Blog

We’re getting ready for holiday break with the kids by collecting all sorts of fun creative projects over the wintertime season.  To start things off, we’ve got an easy to customize DIY snow globe project!  Following that, we’ve got other great crafts and plenty of coloring pages for everyone to enjoy.  You’ll find lots of creative activities on today’s blog!  Plus, as an added bonus, most of these make great handmade gifts for loved ones and friends! more DIY Your Own Water Snow Globe What You Will Need: Recycled or new glass jars with matching tight fitting lids or snowglobe containers Optional: decoupage and paper, spray paint, or felt for Jar Lid Hot Glue or E6000 Epoxy Glue or Super Glue (both to be used by adults) Glitter and/or small sequins A small container of glycerin Miniature toy cars or miniature figures that fit on jar lids Distilled water How to Make It: Paint or decoupage your lid if desired. Arrange your decorations on the jar lid, and secure them with the glue.  Allow to dry fully (check glue container, tube, or glue sticks package for dry time.) Once your decorations are glued and dry.  Add your glitter or sequins to the clean, empty jar, add ½ teaspoon or so of glycerin to the jar, and pour distilled water into the jar until it’s just about full, leaving room for your decorated lid to fit inside. Add glue to the edge of your jar lid, secure it tightly to the top of the jar and allow the glue to fully set and dry (yes, your decorations will be upside down until the glue is fully dry and sealed!)  Add glue around the edges of the seal once the lid is applied. Once the glue is all dried and fully sealed, flip your jar over, and voila!! It’s a snow globe you’ve made all on your own! Great Decorations and Add-ins for Your Snow Globes Micro Machines 20 Pack of Tiny Toy Cars via Amazon Vintage Mini Figures via Etsy Holiday Snowflake Glitter Laser Sequins Via Amazon Holographic Chunky Glitter via Amazon Mini Christmas Ornaments Resin via Amazon 25pcs Pull Back Metal + Plastic Tiny Toy Cars via Amazon Superhero Mini Figures via Amazon ​​Plastic Toy Cars via Etsy Miniature Snowmen via Etsy Easy Wintertime Arts and Crafts for Families This is a great list of preschooler friendly winter themed crafts to make together. Here’s a great list of really easy Snowflake Crafts for Kids! FreeKidsCrafts.com has an awesome list of 10 easy crafts to make with kids. You can find them all right here. HomeMade Lovely has this adorable waterless snow globe craft idea. Great for decorating or gift giving. Lean into the classic, vintage aesthetic of the holiday season with this vintage inspired car snowglobe. Commemorate your family fun time with a photo snowglobbe craft! Fun for all ages and a great way to showcase a year of memories together. Check out this adorable Christmas Light Snowglobe craft for some festive holiday cheer. No need to be a trained fine artist to start painting!  You can easily learn paint a snowflake in acrylics, watercolor, or gouache. Start off making cut paper snowflakes with this helpful tutorial for Paper Snowflake decorations, and then get creative and design your own! You don’t need piles of coloring books to have fun, you can print-on-demand with these great coloring pages depicting winter wonderlands! Crayola has a great selection of wonderful Winter Coloring Page s on their site for more print on demand fun!

Classic cares about our customers and our community, and believes in doing whatever we can to support and raise awareness for important issues.  Since today is World AIDS Day, we'll be supporting our community with a list of local HIV/AIDS related organizations and charities, facts on HIV/AIDS and prevention measures, and a special spotlight on a potential cure. more World AIDS Day began in 1988 as an international effort to raise awareness for those living with HIV/AIDS as well as prevention, treatment options, and research for a cure.  World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people to unite across the globe and show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and pay tribute to those who have passed from AIDS related complications. Since its discovery in 1984, more than 35 million people have died from HIV/AIDS related issues, and more than 38 million people are currently living with the virus. Key Facts about HIV/AIDS and Prevention HIV can be transmitted from an infected individual through contact with human bodily fluids such as sexual interourse or intravenous drug use.  The virus can be found in bodily fluids from an infected person including blood, semon, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid, and breastmilk. To reduce risk of HIV, always use a condom or barrier method every time you have sex, avoid intravenous drug use and any sharing of needles or medical equipment. You may ask a medical provider about securing PrEP( pre-exposure Prohphylaxis) Avoiding high-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex or drug use you reduce your risk of contracting HIV. Get regular testing and treatment for STDs and request an HIV/AIDS panel from your medical provider. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, speak to your doctor about Post-exposure Prophylaxis medicines within 72 hours of exposure and you may greatly reduce your risks of contracting the virus. An Unprecedented New Medical Advancement in Treating HIV/AIDS Here at Classic we sell cars and we’re passionate about cars, and we were very excited to learn about recent medical advancements in HIV/AIDS therapy known as “CAR T-cell therapy.”  As part of our own observation of World AIDS Day, we’d love to shed some light on this novel advancement in HIV/AIDS management. Dual Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell therapy (CAR therapy) is in development as a potential cure for HIV/AIDS.  Current treatment for HIV/AIDS involves a daily Antiretroviral therapy (ART therapy) which is designed to control the reproduction of HIV virus particles.  CAR T-cell therapy is an immunotherapy currently employed in Cancer treatments which reprograms a patient’s cells to recognize and eliminate mutated or infected cancer cells.  It is able to target and eliminate the diseased components to help patients recover from those life threatening illnesses.  CAR therapy has shown great promise for HIV/AIDS patients if programmed to target HIV particles! You can learn more about the improvements in this therapy via this post by Seattle Children’s Hospital and this post by Penn Medicine. Find out more info about the current clinical trials of this innovative therapy at ClinicalTrials.Gov! Local HIV/AIDS Organizations to Support Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Program in Waukegan HIV-AIDS Care in Lake County Alexian Brothers The Harbor PFLAG of Lake County/Gurnee PFLAG of Deerfield PFLAG Palatine Lake Cook Health Care Center Angles for Sexual Health Identity and Education INC Vivent Health (Formerly AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin) Walkin’ In My Shoes of Kenosha AIDS Foundation Chicago Access Community Health Network Chicago

Not everyone is home for the holidays. Or even home at all. Join us in helping our local veterans this holiday season. Next time you shop - think of vets in need & pick up some extras. more How to Help: 1. Donate money at coolministries.org/veterans-assistance/ 2. Donate time at coolministries.org/volunteer-opportunities/ 3. Donate essentials at 800 W. Glen Flora Avenue, Waukegan 10am - 2pm M-F

Today is “Buy Nothing Day” and we thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to share some great DIY and Handmade options for gift giving this year!  We can do our part to upcycle, reuse, and repurpose old things into something new and beautiful, and go green for the Holiday season. We’ve got a roundup of brilliant ideas to add a personal touch to holiday gifting using things others might toss, discard, or ignore.  We’ve also got some fun projects you can do with kids to spend some quality family time together to recover from the chaotic Thanksgiving festivities.  Let’s head into the garage for some DIY time! more Repurpose Those Broken Dishes from Holiday Dinner Grab a pair of safety goggles and a trusty set of tile nippers and let’s get crafting! You can turn those cracked and broken dishes from yesterday’s holiday party into something beautiful for the holidays.  Wash them well with soap and water, and put them in a box to be repurposed in a mosaic!  Using the tile nippers, cut off the most interesting pieces of your broken, cracked, or chipped plates and tile them onto something such as containers to hold your tools, a stepping stone for the garden, or even apply them to reclaimed wood for accent pieces for your living room or garage wall. Click here for a great tutorial on how to use the tile nippers on plates. Give Your Garage Tool or Workspace A DIY Overhaul Check out this amazing list of ways to repurpose household items, leftover packing supplies, and the leftover bits and bobs from other house projects.  You can source most of the materials on this list from Freecycle, Craigslist, or your own recycling pile.  If you’ve got an eco-conscious family member in your midst, this would also be a great idea for a personalized gift; outline your plans, gather the materials and box them up, and gift them with a “coupon” for garage reorganization! Gather Up Your Cardboard Recycling & Let’s Build Together This tutorial from Parenting.com shows step by step how to build the kiddos their own car for pretend races.  If you’re looking for something super creative with a little bit of a challenge, you can live out your architectural dreams with this Youtube Tutorial by Mr. Vereshchak for a Cardboard Kids Playhouse.  Craft an entire Rainbow Town for playtime with the kids using this tutorial from Hellowonderful.co! Blog Project Roundup: DIY Your Own Holiday Gifts Great DIY Gifts for 8 Nights of Hanukkah 36 Hanukkah Crafts to Make Traditional Kwanzaa Gifts to Make and Gift DIY Car & Truck Ornaments for Families DIY Vintage Car Ornaments for the Holidays Upcycled Holiday Gift DIY Projects DIY Gifts for the Friends Who Have Everything Did you try any of the projects shared here? Show us with a photo and tag us in a comment on social media! Have an idea for a DIY project that we’ve missed on the list? Let us know in the comments and we may feature it in a future post!

After more than a year of “WFH Life” and limited travel, many folks are finding themselves on the road more frequently as commutes to the office, holiday visits with family and friends, and even personal vacation travel resumes. So we thought we’d gather a list of great items to remind you to breathe, relax, and destress while you’re on the road!  Improve your mood and reduce your chances of road rage with some of these uplifting gadgets. more Snag One Of These Today: The Sharper Image Car Cushion with Massage and Heat for $59.99 will ease your transition back to the office by reducing stress with a relaxing, calming massage on your commute. The Youloveit Full Body Massager has 8 modes and 3 levels of intensity with vibration, heat, and kneading to reduce muscle aches and pains, and give you a little relaxation on route. And it won’t break the bank at an affordable price of just $46.99 at Walmart. If you prefer to keep it low-tech, this wooden bead massager will do the trick by keeping you cool and providing a low-key massage for under $25. Many of us spend anywhere from 8 to 12 hours in a desk chair in front of a computer, and let’s face it: that can make a long commute of sitting in the car rather excruciating.  Why not snag one of these Pressure Relief Car Seat Cushions to make yourself more comfortable?  It’s got an ergonomic design to help you distribute weight more evenly while sitting. It can easily fit over your current car seat and reduce driver fatigue for under $100! Looking for a similar ergonomic seat cushion for a lower price?  Walmart has a great option by Auto Drive for under $30 that would work well.  The Auto Drive Cushion has a universal fit to adapt for most cars and drivers. The CYLEN Memory Foam Bamboo Charcoal Infused Seat Cushion utilizes state of the art memory foam for maximum comfort, and natural bamboo charcoal to help absorb odors and smells in your car.  This is a great option as well for those with leather/vinyl seats instead of fabric, as the cushion will keep your seat cool and increase air flow. Find it on Amazon in black or blue options for under $30. AutoZone boasts a great lumbar support cushion at a budget friendly price point of just $16.99. The ProElite Concave Lumbar Cushion provides great lower lumbar support to relieve pressure when commuting home after a long day at the office. The Prime Stash is offering an orthopedic Memory Foam Headrest and Lumbar cushion set for $60-$80 and it comes in a variety of colour options to suit your aesthetics. The Sharper Image Cooling Gel Cushion Grip Steering wheel cover will make long drives more comfortable with microfiber leather and cool grip gel pads.  Affordably priced for just about any budget at around $20 and it has a universal fit that works with most vehicles.

Since today is National “Go To a Museum Day” we thought we’d help you get into the holiday spirit while also getting in touch with your creativity! The holidays are fast approaching, and this gift giving season might present some new challenges with supply and demand.  And then of course there’s our mountains of “pandemic purchases” to keep us all entertained indoors…. So why not forgo the material items this holiday and opt for the experience of a lifetime!  Or perhaps skip the online shopping at Big Box Retailers this year and consider shopping small instead! more Why not purchase a beautiful gift of framed artwork or a painting class or perhaps a day trip out with family to a local museum or gallery instead?  Museum or theatre memberships can also make a great family gift while also helping support our local arts scene.  Plus, it’s a great way to do a little family bonding and get out of the house so you all can enjoy a change of scenery and exercise your minds! Hop into your new car from Classic and let’s hit the road! So what are you waiting for? Grab a paintbrush and let’s paint the town silver and gold with friends new and old, and check out our picks for great art, fun day trips, and creative classes to give to your loved ones!  Take a look at some of the great experiences and artistic shopping options we’ve got for you on today’s blog. When you shop small, your dollars have a direct impact on the community and your neighbourhood.  Consider purchasing gifts directly from these artists and local galleries, and bringing joy to the holidays in more than one way! Local Art Galleries and Art Shops: Illinois Dandelion Gallery & Studio in Waukegan, IL Visual Arts Center in Powell Park in Waukegan, IL Valhalla Art Loft in Waukegan, IL Artpie Studio/Gallery/Art School in Waukegan, IL One Crown Studios & Art Gallery in Waukegan, IL Kapheim Studio by Artist Thom Kapheim in Waukegan, IL Lloyd Shin Gallery in Gurnee, IL Curtis Frame Back Alley Gallery in Libertyville, IL Renditions Art Studio in Waukegan, IL MasterWorks Art Gallery & Studio in Vernon Hills, IL Aaron Galleries in Glenview, IL Sip Dip’n Dab in Waukegan, IL Periwinkle Art Studio in Waukegan, IL Ceramics For You Studio in Gurnee, IL Bottle & Bottega Highland Park Rivellino School of Art in Long Grove, IL Board & Brush Creative Studio in Liberyville, IL The Studio Art School in McHenry, IL Local Art Galleries and Shops: Wisconsin Re:Vision Gallery & Artist Studios in Kenosha, WI Lemon Street Gallery in Kenosha, WI Countryside Wildlife Art Gallery in Kenosha, WI Left of the Lake Gallery in Kenosha, WI DeBerge’s Framing & Gallery in Kenosha, WI Kenosha Art Association Pollard Gallery & Gifts in Kenosha, WI Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie, WI Alpaca Art in Kenosha,  WI Picasso Vino in Racine, WI Young Rembrandts in Kenosha & Racine, WI Gifting a Museum Admission Membership or even just a day trip pass can be an unforgettable experience!  Explore history, learn more about arts and culture, and inspire your family and friends to be more creative with unique museums to visit. More Great Museums for Art and History Buffs to Explore Near Classic’s Car Dealerships and Beyond: Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha Civil War Museum in Kenosha Dinosaur Discovery Museum Kenosha History Center Southport Light Station Museum Kenosha Streetcar Society Waukegan History Museum Ray Bradbury Experience Museum Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County Field Museum of Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Chicago History Museum Skokie Heritage Museum Museum of Art in Chicago Robbins Illinois History Museum Chicago Children’s Museum American Writers Museum Art Institute of Chicago Museum Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary ARt WNDR Museum of Chicago 6th Dimension Space + Gallery in Chicago Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn Newberry Library Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt Vernon NIU Art Museum in Dekalb Great Automotive Museums to Visit in Illinois: Volo Auto Museum Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum Klairmont Kollections Museum Wheels O’ Time Museum Rockford Auto Museum Franklin County 1910’s Garage Museum Historic Auto Attractions Museum

We’re excited for all of the upcoming festivities during the holidays, and look forward to spending time with family and friends doing lots of fun things in the holiday spirit!  Here are some great ideas for ways to reconnect with family and friends and find some unique gifts.  We encourage our customers to shop small and support local artists, artisans, and small businesses this year.  Let’s spread some holiday cheer and the giving spirit, right here in our own backyard. more Check out these great markets, events, and activities in Southeast Wisconsin, Lake County, and the Greater Chicago Area! Your November and December Local Community Calendar On Tuesday November 9th, November 16th, and November 23rd from 10AM to 10:30AM, come over to the Kenosha Uptown Neighbourhood Library in Kenosha and enjoy a family story time for all children ages 2 and up.  Enjoy stories, singing songs, and lots of fun activities! Wednesday November 10th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM come out to Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie, WI and paint yourself a beautiful monogrammed piece of artwork for a holiday centerpiece! STarts at $38 per guest, supplies all included. On November 12th and 13th, get ready to rock your heart out at the Nightmare in November metalfest concert in Kenosha. Order your tickets here. Running from November 12th through January 2nd 2022, the Lightscape exhibit is a beautiful holiday lights spectacular at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. Order your tickets and get more info right here! On November 13th, shop small and shop local at the Holiday Handmade Market at the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumberg from 10AM to 3PM. It’s a great way to support the community and find the most unique and beautiful gifts for loved ones! On November 13th, grab a ticket to the Lunar Tide Music and Arts Festival in Waukegan.  Event Runs from 7PM on Saturday through November 14th at 3AM. On Saturday November 13th from 3PM to 5PM, enjoy an afternoon of pumpkins and flowers in a painting class at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie! $38 per person with supplies included. On Friday November 19th starting at 8PM, enjoy an evening of wonderful music with Phil Vassar’s Piano Bar Tour!  An intimate showcase of this singer-songwriter’s best work with limited seating. Check for Tickets here. Open Nightly starting on November 20th and running through January 2nd 2022, the Willow Hill’s Winter Magic Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Experience is great fun for the whole family! Check this link for ticket timeslots and a calendar of availability. From November 20th through November 21st enjoy an evening of fine holiday shopping with local artisans and craftsmen at the Island Lake Holiday Art and Craft Faire. Forget about the stress of shipping holiday gifts and check out these local exhibitors and artists isntead! Admission is $1 and includes food booths and artist shopping stands. On Saturday November 20th at 2PM and a second performance at 6PM, head over to Genesee Theatre to enjoy a bit of holiday tidings with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” play!  It’s fun for the whole family; check availability of tickets here. Saturday November 20th from 11AM to 1PM bring your family and friends to paint a beautiful autumnal turkey for just $25 per person at a Pinot’s Palette painting class in Pleasant Prairie! On Saturday November 20th from 11AM to 12PM at the Civil War Museum in Kenosha, come and visit The Young History Heroes Storytime session for ages 4 through 8. A new hero will be highlighted every month!  “How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln” will be the topic of 11/20’s session.  The following storytime will be December 18th! Enjoy the celebrations of “Long Grove Vintage Holidays” from 11:30AM through 6PM in Long Grove downtown! This free event first runs on November 20th and runs again every weekend from 11/21, 11/27, 11/28, 12/4, 12/5, 12/11, 12/12,12/18, and 12/19.  Enjoy caroling and vintage carriage rides for the whole family.  Event is free but registration is required On Sunday November 21st from 10AM to 3PM, The Vault Banquet Hall and The Pine Blossom have partnered up to host the Winter Wonderland in Kenosha! Come and visit for a little early holiday fun, and kids can even meet Santa from 12PM to 3PM. On Friday, November 26th from 4PM to 5PM, head over to the Kenosha Public Museum and enjoy the annual “Lightin’ Up” celebration and Christmas tree lighting ceremony downtown!  It’s a free holiday program for all to enjoy. On Friday November 26th, skip the shopping madness and opt into a quiet afternoon of fun with friends and family by painting a snowy moon and stars landscape.  Or paint a festive Christmas Tree rustic truck painting from 6:30PM to 8:30PM Just $38 per guest at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie. On Saturday November 27th from 4PM through midnight, come kick off the Holidays with the Holiday in the Park & Parade event in Glenview! Fun for all ages starting at Glenview road and going through town. On Wednesday December 1st, paint this cheeky little gnome from 6:30 to 8:30PM and gift it to someone special for the holidays! Painting supplies and a lesson are just $38 at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie. On Saturday December 4th, paint a family heirloom winter painting of “The Perfect Tree” at Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie for just $38 per person with supplies all included! On December 4th, come listen to an evening of music by Yheti and Toadface at the Lakehurst Events Center in Waukegan. More event information here! On Saturday December 11th starting at 7PM, head on over to the Genesee Theatre for a wonderful festive evening as they host The Chris Isaak Holiday Tour!  Event and ticket availability may be limited, check here! Are you hosting a local event or market?  Got plans to take your family to a fun holiday event nearby? We’d love to hear from you! Tell us in a comment all about how you plan to spend your holiday season together.

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

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

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. more 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. 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 How to Draw A Car With These Simple Art Lessons: Learn a Little About Car Design and Industrial Design