More Pinkfest Hotel and Transportation Options

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This posting is from: Tina
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Hi All,

Annie offered some excellent ideas about remote parking. The idea of
getting a near-suburb hotel, with free car park, and then riding train
into town does work. As I said in an earlier msg, the CTA Red Line is
extremely convenient for many PF activities downtown and Boystown. Go
to

http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/station.aspx?StopId=71

There is also a Purple Line that uses same track but runs even further
into northern suburbs. Both go right by Wrigley Field, hence right by
Boystown (the Addison stop). Only the Red Line runs 24/7.

For example, I stay at least 2 weeks per year at the DoubleTree in
Skokie/Wilmette

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/CHICCDT-DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Ho
tel-Chicago-North-Shore-Conference-Center-Illinois/index.do;jsessionid=21887
9F368E430547DDABA8326DC5BF2.etc83?ctyhocn=CHICCDT&brand_id=HI&brand_director
y=/en/hi/&xch=991933803,4VMD1KJL5GGDQCSGBJC4D4Q

Very nice, good restaurant, across street from large shopping mall and
movies, free parking. Rates show $145 per night at Double Tree and $135
per night at nearby Hampton (posted Internet rates, before HHonors and
AAA discount).

This is 3 miles west from CTA's Dempster and Davis stations. (There is
also a Metra station adjacent to CTA Davis station. I've ridden Metra
downtown to Chicago just west of river, but am less familiar with it.)

If I were coming, since I know that my favorite Hilton Garden Inn
downtown is full, I would definitely consider staying at the DoubleTree
and riding CTA. I've done it many times safely late at night, including
around 3 AM on New Year's Eve 2007.

BTW, if you don't like/want rental car, you can always take Orange Line
from Midway and switch to Red/Purple Line. I've done this once - its
fine, if you don't have too much luggage. From O'Hare, you can take the
Blue Line to downtown and switch, but O'Hare is already relatively close
to Skokie, thus taxi is like 2 hours faster. (There are airport
shuttles between Skokie and O'Hare that you could investigate, but I
have never used them.)

In summary, this looks like the best PF yet to take advantage of
suburban hotels and mass transit. (As a Texas girl, I honestly thought
that I would never hear myself say that. Drive 80 - freeze a Yankee.)

Thanks,

Tina Lake

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[External Poster]

This posting is from: Jane
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Hello All

I am going to be bringing a dear friend for her first time. She is
somewhat handicap, I do not wish to expound on her condition, but I
will say it is difficult for her to walk any long distance without
help. I have a handicap tag for my car and I was wondering if there is
handicap parking avaiable at the functions within easy walking
distance.

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(This posting was entered by Jane, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> She is somewhat handicap, ... I have a handicap tag for my car
> and I was wondering if there is handicap parking avaiable at the
> functions within easy walking distance.

I'll give you some general info and if you'll answer a few questions I'll try to help further.

The good news is that Chicago is fairly liberal as far as parking for those who are physically challenged. IANAL and IANALEO, but IIAC, meter payment is waived for a legal handicap sticker and some (but not all) parking time limits are also waived.

The bad news is that parking in some areas can be a challenge under the best of circumstances, such as the River North district, where several of our favorite places are, and the Boystown area. Laura and/or June can probably elaborate about the situation in the immediate vicinity of The Center.

Some of the venues we like (Chicago Chop House, Ed Debevic's) offer valet parking, which may be an option. It may also be better to use a taxi for some of the shorter trips. I've never had difficulty hailing a taxi in the River North or Boystown areas.

Questions:

1. Does your friend use a chair, or is she ambulatory with difficulty?

2. Where do you plan to be staying?

3. What kind of a vehicle will you be driving?

As we get our schedule a bit more solid, you can then plan a specific transportation and parking strategy for the things you want to do.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
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We will probably have a Saturday event at COH with Transcinema.

Center on Halsted (COH) does not provide parking for COH programming or
activities held at the Center. Underground parking at Center on Halsted
belongs exclusively to Whole Foods. But there is a garage with $8
evening parking just south of the center and there is metered street
parking.

Center on Halsted patrons who have a disabled person parking placard
hanging from their rear view mirror or a disabled person license plate
may park in the Whole Foods Market underground parking garage during
normal Center on Halsted business hours which is right in the basement
of the COH. It is important Center on Halsted patrons visit the second
floor receptionist and provide their name, license plate, and make and
model of their car. Having this information available ensures your car
will not be towed. In the event the gates are in use, you will also be
provided with a parking pass to enable you to exit the garage.

http://www.centeronhalsted.org/driving.html

Also, if we go to the Oak Park Library, they have an attached garage.

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This posting is from: Jane
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Hello Annie

1. No she does not normally use a chair. She can walk but with
difficulty, needs assistance.

2. As for staying somewhere. it will most likely at an RV park

3. The car is a tracker. You have rode in it at las vegas from the
Artisan. That was one hell of a windy day.

I hope this is somewhat a personal confidential addrtess. She suffers
from epilspy and has moments sometimes, but when she walks she jerks and
shakes. I did not want to broadcast her condition to everyone, but she
can tell anyone she wants, I just do not want to be the one doing it.

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[annie]

> 1. No she does not normally use a chair. She can walk but with
> difficulty, needs assistance.

Ok, then it sounds like what you'll be needing at the various activities is a place where she can get out and get to where it is we're going with only a minimal walk, plus a very nearby place to park your vehicle.

I don't foresee any show-stoppers, but you should probably make a plan for each activity as to parking and getting her out/in of the vehicle.

I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting some assistance from the gang if needed.

> 2. As for staying somewhere. it will most likely at an RV park

Ok, uh, not exactly what I was expecting to hear, but ...

> 3. The car is a tracker. You have rode in it at las vegas from the
> Artisan. That was one hell of a windy day.

Oh yes! I remember the ride well, or rather I should say I mostly remember the Highland Drive Wind Tunnel! It was a definite Bad Hair Day. That vehicle is not that large, IIRC, so there should be no major issues parking it on the street or in a lot.

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This posting is from: Jannas Studio
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Hello Annie and Ginger and all the girls in the group. Really looking
forward to seeing everyone at one of the activities. Probably be at
Winbereres. Hugs to all. Janna

(http://www.jannasstudio.com)

special hi to you both. xo

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