There’s a month left in summer, and Chicago’s neighborhoods are taking full advantage of the longer days and nights to celebrate Summer in the City! 

Nights on Broadway, Part 1...On Friday, August 19, restaurants on and off Broadway in the Edgewater neighborhood are gathering together for Bands on Broadwayfrom 6pm-9pm, filling their patios with music and great food! Stroll up and down Broadway to hear everything from Jazz and Blues to Latin to good ‘ ol rock n roll! Fifteen restaurants and twenty bands will light up the streets of Edgewater with their performances. For a complete lineup, click here. 

Dance, Dance, Dance!…The City of Chicago’s 25^th Anniversary SummerDance Seriesbrings people of all ages and skill levels together in Grant Park’s Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Avenue, on an open-air dance floor for an evening of live music and dancing. Come for free lessons from a pro dancer or simply sit back and enjoy the music. On Thursday, August 18, from 6pm–9pm it’s Country & Western with Jeffrey Cannon & Meg Kindelin (Country Two-Step, Waltz, Polka), and at 7pm Wild Earp & The Free For Alls take the stage. On Friday, August 19, 6pm–9pm, salsa starts with the Latin Rhythms, followed at 7pm by Afinca’o. Saturday, August 20, 6pm–9pm, it’s ‘A Dance Party for Every Body!’ with Desueño Dance and MOMENTA Dance Company, followed by Calculated Discomfort.  For more information, click here. 

Up, Up and Away…Look, up in sky…is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s the 63^rd Annual Chicago Air and Water Show! Bring a blanketand binoculars to North Avenue Beach for the best view onSaturday, August 20 through Sunday, August 21, from 10am-2pm, Fullerton to Oak Street. Besides dizzying, amazing performances from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight and U.S. Navy Legacy Flights will be presented in the same show, incorporating a “Missing Man” dedication to Chicagoan Rudy Malnati Jr. For more information, click here. 

Ribs and Music… In Northcenter, just north of Wrigleyville, the 22^nd Annual Ribfest Chicagoprovides a memorable weekend of lively music, family fun and satisfied appetites from Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21. Enjoy the sweet smells of BBQ filling the streets of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park Road, as Chicagoland restaurant BBQ masters  compete for the title of ‘Best Ribs’ and ‘People’s Choice.’ While ribs reign supreme, Ribfest Chicago is also a nationally recognized indie music festival, hosting two stages that feature  original music from top local and national acts.’Kids Square’ allows children to slide, climb, jump, ride, dance and enjoy live entertainment all weekend long. For music lineups, fest hours, and more information, click here.

Nights on Broadway, Part 2…  The Broadway-boundDevil Wears Prada, The Musical ends its Chicago run this Sunday, August 21, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph Street. Based on the hit film and featuring an all-star creative team led by Elton John and Anna D. Shapiro, with lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub, the musical follows the story of aspiring journalist Andy Sachs, whose foray into the world of high fashion brings her under the tutelage of Miranda Priestly, the grand dame (editor) of Runway Magazine. Andy is pushed to the edge, forced to choose between her career and her own happiness. What will she choose? For tickets, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Back as far as the early 20^th century Doctors were contemplating and studying our diets’ effect on, as they referred to it then, malaise and melancholia. 

Unfortunately, at that time they referred to the microbiome as toxic. Now we know that our guts host a diverse colony of bacteria called the “microbiome”. But they were right about one thing: what we eat affects how we feel, not just physically but equally important, mentally!

Researchers are still figuring out the exact gut-brain connection, but they do know people who eat a plant heavy diet have more diverse gut bacteria and these bacteria make various chemicals that influence our mood. Fiber ferments in the gut and creates short-chain fatty acids.These regulate the immune system and influence gene expression in the brain and elsewhere throughout the body. Eating healthy fats increases production of proteins called neurotrophins that act as fertilizer to produce new brain cells. So, the connection between diet and mental health is certainly important.

Studies are showing the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is associated with reduced depression in adolescent girls, which is encouraging as half of all mental illnesses start in the teen years. The DASH diet emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables. It contains lean protein, healthy fats and is low sodium. Check out dashdiet.org for more information.

Of course, no diet is a cure for mental illness. But food can be considered medicine along with other therapies. So don’t underestimate how it could help with your physical and mental health!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Even though preparations are taking place for another new school year, there’s still many summer events left to enjoy what’s left of your summer holiday! Here’s what the second weekend of August has planned for you and yours!!

It’s the 93^rd edition of the world’s largest and oldest African American parade celebrating Chicago’s youth just before another school year begins and is the second largest parade in the United States next to the Rose Bowl. The Bud Billiken Parade will once again begin in the Bronzeville neighborhood at 39^th Street and Martin Luther King Drive concluding at 55^th Street this Saturday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. This year’s parade features colorful floats, bands, drill teams, and dance teams as well as this year’s grand marshal, the R&B singer and CPS alum Jeremih!  Afterwards, there will be a family-friendly festival that will include vendors, face painting, Zumba in the Park, and more!! This parade has inspired generations nationwide and continues to do so even today.

The South Loop’s most hip and cool art fest returns this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) with the Printer’s Row Art Fest on Dearborn Street from Harrison to Polk Streets as it celebrates its 4^th year.  Welcoming over 100 juried artists from near and far, you’ll see incredible art from painters, street artists, up-cycling artists, jewelers, photographers, and more at all price points!  Also, on hand will be lots of live music along with local restaurants, cafes and bars offering a multitude of eating and drinking options!!  Admission is free and there is nearby parking as well as a convenient parking garage one block away on Harrison.

Are you ready for a blast from the past?  Look no further than the 25^th annual Retro on Roscoe festival in the Roscoe Village neighborhood at 2000 W. Roscoe Street this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m. – 10 p.m.). Three stages of live music will play oldies and throwbacks along with popular hits.  The beautiful tree-lined streets will set the scene for artisans, antique vendors, and merchants. Local top restaurants will serve up much desired summer treats, and the family area will offer prime inflatables, crafts, balloon artists, face painting, and more!  Plus, there’s an Antique Car Show featuring over 50 antique, classic and muscle cars all weekend long!!

Access Contemporary Music is proud to present the 7^th annual Thirsty Ears Festival this Saturday (2 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m. – 9 p.m.) at 1758 W. Wilson Avenue in the Ravenswood neighborhood. It’s Chicago’s only classical music street festival featuring 17 stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between! There’s also craft beer from Dovetail, vendor booths, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities all weekend long. Oh, and the first 100 people to arrive early each day will receive a swanky swag bag!!

Of course, I saved the best for last!  It’s Dog Days this Saturday (11 a.m.- 4 p.m.) at Gallagher Way (3635 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.  Round up your four-legged family member(s) and kick off the day with Dog Yoga from 11 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. Then stick around to get treats from local dog-friendly vendors, have some drinks, enjoy some lawn games for the humans, and a showing of “Best in Show” for the dogs!  Also, Alive Rescue will be on-site as well collecting supplies for dogs and cats in need!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

The month of August brings a rare opportunity annually—water temperatures are high, Lake Michigan sparkles blue. The sunsets are pink and orange, just in time for dinner on the lake. What’s better than taking in the evening sunset over the Lake while dining at an outdoor table nearby?

One such restaurant is The Waterfront Café,  open seasonally and housed in a landmark coach house and attached to an historic mansion in the center of Edgewater’s lush Berger Park. The dining and performance venue is open to all, as the restaurant goes to great pains to explain that they serve “all ages, sizes, colors, genders, beliefs, religions, orientations and cultures.”

Start your meal with a shareable like Pesto Hummus, served with your choice of naan flatbread or tortilla chips, or Shrimp Ceviche, cured in citrus and served with tortilla chips. Move on to a delicious summer salad, served chilled with arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and your choice of naan flatbread or tortilla chips. 

Try a Roasted Sweet Corn Salad, with roasted sweet corn, orzo pasta, and diced vegetables, or for the vegetarian in you, a Sweet & Spicy Tofu Salad, with non-GMO soybean tofu, sriracha, sweet chili, garlic, ginger, and gluten-free soy sauce. Another favorite is the Tropical Tuna Salad, with albacore tuna, pineapple, cranberry, macadamia nuts & avocado aioli.

Their Waterfront Rolls are served with small batched kettle chips. Gluten-free bread substitution is an additional $2. Try their Beef, Bacon & Bourbon Sandwich with sliced beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, and bourbon bbq sauce on a brioche bun. Or, a Blackened Cajun Shrimp Roll, which pairs chilled grilled shrimp with avocado aioli on a New England grilled buttered bun. Brown Butter Crab Roll has chilled crab meat with lemon caper aioli on a New England grilled buttered bun.

‘Whippersnappers’ get their choice of a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich or a non-Chicago style Bagel Dog, with ketchup and mustard. Both are served with potato chips.

One five-star Google reviewer wrote, “Awesome place to grab a bite! The food was good but the seating and environment were unreal. The restaurant has done a fabulous job of integrating into the park in a way that makes it feel like it has always belong there and doesn’t disrupt local access. The entire café is on the water, close enough hear the waves but far enough to avoid any sand. The seating is casual and comfortable. The food is overall good. We got two salads and a shrimp roll in all. The tuna salad was great and comes with either chips or naan (was very filling), and the corn salad was similarly tasty and filling. All in all, great place. I will be back!”

The Waterfront Café is located at 6219 N. Sheridan Road. Their hours are Mondays,  5pm-9pm (closed for lunch) and Tuesdays- Sundays, noon to 9pm. Reservations are not accepted at any time. For more information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

No matter how new your house is, window problems could arise at any time. They’ll eventually need to be entirely replaced. Windows don’t endure forever, even if they can last up to 20 years when they are of great quality and are maintained properly. Pay attention to them as they’ll show specific signs that it’s time to swap them for brand new ones.

Here are a few signs to watch out for so you can determine when a replacement is necessary.

1. Extremely High Utility Bills

Have you noticed a gradual increase in your utility bills? If nothing has changed, it’s possible that you’re losing energy from various sources, including your windows. Your HVAC system is working a lot harder than it needs to if there are window leaks that are letting too much indoor air out and vice versa. If your energy cost is significantly greater now than it was last year, it raises a concern.

2. They’re Warped or Decaying

If your windows are visibly decaying or damaged, it is one of the more obvious indications that they need to be replaced. They might only require a brief repair if the problem is quite minor. However, if the issue is more serious—for example, if there is a significant glass crack or frame bend—a replacement is usually a preferable choice. In addition to being unsightly, warped or rotting windows are likely causing energy loss, which may end up costing you much more money in the long run.

3. Outside Noise Is Not Effectively Suppressed 

Windows aren’t exactly sound proof, but they should be able to effectively drown out the majority of outdoor noise. If you’re trying to enjoy a quiet evening indoors and you can hear people’s conversations and passing cars as clear as a bell, maybe you need new windows with a more innovative and modern design. Single pane windows of yesteryear are certainly not going to be able to drown out the sounds coming from the outdoors like contemporary double pane windows would.   

4. Condensation Is Visible

Your windows may need to be replaced if they are frequently foggy and allowing condensation to build up. Thermal pumping causes double-paned windows to expand and contract continuously throughout the day. Sunlight heats up the space between the panes and causes the gas in there to heat up and expand. Pressure builds up between the two panes as a result of this. The space between the panes, on the other hand, shrinks at night as a result of the air between the panes cooling.

Over time, all of these frequent pressure changes can wear down the seal, resulting in minor fractures that allow air to enter and exit the gap between the panes. Condensation on your windows may be getting worse, which indicates that the glazing assembly needs to be replaced.

5. You Have Trouble Opening or Closing Them

Do you have to utilize every muscle in your body to just open or close your windows? If so, there is an issue. Sticking windows are not only a hassle, but you’re probably also wasting energy. Windows that don’t open or close correctly might also present a safety risk because they probably won’t be very successful at keeping scavengers out while you’re away.

6. They’re Old-Fashioned

In some cases, replacing your windows is only necessary due to a change in aesthetics rather than issues with energy loss or safety risks. If they’re outdated, swapping them out for newer, more contemporary ones can significantly transform the appearance of your house. You’ll not only make the interior appear much more upscale, but you’ll also improve the curb appeal.

The cost of replacing windows is high. Having said that, the money you can actually expect to save on electricity costs over time can help you recoup the money you first spent replacing them. The cherry on top is that you’re also reducing your carbon footprint on the globe.