Elmwood is Italian more than anything else. But also some Polish and Irish.

All right I got a place lined up, it's near the Gold Coast. It's a little pricey but nice. It's also on a month-by-month basis so I can actively look for a place that's not so expensive if I want. But this location seems so convenient that if I like it enough I might go ahead and get the year lease (the rent is cheaper if you get a year lease). What do you guys think of the Gold Coast area? My place is actually about 2000 feet in from the shore, north of what's labeled the Near North Side on the Google map, and southwest of what's labeled Old Town.

From what I know about the near north side and the Gold Coast area, you could do A LOT worse, Ivan. Sounds like you did pretty well. Nice job. Stay away from the south & west sides - they are the places where most of the shootings/gang stuff has been going on.

It's right on the border between Old Town and Gold Coast. Moving in on November 16, looking forward to it!

All right people I made it. Been here for three weeks today. I love it so far!

Have you been baptized properly with a Chicago Style Hot Dog yet? Hint: Don't ask for ketchup! Hope the move went well, Ivan... Welcome!

Not yet but that is a capital idea Mark! I've been working pretty much constantly since I got here, the plan being to make as much money as I can and then take a couple warm weather months off to really explore the city. So I haven't done a lot of fun stuff yet.

(Don't worry, I know about the ketchup thing... you want tomato flavor, you get diced tomatoes on it. I was warned about this ages ago.)

Where should I go for a good Chicago hot dog? I'm in the Gold Coast.

Not diced tomatoes - you get a tomato wedge

Personally, this is my choice:
http://jimsoriginal.com/jimsoriginal/Welcome/

In Berwyn:
bigguyssausage.com
is great as well


There is a Jim's by the UIC campus off Roosevelt.

You can't go wrong at

goldcoastdogs.com

Stay away from Hot Doug's - VERY hipster and not worth the hype. They have all kinds of weird stuff like ostrich sausage, etc...

That looks great, thanks. I got a month CTA pass so I can go wherever I want whenever I want up through about Christmas real easy.



I went to that site. It's some artist who arranges flowers.

Was that a joke, or did you give me the wrong URL by mistake?

Sorry, Ivan my bad...

goldcoastdogs.net

Looks great, thanks for the info!

Just saw a WTTW special about Marshall Field's Christmas Window displays back in the day. What a great bunch of memories that brought back. Uncle Mistletoe, Aunt Holly, Freddy Field Mouse... Darn you Macy's! You will never be Field's!

Rest in Peace...

Dominick's Grocery Stores. Another Chicago institution ripped from us.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/12/27/final-curtain-falls-on-most-dominicks-stores/

Anybody catch the new 6-part series on CNN called "Chicagoland"?

I saw the first episode and highly recommend it.

It mainly covers the the mayor, schools closing, shootings, violence, teacher's strike, etc.

They also mix in a bit of sports, culture and the city in general. Good stuff.

How do you folks put up with that horrible weather? The Hawk!

2nd snowiest winter on record!

Yeah this winter has been cruel and unforgivin. I have a little town of snow men in my grandparents backyard, my daughter couldnt get enough of it and I think thats the only thing I enjoyed about it. No kidding a little town!!!!

WGN AM 720 to end Cubs radio broadcasts after 90 years. WBBM AM 780 will start 2015 season as new Cubs radio home.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-cubs-radio-wgn-wbbm-20140603,0,2270841.story

For all you Chicagoland guys... you can listen to Jonathon Brandmeier from 6 to 10 am on WGN.FM... and don't forget my guy Garry Meier from 3 to 7 pm! Sorry, no Kevin Matthews or Steve Dahl! Lol! WGN.FM is the new streaming online station from WGN.

Mark you hear Marco's beef closed down? I remember you mentioning that place.

Yeah, I heard they sold it? Or is it closed down for good? You talking about the one in Beverly owned by the Greeks, right?

Yep, that's the one. Closed for good, some bullshit Mexican place is opening up there.

What a shame. "Now dat was good beef saingwich!"

Dan Mac Neil is done at WSCR - The Score. A sad day for Chicago Sports Talk fans...

Here is a great site for all you Chicago guys who want to check out old stores,restaurants,businesses, etc. Guaranteed to bring back some memories...

craigslostchicago.com

The new FM sports talk station in Chicago is shutting down at the end of the year. The hosts find out about it via Twitter while they are on the air! Nobody from management even bothers to tell them! Epic failure in communication from a radio station no less!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUkpQuq2uzE

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/dee-sniders-rock-and-roll-christmas-tale/6754/?src=lt
Dee Snider's Christmas musical is doing pretty good in the Windy City. He has been doing a lot of press and personal appearances. He shot the puck at a Blackhawks game for charity and lit the Christmas tree downtown today. Not bad for a guy from Queens, NY.

Anybody remember Bill Jackson from channel 32? He is alive and well and has a great website spotlighting some great Chicago television for kids in the 70's. Part of my childhood memories...

http://dirtydragon.com