To enlighten the visitors, the Museum offers tours of the area, hosted by one of the many volunteers and employees. These tours, hosted by volunteers of the museum, allow guests to get a better view of life in Chicago, as well as the history of the various important landmarks that enriches the city. These tours vary in duration, and need to be requested in well in advance so a volunteer guide can be scheduled for your visit.

While the primary focus of the Chicago history museum is on Chicago, the museum sheds light on the history of Illinois. From historic political agendas to the great minds of Illinois, the Chicago History Museum touches all of the foundations that went into the development of Chicago. The Museum’s collection of artifacts and documents is a rich source for the study of the history of Chicago as metropolitan urban center and as part of the state of Illinois and as a part of the broader history of the United States

If you wish to support the Chicago History Museum, there are several things that you can do. You can donate money, either on behalf of a loved one or yourself, volunteer your time, or donate items to the museum. As the Chicago History Museum functions on the support of those who donate both their time or money to the museum, any support is appreciated.

The museum was founded in 1856 and incorporated in 1857. In a rare and unfortunate incident of fire, the museum lost majority of its prized artifacts. A second fire finished the job the first fire had not, and the entire structure, as well as the collection, was rebuilt.

The Chicago History Museum underwent several redesigns to maximize space and alter the atmosphere of the museum. These improvements were done several years after the second fire, also improving the museum’s ability to resist fire damage.

When you visit the Chicago History Museum, you can also learn more about the history of the museum itself, and how it has affected tourism and the community of Chicago.The History Museum also presents a wide range of lectures and seminars on very engaging topics. Reservation is required beforehand.

The Chicago History Museum hosts and presents traveling exhibitions. These exhibitions are quite interesting and informative. If you are interested in seeing a specific exhibition, please check the museum’s schedule.

With world-renowned exhibitions, programs and special events for kids and adults held at Chicago History Museum, visitors can explore all of the triumphs and trials that made Chicago one of the worlds greatest cities and the center of commerce and culture that it is today.

Peter S. Museer

There are a lot of great things to do and see in Chicago and this article will point out a few favorites. It is recommended that you stay in one of the fine hotels near the magnificent mile on Michigan Ave. or near the recently built Millenium Park. Both of these locations are wonderful and are central to the various sites to see . If you are not afraid of heights then a visit to the tallest building, The Sears Tower is a must see for a total high point view of the downtown area as well as the lake . Because it is so high , the building has been known to close the higher floors off during windy weather .

For sports fans, Chicago is a great city with two major league baseball teams, The Chicago Cubs and The Chicago White Sox, a gigantic football stadium to watch the Chicago Bears NFL team play and the famous NBA team the Chicago Bulls where Michael Jordan played for years. All of these professional sports can be seen in the downtown area and a lot of travelers focus their visit surrounding one of these games. The Chicago fans are some of the most loyal and vocal fans in the country so getting a ticket to a game should be done well ahead of time .

Chicago is also known for the fabulous museums, zoos and aquarium. If you are a fan of the arts , the Field museum and the Contemporary Museum of Art rival other art museums in larger cities and should be seen . The Shedd Aquarium also is a great place to visit and has the largest amount of Beluga Whales in North America . The Lincoln Park Zoo is also one of the oldest free zoos in the nation so a trip there is recommended and obviously inexpensive also .

Food is another reason visitors like to go to Chicago. There is a Little Italy as well as a Greek town in Chicago that have amazing restaurants to be found. Two foods that this city is famous for are the Chicago style deep dish pizza and the infamous Superdawg hot dog that is served with several condiments unique to the city such as mustard, no ketchup, onion salt and a dill pickle. There are many high end restaurants available for the foodies traveling here as well .

Chicago is a wonderful place to visit and a lot of celebrities are proud to call it their home like Oprah Winfrey, President Barack Obama, and many actors and musicians.

Chicago is one of the world’s top destinations for meetings, conventions, etc. and Hereschicago.com is the top online destination for the decision-makers who make those events happen. So for our advertisers, here’s where it all comes together … where the right message reaches the right prospect at the right time.

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Chicago is now the third largest city in the United States next to New York City and Los Angeles, California. Not only being the third largest city in the U.S, Chicago also ranks among the world’s leading industrial and transportation centers

From what I have read, Chicago is nicknamed the windy city for different reasons. The first reason is that the Mayor of Chicago boasted so much about Chicago hosting the worlds fair, which implied the Mayor was windy. Another reason was that the politicians in the Chicago are full of hot air therefore implying the windy city. The last reason is that the editor of a newspaper was trying to promote Chicago as a summer resort and used Lake Michigan’s summer breeze as a selling point. I do not know which of the reasons above gave Chicago its nickname the windy city but they all seem to make sense to me.

Chicago is also renowned for its excellent art institutions and museums, great food and great jazz music. If you have an appetite for sports, Chicago has the legendary Bulls, Bears, and Cubs, which are well known all over the world.

Chicago is a wonderful place to visit. The fever of Chicago will impress you.

Instead, we are going to take the “Smarter Shopper Holiday Pledge” (for printing and sharing).

“Smarter Shopper Holiday Pledge”

I, (insert your name here), pledge to adhere to the ten holiday shopping tips outlined below. I realize that by not doing so, I may suffer the consequences of holiday shopper’s remorse which include but are not limited to: loss of cash reserves, higher credit card debt, and near insanity from overexposure to large crowds, outrageous lines, and low product inventory.

1. I will use cash.
Using cash makes it easier to stay within the budget. I don’t even mean using your debit card because you’re able to justify going over just a bit on a particular gift if there’s money available in your checking account. I say set limits, use cash, and when the cash is gone, there’s no more gift buying. Now, this is going to take some self-control and I struggle with it myself at the holiday season, but if you’ve got $100 for gifts, then don’t push the budget and spend $101. No matter how wrapped up you get into the Christmas lights, music, and other smiling holiday shoppers carrying their large shopping bags, stay within your budget…cash will help you do that!

2. I will keep track of my credit card spending.
Ok, if you absolutely must use a credit card, use the one with the lowest interest and know how you are going to pay off the credit card balance. Carrying balances obviously costs more than the item itself. So, that bargain that we got at the holidays is no longer a bargain 90 – 120 days later. Have a plan to pay off the holiday purchases. Additionally and just as important, know how much you are spending on those credit cards. You still need to set limits.

3. I will be patient.
There’s nothing like waiting in a long check out line and have to endure price check after price check or a declined credit card holder arguing with the cashier, or even a shift change just as you approach the register. However, we all know these things happen. Calm down and be patient. Should you need a small book or magazine to bring along with you, do so. If leaving the kids at home is an option because they’ll add additional stress to your trip, do so. Maybe just taking a deep breath will help. Just calm down and be patient.

4. I will start shopping early in the season and get it out of the way.
I’ve never understood why people wait until the very last minute to do their holiday shopping when they know it drives them nuts. Start shopping now. The malls aren’t overcrowded yet. No one else is really thinking about holiday shopping for now. You could be the first one.

5. I will give less expensive but creative gifts instead.
Now, I’m not necessarily suggesting arts and crafts here unless of course that’s what you want to do. But, all of us are not creative minds. However, for example, if you think of one gift that would work an entire family, you’ll definitely save money. My family loves old movies. A great creative gift basket consisting of a few old movies, popcorn and candy, and maybe a blanket would definitely be less expensive than trying to get us all individual gifts. Think outside the box to say money!

6. I will have a game plan.
In order to get those must have items or those hard to find popular items, you have to create a game plan. That game plan has to take in consideration the availability of the items, the budget, and when you can go get the items. Don’t leave your house without a game plan outlining where you’re going, what you’re going to purchase, how much you are going to purchase it for, and what your alternate gift selections are. Yes, you should at least have in mind what the alternate gift item will be should you not be able to find the gift or if you are on the loosing end of an in-store battle with another determined mom.

7. I will shop safely.
Safer is better. Watch your personal belongings at all times including handbags, purchases, and children. Pay particular attention at the register when you can be distracted by the particulars of the transaction or outside in the parking lot or waiting on public transportation. Last holiday season I was out late with other shoppers on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, where you might feel a false sense of security. A team of purse-snatchers was out looking for their next victim. They spotted her, with her children, completely distracted, purse wide open, while crossing busy Michigan Avenue. Luckily, someone else saw how the situation was about to unfold and warned her before her holiday shopping season was be ruined. Be a safe shopper!

8. I will get enough rest.
There’s nothing like going out during the holiday shopping season and running out of steam. An important part of your shopping game plan should be to get plenty of rest the night before. Get a great start in the morning with a good breakfast and wear comfortable shoes. You should be all set to go. These type of shopping trips can sometimes go all day and night, especially if you’re like a friend of mine who likes to literally shop until the stores close down, grabbing that last bargain on the rack as the last call announcement goes out over the intercom. Be prepared and get some rest.

9. I will not forget the bargains at the outlet malls.
If you are in downtown Chicago and looking for a change, one of the outlet malls for holiday bargains. You’ll need a car but the prices can be well worth the drive. When we make a list of things to do in Chicago, we often overlook the feasibility of the outlet malls. There are bargains on upscale merchandise from designers such as Kate Spade, Giorgio Armani, and Coach at Chicago Premium Outlet Mall and Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet (in nearby Michigan City, Indiana). Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall features retailers for the whole family, a huge Cineplex, as well as, a reptile zoo…just in case the kids need a break. And if you go to Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall, then you might as well stop by Prime Outlets Pleasant Prairie Mall which is just a few miles away just across the Wisconsin border. Or, you might choose to visit the Prime Outlet Mall in Huntley, Illinois which is located just west of Chicago along the Northwest toll way. Visiting the Prime Outlet Mall in Huntley would give you the added opportunity to visit the IKEA store and The Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois.

10. I will attempt to avoid the crowds at all costs.
Shopping earlier during the day or first thing Saturday morning will help avoid some of the crowd during the week and those late risers on Saturday or Sunday. Or if you like shop later in the evening, most stores will have extended holiday hours. Most people like to be at home by this time. This can work in your favor. There are fewer crowds in the evening. But remember to be safe.

Note: You, could of course, just do your shopping online but then that takes all of the “fun” out of the whole holiday shopping experience.

Visit RC Williams’ favorite site, Mypersonalcityshopper.com for Chicago shopping, the magnificent mile , Chicago State Street and other Chicago tourist information designed for the downtown Chicago shopper.

If you live in the Chicago area and you are interested in getting some landscaping, Chicago native plants are your best choices. If you choose native plants you will find that your garden or yard will be much easier to take care of as time wears on. At first working in the yard may not seem like a big deal but you may get sick of it when the bloom wears off the rose, no pun intended. This is normal, we start to take our yards for granted and it is not so much fun to ..

Source: plants

Veggie Fest 2008 – Its a 2 day festival featuring cooking demonstrations, 40 vegetarian food venders and exhibitors, and discusssions on heathful living.  11 am – 6 pm Saturday at the Science of Spirituality Center, 4S175 Naperville Rd., Napterville.  For more information, call 800-222-2207

Windy City Chili Cookoff – Cooks compete for the best chili in salsa, chili verde, and traditional categories as part of the Retro on Roscoe ..

Source: Food