The Chicago Traveler

The Hotei Gallery and Art Center present an Art Show and Fundraiser for Saturday February 28th from 7pm to midnight.' The gallery is located at 1445 W Morse Avenue.' There will be at least 20 artist there with over 100 paintings.' Here are some of the featured:

Paintings by: Nikos (Hotei, SAIC*)
Colin Grimm
Paul Verburg (SAIC*)
John Bambino (Gallery B1E)
Dustin Brunjes (SAIC*)
Samantha Haring (SAIC*)
Lisa Caplan
Tolu Sanni
Jay Redig (SAIC*)
Amanda Specht
Robert Hotzkiss-Thomson (SAIC*)
Sculpture by: Andy DeLaRosa (Gallery B1E)
Garrett Munski
Glass by: Pearl Dick (Chicago Hot Glass)
Photography by: Jessica Eis (SAIC*)
Angela Scalisi'
Jennifer Anne Buckley
Allan Koss
April Siegfried
Tony Farah (Hotei)
Mixed Media by: Jhenai Mootz
Amanda Specht
Omar Farah (Hotei)
Ceramics by: Henry Thompson
Theaster Glass (Yamaguchi Institute)
Textiles by: Patricia Smoot
Jewelery by: Ann Flick
Jennifer Hohe
Vannessa Walilko
Omar Farah
Teal Van
Laura Prieto-Velasco
Tunes by: Carla Starla
David Levine (Lowdown Brass Band)
Peter Propaganda

The donation is $20 and there will be a open bar.' Enjoy the Arts this Saturday.

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Here is a great way to explore all things food in'Chicago.' Chicago Restaurant week begins February 20 and lasts through the 27th.' Try all types of food from seafood to spicy.' The restaurants will serve lunch or dinner or a combination of the two.' Check out the website for more information on which restaurants are participating.' If you have an American Express card, you can make early reservations.

$22 for a 3 course lunch and $32 for a 3 course dinner.' Plan to have dinner with the girls or guys or make it a perfect date week!

Photo Credit:' Flickr

Seven Generations Ahead is sponsoring a Winter Celebration at a Sustainably Built Private Home in River Forest on February 27th.' Tickets are $40 per person, $75 per couple.

The event will including tastings of sustainably and organic wines with complementary organic cheeses.' The home’s owners will be there to field questions about energy efficiency, water and resource conservation and toxic free materials.' It will be very interesting to see an entire house built of sustainable materials.' The home’s owners will be able to give you their take on building the house and the day to day living there.'

Picture Credit:' Seven Generations

For those who don’t know it, I love coffee.' When I found out that there is actually a competition for Baristas I wanted to find out more.' This free and open to the public event will be on Friday the 20th from 12pm-6pm, Saturday 21st from 12pm-6pm and Sunday 22nd from 11:30am-3pm.

The Baristas will serve up 12 drinks in 15 minutes - Four Expressos, Four Cappuccinos and Four Creative Drinks.-Judges will rate them on creativity, taste, and presentations.' The winner will advance to the semi round of the US Barista Championship.' For more information contact Coffee Masters.

Now (wondering out loud) if they don’t have enough judges, I would be happy to help out.' I mean I do really love coffees and teas and can help rate Baristas…so I’m just saying.' I can fill in if they need me.

Picture Credit:' Cappuccino Art

Children’s Book Author N. D. Wilson will have a book signing event on February 25th for his new book Dandelion Fire.' In addition he will do have a reading of the book.' Very neat for your young readers.' The event starts at 7pm.' If you read 100 Cupboards Book One then you will definitely want to get his next book.

Photo Credit:' Amazon

Do you enjoy a good Samurai movie' I remember watching some of the old Samurai movies on WGN where the mouth and the words didn’t match.' We used to watch them so much that you got to know what was going to happen at the end but you watched it anyway.' There were a few guys in my school that used to do the moves in gym and we used to think they were cool.

Rumble Arts Center 3413 West North Avenue will have Samurai movies and pizza tonight at 8pm.' Bring your own beverages.'

Photo Credit:' Flickr

The winner of their very own copy of “Cook’s Guide to Chicago” is Caroline!' Congratulations!

Caroline, please send me a note at [email protected] and send me your address and it’s on the way.' Thank you to all who submitted their entry.' Next giveaway is coming up soon.' Stay tuned.

Lake Claremont Press published an awesome book called'”A Cook’s Guide to Chicago” by Marilyn Pocius'which I would recommend on the top of your reading list.' It’s not a recipe book but more of a resource.' If you like to cook and you are in Chicago, it lists where to find whatever you need.' It could be a certain item that you need for a new dish or it could be a nifty kitchen gadget.- This book has pages and pages of secret culinary corners that is for cooks and food lovers combined.

Lake Claremont Press celebrates the rich history of Chicago by publishing books that explore our distinctive city.

This week I will giveaway a free copy of A Cook’s Guide to Chicago.' All you must do is submit a comment to this post.' It’s just that easy.' On Friday evening, I will put all of the names in the hat and when the clock strikes 10pm, that’s Central Time :)' We will have ourselves a winner.' I will then contact the winner and ship the book out Saturday morning.' One comment per day please.

Good Luck!

Are you looking for an artistic way to spend the evening with your Valentine' You may also be single this Valentine’s Day and looking to meet new people.' Love Ball 2009 will feature a unique gallery opening at Flourish Studios on North Lincoln Avenue.

Your Valentine’s Day evening on the 14th will consist of the enjoyment of Art by Arianne Vota Smeets’ collection.' You will also be able to enjoy food and music at the lively event.' The music begins at 7:30pm with food service beginning at 9pm so be sure to time yourself so that you enjoy all of the night’s offerings.

Admission is $15.' Contact Flourish Studios for more information.' Cocktail attire is preferred.

Photo Credit:' Flickr