Don't skip jen-love's sandwich cookies, which come in many flavors.
Cookies are $15 per dozen, plus $2.25 percent tax for Illinois residents. Bulk order and wholesale pricing is available, and minimum orders may apply.
Sweet Attila's is proud of its two charity programs—one that aides the Donald P. Sparks Educational Fund, and the other that donates cookies to U.S. soldiers.
Northside Dance Theater
7015-17 N. Glenwood Ave., 773-754-0192
So you think you can dance?
Well, it's not just a TV show, but a lifestyle at the NorthSide Dance Theater in Rogers Park, where a warm, comfortable, well-managed place is home to Chicago dancers of all ages and multiple styles. The NorthSide Dance Theater offers dance classes in the areas of ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, Zumba, Pilates and modern for students of all ages and levels.
Their goal is simple: provide a warm and friendly environment for learning, performing and enjoying dance.
NorthSide Dance Theater is Classical Dance Education for the 21st Century. "We believe in teaching dancers at their age and ability while keeping in mind their future growth," said NorthSide co-owner Jennifer Gage. The other NorthSide owners are Steve House and Amy Russell.
The NorthSide Dance Theater has been a hit among its customers, such as, Elizabeth R, of Chicago, who posted a glowing review on yelp.com . She wrote: "My daughter has taken the 4-5 year-old ballet class and loves it! Miss Jennifer, her dance instructor, makes sure to teach the classes in a fun, age-appropriate manner. The class is comprised of four other girls and Miss Jennifer. The small teacher-to-student ratio is a rare find. And the class fees are fairly reasonable. After many conversations with other parents [who] sent their children to other dance schools, NorthSide Dance Theater seems to meet our needs. She truly does look forward to the classes every week. On a side note, the NDT is a new dance school and is always receptive to input from their clients."
Meanwhile, Tiana K., of Chicago has taken adult intermediate and advance jazz and ballet classes, and also beginning hip-hop. Tiana, on yelp.com, said the staff and teachers have been "fantastic … encouraging and positive about my ability to rejoin the dance community." Tiana added: "They push you to try new moves, or old moves with a new approach. Their major concern is that you are doing things in a way that will keep you healthy and dancing for a long time. Everyone at the studio is friendly and welcoming.
They also have showcases at the studio at the end of every session. Each class gives a demo of what they do in class for their friends and family. They are completely optional, but are a nice way to dip your toes into performing."
The NorthSide Dance Theater offers classes for the "tiny dancers," including Mommy and Me! for both parent and child. There are options for juniors and teens as well as adults. "Even if you've never danced before, you are welcome in our beginner-level classes," Gage said.
Shambhala Center Of Chicago
7331 N. Sheridan Rd., 773-743-8147,
info@chicagoshambhala.org
The Shambhala Meditation Center of Chicago is part of an international community of over 200 centers. The center offers programs and classes in mindfulness meditation and the contemplative arts, free individual meditation instruction, and a vibrant, diverse community of members and friends who study and practice together. On Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m., the center offers Queer Dharma, a free meditation open house that caters to Chicago's LGBTI group.
"Queer Dharma was established more than 10 years ago so that LGBTI persons feel comfortable coming to a meditation center and being open about themselves in discussions with others," said Jon Feller, Queer Dharma coordinator. "It is important to recognize the basic goodness of everyone, no matter their sexual, gender or racial identity, their present state of mind, or their own particular history. We are here every Sunday night from 6:30 until 8:30 and we welcome everyone who has felt out of place in society. We offer a place to meditate together and readings and discussions to find out what the nature of our mind is, how to work with it, and how to bring sanity and gentleness into our lives. Occasionally we have special programs, including our annual Queer Dharma meditation retreat in August."
The center's mission is to help people recognize that everyone has a fundamental nature of goodness, warmth and intelligence. This nature can be cultivated through mindfulness meditation and can be further developed in daily life, so that it radiates out to family, friends, community and the world as a whole. In the course of our lives, this goodness, warmth and intelligence can easily become obscured by doubt, fear and egotism. The journey of becoming fully human means seeing through fear and egotism and waking up to our natural intelligence. It takes kindness to ourselves and others, and courage, to wake up in this world and to help others.
Queer Dharma begins with an hour of sitting and walking meditation, followed by a reading or a talk, discussion, and ends with time to socialize. Free meditation instruction is provided at the beginning of each session.
In addition to Queer dharma, the center offers many other open sessions and classes. Information about these programs and free sessions can be found at www.chicago.shambhala.org .
Pilates Chicago
1220 W. Morse Ave., 773-274-2673,
info@pilateschicago.net
"[Instructors] Jennifer and Matthew Zumann and Pilates Chicago have, quite simply, changed my life over the past 4 1/2 years. I stand taller because of them. I feel better because of them. I'm stronger, more fit, and healthier in body and mind. I was in pretty bad shape when I started Pilates [with] lower back problems that kept me off my feet too often. They started slowly, tailoring a program to my individual and even daily needs, and now I can't believe how far I've come. My posture has immeasurably improved and I am strong and flexible enough to do things I used to think I'd never achieve. Now I've seen what they've done for friends and coworkers I've referred; people can't say enough good things about them." — Sara B.
Pilates Chicago is internationally recognized by the Pilates Method Alliance and meets the highest standards of pilates training. The Rogers Park location offers private, semi-private, and group pilates sessions with well-trained instructors—and they can customize a program to meet the needs of each individual.
Pilates Chicago is committed to a healthy, flourishing environment, driven by health and happiness in hopes of making the community strong, vibrant, and fit in body, mind, and spirit. Its open level class will be taught by one of Pilates Chicago's apprentices or staff members and is free to all.
Pilates Chicago also offers numerous private and semi-private sessions, driven to develop long, flexible muscles, improve posture, and alleviate many common aches and pains. Pilates Chicago is equipped with reformers, a Cadillac, Wunda chairs, barrels, and numerous props and auxiliary items.
The Next Pilates Anytime Instructor Competition is a worldwide contest to find an inspiring and creative instructor to be featured in a full-length Pilates video on PilatesAnytime.com and Pilates Style Magazine.
One of the entrants is none other than Pilates Chicago's Jen.
"I am hoping to win the opportunity to share my unique perspective with a larger audience," she said. "Joseph Pilates envisioned his method restoring people to vibrant health; physically, physiologically, and mentally. In the fitness craze, this method is often reduced to a means to improved physique. This work can provide SO MUCH MORE. I want to spread the word and reinvigorate the Pilates Method as a means to holistic well-being."
To view Jen's profile and watch her sample video, go to: http://www.pilatesanytime.com/next/vote.cfm?cid=2#Jennifer-Golden-Zumann.
After you submit your vote, remember to click the link in the confirmation email so your vote will be counted.
