 Saturday and Sunday, November 4-5
The public is invited to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie with a variety of Open House events on Saturday, November 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday, November 5 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Free community events include Centre East Youtheatre presentations, theatre games and book signings by children's author and Northlight Theatre Academy coordinator Lisa Bany Winters, backstage tours of the theatres, lobby performances by area school and community groups, and an exhibit from the North Shore Center archives including photos from the building's construction and memorable highlights throughout the years. A variety of ticketed events throughout the weekend have also been scheduled including Saturday evening performances by Liz & Ann Hampton Callaway in Relative Harmony at 8:30 p.m. and Northlight Theatre's presentation of Inherit the Wind at 8:00 p.m. For more information and a complete list of performances and events (including two shows Saturday evening and a post-show reception), please call 847-673-6300 or visit www.northshorecenter.org.
Back to top
Join fellow CNSCVB partners for this month's networking event scheduled for Thursday morning, November 9th at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian. The breakfast event, which runs from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., is a wonderful way for partners to meet one another, share ideas and learn more about the visitor-boosting efforts of Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. The networking event is open to all CNSCVB partners and there is no charge to attend, but you must RSVP by Friday, November 3 to Jennifer Williams (CNSCVB Sales Manager) at 847-763-0011 x 22 or e-mail her at jwilliams@cnscvb.com. We look forward to seeing you!
Back to top
 On Friday, November 17, the public is invited to join Wilmette Village President Chris Canning as he lights the big tree in front of Village Hall. Hosted by the Village Center Merchants, those who attend the tree lighting ceremony (which begins at 7:00 p.m.), will also enjoy local children's singing groups. The holiday spirit continues with the Wilmette Holiday Parade, which starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 18. Featuring marching bands, floats, clowns, mini-cars, reindeer, Santa and more, this spectacular, old-fashioned home town parade steps off at the intersection of Fourth Street and Linden Avenue and makes its way west on Central to Village Hall, where Santa will step from his sleigh and take photos with kids.
The fun continues on Sunday, November 19 with the Wilmette Village Open House. From 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., many of the shops in downtown Wilmette will treat you to free wine, cheese, champagne, chocolates, coffee and cake tastings! There will also be chair massages, barbeque and cooking demos, gifts and gift certificates, antique appraisals and more! For more information, please call the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce at 847-251-3800 or visit www.wilmettechamber.org or
www.discoverwilmette.com.
Back to top
 Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau (CNSCVB) proudly welcomes Caryn Shulman as its new Tourism Marketing Manager. Her predecessor, Anandini Sekhar, left the Bureau last month to move with her husband to New York City. Caryn comes to the CNSCVB from the Chicago Botanic Garden and has also worked at two Hyatt Hotels, the Hilton Hotel and the Westin O'Hare. Caryn will be focusing her efforts on the sales and marketing programs for the Group Tour Market. We are thrilled to have her as part of our team and know she will be a tremendous asset, as she grew up in Glenview, and is very familiar with the North Shore! Caryn can be reached at 847-763-0011 x 25 or via e-mail at cshulman@cnscvb.com.
Back to top
In mid September, the CNSCVB partnered with the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to host an action-packed, two-day Fam Trip for 15 group tour operators from the Midwest. The tour began in Oak Park and made its way to Chicago's North Shore where those in attendance had the opportunity to experience the region and its wonderful, world-class amenities.
During their time on the North Shore, the tour operators enjoyed a welcome reception at Billy Berk's, went on a shopping spree at Westfield Old Orchard, and received overnight accommodations from the Hampton Inn & Suites. They also dined at the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel and toured the American Toby Jug Museum, the Evanston Historical Society/Charles Gates Dawes House, the Baha'i Temple, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Chalet.
Special thanks to all CNSCVB partners who contributed to such a successful Fam Trip. We are confident that the Group Tour Operators will return soon with tourists anxious to experience the wonders of Chicago's North Shore.
Back to top
The Northwestern Wildcats offer some of the best Division 1 college sports action in the entire Midwest. With 19 teams competing in the Big 10 Conference, you won't want to miss any of the action! On Saturday, November 11, the Wildcats host top ranked Ohio State. It's sure to be an exciting game, so get your tickets today! For more information, please call 847-491-2287 or visit www.nusports.com.
Back to top
You and a guest are invited to attend a very special event for a "first look" and hard hat tour of what will soon be the spectacular Skokie Banquet & Conference Center. Formal invitations will be arriving shortly. The Skokie Banquet & Conference Center is adjacent to the Holiday Inn North Shore and boasts an 11,000 square foot ballroom, the area's largest! For more information or to RSVP, please contact Andrea Foreman at 847-368-1895 or e-mail her at andreaforeman@aol.com.
Back to top
Evanston knows how to kick off the holiday season in style! Santa gets the party started when he and the city's Mayor Lorraine H. Morton arrive to the tree lighting ceremony in a fire truck. After the tree is lit, a concert of Christmas carols begins with special performances by the Music Institute of Chicago's Children's Choir. Immediately following the festivities, the public is invited to an all-city reception at Rotary International Headquarters, 1560 Sherman Avenue, for goodies, additional musical performances and hot cocoa! For more information, please call 847-866-6319 or visit www.evmark.org.
Back to top
There's always something happening at Westfield Old Orchard, especially during the holiday season. Santa, carolers and a whole lot more beginning "Black Friday", the Friday following Thanksgiving, November 24th and every Saturday thereafter through December 23rd. That special day, ten lucky people will compete in Westfield Old Orchard's first ever Smart Shopper Power Hour Challenge Course from 11am to noon. Contestants will have to "shop smart" as they make their way through a shopping course which includes festive 'challenges' along the way. The first place winner will receive a $1,000.00 Westfield Gift Card; second place winner $500 Gift Card and the third place winner will receive a $250.00 Gift Card. Shoppers can enter to win one of ten spots in the Smart Shopper Power Hour Challenge Course from November 3 to 17. Entry forms will be at the Concierge Center and at select retailers. For more information, call 847-673-6800, visit www.westfield.com or stop by Concierge Desk in the Food Court.
Back to top
Each year the staff of the Village of Skokie Human Services Division coordinates the Assist-A-Family program to help Skokie families in need. Westfield Old Orchard is a designated collection location during the holidays, so if you have clothing, shoes, gloves, hats, coats, bedding items, and other household goods, you can drop them at the loading dock between Maggiano's and Nordstrom Dec. 8 and 11th from 9:30am-4:30pm. Your generosity is truly appreciated.
Back to top
Take a digital photo with Santa beginning Saturday, November 18th at Northbrook Court on the Lower Level near Neiman Marcus. Photos will be taken daily through December 24th. Prices start at $15.99 plus tax. On Thursday, November 30th from 6-8pm, Pets are welcome to join their owners for a photo with the jolly red guy (enter near Stir Crazy restaurant). Beginning December 1, Holiday Gift Wrapping will begin on the Upper level near Abercrombie & Fitch. Proceeds from fees for gift wrapping will benefit four selected charities: Heartland Animal Shelter, Orphans of the Storm, Bubel/Aiken Foundation, and Project Linus.
Back to top
The following businesses have recently joined Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau as Preferred Partners. Please help us build a bigger and stronger Bureau by letting us know of any businesses or industry contacts that you believe would benefit from becoming one of our Preferred Partners. Please contact Jennifer Williams, CNSCVB Sales Manager at jwilliams@cnscvb.com or call 847-763-0011 x 22 with any questions.
Champps
134 Old Orchard Center
Skokie
847-673-4778
Carmelo Martinez
Morton's
699 Skokie Blvd.
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-205-5111
Diane Markus
London Limos LTD
2508 Thornwood Ave.
Wilmette
847-256-8919
Jim Nikitas
|
Koenig & Strey
538 Chestnut
Winnetka
847-784-3037
Margit Nikitas
Coldwell Banker
1330 Shermer
Northbrook
847-753-6236
Marlene Bass
|
Back to top
|
