A Latvian experience

Tonight Andy and I headed downtown to the beautiful Richard H. Driehaus Museum to a reception to celebrate the opening of hte new Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in Illinois. The Consulate opened last week in Andy's law office. A fellow attorney in the office, Rob Blumberg, was recently named Honorary Consul of Latvia. He's of Latvian descent and he's working to develop business relations between Latvia and companies in the United States.

The evening started with a champagne reception (the champagne kept flowing throughout the evening) and brief comments from Rob and the president of Latvia, Dr. Valdis Zatlers. There were Secret Service agents all over and a uniformed Latvian soldier guarding the president. The president was friendly enough, but the soldier didn't crack a smile the entire evening.

Driehaus himself was at the reception, with his Latvian wife. Among the other notables were former Gov. Jim Thompson; Federal Court Judge Ilana Rovner, who was born in Riga, the capital of Latvia; and the Ambassador of Latvia to the U.S., Andres Pildegovics. I wish I had my camera with me. The museum was gorgeous.