South Loop Connection Roundup

Animal Wellness Center: Working Hard to Open
According to Dr. Steven Andres, the South State-N-16th Animal Wellness Center, 1601 S. State St., he's still hoping to open some time this month. Contractors are currently working to build out the space.

The "White City" surrounds the Court of Honor

The Devil in the White City Finally Coming to the Big Screen?
Yesterday's RedEye reported that Leonardo DiCaprio was set to play serial killer H.H. Holmes. According to Internet Movie Database.com (IMDb), there were plans for movie versions of Eric Larson's nonfiction bestseller set for release in 2011 and 2013 respectively. RedEye also reported that DiCaprio was signed on as a producer. Perhaps his clout will ensure that this film will finally be made. We can't wait to see the recreation of the 1893 World's Fair on the big screen.

Discover Some New Italian Wines
This Friday, South Loop Wine Cellar, 1442 S. Michigan Ave., will be featuring "Italian varietals you probably haven't tried." The wine-tasting is 7-9 p.m. Cost is $5 (wine club members free).

A Midsummer Night's Dream opens at the Civic Opera House
The Lyric Opera of Chicago takes on the Shakespeare-inspired opera. Catch a free pre-opera lecture an hour before each performance. Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $66 - $207. 20 N. Wacker Drive, (312) 332-2244, www.lyricopera.org. Listen to a brief mp3 preview by Sir Andrew Davis.

Historic South Loop Trolley Tour

Take a trolley tour of  the South Loop Sunday afternoon, December 5. South Loop Neighbors (SLN) president Dennis McClendon, is one of the area’s most knowledgeable residents. He will give two, one and a half hour tours at 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. departing from in front of Dearborn Station. McClendon will cover the history and architecture of the whole South Loop. As an extra added attraction, Bar Louie at the Dearborn Station will be giving all trolley tour participants 20 percent off any food purchases that day!

Dearborn Station 47 W. Polk St.

Chicago Code To Debut in February
Fox TV will debut Chicago Code (formerly known as Ride-Along) on February 7, 2011 at 9 p.m., the day after the Super Bowl. The show filming around Chicago, stars Jennifer Beals and Jason Clarke.

Jennifer Beals  plays superintendent Teresa Colvin and Jason Clarke plays Chicago detective Jarek Wysocki in Fox TV's new police drama Chicago Code.

Local Art Gallery in the News

Three Peas Art Lounge at 75 E. 16th St. (between Michigan and Wabash) was featured in a sidebar piece in today's RedEye cover story, "Paint by Caffeine."  The sidebar notes that gallery artists have designed logos for Three Peas's house wine. Three Peas is currently showing "Crown of Metropolis," the artwork of Hebru Brantley.

For more information on Three Peas Art Lounge, visit their Web site. For features on Lounge owners Maya-Camile Broussard and Chrishon Lampley, check out the articles links below.


Meet Maya Camile Broussard
Three Peas Art Lounge is sweet!
Three Peas Art Lounge celebrates 1st year anniversary

Parking meter freeze update

Most meters are working
In today's RedEye they reported that "Of Chicago's 4,200 parking boxes and 600 meters, only about 90 weren't working Thursday morning..." This information was attributed to Avis La Velle, Chicago Parking Meters LLC spokeswoman.

Simmering outrage
Motorists parking in the city seem to be frustrated by the overall meter situation. So even though the meter freeze-outs were limited, the complaints from drivers seem to be related to the overall dissatisfaction with the new privatized and more expensive parking meters. At least, that is what the city is suggesting.

Tell us what you think
Do you think the above assessment is true? Did the city make a big mistake in privatizing the parking meters or do you think the new parking meter situation is working just fine?