#32: Jonathan Kozol at Saint Mary's College

After the typo that made national news, South Bend Public Schools would perhaps appreciate a serious, academic look at their education system.

Jonathan Kozol is an internationally-renowned writer and advocate for education.  He is also appearing in South Bend today for a talk at Saint Mary's College.  Kozol's work has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, and he himself has been called by the Chicago Sun Times, "the most eloquent spokesman for America's disenfranchised."

The event will be held tonight at the O'Laughlin Auditorium on Saint Mary's Campus from 7:00pm-8:30pm.  Not every day does a national speaker come to South Bend, so take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about our education system and what that means for South Bend.

When to go: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: O'Laughlin Auditorium, Saint Mary's College

#31: The Chili Cook Off Challenge

Stop eating right now.

Seriously.  Start saving room for the Chili Cook-Off Challenge tomorrow.  The event is happening from 11am - 9pm, so you have plenty of time to gorge yourself.  There are eight downtown restaurants competing and showcasing their special chili recipes.

All proceeds benefit United Way, and it's $5 to join in the tasting.  Look for volunteers to participate and get your chili 'scorecard'.  Voting is free and open to the public.  As if food and democracy wasn't enough, all voters are registered to win prizes from downtown vendors.

There's tons of other activities going on downtown tomorrow as well (a concert at CJ's, scary stories at the library, et al).  Gotta love First Fridays.

Where: Eight participating restaurants downtown.
When: Friday, 11:00am - 9:00pm
Website: http://www.dtsbfirstfridays.com/events.htm

#30: Chicory Cafe

I've never personally been to New Orleans, but if I'd ever had, I imagine I would take pleasure in the little touches the Chicory Cafe makes to bring a lil' Creole to South Bend, Indiana.  Instead of the typical egg sandwich on a bagel or croissant, here you can get an egg po'boy.  Many of the cafe tables double as checkers boards, and you notice that the pace inside seems much more relaxed.  You won't hear the rattle of coffee jargon ("Double Non-fat Extra-Hot Tall..."); perhaps the jazz is just playing too loud.

Despite its location on the corner of two busy downtown streets, Chicory Cafe is a bright little haven and a fun place to unwind for as much time as you have.  The coffee is delicious, and they serve Italian-size cups of cappucino, and the intriguing Spanish latte (cinnamon + half-an-half) that I have yet to try.  There are sandwiches and soups and salads as any coffee shop should have, and if you want something sweet with your java, try a beignet, a powdery French doughnut.

Beignets (ben-gnay), the official state doughnut of Louisiana

 Oh, and they have gelato, as if as to remind you that this isn't the French Quarter, but Indiana, the crossroads of America.

When to go: Monday-Friday, 6:30 am - 5:00 pm; Saturday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Corner of Michigan and Jefferson
Website: http://www.chicorycafe.net/
Tip: The price is right for a quick breakfast-- a small cappucino or an order of 3 beignets both price in at under $2

#29: West Washington Historic District

Fall seems to have finally arrived so take advantage of the sunny days and autumnal chill in the air by taking a walk through one of South Bend's most beautiful historic districts.  The West Washington Historic District served as home for the industrial leaders of South Bend for many years and it is here that you can find Tippecanoe Place (now a great restaurant and a post for another time), the old Studebaker mansion, and Copshaholm, the residence of the Oliver family.

Tippecanoe Place

Walking down West Washington you'll pass several old-fashioned bed and breakfasts where you'll feel that you are much further away from the bustle of downtown than you actually are.  I'm not going to waste any more time describing the lovely old homes and ambiance of the area as the neighborhood itself has put together a thorough walking tour. 

Copshaholm

Find the walking tour here: http://westwashington.org/WestWashWalk.pdf 

Neighborhood website: http://westwashington.org/index.html

#28: Energy Week at Notre Dame

Now in it's fourth year, this week-long Notre Dame celebration of sustainability and energy has a variety of events, lectures, and movie screenings.  Any event would be a great excuse to come on to campus, but I'm going to specifically recommend attending tomorrow's screening of 'No Impact Man.'  This documentary follows the journey of one man as he sets out to try and live without a carbon footprint in New York City.  Make sure to catch this fascinating film as well as check out the other Energy Week events!

What: Screening of 'No Impact Man'

Where: Hesburgh Library Auditorium

When: Tuesday, September 28th, 7:30pm

Check out the full Energy Week schedule here: http://green.nd.edu/education/

#27: Just Goods

From its previous location near the Farmer's Market to its current home squarely in the East Bank Village, Just Goods has been a local favorite for fair-trade products, green fashion, and a truly sustainable ethos. We visited the new location the other day, and although they are they still settling into this old house, it's a great showcase for the wide variety of available items.  Whether you're looking for a home-spun table runner, hand-crafted purses, or just the ability to browse items with a clear conscience, you'll find it here.  Just Goods is committed to only selling items that are produced at a "fair wage" and made with "environmentally-conscious" materials.  

Make the choice to feel good about what you buy.

Where: 714 East Jefferson Blvd.; (574) 286-5878

When to go: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm; Saturday, 9:00am-3:00pm

#26: Exihibition Reception

Today, log some culture hours and get thee to the South Bend Museum of Art.  There's an opening reception for two new exhibitions there, one entitled "Surface Tension" and the other "Will Pergl: Trivialities of Deportment."  And if you need a further incentive, there will be free refreshments...
"Surface Tension" is a collection of 2-D (read: flat) works by contemporary painters.  I'm interested to understand what 'tension' can be conveyed by paint, an inherently flat medium.   The exhibition description on the website states, quite provocatively, "It would seem that painting has always been with us..." The works form a collection that aims to challenge your idea of the development of painting and the ways paint can express different forms.  Find it in the Warner Gallery.

Will Pergl

The other exhibition by Will Pergl, who hails from Milwaukee, WI, offers the 3-D perspective.  He uses interesting, interwoven shapes that make you question "How did he make that?!"  The website calls his works a "visual rollercoaster".  Take this ride in the Art League Gallery.
Where: South Bend Museum of Art
When: Friday, 5:00-7:30pm

Just to Recap

In order to mark (congratulate ourselves on) our first 25 posts, we though we'd give you a quick reminder of the all great stuff to do in South Bend that we've already mentioned.  Just in case you, you know, forgot or something.

Who likes ice-cream? I do, but what I really like is ice-cream at a 50's style drive-in on Classic Car Night.  Good thing there's Bonnie Doon just down the road in Mishawaka. In the mood for browsing rooms full of books? Visit Erasmus Books hidden on a side-street near downtown. Need some fresh fruits and vegetables? Head over to the South Bend Farmer's Market. I'm sure you remember the Riverwalk, Junk Evolution, and of course, the Cove. Yes? Good.

Some of these places we've written about, South Bend residents know instinctively and some, we hope, will let residents and visitors alike find a new favorite spot in our favorite city.

So revisit these favorites but get ready, because we have 340 more posts and places coming at you.

#25: Canoeing on the St. Joe River

South Bend's location on the St. Joseph's River was not accidental, so you should play 'first settler' and retrace the experience of its founders by paddling around in a canoe.  The broad, smooth flowing river makes this a delightful and different afternoon activity for even a beginning paddlist.

If you don't own a canoe, it's simple to rent a canoe at St. Patrick's Park, which is located two miles north of downtown, right near the state border.  Friday through Sunday, from 11am-4pm, you can walk up to the Brown Barn and rent a canoe or an open-top kayak.

Canoe rentals for four hours cost $23 (or about $7 a head if you squeeze three in there), $30 for a five hours.  Single-person kayaks rent at $18 for a short trip; $25 for a long trip.  Paddles and lifejackets are provided as well as the much-appreciated shuttle service!

For those wary of heading out on a moving body of water, there is always the pond to practice in -- and that only sets you back $7/hour.  So that's a good way to get your feet wet.  Figuratively, we hope.

Location: the Brown Barn at St. Patrick's Park (past the Red Barn, look for signs)
When to go: Weekends and holidays, 11am-4pm (return rentals by 7pm), from May 22-Oct. 3
Tip: Bring your lunch and enjoy the most relaxed meal you've had in weeks.  (Don't forget to pack out! Leave no trace!)

#24: Studebagel's

Full Disclosure: I have a part-time job here.  That however is not going to prevent me from writing about South Bend's greatest (only?) bagel shop.  Located conveniently close to campus for those post-football Sunday mornings, this local favorite is open every day from 5:30am-4:00pm.  My recommendation though is to avoid the football weekends and enjoy a Studebagel and coffee early in the morning before work, school, etc. If you're up for it, you could even join the group of runners who take their morning run and head in for a bagel afterwards.

The bagels are baked fresh every night.  Standards, like whole-wheat, sesame, blueberry, and others are available every day with speciality bagels like cinnamon addiction, pesto-asiago, and poppy-seed popping up occasionally. There are speciality cream cheeses like mocha java and peanut butter chocolate chip as well as egg sandwiches and lox. The choices are so overwhelming that it's hard to even make a decision.

But honestly, there really is something to be said for a place where the staff knows the customer's orders before they come in. So come on now. You know you want to be a regular.

Location:
1801 South Bend Avenue
South Bend, IN 46637
574-277-4440

Tip: You can draw on the walls.  Really.