A cold month like January needs warm, toasty events, hot bites, and the warmth of friends and family activities. Or, for those who really want to challenge the elements, enjoy the outdoors! For the last weekend in January, enjoy some great indoor events throughout Chicago’s amazing neighborhoods!

For the adventurers in your life, Lincoln Park Zoo is the place for you! A Free Men’s Bootcamp-Style Workout will be held on Saturday, January 29, from 7am–8am at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street. F3 presents a peer-led, bootcamp-style workout. As their invitation states, F3 is open to men who want to get and stay fit and be part of something bigger than themselves. All fitness levels welcomed. To sign up, click here. 

How could this be a ‘Recipe for Disaster?’ Combine a six-bite tasting menu (and a couple of cocktails and wine) and an immersive play where the audience are the stars, along with a couple of Instagram ‘influencers,‘ according to TimeOut Chicago. It all works, thanks to the creativity of Chef Rick Bayless! Staged in a space beneath Petterino’s, 150 N. Dearborn Street, the farcical comedy was written by Bayless, Windy City Playhouse artistic director Amy Rubenstein and local playwright Carl Menninger. Now through March 27. Tickets are $90-$130. For tickets, click here.

Everyone….down the Rabbit Hole! The performance team of the Chicago Kids Company presents an original, hour-long musical production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ from January 27-February 25, at the Stahl Family Theatre, 5900 W. Belmont Avenue. Join Alice as she meets the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, and all the whimsical characters in Wonderland! It features a hilarious script adapted by Jesus Perez, with original songs composed by Paige Coffman. For tickets and performance times, click here.

“It’s Time to Gogh!” The Van Gogh Immersive Experience at Lighthouse Artspace at Germania Club,  100 Germania Place, invites you to immerse yourself in Vincent van Gogh’s paintings and his history as one of the greatest artists of all time. The moving images highlight brushstrokes, detail, and color – truly illuminating the mind of the genius…from his sunny landscapes and night scenes to his portraits and still life paintings. The installation includes the Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), the Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889). The show has recently been extended through May 30. With Valentine’s Day approaching, date night packages and other surprises are available. The show also hosts yoga classes on Sundays. For tickets and packages, click here.

This is the last weekend to catch the sobering comedy ‘When Harry Met Rehab,’ at the Greenhouse Theater Center’s Mainstage, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue. The story is based loosely on the real-life experiences of Chicago sports radio personality Harry Teinowitz. Co-authored by former ESPN personality and playwright Spike Manton, the play chronicles his story of redemption, perseverance, and hope. The show stars Dan Butler, best known as Bulldog on ‘Frasier,’ and Melissa Gilbert, best known as Laura on ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ For tickets through January 30, click here.

Note: In keeping with COVID-19 Safety Precautions and Protocols:  All event participants must provide proof of vaccination, and are subject to temperature checks at the door. Participants must also wear a mask for your protection and that of other attendees. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

I love to have lists! A good list helps you answer “What am I doing tomorrow, and when?” 

Here is an example of a good cleaning schedule that can help you complete household tasks: 

Everyday

• Make your bed and gather laundry. 
• In the kitchen clean the coffee maker and any dishes. Wipe down counters. 
• Wipe down all bath surfaces after showering.

Every week

• Clean out the fridge and throw out old food.
• Wipe down appliances and clean inside the microwave. 
• Mop floor.
• Clean bathroom surfaces and the toilet. 
• Dust furniture, vacuum carpets and furniture. 
• Change your bedding.

Every month

• Clean and dust lights and blinds.
• Clean vents and empty the vacuum cleaner.
• Clean dishwasher and washing machine.

Every 3-6 months

• Clean your oven and rangehood. 
• Clean inside the refrigerator and freezer.
• Vacuum your mattress and wash pillows, blankets and quilts.
• Vacuum and clean under furniture.
• Clean outdoor furniture and decks. 

Every year

• Clean dryer and dryer vents. 
• Clean windows, curtains and blinds.
• Deep clean upholstery and carpets. 
• Clean fireplace and Chimney. Have it checked by a professional every other year. 
• Pressure wash outside areas like paths, decks and furniture. 

If you follow this schedule, or something similar, it will keep your house clean and presentable all year long!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Home inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. After finding the perfect house, you will want to ensure that there are no hidden faults that may require lengthy and expensive repairs or renovations down the line.

To prepare you for this process, here are the top four things you need to know.

The buyer is responsible for the inspection. Make sure you give yourself ample time to find a reputable, certified home inspector by asking for referrals from your real estate agent, friends, and family and do your research online. Plus, don’t forget to factor in the cost of the inspection into your budget.

Home inspectors are usually generalists. They will evaluate most areas of your home, such as the foundation, basement, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, walls, floors, ceilings, and attics. But, if your home is equipped with special features, like a pool or chimney, you may need to hire a specialist.

Buyers can attend the inspection. In fact, a lot of inspectors suggest it! This is an opportunity for you to get any outstanding questions regarding the condition of the house you are purchasing answered.

You have options if the inspection uncovers a problem. If the problems discovered are serious, like structural damage or safety issues, the seller is legally required to fix them. You also have the option to back out of the purchase without facing any consequences. If the problems are smaller, you can submit a formal request for repairs and negotiate for them to cover some or all of the cost.

Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, Chicago’s winter activities are as varied as the weather. Catch a musical, a play, or a chance to play indoor and outdoor games with friends and community members!

A night of games and community is planned for Friday, January 21, at the German-American Dank Haus, 4740 N. Western Avenue. Open Haus Game Night Stammtischstarts at 7:30pm in the Brauhaus Room, 2nd Floor. Fun fact: Did you know that Germans invented the jigsaw puzzle and board games? Bring your friends and your competitive spirit and celebrate Germany with a night of German food, drink, games, and Gemütlichkeit! Free parking at 5/3 Bank after 6pm, at Western and Gunnison. For more information, click here. 

“There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow,” at the CIBC Theatre,  18 W. Monroe Street. This is the last weekend to see the seminal Rogers and Hammerstein musical ‘OKLAHOMA!’ reimagined for the 21st century. Presented by Broadway in Chicago, the Tony Award-winning show has been called “Funny and sexy, dark and jolting.” Choose Chicago says that Daniel Fish’s production tells a story of a community circling its wagons against an outsider, and the frontier life that shaped America. Through Sunday, January 23. For tickets, click here.

Meanwhile, across town, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut Street,  asks “What would happen if Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python had an illegitimate Broadway baby? You’d get ‘Murder at Faversham Manor,’ a classic murder mystery, chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania. As Choose Chicago says, the plot revolves around an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). For tickets, click here.

Remember the fun of bumper cars in the summer? They’re a winter sport now!  Gallagher Way’s newest attraction are Ice Bumper Cars.  And through Sunday, January 30, The Rink at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark Street, invites children and families to “take a spin!” The rink is also available for ice skating, curling, and other winter ice follies!  For more information, click here.

Calling all puppet fans! The 4th edition of The Chicago International Puppet Theater is upon us!   From Thursday, January 20- Sunday, January 30, fans can crowd into venues across Chicago to witness such creations as bunraku, to shadow, to crankie scroll, pageant-style puppets and more, puppets take over for an 10 amazing days and nights of inspiration and invention. For tickets, schedules, and more information, click here. 

All good things must come to an end, and Disney’s Frozen, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph Street, ends Saturday, January 22 with its 7:30pm performance. Say goodbye for now to Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Sven by clicking here for tickets. 

Please Note: The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requiring that everyone age two or older, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

As usual, more than a few of us probably thought that “losing weight” would be a good New Year’s resolution. Now, as we are past the middle of January, you may be feeling a little off, but please remember: losing weight does not always equate with being healthy! Here are a few ways to change your relationship with food and get healthier:

Start a food journal. Write down what you ate and how you felt afterwards. You do not need to be precise as to portions on a strict diet, but just summarize. Often, we eat simply because it is that time of day, not because we are actually hungry. Intuitive eating pays attention to internal cues when eating, not external ones. People that eat this way have much less stress about what and how much they eat! If you are a member of the “clean your plate club” – folks who were taught to never, ever leave food on their plate – try to adjust your thinking to when you are full, not when the plate is clean.

Cook a new recipe every week. People who cook at home have better overall health. They eat less take-out. Try to make the experience enjoyable for yourself. Turn off social media, emails, etc., light a candle and really enjoy your food. Eat slowly, savoring every bite. This also helps you to not overeat; it takes a while for your stomach to tell your brain “I am full”. 

Don’t just restrict. Add instead of subtracting! Include a vegetable with every meal. Throw some spinach on your pizza. Add veggies to your meatloaf. Roast a big pan of vegetables and pair with a lean piece of meat. Set a goal to eat a variety of nutrient dense foods. You can still have a couple of cookies for a snack but have a piece of fruit later. Nutrient dense foods also have a lot of fiber. Fiber feeds the bacteria in our guts and makes it harder for your body to absorb sugar and fats. 

And of course, finally, drink more water. Dehydration can cause everything from fatigue and constipation to urinary infections and heart disease. 80-100 ounces a day is minimum, more if you work out. Keep water near you to remember to drink. Download an app to help you drink more. You can add lemon or flavored electrolytes to make it more interesting!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago