Win a back-to-school shopping spree from Westfield

Send the kids back to school in a big way with a chance to win a $500 shopping spree at Westfield Old Orchard.  A new school wardrobe filled with the best names in designer goods is at your fingertips. To enter, just visit Westfield’s Facebook page and let them know what is on the top of your back to school shopping list.  No purchase is necessary.

Go 'Back to School' at Chicago French Market, Saturday, August 21

Chicago French Market has a party planned for students heading back to school, and the public is invited. Don't miss Chicago French Market’s Back To School Party, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 21. Chicago's first year-round, indoor market located at 131 N. Clinton St. in the West Loop/Fulton River District is the new hub for community activity.

"It only makes sense that we help celebrate the end of summer and the start of back-to-school season by offering specials and activities for families," says Sebastien Bensidoun, of the Bensidoun family, co-owners and operators of Chicago French Market. “The Market is community based, and an activity like the Back To School Party is just a sample of the type of events that we host to for this ever-growing neighborhood."

Children participating on August 21 will enjoy a balloon artist from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and coloring activities throughout the event. The first 170 children at the market will receive a school supply gift, while supplies last. Parents and children alike will also enjoy the many product specials from Chicago French Market’s nearly 30 individual vendors, including Abbey Brown Soap Artisan’s “Teacher’s Pet” special: any organic lip balm and specialty soap for $6. Gramp’s Gourmet Foods will sell its hot dogs for just $2 throughout the day, while supplies last. Pick up Les Fleurs’ special Back to School Bouquet, an assortment of fresh seasonal flowers with a whimsical nod towards the coming school year ($25), which comes with a coupon for $5 off the next purchase of $25 or more at Les Fleurs (valid through September 30, 2010.)

Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese, wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, specialty drinks, flowers, prepared meals and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market’s diverse group of local vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit www.chicagofrenchmarket.com.

Back To School Already!?

It's already August, which means it's time to get ready for school. Summer may have flown by, but WGN-TV and Sweet Baby Ray's will help Chicago area kids gear up for the school year with the TV station's 7th annual "WGN-TV Back-to-School Kids Fair."

The free fair will feature food, fun, health screenings, safety tips and everything parents and kids need to prepare for school. Be sure to visit the Sweet Baby Ray's booth to watch demonstrations on how to pack healthy school lunches, sample the restaurant's award-winning ribs and pick up Sweet Baby Ray's activity booklets and cups.

The Sweet Baby Ray's gang will stick around the fair to answer any questions kids and families may have about cooking, ribs, grilling, or even becoming a chef! If you can't make it to the event at at WGN-TV Studios, 2501 W. Bradley Place in Chicago, set your Tivo for WGN's morning news this Friday, August 8, 6-9 a.m. Then make your back-to-school shopping list!