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

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

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

Festival Season is finally here!  From food trucks to mobile brew-pubs to art fairs and more, there’s a lot of fun to be had this spring!  We’re excited to share this lineup of awesome events in our great state of Illinois over the next two months. There’s so much to see and do, we recommend planning ahead and making a weekend out of it with your friends and family.  Or perhaps you’d like to snag a ticket and secure plans for a fun-filled week for Spring Break and Memorial Day Weekend? No matter what your plans are, there’s lots of excitement in store!  Check it out and feel free to suggest a festival to us in a comment on our social media. more Excellent Events in April Across Illinois and Wisconsin From April 8th through April 10th, t he 2022 Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair rolls into town at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park! On April 9th, The Chicago Beer Fest returns with an afternoon of awesome food, craft brews, and a whole lot of fun! On April 9th, The Finders Spring Market Decatur is filled with a wide array of vintage items, boutique clothes, custom furnishings, handmade artisanal crafts, and more!  There’s also food, drink, live music, and lots of giveaways. On April 9th you can head over to the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion because the Vedic Cultural Society is hosting the Holi: The Festival of Colours in Naperville. On April 9th, grab your best pals and a designated driver and head on over to http://tinleychamber.org/brew-and-vine/ You can sample craft beers, wines, food, and fantastic local vendors with live entertainment. On April 9th, the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club is hosting the Riverbend Earth Day Festival in Alton! On April 16th in Lake Geneva, plan a lovely weekend with your date, your significant other, or even a friends weekend at the Lake Geneva Festival of Wine in Wisconsin. On April 23rd, head on down to Freeport for the second annual Downtown Freeport Pretzel Fest! There will be a BBQ competition, top tier food and drink, and entertainment.  It’s an up and coming new local tradition, so don’t miss it! On April 23rd, dessert aficionados will rejoin in the return of Chicago Donut Fest: A River North Donut Tasting in Chicago at Moe’s Cantina River North. On April 23rd, the 6th Annual Oak Street Art Fair returns to Murphysboro with an incredible variety of arts, crafts, and artisan works by local artists and the arts collective. On April 30th, you’ll have a chance to sample more than 100 types of craft beer and craft cider when the Craft Brews at Lincoln Zoo in Chicago for the 7th year. On April 30th, Long Grove’s Craft Beer Festival transforms the historic downtown into a lively beer garden in the suburbs of Long Grove!  Sample local and craft brews and listen to some live music and entertainment all afternoon. On April 30th, the exciting Dairy State Cheese and Beer Festival returns to Kenosha, Wisconsin with artisanal foods, local beverages, vendors, entertainment, and so much more. On April 30th and May 1st you can sample a large selection of wine, brandy, whisky, and spirits along with other treats at the Spring Festival at Vahling Vineyards in Stewardson. Even more exciting events and festivals coming up in May: 5/1 Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Sycamore 5/1 German American Central Society Maifest in Peoria 5/1 Maestown Springfest/Fruehlingsfest in Maeystown 5/1 Lilac Time Art and Craft fair in Lombard 5/5-5/8 The Milwaukee Maifest at Estabrook Beer Garden in Milwaukee 5/6 Bolingbrook Food Truck Rally in Bolingbrook 5/6 Aurora Food Truck Festival in Aurora 5/6-5/7 Lake Zurich’s Craft Beer Festival in Lake Zurich 5/7 American Farm Heritage Museum  Spring Fling Festival at Greenville 5/7 Naperville food truck festival in Naperville 5/7 Locust Street historic fair in Centralia 5/13-5/15 Art on the Square in Belleville 5/14 Springfield Area Highland Games and celtic festival in Chatham 5/14 Ballpark brew fest in Schaumburg 5/14 Chicago Wine Fest: Spring Edition in Chicago 5/20-5/22 Mayfest in Chicago 5/21 Canni Fest in Milwaukee 5/21-5/22 Family Kite Festival in Milwaukee 5/21 Mulholland music fest in Nauvoo 5/21 Blooming fest in West Chicago 5/21 Starved Rock Country Brew Fest in Ottawa 5/21-5/22 Northbrook Art in the Park at Northbrook 5/28 Fruling Fest in Milwaukee 5/21-5/22 Arts at the Lake in Lake Zurich 5/25-5/29 Washington Good Neighbour days festival in Washington 5/28-5/29 The Prairie Arts Festival in Schaumburg 5/28-5/29 Mackinaw Valley Winery Music Wine and Craft Beer Festival in Mackinaw

Our Classic Auto Group Decoder is back in business with another installment of our Automotive Terminology lessons.  We’re here to decode and demystify the jargon, vocabulary, and terms so you can feel confident when going in for service appointments or shopping for a new ride.  Today we’re covering the vital appliance you can’t live without for the summer months: The Air Conditioner. more The air conditioning system works by changing refrigerant fluid from liquid state to gaseous state, and this allows it to remove heat and humidity from your car during warmer weather and return cool, dry air to keep you comfortable as you drive.  Your car’s air conditioner system can function to cool and heat your vehicle all year round. Using your AC Compressor while also running the heat can help dehumidify the air inside your vehicle, and thus clearing up window condensation and reducing fogged windshields and windows.  As an added bonus, running the AC system for 10-15 minutes per week in cooler months can help keep fluids circulating in the system and keep it from off-season wear. Your air conditioner should be serviced a minimum of once or twice per year.  If you notice that your system is not functioning properly, you can call our trusted service center to schedule a maintenance appointment. There are a few things that may be happening with your AC system to make it malfunction: Electrical issues such as blown fuses, pressure switches, temperature switches, or defective blower fans may be the culprit. Your cabin’s air filter may be clogged, which leads to poor air quality and cooling output. Leaves and debris may be blocking the system and vents; check under the hood and clear out any muck you find and it should improve airflow. If it doesn’t, your mechanic may check the AC Evaporator. The AC Condenser may need replacement or cleaning of paper, dust, leaves, or debris clogging the fan and causing an overheat. Low refrigerant levels or corroded and worn parts may have damaged the AC Compressor and it may require a service technician to replace it. The experienced car enthusiast may wish to try troubleshooting their AC issues on their own at home before calling a service technician, but please note that not all parts are user serviceable.  If you’re skilled enough to do the basics, we remind you that you will want to wear proper safety equipment such as goggles or safety glasses, and thick gloves in case of contact with refrigerant so you do not get burns or frostbite from contact.  If you're not confident enough to do the maintenance, we’ve got plenty of professional mechanics standing by to help! Important AC Related Terms to Know: Air conditioner refrigerant The liquid used in air conditioning systems, which has the property of boiling at ambient air temperatures. Air conditioning The cooling and dehumidification of a vehicles cabin air. Air conditioning filter A device that removes contaminants from external air entering the ventilation system. Air filter A device that filters incoming air fed to the engine. Air filter restriction indicator A device that identifies an impedance to the air filter system. Air filtration The removal of solid particulates (such as dust, pollen, mold and bacteria) from a vehicles cabin air by a filter placed in the ventilation system.

The Chicago Poetry Center began in the 1970s with readings at the Museum of Contemporary art, and has since grown over the last 40+ years into extensive programming all around the city.  They’ve also forged a 20+ year partnership with the Chicago Public Schools to bring creative writing and poetry workshops and special events to children in schools around the city.  Since April is National Poetry Month, we thought it only fitting to highlight some of the work they’ve been doing over the years, and we’d like to encourage you to stop by to learn more about their mission, how to donate or volunteer, and other ways you can support their venture. more You can follow them on social media to stay up to date on their current offerings or events. Did you know that the Chicago Poetry Center is located next to some fantastic other Arts and Culture destinations you can visit?  Check out our list of suggested places to see before or after attending one of their fantastic events this year: The Chicago Cultural Center Pritzker Military Museum & Library The CIBC Theatre Museum of Illusions Chicago James M Nederlander Theatre Richard J. Daley Center The Art Institute of Chicago Harris Theater for Music and Dance Jay Pritzker Pavillion Millenium Park Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chicago Architecture Center While you’re waiting for the next event from the Chicago Poetry Center, why not check out these amazing Chicago poetry events: Claudia Rankine at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago on April 6th Respect the Mic (In-Person) at the Poetry Foundation of Chicago on April 7th Cultures of Belonging Book Launch at the Poetry Foundation on April 9th The Red Carpet Poetry SLAM 2022 at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago on April 7th The Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill on April 10th Ocean Vuong - “Time is a Mother” at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago on April 11th Padded Room Open Mic at Bobo Emporium 2 on April 12th In One Ear Open Mic at Heartland Cafe on April 13th Berlin Family Lectures: Claudine Rankine with Titus Kaphar on April 13th and 14th at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago In One Ear Open Mic at Heartland Cafe on April 20th In One Ear Open Mic at Heartland Cafe on April 27th

Today is International Children’s Book Day!  Children’s literature is a vital part of a child’s well-rounded development.  It provides a young child with an opportunity to engage with written word and artistic illustrations, builds empathy and emotional intelligence, expands their horizons for multicultural and multiethnic experiences, and helps foster creativity and imagination!  Picture books help increase reading comprehension, improve language and communication skills, and engage with life lessons in an accessible way. more Providing regular opportunities to engage with books through read-alouds and independent reading will improve your child’s cognitive skills and educational abilities in all fields.  They’re a vital part of early childhood education through elementary school as well as middle grade and adolescent development. Today we’re going to share some of our picks for great books to take with you on your next trip.  Encouraging your kids to reduce their typical streaming media consumption, break from the video games, and instead pick up an eBook or engage with physical paperbacks and hardbacks is a great vacation activity.  Check out our suggestions right here, and feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments on our social media! Our Picks for Recommended Reading for Kids of All Ages You can grab your own copy of these in eBook, Hardcover, Paperback, or you can stop by your local library to pick up a copy on a vacation loan!  In addition, there’s also a lot of readaloud versions of these books on sites like YouTube. Why not make a little playlist for your trip to play in the car for kiddos to engage with their favourites in even more ways! Pete the Cat’s Train Trip by James Dean Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip by James Dean Road Trip by Roger Eschbacher La Rue Across America: Postcard from the Vacation by Mark Teague Just One More by Wendi Silvano A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owns C for Camping by Greg Paprock Duck Duck Moose by Dave Horowitz Across the Bay by Carlos Aponte The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family Coqui in the City by Nomar Perez Where are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena Saturday by Oge Mora My Two Border Towns by David Bowles Just One More by Wendi Silvano My Car Trip by Sindy McKay Olivia Takes a Trip by Elli O’Ryan Barfing in the Backseat #12: How I survived My Family Road Trip Travels with My Family by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel Sisters by Raina Telgemeier The Cottage on Sunshine Beach by Holly Martin The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther Open Road Summer by Emery Lord This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown by Jarrett J. Krosoczka Camp Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford and Valorie Fisher Summer Reading is Killing Me by Jon Scieszka Rating Your Bunkmates and Other Camp Crimes by Jennifer Orr Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

April is National Poetry Month, so we thought we would start off by highlighting some wonderful poetry collections you can pack for your next vacation for some creative reading!  We’ve also rounded up our picks for some of the fantastic local events in the area for Poetry Readings and Open Mic Nights to keep you inspired. more Beautiful Books of Poetry to Read on Spring Break and Summer Vacations on the Road Their Footsteps by Kassie J. Runyon In Transit: Poems of Travel via Emma Press Publishing Madness by Sam Sax She is the Sun: A Collection of Poetry by Niccole Salm This One Wild and Precious Life by Sara Wilson Inspired Poems for Life’s Traveler by Edward McCoul No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay You’re the The Stars You Forgot About: by Bente Benedict Magic of the Modest by R.C. Perez Most Beautiful Thing That Happened by Arisa White American Flowers by Tyler Flynn Dorholt Afterland by Mai Der Vang MyOTHER Tongue by Rosa Alcala Poem-mobiles: Crazy Car Poems I Hope You Stay by Courney Peppernell Healing is a Gift by Alexandra Vasiliu Drive, They Said: Poems about Americans and Their Cars by Kurt Brown Songs for the Open Road: Poems of Travel & Adventure Local Events for Poetry April 5th at 5:00PM to 7:00PM – Poetry and Printmaking workshop at New Lenox Public Library District in New Lenox April 7th at 6:30PM to 10:00PM – Red Carpet Poetry SLAM 2022 at Adler Planetarium in Chicago April 8th at 5:30PM to 7:00PM – Wax Poetic: Poetry Reading & Open Mic Night at Common Grounds Coffee in Sycamore, IL April 9th at 11:00AM to 12:00PM – First Peoples Poetry Reading A Tribute to the Living Nations, Living Words Project April 10th starting at 6PM – Uptown Poetry Slam at Green Mill Jazz Club in Chicago April 11th from 2:00PM to 3:30PM – Poetry Greeting Cards at the Glencoe Public Library in Glencoe April 14th 7:00PM to 8:00PM – Open-Door: Madeleine LeCesne, Michell Mille, Nat Pyper Zheng at the Poetry Foundation in Chicago April 21st from 7:00PM to 8:30PM – Barbara Henry Poetry Reading at River Forest Public Library April 21st from 3:30PM to 4:45PM - Poems for Pancakes Grades 5 through 8 at the River Forest Public Library April 28th from 8:00PM to 9:00PM – Teen Poetry Open Mic Night at Des Plaines Public Library

Today is National Crayon Day, so why not check out these colourful facts about one of the world’s greatest and most accessible art supplies, plus today is also the birthday of the Crayola brand! more Colourful Facts About the History of Crayons In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’d also like to highlight the fun fact that the name “Crayola” was coined by Alice Binney herself, and The very first crayola crayons were sold door-to-door!  Binney & Smith had the brilliant idea to market the products to educators and children of school age.  In 1903, they sold their first 8 packages of crayons for one nickel apiece as door-to-door sales. The Gold Medal on early Crayola packaging represents Binney & Smith’s prize winning innovation of dustless chalk at the 1904 World’s Fair. At the time they were invented, there were no machines to press on those trademark Crayola Crayon paper wrappers, so they were hand-rolled by employees and families of local farmers for the 1st 40 years of manufacturing! In 1994, Crayola had released a line of scented crayons called “Magic Scent” but they were removed from the market just one year later after parents expressed anxieties that children may try to eat them.  As a result, subsequent crayon scents were changed to create less appetizing smells such as dirt, grass, etc. Yuck! Yale held a study with 20 of the most recognizable scents, Crayons were number 18 on the list.! The scent that you normally associate Crayola wax with in the “unscented” lines is actually a derivative of beef tallow known as stearic acid. Colin Snedeker, a chemist for Crayola, devised the trademark washable crayons after numerous customer complaints of kiddos scribbling on walls with the original crayons which weren’t easily removable.  He also invented the neon and color-changing marker options! Crayons are not just for kids! Check out the work of these notable artists who feature crayons as a theme or use Crayolas in their work as a medium. Check out these fantastic Crayola Coloring Pages with car themes from their site: Formula 1 Racecar Coloring Page NASCAR Stock Racing Car Coloring Page

March is Women’s History Month, and today is National Poetry Day!  And we thought it a match amde in heaven to highlight wonderful women in poetry for today’s blog.  We’ve rounded up some of our top picks and critically acclaimed collections of prose by leading ladies in literature.  Check out our suggestions and add them to your media player or e-reader/tablet to take them on your next vacation or road trip! more surreal moment of a woman relaxes sitting on a giant book These titles are great to bring on your next travels, allowing you to read in between excursions or a short break while on the road at a rest stop. And of course as always, drop your favourite in the comments on our social media and we may just feature it in a future blog post update. Reverie and Reality: Poetry on Travel by Late Imperial Chinese Women by Yanning Wang Night Travels: Poems for Women on a Journey by Charlotte Zang If They Come for Us by Fatimah Asghar Shipbreaking by Robin Beth Schaer Bright Dead Things by Ada Limon The World’s Wife by Carol Anne Duffy Duende by Tracy K. Smith The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur 2AM Thoughts by Makenzie Campbell The Sun Will Rise and So Will We by Jennae Cecelia Home by Whitney Hanson Call Us What We Carry: Poems by Amanda Gorman Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire Changing with the Tides by Shelby Leigh Monsters of the Mind by Caitlyn Kelly The Words I Want You to Keep by Gaby Compres The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace I Would Leave Me If I Could: A Collection of Poems by Halsey Please Love Me At My Worst by Michaela Angemeer Women of Resistance: Poems for a New Feminism by Danielle Barnhart I Am Not Your Final Girl: Poems by Claire C. Holland Into the Forest and All the Way Through by Cynthia Pelayo

It’s Women’s History Month, and today we’re celebrating great women in Automotive Racing History!  Join us in learning more about these groundbreaking drivers and their wonderful accomplishments. Ann Chester participated in two Grand National Races in 1950.  She drove in the Vernon and Hamburg rounds but didn’t finish them due to her PLymouth’s engine failing at Vernon and a crash at Hamburg.  However, even her limited participation was notable as it was 1 of 3 occasions where women have raced in a top-tier NASCAR race. Fifi Scott hailed from West Sacramento California, just like Chester, Scott was one of the earliest women drivers to participate in the NASCAR circuit.  Although she only entered into 2 races, she made her mark on the heavily male-dominated industry. Thus paving the way for women racers in the future! Bonnie West is presumed to be the first woman to win a NASCAR Late Model Race in 1975. She was the biggest female rival driver to the famed Diane Teel, and the two competed against one another in a match at Langley Speedway in Virginia in 1977  Sadly, her career met an untimely demise very early on after she and her husband were convicted and sent to jail for 5 years due to car theft related charges. Diane Teel began her racing career in 1976, when her husband Donald Teel, a NASCAR Crew Chief worked with Joe Carver to enter her into a local race to promote a local automotive store.  In 1977, she leveled up into the Limited Sportsman Racing Division, and had 16 top-ten finishes in 19 races, and half of them were Top 5 spots!  She also was considered one of the most successful drivers in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 1982 and 1983, and the first woman to win an official NASCAR-sanctioned event! Janet Guthrie was the first woman to race on a superspeedway in the 1976 World600, She first attempted to enter the Indianapolis 500 in 1976, but didn’t qualify at the time. Later she ended up qualifying in and competing for the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 in 1977.  She continued racing from 1977 through 1980!  She earned Top 10 starting positions and Top 10 Finishes in Indy-Car and NASCAR Cup racing.  In addition to her racing chops, she was also a former flight instructor and an aerospace engineer!  You can check out her driver’s suit and helmet on display at the Smithsonian Institution.  In 2006 Guthrie was also inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.  You can get a copy of her autobiography here! Shawna Robinson was one of 16 women who competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and 1 of 3 women to race in the Daytona 500 event.  Robinson began racing Semi-Tractors in 1983, with 30 victories, and in 1984 she became the GATR Truck Series Rookie of the Year.  In 1988, Robinson emerged into the stock car racing circuit becoming the first woman to win a top level NASCAR sanctioned race in Third Place.  In 1994 she earned pole position in the NASCAR Busch Series.  After a brief break from 1995 through 1999, in which she ran an interior decorating business and started a family, she eventually returned to racing in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series.  NASCAR welcomed her back in 2001 in the Winston Cup Series, and she continued racing until 2005 when she retired.  Robinson continued on running her interior design and furniture business while continuing to spend time with her family. She is also a Stage 3 Breast Cancer survivor, which is in remission as of 2015. Arlene Pittman began her racing career at the young age of just fifteen in 1985.  Thanks to her determination and racing chops, she worked her way up the ranks in the local circuit with a top local championship win in 1999!  She switched from stock cars to truck racing in 2000, leading to her competing in multiple Truck races at the professional level.  In addition, she competed in NASCAR’s Goody’s Dash Series as a race car driver, coming in 15th out of 68 competitors.  Sadly, she suffered a career-ending accident just a few years later, leading her to retire early in 2003.  She’s still an active participant in the industry though, and now manages her own race track and managing PR in the motorsports field. Kelly Sutton is another woman who began in stock car racing and the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series.  She went on to race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2003 to 2007.  Sutton has also raced for her family team, Sutton Racing!  She has also received recognition for being the only NASCAR driver to date who has actively competed with Multiple Sclerosis.  Thanks for representing the disability and chronic illness community, Kelly! Danica Patrick got bit by the racing bug as a kiddo, when she began Go Kart racing at the age of 10, winning the World Karting Association Grand National Championship thrice over.  In 1998 she dropped out of high school to move to the UK where she competed in the Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford events.  After returning to the US, she competed 5 times in the Barber Dodge Pro Series for Rahal Letterman Racing.  From 2003 to 2004 she raced in the Toyota Atlantic Series, where she was 3rd overall and was the first woman to win pole position in the series.  In 2005, she won three pole positions in the IndyCar Series, and was awarded Rookie of the Year for the ‘05 Indianapolis 500 and the ‘05 IndyCar Series! Patrick sped into the stock car racing circuit in 2010 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series/Xfinity Series, winning 4th place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in ‘11.  Following in Shawna Robinson’s tracks, she placed 10th in the 20212 season, becoming the 2nd woman to receive a pole position in the Nationwide Series.  In 2015, she also topped Janet Guthrie’s record for highest number of Top 10 finishes by a woman in the Spring Cup series.  Danica Patrick dropped to part time racing in 2017, and officially retired in 2018 after racing in the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500. Cheers to the next great generation of women in racing. May you continue to break records and break boundaries!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from all of us here at Classic Auto Group!  Today we’re celebrating by highlighting some wonderful facts about Ireland’s automotive history!  And when you’re fully in the spirit o’ the holiday, we’ve included lots of local pubs and restaurants to visit or some recipes you can make to enjoy Irish meals at home. more Fast Facts About Famous Irish Race Car Drivers Derek Patrick Daly is an Irish-American race car driver who drove competitively for 17 years and participated in 64 World Championship formula one grand prix races in his career. Eddie Jordan was not only a race car driver who won the Irish Kart Championship in 1971, but he was the founder and owner of Jordan Grand Prix Formula One from 1991-2005. Tommy Byrne is a former race driver fro Irland, participating in two Formula One Grands Prix races in 1982, raced in the Irish Formula Ford Championship in 1981, and won the 1982 British Formula 3 Championship. Ryan Smith is an Irish racing driver who drove in the British Formula Ford Championship in 2012, the GP3 Series in 2014, and currently competes in the European Le Mans Series races. Oliver O’Donovan is an Irish Rallycross Driver who currently competes in the FIA European Rallycross Championships.  He was previously the 2007 British Rallycross Champion. Paddy Hopkirk won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.  In 1968, he participated in the London-toSydney Marathon, but he and teammate Tony Nash lost the race to stop and rescue two drivers from a collision.  A race car participant crashed headlong into a commuter, despite the fact that the road was to be closed to the public through traffic.  Hopkirck and Nash pulled both drivers to safety and returned to the race site to warn other drivers and call for help. Martin Birane is the owner of Mondello Race track, and also a former race car driver who won the GT class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1985.  He also set the Irish land speed record in 1990, going 176mph! If you’re looking to visit Ireland and explore the racing culture in person, you might want to check out these wonderful tracks and locations: Mondello Park in Naas, Tipperary Raceway in Rosegreen, Kirkistown Racing Circuit in Newtownards, Carlow Autograss Club in Leinster, ALMC Motor Club Limited in Drogheda, Nutts Corner Raceway in Crumlin, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in Downpatrick. Fun Facts About Driving and Cars in Ireland: It is prohibited to use your car horn between 11:30PM and 7AM. The minimum age for a driver’s license in Ireland is 17 years old. The Alesbury was the first Irish Car; it had solid tires, a 10 horsepower engine, debuted in Dublin in 1907, but was discontinued just one year later in 1908. The Shamrock was an ill-fated Irish dupe of the classic American Cruiser of the 1950s, failing to achieve peak sales and manufacturing output due to poor handling, awkward aesthetics, and weak 53 horsepower engine. The Shamrock was only manufactured for one year due to its poor design and drive capabilities (too large for UK motorways, and too slow for American roads.) The owner built a 40,000 square foot factory in County Monaghan, and planned to make 3,000 cars per year but sadly less than 12 were made total; only 3 of them made it to the US. John DeLorean received over $130 million dollars to build upwards of 9000 DeLorean DMC-12s in Dunmurry, Ireland.  Sadly, the cars had many quality control issues since many of the employees at his manufacturing facility had never worked in automotive before. Electric vehicles are catching on worldwide, and Irish manufactured/designed ALEX eRoadster is aiming to take their crack as an industry competitor. Ford Motor Company opened in Ireland over 100 years ago, manufacturing models such as the Prefect, Escort, and Sierra on site; it continued to manufacture sedans there until 1984. Now that we’ve got you all excited about celebrating Irish accomplishments and achievements in automotive history, why not paint the town green at these local establishments?  And if you prefer to celebrate at home, we’ve also rounded up some of our recommended reacipes tha are easy ot make in a pinch. Great Bars and Pubs to Visit Today and Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Waukegan Bally Muck Bar in Waukegan Frolic Bar in Waukegan Timothy O’Toole’s Pub in Gurnee The Mill in Mundelein Up North Pub in Waukegan Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant & Pub in Arlington Heights Flanagan’s Bar & Grill in North Chicago Booners in Waukegan The Taproom in Waukegan Green Town Tavern in Waukegan Toby’s Tavern in North Chicago Anastasia’s Restaurant & Sports Lounge in Waukegan Eleven19 Kitchen & Cocktails in North Chicago The Park Inn in Round Lake Park Wholesome St Patrick’s Day Recipes to Make At Home with Your Family: The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew Absolute Best Instant Pot Beef Stew Irish Colcannon Fried Cabbages Irish Boxty Potato Cakes Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread