THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Still Dealing with a Pandemic – Still Looking Ahead!

Finally, 2020 is in the books and it’s time to look ahead to a new start in a new year. However, this first weekend of 2021 still has us dealing with a pandemic and, therefore, very little, if any, in-person events. Unfortunately, this was all I could scrounge up for some weekend fun! Or you can just stay in bed until Monday!!

ComedySportz Chicago: Virtually Live! comes to you via their brand-new Twitch channel free on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Two teams take each other on virtually from their living rooms with new twists to the classic games you love for your laughs, chats, and emojis. And all matches end with their insanely intense Six Things Face-off! Get ready to laugh from the comfort of your living room!!

Ring in the New Year with Home for the Holidays – Animal Encounters! hosted by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Enjoy a live animal experience brought to you by Wildlife Discovery Center. Learn about an array of animals from birds to reptiles to mammals and even get an up-close and personal look at the star animals who reside at the center! And if you have any critter-related questions, an experienced animal keeper will be on hand to answer those!!

If you happen to be craving a cup of hot chocolate to awaken your senses or warm the cockles of your heart, but Swiss Miss packets won’t cut it, here are 16 of the Best Sips of Hot Chocolate you can only get in the Chicagoland area! They are: ArrivaDolce (Highland Park), Bombo Bar (West Loop), Cocoa & Co. (Old Town), Emeche Cakery & Café (South Loop), Firecakes (locations in Chicago & Oak Park), Glenview Grind (Glenview), Hometown Coffee & Juice (Glencoe), JoJo’s Shake Bar (River North), Katherine Anne Confections (Logan Square), Kilwin’s (locations in Chicago (Hyde Park, Michigan Ave, Wrigleyville), Elmhurst, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Naperville & Wheaton), Le Chocolat du Bouchard (Naperville), Leonidas Chocolate Café (Near North Side, Evanston & Northbrook), Mindy’s Hot Chocolate (Wicker Park), Xoco (Near North Side), XO Marshmallow (6977 N Sheridan Rd), Xurro (locations in Chicago include Clearing, Pilsen, Navy Pier, Logan Square, Northcenter and on the Pink Line).

Journey through the Morton Arboretum’s (4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle) far-reaching forest on a Troll Hunt to find six larger-than-life trolls crafted from reclaimed wood. These colossal trolls – resembling the trolls of European folklore – have been created to serve as protectors of our environment. Since these trolls seem to be suspicious of humans, the Arboretum needs your assistance to help trolls and humans to understand one another. What will you discover on your hunt?

If you happen to go on the Troll Hunt, stop by the Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, which has been extended through January 10, 2021, due to popular demand! See trees in a different light at a reimagined new driving experience (20-30 minutes long) featuring an unparalleled spectacle of color, light, and music you won’t experience anywhere else!!

Lastly, our Chicago Bears (8-7-0) will be hosting the Green Bay Packers (12-3-0) at Soldier Field this Sunday at 3:25 p.m. The game is being televised on FOX. I’m not saying another word!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago