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In honor of National Seatbelt Day, we’re sharing these important facts and hoping that it inspires you to prioritize safety.    We’ve covered tips and tricks for roadside safety, proper car maintenance, and plenty of road trip ideas, but today we’re taking it back to the basics and fundamentals of driver safety: seatbelts. We love our customers, and want you to reach all of your exciting destinations safely and soundly. Happy driving! more Important Facts about Seatbelts, Safety Restraints, and Highway Safety According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission, an impressive 91.6% of Americans understand safety and used their seatbelts in 2022. We hope to see that number rise even higher for 2023’s survey. Out of 26,535 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in 2021, a whopping 50% of them were not wearing their seatbelts or properly restrained. Buckling up is vital to keeping you safe and secure, preventing you from being ejected from the vehicle upon impact or crash (more than 75% who are thrown from vehicles die from those critical injuries, but only 1% of seatbelt wearers were thrown from vehicles). Seatbelt usage also plays a part in preventing death or severe injury from impacts with airbag contact. Airbags are not a replacement for seat belts, but rather are there to work in tandem and further reduce injury or chances of death. Making sure to use proper safety restraints and buckle up can reduce risk of fatal injury by about 45% and moderate to critical injury risk by 50%! It’s important to buckle up each and every time, no matter how long or short your trip is - in fact, most crashes happen within 25 miles of your home. (NHTSA) Since 1975, it’s estimated that proper use of seatbelts has saved more than 374,000 lives. Getting caught without your seatbelt can not only cost you in local or state motor vehicle infractions, but driving without it can also increase your car insurance rates by almost 6%. Illinois Seat Belt Law requires all drivers and passengers 8 years and older to wear safety belts; passengers under the age of 8 must be secured in child restraint systems. In Wisconsin, Children under four are required to be restrained in an appropriate child safety restraint, and all passengers over the age of 4 must wear safety belts. Plus: It is generally recommended that children should continue to remain secured in car seats and/or booster seats until they have outgrown the size and weight limits of their booster seats, or have reached a size where they can fit properly in the seat with safe seat belt usage. Generally, this is between ages of 8 and 12. Additionally, all children under 13 should remain in the back seat to reduce risk. Did you know that use of seatbelts and vehicle restraints drops by 40% in children when parents don’t properly use their seat belts? 57% of 13 and 14 year olds who were involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were unrestrained. Setting a good example for younger drivers and younger passengers can save their lives! (NHTSA) Pet safety restraints and seat belts are also a vital safety measure to reduce distracted driving, as well as preventing their death or injury, and that of those passenger and driving. Did you know that a 10lb dog will exert roughly 500lbs of force in a vehicle crash of 50mph, whereas an 80lb dog in a crash at a mere 30mph will exert 2400lbs of force? Additionally, airbags can also cause death or injury if your pet comes into contact with them while driving!  Even if your pet is extremely calm, please place them in a safety crate, pet-safe seatbelt, or other restraint to keep them and you safe and healthy.  Options can include a pet harness/safety belt, a hard-sided travel crate, a pet vehicle seat, a vehicle pet barrier between front and rear seats, or a soft sided travel crate.

It’s the season of giving and giving back, and since this week is National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, we’d like to celebrate by illustrating some amazing ideas for you to give back and help out other people.  One of the most important values to us here at Classic is to support our community. This can include fundraising efforts, donations to local pantries, collecting toy drives or clothing drives to those in need, and more. The world could always do with a little more kindness, so why not use today’s blog list as a springboard! Here are some great ways to inspire others around you, and get you started with thinking in a community service oriented mindset: more Make a donation to a local food bank or host a food drive in your neighborhood. Encourage your friends, neighbors and loved ones to donate non-perishables to your efforts or add to your donation bin. Remember to include shelf-stable specialty goods like allergen friendly ingredients, gluten free food, and even seasonings! These items can help folks in need more than you’d realize, by providing accommodations for specialty diets, salt-free flavorings to those bland canned and box goods, and are items not usually available by non-profit funding.  Additionally, consider donating some pet food as well, since every family member deserves to be happy, healthy, and have a full belly. Create a Little Free Pantry for your home or local park. Stock the free pantry with shelf stable goods, toiletries, hygiene products, and refill it often.  This small act of community giving provides easy access to healthy foods and necessities without having to fill out lengthy applications for funding, stand in long lines, or other prohibitive measures. Do some volunteer work! Donating your time  within your local community soup kitchen and/or shelter can do a world of good. Volunteer your cooking prowess at your local soup kitchen to help shop, prepare, organize, and serve meals to those who need it most.  Volunteer your construction, carpentry or woodworking skills to building tiny homes, Habitat for Humanity, community rebuilding projects after natural disasters, and other nonprofit housing groups. Voice your support in local, state, and federal elections. Exercising your right to vote is a vital part of the process to improve local legislature to ensure public assistance programming, special grants, and local non-profits receive essential funding. Electing  lawmakers and legislature which support community-based care programs, free and low-cost school lunches, public housing, and affordable medical/psychiatric care programs makes a big difference. Put together some care package bags of allergen-friendly snacks and toiletries. You can drop them off at the local domestic shelter or homeless shelter or you can give them out to people in need as you meet them.  