CHICAGO: IHD first 2nd Annual Member Meeting

[paris]

Sluff, is there a date that the rooms must be booked by to get the group rate?   Could you post that date for us?  Thanks!

Also, just a reminder-----the official dinner meeting will be Saturday, August 2nd at 4 PM, Sanfratellos Restaurant in Tinley Park.   We have the banquet room reserved.  Family style dinner will include: pizza, spaghetti/mostaccioli, meatballs, salad, fried combo appetizor, soft drinks and dessert.  $13.50 per person/ not including tips.   We will need to have a good idea of how many are coming so they are prepared for us. 

We will have a "schedule of events" for everyone.  Some may want to do more sightseeing than others, so we are trying to make flexible plans  with choices.   Thanks to Chris who has been our "insider", searching for things to do.     Navy Pier and a boat tour will be part of the Saturday evening plans.   

OK-who's partying in Chicago??   

[KR Cincy]

Sadly I won't be able to party with you all as I had planned...I know a great time will be had by all!!

[okarol]

Here is the Motel Information (again) - Sluff - is there a cut off date?

Sleep Inn
18420 Spring Creek Drive
Tinley Park, Illinois 60477

Group Name: IHD 2ND ANNUAL GET - TOGETHER
You will need this group name to register for your room.
I have a block of 15 rooms under this group name.

COST= Depending on the type of room.
$99.99 or $113.99

I believe we have 1 wheel chair accessible room on hold.

Dates: August 1st and August 2nd 2008

Contact person: Karla Ruzich

Continental Breakfast 6a-10a.
Check in time 3p Check out time is 11a
Quiet Hours observed 10p - 8am

No Personal Checks

Cancellation Policy  June 20th 2008 7am.  708-342-1700

[Chris]

I picked up some brochures from a hotel while at a seminar of things to do in Chicago. I will start scanning them in to here tomorrow after my last final. Not sure what I have, just picked up pretty much what they had for Chicago, not what they had in the surrounding area.

[Sluff]

Here is the Motel Information (again) - Sluff - is there a cut off date?

Sleep Inn
18420 Spring Creek Drive
Tinley Park, Illinois 60477

Group Name: IHD 2ND ANNUAL GET - TOGETHER
You will need this group name to register for your room.
I have a block of 15 rooms under this group name.

COST= Depending on the type of room.
$99.99 or $113.99

I believe we have 1 wheel chair accessible room on hold.

Dates: August 1st and August 2nd 2008

Contact person: Karla Ruzich

Continental Breakfast 6a-10a.
Check in time 3p Check out time is 11a
Quiet Hours observed 10p - 8am

No Personal Checks

Cancellation Policy  June 20th 2008 7am.  708-342-1700

June 20th 2008

[okarol]

Oh ok, I thought that was the cancellation deadline (to be eligible for a refund) so that's also the same date that the price is guaranteed till?

[paris]

Thanks Sluff.    Come on everyone---- Let's start making final plans so we can 

[Sluff]

Oh OK, I thought that was the cancellation deadline (to be eligible for a refund) so that's also the same date that the price is guaranteed till?

Yup.  Actually the 26th but I was telling everyone the 20th so there was not a rush.  Keep it secret OK or no-one will book until the 26th.

[paris]

Should have never told anyone the 26th---you know they will wait until then!

[paris]

I am craving a Chicago hot dog----poppy seed roll, Vienna beef dog, tomatoes, pickle spear, mustard.  Yummy.    But I like ketchup and that is a no-no on a Chicago dog.   How many weeks until Chicago?

[Sluff]

I had one of those yesterday, no wait I had two. he he

[paris]

One for you and one for me

[Sluff]

you got that right. ummm good.

[Chris]

Here are the beginings of brochures I have picked up. I have ruled out 1 so far due to expense, but would have been fun to go to($50 and up for dinner and show).

[Chris]

Ok, went thru the brochures I have. If anyone wants me to post info about the Glass Experience at The Museum of Science and Industry, let me know. I also have one for the Chicago Historical Museum. I can't scan the CTA bus and train schedule book I have, it's a lot of scanning and easier to look online. Last one I have that I don't think is necessary to scan is a brief brochure on the Hard Rock Cafe. So that leaves the last 3 brochures I have scaned that was available at the hotel I went to that had Chicago related stuff. I will try to stop at another hotel to try to find somthing more different than what I have posted.

[Chris]

Last two files are to large to post. I have to rescan them by using web quality function in Word.

[Sluff]

Thanks Chris I like the looks of that trolley tour on the top of that bus being open, but I have been to chicago many times and it never looked the way the brochure makes it look. 

[paris]

Thank you Chris     My son was in Chicago last week on business.  He used the day transit pass and said it was great. Easy to use and went everywhere. I think he said it was $5----does that sound right?    He also went to the top of the Sears Tower one evening.  $12.50 per person. He loved it and thought it was worth doing.   

