New Fish Brings You a Few Valentine’s Day Happenings Feb. 10-18

By chicago-pipeline at February 10, 2012 | 6:19 pm | Print

Things can get boring when you’re swimming in the same bowl day after day, especially if you’re a Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse fish like myself, prone to jumping out of aquariums, always looking to hit the town.

James of New Fish Aquarium Services , 1180 N. Milwaukee., recognized my need for creative expression, and allowed me to start blogging for the pipeline! And what a better occasion than Valentine’s Day for a Red Velvet fish like myself to author her first official post?

So whether you’re single, newly in love, longtime coupled, have a style which leans toward cutesy, trashy, sexy, or classy, I’ve tried really hard to “think outside the bowl” and select the best happenings on my radar for Valentine’s Day 2012, which takes place this Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. (Apologies in advance for excluding sushi dinner options.)

Begin with a Valentine, a real one, like on paper, just don’t drop it into a fishbowl! Paper Doll, 2027 W. Division, features lots of one-of-a-kind cards, from sweet to ironic in tone and even sporting local and familiar images, like the Tamale Guy.

Another way to get a Valentine into someone’s hands is to make it yourself. Stop by West Bucktown’s One Strange Bird, 2515 W. North this Sunday, Feb. 12 for a “Valentine’s Flutter Cards” workshop from 1-3PM. Per the event page, “Nicolette Ross guides you through the folds so that your card will reveal itself one sweet-nothing at a time. This is a perfect companion to a linocut or screen printing class.”

You can also present a book instead of a valentine, or tape a valentine to a book cover! I recommended the now vintage book, Open Marriage, circa 1973, which is just $6.50 and available at Rudy’s Roundup, 1410 N. Milwaukee. If anyone would like to do a “Where are they Now?” follow-up with Open Marriage’s co-authors, Nena and George O’Neill, I’d be VERY curious to see if the open marriage practice is working fabulously a few decades later. [Spoiler alert: They've both passed away.]

Flowers and chocolates are always a sweet idea. Cliche, yes, but still sweet. In addition to the great $14.99 deal over at Isabella Bridal and Flowers, 1647 N. Western  (plus 10% off when you call 773-252-5252 and order before the 13th), Larkspur, 2123 N. Damen, is offering a two cupcake add-on, from Honeypie, for an extra $10. Read the finer details, like must-reserve orders by this Sunday, in Larkspur’s ‘Friendly Reminder’ email. Margie’s Candies at Armitage and Western (1960 N. Western) offers chocolates for EVERY budget. You can even score the ‘big Kahuna’ humongo heart if you are looking to make a splash with a lot of ladies at once!

In going the gift route, you can’t go wrong with jewelry. Here’s a few holiday-inspired ideas from riley boutique, 1659 N. Damen. Is your lovebird having problems with vision? Surprise her or him with a truly unique gift: a visit to Eye Want Eye Wear, 1439 N. Milwaukee, where ALL red and pink frames are 14% off during the month of February when you mention pipeline.

Toys, whether for yourself or to give to another, tend to be big hits around the 14th. Buck Lily and Wicker Tim have been shopping at Couple’s Corner (Division and Damen) and G boutique (Damen and Armitage) the past few weeks– check out Chapter 1 for a few ideas and visit those retailers for everything you need.

Friday, Feb. 10 aka Tonight!:

4-7PM: Teen Valentine Dance: Teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15 are invited to celebrate the season with dance and refreshments in the auditorium. The rumor is DJStix will be spinning. But parental permission is required, so get your sign-up form at the field house. More info in Holstein Happenings.

7PM: Pritzker Jazz Concert, 2009 W. Schiller. Fishes and jazz music go together like salt and water.  If you haven’t figured out what to get the Pipeline for Valentine’s Day, spend your time and money with a Pipeline supporter like the Jazz Weekend! Put on your Snow Boots, get some fresh air, and see you at tonight’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble concert! Use code “jazzinchicago” at checkout to save $5 off your ticket, too. Pre-or-post concert martinis are just $5 at Blue Line Club Car when you mention ‘Pritzker Concert,’ too. Just look for the fish and the bowl in the front row of the auditorium.

7PM: Catholic? Single? In the mood for Friday night mass? Enjoy a bit of prayer, followed by a catered dinner, and meaningful discussion- topic: Surviving Cupid’s Arrow: What you need- besides love- to make a relationship work. More details in this Everyblock post. Here is Elise Bartzen of SMOA chatting in a video clip about the many couples in Chicago who’ve met at the school over the years.

Saturday, Feb. 11 3 – 5 PM

Noon-4Pm: The Handmade Market is an event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the unique and handmade. There will be over 30  sellers at the Market this Saturday selling
jewelry, purses, knitted items, clothing, paper crafts, and more! Free. Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Photo at left courtesy of the Empty Bottle.

3-5PM Family Valentine Dance: The decorations are still up, the dance floor is still warm, so moms and dads are invited to bring their own kids (ages 3 – to Holstein Park for a family Valentine Dance Saturday afternoon. Light refreshments, including a chocolate fountain, will be available. Field house, 2200 N. Oakley.

Pre-Valentine’s Day Fundraiser for LaSalle II at The Boundary. Mojito and Bloody Mary brunches, etc. 1834 W. Divison.

10Am-3PM: It’s like a bazaar, except you can eat your way through the LK Pastry Market, a 3rd annual sweet event that features an array of artisan bakers, candy makers and beverage vendors. Logan Square Kitchen, 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave.

7-11PM: There’s likely way more “dog people” in the neighborhood than “fish people,” which is why I could never imagine a bunch of New Fish’s fans getting together in a bar to talk barrier reefs, but the goods news is that if you like dogs, dog parks, and don’t yet have plans for this Saturday night, Feb. 11, stop by Twisted Spoke, 501 N. Ogden for the Wicker Park Dog Park’s annual fundraiser, and hang with other dog people. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Wicker Park Advisory Council’s Dog Park Committee. In previous years, funds from the fundraiser helped to pay for standard maintenance, like gravel and cleaning supplies, safety precautions like fencing, and overall improvement like benches and storage sheds.

9PM-2AM: Hubbard Street’s Tsubo,per the Facebook invite, will play host to In the Name of Love, “An 80s New Wave dance party and Benefit for Illinois Gender Advocates and PFLAG Illinois. Dance to awesome music spun by DJ Toast, munch on yummy snacks, enjoy the gorgeous space, and support a great cause. Suggested donation is $5. Donation includes beer, wine, and soft drinks. All proceeds go to Illinois Gender Advocates.”

9PM: Pritzker Jazz Weekend, continued. The second and final concert. As everyone seems to say these days, “Don’t miss it!”

Sunday the 12th

Logan Square Indoor Farmers Market, Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee.

The usual crew of sweet vendors like Puffs of Doom and Mama’s Nuts, with the addition of sweets. Learn more in the market’s latest e-newsletter.

Tuesday the 14th

Cafe Laguardia’s Medieval Dinner takes place on Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th, at 2111 W. Armitage, presumably so you can take your lady out on Tuesday, and the wench for a spin on Wednesday. Just kidding. Fishes have bad senses of humor. Anyhow, if you are planning to get dressed up in costume garb, bring your outfit to Hollywood Cleaners, 1438 N. Milwaukee, which is offering 20% off all Valentine’s costumes cleanings (or just dresses and coats).

There’s no cover, no “prix-fixe,” at Laguardia….. You can just order right off the menu and enjoy whatever company you’re in, and the live music of Rhythm City’s Motown classic.  Silverware is optional. Fun is a mandate.

Club Lucky Must be Fans of this Ween song? Also in Bucktown, enjoy Free Roses, complimentary for all ladies at Club Lucky, 1824 W. Wabansia, with all reservations made between now and 6PM on the 14th.  More info here.

People Lounge, 1560 N. Milwaukee Ave.  is offering a 4-course tapas meal– salmon marinated in citrus flavored vodka anyone?! or champagne raspberry cookies?!- for $29 with just food, and $59 for a bottle of fine Champagne in which to wash down your drink-inspired tapas. The special runs from tonight, Feb. 10th, through the 14th.

Oompah! Taxim, 1558 N. Milwaukee Ave. which is normally closed on Tuesday nights, plans to stay open on its day off to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special menu. Executive-chef owner David Schneider offers a $50 three-course prix-fixe meal with choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert from the regular menu. The regular a la carte menu will also be on offer. Make your reservation now.

Feel like impressing your date? Got a spare two hundo? Via Nandika Gervais’s Links column a few weeks back: “Before opening their much-anticipated Wicker Park restaurant The Trencherman, chef brothers Michael and Pat Sheerin will be debuting their cuisine with a pop-up weekend at the Logan Square Kitchen, Feb. 12 – 14. The five course tasting menu will include beer, wine and cocktail pairings and will run about $120, according to this article posted by the Chicagoist. Find tickets here.” Logan Square Kitchen, 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave.

On a tighter budget? Falafel & Grill, 1307 N. Milwaukee, is reportedly offering two very affordable meal options, both four courses, and only on the 14th. The vegetarian meal will consist of grape leaves, or dolma, falafel wrap, and Baklava. It’s just $14 for two people! The meat lovers version is just $18 per couple. Note: This F&G menu may not be verified by ‘press time’; call to inquire.

Prefer to stay home on Valentine’s Day and not parade your love for each other all over the neighborhood? Sterling Goss Fine Meats & Purveyors, 1845 N. Oakley, is offering various meal assemblies, built for two. Eat at home in your slipper socks.

Single? Crafty?

As writer Kari Kamin mentions in this post about Jerry’s Double IPAs to Explore, “For almost every Valentine’s Day event, an anti-Valentine’s Day special or singles mixer follows.” In this spirit, Jerry’s on Division will be hosting an event from 5PM til close on the 14th. Learn More.

If you’re contemplating joining an online dating site, or feel like your current profile photo could use a makeover, Salon Blonde, 1643 W. North is putting together an evening of “Stylist Approved” style and photography setting, as seen on WGN. You’ll get professionally applied makeup and photos to take home with you, and as jpegs for easy posting.

Love your inner geek this holiday at the “I love you but I’ve chosen comics” sale at Challengers Comics & Conversation, 1845 N. Western, Get a head start by popping by tomorrow’s Sarah Becan reading at Challenger’s.

Painting is certainly therapeutic, and you’ll walk away with a Valentine’s Day 2012 memory keepsake: a painting of a cheery blossom. Do all this at Arts N Spirits, 1921 N. Damen  RSVP here for the 7PM seating.

Haven’t you heard the news? Chicago is one of the fattest cities in the nation, and Food is Love :  Decorating and subsequently consuming cookies is always a sure bet for having a sweet time, regardless of whether there’s a sweetie in your life. And for just $5 (while supplies last!), The Boundary, 1834 W Division,  is offering up six cookies, plus a make your own Candy Apple bar! No word on whether the apples will be included in the cookie costs, but it sounds like a good reason to eat an apple and if you aren’t the apple of anyone in particular’s eye, who cares. Grab some friends and go eat apples and develop sugar comas together. 4-6PM Family time; 6-11PM all welcome. Pictured are cookies from Red Hen; good luck making yours look this good!

POST-Holiday Events

Looking for an out of the neighborhood adventure? Dolce Casa Cafe and Provenance are teaming up for a Post-Valentine’s Day four course dinner with “off the charts” wine pairings from the Central Coasts, on Saturday the 18th. Learn more.

Are you already anticipating having a wild and crazy Valentine’s tale ripe for the telling by next Thursday, or a breakup yarn?  Well, your chance will come on Thursday the 16th. Held on the third Thursday of every month, Grown Folks Stories borrows from oral storytelling tradition and gives the brave five minutes or less to say what they need to say.  Grown Folks Stories is held on the third Thursday of every month. This month it will also coincide with The Silver Room’s owner Eric’s birthday, too. Read more about Eric Williams here.

About the Author:

Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse, scientifically known as Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis, is a small, dainty fish, usually about 2.75″ in length, peaceful in disposition, though prone to jumping out of aquariums.  She likes working with beginners who’ve never owned fish before. If she were a date, she’d be low-maintenance, though you’d better take her somewhere with meat since she’s a carnivore! She thrives in saltwater tanks and is reef compatible. The front part of her body is red and the remainder yellow. Colors may vary on her mood, too. She’s waiting to meet you– watch her swim here!–and is available for viewing and sale inside New Fish’s showroom, 1180 N. Milwaukee Ave, Mon-Fr: 11AM-7PM; Saturday 10AM-6PM, Sunday 11AM-5PM, p: 773-384-5420.

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