Nothing is more irritating than carefully selecting the perfect amount of bandwidth for you and your family just to experience spotty and oftentimes slow internet speeds while at home. And now more than ever, it is crucial that you have a reliable connection while many of us are working and studying at home. Check out the tips below to boosting those speeds.

Place your router in a central, open location. Your connection speed can be affected by distance, so if possible, place your router in an open area between the rooms you use your Wi-Fi most, such as the living room and office.

Avoid obstacles and interference. Top internet providers recommend placing the router off the floor above furniture and away from brick or concrete walls that can block or slow the internet from being transmitted properly. Additionally, other electronics like baby monitors, microwaves, and cordless phones can interfere with the connection.

Look into a wireless range extender. Have you noticed that your far guest room is a Wi-Fi dead spot? Although an extender won’t boost the speed of your internet overall, it will help increase the signal in the room it is placed in, extending the connection’s reach. Upgrade your router and firmware. If the router you own or rent is outdated, it is possible that is the reason your bandwidth is not reaching its full potential. It’s recommended that you upgrade every three or four years to make sure it can support the latest Wi-Fi standards. Plus, many of the new routers allow data to transmit over two radio frequencies, giving you two WiFi networks.

It’s already August in Chicago (how did that happen so fast?). While this summer is far different from what we are accustomed to, there are still cool happenings going on throughout the city and burbs to remind us why the Windy City is the best place to be during the warm weather months.

Rogers Park: Not being able to gather at festivals this summer is a bummer. But what if the festival came to us? That’s the idea behind this year’s Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest. The mobile edition of the popular Rogers Park annual event kicks off its 19th year on Saturday, August 15th. A mobile stage on two trucks will feature video displays of local artwork. Also, the musical stylings of Urban Rhythm Band and Joyce Renee Walker band will perform lives sets on the mobile stage as it makes its way throughout Rogers Park. The fest will get rolling on the 15th at 12 pm and 4 pm, and on the 16th at the same times. The best part? It’s free for all! Find more info here. 

Wicker Park: You don’t need to schlep all the way out to a drive-in to catch a flick outdoors thanks to the Rooftop Movie Nights playing at Whiskey Business every Tuesday at 5:30 pm and 8:45 pm. Located at 1367 North Milwaukee Avenue, Whiskey Business offers a night under the stars watching great films with complimentary popcorn and tasty drinks for $10 per person. On August 11th, they will show Rocky, and the following week on the 18th, you can catch Super Troopers. Check out their website to find the list of movies and how to make reservations. Find more info here. 

Loop: The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts audio broadcasts every Tuesday at 5:30 pm as part of their free Tuesdays on the Terrace summer jazz series. While we can’t enjoy the music live at the Anne and Jack Kern terrace Garden as we have in previous years, we can still pop open a bottle of wine and listen to amazing performances via their Facebook Live page from the comfort of our home or anywhere else. This Tuesday, August 11th, catch The Katie Ernst Trio. Find more info here. 

West Town: The virtual edition of this year’s Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets fest kicks off August 5th and runs through the 12th with special deals from West Town merchants. Viewers can check out streaming live sets from Mark & Dave Play Dead, Rock & Rye, and Paradise Waits on Friday, August 7th, beginning at 7 pm. You can also purchase a mix pack of brews from On Tour Brewing Company, Goose Island, and Forbidden Root, among others, by visiting the On Tour Brewing Company website. While you won’t be dancing in the streets for this year’s fest, you can cut the rug, enjoy some delicious beers, and listen to some great jam bands from home. Find more info here.

Roscoe Village: Live music is hard to come by these days, but Constellation, located at 3111 North Western Avenue, brings back in-person performances this month with plenty of shows in a socially distanced setting. On Friday, August 7th, experience the adventurous sounds of cellist Helen Money live at 8:30 pm for $15. The following week finds the saxophone trio of Twin Talk on the 14th and the first full band performance in half a decade of Mike Reed’s Loose Assembly on the 15th. Performances will be limited to 50 people, seating will be six feet apart to accommodate for social distancing, and masks must be worn at all times. All performances will be livestreamed for a donation. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

If you are between 40 and 60 and have felt yourself getting weaker and unable to perform tasks involving lifting, you are not alone. As you get older your muscle mass declines. We have known about this for quite a while. It was starting to be noticed around the 1800s when life spans reached the point where this happened. We also were leaving agrarian jobs where more physical activity was required. 

After age 30, we can lose as much as 8% of our muscle mass every 10 years, causing a potential 30% loss of our power and strength. This also attributes to accidents and falls. There is a way to maintain your muscle mass and even rebuild it even if you are past 70. The key is strength training. It will help you get more juice out of your muscles while putting less load on joints, so you have less risk of injury.

Many of us are sitting way too much. This shortens the front of your body muscles like hip flexors and chest muscles. Therefore, the corresponding muscles in the back of your body like glutes and upper back become weak. So, we need to target all our major muscle groups. We can do this with exercise and weight training.

Exercises that target big muscles like quads and glutes while engaging the core are best. Lunges, planks, leg presses, and step-ups work well here. Upper body exercises like push-ups and pull-ups involve all the major muscles.  Bring in weights to increase the work. Lower weight is best. It is more beneficial to do more reps with lower weights than less with more. Start with 15 and work up to 30-45. Lift till you cannot do one more repetition. You have items around the house to use in case you don’t have access to a gym. Cans of food or bottles filled with water work well. Ankle and hand weights are inexpensive and available everywhere. 

Strength train 3 days a week while filling the other days with aerobic work like walking or bike riding. Start out small and slow. Check out different strength exercises online. You will be amazed at how much stronger you will be!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

It’s hard to believe that this weekend is August already. And it’s even harder to believe that our summer continues to be spent sheltering in place and obeying social distancing guidelines. However, Chicagoans won’t be denied a fun summer as we welcome in August!

As you know, the city has canceled all permitted special events, including Lollapalooza. But this year’s Lollapalooza music festival will be commemorated with a free, four-night (July 30-August 2) broadcast dubbed Lolla2020. The broadcast will air exclusively live on YouTube beginning at 5 p.m. each night. This virtual event will include performances from around the city and beyond with epic archival sets from Chicago and the festival’s six international editions, never-before-seen footage from the 1990s, and much more. Official Lolla merchandise is available for purchase as well. New this year, nominate yourself to become the first-ever Mayor of Lolla! Prizes include a brand-new Toyota Corolla Apex, 4-Day Platinum Tickets to Lolla 2021, flights plus hotel during the fest, and more!!

Stan’s Donuts is going virtual as well with its Stan’s Donut Virtual Race. This year’s virtual run will consist of a kids’ dash, 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon option. Stan’s will ship (or you can pick-up) your shirt, medal, donut certificate, and any other goodies right to you. Then you run (or walk) the distance you selected at any time during the month of August and at any location you choose. However, it is highly recommended that you finish at a Stan’s Donuts location for your tasty free donut! So, grab your donut-lovin’ friends and register today. You don’t want to miss out on your free Stan’s donut!!

Who doesn’t like penguins, right? Well, it’s time to meet them virtually at the Shedd Aquarium’s Virtual Penguin Encounter. You will meet a penguin up close and discover what makes these birds so amazing during your 45-minute experience. This encounter will take place on Zoom so you can enjoy the experience right from your own home. Plus, all questions can be asked live through the chat function and responded to by the program host. So, who will you meet – waddling Wellington, rockhopper pair Edward and Annie, or Izzy and Darwin the Magellanic penguins?

Chicago’s Scots invite everyone to their 34th annual, first-ever, virtual Scottish Festival & Highland Games this Saturday (2 p.m.-6 p.m.). This is a free, family-friendly event featuring a variety of demonstrations and performances, including shortbread baking with award-winning Chef Gary Maclean, Scottish heavy athletics, the Highland dancers, and bagpiping and more for everyone to enjoy! Plus, participants are encouraged to visit the event’s Virtual Marketplace for a selection of exclusive virtual experiences to purchase all in support of the Chicago Scots mission!!

Need to just kick-back and unwind? Check out these online concerts (youtube.com/Chicago DCASE) featuring Millennium Park at Home: Blues Music this Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday performers are Melody Angel and John Primer. Sunday performers are Ivy Ford and Toronzo Cannon. Enjoy your blues music evening!!

Lastly, this weekend’s Chi-Together: Drive-in Movies & Music will feature Dream Girls (Saturday) and Kung Fu Panda (Sunday) at Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop. Enjoy drive-in movies plus live music in a socially distant event. Each ticket includes a 90-minute music showcase by a locally featured musician or DJ, followed by the movie on 3 jumbo screens for up to 6 people, and includes a free bucket of popcorn!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Vendors are getting their goods together for a new spot to dine starting next month, but this isn’t for a street festival or outdoor dining experience. 

A smorgasbord of some of Chicago’s favorite places to eat is coming together in one space at the brand new Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall. The food hall will set up shop in the Illinois Medical District located at 1811 West Harrison Street. Part of a planned $150 million renovation at the Old Cook County Hospital Building, Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall will be open to the public beginning Monday, August 3rd.  

While there is no doubt that Chicago is the city for fantastic food, the logistics of hitting so many delicious spots can make it a long endeavor to get a taste of all the great restaurants the city has to offer. Dr. Murray’s Food Hall will save you money on Uber fares across the city thanks to the top-notch chefs bringing their culinary creations under one roof at the Old Cook County Hospital Building.

So what dining establishments are making their way to West Harrison Street? Logan Square, one of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods, is represented via Passion House Coffee, the gourmet coffee go-to run by Chicago java aficionado Joshua Millman, and Jarabe, who will be providing authentic, delicious Mexican dishes.

In the mood for breakfast? Whether it’s morning or much later in the day, there’s never a wrong time to munch on some high-quality breakfast fare. You can get your fill of sandwiches, bowls, and eggs all day at Brekkie & Bake Shop, which will debut at Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall.

Doc’s Bar, situated at the center of the food hall, provides customers with a relaxing bar stocked with a bevy of craft beers, wine by the glass, and Chicago-themed cocktails. 

Food truck titans Lexington Betty Smoke House are opening their first brick and mortar location at Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall. Here you can dig into their stunning rib tips, BBQ chicken, and other barbeque and soul food delights courtesy of chef and owner Dominique Leach.

The little sister to Wicker Park’s Delta, Lil Delta, will make its debut in the food hall serving up longtime Chicago favorites like their Mississippi Red Hot Tamales, frites, and hushpuppies, in addition to items explicitly prepared for the West Harrison Street location.

Evanston’s Viet Nom Nom brings their distinctive and mouthwatering Vietnamese cuisine to Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall. The menu will include their banh mis sandwiches, baos, summer rolls, and gluten-free and dairy-free menu choices.

Any hankerings for dessert will be satisfied thanks to the additions of Crockett Cookies, whose peanut butter and butter cookies are nothing less than heavenly, and Classic Cobbler, where you can dine on savory fruit cobblers and pies.

Transplants from Omaha making their Chicago debut are Kathmandu Momo Station, offering their award-winning dumplings and authentic Burmese and Nepalese dishes, and Maharani Indian Cuisine providing customers modern takes on kebabs, curry, and naan.

As far as the namesake of the food hall, Dr. Murphy was one of the nation’s preeminent surgeons who practiced and taught at the Old Cook Country Hospital around the beginning of the 20th century. Award-winning chef Akhtar Nawab is curating the food hall.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO