Main Post Office Auctioned, Future Still Unclear

Yesterday, the Main Post Office was auctioned to an unknown global company, International Property Developers North America. The company purchased the national historic building for a whopping $40 million, a far cry from the starting bid at $300,000. The building future is still unclear, the unknown developers have not stated what the old building will be converted into. Although, the company affirmed, "We are not prepared at this time to discuss our redevelopment plans, but we are looking forward to working with the mayor, the alderman and city staff to ensure the success of this project...to paraphrase Daniel Burnham, let me assure you we shall make no small plans."With that said at least the developers have respect for Chicago visionary, Daniel Burnham. Here's a video from the bid.

Friends of the Chicago Portage invite you to discover the hidden places where Chicago was born.

If you are interested in learning and visiting the places where Chicago was born, you should take the Discovery of Chicago Bus Tour. The tour will be held on Saturday, September 19th and will begin at 10 am at Portage Woods Forest Preserve in Lyons, IL. Following the historic Portage Creek, the tour visit the places where Joliet and Marquette took their boats out of Mud Lake and then continues downtown to visit the Centennial Fountain's symbolic portrayal of the Chicago Portage. The tour will then stop near the location of the first trading post in Chicago....get as close as the public can get to the site of DuSable & Kinzie's cabin.

After a lunch break near historic Wolf Point and the "The Forks", the tour will follow the development of Chicago at the site of the orginal terminus of the I&M Canal before returning to Portage Woods Forest Preserve. The tour will conclude before 3:00 P.M.

The cost of the tour is $40.00 for adults, 35.00 for students and seniors. There is a $5 discount for Friends of the Chicago Portage members. For more information, go to the Chicago Portage website, http://chicagoportage.org/.

Final Race to Chicago 2016

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We now have less than 37 days until the decision will be made on the 2016 Olympic bid. Whether one is against or for the Olympics in Chicago, most people can agree that if the city secures the bid then the city’s neighborhoods have the opportunity to flourish. More specifically, the city will develop innovative and sustainable buildings and recreational space. If Chicago secures the bid, it will be highly likely that construction will restart on the Spire and that the city will reinstate the auction of Chicago Main post office. I’m looking forward to Chicago winning the Olympic bid, because it will inspire Chicagoans to continue to make this city into a world-class city.

Chicago River's Transforming Ecology

In recent days, the Chicago River’s ecology has made news from the potential threat of the Asian Carp to the present threat of the alligator found in Bubbly Creek. Historically, the river was toxic and marine life could not sustainably populate in the river. Although, the river remains polluted, after the reversing the flow of the river in 1900, the Chicago River became cleaner and habitable for marine life. It is still recommended that the fish should not be eaten; particularly, the invasive silver and bighead carp, which population has exponentially increased in the past years. Ecologists are concerned about the carp invading the Chicago River like it has destroyed marine life in the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The high-flying carp is a threat to Chicago River and the Great Lakes, because the fish can grow to be up to 100 pounds, 4 feet long and it can reproduce at rapid rate. Unfortunately, the carp would wipe out resources and endanger other marine life like the Pacific salmon and lake trout. As for the alligator, the verdict is still out on how the reptile made its way to the once very polluted Bubbly Creek.

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Chicago, the Beautiful

A lot has changed in Chicago since 1948, but for the most part Chicago architecture has remained untouchable. Although, the city’s skyline is full of modern high-rises and several building names have changed, Chicago remains picturesque and breathtaking as it was in 1948.

This classic video produced by legendary documentary filmmaker, James A. Fitzpatrick highlights the architecture wonders post WWII: the Wrigley building, Field Museum, Soldier Field, Tribune building, the Stevens Hotel (renamed as the Hilton), Civic Opera, and Merchandise Mart just to name a few. Additionally, the video highlights comprehensive mass transportation, boats on the Chicago River and the railway system.

In a time period, when people were not able to travel as efficient and rapidly as today, Fitzpatrick was able to bring the modern majectic city to cinemas all over the United States. Chicago, the Beautiful is a great record of our city’s architectural history.

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One World Trade Center

Since September 11^th is only a few weeks away, I would like to take today’s blog to remember the national tragedy by giving an update on One World Trade Center. One World Trade Center, also referred to as the Freedom Tower, is the first building to be constructed on the actual World Trade Center site. Three other high-rise buildings will be constructed around and pay homage to the World Trade Center Memorial.

Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill LLP is designing the tower. Construction began in 2006 and is not expected to be completed until 2018. The tower will have over 2.6 million square feet of office space, retail, on observation deck, parking, and access PATH and subway trains. Here’s an animation video of the expected tower and Memorial site.

2009 US Hall of Fame Inductees Mural in Millennium Park

Last week, the US Olympic Committee unveiled a mural of the 2009 US Hall of Fame inductees in Millennium Park. The three-dimensional mural was designed by chalk artist, Tracy Lee Stum, who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest chalk painting by individual for her piece, “The Da Vinci Code’ in 2006.  The mural depicts the inductees achieving excellence in their respective sports in the Olympics. The mural pays homage to inductees: Clyde Drexler, Michael Johnson, Picabo Street, Teresa Edwards, Willye White, Sarah Will, Andrea Mead-Lawrence, and Mary T. Meagher.  Drexler, Edwards, Will, and Meagher viewed and signed the mural.   

So who are the inductees?

•   Mary T. Meagher won a bronze medal in 1988 Seoul Olympics, but won 1984 Los Angeles in Swimming.
  
•  Teresa Edwards won a bronze medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but won a gold medal in 1984 Los   Angeles, 1988 Seoul, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney Olympics in basketball. 
  
• Clyde Drexler won a gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in basketball.
  
•  Sarah Will won 12 gold medals in the Winter Paralympics 1992 – 2002.
  
• Michael Johnson won a gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics in   Track & Field. 
  
• Willye White who won a silver medal in 1956 Melbourne and 1964 Tokyo Olympics in Track & Field,  went on to win a gold medal in the 1963 Olympics in the Long Jump.
  
•  Andrea Mead-Lawrence won a gold medal in 1952 Oslo Olympics in Alpine Skiing.
  
• Picabo Street won a silver medal in 1994 Lillehammer Olympics and then won a gold in 1998 Nagano Olympics.  
  

Air and Water Show this Weekend

Catch the annual Air and Water Show this Saturday and Sunday from 10 am - 4 pm.  This year is 51st year of the show and the city expects more 2 million people to watch the event at various viewing areas on the Lakefront, but I recommend North Avenue Beach.  If you are out by the lakefront you can catch some of the pilots practicing today.  Here's a list of the planes that will be taking flight this weekend. 

• Lima Lima Flight Team
  
• U.S. Air Force Flybys
  
• Red Bull MiG 
  
• Firebirds Delta Team
  
• U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight 
  
• Sean D. Tucker 
  
• Military demos 
  
• U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds 
  
• AeroShell Aerobatic Team
  
• U.S. Army Golden Knights

Take a look at a video from one of the stunt pilots that will be flying in the Air & Water Show this weekend. Breathtaking..

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A Great Way to Catch Up on Art from Target

This summer, Target has been sponsoring free summer museum days all over the United States.  Target has been advocating for art and education and is leading the way by making art available to anyone. Target is sponsoring 9 events in Chicago this summer. It will allow many to catch up on art.  And, since the entrance fee is waived, it would be a great idea to donate to the museums and or to the Target Foundation.  Here’s the list: 

Chicago Children's Museum - Target Free First Mondays Free admission for kids 15 and under. First Monday of every month, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
700 East Grand Avenue, Navy Pier
Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier
Chicago IL, 60611
312-527-1000



Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago - Target Free Tuesdays Free every Tuesday
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL, 60611
312-280-2660


Congo Square Theatre, Chicago - Target Saturday Matinees
2-for-1 Tickets, Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Various locations
Chicago, IL 60657
312-587-2292



Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago - Target Saturday Matinees
Buy One, Get One Free, Saturday performances at 3 p.m.
821 North Michigan Avenue
Water Tower Water Works
Chicago IL, 60611
312-337-0665 



Art Institute of Chicago - Target Free Evenings Free General Admission every Thursday, 5–9 p.m.
Free General Admission every Friday from Memorial Day until Labor Day, 5–9 p.m.
111 South Michigan Avenue 
Chicago IL, 60603-6110
312-443-3600

The Field Museum - Target Free Second Mondays Free admission every second Monday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 
1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605-2496 
312-922-9410

National Museum of Mexican Art - Target Free Admission at the NMMA Free admission every day during museum hours, 10 a.m–5 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday 
1852 W. 19th Street 
Chicago, IL 60608 
312-738-1503

Millennium Park Family Fun Festival Presented by Target June 3–September 1, 2008 Daily, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 
Summer-long free festival of music, performances and family activities for all ages, seven days a week in the Millennium Park Family Fun Activity Tent and on the Jay Pritzker Pavillion Performance Stage.

Chicago Famous Architects

Most people travel to Chicago in search of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpieces and sometimes forget that city birthed several famous architects’ careers.  With the exception, of Bruce Graham who designed the two most iconic Chicago buildings, the Hancock building and the Sears Tower, (now know as the Willis Tower); several other famous architects sometimes go unknown.

Since Chicago has influenced American architecture throughout history and is home to the world’s first skyscraper there have been several famous architects that have designed landmarks throughout the city.

William Holabird, who is most renown for creating the Chicago School of Architecture and was the draftsman for the father of American architecture, William Le Baron Jenney.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe helped create the beautiful skyline on Lake Shore Drive with the Residences on Lake Shore.   

Louis Henri Sullivan practically coined modernism in American architecture and several of his buildings continue to bring crowds to awe.

If you are unfamiliar with any of these architects, take 90 minutes out of your day and learn about the founding fathers of Chicago architecture.  Join us for our architectural cruises, which run everyday from 9am - 4 pm.

Check the Lincoln Bicentennial at the History Museum

Catch the Lincoln Bicentennial exhibit before it ends on August 17, 2009.  The family-friendly exhibit, Lincoln Treasures tells the story of Abraham Lincoln’s rise to the presidency, his struggle to keep the country united, and how people remembered him after he died. Come see President Lincoln as a student, husband, father, friend, and a leader who changed the nation.  The exhibit features Lincoln’s personal items, including the desk he used to while studying law, his watch and chain, the piano that his sons played, his brush and comb, and the bed in which he died.    The interactive multimedia exhibit allows visitors to stand in Lincoln’s footprints and to gain a deeper understanding of the Gettysburg Address.  Check out photos taken from the Chicago History Museum's flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicagohistory/sets/72157613566773602/show/ 

Other Tours in Chicago to Consider

The Tribune recently listed "The Best Chicago Tours." No mention of boat tours, but a list of other great tours in Chicago. Here are the tours listed. 

1.Obama bike tours by Bobby's Bike Hike
2.Second City Neighborhood Tour
3.Buckingham Fountain tour
4.Fork and the Road
5.The Ledge at Willis Tower
6.Obama-centric walking tours of Hyde Park
7.IIT/Mies Society Architectural Tour
8.Chicago Chocolate Tour
9.Chicago Neighborhood Tours
10.Chicago Hauntings Tour
11.Untouchables Tours

Blues Cruise This Thursday

Discover Chicago’s blues history this Thursday with the Chicago History Museum. Shirley King, daughter of legendary blues singer, B.B. King will be singing classic blues songs. So come out and enjoy live blues music as we sail the city’s blue waters. The cost is $45 for non-members and $40 Chicago History Museum members. Thursday, August 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

The Burnham Centennial Pavilion Opens Tomorrow

The Burnham Centennial pavilion finally opens in Millennium Park this Tuesday. Admission to the pavilion is free and is a must see this summer. The pavilion is being designed by world renowned architect, Zaha Hadid who in 2004 became the first woman and the youngest architect to win the Pritzker Prize for Architecture. The pavilion was originally expected to be completed by mid-June for the 4th of July celebration; however, construction issues delayed the opening.

The multimedia production reflects Chicago’s transformation from past to the future and is narrated by Chicagoans who share their visions of Chicago’s future. Chicago Tribune’s resident blogger, Blair Kamin was able to get a preview of the pavilion and states that the 7 ½ minute video installation, is “strikingly evocative series of images of Chicago past, present and future.”

The pavilion is made out recyclable materials; the outer and inner shells of the structure are made out of tensile fabric, which is stretched over the aluminum ribs. Kamin recommends going at dusk or at night, since the pavilion will be lit from below “it will seem more like an object that has landed from outer space.” I look forward to touring the pavilion at night to experience the brilliant work of Hadid while viewing the film of Chicago's majestical history and future. For more information visit http://burnhamplan100.uchicago.edu and take a look at this animation video of the pavilion.