Dine's Special Menu for The Local Tourist Restaurant Week Kicks Off Jan. 8

Enjoy a three course meal for lunch or dinner at Dine (733 W. Madison St., Chicago; 312-602-2100) Jan. 8 through Jan. 15. Dine's menu includes the first course, a choice of Salad, roasted red and gold beets, crumbled chevre, orange supreme and balsamic vinaigrette with mixed baby greens, or Appetizer, pumpkin sage ravioli, brown butter and baby arugula. The main course is Rigatoni and Vodka Sauce, with shaved parmigiano and pulled lamb shank. The vegetarian option is Grilled Vegetables and Warm Frisee, with port reduction and basil oil. For dessert, enjoy Apple and Cranberry Cobbler, topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

The Local Tourist Restaurant Week kicks off Jan. 8, with participating restaurants providing three course meals, with 10% of each meal supporting Endure To Cure, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that benefits organizations dedicated to pediatric cancer research, treatment and care. Lunch is $25 and dinner is $35. For more information, visit http://www.thelocaltourist.com/.

To make a reservation at Dine for The Local Tourist Restaurant Week, call (312) 602-2100 or visit http://www.dinerestaurant.com/. Follow Dine on Twitter: @DineRestaurant.

Virtual Birthday Party to Raise $20,000 for Pediatric Cancer Research

Today is the birthday of Chicagoan Theresa Carter, better known to some as "The Local Tourist." Instead of presents or cake for her birthday this year, Carter wants to raise $20,000 for pediatric cancer research. Her deadline is tonight (May 8) at midnight.

The reason? Carter lost both sides of her family from cancer. Her maternal grandfather battled illness for 10 years, but finally lost his battle with cancer. Her paternal grandmother passed away less than two years ago from cancer.

On June 22, Carter will head to Tanzania, Africa with Endure to Cure founder Jason Sissel to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. For the geography buffs, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world!

"Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro represents the struggle my grandparents endured before they died from cancer, and the struggle that every cancer victim must go through" says Carter. "It won't be easy, and it's going to be a lot of work, but there are also going to be moments of great beauty and joy. It's a pretty obvious metaphor for life, albeit an extreme one!"

Since she's celebrating her birthday virtually this year with the help of generous donations, Carter is the one dishing out the gifts. Four random people who donate will be chosen to accompany her with a guest on a special sunset Lake Michigan cruise June 7. The cruise will be aboard the Free Spirit Cruise's Gypsy Spirit. Two oether donors to Carter's cause will win four tickets for a Windy City Film Tour.

To make a donation for "The Local Tourist's" cause, visit her athlete page on the Endure to Cure Web site, here. Remember, the deadline is midnight tonight! For more information, contact Carter at (312) 828-7466 or via e-mail at tlc@thelocaltourist.com.