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Today is National Hugging Day, and with the pandemic in swing, we realize this may not be the easiest holiday to celebrate for everyone, but if you’re able, give your loved ones a hug and let them know you care! (Don’t forget to hug your pets, too!)  And if you can’t see your loved ones for whatever reason, we’re here to share some great ways you can “hug” your community and show them you care! Today we’re highlighting a wonderful local charity who needs your help providing not just hugs but safety and security to our local community here in Lake County.  Additionally, we’ve got a short list of more ways you can help local organizations and individuals. more We Support COOL Ministries, and so can you: COOL Ministries is a not for profit charitable organization serving families in Illinois.  Founded by members of six Lutheran Churches, the organization first opened its doors to the community in 1983 with its inaugural COOL Food Pantry project.  They opened an additional location in 2007, COOL Pantry West, in Ingleside by way of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, which remained in operation through 2018. COOL pantry provides local families and veterans with breakfast, lunch, and dinner; they also provide accommodations for cardiac and diabetic diets, as well as options for those with allergies, and a wide array of ethnic food offerings. Since 2015, COOL Ministries is now a fully recognized social services organization run by the COOL Board of Directors who put their heart and soul into their work.  In 2016, after 30 years of operation out of a storefront in downtown Waukegan, headquarters relocated operations to a beautiful facility downtown at the Glen Flora Building on West Glen Flora Avenue. The COOL pantries receive an immense amount of community support from everyone here in Lake County; everyone from churches to individuals to the United Way of Lake County, and incredible grant funding and corporate donations.  We are also proud to count ourselves in the midst of those who support the efforts of COOL Ministries as they help local families and veterans find their footing on stable ground!  The support for COOL Ministries and the COOL Pantries is as diverse as the beautiful community we all love, work, and live in. Please, join us in supporting our community by helping raise funds and collecting donation items for COOL ministries from this list: Other fantastic ways you can support your community: Donate your time and physical presence to helping stock food pantries or serve meals Give blood at local blood banks or blood drives Ask if your employer will contribute a “gift match” to your personal donation When shopping on Amazon, set http://Smile.Amazon.com as your homepage Create care packages for the local homeless population and distribute, or bring to warming stations around the city. Collect gently used toys, books, and clothing in good condition which has been laundered and folded neatly, and bring them to a local family shelter or to warming stations around town. Donate or volunteer at events with other local charities and nonprofits: American Cancer Society in Lincolnshire, IL Barrington Area Community Foundation in Barrington, IL Beyond Sports Foundation in HIghland Park, IL Hands of Hope Foundation in Barrington, IL Jac Education Foundation in Highland Park, IL Jewish Council for Youth Service in Ingleside, IL Lake Forest Open Land Association in Lake Forest, IL Save a Star Drug Awareness Foundation in Highland Park, IL United Service Organizations in Great Lakes, IL (And many, many more!) And of course, all of us here at Classic Auto Group send a comforting virtual hug to you all in thanks for your support and dedication to building a better community!

Pardon our cheesy demeanor, but we’re a little excited today.  We’re celebrating National Cheese Day with an awesome list of local cheesemongers who have everything you need to make delectable dairy treats. Whether you’re cooking up a feast to take to tailgating parties, or you’re hosting a race-day party at home, we’ve got lots of ways for you to prep this delightful dairy food, whether it’s diced, sliced, fried, or fondue’d! more Image via Kia Grab your favourite cheeses for a wine-and-cheese dinner at home with your friends, or grab some sharp cheeses and delectable bites for a fondue or charcuterie for a race day party! And if we may be so bold as to boast, we’re really thrilled with our proximity to the great state of Wisconsin, home to the “cheeseheads” of Green Bay, as well as some of the country’s top dairy farms and cheese shops. 5 Cheesy Fun Facts About Wisconsin’s Dairy Industry 90% of the milk made in Wisconsin gets turned into cheese, equating to over 2.8 billion pounds of this dairy delight! There are over one dozen cheese-themed festivals in Wisconsin Wisconsin is home to nearly 100 cheese production facilities More than one million cows call Wisconsin home, which equates to 1 cow for every 5 people living in this great dairy state. The average American citizen eats over 25 pounds of cheese per calendar year We love shopping locally at neighbouring businesses, and that’s why we’re sharing our picks for great local cheese mongers and delis in Southern Wisconsin, Waukegan, and the Greater Chicago Area that you can support with your patronage.  