A Boutique Staffing Agency

May Feature:
Summer in the City

With the temperature turning a bit more agreeable, Chicagoans will start to emerge from their winter abodes looking for social activity and Vitamin D.  These few short months of summer/early fall can make living through a Chicago winter worthwhile.  Luckily, this city accommodates us with a bevy of great places and activities so our fond memories of summer will keep us warm all year. 

Here are a few of our favorites:

Movies in the Park – Take a blanket, picnic dinner, and bit of summer romance every Tuesday evening starting July 14th in Grant Park for their Movie in the Park.  With classics like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to Psycho, it is a fun way to spend a warm summer evening.  The city places the screen on the southwest corner of Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Street so viewers can sit on the lawn of Grant Park and watch. Movies in the Park 

Millennium Park Miniature Golf (plus cocktails) – Take a miniature golf course just steps from the office, add a glass of Chardonnay, finish with a lite fare of crab cakes and portobello sliders and you have a great night out on the town.  Plus, who doesn’t like a little healthy competition before dinner. www.thegreenonline.com

Ghost and Gangster by Kayak – Ghost Stories and kayaks seem to be a strange combination, but somehow the Water Riders Adventures crew makes it a fun and interesting evening.  You relax (a paddle a bit) on a tour of the Chicago River with tales gruesome tales of Chicago history along the way.  It’s a learning experience combined with a work-out and a great way to see Chicago from a new vantage point. www.wateriders.com

Preferred Partner:
Cristo Rey

Upon initially hearing about the innovative work-study model of the Cristo Rey schools, I was impressed with its innovative approach and its dedication to the community.

With a 98% attendance rate and a 99% college acceptance rate, I was even more impressed with their results. These students really excel with the structure and experience of the Cristo Rey Schools. It's quite an accomplishment for students who come from an economically disadvantaged area in Pilsen and face public school graduation rates as low as 50%. 

To defray the cost of education, Chicago companies sponsor students and participate in a unique work study program. Students work 1 day a week in a professional setting and participate in a rigorous academic program 4 days a week throughout the school year.

Cristo Rey is making a difference in Chicago. That's why they're our preferred partner... and why we're advising them on how to improve their work-study placement process. It's a great cause.

www.CristoRey.net

It's great to finally get outside and enjoy the warm weather and lush greenery of Chicago. We want to bring this feeling inside but we have trouble keeping the plants in our office as green. We either overwater or wait until a leaf drops before we remember we haven't watered for weeks.

Now, we turn to Thirsty Lights for help. You don't have to touch the dirt or squint to read a gauge. When the plant needs water, thirsty light blinks. Our plants love it... and no one asks "Did you water the plants this week?" $12.99 www.thirstylight.com

Lunch for a Lincoln ($5): Market Creations

Erase all memories of your school cafeteria with the help of this healthy café/cafeteria in the Loop. Market Creations offers a refreshing selection to help your enliven your lunch time palette. With an Asian twist, they offer tasteful chicken wings and a selection of fresh vegetables. You can easily walk out full and keep to your budget. www.marketcreationscafe.com
Locations: Prudential Plaza 130 E Randolph St. & Sears Tower 

AltaStaff is a WBE/BEP certified, woman-owned staffing agency specializing in Executive and Administrative Support, Customer Service, Financial Administration and Technology Support.

AltaStaff – a boutique staffing agency | 53 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1028, Chicago, IL 60604 | 312-408-9990
www.altastaff.com

In our next issue: Beat the heat | Chicago Partner Spotlight | Desk Accessory | Lunch for a Lincoln

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