“We lucked out in so many ways, the weather was perfect, patriotism was at an all-time high less than a year after 9/11. As tragic as that day was, it made for a perfect coming together moment. It was a real home run here, even the nay-sayers agreed,” stated Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty.

Rafferty is a major player in the sport currently experiencing the most success from both a participatory and financial standpoint in the state. It seems about half the license plates in Utah feature the slogan, “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” a phrase that has been used officially since 1975. “The Winter Olympics had a huge impact for our state and our industry. Sometimes we live in the shadow of bigger industries like Colorado, but it raised us up a shelf. I relate to a supermarket shelf: now we’re up on the top shelf,” Rafferty said.

I also asked him what the greatest benefit or improvement brought by 2002 was. “People heard a lot of things good for Utah. It’s hard to say exactly what because everyone puts on their best game face, like tidying up the house before the big Christmas party. Along the Wasatch Front corridor, there’s the interstate improvement; light rail happened because of it. There’s been private investment and capital improvement everywhere,” he responded.

During my conversation with Rafferty, he also dispelled one popular myth that often surrounds an Olympic bidding process. I specifically probed him about the most popular argument made by Olympic detractors here, how supposed traffic congestion would be off-the-charts.  “They said traffic was going to be a heinous and hosting it was not going to do anything for us. But getting around downtown was a breeze. For most cities, it’s just an old wives tale, everyone who was that scared doesn’t go anywhere near it anyway, so a lot of people avoid it. The games are so confined to specific locations that it was never an issue. I drove to work every day and it was fine. Half a mile outside of town you would never even know there was an Olympics going on. Since Salt Lake is the largest city ever to host an Olympic Winter Games, our infrastructure was perfect for it,” Rafferty answered.   And given that Chicago is a much larger city than Salt Lake, I’m sure our infrastructure would handle it just fine.

“Michael just brought a great awareness to swimming and people started looking at it and said hey wait a second, you can burn like 10,000 calories a day, maybe I should do that. So the numbers have gone up significantly. I think swimming is a great sport and yes it is a little monotonous and you’re staring at the bottom of a black line, but aside from that it’s great exercise,” Grevers responded before discussing why Chicago would make a perfect host for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “It is probably the number one sports-fan city in the world and from a bus standpoint it only makes sense,” Grevers said before continuing. “The atmosphere is going to be the best here and I hope the other people realize that this is truly the best spot to have it. I looked at some of the plans and it truly is amazing. The facilities and the venues are very exciting, I hope Chicago gets it. If not, it would be a shame.”

“As the first hockey game to be played at Wrigley Field, this game is already part of Chicago sports history.” Chicagoans of every age are very passionate about sports…getting involved in sports teaches you discipline, courage and a strong work ethic, as well as teamwork. It also opens the door to achieving your dreams. In fact one of the reasons we’re pursuing the Olympic and paralympic games is because of the lasting legacy to the children of our great city,” Daley delivered.

After the speeches, Rocky Wirtz presented Hizzoner II with a special Winter Classic jersey with “Daley 09″ stitched on the back. Later, he was probed by a reporter about how landing this game was another example conveying how Chicago was ready to host the Olympic and Paralympic games. “It brings in major TV with NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks the Chicago Cubs, it brings in the city. So it’s really a combination of things, it really doesn’t matter who you’re cheering for; people love their sports in Chicago. And it really helps us {in} how we work the transportation, parking access to and from the stadium, security, outside- all that works together. And that’s what it is, it shows you we can handle large crowds as well,” Daley said.

My holiday shopping was primarily done online, but there are those few last minute items that require in-person browsing and purchasing. After throwing on a few sweaters and a pair of galoshes, my husband and I zipped up the red line to Michigan Avenue.  The streets were PACKED with shoppers, hot cocoa sippers and baby strollers. Restaurants were full of diners, including our own lunch spot, Bistro 110. I took a moment to ask some book browsers at Borders: ‘Why go outside? Aren’t you freezing?’ The bundled up gal in her teens smiled at me and said, ‘Are you kidding? Chicago is so pretty this time of year - we had to be outside!’

Perhaps it was the holiday theme in the air, but the cold weather didn’t stop people from being out and about. Since moving to Chicago in 1998, I liked the way cold weather puts everyone on a level playing field.  There could be a student, banker and laborer at the same El stop, waiting under the heat lamps for the train and they are all in the same boat - cold. If you pay close attention, you’ll begin to hear conversations beginning to brew amongst random strangers. Whether they wonder when the train will come or reminisce about the big snowfall of ’99, Chicagoans have a way of finding common ground.

After our Michigan Avenue excursion, we strolled along the Chicago River to State Street and found ourselves at the Wine Bar at the Walnut Room in Macy’s. Imagine a long wood table, flanked by shoppers, near the big tree. We enjoyed a wine flight and some cheese, while chatting with our table neighbors. The Windy City Wine Guy has a more complete description of our Wine Bar experience.

A full day indeed - but it was worth it. Next on the docket is to hit Millennium Park and go ice skating, followed by dinner at The Park Grill (table 81 is our favorite spot).

Bundle up - it’s cold out there!:)

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!

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!

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.

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!

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?

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

Chicago-16 Dance Instructions from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

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!

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!

Chicago’s an incredibly photogenic city. A search on Flickr for “Chicago” produced 3,123,777 results. Many of those are of the iconic architecture and powerful skyline, but there are also images of storefronts and churches and parks and fountains. Some were taken by professional photographers and more were shot by people who just wanted to capture a moment and place in time.

If you’ve got your own collection of photos, you could create a a montage of your favorite Chicago spots, or a scrapbook of friends and the fun times you’ve had enjoying all this city has to offer. There’s a multitude of themes in all of those pictures you’ve got stored in your hard drive. Include some music and say a few words and wahlah, you’ve created a video.

But hurry! You’ve only got 13 days!

In 2002, Salt Lake City became the largest metropolitan area to ever host the winter Olympic Games. On the world’s biggest athletic stage, the region displayed its newly acquired status as a first-rate sports destination; in both economy and community. “It’s really hard to say anything negative about the Olympic experience. We had $91 million left over, so the nay-sayers who said we were going to be in a financial hole were way off. It was a lot about exposure and validation. People said hey, if they can host the Olympics then they can host our group and we can have a good time there,” stated Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty. In the last year more visitors found their way to the region that hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. “As the snow piled on so did the skiers,” remarked Rafferty. “Utah’s incredible snow, unparalleled accessibility and world class resorts continue to attract new visitors making it a crucial source of revenue for the state.”

The sports sector of Utah’s economy was thriving after 2002, and it continues to generate more positive return since. With the addition of a first-class soccer stadium/concert venue, sports and entertainment consumers are expected to increase in numbers and therefore provide more future growth. The University of Utah’s football program also got a boost from the 2002 Winter Olympics. The stadium underwent a $52 million expansion and renovation starting in 1997.

The US Men’s basketball team won Gold in Beijing with two members of the Utah Jazz, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, on their roster. Despite playing in the NBA’s smallest market, the Jazz are succeeding both on the court -currently in first place following back-to-back division title season- and in the board room. According to a Forbes.com study last year, the Jazz were ranked #16 in NBA team value at $342 million. Leading the way is Randy Rigby, President of the Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment group which owns the Jazz. Over the phone Rigby told me about the Olympic impact in the Salt Lake City metropolitan region. “One thing it did do was show people what a great place Utah is as a destination,” he said.

Do you have a similar tale? Then please submit a video for the contest and tell the world! Show the global community what the Olympics did for you and Why Chicago should host the Olympics.

It was a fun day at the Chicago 2016 Headquarters!

We opened up the doors to local writers, photographers and other members of the web community to take a tour, sit in on a new media meeting and get a bird’s eye view into the 2016 Bid process.

Special thanks to Andrew Huff, Liz Strauss, Kristen Nicole, John Morrison, Andrew Coffey and Jill Jaracz for taking the time to go behind the scenes at the Chicago 2016 offices!

This excerpt made my day!

There are TWO WEEKS left in the ‘Why Chicago’ video contest! Grab your video camera, FLIP or web cam and let us know why you think Chicago should host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To give you even more inspiration and show you how exciting the Olympic Movement is, check out the video  of Mayor Daley’s rally, which took place this last summer.  I have to admit, Chicago has one of THE most passionate mayors in the country – this video shows it to a tee!

Good Luck!

When visiting Garfield Park Conservatory, be certain to spend time observing the lush ferns near the lagoon - some of which are nearly 300 years old.   Also of interest is the Sweet House - home to plants producing chocolate, sugar cane, chewing gum, vanilla and bananas.  The Lincoln Park Conservatory - completed slightly before Garfield Park in 1895 - was designed to create a “tropical paradise” escape from the effects of industrialization.   Entering a room filled with liberal shade from different Palm species definitely provides a paradise in the heart of Chicago.

Learn more about submitting videos on the “Why Chicago” Competition page.