The dog days of August are here, and Chicago is ready—to party! Street fests, Lollapaloozas of all kinds, and family-friendly fun await you, indoors and out! 

The Lollapalooza of Country Music…. Willie Nelson & Family. Turnpike Troubadors. Tim McGraw. Sam Hunt. Miranda Lambert. Kip Moore. Where can you find all these headliners in one place? The Windy City Smokeout, that’s where! The parking lot of the United Center is usually home to a sea of cars for Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks games. From Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7, it becomes the backdrop for one of the largest country music festivals in the United States! Doors open at 2pm. Windy City Smokeout features renowned artists and up-and-coming talent in both music AND barbecue. Kick off your festival weekend with The Biggest Happy Hours of the Summer! The Smokeout is hosting two happy hours on Thursday and Friday from 2pm-5pm. Each event will feature $6 domestic and $7 craft beers with live music from up-and-coming artists. Access to each happy hour is included with Thursday, Friday, or 4-day pass. Drinks are a la carte.  The festival ends with a true country all-you-can-eat BBQ Brunch, with doors opening at 11am. For tickets and information, click here.

Everywhere Around The World… They’ll be Dancing in the Streets! West Town sponsors a great party from Friday, August 5,^, 5pm-10pm, and Saturday and Sunday, August 6 and 7, from noon to 10pm on Hubbard Street between Paulina and Wood Streets. Some Trivia: The event is actually named for a Grateful Dead song and celebrates the life of founder Jerry Garcia. Come for nonstop dance music, followed by a cold one from their robust craft beer menu (over a dozen varieties from the Chicago Brewing District, which co-sponsors the event.) Cool down and energize with treats from local food vendors and food trucks, while browsing local artists and makers. All for a $10 suggested donation! For more information, click here.

The Lollapalooza of Bugs…Calling all bug enthusiasts… Bugapalooza 2022  onSaturday, August 6 at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, from 1pm-4pm. Get up close and personal with native insects and spiders, and visit the petting zoo while you’re there! Nerd out with our entomologist, watch insect pinning demonstrations, and learn to dance like a bee. Then, grab a net and head outside to discover the insects and spiders that call our prairie home. Ticket price includes museum admission. All ages are welcome. For tickets and more information, click here. 

To Market… to Market!  Save room for a trip north, celebrating the 40^th Anniversary of Northhalsted Market Days® on Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7. The music street festival celebrates community in Chicago’s landmark Northalsted/Lakeview district. The ½ mile long summer festival features all-day lineups of live music on 5 stages, 200+ unique vendors, arts, crafts, food and drink, DJs/dancing, and more! The festival runs from Belmont to Addison on North Halsted Street in America’s first recognized gay village and a Chicago LGBTQ+ historic landmark. For more information and VIP passes, click here.

Welcome to Jurassic World Dominion…Just one month remains to experience The Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, ode to dinosaurs,Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep.Now throughSeptember 5, meet the underwater giants that lived 200 million years ago. As dinosaurs reached new heights, sea creatures became larger, faster, and fiercer. Experience what it’s like to stand (or swim) next to top predators like a plesiosaur—a reptile with flippers, a very long neck, and super sharp teeth. For tickets and more information, click here.

Never (Always!) on Sunday… Sundays on State returns on Sunday, August 7 from Lake to Monroe Streets, 11am-6pm. Bring your well-behaved, leashed pets and strollered babies and children to this free, interactive block party, while safely enjoying art, culture, active recreation, food, drinks, shopping, and local attractions. Lots of deals at local merchants, music and performances galore. Register to attend Sundays on State and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $1000 Loop Staycation package with a hotel stay at theWit Hotel Chicago. For the August 7 lineup, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Water is literally one of the most destructive materials on the planet. The same soft liquid that you bathe your precious children in carved out the Grand Canyon. I’ll never forget at my first home inspection as a Real Estate Professional an old inspector uttered those famous words, “Water is not our friend”. Inside or outside water can wreak havoc around our homes and landscape. 

We had a tenant in one of our rental properties recently decide it was a good idea to store frozen meat in his automatic ice cube bin. Unfortunately, he did not turn off the ice maker. To make a long story short ice was diverted, melted and caused an excess of a thousand dollars damage between his unit and the one below. Now, I’m not saying anyone could be that foolish, but you need to keep an eye out for small things that could become big things. Look up at your ceiling and walls frequently. Any type of staining or paint bubbling can indicate a leak. The sooner leaks are discovered the less damage is done. I found this out in my downstairs bath one day when a chunk of the ceiling fell on my head while I was in the shower. I failed to notice the staining earlier. The upstairs shower had a leak. So, pay attention and look up! In the basement we need to look down. There can be seeping during and after heavy rains. Consult a waterproofing company before more damage happens.

