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Today is Cinco De Mayo!  We’re going to take a look at some iconic parts of Mexican American Chicanx Traditions, and the incredible car culture they’ve created out west with Lowrider cars.  We’re also going to learn a little bit about the origins of this commemorative holiday, and then grab a delicious Mexican and Tex Mex dinner at a local restaurant!  It’s a great day to support your local Mexican and Mexican-American owned local businesses, too. more What is Cinco De Mayo? Many people presume that Cinco De Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, but it actually has other origins!  Contrary to popular belief, its association with a feast of Mexican and Tex Mex foods is a popularly increasing celebratory trend of recent years. Cinco de Mayo, is actually the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, a celebration observed in Mexico and parts of the US. The Mexican Army’s achieved victory over the French Empire on May 5th 1862, thanks to General Ignacio Zaragoza, and overtook the French Forces of Napoleon III.  The French later returned with reinforcements, but ultimately were defeated by the Mexican Army who took full control back of the city later in April 1867.  The battle remains a significant day in Mexican history, symbolizing Mexico’s determination to take back their home, and their fortitude in the face of foreign occupation and aggressors. All About Lowrider Car Culture Chances are you’ve seen a Lowrider car and had some stars in your eyes at these impressive rides!  Lowrider cars are traditionally quite colorful custom painted vehicles with white wall tires and wire-spoke rims. They certainly stand out in a crowd and have become an indelible part of Mexican American culture. Lowrider vehicles originated in the Meximerican Barrios in East Los Angeles during the 1940s.  Young men donned some dapper suits and hit the roads in their American Muscle cars which they’d DIY modified to create a whole new vehicle style.  They began with the idea of creating a low and slow driving art piece which reflected the history and culture of Mexican heritage, and went against the grain of traditional Anglo-American culture and societal standards.  From self-taught skills in detailing and painting, automotive upholstery,and custom engineered hydraulics, its an inspiring creative feat. Learn more: Inside Chicano/Chicana Culture in LA Donut Media Podcast Presents “How Lowriders Were a Protest Against White Supremacy Great Mexican and TexMex Eateries in the Lake County and Greater Chicago Area: Toluca’s Restaurant in Waukegan Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Waukegan Antojitos Guerrero in Waukegan El FAmous Burrito in Waukegan Taqueria El Charro in Waukegan La Canoa in Waukegan Taqueria Guerrero in Waukegan Golosinas El Encanto in Waukegan El Caporal in Waukegan Tacos El Norte in Waukegan Comales de Waukegan in Waukegan Sazon Cocina Mexicana in Waukegan Three Amigos in Lake Villa Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant in Libertyville Authentico Mexican Restaurant & Bar in Lake Forest Jalisco Restaurant in Gurnee Momcorn in Gurnee Sofia’s Mexican Restaurant in Island Lake Casa Bonita MExican Restaurant and Tequila Bar Mexican Grill Los Magueyes in Fox Lake

May the 4th be with you all! Since we love all things automotive, we thought it would be fun to celebrate a list of some of our favourite Star Wars vehicles!  And just so your newfound knowledge won’t go to waste, here’s a great list of fun Star Wars Day events going on around so you can strut your stuff and win the Trivia rounds! Got a favourite vehicle or ship that we’ve left off our list? Let us know in the comments below and it might make the ranks for next year’s May the 4th post! more Here are some fun upcoming Star Wars Events today and over the next coming months Tonight at Bobby’s Deerfield is the May the Fourth Be With You event from 3PM on Tonight at Harbor Brewing Company in Winthrop is Star Wars Trivia Night from 6PM to 8PM May the Fourth Be With You: Star Wars Trivia happening Today at Black Lung Brewing in Round Lake Beach Star Wars Day Event at the Palatine Library in Palatine on May 5th from 4PM to 5:30PM Revenge of the Sixth Trivia & Cartooning at Wheaton Public Library of Wheaton from 5PM to 7PM May 13th at Lost Lagoon TAttoo in Woodstock is Disney/Star Wars Walk-In Flash Friday May 14th at Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora is Jump Like a Jedi event from 10AM to 11:30AM May 21st from 5PM to 8PM is Kids Night Out: Star Wars at True Balance Karate in Downers Grove June 28th is STar Wars Trivia Night at First Place Sports Bar & Grill in Hoffman Estates from 7PM to 9PM Saturday July 2nd in Chicago the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is hosting Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert July 12th at Bottle & Bottega is Star Wars Trivia Tuesday from 6:30PM to 9PM Here are some of our favourite vehicles from the Star Wars Franchise: Image from Starwars.fandom.com The AT-AT Walker of Hoth first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back.  These four legged war machines are armored transports for the Imperial Army Ground Forces, equipped with powerful engines that can take them at great speed over flat or rugged terrain on mechanical jointed legs at speeds up to 37mph.  Their bulk and weight of the armored exterior makes them difficult to take down with explosives, which is why the Rebels opted for harpoon cabling to trip up the mechanism in the legs. Image from Starwars.com Snowspeeder of Hoth are also known as the T-47 airspeeder.  It’s a triangular shaped groundcraft equipped with two laser canons in the front, a rear arc harpoon gun with tow cable, and was used by the Rebel Alliance to disable the looming AT-AT Walkers. Image from Starwars.com AT-ST Walker of Endor were two legged transports used by the Empire as early as the clone wars.  This All-Terrain Scout vehicle was used for reconnaissance and patrol and featured heavily in the Battle of Endor. Images from Starwars.Fandom.com Podracers are one-man repulsorcrafts powered by large engines and used for the sport of podracing.  Energy binders join dual engines and turbines to form a triangular shape with the passenger pod dragging behind the front engines.  They can achieve speeds in excess of nearly 500mph! Image from Wookiepedia Cloud Cars of Bespin are twin pod repulsorcraft engine vehicles equipped with room for a pilot and a gunner to man the blaster cannons.  They were employed by the Bespin Cloud City Guard to patrol the skyways and keep the airspace clear and secure.

Take a deep breath, because things are about to get…weird.  Did you know that today is National Paranormal Day?  That’s right!  Why wait until October to celebrate all things spooky?  You can explore the paranormal and metaphysical all year round.  Let’s take a look at the evidence for some truly spooky local legends and lore, and if nothing else they certainly make great campfire stories for your next road trip in your Classic Auto Group Car! Have you come across any of these local cryptids and creatures in your paranormal research? more The Lake Michigan Sea Serpent is fondly known by locals as South Bay Bessie or The Lake Erie Monster.  This eel-like cryptid was first seen in 1817, with sightings occurring intermittently for the last 200 years with increasing frequency.  She is estimated to be between 30 to 60 feet long, with a slithery body and reptilian looking cranium.  Scientists presume it may be related to Sea Lamprey, but others are fully convinced a giant sea creature is on the loose. A 52-second video of Lake Michigan’s shores from 2019 do show a suspicious snake-like creature swimming near the lighthouse and pier in South Haven, MI. Take a look and see for yourself, is this merely a nautical rope, a large eel or snake, or beast from below? Picture Courtesy of Murphysboro.com The Big Muddy Monster of Murphysboro has been under investigation as far back as 1973, when the first sightings of this local legend were reported to the police.  Since then, the town has been documenting photographs, eye witness accounts, police reports, letters, and sketches f rom locals in a publicly accessible evidence file. A local couple was parked in a remote riverside location while out for a romantic interlude, when suddenly they encountered an incredibly large, looming figure of a mud-slathered albino swamp monster.  Additional reports from the local area townsfolk confirmed the appearance of a sasquatch style creature covered in mud, gunk and grime.  Others claim to have heard a piercing animalistic roar coming from the trees and underbrush, accompanied by a foul smelling odor.  For two straight weeks police and local residents collected evidence such as footprints, eyewitness accounts of contact with a bipedal beast, and multiple sightings in passing.  We’ve not been able to confirm for ourselves first hand, but reports suggest this monster may still be at large.  Keep your eyes peeled for a 350lb, 7ft tall swampsquatch if you’re in the area.  Some folks have speculated that this creature may have connections to the Enfield Horror as well. The Enfield Horror originated from a bizarre chain of events starting on April 25th, 1973.  A young boy named Greg Garrett was playing in his backyard when he claims he was attacked by a beast on three legs with grey, slimy skin, short claws, and intimidating red eyes.  Little Greg retreated to the safety of his home after the monster attempted to step on him.  Later that afternoon, Henry McDaniel, a neighbor of the Garrett Family, reported their own encounter with the creature who attempted to break into the home and scratched menacingly at the door.  The incident blew up in the press and became a hotspot for thrillseekers and journalists, many of whom also claim to have heard banshee screams in the night and seen glimpses of the nearly 5 foot tall monster.  Some say it’s hogswallop, but others claim it may be connected to a series of UFO sightings in the area.  What about you? Curious to continue your cryptid research?  Check out this video by Youtuber “My Side of the Laundry Room” about the Enfield Horror and the Xorn!

“I’ll have Tuna on white, no crust” - Paul Walker as “Brian” in The Fast and the Furious Today is World Tuna Day!  Whether you order a classic “Tuna on White, no crust” or prefer a swanky Seared Ahi Tuna Steak or some Spicy Tuna Rolls, it’s clear that this prolific fish has caught our culinary-obsessed hearts by hook, line, and sinker!  We’re highlighting this maritime meal with a list of amazing local restaurants that are perfect for on-the-go meals as well as sit down dinners. more And we’re covering our suggestions for conveniently portable Poke Bowls for a light, refreshing and totally instagramable lunch with a little island flair!  Tuna Poke is the perfect meal on a summer’s day alongside a crisp iced cocktail.  They also make great picnic lunches at the beach or the park, and are easy for passengers to eat in the car on your next road trip. Have a suggestion for your favourite place to snag a Tuna dinner?  We’d love to hear from you!  Let us know in the comments on our social media, and we may feature your pick in our next Local Eats Guide! Top Rated Local Sushi: Sake Sushi & Grill AHA Sushi in Gurnee Sushi Kushi Toyo in Lake Forest Hayashi Japanese Restaurant in Gurnee Yuri of Japan in Third Lake Hanakawa Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar in Libertyville Shakou Libertyville in Libertyville Blufish in Vernon Hills Van’s Sushi Cafe in Vernon HIlls Sushi Thai in Libertyville Shogun in Rockford Moonsun Sushi in Glendale Heights Best Poke Bowls and Sushi Bowls: Kuma’s Sushi Bowl Vernon Hills Poke Bros in Lake Bluff Poke Bros. Gurnee Poke Hale in Buffalo Grove Poke Bros in Lincolnshire Bento Cafe in Hainesville TokyoBowl inc in Vernon Hills Poke Burrito in Deer Park Inovasi in Lake Bluff Kawa Japanese in Grayslake Sushi Yoru in Lake Zurich Crab&Grab in Grayslake Kamehachi in Northbrook High Tide Poke in Chicago Poke Poké in Chicago Poke Bowl Co in Chicago Poke Plus Kenosha Ono Sushi Kenosha And why not proclaim your love of cars and Tuna with some of this fun gear as an homage to the original The Fast and The Furious movie: Decorate your  car with this removable magnet from VaxDiDesign. This cheeky aluminum license plate cover by PlateCraze on Etsy. And here’s a fun vinyl decal sticker from SimpleGraphix.

May Day celebrations center around springtime festivities and the start of flowers, vegetables, fruits, and other plants beginning to grow and blossom.  It’s a wonderful time to get outside and celebrate nature and it’s beautiful greenery! more If you’d like to celebrate May Day at home, here are some great ideas to try with your loved ones today: Leave a May Basket on your neighbours and friends’ doorsteps. A time honored tradition on May Day is to leave a basket of fresh picked and hand-collected flowers and spring greenery as a gift for your friends and family.  You can create your own little basket by rolling a cone of paper in pretty spring colors like pink, blue, green, or yellow, and tying a beautiful colored ribbon or strand around it like a basket handle. Then fill it with beautiful blossoms from your walk, your own garden, or even faux florals for allergy friendly options and leave it with a little note that says “May basket! Happy Spring!” Go on a walk to a local nature trail or park, and collect a little basket of wildflowers and fresh floral branches and greenery (be sure to adhere to posted signs and do not trespass on protected botanical gardens.)  You and your family can use colored glasses, wine bottles, or other glassware to do a little floral arranging and brighten up your home. Grab some floral wire and floral tape and make a flower crown!  Gathering soft, pliable flowering branches from your yard, gently twist the floral wire around and in between the flowers, softly forming a little circle. Fasten the two ends of the branch into the circlet and secure with floral tape.  Add in extra blossoms with wire or floral tape, and decorate with flowing ribbons.  If you prefer something that lasts year round, you can make a Faux Floral Crown with silk or silicone flowers. Kids and teens will really enjoy some quality time together with friends and family as they create their very own May Pole and dance around one another to create a colourful, festive pole festooned with ribbons and flowers!  This How to Make a Maypole tutorial from Darleen Meier is the perfect idea. Local Area May Day Celebrations happening this week to celebrate the beginning of May: May Day celebration at Riverside Studio in Rochester, WI Take Home Craft: May Basket and Flowers at the Messenger Public Library in North Aurora May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Celebration at Zen Life & Meditation Center Chicago in Oak Park Mother’s Day Flower Arranging Class at River Roast in Chicago 2022 Mother Earth Market at the Brushwood Center in Riverwoods Spruce Up Your Car with Spring Floral Accessories Spring Floral Car Coasters Set with Real Flowers, Ferns and Resin from BloomingBowtiqueShop on Etsy Woven Daisy Crochet Steering Wheel Cover and Car Accessories by Cashmeresan on Etsy Crochet Vintage Inspired Daisy Car Seat and Steering Wheel Cover and Car Accessories by CorshetN on Etsy Cute Plush Car Seat Covers and Pillows for Car by Embroiderydiypro on Etsy Hippie Smiling Daisy Smiley Face Decals by DustedInDaisies on Etsy

In the Mid-Twentieth Century, Chicago was a hot spot for up and coming musical artists in the Blues and Jazz category.  So it comes as no surprise that some of the region’s hottest jazz clubs can still be found there today!  We’re celebrating National Jazz day by tapping our toes to some of the greatest hits of Jazz music.  Be sure to listen closely, because you may recognize more of the songs than you’d expect!  Many modern day artists have been heavily influenced by musicians of yesteryear, and you’ll find many similar beats, riffs, basslines, and even reimaginings or covers of classic Jazz. more Regional Blues and Jazz music originated on Chicago’s South Side as the area saw an influx of around 6 million African American citizens during the Great Migratio n.  The city became a hotspot for entertainment as these folks brought their favourite music and vocal stylings along with them.  Chicago’s music scene featured heavily in bass and guitar music, included frequent solos to highlight each musician, and had a faster tempo than your average Jazz.  When the city’s population decreased post-WWII, many musicians migrated to the east coast to take advantage of the burgeoning music scene in New York City, but Chicago has never lost its passion for Jazz. Each year the city hosts the Chicago Jazz Festival at Millenium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center.  It’s a celebration of the cultural influence of music on the Windy City, an inclusive festival for local and national talent to showcase their chops, and best yet it’s free and open to the public and ready to inspire future generations of musicians! Interested in learning more about the arts and culture scene in Chicago? Why not get your friends and family together and enjoy a Chicago Music Tour of the city. You’ll have a chance to listen to an exclusive soundtrack themed to each of the specialized bus tours that Chicago Music Tour Inc offers. Can’t get enough live music? The Chicago Blues Festival is another must see for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. If you’re eager to get out on the town and enjoy some live R&B, Jazz, and Blues music from the pros, you can check out these fun events over the next few months: Christian McBride and Inside Straight on May 5th through May 8th in Chicago Blues on the Fox 2022 on June 18th and 19th in Aurora Common with special guest Black Violin on June 18th and 19th  in Highland Park Trombone Shorty’s Voodoo Threauxdown in Highland Park Lyle Lovett & His Large Band and Chris Isaak on July 10th in Highland Park Illinois Norah Jones on July 15th and 16th in Chicago Esperanza Spalding on July 31st in Highland Park Enjoy a memorable evening of fine dining and professional Jazz and Blues musicians at these wonderful venues: 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 The Water Hole Chicago in Chicago Cue Up Some Incredible Jazz Playlists for Your Commute (These Links Open in the Spotify App or Website) The Chicago Jazz Collection The Chicago Jazz Ensemble Chicago Jazz Bar: A Night of Chicago Jazz Chicago Blues by Spotify Podcast: The Chicago Jazz Audio Experience Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra: Live and Screamin

Today is National Dance Day, and we’re celebrating with some creative car choreography and super catchy playlists.  Whether you’re bopping along in your car during rush hour, shakin’ your tail feathers on the dance floor, or having a me-party at home in your PJs on a friday night, we know a good beat is impossible to resist. Waltz into the weekend with these iconic video clips and song suggestions. more We Love to See it: Choreographing with Cars What do classic cars, an empty parking lot, and The Weeknd have in common?  It all adds up to this infamous performance at the 2021 Billboard awards.  We’ve never seen anything like it, and it’s truly a sight to behold! The Weeknd - The Weeknd – Save Your Tears (Live on The 2021 Billboard Music Awards) “La La Land” starts off with a bang in this now classic piece of cinematic genius.  We love it because it’s clever, interesting, and certainly the ideal response for drivers to have in a traffic jam (sadly, this is not reality so we’ll have to just keep daydreaming when in bumper-to-bumper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CVfTd-_qbc Amymarie Gaertner puts a little pep in your step using creative choreography and a one-of-a-kind display of miniature cars synced to the beat of the music.  We promise you’ve never seen anything like it before: “Fame” is an iconic 80s flick with an unbeatable soundtrack to boot.  In this memorable scene, a taxi driver inspires anyone within earshot to get up and dance in the streets. We love to see it! “Baby Driver” is at the top of the list when it comes to expert use of music along with dance and car related choreography. Every step, handshake, gear shift, and turn is synced with expert precision to the most phenomenal soundtrack a heist movie has ever had! The Step Up series might not have great plots, but they certainly have impressive choreo.  This scene in “Step Up Revolution” has a jaw dropping mix of car choreography mixed with slick breakdancing and hip-hop dance. And of course, it’s also really high energy and super colorful. Host Your Own Car Concert No road-trip is complete without a good playlist and we’ve got some great tunes that will have you dancing in your bucket seats!  Check out these upbeat, high energy song suggestions to keep you going on your next drive! 10 Updates of Classic Dance Tracks Playlist (these links will open in Spotify!) I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Covered by Fallout Boy Dancing Queen - Covered by Sixpence None the Richer Hot Stuff - Covered by Samantha Fox It’s Raining Men - Covered by Geri Halliwell Vogue - Covered by the Cast of Glee YMCA - Covered by The Skunks Everybody - Covered by B3nte, HUUXX, Derrick Ryan What Is Love - Covered by Moonshine, Twan Ray Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - Covered by Gamper & Dadoni Can’t Get You Outta My Head - Covered by Furkan Sahin, LANNÉ 10 Bops to Dance Along with in a Traffic Jam Playlist (these links will open in Spotify!) Sucker by The Jonas Brothers All Around the World by R3HAB, A Touch of Class 365 by Zedd, Katy Perry KIDS by Merk & Kremont Sixteen by Ellie Goulding If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes Starry Eyes by Young Bombs I Love It by Icona Pop Stayin’ Alive covered by Lizzo Bang Bang by Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande 10 Irresistible Boogie-Down Songs Playlist (these links will open in Spotify!) I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross Stop! In the Name of Love by The Supremes Girls Just Wanna have Fun by Cyndi Lauper Respect by Aretha Franklin I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! By Vengaboys We Are Family by Sister Sledge Proud Mary by Tina Turner Barbie Girl by Aqua Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley 10 of Our Fave Car and Driving Movie Soundtracks Dance and Singalong To (these links will open in Spotify!) Baby Driver Soundtrack Fast and Furious Complete Soundtracks List Easy Rider Soundtrack Disney’s CARS Soundtrack The Italian Job Soundtrack Gone in 60 Seconds Soundtrack Deathproof Soundtrack Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Soundtrack Ford Versus Ferrari Soundtrack Need for Speed (Movie) Soundtrack

Today is National Superhero Day!  And we’re excited to share some great comics that feature iconic cars from superheroes and villains.  Check out our picks for recommended reading, and stick around to the end for some fun video content. more Speed Racer AKA Mac GoGoGo This series was published in 2 volumes both in 1966-1968 and then again in 1997.  Each issue chronicles the life of a young race car driver and his high-powered gadget filled race car.  It’s become an incredible iconic entry into automotive memorabilia as well as the world of comics.  You’d be hard pressed to find any car enthusiast that wasn’t immersed in its story at some point in their youth or adulthood!  Like “Initial D,” this series also received an anime and film adaptation, so you can continue exploring long after you’ve finished reading, or explore some of the spin-off materials. Black Beauty The Green Hornet’s infamous car, Black Beauty, has made its way from a radio show serial to television to comics.  She is a 1966 Imperial Crown (as per the TV series) and is stored in a secret hideaway garage at Brit Reid’s house beneath his daily driver vehicle.  Black Beauty is certainly a versatile getaway car, with the ability to fire explosives at the flip of a switch.  It also has a slew of hidden compartments and switches for secret weapons and infra-green headlights for nighttime stealth driving.  Snag a copy at your local comics shop to see what else she’s got hidden away! The Fantastic Four As comics go, The Fantastic Four is truly an iconic offering from Marvel Comics.  We’re choosing to highlight it on this list thanks to the ultra cool Fantasti-Car!  This 27-foot hybrid vehicle designed by characters Reed Richards and Johnny Storm.  This electric fan lift and jet engine thrust vehicle is capable of achieving speeds of 550MPH with all 4 members of the team in it. It’s also got a detachable mini-plane.  What’s not to love about the car that truly does it all?! Lola aka Low-Orbit Liftoff Automobile/Levitating Over Land Automobile This vehicle is a 1962 corvette modified by engineer Howard Stark and driven by Agent Phil Coulson during his employment with S.H.I.E.L.D. It’s modeled after earlier Marvel Comics issues in the 1960s and Nick Fury’s cars.  Thanks to the wonderful magic of crossovers, the car made its way from the screen into the pages of the comics, so snap one up to read more of her adventures. The Batmobile There are over two dozen iterations of this absolutely iconic comic book vehicle! Holy wow!  It first graced the pages of Detective Comics in Issue 27 in May of 1939. This legendary vehicle can do just about anything from capturing and containing baddies to tracking evil-doers and busting through walls or blasting through fireballs.  You can follow its evolution from page to screen and back again in any Detective Comics, Batman series, Teen Titans, or related spin-off issues. Have you always dreamed of owning a superhero car for your very own?  Check out this incredible youtube video by TechJoint highlighting great superhero cars and vehicles from movies that exist in real life: The Batmobile is one of the most iconic vehicles in movie and comic book history, but it’s ever changing and evolving to meet different needs for each generation of Batman storyline.  Check out this video from WatchMojo all about the batmobile: Images and videos belong to original copyright holders and used for sample only.

Today is National Prime Rib Day, and we’re all about it.  Nothing screams summer like a freshly seared steak hot off the grill, but what do you do during the in-between seasons when grilling isn’t in vogue?  You check out the plethora of top notch steaks at local eateries in the Waukegan area. more Supporting our local community is one of our favourite things to do, because we also live, work, and play here in the Lake County and Greater Chicago Area. There are so many wonderful businesses, restaurants, and places to visit!  We’re highlighting some of our picks for best places in the area to celebrate big achievements, reward your employees, or just have a quality night out with a loved one. Check out our picks for local steakhouses and restaurants serving top tier steak and beef dishes: The Backyard Steak Pit in Gurnee Tavern Steakhouse Libertyville in Libertyville Primo Italian American Cuisine in Gurnee Beelow’s Steakhouse in Lake Zurich Eddie Merlot’s Prime Aged Beef & Seafood in Lincolnshire Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Lincolnshire Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill in Deer Park 129 Center Cut in Grayslake Wildfire in Lincolnshire Carson’s Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue in Deerfield Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf in Chicago Morton’s The Steakhouse in Northbrook Chicago Prime STeakhouse in Schaumburg Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Oak Brook Perry’s Steakhouse in Schaumburg Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse in Rosemont Tsukasa of Tokyo in Vernon Hills Stevens’ in Gurnee Cribb Fine Foods in Waukegan Papa Marcos Restaurant in Waukegan Looking for some fun conversation starters with friends and family? Impress them with your knowledge of these fun facts about one of America’s favourite cuts of meat: The word Steak is derived from the Scandinavian word “Steik” which means “roasted meat” Did you know that the average cow weighs 1,000 pounds?  400 pounds of livestock cattle can be used for steak cuts, and at an average of 4oz per serving that means you can get 1,600 steak dinners from one animal. Holy cow. Chicago’s Oldest Steakhouse, “Gene & Georgetti,” opened in 1941, and has seen three different generations of family legacy ownership in its 80+ years of business. An estimated 27billion pounds of beef are produced and processed each year in the United States, and Americans consume almost 60lbs of it per person per year. Argentina is the top consumer of beef and veal, clocking in at almost 40kg per person annually. With plant based diets on the rise around the globe, vegan alternatives for red meat products are in high demand more than ever; today, many vegan steak alternatives are made from seitan, pea protein + soy, and some specialty restaurants have even created vegan watermelon steaks.

Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner, so let’s get out there and see the world! Or, well, Wisconsin at least.  Today’s blog post is all about exciting places to visit in Wisconsin and get some lowkey exercise while we’re at it!  Let’s take a tour and explore some of the beautiful towns and trails of Wisconsin. more Burlington’s White River State Trail follows 19 miles of decommissioned rail corridor through Elkhorn, Dover, and Burlington.  You’ll find multiple scenic view stop-offs and vistas, fields and farmlands of green, natural wetlands and wildlife, beautiful bridges, and plenty of charming little towns with shops and restaurants to explore.  Best of all, it’s open year-round, and if you opt for a special state trail pass you can even go bicycling and horseback riding. Burlington Historic Walking Tour highlights the stops along the Underground Railroad path through Wisconsin.  You’ll stop at the Chestnut Street Bend, Museum of Burlington’ Historical Society’s Dyer Monument, Wehmhoff Square and the Pioneer Cabin, the Lincoln Monument, Echo Veterans Memorial Park, and Fred’s Parkview. Take a ride over to Plymouth and enjoy the Downtown Mural Walk with a side order of cheese, or the history of its production, that is!  You’ll see local murals and street art while learning about the local cheese and dairy industry in the state such as Gentine’s, Sartori’s and even Sargento. The Mural Walk in Downtown Ashland is a very popular tour with options for self-guided tours via the website (locations listed) or special  guided tours from the artists themselves!  Each of the murals gives a little peek into the history of Ashland over the eight blocks of Main Street buildings and businesses. Kenosha’s Library Park Historic District Walking Tour runs from Mid-May to Early October on every 2nd Saturday.  You’ll enjoy a 90 minute stroll around the park with a volunteer guide and historian discussing architecture, history, and significance of the buildings and sites in the area.  Make sure you book reservations in advance, and get your ticket for  $10 through the Kenosha History Center Waukesha Pewaukee is home to a myriad of amazing walking tours! Starting in Downtown Waukesha, you can enjoy the Guitar Town Murals and 10ft tall fiberglass Guitars.  It’s a great photo opportunity, and certainly a real eye-catcher and unforgettable!  If you’re looking for local history and art, you can enjoy the Waukesha Public Art & Historic Buildings Tour. And for the folks who love the scenic path, you can explore Pewaukee Village and Pewaukee Lake with opportunities to dine with lakeside views, or even bring your own boat for a day on the water. Consider a stop along the shores of Lake Michigan at Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan.  It’s perfect for traversing the boards down to the beach, and rounding out the day enjoying plentiful water sports activities along the harbor.  You can also take a tour of 3 Sheeps Brewery located in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant, and get a peek at the facilities, process, and even sample some rare beers.

Happy Earth Day from All of us at Classic Auto Group! Kia’s committed to building a brighter, greener, more sustainable future for the company and it’s customers.  The company has created a responsive framework to climate change by focusing on achieving carbon neutrality, reducing environmental impact across the entire value chain from supply to production to use and distribution/disposal.  Kia is on the way to success by employing an all encompassing vision for sustainable mobility and remains focused on realizing their goals for carbon neutrality through their “3S Activities”: Sustainable mobility, sustainable energy, sustainable planet. more LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW KIA IS MAKING STRIDES FOR A GREENER FUTURE Sustainable Mobility The company aims to pave the way for an all-electric future, and has set their sights on introducing 11 different Electric Vehicles to the consumer market by 2026.  They expect the European market to be fully electric by 2035, and fully electric on a global scale by 2045.  Kia also aims to recycle and upcycle waste into materials for interior fabric, seats, carpeting and more.  They’re reducing their use of animal leathers to reduce reliance on and eventually phase out leather to reduce animal skin processing, creating a much smaller carbon footprint during manufacturing. Sustainable Energy Kia has big plans to make sure that they achieve RE 100 by 2040.  This means that the end goal will ultimately show that all electric power used at manufacturing sites will be from 100% renewable sources!  Their first stepping stone is 100% powered by renewable energy by 2030 at overseas manufacturing facilities, and domestic production sites in Korea by 2040.  They’re already well on the way by beginning to install solar energy systems at plants in Korea, China, the US, and India.  Kia expects all vehicles used on site to also be EV class by 2030.  As of 2022, all tier-1 partners have received specific guidelines and support programs established to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions and obtain carbon neutrality.  It is expected that by 2030, all supply chain partners of steel will be supplying the company with “green steel” for manufacturing, which produces ⅓ less carbon emission compared to current standards. Sustainable Planet Kia is committed to taking proactive measures to increase positive contributions to environmental efforts by way of “virtuous recycling loop.”  New programs have been implemented to reuse EV batteries, partner with local energy companies to recover and transform end-of-life batteries into new energy storage systems.  Kia also aims to include 20% or more of plastic parts used in Kia vehicles to be recycled plastics by 2030.  And then there is the wonderful Blue Carbon program, with efforts to protect and restore tidal mudflats in Korea absorb 260,000 tons of harmful emission annually, which equates to the emissions produced by up to 110,000 Internal Combustion Engine vehicles.  Preserving the tidal flats will be a major boon in environmental conservation efforts.  Additional external partnerships will see to it that the company recycles marine plastic waste collected through projects such as The Ocean Cleanup non-profit foundation. Learn more about Kia’s efforts for ECO-Friendly Car Lifecycle Management. Kia’s EV6 is the first Korean car in history to achieve a “Product Carbon Footprint.”

After a taste of the warm weather earlier this month, we’re getting ready to make Summer plans and enjoy it to the fullest!  Today’s blog is going to be covering great Food and Wine/Beer Festivals near our Classic Auto Group stores.  Just a short drive away in your brand new Classic Auto Group car, you can be well on your way to fun in the sun with your loved ones! more Please remember: Buzzed driving is drunk driving, so make sure you have a plan in place for rideshare or a “DD”.  As always, we encourage you to bring a designated driver to your festivals and tasting events. Some events may offer  a discounted DD ticket so they can still attend the rest of the fun with your group.  Please Drink Responsibly. The Glen Club of Glenview is hosting the “Glenview Bites & Brews event from 5PM to 8PM on Wednesday evening April 27th. On Saturday  April 30th from 12PM to 4PM head over to Long Grove Illinois for the Craft Beer Fest at the Stempel Parking Lot. On Saturday April 30th from 2PM to 4PM you can enjoy the fine musical stylings of the Big Al Wetzel Band at the Long Grove Craft Beer Festival from 2PM to 4PM at Buffalo Creek Brewing Head up North to the Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival from 1PM to 5PM in Kenosha at the Brat Stop on Saturday April 30th. Head over to Main Street in Libertyville between 1PM and 4PM for “Let’s Vino In the Ville” Festival on Saturday April 30th. On Sunday, May 1st, at What’s Brewing? Supply in Palatine, you can head over from 10AM to 1:30PM for a Basic Beer Making Class! The College of Lake County in Grayslake is hosting the Food Truck Frenzy of 2022 from 11AM to 5PM on Saturday May 7th. The Harbor Brewing Co in Winthrop Harbor is hosting “The Harbor BRewing Company Proudly Presents Mr. E!” on Saturday May 7th starting at 6PM. Perfect Brewing Supply in Libertyville is hosting the 25th Anniversary Big Brew with N.U.B.S. from 8AM to 6:30PM on Satu On May 21st, head over to Vernon Hills at the Century Park Arboretum and catch the 8th Annual Craft Beer Tasting even from 10AM to 2PM! With over 40 vendors, live music, fine foods, and craft brews, the Craft Beer Festival in Mundelein is a surefire hit; stop by June 11th from 6PM to 10PM for a fun-filled evening. The Highwood Metra Station in Highwood is hosting “Highwood Days with Taco Fest” from 8AM until late night at 11:30PM on Saturday July 23rd and Sunday July 24th. On August 6th in Long Grove, Buffalo Creek Brewing is hosting thei r “Saturday Night Food Truck Event” with the “Stadium Street Eats” theme running from 3PM to 7PM. Long Grove’s Woodfire Tavern is hosting the “Street Food Showdown” on Saturday August 20th from 2PM to 6PM. The Blues, Brews, & BBQs festival of McHenry is running from Friday August 19th through Sunday August 21st at Petersen Park!