Obama's Birthday Homecoming

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Aug 2, 2010 8:40PM

White House Photo/Pete Souza

It's President Obama's birthday week - he turns 49 on Wednesday, August 4 - and he'll celebrate it at home in Chicago, mixing business with pleasure. While in town, Obama will celebrate his birthday with the much-gabbed-about private dinner thrown by Neil Bluhm that will cost attendees a $30,000 donation to the DNC. Besides that, the President will also be raising money for U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias at a separate fundraiser as he hopes to help Alexi catch up to GOP opponent Mark Kirk in funding. While in town, Obama will also visit the South Side Ford plant where just last week the company unveiled the new Explorer that will be produced here. The President is also expected to attend a $250-per-ticket event at the Chicago Cultural Center and Lynn Sweet says expect Obama to be accompanied by Rahmbo. One note: it seems the President will be travelling alone as the ladies of the Obama family are off on other business. No word yet on specific traffic plans or shutdowns in advance of his visit.