From simple beginnings as part of a “Family Day Celebration” in 1959, the show has grown to the oldest and largest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States. With audience numbers reaching an average of 2.2 million annually, it is one of the largest spectator events in the world.  This year, performers include U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Nights and many more!

With Chicago’s magnificent skyline as a backdrop, free admission, and so much to see, the Chicago Air & Water Show is sure to be a show that is perfect way for the entire family to spend a summer weekend in Chicago!  For more information, click here.

Ellie, Sydney & Nathan join their Dad Brett of Exemplar Partners for a day at the office

Brett Richwine of Exemplar Partners, an OfficeLinks client that handles executive recruiting in the financial industry, brought in his three children: 6 year old Ellie, 3 year old Sydney, and 8 month old Nathan.  Sure looks like they like where Daddy works!

OfficeLinks is delighted to see parents participating in Take Your Child to Work Day.  Every day gives you an opportunity to talk to your children about uncovering the possibilities for their future.  Share with your children what you do at work and encourage them to tell you about their hopes and dreams for their future!   After all, they are the next generation at work!

Born, raised and currently residing in Chicago, Richard Hunt is an internationally renowned artist best known for his abstract metal sculptures and public artwork. The first African-American artist to have a major solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1971, Hunt has received accolades and recognition throughout his career, including the International Sculpture Center’s Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award, which he received in 2009.

Hunt has completed more public sculptures than any other artist in the country, including one of his signature pieces, Jacob’s Ladder, the three-piece welded-bronze sculpture that hangs from the ceiling and rises from the floor of the atrium in the Woodson Regional Library, located at 9525 S. Halsted Street right here in Chicago.

OfficeLinks invites you to venture down to Wills Tower’s main lobby now through May 7, 2010 to check out the amazing artwork of one of the finest artists of our time.  For more information about Richard Hunt and his artwork, click here.

Now through January 22, you can help Chicagoan stay warm this winter!  There are Coat Drive donation boxes located in the Wacker & Franklin lobbies for you to donate coats, boots/shoes, scarves, hats, gloves and mittens.  Donations will be distributed through the assistance of the YMCA.

Together, in the annual Toy Drive this December, we filled 14 boxes with toys that were donated to the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation for distribution to local children.  Thank you for bringing smiles to children’s faces this holiday season! 

OfficeLinks was delighted to hear that SkyRise Chicago raised over $800,000 for Willis Tower’s charitable partner, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC)!  More than 1,800 participants from 31 states and 5 countries took part in this November 15, 2009 fundraiser.  

Individual impressive stats include:

• Top Male: Matthais Jahn, 26, with an overall time of 13:09
• Top Female: Cindy Harris, 40, with an overall time of 15:08 (Cindy won the female division for the eighth straight year!)
• Youngest Top Male: Jack Sullivan, 10, with an overall time of 22:26
• Youngest Top Female: Allayna Gagnard, 10, with an overall time of 22:51

Registration for SkyRise Chicago 2010 opens in late spring.  For more information, click here.

OfficeLinks’ Chicago location is pleased to be a part of a community that is so willing to give and support Chicago.

Our clients are nestled, all snug in their spaces,
While visions of going home for the holidays bring smiles to their faces.
Reception is covered, the mail has been sorted,
It’s time to relax and cherish the moments.

The holiday parties were a big hit,
We are quite relieved, we must admit.
At Chelsea we had Sangria, and tapas from Sala One Nine
Dancing to salsa music is always a good sign.

At Bryant Park and Wall Street the parties were a blast,
All that delicious food sure did go fast.
In Chicago musical groups and poinsettias filled the lobby with cheer,
Toys for Tots and the Coat Drive were a big success, let’s do them again next year!

When out in reception there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our desks to see what was the matter.
Away to the elevator, we flew like a flash,
Asked our friends in the lobby what caused the big clash.

The streets were covered with new fallen snow,
A mysterious figure trudged to and fro.
“Now Christina! Now David! Now Antuanet! Now Lori!”
At the sound of his voice, there was no reason to worry.

It was our man Harsh, with Paul at his side,
Pulling up to the door in their grand new OfficeLinks’ ride.
It was orange and white, with tech galore.
You had never seen such a hooked up sleigh before.

Their cheeks all rosy, beaming with delight,
“To all a wonderful holiday and a celebratory night!”
Having much to celebrate, Harsh logged on to twitter,
In 140 characters, there was all glitter.

Christie popped up from the sack in the back,
She made the numbers work, that my dear is most certainly a fact.
Melissa pulled through, Blackberry in hand,
Brochures!   Quotes!  Office space!  All on demand!

There was much to jubilate, nothing on which to brood,
With everyone giving thanks to the holiday mood.
With unlimited Starbucks, filling every cup,
Company morale was ever climbing up.

Opening of Sears Tower, HD Videoconferencing, CoWorking all in 2009,
What will happen in 2010 will surely blow your mind.
With OfficeLinks’ cutting edge business environments, your company will thrive,
Reflect on your experience, tell us how you thrive.

Let us know what you think, by commenting on our blog,
Give us some meaningful feedback, take your mind for a jog.
If you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself,
Remember we know someone, we call him The Elf.

The Fear Haunted House at Navy Pier Chicago, only about 2 miles from the OfficeLinks Chicago office space, has been named Chicago’s #1 haunted house, as voted by the users of HauntedHouseChicago.com, and one of Haunted Attraction Magazine’s 25 Must See Haunts for 2009. This popular haunt can have a wait if you don’t get there early, but don’t worry, the blood-curdling screams of the tortured souls inside will keep you entertained.  Be prepared for the most gory, bizarre, hair-raising, horrifying Halloween extravaganza in Chicago! (Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.)

The Fear Haunted House at Navy Pier Chicago is open Thursdays through Sundays in October and November from 6 pm to 10 pm, to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $20. Check out their website for more information and discounts by clicking here.

Chicago View From Up Above

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words…and a video is worth even more!  If you haven’t seen the latest addition to Sears Tower / Willis Tower, here’s a video to give you a taste of what’s in store from the top floor of this Chicago Landmark building,…and home to the latest OfficeLinks Business Center.  Stop by and visit…in the meantime click on the image to sit back and watch from the comfort of your own seat.

Sears Tower - Willis Tower

It’s time for Chicagoans to bid farewell to the Sears Tower’s and welcome the newly named “Willis Tower”. The verdict is still out on how the new name will be used day to day. But other than a name change, not much will be different on the outside. But on the inside, there are some notable additions to this 110-story landmark office building.

On Floor 103: You can stand out on top of Chicago – literally! Visitors will be able to step out to one of four glass-floored balconies jutting 4 feet out from the building’s 103rd floor Skydeck and take in a complete view of Chicago from up above. In case you are wondering, that’s some 1,353 foot view down through the strong half-inch thick glass that can hold up to five tons of weight. Maybe it’s best to take in the sights before lunch!

On Floor 84: Work from the office of the future. OfficeLinks boasts top notch attention to detail throughout it’s 30,000 square feet, with 100 offices, 241 workstations and a High Definition videoconferencing studio. Like all OfficeLinks facilities, the Sears Tower location offers tenants a staffed reception area, secretarial and administrative services, multiple conference rooms, pantry & break-out areas, ergonomically superior lighting and furniture, wireless connectivity, and gigabit speed network access in a “green” office environment. See inside OfficeLinks Sears Tower Willis Tower Office Space for yourself.