Obama Tours Chicago

If anyone wants to talk to the junior U.S. Senator Barack Obama about the recent hub bub of his kin owning slaves, or him calling Iran a threat, he will be in Chicago Saturday morning March 3. First he will be at a health care rally at 9 a.m. at Plumbers 130 Hall, 1340 W. Washington and then he will be with Senior U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to speak at a workers rights rally sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 at 10 a.m. This event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom, 151 E. Wacker Dr.

Chiditarod 2007

Strap your four closest friends to a grocery cart and get ready to yell "mush!" The Chiditarod is a race that starts at the corner of Wolcott and Hubbard and ends at the Hideout. Along the way, teams must hit four separate checkpoints and arrive at the finish line with 15 lbs. of food to donate to charity. The starting gun goes off at 12:30 pm, and winners are guaranteed to go home with "fabulous prizes." Entrance fees are $5 per person, and every member of the team must be over 21. Check out the website for other rules and further information.

A Taste of Hyde Park

A benefit for the Hyde Park Transitional Housing Project, this event will feature dishes prepared by many of Hyde Park's well-known restaurants. Celebrated jazz pianist Willie Pickens will perform live. The event, which runs from 6 to 9 pm, will be held at Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer at the corner of Dorchester and 50th Street. Tickets are $30 for the general public and $20 for students. Call 773-351-2049 for more information.

The2ndHand 23 Release Party

Come to Quimby's to celebrate the release of local quarterly broadsheet The2ndHand's 23rd installment with readings by editor Jeb Gleason-Allured and contributors Ted Grossman, Patrick Sommerville and Nic Pizzolatto. Free at 8pm, 1854 W. North Ave.

Schadenfreude at the Wilmette Theatre

Schadenfreude, Chicago's critically acclaimed sketch comedy group, is branching out to the suburbs with their successful "Schadenfreude Rent Party". This performance will be recorded for a special broadcast on Chicago Public Radio. You can be part of a live studio audience.

Schadenfreude Rent Party
Saturday, March 3rd at 8pm.
Featuring: Schadenfreude, Mike and Duane, Beatbox sensation Yuri Lane, RedEye columnist Mark Bazer, IO's Jet and Holly and films by Steve Delahoyde (the regrets series). Tickets at the Wilmette Theatre or call 847-484-1881.

"Impaired Visions" Opening @ District 13 Gallery

“Impaired Visions,” a show of more than 18 artists ranging from traditional, graffiti, comic book, abstract and street art, opens tonight at District 13 Gallery, 1706 W. Chicago Ave. Each artist collaborated with another artist to create one of a kind pieces on canvas, wood, skate decks, paper and assorted other items. DJs Pickel and J. Lee spin, and drinks will be served. 6-10pm, free.

Genealogy and Local History Orientation @ Newberry Library

This informal orientation covers library resources available to research family and neighborhood history. 9:30 AM. Free. 60 W Walton Street. For more information, call 312-255-3700 or visit the website.

15th Annual Mystery Book Fair

Come to the Newberry Library at 60 W. Walton to pick up all manner of hard cover and paperback true-crimes, classic mysteries, contemporary mysteries, romantic mysteries and science fiction. Admission is free. The book fair will run on Friday from 12pm-6pm and Saturday from 9am-2pm. Call 312-255-3700 for more information.