Add a little CHAOS in your life !

Doesn't your life need a little more CHAOS?

CHAOS, which stands for Community House of Arts in Ottawa, is a place like no other in the Starved Rock Country area.


The goal of CHAOS is to engage youth and families in workshops teaching theater skills, script development, beginning performance skills, providing our community with a revolutionary new version of a classic story. They also provide free community events and unique art exhibits, such as the upcoming Monster Pumpkin Sculpture. At a time when programs are being cut from school budget CHOAS brings a vital education/ social component to this area.


Previous events have included awesome classes with guests such as graphic novelist Tim Seeley, voice lessons with Janet Reynolds of the Chicago Lyric Opera, local artists such as Annette Barr Photography and CHAOS staff.

They provide the Ottawa Community with free art events such Recycled Art Days, Jackson Pollack Community Paint parties, Scarecrow festival, the CHAOS Halloween party, and at the Ice Odyssey Festival.

Setting the Guinness World Record for the tallest Lincoln Log Structure, collecting 18000 Lincoln Logs and building a tower over 11 feet tall. All done right here in the Land of Lincoln! How cool is that?

Putting a little more CHAOS in your life may not be what you think you need , but it just might be! Support a great community resource and have some fun.       

 Upcoming events:

September 25th - Scarecrow Festival!
Scarecrow stuffing contest, Scarecrow Mural painting,







Fall art projects and a sneak peek special at Revolution Theatre’s original production of The Wizard of Oz! And it’s all FREE!

October 30th - PUMPKINPALOOZA!!
FREE Halloween Party after downtown trick or treating! Costume judging, art projects and a Scream contest! 
Bring your pumpkin to the Jordan block to be displayed for Ottawa’s first Jack-o-lantern Contest.
See the first annual Lighting of the Pumpkins at sundown! Compete to create the best Monster Pumpkin Sculpture on the Jordan block!

The amazing thing about CHAOS is that they run on donations, programs and events are done free of charge. If you enjoy art and want to expand you horizons contact CHAOS for more information about upcoming event and how you can be adventurous and try something new.

Life is an Adventure... Live it Here!

Photos of Me...

Life is this funny thing that we plan for. We have dreams, hopes and goals, but when it comes down to it . Life is what you make of it!





If you try  remember that at the end of it all . .. the important things are the people in your life, the memories that you have shared, and the love of friends and family.  You will come to understand and strive to live a life that gives you all the things that are really important.



Ask yourself..."When I wake up in the morning, am I happy with my memories, do I spend time doing the things I like with the people who are important to me?"... What is missing?"

If you decide that life is worth living to its fullest, not matter what, maybe you should live it where those goals can be accomplished.
 

 Because at the end of the day... we have  photos in an album , and stories that we share !!



 Do you have enough???









"Life is and Adventure... Live it Here!"

Food... Is it wrong to love it?

There is a local restaurant in  Starved Rock Country  that serves food that is very different from the regular Midwestern food that we are used to.

Cajun food is not what one thinks about when you are in Illinois. You think hamburgers,  pizza, ...yeah defiantly  Pizza , but Cajun...nope that is not what pops into my head when you are thinking about what to eat for dinner.



However, Cajun Connection just outside Utica, IL, is this little place that when you drive past doesn't look like much , but the food is AMAZING! Alligator, jambalaya, etouffee’, or jumbo shrimp,  fried corn, and so much more.

 Some of the dishes are served with Vodoo sauce... first off I want to know what it is and what can it do???
Because that just sounds awesome.

Getting a drink with dinner is just a part of life so  make sure to order a Turbo Dog  then stick around for desert because any restaurant that serves AMAZING bread pudding with sauce deserved a stop regardless of whether you eat anything else... but you will .. PROMISE

The local reviewer / concierge  service  called "Honey Let's Eat" gives this place great reviews.

So the next time you are in Starved Rock Country. Stop by the little pink house outside Utica, Illinois and get yourself some gator... you will be glad you did. 

"Life is an Adventure ... Live it Here!"

How Cool is Mother Nature!

It is amazing how many things there are to do right in your own back yard that you were never away of.

Free things which makes them even better!



3 State Parks...

Starved Rock State Park... listed as one of Illinois 7 wonders of the state. Beautiful trails that are open all year to hike, complete with wildlife...and I don't mean your kids...18 Canyons, picturesque waterfalls, and 2,630 acres of lush forests that includes over 200 different wildflowers. How awesome is that.

Matthiessen State Park...
Where you can expect to see beautiful rock formations in addition to unusual and abundant vegetation and wildlife. The Park was originally referred to as “Deer Park,” in reference to the large deer population.

Buffalo Rock State Park...
Located on a bluff which was once an island in the Illinois River. This 298 acre park is the home of two American bison. That is not something you see everyday now is it?

The parks are all free and so is parking. So grab the kids and the picnic basket and make a day of it... don't forget the camera!





You can get great pictures and how cool would it be to spend the day together doing something that doesn't require a cell signal (even though there is one)and or an outlet.

Unplug the kids, turn off the TV ... and go spend sometime doing something different this weekend.

"Life is an Adventure ... Live it Here!"

Wii that was FUN!

Who would have ever thought that combining a large group of strangers in a pub with a Wii bowling game could be so much fun!


Last Saturday night (August 21, 2010) Crawdad's Bar & Grill in combination with Heritage Harbor Ottawa hosted their second annual Wii bowling tournament.

With a blind draw for teams it encouraged the 36 adults who participated to mingle and get to know new people.

Their were prizes and one's pride on the line! Somehow cash and bragging rights apparently brings out one's competitive spirit... who knew!

Being a family friendly resort Heritage Harbor also has a Wii tournament for the kids who wanted to participate as well; however their beer frame consisted of soda.

The whole event was so much fun that maybe the next time Crawdad's can "Rock Out" with a Guitar Hero night... Now that would be a blast!


Life is an Adventure.... Live it Here!