Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Healthy kidneys

Doctor supports kidneys healthy concept design

The health of our kidneys is often overlooked. Most times, focus is on heart healthy food or heart healthy exercise. Of course, doing things to keep your heart healthy will benefit the entire body, but there are things that you can do specifically to promote kidney health. Kidneys perform the vital function of removing waste from the blood.

Many over the counter medications can have an adverse effect on the kidneys. Ibuprofen and naproxen can raise your risk for chronic kidney disease. Be careful not to take too many or too regularly. Talk with your doctor about chronic NSAID use. Antibiotics can be problematic too for the kidneys. Antibiotics are only effective for bacterial infections and need to be used sparingly. Herbal supplements are often thought of as safe, but many can affect other medication you take or your health in general. They also are not as regulated as other medication so it’s best to tell your doctor all the medication you take including supplements.

Be careful what else you put in your body. A healthy diet and exercise are of course the way to go for kidney health too. Too much fat and sugar in the diet can put a strain on the kidneys. Excess salt can lead to high blood pressure and that along with diabetes are the two top causes of kidney disease. Consume Alcohol in moderation as it is dehydrating which can clog up filters and cause infections in the kidneys. Speaking of hydration, drink plenty of water! It gets needed nutrients to your kidneys and removes waste through urine.

Also, find out your risk of kidney problems. It can be hereditary, so it is good to tell your doctor about any kidney problems in your family. They can suggest certain additional tests at your annual physical. Many kidney problems can be helped or even cured by early detection. So be a partner with your doctor to keep your kidneys healthy!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

3 Tips for Using Mirrors to Improve Your Rooms

Close up smiling woman hanging or fixing mirror on wall

Imagine a world without mirrors. You would have no way to check your appearance before leaving the house every day. You’d be forced to conduct routine grooming activities without the benefit of a clear reflection. But most importantly, your home would look very different than it does today—especially the bathroom. Through strategic placement, you can use mirrors to open up your rooms and create a more contemporary look. Here are a few ways you can use mirrors throughout your house.

Increase Light

More than ever, homes are being built to enhance lighting in as many rooms as possible. Open floor plans and large windows bring sunlight into major living areas, making spaces feel open and bright. Unfortunately, not all homeowners can afford to buy a new house, finding themselves forced to deal with a home with few windows and walled-off rooms. Even in an open-plan home, there can be dark spots, including in hallways, foyers, and small bedrooms.

With the right placement, mirrors can reflect natural sunlight, making a dark space look much brighter. Simply find a window and place the mirror directly across from it. If the window is on the wrong wall, either a floor mirror or a movable wall mirror can be positioned to reflect the sunlight at an angle. If you’re dealing with a windowless room, place the mirror across from a light-painted wall or lamp to mimic the effect.

Grow a Room

You may not realize it, but mirrors naturally increase the size of a room, creating an optical illusion of extra square footage. Mirrors have become especially popular in the kitchen in recent years, serving as a great way to improve the appearance of backsplashes and cooking areas.

A large mirror is best for adding space to a room, but those can be extremely expensive. You can instead group smaller mirrors together on one wall in a gallery-like fashion. If you’re on a budget, you may find it easier to find small, matching mirrors at a discount at thrift stores and consignment shops.

Gain Visibility

Having your back to the room behind you can be disconcerting. Feng Shui experts find that many people have difficulty concentrating if the door is behind them. However, while you may be able to set up a desk in an office to face the door, there are instances where facing the wall is the only option. A desk may have been built into a wall or a corner may be the only option for office setup. In the kitchen, you probably find that you’re often facing a wall as you cook and wash dishes.

When a room requires a person face the wall, Feng Shui experts recommend placing a mirror that provides visibility at al times. The mirror will help overcome the distraction that comes from not being able to see behind you.

Mirrors are a great addition to every room of the house. Whether you’re dealing with low lighting, small rooms, or unfortunate seating positioning, a mirror can make a big difference in resolving any issues you have.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Cinco de Mayo/Kentucky Derby Take Top Billing!

Burro and Sombrero

Hey everyone, May is here, and she’s brought us a spring weekend to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, and more!  Let’s not disappoint May!!

Missed your opportunity to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Friday?  Here are two Saturday events you may be interested in:

A Peace of Pilsen Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl and Community Celebration takes place at 8 of the best bars in the Pilsen neighborhood (12 p.m.-6 p.m.) to bring you an unforgettable celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.  Trolleys will be running all day to transport participants between each participating bar to enjoy a delicious cocktail tasting along with live music and entertainment.  Plus, there will be 8 different parties throughout the day, each with its own unique theme and atmosphere.  Afterwards, head over to the Caminos Block Party where music, dancing, and fun take over the streets!  It’s a day of non-stop fiesta fun so be sure to put on your best dancing shoes for an unforgettable party experience!!

Official Tacos N’ Tequila Bar Crawl takes place at the best Chicago Mexican-themed bars and restaurants in the River North and Gold Coast neighborhoods (3 p.m.-10 p.m.).  Explore some of the top spots for delicious taco options and tasty tequila as well as up to 50% off drinks, up to 20% off select foods, full access to top venues with door cover charges waived, and more.  Plus, for only $12, you can add-on a sombrero.  It’s sure to be a fun-filled Cinco de Mayo celebration with exclusive deals and discounts at the participating venues!

For those who are all Cinco de Mayo’d out, perhaps these Kentucky Derby events will suit you:

The I/O Godfrey Kentucky Derby Viewing Event takes place on Saturday (12 p.m.-8 p.m.) at the I/O Godfrey Rooftop Lounge (127 W. Huron St.) on the Near North Side.  Besides a Derby Day menu, a photo booth, a live mint wall, and more, there’s also bourbon tasting classes every half hour from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.  And don’t forget to don your best Derby attire as prizes will be awarded for Best Dressed, Best Hat, and Best Couple!

Head on over to Time Out Market (916 W. Fulton Market) in the West Loop for their Kentucky Derby Watch Party for an afternoon of fun beginning at 3 p.m.  The bar will be offering up special cocktails such as Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps and Moscow Mules.  A live DJ will be spinning tunes all day.  And guests who are all decked out in their best Derby attire will have a chance to win prizes as part of a Best Dressed Contest.  After the race, which begins around 5:30 p.m., head upstairs to Tony’s Rooftop Bar to keep the good times going!

As you may or may not know, some of Chicago’s City Markets have opened for the farmer’s market season; however, the Wicker Park Farmers Market kicks off its outdoor season on Sunday (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) at Wicker Park (1425 N. Damen Ave.).  Not only have longtime vendors returned but there’s a handful of all-new local businesses joining the market as well.  Plus, there’s plenty of festivities planned to begin the season on a high note!

Now in its 17th year, the Andersonville Wine Walk takes place Sunday (3 p.m.-6 p.m.) at various venues throughout the Andersonville neighborhood.  Attendees will be able to sip, tour, and shop through two wine routes plus an all-new charcuterie route and receive a commemorative wine tasting glass and a card highlighting each wine!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: 60+ years of laughs at Old Town’s The Second City

Old Town in Chicago, USA.

Comedy today has its roots deeply in Old Town’s The Second City, 230 W. North Avenue. It seems as if every comic actor of the past 60 years… from Valerie Harper and Alan Arkin…to Bill Murray to Tina Fey to Jordan Peele… all came out of the same improv-comedy sketch vault, laying the groundwork for the next generation of comedians. 

It came from Hyde Park… 

The Second City origins lie within the University of Chicago, when undergrad Paul Sills co-founded the Playwright’s Theater Club in 1946. There, with fellow actors Edward Asner, Byrne Piven (father of actor Jeremy) and Zohra Lampert, they blended Viola Spolin’s(Sills’ mother) improvisational techniques with established theater training, often set to piano accompaniment. 

That formula set the framework for legendary comedy that impacts today. 

Another person joining the Playwright’s Theatre was my mother, then-U of C undergrad Betty Moore. At 96, she’s one of the last surviving original members, but worked with Lampert, Sills, Elaine May and Mike Nichols, who went on to enormous careers on Broadway and in Hollywood. 

“We were just kids who wanted to perform, “ she recalled. “Paul was the leader because his mom had written a book. All of us just tried to make each other laugh.” 

She remembered Nichols and May as “teenagers, and Mike was so shy.” 

Northward, ho!! 

Mom left the group in the early 1950’s after graduation. By that time, Bernie Sahlins had come in as producer.  They changed their name to The Compass Players, gained a following and a bigger space up north in Old Town. 

On a cold Chicago night-December 16, 1959-to be exact, The Second City opened at 1842 N. Wells Street, the former site of Wong Cleaners & Dyers.

The carpet was still being nailed down as the audience entered on opening night, he show began with Barbara Harris singing “Everybody’s in the Know,” according to their website.

They Grow… and Grow… And… 

In the 1960’s, The Second City welcomed Bill Curry, their first African American actor, into ‘Enter from Above,’ and moved south to its new (and still current) home at 1616 North Wells. Following his death at age 51, Second City launched the Bob Curry Fellowship program in 2014 to honor Curry’s trailblazing contributions and encourage diverse voices to pursue careers in comedy. Rounding out the decade, Harold Ramis joined the cast of Second City in 1969.

“The addition of Ramis,” their website explains, “Was just the beginning of how the Chicago cast would set the tone for an entire generation of comic performers who were as hilarious as they were radical.”

Becoming a cultural icon

Over the next decades, The Second City branched out to Toronto, where Dan Ackroyd, John Candy, Gilda Radner, and Martin Short cut their teeth on the comedy stage before being picked for the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ as well as ‘SCTV.’ They also started offering workshops for children, adults and corporations for staff development.

In the 1990’s, Second City opened a children’s theatre, called Second City e.t.c. as well as cabaret-style shows in the UP Comedy Club space.

Today, Second City owns seven different venues for performance.  They also have a traveling company. 

All this giving credence to the phrase, “There’s a comic born every minute.“

Award-winning Shows

 The Second City has been the recipient of 37+ Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards, which have recognized for Best Revue five times, the first being Paradigm Lost (1997). As Wikipedia notes Mick Napier was one of several directors recognized by the Jeffs, including founder Sahlins (for 1983’s Exit, Pursued by a Bear) and improv guru Del Close(1981’s Miro, Miro on the Wall). Sixteen alumni have received Jeff Awards for their performances in Second City revues, including Shelley Long(Wellsapoppin, 1977), and Nia Vardalos(Whitewater for Chocolate, 1994), with Rachel Dratchand Keegan-Michael Key each being honored twice. They have also earned recognition from the Tony Awards. 

In 2007, The Second City honored the future 44th President with their 94th Mainstage revue, ‘Between Barack and a Hard Place.’

Today

The Second City is open seven days a week: Tuesdays-Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays – Saturdays at 7pm and 10pm, and Sundays at 7pm. For tickets and current show information, click here

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review – Celebrate Cinco de Derby (and so much more) at Wicker Park’s Mac’s Wood Grilled

Mint Julep, Black Eyed Susan and Belmont Jewel cocktails

Happy month of May, all! Despite a brisk start, May temperatures are promising a warm-up by the weekend. 

With that, Cinco de Mayo (May 5) and Kentucky Derby (May 6) celebrations can go on, full force! In fact, one upscale sports pub in Wicker Parkis celebrating both simultaneo 

Located in a former Schlitz Brewery Tied-House and designated a landmark in 2011, Mac’s Wood Grilled patrons should wear an appropriately garish hat for Mac’s Wood Grilled Cinco De Derby, serving all-day specials this Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. On Saturday, festivities begin at 11am with the Derby’s undercard race. 

For example, you can pair Mac’s Taco Platters with Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps. Enjoy Beer-Battered Whitefish Tacos with house-made, spicy poblano corn relish (made with poblano peppers, corn, garlic, red onions), tartar sauce and fresh lemon; or a Corona Beer with Wood-Grilled Steak Tacos; grilled skirt steak, made with cilantro and diced onions. Both platters include three tacos with a side of tortilla chips, pico de gallo and salsa verde.

Unique among pubs is their All-Day Brunch, featuring such specialties as Chilaquiles, a grilled skirt steak with tortilla chips, two eggs any-style, queso fresco, house-made salsa verde. Or, try their Breakfast Burrito, with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, cheddar jack, refried beans, house-made salsa verde, in a flour tortilla, and served with hash browns. 

Other options include Mac’s Baked Three-Way Chili, which is made with USDA Prime Certified Angus Beef, seven peppers, onions, kidney beans, cheddar jack, sour cream, and served with tortilla chips. For a less spicy option, try their house-made Tomato Bisque, served with garlic bread.

DID YOU KNOW… that May is also National Hamburger Month? Mac’s comes prepared with their special Griddled Burgers, made with USDA Prime Certified Angus Beef burgers. Try a Caramelized Onion Smash Griddle Burger, with caramelized onions, sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and dill pickles. 

They also serve wood-grilled burgers, with fries. Or, you can substitute tomato bisque for no additional charge. Their Classic Cheeseburger includes dill pickles, lettuce, tomato, choice of cheese. For big appetites, Daddy Mac’s Burger offers two 8 oz. wood-grilled burgers, with house-made secret sauce, shredded lettuce, American cheese, dill pickles, and diced white onions on a double-decker brioche bun.

“Service was great and the guac burger was on point. I will be revisiting, “ said one recent Google reviewer. 

“Hands down the best Mac and Cheese I’ve ever had (homemade cheese sauce), chicken tenders in point, and just a solid/delicious/hearty burger,” wrote a RestaurantGuru reviewer. “Bloody Mary was great as well and great service. We will be back!”

Mac’s Wood Grilled is located at 1801 W. Division Street. The pub is open Monday-Wednesday, 3pm to 11pm; Thursday-Saturday, 11am to 12am; and Sunday, 11am to 11pm. For reservations and information, click here

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Time to plant soon

Farmer cultivating land in the garden with hand tools

Even though it’s in the forties lately more often than the seventies it will be time soon to put in our annual plants. Flowers you can put out while it’s still chilly out but wait for steady temperatures above freezing for the vegetables. In the Chicago area that date is May 15th, but I have been waiting until the end of the month as the past few years we’ve had frost warnings. A hard frost will kill young vegetable plants. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

But we can certainly get things ready to plant. Get yourself a big bag of garden soil from the garden center. Dump the soil out of all your flower planters. It is best to start with fresh soil every year as it can get compacted, and it loses nutrients over the summer. You can use this soil in the vegetable garden or other places around the landscape that need soil buildup. Fill the containers halfway with the fresh soil, you will fill it in later when you plant. 

The garden needs a couple things to be ready to plant. If you haven’t already, gather up any plant material left over from last season. Dispose of it as you would other yard waste. It’s not good to compost this material as it can contain disease. Dig up any weeds and try and get as much of the root out as possible. This will cut down on weed production through the season. Use a handheld tiller to work the soil. Work down 6 inches. Now we need to cover up those weed seeds that we have churned up. First put down a good layer of mushroom or other compost. Next lay down a couple inches of regular topsoil. This will keep most of those weed seeds undercover. The topsoil will mingle with the compost for a great planting medium. When we actually put in the plants, we will add some garden soil around each vegetable.

Now we are ready! I purchase my plants as soon as they come to the garden center. You get the best selection, and you can keep them in the house, so they won’t be out in the elements at the garden center. They really get a head start in the warm house. I put the dining room table right next to a sunny window and rotate them daily.  

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Clever Ideas to Make a Home Gym Attractive

Training at home with gym equipment

Staying in shape is as important as creating an attractive house. The cost of a gym membership can add up over time, with monthly membership fees adding up to hundreds of dollars each year. For the same price, a homeowner can begin purchasing workout equipment, building a home gym that offers the convenience of working out without leaving the house.

The challenge is creating a home gym that’s attractive. This is especially true if you’re working with limited space, taking away the possibility of dedicating an entire room to your gym. Here are a few things you can do to make a home gym more appealing.

Use Mirrors

If you’ve set an entire room aside for your home gym, mirrors can make a big difference. Commercial gyms use full-length mirrors to allow weightlifters to make sure they have the right posture and form as they lift barbells and hand weights. Your full-length mirrors will provide the same motivation, as well as improving the Feng Shui of the room, especially if you place one opposite a window.

Use Your View

If you’re lucky enough to have a view, take full advantage of it by positioning your equipment to face it. This is especially true if your view involves scenery like mountains or water. If you have a pool or hot tub, you can place your gym facing in that direction to create a recreational-type flow. This gym is a high-end demonstration of how placement can create a flow that makes a home gym feel more natural.

Hide It Away

If you’re living in a small space or don’t have a room that facilitates a home gym, there are options that will allow you to maintain your décor while still working out at home. Foldaway treadmills and stationary bicycles can be stored safely in a corner, where they’ll be out of the way when guests visit. You can also turn a small room, garage, or basement into a gym and your guests never even have to know about it unless you want them to.

Use the Great Outdoors

If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area with decent weather most of the year, an outside gym may work. This is especially ideal for areas with moderate temperatures or warmer areas where workouts can be done in early morning or evening hours. If you don’t have a covered porch, consider building an overhang that will protect your equipment from the elements. If you work your outdoor gym in with clever landscaping, you can make it enhance your back yard rather than take away from it.

A home gym offers the convenience of working out at home while also saving the cost of a monthly gym membership. If you carefully plan your gym, you can create an area that will provide the workout experience you need while also adding to the charm of your home. Whether you choose your back yard, garage, or a room inside your home, you can create a gym that will fit your own unique style.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Spring Events and The Pickle!

Pickle Running with Foam Finger

Can you believe it’s the last weekend of April already?  Well, there’s no better way to end this month than with events that continue to embrace the spring season including the chilly temps and rain!

Calling all pickle lovers!  This Saturday (11 a.m.) brings you Chicago’s Pickle Fest to various Wrigleyville bars including Old Crow Smokehouse, Cubby Bear, Deuce’s, Moe’s Cantina, and others.  In honor of this tangy delicious treat, this festival will feature pickle cocktails and mocktails, pickleback shots, a pickle focused food menu, pickle photo ops, live bands, and more!  And, if you upgrade to a VIP ticket, you’ll receive a free exclusive Chicago Pickle Fest commemorative T-shirt.  Also, word has it there may even be a surprise visit from Mr. Pickle himself!  Plus, there will be plenty of other food and drinks for those who don’t like pickles but want to hang out with their friends!!

Food carts offer a true taste of the local culinary culture, so this spring, get to know the street food and drinks of Italy at the Italian Street Food Taste-Around this Saturday at Eataly (43 E. Ohio St.) in the River North neighborhood.  Guests can indulge in a variety of authentic Italian street fare featuring samples of bites like Sicilian-style pizza, arancini, house made gelato, and more.  Plus, pair each bite with a glass of regional Italian wine or carefully crafted cocktails made with iconic Italian spirits.  There will be three sessions throughout the day from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m., 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m., or 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m., and tickets are $49 per person.  Please note that this 1½ hour event does not provide seating.

Find thousands of handmade products across 20 categories at this weekend’s One of a Kind Spring Show at the Merchandise Mart (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza) in the River North neighborhood.  This seasonal bazaar brings together 300 talented artists, makers, and designers from around the country showcasing their work that includes accessories, bath & body, pet products, home goods, mixed media, and much more!  Need a break from shopping?  Then kick back at one of the daily fashion shows and/or head over to the gourmet market for lots of tasty treats!!

Art is for everyone to experience at The Other Art Fair this Saturday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Artifact Events (4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  This art fair combines affordable and original artworks from more than 100 emerging artists along with installations, interactive displays, collage-making murals, workshops, DJ sets, live performances, top local food trucks, and more!

Chicago’s non-profit After School Matters will be hosting their Sneaker Ball 2023 this Saturday (7 p.m.-11 p.m.) at the Chicago Sports Museum at Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Don your coolest, flyest kicks and get ready to party in style while supporting Chicago teens’ futures.  This one-of-a-kind celebration features live music, teen performances and exhibitions, food and drinks along with special guest DJ Casper who just so happens to be the creator of the Cha Cha Slide!  Plus, proceeds from this event will support the After School Matters Stipend Fund!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: On Draft Day – Bear Down, Chicago Bears!

The historic Soldier Field is home to the NFL Chicago Bears

They’re known as the ‘Monsters of the Midway,’ ‘The Bruise Brothers,’ and most popularly, ‘DA BEARS.’ 

Tonight (April 27, 2023), the Chicago Bears are going into the 87th Annual NFL Draft with the 9th pick, following a trade with the Carolina Panthers for multiple draft picks and wide receiver D. J. Moore. This is a critical decision for a franchise that’s been around since 1920, starting life as the Decatur Staleys, and one of only two remaining franchises from the NFL’s founding, along with the Arizona Cardinals, which was originally also in Chicago.

Statistically… 

Over 100+ years, the Bears have captured:

  • Nine NFL championships 
  • Eight NFL championships
  • One Super Bowl
  • According to Wikipedia sources, this record stands as as second only to the Green Bay Packers, their erstwhile rival. 

Also… 

  • 739 franchise victories, more than any other NFL team 
  • Retired the most uniform numbers, with 14 
  • 29 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, more than any other franchise 

Halas… George Halas

The Decatur Staleys were originally founded as a works team of the A. E. Staley food starch company of Decatur, Illinois. In 1920, the company hired former University of Illinois teammates George Halas and Edward “Dutch” Sternaman to run the team. According to Pro Football Hall of Famehistory, Staley gave Halas $5,000 and permission to move the team to Chicago if he would agree to keep the Staleys name for a year. In Decatur, they won the 1921 league championship. 

Bear Down, Chicago Bears! 

A year later, the team was renamed the Chicago Bears. How’d he pick that? In his biography, according to Wikipedia, ‘Papa Bear’ Halas recalled that he wanted a tie-in to the popular Cubs. “If baseball players are Cubs, then football players must be Bears!” Halasselected his alma mater’s colors—orange and navy blue (University of Illinois)—for the team’s uniforms. And they started playing at Cubs Park, soon to be known as Wrigley Field. 

A Powerhouse Builds

The Bears earned their reputation as innovators in the newly-formed NFL. AS ProFootballHOF.com says, they were the first to buy a player from another team — $100 for Ed Healey from Rock Island in 1922. The Bears then signed the fabled collegiate All-American, Red Grange, in 1925 and then showcased him before the first NFL championship appearances. In 1933, they inaugurated the NFL championship series by defeating the New York Giants, 23-21. With the powerful arm of future hall of fame quarterback Sid Luckman, the Bears won three of four NFL championships in the 1940’s, including the famous 73-0 annihilation of the Washington Redskins in 1940, using the innovative ‘T-formation’ utilizing two running backs and setting men in motion before the play, became the dominant offense. 

In a reversal of fortune in the 1950’s, despite winning nearly 60 percent of their games, the Bears made only one playoff appearance. They finally broke a 17-year championship drought with a 14-10 win over the New York Giants in the pre-Super Bowl NFL Championship in 1963, with players like tight end  Mike Ditka

In 1971, another pivotal moment came as the Bears moved from their longtime home in Lakeview’s Wrigley Field to the South Loop’s Soldier Field. In future years, the Bears will likely head to their next home, on the grounds of the former Arlington International Racetrack in Arlington Heights. 

Da Bears… 

As Brittanica.com points out, despite drafting two future Hall of Famers in 1965–linebacker Dick Butkus and running back Gale Sayers, the Bears did not advance to the playoffs during either of their careers. The same fate might have awaited future Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, drafted in 1977, had it not been for the 1983 hiring of Mike ‘Da Coach’ Ditka, who led a strong defense and scrappy offense to the 1985 NFL Divisional Championship, the culmination of the Bears comeback in their 46-10 win over the New England Patriots. They returned in 2006, losing to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. 

But overall, the Bears can claim that in its first 74 years, the team compiled a 586-384-42 overall record, qualifying for the playoffs 21 times, won 19 division titles, eight NFL championships and Super Bowl XX.

Drafting The Future, 2023

As Chris Emma of 670 The Scorepoints out, after going an NFL-worst 3-14 in 2022, the Bears will prioritize selecting the best player available with the No. 9 pick rather than finding a prospect who fits a particular positional need, assistant general manager Ian Cunningham said Tuesday. 

Who could that be? Stay tuned, and Bear Down!! 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review: Celebrate your Administrative Professional today with seafood or steak at Joe’s!

Administrative Professionals Day. Greeting Card.

If there’s one restaurant group in Chicago that knows how to have a good time, it’s Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. And no one who deserves it more that our Administrative Professionals. Celebrate them today (April 26) and everyday at River North’s Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab.Their special lunch menu ensures that your devoted, loyal staff will know they are appreciated and loved. 

According to several sources, the inception of Administrative Professionals Daydates back to World War II, when admin positions were difficult to fill. National Secretaries Day was started in response to show appreciation for administrative staff report, and the day was eventually broadened to include all administrative professionals. The observance was launched in 1952 by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Charles Sawyer. Today, we celebrate these professionals on the Wednesday of the last full week in April of each year.

What makes Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab the perfect place to celebrate your Administrative Professional? For one, its upscale menus fit every taste and dietary restriction, whether it be vegetarian or gluten-free. Second, Joe’s professional wait staff ensures that your needs will be taken care of while you dine there. 

Start with their Spinach-stuffed mushrooms, or a fresh Shrimp de Jonghe. Those with a more daring palate should try the Ahi Tuna Tartare or Charred Octopus, served with Corona beans, Kalamata olives, and arugula. Or, big spenders should try ‘The Whale,’ a market-price combination of King crab, lobster, jumbo shrimp cocktail, and Littleneck clams.

Do not miss their King Crab Louis Salad, lively with King crab, asparagus, tomato, onion, chopped egg, hearts of palm, avocado, and Louis dressing.  

Lunch entrees include a Seared Ahi Tuna Salad  with crispy sushi rice, bok choy salad, and Ponzu dressing.Since Joe’s is known as one of the best steakhouses in Chicago, lunch is a perfect time for a 12-ounce NY Strip Steak, or a Joe’s Classic Lunch, an all-inclusive spread of a 6 oz. Petite Filet Mignon Jennie’s mashed potatoes, Joe’s grilled tomato, and a delectable piece of their Key Lime pie. 

Google reviewers are mad for Joe’s . “One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to in Chicago! We started with appetizers of jumbo shrimp and fried calamari which was wow! The other servers brought us hot towels to wipe our hands throughout the night and kept topping our water which was just impeccable service. My Main was grilled fish platter and steamed asparagus and my boyfriend got the fish pasta and lobster Mac n cheese! Superb! Some of the best food I’ve ever had. To our pleasant surprise our waitress brought a free chocolate brownie with a candle for my boyfriend for his birthday and I got a free key lime pie cause it was my first time there! Been to lots of so called top tier restaurants in Chicago but this place takes top spot cause our dinner was fantastic, attentive services, great music not too loud that you couldn’t have a conversation, good ambiance in your own little booth and an alright evening!”

Joe’s is located at 60 E. Grand Avenue. They are open Sunday-Thursday, 11:30am – 9:30pm, and Friday & Saturday, 11:30am 10:00pm. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made here

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago