Lollapalooza rocks kids-for free; kinky superfreaks find love; green roofs, rings, and more for August
 |
A rock ‘n’ roll petting zoo:
Perry Farrell isn’t underestimating the taste of kids who tag along to his Grant Park blowout August 4th through 6th (under ten free with a paying adult; www.lollapalooza.com). Kidzapalooza will feature a “music” zoo-“Kids will be able to plug in a Gibson solid body and scare their parents half to death,” Farrell crows-and a stellar local lineup. Catch Ella Jenkins, the “grandmother” of children’s music; “alt-kid” musician Justin Roberts; the Q Brothers; and the Blisters, featuring the preteen son of Jeff Tweedy. For big kids, Wilco headlines.
Trotterama:
“The greatest meal on the planet that night,” says Charlie Trotter of his $650 anni-versary gala on July 30th. In the kitchen: Andoni Luis Aduriz (Mugaritz, Spain), Wylie Dufresne (WD-50, New York), pastry chef Pierre Hermé, and-in a surprising turn-Grant Achatz.
Says Trotter: “I invited young Grant Achatz. We’ve historically supported local colleagues.” For info, call 773-248-8949, ext. 10.
 |
Baubles with a conscience:
“Our jewelry is an offshoot of our activism,” said Brian Leber, owner of Leber Jeweler in Western Springs (907 Burlington Ave.; 708-246-1455), which is creating buzz with custom pieces cut according to environmental and fair-labor standards. Our pick: a platinum ring set with Pavé diamonds and a 1.5-carat blue sapphire-using recycled platinum and Canadian-origin bling. Cost: $4,900.
A rooftop put to good use:
In spring, executive chef Todd Stein and line cook Travis Lorton planted ten varieties of heirloom tomatoes on the roof of MK (868 N. Franklin; 312-482-9179), where they work. Come summer, the two are incorporating their fresh veggies and herbs into menu items such as the tomato and burrata cheese salad. “It doesn’t get any fresher,” says Lorton.
 |
Must-have item of the month: Tank tops by Lillian’s Lace, inspired by hand-drawn lace patterns from the 1920s that local designer Randi Lamb inherited from her great-grandparents’ lace and embroidery business. “My idea was to take something that was truly vintage and make it more funky,” says Lamb ($38, available at Randoons, 962 1⁄2 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka; 847-784-1890, www.lillianslace.com).
Wanted: hot kinky super-freak
In August Michael Beaumier débuts with I Know You’re Out There (Three Rivers Press; $13.95), a collection of tales gleaned from editing personals at the Chicago Reader. “Sometimes people had wonderful dates,” he says. “Then other times they’d call and say, ‘You owe me $20-I paid for dinner and didn’t even get a kiss.'”
 |
Hot for hybrids:
Buyers from as far away as Portland are burning jet fuel to fly and pick up hybrid cars in Chicago, which, anecdotally, boasts a short wait time. “To [some consumers], a plane ticket to Chicago and driving the car back is worth the price,” says
T. J. Prayner, hybrid director for Grossinger Toyota North in Lincoln- wood. The average wait time in Chicago: four to six weeks. In L.A.: four months
Photoillustration: John Ueland (Farrell Tim Grant/Wireimage.com)
Photography: Ring courtesy of Leber Jeweler, Hybrid ©2005 Toyota Motor North America