Pet Adoption

**Join us at our TECH MIXER AND SOCIAL for afterwork drinks, networking with tech workers in Chicago and meet people from Chicago and all over the world 🌏🎉** Tech, AI, Data, and more \~ Whether you're a seasoned tech veteran or just starting out, let's create the ideal afterwork place to meet and chill with other workers in tech - find that new job, expand your network, share ideas, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. Let's inspire, innovate, and shape the future of technology in Chicago! 🍺🥃 Afterwork drinks 📍 **Hopsmith Tavern** \- 15 W Division St\, Chicago 🕕 **5:30pm** onwards **every** **Friday** 🎫 just $4 entry online or $8 at the door! (helps us to run the event inc. Meetup costs etc!) 🔗 [Link to Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1379224400309?aff=meetup) WhatsApp community in the Eventbrite link above *Chicago tech social mixer afterwork drinks AI connect network data IT programming cybersecurity digital nomad blockchain crypto big data science computer networking community career jobs entrepreneur industry product design startup Chicago tech social mixer afterwork drinks AI connect network data IT programming cybersecurity digital nomad blockchain crypto big data science computer networking community career jobs entrepreneur industry product design startup*z

**A Peaceful Invitation into Sahaja Yoga Meditation** Feeling stressed, scattered, or longing for something deeper? Join us for a **free beginner-friendly meditation class**, where you'll be gently guided into the quiet joy of Sahaja Yoga. No experience needed—just bring yourself, as you are. ✨ In this calming space, you’ll discover how to: * Let go of stress and rest in stillness * Clear the mind and reconnect with your inner clarity * Feel more grounded, balanced, and alive You'll be supported by experienced meditators who are here to walk with you—step by step—into the peace that already lives within you. **Come breathe, awaken something new, and blossom into your full self.** We’d love to meet you 🌿 RSVP required.

A wood-fired, social sauna seating 16 people, along the lake and inside Chicago's parks, with an Aufguss session to cap off every sauna day. What to bring: \- Water\, preferably with electrolytes/lemon to replenish\. \- Swimsuit/athletic clothes\. \- Towel\(s\) for sitting inside the sauna and for drying off\. There is a changing tent and a shower for rinsing off available. Looking forward to welcoming you! \- Maria Tkacz\, Founder of Harbor & Hoyage @harborandvoyage More info & booking at harborandyoyage.com

Life is better with friends and photos! So grab your favorite people and join us to create your own "love story" scrapbooks that celebrate friendship, community, and personal memories. Where: Little Italy Branch Library When: February 13th, 2-4 pm We will provide essential scrapbooking materials, including paper, scissors, a variety of adhesives, markers, and decorative supplies. You are encouraged to bring any personal photos or mementos you wish to include in your project. Sign up mandatory -https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemKtm2eIXwDIpRvQS8n2r4X9PiAeKQ9sYW8ccC4Ui39Mb-tA/viewform

Come join other parents after drop off at The People's Cafe! Talk school shop on all the happenings, events and current events. Parents go through very similar experiences and it's great to connect to your school community. Mondays and Fridays after drop off!

Join us in Millennium Park for a **FREE** workout at The Bean. We are an inclusive workout group with chapters throughout the world. Whether you are a multi-marathon runner or a mom just getting back into the swing of things, and everything in between, we only ask of everyone to **#JustShowUp!**

Dear Dog Trekkers: Believe it or not, this is our NINTH Valentines Trek! Where does time fly? (Being February, this will be HIGHLY weather dependent... so be sure to check in with the weather peeps on trek-day! Or look out the window and make you own call.) Mark your dance card! Membership is FREE... as is parking: Info for new members: 1. The Basics: OUR CORE TREK IS THE GREEN BAY TRAIL NORTH FROM LAKE & GREEN BAY ROAD FOR ONE HOUR OUT AND THEN BACK FOR AN HOUR - FOR A TWO HOUR TREK: Everyone walks at their OWN pace. Usually big dogs are in the front followed by medium dogs and then small dogs. We almost always get pretty spread out. To repeat: We all walk out at our OWN pace and enjoy our dogs and ... everybody yap's at each other! Canine & human. 2. The Route: From the south going north: The Green Bay Trail is a forested, sometimes heavily forested, asphalt/gravel/dirt sided RR frontage with some gorgeous residential streets in the beginning and lots of well-groomed "hidden" parks. We start in Wilmette, walk through Kenilworth and turnaround in Winnetka. Tiger lily's are everywhere in the summer, autumn colors can be fantastic, winter is dark and deep and spring is a... tease! 3: We meet, at 10 am, in the Wilmette Metra Parking Lot at its NORTH-END. Directly across from the Wilmette Fire Station. Parking is free on weekends. 4. Applicable outdoor masking & social distancing rules may apply. Currently, outdoor masking is purely optional. 5: FYI: Our Treks are ALWAYS scheduled for the THIRD Sunday of the month excluding January (too cold) and August (too hot). If the weather is REAL nasty we may need to do a late cancel. This is rare but it does happen. You will be notified by me/email and... Mother Nature! Jim, fearless leader and cat herder [fourth class] PS: After the trek... some have been know to tail-gate! BYOB! haha. Jim the Human & Daisy Dognado... "The Mighty Kung Foo Beagle - Paws of Death".

Hosted by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Join us for a stroll through the Forest Preserves at sunrise. https://fpdcc.com/event/sunrise-stroll/

⛪✨ **Heaven in Brick & Gold: Inside St. Barbara Catholic Church** 🕯️🏛️ 🌿 *A Polish Cathedral Masterpiece:* *An Inspiring Morning Inside One of Chicago’s Grandest Historic Churches* ✨ Join us for a special guided visit to **St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church**, a spectacular and deeply historic Catholic landmark on Chicago’s South Side. Known for its monumental scale, ornate interior, and strong ties to the city’s Polish immigrant community, St. Barbara offers an unforgettable look at faith, artistry, and neighborhood history. This is a **stationary guided church visit — no walking tour** — allowing us to slow down and truly appreciate the church’s architecture, artwork, symbolism, and history in a peaceful and reflective setting. Expect soaring ceilings, dramatic altars, rich stained glass, devotional shrines, and stories that connect Catholic tradition with Chicago’s industrial and immigrant past. ✨ *** 🕰️ **Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost** 📅 **Saturday, February 14, 2026** ⏰ **10:00 AM – 12:00 PM** 📍 **St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church** 2859 S. Throop St., Chicago ⏱️ Visit length: \~90 minutes 💰 **$15 per person** 💵 Cash strongly preferred (Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted as I submit one group donation) ⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start and submit payment directly to me so I can provide **one group donation** to the church. 📸 Photography is allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space and follow any guidance from our hosts. 🎤 **Private guided experience arranged for our group.** *** 🌟 **What We’ll Experience** ⛪ A breathtaking historic sanctuary 🎨 Elaborate religious art, murals, and stained glass 🕯️ Side altars, candles, and devotional elements 📜 The story of the parish and Chicago’s Polish Catholic community 🏛️ Architectural details of the Polish Cathedral–style tradition This visit takes place entirely **inside the church and immediate grounds**. *** 📖 **About St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church** Founded in **1910**, **St. Barbara Parish** was established to serve Polish immigrants who settled near Chicago’s booming industrial corridor of rail yards, factories, and stockyards. Named for **St. Barbara**, patron saint of miners and workers in dangerous trades, the parish became a spiritual refuge for laboring families seeking faith, stability, and community. The current church building, completed in the **1910s**, is a stunning example of the **Polish Cathedral style** — a uniquely American expression of Catholic architecture characterized by monumental scale, classical influences, lavish ornamentation, and an emphasis on beauty as an act of devotion. Inside, the church is richly adorned with: * Grand altars * Painted ceilings and murals * Sculptural details * Stained glass honoring saints, sacraments, and Polish religious heritage Every element was designed to inspire awe, reinforce Catholic teaching, and reflect the pride and sacrifice of the immigrant community that built it. For generations, St. Barbara served as a cultural, spiritual, and social anchor — hosting baptisms, weddings, funerals, festivals, and daily worship that shaped neighborhood life. As demographics evolved, the parish continued to adapt while preserving its extraordinary artistic and architectural legacy. Today, St. Barbara remains an active parish and a treasured landmark — one of Chicago’s most impressive examples of early 20th-century Catholic church design. *** 🍽️ **Optional Coffee or Lunch After the Visit** Those interested are welcome to join me afterward for coffee or lunch at a nearby neighborhood spot. 🍽️ Options will be shared closer to the date. ⚠️ Please bring cash — some venues may not split checks. *** 👟 **What to Bring** • Camera • Respectful attire • $15 tour fee (exact change appreciated) *** 🚇 **Getting There** Public transportation is easy and encouraged. Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner: [https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/](https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/) *** 🚗 **Parking** • Street parking available nearby (check posted signs) • Metered parking on nearby main streets • Residential side streets often available • Area can be busy — arriving early is recommended • SpotHero or ParkWhiz may be helpful *** 📝 **RSVP & No-Show Policy** ✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated ✔️ Cancel promptly if plans change ❌ Repeated no-shows may affect future event participation *** ✨⛪ Join us for a meaningful Valentine’s weekend experience exploring Catholic faith, immigrant history, and sacred art — all inside one of Chicago’s most awe-inspiring neighborhood churches. ✨

We’re meeting up at First Ascent Avondale for Hell or Highpoint, First Ascent’s signature roped climbing competition. Come climb, cheer people on, and hang out for a couple hours (or stay for finals + the afterparty). How the comp runs (so you know what you’re walking into): There are two redpoint sessions: Session 1 (10:00am–1:00pm) and Session 2 (2:00pm–5:00pm). Open + Masters must compete in Session 1. Rec + Intermediate are top rope only; Open is a mix of top rope + lead (and you’ll need to be able to show lead tags if you’re leading in Open). Open Finals + Afterparty start at 5:30pm. Meetup plan: Three of the group admins are competing in the afternoon Intermediate division. We’ll meet by the orange chairs just past the front desk. If you’re competing, plan to show up a bit early for check-in/warm-up and to find partners. Belay / partner notes: If you’re leading, you and your partner should be lead certified (and Open may require proof of lead tags, per the event rules). If you’re new to these meetups, feel free to comment with your belay certs (TR / Lead) so we can pair folks up smoothly. Quick notes: We’re not affiliated with the gym—you’ll need a day pass or membership and your own gear (shoes + harness). This event includes a spectator/belayer pass requirement during the redpoint rounds (and finals spectating is free, per the event info). Be cool: zero tolerance for harassment or bad vibes. Climbing has risk—safety first, always. Hope to see you there! If you have questions (or want help figuring out which session/division fits you), drop a comment.

Join us every Sunday morning to help make and distribute bagged lunches that include salads, sandwiches, and more to the hungry/homeless throughout Chicago. We make and package the food in the center, and then distribute it outside in the city, so dress according to the weather. Entrance is right in front of the Jackson red line stop, and a block away from the Harold Washington library. Follow us on Instagram @dic.chicago All are welcome!

Siento por el retraso pero va a occurir esta vez. Vamos a tratar Bar Moxie para hablar en español. Intentarámos para reuniar cada mes en persona. ¡Hasta la proxima! =============================================================== I'm sorry for the delay but it's going to happen this time. Let's try Bar Moxie to speak in Spanish. We will try to meet each month in person. Until next time!

Join us for a fun and heartwarming group visit to **Heartland Animal Shelter** in Vernon Hills! This is a great opportunity to: * Meet adorable rescue dogs and cats. * Connect with fellow animal lovers in the community. * Support the shelter through your time and attention. Whether you’re a lifelong pet lover or just curious to see the shelter, everyone is welcome. Let’s come together to make a difference, one paw at a time! **Date & Time:** February 23, 5:30 PM **Location:** Heartland Animal Shelter, Vernon Hills **RSVP on Meetup to join us!**

This monthly project has grown to be the Chicago's largest feeding project on a single morning, with an impact of helping over 24 different sites across the city. Come volunteer with your friends and family. This event is handicap accessible and appropriate for all ages. Saturday from 7 am to 11 am. We are making 7100+ lunch bags for 24+ shelters and sites to assist Veterans, seniors, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, refugee and migrant locations, and other supportive organizations. Location: St. Andrews Orthodox church, from 7 am to 11 am. All are welcome to participate. This volunteer event is family friendly, all kids can participate and be helpful. Gymnasium is wheelchair accessible. They can join us anytime in that time window. Free parking South of the church and entrance on the south side kitchen door of the gymnasium building. 5631 N. Sheridan Ave Chicago , IL 60660 if you are available to help deliver some lunch bags to a shelter or site, please come with an empty car and trunk, we will try to match you with a site that is along your route home. Typical delivery may be 2 to 4 giant garbage bags in size.

Who should come? Anyone in search of lively, free-ranging French conversation. French speakers and listeners at all levels and from all countries are welcome. French language only, please - except for translating. Event is open. No fee. Food and drinks are readily available. Soyez les bienvenues! Come if you want to speak and hear French. Sheri Ard & Barbara Anderson will be hosting this event. We meet on the 2nd floor facing Mc Donald's on the South side of the restaurant. The restaurant has the stairs to his section which will always say" closed" but we are there. If coming up the 2nd staircase by the bathrooms walk past the side facing Walgreens , open the gate which the restaurant keeps closed ( close afterwards as this is NOT open the public) and find us facing Mc Donald's . We have permission from the Portello's Manager to be there. If need be text Sheri 312-848-8272 Soirée décontractée et sympa, pas de cotisation. On ne fait que boire et parler. L'evenement est Gratuit. Chaque mercredi de 19h00 - 21h00. Pour toute information : Appellez : 312-848-8272 Sheri's cell Meet local French language and culture lovers for conversation and fun! Come to a French Language Meetup and make new amis as you practice speaking, build your vocabulary and finally figure out those verb conjugations! All ages and levels welcome. HISTORIQUE DU GROUPE La troisième semaine de janvier 1987, un des élèves de la classe de français des affaires avança l’idée d’une rencontre hebdomadaire le Mercredi, après le cours à l’alliance française de Chicago. Le français des affaires était au programme de l’Alliance à l’époque – Monsieur Marcial, un Breton était le Professeur. Une vingtaine d’élèves étaient inscrits à ce cours. Martial et une demie-douzaine d’élèves ont commencé à se rendre tous les mercredis après le cours, au Santa Fe, un petit bar restaurant au nord west du coin de Chicago et de Dearborn. Là, on avait une bière et pratiquer notre français dans un milieu social. C’était la bonne idée . Très tôt, le Santa Fe ne pouvait plus nous contenir et nous nous sommes déplacés à une rue à l’est , à Deno Deli et Pub, un restaurant de famille qui perdait sa clientèle au profit du Burger King du coin. Nous étions une clientèle potentielle pour Deno les mercredis pendant 6 ans. C’est là où nous avions développé et perfectionné notre code MODUS OPERANDI : pas de nom, pas de dirigeant, pas de cotisation, pas de lois, pas de snobisme. Les couches tard après chaque réunion chez Deno, se rendaient au Santa Fe pour continuer leur discussion. En 1993, Deno ferma au profit de Burger King. Palmas, juste sur la même rue était le coin idéal pour nous, compte tenu de l’importance en nombre du groupe. Un an après, le groupe avait encore besoin d’une place plus grande. La réponse était Rio, un restaurant brésilien bon marché. C’était une bonne année. Après la fermeture du Rio, le groupe se retrouva chez Oncle Tutunji un restaurant Libanais. Le manger était bon et pas cher. Tres agréables personnes. Que demande le peuple? Quelques temps après, le groupe est transféré au Portillo’s restaurant, au coin de Clark et Ontario et qui fait de la restauration populaire. Après un bref déplacement au Café de Lucca, le groupe revient au Portillo où il tient ses rencontres tous les Mercredis. Sans dirigeant, c’était une façon de parler, il y a toujours eu un responsable qui recoit et qui présente le groupe , qui s’occupe des introductions entre les personnes – si vous voulez les membres. Pour les premières dix années, le responsible était Patrick Cooper, qui travaillait à l’époque à l’office du tourisme francais et qui a deménagé en France. Après, en 1997,Jim Zerwin a prit la relève chez Portillos, il vit actuellement à Bangkok. Depuis 2006, Sheri Ard, une des fondateurs du groupe, est devenu la responsible en remplacement Jim Zerwin avec l’assistance de Stefanie et puis Jim Siegler. Le comité fondateur du Mercredi outre Patrick Cooper, Jim Zerwin et Sheri Ard, on pouvait compter : Ellen Urquiaga, Terri Collins, Laura Veeneman, Beth Ann Cooper, David Covill, Katie Walsh et Shela O’Donnovan et la tradition continue. Beaucoup d’activités à l’époque : un brunch mensuel, le troisième Samedi du mois au restaurant John Barleycorn sur Lincoln.Après 2 ans, le groupe quitte pour la Creperie à North Clark où il est reste plusieurs années. En 1990, l’idée de se retrouver ensemble le Vendredi au Saint-Germain un restaurant francais a state et division est ajoutée au programme. 1990 – 1991 , beaucoup de groupes francophones ont vu le jour pour la promotion de la langue française . Le Groupe Professionnel Francophone dont Ellen Urquiara et David Reithoffer sont les premiers Président et Directeur. Les premiers members du G.P.F. etaient Tom Walsh, Wicki Peterson, Richard Flater, Susan Arjmand et Rhonda Sibille. Le G.P.F. tient une réunion mensuelle : le dernier Jeudi de chaque mois à Renaissance Hotel au coin de State et Wacker Dr. 23 ans d’existence cette année, font du Groupe du Mercredi le premier Groupe Sociolinguistique français de Chicago. Pour toute information, contactez la responsable du groupe: Sheri 312-848-8272