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Just a few hours north of our Classic Auto Group dealerships in Waukegan is the great city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee is the most populous city in Wisconsin, and one of the 25 largest cities in the entire United States.  Incorporated in 1846, this city has also historically been a very bustling and vital international seaport for North America.  The worst of Milwaukee winter is over, with January being its coldest month, and the weather is warming up for plenty of outdoor activities and sunshine!  Thanks to Lake Michigan’s “lake effect” weather, summers are a little cooler here with July reaching an all-time high of 75-80 max.  It’s the perfect city to explore for walking tours and sightseeing trips. more Awesome Walking Tours of Milwaukee: Untapped Tours Milwaukee City Tours offers small group sightseeing tours of the city from local guides who really know all there is to see, do and love about Milwaukee!  The tours are a combination of driving in a mini-coach bus with stop-offs for walking tours to see history sites, architecture, food, and brews and cocktails. Historic Milwaukee Store & Tours starts at a local historic Milwaukee gift store, where you can choose from guided architectural tours or historic walking tours of the city.  Local docents will take you sightseeing, and you can feel good knowing that your dollars have gone to supporting this nonprofit historic tourist organization! City Guided Tours MKE Milwaukee take you for an interactive tour around The MKE with a combination of history, food, and brewery tours.  Who doesn’t love a little snack and a beverage with their history lesson?  Exactly! Gothic Milwaukee Haunted Tours of Milwaukee explores a darker, spookier side of the city like you’ve never seen before.  With options for private and group tours, this is a truly unique experience led by a costumed tour guide leading you through the shadowy past and dark secrets of Milwaukee’s past. You may even see some spirits or and spooky sightings. Milwaukee Food Tours are perfect for the adventurous foodies in our midst!  You’ll get to sample all sorts of local cuisines and culinary delights such as breweries, taquerias, regional pizzas, desserts, fine spirits, and so much more.  Make sure you come with an empty belly and excited tastebuds, because it’s a delectable experience. Milwaukee Ghosts Tours and Investigations leans into the local legend and folklore of the region,and is the original Ghost Tour of the area!  You’ll learn about the arts districts dark and menacing history once known as “The Bloody Third” and so much more American Family Field Walking Tours in Milwaukee are perfect for those who are big fans of America’s Pastime: baseball!  You can take a tour of the Milwaukee Brewers home field from Monday through Saturday, and get an inside look at this iconic sports destination.  Take a self guided tour at your own pace, or book a group tour. Other great destinations to explore and walk around the city include: Immortal Milwaukee History Tours, Milwaukee Seven-Seat Bike Tours, Milwaukee Pedal Tavern, Historic Miller Caves Tour, North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee, Tour the Historic Pabst Brewery.  And you’ll definitely want to make sure you explore all there is to offer at the annual Summerfest Milwaukee event! In addition to these fun walking tours, you’ll definitely want to explore some of the city’s most interesting museums, arts venues, and science centers: The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum The Charles Allis Art Museum The James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics, and Technology The Milwaukee Art Museum The Milwaukee County Zoo The Milwaukee Public Museum The Mitchell Park Conservatory The Schlitz Audubon Center The Villa Terrace Decorative Art Museum The William F. Eisner Museum of Advertising & Design The Milwaukee Repertory Theater The Pabst Theater The Milwaukee Ballet The Milwaukee Theatre The Florentine Opera Company Once you’ve spent the day exploring all the city has to offer, we know you’re going to be absolutely famished.  We’ve made a list of top notch restaurants and bars to grab an incredible bite to eat to refuel before your next endeavor. Sanford at 1547 N. Jackson Street Birch at 459 E Pleasant Street Swingin’ Door Exchange at 219 E Michigan Street Zarletti at 741 N Milwaukee Street Calderone Club of Downtown Milwaukee at 842 N Old World 3rd Street Morel at 430 S 2nd Street Rodizio Grill Milwaukee Brazilian Steakhouse Restaurant at 777 N Water Street The Capital Grille at 310 W Wisconsin Avenue Harbor House at 550 N Harbor Drive in Pier Wisconsin Third Coast Provisions at 724 N Milwaukee Street Carnevor at 718 N Milwaukee Street Stella Van Buren at 550 N Van Buren Street in the Westin Milwaukee Ardent at 1751 N Farwell Avenue Blue’s Egg at 317 N 76th Street in Jennings Village Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro at 3133 E Newberry Boulevard in Lake Park Story Hill BKC at 5100 W Bluemound Road The Diplomat at 815 E Brady Street The Original at 2498 N Bartlett Avenue Mason Street Grill at 425 E Mason Street at the Pfister Hotel Momo Mee Asian Cuisine at 110 E Greenfield Avenue Maxie’s at 6732 W Fairview Avenue

In the age of smartphones, infotainment systems, and GPS navigation, it’s easy to fall into the habit of fully relying on technology to get us where we’re going.  But what happens when you take the road less traveled?  How do you navigate when your vehicle’s GPS lags behind due to poor reception, or your smartphone doesn’t get service while you’re roadtripping?  You’ll want to make sure you can navigate an offline roadmap just as easily as a paper map or almanac. more That’s why we’re celebrating “Read a Road Map Day” with these helpful tips and tricks and a what’s-what of map iconography so you can be safe no matter where you’re going.  In addition, learning how to read a map is a great asset to anyone who loves to go off-roading, camping, hiking, and more! How to Read a Map Drive confidently no matter what service you have or where the road takes you thanks to our handy dandy “How to Read a Map” guide! Color: Cartographers will color code a map based on its many different purposes.  Check the legend on your road map or atlas to figure out where you’re driving through, which roads are major highways, county roads, residential streets, etc.  It will also help you understand the terrain, environment, and proximity to water or coastal regions.  It can also be used to determine elevation, or even state and county lines or town and city districts. Contour Lines: If your map includes topography, you’ll see different lines that indicate elevation such as mountains, hills, valleys, etc.  There will be solid, dotted, straight, and wavy lines.  This can also help you determine which vehicle to take on your road trip depending what type of terrain you’re driving on. Compass Rose: A compass rose is a symbol used to display the orientation of “cardinal directions” (north, south, east, west)  This helps navigators discern which direction is the Earth’s magnetic north when using a physical compass. Every paper map includes a compass rose to illustrate true North at the top of the map.  You can use a compass to help you get a better sense of where you are. Map Index: Maps often include an alphabetical list of locations in an index.  City maps will include street names or major landmarks of the region.  County maps will include major highways and major cities and towns.  A State map will have significant cities and towns.  Oftentimes these are coded with letter-number combos which match a point on the map. Map Legend: All maps contain a legend or a key which explains what each symbol represents and what every line, mark, or colour means.  This will help you decode the difference between major interstate highways and smaller back roads.  It may also help identify hills and mountains or bodies of water. Orientation: Make sure you have your map so that the compass rose shows “N” at the top of your page, this will help you align your current position on the map and navigate which direction you need to travel on the next leg of your route. Scale Ruler: When plotting a course using a paper road map, you’ll need to use the map’s integrated “scale”: a line marked in inches which represent distances.  Use that scale line to determine the “miles by inches” between your destinations to get a scale of the distance.  For example, 1 inch of distance on the map may equal 10 miles of actual distance driving.  Grab a ruler and measure the distance between your road trip points and multiply.  Without knowing the scale of your map, you may miscalculate distance between destinations or time it takes to travel to and from. Topography/Terrain symbols: Some maps include lines, shading, and color to explain the terrain around you.  Using a topographic map means you’ll be able to identify mountains, hills and valleys, desert versus field, etc.  Many maps include basic topographical elements to explain basic geographic features of the region. Essential Road Maps to Keep On Hand National Geographic’s Map of the United States Great Lakes Region National Geographic Road Atlas 2022: Adventure Addition Illinois Atlas and Gazetteer Rand McNally Easy to Fold Illinois State Map Rand McNally Easy to Fold Wisconsin State Map Rand McNally Folded Map to Central United States Moon USA State by State: The Best things to do in every state for your travel bucket list Helpful Car Gadgets to Navigate a Map Compass, Surface Mount Dial When you’re not able to rely on your smartphone or infotainment system to help you navigate, having a car compass can be an invaluable tool!  You can check it to be sure you’re heading in the right direction without having to spread out a map all over the dash or struggle to find bars of service.  Some of them also included longitude and latitude to help you pinpoint your location.  They can also be used in boats, motorcycles, ATVs, and while camping! GARMIN eTrex Handheld GPS Navigator This device has 8GB of space to store maps offline and a micro SD card slot.  It conveniently uses 2AA Batteries for 25 hours of GPS mode usage, making it easy to replace and recharge as needed.  When your regular GPS doesn’t work, the 2inch display will help you navigate beyond your smartphone’s capabilities for offline use.

