SVU OFFERING FREE SHUTTLE BUS TO NAVY PIER!!!

SVU will provide a FREE shuttle bus to and from Navy Pier on Friday evening, June 17. The SVU Shuttle Bus will leave the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel at 7:00pm, and leave Navy Pier at 10:30pm to return to the hotel. Don't miss out on this GREAT oppurtunity to spend a Chicago summer night on the lakefront! General Admission is free, but there's so much you can do there to enjoy yourself!

Take a ride on a 15-story Ferris wheel.



Take a 7-minute ride on Navy Pier's prize attraction and see stunning views of Chicago's skyline and lakefront from the 150 foot-high Ferris wheel. The current Ferris wheel was modeled after the very first Ferris wheel, which was built for Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The Pier's Ferris wheel has 40 gondolas, each seating up to 6 passengers. In the evening, the Ferris wheel's 40 spokes, spanning a diameter of 140 feet, are illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights. Ticket prices are $6.00 but check out the combo packages to save money.

18 Hole Miniature Golf Course



Pier Park Miniature Golf course is one of the newer attractions at Navy Pier and gives you a chance to practice your putting skills on an 18-hole Chicago-themed course that courses its way around the base of the Ferris Wheel.

Cruises



Go sail the Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier's resident 148-foot long ship. Several 90-minute cruises are offered throughout the day offering you breath-taking views of the city from Lake Michigan. Windy holds up to 150 passengers per cruise and passengers are encouraged to help raise and trim her 11 sails and often take turns at the ship's wheel. Tall Ship Windy is docked near the west end of Festival Hall, across from RIVA Restaurant (you can't miss it). Cruises are available daytime and evenings from May to October.

Seadog I, II, IV and Extreme



Are you ready for an amazing speedboat experience? Seadogs I, II, and IV offer
30-minute Lakefront Speedboat Rides and 75-minute Architectural Tours along the Chicago River. If you don't mind getting wet and don't get sea sick then you have to ride on the Seadog EXTREME! The EXTREME is a jet-propelled thrill-ride, and is 30% faster. The boat makes 180°-360° spins, slalom runs and sharp twists and turns! All Seadog boat rides depart daily from the Pier’s Dock Street.

Take the Architectural Tour along the Chicago River



View of Chicago River looking East from Michigan Ave.

Trump Tower lies adjacent to the Chicago River.



View of Trump Tower looking up.

Although SVU will be offering a FREE shuttle for Friday, June 17, there will not be a firework show on that day. However, if you're in Chicago early or want to go to Navy Pier after the AC Conference ends, there will be a FREE firework show on Wednesday June 15 at 9:30 pm and Saturday June 18 at 10:15 pm.



For more information on entertainment, ticket combo deals, dining, and shopping. visit www.navypier.com

Stay tuned for my next blog post featuring NFL legend Joe Theismann and his campaign "Find the AAAnswers" as he will be speaking at the AC Conference.

Have a nice Memorial Day Holiday!!!

Mannan V.

Visit Barack Obama's House (sort of)

Barack Obama's house is located in the historic south side neighborhood of Hyde Park. It was in this humble neighborhood where the president lived and taught law at the University of Chicago nearby.



The president's official home address is:
5046 S Greenwood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60615

Unfortunately, the Secret Service keeps tight security around the neighborhood and no one is allowed to drive by the house or even stroll past it.

Despite this, the president's home is now one of the hottest landmarks to visit in Chicago. Some bus companies offer tours of the Hyde Park neighborhood with "stops at Barack Obama's home".

Check out Gray Line Chicago's "South Shore Tour" ($23) for a trip through the president's neighborhood:
Gray Line Bus Tours

There is one particular company that may offer a better view of the president's home. Bobby's Bike Hike is a company that specializes in touring Chicago on bikes. They have several tours that include sightseeing and even eating.

One particular tour they have is the Historic Hyde Park Tour ($45). The tour starts at 8:30am Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and covers about 22 miles worth of biking. Their stops include the University of Chicago campus, Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, and a stop at Barack Obama's house!!!

Even if Barack Obama's house seems unaccessible, many tourists opt for areas the Obama family have been to. Here's the official list of Obama-related sites in Chicago:

Restaurants:
Spiaggia: The restaurant Barack and Michelle Obama went to on Valentine's Day in 2008. Barack's favorite dish is the wood-roasted scallop.
Topolobampo: Awesome restaurant by Top Chef judge Rick Bayless.
R.J. Grunts: A more casual restaurant frequented by the Obamas.
Sepia: Another fine dining restaurant. A favorite of Michelle Obama.
MacArthur's: Fine southern cuisine.

Shop:
57th Street Books: The Obama family spent a lot of time perusing the books in this store. This is also where Barack Obama spent a lot of time studying on Thursdays.
Maria Pinto Boutique: The first lady is frequently seen wearing design's by Chicago's Maria Pinto.

Do:
Promontory Point: The Obama family spent a lot of time along Chicago's famous Lake Shore Drive (the lakefront area of Chicago). In 2005 Barack Obama once mediated a dispute on replacing the limestone slabs at Promontory Point.
Chicago White Sox: The president's favorite baseball team.
University of Chicago: This is where Barack Obama taught constitutional law from 1992-2004. Michelle Obama also worked there as the Vice President of University of Chicago Medical Center.

*****

When you come for the SVU Conference, why not take a presidential side tour while you're here?

Have a great weekend everyone,
Manny :)

Take a Class at The Second City in Chicago

Chicago is home to one of the oldest and best improv comedy clubs in the world, The Second City. Opened in 1959 by a group of students from the University of Chicago, The Second City has long been the training grounds for some of the most successful actors, writers, comedians, and directors in the country.

The Second City is the largest training center for improvisation and acting in the country with 13,000 students a year at schools in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto. Cast members tour all over the world providing entertainment and laughter.


Alumni from The Second City

Some of the most notable alumni from The Second City include Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Bonnie Hunt, Mike Myers, and Stephen Colbert.


Tina Fey talking about her favorite Chicago restaurants.

So when you visit the SVU Conference this year, here are some entertainment options at The Second City.

1) Take a drop-in improv class ($15).

This is for people who know nothing about comedy and just want to have fun and meet new people. This 2-hour class is different than what they have for serious students. No registration is necessary. Just drop by either Sunday 6-8pm or Wednesday 10pm-midnight.

2) Take a walking tour ($15).

Take a humorous and historic walking tour of Chicago’s beautiful Old Town neighborhood. Every Sunday at 1pm and every Wednesday at 4pm.

3) See a show ($16-$22).

Watch a show. June 12th-25th there are shows running every night at 8pm.

*****

For calendar of shows or to buy tickets or reserve a spot on the tour, check out The Second City's website at:
http://www.secondcity.com/

-Manny :)