Fall is my favorite time of year, but I hear so many of my friends and colleagues comment on how sad it is that summer is almost over! I know that many parts of the country have been horribly hot and dry, so maybe in those places people are a little happier to see summer end. Around the Midwest we have had a wonderful summer weatherwise with only a few very hot stretches. But seasonal depression can be a real thing for many people so here are some ways to cope.

Recognize that this is a minor disturbance that you can get over, but you do need to acknowledge your feelings. Treat yourself as you would a friend. Don’t belittle yourself. Treat yourself a little more nicely now. Go get a massage, buy yourself something nice or just any activity that makes you feel good. 

There might be a specific reason to feel anxious around this time of year. Perhaps you have put off all that going-back-to-school organizing. Shopping, carpools and class schedules. Just getting started with these logistics can snap you out of your doldrums. Maybe you just got back from vacation and dread going back to a job you really dislike. Even if it is something like your job that you might not be able to change right now, it helps to at least acknowledge the source of the problem.

Then again, it might just be something you can’t pinpoint. We can’t always blame our bad moods on something. So, if there is nothing you can put your finger on, don’t waste time ruminating on it. Just say to yourself, “Yeah, I get this way every year at this time”. 

Think of something coming soon that you love. It could be Halloween, Thanksgiving, college football, or just a pumpkin spiced latte. Whatever it is, it is something to look forward to and keeps the larger picture in mind. Remember, this too shall pass. 

Of course, all the usual advice applies here as with other mental health issues. Exercise and spend time outdoors. Eat a healthy diet. Spend time with friends and family. Stay off social media, all these people that seem to have perfect lives are just as messed up as we are. 

So, the best advice is to realize we have a problem and either change our circumstances or deal with the short down time. It is a good idea to seek professional advice if the doldrums last more than a week or so or if it really incapacitates you. Only you can tell if this is the case. But knowing that mental health is as important as physical health is a good first step. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Are you ready for getting the most out of our dwindling summer weekends? Well, this last weekend of August is going to be a great one so get your weekend started here!

Chicago’s popular Taste of Greektown returns for its 32^nd year to Halsted Street from Adams to Van Buren Streets this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m. – 10 p.m.) in the West Loop. Blending Old World traditions with a 21^st century freshness, the neighborhood’s acclaimed Greek restaurants, like Artopolis Bakery, Café and Agora, Athena Restaurant, Mr. Greek Gyros, and others, will once again be the main attraction at this annual culinary fest. There will also be plenty of live music and entertainment including Greek bands, Greek dancing, unique shopping and retail, and activities for both kids and families.  Also, Saturday at 6 p.m. is the 5^th annual Devanco Foods Gyros Eating Contest if you have the stomach for it. This street festival is simply a weekend celebration for lovers of Mediterranean culture!  Opa!!

Founded by four neighborhood artists more than 30 years ago, the Bucktown Arts Fest is returning this year for the first time since 2019 to Holstein Park (2200 N. Oakley Ave.) in the Bucktown neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.). The main attraction is the juried art show which features nearly 200 artists displaying their work in oil painting, sculpture, digital art, jewelry and more for every taste at the fest. There will also be two music stages, cold craft beers and sangria to quench your thirst. Plus, there’s no admission fee and no donation request.  Just plenty of fun to be had at the Fest of Fests!

Chicago’s only chalk art festival Chalk Howard Street returns outdoors and in-person for the first time in three years to Howard Street between Paulina Street and Ashland Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood this Saturday (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.). This family-friendly festival features internationally renowned 3D street artists, local 2D chalk artists, emerging artists and kids’ art that will transform Howard Street into a creative canvas.  Plus, this free-admission festival also features live music, local vendors, food, and drinks. There’s also street squares available for public purchase so you can try your hand at creating your own chalk art!

Join the East Garfield Park community this Saturday (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.) for The Purple Block Party at Garfield Park Music Court Circle (100 N. Central Park Ave.). This event is a cultural, music, and festive experience celebrating the combination of all the elements that encompasses unity throughout Chicago.  Also featured at this event are the Kids Blue Zone where they will have their own experience with custom snow cones, a candy bar, improv and creative theater, along with back-to-school giveaways, and the Adults Red Zone which will echo the kids’ zone as a parallel experience but riskier!  Plus, there will be a host of performances, cultural experiences including food, vendors, and community activities!

Enjoy sipping craft brews while staring up at zoo animals at the annual ZooBrew beer extravaganza hosted by Brookfield Zoo (8400 W. 31^st St.) in Brookfield this Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Drink samples from more than 80 vendors which include big-name producers as well as local purveyors.  There are 3 sessions to choose from – the VIP, the Full and the Half Sessions which all provide a commemorative glass! Cheers!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Open since 1927 in the Chicago Loop, The Village is a romantic, family-owned Italian restaurant with spectacular murals and semi-private dining spaces that make you feel as if feel as if you’re sitting under a Tuscan sun.

A Google reviewer said it best: “WOW, what an experience….! From the second you walk in the door you know this place is gonna be like no other. The food is absolutely out of this world, true authentic homemade Italian. The staff is also what makes this place what it is! Truly a great establishment that I highly recommend trying. I will continue to come back for years to come!”

The Capatanini family is now in its third generation of ownership, having weathered the pandemic, the Great Depression, Prohibition and World War II, and a couple of Pandemics. Though they once operated three restaurants in their Loop location, The Village is the only restaurant serving the public right now. Their other restaurants are available for private parties only.

Through it all, The Village has survived with a combination of handmade Northern Italian pastas, a commitment to using quality ingredients, and providing outstanding service. 

Start with an Antipasti like Calimari, prepared either fried or grilled, or Shrimp Tuscany- Four Gulf shrimp broiled in a sun dried tomato, shallot, pancetta, and basil butter sauce.The whole family can enjoy a traditional Italian Antipasto ofprosciutto, salami, mortadella, capicola, marinated mushrooms, marinated artichokes, green olives, Kalamata olives, tomato, anchovy, hard-boiled egg, radish, and fresh basil.

Lighter lunch and dinner fare include Insalata (Salads) Italian Cobb salad comes with chopped romaine lettuce, mixed greens, and arugula, topped with roasted turkey breast, hard boiled egg, fried pancetta, tomato, scallion, artichoke, and Fontinella cheese. A traditional Caprese has sliced tomato, red onion, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic vinaigrette. Grilled Chicken has mixed greens, sliced apples, oranges, red onion, dried cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese.

Make room for house specialties like Chicken Piccata, traditional with grilled chicken breasts with caper and white wine sauce over spinach, or their house specialty, Chicken Vesuvio, an oven-roasted half Amish chicken, with potato wedges, herbs, garlic, white wine. The menu warns of a 35-40 minute cook time. Another house specialty is their Atlantic Salmon, made Puttanesca-style, broiled with tomatoes, capers, olives,  garlic, basil and white wine, served over sautéed spinach. And their Beef Toscanini–  Filet mignon medallions sautéed with fresh mushrooms  and marsala wine, served with pappardelle pasta. Also highly recommended are Chef Jose’s specials, which include Seafood Manicotti, which are Oven-baked crepes filled with shrimp, scallop, salmon and seasoned ricotta cheese, topped with tomato cream sauce, or the Pheasant Agnolottini, Handmade pillow-shaped, pheasant-filled pasta in a butter sage sauce, sprinkled with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Another Google reviewer wrote in a five-star review:

“Food was spectacular. We tried the meatballs with the spicy sauce, ravioli, beef sandwich and our kids got some pizza and it was all delicious. Besides the food, our large family of 9 was accommodated in a somewhat private little room and the customer service we received by all the employees was hands down the best customer service we received while in Chicago. Very kind, sweet people here who go above and beyond to make your visit one to remember.”

The Village Restaurant is located at 71 W. Monroe, open seven days a week. Sundays-Thursdays, from 11am-8:30pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from  11am-9pm. For information and reservations, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Homeowners who are trying to cut costs frequently attempt to handle their home renovation projects on their own. While that might work just fine for simpler tasks, it might go horribly wrong for more challenging ones. DIYers need to be skilled with these tasks as well as knowledgeable about construction codes.

