Green Festival Back In Chicago, May 18th & 19th

Where are all my eco-friendlies at?! Sammi, here to talk nothing other than the Green Festival coming to our beautiful windy city on May 18^th & 19^th at Navy Pier. Let’s kick off this spring weather with one the largest (24,000 participants in 2012) and most diverse festivals including education, shopping, food and loads of fun activities!

At the festival expect to experience everything green including:  a vegan and organic food court, the Sierra Club Green Cinema, fashion exhibits, workshops, music, dancing, yoga, an organic beer and wine garden, speakers, educational activities and so much more! Green Festival will also feature the Green Marketplace, where you can buy goods and services from our local Chicago businesses.

Not only are you able experience all the fun, but also you don’t have to worry about making a carbon footprint by negatively impacting the environment as a result of the event. While the Green Festival is working towards a zero waste event, they have a 90% Resource Recovery Rate. All vendors practice these standards to ensure sustainability; food vendors use composting for scraps. Expect to see resource Recovery Stations with volunteers to answer any questions you may have.

Tickets range from $10-$32 dollars, but if your 18 or under or bring four cans of food to donate to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, expect FREE admission! Check this out for more ticket information.

Last year, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. spoke at the event and left us with these wise words, “Green Festival is not an event. It is a lifestyle.” On that note, see you all there!

-Sammi Raines

Tags: 2013 festivals, 90% Resource Recovery Rate, an organic beer and wine garden, buy green goods, chicago festivals, composting, dancing, diverse festivals, eco-friendly, education, environment, fashion exhibits, food, greater chicago food depository, green, Green Festival, Green Festival Chicago, Green Marketplace, green services, green vendors, Local, local Chicago businesses, Music, navy pier, organic, Recovery Stations, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., shopping, speakers, sustainability, the Sierra Club Green Cinema, vegan and organic food court, workshops, yoga, zero waste event

Glamour + Gourmet, A Girls’ Night Out at Andreas Hogue Salon

Hi Chicago! I’m Ashley Hogue, owner at Andreas Hogue Salon in Northbrook, and we have a really fun evening planned in honor of Earth Month!

On Tuesday, April 30th, your evening will begin at 6pm with a variety of gourmet food + wine at Whole Foods Market Northbrook’s Lifestyle Center (private party room). You will then journey to the salon for coffee + dessert and to experience one of our mini services. Choose from an Aveda Hand Massage/Paraffin Dip, a Mini Manicure, or a Mirabella “Just Eyes” makeover (a makeup application/consultation). We will also be raffling off haircuts, manicures, and an amazing gift basket worth $320 as well as a 10-class pass to Dailey Method!

Tickets are $30 each or $50 for ALL THREE salon services! Your donation will benefit the Alliance for the Great Lakes and help better water quality, promote water conservation, restore and enhance habitats and maintain healthy beaches in and around Lake Michigan.

For more formation contact ashley@andreashogue.com. Please RSVP to Hilary at (847) 272.1616.

-Ashley Hogue

Tags: Andreas Hogue Salon, Aveda, benefit, charity, Dailey Method, Earth month, food, fun, gifts, girls, hair, lake michigan, makeup, nails, night out, salon, spa, Whole Foods Market, wine

Calling all Chicago Wine and Rock Enthusiasts!

Tags: Bob Stroud, chicago, food, magnificent mile, michigan avenue, Music, rock and roll, The Drive 97.1, The Signature Room at the 95th®, wine

Chicago Food Film Festival Mixes Movies with Good Grub

Growing tired of your usual dinner-and-a-movie date? Mix it up this weekend and attend the 3^rd annual Chicago Food Film Festival. The brainchild of George Motz, Travel Channel host and filmmaker, the festival will screen 17 films highlighting food and drink. There are 7 awards categories including: Best Feature, Best Short, Best Super-Short, Best Food Porn, Food Filmmaker of the Year, Best Film Made Locally, and Audience Choice Award.

Still not enthused? It gets better. At the Chicago Food Film Festival audience members are served the food/drinks that appear on the screen! This year’s fest includes 4 world premieres, 1 US premiere, and several Chicago premieres.

This year guests will enjoy whisky tastings from 8 distilleries in Scotland during the screening of Whisky: The Islay Edition, a fish fry during Fish Fry Night Milwaukee, and much more. Renowned chefs also participate in the gathering of food connoisseurs. Chef Phillip Foss brings back his famous “fries and ice cream,” and ramen expert Chef Keizo Shimamoto flies in from Japan Saturday to host Midnight Ramen, a meet-and-eat hosted by Kitchit, Gohan Society, and Sun Noodle.

Whether you’re looking to see a good movie or get a savory bite to eat, the Chicago Food Film Festival is sure to satisfy your craving. It’s a great opportunity to broaden your palette, both for the culinary and cinematic arts!

-Nathan Sullivan

Tags: audience, awards, chicago food film fest, documentary, Drink, filmmaker, food, geroge motz, premieres, travel channel

Local Beer Company Collaborates with River North Hotspot: TasteIT Insider Dinner at Rockit Bar & Grill

Finch Beer Company and Rockit Bar and Grill present the first TasteIT Insider Dinner to give you an exclusive look at specially paired combinations of food and drink. Rockit Bar and Grill Executive chef Amanda Downing will be cooking up an awesome four-course menu while Finch Beer Company serves up a multitude of beers to go along with each course!

Come to see two awesome local businesses working together to throw an event that all walks of taste can enjoy. From sea scallops to sausage to braised short ribs – the paired ales and cider choices are sure to give your taste buds a run for their money.

For just $45 you can enjoy a night of good eats and drinks while hanging with other people who enjoy great food and conversation! You can also meet Finch Beer Company brewers Richard Grant and Michael Demetrus! So bring a date, your friends or your parents for a night of food and beer combo’s to remember! To purchase tickets click here!

-Mandy Stifter 

Tags: ales, Amanda Downing, cider, combinations, exclusive, Finch Beer Company, food, ribs, rockit bar and grill, scallops, Tags: beer, Taste, taste buds, TasteIT

Taking Chicago on a Style Exploration

There is a new company that’s making a splash even before their June 14th launch; ShopAround Chicago, the brainchild of CEO and Style Maven Sean Krista. Alongside partner Shontelle Watson, they have mapped out a trifecta of chic walking tours throughout the neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast.

ShopAround Chicago saw the need to highlight and celebrate local boutiques and make Chicago fashion recognizable to locals and tourists. You can go on a “style exploration” at the ShopAround Chicago Launch Party & Shop Party on Thursday June 14^th from 6-9 pm on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The event is free and you’ll be whisked away by Krista and a knowledgeable Style Guide to find hidden gems beyond compare! Guests will receive bags filled with specialty items from local shops and a 10% discount on items purchased during the event. Boutique spa Buff Beauty will host a beautiful brow bar & drinks will be provided by Frankie Scaloppine restaurant.

ShopAround Chicago’s mission is to ensure that people “fall in love with the story behind each shop, learn more about the products they carry and leave with bags full of spoils and smile on their faces”. With the backdrop of our city’s energy along with the ladies haute know-how, that won’t be very hard to do.

If you’re planning on attending email rsvp@shoparoundchicago.com

Like ShopAround Chicago on Facebook and follow them on Twitter

So remember to “shop Local, shop Smart and always ShopAround!

-Sean Krista

Tags: 900 shops, Bar, Boutique spa Buff Beauty, ceo, chicago, cocktails, fashion, food, Frankie Scaloppine, Gold Coast, launch, lincoln park, magnificent mile, Michigan, open, sean krista, Shontelle Watson, shoparound, style, style maven, wicker park

BBQ Stains On My White Tee Shirt

Slap on a white tee and embrace the messiness! Chicago’s most anticipated street festival, Ribfest is almost here!

You know at Thanksgiving when you want to boycott food the day before so you can eat your brains out once the festivities begin? I’m thinking Ribfest might be of Thanksgiving Day caliber- 50,000 people are expected to attend the event and there will be 50,000 pounds of pork…you do the math.

Now in its 14th year, Ribfest has transformed from a community block party to an over-the-top Chicago staple. As featured in local and national media, Ribfest is a three day festival devoted to slippery, sticky and delicious ribs. All Chicagoland restaurant BBQ masters are invited to compete for the title of “Best Ribs” and “People’s Choice.”

Ribfest is also a nationally recognized Indie music festival hosting two stages that feature 20 local and national acts including Heartless Bastards, J. Roddy Walston and the Business and Megafaun !

RibMania will also return hosting the Midwest’s only professional rib-eating contest!!! Actually, now that I think about it, I might come to regret the enthusiasm I used in the last sentence once I watch these contestants in action, but hey, it should be a sight to see!

There is a $5 donation requested and proceeds from the festival are used for community activities including greening efforts and local outreach programs including the Northcenter Chamber’s Philanthropy Committee.

So head over to Northcenter Chamber of Commerce on Lincoln Avenue and BRING ON THE FOOD COMA!

By: Lauren Neuschel

Tags: bbq, billy dec, Block Party, chicago, concert, Family, festival, food, fundraiser, Heartless Bastards, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, Lincoln Avenue, Megafaun, Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, Pork, Ribfest, wicker park

Girls Run the World!

Watch out! This summer GIRLS really will run the world! On June 9th at 8:30 a.m., 13,000 participants, 3,000 spectators and 500 volunteers will come out to Soldier Field for the Girls on the Run 5k run and walk.

Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop confidence, character and healthy lifestyles through running. Girls on the Run-Chicago produces the largest girl-centered 5k races in the country- now there’s a whole lot of girl power! The 5k event is the culminating achievement for these girls who have participated in a 12-week after-school training program that takes place at more than 200 schools across Chicagoland. This program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a curriculum which creatively integrates running. This year, more than 1,000 coaches will mentor these 7,000 girls.

I’m a volunteer coach at Dewey Elementary School in Evanston and I have to say that GOTR practice is the highlight of my week. The passion that these girls have come to show for the program, for representing their school, for each other, and for themselves is incredibly uplifting and gratifying. Each week we tackle issues stemming from the topics of body image, gossiping, confidence, community service and teamwork- then we get outside and run! The program includes girls of different ages and abilities, yet every runner walks away from practice feeling a sense of overwhelming accomplishment.

I can tell you, my runners can’t wait to show off everything they’ve learned- for them, the 5k event really is their chance to shine. So come out to Soldier Field and see what they’ve got! A pre-race rally that includes GOTR cheers, face painting and tiara decorating will take place as well as a finish line festival with great food, games and sponsor giveaways. American Girl Place will also be hosting a pre-5k dinner on Friday, June 8th at 7:30 p.m.

To register your girl for this event, presented by McDonald’s click here!

Race day registration opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 8:15 a.m.

Hopefully I’ll see you there!!

By: Lauren Neuschel

Tags: 5k, American Girl Place, billy dec, chicago, community service, Dewey Elementary School, District 65, Face painting, festival, food, Girls on the Run, Girls on the Run-Chicago, GOTR, healthy, mcdonalds, non-profit, participants, registration, run, Soldier Field, spectators, teamwork, volunteers, Walk, World

Move NATO Get Out The Way: A Food Revolution is here to STAY!

Chicago had thousands of people ready to start a revolution this weekend, and I’m not just talking about the NATO Summit! Saturday, May 19th was celebrity Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day, a global event that took place in 488 cities around the world!

Whether it was a food festival, cooking class or dinner party, communities gathered together to draw attention to the obesity epidemic and the world’s poor nutrition habits. To participate in my own community, I headed over to the city’s flagship event at Centered Chef a venue for healthy cooking class and nutritional programming on the West Loop. Before the event kicked off, Centered Chef CEO and Founder, Ryan Hutmacher gave me the grand tour of his facility. Along the way we talked about his career as a chef and his growth into a wellness activist. He proved to be the quintessence of how healthy eating can change your life.

Hutmacher said he spent the early part of his culinary career disappointed with the food he was making- it was “healthy” but revolved completely around a calorie-based diet and it wasn’t making him feel good. Now, 50-70 pounds lost and an Iron Man title under his trimmed belt, Hutmacher joins Oliver’s cause as an advocate for understanding what “real” food is.

Did you know that it takes three years for an asparagus crop to be ready after you plant the first seed?! The festivities started off with a “How Well Do You Know Your Veggies?” segment featuring Irv and Shelley’s Fresh Picks. Then turned to chef demonstrations and tastings featuring Hutmacher who created an easy-to-make hummus and carrot salad, Protein Bar making a quinoa veggie wrap and Enlightened Flavors which finished off with a fettucini made of squash and zucchini.

The remainder of the day included appearances by TED talker and founder of Academy of Global Citizenship, Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, Lululemon, Mark Beier of Chicago Fit Club and more! The brains behind the Food Revolution Day, Jamie Oliver, believes if something isn’t done about our food problem, than “Today’s children will be the first generation ever to live shorter than their parents.” So what was great about Saturday was all the young people in the crowd- especially since they were so enthusiastic about being involved in the event- shooting their hands in the air to ask questions and participating as judges in the cooking contest.The event was truly an amazing success- a perfect example of social engagement and inspiring others through action.

To donate to the Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution cause or to jumpstart your revolution, head to: http://bit.ly/erjEoS

-Lauren Neuschel

Tags: Academy of Global Citizenship, celebrities, Centered Chef, Chicago Fit Club, Cooking, Day, donation, Enlightened Flavors, food, Food Revolution, Fresh Picks, Global Day, Iron Man, Jamie Oliver, Lululemon, mark beier, NATO Summit, Pictures, Protein Bar, Ryan Hutmacher, Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, Weekend Event

The Wieners Circle Has A New Reality TV Show!

The Wieners Circle has been one of my fav go to places to enjoy w/ friends (like me & Jude Law above) since I was in 5th grade!  Born & raised 3blks away, I remember walking w/my fam or friends once a week to rent VHS tapes next door, and I always got a cheddar cheese fry & chardog to go!  Back then they didn’t scream obnoxious profanities at customers who love it like they do now, but their food hasn’t changed a bit and is still the best!  That killer combo of great food & entertainment (or abuse) is probably why they just landed their own reality TV show that premieres tonight on Tru TV at 9 p.m.! Support & watch it!

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, imagine drunken customers jamming into a lil late night joint immediately getting bombarded with screaming insults until they verbally fight back causing complete chaos with only food & money flying over a counter to separate the two obnoxiously inappropriate battling sides!  Word on the street is that the crazy counter workers on the show will make the customers play hilarious games and perform wild physical challenges — all for a chance to get a delish meal for free… all I know is if someone gets the ”Chocolate Milkshake” ..well, I’ll let that be one of the many surprises for all you new folks…

Tags: battles, billy dec, chicago, Chicago style hot dog, chocolate milkshake, customer service, entertainment, food, hot dogs, lincoln park, Northside, premiere, profanity, reality, reality tv, The Wieners Circle, Tru TV