The Chicago Traveler

I’ve always been an avid reader, and it always shocks me when any book—especially those that I read as a child—are proposed to be banned. How can people speak of defending our democratic freedoms when they want to take away our freedom to read?
Tomorrow begins Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, an annual celebration of all books that have ever been banned or challenged. The American Library Association, along with the Chicago Tribune and the McCormick Freedom Museum, reminds us all not to take our books for granted.
Now celebrating its 27th year, Banned Books Week commemorates our intellectual …read more

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As a child, I visited the Chicago Public Library every week, checking out the maximum number of books I was allowed at a time. I’d hunt down any book I hadn’t yet read and browsed the shelves for well over an hour. It wasn’t uncommon to see me tugging my little wagon home, piled high with books.
Nowadays, I don’t visit the CPL as often as I used to. (I still have that old, old library card though!) But thanks to modern technology, when I do need to borrow a book, I don’t have to search high and low among the …read more

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As the CTA Tattler finds, drunk Cubs fans can make for amusing entertainment.
Robyn at Drive-Thru is less than impressed with Calvin’s BBQ… and with her attempt at making crème brulee.
Don’t forget about the GB Book Club’s Book of the Month, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Coincidentally, the Guardian UK reflects on the politics of Oz. (Bit of trivia: Just before writing the classic book, Baum and his family moved to Chicago, then called “the White City,” with a beautifully modern skyline.)
Is the Shake Shack’s logo a rip-off of Steak ‘n Shake’s? Time-Out Chicago has their answer.
What foods out there do …read more

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• At the Newberry Library’s 24th annual Book Fair, you can browse through more than 100,000 books in 60 categories, most of which cost $2 or less. (July 24-27)
• In honor of Jimmy Buffet’s concerts at Toyota Park (July 24, 26), Lizzy McNeill’s Irish Pub is holding a Luau on the Chicago River. This Hawaiian-themed barbecue will be held outside the bar and includes live music, games, beer samples, and a cruise raffle. Food and drink sales benefit the Special Olympics and Misericordia. (July 25-27)
• You can compete in a Neil Diamond look-alike contest at the Neil Diamond Extravaganza, hosted …read more

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Time-Out Chicago dutifully posts updates, reviews, and photos of the Pitchfork Music Festival.
The PBLT (a cross between a peanut butter sandwich and a BLT) at Lula Cafe is a bit more than you’d bargain for, according to Drive-Thru.
Yesterday, today, and…? You know the word I’m looking for, but do you know how to spell it? Don’t ask the employees at the Jade Dragon Tattoo parlor, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
How’s this for something different? A blog wrap-up linking to another blog wrap-up. The Chicago Tribune explores some of Chicago’s Best Blogs. This week, check out some “Around Chicago” blogs and …read more

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• The Pitchfork Music Festival is a 3-day event featuring over 40 independent bands and artists on three stages at Union Park. (July 18-20)
• Two stages of live music entertain thousands of visitors at the Old St. Patrick’s World’s Largest Block Party. Tickets include five drinks (bottled water, soda, wine, beer). (July 18-19)
• The Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival at the Music Box Theatre consists of nearly 35 locally-made films starring Chicagoan actors and comedians. (July 17-18)
• Kate the Great’s Book Emporium, a bookstore with a diverse selection in Edgewater, will be closing its doors next week after …read more

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Today, the big names of hip-hop include Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, Usher, Rihanna, and Kanye West, but the entire genre owes its very existence to early DJs like Grandmaster Flash. The record-scratching beat we are all too familiar with today started in the Bronx in the ‘70s thanks to Flash’s love of vinyl and experimental engineering.
The legendary mixer will be signing copies of his new book, The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash: My Life, My Beats, tonight in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) lord bute
International House @ University of Chicago: 1414 E 59th St; 773-752-2270
June 25: 6:00 p.m.
Public trans: Bus …read more

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I’ll be heading out of town this weekend, but for those of you staying here in Chicago, you’ve got lots to look forward to.
• The 11th Annual Chicago Improv Festival takes place at various locations and includes performances by Paul Scheer, Jack McBrayer, and John Lutz. (ends June
• The largest free outdoor blues event in the world, the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, features local, national, and international entertainment on six stages in Grant Park with more than 90 performances. (ends June
• More than 170 current and classic films will be shown this summer in neighborhood parks throughout …read more

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Former President Jimmy Carter offers a loving homage to his mother, Lillian Carter, in his new book, A Remarkable Mother. This extraordinary woman was trained as a nurse in Georgia during World War I and contributed as a Peace Corps volunteer in India. During her son’s Presidency, “Miz Lillian” published two books and won over the press with her charm.
Jimmy Carter will be reading from and autographing copies of his new book tonight. With Mother’s Day approaching, it might be a good idea to pick up a copy for the remarkable mother in your life.
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Borders Books & Music: …read more

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For a few weeks now, I’ve been posting about the reality tv series, Top Chef: Chicago. Another culinary show I enjoy is Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen. The U.S. version of this cooking competition stars Gordon Ramsay, the incredibly successful and foul-mouthed British chef.
Ramsay will be signing copies of his new cookbook, Gordon Ramsay’s Fast Food, in Macy’s lower-level culinary kitchen. Be sure to stop in and say hello! Just don’t tick him off. You’ll be in for an earful.
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Dave Pullig
Macy’s: 111 N State St; 312-781-1000Apr 29: 1:00 p.m.Parking pay lots availablePublic trans: Bus # 2, 3, 4, …read more

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