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It’s Friday, Chicago! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Lord of the Rings concert, pride parade theme with Tracy Baim as marshal, and tamales and tacos class + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Chicago protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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đź“° In the news
Legacy, visibility and equality spotlighted: Chicago Pride Parade announced its 2026 theme, Free to Be Proud, and named grand marshals including Tracy Baim and Evette Cardona. The 55th annual celebration will step off June 28 — see the full marshal lineup.
New doll therapy certification: Assisting Hands Chicago North expands education on dementia and Alzheimer’s home care through training and a partnership with The Grand Baby Project, supporting families and staff at memory care facilities — learn about the certification.
Growth strategy gains traction: Accel Entertainment reported strong Q4 results, with revenue topping $341.4 million and an 18.9 percent rise in adjusted EBITDA, and plans to expand in Illinois and enter the Chicago market — see results and expansion plans.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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đź’Ž Local business spotlight
Art supplies, reimagined: Give those projects a boost without the sticker shock. The WasteShed turns donated materials into affordable treasure hunts for paints, paper, fabric, frames, and delightful oddities that always seem just right. Sustainable finds spark ideas and keep great supplies in circulation.
Make outdoors actually usable: This is the year you stop side-eyeing that patch of concrete. Chicago Luxury Decks designs and builds composite and rooftop decks for Chicago weather, handling plans and permits, so your backyard finally acts like an extra room… not the household storage zone.
Old-school crab cravings: Half Shell keeps it cozy and unfussy, serving crab legs and briny oysters that turn weeknights into small celebrations. Family-run since 1968 and cash-only, this spot is charmingly old-school, ideal for a low-key seafood fix that still feels special.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🔄 Sip. Sustain. Swap. @ Merry Music Makers | Friday (3/13) at 7:30 PM – Got bins of outgrown onesies giving you side-eye? Trade them for new-to-you finds at Merry Music Makers on Ravenswood, sip a little wine, and feel virtuous. Bring infant through 5T, babywearing, and maternity, skip the bulky gear, and register early, space is tight.
đź’Ť The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Live In Concert @ Auditorium Theatre | Friday (3/13) at 7:30 PM – Relive The Fellowship of the Ring on a towering 60-foot screen while 238 musicians, a chorus, and soloists perform Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score live. It’s the 25th anniversary, so yes, you can quote along quietly, then brag about your refined taste after.
🌮 Tamales and Tacos Making Class and Lunch @ Su Casa Mexican Restaurant | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – At Su Casa, you swap small talk for masa, roll up your sleeves, and you get to eat your homework. Learn legit tamales and tacos from chefs who know their abuela, then toast with chips, salsa, and a margarita, all for $59. Seats are limited.
🌱 Seed Swap @ Riverside Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Consider this the neighborhood’s friendliest seed swap, co-sponsored by Riverside Community Garden. Bring those extra packets cluttering the junk drawer, snag something new for your beds, or just chat with on-site gardeners who actually know why your tomatoes mutinied last summer.
âś‚ St. Baldrick’s @ Old Time Tap | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 PM – Head to Old Time Tap for St. Baldrick’s, where brave folks get buzzed for a cause, and you get drink specials, good food, and friendly faces. Whether you shave, donate, or cheer, it all backs the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and childhood cancer research.
🍵 Afternoon Tea @ Allerton Tip Top Tap | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to slow down, the Tip Top Tap literally has one. Settle into the Warwick Allerton for proper afternoon tea, handmade tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries, plus that classic Michigan Avenue charm, no tiny teacup judgment.
♻ Reuse-a-Palooza @ The Plant | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Turn that drawer of tech fossils and orphaned towels into bragging rights at The Plant’s semiannual reuse fair, with partners collecting a wild mix and a repair clinic. Then reward yourself with Whiner or SomosMonos pours, Raza’s pies, Ste. Martaen’s vegan comfort, and a tour.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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đź“» Chicago report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 48°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 12%
Partly sunny. High near 48, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 25 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 22%
A slight chance of snow showers between 7am and 4pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 39. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
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This rare two-residence compound in Chicago’s historic Sheffield and Armitage district totals 5,000 square feet. The main home spans three levels with rich hardwoods and refined finishes, 3 beds, 2.5 baths. A three-story coach house adds open living, multiple fireplaces, and 4 beds, 2.5 baths. Near premier dining, boutiques, and Metra access, it yields $79,200 annually with month-to-month leases.
Take a peek inside →
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