Notebook: Chicago

3:39:16 PM CST

  The first Salvation Army bell ringers were spotted outside of Water Tower today. That officially signals the beginning of the Christmas season... or at least the Thanksgiving season. Well, we'll just call it "The Holidays."

It's jingle time!

In other news, the Farmer's Almanac is predicting a mild winter in the midwest. Obviously, Mr. Farmer (if that is his real name) wasn't walking to and from the train this week. The only thing more disheartening than how cold it was this week was the thought that this is only the beginning. Oh well. See you in May.

 

     

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1:43:46 PM CST

  WOOD'S WEEKEND

What I will (and won't) be doing this weekend:

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Procession (Starts Saturday): I guess this means that winter is finally upon us (as if the 20-degree weather and snow weren't enough). The lights are actually already up -- and go on for the first time tonight. But bring the kids on Saturday, so they can see the Disney characters and the petting zoo and you can buy them that new (insert name of hot holiday toy here) so they'll quit whining. Me, I have no kids. And I work about 20 feet away from the Mag Mile. I think I'll probably skip this one.

'Ice Harvest' (in theaters Friday): I caught a sneak preview of this, and my initial thought upon leaving the theater was, "Why did they need to make this?" I mean, John Cusack has had this role before (more or less in 'Grosse Pointe Blank,' although he was more of a killer and less of a scumbag). BB Thornton was good, but he's done this schtick before. And really, tell me he's not still trying to capitalize on 'Bad Santa.' (I'm not hatin', I'm just sayin'... ). No, the real reason to watch this movie is that Eddie Sherman from Seinfeld is in it. Do you remember Eddie Sherman? Only the real die hard Seinfeld fans will. (I'll give you a hint: "It's tough keeping your feet dry when you're kicking in a skull." Well, I'm not married to it.)
Anyway, I'll give the movie a straight C. It's not a bad movie -- but, again, why even bother?

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, United Center (Through Nov. 27): Yeah, I'm not really going to the circus, but figured it would be a great segue into another Baby Bulls diatribe.
This is the time of year when both the Bulls and Hawks have to be out of town for a few weeks because the circus is in town. And it's usually the time the Bulls self-destruct and ruin their season (making it an especially joyous time for myself). Let's check the record, shall we? The TerraBulls are 1-37 over the last six years while on the Circus Trip. Add two more losses this year (and another four on the way), although I really thought they were gonna pull it out last night. Yes, the Comeback Cows were at it again, going down 20 early on before coming back to take the lead. But I guess Sebastian Telfair and Joel Przybilla were a little too much down the stretch as the Trail Blazers won by 3. Maybe next time, boys.

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2:34:31 PM CST

  Plusses and minuses from last night's Kanye West concert at UIC Pavilion:

Plus: The show didn't start until late, therefore allowing our party to take full advantage of the UIC scene (and watch the first half of the big Kentucky-Lipscomb game at Hawkeye's Bar and Grill. Go Bison!)
Minus: We missed part of the show after some friggin' security guard wouldn't let a member of our party in because she was "obviously intoxicated" and "blinking too much." (She was neither. This is a story for another day. I digress.)

Plus: I was alerted that the bouncer at Hawkeye's was "David" from a previous season of 'The Real World.'
Minus: Who cares?

Minus: Hawkeyes is really far away from the Pavilion. Isn't this supposed to be the place to hang out before shows?
Plus: The, um, pitchers are really big... I guess.

Plus: Kanye had a full orchestra on stage the entire time. Very good stuff.
Minus: He didn't come out for an encore. What's up with that? (And why didn't everyone demand one. It's like everyone just got up and left and the lights came on. Is there some sort of etiquette for this that I'm missing? Did he give some international signal for "I'm not coming back out" that I didn't see? I just don't get it.)

Minus: It was toodark for the friggin'Treo camera to work in the arena.

OK, squint your eyes real small and
focus on the center of the stage. See
that little white blob? Yeah, that's Kanye.

Plus: I did get a picture of some really hot chick at Hawkeye's. I think she's an exotic dancer or something (OK, maybe not).

Keep on dancin'.