Anyone have the ball parks schedules?  Any baseball being played while we are there?   


Again, thanks Chris for all you help    Hope you are doing better.  We want you well and ready for August.

[Hawkeye]

For anyone who is interested in doing several of the more touristy kind of attractions you may want to go this route.  They have a City Pass like this for Toronto that I used when I was up there recently and it was a GREAT value considering about 2 of the attractions would come close to costing this much.

http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html
Chicago CityPass shows you Chicago on the ground and from the sky 5 Famous
Chicago Attractions $59.00
a $115.00 value
$49 for kids   

Shedd Aquarium VIP
The Field Museum & Underground Adventure
Adler Planetarium
Museum of Science and Industry plus OMNIMAX
The Hancock Observatory
OR
Sears Tower Skydeck Fast Pass
CityPass Extras
Valid 9 Days

Chicago CityPass saves you nearly 50% off Chicago’s five most-visited attractions including the Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, and an Option Ticket to choose between the skyscraper views from the Hancock Observatory OR the Sears Tower Skydeck. You have nine leisurely days from the day of first use to enjoy admission to each attraction once, and will avoid most ticket lines.

The featured museums and viewing locations reveal Chicago’s powerful personality and design. This is a city that works hard, plays hard, and invites you to join in. Built along a dramatic sweep of Lake Michigan, Chicago has soaring skyscrapers, parks with exciting festivals, Magnificent Mile shopping, legendary pizza, a host of restaurants, piers, and neighborhoods, all begging to land in a vacation photo.

CityPass wraps up Chicago’s signature sights and attractions in the pages of its slim booklet. You’ll also find attraction information, transportation directions, best times to visit, a map, special offers, and enticing suggestions from the pages of National Geographic Traveler, the most widely read magazine for inquisitive travelers.

[Hawkeye]

If while in Chicago you need a taxi that is Wheelchair ready use this info.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
One free phone call can put you in touch with every taxicab company that operates wheelchair accessible cabs.   Call 1-800-281-4466

shoulder seat belt
wheelchair fasteners
ramp equipped
Minivans meet vehicle requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act

[Hawkeye]

12th Annual Chicago SummerDance
June 12 - August 24, 2008

Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a 4,600 square foot, open-air, recycled dance floor in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, 601 S. Michigan Ave. SummerDance events occur every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, 6 to 9:30 pm, and Sunday afternoon, 4 to 7 pm, weather-permitting. Chicago SummerDance is formatted into themes featuring world music ensembles on Thursdays; “popular nights” including jazz, Latin, country and funk on Fridays and Saturdays; and ballroom/big band on Sundays. For more information, call the Chicago SummerDance Hotline at 312.742.4007 or visit www.ChicagoSummerDance.org. Admission is free and open to the public.

[Hawkeye]

Retro on Roscoe
2000 W. Roscoe, Chicago
August 2 & 3
http://www.starevents.com/retro.html

Chicago’s ultimate street festival.

Retro features Chicago’s top talent and entertainment on three (3) main stages. Artisans, antique vendors, and cool merchants will provide a shopping experience that is second to none. Local restaurants fill the venue with summertime samplings and tasty treats.

All this and more liven up this tree-lined street for an enjoyable two-day festival that brings back great memories while providing an excellent entertainment for the entire family.

The Windy City Chili Cook-Off will again host a competition that shows the talents of over 25 cooks mixing up the best chili in Chicago! Also, Retro’s Antique Car Show will showcase over 50 antique, classic and muscle cars throughout the weekend at the festival.

Join the Roscoe Village Restaurant Association for an exciting two days of interactive cooking demonstrations. Award winning chefs will entertain and educate visitors with some hands-on cooking demos that are sure to tempt your palate. Rachel Ray claims that Roscoe Village ‘offers the best bet’ for local cuisine! Our Family Area is one of the best in the City and offers top-notch talent like Ralph Covert and Justin Roberts, games, crafts, and lots more. Retro provides an incredible experience filled with exciting opportunities for all in attendance.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Windy City Chili Cook-Off HEATS it up at this year’s event. Top chefs from around the globe compete to become the Chili King

Retro Car Show features over 50 classic antique cars and hot rods. This is a must see for the car lovers.

[Hawkeye]

Anyone have the ball parks schedules?  Any baseball being played while we are there?

The Cubs have home games both days that weekend through the following weekend if anyone is staying longer.  The White Sox do not have home games that weekend but do have home games the starting that following tuesday trough the following weekend.  Attached are the schedules for that time period.

[paddbear0000]

Oh I wish I could afford to go! It sounds like so much fun!!! I'm originally from Chicago and want to go back so bad! 

[Sluff]

Oh I wish I could afford to go! It sounds like so much fun!!! I'm originally from Chicago and want to go back so bad! 

How far away are you and in what direction?