About two years ago, my apartment building at the corner of Irving Park and Southport caught on…read morefire. In retrospect, I think the now defunct JoyBlue was trying to collect insurance, which i understand because it sucked, but a heads-up would have been nice. The building lacked smoke detectors, which is a problem in itself, but when you're passed out drunk, it's really a problem. I awoke when I heard one of my cats choking for air. By the time, I got up, tried to dress myself, and attempted to grab some cats, I realized it was not just someone burning bacon. The lights were on, but I could not see and I could not breathe. After trying the front door, I crawled blindly towards the back door. I'm a pretty calm person, but after I saw the flames out the second door, I thought I was toast. That's when I heard the fire department yelling. They were wonderful. They carried us down three flights of stairs. They didn't give me shit for having kittens rolled up in a shirt. They promptly told the friend that was staying over to shut the hell up when she started whining like a baby about her purse. They didn't stare or mention the fact that I was nearly naked, just grabbed me a blanket. They were genuinely concerned about what pets were left inside and found them. They apologized for breaking my things while trying to break out the windows. And after the fire was out, without asking, they made a special trip back in to try and find some salvageable shoes for me to wear. But after all this, I think my favorite part, was the ribbing they gave the rookie for mistakingly saving my mannequin.

On November 1 around 6 a.m., some cool person decided to set the big old garbage can in the alley…read moreon fire. Unfortunately, this can was in between our garage and our neighbors. Fortunately, despite my post-Halloween, half-drunken/half-asleep state, I heard the loud 'boom', investigated, and discovered my garage was on fire. Happy November. After trying to unkink my hose with little luck, while simultaneously screaming my head off, I called 9-1-1 and was met with an operator who wasn't listening so well. In any case, after repeating myself several times, the fire department arrived. I'd guess it was a minute and a half, TOPS, after finishing the 9-1-1 call. I think I spent more time on the call than I did waiting for CFD to show up. The fire was put out with MINIMAL damage to ours or the neighbors' garage (some melted gutters, siding and a tiny hole in the wall). No exploding cars or major calamity. So, major props to CFD (the station just north of Wabansia on Pulaski) for getting to our house lickety split. Thanks!!!

Such a beautiful well establish fire station! They are always safe, friendly, and appear to work…read moretheir butts off! Amazed at its presence each time I walk by!

I made a visit to this local fire station on my short visit to Chicago and it was very convenient…read moresince it was close to our hotel. Jose was very kind in helping me out in my visit and assisted me in purchasing there amazing T-shirt's for my family. These were the 3 shirts that I bought to support that fire station wish they had more of the these shirts cause they are a hit in my opinion especially the River North style and my personal was Wile E Coyote I'm willing to purchase them again even if I'm already back home in Los Angeles. Jose can you make this happen cause I would love to still get more if possible. The way you see the pictures that's the order of the patch that's in the front of each T-shirts.

This is a unique fire house, and a pretty adorable one at that. Established in 1902, it's…read moreoriginally was home to Hose Company 2, and when Engine Company 98 was created that company took over. It was designed by C.F. Hermann and is amongst the oldest in the city. Built to look like a medieval fortress, it retains some of those old-timey touches one associates with a firehouse, like using a brass pole (there are two!); yet, it has been modernized to turn the prior stable into the kitchen, and what once was a hayloft is now a workout room. Made of limestone,and is the only fire station in the city with landmark status. It's a highly visible house given its location on Chicago Avenue just east of Michigan Avenue, behind the Water Tower. By many accounts it's a friendly house, perhaps in part because not only do the neighbors have a good rapport with the firefighters but it attracts a lot of tourists. If you're a visitor or a local wandering near Seneca Park or the Water Tower, you might be greeted warmly by these heroes.

This is just the cutest dang fire station I have ever seen!…read more The small, historic department is up the street from the old water tower and right across the street from the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was a surprise for us, as we made our way to the museum. But it caught our eye. Absolutely cute and cool.

Went here on vacation, firefighters were super welcoming and so were the chiefs! If you're a fan of…read morethe show definitely stop by and get out you won't regret it!

This is where to go to see where the show NBC Chicago Fire show takes place. It's the home Engine…read more18, Station 51. Great place to take photos, and even see part of the city skyline. There is lots of parking around here, and easy to walk around and take photos. If you're a fan of the show, definitely a great place to stop by and see!! I will definitely have to come back during the day.

Last week was my first time taking a train into the city while visiting Great Lakes. I was…read moretraveling alone and a little nervous about getting into the city and unsure about the area that the Ogilvie Transportation Center is in. Reviews made it seem like a confusing place to navigate. I boarded the Union Pacific North Train Kine from Great Lakes just outside of the Navy Training Center. I purchased my ticket on the Ventra App and I boarded the train and took a seat. There were several stops along the way and the Ogilvie Transportation Center was the last stop. The Conductor visited the car I was riding in just a couple of stops before ending at Ogilvie to check and/or sell tickets. The Conductor was polite and patient. When I exited the train at Ogilvie, I just followed the crowd to the stairway into the station and then just chose to exit the building at the Canal Street exit whit turned out to be just perfect for starting my journey into Chicago for the day. At the end of the day, when I returned to Ogilvie, it took me a few minutes to figure out the train schedule and locate the right stairways onto the loading platform. They have large screens at each loading platform stairway entrance that shows where each train travels to and what time they leave. There are stairways on each side of the train station to get you to the train. One important thing to note is that for some stops, the first cars of the train, the doors do not open. So it's best to find a seat towards the back cars or make plans to walk through a couple of cars quickly to get to the exit doors that open. The Ogilvie Transportation Center was easier to navigate than I had thought.

Clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. This train station gets the job done if you're heading out…read moreto the suburbs. Helpful signage makes it easy to find your platform. Plus, there are a few places to grab a bite if you've got time to spare

We tried pre opera drinks and bites at Good Funk on Wacker and overall it was a blah experience…read more The wine selection was interesting, the food was average, at best. We didn't especially enjoy the atmosphere (sadly we were seated at the bar next to some douche dude bros) or the service. I doubt we will return.

Good Funk was the kind of unexpected gem that completely transforms an ordinary night--exactly what…read moreI needed while on a business trip in Chicago, the night before my birthday. I wanted nothing more than to ring in year 45 with a great glass of natural wine... and I walked out having had a 7-glass flight and one of the most memorable evenings of the trip. The bartenders deserve their own star. They weren't just knowledgeable--they were genuinely fun to talk to, the kind of people who make you feel like you've been coming there for years. We went from discussing funky wine profiles to diving deep into '80s horror films, which is absolutely my idea of a perfect tangent. Their enthusiasm and curiosity made the whole experience feel personal and spontaneous. As for the wine: unique, surprising, and delicious, even the pours I didn't expect to enjoy. Good Funk leans into exploration in the best way--nothing feels generic or predictable. Every glass had its own personality, and the flight felt like a curated adventure rather than a lineup. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, stylish without being pretentious, and perfect for either a solo wind-down or a lively night out. It's the kind of place that encourages you to linger, taste one more thing, have one more conversation. Good Funk turned what could've been a quiet, forgettable evening into an unforgettable birthday-eve celebration. If you're in Chicago and love natural wine--or just love a spot with genuine heart--don't miss this place.

As soon as you enter, you will notice the place has a bad odor (similar to a microbiology lab in my…read moreopinion). I originally thought it was because one of the operators lives in the CivicLab. (Yeah, that's pretty weird too.) But, I figured out after I developed a respiratory illness and had a hard time breathing in the space that the odor was at least in part mold. The odor is strongest in the rest room and by the stairs to the basement. When the door to the basement is open it will reek of mold. Here is an except from an email from the live-in operator: "While the basement has had flooding in the past, I don't have any evidence that there is a significant mold problem in the space. In fact, I am a card carrying mold allergen member myself, and I haven't had any problems, nor has a colleague of ours who I know has a number of allergies, and is sensitive to going down in to the basement. Beyond that, she has not had any issues in the space." So the operator's view is that while the basement floods and there is some allergen there (as detected by his colleague's lungs), it can't possibly travel through the open door to the "space" upstairs. I don't agree with that assessment because A) gas diffusion and B) I have a nose. Furthermore, I don't admire the scientific rigor of using his colleague's lungs as a mold detector. Use your best judgement.

From the owner: We are a co-working space - come work here for as little as $100/month…read more We offer classes and workshops in the evening on all things civic. Come meet here and hold events and retreats.

We were 1st time sightseeing in Chicago for 6 days in the middle of June. We had every single day…read moreplanned and crammed with places to go and see from early in the morning until late at night. We loved our adventures there and can't wait to go back to finish seeing what we didn't have enough time for. Chicago is a busy, bustling and hustling city. I have some tips for you. We did not rent a car because parking space is scarce! We Ubered or taxied or used the Big Bus Chicago. Much less stress on us. From early in the morning til late at night, you see so many people walking wherever you go. Chicago is rich in Architectural Design. It was simply amazing how many skyscrapers there are to see. We tried to go to several of them and it was thrilling. There are so many different restaurants to choose from for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. We chose well, I thought. I will name them for you. If you love shopping, you will be thrilled while walking on the Magnificent Mile in downtown. If you are looking for luxury goods, then go to the Gold Coast. Walk the Chicago Riverfront and enjoy the view and river front restaurants. Don't forget all the museums. Study a "Things To Do List in Chicago". Things we did: 75 minute Architectural Boat Cruise during the day with Shoreline Sightseeing, Tilt on the 360 Observation Deck, RIU Rooftop standing on a piece of thick glass and looking down on Chicago from 103 stories up, Navy Pier for many shops, restaurants, view of the skyline, and the Ferris wheel, the Big Bus Tour, the Bean at Millenium Park, and a couple more. Restaurants we enjoyed: NAIA. Beatnik on the River, Gibson's Steakhouse in the Gold Coast, Giordano's downtown, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Lake & Land Kitchen, London House Rooftop, Cloud Bar, the largest Starbucks Reserve in the world and a couple more. And President Obama was in town with hundreds of celebrities at the opening of his new Library!! The traffic was unbelievable and we missed our flight home. We stayed overnight in Rosemont nearby at La Quinta, in case it happens to you. Enjoy!

Hands down one of my favorite cities. It's like going to NYC, every visit you discover something…read morenew. I love everything from The Bean to Lincoln Park, the dying of Chicago River for St. Pat's Day (got to experience it and the city's parade one year...so much fun!), shopping, the waterfront, clubs, restaurants, theatre, I could go on and on. I think my favorite (if I had to choose) would be the Lake Michigan waterfront and beaches. Oh, and not to mention the Italian Beef, Deep-Dish Pies, and Vienna Sausages!