After the week we just experienced here in Chicago with a Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship, turning it down a notch this weekend may not be such a bad idea! Besides, we gain an hour as Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday as well!!

It’s time again to celebrate one of the best comfort foods out there at this year’s Mac & Cheese Fest held at the UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Rd.) in the University Village/Little Italy neighborhood this Saturday offering two sessions (lunch from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. & dinner from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.). This event challenges top Chicagoland chefs to create their own spin on mac & cheese while attendees indulge in all you can eat from each participating restaurant as well as voting, along with a panel of foodie judges, for whomever takes home the coveted THE GOLDEN NOODLE for best mac & cheese! Also, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House!!

Celebrating their 6^th season of American craft beer, Beerhoptacular is being held at Cinaspace Chicago Film Studios (2558 W. 16^th St.) west side of downtown this Saturday with two sessions (1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.). Not only does this Fest feature 75 brewers and 150+ craft beers, but it also will have some of Chicago’s best food trucks, a DJ spinning an all-vinyl playlist, their annual Homebrew Competition, a live insult booth and much more! Also, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chicago Fire Department Charity that helps to ease the hardship of families in need!!

Another fundraising event with proceeds going to the Hyde Park Hunger Programs and sponsored by Hodgson Mill Flour is the South Side Pie Challenge 2016 being held at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club (5480 S. Kenwood Ave.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood this Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s a celebration of autumn and holiday pies that include fruit, nut, sweet potato/pumpkin and crème pies by chefs and amateur bakers of the south side along with live music and coffee by Robust! Ribbons and prizes will be awarded as well to the top 3 winners in each pie category!!

The world-renowned art fair dedicated to Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art and Design, SOFA CHICAGO, returns to Navy Pier, Festival Hall (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday (11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) for its 23^rd year. New this year is a revamped floorplan creating a more open and cohesive show layout that includes a new, centrally located main entrance, moving the popular Lecture Series to the show floor for easy accessibility and visibility, a second café, additional lounges and more! It’s the “must attend” art fair of the year!!

Finally, with the holidays quickly approaching, it’s never too early to begin your holiday shopping and this weekend is no exception. The Grove Arts and Craft Faire takes place this weekend and the next (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) at The Grove (1421 N. Milwaukee Ave.) in Glenview.  Browse through The Grove’s charming historic homes and buildings where there is a magnificent selection of holiday crafts, unique seasonal decorations for Fall, Christmas and Hanukkah, distinctive gifts and home accessories and so much more!

Who’s Turning It Down A Notch?!

SUE MOSS &DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

LOOP

Amidst the excitement of the Cubs winning the World Series last night and Election Day this coming Tuesday, the Chicago Humanities Festival still has many events available from today 11/3 to next Saturday, 11/12. Many events have already sold out, such as the appearance of The Daily Show‘s host, Trevor Noah, discussing his memoir Born a Crime at the Music Box in Lakeview but there are still plenty of speakers and authors’ lectures still available in the Loop and other locations, covering topics including politics, culture, policy making, technology, art, and everything under the sun to promote the mission of engaging in thoughtful dialogue to find positive solutions while embracing a diversity of ideas through accessibility and quality. The Chicago Humanities Festival began on 11/11/90 with only one day of events and has grown to a 9-day festival in 2016. Don’t miss your chance for an experience you may have never thought to attend without this annual opportunity. See the full schedule of events and get your tickets here.

LAKEVIEW

We’re entering into the month of Thanksgiving and giving in general, so while you’re decluttering your home in preparation for the holidays, please consider donating gently-used or new clothing to the Elks National Veterans Service Commission this year. Donations of warm winter clothes, preferably large men’s sizes, can be dropped off next Friday, 11/1, at the Elks National Memorial Building at 2750 N. Lakeview Ave. between 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. during the Veterans Day Supply Drive. Your donations will be distributed during the Chicago Winter Standdown on 11/18 which gathers veterans to the Northwest Armory (1551 N. Kedzie) for a day of providing meals, haircuts, winter gear, flu shots, and information regarding housing, employment, legal assistant and VA benefits for Chicago’s veterans who are homeless or in need.

NORWOOD PARK

There are also homeless animals to consider with the coming of the winter weather. Bangkok Belly, Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar, at 6132 N. Northwest Hwy. is holding a fundraiser for Chicago Pet Rescue from 11/6 – 11/10. Mention Chicago Pet Rescue with any dine-in or carry-out order from Sunday 11/6 to Thursday 11/10 and 15% of your total will be donated to Chicago Pet Rescue which is a volunteer-based non-profit agency that places homeless animals with foster homes en route to adoption. It costs you nothing extra for this fundraiser, just remember to mention Chicago Pet Rescue when you order.

NAPERVILLE

Donate your pocket change to help raise funds to purchase holiday pies for the needy. From now through 11/18, Loaves & Fishes Community Services have stationed collection locations at Naperville Park District Administration building (320 W. Jackson Ave.), Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center (305 W. Jackson Ave.), Fort Hill Activity Center (20 Fort Hill Drive), 95th Street Center (2244 W. 95th St.), Knoch Knolls Nature Center (320 Knoch Knolls Road), and Riverwalk Cafe (441 Aurora Ave.). Past years have approximated these small donations to $600 per season yielding over 100 pies for distribution to families in need through the Loaves & Fishes Community Food & Nutrition Program.

GOLD COAST

Ever wonder how the Gold Coast neighborhood stays so vital and beautiful and the processes that make it possible? Gold Coast Neighbors Association (GCNA) is inviting members and non-members to a presentation of the Gold Coast Zoning Process on Saturday 11/19 at the WinTrust Bank at 100 W. North Ave. starting at 11:00 a.m. Main speaker Sam Lichtenfield will expound on his experience as a Chicago attorney who serves on the GCNA Board of Directors and is co-chair of the Zoning Committee. We’re letting you know early so you can take advantage of advance ticket prices. Advance tickets are $10 for GCNA members and $15 for non-members. Door tickets will be $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

When heading over to the West Loop for brunch, you really need to go check out MAD Social located at 1140 W. Madison Street.  We had a group of five of us so got a chance to taste a good portion of the menu.

All of our servings were a very good size, especially the crispy Brussel sprouts. One order of those could feed our whole table. Someone had the traditional steak and eggs which was quite good, especially the sweet pepper succotash. Two of our party had the Havarti Mac & Cheese. This was topped with crispy Brussel sprouts and had sweet corn and wild mushrooms in the mix. One of our party had the Tuna Tower which was a light and filling dish. One of us had the MAD Shakshouka which is a spicy skillet and can be made more spicy if you request it.

The staff was extremely good. They were there but not hovering and gave really good suggestions from the menu. As far as ambience, it was a great place to spend your afternoon. The music wasn’t too loud. The seating was comfortable. There were a couple TVs up so you could watch sports if you wanted (and this weekend the Cubs fans were out in full force).

The overall cost without drinks is very affordable between $11-30 per person. With drinks, you are probably looking at $50 per person. The location is very easy to get to and there is pretty good parking in the area.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Did you know that Halloween is said to be more Irish than St. Patrick’s Day? Its origins come from an ancient Celtic festival for the dead called “Samhain.” The Celts believed the ghosts of the dead roamed Earth on this holiday, so people would dress in costumes and leave “treats” out on their front doors to appease the roaming spirits. Well, here in Chicago, we’ll be appeasing those roaming spirits ourselves this weekend!

Celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, Spooky Zoo Spectacular held at Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) will have even more special Halloween-inspired activities for its guest. This family-friendly event features family entertainment on the main stage, a Toddler Zone filled with activities, Fall Fest rides & activities, a Haunted House, educational arts & crafts, trick-or-treating throughout the zoo and more! Don’t forget to wear a costume or the spirits will find you!!

No Halloween celebration is complete without stopping by Halloween at Navy Pier located at 600 E. Grand Ave. in the Streeterville neighborhood this Saturday, Sunday & even Monday! The Pier will be featuring a wide-variety of Halloween-themed events both free & ticketed which include Pier-wide trick-or-treating, a costume contest (Sat. 5 p.m.), an outdoor screening of “The Addams Family” in Polk Park (Sat. 6 p.m.), a spooktacular Halloween fireworks show (Sat. 9:30 p.m.), a Haunted Maze of 4,800 square feet of pure terror (Sat. 6 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 4 p.m.-8 p.m.) and much more!! And, of course, Saturday night brings an evening of haunted grandeur with two parties – The Haunted Halloween Ball (Aon Grand Ballroom, 8 p.m.) and the Saints & Sinners at Lakeview Terrace for an evening of luxury and fright!!!

Don your best Halloween costume for the River North Halloween Crawl this Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. in the River North neighborhood. Participants will crawl from bar to bar at River North’s best bars where their ticket gets them a dinner buffet, three gift cards to use on the crawl and a chance to compete in the Costume Contest! And, if you’re not ready to call it quits at midnight, the following bars are open until 5 a.m.: Clark St. Ale House, Social 25 and Boss Bar!! Celebrate safely!!!

Experience a night of thrills at Chicago’s biggest Halloween bash the Haunted Halloween Ball at the 122-year-old Congress Plaza Hotel (520 S. Michigan Ave.) in The Loop this Saturday (9:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.). Classified as one of the most haunted hotels in the world by USA Today, costumed party-goers will experience both a luxury hotel gala and the terror and chills of a haunted house as the ballrooms are transformed into an abandoned hotel run by zombies! This experience also includes a cash bar with top shelf cocktails, celebrity DJs, VIP table service and much more!! BTW, there’s a $3,000 cash prize costume contest!!!

Lastly, The Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee Ave.) in the Logan Square neighborhood is wrapping up their 5^th Annual Horror Movie Madness Festival with the following films being shown this weekend:

Nosferatu w/Live Accompaniment (1922) – this Saturday (10:30 p.m.)
A full, authentic silent film experience enhanced by Chicago’s foremost photoplay organist, Jay Warren, who brings all the color, excitement, and glamour of the silent film era back to life with his original scores for the silver screen.

Nosferatu w/Original Score (1922) – this Sunday (10:30 p.m.)
Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter’s wife. Silent classic based on the story “Dracula.”

Halloween (1978) – this Saturday and Sunday (11:00 p.m.)
On Halloween night of 1963, six-year-old Michael Myers stabbed his sister to death. After sitting in a mental hospital for 15 years, Myers escapes and returns to Haddonfield to kill.

It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown – Family Matinee, this Sunday (3:00 p.m.)

Finally, for more Halloween in Chicago events & haunted tours taking place this weekend, just click this link!

Do You Dare to Join Us as We Celebrate the Festival for the Dead?

SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Real estate listings are very cleverly written. After all, there’s only so much space allotted for a thorough description of a property, so just the right words need to be used to paint a good picture of the home.

However, it’s important for buyers to be able to understand when listings are highlighting positive features, while downplaying negative aspects. By looking very carefully at how listings are worded and becoming familiar with popular euphemisms, you can successfully interpret these descriptions and make a more informed decision about whether or not a property is worth a look.

Here are 6 real estate terms you should be on the lookout for that could be red flags.

1. “Cozy”

The term “cozy” may instill feelings of a welcoming, inviting environment that is pleasant to hang out in. However, the word is often used in the world of real estate to reference the small size of a home. While tiny homes are becoming increasingly popular among homebuyers, a shortage in square footage may not be right for everyone, including you. If you see the word “cozy” in a listing, don’t be surprised if the home is a tad on the small side.

2. “TLC”

If the term “TLC” pops up in a listing, that directly translates into a property that’s in need of some updating. How much updating remains to be seen, but you could very well be dealing with a home that might need extensive renovations in order to bring it up to par. This might not be what you’re looking for if you want a turn-key, move-in ready home. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a fixer-upper that you can put your personal touch on, or simply want to flip for a profit, “TLC” might be exactly what you’re looking for in a listing description.

3. “Vintage”

The word “vintage” might sound cool, and could realistically signify a home with old-world charm that’s got plenty of value in its antique features. On the other hand, it could simply be a fancy word for “old.” If you’re into homes that still have their original decor from decades ago, great. If not, you will likely be dealing with a home that needs some cosmetic updating, which can get expensive.

4. “Back on the Market”

Why did the home have to go back on the market? While a failed deal could very well have been the fault of the buyer, there’s also a possibility that something is wrong with the home that the buyer didn’t find out until after the deal was still in escrow.

Whatever the case may be, it would be worth doing a little digging to find out if there are any potential issues with the home that could deter you from finalizing a purchase. Look out for major problems that may be hidden by quick-fix repairs, and get a reliable home inspector in to help you pinpoint any hidden issues.

5. “Lots of Character”

A home with “character” may be very attractive to one buyer, but it could also be downright weird to another. A lot of “character” in a home could just be another way of saying “odd,” “quirky,” or “off-the-wall.” If you actually visit the home for a showing, you just might be greeted with orange wall-to-wall shag carpeting, purple velvet wallpaper, or basement ceilings that require you to hunch over in order to fit.

6. “Quiet”

Depending on what you’re looking for, a “quiet” location just might be perfect. But just make sure the location isn’t too far away from civilization for your liking. Most listings tend to come with a map that pinpoints exactly where a home is located. You might be looking for a home that’s not subjected to lots of car traffic or plenty of noisy neighborhood kids, but just make sure you’re ready and willing to live in a home that is miles away from everything, including your next-door neighbor’s. 

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, you’ll need to get a closer look at a home in person in order to accurately gauge what the condition and look it is like. Real estate agents are doing their best to attract potential buyers for their clients, so whipping up a creative listing is one of their first steps in the listing process. Most ads are honest descriptions, but it’s still a good idea to be able to decode some of the most frequently used euphemisms in order to get a better understanding of what you’re dealing with.