These Are a Few of My Favorite Fall Things....

                                            A later sunrise reflecting off the buildings and water

                                              
                                                           Festive Fall Decorations

 

Leaves just beginning to change

One of 32

  When you're behind the wheel of your car and aggravated with traffic and that slow moving pedestrian taking forever to cross the street, please think about the number of people that are killed every year on the streets.  In Chicago last year, there were 32 recorded pedestrians that were killed by automobiles.  In order to get the point across, Chicago has placed 32 mannequins along Wacker Drive between Wells and Michigan Avenue.  Each mannequin is wearing a black t-shirt that states "One of 32 Pedestrians Killed Last Year in Chicago."  Hopefully these mannequins will encourage drivers to slow down and be more cautious around pedestrians.

Small World

  This past Monday evening, as I was about to enter Union Station to catch my train home, I bumped into an old classmate from high school.  A couple weeks before, I ran into him as I was exiting the train station.  He was on the same train as me but we didn't realize it until we were coming out the Madison Street exit.  He doesn't work in Chicago or regularly take my train.  In fact, Monday night, it looked like he was coming out of the Ogilvie Station. 
  In a city as large as Chicago, what are the odds of randomly running into someone you know?  Is the world really this small or is the term "small world" just too overused? 
  My sisters both live in New York City.  They've told me that they repeatedly will see random people that they know out at different restaurants.  Just yesterday, my sister told me that she randomly found out that a girl she went to college with lives in the same apartment complex as her. 
  Just in case you still thought the world was a big place...I have a friend who is originally from France but currently lives in California.  While she was in Europe, she randomly saw someone that she knew from back in California.
   Although the population of the world continues to increase, it seems like somehow we still manage to keep it small enough to see the people we know.

Halloween in Chicago

  Ready to enjoy some Halloween fun before the cold weather keeps us all indoors?

Franken Plaza
Location:  Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago
Friday October 28th enjoy a Harvest Market from 7am to 3pm, Midnight Circus performances at 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, and 7:30pm, and pumpkin carving demos at 12:30 and 2:30pm.

Saturday October 29th enjoy a Monster Bash from 11am to 8pm, Batbucks Game Show at 2:20pm and 6:30pm, and Midnight Circus performances at 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

Sunday October 30th enjoy a Craft Market from 11am to 6pm, Midnight Circus performances at 11:30pm, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:30pm, Dave Herzog's Marionettes at 12:15pm, and Magic Matt's Spooky Fun Show at 2:15pm.

Paris Club

  This past Wednesday I attended an alumni event for my college.  When I first received the invitation, I was intrigued when I saw the event would be held at the Paris Club at 59 W. Hubbard Street.  The Paris Club opened earlier this year and is a R.J. and Jerrod Melman creation.  Their father, Richard Melman, is the founder of Lettuce Entertain You.  Paris Club replaced Brasserie Jo and is suppose to be a "trendy" new Chicago spot. 
  I arrived at about 5:30pm and the restaurant was really starting to fill in with dinner patrons.  My alumni event was in a small back private room that had high tables decorated with champagne bottles turned into flower vases.  Shortly after I arrived staff began passing by with hors d'oeuvres on unique trays.  One tray looked like a painter's easel with real paint brushes.  I sampled both sweet potato fries and herbed frites.  I also indulged in mini beef burgers, crab cakes, and what they call drippings on toast, which I thought were mini grilled cheeses.  I thought all the food tasted wonderful and I especially enjoyed the crab cakes.  At one point, I made my way to the bathroom which was on the lower level.  On my way to the bathroom, I noticed a long line of people that stretched from a set of stairs that lead upstairs all the way to the front door.  I assumed there was another private party happening on the second floor.  I was also surprised to see that the bar area was fairly crowded for a Wednesday night and a majority of the dining tables were also filled. 
  Overall I had a great experience at the Paris Club.  I was only able to sample appetizers and not a full meal but from what I sampled, I thought the food was very well prepared.  Add to the tasty food, a friendly wait staff and it looks like the Paris Club should do very well with Chicagoans.

http://www.parisclubchicago.com/

Today is a

....wrestle with your wild umbrella day!  I got plenty of wild umbrella sitings this morning.  You know, the usual, people struggling to control their wild umbrellas.  Umbrellas desperately trying to break free from the grasp of aggravated pedestrians.  Even though it was a little rainy this morning, I kept my umbrella secured and at my side.  I wasn't willing to participate in this all too familiar Chicago sport. 
  With 60 mph winds predicted, later today we might see people dodging the 25 foot waves from Lake Michigan. 
  Warning:  These high wind weather conditions are not for light-weights and I mean that literally.

Chicago Ideas

  Chicago Ideas Week was from October 10th through 16th (sorry about the late post).  It's an annual event that celebrates ideas and innovations and looks to inspire people.  During this week, there were various programs that varied from speakers on the topic to getting to view the inner-workings of different businesses.
  When I first saw the bright yellow balloons on Michigan Avenue, I thought they were displayed just to inspire people.  After a little more online researching, I found a whole website devoted to Ideas Week:
http://www.chicagoideas.com/

   I'm proud that Chicago has placed such an emphasis on great ideas and innovations.  I would love to hear peoples' reactions to the balloons and the different ways they have felt inspiration in their lives.

More Please

  I've been absolutely LOVING this weather we've had this past week.  The beautiful weather gods have been smiling on us.  I'm hoping to continue this great weather streak as far into the future as possible but inevitably I know we are destined for rain, snow, ice, and everything in between. 
  Back in July 1916, Chicago had a record of 10 consecutive days of 100% sunshine.  Let's see if we can break that record!

Digging Out of a Hole

  Even though I try to stay away from politics, I do like to keep informed on agenda that affects our hard earned dollar.  Due to the deficit that Chicago is in, city officials and the mayor have come up with some potential solutions that will involve our own money.  Here are a few:

--Raise water and sewer rates
--Impose a 1% city income tax
--Impose a 1% commuter tax
--Impose a $5 congestion fee on vehicles entering the Central Business District during the morning and evening rush hours
--Install toll booths on Lake Shore Drive and charge, on average, $2.50 per vehicle