A "Nutcracker" Dancer’s Guide to the Best of Holiday Chicago

Dylan Gutierrez danced his way into Chicago from California by way of London, and he hasn’t stopped moving ever since landing (gently) in the Windy …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

‘Holiday Express' Train to Start Rolling in Aurora

A holiday train will hit the tracks in the suburb of Aurora, becoming one of many that will chug across the Chicago area during the …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

What to eat and drink at Christkindlmarket

Chicago’s favorite holiday tradition, Christkindlmarket, is now open at its usual locations in Daley Plaza and Wrigleyville (also home to Winterland …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Shedd Aquarium Has Announced A $500 Million Renovation Plan Involving A 40-Foot Underwater Glass Tunnel

Chicago’s beloved Shedd Aquarium has shared a new vision for the future which would see $500 million in investment expand and improve the aquarium …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Tracing the Path of Historic Route 66, Just Outside Chicago

Germany has the Autobahn. France has Route Napoleon. Iceland’s got the Ring Road. Rome had great roads in its day. Here in the States there’s the …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

'Chicago's game': 16-inch softball, created on Near South Side, celebrates 135th anniversary

CHICAGO -- Its one of Chicago's most unique sports, with a history that goes back to the late 19th century. The game is 16-inch softball and it has …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Christkindlmarket Is Almost Here: Aurora's First Starts In 3 Weeks

More than 30 vendors will be set up at RiverEdge Park selling gifts, crafts, hot beverages and traditional German food. AURORA, IL — As November hits …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

WINNING THE LOTTO - or not

I originally posted this story in my Texas blog, but since it actually happened when I lived in Chicago, wanted to share it here too!

A break away from real estate today and hopefully a laugh while we all wait for Powerball's huge prize drawing to get "unstuck" Enjoy...

This is a true story – the couple is deceased, OK to share…. 

The couple shared this and enjoyed many laughs from the event. Married forever they had their comfortable routines and…..

Her domain, first floor – the kitchen

At home, his domain – second floor

Normal Sunday paper – split – he likes certain sections – she likes hers

He brings the paper in and divides it for them to share – retreating upstairs with his sections

On this one Sunday (following a BIG lotto drawing) he does the routine split but messes up and leaves “his” lotto section downstairs

She did not know he left “his section” featuring the winning numbers with her share of the newspaper

At the time he was well over 300 pounds and not really motivated to come down stairs for lotto numbers

So he yells down – “M – what are the lotto numbers”

One by one as she read them they were “matching” perfectly to the tickets he had in his hand

He explained later his heart was pounding as he jumped up and ran down the stairs

M explained she heard this awful noise shaking the house – BOOM BOOM BOOM

It was J running down the stairs yelling “WE WON, WE WON”

He gets to the kitchen and finds her holding the prefilled lotto card they use to buy their lotto tickets every week

After a brief pause, he asked what she was doing with that card and she replied “you asked for our lotto numbers and I read them to you”

And their winnings quickly vaporized

New Apartments For Joliet Coming To Rock Run Crossings

The project will include the new Hollywood Casino Joliet, additional entertainment, retail, hotels, office/healthcare and multi-family. JOLIET, IL …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

A modern architectural jewel made of glass and concrete

A glass and concrete pavilion, one of the Chicago area’s most significant modernist houses, stands amidst the trees on a low bluff overlooking …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Morton Grove spruce selected by Chicago for official Christmas tree

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A tree belonging to a Morton Grove family has been chosen as Chicago's official Christmas tree for 2022. A few weeks from now, a …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

These 10 Awesome Diners In Illinois Will Make You Feel Right At Home

Sometimes you want fine dining, like to perhaps commemorate a special occasion. But a lot of times we want that simple, home cooking, done well, at a …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Apartment complex opens in Fox Valley Mall in Aurora

With giant retail malls struggling across the Chicago area, there may be a sign of the future in Aurora. That is where developers have taken a big …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Chicago's Macy's on State Street prepares to unveil holiday window displays, Walnut Room Great Tree

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It's nearly 70 degrees outside in Chicago but some are already thinking about the holiday season. Jess Wood is already into her …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Edgewater’s Maloney Funeral Home Closes After 125 Years; Building To Be Replaced With Apartments

EDGEWATER — One of Chicago’s oldest funeral homes has closed and is set to be demolished as its longtime Devon Avenue home is redeveloped.John E. …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Order Off the Secret Menu at These Chicago Restaurants

The next time you go out to eat, you could certainly order from the regular menu. Nothing wrong with that. But imagine how much better it’d be to …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Everything You Need to Know About Building an ADU in Chicago

Everything You Need to Know About Building an ADU in Chicago A new pilot program by the city to add housing has yet to catch on—but that could soon change. By easing zoning restrictions, cities such as Portland, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Seattle have seen growing interest in accessory dwelling …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

15 Cities With the Most Recently-Built Homes

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Inspection Support Network. The last two years have shown that the stock of housing in the U.S. is …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

5 Trips to Plan Around America’s Great Lakes

The five Great Lakes—Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior—form the largest freshwater system in the world, bordering eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. That’s a heckuva lotta coastline begging to be explored. As America emerges from the haze of the pandemic, travelers who aren’t …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

5 Small Town Bake Shops In Illinois Worthy Of A Sweet Tooth's Pilgrimage

Sometimes the sweet tooth craving strikes, and you just need to find a good bake shop. These five small-town bakeries in Illinois are the perfect …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Chicago's Beloved Italian Beef Sandwich Is Ready to Conquer America

Update, 8/15/22: The mighty Italian beef’s quest for nationwide domination continues, thanks to the success of Hulu’s The Bear — the buzzy and at …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Full moon calendar 2022: When to see the next full moon

Here are the dates for the full moons in 2022. The next full moon will occur on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 9:36 p.m. (0336 Aug. 12 GMT), but the moon will …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

$4.5 Million Fairytale-Like Home In Charlevoix, Michigan (PHOTOS)

Listed with Nate Granata of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate LOCATION: 304 Park Avenue, Charlevoix, Michigan SQUARE FOOTAGE: 6,000 BEDROOMS & …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Lincoln Park Mansion Built For Titanic Survivor Opens For Tours In May

LINCOLN PARK — A Lincoln Park mansion built more than a century ago opens to the public next month after a five-year restoration project. Adler on the …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

12 Most Beautiful Gardens in Chicago

Back in the 19th century, Chicago's government picked the phrase "urbs in horto"—Latin for "City in a Garden"—as its motto, employing landscape …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Visit for Architecture Lovers

A city's atmosphere is influenced by everything from its location and climate to the vibrancy of its cultural scene. But for many, the true …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

US Space Force tests robot dogs to patrol Cape Canaveral

The quadrupedal robots are well suited for repetitive tasks. Man's new best friend is coming to the U.S. Space Force. The Space Force has conducted a …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

24 Great Waterfront Dining Spots in Chicago | Restaurants on the River

The best outdoor dining in Chicago shows off all the beauty the city has to offer, from stunning skyline views to vibrant people-watching …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Buyers, Sellers, First Timers, Millennials - Home Guides

HELLO CHICAGO!

If you have checked out this blog before, y'all may know I am from Chicago, licensed in Illinois now, but living in San Antonio. These guides are published on my San Antonio blog and the information in them is useful ANYWHERE USA! Share! Share! Share!...  Enjoy, and let me know if you do! Thanks, Al

MILLENNIALS GUIDE, BUYING GUIDE, FIRST TIME BUYER GUIDE, and SELLING GUIDE

I have them on my Google drive so you can download and share without registration - your new summer gift!  No matter where in the country you live, there is useful information in each of these guides. Call if we can help you or if you need a referral to an agent in your area.

A Millennials Guide to Homeownership

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t4mCWkI36nczY8X6MKArR4y_JaP8f_K0/view?usp=sharing

A Millennials Guide to Homeownership SP

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1We604rY7UhnLbbCyzxWv5LoYtEkNjW_6/view?usp=sharing

Buying a Home Summer 2022

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MZvtdxLAfHYXl_KxjTXbraq3rfmSAjIn/view?usp=sharing

Buying a Home Summer SP 2022

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KjsHGueZTH0noSM5EAqG3evOKmLKEtY3/view?usp=sharing

First Time Home Buyer Guide

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18flAxZC2CPubZrhXeXSIh00QvpudRwhl/view?usp=sharing 

First Time Home Buyer Guide SP

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X9VcxuNJc_DPCqPNACL2OIA1cSYdMsPd/view?usp=sharing

Selling Your House Summer 2022

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pmJCCAVSiGh-7l4GE3FpQmXro-XXhDD0/view?usp=sharing

Selling Your House Summer 2022 SP

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UgFHP6j0oucPMfHbVM29uN0MVz8B5zrb/view?usp=sharing

Enjoy the guides! Your feedback is always welcome.

12 Pieces of Chicago History Hidden in Plain Sight

You can't step inside a time machine and explore the past (not yet, at least), but you can experience bygone days by visiting the places where …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Great Lakes cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

The Great Lakes probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of cruising. But in recent years, the region has grown enormously as …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

Hotel Boom: Making Old New Again

Hotel Boom: Making Old New Again Learn how and why a former athletic club, silver manufacturer and motor club have all been creatively repurposed into …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

The Secrets Behind Hey! Hot Dog — A Chicago Classic for More Than 60 Years

The original price of a hot dog — at least as far back as owner BJ Uedelhofen can remember — was 47 cents. A root beer was even 30 cents less. You …

* View the article originally published here. ** More curations: Al Cannistra at San Antonio ONE here.

We Are Building It

 

Y'all check back soon!