National Coffee Day

  Today is National Coffee Day!  A great holiday for those who love their java.  A few places are offering free coffee or coffee deals. 

Krispy Kreme is offering a free 12 oz cup of their signature coffee
Dunkin Donuts is offering 50 cent cups of coffee
7-11 is offering free medium cups of coffee
Thorntons is offering a free coffee or cappuccino until 2pm
McDonalds is offering free coffee

Day 3 of Rain and the question of "Why"?

  Today is another rainy, gloomy day in Chicago.  I'm hoping after this rain clears up, the weather will squeeze in a few more nice Chicago days before we have to crank on our heat.
  On a different note, this past weekend I gathered together some email addresses, that I had obtained, of Illinois Senators and Representatives.  I had been meaning to write a "letter of concern" for a while and finally got a chance to this past Saturday.  I was determined to voice complaints for Illinois citizens and for my own sense of fulfillment, pretend that might email will make a difference.  I wrote my concerns for unexplained increases in real estate taxes, the increase in the state income tax, and higher food and gas prices.  I also included what has come about most recently; the increase in tolls and the proposed increase in Metra fares.  My biggest question, which will probably never be answered, is why all these increases are coming about during a time of recession when people have no jobs and are foreclosing on their homes?  The answer many may say is because the state of Illinois is in so much debt.  My response to that answer is "why"? 

Metra to Possibly Increase Fares

  Metra has proposed a fare increase in hopes of off-setting their budget deficit.  Monthly passes could jump 30%, 10 ride passes could see a 32% fare increase, and one-way tickets might cost 17% more.  Even though Metra has increased fares in the recent past, they still wish to bring in more revenue.  With a bad economy, this is a tough decision on Metra's part and will be even tougher on commuters.  Some commuters that live closer to Chicago, but still take the train, feel that with the fare increase, they might as well drive to work.  I personally think this fare increase is coming at a horrible time.  Many people are struggling with the recession to make ends meet.  Also, I had always thought that people should be encouraged to take public transportation to cut down on pollution among other things.  If people feel that driving their own car to work is more cost efficient then taking the train, then any "going green" idea is lost.

Fundraiser for Childhood Cancer

  As far advanced as our modern society is today, we unfortunately still have horrible illnesses like childhood cancer.  In May of this year, 6 year old Theofanis Yianas was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, which is a rare childhood cancer.  He recently had a tumor removed and is undergoing chemotherapy. 
  September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and in support of this and in support of Theofanis, please come out for a fundraiser that will be held on Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th.  It will be held at The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrios, 893 N. Church Road, Elmhurst.  There will be authentic Greek food, crafts and games, music and dancing, and an auction.  Saturday afternoon there will be a talent show and Saturday night there will be an appearance by Chicago Bears legend Steve "Mongo" McMichael.  Noon on Sunday there will be performances by Dionysos Young Adult & Junior Dance Troupes. 
  All proceeds will be donated to a fund set up for Theofanis as he fights to win against Neuroblastoma.  For more information about Theofanis Yianas please visit his blog:  http://www.theofanisspot.blogspot.com/

Where there's smoke in Chicago....

....there's a fire in Minnesota.  A large forest fire is raging in northern Minnesota and the affects of it are being felt in Chicago and its suburbs.  Smoke from the fire is being blown in Chicago's direction by wind and northern suburbanites are experiencing watery eyes and trouble breathing.  The fire in Minnesota was originally started by a lightening strike back in August and has been burning ever since.  The smoke is expected to lighten or clear by today or tomorrow.

Wedding on the Water

  This past weekend I attended a beautiful wedding that was on the Odyssey cruise ship on Lake Michigan.  We boarded and then watched a beautiful sunset ceremony on the top deck with the Chicago skyline in the background.  We continued the celebration with appetizers and then a buffet dinner on a lower deck.  Right after dinner there were fireworks on the lake and we spent a majority of the night back on the top deck taking in Chicago's beauty.  Chicago's romantic side definitely shone through with the glowing lights from ashore and the glistening water from the lake.

Chicago Remembers 9/11

  There are numerous events throughout the Chicagoland area tomorrow that will commemorate the tragedy of 9/11.  Please take a moment of silence tomorrow to remember those innocent people that lost their lives 10 years ago.

September 11, 2011

Buffalo Grove High School will host an event for 9/11 that includes music from the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band. 

West Chicago Park District will host a ceremony for a Hometown Hero and those who lost their lives.The tribute will include Color Guards, bagpipers, musical and choir groups, and a new monument.

The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago on Chestnut Street will host a memorial that includes reflections by leaders of the different faith communities.  "Voices of Peace" will be sung by a 95 member choir.

The Marilyn

  Back in July, an enormous statue of Marilyn Monroe was unveiled on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.  It stands 26 feet tall, across the street from the Wrigley Building in the Pioneer Court.  It has drawn many critics but people still flock to it and can be seen taking pictures at all times of the day.  It has also become a popular wedding stop.  When we viewed it, there was a bride and groom getting professional photos taken underneath it.  It was created by 80 year old, sculptor Steward Johnson and will be in Chicago until Spring 2012.  What do you think of this giant tribute to Marilyn Monroe?

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No it's Superman in Chicago!

  After filming in Plano, Superman has officially arrived to begin filming in Chicago today!  Filming is said to take place until September 17th and will be focused mainly in the Loop.  The Board of Trade Building will be staged as the Daily Planet where Clark Kent works and the Willis (Sears) Tower will provide interior shots of the newspaper office.  Watch out for no parking signs and blocked off streets.  Superman; Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Michael Shannon and reportedly will come out in theaters on June 14, 2013.

Review of 676 Restaurant and Bar

  Yesterday was truly perfect Chicago weather.  Mid-70s and sun, all a Chicagoan could ask for.  It's days like yesterday that make people forget about the freezing ice storms and frying 90 degree weather.  I decided to indulge in a nice lunch at a wonderful Michigan Avenue restaurant.  676 Restaurant and Bar is located at 676 North Michigan Avenue in the Omni Hotel.  There is the indoor restaurant and bar but it also boasts a nice sidewalk cafe right on the corner of Michigan and Huron.  The restaurant focuses mainly on ingredients from Midwest and local farmers which are all organic and sustainable.  This restaurant even has honey from the chef's own hive and produce from the rooftop gardens on the Omni Hotel. 
  We had the pleasure of starting our meal with an Heirloom Apple Salad and a Summer Salad.  The Summer Salad was very colorful and included chunks of yellow tomato and watermelon.  For our main entrees we had the Salmon B.L.T. sandwich and the Shrimp Flatbread.  The sandwich was incredibly good and the salmon was cooked perfectly.  The flatbread had cream cheese and scampi sauce.  It was a little greasy but also delicious.  For drinks we ordered lemonade and raspberry iced tea.  The iced tea alone was enough for two people.  It came out in a small, steaming pitcher and sat over a larger pitcher filled with ice.  We poured the smaller pitcher into the pitcher with the ice and it made a sweet, very refreshing beverage.  Top this great food off with views of Michigan Avenue and you've got a perfect lunch date.