Our Classic Auto Group Decoder is back in business with another installment of our Automotive Terminology lessons.  We’re here to decode and demystify the jargon, vocabulary, and terms so you can feel confident when going in for service appointments or shopping for a new ride.  Today we’re covering the vital appliance you can’t live without for the summer months: The Air Conditioner. more The air conditioning system works by changing refrigerant fluid from liquid state to gaseous state, and this allows it to remove heat and humidity from your car during warmer weather and return cool, dry air to keep you comfortable as you drive.  Your car’s air conditioner system can function to cool and heat your vehicle all year round. Using your AC Compressor while also running the heat can help dehumidify the air inside your vehicle, and thus clearing up window condensation and reducing fogged windshields and windows.  As an added bonus, running the AC system for 10-15 minutes per week in cooler months can help keep fluids circulating in the system and keep it from off-season wear. Your air conditioner should be serviced a minimum of once or twice per year.  If you notice that your system is not functioning properly, you can call our trusted service center to schedule a maintenance appointment. There are a few things that may be happening with your AC system to make it malfunction: Electrical issues such as blown fuses, pressure switches, temperature switches, or defective blower fans may be the culprit. Your cabin’s air filter may be clogged, which leads to poor air quality and cooling output. Leaves and debris may be blocking the system and vents; check under the hood and clear out any muck you find and it should improve airflow. If it doesn’t, your mechanic may check the AC Evaporator. The AC Condenser may need replacement or cleaning of paper, dust, leaves, or debris clogging the fan and causing an overheat. Low refrigerant levels or corroded and worn parts may have damaged the AC Compressor and it may require a service technician to replace it. The experienced car enthusiast may wish to try troubleshooting their AC issues on their own at home before calling a service technician, but please note that not all parts are user serviceable.  If you’re skilled enough to do the basics, we remind you that you will want to wear proper safety equipment such as goggles or safety glasses, and thick gloves in case of contact with refrigerant so you do not get burns or frostbite from contact.  If you're not confident enough to do the maintenance, we’ve got plenty of professional mechanics standing by to help! Important AC Related Terms to Know: Air conditioner refrigerant The liquid used in air conditioning systems, which has the property of boiling at ambient air temperatures. Air conditioning The cooling and dehumidification of a vehicles cabin air. Air conditioning filter A device that removes contaminants from external air entering the ventilation system. Air filter A device that filters incoming air fed to the engine. Air filter restriction indicator A device that identifies an impedance to the air filter system. Air filtration The removal of solid particulates (such as dust, pollen, mold and bacteria) from a vehicles cabin air by a filter placed in the ventilation system.

