Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Basic Emergency Supply Kit

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We have been talking the last few weeks about preparedness for a disaster. Families need a plan for action during emergency situations, whether they are natural or human-made. Even if you do not live in a weather emergency area, such as places that experience hurricanes, tornadoes, or fires, it is a good idea to be prepared just in case. 

Here are items to include in a basic emergency supply kit:

• Water and non-perishable food for 3-4 days, include a can opener and disposable plates, cups, and utensils

• Flashlights with extra batteries. Extra batteries and chargers for all electronics

• First aid kit.

• Paper towels, garbage bags, and ties

• Prescription medication and glasses

• Food and other supplies for your pets

• Blanket or sleeping bag for each person

• Disinfecting wipes for surfaces and skin, hand sanitizer, extra masks

• Activities for the kids like puzzles and games along with books 

• Hand crank or battery-powered radio, along with an NOAA weather radio with alert

Place all items in heavy-duty plastic bags and store them in duffle bags or plastic storage bins. Store your kit in a cool, dry place, and make sure everyone knows its location. Check it yearly for expired food or medication. Go to www.ready.gov for more items to include.

If you are interested in volunteering in your community to help keep it safe, you can check out www.nnw.org. It is the National Neighborhood Watch site, and it will give you information on how to join. You can also become CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) certified. Go to www.fema.gov for more info. At the least, become CPR and first aid certified with your local American Red Cross.  

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Tips To Light Your Home

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Lighting is such a crucial aspect of your home and can affect the ambiance, energy, and vibe in each room. However, sifting through the various styles, bulbs, and placement options can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started!

Types of Lighting
There are three different types of lighting. Ambient lighting (or general lighting) fills the room, accent lighting is used to highlight something, such as art, and task lighting is used to help you complete various tasks, such as desk lamps and vanity lights. It’s recommended you have at least two types in each room.

Task and Accent Lighting
Start with selecting task and accent lighting in each room. Many times, the combination of these two provide enough light in a room so overhead lighting may not be needed.

Will it Mesh?
To ensure lighting fixtures will mesh well together, try placing images of the fixtures on a Word document or Pages to see the full picture before purchasing.

Choosing the Right Bulb
Light bulb selection is equally important as fixture selection. By choosing incandescent or halogen bulbs, you can add a warm, sunny feel to a room. Fluorescent bulbs can provide warm white, cool white, or daylight color temperatures and radiate light 360 degrees around the bulb. Finally, LED bulbs can range from blue-white to neutral white to yellow-white and are the most energy efficient option.

Dark Areas
Factor natural lighting into your light design by mapping out where the sun falls and how it moves across the room. Then, place lighting in darker areas.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Shaking Off Winter Cobwebs and Going Green!

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Who’s ready to shake off those winter cobwebs? Well, thanks to a few socially distanced in-person and some virtual “green” events planned this weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, you can do just that! Let the shenanigans begin!!

You can still enjoy all the traditions of the best Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade that typically features over 200 floats and marching bands with the city’s new virtual format for 2021 — Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Parade Celebration this Saturday. This year’s Grand Marshal is Father Thomas Hurley, Pastor of the historic Old St. Pat’s Church. This live streaming of the parade will follow all CDC guidelines per the City of Chicago and the Department of Health. Be sure to check this event’s website for information on how to view the parade and the dyeing of the Chicago River before the parade!

This year’s Shamrock Shuffle unfortunately will not be congregating in Grant Park as in years past but instead will take place in neighborhoods throughout the city by switching to a virtual format. This annual 8K run and 2-mile walk will allow participants to plan their own route and starting time as long as it falls between March 19 and March 21. As usual, those who sign up will get a festive T-shirt and a bib number to display!

Chicago’s best St. Pat’s AM party, You Can’t Drink All Day St. Patrick’s Day Event, takes place this Saturday. Not only is this year’s edition adding a twist to their annual event, but it’s also throwing you the Covid responsible version. This undoubtedly will be a very hot ticket to come by even though it will be held outdoors. Table reservations are a must with limited seating per a 2-, 3-, or 4-hour time frame! So, don’t delay!! Mask up, pack the antibacterial, and dress in your warmest green and gold for the hottest St. Patrick’s Day party in Chicago.

It’s time to get out and enjoy our city aboard a St. Patrick’s Day Yacht Partycruise. This Saturday or Sunday cruise aboard Anita Dee II’s 140-foot, three-story luxury yacht on Lake Michigan. While Navy Pier is closed, boarding is temporarily located at Burnham Harbor (1559 S. Lake Shore Dr.). So, get out and celebrate this joyous holiday aboard a cruise! Don’t forget to don your green gear!!

For those not wanting to leave the comfort of their home but still want to celebrate, the Rambler Kitchen + Tap (4128 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the North Center neighborhood is serving up an Irish Pub Experience at Home! Beginning this Saturday and running through St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy two corned beef platters with a four-pack of Guinness and the Rambler will include Guinness Imperial pint glasses, beads, and other St. Patrick’s Day surprises!

In case you didn’t know, this Sunday is Pi Day. If you’re free this Saturday between 4 p.m.-5 p.m., you can join an online experience of Unboxing the Pie: The Strange and Wonderful World of Pizza. Scott Wiener, the Guinness World Record holder for the largest pizza delivery box collection, will teach you about pizza’s alleged origins, explain its unique shape, and offer a rare glimpse of his unique and unusual collection. After all, it is the world’s favorite circular food!

Don’t forget, spring clocks forward an hour on Sunday for the upcoming spring season!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Neighborhood News: Garfield Park, Virtual, Lakeview, Wicker Park

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Garfield Park: While the snow is probably not done with us here in Chicago despite the amazing weather of late, you can still take in all the beautiful sights of spring at the Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Saturation. Located at 300 North Central Park Avenue, this exhibition showcases an array of blooming flowers representing the spectrum of the rainbow, which is sure to be a sight for sore eyes for Chicagoans. Admission is free to the flower show, but you must make reservations to enjoy your visit since the conservatory is still operating at a limited capacity amid the pandemic. The show runs now until Mother’s Day, May 9. Find more info here.

Virtual: Goose Island’s 312 Day is going virtual this year and taking place on Friday, March 12 at 7 pm. Host Jaime Black kicks off the free live broadcast with a discussion on what lies ahead for the live music industry post-COVID with a handful of Chicago professionals in the music and live entertainment business. Following the discussion, the live music begins with sets by Chicago’s Ganser, Ohmme, Sen Morimoto, and Beach Bunny. Those checking out 312 Day from home can sip on Goose Island’s new Lemonade Shandy and receive $5 off your first order on Drizly by entering the code 312LEMONADESHANDY. Find more info here.

Lakeview: The award-winning comedy Schitt’s Creek is the latest loved television show to get the pop-up treatment. Replay, located at 2833 North Sheffield, is the temporary home for all things Schitt’s Creek with selfie-worthy recreations of the show’s Moira’s Wig Wall, Rosebud Motel, and more. The socially-distanced 21 and over pop-up also features a Cafe Tropical menu inspired by the show with plenty of enchiladas and cocktails. Tickets are $20 per person and include two cocktails as well as access to the plethora of arcade games (every other game is turned off to ensure social distancing) at Replay during your one-hour time slot. The fun happens daily until April 1. Find more info here.

Wicker Park: Plenty is going on this St. Patrick’s Day as far as things to do. One option is to join the celebration at Whiskey Business, located at 1367 North Milwaukee Avenue, for the St Patrick’s Day Pot O’ Gold Bing Bash. This event kicks off Saturday, March 13, from 2:30 pm to 8 pm with tons of games and, of course, green beer. Tickets start at $20 and must be purchased in four to six quantities and include a table, two Green Beers or call drinks, two Jameson shots, corn beef sandwich and fries, raffle entry, and bingo cards per person. Bingo takes place from 2:30 pm to 5 pm. The grand prize for the raffle is a Grand 55-inch Smart TV with other prizes including Yeti Coolers, Whiskey Business party packages for you and 5 of your friends, tickets to future WAMI Live events, and plenty of green beads and shamrocks! Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Preview: Chicago Restaurant Week Part 2

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Today we continue our look at many of the amazing places to dine during Chicago Restaurant Week beginning March 19 and ending April 4. With the city loosening COVID-19 restrictions by allowing food establishments to remain open longer and increasing the indoor dining capacity to 50 percent or 50 people per room, it is a great time to check out new spots and old favorites after such a long break. So let’s look at some more places to get a memorable meal as we celebrate not only Chicago Restaurant Week but also a gradual return to normal.

Lakeview: Head over to Bites Asian Kitchen + Bar, located at 3313 North Clark Street, for their lunch or dinner options available during Chicago Restaurant Week. For $25, Bites offers a lunch menu serving up a three-course meal from 11 am to 3 pm. Choose from jumbo shrimp shumai, emerald gyoza, garlic edamame, or crab rangoon for your first course. Follow it up with a second course of either the bites burger, honey-bourbon sesame chicken sandwich, General Tso good chicken sandwich, shiitake shoyu ramen, or lava maki. Finish off this delicious afternoon meal with yuzu lemon mousse or mango-passion fruit cotton cheesecake.

Bites start you off with either roasted tomato egg drop soup, tofu satay, or garlic edamame for dinner. The second course consists of either tuna tostada, spicy crab rangoon, basil cream mussels, or coconut shrimp tempura (a personal fav). You can choose your main entree of either General Tso good chicken sandwich, 5-spice duck ramen, duck fat yakisoba, yuzu orange chicken, or the lava maki. Finish up with your choice of dessert, which is the same as the lunch option. This dinner will run you $39. Find more info here.

Wicker Park/Bucktown: If your taste buds are searching for an authentic slice of Italy, check out the delicious menu at Osteria Rusticana, located at 2114 West Division Street, for indoor, outdoor, or takeout dining during Chicago Restaurant Week. The $55 dinner option includes your choice of antipasti, including favorites like Zuppa di Fagioli e Langostino and Arancino al Nero. The main entree selections are lasagna al parmigiano, tortellini, bucantini di riccie granchio, risotto, capesanti con castagne, or brasato di manzo. End your feast on the sweet side with either the panna cotta al pistachio, bigne’ di banana e vaniglia, or cannolicchi. Find more info here.

Wrigleyville: BBQ is well represented during Chicago Restaurant Week with Smoke Daddy’s lunch menu offering. Located at 3636 North Clark Street, come enjoy the flavorful food at one of the north side’s favorite bbq spots. Smoke Daddy lets you choose from chicken-fried ribs, pimento cheese hush puppies, or a good ol’ cup of chili for starters. For your main course, choose from the smoked meat platter, including your choice of two types of meat and two sides, the Daddy-O consisting of sliced brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings, or the Wrightwood salad with smoked chicken, tomato, craisin, avocado, goat cheese, and more. This lunch special is $25. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Emergency Preparedness

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Last week we talked about surviving in the home with a loss of power. As spring is not too far away, we need to get ready for the chance of weather-caused emergencies. Tornadoes and floods are a danger for much of the country. Are you and your family prepared in case of disaster near your home? Plan and be ready. Do have your phone set up to receive all disaster warnings from the workplace, school, and government.

First, you need a Family Communication Plan. All family members should have a list of all phone numbers and emails for everyone in the family. Even though we have all this info on our phones, a hard copy is good to have in case your phone is dead or towers are out. Do be aware of all the emergency response plans for wherever your family members are during the day. Schools, workplaces, and daycare will all have these. Make sure to inform all places where children are during the day who can pick up the children. It is good to have an additional person such as a grandparent or close friend be on this list. Discuss this with your children and let them know who they can go with in case of an emergency.

Have an emergency meeting place. Make sure children know the safest place indoors in an emergency like a tornado. The basement is best, or a closet or bathroom in the interior of the house if there is no basement. Pick a recognizable spot in the neighborhood in case of fire. It could be a corner, a neighbors’ house, or a large tree. Have an area in the community where you will meet if you cannot return home. Places of worship, libraries, or community centers are all excellent choices, as well as friends’ home outside your neighborhood. 

Make sure copies of your plan, including all relevant numbers and information, are given to all family members, and have them carry a hard copy. Also, be sure all family members have all this information on their devices. Have each person enter an ICE (in case of emergency) contact in their phone in case of an accident for first responder personnel. You can download a fillable form from www.ready.gov. This site is a treasure trove of information on how to be ready for any disaster. 

Know how to communicate during an emergency. Networks will be busy. Keep calls brief and give information concisely. Text when possible; this takes up less battery power and network space. Close all apps and reduce screen brightness to reserve battery. Do not play games or watch videos to reduce network connections.

Practice your plan yearly and update information as needed. Talk about how each member will get to the designated meeting place in case of emergency. Can they walk, or will they need public transportation? Choose a lead person who will send out the required information. Ensure everyone, including children, knows when and how to call 911 and that it should only be used in a life-threatening emergency. 

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Common Home Issues Inspectors Uncover

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Before finalizing your home purchase, one crucial step in the process is the home inspection, during which a licensed inspector looks at the structure, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more. Here are 5 common home issues inspectors keep an eye out for.

Faulty electrical systems. Out-of-date electrical systems, lack of adequate power supply, faulty circuit breakers, or exposed wiring can spell disaster for a home. Inspectors can sniff these issues out and recommend repairs to ensure the home is wired safely and properly.

Poor drainage. If the home has landscaping that causes water to drain towards the home, it can cause foundation shifts or cracks, wet crawl spaces, mold, and rot. This can be incredibly costly to correct, so it’s important to determine this before going through with the home purchase.

Leaks. Inspectors look for leaks in the roof to ensure there are no damaged shingles, gutters, flashing, or other issues. They also look for any possible causes of plumbing leaks, such as broken seals, corrosion, clogs, damaged pipe joints, and more.

Mold. Showers, tubs, air conditioning and heating vents, attics, and basements are some of the most common places inspectors find mold. This can lead to various health issues for the home’s occupants, like headaches, skin irritation, and respiratory issues.

HVAC issues. During an inspection, the inspector looks for issues that could impact your ability to heat or cool your home. These include blown fuses, pilot and ignition issues, damaged coils, dirty filters, gas leaks, and cracks in the ductwork and pipes.

With the inspector’s report, you can head to the closing table with more confidence and be prepared to negotiate repairs with the seller if necessary.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Could Spring Be in the Air?

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After what we’ve been through last month, it’s beginning to feel a bit like spring here in Chicago! In fact, spring officially arrives on March 20th, and to kick-off this month of March, there are great things to do popping up throughout the city if you feel like going out. But if you still feel more comfortable staying home, we’ve got you covered as well. Whatever your choice, take some time to soak up some sun and enjoy the best things to do in Chicago this weekend!!

This year the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce expands its traditional restaurant week to run throughout the entire month as Andersonville Restaurant Weeks. Each week in March features a different collection of Andersonville restaurants with meals available for pick-up directly from each restaurant during a selected time. Over 15 local restaurants will be participating with a variety of prix fixe menus that cater to every palette!

Kicking off its month-long commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence Day this March, Greektown Chicago presents its first-ever Greektown Restaurant Week through Sunday. This event features special offers from popular Greektown restaurants and bars such as Athena, Greek Islands, Mr. Greek Gyros, 9 Muses Bar & Grill, Artopolis Bakery, Café and Agora, and many others. When placing an order with a participating restaurant, customers must either dine-in or order carryout from the restaurants directly and must mention “Greektown Restaurant Week” to receive the special offers. Plus, more special events will be announced in the coming weeks!

For the first time in its 21-year history, the annual Chicago Polar Plunge is going virtual through Sunday. Former and new plungers will have the opportunity to plunge safely in a setting of their choosing rather than at its usual location at the icy lakefront. An incredible array of prizes and incentives await those who register and fundraise with prizes including a Peloton bike or exercise mirror, a Polar Plunge towel, wireless speakers or water bottle, Yeti coolers, televisions, Apple® iPads, Airpods, and more! Then on Sunday, Special Olympics Chicago athletes, various Plunge Teams, local dignitaries, and celebrities will make appearances at the virtual melt-down party. Plus, winners of the annual costume contest and most creative plunge awards will be announced as well!!

The Museum of Science & Industry (5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood will be opening to the public again this Sunday with a new exhibit Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes. This exhibit celebrates Marvel history with over 300 artifacts, including original comic book pages, sculptures, interactive displays, and more from Marvel’s blockbuster films! You’ll be able to examine the origins of iconic characters such as Spider-Man, the Black Panther, Hulk, and others to see how they have evolved over the past 80 years and have become pop culture mainstays!! A separate, timed-entry ticket must be added to your order to view this exhibit.

The streaming universe will keep you entertained with these 8 Family Movies & Shows streaming this March. There are plenty of new family movies and shows to enjoy, along with a few classics. Here are the best streaming picks to watch this month: Charlotte’s Web (HBO Max); Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (HBO Max); Dolphin Tale (Hulu); Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney+ Premier Access); City of Ghosts (Netflix); Waffles & Mochi (Netflix); The Mighty Ducks: Game Changer (Disney+); and Pooch Perfect (Hulu).

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

St. Patrick’s Day

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Chicago Neighborhood News: Loop, Virtual, Wicker Park, West Loop

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Loop: The Lyric Opera House of Chicago offers music lovers many chances to attend free virtual concerts featuring legendary Italian opera composers’ lesser-known works with their Sole e Amore (Sun and Love) concert series. Throughout March, an ensemble led by host and pianist Enrique Mazzola pays homage to the music of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini, and Mascagni every day for free via streaming on YouTube and Facebook. Find more info here.

Virtual: The Mandala Makers Festival is back virtually this year. Every Friday in March at 7 pm, check out musical performances by South Asian artists with a balanced focus on both classic Indian disciplines and more contemporary takes on the traditional music of the cultures. This Friday, March 5, artists playing varied genres ranging from beat percussion for classical South Asian orchestral music and dance to Carnatic vocal music to Indian electronica and art is featured. The virtual performances are free, with donations suggested. Check out the full schedule and find out how to watch here.

Virtual: This week is your last chance to celebrate Chicago Theater Week. Of course, this year’s celebration is relegated to virtual performances, but that doesn’t you can’t enjoy top-shelf entertainment while supporting the city’s vibrant theater scene from home. Stage productions from a plethora of beloved and up-and-coming Chicago theaters are ready to be viewed. Don’t miss out on this year’s presentations, including The Iliad, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, The Delicate Tears Of The Waning Moon, and many more. Some content is free, some isn’t. Check out the website to find out more here.

Wicker Park: Amateur sleuths or folks just looking for a fun night out should check out Six Rooms, the newest interactive mystery experience from Art Room Events taking place at Escape Artistry, located at 1342 North Milwaukee. Occurring Friday, March 12, from 7 to 9:30 pm, this suspenseful cocktail event lets guests become medical assistants entering the mind of a madwoman as they try to solve a murder based on memories, hidden clues, and cross-examination of suspects. Tickets start at $80 for two guests. You can add an all-inclusive drink package (up to seven cocktails) for $45 plus fees. Masks are required and social distancing rules apply. Find more info here.

West Loop: The Chicago Artisan Market occurs on Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7, at Morgan MFG, located at 401 North Morgan Street. Showcasing the best in food, fashion, home goods, and art throughout the city and the Midwest, this socially distanced market is the perfect place to find something special for friends, family, or yourself. The market is open from 10 am o 4 pm each day. General admission is $8 for a two-day pass, or pick up four passes for the weekend for $20. Children 12 and under are free. So support independent artisans and find the next awesome piece to tie your living room together. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO