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Eastland Mall
Featuring food, shopping and entertainment, Eastland Mall is the family friendly center that is sure to please everyone with a wide variety of stores and activities. We know you will find great shopping at stores like Aeropostale, American Eagle, Applebee's, Buckle, Hollister, Justice, Limited, Rogers & Hollands, Talbot's, Victoria's Secret and more.
Watson Adventure Scavenger Hunts
Explore museums, historic neighborhoods and more while hunting for answers to tricky, humorous questions. Monthly hunts are offered for the public and private groups.
Illinois Lincoln Highway Interpretive Gazebo - DeKalb
The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition presents 16 Interpretive Gazebos along the Lincoln Highway, a 179-mile National Scenic Byway in Northern Illinois. The DeKalb gazebo offers a unique and interactive way for visitors to learn the significance of the highway in DeKalb while enjoying stories of the early Lincoln Highway and its other Illinois communities.
Cinema Gallery
The landmark Busey's Hall/Princess Theater in downtown Urbana is home to Cinema Gallery, representing over 50 professional artists of the Midwest. Media on display are ceramics, drawings, glass, mixed media, paintings, sculpture, and studio furniture. The gallery also hosts 7 special shows each year.
Downtown Arlington Heights Shopping & Entertainment District
Diverse collection of charming local shops and major retailers. Outstanding restaurants, theaters, nightlife, and entertainment, all within walking distance.
CITY:Arlington Heights
Blackhawk Chocolate Trail
A delicious mixture of cocoa is found every which way along the Blackhawk Chocolate Trail in the four-county area of Northwest Illinois. Enjoy visiting candy stores, bed and breakfasts with special chocolate-themed packages, gift shops and old-fashioned soda fountains.
Beattie Park
Downtown park on the banks of the Rock River. Site of several Native American "Effigy Mounds," which have been preserved.
Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum
Has electronic audio narrated dioramas that depict Abe the railsplitter, the self-taught scholar, the story teller, the lawyer and the politician.
Rochelle Railroad Park
View trains from the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads as they rush by the park pavilion and browse the railroad-themed gift shop.
Des Plaines Conservation Area
This site's 5,500 acres make up one of the largest and most used hunting and field trailing areas in the state. It also offers camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, two small natural areas and 12 miles of equestrian trails with cross-country jumps.
Two-Cell Jail in Gardner
The historic Two-Cell Jail was built in 1906. It has been restored by the community and holds a strong presence near Gardner's downtown area. Visitors are now encouraged to "go behind bars" and have their own photo taken.
The family fun here includes go-karts, off-road ATVs, miniature golf, batting cages, bumper boats and more. Open daily April through November 1.
The FireZone is the first firehouse adventure providing an imaginatively fun look into the world of firefighting. What better place to go, have fun, and for a couple of hours, become that firefighter!
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
Experience refined style where stunning modern design and architecture blend with impeccable service. Our 500 spacious rooms and suites offer imaginative & colorful décor. The 148,000 square feet of modern meeting space is perfect for all events.
Blackhawk Valley Campground - Rockford
More than 130 units in developed campground located in a wooded and secluded area on the Kishwaukee River with mini golf, pedal carts, a playground, weekend activities and hayrides for the kids.
Air Combat Museum
This museum traces the role of military aviation in protecting and advancing the cause of freedom.
War Bluff Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Nestled in the uplands of the Shawnee National Forest, supports mature oak-hickory woods, river bottom forests, young forests and old field habitats. More than 530 types of plants, including a rich variety of wildflowers and 20 types of ferns. 10 walking paths give access to the area.
Troll Hollow Campground
Troll Hollow is the "summer home" to campers who come back year after year after year to make new memories with family and friends. In fact, the campers at Troll Hollow have become such good friends that they feel like family. Nestled in the beautiful Illinois Valley area, Troll Hollow is just minutes away from fun for every member of your family, whether they prefer biking, hiking or kayaking in the great outdoors, or strolling the charming streets of nearby Utica searching for the perfect antique.
Country Chics
Filled with antiques and primitives, folk art, candles and more. Country Chics has an amazing selection of on-of-a-kind items you won't find anywhere else.
West Street Sculpture Park, LLC
Wander through this outdoor gallery of large steel sculptures by award-winning local artist John Martinson. On-site metal studio. Open daily.
Centennial Fountain and Arc
A 90-foot jet stream creates an arc across the Chicago River for ten minutes on the hour.
Lisa's Antique Malls
175 Dealers in 2 buildings. Wide variety of antiques, furniture, silver, glass, pottery, jewelry, linens, quilts, coins, dolls, toys and much more.
Sinnissippi Golf Course
This nine-hole course, located in Sinnissippi Park, offers challenges for advanced golfers and novices. The 3,230-yard course is best known for its hilly layout and tree-lined fairways.
Santa Fe Train Cabooses
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind overnight stay at Wildlife Prairie Park in one of the Santa Fe Train Cabooses!
CITY:Hanna City
Jim's Downtown Steakhouse
Choose from an upscale menu and dine with us in the decor of an Old English Country Inn. Elegant pub area with piano bar nightly. Convenient to the Peoria Civic Center.
Magnolia Studios
Situated on a quiet, tree-lined street in Chicago's Edgewater/ Andersonville neighborhood, Magnolia Studios offers a choice of three unique Chicago accommodations only five minutes from the beach and thirty minutes from downtown Chicago. All three units offer fully equipped kitchens, luxury en suite bathrooms, plasma TVs with full cable package, laptops with free wireless internet, exceptionally comfortable queen sized beds beds with luxury mattresses/ linens and in unit laundry. You have exclusive use of all amenities, which makes your stay relaxing and private.
Southern Illinois Raceway
Watch Outlaw Micro Sprint, Junior Sprint Cars, Non-Winged Outlaw and Restricted Micros race every Saturday night at 7pm.
Motel 6 - Normal
Amenities at this Motel 6 include free local calls, free morning coffee, free expanded cable, kids stay free, pet friendly, accessible rooms, outdoor pool, and truck parking.
White Squirrels of Olney
For over 100 years, Olney has been the home for hundreds of white squirrels. The albino squirrels can be seen at various locations in town, but are most often found in the Olney City Park.
Illinois Iron Furnace
Step back to Civil War days when "pig iron" was smelted at this, the first coal-fired iron furnace in Illinois, now on the National Register of Historic Places. Restored structure is in a beautiful park with fishing, hiking, and picnicking available.
Stephenson County Fair
Old fashioned county fair, with food, carnival rides, animals, entertainment, tractor pulls, Home Ec displays, animals, youth night, musical entertainment, commercial exhibits, 4-H and more.
Alto Wine Trail Loft
Located on Main Street in historic downtown Alto Pass, the Alto Wine Trail Loft provides 2 new units, both with 2 bedrooms offering unique accommodations for experiencing the wineries and wilderness of Southern Illinois. An alternative to cabins in Southern Illinois, the Wine Loft is a vacation loft rental in Southern Illinois. A unique getaway in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, the Loft is a private vacation rental, close to Giant City, Southern Illinois University, and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The historic building that is home to the Wine Loft was constructed in 1912 as a general store. The Loft renovations used environmentally friendly material and preserved as much of the original brick work and exterior as possible.
