Posts tagged with "chi-town"

Chicago illustration by Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine

Chi-Guide

By: Emily Bunn × Armon Hayes × Vaughn Lowery

360 Magazine recently visited The Windy City to sight-see, socialize, and of course, enjoy some classic Chicago deep dish pizza. Below, we’ve complied a guide of our must-see stops in Chi-Town. Whether you’re planning your next vacation or prepping for a day trip into the city, 360 is sure to point you in the right direction.

Hornblower Seadog Cruises

Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Seadog Speedboat Tours in Chicago provides exciting excursions where tourists can steady their sea legs. Their boat is propelled by two V-12 motors and pushes about 2000 HP. This boat tour venue is a bit cheaper than the other traditional tours in the area. Furthermore, Seadog Cruises are also much more interesting.

Our cruise guide was extremely comical and entertaining, which made for an enthralling trip. He possessed a charismatic and energetic zeal that was infectious to our entire tour group. Yet, the most attractive part of the route was the stunning view of the Chicago skyline. 

Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe

196 E Pearson St, Chicago, IL 60611

Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe (established 2004) is one of the most well-known breakfast spots in The Windy City. Their high-quality level of service and ability to produce an impeccable pancake is unmatched.

We dove into many of their dishes and secondary orders– like their turkey bacon, sausages and muffins, as well as fruit cups. If you visit, Wildberry’s fresh-pressed orange juice is a must-try. This fine eatery is handled like a well-oiled machine. Although it took a while to sit down, once we ordered our food came out right away.

Sidetrack

3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

Sidetrack is a high-energy, alternative discothèque experience. This extremely diversified and non-intrusive venue welcomes all guests. Cheap booze and good music are provided so that customers can get their groove on. The venue hosted a polite doorman and a bartender with access to several rooms.

On Sunday, Sidetrack possessed a highly mixed ratio of men and women of all genders, beliefs and cultures. 360 Magazine strongly recommends this spot for a memorable night of dancing. On the whole, the crowd was friendly, funny and fabulous. Sidetrack is the perfect spot to break the ice.

The Signature Room at the 95th®

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

The Signature Room is a premium, fine dining room with 360° views over Chicago’s breathtaking city center. If you’re dressed to impress (since The Signature Room does enforce a dress code), head straight to the restaurant’s living room for an intimate and decadent culinary experience. To pair with your dish, The Signature Room offers many delicious specialty cocktails. As compared to any other top-class steakhouse, The Signature room is moderately prices and provides superior foodie selections. 360 Magazine was waited on by staff who was attentive, professional and amicable.

While their cuisine is amazing, the restaurant’s expansive views take the cake. The elevator pushes you to the building’s 95th floor in minutes–so if you fear heights, think twice. Regardless, The Signature Room is a Windy City staple. A must-visit.

Windy City Nails & Spa

5316 N Milwaukee Ave ste g, Chicago, IL 60630

360 Magazine stayed at nearby Airbnb in this neighborhood and wanted to get a last-minute pedicure. Windy City Nails & Spa saved the day! This nail salon and spa follows all CDC guidelines, and even took our temperature while wearing masks. This no-frills facility offers nail, waxing, and eyebrow services.

When it came time to pay, Windy City’s doting service and pedicure cost us $28. The nail tech took her time to perform the manicure with gentle care and precision. This nail parlor is great option, if you don’t want to go into downtown Chicago and pay the downtown prices.

Gorilla Sushi Jefferson Park

4945 N Milwaukee Ave #2, Chicago, IL 60630

Gorilla Sushi is a hidden gem in Jefferson Park near Merta Station. If you’re looking for Asian cuisine to tantalize your tastebuds, look no further. With tasty selections like gyoza, sushi rolls, and sashimi, even the pickiest eaters are sure to find a dish they love.

For a sushi spot, Gorilla Sushi is very inexpensive. This restaurant provides excellent service paired with picturesque presentation. Fresh, fast, and affordable, this sushi joint is a lesser-known treasure of Chicago.

The Underground

56 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654

The Underground Chicago (15) is one of the most legendary nightclubs in the Midwest. Frequented by A-listers like like Justin BieberUsherLaBron JamesDavid BeckhamWill.I.Am, and Miley Cyrus– The Underground provides unmatched, elevated entertainment experiences. Beats reverberated throughout the energetic club all night, thanks to the state of the art sound system. Paired with pyrotechnics and projections, this nightclub truly knows how to put on a show.

This venue has premium bottle service, welcoming staff, and a fashionable porter. On the day we visited, Lil Jon DJ’d alongside Emmy award-winning TV host, actor and personality, Billy Dec. If you’re ready to party after the pandemic, be sure to visit here.

Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk

91-95 E Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601

Beat Kitchen is the perfect pit stop for a cold can on a hot day. 360 Magazine quickly stopped in at this restaurant, and was impressed by their quick and extremely hospitable service. All of the staff was very welcoming.

While Beat Kitchen is a little expensive, you are paying for quality cooking that is surely worth the price. The restaurant of the atmosphere is lively and hip. Beat Kitchen creates an enjoyable ambience with their eclectic array of Afro Latino music.

H&M

840 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

H&M on Michigan Ave offers a boutique service experience and a plethora of stylish pieces. All of H&M’s clothing at this location is clean and easy to find. The merchandise was well organized and offers fashionable, budget-friendly styles for all sizes and ages.

H&M has a consistent supply of merchandise that is well-outfitted for travel and tourism. For hip adults and teens, H&M has all the trendy styles one could desire. Whether you’re looking for business casual duds or a new swimsuit for vacation, H&M has your back.

Lou Mitchell’s

565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661

Lou Mitchell‘s lives up to its prestigious reputation as one of the best diners in Chicago. In 2018, Lou Mitchell’s received a Michelin star. This restaurant and bakery constantly beckons in customers with their excellent service, food and ambience. Lou Mitchell’s does their own baking, so customers can enjoy freshly baked breads and marmalade selections.

360 Magazine loved sitting outside in the sunshine while we enjoyed your meal. However, the inside of Lou Mitchells offers a more retro, vintage diner feel. We recommend their fluffy, delectable flapjacks!

Giordano’s

1340 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

The legendary Giordano’s is located in Chicago’s South Loop. All other pizza shops pale in comparison when stood next to this iconic pizza shop. Giordano’s stuffed (AKA deep-dish) pizza is truly unbeatable. Layered with fresh cheese, a buttery, flaky rind, mouthwatering tomato sauce and chicken sausage, every bite is meant to be savored. 

Giordano’s offers local craft beer selections to pair with their pizza pies. No matter how hungry you come in, it will be extremely difficult to eat all the pizza. The portion sizes here are very generous. However, Giordano’s pizza makes for delicious leftovers that can easily be reheated in the oven. 360 Magazine will definitely be back to enjoy another tasty slice from this iconic pizza shop.

MCCB Chicago

2138 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Modern Chinese Cookbook (MCCB) creates magical dishes that will instantly take you to Beijing. MCCB’s Sichuan and Canton style cuisine is authentic and mouthwatering. This Asian eatery has all the ingredients for a wonderful gastronomic experience: friendly staff, Michelin-starred chefs and carefully designed appetizers. We recommend trying the restaurant’s signature dish, charcoal-grilled whole fish.

Praise for MCCB continues to flow year by year, thanks to their fine food and hospitable service. If we could embrace the owners for creating such a pleasant atmosphere, we would. 360 Magazine will surely come back to MCCB soon!

deep dish pizza image via Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine
Travel illustration by Samantha Miduri for use by 360 Magazine
DJ illustration by Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine
COVID 19 by Symara Wilson for 360 Magazine, Covid Travel restriction

Coronavirus Mutations × U.S. Travel Restrictions

By: Emily Bunn

A breaking news article featured in The New York Times announced that the United States will be imposing a mandatory requirement for negative COVID-19 test results from all incoming, international travelers. The requirement for proof of a negative test in order to fly will begin Tuesday, January 25th.

The CDC has ordered for all travelers to provide proof of a negative test taken no more than 3 days before their travels. Without documentation of a negative test or documentation of recovery supplemented with a letter from a health care provider or public health official, passengers will be prohibited to fly.

The United States is not the only country to be putting in place tighter travel regulations. Due to new mutations of the virus, many countries are adopting stricter border protocol. The New York Times reports:

“Even as the United States moved to impose travel restrictions, citing the danger of the fast-moving variants, a case of the variant spreading in Brazil was identified in Minnesota.”

Variations of the virus in Brazil and South Africa, due to international travel, both pose the threat of COVID-19 mutating. If the virus does mutate, it is potential that the new strain of such will be unreactive to current vaccination efforts.

The New York Times reports that Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, an adviser to President Biden, has commented: “With the world travel that you have, and the degree of transmissibility efficiency, it’s not surprising.” Further, President Biden has broadcasted a ban on travel by all non-citizens into the United States from South Africa, the U.K., Ireland, and 26 other European countries.

An article published today on AP News reported that in attempts to increase vaccination efforts, President Biden announced that his administration is planning to purchase 100 million doses of each of the approved coronavirus vaccines–Pfizer and Moderna. Vaccination deliveries to states will be surged for the next three weeks. The Biden administration has announced that they plan to vaccinate 300 million citizens by the end of summer, as reported by The New York Times.

The President, in a White House briefing on January 26th, commented on importance of increasing vaccination supplies to help Americans:

“And to a nation waiting for action, let me be clearest on this point: Help is on the way.  We can do this if we come together, if we listen to the scientists.”

These efforts come at an especially critical time, as the global number of coronavirus cases has surpassed 100 million, reports The Wall Street Journal. However, that has been recent speculation regarding the accuracy of that number. In New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration has been accused of undercounting the amount of coronavirus deaths that occurred at nursing homes. A report released by Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, shows that the coronavirus death count appears to have been cut by approximately 50 percent. The report compares the number of facility deaths publicized by the Department of Health–1,229 deaths, versus the number of facility deaths reported the Office of Attorney General–1,914 deaths. This staggering discrepancy between reported deaths has spurred suspicion against Cuomo, and the Office of Attorney General (OAG) is conducting an on-going investigation concerning the cause of these variances.

However, there is still hope. In Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom rescinded the county’s stay-at-home order this past Monday, reports The Los Angeles Times. This new jurisdiction will allow for all counties in California to return to the four-tier, colored-coded system of assessing coronavirus risk. Lifting the imposed stay-at-home order could allow for the reopening of personal care services and outdoor dining. While LA has been particularly hard hit by coronavirus, the city actually has a higher vaccination rate than most other comparable cities in the U.S. The New York Times reports that “83 percent of the doses the city has received have been administered, compared with 74 percent in New York City; 52 percent in Bexar County, which includes San Antonio; and 58 percent of the doses ordered in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.”

While the coronavirus situation is still being closely tracked and monitored, hospitalizations and the number of patients in ICUs have been steadily declining. With hospitalizations at their national lowest since December 13th and an increase in vaccination efforts, there is progress to be recognized, despite current setbacks and uncertainties.

Despite progress in vaccination efforts and decreasing corona virus cases, new virus mutations pose critical cause for concern. In countries across the Asia-Pacific region, a new, more infectious variant–the Delta variant–is causing stay-at-home orders to be again put into place. This new variant was first identified in India, and has quickly been spreading. As restrictions begin yet again, countries across the globe are grappling with the harrowing fate that the pandemic is far from over.

In some major Australian cities, such as Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, residents have been forced into strict lockdowns. Flights are even being banned due to the new threat, with Hong Kong barring British entry. Indefinite stay-at-home orders were extended by the Malaysian government on Monday. In Malaysia, the new variant is especially threatening, as only 6% of the country’s residents are fully vaccinated, reports the New York Times.

India has faced a devastating, major second wave of coronavirus due to the Delta Plus variant, a sub-lineage of the Delta variant. This past spring, the dangerous variant caused thousands of deaths per day, and forced residents into partial stay-at-home orders, yet again. Much like in Malaysia, in India only 5% of the population is fully vaccinated. In fear of a third wave of the virus, Maharashtra’s chief minister, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, has authorized the use of a fourth vaccine in an attempt to increase vaccination supplies.

In good news, the Covid-19 vaccination is largely effective against the new Delta variant. However, this Delta variant is 50 percent more contagious than several of the other variants of concern, such as the Alpha variant.

As countries continue reopening, people look toward high vaccination rates to change the coronavirus game. In the U.S. and Britain, officials are planning to, or already have, lift most pandemic restrictions. White House secretary, Jen Psaki, recently announced that the United States would send two million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to Peru. Additionally, the U.S. looks to send 2.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Pakistan. A third shipment of 1.5 million Moderna vaccination doses will be sent to Honduras from the United States.

Looking ahead to this weekend, July 30-Aug 1, 2021, the return of  a major musical festival threatens a super-spreader event. The highly infectious variant of COVID-19 has again created a surge in the number of recent coronavirus cases. As festival fans migrate to Chicago for Lollapalooza – the first of which held since 2019 – the Windy City braces for the potentially devastating impact.

Fortunately, the festival is taking several precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. All attendees must be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of event entry. However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that not all guests will be honest about meeting these requirements.

The head of the BBB, Steve Bernas, warns of the potential for festival scammers who fabricate fake vaccine cards and negative test results. “We anticipate a double whammy this year not only the tickets but also the vaccine cards,” Bernas said in a statement. “The scammers will be out in full force.” He continues, cautioning ticket buyers to be on high-alert: “Just like finding tickets, there are countless ways for consumers to find vaccinations cards online, with online marketplaces, ticket sellers, resellers and the like…and unfortunately, some of them are rip-offs”

One of Chicago’s top coronavirus experts, Dr. Emily Landon, also weighed in on the weekend’s festivities. She argues that Lollapalooza’s 72-hour testing window is too lenient, and that the city is inviting in a massive spike of cases by holding the concert. NBC Chicago reports that Dr. Emily Landon commented, “Lolla has let us down with respect to how vigorously they’re restricting people based on the things that they sort of initially told us (about how) ‘we’re going to be really strict’ and now it’s like they’ve lightened up quite considerably on checking vaccines and negative tests.”

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady expressed concerns similar to Dr. Emily Landon’s. Recognizing the importance of getting vaccinated, she commented the following in a coronavirus update last week: “We want people to have a good time and we want this to be as safe as it can be…And so certainly we’ll be watching that just as we do any other gathering, but I am more concerned about the many people who have not chosen the COVID vaccine.”

Still, Chicago’s mayor and top doctor still haven’t wavered their support for the much-loved music festival. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed her desire the event to occur as safely as possible, though she didn’t comment on the recent uptick in case numbers and coronavirus hospitalizations. NBC 5 Chicago reports on the current coronavirus statistics in the city:

“Chicago’s average daily number of new cases rose to 130 per day early Monday – a 76% jump compared to last week. The city’s average daily case rate was at 90 per day last week and 41 per day the week before that, meaning it’s more than tripled in roughly three weeks. However, it is still significantly lower than the more than 700 cases per day the city was seeing earlier this year and last, before vaccines were widely available.”

Additional safety measures, including mandatory mask-wearing on public transport, will also be enforced. The Chicago Transit Authority is offering reduced ticket rates this weekend for Lollapalooza travelers.

As Summer winds down, COVID-19 cases are beginning to rise yet again. Several virus variants, including the new Lambda variant, are causing major concern among Americans. In an attempt to quell concern, several cities have launched vaccine passport programs.

Across the United States, metropolitan hubs including New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans are requiring residents to show proof of vaccination before entering indoor spaces. That means that visiting gyms, concerts, restaurants, and more will require citizens to have both of their required vaccination shots. Vaccine passports are not being put in place to stop public gatherings, but are intended to creater safer enviroments outside of one’s home.

However, many Americans are opting to stay indoors yet again, thanks to new variant threats. The Lambda variant, which was first detected in Peru and is quckly spreading through South America, is causing concern among citizens. The New York Times reports that “On June 14, the World Health Organization designated it as a “variant of interest,” meaning, essentially, that experts suspect it could be more dangerous than the original strain.

However, it has been reported that the Lambda variant is likely not as contagious as other deadly virus mutuations, like the Delta variant. And fortunately, the Lambda variant is able to be combatted by the vaccines that have currently rolled out across the U.S. The New York Times records the climbing numbers of the Lambda variant, “As of mid-June, Lambda had been reported in 29 countries, territories or areas, according to a June 15 update from the W.H.O. The variant had been detected in 81 percent of coronavirus samples sequenced in Peru since April, and 31 percent of those in Chile to date, the agency said.” However, assessing the virus has been difficult due to Latin America’s limited ability to conduct geonomic surveillance and follow-up laboratory studies, reports the NYT. Scientists and medical professionals around the world are currently conducting research to better understand this new variant and its implications.

HotelPlanner’s Delta Variant Coverage:

America’s comeback is in jeopardy. The Delta variant is surging, prompting concerns that we need another lockdown. Travel executives are already huddling, discussing potential next steps to both protect guests and their businesses’ bottom lines. Americans were traveling in record numbers, and people are wondering if this could slow down the sector. How could the Delta variant, and other emerging variants, impact travel?

“We are watching the rapid uptick in Delta variant case infections closely, says Tim Hentschel, Co-Founder and CEO of HotelPlanner. “Although some families may choose to curtail their summer travel plans, we remain confident that the vast majority of Americans who were planning to travel this summer will keep their plans, while exercising more caution with crowds and destination selection. For those who are already vaccinated, the Delta variant shouldn’t be a deterrent to summer travel because they should be protected.”

ABOUT HOTELPLANNER

HotelPlanner is a leading travel technology company that combines proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, and a 24/7 global gig-based reservations and customer service network, to quickly and seamlessly serve all traveler hotel & accommodation needs from a single platform.

HotelPlanner is one of the world’s top providers of individual, group, and corporate travel bookings, specializing in unique “Closed User Group” discount rates.

Founded in 2004, HotelPlanner has enduring partnerships with the world’s largest Online Travel Agencies, well-known hotel chains, individual hotels, online wedding providers, ancillary lodging providers, corporations, sports franchises, universities, and government agencies.

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.

Chicago Living

By Krishan Narsinghani

Some call it America’s best fine dining town and others call it the Windy City. Chicago, IL is notorious for its bites and lake breeze, but 360 Magazine believes it’s one of the top cities to move to next.

It’s true that the winters are freezing, but the greater Chicago area has all four seasons and each one exudes a unique beauty. Midwest doesn’t only mean more sunshine and snow, but also affordable living prices and midwestern hospitality (which is important if you don’t already know people in the area). Opinions may vary, but Chi-town is cleaner than most metropolitan cities in the US and Summertime does not disappoint. Relax on the beaches of Lake Michigan or enjoy a nice hand-crafted cocktail at one of the many rooftops. Also explore the rich history and landmarks like The Bean, Navy Pier and Millennium Park – where Lollapalooza is annually held.

First, you need to find where you want to live in the city or outside the city. With over 70 neighborhoods to choose from, movers have tons of options depending on the culture and attractions they want to be associated with. If you’re looking for a superb nightclub scene, River North is your area. West loop is ideal for corporate workers and hot restaurants. West town has new ethnic eateries with wicker park nearby. The list goes on, but every part of Chi has its own vibe and treasures. Getting around the city is easy as public transport isn’t an issue.

In today’s market with COVID-19, it’s harder than ever to find proper living spaces in a major city whilst also budgeting within a reasonable price range. According to Chicago data collected by travel blogger, Lauren Monitz, “The median price for a home listing is $1,750 which is slightly over the national average.” For apartment renting, Zumper’s data showed that the average rent in Logan Square is as low $950 for a studio (and $1,095 across the city overall). Find a roommate and move to The Loop for an average of $2,810 per month. In cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, the average rent price is significantly higher.

A hidden lifesaver recommended for individuals looking to jumpstart their move is a platform called Zumper. Zumper is used by millions of renters to find houses, rooms, condos, or apartments for rent. It’s as simple as applying online. Submit digital rental applications and credit reports with their screening service, powered by TransUnion™. We’ve all tried to use countless rent/housing websites, but Zumper’s site maximizes quality. The inventory is updated in real-time, so users always see new rentals first. Try filtering by location, price range, bedroom count, pet-friendly, or amenity and set an alert to get notifications when a new listing is posted.

It’s always hard to take that first step and find the perfect place. Using websites and apps to navigate searches help legitimize you traveling in-person to visit a new home. It will also save energy if you aren’t wasting time on sites that don’t filter new apartments and homes, plus alerts to keep you in the know. Overall, Chicago has made a mark on our staff. It’s safe to say it’s one of the top cities in the US to live in.

Juice WRLD, death, 360 MAGAZINE, interscope records, dies

#RIP Juice WRLD

Recently signed Interscope Records artist, Jarad A. Higgins aka Juice Wrld, dies at 21. The Lucid Dreams × Robbery rapper passes soon after being admitted into a Chicago hospital. Details as to what actually caused death is still unknown.

According to TMZ, he suffered a seizure and died shortly after landing his private jet in Chi-town.

A statement from his label can be found HERE.

Additional information on story can be found HERE.

Artist spotlight HERE.

His JuiceWRLD 999 album uses powerful angel number which means a chapter of your life will come an end.

Final moments captured HERE.