This February weekend opens with celebrating the colorful carnival season, continues with other exciting events and closes out with Super Bowl LX to get us through, what hopefully will be our last cold snap of a very dreary, frozen, long winter.  But I wouldn’t hold my breath!

Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom (600 E. Grand Ave.) is the place to be this Saturday (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) as it hosts the high-spirited event known as Global Connections: International Carnivale.  Enjoy the spirit of Carnivale cultures from New Orleans, Brazil, Jamaica, and beyond as this celebration brings out the sights, sounds, and spirit of the Carnival season.  Discover the many traditions with free artmaking, live music, dancing, sampling of traditional carnival dishes, performers dressed in elaborate bejeweled, feathered costumes, and more.  This event definitely will add some color to our blah winter thus far!

Navy Pier’s Family Pavilion will also be hosting the Black Makers Market every Saturday in February beginning this Saturday (12 p.m.-6 p.m.).  This vibrant marketplace celebrates local Black-owned brands, artisans, and creatives from all over the city who will be selling their handcrafted items that include accessories, fashion, books, candles, food items, jewelry, and more.  In addition, presentations, product demos, and giveaways are all part of this annual event as well!

Treat yourself to a day of loving yourself from the inside out at the first-ever “Love You Lab” Wellness Expo this Saturday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) at The Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.) in the Wicker Park neighborhood.  Nourish your mind, body, and heart with 20+ wellness vendors from skincare to fitness to nutrition to mental health to holistic healing and more.  Plus, you’ll be able to connect with local practitioners, discover new products, take part in free mini-treatments and consultations, receive a complimentary event tote bag, and much more.  Give yourself the Gift of Love!

Join the Andersonville neighborhood as they celebrate Fika Fest with the Coffee & Cocoa Crawl this Saturday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) to explore the neighborhood’s specialty offerings that include coffee, hot cocoa, bakery items, and more.  Check in begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Swedish American Center (5211 N. Clark St.) to receive your route card and a commemorative special event mug for sampling.  You’re also encouraged to drop off puzzles for The Great Andersonville Puzzle Exchange this Sunday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) also held at the Swedish American Center.  Again, this year, during the Puzzle Exchange, The Great Andersonville Puzzle Throw-Down takes place from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at RAYGUN (5207 N. Clark St.) where contestants will compete to see who will finish the secret puzzle the fastest!

End your Sunday evening with Super Bowl LX where the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks (16-3) take on the AFC Champion New England Patriots (17-3) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara (home of the San Francisco 49ers) with a 5:30 p.m. kickoff on NBC (Channel 5).  Before then, you can catch the 5^th Annual Puppy Bowl (12 p.m.-4 p.m.).  For those who wish to attend one of Chicago’s many watch parties, here are a few of them: Cody’s Public House (Lakeview) hosting both the Puppy Bowl and the Big Game; Hopsmith Tavern (Gold Coast); Ina Mae Tavern (Wicker Park); Bub City (River North); Bar Sol (Navy Pier) hosting the Bad Bunny-themed watch party.  Good Luck to Your Team of Choice!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

After 17 fun-filled, adventurous days, another successful Chicago Restaurant Week will be the books. However, through Sunday, February 8,  you can still take advantage of special prices at Chicago’s best and most prestigious restaurants!

With warmer temperatures predicted for later this week, traveling through the city  is possible to explore Chicago ‘s diverse communities. 

Take, for example, Hyde Park’s Mahari, 1504 E. 55th Street, the Afro-Fusion restaurant offers a $30 lunch, and $45 and $60 dinners including Suya Mushroom Flatbread with Creole sauce and whipped feta, Pineapple-Brined Wings, a Caribbean-inspired Lamb Burger, and and so much more! For reservations, click here.

Below an urban farmin the West Loop, Maxwells Trading, 1516 W. Carroll Avenue, in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor, takes root in Chef Partner Erling Wu-Bower and Executive Chef Chris Jungs cross-cultural identities while taking advantage of the rooftops bounty to create a menu with Asian influence.  They’re offering a $60 dinner that includes Whipped Ricotta with local honey and griddle bread and the vibrant Japanese Sweet Potato with red curry. Entrees include a Half Chicken a la Brasa with split pea, apple, escarole, and ginger-scallion salsa verde. For reservations, click here.

In Lincoln Park, Ox Bar & Hearth, 1578 N. Clybourn Avenue, focuses on seasonal Midwestern food using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and featuring a cozy, wood-burning hearth in the midst of its restaurant. As Choose Chicago notes, for its first Chicago Restaurant Week, Chef John Asbaty and restaurateur Alain Uy are serving a $60 dinner that includes such offerings as Lamb Meatballs, Crispy Smoked Pork Belly, Potato Pierogi, and for dessert, Brown Butter Cake. For reservations, click here.

Where else but Greektown could you find Ithaki Estiatorio, 314 S. Halsted Street? As they say, in welcoming guests, they’re honoring the ancient tradition of Xenia, the sacred Greek custom of hospitality, which dictates that you must treat your guests as if they were gods themselves. In the spirit of Xenia, they’re offering a $60 three-course dinner,  cooked on their  wood-burning grill in the open kitchen, which turns out classic dishes like Souvlaki, Roast Chicken, and Sea Bass.  For reservations, click here.

At Lincoln Park’s Nadu, 2518 N. Lincoln Avenue, from Chef Sujan Sarkar (the chef behind Michelin-starred Indienne, this new restaurant focuses on contemporary, regional Indian cuisine. ‘NADU,’ meaning ‘homeland’ reflects their commitment to showcasing the rich cultural and gastronomic landscapes of India. They’ve already caught Michelin’s attention, earning a Bib Gourmand designation. Their $45 dinner menu includes such choices as Jackfruit Shami Kabob (Lucknow) with lentils and mint- cilantro chutney, Padpad, (lentil and rice crisps) and Rasam, a tangy tamarind soup. For reservations, click here.

Konbini & Kanpai Wrigleyville, 3443 N. Sheffield Avenue,  was Inspired by Japanese convenience store culture. For $30 at lunch and $45 at dinner, Konbini & Kanpai offers an array of sakes and packaged good alongside a menu of Japanese cuisine. Try Kimchi Pancakes, Japanese Fried Chicken, Katsu Curry, Tofu Bibimbap, and Miso Cucumber Cold Noodles. For reservations, click here.

Happy eating, all! 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

It may sound dramatic, but it’s true: most buyers form an emotional opinion about a home within the first 30 seconds of walking through the door. Before they’ve seen the backyard, checked the square footage, or opened a single cabinet, they already have a feeling—and that feeling often determines whether they fall in love or start mentally moving on.

Understanding what happens in those crucial first moments can make all the difference when preparing a home for sale.

Why the First Impression Matters So Much

Buying a home is emotional. While buyers rely on data, budgets, and inspections, their initial reaction is almost always instinctive. The brain is quickly asking: Does this feel right? Can I picture my life here?

If the answer is yes, buyers are more forgiving of flaws they notice later. If the answer is no, even a beautiful kitchen or perfect floor plan may not be enough to change their minds.

That’s why the opening moments matter more than many sellers realize.

What Buyers Notice Immediately

In those first 30 seconds, buyers aren’t analyzing—they’re absorbing. Here’s what typically stands out right away:

1. Curb Appeal Sets the Tone

The experience begins before buyers step inside. An overgrown lawn, peeling paint, or cluttered porch can create hesitation before the door even opens. On the flip side, a clean exterior, trimmed landscaping, and a welcoming entry instantly build confidence.

Buyers often assume that if the outside is well cared for, the inside will be too.

2. Light and Space

As soon as buyers walk in, they register how bright and open the home feels. Natural light is one of the strongest emotional drivers in real estate. Dark rooms, heavy drapes, or blocked windows can make a home feel smaller and less inviting—even if it’s not.

Simple changes like opening blinds, turning on lights, and removing bulky furniture can dramatically change this first impression.

3. Smell (Yes, Really)

Scent is powerful and often subconscious. Fresh, clean air makes a home feel well maintained. Lingering pet odors, heavy cooking smells, or overly strong air fresheners can immediately turn buyers off.

The goal isn’t to make the home smell like something—it’s to make it smell neutral and clean.

4. Entryway Impact

The entryway is a psychological transition point. Buyers are mentally shifting from the outside world into “this could be my home.” A cramped, cluttered, or dark entry can feel jarring, while a clean, open, and styled space feels welcoming.

Even small touches—like a mirror, a simple console table, or fresh flowers—can elevate this moment.

The Emotional Checklist Buyers Run Instantly

Within seconds, buyers are subconsciously asking themselves:

• Does this feel comfortable?
• Does it feel clean and well cared for?
• Can I imagine my furniture here?
• Does this match my lifestyle?

If the home answers these questions positively, buyers relax and begin exploring with curiosity instead of criticism.

How Sellers Can Win the First 30 Seconds

The good news? You don’t need a full renovation to make a strong first impression. Focus on these high-impact steps:

Declutter Ruthlessly

Clutter makes spaces feel smaller and distracts buyers from the home itself. Clear countertops, remove excess furniture, and simplify décor—especially near the entry and main living areas.

Deep Clean Everything

Buyers notice cleanliness immediately, even if they can’t articulate it. Floors, baseboards, windows, and light fixtures should all be spotless. A clean home signals care and pride of ownership.

Let the Light In

Maximize natural light by opening blinds, removing heavy curtains, and trimming exterior landscaping that blocks windows. Replace dim bulbs with bright, warm lighting to create an inviting glow.

Neutralize and Depersonalize

Bold colors and personal items can make it harder for buyers to picture themselves in the home. Neutral tones create a blank canvas and help buyers mentally move in.

Create a Welcoming Flow

Make sure the path from the front door into the main living space feels open and intuitive. Rearranging furniture to improve flow can have an outsized impact on how the home feels in those first moments.

First Impressions Create Momentum

When buyers love a home within the first 30 seconds, everything that follows feels better. Rooms seem larger. Layouts make more sense. Minor flaws feel manageable. That initial emotional connection creates momentum that often leads to stronger offers and faster decisions.

In real estate, you rarely get a second chance at a first impression. By focusing on what buyers experience in those opening moments, sellers can dramatically improve how their home is perceived—and increase the odds that buyers don’t just like the home, but truly fall in love with it.

Twelve years after his passing, who was Harold Ramis? 

“He wasn’t loud. He didn’t mug. He built worlds that lasted. Comedy didn’t just change because of Harold Ramis — it matured.”

Love, Gilda post on Facebook 

Of all the comedy legends coming out of Chicago…starting with Jack Benny, and going straight through Bill Murray and John Belushi, Harold Ramis (November 21, 1944 – February 24, 2014) was in a class of his own. 

The comedian/filmmaker/actor/director acted in and created some of the most memorable comedies of our time, including ‘Stripes,’ ‘Animal House,’ ‘Groundhog Day,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ and ‘Caddyshack.’ Yet, he never forgot that he was a Chicagoan, first and foremost.

Harold Ramis’ Roots

As Wikipedia sources note, Ramis was born in Chicago, where his parents owned Ace Food & Liquor Mart on the city’s West Side. He graduated from Nicholas Senn High School in 1962, going on to Washington University in St. Louis. 

Ramis began writing parodic plays in college, saying years later, “In my heart, I felt I was a combination of Groucho and Harpo Marx, of Groucho using his wit as a weapon against the upper classes, and of Harpo’s antic charm and the fact that he was oddly sexy—he grabs women, pulls their skirts off, and gets away with it.”

Following his work in St. Louis, Ramis returned to Chicago, where by 1968, he was a substitute teacher at schools serving the city’s Robert Taylor Homes public housing development. He also freelanced for the Chicago Daily News, an afternoon newspaper, which led to him becoming joke editor at another Chicago institution, Playboy Magazine, Ramis also started studying and performing with Chicago’s Second City improvisational comedy troupe, where he was famously replaced by Wheaton native John Belushi on stage in 1972.

In 1974, Belushi brought Ramis and other Second City performers, including Ramis’s frequent future collaborator Bill Murray, to New York City to work on The National Lampoon Radio Hour. Later, Ramis became a performer on, and head writer of, the Canadian sketch-comedy television series SCTV from 1976-79.

How did Chicago influence his storytelling?

Ramis told Chicago Magazine in 2008 that what influenced him the most, as a Chicagoan, were “The Chicago stories that I latched onto were all stories of Clarence Darrow and radical unionism and the Haymarket, Studs Terkel and the Chicago Underground. You know, counterculture stuff and populist politics.”

That explains a lot about ‘Animal House’ and ‘Caddyshack,’ doesn’t it? Going up against institutions where elites and academics prevail. 

Becoming a Comedy Legend 

Ramis left SCTV to pursue a film career and wrote a script with National Lampoon magazine’s Douglas Kenney, which eventually became National Lampoon’s Animal House. 

Over the next 30 years, Ramis would become the gold standard of comedy directors, writers, producers and actors. Besides writing Animal House and ‘Meatballs,’ and writing and directing ‘Caddyshack,’  ‘Groundhog Day,’ he helmed ‘Analyze This’ and ‘Analyze That,’ the remake of ‘Bedazzled,’ and the classic ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ with Chevy Chase.

Ramis’ last movie was ‘Year One’ in 2009, starring Jack Black. A year later, he was diagnosed with autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a condition causing inflammation of the blood vessels. After battling the disease for four years, he passed away at age 69 in  2014 due to complications of this rare disease. He is buried at Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights.

Legacy 

In 2016, two years after his death, The Second City founded the Harold Ramis Film School, the first film school to focus solely on film comedy, in his honor.

Additionally, Ramis’s films influenced subsequent generations of comedians, comedy writers and actors. Filmmakers and actors including Jay Roach, Jake Kasdan, Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow, and Peter and Bobby Farrelly have listed his films among their favorites.

Event: Animal House meets Groundhog Day- Celebrating Harold Ramis Day  at Harry Caray’s Tavern, February 2 at Navy Pier 

Fans are invited to celebrate the 3rd Annual Harold Ramis Day on Monday, February 2nd at Harry Caray’s on Navy Pier.

Will the Groundhog see his shadow on Lake Michigan in 2026? 

Find out for yourself on Monday, February 2, at 3pm at Harry Caray’s Tavern on Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Avenue! They’ll be mashing up two of Ramis’ most iconic movies—‘Animal House’ and ‘Groundhog Day” with Tim “Otter” Matheson, who serves as Master of Ceremonies,  along with James “Hoover” Widdoes, Peter “Boon” Riegert, Mark “Neidermeyer” Metcalf, James “Greg Marmalard” Daughton, and Martha “Babs” Smith. Also returning is Richard Henzel, beloved by fans as the voice of the “DJ” in Groundhog Day, continuing a Harold Ramis Day tradition that bridges this year’s Animal House theme with the ceremony’s roots. Chicago Harry, a live groundhog, will emerge from his tree stump to reveal whether he sees his shadow!

The Groundhog Day Ceremony will take place outside on the patio and is open to the public.

The event is free, but reservations for lunch are strongly recommended! For reservations, click here!

We don’t usually think of protein when we are choosing vegetables for our winter recipes. We think of fiber, antioxidants and a great host of other healthy nutrients—but many of the vegetables we use in the winter do have a good amount of protein. It’s an excellent reason to shop seasonally and boost the protein content in your meals. 

Spinach is available year-round, but it is considered a cold weather vegetable. Spinach has more than 5 grams of protein in one cup (cooked). It is also a good source of calcium, iron and vitamin K, all essential for energy production and bone health. It also boosts your immune system with vitamin C and carotenoids. Spinach is delicious sauteed with garlic and olive oil. You can also blend it into soups and smoothies, layer it into lasagna and other casseroles or simply steam for a side dish. 

Frozen green peas are a great winter vegetable. They are frozen at the peak of freshness and are a great addition to our diets when fresh vegetables are less plentiful. But did you know that they contain 4 grams of protein in half a cup? They are also packed with vitamins K and A, along with essential minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium for heart health. Peas can be added to almost any dish like soups, stews or pasta. They add freshness to cold salads and are great steamed with butter and herbs. Toss them in stir fries and fried rice!

Russet potatoes are a great winter vegetable packed with nutrients. They also contain 5 grams of protein (one medium baked potato) in addition to the minerals potassium and manganese. When you leave the skin on, potatoes are high in fiber and promote good digestion. Mash them with the skins on, add them to soups and stews to thicken and add nutrients, or sauté with onions and peppers to boost your breakfast spread. You can also season and roast thick cut planks (fries) with olive oil and garlic. 

Parsnips are perhaps considered an old-time vegetable, but they are tasty and good for you. One parsnip contains 2 grams of protein, and is high in vitamins C and K, in addition to copper, manganese, and zinc. You can cook them like carrots, they’re great in a winter vegetable roast. Blend them with roasted squash for a hearty winter soup. They are a great addition to any soup, stews and casseroles. 

Mushrooms are a great winter addition. White mushrooms contain 2 grams of protein while portobellos have 3 grams. Mushrooms are also one of the best sources of ergothioneine, a compound tied to brain health and protects against cognitive decline. They also contain vitamin D, necessary for us Midwesterners as we don’t get as much from the sun during the short days of winter. Mushrooms are very versatile. Toss raw into salads. Sauté oyster or shitake for a great side dish or roast with other winter vegetables. Large portobellos are a good meat substitute for grilling or stuffing. 

Last, but not least, are brussel sprouts. These humble vegetables have become increasingly popular as we discovered that, no, they aren’t gross—our mothers just cooked them too long, causing that nasty, sulfur taste. They contain 4 grams of protein in one cup along with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber to feed your gut bacteria. Roast in olive oil and balsamic glaze for a sweet savory side. Saute with pancetta, garlic and olive oil. Shave Brussels sprouts and add to a salad with warm cider vinegar and olive oil. 

Do you have any good ideas for using these protein rich winter vegetables?

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago