Lake Michigan offers a great shoreline, but it's nothing in comparison to the beaches of Hawaii. The Travel & Culture Channel here at b5media welcomes a new blog, The Hawaii Traveler, where you can read up on The Aloha State's beaches, events, and other attractions.
Starked DC isn't a new blog, but it does have a new writer. J-Michael has taken over and is prepared to give his take on the politics and scandals of 'the District.'
When you're in a city full of skyscrapers, it only makes sense to check out the view from one of those tall buildings. The John Hancock Center is a popular place to take in great views of Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile. It also houses one of the best spots to get a cocktail: the Signature Lounge.
Located on the 96th floor, this elegant lounge offers a colossal view of the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer an incredible look at the city's glittering skyline. Downtown businesspeople and camera-wielding tourists take in the quiet elegance of soft leather booths and mahogany-trimmed chairs. Black-and-white movie stills and murals of street scenes line the walls. Soft jazz music gives the well-dressed space a final refined touch.
Drinks are pricey, averaging about $10 each. However, the building's Observatory has an admission price of just over $10, so you might as well get a cocktail along with the view for your money. Great tastes include 'the Skyscraper' (Bacardi Limon, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice), 'Top Floor Tea' (Chopin vodka, Bacardi rum, Cuervo tequila, and Grand Marnier), and Chicago's Best Sidecar (Hennessy cognac, Cointreau, and lime juice in a sugar-rimmed martini glass). Appetizers, sandwiches, and desserts are also available.
With an impressive view and incredible atmosphere, the Signature Lounge truly leaves its mark on any visitor's experience.
Signature Lounge:875 N Michigan Ave (96th Floor); 312-787-9596
Sun ' Thurs: 11:00 a.m. ' 12: 30 a.m.
Fri ' Sat: 11:00 a.m. ' 1:30 a.m.
Parking pay lots in the area
Public trans: Bus # 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 or Red Line (Chicago) http://www.signatureroom.com/lounge/
Is there someone out there whom you really, really don't like? Give them the treatment they deserve with custom-printed toilet paper.
From Petersburg, IL (3-4 hours southwest of Chicago), Carlberg Design, Inc. custom prints biodegradable two-ply with photos, logos, or any other material that's not copyrighted. Have some quotes printed, so you'll have something to read while you're in the bathroom. If you have roommates, have your roll monogrammed, so they know exactly which TP is yours. Throwing a Super Bowl or World Series party? Your guests'll be surprised to see the opposing team's name printed appropriately in the washroom. Or get a picture of that person who makes you feel… crappy.
E-mail or snail-mail the company a copy of the artwork, photograph, or sketch; or just tell them your idea, and they will design something for you. They will take care of everything, and e-mail or fax you a proof. Each roll is individually shrink-wrapped and will ship approximately 2-4 weeks from proof approval. Order as few as 4 or as many as thousands!
It's the #1 way to express yourself… or should I say #2?
This season of the Bravo Network's Top Chef was filmed here in Chicago, exposing competing chefs from all over the country to all the culinary treats the Windy City has to offer.
This week's Quickfire challenge allowed each contestant to taste three beers from several different brands before choosing one of them. The chefs then had had to create a dish that paired well with their selected beers.
If you're looking for a spot where you can check out some great brews, stop by one of the following:
In the Elimination challenge, the chefs had to create meals for a tailgating party at Soldier Field, just before a Chicago Bears game (against the Minnesota Vikings). Soldier Field has a history just as dramatic as its look. Read more about it in my article, Soldier Field. And you can find out when the Bears are playing at Bears Schedule Announced.
Happy Earth Day! Celebrate at the Daley Plaza from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., where you can learn how small changes in your daily life can help the environment. This free event features environmental demonstrations and exhibits, as well as a 45-minute performance from Marty Casey and Lovehammers.
After you've finished learning how to recycle, get trashed! Mahoney's Pub & Grille is featuring Earth Day cocktails including a Mud-tini (creamy chocolate), the Ocean Blue (blue, citrus vodka), and the Greenie-tini (melon and apple). A portion of the sales benefit Keep Chicago Beautiful.
If you are visiting Chicago for any significant period of time, more than likely you will see Grant Park at some point. Also known as 'Chicago's front yard,' this huge park (319 acres or 1.29 km2) is located downtown between Lake Michigan and Michigan Avenue.
The city officially designated the land as a park in 1844, when it was named Lake Park. It was renamed Grant Park in 1901, in honor of U.S. President Ulysses S Grant, a resident of Galena, IL. While the park had been deemed as 'public ground forever to remain vacant of buildings', several structures were planned for the area throughout the 19th century. Chicago businessman Aaron Montgomery Ward passionately fought on the people's behalf for 20 years, wanting to keep the park natural and undeveloped. The only exception he granted was for the Art Institute of Chicago, built in 1892.
Grant Park's most notable features are the Art Institute of Chicago, Buckingham Fountain, and the Museum Campus'a 10-acre (40,469 m2) addition to the southern end, which includes the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium. The park also features several walking and biking trails, a dozen tennis courts, and 16 softball fields. Programs include yoga, aerobics, and ice skating. The Daley Bicentennial Plaza at the north end of the park offers free locker rooms. Reservations for courts and fields should be made in advance (312-742-7650).
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook up the Midwest at 4:37 a.m. Friday morning. While the quake may not be that big by West Coast standards, it was one of the strongest ever in Illinois. It was centered near the town of West Salem and was felt as far as 900 miles (1448 km) away. There have been no reports of injuries or significant damage.
Tremors from the initial quake could be felt even here in Chicago for about 20 seconds. Several people reported being awakened by rattling windows and shaking furniture. Downtown skyscrapers quivered, and bricks shook loose from buildings in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and Louisville.
If that weren't enough, the U.S. Geological Survey reported at least six aftershocks, including registered magnitudes of 2.2, 2.5, and 4.6.
Seem impossible? The quake is believed to have involved an extension of the New Madrid fault, the center of the most active seismic zone east of the Rockies. To be honest, most of us Midwesterners know about this fault, but we forget about it. That's because serious quakes usually only occur every 10-20 years. (The last 'severe' earthquake in the region was a 5.0 magnitude in 2002.)
Although they may be infrequent, the earthquakes in the central and eastern U.S. are typically felt over a much broader region. In fact, an earthquake can be felt over an area ten times larger than one of the same magnitude on the West Coast.
As you can imagine, the earthquake has been the top news for cities throughout the Midwest. State crews investigated roads and bridges but only reported minor damage. Here in Chicago, it was a busy day for building inspectors, contractors, building owners, and CTA officials. There were emergency inspections of high-rises and construction sites throughout the city, as well as inspections on subway tunnels and 'eL' tracks.
Chicagoans had mixed reactions to the whole thing. Some were frightened, not understanding what was going on. Many woke up to the shaking, but in their grogginess, they simply rolled over and went back to sleep, assuming they had been dreaming.
There are hundreds of named neighborhoods in the city of Chicago. (PDF map) Due to gentrification, immigration, and even personal opinion, their borders often aren't clear. Neighborhoods are rarely specifically-defined areas but rather are general areas. One of those neighborhoods was the namesake for a 2004 film, Wicker Park.
This psychological thriller and romance follows businessman Matthew (Josh Hartnett) as he returns to Chicago two years after Lisa (Diane Kruger), a woman whom he was deeply in love with, vanished from his life without a trace. He has managed to get his life together, his career is going well, and he is considering proposing to his current girlfriend. All of that comes to an immediate halt though when he catches a brief glimpse of Lisa in a local bar. Unbeknownst to his current girlfriend, Matthew skips an important business trip in order to hunt down his lost love.
Matthew appears to have an unhealthy obsession with Lisa. Following a number of small clues, he chases after her to a hotel, a cemetery, and her apartment, just missing her every time. However, when he finally catches up with the elusive woman, it turns out to be a stranger (Rose Byrne) who is also coincidentally named 'Lisa'… and Matthew isn't the only one looking for an old flame.
While scenes of the movie were filmed in Montreal, there are several shots of Chicago, including The Drake, Daley Center, O'Hare, and Wicker Park (of course). I really enjoyed the film, despite how incredibly confusing it is. The movie is a collection of dreams, flashbacks, misunderstandings, missed connections, and incredible coincidences. I'll admit, I even had to check forums online in order to understand everything that I saw. But even if a few of the details are missed, the principle is there, leaving an emotional impact.
Disabled people and their families face several obstacles when traveling. How do you know what restaurants, tourist attractions, and buildings accommodate special needs? Open Doors is a non-profit organization that is hoping to answer that question and more.
Eric Lipp, the executive director at Open Doors, worked for a year and a half in the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities to create Easy Access Chicago. Several people with disabilities visited some of the city's most popular attractions to see just how accessible they really were. The guide features lists of destinations for residents and visitors alike and offers specific details to help simplify travel to Chicago and the surrounding area. For example, readers can find out the bed height at an exact hotel or whether a museum offers elevators or ramps.
Residents can even find out how to obtain their handicapped parking permits/placards. There's also information about public transportation, veterinarians who specialize in service animals (e.g., guide dogs), properly equipped taxis, and airport transportation. Restaurants, zoos, nightclubs, museums, attractions, hotels, shopping centers, theatres, tours' it's all in this booklet, the city's first-ever resource guide for travelers with disabilities and their families.
Best of all, it's free! You can order a print copy from the Illinois Bureau of Tourism by visiting www.enjoyillinois.com/brochures or by calling 1-800-2CONNECT (1-800-226-6632) or 1-800-406-6418 TTY. You can also download the PDF at easyaccesschicago.org.
' Save up to 80% on high-end jeans at The Warehouse Sale, located on the second floor of Navy Pier. At least 20 denim designer labels are available for men and women. Come early and RSVP at http://www.thewarehousesale.com/. (Apr 18-19)
' Spring brings new fashions and accessories to Ultimate Girls' Night Out. Hosted by Sheque, the ladies-only event at Le Passage & The Drawing Room includes three hours of beauty services, chocolate, Barefoot wine, Rain vodka martinis, and champagne. Beauty services include manicures, massages, makeovers, and eyebrow waxing. Half of all proceeds benefit the International Center of Deafness and the Arts. (Apr 18)
' At the UR SuperModels Spring Fashion Show, more than 40 models will strut down the catwalk in apparel from more than ten designers. Located at the Terra Museum of American Art, this benefit for One Brick will also feature art displays and live music. (Apr 18)
' As the country prepares itself for a Presidential change, The Second City gives its own take on current affairs in No Country for Old White Men. Directed by Jim Carlson, this comedy revue features everything from YouTube mischief to a visit from the British House of Commons.
' Now that your taxes are finished and filed (hopefully), celebrate at the Tax Relief Party at Stone Lotus. Get $3 domestic beers and $7 themed cocktails, including the '1099' (vodka and tonic) and the 'W2' (Jack Daniel's and Coke). Certified public accountants can enter a drawing for a chance to win various spa treatments and a $300 gift certificate. (Apr 18)
' The Field Museum hosts a new exhibit, Melting Ice'A Hot Topic: Envisioning Change, featuring the works of 26 artists from ten countries. Photographs, oil paintings, sculpture, and video installations all focus on the melting ice caps and their effect on humans, plants, and animals. (On display through Sept 1)
' In honor of the upcoming Earth Day, help tidy up Humboldt Park at the Earth Day Clean-Up and Celebration. This family-friendly event will feature music, arts and crafts, and free lunch for all volunteers. (Apr 19)
Located on the 96th floor, this elegant lounge offers a colossal view of the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer an incredible look at the city's glittering skyline. Downtown businesspeople and camera-wielding tourists take in the quiet elegance of soft leather booths and mahogany-trimmed chairs. Black-and-white movie stills and murals of street scenes line the walls. Soft jazz music gives the well-dressed space a final refined touch.
With an impressive view and incredible atmosphere, the Signature Lounge truly leaves its mark on any visitor's experience.
