Saturday, November 23, 2013

The hilly, gorgeous and fun city of Pittsburgh, Pa - has a traditional "light the first tree" festivities downtown - Market Square area.

                       Copyright@L.Hadley 2024

     Every year - starting at Thanksgiving week - the city of Pittsburgh puts on a super magnificent holiday event which last for a month - from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Last night - Friday Nov. 22 - 2013 - about half a million people with families showed up in spite of the cold rain cutting into little and big faces. The fireworks always look spectacular in Pittsburgh's scenery full of bridges and mountains. Of course, the world-famous fireworks family - the Zambelli family - are from Pittsburgh. 
    All of you - big city slickers from New York City and Chicago - should come here and take a look at those fabulous, Pittsburgh festivities - before you "snicker down your noses" on any city which is not the famous NYC or the lately "infamous" - Chicago - Windy City - experiencing their usual "holiday" spike in their normally - high - crime rate - contrary to what their phony, top city officials - tell the Chicagoans daily - on TV.
    At any rate - I am on my way to downtown, Pittsburgh's Market Square where the free concerts and the lovely commercial displays of every kind - shine in holiday splendor of 2013/2014 holiday season. Today is a dry day so it will be more fun than yesterday.
    Wish you were here!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

The most exciting places in the East of the U.S. - We have a yearly contract close to the glorious New York City - so for next year - you will visit great places in the East of the U.S which is the heart of this country - close to Washington, D.C. and NYC.

                  Copyright@L.Hadley 2023

     Hey everybody who follows me in the cyber "land",

        Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - a hilly, international, totally swanky and famous city has a part of town - called Squirrel Hill. That area feels like you walk around in a condensed best part of all the nicest, famous cities in Europe and the Middle East. You can also hear all those languages spoken here as you stop in numerous gorgeous little shops of all kinds - beautifully laid out along the popular Shady, Forbes, Murray Streets - strip.
      The reason for that is that the prominent University - Carnegie Mellon University or C.M.U. as its briefly called - stretches its hilly campus a half a mile from Squirrel Hill which constantly gets a changing "supply" of international faculty milling around in this area - also the upper classmen - graduate students love to hang out here and rent their dwellings. The small but beautifully designed multi-unit, hilly mansions - around Squirrel Hill's pedestrians' Shady, Forbes 
avenues areas.
    When you come to Pittsburgh - come up and walk around Squirrel Hill area which is mostly - Jewish.
     An important note for 2023 - Due to the Hamas terrorists' ruling band of Gaza strip - neighboring Israel - and the brutal invasion of Israel on Oct. 07 - 2023 which resulted in a subsequent - War of Israel against Gaza ruled - Hamas - there were anti-Semitic incidents on CMU campus as well as at another local university - PITT - University of Pittsburgh.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Mather Building Complex in Evanston - at 425 Davis St. (north suburb of Chicago - the home of Northwestern University) offers a beautiful place of residence to seniors.

                           
                       Copyright@L.Hadley 2023
    
    Hey everybody in the cyberspace who is sixty years old or better,
  
     We need to tell you about a super fun, fun, fun and elegant place to live - namely - The Mather Complex located at 425 Davis St.- Evanston, IL 60201.
     If you are a young thinking - senior - you need to check them out. The best way to do it is to e-mail them at themather@matherlifeways.com or call them for info 847-448-0793.
    They have a terrific schedules of activities for various interests - but their exquisite dining room - only for the residents - offers morsels which are nutritious, delicious and beautifully presented.
    So spread the word to your older but young spirited - friends since the place overlooks gorgeous Lake Michigan and all the residents seem happy and friendly. Moreover - you can meet them and ask them all kinds of questions when they have their monthly tours of the facility.
    We gave you the info - so call them or E-mail them - today. Have a great week - everybody!!!

Monday, September 30, 2013

The first week of October feels like a glorious fall is finally here!

      Every year when October finally arrives after a long summer - everybody in my family wants to slow down time - but it always goes by - entirely too fast. The beautiful fall days - zoom by rapidly; they go faster when followed by an exceptionally cold winter which last "forever" until the spring finally arrives.
   Lets keep an optimistic outlook and stretch the glorious fall so when the winter 2013/2014 arrives - we will emphasize the beauty of the holidays season than the New Year celebration which is always celebrated in a great way in our family with a group of old and new friends.
   At times - it's hard to think positive thoughts while the events seem to "gang up" with some "life's challenges" which always pass so the good events - can invariably - follow.
   At any rate - happy first week of October 2013 - to all of us!!!
   

Sunday, September 22, 2013

October Fest on Lincoln/Lawrence - Germantown - Chicag, IL - starts in the last week of September 2013.

                       Copyright@L.Hadley 2015

    Hello there everybody in the cyberspace,

    This year as every year - the Germantown of Chicago, IL - which is a big area located at the intersection of Lincoln Ave where it crosses Lawrence St - which hosts an array of absolutely terrific cultural and entertainment establishments for all ages and persuasions - holds a magnificent Octoberfest combined with the apple harvest fest.
   The fantastic event started on Fri. Sept. 20 - 2013 and ends Sunday Sept. 22 - 2013. The displays of various apple products from local farmers and merchants looks totally dazzling this year - in addition - there is a big push towards promoting the so called "hard cider" which a delicious apple beer.  Look for a good looking guy selling a ten dollar kit to make the hard cider - easily - at home.
    In my modest opinion apple beer is not only tasty - but also - as strong as beer and features numerous benefits which regular beer misses. For an example - hard cider doesn't smell puky and lacks tons of yeast which lots of people can't stand.
    Long story - short - the annual October fest in Germantown, Chicago - which started early this year - absolutely cannot be missed - you will love it.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

A third week of September 2013 - starts out and continues with cool fall-like days.

                       Copyright@L.Hadley 2015

     September 2013 zooms by fast and after a few very hot and bothersome days at the beginning of the month - the second and third week continues with very cool, rainy, fall-like days and nights.
    Since most of the people in our family love the autumn and hates long, overly-hot summers - fall always goes fast like a blink of an eye. If the Chicago winter starts out mild and continues in that mode - we enjoy it - however - frequently the winters here - are windy, blistering, long and awful - so it's nice to get the hell out of Chicago for January and February. It's not always easy to accomplish but as we get older - there are less deadlines and pressures to bother us. 
   Thank God we get something good - connected to getting older. I love the very mature women and men who not only get better with age - but they also look great. Their personalities also change for the better with age - just like the finest wines. Those are my kind of people.
    

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

During the second week of September - Chicago had several enormously hot, humid and bothersome days.

    Only a week before the official fall begins - Chicago had some nasty, hot and humid days during the second week of September 2013.  While August, July, June of the summer 2013 - were cool, sunny and pleasant - barring a single hot and humid day - here and there - September had quite a few hot and unbrearable, nasty days.
    Thank God - all this is ending - since the next week - the third week of September 2013 - promises to be cool and terrific. I can finally go back to my favorite place Irish Cultural Center and pick up their September schedule. It need to be mentioned that the Irish Center huge mansion is not air-conditioned.
    The magnificent Irish Cultural Center - 4626 Knox Ave - Chicago, IL 60618 - is much better to visit - during the cool weather. I went there one time during the very warm - not even hot day - this summer and it was uncomfortable inside - notwithstanding its huge, castle like numerous rooms.
    Have a great second week of September 2013!!!            Copyright@L.Hadley 2024

Thursday, September 5, 2013

This is the first week of September 2013.

         For this week - all of you my loyal and numerous - "cyber-friends" we will feature Chicago's - Michigan Avenue - the so called "Magnificent Mile" running roughly from Michigan and Walton to Michigan and Wacker.
       If all possible - I beg of you - do not visit that area from May 30 (Memorial Day) until the Labor Day is done - right now this time. If you have to visit the Magnificent Mile at the time I mentioned above - be prepared to be squeezed like a sardine in a tight can - by millions of newly arrived tourists in your face plus their screaming children.
      On the other hand - if you come right now - let's say between this time and Thanksgiving - you will love the Magnificent Mile - unless you are mentally deficient and like to fight crowds - I am just kidding you - of course.
     At any rate - have a super marvelous week and I promise to feature something really "Chicago" - next week!!!
     Copyright@L. Hadley and Associates 2024

Friday, August 30, 2013

Every Labor Day - Chicago hosts a super gorgeous Jazz Festival with the most talented Jazz perfomers playing tons of gigs in safe vanues - Chicago Downtown.

