Enjoy this last pre-holiday weekend as Chicago’s Holiday Season will be in full swing next weekend and continue right on through to the beginning of the new year!

For one weekend a year, the international school Lycée Français de Chicago located at 1929 West Wilson Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood will transform into a bustling Parisian Marché this Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) for their 18^th annual Lycée French Market.  This two-day shopping extravaganza event features over 50 local and French artisans offering unique apparel, jewelry, gourmet food, home décor, and more!  And when you need to take a break from shopping, head over to the famous family-run French Bistro with a menu of delicious, authentic, home-cooked French food, and drinks as well as live entertainment.  Plus, guests can learn how to make puff pastry or chocolate mousse before resuming their shopping!!

The KOVAL Distillery (4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.) in the Ravenswood neighborhood is hosting the Ravenswood Makers Market this Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.  A wide variety of handmade goods will be offered by 22 makers that include knit goods, jewelry, home décor, soap, candles, prints, paintings, metal working, and more!  This is a free, family-friendly event (alcohol will be present) and you only pay for items you wish to purchase and any drinks you wish to consume.

The world-famous European style antique and vintage holiday market returns to Plumber’s Hall (1340 W. Washington Blvd.) in the West Loop this Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, December 18^th with the annual Randolph Street Holiday Market.  Guests will discover a holiday array of one-of-a-kind gifts consisting of the most unusual and stylishly crafted mix of vintage and modern decorative objects; handmade clothing for women, children, and men; hostess gifts; housewares; art and more from over 125 vendors!  Also, while browsing these vendors located on three floors, why not enjoy a drink from the market bar for a beer, wine, champagne, or bloody mary as well as a bite from some of the best local eateries!!

Welcome to The Lazy 0.5k this Saturday at Lottie’s Pub (1925 W. Cortland St.) in the Bucktown neighborhood.  Check-in opens at 10:30 a.m. (not the crack of dawn) with a Shotgun Start at 11:15 a.m. as racers begin to take their marks for the 11:30 a.m. WALK.  The racecourse is .31 miles from a bar to a park and back with Hydration Stations serving complimentary doughnuts and hot beverages along the way!  There are also freebies like one free slice of Lottie’s Pub pizza; drink specials; prizes for Best Costume, Best Spirit and more!!  Don’t sleep in for this one!!!

Since this event is always quick to sell out, you may want to get an early jump on it.  Lightscape is a display of festive lights during the holiday season and hosted by the Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd.) in Glencoe now through January 8, 2023.  This year’s holiday event returns with a new path and new light-filled installations.  This after-dark experience features a series of installations to explore the whimsy of nature in winter through light, music, fire, and color.  Plus, check out the new exhibits like Starscape, a series of more than 700 handmade acrylic stars lighting up a 130-foot-long tunnel!  It’s the brightest spot for holiday cheer!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Thanksgiving 2022 is still two weeks away (Thursday, November 24), but Chicago’s area restaurants are filling up fast for feasting on Thanksgiving Day. Instead of our usual review this week, Dean’s Team Chicago did a bit of research to find availability at Chicago’s best and most unique restaurants for you! We based the availability on a table for four at various hours (late morning-early afternoon to 8pm) Here are a few that have options available for eat-in or carryout: 

Patio space is still available (as of Tuesday) for River North’s Maple & Ash, 8 W. Maple Street. They’re serving a family-style, imaginative meal featuring truffle roast turkey breast and turkey roulade. To reserve, click here. 

In Andersonville, Southern specialties like deep-fried Cajun-style turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, and skillet-charred Brussels sprouts with sea island benne, shallots and crispy shallots sound mighty tasty at Big Jones 5347 N. Clark Street. Currently, they’re not showing availability in the dining room on November 24, but… you can still order online for a great party at home! For more information, call Big Jones at 773-275-5725. 

In Lincoln Square, go Argentinian at Artango! Experience Argentina’s Golden Age with a special 3-course prix-fixe menu, including a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert, all served with a side of Latin Jazz! Kids 12 and under may order from the kid’s menu. The dinner menu is $75 per person. Reservations are available by clicking here. 

In Bucktown, Etta, 1840 W. North Avenue, upgrades their locally-sourced New American menu of wood-fired fare by giving it a Thanksgiving treatment. Their ‘Turkey Picnic’ has a roasted turkey breast and leg confit, with sweet onion gravy and cranberry compote, followed by bacon-lardoned Brussels sprouts and many other delights, including a special caramel apple dessert. Reservations are still possible for 4:00pm and beyond in Bucktown. Click here for reservations. Note: River North location is sold out. 

Finally, in Streeterville, the 110 Godfrey Rooftop Lounge, atop the Godfrey Hotel, 127 W. Huron, which offers a rooftop view of the city with its retractable roof and year-round availability, still has reservations for their sumptuous Thanksgiving Buffet, including turkey, beef and salmon, in the late morning-early afternoon (11am-1:45pm.) To make reservations, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Regardless of whether or not you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, it pays to make a few updates in order to add value to it. But don’t start dumping hoards of money on major home renovations – instead, simple changes can be easily and quickly made that barely make a dent in your bank account. Identify what buyers in your area are looking for, then make plans to carefully – and affordably – add them to your home.

Invest Early in Landscaping

A quick and sure-fire way to boost the overall value of your property is to focus on prettying up your yard. Aside from manicuring the property itself – grass-cutting, weed-picking, tree-pruning, and so forth – consider planting some flowers, bushes or hedges to create a gorgeous and inviting yard.

And the earlier you landscape, the better. That’s because allowing trees, bushes and other types of greenery to really grow and flourish takes time. In a few years, the mature tress in your property will be a big selling point in a future listing.

Reface or Replace the Front Door

Aside from the landscaping in the front yard, a lovely front door will also help enhance the curb appeal of a home. And the more visually appealing the house is from the outside, the higher the perceived value will be.

If your front door is tired-looking, it might be time to either reface it, or replace it. The entire look of the exterior of your home depends quite a bit on the look of your front door (this goes for the garage door(s) too).

Make Minor Renovations to Your Kitchen

The kitchen can be a huge selling point in a home if it’s properly done and well-maintained. If your kitchen is a bit outdated and could use a little TLC, a minor renovation may be in order. The key here is to keep the job “minor” in nature – spending too much on a remodel in this space might not get you the ROI you’re hoping for.

Go for smaller-scale updates, such as a new backsplash or countertops, refaced cabinet doors, new hardware, new appliances, and a faucet replacement. This can have your kitchen looking as good as new at a fraction of the cost of a full renovation. This way, you can expect anywhere between a 75% to 100% ROI at the point of sale.

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

You’d be amazed at how far a can of paint can go in terms of freshening up an interior and upping the value of a home. A new coat of paint can realistically give you the best bang for your buck, considering the difference between the cost of the paint and the value it adds to a home.

Just make sure that you use a neutral color so that it appeases to the masses, rather than an eclectic shade that only a handful of buyers will appreciate. And go with a low-VOC paint – this will keep the home eco-friendly, and your family members safe from harmful off-gases.

Upgrade Your Flooring

Don’t underestimate the value of the floor that you’re standing on when it comes to the value of your home. The majority of real estate experts agree that spending some cash on floors can make a huge difference in the look of an interior, and the ultimate value of the property. In many cases all that may be needed is just a few nails to get rid of annoying squeaks, patching up damaged floor boards, and replacing a couple of chipped tiles.

In cases where new flooring is needed, be sure to go for materials that are good quality and visually appealing, but not over-the-top-expensive. Go for engineered wood planks, or modern wall-to-wall carpet. New flooring can completely transform the look of a space, and reap a decent ROI too.

Replace/Add Light Fixtures

Lighting can greatly enhance the appeal of an interior. But don’t just cover your home in one type of lighting. The key is to layer the type of fixtures and equip them with dimmers.

For example, in the kitchen, include a chandelier over the table, pot lights scattered across the ceiling, pendant lamps over the island (if you’ve got one), and under cabinet lighting over the countertops. In the living room, add pot lights, wall sconces, and table and floor lamps to add light and depth.

The addition of dimmers will allow you to set the right mood for the moment – if you’re having family game night, turn them up; on the other hand, turn the dimmers down when you’re relaxing by the fire. And remember – high wattage bulbs make small spaces feel more spacious, while soft lighting adds warmth to scarcely-furnished rooms.

There’s no need to make a hole in your wallet to make major changes to your home that will in turn add value to the property. Identify which updates will pay off, and you can easily rake in more money come sale time after carrying out a few carefully thought-out projects.

Founded in 1891, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is consistently hailed as one of the greatest orchestras in the world. 

How does an orchestra stay relevant through 131 years? CSO, after all, has remained consistently popular through the advent of many musical genres… ragtime, jazz, swing, pop, rock & roll, punk, rap, rhythm & blues, and yacht rock to name just a few. 

Part of the reason for classical music‘s longevity is that every other form of music has its roots in classical music, and therefore sounds ‘familiar.’ A 2020 study by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  and the British Phonographic Industry revealed that with the rise of streaming services, young people listened to more Mozart and Bach than they did 10 years ago. And during lockdown, classical music experienced a second wave of popularity. According to an earlier report from the RPO, more than a third (35 percent) of respondents under 35 felt listening to orchestral music during lockdown had helped them relax and maintain a sense of calmness and wellbeing.

How the CSO began

According to CSO’s website, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra began in 1889, when Theodore Thomas, then the leading conductor in America and a recognized music pioneer, was invited by Chicago businessman Charles Norman Fay to establish a symphony orchestra. Fay inquired, “Would you come to Chicago if we gave you a permanent orchestra?” Thomas’s legendary reply was, “I would go to hell if they gave me a permanent orchestra.” 

In December 1890, the first meeting for incorporation of the Orchestral Association was held, and in October 1891, the first concerts of the Chicago Orchestra, led by Thomas, were given at the Auditorium Theatre. Thomas served as music director until his death in January 1905 — just three weeks after the dedication of Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan, the Orchestra’s permanent home, which was designed by legendary architect Daniel Burnham.

The CSO has a second home as well. In 1905, they played their first summer concert at Ravinia Festival, which remains the CSO’s summer home to this day. 

The medium, the message, and the music… 

Through the rise of new mediums, including the then-new recording industry, to radio, to television, and beyond, the CSO has reinvented itself time and time again to adapt to the new media available to them. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra first broadcast on radio in 1925, and most recently on all-classical WFMT, as well as WGN-TV, in the early days of television. Today, they streamthrough the digital CSOradio, CSOtv, CSO Resound, and Intermission @ the CSO. 

Building new audiences 

Besides their forays into new media of the times, the CSO realized that young people were the key to building future audiences. In the ‘Baby Boomer’ years, they hosted ‘Young People’s Concerts,’ inviting area primary and secondary schools to witness these special concerts. Today, they offer deeply discounted tickets and memberships for students only, and provides mentorships and fellowships for aspiring musicians. 

The quality of the music is the reason for its longevity 

The CSO is consistently hailed as one of the top five  greatest orchestras in the world, and commands a vast repertoire ranging from Baroque to contemporary. Performing in over 150 concerts each year, the CSO’s talented musicians are the driving force behind the ensemble’s famous sound heard on best-selling recordings as well as in performances. Also, their conductors, from Thomas to the current Riccardo Mutti, have each brought different sensibilities to the CSO. Sir Georg Solti took the CSO to Europe for the first time in 1971, and earned over 30 of the CSO’s 63 Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. These include several Classical Album of the Year awards, awards in Best Classical Performance in vocal soloist, choral, instrumental, engineering and orchestral categories.

CSO and the Princess Bride, November 25-27

Oftentimes, the CSO devotes a night to popular movies of all genres and scores. During ‘CSO at the Movies,’ scores from movies as diverse as ‘Amadeus’ and ‘Star Wars, ‘ to ‘West Side Story,’ the CSO plays the musical accompaniment while the movie plays. From November 25-27, Rob Reiner’s iconic film ‘The Princess Bride’ brings the swashbuckling fights, giant monsters and sweeping romance of classic fairy tales to a modern audience. It’ll be a great post-Thanksgiving treat for families. For tickets, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

We are all searching for happiness. So, we try to improve our mental well-being in traditional ways like therapy, meditating, and exercise. But do you know that food can make your mood better? Studies in the past decade have linked nutrition and mental health. There are some foods that will increase serotonin levels in our brains. Serotonin regulates mood, and low levels can cause mood instability. So, what are the best foods to raise serotonin?

Bananas are good for your mood. Your body needs vitamin B6 to create serotonin, and bananas are rich in this nutrient. It contains 25% of your daily recommended amount. 

Coconut is another food that can help boost your energy. It is loaded with medium-chain triglycerides. An animal study in 2017 found these may reduce anxiety. Although more testing needs to be done, there does seem to be a link between anxiety and coconut in humans. 

Coffee has been on many lists for the last 50 years. It has been touted as both bad and good almost at the same time. But recent studies have found coffee consumption is significantly associated with a decreased risk of depression. Another study concluded both caffeinated and de-caffeinated coffee improved subject’s mood compared to those who drank a placebo. Of course, the tests call for moderate consumption. 

Dark chocolate has been shown to be beneficial. The three main components in dark chocolate can improve your mood. The two amino acids, tryptophan and phenylethylalanine work together. The former helps produce serotonin while the latter is used to produce dopamine which is an anti-depressant. It tastes great too! Make sure to eat dark chocolate with a high percentage. 

Fruit and vegetables we know are good for us, but a couple of them may go further to improve our mental health. Berries in particular are fruits rich in antioxidants which may reduce depression. Blueberries, called a superfood, can slow cognitive decline. Avocados are rich in choline, which your body uses to regulate mood and your nervous system. They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B that can lower stress. 

Fermented foods are coming into great favor. Fermentation helps you maintain a healthy gut and can improve your mood. The process creates probiotics that support heathy bacteria. Up to 90% of your serotonin produced in your body comes from gut cells. So, make sure to include some fermented foods in your diet. There are several to choose from; yogurt, kombucha, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut are but a few. 

So, next time you think you need a pick-me-up, stay away from the sugary snacks that will only bring you up just to crash soon afterward. Try to incorporate some of these healthy foods to improve your health along with your mood!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago