February 28th, 2006
Chicago, IL (February 6, 2006) - “Surfer girl” and former chef to Hollywood celebrities, Carol Wallack opened sola, an innovative Contemporary American eatery, in the North Center/West Lakeview neighborhood on January 26. sola (3868 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-327-3868; entrance on Byron) features the best in casual fine dining and highlights some of Wallack’s favorite Asian and Hawaiian flavors.
A Los Angeles native and avid surfer who found her calling on the beach, Wallack brings her love of sand and surf to sola with dramatic amber-hughed lighting and decorative touches in rust, gold and chocolate brown. The décor will cast a friendly glow with accents of wood and stone and will include some nature friendly materials. An acoustical coating in the ceiling and a state of the art sound system ensures that diners can converse easily, making sola a comfortable, friendly retreat amidst the chill of the Chicago winter.
Friendly and thoughtful service will be a hallmark of sola. An impressive group of hospitality professionals have gathered to offer the finest service on the north side and provide a comfortable, warmly lit neighborhood spot to celebrate special occasions or enjoy a casual dinner with friends.
The menu stars the contemporary American cuisine for which Wallack is well known. Her culinary style was developed from years at some of Los Angeles’ finest restaurants, frequent surf trips to Olowalu and Hookipa beaches on Maui and ten years cooking for the neighbors here in Chicago at Deleece.
Diners can explore these influences in appetizers such as artichoke fritters with soy lime & white truffle-honey sauces ($6), lobster shiitake pot cooked in coconut ginger broth ($9), or Asian pear salad with local blue cheese, Belgian endive and pear cider vinaigrette ($6). Some comfort-food starters include a simmering butternut squash soup with star anise and maple crème fraiche ($4), crab cakes with oriental salad and citrus gastrique ($8) or a trio of tuna tartars served with Thai cucumber salsa and ginger confit ($12).
Entrées include Carol’s Colorado lamb chops with Dijon mustard crusted, cambazola, eggplant puree and leeks ($28); bacon wrapped pork tenderloin with butter squash, chanterelles, pomegranate demiglace and apples ($17); an interpretation of Nobu’s miso black cod with bamboo rice and curried sunchokes ($19); black pepper tuna with black beluga lentils, balsamic soy syrup, shiitake and snow peas ($23); braised short ribs with glazed brussel sprouts and white cheddar macaroni and cheese ($20); a vegetable pot pie of golden beets, parsnips, turnips, wild mushrooms, truffle oil ($14); and oven-roasted chicken breast, accompanied by sautéed spinach, sweet potatoes, curry mustard and jus roti ($16).
The dessert menu features a soft center chocolate cake with sesame brittle ice cream ($6); an orange scented pound cake with mango curd, passion fruit sorbet, and strawberry-papaya salad ($6); An artisan cheese selection and homemade ice creams and sorbets change daily.
In addition, the full dinner menu will be available at the granite topped bar with a full line of specialty drinks. A selection of sides includes vegetable fries, onion straws, apple risotto, macaroni & cheese ($5 per side) and truffle parmesan fries ($6).
sola will also provide curbside carryout so patrons and parents won’t need to leave their cars and can take dinner home.
sola is open for dinner Sunday - Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Lunch and Brunch will begin in March. Lunch will be served Thursday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Brunch will be served Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about sola or to make reservations, please call the restaurant at (773) 327-3868.
February 27th, 2006
Jay Emerich, one of the original pioneers of Rush Street's hot spots including the “JAY'S” of Rush Street and the world famous nightclub “FACES“. After forty years in the business Jay Emerich decided to retire which lasted all of six months. His dream of owning a charming upscale Italian restaurant and lounge has now become a reality. Yes he's done it again!
Jay's Amore Ristorante and Lounge is located at 1330 W. Madison St. conveniently located near all major downtown hotels.
His executive chef chooses only the finest ingredients to prepare his incredible dishes such as Veal Saltambocca,Chicken Marsala several Pasta and Seafood dishes and continuous Italian Cuisine. Not one dish pales in comaprison to another. And let us not forget the “Jay's Amore” signature desert HOMEMADE TIRAMASU!
Jay's Amore Ristorante and Lounge is conveniently located blocks from the United Center so you can have a great dinner before any United Center event (bulls, blackhawks, circus) or have a cocktail after all United Center events. Best of all, Jay's Amore is also conveniently located near all downtown hotels!
Jay's Amore on Madison is a proud Planner Preferred Vendor of www.hereschicago.com Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Directory. You won't be dissapointed and you will experience a true Chicago Ristorante and lounge!
February 27th, 2006
Song: “Sweet Home Chicago”
(Writer: Robert Johnson)
(Performer: The Blues Brothers)
Come on, oh baba don't you want to go
Oh come on, oh baba don't you want to go
Back to that same old place
Sweet home Chicago
(( Come on, baba don't you want to go ))
(( Hida-hey, baba don't you want to go ))
(( Back to that same old place ))
(( Oh sweet home Chicago ))
Well one and one is two
Six and two is eight
Come on baba don't you make me late
(( Hida-hey, baba don't you want to go ))
(( Back to that same old place ))
(( Sweet home Chicago ))
(( Come on, baba don't you want to go ))
(( Oh come on, baba don't you want to go ))
(( Back to that same old place ))
(( Sweet home Chicago ))
Six and three is nine
Nine and nine is eighteen
Look there brother baby and you'll see what I've seen
(( Hida-hey, baba don't you want to go ))
(( Back to that same old place ))
(( Sweet home Chicago ))
(( Oh come on, baba don't you want to go-oh-ooh ))
(( Come on, baba don't you want to go ))
(( Back to that same old place ))
(( My sweet home Chicago ))
February 24th, 2006
Chicago, IL (February 13, 2006) – Old endings and new beginnings—Fluky’s on Western (6821 N. Western Ave., Chicago), long known for serving Chicagoans the premiere Chicago Hot Dog, will be closing and re-opening as U Lucky Dawg on February 14. Larry and Randee Estes have owned this location for eight years. They believe this is the best way to continue giving Chicagoans the excellent food, service and dining experience that was the original guiding philosophy of Fluky’s founder Abe “Fluky” Drexler
“On the one hand, it’s the end of an era,” said Larry Estes, “since the name Fluky’s on Western has been synonymous with the finest Chicago Hot Dogs. On the other hand, it’s the beginning of a new tradition at this famous location, one that’s based on the original Fluky’s concept but with some surprises to come. We will continue to serve the classic Vienna pure beef Chicago Hot Dog that was served by Fluky himself. We’ve been serving this hot dog for eight years—we’ve actually been the only Fluky’s location serving Vienna Beef for some time now.”
The Estes’s, who also own Max’s Italian Beef (the home of the nationally known “Ghetto Fries”) and the popular catering business, Catering by Max’s, are making the change as a matter of contract. “We have operated at this location using the Fluky’s name for eight years,” said Larry Estes. “During this time we have established ourselves for our friendly service, quality products and our commitment to the community.”
Estes added that “Chicago is a city known for its casual fast food as much as for its fine dining, and nothing is more indicative of this than the Chicago Hot Dog. Not just any hot dog, our Chicago Hot Dog includes mustard, relish, onions, pickles, hot sport peppers, sliced tomatoes and celery salt.” U Lucky Dawg will offer a new treat – the Habanero Hot Dog—not for the faint of heart.
Bob Schwartz, senior vice president at Vienna Beef said, “As the owners of a hot dog operation that has been around for more than 50 years, Larry and Randee have maintained the integrity of the brand that became a nationally known institution. The original Fluky, Abe Drexler, would have been proud of what the Estes’s have done to maintain his standards and how they have served the community. Chicagoans are very passionate about their hot dogs and they don’t settle very well for imitations. I have no doubt that U Lucky Dawg will continue to offer the kind of fabulous product that a whole new generation of Chicagoans will flock to. We at Vienna Beef are looking forward to working with Randee and Larry as they establish their own important brand.”
U Lucky Dawg will continue to feature its hot dogs as well as a wide range of delicious burgers, sandwiches, side dishes and ice cream creations.
U Lucky Dawg will open its doors on February 14, 2006 to continue the tradition that dates back to the Great Depression,” said Randee Estes. “Our customers make us feel like a lucky dog and allow us the opportunity to give back to the community. That’s why we chose to name the restaurant U Lucky Dawg.
With the same great food that made Fluky’s on Western great for the last eight years, U Lucky Dawg will quickly become a stand-out on the Chicago dining map. U Lucky Dawg?On February 14, all of Chicago will be the “lucky dawgs!”
February 24th, 2006
Song : “My Kind Of Town”
(Writers : Cahn/van Heusen)
(Performer : Frank Sinatra)
Now this could only happen to a guy like me
And only happen in a town like this
And so I say to each of you most gratefully
As I throw each one of you a kiss
This is my kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of people too
People who, smile at you
And each time I roam, Chicago is
Calling me home, Chicago is
One town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of razzmatazz
And it has, all that jazz
And each time I leave, Chicago is
Tuggin' my sleeve, Chicago is
The Wrigley Building, Chicago is
The Chicago Cubbies, Chicago is
One town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town
February 23rd, 2006
Daley. The Mayor (pronounced “Mare“).For 34 of the last 47 years, a Daley has been the mayor–Richard J. Daley from 1955 until his death in 1976, and his son, Richard M., from 1989 until whenever.
Mayor for Life. A term used to describe the present Mayor Daley.
Republican. An endangered species in Chicago. Only one sits in the City Council–and he toes the Democratic Party line more closely than some Democrats.
The Irish. The ethnic group that, although never a majority in the city, has ruled the Democratic political machine–and Chicago–since 1933.
Anton Cermak. The Bohemian-born mayor who created the Democratic machine. He was fatally shot by a bullet meant for President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, opening the way for the Irish takeover of the party.
Ward committeeman. The Democratic Party official you call when you need a stop sign, a tree trimmed or something–pardon the expression–fixed.
Precinct captain. A visitor from the ward committeeman around election time, wondering how you're going to vote.
Council Wars. The three years of vitriolic battles between the white majority in the City Council, led by Ald. Edward “Fast Eddie” Vrdolyak, and newly elected Mayor Harold Washington, the first African-American to hold the office. Washington eventually won–but
then died of a heart attack.
Irving Park Road. Named for American author Washington Irving (1783-1859), not newspaper columnist Irving Kupcinet.
Wacker Drive. Charles Wacker was a Chicago brewer, director of the 1893 Columbian Exposition here, and later chairman of the city's plan commission.
Cook County. Named for Daniel P. Cook, a former Congressman in the 1840s who persuaded the federal government to help build the I&M canal connecting Chicago with the Mississippi River.
Dan Ryan Expressway. He was an insurance broker who was Cook County's board president from 1954-61.
Rush Street. Benjamin Rush, who never set foot in Chicago, was one of four physicians to sign the Declaration of Independence. Also named in his honor: Rush-Presbyterian Hospital and Rush Medical College.
Field Museum of Natural History. Named for pioneer Chicago businessman Marshall Field, an early supporter.
John G. Shedd Aquarium. Born on a New Hampshire farm, Shedd (1850-1926) moved to Chicago at a young age and became a successful businessman and president of Marshall Field & Co. from 1906-22.
Adler Planetarium. Named for Max Adler, a concert violinist who gave up music and became a vice president of Sears Roebuck & Co. after marrying into the family that controlled the company.
Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center. Ogilvie was a reform-minded Republican governor elected in 1968 and defeated in his re-election bid because he established the state's first income tax.
Streeterville. Capt. George Streeter (1837-1921) was an eccentric squatter who fought the city and federal government for rights to the land east of Michigan and north of Grand Avenues when it was not much more than a sandbar filled with other squatters.
Ogden Avenue. William B. Ogden, a wealthy real estate speculator, was Chicago's first mayor when the city was incorporated in 1837.
Pulaski Road. It took nearly 20 years of court battles before the street once known as Crawford Avenue was officially renamed, in 1952, to honor Casimir Pulaski, the American Revolutionary War hero from Poland.
Humboldt Park. Baron Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was a German scientist famed for his five-volume work, “Cosmos: Draft of a Physical Description of The World.”
Wentworth Avenue. Named for former Mayor John Wentworth, who told voters, “You damned fools. You can either vote for me for mayor or you can go to hell.”
Bishop Ford Freeway. Formerly the Calumet Expressway, this South Side highway is named for Chicago African-American religious activist Louis H. Ford, presiding bishop of the 8.5 million-member Church of God in Christ when he died at age 81 in 1995.
February 22nd, 2006
- The following are sacred local sports icons: ex-Bull Michael Jordan; ex-Bear Mike Ditka; ex-Cub Ernie Banks; ex-Bear Dick Butkus; ex-Sox owner Bill Veeck; ex-DePaul coach Ray Meyer; and ex-Cub Ron Santo. The following are local sports icons who never will be beloved: White Sox-Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf; Bulls general manager Jerry Krause; ex-Bear president Michael McCaskey; and Blackhawk owner Bill
Wirtz. FYI: Krause did not draft Jordan.
- Native Chicagoans do not root for both local baseball teams. The Cubs are favored by North Siders and also tend to be the team of choice of newcomers and yuppies, probably because of the cachet of Wrigleyville. The White Sox are the darlings of the South Side, selected suburbs and people from Indiana.
- The Bears were 1985-'86 Super Bowl champions, but the following year they could not even win a playoff game. What many regarded as the finest football team ever was allowed to degenerate by the front office.
