How Solar Lights Can Light Up Your Exterior & Save You Money

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Exterior lights have a variety of uses for a home. They light up pathways to help residents and guests see at night. They add to the ambiance of a home, casting light on landscaping and illuminating the front of a home. They also provide an element of security, since nighttime burglars tend to seek out homes that will allow them to hide under the cover of darkness.

However, setting up landscape lighting can be complicated. Hiding the cabling involves digging a trench, with the cabling connecting back to a main outdoor power plug. If you have a large coverage area, this process will involve quite a bit of trowel work. The most complicated part comes if you’re one of the many homeowners without a GCFI outlet on the outside of your house. Then you’ll need to pay an electrician to install an outdoor outlet.

Solar lighting can provide an easier alternative to electrical wiring. These lights can be installed by merely inserting them into the ground. There will be no digging or cabling and you can start enjoying nighttime lighting within a day or two. Solar lights are also more environmentally friendly and since they’re completely off the grid, you won’t have to pay your local utility company to power them. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you choose solar lighting for your own home’s exterior.

Preparation

The first thing you’ll do after pulling your solar lights out of the box and inserting batteries is to charge them fully. Unlike traditional battery-powered products, this doesn’t involve plugging them into an electrical outlet. You’ll simply place them in direct sunlight for 12 to 14 hours. For maximum effectiveness, leave the lights in full sunlight for two 12 to 14 hour periods.

As you wait for your lights to charge, map out the areas where you’ll place the light. Make sure each light will receive direct sunlight without obstruction. If an area of the yard is shielded by trees or an overhang during the majority of the day, you’ll likely find it produces very little light at night.

Enjoying the Lights

For best results, you should water the soil in each spot a few hours before you plan to install them. Installation requires merely pushing the stake into the ground and waiting for nightfall. Don’t expect 12 full hours of bright light, however. Solar lights usually produce a less intense light for a shorter amount of time than electrically-powered lights. Eight hours of direct sunlight will often produce six to eight hours of nighttime light.

Maintenance for solar-powered lights is almost as easy as installation. Simply wipe the solar panels occasionally with a wet cloth to remove the dirt that builds up over time. A small amount of dish soap can be used for more stubborn dirt buildup. This will allow the sunlight to get through the lens, making it more efficient.

Solar lights are a great alternative to electricity-powered landscape lighting. They’re easier to install, environmentally friendly, and they’ll save money on utility bills. With the right placement, solar power can provide hours of electricity-free light each evening.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Enjoying Every Moment of Chicago’s Summer!

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Have you been enjoying Chicago’s summer thus far?  I hope so because we’re already half-way through July and the kids will be back at school before you know it!  So, get out there and enjoy every moment of what summer has left to offer us!!

They’re firing up the grills for the Midwest’s best Patty Party at the Roscoe Village Burger Fest!  It’s returning for its 15th annual mouth-watering year this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m. – 10 p.m.) at Belmont and Damen Avenues.  Besides serving up succulent beef patty cuisine from more than a dozen local restaurants, two stages of rockin’ music, arts & crafts, and an action-packed Kid’s Zone area are all part of the fest as well! Don’t forget to vote for Chicago’s Best Burger as the winner will receive the prestigious Visitors’ Choice Award!!

Green Curtain Events is proud to announce the return of its annual Tacos y Tamales Festival this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m. – 10 p.m.) to South Peoria Street and West 16th Street in the Pilsen neighborhood.  This street affair takes its inspiration from the Tianguis which is a traditional Mexican and Central American bazaar. As its name suggests, patrons will be able to sample the best and most authentic tacos Chicago has to offer along with a wide variety of tamales from several regions of Latin America and handmade tortillas. There will also be multiple performance stages featuring live music and DJs with traditional acts, interactive performances, and high energy Latin rock.  Plus, patrons can cruise vendor stalls, tour stunning art installations, and sip a cold one inside the Modelo beer garden! It’s an arena of tastes and smells to satisfy all your desires!!

An array of original artwork that includes paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, furniture and more, at all price points, goes on display this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at Michigan Avenue and East Lake Street in the Loop during the annual Millennium Art Festival.  Festival food, live music by French singer, Michelet, and artist demonstrations add to the festive vibe of the show as well! Guests will also be able to speak with more than 120 juried artists from near and far!!

Showcasing the best up-and-coming music from around the world, as well as special performances from touring stalwarts and legends alike, the Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop this Saturday and Sunday (gates open at 12 p.m.).  This festival also features diverse vendors, as well as the CHIRP Record Fair (specialty records), the Flatstock Poster Fair (posters), the Renegade Craft Fair, and a Music House-Kids Zone!  Since 2006, this music festival has consistently proven to be one of the most welcoming and reasonably priced weekends of music around!!

The Chicago Cubs host the New York Mets on Saturday and Sunday (1:20 p.m.) at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.

Dozens of movies will screen in parks all over Chicago as part of the city’s annual Movies in the Parks program. You’re sure to find something good to watch for free beneath the stars this summer.  Screenings typically begin at 8:30 p.m. each evening.  Here are this Saturday’s choices: “Imagine That” at Paschen Park (1932 W. Lunt Ave.) in Rogers Park, and “Space Jam: A New Legacy” at Grand Crossing Park (7655 S. Ingleside Ave.) in Greater Grand Crossing and Ellis Park (3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.) in Douglas.

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News-Celebrating summer and Bastille Day in Lincoln Park, Navy Pier, Union Park, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Chicago Loop

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Where else but Chicago could you celebrate a French national holiday, judge Chicago’s best burger, immerse yourself in fine art, and see up-and-coming musical talent and national headliners in a single week? Chicago’s community events this week, that’s where! Get out and enjoy yourselves this week!

Storming the Bastille…Celebrate Bastille Day on Thursday, July 14, as Lincoln Park’s Lincoln Commons, 2345 N. Lincoln Avenue, hosts their first-ever Bastille Day French Night Market from 5pm to 7pm. live music from La Tosca Chicago and food offerings from The Bristol, Verzenay Patisserie, Vanille Patisserie, Maison-Parisienne, and Bon Appetit Creperie. Get your face painted, caricature drawn and have fun with a mime! For more information, click here.

New Voices, New Music….at FRESH FEST@Wave Wall Performance Platform, Navy Pier’s annual young performers’ showcase, features daily “fresh faces, fresh voices, and fresh ideas,” and features musicians, dancers and spoken word artists on the Wave Wall performance platform in Polk Bros Park, 600 E. Grand Avenue, from 1pm-8:30pm. Friday’s performances include Collaboraction – The Light, School of Rock (Chicago & Chicago West), Latin Music Project Ensemble presented by Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Sounds of Wishes Ensemble presented by Chinese Fine Arts Society, and NextGenJazz: Emerging Artist Project presented by Jazz Institute of Chicago. Free. For more information, click here. 

Music…Music…Music… A grand event on an even grander scale, Pitchfork Music Festival returns on Friday, July 15 and continues to Sunday, July 17, at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph Street. Since 2006, the Pitchfork Music Festival has been showcasing the best up-and-coming music from around the world, as well as special performances from touring stalwarts and legends. Headliners include The National, Mitski, Questlove, and The Roots. The festival supports local businesses while promoting the Chicago arts and food communities. For tickets and information, click here.

The Bigger the Burger…help choose the city’s best burger at Roscoe Village Burger Fest, from Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17, on Belmont and Damen, 2000 W. Belmont Avenue. Is it 2021’s winner, Reggie’s Chicago? Or will the contenders —Byron’s Hot Dogs, Epic Burger, Fatso’s Last Stand, or ???? prevail? Now in its 15th year, the Burger Fest also hosts two stages of rockin’ music, arts & crafts and a “Kids Zone” area. Four burger aficionados will announce the Critic’s Choice winner on Saturday at 7pm, and the People’s Choice winner (last year was Houndstooth Saloon) will be announced Sunday at 5:30pm. A $10 suggested donation benefits the programs and services supported by the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. The Fest’s hours are Friday from 5pm to 10pm; and Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 10pm. For more information, click here.  

Immerse Yourself… in Monet and The Impressionists at Old Town’s Lighthouse Artspace Chicago, 100 Germania Place.The Impressionists (Monet, Renoir, Degas and others) were, according to the website, radicals that shook up the art world in the 19th century. Known for such still life classics as water lilies and graceful ballet dancers, the Impressionists captured the ever-elusive effects of sunlight and movement in “the transient nature of beauty, and the timeless beauty of nature.” Brought to you by Massimiliano Siccardi, who staged the Immersive Van Gogh, the shows dazzle and delight. For tickets, click here.

Impressive Impressionist… At the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Avenue, another Impressionist, Paul Cezanne, takes residence across media and genres with 80 oil paintings, 40 watercolors and drawings, and two complete sketchbooks in the Regenstein Gallery through September 5.This exhibition is the first major retrospective of the artist’s work in the United States in more than 25 years of the “artist’s artist” and asks, “Could a painter create artworks one sensation at a time? And, if so, would pictures made this way somehow be truer to life than those made by other means?” For tickets and information, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review—Storming Venteux Brasserie Café & Oyster Bar on Bastille Day

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Ce’st Magnifique! (It’s Magnificent) Chicago’s French Restaurants are celebrating Bastille Day. Why do we celebrate? Because the Bastille, a prison in France, had come to symbolize the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy in 1789. French peasants overtook the guards and released the prisoners. According to Brittanica.com, the taking of the Bastillesignaled the beginning of the French Revolution, and it thus became a symbol of the end of the ancient régime. 

Not unlike the United States’ July 4, Bastille Day—July 14—also earns a special celebration. One such restaurant is the new-ish Venteux, (In French: windy) established in 2021. Located in the Pendry Hotel in Michigan Avenue’s historic Carbide & Carbon building, Executive Chef Joseph Mosconi serves classic French fare with a contemporary twist. The bright, airy, green-hued café boasts lush botanical murals, creating a romantic atmosphere. Venteux’s cafe reminds some of France’s Impressionist paintings, and their cuisine strikes a delicate balance between the classic and the unexpected, which you’ll notice both on the menu, and in the presentation of each dish.

From July 14-16, Venteux will celebrate France’s day with special drinks and classic French fare. Urban Matterreports that they will be serving a special Bouillabaisse, the traditional Provençal fish stew, featuring rich broth piled high with lobster, clams, mussels, white fish, tomatoes, and saffron, during weekday brunch and evening dinner service.

At breakfast in the Café, start with a traditional Baguette with seasonal jam, or Overnight Oats, sweet with Black walnut syrup, seeds, and seasonal fruit.  Popular also is the Croissant Sandwich, with Hook’s cheddar, bacon, and avocado. Weekend brunches features such delicacies as Duck and Waffle, withhoney, butter, and sumac, their Croissant Egg Sandwich, with Hooks cheddar, bacon, and avocado, or the Croque Monsieur withMornay, ham, and brioche, or Chicken Paillard, withParmesan, arugula, and gastrique. Dinner selections include Duck Liver Mousse, withseasonal jam, mustard seed, and fennel, Eggs 5 Ways, with Délice de Bourgogne, leek, and potato, or Steak Tartare, withsmoked egg yolk and mustard. Escargot (snails) are served with garlic, shallot, and butter.

Desserts, pastries, and sweet stuff are legendary. Try a s’mores tarte, or a freshly baked madeleine, or a souffle, if you have a sweet tooth. 

