I Know Chicago

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[iknowchicago]

FREE PARKING FOR YOU!

It has been FOREVER since I last posted but this seemed like something you have to know about ASAP. 

I was given a Klout Perk to try this valet services called Luxe Valet. This is Chicago so I never turn down a shot at free parking. This is how it went:

Downloaded App, Hesitantly hooked up credit card to said app (because ain’t no one got time for some stupid Uber-like surge charge or some nonsense). 

My parents were visiting so I thought I would test it out on the day we were going to the Art Institute. Before I left my house I told Luxe to meet me at the Cosi restaurant across from the Institute (because...caffeine). 

That’s right, you heard me. I said I told my valet to meet me at a random spot at a random time and you know what? HE WAS THERE. I rolled up to Cosi (baller I know), jumped out, handed my keys to my guy and away went my car. 

The app showed me a picture of my valet. He was wearing the company uniform and he called me as I approached to make sure I knew it was him and he was ready for us. 

Wait, it gets better. My parents and I spent the day running around the Art Institute, then meandered to Millennium Park and ended up at the Harris Theater 4 hours later ready to head home. I pulled up the app, hit the button that said I want my car and within 10 minutes my car was handed back to me at my new location! It was like magic. 

The app even provided me a live tracking tool so I could see exactly where my car was as it was returned to me. They even made the little avatar look exactly like my car. Nice touch.

Here is the crazy part. The fee would have been no more than $15! That is less than a garage!!! That is when they had me. Now I did ask about “surge charges” and there are certainly times when the pricing will be more. The examples they gave me were concerts + ball games. I don’t have much more info than that so like with all new services, ask questions before you use it. 

I do suggest you give it a try. And because they are clever marketers you can use the code: Shannon43 and get $20 worth of free parking which as I mentioned is a lot. (Full disclosure, I get credits too when you use this code). 

I plan to use this service all the time. 

Before you head out, investigate their service area though. I planned to use it when I went to the Shedd but museum campus isn’t in their service area yet. 

I hope you find this useful. Let me know how it goes for you!

Shannon

[iknowchicago]

BOTTOMS UP: DRIZLY BRINGS ALCOHOL DELIVERY TO CHICAGO

  There’s never been a more convenient way to buy alcohol in Chicago. 

  Drizly, Inc., the smartphone app powering fast, convenient alcohol delivery, today continues its rapid expansion in the United States with the announcement of service to all major areas of Chicago.  The Windy City now joins New York City, Brooklyn and Boston as major metropolitan areas currently serviced by Drizly. 

  Service areas at launch in Chicago include South Loop, Loop, West Loop, River North, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown.  Hours of delivery are subject to variability based on Drizly’s retail partner network.

  For consumers of legal age, Drizly is like having a liquor store on their smartphone. With the largest retail delivery partner network, Drizly is the smartest way for Chicago drinkers to buy a huge selection of alcoholic beverages and have them conveniently delivered in just 20-40 minutes.  Products on Drizly even cost the same as they do in the local liquor store.

Drizly is available for download on iPhone and Android. As a special welcome to Chicagoans, new Drizly members can enter WELCOMECHI for $10 off any order placed in May. They can also follow @DrizlyChi on Twitter and Instagram for the latest local updates and promotions.

                 AVAILABLE ON iPHONE AND ANDROID 

  The Drizly apps can be downloaded here:

  •   iPHONE: http://driz.ly/ios

•   ANDROID: http://driz.ly/android

  HOW DRIZLY WORKS IN CHICAGO

  1. Download Drizly to your iPhone or Android phone.

2. Sign up and add your favorite beer, wine and liquor to your cart.

3. Check out, enter discount codes, pay (same prices as in the store) and tip your driver, all right from the Drizly app.

4. In just 20-40 minutes, you’ll have your alcohol.

  BOOM.

[iknowchicago]

Good News! Rebecca Loebe (as seen on The Voice) is coming to Chicago on Saturday.

See you there. Buy Tickets Here.

The Studios at Space (Evanston)

Saturday, May 10th

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:00pm

All Ages

[iknowchicago]

CHGO DSGN: Recent Object and Graphic Design curated by Rick Valicenti 

CHGO DSGN [Chicago Design], a major exhibition of Recent Object and Graphic Design by 100+ of the city’s leading designers, will open May 31 and run through November 2 at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Chicago has long been regarded as an international center for design, and this retrospective celebrates the region’s creative and innovative spirit. 

The exhibition is curated by Rick Valicenti, 2011 recipient of the prestigious Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award, with displays designed by Tim Parsons, Associate Professor of Designed Objects at the School of the Art Institute.

A public reception will be held Friday evening May 30 from 6–10pm. 

RSVP Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/742003842497356/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Follow them on twitter @chgodsgn 

[iknowchicago]

Check it out! Renderings have been release for the new Geek Bar Chicago coming to 1960 N Clybourn! 

Full disclosure: I’m on the advisory committee so obviously I think this is the greatest idea ever.

Huge shout out to architects Latent Design for their amazing work! 

[iknowchicago]

Grandmothers Visiting the Heartland

April 25–27, 2014 Chicago, IL

Join Everyday Medicine Woman for a historic series of events with esteemed elders Grandmother Flordemayo (Maya), Grandmother Mona Polacca (Havasupai/Hopi), and Grandmother Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance (Oglala Lakota), members of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. Each Grandmother, as sacred lineage keeper, will be sharing her knowledge by bringing the heart of the mother into the city of Chicago. The overall intention of this visit is to support their prayer for global peace and sacred activism, and to provide more people, especially those in youth-oriented urban settings with the opportunity to experience, value and appreciate the importance of intergenerational wisdom and the power of the feminine. All proceeds and support benefit the 13th Gathering of The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers in South Dakota, hosted by Grandmother Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance.

Registration

Click here to register for each event. When purchasing multiple tickets, please register each guest separately for each event.

AWAKENING THE GLOBAL HEART Friday, April 25 5:30 pm - 9:15 pm; $40.00 Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio Street, Chicago, IL [ map ] An Evening Celebrating the Power of Ancestry with Esteemed Grandmother Elders: Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance, Mona Polacca and Flordemayo

The evening will begin with an informal gathering among new and remembered kindred spirits, followed by a screening of the powerful documentary "For the Next 7 Generations" by Carole Hart, which takes us into the lives of each Grandmother and how they came to learn about each other's lineage and culture.

After the film, the Grandmothers will share their extraordinary ten-year journey of walking in united intention on behalf of the global vision for the healing of our beloved planet and humanity. It will be a unique opportunity to be in the company of three lineage holders who carry the unbroken ancestral teachings at these critical crossroads in our turbulent world. They will each share comments and answer questions about what it has meant to serve this sacred assignment and become a sisterhood of love as the completion of the Council's original mission comes close to fruition.

[iknowchicago]

Apply NOW to be a Freedom Fellow with the Chicago Freedom School! Get Paid to Create Positive Change in Your Community! The program is open to youth of color ages 14 - 17 living in the city of Chicago. Youth must be able to commit to summer/fall components*   The deadline for the application is Friday, April 25. You may download the application or APPLY ONLINE! The Freedom Fellowship is a six-month program which begins with the 4-week Summer Leadership Institute July 7 - August 1, 2014 and continues from September to December with weekly action planning meetings and implementing a group action project. Youth accepted to the Freedom Fellowship receive a stipend after successfully completing the program. Public transportation, breakfast, lunch and field trip costs will be provided by CFS.   Youth interested in applying must submit an online application or mail/fax a handwritten application no later than Friday, April 25, 2014.  School transcripts are NOT required. Applications will be reviewed by the Youth Leadership Board. After reviewing applications, youth may be invited for a formal interview. Notifications regarding acceptance into the Freedom Fellowship program will be sent by Friday, May 30, 2014. For more  information contact Coordinator of Youth Programs, Tony Alvarado-Rivera at [email protected] - 312.435.1201.

[iknowchicago]

Fantastic new nonprofit in Chicago now recruiting Board Members!

Downsize For Life (DFL) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that exists to support young people ages 13-18 that are currently at an unhealthy weight in transforming their lives through mental focus, fitness, and nutrition in a body positive and empowering environment.

DFL is here to challenge the shame-induced silence surround obesity and youth. We exist to empower young people to take ownership over their health and begin their health journey toward transformation.

There is a significant correlation between youth obesity and depression, bullying, suicide, eating disorders and violence. While there are a multitude of programs that are working toward childhood obesity prevention there are few resources for our teen population who are already at an unhealthy weight. DFL was created to address this critical need.

DFL is currently seeking board members to support the mission, vision and growth of this great non-profit.  Board members will support the work of DFL and provide leadership and strategic governance in partnership with the Executive Director.  Board members will serve a two-year term (with an option to re-elect for an additional two years).  Board member responsibilities include:

Attend board meetings (held monthly) and serve on committees or task forces, taking on special assignments.

Provide a minimum of six hours of volunteer service a month (this includes the previously mentioned meetings).

Stay informed about Board Committee matters, prepare for committee meetings, and review and comment on minutes and reports.

Assisting the Executive Director and Board President in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.

Approving DFL’s annual budget, audit reports, material business decisions and to ensure all legal and fiduciary responsibilities are being met.

Contribute unique skill sets and experience to assist DFL in programmatic development, strategic planning, fundraising, and financial management.

Enhance DFL’s public image by enlightening as many people as possible to the importance of the organization’s mission and work.

Make an annual contribution of $3,000.  This can be gifted personally, or raised by each member.

Participate in at least two DFL events annually.

DFL seeks persons with one or more of the following experiences or skill sets:

Non-profit financial planning and budgeting

Non-profit governance

Entrepreneurship

Program recruitment

Fundraising and development

Experience with young people ages 13-18 in educational and nontraditional settings

Marketing

Legal

Experience with significant weight loss

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who connects with DFL’s mission and who has experience with board leadership. 

Please email Shannon Downey, Executive Director, [email protected] for application.

www.DownsizeForLife.org // (a) DownsizeForLife

Deadline: May 16, 2014

[iknowchicago]

If you like free wine and/or post-apocalyptic lit that features haunting oracles and Deep South zombies, then local writer Clayton Smith's book release party just might be for you.

Come down to the IPaintMyMind gallery (2545 W. Diversey) on March 23rd from 4-6pm to drink some wine, eat some cupcakes, and listen to a few passages from Clayton's new novel, Apocalypticon. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, signed by the author! Apocalypticon is the story of two friends making one final, demented journey through an apocalypse-ravaged America. Three years have passed since the Jamaicans caused the end of the world, and things in post-Armageddon Chicago have settled into a new kind of normal. Unfortunately, that "normal" includes collapsing skyscrapers, bands of bloodthirsty maniacs, and a dwindling cache of survival supplies. After watching his family, friends, and most of the non-sadistic elements of society crumble around him, Patrick decides it's time to cross one last item off his bucket list. He’s going to Disney World. This hilarious, heartfelt, gut-wrenching odyssey through post-apocalyptic America is a pilgrimage peppered with peril, as fellow survivors Patrick and Ben encounter a slew of odd characters, from zombie politicians and deranged survivalists to a milky-eyed oracle who doesn't have a lot of good news. Plus, it looks like Patrick may be hiding the real reason for their mission to the Magic Kingdom... The release party is free, but please RSVP on Facebook so Clayton brings enough wine to make you happy: http://claytonsaur.us/1ckv41n

[iknowchicago]

After 10 years, it's time to say goodbye to a show unlike anything ever seen in Chicago before. Through his one-man performance, Supernatural Chicago, host Neil Tobin, Necromancer uses Chicago's paranormal past as a springboard for baffling demonstrations of the magical and the psychic that involve the audience and send them home having experienced the extraordinary. The setting is the reputedly haunted Castle nightclub (formerly Excalibur), whose original structure burned in the Chicago Fire and with it, spirits that just might continue to haunt it to today. But don't expect a horror show. Tobin is engaging and dryly funny throughout—what Gomez Addams might have been had he been raised in Chicago. Supernatural Chicago has long been a great entertainment value: the ticket price always includes two beverages and cover charge to Castle for the evening. But for the February 28th Closing Night performance, Tobin even promises cupcakes for the audience. (Devil's Food, of course.) Only 50 seats are available, so get your tickets now, before they sell out: 800-979-3370 or SupernaturalChicago.com What: Supernatural Chicago—Closing Night When: Friday, February 28, 7:30pm Where: Castle, 632 N. Dearborn (at Ontario), Chicago Tickets: 800-979-3370, SupernaturalChicago.com

[iknowchicago]

Thai Restaurant and Spa coming soon to the old police station on Pulaski at Sunnyside in Albany Park! Woot Woot!!

[iknowchicago]

If you need a cobbler...I highly recommend going to Gus's at: 2361 N Clark St in Lincoln Park.

Got two pairs of boots re-heeled, re-soled and cleaned up and these things look BRAND NEW. $50 total. Win.

Also, if you build websites, they clearly need help.

[iknowchicago]

Yes, it is THIS cold in Chicago.

[iknowchicago]

No Lights, No Lycra ... a dance-based, fitness gathering

Just DANCE!

This is a weekly dance party/fitness movement that was born in Melbourne and is now happening here in Chicago.

The premise: The lights are off, the music is loud, everyone is sober and you dance until you can't dance anymore. No judgement, no talking, no flirting, no need to impress just dance your ass off.

The Chicago events are held at Defibrillator in Wicker Park every Monday at 8:15pm.

Details on their Facebook page here.

Sounds pretty awesome to me!

[iknowchicago]

Dating? Learn why you are doing it wrong! My friend Silvana has a no-nonsense approach + wants to help Chicagoland date more effectively.

------

StandOut is a new and unique singles program in Chicago.

They state:

StandOut combines cutting edge social research and weekly integrated workshops for you to get the most out of your dating life.

If you want a great dating life, have a great social life.  Surround yourself with amazing people, and amazing things happen.

Join us at the StandOut Launch Party at Gallery Bar!

At this event you will:

Get a taste of hands-on experiential training to expand your dating repertoire

Enjoy fabulous bites served by Gallery Bar

Mingle with local singles

Get a sneak peek at StandOut’s unique dating program

And…a special performance from the StandOut crew

Get your tickets here

Connect/Learn More on Facebook

[iknowchicago]

Who wants to get their Canadian on?!

A company called BuckIt List Events, is hosting a Curling + Beer all day extravaganza.

$75 will get you:

Round trip transpo from downtown Chicago to Wauwatosa Curling Club

2.5 hours of curling instruction with game play

1 hour open beer bar at the club, featuring Lakefront brewery beers on tap

Pizza and salad from a local pizzeria

December 7th  - Perhaps I will see you there!

@BuckitListChi

[iknowchicago]

I'm super duper honored and excited to be a part of a new semi-regular web series called, The Gay Agenda with the AMAZING Mary Morten, Jim Bennett and Tony Alvarado-Rivera.

Short description: It's like "The View" but err...gayer.

Episode 1, Parts 1 + 2 are live and can be watched on the website.

www.TheGayAgendaLive.com

You can hook up with us on Facebook + Twitter too.

We shoot in front of a live studio audience so if you connect with us via social media you just might be invited to our next taping. It involves lots of free booze and a fluffer ; ) Heeeyyyy.

Hope you enjoy!