THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – An Explosion of Color!

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crowd of people throwing colored paint on Holi festival

We’ve made it! Spring officially sprung this past Thursday which means this weekend we’ll be immersed in an explosion of color as we celebrate of our new spring season!!

A Hindu festival of colors commemorating the return of spring will begin the weekend celebration with Global Connections: Celebration of Holi this Saturday (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) at Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Your day of free festivities will feature live music, dancing, interactive programming, and food and beverages available for purchase.  Plus, the festival’s iconic powder throwing and outdoor DJs will be in the Pier’s Beer Garden.  Powder will be available for purchase on-site while supplies last!

The biggest Holi Fest of 2025 will take place this Saturday (10 p.m.-3 a.m.) at the Fame Nightclub (157 W. Ontario St.) in the River North neighborhood with Holi Rave / Bollywood Techno.  Celebrate Holi with neon paints and glow in the dark party favors as you immerse yourself in a riot of colors while enjoying a top-shelf bar, fingerlicious food, Bollywood music, and many more fun activities.  Please note there is strictly no outside color allowed.  It’s an annual colorful, vibrant, and fun event not to be missed!

Here to usher in the warmer days of spring this Saturday (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) is the Garfield Park Conservatory’s (300 N. Central Park Ave.) Spring Flower Show – “Rooted in Mystery”.  This year’s theme explores the critical part of plants we don’t see hidden underground—the roots!  Visitors will learn about the different types of roots as well as their important functions in the lives of plants.  In addition, enjoy their marvelous display of spring plants that include azaleas, pansies, snapdragons, astilbe, baptisia, and hydrangeas as well as 26 varieties of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.  Reservation is required!

Become Sweet Seekers in Training at the Hershey Super Sweet Adventure this Saturday (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) at Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave.) on the Near North Side.  This unique indoor play experience is for all ages and is re-opening with more activities, games, and interactive fun inspired by beloved Hershey’s candies such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates, Twizzlers, and Jolly Rancher.  This family-friendly interactive experience is where imagination and play come together for more play, more fun, and more memories to be made!

Continue your St. Patrick’s Day celebration and join Chicago as it kicks off its spring running season with the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle this Sunday (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Grant Park (301 S. Columbus Dr.) in The Loop.  This annual shuffle sends thousands of green-clad participants on an 8K Run, a Two-Mile Walk, or a One-Mile Race weaving through the heart of downtown Chicago that starts and finishes in Grant Park.  As usual, participants will receive a Nike race shirt, a festive knit hat, a bib number to display, a finisher’s medal, and one drink ticket to use at the Post-Race Party held at Buckingham Fountain at Columbus and Ida B. Wells Drive immediately following the shuffle!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: Flying Chicago’s Friendly Skies…A (Very) Brief History of Aviation in Chicago

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Southwest Airlines Boeing 737's are in line for takeoff and one is on final approach to land at Chicago Midway International Airport

Now the largest hub in the Midwest, Chicago’s aviation history began early in the commercial flight era. 

According to the Aviation Chicago blog, Chicago got its first airline service back at the dawn of aviation.

In the beginning…

In the early 1900’s, after Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Aero Clubs sprouted throughout the United States. 

In Illinois, commercial flight began as the brainchild of Aero Club President Harold F. McCormick and Jack Vilas, who was the first person to fly across Lake Michigan when he completed a 64 mile over-the-water flight from Silver Beach Amusement Park in St. Joseph, Michigan, to Chicago in 1913. Together with other investors, they formed Lake Shore Airlines in May, 1914 and began their first scheduled flights the next month.

 The airline, according to the website, served three destinations: Lake Forest, Grant Park, and the South Shore Country Club. Both McCormick and Vilas owned Curtiss Model F hydroaeroplanes, and both were used by the airline. Back then, tickets were a whopping $10, which is approximately $317.67 today. The author believes that Lake Shore Airlines was only the second airline started in the U.S. (The first was a line serving the Tampa-Ft. Lauderdale area.)

However, the open-cockpit aircraft made of wood and fabric made for a complicated, perhaps stomach-churning landing off of Lake Michigan. Those who could afford tickets didn’t appreciate it, especially in bad weather, and Lake Shore Airlines was gone by the end of the year.

Second Generation: Delivering the mail and the growth of commercial flight 

According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, the roots of aviation is in the transport of mail for the U.S. Post Office. By the 1920’s, the website notes the Post Office contracted with fledgling airline companies to fly mail throughout the country. Chicago was a pivotal location from the earliest establishment of the Contract Air Mail routes. Charles Lindbergh himself made his mark as an air mail carrier, providing service between St. Louis and Chicago (Maywood Field), with intermediate stops in Springfield and Peoria, long before his history-making non-stop transatlantic flight to Paris in 1927. 

Development of the early commercial airline industry grew from a combination of a federal infrastructure of navigation systems and regulations, local boosterism, and private investment.

Part Three: World”s Busiest Airport(s)

Inthe 1920s and 1930s, according to the Encyclopedia of Chicago History, Chicago communities built airports as a matter of civic pride and attracted private airline companies by promising modern facilities and room for expansion. Chicago Municipal Airport was built in 1927 to replace Maywood Field, the airstrip used for airmail. That year, Municipal Airport was a single cinder runway with one square mile of land available for expansion 10 miles southwest of downtown. By 1929, the airport maintained its own post office, stationed a division of the Illinois National Guard, and handled 32 arrivals and departures of passengers, mail, and cargo daily. Municipal Airport cost 10 million dollars to develop. 

By 1932, it was the busiest airport in the nation and for years claimed the title of ‘World’s Busiest Airport.’  In 1949, Municipal Airport was renamed Midway Airport to commemorate the famous battle in the Pacific.

In 1946, the city purchased over a thousand acres of land northwest of the city. O’Hare opened its 24-million-dollar terminal for commercial passenger traffic in 1955, soon usurping Midway’s title of ‘World’s Busiest Airport.’

According to Simple Flying, Chicago O’Hare International Airport operates as the fourth busiest in the United States and the 5th most connected airport in the world, serving just under 75 million passengers in 2024. 

How far we’ve come …as we take our children to Spring Break destinations far and wide, imagine where we’d be without access to the air! 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review: Celebrate National Noodle Month at Logan Square’s Akahoshi Ramen

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Ramen noodle soup with eggs, mushrooms, pak choi in white bowl on bright orange background

Did you know…that National Noodle Month is observed in March? And one of the best noodle restaurants, designated by both Timeout and The Infatuation is Akahoshi Ramen, a creation of ‘Ramen Lord’ chef Mike Satinover, who earned his reputation and fan base through his Reddit reviews over the past decade+, and honed his craft on a series of pop-ups in the Chicago area. 

Since it opened in November 2023, the restaurant has earned its reputation as one of the toughest reservations in Chicago through their attention to detail in hand crafting all the soups, seasonings, toppings, and noodles at their storefront shop. 

Why Ramen?

As they say on Open Table, the dish, popularized in Japan after World War 2, “is symbolic of both struggle and perseverance. It is both a simple dish, and a fantastically complex one that we treat with reverence and respect.”

Satinover also takes pains to explain that they “are not an authentic ramen shop, though we value the history of ramen, and our ramen is influenced by its past and its future potential.”

That’s fine by me. Ramen, in all its forms, is the best comfort food for my money. The noodles are warm, you can put almost any ingredient in it…nuts, vegetables, spices, meat, poultry or fish…and it’s healthy, warms you up and comforts you all at the same time. When the weather veers from 25 to 70 degrees, as it does in March, I’m in! 

Perhaps that’s the reason why reservations are so hard to get at Akahoshi Ramen. 

What does ‘Akahoshi’ mean, and why is it important?

As they note on Open Table, their name roughly translates to “Red Star,” the name “Akahoshi” is a love letter to two cities; Sapporo, Hokkaido, where red stars adorn city monuments, and Chicago, Illinois, where the red star decorates the city flag. 

And now, the food …

Akahoshi Miso, their namesake dish, is a blend of misos, homemade crinkly Sapporo-style noodles, and plenty of lard, which is topped with beansprouts, green onions, menma bamboo shoots, and pork chashu. 

But the creativity doesn’t stop there. For example, Midwest Shoyu is described as *Modernity meets origins.” Clear chicken soup, onion oil, soy sauce with katsuobushi, straight thin noodles with Midwest wheat are topped with green onions, nori, menma bamboo shoots, pork chashu, shio koji chicken breast, narutomaki, and fried onion. Soupless Tantanmen is a soupless variant of ramen, based loosely on Dandan noodles. Extra thick noodles, ma-la spice, and sesame is topped with pork soboro, green onions, and bok choi for a savory meal. Aburasoba is a soupless variant of ramen, popularized by college students at Waseda University. Extra thick noodles, garlic, and soy sauce are topped with textures, and chopped chashu (Japanese braised pork belly).

Every month, they offer a special. In March, it’s Tonkotsu Gyokai, which is a Tonkotsu soup, with soy sauce, loads of katsuobushi and niboshi sardine, served over thin, snappy noodles, and topped with pork chashu, green onion, menma bamboo shoots, narutomaki, nori, and fish powder. Yum! 

PLEASE NOTE: All checks include a 20% service charge in lieu of a tip. Tipping is not required nor expected.

Akahoshi Ramen is located at 2340 N. California Avenue, Suite B They are open Tuesday–Saturday from 5pm – 9pm. 

A note about reservations: Each Monday at Noon CT, they release a week of reservations, five weeks in advance. They also accept a large number of walk-ins each day. On average, according to their fact sheet, half of the restaurant is dedicated to walk-ins. They suggest that it’s easiest to walk-in during weekdays from 5-7pm.

That said, for reservations, click here. And good luck!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 5 things to do for a successful career reboot

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Vector graphic of business people searching the best candidate or job

Employees in the United States are actively looking for a new job at the highest rate since 2015, about 51%. Are you one of them? Here are a few things to think about before you make that big change:

Don’t quit your job too soon. Do you have enough money saved so you can live if the next move takes longer than you think? Do you have a signed contract for your next position? Consider health care. You don’t want any gaps in coverage. COBRA is the usual way to go, but there is a time limit, and it can be costly so include it in your financial planning. You can always leave a job—but it’s not always easy to return if your plans don’t pan out. 

Think about a side hustle. This can help you save money for your living expenses between jobs and allows you to explore potential future career opportunities. It will give you additional security when and if you do want to leave your full-time job. The opportunities are endless, including ride-share driving or deliveries. Many have varied hours that can fit in with your full-time employment or job searching. 

Upskill. Keep working on your skills. Depending on what type of job you are looking for you can always sharpen your skills. Perhaps you can work on coding or learning the ins and outs of Excel or Word.

Make good use of job platforms. Resumes, while still recommended, are not always enough to get your foot in the door. It can be better for employers to actually see your work and engage with you online. If you are looking at a literary field, maybe you could try publishing a regular blog. Also, make sure to research and set up job alerts for the companies you are interested in. That way you don’t miss your ideal job. 

Know that no job will be perfect. Identify which parts of a job that you like and the environment you prefer, but always be ready to pivot if a good opportunity arises. If things aren’t lining up, try adjusting your goals so you can focus on the bigger picture. Write them down. It can be a compass for what you are looking for in your next position. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Finding Your Dream Home: A Comprehensive Guide for Home Buyers

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A key inserted into a door of the new house with a hand opening it, inside the room are cardboard boxes and furniture

Purchasing a home can be one of the most significant decisions of your life, filled with excitement and, sometimes, stress. For many, the dream of owning a home is tied to the vision of a perfect place to create lasting memories. However, the path to finding that dream home is not always straightforward. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help home buyers navigate the journey.

Define Your Vision

Before you even start browsing listings, it’s essential to take a step back and visualize what your dream home looks like. Consider elements such as:

Location: Are you drawn to urban living or a quieter suburban or rural setting? Proximity to work, schools, and amenities can significantly influence your decision.

Style: Do you prefer a modern, minimalist aesthetic or a cozy, traditional look? Think about whether you like single-family homes, townhouses, or condos.

Size and Layout: How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Is an open floor plan important to you? Assess your current situation and future needs.

Creating a priority list can help focus your search on what truly matters to you.

Set Your Budget

Once you have a clear vision, it’s time to establish your budget. Homeownership costs extend beyond the purchase price and may include property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance expenses. Here are some steps to help with your budgeting:

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage: Speak to lenders to understand how much you can borrow and secure a pre-approval letter. This not only gives you a clear idea of your budget but also strengthens your position when making an offer.

Consider Additional Costs: Besides the initial down payment, factor in closing costs, home inspections, moving expenses, and potential renovations.

Stick to Your Budget: It’s easy to get carried away when viewing beautiful homes, but staying within your budget will prevent future financial strain.

Conduct Your Search

With a budget in place, the fun part begins! Start searching for homes through various avenues:

Real Estate Websites: Platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com allow you to filter searches by location, price, and home features.

Hire a Real Estate Agent: A knowledgeable agent like us can provide invaluable insights into the housing market and help you find homes that match your criteria. We can also assist with negotiations and paperwork.

Attend Open Houses: Visiting homes in person allows you to get a feel for the space and visualize how it might suit your lifestyle.

Evaluate and Make an Offer

After touring several homes, you’re likely to find one that resonates with you. Take your time to evaluate the property thoroughly. Consider aspects like:

Condition of the Home: Look beyond aesthetics; check for any repairs or renovations that may be needed.

Neighborhood: Is it a safe area? Are amenities, public transport, and schools nearby?

Once you’re confident in your choice, work with your real estate agent to submit a competitive offer. Be prepared to negotiate, and remember to account for contingencies like inspections.

Closing the Deal

If your offer is accepted, you’ll enter the closing phase. This process can include inspections, appraisals, and finalizing your mortgage. Stay organized and communicate regularly with your agent and lender to ensure a smooth closing.

Final Thoughts

Finding your dream home may take time, but with careful planning, research, and the right support, it is achievable. Remember that every home has the potential to become your dream space with the right vision and personal touches. Embrace the journey, and soon enough, you’ll be unlocking the door to your new sanctuary.

2025 St. Patrick’s Day

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THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – It Doesn’t Get Any Greener Than This!

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chicago river walk with green color dyeing river in downtown with irish and american people are celebrating

This weekend, experience Chicago’s ultimate St. Patrick’s Day celebrations across the city’s most spirited venues.  There’s nothing quite like St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago when Irish taverns fill with revelers, cultural celebrations pop up across the city, and the Chicago River sparkles brilliant shades of emerald green.  Whether you’re Irish or just Irish at heart, don your best green and get out there for one of the biggest parties of the year!  It doesn’t get any greener than this!!

Begin your Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with the Dyeing of the Chicago River taking place between Columbus Drive and Orleans Street in The Loop.  A tradition since 1962, the Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 pours a vegetable-based dye into the river turning it a bright shade of green.  This color only lasts a few hours before turning back to its usual murky shade, so be sure to catch a glimpse of it or perhaps even snap some photos before heading off to the parade!

The city’s big St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place in Grant Park at 12 p.m.  Catch the festive procession starting at Balbo Avenue and Columbus Drive then proceeding north on Columbus to Monroe Street with a viewing stand in front of Buckingham Fountain.  Once again, since the first official parade in 1956 The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band will be leading the procession followed by plenty of colorful floats waving their Irish flags, troops of Irish step dancers, marching bands, and more during this three-hour celebration!

Other neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day parades include theSouth Side Irish Parade on Sunday in the Beverly neighborhood; the Northwest Side Irish Parade on Sunday in the Norwood Park neighborhood; the Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood; and the Avondale St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday in the Avondale neighborhood.

Gallagher Way (3635 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood celebrates St. Patrick’s Day at Gallagher Way on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a host of family-friendly activities.  Immerse yourselves in all things Irish with exciting traditional live music, Irish dancing performances, face painting, balloon artist, lawn games, Irish giveaways, and more!

Festival season usually doesn’t start until late spring, but this year get ready to Shamrock & Roll as Division Street is transformed into a St. Patrick’s Day street festival on Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-8 p.m.) between State Street and Dearborn Street at 21 W. Division Street on the Near North Side.  Enjoy embracing the luck of the Irish with live music, traditional dances, bagpipers, family-friendly activities, beer and food vendors, and plenty of festive cheer.  Plus on Sunday, families will have dedicated activity stations and kid-friendly entertainment to ensure festival-goers of all ages have a great time too!

For my bar crawlers out there, who prefer to start drinking at the “top o’ the morning,” here are two bar crawls taking place on Saturday:

The Chicago Shamrock Crawl takes place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at over 30 of Wrigleyville’s best bars.  A ticket includes admission to all participating bars, a free official crawl t-shirt, breakfast buffets, a gift card to use on the crawl, drink specials, giveaways, and more!

The 11th annual River North St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl takes place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  A ticket gets admission to all bars on the crawl, four free $5 gift cards to use on the crawl, drink specials, giveaways, and more.  Plus, don’t forget about the bagpipers, stilt walkers, and “leprechauns” bringing the luck of the Irish to you!

Finally, here’s a link to various other St. Patrick’s Day Events in Chicago taking place this weekend.

Enjoy your Weekend Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: Chicago’s World- Famous Trinity Irish Dance Troupe thrills with precision, history

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Three young beautiful girls in irish dance dress dancing

In a state where a Census Bureau’s survey estimates 1,078,354 people with Irish ancestry (reported by the Conde Nast Traveler), is  it any wonder that the largest, best known, and most decorated Irish Dance company was founded here? 

Over the next few days, the Trinity Irish Dancers will be everywhere all at once, gracing St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations from the South Side Irish to Aurora. Their precise step dance, set off with colorful costumes and tightly curled hair, sets the stage for a a weekend of celebrating all things Irish!

But the Trinity Irish Dancers are so much more than a local phenomenon. They are an international force, setting the standard for decades to come. 

History 

“The essence of what Trinity is and has always been stands on the shoulders of our balanced program. 

Our unique combination of performance, core, and team programming, the tools we provide, and the critical life lessons our dancers learn here put them in a great position to become increasingly balanced individuals.”

Mark Howard, Founding Artistic Director 

TheTrinity Academy of Irish Dance was founded in 1982 by Mark Howard, an ambitious, Emmy-winning choreographer. Howard trained at the Dennehy School of Irish Dance, where Michael Flatley, Riverdance star and creator of Lord of the Dance, also studied. The English-born, Rogers Park native began teaching when he was only 17 years old, according to Broadway World, and by age 20 he had launched the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States—the first when he was only 25. 

By 1990, these formative years led to the creation of the nonprofit Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC), to celebrate and further his work.  This uniquely Irish-American company was the birthplace of progressive Irish dance, an innovative movement genre which “ushered in a new era for Irish step dance” (Chicago Tribune), according to their website, opening new avenues of artistic freedom that led directly to commercial productions such as “Riverdance.”

 As a competitive coach and choreographer, Howard would go on to redefine what was possible for American teams becoming the first to win gold in all categories, leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States. 

Most importantly, according to their website, by using Irish dance as an instrument and a metaphor, TIDC redefines the medium with passion, flair, and precision. And…with a unique blend of uncompromising power and grace, TIDC sends a consistent message of female empowerment with a repertory that has elevated the art form for 35 years. 

Worldwide Tours and Performances

Considered an American treasure by critics and enthusiasts worldwide, as their website notes, TIDC has performed sold-out tours in Europe, Asia, and North America, appearing in distinguished venues, such as New York’s The Joyce Theater, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, UCLA’s Royce Hall, Princeton’s McCarter Theater, Ottawa’s National Arts Center of Canada, Tokyo’s Orchard Hall, and Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, among many others. The Company has travelled to entertain dignitaries as varied as Monaco’s royal family, Irish and American presidents, Japanese royalty, and Indian meditation masters.

Upcoming Events 

Trinity Irish Dance Academy is training the next generation of Irish Dancers by hosting a 10-Week Spring Camp at Lakeview’s Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture 2936 N. Southport Avenue. The classes start on March  25, meeting on Tuesdays from 4:30pm-5:15pm through June 3. They also host weekly classes for 3 ½ – 5-year-olds (River Class)  geared towards learning to move their bodies, count music, take turns and perform on stage with older buddies.

For 6 – 12-year-olds (Cork/Derry Class) the Academy has Beginner level classes, where students learn the Light Jig and Reel, as their website says, to be ready for St. Patrick’s Day performances!

For more information, click here.

35th Anniversary Celebration 

Trinity Irish Dance Company will launch its 35th Anniversary season at the Museum of Contemporary Art in May 2025. Their milestone season will include other special local events and performances across the country to be announced.

Continuing TIDC’s longstanding history of pushing the boundaries of a cultural form, the Museum of Contemporary Art performances will include the world premiere of “The Sash,” choreographed by Trinity Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard, Associate Artistic Director and dancer Chelsea Hoy and guest contemporary choreographer Stephanie Martinez, founder and Artistic Director of Chicago’s PARA.MAR Dance Theatre. Completing the program will be a selection of TIDC’s diverse repertoire, featuring original music performed live by TIDC’s band, fronted by Killarney-born Brendan O’Shea. 

The four-performance series at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., May 16-18 will include:

  • Friday, May 16: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Opening night performance and 35th  Anniversary gala celebration, featuring special guests: local Trinity Academy students that won the 2024 world championship gold medal for the United States
  • Saturday, May 17: 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. performance
  • Sunday, May 18: 1 p.m. matinee

For tickets and more information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review: For St. Patrick’s Day, West Loop’s Guiness Open Gate Brewery is a path to Dublin

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Guinness pints stock photo lined up on a bar serving area

Arthur Guinness started brewing beer in Dublin, Ireland in 1759. More than 260 years later, the Guinness Brewing Company brought the Guiness Open Gate Brewery to the West Loop, providing a taste of the Emerald Isle in Chicago. It’s also one of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2025!

The Chicago Guinness Open Gate Brewery features a Taproom, Restaurant, and the first-ever Guinness Bakery. As they say on their website, Guinness Open Gate Brewery (OGB for short) is the innovative, experimental arm of Guinness breweries. The OGB focuses on creating new and innovative beers, serving unique and global cuisine alongside beers, and highlighting the spirit of community, inclusivity, and hospitality that are the hallmarks of the Guinness brand.

The building itself is a mix of old traditions and new purpose. Located in a 123-year-old railroad building and opened in 2023, the brewery is a tribute to its Irish roots, featuring a 7,700-pound metal harp overhead, and round light fixtures that look like beer bubbles. 

It’s family-friendly 362 days a year, but during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, they’re limiting the age of your young’uns to 21+. And they’ve got some special festivities planned, especially as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off on Saturday, March 15, around 12:15pm. This year’s parade starts at the intersection of Columbus and Balbo Drives, continuing north on Columbus and concluding at Monroe Street.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery ensures that you can celebrate every day in March with a specially crafted prix fixe menu. The menu is available through March 31:

Start with a rich Potato Soup, then choose from three delicious entrées: Corned Beef & Colcannon (a mix of mashed potatoes and cabbage,) Bangers & Mash (sausages, mashed potatoes and gravy,) or classic Fish & Chips, with a tangy beer-battered pollock. But … leave room for their delicious Brown Bread Pudding, made with Guinness Stout-infused brown bread. 

For the ultimate experience, optional beer pairings like Irish Barley Lager, St. Francis Abbey, or Clover Honey Ale are available to complement your meal. Book your table today for this limited-time experience by clicking here. 

Ticketed Sessions St. Patrick’s Day Weekend 

They’ve planned quite the celebration for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. Their ticketed sessions will include live music, classic Irish fare, Dublin and Chicago-brewed beer, giveaways, and most importantly, $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Chicago’s Greater Food Depository, with Guinness matching the first $10,000 in donations.

Table tickets include: guaranteed seating for two hours in their tap room and guaranteed free giveaway.  Their Brunch menu is available from 8am-1pm and their Dinner Menu from 1:00pm-8:00pm. Tickets will be required for sessions on these three days. Secure your spot now by clicking here. 

Reviews on point

A recent Google review captures the experience:”I recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Guinness brewery in Chicago, and I must say, it was an incredible experience from start to finish! The space Itself is beautifully designed, blending modern elegance with the rich history of the Guinness brand.

What truly stood out, however, was the warm and friendly welcome I received from Dillon, the bartender. From the moment I arrived, Dillon’s enthusiasm and knowledge about the brewery’s offerings made me feel right at home. He was not only attentive but also gave fantastic recommendations, ensuring I got to try a unique flight of beers that perfectly suited my palate.

The ambiance was lively, yet comfortable, and the beer—unsurprisingly—was outstanding. Whether you’re a Guinness aficionado or just curious to explore, this place is a must-visit. Kudos to Dylan and the entire team for creating such a memorable experience. I can’t wait to come back!”

The Chicago Guinness Open Gate Brewery is located at 901 W. Kinzie Street  They are open Monday–Friday, 11am–11pm, Friday 11am–12am,  Saturday from 9am–12am, and Sunday from 9am–10pm.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Four saving strategies that work

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Portrait of young modern couple planning finances for summer vacation

We all would be better off if we became more mindful of our spending. With purchases reduced to a quick click on a website it is way too easy to buy things these days! You may have heard of “no buy months”, where you eliminate all non-essential purchases for a set period. But concepts like that, though straightforward, often fail as they don’t set a framework for long term habits. A budget can also be difficult because it can feel like being on a diet. So, here are some strategies that can set you on a path to financial wellness:

The envelope method. This is an old but effective way to budget. You divide physical cash into separate envelopes for your expenses. Common categories include groceries, gas, rent, entertainment, etc. Once the envelope is empty you are done for the month. It makes you really consider every purchase. Paying with real cash instead of just using your phone also helps you pause before making purchases. 

Find the problem areas. Try to pick out your most problematic category of spending. First, identify your highest unnecessary spending category. Set a reasonable goal to reduce by half. Example: cutting eating-out by half. Track your progress. This works as you are not trying to eliminate the spending entirely but just reducing.

Slow shopping. This emphasizes thoughtful consumption rather than being impulsive. Have a mandatory waiting period before making non-essential purchases. Do your research, check out alternatives and compare prices. Maybe a secondhand option may work. Ask yourself, what is the value of this purchase, is it truly necessary? 

Create your own values-based budget. What really matters to you and your family? Is your health top priority? Do you value family experiences? Perhaps the education of you and your children is at the top of your list. Allocate more resources to these categories that are of high value to you. Then you can naturally reduce spending in other areas that don’t align with your priorities. 

The most effective strategy is one you can maintain. Try different approaches until you find one that will create sustainable habits without making you feel deprived. It’s not about spending money, it’s about spending on what really matters to you!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago