Chicagology 101: Celebrate Earth Day by rollin’ on The River & cruisin’ on Lake Michigan.
THROUGH THE CREATIVE EYES OF...
ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
‘America's Premier Eventologist'
& A Prominent Chicago Resident since 1974...
-- Chicagology 101 for Saturday, April 21, 2007: Chicago Goes Green: #3 in a 3 Part Series slated for April 19-20-21 (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) saluting Earth Week.
PART 1: Taking an(other) UnConventional Stand.
"Integrate Green in to your Life's Scheme..."
Quote of: ASK
Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 3:45 PM
Years ago, Nancy Reagan (the First Lady and Wife of the 40TH President of the USA, Ronald Reagan (from 1981-89) launched an Anti-Drug Campaign that basically said: JUST SAY NO.1 Today, I would like to revise that directive to an Earth Day Rallying Cry that each and every one of us can embrace as our own. My Slogan is:
"JUST DON'T LITTER."
After all, isn't that why Garbage Cans and Plastic Bags were manufactured? Breaking away from my conventional Chicagology 101 ® Blog News, a slight diversion is often healthy. ‘Healthy' is the Key Word for this Week, as People across the Planet celebrate Earth Day (Week). Here on Saturday, April 21ST - the 142ND Day of 2007, it's the 37TH annual Earth Day Festivities happening across Chicago, the Continental USA and the World.
If a Person resides in a Metropolitan Area, Ideas continuously stream in with Rapidity, Color, Clarity and Style.
"No one is spared from the Color Green. It's Nature, Human Nature (at that) and part of our very Core and Being."
Quote of: ASK
Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 3:30 PM CST
LEAVE NO WRECKING BALL BEHIND:
Historically, Chicago began its Green Campaign with our current Mayor, Richard M. Daley in the early 1990s. Vast Improvements have not only salvaged Parts of The City (that are marked at 170 years old), but have shaped Chicago into a World Class Locale, now vying as the Location for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Not everyone wants to live in Chicago, can or does. No matter where you live, Earth Day is a Time when We take great Pride in our Land and realize how beautiful Nature is. As Thanksgiving is a Period to give Thanks for our Blessings, Earth Day stresses the Importance of keeping Ecology at the Forefront of our Daily Activities.
With Spring blossoming forth (throughout the USA), Bicycles are being ‘made ready to roll.' Some Cyclists do peddle year-round while others hang-up their Helmet till the Temperatures hit the 50 degree mark. Checking out forest preserves, parks and bike paths allow the Inner City Person to be in much better touch with his or her ‘Inner Naturalist.'
THE LYNC & SYNC METHOD FOR EARTH DAY, 2007:
Since the basic Concept of Earth Day is two-fold:
1. To enjoy THE EARTH in all her splendor and glory; and
2. To help in cleansing and cleaning our Planet - as an Exercise in Spring Cleaning (on a variety of levels),
this BLOG may inspire you to link up with other Cities in order to learn their Tactics and Techniques to keep our Granite Planet in sync with Nature. Bits & Bytes of useful Info about Ecology, Our Environment and Earth - ‘Our Only Home' can aid Chicago Residents, Travelers and Visitors to keep in sync with the Forces of Nature, the entire year through, not just on a few designated Days. After all, it's (y)our only Home. The Time to enjoy it is now, not later.
PART 2: Let's get started now...
Eighty-percent (80%) 2 or Four out of every Five of Americans live in a cosmopolitan or Urban Setting whereby only 150 years the Tables were completely turned.
Although there is the Lure of what can be found in a Tourist Trap, many Secrets are awaiting the adventuresome Soul. "There's a whole other underbelly to City Living," is what my Partner, Robert E. Hofstadter says with a gleam in his hazels eyes.
THE TOP 27 CITIES WITH GREEN THUMBS:
"Green is Gold today" as We find that many U.S. Cities are Green-Conscious (besides Chicago, of course).
All Roads lead to Chicago, including Air and Waterways. By using the Top Twenty Seven Cities in the USA that are known for their own Green Movements, the following are Driving Times and Total Distances between Chicago and these Locales. Carpooling is highly suggested if Neighbors want to travel together. Renting a mini-bus that would cut out between 4-5 extra Cars on the Expressway would be a superb Eco-Plan worth investigating.
If U.S. Senators could pass an Earth Day Bill to persuade People to bike to work or take Public Transportation (in lieu of driving solo) three days per week, the Repercussions of ‘clearing the Air' would have positive, long range Repercussions.
According to Web Reports, the leading Cities to date the last 2 years include:
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Driving Time: 19 Hours, 48 Minutes. Total Distance: 1339.63 Miles
Anchorage, Alaska. Driving Time: 63 Hours, 3 Minutes. Total Distance: 3613.59 Miles
Ann Arbor, Michigan. Driving Time: 3 Hours, 51 Minutes. Total Distance: 242.06 Miles
Austin, Texas. Driving Time: 17 Hours, 44 Minutes. Total Distance: 1165.34 Miles
Berkeley, California. Driving Time: 30 Hours, 33 Minutes. Total Distance: 2124.08 Miles
Boston, Massachusetts. Driving Time: 15 Hours, 34 Minutes. Total Distance: 985.37 Miles
Boulder, Colorado. Driving Time: 15 Hours, 4 Minutes. Total Distance: 1019.04 Miles
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Driving Time: 15 Hours, 33 Minutes. Total Distance: 982.31 Miles
Denver, Colorado. Driving Time: 14 Hours, 51 Minutes. Total Distance: 1003.65 Miles
Eugene, Oregon. Driving Time: 31 Hours, 56 Minutes. Total Distance: 2138.08 Miles
Honolulu, Hawaii. Chicago to Los Angeles in Driving Time: 29 Hours, 25 Minutes = Total Distance: 2018.25 Miles. Then add in the Distance to Honolulu from Los Angeles that equates to: 2,551. 3 Total is: 4569.25 Miles
Huntsville, Alabama. Driving Time: 9 Hours, 22 Minutes. Total Distance: 581.98 Miles
Irvine, California. Driving Time: 29 Hours, 26 Minutes. Total Distance: 2020.50 Miles
Kansas City, Missouri. Driving Time: 8 Hours, 17 Minutes. Total Distance: 525.99 Miles
Lexington, Kentucky. Driving Time: 5 Hours, 57 Minutes. Total Distance: 372.47 Miles
Madison, Wisconsin. Driving Time: 2 Hours, 35 Minutes. Total Distance: 147.54 Miles
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Driving Time: 1 Hour, 42 Minutes. Total Distance: 91.96 Miles
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Driving Time: 6 Hours, 38 Minutes. Total Distance: 408.08 Miles
Oakland, California. Driving Time: 30 Hours, 36 Minutes. Total Distance: 2128.09 Miles
Portland, Oregon. Driving Time: 30 Hours, 48 Minutes. Total Distance: 2122.29 Miles
Rochester, New York. Driving Time: 9 Hours, 36 Minutes. Total Distance: 603.22 Miles
San Francisco, California. Driving Time: 30 Hours, 43 Minutes. Total Distance: 2133.87 Miles
Santa Rosa, California. Driving Time: 30 Hours, 55 Minutes. Total Distance: 2149.89 Miles
Seattle, Washington. Driving Time: 30 Hours. Total Distance: 2100.48 Miles
Springfield, Illinois. Driving Time: 3 Hours, 20 Minutes. Total Distance: 200.98 Miles
St. Paul, Minnesota. Driving Time: 6 Hours, 27 Minutes. Total Distance: 399.07 Miles
Syracuse, New York. Driving Time: 10 Hours, 47 Minutes. Total Distance: 679.12 Miles
PART 3: Nature's Invaluable Helper: Water
Cruising down The River with Chicago as its Backdrop. (Weather-Permitting, of course).
Water is not only for drinking, snorkeling, mixing, showering, bathing, watering lawns, or irrigational uses anymore. Throughout History, Water has cleaned us; kept us hydrated; parted us from our Enemies; baptized us; kept our Drinks chilled, wet ‘n wild; washed our dishes, walls and babies' bottoms, acted as a chaser and let us play or splash about. Water has kept us healthy; it's been a Staple in our Diets. Without it, Living Organisms could not survive. Man (for the most part) is pretty much an ambulatory, dry-docker. Thanks to the Advancements made in the 20TH Century, he has seen his Wildest Dreams come true. That is of Flight, not only in Airplanes but via Helicopters and Hot Air Balloons, all trying to mimic the Soaring Birds. Unfortunately, for the most part, Man is pretty much a land-lubber. This is not bad. Fortunately, there are Myriads of Sights, Sighs and Sounds to behold in the 21ST Century that are dotted by Cities of all Sizes in which to ‘let lose and drink in all it has to offer.'
Permanent Human Settlements have been made possible since the Domestication of Animals and the methodic Cultivation of Plants. This Process began approximately 8,000 years ago. The Number of large Cities loom substantially in accordance with Population Growth. The World will have 482 Cities with 1,000,000+ residents by 2015. Indeed, there are opportunities as well as sights reflecting Man's Intelligence & Advancements. 4
Many of these Settlements were founded on Waterways, which was one of the Reasons why Chicago grew as quickly as it did 170 years. A great Fire could not even prevent or hinder The City's growth Patterns.
Those Seaways are well populated with other Creatures besides the 2-legged ones. For Sports Fans, there is FUN in spreading your Wings and flying high like the Birds. This topic was explored in the April 13, 2007 Edition of:
Chicagology 101: #28. Chicago's Bird-Fare. Viewing Nature amongst Chicago's panoramic Skyline. Pigeon Power, Chicago's Official Bird is announced.
For some People, who have the Phobia or Fear of Flying called scientifically labeled as: Aviophobia or Aerophobia, one alternative is to sail or boat instead. Chicago, as a major Port has over 30 Miles of awesome Lakefront Footage that can be biked, run, strolled walked and/or roller-bladed. Segueways and Scooters are other ways to travel. However, at this Special Time of Year --- Earth Day - it's a Tribute to Lake Michigan that We recognize the Awesomeness of Water and what it means to Mankind.
ONE IF BY LAND - TWO IF BY SEA:
‘Great Water' is the translation Michigami, an Algonquin Indian Term. Composed of 22,400 square miles, Lake Michigan ranks as the third largest of the Great Lakes. Found as the only Lake located completely within the United States, Lake Michigan has acted as Chicago's Link to the Planet. Since its Discovery in 1670, the Region has been plundered and treasured, yet through various Acts, has continually reclaimed its recreational spaces. That alone stresses the importance of Earth Day across the Planet.5
Unparalleled in the Midwest, Lake Michigan is a culturally, ecologically and economically driven system. Many animal species and plant found nowhere else in the world make it unique, supporting a wealth of biological diversity.
Throughout the decades, Lake Michigan's ecosystem has been altered to suit the Needs of Humans - with unexpected results. Many of these changes have recently become clear. Every Aspects of an ecosystem has to be addressed in order to improve environmental quality.
It is now recognizable that changing one part of an Ecosystem impacts upon the health and welfare of the complete System. Managing the Lake Michigan Basin is a great Eco-Task involving the interaction between the biological, chemical and physical components.
As we salute Earth Day, 2007, it cannot be forgotten that Land, Air & Water are interweaved into our Daily Fabric of Living in Chicago, enjoying Chicago and preserving Chicago's uniqueness so others from both near and afar can enjoy its many benefits.6
If you live on a Body of Water, you grow accustomed to it, however, you may not thoroughly enjoy what it really can provide for you. Too many Chicagoans have not seen Chicago from Lake Michigan. Yet Companies do provide this Opportunity to Chicago Residents as well as Visitors and those yearning to take a Maritime Adventure. On Earth Day, treat yourself, Family & Friends to a Lunch, Dinner and/or Sightseeing Cruise of ‘Sweet Home, Chicago' compliments of Chicago's Waterways.
THE TOP TEN LAKE MICHIGAN & THE CHICAGO RIVER CRUISE COMPANIES:
1. Architecture River Cruise
contactus@chicagoline.com
http://www.chicagoline.com/
2. ChicagoSailboatCharters.com
Phone: 773-960-7890
http://www.chicagosailboatcharters.com/
3. Chicago's First Lady
chartersales@cruisechicago.com
Phone: 847-358-1330
http://www.cruisechicago.com/
4. Kanan Cruises, Inc.
445 E Illinois - Suite 440 - Chicago, IL 60611
Main Phone #: (312) 222-0088
Fax #: (312) 222-0050
http://www.kanancruises.com/contactus.html
5. Mercury Skyline Cruise Line
390 North Michigan Avenue
Phone: 312-332-1353
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/events/29700,0,6974641.location?Mercury%20Skyline%20Cruise%20Line
6. Odyssey II
For Parties of 1 to 19 Passengers, call: 866-305-2469
For Groups of 20 to 700 Passengers, call: 866-826-3463
http://www.odysseycruises.com/about_us.cfm
7. Premier Yachts, Inc. - 888.741.0282
8. Shoreline Sightseeing
312.222.9328
9. SunSea Chicago Yacht Charters, Inc.
www.yachtparties.com
Phone 773.284.4782
Fax. 773.284.5673
http://www.yachtparties.com/
10.Wendella Boats
At the Wrigley Building - 400 North Michigan Avenue
Phone: 312-337-1446
Fax: 312-222-9225
http://www.wendellaboats.com/
The Bottom Line is: To keep our Waterways free of Toxins wherever we reside.
PART 4: SPELLING OUT A GREEN ITINERARY: As an added Tourist Destination, Travel Agents may want to seriously begin booking Nature Trips in these Metropolitan Cities in addition to the regular Sight-Seeing Excursions they schedule. That way, many more Couples may want to book Joint Tours together since traditionally, the Men-Folk would rather ‘go camping' while the Women-Folk would prefer shopping-till-they-drop.
Therefore, no matter where you go, checkout the Green Activities that are happening across The World.
These Events are interesting.
These Events are colorful.
These Events are Life-Altering and Life-extending.
With Cities of these Magnitudes, Muscle and Influence working together, it is assured that The Earth is in good hands...in all States of the Union throughout the Year.
As ABC TV's Nightline Anchor, Terry Moran instilled in us during his Broadcast on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 11:03 PM:
Life...deals with "Making a Home - anywhere on the Good Earth."
UPON CLOSING: Until Tuesday...May all your Adventures & Trips be healthy, happy and earth(l)y ones!
Sincerely,
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
CVO: Chicago's Very Own...
askoopersmith@hotmail.com
CLOSING CREDITS & WEB SOURCES FOR Chicagology 101 - THE EARTH DAY EDITION for Saturday, April 21, 2007 #32.
1 List of Presidents derived from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/chronological.html
2 The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2005 by Jemilah Magnusson derived from: http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/107/cities
3 Top 25 USA Cities for 2005 & 2006 derived from: http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/113/top10cities
by P.W. McRandle and Sara Smiley Smith
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/113/top10cities
4 World Populations Statistics derived from: http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=1054§ion=5
5 The Complete Green Cities list derived from: The Green Guide's Top Green Cities at a Glance
6 Los Angeles to Hawaii Distance Calculation derived from:
http://www.laalmanac.com/transport/tr53.htm
7 Distances between major US Cities derived from:
http://www.hm-usa.com/distance/usa.html
8 Time and Distances of Major US Cities from Chicago calculated by Mapquest.com
9 Lake Michigan Detail derived from: http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/711.html
10 Lake Michigan Statistics derived from: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/lakemich/intro.html
11 Chicago Waterways info derived from:
http://www.chicagoareawaterways.org/
===============================================
