Vinegar is a great weed killer with no nasty chemicals. Do be careful, however. Vinegar is five percent acetic acid, so it will be absorbed into the weed leaves and will kill from the leaves down. Use vinegar sparingly and be careful to not get it on good plants or over wet due to its acidity.

The smell of vinegar is offensive to many animals and other pests we want to keep out of the garden. Soak old rags in vinegar and leave them around the perimeter of the garden. Replace the rags regularly, especially after a rain. It will repel deer, raccoons, rabbits, and even wards off snakes.

Slugs and snails can slowly devour your garden. Spray these pests with vinegar to dissolve them quick. It is a bit gross, so use the previous method to keep these pests away. 

Vinegar can hasten seed germination. Place your seeds in a bowl and barely cover them with water, add two tablespoons of vinegar, and soak overnight. The vinegar softens the hard shell around the seed, encouraging germination. Be sure not to soak over 12 hours. 

Another use of vinegar is to use it to clean your garden tools. Soak your tools overnight in a solution of half vinegar and half water. Rinse and wash with soap and water scrubbing with steel wool. Your tools will be bright and sparkling.

We know many flowering plants love acid. Hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, gardenias, and hollies all can benefit from a dose of acid. Add one cup of vinegar to each gallon of water, then water as usual.

Vinegar is also antifungal. Black spots on the leaves of plants can indicate a fungus. This happens especially in areas that tend to stay wet. Add three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a gallon of water. Place in a spray bottle and spray over the affected areas. 

Clean your garden bricks and dividers. Scrub the bricks with a solution of one cup vinegar to one gallon of water. This will rinse the lime and calcium away.

Clean the birdbath with a solution of one part vinegar to nine parts water. It is safe for birds as regular soap tends to strip bird feathers of their oil. More birds in the garden will keep the insect pests at bay as they are natural for birds.

Do you have any other uses for vinegar in the garden?

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

As is tradition, in just a matter of two weeks, Chicagoans will be welcoming in the beginning of their “unofficial” summer season! However, we’re still waiting to hear if our traditional street festivals and outdoor concerts make a comeback this summer. Until then, let the countdown begin while enjoying this weekend at any one of these events!!

Market for Makers is back in Chicago this weekend (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the historic and spacious Artifact Events (4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood. Over 50 vendors from across the country will be on hand to display their handmade art, home décor, clothing, jewelry, and more. Every guest receives a free tote bag to fill with goods from small businesses, as well as have access to several photo walls to take photos. Tickets are $7 online and $10 at the door. Upgraded VIP tickets include access all weekend any time, an upgraded tote bag, and access to the Saturday preview hour from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.!

Join Chicago’s best DJs at Navy Pier’s South Dock (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood for Wave Wall Wax featuring free outdoor performances this Saturday and next Saturday from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Wave Wall Performance Platform. The DJ line-up is Steve “Miggedy” Maestro (May 15th) and The Narcoleptic (May 22nd). Be prepared to dance to the sounds of House, Hip-Hop, Latin, Soul, Funk, Global grooves, and more! Afterward, be sure to check out the fireworks (9 p.m.) at the People’s Pier or enjoy the display from any of the Pier’s open areas!

Get in the Kitchen! (3617 N. Broadway Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood is hosting Dumpling Night! this Saturday (7 p.m.-10 p.m.). Learn three ways to prepare dumplings. All you need to do is sip on wine while they show you how to fold and prepare dumplings with four amazing dumpling recipes! The menu for this class includes buffalo chicken Rangoon, toasted chicken parmigiana egg rolls, pan-fried shrimp scampi potstickers, and crispy cherry chocolate marshmallow won tons for dessert!! All cooking parties are BYOB or pre-purchase a bottle of wine for 10% off from Get In the Kitchen’s exclusive wine selection.

This weekend kicks off Long Grove’s For the Love of Chocolate Festival. It’s a new bite-size version of their annual Chocolate Festival featuring a Chocolate Expo Tent, a Chocolate Experience Tent, and a Chocolate Row of vendors! Hear about the history of chocolate, how it’s grown, sourced, and made. Watch a demo to see how to make chocolate and chocolate treats at home. Learn how to taste craft chocolate correctly. Watch their chocolate artist in action as he creates chocolate art. Take in the scent of chocolate cotton candy while it’s spun on-site at Ma and Pa’s Candy. Also, industry experts will be on hand to educate, entertain, energize, and engage attendees into the wonderful world of chocolate. Plus, locations throughout their downtown area will have free live music performances by Chicago area singers, songwriters, and musicians. It’s an “All Things Chocolate” weekend!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Even if you’re a diehard fan of Chicago-style pizza, it’s okay to appreciate the taste and charm of New York-style pies. Don’t worry; you won’t be kicked out of the city for enjoying a NY slice. For those eager to find pizza with a Big Apple approach, look no further than the recently opened Max & Issy’s, located at 1028 West Diversey Parkway in Lakeview.

Many will recognize the address as the former home of Paddy Long’s, the Lakeview bar that served up craft beers and bacon since 2007. Due to the pandemic, owners Chris Latchford and Pat Berger switched things up by closing Paddy Long’s and reopening the space as Max & Issy’s. One noticeable change to the exterior is replacing the glass front window with a glass garage door that retracts to improve airflow.

The menu at Max & Issy’s features 16-inch New York-style pizzas that are sure to bring a smile to the lips of former New Yorkers living in the city and first-times looking for that perfect New York slice. 

Choices include the classic cheese offering with Parmigiano-Reggiano. If a pizza spot can’t do a simple cheese pizza right, it won’t last long in Chicago. Max & Issy’s pass this test with top marks with a delicious pie that oozes flavor. Their White Pizza, featuring mozzarella, ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, cracked black pepper, garlic, and olive oil, begs the question, “who needs tomato sauce?” when the pizza is this good.

Sausage and pepperoni are well represented at Max & Issy’s. You really can’t go wrong with these New York pies as the flavors are right on point and the break from Chicago-style pizza is a welcome addition to the Lakeview neighborhood.

Paying homage to the beloved bacon boards patrons ordered up at Paddy Long’s, the “Paddy is Our Daddy” pizza hits on all cylinders with jowl bacon, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and Parmigiano Reggiano. This may be the crowning pizza achievement at Max & Issy’s, delivering something unique that will have your taste buds demanding repeat visits. 

Other standout pies include the veggie featuring artichokes, red onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, basil and arugula, and Parmigiano Reggiano. The Pompei Today is loaded with flavor thanks to the Serrano peppers, jalapenos, Fresno peppers, banana peppers, and hot giardiniera. Max & Issy’s also gives you the option to build your own pizza with whatever ingredients float your boat. 

The salads are definitely worth checking out as well. In particular, the apple Italiano, a spinach and arugula mix with a delicious medley of apples, tomatoes, red onions, pistachios, basil, and shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano, and delectable lemon honey dressing.

Max and Issy’s in Lakeview is an excellent transition from Paddy Long’s that gives us Chicagoans an authentic taste of New York pizza for those times when deep dish is a bit too much. Don’t be surprised when these pies are what you think of when you have pizza on the brain. Don’t worry though, you won’t suddenly become a Yankees fan or start talking with an East Coast accent just because you open yourself up to pizza from that other big city.

Max and Issy’s is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4 pm to 11 pm and Sunday from 4 pm to 10 pm.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Minimalism has been a dominating theme in design and architecture over the past few years. What started as an art movement in the 1960s has become a mainstay for interior designers that creates peaceful, eye-catching spaces with limited furnishings and selective decorative pieces. Minimalist decor is focused on the concept of ‘less is more’ and this idea places a lot of importance on functionality, tidiness, and organization in the home. Here are a few tips to bring minimalism into your home.

Eliminate the Clutter. There are many things homeowners keep around the house on the off-chance they are needed, but usually they never are. Take control of your space by throwing away any loose papers, magazines, or trinkets that aren’t getting any use and do a weekly check to see where clutter is piling up.

Choose Decorations Wisely. It’s a natural inclination to try to fill all the empty space on a wall, but in many cases, this design style can become a bit overwhelming and noisy. Instead, try to find a defining piece of art or decor that can act as a focal point or centerpiece. Then, the empty space surrounding it will accentuate the piece.

Focus on Function. When you’re deciding on whether or not to keep something in your space, just ask yourself, “Do I actually use this?” If it’s an item that is used daily, it makes sense to keep it, but if you can’t remember the last time you used it, it might be better to toss it. If something is used intermittently, you can still clear your space by finding a cabinet or drawer to keep it out of sight.

Wicker Park: The Pop Up Grocer is hitting Wicker Park! Find items you wouldn’t come across at your regular grocery ranging from innovative products in food and beverage to pet and body care brands. Located at 1555 North Milwaukee Avenue, the Pop Up Grocer is open from 9 am to 7 pm daily until Sunday, May 30. So if you’re looking for something different, like cheese made from hemp seed, crackers made from upcycled carrots, and much more, head over to this colorful grocer, which already has hosted pop-ups located in Austin, Los Angeles, and New York. Find more info here.

Museum Campus: The Drive ‘N Drag socially distanced event returns to Chicago this year after making a splash in 2020. Titled Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, this year’s event occurs at Soldier Field, located at 1410 South Museum Campus Drive, from Friday, May 28 to Sunday, May 30. Finalists from RuPaul’s Drag Race will be on hand for a series of performances as well as new outdoor party patios. General admission for a 2-person car starts at $75, and tickets for the VIP patio for four near the front of the stage with no vehicle required are $250. Find more info here.

Evanston: The Block Museum of Art, located at 40 Arts Circle Drive in Evanston, is hosting the “Behold, Be Held” exhibition that showcases 16 reproductions that let visitors take a moment to reflect on how art and intimacy in times of crisis affect us. This free event is the museum’s first-ever outdoor presentation, curated by Block Museum graduate fellow Rikki Byrd. “Behold, Be Held” runs now until August 22. Find more info here.

Virtual: Beginning today, May 6, and running until Thursday, May 13, check out the next generation of great filmmakers at CineYouth 2021. This global streaming event by the Chicago International Film Festival showcases 14 film programs from around the world and live panel discussions, filmmaker Q&A sessions, awards ceremony, and much more. Created in 2005, the CineYouth Festival is a great way to catch inspiring young filmmakers and see where the future of cinema is headed. Find more info here.

North Center: The city is starting to open back up, and undoubtedly one of the things we have missed is live music. On Saturday, May 8, head over to Constellation, located at 3111 North Western Avenue, for two performances by the Artifacts trio. Consisting of members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Music, the Artifacts trio stretch out the boundaries of experimental jazz with reinterpretations of classics alongside their own originals. The trio, made up of of cellist Tomeka Reid, flutist Nicole Mitchell, and drummer Mike Reed, will perform at 8 pm and 10 pm with limited seating in-person attendance and online streams of the 8pm set. Tickets are $15 or $30 for two seats together. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO