Before Michigan Avenue was the Magnificent Mile, it was all about State Street. Running through the heart of downtown to gorgeous Lincoln Park, this boulevard was the talk of the town. Even Frank Sinatra paid homage to it, declaring State Street “that great street.”

And even though Michigan Ave. has eclipsed old State Street, it’s still a great downtown spot for visitors to set up home base. And Orbitz makes it an even better spot, because you get the guaranteed lowest rate for hotels on State Street, Chicago.

But stop traffic - it gets better still. Shave an additional 10% off your stay with your Orbitz coupons. With that extra scratch, you can afford to stay in a suite fit for Ol’ Blue Eyes himself.

• Amalfi Hotel Chicago - Stylish architecture, spa amenities & other luxurious extras
• Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown - Spacious suites with a separate room for dining & relaxation
• The Westin Chicago River North - Sweeping river views & world-class on-site dining options

Take a walk along State Street, and you’ll get a glimpse of where Chicago has been and where it’s headed. See classic Chi-Town landmarks and their new-and-improved facades, remodeled after a recent multi-million-dollar revitalization initiative:

• Macy’s on State Street - Formerly Marshall Field’s, a celebrated favorite of Chicago shoppers for generations
• The Chicago Theatre - America’s first giant movie palace & still the premier venue for live performances
• The Chicago Building - Favorite of architecture buffs & icon of the Chicago School design movement

Tell Me What’s Going On

Video Games Live at the Chicago Theatre (November 15)

Relive your video gaming glory - from Tetris to Tomb Raider - at the Chicago Theatre. Check out video clips of your favorite titles synchronized to music from an orchestra, choir, soloists, electronic percussionists and more. Plus, get there early for the free pre-show festival!

Whether you’re a devotee of the classics or a new-school shooter junkie, EB Games delivers titles for every platform - except your ancient Atari. Plus, get free shipping on orders of $25 or more with your EB Games coupons!

Local Restaurant of the Day - B.B.Ques

When craving for barbeque wings, there’s no need to break out the grill. That’s too much work! Simply visit B.B.Ques, a barbeque restaurant by University of Toronto and enjoy juicy grill delights. There’s less clean-up. They take the time to marinate their Toronto BBQ ribs and food. Plus, they trim the meat to get rid of the excess fat.

What’s more is that they use specialty BBQ sauces that make their food simply delectable. Try their Toronto chicken wings with a taste you can’t find in other Toronto BBQ restaurants.

• Buy 1 regularly priced menu item & get the 2nd one free!
• Famous BBQ burgers, extensive vegetarian BBQ food menu
• BBQ delivery in Toronto
• Opened until midnight

They have a high-stool section for those who dine quickly and go. And they also offer comfy booths for get-togethers. Or check out their online BBQ take out menu!

The best presents become brandished into memory, and we look back on them fondly even years later. For example, I still remember the 16th birthday gift from my best friend, Maggie - she wrapped up sixteen full-sized boxes of chocolates as a single gift! Loved it because it made me laugh. And my dentist loved it for different reasons.

For just an acquaintance, it’s okay to give a run-of-the-mill soap on a rope, but when it’s someone close like your best friend, that simply won’t do. Give them a gift that they’ll remember forever…or at least one that they’ll be talking about for days.

Whether you want to find the perfect gift for the co-worker who’s retiring soon or you need something that’s sealed with a kiss, RedEnvelope is your source for unique presents that you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Come redeem free RedEnvelope coupons by October 31 for 10% off orders of $50 or more!

They pull out all the stops with these showstoppers:

• Little Froggy Baby Basket - Ideal gift for baby showers that won’t leave your wallet croaking
• Baseball & Football Hammer - Talk about hitting the nail on the head when you give this to a sports fan who’s also a handy(wo)man
• Floating Desktop Globe - When you’ve truly got the whole world in your hands, you actually don’t need to touch it
• Transit Token Cuff Links - This stylish accessory is for the man who’s going places

For more unique gifts with personality, check out the e-shelves at RedEnvelope today for all the hits and never even a single miss.

October 23rd - It was on this day in history in 1814 that the 1st plastic surgery was performed. I can’t help but think of the TV show Vanity Insanity. There are some people who’ve had over 50 plastic surgeries performed on them! Now, although I’m shocked at this number, I can understand why some people attempt to stay young-looking for as long as possible. But there are ways you can prolong a youthful look that’s wrinkle-free and radiant without breaking the bank. In your daily routine, include a soft facial scrub to oxygenate your skin, then apply night creams that smooth out wrinkles.  There are even ointments that can be applied around your eyes and mouth where wrinkles are most prominent. And such products can be found online for a lot less than you think. Head over to Beauty.com for anti-aging creams and more. Use our free Beauty.com coupons to save $10 when you spend $60 or more!

1941 - Walt Disney’s Dumbo Is Released - I love this movie! It teaches children so many things about morals, courage and never giving up. Poor Jumbo Jr. is nicknamed Dumbo because his ears are big. But he soon realizes that his ears can make him fly! And although his mother is also his closest friend, his best friend is a mouse - this teaches children not to buy into all the stereotypes that surround us (there is a stereotype that elephants are deathly afraid of mice). Plus, it also teaches children that there is a purpose for everything. Although Dumbo’s ears seem like a curse to him, they’re actually a blessing. Like I said, this movie is full of great teachings for the little guys. For fun activities that teach children these simple ideas and much more, head over to Magazines.com.  Discover the great magazine Highlights for kids! Use our free Magazines.com coupons to save $5 on your subscription to the Highlight mag for your child! 

Famous Birthday

Weird Al Yankovic, 49 - He’s weird, alright!  But believe it or not, it’s hard not to laugh at his weirdness. Some people may disagree, but his humor is the kind you don’t have to think too hard to get, making it so appealing. Whether he’s making fun of a celebrity or a new hit song, it’s always hilarious. If you could listen to Weird Al whenever you wanted, Monday mornings would be so much easier. You’d be walking into the office giggling while others are still yawning and grunting moody good mornings. So, to get a dose of Al whenever you want, subscribe to Sirius Satellite Radio. The commercial-free comedy station has him on all the time! Use our free Sirius Satellite Radio coupons for 15% off. Enjoy commercial-free music, sports and comedy channels in your home and car for less!

TV Talk Show Host Day - Today we’re celebrating TV Talk Show Host Day as it also is the birthday of late night talk show host, Johnny Carson of The Tonight Show. Being too young to have ever watched his show, I know that it was a huge hit and always had the best and most famous celebrity guests. The Tonight Show is now hosted by Jay Leno and will be taken over by Conan O’Brien next year. I am a huge fan of late night TV talk show hosts and sometimes find myself struggling to stay awake to watch these kings of late night comedy. That is not to disregard daytime talk show hosts. Some of these daytime talk show hosts have been on for twenty years plus…does Regis Philbin ring a bell? I love him! As you can see, TV talk show hosts have had a major influence on our television viewing experience and we always look forward to seeing their faces any time we turn on the TV! Speaking of…if you’re looking to maximize your talk show viewing experience, and need a new TV, check out Overstock! Save $5 on discount Philips and Toshiba HDTV and LCD televisions on orders of $100 or more when you use Overstock coupons.

National Mole Day - I’ll resist my urge to quote Austin Powers in Goldmember…actually, I can’t help it! Moley, Moley, Moley! OK, so today we’re not celebrating those kinds of moles, we’re celebrating something different. National Mole Day recognizes Amadeo Avogardo’s number 6.02 x 10^23 which defines the number of particles in a mole. This scientific number translates into 6:02 10/23 (October 23rd). At first I was ready to give up on this holiday, except I realized how important this holiday is to chemists, teachers and chem students. Every October 23rd between 6:02am to 6:02pm, these chem enthusiasts celebrate by doing what they do best - teaching students the impact of chemistry in our daily lives. Although I may not know anything about scientific chemistry formulas or concepts, I do have respect for today’s holiday because I think it’s a cool holiday! Are you wondering how you’ll celebrate? Check out Hobbytron for science- and chemistry-related gadgets that’ll make you or a science lover you know really excited! Receive free ground shipping on science and chemistry laboratory kits and more when you use Hobbytron coupons.