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The holidays will be here before you know it!  And we thought we’d do a little two-for-one post and celebrate “Go to a Museum Day” along with a creative little gift guide of ideas for unconventional holiday gifts!  You can spread a little bit of holiday spirit and kindle the spirit of creativity at the same time. Whether you choose to gift an art print, a framed original, or some other creation, it’s going to be a memorable present. Or consider “gifting” an experience like a day trip to a museum, theater membership, or even a painting or drawing class.  Check out our suggested destinations to explore! more Museum or theatre memberships can also make a great family gift while also helping support our local arts scene.  Plus, it’s a great way to do a little family bonding and get out of the house so you all can enjoy a change of scenery and exercise your minds. Gifting a Museum Admission Membership or even just a day trip pass can be an unforgettable experience!  Explore history, learn more about arts and culture, and inspire your family and friends to be more creative with unique museums to visit. More Great Museums for Art and History Buffs to Explore Art Institute of Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago Elmhurst Art Museum Cleve Carney Museum of Art WNDR Museum Racine Art Museum The Color Factory Halim Time & Glass Museum The Block Museum The Smart Museum of Art DePaul Museum of Art Bixbee Imagination Station Loyola University Museum of Art The Doctor Seuss Experience Kenosha Public Museum The African American Museum at the England Manor The Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County National Museum of the American Scholar Elawa Farm and Cultural Center Ray Bradbury Experience Museum Grab a paintbrush and let’s paint the town silver and gold with friends new and old, and check out our picks for great art, fun day trips, and creative classes to give to your loved ones!  Take a look at some of the great experiences and artistic shopping options we’ve got for you on today’s blog.  When you shop small, your dollars have a direct impact on the community and your neighbourhood.  Consider purchasing gifts directly from these artists and local galleries, and bringing joy to the holidays in more than one way! Give the Gift of Art Lessons and Creative Experiences Artpie Studio and Gallery Art School Dandelion Gallery & Studio The Jack Benny Center Kapheim Studio of Artist Thom Kapheim Artsonia LLC ArtPark Waukegan Creative Arts Inc of Crystal Lake Adler Arts Center of Libertyville

Today is STEM/STEAM day, and we’ve rounded up some picks for incredible gift giving ideas to inspire young Engineers and Entrepreneurs!  The Arts and “STEAM” programming are a vital part of any person’s well-rounded education.  Without support for STEAM/Arts education, society would truly struggle to advance forward as a society.  It is the strength of the vital bond between science, math, engineering, art, and mathematics that help us create new technologies, find creative solutions to real-world problems, and take incredible leaps in progress!  So let’s all do our part to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in our communities.  Consider gifting some resources or funding to local organizations that provide STEM/STEAM activities for our local community and youth.  Together, we can inspire these bright young minds and work towards a brighter tomorrow! more First up on our list is the Discovery #Mindblown Model Engine STEM Science Kit that lets your up-and-coming engineer and mechanic explore the science and technology behind an automotive engine!  It’s a fantastic, budget-friendly gift for the young inventor in your midst. Stemnex Amazing Steam Engine is an awesome project kit that allows you build a realistic, working steam engine with real steam and whistle action!  It does have quite a few parts, so it’s better suited to older budding engineers or may need additional help from a parent or adult. The FANL Train Set Toy and RC Train allows kids to explore and interact with remote controlled train and build their own track to experiment with the best layout and design. It comes with rechargeable batteries and a water squeeze bottle to create realistic steam action. It’s an introduction to building and engineering, and thinking creatively. KiwiCo kits like this Stereo Headphones box are a great way to get your little learners involved and connect them to the engineering, industrial science, and mathematics behind every day household items!  They’ll love knowing they had a hand in making this themselves when they use it for listening to music or gaming! Gift a Class or Membership t o the young adults and teens in your life at the College of Lake County in Grayslake! The KiwiCo RaceDay kit is perfect for younger engineers to experiment with.  They’ll have an opportunity to build and customize their own balloon cars, and observe different speeds and drive styles!  Additionally, they’ll have fun using the hand-powered air brush for decorating for a full sensory experience! Need an option that spans multiple age groups? Check out these options that will allow friends groups and siblings of all ages to connect with one another! The Ramps and Balls set is perfect for experimenting by using the included wooden balls or experimenting with toy cars, zoomy toys, and wooden train toys as well!  It’s a timeless, classic toy set that allows for plenty of flexible play. The Construction Plank Build-It Kit is a fabulous hands-on introduction to construction, with each little card giving your scholars and engineers an opportunity to problem solve and replicate the item pictured.  Kids can work together to create, or turn it into a game of skill and wits! Leaves lots of room for creativity and open ended play. The Design & Build Engineering Center Kit Set is perfect for open ended play, especially if older siblings want to help little ones!  Perfect for ages 3 to 7, but open ended enough for older kids, too.  Use the kits alone, or combine them to create to your heart’s desire! Sensory play is extremely important for kids of all ages, allowing them to interact with the environment and problem solve in creative ways!  It gives them a tangible experience to process the math, science, and logic of the world around them.  We recommend the Mold & Play Sensory Sand Set, Squish & Squeeze Sensory Beads,  and the Classroom Clay & Dough Designer Tool Kit which works with any play dough or clay!

