THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Arctic Blast Takes Up Residency Here!

Are you ready for February’s first weekend? I hope so because an arctic blast is deciding to take up residency here for several days! But being Chicagoans, nothing stops us from enjoying our weekends!!

As temps drop, Chicago heats up with plenty of safe winter-themed fun at some of the city’s best locations. In fact, every Saturday through February 27th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Retro Ski Saturdays will be held at Hopsmith Tavern (15 W. Division St.) in the Gold Coast neighborhood. So, bundle up for their indoor/outdoor (but still outdoor) fully accommodated party lodge. Your ticketed reservation will guarantee you entry with preferred seating, one Coors Hard Seltzer per guest, a lively ski-themed party ambiance, a live DJ with concert themed videos, craft cocktails, party specials, brunch entrees, Yeti appearances, and more! Please note that this event is subject to strict arrival, socializing rules, and closing times.

So, you don’t want to bundle up and go out. Well, Valentine’s Day is next Sunday, so what better time than this weekend to prepare with these indoor activities:

Treat your Valentine while supporting Northcenter businesses at this critical time from the comfort of home. The Love Your Local Valentine’s Day Market offers a convenient way to shop for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, a nice dinner, beauty services, flowers, even beer, and cookies by featuring unique, curated gifts, treats, meal kits, and more from select Northcenter shops and restaurants! You will be able to order products and services through Friday, February 12th, with pick-up at each merchant’s location from February 11th-14th.

Keep the kids busy with these easy Valentine’s Day Crafts while you shop online for your Valentine’s. Crafts featured are Valentine Love Trucks, Heart-Shaped Dog Valentine, Cardboard Roll Heart Art, Rainbow Heart Suncatcher, Shake It Up Hearts, Conversation Heart Bingo, Painted Heart Toast, Butterfly Hearts, Love You to Pieces, Love Tray, and Paper Crepe Heart. Your kids will love making these, and you may too once you’re done shopping!!

The 4th annual Long Grove Cocoa Crawl takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. with some modifications. This year the crawl will combine a new virtual application with the traditional in-person model to provide a safer experience for all. Local merchants will team-up for a fun-filled, family-friendly weekend with a cocoa-infused scavenger hunt. Registered families will also receive take-home goodies, in-store offers from participating merchants, and be entered to win a prize donated by one of these businesses! You can also enjoy a Cocoa Crawl carriage ride throughout historic downtown Long Grove during the event this Saturday!! Pre-registration is required, so get to it.

Get ready for the Big Game when the Kansas City Chiefs (14-2-0) with their quarterback Patrick Mahomes takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5-0) with their quarterback Tom Brady as they duke it out for the Super Bowl LV championship title at the Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers! The game is on CBS and begins at 5:30 p.m. CST. Here’s Where to Order Super Bowl Specials & Watch the Big Game in Chicago!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago