Renovating your home can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. How much should you spend? Who should you trust? Who’s the best contractor/architect/designer/etc. in town? If you find yourself asking these questions as you consider a renovation, you may want to consider a renovation coach.

Expert opinions
Renovation coaches are a recent trend in home remodeling. Think of it as a project manager for your home renovation—someone who is great at working with contractors and vendors, and at keeping things running smoothly and moving forward as your renovation progresses.

Worth the investment?
Renovation coaches can handle projects of any size, and can be involved as much or as little as you like. They’re especially useful for managing bigger projects that involve several vendors and contractors, but they can also be helpful in simply recommending the best and most reputable companies for your specific project. If you don’t know who to hire to remodel your kitchen or basement, a renovation coach can be a huge asset.

Finding the right coach
There’s currently no national directory or association for renovation coaches, but it’s a fast-growing profession and chances are there’s a great one in your area. Take to the internet to find some coaches in your area—Houzz and Google are a good start. Vet several candidates and reach out to past clients to find the coach that can help you get the most out of your renovation.

Colder temperatures can’t stop a great city from having a good time! This weekend, indoor and outdoor activities are abundant, family-friendly, and great for the kiddos! 

“Available Light,” an exhibition of photographs by Chicago artist Andrew Steiner, begins with a reception Friday, November 12 from 6pm-9pm at Eat Paint Studio, 5036 N Lincoln Ave., and runs through December 11. Steiner’s photos document Chicago’s Covid-19 shutdown starting in March 2020. Eat Paint Studio describes Steiner’s photos as “a personal documentation of the past two years and an outward search for meaning and beauty.” Free.

Sequence Chicago at Navy Pier features Chicago’s lively arts and cultural scene this Saturday, November 13, from 3pm- 6pm, featuring great musical performances at the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion Food Experience Corridor. The program also showcases works by local artisans. On Saturday, November 13, Joe Rickter performs from 3pm-4pm, followed by Eli & Company from 4pm-5pm, and Dennis Caravello rounds out the trio from 5pm-6pm. Free.  Masks are required for everyone over 2 years old while indoors, regardless of vaccination status, per City of Chicago mandate. 

The Lyric Opera of Chicago breaks new ground as they present Florencia en el Amazonas, their first Spanish-language opera on the mainstage, 20 N. Wacker Drive, on Saturday, November 13, at 7:30 pm. The opera is inspired by the literary work of Gabriel García Márquez The story, by Daniel Catán, revolves around a glamorous diva on a life-changing adventure on the Amazon. The show stars soprano Ana María Martínez as Florencia. The show runs through November 28, and tickets start at $39. Masks are required for these indoor performances.

In a new immersive exhibit at the Field Museum, Wild Color explores the meaning of color in our world. Color, as the description says, evokes emotions, signals alarm, and creates disguise and illusion. Visitors will learn how to decode the hidden messages that different colors can send. In one of the exhibition’s many highlights, you can transform into a fluttering yellow butterfly through the art of projection. Fun for the whole family! Ticket prices vary, check website for details.

This weekend, Facets’ presents its 38th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, one of only two Oscar-qualifying children’s film festivals in the world. Limited in-person screenings at Facets and virtual screenings feature more than 250 films from 40 countries for children, teens, and adults, featuring over 250 films, as the website says, “break new ground in their approach to storytelling, offer unique or seldom-heard points of view, and demonstrate artistic and technical mastery.” Check their website for details on ticket prices, times and locations.

Sunday, November 14 is the last Wicker Park Farmer’s Market of the season…”unless it snows!” says their website. The Farmer’s Market takes place at 1425 N. Damen Ave. from 8am-2pm, and features fresh-to-table vendors such as Avrom Farm, Baked Cheese Haus, Beacon Doughnuts, and Ben & Ben Co. Crepes. From 9am to 9:45am, kids can enjoy Storytime with Cruelty-Free You & Me at the Mr. Wicker Sculpture. Lots more fun to be had! Free.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

The foundation is what holds up our home! As such, while doing routine checks outside our houses in the fall, we need to pay special attention to the quality and maintenance of our foundation.

There are many reasons your foundation could begin to erode,  especially depending on where you live in the country. For example, homes near saltwater bodies need to look closely for damage caused by salt air. Certain other areas have distinct types of soil that are highly compressible and can cause cracks. Problems can also arise simply due to poor maintenance.

But no matter where you live, water is usually the main component in foundation failure. I remember early in my Real Estate career learning from an old Home Inspector that “water is not our friend!”

Concrete is porous and water can leech in and during freeze/thaw cycles can crack the foundation. Walkways and patios need to pitch away from the house to divert the water. Downspouts and gutters need to be present and of sufficient size to take the water flowing off the roof away from the house. 

Pro Tip: Make sure that the downspouts are set in such a way that the water is not dumped too close to the house. Gutters can’t save you if the water coming out the downspout simply runs back towards the foundation! 

Unfortunately, water is always the greater force and sometimes our best efforts can’t keep away all damage. The good news is our houses often give off tell-tale warning signs of foundation damage before it becomes too late!

Rotted wood on the base of exterior door frames and windows can indicate a water problem, as well as sloping upper-level floors, horizontal or diagonal cracks in the foundation or walls, and efflorescence left on masonry surfaces, mainly on basement walls near foundation windows and corners where downspouts are located, usually identifiable by white minerals or stains. A moldy smell in the basement is also a big indication of a water problem.

 If you find any of these warning signs, have your foundation inspected immediately! Take it from me: it may not be as bad as you think, but delaying it will only make repairs more expensive. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Now that October and Halloween are behind us, it’s time to welcome November and the upcoming Thanksgiving Day holiday. Not to mention, we get an extra hour on Sunday as we turn back the clocks! So, let’s take some time this weekend to unwind a bit with some exciting events!  

Enjoy an evening out this Saturday at the immensely popular Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show held at the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago (165 E. Ontario St.) on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. Not only is this show set in the present day, but it also takes place all around you. Also, you can choose whether to participate or not in the show. The performers are dressed just like everyone else and are seated all around the room, possibly at your table, leaving all the guests to figure out who is a part of the show and who is not! Tickets include a 4-course meal, cash bar, and prizes. Everyone is a suspect, even you!

Need to shed a few pounds after eating all the leftover Halloween candy? This Sunday offers three physical events to assist you with that:

It’s back for another live season! The Hot Chocolate 5K/15K is headed to Grant Park (301 S. Columbus Dr.) in The Loop where you can race and celebrate amongst Chicago’s biggest chocolate aficionados.  This annual race lets participants indulge in all types of sweet treats at the post-race party where a chocolate lover’s oasis awaits you along with exciting vendors and some great tunes! Plus, participants will receive a fleece-lined jacket and a medal that looks like a cup of hot cocoa!

The Polish Independence 10K/5K Run/Walk returns to Montrose Harbor, Grove 16 (600 W. Montrose Ave.) in the Uptown neighborhood. Join in person on Chicago’s lakefront or sign up for the virtual run. This race commemorates Poland’s resurgence as an independent state on November 11, 1918, which traditionally is held in major Polish cities but was introduced here in the United States in 2018.  All participants (in person and virtual) will receive a runner’s bib, a custom finisher’s medal, and an event T-shirt! Plus, all ages are welcome!

If you prefer something indoors, then the SkyRise Chicago event is for you! Over 3,000 people will be taking part in this 8^th annual event climbing the 103 floors of Willis Tower (233 S. Wacker Dr.) in The Loop to benefit the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Their goal this year is to raise $1,000,000! You can help either in person at the event or virtually to Advance Human Ability!

The 38^th annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival takes place this weekend through Sunday, November 14^th. This event is one of only two Oscar-qualifying international children’s film festivals in the world and is proud to present a diverse selection of high-quality films for children and teens. It’s also the oldest and largest children’s film festival in North America featuring over 250 carefully curated films from around the world! CICFF is offered virtually or with limited in-person screenings at Facets Cinema (1517 W. Fullerton Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  The full schedule is available online.

The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit in North America is back, bigger and better than ever!  Jurassic Quest returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.) in Rosemont this Saturday and Sunday. This exhibition features over 100 prehistoric animatronic dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides atop a Carnotaurus or a T. Rex, and live dino shows. Plus, there will be opportunities to visit with the one-of-a-kind baby dinosaurs and the Jurassic Quest team of dino trainers! There’s also face painting, science activities, crafts, and plenty of photo ops too!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

“The structure that houses North Pond was built in 1912 as a warming shelter for ice skaters, and has been redesigned according to the Arts and Crafts tradition. The Arts and Crafts ideal is also found throughout North Pond’s culinary style. 

Drawing inspiration from the local market, Chef César Murillo utilizes exceptional ingredients at the height of their season. North Pond supports small, local farmers, growers and producers and treats their product with respect and care in the kitchen. The path from earth to plate remains clear and our cuisine reflects the décor of the dining room”

Management, North Pond Restaurant

Situated in Lincoln Park, the North Pond Restaurant has come a long way since its beginnings as a warming shelter against the cold Chicago weather. This Michelin-starred, reservations-only space provides a beautiful setting overlooking the lush scenery surrounding its North Cannon Drive location, and is home to prix-fixe tasting menus featuring unique and sumptuous pairings of seasonal delicacies.

North Pond’s current menu is reflective the flavors of fall. They offer a choice of Mussels escabeche with ingredients from Werp Farms. The starter features rainbow carrots, lardo, coconut-carrot cream, sesame tuille, and Thai basil. Or, you could try the Sweet Potato, Nori, pairing Nori custard, with smoked trout roe, Japanese yams, Bubu Arare, and Enoki mushrooms. 

Your North Pond dining adventure continues with North Pond’s take on a Waldorf salad, with Scallops Waldorf, with seared, candied walnuts, green grapes, bacon, Bonito mustard, McIntosh apples, shaved celery, and Apple Cider jus, or Squab, Celery Root, featuring a leg Confit, airline breast, celery root “risotto”, truffle puree, red wine sauce, and sorghum “Popcorn.” 

Other selections include a Murray Cod, Grapefruit-seared, miso pesto, with grapefruit coulis, Delicata squash, crispy dulce squash seed crumble, or a crispy pork belly with Littleneck clams, romanesco, saffron-fennel chutney, tomato broth, Swiss chard, and Fingerling potato.

Brunch, served on Sundays, include a Smoked Trout, Pita- roasted crudite, Zahtar, house-made Pita, with dill oil, or Beet Toast with braised red beets, Jamon Iberico, raspberries, pumpkin seed crumble, and brioche, or an Apple Galette, with goat cheese, bacon, charred leeks, Werp Farm Greens Salad, with a Champagne vinaigrette.

Wine Pairings for all meals is available for an additional price. 

North Pond is located at 2610 N. Cannon Drive. Dinner is served Thursday-Sunday beginning at 5:30pm. Sunday Brunch begins at 10:30am. For more information, click here. 

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago