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The Chicago Traveler

September 29th, 2008

Allerton Hotel Is in Tip-Top Shape

When touring Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, you can’t miss the historic and beautiful Allerton Hotel. Completed in 1924, this 25-story 360-foot (110 m) skyscraper was the first structure to be built with pronounced setbacks and towers resulting from the new municipal zoning laws.1
Across from Saks Fifth Avenue, the hotel was built by the Allerton House Company […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

September 26th, 2008

Celebrate the Freedom to Read

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 […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

September 25th, 2008

Weekend Stuff (Sept 26-28, ‘08)

• We’re all familiar with the Taste of Chicago, an all-out food fest featuring dozens of Chicago restaurants. Foodies will want to check out the upscale version, Chicago Gourmet. Over two dozen famous Chicago chefs (including Rick Bayless, David Burke, and Art Smith) will be offering some of their signature dishes for the event, along […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

August 29th, 2008

Labor Day Weekend 2008 (Aug 29-31)

• The African Festival of the Arts is Chicago’s largest neighborhood festival, featuring three music stages, ethnic cuisine, and more than 300 vendors selling everything from fine art to skin care products. Presentations include book discussions and dance workshops. (Aug 29 – Sept 1)
• The 30th annual Chicago Jazz Festival is the city’s longest-running lakefront […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 18th, 2008

Visit Springer, Wilkos, and Mathis at NBC Tower

One of the questions I often get from out-of-towners is “Have you ever been to a Jerry Springer show?” No, I haven’t, but I do know someone who was once on the show. (That’s a story for another time.) In case you didn’t know, the Jerry Springer show is filmed right here in Chicago, inside […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 14th, 2008

Weekend Quickies (Aug 15-17, 2008)

• 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 […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 13th, 2008

Posh Pampering (Men’s Edition)

Last week, I talked about a few of the ways that women can luxuriously pamper themselves here in Chicago. But if you think high-end style is just for ladies, you’d be sorely mistaken.
If you’re a man looking for the best of the best, make a stop at Nieman Marcus. Here you can find shirts by […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 6th, 2008

Magnificent Mile’s Posh Pampering

You’ve probably been making sacrifices with your budget in today’s economy, but many of us have a few indulgences we just can’t do without. There are many Chicago locales where you can find the hottest trends and must-haves in beauty and fashion that are on every well-pampered lady’s list.
At downtown’s Oak Street (near Le Colonial), […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

July 28th, 2008

Roll Out the Red Carpet for CNA Plaza

While Chicago’s architecture is incredible in terms of shapes and sizes, it doesn’t always offer much in the way of color. Most of these giants of steel and glass are some shade of black or gray. Standing out from the crowd in a unique red dress is the CNA Plaza.

While the building only stands 44 […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

July 10th, 2008

Weekend Events

• RedEye columnist Mark Bazer hosts “The Interview Show” at Hideout, where a variety of guests (including musicians, comedians, authors, and more) share their thoughts. (Every first Friday)
• The indoor-outdoor 23rd annual Irish-American Heritage Festival features live Irish music on five stages, folk dancing, food, arts and crafts vendors, and a raffle for a trip […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments