Saturday, November 10, 2012
Chicago seen sights
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most popular attractions and features more than 50 acres of parks, promenades and attractions for visitors and residents to enjoy. A 150-foot ferris wheel offers unparalleled views of Chicago's breathtaking skyline and stunning cityscape. Entertainment options abound, from the Navy Pier IMAX Theater to the Chicago Children's Museum and live entertainment year-round.
Theaters
Measuring an impressive 6-stories tall, Navy Pier's IMAX Theatre is Chicago's largest flat movie screen and shows both 2D and 3D movies. Further down the Pier is the Tony-award winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which presents a wide range of theatrical productions year round, from the Bard's beloved classics to other innovative programs.
Museums
Within Navy Pier are two museums that will appeal to visitors of all ages. The Chicago Children's Museum offers three stories of fun and interactive educational exhibits and activities where kids can play and learn. Tucked away inside the Pier is the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows - a true hidden gem of Chicago.
Ferris Wheel & Pier Park Attractions
Navy Pier offers as much to do outdoors as it does indoors. The Pier's most visible icon, a 150-foot Ferris Wheel, is modeled after the world's first such attraction that made its debut at the 1893 World's Fair here in Chicago. Thrill seekers will love the Wave Swinger, which propels riders 14 above the ground, while young children will delight in the Musical Carousel and Light Tower Ride. Other recreational activities include miniature golf and a remote-controlled boat pond, while a free weekly fireworks show lights up the night sky all summer long.
Boat Cruises and Architecture Tours
Navy Pier is the home port for many of Chicago's most popular sightseeing boat tours and cruises. Shoreline Sightseeing operates daily skyline and architectural tours, as well as special seasonal tours, that combine an engaging narration about the city's history and famous landmarks with stunning views of Chicago's stunning cityscape.
The Odyssey, Mystic Blue and Spirit of Chicago offer elegant brunch, lunch and dinner cruises on Lake Michigan year-round from their berth along Navy Pier's Dock Street. Those seeking a more fast-paced experience will find it aboard Seadog Cruises' speedboat tours, while history buffs will love taking an excursion aboard Chicago's very own four masted sailing ship, the Tall Ship Windy.
Featured Video: Winter Wonderfest
Watch a video about Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest, which promises plenty of holiday fun for all ages in a 170,000 square foot indoor winter wonderland! This year’s festival is extended to January 8, 2012, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy the dazzling holiday décor, music, indoor skating, games, ride and other entertainment!
Chicago cultural events
Thanksgiving Day - What to do with the kids?
Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 22 this year. And whether you are digging out the recipe books or making reservations, you may also be thinking - What to do with the kids? Because somehow, kids seem to be immune to the L-tryptophan in the turkey that makes adults just want to nap after dinner.
Northwestern University brings 'Junie B Jingle Bells, Batman Smells' to Chicago
Junie B. loves everything about Christmas -- elf costumes, Santa and, best of all, presents! Only one thing could ruin her holiday joy: her tattling classmate May. Junie B. has to decide between salvaging her holiday spirit when she pulls out May’s name for the Secret Santa exchange or letting May know exactly what she thinks of her.
Celebrate the season at the Driehaus Museum
Steps away from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the Driehaus Museum is a fascinating and rare example of the palatial homes erected by the wealthy of America’s Gilded Age. The galleries are elegantly furnished with pieces from the most celebrated designers of the late 19th and early 20th century, such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and Herter Brothers in harmony with the immaculately-restored interiors and surviving furnishings of the Samuel M. Nickerson mansion. Designated as a Chicago landmark in 1977, this is a place that every Chicagoan should see.
Free train rides for a year? Be at these Metra stations for chance to win
The Drivewise program aims to reward safe drivers by using a small device that plugs in under the car’s dashboard to monitor driving behaviors; rewarding customers for safe driving while saving them money as well.
Chicagoans vote for the dogs - Whose bark will win the park? Vote now
Chicagoan Roxann Ruiz campaigning for dream dog park in Chicago area seeks your vote.
Calling all dog lovers! Local resident Roxann Ruiz and her four-legged best buddy Nacho need your votes. Roxann is one of twelve finalists in the 2012 Beneful® Dream Dog Park Contest that invited dog owners across the country to answer the question: If you had $500,000 to create a Dream Dog Park where you and your best buddy can play together, what would you do?
chicago historical people
Jacques Marquette
Born in Laon, France on June 10, 1637 Father Jacques Marquette joined the Society of Jesus at the early age seventeen. He taught in France for several years then in 1666 was dispatched to Quebec to preach to the Native Americans of the area. He was proven to be adept at learning the local languages such as Huron, which made him well suited for his posting.
He was reassigned to the Mission of the Holy Spirit in La Pointe, on Lake Superior in 1668 where he was told about the existence of the Mississippi River by local tribes who invited him to come teach further south. However, the wars between the Hurons at La Pointe and the neighboring Dakota people mad it necessary for Father Marquette to relocate to the Straits of Mackinac. Here he requested permission from his superiors to explore the rumored river which his superiors granted. Marquette was joined by a Canadian explorer and cartographer, Louis Joliet and they formed the Joliet-Marquette expedition. They departed from St. Ignace on May 17 1673, with only two canoes and five other explorers of French-Indian ancestry. Traversing Lake Michigan to Green Bay then up the Fox River, they then portaged to the Wisconsin River, which led to the river they sought. They entered the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien on June, 17 1673 becoming the first Europeans to see and map the Mississippi River. They travelled to within 435 miles of the Gulf of Mexico before turning back at the mouth of the Arkansas River. Following the advice of local natives, they followed the Illinois River, which was a shorter route back to the Great Lakes. They arrived at Lake Michigan at the point where modern-day Chicago, Illinois now stands. At this point Marquette and Joliet parted ways to report to their superiors. In late 1674 Marquette and his party returned to the Illinois Territory and became the first Europeans to winter in what would later become the city of Chicago. Father Jacques Marquette died on May 18, 1675. William Butler Ogden |
Friday, November 9, 2012
Chicago famous people
Jack Benny
Jack Benny, whose birth name was Benjamin Kubelsky, was born in Chicago, Illinois on St. Valentine's Day, (February 14), 1894. He was an accomplished violinist and at the age of 17, began playing in local theaters. In 1911 he played in the same theater as The Marx Brothers and eventually married their distant cousin, Mary Livingstone.
Jack was also a film actor and radio comedian and was best known for his radio show called "The Jack Benny Program" which was on the air from 1932 to 1948 on NBC and from 1949 to 1955 on CBS.
He died on December 26, 1974 at the age of 80 years old.
Gillian Anderson
Well-known actress, Gillian Anderson, was born in Chicago on August 9, 1968. The actress started her career by joining an amateur actor group while in high school. The outgoing young lady earned the high school titles of "Class Clown" and "Most Bizarre Girl."
A tiny actress, only 5'3" in height, she measures big on the scale of worldly success. Although she had to stand on an apple box to shoot many of the scenes in X-files, the movie eventually brought her first big break. She spent her first paycheck from X-files on art.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney, the one who helped bring fantasy to reality for may youngsters and adults alike was born in Chicago on December 5, 1901.
He came across a movie house for the first time on Marceline's Main Street and watched a black and white recreation on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He attended McKinley High School in Chicago and shaped his skills in the areas of photography and drawing by contributing to the school's newspaper.
In 1918, Walt attempted to enlist for military duty but was rejected for being too young. (He was sixteen at the time). Instead he joined the Red Cross who sent him to France. He spent a year driving an ambulance transporting Red Cross officials and his ambulance was covered all over with Disney characters instead of camouflage.
On July 13, 1925 he married one of his first employees, Lillian Bounds, and they had two daughters, Diane and Sharon.
In 1928 the world famous Mickey Mouse made his debut. Then, on December 21, 1937, the first full-length animated musical feature premiered.
Bob Newhart
The actor and comedian, Bob Newhart was born in Oak Park, Illinois on September 29, 1929 but later found himself in Chicago were he attended Loyola University. He was the star of The Bob Newhart Show in the 1970's and Newhart in the 1980's.
While originally an accountant, he had a hobby of doing comedy routines on the radio. Warner Brothers heard a demo tape of Bob and was truely impressed. They signed him to record a comedy album although he'd never before performed on concert stage. His first album was The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart and the success was astounding. It was only the beginning. Bob went on to star in his own show and made frequent guest appearances on popular television shows.
William S. Paley
William S. Paley, broadcasting executive, was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 28, 1901. He was the chairman of CBS from 1946-1983.
He married Dorothy Hart Hearst on May 11, 1932. The couple had one son, Jeffrey and one daughter, Hilary. They divorced on July, 23, 1947.
On July 28, 1947, just five days after his divorce, he married Barbara Cushing Mortimer. They had one son, William and one daughter, Kate.
He authored the book, As It Happened, A Memoir in 1979.
Paley died on October 26, 1990 from kidney failure.
Gloria Swanson
Gloria Swanson, was born in Chicago on March 27, 1897. She was born Gloria May Josephine Svennson.
The petite actress measured at only 4'11.5" in height. However she was very lovely and used her provocative ways to seduce numerous lovers including Joseph P. Kennedy, father of former President John F. Kennedy. She also married 6 times.
Her collection of husbands included Wallace Beery, Herbert K. Somborn, ( who produced one child), Henri de la Falaise, Michael Farmer, (who produced one child), George William Davey and William Dufty.
She made her debut as an extra in the film The Fable of Elvira and the Meal Ticket in 1915.
She died on April 4, 1983 at the age of 86. Her death was from natural causes.
Dorothy Hamill
Dorothy Hamill, one of the world's best and most graceful ice skaters, was born on July 26, 1956.
Dorothy always had a shy disposition as a child and often felt intimidated by her older siblings and their athletic accomplishments. Her mother enrolled her in skating lessons at a very young age and Dorothy soon realized it was her passion. She would often spend hours skating on the ice and felt it was her release from the demanding world around her.
At the age of 19, the world stood awestruck as she claimed three overwhelming victories. The U.S. Championship, The World Championship, and the Gold Medal in the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
Her hairstyle became a popular favorite in the late seventies and early eighties that women and girls alike would duplicate.
She was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 1996.
Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch, actress, was born September 5, 1940 as Jo Raquel Tejada.
She participated in numerous beauty contests, winning several titles.
She has married four times, and is the mother of two. Her first husband, James Westly Welch, is the father of her two children, They married on May 8, 1959 and divorced in 1964. Her other spouses include Patrick Curtis, André Weinfeld, and Richard Palmer.
She was awarded the Oscar for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" in 1970.
Chicago geography
Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States. Located in the State of Illinois, the city has approximately 2.7 million residents. Its metropolitan area, sometimes called "Chicagoland", is the third-largest in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles,with an estimated 9.8 million people. Chicago is the county seat of Cook County, though a small portion of the city limits also extend into DuPage County.
| Country: | United States of America |
| State: | Illinois (IL) |
| County: | Cook County |
| City: | Chicago |
| Coordinates: | 41:50:13N 87:41:06W |
| Altitude: | 177m / 583ft |
| Currency: | US Dollar (USD) |
| Language: | English |
| Time zone: | Central Standard Time (CST) |
| UTC-6 | |
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