Outside the main things about water concern the roof and foundation. Gutters and downspouts are the most important thing to protect you roof and foundation. Clean free flowing gutters and downspouts carry water away from the roof and away from the foundation. They need to be kept free of debris. Now we all know going up on ladders can be downright dangerous. Call a professional, a good handyman will work in a pinch. Clogged gutters cause rain to splash up and in time will get under the shingles and damage them. Clogged downspouts will leak and overflow with water running down and pooling around the foundation. Downspouts can be extended to divert water away from the house. Check around the house monthly, especially after a heavy rain to see if there is any water collecting near the house. Make sure all outside drains are clear. Any pooled water is also an invitation for mosquitos to breed. 

So, let’s keep water in its place, in our showers, sinks and washers and away from the shingles, foundation, ceiling and walls. As our old inspector says, “Water is not your friend!”.

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

There’s no denying that Chicagoans love their summer and being outdoors. In fact, this weekend is filled with outdoor summer fests as we close out the month of July in true summer fashion!

Chicago’s biggest music festival welcomes thousands of fans from around the world to experience Lollapalooza which has called Chicago home for more than 30 years.  This Saturday and Sunday will wrap-up this four-day festival at Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in the Loop with 9 stages and 170+ bands packed with some of the biggest names in pop, rock, and hip-hop!  And beyond the music lineup, Lolla also emphasizes art, fun, community, and food from Chow Town which offers patrons more than the typical carnival type fare featuring some of the city’s top spots.  Plus take advantage of interactive areas with giveaways, merch and more. Don’t forget there’s also Kidzapalooza with workshops, activities, and kid-friendly music all day. This is a must attend if you love summer and being outdoors!!

Are you ready to hunt for some new and old treasures?  Chicago’s most beloved vintage treasure hunt returns to Plumbers Hall (1341 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop with the Randolph Street Market Festival this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Since 2003, this European flea-market style brings together 175+ top independent vendors, makers, and designers from across North America offering an ultra-curated, high-quality selection of antiques, vintage and modern goods ranging from art to fashion, jewelry, décor, retro home furnishings and more!  Plus, patrons will be delighted by the continuous lineup of live musical acts, unique food vendors, fun cocktails and more to enjoy throughout the weekend!!

One of Chicago’s most ethnically unique outdoor events returns to Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road with the Chinatown Summer Fair this Saturday (12 p.m. – 10 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.) which attracts thousands from throughout the region.  This iconic event will open with a traditional lion dance procession (12:30 p.m.), a welcome on the main stage (1 p.m.) followed by Asian performances, kung fu demonstrations, cuisine from Chinatown’s restaurants, arts & crafts exhibits, street vendors with an array of merchandise, and a kid’s area!  There’s even a breakdance competition, K-pop entertainment, and a copi fish ball eating contest!!

If you love classic rock, you might want to skip Lollapalooza and head to Jeff Fest at Jefferson Memorial Park (4922 N. Long Ave.) in the Jefferson Park neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday (2 p.m.-10 p.m.) for performances from local cover bands.  You’ll also find tasty foods from neighborhood vendors.  Beyond the music and food, there’s even a dedicated Kids’ Zone featuring a ton of cool activities where families can hang out and boogie with their little ones!  Don’t forget to visit the fest’s groovin’ “Community Stage” as well located on the north side of the park!!

Looking for some good old-fashioned fun?  Then Lincolnwood Fest is where you need to be this Saturday (10 a.m. – 11 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. – 9 p.m.). This annual community festival is held at Proesel Park (6915 N. Kostner Ave.) and features daily live music from local and regional acts, a business expo, carnival rides, games, bingo, a Classic Car Show and so much more!  Plus, new this year is their Arts & Crafts Fair and Family Fun Tent so be sure to check these out as well!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Galit (in Hebrew, Fountain) is a Middle Eastern Restaurant in Lincoln Park, owned and operated by Andrés Clavero and James Beard Award-winning chef Zachary Engel. It’s not every day that you can find a restaurant with a sense of humor with a Michelin star, but Galit has found the sweet spot in balancing outstanding cuisine with a true sense of humor. The menu itself, according to the website, focuses on a seasonal and localized approach to dishes of the Middle East and Israel’s immigrant cuisines, alongside a unique and forward-thinking beverage program. (Truly unique… Baby I Compare You to a Kiss from A Rose on the Gray Tea?) 

