Friday Finds: Learn and Grow in Chicago, Free Uber & More Good Stuff!

When we moved from New York to Chicago in 2006, we expected to have less opportunities for cool, cutting edge things. Sorry, but we New Yorkers know think we are the center of the universe. Well, we were pretty much wrong. With the advent of Groupon and a ton of other successful start ups, Chicago has become a mecca for all things techie. Chicago also has great art, movies and architecture. The next few weeks are chock full of free and inexpensive opportunities to learn, see and do some awesome stuff. I am going to highlight Social Media Week, Chicago Ideas Week, Open House Chicago and the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Social Media Week is September 23-27 in Chicago. The aim is to provide “the best information, ideas and inspiration to help people understand how to achieve more in a hyper-connected world.” Their mission is “to capture, curate and share the most meaningful ideas, trends, and best practices with regard to technology and social media’s impact on business, society and culture.” This plays out in free events, workshops, parties with local community sponsors and vendors.

Sapna attended last year and encouraged me to attend. I signed up for a bunch of things. There are a bunch of open sessions and tons of interesting topics. I am looking forward to Chicago Start Up Stories and the keynote “Is Social Media Bullsh#t?” among others!

Chicago Ideas Week is October 14 – 20 in Chicago. Chicago Ideas Week is “a premier annual gathering of global thought leaders created to provoke new ideas and inspire actionable results. [Their] goal is to stimulate new initiatives and ventures, create new connections and collaborations, and establish a community of people who have the desire to achieve great things.” CIW events are just $15 per event, helping the community put their ideas into action.

Emily sent a group of us a few sessions to check out including one that features Malcolm Gladwell. I got tickets for three with friends and volunteered to support “The Consumer: You May Also Like…”  This session looks at how technology, data and social awareness and shifting expectations are drastically altering the way we consume.” Fitting for this blog, I think!

Open House Chicago is October 19 – 20 in Chicago. I went to Open House in NYC several times and was delighted to find that there is a Chicago weekend, too. The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House Chicago is a free public event that offers behind-the-scenes access to 150 buildings across Chicago. You can “explore the hidden gems and architectural treasures of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods—all for free. 150 cool places. 48 hours. Go.”

Last year, Stacy and I checked out the Tribune Tower, MDA City Apartments and the McCormick Bridgehouse Museum. Maybe this year I will check out some things closer to home or use my “Members only” benefits to check out 1871 or others!

The Chicago Humanities Festival is October 12, 2o and November 1- 10. The Chicago Humanities Festival’s mission is “to create opportunities for people of all ages to support, enjoy and explore the humanities. [They] fulfill this mission through our annual festivals, the fall Chicago Humanities Festival and the spring Stages, Sights & Sounds, and by presenting programs throughout the year that encourage the study and enjoyment of the humanities.” The Chicago Humanities Festival is “devoted to making the humanities a vital and vibrant ingredient of daily life.”

This year’s theme is “What Makes Us Human?” They say:

We will explore what it means to think about culture biologically, about biology culturally, and about the human-animal relationship beyond the science/humanities divide. In presenting the most cutting-edge work on this subject, Animal will give us a whole new perspective on our world and ourselves. Most important, though, it will give us new answers to the oldest and most fundamental question in the humanities: What makes us human?

Tickets for most Festival programs are $8 in advance, $13 at the door and many programs are free of charge to students and teachers (with ID).

All of this awesomeness for free or cheap makes me feel that Chicago is indeed the center of the universe – at least this fall! What do you think? 

uberX, the low-cost Uber with ridesharing, is FREE this weekend with the code CHILOVESuberX! Plus they’ve  partnered with 100+ local businesses to offer discounts and giveaways all weekend long. Use promo code CHILOVESuberX for 2 free uberX rides in Chicago between 9/20 and 9/22. Then, show your uberX receipt to access deals in the following categories. They will also be giving away AMAZING packages from partners all week. Follow Uber on Twitter and Instagram to win!

Still Available:.

• Lifebooker Loot has great deals on health, beauty, spa, fitness and more in major metros including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, DC, NYC and more! Get an additional 20% off with the code PRETTYPARTY.
• New customer get $5 off $75 on already reduced gift cards from major vendors at Raise with code RAISE75AF.
• Get 20% off everything (excluding Super Fleece) plus free shipping from Champion.
• Midwest runners, save $5 on the already low priced Wisconsin Half or Wisconsin Marathon on May 3rd with the code KIMSCODE.
• Check out great cash back deals on your favorite outdoor retailers from Active Junky: Backcountry.com (12% back), The Clymb (8% back), REI (5% back), Altrec (6% back) and many more!
• You know I am a bit addicted to subscription boxes. Get 2 months free (pay shipping only) of new gluten free subscription box from Taste Guru with code 2FREE.
• Chicago ladies (and gents), don’t forget you get $10 off your first service at Pretty Quick with code ericafinds through 11/1.
• Sign up for Puritan’s Pride’s newsletter and get BOGO on a their vitamins.
• Download any audiobook for only $6.95 at Downpour.com—no membership required! Limited-time offer.

Happy Friday, all! What do you have in store for the weekend? No races for me or the husband. Yay!

PS. Don’t forget my Neesh by DAR and Liz Lovely cookies giveaways!