Jan 19, 2009 6:02 pm US/Central
Chicagoans Plan Local Events For Inauguration
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Tuesday will be one of those days you'll ask: "Where were you when President Obama was sworn in?" for years to come. Some folks hope to make it even more memorable with inaugural parties and events. CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli shows us some of the special gatherings planned for this historic moment.
At the University of Chicago Medical Center they're planning for tomorrow's inauguration by setting up a viewing room.
"This is an event that means a great deal to a lot of people that worked here at the medical center," said U of C medical center spokesman John Easton.
That's because long before the Obamas were voted into Pennsylvania Avenue, Michelle Obama walked the halls along Maryland Avenue as an executive vice-president.
"Michelle worked here for years and I think everybody has had some sort of contact with her or other members of the family," Easton said. "The kids go to Lab School. Barack taught in the law school here."
In the Chicago Public Schools, more than 400,000 students will have a chance to watch the self-described skinny kid from Chicago become our nation's first African-American president.
"It was compared to the time that the first man landed on the moon," said CPS Digital Media Systems Manager Martin McGuire. "This was a teachable moment that we just couldn't let slide by. And we wanted to ensure that every one of our students were able to view this historic event."
Students will also have a chance to view an inauguration video created by students, and for students.
"We wanted to give students a voice on this day, and hear from them," McGuire said.
Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique was closed Monday, but that doesn't mean plenty of work wasn't going on.
"We have a busy day tomorrow, we have inauguration cupcakes going out, and we have over 40 dozen mini cupcakes out before the early morning," said Sugar Bliss owner Teresa Ging.
Most are for corporate clients planning to hold inauguration viewing parties.
Willie Dickerson won't be celebrating on the job.
"I'm going to party like it's 1999," Dickerson said.
He'll be partying in the homeless shelter where he lives.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, wouldn't miss it for money," Dickerson said. "That's a great day for everybody. There's about to be an outstanding change."
If you have to work and don't get a chance to see the inauguration, some businesses will be showing it on replay Tuesday evening.
The Eastgate Cafe in Oak Park is holding an inauguration bash complete with a ukulele jam session in honor of the president's Hawaiian roots.
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