And check out our picks for great recipes to share with your friends. Top Notch Cheesemongers and Shops That Are Worth the Drive Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, WI Tim & Tom’s Cheese in Kenosha, WI Wisconsin Cheese Mart in Milwaukee, WI The Village Cheese Shop in Wauwatosa, WI Fromagination in Madison, WI The Cheese Box in Lake Geneva, WI Highfield Farm Creamery in Walworth, WI Wildmer’s Cheese Cellars in Theresa, WI Beautiful Rind in Chicago, IL Great American Cheese Collection in Chicago, IL Augusta Food and Wine in Chicago, IL Rogers Park Provisions in Chicago, IL Provisions Uptown in Chicago, IL Schaefer’s Wines, Foods & Spirits in Skokie, IL Vintages Cheese Shop in Arlington Heights, IL Movie Night and Race Day Recipes to Share with Friends Impress your friends with these great cheese centric tailgating recipes if you bring your grill, crockpot, or other portable warming stations. And if you’re spending the day at home watching our recommendations for car themed movies, or watching a televised Formula 1 or NASCAR race, you’re going to need lots of snacks to nosh on!   No matter how you slice it, these are some great shareable recipes featuring delectable dairy delights: Brown Eyed Baker’s Game Day Dip Just a Pinch Blog’s Chili Game Day Cheese Dip Lane’s BBQ Blog’s Game Day Pretzels and Beer Cheese Kingsford’s Game Day Grilled Cheese Sliders Old House to New Home’s Mini Mac & Cheese Bites Fountain Avenue Kitchen’s Cheesy Game Day Charcuterie Board Dinner at the Zoo’s Cheese Fries with Bacon America’s Test Kitchen’s Kid Friendly Cheese Quesadillas Meg’s Every Day Indulgence Blog’s Four Cheese Flatbread Tasty.co’s Cheese-Stuffed Burger Bomb Sliders Make Joshua Weissman’s Super Cheesy Homemade Deep Dish Pizza for a taste of Chicago right at home: And check out this fun video from celebrity chef and talk show host Rachel Ray featuring 5 NASCAR drivers as they race for the perfect cheeseburger!

Celebrating National Movie Day with Movies That Feature Great Stunt Car Driving and Getaway Scenes We’re celebrating National Movie Day with some of our favourite movies about cars that you can stream or rent right now!  So grab a big ol’ bowl of popcorn and add these exciting flicks to your queue. more But first, here’s some super fun facts about Stunt Car Drivers in Hollywood: Salary for a stunt car driver ranges wildly from a mere $10,000 all the way to a whopping $250,000+, but the average salary usually falls somewhere between $45,000 and $115,000. Most stunts are performed in a controlled environment, thanks to cooperation with location authorities.  Professional filmmaking ventures will arrange with city officials to shut down roadways, bridges, or highways in order to film. Nearly all vehicles used in motion picture stunts are modified with heavy reinforcements to the car’s frame to avoid crumpling or damage upon impact, and prevent death or injury to the stunt driver.  Many of them include a roll cage as well as using heavier steel construction.  Other modifications include overriding the car’s inherent safety features such as driver assist, traction control, and other computerized correction precautions.  In addition, the drivers are outfitted with safety suits and helmets in case of collision or other mishaps. Many stunt cars, such as the ones in the Fast and Furious Franchise have been modified to fit camera rigs in the rear or front of the vehicle to provide a birds-eye view of the action, and to help with in-cabin shots of the stars for added realism.  Other cars, such as the ones used in Mad Max: Fury Road, are outfitted with crane rigs which hold a steady-cam that gives them a 360 degree view of all the action as the cars are in motion.  Before technological advancements which allowed for this modification, camera crews and directors often followed the action by motorcycle or adjacent car riding alongside! Check out our picks for great movies about the automotive industry and featuring some of the best stunt driving in Hollywood! Getaway Starring Ethan Hawke and Selena Gomez Streaming on: Hulu, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, Google Play and Youtube. Retired race car driver Brent Magna is now racing against the clock to save his wife, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious, nefarious criminal.  Brent is forced to drive all around the city by this faceless villain as the criminal directs him to each destination via phone.  This movie features an impressive lack of CGI, relying entirely on practical effects and performance stunt driving skills.  Although the plot leaves a little something to be desired, it’s filled to the brim with top tier action and escapism. Watch the Trailer here: The French Connection Starring Gene Hackman Streaming on Hulu, AppleTV, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and GooglePlay Considered to be a classic entry in cinematic history, this story follows New York City narcotics detective “Popeye” Doyle as he and his officer partner attempt to take down an international crime ring.  Together they chase down a drug smuggler importing Heroin from overseas into the US. Watch the trailer here: American Factory A Documentary Streaming on Netflix. This Oscar-winning documentary covers the day to day operations, successes, and setbacks of a new factory opened in the shell of a once-defunct General Motors Factory after its purchase by a Chinese billionaire and businessman.  An in depth look at the growing technology industry and the working-class individuals who power the movement.  Portions of this presentation are in English and Chinese with subtitles. Watch the trailer here: Gran Torino Starring Clint Eastwood Streaming on: HBO Max, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, Google Play, Youtube, Vudu Korean War Veteran and Retired Automotive Worker Walt Kowalski spends most of his days as a bigoted recluse, but things begin to change after he stands up to a street gang on behalf of a local teenager who attempts to steal his car.  Kowalski is forced to examine his perspectives and begins to understand they may have more in common than he realizes in this heartfelt drama. Watch The Trailer: Drive Starring Ryan Gosling Streaming on: Tubi, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Youtube, AppleTV, Google Play Gosling stars as a man who is a Hollywood stunt car driver by day, and a getaway driver for hire at night for some of the city’s most nefarious criminals.  Although he has steadfast rules against participating in the activities of his clients, circumstances get the best of him and he gets a little in over his head in this intense drama/thriller. Watch The Trailer:

Shopping for a vehicle isn’t generally a part of our day-to-day routine, and not even our weekly or monthly ones!  So it stands to reason most folks may not be familiar with all of the new lingo and terminology for the automotive industry.  That’s why we’re bringing you a helpful guide to understanding all things automotive with the Classic Auto Group Decoder!  Learn the tips and tricks of the trade from the experts in the field, and you’ll be very prepared for your next sale or purchase. more Today we’re going to explore Automatic Transmissions! Automatic transmission A transmission that uses a torque converter, planetary gearset and clutches or bands to automatically change a vehicles gears. Automatic transmission bands In an automatic transmission, adjustable circular straps lined with a friction material which are actuated to tighten around and stop the rotation of a drum as part of the shifting process. Automatic transmission cooler hoses Flexible tubes that carry transmission fluid to and from a heat exchanger or oil cooler. Automatic transmission filter A component in most automatic transmissions that is fitted over the fluid intake, usually in the pan, that prevents debris and other contaminants from circulating throughout the transmissions inner workings and potentially causing unnecessary wear or damage. Some transmissions use a reusable metal or nylon mesh-type screen in place of a disposable filter. Automatic transmission fluid The fluid used for lubricating and cooling an automatic transmission. A car’s transmission is a vital part of your vehicle’s operation system, and one of the most important components.  It is a gearbox containing gears and gear-trains which provide power from your car’s engine to the wheels, and prevents the car from overheating and reaching max velocity..  If you want to visualize this process more simply, think of a bicycle’s gear and chain pulley system which moves its wheels in synchronization, and ensures they move at the same rate of speed. The transmission helps ensure that the engine is spinning at the right rate, transferring the correct amount of power to the wheels, and it changes gears depending on how far you push down on the accelerator pedal.  It regulates the engine’s RPM to avoid overloading the engine and also to decrease your fuel consumption, allowing you to regulate your vehicle’s energy.  Driving slowly with an automatic transmission means your car is operating in a lower gear; accelerating will switch the car into a higher gear, and thus rotating the wheels faster. The transmission directs the vehicle to idle when its wheels are not in motion by disconnecting the engine from the drive wheels. Automatic transmissions feature a computer-operated clutch that contains special sensors and processors to monitor your vehicle’s speed, directing the actuator to operate the clutch based on your speed and how hard you press on the accelerator.  Many drivers prefer automatic transmissions due to their ease of use, and the lack of multi-tasking required while driving.  If you listen carefully while you drive, you can notice when the automatic transmission’s mechanisms switch into another gear as you drive. The easiest way to monitor your transmission is by checking the fluid, which should be a bright red color; dark red or brown tinted fluid indicates it’s time for a flush and fluid change.  For those cars with a sealed transmission, there are a few sounds and sensations to look out for. If you notice that your car is having a rough time switching gears and you feel a slight pop sensation as it switches gears, or you notice that it is delayed in shifting gears while accelerating or decelerating, these are common signs your vehicle may need a service call with an experienced transmission.  Likewise if you notice any grinding, squealing, or a burning smell while shifting gears during your drive, these also point to a need for troubleshooting. Call one of our experienced service technicians today to schedule an appointment!

Today’s blog is focusing on transportation and automotive themed projects for kids of all ages.  We know that parenting during a pandemic can be quite a challenge, and equally so for our young scholars.  So we thought it would be a delightful idea to spread a little happiness and joy along with a bit of education.  These projects are excellent STEM/STEAM related opportunities to get creative, foster independent learning, and inspire young minds to think “outside the box.” more You’ll find solo projects and teamwork based options, giving you a little flexibility in play style and learning methods.  Each workshop or project is  either good for keeping young ones busy while you work on things during the day, or a bit of togetherness time for weekends and evenings or breaks in the day.  It’s a multipurpose blog post today!  Feel free to suggest your own activities and we may include them in a future blog roundup. TamingLittleMonsters.com has three different physics related experiments and projects to inspire the physicist in your midst!  The projects are delightful, and your children will be so engaged they won’te ven realize they’re learning the fundamentals of a scientific field.  Inspire those free thinkers to get creative in problem solving.  Each one lists the materials you’ll need to get started. Lifeovercs.com has an excellent Transportation Activities unit ready to go.  You can engage children in preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary school ages with these activities.  From Math to Literacy to Arts and Crafts, it’s a full STEAM ahead list of engaging hands-on ideas. Keep preschoolers interested in play and increasing their motor skills and independent play with some of these excellent activities from Preschoolactivitiesnook.com ! It’s a great option for kiddos who are home from preschool or daycare and are missing the engagement with their peers.  There are 5 daily lessons that can be done with a sibling or an adult, as well as on their own for exploration. Stirthewonder.com offers an excellent lesson using straws, wooden beads, and a little artistic creativity to create wind powered cars!  Kids will learn a little science, fine art skills, and improve motor skills.  Great for kids in preschool and early elementary school to do on their own, but would make a wonderful sibling-and-me project for older tweens/teens to do with smaller kids. KiwiCo kits are an excellent idea to engage young learners and encourage them to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.  You can subscribe for a few months at a time, and kits will automatically ship to your doorstep.  You can find projects for just about any age from from infant to toddler, early elementary, middle school, and beyond.  The company offers “Koala Crates” “Kiwi Crates” “Atlas Crate” “Doodle Crate” options!

We admire the thrifty car owner who prefers to mind their budget with a purchase of pre-owned cars, but we know it does mean forgoing some modern amenities.  Well, there’s good news!  You can now have your cake and eat it, too!  Spruce up your older model vehicles or pre-owned cars by bringing them into the 2020s with these amazing high-tech gadgets at affordable prices!  We’ve got great ways to add heated seats, digital security, and even wireless audio options.  As an added bonus, we’ve also included some great safety gear for a bit of “DIY Roadside Assistance.” more Check it out on today’s post!  And as always, feel free to suggest your own recommendations in a comment on our blog or social media. This Car Cushion with Massage and Heat is perfect for winter weather travel and commuting in inclement weather.  You’ll stay warm and comfortable no matter how long you’re stuck on the road in weather conditions.  Plus, it’s a great stress reliever and relaxation tool so you can arrive at your destination comfortably and calmly. Get yours here under $100! Be prepared or ANY situation with this all-in-one multitool for car emergencies by The Sharper Image.  It’s perfectly sized to fit in the side pockets of your doors, the center console, or the glove compartment.  It’s got an easy to read digital gauge on the side for tire pressure, too! Get yours here for under $100! These fabulous portable DVD Players mount to the headrests of your car to bring a little “in flight entertainment” to all your passengers, even if there’s no infotainment system. They’ll last on a charge for about 2-3 hours if both in use simultaneously, or you can get one solitary 5hour charge with one powered off.  Either way, it’s great for kids to give a limited screen time option in between car-games! Get it here for under $200! One you’ve vacuumed up the grit and crud from the hard to reach places and upholstery, you can give your car a full cleaning with this detailing tool from Sharper Image. It has multiple attachments to thoroughly clean every inch of the surfaces inside the cabin and trunk. Get yours here for under $200! Survival Supply has fantastic All-In-One kits for Winter Weather car safety and emergencies.  You’ll find a portable shovel, flares, work gloves, a utility knife, and more.  Makes a great kit for teenagers and younger drivers, and for those who commute frequently. Get yours here under $100! If your car doesn’t have a sentry recording style alert system, you can keep your property and your loved ones safe with this affordable Dash Cam model. It's great for those who park in the street or public areas thanks to its Night Vision, Three Way Camera, and 24 Hour Parking Mode. Get yours here under $300! The Anker Bluetooth Receiver turns just about any smartphone or music player into a wireless carplay device, even if you only have an AUX hookup!  Say goodbye to tangles of wires and messy cords by plugging this into the AUX jack in your car’s stereo.  Connect via the phone’s wireless menus and then cue up your favourite tuns on the streaming app of your choice. Get it here for under $50. The SHEROX Heads Up Display is a great tool to modernize your vehicle and keep your eyes ahead of you on the road. It projects your speed/RPM and other metrics on your windshield so you can stay focused and up-to-date! Get yours here under $100!

Kia America News Release Fast-Growing Kia Beats Previous Annual Sales Record Set in 2016 by 8.3-Percent; Sales of Kia’s Hybrid and Battery-Electric Vehicles Nearly Doubled Year-Over-Year more Kia America announced December sales of 48,506 units, pushing the company’s annual total past the 700,000 mark for the first time in company history. Kia’s 2021 performance represents a 20-percent increase over last year with five of the brand’s most popular sedan, SUV and crossover models – Forte, Niro EV, Seltos, Sportage and Telluride – reaching all-time annual sales records. In addition, 2021 saw a big jump in demand for Kia’s hybrid and battery-electric vehicles, sales of which were up 97-percent year-over-year. “Announcing best-ever annual sales is always a moment of pride, but for Kia to reach such heights in light of the ongoing pandemic and supply chain issues clearly illustrates the strength of our product line-up and the demand we have created for the Kia brand throughout 2021,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America.  “With arrival of the all-new, all-electric EV6 and all-new Sportage in the first half of 2022, it is clear we are ‘firing on all cylinders…and battery cells.’” In addition to sales, December saw a number of significant announcements coming from the brand, including: The Telluride SUV named “Edmunds Top Rated SUV” for the third consecutive year The Kia Telluride and Seltos SUVs announced as repeat category winners of Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards, marking three years in a row for Telluride (Best 3-Row Midsize SUV) and two for Seltos (Best Subcompact SUV) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifying a maximum all-electric range (AER) of 310 miles for the 2022 Kia EV6 when equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive The Telluride SUV and Carnival MPV received The Car Connection’s annual “Best Car To Buy” awards with Telluride taking “Best Family Car To Buy 2022” and Carnival as “Best Minivan To Buy 2022.” Kia America: Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America. MONTH OF DECEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE Model 2021 2020 2021 2020 Rio 2,800 2,052 31,362 23,927 Forte 8,639 7,119 115,929 84,997 K5/Optima 5,505 6,053 92,342 80,140 Cadenza N/A 129 249 1,265 Stinger 918 904 13,517 12,556 K900 N/A 33 85 305 Soul 3,987 5,446 75,126 71,862 Niro 2,448 1,534 26,192 17,434 Seltos 3,053 6,107 51,368 46,280 Sportage 6,034 7,915 94,601 84,343 Sorento 6,490 5,415 81,785 74,677 Telluride 7,519 9,824 93,705 75,129 Carnival/Sedona 1,113 1,233 25,155 13,190 Total 48,506 53,764 701,416 586,105

Not everyone is home for the holidays. Or even home at all. Join us in helping our local veterans this season. Next time you shop - think of vets in need & pick up some extras. more How to Help: 1. Donate money at coolministries.org/veterans-assistance/ 2. Donate time at coolministries.org/volunteer-opportunities/ 3. Donate essentials at 800 W. Glen Flora Avenue, Waukegan 10am - 2pm M-F

Shopping for a vehicle isn’t generally a part of our day-to-day routine, and not even our weekly or monthly ones!  So it stands to reason most folks may not be familiar with all of the new lingo and terminology for the automotive industry.  That’s why we’re bringing you a helpful guide to understanding all things automotive with the Classic Auto Group Decoder!  Learn the tips and tricks of the trade from the experts in the field, and you’ll be very prepared for your next sale or purchase. more Today we’re discussing all things environmentally friendly, and covering alternative fuel and energy sources, and defining PZEV/ZEV in layman's terms.  Check it out! AT-PZEV Advanced technology-partial zero emission vehicle. An emissions standard that meets PZEV requirements and has additional zero-emissions characteristics, such as operation by natural gas or hybrid vehicle batteries. DUAL-MODE HYBRID A hybrid vehicle with two different drive systems, referred to as Modes. In the first mode the vehicles runs solely on an electric motor powered by the vehicles battery system. When the electric-only mode is low on power, or during harder acceleration and faster speeds, a gasoline engine mode will initiate. The second Mode uses a gasoline engine to help power the vehicle and recharge the electrical system batteries. EMISSIONS SCORE A score from zero to 10 given by the EPA to each new vehicle that represents the amount of total emissions produced during a laboratory driving simulation of the vehicle. GAS/ELECTRIC HYBRID ENGINE A powertrain that combines an electric motor and a gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine. PZEV Partial zero emission vehicle. A vehicle that has zero evaporative emissions and meets the EPA?s SULEV standard. ZEV Zero emission vehicle. The most restrictive emissions standard. Learn more about Environmentally Friendly Vehicles from Kia and Toyota by clicking here! Got a word or term in the automotive industry you’d like to learn more about? Let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to decode it in a future post.

Let’s Hit the Road, Baby: Great Gizmos for Traveling with Infants and Newborns We’ve been publishing a lot of travel guides and travel blogs over the last few months, so we thought it was high time we included a great travel gear post, too!  The avid globetrotter has more than likely got their own system of checks and balances when it comes to packing up luggage, preparing for flights and car rentals, and booking hotels or excursions.  But when you a child or two in the mix, things can start to unravel quickly. more When traveling with little ones, there’s infinitely more bags to pack, more toiletries to remember, and certainly more people to keep happy and entertained.  But don’t you fret, yet!  We understand the anxieties of parenting, and that is why we’re here to help ease a few of the pains and woes of traveling with little ones.  You’ll love our handy-dandy  guide to great road-trip and travel worthy gadgets for babies and newborns. We’ve got everything you need to make road trips with your offspring a real breeze.  Check it out! And if you’ve got a hot tip on tools for traveling parents, please be sure to let us know in a comment or on social media. We would love to feature your input on a future blog post! Great Gear for Traveling with Little Ones The Chico KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is an excellent option for safety, convenience, and style when traveling with your smallest, most precious cargo.  It has 10 different colour ways, comes with a SuperCinch Latch for easy installation, and you can opt for a Zip-Extend canopy feature for sun and weather.  It’s easy to clean, and has removable newborn head and body supports.  It will grow with your family as your baby grows!  Best of all it’s under $300, which makes it easy on the wallet. Grab one here! Protect your car’s new upholstery with this convenient seatsaver cover from Buy Buy Baby.It’s easy to clean, a cinch to install, and conveniently priced at under $30, too.  It has 3 colorways for your choice of contrasting or blending with your interior. Get it here. Sure, the ideal situation is always to have an adult riding in the backseat with the baby, but busy parents sometimes need a little help.    Modern Parenting problems?  Meet modern parenting solutions!  The Itomoro Baby Car Mirror is a fantastic modern option for monitoring your baby in the backseat. It has daytime and night time modes to accommodate all travelers!  Aim this pocket sized web-cam at your kiddo in the back, and mount the monitor to the dashboard.  It’s the safest way to keep your eyes forward while also keeping your little ones safe.  And because it’s priced under $50 that means it’s friendly for new-parent budgets, too! Grab one here before they’re gone! This incredible diaper bag folds from backpack out into a full changing station.  It’s a three in one bassinet, changing table, and storage bag.  Also functions as a USB charging station for on the go convenience.  What parent doesn’t appreciate the heck out of a multipurpose carry-all item?  If you’re taking your kids on the road, this is going to be an indispensable part of your traveling gear. Get it today right here; comes in multiple colors. The Me4Kidz Medipro All Purpose First Aid Kit has over 100 items in a handy reusable container!  It’s portable, convenient, and practical.  It’s colorful and easily organized and great sized for shoving into luggage or diaper bags, or even the backseat pockets. You can grab it on amazon for under $10! This is a fantastic way to hold onto wet clothes, dirty diapers, or other icky articles without mussing up your purse or satchel.  It’s the perfect on-the-go roadside option until you can get to a garbage bin or a washing machine.  The Planet Wise Small Wet Bags come in multiple colours to match any look, but no matter what pattern you pick they’ll still have the same trustworthy qualities. Grab them today under $15! The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light is worth every single penny spent.  It is lightweight, portable, sturdy, safe, and reliable.  Take your pick of three different colour options, and purchase it as a kit with a fitted crib sheet or on its own.  It is light as a feather which makes it a wonderful option for fitting into luggage or carrying to the beach or popping up for rest-stop naps.  It’s comfortable, portable, and easily washable too! Check it out for under $350 here.

Going green is all the rage, and we fully support it all: from EVs and Hybrids to Solar and Renewable energy and fuel.  There’s so many ways we can all do our part for the environment.  And it’s a good thing that today is National Houseplant Day, because that gives us one more reason to celebrate green living!  Houseplants are not only good for your personal environment, but they’re a great gateway to learning how to garden.  We think you’ll find that potted houseplants are a great source of inspiration for better living, and that’s just one of  their amazing traits! more Check out our picks for great local greenhouses and plant shops to support, and even some fun tips for growing plants in your car.  You can even check out some of the audio books we’ve selected on gardening to keep your green thumb more verdant than ever! Local Area Businesses to Support for Plant Shopping Larsen Florists & Greenhouses Plant House Mary’s Greenhouse Paquesi Home & Gardens Balmes Flowers Gurnee Country Gardens Garden Center Horvat’s Garden Center & Gift Shop Lurvey Landscape Supply Buss Flower Shop Escazu Nursery Reds Garden Center & Fireplace Logs Roots & Shoots Plant Shop Countryside Flower Shop & Nursery Windy City Garden Center Mini Earth Greenhouses Sprout Home City Escape Garden Center and Design Studio Plant Shop Chicago Adams & Son & Daughter Gardens Vedas Plant Shop The Sill Chicago Coach House Plants Gethsemane Garden Center Semillas Plant Studio The Succulent City According to scientific research, including studies done by NASA, house plants can help reduce toxins and improve air quality!  That’s right they’re not only beautiful but they’re useful as well.  Grab some for your home, office, and even your car to freshen up that stale air.  We’ve got a list of options you can look for at your local shops below: Air Purifying Houseplants Barberton Daisies English Ivy Snake Plants Aloe Vera Broad Lady Palm Red Edged Dracaena Weeping Fig Chinese Evergreen Pothos aka Devils Ivy Rubber Plants Flamingo Lillies Kimberly Queen Ferns Peace Lillies Philodendron Calathea ZZ Plants The Surprising Indoor Spot That’s Perfect for Houseplants Adding plants to your home, office, or even your garage can really perk up the environment.  But that’s not the only indoor environment in which plants can thrive!  Did you know that you can even keep plants in your car if the conditions are right?  Yes that’s right!  There’s a few easy tips to follow to ensure that your little greenery pal stays safe and sound.  Check them out: Place your plant in a stable spot in your vehicle.  The cupholder is a great option so you don't spill dirt inside your nice new car. Place a thermometer in your car to monitor the temperature and decide when you should take your plant indoors for some TLC. Choose a sturdy breed of plant: Pothos, snake plants, lucky bamboo, hearty succulents like echeveria. Choose plants which love a warm, sunny environment to ensure that you make use of those sunny parking spaces. Help keep the temperature regulated on hot or humid days by keeping your car window cracked.  Not only will this be more comfortable for you to drive in later, but it’ll keep your plants from overheating and drying out. Water your plants at the end of the day when you get home from work using your leftover water bottle from that day. Check out this fun car gear with plant themed aesthetics: Cactus Car Decorations for the Dashboard Faux Succulents for Car Daisy Themed Vent Clips Monstera Tropical Leaf Print Car Seat Covers Colorful Floral and Plant Themed Car Floor Mats Audio Books About Gardening to Listen to On Your Next Road Trip Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening Stay Grounded: Soil Building for Sustainable Gardens Easy-Growing Gardening Series Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education

Great Roadtrip Worthy Skiing Destinations Winter is here and it’s the prime time to hit the slopes!  Bundle up and get ready to embark on some great winter sports adventures, because today’s blog is all about great destinations for skiing, snowboarding, sledding and more.  From Illinois to Wisconsin to Indiana, we’ve selected some fabulous destinations for road-tripping with your family and friends over the winter season.  Grab some season passes or book a weekend getaway for some fresh mountain air. The choice is yours and the possibilities for fun are endless! more Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports Ski School in Lisle, Illinois With ski areas open to all ages and skill levels, Four Lakes Alpine has been operating for over 60 seasons and is home to some of the top downhill skiing and snowboarding trails in the area.  It’s got gorgeous panoramic views of the snow-covered mountains, too!  You can’t beat it as a great winter vacation destination. Where to Stay: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotels Lisle, Arborhouse Naperville-Lisle, Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk, Sleep Inn Oakbrook Terrace, Aloft Bolingbrook, Inn At Water’s Edge Where to Eat: Raymes Steak & Fish House, NWB Next Whiskey Bar Lisle, The Bavarian Lodge, Manna Kitchen, Evviva! Bar & Eatery, Apolis Greek Street Food, Stillin’s Neighbourhood Pub & Grill, Yerbabuena Mexican Cuisine, Taco Dale Lisle, Wheatstack, JR’s Place Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort in Wilmot, Wisconsin Operating since 1938, this family friendly resort has been a pinnacle vacation destination for Midwestern folks.  You’ll find skiing, snowtubing, and snowboarding on 120 acres with 25 trail options.  For days when the weather is less than favorable, their state-of-the-art snowmaking machines pump out the best of the best for modern snow conditions. Where to Stay: Dragonfly Bed and Breakfast, Best Western Executive Inn Wilmot, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, The Geneva Inn, Seven Oaks Bed & Breakfast, Hampton Inn & Suites Kenosha Where to Eat: Wilmot Stage Shop, The Wilmot Riverside, Wisconsin Style Barbecue, Roof & Bricks Bar & Grill, KC’S Cabin, Pizza Time Villa Olivia in Bartlett, Illinois No matter if you’re into skiing or snowboarding, there’s something exciting in store for you at Villa Olivia!  Sign up for some of the guided classes and learn something new, or head right to the lift if you’re ready to rock!  Passes are available for regular visits, too.  Check the website for regular updates on weather conditions, but with state of the art snow-making things should be ski-ready at a moments notice even if Mother Nature won’t cooperate. Where to Stay: Country Inn & Suites, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Extended State America, Hampton Inn & Suites Where to Eat: McMae’s Tavern & Grill, Pietanza’s, Elly’s Mexican Tacos, Ambrosia Greek Eatery, One Twenty Live, Bovino Lounge Fusion, Straight Flush Restaurant, Ray’s Family Restaurant, La Taqueria Inc Authentic Mexican Food Chicago Snow Studio Ski SChool in Chicago, IL Mountain Top Ski & Adventure Center at Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI Tucked away in the countryside and nestled in the snow covered hills around Lake Geneva is the Mountain Top Ski & Adventure Center.  It’s one of the top rated ski resorts in the region, with plenty of fun to be had from skiing to snowboarding and then some!  There’s lots of opportunities for young enthusiasts to learn the ins-and-outs of skiing, too.  And don’t worry, if you’re an adult who needs to learn the ways of the slopes, you’ll be well at home here with their beginner lessons for all ages.  There’s even skating and sledding available for those who are averse to sliding down mountains at breathtaking speeds. Where to Stay: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, The Abbey Resort, Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva, The Geneva Inn, Mill Creek Hotel, The Ridge Hotel, The Belfry House Where to Eat: Ristorante Brissago, The ChopHouse, Grand Café, Links Bar and Grill, Smokey’s  Bar-B-Que House, Cuoco Pazzo Eatz & Drinkz, Lake GEneva Pie Co, Next Door Pub & Pizzeria Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL This ski resort has got it all!  Whether you’re looking for prime winter sports activities or you prefer watching them in 4K high definition on the big screen at a sports bar, there’s lots to do at Chestnut MMountain Resort.  Plus, it’s even got a great indoor pool and hot tub for warming up with some hot cocoa after a day on the slopes.  There are also great restaurants for dining in and refueling between your downhill runs!  It’s family friendly, but also makes a great getaway for friends or couples looking for a bit of respite. Where to Stay: Chestnut Mountain Resort, Irish Cottage Inn & Suites, DeSoto House Hotel, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Stoney Creek Inn Galena, Greenbriar Country Inn & Suites Where to Eat: Log Cabin Steakhouse, Savory Kitchen, Little Tokyo Restaurant of Galena, Green Street Tavern, Fried Green Tomatoes, Vinny Vanucchi’s, Fritz & Frites Bistro, Embe Eatery and Lounge, Amelia’s Under the Lamplight Dinner Theatre Bonus Round Road Trip Ideas: Wh y not make this the year you visit all 50 states?  Check off a few more on your list with a visit to these great skiing destinations Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, IN Paoli Peaks in Paoli, IN Pokagon State Park in Angola, IN Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area in Jones, MI Cannonsburg Ski Area in Belmont, MI Marquette Mountain Resort in Marquette, MI Bittersweet Ski Resort in Ostego, MI