Here’s where they earned the Michelin star, I think. This is a restaurant unafraid of pairing a sense of humor with a (currently) $78 prix-fixe, 4-course menu where they urge you to “choose your own adventure! “

We’re always game for an adventure. Take, for example, their ‘Over Coal’ (grilled) selections. Carrota hasa

Cuminy orange glaze, Bulgarian feta, hazelnut duqqa. Try the Iraqi Kubbeh Halab–a crispy saffron crust lamb, with golden raisins and almonds. Or, for a a real nosh, try the Armenian-Meets-Brooklyn Pastrami, with urfo Caesar, radicchio, and malawach. 

The restaurant has earned amazing reviews from Google and perfect 5.0 ratings on other sites:

“Some of the best Middle Eastern and Israeli food I have had!”

“Lots of options and very affordable compared to other Michelin star restaurants. Nothing out of the ordinary, so a very comfortable dining experience all around…Simple Middle Eastern staples across the menu. Pita is made to order in a hearth oven. Very affordable. Hip place that’s great for sharing food in a group or on a date. You will leave full. Impressive wine selections, especially from the MiddlEast…The Pastrami and the Carrot Cake is to die for!”

“Galit was amazing. Went here with the girlfriend for her birthday. It was our first Michelin star restaurant we’ve ever tried. Great atmosphere. We sat at the kitchen bar. The fixed menu is easy. Server was really knowledgeable. Wine menu was very unique with a lot of middle eastern wines you don’t see many places.

Galit is located at 2429 N. Lincoln Avenue. They are open Tuesdays-Thursdays, 5pm–9pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 5pm–9:30pm. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. For information and reservations, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

For the majority of homeowners today, having a large, bright kitchen could be a dream come true, but tight budgets and small kitchen spaces can be quite challenging to overcome.

Fortunately, there are resourceful methods to improve your kitchen’s appearance and feel without going over budget.

REMOVE A WALL

If your kitchen is separated from an equally small living room by a wall, consider knocking it down. In fact, knocking down a wall is one of the easiest ways to open up the space in the kitchen, especially for experienced renovators and contractors. Sure, it might be the more expensive suggestion on this list, but for the price, it makes a huge difference.

If the wall is not load-bearing, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 to $4,000 to take it down. However, if the wall is bearing the load of the second story, you could be faced with a much bigger bill considering the fact that structural issues will need to be factored in. But it could well be worth the cost when you see the finished product. Homeowners spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a brand new kitchen, and sometimes tearing a wall down is all it takes to completely transform the space.

BREAKFAST BAR

Instead of completely knocking a wall down, you could just tear down the upper half and leave the lower half intact. But to make it useful, consider turning that half wall into a raised breakfast bar, which can provide the space with some great functionality and practicality for more casual meals. Making the bar counter height is a contemporary way to update  the kitchen while making it feel bigger at the same time.

PLENTY OF LIGHTING

Lots of light is always a good thing when it comes to opening and brightening up a small space. To maximize the effect that lighting has on your kitchen, consider adding layers of different fixtures throughout the room. Add a chandelier over the dinner table; hang pendant lights over the breakfast bar; install under-mounted lighting your cabinets; and brighten the inside of your cabinets with pot lights.

Keep the color of the lighting the same as the wall color and/or cabinets to boost the effect of the lighting in the kitchen. Lighter colors are always best in small spaces, as they reflect light and create a sense of space. When the same light colors are blended throughout various components, the effect of a larger space is even more enhanced.

CONSIDER THE SCALE

Having too many cabinets or an oversized dinette set will only make the kitchen look cramped. Instead, you should focus on things like a slim kitchen island, streamlined furniture pieces, and just enough cabinets to house all your utensils without taking up every square inch of the wall space. Everything that’s installed in the kitchen should fit to scale in order to avoid making the space look smaller than it really is.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER

Nothing encloses a space more than clutter. And when it comes to the kitchen, the countertops can be easily crammed with dishes, utensils, bills, and anything else that you didn’t have the time to put away. For a cleaner, more streamlined look, clear off the clutter. It’s easy, fast, and doesn’t cost a cent.

While there are invasive and expensive ways to enlarge your kitchen space – such as physically expanding your home – there are simpler, more affordable ways to do so. Use a little imagination, and play up visual illusions in your space to make your kitchen look and feel more spacious.