not sticking here.

Doesn't seem to be sticking in midtown. Most folks aren't even using umbrellas.

Oh, great and wise Buffistas, I come seeking knowledge.

I'm looking for somewhere to stay for a group trip to Chicago. We won't have a vehicle, so it has to be public-transit-friendly. I've found a couple possibilities in the city, but I was wondering if there's somewhere outlie-y that I should be looking at. Just the name of a city/town/neighborhood would be great (I'm specifically trying to find a B&B that we can buy out for the duration, so we don't have to worry about kids in hotels), but anything anyone knows would be wicked helpful.

Yes, that's right, 20 4th and 5th graders using public transit on a multi-day trip in Chicago. We are, indeed, insane.

Not a B&B, but if there is not a convention in town I got SUPER cheap rates at the Convention Center Hyatt and it was almost dead empty. If I remember correctly there is a bus stop out front and maybe a 10 block walk to a train. There is room on the grounds to run around including a large plaza at the convention center.

I got the super cheap rate via priceline.

No tips on hotels in Chicago other than there's supposed to be a nice one on the South Side near UofC, but I don't know how convenient it is to public transport or how cheap it might be, nor, for that matter, what the name of it is. Sorry!

Speaking of Chicago, I watched last night's Anthony Bourdain show, and was surprised that he had never heard of a Suicide before. I grew up with that drink--it's what you call the drink you make when you mix together all of the varieties of soda in the soda fountain (Coke, 7-Up, Orange, lemonade, root beer, etc.).

What do people from other parts of the country call it?

You might look at Youth Hostels - my girl scout troop often stayed at them, as they sometimes have group rooms or suites that would solve your "keeping track of the 9 year olds" problem.

What do people from other parts of the country call it?

Gross?

I didn't know it had a name-- I just thought it was something the boys in my 6th grade class made up when we were at the roller skating rink.

Dude! My hometown had an earthquake! [link]

What is this world coming to? Someone vandalized the Giant Silver Bean in Chicago: Bean sculpture vandalized

The Bean is made from a series of stainless steel plates, welded together and painstakingly polished.

"It's a beloved icon, millions of people come to see it every year and are very respectful," Hurwitz said. "This is distressing that anyone would do this to a piece of public art, but fortunately it's very rare."