Can you believe we’re halfway through October already and only two weeks away from Halloween!  I say it’s time to pick your own pumpkins at a local pumpkin patch and partake in pre-Halloween festivities this weekend!

Once again, Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood is transforming into a fall spectacle with nearly 1,000 pumpkins for their Pier Pumpkin Lights now through October 31^st (10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.)  As guests wander around the glowing, spooky spectacles with elaborate jack o’lantern towers and light displays, they’ll also be able to catch deals from the Pier’s many restaurants and bars and also enjoy other seasonal and Halloween festivities fit for the whole family! Remember, the pumpkins are best experienced after dusk!

The biggest pumpkin patch pop-up, Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up, is located in the heart of Chicago at 1467 N. Elston Ave. in the River West neighborhood now through October 31^st. This newest interactive pop-up experience is on over 2 acres of land where guests can experience a larger than life, outdoor, multi-sensory adventure in the city rather than traveling to the suburbs. This event brings you Chicago’s largest corn maze, thousands of pumpkins, food trucks, three full-service bars, axe throwing, carnival games and more!  There’s an experience here for everyone!

JoJo’s Shake Bar (23 W. Hubbard St.) in the River North neighborhood will be transforming their 5,000 square-foot outdoor patio into JoJo’s Pumpkin Patch now through November 1^st (11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.) where you will find hay bales, festive lights and “pumpkin domes” outfitted with tables of six or less for dining and hanging out. And, besides hand picking your own pumpkin, guests can enjoy a menu of special seasonal dishes that include gourmet caramel apples, pumpkin and apple pies, spiked ciders, and hot chocolates as well as their decadent Pumpkin Patch Shake that’s topped with a slice of pumpkin pie, a taffy apple, roasted marshmallow and a Reese’s pretzel Best part is you can take all these fall favorites home with you!

It’s back for its 9^th year! The annual Rosehill Cemetery ‘Crypt’ 5K Run/Walk is fall’s most spirited event taking place on the grounds of the north side’s historic Rosehill Cemetery (5800 N. Ravenswood Ave.) this Saturday at 7 p.m. Run or walk this candle-lit 5K course on Rosehill’s sprawling 350-acre Victorian-era cemetery that opened back in 1864. Not only will you come across monuments, mausoleums, and scenic paths, but you may also be greeted by some of the famous eternal spirits who reside in Rosehill!  

Afterwards, head on over to the Fireside Restaurant located right across from the start/finish area for the post run/walk party. Enjoy a complimentary sponsored beverage and delicious food (for an additional charge) while the overall and age group winners are announced. Then stick around for the band playing some spook-tastic tunes! Everyone is welcome, not just the participants!

Join tens of thousands of fans as they converge at the 2021 Wizard World Chicago this Saturday (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.) in Rosemont. This event celebrates the best in pop culture: movies, comics, cosplay, video gaming, collectibles, contests and more! It also features non-stop live entertainment throughout the evening hours, gaming, exclusive Q&A sessions with top celebrities, movie screenings, anime, a kids’ zone and more!

If you wish to partake in a real scary pre-Halloween event, the Chicago Bears are hosting the Green Bay Packers this Sunday (12:00 p.m.) at Soldier Field!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Located in Lincoln Park, Summer House Santa Monica presents an escape to the warmth and laid-back vibes of the West Coast. The California-inspired menu highlights simple, market-driven ingredients with a focus on local & sustainable farming. Chef Ben Goodnick highlights seasonal specialties made from scratch, with locally sourced produce and fresh ingredients, along with market-driven pastas, artisan pizzas, and antipasti. Summer House Santa Monica offers a taste of summer any time of the year! 

What better way to start your California adventure than with Guacamole & House-Made Chips? The California treat has a Hass avocado, Pico de Gallo, tomatillo salsa, and ranchero sauce. Or a Handmade Burratta with local cherry tomatoes, avocado, and arugula pesto. The Parmesan Fries are also highly recommended by reviewers. Raw starters with that California vibe include Ahi Tuna & Watermelon Tartare, which is paired with guacamole, Thai chili, and house-made chips. Mexican Shellfish Ceviche has fresh avocado, tomato-lime jugo, tajin crackers, house-made chips, and shellfish. 

Currently, the menu’s seasonal specials include Rossa Pizza, a tasty combination of spicy tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and arugula salad, a Malibu Peanut Noodle Salad, with sesame, lime, and sweet peppers, and Wood Grilled Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Sandwich, with spicy mayo, avocado, ponzu, and pickled ginger.

Fresh, unique vegetable offerings include a Wood-Grilled Heirloom Globe Artichoke with herb remoulade, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with balsamic vinegar and parmigiano reggiano, and Wood-Grilled Shishito Peppers with a sweet soy glaze, shichimi togarashi seasoning, and toasted sesame. 

The restaurant is also known for its salads, including a Knife and Fork Caesar, with hearts of romaine, garlic croutons, and parmesan. Other unique salads include a Shaved Brussels Sprouts with manchego cheese, bacon, avocado, toasted almonds, and peas, with a mustard vinaigrette, and a Wilshire Blvd Cobb with grilled chicken, egg, corn, cucumber, tomato, point reyes blue cheese, bacon, and celery, dressed with an herb vinaigrette.

Entrees include a Loch Duart Salmon, with a sweet chili glaze, and served with herb mashed potatoes, and Crispy Fish Tacos, made with local corn tortilla, crunchy slaw, chipotle crema, and salsa verde.

Pizzas are a must-have, according to online reviewers. Each day, the restaurant handcrafts dough with California milled flour, filtered water, sea salt, and fresh yeast, and rests it for 18 hours to ensure a crisp crust and unique flavor. Try an Organic Sausage & Fennel with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fennel pollen, or a Hobbs Pepperoni with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and parmesan. Spicy Salumi & Burratta pairs garlic, fresh mozzarella, whipped burratta, and tomato sauce.

The restaurant also boasts several unique desserts, including a Banana’s Foster Waffle, with house-made crispy waffle pieces, toffee sauce, bananas, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. 

Weekend brunches are replete with traditional items and Cali-Mex specialties, including Breakfast cilantro with pulled chicken, silky black beans, ranchero sauce, jack cheese, and sunny-side-up eggs. Mexican Hash Browns include two sunny-side-up eggs, with tomato salsa, Oaxaca cheese, avocado, and cilantro.

Summer House Santa Monica is located at 1954 N Halsted St. Limited indoor dining and patio table reservations are available.  Hours are Monday – Thursday: 11am – 10pm, Friday: 11am– 11pm, Saturday: 9am-11pm and Sunday: 9am– 9pm.  Brunch is served on Saturday & Sunday: 9am –3pm. Per government mandate, all persons are required to wear a mask, to be removed only while seated at your table. For more information, click here.

Interior design is no walk in the park. In fact, many people build their entire careers on their keen eye for making each room in a home flow beautifully. This is not to say that only professionals are capable of creating a breathtaking interior, but these tips from design experts may assist you in your next project at home.

Set Your Ground Rules: Before starting any big projects, it’s important to set some ground rules for your endeavor. You should decide how far you want to go with your project, whether that be replacing the furniture or tearing down a wall to open up a room.

Name Your Price: After you conclude how extreme your project will be, set a strict budget that will guide you through the process. Without a proper budget, you may get lost in your plans and overspend.

Find Your Inspiration: There’s no harm in consulting the opinions of others before starting a project. It may be useful to consult the prominent design blogs to see what trends are popular at the moment. Make sure to observe opposing design styles, such as minimalism and modern.

Trust Your Gut: Although it can be beneficial to learn about current trending design styles, there’s no reason to pay attention to them if they don’t appeal to you. Far too often, people adhere to design trends like it’s the law, but you should really trust your gut when it comes to design.

Move Your TV: It may not seem like a big deal, but oftentimes a TV can dominate a living room because it is placed at the center of the room. This points all the attention to the TV and away from conversation.

A beer with a dinosaur? A pumpkin festival on the Chicago River? Here are some of the more unusual events this week in our local Chicago neighborhoods this week! And don’t forget to salute the runners at this weekend’s Chicago Marathon! 

Have a beer with the world’s largest dinosaur at the Chicago Beer Festival! The event stages a takeover at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, on Saturday, October 9, from 7pm to 11pm. Featuring over 65 breweries, you can sample fall seasonal beers while enjoying access to museum exhibits. Early admission is $65 and general admission is $50. Early admission will include early entry at 7pm and specialty beers poured during the first hour. Admission includes beer samplings with food sold separately. Tickets will not be sold at the door.  Masks will be required by the State of Illinois for everyone regardless of vaccination status, except when actively eating and drinking. 