Plus: Kanye brought out Common for an extended set.
Minus: Jay-Z didn't make a surprise appearance. In my dream, Hova shocks everyone (including Kanye) by coming out and doing 'Diamonds from Sierra Leone', then calls me on stage for a rousing rendition of 'Big Pimpin' (but not in a sexual way -- more of a, "Hey Wood, you're my boy" sort of way.) It didn't happen.

     

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2:53:36 PM CST

  This Saturday, Marshall Field's launches their annual Holiday Window Display. The Great Tree in the Walnut Room will be unveiled, and Santa and Cinderella (weird, but let's just roll with it) will be there to host the festivities. I mention all of this, because this may be the last year MARSHALL FIELD'S has this tradition, since the name is supposed to change to Macy's sometime in 2006. There may be a Macy's holiday window display, but will it really be the same?

When I was growing up, my parents would drive into Chicago from Rockford every holiday season just so we could visit the State Street Field's window display, sit near the tree in the Walnut Room for lunch, and then devour a Frango mint candy bar afterwards. Marshall Field's is where I bought my wedding dress, registered for my wedding gifts and spent many a lunch hour wandering up and down the escalators. My mom called me the other day to request that I buy her a Marshall Field's Christmas ornament this year -- it's all she wants for Christmas to remember the store she, too, grew up with. I know my mom and I are not the only Chicagoans who are sad to see the store's name change. Share your thoughts here -- we can all vent together.

       

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11:38:05 AM CST

  WOOD'S WEEKEND

What I will (and won't) be doing this weekend:

Awesome 80s Prom, RadioStar (ongoing): This new interactive play is, like, totally the place to be. But really, what is our obsession with the '80s? Was it really that cool of a decade? No. Do we just like to make fun of it? Maybe. Are we just nostalgic for years past and wish we could go back in time? Probably. But it doesn't mean we have to try to relive it all the time.
Now, a play about the '90s, I could go for that. Besides, I totally miss grunge ... and the Evil O.J. Simpson ... and ... M.C. Hammer? OK, never mind.

Marshall Field's State Street Holiday Window Display, 111 N. State (starts Saturday): So, there's the traditional "Great Tree" and this year there's a big Cinderella spread and you can get an early start on holiday shopping. Um, yeah, just wake me up when it's December.

'Pride and Prejudice' (opens Friday): So, I had a pass to the preview of this last night. But instead I snuck into 'Two For the Money,' the sports gambling flick with Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey. What can I say about this movie, other than it gave me the feeling that I was watching a chick flick about betting on football. That's not a good combination.
On a positive note, there were a few good "Wooderson" moments for McConaughey -- like when he finds out the chick he's hitting on (Rene Russo) is Pacino's wife and says, "Oh, bogey." Or when he's explaining what he does to some guy on the street by telling him what his license plate is: "It's 900, K-I-N-G." Classic. Almost worth seeing, just for those two lines.
But the whole premise is just a little too far-fetched. I mean, the thing about gambling is you're eventually gonna lose. Period. That's just the way it is. And I have to question the Pacino character's choice of profession. If you were a gambling addict, maybe opening a 900 number for football picks might not be the best line of work. Can you say, "backslide"?
By the way -- and this really shouldn't even have to be said -- I will not be going to see 'Pride and Prejudice.'

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1:22:16 PM CST

  While walking to lunch today, I happened upon a strange scene at the Viagra Triangle.

       

Who are these people? Are they trying out for the Blue Man Group? Rabid Michigan football fans? (Oh wait, that's me.) Auditioning for the role of Violet Beauregarde? Members of the Tobias Funke Fan Club?

Nope. It turns out they're promoting a "Talk until you're blue in the face" program from a heretofore unnamed cell phone carrier. (Far be it for us to shamelessly promote a wireless communications company... )

     

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1:45:25 PM CST

  Hey club kids, there's a hip, new spot west of the Loop in Restaurant Row on Randolph Street called Saltaus that you really shouldn't miss. I had the pleasure of attending their opening party and was fairly impressed with the scene. The warm, light wood decor reminds me a little bit of neighboring avec, except that Saltaus is rather roomier, with a large bar taking up much of the space on the first floor, and a wide open lounge area taking up the second floor. There's a swanky VIP room upstairs, and a small bar in the back.

The name "Saltaus" comes from a merge of the two owners' names: Michael Taus, also chef of Zealous, and restaurant newcomer Nadir Salti. Get it? Salti + Taus = Saltaus.

This is definitely a great place to hang out over some cocktails, but don't miss out on the menu. The grilled lamb burger is quite frankly one of the tastiest little morsels I've ever eaten. The wild mushroom and scallion dumpling (pictured) is quite delicious, as well.

For more hot openings, check out our list of new restaurants.

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2:06:48 PM CST

  WOOD'S WEEKEND

What I will (and won't) be doing this weekend:

Digable Planets, Park West (Friday): I must admit, it has been too long since I've been to any show. And these guys are (allegedly) one of the best live acts around. Some say they stole the show (or, at least more than their fair share of the show) at Lollapalooza this summer. Their names are Ladybug, Butterfly and Doodlebug. Can you tell which one is the dude? Neither can I, but they still rock.

Mix Master Mike, Joe's (Friday): Come on, Mix Master. You're better than this. For the love of god, you made the Beastie Boys who they are today. Can't you find a better venue to play than friggin' Joe's on Weed? Somebody please tell me he's not opening up for the midget AC/DC band...

Dance Chicago 2005 -- Opening Weekend, Athenaeum Theatre (Sunday): OK, try as I may, I just can't think of anything snarky to say about this. Does that mean I have to go?

Bulls vs. Spurs, United Center (Monday): After watching my beloved Pistons systematically dismantle the 76ers in last night's season opener, I switched over to the Bulls getting demolished at home by the second-year Charlotte Bobcats. Then the Bulls made an amazing fourth-quarter comeback from 20 points down and ended up winning in overtime. I was even rootingfor them at the end -- well, more specifically, I was rooting for Chris Duhon (my fantasy sleeper pick) to get a triple-double. But close enough.
Anyway, I've got news for you, Bulls fans: The NBA champion Spurs are a bit of a step up from an expansion team with a guy named Primoz Brezec in its starting lineup. This one could get ugly.
Prediction: Spurs 108, Baby Bulls 83 -- but only because the defending champs ease up on 'em in the fourth quarter.

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2:05:48 PM CST

  Have you voted for City's Best yet? That's what I thought. (Do you even know what City's Best is? Then check this out.)

As the voting gets into full swing, there are some key races that could be going down to the wire. One of the best categories is Best Mexican Food. While I'm still disappointed that Taco Burrito Palace #2 didn't get nominated, (a little advice: Stay away from TBP1. Go to #2, which is further south on Halsted, near Fullerton. It has a much better burrito. Don't ask me why. Just do it.) those in the running have a lot to offer.

Right now Frontera Grill is leading the way (not unexpected) -- with Lalo's, Nuevo Leon and Adobo Grill close behind.

But I'm rooting for Cafe El Tapatio, relegated as a dark horse right now. Maybe it's because it was the first restaurant I saw when I moved here (OK, the first restaurant I saw that I actually wanted to try). Or the fact that they've got real Mexican food -- instead of that Tex-Mex/Nuevo Mex/whatever stuff that passes as authentic these days. There's just something about this place that lies close to my heart.

Well, we'll see how this one plays out. There's plenty of time to make your voice heard. Remember, this is Chicago. Feel free to vote early and often.

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3:49:32 PM CDT

  It's a big day for the South Side, as the Sox returned home as World Champions to a victory parade and celebration. Being the baseball fan/historian I am, I couldn't resist a trip to the Loop to check out the parade. Surprisingly, I got a spot right in front on Wacker between Clark and Dearborn.

There was a marching band...

Followed by some crazed fans...

Followed by some cops...

Followed by a cow (didn't they get rid of these guys like three years ago?)...

Followed by a cop in a kilt (only in Chicago)...

And that was it. Apparently, the buses with the team stopped three blocks before us so they could get to the rally. By the time I made my way over, it was so packed you couldn't even get across the bridge. It was just a huge mass of humanity. Imagine if some of these people actually went to the games...

On the way out, I thought I finally got lucky and saw one of the players...

But it turns out it was just some chick in a Scott Podsednik jersey, carrying a homemade sign and a knock-off designer purse. Who knew?

     

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