Gallagher's Travels: Letter From the Editor: September 2007

Letter from the Editor

September 2007

Dear Friends,

Nauticus

Recently I had the opportunity to spend another all to short few days in Virginia's Hampton Roads area. This compact portion of Southern Virginia's shore has always featured an overwhelming option of activities, attractions, beaches, historical sites and more to keep you and those of any age in your group coming back time and time again and it can't stop growing! Those of us within an easy driving distance can especially enjoy short or long visits while being entertained no matter what the weather.

Williamsburg

We had a perfect evening for our narrated and very informative Miss Hampton river cruise leaving the pier adjacent to the stunning Virginia Air & Space Center with their IMAX Theater. The afternoon at the Jamestown Settlement was steamy hot but their huge air conditioned exhibition building can keep you be busy for a very long cool down.

Indian Heritage Celebration at Jamestown

All in all with this trip and several in the past I've seen the mind boggling Mariners Museum, Chrysler Museum of Art, Cousteau Society, Nauticus, the National Maritime Center, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Norfolk Botanical Garden, walked some of the 29 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches, Colonial Williamsburg. Virginia Living Museum plus a few I've temporarily forgotten and three times this many I haven't been to yet.

Seasonally there are whale watching trips (also missed), various naval shipyard tours and the list goes on and on. Then one needs to take short naps and consume enormous amounts of delicious food!

Check the Hampton Roads website and you'll see why it's easy to just keep going back again and again all year round.

Hampton Roads

~o0o~

Sometimes in the interest of retaining sanity it's best not to listen to or read the news…as in gad zukes will New Orleans ever be fixed and at what cost? Must you be slightly to seriously on the perverted side to be elected to congress? How many times do we need to re-engage in the Vietnam War just in different parts of the world? Will prisons ever be places of education and reform? Certainly not since they have been privatized – what a shame for our country. Have parents always done bad things to their children? Enough of that so on to lighter subjects like travel.

Although it's always interesting to be out of the US and hear the news from a totally different point of view. In Cozumel a few years ago we had German world news, in France of course French news and interestingly in some areas of the world they don't much care what goes on in the US. Then again its often difficult to hear world news in the this country unless you're listening to PBS or the BBC news.

After we've traveled and hear positive or not so positive reports about those destinations, news becomes more meaningful to us. As you've heard me say many times travel is the ultimate education.

~o0o~

I know we'll never go backwards in technology but please when will customer service and bad manufacturing catch up regarding our cable. Internet, cell phones, new computers, new software and why can't I get back the zip drive program I loved and learned, or the old ACD photo program? As a technology challenged person who only speaks English as in American English and am the consumer that paid the money for these products and now can't get service or assistance without a 4 hour wait or them trying to get me to go to everyone's website. Well I went to your website that was worthless in assisting me and usually the same for those techno geniuses that I end up hiring to help.

Today and for the last eight months Dell has been my total enemy and I've wasted every dime spent on their service contract. One computer came with a fried hard drive and at that time we should have sent both of them back. Big mistake trust your instincts on these things…So now I have this service contract that costs money and allows me to wait for hours for assistance with someone who cannot understand my language or problem and then transfers me 300 times.

Alltel erased all the information regarding my friend's network, and we've replaced two phones for mechanical problems in less than a year. I don't know how or have any need to send text messages but every month am charged for a few.

Join www.NoMoreMadeinChina.com Now!

A lot of the products are made in China and if you follow the US debt to China and everyone else as well as the recalls it would be nice to avoid products made in China.

Try it…and then report back to me. It is really hard (forget dollar stores) but in time, doable.

~o0o~

Chicago Skyline

I find seeing and learning about architecture through travel adds another dimension to histories timeline, world events and is just plain fascinating.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public interest and education in architecture and related design. They have one of the most comprehensive programs of exhibits, tours, special events, and lectures I've seen. Below is a listing of their events for September through November 2007 and it is amazing. Check out their website or call 312.922.3432.

Happy Trails!

Mary E. Gallagher

mary@gallagherstravels.com

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Media Calendar: Events and Tours

September-October-November 2007

NEW THIS FALL

Chicago: You Are Here is open!
Jenney: Father of the Skyscraper, CAF's newest tour, is offered on September 22.
Me, Myself & Infrastructure: Private Lives and Public Works in America open through November 16
Intersections: Views Across Chicago —September 20, 2007
Jenney: Father of the Skyscraper, our newest tour, is offered on June 23, 30; July 21, August 25, and September 22.