You can also include a little card with the names of local assistance organizations or safe shelters in the area.  Consider in cold weather months to add hats, mittens, scarves, and thick socks to your packages. Toss in some gift cards to local food stores or ride share services to help the folks sustain their safety and access resources. Help a “stranger.” There’s lots of ways to give back even if you don’t have the largest social circle.  This can look like helping someone load groceries into their car, paying for someone’s meal behind you at the drive through, paying in advance for the coffee of the person in line after you, leave an extra large tip at the next restaurant or bar you visit, leave a “Just because” gift card on someone’s windshield for a few dollars to the store they’re parked at, call the local utility company and pay off someone’s bill, or even donate some brand new books or clothing to a local family shelter. What are some things that you and your family do to give back to your communities and help fight hunger and homelessness, and provide stability to those in need?  Feel free to contribute to the conversation by pitching in your own community-centric, neighborly suggestions in the comments on our social media.

We’re so excited to announce that it’s Sesame Street Day! Big Bird and pals have become such a staple part of global culture and entertainment for children.  You’d be hardpressed to find a soul who didn’t know these wonderful puppet pals at a mere glance. Since its first episode aired on this day in 1969, Sesame Street has been an indispensable part of children’s and families’ lives all around the world!  Its colorful world filled with human and muppet counterparts has provided a charming, captivating, and empathetic format for education and empowerment of the youth. more Sesame Street was born of a need to provide children in urban areas with accessible, diverse, and inclusive educational resources. It’s so beloved, in fact, that it’s now broadcast globally to more than 190 million children  in 70 different languages across 150 countries with about 30 different international co-productions. And since we love all things cars, we thought we’d pay a special focus today to the wonderful things Sesame Street has done to connect children to the world of transportation, movement, STEAM based activities, and the automotive industry!  Our beloved cast of muppets have taught children about engineering, physics, as well as road safety from driving to seatbelts.  Plus, it’s also created some of the most memorable vehicles and methods of muppety transportation! Sesame Street is no stranger to introducing kids to automotive concepts, highlighting a series of classic and vintage (then new and popular) daily drivers, highlighting everything from a Taxi to a station wagon to cargo vans and more!  Did you know that Sesame Street also featured a lot of real-world vehicles over the years? Here is a super fun list of vehicles featured in Sesame Street throughout its run time! Come along with us as we look at some more charming moments featuring cars and vehicles. Let’s sing along with Elmo in these wonderful videos about cars, trucks, and more as well as road and travel safety: We love this segment from early Sesame Street in which Grover is a Taxi driver! It’s a very funny way to introduce kids into Taxi etiquette, Taxis as part of city culture and transportation, and the way car services work.  It’s also a very sweet nod to the personality and hustle and bustle of “city culture.” In 1975, Sesame Street and CTW introduced “The Countmobile”, helmed by none other than our number loving Transylvanian pal, The Count!  Borrowing designs from retro vehicles, a vampire coffin, and the vintage Batmobile designs, this unique vehicle was used to illustrate the importance of road rules, driver/passenger etiquette, and pedestrian safety to youngsters.  Ten years later in 1985, the vehicle was upgraded for the Follow That Bird movie, and built on the bones of a 1930s Frazer Nash replica, and sported a very smart pair of purple and black bat wings. We also love this Let’s Go Driving with Elmo feature with special guess Taye Diggs illustrating the power of imaginative play to help reinforce safe driving habits as well as observing our environment while on the road. Elmo and Rosita are going to the museum with Papa Elmo, and have jumped into the car and stepped into an unexpected episode of Guy Smiley’s travel gameshow, for a round of “I Spy”! Another classic car game that kids will love playing together, and will be extra excited to try now that their favorite characters have demonstrated!  Not only that, but it encourages the powers of observation while driving and passenging, and observing internal and external environments! By employing the element of imaginative play, each safety lesson on Sesame STreet is made accessible to young viewers. Using our pals Elmo and Abby to explain the concept of seatbelts  is a gentle, friendly way to talk about the importance of safety. This wonderful clip from Elmo and Abby explains the basics of car safety to kids. T his segment with Abby, Cookie, Guy Smiley, and Cookie’s Mom is a surefire hit! Introducing kids to the concept of boredom busters and family togetherness through a round of “Smiley Says” can help them connect and thwart the doldrums, while showing their favorite characters buckled up and in their car seats as safe passengers. In this segment of Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures from the 2010s, Bert and Ernie are working as car mechanics. Of course, wacky hijinks ensue as they highlight the basics of car maintenance and the pitfalls of not keeping up with a reliable service schedule, haha! AS you can see, it’s so important to fund these vital childrens’ television programs, and continuing to provide public access to educational resources to our community. Let’s all do our part to support funding and research for educational programming and encourage generations of children to explore, learn, and play! Images on this post for educational and illustrative purposes only; no copyright infringement intended. All characters and videos and imagery belongs to CTW and derivative networks.

Get ready for gift giving season with another handy guide for Gearheads!  We love everything about the items on this list, because they’re all quite useful gifts.  They’re excellent options for the person who prefers practical items over frivolous things.  You’ll find lots of budget friendly items on this list, too, making it a great resource to find white elephant gifts, office parties, and casual gift giving with friends.  Plus, there’s some wonderful “stocking stuffer” ideas for small items for new and young drivers, too. more When the average driver notices the check engine light illuminated, it can cause a little bit of anxiety and nerves. Well, worry no more with your very own OBD II Diagnostic tool like this one from Foxwell. Simply plug-in your device to the native port on your vehicle, and follow the on-screen instructions. For the “fix-it” person on your gift list, this is a must-have, and for others with “a hunk of junk” clunker car, it can be an anxiety reducer. Get your car’s diagnosis in a jiffy, and rest easy knowing exactly what’s wrong in case you can’t get into your mechanic right away. Priced Under $100 at the time of publication. Got caught with a flat, well, how about that.  Never worry again with this rechargeable portable tire inflator and air compressor with included digital tire pressure gauge. It fits in the palm of your hand and easily stows in glove compartments and side pockets for convenient travel, and recharges with USB cables.  It’s also easy to use when the sun goes down thanks to its super bright LED and bright or flashing mode options. Priced under $50 at the time of publication. There’s never a bad time to clean your car inside and out. During the winter time, cleaning the interior can help reduce the spread of germs and viruses.  Whether you’re cleaning the exterior of salt and muck or interior of grime and grit, this All Season Arsenal Builder Kit from the Chemical Guys is a must-have for the car enthusiast. Priced under $150. For basic car care, you can’t go wrong with this cleaning kit from Armor All. The Ultimate Car Care Detailing Kit 8 Piece Set includes everything you need to dust, shine, polish, and condition your car inside and out. Priced under $50. The Everlit Survival Car Emergency Kit includes everything you need to make the best of a crummy situation, and keeps you prepared for emergencies on the road.  Includes a first aid kit, jumper cables, tow straps, flashlights, emergency items, flares and reflectors, and even an air compressor. It’s the perfect kit for new drivers or people who frequently commute. Priced under $100 If you’re searching for a gift for the gearhead who has it all, we recommend this super fun Custom Metal Garage Sign by CreativeNCustomized on Etsy. Choose your sign size, color, and add your personalization. This stocking stuffer sized gift is perfect for any mechanic! They can place all of their shop keys on this tool kit miniature key ring from LEAFshop on Etsy. Add your custom personalization with name! Priced under $20. The Cobra Smart Dash Cam Full HD 1080P Resolution camera is perfect for keeping your loved ones safe on the road, as well as providing an extra layer of security while parked! Includes an 8GB SD card for storage. Priced under $150. This lightweight Ingersoll Rand Impact Wrench gives over 600ft-lbs of torque, making it the perfect tool for both hobbyist and professional car mechanics!  It provides comfortable grip and lightweight portability while delivering professional results and control.  A great addition to any mechanic’s toolbox. Priced under $150. We love when a car tool can “stow and go” and this cordless portable Car Vacuum does the trick! This rechargeable handheld vacuum cleaner provides strong suction with a brushless motor.  Perfect for daily cleaning in all of those hard to reach nooks and crannies of your vehicle and tiny spaces between the seats. Priced under $75. If you’re looking for a great beginner mechanic’s tool set on a budget, then look no further!  We recommend the Kobalt 277-piece Standard (SAE) and Metric Polished chrome tool set with hard case. You’ll get everything you need to start your garage off on the right foot with all the bits and bobs required including drive ratchets, sockets, wrenches, and more. Priced under $150.

