Explore River North's hottest hotels with the "River North Sleep Around Challange"

Participate in the first-ever River North Sleep Around Challenge 5 p.m., Thursday, May 6. Join the fun in Chicago’s own version of the “Amazing Race,” hosted by the River North Business Association. Solve puzzles, answer quizzes, take pictures and tour hotels in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, ending with an after party at Martini Park (151 W. Erie St.) to celebrate the winning teams.

Registration begins at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. Guests can bring their own team of four or be assigned to network with other groups. Teams explore various hotels, finding clues and answering questions from 6 p.m. until the after party at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per individual, or $125 for team of four people available now for purchase at www.rivernorthassociation.com.

Participating hotels in the Sleep Around Challenge include the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza (350 W. Mart Center Dr.), Hotel Sax (333 N. Dearborn St.), Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown (600 N. State St.), dana hotel and spa (660 N. State St.), Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North (30 E. Hubbard St.), Hotel Felix (111 W. Huron St.), The Hotel Cass Downtown Chicago (640 N. Wabash Ave.), Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/River North (410 N. Dearborn St.) and the new Hotel Palomar (505 N. State St.).

Each hotel has devised their own challenges to introduce guests to the properties. Hotels provide light refreshments so teams can keep up their energy for the contest. Fantastic prizes are awarded to the first team to finish and answer all of the questions correctly and also awarded for most creative answers, team apparel, fastest time and other categories. Prizes include an Overnight Stay in a King Suite at the Amalfi Hotel, four tickets to a hit show from Broadway in Chicago and an American Girl Overnight Package from Embassy Suites Chicago.

The after party hosted by Martini Park includes one hour of open bar and appetizers. Admission to the after party is included in the cost of the Sleep Around Challenge ticket.

Many of the hotels are offering special rates for the night. A team of four can purchase event tickets and stay in one of River North’s best hotels for less than $200. Parking is available for $12 for the evening at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.

Sponsors of the event include David M. Kover and Associates, Point B Communications, Kurman Communications, Stacy Sweat Designs, Martini Park and Merchandise Mart Properties.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for the River North Sleep Around Challenge, visit www.rivernorthassociation.com.

About River North Business Association
The River North Association was founded in 1981, and quickly became a force in the community, representing businesses and providing member services to help them succeed. The organization recently changed its name to the River North Business Association, but maintains the mission and ideals of which it was founded. The RNBA hopes to preserve a community environment that will provide a high quality of life for all who live, work and visit River North. For more information, visit www.rivernorthassocation.com or call (312) 645-1047.

Don't forget "A Night in Support of Haiti" tomorrow night!

Tickets are still available but going fast for Erie-LaSalle Body Shop's "A Night in Support of Haiti" 75th anniversary party, happening Friday, Feb. 26 from 5:30 p.m.- 9 p.m. at Martini Park (151 W. Erie St.).

Admission is $40 in advance ($50 at the door) and grants access to the open bar with wine, beer and specialty cocktails like the Erie Latini, Fender Blender, Haitian Mojito and more. Martini Park is also providing some of its signature appetizers to be passed during the party. Tickets can be purchased at www.erielasalle.com/haiti.

Special announcements will be made at 7 p.m. including an appearance from Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn.

Guests will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win exciting prizes including a one-hour flight in an L-39 fighter jet donated by Bill Wert of Gauntlet Warbirds, plus gift certificates to Chicago's favorites restaurants like Mercadito, Wildfire, Keefer's, Fogo de Chao and Gino's East. Other prizes include a personal training session as well as a personal organizer session.

All proceeds from "A Night in Support of Haiti" benefit Partners in Health, a charity that has been working on the grounds of Haiti for more than 20 years. For more information about Partners in Health, visit www.standwithhaiti.com.

Erie-LaSalle Body Shop is celebrating 75 years as Chicago's premiere automotive repair business. Erie-LaSalle Body Shop is third-generation owned family business priding itself on quality customer service and quality craftsmanship, receiving the I-CAR Gold Class Professional certification. For more information, visit www.erielasalle.com.

"A Night in Support of Haiti" presented by Erie-LaSalle Body Shop, Feb. 26

In honor of its 75th anniversary, Erie-LaSalle Body Shop is hosting a charity event "A Night in Support of Haiti" 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26 at Martini Park (151 W. Erie St.). Guests enjoy complimentary appetizers and an open bar with a $40 advance admission fee ($50 at the door), from which 100 percent is donated to Partners in Health, a charity that has been working on the ground for more than 20 years.

"As soon as I heard of the tragedy in Haiti, I felt compelled to my lend support. I was already planning Erie-LaSalle's 75th anniversary party, so it seemed like a great opportunity to tie the two together," says Erie-LaSalle Body Shop's owner Bob Gottfred. "Partners in Health is a natural fit for me because they have been established in Haiti for two decades. As a longtime business owner myself, I know the importance of going to someone you can trust."

Erie-LaSalle has been repairing and servicing vehicles at its Erie and LaSalle Street location since 1934, establishing itself as Chicago's premier auto repair shop.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP to the event early by visiting www.erielasalle.com/haiti, although admission can be paid at the door for an additional $10. Admission includes an open bar with beer, wine and cocktails including four specialty martinis like the Erie-LaSalle Body ShopTini and Strawberry Basil Martini. Passed appetizers are provided during the event. Guests have an opportunity to win raffle prizes, and Martini Park's signature live band plays throughout the night.

Partners in Health (PIH) has been established in Haiti for more than 20 years. In addition to their efforts in Haiti, PIH works to bring modern medical care to poor communities in eight other countries around the world. The work of PIH has three goals: to care for patients, to alleviate the root causes of disease in communities and to share lessons learned around the world. To learn more visit http://www.standwithhaiti.com/.

About Martini Park
Martini Park, Chicago’s “Playground for Grownups”, debuted in Chicago in July 2007 at 151 W. Erie St. in River North. This unprecedented upscale lounge concept features a variety of live music every night, highly-acclaimed signature martinis and cocktails, as well as sharable plates of delectable food items, all within an atmosphere of world-class design. Specialty offerings include the Cucumber Martini, Strawberry Basil Martini, Apple-tini, Smoked Salmon Poppers and Kobe Beef Sliders. Martini Park’s team of seasoned professionals serves each guest with impeccable attention to detail, providing the highest standards in hospitality and service. Martini Park is open Monday – Friday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Erie-LaSalle Body Shop is located at 146 W. Erie St. in Chicago. Valet parking is available. All proceeds from the 75th anniversary charity event go directly to Partners in Health. For more information about "A Night in Support of Haiti," please call (312) 337-3903 or visit www.erielasalle.com/haiti.

Save the Date: A Night in Support of Haiti

Save the date! In honor of its 75th anniversary, Erie-LaSalle Body Shop is hosting a charity event "A Night in Support of Haiti" from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26 at Martini Park (151 W. Erie St.) Guests enjoy complimentary appetizers and an open bar with a $40 advance admission fee ($50 at the door), from which 100 percent is donated to Partners in Health, a charity that has been working on the ground for more than 20 years.

Admission includes an open bar with beer, wine and four specialty cocktails, like the Erie-Salle Body ShopTini and Strawberry Basil Martini. Passed appetizers and a buffet are also included.

Erie-LaSalle has been repairing and servicing vehicles at its Erie and LaSalle Street location since 1934, establishing itself as Chicago's premier auto repair shop.

Partners in Health (PIH) has been established in Haiti for more than 20 years. In addition to their efforts in Haiti, PIH works to bring modern medical care to poor communities in eight other countries around the world. The work of PIH has three goals: to care for patients, to alleviate the root causes of disease in communities and to share lessons learned around the world. To learn more, visit www.standwithhaiti.com.

Erie-LaSalle Body Shop is located at 146 W. Erie St. in Chicago. For more information about "A Night in Support of Haiti," please call (312) 337-3903. And don't forget to mark the date in your calendar!

Image: Partners in Health