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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 […]
If you’re fortunate enough to take an architectural tour down the Chicago River, one of the most memorable buildings is the Civic Opera Building (a.k.a. Civic Opera House). Across the River from the Riverside Plaza and across the street from the UBS Tower, this limestone skyscraper is shaped like a gigantic armchair facing the River, […]
Today, a friend of mine is driving up to Madison, Wisconsin, and his trip inspired me to write about the Madison Street Bridge here in Chicago, also known as the Lyric Opera Bridge, near Riverside Plaza. Completed in 1922 and rehabilitated in 1994, this was the first bascule bridge in Chicago to raise the deck […]
At Wacker Drive and La Salle Street stands a plaque commemorating the Eastland Disaster. While this was one of the worst tragedies in the United States, it is remarkably unfamiliar to most people.
The S. S. Eastland was a passenger ship that was used for tours in Chicago. On July 24, 1915, the boat was chartered […]
• The Croatian Fest features a huge roast of 75 lambs and over 10 whole pigs at the St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church. The festivities include homemade foods, ethnic dancing, and a beer garden. (Aug 15)
• This weekend marks the 50th Annual Chicago Air & Water Show. Arrive early and claim your spot at either […]
I know what you’re thinking. This 1928 24-story high-rise doesn’t look like interesting at all. And you’re right. There’s nothing about it physically that makes it stand out. Rather, what makes this building distinctive is its name… or perhaps, lack thereof.
Near the Seventeenth Church, what was formerly the Millinery Mart Building was renamed after its […]
The Columbus Drive Bridge may not look like much, but it is actually the second-longest bascule bridge in the world. (If you happen to know which is the longest, I’d love to hear from you. I had difficulty finding this information.) A bascule bridge is the movable type of drawbridge which people are probably most […]
Chicago is well-known for its pizzas and beefs, but we’re a lot more than just fast food. Take Brasserie Ruhlmann steakhouse for example. This four-star establishment in River North (just east of the Freedom Center) makes dinner more than a meal; it’s an event.
People from New York City may recognize the name; the eatery is […]
Ah, the punch bowl. It’s a staple at every party and gathering, for better or worse. And it’s rarely as innocent as it appears. Under-spiked at the prom or over-spiked at college parties, these beverage bins are seldom just punch. It’s about time someone got the mixture right. The chic and sophisticated Rebar makes its […]
If you take a ride down the Chicago River, you’ll notice that many of the buildings actually incorporate the river into their design, either with reflective glass or stylish promenades and restaurants. But riverside buildings weren’t always this way. Originally, many of the structures were industrial, and a trip down the River would not have […]
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