Travel & Visitors Guide - March 1, 2009
Windy City trekking with a toddler
In lieu of grander vacations, my compact family has created something of a tradition of lightning-fast visits to the Windy City, based around hotel rate sales. Even 24 hours in downtown Chicago can be pricey, but with a little careful planning, an action-packed weekend down south doesn't have to break the bank.
Tags: Chicago, The El, Chicago Theater, Bob the Builder, L'Appetito italian cafe, Hancock Observatory, Cafe Expression by Lavazza, Hilton, Navy Pier, Time Out, Artist's Cafe, Eleven City Diner, Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park, The Loop

Music - Feb. 25, 2009
It takes more than a bad economy to sour indie spirit
A2IM stands for the American Association of Independent Music and at a meeting of the Chicago chapter in the Windy City last night, it's clear to see that despite the struggles and the current economic woes, a lot of people remain committed to indie music and to maintaining and boosting the profile and rights of independent musicians, labels and studios.
Tags: Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records, Mutabaruka, Abyssinians, Mighty Diamonds, Sidedown Audio, Josh Wentz, A2IM, The Hideout, Chicago

Marketplace - Feb. 10, 2009
Forbes: Milwaukee's not "miserable," but Chicago is
Forbes has yet another list today. This time, it's "America's Most Miserable Cities." Chicago is third on the list, trailing only Stockton, Calif., and Memphis. Milwaukee doesn't even register.
Tags: forbes, miserable cities, best of lists, most miserable, chicago, commmute times, corruption

Politics - Jan. 20, 2009
Milwaukee man showers in Obama's bathroom
OK, well, it's not really Barack's Obama's bathroom anymore, but Milwaukee native Carl Fuldner, who lives in the Windy City's Hyde Park neighborhood while attending the University of Chicago, rents the same apartment Obama lived in during the 1980s.
Tags: Carl Fuldner, Hyde Park, Chicago, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, University of Chicago

Travel & Visitors Guide - Jan. 10, 2009
Chicago: your recession friendly winter vacation
While it would be nice to head somewhere warm and sandy, economic hardship might keep you a little closer to home this year. If you want to head in a southern direction but also save a few dollars for the bank, a day or weekend trip to Chicago might be in order.
Tags: chicago, millennium park, john hancock observatory, maiz, lito's empanadas, shangri la, vintage, museum of contemporary art, book cellar, briar street theater

Travel & Visitors Guide - July 23, 2008
Making a Quick Study of Milwaukee
I grew up all over the Midwest, but met my best friend three weeks into my stay at Millikin University in Decatur, Il. She returned to Decatur after making her world tour of jobs and experiences and is tending her beautiful family there. Recently, they launched an annual family vacation experienc...
Tags: Milwaukee, Chicago, destinations, tourism, image

Travel & Visitors Guide - May 7, 2008
A Romantic Weekend in the Windy City
This past weekend marked my 8th wedding anniversary, and we thought long and hard how to celebrate. In the past we've always tried obvious romatic spots (Bermuda, Sundara Spa, etc.) however this year because of limited time to getaway, we opted for a trip to Chicago. A getaway to Chicago may be o...
Tags: chicago, anniversary, romantic, conrad, blackbird, nordstrom, spa

Travel & Visitors Guide - May 6, 2008
TPS 13: Travel to Chicago and Eat Here
Hello to all out there in readerville. As my devoted readers know (From reading my first blog) I spend every other weekend in Chicago visiting my lovely girlfriend. She and I have really developed a love for going out to eat which is easily satisfied in a city the size of Chicago. Thankfully, she...
Tags: Dining, Travel, Chicago

Sports - March 25, 2008
Chicago Slaughter 64, Milwaukee Bonecrushers 41 (Friday March 21st)
What a weekend! Sorry this is a late message but last week along with the weekend was nuts. Lots to talk about so here we go:The home opener... well first things first, Chicago came in and beat the Bonecrushers 64-41. The Slaughter needed to prove a point in this league and they made their statem...
Tags: indoor, football, bonecrushers, milwaukee, u.s. cellular arena, downtown, sports, chicago