The Chicago Poetry Center began in the 1970s with readings at the Museum of Contemporary art, and has since grown over the last 40+ years into extensive programming all around the city.  They’ve also forged a 20+ year partnership with the Chicago Public Schools to bring creative writing and poetry workshops and special events to children in schools around the city.  Since April is National Poetry Month, we thought it only fitting to highlight some of the work they’ve been doing over the years, and we’d like to encourage you to stop by to learn more about their mission, how to donate or volunteer, and other ways you can support their venture. more You can follow them on social media to stay up to date on their current offerings or events. Did you know that the Chicago Poetry Center is located next to some fantastic other Arts and Culture destinations you can visit?  Check out our list of suggested places to see before or after attending one of their fantastic events this year: The Chicago Cultural Center Pritzker Military Museum & Library The CIBC Theatre Museum of Illusions Chicago James M Nederlander Theatre Richard J. Daley Center The Art Institute of Chicago Harris Theater for Music and Dance Jay Pritzker Pavillion Millenium Park Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chicago Architecture Center While you’re waiting for the next event from the Chicago Poetry Center, why not check out these amazing Chicago poetry events: Claudia Rankine at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago on April 6th Respect the Mic (In-Person) at the Poetry Foundation of Chicago on April 7th Cultures of Belonging Book Launch at the Poetry Foundation on April 9th The Red Carpet Poetry SLAM 2022 at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago on April 7th The Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill on April 10th Ocean Vuong - “Time is a Mother” at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago on April 11th Padded Room Open Mic at Bobo Emporium 2 on April 12th In One Ear Open Mic at Heartland Cafe on April 13th Berlin Family Lectures: Claudine Rankine with Titus Kaphar on April 13th and 14th at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago In One Ear Open Mic at Heartland Cafe on April 20th In One Ear Open Mic at Heartland Cafe on April 27th

Today is International Children’s Book Day!  Children’s literature is a vital part of a child’s well-rounded development.  It provides a young child with an opportunity to engage with written word and artistic illustrations, builds empathy and emotional intelligence, expands their horizons for multicultural and multiethnic experiences, and helps foster creativity and imagination!  Picture books help increase reading comprehension, improve language and communication skills, and engage with life lessons in an accessible way. more Providing regular opportunities to engage with books through read-alouds and independent reading will improve your child’s cognitive skills and educational abilities in all fields.  They’re a vital part of early childhood education through elementary school as well as middle grade and adolescent development. Today we’re going to share some of our picks for great books to take with you on your next trip.  Encouraging your kids to reduce their typical streaming media consumption, break from the video games, and instead pick up an eBook or engage with physical paperbacks and hardbacks is a great vacation activity.  Check out our suggestions right here, and feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments on our social media! Our Picks for Recommended Reading for Kids of All Ages You can grab your own copy of these in eBook, Hardcover, Paperback, or you can stop by your local library to pick up a copy on a vacation loan!  In addition, there’s also a lot of readaloud versions of these books on sites like YouTube. Why not make a little playlist for your trip to play in the car for kiddos to engage with their favourites in even more ways! Pete the Cat’s Train Trip by James Dean Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip by James Dean Road Trip by Roger Eschbacher La Rue Across America: Postcard from the Vacation by Mark Teague Just One More by Wendi Silvano A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owns C for Camping by Greg Paprock Duck Duck Moose by Dave Horowitz Across the Bay by Carlos Aponte The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family Coqui in the City by Nomar Perez Where are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena Saturday by Oge Mora My Two Border Towns by David Bowles Just One More by Wendi Silvano My Car Trip by Sindy McKay Olivia Takes a Trip by Elli O’Ryan Barfing in the Backseat #12: How I survived My Family Road Trip Travels with My Family by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel Sisters by Raina Telgemeier The Cottage on Sunshine Beach by Holly Martin The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther Open Road Summer by Emery Lord This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown by Jarrett J. Krosoczka Camp Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford and Valorie Fisher Summer Reading is Killing Me by Jon Scieszka Rating Your Bunkmates and Other Camp Crimes by Jennifer Orr Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

April is National Poetry Month, so we thought we would start off by highlighting some wonderful poetry collections you can pack for your next vacation for some creative reading!  We’ve also rounded up our picks for some of the fantastic local events in the area for Poetry Readings and Open Mic Nights to keep you inspired. more Beautiful Books of Poetry to Read on Spring Break and Summer Vacations on the Road Their Footsteps by Kassie J. Runyon In Transit: Poems of Travel via Emma Press Publishing Madness by Sam Sax She is the Sun: A Collection of Poetry by Niccole Salm This One Wild and Precious Life by Sara Wilson Inspired Poems for Life’s Traveler by Edward McCoul No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay You’re the The Stars You Forgot About: by Bente Benedict Magic of the Modest by R.C. Perez Most Beautiful Thing That Happened by Arisa White American Flowers by Tyler Flynn Dorholt Afterland by Mai Der Vang MyOTHER Tongue by Rosa Alcala Poem-mobiles: Crazy Car Poems I Hope You Stay by Courney Peppernell Healing is a Gift by Alexandra Vasiliu Drive, They Said: Poems about Americans and Their Cars by Kurt Brown Songs for the Open Road: Poems of Travel & Adventure Local Events for Poetry April 5th at 5:00PM to 7:00PM – Poetry and Printmaking workshop at New Lenox Public Library District in New Lenox April 7th at 6:30PM to 10:00PM – Red Carpet Poetry SLAM 2022 at Adler Planetarium in Chicago April 8th at 5:30PM to 7:00PM – Wax Poetic: Poetry Reading & Open Mic Night at Common Grounds Coffee in Sycamore, IL April 9th at 11:00AM to 12:00PM – First Peoples Poetry Reading A Tribute to the Living Nations, Living Words Project April 10th starting at 6PM – Uptown Poetry Slam at Green Mill Jazz Club in Chicago April 11th from 2:00PM to 3:30PM – Poetry Greeting Cards at the Glencoe Public Library in Glencoe April 14th 7:00PM to 8:00PM – Open-Door: Madeleine LeCesne, Michell Mille, Nat Pyper Zheng at the Poetry Foundation in Chicago April 21st from 7:00PM to 8:30PM – Barbara Henry Poetry Reading at River Forest Public Library April 21st from 3:30PM to 4:45PM - Poems for Pancakes Grades 5 through 8 at the River Forest Public Library April 28th from 8:00PM to 9:00PM – Teen Poetry Open Mic Night at Des Plaines Public Library

Today is National Crayon Day, so why not check out these colourful facts about one of the world’s greatest and most accessible art supplies, plus today is also the birthday of the Crayola brand! more Colourful Facts About the History of Crayons In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’d also like to highlight the fun fact that the name “Crayola” was coined by Alice Binney herself, and The very first crayola crayons were sold door-to-door!  Binney & Smith had the brilliant idea to market the products to educators and children of school age.  In 1903, they sold their first 8 packages of crayons for one nickel apiece as door-to-door sales. The Gold Medal on early Crayola packaging represents Binney & Smith’s prize winning innovation of dustless chalk at the 1904 World’s Fair. At the time they were invented, there were no machines to press on those trademark Crayola Crayon paper wrappers, so they were hand-rolled by employees and families of local farmers for the 1st 40 years of manufacturing! In 1994, Crayola had released a line of scented crayons called “Magic Scent” but they were removed from the market just one year later after parents expressed anxieties that children may try to eat them.  As a result, subsequent crayon scents were changed to create less appetizing smells such as dirt, grass, etc. Yuck! Yale held a study with 20 of the most recognizable scents, Crayons were number 18 on the list.! The scent that you normally associate Crayola wax with in the “unscented” lines is actually a derivative of beef tallow known as stearic acid. Colin Snedeker, a chemist for Crayola, devised the trademark washable crayons after numerous customer complaints of kiddos scribbling on walls with the original crayons which weren’t easily removable.  He also invented the neon and color-changing marker options! Crayons are not just for kids! Check out the work of these notable artists who feature crayons as a theme or use Crayolas in their work as a medium. Check out these fantastic Crayola Coloring Pages with car themes from their site: Formula 1 Racecar Coloring Page NASCAR Stock Racing Car Coloring Page