- The United Center, whose primary tenants are the Bulls, is named for United Airlines and, coincidentally, the fortunes of both the airline and the basketball team have pretty much gone in the dumper since they became partners.
- DePaul is the best-known college basketball team in Chicago, but Loyola is the only collegiate team in Illinois to ever win the NCAA Division I men's title, which it did in 1963. DePaul's last Final Four appearance was in 1979, when Magic Johnson's Michigan State team beat Larry Bird's Indiana State team for the title.
- No professional sports team in America has waited longer to win a championship than the Cubs. In 2008, they will celebrate the 100th anniversary of their last World Series title. The situation is so desperate that statues are erected of their announcers instead of their players.
- Chicago sports fans dislike New York teams. Some feel this dates to the 1932 World Series, when Yankee slugger Babe Ruth supposedly predicted, by pointing to the bleachers, that he would hit a home run against the Cubs on the next pitch and then did. But more likely it's a holdover from the 1950s, when the Yankees dominated the American League and prevented good White Sox teams from winning a pennant until 1959. And, of course, there were the 1969 Mets.
- Harvard-educated coffee tycoon Fred McLaughlin was granted the Blackhawks' franchise by the National Hockey League in 1926 for $12,000. That's roughly the cost of a single season-ticket for the best seat in the house this season.
- Notre Dame is considered Chicago's home college football team despite Northwestern's recent success. This is because there are so many Catholics living here.
- Mayor Richard M. Daley, following in the footsteps of his late father Mayor Richard J. Daley, is a devout White Sox fan. Any chance he would warm up to the Cubs was spoiled in 1990, when he attended the All-Star Game at Wrigley Field and got a seat with an obstructed view. Cardinal Francis George favors the Cubs, however, and a couple of years ago led the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th-inning stretch-and joked about how he had planned to sing it in Latin.
Posted by jim@hereschicago.com
February 22nd, 2006
Welcome to Chicago, get together capital of the world and the nation's busiest meeting place for conventions, trade shows and business meetings. Easily accessible from anywhere in the country, or for that matter the globe, it all gets going with Chicago's central location.
Boasting a big-city culture, Chicago tempers it with friendly mid-western attitude, while offering state-of-the-art venues and professional meeting services for large, middle or small size events in the most comprehensive packages available in the industry. Collectively, it works to make Chicago the favourite destination for business events, with many top events returning year after year.
If you are wondering: “Why choose Chicago?” We offer a myriad reasons, why you should. Settled by fur traders in the 18th century, Chicago is a place where people come together to do business. It is a business city, home to 310,000 business establishments and housing head-quarters of 30 Fortune 500 companies.
Centrally located, it has become the nation's air, rail and car transportation hub. Three thousand three hundred flights fly in and out of Chicago, a high volume that translates into cheaper air travel than any other American city. And, it's O'Hare International Airport; four years running has been voted Best Airport in North America, by readers of Business Traveller International magazine. A centre for the nation's rail systems and inter-state highways, Chicago is easily accessible from all points of the country.
It may be a big city, but full service public convenient transportation system and a dedicated bus way make it easy to get around Chicago. Hotels, convention facilities, cultural institutions, entertainment, dining and shopping are all concentrated in a small area, easily reached by public transportation, while city attractions are within walking distance of each other.
Rapid transit system provides quick rail service connecting downtown Chicago and its two airports i.e. Midway and O'Hare International. And, you can catch a fast, non-stop bus to McCormick Place from downtown, while free trolley shuttle service takes you between Navy Pier and downtown destinations.
Or else, catch a quick cab, which on request will offer discounted shared rides between McCormick Place, Midway Airport, O'Hare International Airport and downtown.
Searching for hotel accommodation, Chicago offers 5-star boutique hotels to mega hotels, and 30,000 rooms with a view in premier hotels in the highly concentrated downtown area, with 80,000 more rooms in the metro neighbourhood. Turn-of-the-century ballrooms to modern amenities and business services, Chicago hotels offer service, comfort and value at every price range. And, because Chicago is a business city, the city is well versed in anticipating and catering to the needs of business travellers. Many hotels in Chicago provide facilities and the requisite expertise to host business meetings and mid-sized events, even committing to blocking a large number of rooms for conventions and trade shows.
Unmatched venues for flexible meeting facilities for groups of all sizes, Chicago offers convention facilities that no other American city is able to compete with. America's largest convention centre, McCormick Place can play host to events of any size. For a beautiful, exclusive venue, historic Navy Pier with a dramatic lakefront setting, including wide ranging entertainment options, offers a uniquely perfect venue for mid-sized events. Indoor arenas like United Centre to intimate theatres like Arie Crown to museums, Chicago offers many distinctive venues for holding events.
A skilled pool of labour professionals, more than any other US city, Chicago workers are in high demand, often invited to other cities for temporary convention support. Experienced, service oriented, ready to help, and cost effective, new work rules have ensured the average hourly wage for workers in Chicago is lower than San Francisco, San Jose, New York, Philadelphia and Atlantic cities.
Beautiful, Chicago features amongst the world's great cities, offering up a plethora of cultural and leisure attractions. From internationally renowned museums, including the Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum Campus institutions: The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium, incredible dining at elegant 4-star restaurants that offer every authentic ethnic cuisine imaginable, exciting nightlife from the critically acclaimed theatre district, live Blues and Jazz clubs and more, to spectacular shopping as you shop till you drop on Magnificent Mile or the legendary State Street, Chicago has it all.
And, last but not least Bureau Services, a division of Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau offers a variety of marketing, appreciation and support services to conventions and trade shows that come to Chicago. A dedicated Sales & Service team will help you successfully plan your next meeting or convention, offering an objective insight into all that Chicago has to offer. They will research date and space availability at McCormick Place, Navy Pier, hotels and other venues of your choice, collect proposals, arrange personalised site inspections,
manage attendee housing, refer vendor services, and much, much more.
Chicago offers the assistance of professional Professionals to cater to all your needs for a small or large event. One Stop Chicago is the best place for serious business that looks to unwind after a hard day of concentrated work! Razzle Dazzle like Richard Gere in Chicago After Midnight!
February 21st, 2006
Chicago produced the first:
- steel frame skyscraper
- stainless steel building
- electric iron and cooking range
- PullmanR railroad car
- grain reaper
- atomic reactor to produce electricity
- cafeteria
- window envelope
- co-educational public high school
- railroad sleeping cars
- the bifocal contact lens
- the winding watch
- McDonaldsR Fast Food Restaurant
- Dunkin DonutsR
- the ButterfingerR and Baby RuthR candy bars
- LemonheadsR , Red HotsR , and Boston Baked BeansR
- Candies
- caramel-chocolate turtles
- the bowling tournament
- Shrimp de Jonghe
- Cracker JacksR
- Schwinn BicyclesR
- Bleacher BumsR
- Creme Rinse hair product by VO5R
- Color Television by ZenithR
Batter Up! The first regulation baseballs and bats used by professional players were manufactured by Chicago entrepreneur (and former pitcher) Albert G. Spalding.
Chicago is home to the first totally fire-proof hotel, the Palmer House Hilton at State and Monroe Streets.
Chicago's own Jane Addams, founder of the Hull House, was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Peace (1931). The Hull House opened in 1889 to aid Chicago immigrants.
The first Ferris Wheel made its debut in Chicago in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition.
Hugh Hefner started “ Playboy” magazine in 1953. The first issue sold for fifty cents and featured Marilyn Monroe.
The term “ Jazz” was coined in Chicago in 1914. The city's native musicians included band leader Benny Goodman and drummer Gene Krupa.
Frank Sinatra introduced the song “My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)” in the 1964 Warner Brothers musical “Robin and the Seven Hoods.” The song was voted best motion picture song of 1964 by the All American Press Association.
Founded in 1848, The Chicago Board of Trade is the world's oldest and largest futures and options exchange.
The world's largest gum manufacturer, William Wrigley, Jr. Company, produces more than 20 million packages a day. It was also the first U.S. manufacturer to give its employees Saturdays and Sundays off of work.
Chicago's Famous Buildings
The first of Marshall Field's Clocks was installed at the corner of Washington and State Streets on November 26, 1897. The cast bronze clock rests some 17.5 feet above the sidewalk and weighs a hefty 7.75 tons.
Tribune Tower, home of the Chicago Tribune newspaper, has exterior walls that are embedded with pieces of famous buildings more than a “stone's throw away” from Chicago, including authentic stones from Westminster Abbey, the Alamo, Hamlet's castle, the Great
Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, Fort Sumter and the Arc de Triomphe.
The Wrigley Building's landmark clock tower is patterned after the Giralda Tower in Spain. Under instructions from William Wrigley, architects designed the Wrigley Building to look like a”luscious birthday cake.” In 1946, the Wrigley Building was also the first air
conditioned office building.
The Merchandise Mart is the world's largest commercial building with 4.2 million square feet.
Chicago's McCormick Place offers the largest amount of exhibition space in North America with 2.2 million square feet.
What's In A Name?
The title “Windy City“ was given to Chicago by | 
