POSTCARD FROM CHICAGO

Rob Miech, Las Vegas Sun

Monday, March 19, 2007 | 7:24 a.m.

Chicago

Madness here Saturday revolved around green water and a billy goat, not college basketball.

The annual St. Patrick's Day green dyeing of the Chicago River attracted thousands upon thousands to its banks from the Michigan Avenue bridge east.

"This is worse than a Bears game," one woman said.

The dye that turns the water brilliant green is actually orange. For a few moments, the water is orange, then it turns. It's used to detect leak sources.

Plumber Stephen Bailey had some of it on his coveralls when he complained, about something or other, to a city official in December 1961. The official saw the rich green blotches, inquired and the rest is history.

When it was first used in 1962, 100 pounds kept the river green for a week. Now, 40 pounds of an environmentally safe concoction keep it green for three or four hours.

Then it was on to the Billy Goat Tavern, immortalized by John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray in a 1978 "Saturday Night Live" skit, on the other side of the Michigan bridge.

Cheezeborger! Cheezeborger! Cheezeborger! Fries with that? No fries - CHEEPS!

Thirsty? No Coke - PEPSI! (A sign outside the tavern actually reverses those soft drinks.)

The late William Sianis bought the Lincoln Tavern, near the old Chicago Stadium, in 1934, for $205. That check bounced, but he repaid the debt with sales from his first weekend of business.

He later renamed the joint after a billy goat fell off a passing truck and wandered in. He adopted it as a mascot and grew a goatee. When the Republican National Convention was held in the Windy City, he hung a "No Republicans Allowed" sign in the window.

It drew a slew of GOP faithful, demanding service, and tons of publicity.

In 1964 it was moved to its current subterranean location where owner Sam Sianis, William's nephew, presides. Saturday, a line snaked around the big U-shaped counter.

"Double?" Sianis said, pronouncing it like "noble." "Double? Double? You want a single? No! Double is the best! Double? Double?"

The long line moved fast, and the single and double cost almost nine bucks. (Very average. Doesn't touch In-N-Out.) The bar was packed, and every red-and-white-checkered table was occupied. The merchandise area sold T-shirts, sweatshirts and caps.

And the NCAA thinks it has a good thing going with its basketball tournament.