Another Scam

Travelers at O'Hare and Midway airport have access to free Wi-Fi, but only a few dozen websites.

The Chicago Department of Aviation and Boingo, the airports' Wi-Fi provider, have inked a deal that allows free access to more than 30 websites offering news, weather, shopping, banking and travel information. Visitors can access these sites through a "Good Stuff" portal.

Free websites include those for American, United, Delta and Southwest Airlines, but not some international carriers that operate out of O'Hare. Wi-Fi access is free to Chicago-based Orbitz.com but not larger travel site Expedia.com. Popular social media sites such as Facebook or email access are also excluded.

Fliers pay $6.95 a day for full Internet access at both Chicago airports, and the 24-hour pass can be used at select airports in the U.S. and overseas during that period.

U.S. airports are all over the map when on Wi-Fi, with costs and speeds varying widely. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport, the only one in the country busier than O'Hare, has a set-up similar to Chicago's new model. Passengers get handful of sites free and pay $4.95 to get full access.
Airport Internet speeds range from those that allow one to do little more than check email to downloading TV shows or movies. Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino said in a statement that O'Hare and Midway have one of the fastest Wi-Fi networks in the country.

sbomkamp@tribune.com | Twitter: @SamWillTravel

Maybe someone should take a closer look at the Boingo contract.

Ray Manzarek R.I.P.

Ray Manzarek grew up on the South Side taking piano lessons and was a graduate of Saint Rita High School, he went on to help form the legendary rock group the Doors.
Manzarek died on May 20 at the age of 74 after battling bile duct cancer, according to the New York Times.
As a member of a band whose sound would help define the late 1960s, Manzarek may be best known for his soaring organ riffs that became an indelible aspect of the band's sound.
It was a sound influenced by his classical training, according to the Times.

"The quasi-Baroque introduction Mr. Manzarek brought to the Doors’ 1967 single “Light My Fire“ . . . helped make it a million-seller. Along with classical music, Mr. Manzarek also drew on jazz, R&B, cabaret and ragtime. His main instrument was the Vox Continental electric organ, which he claimed to have chosen, Mr. Vitorino said, because it was “easy to carry.”

After Saint Rita, he went on to graduate from DePaul University and attended film school at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In a video interview recorded with L Studio in 2009 he talked about the power of making music.
"You don't make music for immortality, you make music for the moment," Manzarek said. "For capturing the sheer joy of being alive on planet Earth."
He is survived by a wife, son and three grandchildren

Thunderstorms coming our way.

 I will keep this map up until the threats have passed. 

Severe Weather Threat Will Continue Sunday Across Much of the Central U.S.

Another round of severe thunderstorms is forecast for parts of the central U.S. today into tonight. The area of greatest risk extends from central Okla. into eastern Kan., western Mo. and southeast Neb. where very large hail and a few strong tornadoes are possible. If you live in these areas, please monitor the latest forecast, and heed any watches or warnings that may be issued.

Vito and Nick's ranked #5 in the country.

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -

We all know Chicago has great pizza and now a survey of the country's food experts proves it.

Editors at the website "The Daily Meal" put together a panel of food critics and chefs to sort through 140 great pizza joints. Three of the top ten restaurants are in Chicago.

Pizano's made the number 4 spot, Vito and Nick's came in at number 5, and Gino's snagged number 8.

The Daily Meal ranked Di Fara, a pizza place in Brooklyn, as number one.