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EXHIBITIONS

ALL FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
224 S. Michigan Avenue
312.922.3432

Chicago: You Are Here, an engaging new permanent exhibition at the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Exhibit includes a scale model of downtown Chicago, along with images, artifacts and video presentations, encouraging visitors to explore the architecture, infrastructure and environment of Chicago.

Me, Myself & Infrastructure: Private Lives and Public Works in America—through November 16, 2007
Exhibition featuring a New York coffee shop, a comfortable living room, a city bus stop, and a "big box" type store; the exhibition invites visitors to explore how their decisions—whether it's buying a home in a new subdivision or shopping at Wal-Mart—shape the built environment.

Intersections: Views Across Chicago —September 20, 2007-January 5, 2008
During the 1930s, the Chicago Surface Lines streetcar company documented every major intersection in Chicago. Using large-format cameras, company photographers captured hundreds of neighborhood and downtown streetscapes. These remarkable images portray an elegant city, with cops on the beat, taut trolley wires, wide-open spaces, buildings lathered in terra cotta, vibrant nightlife, second-floor chop suey joints, and grand movie palaces.

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PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Underground Chicago: Historic Basements in the Loop
Thursday, September 27, 4:30–6:30pm
COST $30; $20 CAF members; $25 students
LOCATION Begin at the ArcelorMittal CitySpace Gallery
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

The River that Works: Chicago's Infrastructure with Geoffrey Baer
Saturday, September 29, 5–8pm
COST $85; $75 CAF members (includes dinner and cash bar)
LOCATION Begin at CAF boat dock, located on the southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive.
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

China and the Crisis of Infrastructure
Wednesday, October 3, 6pm
COST $20; $10 CAF members; $15 students
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

Explore Chicago's Cow Path!
Saturday, October 13, 1pm
COST $20; $10 CAF members; $15 students
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

Chicago's Green Urban Systems and Infrastructure
Saturday, October 20, 14pm
COST $50; $35 CAF and USGBC members; $45 students
LOCATION Tour begins at the ArcelorMittal CitySpace Gallery
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

Climate Change and Chicago's Infrastructure
Co-sponsored with the City of Chicago Department of Environment
Thursday, November 15, 6pm
COST $20; $10 CAF members; $15 students
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

Left Behind: Historic Remnants of the "L"
Thursday, October 18, 6pm
COST $20; $10 CAF members; $15 students
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

Chicago: City on the Move
Tuesday, November 6, 12:15–1pm
COST Free and open to the public
RSVP No RSVP required (please arrive early, as seating is limited)

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LUNCHTIME LECTURES

Wednesdays, 12:15–1pm (Attendees are welcome to bring lunch)
COST Free and open to the public
RSVP No RSVP required (please arrive early, as seating is limited)

September 5
The Deep Tunnel

September 12
Studio Dwell Architects Recent Work

September 19
Prairie Modernism: The Architecture of Edward Humrich

September 26
Pilgrim Baptist Church: Making Progress Towards Rebuilding

October 3
Black on the Block: The Politics of Race and Class in the City

October 10
Loyola Information Commons

October 17
Loop Lighting Program: Wabash Avenue Improvement

October 24
Extremely Suburban America: A Narrative from Naperville

October 31
Lucien Lagrange Architects Recent Work

November 7
The North Avenue Bridge: Chicago's First Cable-Stayed Bridge

November 14
Johnson & Lee Architects Recent Work

November 21
No Lecture

November 28
Harboe Architects Recent Work

Sustainable Architecture Lunchtime Lecture Series
Co-sponsored with the Chicago Center for Green Technology
Second Tuesday of every month, 12:15–1pm
COST Free and open to the public
RSVP No RSVP required (please arrive early, as seating is limited)

September 11
Introduction to the Chicago Green Homes Program
Kelly Kennoy, City of Chicago Department of Environment

October 9
The Calumet Initiative
Nicole Kamins, City of Chicago Department of Environment

November 13
CDOT Green Alleys Initiative
Janet Attarian, City of Chicago Department of Environment

Do-It-Yourself Green Home and Garden Series
Co-sponsored with the Chicago Center for Green Technology
First Thursday of every month, 12:15–1pm
COST Free and open to the public
RSVP No RSVP required (please arrive early, as seating is limited)

October 4
Energy Efficiency with Doors and Windows
Larry Alport, Pella Windows and Doors

November 1
Green Home Remodeling in Chicago
Paul Knight, Domus PLUS

December 6
Weatherizing Your Home
Seth Reimer, City of Chicago Department of Environment

Leaders in Sustainable Architecture Lecture Series
Sponsored by Pepper Construction
Substance and Style: Balancing High Performance and High Design
Co-presented with OWP/P
Tuesday, October 9, 6pm (Reception to follow immediately after program)
COST $20; $10 CAF members and OWP/P employees; $15 students
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

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COMMUNITY BUILDING: DESIGN INNOVATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION

The Micro Revolution: Neighbors Making a Difference (Part 1)
Thursday, September 20, 12–1:30pm
COST $30; $15 CAF and MPC members (includes lunch)
LOCATION The John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery
RSVP Please register with the MPC at www.metroplanning.org or contact Pam Lee at 312.863.6011 or plee@metroplanning.org.

Building a Century of Progress: The Architecture of Chicago's 1933-34 World's Fair
Thursday, September 27, 2007, 12:15–1pm
COST Free and open to the public
RSVP No RSVP required (please arrive early, as seating is limited)

The Hem C. Gupta Lecture
Sponsored by Environmental Systems Design, Inc.
Thomas Phifer & Partners Recent Work
Tuesday, October 30, 6pm (Reception to follow immediately after lecture)
COST $20; $10 CAF members; $15 students
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

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ADULT EDUCATION

History of Chicago Architecture: Daring Design on the Prairie
FOUR SESSIONS Tuesdays, September 25–October 23, 6–8pm (NOTE: There will be no class on Tuesday, October 9)
COST $120; $80 CAF members; $100 students
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

Pilasters, Piers, Pillars, or Piloti? Architectural Vocabulary and How to Use It
FOUR SESSIONS Wednesdays, September 19–October 10, 6–8pm
COST $120; $80 CAF members; $100 students
LOCATION The John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery
RSVP www.architecture.org or 312.922.3432 x224

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TOURS

Here is a sample of the 80+ tours we offer!

ARCHITECTURE RIVER CRUISE
A 90-minute Architecture River Cruise narrated by well-trained, volunteer docents. The boats provide a new perspective on the city, cruising by Chicago's soaring towers, identifying more than 50 architecturally significant sites. The vessels of Chicago's Finest Fleet: Chicago's First Lady, Chicago's Little Lady and Chicago's Fair Lady include both open-air and climate-controlled indoor seating. Snacks and beverages are available. All passengers boarding vessels for the CAF Architecture River Cruise (and their carry-on items) are subject to inspection pursuant to U.S. Coast Guard/Department of Homeland Security regulations.

June 2–September 30
Monday–Friday at 10am, 11am, 11:30am, 12pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 3:30pm
Saturday/Sunday/Holidays at 9am, 9:30am, 10am, 11am, 11:30am, 12pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm

Fall Season: October 1–October 28, 2007
Monday–Friday: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: 10am, 11am, 11:30am, 12pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 3:30pm

Late Fall Season: November 2–18, 2007
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10am, 12pm, 2pm

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BUS TOURS

HIGHLIGHTS BY BUS
The exciting diversity of Chicago's finest buildings are part of this wide-ranging odyssey. The tour features an interior tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House; covers 30 miles of Chicago architecture including the Loop, Hyde Park, the Gold Coast, several historic districts, university campus', parks, and residential neighborhoods. Stops include Mies van der Rohe's IIT campus and the Rookery in downtown Chicago. The interior tour of the Robie House is given by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.

April 1–November 30
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 9:30am

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DOWNTOWN WALKING TOURS

Architecture of Culture & Commerce
Daily 2pm (Thurs at 5:30pm)

Downtown Deco
Tues, Thurs, Sat 11am (Mon at 5:30pm)

Historic Skyscrapers
Daily 10am & 3pm (Wed at 5:30pm)

Chicago Old & New
Mon/Wed 11am

Modern Skyscrapers
Daily 1pm (Friday at 5:30pm)

Tiffany on Wednesdays
Wednesdays 3pm

For detailed information check:
www.architecture.org—P 312.922.3432

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