The Chicago Traveler

This is quite possibly one of the most awesome designs I’ve seen, and it’s going on my wishlist. That is, if I don’t buy it for myself first. Available in three color schemes, these Ork Posters illustrate the dozens of Chicago neighborhoods with arranged type. (They’re also available for Boston, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Manhattan, and San Francisco. Stay tuned for DC, Toronto, and Seattle.) The artwork is 24 x 34 inches (61 x 86 cm) on 100% recycled paper with soy-based inks. Of course, with the constant shifting of peoples and undefined borders, who knows how long it will stay …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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• Learn about the causes and outcomes of earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, tornadoes, and more at The Field Museum’s new exhibit, Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters. (through Jan 4)
• The Las Vegas male revue Thunder from Down Under is coming to Chicago for a 75-minute performance at Crobar. Meet and greet the hunky hotties after the show. (May 23)
• Grab your tent and your sleeping bags and head down to Three Sisters Park for Summer Camp 2008. The weekend event features over 60 bands, including moe., the Flaming Lips, and OAR. (May 23-25)
• The R-rated, Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q …read more

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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 …read more

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I’ve been called crafty at times, but I’m by no means a craftsman. Just putting together bookshelves from IKEA is a challenge for me.
Fortunately, there are plenty of artists out there whose functional and beautiful handmade products can be found at the Renegade Craft Fair. But if you happen to miss the two-day event, no worries. You can find all the screen-printed T-shirts, jewelry, poster prints, and more at Renegade Handmade.
Featuring the work of over 100 artists both local and international, this Wicker Park store (next door to the Milk & Honey Café) was created as an extension of the …read more

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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

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• 2007 has been one crazy year. Alberto Gonzalez, Blackwater, Michael Vick, Miss Teen South Carolina, and look! It’s OJ again! “Uh-Oh”7: The Year in Revue at Donny’s Skybox Theatre takes a satirical look at the names and events that made this year unique. (Dec 21, 28)
• 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. …read more

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Everyone knows at least one person that’s seemingly impossible to shop for. If this person on your list is a fan of Chicago and its history, then there’s a store near Michigan Avenue that’s perfect for them: the City of Chicago Store.

Just across the street from Water Tower Place, you’ll find the city’s old pumping station and the City of Chicago Store. There’re plenty of wonderful souvenirs as well as retired municipal equipment, making it perfect for both tourists and longtime Windy City enthusiasts.
This Chicago “outlet,” if you will, carries a variety of books, featuring the city’s history and architecture. …read more

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The future of public transit in Chicago looks doubtful. Last week, the Illinois House of Representatives shot down a plan to fund Chicago’s Regional Transit Authority (which governs the CTA, Metra, and Pace) by shifting state gasoline sales tax money. Lawmakers refused to support it unless a deal is also reached on road, school, and government projects throughout the state. Unfortunately for public transit workers and riders, those kinds of negotiations take time. A lot of time.
As the buses and trains come closer and closer to losing the funding they need, the CTA board has had to take drastic …read more

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Got an idea for a creative costume? Not military-related? Maybe you should stop at American Science & Surplus in Jefferson Park, just down the street from Andy’s Deli.
There really is no adequate way of describing American Science. It’s a bit of an oversized junk drawer, with all kinds of odds, ends, doodads, and thingamajigs. The store carries a large collection of old science-fair things (chemistry sets, ant farms, etc) as well as home repair items (paintbrushes, small engines, wrenches, etc). But that doesn’t even begin to describe the kinds of things you can find in the numerous aisles of this …read more

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