Make no little plans...

"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized." A phrase credited to Daniel Burnham, the architect of Chicago's 1909 Plan of Chicago.

Well, it looks like the city has another renovation plan its considering. In the Tribune, the Chicago Central Area Action Plan is outlined. Below is the proposed West Loop Transportation Center.


A four level, $2 billion transporation center under Clinton Street. It would connect Union Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center served by Metra trains with CTA bus and rail lines, Pace buses, a proposed Carroll Avenue transit line and long-distance Amtrak high-speed trains.

Check out the Tribune article for some of the very interesting proposed changes.

Time for Cheese? Yes!

While waiting for my fiance Wednesday and killing time, I happened on a very interesting neighborhood shop. Pastoral Cheese, Bread and Wine at 53 E. Lake Street is right around the corner from The Heritage.


Pastoral is a part time (lunch hour during weekdays) sandwich shop and full time specialty cheese, bread and wine shop. From their website, “In a world of mass produced products stacked high on shelves in supermarkets, superstores and wholesale clubs, there is still a time and a place for small bath, high-quality, handcrafted products sold in an intimate environment with the most attentive and thoughtful service. Somehow artisan products like cheese, bread and wine, which hail from the land in some of the most beautiful places on Earth deserve to be showcased, cared-for and sold someplace that reflects their special roots – PASTORAL!”

Service was definitely top notch when I stopped by. I got a tour of all the products with the majority of time spent on the huge and unique assortment of cheeses. What a great place! I am going to try two of the classes that Pastoral is offering:

Wines of the Southern Hemisphere on April 25 at 6:30pm.
Wine, Beer & Spirits for Cheese Lovers on May 9 at 6:30pm.

With all the chain stores & restaurants in the Loop near Garland Court, its nice to have a store that is locally owned & operated with some excellent products!

Loop U

The Chicago Tribune had an interesting article the other day about college students that make up a significant portion of the residents in the Loop.

"A sprawling urban campus has taken hold in the Loop and South Loop, with close to 60,000 students from 20 institutions of higher learning inhabiting a slice of downtown Chicago and making a significant economic impact."

Above is a photo of University Center located at the corner of Congress & State Street. According to it's developer, the building is America’s largest joint residence hall, providing housing for nearly 1,700 students attending Columbia College, DePaul University and Roosevelt University.

Chicago Riverwalk coming along nicely.

The Chicago Tribune reported today on the progress of the river walk: Chicago river walk extension keeps rolling along.

"The latest phase of work to connect existing sections of riverfront pathways is expected to be done in June."

The progress is great news for the neighborhood and our building.

I snapped a couple of photos from a balcony in the west tower of Marina Towers:



















This shot is the section from Michigan Ave to Wabash. The area in front of O'Brien's restaurant has been extended further out and extends under the Wabash bridge.



















This photo is the section from Wabash to State St. This construction is not as complete as the previous photo. You can see the earth mover bringing gravel to fill in the area that still has water. The anchored barge and tug boat in the middle and left of the photo make quite a racket when they are running.

Balcony season is just around the corner

I was planning to go to the Chicago Flower & Garden Show to get some inspiration for my balcony garden. I had very good luck with marigolds & morning glories last year, but would like to incorporate more plants. My neighbor successfully grew tomatoes and jalapeno peppers last year. I don’t want to be jealous this year, so I am going to do both the flowers and a number of vegetables.

The Flower & Garden Show runs today through Sunday, March 15 at Navy Pier. Since it is a short cab ride away or a comfortable walk (when not raining), I have no excuse not to visit. Since now through about the first or second week in April starts the Chicago rainy season, it will be therapeutic to get a glimpse of summer in March.

Flower & Garden Show info is:
http://www.chicagoflower.com/

“From the intricately designed lush themed-gardens of the midway, to hands-on demonstrations and in-the-soil workshops, to realistic garden displays that can translate into your own yard or balcony and educate you about sustainable and achievable results, you will find Chicago's first blush with spring to be invigorating”

Dates:
March 7 - 15, 2009

Show Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Tickets:
Weekdays...$12
Weekends...$14
discounts for groups of 15 or more

Navy Pier DISCOUNTED PARKING IS ONLY $14 per vehicle per day!
*Valid from 3/7/09 - 3/15/09 at garages located on-site at Navy Pier or at the Alternate/Overflow garages located at 460 East Illinois or 403 East Grand, located 1 block from Navy Pier. No purchase necessary. May not be combined with any other offer. Subject to availability.