Windy City Events

You do just about everything else with your dog, why not try yoga, err, Doga with them too! (Sat. 6/4/11)

Fundraising Doga Class for One Tail at a Time
Sunday, June 4, 2-3:15pm
Yoga Tree, 5232 N Clark, Chicago
An extra special class for you and your best friend! Gentle yoga poses, suitable for all levels, are incorporated with canine massage techniques to bring physical and mental benefits to you and your pooch. Busy lives often make one-on-one time with our pups rare, so give your dog the gift of your undivided attention, patience, and affection and see what you receive in return! Your $20 donation to attend this class will benefit the homeless dogs of One Tail at a Time! Space is limited. RSVP to HeatherOTAT@gmail.com.

Yoga Day USA Celebration 2010: REI Lincoln Park (Sat. 1/23, 10am-6pm)

Whether you regularly fold yourself into a human pretzel, or you can barely touch your toes, this free day of yoga is a great opportunity to enjoy complimentary classes by seasoned instructors in celebration of Yoga Day 2010! Three different classes will be provided throughout the day, and participators are encouraged to arrive thirty minutes early to secure a spot.  Mats will be provided- just bring yourself and your stretchy pants! Check out the classes provided at http://www.rei.com/

REI Lincoln Park
1466 N Halsted (google map)

Chicago Ice Skating Season Is Here and There Are Alternatives To Millenium Park

It seems like everyone has been talking about ice skating lately.  All the chatter actually prompted me to go out and get my own pair!  Sadly, they have been sitting in the closet, unused, for over a week now.  That’s all about to change though!  It’s beginning to look like I will be skating on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. I just read over at redeyechicago.com that there is free hot chocolate and lunch to the 1st 200 people that show up on Saturday at noon.  SCORE!  Read all about it here: redeyechicago.com

I also polled our fellow twitter followers to see what some alternatives to the Millenium Park rink are.  From my understanding, it can get really busy.  Some replies were:

@christhefisch try daley bicentennial plaza: same amazing view, smaller rink, fewer people and cheaper rental ($6)!

@MasKeo13 there will be a ri k next to Wrigley field..opens soon i think…

@kimalpert go to the u of c rink. lovely + empty… unless you are going for a hookup.

All very promising alternatives.  The University of Chicago rink sounds great… not busy and they have a huge warming house! Click here for more info. Daley Bicentennial is close to Millenium Park, yet doesn’t draw the crowd.  Sounds pleasant to me! And then there’s the proposed rink by Wrigley Field…. We’ll have to see how that works out.  My guess is, it will always be packed.

The Chicago Park District lists 9 area rinks on their site: Chicago Park District Rinks

**Update** We just noticed that the Chicago Botanic Garden has a skating rink! Visit their website for details: chicagobotanic.org

Where have you gone?  Do you have a favorite?  We’d love your perspective!

Santa Shuffle 5k Run (Sat. 12/5)

Costumes aren’t just for Halloween anymore! The Santa Shuffle 5k Run encourages (well, requires) you to throw on a cottony beard and a red suit for a run through Lincoln Park.

Be a part of this Saturday fun run for the fitness benefits or simply for the hilarious visual. Both are equally legitmate reasons to partake.

Every participant will be given a beard and red hat to wear during the race so hitting up Walgreens for the last minute disguise is unnecessary. The event also encourages runners of all skill levels to join the race (sorry, but I still don’t think I can bare the embarrassment of my nonexistent endurance). Motivation for the slow runners– awards will be given the person or group with the most creative Santa costume.

Join all the participants after the event at McGees Tavern & Grille located at 950 West Webster, Chicago, IL 60614.  All participants 21 and over will receive a drink coupon and a free breakfast buffet! Score!

Register online here for $30, or register the day of the event for $40.

The run goes down in Lincoln Park between Lake Shore Drive and Clark Street. So register and hit the streets at 9 a.m., if only just for the free breakfast and Santa hat!

Millenium Park Ice Skating (11/18-3/14)

The time is finally here. The McCormick Tribune ice rink in Millenium Park is now officially OPEN (You didn’t know it was called the McCormick Tribune ice rink? Yeah, neither did anyone else). There doesn’t seem to be a time when it is not absolutely crowded, but it’s a fun outing regardless.

The skating is FREE (yes, a free Chicago event!), buuuut renting a pair of skates will set you back $10. Not a big deal however; you can skate around to holiday tunes all day if you really wanted to. My personal favorite way to enjoy this seasonal event is to simply lean over the railing and watch the talented glide over the ice and the less than talented suffer some serious wipeouts. Honestly, it’s just as fun.

The ice rink is open through March 14th, but I’d scoot on over before Christmas to get the added bonus of the holiday playlist.

The rink is open Monday-Thursday noon-8 p.m., Friday noon-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and  is located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison streets; you really can’t miss it.

Fleet Feet Turkey Trot: Lincoln Park (Thurs. 11/26)

Stuffing yourself silly on Thanksgiving is unavoidable, but why not lessen the guilt factor by getting in a festive 8K before heading off to Grandma’s house? Fleet Feet presents its 32^nd annual Turkey Trot, on November 26^th at 9am in Lincoln Park.   This shoe store and leader of the running community in Chicago always puts on a well-organized and all around good-time race day.  Walk, run or TROT to the finish line… whatever pace you feel comfortable with, you won’t be alone.   Bring the whole family and kids can participate in the Plymouth Rock Ramble, a short distance course in the middle of the race day activities.  Registration for the 8K is $30 in advance and $35 on race day.    It’s the perfect way to kick off turkey day and enjoy the end of bearable running weather.

Walk to Fight Diabetes: Soldier Field (10/17)

This Saturday, October 17, Step Out will bring thousands united to help fight Diabetes to Soldier Field.  There really isn’t a better spot in the city to talk a walk along the lakefront and to help the 24 million individuals afflicted with Diabetes.  Registration begins at 8:30.   Participants will get a free breakfast that includes bagels, fresh fruit courtesy of Stanley’s, and coffee and orange juice.  There are opening ceremonies at 9:45 and the brisk 3.2 mile walk begins at 10:15.  Upon return to Soldier Field participants will enjoy lunch provided by Pockets.  Pockets will also donate 20% of all online orders through November to the American Diabetes Association.  For more information follow the link to Step Out’s website.

Visit Step Out for more information
Soldier Field [google map]
Sunday 10/17 8:30- 12:00

Bank of America Chicago Marathon is Sunday! Are You Running? (Sun. 10/11)

Marathon day sure got here quickly!  I know I couldn’t make it even a quarter of the way before ducking into a Starbucks and hiding out.  Even talking with people about their 16 week training programs makes my knees hurt!

For those not in the know, the marathon is on Sunday October 11th.  It starts in Grant Park at 7:30am.  A map of the route, along with more details, can be found at chicagomarathon.com

Are you running it this year?  Did you do it last year?  Did you make it a work event or did you con your friends into doing it with you?

Tell us about your preparations and past experiences in the comments!

Tags: Bank of America, Chicago Marathon

AIDS Run Walk (Sat. 10/3)

Join Chicago’s 5k AIDS Run and walk Saturday, October 3. The event begins at 7:30 AM, but the actual walk doesn’t start until 10 AM (Run begins at 9:55 AM). The Run and Walk will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.  The walk starts at Columbus Dr. and Balbo Dr. [google map]

For more info, visit afc.aidschicago.org

Treasures of the South Side Bicycle Tour (Sun. 10/4)

Join this 2nd Annual bike ride through the south shore bike trail and historical parks. At every stop, you’ll hear historical facts and stories about Chicago. WGN Morning News Sports Anchor Pat Tomasulo will be there for this charity ride that supports Pulmonary Fibrosis research. The ride is at 10 AM on Sunday, October 4 on 31st St Lot and Lakeshore Dr. [google map]

For more info, visit donordrive.com