Bicyclists can hop on a sky-blue Divvy bicycle this summer without fear of not being able to dock it, officials said Friday.

Deadly Car Crashes Up 79 Percent In Chicago, 25 Killed Since January – North Center – DNAinfo Chicago

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14th! Celebrate Mom with her two favorite things: brunch and her favorite child – you obviously.

Complimentary Brunch for Mom at Latinicity at Block 37

You won’t find a shortage of bunch options in the Chicago Loop this Mother’s Day, but finding a better deal than free bottomless brunch may be a challenge. Moms receive complimentary brunch at Latinicity, a Latin-inspired food hall created by world-renowned chef Richard Sandoval, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Brunch at the Lockwood

Treat Mom to a relaxing and mess-free Mother’s Day! Lockwood’s Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet offers a variety of breakfast classics that are sure to impress even the pickiest of moms. Check out the restaurant’s Facebook page to receive a $20 spa credit with a brunch purchase to make Mom’s day even more relaxing.

Prix Fixe Mother’s Day Brunch at Roanoke

Treat Mom to a luxurious prix fixe brunch at Roanoke this Sunday. For $33 per person, diners can choose one starter, an entrée and dessert with options including Porchetta Eggs Benedict, Spanish Chorizo, Baked Pancakes and more.

Savory Brunch Buffet in The Walnut Room at Macy’s

Enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet in the historic Walnut Room at Macy’s on State Street from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The brunch buffet features a line-up of savory dishes including Mascarpone Scrambled Eggs, Mini Mrs. Hering’s Pot Pies, Maple Walnut Scones and Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast.

Mother’s Day High Tea at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

Make Mom feel like royalty with classic high tea service inside the beautiful Drawing Room at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. This exclusive experience includes one sparkling cocktail, sweet and savory bites including strawberry pistachio tarts, avocado toast, mini oreos, banana bread and more.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Rosebud Prime

Break out the bubbly! The Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at Rosebud Prime has all of Mom’s favorites and the champagne is unlimited. For $54.95, Mom can enjoy a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options including a Prime Rib Carving Station and Omelette Station.

Italian-Style Brunch at tesori

Treat mom to an Italian-style brunch at tesori this Mother’s Day. Mom will love the endless brunch options including an antipasta station, pasta station, carving station and a wide variety of sweet treats.

The number of bicyclists injured when the door of a parked vehicle was opened directly in their paths rose about 50 percent, according to data released by Illinois transportation officials.

In 2015, 302 bicyclists were “doored,” according to data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation. That is nearly a 50 percent increase from 2014, when 202 bicyclists were injured by car doors.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and local leaders broke ground over the weekend on the latest phase of the Grand Avenue reconstruction project, which aims to transform the road between Des Plaines Street and Fullerton Avenue.

The mayor was joined by Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th), Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) and representatives from the Chicago Department of Transportation at the Saturday ceremony, which marked the start of the fifth phase of the $13.6 million project. There are eight phases total.

In this phase, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, crews will reconstruct a 1.5-mile stretch of Grand Avenue from Chicago Avenue to Pulaski Street.

Plans include widening the roadway, constructing new sidewalks and installing accessible ramps and traffic signals. The signals will be installed along Division Street, Monticello Avenue and Grand Avenue.

“Grand Avenue is a major artery that carries thousands of cars and trucks through our community each day,” Burnett said in a prepared statement.

“This project gives us the opportunity to reinvigorate the neighborhood and improve the climate for businesses and also enhance quality of life for residents.”

During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

The city is planning to close the railroad viaduct at Grand Avenue and Homan Street next summer to accommodate for construction. There will be a detour via Division Street and Kedzie Avenue.

In addition to roadway work, crews will also be planting 149 new trees along Grand Avenue, as well as installing energy-efficient LED street lamps and permeable sidewalks along 20 percent of the project area.

The project is being paid for through federal dollars and TIF (Tax Increment Finance) funds.

Spending time with friends and family during Thanksgiving in Chicago this year? Even if you’re not spending your entire time in Chicago itself, it’s a great idea to make the most of your trip by spending an afternoon, or maybe the weekend, in the city.

If you’re researching some activities for Thanksgiving in Chicago 2016, check out these suggestions of local activities and more seasonal things to do in November.

They’re a great way to explore Chicago during the holidays, and get an early glimpse of their famous holiday decorations Save on Attraction Admission

Regular admission to a number of these Chicago attractions are included on the Go Chicago® Card.

Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate.

Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting

Millennium Park November 18, 2016

This year’s ceremony will be held in the Millennium Park location, although you can also watch from the comfort of your home (which you may want to do if it’s typical November weather!).

If you do choose to venture abroad, Millennium Park is also home to a number of excellent Chicago attractions, from the award-winning Art Institute of Chicago to the charming Lurie Garden (pretty fascinating even in the cold weather).

Getting In: Admission to the Christmas Tree Lighting is free. Art Institute of Chicago tickets are included with the Go Chicago® Card.

Chicago’s Museum Campus

If you’re looking for some indoor attractions in the Chicago fall weather, you can’t go wrong with the fine institutions at the Museum Campus.

Choose from the kid-favorite Shedd Aquarium, the fascinating Adler Planetarium, and my favorite, The Field Museum.

Each of these offers something unique to visitors, from an astonishing collection of natural and historical artifacts to some of the ocean’s most majestic creatures. Take the kids and spend the whole day at the Museum Campus!

Plan to visit at least two of these museums on the same day to maximize your time and the value of your card.

Getting In: Admission to all three Museum Campus institutions is included with the Go Chicago® Card.

Go for a Family Bike Ride

A bike ride is the way to get your exercise in Chicago while staying warm in the crisp fall air. It’s the perfect way to be out and active, as you zoom around the parks, along the lakeside, and throughout the city.

Check out the City of Chicago Bike Map  in order to plan your route before you go. With 20 miles of lake-front paved paths, Chicago offers plenty of opportunities to explore the beauties of nature in autumn.

Getting In: Bike rentals by Bike and Roll Chicago are included with the Go Chicago® Card.

McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Downtown Chicago
November 24, 2016

This parade has it all. In addition to the nation’s best marching bands, ginormous helium balloons of your favorite cartoon characters, and gorgeously decorated floats, you can expect tons of musical talent, too!

Arrive early to snag a spot along the parade route, or enjoy watching snuggled in your living room.

Getting In: Admission to the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is free.

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Palmer House Hilton 

The Loop November 24, 2016

If you’re not one for cooking at home – or, if like many Chicagoans, you’re dealing with big family in a small apartment – check out one of the many fabulous spreads throughout the city.

One of the most famous is the Thanksgiving Dinner held each year at the Lockwood Restaurant in the historic Palmer House hotel.

It’s a bit pricey, but the elegant atmosphere and unsurpassed dining experience are worth it. Remember to make reservations soon, as it books up quickly for this special event.

Getting In: Thanksgiving Dinner at the Palmer House Hilton is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Chicago® Card. For more information and to make reservations, please visit the restaurant website.

Christkindlmarket

Downtown Chicago
November 18 – December 24, 2016

Thanksgiving is right about the time when Chicago’s gamed Christkindlmarket gets going, a lovely tradition you won’t want to miss out on.

It’s basically a combination Christmas craft fair and German food extravaganza – two of our favorite things in one!

It’s a great place to get some holiday shopping done, and is a wonderful way to experience Chicago’s strong German heritage.

Getting In: Admission to Christkindlmarket is free.

Holiday Windows 

The Magnificent Mile Late November – December

Given its eclectic mixture of high-end stores, funky independent shops, and the most creatively designed major chain stores, it’s not surprising that the Magnificent Mile is even more beautiful than usual during the holiday season.

Right around Thanksgiving you’ll start to see the holiday decorations go up, and if you’re anything like me you’ll be tempted to photograph all of them.

Get some holiday shopping done and enjoy the first tastes of the December holidays.

Getting In: Window-watching on the Magnificent Mile is free.

Mag Mile Lights Festival November 19, 2016 Michigan Avenue

If you’re in town the weekend before Thanksgiving, don’t miss out on the BMO Harris Magnificent Mile Lights Festival!

It’s a beautiful celebration of light and color along one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, filled with music, dancing, fireworks, and more.

Getting In: Admission to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is free.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

We listed just a few fun suggestions for things to do in November and Thanksgiving in Chicago 2016. Of course, there are plenty of other activities to help fill your plans.

Remember, many of these great options are included on the Go Chicago® Card, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate.

Please note, the November and Thanksgiving events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go Chicago® Card.

Consider adding a few of these fun options to your November weekend itineraries.

The push is on to create a continuous bike trail along the Chicago River, but one of the biggest obstacles to developing such a path is the lack of available land along various stretches of the waterway.

Other cities — most notably Portland and Philadelphia — have solved similar problems by building floating trails. What would this look like in Chicago?

Entrepreneur James Chuck of the company Second Shore is pitching an option he’s dubbed RiverRide.

Picture plug-and-play, steel-reinforced concrete pontoon segments that could be strung together — and taken apart and reconfigured — in much the same way as toy railroad tracks.

Chuck said solar panels would power basic features such as lights, as well as bells and whistles that sound like something straight out of science fiction, including a precipitation-activated awning — all of which would make the trail usable 24/7, he said.

By completely separating bikes from cars on a riverfront trail, “there’s an opportunity to leverage the river for modern transportation,” Chuck said, as he presented an overview of the RiverRide concept at a recent meeting of the 33rd Ward Transportation Action Committee.

Developed by Marinetek, a company that specializes in marinas and breakwaters, each of the floating pontoon segments would measure 82 feet long and 6-12 feet wide, Chuck said.

They could be manufactured in Chicago, floated into place and secured with pilings, he said.

The intent is not to build a 27-mile floating trail but rather to use pontoon segments to connect parks and pathways on the river’s north and south branches, Chuck said.

“The goal is to enhance what’s there,” he said.

He estimated a cost of $5 million to $10 million per mile of floating trail, which could be funded with public dollars or private investment.

Some members of the Transportation Action Committee questioned the feasibility of certain elements of Chuck’s proposal, including the awning and the segments’ narrow width.

Chuck conceded he’s still working to gain support for RiverRide pilot segments that, if approved, could be installed by summer 2018.

“It’s really an important time to start connecting the city, not dividing it,” he said.

The infrastructure, Chuck said, is designed to be adaptable, particularly should some yet-to-be-invented technology render the segments or the need for a riverfront trail obsolete.

“It’s a temporary yet solid structure,” he said. “Who knows what the city will look like in 50 years?”

In addition to a precipitation-activated awning, trail segments would also include embedded conduit to heat the path and prevent icing. [All images courtesy of Second Shore]