One final reason: Chicago is a striking and beautiful city, no matter the weather. With that in mind, here are 4 photos obtained from talented Flickr artists. Credit is given to the respective artist below each image.

@stuckincustoms

@discopalace

@picstuff

@davetamburo

Chicago is a beautiful city, and Eastgate Village has beautiful townhomes and condominiums in Chicago’s Near South Side. With a buyer-friendly market and the extension of the homebuyer tax credit, now is as good a time as you’re going to get to purchase your new home. Click here for more details on Eastgate Village or to schedule an appointment for a showing!

On December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese military. The surprise maneuver (one Japan and the Axis powers would eventually come to regret) officially brought the United States into World War II. 2,403 Americans were killed on that day.

In remembrance of the 68th anniversary of the attack, The City of Chicago will host Chicago Remembers Pearl Harbor at 11 am on Monday, December 7th at Navy Pier. The ceremony will take place at the Lakeview Terrace (east end of Navy Pier). Admission is free, so help honor those who fought in the face of extraordinary odds 68 years ago. Click here for details on the event.

Just opened yesterday, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is now in its ninth season and draws more than 100,000 skaters annually. It is free to skate and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10. The ice rink is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets. Click here for additional information!

Banana Shpeel by Cirque du Soleil @ the Chicago Theater. Running today until January 3, 2010

Cirque du Soleil presents a new twist on vaudeville with Banana Shpeel, playing this winter at the Chicago Theatre. Neither circus, musical nor variety show, Banana Shpeel blends comedy with tap, hip-hop, eccentric dance and slapstick, with a hilarious narrative featuring wacky adventures.

Admission runs anywhere from $23-$98. Click here for details and showtimes.

Josué Pellot, New Work @ Chicago Cultural Center. Running until January 3rd, 2010

Josué Pellot is an emerging Chicago artist whose work deploys several mediums and styles to examine his Puerto Rican roots that were transplanted to the quintessential American experience and mediated by its pop culture and consumerism.

He works with photography, painting, screen-printing, video and sculpture. His exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center on Michigan Ave. will be running until early 2010, and Pellot will be in attendance on December 3rd at 12:15 pm to talk about his gallery.

Admission is free. Click here for more information!

Chicago has a huge variety of things to do and places to see, no matter the season. If you’ve wanted to live in the heart of the city, minutes from the all the Windy City has to offer, Eastgate Village has wonderful townhomes and condominiums at Chicago’s near South Side. Click here for further information or to request an appointment for a showing!

The Golem film screening with music by Fulcrum Point, Friday @ 7 pm at the Chicago Cultural Center

The Golem is the classic 1920 silent horror film (click here for reviews) from motion picture pioneer Paul Wegener. The film depicts an ancient Jewish morality story about power, politics, magic and survival.

Fulcrum Point is a 5-member (string quartet and clarinet) group that will provide the film’s original score to go along with the film. The Golem will be shown at the Chicago Cultural Center and admission is free! Click here for complete details.

Family Days: Art without Borders, Saturday from 11 am – 3 pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art

The new season of Family Days continues as families explore the work of contemporary artist Liam Gillick, whose work is now on view in the museum. Families can experiment with their own designs, stories, and ways of making art by learning how Gillick draws from his world to create art.

Admission to this event is also free of charge, and it’s a great way to provide some intellectual and creative stimulation for your kids on the weekend. Click here for full details on the event.

Sunday Salon Series: Baroque Band, Sunday @ 3 pm at the Chicago Cultural Center

This Chicago Cultural Center event features Chicago’s period instrument orchestra performing a program of early music from Latin America. The event is presented in conjunction with the Latino Music Festival. Like the others, the concert is free to attend! Click here for the full details.

Eastgate Village is New West Realty’s beautiful near-South Side community of townhomes and condominiums. The spacious homes give you the perfect nest to help you relax and recharge after taking in everything Chicago has to offer. Click here for more information on Eastgate Village or to schedule an appointment!

Friday, October 30th:

Rob Thomas @ The Venue (Hammond, IN)

Type O Negative @ Metro

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds w/ Frankie Beverly and Maze @ Arie Crown Theater

Saturday, October 31st:

Bob Dylan @ Aragon Ballroom

Forever the Sickest Kids @ House of Blues

Casting Crowns @ Life Changes Church (Hoffman Estates)

Click here for more info or to schedule an appointment with New West Realty!