It looks as though we’re not going to have a typical summer this year in Chicago. So far, the city has canceled Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and the Air & Water Show. Hopefully, we’ll have some smaller neighborhood and suburban events taking place so we can get outdoors. But until then, here’s this weekend’s virtual events.

The Chopping Block continues their Virtual Cook Along Classes, via Zoom, with you and their chef cooking together in real-time. Upon registration, you will be provided with the recipe packet and equipment list to be prepared to get cooking. Again, their Zoom moderator will make sure your questions are answered live by the chef either during or after class.

Saturday’s demo will run from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. with Chef Shelley Young, who just so happens to be the owner/chef with The Chopping Block. 

She will demonstrate how to prepare Strawberry Shortcake. Skills covered in this class are preparing the biscuit dough, understanding baking ingredients, macerating fruit, and, of course, the best whipping cream you’ll ever make!

Sunday’s demo will run from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. with Chef Hans Mooser. He will demonstrate how to prepare Grilled Bass with Mediterranean Farro Salad. Skills covered in this class are selecting and grilling fish, determining fish doneness, working with grains, roasting peppers, balancing flavors, and making fresh herb sauces!

How about taking a cruise right from your couch to view iconic and lesser-known Chicago architecture on a Virtual Boat Tour (Saturday, 1 p.m.-1:50 p.m.). Your tour guide will be Amanda, who is the Executive Director and Chicago Detours founder. She will delve into the forgotten stories of Chicago’s waterways, environment, transportation history, and architectural masterpieces while sharing stories and places that even the locals don’t know about! For just $8, this tour is a great way to beat cabin fever and will be unlike any architecture river cruise you’ve taken!!

Another virtual tour that might be of interest is the LGBT Chicago History in 1893 Virtual Tour (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.). Led via Zoom, you’ll glimpse beautiful architectural spaces from the era of the 1893 World’s Fair and learn about the fair’s impact on Chicago. Your tour guide Marie will show you archival images illuminating the World’s Fair and share stories of some gay and lesbian men and women from turn-of-the-century Chicago. You’ll also get to check-in with the group and see where other tour guests are from. During the presentation, guests are encouraged to have a lively chat to share comments and questions!

While a lot of crowded running races around Chicago have been canceled, runners can still race for a cause this summer by staying in their own neighborhoods (or on a treadmill) and participating on their own schedule. Here’s a list of virtual races that will earn you swag and medals without the crowds:

Chi Town Half Marathon & 10K. Swag includes a zip-up hoodie and finisher medal. This race benefits Best Buddies.

The Super Run – Chicago. Swag includes a superhero cape, event bib, and finishers medals. This race benefits an organization that donates superhero capes to children in local hospitals.

The Great Run Across Illinois. Swag includes a t-shirt and finisher’s medal. This race benefits the Illinois Nurses Foundation.

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago has entered Phase 3 of the city’s recovery plan to begin stepping outside the shadow of COVID-19. While dining indoors is still not an option, outdoor dining is in full swing in many spots throughout the city. Let’s take a look at some of the great restaurants that have reopened for outdoor dining in our favorite Chicago neighborhoods. After all, the weather is finally pleasant, and we are all in dire need of getting out and enjoying each other’s company. Just remember to still practice social distancing, as we don’t want to give the pandemic a leg up as we re-enter our world.

Lincoln Park:

Cafe Ba-Ba- Reeba: For a brilliant taste of traditional food from Spain, check out this hot spot located at 2024 N. Halsted. The tapas, pintxos, and delicious sangria are all top-notch. In addition, the patio menu includes seafood, beef, and chicken and pork dishes. Be sure to make a reservation, as capacity is limited to 50%.

Avli: If your taste buds are in the mood for inspired Greek offerings, look no further than this Chicago favorite Lincoln Park located at 1335 W. Wrightwood. The chicken shish kabob and ouzo salmon are particular standouts on the menu. Again, be sure to make a reservation, as seating for outdoor dining will fill up quickly.

River North: 

Maple & Ash: It’s probably been a minute since you put on your best attire and hit the town. River North’s Maple & Ash, located at 8 West Maple Street, is the perfect way to emerge from our spring hibernation with style, class, and an excellent menu that raises the stakes when it comes to the best steakhouses in town. Their Downstairs Burger and Ricotta Agnolotti are among the many wise choices to make on a menu that can do no wrong. Enjoy a cocktail, a delicious meal, and appreciate reintroducing yourself to fine dining after months of takeout.  

Quartino: Quartino is another River North favorite, located at 626 N. State Street. The house-made pasta, Neapolitan thin-crust pizza, and bevy of traditional Italian dishes will have your taste buds singing the praises of this fantastic restaurant. Like all the other spots on this list, be sure to call ahead to reserve a table for an unforgettable outdoor dining experience. 

Lakeview:

Crosby’s Kitchen: Located at 3455 N. Southport Avenue, Crosby’s Kitchen is a definite go-to when you crave some comfort food. And after the last few months stuck in our Chicago homes, who doesn’t want some comfort food as we strive to move forward amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? Enjoy the warmer weather and delightful entrees such as their beloved rotisserie chicken, pork chop, and fillet of beef, while dining at their open-air seating. Call ahead for reservations.

Dryhop Brewers: It’s probably been quite a while since you were able to share drinks with friends outside of a Zoom session. Visit Dryhop Brewers, located at 3115 N. Broadway, to enjoy some tasty libations no matter what kind of beer you crave. A wide selection of brilliant IPAs will satisfy even the most particular taste buds. They offer plenty of excellent bar food ranging from burgers to salads to wings. This Lakeview spot doesn’t take reservations, so be sure to call ahead.

That does it for today’s list of restaurants that have reopened in many of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods. Tomorrow we will look at more places to enjoy great food in open-air dining outside. Of course, always practice social distancing and bring your mask and your appetite.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Nothing ruins a workday like not having a designated, comfortable place to work from. And when you are working from home, whether it be temporarily or indefinitely, setting up a great workspace gets even tougher. However, your productivity and body will thank you if you take a few steps to upgrade your desk setup. Here are some ideas!

Seating

Purchase a chair that offers great spine support and has adjustable height, armrests, and back. If a new chair just isn’t in the budget, there are many seat pillows and cushions available that are designed to attach to an office chair and encourage you to sit properly and help support your lumbar.

Desk

Adjusting your desk height to fit your specific needs can be tricky, but necessary. If you are able to, investing in an adjustable-height standing desk is ideal because you can adjust your desk for different tasks, such as typing, writing, and reading documents. If you are unable to make that purchase, consider installing a keyboard tray to lower your keyboard or raising your chair to ensure your wrists are above your keyboard. If you are experiencing neck pain, that may be a result of your monitor height. Purchase a laptop or monitor stand or use normal household items like books or a box.

Lighting

Poor lighting can cause a lot of strain on your eyes and may decrease energy levels. If you are unable to work in an area with natural light, find a LED desk lamp that can be adjusted as needed. These come in all shapes and sizes and LEDs bulbs have a long lifespan and are energy-efficient.

Today we continue to shine a light on some of the best players to ever wear a Chicago White Sox uniform from across eras and decades. While the owners and players battle over what to make of the 2020 MLB season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, let’s take a look at the past of the White Sox history.

Nellie Fox: Widely considered one of the best second basemen of all time, Fox came to the White Sox in a trade from the Philadelphia Athletics in 1949.  In Chicago, Fox really made his presence known. Spending 14 seasons with the South Side team, Fox made 12 American League All-Star teams and 15 All-Star game selections. Throughout the 1950s, Fox and the White Sox played well, routinely earning second and third-place finishes. In 1959, Fox had his best season as the team won its first AL Pennant in 40 years, and the second baseman won the AL Most Valuable Player award. That year Fox batted .306 and had an on-base percentage of .380, all the while leading the AL in single. The team made it to the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although they lost the series, Fox batted .375. In over 10,000 appearances at the plate, Nellie Fox was only struck out 216 times. The beloved White Sox player passed away in 1975 and entered the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Carlton Fisk:  Talk about longevity, catcher Carlton Fisk played in the MLB from 1969 to 1993. After starting his career with the Boston Red Sox, Fisk changed his sox, so to speak, and signed with the White Sox in 1981. His .289 batting average, 26 home runs, and 86 RBI helped the White Sox win the American League Western Division title in 1983. The next year, Fisk accomplished the unique feat of hitting the cycle against the Kansas City Royals, in which a player hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. In 1985, Fisk, or “Pudge,” or the “The Commander,” as he was known, had his most celebrated season, hitting 37 home runs and driving in 107 runs. Fisk played amazing baseball for a very long time. During his career, Fisk was the oldest catcher in history to hit 20 home runs in a season, holds the record for most years played as a catcher at 24, and holds the record for the longest game played by a catcher in a 25-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984. 

Luke Appling: The shortstop spent his entire baseball career with the White Sox, playing from 1930 to 1950. While his first five seasons with the team were mostly forgettable, Appling came alive during the 1936 season batting an impressive .388, the best ever single-season showing for a shortstop in the modern era.  In addition to that feat, Appling also drove in 128 runs. For the 20 seasons that he played, Appling had more career extra-base hits at 587 than strikeouts at 528. The White Sox shortstop ended his career in 1950 with a .310 batting average, 2,749 hits, and seven All-Star game selections. In 1964 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and in 1969 was voted by Chicago fans as the greatest Sox player of all time.  

Notable mentions: Minny Minoso, Mark Buehrle, Jim Thome, and Robin Ventura.

That does it for some of the best Chicago White Sox players ever. Hopefully, baseball can come back again soon. In the meantime, check back next week for another spotlight on things that make Chicago so unique as we navigate a new normal with the city reopening

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. Lucky for you, refreshing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Try your hand at the makeover ideas below!

Restore your decking. Depending on the shape it’s in, sometimes all your deck needs is a little love. If it’s still fairly new, your deck might just need a deep cleaning and a new coat of sealant. There is a multitude of deck finishing and cleaning solutions on the market to choose from to achieve this. However, if it’s more worn down, the rejuvenation process may be a bit longer, including searching for larger repairs, tightening any hardware, giving it a good cleaning, applying a stain, sealant, and paint, and more.

Add lighting. Ambient lighting can completely transform your outside space into a relaxing, cozy oasis. Consider adding solar lights that don’t require a plugin or battery replacement. The lights turn on automatically when the sun sets, making your deck come alive. You can also consider paper lanterns, rope lights, mason jar lamps, or small twinkle lights, depending on the style and mood you’d like to set.

Build a privacy screen. Privacy screens come in all styles, shapes, and sizes. Consider purchasing and installing bamboo fencing or lattice panels for a quick and easy solution. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can build a wooden frame and grow climbing plants or vines or stretch outdoor fabric in between. Whichever route you end up choosing, make sure you get the most out of your efforts by evaluating all lines sight before building.