Category Archives: Uncategorized

Happy birthday, University of Illinois

Although it doesn’t look a day over 149, today the University of Illinois celebrates its 150th birthday. 150 years ago today, on February 28, 1867, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation creating the Illinois Industrial University, known today as the University of Illinois.

The University today launched its Sesquicentennial Celebration, with events planned go on for the next fifteen months. Festivities began this afternoon with a celebration at the University’s Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana.

Let’s all join in celebrating the 150th birthday of our premiere state university.

Harry Caray narrates Cubs’ World Series victory in Budweiser video

In an amazing display of creativity, Budweiser has stiched together scenes of Cubs fans and Chicago during and immediately after the Cubs Game 7 win in Cleveland on November 2, together with snippets of prior broadcasts from the late legendary broadcaster Harry Caray. The result, released the day after the victory, has to be seen to be appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nApTGkLd2hs

Cubs fever pitch gets even higher

cubs-lion-art-institute

Today, the lions standing guard outside the Art Institute of Chicago joined the Chicago Cubs World Series fever by donning their Cubs caps.  At noon, when I walked over to take this photo, crowds were gathered taking photos of both lions from various angles.  Some visitors were posing in front of the statues while others (like me) were content to give the lions all the attention.  Behind the lion, you can also see that the Art Institute is also flying a large W flag in its center window.

Not to be left out, Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, locatedcubs-cso across Michigan Avenue from the Art Institute, shared in the celebrating the Cubs with a large banner covering the window directly above its main entrance.  The banner features  a depiction of a portion of the ivy covered outfield wall at Wrigley Field. As I reported in my last post, the CSO joined in Cubs fever by performing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with a full orchestra under the direction of maestro Ricardo Muti.

Both of these institutions have been around for well over a century, so they were able to see the last World Series pennant won by the Cubs and have waited with the rest of us for more than one hundred years to see another.

Go Cubs!

Show the love in downtown Evanston!

Downtown Evanston - Show the Love!

More than 3 dozen downtown Evanston businesses are participating in a fun giveaway. Come to the Hilton Orrington plaza (intersection of Orrington and Church) at 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 13, for a chance to catch a heart-shaped parachute with a surprise gift from a local business. According to DowntownEvanston.org:

You might walk away with Giordano’s “golden tickets” (dinner for two), a coupon for jewelry at Ayla’s Originals, free classes to Pure Barre and Exhale Evanston, tickets to the movies, a gift certificate for a bouquet at FlowersFlowers, coupons to Becky and Me Toys, or a gift card to enjoy a delicious meal at Found, Bistro Bordeaux, Creperie Saint Germain and much, much more. One lucky person will catch a free night at the Hilton Orrington!

For more information on participating businesses, visit DowntownEvanston.org.

Afterward, shop and dine in downtown Evanston to help raise money for Foundation 65, an organization that provides arts and literacy grants to District 65 schools. Check out the Valentine’s specials listed below. Please note that businesses with an asterisk on the DowntownEvanston.org website are donating a portion of sales on February 13 and/or 14 to Foundation 65.