By EUNICE LEE
The UNITY News
Mark Raue sits in a folding chair in front of US Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and sips a Budweiser.
“Wrigley Field is nothing but a tourist trap for everybody that comes from out of town to Chicago,” he said of the rival team’s headquarters across town. “The heart of Chicago belongs to the Sox.”
Raue, a fourth-generation White Sox fan, is one of thousands of Chicago baseball fans who choose sides between the city’s two teams, the White Sox or the Chicago Cubs.
Across town, the smell of Polish sausages and cheap beer wafts through Wrigley Field as fans don “Sox Suck” T-shirts and wave signs in support of the Cubs.
Though this rivalry began more than a century ago, its spirit and intensity live on in the hearts of fans and on the stadium scoreboard.
Most Cubs and Sox fans concede that it’s friendly competition that brings the city together. Games featuring both teams bring in record numbers and revenue to the ballparks.
“I think it just says a lot about the city,” said Cubs fan Brian DeMeyer. “Some people take it to heart, but I think it’s more of a good weekend experience with Chicago people.”

By Dioni L. Wise

UNITY News Online

By next Wednesday, McCormick Place West will be abuzz with thousands of journalists. It’s hard to believe that anything will be happening outside of those conference walls, but a city as cosmopolitan as Chicago continues to offer several diversions during the week of UNITY. Take a look at what simultaneous events will occur during the convention:

July 23

• The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs presents the second annual Chicago Sidewalk Sale. The two-day fashion event will bring dozens of Chicago boutiques and designers to one spot – the Daley Plaza, (next to Chicago City Hall).

• As the 2005 World Series championship team, the Chicago White Sox end a three-game home series against the Texas Rangers in a midday showdown at U.S. Cellular Field.

• The mellow sounds of U.K.-based band Coldplay will flow from the United Center.

July 24

• Topping the National League’s Central Division, hometown favorites the Chicago Cubs begin a four-game home series against the Florida Marlins at historic Wrigley Field.

• See rapper Bow Wow perform at the House of Blues Chicago.

• You can take a one-hour tour of The Chicago Theatre at noon for $5. The tour highlights the history and architecture of the building, including the grand lobby areas, auditorium and backstage area.

July 25

• California-based rap group Cypress Hill, most noted for its 1993 hit “Insane in the Brain,” will perform at the House of Blues Chicago.

July 26

• Hundreds will celebrate the contributions and culture of the disabled in the 5^th Disability Pride Parade on Saturday morning. For these participants, p.r.i.d.e. means “Pride Realized Is Destiny Empowered.”

• A setting sun doesn’t mean the lights go out on Saturday night, as Chicago celebrates its 51^st Annual Venetian Night. Thirty-five boats will be aglow with lights and props as they sail along beautiful Lake Michigan. A musically synchronized fireworks display will follow the parade.

July 27

• Comedian and political satirist Bill Maher will perform at The Chicago Theatre.