Planning My National Trip. Seeking Advice From Chicagoans

Aloha, everybody, 

I'm taking the leap, and traveling to Chicago this year for the big show ~ The National (July 31 - Aug. 4)

Since I've never been to Chicago before, I'm totally unfamiliar with the areas around the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont and Wrigley Field. I'm also planning to take in a Cubs game. 

I'm considering staying at the Comfort Suites in Schiller Park. Is this a sketchy area? If so, can anyone recommend another area? 

I could use any and all advice about getting to Wrigley Field from Schiller Park. Are the trains easy to take? Safe? and so on. 

Last, but not least, are any of you down for a beer while I'm in town? Of course, that goes for anybody else who might be traveling to the National also. I'd love to have a get-together with my fellow collector/traders. 

One more ~ how about must see spots while I'm there. Are there any places that were featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives that I should check out? How about the best spot for deep dish Chicago pizza? I loooooove deep dish. 

I'm looking at Base Card  Hero, Dime Box Nick, The Hopeful Chase, Waiting Till Next Year, Wrigley Roster Jenga, and anyone else out there. 

Just drop a word in the comments below, or an email to me. Any advice is appreciated. 

Thanks, aloha! 

Number 9...Number 9...Number 9...

Aloha, everybody, 

Dime Box Nick got his choose on last night before the Lucky 13 deadline kicked in. He chose Number 9, and Sgt. Pepper is all around us these days, so I made a reference to the Beatles with our title. 

Only thing is, I'm not enough of a real Beatles fan to be completely confident, but I think there was a snip of a song on that album where Ringo(?) is repeating "Number 9" over and over. 

Anyway, here's Prize Number 9

A couple of Dodger Stadium giveaways from waaaaay back in the day. The Jackie Robinson ceramic figure is from 2005 (full disclosure, there is no box for Jackie) and the Tommy Lasorda bobblehead hails back to 2001. 

Tony Lehman is up next. Numbers 1, 3, 5, 10-13 are open, and any prize is open for stealing. Clock is running, homey. 24 hours. 

Aloha!