We love to keep our customers happy, and that means arming you with all the knowledge you’ll need when it comes to buying and maintaining your new or preowned vehicle.  Our Automotive Terminology posts are here to keep you informed so you can stay in the loop of industry terms and vocabulary.

Whether your car is coming in for routine maintenance, a minor or major repair, or you’re just looking for more insight, we’re here to give you some guidance.  Today we’re covering some of the key factors with the standard Antilock Braking System, a safety feature in modern vehicles.

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Thrifty automotive consumers know that buying a pre-owned vehicle can save you big bucks, and who doesn’t love to save money? We respect it!  We commend you for your fiscally and environmentally responsible choice, but we also know that it might not come with all the custom bells and whistles you were looking for.  Since you didn’t get to pick your add-ons and options, we thought we’d bring you a list of budget friendly options to upgrade your car’s tech into 2022!

From voice activated infotainment systems to signal boosters for smartphones, we’ve got you covered.  All of these items are under $500 and easily upgrade your car’s tech specs in minutes.

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Posted in Travel Blog | Comments Off on Upgrade Your Preowned Vehicle with 2022 Tech Gadgets

When you’re always on the go, it’s vital to have things that are easy and convenient!  You want to be able to grab your gadgets in a jiffy, and pop them up in a heartbeat.  Thanks to our handy gizmo guide on today’s blog, you’ll never have to worry about missing a minute of fun.  Each of these items is easy to stow and take with you and also open and use.  They’re also incredibly useful and perfect enough for everyday use and perfect for keeping in your emergency car kit.  We’re all about easy, convenient, and portable items for today’s blog, and many of these can stay in your vehicle all year long so you’re ready for any adventure life throws your way!

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Posted in Arts and Culture, Travel Blog | Comments Off on Incredible Portable Gear for Your Next Road Trip

After more than 2 years of pandemic chaos, many of us are champing at the bit to take to the skies and touch down on new ground, or to drive the roads less traveled. Spring break is just around the corner, so why not take advantage of the upcoming free time and create a  plan for your first vacation of 2022!  We’re here to help you get ready by recommending lots of great reading material.

Why not spend some of your time off learning, exploring, and expanding your mind by getting lost in a good book?  You can enjoy all of the titles on our list while visiting anywhere in the world thanks to digital copies.  Load them onto your tablet, phone, or queue them up on your vehicle’s infotainment center.  There’s no wrong way to read a book!

Whether you’re going out into the world and exploring places by planes, trains, or automobiles, or if you’re enjoying the quiet solitude of a “Staycation” at home, these books are sure to delight readers of all kinds.  Transport yourself to a new place and time with one of the books on our list!  We’ve got Fantasy, Fiction, and History books by Black Authors which highlight Black History, Black Culture, and Black narratives.  They’re all available in EBook and/or Audiobooks, which makes them great options for on the go entertainment without weighing down your luggage!

• “Behind the Mountains” by Edwidge Danticat is a coming-of-age themed novel about a young woman who leaves the island life of Haiti behind, and moves to the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life in Brooklyn, New York.  It’s relevant and timely for today’s world, and features beautiful descriptions of Haiti that will transport you to another place.
• “The Star Side of Bird Hill” by Naomi Jackson is another story exploring the strong ties of immigrant families to the rich, beautiful culture and communities of their island heritage.  It’s a complicated and emotionally engrossing tale of love, loss, community connection, and family.
• “Ghana Must Go” by Taiye Selasi is another beautiful novel about finding home and a family wherever you are, and making your way in the world on your own.  After the death of their father, the Sai siblings must come together to navigate family tension, the transformative power of loss, reclaiming your identity, and the importance of where we all come from.
• “Traveling While Black” by Mia Bay is a fascinating look into the history and modern dilemma of travel, public transportation, when it comes to segregation and racism.  It provides the reader with an accessible yet scholarly look into social justice and racial equality issues of the modern world.
• “Driving While Black” by W.W. Norton explores similar themes to the aforementioned title, this too is an extensive and complex dive into the history of African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights.
• “”Hola Morocha! A Black Woman’s Adventures in Buenos Aires: Culture Shock” by Jennifer Poe is a short, but energetic travel memoir about self-empowerment and independence.  It chronicles her solo travel as a black American woman, while also exploring the culture and history of the Black Community in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• “Kinky Gazpacho” by Lori Tharps is a travel memoir about navigating her West African heritage with the reality of being a Black Woman in Spain.  It delves into personal experiences and self-reflections on racial perspectives, explores passion in all its incarnations, and tackles loneliness and independence and love.
• “The Marvelous Equations of the Dread: A Novel in Bass Riddim” by Marcia Douglas is a one-of-a-kind reading experience!  This novel-length poem is part musical and part mythical narrative.  It centers around the spirit of Bob Marley being reincarnated as a homeless man living in Kingston, Jamaica.  The audiobook provides additional authenticity and atmosphere with a Patois accented reading.
• “Queen of the Conquered” by Kacen Callender is an adult fantasy novel that will inspire your childlike wonder and sense of adventure.  It deftly handles its heavy content by combining elements of magic, mystery, and fantasy blended with the realism of island history and culture.

Posted in Arts and Culture | Comments Off on “Book” Yourself Some Time to Read over Spring Break: Great Travel Friendly Ebooks and Audiobooks by Black Authors

The winter up North here in Illinois and Wisconsin can certainly be brutally cold and snowy!  For those of us who enjoy the brisk, blustery wintry weather and outdoor activities it can be blissful and exhilarating. However, for the person who prefers something more low key, it can cause a bit of cabin fever.  That’s why today’s blog is dedicated to the folks who want to get out of the house, stay out of the weather, but still find some fun and excitement!  We’re rounding up some great ideas and options for indoor destinations and non-winter sport indoor/outdoor activities in the Greater Chicago area.  Let’s get out there and add a little color to our lives and paint the town red!

Be sure to check local guidelines for COVID19 restrictions such as vaccination cards and mask mandates.  We also encourage our readers to abide by all establishment’s individual guidelines for masking and social distancing for your safety and that of others.

 Family Friendly Activities

We’ve scoured the internet and pulled from local suggestions for some of the best Chicago area destinations that are great for families.  Whether you’re going on a family outing or you’re taking the kids on a playdate, there’s lots of fun in store at these destinations.  From indoor playgrounds to museums to zoos, you’ll have plenty of entertainment for all age groups.

• Fit City Kids
• Exploritorium
• ClimbZone Chicago
• Lincoln Park Conservatory
• The Escape Game Chicago
• iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Lincoln Park
• Sod Room Indoor Playground Chicago
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago
• Present Place Chicago Indoor Playground
• Shedd Aquarium at Museum Campus
• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Navy Pier Amusement Center Chicago
• Purple Monkey Playroom Amusement Center 
• Altitude Trampoline Park in Chicago
• Museum of Science and Industry Chicago
• Fox in a Box Escape Room Chicago
• Bronzeville Children’s Museum
• Indigo and Violet Art Studio
• Children’s Museum of Art and Social Justice
• Kidcreate Studio Lakeview Chicago
• Wonder Works Children’s Museum

Family Friendly Eateries

After a fun-filled day of exploring the city and running around in museums or playgrounds, you’re going to be faced with plenty of hungry bellies!  Beat the hangry tantrums by planning ahead and reserving a table for your brood at one of these family friendly restaurants. We’ve done our best to pick kid friendly favourites, but also give you choices with a great atmosphere and lots of options for teens and adults, too.

• R.J. Grunts
• BIG & little’s Restaurant
• Crosby’s Kitchen
• SafeHouse Chicago
• Little Goat Diner
• JoJo’s Shake Bar
• Eleven City Diner
• Summer House Santa Monica
• Eggy’s Diner
• Lou Mitchell’s
• Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe
• Happy Camper Pizzeria
• Pinstripes Restaurant
• Funkenhausen
• Harvey’s Family Restaurant
• Big Kids Sandwiches
• Sunshine Restaurant Inc

Friends Night Out and Date Night Ideas for Adults in Chicago

You’ve had your fun with the kids and some serious quality time as a family, but now it’s time for you to kick back, let loose, and relax for a night on the town!  Get a little grownup time at these fun destinations that are perfect for couples, groups of friends, or even a nice night out alone.  You’ll find plenty of active choices such as skydiving and axe throwing, to walking tours and tours of brewpubs.  We’ve got a little bit of everything and a whole lot of creativity in our suggested destinations!

• WhirlyBall Chicago
• Bad Axe Throwing
• iFly Indoor Skydiving
• Broadway Playhouse 
• Lucky Strike Downtown Chicago
• Chicago Magic Lounge
• City Winery Chicago
• Thomas McCormick Gallery
• Hofheimer Gallery
• WNDR Museum
• Gallery 400
• FLXST Contemporary
• Kavi Gupta Gallery
• The Logan Theatre
• David Theater Chicago
• The Brew & View
• Nightingale Cinema
• The New 400 Theater
• Studio Movie Grill
• Ignite Gaming Chicago
• Redline VR Chicago
• FTW Chicago
• Play and Spin
• Museica’s Sip & Paint
• Deja Hue Art
• Wet Paint Chicago
• Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tours

Restaurants & Bars for a Great Night Out On the Town

Who says adults can’t enjoy theme restaurants?!  We’ve gathered our picks for bars and restaurants with playful themes, interactive experiences, breweries, and farm-to-table options.  You’ll find no shortage of enjoyment and unforgettable experiences shared over cocktails and award winning plates of food.  We know you’ll have a blast!

• Replay Lincoln Park
• Elf’d Up Grill
• The Little Mermaid Cocktail Experience Chicago
• Map Room Bar
• Three Dots and a Dash
• Weegee’s Lounge
• Brando’s Speakeasy
• Janitor’s Closet
• Neon Wilderness
• SafeHouse Chicago
• The Violet Hour Cocktail Bar
• Bunny Slope
• The Drifter
• Moneygun
• Range New American
• Blue Door Farm Stand
• Lula Cafe
• Table, Donkey and Stick
• Lagunitas Brewing Company Chicago
• Goose Island Brewhouse

Posted in Arts and Culture, Food and Drink, Local Things To Do | Comments Off on Enjoy a Night Out In Chicago for Families, Date Night, or Friends

It’s National Love Your Pet Day!  It’s no secret we love our little creature companions be they furred, finned, feathered, or whatever, they’re all so special to us.  Over the last few years with pandemic related challenges, we’ve fallen in love with them more than ever.  Our trusty critter counterparts have given us so much companionship and unconditional love, and now it’s our turn to give back.  Check out today’s post for a super fun celebration of our non-human buddies!

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For most people, buying and selling cars is not a part of their daily or even weekly routine!  As a result, the process for figuring out exactly what you need and want can be a little overwhelming. We get it!  And we are here to help alleviate some of the stress with our Classic Auto Group Decoder.  That’s right, we’re shining a spotlight on some key terminology and phrasing most commonly used in the industry so that our customers can feel equipped with confidence.  By using our handy-dandy guide to automotive terminology, you’ll be able to “talk shop” like the best in the business.  So keep reading on to learn more about key phrases and vocabulary of the industry before you embark on your car buying journey.

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Today we’re celebrating Black Excellence in the professional automotive racing circuit.  From the past to the present, these drivers are paving the way for future generations of drivers.  We’re pleased to highlight the men and women who have worked hard and proven themselves to be incredible drivers and stars of the industry.

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It’s February; love is in the air, and those happy, positive vibes are everywhere.  We love living and working in Waukegan.  We love selling and driving cars.  And we certainly love all of our loyal customers!  In honor of these big feelings, we’re sharing the love with some great suggestions for DIY Valentine crafts.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a child or a teen or an adult, we know you’ll have a blast making these items to share with all the folks you care about.

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We’re taking a deep dive into automotive history to learn more about the pioneers and creative minds that have advanced the automotive industry over the years.  We’re highlighting all sorts of ingenious inventions that began as just a spark, but grew into something so bold and bright we still employ them today!

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Posted in Arts and Culture | Comments Off on Celebrating Black Inventors and Engineers and their Amazing Achievements in the Automotive Industry