Whether your family is growing, or your home simply isn’t meeting your needs in terms of space, you’ve got a couple of options: either move to a larger home with more square footage, or add it to your existing home in the form of an addition. Both are viable options, but the choice you make should only be done after careful consideration.

Many homeowners choose to stay put and go the home addition route. But while this option offers the obvious advantage of adding more space to your home, there may be some downsides to it as well.

Before you decide to add more space to your home through an additional room or even a completely new level, weigh the pros and cons of this option first.

The Pros

You don’t have to move.

If you love your current neighborhood and don’t want to have to go through the hassle of moving your family and all of your belongings, an addition could be a great solution. This is especially true if you’ve got kids and don’t want to uproot them from their current school, unless you’re able to find another home in the same school district.

Create just the right amount and type of space that your family needs.

Rather than depending on what’s available on the market, you can have the addition tailored specifically to your needs and tastes that will match your lifestyle perfectly. You have the freedom to build the right amount of additional living space that you require, and can customize the home addition design, as long as your lot size and city by-laws permit.

You can control the costs associated with the work.

Depending on the scope of the work, you can complete your addition in stages in order to ensure the project complies with your budget. For instance, you might choose to build the home addition and move your family into it while holding off on finishing up smaller yet expensive components of the project, such as crown molding or trim work. Once your budget is capable of supporting this additional work, you can then continue. You might even want to pitch in with your own elbow grease to cut down on the costs.

The Cons

It’s disruptive.

You and your family could be living through a ton of noise, dust, and disruptions for weeks or even months if you choose to remain in the home while the construction is going on. Depending on exactly what the project entails, you might be stuck having to do without certain important components of the home. For instance, if the addition involves extending the kitchen, you might have to go without that critical space for a while.

Your other option would be to temporarily relocate while the work is being done, but this also comes with its own set of consequences. If you stay in a hotel or other similar accommodations, this could end up costing you a pretty penny when it’s all said and done, not to mention the fact that living out of a hotel can get old after a while.

If you choose to stay with family or friends, you might be saving money but you’ll also have to put up with living in someone else’s house in the meantime, which can get pretty frustrating and burdensome as time goes by, both for you and the family who graciously put you up. 

It could be more expensive than just moving.

Moving comes with the costs of real estate brokerage commissions and fees, moving company costs, land transfer taxes, lawyer fees, and other closing costs, which can certainly add up. But these expenses could actually be cheaper compared to an addition. If you don’t plan properly, the addition could cost you more than you anticipated. The last thing you want is to have to make last-minute change orders to the design while it’s under construction, as contractors will charge you a great deal for these. In addition, not only will you have to cover the costs of material and labor, you will also be responsible for paying for permits and site inspection fees from the city, which can all add up.

You might be negatively affecting the value of your home.

An addition might suit your needs, but it might transform your home to the point that your neighborhood real estate market value won’t support it. For instance, if all the homes on your street are 3-bedroom bungalows and you add a second story addition that brings your bedroom count up to 4 or 5, you run the risk of “over-improving” and not recouping the money spent on the addition come sale time.

You’re compromising your yard space.

If you’re building out, you’re encroaching on your yard space. As a result, you’ll need to be ready to accept a smaller yard when the addition is done. Not only will this potentially compromise your own enjoyment of your yard, you could also be negatively affecting the value of your home if buyers in the area are looking for more yard space. In addition, you also have to confirm with the local building inspector is see if there are any setbacks and restrictions when it comes to building an addition on your property.

The Bottom Line

A home addition could very well be a fantastic solution for your family’s needs, but considering the cost and scope of such a large project, you need to cover all the bases to make sure that you’re making the right decision. Before you call your contractor, speak with your trusted real estate agent to help you explore all of your options and ensure that the decision you make doesn’t negatively impact your current home’s value or your budget.

Every Thanksgiving morning, Chicago’s official holiday season gets a super sized start with the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, bright and early. While your Thanksgiving turkey roasts, from 8am-11am on CW26 Chicago (check your local listings) it’s an opportunity, besides dinner and football, to share a holiday tradition with all the generations gathered together to witness Chicago area marching bands, floats, giant balloons, equestrian acts, performances and more. 

“A Tradition 88 years in the Making”

As told by Wikipedia sources, in 1934, the United States had been in the Great Depression for six years, and Chicago’s leaders  needed to boost the economy as well as public spirit. Enter Walter Gregory, President of Chicago’s State Street Council, who proposed a Christmas parade to Mayor Edward Kelly. 

The ‘Christmas Caravan,’ Chicago’s first Thanksgiving Day Parade, marched down State Street on December 7, 1934. Gregory and a costumed Santa Claus led the caravan, which was filled with toys and various merchandise from State Street businesses. As hoped, the parade contributed to desirable growth in the local economy and the city’s largest holiday buying period since 1927. 

The parade continued through World War II and the rise of the Baby Boomer era in post-war America. 

in 1968, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, under the leadership of Mayor Richard J. Daley, took over producing the holiday parade when the State Street Council determined that it could no longer afford it. In 1969, an estimated 1.5 million people lined State Street, a record at the time. 

Corporate sponsorships, surprisingly enough, didn’t start until 1984, when Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities began a five-year sponsorship, followed by Brach’s, Marshall Field’s, and Target, among others. 

Teddy Turkey

One thing remaining constant is the presence of the parade mascot, Teddy Turkey. “Teddy, according to Wikipedia sources, is also is known to make appearances throughout the city, helping to spread the holiday spirit – year round – to everyone he meets.” And, he has his own Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts! 

Thursday, November 24: ‘Where Grateful Hearts Gather’

In 2022, Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade is themed ‘Where Grateful Hearts Gather.’ The parade steps off at 8am on Thursday, November 24, on State Street (that great street!) from Ida B. Wells  Drive (formerly Congress) north to Randolph. If you’re roasting the turkey the morning of November 24, you can watch the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade live on CW26 from 8AM – 11AM.

This year’s Parade will be co-hosted by actors Jen Lilley (Days of Our Lives, Royally Wrapped for Christmas) and Jesse Hutch (Batwoman, Dream Wedding).

As Choose Chicago says, “Gaze upward as the skyline fills with giant helium balloons, led by Teddy the Turkey, the parade’s official mascot. You’ll see a cast of familiar and much-loved faces, from Garfield the Cat outfitted as a pilgrim to Bullwinkle J. Moose looking sharp in his suit.

Wave at the entertainers as the decorative floats cruise by. And don’t miss fan favorite Santa Claus as he ushers in the holidays.”

Topping it all off are incredible performances throughout the day within the main stage area between Washington and Randolph Streets. Among those performing will be the Marist High School marching band, Jesse White Tumbling Team and dance group Renacer Boliviano. 

Local Chicago-area marching bands include: Bishop Noll (IN) Institute; Bloom Township High School; Kankakee High School; Lake Zurich High School; Marist High School; Merrillville (IN) High School; Southland College Prep Charter High School; and Thornwood High School. Other local parade entries feature: American Sidesaddle Association, Escaramuza las Monarcas, Herder Holiday Horses, SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program, the 501^st Legion Midwest Garrison; Aztec Dance-Xochitl-Quetzal; Bloom Township High School Choir; Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team; Chicago Spirit Brigade; Cirque Experience; Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline; and the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago. 

For more information on Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, check out Block Club Chicago’s feature here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Across the country, households are preparing for one of the biggest holidays of the year. Thanksgiving revolves around one big meal, whether that meal is for only a couple of people or an entire extended family. In addition to purchasing food for the big feast, families also spend time decorating their homes to show off their holiday spirit.

Since much of Thanksgiving takes place at the table, this is usually the focal point of a homeowner’s Thanksgiving preparations. From the plates they choose to the placemats beneath them, homeowners can improve the meal by making things much more festive. Here are a few things you can do to make your dinner table a little more festive for the holiday.

Nature’s Centerpieces

You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a winning Thanksgiving centerpiece. You can use fresh flowers or items found in your grocery store’s produce section to create a beautiful centerpiece. Instead of spending a great deal of money on decorations you’ll merely have to store until next year, your centerpiece will be both affordable and perishable. Most importantly, the fact that you did it yourself will be a real conversation starter during the meal.

Fun Place Cards

Normally reserved for fancy shindigs, place cards serve a very valuable purpose. They let dinner hosts designate seating for guests to make events go more smoothly. While most family dinners don’t need that level of organization, place cards can be fun, especially if children are involved. You can purchase premade Thanksgiving-themed place card holders or make your own using basic craft items. For even more fun, use blank place cards and have your child guests decorate them and fill in the names on Thanksgiving morning.

Cover the Table

Tablecloths are a great way to protect the table beneath and make cleanup easy. Disposable tablecloths can be tossed in the garbage at the end of the day and washable tablecloths can go straight to the laundry room. Homeowners can choose from plain tablecloths and use Thanksgiving-themed accents or go all out on a Thanksgiving-themed tablecloth and matching accessories. Table runners can be a classier alternative, whether paired with a tablecloth or used directly on the table.

Thanksgiving Dinnerware

If each year, one of your biggest hosting opportunities is Thanksgiving, it might be worth it to invest in Thanksgiving-themed dinnerware. You can purchase plates, platters, and napkin rings that bring your Thanksgiving dinner to life. Turkey-themed platters that are the perfect size to hold your turkey are available in abundance, but you may have difficulty packing your dishware until next Thanksgiving. Instead, it might be better to use your regular dinnerware and decorate around it.

Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to spend time with family and reflect on all of the great things in life. By sprucing up your dinner table with a few festive decorations, you can create a fun atmosphere that will make the holiday one to remember. With a little creativity, you may even be able to use natural items that save money and create a unique look.

Today, Streeterville’s Navy Pier, at 600 E. Grand Avenue, is a glittering, indoor/outdoor, year-round mecca of entertainment and fun for all, host to millions of tourists, anxious for a turn on the Great (Ferris) Wheel as it towers above DuSable Lake Shore Drive, or a prime spot for Fourth of July/New Year’s Eve Fireworks, or attending a performance at Chicago’s Shakespeare Theatre. 

But that wasn’t always its purpose. 

Opened to the public on July 15, 1916, according to Wikipedia sources, the 3,300-foot-long pier, then known as ‘Municipal Pier,’ was built by Charles Sumner Frost, a nationally known architect,  at a cost of $4.5 million, Municipal Pier was constructed atop 20,000 timber logs imported from Oregon.

Did you know… 

Burnham said this about Chicago’s lakefront:

“THE LAKEFRONT BY RIGHT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE… IT SHOULD BE MADE SO ALLURING THAT IT WILL BECOME THE FIXED HABIT OF THE PEOPLE TO SEEK ITS RESTFUL PRESENCE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY.”

According to Encyclopedia.com, the pier itself represented a compromise between the hopes of Daniel Burnham in his Plan of Chicago for two recreational piers,  and the city’s desire for a modern harbor facility. 

Originally, the pier was used as a dock for freights, passenger traffic, and indoor and outdoor recreation. Additionally, events like expositions and pageants were held there.

Wait…Municipal Pier was a Prison?

Yes, it sure was! As the United States entered World War I in 1917,  the pier housed soldier barracks and a prison for men who dodged the draft. According to WTTW.com, it also played an important role in military preparations, housing soldiers’ barracks, and a Red Cross station. 

In 1927, to honor those who had served in World War I, the Pier got a new name: Navy Pier.

On to World War II… 

During World War II, more than 60,000 military personnel trained at the Pier and on Lake Michigan – including 15,000 fighter pilots. As legendary newsman Bill Kurtis intoned in WTTW’s documentary on the pier, two former Great Lakes passenger steamers were converted into freshwater aircraft carriers. These makeshift carriers, he said, were quite a bit shorter than their oceangoing counterparts, which added some difficulty to takeoffs and landings. 100 planes ended up on the bottom of Lake Michigan; many are still there. The pier contained a 2,500-seat theater, gym, 12-chair barber shop, tailor, cobbler shops, soda fountain and a vast kitchen and hospital, according to Wikipedia sources. 

Post-War University and Present-Day Entertainment 

Navy Pier became the location of the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1946, seeing soldiers utilizing the new GI Education Bill,  and held classes at the pier. As the maximum capacity was exceeded, the school outgrew the pier and the university relocated to Circle Campus in 1965. After the university left, the Navy Pier, as Wikipedia sources note, “became underutilized.” 

Renaissance and Entertainment Mecca 

According to the Chicago Architecture Center , in 1995, VOA and Benjamin Thompson Associates completed a major reconstruction and redesign of the pier. It resulted in the creation of the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Crystal Garden, Festival Hall and the Ferris Wheel. Since then, the pier has been used exclusively as an entertainment venue. In 1999, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater moved to the pier, adding one more important entertainment venue. The pier has experienced another resurgence, with a 2016 redesign by James Corner Field Operations that added a grand staircase leading up to the new 200-foot Centennial Wheel and the Polk Bros. Foundation Park near the entrance, complete with a large participatory fountain and two stages for entertainment.

Coming Up: Light Up The Lake! 

Starting Friday, November 25,  Navy Pier is presenting Chicago’s largest indoor lights experience, ‘Light Up The Lake! ‘Interactive light displays, a whimsical skating rink, journeys through the birch tree maze, and visits with Santa at  Festival Hall. For tickets and information, click here.

There is no admission fee to enter Navy Pier. Attractions within Navy Pier may have admission prices and those prices can be obtained from each individual attraction’s box office.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

As much as we wish there were more, we still only have 24 hours in a day. Much of this time is spent sleeping and working, and that leaves a precious few hours to fit in everything else. Oftentimes spending time connecting with loved ones gets pushed down the list of tasks. We know that time spent with these people is a key component to a long, well-lived life, so it is important to find a way to fit it in. 

One way to do this is errand dates. Think about the everyday chores we need to do. There’s grocery shopping, cleaning your space, and laundry. An errand date is a great way to tick off your tasks while spending time with loved ones! These errand dates work for spending time with roommates, best friends or relatives. 

Connect with someone you haven’t seen for a while. Ask them what errands they need to go on in the next few days. You can join them grocery shopping (other shopping too, like for clothes or furniture). Go along to the gym, get your cars washed or go to Home Depot for hardware and such. This is a guilt free way for two people to make good use of their time and spend time together! But, don’t forget that you’ll also need to help others tick off items on their errand list too, it’s not one-sided. Thankfully most of us run the same kind of errands. Can you imagine how happy an elderly relative would be with a trip to Target? And you’ll take care of your list too!

An errand date can actually be a romantic date, but try to wait until the relationship is past the initial stages. You can really learn a lot about a person grocery shopping as opposed to dinner and a movie. How do they handle sitting in a long line? How do they deal with obnoxious children running shopping carts into them? It will definitely give you a clue about their level of patience. 

In any case, make sure to share your intentions behind the errand date with the other person. They may feel less important when you ask them to join you on errands when your intention is the opposite. They need to know this is quality time carved out for them that benefits you both! Regardless of your situation, you may benefit from trying an errand date the next time you want to hang out with someone but have way too much to do. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago