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BEST DATE NEWS
April 4, 2024: Best Date News Volume #69
Welcome to another edition of Best Date News, Chicago’s most fun and interesting Thursday newsletter! Apologies for the delay today. The Beehiiv newsletter system we use decided to go down this morning unfortunately.
In today’s newsletter, we dive into the inaugural Chicago River Swim, Chicago’s James Beard Finalists, outdoor street dining on Clark Street coming to an end, next week’s solar eclipse and more!
Sponsored by our friends at Chicago Artisan Market
Via Chicago Artisan Market
Chicago Artisan Market
Chicago Event Alert: The Chicago Artisan Market is back this weekend for an awesome two-day shopping experience! The market brings together 100+ of the best local artisans all under one roof. It’s the perfect spring date idea!
The market will take place at Artifact Events in Ravenswood this Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can eat and drink while you shop indoors, you can bring your dog and there is even free parking.
Tickets are either one for $8 or four for $20, so if you turn it into a double date, it becomes an even better deal!
Via Samsung Food
April 4: National Holidays
National Burrito Day
National Tell a Lie Day
National Vitamin C Day
National School Librarian Day
International Carrot Day
Chicago News
Chicago River Swim: Yes, it’s really happening. If you have wanted to swim the Chicago River, here is your chance as the inaugural Chicago River Swim will be taking place on Sept. 22 this year. They are allowing 500 swimmers to complete a one or two mile loop of the main branch of the Chicago River downtown between the skyscrapers. Would you do it? See what Chicagoans had to say about it.
James Beard: Chicago officially has four James Beard Award finalists for 2024 as the nominees were announced this week. For those unfamiliar, the James Beard Awards are among the highest for those in the food industry. See which Chicago chefs and restaurants are up for awards this year.
Outdoor Dining: It appears that the popular outdoor, street dining initiative on Clark Street won’t be returning this summer due to neighborhood groups and nearby restaurants lobbying against it. For the last few years during the summer months, the three blocks of Clark Street between Grand and Kinzie in River North have been closed off to cars. Chicagoans sounded off on the decision in the comments of our post.
The Tomato Man: A man, from LaGrange Park is attempting to rid the world of “tasteless” store-bought tomatoes, and he is picking up steam. Bob Zeni aims to sell 10,000+ heirloom tomato plants through his annual plant sale this year, so that more Chicagoans can enjoy fresh tomatoes (National Fresh Tomato Day is April 6) from plants right in their homes. You can place orders online and he is even coming to the city for pop-ups.
Signature Room: You may recall that the Signature Room closed abruptly about six months ago. The employees sure do as they were just awarded $1.52 million in backpay from the now-closed restaurant.
Via Enjoy Illinois
Just for Fun
Solar Eclipse: A total solar eclipse is set to take place on Monday, April 8. It is considered a twice-in-a-lifetime astronomical event with the next month not visible from the U.S. until 2045. Here is your 2024 Illinois Solar Eclipse Guide.
April Museum Days: Don’t miss out on the free April museum days in Chicago. We put together a list of 17 different opportunities this month.
Parachute Hi-Fi: Chicago’s former Michelin-Star Korean restaurant is making a comeback this summer as a casual, rebranded restaurant called Parachute Hi-Fi.
Poll Question of the Week
Are you planning to watch the solar eclipse? |
Poll Results: Last newsletter we asked if you which MLB team you will be rooting for this baseball season. 68% of you said the Cubs and 32% of you either said the White Sox or another baseball team.
Today's Sunset in Chicago
The sun will set in Chicago this evening at 7:20pm. Which means the sun sets today eight minutes later than it did last week!
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