The Chicago Traveler and all of us here at b5media would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May you find joy and happiness this holiday season and all year round.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) circulating

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Santa’s on his way! Have you been naughty or nice? When I was a kid, I would often be so excited about Santa’s arrival that I couldn’t sleep. And then I’d be worried that he passed me by already because I wasn’t sleeping!

Now, with modern technology and the help of NORAD, you can find out exactly when Santa will be coming to Chicago. Check out NORAD Tracks Santa 2007, and you’ll know just the right time to set out the milk and cookies.

Photo credit: Steve Woods, NORAD Tracks Santa

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Under a Blanket of Lights
Merry Christmas from the Wrigley Building	Navy Pier at Christmas
Daley Plaza tree

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) www.richardcawood.com, circulating (1, 2), kellyhafermann

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• Brookfield Zoo: Want to see some real reindeer? Get up early on Saturday or Sunday, and you and the kids can have breakfast with Santa at the Brookfield Zoo. After your meal, say hello to the animals, including the reindeer, polar bears, and penguins. At night, the zoo is decorated with bright, vivid displays, including a laser presentation. Carolers and ice sculptures all add to the experience. (link) (map)

• Chicago Botanic Garden: This landscape is beautiful all by itself, but it’s a work of art when 750,000 lights are scattered across it. Stop inside the Regenstein Center, and check out the 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) Thomas the Train exhibit. (link) (map)

• Chriskindlmarket: This German-inspired mini market at the Daley Center offers homemade crafts, holiday decorations, jewelry, artwork, Bavarian food, and, of course, glogg. In the middle of it all stands a 90-foot-tall (27-meter) Christmas tree, lit up with thousands of lights. (link) (map)

• Lincoln Park Zoo: The light display here is one of the most dazzling, with about 1.5 million lights covering the zoo grounds. Don’t miss the East Gate entrance tunnel or the “fire-breathing” dragon. And our favorite jolly old elf will be hanging out at the Kolver Lion House, where kids can make crafts or nab a temporary tattoo. (link) (map)

• Macy’s: Despite my personal feelings about Macy’s replacing the historic Marshall Field’s name, the grand Christmas traditions still carry on. This is the 100^th year for the Great Tree, standing at 45 feet (14 meters) and decorated with 15,000 lights. (This year, the tree is decorated by Martha Stewart.) The State Street windows are also a local favorite and have a “Nutcracker” theme this year. (link) (map)

• Magnificent Mile: Tourists and locals alike can appreciate the one million beautiful lights along Michigan Avenue, the city’s shopping mecca. One of the most picturesque spots is the Fourth Presbyterian Church at Chestnut Street. (link) (map)

• Museum of Science and Industry: If you don’t want to be out in the cold weather while enjoying the sights, check out the Museum’s Christmas around the World exhibit. The building’s main floor is decorated with more than 50 trees adorned by Chicago’s various ethnic communities. General admission is $11 for adults, $7 for kids ages 3-11. (link) (map)

• Navy Pier: This city attraction is a popular tourist destination year-round. The WinterWonder Fest at Navy Pier is all indoors and features an ice rink, thousands of ornaments on hundreds of trees, a climbing wall, virtual reality rides, and plenty of other ways for you and your kids to burn off all those holiday sugar cookies. $15 for a day trip, $18 with ice skate rental. (link) (map)

• Parcell Family House: If you have to visit one neighborhood home this year, make it the Parcells’. With more than 50,000 computerized (eco-conscious LED) lights, you know this family loves the holidays. They even have their own website with a live feed! But even though you can view the brightly lit trees and snowmen from your computer, nothing beats seeing it in person. Stop on by between 5 and 10 p.m. nightly. (link) (map)

• Promenade Bolingbrook: Most of us are familiar with the work of Carson Williams, an electrical engineer from Mason, Ohio. Well, that same guy choreographed the synchronized LED lights at this swanky shopping destination. 250,000 lights dance to the tunes of Trans-Siberian Orchestra in a 15-minute presentation, playing on the hour from 6-9 p.m. (link) (map)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) FotoSpawn, circulating, yuan2003

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Chicagoan Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) trips, falls, and continually injures himself while decorating his house and preparing for his visiting relatives, but he still manages to keep his incredible holiday spirit. He is determined to have the perfect Christmas with his family, his wife’s parents, his own parents, and his slightly offbeat aunt and uncle. But of course, things never go as planned, and soon Clark finds himself dealing with some unwelcome houseguests—namely, cousin Catherine (Miriam Flynn) and her slob of a husband Eddie (Randy Quaid). Despite numerous disasters, Clark manages to keep a smile on his face… up until his long-awaited Christmas bonus comes in. Or rather, doesn’t come in. Clark finally loses his temper. However, Cousin Eddie has the “perfect” gift in mind to help Griswold find his holiday spirit once again.

The movie is classic Chevy Chase, full of humorous sight gags (and scenes of downtown Chicago), but in my opinion it never goes too far over-the-top. It’s great for a simple chuckle that makes me feel good, and the film even makes me feel better about my own goofy relatives. I’m definitely not the only one, as Christmas Vacation debuted at #1 at the box office. On television, it was one of the top-rated seasonal specials of ’94, outrating even the first network telecast of It’s a Wonderful Life.

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• Friday is National Burger Day! Join the folks at Silver Cloud Bar & Grill, and enjoy their specialty menu which includes the chili burger (chili, sour cream, cheddar, and red onions), southwest burger (blackened burger with avocado, jalapenos, cheddar, and cumin mayo), the burger of champions (fried egg, bacon, and cheddar), and more. (Dec 21)

• At the 24^th Annual Christmas Sing-Along, sing carols with Santa at the Music Box Theatre before screenings of White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life. (Dec 21-24)

• Get out that ugly holiday sweater; it may just win you $250! Stop at Goodbar’s Bad Christmas Sweater Party from 5 p.m. ‘til 2 a.m., and enjoy drink specials like $5 martinis and $3 drafts. (Dec 21)

• The Hideout will present its 2^nd Annual Christmas Panto, a traditional British play that highly encourages audience participation. Expect plenty of cross-dressing, Viking humor, and bawdy jokes. Family-friendly edition: 7 p.m. Less friendly showing: 10 p.m. (Dec 20-22)

• Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s new drama Good Boys and True tells the story of a prep school athlete who becomes the center of a sex scandal. In the Downstairs Theatre at the Steppenwolf. (runs through Feb 16)

• Take a drive out to Lisle’s Morton Arboretum for “Where the Trees Glisten,” an indoor display of trees decorated for the holidays by professional artists and designers. (ends Jan 6)

• Kill Hannah, an alternative rock band from Chicago, will be performing at the Vic Theatre. (Dec 22)

• After rocking out with Kill Hannah, head over to the afterparty: “Dark Wave Disco Christmas.” Drink specials at Sonotheque include $4 Svedka cocktails and Goose Island 312 brews. $12 cover. (Dec 22)

• More than 90 artisans from Chicago and across the United States are offering their wares in this year’s Holiday Bazaar at the Woman Made Gallery, ranging in price from $5 to $1,000. (through Dec 23)

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Elisa Nobe

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

The 2008 Chicago Firefighter Calendar is now on sale, and it features 12 local firemen and their stories. All proceeds go to the Ignite the Spirit Fund, dedicated to Chicago firefighters and their families in times of need. Supporting this fund helps give back to these community heroes who do so much for us.

If you’re interested in meeting some of these handsome gentlemen in person, stop by the 4^th Annual Christmas Party Toy Drive. Benefiting local children’s hospitals, this toy drive has been successful in past years and ensures that children have toys to play with, not just during this holiday season, but throughout the year.

The Toy Drive is at the Cubby Bear tonight (cornerwise from Wrigley Field), where you can meet the guys from the 2008 calendar and enjoy a night of karaoke. Bring $15 dollars and a toy (or $25 without), and receive 3 hours of bottled beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Photo credit: Ignite the Spirit

Cubby Bear: 1059 W Addison St; 773-327-1662
Dec 19: 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Street parking difficult, pay lots available in the area
Public trans: Bus # 22, 152 or Red Line train (Addison)
http://www.ignitethespirit.org/
http://www.cubbybear.com/wrigleyville/index.html

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Christmas Eve

• Deleece: The popular Lakeview restaurant will serve up a four-course family-style meal along with its regular menu. (5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., $35) link

• Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar: The prix-fixe here includes dishes like roasted goose with chestnut stuffing along with a la carte selections like roasted juniper-crusted rack of lamb and bruche de Noel. Reservations recommended. (4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., $40) link

• ¡Salpicón!: This Mexican eatery will feature a special four-course menu with choice of appetizer, soup or salad, entrée, and dessert. Wine pairing option available. (5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., $49) link

• Vermilion: They were open for Thanksgiving, and they’re open again for Christmas Eve. Try the four-course holiday meal featuring Indian cuisine with a Latin twist. Carry-out is available with at least one-hour advance notice. Reservations recommended. (11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., $50) link

• Avenues: Enjoy American contemporary and French cuisine courtesy of Chef Graham Elliot Bowles and his five-course prix-fixe holiday menu. Tie and jacket preferred, reservations recommended. (5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., $150) link

• Café Selmarie: All that gift-wrapping is exhausting. Get a boost to your day at brunch, where a la carte selections include corned beef hash, banana-pecan griddlecakes, and brioche French toast. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. (8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., prices vary) link

• Coco Pazzo: Holiday specials like whole-roasted sea bass and fresh porcini mushroom risotto will accompany the regular menu. Reservations recommended. (5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., prices vary) link

• David Burke’s Primehouse: Celebrate with holiday specials like short rib and chestnuts along with other noteworthy dishes on the regular menu. Reservations recommended. (5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., prices vary) link

• Lawry’s The Prime Rib: Inside the Italian Renaissance-inspired mansion, holiday specials (bruche de Noel, eggnog crème brulee) augment the regular steak-driven menu. Reservations recommended. No T-shirts or athletic wear. (1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., prices vary) link

Christmas Day

• Dine: This 1940s-themed American-style restaurant in the West Loop features classic comfort foods with modern twists, perfect for warming up a cold Christmas Day. Reservations recommended. (5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., $35) link

• SushiSamba Rio: A six-course omakase menu supplements the regular menu of Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fare. The dining room also features Chicago’s only caipirinha bar. Reservations recommended. (3:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., $60) link

• Republic Pan-Asian Restaurant and Lounge: This bi-level earth-toned space offers a five-course Asian dinner with lemongrass beef, sushi rolls, ginger-orange crème brulee, satay chicken, miso soup, and more. Two-person minimum. (5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., $50) link

• Bin 36: Get away from all the holiday stress, and relax with a glass of wine at this retail store, tavern, and restaurant all rolled into one. (6:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., prices vary) link

• Indian Garden: Take in the aromas of cumin, curry, and cinnamon while satisfying the demands of both your meat-eating and vegetarian friends. The lunch buffet is holiday budget-friendly at less than $10. (11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., prices vary) link

• Phoenix: This is one of the best places in Chinatown for dim sum and usually attracts out-the-door lines. Expect small servings of barbecue pork-filled buns, fried sesame-seed balls, and steamed pork dumplings. Simply yum. (5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., prices vary) link

• Soul Vegetarian East: The name says it all. This hidden gem on the southeast side allows you to spread the cheer with your vegan friends. (7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., prices vary) link

• Weber Grill: Summer is long gone, but you can still enjoy the flavors of the grill. Get your meat on with dishes like blackened boneless rib-eye steak, baby back ribs, and beer-can chicken. Reservations recommended. (6:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m, prices vary) link

Click here for a map of all the above locations.

Photo credit: Ali Farid, leighrowan, Trois Tetes

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• Aunt Mabel gave you an ugly-as-sin holiday sweater last year. Here’s your opportunity to finally enjoy it. The Second Annual Fugly Sweater Bar Crawl begins at Blarney Stone at 2 p.m. and makes its way through Wrigleyville ‘til 12 midnight. Call for details at 773-348-1078. (Dec 15)

• The WVON Pre-Kwanzaa Fest (at the South Shore Cultural Center) kicks off the seven-day cultural festival with workshops, speakers, a food court, community bands, theatre groups, artwork, books, clothing, and more. (Dec 15-16)

• Are you a fan of Christmas carols? A live recording of the 2007 Songs of Good Cheer will take place at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Proceeds benefit Chicago Tribune Holiday Giving. (Dec 14-15)

• I was an acolyte for several years, but it certainly wasn’t as interesting or hilarious as this: Altar Boyz, a revival of the Broadway musical about boy bands, pop music, and product placement, features five young men—one of whom is Jewish—who set out to convert their screaming fans to Christianity. (runs through March 2)

• The 12^th Annual Christkindlmarket at the Daley Center is an open-air, German-style market featuring handmade ornaments, clothing, gifts, and live entertainment. Fill up on beer, hot spiced wine, potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, and more. (Dec 14-24)

• Beer aficionados should stop by The Beer Bistro, where the bar serves up 12 seasonal bottled beers every day (from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.) in honor of the holiday. (runs through Dec 31)

• Feeling classy? For $30, the Holiday Tea at the Palm Court in The Drake Hotel includes traditional finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, all while a harpist, violin ensemble, and carolers set the mood. Reservations recommended. (everyday through Dec 31)

Photo credit: huberton (c/o Flickr), Drury Lane Water Tower, Alexander Rist

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,
Comet, and Cupid, and Donder, and Blitzen
But do you recall
the most famous reindeer of all?

The beloved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer may reside at the North Pole now, but he was originally a Chicagoan!

The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward company (the very first office was at the corner of Clark and Kinzie Streets) had been buying and giving away coloring books for Christmas every year, and it was decided that creating their own book would save money. So in 1939, Robert L. May was assigned to come up with a Christmas story they could give away to shoppers as a promotional gimmick.

Robert May already had a knack for writing children’s stories and wrote the story of Rudolph, an ostracized reindeer with a glowing red nose. May’s bosses were hesitant about the character at first because a red nose was an image often associated with drunkards. However, with the help of illustrations from Denver Gillen (from the store’s art department), the story was approved, and 2.4 million copies of the Rudolph booklet were distributed.

Rudolph gained incredible popularity in 1949 when Gene Autry recorded “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the lyrics and melody of which were written by Johnny Marks, Robert Mays’ (Jewish) brother-in-law. It became one of the best-selling songs of all time.

It is worthy to note that the globally popular song and TV special differ slightly from the original story Mays wrote. Originally, Rudolph did not live at the North Pole and, while he was teased and laughed at for his nose, he had supportive parents and a healthy self-image. Also, Santa found Rudolph by accident, noticing the bright red glow while delivering presents to Rudolph’s house.

There are plenty of popular actors and celebrities from Chicago, but I don’t think any of them have the long-lasting global fame that this little reindeer has achieved for more than 60 years.

Photo credit: wootam! (1, 2), Snopes.com

Post from: The Chicago Traveler