The Chicago Traveler

• Miss Foozie hosts the 12th annual North Halsted Street Halloween Parade. (Register at Spin to participate in the parade.) After the parade, festivities include a costume contest and the Chicago Spirit Brigade.
• Comic book fans can party down at Heroes & Villians sponsored by Metromix at Harry Caray’s Tavern. Guests can enter the costume contest by having a professional photo taken in front of a comic book backdrop. Awards will be given for Best Hero, Best Villian, and Best Overall Costume.
• Psychic Sidney Friedman shows off his telepathic and mind reading skills at Davenport’s as part of Mind Shivers.
• …read more

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• If you’ve ever been to a garage sale, you’ve probably seen the chance video cassette for sale that no one wants. Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher have been collecting these tapes from garage sales, thrift stores, and trash bins. They will present them in the Found Footage Festival at Lakeshore Theater. Expect a hilarious look at workout videos, training films, and random recordings. (Oct 24)
• Costumed representatives from the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Sky, and other businesses will compete in the relay race Freaky Fast 500 (hosted by Jimmy John’s) outside the Thompson Center. A cash prize goes …read more

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When Sarah Palin first entered the Presidential race as John McCain’s candidate for vice-president, very few people had any idea who she was. In their hunt for information about her and her political views, many reporters, bloggers, and pundits have criticized her for her lack of interviews and media exposure. Now, she’s getting plenty of exposure in a Chicago bar.
The Old Town Ale House is a dive bar in the Old Town neighborhood that is well-known for its hundreds of adult-themed paintings of bar regulars and famous Chicagoans. Its most recent addition is a portrait of Sarah Palin… nude.
The four-foot-tall …read more

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Romance shouldn’t be reserved for just Valentine’s Day. As the temperatures begin to cool down, you can keep your relationship hot by visiting one or more of the ten best romantic date spots (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. Shanghai Terrace. With elegant art and a beautiful view, this Asian restaurant offers delicious sophistication.
9. Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar. The River North eatery serves French basics amidst casual, rustic surroundings.
8. Le Bouchon. Authentic and delicious French dishes at remarkable prices make this bistro one of Bucktown’s best.
7. Angelina Ristorante. In Lakeview, the popular date spot provides authentic Italian in a comfortable …read more

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I have featured several condominium towers that are so much more than boring blocks. The Regatta, River East Center, Skybridge, and many more are all examples of the great architecture the Chicago skyline has to offer. Today’s residential towers, though they look similar, are all eye-catching pieces along the lakefront.
Along the way to Navy Pier, you can’t help but notice Lake Point Tower. Completed in 1968, this 645-foot-tall (197 m) skyscraper has three rounded lobes, evenly spaced at 120-degree angles. The building’s curves are designed so that residents cannot see into each other’s windows. If you think the tower has …read more

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• Dress up as your favorite character and get your Disney on at the The Little Mermaid Sing-Along at the Music Box Theatre. (Aug 22 – Sept 1)
• MC Hammer and Cyndi Lauper perform at Glamorama 2008, a fall fashion fundraiser at The Chicago Theatre featuring top designers. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the Art Institute of Chicago. (Aug 22)
• The seventh annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest features more than 100 art vendors and 35 bands. Be sure to check out the fashion show and fire performance on Friday, or take a self-guided tour of artists’ studios on Saturday …read more

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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 the NBC Tower.
The NBC Tower is a 37-story skyscraper that was completed in 1989. At a height of 627 feet (191 m), it is considered one of the best reproductions of the art deco style in a postmodern building. The NBC peacock logo is incorporated …read more

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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 Stefano Ricci that go far beyond your average dress shirt. Hand-stitched by nuns in Italy, this excellent piece of tailoring will run you about $650.
And if you’re looking good, you probably want to smell good too. Clive Christian’s X Pure is a spicy, woody fragrance …read more

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As we watch the hundreds of countries compete in the Summer Olympics this week, I’m reminded of all the different cultures and cuisines we have right here in Chicago. French, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, German… the list goes on and on. Another cuisine that has steadily become more popular is that of Brazil, as exemplified by Zed 451.
This “contemporary steakhouse” (just a few doors south of Le Lan) is furnished with wood floors, black steel, and stone, giving the restaurant a rustic, natural feel. A double-sided fireplace surrounded by leather seating graces the lounge area, and stairwells lead from the …read more

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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), you don’t have to look far to find high-end beauty treatments. One hot new trend for hair is long, luxurious locks. However, almost every time you see a celebrity with lusciously long hair, it’s being “assisted.” You can get the celeb treatment right here in …read more

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