Everything is early this year….except for the winter which is running long and late. Chicago’s famous South Side Irish parade is this Sunday, March 9th @ noon. It is a week early because St. Patrick’s Day is on a Monday and the Sunday before is Palm Sunday. The nice thing about that is the South Side and Official Downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade are on different weekends. So you can go to both and not spend the entire weekend drinking green drinks. The parade runs down Western Avenue from 103rd to 115th Streets. It is strongly encouraged to take public transportation as parking is near impossible in the area. If you take the Metra best stop to get off at is teh 103rd Beverly Hills station. Last year they estimated 325,000 people attended….my first year going was 1997 and I believe it was around 30,000. Amazing how this has taken off in th past ten years. If you go have fun and be safe!! Great neighborhood down there in Beverly so be respectful of the host neighborhood. Lots of fun to be had!!

Flat Screen TVs, Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Refrigerators, Digital Cameras, Cell Phones, Stereo, Speakers, Counter tops, cabinets and so much more. ABT Electronics & Appliances is having their annual customer appreciation sale this Saturday and Sunday, March 8 & 9. I normally would not plug a sale but this place is the greatest if you’re moving in or updating and need a lot of things at the same place. ABT is known to be affordable year round and this weekend they will be even more so. I’ve seen things 30-40% off retail. It’s a bit of a hike from Chicago but well worth the drive. It’s located at 1200 N. Milwaukee Ave, Glenview, IL 60025. Roughly 45 minutes (maybe less) north of the city. I went here when I moved into my house 3 years ago and fell in love. Large selection and great prices. You can take care of bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and family room all in one day. Check it out, it is worth it.

Bucktown and Wicker Park are going to see something interesting this weekend. On Saturday, March 1st, at 12:30pm is the third annual Chiditarod. Starting line is at Damen & Shakespaere in Bucktown/Wicker Park. What the heck is the Chiditarod? I’m glad you asked. It is a shopping cart race that you pay to participate in. The whole point is to collect food between the start and finish lines. All food and your $25 entry fee per team ($5 per person) will be going to charity. Sounds like they stole the idea from New York who started in 2003 who stole the idea from San Fransisco who started theirs in 1994. There are prizes for most food collected, best costumes and winning the race (there are more prizes.) This looks like a lot of fun. You get to dress up like it’s Halloween, run around Chicago neighborhoods with a shopping cart and collect food for charity. A winning combination. This sort of thing actually fits in very well in Bucktown and Wicker Park. Let me know if you’ve participated or are planning on doing it this year. I’d love to hear some stories.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT MORE “THINGS TO DO” AROUND CHICAGOLAND HERE!

Wait! They’re having the Oscars in Chicago? Not so much. But it is true that Jon Bon Jovi is performing. That is pretty much what is happening in and around Chicago this weekend. Feels like we’re scratching for things to do until the weather turns. Soon we’ll be talking street festivals and beach parties but for now it is Oscar Parties and Jon Bon Jovi. Seems every gathering place is hosting some sort of Oscar party in case you wanted to get out on Sunday. Otherwise here are a few fun things I found, can you guess what they are?

Oscar Night in America
This is at the Gene Siskel Film Center/School of the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s $150-250 and proceeds benefit the Gene Siskel Film Center. Starts this Sunday, February 24, at 6pm. Sounds pretty cool. They roll out the red carpet, hand out official Academy Awards programs and even go as far as a Joan Rivers impersonator. There is a silent auction, beer, champagne and a buffet included. That would be a lot of fun to try. The Gene Siskel Film Center is located at 164 N. State in Chicago (The Loop.)
Bon Jovi, Live!
Shot through the heart in the Windy City and Bon Jovi’s to blame. Bon Jovi is in town for two nights starting Saturday, February 23, with an encore performance on Sunday, February 24. They are playing the United Center on the West Side. 1901 W. Madison to be exact. I remember listening to their “Slippery When Wet” album on tape when I was on vacation in Florida. Good times.

Alrighty then. This is the moment in the article where I ask myself “Do I really have J. Lo and Bon Jovi in my Real Estate Blog?” Yes, yes I do. Here are some more things going on this weekend in Chicagoland. I’m sure you might be able to find something more interesting.

What’s a goin’ on in Chicago this weekend? Well according to the title we’re all getting naked. Actually, no. Let’s keep the clothes on at least until the temperature goes above freezing and the Chicago Cubs win the World Series. Two things that are seeming farther and farther away as this winter drags on. Oh, Happy Valentines Day!! Should be an exciting weekend but just in case you’re without something to do I’ve provided a few ideas here:

Naked at the Art Institute Scavenger Hunt
This is what I was talking about. On Saturday you can head over to the Art Institute from 2-4:30pm and participate in a scavenger hunt. My understanding is you seek out the nude art throughout the institute for a chance to win a date with one of the sculptures. Hold on a second…………….I’ve just received word that I was incorrect. You get a chance to win a t-shirt, not a date. You say tomato. The Chicago Art Institute is located at 111 S. Michigan Ave and is part of the Grant Park Museums just off Lake Michigan.

Painting Below Zero
Keeping with the artistic theme I came across something that wasn’t too far away from the Art Museum and one could make this Saturday an art appreciation type of day. This is a massive installation featuring an ice wall with large vertical sheets of ice and abstract ice painting on the skating rink in the park. It was done by Canadian artist Gordon Halloran. It’s all down in Millennium Park at the Chase Promenade and McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and it’s daily from 10am-10pm until February 29th. Sound pretty cool and if you’re down there at the Art Institute for the scavenger hunt this is a block away.

Gladiators, Live!
In this five-week competition inspired by NBC-TV’s “American Gladiators,” local actors take on two couples in games of physical skill, comic prowess and brain power. Audience members dressed as gladiators are invited to compete against each other onstage in additional events. This sounds like a lot of fun. it’s at the Bailiwick Arts Center located in Lakeview, Chicago. Address is 1229 W. Belmont, just West of Racine on Belmont. Starts this Saturday, February 16, at 10:30pm. You can purchase tickets in advance.

LAST CHANCE FOR THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW! ENDS THIS SUNDAY!

What to do this weekend? If the weather doesn’t keep you in here are a few things going on downtown this weekend:

1. Chicago Auto Show. Open to the public from Friday, February 8th through Sunday, February 17th. Hours are from 10am-10pm everyday except the 17th which closes at 8pm.
Here is a little background for you:
First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 100th edition of the Chicago Auto Show, giving it the distinction of being the first North American auto show to reach 100 shows.

Let me know if you stop by and what you thought of it. Something you have to do at least once in your life. Have Fun!!

2. Lakeview Polar Bear Club’s 7th Annual Celebration of Shrinkage. That’s a mouthful. Oh boy. I have to tell you I lived not too far from where this goes down and I had no idea that it did indeed go down. Winter brings out the best in people. It’s all for charity so may be worth a stop if you’re on the North side of the city this weekend. It also doesn’t start until 11:45am so you can sleep in. Sounds like fun. Not something you “have to do” in your life but it is February and it’s cold anyways. Might as well have a good laugh while you’re freezing.

You can find more “things to do” by clicking here.

Below is my press release when I was elected to the Board of Governors last month:

MICHAEL J. LONG, REALTOR with Rubloff Residential Properties in Chicago has been named a member of the Board of Governors of the REALTOR Institute of the Illinois Association of REALTORS (IAR.) The IAR REALTOR Institute provides high quality educational program designed to increase the knowledge of real estate professionals. REALTORS and REALTOR-Asssocaite members of the Illinois Assocaiton of REALTORS may obtain the professional designation of GRI (Graduate REALTOR Institute) by successfully completing three undergraduate courses.

The Board of Governors of the REALTOR Institute plans, executes and oversees the GRI program in Illinois, including the full institute program, the equivalency program and the specialty program. LONG will also be responsible for the promotion of the Institute to ensure that it meets all certification mandates from the National Association of REALTORS (NAR.)

“The Illinois Association of REALTORS has sponsored the REALTOR Institute for more than 40 years and its highly regarded GRI program has become known as the ‘foundation designation’ for REALTOR continuing education,” said IAR president Kay Wirth.

The 2007 Illinois GRI program is held in November in Bloomington and in January in Lombard.

The Illinois Association of REALTORS (IAR) is a voluntary trade association whose over 60,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. For more information on the REALTOR Institute, call 1-800-252-2910 or visit www.illinoisrealtor.org.

Pretty exciting. The term is for three years and I’m looking forward to helping the program. I earned my GRI back in 2002-2003. I loved how involved everybody is with the program and how extensive the curriculum is. I’d highly recommend all agents to attain this designation. I know several that could really use it.

Another cool property I have on the market. I’m lucky because everything I have for sale right now is a pleasure to show. This one was just converted in April 2006. It’s a 2BR/2BA duplex down (meaning main living space is upstairs and property goes to a lower level) with parking included.

Just being rehabbed this one has hardwood floors throughout. Granite, cherry maple cabinets and stainless in the upstairs kitchen. One bath on each level. The downstairs is fantastic with a very good size family room, fireplace, eating area and a huge wet bar. The wet bar a mini-fridge, mini-diswasher, mini-sink but tons of cabinets. Washer/dryer in unit. Steps from Clark St. and Wrigleyville. Very cool listing.

First post of new Real Estate Blog.  Looking to open the discusion about everything Chicago, not just real estate.  The beautiful thing about this is we can discuss anything you’d like because in some way shape or form I believe that is all is real estate related.  I should be posting on a somewhat regular basis.  Afterall, my main job is real estate but I do like to talk so this is a good way for me to get my opinions out there.  Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or let me know if there is anything that you’d like me to discuss. 

Just so you know what “Greater” means.  I tend to work in the City of Chicago (Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Bucktown, West Loop, etc.) as well as its Western Surburbs.  That is basically anything from Oak Park out to Aurora.  I live in Naperville, grew up in Lisle and know all the surrounding suburbs.  My rule of thumb is if I know shortcuts and side streets I can help you with your real estate needs.  If I don’t I can help find you a good agent that will.  Here are a few suburbs I know well:  Downers Grove, Naperville, Westmont, Lisle, Hinsdale, Darien, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Oak Park, River Forest, Oak Brook and many more.