To register. Registration is through The Sun Center 312-280-1070.

Workshop location:
The Sun Center is above a flower shop in an "antique" Old Town buildling, in the charming "Old Town" neighborhood
1818 N. Wells Street, 3rd Flr
Chicago, IL 60614
Mapquest for directions.

Workshop times: Please note time change for weekend workshops, listed below. This is due to residential parking restrictions that begin at 6pm.

Workshop Times vary and are listed on the workshop description page.
Weekends: 9am-6pm, 8 or 16 CE hours, as listed on workshop description.
Weekdays: 10am-7pm, 8 or 16 CE hours, as listed on workshop description. Times vary depending on the number of hours, but typically start at 10am or noon to avoid weekday rush hour traffic.
We also offer weekday morning workshops.

Parking for The Sun Center: There are several lots nearby. When you go to the map, type in parking and the map will include them. There are two lots at the corner of Northpark and North Avenue. Try the lot at the SW corner (usually a good deal) or the Self-Park at the NE corner. (As of 6/2007 the all day rate in the Museum lot in the park is discounted to a reasonable all-day fee when ticket is validated at the museum, enter on Stockton road just East of the intersection of LaSalle and Clark Street.) Another reasonably-priced lot is behind the grocery store Treasure Island, on the west side of Wells, just north of North Avenue. Meters in the area take quarters, bring plenty of them, and are free after 6pm (Clark Street). Old Town is a very popular neighborhood so free on-street parking is challenging to find on Lincoln Avenue and Wells Street. Parking rates in the area, other than the museum lot, are mostly reasonable.

Public Transportation: You can plan your trip online: http://www.transitchicago.com/
The closest train stop is Sedgwick (brown line), 5 blocks. Fullerton (red line) is 8 blocks, walk down Lincoln Avenue (or transfer to Lincoln bus). Clark/Division (red line) is about 8 blocks (you can transfer to 22 or 36 bus.). If you take the red line you can get a transfer and bus it to the Center. The buses that stop 1/2 block away include the 22-Clark Street or 36-Broadway bus. Other buses include 11-Lincoln Avenue; the fastest routes are the 156, travels the Lake Shore and La Salle Street, and the 151, which travels the Lake Shore and Michigan Ave, and another bus also called 151 goes to and from Union Station. Check the web for more information.

Trains from out of town: http://www.metrarail.com. Catch the 151 from Union Station and get off at the 2nd stop in the park, which is close to the lagoon and before the "farm" in the zoo.

Alternate locations in Chicago : Most workshops are held at The Sun Center. All weekday workshops and study groups are at The Sun Center. We have found several alternate locations nearby when the need arises for a larger space. Workshops are typicaly limited to 11 participants. Register early to secure your space and help us all plan.

Lodging: We have found several alternatives to expensive hotels! We continue to gather information for nearby lodging from students who stay at these places. Chicago offers a wide range of possibilities for lodging, entertainment and overall enjoyment. Be sure to ask hotels for weekend packages or check for last minute specials at some of the downtown hotels (not far)--these vary greatly.

The least expensive and closest to The Sun Center and our alternate locations: The Arlington House, 773-929-5380, www.arlingtonhouse.com, is about 10 blocks from The Sun Center. They have dorm rooms AND private rooms with private baths at very reasonable rates, if you are up for less modern accomodations. Best would be to share a room with a friend. There is a large lobby, computer room, dining room with free coffee and kitchen. Lots of young travelers from all over the world standing around, reading, eating, talking, at the computer and sitting out front on a beautiful night. Eclectic. Parking nearby at the Lincoln Park Market (grocery store) is $18/night, also a good price. One block away is Clark Street where restaurants of all kinds abound. I have visited the place and feel comfortable recommending it. Old buildling, single beds, all rooms have a desk, bring your own hangers. Louis is the manager and Josh at the desk, both quite personable.

Nearby Hotels: Currently under construction, Parkview Inn, 1816 N. Clark St. is across the street from The Sun Center. Haven't seen renovations.

Southwest.com offers good rates and information. If you're enrolled, you get Rapid Reward credit, too. Comfort Inn and Suites in downtown Chicago, State and Ohio Streets, a short taxi, or bus ride from The Sun Center. Rates from $109 per night. Offer valid through December 31, 2010.

We are familiar with two moderately priced hotels on Diversey Parkway which are a block apart and 10 blocks or so from The Sun Center. Inn at Lincoln Park (773-348-2810) is older but reasonable and clean. Days Inn, Lincoln Park North (773-525-7010) is a bit more updated and a bit more expensive. Ask about fee for parking; I was told $12/day at the hotel or nearby parking ramp at Century Shopping Mall, where there are movies and a great, international deli / grocery store. Or link to map and, in the space after, "find other nearby," type in "hotels." You can also get a map and/or directions. There are also some smaller but rather pricey hotels in the Gold Coast area, north of Division Street, which would be convenient.

DOWNTOWN: Another inexpensive Hostel is Hosteling International Chicago, 312-360-0300, www.hichicago.org, with a great downtown location, 24 E. Congress Parkway, near the Art Institute and Orchestra Hall, Grant Park and Milennium Park. They have several options, including a Family Hostel. A bit more modern, upscale than Arlington House. Public transportation and lots of information is on the website. I have not yet seen it but have read rave reviews on the website.

Downtown Hotels: We won't bother to list the well-known more expensive hotels. These are easy to find. Generally, the less expensive downtown hotels are in Grant Park area: Chicago's Essex (across from Grant Park), Congress Plaza Hotel (several blocks north of Essex and close to the Hostel). If you are driving, Ramada Lake Shore (4900 South of downtown) has free parking, is quite reasonably priced and a straight drive along Lake Shore Drive all the way to The Sun Center.

Here are a some other websites and phone numbers that may help you: 877Chicago.com; http://877chicago.com/winterdelights/; www.bedandbreakfast.com/chicago-illinois; 800-583-7133 or www.Hotels-And-Discounts.com; chicago-bed-breakfast.com; and there's always orbitz.com.

You may want to google for the hotel, get the direct phone number and call them directly to compare price and availabililty.