Notebaert Nature Museum offering arthropods, butterflies and more

Chicago

Planet of the Arthropods

You won't hear Charlton Heston exclaiming, "Get your stinkin' paws off me, you damn dirty ape" because this is Planet of the Arthopods and, after all, the Notebaert Nature Museum is a family museum. Arthropods, butterflies, spiders, beetles, ants, crayfish and lobsters among them, are not only some of the most fascinating creatures on earth but they are the most successful type of animals. Bet you didn't know that three quarters of all known creatures are arthropods, numbering more than a million known species. Glimpse the miniature world of these organisms at the new exhibit opening Jan. 30th and continuing through May 3, 2009. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum; 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago; (773) 755-5108; www.naturemuseum.org.

That great street in our toddling town

If you can pull yourself from the Prada and heave-ho past the Hermes while shopping at Macy's, high-tail it to the seventh floor to take in "How State Became Great," an exhibition tracing the history of retail on Chicago's famous State Street. Before tony Magnificent Mile and decades before the emergence of the indoor mall, State Street was the place to shop, have lunch, catch a movie and shop some more. The display, organized by the Chicago History Museum in partnership with Macy's, traces the 140-year history of the nine blocks between Lake Street and Congress Parkway. The seventh floor features the Walnut Room, Seven on State and the Frango Café, so you can nosh before or after browsing. Through June 20, 2009 at 111 N State Street, Chicago; www.visitmacyschicago.com.

Dreamy night for all

If you've been looking for love in all the wrong places, why not mingle among 500 or so of Chicago's hip trendsetters and help seriously ill children at the same time? During the 18th annual Dream Date Fundraiser and Auction presented by The Lowe Group and Century 21 Sussex and Reilly, you can bid on one-of-a-kind offerings to benefit Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest. Socialize, enjoy an open bar and hors d'oeuvres, enter the Dreamers Draw raffle, dance the night away and get in on the auction of exclusive packages including exotic vacations, dining and other experiences. Auction proceeds will benefit programs of Starlight Midwest which help over 200,000 seriously ill children and their families each year. Friday, Feb. 6th; Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave.; $55 in advance or $65 at the door, if available. Ring (312) 251-7827 or visit www.starlight-midwest.org.

Midwest

Cavalcade of cool runnings

Quit grumbling about cabin fever and take advantage of big wintertime fun courtesy of Grand Geneva Resort and Spa's annual Winter Carnival. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, The Mountain at Grand Geneva is a flurry of activity: ski school and ski patrol demonstrations; snow boarding and skiing competitions for little kids to grannies; an avalanche of children's games and snow activities; and an evening torch light parade and Grand Fireworks display. All weekend long, stroll downtown Lake Geneva's Winterfest and the ten-foot -high creations of the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship (the resort provides snow from its Mountain Top ski facility for the contest). The family will be wiped from all the goings-on so plan to bunk at either Grand Geneva Resort & Spa or Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark. For information or reservations, call (800) 558-3417 or schuss over to www.grandgeneva.com.

Easy to be keen-a on Galena

A get away to Galena just got easier with value-driven packages at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, just 150 miles west of Chicago. Choose the Family Time Winter Getaway for three days and two nights of winter adventures. You'll get accommodations, $25 to be used at the resort's general store, two tickets to the Galena History Museum and a large family welcome basket with snacks. Value Season rates start at $309. The Touch of Romance getaway includes accommodations for a two day, one night stay with a late departure time, in-room breakfast, a romantic dinner for two at the Woodlands Restaurant, bottle of sparkling wine with two keepsake glasses, decadent chocolates and a long stemmed red rose. (Rates start at $299). Cross country ski on groomed trails, ice skate or bring the sleds to cruise down numerous rolling hills. Call (800) 892-2269 to book or glide over to www.eagleridge.com to learn about other packages.

Cherry capital stays cheery

Cherry trees are in snooze mode but the Third Annual Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest keeps northern Michigan in bloom for a break. Over President's Day Weekend, Feb. 13-16, 2009, Traverse City offers a catalog of cool indoor and outdoor activities at three venues: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, downtown Traverse City and Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area. Some of the action includes horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobile rides, kids' games, frozen bed races and frozen fish tossing, live bands and, of course, a cherry pie eating contest. A $10 button allows festivalgoers entry to al the fun (a portion of the proceeds go to Special Olympics Michigan). Take a look at www.winterwonderfest.org for details.

Worth the Trip

If you get heart palpitations at the thought of being in the same room with food stars like Tyler Florence, Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, Rick Bayless, Bobby Flay and Martha Stewart, start booking a flight to Miami Beach ASAP. The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival is four days of daytime and evening food events, family events, dinners and demos, food and wine seminars and opportunities to meet your favorite chefs and culinary personalities. Feb. 19-22, 2009. Graze www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call (877) 762-3933 for tickets.