Fall 2001 Meeting
Call for Papers / Program /
General Information / Accommodations / Chapter Luncheon

Driving / Parking / Travel / Events / Maps / Registration / Food / Shopping

NOTE: The Fall Meeting will take place as planned, despite the recent terrorist attacks in NYC and Washington, D.C. Please see AMS Midwest President Camilla Cai's message regarding this decision.


General Information
Mark your calendars for 29-30 September. As in years past, the fall meeting of our Chapter will take place in Chicago and we will enjoy the continuing hospitality of National-Louis University at 122 South Michigan Avenue (room 5006). The location is wonderful; the Loop campus of National-Louis is across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and one block north of the new Symphony Center--home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. At this meeting we will be honoring Theodore Karp on the occassion of his 75th birthday. Our thanks to Elinor Olin who serves as chair for both local arrangements and the Program Committee
. Paper proposals are due July 31. See the CALL FOR PAPERS for more detail.

Registration
As always, registration for Chapter meetings is free to members in good standing--just fill out a registration form and pick up a nametag at the registration table outside the meeting room. You may pay your dues to the Chapter treasurer, at this time as well. To check your current membership status, visit our membership and dues pages.

Call for Papers
Click on the link above for the fall 2001 CFP.

Accommodations
Apparently we have stiff competition for rooms from another, much larger convention in the Loop, so please act quickly. Within walking distance of the meeting, rooms are available at the Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 South Michigan Ave., 800/635-1666, 312/427-3800 (FAX 312/427-7264). Their website gives the following rates: Standard Guest Room $105-165, Double Guest Room $105-165. A less-expensive alternative is the Chicago Downtown Travelodge at 65 East Harrison (888/515-6375 or 312/427-8000) for around $99 per night. In the past, we have recommended the Cass Hotel at 640 North Wabash Ave. (800/227-7850) as a more economical alternative. Singles start at $79 and Doubles at $99. Those willing to take a five-minute taxi ride may want to try the Motel 6 Chicago at 162 East Ontario St. (800/621-8055 or 312/787-3580) advertised at around $70/night. For more alternatives, see a Chicago hotel index or visit the sites for national chains.

Travel
O'Hare International is one of the busiest airports in the world and as a hub for many commuter flights, inexpensive tickets should be available-even at the last minute. Midway Airport is a bit closer to the meeting site and is a much smaller airport, although the frequency of flights is reduced. Airport Express runs vans from both airports (1-800/654-7871); you may make a reservation in advance. Ask to be dropped off at the Palmer House (the hotel closest to National-Louis). The cost from O'Hare is 17.50 one way or $31 round trip; the cost from Midway is $12.50 one way and $23 round trip. Less expensive public transportation can be had from either airport. From O'Hare take the Blue Line; from Midway take the Orange Line (exit at Adams stop). Cab fare from the airports ranges between 30 and $50. Call 1-800/TAXICAB. (All these prices, though verified mid-August, are subject to change.)

Inexpensive train service is available to Chicago from most cities in the Midwest. Check with your local station for times and fares or visit Amtrak online. Chicago's Union Station (next to the Sears Tower) in downtown and within walking distance of the meeting site.

Driving Directions

FROM THE SOUTH OR NORTH
If driving from the south on I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) or from the north on I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway), take the Congress Parkway exit east. Follow Congress past Michigan Avenue, continuing past the equestrian statues to a left turn on Columbus Drive. (From points north or south on Lake Shore Drive, exit at Monroe Street, then turn right (north) on Columbus Drive.) Click here for maps.

FROM THE WEST
From points west in I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway), you may also follow Congress east to Michigan Avenue, then north on Columbus Drive. If you're coming from the west on I-55 (Stevenson Expressway), exit on Lake Shore Drive north, then follow the directions above.

From points west on I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway), you may also follow Congress east to Michigan. From points north on Lake Shore Dr. (Route 41), exit at Monroe, turn left on Columbus Drive, proceed south (behind the Art Institute) two blocks to Congress, then right to Michigan Avenue, as above. If you're coming in from the south on Lake Shore Drive (Route 41), exit at Balbo, turn right on Columbus Drive, turn left on Congress, then right on Michigan. From points west on I-55 (Stevenson Expressway), exit on Lake Shore Drive north, then follow the above directions. Click here for maps

Parking
The most economical parking close to the meeting site is the Monroe Street Garage ($10.00/day), the entrance for which is located just past Monroe Street on Columbus Drive. Exit the parking garage (on foot) at the Monroe Street side, walking west to Michigan Avenue. National-Louis University is located in the middle of the block, on the west side of Michigan Avenue directly across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago. Look for the Bennigan's Restaurant at the corner of Michigan and Adams. The elevator lobby of the building is two doors north.

Alternate parking may be found at the Grant Park North Garage ($14.00/day), the entrance for which is approached from the north on Michigan Avenue between Madison and Monroe streets. Exit the parking garage (on foot) onto Michigan Avenue, and walk south one block. NOTE: The Grant Park South Garage has been listed on the meeting website as a parking option, but this garage is currently closed.

Parking for the Congress Plaza Hotel is available for guests at 610 South Wabash Avenue (between Michigan Avenue and State Street) with ticket validation at the front desk or the bellman's stand and costs about $22/day. This is within walking distance of the meeting.

Cultural Events

Food
The Chapter invites you to a luncheon in honor of Dr. Karp to be held on the NLU campus (see below for more information.)

In the same building as our meeting (122 S. Michigan) there is a Bennigan's Restaurant and an Au Bon Pain. Across the street on Adams, there is a Panda Express as well as a fancier option, Rhapsody, which is part of the Symphony Center complex. Further west on Adams (17 W. Adams) is the ever popular Berghoff Restaurant. Also recommended for lunch (open only until 3 p.m.) is the cafe on the 9th floor of the Harold Washington Library, located on Congress between Wabash and State streets. Note also that Wabash, which runs parallel to the "El" tracks, is home to many fast food outlets, including one called The Oasis Cafe (inside the Jeweler's Mall) on Wabash between Madison and Washington, which features pretty darn good falafel. There are many restaurants within easy walking distance of the meeting site, and, if you want to splurg, many four-starr establishments are a cab-ride away. A number of good, inexpensive eats are available too--and there's always Chicago-style pizza at Uno's, Giordanos, or Gino's. See links below for more information or ask to have a reservation made by your hotel.

Chapter Luncheon
The Chapter invites you to a luncheon in honor of Dr. Karp to be held on the NLU campus. Reservations must be made in advance; please contact Elinor Olin <eolin@nl.edu> no later than Friday, September 21st. The cost for the lunch will be $6.00/person, payable at the meeting.

Shopping
A number of fine bookstores (both new and especially used), record stores, as well as flagship department stores such as Marshall Field & Co. are within easy walking distance of the meeting site.See links below. The main shopping corridor in Chicago is just north (across the river) of the meeting site on Michigan avenue and easily accessible by foot, bus, or cab.

Links
For a complete index to restaurants, shopping, and other events,visit Yahoo's Chicago page or check the Centerstage Chicago site.

Weather
Fall in Chicago is generally mild (at least compared to winter). Be prepared from everything between 70 degrees and sunny to 50 degrees and rainy. If the weather is good, a stroll along Grant Park or an Architectural walking tour would be wonderful.

Local Arrangements
Dr. Elinor Olin is handling local arrangements.

Further details about the fall meeting will be added as they become available.

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