Where Is A Nice Place To Go For A Family Vacation For Thanksgiving, Somewhere You Can Drive From Chicago.?

not more than 10 to 12 hrs? How about memphis? go see graceland? New orleans? is is open for touritst yet? Indianpolis? maybe some thing to do in Minneapolis?

Chicago’s Historic Burr Oak Cemetery Reopens After Grave-Selling Scheme

Kris Alingod – AHN Contributor Alsip, IL (AHN) – Burr Oak Cemetery opened on a limited basis on Thursday, allowing family members distraught since July, when grave workers were arrested for allegedly reselling plots and dismembering human bodies, to visit their loved ones for the first time. Only 11 sections of the cemetery were opened to the public, following a systematic re-opening on a daily basis until all 45 sections of the cemetery have been opened on Nov. 25. Drive-in and walk-in traffic is prohibited until the entire graveyard opens on Nov. 27; visitors until then have to board a bus at the Burr Oak Cemetery Transportation Center along Cicero Avenue. Four cemetery workers were arrested on July 9 for unearthing bodies and reselling plots n a scheme that allegedly lasted for years. Grave digger Maurice Dailey, 59, Keith Nicks, 45, Terrence Nicks, 39, and cemetery manager Carolyn Towns, 49, were charged with dismembering a human body, a class x felony. In August, they were indicted on seven other counts: desecration of human remains, conspiracy to dismember multiple human bodies, removal of a gravestone or marker, removal of remains of multiple deceased human beings from a burial ground, and two counts of theft $100,000 to $500,000. They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Authorities say the suspects excavated bodies, choosing old graves that had not been visited, and dumped these along with remains of crushed burial vaults in an area of the graveyard used for collecting garbage. They also “double stacked” graves, by digging up an existing plot to make this deeper and covering the original vault in the grave with dirt. The scheme is believed to have lasted from Sept. 2003 to July 2009, and was done off the books to keep the cemetery owners from finding out. One of Chicago’s first black cemeteries, Burr Oak is now under a court-appointed receiver. The cemetery is home to about 100,000 graves, including Queen of Blues Dinah Washington and Emmett Till, the 14-year-old Chicago boy whose 1955 murder in Mississippi for allegedly flirting with a white woman helped spark the Civil Rights Movement. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

National African-American Insurance Association Honors Industry Contributors

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–During the National African-American Insurance Association’s (NAAIA) 2009 National Conference, hosted recently in Chicago, an Awards Ceremony was held to honor six individuals who have made significant industry contributions. From a long-term claims professional to insurance agents and risk managers, the honorees represent a wealth of notable experience, hard work and commitment. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the National African-American Insurance Associati

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National African-American Insurance Association Honors Industry Contributors

Death Of Chicago Education Board President Ruled As Suicide Amid Doubts

Kris Alingod – AHN Contributor Chicago, IL (AHN) – The death of Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott has been ruled as a suicide but pundits and family members have raised doubts about the finding. Scott died of a gunshot wound to the head, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. His body was found in the Chicago River during the pre-dawn hours of Monday. He is said to have been missing since the previous day. But Scott’s family has refused to accept the conclusion that he killed himself, according to the Chicago Sun-Times . And several pundits have questioned the ruling, including Phil Krone, a friend of Scott’s for nearly three decades and a correspondent of the Chicago Daily Observer , who is calling for an investigation. Michael Sneed of the Sun-Times cites a source as saying police will investigate whether there was foul play. But Bloomberg seems to suggest in an article that Scott’s suicide may be connected to the subpoena he received in August as part of a federal investigation into alleged selective enrollment in elite schools. Scott was serving his third term as board president, having been first appointed by former Mayor Jane Byrne in 1980 and then again by Mayor Richard Daley in 2001. A staple in Chicago politics, he served as director of a community development council in Lawndale during his early career. His death came as a shock to many who cited his demeanor and plans for the future. Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman said in a statement, “Over his long career, President Scott gave selflessly to the City of Chicago and our children. In the days, weeks and months ahead, we should all rely on each other to continue the critical work of educating our children to which President Scott was so dedicated.” U.S. Education Department Sec. Arne Duncan also said, “Michael cared passionately about public education and made many courageous decisions as president of the Board. He gave his time, energy and talents to improving the life chances of children. Chicago has lost a great leader, and the city’s school children have lost a devoted champion. ” Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Chicago Boutique Hotels – Chicago Luxury Hotel – The Talbott Hotel …

If you happen to be in the city of Chicago for any reason, you may enjoy an effortless guest experience at the Talbott Hotel.

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Chicago Boutique Hotels – Chicago Luxury Hotel – The Talbott Hotel …

Jazzercise Commemorates 40th Anniversary with Extravagant Celebration in Chicago

CARLSBAD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–More than 1,000 fitness enthusiasts from 38 states and five countries converged on Chicago to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jazzercise. The event, titled “Jazz in the City,” featured three mega group fitness classes at Chicago’s Union Station followed by an exquisite reception at the Art Institute of Chicago’s new Modern Wing. Jazzercise founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett pioneered the dance fitness concept with a single class in

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Jazzercise Commemorates 40th Anniversary with Extravagant Celebration in Chicago

Chicago Transit Authority Staves Off Fare Hike With $166 Million Loan

Kris Alingod – AHN Contributor Chicago, IL (AHN) – The Chicago Transit Authority has reached an agreement with the Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and the Regional Transportation Authority that will keep it from implementing a fare hike of as much as 33 percent for some bus routes. Fares were due to increase in February because of a $300 million budget shortfall brought about by the recession and labor contracts. The deal involves the Regional Transportation Authority borrowing $83 million in 2010 and again in 2011, and using these to issue bonds for capital projects so the CTA can direct its funds appropriated for projects to its operations. How the CTA plans to pay for the debt is unclear, but the state government has agreed to help pay the debt with $15 million over the next two years. “Any subsequent debt service assistance will be evaluated on an annual basis,” the governor’s office said. Last month, CTA President Richard Rodriguez presented a 2010 budget that proposed to raise bus fare by 11 percent to $2.50. Fares for rail service and express bus routes, which have fewer stops, were set to cost $3.00, or 33 percent more. The budget included laying off 100 non-union administrative posts and 1,000 union positions. It aimed to cut bus service by a total of 18 percent, and rail service by nine percent. Express buses on nine routes would be stopped since they have a corresponding local service. The agency had cited a 30 percent decrease in public funding, which is generated from sales and real estate taxes. Next year’s revenues are estimated to be $213 million lower because of the recession, the CTA had said. Contracts with unions are also anticipated to set back the agency with 3.5 percent wage increase this year, as will increases in pension bond interest and employee contributions. The CTA said in announcing its agreement on Wednesday that it was still in discussions with agencies about how to keep service cuts at a minimum, and about a long-term solution to its budget crisis. Jim Reilly, chairman of the board of directors of the Regional Transportation Authority, has told the Chicago Public Radio, “To do the large fare increase less than a year after the last fare increase, at the same time that they would having to implement very large service cuts, would just be devastating to the system.” Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Santa Monica Pier Officially Named Western Point for Historic Route 66

SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–After 83 years, the Santa Monica Pier was designated as the official Western Terminus of Route 66 today by the Route 66 Alliance, an organization that promotes and preserves the historic roadway between Chicago, Ill. and Santa Monica, Calif. in a ceremony at the Southern California landmark where a replica of the once lost “End of the Trail” sign was unveiled by local dignitaries and civic officials. The ceremony was preceded by a processional m

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Santa Monica Pier Officially Named Western Point for Historic Route 66

Unilever to Move Chicago Office to North America Headquarters in New Jersey

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Unilever, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, (NYSE: UN, UL) announced today that it is combining its Chicago-based antiperspirants, deodorant and hair care group with its skin care business, to create a Personal Care (PC) business unit based at the company’s North America headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. As a result of the integration, Unilever will close the Chicago offices by July 2010. “Over the last few

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Unilever to Move Chicago Office to North America Headquarters in New Jersey

Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Increases Focus on Illinois, Names Lisa Johnson Regional Head

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–To satisfy the financial needs of more commercial customers in Illinois, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) said today it has named Lisa N. Johnson as regional head for Commercial Banking in Illinois and southeast Wisconsin. She is based in Chicago and reports to Richard J. Kerbis, head of Commercial Banking’s Midwest Division. Johnson, who led Wells Fargo Business Credit’s Central Region, will be responsible for building Wells Fargo Commercial Banking

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Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Increases Focus on Illinois, Names Lisa Johnson Regional Head

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