National Take a Walk in the Park day comes around every year on March 30th!  Celebrated a week after the Spring Equinox, it’s a great opportunity to explore local parks and trails and experience the great outdoors.  After spending a few months indoors hiding from the snow, sleet, and ice, this is the perfect time to reconnect with nature!  Did you know that there are dozens of parks, trails, and preserves right in your own neighbourhood?  We’ve got a great list of suggested destinations to explore with your friends and family, and many of them are even pet friendly!  So grab your hiking boots, your water bottles, and your cameras and let’s enjoy a walk in the park together. more Local Parks, Trails, and Preserves in Lake County/Greater Chicago Area Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve in wadsworth Lake County Forest Preserve in North Chicago Lake Carina Forest Preserve Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway in Wadsworth McDonald Woods Forest Preserve in Lake Villa Captain DAniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda Nippersink Forest Preserve in Round Lake Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadworth Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake Grant Woods Forest Preserve in Ingleside Raven Glen Forest Preserve in Antioch Sun Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve in Long Grove Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve in Lake Forest Millennium Trail and Greenway in Mundelein Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry Marl Flat Forest Preserve in Round Lake Fort Hill Trail in Mundelein Grassy Lake Bike Trails in Tower Lakes Gander Mountain in Antioch Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area in Deerfield Hastings Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa Did you also know that Illinois is home to some incredible “national parks?”  You’ve got to check them out!  Although they’re not congressionally recognized National Parks, they are national historic sites with beautiful land and trails to explore. Great National Sites and Trails in Illinois Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail - This connects 16 different states and commemorates the 1804-1806 journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition! Lincoln Home National Historic Site - Explore the four block wide historic neighbourhood, and take a tour of the Lincoln family home, now a national historic site. Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail - After the death of Joseph Smith, Mormon successor Brigham Young organized a 500+ wagon train from Illinois through Iowa and into Utah; there are 5 stopping points located in Illinois: Nauvoo Landing, Nauvoo State Park & Museum, Carthage Jail & Visitor Center, Nauvoo National Historic Landmark, and the Joseph Smith Historic Site Pullman National Monument - This site memorializes the labor strike at the Pullman Company in 1894. Trail of Tears National Scenic Trail - A grand total of 5,043 miles cross 9 different states following the 1838 xodus of 16,000+ Cherokee Native Americans from their homelands in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia at the behest of the US Army and Government; 60 miles of which stretch through the southern portion of Illinois.

Since March is Women’s History Month, we thought it would be fun to share our choices for awesome women in the automotive industry on YouTube!  These leading ladies are winning on and off the road thanks to their love of all things cars, expert racing skills, and genuine gearhead chops. more We’re thrilled to share them with you, and we recommend subscribing to improve your own skills and gain some insight into the industry.  Check it out on today’s blog! Automotive Woman Juliana Chiovitti is known as AutomotiveWoman, and her channel is broken down into bitesize doses of tips, tricks, how-to’s, reviews and more.  Check out her “ Welcome to my Channel” Video to learn more about how she moved from GoKart racing to automotive skills.  And be sure to check out her about section for other links to her projects! Emilia Hartford Emilia Hartford is taking YouTube by storm with her exhilarating racing videos, off-roading vlogs, and her build videos.  She’s also the host of Netflix’s Fastest Car series, and has appearances on DailyDrivenExotics Youtube channel as well. Jessican (And You Can Too!) Jessica Chou’s channel is filled with videos helping women and girls navigate the basics of automotive repair.  She breaks things down into bite-sized, digestible pieces so things arent’ overwhelming, and speaks to her audience in an empowering way!  Jessica wants to help fellow women feel confident about the basics of vehicle maintenance, and arm them with knowledge to be able to handle conversations with repair techs and mechanics. Integress YouTuber Jennifer Alvarado is well-known for her custom modified Lexus modeled after the iconic Batmobile!  Alvarado combines the coolest parts of being a gearhead with her love of comics by creating cosplay car enthusiast videos.  You can find her as a guest start on “Adults React” channel, too! Woman.Driven Doris has a half million subscribers on YouTube, and it’s easy to see why she is one of the reigning queens of gearhead vloggers!  Her videos include installations and restorations, modifications and improvements, and plenty of track days and racing content.  She’s a great, young, fresh voice in motorsports that can’t be missed. Got a recommendation for a Woman Automotive YouTuber we missed on our list? Let us know in the comments! We’d love to subscribe to new voices in the gearhead community, and we may even feature them in a future post.

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts ” William Shakespeare’s As You Like It Today is World Theatre Day!  Today we’re highlighting our picks for best places you can visit to support the arts, catch some local theatre, take a class to boost your confidence, or become a patron of the arts with a donation. more Supporting the arts by way of membership or volunteering at your local theatre or performing arts venue is a great way to give back to the area, support youth education, improve the local economy, and create a vibrant arts community.  Check out our suggestions and feel free to let us know your personal faves in a comment on our social media!  We’d love to hear from you and include your suggestions in a future post. Local Theatre Arts Classes and Workshops The Jack Benny Center is right here in Waukegan and has lots of creative ways for you to express yourself and enjoy the dramatic arts.  They function as a social hub for social gatherings, private parties, and meetings, as well as offering a host of creative lessons in music, art, dance, drama, crafting and so much more.  Hone your acting chops with one of their workshops, or stop by a local art show and get to know local creatives.  The possibilities are endless! Improv Playhouse Theater in Libertyville has excellent classes for all ages, but they especially shine with their youth workshops.  It’s great for individual classes or even camp sessions for kids during spring and summer break! Standing Ovation Theatre Academy is a nonprofit venue in Gurnee specializing in musical theatre, vocal techniques, and performance arts.  It’s the perfect place for children and teens looking for their moment in the spotlight! Rootz Dance and Theatre School in Northbrook offers a wide variety of creative programming including Yoga, Dance, Theatre, Music, Art and so much more.  If your child is interested in pursuing a creative pastime, this is the place for it!  They’ll have plenty of fun activities to choose from, and can even dabble in fitness classes and the sciences.  When coupled with art and music, children’s knowledge of math and science is said to improve immensely! Local Performing Arts Venues If you’re looking to support local community theatre and professionally organized plays, musicals, foreign and independent cinema, and stand up comedy then you can book a ticket or two, or even a group visit, to one of these wonderful venues: Genesee Theatre in Waukegan The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire Catlow Arts Center in Barrington James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake Groton Communtiy Center in Lake Forest CenterStage in Lake Forest in Gorton Community Center Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake Adler Arts Center in Libertyville Lake County Symphony Orchestra in Zion The Lake County Folk Club in Grayslake Three Brothers Theatre in Waukegan North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie Did you know that our great state of Illinoois was and still is home to many great Playwrights in America?  With your support of the local performing arts centers, patronage at dramatic arts and music classes, and The Arts in our local schools, you may even be fostering the creative minds of our future who one day may top this list!  Check out some of these notable names of local arts fame: Sam Shepard was from Fort Sheridan Lorraine Hansberry is from Chicago David Alan Mamet is from Chicago Adam Rapp is from Chicago

All of the lovely sunshine and incoming warmer weather are sure to put a little spring in your step!  So why not harness that energy and head out on an adventure with a unique spin on walking tours and sightseeing.  Today we’re highlighting great year-round ghost tours you can enjoy in the great state of Illinois! These tours include a little bit of local lore and legend, a crash course in regional history, plenty of fun walking to get you moving and exercising in a fun way, and they’ll even keep your mind busy as you unravel the mystery and myths of each location.  If you’ve got a spooky tour experience of your own, feel free to leave it in the comments on our social media. We may just feature it in a future update! more Halloween is always the top time to visit haunted places, but the ghosts are in town all year round at these exciting destinations. Check out our picks below and who knows, you and your pals may just find your new “ local haunt!” Haunted Conover Square Ghost Tours Conover Square originally was home to an illustrious piano factory, but now it’s home to a number of ghosts and spooky spirits!  The piano factory was in operation until the early 1970s; it later closed down but reopened in the late 70s as a shopping village and marketplace.  With these group and private tours, you can explore part of the building with four haunted floors! Book your ghost encounter tour, private event, or tour here. The Haunted Galena Tour Company On April 29th and 30th at the DeSoto House Hotel, you can sign up to experience the mysterious Haunted Galena Conference 2022. And if you prefer a smaller venue, why not book a tour?  You can choose from the Galena Ghost Walk and hear all of the stories and legends of local haunts, or the Spirits & Spirits Tour to take a visit to 3 different haunted etstablishments and enjoy a themed cocktail at each location, or the Murder & Mayhem tour of the DeSoto House Hotel and listen to history, folklore, and tragic murder mystery. Check out the calendar of upcoming events and group tickets here. Mysterious Mineral Springs This touring agency puts their own unique spin on the average walking haunted tour.  Check out their options for taking a Haunted Tour of Mineral Springs in the afternoon if you’re looking for something a little more casual.  For the paranormal enthusiasts, however, you can step up your game to the next level with private or group tours with Psychic Mediums and Professional Paranormal Investigators Donna and Dave!  You’ll enjoy history lessons and sightseeing in the daytime, and enjoy late night spooky excursions for your own personal ghost encounter.  This historic landmark market and destination accommodation has something for everyone! Click here to check out their current schedule and private availability. Springfield Hauntings Tour The late, great President Abraham Lincoln once hailed from the town of Springfield, Illinois!  But did you know there’s even more history to explore there? That’s right!  Book a spot on a haunted history walking tour and you can learn everything there is to know about spirits, apparitions, and other spooky stories in Springfield.  Open from April through November , you can enjoy a 2+ hour walking tour of various historic sites in town along with personalized storytelling from a local history buff! Click here to put a unique spin on history with your pals on a tour.

Road Trip season is upon us and we’re ready for long days on the open road and long nights by the open fire kicking back and relaxing with friends.  Grab your best buddies and let’s hit the trails for some daytime hiking and bonfire socials over a fire grilled dinner, and wake up refreshed and rejuvenated with campfire brunch! more Today is National Waffle Day, and we’re celebrating with one of our favourite roadside diner treats and campfire breakfasts: delicious, magical, homemade waffles.  We’ll be sharing some of our favourite recipes, tools, tricks for making fluffy treats as well as some of our favourite local spots in the state to enjoy waffles on the way to your next big adventure.  Check it out! Great Campfire Friendly Waffle Makers Make the best campfire waffles of your life with Rome’s 1405 Waffle Iron Steel and Wood Handles.  It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and reasonably priced for the durability!  Makes great regular waffles with deep pockets, making it easy to use boxed mixes with minimal ingredients.  No futzing and fooling with ratios, just easy-peasy and ready in minutes once you pre-heat it on the coals. The NordicWare 15040 Cast Aluminum Belgium Waffle Maker is another excellent waffle maker. Works well on gas camping stoves to give you crisp, fluffy, evenly baked waffles every time!  No need to connect it to a power source or even worry about complicated clean up - you can soak it, wipe it, and you’re ready to rock thanks to its non-stick coating. Terrain’s Cast Iron Waffle Maker is perfect for outdoor fire pits, campfire cooking, and brunch at the beach with your friends!  The long handle makes it easy to cook your breakfast safely, and the sturdy, classic cast iron finish makes it easy to clean up with just soap and water.  Preheat it over the flame or coal grill, pour your batter in, and get to it! If you’re planning on some romantic getaways with your special person, why not step up your romantic game with the Sweetheart Waffle Maker from Victorian Trading Co.  It even comes with a recipe included! The Rome Industries Old Fashioned Waffle Cast Iron Maker is only 6.7” in diameter and it’s perfect for campside cooking. It’s an affordable campfire friendly traditional style wafflemaker. The Texsport Outdoor Cast Iron Waffle Maker is excellent for big, fluffy campfire waffles that cook evenly thanks to the cast iron stand that keeps it steady and flat in the fire.  The convenience of thick wooden handles makes it a sturdy, easy to hold option as well. Breakfast and Brunch Camp Friendly Recipes Campground Cornmeal  Waffles Best Ever Campfire Waffles & Berry Sauce Campfire Cinnamon Roll Waffles Camp Waffles with Caramel Grilled Waffle Treats Campfire Chicken and Waffles Gluten-Free Camping Waffles Easy Camping Breakfast Bacon Egg Ham Waffle Bake Wood Fire Waffles Best Local Breakfast and Brunch Spots for Waffles Around Illinois Emily’s Pancake House in Waukegan Sunset House Restaurant in Waukegan Gojos Cafe & Pancake House in Waukegan Monica’s Diner in Waukegan Bob & Anne’s Restaurant in Waukegan Juan’s Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Waukegan The Point Pancake House in Gurnee Double Yolk Pancake House and Restaurant in Aurora Golden Bear Pancake & Crepery in Alsip Chicago Waffles West Loop Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles The Churro Waffle in Chicago Batter & Berries in Chicago Royalberry Waffle House & Restaurant in Chicago Waffle Company in Vernon Tasty Waffle in Romeoville Crispy Waffle in Shorewood My Waffle FAmily Restaurant in Crest Hill Waffle Pancake House in Chicago Kingsberry Waffle House in Flossmoor Egg Harbor Cafe in Chicago Stax Cafe in Chicago Stray Hen Cafe in Elmhurst Elly’s on Milwaukee in Chicago Egg Yolk Cafe in West Chicago D-Boe’s Chicken and Waffles in Decatur Butterfields in Oak Brook Eggsclusive Cafe in Sycamore