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It's Classic’s Guide to Bird Watching in Illinois and Wisconsin! Today’s blog is Classic Auto Group’s guide to getting in touch with nature.  That’s right, today we’re highlighting amazing sites to visit for bird watching.  From a crash course in birds of Chicago, Lake County, and even Wisconsin, to guided tours for beginners and intermediate birders, and even open nature preserves and parks to explore on your own when you’re ready. more If you’re looking for a fun, rewarding pastime that gets you, your friends, and your family exploring the great outdoors, we’re here to help!    Break free of the cabin-fever by enjoying a socially distanced walk on the wild side in the fresh air.  Let’s spread our wings and try a new hobby! How to Start “Birding” For Beginners Gather a pen, pencil, journal, notebook, or even your tablet. You’ll need this to note your observations Step outside in your own backyard, balcony, patio, or local park.  Sit/stand quietly and observe your surroundings, note the time of day, the weather conditions.  You may want a chair so you can get comfortable and stay awhile! Listen closely to hear the sounds around you. Do you notice any birdsongs?  Are there any hoots or squawks or screeches?  Note them in your book underneath your other notations. Take some snapshots of your surroundings or any birds you spot, and/or videos to record the sounds.  You can use these to document your findings and verify your bird sightings later! Now walk around the area, slowly.  Observe the ground and see if you notice any footprints in the dirt, sand, dust, snow, or mud.  Take a peek amongst the trees, foliage, underbrush, or potted plants and gardens for any stray feathers, broken eggshells, or other signs of nests.  Note them in your book, and take photos if you are able.  You can print the photos out later and add them to your book! Now that you’ve practiced basic birding techniques, try to repeat your observations several times over the course of a week at different times of day and night.  See how many new bird friends or signs you find as you go along. If you’re not seeing any signs of birds just yet, don’t panic!  You can try adding points of interest for your avian neighbours: Invest in a suet bird feeder which makes great options for winter food sources. You can even make your own suet cakes and suet refills! Add a suction-cup bird feeder to a window or windows of your dwelling.  Fill them with different varieties of birdseed: black oil sunflower birdseed, black thistle birdseed, wild songbird birdseed. Place a hummingbird nectar feeder in your garden or on the balcony or near some natural wildflowers. Plant bird-friendly flowers for Northeast and herbs in your garden. Observe how birds react to these feeders and plants, see if you attract any new varieties. Keep your journal year round and compare bird patterns, varieties, and frequency of visits per season and time of day. Common “Backyard Birds” in Illinois and Wisconsin Depending on the season and time of day, these beautiful varieties of birds may be visible at different times.  Some are up at dawn or dusk, some in the middle of the day, and others have migratory patterns based on the weather! You can check with your local wildlife groups online, or the Audubon Society in your area.  Here are some of the local birds to keep an eye out for. How many of these have you seen in your yard or around town? American Robin American Goldfinch American Crow American Tree Sparrow House Finch Northern Cardinal Mourning Dove European Starling Downy Woodpecker Black-capped Chickadee Blue Jay Song Sparrow Red-Bellied Woodpecker Common Grackle White-breasted Nuthatch Indigo Bunting Barn Swallow Grey Catbird House Wren Eastern Wood-Pewee Cedar Waxwing Ruby-throated hummingbird Mallard Duck Great Blue Heron Sandhill Crane Red-Tailed Hawk Baltimore Oriole Dark-eyed Junco Explore and Observe More Avian Friends At These Great Spots Once you’ve practiced your observation skills, and you’ve catalogued a list of local birds, it’s time to get out there and explore!  Here’s a list of excellent guided groups for novice birders to get their feet wet, or experienced birders looking for a little socializing.M  Bring your birding log, binoculars, a camera equipped for distance shots and zoom, and your best walking shoes.  Let’s go bird spotting with a local club! Lake County Audubon Society Chicago Ornithological Society Bird Conservation Network Red Hill Birding Tours Hoy Audubon Society Audubon Great Lakes Chicago Audubon Society Chicago Ornithological Society Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society Evanston North Shore Birding Club Illinois Audubon Society Thorn Creek Audubon Society Prairie Woods Audubon Society Great Local Parks To Start Your Bird Watching Adventures Once you’ve got your bird watching skills down pat from guided hikes, workshops, and classes, you can try your hand at your own observations.  These parks and nature preserves are well-known spots for common bird observations as well as seasonal and rare sightings.  Plus, if you’ve got the National Geographic energy going at top speed, you can observe a lot more than just avian pals at these locations.  What other wildlife do you think you will see on your adventures? Bowen Park in Waukegan Waukegan Beach in Waukegan Bonnie Brook Sanctuary in Waukegan Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve in Wadsworth Serenity Park in Waukegan Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary McCormick Place Bird Sanctuary Illinois Beach State Park Jackson Park Lake Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Starved Rock State Park Matthiessen State Park Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville Waukegan Harbor Light in Waukegan Bird Watching is Fun for the Whole Family Check out these great resources for kids, tweens, and teens to join in on the fun of bird watching!  You’ll find bird watching and observation projects, log books, flashcards, illustrated and photographic guides, and more. Best Birding Sites By Car Learn to Bird From the Car Bird Behaviourist Bird-Watching Project Bird Journal Bird-Watching Project Bird Track Tracing Bird-Watching Project Birdcall Bird-Watching Project My Bird Watching Journal Logbook for Kids and Families (Hardcover/Paperback) Backpack Explorer : Bird Watch (Hardcover) Audubon Birding Adventures for Kids Birds of New York Guide Printable PDF Booklet Sibley Backyard  Birding Flashcards Merlin App by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology National Geographic’s Birds of New York National Geographic’s Birds of North America Best Binoculars for Bird Watching Toddler Flash Cards Backyard Birds Fandex Family Field Guides to Birds Plow and Hearth Cape Cod Wooden Birdhouse Sun Grow DIY Paintable Birdhouse with Porch Attracting Birds with a Nesting Ball 10 Bird Learning Activities for Kids Owl Pellets and Dissection Kits from Pellet.com The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling Birds in Watercolor Collage and Ink

Today is National Spaghetti Day! And we thought it would be fun to celebrate in a few different ways. Today’s blog post will be a light and cheerful one full of delicious facts and exciting eateries. First, we’ll be highlighting some of the great racing drivers and pioneers from Italy throughout motorsports history. And secondly, we’re going to shout out some of our favourite local eateries to grab a nice plate of Nona’s “s’getti and meat-a-balls!” So dig in to today’s post and mangia these fun historical anecdotes to impress your friends at your upcoming pasta dinner. more Image of Alberto Ascari from thesportsman.com Alberto Ascari competed in motorcycle racing and car racing, and was described as “Italy’s Greatest Ever,” a claim even supported in part by Enzo Ferrari! He was known as “Little Ascari” and “Ciccio.”  Ascari was a Formula One World Champion twice over, and competed for years in the racing circuit until an accident caused his untimely death on May 26th 1955. Image of Giuseppe Farina from Formula1.com Guiuseppe “Nino” Farina was the first official Formula One World Champion and won the first driver’s title, crowned in 1950!  He was also the Italian Champion in 1937, 1938, and 1939 consecutively.  He was sadly killed in a car accident in 1966. Image of Mario Andretti via indycar.com Mario Andretti was born to an Italian family and achieved fame as one of the most successful American F1 racing drives in all of motorsports history.  His name is synonymous with several championship wins, and notoriety as one of only 2 race drivers to win races in F1, IndyCar, World Sportscar, and NASCAR!  He was also the only person to be dubbed United States Drive of the year in 3 different decades (1960s, 1970s, 1980s.)  He is currently 81 years old. Image via Ferrari.com Giancarlo Fisichella has been a celebrated Italian racing driver since 1984.  Heentered his first race in 1996 at the Australian Grand Prix, and continued on to participate in an impressive 231 races, three of which he won in the Formula 1 circuit.  He also made an appearance in the beloved movie “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” Image from F1.Fandom.com Michele Alboreto was an Italian race driver. He was runner up to Alain Prost in the ‘85 F1 World Championship, and later won the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 2001 12 Hours of Sebring races.  He passed away in April 2001 in an accident in Germany at the Lausitzring during a test drive with Audi. Image from italyonthisday.com Luigi Musso was an Italian race participant who competed in 24 Formula 1 races, and 15 of them were under the ferrari flag starting when he was just 30 years old. He won the 1956 Argentine Grand Prix, but unfortunately perished after just 5 years in the circuit in a fatal accident at the 1958 Grand Prix. Grab a Great Plate of Spaghetti at These Fine Establishments Jimano’s Pizzeria at 938 N Green Bay Road Waukegan Quonset Pizza at 2602 Grand Avenue Waukegan K&R Jesters at 1500 N Lewis Avenue Waukegan Potesta’s Pizza on 434 S Green Bay Road Waukegan Louie’s Restaurant at 1009 North Avenue Waukegan Anastasia’s Restaurant & Sports Lounge at 3880 Northpoint Boulevard Waukegan Double D Pizza at 1500 N Lewis Avenue Waukegan Honey Bay’s Barbecue at 1726 Belvidere Street Waukegan La Scarola in Chicago, IL Siena Tavern in Chicago, IL Viaggio Restaurant in Chicago, IL Quartino Ristorante in Chicago, IL Sapori Trattoria in Chicago, IL The Pasta Bowl in Wicker Park in Chicago, IL Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, IL Il Porcellino in Chicago, IL Riccardo Trattoria in Chicago, IL Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio in Chicago, IL Topo Gigio Ristorante in Chicago IL Salute Italian Restaurant in Racine, WI Casa Capri Restaurant in Kenosha, WI Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen in Kenosha, WI Renzo’s Pizzeria & Trattoria in Kenosha, WI Ruffolo’s Special Pizza 2 in Kenosha

Welcome to the “New Year!”  If you’re one of the many folks who prefer a fresh start and a clean slate, you’re going to really love today’s blog post.  Today we’re focusing on all the different ways you can reorganize your workspaces, workshops, and garages.  You’ll find lots of helpful hints and tips along with all the tools you’ll need to keep your space in tip-top shape. more If you're the DIY mindset person, we’ve also got some helpful YouTube videos that show you how to get the job done yourself.  All that and more with just a click of the button, so what’re you waiting for?  Let’s get your New Year, New Garage goals checked! Check out our handy guide to learn how to go from Mess to Less! Little Things Make a Big Difference: Why You Should Paint Your Garage Image from Home Depot A fresh coat of paint may not seem like a big deal, but when it comes to livening up the workspace and protecting it from spills, messes, and mishaps in your garage, you can’t skip it!  We recommend giving the walls and ceiling of your garage and workspace a fresh coat of paint in a gloss or semi-gloss finish for easy cleaning.  