Chicago, anyone?

[Nadine]

Background:
A co-worker of mine is a very nice guy, father of 2 cute kids (ages 4 and 2) and is married to a doctor who will be working in the Children Memorial Hospital for 2 months in May/June. (They are non-observant Jews - not that it matters, just FYI.)

I told him I'd ask the Chicago "crowd" from my message board about anyone living in that area. They don't know anyone in the area and it would be great if they could get to know people living in the area.

So if anyone living in that area is interested, willing etc to welcome them to the neighborhood or something like that, I'd appreciate it a lot.

[Sam W]

I'm too far downstate (2+ hours) to be of any help, sorry. But for anyone who is closer, do you know where they will be living? Close to the Hospital maybe?

[Nadine]

Thanks for answering, Sam. They will live close to the hospital, on North Lakeshore Drive.

[Lyoshka]

We live in Carpentersville, which is about 45 miles west of the city. They will be right smack in the middle of downtown, but I would absolutely love to meet with them and welcome them to the area! sure! would you like me to PM you my info?

[Sam W]

I might actually be able to meet them. I typically take a trip to the NW burbs in late May/early June for a couple days to see some friends. Heading into the city might not be too far of a stretch while I'm there.

If you can, remind me as the time gets closer and when I set my plans I'll see what I can figure out.

[Lyoshka]

Where all do you go, Sam, if you don't mind me asking? It sounds like you'll be heading my direction?

[Sam W]

It's hard for DW and I to take trips together given our schedules, so we rotate every month or two and one of us takes off for a couple (2-5) days to 'get away'. She's actually in Texas right now on a trip. We both go somewhere in Jan (separate times), she's gone in March, August, and November and I'm gone in May, July, and September.

Anyway, I usually go to see friends that live in Aurora in Jan and May. He's a Wine Rep and she's in telecommunications, so there are a lot of times that I will end up getting 3 or 4 hours on a day (sometimes on several days) where I really don't have much to do. I know people in most of the burbs in that area, so I just kind of 'fill in' the gaps randomly driving around. Naper, Wheaton, St Charles, Batavia, etc.

I'd love to head up to Carpentersville. I used to go see Jimmy Buffett at Poplar Creek, and an annual pit-stop prior to the concert was Marv and June's The Bittersweet Tap. Haven't been there in 13 or 14 years now (once Poplar got shut down), but I believe The Bittersweet is still there.

Nadine, sorry for the hijack. Anyway, yeah, heading into the city shouldn't be too much of a stretch either. The friends I go to see are expecting their first child, so our 'activities' will likely be a tad less rambunctious.

[Darcy]

I'm about 15 minutes from Lena, but in the next town over. My parents currently live right by the major Chicago airport (O'Hare). Although I grew up here, I don't know downtown all that well. :shuffle:

[Cami]

Nadine, I used to live in that neighborhood. Although I haven't lived there for a few years I still might be able to tell them about some things to do/places to go. Do you happen to know what block they'll be on? It's a fun and safe neighborhood and should be really nice weather-wise then.

[Lyoshka]

Cami, I'm glad you can help.. see, I have no problem meeting with them and making them feel welcome in Chicagoland-in general, and pointing out some good places to see in the city and the burbs, but i really couldn't help them with specifics of the area they are moving to... so this could be good in conjunction :nod:

[Nadine]

Thanks for all the input. I will forward it to him tomorrow (since it is 10pm now). :)

[Nadine]

I talked to my co-worker.
He would be very thankful for any info and would like getting together with whoever can.
So whoever is interested, if you could PM me your info (email addresses for starters), I will send it to him so he can contact you.
Thanks again!