The Flatwater Classic canoe and kayak trip is scheduled for October 4th, 2009.  For more information, visit FOCR.

It's not too late to get out on the water!  Chicago River Canoe & Kayak's "Chicago Launch" is still open on weekends in October.  Visit their website for more information.

PAST NEWS AND EVENTS

September 2009

A local fisherman rescues someone who fell into the Chicago River near the Columbus Avenue bridge. [9/26/09; NBC News].

June 2009

Mayor Richard M. Daley will be the keynote speaker at the 5th Annual Chicago River Summit on June 5th, 2009 at the Merchandise Mart.  This important annual meeting brings civic leaders and local organizations together in an effort to improve all aspects of Chicago River ecology, commerce, and transportation.

The Big Fish Ball will be held on June 24th, 2009!  This fundraising event is sponsored by Friends of the Chicago River, and is a wonderful and entertaining opportunity to help support the Chicago River system.  Featured guests this year include Mayor Daley and Christopher G. Kennedy.

May 2009

Saturday May 9th is 17th Annual Chicago River Day.  Help volunteer with the Friends of the Chicago River for this fun and environmentally friendly activity!

April 2009

The Chicago River water taxis are up and running for the season!  Enjoy this unique and convenient way to commute through busy downtown Chicago! Visit the Chicago Water Taxi website for more information. [SunTimes; 3/31/09]

June 2008

Author Jonathan Genzen spoke on Sunday June 8th, 2008 at the Printers Row Book Fair.  More details to follow.

Join city leaders including Mayor Daley at the Big Fish Ball, an elegant evening benefit held along the Chicago River on June 26th.  A unique and entertaining way to help save the river!

May 2008

The 16th annual Chicago River day will be held on Saturday May 10th.  Volunteer and help out Friends of the Chicago River with vital river recovery efforts!

April 2008

The city has announced plans to expand the riverwalk along the Main Branch, including walkways that will now allow pedestrians to walk along the river under many of the beautiful downtown bridges.  More info can be found in this SunTimes article. [4/26/08]

The Wendella water taxis are now running for the 2008 season.  Times are listed in the following Chicago Tribune article. [3/23/08]

March 2008

Here's a link to recently posted video of the Southland Regatta at Fay's Point on the Cal-Sag Channel in Blue Island.  This event was hosted by the Chicago Rowing Center. [March 20, 2008]

For those intersted in dining along the Chicago River, here's a Chicago Tribune article about designing a new restaurant in the Trump International Hotel & Tower. [3/1/2008]

February 2008

Thursday Feb 21, 7pm - Author Jonathan Genzen will be presenting a lecture about Chicago River history at the newly constructed Chicago Public Library, Bucktown / Wicker Park Branch.  1701 N. Milwaukee Ave.  312-744-6022.  Free to the public.  Book signing to follow.

Saturday Feb 23, AM (Time TBA) - Jonathan will be a contributing presenter at the 2008 Chicago Maritime Festival, an annual event held at the Chicago History Museum.  1601 North Clark St.  For ticket information visit the Maritime Festival website.

Saturday Feb 23, 3pm - Author Jonathan Genzen will be presenting a lecture about Chicago River history at the Evanston Public Library.  1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL  60201.  Ph# 847-488-8600.  Free to the public.  Book signing to follow.  More info can be found here.

More info on the complexity involved in trying to improve the quality of water in the Chicago River can be found in this recent article entitled "Paddling upstream: Plan to clean Chicago rivers meets some resistance" from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. [Medill Reports Chicago; Jan 29, 2008].
 
November 2007

The Fannie May Chocolate Ferry water taxi will be taking visitors from the Metra Station along the South Branch to Michigan Avenue during the rest of the holiday season.  Free samples and a coupon for a free hot chocolate will be provided to all passengers [BeaconNewsOnline, Nov. 22, 2007; see http://www.chicagowatertaxi.com/ for more information].

October 2007

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra debuted "Chicago Remains", a musical work composed by Mark-Anthony Turnage and inspired by a Chicago River cruise!  [Chicago Tribune, 10/27/07]

ABC7 reports that the new control house at the Chicago Lock is now open!  This is the 2nd busiest lock in the country, and controls water traffic between Lake Michican and the main branch of the Chicago River. [10/26/07]

The Daily Herald published an article on the Clean Water Act, with a focus on how it has impacted Illinois Waterways, including the Chicago River.  Margaret Frisbie of Friends of the Chicago River was interviewed for this story. [Daily Herald, 10/18/07]

Friends of the Chicago River will host a Canoe the River Fall Workshop on October 21st.  See FOCRs website for more information on this program designed primarily for educators.

As further evidence of the Chicago River's recovery, a walleye was caught by a fisherman at 3am on Monday Oct 8th, just off DuSable Harbor on the river.  Not just any walleye, this one was the largest one ever caught in modern Chicago history!  It's possible that it may be displayed at Chicago's Shedd Acquarium. [Sun Times, 10/10/07]

September 2007

Here's a link to a wonderful story about the continued importance of barge traffic along the Chicago River system, written by Mike Danahey of the Courier News [9/27/07].

The Chicago River goes wireless!  Motorola demonstrated their next generation mobile IP wireless technology at the WiMAX World convention on a river cruise through downtown Chicago.  This WiMAX 802.16e technology will allow consumers to have ulta-high speed access to the internet by connecting to numerous mobile access points - in the case of the demonstration, they were set up along the river and at various points along Chicago road [CNNMoney.com; 9/26/07].

Visitors to the site can breath easier knowing that "Miss Pickles" the dog (a bullmastiff to be specific) was safely rescued by the Chicago Police Marine Unit yesterday after she fell into the Chicago River while chasing a rat! [Chicago Tribune, 9/27/07].  The article mentions something critically important - the owner did the right thing by calling the police instead of jumping in and swimming after her.  To quote, "at least two people lost their lives in the Chicago area over the last year and a half attempting to rescue dogs from local bodies of water."  Good to see that everyone's OK, and here's a photo of Miss Pickles from ABC7.

Here's a link to updated news about the Chicago Spire, designed by Santiago Calatrava, sparked by yesterday's official launching ceremony for the construction phase of the project.  The spire will be located along the Chicago River at a site near the NW tower of the Lake Shore Drive bridge.  This project (the world's largest residential tower) will definitely change the skyline of Chicago, and it should reflect beautifully the water of the Chicago River below.

The Sun-Times has a fascinating article about Chicago's last remaing Fire Boat [9/23/07].

The following link from the Sun-Times is an unexpected narrative about fly-fishing in the Chicago River [9/23/07].

The Leelanau Enterprise newspaper (WI) recently published an article [9/19/2007]detailing the continued impact of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal on Wisconsin.

A muskrat has found a new home in the Fish Hotel maintained by Friends of the Chicago River [Sun-Times, 9/19/07].

Jan Neises of the Chicago Architecture Foundation recently provided CNN.com with a list of Chicago's Architectural Highlights [9/14/07].

A recent story carried in many newspapers across the country was that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, in combination with researchers at the University of Illinois, has initiated a study designed to determine whether or not recreational uses of the Chicago River (kayaking, canoeing, boating...) are associated with increased health risks.  The rationale for this study has its origins in increased political pressure to included additional (but expensive) waste-water treatment technologies in the Chicagoland area.

The 7th Annual Flatwater Classic canoe, kayak, and bike adventure is scheduled for Sunday September 16th, 2007.

In news of the weird, an exhibition boxing match was held on the Chicago River! On Monday September 10th, a floating barge was home to this promotional event in anticipation of the 2007 World Boxing Championships to be held next month at the UIC Pavillion.  Chicago is in a bid for the 2016 Olympic games, and the boxing championship hopes to showcase the city's dedication to hosting in sporting events.

Mayor Daley has proposed a 5 cent gas tax in Chicago to help cover the costs of much needed repairs of the Eisenhower Expressway bridge over the Chicago River.  After the horrific bridge accident in Minneapolis, MN last month, the city is moving quickly to ensure that Chicago's bridges remain as safe as they are beautiful.

August 2007
The Chicago Air and Water Show is scheduled for August 18th and 19th, 2007.  Paddlers - be careful of extra boat traffic along the river!

July 2007
FOX TV (WFLD Fox 32) broadcast a segment about the Chicago Training Center on their Saturday July 14th News at Nine evening broadcast (See Video).  The Chicago Training Center is a non-profit organization which teaches disadvantaged youth the art and skills of rowing on the Chicago River.  This is an amazing organization, and a highlight of the wonderful things that can happen when community activism, environmentalism, and civic responsibility come together to enhance the lives of economically disadvantaged youth in Chicago.  We all benefit from such an endeavor!

The Annual Venetian Night festival will be held on July 28th, 2007.  Visit the City of Chicago website for more details.

June 2007
The 2007 Big Fish Ball will be taking place on June 7, 2007 along the Chicago River.  Contact FOCR for more information.

May 2007
Westcliffe Publishers and the University Quarters Bed and Breakfast are sponsoring a reception in Hyde Park on Thursday May 17th (5:30-7:30pm) to celebrate the release of the book!  Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.  The Bed and Breakfast is located at 6137 South Kimbark Avenue, Chicago IL, in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Jonathan Genzen will be giving a discussion of the project and book signing on May 19th at the Orland Park Barnes & Noble (6pm-8pm).  The store is located at 160 Orland Park Place, Orland Park, IL 60462.  Check back for more information!

The Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon will be on Sunday May 20th, 2007.

The 15th Annual Chicago River Day will be held on Saturday May 12th, 2007.  Volunteer to make a difference and help clean up the Chicago River!

March 2007
"Chicago by Boat: The New River Tour," a video documentary by Chicago's renowned producer / guide Geoffrey Baer will be broadcast on Sunday March 18 at 4:30pm on WTTW11.  For more information visit WTTW.