Friday Metra Problems

  A Canadian National Railway freight train derailed earlier today in Franklin Park affecting two Metra lines.  There are delays expected for all Milwaukee West and North Central Service trains.  As of about an hour ago, according to reports, passengers who have cars on the north side of the River Grove station should get off their trains at Elmwood Park.  Plus at some stations, passengers will have to get on and off trains at certain cars or in certain areas.

News of Note

Some noteworthy news:

Rahm Emanuel is Chicago's next mayor after winning the mayoral race last night.

Giordano's files for bankrupcy.  It did get approval to use some of its bankrupcy loan to keep operations running.

Chicago's Hearts

  February is National Heart Month and Chicago displays its support for Hearts up and down North Michigan Avenue.  Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute created a cardiovascular campaign to educate people about heart disease.  The hearts were created by students, staff, and alumni of Columbia College Chicago and each displays facts and tips for a healthy heart. 
The hearts are also up for sale and the proceeds will benefit cardiovascular programs at Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute as well as art scholarships at Columbia College Chicago.
Below are a few of these Hearts.....

Lights Out!

This was on Wacker Drive not far from Michigan Avenue.  In the 2nd photo, notice the light cover in the lower right hand corner.  I can only imagine how this light cover came down....but Chicago isn't called the Windy City for nothing.  It's also not a stranger to good old-fashioned vandalism.

Record High Today?

  Chicago temps are creeping toward a record high today!  Will we see it?  Either way, enjoy the warmth, we never know what next week will bring!

Polar Adventure Day!

Polar Adventure Day:
When:  Saturday February 26, 2011, 12-4pm
Where:  Northerly Island, Museum Campus, 1400 S. Lynn White Drive
What:  Come explore Northerly Island and enjoy animals, winter activities, crafts, and ice sculpture carvings.  If there is enough snow, there will be free snowshoe rentals available for exploring the island.  Live entertainment by Old Town School of Folk Music.   
Admission:  Free
For more information please visit:  http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/news.detail/object_id/fd087f47-8c19-491a-91b0-6699265f815a.cfm

Things that make you say "Huh?"

   Over the years, I've stumbled across some pretty weird stuff around Chicago.  This morning was no exception.  As I was walking on Wacker Drive, I spotted a bird's wing and it actually scared me when I first glanced at it.  Now I've become used to seeing random dead birds but never a bird's wing.  I'm guessing most of the dead birds that are sometimes seen on the sidewalks die because they fly into buildings or windows or maybe they even die from the elements.  I don't even want to guess how a bird's wing found itself on a busy sidewalk.

Happy Valentine's Day!

  Happy Valentine's Day Chicago!  This morning I came out of the train station and was greeted with a box of Sweethearts conversation hearts.  I'm used to the product marketing but I couldn't figure out what was being promoted until I turned the box over and saw an ad for "Mad Love; premieres monday feb. 14, 8:30/7:30c".  There was also a photo of four people on the box in a group hug.  The marketing ploy worked because I was interested in finding out more about this new sitcom, especially since one of the characters on the box looked like Jason Biggs.  So I googled "Mad Love" and out of the little info I found, I read that it seems like it will be similar to "How I Met Your Mother" and indeed, that was Jason Biggs on my Sweethearts box.  One question though....in the lower left-hand corner of the box it states "No celebrity endorsement implied".  Does this mean Jason Biggs does not endorse Sweethearts?

Dancing in the Winter?

  Yes, you heard right!  Enjoy dancing at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park this February!  Free dancing and dance instruction.  Learn a variety of dances and enjoy one hour dance lessons given by professional dance instructors.  Lessons run February 5-27, Saturday and Sundays.  Session I is from 1-2pm with open dancing from 2-3:30pm.  Session II is from 5-6pm with open dancing from 6-7:30pm.  For more information and the schedule of dances being taught, please visit:
http://explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/tourism/Chicago_Winter_Dance_Dancing.html

Garfield Park Conservatory's Sweet Saturdays

  Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth especially with Valentine's Day coming up?  Check out Garfield Park Conservatory's Sweet Saturdays. 
   When: Saturday February 5th and Saturday February 12th from 11am to 4pm
   Where:  Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Chicago  312-746-5100
    What:  Learn about sweet treats that grow right in the Conservatory!  There are tropical treat stations throughout the conservatory where visitors can learn different facts and sample different flavors.  Visitors can also enjoy hands-on activity stations where they can design a scratch and sniff necklace or make a "leaf rubbing" Valentine's Day card.  There is also live tropical music in the Horiculture Hall's Sweet Saturdays Tropical Cafe.    
    There is a suggested donation of $3 per person.  For more information please visit:  http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/shows.htm

Wipe Out!

  There has been some icy, snowy weather these last couple of months and I've seen plenty of people slipping and sliding.  This morning however is when I witnessed my first wipe out.  The poor guy was wearing dress clothes and carrying a brief case and he must have stepped on some black ice.  He went down fast and had a facial expression like he didn't know what hit him.  Even with all the salt and yellow caution tapes, please be careful when you're out on the streets and sidewalks!

Hamburger in the Snow

  My walk this morning was actually pleasant and kind of peaceful.  As I neared a popular area where people like to walk their dogs, I noticed a girl walking a small dog wearing tiny red boots.  She went to cross the street and in order to do so, she had to walk over a small mound of snow.  Her little dog was not happy at all and pulled back on his leash and pushed his little red boots out to stop from going forward.  The girl began to get frustrated and that's when I heard her say "Hamburger!  Hamburger!  Come on!!  Burger, let's go!"

Sounds like Chicago was remembering the '60s in more then one way.....

Motorists Stranded On LSD For Over 7 Hours

February 1, 2011 11:11 PM

Heard at the train station this morning...

"I heard there's suppose to be 50 mph wind gusts.  Parts of Chicago and Indiana are also suppose to get flooded from 18 foot waves on Lake Michigan.  Ah, it's all part of being Chicagoans."