TweetEcho: October 4-18, 2009

For those of you who don't subscribe to our Twitter feed, here are the items we tweeted in the last week or so:

1. Aqua is going to have outlets for electric cars:http://j.mp/2QbbTq10:30 PM Oct 16th from bit.ly
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. It's Friday! So, c'mon party people! Put your... umm... cans in the air: http://j.mp/3ODzJc4:19 PM Oct 16th from bit.ly
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. This is what a building would look like with a tattoo:http://j.mp/99h554:05 PM Oct 16th from bit.ly
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. They're plastic-wrapping cars in River North:http://j.mp/1JcdLr3:43 PM Oct 16th from bit.ly
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Imagine opening a store directly UNDER the El tracks:http://j.mp/1OYN8u3:05 PM Oct 16th from bit.ly
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Another segment of "Underground Chicago" is scheduled to air on Chicago Tonight at 7pm on WTTW.4:40 PM Oct 15th from web
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Woo hoo! Michigan Ave. Borders to stay open another year!http://j.mp/1kUTjD (Also, Alton Brown there tonight)11:40 AM Oct 15th from bit.ly
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Sad: I saved enough money grocery shopping in the 'burbs to pay for the rental car. (ex: VitaminWater $1.89 in Chi, $1 in Romeoville)10:06 AM Oct 15th from web
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Here's the article calling Chicago's main library (HWC) one of the world's ugliest buildings: http://j.mp/3IL8998:39 AM Oct 15th from bit.ly
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Chicago's main library named one of the world's ugliest buildings: http://j.mp/22HTg68:32 AM Oct 15th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Granite falls from the Thompson Center. Stone part of the facade must be replaced: http://j.mp/1BAKVz8:30 AM Oct 15th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. The space that used to be a luggage store on the corner of Wabash and Randolph will become a T-Mobile store.http://j.mp/3eqkkj1:57 PM Oct 13th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. There's a new Mexican joint at 108 W. Kinzie. "Mercadito" is the Chicago outlet of a New York eatery: http://j.mp/xyWA77:25 AM Oct 13th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
14. The former Monticchio in Uptown (4882 North Clark) is going to become Ceres' Table, serving American food:http://j.mp/MJjbw7:20 AM Oct 13th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
15. The new store on the corner of Rush and Walton in Chicago's Gold Coast is going to be a Lululemon: http://j.mp/Ms0FL6:20 PM Oct 12th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
16. Looks like it will be a Sprinkles cupcake shop that replaces Sur La Table on Walton (not Walnut) Street next spring.3:04 PM Oct 12th from web
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. Overheard: A tourist repeatedly calling Bloomingdale's "Bloomington's." Must be from downstate.2:06 PM Oct 10th from web
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
18. Got outbid last time? You may get a second chance to own the old Chicago post office! http://j.mp/L0zSS1:30 PM Oct 10th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. Photos of the Vancouver venues for the 2010 winter games:http://j.mp/44I48H12:42 PM Oct 10th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
20. Chicago Spire is not dead. It's just pining for the fjords:http://j.mp/2Kx8Qy9:00 AM Oct 9th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
21. Plymouth Building in the Loop to become a dorm:http://j.mp/d9Qu12:48 PM Oct 8th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
22. The Pivot boutique, 1101 W. Fulton market, is closing, but will retain an internet presence.12:54 PM Oct 8th from web
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
23. The former Chicago Daily News building is getting a big renovation: http://j.mp/28xvYT1:33 PM Oct 6th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
24. We hear that Italian glove boutique Sermoneta is opening in Chicago, possibly at The 900 Shops: http://j.mp/4eheAA7:39 AM Oct 5th from bit.ly
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
25. No Olympics for Chicago. So here's pix of the almost done 2010 Winter Olympics Athletes' Village in Vancouver:http://j.mp/3Py6x05:30 PM Oct 3rd from bit.ly

Slice of Life: Chocolate Neighbors

So, what's the story with this picture?  We spotted this South Bend Chocolate Company truck leaving Chicago's own Blommer Chocolate factory (600 West Kinzie Street) in West Town.

South Bend Chocolate has its own factory in Indiana.  So maybe it was just one chocolate factory borrowing a ton of sugar from a neighbor the way you might bum a beer from the guy down the hall.

Check out the history section at Blommer's web site.  I don't think most people realize that Blommer has factories across the country.  More importantly, it has a machine that can pump 1,000 pounds of liquid chocolate per minute.  Just writing that triggered my drool reflex.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Sault Saint Marie

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

Fort Brady in Sault Saint Marie. 

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Tattooed Bricks

If you were going to give an old building a tattoo, what would it look like?  In our opinion, the wall of Scoozi (410 West Huron Street) in River North has it exactly right.  A little exotic, a little classy, a little adventurous.  Like "The Most Interesting Man In The World" from the Dos Equis commercials.  Except the food here is Italian, not Mexican.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Alabama Indian Town

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from an Alabama Indian town on a bluff above Montgomery.

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Bubble Wrapping Cars

OK, so it's not exactly bubble wrap, but it looks like construction crews working on a new residential building at the corner of North Kingsbury Street and West Huron Street in River North were nice enough to cover a group of parked cars, presumably to protect them from dust and bits of concrete from the work zone.

Of course, for all we know, those cars could belong to the construction workers and they're just taking advantage of restricted parking spaces.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Elijah Lovejoy

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

Elijah Lovejoy's home in Albion, Maine. 

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Party People Put Your Cans in the Air

A quartet of utility poles holds aloft a sextet of electrical transformer cans and associated wiring near the corner of North Kingsbury Street and West Erie Street.  It's like abstract sculptural art created by ComEd.

Chicago Brick of the Day: WGN Building

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is the cornerstone of the former Hammacher Schlemer store, which shows that at one time it was the WGN Building.  In the 1960's WGN moved into the second floor of the WGN-TV studios on the north side before moving back downtown.

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Video: Chicago's Hidden Architecture

It's said that the devil is in the details.  If that's true, it's no wonder that one of the most famous Chicago books is Devil in the White City.  Literature aside, much of the architecture that helped make Chicago great is festooned with details that are often overlooked, even by people trying to look for them.

WTTW's Chicago Tonight program recently aired a piece about the details of Chicago architecture that often go unappreciated.



As an aside -- if you're wondering why there are suddenly WTTW videos on this blog, it's because someone from the station contacted me to encourage me to add them so they can be seen by a wider audience. It's also good because it helps people see the Chicago history and architecture pieces WTTW does without having to wade through things they're not interested in. And considering how frustrating and unreliable Comcast's WTTW on demand service is, this is probably an easier way to see the clips.

Follow-up: The Palmer Castle

Last month we posted a film in this blog that showcased Chicago as it was in 1948. One scene in that film showed an unnamed castle along the city's lakefront.

We now know what that castle was. It was the home of legendary Chicago businessman Potter Palmer, who is responsible for making State Street what it is today.

Sadly, the castle which once overlooked Oak Street Beach is gone, replaced by the sibling apartment blocks known as 1350-1360 North Lake Shore Drive. We have friends who live there, so we won't call the buildings ugly. Whoops.

Recently, the "Ask Geoffrey" segment on WTTW's Chicago Tonight brought up the Palmer Castle and gave some very interesting background information.

Video: New Book About Soldier Field

There always seems to be a new book coming out about Chicago and its buildings.  The latest one focuses on Soldier Field.  It's called Soldier Field: A Stadium and its History. Its author, Liam Ford, was interviewed about it on WTTW's Chicago Tonight program:

One El of a Storefront

Over the last few years, the CTA has spent millions erecting a new Brown Line elevated station at Chicago Avenue (301 West Chicago Avenue).  The new edifice on the south side of the street is a magical grid of steel and glass and screeching train wheels.  But on the other side of the street, a piece of architectural history has been left behind.

That's where the old stationhouse still stands, silently holding its own against the near-continuous thunder rolling over it from above.  The windows at 300 West Chicago Avenue have been papered over, but this little house hasn't been abandoned.  In fact, I recently saw a CTA team gently removing graffiti from the east side.

So, what will become of it?  That's up to the economy.  It would be an excellent building for a quirky little cafe, but who wants to be the one to open across the street from an established Starbucks?  A pizza joint might be right, except that one block over pizza restaurants seem to come and go with some regularity.  We've heard that it's currently being used for equipment storage.

So, what are your suggestions?  What kind of business would be right for this property?  Our nomination:  A tiny museum about Chicago's El system.

For more than you ever wanted to know about the history of this station, check out this page at Chicago-L.org.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Omaha Beach

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

Normandy in France. 

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

New Lululemon On the Gold Coast

Someone who describes herself as a "sometimes reader" (what's up with that?) of this blog e-mailed us these pictures today of the newly erected retail space at the corner of Rush and Walton.

This was formerly the location of a Gino's East pizza joint that was torn down.  Then it was used for construction storage while the Elysian Chicago was built.  Now it's retail, and from the signs in the window -- it looks like it's going to be a Lululemon yoga place (with an address of 930 North Rush Street).  No opening date is posted, but a note on the Lululemon web site notes that the Rush and Walton location is "coming soon!"

Last we heard about this location was a Crain's article from last year that stated that men's clothier Varvatos was heading into this space.  While the chances of me practicing yoga at Lululemon or anywhere else are pretty close to zero, it's nice to have this space filled, and we welcome Lulu to the neighborhood.

And for those of you who don't get our Tweets, it looks like the Sur La Table nearby is going to become a Sprinkles cupcake joint by March.

The Standing Tower

Chicago's water towers are rapidly disappearing.  Relics from an age when water pressure was mother nature's job, there used to be thousands of them on top of buildings across the city.

Now there are precious few left.  Most have been dismantled.  Some have been converted into platforms for cell phone antennae.  A few years ago there was a proposal to turn them into giant art projects and make Chicago into a city of LED-illuminated water towers.

Looking out into the skyline, you can see that didn't happen.  But there are still a few remarkable water towers left.

There's one in the Streeterville area that's been painted red and has some kind of swirly company logo on it.

And then there's this gem behind 800 North Clark Street.  Unlike nearly all of its fallen brothers, this one didn't reach its height standing on the shoulders of tall buildings.  It's tall in its own right.

Standing in the corner of a surface parking lot over by Moody Bible Institute on the Near North Side, it continues to defy the demolition crews that have made such structures so rare.  And for all we know, it may still be supplying water to buildings in the neighborhood.

Chicago Brick of the Day: The Quebec Seminary

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

The Seminaire de Quebec .

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Flying Into the Past

I'm not much on the 1960's and 1970's design aesthetic.  Perhaps I'm just too young to appreciate the sleek lines and curves that were once considered so daring and provocative.  Some people call it "Jet Age."  Some call it "Googie."  Some like to argue about the boundaries of such descriptions.  For those sorts of people, they should hop on a 146 bus and visit the old Meigs Field (1400 South Lynn White Drive).

Today, of course, CGX called Northerly Island and is mostly a park, a meadow, and a bird sanctuary that for some reason doesn't seem to attract as many birds as you might think it would.  The old Meigs terminal and control tower are still there.  The control tower has been taken over for storage by the Park Department.  The terminal, however, is open to the public as one of the city's park fieldhouses.

There's not much going on inside, but there are restrooms and meeting rooms, and activity spaces.  But most importantly, you can still get a sense of what the place was like when it was humming with activity and imagine the buzz of propeller planes landing just outside.

It is a remarkable structure that I hope the city continues to preserve.  And with its proximity to the Museum Campus, maybe some of the unused space could be converted into a Midwest aviation museum.

Chicago Brick of the Day: De Soto in Arkansas

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

Where the explorer Hernando de  Soto landed in Arkansas .

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Michigan Avenue Clear

The vacant storefront on Michigan Avenue at Lake Street is going to be a little less vacant.  When National Community Bank moved out earlier this year, it created an opportunity for ad agencies to use the facade as a billboard.  That has come to an end now that Clearwire is kitting out its new Loop store.

Clearwire (apparently branded as simple "Clear" in Chicago) is a company that provides internet service via WiMax.  If you've seen the commercials for Sprint touting it being the first company with 4G, that's what this is all about.

Clear is actually Sprint, Google, and Intel, plus cable companies Comcast, Bright House, and Time Warner.

Victoria's Secret Gone and Back Again

The people working on the Michigan Avenue Victoria's Secret have been busy.

The old VS store in the Peninsula Hotel block is now closed, as seen in this photo sent in by a regular contributor.  But people in search of frilly engineering needn't wonder what happened.  On the bus shelter right in front of the old store is an ad for the new store.  Unfortunately, the new store won't be open for another couple of weeks.  Hopefully the people who ignore the signs and try to open the locked door anyway aren't having some kind of underpants emergency.

The shroud has come down that was cloaking the new store (734 North Michigan Avenue) next to Tiffany that used to be a Pottery Barn.  The new facade is shiny and glossy.  It's like a skintastic version of an Apple Store.

But even though neither of Victoria's Secret's Michigan Avenue locations are serving customers, there is still a third option -- the one in Water Tower Place (845 North Michigan Avenue) which we're told has been going strong in spite of its proximity to the old store, which last we heard was going to be a Columbia outdoor apparel store.

That will be at least the third outdoor store on the Magnificent Mile, after The North Face at the John Hancock Center (875 North Michigan Avenue) and the Eddie Bauer Store (600 North Michigan Avenue), which is happy to sell me a 3XLT t-shirt online, but never ever in a store.

Puma Ready to Pounce in The Loop

Block 37/108 North State/Daley Mills doesn't open for another month yet, but already the Puma Store is advertising itself and soliciting resumes for store workers.

Orange You Glad You're Not Drinking It?

Autumn is here, and another one of Chicago's colorful aquatic traditions is underway.  It's not as dramatic or big or well-celebrated as the greening of the Chicago River, but the oranging of the Daley Plaza fountain is one method of keeping the seasons straight around here.

A Closer Look at the CTA Light Show

Once or twice in the past I've blogged about the CTA's elevated station at State Street in the Loop.  The reason was because last winter I noticed some kind of light show on the stationhouse.  At first I thought I was imagining things, but eventually I got the chance to see it up close and personal.  It is real.

It consists of semi-opaque panels just above the El superstructure.  Behind the panels appears to be arrays of colored LEDs.  The panels change colors quickly enough to be noticed, but not so quickly as to be distracting.

The light is powerful enough to actually cast a stripe across the width of State Street, as seen in this CrappyCameraPhone™ photo.

I still haven't been able to track down any information about it other than the CTA is required to set aside a certain percentage of any money spent on renovating stations for use in public art.  I'm OK with that, especially if this is the result.

New Food on State Street

There are a couple of new quick-eat options available in the Loop.  After months of anticipation, and renovation, the Page Brothers Building (177 North State Street) which used to just have an OTB, now has a deli and an ice cream shop on the ground floor.

The sandwich joint is called Halsted Street Deli.  Sharing space with HSD is South Side favorite, Rainbow Cone.  Rainbow used to have an outlet in Union Station, but that closed years ago.

A Chinese restaurant is still to come.  The person who sent the picture in didn't notice an opening date in the window.

Slice of Life: Silent Running

Chicago's broad skyline and still harbor waters welcome boaters gliding across Lake Michigan on a beautiful morning.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Suwon Gate

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

An historic gate in Suwon, South Korea .

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: The Tree vs. The Water Department

Mark down one near-victory for the green and leafy, as this root-bound tree in the Bucktown area works to envelop a water department manhole.  I don't know if there's a word for when plants get smart and try to take over the world, but it looks like a scene from a  Harry Potter film happening in slow motion.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Remagen Bridge

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

Remagen Bridge in Germany. 

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: The Polish Alma Mater

The great thing about signs carved in stone is that they so often outlive those for whom they were carved, and thus leave us a trail back into history.  This sign for the "Polish Alma Mater" was spotted above the door of a commercial building built in 1896 at 1643 West Milwaukee Avenue in Bucktown.  It reminds us that this section of Chicago used to be a lot more Polish than it is now.  This building once housed a Macierz Polska -- a Polish aid society.  Many immigrant groups form these when they come to a new country.  You can see a number of current examples down in Chinatown.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Saint Lo

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

City Hall in Saint Lô, France .

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Stuck in the Middle With You

An historic Bucktown brownstone (2050 West North Avenue) fights to keep its dignity and its presence while being bullied from the left by a 1970's-looking residential block built in 2005 and from the right by the old Marvin Envelope and Paper Company building, built in 1907.  The elegant lady caught in the middle is from 1893.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Bloody Nose Ridge

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

Bloody Nose Ridge from the Battle of Peleliu in Palau .

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Northern Illinois Food Bank Needs a New Building

With the economy squeezing many families tighter and tighter, more and more people are turning to food banks for help.

The demand has gotten so great that the Northern Illinois Food Bank is raising money to build an entire new building to help meet the needs of 287,000 poor people in the 13 counties of northern Illinois.

T-60 Productions, run by Emmy award-winning journalist Tony Gnau (my former colleague),  has put together a promotional video about the new building.



If you're in the market for a corporate video, check out his web site, or give him a call at 312/218-6060.

Club Lago Reopening Party

Earlier this week we told you about the unfortunate destruction of Club Lago (331 West Superior Street) back in March.  I'm glad to say that I got an e-mail from Jennifer Little this morning telling us that Club Lago will have a grand re-opening party Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 5:00pm.

But wait -- the news is even better.  You don't have to wait until next week to get your Club Lago fix.  It's already open and serving customers, so you can head over there now to check out the new and improved restaurant, and then go back again on the 7th for the big welcome back party.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Mount Tapochau

In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.

Today's brick is from:

Mount Tapochau in the Northern Mariana Islands .

Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .

If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

The Sadness that is Chicago's Oktoberfest

Chicago's Oktoberfest has come and gone, and if you blinked -- you missed it.  It was held for two days at Federal Plaza (77 West Jackson Street) in the Loop and was a sparsely attended affair.  Just a few rows of stand-up tables, and a long tent selling pretzels, beer, and brats.  No offense is intended to those who organized it when I give it a "Whoop-de-freakin'-do" rating.

Not that long ago, Chicago had an epic Oktoberfest celebration.  Think Ferris Beuler's parade.  But those days ended just before I got to Chicago.  People I worked with told me it was because the organizers couldn't get insurance for the parade.  Somehow the Mexicans and the Irish and a dozen other nationalities can get insurance, but the Germans can't?  Do the insurance companies fear the parade will invade Avondale?  It all sounds preposterous to me.  I suspect it's more likely the apathy that comes with total assimilation that killed Oktoberfest, and not any financial constraint.