Trump Tower Chicago - Does it live up to the Hype?

Since I have been writing for UrbanNews Blog, people have been witting in, and emailing
me questions.
Recently, I find myself being asked several questions repeatedly; so let me briefly respond in this blog.

1. Trump Tower Chicago - Does it live up to the Hype?

Absolutely, the Trump Tower will be one of the world's finestexclusive buildings.
Trump Tower Chicago has the advantage that any building with the Trump name, can command "Top- Dollar."
It also has the advantage of getting millions in free advertising. These things combined allow "The Donald" to build a first-class building without being subject to some of the restraints that other builders would.

Let Ivanka Trump take you on a Video tour

Don't expect to buy even a studio apartment for less that $1.2M The cost of a two bedroom will set you back over $3M
Of course for those that want a little room to spread -out, there are three and four bedroom models available. Call quickly, I'm sure there
are plenty of people standing in line waiting to drop Ten Million for an apartment with a view.

2. Wrigley Field - ( What's going on)

The Cubs are leveling the playing field surface and installingnew high-tech drainage system under the field (undershort 4-week timetable because they have to do itbefore the first frost).

3. The boom of the New East side.

What's the question? Magellan Development has the right to build about 10 million square feet worth ofspace on the old public golf course.

To give you an idea of how big 10 million square feet is- There are cities who's
entire business district is less than 10 Million feet.
This is coming on top of years of building one 40 plus story building after an another.

The East side in bordered by Michigan Avenue and it's fine shopping on the west and the ever popular Navy Pier on the east.

4. The most exciting new building in Chicago is _______?

Drum roll please.........
The Chicago Spire.

This is one of those building that is so different, so sculptural, so unlike anything else, that it it easy to believe that it will never be built.
That it is destined to remain for ever on paper and virtual clips like some building from Star Wars or Wright's mile high building.

WRONG...
This time, this drawing is actually going to be built. In fact the web site states: It has also been announced that the sales center for The Chicago Spire, located on the 18th floor of NBC Tower, overlooking the site will open by appointment in January 2008.

Lucky Chicago!

Keep those questions coming.

Alan Craine
Architecture Reporter

Does Al Gore deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Committee awarded Al Gore with it’s most prestigious prize. The Peace Prize. In explaining, what is clearly a controversial decision, the Nobel Committee said that Al Gore was the,

"[S]ingle individual" responsible for convincing world government's that climate change was real, caused by human activity, and posed a threat to society”.

This choice by the committee is going to be a lightning rod stuck right in the heart of the committee, for the following reasons.
Al Gore is a leading voice in the Democratic Party.
Conservatives for years have been raising the valid question of why President Ronald Reagan, or at least Pope John Paul II, did not receive an award for their work towards ending the cold war and bringing greater freedom throughout Eastern Europe.
Is Global Warming really the threat Al Gore, The Panel on Climate Change
and most scientists say it is?
Would it have been more appropriate to award Gore, let’s say an award in science, rather that “The Peace Prize.”
My answers to the above questions are:

1. Every decision has a large “Value” component. Last time I checked the noble Committee is in Sweden, definitely not a “Red State.” I do think that the more objective and evenhanded the decisions are, the more powerful they become.
2. There is no question that all of that “Evil Empire” rhetoric, I sure did little to help his chance at the “Peace Prize” The case for Pope John Paul II is much stronger.
3. I have to assume that the most direr of the predictions regarding global warming, fall into the category of “Hysteria”. While I do believe most of the basic science and data, the earth is such a complex system that it becomes extremely difficult to extrapolate out very far with dependable results. There is also the question that even if you believe that Global Warming is a real threat, that still leaves the questions, is it caused by man, and is there anything Man can do to change the Global Temperature?
I find it difficult to go against the overwhelming tide of scientists that seem convinced that Global Warming is a genuine problem. Some times I feel my position can best be described as “Better safe than sorry”. If even half of the predictions turn out to be valid, there is reason for concern. I can’t think of any other time that this large a percentage of scientists have gathered this much evidence and been completely wrong. (True there was a time the vast % of people believed the world to be flat, but that was not science speaking) .
4. Truth be told, I find “Why not an award in science, rather that “The Peace Prize,” To be the most difficult question to answer. I assume the explanation would go something like:
If global warming causes floods and or draughts, or land get swallowed up by the sea, there will be mass displacement of population and that will result in great unrest and additional wars.

Was the committee sending a message, yes? Maybe they felt bad about not giving Gore an award for “Investing the Internet.”

Larry Lubell

Clean Technology tower for Chicago

Within five days of hearing that Adrian Smith has been commissioned to do that 60-story addition in Sears' plaza, I just got word he's ALSO doing a 60-story tower at 321 S. Wacker (about 300 feet south of that), the southern of the two empty lots flanking the "birthday cake" tower at 311 S. Wacker.
Smith launched his new web site this evening, and you should read the first paragraph of this tower's description to understand why, when it comes to skyscrapers, there's Adrian and then there's everyone else...
http://www.smithgill.com/cleantechnologytower.htm

P.S. It took me a minute to figure out, but you have to click on a picture to enlarge it, then again to shrink it back to the menu.

Alan Craine Architecture Reporter
UrbanBlog

Peace in Jerusalem?

Do you think Jerusalem should be divided?
No 50% 11,695
Yes 39% 9,195
I'm not sure 11% 2,579
AOL News Poll

I would love to wake-up one morning and hear that Peace had finally found it's way to Israel. And by peace I mean, not just a lull in violence, but the Israelis and Palestinians experiencing the kind of good relations the U.S. enjoys with Canada.
Yes I do believe that such a peace would be good for all parties, just as believe that the bloodshed in the Middle East has caused pain and suffering throughout the region and world as a whole. Yes I want peace, even if the price includes giving up hard-fought-lands, and unequal concessions.

That said there has to be a division between what you will give up for peace, and what you will give up for the "Possibility" of peace.

On Monday, October 8th, a representative of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that his government would support a division of Jerusalem.

Such a division is a key component of an Israeli-Palestinian declaration, which will be the cornerstone of the U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference scheduled in November. The expression, “God is in the details”, never seamed truer, than in any sort of plan to divide the holiest and most controversial parcel of land on the planet. How do you divide Territories separated not just by natural geographic boundaries, like rivers and hills; but also by thousands of year of history- land that has been fought over in countless battles over the millenniums.
Haim Ramon, Deputy Vice Prime Minister of Israel, has proposed turning over many of the Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem to the Palestinians, but Israel would not transfer control of the Holy City and neighborhoods around it to the Palestinians According to Ramon, it is these areas that could be the capital of a future Palestinian state.
This is the land, which Israel captured from Jordan, when attacked, in the 1967 Mideast war. As for what Israel would receive in exchange for giving up land; the international community, including Arab states, would recognize Israel's sovereignty over Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem as well as it's right to call those areas of the city it's capital.
According to Ramon, even the hawkish elements of Olmert's coalition, such as Avigdor Lieberman, a Cabinet Minister of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party, would back such an Israeli concession. Ramon as so spoke of support from The centrist Labor Party
"There are two central parties that agree to this," Ramon told Army Radio. "The most important thing is to preserve the state of Israel Jewish and democratic."

There is no question but that having Arab states, recognize not just Israel's "right to exist, but the' re sovereignty over Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem and the right to define those areas it's capital, would be a major step towards Peace.
In part as a diversion, many other conflicts have been linked to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Any true movement has the potential to break logjams in several other regional negotiations. All of which has the potential to be very positive.
The real question is "Will Israel be giving up land for peace, or just giving up land as the admission price for entering the room. If they give up control over a large part of Jerusalem before the Mideast peace conference even begins, what will they be asked to give up by the close of the conference? Who will speak for the Palestinians, Will it be Hamas? What about Gaza? Will al-Qaida allow a peace to take hold?
Yes, I would love to wake-up one morning and hear that Peace had finally found it's way to Israel, but I have my doubts it will occur in the near future.

All Star Insurance agency license will be revoked

I know I'm a few months late on this one, but after reading the article by Joshua Stowe:
I was so angry I wanted to add my comment.

As an Insurance Agent, let me tell you, this kind of story really bothers me.
For over 48 years Urban Insurance Agency has been helping our customers save money and solve their insurance needs. We work hard for our clients and conduct our selves in a lawful and honest fashion. I have to tell you that most of our competitors also operate in a proper way.
This gives all agents a bad name.
Something that 99% do not deserve.

I don't want to imply that I'm the only honest insurance agent out there. The fact is Daneile Frydrych is really the exception.

I feel bad for all of the customers that ALL STAR INSURANCE cheated. People give you their money and trust that you will do the right thing. Trust is the very heart of insurance.
It is clear that Daneile Frydrych not only hurt her customers but also the Insurance companies that she dealt with, as well as the Department of Insurance in Indiana, and her own employees who might have been trying to do their job correctly.

Larry Lubell
www.urbaninsuranceagency.com

JOSHUA STOWE
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- The owner of a local insurance agency won't be selling policies anymore, state officials announced Thursday, during a hearing in which customers and investigators described how she allegedly lied to customers and misspent the money they paid her.

During the hours-long administrative hearing, investigators used customer testimony and bank records to paint Daneile Frydrych, owner of All Star Insurance in South Bend, as someone who used customers' money to finance her gambling habit and pay for personal expenses.

Frydrych spent money at casinos in Las Vegas and Michigan City, at clothing and book stores, and at a local adult entertainment store, investigators said, taking money that customers mistakenly believed was being spent on their home and vehicle insurance policies.

At one point, her response to a question about Frydrych's spending habits drew snickers from the crowd.
While discussing how Frydrych allegedly spent money from a company account at the Adult Emporium in South Bend, attorney Holden asked, "Definitely not your typical business expense? Ankney replied, "I don't know what kind of office equipment you'd buy at the Adult Emporium."
jstowe@sbtinfo.com


I'm not sure what she was buying at the "Adult Emporium" but it's clear that her customers were getting screwed.

As I said before, the lions shair of agents are out there doing it right. I am glad to see that All Star is not going to be cheating any more customers.


Larry Lubell
www.urbaninsuranceagency.com

Did the USDA’s delay destroy a 67-year-old company?

Today Topps Meat Co. announced it was closing its business. This comes six days after it was forced to issue the second-largest beef recall in U.S. history. The recall comes in the wake of a cluster of illnesses in the Northeast caused by E. coli bacteria.

The C.D.C*. lists “E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Although most strains are harmless, this strain produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness”. “Though most illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef, people have also become ill from eating contaminated bean sprouts or fresh leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach.”

While E. coli out-breaks can come from a variety of sources, Ground beef, is by far the most likely. In fact I have met several people in the business of selling meat that have told me they wound not eat ground beef unless they ground it at cooked it them selves.

This begs the question, why was the USDA so slow in investigating, and taking steps to address the out-break? On Thursday, only after New York State Department of Health find evidence of a wider problem, did top USDA officials state they would speed warnings in the future.
"We don't understand why it took so long to recall this meat. If there was a victim in August, it should have been revealed weeks ago," said Jean Halloran of the Consumers Union.

Topps Meat Co. on Sept. 29 recalled 21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef ( a year's worth of production)
"This is tragic for all concerned," “The decision will cost 87 people their jobs”, said Topps chief operating officer Anthony D'Urso, a member of the family that founded the company in 1940.

Topps, which is a Family owned company claimed to be the leading U.S. maker of frozen hamburger patties. Their web site show that there products are sold in supermarkets, schools, restaurants, hospitals and hotels.

Understanding the importance of food safety, critics question that every lot of processed meat should be tested. Today only “Spot” checks are required. Had the USDA required that each batch of food be tested, the number each year that get sick, and or die, from, contaminated foods would drop dramatically, and maybe 87 people would still have their jobs.

http://www.urbaninsuranceagency.com/
*Content source: Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases / Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases

Is China’s economic boom a threat?

Start picking up products at your home or office and count how many of them are “Made in China.”
It is impossible not to have recognized the startling growth of the Chinese economy. The question, “Is China’s economic boom a threat to the U.S.” is hotly debated and the answer quite unclear. The fact is a credible case can be made either way, with a substantial body of evidence backing the conclusions.

First the reasons for concern are obvious and include our loss of manufacturing jobs, China’s increasing economic influence, global environmental impact and an ever increasingly powerful military. Each, in it’s self a legitimate reason for our concern.

There was a time in American history when a person could graduate high school, get a job in a factory and earn enough money to buy a home, two cars, take a yearly vacation and maybe even share a set of season tickets to the bears. The number of good manufacturing jobs able to support the “American Dream” has dwindled, and clearly the availability of those jobs continues to fall. Some of these jobs have been lost to robotics, but the lions-share has simply moved to low wage markets; and China is the king of low cost manufacturing.

It is difficult to see how an American plant can complete against a plant in China, backed by the government, paying Seventy Five cents an hour, with no vacation or time off pay, using cheaper, at times dangerous materials banned in the U.S. China’s practice of keeping their currency artificially low, exacerbates the problem by giving them the ability to offer goods an unfair competitive price. The communist government also keeps the inflation rate low and keeps the workers poor. They are able to do so because of both their tight control as well as having an unlimited supply of low skill workers willing to take any job, making it almost impossible for workers to ask for higher wages.
The United States has benefited from being the worlds largest economy.
With size comes power and influence. We have been able to use the scale of our economy to attract foreign investment, have significant sway in the creation of international laws and have countries cater to the needs of our market. The same way a newspaper might be reluctant do a negative story about a company that is that papers largest advertiser, countries might let the importance of our market affect their political decisions. China’s economic stature has catapulted its ability to control world markets and has silenced, or at least lowered the volume of, complaints regarding their Human Rights violations.

China is currently the world's second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. This is despite the fact that average person in China consumes only 10-15% of the energy an average used by a US citizen. Based on an objective analysis of the projected Growth of the Chinese gross national product, and the inevitable upward demand of their standard of living, one should expect China's total emissions to overtake America's by mid-century. This increase could more than offset any improvements and sacrifices made by Europe and the U.S. If one is to believe the “Doomsday predictions” of many environmentalists, the rise a energy consumption by China, and other developing nations is the greatest single threat to Mankind. Short of the most extreme, and least proven of the predictions, the general scientific community has come to recognize a connection between greenhouse gases and global temperatures. Even some of the most reluctant and conservative of the scientists, still view a large increase in CO2 as a point of concern. That said, it is difficult to see why this global condition would affect America more than China.

Think You're Paying Too Much For
Car Insurance?

Urban Insurance Agency has been saving people money
On their Car Insurance for over 45 years

Call 1-800-680-0707 or click to get a Free Quote.

There is no question that China’s military is becoming ever stronger and is interested in projecting its authority throughout the region and world. To date, they have not focused their might towards attacking their neighbors. But looming at the horizon is the ever-present reality that China considerers Taiwan a part of their country. One gets the impression that the communist government feels it has enough on it’s plate at the moment and can wait for the reunification. But China has made it clear not to mistake patience for a lack of resolve. America is in the awkward position of on one hand of formally recognizing the “One China” proposal, while at the same time having a pact to defend Taiwan against an attack from the mainland. This has the potential to draw the U.S. into a major war with the communistic regime. China military might also looms large over Japan, Korea and the whole south pacific. It is also well documented that China has Inter-continental ballistic missiles aimed at American cities -A fact that should concern every U.S. Citizen.
While we must keep a watchful eye towards Beijing, I can’t help but have some confidence in the pragmatic nature of its leaders. It appears clear that the leadership is determined to take their country forward and become a dominant force in the 21st century, while still maintaining its dictatorial control. The good news for us is that they will not be able keep control and bring the country forward. Up till this point their success has been based on manufacturing other peoples products, and doing so at near starvation wages. Even this amount of development has come at the expense of many of their communistic ideals. Chief among them is the Marxist mantra of “Each contributes according to his abilities, and receives according to his needs” This is in stark contrast to the fact that China is Ferrari’s fastest growing market (cars are priced at up to 3 million yuan ($A525,000) Ferrari and Maserati brands plans to open dealerships in 11 mainland cities over the next 18 months. Italian designer Giorgio Armani opened a Chinese flagship boutique last month in Shanghai, the country's business capital and richest city.
China is correct in recognizing the need to cater to those that have the skills and creativity to build a modern society, However in the long run they are wrong to believe that they will be able to control this new world the way they were able to manage the old agrarian country of Mao.

It is clear that Tiawan is banking on the idea that China starts to loose it’s dogmatic athority prior to it’s inevitable reunification. It is also clear that the comunists in power will fight to keep power. No one should ever forget the Tiananmen Square massacre Obviously, it is not the intention of leaders to ever surender power, but they are traveling down a path they do not truly understand. Shhh…. Don’t tell them, but they are supervising over the building of a society that will in the end not tollerate them. Yes they will fight tooth and nail to hold power, and yes we will see more incidences like Tiananmen Square. But in the end, they will fall because there is no place for them in a 21st century first world nation.


China, over the next 25 years is likely to become the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. There are many that believe that the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide would be, to invest hundreds of billions of dollars to improve China's energy efficiency. While there is a clear logic to such an investment, most in the U.S. believe Congress would never support such an approach, fearing it would undercut competitiveness of U.S. companies. The flip side is, one can view China’s need to generate large amounts of clean energy as an opportunity for American companies to sell products into China to meet these needs and perhaps reduce of trade deficit.A quick look at the coastlines in Asia point to the danger that rising oceans pose to China. While one can question some of the claims of environmentalists, there is no doubting the potential market for clean products.

New "Britney Sex Tape"

Britney.... The Train Wreck Continues


I'm glad I'm not FAMOUS.

Yes, she is on a self induced downward- spiral. And yes, anyone that made the kind and number of mistakes that she did, would also be on a similar trajectory; That said it has got to be hard living in a fish bowl.

I do feel sorry for her even while I blame her at the same time.

www.urbaninsuranceagency.com