Neighborhood News-The artisanal, vibrant ‘suburb’ of Ravenswood

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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 20th 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

Restaurant Review – River North’s ‘Alpana’ makes you ‘Singh!’

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At the tender age of 44, Master Sommelier-Restaurateur-TV Show Host Alpana Singh has had the kind of career that would have been enviable for someone twice her age. 

So, when Singh (Everest Room, ‘Check, Please!,’ The Boarding House) decided to open her eponymous restaurant earlier this year, serving ‘wine-inspired cuisine,’ it bodes well for the people of Chicago to give it a try. 

As Singh says on Alpana’s website, “The inspiration behind Wine-inspired cuisine is to calibrate dishes according to a Sommelier’s palate. By working with umami rich ingredients and infusing them with flavorful spices, interesting textures and pops of sweetness and refreshing acidity, we aim for dishes that will hit all parts of your palate and make you say, “Yum!”

Start your wine-and-food adventure with starters like Beet Mezze described as a Beet labneh (a thicker Greek yogurt,) with dolmades (grapeleaves) and rosemary olives, served with toasted pita, or a Crispy Polenta & Mushrooms, a black truffle puree with parmesan fonduta. Many reviewers also spoke highly of Singhs’ Brussels Sprout Crostini, with apple saba, ricotta, endive, and toasted hazelnuts, and Burrata, with honey-roasted pears and fruit mostarda on toasted grain bread. 

Dinner pastas are creative, ranging from Pistachio Pesto, withGarganelli, lemon feta, green beans, mighty vine tomatoes, to Creste Di Gallo Alla Grappa, with Tomato grappa sauce, Calabrian chillies, and pangrattato, and Tagliatelle Verdura, with Broccolini, kale, whipped ricotta, fried garlic, and sauce limone.

Entrees include Roasted Half Chicken with crispy fingerlings (potatoes), and aji verde, Texas Braised Short Rib has roasted shallots, potato mousseline, and pinot noir jus. For All-American appetites, there’s a Double Cheeseburger, with griddle patties, American cheese, pickles, lettuce, red onion, burger sauce, and fries. Right now, I’m trying to think what wine would go well with a cheeseburger…rosé, maybe? Chianti? I’m sure that Singh will have the perfect recommendation! 

Other entrees include Striped Sea Bass with fennel, gordal olives, saffron nage, and herb pistou, and Faroe Island Salmon, served with cherry tomatoes, king oyster mushrooms, and agrodolce jus. 

Alpana also has separate menus for vegetarian and gluten-free eating. And the wine and spirits lists are second to none, as would be expected of the Master Sommelier Singh. 

Google reviews are gushy:

“Would highly recommend this restaurant for dinner. I was blown away by this restaurant. All the food and wine was delicious. There really wasn’t one thing that wasn’t good. The service was fast and friendly too.

Would absolutely recommend this restaurant for locals and tourists. Hope to be back in the city one day to dine here again.”

 “Exciting new spot in Gold Coast! We had the bread and brussels sprouts to start and the short rib, chicken, burger, and squid ink pasta for our mains…Especially loved the short rib. It was tender and flavorful and really hit the spot. Cocktails were unique and the atmosphere was beautiful. Definitely would come back again to try more of the menu.”

Alpana is located at 831 N. State Street. They are open for dinner seven days a week from 4pm-10pm, and reservations are highly recommended. For reservations, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Clothes Dryer Maintenance

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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

How to Renovate Your Kitchen in the Right Sequence of Phases

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Female designers discussing kitchen renovations

If you’ve got a new kitchen on the mind, you likely want to dive head first into the job and get it done as quickly as possible. After all, you’ve got the budget, the vision, and the desire, so all that’s really holding you back is the swing of the hammer, right?

Wrong. Like any other major home remodeling job, there’s no such thing as preparing too much. Along with proper preparations comes plenty of time to methodically plan out exactly what needs to be done, and in what order. You can’t install your sink and faucet without having your plumbing pipes installed, nor can you plant that big kitchen island in place without having your flooring laid.

Your best bet is to carry out the job out in phases. This will help ensure that no stone is left unturned, and prevent you from having to rip drywall open because of something you forgot about in early phases of the job.

The following are the stages of a typical kitchen renovation in the proper order to maximum remodeling success.

Make a Wish List

First things first. Before you even call a contractor or draft up a plan, you need to know exactly what you want. Whether it’s cabinets that reach the ceiling, a big kitchen island, or a sink facing the outside window, having your wants and needs written down is the first step in a kitchen remodel.

Figure Out Your Budget

Another no-brainer but also worth a mention is the budget. How much are you able to comfortably set aside to cover all the costs of your renovation? Be sure to come up with a figure that won’t make you house poor. Find out what the average kitchen remodeling job costs in your area, and tack on another 10% on top of that for good measure. You just never know what you’ll come across when you’re ripping out flooring and drywall, which can add more work – and money – to the job.

Hire a Contractor

This stage will take some time. After all, you want to make sure you hire the best person for the job who is experienced, honest, and understands your vision. Get estimates from at least three different kitchen specialists, and ask them a few other questions, including whether they are insured and bonded, what their experience is like, and how they expect to get paid.

Once you’ve nailed down one contractor, be sure to get a detailed estimate in writing that lists all the work to be done, how much the job is going to cost, a scheduled timeline of phases, and how change orders are dealt with. The more written details are incorporated into the estimate, the better.

Contractors will also require a deposit for good faith. Under no circumstances should the entire fee be paid upfront before any work has even started. Usually, anywhere between 10% to 50% is fair, depending on the scale of the project.

Demolition Starts

If everything in your kitchen needs to be removed in order to make room for your new kitchen, be prepared for some demolition.

Translation: a lot of elbow grease, dust, and noise. This is the point where appliances are removed, old cabinetry is demolished, and even flooring or drywall is ripped out.

Once this is done, the contractor will walk through the space and evaluate what should take place next. Detailed decisions about whether or not any corrections must be made prior to carrying on with the job will be made. However, if any issues are discovered – such as faulty wiring or termite damage – these things need to be addressed first before carrying on with the new kitchen project.

Determine Location of Light Fixtures, Electrical Outlets, and Appliances

You’re likely going to be replacing all the light fixtures in the kitchen. While you’re at it, you might have to go so far as to replace the lighting system altogether. In the meantime, you might consider adding all new appliances to give yourself a completely new kitchen from top to bottom.

As such, you may need to update your electrical wiring and panel to make sure it can support the new lighting and appliances. At this point, all the electrical outlets and appliance/light power feeds will need to be mapped out, marked, and placed.

Set-Up and Install Mechanical Systems

Installing all the technicals is typically the next step in the process, and shouldn’t take any more than a week to complete. This is the phase of the kitchen remodeling job in which all the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical are installed. If you’re including any cable and speaker wiring, this will also be installed during this phase. 

Install Insulation, Drywall, and Flooring

After the set-up and installations of the mechanical systems are done and passed inspection, insulation is added between the studs on the walls, drywall is laid overtop and primed, and the flooring is installed. This needs to be done before the new cabinets are put up.

Install Cabinets and Counters

This is the part when you’ll be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The cabinets you’ve chosen are finally installed and fitted properly. During this phase, you’ll come to really appreciate all the time and effort that was taken to ensure that all the previous steps were done with great care and precision. The last thing you want is to notice that the floor is sloping or the outlets are in the wrong places.

Once the cabinets are in, the countertops will need to be templated, which means carefully taking measurements that are then given to the countertop fabricator. You’ll probably have to wait about a week or two before the counter is ready to be fitted. That’s because a sufficient amount of time is necessary to laser-measure the material precisely, have the shop drawings approved, and send it to the crew to prepare the slab preparation. The countertops will then be delivered and installed on your cabinets when they’re finally ready.

Final Finishing

Once your cabinets and counters are in, your new kitchen is ready to be painted in the color of choice, and all trim, backsplashes, knobs/handles, and light fixtures can be installed.

The Bottom Line

While you likely won’t be doing this major kitchen remodeling job on your own, it’s very helpful to know what steps need to be taken, and in what order. Make sure you work with a reputable contractor, get your budget in order, and take your time with the job. The average kitchen remodeling job can take anywhere between four to eight weeks to complete – don’t rush the process.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Fall Season in Full Swing!

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Our Fall season is in full swing here in Chicago!  Come join us this weekend and see for yourself!!

Come celebrate autumn in the heart of Chicago at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s 8th annual Fall Fest now through October 30th.  This free, family-friendly celebration brings harvest time fun featuring ticketed attractions throughout the zoo including a Pumpkin Walk with live professional pumpkin carvers on Saturdays and Sundays; a Harvest Maze; various rides which include a 65-foot Ferris wheel, Fun Slide, and Pirate’s Revenge; a Lionel Train Adventure, the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, and much more!  Afterall, Fall is one of the best times to visit the Zoo with its bursting autumnal colors and species of all sorts coming out themselves to enjoy the cooler weather!!

Pier Pumpkin Lights returns for its second year to Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood now through October 31st.  Come explore a variety of larger-than-life pumpkin pop-up installations as well as enjoying Pier-wide deals during this seasonal celebration.  Plus, beginning this Saturday, the Pier will be full of fun and fright each Saturday in October for their Slightly Spooky Saturdays featuring interactive performances from costumed actors, acrobatic feats, free axe throwing for guests, a professional photographer with custom backgrounds, and more.  In addition, each themed Saturday will have a special one-time only activity with this Saturday’s being Magic & Mystery Day where guests are encouraged to dress in their best wizard costume for a Harry Potter-themed day!  This is a great way to enjoy autumn both indoors and outdoors as you stroll along the lakefront!!

Gather up your fur babies and head on over to Canine Crews (1616 N. Washtenaw Ave.) in the West Town neighborhood this Saturday (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) for their Barktoberfest 2022.  It’s a dog-centric celebration featuring an off-leash indoor dog park with multiple play areas; German style food; beer, wine, and soft drinks; an event beer stein; a dog beer drinking contest; a dog musical sits contest; goody bags loaded with paw-some stuff; and much more!  It’s an afternoon of Bavarian-style fun for dogs and their humans!!

In case you haven’t heard, the 2022 Chicago Beer Fest takes place this Saturday (7 p.m.-11 p.m.) at the Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop.  This event features over 65 breweries offering samples of their seasonal beers with each attendee receiving 40 taster vouchers.  A General admission ticket gets you in at 8 p.m. while the Early admission ticket gets you in at 7 p.m. with an added hour of access to limited release beers!  Come and enjoy a night at the museum for a one-of-a-kind experience!!

If wine is more your type of drink, then you’re in luck as the 6th annual Lincoln Park Wine Fest takes place this Saturday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) at Jonquil Park (1001 W. Wrightwood Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  This fest features dozens of wine varietals from a variety of winemakers, live music, food pavilions selling top-of-the line wine and foods, and vendors selling artisanal items.  Plus, sommeliers and brand ambassadors will be on hand throughout the park to help guests learn more about the varietals so they too can be a wine expert!

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place this Sunday with the start and finish line in Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop.  Runners will travel through 29 Chicago neighborhoods on a 26.2-mile course.  While it’s too late to enter the race, it’s not too late to be a spectator on the city’s streets cheering on and encouraging the runners as they whiz by!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News – Valkommen Andersonville! Swedish roots, equality and ‘Mayberry on the Lake!‘

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Located on the north end of a vibrant Clark Street, between 4900 and 5800 N. Clark Street, bordering the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods, Andersonville, as the Chamber of Commerce website notes, is known for its Swedish roots, historic architecture, and the Swedish-American Museum. It’s also home to the annual Midsommarfest in June and the St. Lucia Festival of Lights in December. It is also home to Chicago’s largest LGBTQ+ populations, Andersonville “is a community full of pride and a commitment to equality.”

Andersonville’s roots as a community extend well back into the 19th century. According to EastAndersonville.org, when immigrant Swedish farmers started moving north into what was then a distant suburb of Chicago. In the 1850’s the area, now known as East Andersonville, was a large cherry orchard, and families had only begun to move into the fringes of the area. Andersonville’s Wikipedia page notes that the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 9, 2010.

While its roots are Swedish, Andersonville is also recognized as the “shop local capital of Chicago,” supporting the largest network of local and independent businesses in the area, such as Women and Children First Bookstore 

Like Mayberry? Really?

Yes! According to EastAndersonville.org, amid historic houses and urban parks, Andersonville has become a magnet for all kinds of families. There is a strong sense of unity in the neighborhood, a friendliness that has led more than one observer to note, “It’s sort of like Mayberry!” For a sprawling urban community to be named in the same sentence as the fictional, placid town of ‘The Andy Griffith Show, ‘ that’s saying something in this day and age.

Keeper of the flame: The Swedish-American Museum

According to its website, for more than 40 years, the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark Street, interprets the immigrant experience for children and adults and promotes an appreciation of contemporary Swedish-American culture. They also provide genealogical research for those who wish to explore their Swedish roots.

Celebrating Swedish Women Artists 

From now through Monday, January 2, the Museum’s Raoul Wallenberg Gallery presents ‘Landscapes, Immigrants and Female Artists of the 20th Century’From the Vault explores artwork from twelve different artists, each with a unique background and connection to the Swedish/Swedish-American community. Women and minority artists are often under-represented in museum collections, and the Swedish-American Museum vows, “the artwork on display is a representation of the work the Museum has collected over time and explores missing perspectives. and we recognize is important to acknowledge these holes in our collection.”

The Swedish-American Museum, Gallery & Store is open Tuesday – Friday, from 10am- 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11am -4 pm. For admission and more information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review – A Side of Spooky Sass at Ed Debevic’s

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Nearly 40 years ago, the first Ed Debevic’sopened in River North to rave reviews and the World’s Smallest Sundae. (Yes, really)

The 50’s-style diner served up comfort food like none other…freshly baked buns, milkshakes made with premium ice cream, and freshly peeled french fries. Not to mention their meatloaf, hot turkey blue plate special, freshly baked pies, and other diner delights. For parents, it was a chance to relive memories of their childhoods at the malt shop. 

But the real reason why Ed’s became so popular was because of the obnoxious, costumed wait staff, with named like ‘Cherry Bomb’ and ‘Lenny’ who took snark to a new level, insulting patrons at every turn, and dropping everything to perform seemingly random dances to 60’s hits (loved the guy who played Tom ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ Jones!) I still have memories of one waitress singing Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’ to my Dad on our first visit there.

In time, they earned their reputation as the self-proclaimed ‘Chicago’s most famous retro-themed diner.’

Ed’s thrived for a long time, but in 2015, they shut down. Fortunately for Chicago, they reopened in 2020 at a new River North location, ready to make memories for a new generation of fans.

Not much has changed but the prices, it seems.  They are definitely 2022-style. Even their World’s Smallest Sundae is $4.34. But worth it! 

You can have the Ed’s experience for breakfast lunch and dinner. At breakfast, It’s No Yolk is a healthy and flavorful combination of egg whites, spinach, marinated portobellos, roasted red peppers, home fries, and a choice of toast, while hearty skillets include the Tex-Mex, with home fries, choice of egg, Monterrey jack cheese, bacon, atomic mix, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro. Appetizers include Outrageous Fries…crinkle cut or sweet potato fries with cheese sauce, chopped scallions, crumbled bacon, aged cheddar and parmesan. Fried Cheese Curds areWisconsin’s Finest with your choice of ranch or green goddess dressing. Oooey, gooey sandwiches include Eddie’s BBQ Pulled Pork with coleslaw, choice of classic or tangy Carolina BBQ sauce, and served on a bun, while Rye Me! layerspastrami, deli mustard, and pickle slice, served on rye. Ed’s Mom’s Meatloaf Sandwich isserved with lettuce, heirloom tomato, Ed’s special sauce, and onion strings, served on grilled sourdough bread. 

And then, there are the burgers, in your choice of beef, turkey or impossible meat. 

Besides the usual suspects, there is the  Patty Melt, on grilled rye, with grilled onions, Ed’s special sauce, and American cheese. Or the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, topped with lettuce, heirloom tomato, onion, pickle slice, bacon, BBQ sauce, and aged cheddar. 

Spooky Saturdays at Ed’s 

Every Saturday during the month of October, Ed Debevic’s invites you to “Come in your best Wednesday Addams & Cousin Itt digs this Saturday as we sing, dance, and get a little creepy. We’ll have a live DJ, trivia, & even some kooky prizes.”

One Google reviewer wrote:

“We came for bottomless mimosa brunch on Saturday morning and were not disappointed. The food was actually really good. The service was horribly good thanks to Grundle, who was so sassy and kept topping off our mimosas to the literal top edge of our glasses. Definitely got our $20 worth of mimosas.”

Restaurant Guru published this fawning tribute:

“(I) Always say dining out is about the experience as much as the food…this is one of my all time favorites. The food and the experience are awesome! I had the bbq bacon cheeseburger. The bun, bacon, sauce, and burger were excellent. The sauce was kind of a Carolina fold mustard style and it makes a mess! The fries were good, but the burger was so big I couldn’t eat many fries. With that messy burger it’s a good thing my waiter threw a few napkins at me. And eventually even slammed down a container of silverware while walking by. The staff is truly snarky…and it’s awesome. We heard our waiter tell the table next to us she ate weird. “ 

Another waiter told some kids waiting to be seated with their parents to “follow me you little brats.” 

And one waitress climbed onto the deejay booth to deliver this message:

“Attention guests, eat and get out has been our motto since 1984. If you’re done eating and you’ve paid your check get out of here. There’s people up front waiting for the same crappy experience you had.” 

Ed Debevic’s is located at 159 E. Ohio Street. They do take pains to tell you that their “hours are subject to change when we feel like it! Maybe call ahead before you get here.” That said, their posted hours are Monday-Sunday, 8am-9pm. Reservations are pretty much required, and can be made by clicking here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Morning Habits that will make your day better

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We have talked often about how to get a better night’s sleep, but haven’t really delved into how we get up. The things you do first thing in the morning can have a big impact on the rest of your day. So, follow these tips to start your morning with a bang!

Do not, no matter how tempting, hit the snooze button. You don’t realize it, but you set yourself up to be stressed and late. You’re groggy and less productive because hitting the snooze repeatedly wakes you from a deep sleep. If you can’t resist it, place your alarm across the room so that you must get up. Use a regular alarm, not your phone!

The next thing is something many of us do as soon as we wake up: check our phones. My advice? Don’t! It can awaken your anxiety and inner critic. You see how much you have to do that day and think how can I possibly get all this done? Try to plan your day the night before so when you rise you can take a few minutes to meditate or journal. Even put your clothes out for the next morning. That’s a recipe for a calm morning.

So, I’m sure you wake up to a pot of coffee ready for you. Wait! It’s been at least 6, hopefully 8 hours since you had a drink of water. Your body is dehydrated. Drink an 8–12-ounce glass of water upon rising and suffer fewer headaches, have less fatigue, and your skin will love you. Don’t worry, you can still have that coffee. Coffee has beneficial antioxidants and can stabilize your mood. But too much can make you jittery and give you headaches and even withdrawal symptoms. Stick with 2-3 cups and be consistent. As far as energy drinks go, NO! They have so many chemicals and can be addicting.

Always eat something healthy in the morning. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown meal but should contain some protein like eggs or cottage cheese, fruit, and some complex carbs like healthy cereal. If you need to eat on the run, have some nuts with some cream cheese rollups. Spread some softened cream cheese on slices of ham and roll up around a whole wheat pretzel rod. Drink some V-8 or tomato juice. Stay away from sweets like donuts and pastries that will have you crashing mid-morning.

Finally, early risers are happier and more productive than those who go to bed late. They tend to be more proactive and are better able to anticipate and minimize problems. You can make a habit of rising earlier. Take it slow, go to bed ½ hour earlier and get up ½ hour earlier. Each week, increase the time until you get to where you want to be!

Check out https://miraclemorning.com. Hal Elrod has written a wonderful book about how you can make the most of your morning.

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Should You Expand Your Present Home, or Move to a Larger Home?

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Should you move or improve? That is the million dollar question.

When your family is growing, or you begin questioning whether or not those little quirks in your home are still charming, you may start to wonder whether you should move to a larger home or simply invest in renovating it.

Your home no longer fits your needs, and you can’t go on denying this fact any longer. Regardless of what these needs are, a decision needs to be made – one that is worth a ton of money.

Here is some sound advice to help you decide what route is best for you.

Find Out if You’re Legally Able to Expand

First of all, you need to make sure you’re even legally able to expand your home. Find out if the community you live in allows additions, and what the limits are on how large a house can be relative to the size of the land it sits on. If your home is already as big as it can legally be, an addition is essentially off the table.

Instead, you’ll need to work within the footprint you’ve already got, or you’ll have to relocate.

Will an Addition Make Financial Sense?

If you find out that you are legally able to expand your home, your next task is to determine whether or not such a decision is a good financial move.

Get yourself a cost estimate to find out what the price tag will be like to make the changes to your home that you have in mind. Once you’ve got that number, figure how much the addition would add to the value of your home. Then compare this new value with comparable prices of similar homes in your neighborhood. It may just be that you won’t get a decent return on your investment.

While having a larger home would certainly accommodate your needs, you don’t want to expand to the point where your home is basically the elephant on the block. You don’t want to have a home that’s twice the size of all the other homes on the street – the value simply won’t be there.

You need to strategically decide if your investment will still be worth that much a few years down the road. For instance, you don’t want to put $250,000 into your home when it won’t even be worth $200,000 in five years.

Neighborhoods can only support so much cost for a specific home. If home buyers have $400,000 to spend on a house, they’ll most likely look to an area that is made up predominantly of other $400,000 homes, instead of $250,000 homes.

Just make sure that you are bringing your home up to – or only slightly above – the standards in your area. If that’s the case, renovating just might be a great idea from a financial point of view. But if your home is already the biggest, nicest home on the block, expanding it even more probably won’t result in any payback on resale.

Make Sure the Renovation Will Boost Your Home’s Value

Whatever remodeling job you decide to pour your money into, make sure it will add value to your property. This can help offset the expense of the job you plan on taking on. Speak with a seasoned real estate agent who is experienced in buying and selling in your particular neighborhood. He or she will be able to give you pointers about what upgrades hold the most value in the are, and which ones don’t.

For instance, if most of the houses in the area are 3-bedroom homes, and yours only has 2, it would probably make sense to add that extra bedroom to bump up the value of your property. On the other hand, if the majority of the homes on the block are ranch-style bungalows, and you decide to add a second to your home, you might not be able to recoup that investment money come sale time. It simply depends on what buyers in your specific neighborhood hold value to.

Some renovation jobs bring back a sizable return on every dollar spent, while others don’t. Do the math on your particular renovation job to determine if the return on investment is a healthy one.

This is a matter of land value versus structure value. It’s the land that appreciates the most – the house not so much.

When Moving Makes More Sense

There are a ton of things you can do to your home to improve or upgrade it. But there are certain things that cannot be changed – namely, the location. Analyze the size of your land, the schools in the area, the greenery, and other factors – these are things that can’t be altered. If you can’t live with these factors, then moving probably makes the most sense.

Not being a fan of your neighborhood isn’t the only thing that might prompt you to start house hunting, either. Maybe your home was built decades ago when lead paint and asbestos were the norm in home construction. These are things you definitely don’t want to touch, especially when renovating.

And while moving might not necessarily be easier than renovating, it’s definitely a lot faster. It’s simply a matter of what would make the most financial sense for you, what would ultimately cause the least amount of stress, and what would provide you with exactly what you’re looking for.

A house, while still an investment, is really all about lifestyle first and foremost. The decision to move versus renovate is comes down to this: will your existing home – after renovated – make you and your family happy? If not, and you can afford something different, then moving might be the right decision.

Just make sure this decision is not made without the help of professionals, like a contractor, financial advisor, and real estate agent.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Experiencing the Joys of the Fall Season!

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Nothing says Autumn more than apples, ciders, fall fests, pumpkin patches, cool temps, and the month of October!  Come join us this weekend and experience the joys of the Fall Season!!

The 35th annual Apple Fest returns to the Lincoln Square neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) on Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Wilson Avenues for one apple-filled weekend.  Checkout this year’s menu of apple inspired dishes and ciders as well as shopping for your Fall essentials at the festival’s marketplace of 50+ vendors.  Plus, catch live music performances from local musicians and bring the kids for seasonal activities!  Apple Fest is a long-standing tradition in Lincoln Square and there’s no better way to welcome in autumn!!

Fall Fest returns to Athletic Field Park (3546 W. Addison St.) in the Irving Park neighborhood this Saturday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) for a fall-themed, jam-packed day of family fun.  Activities include a pumpkin patch, scarecrow making, train and pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatable games, a balloon artist, live music, delicious food, beverages, and more!  Entry to Fall Fest is FREE; however, ticket costs are $1 per ticket, 12 tickets for $10, and 25 tickets for $20.

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up returns to its two-acre plot just west of Goose Island at 1265 W. Le Moyne Street in the River West neighborhood now through October 31st.  Save a trip to the suburbs as this pop-up is home to over 10,000 pumpkins at its epic pumpkin patch with every size and shape to find your perfect pumpkin.  It also hosts the best corn maze in the City of Chicago!  Plus, it brings ax throwing, food trucks, carnival games, dozens of interactive games, props for photo ops, twinkling orange light displays, and more fall fun to the city for your enjoyment and making memories!!

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Millennium Hall this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 11 N. Michigan Avenue in The Loop.  Millennium Hall’s Double Clutch Plaza is hosting this event and your ticket comes with one free Double Clutch beer, and the first 100 guests will receive a free mug!  Besides German beer and bites, other activities include corn hole, Big Jenga, lots of swag, face painting, raffles, and so much more!!

Shop from over 60 juried artists and artisans at the Lincoln Roscoe Fall Art & Craft Fair this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) on Lincoln Avenue between Roscoe and School Streets in the Lakeview neighborhood.  This free, new northside event features a variety of all handmade art at various price points which includes ceramics, sculptures, paintings, fashion wearables, jewelry, and more.  Festival food, live music, interactive art activities for the kids, and a broad selection of brews curated by Bitter Pops for purchase round out this event!  Plus, dogs are welcome if they’re leashed and friendly!!

The 7th annual WingOut Chicago returns to St. Michael’s parking lot (1633 N. Cleveland Ave.) in the Old Town neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-8 p.m.).  This outdoor, chicken wing block party offers all-you-can-eat wings from some of the top vendors in the city.  Patrons can indulge in over 20 varieties of flavors such as Classic Buffalo, Honey Chili, Jerk, Wood Smoked, Spicy Garlic, Asian Ginger, Southern BBQ, Habanero Hot and more!  Plus, new for 2022, there are more ways to WingOut with additional food vendors, expanded festival area, extended hours, more live music, and the return of the Emmy-nominated host of Hot Ones, Sean Evans!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago