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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

To all our readers, Happy New Year! Stay safe, have fun, and keep those resolutions!
Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Dez Pain

The Best of The Chicago Traveler 2007

The Best of The Chicago Traveler 2007

It’s time to say good-bye to 2007. The year has treated me very well. I moved to a new apartment, did some traveling, and, best of all, began writing The Chicago Traveler! Many thanks to Mary Jo and everyone at b5media who has been so welcoming and helpful.
Even though The Chicago Traveler is only a few months old, let’s take a look back at the ten most popular articles of this year.
10. Abegweit. Resting peacefully on Lake Michigan, this beautiful ship was once the most powerful icebreaker in the world.
9. Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes. This music store on the …read more

Scooter’s

Scooter’s

It’s the middle of winter, and that has many of us dreaming of spring and warmer temperatures. Which, of course, means frozen treats!
Scooter’s offers some of the city’s best frozen custard, coming in basic flavors (like chocolate and vanilla) as well as a unique flavor of the day ranging anywhere from strawberry swirl to “Belmont Avenue” (a.k.a. Rocky Road). This dessert really can’t be beat, made fresh daily with less air and ice than plain ol’ ice cream.
The menu also carries sundaes, Italian ices, cookie custard sandwiches, and the popular Concretes—loads of frozen custard combined with candy or flavorings like …read more

Ivy League Celebrates NYE

Ivy League Celebrates NYE

So you’ve decided that the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve is inside the comfort of your own home (or a friend’s home). Tune your television to MTV, and ring in the New Year with Tila Tequila’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade 2008. There’ll be plenty of performers and special guests, including DJ Travis, Mary J Blige, Fabolous, Good Charlotte, Boys Like Girls, Kid Rock, Paramore, and Wyclef.
However, more important than all those incredible acts is a performance from a local hip-hop duo, Ivy League. During the first couple weeks of November, MTV and Comcast held online contests in four …read more

Friday Film: Continental Divide

Friday Film: Continental Divide

John Belushi was well known for his work on Saturday Night Live, National Lampoon’s Animal House, and The Blues Brothers. However, he also had a much celebrated love for his hometown Chicago, and many of his sketches and films took place here, including the romantic comedy Continental Divide.

Continental Divide (1981)

Directed by:
Michael Apted

Produced by:
Robert E. Larson
Steven Spielberg

Starring:
John Belushi
Blair Brown
Allen Goorwitz
Carlin Glynn

Distributed by:
Universal Pictures

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Belushi, in a much more subdued role than usual, plays Ernie Souchak, a star reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times. While investigating a corrupt city councilman, Souchak is assaulted by a couple of crooked cops. His boss decides …read more

Friday Film: Brannigan

Friday Film: Brannigan

Most of us are familiar with John Wayne, the film actor and American icon who epitomized rugged masculinity. He was closely associated with Westerns and war movies, but he stepped away from those standards in 1975 with Brannigan.

Brannigan (1975)

Directed by:
Douglas Hickox

Produced by:
Arthur Garnder
Jules Levy

Starring:
John Wayne
Richard Attenborough
Judy Geeson
Mel Ferrer
John Vernon
Ralph Meeker
Daniel Pilon

Distributed by:
United Artists

All Movie Guide
IMDb
Amazon.com

John Wayne had turned down the title role in Dirty Harry, which went to Clint Eastwood. But after seeing the success of that film, Wayne decided to give gritty police thrillers a try. Brannigan casts “the Duke” as Detective Jim Brannigan, an Irish-American detective from Chicago …read more

New Year’s Eve in Gay/Lesbian Chicago

New Year’s Eve in Gay/Lesbian Chicago

Start the New Year with a little color…
• Hydrate: Why celebrate 12 midnight just once? Ring in the New Year for every time zone! The celebration includes an exclusive pre-NYE party, a hosted bar featuring Effen Vodka and Pilsner Urquell Beer, a delicious appetizer buffet, and a complimentary champagne toast. DJ Jeannette spins tracks well into the wee hours of the morning. (8 p.m. – 4 a.m., $30-$50) (map) (link)
• North End: This bar is all about beer, boys, and bowls—college bowls, that is. Stop by for some barstool football with the guys without having to worry about a …read more

New Year’s Eve in Chicago, cont.

New Year’s Eve in Chicago, cont.

• Alinea: Chef Grant Achataz is the frontrunner of progressive cuisine. The word “unique” doesn’t even begin to describe his dishes… many of which don’t even come on a dish! He’ll be presenting his cuisine at two seatings. The first seating offers a ten-course meal; the second offers 15 courses and a champagne toast. Wine pairings are also available. Reservations required. Jackets recommended, jeans not allowed. (5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., $175-$250) (map) (link)
• Salud Tequila Lounge: This popular spot has about 85 different tequilas to choose from, available straight or in a margarita. They’ll …read more

New Year’s Eve in Chicago, cont.

New Year’s Eve in Chicago, cont.

Here are a few more ways to bring in the New Year in Chicago:
• Metro: If you’re into the indie rock scene, Spoon will be headlining and playing songs from their most recent album, “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.” 18+ (10 p.m., $76) (map) (link)
• Motel Bar: So maybe you’re not so good at planning ahead. This River North lounge is just for you, requiring no cover and no reservations. Enjoy $8 champagne cocktails and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. (5 p.m. – 2 a.m., no cover) (map) (link)
• Victor Hotel: Join the lively crowd of dressed-to-impress grown-ups along …read more

Happy Kwanzaa!

Happy Kwanzaa!

To all those who celebrate, Happy Kwanzaa! The week-long Pan-African festival honors African-American heritage and is observed today through January 1.Malcolm X College holds its own Kwanzaa celebration all week, featuring African dancing, spoken word, gospel singing, a marketplace, and more. Live entertainment will take place from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free!
For a bit of history, stop by the DuSable Museum of African-American History, and see the annual exhibit on Kwanzaa, recounting the history and principles of the holiday.
Malcolm X College: 1900 W Van Buren …read more

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