PORTAGE PARK

Turning the Page is an educational nonprofit organization that began in Washington D.C. in 1998 and expanded to Chicago last year with an office at 906 S. Homan Ave., 6th Floor, in the Lawndale neighborhood. The organization works to improve schools through advocacy and fundraisers and they  offer family engagement programs to help children strengthen literacy skills while at home as well as school. This summer they’re bringing their fundraising bookstore concept to the Portage Park neighborhood for a limited time only. Carpe Librum, Seize the Book is a “pop up” bookstore at 4047 N. Milwaukee Ave. that will remain open through Labor Day, 9/5/16. Used books, CDs, and DVDs are donated by the public and sold for $1 – $4 each with all proceeds benefitting Turning the Page and their programs which in turn help Chicago Public Schools. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday: 11:00a.m. – 7:30p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays: 11:30a.m. – 6:00p.m. Drop by to support a great cause by making purchases or donations of gently used books, CDS, and DVDs. No magazines, periodicals, VHS tapes, or large books sets (like encyclopedias) will be accepted.

LINCOLN SQUARE

The Old Town School of Folk Music and Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is bringing the Square Roots craft beer and music festival to Lincoln Ave. between Montrose and Wilson Avenues this weekend for 3 days of fun. There will be 2 outdoor stages and indoor concert spaces within Old Town School of Folk Music (4544 N. Lincoln Ave.) along with open jam sessions, family-friendly activities, craft beer and food vendors. Suggested gate donations of $10 for adults, $5 for seniors/kids, and $20 for families will help fund Old Town School of Folk Music scholarship programs and the Chamber of Commerce’s farmers markets and free concerts. Square Roots begins tomorrow, Friday 7/8, 5:00p.m. – 10:00p.m., Saturday 7/9 12:00p.m. – 10:00p.m., and Sunday 7/10 12:00p.m. – 9:00p.m. Don’t forget to wear your dancing shoes!

LAKEVIEW

We regret to inform you of the closing of Newport Bar & Grill at 1344 W. Newport Ave. after 20 years of solid sports bar entertainment. The final day of operation will be in a couple weeks on Sunday 7/17 so there’s still time to take in a few games and several beers before the bitter end. In fact, they are inviting everyone for $1 Sweet Heat Tequila shots from now until July 17th. It will be replaced by the newer trend of bank/cafés with a Capitol One Cafe serving Peet’s Coffee coming soon.

LOOP

RSVP a week in advance for the third installment of Activate this season, the Loop alley pop-up experience, with this year focusing on tantalizing the 5 senses. Next week’s party takes place in the Hard Rock Alley at 230 N. Garland Ct. and focuses on the sense of smell. I know that doesn’t sound appetizing when talking about a party in an alley but this experience promises an exploration of “scent-scapes” created by local artists plus a flower temple, aerialist work by Eve Vandergrift, music, Jamaican cuisine from Mr. Brown’s Lounge, and more. Activate is always free to attend but bring cash to purchase beer, wine, rum punch, and food. If you RSVP through the link above, you will receive 1 free beer or wine ticket. 21+ only, of course.

EVANSTON

More advance notice for a super event next weekend along Evanston’s lakefront – the 31st annual Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival sponsored by the City of Evanston Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Illinois Arts Council. This two-day festival takes place at Dawes Park located on Sheridan Rd. at Church St. on Saturday and Sunday, 7/16 and 7/17, from 12:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. for both days. Admission is free to experience music, dance, family activities, art, and more. Some of the countries that will be showcasing musical, dance, spoken word and even puppet performances include Spain, Ireland, Pakistan, Japan, Tahiti, India, Guatemala, Brazil, Russia, and more to celebrate the diverse community that inhabits Evanston. International cuisine will also be available for purchase so come hungry and ready so support your neighbors.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

We have had some scorcher days but also some beautiful weather this summer. Fourth of July weekend around Chicagoland was glorious. Unfortunately, we still have a lot of summer to go and need to be reminded to change our mowing habits a little and keep the mower in tip top shape to keep the grass green and thriving.

Let the lawn grow to 4-41/2 inches then mow down to 3-31/2 inches. When the weather cools you can go down to 21/2 inches. Use a ruler to measure when you raise the level by adjusting the wheels. Depending on the mower there could be adjustment notches on all four wheels, front and back, or just one. Always use the ruler after adjusting as the levels on the notches are not always accurate.

Keep the underside of the lawn mower clean and free from grass buildup. This often occurs especially when grass is damp. This assures good airflow to optimize performance. A sharp blade will assure clean cuts and prevent brown tops that stick out even worse in hot, dry weather.

Sharpen the blade twice a season or more if you have rocky soil or tough turf grass. Run the mower dry and lay on its side with the oil filter facing up to prevent oil seepage. Remove spark plug wires to be completely safe. Lodge a 2X4 block between the blade and the deck to hold it steady. Don heavy work gloves to handle the blade and be careful, even a dull blade can do damage. Loosen the bolt or fastener and lay parts down (washers etc.) in the order they come off. Take a picture with your phone. It’s best to leave the sharpening to the pros. Hardware and lawn services typically charge $10 or so. Keep two blades so no down time while servicing.

To reassemble make sure the cutting edge follows the rotation and the wings face the deck. If there are washers the concave side will be facing the blade. Be careful tightening the bolt or fastener. Overtightening can cause the blade to crack and under tightening it could cause it to fly off during mowing. Assure proper tightening by using a torque wrench.

Only take on this project if you are pretty handy around machines. If you are nervous at all it’s best to just take it in to a lawn mower service center and have them take care of it for you. A little more money but you know it’s done right.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Who doesn’t love a bright, light-filled space to call home? Not only does natural light open up a space and make it seem larger, it’s also good for the mood. If it feels as though you live in a dungeon, it’s time to let some natural light in.

Here are 6 ways to boost Mother Nature’s sun rays into your home and brighten the space up.

1. Dress Your Windows Lightly

You obviously want some privacy when you’re in your home, which is where window blinds and drapes come in handy. They also block out the night light when you’re trying to catch some Zs. But you don’t necessarily have to hang heavy, dark drapes to do the trick.

Weighted fabrics like wool and velvet will only make a space seem darker and smaller than it really is. Instead, go for lighter textiles, like cotton or linen, to let more natural light in your home. You can still block out the light if you take a two-tiered approach, and install horizontal blinds or a blackout roller shade. During the day, simply roll them up and depend on your lighter drapes to provide a little privacy while still letting the light in.

2. Reflect Light With Mirrors

Mirrors aren’t just useful for checking your makeup. They can also be strategically hung to reflect natural light and direct it in all areas of your home. When placed on wall spaces opposite a window, all that natural light coming in will bounce right off that mirror and spill into other spaces. The more mirrors you’ve got hanging, the more light will be reflected all over.

3. Use Clear Furniture

Glass-top tables aren’t exactly anything new, but they sure work wonders at letting light flow about. Clear furniture made of Lucite and acrylic are also excellent at making sure light isn’t impeded.

In fact, these transparent materials are making a huge comeback from their 60’s glory days. Their designs are modern, stylish, and comfortable, and are incredible at making the room seem less cluttered and more spacious.

Anything that lets light shine through will have a bright and airy effect on a space. Opaque furniture blocks out that highly coveted light, so the more transparent furniture you can put in your room, the better.

4. Keep Furniture Away From Windows

If you can’t bring yourself to line your home with clear furniture, then make sure the opaque pieces you do have are not blocking the light coming through your windows. Move your furniture a few feet away from your windows and glass doors, if the space permits. This will ensure you’re not blocking out any of that gorgeous light.

5. Paint With Lighter Colors

Darker colors are known to have a dimming effect on an interior. While they may work well in larger rooms that boast extra-large windows, they don’t do many favors for smaller rooms. Interior designers love using this strategy to create a light and bright space.

Obviously, white is an easy choice. But you don’t necessarily have to go this stark to get a similar effect. Off-white, cream, soft yellow, and pale steel blue are great examples of light neutrals that make the perfect backdrop for any room in the house.

6. Change the Door

If the space you’re trying to lighten up has a solid exterior door, consider swapping it for one that’s got a glass insert. Today’s glass doors are super sturdy, and are just as strong as most other solid doors out there. Incorporating glass in your exterior door is a fantastic and effective way to get more natural light to pour into your home.

Forget about having to flick on all those lights in your home all the time in an effort to illuminate the space. These tactics can help increase light into your home without draining your home of electricity.

<a href=”https://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-978674p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00″>Joseph Sohm</a> / <a href=”https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial?cr=00&pl=edit-00″>Shutterstock.com</a>

LINCOLN PARK

This week we’re including a few reminders for making your Fourth of July plans around some of Dean’s Team’s featured neighborhoods. Let’s start with the 57th Annual Fourth of July Celebration at the Chicago History Museum at 1601 N. Clark St. in Lincoln Park. This free family-friendly celebration begins at Uihlein Plaza with the National anthem and a patriotic music performance at 10:00a.m., then the children’s parade led by the World’s Tallest Uncle Sam at 10:45a.m. From 11:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. the event continues with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a keynote oration by Cook County commissioner Larry Suffredin. Along the way there will be juggling, face painting, children’s craft activities and more. Plus the Museum will be open from 12:00p.m. until 4:30p.m. with free admission for Illinois residents.

LOOP

The Independence Day Salute at Jay Pritzker Pavilion is part of the Grant Park Music Festival that continues throughout the summer. This year, the Salute begins at 6:30p.m. on Monday 7/4 and will thrill you with an evening of our nation’s favorite patriotic songs performed by the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and the National Youth Choir of Scotland directed by Grant Park Chorus Director Christopher Bell. Lawn seats are free as usual or you can purchase seating within the Pavilion for $25 and up by following the link above. The concert will also be broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT.

NAPERVILLE

The Exchange Club of Naperville is bringing the 3-day Ribfest 2016 event across approximately 20 acres of land at Knoch Park (724 South West St.) starting tomorrow, Friday 7/1, through Monday, 7/4, from 12:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. on each day. This weekend-long event is more than just a festival for eating delicious ribs. There’s also carnival rides, a family area for kids with a petting zoo and no less than 3 stages of musical acts with 3 Doors Down headlining Friday night, Sheryl Crow headlining Saturday night, and Lee Brice on Sunday. General admission tickets begin at $20/$25 per day or special Front of Stage passes for $50/$60 and VIP tickets that include access to the Kia VIP Tent, dinner and unlimited beverages for $125/$150.  Since Ribfest coincides with the Fourth of July, Monday will feature a nearly 30 minute long fireworks display. This is no small event so be sure to come early as the park may close for safety purposes due to capacity.

GOLD COAST

Now to continue on with other news that relates to American history as we know it. Chicago is getting into the hysterics over the breakout Broadway musical “Hamilton” as tickets went on sale on June 21st for its Broadway in Chicago run at The Private Bank Theatre in the Loop (18 W. Monroe St.) from September 27th through March 2017. The show that inspirationally tells the historic story of Alexander Hamilton and America’s founding fathers with a fantastic hip-hop score has become so popular that tickets are being resold for outrageous prices, even up to $10,000. Thanks to Chicagoist.com, we’ve learned of a few hotel packages that include tickets to see Hamilton for locations just south of Gold Coast. The Waldorf Astoria Chicago at 11 E. Walton St. offers 1 night in one of their rooms with a fireplace and 2 tickets for the Wednesday 10/5 show at 7:30p.m. The Conrad Hotel which opens in September at 101 E. Erie St. offers a 1 night stay in a premium suite and includes 2 front mezzanine tickets to the Friday 12/9 show at 7:30p.m. And the Pennisula Hotel will not be outdone, offering any suite for 1 night and 2 front mezzanine tickets for the Sunday 1/8/17 show. With prices from $980 – $4,000 these deals may work out to be less than a resale ticket! Do not wait too long to make your reservations, these packages are sure to sell out.

NORWOOD PARK

The current generation of school children may be used to seeing metal detectors in their entrances but for us older generations it may be quite startling to think that our school-aged children have to be cautious about more than what we had to worry about such as Stranger Danger, Saying “No” to Drugs, and Wildfire Prevention. During the June 14 meeting of the Taft High School Local School Council, principal Mark Grishbar brought up the possibility of removing the metal detectors from the school. He reports that there is some difficulty in properly searching all students so that they can make it to morning classes on time. Plus the detectors are rarely used after the children return from lunch. According to a report of the meeting in Nadig Newspaper, principal Grishaber worries that the detectors “give a false sense of security” and he’d like to discuss it more during the next yet-to-be-scheduled meeting with the Local School Council. Let’s start talking more with our kids and each other about gun control and violence prevention because a false sense of security does nothing for anyone. Instead knowledge and communication with a sense of community helps bring ideas together. Let’s keep that in mind as we celebrate our independence and freedoms this weekend.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Clean crusty gunk around your faucets with vinegar. Soak paper towels in vinegar and place on the gunk. Let set for an hour and rinse thoroughly.

Bleach with cleaner spray is so valuable around the bath. Take cotton coil rolls, the kind used in salons, to remove caulk mildew. Line the caulk line and soak in bleach spray till clean. Spray down mildew stained shower curtains. Although if you’re seeing black there are already millions of spores in the air and could irritate asthma and allergy sufferers. Replace or machine wash with bleach in this case. Glass shower door tracks will also benefit from a bleach spray soak to get rid of the gunk that forms here.

Unscrew you shower head and soak in a bowl of vinegar or CLR®. Both are safe for the environment and will dissolve hard water build up that prevents your shower head from performing at its best.

Clean those horribly encrusted stove grates. Place each grate in a heavy duty gallon sized Ziploc freezer bag. Carefully add ¼ cup ammonia to each bag and close completely. Leave overnight. The fumes are doing the cleaning here and they are STRONG so be careful when you empty the next day. Rinse well. Also NEVER mix ammonia and bleach. It creates TOXIC fumes that can be deadly!

Cut a lemon in half and dip in salt. Use to scrub stubborn rust stains in your sinks. The acid along with the salt really works. Lemons are also a great tool for cleaning the microwave. Boil lemon quarters in a bowl of water. Loosens all the gunk and smells great too! Throw lemon halves along with ice cubes and grind in the garbage disposal to degrease and freshen.

Clean glass cooktops with baking soda. Sprinkle on generously then cover with wet paper towels. Let it set for 15 minutes then wipe down. Baking soda is a natural and gentle scrubbing agent that freshens too. Sprinkle baking soda on your glass oven door cover with vinegar soaked paper towels for more power. Let sit for an hour or so then finish with Mr. Clean’s heavy duty Magic Erasers®.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO