The architectural critic of the Chicago Tribune wrote an article that was published yesterday on why the Children’s Museum should not be located in Daley Bicentenniel Plaza.

Regarding the Plaza itself the critic writes: “Though Daley Bicentennial is not without merit — its rigidly symmetrical layout does frame views of Buckingham Fountain, and residents of nearby high-rises prize its quiet ambience as an antidote to Millennium Park’s throngs — its design is as outdated and outmoded as one of the John Travolta leisure suits that were in fashion when Chicago dedicated the 19.5-acre park in 1979.”

A discussion about the article and link to the full article on WindyChat.com. http://www.windychat.com/childrens-museum-has-yet-make-case-120.html

A article this morning in the Tribune has some nice words about “340 On The Park”, the latest building finished in the Lakeshore East development project. 340 On the Park makes a bold contribution to the Chicago skyline rising 64 stories dwarfing its neighbors at 300 and 360 East Randolph.

From the Tribune - “The doors give onto a wide balcony with a knock-your-eyes-out view of Frank Gehry’s snaking BP Bridge, the trellis of his Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Sears Tower, the skyline, you name it. On the same floor are a two-lane, 25-yard lap pool and a whirlpool with views out onto Grant Park. The tower’s residents — people in just a handful of units had moved in as of last Monday — will thus be able to indulge themselves and feel virtuous because they live in a green building. This may make 340 the Lexus hybrid of architecture.”

Read the full article. http://www.chicagotribune.com:80/features/chi-0722_towerjul22,1,3374521.story 

FREE Millennium Park Concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Edwin Outwater conductor and Savion Glover tap dancer

Mozart Overture to The Magic Flute
Ellington Selections from The River * Featuring Savion Glover
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)

Conductor Edwin Outwater leads Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with special guest tap dancer Savion Glover performing to Duke Ellington’s Suite from The River. The program also features Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, which honors the memory of Sir Georg Solti, who passed away 10 years ago this month, and a CSO tour de force, Mussorgsky’s spectacular Pictures at an Exhibition.

This concert is generously sponsored by The Port, Washlow and Errant Families and is a part of Millennium Park’s “Blockbuster Week.”

More information at http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=3,11,6,1&EventID=9166

In the past week a bunch of planters have appeared along Randolph St.

On the east end of the street on the south side across from Outer Drive East this presents a problem as the sidewalk was not very wide to begin with and now more than half the sidewalk has been claimed by the behemoth planters. 

Click on the thumbnail to view the full photo.

I just missed it in this photo but picture the “weave” pedestrians must now engage in when passing others along the sidewalk. Our family’s double stroller barely fits on the remaining strip of sidewalk. You can imagine with passing groups or during special events such as the Fourth of July fireworks how sidewalk traffic will have to spill out into the streets potentially causing obstacles for drivers.

Also, in this photo you can see a city worker or contractor picking up a beer can that has already been attracted by the planter. Not only do they block the sidewalks, but they also serve as garbage bins by passers-by.

Click on the thumbnail to view the full photo. 

In talking with several other residents about the poorly planned decision to place planters on this sidewalk, one person mentioned “where’s Natarus when you need him?” Well, we do have an Alderman who the majority of voters in the Ward voted for in the last election - Ald. Brendan Reilly who just recently took office.

You can call his office @ (312) 642-4242. Tell him to look at the photos at http://blog.new-eastside.com or come out and watch the “Randolph weave” himself. By the way, Mayor Daley’s office number is (312) 744-3300. I’m sure it would not hurt to call his office as well.

There will be a New Eastside Association of Residents (NEAR) on May 1st at 222 N. Columbus Dr.

 Present will be Brendan Reilly, Alderman-elect of the 42nd Ward as well as the Executive Director of the Loop Alliance Ty Tabing.

 Other presenters will talk about Grant Park and Daley Bicentennial Plaza summer programs as well as city-wide summer programs and events.

 More information — http://forums.new-eastside.com/index.php/topic,110.0.html

Melissa writes in the forum –

I-GO Car Sharing, Chicago’s only non-profit car share, has 2 cars in the Millennium Parking Garage. As an I-GO member, you can use these or any of our 51 cars in the city. You never have to own a car again. We even pay for gas and insurance. Membership is $75 the first year, $25 each year after that. Usage of the car on the Standard Plan is $6/hour, 50 cents a mile. As you can see, our service can really help out a lot of Chicagoans. Please help us get the word out. We really want to help people save money, reduce traffic congestion and improve the air quality.

http://forums.new-eastside.com/index.php/topic,26.0.html.

If you have any announcements or other things to share please do!

I found this in another forum –

Cute idea! Here’s a video showing them in action:
http://www.graffitiresearchlab.com/, and here are the instructions for
building them:
http://www.instructables.com/ex/i/7DBB34EAEDFF1028A1FC001143E7E506/?ALLSTEPS

One poster writes –

They can’t be that expensive.. and it looks like a fun thing to do. I bet they would look cool on the Bean — http://www.acclaimimages.com/search_terms/chicago_bean.html But Park Security might not appreciate it after the $14 million they just spent buffing and polishing it. They patrol the park on souped up police Segways.. how futuristic, throwing magnetic leds at the bean and getting chased down by floating cops. I’m sure I can enlist from art students from the art institute near there..