RESTAURANT REVIEW: EARL’S KITCHEN & BAR

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Looking for a perfect spot for Weekend Brunch; or tasteful delicacies like sushi and prawn rolls? How about patio/outdoor dining? Well, look no further! Earl’s Kitchen & Bar is outstandingly grand in providing an environment that is conducive for the perfect dining experience. 

Adorned with Ricky Alvarez art pieces on the wall, the decorum of the restaurant is invitingly serene. The beautiful fire pit completes the elegance of the outside patio.

Located in Lincoln Park, Earl’s offers casual dining with a casual dress code. With a vast variety of entrees to choose from, Chef Jonathan Yee delivers a unique selection of dishes that represent an array of cultures. On Sundays, they have the Sushi + Seafood Funday whereby they take 5 dollars off any Seafood entree and serve Sushi rolls for only $10. On Wednesdays, they serve 6 oz sirloin steaks for $20. You surely can’t beat that.

Scrumptious burgers are also on the menu, not forgetting the delicious Prawn Ravioli and Bibimbap Lobster! Along with these inviting selections, gluten-free dishes are also available.

While in the comfort of your seated table, you can watch TV. In addition, the lounge and bar area is perfect for sipping on drinks while you watch the occasional sports games with your friends. That would synchronize perfectly with happy hour, which is from 2 p.m – 5 p.m, Monday through Friday. They offer half price for bottles of wine on Tuesdays. You can book a private event with Earl’s for any special occasion. They also provide takeout services. You will definitely enjoy dining in this upbeat, upscale setting!

Their hours of operation are Lunch & Dinner Mon-Fri from 12:00 p.m – 9 p.m and Saturday and Sundays from 12:00 p.m – 3 p.m. Earl’s is located at 1538 North Clybourn Avenue, Unit A108 in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Get rid of those nasty flies!

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We are now well into summer and much of the country is in the midst of a dry heat wave. These factors can lead to seeing more flies around than usual. There are ways to take care of these pests without toxic chemicals. 

While rare, flies can technically breed in your house. Keeping your home clean and patching any obvious entry ways for flies can server as a natural deterrent to this. However, files are most likely coming in from the outside. The best idea is to limit the areas where flies may breed. Flies essentially breed outside on decaying organic waste. Adult females can lay hundreds of eggs that develop into adults in just 7 days. Flies will breed in mulch piles; so keep them as far away from doors and windows as possible. Keep garbage cans well sealed and away from the house. Plants with strong scent will repel flies. Lavender, basil and mint can keep flies away. Most importantly, clean up regularly after your pets! Besides providing perfect breeding ground for flies, pet feces attract rats.

Keep screens in good repair and keep doors closed. Once of the best ways to avoid flies in the house, is preventing them from entering in the first place. There are a couple good ways to take care of those pesky flies that do get in. Combine equal parts cider vinegar and a fruity smelling dish soap in a small bowl. Add a pinch of sugar. The fermented smell from the vinegar attracts the flies but the soap kills them. It destroys their digestive tract. The old-fashioned fly paper strip is an oldie but a goodie. Flies are attracted to the strip and get stuck. When full simply throw away. A soda bottle trap is also effective. Cut off the top third of a two-liter plastic bottle. Put sugar water in the bottom third and replace the top of the bottle, turning it upside down so the narrow top is pointed down. Flies will enter looking for the sugar water and won’t able to get out.

While flies can be pesky, they are easily controlled. Just to recap: Keep trash cleaned up and sealed. Clean up pest waste. Keep decaying vegetation away from the house. Do you have any other ways to take care of flies?

5 Simple Ways To Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

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Summertime is here and it’s bringing the heat! It’s always an option to blast the air conditioner all summer long, but there are ways to keep your home cool that are better for the environment and won’t double your energy bill.

1. Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans may be an overlooked method to keep your home cool, but that’s because they are often used incorrectly. During the summer months a ceiling fan should be rotating counterclockwise to send cool air down otherwise you will be recirculating the heat in your home.

2. Blinds

If your home has windows that face the west or north, make sure to keep them covered with blinds to prevent the sun from heating up your home.

3. Mind the Gaps

Cover or repair all gaps and cracks near doors and windows to ensure your cool air stays in during the day. This paired with your home’s insulation will also prevent heat from seeping in on hot days.

4. Evening Chill

When the sun goes down and the temperature is cooler, open up your windows and doors to bring that cool air in. Just make sure to get them closed before the sun returns.

5. Box Fans

If your home has multiple windows on opposite sides of the room, you can create a cooling effect with two box fans on each side. One should be facing inward and the other outward. This will keep a constant airflow bringing in fresh air and removing the hot air.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Summer Shaping Up to Be an Amazing One!

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This summer in Chicago is really shaping up to be an amazing one with non-stop fun as many of our favorite family-friendly street festivals and other events return! Here’s what’s taking place this weekend!!

The largest car show in North America, the Chicago Auto Show, has returned to McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop through this Monday (July 19) for a special edition summer convention. As always, this event will showcase more than 1,000 domestic and imported vehicles that include cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, and concept cars; auto-related exhibits; competition vehicles and projects; antique and collector cars; and interactive displays for the kids to enjoy. Also, in addition to the show’s regular programming, auto show fans will find expanded outdoor events like test drives, test tracks, technology demonstrations, and more that will take place along Indiana Avenue and other surrounding streets now that the show was moved to the West Building!

The top-ranked art and design show, Millennium Art Festival, returns this weekend to the heart of downtown Chicago at Michigan Avenue and East Lake Street. Guests can browse an array of artwork provided by over 110 juried artists which include paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and furniture. You can also speak with the artists and artisans themselves, and even make purchases during this event!

Chicago Sport and Social Club’s annual Volleywood festival returns to North Avenue Beach in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this Saturday. This one-day event of live music provides 8 hours of tunes for you to groove to on the sands of the beach along with food and interactive experiences. Purchase a general admission ticket or spring for a cabana stocked with beer, refreshments, and private restrooms for you and eleven of your friends. It’s the city’s last remaining beachfront music fest!

Back and ready to kick-off Chicago’s summer street fest season this weekend is the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest for its 36th annual event in the heart of the Lakeview neighborhood. Don’t miss top local tribute bands like Wedding Banned on the main stage, or the second eclectic community entertainment stage filled with fun neighborhood music acts, DJs, and other performers. Plus, you’ll find food & drinks, a kids’ play area, and plenty of craft vendors to browse while hanging out on the street!

Based on a traditional Mexican market known as the Tianguis, the Tacos y Tamales Festival will take place this weekend at 16th and Peoria Streets in the Pilsen neighborhood. Besides offering the best and most authentic tacos y tamales Chicago has to offer, there will be two performance stages featuring live music and DJs with traditional acts, interactive dance performances, and high-energy Latin rock into the night. Also on hand will be local art installations, merchant vendors, a beer garden featuring Modelo’s portfolio of products, and more!

Let’s not forget our four-legged family members who also endured this past year and a half with their humans indoors! The Andersonville Dog Days of Summer will be held Saturday (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) on Catalpa Ave. between Clark St. & Ashland Ave. featuring pet-friendly activities, vendors, treats, and more. There is also the Dog Days of Summer Chicago being held Saturday (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) at Southport CTA Plaza in the Lakeview neighborhood featuring a play & splash Outdoor Pool Party, a Paint your Pet Classes, Puppy Training Classes, a Doggie Photo Booth, and Miss Foozie leading the pet parade!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Neighborhood News: Lakeview East, Wrightwood, Fulton River District, and The Loop

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Lakeview East: Next week head over to the 36th annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival! The festival will feature music from local tribute bands and even host a community entertainment stage that will have neighborhood acts and performances. In addition to music there will be an abundance of food, beer, and wine for you to enjoy. We finally have neighborhood street festivals back! With live music, food, drink, and the beautiful summer weather, what else do you need for the perfect weekend? The festival will take place on Sunday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 3200 N Sheffield Avenue. For more information click here.

Wrightwood: While the Taste of Chicago is an event everyone loves, the Taste of Lincoln Avenue is not one to be underestimated! This will be the 37th annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue and every year it gets bigger and more exciting. While it will continue to feature amazing food, arts and crafts, music, and other vendors, this year it will be introducing some new components as well. There will be a main stage for local and regional music acts, local bars and restaurants showcasing their food, and even more merchants and vendors than before. The festival will take place on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring the whole family for a unique festival right here in Chicago. Find more information here.

Fulton River District: Calling all soul music fans, The Box Tops are making their way to Chicago! Performing at City Winery in Chicago, the iconic soul group will be performing some of their greatest hits. Some of these include The Letter, Cry Like a Baby, Soul Deep, and more. This iconic band’s performance is one that you won’t want to miss. The show will feature a live horn section and a vintage video projection. The Box Tops will be accompanied by Pete Muller and The Kindred Souls who are an instrumental and vocal quartet. The show will take place on Wednesday, July 21 with the doors opening at 6 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are starting at $28 for the Mezzanine and $38 for Stage Premier. For more information click here. 

The Loop: Experience something completely different with the pop-up event Shuffle-Palooza – A Pre-Music Festival Market and Daytime Dance Party. The event will take place at Water Tower Place on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25. It will be a pop-up music festival market with the intention of getting people ready for Lollapalooza the following weekend. The event is centered around music and fashion with food, brands, and designers as vendors! You will get to experience a unique market event that is supposed to get Chicago excited about being able to host its most iconic festival, Lollapalooza! For more information click here.

