Illinois I-90 Roadwork Project Almost Done
ELGIN — Illinois Tollway drivers got some good news Tuesday: Work on the mammoth resurfacing project that they’ve had to deal with since the spring is about to be completed.According to a press release, work in the eastbound lanes of the 10-mile section of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) between the Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road was to be finished by early today. Roadwork …
New Destination Guide Website With a Twist
“Travel guides for major tourist destinations are a dime a dozen on the Internet. We focus on the not-so-major destinations… the true undiscovered gems!” says the new website, 511Destinations.com.
511destinations.com is a different kind of travel guide. While most vacation guides on the Internet concentrate on the major tourist destinations, this new website presents smaller market and off the beaten path destinations… with a twist.
Rather than being bombarded with local information to sift thru, each 511destination is a snapshot. Where to stay, eat, go and how to get around are the basics, presented in a clean, well designed layout with eye-catching graphics and great functionality.
What’s more, users are encouraged to build their own destination guide simply by submitting a brief overview. Right now, there are no limits. You can be a proud resident that wants to tell the world about your town, a traveler that’s itching to share a destination they’ve discovered, or a business looking to promote themselves via a little local information.
It’s a great little website loaded with information that you often just can’t find anywhere else. 511destinations.com is also built to accommodate viewing on smartphones and mobile devices!
Behold Hawaiian Beauty at Chicago Botanic Gardens
A Hawaiian orchid
The bitter, Midwestern weather and flat prairie lands of Chicago are probably about as far away as you can get aesthetically to the lush, tropical beauty of Hawaii but this weekend, touches of Hawaiian beauty and culture will be explored at the Chicago Botanic Gardens for the ‘Food Network Magazine and The Hawaiian Islands Weekend” free event on October 1st and 2nd.
Visitors will get the chance to take in the singular beauty of Hawaii flora and botany as well as sample ingredients found only on the Hawaiian Islands. From 10-4PM each day, demonstrations and seminars on a dizzying variety of Hawaiian culture and botany will be supplied. The Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Island will be decked out in all the flowers, plants and fruits of a Hawaiian paradise. Highlights include a poi pounding and making workshop, a lei-making demonstration with fresh orchids and plumeria from Moloka’i, instructions on the ancient art of la au lapa’au or Hawaiian herbal healing, and an in-depth examination of the Hawaiian ahupua’au land division system. The Garden Cafe will also be serving up tastes of the Hawaiian islands including Mauna Loa macadamia nuts, Waialua Estate Cacao and Molaka’i style tisane tea. After visiting Hawaii, switch back to the Midwest with a stop by nearby Prairie Grass Cafe, which focuses on locally grown, seasonal ingredients. Try the sauteed whitefish with lemon, caper and tomato.
Photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden
Travel The Globe at Chicago’s World Music Festival
The Creole Choir of Cuba perform at the Chicago World Music Fest
Visit the Windy City this week and you can grab the added bonus of traveling around the world without any extra cost. The annual Chicago World Music Fest presents rhythms from around the globe , transporting listeners to exotic places like Mali, Cuba, Finland and Egypt. The 13th annual event takes place city-wide in multiple venues including museums. parks, theaters and clubs.
The non-stop melodies run From September 15-22 and feature world renowned artists sharing their music and culture. Today’s finale concerts feature a free Malian independence celebration in Daley Plaza, featuring Malian musician Sidi Toure as well as an all day concert, “One World Under One Roof,” at the Chicago Cultural Center that runs until 11:30 PM. Performers include Hawaiian band Kaumakaiwa Kanaka ‘ole, Finish musicians Frigg, Nawal Quartet from the Comoros Islands , Brock McGuire Band from Ireland and the Creole Choir of Cuba. This all-ages concert is free. After sampling such a diverse musical menu, head over to Rumba Restaurant for diverse cuisine and more live music and dancing. This elegant supper club offers Latin fusion dishes along with live Latin music. Start with Havana crab cakes or empanadas de la rumba and work your way to Caribbean steak or coconut and plantain encrusted sea bass and you’ll be fortified for the all night dancing.
Photo courtesy of Chicago World Music Festival
Construction Near Aurora I-80 Interchange Begins Monday
AURORA — Lane closures on Interstate 80 will begin Monday from about three miles west of the Aurora interchange for about five and a half miles to the east.
Construction Near Aurora I-80 Interchange To Begin Monday
AURORA — Lane closures on Interstate 80 will begin Monday from about three miles west of the Aurora interchange for about five and a half miles to the east.
I-80 Construction in Will County, Illinois No Picnic
Everyone seems to have a back-up route by now. At least locals do.Scot Mangun of New Lenox said he detours on U.S. 6 and Laraway Road.Steve Reynolds of Willowbrook, a driver for FedEx Freight, said he’ll sometimes use Interstate 55 and Arsenal Road. They do all they can to avoid the summer construction on Interstate 80, and they’re joined by many others. But crawling cars still fill up the …
Illinois DOT Announces Construction Work on I-80 Bridge
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IDOT announces construction work on I-80 bridge
Quad-Cities Online Today is Monday, Aug. 15, the 227th day of 2011. There are 138 days left in the year. 1861 — 150 years ago: There will be no agricultural fair in Henry County this year. 1886 — 125 years ago: FW Lang, newly appointed secretary of the Rock Island YMCA … |
I-80 Construction in Illinois No Picnic
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I-80 construction in Will County no picnic
Chicago Sun-Times Traffic moves slowly in a single lane during construction on westbound Interstate 80 near the Wheeler Avenue bridge in Joliet Thursday, August 11, 2011. | Brett Roseman ~ Sun-Times Media Everyone seems to have a back-up route by now. … |
Chicago’s Annual Bud Billiken Parade
Dancers at the Bud Billiken Parade
Chicago hosts scads of Summer events but none quite so legendary as the annual Bud Billiken Parade. A South Side tradition for 82 years, the parade is the nation’s oldest and largest African American parade, second only to the Tournament of Roses in terms of size. Over 1.5 million spectators are expected the parade which runs through the historic Bronzeville corridor on Saturday, August 13.
With entries from 48 states, the Bud Billiken Parade supplies a feast of colors, music and dance for all ages. The parade kicks off at 10AM at 39th and King Drive and features Mayor Rahm Emmanuel as Grand Marshall, R&B star R. Kelly as honorary Grand Marshall and appearances by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Tiana, Disney’s first African American princess and a host of vibrant marching bands, drill teams, majorettes and celebrities. This year’s parade also introduces a gospel festival, which begins at noon in Washington Park. Fest highlights include nationally acclaimed performers Walt Whitman & The Soul Children, The Brown Sisters, The Victory Travelers and a special tribute to Chicago’s late Queen of Gospel, Albertina Walker. After enjoying all the festivities, make a stop to the nearby Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles on 39th and King Drive. A popular neighborhood hot spot, the quaint diner serves up generous portions of soul food favorites including fried chicken, collard greens and chicken with waffles. Don’t miss the omelet stuffed with fried chicken.
Photo courtesy of Bud Billiken Parade