Flower Power

Spring is here—at least according to the calendar. Temperatures in Chicago will fluctuate greatly over the next couple of months, but the scent of fresh flowers is everywhere!

Macy’s on State Street presents Gadina Africana, a garden of African culture celebrating the beauty and history of the continent, from March 21^st to April 7. Every spring since 1933, when Marshall Field’s Department Store (now Macy’s) began the flower show, over 3,300 square feet of flowers are displayed on the first floor at Macy’s State Street store.

Chicago is so flower friendly that we’re also home to two conservatories holding Spring Flower Shows. As you explore the Lincoln Park Conservatory and walk among giant banana trees, fragile orchids, staunch cactuses, and in and out of beautiful show rooms, you will feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, as the conservatory was built between 1890 and 1895 and retains a historical atmosphere.

The Garfield Park Conservatory opened in 1908 and was described as a work of “landscape architecture under glass.” Designed by Jens Jensen, the centerpiece of the conservatory is the aquatic or fern room, and includes some of Jensen’s most beautiful stone and water elements. Park admission to both conservatories is always free and the shows run through May 13.

Go just north of Chicago, drive through grandiose homes, and you’ll come to the beautiful Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG) where 23 different gardens are situated on 385 acres. The CBG offers many events throughout the year, such as the Antiques and Garden Fair from April 20 through April 22.

Right here on The Magnificent Mile, Tulip Days begin on April 16 and last through May 31. Thousands of tulips will be right outside the doors of the Chicago Radisson Hotel and Suites and line Michigan Avenue. In celebration, we’re offering a special Spring Break Tulip Excursion, beginning April 1, so visitors can fully appreciate Chicago in Bloom!

Taking the bus to school for lunch (and chocolate!) in the classroom

Chicago is a training ground for future food industry talent and boosts the most culinary schools in a major city. This means that there are opportunities for bargain dining and sampling gourmet food at student-run restaurants and schools in locations accessible from the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites via bus.

At the The Dining Room of Kendall College, guests can dine on innovative courses such as butter-poached alligator, duck gumbo and Pacific cod served with eggplant caviar and smoked oysters. The Dining Room has recently begun serving prix-fixe lunches for $18 and prix-fixe dinners for $28. Be sure to visit on March 15 when the Advanced Garde Manger class presents “The Grand Buffet,”an all-you-can-eat buffet for $25, prepared by the class for its final exam.

“CHIC Café "is operated by students at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. This is a friendly spot where the menu changes daily and guests can bring in wine and beer. Students test their creations on the public before going on to work at Chicago’s finest hotels and restaurants, and they thrive off of diners’ feedback. Lunch is $15 and dinner is $25. Reservations are strongly recommended (312.873.2032,) as the café is sometimes closed for parties or due to school breaks.

The French Pasty, located in Chicago’s Loop, is the only school in the area that concentrates solely on desserts and pastries. I got the chance to tour the kitchen at The French Pastry the other night when I attended a Chicago Hotel Concierge Association meeting at the school.The smell of chocolate in the air has me excited for the “World Chocolate Masters 2007 National Championship,” which will be held there May 19 and May 20, 2007. If you can’t wait that long for delicious sweets come, to Chicago on March 10, stay at the Radisson and attend the French Pastry’s “Open House,” featuring an artisan bread and sugar showpiece demonstrations. Many other seminars and exhibtions also occur at The French Pastry throughout the year.

After you have had your fill of food at a Chicago school, take the bus back to the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites. Then engage in some physical education by walking around the Magnificent Mile and use your food budget savings toward shopping at all the great shops nearby!

What Does a Concierge do?

Beyond offering guests a friendly greeting and tips on the area, a concierge follows ancient tradition by aiming to fulfill any guest requests that are legally, ethically and morally feasible.

The word "concierge" is derived form the French term "comte des cierges" meaning "keeper of the candles." Keepers were required to stay abreast on all the events going on in the palace and maintain candles for them. As the years progressed, the person occupying this role was the gatekeeper, or keeper of the key, responsible for greeting guests and attending to their needs.

At the beginning of the 20th century, European hotels employed concierges to keep track of their guests' needs. They began meeting and networking in order to improve their services and eventually developed Les Clefs d’Or, the international association of professional hotel concierges.

As a member of Les Clefs d'Or, I wear a gold key on my lapel. The gold key signifies that the wearer is a professionally trained concierge who has built up the skills and contacts to open doors for guests throughout the city.

Not all concierges are members of Les Clefs d’Or. We must obtain five years experience as concierges, acquire sponsors, and pass rigorous testing. I am the only Les Clefs d’Or concierge in the Radisson chain in the U.S. But don’t worry... I'll still let you in on where you can find the best hot dog in Chicago!

Suites for Sweethearts

Doesn't Valentine’s Day in Chicago makes you feel warm all over? Maybe not, since the temperature isn't even in the double digits, but if you stay at the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites with the one you love, you're guaranteed to defrost.

Imagine getting dolled up in one of the overstuffed suites at the Radisson and then exiting the hotel into a horse-drawn carriage. As you ride through the streets viewing city lights, you might begin to think you are in Paris….if not for the 'Go Bears!' Signs left over from football season.

Have your carriage drop you off at one of my favorite restaurants. Volare offers scrumptious Italian food. Rosebud Steakhouse is one of the best steakhouses in the city. Pane Caldo serves northern Italian food at it’s finest and boasts a superb wine list. Le Colonial offers it’s wonderful food in a great atmosphere.

