Oak Park Travel Guide

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Midwest, Angry Pilots Headed For Arbitration

November 6, 2008 at 10:30 AM | by | Comments (0)

Pilots and flight attendants working for Midwest Airlines have been picketing and protesting the carrier's September decision to hire Republic Airways to operate a number of flights on Embraer 170s instead of Midwest's signature 717s. As a part of that contract, 270 jobs were cut, though Midwest says the 125 pilots that were let go will be re-hired after they are trained on the smaller jets. The pilots aren't buying that.

But starting today the pilot's union and the airline will enter arbitration to sort out the mess. A different union representing flight attendants will sit down for similar talks starting Saturday, the Journal-Sentinel reports. Will this be the end of the animosity between the airline and its workforce? Doubtful. And no matter what agreement is made, it likely won't fix the rapidly eroding quality of the Midwest product.

Still, at least one person must be welcoming this news: CEO Timothy Hoeksema has been enduring pilot picketing at his house.

Related Stories:
· Midwest Union Grievances Go to Arbitration [MJS]
· Midwest Death Watch coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a protest at Casa Hoeksema: Dontoutsourcemidwest.com]

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Frank Lloyd Wright Travel : Oak Park Overload

Where: 875 Lake St. [map], Oak Park, il, United States, 60301
January 7, 2008 at 2:05 PM | by | Comments (0)

Though Frank Lloyd Wright is well known for his Robie House in the Chicago suburb Oak Park, a handful of other houses and buildings in the city offer up tours to the public. And while we've mentioned the upcoming Walk Wright In tour coming up in May, somehow we feel like a weekend-long architecture extravaganza might be a bit much for some folks. Dial it down a notch with these two see-it-in-an-afternoon buildings.

Designed with Wright partner Louis H. Sullivan (who helped plan Chicago's World Fair), the Charnley-Persky Home is open to the public on Saturday at 10 am. These limited hours last until March; from April on, an afternoon tour is also available (at 1 pm). Admission gets you a 90-minute tour of the home, as well as the nearby historic landmark Madlener House. Wednesdays at noon, one-hour guided tours are offered free of charge.

Unity Temple also offers free admission to visitors willing to take a self-guided tour through the Unitarian church. For a more in-depth look at the building, docent-led tours are available Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Related Stories:
· Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation [Official site]
· Frank Lloyd Wright coverage [Jaunted]
· Frank Lloyd Wright Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: hibino]

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Frank Lloyd Wright Travel: Wright on, Chicago

Where: 951 Chicago Ave. [map], Oak Park, IL, United States, 60302
December 13, 2007 at 3:00 PM | by | Comments (0)

Most architecture lovers find themselves in Chicago for the skyscrapers, but you can round out your tour with some of the low-slung buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright. He made his home--and his first studio--in the suburb of Oak Park from 1889 to 1909, and the building has been preserved as it was when he moved out. Tours of the residence happen every day, from 11 am-3:30 pm.

South of downtown in Hyde Park, the Robie House flanks the campus of the University of Chicago. One of the greatest embodiments of Wright's Prarie style, it was actually designed in the Oak Park studio. Finished in 1910, Robie House remains an icon of modern design, and it's open to visitors every day.

If you want to check out both sites, plus more Chicago-area Wright buildings, mark your calendar now for May 17, 2008. The yearly Wright Plus tour, offered by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, takes fans inside private homes as well as landmarks on an epic day-long housewalk.

Related Stories:
· Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust [Official Site]
· Frank Lloyd Wright coverage [Jaunted]
· Frank Lloyd Wright Map [Jaunted]

[Photo of Robie House: cerealfan]

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