Party, party

Busy day for us. Andy was up early golfing and we took L to her friend R's graduation party this afternoon. L got this really big card for her and printed out photos of them together to stick all over the inside. And she decorated the envelope. August loved it. (So did R). R is a church friend so there were lots of church people there. We had a lively discussion over doughnuts and why we don't (yet) accept credit cards.

Then tonight, Andy and I went with Julie and Kevin downtown on the L for the Lincoln Park Beer Fest. We went last year with our friends and thought Julie and Kevin would enjoy it. It was lightly raining the entire time we were there so most of the animals stayed inside. They're smart. And it was chilly. We saw flamingos, camels, polar bears and zebras ... and a really ugly vulture.

Selfie time.

Enjoying the samples.

Our first stop was inside the Lion Building so visit the local brew pub, Kinslagher. The rain did not deter the crowds.

Walking from the zoo to the L stop to go home, we passed through Oz Park. Here's the Tin Man! From the Chicago Park District's Web site:

Although the area surrounding Oz Park is considered prime real estate today, in the late 1950s it was in sub-standard condition. In the 1960s, the Lincoln Park Conservation Association approached the City of Chicago in efforts to improve the community, and the neighborhood was soon designated as the Lincoln Park Urban Renewal Area. The urban renewal plan identified a 13-acre site for a new park, and in 1974, the Chicago Park District acquired the land. In 1976, the park was officially named Oz Park in honor of Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919), the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum settled in Chicago in 1891 several miles west of what is now the park. Having begun writing children's books at age 41, Baum wrote more than 60 books, including 14 Oz books, by the end of his life. In 1939, the production of an MGM movie, The Wizard of Oz, immortalized Baum's classic work of fiction. In the early 1990s, the Oz Park Advisory Council and the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce commissioned artist John Kearney to create a Tin Man sculpture, installed in October 1995. The Advisory Council followed up by raising funds for the Cowardly Lion, installed in May 2001; the 7 ft./800 lb. cast bronze Scarecrow, installed June 2005 and in Spring 2007 Dorothy & Toto joined their friends in the park.