The Loop: Next weekend a top-ranked art and design show is making its way to Chicago. Experience some unique art you’ll never find anywhere else with the Millennium Art Festival. The festival will include paintings, ceramics, photography, and furniture. Over 110 artists will be featured and in addition to art pieces, there will be live performances, food, and even interactive art experiences. The festival will take place from Friday, July 16 to Sunday, July 18. It will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday and end at 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information click here.

Lincoln Park: Dive into some of the lesser-known history about Chicago with the Lincoln Park Gangster Tour. While Lincoln Park is one of the most favored neighborhoods in Chicago, it wasn’t always. Learn about the infamous gangsters that used to walk these streets and see some of their favorite sites. Locations such as Dilinger Alley and the St. Valentine’s Day massacre site will be featured on this tour! You’ll see the history of Lincoln Park that not everyone knows about. The tour will take about 2 hours and you’ll walk a total of 1.5 miles. It will begin at Julia Porter Park, and you can make reservations online. For more information click here. 

Ravenswood: For the true history buffs, there are even more stories to be heard at the Rosehill Cemetery Tour with Adam Selzer. This cemetery is home to many heroes, villains, and eccentrics, but some of the best stories can be found in the unmarked graves. The cemetery also features some of the best artwork in the city, and you’ll get to experience it all with author and historian Adam Selzer. He has written several books on Chicago history and will tell you all the secrets that lie in the cemetery. It will be a truly haunting and riveting experience – one you can’t miss! The tour will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 17. For more information click here.

Wicker Park: The 2021 Illinois Brewery Running Series comes to Chicago with a 5k course featuring local beer! Located at The Perch on West Division Street, each participant will receive a free craft brew from The Perch, a collector’s pint glass, access to games and giveaways, and a chance to win prizes. This event will also be donating a portion of the proceeds to charity. The route will start and end at the brewery and runners of all levels are welcome. Whether you want to walk, jog, or run, everyone is encouraged to move at their own pace and get in a little exercise! The roads will not be closed so you will have to adhere to the traffic laws. The event will take place on Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information click here.

ALLIE BERTRAND AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

I don’t call these “dieting” dos and don’ts because we need to take the word “diet” out of our language. Wanting to eat healthily, whether it is for weight loss or not, must be because you want a life change for a better life.

Dieting is a short-term goal. Any diet will cause you to lose weight if you follow it correctly, but keeping it off is the hard part. There are some old axioms about dieting we hold onto and here are a few better ones to follow.

First, don’t set unrealistic goals. Proper weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. It took a while for the weight to come on and it will take some time to healthfully lose it.

You want to keep your metabolism working at optimum efficiency. Crash diets slow metabolism as your body tries to hang onto calories. Drink plenty of water as dehydration will also slow your metabolism. Skipping meals, especially breakfast, is a big no-no. It slows down your metabolism as the body again will hold onto calories for energy. Small meals high in protein placed 2-3 hours apart are what will keep your metabolism in gear. 

It’s important to pay attention to everything that goes into your mouth. Grabbing a few pieces of candy from a co-worker’s desk or a few handfuls of chips at home can add up to hundreds of calories by the end of the day. If you stick to low and no-fat products, you should know many of these substitute sugar for fat. Full-fat dairy in moderation is much better for you. This is because calcium is necessary for your body to burn fat and taking supplements is not as effective. 

Another important tip is to not drink your calories. That Frappuccino in the morning or that Margarita at night are loaded with calories. Stick to sparkling water and iced tea and stay out of fast-food restaurants. Even the supposedly healthy options are high in calories. 

Try to eat as cleanly as possible and avoid highly processed foods. This means taking time to read labels and preparing your meals. Be mindful of your snacking. Carry small packs of almonds or other healthy nuts. Whole-grain crackers and cheese also make another good snack. 

Changing your eating habits for life is not easy, but it is rewarding. A healthier life and weight will be the result. It’s also important to get out and move every day!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

This Independence Day we celebrate the 245^th birthday of the United States of America! We might not have all our favorite Fourth of July events this year, but communities have made some adjustments to bring you firework displays and parades. Plus, the state is fully reopened so we’re able to spend quality time with extended family and friends this July 4^th weekend!!

A Chicago tradition for more than 80 years returns this Saturday! The Grant Park Music Festival returns to Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop featuring the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus along with a thrilling lineup of Festival favorites plus plenty of family fun with Carnival of the Animals, Classic Broadway, and the annual Independence Day Salute!

Fourth of July in Chicago is one of the best times to experience summer here as the whole city takes on a festive vibe. And with the holiday falling on Sunday this year, it’s the perfect time to spend the whole weekend enjoying everything the city has to offer! This includes the river and lake cruises, kayak and boat rentals, outdoor dining, walking/biking the lakefront, exploring Navy Pier, and many more things to do!

Since the Hyde Park parade has been cancelled again this year, family fun can still be found at the 4^th on 53^rd Street Independence Day Celebration held at Nichols Park (1355 E. 53^rd St.) this Sunday (11 a.m.-3 p.m.).  Many of the traditional lawn games will be featured along with several new activities. Not to mention that bike decoration, a parade tradition, will still be part of the day’s festivities. Magician John Measner will be performing throughout the afternoon as well!

Party At My House invites you to chill with some house and techno music live this Sunday (2 p.m.-8 p.m.) at Fullerton Beach (2201 N. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  You’ll find them to the right side of the slabs with a city view!

Need a good laugh?  Then head out to the 4^th of July Comedy Show at Zanies Comedy Night Club (1548 N. Wells St.) in the Old Town neighborhood this Sunday (6 p.m.-8 p.m.). Hilarious Air Force Veteran Jamal Guichon will be recording his first comedy special! Afterwards, head on over to Woodies (1535 N. Wells St.) for the afterparty!!

Since Navy Pier won’t be hosting its usual Saturday night fireworks show for the holiday, the only “official fireworks” within Chicago’s city limits is at Soldier Field after a Chicago Fire game!  However, if you’re willing to head out to one of Chicago’s suburbs, here are two that might interest you:

The Naperville Salute blends community, local entertainment, family fun and a fireworks extravaganza on July 4^th at Frontier Park in south Naperville.

Glenview Twilight Fireworks will be held at Gallery Park (2001 Patriot Blvd.) this Sunday (5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.) with a DJ-led dance party, followed by a 26-minute fireworks display (9:15 p.m.) synchronized to music!

Since both our MLB teams are on the road this weekend, join the Chicago Dogs as they take on the Houston Apollos at Impact Field in Rosemont this Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m.

Have a Happy & Safe Fourth of July Weekend!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

The weekend isn’t the only time for brunch, come to Savanna where breakfast, lunch, and brunch are offered seven days a week!

For those of us who are true brunch lovers, we can finally have it any day we want. Located at 4111 N Lincoln Ave, Savanna offers some of the most decadent breakfast dishes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day of the week. Savanna prides themselves on the emphasis they place on the quality of each ingredient that they use. 

As stated on their website, “We know the importance of each ingredient, and we [put in the] effort to carry to the table all the properties of good food [and] at the same time bringing to your senses all the emotions.” 

You can’t go wrong with any of the homemade pancakes featured on their menu. The Red Velvet Pancakes are moist and fluffy with vanilla cream cheese, cream anglaise, chocolate sauce, strawberry compote, and walnuts sprinkled with powdered sugar. These pancakes will change everything you thought you knew about red velvet! For the more adventurous eater, try The Tower Waffle. Made with a pepper bacon waffle, fried chicken, bacon, scallions, and spicy syrup, this pancake will satisfy all your savory cravings. They also offer a classic Buttermilk pancake with several flavor options including banana, blueberry, strawberry, cinnamon apple, and many more. 

For those who aren’t in the mood for sweet pastries, they offer a lot of lighter menu options as well. The Quinoa Breakfast is packed with flavor. Made with grilled onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, cilantro, eggs, and feta cheeses guacamole – your mouth won’t be able to stop watering. And for those who love the classics, their Avocado Toast is bold and brilliant. Their fresh capers and smoked salmon reinvent this modern delicacy. 

Their menu features every breakfast classic. From crepes and toast to omelets and eggs benedict, each one is made with delicacy and fresh ingredients! Their menu is full of so many different items that there is something for everyone to love. For those more interested in lunch, there are burgers, soups, and salads. They even offer a Black Bean Burger that is made with a veggie bean patty and is completely vegetarian. There is literally something for everyone!

While all their dishes are impressive, they take the extra step by providing delicious fresh-mixed juices as well. Using ingredients such as kale, spinach, green apple, orange juice, pineapple, and many more, these juices are as equally healthy as they are delicious. Recommended by Restaurant Guru in 2020, Savanna is a restaurant you need to try.

ALLIE BERTRAND AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO