Bedno.com
2006.12.22 (week 495)

Want What You Have.
RECOMMENDED:
Movie: "Night at the Museum" now playing at theaters everywhere.
Movie: "Rocky Balboa" now playing at theaters everywhere.
Movie: "The Good Shepherd" now playing at theaters everywhere.
..-Mo: FREE Collection of Holiday Songs and Recipes.
..-Su: Holiday Sing-A-Long Double Feature at Music Box Theatre.
..-Su: Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza.
Ongoing: A Winter Wonderland at Cuneo.
Ongoing: Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier.
Ongoing: Ice Skating.
Ongoing: Kama Sutra the Musical at Theatre Building Chicago.
Ongoing: The O' Franken Factor on Air America Radio.
Ongoing: Under The Picasso at Daley Plaza.
Fr: Start of Capricorn.
Fr: Winter Solstice.
Fr: Kill Hannah at Metro.
Fr: Doctor Who at SCI-FI.
Fr: Supernatural Chicago at Excalibur.
Fr: Cosmix at Berlin.
Fr: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at Neo-Fut.
Sa: Winter Vacation at Chicago Public Schools.
...
Movie:    ^
"Night at the Museum" now playing.
Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs, Jake Cherry, Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams, Kim Raver, Patrick Gallagher, Rami Malek, ...
http://www.nightatthemuseum.com
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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"Rocky Balboa" now playing.
Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Antonio Tarver, Geraldine Hughes, Milo Ventimiglia, ...
http://www.mgm.com/rocky
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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"The Good Shepherd" now playing.
Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Tammy Blanchard, Billy Crudup, Robert De Niro, Keir Dullea, Michael Gambon, Martina Gedeck, William Hurt, Timothy Hutton, ...
http://www.thegoodshepherdmovie.com
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Now playing.
Charlotte's Web, Pursuit of Happyness, Apocalypto, Blood Diamond, The Holiday, Unaccompanied Minors, 10 Items or Less, Van Wilder 2, Bobby, Deja Vu, For Your Consideration, Tenacious D, The Fountain, Casino Royale, Fast Food Nation, Happy Feet, Let's Go to Prison, A Good Year, Stranger Than Fiction, Borat, Flushed Away, Santa Clause 3, Saw 3, Marie Antoinette, Running with Scissors, The Prestige, Man of the Year, School for Scoundrels, Hollywoodland, ...
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Movies and Beer. Movies, drinking, heckling, FUN! -Thursday 18+ (ID reqd) $5.
8p Fr-Sa,Tu-Th: Little Miss Sunshine - Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, ...
10p Fr-Sa,Tu-Th: Employee of the Month - Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson, Dax Shepard, Andy Dick, Tim Bagley, ...
Brew & View, 773/929-6713, 3145 N Sheffield. Around the corner from the Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.brewview.com
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Seasonal:    ^
** FREE Collection of Holiday Songs, Recipes and Stories. -2006.12.25 Yearly. All ages. Free.
Check out this terrific comprehensive set of popular holiday songs, recipes and stories. Also available for POCKET ORGANIZERS!
http://bedno.com/winter
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Holiday Sing-A-Long Double Feature (since 1984). -2006.12.24 Yearly. $12-15 Fr/Sa various times.
"White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life" double features with singing between (and during?) lead by Santa.
Music Box Theatre, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport.
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com
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Christkindlmarket (since 1997). Festive German style holiday market. -2006.12.24 Yearly. All ages. Free Su-Th -8p, Fr+Sa -9p 11a.
50 Timber cabins, ethnic foods, fine crafted gifts, music, sweets. Changes to a broader ethnic market after 12.24.
http://www.gaccom.org
Daley Plaza, 312/744-3370, 50 W Washington. Washington and Dearborn.
http://cityofchicago.org
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HOLIDAY CLASSICS. -2006.12.27 Yearly. All ages.
* A Christmas Carol: 11.17-12.30 Goodman Theatre, 312/443-3800, 200 S Columbus, http://goodman-theatre.org
* The Nutcracker: 12.08-27 Joffrey Ballet, Auditorium Theatre, 312/431-2357, 50 E Congress, $15-90, http://www.joffrey.com
* Free photo with Santa: for 94th floor visitors 11.18-12.24 Sa-Su 11a-5:30p. John Hancock Center Observatory, 312/751-3681, 875 N Michigan, http://hancock-observatory.com
* Christmas Around The World: 11.18-1.8 Dozens of spectacular International holiday decorated trees, Museum of Science and Industry, http://www.msichicago.org
* Zoolights: 11.24-01.01 Over a million lights, Lincoln Park Zoo, http://www.lpzoo.com
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A Winter Wonderland. -2007.01.06 Yearly. All ages. $5-10/car. Closed xmas+eve. 6-10p.
Drive thru gardens lavishly decoarated with holiday themed lights and music. Also Christmas' past exhibit inside.
Cuneo, 847/362-3042, 1350 N Milwaukee, Vernon Hills. Near 94+60.
http://www.cuneomuseum.org
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* Winter Wonderfest. -2007.01.07 Yearly. All ages. $10-17 Su-Th -8p, Fr+Sa 10a-10p.
Festival Hall will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring hundreds of lush decorated trees, sparkling lights, wintertime decorations and a main town square with vending. Includes ice rink, large inflatable slide/bungee games. Santa and elves listen to children's wishes in a mountain top village.
Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. On-site parking, or Grand Red line stop then take free trolley.
http://www.navypier.com
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Ice Skating. -2007.02.27 Yearly.
Millennium Park, 312/742-5222, 55 N Michigan; Warren Park, 773/262-8656, 6601 N Western; Riis Park, 312/746-5735, 6100 W Fullerton; Daley Plaza, 312/742-7650, 337 E Randolph; more...
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
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Ongoing:    ^
Kama Sutra the Musical. -2006.12.31 18+ $25-32+ Various times.
Swami Comonawannagetonya and posse educate a frustrated couple.
http://kamasutrathemusical.com
Theatre Building Chicago, 773/327-5252, 1225 W Belmont. 5 blocks from Belmont Red/Brown line stop, on corner of Racine.
http://www.theatrebuildingchicago.org
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WAY too much GREAT dance and theater and comedy and poetry to cover.
Get yourself a Reader or NewCity magazine.
Hundreds of city locations.
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The O' Franken Factor. Mo/Tu/We/Th All ages. Free. 11a-2p.
Drug-free and honest talk radio. Other radically patriotic shows include Randi Rhodes, Janeane Garofalo, Jerry Springer and more working hard to liberate America.
http://www.theofrankenfactor.com
Air America Radio, WCPT 850 AM. Also web-cast.
http://airamericaradio.com
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Under The Picasso. All ages. Free 12p.
Interesting free performances almost every week day at noon. Go to the spectacular Thompson Center nearby (100 W Randolph) for more good art.
Daley Plaza, 312/346-3278, 50 W Washington. Washington and Dearborn.
http://www.cityofchicago.org
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Different rock, experimental, jazz, ethnic bands almost every night. 21+ $?
Bottom Lounge, 773/975-0505, 3206 N Wilton, Near Red/Brown Line Belmont stop, http://www.thebottomlounge.com
Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark, Near Red Line Addison stop, metrochicago.com
Double Door, 773/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee, Wicker Park near Blue line Damen stop, doubledoor.com
Empty Bottle, 773/276-3600, 1035 N Western, dive-ish, emptybottle.com
Martyrs', 773/404-9494, 3855 N Lincoln, martyrslive.com
Hot House, 312/362-9707, 31 East Balbo, discounted parking, near downtown train stops, hothouse.net
Ravinia, 847/266-5100, Highland Pk, ravinia.org
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Friday 2006.12.22:    ^
Start of Capricorn. Astrological sign, the goat. Yearly.
http://www.astrology.com
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* Winter Solstice. Shortest day/longest night, official start of winter. Yearly.
This is a significant holiday to pagans, marking the start of the solar year.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil
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Kill Hannah. All ages. $19-21 No smoking. 6p.
W/ Pink Spiders.
http://killhannah.com
Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Near Red Line Addison stop.
http://www.metrochicago.com
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Doctor Who. Fridays All ages. Free 2hrs 7p.
Ongoing new episodes of the phenomenally long-lived british sci-fi series.
SCI-FI. On cable.
http://www.scifi.com
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Supernatural Chicago (since 2004). Interactive theatre exploring Chicago's paranormal past. Fridays 21+ $25 8-9p.
Hosted by Necromancer Neil Tobin. Hear true Chicago stories of the unexplained, brought to life through audience-involving demonstrations of telepathy, clairvoyance, mediumship and magic -- at one of Chicago's most haunted nightspots. Price includes the show plus two drinks and general admission to the club.
http://www.SupernaturalChicago.com
Excalibur, 312/266-1944, 632 N Dearborn. Downtown, valet or pay.
http://www.excaliburchicago.com
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Cosmix. Fridays 21+ $0-5 10p-4a.
Greg Haus spins his signature mix of progressive, hardhouse, trance, & breakbeat along with some of his favorite classic club hits.
http://www.hauswerkz.com
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.berlinchicago.com
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Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (since 1988). Fr/Sa All ages? $6-11 (also Su 7p) 11:30p.
30 plays in 60 minutes, lots of improv, very welcoming, often topical.
Neo-Futurarium, 773/275-5255, 5153 N Ashland.
http://www.neofuturists.org
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Saturday 2006.12.23:    ^
Winter Vacation. -2007.01.08 Yearly.
Chicago Public Schools.
http://www.cps.k12.il.us
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College of Complexes (since 1951). "The Playground for People Who Think" Saturdays All ages. $3 food/drink purchase 2.5hrs 8-11p.
Structured weekly free speech forum with quality lecturers and good American food and bar.
12.23: Mary - the Jewish Mother of Christian and Muslims.
312/326-2120 http://www.collegeofcomplexes.org
Lincoln Restaurant, 773/248-1820, 4008 N Lincoln. Near Lincoln/Irving/Damen.
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"Pans*xual Pleasuredome" Saturdays 21+ $5 after 11p 9:30p-5a.
"Meet and mingle with a truly diverse crowd. Dress up or dress down... this is the place to be what you are!" An editor fave, sometimes too wild.
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.berlinchicago.com
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"Don't Spit the Water!" Saturdays $12 10:30p.
Crazy live game show in which contestants from the audience compete to keep their mouth full (not laugh) at Chicago's strangest, most hilarious comedians. Party with live jug band performance afterwards.
http://dontspitthewater.com
Playground Theater, 866/208-6298, 3209 N Halsted.
http://www.the-playground.com
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Sunday 2006.12.24:    ^
Live Santa tracking. Yearly. All ages. Free.
NORAD air traffic control follows the big guy all night, with radar and video feeds.
http://www.noradsanta.org
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Mass. Yearly. All ages. Free. 8p-1a.
Late Christmas eve gatherings at most churches welcoming all. Last year I did the Evanston cluster.
http://bedno.com/winter?c=songs
http://bedno.com/photos/album/20031225
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Retro Eve (since 1993). Yearly. 21+ $25-30 Hosted bar -10p. 8p-?a.
The biggest Jewish Singles party of the year attended by thousands.
312/953-2767 http://www.retroeve.com
Enclave, 312/654-0234, 213 W Institute.
http://www.enclavechicago.com
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"Adult Swim" NEW EPISODES. Sundays All ages. Free 10p-12a.
Extraordinarily good block of free-form thought-jazz toonage. May include Venture Bros, Oblongs, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, SeaLab 2021, Tom Goes to the Mayor, Family Guy, more.
http://www.adultswim.com
TOON. On cable.
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com
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Monday 2006.12.25:    ^
*** Christmas (since 0). Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Yearly.
Gifts are exchanged. Spirit of giving encouraged.
http://www.christmas.com
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** Boogie Down Christmas (since 1999). Mega-Dance event. Yearly. 21+ $20+ 8p-4a.
Excellent sound and lights. Reliably good, rave-like annual event with several thousand peeps. MAIN: DJ Funk, Justin Long, Paul Anthony, Aaron Chase; DOME: Mixin Mark, Psychobitch, Terry Bristol, Inphinity, Nor DJs; LAIR: Danny The Wildchild, Phantom 45, RY-N, Stunna, Future Prophet; PENTHOUSE: Yim EB, Ryan B, John Simmons, KG Beats.
http://www.purefuture.com
Vision Nightclub, 312/266-2144, 640 N Dearborn. At Ontario, near Erie.
http://www.visionnightclub.com
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Boom Boom Room (since 1991). Mondays 21+ 10p-4a.
Long running weekly w/ DJs Michael Serafini, Uncle Milty. others. 4kft dance space, multiple bars and environments, late night dining, state-of-the-art sound and lights, free parking, more.
http://www.music-101.com
Green Dolphin Street, 773/395-0066, 2200 N Ashland. At Webster.
http://www.jazzitup.com
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The Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart. Emmy award winner. Mo/Tu/We/Th All ages, Free. Reruns several times a day. 10-10:30p.
"The best fake news show ever!" Followed by the new "Colbert Report" show.
COM. On cable.
http://www.comedycentral.com
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Tuesday 2006.12.26:    ^
Boxing day. Yearly.
Give gifts to service providers such as postal delivery person and trash collector. Alternately observed on first weekday following xmas.
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Holidays_and_Observances/Boxing_Day
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Kwanza. -2007.01.01 Yearly.
An African American holiday, originally observing the fruit harvest, now with broader themes of family, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration.
http://officialkwanzaawebsite.org
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Good day for Brew&View. Tuesdays 18+ $5+ Now non-smoking.
Drinking, movies, heckling, FUN!
8p Little Miss Sunshine, 10p Employee of the Month.
Brew & View, 773/929-6713, 3145 N Sheffield. Around the corner from the Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.brewview.com
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Wednesday 2006.12.27:    ^
"Onomatopoeia" Wednesdays Ages? $5 minimum purchase. 6:30p-12a.
Showcasing experimental, Psymbient, IDM, Breaks, Ambient, Downtempo tunes.
12.27: S.O.T. painting layers of mind-bending rhythms, Kt nite-time trance reminiscent of sound baby aliens getting their tummies tickled.
http://www.psymbolic.com
F212 Lounge, 312/670-4212, 401 N. Wells. Space-age coffee/desert house, BYOB. Near Merchandise Mart Brown line stop.
http://f212lounge.com
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"In One Ear" (since 1989). Poetry Open Mic. Wednesdays 18+ $2 10p-?a.
"Eclectic mix of people who groove on laid-back vibes."
Heartland Cafe, 773/465-8005, 7000 N Glenwood. Near Red Line Morse stop.
http://www.heartlandcafe.com
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Thursday 2006.12.28:    ^
Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival (since 2000). Dozens of activities planned. -Saturday Yearly. All ages. 10a-4p.
Includes tournaments and play zones. Spectators free, registration and fee to participate. Enjoy bungee run, climbing wall, bowling, fishing, aerobics, boxing, golf, ping-pong, badminton, four square, double dutch, tennis, adventure, whiffle ball, fencing, more.
312/744-3315 http://www.choosechicago.com
McCormick Place, 2301 S Lake Shore.
http://www.mccormickplace.com
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Sister Hazel. -Friday 18+ $23.50 Two nights. 9p.
http://www.sisterhazel.com
House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn.
http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago
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Star and Garter Burlesque. Thursdays 21+ $10 9p.
Miss Exotic World Michelle L'Amour does a season themed show, with "The Star and Garter Girls" and stand-up comics.
http://www.starandgarterburlesque.com
Fizz Barr, 773/348-6000, 3220 N Lincoln. Just north of Belmont.
http://fizzchicago.com
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Planet Earth (since 1994). Thursdays 21+ $? 10p-4a.
Join DJ Dave Roberts for music, makeup, memories and videos. A long running Goth-lite night of new wave club classics.
http://www.planetearthchicago.com
Neo, 773/528-2622, 2350 N Clark. Just South of Fullerton. Sometimes parking rare.
http://neo-chicago.com
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Attractions:    ^
Many great exhibits of local works and curated collections. All ages. Free. 4.1-10.31: Mo-Th 8a-7p, Fr 8a-6p, Sa 9a-6p, Su 10a-6p; 11.1-3.21: Mo-Th 10a-7p, Fr 10a-6p, Sa 10a-5p, Su 11a-5p.
With various special events, music and performances almost every day.
Chicago Cultural Center, 312/346-3278 (FINE-ART), 77 E Randolph.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/culturalcenter/
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Various good modern art shows. $0-8 Free Tuesdays. We-Su 10a-5p, Tu 10a-8p, closed Mo, xgiving, xmas, nyd.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 312/280-2660, 220 E Chicago.
http://www.mcachicago.org
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LIKE A DOWNTOWN AMUSEMENT PARK. All ages. Mostly free.
With Giant Ferris Wheel, IMAX theatre, historic carousel, a*mazing Chicago ride, classic spinning swing ride, new mini-golf course, major VR games, food court, quality restaurants and bars, stained glass window museum, enclosed garden, wonderful specialty shops, children's museum, water taxis, several cruise lines and the Shakespeare Theatre.
Summer: 10a-10p Su-Th, 10a-midnt Fr-Sa; Fall: Mo-Th 10a-9p, Fr+Sa 10a-11p, Su 10a-7p; Winter: 10a-8p Mo-Th, 10a-10p Fr-Sa, 10a-7p Su.
Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. On-site parking, or Grand Red line stop then take free trolley.
http://www.navypier.com
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See how the universe works. All ages. $10-18+ Mo-Fr 9:30a-4:30p (-10p 1st Fridays), Sa/Su 9a-4:30p, closed xmas, open -6p 12.26-1.5.
Much high tech exhibitry.
Adler Planetarium, 312/922-7827 (STAR), 1300 S Lake Shore.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
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Masterpieces. All ages. $12 Mo/Tu/We/Fr 10:30a-4:30p, Th 10:30a-8p, Sa/Su 10a-5p, closed xgiving+xmas.
And other interesting permanent and visiting exhibits.
Art Institute of Chicago, 312/443-3500, 210 S Michigan.
http://www.artic.edu/aic
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World class gardens. Easy to get to. All ages. $8.75 parking. 8a-sunset, closed xmas.
385 acres, 23 gardens, 9 islands, prarie simulation, oriental features, miniature railway, produce, shows, restaurant, more...
Chicago Botanic Gardens, 847/835-5440, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe.
http://www.chicago-botanic.org
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Quality exhibits and activities for young minds. All ages. $0-7, Free Thursdays 5-8p. Su/Mo/Tu/We/Fr 10a-5p. Th/Sa 10a-8p.
Chicago Children's Museum, 312/527-1000, Navy Pier.
http://www.chichildrensmuseum.org
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Natural History done right. All ages. $5-10, Free Mo/Tu 1.1-2.28+9.23-12.23. Last entry 4p, closed xmas+ny. 9a-5p.
"Sue" permanent dinosaur exhibit, insects, anthropology, world culture, geology, ecology, much more.
Field Museum, 312/922-9410, Roosevelt at Lake Shore Drive.
http://www.fmnh.org
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Exhibits covering 4000 years of surgical history. Not for the squeamish. All ages. $3-6, Free Tuesdays. Tu-Sa 10a-4p. Closed 12.24-25, 12.31-1.1.
International Museum of Surgical Science, 312/642-6502, 1524 N Lake Shore.
http://www.imss.org
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World class zoo. Now with web cams. All ages. Free (Building hours vary) 9a-6p.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 773/742-2000, 2200 N Cannon.
http://www.lpzoo.com
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Consistent world class wonderland, set aside a whole day. All ages. $6-11 +parking/movies, Sometimes free. Mo-Sa 9:30a-4p, Su 11a-4p.
Exhibits include clock (possibly the best historical collection in existence), trains, toys, flight, genetics, chemistry, coal, petroleum, human body slices, cyberspace, farming, the U-505, TONS of space flight tech, and much more.
Museum of Science and Industry, 773/684-1414, 57th at Lake Shore.
http://www.msichicago.org
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Truly stunning world class aquarium. $11-18, some deal days. Sa/Su 9a-6p, Mo-Fr 9a-5p (-6p in summer), some later days.
Rear outside deck has the city's best skyline view. Now with web cams.
Shedd Aquarium, 312/939-2438, 1200 S Lake Shore.
http://SheddAquarium.org
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Notes:    ^
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
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Disclaimer.
My mom the attorney would want me to remind you that no Bedno accepts any liability whatsoever for your use of any information presented here, as-is, at your own risk, ad infinitum, etc etc.
http://bedno.com/terms
Many thanx to ChicagoFun.com.
Many thanx to ChicagoFun.com for hosting this system. ChicagoFun.com is THE one-stop special-event planning resource for the Chicagoland area.
http://ChicagoFun.com

2006.12.22