Reviews, while mixed, have been gushy. “The BEST croissant sandwich I’ve ever had!” declared a Google reviewer. “Latte was delicious and reasonably priced. The food was a bit pricey but expected for the location downtown and how nice the place is. Front room is a glass cafe this is bright and beautiful. I went for breakfast but haven’t tried the dinner. I glanced in the main dining room, and it does look beautiful!”

Another wrote, “Oyster bar with a French twist. The food has interesting and unusual flavors. We ordered a number of small plates. My favorite was the “Egg 5 ways” which was kind of an omelette, but with strong flavors and very creamy. The souffle dessert was the best, as one person described it – it’s like eating a cloud. The service was great, our waiter was fun and informative, very knowledgeable about the menu. Would recommend this place and will certainly come back.”

Venteux is located at 224 N. Michigan Avenue (Michigan Avenue & E. South Water Street) They are open for breakfast, brunch, happy hour, and dinner. Hours are Monday- Sunday, 7am–4pm; Tuesday–Thursday, 7am–9pm; and Friday and Saturday, 7am- 10pm. For reservations and more information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Midsummer landscape

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July 4th has come and gone. We often think that summer is halfway over although we still have a couple of months to go. Around much of the country we can experience dry conditions. Keep an eye on rain totals during dry spells and zero in when you check online. With much of our rain coming from thunderstorms rather than all-over rain, rain totals can differ less than ½ a mile away. An inch of water per week is the minimum needed for the landscape and garden. If you need to augment, use soakers and sprinklers that maximize the amount of water your landscape receives while losing the least to evaporation. 

Oscillating sprinklers shoot the water high in the air and swing back and forth, do not buy these. You lose much of the water to evaporation, and it would take 10 hours to put down enough water. The sprinkler you want can be called a few different names. The main name is pulsating. Also known as impact, circulating or spike. There is a picture of one accompanying this blog. It keeps the water close to the ground, losing less to evaporation and puts down the most water in a shorter time. Place an empty can out and water till it reaches an inch. If you are expecting storms coming water first so if you get a downpour most will soak in instead of running off. 

Root watering is best for trees and shrubs, especially ones not well established, two years or more. A root waterer is an approximately 30-inch-long hollow aluminum pole with holes with a hose attachment at the top. It directs water to the deep roots of trees and shrubs. Place in the ground all the way down to the hose attachment a foot or so in from the dripline and water for two hours minimum. An open hose trickling for three hours can do a decent job if you have no root waterer.

Watering includes the garden of course. You can fertilize even in the heat of summer. Vegetables especially need fertilizer every two-three weeks. Give a slightly weaker mix if it is particularly hot. Water and fertilize early in the morning or later in the day after the worst of the sun is past. Try to see that the landscape has time to dry out a bit before dark to prevent wet conditions overnight that can cause fungus. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Most Frequent Regrets of First-Time Homebuyers

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When looking at houses, first-time homebuyers have a lot in common. They frequently fall in love with a house right away and become overly emotional. When they lose a bidding war, they feel overwhelmed and devastated.

They also commit a lot of errors. Here are some rookie mistakes that first-time house purchasers frequently make and immediately regret.

BEING FAR TOO PARTICULAR

Making a list of all the attributes in a house that are great for you is undoubtedly vital. After all, buying a home will likely be the largest purchase you will make, so you want to be sure you get what you want. But being so rigid that you won’t accept anything that doesn’t contain all of the qualities you specified will not get you anywhere. It’s sometimes important to make a small concession.

House hunters on a budget may need to make some compromises unless they have millions of dollars to invest. To eventually choose a home, you might have to put up with the antiquated furnishings, make a few minor improvements, or even give up the home office. If you won’t make a concession, you can miss out on a property that you later realize might have been the best choice.

MAKING TRADE-OFFS ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS

The contrary is also true, notwithstanding the drawbacks of being overly fussy. It’s reasonable to assume that some level of compromising will be required in order to afford your first home, but you shouldn’t make a concession you’ll regret right away.

If you anticipate needing at least three or four bedrooms to accommodate a growing family, don’t purchase a home with only two bedrooms. In a similar vein, avoid purchasing a bachelor condo just because it is considerably less expensive than a house, especially if you know how much you loathe using an elevator to enter and exit a building. Making concessions is fine, but don’t forego what’s really important to you.

NOT OBTAINING A MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL

Avoid looking in areas for houses that are way out of your price range. If you fall in love with a home only to learn that you cannot afford it, you will be very disappointed. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the greatest way to determine exactly how much you can afford to spend on a home before you ever begin looking.

If you don’t, you’ll not only be wasting your time, but the seller’s time as well.

Although a mortgage pre-approval doesn’t guarantee that a loan will be approved, it’s still a terrific tool to help you focus your search for a home and expedite the purchase agreement process once you’ve found the ideal place.

REFUSAL OF THE HOME INSPECTION

Even though you might be eager to sign the lease and begin bringing your stuff in, you need to first determine the condition of the property. The last thing you want to do is invest in a money pit that will only use your money to cover significant flaws that you were unaware of before signing the deal. You will have the chance to ensure that the house is in good condition before you find yourself in a difficult financial situation if you include a home inspection clause in your purchase agreement.

In an effort to save money, about 10% of homebuyers forgo having their new residences inspected before finalizing the deal. However, picture having to pay tens of thousands of dollars to fix a leak.

ABSENCE OF A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Choosing not to use a realtor is one of the biggest mistakes made by homebuyers. The typical person may find it confusing to deal with all the disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage paperwork, insurance policies, and other intricate and detailed documentation needed to purchase a home. It requires understanding the appropriate asking price for a specific house in a particular neighborhood. Along with strong negotiation skills to make the acquisition price as low as possible, the procedure also involves an acute eye for any issues with the property.

You’ll benefit from having a real estate agent on your side in all of these situations and more. If you don’t hire a realtor, you could end up making a lot of expensive blunders.

With the aid of a knowledgeable real estate agent at your side, you can avoid a lot of common mistakes made by first-time homebuyers. Pay attention to their recommendations and spend the time necessary to consider every aspect of a potential house you’re considering making an offer on.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Return of Popular Street Festivals!

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It’s time to hit the pavement again as some of Chicago’s popular street festivals are back live for the summer of 2022!  It’s been a long two years without them so let’s show our support by attending the following festivals taking place this weekend!!

Proudly returning to Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop, Taste of Chicago will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday for incredible food, music, and activities around Buckingham Fountain.  More than 30 food vendors will be dishing out tastes of Chicago classics (hot dogs, pizza, cheesecake) as well as bites representing the international influences from the city’s melting pot of cultures.  Guest can also enjoy a designated beer hall, wine tent, cocktail lounge, a diverse mix of national and international artists at nightly concerts, and much more!

Another annual street festival, West Fest Chicago, returns Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) to Chicago Avenue between Wood Street and Damen Avenue in the West Town neighborhood.  West Fest places an emphasis on local offerings and talent and therefore showcases neighborhood retailers and restaurants, fine artists, crafters, food trucks, and more!  The live music stage features an eclectic mix of current and high-quality live music.  The Pet Fest features a dog obstacle course, paw painting, pet retail and services booths with various pet related demonstrations throughout the day.  The Kid Fest features train rides, bounce houses, an inflatable super slide, pony rides, carnival games and much more.  It’s one of Chicago’s most prominent and well-attended street festivals!!

Featured in TimeOut Chicago as one of the “Best Festivals in Town,” the Southport Art Fest returns to the Southport Corridor (North Southport Ave. & West Waveland Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-7 p.m.).  This two-day festival will showcase some of the city’s best and most diverse artists who will feature their work in a variety of art forms.  Plus, families will have the opportunity to bring their children and enjoy all that this fest has to offer!  From food and drink specials throughout the weekend to a special kid’s area designed with interactive games and activities will certainly make for an unforgettable time for all!!

The Square Roots Festival returns to the Lincoln Square neighborhood this Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-9 p.m.) to Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson Avenues.  This family-friendly event features live music, vendors, food, Chicago’s finest craft beers on tap, and a kid’s zone offering arts and crafts, face painting, swing set drum kit, a petting zoo, and kid-friendly entertainment!

Dozens of movies will screen in parks all over Chicago as part of the city’s annual Movies in the Parks program.  From recent blockbusters to classics, you’re sure to find something good to watch for free beneath the stars this summer.  Screenings typically begin at 8:30 p.m. each evening.  Here’s this weekend’s choices:

Saturday
“The Rookie” – Oz Park (2021 N. Burling St.) – Lincoln Park
“Jungle Cruise” – O’Hallaren Park (8335 S. Honore St.) – Auburn Gresham
“The Princess Bride” – Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.) – East Rogers Park

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News – Chicago Park District, Chicago Loop, Lincoln Square, River North, South Loop

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So many events…so little time!

We love our summer in the city. Where else can you find the variety of activities that Chicago provides? How many cities can host an All-Star Game and Taste of Chicago in one weekend? Or multiple music festivals? Chicago can! The second weekend in July is full of events for the whole family. Enjoy them together. And treasure a city that embraces culture, art, music, and sports in equal measure. 

Get to a Movie… Movies in the Parks continue with free screenings throughout Chicago Park District locations.Screenings typically begin at 8:30pm. On Thursday, July 7, bring a blanket and snacks to Portage Park’s Dunham Park, 4638 N. Melvina Avenue, as they present the children’s classic Sing 2. Also on Thursday, at Abraham Lincoln Park, south of the Belmont Harbor South Parking Lot at DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Belmont Avenue, learn about the world of Tomorrow. A special Christmas in July presentation deserves notice: Wear your best ugly Christmas sweater, bring cocoa and all the fixins’, and head south to the Beverly neighborhood for a screening of the holiday classic White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, at Beverly Park, 2460 W. 102nd Street. For a complete list of movies and parks, click here.

Get to a Broadway Concert … At Jay Pritzker Pavilion, on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9,  at 8pm, the Grant Park Music Festival continues with Lights on Broadway! You’ll be dazzled as Broadway veterans Capathia Jenkins and Sam Simahk join the Grant Park Orchestra for a salute to Pulitzer Prize-winners of musical theater. Conductor Kimberly Grigsby makes her Festival debut, such landmark shows as “Hamilton,’ ‘South Pacific,’ ‘A Chorus Line,’ ‘Rent ‘and more. One singular sensation, for sure! A pre-concert lecture begins at 7pm. For a complete schedule and more information, click here.

Get a Taste of Us… After a month of neighborhood pop-ups, Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park, Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive on Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10 from 11am-9pm daily. A generation of Chicagoans have grown up since the first Taste in 1980, gaining worldwide attention by providing top-notch musical entertainment and showcasing the city’s culinary excellence and diversity. Musical artists headlining the free concert stages include rapper Nelly, Zion, Illinois’ own Local H, and southern rock’s Drive-By Truckers. Families can choose selections from 21 restaurants and 11 food trucks, including Eli’s Cheesecake, which celebrates its birthday onstage Saturday afternoon, The Original Rainbow Cone, Robinson’s #1 Ribs, Connie’s Pizza, Tandoor Char House, Arun’s Thai House, and so many others! NOTE: Unlike previous years, cash or credit cards will be accepted by all food vendors. No food tickets will be sold. For schedules and more information, click here.

Get to the Square Root… Just north of Taste of Chicago Lincoln Square’s Square Roots Festival, on Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson in Lincoln Square, running Friday, July 8, from 5pm-10pm, Saturday, July 9, noon-10 p.m. and Sunday, July 10, noon-9 p.m. The festival promises to bring together “the best of Lincoln Square, Chicago, and beyond, with live music, family fun, local restaurants and vendors, and the best craft beer showcase of any Chicago street fest.” They deliver! The musical lineup includes alternative rocker Bob Mould, indie group Guided by Voices, and singer-songwriter Lilly Hiatt. For kids, the Wiggleworms, Little Miss Ann, and the Sullivan Sisters are among the performers. A suggested donation of $10 benefits community organizations and music programs throughout the area. For more information, click here.

Get to the Bastille … Marché, Marché, Marché! Saturday, July 9, from 3pm-5:30pm, storm River North’s Alliance Française de Chicago, 54 W. Chicago Avenue for a family-friendly Bastille Day Afternoon Celebration! Enjoy bubbles and balloons to cupcake decorating, arts and crafts, face painting, musical acts, and lots of other activities to enjoy. Crepe stations, live entertainment, and other Young Francophiles like to rip and run or play at a slower pace, they’re bound to have fun with us at the Alliance this summer holiday! Tickets are $25 for members, $30 Non-Members, $10 for children and pre-teens, ages 6-12, and FREE for children ages 5 and under. For more information, click here. 

Get to the (All-Star) Game… For the first time in many a year, Chicago is playing host to All-Stars! The 2021 WNBA Champion Chicago Sky are hosting the2022 WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on Sunday, July 10 at noon. But there’s more, much more for the host city! On Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10, from 10am-4pm, at McCormick Place’s Outdoor Space at West Building, Gate 41, the WNBA plays host to a free, two-day festival bringing together basketball, entertainment, music, and culture. The immersive experience includes a Chicago Sky Meet & Greet with 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper and Azurá Stevens, a Youth Basketball Clinic, Viewing Parties for the Skills Competition and All-Star Game, and a discussion on Title IX, moderated by WNBA legend Taj McWilliams-Franklin. A proud advocate of women in sports, fans will have the opportunity of learning more about the importance of Title IX, gender equity and the future of women’s sports.  The discussion will feature legends of the WNBA, including the New York Liberty’s Betnijah Laney and the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier. To register, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review—Ho-Ho-Ho! Celebrate Christmas in July at the Walnut Room and the Hubbard Inn

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As the temperatures climb above 90 degrees this first week in July, there’s nothing like the thought of Christmas snow to cool you off, right? But how did this crazy tradition start?  According to Vox and other sources, the first Christmas in July event began in the summer of 1933 when Fannie Holt, the co-founder of North Carolina’s Keystone Camp, who delighted young campers year after year with whimsical decorations and musical celebrations of the season. Other sources indicate Werther, an 1892 French opera. In the story, a group of children rehearses a Christmas song in July, to which a character responds: “When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.”  

The origins may be as hazy as Christmas fog, but Christmas in July is here to stay. In a post-Fourth of July summer, it’s a chance to remember the fun of the holiday season. And a bonus for retailers, who need to do something between now and back-to-school sales to boost sluggish sales.

Two restaurants in Chicago are taking the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in July with a special menu and decorations. 

From July 6-10, the historic Walnut Room, 111 N. State Street, in Chicago’s Loop, is bringing back their holiday menu for a special Christmas in July celebration. No word about their signature giant Christmas tree, but one of the nice things about Christmas in July is that you can take advantage of an off-season treasure, and more than likely score a table for your friends and family on Open Table. As one Google reviewer observed (and we agree!) “Went to the Walnut Room with my mom and grandmother before a performance of Moulin Rouge. It was a nice change up from taking the kids to see Santa at Christmas. The Walnut Room is usually pretty touristy during the holidays. However, there’s hardly anyone there at all in the off season. It seems like you have the place and the great view entirely to yourself!”

In addition to the great view, you can start with the amazing Lobster Bisque with sherry, a staple since the store (Macy’s) was Marshall Field’s. Move forward to the entrees with an Asiago Crusted Chicken, served with Pommery mustard sauce, house-made whipped potatoes, and a fresh sautéed vegetable.  Or a Cider-Glazed, Slow-Roasted Breast of Turkey, served with whipped potatoes, turkey gravy, fresh sautéed vegetable, and cranberry citrus chutney. Finish your Christmas in July meal with their special Holiday Yule Log, with chocolate-filled vanilla cake, bittersweet chocolate icing, or a Build-Your-Own (Instagrammable) Snowman with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, with a marshmallow, strawberry licorice, and chocolate chips.

Quench your thirst with a Poinsettia, stoked with cranberry juice and sparkling wine. For a kick of caffeine, The Kris Kringle blends iced coffee, Kringle cream liqueur, butterscotch Schnapps, and chocolate espresso sauce. It could make a fine dessert, too!

One recent Google reviewer was rapturous in her praise. “Often overlooked when it’s not a holiday, The Walnut Room is one of the few elegant, yet casual dining rooms left in the city with an affordable (entrees run about $15) and accessible menu. The restaurant is the last great thing that remains a legacy of the former Marshall Field’s. White tablecloths, wood paneling, and sunshine through the huge windows above State Street make for an enjoyable lunch or early dinner.” For hours, reservations, and information,click here.

At River North’s tri-level Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard Street, Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 is devoted to Christmas in July at their third-floor event space, MASQ, starting at 1pm. Everything But Brunch, the event planner, promises a “day of debauchery,” and requests that everyone wear Christmas attire. A 21+, reservations-only party, Christmas in July includes a Bottomless Mimosa package for  $25 per person from 1pm-3pm, and table reservations include a complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival, as well as a “front row seat to the best party in town.”  Their weekly brunch is available on Level 1 for a separate charge, from 11am-2:30pm. While dressed in your Christmas best, you can enjoy ala carte items such as Chicken & Waffles, with pearl sugar Belgian waffles, crispy buttermilk chicken, maple butter, and fresh fruit, or a Breakfast Burger, with a ½ pound Angus burger, sunny-side-up egg, bacon, fig jam, arugula, and goat cheese, served with tater tots. Lots more to choose from! To book your reservation for Christmas in July at MARQ, email reservations@hubbardinn.com, or make them through Eventbrite by clicking here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Recycle tea bags

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We are all eager to reuse everything we can and to especially use something natural! Tea has natural antioxidants as well as deodorizing properties.  Here are several ways to use those spent tea bags.

  • Clean pots and pans. Add a used tea bag to soaking water for pans. It will loosen grease and hardened food.
  • Water your plants. Rebrew some tea with a used bag, cool and use to water plants. It has antifungal properties. 
  • Neutralize odors. Place dried used tea leaves in smelly places like garbage bags and litter boxes. It deodorizes naturally. Sprinkle dried leaves on the carpet before vacuuming for similar reasons. 
  • Add used bags to your bath. The antioxidants are good for your skin and the warm water will bring a soothing scent from the tea. 
  • Remove odors on your hands. Rub a tea bag on your hands like soap. It will remove smells like onion, garlic and fish. 
  • Add to cooking rice or grains. Chai tea is great with oatmeal and jasmine tea works with rice. Try different flavors like lemon tea when braising fish. 
  • Tea is great for your hair. Soak 4 tea bags in warm water and rinse your hair. It removes product buildup naturally. Use teas according to hair color. Black tea gives brunettes a coppery shimmer and chamomile brightens blonde hair. 
  • Tea is also anti-inflammatory. Take used tea bags and add hot water. Cool and use with a soft towel as a compress for bug bites and sunburn. 
  • Use cool tea bags on your eyes like cucumbers. Tea leaves have tannins that may reduce dark circles and bags. 
  • Clean leather shoes by buffing with a damp tea bag. 

Do you have any other uses for tea bags?

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago