BRRR – to freeze or not to freeze!  In case you’re one of the adventuresome types that doesn’t let unbearable arctic temperatures stop you from going out, here’s a run down of some happenings this weekend for your wild self to enjoy!

Calling all whiskey lovers to King’s (1500 N. Clybourn Ave.) on the Near North Side for the 2026 Chicago Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival this Saturday (2:30 p.m.-6 p.m.).  With a max attendance of 299, this event is almost sold out, so get your ticket quickly to sip, savor, and explore 20+ whiskies from craft, small-batch, and world-class distillers.  In addition, whiskey ambassadors will be on-site to guide you; food and drink specials are available for purchase; there will be giveaways for future tastings with thousands of prizes; and music will be provided by a live DJ to keep your tasting vibes flowing.  Chicago’s winter warm-up returns!

Based on a Sherlock Holmes story, Watson Adventures is hosting The Deadly Nudes Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt at the Art Institute of Chicago (111 N. Michigan Ave.) in The Loop this Saturday (2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.).  Once again, a murder has occurred and it’s your team’s job to solve this mind-boggling mystery by following clues, answering tricky questions about specific artworks in the museum, and decipher codes to piece together and uncover the killer.  So, how good are your sleuthing skills?

The 21^st annual “Cash for Kids” is Chicago’s only Johnny Cash Festival taking place this Saturday (5 p.m.-12 a.m.) at the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave.) in the Mayfair neighborhood.  This year’s event features three stages with nine incredible bands performing sets of Johnny Cash favorites as well as Cash’s wide-ranging influence in bluegrass, country, rock, and folk music.  Not only will you be enjoying the evening but proceeds from this event will benefit the nonprofit Pat Mac’s Pack for pediatric brain tumor research!

Disney On Ice is returning to Chicago with its production of Disney On Ice: Jump In! this Saturday through February 8 at the Allstate Arena (6920 Mannheim Rd.) in Rosemont before moving on to the United Center.  This all-new show features never-before-seen Disney characters who come to life on the ice with world-class skaters, dazzling visuals, and a mix of high-energy moments with nostalgic storytelling.  Not only will your kids have an enjoyable, unforgettable time, but your inner kid will too!

Finally, This Weekend in Sports includes the following:

The Chicago Bulls are hosting the Boston Celtics this Saturday (7:00 p.m.) at the United Center (1901 W. Madison St.) in the West Loop, while the Chicago Blackhawks are hosting the Florida Panthers this Sunday (6:00 p.m.) also at the United Center.

As for our Chicago Bears, well, they fell short last week against the LA Rams but gave us an awesome season none of us will soon forget!  So, who will be the teams at Super Bowl LX?  Find out this Sunday as the NFL Championships take place at 2:00PM CT on CBS for the AFC Championship Game as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots, and at 5:30PM CT on FOX for the NFC Championship Game as the Seattle Seahawks host the LA Rams.  Hope the team you’re cheering for wins.  I’ll let you know next weekend if the team I’ve chosen will be in the Super Bowl!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

From January 23 to February 8, in the true ‘dead zone’ of winter…Chicago’s diverse restauranteurs and award- winning chefs are inviting everyone to taste the world — all within one city — during the 19^th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week.

As Choose Chicago notes, more than 500 restaurants from Rogers Park to South Shore are participating in the 2026 fest, from Michelin -starred and James Beard Award-winning restaurants to local family-owned storefronts. And if you live in the city or travel in from the suburbs, diners can enjoy special prix fixe menus for brunch and lunch ($30), and dinner ($45 and/or $60) at a record-breaking 550+ restaurants across the city. 

Take, for example,Wolf & Company, 1752 N. Western Avenue. This new restaurant along the 606 trail in Bucktown is offering options like Beef Tartare, Steak Frites, Poached Salmon, the ‘Dirty Martini Salad’, and Italian Penicillin Soup for  $60 per person.  Does the soup cure all that ails you? I’d bet on it…especially the chill of winter. To make reservations, click here.

River North’s Matilda, 535 N. Wells Street,  celebrates the vibrant flavors of Mexican-Peruvian fusion cuisine in a lively, modern setting. Co‑founded by Michelin‑recognized Chef José Luis Chávez, their Mexica-Peruvian fusion $30 Lunch and $60 Dinner includes Slow-braised Beef Cheeks, Pork Shoulder in Banana Leaf, Sweet Plantain Tacos, and more. To reserve, click here.

For Chicago Bears fans everywhere, you can extend the glow of the 2025-26 season at The Staley in the South Loop, 1736 S. Michigan Avenue. Founded by former Bear Israel Idonije,  The Staley blends the citys deep-rooted love of sports with a hearty, upscale menu. During Restaurant Week, their $45 dinner menu includes choices like the Staley Birra Nachos, Smoked BBQ Mac n’ Cheese, and for dessert, a Skillet Cookie or Doughnut Bites. To reserve, click here. 

In Logan Square, Lula Café, 2537 N. Kedzie Boulevard,  three-time James Beard nominee Chef Jason Hammel is offering a $60 per person dinner featuring cozy winter dishes like Squash Soup with Black Truffle, Pappardelle with Mushroom-Walnut Bolognese, Cider-braised Pork Shoulder with Miso Butter, and Toasted Rice Pudding withlocal cherries, sabayon and sherry. For reservations, click here.

In Albany Park, Maman Zari, 4639 N. Kedzie Avenue,  one of Chicago’s Best New Restaurants in 2024, as Choose Chicago notes, is offering a $60 dinner that includes decadent mains like Lamb Ragù Makaroni or Buttery Sturgeon. The sweet finale features velvety tiramisu or ice cream, both infused with pistachio and saffron. For reservations, click here.

At Irving Park’s Mima’s Taste of Cuba, 2925 W. Irving Park Road, owners Jamie and Billy Alvarez  offer a taste of the Caribbean with its festive décor. During Restaurant Week, it’s also unique in including beverages in its $30 lunch and $45 dinner offerings during Restaurant Week. Lunches include your choice of a Chicken, Beef or Vegetable Empanada, a Cubano  Sandwich or a Chicken, Shrimp, Beef or Vegetable Jibarito, a seasonal dessert, and your choice of a cocktail or beer. To find a table, click here.

In Andersonville, Minyoli, 5420 N. Clark Street, the Taiwanese restaurant offers a  $30 Brunch, $30 Lunch, or $45 Dinner with a five‑course tasting menu featuring a veggie starter, fried snack, rice dish, noodle bowl, and sweet finale, with choices such as Sour Plum Powder Sweet Potato Fries and Taiwanese Fried Chicken. For reservations, click here.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, click here! And Happy Restaurant Week to all who will celebrate in 2026!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

When it comes to real estate, size matters—but layout matters more. Two properties with the same square footage can have vastly different market values depending on how well the space is planned. Smart space planning doesn’t just make a property look better; it improves functionality, enhances lifestyle appeal, and directly impacts resale value.

In today’s competitive real estate market, buyers are no longer impressed by numbers alone. They are buying how a space feels, flows, and functions. That’s where professional space planning becomes a powerful value driver.

What Is Space Planning in Real Estate?

Space planning is the strategic organization of interior areas to maximize usability, comfort, and efficiency. It goes beyond furniture placement or interior design—it considers:

• Traffic flow and circulation
• Functional zoning (living, working, resting)
• Natural light and ventilation
• Storage optimization
• Flexibility for future needs

A well-planned space supports everyday living while subtly guiding how occupants move and interact within the home. Poor space planning, on the other hand, leads to wasted square footage, awkward layouts, and buyer hesitation.

Why Layout Impacts Property Value More Than Size

Buyers don’t mentally calculate square footage when walking through a home—they react emotionally. A smart layout can make a smaller home feel spacious, while a poor layout can make a large property feel cramped.

Well-executed space planning increases property value by:

• Making homes feel larger and more open
• Improving functionality without increasing build costs
• Enhancing buyer perception and emotional connection
• Reducing renovation objections during resale
• Increasing marketability and time-on-market performance

In short, layout efficiency often delivers a higher return on investment than simply adding more square footage.

Key Space Planning Strategies That Add Value

1. Creating Clear Functional Zones

Buyers want spaces that make sense. Clearly defined zones—living, dining, working, and resting—help people immediately understand how they will use the home.

Open-plan layouts work best when they are intentionally zoned, using furniture placement, lighting, or subtle level changes to define areas without walls. This balance between openness and function is highly attractive to modern buyers.

2. Optimizing Flow and Circulation

Good space planning prioritizes movement. Homes with logical circulation feel intuitive and comfortable.

Professional layouts:

• Minimize unnecessary corridors
• Avoid awkward door placements
• Create smooth transitions between rooms

When movement feels natural, buyers subconsciously perceive the home as better designed—and more valuable.

3. Maximizing Natural Light and Views

Light is a major selling point, and smart space planning takes full advantage of it.

High-value layouts:

• Place living areas near windows
• Avoid blocking light with walls or bulky structures
• Align spaces to capture views and daylight

Brighter homes feel healthier, more spacious, and more premium—often commanding higher prices.

4. Designing for Modern Lifestyles

Today’s buyers expect homes to support multiple functions. Space planning must reflect how people actually live.

High-impact features include:

• Home office nooks or flexible workspaces
• Multi-functional rooms (guest room + office)
• Open kitchens connected to social areas
• Storage integrated throughout the home

Flexibility increases appeal to a wider buyer pool, which directly supports higher valuations.

5. Eliminating Wasted Space

Unused corners, oversized hallways, and poorly proportioned rooms silently drain property value.

Professional space planning:

• Converts dead space into storage or functional areas
• Balances room proportions
• Ensures every square foot serves a purpose

Efficient layouts make buyers feel they are getting more for their money—even without increasing size.

Space Planning and Buyer Psychology

Smart layouts influence how buyers emotionally respond to a property. A well-planned home feels:

• Comfortable
• Logical
• Easy to live in
• Ready to move into

This emotional comfort reduces buyer resistance and increases willingness to pay a premium. Properties with strong layouts often receive better offers, sell faster, and face fewer negotiation objections.

Space Planning for Renovations and New Developments

For developers and investors, space planning is one of the most cost-effective value-enhancing tools available.

• In renovations, reconfiguring layouts often delivers better ROI than cosmetic upgrades alone.
• In new developments, thoughtful planning differentiates projects in crowded markets.

Early investment in professional space planning reduces future design changes, improves buyer satisfaction, and strengthens brand reputation.

The Bottom Line: Smart Layouts Are Smart Investments

Space planning is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. In a market where buyers are informed and selective, properties must do more than look good; they must work well.

A professionally planned layout:

• Enhances lifestyle appeal
• Maximizes usable space
• Increases perceived and actual value
• Drives stronger resale performance

Whether you’re a homeowner, investor, or developer, investing in smart space planning is one of the most strategic ways to increase property value—without increasing square footage.

Think of the sport of Curling as playing shuffleboard on ice, possibly with brooms. Or hockey with a much bigger puck. And how much fun it might be to play it in Chicago!

Originating in Scotland in the 16th century, and known as “The Roaring Game,” according to Wikipedia sources, due to the sound of the stones on the ice, Curling is a competitive and popular sport to play throughout the world.

As the world gears up for the Winter Olympics, starting on Friday, February 6 in Milano Cortina, Italy, several Chicago area spaces offer an experience for Curling’s  competitive thrills and warm, cozy companionship. 

Take, for example, the West Loop’s Kaiser Tiger, 1415 W. Randolph Street.  The sausage, bacon, and beer bar offers curling in its backyard beer garden, by reservation only, through mid-March. You can make reservations on their website, with new slots open every Sunday and Thursday, by clicking here.

But …what if I don’t know the rules?

No problem! Kaiser Tiger provides a Curling Master on the ice with you at all times, showing you the rules, techniques, and pushing back the stones.  Also, as NBC5 Chicago noted, instead of standing on the ice, guests remain on non-slip mats at the end of the rink to keep warm and to avoid injury in case players are tipsy. Players are also not given brooms and instead push the stones across the ice from one end of the rink to the other.

How Much Will It Cost?

At Kaiser Tiger, curling is $80 per lane, per 40 minutes.  A maximum of four (4) guests can curl at one time, per lane. 

Note:  All reservations are final, and they cannot refund or change your date or times once you have booked. And don’t be late! There is no ‘grace period’ for latecomers.  To make 

Also: Curling reservations are not table reservations. If you want to eat before or after your match, make a table reservation separately by clicking here. 

In River North at the Gwen Hotel, Upstairs at the Gwen, their rooftop bar, transforms into Gwen’s Winter Curl & Chill, 521 North Rush Street. For $25 per person, you and your friends and family have access to the curling court and firepit table for one hour, and your admission includes a featured seasonal treat!

For an ala carte charge or an add-on to your experience, the Gwen offers a variety of seasonal bites (like sweet and savory fondues) and winter-themed beverages like spiced mulled wine, boozy hot chocolate and handcrafted cocktails.

Notes: Upstairs at the Gwen advises curlers to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Though their rink is artificial, the surface still may be slippery.Additionally,  they gently suggest that you arrive on time to maximize the most of your one hour experience. To make reservations, click here.

At Navy Pier, Harry Caray’s Tavern, 700 E. Grand Avenue, offers Curling By The Lake through March. 

Like Gwen’s Winter Curl & Chill, Harry’s rink is crafted from synthetic ice, located on their lakeside patio. They say the Polyglide surface provides “the authentic feel and performance of real ice.”

What if I don’t know how to curl?

As they say on their website,if you’re new to curling? No worries! They provide simple, step-by-step instructions, making it easy and fun for everyone. 

How to Reserve Time at Curling by the Lake 

They have several packages available for Curling at Harry Caray’s Navy Pier. You can reserve the Curling Rink + Igloo for 90 minutes for up to eight persons for $100.  Another package offered is the Lakefront Lodge + Curling + Igloo for 2 hours, 30 minutes, priced at $225. The cabin-themed Lodge features a cozy  fireplace and leather seating. Harry Caray’s full menu is available at the lodge or igloo for an additional charge. To reserve, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Most of us learned how to clean from our parents or some other person we looked up to. As we got older, we might have picked up some new tricks, but ultimately feel like there isn’t much else to know about cleaning. But there’s always room for improvement, trust me!

Here are some common mistakes to avoid, facts to remember, and tips to make our jobs a little easier:

Cleaning products have an expiration date. I must admit it’s something I never thought of in the past. An expired cleaning product can lose its disinfecting properties, leaving behind the bacteria and germs it was supposed to eliminate. Check all your products for their expiration dates. 

Your kitchen sponge is a hotel for germs. They can hold more than 10 million bacteria per square inch—that’s more than your toilet seat! And they will spread these bacteria everywhere you use them. Replace them monthly, and disinfect every few days by dousing them in boiling water and microwaving them for one minute. 

(Pro tip: make sure the sponge is saturated and has no metal components before microwaving!)

Cleaning chronology matters! Disorganized cleaning wastes time and creates more work. First, clear the clutter before you get down to cleaning. Then, start with the small, hard-to-reach and hidden spaces like behind furniture or under and around appliances. They invite the dust and dirt you’ve cleaned off the larger spaces. 

Also, you should always dust before vacuuming. Vacuums are great for cleaning, but can give hard to reach dust a free ticket to settle everywhere. Dust first, then vacuum, and it will keep your room dust free longer. 

Being organized like this will make cleaning go more quickly. 

Cleaning windows on a sunny day is a no-no. The heat from the sun on the windows makes your cleaning solution dry too quickly, leaving spots and streaks. So, wait for a cloudy day to clean those windows for the best result. 

Don’t mix cleaning products, ever. It can be very dangerous and downright deadly. The most dangerous thing is mixing bleach and ammonia which produces deadly gas. Regular soap like dish soap is usually safe, but it’s still best to avoid mixing. Always follow label directions when using any cleaning product. 

Change your air and furnace filters regularly. This will keep your air fresher and reduce dust. Overlooking these filters will cause a buildup of contaminants and circulate pollutants around the home, encouraging allergies and reducing air quality. Replace your filter every 60 days, more often in winter when the house is closed up. 

Do you have any cleaning tips for better organized cleaning?

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago