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.

Taste of Greece!

  This past weekend I enjoyed a beautiful night and a wonderful Taste of Greece on Halsted in Greektown.  We visited this 2 day fest on Saturday night but I had heard that Sunday was the busier day.  Halsted was jammed with tents, tables, people and tons of food and drink.  Many people were carrying around bottles of wine and ouzo and gorging themselves on Greek delicacies like baklava, gyros, and souvlaki. 
  There were also dance groups performing, including my favorite, Dionysos Dance Troupe. http://dionysosdancetroupe.com/  They perform dances from every area of Greece.  Saturday night they engaged their audience in Cretan dances.  Afterwards they asked the audience to join them in dancing and many people rushed to find a place in line. 
   Chicago is a proud city not just for its vast amount of museums, restaurants, and historical markers but also for its great cultural diversity.

Will This New Restaurant Live Up to Its Championship Name?

  NBA champ, Michael Jordan, was scheduled to open a new steakhouse restaurant on Michigan Avenue yesterday, August 22nd.  It's located at 505 N. Michigan Avenue in the InterContinental Hotel.  His original restaurant located on North LaSalle closed 12 years ago.  This new restaurant focuses on steaks and seafood but will have a few catchy menu items like a chopped salad with 23 ingredients and a 23 layer cake, that will pay tribute to MJ's basketball days.

Illinois Citizens Paying More To Drive

  As if the income tax rate increase wasn't enough for IL, now there is talk of raising tolls on tollways.  Illinois is planning on making improvements on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and also extending the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway and possibly making it into a tollway as well.  The tolls for I-Pass users could nearly double!  IL has come up with a 15 year plan that will increase tolls for all drivers.  There will be a series of public hearings this month where citizens can make complaints and voice their opinions. 
   My question is...what else is Illinois planning on increasing at its citizens expense?

Air and Water Show!

  Chicago's Air and Water show is the oldest and largest free show of its kind in the United States.  Enjoy stunts and performances by the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Parachute Team the Golden Knights, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, the Firebirds, Lima Lima Flight Team, Matt Chapman Aerobatics, Sean D. Tucker & Team Oracle, and the U.S. Air Force Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs.  North Avenue Beach is the focal point but the show can be seen anywhere along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street.
   August 20-21 from 10am to 3pm.

Man Shot on State

   Every day on my way to and from work, I use a bridge to cross over the Chicago River.  Usually it's the Michigan Avenue bridge or the Wells bridge but I have used other bridges such as the State Street bridge or Clark Street bridge.  Last night, I heard on the radio that a man was shot in the head on the State Street bridge around 5pm rush hour.  At this time, I was safely entering the train tunnel to catch my 5:05pm train but this shooting was a little too close for comfort.  During rush hour, hundreds of people are leaving work and the bridges are usually pretty crowded. 
  On the TV this morning, there was a reporter interviewing witnesses.  The witness said he heard what sounded like a car engine back firing and he looked and saw a man with a gun running away.  I can only imagine how people felt as they saw a man pull out a gun and shoot another man in broad daylight in an area not usually known for violence.