From the Chicago Tribune
Obama homecoming not the usual presidential visit
Expected 3-day stay in Chicago to resemble recent transition period
By John McCormick and Sara Olkon Tribune reporters
February 12, 2009
When Air Force One touches down Friday evening in Chicago, there will once again be a chance to see heavily armed motorcades and be surprised by unexpected appearances by the most famous and powerful Chicagoan.
It will also mark the start of an entirely new experience for the city: hosting an extended visit by a sitting president.
In the past, presidential visits have typically lasted a couple hours, just long enough for the nation’s top executives to land at O’Hare International Airport, ride a chopper downtown and appear before some television cameras.
This trip, however, is expected to last three days and will offer the first glimpse of what are likely to become fairly routine hometown visits by President Barack Obama and his family. The return to Chicago will come a day after scheduled stops Thursday in East Peoria, Ill., and Springfield.
Source: Chicago Tribune and NY Newsday
Will you have a chance to meet the President in Springfield? Please ask him to support chess.
Susan, maybe President Obama can bail out the USCF.
Happy 200th Birthday to Abraham Lincoln. Another Illinois guy.
Zoorotica program at Binder Park Zoo
February 10, 2009 – 8:22 AM
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Chocolate and flowers are nice, but this Valentine’s Day why not take your honey for a walk on the wild side?
“We’re going to talk about animal reproduction, the different animals here at Binder Park Zoo and their little quirks, different things that get them going to help them reproduce,” said Sam Slaon of the Bronx, a volunteer at the zoo and avid animal sex voyeur.
It’s a Valentine’s Day date that’s sure to ruffle some feathers.
Sloan says love birds are flocking to sign up for the Zoorotica program. From frolicking frogs to the love-lives of leopards, this will give you an intimate look at animal mating rituals.
The R-rated show lets you go where no zoo guests have gone before.
Tickets are sold out, but there is a waiting list. Just call the zoo office to add your name.
So far all of the tickets were bought up by a small group of people: O’Brien Laugherty, Sam Sloan, Mad Marcus Roberts, the Queen of England, Bill Goichnerd, Hal Buggerer, Randy Huff, and a dead man name Ray Parker who mysteriously paid for 100 tickets using only pennies and cereal box tops.