If you stay on Satuday, you can view breathtaking fireworks along the Chicago River.

After the fireworks, work off the meal by going out dancing on Rush Street. If you're over 30, check out Syn, go to Level if you're under 30 or pary at Le Passage if age doesn't matter.

Feel like a little live music? The Back Room has jazz and blues, but if you brought your own musical instrument, head over to Andy’s on Hubbard for a bit of a jazz session.

Make sure you pace yourself because many of the bars and clubs are open until 5:00 am on Sunday mornings. When you've finished paryting, return to the Radisson for chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries and get some much needed rest.

On Sunday, get those juices flowing at Rockit, my favorite place for brunch. Great Bloody Marys!

Then buy your Valentine a present outside on Michicagn Avenue or go to Bucktown/Wicker Park for unique shopping at stores like Apartment No. 9, Akira and City Soles.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Chicago River Goes Green on St. Patrick's Day

Due to Chicago's thriving Irish-American community, tourists always enjoy spending St. Patrick's Day in a city that celebrates the holiday with bagpipes, stepdancing and the crowning of "Chicago's Fairest Colleen." However, the most compelling reason to come to Chicago and stay at the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites on March 17 is to see the Chicago River turn Emerald Green due to the magic of a closely guarded secret forumula.

On March 16, come to the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites and you can get an early start at celebrating the holiday at nearby pubs restaurants and still get up in time to witness the transformation of the Chicago River. At 10:45 in the morning on March 17, crowds will gather at the upper bridges at Michigan Avenue or Columbus Drive and watch as the River Dyeing Crew unleashes an orange dye into the water which turns the water bright green.

Legend has at that this tradition began over 40 years ago when Stephen Bailey, Business Manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union, was making plans for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and noticed a plumber whose clothing was splotched with fluorescent green spots. Upon hearing that the plumber had been using the dye to detect waste leaks in the Chicago River, Bailey had the idea of turning the whole river green for St. Patrick’s Day.

The first time that the transformation took place, in 1962, over 100 pounds of were used and the Chicago River stayed green for a week. Over the years the formula was down and it was found that 25 pounds of dye would keep the Chicago River for one day.

In 1966, the chemical dye used to color the waters was changed to a vegetable based dye at the request of environmenalits. About 40 pounds of this dye is used to keep the river green for the day.

Chicago claims to be the only city that has the capability of changing its waters green. After you've witnessed this St. Patrick's Day miracle, watch the parade at noon, then come back to the Chicago Hotel and Suites and have some 'bangers in blankets' or 'Guinness Irish Stew' at Elephant and Castle Pub, located in the hotel.

Take Home A Good Yarn from Vacation

Now that it's winter time, it means that folks want to snuggle in with warm clothing and blankets. Come to the Chicago Radisson Hotel and Suites, stay in one of our cozy suites and visit the Stitching Salon at the Chicago Tourism Center where you'll learn how to make gear that will keep the cold away. During the months of January and February, both beginning and advanced knitters can learn quilting, crocheting, and T-shirt making techniques through free classes and exhibitions from some of the best artists in the country. You'll also have the chance to be part of knitting circles during hands-on classes.

Events taking place include weekly knitting courses and 'Knitflix', a night where guests knit at the movies and have the chance to receive free light-up knitting needles. There's also a lunchbreak knitting circle and a "Family Sip and Stitch" where families can learn the craft together while having tea and cookies.

Visitors can view the Top 10 Handmade Delights featuring Mayan textiles, Mexican prints and African-inspired wooden staffs. They will also see a crocheted sculptural installation by Mike Andrews and handmade hardwood eyeglass frames by Scott Urban.

After a day of stitching and knitting, come back to the Chicago Radisson, cozy up with your creation and settle in with room service!

Details
Winter Delights Stitching Salon
January 2 - February 28 , 2007
Free
Chicago Tourism Center, 72 E. Randolph Street, Chicago

Blast in the New Year at Buckingham Fountain

On New Year's Eve, spend the day at Grant Park learning about art and culture, and then welcome in the New Year at night with a fireworks spectacular at Buckingham Fountain. A variety of activities are taking place during the day at museums in Grant Park, which is referred to as Chicago's front yard and located less than two miles away from the Chicago Radisson Hotel and Suites. At night, see Chicago all lit up when the New Year bursts in at Buckingham Fountain.

On Dec. 31, go to the Art Institute at Grant Park and listen to talks on the Institute's highlights and the 'Masterpiece of the Day,' the Shiva Nataraja. In addition, artist-in residence Yang Hui Tang will be on hand to discuss her Silk Road landscape paintings.

New Year's Eve is also the next-to-last day that the 'Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs' exhibit will be displayed in Chicago before leaving for Philadelphia. Come to the Field Museum and see how the Boy King lived.

Or, dip into Shedd: the World's Aquarium and visit some of the 22,000 animals that live there. At special exhibits, visitors can learn about the Caribbean, get up close to sharks or take a virtual travel tour through the world's waters.

No matter how you choose to spend your New Year's Day at Grant Park, make sure you go to Buckingham Fountain at night for a fabulous fireworks display. They'll be a huge display of color and light as fireworks choreographed to music go off. Look up to see them or view their reflections in Lake Michigan.

Information on Fireworks at Buckingham Fountain
December 31
Free
Music at 10:00 p.m., Fireworks begins at 11:40 p.m.
Buckingham Fountain, 337 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60611