CITY:Alto Pass
Shoal Creek Nature Preserve
This 260-acre site offers nature trails for visitors to explore wetlands, prairie openings, and sandstone bluffs and ledges. The preserve is home to more than 700 plants and 70 bird species, including bald eagles during the winter months.
Ariston Café
The Ariston Cafe was founded by Pete Adam, a Greek immigrant, in Carlinville, Illinois in 1924. The original cafe was located on Route 4, the predecessor of Historic Route 66. In 1929, the Cafe was relocated to Litchfield, Illinois and moved into its present location on Route 66 in 1935. Since 1966, Pete's son Nick and wife, Deme, continue to offer the traditional service expected of a family-owned and operated restaurant. The cafe is believed to be one of the oldest restaurants on Route 66 and has been inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame and is placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Oak Street Shopping
After the Chicago fire of 1871, many wealthy Chicagoans contracted European-trained architects to build new homes and mansions on the City's Near North side. Oak Street soon became the center of the expanding Gold Coast neighborhood and home to some of Chicago's most prominent families. With the turn of the Century, skyscrapers began to grow along neighboring Michigan avenue, but Oak Street retained its historical brownstone character and intimate scale, combining glamorous style with cozy informality. Today Oak Street has become an International style center, housing many of the world's most exclusive boutiques and salons. It is a street which attracts shoppers from all over the world who seek only the best. Oak Street has become a true "destination", a street of dreams where excitement is generated by sophistication and great taste.
Holiday Inn Express - LeRoy
The Holiday Inn Express is the newest hotel in LeRoy. The hotel is situated just off I-74 and only 15 minutes from the Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) in Bloomington-Normal. While staying in LeRoy, hotel guests have easy access to I-74, which makes visiting spots such as Moraine View State Park or Clinton Lake a breeze. The hotel offers a 24-hour business center, free high-speed Internet access, complimentary Express Start hot breakfast bar, indoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center.
CITY:Le Roy
Swedish Bakery
The Swedish Bakery is famous for specializing in Swedish coffeecakes, cookies, sweet rolls, toast, petit fours and marzipan cakes. We are known for using unique ingredients such as cardamom, saffron, anise, fennel, orange peel and almond paste. We are proud to offer our customers products that are never frozen or have any added preservatives. Our most popular items are our Andersonville coffeecake, cardamom coffeecake, Swedish and butter cookies as well as our fruit glazed cake. At the Swedish Bakery, the customer comes first. We are proud to serve a community that we love and support.
Colonel Davenport House
Located on the historic Rock Island Arsenal island -- an active military munitions base -- the home offers guided tours that highlight the famous people who have visited this historic home, the history of the island through various wars, and the events that took place when the Davenport family lived in this home. Learn about the river bandits that broke into the home during the 4th of July and what happened to Colonel Davenport. IMPORTANT: Because this is an active U.S. Army facility, a current ID is required for age 16 or older to enter the island. International visitors must register one week ahead by calling 309-782-2686 Monday through Friday between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Central Time.
CITY:Rock Island
MetroWalkz Self-Guided Walking Tours
Our numerous self-guided walking tours with easy-to-use maps and insider narratives make sightseeing a breeze. Current tours include Loop Architecture, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Museum Campus, Grant Park, Chinatown, Old Town, Gold Coast and the West Loop.
Baxter's Vineyard and Winery
Baxter's Winery is the oldest winery in Illinois. Homemade arts and crafts, wine tastings, Carol's Pies and tours are available at Baxter's.
Red Bud Lane Iris Garden
Feast your eyes on the gardens of iris, hostas and day lillies. These bulbs and rhizomes are shipped all over the country. Please call before your visit.
Chester Street Dance Club
Located in downtown Champaign, this huge dance club features DJs spinning everything from Top 40 remixes to electro-industrial dance. Cool down on the outdoor patio.
The Plaza Shopping Center
The Plaza has upheld the position as a cornerstone of the community for 50 years. The Plaza offers a family-focused selection of merchandise with emphasis on fashion, quality and value.
The Art Theater
The Art Theater is located in the heart of Downtown Champaign and has been entertaining moviegoers since 1913. A true historical fixture, the Art Theater screens independent films and serves up locally grown popcorn, baked goods from local bakeries and a great selection of wines, beers, soda and more!
First Christian Church
First Christian Church served as the Reagan family church while they lived in Dixon and helped form Ronald Reagan's Christian-based work ethic, which included a short term as a Sunday School teacher.
A League of Their Own - Illinois Railway Museum
This comedy follows the formation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1940s, at the start of World War II. All of the movie's scenes on the train and at the railroad depot were shot at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, home to more than 250 restored electric, steam and diesel trains. The Nebraska Zephyr passenger train seen in the film is part of the museum's permanent collection.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Rock Bottom is all about the beer. Every tank tapped here represents hours of planning, experimentation, ingenuity and precision by a local Rock Bottom Brewmaster. The folks here pride themselves on the remarkably consistent quality of their handcrafted beers as well as their tasty menu of made-from-scratch food.
Didier Farms
Didier Farms offers a variety of vegetables and flowers in our greenhouse this spring, and our farmers market in summer. U-pick opportunities are plentiful throughout the summer, weather permitting. During our Pumpkinfest, the last week of September and all of October, we offer hayrides, pony rides, and an exotic zoo, in beautiful Lake County.
Big Eli Wheel #17 Rides
Ride the Big Eli Wheel at Community Park. Similar to the Ferris wheel, Eli Wheels are more compact and easily movable. The Eli Bridge Company still manufactures these wheels and other amusement rides in Jacksonville.
Mississippi River Lodge
Our Mississippi River Lodge is located right on the banks on the Mighty Mississippi River between Savanna and Thomson Illinois and offers awe-inspiring views from every angle. We offer 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, living room with fireplace & big screen TV, deck with grill, a fully stocked kitchen and much more! If you are a river lover, this is the place for you. Fishing, water skiing, tubing, or cruising up the river, it's all here for your enjoyment. Since we are located on Big Slough, off of the main channel of the river, you can have fun without having to deal with a lot of river traffic. Access to the main channel is easy if you want to cruise the river. Only five miles up the river is Lower Sabula Lake which offers a great new sand beach. There is a public boat launch only a quarter mile from the house and a dock is provided to moor your boat at the house. If you do not have a boat, you can fish off the dock or the bank.
Aerie's Riverview Winery
The view is incredible and the wine selection is unbeatable every season of the year on top of the bluffs at Aerie's Winery. During the spring and summer, the outdoor deck offers a breathtaking view of recreation on the river. As the temperatures cool, you can lounge inside next to the fireplace. Aerie's also offers cottages and a lodge to accommodate the needs of overnight guests, all within walking distance of the winery. Seasonally, check our calendar for live music on the decks Wine, cheese, sausages and pizza are available.
Riverbend Retreat
Riverbend Retreat is a fully renovated 1919 bungalow farmstead surrounded by the Embarras (Embraw) river valley, pasture and farmland. The house is divided into two suites, one on each floor. It features original wood floors on the first floor, mission light fixtures and furniture, and free use of the washer/dryer and foosball table in the basement. Outside features include picnic tables, a grill, two campfire circles, outdoor lighting (60 amber bulbs) and a riverfront lawn. Wedding, reunion or other big get together coming up? Put up the family at Riverbend Retreat, cook some of your own meals and have a great time!
Lynfred Winery's Tasting deVine
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Founded in 1979, Lynfred Winery produces over 50 varieties of wine per year. Visit the tasting room and gift shop and enjoy.
Southern Illinois Miners Baseball
The Southern Illinois Miners are a professional baseball team based in Marion, IL. The Miners are a member of the East Division of the independent Frontier League. Since 2007, the Miners have played their home games at Rent One Park. The "Miners" name refers to the Southern Illinois region's history of coal mining.
Hornbaker Gardens
Hornbaker Gardens is a family owned and operated nursery specializing in perennial flowers. Large collections of hostas, daylilies, iris and other perennials draw plant enthusiasts from all over the Midwest to this nursery in the country. Whatever we get interested in as gardeners, we seem to start providing for our customers as well. Thus, the offerings of granite and pottery, bronze sculptures and rusty metal artwork. In 2008, we put up a new building which we call The Shop at Hornbaker Gardens. It is stocked with garden art and other garden accessories where you are sure to find something unique for your garden.
StarView Vineyards
On the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, StarView offers estate grown and bottled wines. Sit on the deck, or indoors by the fireplace and enjoy views of the vineyards, ponds, and the expansive Southern Illinois hills. Works by local artists cover the walls, and sandwiches and salads are severed.
Red Roof Inn - LeRoy
The Red Roof Inn in LeRoy is conveniently located just off I-74 and offers small town hospitality, yet is close to all the conveniences of the major cities. Guests will enjoy free WiFi internet, complimentary daily breakfast, coin laundry, alarm clocks with MP3 jacks, cable television with HBO, hairdryers, in-room coffeemakers, microwaves and refrigerators. A jacuzzi suite is also available.
CITY:Le Roy
Winchester's Galleries
Limited edition prints, framing and pictures.
Windmont Park
Windmont Park, a 20-acre site on the city's southwest side, is one of the most attractive settings of any park in the Midwest. A lagoon is surrounded by a large variety of trees and shrubs, and the eye is drawn to an iron footbridge that crosses the lagoon. There's also a sidewalk that circles the water. A fountain donated to the park by a group of citizens adds a finishing touch to the scene. Recently installed at Windmont were an disabled accessible fishing pier, a new shelter, playground equipment and wider sidewalks for walkers enjoying the jaunt around the lagoon.
Dr. Poos Home - Heritage House Museum
Built in 1888, this home was occupied by Dr. Robert Poos, a local practitioner and druggist. Dr. Poos was also the staff physician at the Springs Hotel and Bath House, later known as the Okawville Original Springs Hotel.
Peoria RiverFront Farmers Market
Peoria's RiverFront Market features Illinois grown produce, local meats, cheeses, fresh breads, herbs, and flowers, plus a great selection of local art including jewelry, pottery, wood-turned items,candles, and much more. Only products grown or made in Illinois will be sold at our market. We are located in the Water Street parking lot (300 SW Water St), between Liberty and Harrison Streets, and also in the Liberty Park area. Plenty of free parking is available in surrounding lots and streets. Watch for new vendors, more entertainment, and lots of fun in the 2014 season!
Oak Terrace Lodge
Four bedrooms, 3 baths with 2 fireplaces, patio grill, deck overlooking lagoon. One loft master suite w/whirlpool, sauna, and large gathering room. Lower level is for large gatherings with a wet bar and small refrigerator. Nestled in rustic timber overlooking a pond.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
This landmark structure in suburban Oak Park served as Wright's private residence and studio from 1889 to 1909—the first 20 years of his career. Wright used his home as an architectural laboratory, trying out design concepts before sharing them with clients. With 25 Wright-designed buildings in the neighborhood surrounding the Home & Studio, Oak Park is an outdoor museum of architecture.
CITY:Oak Park
Lauterbach Muffler Man
This giant fiberglass statue stands outside Lauterbach Auto Service in Springfield, Illinois. You can see him and many other "Muffler Men" along the historic route.
Big Sky Cabins
Big Sky Cabins is a private 4 bedroom vacation cabin available for nightly rental in Southern Illinois. Currently 2 cabins are available for a getaway to peace and nature. Located in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, the cabins are perfect for large groups, weddings parties, honeymoons, or just a nice getaway. Big Sky Cabins provides the most private getaway on the Southern Illinois Wine Trail. At night, build a big fire and look up at all the stars in the sky.
CITY:Alto Pass
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chicago - Lombard
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Spacious rooms & suites, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, high speed wireless internet, coffeemakers, hair dryers, ironing boards, swimming pool, hot tub,exercise room, and more. Adjacent meeting space is available.
Old Fire Engine Museum
Learn how firemen fought fires throughout history. See all of the antique firefighting memorabilia.
CITY:Granite City
TJ Maxx
Designer clothing -- value pricing.
Brews Brothers Taproom
The taproom is located on a brick street in historic downtown Murphysboro. It neighbors the Jackson County Courthouse, Cummares Italian Restaurant, the City Fountain, and several other historic buildings. The Taproom creates a central location for showcasing Southern Illinois beer, wine, and 'shine'. Customers can sample products from several local producers any day of the week. We provide directions, information, and encourage anyone that comes in to visit the producers.
Paramount Theatrical Production: Les Misérables
This monumental novel comes to life in one of the greatest musicals of all time. It's the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his journey for redemption. On that road, he encounters the never-wavering love of a mother, the innocence of a child, the steely determination of a hunter and the passion of youthful freedom fighters.
Windy Hill Acres Inn
Windy Hill Acres Inn is located in the Shawnee National Forest. The Inn is a Rock Potato House which has been remodeled into a beautiful 5 room house with deck. The Potato House was built in the 1800's and used to store the farmers' sweet potatoes.
Lost Coyote Camp
One room cabin rental near hunting, fishing, biking and horseback riding areas.
Alton Square Mall
Anchored by JCPenney and Macy's, Alton Square Mall is the area's regional mall destination. A full-service food court, U.S. Post Office, satellite city library and Christian Science Reading Room are also featured at the mall. Hours: Sunday, noon - 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Lynfred Winery & Tasting Room
Welcome to Lynfred Winery Wheeling, a satellite location for Illinois' oldest and largest, continually-operating winery. Since 1979, Lynfred Winery has been offering guests with great wine, food and lodging. We offer wine tastings, flights, and bottles every day of the week. We have received numerous awards for our wine, and we have countless events that go on throughout the year at the winery. We also have a variety of gift and gourmet food items.
Wood River Refinery History Museum
Step back in time more than 75 years at the Shell History Museum in Roxana, Illinois. Trace the history of Shell Wood River and neighboring communities as you look at early photographs and the many items of interest, including vintage gasoline pumps, glass motor oil bottles Shell product advertising and city maps.
University of Illinois Champaign Urbana
The University of Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement. It's distinguished by the breadth of their programs, broad academic excellence and internationally renowned faculty. This Big Ten school offers rich experiences beyond the classroom from the best in performing arts to world-class sports. Discover the scenic campus through tours of the historic buildings and those that are pushing the envelope in technology.
When Harry Met Sally - University of Chicago
This romantic comedy is all about looking for love and trying to find the answer to the age-old question of whether men and women can really be just friends. The opening scene in which Harry and Sally meet right after graduating from college was filmed at the English Gothic-style University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, which was co-founded in 1890 by oil magnate John D. Rockefeller.
Comlara County Park Campgrounds
The scenic Comlara County Park campground offers 144 campsites including: 94 electrified sites (Both 50 amp & 30 amp), 23 non-electric sites, 11 primitive / walk-in sites in the Main Recreation Area (MRA), and 16 primitive / walk-in sites in the White Oak Area (WOA). Water is conveniently located throughout the MRA modern campground. Hot showers and a sanitary dump station are also provided in modern areas. Firewood, ice, and fishing worms are only available during the regular business hours of the Visitor Center and MRA Campground Station. The campground is open year-round.
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park
The Hennepin Canal State Park, a 104-mile linear park, is a rustic, historic, educational, and recreational jewel spanning five counties and includes the entire width of Henry County with access points in Annawan, Atkinson, Geneseo, and Colona. It offers an up-close look at a fascinating piece of transportation history. It is popular with bicyclists who ride from town to town exploring the history, dining, lodging, and entertainment possibilities as they travel. The canal multi-purpose recreational trail is a portion of the American Discovery Trail, a 6,800-mile coast-to-coast trail devoted to non-motorized use. It is also part of the Grand Illinois Trail, a 535-mile loop through northern Illinois. The tree-lined park is a refuge with prairie restorations and wetlands slicing through corn and soybean farmland. Home to diverse flora and fauna, it has become a favorite for bird watchers and prairie enthusiasts. It offers numerous year-round opportunities to boat, hike, bike, fish, ride horseback, snowmobile, ice skate, and cross-country ski. Explore Henry County's jewel – the Hennepin Canal. In wintertime experience the longest snowmobile trail in the state -- 91 miles on the tow path. You can use the ice at your own risk, but pay heed to the locks, bridges and culverts where the ice likely is thinner than the rest of the canal. Bring your blades, skating along the canal is free! Keep in mind the rule is there must be 4" of snow and 6" of frost on canal for route to be open. Call the Visitor Center for automated message.
Livingston County Courthouse
Located on the square in downtown Ponitac, the courthouse was built in 1875 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Abraham Lincoln tried some of his earlier cases here.
Mt. Carroll Garden Walk
Stroll the brick streets and enjoy unique historic architecture while viewing beautiful flower, perennial and water gardens. Garden vendors and a farmer's market will be stationed in the Courthouse Square.
CITY:Mount Carroll
Sugar Grove Family Fun Center
Go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, a driving range and a game room are the draw at this entertainment center.
CITY:Sugar Grove
Benedictine University Sports Complex
This state-of-the-art sports complex includes baseball, softball, track, football, soccer and lacrosse fields. The complex is home to the DuPage Dragons and Chicago Bandits professional fast-pitch softball for women.
Moweaqua Pow Wow Days
Come and enjoy this family-friendly festival with plenty of food, entertainment, and vendors everyday with a parade on Saturday. All of the events at the festival are located in the downtown park.
Cuneo Mansion and Gardens
The opulent Cuneo Museum and Gardens, located on 75 acres and dotted with formal gardens and statuary was the perfect setting for the wedding scenes in "My Best Friend's Wedding." The gazebo where the best friends were caught kissing was built specifically for the film, but Cuneo's owners liked it so much they decided to keep it permanently. Take a guided tour through the historic Mediterranean-style Cuneo mansion to see Renaissance artworks and lavish European furnishings.
CITY:Vernon Hills
Black Diamond Vineyards
This winery offers a quiet, relaxing setting and great wine. Be sure to check out the gift shop that features handmade truffles by Heavenly Sweets, lotions, oils and candles. Special events are held throughout the year.
Sangamon River Forest Preserve
Sangamon River Forest Preserve, a 160-acre gem, offers a variety of natural features and is ideal for low-impact activities such as picnicking, bird-watching, hiking and river fishing. The preserve hosts the Lincoln Ash Tree, one of the largest ash trees in the state.
Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center
Designed to reflect the Route 66 era, the museum houses exhibits which focus on the roles the railroads, Route 66, businesses, agriculture, and the military have played in Litchfield's history.
Holiday Inn - Alton
If you're searching for full-service hotels in Alton, IL, look no further. In addition to state-of-the-art event facilities, we have a large atrium with comfortable seating to encourage conversation. We also have added all new 32" flat screen tv's in all guest rooms. Located at the intersection of Route 140 and Route 3, and within minutes of I-255 , I-270, and the Amtrak Station, this hotel boasts unparalleled amenities and the friendliest staff, as well as ideal proximity to downtown Alton. Amenities include free Wi-fi, sauna, whirlpool, on-site guest self-laundry, fitness center and a business center. There is also a full service restaurant and two lounges on-site.
Harry and David -- Tanger Outlet Center
Fresh fruit, nuts, and candies.
Airtastic Playland
A fun and exciting play land offering 10 inflatable play structures, four party rooms and two age-appropriate play areas.
J.R. Kortman Center for Design
Upscale shop and gallery, in downtown Rockford.
Simply Amish
Many Styles. One Standard. Amish isn't a style. It's a standard of excellence—desired by many and practiced by a very rare few. It's in the fine details of solid wood drawers, hand-finished, inside and out. It's in the skill of genuine Amish craftsmen, passed down from one generation to the next.
Rockford Speedway
See top-name NASCAR racing on a quarter-mile, high-banked track. From Kid's nights to monster trucks, fireworks, fantastic NASCAR racing action, you will enjoy an exciting night of affordable family fun at Rockford Speedway.
CITY:Loves Park
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
The gardens boast some of the most beautiful and diverse flora in east-central IL. It also features the award-winning Miriam Davies Memorial Enabling Garden.
Mary's River Covered Bridge
Mary's River Covered Bridge was built in 1854 as part of a planked toll road between Breman and Chester. Currently it is the only covered bridge in Southern Illinois, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.


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nysavs convention/show in albany, ny this weekend
m3rma1d(inside)October 21, 2009
Lenny and I will be there with our photography setups getting as many plants pics snapped as we possibly can!!
Hope anyone reading this who's going will stop over & say "hi"--I love to meet internet friends--Especially the fellow African violet nuts!! :-D
More info at: www.nysavs.org
Hope to see some of you there!
Hey all, I have the NYSAVS "people pics" up, they can be viewed here.
Plant pics coming soon, I have to get to work on them!!
Fred--Jan won something for her designs... I can't remember what exactly, I was busy taking pics of her accepting the award(s). See you at Tri-State next weekend!! We've been asked to photograph that now!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mookie BettsBoston Red Sox
Outfielder | Ht: | Wt:
|Red Sox | Mookie Betts set to lead off
Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:46:14 -0700
Boston Red Sox OF Mookie Betts is set to start in center field and hit leadoff on opening day, thanks to the injury to OF Rusney Castillo (oblique) Betts is currently hitting .448 with five doubles, two triples and a 1.207 OPS in spring training. He hit .291 with 12 doubles, a triple, five home runs and 18 RBI in 189 at-bats in 2014 in the majors.
Fantasy Tip: Betts is rising quickly up fantasy draft boards with his stellar play this spring coupled with Castillo's injury. Betts came into the year as a popular sleeper pick in the later rounds, mainly because of his speed. He probably won't be much of a sleeper now, and you'll likely have to overpay a bit for his services.
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|| Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
|Red Sox | Mookie Betts having hot spring
Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:55:22 -0700
Boston Red Sox OF Mookie Betts is 11-for-24 with four doubles and two triples following the Tuesday, March 17, spring game.
Fantasy Tip: Betts has had a fantastic spring, but his fantasy value may still be dim because of the Red Sox logjam. With outfielders like Rusney Castillo, Jackie Bradley Jr., Daniel Nava, Shane Victorino and Brock Holt among others, Betts may have to go elsewhere to have better fantasy value and success.
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|| Source: MLB.com - Andrew Simon
|Red Sox | Mookie Betts receives high praise
Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:44:31 -0700
Boston Red Sox OF Mookie Betts received significant praise from a scout who follows the Red Sox Thursday, March 12. "Not have him as your center fielder and leadoff hitter? Are you kidding me?" said the scout. "This guy could be an All-Star. This guy could be an All-Star this year. He could have been Rookie of the Year last year if he'd had more at-bats. He could be their best player."
Fantasy Tip: The Betts hype train is chugging along at full steam, and it is likely the offseason "sleeper" has now traveled into overvalued territory. At 22, and with just 189 at-bats under his belt, it would be ill-advised to pass over proven commodities to select Betts in the early middle rounds. He boasts eligibility at second base in the majority of formats, though, and could stick atop a potent lineup. So there is ample upside. Just make sure to calculate the risks and not get caught up in the hyperbole.
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|| Source: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier
|Red Sox | Mookie Betts' center field job to lose?
Wed, 11 Mar 2015 14:39:56 -0700
Boston Red Sox OF Mookie Betts is 6-for-15 this spring and appears to have a stranglehold on the opening day center field job, with Rusney Castillo (oblique) limited thus far in camp.
Fantasy Tip: Betts' fantasy stock is likely entering overvalued territory, as he has been receiving heavy ink all offseason. Still, he carries keystone eligibility in the majority of leagues, and setting the table for a potent lineup should return huge rewards for those willing to invest early.
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|| Source: FOXSports.com - Jon Paul Morosi
|Red Sox | Mookie Betts leading candidate for CF
Thu, 05 Mar 2015 09:10:06 -0800
Boston Red Sox OF Mookie Betts is now the leading candidate for the starting center field job with OF Rusney Castillo (oblique) dealing with a strained left oblique. It seems like a certainty that Betts will start the year as the center fielder. There is no timetable for Castillo's return and the likely best-case-scenario will that Castillo will be given more time to prepare for the regular season. Betts spent much of the offseason trying to get stronger, and he said he now weighs 180 pounds after being listed at 160.
Fantasy Tip: With the injury to Castillo, we're likely to see Betts' stock rise in standard 12-team leagues. He's likely to hit leadoff, too, further making him an intriguing sleeper candidate in the late middle rounds, mainly for his speed.
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|| Source: ESPNBoston.com - Gordon Edes
|Red Sox | Rusney Castillo out indefinitely
Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:41:45 -0800
Updating a previous report, Boston Red Sox OF Rusney Castillo (oblique) will be out indefinitely after an MRI exam showed a strained left oblique, according to manager John Farrell. Farrell said it's too early to tell if Castillo's availability for opening day will be affected. "There's caution to the progression, there's no doubt," Farrell said. "(Pain) tolerance, for one. How aggressive you become to build that back. We just want to be careful of a setback, because everything is rotational in this game." The competition with OF Mookie Betts for the starting center field job will be on hold for now. Castillo doesn't think the injury will affect his ability to be ready for the season. OF Jackie Bradley Jr. will see more playing time in center in camp with Castillo sidelined.
Fantasy Tip: Oblique injuries are often tricky, as Farrell alluded to. The BoSox must not rush Castillo, or they might not be able to use him to start the regular season. This bodes well for Mookie Betts' chances of making the opening day roster and for the center field job, for now. Until we know more on Castillo's availability for opening day, you may want to temper your bids on Castillo in the middle rounds of drafts.
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|Red Sox | Mookie Betts a lock to win CF job?
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 10:42:37 -0800
Boston Red Sox OF Mookie Betts appears to be a lock to hit leadoff and start in center field in 2015, in the opinion of The Boston Globe's Steve Silva. The Red Sox need a dynamic leadoff hitter, and OF Daniel Nava won't be a starter and OF Shane Victorino is no longer a viable option there. Betts hit .291/.368/.444 in 213 plate appearances in 2014. Despite have little experience in center field, Betts is improving every day in camp. "He's a good athlete," manager John Farrell said. "He asks a lot of great questions. The aptitude is clearly there. In time, he's going to be a very good center fielder." Farrell won't announce a starter now, so Betts and OF Rusney Castillo will see equal playing time in center in spring training.
Fantasy Tip: We don't know that Betts is a lock to start in center field on opening day because of the money Boston invested in Castillo, but it does seem highly likely that both Betts and Castillo are on the active roster to start the year. At the end of the year, both outfielders should contribute greatly in the outfield picture, and both are worth drafting in standard 12-team leagues. Castillo has the more palpable upside of power and speed, while Betts will mainly help you as a stolen base asset.
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|| Source: The Boston Globe - Steve Silva
|Red Sox | Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts competing
Mon, 02 Mar 2015 16:27:06 -0800
Boston Red Sox OFs Rusney Castillo and Mookie Betts will share center field work in spring training, and manager John Farrell said there isn't a favorite for the job. "Like we said at the outset of camp, we'll take all of camp to determine that," said Farrell. "They're going to get equal playing time. But I think it's important they both get comfortable with the combination of the guys on the flank because of communication, the responsibilities for balls in the gap, fly ball communication and those priorities."
Fantasy Tip: Castillo is widely believed to have an edge on the center field job, and he's the better gamble as a high-upside prospect in the middle rounds of mixed league drafts. However, Betts is also expected to make the roster, and he should serve as a nice source of steals in the later rounds.
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|| Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
|Red Sox | Cole Hamels unlikely for Boston
Mon, 02 Mar 2015 16:12:25 -0800
Philadelphia Phillies SP Cole Hamels doesn't appear likely to be dealt to the Boston Red Sox, as there are no signs that point toward any progress in trade talks surrounding Hamels between the two clubs, according to two major league sources. The Phillies have been rumored to covet Red Sox C Blake Swihart and OF Mookie Betts in a package for Hamels. However, Boston is in no rush to swing a trade, and they are unlikely to agree to any trade that involves either Swihart or Betts. Boston is also high on SP Henry Owens.
Fantasy Tip: Hamels' fantasy value would look much better away from the Phillies, but a trade might not happen until closer to the All-Star break now. Regardless, Hamels is one of the more reliable starting pitchers in the league, and he'll keep fantasy ace qualification in Philadelphia to start the season.
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|| Source: Boston Herald - Jason Mastrodonato
|Red Sox | BOS has no urgency on Cole Hamels
Fri, 27 Feb 2015 04:22:26 -0800
Philadelphia Phillies SP Cole Hamels has had trade talks cool with the Boston Red Sox, who feel no urgency to deal the pitcher. The Red Sox do not want to part with either OF Mookie Betts or C Blake Swihart in any deal and the Phillies are interested in those players.
Fantasy Tip: All indications are Hamels opens the season in Philadelphia and stays there, at least until the trading deadline. If Hamels can get past his trade demands and is healthy to pitch, he remains a solid option in most mixed and NL drafts.
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|| Source: CSNNE.com - Sean McAdam


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Hand Tool Headlines
The Woodworking Blogs Aggregator
This "aggregator" collects all of the woodworking blogs I read every day - or try to anyway! Enjoy!
Do you have a suggestion for a hand-tool woodworking blog you would like to see here? Tell me via the CONTACT page. Thanks!
Ants Viires (1918-2015)
Ants Viires, the pioneering Estonian ethnographer and author of "Woodworking in Estonia," died on March 18, according to friends and family.
At the time of his death, Lost Art Press was actively preparing an all-new translation of the landmark "Woodworking in Estonia," which Roy Underhill listed in 2011 as one of his three favorite woodworking books. The surviving family fully supports our translation effort, and we expect to release the book by the end of 2015.
"Woodworking in Estonia" is one of the most detailed studies ever written about an active hand-tool culture. It really is like stepping back into the 17th or 18th century. Viires dedicated his life to recording this vanishing Baltic culture and recording their tools, processes and products.=
Oddly, "Woodworking in Estonia" was first translated into English in the 1960s by the Israel Program for Scientific Translations and – even odder – was published by the U.S. Science Foundation as a typewritten text with low-quality images.
Viires disavowed this edition, saying it was unauthorized.
Nevertheless, this weird little book is how most of us encountered "Woodworking in Estonia" and became fans of it. About two years ago, we encountered an Estonian woodworking in Toronto who put us in touch with the Viires family and we all agreed to embark on a completely new translation.
Since that first 1960s edition, Viires had updated the text in "Woodworking in Estonia." And the Estonian publisher, Kirjastus Ilo, reissued the book with gorgeous and crisp drawings and photos.
We hired a translator who was familiar with Viires's work to handle the new edition, and he turned in his final translation about the same day that Viires died. The book is now in the hands of Peter Follansbee, who will comb through the text to ensure it is technically correct. And then we will design it to look very much like Viires's 2006 edition of the book, with all the sharp drawings and photos – and with the full support of the Viires family and the Estonian publisher.
In other words, this will be the first authorized English translation of this book, its sales will support the Viires family and English-speaking woodworkers will finally be able to fully experience this amazing woodworking book.
— Christopher Schwarz
Filed under: Woodworking in Estonia
Junk Sitka Spruce
Herman Hjorth, Principles of Woodworking, 1930
I purchased several sticks of Sitka spruce bracing material six months ago from a well known lutherie supply (which will remain nameless, I still need to buy tonewood from them), I used one blank to make braces for one guitar and I had no problems working it.
Prep work started on the "conservatory model" - a high quality, lower cost guitar aimed at students who can't afford a $3,500 guitar - with jointing, assembling the cedar top and installing a rosette, making the neck, etc., and splitting out the Sitka spruce braces.
In the above photo you can see what happened to a brace when I gently (yes, I said gently) flexed it, it broke!
The reason it broke under light pressure is because the early growth rings are much wider than the late growth rings. I noticed this when I received the wood, but figured, hey, it's Sitka spruce it should be tough.
I was wrong. Here you can see how wide the growth rings are, this wood isn't even suitable for the beefier transverse braces that go above and below the sound hole, it flexes too much.
Here is a piece of old growth Douglas fir that I've been hoarding for fifteen years, you can see how tight the growth rings are.
The piece split well and is very light. I used Douglas fir for guitar bracing when I first started on this adventure that is lutherie, it's terribly strong, though can be a little heavy. Several guitar makers told me I was crazy to use it because it is too heavy.
Not all Douglass fir is "too heavy", the braces that I split out were as light as the Sitka spruce. Yes, I weighed them!
So once again I am back using Douglas fir, this time for braces on a Miguel Rodriguez style guitar.
I grew up with Douglas fir because it was a tree that lived in my backyard which was the million acre wood known as Lassen National Forest. I know how Douglas fir responds to an axe, a plane and a nail. Sitka spruce doesn't grow where the Cascade Mountains buried the Sierra Nevada, I didn't get a chance to work with until I was an adult.
Sometimes it isn't a bad thing to stick with something familiar.
not oak, Buteo instead
I'm back from the first weekend of the chest class – and it went very well. Now I have to plane a slew of oak, like the students were doing all weekend.
But the family took a walk on bare earth today, and heard a bunch of loud crows – kept looking up to see what the trouble was…but it turned out to be right in front of us – this juvenile red tailed hawk, sitting on a fence post. We walked right near it, without spooking it. Here's when I thought I was really close to it –
then the hawk just wouldn't be spooked. So we left, and when we turned for home – still there.
closer still. I've got close to juvies before – for some reason, there's times when they don't care about us.
Walnut Dining Trestle Table: Final Details
There are so many details to a finished piece that the process of readying a table for delivery almost becomes a subconscious march of affairs. As your hands become trained to spot the various stages each element of the piece present, you begin a dance to release it from the shop.
Starting the Bath Vanity Joinery
With the unexpected days off I've started the bath vanity joinery, It is pretty standard stuff, the front top stretcher will have a dovetail and the bottom stretcher double M/T. The sides and back will have split M/T joints which I expect will be pinned.
Here are few photos. The first is of one side of one of the dovetails. It needs the nasty bits cleaned but other than that is is ready to fit straight from the saw:
Welsh Stick Chair - Done
|Done today: Vitrine and chair.
The exciting part, is I got finish on my Welsh stick chair! If you remember correctly, I went to Denmark last fall to build chairs with Jonas from Mulesaw. I viewed the build as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as he had a couple of monster elm logs set aside for just such a purpose. Check out the build starting here.
I didn't quite get finished with my chair in the 4 1/2 days I was there. This project has been languishing in my shop, not because I didn't want to get it done, but because there always seems to be something that pushes it's way forward in the queue.
|Well cured epoxy dribbled here to fill a void.
|Epoxy flakes in my block plane.
|In the white, ready for finish.
Perhaps the tung oil will give it a bit more strength, we'll see. I'll put a few more coats of this on over the next days, and in a month or two when it is completely cured, I will buff it out with some kind of past wax. Probably beeswax mixed with orange oil.
|Here is my new finish components.
|Finished chair.
|Some of the more interesting grain on the seat.
|Before photo. Couresty Mulesaw.
|The three-quarter arms were an attempt at making the design look a bit more modern to suit the taste of the Frau. Olav helped with designing these, and I think they turned out fantastic.
|Here is a good view of one of the bits filled with epoxy.
|The pair were both finished today.
Beaded shiplapped back coming soon
If you've been following along with the 8 drawer tall dresser build you already know I've made a few minor changes to the existing plan (available in our Digital Downloads Store,) nothing major, just a little tweak here and there.
I decided recently to make one more change by swapping out the plywood panel I originally intended to install for the back for something a little more decorative. It's not that I thought there was anything wrong with the plywood, instead it's just an opportunity for me to flex my woodworking muscle and have a little fun in the shop.
Considering the fact that 9 out of 10 times the tall dresser will be pushed against a wall no one will ever see the back, but what about that 10th occurrence? What happens then?
So after thinking about it (and probably overthinking it) I decided instead to install a shiplapped back to give it a more "finished" look.
The process was extremely easy, shiplapped is really nothing more than cutting a rabbet on one edge of a board, followed by cutting another rabbet on the opposite edge AND opposite face of the same board and then installing them in a sequence that allows the adjoining board's rabbet to overlap the previous (essentially creating a series of half-laps.) In the end, the result is to give an appearance of a wide panel made up of several narrow boards.
Once I completed cutting the initial joinery for the shiplap and did a dry run to insure they'll fit in place, I decided to take it one step further and add another detail to the boards by breaking out an old beading plane to add some beautiful shadow lines to the plain and ordinary looking boards.
Now if you were a Woobie-level Patron of Matt's Basement Workshop at Patreon.com you'll be seeing this process as your upcoming March Bonus Episode video to be released later this week. If you're not already familiar with shiplapping, this video should help to get you started on using it in your own projects once you see how easy it can be.
Signing up to become a Patron of Matt's Basement Workshop is easy and gives you an opportunity to see full-length sneak previews of every episode days before everyone else, bonus footage from each episode and exclusive content made just for Patrons at this level. Just visit patreon.com/mattsbasementworkshop to get signed up for one of our four levels of Patronage today.
A full set of detailed plans are available for sale on my website, thanks to Brian Benham of Benham Design Concepts.
You can find them by visiting our new "Digital Downloads Store" by clicking here. And if you were a Woobie-level Patron of Matt's Basement Workshop you could get a free copy of the original plan as part of your Patronage.
Help support the show – please visit our advertisers
What Is Toe In?
Happy Birthday William Morris (& a Free Download)
In honor of designer, poet, novelist and social activist William Morris, who was born on this day in 1834 (d. 1896), I give you this Shop of the Crafters Morris Chair article, by Christopher Schwarz. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." — William Morris This chair is (clearly) far more in the Arts & Crafts vein than 1860s […]
The post Happy Birthday William Morris (& a Free Download) appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.
Finishing - Shellac Prevents Blotching
Blotching is rarely the result of poor staining technique; rather it has everything to do with the grain and pores of wood. Different varieties of wood respond differently to staining. Some dense fine grained species take to stain beautifully whereas others seem to resent being stained.
I have been experimenting with some beech, which is a medium quality hard wood. The wood does not exhibit any figure but appears to be even grained and consistent in look. The wood is not very stable and I found it moves, twists and warps quite unpredictably.
I was given some and thought I could use it for faux panelling. The wood is relatively easy to work though hard and the panel strips came out rather well.
I decided to stain the beech panels strips (rails and stiles) as well as some very unstable Pine I had made some shelves with. The Pine was doused with heavy purple dye and there was no problem there.
|Ash stains rather well
I stained some Ash and found it stains rather well. On the other hand, beech, stained with oil based Varathane stain was a complete disaster. It blotched badly and pre-treating the wood with wood conditioner (Varathane) made no difference whatsoever.
|Beech prior to staining
|After Stain - ugly blotches
|Stained after applying one coat of Shellac
|Stained after two coats of Shellac - much more uniform effect
I then applied a thin wash coat of Shellac on the wood and tried staining. It worked well; two coats of Shellac worked even better. No blotching at all!
Just proves how useful Shellac can be and the importance of testing prior to staining.
Indranil Banerjie
24 March 2015
Still waiting on Spring 2015
The weather just doesn't seem to want to break. I'm looking forward to some spring thaw.
I've posted a nice restorable Jointer for sale, https://timetestedtools.wordpress.com/tools-for-sale-2/
I know several have inquired about a jointer.
I picked up a nice Siegley #2 recently for my collection. I believe it's a type 5. I plan to post on my website soon. I also picked up a Sargent #3411 in nice shape. This is a type 1. I resisted the Sargent Transitionals for as long as I could. They just seem to call my name.
Please join in the conversation on the tool forum. There are lots of woodworking sites to chose from, but very few dedicated to the collecting of vintage tools. http://timetestedtools.forumchitchat.com/
Thanks for looking
This video of an impressive display of Japanese joinery has been...
This video of an impressive display of Japanese joinery has been all over the interwebs, but folks keep sending me the link, so here you go.
(Thanks to everyone who sent me this link.)
I have proof spring is here......
|this is an encouraging sign by my back door
|middle shelf has cooked
The hole in the sound board is centered side to side but it's about a 1/4" higher than the center point. I don't think that this will have any influence on the sound but it looks better to my eye. I centered the one on the prototype but I like this slight off center look.
|router action upcoming
|chamfer done
|groove for the plywood back
|scrap piece of 1/8" plywood
|clamping caul
|the banding surface is bugging me
|it's proud of the surface a wee bit
|planing the banding smooth with my violin plane
|see the difference
|experiment in gluing
|samples are cooking
|hat and test banding cooking away
accidental woodworker
trivia corner
What is a funambulist?
answer - a tightrope walker
A Step Back to Move Forward - Vitrine
The good news, is I was able to salvage the doors, and this project is now almost finished!
|As it stands now. Only a little a little adjusting to the doors and touching up of finish remains.
It was kind of hard to show in a photograph, but the problem was essentially the same on the bottom of the cabinet:
|When I lined up the sides of the door panel, the top and bottom were obviously out of square.
While evaluating the problem, I realized that if I lined the sides of the door panels up, the tops and bottoms could be flushed up without losing too much. The top door was a bit oversized in height, anyway, and I think the bottom door will be fine.
I am considering leaving the bottom wonky like that. If I plane it square, I might have to laminate a spacer there to compensate for the look. The Frau didn't notice it until I pointed it out, so we'll see if I can live with it or not.
A challenge was how to plane the parts of the doors with the rabbets so the glass would fit.
I set the doors up so one side of the rabbet was flush and needed no adjusting. The other side, I marked where it needed to end up. This means I need to taper this edge of the door until I meet the mark.
|The first step was to crosscut the batten. I think going right to the plane would just be asking for blow out.
|I used a dull card scraper to remove most of the paint. A few swipes with my jack plane and I am at my line.
Now that the top edge is square, I CAN use a marking gauge to re-define my rabbet. That will have to be re-cut.
|Marking where the rabbet now needs to be.
I considered using my plow plane, but thought that running the fence against the paint on the show side of the door would create some problems for me down the line. What I did instead was to remove the fence entirely from my Veritas plow plane, and use it freehand. The rabbet was defined, after all. All I had to do was sink the rabbet a little farther until I reached the line from the marking gauge.
|Fence-less plow worked a charm.
|Finished rabbet. You can see the wood that was removed, as there was paint on the rabbet before this step.
|Now, the glass panel fits and the doors line up.
I did wind up buying some better cup hinges. I had bought the cheapest ones I could find before, and they were difficult to install and line up. I spent about 10 Euros per pair for the new ones. They came with a template to aid installation, and worked with absolutely no problems.
A comment on my last post had me thinking that I hadn't really done a proper job of explaining how this door goes together with the glass. Here are a couple of pics that hopefully explain better how the glass is captured in the rabbet by the batten.
|Glass captured in the rabbet by a cross batten.
The next step is to install the lights. We found some really cool low-profile LED lights that were perfect for this project. The package came with three lights that plug into one socket. Very efficient, as the whole contraption only uses 7.5 watts!
I decided the interior of the glass cabinet looked best with two of the lights. I put the third on the top of the cabinet to shine on the ceiling.
|Here is the cabinet with the door open.
|I like the look.
|The bear is looking at my lighting job.
All in all, this mockup is a success so far. I learned some important lessons in construction of a cabinet like this, and spent relatively little money on it. The Frau was looking online for vitrines, and the ones she liked cost about ten times the price of this one.
Ironically, now that this cabinet is in the place we want the final piece to be, the Frau has decided a vitrine is not what she wants there. Perhaps a side table instead. I am really glad we didn't get stuck with an expensive store bought piece of furniture!
Wood is Good For Your Body and Brain!
More Wooden Straightedges
Bernard E. Jones, The Complete Woodworker, 190?
I posted else where on this blog about making straight edges from one of my favorite woods, California laurel.
My mistake was making only one straight edge from the laurel, I should have made two.
Two straight edges the same length are easier to check for straightness, you just put the edges together and look for a gap, then you can plane the edge straight again.
I realized I need an 18 inch straight edge, instead of a 17 inch straight edge, to check the flatness of the fret board that I recently put on a copy of a 1930 Santos Hernandez guitar.
My stock of California Laurel is getting low, what I have is reserved for another blanca guitar, I have some nice eastern black walnut on hand so it was off to the table saw.
I ripped out two slats, clamped them together and jointed the edges. I didn't taper the pieces as per instructions given by Jones in the aforementioned book (or what some former editor[s] of a woodworking magazine says you are supposed to do), I left them chunky so when I go to re-shoot the edges all I have to do is butt the ends up against the bench stop. I don't have to chuck them into Shop Fox vise, just fix them and go back to work.
I do plan on beveling the edges as Jones suggests doing, those edges give a better reading when placed on the surface that is being observed.
Ah, just what I needed!
The guitar is now fretted and after I run some errands tomorrow morning, I get down to the business of carving the neck.
Once that task is completed I will then have three guitars - a Torres FE19 guitar, a 1961 Hernandez y Aguado guitar and this Santos - to French polish!
Stay tuned, I will be posting photos of the latest 1930 Santos Hernandez style guitar!
Hospice Cart Dimensioning
When planning to make an epic mistake on a project there are several areas that can go un-noticed until you are quite far into a project. Poor plans can lead to a missed cut usually in the latter portions of a project when the only option is to head back to the lumber yard for a new piece of wood. Bad measurements can have the same results and usually occurs when when you forget to add an inch to your measurement due to the damaged tape you refuse to throw away. Typically I prefer to layout a project incorrectly and then proceed to chop out several mortises before realizing they are on the wrong side of a leg. Not today, well not yet anyway.
Laying out the locations of mortises is something that I take very slowly checking and double checking to insure they are in the correct place. Fortunately today when I checked I found the problem immediately and was able to make a correction before chopping began. I'm sure I will make another mistake further along.
The rest of the day was spent dimensioning lumber and planing to the correct thickness. By the end of the day most of the parts were ready for joinery. I'm hoping over the next week to get the mortises chopped out so that next weekend can be spent fitting the tenons and gluing up the top and bottom shelf.
My mistake of the day was forgetting to publish the blog. Fixed today!
Sample Board Partying – Liming
One of the dominant aesthetics in the interior design world of my early days in the furniture trade in Palm Beach County, Florida, was the lightening or even whitening of wood furniture and paneling, presumably to reflect the bright sunniness that was numbingly constant outside, especially in the winter when those with the financial means escaped the cold, grim climes of (mostly) New England. This was manifest in what decorators called "pickled" finishes for wood surfaces. During my recent luncheon presentation in Palm Beach, one of the topics my hosts requested was to address this one.
Traditionally this was applied over either oak or cypress, and I recall finishing what seemed to be acres of it. In fact the "whitening" of these woods was accomplished by two unrelated techniques.
One technique involves the deposition of white material into the grain of the wood, and the other requires the deposition of a thin uniform layer of white translucence over the entire surface. Though I executed both techniques on both oak and cypress, you will see from the results that one technique worked well for one wood, and the other, the other.
"Liming" of wood requires the deposition of, well, lime onto the wood, or more precisely, into the wood. In these samples I planed and scraped the panels, then lightly scrubbed them with a brass brush to wallow out the grain. In the case of oak, it resulted in the emphasis of the ring-porous nature of the wood, while with the cypress it created a muddy, unremarkable effect.
Once the surface was ready I took some hydrated lime from the hardware store and prepared some very lean gesso from the lime, water, and about 2-3% 315 gws glue. I first soaked overnight and cooked the glue in the water, then added powdered lime to the desired consistency.
This was brushed onto the surface, making sure to work it down into the grain, and allowed to dry completely.
Since the gesso was very lean, I was able to remove the excess gesso, that is the gesso not down in the grain, with an abrasive pad rather than the coarse burlap of days gone by.
Following that I applied a single coating of paste wax, and when that was hard I buffed it with a piece of clean cloth. This is a nerve wracking step the first time you do it as the paste wax saturates the lime deposit, making it disappear. Never fear, as the solvent in the paste wax flashes off, the white will slowly emerge again. The effect in oak is dramatic.
For cypress, the presentation is fairly undistinguished.
Fortunately, there is a technique that works wonderfully on cypress.
Stay tuned.
MC Escher Tool Chest
Yesterday I posted a picture of a Dutch Tool Chest I'm making. It's just a busywork project, something to do for fun. It was decidedly less fun when I discovered that I'd done the joinery for one end bass-ackwards. Not really the end of the world, this is the cheap common pine. It's also slightly cupped, even after flattening it, it cupped again.
And it's not like I need a tool chest. Having said that, I'll probably end up building two or three of these.
So, I cut one set of pins off, and re-cut them. No biggie. The sawing went much better, it helped that I put up more shop lights in the intervening time.
Traveling Tool Chest: Simply Stunning
Last week, we shot the cover photo for the August issue. It's a classic English tool chest sized for travel (though it holds almost a full complement of furniture making tools, sans moulding planes). The build was a collaboration between Christopher Schwarz, who designed and built the chest, and Jameel Abraham, who made the 3D marquetry panel for the lid's interior (and Peter Ross, who made the hand-forged hardware.) Last […]
The post Traveling Tool Chest: Simply Stunning appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.


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Earlean Cooper Hurst, 74, of Chattanooga, passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, in a local hospital. Visitation is at noon today at in the chapel of Taylor Funeral Home with the funeral to follow at 1 p.m. Burial: Greenwood Cemetery.