Chicago International Film Festival

Film buffs and the culturally curious, take note: the 44th annual Chicago International Film Festival is coming October 16-19. The film festival is one of Chicago’s premier events and a showcase for artistic talent from around the globe.

The film festival offers a once-a-year chance to see films that would otherwise never flash on a multiplex screen. The festival, as always, offers a diverse collection of documentaries, feature films and shorts, a mix of the experimental and conventional, retrospectives and new releases. In debunking the notion that the films focus solely on the obscure or the “challenging”, this year’s festival includes Japanese anime, a South Korean western, an Italian-made modern mafia tale and a Swedish coming-of-age vampire story.

Surprisingly to some, the festival also includes a number of American made studio and independent films. Ed Norton and Jon Voight star in the pre-release screening of Pride and Glory. Darren Aronofsky presents The Wrestler, and even someone as unlikely as Jada Pinkett-Smith makes her directorial debut with the independent film The Human Contract. And this just scratches the surface.

If you enjoy movies to any degree, there is a film waiting for you to find it.

Fear no subtitles, and enjoy.

"Amazin'" Grace and "Decent" Derrek

Does anyone else have the feeling that Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee has morphed into former fan favorite Mark Grace? On the surface, that’s a complimentary comparison. Mark Grace was a solid hitter, with a career .303 average, a good fielder who earned 4 Gold Gloves and was generally well-liked by his teammates (Sammy Sosa not included.)

The problem is that Derrek Lee is not being paid $13,250,000 a year to hit like an above average first baseman with limited run producing potential. He’s being paid an 8 figure salary to carry a World Series starved team offensively. Among National League first basemen, as of Sept. 3, Derrek Lee is 6th in hitting, 9th in home runs, 9th in RBIs and 10th in slugging percentage. For perspective, Derrek Lee still trails Mark Teixeira in both home runs and RBIs, though Teixeira was traded to the American League’s Los Angeles Angels on July 30th and is unable to add to his National League stats.

If you look at Derrek Lee’s offensive production since his April 2006 wrist injury, the numbers eerily compare with Mark Grace’s from a decade ago. It’s a shame that a fluke play at first over two years ago, when Raphael Furcal barreled into Lee after an errant throw by Scott Eyre, could so alter a career.

As the Cubs make their September playoff push, Derrek Lee somehow has to find a way to put some lift under the ball. It is no small feat to hit .290-.300 for an entire season, but there is no awe in watching a 6’5”, 240lb singles hitter.

Rocking on a Wednesday

4 bands, $8, don’t encourage the “bums”. The show took place at Reggie’s Rock Club, an ambitious establishment consisting of a concert hall, restaurant and record store, located in adjacent storefronts at the confluence of the Bronzeville and South Loop neighborhoods. (The aforementioned sign, by the way, is no subtle commentary on our gentrifying city.) Reggie’s serves up a variety of BBQ in its restaurant, the record store specializes in hard to find vinyl and CDs and the music venue caters largely to unsigned bands of all genres. In this day of streaming media, instant downloads, literally thousands of entertainment options and new regulations on concert promoters after the E2 tragedy, opening a new concert venue/record store in the city is no small act of courage.

The concert hall is largely open between the bar and the raised stage, with standing room for perhaps 200. A lofted lounge area, sits to the back of the room, with seats and tables for a few dozen. If the show is crowded, be prepared to stand for the duration. The acoustics are clear enough, though the slab floors and brick walls cause a bit of reverberation. Standing to the side of the stage actually provided better sound than watching the bands head on. Beer selection is standard, the staff is friendly and prices are reasonable. Overall, Reggie’s seems like a promising spot and a welcome addition to the local music scene.

The Chicago-based sextet On We headlined the show, taking the stage at 11:00PM*. On We played a tight 45 minute set of textured, melodic and often catchy original material. On We is fronted by singer Bridget O’Callaghan, whose look evoked an early Bjork and whose voice was vaguely reminiscent of Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. Backed by 2 skillful guitarists, bass, keyboards and drums, On We squeezed every ounce of energy out of their performance. Their self-proclaimed “Cold Pop” sound is clean and their songwriting is developed and nuanced. In a city teeming with local acts of all descriptions, On We seems to be a highly marketable product that is refreshingly different from the norm.

*Is 11:00PM too late to start a mid-week concert? (I once saw Brian Ritchie of the Violent Femmes perform at 2:00 AM in Manhattan’s Bowery neighborhood, but that was on a weekend and I was on vacation.) Not everyone who enjoys live music has the interest in, or the stamina for, the bar scene. Unless it’s an affront to their Rock & Roll sensibilities, a 10:00 start for the last act on weeknights might just increase attendance for Reggie’s and other music clubs throughout the city.

Garfield Park Conservatory

When it was opened in 1908, the Garfield Park Conservatory was considered an engineering wonder and a fine example of Prairie School architecture on a grand scale. Multitudes of Chicagoans filed through the exotic gardens admiring an assemblage of flora that was larger and more diverse than anything that had ever been collected under one roof. As the conservatory celebrates its Centennial in 2008, the structure itself still impresses, and the overflowing greenery inside still provides year-round access to spreading palms and fragrant orange blossoms.

The mammoth glass dome that covers the conservatory and its adjoining wings allows the Midwestern sun to shine down on plants from across the globe. Species are divided in various rooms and exhibits including palms, ferns, desert aroid and something called the “sweet house” (fruits and other food plants). The soaring roof provides ample space for the dense arrangements of plants and trees that occupy almost every available inch of floor space. Winding stone paths, occasionally overgrown by encroaching plants, are cut into the landscape and meander in rough circles around the arrangements. Several rooms have irregular pools incorporated into the landscaping, which adds an additional natural element to the surroundings. Among the highlights of the conservatory is the display in the Aroid room, which incorporates original works remaining from Dale Chihuly’s 2001-2002 exhibition.

With additional gardens and paths outside, the conservatory can be more than just a rainy day destination. The conservatory can be reached via the CTA’s green line at the Central Park stop, but parking in the neighboring lot is free. Admission to the Garfield Park Conservatory is also free, which makes a visit one of the better deals in town. And though you can see, smell and learn about living things from around the world, there’s none of the nagging guilt that can be associated with a trip to the zoo. Most plants looked quite content to be grown in captivity.

Though the conservatory is free to the public, the aging building is always in need of further renovations. If you go, please consider making a small donation.

Who Turned off the Lights?

Last night Chicago participated in Earth Hour 2008, a global campaign to raise awareness of climate change. For one hour, cities around the world asked citizens and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights to encourage people to start thinking about ways they can reduce their impact on the environment.

In anticipation of the event, I was in position at 7:55PM local time at Water Tower Park near the top of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, to watch the city fade to dark. Hoping for something between the strip’s usual luminance and a darkness that encourages looting, the results of Chicago’s first Earth Hour were certainly mixed.

At 8:00, the lights at the top of the John Hancock center went black, leaving the red warning lights at the top of its antennae hanging in the sky. The ancient sign announcing the Allerton Hotel’s “Tip-Top-Tap” faded out. And that was about it from my vantage point. Perhaps 25% of the businesses on the storied street joined the event. Various hotels darkened their lobbies; some handing out glow lights to their guests. Banana Republic, for example, darkened their signage and display windows. But an overwhelming number of retailers, from Sak’s Fifth Avenue to the Apple store to Nike Town were operating business as usual. So, from street level, it was pretty difficult to notice any difference if you were not looking for it in advance. I’m hopeful that in coming years Chicago’s participation, no matter how symbolic the event may be, will rise to a level that truly makes a statement.

Around 8:15, the floods illuminating the stone and mortar Water Tower finally went dark. Even an “Earth 45 Minutes” is a start.

Say “Cheese” or $#:+!

Herbert Hoover promised a chicken in every pot and apparently Chicago city government has promised a red light camera at every intersection. Currently, 69 intersections are monitored by the cameras, designed to capture pictures or video of motorists who run red lights. But the current outdoor photo studios are only the beginning. The city has just signed a $52 million, five year contract [with an out of state company] to install an additional 220 cameras by 2012. (Assuming the city can find the money that number may climb to 580.)

Now, there is really no defense for running a red light. There are only three instances when it’s acceptable to blow through an intersection: official police business, an ambulance in a medical emergency and during a chase scene in a Michael Bay film. Still, the cameras evoke an air of Big Brother, or at the very least are a further erosion of our collective privacy. (If you’re looking for more, the city has also signed a separate multi-million dollar contract to install video cameras on street sweepers. There is now no escaping the $50 fine should you fail to see the temporary paper signs, which are occasionally hung the night before an impending run.) Though the city positions the arsenal of cameras as a public safety tool and as a way to promote better driving habits, it would appear that the motive is equally related to dollar signs.

Drivers caught on film for a red light violation are mailed are mailed a ticket for $90, soon to be an even $100. The city, by its own estimates, predicts the new cameras will generate $50 million a year in revenue. So, despite the numerous cameras acting as a deterrent, the city is still expecting 500,000 infractions a year.

Wow, I feel safer already.

Seven Oaks – Lake Geneva, WI

The turn onto Wells Street, just before entering the 2 block long heart of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, takes you on a path that is parallel, but not directly adjacent to the Lake itself. Due to its less desirable geography, the street has long been home to a strip of 1950’s and 60’s era motor inns that catered to the budget-conscious traveler, long before the days of Southwest Airlines. But recently, a gem has emerged from this strip of peeling Americana. The Seven Oaks B&B Inn, which opened in the spring of 2006, has transformed one of these aging properties into a quiet getaway within a getaway.

As Lake Geneva has been revitalized in recent years, the center of the small downtown has become a popular place on weekends, both in and out of season. Staying downtown can have the air of a low-grade frat party on certain nights. Resorts like the Grand Geneva (the former Playboy Club) and Geneva National offer more tranquility, but are also relatively isolated from the town itself. Seven Oaks occupies a location, which is just far enough from the city center to offer a relaxing atmosphere. It’s also close enough for a leisurely walk into town in fair weather.

A small hanging sign, without a trace of neon, quietly announces the Seven Oaks entranceway. 9 free-standing cottages flank the paved driveway which terminates in the equally renovated main house. Follow the small sign to the secondary entrance near the garage, which serves as the guest reception area. The hosts, Leon and Amanda, are cordial and accommodating. Originally from London, they bring more than a touch of English civility to the surroundings, and their attention to detail did not go unnoticed.

As we carried our bags into the Wimbledon cabin, a light snow began to drift downward with the calmness of a snow globe. The front door opens on a small tiled area, with a breakfast table on the left, and a wet bar on the right. The small refrigerator beneath the sink contained bottled water, a welcome plate of cheese, fruit and crackers and a chilled bottle of sauvignon blanc. (Choose from among 7 wine selections when making your reservation.) The counter and cabinets are stocked with all the tools and ingredients for a full coffee and tea service, including separate cups for coffee and tea and a separate tea pot for boiling water.

An L-shaped sectional sofa separates the kitchen from the living area. A leather bench/cocktail table fronts the sofa and provides ample room for both drinks and weary feet. A stone façade encases the gas fireplace on the opposite wall, which provides palpable heat on a cold winter day. A large flat-panel TV is embedded in the wall above the fireplace. A full range of cable channels, a DVD library and free wi-fi provide multiple entertainment options from the comfort of the couch.

The separate bedroom is simple, but refined. The king-size bed is covered in high thread count linens and multiple over-stuffed pillows, and connects to a master bathroom. One side of the bath is dominated by a 2 person spa tub, which is amply deep to allow for a soothing soak, and is accented with a supply of locally made soap and bath salts. The stand-alone shower stall is equipped with 1 overhead and 2 side jets, with independent flow controls. Step from the spa or shower onto the heated tile floor, and then grab a warm towel from the heated rack. Provided robes complete the pampered experience.

In warmer months, a fenced in area, far from street traffic, is home to a quaint English garden. Tables, chairs and rockers, provide a quiet spot to read, play cards or have a cocktail. What makes Seven Oaks even more tranquil for a romantic weekend is its policy that excludes pets and children from the premises. So as not to give the wrong impression, I would characterize Seven Oaks as a place for Grown-ups, not Adults-Only. Rates start at $189/night, and a 3 night stay will earn a 50% discount on one night’s stay. Seven Oaks is open year-round, unless otherwise noted on their website.


Launch Pad Tip: The homemade caramel and cheese popcorn, the “Chicago mix”, at Constant Cravings in downtown Lake Geneva, is almost worth the 90 mile trip alone.

Who are these People and why should I vote for them?

I present to you the 7 candidates running for Dick Devine’s vacated Cook County State’s attorney seat: Tom Allen, Anita Alvarez, Tommy Brewer, Howard Brookins Jr., Robert Millan, Tony Peraica and Larry Suffredin. If you are familiar with more than two of these names, the chances are you currently work on one of these campaigns, or are one of the candidates themselves. If you can even pick the lone Republican in the group, you’re an honor student of Chicago politics. With 98.7% of media coverage focused on the presidential races, many important state and local races are getting even less coverage than usual.

The State’s Attorney job is arguably one of the most important jobs in local politics. The position oversees a $100 million dollar budget and around 900 lawyers. The State’s Attorney prosecutes the areas most high profile criminal cases, and the job often serves as a springboard to even more prominent office, as our multi-multi termed mayor is an example. Yet, only the 2 or 3 candidates that can afford commercial time even have a chance of registering more than a blip in the polls.

And if awareness is low for the State’s Attorney race, what about the dozens of other state and local races? The ballot on Tuesday will contain races for State Representatives and Senators, judgeships and even the ultra-sexy Water Reclamation Commissioners. (The little known Water Reclamation District oversees a $1 BILLION annual budget, by the way.)

When you pull the proverbial curtain behind you, who do you vote for in these races? Do you skip on voting in races where you do not know any of the candidates? Do you vote for the 1 candidate who happened to buy a billboard on your way to work? Do you vote for the candidate with the most benign name? (‘Hmm, McLovin’ for State Senator sounds like a nice Irish boy.’) Though seriously, it was innocuous sounding names that helped Lyndon LaRouche followers wins in the 1986 Democratic primary.

For most of these races, I still have no idea who, if anyone, I plan to vote for, but sometime between now and the election, I plan to find out. http://www.voterinfonet.com/

Icy, a Problem

Pop Quiz: You see the following sign. What do you do?

A. Sprint clear of the building, with your arms protectively thrown over your head. (Repeat at each of the dozens of high rise buildings posting similar signage around the city.)

B. Follow the sign’s helpful arrows upwards to see what the fuss is about.

C. Briefly contemplate what you’d do with the settlement money, should you survive any subsequent head blow from an over-sized ice cube.

D. Not a damn thing.

Signs like this have become the “wet floor” signs of Chicago winter. They have become common to the point that they scarcely register a second glance, yet that does not mean that accidents never happen. (For examples, try here or watch the video here.) What isn’t clear is if the signs are meant as a warning or as a notice of release from subsequent liability.

For 130 years the world’s greatest architects have been designing high rises in Chicago, and for just as long pedestrians have been forced to participate in a game of dodge-ice every time it freezes and thaws. And the problem is not confined to the oldest skyscrapers in the city. Plenty of buildings erected within the last 20 years suffer from the same problem. As the next generation of buildings reach for the sky (i.e. the Chicago Spire, Trump Tower, The Loop, Aqua, Waldorf-Astoria Tower), only time will really tell.

Retrofitting existing buildings is not the solution. Prohibitive costs, aesthetic concerns and community/political bickering will prevent any serious measures from ever taking place. So, what do we do about ice falling from our city’s buildings? I would be interested to hear your suggestions, but I’m afraid that the question might be rhetorical.

Iggy's 3 - The Third Time is not a Charm

When a bar’s business model works, its concept can be successfully copied and transplanted to other neighborhoods or cities. Locally, see Bar Louie and John Barleycorn. On the other hand, when a bar makes three separate attempts to make a go of it in the city, as is the case with Iggy’s 3, it may be a case of trying to force a square mug into a round hole. For a dozen years, the original Iggy’s was a fixture on Milwaukee Avenue, before closing its doors. The second incarnation lasted for 3 years in the Bucktown neighborhood, and, sadly, after an evening at their latest River North venture, one can only wonder about the half-life of the current location.

Iggy’s is clearly an establishment with an identity crisis. It is not truly a restaurant, and it’s not, by a long shot, a full-fledged bar or cocktail lounge. Black and red dominate the motif, with the requisite sock puppet photos from its past locations lining the walls. A small, crescent-shaped bar, with seating for perhaps 8, dominates the front room with several small tables flanking the bar, in a space that can at most seat 50. Iggy’s does provide a hip environment, but the overall vibe is one of style over substance.

As a bar, Iggy’s comes up short. With little space to mingle and fewer spaces to sit, Iggy’s does not lend itself to a comfortable setting for a round of drinks, particularly if the place is crowded. $11 martinis may be the going rate in the city these days, but Iggy’s does nothing to separate its offerings from the crowd. A small, though high-quality, selection of bottled beers are offered to those looking for something lighter, but Iggy’s offers no beers on draught.

As a restaurant, Iggy’s menu seems to be out of line with the atmosphere it is presenting. Appetizers run as high as $15 and entrees to $29, though meals are served by t-shirt clad wait staff who seem more properly attired to slinging buffalo wings. The ambitious menu, combined with the informal service, sends a confusing message to customers. In terms of taste and presentation, a sampled goat cheese appetizer was presented blandly and tasted about the same. Not one sandwich appears on the menu, which may be perfectly suitable for a fine-dining establishment, but it would be a stretch to put Iggy’s in that category.

Overall, Iggy’s is a cool looking spot that needs to decide what it wants to be when it grows up.

Rating: 1 mug

Editor’s note: A negative review is not something that I relish in giving, unlike a slathering Simon Cowell. But until Iggy’s rights the ship, if you’re looking for a drink in that part of River North I might recommend Clark St. Ale House. For a bite, the authentic and reasonably priced Café Iberico is a solid bet. (And by the way, the original Bar Louie is just a few blocks west of Iggy’s on Chicago Avenue.)