Painting the city GREEN

Chicago is home to quite the St. Patrick’s Day celebration! The Chicago River goes green as 45 pounds of vegetable dye color the water between Columbus and Wacker drives.

The dyeing of the river has been a tradition for many generations and attracts thousands of people dressed in green to see the action live!

A March 11 parade is packed with all things Irish - colorful floats waving green/white/orange flags, troops of Irish step dancers, booming marching bands and bagpipers, and, of course, anything green! It happens rain or shine and begins at 12:30 p.m. It lasts for about three hours If you want more elbow and viewing room, we recommend snagging a spot toward the start of the parade in Grant Park (Columbus & Balbo).

This year’s theme is “Recognizing Workers Rights.” the importance of Recognizing Workers’ Rights is something to be honored and celebrated! Workers’ rights are so important for workers in all the neighborhoods of Chicago and the sub- urbs and across Illinois! Having a good paying job, benefits, and safer workplaces is good for workers and also strengthens our communities and our state and local economy.

2023 VIP Grandstand Seating is available at $65 per seat. Grandstands open at 11:30 am and there will be Access to VIP restrooms. The general admission location is adjacent on the North side of the Parade Reviewing Stand, approx. vicinity of Congress & Columbus, east side of Columbus. Deadline for VIP Grandstand Seating purchase in advance is Friday March 10, 2023 @ 9am. Please bring your ticket & I.D. with you. There will be no refunds.

Located steps away from the heart of the city and everything that makes Chicago an ideal spring destination, Fairmont Chicago is a getaway experience. Extend your weekend and make your reservations today! Welcome spring by enjoying a spacious and impeccably appointed guestroom with a city skyline, Millennium Park, or Lake Michigan view.

A 5-minute walk will bring guests to the iconic Riverwalk where they can dine in the fresh spring air at notable restaurants. A 10-minute walk will deliver guests at boarding locations for the iconic Architecture River Cruise or beautiful Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan.

Seasonal cuisine and cocktails are available in the hotel Lobby Bar and this Spring especially, Fairmont Chicago is excited to provide two new offerings:

● Leaf Spa Chicago

Newly opened Leaf Spa at Fairmont Chicago is offering a spring special for those looking for a re-set. The Botanical Balance Package balances chakras through a botanical body treatment, helping to detoxify and rejuvenate one’s skin and soul. Reiki infused florals and herbs for each chakra are used to shed dead skin and energy that no longer serves a purpose. Guests looking to relax for the weekend can enjoy the spa’s weekly activations, including a guided meditation on Thursdays at 5:30 pm, a sound bowl healing meditation on Saturdays at 3:00 pm, and a manifesting meditation on Sundays at 5:00 pm. Meditation classes are $35 and sound bowl healing classes are $45 – both include complete teas and the option to create-yourown oils, scrubs, and tinctures using healing herbs, plants and more at the spa’s signature Alchemist Bar. Make reservations at reservations@leafspas.com.

● Le Petit Chef: An Immersive Dining Experience

For a unique dinner experience you can’t get anywhere else in Chicago, Le Petit Chef at Fairmont Chicago takes guests on an immersive and unforgettable journey of delightful dining and sophisti-cated virtual reality theatre, without the use of glasses or equipment. Available every Thursday through Saturday this Spring (and through the end of 2023), the dinner takes place in the Cuvée Room, which is located on the lobby level of the luxury hotel. This experience follows the world’s smallest chef, an animated 3D character standing at 2½ inches tall, who appears on every table narrating guests through a ninety-minute multisensory five-course tasting menu with curated wine pairings. Throughout the dinner, with the help of 3D projection mapping, Le Petit Chef moves around the place setting and tells a story of the history, ingredients and techniques used to make each dish. Choreographed in real life, each course is delivered in unison with the animation. Fair-mont Chicago is the only location in Chicago to host Le Petit Chef. The first seating begins at 6 p.m. and the second at 8:15 p.m.

FORT WAYNE - Laura Wilson, owner of Fearless Cook Culinary, offers a variety of cooking classes in the winter and sprintime. Some are hands-on, where the guests cook alongside Laura. Others are demonstration with an occasional guest chef, mixologist or florist. While all classes are fun, you do actually learn valuable cooking techniques and depart with recipes to use again at home. A 15% discount is given to those who sign up for all classes offered in the season’s term. All classes must be prepaid, however, to hold your spot. Hands on classes run $100-120.

Fearless Cook specializes in premium cookware, utensils and other kitchen and home items that have been carefully curated for their quality, functionality, appeal and uniqueness. We want to inspire you to have fun in the kitchen, create delicious food, and gather with those you love.

Find everything for the home chef: from the beginner to the professional. For more information, vist online at https://www. fearlesscookculinary

Learn how to set a pretty table for Easter during the April 3rd Easter Brunch demonstration on April 3.

Upcoming Classes

All start at 6 p.m.

March 6 - Basic Skills - Hands on, Level 1

March 13 - Elevated Desserts

March 15 - Soups

April 3 - Easter Brunch

Demonstration - All levels

April 17 - Classic, easy French lunch

May 1 - Show-off French Food

May 15 - Fish, many ways