The FBI and Santa Rosa Police Department are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspects responsible for the robbery of the Garda Armored Car Service in Santa Rosa, California.

On August 11, 2011, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Santa Rosa Police Officers were called to the Garda Armored Car Service at the 1600 block of Northpoint Parkway regarding an armed robbery. The robbery occurred as an armored car was arriving at the business.

The suspects, armed with an assault rifle and an automatic handgun, entered the business. Two victim employees were present at the time of the robbery and were disarmed, restrained, and forced to cooperate with the suspects while being held at gunpoint. The suspects then exited the building and ran from the location with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. Both victims were unharmed.

Witnesses described the first suspect as a Caucasian male, 5’10” to 6’0” tall, 180 to 190 lbs, with blue eyes, and the second suspect as a Hispanic male, 5’6” to 5’8” tall, 180 to 190 lbs, with long dark hair and a Hispanic accent. Both suspects were wearing dark clothing, black masks, and gloves.

The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

This investigation is being conducted jointly by the FBI’s San Francisco Division and the Santa Rosa Police Department. Anyone with information as to the identity or whereabouts of the suspects is urged to contact the FBI.

The FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at 415-553-7400. All calls are confidential.

Members of the media should call:

• FBI San Francisco – Public Affairs Specialist Julianne Sohn at 415-553-7450
• Santa Rosa Police Department – Sergeant Steve Fraga at 707-543-3590

FBI and Santa Rosa Police Department Seek Information Regarding the Robbery of the Garda Armored Car Service in Santa Rosa | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Chicagoans love to show off their ability to deal with super cold weather. There’s the Polar Plunge and the Santa Speedo Run–which is happening this weekend.

The Santa Speedo Run is a one mile trek down Rush Street. Instead of running pants and jackets, however, participants wear as little as possible. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 20s Saturday morning.

“Speedos and swimsuits encouraged,” according to the group’s Facebook page. They will tolerate sweatshirts and parkas–but insist that all running gear is festive. Santa hats, striped bikinis and red speedos were popular at last year’s event–which raised $5,500 for the Chicago Diabetes Project.

What: Santa Speedo Run

Where: Starts at Shenanigans, 16 W. Division St.

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, December 4

Cost: $40 covers the race, a three-hour open bar with snacks, a Flip Cup tournament, costume contest and “North Pole” dancing.

Originally reported by Huffington Post Chicago. Read the original story here.

Santa Speedo Run: Near-Naked Runners Freeze For Diabetes | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 27 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Macerich® (NYSE: MAC), today announced that Art Coppola, Chairman and CEO, Ed Coppola, President and Tom O’Hern, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will participate in the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) REIT Week conference to be held in Chicago.  

The Macerich presentation will be from 9:00 am to 9:35 am Eastern Time, on Thursday, June 10th. The live audio-only webcast will be available online in the Investing section of the Company’s website at www.macerich.com. An online replay will be available through July 31, 2010 at the same location.

Macerich is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States. The company is the sole general partner and owns a 91% ownership interest in The Macerich Partnership, L.P. Macerich now owns approximately 74 million square feet of gross leaseable area consisting primarily of interests in 71 regional malls. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company’s Web site at www.macerich.com.

SOURCE Macerich

http://www.macerich.com

Macerich to Webcast Presentation at NAREIT’s REIT Week Conference | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

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Los Angeles, California (CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM) — Juan-Carlos Cruz, the former host of Food Network’s “Calorie Commando” is accused of plotting to hire homeless people to carry out a murder, California police said Friday night. The Santa Monica Police Department did not release details about the intended target or the alleged murder plot. The plan fell apart when the homeless people Cruz allegedly recruited told officers with the Santa Monica Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Program, authorities said

Former TV chef accused in murder plot | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 13 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), America’s largest provider of business information, today announced the results of its offers to purchase all of its outstanding 7.55 percent senior debentures due 2028, all of its outstanding 5.70 percent senior notes due 2014, all outstanding 8.50 percent capital securities due 2012 of First American Capital Trust I and all outstanding 7.55 percent trust certificates issued by the PREFERRED PLUS Trust Series Far-1 due 2028, which expired at 5 p.m., Eastern time, on May 12, 2010. First American has accepted for purchase, and will promptly pay for, all securities validly tendered in such tender offers. First American anticipates that the settlement date of the above tender offers, as well as the separate consent solicitation in respect of its 7.55 percent senior debentures due 2028, will be Friday, May 14, 2010. The aggregate amounts of securities validly tendered and accepted for purchase are set forth in the table below.  

As previously announced, holders of First American’s 5.70 percent senior notes due 2014 and 7.55 percent senior debentures due 2028, and holders of the 8.50 percent capital securities due 2012 of First American Capital Trust I, approved First American’s proposed amendments to the related indentures.  The indenture amendments expressly affirm that the pending separation transaction, currently targeted for June 1, 2010, in which the Information Solutions Group and Financial Services Group will become separate public companies, does not conflict with the terms of such indenture. First American and the trustee under the indentures have executed supplemental indentures effecting the proposed amendments.

About First American

The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a FORTUNE 500® company that traces its history to 1889. With total revenues of approximately $6.0 billion in 2009, it is America’s largest provider of business information. First American combines advanced analytics with its vast data resources to supply businesses and consumers with valuable information products to support the major economic events of people’s lives, such as getting a job, renting an apartment, buying a car or house, securing a mortgage and opening or buying a business. The First American Family of companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within five primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Information and Outsourcing Solutions, Data and Analytic Solutions, and Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at www.firstam.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release, including those related to the consummation of the spin-off separation and the structure and timing thereof, are “forward-looking statements.”  These forward-looking statements may contain the words “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “predict,” “estimate,” “project,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or other similar words and phrases. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the anticipated results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include those described in the Part I, Item 1A of First American’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, First American does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

SOURCE The First American Corporation

http://www.firstam.com

The First American Corporation Announces Results of Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations; Accepts Validly Tendered Securities for Purchase | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SANTA ANA, Calif. and ISMANING, Germany, May 4 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — SCM Microsystems, Inc., d.b.a. Identive Group (Nasdaq: INVE; Frankfurt Stock Exchange: INV), a provider of products, services and solutions for the security, identification and RFID industries, today announced that its SCM Microsystems and Hirsch Electronics business units have teamed up with local partner Native Systems to deliver a comprehensive smart access control solution to the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) in Abu Dhabi, which is tasked with handling the protection and security of the emirate’s vital assets and infrastructure.

The integrated smart access control platform enables CNIA to centrally manage and track the access of employees, visitors and contractors across various CNIA sites.  The combined SCM and Hirsch solution integrates the various CNIA sites onto a common security platform, ensuring consistent levels of security and technology standards across the system while providing increased flexibility to develop and manage the infrastructure of individual sites.

Al Otaiba Enterprises is the prime contractor for this project. Hirsch is delivering the full access control hardware and software components while SCM Microsystems is providing the access control and smart card reader infrastructure. Native Systems, an SCM Microsystems distributor, is providing the local system integration expertise and installation of the system across the various sites.

Michael Ganzera, Vice President Sales and Marketing SCM Microsystems commented, “This is a great opportunity for us to expand our local partnerships and presence in the region by contributing our expertise, gained over many years of experience in delivering access control and security solutions to the most demanding environments across the globe. We are very pleased that Hirsch and SCM could work together with Al Otaiba and Native Systems to provide a converged solution that will address the stringent requirements of CNIA.”

Mohammad Ramez, Vice President Al Otaiba stated, “We are very pleased to work with Hirsch and SCM as they are well known security solutions providers with a long track record in securing sensitive facilities and assets. They are delivering the solutions required for Abu Dhabi’s critical national infrastructure which is extremely important to the prosperity and security to the emirate and its citizens.”

The project is currently well underway. The first phase will be completed after the successful relocation of the CNIA to their new site; phase two will then be deployed over the next year in multiple stages.

About Identive Group

Identive Group (NASDAQ: INVE; Frankfurt Stock Exchange: INV) is an international technology group focused on building the world’s signature company in secure identification-based technologies. Through its group of recognized brands, Identive provides leading-edge products and solutions in the areas of physical and logical access control, identity management and RFID systems to governments, commercial and industrial enterprises and consumers. The organization’s growth model is based on a combination of disciplined acquisitive development and strong technology-driven organic growth from its member companies. For additional information visit: www.identive-group.com

About SCM Microsystems

SCM Microsystems is a global leader in security and identity solutions for secure access, secure identity and secure exchange. The company offers the world’s broadest range of contact, contactless and mobile smart card reader technology; physical and logical access control systems; digital identity transaction platforms; SCM’s solutions enable a wide variety of applications including enterprise security, identity management, contactless payment, e-health and electronic government services. For additional information visit: www.scmmicro.com

About Hirsch

Hirsch Electronics is a leading manufacturer of IP-based physical security solutions that interoperate with other networked databases, devices and systems.  Hirsch’s award-winning role-based access control, identity management, and security management systems integrate access control, digital video, alarm monitoring, smart cards and biometrics. For additional information visit: www.HirschElectronics.com

About Native Systems

NATIVE Systems is a technology solutions and integration services provider with more than six years of experience in the telecommunication, AV solutions, IT systems, security solutions and systems integration field. Our objective is to become a technology powerhouse with offerings ranging from office solutions to turnkey systems and green-field projects. Our commitment is to work on consistently delivering cost effective and professionally implemented solutions. www.nativesys.com

About Al Otaiba Enterprises

Al Otaiba Enterprises is a comprehensive organization enjoyed more than 13 years of excellence in the General trading business in Abu Dhabi. Al Otaiba has consistently produced cost – effective, professionally executed projects. By these years the company has been increasing its Technical Information and organizational capability in order to widen the quality services at all levels. Al Otaiba has completed a vast number of projects throughout Gulf Countries including many which required our specialty services and planning. Al Otaiba’s goal is to complete projects, in conjunction with our clients, safely, efficiently, cost competitively and with little impact on the environment. www.otaiba.ae

SOURCE Identive Group

SCM Microsystems and Hirsch Electronics Win Major Critical Infrastructure Project in UAE With Local Partners Al Otaiba & Native Systems | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions, announced today that it is working closely with the North Pole’s Department of Transportation (NPDOT) to ensure that Santa Claus has the latest NAVTEQ® map data powering his sleigh this holiday season.

In an effort to increase the efficiency, accuracy and general merriment of Santa’s long jaunt around the world on Christmas Eve, the NPDOT has identified NAVTEQ map data as the fundamental asset to his route planning.

NAVTEQ, the most widely used map for navigation*, builds the digital maps that power most in-vehicle navigation systems, as well as leading GPS device brands. Its digital map data offers accuracy, detail, reliability, and flexibility.

Continuously updated to maintain its freshness and precision, NAVTEQ digital map data not only enables chimney-to-chimney routing around the world, it contains millions of Points of Interest (POIs), making it easy to locate everything from restaurants and hotels to banks and sleigh repair shops.

Just like the “Naughty and Nice” List, the map of the world is highly complex and ever changing. In the past year alone, NAVTEQ has mapped and included many enhanced areas of content and coverage that will impact Santa’s voyage.

For example:

• A fully navigable map of Iceland is now available. Even though Santa is somewhat of a ‘local’ here, the addition of around 30,000 kilometers of road network and over 2,400 Points of Interest (POIs) will undoubtedly increase the crew’s confidence in this region. It is estimated that the Iceland leg alone will be reduced by 30 minutes thanks to NAVTEQ’s new coverage.
• Visual Content, including 3D landmarks and 3D City models, was released for 5 major cities in Brazil. Improved visual guidance and orientation in busy city environments, like Sao Paolo, will undoubtedly help Santa work his way through South America more quickly.
• Based on NAVTEQ’s proprietary fuel savings research, it is estimated that Rudolph and the other reindeer will require 5000 fewer tons of feed to fuel their flight around the world.

“We upgraded Santa’s sleigh last year, opting for a model with navigation, and were amazed at the time and energy savings seen in last year’s expedition,” commented Buddy D. Elf, Secretary of NPDOT.

“Everyone at the NPDOT, including Mr. Claus, now fully understands the value of navigation and the importance of a highly accurate and reliable map. We are excited to expand our relationship with NAVTEQ and expect to see even more marked efficiencies in this year’s Christmas Eve trek. We thank NAVTEQ for helping us realize the Christmas wishes of children around the world.”

*Based on GPS-based in-vehicle and portable route guidance devices purchased in the U.S. and Europe since 2000

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data that enables navigation and location-based platforms around the world.

NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital map information to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions.

The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 4,400 employees located in 195 offices and in 44 countries.

NAVTEQ is a trademark in the U.S. and other countries.

Santa Claus Partners with NAVTEQ to Ensure a Smooth Christmas Eve | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Up until now there has been a problem when parents or other family members have tried to find Santa in the Chicago area. While the man in the red suit is appearing in hundreds of different  local venues, except for a few well publicized area events, it has been hard to actually find the old guy.

A new online resource, santainchicago.com, tracks all events where you can find Santa throughout the Chicago area.

A new Internet company, santainchicago.com, thinks they have solved this problem.

SantainChicago.com has pinpointed all of the various Santa events in cities and towns throughout the Chicagoland area and nearby Northern Illinois suburbs.

The Web site lists over 375 different places and events in the Chicago area where you can find Santa during the 2009 Christmas season.

To make it easy to find out exactly what kind of Santa events are available, they have listed each event by location and type.

For example, many area cities and towns have Santa offerings that include parades, tree lightings, children’s activities and more.

You’ll find just about every place that Santa is appearing in cities from Addison through Zion.

Events are broken down into different categories.

There are separate listings for area malls, organizations offering breakfasts, lunches and dinners with Santa, train trips with the “jolly old elf,” where to find Santa houses, where to go for pet pictures, plus  offbeat and unusual Santa events.

You’ll also find organizations that  host “Santa from times past” evoking a nostalgic yearning for Christmases of long ago. Free Santa events are highlighted so they are easy to find, you’ll learn where to go for story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus and you can even locate places offering pet pictures with Santa.

Want to cut your own tree?

One of the listings includes Christmas tree farms where you not only get your own tree, but let the children visit with Santa. There are events for special needs children—little ones with physical and developmental disabilities—where they can see Santa without having to wait in line.

An interesting addition to the web site is the “top ten Santa events in Chicagoland and Northern Illinois”, which makes it a breeze to discover some of the best and most popular Santa happenings at a glance.

Other resources you’ll find on the site are where you can hire a Santa and some free things available from Santa—for example recipes for his favorite Christmas cookies.

For more information, or to find Santa anywhere in the Chicago area, please visit santainchicago.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

John Sullivan, 630-837-9241
Jsul272@wowway.com

Find Santa in Chicago: New Web Site Tracks Santa Throughout Chicago and Suburbs This Holiday Season | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Next week is the time Holiday events in Chicago are in high gear.

Black Friday, the Christmas season’s biggest shopping day, kicks off the “mad rush” that means the Christmas shopping season has begun.

This gets people thinking about Santa Claus and Christmas events in Chicago. And there are hundreds of holiday events throughout the Chicago area that most people don’t know about.

These little-known happenings take place throughout almost every venue throughout the Chicagoland area starting in November right through Christmas Eve.

Up to now it hasn’t  been easy to find these events. So, Santa is holding a press conference.

Santa Claus—also know as John Sullivan—or “the Chicagoland Santa,” will be at 200 S Michigan Avenue, 4th floor, Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 10am to discuss where you can find Santa at hundreds of Chicago and northern Illinois venues this year.

**There will be many photo and video opportunities at Santa’s press conference**

**Members of the Media are encouraged to register to cover Santa’s press conference**

MEDIA CONTACT:

John Sullivan, 630-837-9241
jsul272@wowway.com

NEWS ADVISORY: Santa Claus to Reveal Where to Find Santa and All Christmas Events in Chicagoland Nov. 24 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

This popular holiday exhibition runs from Nov. 27, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010 and features new landmarks and fun outdoor winter activities including ice skating on the Esplanade and snowshoeing in McDonald Woods.

Held in the Regenstein Center, Wonderland Express features garden-scale trains winding their way over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls and detailed landscapes with more than 80 miniature versions of Chicago’s favorite landmarks.

New this year is the Union Stockyards’ Old Stone Gate, President Barack Obama’s Hyde Park home and Michelle Obama’s childhood home. Interpretive signs sprinkled throughout the exhibition give fun facts about Chicago’s history and architecture.

Realistic snow falls throughout the exhibition.

Made from all-natural materials, the Old Stone Gate is crafted out of walnut shells, poppy seeds and beech bark, and is topped off with magnolia leaves, pine cone scales, and leaves from a burning bush. The Gate’s iconic cow head, situated in the center of the Gate, is made from gourd seeds, peppercorns and sycamore leaf stems.

The front of the Obama’s Hyde Park home is layered with white pine bark and catalpa beans, which gives the illusion of a brick facade. Miniature flower pots made out of burr oak caps and acorns rest upon the front steps that are fashioned out of palm stems and sea grape leaves.

The home’s front porch is constructed out of Chinese honeysuckle, eucalyptus leaves, okra seeds, and magnolia and lotus pod stems. The bricks in Michelle Obama’s childhood home are actually pine tree bark and the dormers are crafted out of redbud seed pods.

Returning this year are visitor favorites including Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Millennium Park and the Shedd Aquarium.

The experience starts outdoors, where the Garden grounds have been transformed into a grand winter wonderland of trees and shrubs, dramatically-lit with over 750,000 energy-efficient LED lights.

This year, the Garden is reusing approximately fifty-percent of the outdoor LED lights from last year which cuts down on cost and refuse.

The esplanade features a 40-foot tree, lit with multi-colored lights, surrounded by large lit spheres that appear to be ornaments fallen from the tree.

Indoors, the Regenstein Center is a magical wonderland of trains, plants and architecture. The Greenhouses are specially lit, including the palm tree trunks in the South Greenhouse, and decorated with beautiful holiday plants.

Gracing the walls of the Greenhouse Galleries are wreaths designed by area florists, shops and the Garden’s own talented horticulturists. Decking the Joutras Gallery are holiday trees decorated by local designers and a gingerbread train depot.

The Bridge Gallery features behind-the-scenes photographs of the exhibition designers, Paul Busse and Applied Imagination, Alexandria, Ky., creating the landmarks in their workshop.

The Krehbiel Gallery features an English country train platform with an old-world feel, including more trains and landmarks found on Chicago’s North Shore. A slide show chronicling the construction of the exhibition is shown in the Alsdorf Auditorium for those who don’t want to end the journey just yet.

Visitors can enjoy a light lunch, snack or dinner at the Caboose Café in Burnstein Hall or in the Garden Café. The Garden Shop features an array of extraordinary gifts, including a book on Wonderland Express, amidst the exquisite holiday décor during exhibition hours.

Ice Skating and Snowshoeing

For the first time at the Chicago Botanic Garden there will be ice skating and snowshoeing activities during Wonderland Express.

Starting Nov. 27, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010, the Esplanade will be transformed into an ice rink (weather permitting) and visitors are encouraged to display their best ice skating moves amongst the Garden’s snowy backdrop.

Ice skating hours during Wonderland Express are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, Jan. 9 through 31, 2010 plus on Monday, Jan. 18. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12. Members save $1. Visitors must bring their own skates.

If lacing up skates in not your thing, then lace up your snowshoes and take advantage of the serene McDonald Woods in winter (weather permitting) during daylight hours only.

Upon entering the Garden, visitors will be supplied with a snowshoeing route map of the Woods. There is no cost to explore McDonald Woods on snowshoes which begins on Nov. 27, 2009 through Mar. 31, 2010. Visitors must bring their own snow shoes.

Wonderland Express/Ice Skating combination tickets are available for purchase. Cost is $12.50 for adults and $9.50 for children ages 3-12. Members save $2.50.

Visit chicagobotanic.org/skate for more information and daily ice conditions.

Special Events

Other special events include Christmas Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Supper with Santa, Hot Chocolate with Mrs. Claus, and a Hanukkah Dinner.

Christmas Breakfast with Santa is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, and includes a buffet breakfast, visit with Santa and exhibition viewing before public hours.

Christmas Supper with Santa is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 21 and 22, and includes a buffet dinner, visit with Santa and exhibition viewing after public hours. Hot Chocolate with Mrs. Claus is at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 21 and 22 in the Linnaeus and Fairchild Rooms.

A Hanukkah Dinner will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13 at a family-friendly time of 4:30 p.m. and a more adult-friendly time of 7 p.m. and features a buffet dinner, 6 p.m. concert by the Spirit Orchestra featuring Randi Simon and Bernie Warman, and exhibition viewing after public hours.

Tickets for these special events will be available to members only from October 19 through November 5 online and onsite at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center.

Starting Nov. 6, special event tickets will be available to the general public.

Visit chicagobotanic.org/wonderland for more information, ticket pricing and to order tickets.

Family Programs

“Winter Wonders,” a family drop-in activity that is free for ticket holders, will be held in Burnstein Hall from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 28 through Dec. 5.

From Sunday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 20 activity hours are from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Monday, Dec. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 3 (closed at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 and all day Dec. 25).

There are no activities on Dec. 13. Station-based, hands-on activities include exploring snowflakes, conifer branches and cones, making bird feeders with natural materials and more.

There will be special drop in activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15 for families with children ages 2-5. Children will learn about snow, animals in winter and much more through hands-on activities after visiting the Wonderland Express exhibition.

Families can explore all the different plants and plant parts needed to make gingerbread people during the Weekend Family Class, “Joyful Gingerbread,” on Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19.

Children can take home a ginger plant, decorate cookies, and mix up a batch of gingerbread to bake at home. Classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. or from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Classroom.

Programs are designed for families with children ages 4-10. Fees per class are $20 for children; Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $17 for children.

Accompanying adults are free and required; limit of three children per adult. Parking fee is waived for program participants. Registration is required at least one week in advance and is available online or via mail.

For more information, visit chicagobotanic.org/forfamilies.

Wonderland Express hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3, 2010 (closed at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 24 and all day Dec. 25).

Exhibition tickets are available for the general public on Oct. 19 onsite at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center and online at chicagobotanic.org/wonderland. Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62+). Members pay $8 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62+).

Admission to Wonderland Express on Tuesdays through Dec. 23 is free. All ticket purchases are timed for entry. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members.

Wonderland Express is sponsored by ComEd and Harris Bank. Free Tuesdays are sponsored by Grainger. Additional support has been provided by the Lake Forest Country Day School.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is particularly proud to be partnering with ComEd in the use of all energy-efficient LED lighting for Wonderland Express.

For more information on Wonderland Express, call (847) 835-5440, or visit the Garden’s Web site at chicagobotanic.org/wonderland.

Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden’s newsroom is online at chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

About the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 24 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands.

With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members.

The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill.

Visit chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

Wonderland Express Celebrates Its Fourth Year; Exhibition Features Replica of President Obama’s Hyde Park Home, Trains, Chicago Landmarks | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Christmas Supper with Santa, Christmas Breakfast with Santa and Hot Chocolate with Mrs. Claus are three events that get families into the holiday spirit. Supper with Santa and Breakfast with Santa each include a buffet meal, a visit with Santa and Wonderland Express exhibition viewing after or before public hours.

Hot Chocolate with Mrs. Claus includes hot chocolate, light snacks, storytelling with Mrs. Claus and Wonderland Express exhibition viewing. Tickets will be available to the general public starting Nov. 5 online, and on site at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center.

Tickets are on sale now for Chicago Botanic Garden members.

Christmas Supper with Santa is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, December 21 and 22. The buffet in Burnstein Hall includes entree selections of roast beef with a rosemary demi-glace and turkey galantine with gravy.

Specialty selections include green beans with red peppers and toasted almonds, Caesar salad with grilled croutons, and French baguettes with butter. Children’s selections include chicken fingers with honey mustard and barbeque dipping sauce, cheese macaroni and tater tots.

Dessert selections feature assorted holiday cookies, petite pastries including pecan and lemon bites, fruit-filled kolaches, and chocolate covered strawberries. A cash bar is available with beer and wine. Cost is $38 for adults, $32 for children (3-12), free for ages 2 and under.

Christmas Breakfast with Santa is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. The buffet includes freshly baked cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, and bagels served with cream cheese, butter and preserves, turkey sausage links and smoked bacon, roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs and waffles with vanilla scented strawberries, and maple syrup on the side.

Cost is $26 for adults, $20 for children (3-12), free for ages 2 and under.

Hot Chocolate with Mrs. Claus is at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 21 and 22 in the Linnaeus and Fairchild rooms. Children and their families listen to Christmas stories recited by Mrs. Claus while sipping on delicious hot chocolate and snacking on assorted holiday cookies. Cost is $15 for both adults and children (ages 3-12), free for children 2 and under.

Wonderland Express is a magical trip to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, garden-scale trains, miniature Chicago landmarks, beautiful horticulture displays and indoor snowfall.

This popular holiday exhibition in the Regenstein Center features detailed landscapes with more than 80 miniature versions of Chicago’s favorite landmarks all made with natural materials. New this year is the Union Stockyards’ Old Stone Gate, President Barack Obama’s Hyde Park home and Michelle Obama’s childhood home.

Wonderland Express hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3, 2010 (closed at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 24, and all day Dec. 25).

Exhibition tickets are available now onsite at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center and online at chicagobotanic.org/wonderland.

Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62+). Members pay $8 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62+). Admission to Wonderland Express on Tuesdays through Dec. 23 is free. All ticket purchases are timed for entry. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members.

Wonderland Express is sponsored by ComEd and Harris Bank. Free Tuesdays are sponsored by Grainger. Additional support has been provided by the Lake Forest Country Day School.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is particularly proud to be partnering with ComEd in the use of all energy-efficient LED lighting for Wonderland Express.

For more information on Wonderland Express, call 847-835-5440, or visit the Garden’s Web site at chicagobotanic.org/wonderland.

Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden’s newsroom is online at chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at 847-835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

About the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 24 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands.

With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill.

Visit chicagobotanic.org, or call 847-835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Melissa Schuler, 847-835-6829
mschuler@chicagobotanic.org

Visit with Santa at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Wonderland Express; Holiday Exhibition Features Trains, Chicago Landmarks | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.