The Annual Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago is just around the corner, and we’re here to help you find the best ways to view the parade up close and personal. We’re covering some details on this year’s performances, when to arrive for both VIP and free access, and how to secure the best spots for viewing.  This year’s 89th annual procession will be making its way North up state street from Ida B. Well Drive to Randolph Street from 8AM through 11AM CT, with your hosts Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch. more Special staged appearances this year are scheduled in the main stage area between Washington and Randolph Streets from 8AM to 9AM.   The classic beloved Helium balloons are also returning for this year’s parade, with familiar favorites returning such as Cheer Bear, The Grinch, Kermit, Garfield, and more, as well as new friends, too!  This year, the live stage performances include American Blues Theater, avery r. young - Poet Laureate of Chicago, 16 high school and university marching bands, country artist Reyna Roberts and Country Artist and Actor Tayler Holder.  And of course, as always, dear ol’ Saint Nick will be bringing up the end, to mark the start of the Holiday Season. You can catch the parade from the comfort of your own couch on its new home of CW26 hosted by Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch, but VIP tickets are available for a close-up look at the fun for just $70 per person VIPs will have private portable restrooms and general admission bleacher seats for maximum comfort;  VIP opens at 7AM, and it’s recommended to arrive no later than 7:30!  Otherwise, the parade is free to attend, but it should be noted that it may not be the most accessible for disabled attendees due to high crowds, lots of walking and standing for three hours or more  in order to view.  People begin lining the streets starting around 6AM, and many bring folding chairs and blankets to keep warm. Dress in layers, wearing plenty of warm winter weather attire,and consider wearing lip balm and moisturizer to prevent your face and lips from becoming chapped in the cold!  Expect long lines for exiting at 11AM, and plan your afternoon accordingly. Public transit and local area hotels/restaurants will be very busy! Veteran parade viewers recommend sending out a few adult representatives from your group to go on up ahead and save space so younger family members can take a little extra time to walk and meet them.  After the parade, you can stop over to the Christkindl Holiday Market at Daley Plaza at 50 W Washington Street, which will be open on Thanksgiving day from 11AM to 4PM. Looking for a direct live stream of the parade to watch at home from your laptop or tablet? You can check out this Official Live Stream of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade for free streaming on PlutoTV a nd live on TV via The CW26. If you miss the live broadcast, you can catch the CAN TV replay on Sunday 11/26, Wednesday 11/29, and Saturday 12/2. ​​

Today is Japanese Culture Day, and since we love all things cars, we thought it would be a great time to highlight the incredible car culture of Japan! It’s no secret that the Japanese car is an intensely passionate one, and often far exceeds the enthusiasm and gusto of other global car communities.  From rally racing to drifting to custom mods to tiny kei cars to transforming dekotora trucks, you’ll find no shortage of zeal for all things cars! more With roots in the bōsōzoku movement that originated in the 80s, modern gearhead groups of Japan have grown and cultivated a truly spectacular custom automotive culture.  What once was dominated by domestic Japanese cars has now expanded into European and American cars, and features not just new vehicles but also vintage, rare, and collectible vehicles as well. Let’s take a look at some of the coolest features of the JDM subculture car enthusiast community! The term JDM means “Japanese Domestic Market'' referring to anything and everything made in Japan and exclusively for the local Japanese sales market. JDM culture originated in the 1950s/1960s as post WWII Japan began to rebuild its economy. Now, it’s become a global sensation! Japan is the 2nd biggest car-manufacturing company in the world, with China taking the lead by almost 3x the output volume. Many cars on the Japanese car scene are referred to by their model numbers or chassis, instead of their brand names. Kei cars are the smallest, most compact street-legal passenger vehicles allowed for purchase in Japan; these vehicles are shorter than 3.4 meters with a max height of 2 meters and a max width of 1.48 meters, must have an engine of no more than .66 liters, and are limited to 64hp. Dekotora trucks are heavily modified semi-trucks featuring dazzling light displays, custom murals, wild body kits, outrageously tack interiors, and over the top themed visuals.  They often look like real-life replicas of the Autobots from Transformers! The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association has imposed a horsepower limit on all future JDM cars and Japanese-built vehicles since 1989; the vehicles are restricted to 111.8mph or 276HP. JDM cars can only be exported to other countries if their age has exceeded 25 years, so if you’re on the market for one of these rare collectibles you’ll have to be patient!  Want to learn more about how to get started collecting? Try this link to JDM Export’s Top 10 Starters. The art of drifting, which involves intentionally oversteering a car and forcing the rear wheels to skid sideways, originated in the winding mountain roadways and expanded into an organized sport with specialized tracks and world-class events.  Thanks in part to Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, the sport expanded its fanbase to a more global market, and helped popularize a rise in participation as well as JDM car culture overall. The Tokyo Auto Salon is an annual automotive event and show held each January at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.  It specifically showcases the best of the best  in performance and custom parts and tech, and is one of the top motor shows for modified and tuner vehicles. It features more than 1,000 cars and 4,000 both vendors to shop at. (This event is different from t he Tokyo Motor Show, which is a bi-annual event for automotive manufacturers to showcase their “street legal” vehicles.) Let’s take a look at some of these incredible features on Japanese Car Culture and JDM vehicles from Youtube:

The holiday season is just beginning, and we’re all about spending time with the people we love in our community. November’s community calendar of events for the Lake County and Waukegan area has lots of gatherings and get-togethers to enjoy with friends and loved ones!  You’ll find plenty of opportunities to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping, too, with local vendor events and artisan markets. The Kohl Children’s Pop-Up Museum is now in full swing at the College of Lake County now through December 2nd. The Lake County Film Festival is back this year from November 3rd through the 5th and November 10th through 12th at the College of Lake County in Grayslake! more On Friday November 3rd, the Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center is hosting the Celebracion Dia de los Muertos with folkloric dancers, traditional ofrendas, and childrens crafts events! There’s a wonderful Community Crochet Party happening from 6:30 to 8:30PM at The Maple on Washington Street in Waukegan on Friday, November 3rd. Mainstreet of Libertyville is bringing back the fun with their First Fridays Downtown event starting at 3PM on November 3rd. Shop, dine, and play in the downtown area with a festive evening of entertainment and special events. The performers in our midst will love attending the First Friday Open Mic with Low-reen at ZumBier in Waukegan! On Saturday, November 4th from 6PM to 9PM at NIRCO, come on out for an evening of discussion, live entertainment, personal storytelling, and a Q&A during LGBTQ+ educational night called “Spillin’ Da Tea” On Saturday, November 4th at 5PM, Lakehurst Events in Waukegan is hosting Noche de Catrinas for Dia de los Muertos with free entry for all ages! C ome enjoy an evening of learning about beautiful cultural traditions and have some tasty food, too. November 4th and 5th is the Semi-Annual Book Sale at the Grayslake Library from 1PM to 4PM. November 4th at the Wine and Spirit Warehouse of Libertyville is the Thanksgiving Tasting and sale from 1PM to 4PM. Come on out and enjoy a free in-store event sampling all of this season’s hottest wines for the holidays. The Artisan Guild French Market Boutique is coming to town November 4th and 5th at the CROYA/Lake Forest Recreation Center from 10AM to 4PM. On November 4th, 5th, 12th, 18th,19th, Long Grove is hosting “Weekend Wonders” and new classes at the Center for the Gifted. Inquisitive kids can enjoy math, creativity, and imaginative workshops of their choosing for $50-$55. On November 10th, enjoy Family Art Night at the Hunt Club Aquatic Center in Gurnee from 5PM to 7PM, with pizza, salad, and cookies provided to attendees! In honor of Veterans day, head over to Mellody Farm Nature Preserve from 9AM to 12PM to celebrate National Take a Hike Day and “Take a Hike to Honor Our Veterans: with co-host Access Ability Wisconsin. Goldfish Swim School of Mundelein is hosting a Friendsgiving Family Swim event from 7PM to 8:30PM for a Family Night out! November 18th and 19th in Island Lake is the 35th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Island Lake Village Hall from 10AM to 4PM. Enjoying your first year as Thanksgiving host/hostess?  Then you’ll need this Turkey Carving 101 workshops from The Joyful Gourmet in Libertyville from 1:30 to 3:30 on November 18th. November 24th through the 26th at the Lake County Fairgrounds, bring your whole family out for fun at the Festival of Arts and Crafts and get your holiday shopping kickstarted!  More than 300 exhibitors will be showcasing their wares and goods for you to enjoy. The Fox Lake Kris Kringle Winter Market is back again for a winter wonderland gift shop experience on Saturday November 25th from 2PM to 5PM. This year’s Hawthorn Woods Holiday craft fair is happening on Saturday November 25th from 10AM to 3PM at Hawthorn Woods Village Hall.

Let’s talk about stress and driving. more We’ve all been there before: stuck in a traffic jam with no end in sight when you’ve got a million places to be, errands to run, and not enough time to get it all done with lengthy waits. You feel anxious, antsy, frustrated, and more than a little overwhelmed.  And then of course there's the factor of life in a post pandemic lockdown world; people are having to relearn how to be a defensive driver all over again after so many years of “WFH Life!”  Coupling those ‘back to the grind” adjustments with the average commuter frustrations and roadway hazards, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.  In these moments, it can be easy to let the stress overtake you and give in to a case of Road Rage, but the better path to take is a little in-car stress management. It can be hard to get back into the swing of things and return to our defensive driving habits; there’s a lot to get used to again as you return to your usual commute and contend with other drivers, but let’s make an effort to work together to reduce our driving stress and keep the roads a safer place as we practice courteous, conscious driving habits. Since today is National Stress Awareness day, we’re shedding some light on ways you can destress and refocus your energy to help you drive safely, stay calm on the road, and prevent stress related accidents.  Let’s see if we can’t collectively reduce the anxiety for the 66% of Americans who experience driving anxiety on the regular with these healthy habits.  Utilizing these mindful driving techniques may even reduce your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, which have been shown to elevate during times of stressful driving!  What’s not to love about that? Improve your Mental Health and reduce driving stress with these pointers: Make sure you have something to eat and are properly hydrated before you hit the road. It’s no surprise that so many of us report feeling “hangry" when we’re not properly fed, and making sure that you have an adequate meal or at least a snack before commuting can reduce your stress levels significantly.  Keeping a small stash of shelf stable snacks and small water bottles in your car easily within reach can also help stave off the grumpy feelings when your tummy is grumbling behind the wheel. Practice mindful breathing techniques at home and in the office before you hit the road. Setting an intent to practice deep, conscious breathing exercises can make it easier to employ the techniques when you’re on the road.  Focus on calm, controlled breaths by inhaling slowly through your nose, and exhaling slowly through your mouth.   If you find yourself caught up in a moment of frustration with another driver, do some deep breathing for a slow count of 5 in and out breaths.  You’ll notice very quickly how your nervous system responds favorably, releasing tension from your nerves and muscles, and relaxing your body. Always make sure to build in an extra 15 to 20 minutes buffer time into your trips. Whether you’re commuting to work or school, on your way to a leisure activity, or even a doctor's appointment, having that extra time to play with can really reduce your stress. Instead of panicking about tardiness, you know you’ll have plenty of time to account for unexpected delays such as traffic, accidents, or other roadway hazards. This buffer of time will also allow you to notify employers or other parties with enough time for them to accommodate your delay should any occur. Adhere to posted traffic rules and speed limits to reduce tension. Keeping to posted traffic speeds and obeying road signs can reduce our tension, increase our focus on the changing traffic patterns, and allows plenty of time to stop short to prevent accidents.  You’re not qualifying for a NASCAR race, so there’s no need to try to “beat the clock” and go over the speed limit. Practice mindful driving and focus solely on the road, avoiding distractions inside the vehicle. It’s okay to sing along to the music on your car stereo if that makes you happy, but be sure to stay focused enough on the cars and environment around you.  Distracted driving can cause significant accidents and increase stress due to unawareness.  We all know the dangers of texting and driving can increase accident risk even more than drunk driving.So let’s do our part to reduce stress and anxiety by keeping our eyes on the road and off of our phones, devices, and infotainment screens. Switch up your usual commuting routine by alternating your drive with other methods of transportation. Break up the monotony and stress of the daily drive by opting in for public transportation such as bus, rail, ride-shares, or even bicycling if your commute allows for it.  Taking a break from the daily hustle and bustle routine of highways and byways can make a world of difference for your mental health.  The shake up in our normal routine can give us something fresh and new to focus on.  Utilizing mass public transit options can even provide us a little relief from having to be focused on the commute and instead enjoy some relaxing hobbies while someone else takes the wheel.

If you’re looking for something fun to do this Halloweekend, we’ve got just the thing to lift your seasonal spirits!  We’ve taken the hard work out of finding fun activities whether it be Trick or Treating, Halloween Parades, or just a general scary good time.  Here’s our picks of great local activities to do for adults, families, and even pets! more Six Flags of Gurnee is hosting Kids Boo Fest all weekend long from 11AM to 10PM. Experience kid-friendly activities and thrills as part of the Fright Fest celebration! The Second Annual Halloween at the Mansion Event is taking place from 5PM to 10PM at the Lehmann Mansion in Lake Villa. On Saturday, October 28th starting from 10AM to 12PM, head over to McHenry for The Bremer Team of Keller Williams Success Realty’s sponsored Halloween Dog Photoshoot event! Bring your pup in their Halloween finest and enter them in a mini costume contest and win a free doggy photoshoot. On Saturday, October 28th in Lake Zurich, head over to the Lake Zurich Family Martial Arts storefront for the Dojo Party Halloween Haunted Dojo event from 4PM to 8PM On Saturday, October 28th in Lake Forest, families will enjoy the Elawa Farm’s Hallowene Spoktacular event from 3PM to 8PM with scavenger hunts, story telling, food and drink, face painting, and much more! The Highland Park Golf Learning Center is hosting “Scary Halloween Miniature Golf” from 9AM to 7PM on the 28th. Visitors who arrive in costume will receive a discount off their round! LakeHouse Restaurant of Lake Villa is bringing back its 4th Annual Halloween Car Truck and Bike Show from 9AM to 2PM. Come on down for a scary good time looking at vintage and collectible vehicles. Rain date is Sunday, October 29th. Enjoy a hands-on Halloween baking class for kids aged 6 and up and their families at the Halloween Cupcake Party at Taste Buds Kitchen in Bannockburn from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. Waukegan’s own town wide Trick or Treat event will be taking place on Sunday October 29th from 2Pm to 5PM! On Sunday, October 29th, come out to Save-A-Pet from 1PM to 5PM Trick or Treat event on Main Street in Wauconda. This kid-friendly event will have live entertainment, a bouncy obstacle course, food and shopping, and even a pet costume contest.  Plus you can bring your own carved pumpkin and enter it into the pumpkin patch to win a prize. More info here! On Tuesday, October 31st between 11AM and 1:30PM, enjoy  the Halloween Pet Paw-Rade at the Vernon Hills Hawthorn Mall.  This family friendly day also includes a trick-or-treat event for humans. All pet-owners who participate in the parade will receive a collapsible silicone dog-bowl and a special treat. More information here! On Tuesday, October 31st, stop by the tasting room at Lynfred Winery in Highland Park to add a special Halloween Candy Pairing option to any tasting flight for just $3. The Lake County Film Festival is hosting a special secret screening from 8PM to 10:30PM on Halloween Night! The 13th annual film festival will be from November 3rd through 5th and 10th through the 12th, but you can catch a sneak peek ahead of time if you dare.

We’re getting in the Halloween spirit this weekend by celebrating Frankenstein Friday!  Check out our picks for amazing Frankenstein’s Monster themed car decor and accessories, some amazing Frankenstein audiobooks, and other monstrously fun stuff. more Amazing Audiobooks for Your Next Big Drive We’re loving this version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein narrated by Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey which was an Audie Award Finalist twice over in 2013 for both the Solo Narration (Male) and Classics categories.  It’s a classic tale of man versus monster, human nature and our desire for relationships, the duality of man, and of course, life and death. If you loved Frankenstein, then you’ll want to add “The Resurrectionist” to your queue next! This mysterious tale will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow along with 19th century Scottish surgeon Edgar Price, as his fictional tale pulls in realistic elements from the true story of the Burke and Hare murders. It’s a dark, otherworldly fantasy tale perfect for autumnal drives. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White is a unique reimagining of the classic dark tale that would make Mary Shelley proud! It’s complicated, layered, thoughtful, and fascinatingly grotesque, giving a new perspective to the unreliable narrator of Victor Frankenstein in the original. Spooky Fun Frankenstein’s Monster Themed Car Accessories We’re loving this super fun wiper blade accessory for some budget friendly seasonal car decor!  Share your love of horror novels and horror movies with this waving WiperTag decal Frankenstein Edition. We love these magnetic bumper stickers for a bit of temporary fun without damaging your vehicle’s paint finish! Snag a set of Bride of Frankenstein car magnets and bedeck your car out in these classic horror movie icons. A matching set of his and hers seat covers featuring Frankenstein’s Monster and Bride of Frankenstein are just what the mad doctor ordered to protect your car from the elements, pet hair, dust and dirt and grime, and keep your vehicle’s upholstery like new. Never lose your keys again with these frighteningly cool accessories featuring a neon skull, the iconic zap of electricity, and the big green man himself. We found this electrifyingly interesting anti-slip steering wheel cover with vintage universal movie monster and Frankenstein design combo.

It’s National Pumpkin Day! Did you know that in 2022, Illinois harvested more than 2x as many pumpkin acres as any of the other leading states (California, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia)?  Our home state cultivated a whopping 17,600 acres of pumpkins, and Illinois farms grow an average of 37,500 pounds of pumpkins per acre, predominantly made up of “pie varieties” for pumpkin puree and similar products.  Plus, the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world is located in Morton, Illinois, home of the Libby Company who makes the ever popular canned pumpkin you see in the store.  Pretty impressive, don’t ya think? more Kids choosing fresh pumpkins on a family farm Here’s some more fun pumpkin facts to impress your pals on the way to the local patch: Pumpkins are actually considered a fruit, much like cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados, since they grow from the flowers of their plants. Atlantic Giants are the largest species of pumpkin, growing as much as 50 pounds every day! Every single part of the pumpkin plant from the stem to flower to seeds to fruit are totally edible! Pumpkins take an average of 90 days to 120 days to grow. Each pumpkin has about 500 seeds apiece. There are more than 45 different varieties of pumpkin. Pumpkins are made of about 90% water. And what a treat it is to be in the reigning pumpkin state, what with Halloween just around the corner and all.  Let’s check out these great places to get your last minute carving pumpkins and do a little early turkey day prepping! Local Illinois and Wisconsin Pumpkin Picking Spots: Taste of Eden Market in Waukegan Kroll's Harvest Farm in Waukegan Lewis Farm Market in Waukegan All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock Wheaton Nurseries and Garden Center in Wheaton Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm and Produce in Sugar Grove Patch 22 in Wadsworth Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks Silts Vegetable Farm and Greenhouse in Pleasant Prairie Richardson Farms in Spring Grove Thompson Farm in Bristol Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm in Kenosha Stade's Farm and Market in McHenry

It’s 2023, and we’ve grown to love a myriad of technological advancements that just a few decades ago would’ve seemed nearly impossible: computers right in our pockets, video chatting someone all the way across the globe, streaming new movies right to our home TV screens.  Everything from the phone in your pocket to the case that protects it, to the car that you drive and the roads they’re built on, to the clothes you’re wearing at work in the buildings you work in, each of these items was designed, engineered, and created by someone with creative vision. more Today, we’re celebrating International Artists Day and paying homage to the bright minds of the past, present, and future who help pave the way for global success.  We’re going to look at some of the wonderful ways we can express ourselves, communicate visually and auditorily, and learn about the history of generations before us through visits to Museums, Galleries, hands-on workshops, and more! Why Should You Support The Arts? Artists and the arts are an integral part of society, helping us frame the world in creative ways so we can better understand humanity.   Our society does not exist without creativity and ingenuity provided by exploring the arts.  By enjoying freedom of self expression, we are encouraging people to think outside the box and create a sustainable life.  In fact, creativity is one of the top skills desired by employers, and in the top five skills sought out during candidate searches. According to Americans for the Arts, 72% of Americans believe that the arts unify our communities, regardless of demographics, and likewise 73% also agree that the arts help them understand other cultures better.  Engaging in the arts has been proven to enhance positive social impact through arts programming, grant funded opportunities, higher civic engagement, increased educational opportunities, support for military and medical personnel and caregivers in healthcare settings, and so much more. The arts also improve mental health and well-being, with 81% saying the arts provide a positive experience while living in unprecedented times and “a troubled world.  Additionally, the arts also drive significant tourism to our communities and improve local businesses and support the economy. As you can see, there’s a plethora of incredible opportunities thanks to arts involvement, and they’re a fundamental part of our world. By celebrating art in all forms: painting, sculpture, photography, design, architecture, music, writing, and more, we’re able to continue to grow as a society and build a brighter tomorrow!  Thanks to the ingenuity of forward thinking innovators, rebellious revolutionaries, and artistic creativity of boundary pushers, we’ve created a comfortable, convenient “life of the future.” Galleries and Museums to Visit just a short drive from Classic! Lake County: Robert T Wright Comm Gallery in Grayslake, IL Blue Moon Gallery in Grayslake, IL Jack Benny Center in Waukegan, IL Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County in Libertyville, IL The African American Museum at the England Manor in Waukegan, IL Artpie Studio, Gallery and Art School in Waukegan Wisconsin: Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha, WI Lemon Street Gallery in Kenosha, WI Re:Vision Gallery & Artist Studios in Kenosha, WI Left of the Lake Gallery in Kenosha, WI Anderson Arts Center in Kenosha, WI Kenosha Art Association in Kenosha, WI Chicago: Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, IL National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, IL DePaul Art Museum in Chicago, IL Design Museum of Chicago in Chicago, IL WNDR Museum in Chicago, IL The Art Institute of Chicago Kavi Gupta Gallery | Washington Blvd in Chicago, IL Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, IL Addington Gallery in Chicago, IL Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, IL National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, IL Smart Museum of Art in Chicago, IL Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, IL Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, IL ECHT Gallery in Chicago, IL The Richard Driehaus Museum in Chicago, IL Art Classes and Workshops Art Classes and Programs for the Community via Waukegan Parks District Perkowitz Art Studio in Grayslake: Art classes and paint & sips Dandelion Gallery & Studio in Waukegan: art classes and paint & sips Deer Path Art League in Lake Forest: Summer camp, art workshops, art classes Patterson Glassworks in Mundelein: traditional glassblowing, hands-on art classes The Chicago Mosaic school in Chicago: workshops, group events, art classes, non-profit programming Susie Speck Teaching Artist: Paint & Sips, Art classes College of Lake County Community Outreach and Visual Arts: youth workshops, adult workshops