Chicago tips

Next Christmas...

services

and most days preceding it, you should consider Fed-Ex Ground for shipping.  It must not be well-known but there's an official Fed-Ex station on Division just west of Halsted and south of Division on Hooker St.  For the last two Xmas holidays there have been no lines and there's no parking problem either since there's a small parking lot adjoining the building.

Some Fed-Ex hints:

1) Fed-Ex Ground seems to be faster than either UPS or the U.S. Post office and cheaper or comparable in terms of rates.

2) Use of those seductive Fed-Ex post boxes normally incurs approximately $10 in fees over and above regular shipping charges.  You can beat this either by using the Fed-Ex/Kinko's stores or the station on Hooker mentioned previously.  Also, if you have a Fed-Ex account the surcharge disappears altogether.  There's no charge for opening up an account which enables use of your credit card for billing.

3) I've found that Fed-Ex employees are not particularly deft at figuring out the charges accurately.  If you have an account though, all the mystery disappears since the computer is smart enough to provide correct answers.

Hours at the Hooker station, actually listed on the web as 875 W. Division are user-friendly. They are 8AM-9:30PM daily and 8AM-5PM on Saturdays.  No actual shipping on Saturday, though.

Phone Fed-Ex at 1.800.463.3339 or try the website www.fedex.com.

Olympic Store Fixtures Has A Huge Inventory

services, shopping

I've passed this place numerous times on my way to Midway Airport and today I stopped for a visit.  Olympic is a family business that's been around over 30 years;  father Tony and mother Vicky are joined by their daughter and son Harriet and Tony.  All seem to know their business "cold."

Harriet says that Olympic has the greatest variety of commercial equipment in the city.  They can  order from all manufacturers.  I noted many brands of those currently cool commercial stoves but all kinds of kitchen machinery (coffee systems, hot dog grills, french fryers, slicers and some mystery machines are just a sampling of items on view) are readily available.  Reconditioned equipment is carried as well and is fully warrantied.

If your mom's kitchen is always "open" here's the place to find a pretty reasonable electric sign that says so.

Clients include small restaurants just starting out as well as large chains, hotels, fast food places, churches, schools, etc.  Any home cook with a desire for a tortilla container or an amazingly substantial looking self cleaning stainless garlic press (just $10!) can find it here.  Every kitchen tool I could imagine is in stock along with multitudes of pans.  There are great ones for baking muffins in quantity.

Olympic has become known mostly through word of mouth.  Employees speak Spanish and Greek, both helpful in today's restaurant world.  English too, of course.

You might want to check out www.olympicstorefixtures.com but I recommend a personal visit as a lot more satisfying.

Hours are weekdays only from 8AM-6PM.  Olympic is at 4758 South Cicero Av.  Call 773.585.3755  for more specific info and prices.

Major Recycling Available On Goose Island

services

At the Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch, the city provides a recycling center for the following:  antifreeze, used motor oil, old gasoline, oil-based paints, paint thinners, aerosol paints, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, lawn chemicals, solvents, drain cleaners, cleaning products, pool chemicals, hobby chemicals, mercury, fluorescent lamps & bulbs, computers and cell phones.

Special collection days in the spring and fall will also accept out of date and unused prescription and over-the counter drugs, lawnmowers and outmoded gas cans.

Maybe you have other stuff you're concerned about.  If so, call 311 for more info. or try visiting the city's kinda complex website, www.cityofchicago.org.

Hours for the facility which is 2 blocks east of the Kennedy Expressway at Division Street are:

Tuesdays, 7AM-12PM; Thursdays, 2PM-7PM and the first Saturday of every month, 8AM-3PM.

Monkey Model A Hot Property

architecture, photography, services

I'd be a bit embarrassed if I'd used this theoretically riveting model to discover that others got there first. 

Can't resist pointing out that the September issue of Chicago magazine and the hot off the press CB2 catalog appear to have used the same off-beat primate on their new covers.

A Chicago employe said (proudly, so I didn't have the heart to tell her of the coincidence) that it's a baby white faced Capuchin monkey obtained for the photo shoot from www.animal rentals.com.

It's definitely an uncool way to launch the important fall season in this large (but small) town.

However Chicago has a needed article on new architecturally notable Chicago buildings.  I'm especially fond of Ralph Johnson's The Contemporaine at 516 N. Wells.  It's worth going out of your way a bit to see this innovative apartment building.

Also terrific is the highly visible Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies addition at 618 South Michigan designed by Krueck & Sexton.  The glass facade manages complex simplicity masterfully.

CB2 which I greatly prefer to its' more stodgy Crate & Barrel parent will launch a New York City (Soho) store in September.  They've a swell new furniture shipping plan with reasonable flat rate charges.

Suzanne Cummings Flowers Are Truly Special

services, shopping
I've had my eye on this handsome shop window for a number of weeks now and was really delighted to visit recently.  Suzanne Cummings Flowers has been open since October, but it's not immediately apparent, tucked away in a place you might not expect to find commerce.   It's  just across from Oz Park and around the corner and west of Lincoln Av. at 630  W. Webster.

The space is pristine and so are the floral arrangements.  They're elegant in a kind of Oriental understated way.  Most flowers are imported directly from Holland, so they're quite unique.  I found myself eager for an occasion to send these elegant groupings to a deserving friend.  Understated containers are available for purchase separately or of course, with flora.

Suzanne trained with the highly regarded London florist, Jane Packer, whose client list once included Princess Diana.  Peek into the websites of both for additional insight.  www.suzannecummingsflowers.com  and just google jane.

The shop may be rented for special events.  It includes an efficient kitchen along with convenient "rollaway" store fixtures designed to facilitate enlargement of the space.  It had a recent mention in Shelter magazine.

Victor, the store assistant pointed out "party roses" as being particularly popular.  They're a deep pink and white and actually appear to be striped with paint at first glance.

There's a new art exhibit every 6-8 weeks as a kind of frosting on the cake.

Visit Suzanne Cummings asap.  You'll be as delighted as I am.

Chicago Greeters Are On The Job

I've been travelling a lot lately with horrific stories to tell about cancelled flights, lost luggage, etc.
I'll spare you that and instead tell you about something cheerier.

Once again I was keeping an eagle eye on the luggage carrousel at OHare when I spied a hopeful sign right there in the middle, indicating that a group called Chicago Greeters is on the job to help visitors.  The Chicago Office of Tourism sponsors this free service which offers two to four hour visits to various neighborhoods.

Many volunteer greeters have expertise in particular neighborhoods or field of interest and the group asks that you or your visitor fill out an online form to enable them to give you the best match for your request.  You may include 1-6 people per visit.

Check out their website, www.chicagogreeter.com and do the following:  click on "Greeter Visitor Registration" in the right hand column;  then click on the purple oval that says "Visitor Registration Click Here".  (shortcuts for info).

There is also a last minute weekend visit available.  Click on "InstaGreeter", also in the right hand column.  As you know, Chicago loves visitors and this is a swell way to connect.

Correction Re Cell Phones And Do Not Call Registry

services

Despite internet rumors, (including mine, now deleted,) cell phone numbers will not be released to telemarketers. FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automatic dialers to call cell phones.

You may, if you wish register your cell or any other phone you'd like to restrict from phone solicitations.  Call 888.382.1222 and follow the civilized sounding voice prompts.  If you want to list a phone number you must call the registry from that number.

In the case of some phones you may have to do this online. Access  www.donotcall.gov.  After you complete their form you'll receive an email.  When you open the email, which you must do within 72 hours, be sure to click on the link provided to complete your registration.  There's additional info on the site that will answer other questions you may have.

I just did this by phone and via the web.  Both methods are easy.  As the voice indicates, this service will continue for 5 years from the time you register a phone number.  If you're moving, there are instructions for that also.

There is only one do not call registry for all telephones and there is no deadline for registration.

Sorry for leading you astray previously!

Now Open: Swell Recycling Drop Off Center

services

There's a new city drop off center for a host of recyclables.  (We're not sure if the city's "blue bag" system is a) working or b) working well so this seems like a credible alternative.  It's on Goose Island at 1150 N. Branch.

You can bring a large variety of stuff here including plastic containers #1-5 and 7, glass, aluminum cans, oil based and aerosol paints, solvents, phone books, newspapers and magazines, computers, cell phones and more.  No garbage or yard waste, though.

Hours of operation are Tuesday from 7AM-12noon, Thursday from 2PM-7PM and the first Saturday of the month from 8AM-3PM.  1150 N. Branch ( a few blocks west of Halsted and south of Division).

Learn To Knit Now. It's Free, Too!

current calendar, services

The city has risen to the occasion once more and is offering many creative ways to surmount the winter blahs.  They've come up with a program called The Stitching Salon (large sign in view), right across from the Cultural Center at 72 E. Randolph. 

I learned to knit many years ago from my grandmother, but my crochet lessons were aborted too soon.  I yearn to crochet something bizarre from metal wire but am stumped until I actually learn to crochet more than just a flat old piece.  I called the city for help and they urged me to stop by the "salon".  Chances are, they said, someone with expertise will be on site to demistify the crochet hook just for me.

Of course they teach knitting and other sewing arts as well.  It's akin to an old fashioned sewing bee resurrected for 21st Century life. 

You may be aware that knitting has become newly fashionable of late. Yarn stores have responded with an array of exotic yarns of all kinds.  Explore the workshop, "Knitting With The Experts" for both basic and advanced techniques.  New projects are offered weekly.  It's on Wednesdays from 6-8PM.

The Stitching Salon was initially scheduled to close at the end of February but it's been such a phenomenal success that it's been extended through March 31 says my friend Barbara Manning, a true fiber afficionado.

She and I attended opening day in January, a festive and lively affair.  Artists such as Pate (pron. Paddy) Conaway and Danny Mansmith held forth on their current and past projects.  Pate was encouraging a woman who was knitting plastic bag material with the aid of enormous knitting needles and Danny stood alongside an exhibit of his stitching projects which I though especially inventive.  He was wearing cut off jeans with long wide-legged fabric added.  When Barbara remarked on his garment,  he revealed he'd used the reverse side of faux snakeskin for the unusual effect.

The exhibit remains as a backdrop for salon activities.

Try this website www.winterdelights.com to access info on other activities of all kinds or call 312.744.2400 and ask for "Stitching Salon", specifically or whatever other field you're looking for.

The Stitching Salon, 72 E. Randolph.  Monday-Friday, 10AM-6PM;  Saturday, 9AM-5
PM;  Sunday, 10AM-6PM.

Seduced And Abandoned By The CTA

services, travel

For many, many years I have blithely taken the subway and the "L" from the Fullerton station.  Downtown to the loop via both the red and the brown lines;  the orange and blue lines (eventually) to Midway and O'Hare.  The system was pretty darned good.  Dumbly, I assumed it would always work.

There was indeed fair warning.  Construction was on the horizon to expand the brown line to accommodate the ever burgeoning population adjoining those tracks.  Two more cars were needed.  Fair enough I figured.

BUT, I didn't reckon on the horrific clout and dishonesty of the CTA as well as the very long term construction.  I have alternatives (I guess)  but what about those who don't?

A number of years ago there was a definite clue in the form of a fake democracy.  Community meetings were announced and held.  These proved to be nothing but a chance for people to think they had input but mainly it was to let the CTA tell us what they were going to do regardless of what anyone had to say.

The Fullerton station (the one I use most) was going to be expanded to a ridiculous length and breadth:  a whole block long and very wide, encroaching on land to the east since it was impossible to build further west.  That's because DePaul University had built a parking lot smack up against the existing tracks, despite an agreement they'd had with nearby residents to advise them of any such plans in advance.  This seemed an odd coincidence.  Is it relevant that Mayor Daley is a DePaul graduate?

Some architects and interested neighbors investigated and discovered that the proposed huge size of the project was not necessary to fulfill the need for handicapped accessibility, as claimed. They took some pains to show this to the CTA.  Then they were ignored.

Recently I heard on the radio that there was going to be full tilt construction of the Fullerton station beginning in April and that commuting time would be doubled to one hour from a half hour at that time and continuing on for an indeterminate time.  One hour to travel 24 blocks south??? The whole project is scheduled for completion in 2009!

Sneakily the construction already begun was wreaking havoc with commuting well in advance of the announced delays.  There were numerous "cracked tracks" somewhere along the route, and "electrical outages" necessitating delays, when such occurrences were almost non-existent previously.  Surprise, surprise!  Other mysterious problems, causing additional delays grew more frequent.

You can visit the CTA's website at www.transitchicago.com and find out some things.  Of course it's the CTA's PR program at work.  You can actually discover some existing changes and advance plans which I'll admit does help. Such as the fact that both the Montrose and Addison stations are currently closed and will be for some time.

I love the suggestion to "frequent local businesses" when they're engulfed in scaffolding and construction materials.  If those aren't business killers I don't know what is.  Solving such a dilemma is a real challenge.

So here's my question.  Why all the dishonesty?  Sure commuters were going to suffer, but why not be honest about what was going on and why not try to minimize the scope of the project when it was entirely doable?  Was there fear of an uprising, a revolt?  Why must the CTA be run like a fiefdom?

If anyone has some good answers, lots of people would like to hear them.