Your moving day is set and it’s time to start preparing. As you’re making your lists and checking them twice, don’t forget to factor in your furry friends. Here are some tips for making sure the process goes smoothly.

Medical records. When moving to a different city or state, one of the main things you need to take into consideration is finding a new veterinarian that is the right fit for you and your pet. If you have family or friends in the area ask for recommendations or do your own research by reading reviews and news articles. Once you find one, contact your current vet to initiate a transfer of medical records. Then schedule a “get to know you” appointment shortly after your move.

Transportation. Whether it’s a short drive or a long plane ride, you pet will likely need to be put into a carrier. For most pets, this is a foreign concept and they require time to get comfortable with it. Start acclimating your pet as early as possible and use comfort items like treats and favorite toys and blankets to make the experience a positive one for your pet.

Acclimation. Pad your moving schedule with ample time to get your dog or cat acclimated to their new home. While the movers are still hard at work, keep them safely away from foot traffic to reduce stress. Once they’ve left, make sure to clear anything that could be dangerous and block off areas as necessary then let them free to get a lay of the land on their own.

As August winds down, there are still plenty of exciting events going on throughout the city. Whether you’re looking to get out and about (while practicing social distancing protocols, of course) or you’re looking for something of a virtual nature, we have some great picks coming soon this month to our favorite Chicago neighborhoods to check out as summer rolls on.

Logan Square: Consider yourself a real movie buff that can go toe to toe (virtually) against others when it comes to film? On Tuesday, August 25th, from 8:30 pm to 10 pm, see if you got the right stuff by joining Chicago Pop Trivia and the Logan Theatre’s presentation of Virtual Movie Trivia. Whether you do battle solo against other cinephiles or join a team to compete, you can be sure of a fun time and maybe learn something new about your favorite films. This free event takes place every Tuesday, and the winners receive a voucher for a curbside pickup of popcorn and candy at the Logan Theater as well as swag from Revolution Brewing. Find out more here.

South Loop: Every Thursday from 4 pm to 8 pm head over to the South Loop Farmers Market in the parking lot of the Second Presbyterian Church located at 1936 South Michigan Avenue. Healthy and fresh fruits and veggies are in abundance at this market, which brings together the cultural and diversity of the South Loop in a perfect summer setting to purchase high-quality goods. Social distancing rules will be observed, and you can preorder for pick up online. Support local farms and enjoy a safe time out in the fresh air. Find more info here.

Loop: Despite the pandemic, you can still enjoy summer in Chicago by taking in Lake Michigan’s beautiful sites while sipping on some tasty spirits on the Open Bar Sunset Tiki Cruise. Presented by Art Room Events, attendees meet up at 400 East Monroe Street and take part in the hour and fifteen-minute tour cruising the lakeshore while enjoying the one of a kind views of Chicago’s skyline and landmarks. Tickets range from $50 to $95, and masks are required to be admitted. Cruises take place multiple days throughout the week during the month of August, so pick out a time and participate in the fun! Find more info here.

Lakeview: Get in the Kitchen, located at 3617 North Broadway, will be taken over by renowned Louisiana Chef Allen Rochelle of Bronzeville’s now-closed Le Fleur de Lis Chicago for a Cajun creole pop-up dining experience. Beginning Thursday, August 27th, and running through Sunday, August 30th, come give your taste buds a real culinary treat via the fantastic creations of Chef Rochelle’s Cajun-inspired dishes. The menu features collared green eggrolls, Creole butter shrimp, chicken wings and waffles, and much more for both brunch and dinner service. Tickets range from $30 to $40, and reservations are encouraged, although walk-ins are welcome. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Sometimes we can find ourselves in a kind of brain fog. Often it seems like we have so many plates in the air that we feel muddled. This leads to a lot of time and mental energy spent, but not much progress being made. We feel in a rut. But there are a few things we can do to get out of the fog and on the way to achieving our goals.

Get away from multitasking. This is often considered an attribute, but it is really preventing productive work. Constantly switching tasks makes your concentration suffer. Reduce tasks to the top five and finish one before moving to the next. Turn off cell alerts to avoid the temptation to switch tasks.

Not everything is urgent. We must learn to distinguish between important and unimportant tasks. Many of these are distractions we allow to take us away from the job at hand. Often these distractions are welcome as the task you are on may be onerous. Keep on task!

Try to work in a clutter-free space. Crazy clutter has been found to cause low-level anxiety. Of course, your space was not cluttered in a day, so make a plan to declutter in short bursts daily. Make it a daily habit before getting down to work. 

Stop feeding your comfort zone. It does provide security, but in the long run, comfort is bad for the brain. Being active mentally increases the brain’s regenerating capabilities. Going beyond the familiar is essential. New experiences, skills, and ideas improve mental clarity. 

Be active. There is a direct correlation between physical well-being and mental health. Moving your body regularly will improve your cognitive skills. Go for regular walks to blow off that fog on your brain. Make it a habit.

Lastly, try and stay off media as much as you can. We’ve all been guilty of hopping on Facebook or Instagram, and before we know it, an hour has gone by. It is an easy wormhole to fall in. Try to create instead of consuming. Limit all the “noise” coming at you from all directions.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Since we’re still allowed to get outdoors, check out these tours, by water or by land, that are open throughout Chicago this weekend! At least you don’t have to deal with big crowds!!

Many lake and river cruises have set sail again here in Chicago. Here are just a few:

Chicago’s First Lady cruises are located at 112 E. Wacker Drive on Chicago’s Riverwalk in The Loop. As you may know, Chicago is known for its outstanding architecture around the world and admiring the city’s legacy from the water is probably the easiest way. This lake and river cruise offers the most comprehensive tour of the skyline by partnering with the Chicago Architecture Center!

Island Party Boats cruises are located at the Island Party Hut (355 E. Riverwalk S) in The Loop. Enjoy an island experience right here in Chicago. This cruise offers live music, great food & drinks, and both private to semi-private boat charters on the river and lake!

Shoreline Sightseeing cruises are located at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in Streeterville. This cruise covers all the bases and is one of Chicago’s classic cruise options. Their popular 75-minute Architecture River Tour takes you on all three branches of the Chicago River and past dozens of landmark buildings while their 40-minute Skyline Lake Tour showcases the city’s dramatic skyline!

Seadog Cruises by Hornblower is located at Navy Pier as well. If you’re a thrill-seeker, you might enjoy their 30-minutes of high speeds and exhilarating twists and turns on Lake Michigan! Or take it down a notch by enjoying views of Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, Museum Campus, and much more! Whether you’re a history buff, love architecture, or are just looking for a fun time, Seadog by Hornblower has something for everyone!

If you prefer to stay on land, check out the following walking tours:

The Chicago Architecture Center offers a wide variety of walking tours which include Chicago Architecture: A Walk Through Time (90-minute tour that takes a comprehensive look at the city’s architectural history); Mid-Century Modern (90-minute tour of modern architects Mies van der Roe, Bertrand Goldberg & SOM’s creations); Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Loop (90-minute tour in the heart of Chicago’s financial district); Must-See Chicago (90-minute introductory tour to Chicago); and many more. Check them out!

Chicago Detours offers both public and private walking tours during the day and evening. With these tours you’ll explore stories and places locals don’t even know about! Your professional guide will also share the personal and forgotten stories behind Chicago’s architecture. If you’re unable to take a walking tour, then join Chicago Detours on one of their live, virtual tours!!

Chicago Greeter tours have resumed with limited group sizes. These free, two to four-hour tours are led by expert locals who guide you through authentic Chicago – its fascinating histories, diverse cultural traditions, iconic landmarks, and off-the-beaten-path gems!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

When it comes to getting a bite to eat, takeout and delivery have been king these last few months in Chicago. While indoor dining is open in many spots throughout the city, getting a reservation and dealing with the necessary restrictions due to COVID-19 has made the dining experience we know and love is vastly different. 

Yet as always out of necessity comes invention and pop-up restaurants have increased in Chicago as a way to bring delectable food to the masses without resorting to a brick and mortar setting. This week I was in Wicker Park and made my way to Friend of the Devil, located at 1431 North Milwaukee. 

But isn’t that location the home of the beloved Devil Dawgs, you might be asking? It certainly is. However, this summer, the spot is also home to Friend of the Devil and the delicious foods created by local chef extraordinaire Andrew Brochu of Roister on Fulton Market fame.

So before you bemoan another hot dog restaurant review, read on to see why Friend of the Devil is one of the best pop-ups to debut amid the pandemic. And it has nothing to do with red hots (although those are great too.)

Chicago was eagerly awaiting chef Brochu’s newest restaurant, which was set to open up this year. However, that didn’t pan out due to the current economic conditions due to COVID-19. So Brochu collaborated with Devil Dawgs. Now Wicker Park is home to Friend of the Devil, and Chicagoan’s taste buds are celebrating the results.

If you got around to dining at Roister while chef Brochu was there, you no doubt are aware of his world-famous fried chicken sandwiches. Well, that fantastic culinary creation of Brochu’s is now available at Friend of the Devil, and Chicago is a better place for it. 

Not getting the chicken sandwich at Friend of the Devil is akin to going scuba diving and not getting in the water; it just doesn’t’ make sense. From the first bite to the last, this fantastic creation makes you forget everything you thought you knew concerning what an excellent chicken sandwich could be. 

Consisting of buttermilk fried chicken, chamomile mayo, sunchoke hot sauce, lettuce, and a dill pickle on a soft brioche bun, the Brochu’s sandwich would make a vegetarian seriously consider a lifestyle change. It’s no wonder the chef has left a trail of mouth-watering customers following his every move.

Variations of the chicken sandwich include the Oingo Boingo featuring hot jalapeno butter honey, the New York Doll highlighted by Brochu’s buttered hot sauce alongside blue cheese, and the ATLien, which is a leaned out version sans hot sauce, mayo, and lettuce. You can’t go wrong with any of these, which will put you back around $12. 

Of course, the smash patty burgers deserve a review onto themselves with variations, including the Sgt. Pepper (pepper-crusted smash patty, Swiss, mayo, and mushrooms), This Dream (Alabama white BBQ, bacon, and charred onions), and the Friend of the Devil (cheese, DD house sauce, onions, and pickles on a potato bun).

Until chef Brochu finds his next spot, head over to Wicker Park’s Friend of the Devil pronto. After one bite, you’ll realize Jerry Garcia may have been talking about chicken sandwiches when he sang, “ A friend of the devil is a friend of mine.”

Friend of the Devil is open Wednesday through Sunday for carryout from 1 pm to 8 pm. 

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO