Ok, so some of us got dumped on with snow this past week, no big deal – the weekend is upon us, the snow will be gone and spring is officially here on Monday.  It’s time to shed ‘ole man winter and begin planning for the awakening and blooming of spring!

Believe it or not but Chicago is in bloom already at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) through March 26^th at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Visitors can sit in on a wide-range of instructional seminars such as “Arthritis in The Garden-How to Lower Chronic Pain Without Medicines;” walk through 20 manicured gardens including “Mariano’s Floral Market,” “Blooming in the Office,” “Health & Healing,” and even a “World Series Cubs Tribute” garden; purchase plant-related souvenirs at the Home & Garden Marketplace and obtain culinary tips from chefs at cooking demonstrations along with samples of their delights at the Garden Gourmet.  There’s even a Kid’s Activity Garden offering hands-on projects, like how to plant seeds and grow vegetables, while providing inspiration and fun as they cultivate the next generation of gardeners!  And, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, you don’t want to miss the annual Cake Decorating Competition!  The best bakers in the City go head-to-head to create and decorate the most beautiful and mouth-watering cake that ever existed in Chicago!!

Greet spring and celebrate the Midwest region’s growing local food community at the 13th annual Good Food Festival & Marketplace at the UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Rd.) in the University Village/Little Italy neighborhoods this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This celebration of the fast-growing Good Food movement features a Good Food Marketplace where you can shop for local foods; an Organic Valley Good Food Commons where you can participate in informal, 20-minute micro workshops; a Good Food Court where you can get some lunch; a Good Food at the Purple Asparagus Kids’ Corner for some family-friendly fun; cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs and much more!  Eat, Learn, Eat & Connect!!

Villain Arts is back with its 8^th annual Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (9291 Bryn Mawr Ave.) in Rosemont this Saturday (11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.).  Some of the world’s best tattoo artists are in town not only to show their skills but to give tattoos as well!  You will also get to see some unique burlesque acts, sideshows, vendors, seminars, tattoo contests and more.  Tattoo TV celebs from Ink Master, VH1’s Black Ink, Best Ink and many others will be in attendance as well.  It just may be time for a new, or another, tattoo to welcome spring!!

Finally, Tower Show Productions will present its 25^th annual Chicagoland Family Pet Expo at the Arlington International Racecourse (2000 W. Euclid Ave.) in Arlington Heights this Saturday (9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).  This expo showcases a wide range of product and service categories which include Cleaning Supplies, Grooming Supplies, Pet Beds & Furniture, Containment Systems, Security Products, Veterinary Services, pet-themed artwork, clothing & jewelry, and much, much more!  Fun entertainment, demonstrations, presentations and hands-on attractions for the whole-family are featured as well!!  It’s an unbeatable, one-stop venue for pet services and products, but you need to keep your pet(s) at home.  So be sure to bring home a “goody” bag for your four-legged family member or you may live to regret it!!

Who’s Ready to Shed ‘Ole Man Winter?

Lakeview: Senator Elizabeth Warren is scheduled to speak at the Music Box Theatre on April 22. She will be speaking about her new book, “This Fight is Our Fight: The Battle to Save America’s Middle Class”. Her talk begins at 2:30 pm and books purchased at the event will be pre-signed by the Senator. Music Box partnered with The Book Stall, an independently owned book store in Winnetka, to bring this event to Chicago. Tickets are $31; find more information here.

Lincoln Park: Much to the neighborhood’s chagrin, O’Brien’s Restaurant in Old Town is headed for demolition station. The demolition permit was issued on Tuesday this week. The building, located at 1528 N. Wells St., is to be replaced by a 13-story luxury hotel. The original proposal called for an 18 story building, which residents hotly contested, stating that it would destroy the character of Old Town. The hotel boasts 200 rooms, a rooftop lounge, and patisserie. O’Brien’s will re-open in the hotel after the project is completed next year. 

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Are you a budding competitive eater? The Chicago Pizza Summit is the place for you. 12 people will be chosen for this much anticipated pizza eating competition. To enter, you must submit a one-minute video of yourself eating as much pizza as you can, while also displaying personality and creativity. After a round of online voting, the top contestants will advance to the live summit on April 9. Held at Chop Shop (2033 W. North Ave.), there are two sessions, one from 2 to 5 pm and one from 6 to 9 pm. In addition to potential pizza-eating fame, the contestants will also receive two free tickets to the event. Enter yourself here!

Old Town: If you’re a resident of Chicago, you’ve surely seen the “Wizard of Oz” statue, located in Oz Park. This week, residents showed their support by laying flowers at the foot of the statue. The dog who modeled as Toto for sculptor John Kearney passed away earlier this week. The statue was dedicated in 2007 and was the last of four statues Kearney made for Oz Park. Kearney was commissioned by the Oz Park Advisory Council and the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. Owner Jackie Kelly, from Provincetown, Massachusetts, was touched by the show of support for her dog, daVinci.

Andersonville: Bar Roma is a popular new spot in Andersonville, lauded for its Italian cuisine. Their website states, “Bar Roma is excited to be the newest addition to Andersonville’s ever-evolving dining scene. Specializing in meatballs, house made pasta, and wood-fired dishes, Bar Roma highlights the cuisine of Rome, Italy, and its surrounding area.” Bar-Roma has just announced it will be serving weekend brunch as well. Brunch will be served Saturdays and Sundays from 1030 am- 2 pm. Looking at the menu, my eye was caught by the Colazione di Straciatella: creamy Straciatella, grilled grapes, and local honey served with toasted ciabatta. I’m also intrigued by the Maritozzi con La Panna: French toast, banana, almond, mascarpone, and crispy bacon on the side.

Portage Park: This weekend marks the second gathering of the “Social After Six” program. The Six Corners Association hopes to introduce people to less-widely known parts of the Six Corners Shopping District. Association director Kelly Wefenstette says, “We’re partnering with local businesses to host these events in a way that gets people through their doors for a new, fun lighthearted experience and will cultivate a relationship between customer and business that continues after the event is over.” This weekend’s event will be held at Filament Theatre (4041 N. Milwaukee Ave.) from 6-10 pm. There will be over 500 board games and a large supply of tacos from Lomas Verdes, sold for $1 each. Buy your tickets here for $5 or for $10 at the door.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

You only need a few square feet of soil to provide vegetables for the whole family. Raised beds are the best way to grow healthy vegetable plants. Many times, plants die or develop disease from sitting in water that does not properly drain. Timbers work well, but make sure you get wolmanized wood. It’s treated and pressurized to withstand the elements. It comes in many sizes or can be cut to fit your space. Check out other materials at the home and garden store. Paving stones come in many shapes and colors. They also have curved sections so you can make circles. A cheaper and easier option is cinder blocks. Set out your pattern and fill with garden soil, including the holes. This will keep the blocks from shifting. Plant herbs or strawberries in the holes. They don’t need much soil. This method does not require rotating. If you plant directly in the soil, you should not plant the same vegetable in the same spot next year as it can deplete the soil. With raised beds, change the soil yearly, so in small gardens you can keep things uniform.

Now you can plan which vegetables you would like to grow. Most vegetables need at least six hours of sun per day. I know this can be difficult in small yards but do your best. When planning, make sure the sun lovers, like tomatoes, get the most exposure. Other veggies like peppers, beans, cucumbers and lettuce need much less. Each tomato plant requires two square feet of garden space. They need the most space of all vegetables. You can plant two peppers in one square foot or four cucumbers. Follow the directions that come with the plants, but remember you can usually plant things a little closer than recommended. For beginners, I recommend starting out small; try three tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Plants that are harvested quickly and early like lettuce, spinach and radishes can be sown in between the larger plants. These do best in the early part of the year before the heat sets in. Pick often, especially lettuce and spinach, for best results.

Gardens need the same water as the lawn does, one inch per week. but in the very hottest part of the summer it may be necessary to water daily. Annual vegetables, like annual flowers, have rather shallow root systems and can dry out quickly. That’s why it’s always best to have the garden within sight of the house. Out of sight, out of mind as they say. Fertilize weekly with a general fertilizer like Miracle Grow. Keep well weeded, as weeds compete for both water and nutrients.

KATHY WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

There’s nothing quite like St. Patrick’s Day here in Chicago!  Chicagoans celebrate Irish culture and tradition throughout this great city of ours this weekend, since the actual holiday falls on a workday (next Friday)!  So, don your best green outfit and become Irish for a day, because there is no shortage of ways to celebrate!!

Saturday (9:00 a.m.) starts off with the Dyeing of the Chicago River at Columbus and Wacker Drives.  Our river becomes a brilliant green as 45 pounds of vegetable dye color is added to the water. It lasts for about five hours, so be sure to get there right when it happens before it turns murky green again!

The festivities continue with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade beginning at noon at Columbus Drive and Balbo Avenue and continuing north to Monroe Street. It will last for about three hours and this year’s theme is “Irish Immigration: A New World of Opportunity.”  This parade is definitely packed with all things Irish from colorful floats waving their green/white/orange flags proudly, to troops of Irish step dancers, to booming marching bands & bagpipers, and of course, to the Queen and her Court!

For those who prefer to begin their Saturday the right way, the Chicago Shamrock Crawl takes place at many of Wrigleyville’s best bars from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Your ticket includes a T-shirt, a breakfast buffet from 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. (check website for buffet hosts), a gift card to use on the crawl, giveaways and much more!

After the downtown parade, head over to the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave.) in the Mayfair neighborhood for their annual St. Patrick’s Festival from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. to continue your day of being Irish.  This large-scale, family-oriented celebration features traditional & contemporary Irish music with dance, food & drink, vendors selling Irish gifts, children’s activities, cultural programs & exhibits and much, much more!  Then, come back for more on March 17^th!!

But wait, the green event also continues this Sunday with the following parades:

The South Side Irish Parade steps-off at noon from west 103^rd Street proceeding down Western Avenue to 115^th Street.  This annual parade is a great time to spend with family and friends, as this event has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol during the parade route, which is strictly enforced!  So, bring the kids and enjoy an afternoon of Irish fun with floats, marching bands and bagpipes!!  Also, the Emerald Isle Mile begins at 11:30 a.m. with a portion of the proceeds going to offset the cost of the parade.

The Northwest Side Irish Parade steps-off at noon from William J. Onahan School (6634 W. Raven St.) and winds through the Norwood Park neighborhood.  This fun-filled community event celebrates faith, family and Irish heritage with a special tribute to the community’s efforts on behalf of veterans and military families!  Afterwards, the festivities continue from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Recreation Center (7271 W. Talcott Ave.) featuring a Danny Boy Corned Beef and cabbage dinner along with soda, beer, wine and live entertainment!!

Will You Be Irish This Weekend?

Your mortgage broker will ask you a number of questions when you’re applying for a home loan, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask a few questions of your own. Buying a home is a huge decision, and the type of mortgage package that you opt for is just as important.

Before you choose a specific mortgage and all the terms that come with it, be sure to ask your mortgage specialist the following questions first.

What interest rate will I be charged?

This is an obvious question, as it will determine how expensive your home loan will be. Luckily, mortgage rates today are still hovering near historic lows and aren’t anticipated to spike anytime soon. Ask your mortgage broker for the lender’s loan estimate, which specifies the annual percentage rate (APR) that includes the interest rate, points, and other fees you will be charged for the mortgage.

How much will I be charged at closing?

Borrowers pay various fees at closing for services provided by the lender, appraiser, title company, surveyor, and so forth. Lenders must provide a written estimate that outlines every one of the costs you’ll be required to pay at closing so there are no surprises on your end. 

When can I lock in the interest rate?

The interest rate that you’re quoted when you first apply for a mortgage will likely change by the time closing arrives. If the interest rate you are quoted is low and is expected to rise over the next little while, you might want to consider locking in the rate so that you’re guaranteed that figure. Of course, you should also keep in mind that there’s always the chance that the rate will decrease. In addition, there may be a fee associated with locking in your rate, so be sure to inquire if they apply, and if so, how much it will cost.

What is the prepayment penalty?

If you prepay the mortgage early, refinance, or lower the outstanding principal balance by more than a specific amount, you may be charged a ‘prepayment penalty.’ Ask for specifics on these charges.

What qualifying criteria do I need to meet for this mortgage? 

Borrowers will be assessed on their incomes, assets, debts, and credit history when applying for a mortgage. Generally speaking, the requirements for conventional mortgages are pretty stringent. However, there are certain mortgage programs that may come with more lax requirements, such as FHA and VA loans. Find out exactly what requirements must be met for the specific mortgage you are applying for, and make sure you are able to meet them.

What documents do I have to submit?

Be prepared to provide a variety of paperwork to your mortgage broker, including a statement of employment, banks statements, pay stubs, tax returns, a W-2 statement, and so on. The more information you can provide upfront, the better the lender will be able to determine how you qualify.

How long will it take to process the mortgage application?

The application process can take a while and can be delayed if you don’t supply all the necessary documents from upfront. Usually, it takes about two weeks to complete before you’re given an answer, but it can take as much as a month or two if there are complications that are met along the way.

What happens if the appraisal for the home comes in low?

Your lender will send out an appraiser to determine the exact market value of the home that you just agreed to purchase. If the appraisal comes in low, it can negatively affect how much the lender will loan you and if you’ll even be approved at all. Your lender will only loan out the appraised amount – the discrepancy will have to come out of your own pocket. For instance, if you agreed to buy a home for $500,000 but it’s only appraised at $450,000, you will have to come up with the extra $50,000 to bridge the gap.

Will my mortgage be sold?

Mortgage companies are legally allowed to sell your mortgage to another lender or investor. When they do, they are required to disclose this information to you. It will be in the contract, but you should ask about it even before you receive the final paperwork.

The Bottom Line

A reputable, trustworthy mortgage broker is a critical link in the chain of professionals that you work with when buying a home. Make sure that you are armed with a variety of questions so that you’re fully aware of the contract you’re committing yourself to before you sign on the dotted line.