The Chicago Traveler

The Chicago Traveler and all of us here at b5media send our thoughts and well-wishes to all those along the Gulf coast who have been affected by Hurricane Ike.
I also want to extend my sympathies to many in the Chicagoland area. The hurricane’s residual effects brought two days of steady, pouring rain. Rivers and creeks overflowed their banks, and many communities were flooded. Streets, cars, and hundreds of homes were submerged in several feet of water. Families were encouraged to evacuate their homes and take shelter in locations designated by the American Red Cross.

In Northbrook and Prospect Heights, firefighters had …read more

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The Labor Day weekend has come and gone, which traditionally marks the end of summer here in the United States. And according to the Farmers’ Almanac, we’d better remember those summer days fondly because we’ve got a bad winter headed our way.
According to the almanac, which makes its predictions two years in advance, the Midwest will experience below-average temperatures and above-average snowfall this winter. (It successfully foretold the horrendous 2007-2008 winter.) But don’t get too disheartened. The National Weather Service forecasts something completely different, calling for above-average temperatures.
So who should you believe? There’s no conclusive answer. But, as the saying …read more

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Today is April Fool’s Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated in many countries by committing hoaxes or practical jokes. Today is a good day to debunk a popular Chicago myth. In fact, some might say that this is a myth about a myth.
Visitors to Chicago who spend any amount of time near Lake Michigan or downtown will notice the city’s high winds. Chicago’s street grid pattern contributes to the gusts, as the wind travels down the straight paths formed by the buildings and picks up speed. Tourists find themselves saying, “I see now why it’s called The Windy City!” Of course, …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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Chicago’s weather is as notorious as its mobster past. Chicago experiences sudden climatic changes, high variations in temperature, and an erratic precipitation. Because of the city’s location between the Great Plains and Lake Michigan, the weather can be distinctively unpredictable.
Amidst all this forecast murkiness, there is a light. A light that changes to green, yellow, and red. The Weather Bell at Monroe St and Clark St has outlasted its initial owner, Bell Federal Savings. Originally erected in the early ‘60s, the sign and its bell promoted “the Weather Bell Corner.” Even though ABN AMRO eventually bought out Bell Savings and …read more

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The folks here at b5media are generally a friendly, cheery bunch, but on occasion even we need to blow off some steam. So this month, we’re taking the opportunity to rant about the things that frustrate or annoy us.
Now, I love Chicago and just about everything about it. I was born and raised here, and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. So what could I possibly have to complain about?
• Winter: Where do I even begin on this? The winds of the Windy City are cruel and painful during the cold winter months. I don’t know how the meteorologists here …read more

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