Five of us went on a Chicago Architecture Foundation cruise down the Chicago River where we were introduced to a century of fascinating buildings. The weather was glorious as were the views. And we were treated to a very unusual occurrence of having several drawbridges raised along our route.

We then segued to our picnic at Millennium Park.

blueneck joined up with us at the park easily winning the prize as the most southern "Midwesterner".

Millennium Park is a charming place with charming green spaces, fanciful sculptures, a striking concert venue, and a beautifully designed garden.

After the park we relaxed over drinks until we headed off for a great dinner at the re-opened Berghoff, now called 17 West (but the creamed spinach was just as great as it always was).

And even though I was told that pictures of the participants were forbidden, I gave into the demands of the folks the Froggy Bottom Cafe (and my own evil nature) and took a group portrait.

(left to right:  Kidspeak, MaryB, AndiF, Blueneck, Teach313, JimF
not pictured: poemless)

Special thanks to Mary who did all the hard work of figuring out what, when, and where.

Here's the information for the Midwest Meetup.
(Thanks, maryb, for doing the planning)

Midwest Meetup
October 7, 2006
Chicago, Illinois

CAF CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE RIVER CRUISE
10:30 A.M.

Meet at 10:30 at the SE corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker under the blue awning.  This event costs $27.00 and you need to buy your own tickets.  Advance purchase is recommended. The River Cruise starts at 11:00 and lasts 90 minutes.

PICNIC IN MILLENIUM PARK
2:00 P.M.

Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Park Café.  Bring your own picnic or you can purchase a "picnic bag to go" at the Park Café.  

If you have ideas about the picnic portion, please post them here. If rain is predicted we'll skip the picnic and meet for lunch somewhere - probably the Park Grill next to the Park Café. We should have a better idea about the weather that week so we can alert everyone to the plan.

A number of us are going to arrive on Friday and leave on Sunday.  Ideas about what to do with the rest of our time are welcome.

The cheapest rates in downtown Chicago we could find were at the Congress Hotel. There are lower rates around O'Hare and Midway and if you stay in that area, you can take the train into town.

So who is coming?

The only problem is that they aren't making much headway because they keep having to stop and rest.

So who wants to help them dig?

All critters welcome, especially those with built in digging implements.

In their stead, my pack would like to invite everyone who has some pent up picture posting of dogs and any other critters to vent away.

Wild beasts welcome, too.

So I offer up a diary of links to posts at various feminist sites.

The diary can be considered as an open thread on the posts I link to, feminism, and political issues that might be of particular importance to women.

This shouldn't need to be said but I absolutely do not mean this to be a discussion space just for feminists or just for women.

Links

Scribbling Woman hosts Carnival of the Feminists V, another great set of feminist posts.

Bayprairie does a fantastic summary of Reproductive Rights, Week in Review, Dec. 18-24.

Amanda over at Pandagon finds the holidays bring Scattered thoughts on the disappearance of the "traditional" family.

Echidne of the Snakes considers Susan Faludi's Backlash and how it plays out today.

Twisty at I Blame the Patriarchy has some fun with the names of girls and women sports teams.

Philobiblon (Natalie) discusses Chinese girls and the Pill.

Feministing covers the story of a woman basketball player's discrimination lawsuit.

Media Girl reports on the EU's determination that doctors refusing to abort pregnancies violate international human rights.

And Straight on Till Morning

Marmotdude's Season's Greetings: Could you stop this damn sleigh. I need to take a dump. That 4 looks really good on you Please unrecommend the earlier cafe and recommend this one.