Chicago Happenings

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by taxwonk
yes, but it's the whores from Brown and Wood's tax department that got them in trouble.

Correct as usual, Wonk. I see in the Trib. today that Sidley expelled one of the BW tax guys for "breaches of fiduciary duty and violations of the partnership agreement." Says BW lawyers issued about 600 legal opinions re: tax shelters since 1996. At least three of the former individual clients are suing so far... with a lot more angry rich people and the G still out there...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...i-business-hed

(Free sign-up site, but all local denizens should have done this already)

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
I see in the Trib. today that Sidley expelled one of the BW tax guys for "breaches of fiduciary duty and violations of the partnership agreement." Says BW lawyers issued about 600 legal opinions re: tax shelters since 1996. At least three of the former individual clients are suing so far... with a lot more angry rich people and the G still out there...

The joys of the national law firm. the two big boys in the law biz slapped down so far on the tax front both have hometown ties. Sidley, one of Chicago's finest for years, brought low by a NY partner and Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Dallas powerhouse, dragged into the crapper by a Chicago partner.

Oh, the shame of it all. Kinda makes me feel good to be in-house.

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Seeing as the local legal front is not exactly newsworthy right now (until Sidley decides to launch some more tax partners), I thought this might be a good opportunity for us Chicagoans to share with our friends from out-of-state our recommendations for places to go and things to do should they come to town.

I know we went through some of this on the FB, but putting some useful info. for them on hotels, bars, restaurants, sights, things to do, shopping etc. over here might be easier to locate (and might increase the post count, NTTAWWT).

So feel free to chime in, and I'll post some of my local favorites later on.

To any of our regulars from out-of-state, let us know when you're in town or if you have any specific questions we can answer...

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Seeing as the local legal front is not exactly newsworthy right now (until Sidley decides to launch some more tax partners), I thought this might be a good opportunity for us Chicagoans to share with our friends from out-of-state our recommendations for places to go and things to do should they come to town.

I know we went through some of this on the FB, but putting some useful info. for them on hotels, bars, restaurants, sights, things to do, shopping etc. over here might be easier to locate (and might increase the post count, NTTAWWT).

So feel free to chime in, and I'll post some of my local favorites later on.

To any of our regulars from out-of-state, let us know when you're in town or if you have any specific questions we can answer...

Ahhh, repeat info from the FB, but avoid any french hotel like the Sofitel by Water Tower or Le Meridien on Rush. The first had me waiting on a valet for an hour (true story), the second only had smoky rooms.

Generically speaking, definitely do the Fairmont or the Swissotel if possible. But, if you have to be at a certain place at a certain time, and it ain't by the east loop, maybe don't.

Tourist stuff? Everybody likes Michigan Avenue, right? And Navy Pier is sorta charming in the summer on some nights.

Otherwise, the 18th street overpass from Calumet to Soldier field is a great tourist stop. Chicago was founded by pioneers who just absolutely could not stomach the Yankees or Red Sox. These paragons of virtue lived at Michigan and Randolph for awhile but they were recalled to the east coast when the democrats started yet another war with our peaceful canadian neighbors.

Having barely fled 2 miles along the shoreline to the beach *around* 18th street (the lake has been filled in since), they were massacred by the angry canadians and their peaceful indian allies. Andrew Jackson, one of Chicago's original bosses, was reportedly so infuriated at the outrage, that immediately after the war of making-sure-the-British-got-the-point was over, he still ordered the massacre of thousands of British soldiers at the massacre of New Orleans.

How to get there? Take Michigan south to 18th street. Make a left. Go past Prairie to Calumet. Drive 1/2 block south.

Notice the lighted concrete footbridge? Well start walking.

Look for the sign that says "Future site of the Ft. Dearborn Massacre National Historic Massacre Site".

Or you could just get a good steak at, e.g., Gibsons and save yourself the gas money.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
Ahhh, repeat info from the FB, but avoid any french hotel like the Sofitel by Water Tower or Le Meridien on Rush. The first had me waiting on a valet for an hour (true story

Normally I would cast off your opinions as knee-jerk neo-conservative reactions against the french*, but I have a friend who waited three hours on a Sofitel valet...

*that's a joke

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Seeing as the local legal front is not exactly newsworthy right now (until Sidley decides to launch some more tax partners), I thought this might be a good opportunity for us Chicagoans to share with our friends from out-of-state our recommendations for places to go and things to do should they come to town.

I know we went through some of this on the FB, but putting some useful info. for them on hotels, bars, restaurants, sights, things to do, shopping etc. over here might be easier to locate (and might increase the post count, NTTAWWT).

So feel free to chime in, and I'll post some of my local favorites later on.

To any of our regulars from out-of-state, let us know when you're in town or if you have any specific questions we can answer...

Can we start posting jobs? It seems that that's all the Texas board does.

And we all know I need a new job.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
I thought this might be a good opportunity for us Chicagoans to share with our friends from out-of-state our recommendations for places to go and things to do should they come to town.


To any of our regulars from out-of-state, let us know when you're in town or if you have any specific questions we can answer...

In spite of its unfortunate rise in popularity, I'll still put in a plug for my favorite bar, The Redhead piano bar. Coltrane, if you are ever in the neighborhood on a quieter night, it's worth a stop in. And if you're drunk and horny enough, there's usually a good cougar population, so you can fulfill that Older Woman fantasy.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Can we start posting jobs? It seems that that's all the Texas board does.

And we all know I need a new job.

Texas is soooooooooo screwed up. I mean, case in point number one:

Ahh, forget it.

I get the feeling that a lot of employers waited to lay people off until the economy looked like it was picking up (i.e., until now). They apparently wanted to try and be sure people could land on their feet. Not totally sure, but I've seen and heard a few stories lately along these lines in Chicago and the East coast.

And about 3 times as many stories of people leaving voluntarily to lateral in and out, now that lateralling around seems possible again.

Hell(der, don't mess with Less!, either)o

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Seeing as the local legal front is not exactly newsworthy right now (until Sidley decides to launch some more tax partners), I thought this might be a good opportunity for us Chicagoans to share with our friends from out-of-state our recommendations for places to go and things to do should they come to town.

I know we went through some of this on the FB, but putting some useful info. for them on hotels, bars, restaurants, sights, things to do, shopping etc. over here might be easier to locate (and might increase the post count, NTTAWWT).

So feel free to chime in, and I'll post some of my local favorites later on.

To any of our regulars from out-of-state, let us know when you're in town or if you have any specific questions we can answer...

I don't live there, but I've stayed in some hotels... Downtown I like Hotel Burnham (and someone here learned me on the history of that one). Michigan Avenue, Park Hyatt Watertower (in top 5 of favorite hotels of all time). Lakeshore, W Lakeshore.

Favorite deep dish pizza goes to Gino's.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
(and someone here learned me on the history of that one)

Speaking of which, has anyone here not mentioned how excellent the book is? Never again will I set foot in the Palmer Place. Not even for Friday Fish.

OK, so business ideas for Chicago, seeing as how Coltrane needs a new job and all the 30ish people I know are sick of working for the man.

Two ideas. 1. Either an upscale club/eatery/series of clubs/eateries on Cermak to cater to the McCormick Place and burgeoning south loop populations, or.....

open up something like a Sequoia (think DC riverfront) on the South Branch. You develop that right, you could be a bazillionaire.

No? Maybe a starbucks franchise then?

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive

Favorite deep dish pizza goes to Gino's.

Just be sure you go to Gino's EAST, ncs. There is a "Gino's" on the North Side, but they seem to have constant rodent issues with the city and had some litigation with Gino's East...

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by taxwonk
Redhead piano bar. And if you're drunk and horny enough, there's usually a good cougar population, so you can fulfill that Older Woman fantasy.

That's not exactly the kind of "job" Coltrane's looking for Wonk, but it can't hurt...

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Just be sure you go to Gino's EAST, ncs. There is a "Gino's" on the North Side, but they seem to have constant rodent issues with the city and had some litigation with Gino's East...

Yes, sorry, Gino's East. I think it is the original one, but feel free to correct me. I ate there last St. Patrick's Day. Scrumptious.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
Yes, sorry, Gino's East. I think it is the original one, but feel free to correct me. I ate there last St. Patrick's Day. Scrumptious.

Yo, keepin the info comin here. Must see type things if you have, say, 5 days in Chicago as an adult include something on this list or other:

The Art Institute on South Michigan. Mo Monets than the National Gallery I think, though my little sister has brought me to love that Mary Cassatt stuff too.

The Museum of Science and Industry (for kids). Visit the U505, captured in WWII by a task force headed by Rear (or Vice) Admiral Gallery, a native Chicagoan. One of 3 brothers who rose to flag rank in the navy. A 4th was a very nice parish priest at a south side church. The 5th child, a girl, was a nun. Before you ask, no unseemly behavior ever alleged against any. One of the navy brothers wrote a series of childrens books on the navy that I read a long time ago. The centerpiece was a sailor nicknamed Fatso (Hi Bilmore!). OK, I apologize. That was just mean.

U of C's Stagg field? Underneath is where nuclear research occurred. Naaaah, the Rockefeller chapel and the north side of the midway is a better visit to an imposing college.

Sears Tower? Lotso security checks these days.

Music? Well, no CBGBs or nuthin, but the Cabaret Metro also pretty much defined underground around here/there/everywhere back in the day. I'd send you to the outdoor jamming field on 5th Ave. (true story as of 4 years ago), where lotso blues, rhythym and rappas appear for the naborhood, but I'm not even sure if its still there. Even if it is, the naborhood ain't for visitors without guns. Schubas is a great joint too.

Wrigley Field? Sure.

The Henry Horner homes on West Madison? Site of the "there are no children here" book that, I think, started Oprah's book thing? Or not. The neighborhood felt a lot crazier around '95/'97 when 11 year olds used to drag race stolen cars around the projects until they crashed. I'm sure its a priceless visual experience in any city.

The Stockyards? Mostly gone, but if you must, south on Halsted to something like 48th or 49th. The stockyards used to be divided up into 4 residential areas for something like "lithuanians", "polish", "irish" and "wealthy" people. Or something like that. Visitation parish was considered the bomb.

Our Lady of Angels? Don't even think of it. The Italians are long gone.

Christ, the city changes so fast that its like everything is gone that was there. The Levee district? Condos. and that was like the 3rd incarnation of the red-light district, and it ended almost 100 years ago.

The Coliseum? 14th or 15th and Michigan, but gone. Site of something like the most Republican or Democratic conventions. By far. Also the site of Coughlin and McKenna's annual democratic orgy, back when democrats admitted they existed.

The bridges? Aah, that's right. Check out the bridges and the architecture everywhere. Nothing like it. 333 w wacker is still the most beautiful modern office building in the world, bar none. But the Rookery on LaSalle is stunning as an old masterpiece.

Anyway, blah blah blah. Maybe specific questions would be better.

Hello

[Jack Manfred]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Just be sure you go to Gino's EAST, ncs. There is a "Gino's" on the North Side, but they seem to have constant rodent issues with the city and had some litigation with Gino's East...

Concur on Gino's East. Best pizza I've ever tasted.