Around Chicago and the South Loop

Holiday Shopping Jump-Start
Clear, cool weather brought the shoppers out along Michigan Ave. today. It's still a little early for the holiday shopping to be in full swing, but you'd be hard-pressed to think otherwise. The only thing missing was the snow.

I Need a Kiss
The video below is of the crowds at Water Tower Place, including the horse-drawn carriages which were out in full force. And man, the Hershey's Chocolate store was packed!

The South Loop's Stonehenge

The Magnificent Mile was bustling with shoppers this afternoon. Take a walk south on Michigan Ave. and check out the crowds; maybe you're among them. Then again, you might see someone you know "walking the mile."

The Orange Line L train at Wabash and Congress

The Psychology of Packing a Suitcase

by Jackie Walker

Vacations Should be Fun!
Vacations are a time to relax and get away from your day-to-day routine. Yet many of my clients seem to attach more stress to the process of planning their wardrobe for these occasions. Do you spend time thinking about what to wear? Do you then go shopping and search for the desired items?  More time is spent figuring out how to pack everything in those suitcases. What should you check and what goes in the overhead compartment? What should you wear on the plane?

STOP! All of this planning is done out of FEAR. You FANTASIZE that you will not have the right items for the EXPERIENCE. It APPEARS REAL. Here are some great ideas to make your time away from home fun rather than frustrating.

1. First, draw a circle. Above the circle write your destination and amount of days you will be traveling. List your activities.

2. Divide the circle into a pie chart listing your activities by percentages of time. List the clothing needed for these activities. For example, if you are going on a five-day cruise chart it this way.

• Formal wear  (one night)              10% of my circle
• Bathing suits                               15% of my circle
• Exercise Items                            15% of my circle
• Real casual, shorts, tees, etc.       40% of my circle
• Upscale casual                            20% of my circle

3. Select four colors to use as a base. One color is a basic such as black, navy, or brown. The second color is a neutral such as white or cream. The other two colors are your choice. Perhaps red and olive can be the other two. No matter what colors you chose all four work beautifully as solids, prints, and florals.

4. List the following classifications you wear above the waist.

• Jackets
• Blouses
• Shirts
• Tees
• Sweaters

5. List the following classifications you wear below the waist.

• Pants
• Skirts
• Shorts

6. Select the desired items in your personal colors and make sure they all mix and match.

7. Take three to four pairs of shoes in one of the base colors: black, navy, or your choice. One should be a flat casual, the other an upscale casua,l and the third a dressy fabric. Wear the bulkiest shoe (athletic shoe?) on the plane to keep the space in your suitcase.

8. Select a handbag that is versatile and slip a dressy one in your case.

9. Prior to your trip lay all the items out in full view on your bed. Rehearse your options and pack your suitcase according to your trip circle. (see above) Ten per cent of the suitcase should be in formalwear. This could be one dressy dress or dressy top and pants. Fifteen per cent should be bathing suits. Two suits and a cover-up that could also go out at night as a shawl are ideal. Now you get the concept.

10. Always pack your cosmetics and essentials in a separate bag that goes with you on the plane.

Once you zip that bag shut you are on your way. You will have closet confidence in that hotel or cruise ship closet. Instead of a ton of outfits you will have a ton of options. You will be making new outfits right there on vacation by using the same pieces in effective ways. As you shop on that vacation--our favorite sport--pick up a couple of pieces in your core colors and you will create six to seven new looks as you travel along the way.

No Fear
No More FEAR! No more fantasizing that you will not have the item for the experience. I leave you with five thoughts.

1. Plan ahead-Use the Circle
2. Select items not outfits
3. Rehearse your Options
4. Pack
5. Have Fun!

If you have any questions, you may ask it here, or e-mail the author at jax6014@aol.com or visit her Web site.

Jackie Walker is the author of the best-selling book I Don't Have a Thing to Wear: The Psychology of Your Closet. She is also the vice president of the PDNA here in the South Loop.

South Loop Connection Roundup

Animal Wellness Center: Working Hard to Open
According to Dr. Steven Andres, the South State-N-16th Animal Wellness Center, 1601 S. State St., he's still hoping to open some time this month. Contractors are currently working to build out the space.

The "White City" surrounds the Court of Honor

The Devil in the White City Finally Coming to the Big Screen?
Yesterday's RedEye reported that Leonardo DiCaprio was set to play serial killer H.H. Holmes. According to Internet Movie Database.com (IMDb), there were plans for movie versions of Eric Larson's nonfiction bestseller set for release in 2011 and 2013 respectively. RedEye also reported that DiCaprio was signed on as a producer. Perhaps his clout will ensure that this film will finally be made. We can't wait to see the recreation of the 1893 World's Fair on the big screen.

Discover Some New Italian Wines
This Friday, South Loop Wine Cellar, 1442 S. Michigan Ave., will be featuring "Italian varietals you probably haven't tried." The wine-tasting is 7-9 p.m. Cost is $5 (wine club members free).

A Midsummer Night's Dream opens at the Civic Opera House
The Lyric Opera of Chicago takes on the Shakespeare-inspired opera. Catch a free pre-opera lecture an hour before each performance. Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $66 - $207. 20 N. Wacker Drive, (312) 332-2244, www.lyricopera.org. Listen to a brief mp3 preview by Sir Andrew Davis.

Historic South Loop Trolley Tour

Take a trolley tour of  the South Loop Sunday afternoon, December 5. South Loop Neighbors (SLN) president Dennis McClendon, is one of the area’s most knowledgeable residents. He will give two, one and a half hour tours at 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. departing from in front of Dearborn Station. McClendon will cover the history and architecture of the whole South Loop. As an extra added attraction, Bar Louie at the Dearborn Station will be giving all trolley tour participants 20 percent off any food purchases that day!

Dearborn Station 47 W. Polk St.

Chicago Code To Debut in February
Fox TV will debut Chicago Code (formerly known as Ride-Along) on February 7, 2011 at 9 p.m., the day after the Super Bowl. The show filming around Chicago, stars Jennifer Beals and Jason Clarke.

Jennifer Beals  plays superintendent Teresa Colvin and Jason Clarke plays Chicago detective Jarek Wysocki in Fox TV's new police drama Chicago Code.

Around the South Loop

A lot has been going on in the South Loop. Most recently the road work on State St. and now S. Indiana Ave. The work on S. Indiana is expected to continue until November 14. Repair work on S. Indiana is a long time coming for some of us.

Parking is tough enough in the South Loop.

Take a walk with me as I go north on S. Indiana toward 16th St., on my way to work.

New South Loop restaurant, Ole' Hardwood is now open for lunch: yum!

Check out the view of the Orange Line train leaving the Roosevelt Rd. train platform heading for Midway. This is a familiar sight for hundreds of South Loop commuters.

Workers replace the lamppost at 1601 S. Michigan Ave. that was knocked down during last week's high winds.

Ald. Bob Fioretti Announces Withdrawal from Mayor's Race Due to Cancer

It's official: Alderman Fioretti will not be running for mayor, but will still run for re-election in the second ward. His prognosis is good and he will begin radiation and chemotherapy treatments the week of Thanksgiving. For the full story, click here.

We wish the alderman all the best for a quick and full recovery.

Fioretti to Release Statement Today

Second Ward Alderman, Robert Fioretti

Second Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti will release a statement today regarding his cancer prognosis. I heard today from a reliable source that he doesn't have throat cancer, but that he had a cancerous tonsil, which was removed. 

In yesterday's Sun-Times and other media outlets (including this blog), it was reported that Fioretti had throat cancer. Some media outlets have changed their Web posts to just say "cancer" without being specific, while a check of other news outlets today are still reporting  that he has throat cancer.

Fioretti Has Cancer, Won't Run for Mayor

 Today's Chicago Sun-Times and other media outlets are reporting that 2 Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti has cancer. The treatment, reported to take two months, will make it impossible for Fioretti to run for mayor of Chicago. However, he is planning to run for reelection as alderman.



Alderman Fioretti (center) at the GSLA's Fall Classic last month



Fioretti, 57, postponed his entry into the mayoral race due to an emergency tonsillectomy, first reported as routine and "inflammation of one tonsil." As a run-up to his bid for mayor, Fioretti was planning to run on a platform of hiring 1000 new police officers and turning the east building at McCormick Place into a temporary casino.