In addition to potentially costing you more in the long run, breaking these codes could put your family in danger. Here are a few of the most frequent code infractions committed by DIY house renovators.

Not Getting a Building Permit

One of the biggest and most common mistakes homeowners make when renovating their homes is failure to apply for a permit. Why? Well, they cost money, and they require a trip to city hall. Many homeowners simply want to bypass these little annoyances. They think, who’s going to know?

Sure, there’s a good chance that no one will find out that you worked without a permit. However, if you ever sell in the future, you’ll probably be asked if you got one when you remodeled. If not, it could affect the salability of your home.

You might be asked to fix any issues (that will cost you extra cash) before buyers are willing to put in an offer on your home. And if the buyers finds out about the lack of permit after they move into your home without being notified up front, you could be slapped with a lawsuit.

Besides that, a permit is important because it’ll help ensure that any improvements you make on your home are safe. Permits also help you remain compliant with the most up-to-date regulations like energy-saving measures.

Do yourself a favor and check with your local building authority to find out if a permit is needed for the job you plan on doing in your home.

Not Venting Bathroom Fans to the Outside

If you’re planning on renovating your bathroom – or adding a new one – adding a vent fan is a must, considering all the moisture that can quickly and easily build up in these small spaces. Although, a lot of homeowners fall short by venting directly into the attic, and stopping there.

If you don’t vent the fan all the way to the outside of the home, all you’re doing is transferring the moisture from your bathroom into the attic, causing rot and mold to develop. To avoid this ugly scenario, you’ll need to vent the air to the outdoors via a vent pipe that’s 4 inches in diameter.

Adding a Basement Apartment Without Necessary Egress Windows

Whether the in-laws are moving in, your kids want their own space, or you want to rent out the basement for extra income, revamping the basement into a self-sufficient quarters is a great idea. How you finish it, is what’s important.

Creating a basement apartment isn’t just about throwing up a couple of walls, adding a bathroom and kitchen, and finishing the flooring. There’s also the issue of egress windows that must be addressed.

According to code, any room that’s considered a bedroom needs to have an egress window that’s a minimum of 20 inches wide by 24 inches high. The opening needs to be at least 5.7 square feet so that it’s large enough to allow an adult to climb out of should a fire or other emergency occur where it’s impossible to escape from any other exit.

Not only that, but you’ll need to take steps to make sure that water isn’t able to seep into the basement through the window, which is why you’ll need a water well on the outside of the window.

Without an adequate egress window, you can’t call the room a bedroom, which could throw a wrench into your plans to market your home as one with a “separate basement apartment.”

Placing Smoke Alarms in the Wrong Places

Just about every homeowner understands how critical it is to have smoke alarms installed in the home. But did you know that there are exact spots that they need to be placed in according to code?

That’s right. You can’t just randomly plop a smoke alarm wherever you feel like. Considering their lifesaving roles, smoke alarms need to be given enough space, and should be placed far enough away from air ducts so they’re not affected by any circulating air. If not, they might not be triggered in time should a fire ensue.

Smoke alarms also need to be placed on each floor of the home; and in newer homes, they must be hard-wired with a back-up battery.

Insufficient Electrical Work

Electrical wiring that’s not installed properly can really pose a hazard. That’s why you might be better off calling in a licensed electrician to do the job for you if you haven’t got a ton of experience in this department.

One of the more common wiring mistakes is not using the correct size circuits. According to code, 15-amp circuits are needed for light fixtures, and 20-amp circuits are needed for receptacles.

Splicing wires without the presence of a junction box is another common faux pas. You can’t just splice wires together with some wire nuts and electrical tape – every wire connection needs to be inside a proper junction box, which should be visible and accessible.

The lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) is another no-no. GFCIs are necessary for any circuit that serves a space where there’s water, like the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room.

Code violations typically happen when homeowners are trying to save a buck. While this might be OK for smaller jobs, tasks that are much bigger and in-depth definitely need to follow proper code regulations. If not, you could wind up spending a lot more down the road to rectify the scenario if things go awry.