LATELY WE’VE BEEN thinking a lot about sports. Of course, some of the fixation comes from the fact that we’re in the thick of the Chicago Bears’ football season and are ever so proud of our new quarterback Jay Cutler, who we were lucky enough to have as our September cover star and as the host of our recent anniversary party at the W Chicago City Center. (If you didn’t make it, you missed a great celebration.)

But it’s not just the Bears season that’s sparked our inner athlete. Recently we celebrated with Olympian and NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade at Gibsons Steakhouse as he announced his intention to extend his children’s charity, Wade’s World Foundation, to Chicago. Special thanks to Les Coney for helping Michigan Avenue organize the event and to our own Governor Pat Quinn for joining with some of Chicago’s most esteemed business leaders for a terrific night.

Coming up this month is the annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. On October 11, the whole city will take to the streets to cheer on finish-line hopefuls. Whether you know a participant or not, watching a sea of runners darting through our streets is always amazing, so go join in the fun.

By the time you read this, the announcement will have been made about Chicago’s fate as the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Regardless of the outcome, the experience of preparing Chicago for the Olympics has strengthened our city immeasurably and Michigan Avenue is proud to have played a role in helping Chicago race to that finish line.

Have a great October

JASON BINN CEO & FOUNDER NICHE MEDIA	DAN USLAN MIDWEST PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER MICHIGAN AVENUE