The Cook in "A Cook's Guide"

Chef/author Marilyn Pocius has a talent for a). finding weird, exotic, and ethnic ingredients in the Chicagoland area and b). telling you what in the heck you can do with them. Her book, A Cook's Guide to Chicago, is not just a guidebook to Chicago's culinary underground, but with over one hundred recipes, it serves as a road map to creating the extraordinary in your kitchen as well. If that isn't enough to get you started, perhaps having Marilyn show you how easy it can be will finally get you out to Thai Grocery and Caputo Cheese Market. She'll be demonstrating three of her simple recipes during the Taste of Chicago and you'll leave prepared to create green papaya salad, mango salsa, and caprese salad (all perfect for summer).

Catch Marilyn Pocius on Sunday, July 2, 2006, 2:00 p.m., at Dominick's Cooking Corner in the Taste of Chicago.

She's also giving free demonstrations (on how to use mustard greens) during the Chicago Botanic Garden's Great Chef Series on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The Book Is Out!

A Field Guide to Gay & Lesbian Chicago

by Kathie Bergquist and Robert McDonald was published yesterday!

Help Lake Claremont Press and the authors celebrate by attending the book release parties:

The first party will be hosted by Women & Children First Bookstore in Andersonville. The authors will be on hand to read from the guide and autograph copies of the book. Wine and cheese will be available and a raffle will feature prizes from local businesses. This event is free; please bring family and friends to help the authors celebrate.

Thursday, June 29: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Women & Children First Bookstore
5233 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
773/769-9299

The second launch—a mix and mingle cocktail reception—will be held at Big Chicks in Uptown/Edgewater on Tuesday, July 11th. Books will be available for sale, the authors will be signing copies, appetizers will be provided, and there will be a cash bar.

Tuesday, July 11: 7:30 p.m.
Big Chicks
5024 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL
773/728-5511

And be sure to listen for Kathie and Robert on WBEZ's 848 this Friday, June 23rd and look out for their Field Guide-themed entry in Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25th—say hello as they pass by!

We hope to see you at the parties! There is no need to RSVP for either event.

Hands on Stanzas & Baloney

My friend Joe likes poetry more than anyone I know; it's a recurring theme that I don't much get though I like observing the many ways he enjoys poetry in day-to-day life...whether it's a routine Sunday trip to the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill, scribbling a poem on a napkin at Jeri's Grill, or making sports poems part of an Olympics-watching party. He's also a first-grade teacher and a public transportation fan, so can you imagine the glorious intersection for him of the Poetry Center of Chicago's Elevated Verse project. Part of their Hands on Stanzas program that connects Chicago school children with poets in residence, Elevated Verse showcases the poetry and artwork of 25 young poets on L trains. Look for these posters from June 5 through July 2, or see them online. Thought I'd mention that Joe's new favorite at Jeri's is the "Jailhouse Special," which adds fried bologna to our standard eggs-potatoes-toast breakfast, AND that one of the poems I've seen is Rosamaria C.'s "First Time with My Dog," which opens with the great line: He came to me with a big baloney tongue, licking and licking...

Blues from the inside out

Lake Claremont Press author Karen Hanson has posted a recap of her 2006 Chicago Blues Festival experience along with photos she took this past weekend on her Today's Chicago Blues blog.

She has also included a link to the Tribune's stunning photo essay of Fernando Jones that is worth a look. Fernando is one of many blues musicians Karen interviewed for her forthcoming book Today's Chicago Blues.

The book will be published next month, but for a preview of Karen Hanson's insider blues knowledge, check out the interview with her that was posted on Chicagoist today.