Hot August nights are upon us! The ‘dog days’ of summer are back, and you can make the most of them at these events, featuring the best of Chicago’s diverse and eclectic communities!

Ranked as one of the top 10 Chicago festivals by Bizbash, the 39th Northalsted Market Days is a weekend-long live music street festival celebrating community in Chicago’s landmark Northalsted/Lakeview district. The 1/2 mile long festival, from Belmont to Addison on North Halsted St. in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood – features all-day lineups of live music on 6 stages, 250+ unique vendors, arts, crafts, food and drink, DJ’s and dancing, sponsor booths, and much more! Headliners include Jody Warley, Lisa Lisa, Greyson Chance, and Cece Penniston. Market Days hours ours Friday, August 6th: 5pm-10pm, Saturday-Sunday, August 7-8th: 11am – 10pm,  $15 suggested donation goes to charity. https://northalsted.com/marketdays

For classical music fans, the Grant Park Music Festival series, featuring the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus returns to Millennium Park with a thrilling lineup of Festival favorites. Wednesday, August 4 is ‘A Taste of Ireland.’ On Friday, August 6 and 7, from 6:30-8 pm., violinist Augustin Hadelich celebrates Finnish composer Jean Sibelius with his Violin Concerto, as well as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1, Winter Daydreams at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Bring a picnic and a blanket and make yourself at home in Millennium Park! The Great Lawn is free and open to all. Outside food and drink, including beer and wine, are welcome at the Pritzker Pavilion for all Festival concerts. https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com

Chicago is the pizza capital of the world, but which style is best? The Wicker Park/Bucktown Pizza Crawl, lets you decide!  Created by Steve Dolinsky, the former ABC-7 ‘Hungry Hound’ restaurant critic, the pizza tours take place every Sunday in August. On August 8, you’ll meet your  ‘Doughcent’ outside of My Pi, 2010 N. Damen Ave., at 11am sharp (no latecomers or stragglers) and crawl til 2:00. Highlights include a traditional Chicago deep-dish, a Roman al taglio, a Detroit-style (with a Korean twist) and an East Coast artisan style. Included in your tour price of $49 is a custom souvenir lanyard and badge. Guests are required to arrive with masks – they can be removed once seated/eating. https://pizzacityusa.com/tour/wicker-park-bucktown-chicago-pizza-tour. 

On Thursday, August 5, NEWCITY’s Sounds of Summer Music Series is presenting former child actor and Chicago native Thomas Nicholas Band (TNB) from 7-9 pm. The Rookie of the Year and American Pie star describes his music as “an alternative rock hybrid of Dave Grohl meets Bruce Springsteen.” Sounds of Summer is NEWCITY’s free outdoor concert series in the plaza. Limited seating is on site so grab your friends, family, blankets and chairs, and enjoy a Chicago summer evening of live music! NEWCITY, located at 1457 N. Halsted, combines outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment in one convenient complex. NEWCITY, located at 1457 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60642  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thomas-nicholas-band-tnb-tickets-160899391411

Art Uncorked, on Sat, August 7, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM offers a one of a kind experience in the Lincoln Common Plaza, 2345 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614. In trendy Lincoln Park, art and artists are professionally paired with wines to compliment their artwork will Live art demos throughout the event. FREE wine tasting included. Local food, live music and family fun! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-art-uncorked-tickets-162711208605

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

Summer is definitely the season for outdoor activities. However, don’t neglect the indoor tasks that will help to maintain your home. The following list will help you keep your home up to standard:

Clean the sediment from your hot water heater. This will extend the life of your water heater and increase its’ efficiency. Release at least half of the water in the tank from the bottom. This will rinse out any sediment on the bottom of the tank. Do this yearly.

Clean your gutters. It is best to have a professional do this; as ladders can be very dangerous. Clogged gutters cause roof and foundation damage as water does not flow freely away from the house. Do this after all the leaves fall every year. While you have your guy up on the ladder have him do a visual inspection of the roof for any missing or damaged shingles.

Dirty brooms and dustpans spread germs and bacteria all over the house. Clean them every two months or so by soaking in a pail of water and dish soap for an hour. Let dry thoroughly before using. 

Keep your garbage disposal blades clean and sharp while getting rid of lingering odors. First, drop in some eggshells and let the disposal run with the water running also. Follow up with a lemon cut into chunks to give a lovely fresh scent.

Clean your dryer vent. This is the cause of many home fires every year. It can also cause damage to the dryer. You can use a flat vacuum attachment to clean the dryer vent. You can also use a brush. You can locate a DIY dryer vent kit found at home stores. 

Test your smoke detectors. Do not just press the button. Light a few matches then blow them out letting the smoke drift up to the detector. If it does not go off, replace the smoke detector immediately. The newer detectors have batteries that last ten years. 

Clean your refrigerator coils. Most are on the bottom by the floor and end up with all the dirt, dust and pet hair that swirls around your kitchen. Unplug the refrigerator and vacuum the coils thoroughly. You may need to use soap and water to remove greasy residue. 

Do reseal your stone surfaces yearly. Use sealer meant for your specific stone. Apply the sealer with a rag. Wipe away any excess with a towel when dry. Always follow instructions on the sealer for the number of coats needed and drying time. 

If you have a fireplace that is in use, remember to have it professionally checked and cleaned every few years depending on usage. This can help prevent a fire hazard. 

We hope you find these tips useful.

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

This weekend may be the end of July, but Chicago’s fest season is back in full swing!  Be sure to take in as many of the fests as you can since summer will be over before you know it!!

Head on down to Hutchinson Field in Grant Park this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) as Lollapalooza returns at full capacity this summer.  This music fest is packed with some of the biggest names in pop, rock and hip-hop.  In fact, the headliner on Saturday is Post Malone along with Journey, Megan Thee Stallion, Limp Bizkit, Slander and Young The Giant, while the Foo Fighters will headline on Sunday with Dababy, Brockhampton, Modest Mouse, Alison Wonderland and Young Thug!  If you plan on attending, you’ll need proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test completed within 24 hours of entry.

The iconic and popular annual celebration of Far East culture, Chinatown Summer Fair, returns for its 42^nd festive year on Wentworth Avenue from Cermak Road to 24^th Place this Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-7 p.m.).  This neighborhood street fest opens with a lion dance procession at 12:30 p.m., and a welcome at 1 p.m. on the main stage.  Some of the highlights include: samplings from Chinatown’s restaurants and unique gift shops, arts & crafts exhibits, Asian performances, kung fu demonstrations and a children’s area with pony rides and a petting zoo.

If you love classic rock, then skip Lollapalooza and head to the Jefferson Park neighborhood for its 20^th annual community party Jeff Fest.  This fest takes place Saturday (2 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.-9 p.m.) at Jefferson Memorial Park (4822 N. Long Ave.).  Get down to great tunes from a live music lineup filled with tribute acts, enjoy an array of tasty foods, and browse the arts & crafts vendors.  There’s also the Kids’ Zone area located on the north side of the park featuring tons of cool activities for families along with the Community Stage!  It’s a proud tradition in one of Chicago’s most friendly communities!!

One of the largest Latino fests in the Midwest returns as a full in-person event to the heart of the Pilsen neighborhood with Fiesta del Sol this Saturday (11 a.m.-11 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) at Cermak Road and Loomis Street.  This free family-friendly Mexican festival features over 100 booths with some of the best tacos, tamales and tostadas in town along with a lineup of traditional live music on two stages, activities for the kids, art exhibits, a carnival and much more!

The Hyatt Regency O’Hare (9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.) in Rosemont will be hosting the Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention this weekend.  Since 2002, this event is Chicago’s largest and longest running horror convention featuring major celebrity guests, innovative programming, lavish parties & receptions plus evenings filled with events that include star-studded screenings and theatrical premieres.  When the vendor room closes, that’s when the after-parties begin and run all night into the wee hours of the morning!

Join Fibs Brewing Company (260 Howard Ave.) in Des Plaines as they celebrate turning two with a huge two-day bash. It’s called: Fibfestand will be rapping up on Saturday.  Celebrants will enjoy live music, tasty street tacos by Big Rig Tacos, BBQ by Johns Rib House, and Fibs Brewing’s watermelon Jolly Rancher Ale – the only place on the planet that serves this!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

If your mornings are filled with a desire for buttery pancakes, look no further. We have just the place to delight your saccharine taste buds. The Original Pancake House is such a place; a restaurant that offers the ultimate dining experience for pancake enthusiasts.

The Original Pancake House, as the name suggests, is not your typical breakfast restaurant. Quite the contrary. When you first arrive, you can’t help but notice the  cottage-structured building and you feel right at home once you step inside. The walls are lit with Tiffany lampshades that illuminate the room, giving it an alluring ambiance. Additionally, there’s an outside patio; great for enjoying the fresh summer breeze.

The extensive menu is equally appealing. It’s not exclusive to delicious pancakes but also includes omelettes, waffles, crepes, a variety of egg specialties, meats, cereals, and side dishes. There are of course beverages and fruit juices, such as: orange juice or coffee to go along with your dish. The Original Pancake House also has a special diet section for vegetarians, vegans, or gluten-free customers. The dishes are also reasonably priced.

The most popular signature item is the Apple Pancake. It’s a very large pancake covered in cinnamon sugar and sauteed apples. It’s simply baked to perfection! This combination results in a rich, delicious taste from the cinnamon sugar glaze.

Another to-die-for menu specialty is the Dutch Baby. This is a German pancake served with lemon, powdered sugar, and whipped butter. How about the Dutch baby entree that consists of loaded bananas and strawberries, sprinkled powdered sugar and homemade strawberry syrup? You’ll also appreciate their Belgian Waffle topped with whipped cream, strawberries, powdered sugar, and homemade strawberry syrup. Mouthwatering goodness!

The Original Pancake house takes pride in what they prepare for their loyal customers. All their sauces and syrups are natural and are freshly made from scratch. This family-friendly restaurant is located at 22 E. Bellevue PI, Chicago, IL 60611. The hours are: Monday- Friday 7 a.m to  3 p.m, and Saturday and Sunday 7 to  5 p.m

Anne Thoithi and Dean’s Team Chicago

We’ve all watched the HGTV programs that show a run-down old house transforming into a dream home. Tackling a big renovation project on an outdated property can indeed pay off big—both with the home of your dreams, and with a return on investment. If resale value is a primary concern, consider these factors as you’re making your fixer-upper plans.

Is the price right?
How much can you invest in a home beyond the sale price while staying in line with the value of homes in the neighborhood? You don’t want to improve a home to the point that it’s worth far more than the norm for the area. You’ll enjoy the property while you’re living there, but if you ever decide to sell, your ROI could be limited by the market value of nearby houses.

Low cost, instant equity
There are a lot of low cost and DIY improvements that will add equity almost immediately, such as rehabbing the landscaping and adding fresh coats of paint. These improvements add value to the property almost instantly.

What’s worth spending on?
A little elbow grease goes a long way, but there will inevitably be projects that require some serious spending. If you’re concerned with getting a return on your investment, focus your dollars toward the roof, floors, and the home’s exterior. They’re not flashy upgrades, but they’re important for future buyers. On the other hand, luxuries like a swimming pool are unlikely to see any return on investment.