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Great Gadgets and Gear Under $100 on Amazon! Here at Classic we don’t just love selling cars, we love driving and maintaining them, too!  Today we’re sharing our picks for some great car gadgets that make driving a more enjoyable and relaxing experience.  Head on over to the blog for gadgets and gizmos aplenty to spruce up your new ride.  Give your car a little personality and pizazz with some of the picks on our list, too!   As an added bonus, this list has great budget friendly options for gift giving if you’re getting a jump start on holiday shopping for all your favourite Gearheads.  Thanks to Amazon, you can get fast, speedy shipping just in time for the season! more Keep your new car looking clean and fresh for the long haul.  Snag the THISWORKX portable vacuum cleaner and detailing kit for under $50 on Amazon right now! We’ve all dropped something into that unsightly void between the front seat and the center console.  It’s a black hole of dust, muck, garbage, and tidbits that our phone inevitably finds as if drawn to its center. But you can put a stop to that hassle with the DropStop Gap Filler for under $50 on Amazon. Amazon has added a car friendly version of the Echo to their lineup of tech options.  Use Alexa for hands-free calling, traffic and GPS, music, and more.  The perfect option to update older model vehicles with 2021 technology! Available for about $50 right now on Amazon. This budget friendly goop is a great gadget for stocking stuffers or white-elephant parties.  An easy to store container fits most cupholders for on-the-go cleanup and tidying.  Use this putty gel to clean hard to reach places such as air vents, cupholders, side pockets, steering wheels and more. Helps remove grime and grit from most surfaces. Under $10! This car ionizer plugs into the electrical outlet of older model vehicles (or the cigarette lighter option on vintage cars.)  It helps purify the air of pollutants, lingering scents, and other nasty stuff.  It’s priced under $25 for a great stocking stuffer or office party grab bag option. ​​ Keep your car’s paperwork and other cards safe and sound from theft. This RFID blocking wallet fits in your glove compartment or center console for safe keeping of your important documents.  And it’s a thrifty option with a great price under $15 right now on Amazon. Portable tire compressors make a great gift, and there are quite a few options out there! Check out this one by AstroAI under $30. Or this one by VacLife for under $30 as well. And this great mini option for portability for just under $50 by Yamctopy. And rounding out our list at just under $100 on sale right now at Amazon, the NOCO Boost Plus is a portable jump start battery for your car!  It’s got a 12V output and USB in and out ports as well as two built in jumper cables.  It’s a must have for those who love to go on road trips or commute to school and/or work.

It’s National Sandwich Day! There are a lot of “hot takes” online about what makes a sandwich.  Is it simply some vegetables, meats, and/or cheeses stuffed between bread or dough items?  Do hot sandwiches count or only ones with chilled deli meats?   Is a hot dog a sandwich?! Do Tacos or Quesadillas count? Do you call it a Hoagie or a Sub Sandwich?! more Okay, okay, we could sit here and debate it all day long, but we’re getting a little hungry, and we’ve still got lots of cars to sell!  So instead of dishing out our own opinions, we’ll just share some of our favourite local restaurants with the best sandwiches around. From traditional Chicago Style dogs (okay, we’re counting ‘em!) to Chicago Style Beef sandwiches and other regional faves, you’ll find plenty of top notch eats.  Check out our picks for pheNOMenal bites in Waukegan, Southern Wisconsin, and the Greater Chicago area! Best Eats Around: Hot Hoagies, Cold Sandwiches, and More! We’ve got a great roundup of delicious restaurants and delis in the area just for you: Leno’s Sandwich Shop at 1826 Grand Avenue in Waukegan George’s Gyros at 2122 Grand Avenue in Waukegan Potbelly Sandwich Shop at 760 S Waukegan Road in Waukegan Quonset Pizza at 2602 Grand Avenue in Waukegan Hoagie Hut in 2807 Grand Avenue in Waukegan Brown’s Chicken at 3150 Belvidere Road in Waukegan Shirl’s Drive-In Waukegan at 2132 N Lewis Avenue in Waukegan HealthyYums at 2724 Sheridan Road in Zion Rammy’s Sub Contractors at 834 Wheeling Road in Wheeling Frantonio’s Italian Deli & Cafe at 421 N Northwest Highway in Barrington Eleven City Diner at 1112 S Wabash Avenue in Chicago Giordano’s at 730 N Rush Street in Chicago J.P. Graziano Grocery at 901 W Randolph Street in Chicago Fat Shack at 2537 S Wabash Avenue in Chicago Capt’n Nemo’s Rogers Park at 7367 N Clark Street in Chicago Devil Dawgs on State at 767 S State Street in Chicago Cousins Subs at 3806 W 52nd Street in Kenosha, WI Morelli’s Deli at 7506 7th Avenue in Kenosha, WI Tenuta’s Delicatessen-Liquors at 3203 52nd Street in Kenosha, WI SoupDepot Breakfast Lunch & Dinner at 2731 18t Street in Kenosha, WI Rustic’s Subs at 1830 27th Avenue Unit 101 in Kenosha, WI Harborside Common Grounds at 5159 6th Avenue in Kenosha, WI Big Lou’s Standing Room Only at 635 75th Street in Kenosha, WI Final Inning at 9048 Sheridan Road in Kenosha, WI Curious as to ‘Wich Items Are Best for Taking Your Sandwiches to Go? Whether you’re going on a picnic, a road trip, or just your daily commute, we’ve got lots of great options for taking your sandwich with you safely. Check it out here: Check out the SnapLock sandwich keeper to protect your sandwich on the commute to work! Under $10, it’s a steal on Amazon! ​​ No matter whether you call it a Hoagie or a Sub, it still needs safekeeping!  Check out this great sandwich keeper specifically designed for long rolls. Under $25 and worth it to protect your artisanal eats, right here on Amazon! Steel yourselves for this next one, because it’s going to excite the environmentally conscious in our midst!  This plastic free option is made of stainless steel and is very sturdy. Protects both regular and gluten free sandwiches without judgement. Available here on Amazon!

November 1st and 2nd are part of the Dia De Muertos Celebrations, also known as “All Soul’s Day,” to commemorate and celebrate the lives of family members and friends who have passed away.  This two day festival is most notably celebrated in Mexico, but it’s also celebrated across Central and South American countries, as well as places such as Los Angeles, California with large Latinx communities.  And we’re very happy to celebrate with great local area restaurants and beautiful places to visit and events to celebrate Latin America. more The holiday ceremony has origins in Aztec tradition and ritual honoring the dead, but similar remembrance rituals are observed on All Saint’s Day/All Souls day by Christian/Catholic individuals, too!  No matter where you live, the sentiments are the same: it is a time to celebrate the harmony of life and death and the beauty and love within both.  Every living thing will eventually die, and every human being will become the same, just a skeleton or skull without the trials and trappings of life such as clothes or money or status. Celebrations include an “Altar de muertos” also known as an ofrenda, which is an altar displaying personal effects, photographs, and memories representing and celebrating the life of the person who has died.  Many people include friends, family members, and even famous figures that meant a lot to them.  Additionally, the festival is marked by parades, musical performances, and colourful decorations such as intricate paper cuttings strung up in banners, calaveras and calacas, and vibrant flowers.  Music and noisemakers are an integral part of the joyful celebration meant to wake the dead and invite them to join us and to keep close by to their loved ones! Celebrate Dia De Muertos in the Community On November 2nd from 12PM to 2PM, join in on a Day of Death Healing Circle hosted by The Wild Ones at The City of Chicago City Hall in Chicago for a day of self care, healing, and remembrance.  Tickets are free, register online. On November 3rd at 3PM, join NEIU as they welcome Mexican poet and artist Rocio Ceron with a special reading and speaking engagement with an interview and conversation to follow.  Part of the Lit & Luz Festival running from November 1st through 6th 2021.  The bilingual performance is free to attend from 3PM to 4PM  at Northeastern Illinois University. On November 3rd, head over to Osito’s Tap in Chicago from 6PM to 8:30PM for a special Dia De Los Muertos event, “Find Your Ancestral Spirit Dinner.” Tickets are on sale for $40 and includes welcome cocktails, dinner, dessert, and a night of remembrance.  All guests also receive a 10% discount on Prolijo Mezcal at Morenos Liquor. On November 5th, join the Brewja Co Gallery for a special Exhibition: Dia De Muertos - An Art Exhibition on Honoring Tradition. The event in Evergreen Park will showcase art honoring and exploring the Day of the Dead Traditions, and will include a public ofrenda. Feel free to bring photographs of your loved ones! Event runs from 7PM to 10PM and tickets range from $15 to $50. On November 5th from 6PM to 7PM, the Lit & Luz Book Club Presents: Jazmina BArrera, Rocio Ceron, and Pergentino Jose along with special guest Dr. Ignacio Sanchez Prado for a multilingual conversation about contemporary Mexican Literature.  Presented in part by UNAM Chicago & Instituto Cervantes; advance registration required, free to attend. Local Latin American Restaurants La Fondita Restaurant Mexicano at 916 W Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan La Canoa at 50 S Green Bay Road in Waukegan Taqueria Toluca at 822 10th Street in Waukegan Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in 760 N Green Bay Road in Waukegan Antojitos Tonatico at 1102 Glen Rock Avenue in Waukegan Tacos El Norte at 2663 Grand Avenue in Waukegan Comales de Waukegan at 2663 Grande Avenue in Waukegan Taqueria Guerrero # 1 at 205 W Water Street in Waukegan El Sabrocito Mexican Restaurant at 2941 Sunset Avenue in Waukegan El Rey Del Pollo Asado at 505 S Green Bay Road in Waukegan Antohitos Guerrero at 1406 Washington Street in Waukegan Catrachos Restaurant at 330 S Green Bay Road in Waukegan Carnivale at 702 West Fulton Market Street in Chicago Casa Yari in 3268 W Fullerton Avenue in Chicago Latin Patio Restaurant at 3115 N Central AVenue in Chicago La Cocinita Restaurant in Evanston IL Dia De Muertos Recipes To Make At Home Hosting your own celebration at home? Try one of these great traditional recipes to include in your festivities. Pan De Muerto Mexican Tamales Traditional Atole Champurrado Drink Tortillas de Cempazuchitl Mole Poblano Churros Tacha (Candied Pumpkin) Calaveras de Azucar Tortilla Soup Pabassinas

Who doesn’t love a good calzone with that ooey, gooey melty cheese dunked in some warm fresh marinara?  Mmmm, delicious!  And since it’s national Calzone day, we thought we’d share our picks for great local options in the Greater Chicago area. We’re so happy to be part of the community in Lake County, and we love to support fellow businesses here in the Waukegan area. more Consider ordering a lunch out from one of these fantastic restaurants, or taking a road trip to grab a bite from one of the best calzones in Chicago.  And we’ve also got some great recipes to try your hand at one at home, or great food transport bags to ensure your order gets home hot and ready to eat. The Best Around: Great Local Calzones Calzone & Macaroni at 260 Hawthorn Village Commons in Vernon Hills Ron’s Italian Ovens at 2195 N Illinois 83 in Round Lake Beach Double D Pizza at 1500 N Lewis Avenue in Waukegan Louie’s Restaurant at 1009 North Avenue in Waukegan Luici’s Mundelein at 1130 W Maple Avenue in Mundelein Mama K’s Pizza and Grille at 1801 N IL-21 in Gurnee K & R Jesters at 1500 N Lewis Avenue in Waukegan Buddyz a Chicago Pizza at 860 N Illinois Route 83 in Mundelein Potestas Pizza at 434 S Green Bay Road in Waukegan Anasasia’s Restaurant & Sports Lounge at 3880 Northpoint Blvd in Waukegan Rosati’s Pizza at 5404 Grand Avenue in Gurnee Donat’s Pizza at 205 Waukegan Road in Lake Bluff Jimano’s Pizzeria at 938 N Green Bay Road in Waukegan Bongiorno’s Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria 405 N Wabash Avenue in Chicago Panino’s Pizza Chicago at 3702 N Broadway in Chicago Pizzeria Serio 1708 W Belmont Avenue in Chicago Homeslice at 938 W Webster Avenue in Chicago The StopAlong at 1812 N Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago Spacca Napoli Pizzeria at 1769 W Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago Lacoco’s Pizza & Sports Club at 3350 W 47th Avenue in Chicago Sarpino’s Pizzeria at 1852 N Damen Avenue in Chicago Damenzo’s Pizza at 2324 W Taylor Street in Chicago Coalfire at 1321 W Grand Avenue in Chicago Tano’s Pizzeria at 3038 W Irving Park Road in Chicago Chicago’s Pizza at 3114 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago Great Gadgets for Traveling with Pizza and Calzones in the Car Whether you’re delivering Calzones for a living as a food service worker or you’re bringing some noms to a party, the Freshie Insulated XXL Food Bag is the way to go! With drink holders and food insulation to keep meals fresh and hot or cool and crisp. As the weather gets cooler, this Homevative Electric Heated Food Delivery Bag is the perfect option to ensure your Calzones arrive with all that ooey gooey bubbly cheese nice and hot!  It holds up to 3 large pizza boxes, perfect for Friday Game Nights and Saturday Date Nights! Got plans to Netflix and Chill with Calzones? The smaller option from Freshie’s Food Bag lineup is a great idea for smaller to-go orders. Great for taking to dates at the drive-in! Great Recipes to Make Your Own Calzone Like the Experts Got dreams of opening your own Pizzeria?  Try your hand at making a calzone from scratch for some practice.  We’ve got some great options for you: Incredible Homemade Calzones Classic Calzones Lidia’s Calzones Quick and Easy Calzones

October may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end! We’ve got a great roundup of family friendly activities and great events for adults and friends to enjoy this weekend.   Choose from our list of lots of festive events in the Greater Chicago Area and Southern Wisconsin regions! From Halloween Parties to Trunk or Treats to Pet Halloween Costume Contests and Spooky Exhibits, there’s lots of fun for everyone you know.  So pile everyone into your reliable car from Classic, and let’s paint the town orange for Halloweekend! more Today, October 29th from 4PM to 6PM in Zion, come on over to enjoy the Halloween Trail of Treats and some good old fashioned family fun at Shiloh Park! Tonight from 6PM to 8PM, head on over to the Northfield Neighborhood Library in Kenosha to enjoy a fun filled evening at the Nights at Northfield Howl-o-ween event with your family pet.  Come out to paint a pumpkin, enter the pet costume contest, and more! This evening from 7PM to 9:30PM  pile the family into your new car from Classic and drive on over to the Halloween movie Drive-in in Gurnee at Hunt Club Park for just $20 per vehicle! Pile the kiddos and their treat bags in the car and get ready for a fun filled day! Because on October 30th from 10AM to 4PM it’s “Boo At the Zoo” with the Racine Zoo in Racine, WI. Kids under 2 are FREE, and family member tickets will range from $5 to $10 by age and both Event participation and Zoo Admission is included in the price. On Saturday October 30th from 1PM to 2PM you can take the whole family out to Bach to Rock in Northbrook, IL for festive Halloween candy and celebrations for free to families with kiddos age 3 through 12. On Saturday October 30th from 1PM to 3PM come on out for the Halloween Trick or Treat Trail in Waukegan at Bowen Park!  Your kiddos can enjoy a 2 hour event with treat bags and lots of costumed characters for an early Halloween event. Saturday October 30th starting at 4PM come on out to the 5th Annual Trick or Treat on 6th Ave event in Kenosha, WI -- all families are welcome! At 6PM on Saturday October 30th, join in the Monster Mash Dash 5K Run & Walk at North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor. Looking for a night out on the town? Enjoy some chill Halloween Vibes from 7PM to 11PM with Stone Theory at The Kenosha Creative Space in Kenosha, WI. This Sunday October 31st in Gurnee, come down from 2PM to 5PM for family friendly Trick or Treating! Come in costume and enjoy the festivities for all ages. Scare up some fun this weekend in Chicago at the “Sweet Dreams Halloween Pop Up 2hr  Experience” at Rizzo’s Bar and Inn from 5PM to 11PM or 1PM to 11PM (depends on day of week!) Running all weekend through the 31st! It’s time to Eat, Drink and Be Scary at the Halloween Rooftop Movie experience at Whisky Business in Chicago happening on October 31st from 4PM to 10PM, starting at just $15. All month long the Museum of Illusions has been transformed into The Museum of Spooky Illusions! So head on out for some special Halloween Treats this weekend in Chicago.  Book your museum ticket and get ready to scare up some excitement with your whole family!

Here at Classic we’re thrilled to be a part of a diverse community, and we’re very excited to support and celebrate National Immigrants Day.  We’ve rounded up our picks for wonderful museums and organizations in the local region which celebrate diverse perspectives and cultures.  Check it out and plan your next road trip today! more The United States of America is a proudly diverse country including an immigrant population from nearly every country in the world.  Over 45 million people living in the United States were born in another country with their over 35 million first generation relatives and offspring.  Immigrants accounted for nearly 14% of the US population as of 2018, and together with 1st generation Americans they account for about 25% of our nation’s population.  Every year more than 1 million people emigrate to the US, with the top countries for immigrants arriving from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. Want to learn more about the history of immigrants in Chicago area? Check out this interesting article from PBS. Check out some of these fabulous places to learn more about the history of immigration, explore the diversity in the US, and get in touch with the creativity and cultural traditions of our diverse population.  They’re all just a short drive away from our dealerships here in Waukegan, and make a great day trip or activity during a weekend getaway. Museums, Organizations, and Galleries Supporting Multicultural Studies, Diverse Perspectives, and Outreach: One Two Pru Exhibit via Gallery Guichard in Chicago Trickster Cultural Center in Schaumburg IL The Chinese American Museum of Chicago in Chicago The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago Heritage Museum of Asian Art in Chicago Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago The Field Museum of Chicago in Chicago Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago National Indo-American Museum in Chicago Roots and Culture Contemporary Arts Center in Chicago National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago The Great Migration Exhibit at the Chicago History Museum in Chicago National Hellenic Museum in Chicago The Ukraonian National Museum in Chicago National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Chicago The Polish Museum of America in Chicago Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago The Swedish American Museum in Chicago Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration in Chicago Oriental Institute at University of Chicago in Chicago Hatian American Museum of Culture in Chicago Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago Zia Gallery in Winnetka, IL Sevan Gallery in Skokie, IL Northwest Cultural Council in Barrington, IL Skokie Heritage Museum in Skokie, IL Racine Heritage Museum in Racine, WI Jewish Museum of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI Livsreise Norwegian Heritage Center in Stoughton, WI Mahogany Gallery in Racine, WI Johnson Art Center at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI The Anderson Arts Center at the Kemper Center in Kenosha, WI Finding yourself inspired by all the art you’ve seen, the stories you’ve read, and heritage museums you’ve visited and want to support all of our diverse communities?  We’ve also got a great list of charitable groups and organizations which supply funding and support to Immigrants and Refugees arriving in America!  Check it out below: American Immigration Council The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services The International Rescue Committee The American Civil Liberties Union Immigrant Families Together Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights Doctors Without Borders USA for UNHCR Save the Children Project Corazon Kids in Need of Defence (KIND) Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law Movimiento Cosecha United We Dream Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in Waukegan “Recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you and me.” - Carlos Fuentes

National American Beer Day We love supporting our fellow local businesses, and on National American Beer Day, we thought it might be fun to highlight some local brewing businesses, taprooms, and microbreweries.  These fantastic food and beverage establishments not only provide income via taxes and sales, but also provide a valuable source of tourism for the area.  People love to eat and drink local but it also provides a great draw for tourism to the area.  Visitors come for the brews and stay for the local entertainment, shop local stores, book at nearby hotels, and do plenty of regional sightseeing!  It’s a win-win for everyone. more In addition to drawing outside support, many taprooms and breweries also encourage regional visitors by hosting fun local events. They may hold tasting events for seasonal releases, frequently host open mic nights, sponsor a showing for local artists and galleries or vendor markets, hire musicians to perform on a regular basis, and book small independent artists to create beautiful murals or public artworks.  It’s a great place for community gathering and socializing amongst not just casual visitors but tradesmen, local business folks, and networking groups. Brewery tasting events are also a great way to provide customers with new and interesting concepts in food and beverage, while also being mindful of responsible alcohol consumption and ensuring a customer’s safety on the road post-event.  Local taprooms and brewpubs often feature specialty brews made with locally sourced ingredients such as fresh local honey, local fruits and berries, or even partner with local catering companies and farms for joint events. So as you can see, small brewing companies and tasting rooms are a valuable part of our community.  So check out some of the options on our list and help support local businesses in the Southeastern Wisconsin region and the Greater Chicago Area! And remember, please drink responsibly. Always ensure you have a designated driver or set up a rideshare service to pick you up and bring you home. Buzzed driving is drunk driving, so drive sober if you don’t want to get pulled over! Notable Local Microbrew Pubs, Taprooms, and Breweries Venture Brew Co in Milwaukee, WI New Barons Brewing Cooperative in Milwaukee, WI Biloba Brewing Company in Brookfield, WI Driftless Brewing Company in Soldiers Grove, WI Rustic Road Brewing Company in Kenosha, WI Eagle Park Brewing and Distilling in Muskego, WI Racine BRewing Company in Racine, WI PUBLIC Craft Brewing Co in Kenosha, WI The Runaway Micropub & Nanobrewery in Burlington, WI R’Noggin Brewing Co in Kenosha, WI Harbor Brewing Co Lakefront Biergarten in Winthrop Harbor, IL Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing in Waukegan ZumBier in Waukegan, IL Only Child Brewing in Gurnee, IL Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville, IL Bosacki’s Brewery in Mundelein, IL Liquid Love Brewing in Buffalo Grove Il B eermiscuous in Highwood, IL Ravinia Brewing Company in Highland Park, IL Sketchbook Brewing Co in Evanston, IL Alarmist Brewing & Taproom in Chicago, IL Metropolitan Brewing in Chicago, IL Dovetail Brewery and Taproom in Chicago IL Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago, IL Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago, IL Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom in Chicago, IL Alulu Brewery and Pub in Chicago, I L Before we go, we wish to also take another quick moment to remind you all that drinking and driving is never a good idea!  So we’d like to share some sobering facts to keep in mind and remember to always ensure your party has a Designated Driver when attending beer tastings or brewery event days. Drunk Driving causes more than 10,000 deaths every year and ⅓ of all traffic related deaths. Drinking and driving costs over $40 billion in deaths and damages every year. Drivers aged 21 to 24 account for 27% of alcohol related fatalities, followed by 25% for ages 25 through 34. The Blood Alcohol Content limit for Illinois and Wisconsin is anything greater than 0.079%, and may result in a DUI/DWI and fines if operating a motor vehicle while drunk or buzzed. Remember to assign a designated driver to your group or schedule a ride share service. Please drink responsibly, and if you or someone you know has an alcohol abuse or drinking problem there are services to support you.

A Halloween Inspired Road Trip from Illinois to Wisconsin That Will Surely Haunt Your Memories! Grab your best ghouls and goblins and let’s end October on an exciting note with some great suggestions for spooky road trips!  Hop on in your new car from Classic and let’s hit the road, because we’re going on an epic quest to find the most Haunted Places in Wisconsin and Illinois. more Travel Most Haunted Illinois up to Haunted Wisconsin Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, IL (345 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) This is a historic site once home to an ancient Native American village, and it is rumored to be home to a host of spirits of the Natives who used to reside here. There have been reports of orbs, strange shadows, and balls of floating light.  Remains of the Native Peoples have been found on site.  Archaeologists believe the location coordinated with a stellar event involving a supernova shining day and night for a three year duration. Peoria State Hospital Museum and Cemetery in Peoria, IL (199 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) In its prime, the mental illness institution campus contained 63 buildings on site.  Many of the buildings have since been demolished, but the Bowen Building was the last one standing.  The grounds are also home to four different cemeteries.   Some paranormal investigators have even reported tastes of blood in their mouths, or smelling the pine scent used in cough syrups for ill patients. There have been sightings of patients walking through walls, echoes of footsteps, banging on the walls, and pushing or shoving of the investigators. Peoria Public Downtown Library in Peoria (196 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) Legend has it that this library was built on cursed grounds!  Mrs. Andrew Gray lived in the house in the 1830s, and when financial troubles ultimately led to foreclosure, she allegedly cursed the grounds for future owners and residents.  The house was eventually demolished and the library was erected in its stead in 1894.  Shockingly, the first three directors of the library died under quite mysterious circumstances!  Eventually the old library was demolished and a new improved building was built in its place in 1966.  Staff have reported feeling cold drafts, seeing apparitions of former directors lurking in doorways, and even whispering their name amidst the stacks. Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, IL (221 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) It is believed that prior to the 1820s this was the site of a Native American Burial Ground until colonizers took over the site and used it as a graveyard from the 1820s on, becoming an officially recognized cemetery in 1857.  Visitors to the site have reported hearing screams and strange lights from inside some of the mausoleums.  Visitors report seeing apparitions of confederate prisoners in tattered uniforms wandering in a daze.  You might even come across The Greenwood Bride, a lonely figure in a wedding gown searching for her beloved! Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Midlothian, IL (70 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) The local area was originally settled by English colonizers and homesteaders who relocated from New England in the 1830s.  It was originally named the Everden Cemetery after the original property owner Conrintha Everden, who bought the land in 1835.  There have been many reports of spooky phenomena such as floating orbs, strange lights, and even sightings of a phantom car!  If you are brave you may even witness a farmer with his horse, a white cloaked spirit of a woman with her infant, and a woman sitting atop a tombstone. Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, IL (41 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) From “The Eternal Silence” statue of a hooded cloaked monk to the isolated grave of Daniel Burnham to the imposing architecture of The Palmer Mausoleum, there is no shortage of haunts here!  You might hearcries of disembodied voices, or be overcome with an overwhelming sense of dread, or notice the eerie stillness and silence and cold spots.  You’ll just have to visit and see for yourself! Bloods Point Cemetery in Belvidere, I L (88 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) This graveyard was founded in 1935, and is famed for sightings of a nefarious woman buried on site named Beaula who murdered all of her children and now haunts the grounds for eternity.  Visitors have also reported the site has a very off putting stench. Kemper Hall in Kenosha, WI (18 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) Once used as a boarding school for young ladies it is now a recreation center, this is considered one of the most haunted destinations in Wisconsin!  Rumor has it that the grounds are haunted by the ghost of a headless nun who died when several students cornered her and shoved her down a stairway.  Some visitors have also reported apparitions of nuns peeking out of the windows. Fork in the Road Mukwonago, WI (60 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) We thought it might be nice to include a restaurant stop off on our trip, and what better than a haunted one!  Visitors to this establishment have reported seeing foggy apparitions out back, heard ghostly footsteps in the halls, and even heard the echoes of pool cues hitting pool balls and rolling across the floor. Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, WI (50 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) If you’re looking to take a break on your spooky road trip, why not spend the night here if you dare!  Spirits here are said to appear in your room and interfere with your television or radio. You may even hear a pounding or knocking on the walls at night, jangling your nerves and your wits.  Many MLB players refuse to stay in the hotel due to disturbances, yikes! Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Milwaukee, WI (51 Miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) If you prefer an even more frightening lodging experience, try this terrifying B&B.  Guests have reported disturbing nightmares, apparitions floating in the halls and in and out of rooms, and it’s even been said that blood was found in a bathtub that no one had been using.  Guests have been reporting hauntings in this four story building for nearly 100 years. You can read the reports and then decide from there, if you dare! Karsten Hotel in Kewaunee, WI (170 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) If you’re interested in strange spectral encounters, then this is the hotspot (or cold spot…) that ghost hunters like you are just dying to experience!  In fact, it’s so haunted that the owners have fully embraced the paranormal experience and accept it.  It has been in operation since 1912 and is home to at least three very active spectres.  Stay for the night, if you can make it that long... Maribel Caves in Maribel, WI (184 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) The grounds are the former site of the Maribel Caves Hotel aka Cherner Hotel, a site known for its wonderful activities and fine amenities, but which sadly burnt down to the ground with its guests still inside.  The hotel has had its fair share of notorious visitors from famed living gangsters and mobsters like John Dillinger to the spectral figure of the former owner’s ghost. High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, WI (182 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) If you like spending time in the great outdoors, you may enjoy the challenge of pitching a tent on one of the most haunted campgrounds in Wisconsin!  It’s considered a hotbed of supernatural and paranormal events, which some attribute to the fact that there are Native American burial grounds nearby the camping ground.  Some folks report strange figures and apparitions and otherworldly sounds in the dead of night. West Cove Lanes in Ladysmith, WI (341 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) Stop in for a bite to eat or explore the nearby campgrounds. But be on the lookout for the ghosts that frequent this bowling alley.  Folks have reported hearing footsteps with no figure in sight, and peals of laughter when no one is there.  Others have seen an apparition of a man in a flannel shirt.  Will you strike the big time and see a spirit or will you roll a gutterball and zero out? If you have been to any of these spooky locations and have a story to tell, let us know! We’d love to hear all about it in a comment! Have a safe and happy halloween!

We’re celebrating all things creative by highlighting some great reasons you should support The Arts in our local community!  Join us as we explore ways you can support local artists and arts councils, and why art is vital to our society. Why Should You Support The Arts? Artists and the arts are an integral part of society, helping us frame the world in creative ways so we can better understand humanity. Our society does not exist without creativity and ingenuity provided by exploring the arts.  By enjoying freedom of self expression, we are encouraging people to think outside the box and create a sustainable future! And that’s something we’re very passionate about.  Encouraging exploration and experimentation in The Arts can absolutely lead society to a brighter, better future!  In fact, many industrial designers and engineers got their start as children experimenting with creativity. more 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. It’s no secret that the Arts invite people to become innovative thinkers and inspire others to do the same, fostering ingenuity and higher thinking.  It has been proven that participating in the arts can improve academic performance amongst students of all ages, and provide creative reasoning skills, and students achieve higher scores on standardized tests.  The act of creating can also provide an outlet for self expression which can promote better mental health, as well as physical health. Not to mention a thriving Arts program or district can improve any local community 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.  Art 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. Encouraging exploration and experimentation in The Arts can absolutely lead society to a brighter, better future.  Art is everywhere and Art is for everyone! So hop in your new car and let’s hit the road on an amazing quest to find the most interesting artwork around. Explore Public Arts programs and projects throughout Wisconsin! Explore Public Arts programs and projects in the Chicago Area! Museums, Studios and Galleries to Explore in Illinois and Wisconsin Robert T Wright Comm Gallery in Grayslake, IL Blue Moon Gallery in Grayslake, IL Jack Benny Center in Waukegan, IL Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County in Libertyville, IL The African American Museum at the England Manor in Waukegan, IL Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, IL Artpie Studio, Gallery and Art School in Waukegan National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, IL DePaul Art Museum in Chicago, IL Design Museum of Chicago in Chicago, IL WNDR Museum in Chicago, IL The Art Institute of Chicago Kavi Gupta Gallery | Washington Blvd in Chicago, IL Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, IL Addington Gallery in Chicago, IL Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, IL National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, IL Smart Museum of Art in Chicago, IL Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, IL Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, IL ECHT Gallery in Chicago, IL The Richard Driehaus Museum in Chicago, IL Latvian Folk Art Museum in Chicago, IL Masterworks Art Gallery & Studio in Vernon Hills, IL Aurora Public Art in Aurora, IL Gary Brown Art in Aurora, IL Schin Goethe Museum in Aurora, IL Seven Setting Suns Art Gallery in Aurora, IL Water Street Studios in Batavia, IL Du Page Art League Gallery, School and Gift Shop in Wheaton, IL Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha, WI Lemon Street Gallery in Kenosha, WI Re:Vision Gallery & Artist Studios in Kenosha, WI Left of the Lake Gallery in Kenosha, WI Anderson Arts Center in Kenosha, WI Kenosha Art Association in Kenosha, WI Learn a Little About Car Design and Industrial Design Have a recommendation of your own for a gallery, museum, or artist you love? Let us know! We may even feature your suggestion in a future blog!

A Fall Travel Guide to Autumnal Wonders Abound: Southeast Wisconsin and Greater Chicago Area We’re hitting the road in search of some of the best Fall Foliage views in the Southeast Wisconsin and Chicago areas.  Grab a pumpkin spice latte, a hot apple cider, your camera, some friends, and get on out there to enjoy the crisp autumn weather together!  Our Fall Foliage report has some of the best sites to see and visit for optimum seasonal content for your socials or your scrapbooks. more Here are some tips for photographing autumnal wonders with your smartphone: Charge your phone before you go! You don’t want to get to the top of the vista point only to find your prize-winning shot is a miss because you used your last 10% battery on one-to-many selfies! Bring a portable charging device with you. Pocket sized travel chargers and fast-charge cables will be your best friend on your trip into the wilderness. Shoot in horizontal orientation. Hold your phone between both hands, with your elbows near to your body for stability. Aim to shoot your vista points at sunrise or just before sunset. The “Golden Hour” provides the best light in the autumn, and creates truly spectacular imagery. Softer, waning light is better than the harsh direct light of midday. Use the “grid” feature to compose your image, and avoid using digital zoom. To avoid a pixelated picture, resist that digital zoom option on your phone. Move closer to your subject, or utilize the grid to frame the scene within squares to crop the image using a photo app like Snapseed after the fact instead. Now that you’re ready to go, let’s plan our leaf-peeping trail crawl! Wisconsin’s State Wide Fall Foliage Report Kenosha County peak leaf season is the 2nd week in October Racine Wisconsin area’s peak leaf season is 2nd week of October Pleasant Prairie area’s peak leaf season is 3rd week of October Lake Geneva peak leaf season is 3rd week of October Here are some great places to view fall foliage in the Kenosha, Racine, and Pleasant Prairie vicinities: Bristol Woods County Park Fox River Water Trail Brighton Dale Park Petrifying Springs Park Old Settler’s Park Pritchard Park Island Park Carre-Hogle Park Maple Grove Park Quarry Lake Park Gordon Tabor Woods River Bend Nature Center Ponderosa Pit Trail System Northern Trailhead for Donald Hackbarth Trail Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area Kenosha Sand Dunes Spring Bluff Forest Preserve Three of the Top Must See Destinations for Fall Foliage in Wisconsin Holy Hil; Hubertus, WI Located at 1525 Carmel Road in Hubertus, WI 53033 The church, shrine and grounds are open daily from 5AM through 5PM Over half-a-million visitors make the trek to come visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary at Holy Hill every year!  Although many visitors come to the site for prayer and meditation, it’s absolutely worth the visit for the breathtaking views of fall foliage and hilltop sunset views.  In addition, the gorgeous Romanesque architecture of the church is a truly spectacular site against the rich sunset hued treetops.  It’s truly a sight to behold. The Scenic Tower is open Sundays from 1:45PM to 4:30PM, and Monday-Saturday from 9AM to 4:30PM; please note that it is not possible to remain socially distanced in the tower due to space constraints, and it is advised you mask up and use caution and enter at your own risk. Lake Geneva between Milwaukee and Chicago Located at 201 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 43147 Enjoy the spectacular fall foliage along the lakeside with a visit to Lake Geneva.  Stay at the Abbey Resort and you can snag a truly special view of the fall colours from the water on the Fall Colours Cruise.  Perhaps you’re looking for an up-close-and-personal view of the foliage, in which case the Lake Geneva Zipline Adventures will be right up your alley.  If you’re more interested in hiking or biking you can try any of the areas trails such as the Lake Geneva Shore Path, Big Foot Beach State Park, Bromley Woods, or the Four Seasons Nature Preserve. Seven Bridges Trail, Grant Park in South Milwaukee Located at S Lake Drive & Park Avenue in South Milwaukee, WI 53172 Grant Park, established in 1911, is one of the area’s oldest parks.  Seven Bridges Trail is a heavily wooded area that’s just perfect for all you “Autumn leaf peepers!”  In addition you’ll find plenty of local fall flora and foliage, including wildflowers and ferns.  The 2-mile trail features multiple scenic walkways and bridges along a series of ravines along the shores of Lake Michigan.  The forest has a truly enchanting appearance, and you’ll definitely find yourself lost in meditative repose amidst the glorious fall foliage hues. Fall Foliage in Chicago Area Get a little taste of the great outdoors in and around the bustling metropolis of Chicago!  That’s right, you can find some of the most iconic autumn views in and around the busy cityscape.  We’re highly recommending three in particular but we’ve also got a shortlist of additional sites to check out if you’re feeling adventurous. View the Illinois full fall foliage report here. Four of the Top Must See Places for Fall Foliage Chicago Chicago Botanic Garden Located at 1000 Lake-Cook Road in Glencoe, IL 60022 Walk the path between the Botanic Gardens’s visitor Center and Conservation Science Center and you’ll find a spectacular array of Japanese Maples, Sumac Trees, Fruit-bearing shrubbery, and ample selection of perennial flora.  The 285 acre grounds are free admission to roam, making it a great place to bring your family and friends for a group outing. Morton Arboretum Located at 4100 IL-53 on Lisle, IL 60532 Established in 1922 by Joy Morton of Morton Salt on just 175 acres, the property has expanded to 1,700 acres of woodland area with wetlands, botanical gardens, and outdoor activities for families.  In addition to hiking and outdoor fun, you can elect to sign up for workshops or visit the Museum with an expansive Library on site!  Admission ranges from Free for members to $8-14 per individual by age.  Interested in the arts? Explore some of the sculptures and art on the grounds, too!  There’s something for everyone to enjoy this Autumn! Graceland Cemetery Located at 4001 N. Clark Street in Chicago, IL 60613 What could be better for Halloween and October than a fall foliage tour in a graveyard?  The Graceland Cemetery is home to numerous local celebrities and notable citizens of Chicago area.  You can sign up for a group tour of the grounds via the Chicago Architecture Center, or opt instead for a self-guided tour of the statues and exquisite mausoleums. Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory Located at 300 N. Central Park Avenue in Chicago, IL 60624 One of the biggest facilities for botanical conservation and studies in the US, this indoor conservatory showcases exquisite botanical gardens and rare specimens up close and personal.  Step inside the tropical rainforest greenhouses, or explore the 10+ acres of outdoor gardens and recreational areas.  Tickets are currently available as timed-entry for COVID restrictions, but admission is free or a suggested donation.  Explore the gardens all day long or sign up for a special event, educational program, or urban agriculture workshop.  It’s a magical way to experience fall colours and autumnal activities! More Great Fall Foliage Destinations Just a Short Drive Away Humboldt Drive in Humboldt Park; Chicago, IL Winnemac Park; Chicago IL Schiller Woods along Des Plaines Trail; Chicago, IL Grandview Drive; Peoria Heights, IL Illinois River Road, National Scenic Byway; Peoria, IL Midway Plaisance between Jackson Park and Washington Park; Chicago, IL Prairie Sky Orchard; Union, IL Stade’s Farm and Market; McHenry, IL Got a favourite place for leaf peeping that we’ve left off the list? Let us know in the comments below, and your picks might just end up in a future post.

It's no secret that SUVs have never been more popular, and at Classic Kia we have plenty of great options to offer drivers who want a bit more space or more advanced capabilities in their next vehicle. One of our new favorites is the 2020 Kia Telluride, and it's our biggest SUV model to date. more 2020 Kia Telluride details The 2020 Kia Telluride is powered by a potent 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. That gives this Kia SUV the heft needed to tow up to 5,000 pounds. There are four trim levels to choose from, ranging from the LX to the SX, and each offers an advanced all-wheel-drive system and multiple driving modes. Go for comfort, focus on performance, or quickly adapt to changing weather conditions and environmental hazards like snow. The 2020 Kia Telluride has your back in all kinds of conditions. This new Kia model is also available with a wide range of safety features and advanced in-car technologies that improve your experience every time you're behind the wheel. Most trim levels offer smartphone integration features and a 10.25-inch touchscreen alongside an advanced infotainment system. Drivers can also add in a head-up display, rear USB ports, and even wireless smartphone charging capabilities. Available safety features include a surround-view monitor, Rear Occupant Alert, and Highway Driving Assist, which can automatically adjust to the speed of the car ahead of you and changes in speed limits. The 2020 Kia Telluride makes for a dependable family car. So if you're in the market for a new SUV that offers the cargo space you need and seating for up to eight people, visit our Kia dealership serving Kenosha, WI and ask about the 2020 Kia Telluride. We know that this spacious SUV won't let you down!

If you're in the market for a small crossover, we have some good news. The new 2021 Kia Seltos has arrived at Classic Kia! This brand new Kia vehicle offers a fun driving experience, multiple engine choices, and the useful in-car tech you've been searching for. more 2021 Kia Seltos The 2021 Kia Seltos is available in five trim levels. Three come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The S Turbo and SX Turbo unsurprisingly offer a turbo engine, with an output of 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. You can also choose to add in an all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. It's easy to pick out the options that make this new Kia model the best possible crossover for you and your family. This new Kia crossover also offers a number of standard technology features, from a rear camera and an eight-inch touchscreen to smartphone integration features like Android Auto™. Higher trim levels add safety features like Blind Spot Detection, Lane Keeping Technology, and Driver Attention Warning, which can actually tell if you're getting drowsy behind the wheel. The 2021 Kia Seltos can even be equipped with features that you might find in a luxury car, including heated seats and outside mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and wireless smartphone charging capabilities. There's a capable 2021 Kia Seltos model for every driver and budget! Don't just take our word about the capable 2021 Kia Seltos though. Visit our Kia dealership serving Gurnee, IL and test drive this impressive new Kia vehicle for yourself. Our knowledgeable Kia dealers are standing by, ready to answer all of your questions!