Choose something that’s kid-friendly even if you don’t have any, as these are often low-odor, fast drying, and easy-to-clean options!  Alternatively, a great exterior paint will hold up to just about all the elements (manmade or natural!) and make cleanup a breeze.  They’ll keep your space looking fresh and pleasant for years to come no matter what mess you fling at it.  Clear out the space and give the room a fresh coat before installing your new organizers, cabinets, and other gadgets. Image from Exterior Performance Coatings Once you’ve painted the walls and ceiling, but before you install your hardware, furniture, and organizers, you’ll want to also consider painting the floors.  Providing the floors with a protective coating can prevent motor oil, household chemicals, and other fluids from damaging the foundation and flooring. Consider hiring a professional to install and apply a polyaspartic coating on the floor, or at the very least applying a primer + sealant + paint to any concrete base.  This will keep your garage looking smart and also prevent costly repairs due to damage.  Plus, it really brightens up the space which can be a big help when working indoors. Now It’s Time To Get the Ball Rolling: Organizers, Workbenches, Cabinets and More! The Gladiator Garage Overhead Storage Rack gives you a fantastic way to use unconventional storage in spaces people usually overlook!  Place seasonal items up overhead when not in use, and take advantage of the space while leaving room to park your cars during inclement weather. Clean, simple, easy to use, and bright.  Those are just a few of the reasons we love the WFX Utility shelving option sold on Wayfair. It has lots of options to reshuffle and reorganize your tools for easy storage and removal; great for rakes, shovels, snow scrapers, and more.  It comes with a set of hooks and bins to get you started, too. Looking for something even more simple and basic?  You can go the utilitarian route with the Holeyrail Garage Organizer for under $50 on Amazon right now. It makes a great alternative to the slatboard and pegboard options, and everything will be ready to go at your fingertips.  It’s versatile, simple to install, and best of all it’s ultra budget friendly! If your garage has lots of open wall space, consider mounting some cabinets and shelves above your workspace.  If you don’t like the look of tools hanging about in the open, this Hanging Tool Cabinet from Harbor Freight is a great way to tidy up your workspace as well as maintaining a neat appearance.  As an added bonus, the doors lock to keep curious kiddos out of the danger zone, and to help prevent theft of your valuable tools should you forget to lock your garage. Every good workshop needs a sturdy workbench or work table.  They’re great for planning and prepping, great for spreading out while mid-project, and even double as extra storage while you’re rearranging your space. Harbor Freight has a wonderful mobile 46” Mobile Workbench with plenty of drawers and cabinet space that can fit just about anywhere!  Use it indoors or outdoors for flexibility and versatility, and the 1200lb storage weight capacity makes it the perfect place to stash hefty tools without worry. Helpful DIY Videos

We’re back with another installment of the Local Community Calendar!  We’ve rounded up some lovely events and entertainment for you to enjoy over the next month and change. Please be sure to double check all websites and listings for cancelations, delays, and closures due to weather or Covid19 regulations.  Remember to mask up, social distance, test frequently and often as possible to keep  your family and peers in the community safe. more Classic’s Local Community Calendar for Waukegan and Chicago Area On January 3rd, enjoy a Free Outdoor Men’s Workout at the Columbus Park Golf Course in Chicago from 5:30AM to 6:15AM. January 5th at the Belvidere Recreation Center in Waukegan, bring the family for a day of fun at Holiday Adventures with the Waukegan Park District from 7AM to 6PM. January 5th is a lovely evening to enjoy the finer side of the arts with “Kiss Me Kate” at The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Repeat performances this morning in afternoons and evenings. January 5th at Dan Ryan woods in Chicago, bring your kids and teens for Open Nature Play Day in Chicago from 10AM to 1PM. January 6th there’s a great Baby friendly storytime session at the Palatine Library District from 10AM to 10:30AM in Palanti ne. Tired of dinners at home? January 6th you can head to the Lucky Burger and Grill Foodtruck from 5PM to 8PM at the Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein. Enjoy Legos @ The Library at the Uptown Neighbourhood Library in Kenosha from 4:30 to 5:30, perfect for families and kids under 5. January 7th is a great time to take your kids over to the McHenry Public Library for “Storytime for Little Ones!” from 4PM to 4:30PM. January 7th is a great day for family fun!  Head over to the Watts Ice Center in Glencoe for an exciting Superhero Skate for Friday Family Skate Night from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. January 7th at the Palatine Library District from 4PM to 5PM is a great time to get the older kids out of the house for a Tween Hangout Session in Palatine. On January 8th at the Genesee Theater, enjoy an outstanding tribute to David Bowie at “David Brighton’s Space Oddity.” On Sunday January 9th from 4PM to 9PM, enjoy some wonderful outdoor time with friends and family at Skating in the Park at Rosemont in Rosemont. January 9th is a wonderful time to enjoy an evening of fine jazz music with Magnetic Jazz at Madcats from 5PM to 8PM in Palatine. On January 9th starting at 5PM, enjoy the ChiTown Movies Presents: Finding Nemo at ChiTown Movies in Chicago. Let’s support local agriculture and find something exciting to make for dinner at the Kenosha HarborMarket in Kenosha from 9AM to 1PM. If you’ve resolved that 2022 means you’ll get the job of  your dreams or bust, you’ll definitely want to check out the Waukegan Job and Career Fiar at the Job Center of Lake County.  The event runs from 11AM to 2PM on January 12th and January 20th and January 26th! Pencil in a day of fun January 13th from 12PM to 8PM at the Lake County Fairgrounds at Grayslake for the Northern Illinois Sports Show in 2022. January 19th, tune in for a special Family to Family Health Information Center webinar series hosted by ARC of Illinois with Molly Hoffman, DSCC. January 20th at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan from 7:30 to 11:30PM, throw it back to the 90s and 00s with Nelly in concert! On January 22nd at 8PM, come spend an evening at Bass Station in Waukegan for Euphoria II and have an amazing night on the town. Head over to the College of Lake County in Grayslake for the Mini Job Fair from 11AM to 1PM. Head to Schaumberg on January 27th from 12PM to 8PM at the Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. Enjoy another fun evening of Family togetherness at the Blackhawks Night for Family Skate Night in Watts Ice Center in Glencoe on the 28th of January. February 6th in Highwood at the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory enjoy the musical selections and fun activities at the Chicago Bass Festival at BGH from 9AM to 5PM. February 5th and 6th is the Waukegan Township’s “Groundhog Shootout” for 6 more weeks of Basketball! February 13th at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, book a ticket to see West Side Story live on stage!

Tonight is New Years Eve!  We’re glad to be here to celebrate the close of another wild year.  We’ve all been through so much the last year or two, and we deserve a night off.  So we thought we would use today’s blog space to suggest some fun activities to let loose, unwind, and relax! more Let’s begin the new year as we mean to end it, on a happy note, with good intentions, and paying no mind to any stresses, trials or tribulations. Get your noisemakers ready, because we’re here to party! Local New Year’s Eve  Fun New Year’s Eve Sparkly Fun at Three Brothers Theatre in Waukegan from 8 to 11:59PM! New Year’s Eve Party at Just for Fun Roller Rink from 11AM to 2PM in Mundelin Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Fox Lake from 4:30PM to 6:30PM New Year’s Eve Sip, Nibble, Celebrate and Stock up in Wauconda New Year’s Eve Early Bird Dinner Show at The Marriot Theatre in Lincolnshire from 2PM to 8PM Unwind with a Festive and Fun New Years Eve Party at Home! With virus rates on the rise again in many places, some folks may not be up for the usual party antics. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a super swell shindig anyway.  Check out our suggestions for long-distance celebrations for those of you who wish to avoid the bar and restaurant scene this year, and celebrate more low-key options at home. Schedule a virtual game night with your pals! Whether you’re gaming together on Xbox or PC etc, or gathering over zoom for a game of virtual charades, there’s lots of ways to play party games from afar!  Here are some fun racing games with online play options with friends: Forza Horizon 5 Forza Motorsport 7 Super Mario Kart Split/Second: Velocity Gran Turismo Sport Bake up some fun treats and do a drive-by dessert swap this evening with friends!  We recommend raising a proverbial toast to the new year with these festive boozy-treats (recommended for adult consumption only!)  These are easy enough to make and take today! Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Pink Champagne Cake Pink Champagne Truffles Blood Orange Champagne Creme Brulee Sparkling Champagne Cookiewiches Almond Champagne Poached Pears with Almond Whipped Cream Plan a virtual watch party with friends and family for a movie night!  Grab your favourite movie snacks and queue up a movie chat via Teleparty or other streaming chat service.  Here’s a great list of movies to rent or stream on New Years Eve: An American in Paris (1951) via Amazon Prime New Year’s Evil (1980) via Amazon Prime Terror Train (1980) via Amazon Prime When Harry Met Sally (1989) via Amazon Prime Mermaids (1990) via Amazon Prime Sleepless in Seattle (1993) via Amazon Prime While You Were Sleeping (1995) via Amazon Prime Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) via Amazon Prime RENT (2005) via Amazon Prime High School Musical (2006) via Amazon Prime New Year’s Eve (2011) via Amazon Prime Snowpiercer (2013) via Amazon Prime The Great Gatsby (2013) via Amazon Prime Phantom Thread (2017) via Amazon Prime Make a list of New Year's Intentions instead of New Years Resolutions.  Instead of making very specific promises to ourselves that most of us won’t keep, let’s think more abstractly. You can add in your own flair and flavor, but these statements are more broad, all-encompassing, and less intimidating. Here’s some examples: I intend to prioritize joy and happiness. I intend to take more chances and be brave. I intend to turn my hobbies from side projects to center stage interests. I intend to spend more time with my loved ones and prioritize social time. I intend to prioritize my health, and not procrastinate important appointments, or prolong necessary rest. Create fun collaged vision boards together!  Grab those rogue catalogues, flyers, magazines, and promotional postcard materials.  We’re going to use them to make some super fun art together.  Cut out all of the inspiring images that you wish to manifest this year: that dream road trip, a brand new car, upgraded gadgets to your vehicle, a new pair of driving gloves, bucket list destinations.  Then paste them to a piece of paper or poster board and decorate with photos of yourself, your friends, your family, and words of encouragement cut out from headlines and articles.  You can be inspired by financial goals, personal goals, career goals and more! Then share them with your friends and family via web chat or post to social media.  It will be fun to look back on next year and see how many you were able to check off. No matter what you do this evening, we hope that you have a wonderful close to 2021.  And we are all sending you best wishes and good cheer for the happiest, healthiest, most optimistic New Year in 2022!

We’re celebrating National Bacon Day with a list of amazing local restaurants that could use your support!  You’ll find amazing brunch restaurants, brunch recipes to make at home for the holidays, and fun bacon themed gear. more Amazing Brunch Spots in the Area These establishments all offer a host of menu items that really hit the spot after an evening of holiday parties and festive celebrations.  From Bacon Hash to Bacon Grilled Cheese to Maple-Bacon Pancakes, there’s a plethora of comfort food that’s perfect to pig out on. (Pun intended!)  Check them out below, and let us know your fave local brunch spots in a comment! Emily’s Pancake House in Waukegan Monica’s Diner in Waukegan Sunset House Restaurant in Waukegan Bob & Anne’s Restaurant in Waukegan Avocado Express in Waukegan Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Waukegan Coffee Break & Lunch in Waukegan Sunset House Restaurant in Waukegan Miramar Bistro in Highwood Garden Berry Cafe in Vernon Hills Taste of Paris in Mundelein Maevery Public House in Lake Bluff Caribana in Lindenhurst Brunch Cafe in Fox River Grove Egg Harbor Cafe in Libertyville Brunch Cafe in Roselle Brunch Cafe in Niles Best Bacon Centric Recipes for Holiday Brunches Get ready for Post-Christmas family brunch and New Years day hangover cures with these bacon-centric recipes to make at home!  Bonus: We’ve also included cocktails and desserts to round it out. Pioneer Woman’s Bacon Brunch Ring Cafe Delite’s Cheesy Bacon and Egg Hash Bacon Egg and Cheese Roll-Ups Alex Guarnaschelli’s Candied Bacon Dinner at the Zoo’s Breakfast Casserole with Bacon Tablespoon’s Maple Bacon Breakfast Pie Butter w a Side of Bread’s Breakfast Rolls with Bacon Damn Delicious’s Bacon Breakfast Pizzas Food Network’s Bacon, Egg and Maple Grilled Cheese Spruce Eats Bacon Me Crazy Cocktail Southern Kitchen’s Maple Bacon Old Fashioned Guy Fieri’s Maple Pig Cocktail A Breakfast Negroni Hy-Vee’s Bloody Mary Mocktail Pineapple and Bacon Infused Vodka Bloody Mary Tammi Lee Tips Bacon Manhattan Cocktail Jones Dairy Farm’s Bacon Pecan Bars Pepperidge Farm’s Brown Sugar Bacon Puff Twists Tablespoon’s Bourbon Bacon Crunch Cake Savory Experiments Chocolate Bacon Saltine Toffee Mr Food’s Maple-Bacon Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Sizzling Hot Bacon Car Decor Keep Calm and Eat Bacon Car Flag is perfect for announcing your allegiance to your top choice breakfast side far and wide! Accoutrement’s Bacon Air Freshener will give you that tantalizing breakfast aroma of everyone’s fave sizzling meat in your car 24/7! While you’re waiting for the MVC/DMV to ship you your new license plates, try this bacon centric license plate cover as a placeholder! This fully realistic bacon weave printed center console cover has your name written all over it!  Good news, it’s quirky, stylish, and it won’t get any grease on your clothes. The breakfast club can hold a new session every commute to work if you deck your ride out in these kitschy and fun pop-art style breakfast themed seat covers!

Winter is here, and the weather outside is about to get a little frightful.  That means saying goodbye for now to the weekend joy rides and long trips “on the road.” Instead, it’s time to hunker down with some exciting books about cars and automotive history to live vicariously. more From cool pictorial retrospectives, kids books and easy readers, and lots of other fabulous vehicle themed pop culture reading material, we’ve got something for everyone to share.  Check it out on today’s blog and let’s get cozy for some chilly weather reads! Cool Cars By Quentin Wilson Chrysler’s Turbine Car: The Rise and Fall of Detroit’s Coolest Creation By Steve Lehto How Cars Work By Tom Newton Built for Speed: The World’s Fastest Cars By Publications International LTD Classic Cars: The Definitive Visual History By DK Books New Driver’s Guide To Things Not To Crash Into By Lea Dodykavis My Dad Had That Car: A Nostalgic Look At the American Automobile By Tad Burness A Brief History of Motion By Tom Standage Bullitt: The Cars and People Behind Steve McQueen By Matt Stone Making Hyundai, Remaking Seoul By Lee Myung-bak Wheels for the World By Douglas G Brinkley A Man and His Car: Iconic Stories of Cars & Men Who Love Them By Matt Hranek Of Metal and Earth By Jennifer M. Lane Antique Cars and Vehicles By James Homans Eat My Dust! Henry Ford’s First Race By Monica Kulling Monster Trucks By Susan E. Goodman Elbow Grease: Teamwork Wins By John Cena Have we left your favourite tome off the list?  We’d love your input, so don’t be shy!  Let us know your favourite car related literature in a comment, and we may just feature it in an upcoming blog post.

National Short Film Day was created to honour and celebrate the birth of “film.”  Did you know that on this day in 1895, The Lumiere Brothers premiered their collection of short films in front of a public audience for the very first time.  33 guests joined Auguste and Louis at the Grand Cafe in Paris, France, to view the first ever series of 10 short films.Although each film was only about 50 seconds long, each of them truly captivated the audience since there had never been anything like it before. more In fact, their first projector was called the  “Cinematographe” (based off of the Kinetoscope concept) and is where we derived the word “cinema!”  The first ever motion picture captured by the brothers was titled “Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory” and is the earliest known video recording.  Yes, that’s right, you have the Lumiere Brothers to thank for all of your favourite car, racing, and automotive blockbusters! The brothers captured their movies using their Lumiere apparatus: a single camera used for photography and projecting moving images at just 16 frames per second.  They used this device to capture daily life in France, creating more than 40 films in 1896 alone!  In addition, they helped create the first newsreels and documentaries. They even sent a crew of cameramen across the globe to capture additional footage as well as show their work to new audiences!  One might be able to call them the great great great grandfathers of Youtube and TikTok, if you will. We’ve come a long way since then from short films to major motion pictures and blockbuster films, and the industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds.  We can even watch movies on the road in our car now!  Pretty cool, if we may say so. If you’re craving more Short Film content, we recommend browsing streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Each of these services is host to a litany of short films in multiple genres!  In addition, you can also find incredible content for free on sites like YouTube or Vimeo, and even TikTok! Check out our picks for some great short films and film festivals: Chicago International REEL Short Film Festival Chicago Comedy Film Festival Illinois International Film Festival The MKE Short Film Festival The PBS Short Film Festival The Midwest Indie Film Fest McHenry Fall Film Fest Short Films to Stream Right Now:

Maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa but want to get into the holiday spirit nonetheless?  Well, there’s good news, because today is Festivus, the celebration for the rest of us!   The inventive holiday first appeared in 1997 on the hit TV show Seinfeld. Key components to the unique and wacky holiday include the Festivus dinner feast, the aluminum Festivus pole, “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength.”  This cheeky pseudo-holiday from TV has evolved from clever gag to an ever growing pop culture seasonal celebration! more Looking to throw an exciting Festivus event of your own?  We’re here to help with our fun guide!  So invite your friends to road trip for a visit and enjoy a festivus feast together. How to Celebrate Festivus At Home (image from Seinfeld TV series) Acquire a Festivus Pole and decorate: It’s best to keep it as non-commercial as possible, and thus upcycling is preferred.  The pole itself should remain undecorated, but you should place it in a central viewing area. Look around your home and find an aluminum pole of any size or length.  According to the holiday’s founder, one famed Frank Cosntanza, it cannot be made of any other material. Prepare the Festivus meal and call guests to the table: The traditional Festivus meal consists of your choice of meat served on a bed of lettuce - Turkey, Ham, Lamb Chops, or Beef Stew - or the traditional meatloaf on lettuce.   Place the dinner on the table and invite all of your guests to sit down to proceed in the first celebration. Airing of Grievances: Just before serving the meal, place a clock inside of a bag and nail it to the wall (don’t ask, just do.)  Prior to the meal in lieu of prayer during religious holidays, the Festivus tradition instructs us to go around the table and tell the others how they have disappointed you in the past year.  Once you’ve cleared the air and everyone’s said their peace, it’s time to dig in. Feats of Strength: After the meal it’s time to commence the final Festivus tradition.  The “Feats of Strength” tests are immediately following the Festivus feast (although some exuberant folks do start earlier as the meal winds down.)  The rules are as follows:  The head of the household chooses one Festivus guest, and challenges them to a wrestling match and test of strength.  The head of household must be pinned by other family members, the honor of which is given to someone seated at the main table.  Festivities do not end until the host is pinned, so choose wisely! Foods of Festivus Salted Soft Pretzels Turkey Chili, Crab Bisque, or Mulligatawny Soup Lettuce Wedge Salad with Large Cherry Tomatoes, and thick Carrot ribbons with your favourite choice dressing. Beef-a-Roni from a can, or a homemade Beefaroni Dupe Chocolate Babka and Cinnamon Babka Black and White Cookies Easy, No-Fuss Turkey Lettuce Wrapped Meatloaf Burgers Grilled Beef Lettuce Wraps Wear Your Finest Festivus Sweater Festivus For the Rest of Us Aluminum Pole Sweater Seinfeld Aesthetic Festivus Sweater Festivus Pole and Feats of Strength Ugly Sweatshirt Festivus Ugly Sweater Sweatshirt with Frank

Huzzah, winter break is here!  We’re ready to kick back, relax, and celebrate the holiday season with our favourite people.  And what better way to do just that, than with a plethora of fun destinations to check out during your time off!  Whether you’re enjoying these activities with family or friends, we know you’re going to round out 2021 on a high note. more Just because the winter weather is here doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the great outdoors and hiking trails in the area.  Hang up those hiking boots and swap them out for some snowshoes and skis!  On less than a tank of gas you’ll be on your way to winter wonderland bliss.  Feeling the crunch of the fresh snow under your feet, enjoying the brisk fresh air and that “it’s going to snow any moment now” scent on the breeze.  There’s nothing else quite like it! Local Places for Snowshoeing, Sledding, and Cross Country Skiing Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan, IL Captain Daniels Wright Woods in Mettawa IL Adler Park in Libertyville, IL INdependence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL Lakewood Winter Sports Area in Wauconda, IL Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry, IL Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, IL Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest, IL Captain DAniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa, IL Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake, IL Edward L Ryerson Conservation Area in Deerfield, IL Chiwaukee Prairie in Pleasant Prairie, WI Kenosha Silver Lake County Park in Salem, WI Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kansasville, WI Parkside Cross-Country Ski Trail System in Kenosha, WI For those with a need for speed, you can swap your street racing energy for a set of downhill skis.  Forget the gravel flying beneath your spinning wheels on the road, and get ready for clouds of fresh powder and blustery swirls of snow.  We’ve got the best picks in the area for mountain downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing and more.  Check out our picks for best Ski and Snowsports Areas & Resorts worth the road trip! Best Downhill Skiing and Winter Sports Destinations Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports in Lisle, IL Snowstar in Andalusia, IL Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, IL Villa Olivia in Bartlett, IL Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL Gander Mountain in Antioch, IL Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont, IL Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort in Wilmot, WI Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn, WI Little Switzerland in Slinger, WI Fox Hill Ski Area in West Bend, WI The Mountain Top Ski and Adventure Center at Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI Sunburst Ski Area in Kewaskum, WI Nutt Hill in Plymouth, WI Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, IA Pines Family Ski Area in Valparaiso, IN If you’re not much for nature or winter sports, that doesn’t mean you’ll be left out in the cold for winter break fun!  You can head into the city for a night out on the town, enjoy some winter festivities like Ice Skating or Sledding, and other nifty ideas.  So check out our list for non-sports related winter destinations, and some unconventional holiday celebrations.  Start a new tradition with your loved ones this year, and live life to the fullest! Wintertime Fun for Everyone The Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge NYD Pajama Brunch at Side Lot Brewery New Years Day Musical Yoga Event Dungeons & Dragons: Waterdeep Adventures Virtual Event for Grades 5-12 Frosty Fest at the Gurnee Park District Holiday Adventures Zoo 4 U at Belvidere Recreation Center Holiday Adventures Space Station at Belvidere Recreation Center Holiday Adventures New Years Eve Eve at Belvidere Recreation Center Holiday Adventures Awesome Arts at Belvidere Recreation Center Grandpa’s Ho-Ho Holiday Hideaway at Lindy’s Landing Beach Club Sleigh Rides and Activities at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago Royal Carriage Rentals in Genoa, IL Field Stone Farm Carriage & Pony in Lake Geneva WI Alpine Biergarten at Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. Midway Plaisance Ice Rink in Chicago, IL Peninsula Sky Rink in Chicago, IL Indoor Gardens at Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago, IL Lincoln Park ZooLights Festival in Chicago, IL The Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, IL Curling at the Gwen Hotel in Chicago, IL Curling at the Kaiser Tiger in Chicago, IL Sledding at Soldier Field Sledding Hill in Chicago, IL Millennium Park in Chicago, IL The Lakefront Trail in Chicago, IL Looking to spend the break with quiet respite instead of being constantly on the move?  You’ll find all the rest and repose you’re craving on our Midwest Winter Getaways list.  We’ve found everything from charming cottages to log cabin retreats, so no matter your flavor or passion, you’ll have a blissful stay. Quiet Weekend Getaways Kishauwau Cabins in Tonica Goldmoor Inn in Galena Copperstone Inn at Orchard Ridge Farms Starved Rock Cabins in Oglesby White Pines Inn at Mount Morris Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort Galena Cellars in Galena Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in Chicago Heartland Lodge in Nebo Big Sky Cabins in Alto Pass Nauvoo Log Cabins in Nauvoo Haagen Haus in Alton Timber Ridge Outpost in Karbers Ridge Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton Peace of Earth Lodge in Rushville Dragonfly Bed and Breakfast in Antioch Christmas House Bed and Breakfast in Racine, WI Manor on the Mile in Franksville, WI Lilac Cottage in Bowen Park Augustus Chetlain Home and Log Cabin Guest Houses in Galena Lombard Log Cabin in Four Seasons Park If you prefer the staycation route, there’s also lots of fun things to do right here in Waukegan! Check out our many local restaurants, cafes, and small businesses.  And let us know if you have a recommendation for a nearby activity, recommended accommodations for cozy winter getaways, and we may just feature it in an upcoming post!

What is the Winter Solstice? The Winter Solstice is on Tuesday December 21st at 10:59 EST in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the shortest day and longest night of 2021. It has many names around the globe including Midwinter, Yule, Longest Night, and Jol.  Learn more about different global solstice celebrations here! Celebrate with your loved ones and our list of festive Yuletime traditions on today’s blog. more Did you know: The word Solstice is based in Latin, combining the word for sun (sol) and word for standing (stit) as in “the sun stands still.” Ancient Romans celebrated the agricultural god of Saturn at the Midwinter Festival of Saturnalia. The days get colder following the Winter Solstice, contrary to the fact that the days get longer and it stays lighter each day. December 25th is the Yuletide celebration, inspired by the Sun Day, where people would burn a tree to celebrate the return of the sun and longer days. The Winter Solstice in China is celebrated as the Dongzhi Festival, a lucky day when the sun is more active, the past is gone, and hope is on the horizon.  Traditional foods consumed are dumplings or glutinous rice balls. Celebrate The Winter Solstice with These Winter Traditions Create a Yule Altar - A Yule Altar is created to welcome the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. To create one, you’ll need golden, silver, or yellow candles to symbolize the sun.  Gather items that represent the winter season: pinecones, evergreen branches, pieces of cedarwood.  You’ll want to burn some sage or sweetgrass to cleanse the altar with positive intentions. Burn a Yule Log in the Fireplace or a Fire Pit - Historically, Nordic tradition was to burn a whole tree across 12 days leading up to Christmas.  Since that’s not exactly sanctioned by apartment management or condo associations (and definitely not feasible for modern hearths) the Yule Log is a popular alternative.  If you don’t have a woodburning stove/fireplace in your home, you can always cue up the digital version on Netflix (in regular or birchwood options!)  Don’t have a Netflix account? You can always bake and serve a Yule Log cake instead. Enjoy some Yuletide “wassail” cocktails! Wassail is a festive warm drink with mulled spices consisting of: 2qts apple cider, 1.5 cups of orange juice, ¾ cup pineapple juice, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.  You can also add a splash of Rum or Whisky if you wish! Take Some Time to Meditate - Since this is the longest night of the year, set aside some time to meditate and so some soul searching. Reflect on the quiet and peace that blanket the world on snowy evenings.  Think about your goals for the upcoming year, and how you can grow as a person and focus on propelling yourself forward towards your goals.  Reminisce about the past year, and what you would like to accomplish in the new year as the world begins to thaw and usher in Spring.  Focus on being present and how you can connect with your peers, loved ones, and yourself within your own space. Exchange Nature-Related Gifts with Loved Ones - Yule is a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons as the days grow in length and nights get shorter. Get your loved ones gifts that remind them about the beauty of the world around them!  Focus on things made from natural elements, plants for their home, bulbs or seeds to be planted in spring, or perhaps some books about nature or a documentary celebrating Earth!  Make some Orange Pomanders with your family.  Take small, firm oranges and whole cloves to create this craft.  You may use a sharp knife or citrus zester to create patterns on the orange skin (save the peel for your wassail or baking!)  Poke the cloves into the orange in pretty patterns (you can use a toothpick or chopstick to pre-make the holes for little ones!.)  They make a gorgeous holiday gathering centerpiece, or temporary ornament for live Christmas trees. Read a Wintry Theme Book with Family and Friends - You can try “The Mitten” by Jan Brett; “The Winter Solstice” by Ellen Jackson; “The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards; “The Solstice Badger” by Robin McFadden; “The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice” by Wendy Pfefer and Jesse Reisch. Sending our best yuletide wishes to you and yours from all of us here at Classic!

For National Christmas Wreath Day, and we’re highlighting wonderful local businesses in the community who have natural wreaths for sale. And if that’s not enough, we’ve got a mix of virtual DIY Classes and events where you can make your own festive decor.  Check it out on today’s blog! more Wreath Themed Workshops Events On December 21st from 7PM to 10PM, grab your pals and take a road trip to Moran’s Pub in South Milwaukee for a Sip and Craft class. Sign up for a virtual Festive Wreath Workshops online with AmbienceArtsGB via Etsy. Book a spot in a virtual Holiday Wreath Workshop online and create a festive piece of holiday greenery with your pals. Forage for your own greenery and embellishments to create a wreath with Rogers Gardens in this virtual tutorial. Shop Small and Shop Local for Wreaths These wonderful local shops and businesses are ready for the holidays with a fine selection of festive trees, wreaths, and more! Laura’s Home & Patio Furniture Store in East Northport Hicks Nurseries Inc in Westbury Long Island Christmas Tree Delivery in Mineola J.G. Brands Christmas Tree Sales Inc at Padavan-Preller Fields House of Holiday in Ozone Park Elwood Christmas Tree Farm in Huntington Mike’s Christmas Tree Farm in Manorville Carter Christmas Tree Farm in Miller Place Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm LI in Cutchogue Dart’s Tree Farm in Southold Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm in Mattituck Greg’s Trees in College Point Atlantic Nursery & Garden Shop in Freeport Cheap Sam’s Plant Bargains in Holtsville Bayport Flower Houses, Inc. Hewlynn Home & Garden Center Wreaths for Your Car Who says festive holiday decorations are just for your home and office? Let’s get into the holiday spirit with these silly adornments for our automobiles! Christmas Car Decorations Christmas Reindeer Antlers Car Kit with LED Lights Christmas Wreaths fro Cars and Trucks Reindeer Antler Kit for Cars