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The Midwest's number-one attraction is the place in Chicago for lakefront fun. Board a sightseeing or dinner cruise boat, and see a live performance at the outdoor Skyline Stage or acclaimed Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Dine at one of Navy Pier's many boardwalk restaurants and browse the unique shops and stands (a great place to pick up a souvenir).
Anderson Japanese Gardens has been named one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America by Sukiya Living Magazine since 2004. Inspired by calm and tranquility, this 12 acre award winning landscape is comprised of koi-filled ponds, winding paths, gentle streams, cascading waterfalls, raked gravel gardens, beautifully trained pines, and more. Master craftsmanship and 16th century traditional architecture is found throughout the garden.
Strap a mask and flippers onto your imagination and chart a course to Shedd Aquarium. Have you ever seen eye-to-eye with a dolphin? Said hello to a penguin on a stroll to the South Pole? Immersed yourself in a flooded Amazon forest? Or met a friendly beluga whale? You can do it all at Shedd! Photo courtesy of the John G. Shedd Aquarium
Step out and enjoy a view like you've never experienced before at Skydeck Chicago's The Ledge. Located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Ledge's glass boxes jut out from the side of the skyscraper, offering unparalleled views of Chicago and four neighboring states.
In the heart of the city you'll find a state-of-the-art park designed for the new millennium. Discover the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture, the multimedia Crown Fountain and the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, all with Chicago's stunning architecture as a backdrop. The park is also host to many free cultural programs, concerts and family activities. Plus, there's alfresco dining in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
This museum is one of the most-visited presidential museums in the nation where visitors can experience the entire Lincoln story under one roof, from Abe's humble beginnings in an Indiana log cabin to his days as president in the White House. Be dazzled by two special effects theaters featuring historical ghosts and a Civil War battlefield, life-like vignettes that depict important moments in the president's life, and artifacts that range from Lincoln's stovepipe hat to an original copy of the Gettysburg Address.
Discover Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex ever found! At the Field Museum you can also get a bug's-eye view in the Underground Adventure, descend into an Egyptian tomb, be dazzled in the Hall of Gems, come nose to nose with the infamous man-eating lions of Tsavo, and walk among dinosaurs in Evolving Planet.
Kayak through canyons of skyscrapers and architectural wonders, or explore the waters just off beautiful Lake Michigan. Kayak Chicago is Chicago's premier full-service outfitter, offering a variety of tours with certified instructors and guides. It's a truly unique way to experience the urban landscape.
Walking through Livingston County War Museum is like taking a tour of the 20th Century, including artifacts, films, books, uniforms and weapons of several wars. The museum does not glorify war, but shows the best attributes of men and women caught up in war. In doing so, we respectfully honor the service of America's veterans, and the men and women from the area who served in the military.
Museum of Science and Industry
A world of discovery awaits at the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Explore more than 800 exhibits, including the legendary U-505, a German submarine captured on the high seas during World War II; take off on a Boeing 727 airplane for a simulated cross-country flight; descend down a mineshaft for a tour of a realistic coal mine; and witness robots at work in a toy factory. Take a seat at the museum's Omnimax Theater and watch awesome 3D flicks on a giant screen.
The town of Arthur is located in the heart of Amish country, home to more than 2,000 Amish residents and hundreds of charming countryside businesses, Illinois' Amish Country offers shopping, dining, special events and guided educational tours (some of which feature meals in actual Amish homes).
Broadway In Chicago presents the hottest shows in Chicago's bustling Downtown Theater District. On the stages of the Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Bank of America Theatre, Auditorium Theatre and Broadway Playhouse, you will discover theater productions direct from Broadway, along with world premieres.
Opened in October 2012, this new visitor's center celebrates the long history of the Caterpillar Company. Visitors can explore the past by taking a journey back in time via historic photos and antique equipment. Visitor favorites include a 24-foot tall 797 mining truck that doubles as a movie theater and a product floor complete with simulators to explore its world-famous product line.
Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum
See the finest memorabilia associated with the history of the Mother Road in Illinois. Among the artifacts, you'll find the bus and van of Route 66 icon, Bob Waldmire—a true legend of the Mother Road. During your visit, you'll likely spot Bob's brother, Buz Waldmire, sharing stories of his late brother's famous travels up and down Route 66. Be sure to step around back for a great photo op in front of the World's Largest Route 66 shield and other great murals. Admission is free.
Join us on Chicago's #1 architecture tour! Only the Chicago Architecture Foundation and Chicago's First Lady Cruises can showcase Chicago's world renowned city architecture with style, class and comfort. Learn about the architecture and design of over 50 buildings as described by CAF-certified Volunteer Docents/Guides. Don't settle for imitations, look for the CAF logo. Cruises depart daily. Open-air and air-conditioned seating is available. Full Service Bar onboard each vessel. Cruising April - November. Visit our website for full schedule. For a truly unique CAF Cruise experience, join us for our specialty river cruise experiences, including: Capture Chicago Photography Cruise, summer Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9am; Twilight Cruise, summer Thursday, Friday and Sunday evenings at 7:30pm; American Girl Dinner + River Cruise, select summer afternoon and evenings. For more information, visit www.cruisechicago.com/architecture_tours and view our "NEW for 2014" tab.
The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 12 award-winning wineries located along a 25-mile scenic drive along highway 127 and highway 51 in the Shawnee National Forest. Along the way have a picnic, go on a hike, visit a shop, and stay in a cozy B&B or cabin. Many of the wineries host special events throughout the summer and fall.
The second-largest art museum in the United States is home to more than 300,000 works of art, including "American Gothic" by Grant Wood, Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" and more. Renowned for its rare master works, at The Art Institute visitors can experience one of the world's most notable collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. With the addition of its Modern Wing, the museum now features an impressive showcase for its contemporary artworks.
The theme park offers miniature golf, go-karts, batting cages, carnival rides and an arcade. While the water park features a wave pool, bumper boats, water slides, paddle boats and a lazy river. Catch a movie at the old-fashioned drive-in, adjacent to Knight's.
360 Chicago's (formerly John Hancock Observatory) epic new attraction that will forever change the way visitors see Chicago. TILT debuts in the spring of 2014, providing the ultimate window to the Windy City. A one-of-a-kind experience, TILT is an enclosed, glass and steel moveable platform that holds up to eight visitors per cycle. Once safely situated inside, the platform slowly tilts outward to an adventurous angle, generating downward-facing views of Chicago – from one thousand feet above The Magnificent Mile®. TILT gives thrill-seekers an exciting and safe way to take in unsurpassable views of the city, from a never-before-seen angle. Check website for opening dates and hours.
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
Step back in time and explore historic New Salem just as Lincoln knew it. This meticulously reconstructed 1830s village is where Lincoln lived as a young adult, studied law and began politics. Everything from the people to the blacksmith's workshop gives visitors a glimpse into what pioneer life was really like when young, burly Abe was throwing down his axe. Open 7 days a week.
On the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Rustle Hill winery features an amphitheater bandstand for live music, great wines and beers, restaurant and cabins for rent.
You'll find art galleries, music venues, specialty shops, and great restaurants all located along Peoria's beautiful RiverFront. Whether it's a quick bite at a casual café or a relaxing dinner, we have something for everyone. You can enjoy live music and entertainment every weekend, shop the largest Antique Center in Central Illinois or find the perfect gift or home accent at one of our fun and inviting RiverFront shops. Throughout the summer, we offer an endless assortment of outdoor concerts and events. And don't miss the RiverFront Market featuring local produce, art, and musicians, Saturday mornings, June – September. Peoria's RiverFront… Where fun, food and friends meet!
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Illinois' only United Nations World Heritage Site. This 2,200-acre site preserves the central section of the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico. An Interpretive Center presents a coherent account of this sophisticated prehistoric culture. Climb Monk's Mound, see the film and life-size village. Don't miss annual events that focus on Native American culture.
The Chicago Riverwalk trail in downtown Chicago is an easy way to experience the vibrant city while exploring some of its more nature-oriented offerings. This trail is rated as easy, and will take you only 2.5 hours or 4.2 miles round-trip to complete.
Burpee Museum of Natural History
Come explore Burpee Museum and its award-winning exhibits such as Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur, called one of the ten most important dinosaur discoveries in the past 100 years. Burpee Museum also features Homer, a sub-adult or "teen-age" Triceratops. Four floors of exhibits include Windows to Wilderness, a woolly mammoth skeletal cast, Pennsylvanian coal forest, a Native American exhibit, Geoscience, and a viewing lab.
Owned by legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy, Legends exemplifies and electrifies the best of Chicago blues, seven nights a week. Here you'll find an amazing collection of blues memorabilia, a great Cajun menu and maybe even Buddy himself on stage.
Navy Pier's resident 148-foot, four-masted schooner pays tribute to the Great Lakes' rich maritime heritage during a variety of cruises each day.
Apple River Fort State Historic Site
Apple River Fort State Historic Site, located in Elizabeth, Illinois, is the site of one of the battles fought during the Black Hawk War. Black Hawk and his 200 warriors attacked the hastily erected fort on June 24, 1832. His story and that of the early settlers are told.
Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Co.
We operate Chicago's premier Hop On Hop Off ® city sightseeing tours in the classic red & green Trolleys and fun-filled Double Decker buses. We also offer private group transportation for special events such as weddings, parties, and corporate outings. For 19 years the Hop On Hop Off® sightseeing tour has been the gold standard for entertaining and informative tours. Covering 13 miles and 14 stops, the Signature Tour is an eye-popping adventure through the heart of Chicago, giving you the option of Hopping On and Off at your choice of stops to visit the hottest retail, cultural, and family attractions. Summer tours include neighborhood tours and night tours.
Experience innovations of the present and the future while appreciating the heritage of the past at the free attraction in downtown Moline, Illinois. See vintage machines and climb aboard new ones, operate a simulated excavator or dozer, explore exhibits on how technology helps people shape and care for the land and enjoy interactive ways for kids to learn about farming and infrastructure. The John Deere Store stocks a large collection of genuine John Deere merchandise.
Visit Superman Square in Metropolis to have your picture taken with the 15-foot-tall statue of the Man of Steel. A statue of Lois Lane is located nearby. Across the street is the Super Museum, showcasing rare Superman memorabilia and selling superhero souvenirs.
The most under priced attraction in the area! 36 acres of family fun. See 300 classic, antique and muscle cars, including the country's largest display of Hollywood TV and movie cars! Experience the Military Combat Zone, a life-like battle scene with rare military vehicles and weapons. Shop 5 Antique Malls. Take a Haunted Trolley Tour. Enjoy great food in a Betty Boop themed diner and more. All in one location!
Allerton Park & Retreat Center
Allerton Park was the private estate of Robert Henry Allerton, who donated it to the University of Illinois in 1946. It features 1,500 acres of woodlands, formal gardens and more than 100 sculptures. The park is open to the public for hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing and leisurely garden strolls.
The Second City - Chicago Mainstage
The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959, and has since grown to become the world's premier comedy club, theatre and school of improvisation. The Second City has launched the careers of John Belushi, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and many others.
Black Hawk State Historic Site
Wonderful for families, friends for outdoor recreation. Additionally, the Watch Tower Lodge has hosted thousands of wedding receptions and offers a lovely setting in the beautiful historic park. This wooded, steeply rolling 208-acre tract, borders the Rock River in the city of Rock Island. Prehistoric Indians and 19th-Century settlers made homes here, but the area is most closely identified with the Sauk nation and its great warrior, Black Hawk. Voted one of the "7 Wonders of Illinois," this pristine park offers beautiful trails for hiking and walking only. Picnic areas are also available. While at the park be sure to visit the Watch Tower Lodge that houses a large reception area and the John Hauberg Indian Museum. The museum features Sauk and Meskwaki Native American Indian artifacts and displays depicting the four seasons and life of these tribes. A new exhibit tells the story of the Sauk and Meskwaki—how they came to live in the Quad City area, why they no longer live here, and, as the piece de resistance, a four-by-eight-foot scale model of the city of Saukenuk one of the largest Native American Indian settlements in the United States.
CITY:Rock Island
Blue Chicago is located near Ontario street's restaurant row. Chicago's best blues artist star in this safe and friendly club. It is popular with blues fans all over the world. The low cover charge is good for admission to both Blue Chicago locations.
Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District
This district is the arts and entertainment destination of the Quad Cities. Located on the Mississippi River, the district ia a revitalized and vibrant area. You'll find art galleries, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, casino, shops and a hotel.
CITY:Rock Island
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
The Adler Planetarium—America's First Planetarium—is more than a museum; it is a laboratory, a classroom, and a community exploring the Universe together. The Adler offers interactive exhibitions, live planetarium shows, hands-on, minds-on STEM education programs, and world-class collections.
Arlington International Racecourse
At Arlington International, we aim to make every day of the season special by combining the excitement of thoroughbred racing, gorgeous grounds and fantastic food to create a winning track experience for our guests! Whether you're looking for a fun and exciting day out with friends and family, a casual and charming afternoon at the races, or a sophisticated and stylish get-together, Arlington International offers an extraordinary experience for everyone! Live racing and entertainment from May through September or find a full calendar of race dates and events at arlingtonpark.com.
CITY:Arlington Heights
Located in Northwestern Illinois, near Oregon and Rockford, White Pines Inn resembles a pioneer village with 25 authentic one-room log cabins with gas fireplaces. Set among the towering pines, the cabins have beautiful hardwood floors the color of maple syrup. Each cabin has a queen, hand-hewn log bed with a double bed trundle underneath, and a private bath. There are 13 one-room cabins with open-beamed ceilings. There are 12 additional cabins built in groups of four under one roof.
CITY:Mount Morris
Fort de Chartres State Historic Site
This former French military stronghold has been partially rebuilt and turned into a museum. Regular living history events shed light on colonial life in Illinois, and include 18th-century crafts, food, music, hundreds of historically dressed participants, flintlock rifle and musket contests, cannon and mortar competitions, traders and much more. There are also guided tours of the 1800 Creole House, which was designed in the French-American Transitional Architecture style.
CITY:Prairie du Rocher
This historic boardwalk dates back to the 1890s. Today it offers galleries featuring quality handcrafts created by local artisans and a country store.
Chicago Music Tour, Inc. specializes in guided bus tours of Chicago music history, including jazz, rock, blues, classical & soul. Tours feature a soundtrack of songs for each sight or stop. Open since 2011, the tours have received widespread acclaim. Tours include the Chicago Bound Blues Tour, Chicago Rocks 1980-2005, The Chicago Music Tour, Raised in Chicago Jazz Tour, Michigan Avenue Serenade Soul Tour, & Chicago Rock Stars tour. Tours run on weekends, but are available for private events.
William M. Staerkel Planetarium
Discover the universe at the second largest planetarium in Illinois, the William M. Staerkel Planetarium, located on the campus of Parkland College. With a state-of-the-art digital projection system, visitors can learn about the stars, planets and more in this cutting-edge environment. At the planetarium website, you will learn of special programs and features coinciding with the many events in our universe. Public shows are on most Friday and Saturday nights, as well as summer matinees.
The Signature Room at the 95th
Enchanted dining experiences await guests at this contemporary American restaurant. Located atop the John Hancock Center, it offers the best view of the city of Chicago. Live jazz, elegant dark wood and marble tiled artdeco interior compliments the mood.
Visitors can enjoy a dazzling music, light and water show at the Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the largest fountains in the world. Located at Columbus Drive, shows runs from dusk to 11pm every hour and lasts for 20 minutes. Operates April through mid-October.
Coronado Performing Arts Center
See a play or musical performance at the wonderfully ornate Coronado Performing Arts Center, which was once a 1920s movie palace and vaudeville hall. The Coronado still features its original whimsical details, such as gilded Spanish castles, Chinese dragons in relief on the walls and a faux starry sky. Coronado Performing Arts Center is the venue for many performing arts groups and traveling shows.
Discover cute boutiques housed in historic storefronts in downtown Champaign, including antique and consignment shops. Be sure to stop at PACA's Architectural Salvage Warehouse, where you'll find everything from vintage stained glass to ceramic tiles.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Frederick C. Robie House
Recognized as an architectural masterpiece, Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House is located in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus. The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust offers guided tours of this quintessential Prairie-style home, which the American Institute of Architects named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century.
Standing 19 feet tall and clutching a giant hot dog, this Paul Bunyon statue, not "bunyan" purposely spelled with an "o", is one of Route 66's mythic Muffler Man Statues. A few of these giants still proudly grace the roadsides of historic Route 66. This one is located in Atlanta, just across the street from the Palms Grill Café, which features fine fare from The Mother Road's golden age.
Located adjacent to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, this museum is dedicated to telling the story of the Mississippi River, from its colorful history to its modern-day role as a major transportation corridor. The museum features kid-friendly, interactive and computer animated exhibits. Steer a towboat through the locks and dam via simulator, measure your water consumption or come face-to-face with river fish in the aquarium. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Chicago History Museum is a major museum and research center for Chicago and American history. From permanent galleries to special exhibitions and exciting programs, people of all ages are able to experience the past and better understand the present. Please call for museum hours, pricing and exhibitions.
With 473 luxurious guest rooms, two championship golf courses, a renowned spa, award-winning dining and entertainment, three pools and extensive meeting and conference facilities, Pheasant Run hotel in St Charles IL is the perfect setting. And, while you're getting that special spa treatment or enjoying a romantic dinner or play, your children can have a great time in our Kid's Klub. This special program offers supervised activities for children ages 3 to 11 years. Activities include playing games, watching movies, and making crafts to take home. Plus, every Saturday you can visit the craft corner where Mom and Dad can join in on the fun and make some seasonal themed crafts with their kids. Board games are also available for check-out through the Activity Desk.
CITY:St. Charles
The Chicago Pedway Tour will lead you through the Pedway, the backdrop for an amusing and enlightening tour of some of the hot-spots (or a least warm-spots) of downtown Chicago. The tour focuses on interesting anecdotes and tales about some of the great buildings downtown, but it's also a study of the city underneath the city. The Pedway is a strange and wonderful place and adds so much to the city's personality. These are great tours for Chicagoans who want to learn more about the city and for tourists who want a full Chicago experience without ever going outside. The tour is 90 minutes and is $20. Monday/Thursday/Saturday at 10:30 am. Please note: the start location for the Monday and Thursday tour is at 40 W. Lake St. in the "Gallery of Shops." The start location for the Saturday tour is at start at Block 37 – 108 N. State St.
Located in the heart of downtown Galena, this is a great place to relax and unwind. Enjoy wine, specialty martinis and craft beers. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays, Bloody Mary bar Saturdays and Quiz Show Sundays. Gourmet apps until 1 a.m.
City tours of Galena, tour of homes and nightly ghost tour. Group services and charters. Original tour company since 1988.
Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier
Hands-on exhibits and daily-changing activities make every visit unique for young children and adults, too. Dig deep into the Dinosaur Expedition, try to stay dry in WaterWays, make a masterpiece in the KraftArtabounds Studio, and climb up to the crow's nest on the Kovler Family Climbing Schooner. Toddlers can have fun in Kids Town and Treehouse Trails.
Kids can shimmy up Luckey's Climber, make a giant bubble and pretend to be whatever they can imagine, from a pilot to a scientist. The museum's permanent exhibits complement temporary exhibits and projects.
Dana-Thomas House by Frank Lloyd Wright
One of the best-preserved examples of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie design, this 35-room mansion contains some 100 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture and stunning art glass. Open 7 days a week.
Dolphins soar, belugas dance and penguins parade in Fantasea, the aquatic show at Shedd Aquarium. The marine mammal presentations showcase the natural talents and learned skills of the animals—and their trainers.
Amish Country Tours with ACM Tours
ACM Tours is a full service, receptive tour guide company with many special services available at no additional cost. We literally open the door to fabulous Illinois Amish Country! We are ready to assist you with meals, attractions, lodging and step on guide service. We have available trained, professional, local step-on guides who are well versed in the history, customs and folklore of this most unique part of Illinois.
The Super Museum houses the mythical caped hero from the big green planet. The museum is filled with a $2.5 billion collection spanning 60 years, honoring the most famous hero of all time.
The Blue Man Group features three enigmatic bald and blue characters who take the audience through a multi-sensory experience that combines theatre, percussive music, art, science and vaudeville into a form of entertainment that is like nothing else.
The world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) performs at the grand Symphony Center on Michigan Avenue in the Loop. The CSO is led by Music Director Riccardo Muti, and often collaborates with some of the biggest names in classical music. In the summer, the CSO takes up residence at the outdoor Ravinia Festival in north suburban Highland Park. Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg as photographer for CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Science Center of Southern Illinois
This center was designed for children ages 3-13 and their families. The science museum features several interactive hands-on exhibits dealing with a variety of basic concepts of science, as well as special events and programs.
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show is very different from traditional murder mystery dinner shows. We will hide non-costumed actors in the audience that are pretending to be part of the crowd. This results in a much more social and interactive evening than with other shows. Our shows are set during the present day and take place in real time. Over the course of the night, our costumed Detectives will uncover clues, interrogate audience members that may or may not be part of the show, and help everyone get closer to solving the mystery.
An amazing tribute to America's most famous Hollywood icons, features life-size figures, wardrobes, costumes, movie props, posters, dolls, statues and celebrity collectibles from around the world. Americana Hollywood is a museum dedicated to Hollywood of yesterday and today. Located 2 blocks from Harrah's Casino you will find collections from Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Pamela Anderson and Angelina Jolie, just to name a few. Come stroll through the outdoor statues and have your picture taken with the Blues Brothers or on the set of a Western ghost town. There is so much to see and do at this museum!
For 25 years, The Annoyance Theatre has created some of Chicago's finest comedy. Home of the longest running musical Co-ed Prison Sluts, The Annoyance uses improvisation to create new and original plays, musicals, sketch-comedy and more, in a vibrant, uncensored atmosphere.
University of Illinois Arboretum
The University of Illinois Arboretum is a living laboratory, including plant collections and facilities that support the teaching, research and public service programs of several units throughout campus. Central to the Arboretum was the development of the "All American Selection Trial Gardens" established by a bequest from Miles C. Hartley in the early 90s. Other highlights of the Arboretum include the Welcome Garden, Hosta Garden, Kari Walkway and native ponds plantings, the Idea Garden, sponsored by Champaign County Master Gardeners, and the Japanese Tea and Dry Gardens at the Japan House.
Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline
Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline offers 90-minute tours for the whole family that include lake and river cruises, fireworks cruises, canine cruises and night cruises all departing from the landscaped dock on Chicago's Riverwalk at the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Cruising season May - October.
A national symbol of faith, this 111-foot-tall cross, when illuminated at night, can be seen over an area of 7,500 square miles atop the most prominent elevation in Southern Illinois. The cross is surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest.
CITY:Alto Pass
Chicago's own Chinatown features beautiful Chinese-style buildings, as well as exotic dining and shopping experiences that have made the neighborhood a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.
The museum campus consists of a Victorian village with 26 historical buildings filled with artifacts of the era as well as several beautiful 19th century gardens that depict life in northern Illinois from 1890 to 1910. Interpreters in authentic period dress are available seasonally for guided tours. The main museum building holds large group meeting rooms and exhibit space with a number of permanent exhibits reflecting Rockford's history and culture. Special events throughout the year include a World War II re-enatment, Sock Monkey and Scarecrow Harvest Festivals, and more. Free recreational path located on property.
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens
Tinker Swiss Cottage is a historic house museum located in the heart of Rockford, Illinois. The museum complex contains the historic house museum, barn, and carriage house from the Tinker family. In addition, the property is the home of the founding site of Rockford and contains a Pre-Columbian Native American conical mound. Robert surrounded his Swiss Cottage with over 27 acres of trees, vines, winding pathways, flowerbeds, and gardens. A three-story Swiss inspired barn was added to the property which housed cows, chickens, and horses. On the side of the Cottage, Robert constructed a suspension bridge crossing the Kent Creek. At the end of Robert's suspension bridge, he planted elaborate gardens deemed the Railroad Gardens where passengers could stroll as they waited for the train.
Chicago Architecture Foundation
The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is a nonprofit organization with tours, exhibitions, programs and events for all ages. Visit CAF on Michigan Avenue to view our 1,000-building scale model of Chicago, shop in our award-winning store or participate in a fun LEGO® building event in our ArcelorMittal Design Studio. Choose from 85 tours by boat, walking, bus, or even L train, including the CAF River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises. Tours depart daily and are led by CAF's expert docent guides. Every fall, check out CAF's free annual Open House Chicago festival. Private tours and group tour rates available. Open daily 9am to 9pm. Learn more at architecture.org
Pepsi Skyline Stage At Navy Pier
Outdoor theater and music venue at the one and only Navy Pier.
Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater
The 4,000 seat Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater hosts a variety of events from community festivals to live concerts throughout the summer months. With the Mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, bring your blanket and spread out for an evening under the stars. Check out our website for a list of upcoming events.
Proudly referred to as Chicago's "Front yard," Grant Park is a public park, 319 acres located in Chicago's central business district in the Loop Community area. Grant Park's most notable features include Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus. Named for United States President and Civil War General, Ulysses S. Grant, Grant Park was developed as one of Chicago's first parks and expanded through land reclamation.
Opened in October 2012, this brand new 80,000 square-foot building is a world-class facility located on Peoria's downtown riverfront. The museum features a 3D giant screen theater and digital planetarium, as well as history, science, art and achievement exhibits for all ages.
Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours
Try a segway tour, where you'll enjoy fantastic views of Chicago's famous attractions. Explore Chicago by day or night with friendly tour guides.
Japan House offers the public an opportunity to learn about traditional Japanese culture through tea ceremonies, workshops and special events through the year. The beautiful Japan House gardens are open from dawn to dusk for you to stroll through and enjoy. The Japan House closes during the summer. Call for information on tea ceremonies and tours.
Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field Tours
Get an insider's look at this historic American landmark that has enchanted baseball fans for almost a century. Each 90-minute guided tour shows guests the clubhouses, bleachers, press box, dugout, field, and more.
Chicago River Architecture Tour - Wendella Sightseeing Boats
The Chicago River Architecture Tour is a 60-minute journey through the heart of the city. Led by an architectural expert, this in-depth tour traces the history and innovations of urban architecture in Chicago.
Wild Reef: Sharks at Shedd Aquarium
See sharks glide through underwater gardens of iridescent corals and garden eels. Wander through a lagoon and mangrove forest, and visit a fishing village where residents saved their reef from destruction.
The Bank of America Theatre opened in 1906 originally as the Majestic Theatre in downtown Chicago. The theater has gone through a couple of different name changes including recently the LaSalle Bank Theatre, and the Sam Shubert Theatre before that. The Bank of America Theatre box office has been host to many traveling Broadway shows and events since it's most recent renovation in 2006.
Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion
Located on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, Krannert Art Museum is the second-largest fine art museum in Illinois—placing it among the top tier of university art museums nationwide. The museum's diverse permanent collection contains over 10,000 works of art, and represents the cultures of African, Asia, Europe and the Americas. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum features outstanding temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum & Resource Center
The history of the Oakland and Pontiac car brands as seen through 15 classic cars, dealer artifacts, a complete print library and memorabilia. Free admission-open year round.
A contemporary hand blown glass art studio. Original works of art created by Hiram Toraason. The studio provides a number of glass making opportunities, for the beginner to the advanced. Customize your experience! Formal classes to team building workshops are available. The gallery offers a variety glass from functional to the one of a kind creations. Ready to get hands-on with glass blowing yourself? Call for an appointment and let Torasson Glass help you create the perfect glass creation for you!
Today's Soldier Field comprises two distinct structures. There is classical stone-clad shell designed in the 1920s. Its contemporary interior is a 2003 retrofit designed specifically for the NFL's Chicago Bears. The original stadium seated 120,000. The new Soldier Field seats 61,5000 in a boldly asymmetrical steel and concrete bowl set within the confines of the original colonnades.
Take the 3-hour food tasting and cultural walking Chicago tours, which combine delicious food and drink tastings with some serious fun in Chicago's most delicious, off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. Suitable for all age groups and fitness levels, you'll experience delectable foods from one-of-a-kind specialty food stores and ethnic eateries while receiving an insiders view into the culture, history and architecture that defines the Windy City. Walk away with new culinary perspectives, big smiles, satisfied taste buds and the confidence to continue exploring the areas where locals live.
Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College
The area's oldest outdoor summer theatre with four musical productions in June and July. Starlight's home, the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre, features more than a thousand seats, a stunningly artistic and creative retractable roof, new seating and an improved stage. Starlight Theatre has been named one of Illinois' 150 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects, Illinois Council. This prestigious award is given to places that have been identified by leading architects as contributing to their communities' quality of life.
"Lincoln: History to Hollywood," an exhibition of sets, costumes and props from the Steven Spielberg's Academy Award-winning film "Lincoln," has opened at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum complex, located in downtown Springfield, Illinois. Items of note in the exhibit include Lincoln's office set, a vignette of Mary Lincoln's bedroom, Lincoln's gloves, Tad Lincoln's tin soldiers, and the rocking chair where President Lincoln sat with Tad. Most of the furniture pieces in the exhibit are antiques from the Civil War era, not reproductions. The exhibits are on long-term loan from Spielberg and DreamWorks Studio. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum features more than 40,000 square feet of galleries, theatres and historic displays that takes visitors on a journey from Lincoln's humble beginnings through his Presidency. The "Lincoln: History to Hollywood" exhibit will be located in Union Station, across the street from the presidential museum.
Old Illinois Passenger Depot Railroad Museum
Built in 1903 by the Illinois Central Railroad, the Old Railroad Passenger Depot has since been restored and now serves as home to the Carbondale Train Museum. Filled with information, artifacts and souveniers, the museum contains significant facts relating to Carbondale's history. Ring the bell of an original train car from the Illinois Central Railroad, which still sits on the track!
Named one of the top 12 children's museums in the nation by Forbes in 2012, here kids can explore more than 250 hands-on art and science exhibits, a planetarium, TV studio and the Tot Spot for toddlers. Discovery Center also boasts the nation's first community-built outdoor science park, the Rock River Discovery Park, featuring a two-story maze, water play area and dinosaur fossil dig.
These murals bring back the memories of the heyday of Route 66 in Pontiac, Illinois.
Three bridges which cross the Vermillion River. Built as early as 1898 and one of the most popular attractions in Pontiac. Bridge 1 connects Riverview Drive and Play Park. It was built in July 1898 by Joliet Bridge Company with an iron structure, 190 feet long and 4 feet wide and supported by cables swung from masonry piers. The current bridge is a wooden structure. Bridge 2 connects the Play Park and Chautauqua Park - Eden M. Johnson Memorial circa 1926. Bridge 3 connects the south side and Riverside-Humiston Park. It was built in connection with the adjoining park, circa 1978: Illinois Contractors, Inc.


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Showing 193-255 of 255 items found in Food & Drink
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Wood fired thin crust St. Louis-style pizza, burgers, a dozen different appetizers and a full dinner menu aren't the only things that bring customers to Roper's Regal Beagle. Dine and play games; watch all your favorite sports games on the big screen and other TVs and after hours, listen to the live bands and dance, but make sure you take the kids home first. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 a.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Welcome to S & S Sandwich Shop of Alton - North Alton's only independently owned sandwich shop. Our goal is to provide fresh, quality, seasonal food fare at a great value. Every attempt is made to use only local products in our menu items. We currently serve sandwiches, soups and salads prepared by our chefs. Our daily specials change often to exploit the best of each season. Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sammi's Grill Woodstock Lounge
Local bar where the beer is cheap, the jukebox is loud, and three flat-screen TV's proudly display the evening's most crucial sporting event.
The meat is smoked daily and served without sauce so you can choose your own. Try their homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce, Hot BBQ Sauce or Mustard Sauce.
Schiappa's Pasta Pizza & Wings
At Schiappa's try the challenge, two people must eat one 29" pizza in a 1/2 hour, or you can just come for the delicious pizza, salads, soups, shrimp, and more.
Schiappa's Pasta Pizza & Wings
Schiappa's originated in Lebanon in 1979 with family recipes from Italy and the east coast. Schiappa's prides itself on having the best & most carefully crafted pizza in the area. The biggest as well! Our pizzas are not churned out on a factory line; we know that some people will wait a while for quality. Unlike many pizza parlors, Schiappa's makes its own dough & only uses the freshest ingredients on a daily basis. It's home of the 40" pizza. Check out our website for menu items.
School House Grill at Senior Services Plus
Senior Services Plus' School House Grill offers a selection including a daily special, a soup and salad bar, as well as a variety of grill options. The School House Grill is an option for any age and is open to the public. Come join us for breakfast or lunch. Daily lunch specials include our own chef's creations and "GET FIT" meal items.
Live music venue and pub with full bar. Two stages and an extensive sound system accommodates a variety of live music and entertainment ranging from original songwriters, local talent and regional acts. Open F & S 4 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Shenanigan's has great food such as wings, burgers, sandwiches, steak, and much more. Shenanigan's also has a large game room and party room for you next event. Local bands perform every Friday & Saturday night!
Inside an 1800s farmhouse, the Shiloh Valley Grill has delicious American-style dishes.
American Cuisine
Nice, casual, family-oriented diner with the great food you expect from smaller restaurants. Known for their chicken and dumplings, cabbage rolls and burgers as well as their juicy, large chicken wings. Open daily from 5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
CITY:Wood River
Skootr's serves delicious food in a fun, casual environment. Steaks, chicken, classic American food. Outdoor patio, bar, children's menu.
Smoke Pit offers delicious smoked meat basted with homemade barbeque sauce with a large variety of sides. Check out our website.
We have a full selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and pizza. We welcome weddings, receptions, anniversaries, business meetings, office parties, seminars, reunions, birthday parties, charitable functions, holiday celebrations and more.
Enjoy the cozy atmosphere of cushy chairs, antiques, and the welcoming hospitality of owners Sam Makler and Colette Andre as you sample a fine glass of wine.
St. Louis Street Cafe has soup, salad, sandwiches served on freshly baked bread, daily specials, homemade pie, hand-dipped ice cream, and so much more.
Stagger Inn has dishes such as the "Nightmare Burger" and the "Stagger Burger", and also vegetarian friendly dishes like GardenBurgers and numerous salads. Stagger Inn has live performances by local blues and rock bands every Friday night.
Looking for market fresh salads, homemade soups, paninis and sandwiches? State Street Market in Alton, Illinois has all that and more including daily special kitchen creations. Pair your meal with Mimosas, Craft Beer and Wine. On Saturday morning indulge in a special breakfast/brunch menu which features broiche french toast, house made porridge and gluten free quiches and much more. Now open Monday and Thursday evenings 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. with live music, shareable plates, wine and craft beer. Also open Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m and Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Come on in and grab a bite. Get the house specialty, the hand-shaped Stevie Ray Burger & Fries or enjoy a big salad with either steak or chicken. Besides burgers, they have sandwiches, wraps, kabobs and more.
Stinger's Inc. has a large variety of delicious dishes served by their helpful, friendly staff.
Stumpy's Spirits is a new kind of craft distillery that takes distilling back to its roots. The distillery is built on 10 acres our 8th generation family farm in Columbia, IL where we plant, grow, and harvest the grain used to produce Unbroken Vodka, Old Monroe White Whiskey, and soon a host of other whiskeys. Not only do we use our own grain, but we use fresh well well water too. Small batch, hand-crafted, and fresh from the field...just the way craft spirits were meant to be.
Swansea Fish Stand may be small, but it's big on taste, so come and enjoy great seafood in a casual atmosphere.
Sweeties offers the finest quality, high-end, hand crafted chocolate, old-fashioned candy, a large variety of Jelly Belly beans and candies, gelato, gourmet coffees and teas, and old-time soft drinks. We offer beautiful custom-boxed chocolates for corporate or personal gifts.
CITY:Glen Carbon
Come to Teller's for a unique dining experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the Metro East. They are a locally owned and operated restaurant and bar located in the historic state bank building in Collinsville. At Teller's, they try to create an elegant experience at a family price. Join Teller's for dinner and drinks tonight!
Tequila Mexican Restaurant offers delicious Mexican food at a great price with fabulous, fast, and friendly service.
Thai House Restaurant offers delicious, healthy Thai cooking. Enjoy a taste of the exotic.
The Abbey Espresso Bar and Café is West Belleville's most comfortable hot spot. A backdrop of weekly card games, chess matches and Saturday morning music complements the best cup of joe east of the Mississippi. Homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches are served daily along with a plethora of pastries and bread.
Stop in for a great game of bowling and a bite to eat. The Arbor offers a large menu of delicious treats to keep your game going strong.
Chinese-American dine-in and and buffet specials. Visit our website!
The Casino Queen Hotel Restaurants
The Casino Queen Hotel offers four fabulous restaurants: Prime Steakhouse, Gateway Cafe, Deli & Chips, and Market Street Buffet.
CITY:East St. Louis
The largest laser tag arena in the region also includes mini-golf, a big video arcade with the coolest games on the market, and food at D.S.Vespers Sports Pub and Eatery.
The Gathering Place has a variety of soup, sandwiches, desserts, and more.
Go back to the good old days with delicious homestyle favorites like Southern fried chicken, roast beef, adn steak. Also, cod, catfish, shrimp, sandwiches, salads, and great homemade desserts, and if you're brave try the frog legs.
CITY:New Baden
The Happy Cow offers homestyle cooking in a cozy, homelike atmosphere, and served with a smile from their friendly staff.
The Old Bakery Beer Company offers high quality local food and beer to downtown Alton. The brewery and restaurant, located at 400 Landmarks Boulevard, has been home to at least 3 bakeries over the last 100 years. Old Bakery Beer will offer four year- round beers, including a Wheat IPA, Rye Pale Ale, Mild Brown Ale, and a Pilsner-style Beer, as well as several rotating seasonal and local guest taps. Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 12 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Old Bakery Beer Company offers high quality local food and beer to downtown Alton. The brewery and restaurant, located at 400 Landmarks Boulevard, has been home to at least 3 bakeries over the last 100 years. Old Bakery Beer will offer four year-round beers, including a Wheat IPA, Rye Pale Ale, Mild Brown Ale, and a Pilsner-style Beer, as well as several rotating seasonals and local guest taps.
The Pie Pantry offers a great selection of soups, salads, and burgers, and of course delicious pies, by the slice or as a whole.
The Sandwich Shop offers a large selection of fresh sandwiches such as the French dip, turkey bacon, and much more, in a cozy, small town atmosphere.
Rent a 4-wheel Surrey bicycle and take a bottle of wine down to the lake. They make six varieties of wine on site. You'll love the picturesque setting: the wine garden; deer running across the field; wild turkeys making their way into the woods and lots of rabbits. Make it a real fun weekend by renting one of the log cabins or a real getaway by camping at the campgrounds.
Featured is an extended wine list and outdoor courtyard with a wood fired brick oven. You'll enjoy a light fare menu that includes specialty cheeses and flatbread pizzas baked right on the hearth in our brick oven. The courtyard is tented and heated so you can enjoy watching them fire pizzas year round. Come taste a world of wine at The WineTap.
Thip's has delicious Thai cuisine like pad kee mao, and more made with the freshest ingredients, and as spicy as you want it.
Tienda El Ranchito has delicious authentic Mexican food served in a cozy environment. Perfect for relaxing after a long day.
CITY:Fairmont City
Great food, a helpful, friendly staff, and a large party room make Tim & Joe's an excellent place to hang out with friends and family.
Timmermann House Bed & Breakfast
Timmermann House is a three room bed and breakfast. Rooms include private baths, with turkish towels, plush robes, Comfy company sheets and light weight comforters, large closets, flat screen TV/DVD player and a full homemade gourmet breakfast is served daily. Timmermann House also has its own "Farmers Market" Starting in April with asparagus going to strawberries and early to midsummer all types of vegetables and fruits, ending in the fall with pumpkins.
Tiny's is a small, traditional tavern in front and a pool and game room in the back. You can enjoy your delicious meal in the dining room or on the spacious outdoor patio.
Tony's Prohibition Lounge & Third Street Cafe
Looking for a great place for pizza, pasta, and cold drinks? Check out Tony's Prohibition Lounge. Adjacent to the renowned Tony's Restaurant, the Lounge offers casual dining and a full-service bar. The 75 seat bar also has a charming sidewalk cafe. It is a favorite place in town for meeting friends for drinks, waiting for a table in the dining room, or bringing the family in for a casual dinner. Tony's bar and sidewalk cafe serves pizza, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and kabobs in a family atmosphere. Open Tuesday - Saturday 4 p.m.- 1 a.m.
Tony's Ranch House Restaurant and Bar
Start your day with a home cooked breakfast at Tony's Ranch House Restaurant and Bar located in Godfrey. And, if you like, come back at night for live entertainment. Tony's is a family-style diner with that classic laid-back style. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts are served. There is also a separate full bar. Restaurant Hours: Monday - Saturday, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday. 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tony's Place has sandwiches, soup, delicious sides, steak, chicken, seafood, pot roast, country fried steak, prime rib, pasta, great desserts, and more.
Family owned for more than 50 years, Tony's is located in Alton on Third Street. Known for their mouth-watering pepperloin steaks, the family recipe has been a crowd pleaser for years. Homemade pastas and family recipes make for a memorable meal. Tony's offers the best of both worlds with a formal dining room, perfect for a romantic meal or to celebrate a special occasion. The Third Street Cafe entrance features a sports bar atmosphere perfect for kicking back to enjoy a slice of fresh secret recipe pizza, a juicy half-pound steakburger or a basket of wings. From casual family dining to a cozy meal together, Tony's is your place!
Stop by this neighborhood bar & grill. You'll find friendly folks, good food and cold beer.
Trenton House offers delicious steak and so much more, all set in a casual, elegant atmosphere.
For scrumptious, hickory-smoked pulled pork, loin ribs, chicken, and much more, come on down to Uncle Huffy's Barbeque.
At Valentine's you can enjoy delicious, tender steak or many of the other fabulous dishes Valentine's has to offer.
Villa Marie Winery & Banquet Center
Villa Marie Winery began operation in 2006. The result – over thirty different award-winning (state and international) wines. Nestled in the rolling hills of Southern Illinois, Villa Marie Winery and Banquet Center, a 20,000 square foot venue, is the site of weddings, parties, family and corporate events, and a relaxed atmosphere for spontaneous gatherings, planned meetings, or an opportunity to taste outstanding wines. Come for lunch, order delicious appetizers, or enjoy assorted cheeses and crackers while sipping wine and appreciating the peaceful surroundings. Villa Marie Winery and Banquet Center hosts events throughout the year. Come for: "Wine All You Want Wednesday" (ladies' night), days to honor military personnel, original music showcases, special events on calendar holidays, customer appreciation, or for a quiet place to drink excellent wine, watch the swans and ducks, and enjoy the company of good friends. Check our website for dates and times of events:
Try one of Wally's famous burgers or one of the many other great choices on the menu.
Wang Gang is a cool Asian restaurant off the beaten path. They offer a blend of Chef created Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine at affordable prices.
Weezy's Route 66 Bar and Grill
The restaurant is known for charbroiled burgers, homemade pies and hearty breakfasts, particularly biscuits and gravy made with fresh sausage from locally produced hogs. The decor follows a diner theme with a black-and-white checkered floor and red vinyl seat cushions on chrome booths, tables and chairs. Walls are lined with vintage signs, photos of old vehicles and other Route 66 memorabilia and even has an outdoor patio.
Westend has delicious, fresh seafood.
Come in and join us for some great food, wine, beer, and entertainment while enjoying the panoramic view from atop the bluffs in Collinsville.
Metro St. Louis premier country night spot. Free country dance lessons on Wednesdays. Dance mix music and country featured.
Zapata's has a large menu full of your Mexican favorites and a great lunch buffet daily.
Zapata's has a daily lunch buffet, and delicious items on the menu such as tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, gorditas, special combo platters, and more. Great special during happy hour 4-7pm.

subset: commoncrawl


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Eva Simons :: Number One with a Mohawk
In a little over a 3-year period, Dutch-born Eva Simons has elevated her status in the music industry from a virtual unknown to a vocalist being sought by major players in the recording industry. Eva (pronounced A-va) has propelled her career with international hits such as "Silly Boy," "Take Over Control" and the latest duet with will.i.am, "This Is Love," and her U.S. Dance #1 "I Don't Like You."
With acclaimed music videos and great live performance reviews under her belt, Eva is about to embark on her biggest tour to date in the U.S. as a part of the Identity Festival Tour roster this summer.
While packing in her home in Amsterdam, I caught up with the new singing warrior, as she calls herself, and dug a little deeper into what makes this seemingly shy and calm beauty on the outside such a feisty warrior ready to battle the music charts and all of what the Universe has waiting for her.
'Hell, yeah'
BeBe: I am so pleased to meet you that I have to steal a lyric from will.i.am and say 'Hell yeah!'
Eva Simons: (With laughter) Oh yeah man! Of course!
BeBe: I'm going to dig right on in with you. You grew up in a family of musicians with your parents and grandfather being musicians and singers. So, I want to ask you if at anytime growing up did you see yourself doing something other than music?
Eva Simons: I once looked back and read one of those diary things of mine, and it said 'what do you want to be when your older.' And I said a teacher. I have no idea why I said that because I've always had this feeling that I wanted to do something in music. But, apparently I wrote that down. Maybe it's because I thought being a musician was something that I wouldn't become or something, because I was already that. I had to find something that I could become (in the future). You know when you grow up, you just be you and that's enough.
Universal karma
BeBe: Interesting, maybe you meant a music teacher.
Eva Simons: Yeah, and I've been a music teacher, actually. (I was one) for like three years, and I still like it. I'd definitely do it (again). I like to give workshops, you know. I like to tell people the things that helped me so I can help others.
BeBe: You know what was very refreshing for me when studying your background, that even with your natural ability in music, you actually studied your craft. I know you are a classically trained pianist. So many new artists today because of computer programs and what not don't have that kind background. They haven't studied their craft. Do you think that is going to set you apart from the rest of the pack down the road? When I think of you, I think of people like Alicia Keys. To me, you will last a lot longer in this business called show because you have that foundation of study.
Eva Simons: Yeah, a lot of people want to be famous, and they think it (music business) is all about the lifestyle. They just want to have the lifestyle. I wonder if you can enjoy it, can you enjoy yourself on stage every night if you are not into the music. I like that it is about the music.
BeBe: I have interviewed several veteran entertainers that have said the difference between the stars of yesteryear and the stars of today is the Internet. And ironically, that is how you were discovered. You song 'Silly Boy' got so much attention on YouTube with over 20 million hits back in 2009 that it led to a contract for you with EMI. Where do you think you would be today if you had not had that type of internet on-line exposure that brought you to the masses immediately?
Eva Simons: I believe in faith and the universal karma, you know, when you just do the right thing. Everyone has a certain path. It's really funny and weird how that all happened. I demo-ed that song 'Silly Boy' for my friend. I was a demo singer at that point. Then I got a call from them saying that our song was getting picked up and that we were going to be big! I was happy for them, but then I got the deal. It was the strangest thing. I guess that was the way it was suppose to happen. I was meant to demo that song and it was supposed to be leaked. That was all a part of God's plan, I guess.
It's about the shoes
BeBe: That is how the Universe works. It brings people together like that. You've also had other collaborations with other mainstream artists out there, such as, LMFAO and Chris Brown. But girl, you are now working with will.i.am! OK! It doesn't get any bigger than that (in the business). I know you just finished working with him on some stuff on his upcoming solo project. How did that all come to be?
Eva Simons: Well my manager and writing partner, Mike Hamilton, knows Prinz Board, who is the musical director for Black Eyed Peas, very well. Mike wrote a couple of things for Fergie's album ('The Dutchess') and got to know him. So, he introduced my stuff to Prinz and will.i.am, and said they ought to check me out. will.i.am did, and he liked my music. He said that we should do something. He became even more excited when he found out that I mix my own vocals in my studio in my home, like he does.
BeBe: You have that big lead single, 'This Is Love,' off his solo project which is already a UK #1 hit. And you recently performed the song on 'America's Got Talent' and 'Live with Kelly!.' I don't know if that was the first time you had been on television at all, but, can you tell me how it is performing on a television set with all those damn cameras in your face as opposed to being on a huge stage in a concert venue before thousands of people?
Eva Simons: It was more about the shoes (with a giggle). I had these shoes and they were pretty dope. They were very new. The set of 'America's Got Talent' is all glass and we had this whole circus thing with us, kind of a Cirque du Soleil kind of vibe. We had fire and everything. Performing that stuff live is pretty spontaneous, but on TV it is more structured. You have to think of more things. You have to pay attention to where the cameras are and everything. But we just wanted to have fun. It was instant happiness. Great energy.
CD in September?
BeBe: You are about to drop your first full album. Of course, it will have on it 'I Don't Like You' which is your U.S. Dance #1 hit, and I love it with all of it's remixes. And, you are also previewing 'Renegade' which will be on the album. Is there anything on the album that may surprise us when we compare it in totality to the stuff we have already heard from you?
Eva Simons: There will be a lot of dope beats and a lot of crazy remixes. I just know a lot of crazy people. I will also have a ballad on there. I put a snippet out on YouTube called 'You're The Gold.' It's a song I wrote. I will have those moments on there too where I'm very intimate, but most of it is going to be about real songs about real stories that we all go through with some dope ass beats. Some good shit!
BeBe: When will the album actually be released.
Eva Simons: We're thinking like September.
BeBe: You recently got some amazing reviews at the Pier Dance event at New York City's Gay Pride. I heard all the way on this coast about your performance. You see, San Francisco's Pride is held during the same time as New York's, so I have to get 'T' from some of my friends back there. And, I heard my gays just loved you. So tell me about the experience.
Eva Simons: You know what it is with the gay crowd? It's like they know their shit! They're schooled, you know what I mean? It's a different level.
BeBe: And, I've heard that a lot from other performers. They've also said that we gays come out for the music. If we are there, it's because we dig what you do. It's not to be seen or anything else like that. We are there because You-Are-Dope, period!
Eva Simons: You have to be on your shit. Let's say you sound great on your album, but you suck live, man it is over!
BeBe: You know we gonna talk about you! (both crack up with laughter)
Eva Simons: They gave me love. A lot of love. It was a great night, really it was.
Everyone is equal
BeBe: Speaking of gays, you are from a place, Amsterdam, where same-sex marriage is legal.
Eva Simons: And it should be every where!
BeBe: Unfortunately here in the United States, only a handful of States recognize gay marriage. It is not federally recognized. Europe seems so far ahead when it comes to some of the social issues we deal with here. Growing up in a place where there is equality when it comes to sexual preference (not to mention legalized Mary Jane), how does it feel when you look out into the audience here and you see your gay fans who don't have the same equality rights that you have? What are you thoughts?
Eva Simons: It's weird to me. Growing up in Amsterdam, you don't know any better because everyone is equal. Everyone does their own thing. And, that's normal. But, what is normal for me is not normal for other countries. That is really weird to me. It's weird that you cannot be with the one you love. Love is supposed to make the world go around. I even have a song that says that. So, you want to stop the world from going around? I can't believe humankind is doing this to themselves.
BeBe: It's nice to hear your thoughts on gay equality, but let's get to the fun stuff. You are about to go on tour with the Identity Festival Tour here in the U.S. and Canada for about a month in like 15 big arena cities. You have a stop here in the San Francisco Bay Area which you will love, girl. With all that being said, is there any place on this tour that you are really excited about playing?
Eva Simons: You know I'm real excited about New York because I missed New York LMFAO because I was doing a thing with will.i.am. But, I really just want to go everywhere. I really like this (U.S) country and I've only seen a little bit of it, and I kind of want to get more known with the Americans.
About that mohawk
BeBe: Now, before I let you go on your way so you can get yourself packed for this tour, I have to ask you about your hairstyle, girl! I'm going to tell you now that I was at a local gay club here in the city and a drag queen was sporting your do while she lip synced your song. So, I have to ask you about that mohawk because, number one, I don't know how you get it to stay as it is?
Eva Simons: It is really easy, though!
BeBe: My other question is has the look always been apart of your style or is it something that developed after all the new found popularity?
Eva Simons: It came about when I was in Tokyo in 2008. And I have always doing things the way other people wanted me to be, you know what I mean? And while I was in Tokyo I got to see all these Rock-a-billy girls and Rock-a-billy guys with their huge hairstyles. And I was like, wow, they have so much guts to do that. I've always wanted to do a mohawk, but I was like what would other people say. I wasn't think about what makes me happy. But, I came home and said just do it. And, I did it! I feel like a warrior.
Eva Simons joins the Identity Festival Tour with NERO, Static Revenger, Rye Rye and many others at the following places and dates:
July 26 - Mansfield, MA - Comcast Center
July 27 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
July 28 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
July 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier at Penn's Landing
Aug 2 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheater at Lakewood
Aug 3 - Tampa, FL - 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater
Aug 4 - Miami, FL - Klipsch Amphitheater at Bayfront Park
Aug 10 - Dallas, TX - GEXA Energy Pavilion
Aug 11 - Houston,TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug 17 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
Aug 18 - San Diego, CA - Cricket wireless Amphitheater
Aug 19 - Phoenix, AZ - Ashley Furniture Homestore Pavilion
Follow Eva on her official website.
Watch Eva Simons video for "I Don't Like You":
Watch Eva Simons video for "Renegade":
As an actress, BeBe was introduced to film with a lead role in the independent film "Under One Sun" with her character dealing with religious, racial and gender issues. Additionally, she appeared in the campy musical "Devious, Inc" (Australian Film Festival, San Francisco Short Film Fest) also adding additional vocals to the musical soundtrack. Both of these performances led to her selection for a lead role in Aisha Media's next short film series, "Con-tin.u.um" to be released in 2012.


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Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hunsaker are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Megan Hunsaker to Gregory Christian Hale, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hale.
They will be married on Aug. 16, 2010 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. A reception will be held in their honor at The Woods on Ninth 6-8 p.m. The address is 6775 South 900 East Midvale, Utah.


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Bell Cow Lake & Equestrian Campground
Hwy 18 (Lake Rd W)
Chandler, OK 74834
Bell Cow Lake in Chandler has great fishing, trails for horseback riding and a sandy swimming beach. The lake has four ... read more...
Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum
336992 E Hwy 66
Warwick, OK 74834
Housed in the former Seaba Filling Station and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Route 66 ... read more...
816 Manvel Ave
Chandler, OK 74834
For a traditional 1920s movie experience with all the benefits of modern technology, head to H&S Theatre, located ... read more...
Bell Cow Lake
Chandler, OK 74834
Open for equestrian use, hiking and mountain biking, the Bell Cow Lake Trail System runs along the shoreline of Bell Cow ... read more...
Hwy 18 (Lake Rd W)
Chandler, OK 74834
Boat ramp and dock, fishing dock, picnic areas, grills and drinking water. Lake offers 129 surface acres and 4 miles of ... read more...
Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center
400 E Rt 66
Chandler, OK 74834
The Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center brings together one-of-a-kind Route 66 memorabilia from the 1930s to present ... read more...
Chandler Municipal Golf Course
870426 S 3420 Rd
Chandler, OK 74834
The Chandler Municipal Golf Course is a nine-hole course that was built in 1972. With beautiful rolling hills, this ... read more...
338445 E Hwy 66
Chandler, OK 74834
At the Ioway Casino, have fun playing over 250 slot machines for your chance to walk away a winner. If table games are ... read more...
Jacob's Ladder Camps & Retreats
880876 S 3390 Rd
Chandler, OK 74834
Book your group's adventure today and build self-confidence, leadership, communication, trust, goal setting, endurance ... read more...
341070 E 890 Rd
Chandler, OK 74834
Bell Cow Ranch Cabins & Lodge features lakefront views and luxury amenities in close proximity to a variety of ... read more...
Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History
717 Manvel Ave
Chandler, OK 74834
The Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History is located in three historic buildings on Route 66 in Chandler. The ... read more...
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Prospect Profiles - Lance Bouma
Kent Wilson
June 10 2010 10:26PM
A graduate from the Vancouver Giants, Bouma is less about points than grit. In that sense, he's similar to recent departee Brandon Prust, who worked as the checker and muscle for the dominant London Knights teams back when Crosby was in junior. The similarities between the two are uncanny and a comparison may help to illustrate the type of player Bouma is and may yet be for the Flames.
Games Played: 177
Points: 101
Junior PPG: 0.57
Games Played: 176
Points: 103
Junior PPG: 0.59
Both guys played for relatively strong teams, although the Knights were probably the more potent offensively. Both were drafted in the third round.
Bouma's PPG gradually improved over his career, whereas Prusts actually peaked in his second season. Prust was also clearly more apt to drop his gloves, although neither guy shies away from the rough stuff (both averaging triple digit PIM over their career). Bouma is slightly larger than Prust at 6'1" and 201 pounds, but isn't exactly a heavyweight either.
While Prust became known more as puglist in his professional career, he operated as a capable shut-down forward in his OHL days. He played an instrumental role shutting down Sidney Crosby in the 2005 Memorial Cup; an assignment that would have been beyond the average enforcer (even with the age difference in mind).
Brandon Prust (CAL) played a defensive role in the series and after the first period of the opening game against Rimouski, he made sure that Crosby did not get much open ice and made his life extremely difficult. The entire checking line did an effective job, but it was Prust who had the job of sticking close to Crosby and getting under his skin. Prust used his speed to create some offensive chances and was effective along the boards all tournament. As usual he did a good job on the penalty kill.
That's from a Hockey's Future piece on the Mem cup from 2005 (just in case you thought I was making things up).
I developed a soft spot for Prust before he was dealt (again) at the deadline. Despite the fact he was frequently a healthy scratch and was deployed mostly to trade punches, he struck me as relatively high functioning fourth liner. He ended the year with very healthy possession stats in New York (+7.79/60) and it wouldn't surprise me if his scoring chance differential in Calgary was positive as well (something we'll investiage later this year).
As mentioned, Bouma played a similar role to Prust for the Giants: third line checher, grinder, etc. He was also named the club's captain in August 2009. A broken hand caused Bouma to miss the final 23 games of the regular season, but he returned and managed to put up 4 goals and 17 points in 16 playoff games (good for third most post-season points on the team).
Bouma hits a lot of the Sutter sweet spots: Alberta born, WHL bred, hard working, good character, wears a letter. He probably isn't the fighter than Prust is, but likely has a bit more in the way of offensive touch (although that's not what will get him to the big league). Prust spent three seasons in the AHL before making the leap for good and we can probably expect a similar apprenticeship for Bouma. It wouldn't surprise me to see him develop in a similar fashion and for a similar role, albeit with more checking and less punching.
Bouma is a favorite of mine, I never saw Prust play Junior but Bouma reminds me more of Nystrom (except with a more agitating on ice presence) then Prust in terms of his on ice performance.
He's a hard worker, really good at puck battles, crashes the net with no hesitation, pretty good at riling folk up, Perfectly willing to do the dirty work, knows his role, a capable defensive forward.
That's the positives. Negatives are exactly what you'd think they are with that description... offensive skills ain't that great. Can't say I've seen him score a goal that wasn't of the garbage variety. Can be a little hotheaded at times.
If he makes it to the NHL I'd expect him to become a fan favorite in short order.


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Super Bowl parties may seem like nature's way of sabotaging all the good habits you've adopted in 2012, but fear not: We found some healthy dips to help you get around fattening party food (without having to spend Sunday alone with a plate of celery and carrot sticks). Don't worry, none of these are full of aspartame or fat-free yogurt; they're made with whole, natural ingredients that happen to contain less fat, sodium and sugar than most traditional party dips.
Check them out:


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Villa Sunshine
Villa Sunshine is a light and friendly guest house offering good value and a fresh Mediterranean comfort. The rooms are light and the decor will complement your beach holiday. Furnishings are simple and stylish and provide you with all necessary comforts. White linen, wicker-work and teak furnishings, bright yellows and sky blues maintain the traditional Mediterranean theme; and the tiled floors offer a cool respite from Cape Towns hot summer days. All bedrooms have telephones, ceiling fans, television with MNET, tea/coffee facilities (as well as some scrumptious cookies) and FREE wireless internet access.
The big windows let in the sunshine that Villa Sunshine was so appropriately named after.
You can't help but feel on holiday here. Henning knows SA like the back of his hand and will help you plan unforgettable days at the fairest Cape.
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
B&B Facilities & Policies
- Airport Transfers
- Book Exchange
- Breakfast Not Included
- Cable TV
- Ceiling Fan
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Telephone/Fax Facilities
- Free Internet Access
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers
- House Keeping
- Internet Access
- Laundry Facilities
- No Curfew
- Non Smoking
- Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Outdoor Terrace
- Safe Deposit Box
- Swimming Pool
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Towels Included
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
Take N2 from airport to cape town, then directions to Seapoint (M6). Then follow instructions below:
Coming from Cape Town, take Western Boulevard (M6) leads into Beach Road (still M6) to Seapoint. At the end of Beach Road you will get to a traffic circle, go up the hill towards mountain into Queens Road. Do not turn right into Victoria Road. Third left into Rochester Road where the sign of villa Sunshine is seen on the left side of Queens Road.
We are on the right hand side at the corner of Rochester Road and Kings Road. Entrance to villa Sunshine Guest House on Kings Road side.
Located Near
5 minute drive from the bustling V&A Waterfront,City Centre, Table Mountain.
Minutes away from the world famous beaches of Cliton & Camps Bay.


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Directions to La Posada del SolAddress: Calle Ezequiel Arteaga, Samaipata, Samaipata, Bolivia
Average rating: 0%
Rooms from: US$ 0
Directions to La Posada del Sol
Buses arrive daily from Sucre. From Santa Cruz de la Sierra call 333-5067 and arrange a shared or private cab to Samaipata. Just tell the driver La Posada del Sol and he will deliver you to our doorstep.(You may have to insist.) If you will arrive by plane to Santa Cruz we can arrange pickup and transportation by taxi. Contact us by email for more detailed and up to date information.


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(June 10, 2013 – Yuma, AZ) The Foundation of Yuma Regional Medical Center is gearing up for the Annual Drive for School Supplies, a community supported program providing new backpacks and school supplies to underprivileged children in Yuma and the surrounding communities. This year, the Drive for School Supplies Committee is co-chaired this year by Tom Tyree, Yuma County Superintendent of Schools, and community leader, Rachael Barkley.
Back to school expenses can present an extra burden on families who are already struggling in this tough economic environment. The Drive for School Supplies was developed in 2000 by Yuma Regional Medical Center as a means to alleviate that burden. Since its inception, the Drive for School Supplies has supplied 25,788 backpacks and raised $216,500 to support this worthy program. Last year, an all time high of 4,043 backpacks were distributed to schools in Yuma County.
"The dedication from the community over the years has been tremendous," says Committee co-chair Tom Tyree. "Yuma County places great importance on our youth and recognize children must be prepared to learn and thrive in school." Co-chair Rachael Barkley adds "this is a special program and we are asking the community for their continued support to bring much needed supplies to the children of Yuma County. All donations remain in the greater Yuma County. The Drive for School Supplies Committee and the Foundation is fortunate to have sponsors such as Hoppstetter's Office Products, Walgreens, Del Outdoor/SignPro and Yuma Palms Regional Mall. Their continued support for the Drive for School Supplies keeps program expenses to a minimum to ensure no child is left without the tools for academic success."
The Foundation is asking for the community's support in meeting a goal of 4,500 backpacks for the 2013/2014 academic year. Each filled backpack costs the Drive for School Supplies $13. The Drive for School Supplies will need to raise $60,000 this year to provide backpacks and school supplies to Yuma County students. The Foundation is asking for the community's support to help meet the Drive for School Supplies fundraising goal. Donations can be made online at www.yumaregional.org or at the Foundation. In addition to monetary gifts, donations of school supplies such as backpacks, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, 3-ring binders, folders, notebook paper, rulers, erasers and dictionaries can be made and are accepted at the Foundation of Yuma Regional Medical Center located at 399 West 32nd Street. All donations are tax-deductible.
The mission of the Foundation of Yuma Regional Medical Center is to support a healthy community through philanthropy. Qualified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Foundation relies on donations to support community programs such as the Drive for School Supplies, School Health Care Program; healthcare scholarships; diabetes education; breast cancer screening and support; and the Y.O.U.T.H. Initiative fighting childhood obesity.
For more information on donating to the Drive for School Supplies or volunteering, contact Serena Holthaus at 336-2445 or e-mail email@example.com.


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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 review
Released in February 2010, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 is a compact super zoom, or, if you prefer, travel zoom, with a 10x optical range, 14 Megapixel CCD sensor and 3 inch LCD display. It shares the same body shape, lens and some features of the higher-end Cyber-shot DSC-HX5, with the major difference being that in place of the HX5's 10 Megapixel Exmor-R backlit CMOS sensor, the H55 has a 14 Megapixel CCD sensor.
Though capable of producing bigger images, this means the H55 lacks the HX5's super-fast continuous shooting capability along with it's hand-held twilight and anti motion blur modes. It also lacks the HX5's built-in GPS and, though it can shoot HD video at 720p resolution, doesn't share the higher resolution 1080i option that's available on the HX5, nor the stereo audio recording, but it does retain the Sweep panorama feature which produces a still panoramic image from a panned video clip. If you're interested in finding out more about the H55's more sophisticated sibling, check out our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 review.
Travel zooms, so called because they pack a big zoom into a compact body that's equipped for all situations, are becoming increasingly popular and all of the major manufacturers now offer at least one model. We've tested the Cyber-shot DSC-H55 up against two other models released at about the same time and offering similar specifications for roughly the same money - the Nikon COOLPIX S8000 and Panasonic Lumix TZ8 / ZS5.
Measuring 103 x 58 x 28 and weighting 200g with battery and card, the Cyber-shot H55 shares the exact same dimensions and weight as its more capable sibling the HX5. It's 17g heavier, one millimetre taller and a couple of millimetres thicker than the Nikon COOLPIX S8000 and smaller and lighter than the Panasonic Lumix TZ8 / ZS5 by a similar amount, but to look at and hold you you'd be hard pressed to spot the difference.
The H55's top panel is home to a small, flush-mounted on/off button, a gun-metal grey shutter release with zoom collar and, on the cigar-tube-shaped right edge, a 7-position mode dial with Movie, Sweep Panorama, Manual, Program auto, Intelligent auto, Easy and Scene modes.
Round the back there's nothing other than moulded plastic in the top half of the rear panel, which is part of the reason the H55 is so comfortable to hold. In the lower half is a playback button, conventional 4-way control pad and menu and delete buttons.
You won't find flaps and doors on the sides of most Sony compacts and the H55 is no exception. Instead, Sony favours a single proprietary connector in the middle of the base of the camera. The supplied cable that connects to this port has a standard USB plug, composite video and stereo audio connectors so you can connect to a computer or a standard definition TV. The H55 does also support HDMI output to HDTVs, but only with an optional adapter dongle.
While this single port keeps the lines of the H55 clean and free from doors, if you lose or damage the supplied cable you'll have to buy another from Sony. We'd prefer to see standard A/V, USB and HDMI connectors of the sort used by Nikon and Panasonic.
The battery and card compartments are located behind a door on the right side of the camera base. The H55 takes SD and SDHC cards in addition to Sony Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo cards. The tripod bush is located on the opposite side of the base, which can make it difficult to level the camera on some tripods, but at least it's underneath the lens.
The Cyber-shot H55 has a built in flash with a quoted range of 3.8 metres at the 25mm wide angle focal length. That's fairly average, but well short of the figure claimed by the COOLPIX 8000 and Lumix TZ8, however, as we've said before these figures that are based on auto ISO settings don't mean much. In practice the H55 delivered bright even illumination that was the equal of the other two models. The flash is slow to recharge between shots, though, and after taking a shot using the flash we had to watch the orange flashing indicator for a full 8 seconds before the flash was ready again. On the plus side if you press the shutter release all the way down while you wait, the shot gets taken as soon as the flash is ready.
In Auto (flash) mode the flash fires whenever the available light isn't adequate for a good exposure. In modes that support it the flash can be forced off or on and there's a slow synchro mode for using the flash to fill-in while making the most of available light with a slower shutter speed.
The Cyber-shot H55 uses an NP-BG1 Lithium Ion battery which on a full charge provides enough power for 310 shots using the CIPA (Camera Imaging Products Association) standard. This is a really impressive performance from a camera with a 10x zoom and a 3in LCD – components that can drain power very quickly. The remaining battery power is indicated on the screen by a four-segment icon.
The Cyber-shot H55 has the same 10x zoom lens as the HX5 with an actual range of 4.25 to 42.5mm which in 35mm terms is equivalent to 25 to 250mm. Not only is a 10x zoom in a compact of these proportions pretty exceptional but, in our view, Sony has encompassed the best possible range of focal lengths. At 25mm you're just inside super wide angle territory which means you can get a great perspective on all kinds of subjects from small interiors to expansive landscapes. Compositionally you'll find some great angles to shoot with a lens that goes this wide and it will also help you get everyone in the frame for tight group shots. A two second press on the zoom collar and you're at the 250mm end of the range where you can shoot close up portraits, wildlife, tightly-framed sports action, anything that's out of reach and would on a compact with lesser reach be insignificant detail in the centre of the frame.
It's true that the H55 is 50mm short of the COOLPIX S8000's 300mm maximum telephoto and there are compact super zooms out there that will go even further, but for all but the smallest, most distant subjects, the H55 will get you close enough.
When the on/off button is pressed the H55 powers up, the lens extends by 18mm and the camera is ready for action in around 2 seconds. The zoom takes just under a couple of seconds to travel through the full range at the fastest of its two speed settings, it would be quicker but there's a slightly frustrating fractional delay between pressing the zoom collar and the motor whirring into action.
The zoom is quiet (enough to avoid any motor noise being recording when it's activated during video recording) and its passage is reasonably smooth. By nudging the zoom collar we were able to get it to jump through more than 20 discrete steps, but the action isn't very positive. If you give the collar the briefest of flicks nothing happens and the tendency then is to over-compensate and go too far, so fine control is, at best, a knack to be acquired.
As SteadyShot is continually active, our usual before and after comparisons are not possible. So what we have here is a single 100 percent crop taken from the centre of an image shot with the Cyber-shot H55 with the lens extended to its maximum 250mm focal length. The camera was set to Program mode and with the sensitivity set manually to 80 ISO the metering set an exposure of 1/25th of a second.
Under ordinary circumstances, i.e. without stabilization, you wouldn't expect to get sharp results at this focal length with shutter speeds slower than 1/250th of a second, so the H55 let us hand hold shots over three stops slower than traditional wisdom suggests.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 has three main focusing options for general-use: Multi-AF which automatically picks from nine areas, Centre AF which only considers the middle area, and Spot AF which concentrates on an even smaller area in the centre of the frame. Note neither Centre AF nor Spot AF modes can be adjusted to consider other areas of the frame. In use the focusing is pretty quick and rarely made us wait.
As a Sony camera, it's not surprising to find the Cyber-shot HX5 packed with the company's latest face detection technology. Along with Off and Auto options, the H55 allows you to actually choose whether to prioritise Adult or Child faces, and amazingly it works too. If face detection is enabled, but no faces are detected, the camera reverts to the nine-area Multi-AF mode.
The HX5 also features Sony's Smile Shutter technology, enabled by pushing the rocker control to the left. This actually measures the size of your subject's smile, indicating their apparent cheeriness on a scale on the left. It's surprisingly effective at doing it too, and fun to watch as the bar rises and falls as their expression changes. Then when the user-selectable trigger point is reached, the camera automatically takes a photo. There's three trigger options, with the mildest firing the shot with little more than a demure raise of the lips, while the strongest requires full-on toothy grins.
The rear of the H55 is dominated by the 3 inch screen with 230 thousand pixels. The top button on the control disc is given over to toggling screen display modes. Pushing it upwards toggles through four display modes. In the default mode the screen shows an information overlay that includes the shooting mode, battery level, image size, flash mode and number of pictures remaining, in intelligent auto mode it also displays the scene recognition icon. With the first press of the shutter release the active AF areas appear in green and the exposure information is displayed.
You can increase the screen brightness, increase the brightness and display a live histogram, and increase the brightness and turn off the info overlay. While it's good to have options it's hard to understand why Sony has tied the various information overlays to the increased screen brightness options. There are plenty of situations in which you might want to have the histogram displayed, or the info overlay turned off without adjusting the screen brightness and suffering the resulting shortened battery life and it's frustrating not to be able to choose one without the other.
Pressing the Menu button superimposes a number of settings running vertically down the left side of the screen; this selection of settings varies with the shooting mode. As each setting is highlighted, the various options available pop out to the right. In Program mode you'll be able to change the image quality, burst mode, bracket settings, exposure compensation, sensitivity, white balance, focus area, metering, smile detection sensitivity, face detection mode and DRO (Dynamic Range Optimizer).
Like other Sony compacts, the last setting in the list, indicated by an icon of a briefcase, takes you to a series of vertically tabbed menu pages. Again with the camera set to Program, you'll see tabs for Shooting Settings, Main Settings, Memory Card Tool, and Clock Settings. The shooting settings include AF illuminator, grid display overlay, digital zoom, red-eye reduction and blink alert.
During playback, pushing the rocker upwards gives you the same choice of views as recording: normal brightness with basic shooting info, increased brightness with the same shooting info, increased brightness with extra details and finally, a clean view again with increased brightness. Pressing the menu button during playback accesses slide show, basic retouching, deletion, protection and printing options.
All of the H55's shooting modes are available directly, from the mode dial on the top left corner. These include Program auto, Intelligent auto, Easy, Manual, Movie, Sweep panorama and a SCN position which accesses 11 presets from a menu. Let's start with Program auto which is a fully automatic exposure mode. This, in common with some other modes uses the currently set metering mode – Multi, Centre, or Spot – to determine exposure.
In Intelligent auto mode the metering is augmented by scene detection which attempts to figure out what you're photographing and adjust the exposure accordingly. Depending on the subject the camera can switch between Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Twilight using a tripod, Backlight, Backlight Portrait, Landscape, Macro and Portrait.
The H55's scene detection works pretty well and is quick to identify subjects and display the relevant icon on the screen. It recognised people very easily and wasn't prone to misidentification of subjects though, like the COOLPIX S8000, it occassionally identified landscapes with a predominance of sky as backlit. For point-and-shoot operation it's certainly worth choosing this mode over conventional auto operation unless you want to bracket, set the ISO sensitivity or control one of the other settings that's only available in Program mode.
The Manual mode allows you to select the shutter speed and aperture of your choice, by first pressing the centre button in the rocker, then up and down to change the shutter or left and right to change the aperture. Like most compacts though, there are some limitations.
While the shutter speed can be adjusted between 30 and 1/1600th of a second, there are only two aperture options, f3.5 and f8 at the wide angle lens setting and f5.5 and f13 and the telephoto lens setting. Furthermore, it appears that the H55 uses a neutral density filter in place of a physical iris diaphragm to adjust the aperture. This has implications for depth of field and image quality which are discussed, along with example images, in our HX5 review.
The H55 can shoot movies in one of two formats, 720p HD and standard resolution VGA at 640 x 480 pixels. The HD mode itself has two settings, Fine and Standard, effectively changing the recording bitrate and hence the movie quality. Fine mode records at an average variable bit rate of 9Mbps and Standard at 6Mbps. Video files are encoded using an MPEG-4 codec with AAC mono audio and saved as .mp4 files. Registered members of Vimeo can download the clip shown here for evaluation on their own computers.
The H55 lacks the 1080i HD mode of the HX5 and can only record mono audio. Another major difference is that the HX5's dedicated Movie recording button has disappeared from the back panel, but then it only takes a second to flick the mode dial to the Movie position so it's no great loss.
One of the great things about the H55 is that its powerful zoom can be used during video recording. It's restricted to the slower speed setting which not only provides a graceful slow zoom perfectly suited to movies, but keeps the noise level low enough to avoid being picked up by the mic, even though it's positioned directly above the lens.
As we said earlier, there are two SteadyShot settings when shooting movies – Standard and Active, the latter offering a more powerful stabilizer that in promotional videos Sony shows operating in a 'steady cam' fashion, smoothing out bumps and jerks caused by the photographer following a subject on foot.
While it lacks the very fast continuous shooting and stacking options of the HX5, the H55 does have a Burst mode that records up to 100 images in succession. The first four frames are shot at a rate of 1.84fps, then things slow to regular rate of about 0.5 frames per second, in other words one frame every two seconds. Things don't get any quicker even if the image size is reduced, so if you're looking for fast continuous shooting you'll have to look elsewhere. Though lacking the kind of performance the HX5 offers, both the Nikon COOLPIX S8000 and Panasonic LUMIX TZ8 have better continuous shooting capabilities than the H55.
The H55 has a Super HAD CCD sensor which records images with a maximum resolution of 14 Megapixels measuring 4320 x 3240 pixels with an aspect ratio of 4:3. A variety of smaller sizes are available including a cropped wide-screen 16:9 ratio measuring 4320 x 2432 . All still image files are JPEG compressed using a single setting that produces average file sizes of around 5 to 5.5MB.
The sensitivity ranges from 80 ISO to 3200 ISO at full resolution and the H55's shutter speed range runs from 30 seconds to 1/1600 in manual mode with a lower limit of 1 second in Auto mode and 2 seconds in Intelligent auto mode.


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Welcome to your morning dose of denim news, links, sales, and other irresistible glimpses of inside info. Catch up on what's happening (and what's definitely not happening) and browse our personal picks after scanning the web this morning. Got a tip you think we should include, a sale you want to share, or a style you just saw and can't live without? Email us!
1. Agave denim is running a facebook contest this month. "Like" them and sign up for their giveaway to win a $250 gift certificate to shop on agavedenim.com.
2. Guys, try out Uniqlo's limited edition Japanese selvedge jean (for far less than you'd usually pay for this kind of denim). Check out their store locations for one near you.
3. Rachel McAdams is rocking a red denim shirt on the cover of Glamour Magazine's February issue. Nice to see some front cover denim that's a little different from the norm.
4. Denim, as an industry, continues to shove to the front of the VIP line… Levi's will show core collections at New York Fashion Week, reportedly in a "big budget" way in a "big budget space" in Soho. Stay tuned, we'll have the latest.
5. Another one for the guys. Your search for the perfect black trouser jeans has ended:
"Self Edge and Toyo Enterprises have come together to bring the ultimate pant in terms of hardware, details, and fit. Jungle Cloth fabric, hidden rivets, Sugar Cane pin-check pocket bags, red cotton twill inner leg seam lining, dark indigo poly-core stitch, iron embossed buttons, Buzz Rickson UFO rivets, and a slim fit round out this new release produced in a limited run."
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: agave denim, colored denim, denim contest, denim workshirt, Glamour Magazine, japanese selvedge denim, Levi's, mens denim, new your fashion week, nyfw, red denim, uniqlo jeans


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Top Definition
Shit got craxy at the party mansion. Next day Jono was wondering why he could not function when it occurded to him that he had braindeaded himself. Things are simpler for him now.
by Jono@partymansion February 17, 2008
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