The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony airs tonight on NBC. Of course, we here in the States are rooting for all our U.S. athletes. Be on the lookout for these Chicagoland athletes:
Jorge Torres from Wheeling is making his Olympic debut for the U.S. this summer, competing in the mens 10,000m in Track & Field.
Christian Vande Velde from Lemont is participating in his second Olympics, representing the U.S. in Road Cycling.
Matt Grevers from Lake Forest is another Olympic rookie who had great numbers when he qualified for the 100m backstroke and 4×100m free relay in Swimming.
Brad Guzan from Homer Glen will be the goalkeeper on the mens Soccer team, but at home, he is also able to play as central defender.
Brian McBride from Arlington Heights, the mens Soccer teams forward, scored a record-tying 62 league goals during his eight seasons with the Columbus Crew.
Christine Magnuson from Tinley Park qualified for her first Olympics by winning the 100m butterfly in Swimming.
Sean Rooney from Wheeling makes his Olympic debut this year and should be easy to spot. Hes one of the tallest players on the mens Volleyball team, standing at 69 (206 cm)!
Tom Hoff from Chicago makes his third straight Olympic appearance and is now the team captain of the mens Volleyball team.
Jamie Schroeder from Wilmette returns for his second consecutive Olympic Games, rowing in the mens quadruple sculls.
Christina Loukas from Riverwoods qualified for the 3m springboard with so many points ahead of the rest of the diving field, she actually won the spot before performing her last dive.
At 37 years old, T.C. Dantzler from South Holland is the second-oldest U.S. Olympic wrestler of all time, but he has only gotten better with age.
Candace Parker from Naperville has already seen plenty of success before making her Olympic debut this year, playing for the womens basketball team. Along with a number of other successes, she was selected first overall in the WNBA Draft and scored the most points in a WNBA debut (38).
Cappie Pondexter from Chicago was the 2007 WNBA Finals MVP and will be playing as guard for the womens basketball team.
Dwayne Wade from Robbins was a late addition to the 2004 U.S. Olympic mens basketball team, but he will be one of the teams leaders in Beijing.
Brittany Riley from Flossmoor will be hoping to win the United States first medal in the hammer-throwing event.
And to keep track of your favorite events day by day, check out the The New York Times Olympics Tracker.
Even if youve never heard of the name Jamie Lidell, youve probably heard his music. His song Multiply was used on the TV showGreys Anatomy, and his song A Little Bit More was featured in a series of Target commercials. His retro, experimental styles are back in his new album Jim, but his sounds are even funkier and more polished. Hell be at the Metro on Wednesday, October 8. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 12 noon CDT.
Celebrate with more than 35 music and dance acts at the Caribbean Festival at Union Park. The festival features traditional food, art, a talent show, and more. (Aug 8-10)
The 51st annual Gold Coast Art Fair displays work from over 350 artists along with food and wine vendors, music, and sculpting demonstrations. On Saturday, Ted Allen from the Food Network will lead a cooking demo and wine discussion. (Aug 8-10)
You can see singer Deana Martin and the cast of Jersey Boys at the second annualTaylor Street Festa Italiana. Sample food from a dozen local restaurants and play in a bocce tournament. (Aug 8-10)
Browse through bamboo products and wood carvings at the 53rd annual Ginza Holiday: A Japanese Cultural Festival. Walk among the colorful lanterns while taking in the costumed dancers, art exhibits, and several art demonstrations. (Aug 8-10)
The 27th annual Northalsted Market Days is the Midwests largest outdoor two-day festival, featuring more than 400 vendors and four stages of live music. (Aug 9-10)
The West Fest along Chicago Avenue presents live music from local bands, arts and crafts vendors, and food and beverages. (Aug 9-10)
The 13th annual Korean Street Festival takes place along Bryn Mawr Avenue and provides a combination of traditional and contemporary entertainment on two stages, including drumming, dancing, martial arts, and Ssireum. Be sure to try tasty foods like marinated beef and spicy rice cakes too. (Aug 9-10)
There are 15 dinosaurs moving, growling, and roaring at the United Center. Walking with Dinosaurs The Live Experience vividly presents how dinosaurs lived, evolved, and died. These reproductions are life-size and very life-like. Amazing! (Aug 7-17)
Chicago is well-known for its pizzas and beefs, but were a lot more than just fast food. Take Brasserie Ruhlmann steakhouse for example. This four-star establishment in River North (just east of the Freedom Center) makes dinner more than a meal; its an event.
People from New York City may recognize the name; the eatery is a spin-off of a restaurant by the same name at Rockefeller Center. With a mosaic floor, grand floral arrangements, and red-plush seating, Brasserie Ruhlmann is dressed to the nines. Up to 500 guests can fill the 10,000 square feet (929 m2) of space at a time.
The menu offers French classics that cater to just about every taste, from mussels to pork chops to salmon to duck. The bouillabaisse is full of texture and flavor, while steaks like the New York strip and charbroiled rib eye are juicy and perfectly cooked. Feeling extravagant? Pair your filet mignon with one pound (450 g) of lobster, or order the chateaubriand for two. Of course, you cant finish such an elegant evening with dessert. The raspberry Napoleon, apple tarte delouvrier, and profiteroles are incomparable.
It just goes to show that Chicago can do a lot more with beef than just put it on a bun.
Brasserie Ruhlmann ($$$): 500 W Superior St; 312-494-1900 Reservations recommended several days in advance Brunch Sun: 11:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Lunch Mon Fri: 11:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Dinner Mon Thurs: 5:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Fri Sat: 5:00 p.m. 11:30 p.m. Sun: 5:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Street parking difficult; valet available Public trans: Bus # 66 http://www.brasserieruhlmannch.com/
Jorge Torres from Wheeling is making his Olympic debut for the U.S. this summer, competing in the mens 10,000m in 
Candace Parker from Naperville has already seen plenty of success before making her Olympic debut this year, playing for the womens 
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The 27th annual Northalsted Market Days is the Midwests largest outdoor 
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