ALLIE BERTRAND AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review: Headquarters Beercade

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If you’re looking for a new twist on your night out, head on down to River North and check out Headquarters Beercade!

This is more than a restaurant, and it brings a whole new meaning to a dining experience. Headquarters Beercade features classic arcade and pinball games along with craft beer, craft cocktails, and upscale pub grub. And the best part – all the games are free to play! 

Start the night off right with some of the Portobello Fries. Made with masa breading, chili-pineapple pastor dip, and cojita cheese, these are sure to be a fan favorite. The only problem is that there won’t be enough! Their Hurricane Fries are also sure to be a crowd pleaser. With lime mayonnaise, HQ sauce, bonito flakes, nori, and sesame seeds, your tastebuds won’t be able to handle all the flavor!

For hot dog or sausage fans, you have to try their Grilled Andouille Sausage. An upscale take on a hot dog, this dish features pilsner glazed peppers and onions, feta cheese, sport peppers, and parsley all on a New England bun toasted to perfection. The andouille sausage is savory and succulent, and the flavors combine perfectly to make a meal you’ll never forget. You can’t go wrong with their HQ Burger either. Made with bone marrow, griddled onions, machine pickles, and miso thousand island dressing, this burger is sure to meet all your cravings. Let’s just say that this menu is nothing short from tasty! 

While their food is enough to get people through the door, their large selection of craft beer is another aspect that draws people here. Chicago is well known for its abundance of breweries and their selection features a lot of local favorites. With beers from Spiteful Brewing, Pollyana Brewing Company, Noon Whistle, Old Irving, and so many more, this is a craft beer lovers paradise. They even feature beers from many other breweries in our neighboring states such as Sun King Brewing from Indiana and Crane Brewing from Missouri. Needless to say, this is an excellent place to check out for craft beer lovers!

The restaurant has a vintage arcade feel to it with all your classic games and pinball machines. The ambiance is a vintage grunge with an edgy and upbeat ambiance. With neon signs, exposed brick, a basement lounge, and a DeLorean coming out of the wall, Headquarters Beercade is the new hangout spot. Open every day of the week, they are open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday, and from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday.

ALLIE BERTRAND AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Decision making

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Some people can feel paralyzed by the need to make decisions. The decisions can be as mundane as what outfit I am going to wear or as important as who we should hire and fire. Some decisions take more time than others to make, and we all know time is valuable. 

For many, everyday decisions can be worrisome. The problem is these decisions tend to be equally attractive or similar. Lunch decisions can be difficult when faced with choosing between two equally healthy options like salad or fish. However, their differences can also be attractive. 

This first method can make some of these mundane decisions easier and quicker. You can use habits to take care of these routine decisions. Perhaps deciding salad is your preferred lunch takes away that decision. Preparing wardrobe decisions for a week every Sunday is a habit that saves many minutes every day. Breakfast choices can also be a habit. Perhaps cereal with fruit on odd days and eggs on even days. Whatever you do is fine as long as you are making a habit and routine to help with decision-making. 

Now we come to the decisions that cannot be decided by habit or routine. These are often important decisions at work but can equally be important life decisions. Leadership teams tend to mull over these decisions for weeks, excessively weighing pros and cons, soliciting way too many opinions, and collecting more and more data while hoping for an answer to emerge. 

The best decision-making method is to make a time restraint. You can even use a timer. If you are in a work situation where everything has been discussed, choices are all equally attractive, and everything is vetted, then simply decide. Tell your committee, “We know all the parameters, let’s take 15 minutes and decide the way to go.”

If you have decisions to make in your personal life, write them down and give yourself a set amount of time. This will help reduce your anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. 

All in all, the best thing to do is just make a decision and move forward. The time you save by not deliberating pointlessly will pay massive dividends in productivity and reduce anxiety. 

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Top Tips For First-time Homeowners

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Owning your first home is one of the biggest milestones in an individual’s life. Once it’s finally all yours, you want to make sure you avoid common rookie mistakes like the ones below.

Starting major renovations right away. With all the excitement and energy from the closing table still lingering, it’s easy to get caught up in home improvements. Before starting a major renovation, give yourself 2 or 3 months of living in your home to really solidify that it’s the right financial investment and what you really want.

Ignoring routine maintenance. Ignoring routine upkeep and maintenance, such as prepping your pipes for winter, clearing gutters, and filling cracks near doors and walls, can cause big issues down the line. Make sure to budget both time and money for these tasks.

Hiring the cheapest option. If you have a job that requires a professional, don’t always opt for the cheapest option. Makes sure to get several estimates for the work and look online for reviews. Once you do your research, select the professional you think will do the best job.

Not knowing your property boundaries. During closing, you may receive a survey of your home and property, however it’s crucial you know exactly where your property lines are. Outline this before your start planting or building fences or structures.

Neglecting the exterior of your home. Once you move in, it’s easy to focus your energy and effort on the interior. But don’t forget to give your exterior some TLC with thoughtful landscaping and regular checks to ensure weeds are taken care of and water is draining correctly.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Traditional Summer Events Return!

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Rain or Shine, Chicagoans will be out and about this weekend as we welcome back and support some of our traditional summer events as well as a few new ones!

The nation’s premier outdoor country music and BBQ festival, Windy City Smokeout, returns to the iconic United Center (1901 W. Madison St.) on the Near West Side this Saturday and Sunday. Guests can enjoy southern-inspired fare from premiere Chicago BBQ restaurants plus the opportunity to interact with chefs and their culinary teams. Live performances from country music’s biggest names and up-and-coming talent will be featured as well. It’s time again for the best BBQ, craft beer, and country music from around the country!

A new and reimagined program presented in place of the Taste of Chicago festival held in Grant Park, Taste of Chicago To-Go returns this summer with free food, music, and dance events. In addition to featuring nearly 40 participating eateries and promoting Chicago’s restaurant industry, there will be special events such as pop-up cooking demonstrations, the return of the “Community Eats” community meals program and many more for the public to enjoy!

Join neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond this Sunday (11 a.m.-8 p.m.) for Sundays on State. This free, interactive block party will close State St. (Chicago’s most iconic street) to traffic from Lake to Madison Streets on select Sundays this summer. Featuring over 70 on-street activations throughout the day, guests can safely enjoy art, culture, active recreation, retail, bars, restaurants, local attractions, and even more surprises!

It just wouldn’t be summer without free ice cream (while supplies last). The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce is excited to launch Lincoln Park Summer Sundaes once again this Sunday (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) at Lincoln Common (2345 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. This monthly outdoor event will be held on the second Sunday of every month through September. The event will feature music, family-friendly games & activities, performances, photo opportunities as well as retail promotions, cocktail specials, summer brunch, special giveaways, and more along Lincoln Avenue!

The Copernicus Foundation is excited to host its 2021 8-week Outdoor Summer Concert Series beginning this Saturday (5 p.m.-10 p.m.) at the Copernicus Center (5216 W. Lawrence Ave.) in the Jefferson Park neighborhood. Enjoy your summer nights under the stars with your favorite live bands. This Saturday at 6 p.m. Modern Day Romeos will take to the stage while the Queen Explosion takes over at 8 p.m.! The Center’s full bar and kitchen will be ready to serve you!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Neighborhood News: The Loop, Lincoln Park, Ravenswood, and Wicker Park

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The Loop: Next weekend a top-ranked art and design show is making its way to Chicago. Experience some unique art you’ll never find anywhere else with the Millennium Art Festival. The festival will include paintings, ceramics, photography, and furniture. Over 110 artists will be featured and in addition to art pieces, there will be live performances, food, and even interactive art experiences. The festival will take place from Friday, July 16 to Sunday, July 18. It will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday and end at 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information click here.

Lincoln Park: Dive into some of the lesser-known history about Chicago with the Lincoln Park Gangster Tour. While Lincoln Park is one of the most favored neighborhoods in Chicago, it wasn’t always. Learn about the infamous gangsters that used to walk these streets and see some of their favorite sites. Locations such as Dilinger Alley and the St. Valentine’s Day massacre site will be featured on this tour! You’ll see the history of Lincoln Park that not everyone knows about. The tour will take about 2 hours and you’ll walk a total of 1.5 miles. It will begin at Julia Porter Park, and you can make reservations online. For more information click here. 

Ravenswood: For the true history buffs, there are even more stories to be heard at the Rosehill Cemetery Tour with Adam Selzer. This cemetery is home to many heroes, villains, and eccentrics, but some of the best stories can be found in the unmarked graves. The cemetery also features some of the best artwork in the city, and you’ll get to experience it all with author and historian Adam Selzer. He has written several books on Chicago history and will tell you all the secrets that lie in the cemetery. It will be a truly haunting and riveting experience – one you can’t miss! The tour will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 17. For more information click here.

Wicker Park: The 2021 Illinois Brewery Running Series comes to Chicago with a 5k course featuring local beer! Located at The Perch on West Division Street, each participant will receive a free craft brew from The Perch, a collector’s pint glass, access to games and giveaways, and a chance to win prizes. This event will also be donating a portion of the proceeds to charity. The route will start and end at the brewery and runners of all levels are welcome. Whether you want to walk, jog, or run, everyone is encouraged to move at their own pace and get in a little exercise! The roads will not be closed so you will have to adhere to the traffic laws. The event will take place on Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information click here.

ALLIE BERTRAND AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO