Bucktown and Wicker Park: If you’re a foodie, you’ve got to check this event out! Sidewalk of Chicago presents a three hour Food and History walking tour of Wicker Park! The tour is featured every Sunday starting August 11 at 11 am. You’ll visit specialty food stores, ethnic eateries, and discover both well-known and well-kept secrets. Between tastings, an expert local guide provides an entertaining insider’s view into the Windy City’s culture, history, and architecture, tying the sights and sounds to the tastes. President Obama’s favorite fried chicken place, a bakery featuring homemade French macaroons, and a taco place with the décor of an antique kitchen are just a few of the stops that await you. Tickets are $38 and can be purchased here.

Lakeview: Mark your calendars for the annual Experimental Sound Studio Gala! On Friday August 16 starting at 7 pm, this gala celebrates this Chicago-based non profit organization dedicated to artistic evolution and the creative exploration of sound. This year honors luminary composer and scholar George E. Lewis. Funds raised at this year’s Benefit will support significant upgrades to ESS’s recording studios. The night will feature music from George Lewis, Sam Pluta, Rob Mazurek, Kim Alpert, Ken Vandermark, and many more. General admission tickets are $50. Find more information about the event and purchase your tickets here.

Lincoln Park: Want to take the kiddos to do something a little different? Check out the Amplified Chicago Blues exhibit at the Chicago History Museum. The exhibit runs until August 10. This immersive exhibit showcases the history of Chicago blues of the 1960s through pictures as well as opportunities for guests to play guitar, design an album cover, write lyrics, and sing karaoke. Admission to the museum is $19 for adults, $17 for seniors and students, and free for children under 18 if they are Illinois residents. The exhibit is included in the cost of admission. Find more information here.

Lincoln Square: Join the DANK Haus for their monthly Open House, Stammtisch! This month’s open house is Friday August 16 from 7:30 to 11:30 pm. This month features acclaimed Elvis impersonator Michael St. Angel! Slick your hair back and get ready to dance the night away with good friends and great music. You can also enjoy a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline from the Skyline Lounge! There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Find more information here!

Logan Square: Arts of Life is a nonprofit arts program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And it’s celebrating it’s 20th anniversary! Help celebrate and support this incredible program at “Party Like It’s 1999” on Tuesday August 27 from 6-9 pm at Revolution Brewing, Guests will enjoy an open bar, photo booth, compete to win exciting raffle prizes, and get down to the hottest music of the 90s. There will also be a silent auction where you could win luxury items, a fanny pack full of surprises, or even an original piece by an Arts of Life artist. A percentage of the nights earnings will go to support Arts of Life. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 the day of. Purchase your tickets here now! 

Evanston: Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Prohibition with the Evanston History Center at “A Night at the Blind Pig Speakeasy”! On Saturday August 24 from 7 to 10 pm, you’ll start by relaxing at the Temperance Tea Room with light refreshments overlooking the lake as the sunsets. Once you’re ready, grab your password and head to the speakeasy! The Fat Babies Jazz Band will be swinging, you’ll enjoy food and drinks, and learn to dance the Charleston and other early 20th century dances. You can also check out the Dry Evanston: The Untold Story exhibit and learn a little more about the Prohibition Era. Tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for students. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. This event is for those 21 years of age and older. 

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO 

You’ve got more options than ever when mattress shopping these days with no shortage of brick-and-mortar and online-only retailers to choose from. Here are the factors you should consider when you’re shopping for a perfect night’s sleep.

1. Mattress construction: The most popular mattress types are inner spring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and adjustable air mattresses. Each has pros and cons when it comes to durability and comfort customization.

2. Firmness: Mattress firmness plays a huge role in the quality of your sleep. Mattresses that are too firm or too soft can cause aches and pains, so it‘s recommended that you test a mattress for 10- to 15 minutes in store before making a purchase.

3. Sleeping position: Your mattress should match your sleeping style (side, back, face-down, etc.). You want a mattress that keeps your spine in proper alignment. For example, some mattresses are better for side sleepers, while others are better for back sleepers.

4. Size: It’s not quite as simple as choosing between a king and a queen mattress. You should also consider your height, as some mattresses are a better fit for shorter people while tall people will want a longer mattress so their limbs aren’t hanging over the edge of the bed.

5. Stability: For couples, you should consider how the mattress reacts when one person moves, so the other person’s sleep isn’t disturbed in the middle of the night.

The scorching heat of last weekend has decided to take a break! So our summer here in Chicago just keeps on rockin’ with the following weekend festivals!

Kickin’ off our rockin’ weekend is the Chicago Margarita Festival at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  This festival is dedicated to “Margarita” with three tasting sessions (two Saturday/one Sunday), music from noon till closing (DJs inside/live music outside), dancing, and more!  Spend the day lounging and sipping margaritas with friends on Lake Michigan.  And don’t forget to stick around for the fireworks on Saturday night!!

One of Chicago’s pioneer summer festivals celebrates its 36^th year in the Lincoln Park neighborhood with the Taste of Lincoln Avenue.  Sprawling over six city blocks on Lincoln Avenue between Fullerton and Wrightwood Avenues, the Taste of Lincoln Avenue offers two stages of great music (both national/regional acts); a kids’ carnival area with entertainment, art activities, pony rides, kiddie rides and more; the popular ticketed wine and whiskey tastings for adults; and a more recent addition, the stand-alone “Chocolate Fest” area for those with a sweet tooth (tastings and sales)!

One of Chicago’s most anticipated summer events, the Wicker Park Fest, is returning for its Sweet 16 party to Milwaukee and North Avenues in the Wicker Park neighborhood.  This fest reflects the neighborhood’s rich music and cultural heritage with over 50 bands on four stages and an arts area dedicated to interactive art and inspired installations!  It also includes over 100 vendors with a colorful mix of local restaurants serving up great food, boutiques, and artisans.  And it’s home to one of the summer’s top Kids Fest featuring a bounce house, carnival games, face painting, hair streaking, and so much more!!

The Lincoln Square Greek Fest returns to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (2727 W. Winona St.) not only to celebrate its 70^th year but also the end of July.  Get ready for some authentic Greek food (lamb, pastichio, gyros, saganaki), plenty of music, dancing, and family-friendly activities.  This fest also offers a kiddy corner with fun crafts, games, and kiddie rides.  There’s even a marketplace where souvenirs and keepsakes are available for purchase.  And the festivities will finish with a grand prize raffle of cash for the lucky reveler!

Finally, the South Loop Beer and Cider Fest returns for its 4^th year to the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens (1801 S. Indiana Ave.) this Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Sample an impressive array of over 100 beers and ciders from Illinois and beyond.  In addition, attendees can purchase food from local food trucks, enjoy live music, and craft beer-centric activities!  (Sorry, no children or babies allowed on event grounds.)

This weekend’s Movies in the Parks are:

Saturday
“Come Drink with Me” – Buttercup Park (4901 N. Sheridan Rd.) – Lincoln Park
“Captain Marvel” – Big Marsh Park 564 (11555 S. Stony Island Ave.) – Calumet Area Reserve
“Creed II” – Ellis Park (3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.) – Douglas
“Coco” – Mamie-Till Park (6404 S. Ellis Ave.) — Woodlawn

Hope to See You Rockin’ Out There with Us!!

Put your dancing shoes on and get ready for Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets! On Saturday August 3 and Sunday August 4, from 12-10 pm, this classic Chicago street festival will hit the city. Dancing in the Streets is the brain child of On Tour Brewing Company founder Mark Legenza. The West Town Chamber of Commerce, On Tour Brewing, and the Chicago Brewing District work together to put on this one-of-a-kind craft beer and live music event! The festival is located on Hubbard St. between Paulina and Wood. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. The event features a robust craft beer menu featuring brews from West Town favorites such as All Rise Brewing Company, Burnt City Brewing, Goose Island Brewing Co., Forbidden Root, and more. Local artists, retailers, corporate sponsors will be featured. Industrial Corridor makers like Fulton Street Collective and Spudnik Press will present live art and print making as well. Altitude Chicago will be providing family activities, including small trampolines, spin wheel, and Connect 4. Food trucks 5411 Empanadas, Carnivale, Soul Kantina, and Donermen will be slinging their tasty fare as well as food vendors Cevapcici and Rancho Mateo. Touring blue grass and jam bands will perform live music throughout the weekend. The street festival is both kid and pet friendly! A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the West Town Chamber of Commerce, The Arts of Life, and Chicago Neighbors United. 

Check out the event website for more information. 

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO 

“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

YOU’RE NOT TOO LATE

For years now, we’ve been hearing that interest rates will be on the rise, and although there have been some small increases, you’re still in a great position to drastically lower your interest rate. The general rule is if your mortgage interest rate is more than one percent above the current market rate, you should consider refinancing.

IT’S NOT TOO TIME CONSUMING

Don’t brush off refinancing just because it seems like a long and daunting process. An informational call with a lender to see how rates compare will only take a few minutes. There are also some programs for streamlining the application process. And besides, isn’t the amount of money you could save worth the time and effort?

ARMS CAN BE REFINANCED, TOO

Seeing your Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) increase after the introductory period can be incredibly stressful and place a squeeze on your budget. Many people assume they’re stuck, but ARMs can be refinanced, just like fixed-rate mortgages. You can even switch to a shorter term fixed-rate mortgage, such as 15 or 23 years. The longer you’re planning to stay in the home, the more sense it makes to look into refinancing.