Today is National Saxophone Day, and we’re highlighting some incredible musicians from the Chicago area that have more than earned their moment in the spotlight.  These great musicians have made their indelible mark on the Chicago music scene, and heavily influenced Chicago Jazz and Blues styles. more Ari Brown is a Chicago based musician and composer who plays tenor saxophone as well as piano.  He’s performed alongside some of the most notable musicians in Jazz history including Lou Rawls, BB King, and Chuck Berry! Fred Anderson is a Chicago based musician and tenor saxophonist known for his mentorship of up-and-coming jazz musicians.  Anderson’s got a long legacy of playing swing music, bebop jazz, and in free jazz movements. He also founded The Velvet Lounge and has become a fixture of the Chicago Jazz Scene. Von Freeman was a bop-style tenor saxophonist with his finger on the pulse of the music industry since the age of 16. He was known for his work playing with the Horace Henderson Group in the 40s.  He became an iconic fixture in the Chicago Jazz scene and truly beloved by Jazz aficionados worldwide, though only achieved notoriety late in his life. Walter Parazaider is a versatile woodwind musician, playing saxophone, flute, and clarinet as well as the guitar.  He’s best known for being a founding member of the Jazz Pop Rock band, Chicago! Gene Ammons was called “The Boss”, and destined to be legendary, being practically born into the music business as the son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons.  Gene Ammons chart-topping, bluesy flavor of tenor saxophone music was heavily rooted in soul and R&B styling. Johnny Griffin was nicknamed “the Little Giant” due to his short height, but that didn’t stop him from climbing the ranks to legendary status!  His huge career began in the 1940s and he played well into the 2000s!  His speed, harmonic acuity, and precise control made him almost untouchable. Looking to enjoy some fine musical stylings this weekend? Check out these locations which offer incredible jazz and blues music and events! Rosa’s Lounge, Logan Square, Chicago Le Piano, Rogers Park, Chicago Harlem Avenue Lounge in Chicago Winter’s Jazz Club in Chicago Jazz Showcase, South Loop, Chicago The Green Mill in Chicago Kingston Mines, Lincoln Park, Chicago Buddy Guy’s Legends, South Loop, Chicago Open Door Repertory Company in Chicago Constellation, Roscoe Village, Chicago Andy’s Jazz Club in Chicago Coco Club, Brighton Park, Chicago

Campaign video evokes Kia’s key message: ‘Inspiration. It’s in all of us.’ Brand to feature Fan-made contents on electronic boards at the stadiums through #KiaInspireTogether campaign Digital content to highlight dreams and inspirations of children participating as Official Match Ball Carriers Kia to provide fleet of eco-friendly vehicles for transport of players, staff and match officials Kia to unveil content emphasizing EV6 GT-line in partnership with FIFA+ (FIFA’s OTT platform) more Kia’s OMBC (Official Match Ball Carrier) campaign for FIFA World Cup 2022™ (SEOUL) October 26, 2022 – Kia has kicked off its global brand campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ by launching several marketing activities associated with the tournament which runs from November 20 th to December 18 th. In alignment with Kia’s key brand message for this year’s World Cup, ‘Inspiration. It’s in all of us,’ Kia will feature a range of initiatives showcasing the brand’s dedication to the sport and its contribution to unite people from all over the world in their belief that their team has a chance of reaching the very top. Every four years, humanity learns that football is not just a sport, it’s a movement. Every shot, every tackle, and every second gives people the belief that they are all capable of great things. To that end, Kia will unveil a campaign hero film featuring daily lives of people who are inspired by the moment of the World Cup on TV and social medial channels including YouTube and Instagram. Plus, the brand will begin a social media campaign, #KiaInspireTogether, encouraging football fans to create own UGC (User Generated Content) showing their passion for their teams. The best UGCs will be used as highlight videos by Kia, and the videos will eventually be showcased through electronic boards at the stadiums. Rafael Nadal, Kia’s Global Brand Ambassador, along with other influencers will also upload videos cheering for their national teams to encourage more fans to take part in this campaign. The Kia EV6 GT, hero car of Kia's brand campaign for FIFA World Cup 2022™ Kia’s OMBC (Official Match Ball Carrier) campaign will highlight the dreams and inspirations of 64 children from about 20 different nations globally, for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of carrying the official match ball to the pitch alongside the players and match officials. In addition, Kia will document the children taking one step closer to realizing their dreams through the OMBC experience and promote their stories through social media. In doing so, the brand will aim not only to enhance the experience of children participating as OMBCs, but also to demonstrate how every single move can become a significant leap towards achieving any life goal. As the official mobility partner, Kia will provide a fleet of vehicles for use during the FIFA World Cup 2022™ to facilitate the safe and convenient mobility of players, referees, management and staff. 297 passenger cars (including Telluride, Sorento, Sportage and Carnival) will be joined by 80 of Kia’s most eco-friendly models (EV6 GT-line, Sorento PHEV and Niro PHEV) as well as 70 buses for this purpose. This will mark the first time for Kia to operate eco-friendly vehicles in the FIFA event. To further elaborate the vehicles, EV6 GT-line is also going to be featured in Kia’s digital content collaborated with FIFA+ (FIFA’s OTT platform), and the content will feature football legends riding an EV6 GT-line and having an interesting talk about the World Cup. The official event vehicles of the FIFA World Cup 2022™ provided by Kia are lined up in front of Al Bayt Stadium Charles Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of Purchase CX Design Sub-division, said, "Kia believes that the FIFA World Cup 2022™ is a huge cultural movement beyond just a sports event. As a FIFA official partner, we are delighted to have this opportunity to deliver special experiences to people around the world who have been exhausted by the long COVID pandemic. Like our campaign message ‘Inspiration, it's in all of us,’ we hope that people of all ages and backgrounds will discover new inspiration in their lives as they watch the exciting moments of the World Cup unfold before their eyes.” Since 2007, Kia has been an official automotive partner of FIFA, providing vehicles from its wide-ranging model line-up to FIFA and FIFA events and boosting its brand recognition through various marketing activities and A-board advertisement in the stadiums. Kia Corporation – about us Kia ( www.kia.com) is a global mobility brand with a vision to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. Founded in 1944, Kia has been providing mobility solutions for more than 75 years. With 52,000 employees worldwide, a presence in more than 190 markets, and manufacturing facilities in six countries, the company today sells around three million vehicles a year. Kia is spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery electric vehicles and developing a growing range of mobility services, encouraging millions of people around the world to explore the best ways of getting around. The company’s brand slogan – ‘Movement that inspires’ – reflects Kia’s commitment to inspire consumers through its products and services. For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com Press Release Information Accuracy DisclaimerInformation posted in press releases on the Kia Media website was accurate at the time of posting but may be superseded by subsequent releases or other information.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we thought we’d share a few of our favorite new recipes for you to make-and-take to family and friends!  And of course, we’ll be sharing some ideas for great transport and storage items to keep your delicious homemade and handcrafted food safe and sound on the journey. You’ll love our list of portable food carriers and containers that are easy to carry, leak resistant, and convenient to heat and eat when you’re ready to serve.  Check it out on today’s blog, and let us know which of these is destined to become your new family Classic! Feel free to share your family’s favorite recipes with us in the comments section. more First up, let’s share some of our picks for great seasonal recipes that work well for harvest dinners and friendsgivings!  There’s something for everyone here on just about every dietary need. Homemade Thanksgiving Recipes Everyone Will Love Butternut Squash Soup from NYT Cooking Crunchy Roasted Za’atar Chickpeas from NYT Cooking Tamarind Spiced Nuts with Mint Autumn Harvest Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette Savory Sweet Potato Bruschetta Lentil Stuffed Butternut Squash Sumac Dry Brined Turkey Roast Maple Brined Roast Turkey Balsamic Oven-Roasted Carrots Easiest Creamiest Mashed Potatoes Ultimate Cornbread Stuffing Best Picks for Food Transport Containers for the Holidays The Williams Sonoma “Hold Everything Insulated Dual Compartment Food Carrier is perfect for transporting multiple dishes.  If you’ve got appetizers, chips and dips, or little desserts, it’ll be great!  Looking to transport two main dishes? It works for that, too! Best of all, there’s a coordinating line of other shapes and sizes to fit all your food transportation needs. The Arctic Zone Expandable Thermal Insulated Food Container comes in two colors, and you can transport your food straight from the oven into this insulated container. It’s the perfect option to keep food hot if you’re perpetually tardy and arrive right at dinner time!  It also works well to keep food chilled, so it’s great for fruit salads, greens salads, and chilled desserts. Keep those pies safe and sound and that crust nice and crispy! This Casserole and Pie Carrier from QCWN is durable, useful, and easy to carry.  It’s the perfect thing for carrying grandma’s classic apple pie Tired of plastic containers getting crushed, stained, and misshapen? We understand! That’s why we’ve found this incredible set of Food Storage items from Caraway. They’re easy to clean, durable, reusable, and nest easily for storage. We love ‘em! The lids also seal tightly to reduce leaks and spills, because no one wants to clean cranberry sauce from car upholstery. Plus, they look gorgeous on the table so you can go right from the car to heat-and-serve without dirtying additional bowls. What could be better than less dishes to wash?! Trying to impress the in-laws? What could be better than a host/hostess gift that’s filled with your contribution to the family dinner! These eco-friendly glass meal prep and transport containers from JazzyJadeDesigns on Etsy are the perfect option. Emblazon them with a sweet family message and the family name, and then bring your holiday snacks! We also love this clever pie plate that’s meant to be left behind and passed through the family or circle of friends.  It also makes a fun little host/hostess gift that can be regifted and reused by way of another pay-it-forward pie delivery. It can be found on Etsy from PellegrinGraphics! Are you an avid home chef and your family caterer? We’re ready to go with this incredible insulated food pan carrier! It’s meant for carrying multiple large capacity containers and keeping them sturdy.  Keeps hot food hot and cold food cold without the need for plugging into electricity or reheating!  Best of all, it is stackable for stability and fits into narrow spaces. We love it!

Welcome to another edition of Classic’s Youtuber Roundup! Where we’re sharing our picks for entertaining car content in the vloggersphere.  It’s one of our favorite pastimes to enjoy vlogs and videos about cars and car related media.  Let us know in the comments what channels you love watching on YouTube so we can check them out, too! more First up is one of our favorite channels, Donut Media, with an absolutely hilarious edition of “Real Mechanic Reacts”!  This time, the team is breaking down some of their most favorite lines from the Fast & Furious Franchise, and asking real professional mechanics to weigh in on realism versus fiction. Sarah-N-Tuned has a fascinating video on the channel about the process of removing muck, gunk, and grime from a vehicle using the dry ice blasting method!  It’s a fascinating process that cleans the car while preserving its original quality through a non-abrasive process.  Check it out! Ken Block and the Hoonigan crew just dropped their latest project “Electrikhana” and it’s a can’t-miss-spectacle of epic proportions.  Check out this incredible one-of-a-kind custom built car hitting a closed track with plenty of neon glow for the cyberpunk energy of your dreams. Get your track cars ready for winter weather and colder temps with these suggestions from RallySport Direct’s latest YouTube video. The Car Care Nut is taking us on a run through of a 20 year old engine of a vehicle that has been well-maintained and cared for over the years.  It’s vital that you continue to service your vehicle and keep up the regular maintenance of tuneups, fluid changes, and bring in for repairs quickly.  This is one beautiful car, folks! If you’re into collecting cars, you might really dig these videos from Hoovies Garage! He’s selling 4 vehicles from his iconic car collection at auctions for a world record price.  We love Hoovies Garage and these fun project cars, and we think you will too. If you’re looking for a reliable used car for a younger or newer driver in the family, check out these recommendations from YouTuber, The Car Wizard.  He’s got a list of 6 super reliable cars and any anticipated service needs he’s experienced as a mechanic for each of them. The crew over at The Smoking Tire has been having a blast buying cheap, gross, dilapidated rides and swapping them into drivable rigs with a little elbow grease. Check out “All Cars Go to Heaven” and see how it went. This one’s from a few years back, but it’s still a super fun watch! Check out the stunt coordinator from Fast Five as he breaks down the car chase scene where Vin and Paul steal a vault.  It’s right here on the Vanity Fair channel:

November is here, and that means it’s time for a brand new Classic Community Calendar!  Let’s check out these beautiful events and plan to spend some family togetherness time before the holiday hustle and bustle hits full swing. We’ve also included a selection of wonderful markets for you to shop small and shop handmade this holiday season. more Beginning on November 2nd and running through January 1st 2023, The Marriott Theatre of Lincolnshire is pleased to announce multiple showings of the musical stage adaptation of “A Christmas Story” for all families to enjoy! Book your tickets today. On November 3rd, the Lake County Film Festival begins its opening night festivities. The event will run through November 14th and include a free short film competition for students. Screenings will be November 4th through 6th and 11th through 14th, with a special closing night feature event. Multiple locations; Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest and CLC in Grayslake. This Friday, November 4th at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, head over from 6PM to 9PM for the Day of the Dead Celebration with vendors and food, giveaways, and special dance performances!  Admission is free. November 4th and 5th at the Orlin Trapp Auditorium in Waukegan, head over at 7PM to grab a ticket to the Fall Play: Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Every week on Friday,s head over to Forty One Fourteen in Waukegan for Music and Karaoke hosted by Monica with MC Jim Swan. The Holiday Bazaar is happening at the Libertyville Civic Center in Libertyville from 10AM to 1PM on November 5th. Saturday, November 5th from 11AM to 4PM you can join in the fun for the annual Rivalry Alehouse Champagne Walk & Brunch event sponsored by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. November 5th and 6th as well as the 12th and 13th at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee head over for 2022 Scream and Shout Bonus Weekends! Start your upcoming new year right with a new job you’re sure to love by logging in on November 7th for the virtual Waukegan Job and Career Fair from 12PM to 3PM sponsored by HireX. November 11th at Reclaimed Artisans Inc in Libertyville is the 5th Annual Ladies Night Holiday Edition market and event! November 12th and 13th is a great time to take the family out to the Deer Park Town Center for Fireworks and Santa’s Arrival! Shop the French Market Holiday Boutique in Lake Forest on November 12th and 13th and enjoy shopping, exploring exhibits, special guests, and activities! November 19th sees the return of the Willow Hill Lights for a second year with even bigger and more festive displays over at the Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook! The Festival of Arts & Crafts is happening at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on November 25th and is the perfect place to find holiday gifts for your friends and family. On November 25th in Grayslake at the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce, head over with the family to enjoy the Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival. The evening of Saturday November 26th in Lehmann Park of Lake Villa, enjoy the Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting event! The Holiday Craft fair is happening on November 26th in Hawthorn Woods at Hawthorn Woods Village Hall and it’s the perfect place to shop locally for unique and handmade holiday gifts. November 26th in Fox Lake is the annual start to the season with the Fox Lake Festival of Lights and parade!

Looking for something fun to do in the area this weekend? We’ve got a great roundup of Halloween events and festive seasonal fun for kids, teens, and adults!  Got an event you think our readers would love? Let us know in the comments or leave a link to your event on our social media post for this blog! more Friday, October 28th, swing on by the Tractor Supply in Antioch for Face Painter/Gore Makeup sessions with professional makeup artist Sue Nolan. Book your slot for a 30 minute session online here. Friday, October 28th from 11AM to 2PM in Libertyville, come on down for a town wide Trick or Treat down Main Street! Friday, October 28th at the Shiloh Center in Zion, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities for the Halloween Trail of Treats from 4PM to 6PM! Saturday, October 29th from 1PM to 2:30PM at Bowen Park, join the Waukegan Park District’s Halloween Trick or Treat Trail event for families!  Come out in costume and meet a seasonal cast of characters along the way while gathering prizes and treats! Saturday, October 29th starting at 12PM, families and kids can enjoy a wonderful afternoon of Halloween crafting and art making at Dandelion Gallery and Studio in Waukegan. Saturday, October 29th from 10AM to 3PM, The Highland Park Public Library is hosting the Halloween Railroad event! Saturday, October 29th through Monday October 31st  is T rick or Treat Weekend at the Lake Bluff Public Library from 10AM to 9PM in Lake Bluff where kids, teens, and adults are all encouraged to attend in costume and stop by the front desk for a treat! Saturday, October 29th at the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce & Industry annual trick or treat event from 11AM to 1PM, everyone is encouraged to come out and trick or treat at the local shops and businesses! Saturday, October 29th is Haunted Night at the Lehmann Mansion in Lake Villa from 5PM to 10PM. There will be games, food, drinks, a live DJ, and even an axe thrower! Saturday, October 29th from 1AM to 5PM at Lambs Farm in Libertyville is a special family friendly halloween event where the kiddos can trick-or-treat alongside their favorite farm animals and enjoy other festive fun! Sunday, October 30th at 12PM until 1PM, come and j oin Jarrett Dapier as he reads his picture book aloud at Madame ZuZu’s in Highland Park! Costumes are encouraged as there will be a costume contest along with the storytime. Sunday, October 30th in Wauconda is the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce Trick or Treat on Main Street event from 1PM to 5PM! Come one, come all, and enjoy the costumed event and get into the halloween spirit! Sunday, October 30th at Maggiano’s of Vernon Hills come out and join in the fun for a night of Murder and Mystery at this interactive dinner party starting at 6PM!

Save a few dollars on cleaning and detailing with these budget friendly cleaning tips and tricks for your vehicle! Protect your windshield from wet leaves, frost, ice and snow with a plastic tablecloth! A dollar store or budget buy plastic table cloth can save you a lot of time in the morning.  No more rushing around and then walking outside to see a frosted up window or caked on wet leaves filling you with dread.  Place the plastic tablecloth over the windshield the night before, and any time where you’ll have it parked at length.  You’ll be able to easily slide the plastic cloth off and save the time scraping and brushing by simply shaking it off.  Fold it up, place it in your trunk, and you’ll be on your merry way in no time. more Use a cereal keeper container as a lidded trash can for travel! Forget about those hanging fabric garbage cans, or putting a bin/box on the floor that rolls around as you drive.  Grab a budget friendly cereal container with a lid at your local dollar store, and line it with a plastic grocery bag. Place it in the backseat of the car and use it to store your trash while you’re on the go.  Makes cleaning easier with nothing sticky left on your floor mats or carpets or tipping over on turns. Remove dead bugs and insect splats with dryer sheets! No need to gather complicated cleansers or soaps or scrubbies to get those stuck-on nasties off your windshield or bumper.  Any brand of dryer sheet will do the trick nicely!  Rinse your car with clean water, then grab the damp dryer sheet and simply wipe them away.  Rinse with water again and you’re good to go! Remove rust with a bottle of Coca Cola and a bit of foil! This soda’s notoriously acidic properties may not be so great on your insides, but they’ll do wonders for your vehicle’s outsides.  If you’ve got rust spots on your bumper or other metallic accents on the body, consider a bottle of Coke and a piece of foil for an easy budget friendly hack.  Pour the soda on the rust spot, and gently scrub it with some aluminum foil folded over 3 to 4 times into layers.  You’ll notice the rust will begin to flake off!  Once it does, you can switch off to a gentle dish sponge.  When the rust is removed, grab some gentle soap and clean water and rinse off the sticky pop and remaining debris. Protect your cup holders from sticky mess and melted drinks with cupcake liners. Your local grocery store or dollar store probably sells multipacks of these convenient cupcake and muffin tin liners for a low price!  Place a silicone cupcake liner into the bottom of each of your cup holders, and when they get sticky or dirty you can swap them out and pop them out for clean ones, and put the dirty ones in with the dishes. Easy peasy! It’s also great for easily accessing change for tolls or vending machines or air-pumps in a jiffy. Use hand sanitizer as a budget-friendly de-icer for locks and doors! A small can of deicer is a great thing to keep in your bag, backpack, briefcase, or emergency kit, but if you’ve not got one this everyday household item will get it done!  Squirt the hand sanitizer into your lock, push the key in and out and turn it gently.  Within a few moments, the ice should be melted and you should be able to turn and open the lock!  Just use caution, this shouldn’t be a repetitive hack as the sticky cleansers can jam your locks over time and require them to be cleaned, but in an emergency or occasional pinch, it will work wonders.  You can also create your own deicer in a pinch with a spray bottle, ⅓ water, and 2/3 70% isopropyl alcohol - shake to mix well and spray into the lock or door and in a few moments it should be free of ice!

Art is everywhere and Art is for everyone!  We’re celebrating International Artist’s Day  by highlighting some great reasons you should support The Arts in our local community, and fantastic places to view local art. So hop in your new car and let’s hit the road on an amazing quest to find the most interesting artwork around. more What is art? Why are The Arts important to culture and society? International Artist Day celebrates the wonderful contribution that all artists make to society by promoting and raising awareness for the arts and increasing their visibility as creative professionals both locally and internationally. Artists and the arts are an integral part of society, helping us frame the world in creative ways so we can better understand humanity. Artists and the arts are an integral part of society, helping us frame the world in creative ways so we can better understand humanity. Everything from industrial design to culinary arts to engineering and architecture revolves around Art.  The phones you use, the cars you drive, the tech gadgets you depend on, the movies you stream, the shows you binge...all of them were created by someone who was passionate about the arts!  The songs you listen to and music videos you stream are all created by performance artists and musicians who have a passion for self-expression and creativity. How do we interpret art? What makes something art? How does art make you feel and how do we explore the world through art? Let’s take a look: Without creativity and ingenuity provided by exploring the arts, we would not be enjoying the wonderful road trips and joy rides we take in our cars!  To create the vehicles and technology we use today, many teams of designers, engineers, and creative minds had to work together from concept sketches to completion of physical manufacturing; from the vehicle itself to the machines that made it, they were all designed using visual plans and creative ingenuity. A thriving Arts district vastly improves local communities on multiple levels: aesthetically, via tourism, economically, and also socially!  Art can beautify and unify a community through public art installations, group art events, classes, and more.  It provides citizens with a common ground to communicate and express themselves, and understand each other on a non-verbal level.  The Arts can also provide income via local tourism to view exhibits, installations, markets, and local businesses, galleries, and museums. Let’s check out some of the most influential painters of yesterday and today: Immerse yourself in the arts and enjoy these wonderful public art sites and exhibits across Illinois and Wisconsin: Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park in Skokie Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park at Cedarhurst in Mt Vernon West Street Sculpture Park in Galena The Jay Pritzker Pavillion in Chicago Illinois Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural in Morrison ArtsPartners of Central Illinois in Peoria Oak Park Arts District in Oak Park Downtown Jacksonville Walldog Murals in Jacksonville Metropolis Murals in Metropolis Downtown Elgin Public Arts Tour in Elgin The Oregon Sculpture Trail in Oregon Scofill Sculpture Park in Decatur Ace Sign Company Museum in Springfield The Murals of Ottawa in Ottawa International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Exhibit Illinois Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural in Oswego Frank Lloyd Wright’s B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee Rock Falls Sculpture Walk in Rock Falls Macoupin Art Collective in Staunton Walldog Murals of Streator Stevens Point Sculpture Park in Stevens Point, WI Dr. Evermor’s Sculpture Park in North Freedom, WI Lynden SCulpture Garden in River Hills, WI Bobrowitz Sculpture in Colgate, WI Fred Smith’s Wisconsin Concrete Park in Phillips, WI James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden in Sheboygan, WI Jurustic Park in Marshfield, WI Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh, WI

Our last haunted road trip guide for Halloween is covering our neighbors in Missouri.  We’ve scoured the state for the scariest and most haunted places, and gathered them in one place so you can plan the creepiest car ride from destination to destination.  Some of these sites are stuff of local legend, but others have been verified by professional paranormal investigators. What do you think? Let us know in the comments if you’ve visited these sites and had an experience! more Lemp Mansion in St. Louis This haunted home and brewery site is considered one of the ten most haunted places in the United States!  Visitors can opt in for a historical ghost tour, or even participate in a paranormal hunt after hours during “The Lemp Experience.”  Unfortunately, not one, not two, but three members of the Lemp family committed suicide on site, and a fourth off site.  William Lemp Senior and William LEmp Junior both shot themselves in the same room, 18 years apart, in an extra office space at the Brewery.  It later became a boarding house in the 1940s, and several residents reported hauntings and spiritual encounters,  Additionally, other spirits have joined the Lemp Family and use the mansion as a way station to the afterlife.  There have been reports of figures circling the bed, leaning over and looming near visitors, and general unnerving discomfort. Beattie Mansion in St. Joseph The original owner of this historic residence was the first mayor of the city, and a wealthy Victorian businessman Armstrong Beattie, and his wife Elizabeth, who lived there until their deaths  in 1878 (Armstrong) and 1880 (Elizabeth.)  Without any heirs, the home was sold off to the Ladies Union Benevolent Association, and used as a group home for the houseless, aged, and displaced residents of the city.  Later, it was converted to a home for the elderly, mentally ill, and addicts.  In 2004, it passed hands with plans to be converted to a bed and breakfast, but any renovations were thwarted by paranormal activities and experiences.  Disembodied voices, shadowy figures, and full body apparitions unnerved the contractors and construction was halted.  Professional ghost hunters have confirmed the presence of Eliza, a child spirit, and multiple unidentified apparitions.  You’ll experience ghosts that tease and taunt, giggles and disembodied laughter, and footsteps in rooms that have no other presence. Pythian Castle in Springfield This historic castle has a dark and storied history with nefarious connections to torture, suicide, and medical violence.  Originally built as an orphanage in 1913, it was later commandeered by the US military for prisoners during WWII.  Visitors can book a history tour during the daytime to learn the unnerving history, or participate in a nighttime ghost tour and chance an encounter with a malevolent spirit.  Ghost hunters and visitors alike have reported disembodied voices, shadowy figures, and an unnerving atmosphere. The Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs This hotel and spa was subject to two destructive fires in 1989 and 1910, and although no one died in either blaze, it’s long rumored that a dastardly spirit may be the culprit.  Guests have reported encounters with visitors from the spirit realm in the lap pool, which was once the site of a Speakeasy during the days of Prohibition.  The hotel has embraced its ghostly guests, and hosts tours where you may encounter the spirit of a gambler, a spiritual advisor from the 1920s, and other gracious, gentle spirits. Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph This unusual museum is a dark and macabre, and frankly disturbing, look at our past treatment of those with mental illness and disorders of the brain.  At one time, it was home to some 3,-000 patients at any given time over teh decades, but now it’s a nineteenth century time capsule of our country’s strange medical history, founded in 1967 by the Missouri Department of Mental Health.  You’ll find bizarre exhibits such as 1,000 items removed from a patient’s stomach, strange medical equipment, and unnerving tools of the trade for psychiatric practitioners.  Some say the grounds are haunted by patients who have passed on during their stay, and ghost hunters host limited tours o n special event nights at the museum for visitors with a taste for the paranormal. Union Station in Kansas City This active and in-use railroad station is not just open to the general public, but also a whole rotating cast of spectral characters.  As you head off to your destination, you may spot the figure of notorious criminal Frank Nash, who is said to wander the station faceless, or other strange and hauntingly faceless figures with shined, polished shoes and classy wardrobes, or a figure of a woman in a black dress walking down the stairs after hours, and spirits dragging their suitcases down the halls.  At sundown, the paranormal presence increases as the ghosts of those who are still waiting for their train take over. Other terrifying destinations in Missouri to explore on your trip through the state: Vaile Mansion in Independence, Rivercene Mansion in New Franklin, Belvoir Winery in Liberty, STL Haunted History Ghost Tours in St. Louis, St. Charles Ghost Tours on Main Street in St. Charles

Welcome to another edition of Classic Kia's Automotive Terminology Decoder! Today, we're tackling some terms and phrases related to your vehicle's steering system, and related service and maintenance tips. more 🚘️ Power steering An electric and/or hydraulic system that multiplies, for ease and comfort, the force a driver exerts on the steering wheel. 🚘️ Power steering fluid Hydraulic fluid used in a power steering system. 🚘️ Power steering hoses The flexible hoses carrying hydraulic fluid between the various components of a power steering system. 🚘️ Variable gear ratio steering assembly The steering mechanism that converts the rotational motion of a steering wheel to the side-to-side motion of a lever that is connected to the steering linkage. 💡 How do I know if/when the steering system needs service? 💡 If your vehicle's dash warnings include" service power steering" it means that your vehicle is in need of immediate inspection and repair. If you have a hydraulic power steering system, there may be a leak requiring a repair and refill of fluid. If it's an electronic power steering system, you'll receive an EPS light, and may need to inspect the vehicle's battery or battery connection. If the lights come on while you're driving, enable your hazard lights and move your vehicle to the side of the road. Once you're safely off to the side, test and check the severity of the issue by turning the wheel left and right. Some causes that may trigger alerts: 🔧 Low Power Steering Fluid or a Leak 🔧 Broken Power Steering Belt 🔧 Dirty or Contaminated Steering Fluid 🔧 Bad or Faulty Steering Pump When power steering pumps are failing, they may emit a whine or a grinding noise when turning. You may also notice a tight steering response, or a slow response when moving the wheel. Any of these indicators is telling you that it's time to bring it in for service as it's about to fail. If it is still easily movable, you may be able to drive the vehicle to your home or service center. However, if you suspect a severe issue, it will be safer to call a roadside assistance service or a tow truck. Call our service centers today to schedule a maintenance appointment!