Chicago | Chicago City

Food In Chicago ? A Gastronomic Paradise

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Many persons visit Chicago for its beautiful natural attractions, skyscrapers, or merely to enjoy the pleasure of living in the big city. However, those who love food have a special reason to visit Chicago. Chicago boasts of certain dishes that cannot be found anywhere else in the country. Further, there are certain restaurants in this city that have their own unique signature dishes that will not be available even in the best restaurants and hotels outside the city.

Those who love food will be overwhelmed by the sheer choice available in the city. Chicago is one big city that has retained a small town love for street food. You will come across many vendors offering a variety of street food consumed by a large number of individuals. Unlike other cities, street food is not considered suitable for poor people alone. There are many persons who can afford the most expensive restaurants but find it impossible to escape the lure of street food of Chicago.

If you love a fine dining experience, Chicago is the place to be. There are numerous festivals and events that are planned around the different popular cuisines in the city. Make sure you research on the internet and plan your trip in such a manner that you enjoy these festivals at zero extra cost.

Whatever you do, do not make the mistake of thinking that you can explore the gastronomic delights available in the city in a single trip. You will have to repeat your visits again and again to explore all that the city has to offer.

Filed Under: General, News · Tagged With: Chicago, Food, Street food

Top 5 Family Entertainment Destinations in the Chicago Area

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If you’re looking for family-fun adventure, then the “windy city” of Chicago will be sure to take your breath away. You will enjoy scenic views and unforgettable attractions. Here are the top five family entertainment destinations in the Chicago area.

1. Shedd Aquarium

Located in the Museum Campus in Chicago, this aquarium in 2011 was rated the top 10 best aquariums in the U.S. by MyTravelGuidePost.com. The aquarium features aquatic shows with dolphins, seals and penguins, exhibits of coral reefs, jelly fish and mysterious Amazon creatures like crocodiles and anacondas.

2. Adler Planetarium

Housed along Chicago’s scenic Shore Drive, this planetarium has family-fun activities like interactive space shows, moon exhibits, sky watching and science activities for kids. Your family can save money with the Go Chicago Card that’s accepted at this planetarium and other area attractions.

3. Lincoln Park Zoo

This wildlife oasis in Chicago is opened 365 days a year and has free admission. Top exhibits at the zoo includes the Regenstein’s African Journey and Center for African Apes. These exhibits feature giraffes, elephants, rhinos and families of apes.

4. LegoLand Discovery Center

This children wonderland is located in Schaumburg 45 minutes outside Chicago. Legoland features a factory that displays colorful buildings created from plastic, a jungle adventure, rides and an area where kids can build and test their own creations.

5. SkyDeck Chicago – Willis Tower

This skyscraper is dubbed one of the “7 Wonders of Chicago” and is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The SkyDeck has 103 floors and daring visitors can step into the glass-box ledge that extends four feet outside the building.

Filed Under: General, Travel · Tagged With: Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Western Hemisphere

New Disinfecting Equipment Next on Chicago EPA’s Agenda

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The city of Chicago spent millions of dollars and ten years putting in walkways, parks and boat ramps, drawing citizens to the banks of the Chicago River. But, even after holding public events to promote the new amenities, nothing has been done about the dirt

y water.

“…Now, we need to make sure the water is safe,” the US EPA’s regional administrator, Susan Hedman, said. The Chicago River and it’s connecting waterways aren’t monitored because they are exempt from the city’s otherwise tough clean water provisions, and Chicago is the only US city that doesn’t disinfect the wastewater it dumps into the river. So it’s really dirty. It’s exempt from the clean water laws because it was always assumed that the waterways would not be used for recreation.

The Federal EPA Threatens State EPA

The US office of the EPA sent a letter to Illinois EPA with strong suggestions for cleaning up the water “as soon as possible.” The letter threatened that if the state of Illinois didn’t adhere to strict clean water laws soon that it would enforce them itself. It demanded that more strict standards be enforced in parts of the Chicago River, the Little Calumet River and the Cal-Sag Channel.

Chicago residents are likely to see raises in their sewer bills to pay for the work needed to upgrade two water treatment plants to disinfect the waste water it treats.

A spokesperson for the Illinois EPA said that the state is already trying to get disinfection equipment for the sewage-treatment plants and hopes to have them in operation within three years.

Filed Under: General · Tagged With: Chicago, Chicago River, United States Environmental Protection Agency

Feeling Blue this Winter? Get Green Aboard Shoreline’s St. Patrick Day Cruise

It’s time to grab your Guinness and long (preferably green) underwear for Chicago’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Cruise! While some might argue that March is not an ideal time of year for a cruise around the Chicago River, this event’s track record of selling out begs to differ. The Irish will raise a glass, elements be damned, so come join this hearty (or possibly crazy) stock on March 12th.

This cruise is worth taking, if for no other reason than to see the Chicago River in all its emerald glory. For over forty years, the river is dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, and this year will be no exception. See it up close up while enjoying some of the traditional Irish fare that will be offered buffet-style aboard this expedition provided by Shoreline Cruises. While you munch on (potatoes?) you can learn about the role of the Irish in forming the great city of Chicago we see today.

To avoid conflicts with the popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade, there will be two departures available for the St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Cruise that will be offered pre (10:00 a.m.) and post (2:00 p.m.) parade festivities. Both cruises last about an hour and a half and depart from the Shoreline docks at Ogden Slip, located near the entrance of the Navy Pier. Tickets for these cruises are $31 for adults, $29 for seniors, and $17 for children.

If the green water isn’t enough of a draw for you, perhaps fireworks will do the trick. Shoreline is offering a third cruise in the evening for prime viewing of the St. Patrick’s Day fireworks. These tickets are priced at $32 for patrons of all ages and tickets for the three cruises will open for sale on March 7th. The fireworks are scheduled to be set off at 7:00 p.m., but there is no word yet on the departure time of the cruise. Check the Shoreline Sightseeing website for updated information.

Filed Under: News, Travel · Tagged With: Chicago, Guinness, Saint Patrick's Day

Double Standards are Dangerous

Chicago isn’t the first place to have a teacher-student sex scandal blow up in the media, but it is unique in that their coverage has asked people to consider whether there is a double standard in the way the public reacts depending on the sex of the accuser. In this case, the woman, a teacher named Ashley Blumenshine, was accused of having sexual relations with one of her students.

Would public reaction be different if the teacher was male? The answer is a resounding yes! For some reason, an act that labels one person a sex offender renders another person the best teacher ever. How is that possible? Perhaps because when boys have sexual relations with an older woman, they are viewed by their peers, and even older males, as being lucky. Conversely, when an older man who sleeps with a young girl, he is thought to have stolen her innocence, thus making her the victim.

This mindset is wrong for more reasons then there is time to delve into here, but the resounding one is that it’s an abuse of power. The teacher, regardless of sex, who engages in this deplorable conduct is guilty of grossly abusing his or her power, and breaking the trust that was given to them by the school, the parents, and society. For that alone, they should be condemned.

Then there is the ick factor to consider. The same ick response that a priest molestation case elicits should apply here. Have you ever spent time with a high school boy? Can you imagine engaging in sexual relations with him? If that doesn’t make you say ick, then something is definitely wrong with you, and that’s another part of these cases that the authorities don’t seem to be dwelling on. These adult women having sex with young boys in their care are sick. Moreover, they are unstable, and that emotional instability and the desire to enter a relationship with the cruelest animal known to man, aka the teenage male, is evidence of their psychosis. There should be some real concern, as emotional instability has the potential to manifest itself in many ways, some being dangerous.

Filed Under: General, News · Tagged With: Chicago, Double standard, Sex offender

Chicago’s Double Door: a find for musicians and fans alike

Where can you enjoy a full bar and a great band with 500 of your closest friends? Chicago’s Double Door, of course! The Double Door is located in Wicker Park and is considered an intuition by Chicago natives.

The Double Door serves as venue for a wide variety of musical genres, so you’re sure to find a show you’ll enjoy. If concert tickets were a sacrifice you made to the recession, you can stop feeling guilty. At the Double Door, a bigger name doesn’t mean a bigger price. It is rare that ticket prices will exceed $20, regardless of the artist. Some of these acts include The Smashing Pumpkins, Bush, and the Rolling Stones. Moreover, the alcoholic beverages range between $3 and $5. Who says you can’t always get what you want?

The Double Door is general admission, so there are no seats for you lazy folks out there. However, if you like to get to know someone a bit before sweating on them, you may want to duck out of the main floor and head to the basement, where there is an additional bar, pool tables, and booths. There is also a mezzanine with another bar where you can still see the stage.

The excellent acoustics in this venue make the Double Door a favorite with musicians as well as fans. The Double Door offers some very reasonable deals and extensive in-house options for recording live performances. In addition, they offer full production rehearsal time seven days a week. Utilize their talented staff of engineers to hone your skills and make your performance unforgettable.

Come listen to music the way it was meant to be heard.

Filed Under: Entertainment, News · Tagged With: Chicago, Double Door, Rolling Stones

Why Can’t I Have a Criminal Mind?

If only these criminals would do something other than, you know, be criminals.

These guys (and gals) are smart. Have you ever watched prison shows? These guys make MacGyver look like a chump. They can make a serious weapon out of a few discarded pieces of plastic, wires, tape, and rubber bands. I can barely work my coffee maker. Why aren’t they making the next IPhone, or better yet, finding a cure for cancer? So what do we, as a society, decide to do with them? Put them in prison. With other, even smarter prisoners. Is that really a good idea? Consider the character Johnny Deep played in the movie Blow, which was based on a real character. After his first stint in prison, he comments, “Danbury wasn’t a prison, it was a crime school. I went in with a Bachelor or Marijuana, came out with a Doctorate of cocaine.”

That’s the least of our problems. Unfortunately, not all techie people join the Geek Squad or work at Computer City. Some of them use their powers for evil, as evidenced by the recent rash of brazen robberies in hotels off of Michigan Avenue in Chicago. No hold-ups, no threats, just a lot of know-how employed the wrong (or right) way, depending on your perspective.

Over $140,000 has been stolen since December of 2010 from private cash machines. How did they do it? They used special codes to reprogram the machines to spit out more money than they should in a single transaction. They would leave the machine as they found it, so there was nothing to indicate anything was wrong.

Authorities say that these robberies are most likely an inside job. Does that make it better or worse? On one hand, it’s disconcerting that someone on the outside could be that clever, but on the other, it’s alarming to think your friendly neighborhood teller could be taking you to the cleaners.

One thing is certain. Technology, for all its advantages, creates opportunity for crime. Be careful when shopping or paying bills online and monitor your spending so you can alert your bank to fraudulent activity if they don’t catch it first. All you can do is be as vigilant as possible, because sadly, no matter what you do, the criminal is always one step and at least two brains ahead of you.

Filed Under: General · Tagged With: Chicago, Crime, MacGyver

Steak Dinner on Your Vacation

The Windy City is a great destination for couples. There are so many romantic places to visit, you may not want to leave. Here few tips to make your visit as romantic as possible.

Restaurants

There are thousands of restaurants in Chicago. So, before venturing out for food, you may want to prepare yourself a little bit. Be sure to not only do research while you’re in Chicago, but before you leave as well. Sites and apps like Google Maps, Yelp.com, and Urbanspoon can help you narrow down your choices.

One thing you really can’t go wrong with is a romantic private dining experience at one of Chicago’s many steakhouses. With a steakhouse, you can enjoy some of the most delicious food available, no matter what city you’re in. It’s also a very versatile type of dining facility. You could show up in jeans and a t-shirt, or a suit and tie, and either way you’ll fit right in.

We all know that Chicago is famous for their pizzas, but it’s really not the most romantic option out there. Take your sweetheart out for a casual lunch to enjoy a famous Chicago-style pizza, but save the passion for a nice dinner together at a great Chicago steakhouse.

Steakhouses are a wonderful place to take your sweetheart. What better way to show her that you care than to get a private table at a premier steakhouse and enjoy a great meal together. Plus, the food is absolutely delicious. You really can’t go wrong with an expertly prepared steak.

The After Dinner Fun

After you’ve enjoyed your tasty meal, go ahead and spend the rest of your romantic night out on the town. One great destination is the Art Institute of Chicago. There you and your sweetheart can gaze upon some of the most wonderful pieces of art ever created. You could also enjoy a great play at one of Chicago’s many theaters.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel · Tagged With: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Steakhouse, Urbanspoon

The Metro has something for everyone

Chicago hasn’t forsaken its alternative music fans; they have clearly found a home at the Metro, a place worth going to if for no other reason than to see the stage where bands like Nirvana and R.E.M. played in their early, most angst-filled years. As long as we’re name-dropping, let’s really go for it! To give further testament to the Metro’s chops are musicians like Bob Dylan, Prince, and James Brown who have all delighted audiences at past Metro events. More recent noteworthy acts include The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeahs, and the Foo Fighters.

The ticket prices range as widely as the artists, so expect to pay more for the bigger names, though you can sometimes save money by ordering tickets in advance. You can often see local acts for less than $5. If you’re under 21 and love music, you should definitely keep an eye on the Metro’s calendar of events. Most shows are all ages, with the exception of some late-night weekend shows that require concert goers to be 18 or over. For the 21 and over crowd, the Metro offers access to its Smart Bar, a dance club where some of the best DJs in Chicago spin dance music until the wee hours.

For those who enjoy the literary arts, the Metro offers a special event this March. Come to “Literary Rock and Roll: Class Acts” on the 16th for this event presented by the Columbia College Chicago Fiction Writing Department’s Story Week. The evening will include readings and signings by authors Irvine Welsh (Crime), Preston L. Allen (Jesus Boy), and Gina Frangello (Slut Lullabies). There will also be comedy and music. What could make having your copy of Trainspotting signed by Mr. Welsh himself and gathering with fellow eggheads better? Free admission! Story Week is free and open to the public, so come join the celebration of the written word.

Filed Under: News · Tagged With: Chicago

Why Chicago Will Be Your Kind of Town

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The well-known song about the Windy City says it best, and it’s not hard to see why Chicago can be your kind of town. With a variety of attractions, different cuisines, and diverse neighborhoods, this city is among the most livable places in the U.S. and is a top tourist spot. Whether you’re planning to visit for a few days or are planning a permanent move, there are some things you’ll want to know.

Getting Around

One of the best ways to traverse the city is by riding the “L,” which is short for the elevated train. This transportation system can quickly move you through some of the busiest parts of town. There are also city buses and plenty of taxis. When the weather is right, Chicago is a walk-able city with wide sidewalks that are easy to navigate.

Where to Stay

If you’re in town for a short visit, choose a hotel in a district you like. Shoppers will prefer staying near Michigan Avenue (aka The Magnificent Mile), while those who want to see multiple shows should book a room in the Theatre District. Quieter lodging with convenient access to the popular areas is found in and around north Lakeshore Drive. The Loop is a more eclectic neighborhood with some fun shops and eateries. For those who are moving to the area, Chicago apartments are available in these and other parts of the city. Be safe during your time in the city by avoiding areas that aren’t well lit and make you feel uncomfortable.

What to Eat

Deep dish pizza is synonymous with Chicago and one of the best places to go for mouthwatering pie is Lou Malnati’s. Stop in a Portillo’s Restaurant to sample a hot-dog prepared the way Chicagoans like it–with relish, mustard, onions, tomatoes, and other delicious goodies. Chicago Restaurant Week makes the cold of February more tolerable, as 200 of the city’s best restaurants serve up discounted meals.

Filed Under: Travel · Tagged With: Chicago