Friday, October 8 marks the 150^th Anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, and the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, commemorates the occasion with City on Fire: Chicago 1871, a family-friendly event to learn, explore, and discover the impact the Great Chicago Fire had on the city and the people who lived here. The exhibit guides visitors through the crucial events and conditions before, during, and after the fire—many of which draw striking comparisons to today’s social climate. The exhibit runs from October 8 to December 31. Admission includes access to all exhibitions in the museum, including audio tours. Children 12 and under and Illinois residents 18 and under are admitted free. Adult admission is $19, seniors and students are $17. 

A pumpkin festival in Downtown Chicago? Island Party Hut, located on the Riverwalk, transforms into a Fall Fest Pop-Up starting Friday, October 8 and runs weekends through October 31. Throw on your favorite sweater and enjoy all the activities that fall has to offer! Whether you’re looking to get a group of friends together to enjoy some much-needed adult beverages or bring the kids out for a stress-free day of fun, this is the perfect destination. A $10 admission fee includes live music, amazing Photo Ops, a visit to the pumpkin patch, games and more! For an additional charge, you can also take a scenic hayride on the river, purchase a pumpkin & decorating kit, and enjoy a wide variety of fall-favorite food and drink!

Dive into the wonderful world of autumn, from picking the perfect pumpkin to sipping festive drinks, at Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Fall Fest. This free, family-friendly celebration is full of harvest days fun this October. Fest guests can enjoy a pumpkin walk, live pumpkin carvers, a festive pop-up bar, animal chats, musical entertainment and more! New this year is an Instagram photo contest! The festivities run Friday, October 8-October 31, from 10am-5pm.

This may be the perfect weekend to explore Bizarre Bucktown, a small-group guided walking tour of the Bucktown neighborhood. The tour features the area’s history, mysterious lore, and even some ghosts. Each candlelit tour at Walsh Park, 1722 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, is personally conducted by Gordon Meyer, a neighborhood resident, Second City graduate, and magician. Tours run through December 18, and start at 8:30pm. The Dark Tales of Bucktown tour begins on what appears to be a quiet residential street. We’ll walk briskly, for about a mile, visiting sites with stories that are sure to leave you with a chill down your spine. The tour concludes about 75 minutes later outside Club Lucky, a gem of a cocktail bar and restaurant, with a spirit of its own. Admission is $30.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

We all could use a little more energy to get through the day, couldn’t we? Unfortunately, most of us either have no idea how to make that happen, or are turned off by the numerous complicated methods that don’t seem to produce consistent results.

Good news: it doesn’t have to be complicated! Here are a few simple ways you can change your routine to boost your energy and help you get more out of your day:

#1: Get enough sleep! For the average person, going to bed around 10pm and getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night works wonders. However, if your schedule doesn’t suit those hours, or your body has a different rhythm, do your best to improve the quality of the sleep you do get! 

If you can’t clock in 8 hours of shut eye, 20-minute naps can be life-savers. (But make sure your alarm is set to avoid deeper sleep that can leave you groggy!)

Above all, don’t kid yourself into believing you can get by on poor sleep. Sleep deprivation is known to cause continuous declines in mental performance. Even if you feel you are fine, trust me, you’re not!

#2: Do the toughest tasks early in the day! This is mostly psychological. When you accomplish important or difficult tasks early it improves your mood which can give you energy! Using your morning on routine tasks can feel like a waste and make you exhausted going into the second half of the day.

#3: Exercise every day! Don’t worry, that doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym or investing in a lot of equipment. You can do push-ups, burpees, and squats right at home. There’s also low-impact exercise like yoga, palates, or taking simple walks outside! Whatever you decide to do will be a long-term investment in your energy levels.

#4: Write down your plan for the day the night before! Believe it or not, writing things down really helps you commit to a plan. And, crossing off each task as it’s completed will give you a nice little dose of serotonin that leaves you refreshed, satisfied and proud of yourself! 

#5: Have a daily goal! It should be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific. Measurable. Assignable. Realistic. Time-bound). Spend just 10 minutes to come up with one goal you want to achieve above everything else in the day. Even if the rest of your to-do list goes undone, reaching that one goal will result in a huge confidence boost!

#6: Expand your circle of friends! Gravitate towards people that encourage and uplift you. Set healthy boundaries for those that leave you drained. 

#7: Read more books! A good book provides mental energy by improving mood, attention span, and cognitive skills – among other things.

Not much of a reader? Audio books work just as well, and you can listen throughout the day as you complete your tasks.

At the end of the day, the principle to remember is that energy is very precious! While some of these tips are universal, it’s up to each of us to figure out what drains us, what refreshes us and how to best use our energy. If you’re struggling, don’t panic! The process is always ongoing, and you will find what works for you in time. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago