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• 1,175 sq. ft., 1 full bath, 1 extra-large bedroom, high floor condo - MLS® $97,400
Buena Park, Chicago - Buena Park - High Floor! Unobstructed Lake, Park, and Montrose Harbor Views, at a Value Price - and FHA Approved! Extra-Large One Bedroom - Spacious & Sunny Living Room, PLUS Big Bedroom - Tons of Closet Space. Floor To Ceiling Windows! Pet-Friendly Building, just off Lake Shore Drive, in the quiet Buena Park Neighborhood of Chicago! Updated Kitchen with Breakfast Bar - Gleaming Laminate Flooring in Kitchen and Foyer. Additional building storage available! All-Amenity Building - 24-Hour Door and Maintenance Staffs, Pool, Tennis Court, Dry Cleaners and Receiving Room, Party Room! In-Building Parking often available for lease or several off-site lots nearby. Assessments include Heat, AC, Basic Cable. Steps to Lake, Beaches, Park, and Shopping. CTA Express Bus to Loop and Michigan Avenue at Door! Incredible Views at an Unbelievable Price!
Property information
Not
only will Chicago's
weather be heating up over this extended holiday weekend, but it's also the
"official unofficial" start of our summertime activities and things will
definitely be heating up!
This
Memorial Day Weekend, the Belmont-Sheffield Music
Festival will again be kicking off Chicago's outdoor
street fest season this Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on
north Sheffield from Belmont
to School in the Lakeview neighborhood. This
popular 28th annual street fest will showcase the region's favorite
tribute bands as well as featuring plenty of food and libations along with
artisans rolling out their Summer 2012 lines of creative handiwork!
The
Old Town School of Folk Music will be
hosting the Festival
of Aloha at 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue in the Ravenswood
neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday.
Your festival host is Jason Arimoto with his blues-style ukulele and
accompanied by Daniel Ho. By the way,
those who attend any of the Auana workshops will be invited up on stage to
perform the Hula! You've been warned!!
The
Randolph
Street Market Festival returns this Saturday (10:00
a.m.-6:00 p.m.) to Plumber's Hall (1350 W. Randolph Street)
in the West Loop neighborhood. As one of Chicago's most happening monthly festivals,
the Randolph
Street Market has become the summer destination with its
European-style, indoor-outdoor urban antique market featuring 200 select
purveyors of high quality, amazing price finds, and unlimited creative inspiration
for hours of fun!
What
better way to start your summer off than with MB Financial Bank's Bike The Drive
this Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Butler
Field in Grant Park (Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard)
in The Loop. Soak up the sun and bike on
a car-free Lake Shore Drive. They've even added 30 more minutes this
year! Don't forget to stick around for
the post-ride festival featuring fresh-made food, live music and a great
collection of booths!!
And,
of course, the whole reason for this extended weekend is Memorial Day, whereby
Chicago, along with its suburban neighbors, honors all the men and women who
have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country for our freedom! Here's a partial list of some Memorial
Day Weekend parades -
Chicago's
Memorial Day Parade - Saturday (12:00 p.m.) - State Street
Since
1870, Memorial Day parades have graced the streets of Chicago and this year is no exception. Included in the day's events will be a
special recognition of the Illinois Gold Star Families at the Wreath Laying Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. at Daley Plaza
with the parade stepping off at noon at State and Lake Streets. Also, the City of Chicago is proud to have post-911 veterans
represented in our parade this year!
Arlington
Heights Memorial Day Parade - Monday (9:30 a.m.)
Elmhurst
Memorial Day Parade - Monday (9:30 a.m.)
Itasca
Memorial Day Parade - Monday (9:30 a.m.)
Lisle
Memorial Day Parade - Monday (11:00 a.m.)
Mount
Prospect Memorial Day Parade - Monday (9:30 a.m.)
Naperville
Memorial Day Parade - Monday (10:30 a.m.)
Palatine
Memorial Day Parade - Monday (10:15 a.m.)
Rolling
Meadows Memorial Day Parade - Saturday (11:00 a.m.)
Wheaton
Memorial Day Parade - Monday (10:00 a.m.)
Wood Dale Memorial Day Parade - Monday (11:00
a.m.)
Enjoy the Start to Your Heated-Up Summer
By Honoring ALL Our Veterans and Their Families!!
SUE MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
PORTAGE PARK
Join the Friends of Portage Park and
The Patio Theater for Sing-Along Grease. This is an event not to be missed,
featuring a 50's and 60's car show as well as prizes for the best costumed Pink
Lady and T-Bird and some other fun surprises. All proceeds benefit park
improvements and events. Tickets can be purchased early at Brown Paper
Tickets or at the door.
LAKEVIEW
A neighborhood bistro that celebrates the finest culinary
producers and their products from around the block and around the world with
table service in the evenings and weekends plus counter service on weekdays
until late afternoon, BAR
PASTORAL is an extension of Pastoral's retail shops and will focus on
what Pastoral does best: offering customers perfectly paired artisan cheeses,
charcuterie, beverages, accompaniments and more in a warm and approachable
atmosphere. Scheduled to open this fall 2012, BAR PASTORAL is located at 2947
North Broadway which is adjacent and connected to Pastoral's original shop at
2945 North Broadway in Chicago's burgeoning East Lakeview neighborhood.
LOOP
Bike the Drive is this weekend on
Sunday, May 27, starting at 5:30am and ending at 10:15am. You must have a shirt
number and helmet number in order to join in the fun. The starting point is Columbus Drive and
Jackson Drive. This year, a 30-minute time extension means riders will have
even more time to enjoy great views of the Chicago skyline and lakefront on the
one day of the year when only bikes are allowed on Lake Shore Drive. Proceeds
from the event will benefit the Active Transportation Alliance – Chicagoland’s
voice for better biking, walking and transit.
LINCOLN SQUARE
As part of the Festival of Aloha, a
free ukulele lesson will attempt to assemble the largest number of ukulele
players in one place and break the Guinness World Record; the current record is
1,378. You would also be helping to establish the record for the only group
assembled to play a traditional Hawaiian song.
The event is all ages, perfect for both beginners and advanced players. Bring your instrument to Welles Park, 2333 W.
Sunnyside Ave., May 26, and gather around the gazebo. The organizers will be there starting at
1:30pm and start at 2:30pm. Please be
sure to be there for the entire lesson to be counted.
NAPERVILLE/EVANSTON/OAK
PARK
Butterflies adorn some of the trees along Harrison Street to
mark the beginning of "What's
Blooming on Harrison." "I
thought if we had something so unique, so pretty, then maybe we could attract
more people to our event," Olya Dailey – owner of Eastgate Café - said
about the 3-foot wing-spanned, handmade, colorful creations that sit about 10
feet above the street in trees. The festival kicks off this weekend on Friday,
May 25, from 6-10 p.m., and runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday.
CATHY MALLERS &
DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
Memorial weekend is near
and here’s my favorite recipe for potato salad. Have a wonderful and safe
weekend.
Egg Potato
Salad
4 lbs Idaho
Potatoes
8 Hard boiled
Eggs
1 cup chopped
celery
½ cup chopped
onion (sweet preferably)
½ to 1 cup Miracle
Whip (substitute mayo if you prefer)
1 ½ teaspoons
salt
½ teaspoons
freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon
celery seed
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
Cook potatoes
whole in their skins in plenty of water. Cook until just tender. Actually take
them off the heat before you think they are done. Rinse in cold running water
until they are cool. Chop into ½ inch pieces. Spread out on a paper towel
covered cookie sheet. Put in the fridge. This will chill and take out the
excess water from the potatoes.
Hard Boiled
Eggs
The easiest
way I’ve found is to put eggs in one layer in a heavy pot. Cover with water one
inch over the eggs. Bring to a boil. Cover and shut off the heat. I usually use
extra large eggs and let them sit for 15 minutes. Immediately plunge into cold
running water. Peeling success is dependent on this! Also use eggs that are at
least a week old.
Halve the
eggs and place on a sheet like you did with the potatoes. Slice eggs and combine
all ingredients except mayo. Start with the half cup. Stir well. Add more as needed,
but leave it a little drier than you would like. Chill for at least four hours.
Check for proper consistency, add more mayo if necessary.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM
CHICAGO
Each year the Chicago Innovation Awards continues to shine a bright light on the creative spirit of Chicago. While the industry can be any level of technical expertise whether high, low or no, the purpose is to focus attention on the most significant new products and services introduced in the Chicagoland area. As part of its mission the Chicago Innovation Awards has grown to be much more than just an
award ceremony. Through many events over the course of the year, the
Chicago Innovation Awards not only recognize nominees and winners, but
also provide valuable connections through business networking and
development opportunities, as well as teaching on best innovation
practices through mentoring, scholarship, panel discussions, and
education courses.
Each year members of the community of asked to nominate organizations they feel embody the spirit of innovation. There is no cost to enter nominations and you can enter as many as you like without cost. The deadline for nominations is July 15th. While Chicago was the nation’s “silicon valley” following World War II –
designing and manufacturing the hottest new consumer products – its
core strength has always been taking technologies invented elsewhere and
innovatively applying them to make big money. With past winners like Groupon, World Bicycle Relief and HeroPipe, this year is sure to embrace many new and unique services and products.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Despite
the fact that NATO's Summit weekend has arrived and is pretty much taking over
the City with protesters and closures of all sorts, Chicagoans are gearing up
to leave NATO in the dust by heading out towards the City's further
neighborhoods and metro area!
NATO
is partnering with the City of Chicago to present the 14th annual Chicago
Kids & Kites Festival on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. at Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park
(near the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Montrose Avenue) by providing
5,000 kite kits along with pictures of flags and fun facts about representative
countries to assist the children as they decorate their kites. This festival also features many activities
such as balloon artists, face-painters, painting a kite-shaped refrigerator
magnet, recorded music provided by WLIT and the Big Kite Candy Drop taking
place during the afternoon!
Next
we have the 18th annual season opener of the Chicago Mayfest
which aims to cure cabin fever all weekend long at 3100 N. Ashland Avenue (Ashland and Barry Avenues)
in the Lakeview neighborhood. This
festival features food, beer and live music under a giant tent along with an
outdoor beer garden, kids programming on Saturday, a pet parade and pet expo on
Sunday and arts and crafts vendors! BTW,
a Gate donation will benefit the Lake View YMCA, Northside Parents Network and
the Festival Foundation.
Then
there's the seasonal Spring Pug Party on
Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Zella
(1983 N. Clybourn Avenue)
in the Lincoln Park
neighborhood. Hundreds of pugs are
expected to attend this party which features pug merchandise and a pug-pen for
unencumbered playing so you can have plenty of time to chat with other
owners. Food and drink also available
for purchase as is valet parking for $10.
Please note you don't need a pug to attend, but pugs are the only dogs
welcome. Sorry Buddy and Gracie, you're
not pugs!!
Not
to be outdone, Beaglefest
Chicago 2012 takes place Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. at Hinkley Park (283 Busse Highway)
in Park Ridge. Join in this 10th year anniversary
celebration, which supports "Mid West Beagle Rescue," and will feature
hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and several BREW items such as T-shirts,
bandanas, bumper stickers, etc. for purchase with games, raffles and other
surprises! So grab your folding chairs
or blankets and enjoy an afternoon with all the beagles far away from the NATO
Summit. Sorry Buddy and Gracie, you're
not beagles either!!
Saturday
also offers the Spring Fling
Carnival at Westfield Old Orchard located at 4999 Old
Orchard Center in Skokie from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This year's Spring Fling Carnival is
back in a big way at Old Orchard's West parking lot with plenty of rides,
games, food and fun! Tickets required
for rides and games are $1.25 each or $22 for "Unlimited Ride" daily passes.
Opening
this Saturday is Brookfield
Zoo's XTREME BUGS exhibit located at 8400 31st
Street in Brookfield. This summer long
temporary exhibit of epic proportions will feature live bugs, extra-large
animatronic bugs, including a 16' x 33' long Japanese hornet displayed at the
Roosevelt Fountain and creepy crawly hands-on activities for visitors of all
ages! While you're there, make a day of
it at the zoo!!
Finally,
the Cross
Town Classic between the Chicago
Cubs and the Chicago White Sox is back this
weekend at Wrigley Field (1060 W.
Addison Street) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Hopefully the fans will be more behaved than
the NATO protesters!
Have A Great and Safe Weekend Leaving
the NATO Summit in the Dust!!!
SUE MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
• 1,679 sq. ft., 2 1/2 bath, 4 bedroom 3-level split - MLS® $297,400
South of Lake Cook Road, Buffalo Grove - Mill Creek Subdivision - Incredible Area, Top District 21/214 Schools! Ultra-Roomy True Four Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath Tri-Level on Quiet Street. Beautiful Home Features Sunny Living Room with Vaulted Ceiling. Formal Dining Room. Hardwood Floors Throughout. Extra-Large, Updated Eat-In Kitchen - Premium Stainless Appliances! Romantic Bay Window, Overlooking Enormous, Fenced Back Yard. First Floor Laundry Room, Plus Partly-Finished Basement - Awaits Your Finishing Touches. Powder Room on First Floor. Huge Master Suite Upstairs with Master Bath, plus Three Additional Large Bedrooms - Lots of Closet Space! Big 2 1/2 Car Garage. If You’re Looking for a Lot of Space, Lovely Grounds, a Big Yard, and a Top, Convenient Location - Look No Further!
Property information
The NATO Summit is coming to Chicago this weekend and there is a lot of information residents should know. Chicago is the first city in the United States outside of Washington, DC, to host a NATO summit and it's also the largest in over a decade. We will be host to thousands of visitors including dignitaries and press corps alike, which brings with it much change to our local travel.
There are several events open to the public during this historic event. This Saturday bring the family out to Chicago's Annual Kids and Kites Festival. The Festival is being held again at Montrose Harbor. You can also see former US Secretary of State, the Honorable Madeleine Albright as she discusses Global Women's Issues.
If you'd like to bypass all the international "hubub" you can always try to get tickets to this weekend's Crosstown Classic when the Chicago Cubs play host to the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field. With all the changes to the CTA travel patterns, it's best to plan ahead. The CTA has a list of all re-routes and tips for making any of your trips easier as you get around town.
This weekend let technology be your guide.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Hope all the
Moms out there had a great Mother's Day. I sure did. The weather could not have
been better. In the afternoon my husband and I put in fifteen tomato plants. It
was sure good to get my hand in the dirt.
We are trying
a new product this year. Expand
and Grow garden soil from Miracle Grow. It's guaranteed to double the
growth and yield of your vegetables. It has fertilizer, and the planting medium
expands to hold more water. The fertilizer feeds for six months. We shall see
if there is any difference in yield. We have 6 plants with the new mix and
throughout the year we will compare.
It is a
little pricy. Around 16 dollars for a medium size bag at Home Depot. That's
more than twice as much as regular mix. You can get a three dollar off coupon
at www.scotts.com. You can print out the coupon after
giving basic info, name, zip and email. You can opt out of receiving email
notices. Well we thought it was worth a try and will report our results throughout
the season.
Remember, all
new plantings need to be watered
every other day for at least the first week. I'm talking veggies here. If you
plant larger plants and shrubs, two good waterings a week should do it for the
first month.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN'S TEAM
CHICAGO
In
case you're not aware of it yet, this Sunday, May 13th, is Mother's
Day! So I will dedicate this
weekend's entertainment blog to assisting those who need to plan their menu for
mom!!
There
are, of course, the traditional Mother's Day brunches throughout
Chicago and the surrounding suburbs; however, you might consider spoiling mom
with one of the following Mother's Day cruises:
Spirit
of Chicago is offering three cruises: an early brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at
$59.90 per adult, $39.95 per child; an afternoon brunch from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. at $59.90 per adult, $39.95 per child; and a dinner brunch from 6:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. Each cruise will provide
mom with a beautiful spring flower and a complimentary glass of champagne or a
mimosa along with DJ entertainment!
Odyssey is offering three
cruises as well: an early brunch from
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at $64.90 per adult, $38.90 per child; an afternoon
brunch from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at $69.90 per adult, $41.95 per child; and a
dinner brunch from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at $79.90 per adult, $47.95 per
child. Each cruise will provide mom with
a beautiful rose and a complimentary glass of champagne or a mimosa along with
live entertainment!
Mom
doesn't have sea legs? Well, she might
enjoy one of these special events:
Mother's Day
Weekend Chocolate & Flowers Tour --Chicago
Chocolate Tours is holding a special Mother's Day weekend event. This annual event is a special walking tour
that offers two routes. The "Magnificent Mile" route meets at 900 N. Michigan Avenue
at the concierge's desk with visits to Hendrickx Belgian Bread Crafters,
Teuscher Chocolate, More Cupcakes, Sarah's Pastries and Candyality. The "Lakeview"
route meets at 3135 N. Broadway
Street with visits to Spare Parts featuring a
pop-up shop with Visiting Chocolatier La Parisianne, Bobtail Ice Cream, Loose
Leaf Lounge, Argo and KC Chocolatier. Advanced
registration is required for these tours so be sure to checkout their website
at the link above. Treat mom's
taste-buds, and yours, to some special tastings!
Motherhood the Musical Celebrates
Mother's Day! -- This musical is appearing at the Royal George Theatre
(1641 N. Halsted Street)
in the Lincoln Park
neighborhood and is
a four-woman show from author and songwriter Sue Fabisch, a mother herself who
understands that sometimes the best way to cope with the joys and trials of
motherhood is to share the experience with other moms. So sit back and experience the journey of a soon-to-be
first-time mom, an over-worked, underpaid, stressed-out mother of five, a
lawyer who works too much and barely sees her kids, and a single mom struggling
to balance work, family and a divorce.
Can you relate to any of these?
PALF's Mother's
Day Event
-- This event takes place at Trader Todd's
(3216 N. Sheffield Avenue)
in the Lakeview neighborhood on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. By the way, PALF stands for "Pets Are Like
Family" which is hosting a dog-friendly Mother's Day party with champagne
cocktails and an appetizer buffet for mom and canine treats and refreshments
for mom's four-legged kid. Also features
souvenir photos, a raffle, a performance by go-go troupe the Revelettes and mutt manicures! FYI - dogs must be registered in advance.
Whatever
you choose for your menu item or items, be sure to spoil your mom on Mother's
Day. After all, where would you
be without her!!
HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ONE AND ALL!!!
SUE MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
PORTAGE PARK
Congratulations to St. Cornelius School in Portage Park as
they won the Dream Machine Recycle Rally. The Rally is an exciting recycling program
that gives schools a chance to earn rewards and compete for contest prizes
while helping to make the planet a clear, greener place, and supporting
post-9/11 disabled U.S veterans.
LAKEVIEW
The Sheridan
Red Line El station is slated to receive approximately $17 million for
major renovations. The Sheridan Station renovation is a part of a $1 billion
overhaul that includes federal, state and local funding sources for the Red
Line from its northern end to the 95th Street station. The complete
reconstruction of the Wilson station and upgrades to the Lawrence stop are a
part of this investment, which includes several individual projects to improve
stations, tracks, viaducts, and power and runs from this year to 2015 that
includes federal, state and local funding sources.
WEST LOOP
Welcome to the BYOV Brunch at BadHappy
Poutine Shop, now shaking up your Sunday afternoons,
Russian-Canuck-style. Word tends to get around when a shop opens with a mission
involving things like PBR gravy, cheese curds and french fries. In terms of
food, your brunch is honed down to the essentials: Poutine Benny, with a
poached egg over fries, foie gras hollandaise, housemade bacon and truffle
mayo; chicken and waffles served with a maple-Tabasco glaze; and Southern-style
biscuits and gravy with a fried egg. Well, there's also a granola parfait with
fresh fruit.
GOLD COAST
Prepare for Argent, a White City-inspired,
bi-level restaurant/oyster bar/late-night lounge recently opened at the Dana
Hotel. This replaces Aja with a vibe that's just a hint edgier. Tuck into
turn-of-last-century recipes from Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda) and Jackie Shen (Red
Light) like Carpet Bag Steak with Rocks (skirt steak with oysters Rockefeller),
filet mignon with foie gras mousse and their version of 1917's confectionary
craze: the moon pie. So much better than 1919's confectionary craze: the
Shoeless Joe oatmeal raisin cookie.
NAPERVILLE/EVANSTON/OAK
PARK
Kathy Burns, a second-grade teacher from Highlands
Elementary School, and Pam Kelly, a first-grade teacher from Naper Elementary
School, were among 10 Chicago area educators honored for their outstanding work
in education. These wonderful educators won the 2012
Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Each year since 1986,
the Golden Apple Foundation has selected 10 outstanding teachers from the
Chicago area to receive the award for excellence in teaching. This year's
recipients, all pre-kindergarten through third-grade teachers, were chosen from
more than 600 nominees.
CATHY MALLERS &
DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
15 TO 34 YEAR OLD DEMOGRAPHIC APPEARS TO BE PUTTING OFF MARRIAGE, FAMILY . . . AND HOME OWNERSHIP!
Retail Industry Specialists, including Maxine Lauer of Sphere Trending in MI, refer to the teen-aged-to-mid-thirties-set as "Generation Now." Perhaps you are intimately acquainted with the prevailing attitude of many younger consumers: "They want what they want . . . and they want it NOW!"
Lauer's thoughts, as reported by Chicago Tribune Real Estate Reporter Mary Umberger, in the May 4, 2012 edition of The Trib, confirms what Dean's Team Chicago, and many of our Real Estate Colleagues and Students, have seen first-hand - many young people are delaying some of life's most important decisions.
Up until recently, it was those in their 20's who began contemplating lifetime thoughts like marriage, family, planned career, and a home ownership strategy. Homebuyers in Chicago often started with small condos or fixer-up homes, followed by increasingly-larger condos, then single-family homes, within a few years, as their relationship and household size typically grew.
But, in today's shifting economy, attitudes, and behavior, seems to have changed. Entry-level jobs are often harder to come by, as older Baby Boomers are retiring later. Marriage and family - sometimes delayed until recent graduates find good-paying jobs, with enough money to cover ever-higher Student Loan Balances. And, without short-term stability, more young people are renting longer, rather than taking what they see as a somewhat-risky plunge into home ownership in a Turbulent Real Estate Market in Chicago, and elsewhere.
Others elect to stay at home with their parents longer, rather than move away. Many did all they could to avoid staying at home, not even a generation ago. Today, any stigma associated with living with Mother and Dad has lessened with its new-found popularity - and parents are often welcoming back their recent grads, hoping that a rebounding economy will give them a more solid foundation down the road. Most explain their recent return to the nest as a sure way to bank more money for that Housing Down Payment, at the right time.
According to Lauer, many younger homebuyers are opting to begin with a single-family home right away, rather than moving up from condos or small homes, as was the case several years back. A sizable chunk of recent grads - 35% - move back to an Urban Environment comfortable to them. Many attempt cosmetic renovations on older homes - such as 1920's to 1950's Brick Bungalows and Classic English Tudors. Here in Chicago, this might bode well for the Chicago Neighborhoods of Old Irving, Portage Park, Ravenswood, and Norwood Park, and older suburbs such as Evanston, Oak Park, and parts of Park Ridge, Mount Prospect, and Arlington Heights IL. Each area comes chock full of solid, vintage housing stock.
Many young homebuyers like the "authenticity" of these older homes, suggests Lauer. They see them as uniquely styled, warm and homey, and of superior craftsmanship than some of the newer suburban tract homes many grew up in.
Unlike the "Tim the Tool Man" set of the 1980's and 1990's, however, many younger homebuyers have little idea on how to renovate an older home - but they do have a willingness to learn, and to work hard for their "sweat equity." It's also no surprise that they want the classic look outside, and brand new kitchen and bath updates inside. They like Open Floor Plans, alongside the unpainted vintage woodwork and trim..
Lauer sees a continuing surge of interest in city homes, in close-in, but not-yet-too-expensive neighborhoods. Or, for those concerned about top schools, close-ring suburbs, not too far from the bustle of the city. She sees more distant suburbs, and less distinctive homes, losing some popularity longer term.
In addition, Lauer mentions a different outlook of younger home buyers. With the recent collapse of home prices in many neighborhoods they like, they look at a home purchase not as merely a build-your-nest egg investment, but as a long-term commitment. They have shed much of the optimism of their parents, who lived with what seemed like decades of unabated growth, in income, and home equity. Many are opting for a more studied approach, more risk averse.
Indeed, times have changed. Likely, a different breed of consumer, and homeowner, will emerge from today's economy. And, in the opinion of many in the older generation . . . that might be a good thing!
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Or its 50
degrees or 80 degrees, deal with it!!
Oh wonderful,
it's spring in the city. This March we had two weeks of unprecedented weather.
Highs near and above 80 degrees threw everything into hyper drive. Bushes and
trees that normally bloom in later April or even May suddenly burst forth
causing allergy
sufferers (me included) to go into full allergy alert. Then of course after
that we go into typical Chicago spring, what I like to call 50 or 80.
You leave the
house in the morning it's usually in the upper 40's low 50s, later in the day
it might be in the high 70s, or not, you never know. It's impossible to know
how to dress in the morning. For those of us with joint
problems this weather is challenging, pain from so much warm moisture and
also from damp cold.
In the lawn
and garden we are in typical spring mode. Clean up what we can when it's warm
and don't worry about it. I've already picked up 8 tomato plants from Jewel
(believe it or not) excellent plants for $1.50!!! I have them in the garden
window and they are doing great, one even has a blossom! We'll probably put
them in next weekend on Mother's day. The freeze
date in this area is May 15th which always comes around Mothers
day which works out for Garden Centers everywhere. If we get a frost warning
cover the plants with a paper grocery bag and you'll be fine. That's why we
only put 8 plants in early, easier to cover than our usual 24.
The lawn is
in May mode so mow every fourth day, weed and feed and don't worry about watering.
After a dry start to the season we are near normal for rainfall so we are
looking good on that front.
Good time to
start cool weather crops. Lettuces, peppers, peas, cucumbers do well in cool
weather and tolerate mild frosts.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN'S TEAM
CHICAGO
Summer
is not quite yet right around the corner but here in Chicago our summer festivals begin to blossom
in May, and as you know, it's May, so let's check out our first blooming summer
festival!
It
just so happens that the 5th of May falls on Saturday this year, and
for those of you who think it's just another Saturday, well it's not. It's actually Cinco de Mayo which
traces its origins to a battle commemorating the Mexican army's victory over
heavily manned French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, but nowadays,
it's all about a fiesta, well actually, several
fiestas here in Chicago!
The
Cinco
de Mayo Festival is held in the Little Village
neighborhood (26th Street and Kostner Avenue), which is the heart of
Chicago's Mexican community, this Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00
p.m. This 3rd annual gala
features plenty of authentic foods, live music, arts & crafts, activities
for kids and families and much more!
Hop on
the Party Trolley for a Cinco de Drinko Pub Crawl this Saturday (8:00
p.m.-11:00 p.m.) at six of Chicago's
neighborhood bars. Tickets are required
for this Mexican fare celebration at a cost of $20 per person, which includes
margaritas and domestic drafts, a taco bar at each location serving up hard and
soft shell tacos and taquitos with all the traditional trimmings as well as
unlimited trolley services to each location.
Ticket holders can start and end the night at any of the six locations -
Duffy's (420 ½ W. Diversey), Durkin's Tavern (810 W. Diversey Parkway), Maeve (1325 W. Wrightwood Avenue); McGee's Tavern & Grille (950 W.
Webster), Redmond's (3358 N.
Sheffield) and The
Wrightwood Tap (1059 W.
Wrightwood Avenue).
Or,
make your way over to one of these establishments celebrating Cinco
de Mayo in true Mexican fashion:
Salud's 6th
Annual Cinco de Mayo Outdoor Festival located at 1471 N.
Milwaukee Avenue (Salud Tequila Lounge) in the Wicker Park
neighborhood on Saturday at Noon. Here
you will enjoy free live entertainment, cinco cocktails and delicious Mexican
dishes. This place really has it all and
then some!
Cinco de Mayo at
Barrio Urban Taqueria located at 714 W. Diversey Parkway in the
Lakeview neighborhood on Saturday. This
ALL day fiesta will be serving up yummy Mexican delights, drink specials,
Tanteo tequila shots for just $5 and live entertainment!
Cinco de Moe's 2012 located at 155 W.
Kinzie Street (Moe's Cantina) in the River North neighborhood on Saturday where
the first 100 customers will receive a free "Cinco de Moe's" t-shirt. Then it's time to fuel up with some great
food specials and two free live performances by "Sones De Mexico Ensemble
Chicago" at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.!
And
finally, Sunday brings us these Cinco de Mayo events -
Don
your red, white and green for the Cinco
De Mayo Parade which marches through the Pilsen
neighborhood from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. beginning at Cermak Road and Wood and
proceeding west on Cermak to Kedzie.
Expect to see colorful floats, dancers, great music and authentic Mexican
food vendors!
Run
off all those tacos and margaritas at this year's Cinco de Miler
which takes place at Montrose Harbor
(Montrose Dr. & Wilson Ave.) in the Uptown neighborhood. It's a five mile course winding up and down
the lakefront which includes a long-sleeve tech tee for the runners. The top 3 men and women will be awarded a Cinco
de Miler sombrero! After
crossing the finish-line it's time to head on over to the post-race fiesta for
your free bottle of Modelo Especial and a breakfast burrito - first one is on
the sponsor! The celebration continues
with live music from EL GUAPO and a
$2 cash donation will get you 30 seconds to take your frustrations out on a
piñata!
Are You Ready For The Blossoms?
SUE MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
I like to go out to dinner.
It's one of those things that adds some great variety to my weeks. Then I started looking for ways in which I could
save some money and still enjoy a meal I've not tasted before.
Enter a couple apps I found.
The first many people may have heard before - Groupon. This app is free for any user. If you buy deals in the app, you can track
them by expiration date or location. You
are able to redeem your deals directly from your smartphone. Groupon is supported by both iPhone and
Android platforms.
Another app I like is How to Cook Everything. There are up to 2000 recipes ranging from
omelets and grilled cheese to smoked pork shoulder and almond-stuffed
squid. Another nice part of this app is
the built-in grocery list and recipe timers to help with your cooking. Currently this app is only available for the
iPhone.
My other app is a guilty pleasure, Jamie Oliver's 20 Minute
Meals. This app is great once
you've had practice but the ingredient lists and equipment suggestions which
help out beginning cook (and the impatient cook too). There are instructional videos which are
really helpful as well as the essentials section.
Bon A Petit!!
CATHY MALLERS &
DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
