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Chicago Man Turns up after 32 Years

Chicago skyline at sunrise

Image via Wikipedia. Chicago skyline.

In 1979, a Chicago man by the name of Arthur Gerald Jones disappeared without a trace. Because of the debts he owed, and his potential ties to the mafia, he was declared dead seven years later in 1986, so it was surprising when the man turned up recently in Las Vegas under the name of Joseph Richard Sandelli working for a sports book there.

He was arrested for using a social security number fraudulently, but has been charged with additional crimes since. These include some burglaries across the country: In Boca Raton, Florida, he was arrested on larceny charges in 1979 and then in Naples and Palm Beach in 1980 under the name of Robert Lage. He moved to California and changed his name again; this time to Richard Sanders. He was arrested in Santa Barbara, Las Angeles, and Westminster. He was connected to these arrests because of his fingerprints.

It was after this time that he moved to Nevada and changed his name to Joseph Richard Sandelli. Because of his most recent arrests, his previous identities were discovered. Jones has been charged with possession of personal identifying information to establish false status or identity and fraud, obtaining and using personal information of another person, and burglary.

As they always say, you can’t escape the past. Jones was able to escape his for 32 years, but eventually, at the age of 72, it finally caught up with Jones. Looks like he’ll get life in prison (because he likely won’t live to carry out his sentence).

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How to Find News on the Internet

Current example of Google's (and web search en...

Image by lambo via Flickr

The Internet is one of the best places to find the latest news. On the Internet, you can get news within seconds of it being reported. Search engines are the best way to find the latest news all over the world. Most search engines will even have the top stories on their homepage.

To start, go to your internet browser and input the address of the website or search engine you wish to get your news from. All of the latest news will be displayed at the top of the page, making it easier to find the latest news. Click on the link provided (the headline), and it will show you the entire update.

You can find any kind of news on the Internet. For example, you can find celebrity gossip, new fashion trends, or even something small like a quote for moving. You don not even have to look at the recent news. You can search for older news, if you wish.

You can find a lot of news in video form as well written form, so make sure your computer has the ability to view videos. Also, if you want to read the news, but the text is too small, you can zoom in the make the text bigger. The Internet does not only have news in the United States, it has news from all over the world. Say you want to travel to Europe and you want to see what the weather is like. You can simply look in a search engine and find your answer in seconds.

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The Art Institute of Chicago: Quick Facts

When it comes to the most popular and best-loved art museums in the United States, the Art Institute of Chicago can compete at a high level with the best of them, earning a spot on the list. Founded back in 1879, the institute houses an art school, along with its multitude of classical and contemporary pieces of art. In 1893, the institute moved to where it is presently located on Michigan Avenue.

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest art museum in the United States, second only to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and houses one of the most impressive and wide-ranging collections in the world. Since its founding in 1879, the museum has undergone a number of expansions, both in the size of the museum itself, as well as in the size of the collections it houses.

Perhaps one of the most iconic items at the institute is the pair of large, bronze lions that sit outside the entrance on Michigan Avenue. Crafted by Edward Kemeys, these statues have become a favorite attraction of tourists, as well as Chicagoans. These statues are decorated for holidays, as wel as notable sporting events, such as when in spring/summer 2010 when the Chicago Blackhawks made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They’ve also sported large football helmets when the Chicago Bears make the playoffs.

Notable artworks include “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette” by Georges Seurat, “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper, and “Bedroom in Arles” by Vincent Van Gogh, as well as more modern works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, among others.

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Chicago’s Famous Field Museum

If you’ve been thinking about taking a vacation to Chicago, whether solo or with your family, be sure to visit the Field Museum on Lake Shore Drive in downtown Chicago. The museum is located in an area of the city that is very popular with tourists because it offers many attractions including the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium, along with the Field Museum, and is near a multitude of restaurants.

The museum first opened in 1893 under the title of the Columbian Museum of Chicago. The name was changed to its’ present one, The Field Museum of Natural History, in 1905 after Marshall Field donated a large sum of money, enabling the museum to expand and then relocate to the current site on Lake Shore Drive.

The Field Museum houses many different types of exhibits, including a fully reconstructed skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Sue, which is part of one of the most popular nature exhibits. Other exhibits include Asian and African areas, which showcase fossils, various examples of taxidermy, as well as stories of both history and culture. The Underground Adventure is a favorite of this area of the museum, as it allows you to “shrink” and see what it would be like to live underground as in insect.

The museum also displays a number of special exhibits throughout the year. Past exhibits have included a large display of Chinese rubbings, a display on mastodons and mammoths, as well as an exhibit showcasing a large number of mummies from Egypt and other areas around the world.

To find out what the Field museum is currently showcasing, and to learn more about the discount and special days regarding admission, take a look at their website or call for more information.

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Chicago’s Favorite Haunts

Halloween isn’t just another holiday for children. The ever-growing emergence of haunted houses and ghost tours has turned the holiday into one that older kids and adults can love as well. There’s always the question of where to go, thanks to the ever-increasing number of haunted houses, but if you’re in the Chicago area, there are quite a few popular choices. Read on for some of the area’s favorites!

In Elk Grove Village, a short drive west from the city, you’ll find Eleventh Hour Haunted House. This location offers up four different haunted attractions, the most popular being the manor house. You’ll find stage-quality props and theatrical actors throughout Eleventh Hour.

Statesville Haunted Prison in Crest Hill has been frightening people since it opened in 1996. A replica of the old prison, this locations offers up prison cells full of insane inmates, along with gore and special effects from over 40 actors makes this one a fan favorite around Halloween.

One of Chicago’s newest and immensely popular haunts is Asylum Xperiment in Villa Park. Dave Link who is an expert when it comes to special effects created this site.  He’s combined animatronics with separately themed rooms that depict a myriad of horror scenes. Admission is a bit high, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re a horror fan. You even get a little extra—Blackout, a darkened maze filled with surprises.

Dream Reapers, another fan favorite, is located in Melrose Park a short distance from the city. The 22 rooms at this location combine with over 40 theatrical actors and over 40 different animatronics to offer a truly terrifying experience. Along with a simulated experience of being buried alive, this locations matches unique sounds to every experience it offers.

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Visiting Chicago With Your Tax Refund

You may be expecting a tax refund in the coming months if you filed your taxes and are expecting some money back as a result. Your mind is probably going a million miles a minute as you think about all of the different things that you can do with your extra cash. One possible option is going on a vacation to one of America’s great cities, such as Chicago, Illinois. This is a choice destination if you want to experience a wide variety of activities in a single area.

There are plenty of things to do and see when you visit fair Chicago. For example, you should definitely go and see the Sears tower, the historic museums, the world-famous restaurants and steakhouses, and you should absolutely experience a true Chicago hot dog as well. Chicago is a fast moving and bustling city that will give you what feels like an infinite number of things to do and experience. If you are looking for a way to really enjoy your tax refund check, consider visiting a city such as this one so that you can keep yourself busy and enjoy a unique city away from home.

The best way to get the most out of your tax refund check is to rely on the free taxes online option. More money in your pocket means more money to spend on your vacation, which is where your money should be going after all. Doing something nice for yourself with the money from your tax refund check is a good idea because you deserve a break after working so hard all year long. A vacation is all about enjoying the fruits of your labor, so why not spend your hard earned tax refund check on enjoying the world around you?

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Online Casino Games are all About the Gambling!

You might be landlocked in the middle of the country, but that doesn’t mean that the Atlantic City experience isn’t available to you in the Midwest! Chicago and its environs host numerous outlets for legal gambling, and it can be just as much of an experience as you’d receive if you took a visit to the hot and dry climate of Las Vegas. Just take a stroll over to Harrah’s Joliet Casino, where with one glance at the massive columns in the front of the building, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another part of the world. Coupled with the bright lights and polished ambiance, Harrah’s brings elegance to this Chicago area destination!

Even closer to the city center, the Horseshoe Hammond offers up a premier gambling destination where the dice aren’t the only things flying – so are the good times! Coupled with a metropolitan location, legendary shows, and exquisite dining experiences, the Horseshoe could become your new favorite destination in Illinois. If heading to downtown isn’t on your agenda for one reason or another, perhaps you’d prefer the Majestic Star Casino. Located in close proximity to the Gary/Chicago International Airport just off the easily accessible Cline Ave, the Majestic’s lakefront location can definitely substitute for Atlantic City any day of the week.

If you tire of the scene at the Majestic, then head on over to Ameristar Casinos, just around the corner. With state-of-the-art gaming and a deluxe feel, this place will help you to feel right at home placing bets. The future never looked so good as when highly polished met urban contemporary, and that’s just what you’ll get at Ameristar. It’s an atmosphere that feeds a vibe that just won’t quit until you do. After all, these opulent gambling houses are meant to be more entertainment oriented than your usual online casino games, where it’s all about the gambling.

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Navy Pier In Chicago – Dance, Acrobats And Shopping. The Whole Deal

No vacation in Chicago can be called complete unless you enjoy something out of the ordinary that you otherwise would not enjoy at home. The ledge at Willis tower is certainly something that you would not experience anywhere else in the western hemisphere. However, if you want something more fun, relaxing and entertaining, you can check out the Navy Pier and enjoy the performance of Chinese acrobats.

The Pepsi Skyline Stage hosts the wonderful acrobats who can come up with the most dazzling moves without even breaking into a sweat. This is a great way of spending quality time with your family enjoying the feats of human endurance. The acrobats move in a graceful manner and yet operate at top speed.

If you want to groove to the sound of music and if you want to let go of all the built-up stress and pent up energy, you can enjoy live music at the Bud Light Stage in the garden of the Navy Pier. The open environment combined with live music and the cool breeze of the lake is going to make a wonderful de-stressing experience.

If you want to have a feel of the water, you can ride any of the cruise boat rides that leave from the south dog of the Pier. The cruise boats are the only shipping activity that continues in the Pier today.

Don’t you want something to remind you of the wonderful time you had in the Pier? You can check out numerous retail shops in the family pavilion and buy lots of stuff ranging from souvenirs to utility objects like sunglasses and books. These shops are open throughout the year. Of course, it remains to be seen whether you would get time to take your eyes off the wonderful sights and sounds of Chicago to read the book.

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Check Out Top Snow Sculptures From International Experts In Chicago

A wintry cold January may not be the best time to visit Navy Pier. Not unless you have come from Alaska or Siberia. The water is going to be very cold and the waterfront is going to chill you to the bones. However, it is advisable to check out the Gateway Park west to the entrance of the Navy Pier. This is because the 2011 festival of Snow Days Chicago will be held at Gateway Park.

Fifteen teams of professional snow sculptors have been selected on the basis of submissions consisting of pencil sketches. This is a prestigious competition where the best snow sculptors participate and create wonderful structures. Chicago and teams from other states compete for the top honors year after year. This year, teams from international arena will also be present. The festival is expecting teams from Canada, Bulgaria, Russia, China and even Mexico.

The fifteen teams will present their snow sculptures and we will try to win the prize. If you want to watch the experts whip up and conjure images out of playing snow, then make sure you are there at the time of the festival. Make sure you land up with your video cameras are so that you can record the fantastic sculptures for posterity.

For those who want something more than just plain snow sculptures, you can opt for demonstrations of dogsled racing and weight pulling. There is a competition about snow boat rail jam and there is also entertainment for the entire family arranged in the family pavilion in the Navy Pier.

Hence, for all those who love winter sports and cheer it at all times, the snow festival in Chicago is going to be a must visit. If you plan to visit Chicago in and around this time, make sure you are present for the spectacular finale.

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What Is A Chicago Pizza? Do Not Leave The City Without Eating One

Homemade Chicago Style Pizza
Image by laviddichterman via Flickr

First timers to the city of Chicago or often puzzled by the hype surrounding the Chicago Pizza. At first, the dish seems to be no different than the standard pizza that Americans have been eating for centuries now. However, all it takes is a single bite to realize that Chicago pizza is worth all the hype and a bit more.

The primary characteristic of this pizza is that it is a deep dish delicacy. It was invented in 1943 in a pizzeria named Pizzeria Uno. In simple words, the club is called Pizza number one.

The club is always packed with clients and has been around for more than sixty years now. The specialty with Chicago pizza is that the base is more than two inches thick. That is right, the base itself will be this thick and the pizza will include other toppings as well. As always, the crust will be covered with lots and lots of mozzarella cheese. Uncooked tomatoes are crushed and a sauce is prepared and is arranged along with meat to complete the crust.

This happens to be the standard Chicago Pizza. You, on the other hand, are free to experiment and come up with any possible concoction. Chicago respects those individuals who can come with the wildest combination possible when ordering the Chicago Pizza. How about spinach on your Pizza? Or how about a combination of mushrooms, peppers, olives combined with pineapple?

If you, for some reason, feel that the Chicago deep dish pizza is not deep enough, you can opt for a stuffed version instead. The stuffed version is obviously going to be thicker and you probably would not be in a position to eat more than one pizza despite being a heavy eater. There are numerous restaurants that are dedicated to the deep dish Pizza. It is impossible to hide from these in Chicago.

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