Hey everybody who loves good Jazz,

     Every Labor Day long weekend - the city of Chicago has been hosting a fabulous Jazz fest which is free to the public. The concerts are - usually outdoors - so we pray for good weather.
     This year - 2013 - we got lucky since barring an awfully hot Sunday and Friday - Saturday and Monday - should both be beautiful.
     You need to get a little bit earlier to Millennium Park since everybody has the same idea - to get there for free to listen to great Jazz.
     My friend and I will go Saturday since it will cool off - today - Friday Aug. 30 - 2013 - is very hot and even if the humidity "behaves" it still feels crummy - thank God for the breeze from Lake Michigan.

     Stay tuned - breathlessly - for my follow up report on some early Jazz concerts on Saturday August 31 - 2103 (they start at noon).

    Have a great Labor Day! Hurray - the summer is ending the fall will be here soon!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The third week of August will feature - Chicago's - Broadway Armory building.

     During this "heat wave" week - Chicago has a so called "Broadway Armory" building - a fabulously rehabbed huge, loft structure which houses a big gym for younger kids - but also a spacious, clean "senior center" for old farts. Some of them have no teeth and chronic bad mood - but most might have no teeth - but a nice smile.
     The big, round, loft shaped building stands close to the gloriously beautiful Thorndale/Sheridan beach.  The building - itself - is on Broadway/Thorndale - corner.
     The "old gizzards" get a good meal - nutritious lunch - for a dollar and all all kinds of "old farts'" activities in which most of them - participate. The city of Chicago is rich - if it didn't waste its tremendous resources on rich political "hacks" - it would be a nice city.
     Thank God for the press and media in Chicago which shines the light on their "shady", half-legal activities. Eventually it's their turn on the "butcher's block" - as well.
     Not to get side-tracked from the Broadway Armory building - it's gorgeous - cool in the hot days - warm in the winter. My kind of place.
Come in the take a look!

Friday, August 16, 2013

August 2013 - new hot spot in Chicago - is actually a very old - but rehabbed and gorgeous - huge mansion!

Hey everybody who clicks here!

        A new, August 2013, hot spot in Chicago, Illinois - is coming momentarily! There is another, small Chicago in another state. We - make sure - to identify "our" Chicago - the heart of the U.S. which the well known American poet named Carl Sandburg - called a "giant with big shoulders".
      Back to our column. The rich people who lived in Chicago at the beginning of the twentieth century loved not only to build huge dwellings for themselves and their numerous servants of every kind - they also adored to build huge clubs/castles - for their entertainment/recreation. 
      One of those gigantic, mansion structures is an Irish Heritage Community Center - on Knox and Lawrence located in Chicago's north west neighborhood. It's a massive, three story building - designed in an ornate style - newly renovated - containing two big ballrooms - huge kitchen with dining area and tons of smaller rooms on every floor.
      The parking lot is humongous. This beautiful venue is easily accessible if you drive or take the public transportation. The center is perfect for all kinds of concerts, festivals, dances. 
      You absolutely cannot forget about the next big event - Irish Books Arts & Music Celebration coming up October 11, 12 and 13th. This spectacular Irish Cultural Weekend will feature the finest Irish Writers, Artists, Musicians, Dancers, Storytellers, Film, Theatre and Exhibitions.
      Mark your calendars with a big, fat marker - Irish American Heritage Center - 4626 N. Knox Avenue - Chicago, IL 60630 - call 847-872-0700
www.ibamchicago.com - absolutely not to be missed.
      Ask for me - name this exciting website and come and give me a hug - I take a shower every day and use deodorant. Hope you do the same - otherwise - just shake my hand.  See you there!!!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Ezra Russian Center - 909 W. Wilson Ave - Chicago, 60660 has dynamite Tuesday afteroon concerts.

    
      Every Tuesday afternoon - starting 1:30 pm - the Russian Center located in a nice and clean, rehabbed, three story building located at the very heart of famous Chicago's - Uptown - right down the street from the well known junior college - the Truman College - the Ezra Russian Center has been hosting a lot of super good concerts - free of charge. You need to understand Russian - however - if you are to enjoy yourself.
      On June 4 - 2013 - the accomplished pianist/arranger Ms. Olga Bashkena organized a terrific afternoon concert consisting of a lot of magnificent pieces composed by a famous Russian composer - who created more than 1500 successful songs performed by the most prominent Russian vocalists - such as Leonid Utesev, Mark Bernes, Irina Allegrova.
     The composers' name is Oskar Feltzman who graduated with distinction from Odessa Conservatory of Music - majoring in composition and he passed away from heart failure at eighty three - in the United States where he lived towards the end of his life.
    "The Ballad of War Colors" moved me to tears since it reminded me how my mother loved to listen to it - many years before I heard it last Tues. June 4 - 2013 - performed in an almost totally professional manner by Mr. Marat Vilenski - an older tenor. 
     It was a funny feeling of almost meeting a deceased composer after I heard and loved his song which I knew for many years and have forgotten it - in the interim - busy with my life. I never knew who composed this beautiful ballad. They lyrics skillfully written by Mr. Roshdenstvensky are simple - 
     "A plain but good woman gave birth to two sons - one had red hair - she whispered that she brought into the world a 'boy sent from the sunshine' - while the second son had a pitch black hair - like shiny tar glistening on the rooftops."
      When the Great War broke out - both boys had to go fight Hitler so they respectfully said goodbye and left their mother's home. She waited and worried but kept the upbeat thoughts in her head and she was very lucky - both of them returned from the War but both of them had white hair since the War colors turns the young men's hair - white."
      If you live in Chicago area, understand Russian and like Russian culture - you will have a lot of fun during the Tuesday afternoons at the Chicago's Ezra Russian Center.
      
     Copyright@L. Hadley 2021

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Dank Kanosak's super cool ballroom studio - La Classique starts Friday's Dances!


         Hello there, all the ballroom dancers and the aspiring ones,
        
         First of all - to get a hold of a fantastic Tango story - go immediately to a super secure website which is:
http://theblockbusterofthecentury.blogspot.com
       You will love that fast moving, exciting novel.
      
         We have some great news for you - La Classique - a cozy but beautiful dance studio located in the breathtaking Latvian Community Center - 4146 N. Elston Ave - Chicago, IL 60618 - will start Friday night dances - beginning Fri. Apr. 5 - 2013.
        Before I go to the sensational details of the Friday night dance parties - we would like to remind you that the address on Elston is visible from the side street called Hamlin - located across the street from Tony's Finer Foods. Do not attempt to find that address on Elston because you will look for it all night and will not find it. I made that mistake several years ago - so we are sharing that useful address tip.
  
      Back to Fridays at La Classique - the dance starts at 8pm and goes till 11pm. At 9pm Dank will teach a half an hour lasting - complementary lesson followed by a Dance mixer - so you get to dance with everybody good. I will dance one dance with a beginner - if you are one - not boasting or anything like that - mind you.
      In addition - you will get complementary snacks and refreshments. Admission is only ten dollars. The sounds system functions great with a super music selection by famous artists and orchestras who maintain an even ten beat measure - for the dancers.
      If you are an advanced dancer, you will have plenty of partners on your level - if you are on a beginning or on an intermedial level - don't worry - there will be plenty of dancers on your level - as well. You will not feel out of place.
     All you need to bring with you is - a neat personal appearance, positive attitude and a desire to learn or improve your ballroom dancing skills - which always enhance your personal life in every possible way!

    See you in the studio - Friday nights - starting Friday April 5 - 2013!

         An Important Note - Dec. 2023 - In Jan. 2020 - an international ballroom dancer/instructor - Dank Kanosak (from Malasia) - the owner of La Classique - died suddenly - he was only about 65 years of age.
He is dancing in heaven - now.
      Copyright@L. Hadley - 2023
     

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Whenever you are in any big city with a few days and nothing to do - try to call or E-mail a dance studio!!!

   

       Hello there everybody reading this section! The Spring is coming in Chicago so it's time to get out of the winter "cabin".
     If you want to meet a lot of quality people of every kind - you need to learn Ballroom dancing. You can also learn Bridge however - the Ballroom dancing will keep you physically fit, clean and healthy.
     When you start group lessons - keep in mind that your physical appearance, your clothing, you personal hygiene - are extremely important. You do not need to look like a superstars nor you need to have Gianni Versace collections of attire. You also do not have to spend a lot of money.
    All you want to have is a good attitude, positive outlook and a bit patience with your skills. It will take a few months for you to learn some basic steps so you will have to - perhaps - put up a bit with some more experienced dancers in a studio acting a bit "condescending" towards you - but believe me - it will be worth you efforts and they will be rewarding.
    I will pull for you since I remember when I just started out a few years back. Ballroom dancing will give you a lot of confidence and poise in every area of your life even if it's a little difficult at first. 
    See you in the studio.

      Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates 2024