Come join us for the grand opening of Chicago’s Halloweek 2022 at the 3^rd annual Upside Down Halloween Parade this Saturday (12 p.m.-3 p.m.) in Washington Park (5531 S. King Dr.) in the Washington Park/Woodlawn neighborhood.  This event is a “reverse” parade where kids and their families when donned in their costumes become the parade and join the procession down Russell Drive.  They will be dazzled by performance groups that include dance teams, circus acrobats, sports mascots, musicians, and other spectacles as they make their way down the route.  At the end of the route, kids will receive a complimentary goody bag (while supplies last) courtesy of Blommer Chocolate Company who will also be giving away thousands of complimentary costumes at the start of the route for those who don’t have one!  Plus, behind the closing arches you’ll find a free hot chocolate station and other treats, as well as a live DJ!!

Are you a lover of both animals and Halloween?  Then it’s time to head on over to the Spooky Zoo Spectacular this Saturday (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) at the Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  This event offers a free, safe alternative to trick-or-treating as well as a variety of family-friendly entertainment that includes Treat Stations for trick-or-treating on zoo grounds, an Arts & Crafts Zone at the Regenstein Center for African Apes, Spooky Entertainment, and a Scary Go ‘Round featuring a curated spooky playlist!  So come dressed up in costume and have yourself a day full of Halloween fun!!

It’s that time again for the 5^th annual Pumpkin Party presented by Jewel Osco at Gallagher Way (3635 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood this Saturday (1 p.m.-5 p.m.).  This family-friendly Halloween celebration features trick-or-treating at a wide variety of candy stations for those that dress up, music from the Old Town School of Folk Music, balloon animal artists, a caricature artist, stilt walkers, a strolling magic show, hay-stack bowling, lawn games, a Wintrust Bank giveaway, and more!  As for the adults, specialty beverages such as seasonal craft beer, harvest cider, and spiked hot chocolate will be available for purchase.  And, don’t forget to stop by the pumpkin patch for a free miniature pumpkin to take home with you!!

If your pup enjoys dressing up for Halloween, then it’s a must to bring them to Pup-O-Ween this Saturday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) for trick-or-treating around the Ainslie Arts Plaza (3644 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.  Various vendors will be on hand offering treats and promotions to your dog as well.  Also, be sure to register your pup for the Costume Contest beginning at 12 p.m. where they could win some awesome prizes! By the way, there will be something for the humans as well!!

Returning for its 10^th year to the historic Rosehill Cemetery (5800 N. Ravenswood Ave.) is the Crypt 5K Run/Walk this Saturday (7 p.m.).  Beware of the eternal spirits who reside there as you run or walk through this 350-acre Victorian-era cemetery that opened in 1864.  Afterwards, head on over to the Fireside Restaurant located right across from the start/finish area for your post-race celebration!  Enjoy a complimentary sponsored beverage and delicious food (additional charge) as the overall and age group winners will be announced.  Then it’s band time for some spooktastic tunes!!

Lastly, it’s the return of the Music Box of Horrors at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  This is a 24-hour movie marathon event with some niche screenings that include Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13^th, The Exorcist and Final Destination along with other world-famous art films.  In addition to the movie madness, there will be special guests, vendors, and more!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE)has provided Chicagoans and the nation with innovative cooking for more than a half-century. They’re also helping those who fight breast cancer this month with food specials that give back. 

One of those restaurants is River North’s  Hub 51, located in the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chicago. They are donating $1 of each sale of their Pulled Chicken Nachos to benefit METAvivor, an organization dedicated to fighting stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

These pink-toned nachos are made with all-natural chicken, guacamole, tomato salsa, jalapeños, cheddar, oaxaca, and sour cream. 

Hub 51 isn’t shy. They brag of having the “best nachos in Chicago to sushi, burgers, tacos and craft beers. We are River North’s go-to spot for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and late-night eats.”

We appreciate such confidence at Dean’s Team Chicago. Start with a couple of other highly recommended starters, including their Bang-Bang Crispy Cauliflower, served tempura- battered, with spicy mayo and togarashi. Or, their Spinach-Artichoke Dip, served with chips, salsa, and sour cream. Move on to their dinner-sized salads, including Our Favorite Chopped Salad. Will it become yours as well, with avocado, crispy bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese, tubetti pasta, and hub vinaigrette? If not, try the Brussels Sprouts Salad, sweetened with medjool dates, and served with almonds, manchego cheese, and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Or, try their Crushed Pistachio Caesar Salad, with a mix of arugula romaine lettuce, shaved parmesan, migas, and yogurt dressing. They also boast of their sushi selections, which include Shaki-Shaki Tuna with crispy rice, spicy mayo, and pickled ginger, or their classic California Roll, with crab, cucumber, and avocado, or their Crunchy Volcano Roll, with ahi tuna, rock crab, fresno, cucumber, avocado, tobanjan, japanese bbq, with a tempura crunch.

Hub Specialties include a Slow-Cooked Chicken French Dip, a thinly sliced chicken breast with provolone, green peppers, giardiniera, served au ju, and a First-Rate Prime Cheeseburger, fully dressed, and served with crispy hub fries. Their Mediterranean Turkey Burger pairsorganic turkey with feta cheese, arugula, cucumber, tomato, and a cool cucumber sauce.

If that weren’t enough, desserts are worth the price of gold. Diners raved over Martha Melman‘s Special Occasion Carrot Cake, a three-layer secret recipe, and cream cheese frosting. A luscious Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding combineschocolate, Panna Cotta, peanut butter cream, with peanut butter Oreo crunch, and whipped cream.

Google reviews were, overall, spectacular. 

 “This was my second visit and bang-bang cauliflower does not disappoint! You must order this delectable appetizer on your next visit!  Enjoyed the chicken tenders love how the fries are preseasoned.”

“Nice space and great food. Very allergy friendly”

Hub 51 is located, appropriately enough, at 51 W. Hubbard Street. Their hours are Monday-Thursday, 11am–9pm, and Friday for brunch from 11am–11pm. Saturday, they open at 10:30am – 11pm, and Sunday, from 10:30am–9pm. For reservations, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Whether you’ve got dogs, cats, hamsters, or bunnies running around at home, they’re part of the family. We love our pets, but that doesn’t mean potential buyers necessarily want to see them – or any evidence of them – when they’re scoping out your home for sale. While they’re cute and cuddly, they also smell, leave dander behind, and leave unsightly excrement and stains behind that can turn buyers off.

When it’s time to put your home on the market, you’ll need to make some changes before you can list it.

Make Any Necessary Repairs

A home with a pet is vulnerable to damage, no matter how minor. From scratches on the hardwood, to chewed-up chair legs, too scuffed up trim on the walls, pets can wreak havoc on a home. Pets might be valued members of the family, but they’re still animals, and as such, they’re likely to use just about anything in their home as a chew toy.

Before you list your home on the market and have photos taken, make sure you patch up any areas in question. Damage in the home from pets is never attractive in the eyes of buyers, so make sure you leave no stone unturned when it comes to making the necessary repairs. No matter how minor or major the repairs are and how much they cost to do, the value that you will put back into the home will be worth it when it comes to selling quickly and for more money.

Get Rid of Pet Stains and Odors

Pets have this uncanny ability to leave the scent behind, no matter how vague or potent. Even if they’ve just had a bath and are clean, they still smell. And don’t forget about litter boxes or food bowls, which carry their own unpleasant odors too. While you may have gotten used to these smells and have become “nose blind” to them, these scents still linger in the home and should be eliminated before the first buyer steps foot in it.

Don’t forget about any stains that your pet may have left behind as well, especially on your carpets. Have your floors and upholstery professionally cleaned, and make sure every stain is eliminated in problem areas. Worst case scenario: replace the carpeting altogether.

Eliminate Any Signs of the Presence of Pets

You may have gotten rid of unpleasant scents from your pets, but you also want to remove any signs that animals live in your home. Not every homebuyer is necessarily a pet lover, so you want to make sure that you appeal to as may prospective buyers as possible when you have your home on the market. That means you’ll need to get rid of litter boxes, beds, food bowls, toys, and any other remnant that points to the presence of a pet. The more clutter you can remove, the better.

Clean Up the Yard

Don’t just focus on the interior of your home when staging it to sell. Your pets likely spends a lot of time outdoors, and probably have made a mark on your yard. Buyers will probably have a quick walk around the exterior of the home to see what the outdoor lot is like, and they definitely don’t want to stumble upon any holes dug up or any excrement that you forgot to pick up. Clear the yard and patch up any areas that need repair. Once your yard is up to par, be sure to take your pet somewhere else to play and do his ‘business’.

Understand Your Liabilities

Your pet may seem to be the friendliest, gentlest animal on the planet, but you just never know if they’ll bite or scratch someone they don’t take too kindly to. If your pet ever bites someone while they are on your property, you can be held legally liable.

At the very least, check your insurance policy to see if it includes dog bite coverage. Check for any exclusions in the coverage section of your policy to see if it makes mention of dogs or any type of animal in general. Certain policies exclude specific types of dog breeds, such as Rottweilers or Pit Bulls.

Remove Pets During Showings

Your best bet is to make sure that your pets are nowhere near the property when there is a showing or an open house to avoid any complications. Having them off your property will also ensure that your home will remain in decent shape for the duration of the listing. If possible, consider having your pet stay with a family member or friend while your home is on the market.

At the very least, keep your pet in a designated and contained space and inform buyers and their agents about the presence of pets ahead of time. Your pet might not exactly like this idea, but it may be necessary when selling your home is top priority.

The Bottom Line

Pet owners love their furry friends, but pets can be a negative distraction to buyers. When you’ve got your home on the market, you don’t want your pet to be the first thing that buyers notice. Instead, be sure to eliminate all signs of animals in the house in order to make it more attractive to prospective buyers.

While not officially one of the 77 Chicago communities, Ravenswood has long been an integral part of the North Side of Chicago. Sandwiched between Lincoln Square, Uptown and North Center, according to the Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, Ravenswood was founded in 1868 as an exclusive commuter suburb by a group of real-estate speculators, and was named for a flock of ravens they saw in the woods surrounding the territory. 

These speculators, they said, formed the Ravenswood Land Company and purchased 194 acres of farmland and woods eight miles north of Chicago. Business owners settled on tree-lined streets, east of Ravenswood Avenue and the Chicago & Northwestern/Union Pacific North Line railroad tracks in the Uptown community area. And the Ravenswood community was born. After the extension of the “L” in the early 20^th century, Ravenswood continued to grow as new residents built small houses, two-flats, and apartment buildings.

From Industrial to Artisanal in 100 years

For over a century, the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor has been home to one of Chicago’s most vibrant and diverse creative communities. Everyone from metalworkers and brewers to painters and carpenters have laid down roots in Ravenswood. Historic manufacturing centers that once housed giants of industry have been reimagined, each now home to countless talented artisans.

The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce offers services and annual events, including festivals and themed shopping events to help businesses thrive. Special Service Area #31, a local tax district provides funding for expanded services to businesses. And, the GRCC partners with the Ravenswood Community Council,dedicated to promoting community greening, the Ravenswood Farmers Market, and public art.

Malt Row: the ‘King’ of Breweries 

Ravenswood is home to ‘Malt Row,’ housing the neighborhood’s breweries, taprooms, and restaurants. The Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce published a guide to the local breweries, including Begyle Brewing, the original tap room, and KOVAL Distillery. For those who prefer wine, Vin312 Winery is nestled at the center of Malt Row.

Ravenswood Sculpture Garden 

While the weather is still warm enough to walk, take a trip along Ravenswood Avenue, between Irving Park Road and Lawrence Ave.  to the Ravenswood Sculpture Garden, a peaceful setting in a big city, seeing such showstopping pieces as ‘Blind Love, ‘ Flight of the Honey Bee, ‘ and ‘Frog and Toad, ‘ among many others. 

Lillstreet Art Center

The center of creativity for Ravenswood since 1975, the  Lillstreet Art Center, built from a former horse stable, offers a space to create, connect, and find community. They support the arts through a multifaceted arts education program, year-long artist residencies, art exhibition space, retail sales opportunities for artists, studio rentals, and arts-based professional development. For specific classes and more information about the Center, click here. 

Ravenswood Costume Crawl

On Wednesday October 26, businesses along Montrose and Ravenswood Avenues host the Ravenswood Costume Crawl from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Wear your most creative, scary costume for an evening of treats and drinks. Enjoy a fantastic selection of local desserts, candy, and beer and cocktail samples. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 that day. To purchase tickets, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Dryer maintenance is not only important for extending the life of your appliance and saving energy through optimum performance. It can prevent a fire! Lint buildup in dryers and vents are one of the leading causes of fires in the home. Here are some maintenance tips to do every other month at minimum.

Of course, after every load clean the lint screen. If this screen is clogged it makes the dryer work harder by restricting air flow through the dryer. The dryer runs hotter which at best will only shrink your clothes, and at worst it can cause a fire. Neglecting to clean the screen can also force lint to build up in areas hard to reach and can become even more flammable.

Clean the area around the lint screen also. Cleaning off the screen every load is good, but lint can dislodge from the screen and end up further in the lint trap chute. When the dryer is cool use a vacuum attachment that’s narrow enough to reach as far as you can. A long slim bottle brush can work too. 

Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of lint, moisture and debris. The dryer should be installed with a minimum of space in the back and sides. These specifications can be found on the dryer door, or you may need to look up your appliance online. Dryers need air space, especially behind, to perform safely and efficiently. Also be on the lookout for those pesky dryer sheets which can float around. I swept behind my dryer today and found five, along with several lint bunnies!

Check outside where the air vent ends. Make sure there are no obstructions like branches or plants that can block airflow. Look inside and clean out any visible lint or other debris. Wipe out the inside as far as you can with a rag and brush. 

Check the duct itself, especially where it is attached to the dryer. Unplug the dryer first and remove the duct. Clean out any lint with a duct cleaning brush. You can purchase a duct cleaning kit at any home improvement store or Amazon for less than $30. It is a small investment to extend the life of your dryer and prevent fires!

Clean inside the dryer periodically. Bits of dirt can melt onto the drum and clog the holes preventing good air flow. They can also gum up future loads. Unplug the dryer and wipe down the drum with soapy water, or use isopropyl alcohol. 

Make sure the dryer is balanced. Uneven dryers can rock and cause uneven amounts of pressure, which can cause uneven wear that will eventually damage the rotor. Dryers have leveling feet on the four corners that can be adjusted if your flooring is uneven. Use a leveling tool, you can even download one for your phone. 

Lastly, don’t overload the dryer trying to save money on loads. It makes the dryer work harder and less efficiently and can cause the airflow fan to wear out more quickly. The rotor will also wear out faster as it works harder to move the heavier load. Doing several smaller loads is much better in the long run. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago