Posts made in November 2020

Cityscape illustration by Mina Tocalini

Visit Chicago this Holiday Season

The holidays are looking a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate! From virtual cooking classes and over-the-top pop-up bars to outdoor mini holiday markets and special holiday coffee blends for sale, dance classes and more, we’ve rounded up some of the best happenings and offers for the holiday season this year. Whether Chicagoans are planning to safely visit with close family and friends in-person or virtually, these fun activities, offers and gifts are sure to bring festive cheer to all!

Replay Lincoln Park

This winter season, Chicagoans are invited to share in the spirit of the holidays at Chicago’s biggest and most festive movie experiences: Miracle on West Madison (645 W. Madison St.) and Holly Jolly Drive-In (2833 N. Sheffield Ave.) with Replay Lincoln Park, Chicago’s favorite arcade bar known for its over-the-top pop-ups, beginning Friday, November 27. In an effort to create magical memories for family and friends during a non-traditional holiday season, guests will experience a holiday-style movie experience, enhanced with twinkling decor and appearances by The Grinch, Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer and many other favorite characters. The 1.5-hour, family-friendly Miracle on West Madison experience takes place in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and is available for booking Thursday – Sunday between 5 – 10 p.m. The Holly Jolly Drive-In experience is located in Lincoln Park near Replay Lincoln Park and is 1.5 hours in length and open to guests of all ages, with slots available Thursday and Friday between 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday between 4:30 – 10:30 p.m. Both experiences will run through Christmas Day with more tickets becoming available in the coming weeks. Reservations are required and tickets may be purchased online for $75 per car. Tickets for Miracle on West Madison are available here and for Holly Jolly Drive-In here.

Get in the Kitchen!

Chicago’s party school offering cooking classes and more, Get in the Kitchen! is hosting several holiday events for those who love to cook, mix cocktails and bake, including a Black Friday “Bagel Making Class” in the morning and “Cocktails & Comedy Show” in the evening on Friday, November 27. Get in the Kitchen! also offers culinary and happy hour gifts and gadgets in their retail store and is available for private events including socially distanced holiday shopping mixology parties, private cooking parties, virtual cooking parties and more. Looking for a special deal Whenever it snows, until New Year’s Eve, customers get 15% off their purchases in the store. For more information, visit here.

Santa Baby Bar and Rudolph’s Christmas Bar
For those who enjoy immersive and over-the-top holiday experiences, Santa Baby (3505 N. Clark St.) and Rudolph’s Christmas Bar (3660 N. Clark St.) are returning to Lakeview East this winter! With all of the Christmas spirits you already know and love, both destinations will feature all-new interactive social experiences and wall-to-wall décor. Santa Baby will open on Wednesday, November 20, and Rudolph’s will open on Friday, November 22. Both pop-ups will feature Christmas spirits; multiple bars and experiences, including the Grinch’s Piano Bar, Frosty’s North Pole Rooftop, A Christmas Story Lounge, and more; and appearances from Rudolph, the Grinch and, of course, Santa Claus himself. Guests may purchase tickets and make reservations to the pop-ups online. For more information, visit here and here.

Stretch Bar & Grill
Get in the holiday spirit with Stretch Bar & Grill’s Elf’d Up pop-up, a high-energy holiday pop-up bar perfect for patrons who have an affinity for elf culture. Inspired by the light-hearted Christmas comedy, Elf’d Up will be decorated from floor to ceiling with over 1,000 elves of all shapes and sizes, a 10-foot Christmas tree, an upside-down Christmas tree, wreath chandeliers, strands of festive colored lights, specific tributes to the movie like figurines, wall quotes, snowflakes, Schylling Jester Jack in the Boxes, cut outs of Buddy the Elf and Miles Finch and more. For more information, visit here.

Dance On Broadway
Located in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood at 3126 N. Broadway St., Dance On Broadway is a brand new, state-of-the-art dance training studio offering classes for children and adults in Ballet & Pointe, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Tap, Latin and more. From Monday, December 21 through Wednesday, December 23 between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. for children ages 3-8 and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. for children age 9+, Dance On Broadway’s Winter Dance Camps include two dance lessons in different genres, an art project and a snack break each day. At the end of the camp, Dance On Broadway will host a performance following COVID-19 protocol that will be sent digitally to the caretakers of the participating children to enjoy. For more information, dance enthusiasts may visit here.

One of a Kind Holiday Show

One of Chicago’s most highly-anticipated annual holiday experiences, the One of a Kind Holiday Show, is going virtual this season presenting more than 300 artists, artisans, and makers from across North America and beyond, from November 12 – December 6 online. For over three weeks, shoppers will have the opportunity to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19, discover new work, experience studio tours and demonstrations, shop for unique and thoughtful holiday gifts, and more through here and @ooakchicago on Instagram and Facebook.

Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish – The Musical

Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish – The Musical, a critical and commercial success in its 2019 Chicago World Premiere run, will be available for streaming this holiday season! Based on the heartfelt book of the same name by Chicagoan Denise McGowan Tracy, the family-friendly production is recommended for all ages and will be available to stream November 27 – December 27, 2020 directly into homes through InPlayer for $25 per household. Adding to the fun is the availability of two immersive Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Party in a Box options, ranging in price from $45 – $60 plus shipping and handling fees. The 2020 virtual production will feature additional holiday music, and the recorded opening night performance from the successful 2019 World Premiere. Tickets and party boxes can be purchased here.

Hershey Felder’s TCHAIKOVSKY – Live From Florence

Based on the original OUR GREAT TCHAIKOVSKY, and featuring an extended focus on The Nutcracker Ballet, as well as Tchaikovsky’s life in Florence, Italy, TCHAIKOVSKY – Live from Florence will stream on Sunday, December 20 at 7 p.m. CST. The performance will be filmed live on location where Tchaikovsky actually lived and worked in Florence as an interesting, surprising and engaging holiday treat. Tickets are $55 and are available for purchase online, with proceeds benefitting theatres across the world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Purchase includes the live stream and a full week of on demand access through December 27.

Houndstooth Saloon

Houndstooth Saloon, 3369 N. Clark St., is hosting its Houndstooth Holiday Market on the saloon patio for holiday enthusiasts to enjoy snacks and shop handmade holiday ornaments. Houndstooth Saloon is offering candied nuts, hot pretzels, hot cider and Griswolds’ themed food specials. For more information, visit here.

Dark Matter Coffee

Coffee lovers, rejoice! Chicago’s Dark Matter Coffee, 1117 W. Belmont St., is offering special holiday coffee releases of Old Dank Nic and Chronikkah, as well as holiday gift boxes and themed merchandise for the caffeine fiend in your life! Gift boxes options include four bags of Dark Matter Coffee’s Single Origin Guatemala or El Salvador blends, four bags of Dark Matter’s Barrel Aged coffees and a Portfolio Box Set, which includes bags of A Love Supreme, Unicorn Blood, Starry Eyes and Old Dank Nic. For more information, visit here.

Johnson’s Real Ice Cream
Just in time for Black Friday, Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, 2951 N. Broadway St., is offering free shipping of its delicious ice cream anywhere in the continental U.S. between November 27 and November 29. For year round ice cream lovers, Johnson’s Real Ice Cream is also offering a Black Friday gift card sale, which includes $10 in bonus coupons for every $30 gift card purchase. For more information, visit here.

Fred’s Wrigleyville Garage
For Chicagoans with cars who are looking to travel for the holidays, Fred’s Wrigleyville Garage, 3848 N. Clark St. is offering a winter car inspection special, including a battery check, anti-freeze levels, tire pressure, brake inspection, proper oil levels, windshield wiper condition and windshield washer fill for just $25. For more information, visit here.

Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace
For those looking for safe, affordable accommodations to visit their loved ones in the city this holiday season, Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace, 3434 N. Broadway St., is offering their “Stay Close for the Holiday” special for 20% off the available room rates. For more information or to book your stay, visit here.

theWit Hotel
theWit Hotel, 
located in the Chicago Loop at 201 N. State Street, has officially reopened its doors back to the public for those looking to have a relaxing staycation this upcoming holiday season. theWit Hotel is ensuring the safety of all guests and staff alike with sanitation standards in place to make everyone feel comfortable. The Hilton Property has implemented a Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection program, which was developed in consultation with global and local public health authorities, with key features including: guestroom door seals to indicate a patron’s room has not been accessed since it was cleaned; extra disinfection on high touch areas; removal of excess in-room amenities; guest-accessible hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes throughout the hotel; along with contactless check-in/check-out and more. Please visit here to book your upcoming stay or gift a staycation to a loved on this season.

Geja’s Café
Give the gift of fine dining this holiday season. Geja’s Café, Chicago’s iconic fondue and couple’s landmark located at 340 W Armitage Avenue, is offering fondue fanatics a special Holiday Gift Card Promotion that is running now through December 31, 2020. With every purchase of gift cards that equate to $100 will receive a free $30 bonus gift card. For more information or to purchase a gift card, please visit here.

EZ Breathe
Give the gift of good health this year. Since COVID-19, households around the country have been spending more than 90% of their time indoors. Homes have become workplaces, classrooms, restaurants, gyms, and everything in between. With the rise of time spent indoors, the rise of harmful pollutants and germs in the air have also skyrocketed and have been recirculating throughout houses. The E·Z Breathe Ventilation System is a necessity now more than ever to transform homes into a healthy living environment and keep families safe by preventing the spread of harmful airborne particles. Families have the ability to gift one to their loved ones and purchase one for themselves, with self-installations now available to keep everyone’s health at the utmost importance.

Q Clothier
With the holidays just around the corner, it means it’s time to refresh your wardrobe with the latest styles of winter for you and your loved ones. Q Clothier and Rye 51, the side-by-side luxury men’s custom clothier brands provide top quality, hand-crafted attire tailored perfectly for individuals of every lifestyle. A new addition to the Gold Coast neighborhood, patrons have the ability to shop with seasoned experts as you browse the latest and trendiest garments. Bath in luxury as you sip on some whiskey while shopping warmly and safely this season. Visit here for more details.

A Weekend in West Touraine

With some of the most iconic appellations in the Loire Valley, West Touraine is home to a wide variety of wineries, foodie destinations and historical sites. Would-be travelers can scout out their next trips to the region for now and read up on the area’s diverse offerings.

Bourgueil

Within picturesque green hillsides, vineyards and houses built with tuffeau stones, the Bourgueil Vineyard is situated on the bed of the Loire River and has been producing wine for over 1,000 years. The vineyard itself spans 3,460 acres and visitors can Segway their way around the vineyards to witness the beautiful countryside and taste different wines at Château de Minière. La Cave de la Dive Bouteille gives visitors the chance to experience and learn about the region’s extensive thousand-year wine history. Guests can marvel at the galleries and old wine presses used centuries ago. For an even more in-depth look at wine in Bourgueil, Âme Wine, a Loire Valley Ambassador, can give private tours of the vineyards and wine caves while tasting local specialties.

A visit to the historic Château de Langeais is also recommended, as the castle was built at a unique junction between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Along with a rich program of events, including guided tours and medieval fashion shows, the château’s collection of medieval furniture and rich tapestries is also available for viewing in the castle’s many galleries.

Local country chef Vincent has a small restaurant located in the heart of the vineyards, with dishes incorporating freshly grown fruits and vegetables and a variety of poultry and meats raised by Vincent himself. Vincent’s son also helps him can some of the fresh produce and offers them to guests in the summertime with a gourmet picnic to go.

Chinon

The largest red wine appellation in the Loire Valley, Chinon has earned a reputation as one of the best places in France to enjoy red wine, but the region’s white and rosés, as well as its local artisanal foods, are growing in popularity as well. There are a variety of ways to experience Chinon wine, such as a visit to Domaine de Noiré. Guests can meet experienced winemakers and go on a variety of excursions, including a riverboat ride on the Loire River and a gastronomic excursion with Le Chapeau Rouge, whose inventive take on local, seasonal cuisine is a must-try for any foodie. The Cave de la Sybille offers a unique wine experience, as the author behind The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel, François Rebelais, was born in the region. Sculptures and projections bring François’s iconic pentalogy of novels to life in this wine cellar. For a different way to experience Chinon wine, the winery of Domain PB Couly offers an escape room where players are locked in Bertrand Couly’s wine cellar and have to find out the secrets behind his great wine through riddles, codes and puzzles.

For foodies who love truffles, Baron de la Truffein Ligré near Chinon is a truffle farm that operates on nearly 150 acres of land, using only organic farming practices. Production usually runs from mid-November to the end of February. The farm offers several types of experiences, such as a truffle and wine tasting and a foraging excursion.

Chinon also has an impressive history, as evident in the many notable people who have visited the Royal Fortress of Chinon, which includes Joan of Arc, King Charles VII of France, Richard the Lionheart and many more. Along with touring the surrounding grounds and the three châteaux that comprise the fortress, a variety of activities are available, including an escape room, wine tastings on Thursdays and the property’s HistoPad that allows guests to see exactly how the fortress used to be in the 12th, 14th and 15th centuries. For a chance to stay at these exquisite French castles, Château du Rivau welcomes guests both in the castle and in the former royal stables. A majestic medieval castle – where Joan of Arc fetched horses during the Hundred Years’ War – today welcomes visitors to its beautiful garden, complete with over 450 varieties of roses, resident peacocks, contemporary fairytale-inspired art sculptures and a new restaurant serving local specialties and produce right from the garden.

Azay-le-Rideau

Because of the region’s unique placement at the confluence of the Indre and Loire Rivers, wine has been produced in Azay-le-Rideau since ancient times with several cellars and vineyardproducing dry and semi-dry wines. Château de l’Aulée is also note-worthy for wine lovers. The estate’s cellars were built in 1856 by the Cordier family, a wine merchant family from Bordeaux. Champagne Deutz bought the domain in 1973, restored the property and soil, and replanted Chenin grapes on 91 acres. The grapes are used to make a variety of sparkling wines available for guests to try while taking a tour of the property. Other wineries to visit include Domaine Nicholas Paget, which is family-owned and has been producing wines over five generations, and le Sot de l’Ange, which is known for its artisanal organic wines.

Another local specialty of the region is poires tapées, a special method of preserving pears by drying them. Peasants learned this method after the Crusades; after Eleanor of Aquitaine ordered plum trees from Damascus to be planted in the Loire Valley, the confection became a staple of the region. Maison Hérin is known as one of the best local producers of poires tapées, which also offers visitors the opportunity to see how the delicacy is made. Maison Hérin also sells a wide variety of pear-related goodies including different types of confits, terrines, jams and more.

No visit to this appellation would be complete, however, without a visit to Château d’Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the Indre River, this castle was ordered by King Francis I during the 16th century. The castle has been the site of a massive restoration project in the last century to ensure that the castle is structurally sound while keeping its iconic medieval architecture intact.

Q – Alone

Q IS A ONE-MAN BAND IN THE NEW “ALONE” VISUAL, FROM HIS FORTHCOMING EP THE SHAVE EXPERIMENT 

WATCH HERE. LISTEN TO “ALONE” HERE.

After debuting “Take Me Where Your Heart Is,” his first single from his upcoming EP set to release 12/11 with Columbia Records, Q is returning on a slightly darker and sophisticated note in the new “Alone” visual. Watch HERE. Showing his self-taught knack for musicianship, Q glides through various performance setups playing all the instruments present, simultaneously displaying his emotional state in the Loris Ruisser directed visual. Says Q of the song “it was something I wrote at a time where I actually felt alone. I remember later feeling really bad about that, because I wasn’t really, and I think I’d want people to listen to it and get that same feeling from it. That they aren’t really alone.” With “Alone,” Q is finding the peace in solitude.

The Neighbourhood – Hell or High Water

Following the release of their latest album Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones, The Neighbourhood has delivered a new visual for album track “Hell or High Water” today – check it out HERE. Speaking about the song, Jesse Rutherford says: “Watched Spongebob in the morning, Walk Hard in the afternoon & wrote Hell or High Water in the evening.”

As teased in the video, the band has unveiled several new merch items today for Black Friday, including Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones-inspired jackets, slides, lunchboxes, boxers and more. Fans can head on over to their website to grab their very own Chip Drip during their biggest sale ever.

The Neighbourhood also recently revealed on social media that they will soon release the deluxe edition of Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones. The new album will feature all 11 tracks from the original release plus 4 brand new songs, and is set for release on December 11 via Columbia Records.

Arcade – Duncan Laurence ft. Fletcher

Duncan Laurence teams up with Capitol Records label mate FLETCHER on a poignant new version of his global hit, Arcade. Download / stream Arcade ft. Fletcher HERE. In the cinematic lyric video, Laurence descends to the depths physically and emotionally and emerges with fresh hope. View HERE.

Laurence won the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with Arcade. His performance of the song at the competition was hailed as “powerful” by The New York Times and “haunting” by The Guardian. Arcade which has amassed more than 250 million combined global streams took the No. 1 spot on Spotify’s Global Viral chart last year and has since received radio airplay in 58 countries. The track recently went viral on TikTok following its use in the Dracotok meme, which pairs Arcadewith a deleted scene from a Harry Potter film.

Arcade appears on Laurence’s debut album, Small Town Boy, which was released earlier this month by Capitol Records. Throughout the album, his powerful, expressive tenor flows from a gentle whisper through fluttering falsettos to a full-blown force. But the scope of the music never overpowers the intimacy of the stories Laurence tells.

“I see music as a platform to tell stories that might be a bit sad, but always have this hopeful ending or hopeful core inside of them,” Duncan Laurence says. “I think trying to see the positive in something negative gives you a certain strength through life.”

Combined global streams of Laurence’s songs are approaching 300 million, including over 25 million for the anthemic Love Don’t Hate It. Prior to the global pandemic, Laurence played the prestigious Pinkpop Festival and over 30 European headline shows.

FLETCHER praised by leading outlets like TIME, Wonderland, V Magazine, Nylon, Harper’s Bazaar, Interview Magazine, GQ, The Guardian and more hails from Asbury Park, NJ, where she cultivated her passion for music and unforgettably candid storytelling. After graduating from NYU’s famed Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music, FLETCHER carved out a distinct space for herself in pop music with her 2019 debut EP you ruined new york city for me (Capitol Records). The EP featured her breakthrough hit Undrunk, a track that spent several weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, scored the #1 spot on Spotify’s Viral Chart and emerged as the fastest-rising song at pop radio from a new artist in the past five years.

Since arriving in September 2020, FLETCHER’s new EP, THE S(EX) TAPES, hit No. 1 on iTunes across all genres and has earned critical acclaim from Teen Vogue, SPIN, PAPER and many other outlets. Her new single, Bitter, a collaboration with Billboard-charting artist Trevor Daniel and produced by Kito (Diplo, Empress Of, Aluna George), has amassed over 70 million global streams to date.

Kaelen Felix illustrates truck article for 360 Magazine

7 Things to Know about Car Window Tinting: From Cost to Legal

In 2019, the window tinting industry was worth over $9 billion and is expected to grow 4% by 2027.

Car window tinting has a wealth of benefits from improving a car’s appearance to protecting passengers from harmful UV rays. But that’s not all, there’s plenty to familiarize yourself with before getting it installed.

If you want to learn more about car window tinting cost and other features, you’ve come to the right place. Here are seven things you need to know.

What Is Car Window Tinting?

Before asking yourself “should I tint my car windows?”, it’s important to understand what the process consists of. Mechanics apply car window tint, a transparent film, over a vehicle’s windows, mostly for functional purposes. 

Window tinting has soared in popularity because you can choose the thickness and material depending on your preference. For example, dyed car window tinting and looks dark but without the UV protection associated with other options.

You can also choose metalized tint where the film is blended with tiny bits of metal so the window blocks UV rays and becomes more reflective. Or perhaps you’d prefer carbon tint which has a matte texture to keep your car cooler because carbon is less prone to fade or crack in excessive heat. This option is popular in hotter climates.

Other mid-range options include hybrid and crystalline tint which come in increasing thickness from transparent to opaque. But if money’s no problem, treat your vehicle to a ceramic tint as it blocks almost 50% of heat emitted by solar rays and 99.9% of UV exposure so it protects the interior. 

“How much to tint car windows?” You ask. 

In terms of car window tinting cost, it varies depending on the size of the windows and the material you want. On average, a basic, non-reflective film is around $100 to $600 whereas a premium option can be in the $800 range.

Car Window Tinting Facts

Before taking the plunge, figure out why you want car window tinting whether it’s for privacy reasons or style. When you have a clear idea, you can choose the right material for your vehicle. Here are other reasons to choose window tinting.

1. Protects Interior from Sun Exposure

When the sun’s harmful rays beat through the window, the radiation becomes more intense which can ruin the dashboard, seats, and other upholstery. If this happens for an extended period, the material will fade or crack and need to be replaced.
But an affordable preventative measure is installing an automotive window film as it’ll extend the lifespan of your vehicle’s interior. It’ll also help retain your car’s value which is useful if you’re planning to sell. 

UV rays can also damage your skin even when it beams through the glass. To prevent skin cancer or sunburn, apply window tinting because it’s designed to block UV rays.

2. Keeps Your Car Cooler

Before you Google “car window tinting near me”, consider how hot your vehicle gets on a summer afternoon.

IR (known as infrared radiation) causes your vehicle to heat up but it’s possible to lower the temperature without turning on the AC. Simply install a window tinting film because it blocks 50% of IR so you and your fellow passengers have a cool, comfortable ride.

3. Laws Differ from State to State 

You may wonder “is tinting car windows illegal?” and the answer depends on where you live. Although window tints aren’t fully illegal anywhere, several states forbid tinted windshields or front windows.
Because the window tinting laws vary between states you must find out more so you don’t face hefty fines. 

4. Shattered Glass Protection

An underrated advantage of car window tints is how it protects your vehicle. The film is designed to keep the glass intact even if an object hits against it or a thief tries to break in.
The film’s strength is especially crucial if you’re involved in an accident because it protects the passengers from flying shards of glass.

5. Gives You Privacy 

Install window tints if you want privacy. Although no one can see into the vehicle, you still get a clear view of the outside so it doesn’t compromise your driving.

Privacy is important if you’re worried about thieves as it stops people from looking in your back seat, useful if you accidentally left behind a wallet or phone.

6. Cost-Effective

Another advantage of window tinting is its energy energy-efficiency so you don’t need to crank up the AC or heat. Simply pay a one-time installation payment so your car automatically cools or heats up. As a result, your battery lasts longer and you save on fuel.

7. Improves Your Vehicle’s Aesthetic 

Many drivers want a car that not only functions well but looks stylish. An easy way to elevate your vehicle’s aesthetic is getting car window tints as the darker appearance looks sleeker. Plus, choosing the right tint can improve an older car’s appearance.

That’s Everything About Car Window Tinting Cost to the Law

Now you know about car window tinting cost and advantages.
Before installing the window film, check your state’s laws to see which windows you can cover along with the percentage. Window tinting is not only affordable but it improves your car’s aesthetic, protects passengers, and gives you more privacy to prevent break-ins.

But make sure it’s professionally applied because mechanics have the tools and expertise to do a fantastic job. Happy tinting!

Did you find this article useful? If so, check out our posts on everything from Fashion to Culture. 

Mina Tocalini, 360 Magazine, Hotel

YOTELPAD × Park City

The first-ever YOTELPAD today announced it will open Dec. 17, 2020 in Park City, Utah. Having expanded its affordable luxury brand to the YOTELPAD experience, London-based hotel group, YOTEL has deliberately established its first YOTELPAD in a market that attracts today’s adventurous travelers, weekend commuters and traveling workers.

“Park City is the ideal setting for YOTELPAD’s first venue in the world,” said Brandon Tyler, general manager of YOTELPAD Park City. “It exemplifies the contemporary style of a modern hotel with the persona of today’s mountain resort enthusiast, including both winter skiers and year-round outdoors lovers.”

With 144 PADs (YOTEL speak for condominiums), YOTELPAD Park City is located at the base of Park City Mountain in Canyons Village. Equipped with self-service check-in stations, the fully tech-equipped hotel allows guests to access Grab+Go meals and drinks, a 24/7 gym with the latest Technogym equipment, ski valets, a fireside lounge and more.

“This hotel experience infuses modern international designs for indoors, outdoors and spaces in between, such as by the pool, around the fireplace and in the games room,” said Tyler. “Guests can relax in the hot tub, unwind by the pool and soak in Park City’s beautiful valley views from our deck.”

Innovative designs for various-sized PADs include Italian furniture that transforms into multiple uses in the same room space. European-inspired floorplans optimize every inch of the PAD, which can accommodate four to seven guests, to make it the perfect mountain base for adventure seekers.

“Built with creative forethought, these PADs and amenities offer incredible options for guests,” he said. “Intelligently designed PADs allow guests to enjoy the benefits of their stay without added expenses.”

Selling PADS for full ownership, YOTELPAD, which is 85 percent sold, also allows PAD owners to submit their residences into its nightly rental program.

“Owners who want to rent their PADs will instantly be listed in YOTEL’s worldwide network for guests seeking new experiences in an environment with modern design,” said Tyler.

YOTEL’s rapid global expansion is fueled from a well-calibrated combination of contemporary design and sociable amenities in popular locations. The tech-forward brand has built a strong following for its hassle-free solutions, with travelers seeking out hotels in cities and airports from San Francisco to Europe to Singapore.

Operating 17 hotels in eight countries, YOTEL recently opened YOTEL London, YOTEL Glasgow and YOTEL Washington, D.C. 

“The YOTEL and YOTELPAD concepts are trending, with 13 more YOTELs under development globally and three YOTELPADs being built in Miami, Geneva and Dubai,” he said.

To provide mountain resort expertise, YOTEL has partnered with Benchmark, a global hospitality leader, to spearhead day-to-day operations of YOTELPAD Park City. Since acquiring Gemstone Hotels & Resorts in 2016, Benchmark has built a strong Park City presence and manages a portfolio of more than 70 unique projects across three continents, including ski properties in Park City, Vail, Lake Tahoe and Jackson Hole.

Known for novel design and amenities in great locations, YOTEL enlisted Replay to create four-season resort destinations where guests can play longer and more often.

A national resort development leader, Replay designs destination resorts so year-round guests can play longer, smarter and more frequently. Leading Park City’s Canyons Village masterplan design, Replay’s visionary team was part of the inspiration behind Whistler Blackcomb, consistently ranked as a top world destination. 

Disrupting the world of hospitality through people, technology and design, YOTEL creates extraordinary experiences and a sense of fun and value in sought-after venues around the world.

For more information, visit yotelpadparkcity.com or yotel.com.

Vitalik Buterin illustration by Kaelen Felix for 360 magazine

Vitalik Buterin × Ethereum

Vitalik Buterin, the 26-year-old Russian-Canadian and inventor of Ethereum, has amassed both wealth and fame as one of the most influential figures in the world of cryptocurrency.

A blockchain is a series of transactions that is based off of the other. A record of cryptocurrency transactions takes form, made up of code. This allows for decentralized governance and more secure transactions, because a third, intermediary party is not involved in the transaction. The transfer went from point A to point B (with many microscopic jumps in between). Thus, no data mined. This is what the blockchain platform, Ethereum, is made out of.

This disrupts the way we think about the internet, and the idea was coined by a 19-year-old. 

Buterin co-founded Bitcoin Magazine in 2011, which he wrote for until 2014. A noted fan of Bitcoin, Buterin set out to improve the cryptocurrency. According to Nathanial Popper of the New York Times, “the most basic aim of Ethereum was to make it possible to program binding agreements into the blockchain—the smart contract concept. Two people, for instance, could program a bet on a sports game directly into the Ethereum blockchain.” Once an official winner is declared, the money would automatically be allocated to the winner. 

In 2013, Buterin published a white paper advocating for what was just his idea at the time, the blockchain platform known as Ethereum. Venture capitalist Peter Thirl then granted him a $100,000 fellowship, which allowed him to drop out of the University of Waterloo in Toronto, and devote his time completely to his idea, which is now worth more than $43 billion.

It is obvious that Ethereum and Buterin have a bright future ahead of them—and blockchain technology, even more so.

According to Matthew Braga of Canadian Business, “major financial institutions are already showing interest in blockchains.” If companies were to commit to Ethereum, they would become much more democratic. Executives would no longer call the shots, but rather, pieces of secure, man-made code would behave transparently in accordance with the consumer’s wishes.

And they have. In 2017, Popper reported that approximately 30 companies would form the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance. Now, the EEA functions with a global developer community of more than 3,000 contributors. Their mission is, according to the EEA, is to “enable organizations to adopt and use Ethereum technology in their day-to-day business operations.”

Nipping at Bitcoin’s heals, Ethereum holds immense promise.

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GirlTrek Photo Curtsey of Jewel Bush

GirlTrek Virtual Celebration

GirlTrek, the largest health movement and nonprofit for Black women in the United States, is officially now a sisterhood of 1 MILLION Black women – and counting!

To celebrate mobilizing 1 million Black women to use radical self-care and walking as the first practical step to leading healthier, more fulfilled lives, GirlTrek is hosting the biggest party for Black women 2020 has seen on Sunday, November 29th at 7 p.m. EST on GirlTrek’s Facebook LIVE

It will be a moment of gratitude and reflection centered in a celebration of our stories — the brilliant displays of uprising, change-making, freedom-claiming Black women. Women that have one by one, neighborhood by neighborhood, powered and propelled this movement to a literal unleashing of 1 million Black women! Together, we have been walking and building this movement for a decade. There’s no way in the world that we’d let this landmark moment pass without rejoicing.

The one-and-only D-Nice is set to spin. Performances include India Arie, Baby Rose, poet Aja Monet, and Tawiah.  

GirlTrek is the most effective public health solution in the country. GirlTrek was co-founded by two friends, T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison. Over the years, the organization, which originally began as an email walking challenge among friends, expanded to a nationwide movement inspiring radical healing and health transformation among Black women. 

Based on membership data collection, in 2019, 26% of GirlTrek members reported taking less medication after committing to a daily walking practice; 61% of women lost weight since the previous year; 40% of women continued to see improvement in symptoms from a previous health condition and 98% of those who have been diagnosed with depression said walking has improved their symptoms. 

Join a sisterhood of 1 million — and growing —  by taking the pledge at GirlTrek.org. GirlTrek is free to join. Check out GirlTrek on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Photo of TheHxliday by Travis Shinn

TheHxliday- “Thank U”

Up-and-coming rapper, singer and songwriter, TheHxliday, has shared his latest single, a painfully honest and powerful track called “Thank U.” Showcasing his moody hybrid of dark pop, hip-hop, and alt-R&B, “Thank U” is the Baltimore native’s first new music since signing to Motown Records earlier this year and is the lead single off his forthcoming BatBoy EP coming in 2021. You can download and stream “Thank U” HERE.

“Kids these days feel the urge to take drugs to help cope with their emotions,”  said TheHxliday. “With ‘Thank U’ it’s a message saying ‘You can take drugs. You can take anything you want but it’s only going to make things worse.’ You don’t need that to heal they’re better things to do.”

Propelled by potent trap beats and dreamy guitar tones, “Thank U” is a vulnerable yet urgent meditation on turning to drugs as a coping mechanism for problems like depression. With his vocals shifting from soulful to raw, TheHxliday created the song in order to shed light on the mental health issues at the root of drug abuse for so many of his peers.

At just 18-years-old, TheHxliday has already made waves with hits like “Save Me,” an independently released track whose Cole Bennett-directed video has amassed over 5 million views to date. Soon after signing to Motown Records, he re-released his breakout EP Broken Halls with the addition of new tracks  “Late Night Feelings” and “Make A Move.” Check out Broken Halls here.

TheHxliday is at the forefront of a new wave of rock stars inspired by rappers, pop idols, and rock bands of the past. With his work already championed by major outlets like Complex and Lyrical Lemonade, he’s also featured on  Familiar and Let You Down from Internet Money’s 2020 debut album B4 the Storm.

An ace at only 18-years-old, TheHxliday mixes his melodic flow and thumping trap beats to forge his sad boy sound. The rapper, singer and songwriter is a Baltimore native who creates hits straight out of his bedroom, expressing his singular and centric ideas to separate himself from the norm.

Inspired by the likes of Trippie Redd, XXXTentacion, Justin Bieber, Linkin Park, and My Chemical Romance, TheHxliday is paving his own path with the dynamic palette of dark pop, R&B, and hip-hop showcased on his EP Broken Halls. His biggest hit to date “Save Me”  is a banger, and just one of over 1,000 songs created so far. According to TheHxliday,  Save Me is a  firecracker compared to the bombs forthcoming.