IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2016

[arfmax]

The second part of my day brought me to downtown Chicago, to the Aragon Ballroom, which is a place that I have seen concerts at before, and where the NBA and Mountain Dew were holding a 3 on 3 tournament. They put 2 half courts on the floor below the stage, and had games all day. They also brought in Chicago Bulls 2016 first round draft pick Denzel Valentine, and I was able to get 2 8x10's, and one generic autograph card, signed, for free. The Ambassador for this event was NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton, and towards the end of the day, he arrived, and signed some autographs. Overall, he is not the most pleasant person, but you can't complain too much about a free Hall of Fame autograph. I was able to get two cards signed by The Glove.

Photo of the Valentine autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psqoajqwvv.jpg

Photo of the Payton autos (yes, the one on the left is very tough to see):
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pskrmx7fux.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 386

[arfmax]

For the first signing of the day, I went to a car dealership in Delavan, Wisconsin, to get autographs from Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Chase Anderson. The signing was super easy, as there were only a handful of people there, and he was incredibly friendly. I was able to get 6 cards signed, and 2 8x10's signed, for free.

Photo of the signed Chase Anderson items:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psm10vnwqc.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 394

[walker066]

Hey man. I'm coming to Chicago 9/18 and 9/19 (Bears vs Eagles). If you see any Bears signings those days can you post in your thread? Hopefully there are some while I'm there!

[arfmax]

Hey man. I'm coming to Chicago 9/18 and 9/19 (Bears vs Eagles). If you see any Bears signings those days can you post in your thread? Hopefully there are some while I'm there!

sure

[arfmax]

Yesterday, I went to a book signing and interview with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, at a college in Naperville, IL, associated with a local book store. Mr. Abdul-Jabbar has a new book called Writings On the Wall, and he was interviewed on stage by Richard Roeper. After the interview and questions, he signed copies of the book, and I was able to get the book signed (for the price of the book only), but no additional items.

Photo of the signed Kareem book:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psmqzuzhlv.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 395

[arfmax]

Today, I went to an appearance at the grand opening of a new Athletico in Romeoville, IL by Chicago White Sox rookie shortstop Tim Anderson. There was virtually no advertisement for it, so about 5 people showed up, and I was able to get 4 cards signed by Mr. Anderson, and sit and chat with him for a few minutes, for free. And they had free food, which is always a nice bonus!

Photo of the Anderson autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pslb7lajc0.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 399

[arfmax]

Today, me and every other grapher in Chicago and beyond went to the grand reopening of Kmart in Des Plaines, IL, where Scottie Pippen was appearing from 8 am to 9:30 and signing autographs on outside items. I got there at 6:15 am, in the pouring rain, and they had already given out 140 guaranteed red wristbands. They were beginning to hand out blue wristbands, which were not guaranteed, but I was 10 back from the last red band, so I got the blue band. They eventually ran out of those as well. Finally, I was able to get in the store, and make it through the myriad stopping points, and then got to get an autograph from Scottie Pippen. For some people, he wouldn't use their pen, for me, I handed him a fine pain pen and a mini ball, and he said that the fine wouldn't work, so he grabbed a thicker silver Deco from the table, which turned out fine for me. As I was leaving the store, it was 8:55 am, and they were telling the 100's lined up outside that they had a hard stop at 9:00 am, and there would be no more autos. As I said, I think every autograph person in Chicagoland went there!

Photo of the signed Pippen mini ball:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psv6ynctfy.jpg

That's two of the all-time 50 greatest players in 3 days!

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 400

[arfmax]

Today, I went to a Fall Fest at a Supportive Living center in Bridgeview, IL, which had Ferguson Jenkins scheduled to appear and sign autographs for free. I ended up with 6 signed cards from Mr. Jenkins, for free, and he took the time to chat with my daughters and was quite friendly.

Photo of the signed Fergie cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psazxhe3ly.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 406

[arfmax]

Today, in honor of some new Bob's Discount Furniture stores opening in the US, I went to the Bob's in Burbank, IL to meet former Chicago Bears and New York Giants tight end Emery Moorehead. Mr. Moorehead signed 3 cards for me, for free.

Photo of the Moorehead autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pshhrrva3g.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 409

[arfmax]

Today, in honor of some new Bob's Discount Furniture stores opening in the US, I went to the Bob's in Villa Park, IL to meet former Chicago Bears wide receiver Ahmad Merritt. Mr. Merritt signed my 8x10, and a promo 5x7 for me, for free.

Photo of the Merritt autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8xvicion.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2016: 411