Nature

34-year-old Kristin McQueen may be recovering from brain surgery, but cancer treatments on the last thing on her mind - She has reached the finals in the Ironman Foundation’s “Kona Inspired - Anything Is Possible” contest.

What better way to spend Father’s Day weekend than experiencing the fun of boating? If you missed the Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show last year, don’t miss out this year! Chicago’s premier boating event returns to the new, state-of-the-art marina 31st Street Harbor, June 13-16, with hundreds of the newest boats and marine accessories for sale, on-water activities, education and daily entertainment.

When I was a kid, I had the best time at camp (I'm sure you did too!) – which is why I'm co-chairing this year's Campfire Ball at Venue One, benefiting Children's Oncology Services, Inc. and its One Step Camp for kids with cancer.

Where are all my eco-friendlies at?! Sammi, here to talk nothing other than the Green Festival coming to our beautiful windy city on May 18th & 19th at Navy Pier. Let’s kick off this spring weather with one the largest (24,000 participants in 2012) and most diverse festivals including education, shopping, food and loads of fun activities!

Hey Chicago! I’m Kendall Rozell, the newest addition to Billy Dec’s intern team at Rockit Ranch Productions. I have never been too keen on going for a run – the part that really excites me is listening to my favorite type of music, electronic dance. So when the new trend of the Rave Run started spreading around Chicago, I knew I had to join in!

Hey eco-friendlies! This is Cassy from Ripple Public Relations, and I have the scoop on an awesome event coming up in honor of Earth Day. The Green Exchange in Logan Square (2545 W. Diversey) is celebrating Earth Day on Monday, April 22nd from 5-9pm with an evening chock-full of food, drinks, fun classes, speakers, and live music!

Good news brides to-be! The Martha Stewart Wedding party is making it’s first ever stop right here in Chicago! So don’t worry if you still have things to check off your to-do list, this event has got you covered-and all under one roof! Before diving into the rest of the details, mark your calendars for Sunday, March 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and join Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, Meghan Andalman, founder of Lovebird Events and Claudia Hanlin, founder of the Wedding Library, for a day of inspiration and fun!

Prepare yourself to experience four blockbuster spectacle moments, 1,874 candles, 164 performers and 31 wild happenings throughout seven hours of celebration at Redmoon’s 12th-annual Spectacle Lunatique.

Fat Tuesday: the last day to indulge in richer, heartier foods before the fasting of Lent begins. Or, for some, it’s an excuse to throw your diet out the window and eat whatever you want only to then give up “the bad things” for 40 days and nights(ish) – no judgment. New Orleans is known for their Mardi Gras celebration: masks, drinking, parades, music, drinking, parties, drinking…you get the point. In Chicago – and other areas with large Polish communities – Fat Tuesday is also referred to as Pączki Day.

Oui oui! Bonjour! Want to travel to Europe without leaving Chicago? (well, actually, no I’m sure we would all rather be in Europe!) But hey! Let’s save ourselves some money and head to the Chicago French Market for the FREE Eurofest event this Saturday!