Just Announced: Finalists of the ‘Why Chicago’ Video Contest!

Here they are! Take a look at the five finalists of the Why Chicago Video contest. Beginning tomorrow, December 1, NBC5 Chicago will show each video on the air.  The winner of the contest will win a trip to Vancouver!

Don’t forget, YOU also have a chance to win - just for voting! The winner from the voting pool will win a trip to Boulder, Colorado - with a few friends, to boot.

Good Luck Everyone!

Is This the ‘Why Chicago’ Video Winner?
One More Day to Enter!

Back during my Western Michigan University days, I worked well under pressure. I was a Resident Advisor, had a part time internship at an advertising agency and a full course load under my belt. �I usually started papers and projects long before they were due, but time and time again, I succumbed to the world of ‘last minutes’.

Are you a last minute person? Do you like to spend the day cranking out a project or article?

Then do I have the project for you!:)

The Why Chicago Video Contest ends TOMORROW, November 25th at 11:59:59 am CT. You still have a chance to make a video, upload it to the Chicago 2016 YouTube channel and possibly win $5,000 in video equipment OR a trip to Vancouver to go behind the scenes at the 2010 Olympic Games!

In the meantime, take a look at one of the contest entries. Could this be the winner? Do you think you could do better? Let us know!

It’s Not Too Late To Create Your “Why Chicago” Video

You really, really want to win that trip to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, and you at least want a shot at $5,000 worth of video equipment. Unfortunately, you haven’t even started making a video and there are only three days left in the contest.

Fortunately, the weekend’s just getting started.

Every day Chicago is overflowing with things to do and this weekend is no exception. In fact, waiting until now could be a blessing in disguise. Just imagine if you capture Michigan Avenue dressed in all its holiday finery, complete with parade and fireworks, during the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Then take a stroll down State Street to showcase the department store windows. Film Chicago’s Midwestern roots with a visit to the FamilyFarmed Expo. Since it’s located in Chicago’s most popular tourist attraction, Navy Pier, you can showcase both the cosmopolitan skyline and the city’s farming origins. How about showing the world two of America’s great music genres by checking out the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival? While there, you can also record a Second City comedy group, a marching band, a jam session and picking circle, and an art show. It’s an Olympic-sized music fest!

Hopefully these ideas will get you started. Now, get out there and shoot your “Why Chicago” video!

You can find more fideas and fun things to do in Chicago on The Local Tourist.

Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink is Now Open!

Quick note to all you ice skating lovers! Debi Thomas was on hand to help open the ice skating rink in Millennium Park this week. Check out her interview with Chicago 2016!

President Elect Obama Made a Chicago 2016 Video - Did You?

Members of the Chicago 2016 are in Istanbul, Turkey and will be presenting their plan to 40 European members of the International Olympic Committee.  

President Elect Barack Obama created his own ‘Why Chicago’ video that will be played at the meeting. 

What are YOU waiting for? You have FIVE more days to tell the world ‘Why Chicago’. The contest ends November 25!

What’s Your Chicago Story?

As the third most populous city in the United States, Chicago is home to millions of transplants. People from all over the midwest, the country, and the world flock to the Windy City to take advantage of everything it has to offer. Every one of them has a story.

I moved to Chicago from Indianapolis seven years ago to be closer to my son. I had no job, an unused degree in journalism, and a lease in a downtown highrise. Somehow, though, I wasn’t scared. This city was exciting and energetic and got under my skin so quickly I felt like I was home the minute I unlocked my new apartment door.

Over the years I’ve heard many many other transplants express the same passion for their adopted city. This passion is why I leapt at the chance to help bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Chicago in 2016 by writing for this channel. With the Why Chicago video contest, everyone has the opportunity to share their story and tell the world why this city engenders so much loyalty.

Create a video of your first apartment, your first job, how you felt when you first discovered the lakefront path or watched a band at the Elbo Room or saw a show at the Royal George. What was it like the first time you bought flowers at a farmers market or wandered through a street fest? How did you feel when you realized you could navigate the city without a car? Do you still feel a sense of wonder when you look at the Chicago skyline and think “I live there”?

Please, tell us: What’s your story?

Why Chicago: Winter Warriors

The Chicago Bears are not the only athletes in town persevering through frigid cold and gusting winds from Lake Michigan.  Chicagoans prolong the inevitable dormancy of winter by continuing weekend soccer matches, flag football games, and daily runs against the wind well into November and December.

During a recent Saturday morning jog along Lake Front Path with members of Team in Training, I was baffled by the number of dedicated athletes ignoring 20 degree weather and high possibility of snow flurries.   The Team in Training volunteer staff even maintained periodic rest stops stocked with bananas and Gatorade.  Not an ideal Saturday morning for most!

Aside from runners and cyclists, the jog also provided a glimpse into soccer leagues organized by collectives like the Players Sports Group.  Outdoor soccer continues until early December before moving indoor for several months, but impromptu games of ice hockey fill the void throughout the winter season.

Capture footage of dedicated “Winter Warriors” and submit the results to Why Chicago.  Winners receive a trip to Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games for more cold weather…just what every Chicagoan desires

The Chicago 16 Dance?
Get to Stepping!

Need some inspiration on why Chicago should host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games?  Check out this how-to dance video from JenChicago! If you’d like to be in the video, make your evening free on November 19.

Chicago-16 Dance Instructions from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Are You An Aspiring Gymnast?
Chicago to Host 2009 American Cup Gymnastics Invitational

 

Are you a fan of Nadia Comaneci? Mary Lou Retton? Bart Conner? I can only imagine the amount of training and dedication to be a top gymnast. I get mesmerized by the skill and balance all of you use when it comes to the high beam or the rings. Watching invitationals on television is one thing, but seeing people up close and personal is another. 

Next February, I’ll get my chance!  Chicago will host the 2009 American Cup Gymnastics Invitational.  Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago are hosting this event on February 21, 2009. Tickets will be available soon. 

This is just one reason why Chicago should host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games!  Do you agree? Tell us by submitting your own Why Chicago video. You have one week to go - the contest ends November 25!

A Video Tribute to Lake Shore Drive
15.83 Miles of Lakeside Road

The majority of ‘first timers’ that visit Chicago typically tell me, ‘Wow, that’s one big lake!‘ The next sentence I typically hear is, ‘Lakeshore Drive is so beautiful’. Then I tell my visitor, ‘Imagine riding up and down Lakeshore Drive on a scooter - now that’s an experience.’ Alas, I still miss my red scooter I sold last year…I digress.

Lakeshore Drive is one of Chicago’s treasures that twists and turns next to Lake Michigan and hosts thousands of cyclists, runners, volleyball players and casual evening strollers. I discovered this video tribute to Chicago’s beloved Lakeshore Drive, nicely set to a song of the same name.

Here’s an example of how someone took their appreciate for Lakeshore Drive and turned it into a video. What’s your story? Which Chicago landmark do you enjoy? Put your thoughts in a video and submit it to the ‘Why Chicago’ video contest!

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