Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 28, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. CST, specifically.
That one hour would be ''Earth Hour,'' when businesses, residents, corporations and landmarks in more than 1000 cities around the world are asked to ''Vote Earth'' with their light switches.
Flipping the light switch to OFF sends the message that we, as members of planet Earth, care enough about our global climate to take action.
But you don't have to sit silent in the dark at home; head out to Nacional 27, Red Kiva Lounge or Zocalo, which will all bust out the candles to set the mood for a romantic atmosphere.
At River North's Nacional 27, enjoy music by trumpet player Victor Garcia, accompanying Latin house music that will play on a single amplifier to conserve energy.
Sip cocktails by candlelight at Red Kiva Lounge in the West Loop. The featured cocktail of the evening is the GoGreenTini, a green little concoction made from Absolut Vanilla vodka, sour apple pucker, a splash of sweet and sour, served with a cherry, $12.
River North's ZOCALO will serve up Earth Hour Cazuelas by romantic candlelight: Cuervo citrus tequilas, aguardiente and white wine with citrus juices and a splash of Squirt citrus soda, served in a large traditional terra cotta bowl with two straws, $14.
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008, the message grew considerably with 50 million people switching off their lights.
Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all participated by standing in darkness. This year, the goal is to get one billion people to switch off their lights.
Nacional 27
325 West Huron
312-664-2727
Red Kiva
1108 West Randolph Street
312-226-5577
ZOCALO
358 W. Ontario
312-302-9977
