TODAY in Chicago

This morning you may have recognized some familiar places on the TODAY Show – and that’s because our beloved city played host for today’s episode! Co-hosts Willie Geist and Natalie Morales happily “ate their way” through Chicago by hitting all the Windy City classics:

-Vienna Beef Chicago Style Hot Dog: A Chicago staple, our dogs are served on a poppy seed bun with mustard, a dill pickle spear, chopped white onion, neon green relish, sport peppers, tomato slices and a sprinkling of celery salt. Whatever you do, DON’T add ketchup! Chicago-style aficionados are firm believers that ketchup has no business being on a hotdog and a number of city hotdog vendors refuse to offer it as a condiment.

-Deep dish pizza: As Natalie pointed out, this is definitely not a meal you can grab and eat on the go! Our Chicago-style deep dish pizza requires a fork and knife (and a big appetite). Unlike traditional pizza, Chicago-style is a few inches deep with chunky tomato sauce and tons of mozzarella. It’s made “upside down”, with the crust followed by a layer of cheese, followed by a layer of toppings such as pepperoni and/or sausage, then loaded with more cheese and finally topped with tomato sauce. This style was developed because the pies take so long to cook that the cheese and toppings would otherwise burn if they were placed on the top layer. Giordano’s is a local favorite and they ship their pizzas across the country so you can get your fix anywhere, anytime.

-Garrett Popcorn: A bucket of Garrett’s is quintessentially Chicago, and if you really want to feel like a local go for the caramel and cheddar blend. While it may sound like an odd combination, the mixture of buttery sweet caramel with tangy, salty cheddar is pure bliss. Garrett’s ships their popcorn too and you can even design customizable bins to house your snack.

We are thrilled the cast of TODAY came to experience our city. We’re big fans; last Earth Month we had a blast hosting one of Kathie Lee & Hoda’s lucky fans of the week. To view clips from TODAY’s Chicago-style episode, visit TODAY’s website.

Lights Out

This Saturday at 8:30 p.m., Chicagoans are invited to switch off their (non-essential) lights for one hour. Also known as Earth Hour, it’s a time across the world for people to join together in a commitment to the planet. It all starts with a first step, and that first step is as simple as switching off your lights. By participating in Earth Day you’re celebrating doing more for the planet!

Photo Credit: EarthHour.org

Interestingly, Earth Hour is held in late March each year because it is around the time of the Spring and Autumn equinoxes in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. This allows for near overlap of sunset times in both hemispheres and for the greatest visual impact of lights going out during the hour.

So tell us… will you be participating in Earth Hour this year? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Celebrating Black History Month

February is the month we honor and remember the history of African-Americans in the United States. In 1926, the roots of Black History Month were planted originally as Black History Week. Designated as the second week of February, this particular week was chosen because it included the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Eventually in 1976 the week was officially recognized by the U.S. government as a month and Black History Month was born. It’s a time for schools, businesses and communities across America to recognize the important impact African-Americans have had on our country’s history. For more information please visit the official website here.

Photo Credit: superman_ha_muerto

Our Garden

Hotel Felix has spiced up your average construction scaffolding with beautiful hanging plants. Take a glimpse into our Hanging Garden:

Randy Gardner, a Hotel Felix employee, caring for the flowers

Madeline enjoying the view

George Jordan watering down the plants

The Hanging Garden can be found at 111 West Huron Street. Stop by and enjoy the view!

Wells Street Art Festival

Chicago festival season is upon us and one of the first fetes of the summer, Wells Street Art Festival, takes place this very weekend. The fest takes place on June 9-10 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. in Old Town, on North Wells between North Avenue and Division. We recommend taking public transportation but there is also street parking available.

Wells Street Art Festival features works of more than 250 artists, as well as more than 20 of the neighborhood’s best food and drink vendors. Bring the whole family – there are plenty of kid-friendly activities, live music and a silent auction. To get there by train, hop on the CTA brown line and get off at the Sedgewick stop then head east. For more information, please click here.

Welcome Bloggers

This week Hotel Felix was pleased to have a legion of the country’s top lifestyle bloggers stay with us while in town for the Sears Shop Your Way Roundtable. We had bloggers from all over the country, including New York, Minnesota and Atlanta, here with us while they geared up for the Sears discussion on this shopper rewards program.

Shop Your Way

Drew Bennett, owner of Ben Spark (http://www.benspark.com), posted a fun write-up of his Hotel Felix experience in between Shop Your Way meetings. He was kind enough to feature us here and even make a short video to accompany his post. He also included a photo of Madeline and Scrappy, our resident sustainable sculptures, making it the 2,603rd photo in Drew’s Photo-A-Day series.

Thank you to Sears and the Shop Your Way bloggers for choosing to stay with us, we loved having you and hope to see you all again soon!

Green Festival This Weekend

We are gearing up for the Green Festival this weekend, May 5-6, in downtown Chicago. The annual celebration of all things green takes place at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue) on Saturday, May 5 from 12-8 p.m. and Sunday, May 6 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Green Festival‘s mission is to show everyone what it means to be a part of a sustainable community. More than 125 green leaders, authors and educators gather to host how-to workshops, conduct seminars, enjoy organic beer and wine and relish the green life. Don’t miss the unique marketplace that features more than 300 eco-friendly businesses from all-natural body care products to Fair Trade chocolates.

With a Green Kid Zone, an eco-fashion show and interactive D.I.Y. workshops there is something for everyone at the Green Festival. Check it out this weekend and post pictures of your experience on our Facebook timeline!

Chicagoans Gear Up for Green City Market

This Saturday, May 7 at 7 a.m., Chicago’s truly green farmer’s market opens shop outdoors for the first Saturday of the season. The outdoor Green City Market, located at the south end of Lincoln Park (between Clark and Stockton Drive, approximately 1790 N. Clark), is open each Wednesday and Saturday through October 29 from 7 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Image Credit: Green City Market

Celebrating it’s 12th anniversary, the Green City Market is nationally recognized for distributing, promoting, and educating the community on local sustainably-grown food.

Socially conscious shoppers can take part in the Opening Day Rally from 9-10 a.m., followed by a Chef Demonstration at 10:30 a.m. by Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris of West Loop’s Prairie Fire.

Image Credit: Green City Market

It’s a breeze to get to Green City Market by public transportation. You can use the following CTA bus routes: 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 73 Armitage, or 151 Sheridan. Alternately, the Lincoln Park Trolley runs every Saturday down Stockton Drive starting on May 23. It picks up in front of the Historical Museum parking lot and is free.

If you head to Green City Market this weekend for some one-of-a-kind treats (like Snookelfritz ice cream or fresh Zullo’s doughnuts) be sure to take photos and share them on our Facebook wall. Don’t forget your reusable shopping bag!

Happy Arbor Day!

Happy Arbor Day! The Illinois State Arbor Day falls on the last Friday of every April and is a day dedicated to planting, nursing, and celebrating trees. We’re celebrating Arbor Day this year on April 29.

Image credit: Elizabeth Spirk

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners.

Here are some ways you can make the most of Arbor Day:

• Send a Give-A-Tree e-card where a tree is planted for every card sent
• Roll up your sleeves and plant a tree or two
• Bring Arbor Day to classrooms in the community
• Check out the Celebrate Arbor Day Guidebook
• Take a hike – a tree identification hike, that is – and don’t forget your tree guide

Share some photos of your Arbor Day celebrations with us on our Facebook page.

Dream Date – Dinner for Two at Elate Restaurant

One of Chicago’s most anticipated fundraisers of the year is just around the corner. Hotel Felix’s Elate Restaurant is happy to participate in this year’s giveaways. Starlight Children’s Foundation Midwest will be auctioning off dinner for two at Elate Restaurant on Feb. 5th at the 19^th Annual Dream Date Charity Auction.

Starlight is a nonprofit organization which helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education, family activities, community outings and other special events.  The fundraising goal of $150,000 has been set for the “Dream Date” event, which will host more than 550 attendees.

Elate Restaurant is proud to participate in this fundraising event to help support Starlight’s diverse line-up of programs and services.  Event details are listed below:

Who: Starlight Children’s Foundation Midwest

What: 19th Annual Dream Date Charity Auction

Where: Enclave (220 W. Chicago Ave.)

When: Friday, Feb. 5th at 6 p.m.

Why: To raise money to help support Starlight’s diverse line-up of programs and services

For tickets, please call 312.251.7827 or visit www.starlight-midwest.org