Winter Storm Warning
Issued by The National Weather Service
Chicago, IL
2:47 pm CST, Mon., Feb. 8, 2010

… WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY…

THE WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY.

* TIMING… ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY. LAKE EFFECT SNOW IS LIKELY TO LINGER INTO THE DAY WEDNESDAY ACROSS NORTHWEST INDIANA… ESPECIALLY OVER PORTER COUNTY. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL OCCUR TUESDAY AFTERNOON INTO TUESDAY NIGHT… WITH LOCALLY HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW SQUALLS CONTINUING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING OVER PORTER COUNTY.

* ACCUMULATIONS… STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL BY TUESDAY NIGHT WILL GENERALLY BE IN THE 9 TO 12 INCH RANGE… WITH LOCALLY HEAVIER SNOWFALL TOTALS EXPECTED NEAR THE LAKE… WHERE STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL COULD APPROACH A FOOT AND A HALF OVER NORTHEAST PORTER COUNTY BY MIDDAY WEDNESDAY.

* HAZARDS… ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL WILL RESULT IN TRAVEL BECOMING DIFFICULT BY LATE TONIGHT. IN ADDITION TO THE FALLING SNOW… NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH TUESDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING… RESULTING IN SEVERE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN OPEN AREAS. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR GROUND BLIZZARD AND NEAR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP IN OUTLYING AREAS LATE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS… SNOW IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN DETERIORATING ROAD CONDITIONS TONIGHT… WITH SNOWFALL LIKELY MAKING TRAVEL VERY DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT. MORNING AND EVENING RUSH HOURS ON TUESDAY… AND ON WEDNESDAY MORNING ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM. AFTER THE SNOW ENDS EARLY WEDNESDAY… BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL RESULT IN NEAR GROUND BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN OUTLYING AREAS MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. PERSONS FLYING INTO OR OUT OF CHICAGO AIRPORTS CAN ALSO EXPECT SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FROM THIS WINTER STORM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW… SLEET… ICE… OR STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL… KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT… FOOD… AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Come celebrate Chinese New Year Sunday, Feb 14th in Chinatown. The parade will include colorful floats, marching bands, an appearance from Miss Chinatown, and much more.The festivities will begin around 12:30 p.m. with free admission. Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood is located on 24th St & Wentworth Ave. [google map] For more information, check out Chinatown’s official website at http://www.chicagochinatown.org.

Snow Days Chicago is offering a plethora of reasons why it’s better to brave the windy city weather this time of year versus those boring warmer climates.

The events during Snow Days Chicago on Friday and Saturday the 29th and 30th include a national snow sculpting competition, an activities igloo (don’t tell me you’ve never wanted to go in an igloo), dogsled racing demonstration, “snowboard rail jam”, and plenty more.

Grant Park will be filled with over 27 unique snow sculptures this weekend, and … (best part)… it’s FREE. So if you’ll be downtown at all during the festival, you have no reason not to swing by the Michigan Ave. local to catch some winter wonder.

The fest kicks off Fri. January 29th at 4 pm and ends 8 pm. Snow Days will be open Sat. Januray 30th from 11 am to 8pm. And, again, absolutely no cost (no, not even for an igloo tour).

Grant Park, S. Balbo & Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60603

It may be the season of giving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give something to yourself! Aniko Salon and Spa will be hosting its Chic Gems event this Friday.  The event is free to the public, and it’s the perfect place to find that special piece of jewelry for this year’s holiday party- or just a special treat for yourself!  The wide array of fashion jewelry will include a variety of collections, including Bridal, Signature, Design Your Own, and the new Couture Collection.  Plus, if you spend $100 on Chic Gems, you will receive a $10 Aniko Salon and Spa gift card! So buy some sparkle and treat yourself to a manicure- ‘tis the season!

Aniko Salon and Spa

www.anikosalonspa.com

1109 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 431-1573
Get directions

The city of Chicago is making damn sure that no one misses a good shopping outing before the holidays hit. Here is yet another weekend dedicated to browsing and spending.

This Saturday December 12th from noon to 3 p.m., Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies on Jackson is sponsoring and hosting a holiday shopping event. Admission is FREE, so why not stop in and peek around?

Like so many other city shopping extravaganzas, this shopping soiree offers tons of unique gifts from our talented local designers from clothes to jewelry to hand bags, and so much more. It’s even got free demos and “beauty treats.”

Just beware guys, this one looks like it is mainly an afternoon for the ladies (although most likely will be a great spot to find a present for your sister, girlfriend and/or momma!).

This event goes down this Saturday, December 12th from noon-3 p.m. at Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies

850 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60607

Questions? Need more info? E-mail info@creneaume.com or call 312-520-3017

The holiday season should officially be renamed the shopping season. Another day, another sale. This weekend’s shopping belongs to the Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale.

So why this sale over any other? Well, for one, the flyer and website are really cute. And secondly, the fair is showcasing over 150 of “today’s finest indie-craft and contemporary design talents.” In other words, everything is handmade by the craftiest people in the biz.  That being said, all the gifts you buy this weekend are guaranteed to be one of a kind.

Check out the online store to get a sense of what will be sold before you make the trip to the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse. But more than likely, you’ll find something for almost everyone on your list, whether you’re browsing for jewelry, clothing, ceramics, stationary, bath products, housewares, posters, comics or plush objects.

It is located at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse in West Town

1419 W. Blackhawk Street
Chicago, IL 60622
Event phone number: 773-227-2707

Flyer for the Fashion and Shopping Extravaganza in Wicker Park (Click for larger size)

Fashion Rocks Chicago and See More Shopping is inviting you (yes, YOU) to the ultimate all-inclusive shopping/fashion event I’ve ever heard of. The Fashion and Shopping Extravaganza this Saturday December 5th at the Creative Lounge in Chicago’s trendy Wicker Park offers plenty of reasons for you to log off eBay and hit the town for your holiday shopping experience.

Not only is there an incredible lineup of local fashion and jewelry designers, but this event will provide you with complimentary snacks, gift raffles, and will reward the early birds (it starts at 11 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m.) with goodie bags and mini-makeovers courtesy of Sugar & Spice. And all for FREE! Yes, zero dollars! Won’t cost you one measy penny, FREE.

This is the perfect afternoon shopping day for you and your girls, but complimentary snacks? This is also quite the date opportunity as well. Two birds, one stone.

Please rsvp to lidia@evilkitty.net

Now check out this SOLID list of the amazing up-and-coming local Chicago designers that will be selling some of their unique, innovative, and straight up HOT designs this Saturday:

Rosina Mae, Evil Kitty, Anastasia Chatzka, 5p1t, CC Bella, K Fleye, Mr. Tastees, Poise.cc.

This event is located at the Creative Lounge Chicago
1564 N. Damen, 3rd floor
Chicago, IL

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.

Are you dreaming of impressing the family with your excellent carving capabilities as everyone sits down for Thanksgiving dinner this year?  To avoid butchering your big bird in front of disgruntled family members, take the Chopping Block’s FREE turkey carving class.   Expert carvers will show you their secrets to carving the perfect turkey, and they’re even throwing in a gravy recipe and demonstration!  Now its up to you to not burn the biscuits.

Chopping Block the: Lincoln Square www.thechoppingblock.net 4747 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 293-8490 Get directions -