When I find great deals and bargains around town that I think will benefit you, I immediately want to share them. Having gotten out of a very large amount of debt recently, we had to be resourceful and creative with what we had and to make our money stretch far and wide. I learned a great big lesson in that as Muslims, we should be careful to stay away from debt, which means checking ourselves against an elaborate and expensive lifestyle, and of course one beyond our means. This is particularly true when our brothers and sisters are suffering around the world for want of the basics we take for granted- clean water and fresh air to breath, just as an example.

So, I’m open to great deals and bargains, as long as they are halal, of course. Here’s the story:

On a beautiful, crisp fall morning this Saturday, we decided to take a drive along Chicago’s Lakeshore drive so we could capture and share with you the beautiful fall foilage that abounds this time of year here in the Midwest. It was a great way to have a “mini, half-day vacation” without spending a lot of money or time away from the chores that await us at home.

Along the way, we had to pass through the georgeous university town of Evanston, IL, home of Northwestern University. On Sheridan Road heading south, with Lake Michigan to our left, we just happened to notice an ivory structure peering upwards through the autumn leaves of tall trees that surrounded it. This structure was the Gross Point Lighthouse, closed at this time of year. We decided to stop and talk a walk, anyway.

We parked our car and headed to the lighthouse, only to be pleasantly interrupted by the large but quaint English structure that looked more like a house than a small gallery. It was the Historic Clarke House, situated next to the Evanston Arts Center.

Surprisingly, it was open on a Sunday.

We strolled around the small gallery, its wooden floors guiding us to several small exhibits promoting sustainable living and educating on the gravity of global warming. The exhibit as a whole is called, Heating Up and runs from Oct. 5-Nov. 9, 2008.  Admission is free! http://www.evanstonartcenter.org/exhibitions.aspx

One presentation within the exhibit was that of a pyramid of recycled paint cans named “Loop Limited: Recycled Paints”, provided by People Powered. Actually, there were several platforms of pyramids, each showcasing a different color of paint: one a light blue; rose, pale yellow (which was completely out); leafy green; and dark mocha.  The amazing part was that hanging above the pyramids was a sign by Loop Limited briefly explaining the mission of the project and at the end indicating that we could take a can of paint home! I couldn’t believe my eyes, so I had to ask the receptionist who greeted us at the front door if this was for real. She said “yes” and actually encouraged us to take a couple!

Needless to say, I’ll be painting my home office a beautiful light blue, and thinking about the generosity of the company who gave it away. Allah sure has numerous ways of making things easy for us.

For more information about the Evanston Arts Center, click on the link below. They have a wonderful variety of art classes that are open to both residents and non-residents of Evanston, IL.  For example, they have Adult Workshop courses which comprise of things like Mosaics; Drawing and Painting courses; Digital Arts courses; Jewelry and Metalsmithing and even Youth Fine Arts courses. Check it out: www.evanstonartcenter.org

For more information about People Powered and Loop Limited, the recycled paints showcased at the gallery and free of charge for you to take home, click on this link:

http://peoplepowered.org/loop.html

As always, I welcome and look forward to your comments about this post.

Copyright My Halal Kitchen 2008