UNLOCKaLOCK Escape Room opens Friday

I've been hearing a lot of buzz in recent months about Escape Room destinations. They may be a little hard to wrap your head around if you have never been to one. These businesses, which have popped up in several spots in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana offer a fun activity for groups where they are locked in a room and have to work together to solve clues to get out of the room before their time expires.

One is set to open this Friday and my husband and I were among the first people to get to try to successfully escape from a room last weekend as the owners were doing a preview and some test runs.

UnlockaLock in Lansing offers two themed rooms - the Pirate Room and the Throne Room. I was in the first group to do the Throne Room. Besides my husband and I, there was another couple and their two young adult daughters. The other male in our group and my husband hit it off and their humor made the challenge that much more fun. Groups can go up to 8 in a room. It's neat that in working together, everyone contributes something that leads you to finding clues.

We got off to a slow start, but once we found the first clue, we were doing well and I think we were just short of solving our mystery when our one-hour countdown ended. With it being my first time doing an Escape Room, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it was a lot of fun and we all really got into it once we found our first clue and got rolling. I'd love to try it again.

I can see it being a great outing for co-workers or for a scout troop or birthday party or just for a family night or date night out. In looking at the online calendar, it looks like you'll be able to book for Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday and some Wednesdays. Take a peek at the website for a list of FAQ and additional information. If you book online by 8/31, you can get 10% off by using the discount code "CARSHOW." All escape sessions must be booked in advance online at www.unlockalockescaperoom.com.. If you're looking for something different for a night out or enjoy activities that require a bit of thought, it's something you need to try at least once...but chances are once you try it, you'll be hooked and want to give it another try.

UNLOCKaLOCK Escape Room

18241 West Street

Lansing, IL 60438

708-704-3853

unlockalockescaperoom.com

White Sox U.S. Cellular Field to get new name

Even though I'm a big Cubs fan, announcement of a name change of the White Sox home field is big news. In my mind and many others in the Chicago area, it will always be Comiskey Park. In 1990, the old Comiskey Park was used for its last White Sox season and a new ballpark was built beside it. The new park, which opened in 1991, was knows as Comiskey Park until it was renamed U.S. Cellular Field (a.k.a. "The Cell") in 1993. It was announced today that the ball park will get a new name starting November 1st.

Even being a die-hard Cubs fan, Comiskey Park/U.S. Cellular Field have created pleasant memories. My first Sox games were at Old Comiskey and I've attended several games at the new park, which has some great family friendly features and promotions. If you ever have a chance to attend a patio party at The Cell, it's a blast. Your group enjoys a buffet and beer and you have a chance to pregame onsite before the game.

Here's the details announced in a press release today:

Guaranteed Rate Field debuts on November 1

Chicago-based national mortgage lender Guaranteed Rate and the White Sox have signed a 13-year naming rights agreement for the team's home ballpark, which will be named Guaranteed Rate Field beginning November 1, 2016. "We are pleased to find, in Guaranteed Rate, a new naming rights partner founded in Chicago by Chicagoans, which shares our commitment to the city and to our fans," said Jerry Reinsdorf, chairman of the White Sox. The White Sox and Guaranteed Rate also have agreed on sponsorship elements associated with White Sox baseball, including various branding, promotional and hospitality benefits, along with joint marketing opportunities. Guaranteed Rate becomes the official mortgage and title company of the White Sox. "We are incredibly excited and honored to be part of the White Sox family," said Victor Ciardelli, president & CEO of Guaranteed Rate. "We look forward to many great years of White Sox baseball at Guaranteed Rate Field."