No matter what the weather brings this weekend, it will not stop Chicagoans from experiencing and enjoying the city’s ultimate St. Patrick’s Day festivities as we become Irish all decked out in our finest greens and feeling the luck of the Irish!

Saturday kicks-off with the Chicago River Dyeing at 10:00 a.m. along the Chicago River between Columbus Drive and State Street (best viewing spot) in The Loop.  Chicago’s Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 turns our murky river into a beautiful emerald green using an eco-friendly, vegetable-based dye which lasts for about 5 hours.  Afterwards, it’s time to take in the 71^st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade which kicks-off at 12:15 p.m. heading north on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Street.  This year’s theme is Faith, Peace and Unity inspired by Pope Leo XIII’s coat of arms and will feature floats, marching bands, bagpipers, and more.  Once again, the main viewing stand is in front of Buckingham Fountain.

Saturday’s Festivities include the following:

BAR CRAWLS (here are three of many others) – Shamrockin’ At The Pier Bar Crawl (Streeterville) featuring participating spots at the Pier for a lakefront celebration; CHI-RISH Bar Crawl (West Loop & River North) featuring 21 hours of partying at over 30 venues; Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Crawl (Wrigleyville) focusing on the Clark Street strip.

PARTIES/STREET FESTIVALS (here are four of many others) – St. Patrick’s Day River Dyeing Party (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at City Winery Riverwalk (11 W. Riverwalk) in The Loop; Shamrock’n at Old St. Pat’s (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) at Old St. Pat’s Campus (825 W. Adams St.) in the West Loop; Shamrock & Roll on Division Street (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) just outside The Lodge Tavern (21 W. Division St.) in the Gold Coast neighborhood; St. Patrick’s Weekend Festival (8 a.m.-10 p.m.) on Hubbard Street at iconic venues such as Hubbard Inn, Joy District, and Boss Bar in the River North neighborhood.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are also being held at the Irish American Heritage Center Festival on Saturday and Sunday located at 4626 North Knox Avenue in the Mayfair neighborhood.  This lively, all-ages festival offers two days of nonstop Irish music, traditional Irish dancers, cultural performances, crafts, games, a dedicated kids’ area, and more.  And, on St. Patrick’s Day itself (March 17) the party continues at the Center’s Fifth Province Pub!

Sunday’s Festivities include the following:

The 48^th annual South Side Irish Parade, which is the largest-community St. Patrick’s Day Parade outside of Dublin, Ireland, steps off at 12:00 p.m. from West 103^rd Street and Western Avenue marching south to 115^th Street in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood.  Join thousands of other revelers to watch the many bands, dance troupes, floats, and more.

The 23^rd annual Northwest Side Irish Parade steps off at 12:00 p.m. in front of the William J. Onahan School (6634 W. Raven St.) heading southwest on Neola Avenue then northwest on Northwest Highway to Harlem Avenue in the Norwood Park neighborhood.  Afterwards, local spots such as the Gale Street Inn in Jefferson Park will be hosting celebrations!

Irish Today Hungover Tomorrow – Enjoy Safely!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

There’s no week in Chicago like St. Patrick’s Day week. Blessed with a substantial Irish population as well as one of  the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country, you and your family can celebrate from Friday, March 13-21 throughout Chicago’s many communities, from Jefferson Park on the North Side to Beverly on the South Side.

While everyone is aware of the downtown celebrations…the dyeing of the Chicago River, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and rivers of green beer and Irish coffee flowing from Irish pubs, what might not be as familiar is the Northwest Side’s Irish Parade,  as well as the myriad Irish pubs there.

“Boxty on the griddle; boxty on the pan. If you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man!”

Old Irish Proverb

In this season of St. Patrick, Dean’s Team Chicago is focusing on one Irish Pub…Norwood Park’s Mystic Rogue, that serves this rare Irish treat called the Boxty, (Irish: bacstaí or steaimpí) a traditional Irish potato pancake. As Wikipedia sources say, the dish is mostly associated with the north midlands, north Connacht and southern Ulster, in particular the counties of Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Fermanagh, Longford, and Cavan. There are many recipes but all contain finely grated, raw potatoes and all are served fried.

I’ve hunted for a boxty throughout Chicago, and find the best in Irish pubs committed to using fresh vegetables  and other ingredients. 

Home of the Boxty

Mystic Rogue is one of the few Irish pubs that serves an Irish boxty. “It’s a northwest [Ireland] peculiarity,” Pádraic Óg Gallagher, chef and owner of Gallagher’s Boxty House in Dublin, told America’s Test Kitchen, reported by Block Club Chicago.

Boxty, according to the article, is almost always made of at least grated potato and flour. From there, recipes vary. Some call for a mix of grated and mashed potatoes, while others add milk. Typically, they’re fried in butter on a griddle, but they’re occasionally baked.

At Mystic Rogue,  their BOXTY VEGGIE is a homemade potato pancake filled with bell peppers, zucchini, onion, and broccoli in a white wine sauce. And, you can add shrimp or chicken for an upcharge. Tasty, and highly recommended! 

But there’s lots more to Mystic Rogue than their traditional boxtys. There, you can start with Irish-inspired starters as IRISH BITES. Mystic Rogue’s special pretzel is served with cheese sauce or honey mustard on the side. GAELIC WINGS are tossed in your choice of buffalo, sweet chipotle, or Irish curry.  served with veggie sticks and your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing. DECLAN SAUSAGE ROLLS are traditional Irish sausages wrapped in puff pastry and served with brown mushroom gravy. IRISH NACHOS are a lucky twist, made with sliced potatoes, cheese, corned beef, bacon, sour cream, tomatoes and green onion.

Moving on, their CORNED BEEF SANDWICH is home-cooked corned beef with cheese on light rye bread, and served hot or cold. Add in sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing, and you have their REUBEN SANDWICH!

Entrees are an Irish delight. BANGERS AND MASH have Winston sausages served over mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE is a specialty…their own cooked corned beef served with cabbage, vegetables and boiled potatoes. Horseradish is available on request. CURRY CHICKEN  has a diced chicken breast, sautéed with bell peppers and onions, then bathed in Irish curry. It’s served with your choice of white rice or fries. PUB STEAK is served with mashed potatoes, onion straws, and Guinness peppercorn sauce, with mushrooms on the side. SHEPHERDS PIE has ground beef, green peas, carrots, and onions topped with golden brown mashed potatoes, accompanied by homemade brown bread. Their IRISH BREAKFAST is a full Irish breakfast with two eggs, Irish sausage, Irish bacon, black and white pudding (don’t ask!) Irish beans, fried tomato, and served with your choice of toast or homemade brown bread.

Mystic Rogue is located at 6070 North Northwest Highway. Their kitchen is open Sundays from 11am –10pm, Monday- Thursday, 12pm-9pm, and Friday and Saturday, 11am-10pm. No reservations; first-come, first served.  For more information on their St. Patrick’s Day celebration, click here.  

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Each spring, the clocks move forward and suddenly the evenings feel different. The extra daylight after work or dinner brings a noticeable shift in energy—days feel longer, the air feels lighter, and home life naturally spills a little further into the evening.

Those extra hours of sunlight are more than just a seasonal perk—they’re an opportunity to enjoy your home in new ways. Whether it’s stepping outside more often, refreshing a few spaces, or simply slowing down at the end of the day, longer spring evenings can make home feel even better.

Bring Life Back to Outdoor Spaces

After months of shorter days, spring is the perfect time to reconnect with outdoor areas. Even a small patio, balcony, or backyard can become a favorite evening retreat once the sun starts setting later.

A few simple updates can make a big difference:

• Add comfortable outdoor seating or fresh cushions
• String lights or lanterns for a warm evening glow
• Refresh planters with seasonal flowers or greenery
• Create a small dining or coffee area outdoors

These small touches can quickly transform outdoor spaces into a place where you’ll want to unwind at the end of the day.

Let the Light Work for You Indoors

Longer daylight hours naturally brighten the inside of your home. Spring is a great time to take advantage of that natural light.

Try opening blinds and curtains earlier in the day and consider rearranging furniture to highlight the brightest areas of the room. Lighter fabrics, mirrors, and soft neutral colors can also help reflect sunlight and make spaces feel more open and refreshed.

The result is a home that feels more energized without changing much at all.

Make Evenings Feel Less Rushed

One of the biggest benefits of longer evenings is simply having more time to enjoy them. Instead of feeling like the day ends as soon as work does, spring evenings invite a slower pace.

That extra daylight can mean:

• Taking a walk around the neighborhood
• Spending time in the garden
• Enjoying dinner outside
• Tackling a small home project you’ve been putting off

Even simple routines feel more enjoyable when the sun is still out.

A Season That Inspires Fresh Starts

Spring has always been associated with renewal, and the time change reinforces that feeling. Many homeowners use this time to declutter, reorganize, or refresh spaces that have felt a little stagnant during the winter months.

You don’t need a major renovation to feel the difference. Swapping heavy blankets for lighter ones, adding fresh plants, or rearranging a room can make your home feel aligned with the season.

A Home That Feels Good to Live In

Longer evenings are one of the small seasonal changes that can make a big difference in daily life. They create space for relaxation, connection, and enjoying the places where we live.

Sometimes the best way to appreciate your home isn’t through a big change—it’s simply making the most of the time you have in it.

Ice hockey is “hot” after the US men and women’s teams earned gold medals in last month’s Winter Olympics. 

What better time for the Chicago Blackhawks, celebrating 100 years as an ‘Original Six’ NHL hockey franchise on May 15, 1926, to open their newly renovated Blackhawks Ice Center, 1801 W. Jackson Boulevard!

Opened in 2017 and known primarily as the Chicago Blackhawks’ practice facility and a training center for future stars, the former Fifth Third Ice Arena is now a vibrant center for hockey and ice sports, after a two-year, 250,000 square feet expansion.

The newly renovated facility also boasts state-of-the-art training facilities, and two new skating rinks. One of them,  USG Arena, offers stadium-style seating and hospitality areas for 2,000 spectators. It’ll also be the new home of the Chicago Steel, the region’s  United States Hockey League (USHL) team, acquired by Wirtz Corporation in 2023. USG Arena offers a state-of-the-art center scoreboard, video ribbon boards and exclusive party decks for an elevated fan experience and new food and beverage options. 

The venue also hopes to become the home of collegiate and elite hockey events with new, premium locker room amenities, free parking and quality food and drink options. 

It’ll also be the home of The Blackhawks Hall of Fame, honoring the extraordinary players and builders who have shaped our century-long legacy, as chosen by the fans, alumni, and media. 

Outside the Blackhawks Ice Center, a Walk of Fame commemorative sidewalk along Jackson Street will honor the milestone moments and legendary players of the Chicago Blackhawks, featuring engraved plaques celebrating the franchise’s six Stanley Cup winning teams, its Hall of Fame inductees and reserved space for the legacy to grow with future champions and honorees.

“Through the Fifth Third Arena expansion, we are creating the epicenter of hockey in the Midwest,” said Danny Wirtz, Chairman & CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, in a press release. “This venue is where NHL superstars train alongside rising talent, creating an environment where championship dreams can take flight.”

Can I Watch The Blackhawks Practice? 

As their website notes, Yes! All Chicago Blackhawks practices are open to the public and free of charge. The Chicago Blackhawks practice schedule can be found on their calendar. 

Note: Dates and times subject to change on short notice.

Future Stars Play Here: Learn to Skate, Play Hockey 🏑🏒🏒🏑 

Blackhawks Ice Center continues to offer hockey programs like the Little Blackhawks Skating Academy,  the Legends-in-House Hockey League, and Chicago Blackhawks Summer Camps. 

They also offer premium space for beginner hockey, adult leagues, youth programs, and elite tournaments. 

Learning to Skate/Public Skates  ⛸️⛸️⛸️⛸️ 

It all starts with learning to glide on the ice, right? Whether your interests are hockey or figure skating, Blackhawks Ice Center offers skating lessons for all ages, as well as public skate sessions for all skill levels. 

Their Basic Skills classes teaches the fundamentals of ice skating while providing a strong foundation for figure skating, hockey, and speed skating. Through six progressive levels, skaters learn essential skills such as forward and backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, and turns. while advanced levels (Basic 3–6) focus on developing core skating skills, including agility, balance, coordination, and speed. Upon completing Basic Skills 1–6, skaters are prepared to move on to more specialized skating programs, which are also offered at Blackhawks Ice Center.

Can we eat there?

Athletes of all ages need to fuel and refuel!  Their new venues include ROCKY’S BAR, a tribute to late Chairman Rocky Wirtz and a fan-favorite from the United Center, anchors the venue’s food and beverage experience. With a premium cocktail menu and curated food offerings, it celebrates a life well lived in a warm, welcoming space. 

Blackhawks Ice Center will also feature more food and beverage options, including the new RAISE THE CUP CAFÉ, an all-day café serving coffee, smoothies, and light bites. 

For more information and Ice Center hours, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Spring will be here before we know it, and there’s one task you’ll be happy you tackled now rather than later: switching your closet! Rotating from a winter to spring wardrobe is a great way to kick off spring cleaning and de-clutter your closet. 

Here are six types of clothing you should purge: 

Clothes you haven’t worn in over a year. Seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many items you probably have that you haven’t touched since last year! If you can’t remember the last time you wore it, toss it!

Anything uncomfortable. That goes for physically and mentally! Even if they’re currently in style, things that are itchy, too tight or bring up bad memories are always out. 

Themed clothes. Maybe it’s a bridesmaid’s dress or a Halloween costume. Maybe your daughter’s closet is full of old dance wear or formals for pageants. You can donate these items to charity or even sell the more expensive items on the internet. 

Anything damaged or faded. Faded light-colored t-shirts can be easily replaced. Thinning heels or holes in socks? These are bad for your feet as well as embarrassing if you need to remove your shoes! But if you have a particularly damaged item like a suit or dress that you don’t want to part with, consult with a tailor. 

Nostalgic items. This one is tough, I know. Sometimes we’re just too attached to that old, lucky jersey or concert t-shirt. If it’s something you think can be donated, take a picture with it on. If you really just can’t part with it, move it to a storage area with other memorabilia to free up space. 

Repeat items. I once bought a shirt in five different colors because I liked the fit so much. Of course, I ended up only wearing two of them most of the time. Out goes those other three! It can also help to keep stock of how many pieces you have in each category. It helps you to decide if you really need that new sweater or skirt. 

Shoes: the good, the bad and the ugly. Clothes can often be restyled, repurposed or donated, but it’s much harder to do with shoes. So purge those heels that hurt your feet. Chuck the chucks that don’t fit well. If those boots are falling apart, why are you letting them take up space? When it comes to your footwear, never settle. Your feet will thank you.

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago