We’re closing out another winter month as we take a leap towards spring this weekend with the following events!

The Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) will be held at McCormick Place, South Building (2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday. Stocked with mountains of books and merchandise, this comic and pop culture convention spans the latest and greatest from the world of comics, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. From a show floor packed with top exhibitors to autograph sessions to panels to screening room exclusives, there’s something for everyone. You’ll even have a chance to meet your favorite creators, actors, and artists. Guests like Matt Smith (Doctor Who), William Shatner (Star Trek), Ivy Doomkitty (Heroes of Cosplay), and many others will be signing autographs and participating in panels. Epic memories and awesome friendships await you! Enjoy a weekend that is all about you!!

The Old Crow Smokehouse (149 W. Kinzie St.) in the River North neighborhood will be hosting a Country Day Party on Saturday (12 p.m.-4 p.m.). Your ticket includes a two-hour brunch buffet (12 p.m.-2 p.m.), three hours of beer, bloody marys, and mimosas (12 p.m.-3 p.m.), a live performance by Rendition (1 p.m.-4 p.m.), giveaways and more! So, come decked out in your cowboy boots and daisy dukes for the best country day party at the best country bar in River North!!

Thousands of brave souls will be partaking in Sunday’s Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach (1601 N. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood benefitting Special Olympics Chicago! All are welcome to join in whether you go knee-deep, waist-high, or take the full plunge. You can plunge as an individual with the other supporters, join a team, or create your own team. Be sure to invite friends, family, and even co-workers to make the splash with you, or just to support you. Also, shoes are required to plunge, and don’t forget to bring a bag with warm, dry clothing and even an extra towel or two. There’s even a costume contest if you wish to dress-up. Afterward, enjoy the Meltdown Party featuring food, a cash bar, music, and heaters. Stop by the Olympic Village as well where you can take photos at their selfie stations, check out athlete artwork from Envisions artists, buy sweet treats from Misericordia, and more. Will you be a plunger this weekend?

Golf season will be here before you know it, so why not take a leap over to the Chicago Golf Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 River Rd.) in Rosemont on Saturday and Sunday. This show features a free Demo Days area where you can see and swing this year’s newest golf equipment; get a free round of golf courtesy of GolfVisions; take one-on-one full swing and putting lessons from the pros; get up close and personal with top PGA pros and golf celebrities; receive special show offers on balls, gloves, shoes, and other golf apparel and equipment; get discounted rounds for the season at area golf courses and even plan your golf vacations at hundreds of resort destinations! Chicagoland area golfers know that this is the only show to get everything they need for the first tee time of the season!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

This week I ventured with a friend into Edgewater to check out Farm Bar for a late lunch. This local franchise has spread since its inception in 2011 in River North outwards to Evanston, Lakeview, and its current Edgewater location at 1133 W. Granville Avenue. With a tunnel vision focus on sustainable ingredients locally sourced, I was eager to see what Farm Bar had in store for us.

The location was super easy to get to thanks to the Granville Red Line station being right down the street. Farm Bar’s ambiance was welcoming and full of natural light without any aesthetic focus in particular vying for your attention. Our server was attentive and wasted no time in explaining the specials and taking our order. The focus here is on food brought from farm to table, and we were eager to see what Farm Bar had in store for us.

Our meal kicked off with the Wisconsin Cheese Curds complimented with Farm Bar’s own homemade ketchup and curd sauce that packed a slight kick. Each bite was delicious and oozed with the ideal blend of fluffy cheesiness that required a second order. If nothing else, I knew that Farm Bar was my new spot for cheese curds and hoped that the rest of our order could live up to the tasty appetizer.

The winter menu provided a plethora of great-sounding options, and I ultimately settled on the Meatloaf Burger served medium-well. The burger kicked my taste buds into a new stratosphere thanks to the mixture of flavors featuring Monterey Jack cheese, shallots, mushroom aioli, and BBQ sauce. My friend ordered the crispy cheddar buttermilk fried chicken sandwich.  The few bites I tried were genuinely extraordinary, redefining in a few mouthfuls just how good a classic chicken sandwich can be done. The hand-cut fries, which I had reservations about when they arrived at our table, were seriously satisfying. They instantly rivaled the cheese curds in the “I can’t stop eating these” category.

I wish I had more time and room in my stomach to try the other items that caught my eye on the menu, such as the winter veggie salad, Midwestern grilled cheese, and pan-roasted salmon, but, alas, they will have to wait for another day. In other words, I will be coming back to Farm Bar in the very near future.

The farm to table method works exceptionally well at Farm Bar with the establishment keeping their food sourced from a four state radius ranging from Illinois and Indiana to Wisconsin and Michigan. Prices may be a touch on the high side, but for the quality of food, there is no reason to complain. Farm Bar’s Edgewater location is open Tuesday-Thursday 5 pm – 10 pm, Friday 5 pm – 11pm, Saturday 10 am – 11 pm, and Sunday 10 am  – 9 pm. Monday’s are closed.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Epsom salt was originally discovered and named for the town in England where it was discovered, Epsom. It has been used since the early 17th century and was once the most popular medicinal remedy in England. Epsom salt is chemically known as magnesium sulfate and has many beneficial uses around the home.

I’m sure everyone has heard that soaking in an Epsom salt bath is useful for many ailments. One of the ailments Epsom salt can help is low serotonin levels in the body, which can affect mood, sleep, and appetite. Low magnesium levels often cause low serotonin. Magnesium is drawn into the body by soaking in Epsom salt and can help raise serotonin levels. 

Epsom salts reduces inflammation, relieving aches and pains. It draws out toxins to treat swelling and pain from bruises and sprains. It improves arterial elasticity that will aid in circulation and reduce blood pressure. Soak in a warm (not too hot) bath containing two cups Epsom salt for at least 20 minutes. For a soothing foot soak, try ½ cup of Epsom salt mixed with warm water in a basin to relieve foot pain and treat toenail fungus and athlete’s foot. Mix two tablespoons in one cup of water and spray on sunburn to alleviate pain.

Epsom salt is a natural exfoliant that removes dead skin and impurities. Mix a good pinch in your facial cleanser, rub gently and rinse. It is also antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral, making it an excellent treatment for acne. Mix a bit of Epsom salt with your hair conditioner and leave it in for 20 minutes before rinsing for full volume soft hair. 

Epsom salts have many uses around the home and garden too. Scrub stuck-on food in pots and pans using the salt instead of damaging scouring powders.  Mix Epsom salts with equal parts liquid dish detergent then spread on tile and grout. Let the mixture soak for a few minutes, scrub and rinse. To clean your washing machine, fill it with hot water, and then add one qt. of white vinegar and one cup of Epsom salt. Agitate for two minutes, stop and let soak for 1 hour. Run through the rest of the cycle and then run an additional rinse cycle before using your washing machine again. 

In the garden, add Epsom salt to the soil before planting vegetables. Simply lay a line of Epsom salt around the perimeter of the garden to keep out pests and slugs. Increase foliage by adding Epsom salt to your watering can. Add one tablespoon per gallon for plants outdoors and one teaspoon per gallon for houseplants.   

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Come join the fun this weekend as Chicago brings New Orleans to our great city for Mardi Gras, which falls on this coming Tuesday!

The 31st annual Krewe of Laff’s Mardi Gras Bash will be held this Saturday (8 p.m.) at City Winery (1200 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop. Guests will experience an authentic Mardi Gras gala complete with NOLA-themed food and drink, beads, a second line parade, live music from New Orleans’ favorite trombone powerhouse Bonerama, and Chicago’s own Big Shoulders Brass Band to dance the night away! This year’s theme is “Speakeasy in the Big Easy” so be sure to don your fabulous prohibition era-themed costume to show off your Mardi Gras spirit. And, don’t miss the legendary raffle with proceeds benefitting the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic!!

Clark Street turns into Bourbon Street this Saturday for a Wrigleyville Mardi Gras Extravaganza. Your ticket for this event includes the before and after parties, 12 tastings including Jambalaya and other creole creations, drink specials at each stop, live music, Brazilian Swag dancers, photo ops, a trolley, and of course thousands of beads! Check-in from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the pre-party at Rizzo’s (3658 N. Clark St.) featuring live music from Rick King’s Royal Hustle (12 p.m.-2 p.m.) and free crawfish samples. The after-party (5 p.m.-7 p.m.) will be hosted at Sluggers (3540 N. Clark St.) featuring a live DJ, a costume contest, and giveaways! So, be sure to wear your best green, purple and gold Mardi Gras themed outfit and join the fun in Wrigleyville!!

As you may or may not know, the tradition of Carnival is celebrated throughout the world in a wide variety of ways. Here are the celebrations taking place this weekend in Chicago:

The first-ever Karneval (German Mardi Gras) will be held at the DANK Haus, 5th Floor Ballroom (4740 N. Western Ave.) in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on Saturday (7 p.m.-11 p.m.). Guests will enjoy an evening of dancing, food, entertainment, and all-around fun. Your ticket includes tasting stations featuring German-inspired food from Funkenhausen, local craft beer from Dovetail Brewery, and live music from Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles for an evening to remember! “Come dressed to impress” is encouraged!!

Dance the night away into the early morning at Carnival by Chicago Samba (a musical ensemble that plays authentic Brazilian dance music) on Saturday (9 p.m.-2 a.m.) at the Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N. Kedzie Blvd.) in the Logan Square neighborhood. This event features traditional ballroom Carnaval music, a samba dance lesson, a dance show with Carnaval costumes, DJ Nogueira, Brazilian food by Sinha Cuisine, and more!

Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood will host on Sunday (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) Global Connections: International Carnivale Celebration. This afternoon celebration brings the fun and festive tradition of Carnivale celebrated by Brazil, Italy, Trinidad and Tobago, New Orleans, and more to life with vibrant art, music, dance, and food from across the globe!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

It was only a matter of time before we got around to reviewing one of the most beloved Chicago staples ever: the hot dog. For this endeavor, I traveled to George’s Hot Dogs in Buck Town and was extremely glad I did.

Located at 1876 N. Damen, George’s Hot Dogs features all the necessary items on the menu to qualify as a classic Chicago spot to grab a dog. The hot dog is prepared the Windy City way with a poppy seed steamed bun and all the necessary fixings, including chopped onions, tomato, mustard, relish, pickle, and hot peppers. Many hot dog places try to mess with this winning formula, adding an assortment of toppings that have no place on a dog. George’s Hot Dogs sticks to the basics, and the results are delicious.

From the first bite to the last, the hot dog provided that tasty snap that Chicagoans know is the standard for a great tasting hot dog. Yes, the dog comes piled high with toppings, and you may need to perform some jaw stretching exercises beforehand if you’re not used to it, but that’s the Chicago way. The fries are delicious and perfectly compliment the dog. For $5, it’s a great combo that puts other similar spots to shame.

Next up was the Maxwell Street Polish that did that legendary Chicago street proud. Bursting with flavor, the Polish was topped off the proper way with grilled onion, hot peppers, and mustard. This is definitely an item I will order again on my next visit.

We didn’t stop at the dogs, though. The customers next to us ordered the gyros plate, and it looked so amazing we just had to taste it. Word of caution: you will need to bring your appetite (and maybe a friend or two) to tackle the gigantic serving size of this delicious plate.  The slices of meat are thin and practically melt in your mouth, leaving your taste buds craving more. The gyros plate comes with a side salad and your choice of fries or rice. We went with the rice, and it complimented the cooked to perfection meat wonderfully. For $12, the gyros plate was enough to fill up two people with ease.

George’s Hot Dogs provides the classic tastes that I always associate with great Chicago food on a budget. There are no-frills here, just mouthwatering made to order food served hot and delicious. This place does it right, and its no wonder they’ve been in business since 1948.

Whether you’re in a hurry or just have a taste for classic Chicago food done right, George’s Hot Dogs is the spot in Bucktown to satisfy your cravings. Just make sure you bring some green, as this spot is cash only. Hours are Monday- Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, with the business closed on Sundays.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO