17th Annual Mayfest Kicks Off Chicago Summer Street Festival Season 5.17-5.19

Chicago’s Star Events starts season with bang May 17-19

WHAT: Start your summer off right with the season’s first street festival. The 17^th annual Mayfest will bring traditional festival food, ice cold Budweiser and refreshing Rex-Goliath Wines, and some of Chicago’s favorite headlining musical talent to Lakeview during the three-day event.

A number of popular bands will take to the stage throughout Mayfest, including local favorites 16 Candles, This Must be the Band, Mr. Blotto, Too White Crew, and Hairbangers Ball, among others.

Also highlighting the Mayfest celebrations will be Chicago Kids Day on Saturday, May 18^th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. A celebration of children’s health and wellness, Chicago Kids Day will encourage families to be healthy together through a variety of activities including health and posture screenings, arts and crafts sessions, kid’s zumba, boot camps, and more.

Chicago’s Pet Pageant and Expo will also take center stage on Sunday, May 19^th from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Presented by Higgins Animal Clinic, this unique event allows Chicagoans the chance to enjoy the summer sun with their furry friends.

Mayfest is produced by Star Events.  Admission to the event is $10, with proceeds benefiting local community organizations such as the YMCA and Neighborhood Parent Network. More information on Star Events can be found at www.starevents.com, or on Star Events’ Facebook or Twitter.

WHEN:        

• Friday, May 17, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 18, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 19, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

 

WHERE:       3100 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Barre Bee Fit Rooftop Summer Series Kick-Off 4.18

What:  Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Chicago is teaming up again with beloved local fitness studio Barre Bee Fit (BBF) for the third year in a row. The “Bee Fit Brunch” on May 18 is the official launch of the BBF Summer Series on the Palomar Chicago rooftop sundeck.

Brunch guests start off with an energizing and calorie-busting Barre Bee class al fresco, followed by a healthy, seasonal brunch prepared by famed “Bravo TV Top Chef” alum Chef Heather Terhune of Sable Kitchen & Bar. Enjoy fruit skewers with strawberry yogurt dip; scrambled egg whites with spinach & tomato; Slim Style Oatmeal with heart-healthy rolled oats, fresh berries, toasted pecans & brown sugar and more.  Over brunch nutritionist Jenny Westerkamp will share her insider “myth-buster” tips and tricks on eating right and the Norstrom’s Zella Activewear brand will offer a trunk show of the latest workout gear.

Starting May 22, twice weekly BBF classes will be held on the Palomar’s rooftop sundeck: Barre Bee, Wednesdays at 6:30am and Interval Barre, Fridays at 6:30am (through Labor Day). Classes for Palomar Chicago hotel guests are complimentary. Barre Bee Fit is a total body workout that blends intensive cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and restoration utilizing the ballet barre.

 

Cost is $35.00.

 

Where:  Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Chicago

505 North State Street

 

When:  Saturday, May 18, 2013

Two sessions available: 8:45am-10:45am or 10:00am-12:00pm

 

RSVP:                  RSVP to Sarah Erker: Sarah.Erker@hotelpalomar.com or 312-985-0736.

                                BBF members can reserve at

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=10501 under “Events.”

 

 

# # #

 

ABOUT HOTEL PALOMAR CHICAGO: 
Located in Chicago’s vibrant River North neighborhood, Palomar is Kimpton’s newest addition to its Windy City collection, built in 2010.  Designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, the hotel celebrates “Art in Motion,” and features pieces that pay homage to Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition and Fair.  The evolved boutique concept features 261 guest rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows, a rooftop indoor pool, 5,800 square feet of stunning meeting and event space, and an adjacent dining experience, Sable Kitchen & Bar.  In addition to an eco-friendly green roof, the hotel operates with more than 80 sustainable practices as part of Kimpton’s brand-wide EarthCare program. Palomar is convenient to many of Chicago’s most popular attractions, including The Magnificent Mile, McCormick Place, Navy Pier and Merchandise Mart, as well as family favorites such as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Willis Tower Skydeck.  The hotel is located at 505 North State Street, Chicago, IL, 60654. For information please call (312) 755-9703 or (877) 731-0505 toll free or visit www.hotelpalomar-chicago.com / www.facebook.com/palomar.chicago / www.twitter.com/kimptonchi.

 

ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS

San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. In 1981 Bill Kimpton founded the company that today is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through authentic and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and embodying a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Adjacent to the hotels are locally-loved, top-rated, Kimpton restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately held Kimpton has been recognized by Fortune Magazine as a Best Company to Work four times. The company operates 58 hotels and 67 restaurants, bars and lounges in 24 cities. For more information visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.

Photos: Mother’s Day Inspiration

Check out these Mother’s Day ideas from marthastewart.com

 

2013 Randolph Street Market Dates!

http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com

The Randolph Street Market Festival is home to the world-renowned Chicago Antique Market, Indie Designer Market,Modern Vintage Chicago and the Holiday Market. As seen in Travel & Leisure, the NY Times, Lucky Magazine and featured on TV news shows and web casts, the Randolph Street Market Festival is considered “a mecca of cool”, “the best hot spot for antiquing”, “the best Chicago venue for people watching”, and “the Barney’s of Vintage”. Celebrity designerNate Berkus says, “I love this market…the quality is incredible!” As one of Chicago’s most happening monthly parties, Randolph Street Market has become the summer destination!

This European-style, indoor-outdoor urban antique market in the historic West Loop neighborhood features 200 select purveyors of high quality, amazingly priced “finds”, offering unlimited creative inspiration and hours of fun. Shoppers can find furnishings, vintage clothing, jewelry, collectibles, etc.

• Complimentary Furniture Delivery* within downtown Chicago! Click for info.
• Shopping Refund Vouchers for Admission by Vendors: Each voucher is for $5 off and the vendors should reduce the purchase price by $5 on items valued $25 or more. Note that not all vendors are able to honor the voucher due to their profit margins and customer should ask vendor if they accept the voucher before they shop in their booth.
• Lower advance ticket price! $8 general online / $3 student online
• KIDS UNDER 12 ALWAYS FREE!
• NEW Early Shopping Saturdays – Outdoors at 8am and Indoors at 9am/ 100% of proceeds going to Chicago House charity. $25 at the door / $20 online advance

And this “Market of Markets” just gets bigger and better! 

VINYL SWAP MEET! Thousands of collectible records from 45’s to LP’s, jazz to rock and show tunes galore will make you tap your toes and groove down memory lane;

FANCY FOOD MARKET! All types of chocolates, cakes, breads, spices, olive oils, salsa to bring home or enjoy during the event;

GLOBAL GOODS BAZAAR! Some delightful crafts and artisan goods representative of Chicago’s ethnic neighborhoods.

Fabulous food and drink specialties abound! Come and dine al fresco against the backdrop of the beautiful Chicago skyline!

THIS IS A PET FRIENDLY EVENT however, due to liability issues with our landlord, your pet is only allowed in the outdoor portions of the market. If it’s a super hot day, we highly recommend leaving Fido at home. Also, for insurance purposes NO PIT BULLS OR DOBERMANS ALLOWED ON PREMISES. Sorry, your dog might be the sweetest in the world – but those are the exclusions to this event.

ONSITE SERVICES TO RESTORE & PROTECT YOUR HEIRLOOMS AND NEW MARKET PURCHASES!
• Appraisal Service
• Onsite Furniture Delivery Service
• Gold Buying Service
• Crystal & Porcelain Repair Service
• Furniture Restoration Service
• Art Restoration Service
• Lamp & Lighting Repair Service

2013 Randolph Street Market Dates 
10-5pm both days
February 2/3
March 23/24
April 27/28
May 25/26
June 29/30
July 27/28
August 24/25
September 28/29
October 26/27
November 23/24
December 14/15

Easter Sales From Chicago Shopping

Credit: www.chicagoshopping.com

Easter is early this year, but not to worry: A whole season’s worth of deals on everything from basket stuffers to hams to clothing is packed into March — so hop to it.

Coupons

Jewel-Osco: Ham coupon

There’s a coupon on the front of the Jewel ad for $10 off a whole ham, any brand. The ad says that this coupon would make a 9-pound Jewel-brand shank portion ham just 59 cents a pound. But the secret to using this coupon is, the smaller the ham, the lower the per-pound price. So if you can find a ham priced around $14 or $15, it would be a real steal at only $4-$5 with the coupon.

You have to make a separate $25 purchase to use the coupon.

Dominick’s: Even better ham coupon

Not to be outdone by Jewel, Dominick’s put a $12 ham coupon on the front of their ad. Like Jewel, Dominick’s is requiring a $25 separate purchase. It’s good for store brand, Smithfield or Paula Deen hams, and like Jewel, the coupon would bring a medium-sized store-brand ham down to 59 cents a pound. But again — the smaller the ham, the better the deal.

Sign up for coupons at HoneyBaked Ham here.

Here’s an idea for using a printable coupon to get Hot Wheels cars — great basket stuffers — for only 80 cents apiece at Dollar Tree, courtesy of the blog Couponing for 4.

Store deals

At Target, you can get a 9″ Easter basket for $1.50, a 12-pack of plastic eggs for 89 cents, 1.5 oz. bags of Easter grass for 50 cents.

This week at Walgreens, all kinds of Easter goods are on sale: Peeps are three packs for $2, and eggs are two dozen for $2. A 32 oz. bottle of vinegar, useful for dyeing eggs, is 99 cents with in-ad coupon. Also with in-ad coupon, putty eggs are three for $1 and Easter-themed pencils are seven for $1.

At CVS, Jolly Rancher jelly beans and Whoppers Robin eggs are two for $4, and you can use the coupon from last week’s SmartSource to take $2 off three of either of these.

At Kohl’s, they’ve got everything from “Chicks Dig Me” Tshirts to “My First Easter” socks on sale for little kids. Easter dresses and suits are on sale too. Plus, you get $10 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend through March 30, and if you use a store charge card, you can get an additional 15-30 percent off.

At Kmart, Holiday Editions kids Easter dresses and shoes are now $10, and all holiday dresswear is 30 percent off. Easter baskets are half off. Filled baskets are $8.99-$17.99, Barbies and Hot Wheels are buy one, get one free, and lots of other small toys are also on sale.

Print this coupon for $25 off a $75 or higher dress purchase at Carson’s, through Saturday.

At JoAnn Fabric and Craft stores, Easter fabrics are 40 percent off.

Chocolate bunnies might do it for the kids, but why not put together a little basket for mom or for a girlfriend? Bath & Body Works has a “buy 2, get 3 free” sale going on for fragrances, lotions and shower gels.

In Amazon’s Easter Shop, we found the page for girls’ special occasion dresses that are discounted by 50 percent or more. This Flower Girl Pagaent Easter Dress is $29.99, regular price $99.99. If you have a little girl sized 4-6x, this green striped dress with floral embroidery and pink sash is perfect for just $14, marked down from $48.

At World Market, Easter goodies such as wreaths and natural fiber bunnies are 25 percent off.

Print this coupon for 25 percent off your entire purchase at The Children’s Place, where most of the “spring dressy” clothes are on sale.

Credit: www.chicagoshopping.com