Alderman Claus
Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza revealed to the Daily Whale during an interview for a recent profile that Alderman Tim Cullerton (38th) has been busy spreading the Christmas cheer this holiday season. Mendoza recounted how Cullerton showed up in “full Santa Claus gear” to her son’s first birthday party earlier this month – and she couldn’t get over how authentic his appearance was. “I really think he is Santa Claus,” Mendoza exclaimed. “I’m not kidding, I think he is.”
Another one takes the plunge
A City Club of Chicago toy drive on Wednesday drew $3,500 worth of contributions, according to City Club Executive Director Tweed Thornton. Since more than $2,000 was raised, Capitol Fax publisher Rich Miller – the speaker at Wednesday’s City Club event – will be participating in the Special Olympics Chicago’s Polar Plunge fundraising event in March, according to Ashvin Lad of the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer. Miller will be joined by Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, Chicago Park District Superintendent Mike Kelly and Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the event next year.
All aboard
John Tolva, Pritzker Group advisor and former Chicago chief technology officer, on Wednesday tweeted a photo snapped while riding the Chicago Transit Authority’s 2013 Holiday Train. “Damn right I’m on the holiday train,” he wrote. The CTA’s six-car holiday train – which is decorated with lights, garland and bows and led by Santa Claus and his reindeer on an exposed flat car – will be operating through Monday, Dec. 23. Visit TransitChicago.com for the full schedule.
A Christmas past
Chicagoist posted a 27-minute-long video from videographer Franklin McMahon entitled “An American City at Christmas Time.” The video depicts Chicago during the holiday season in 1978. McMahon – who worked for the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and Sports Illustrated, among other publications – donated the film to the Chicago Film Archives nonprofit before passing away last year.
-Tom Butala