Chicago North Shore Real Estate by Marissa Hopkins Realtor

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You CAN Donate Old Textbooks!!!

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Beneficiaries of Books4Cause

I get so excited when I find resources that solve BIG problems…and in this case, do GOOD!!!

This is an organization that you can donate your OLD books to, including old textbooks.

This amazing resource is here in Chicago (also in NYC). It takes book donations and makes libraries in Africa… or gives them to schools here in Chicago or sells them to pay for shipping or recycles those that can’t find a new home. It’s called books4cause. Their office is located in Skokie, but they will even pick up the books from your home!

Get more facts at:  http://www.books4cause.com/
You can also find them on facebook under “books4cause”

Check them out, then share your experience, by commenting below.

How to CHOOSE SEA-LIFE SAFE SUNSCREENS that Don’t Kill Coral Reefs or Hurt Fishes

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Protect Sealife by choosing Non-Toxic sunscreen

Like me, are you heading south for a sunshine and ocean holiday vacation? Did you know that MOST sunscreens are killing the coral reefs and hurting the fishes? I just learned this, so I wanted to quickly share what you can do to help protect our sea-life.

Make a difference by choosing products that are NOT TOXIC. Below is a link to an article I found most useful in explaining the problem and how to choose ocean-safe products. In this post I have summarize the key points from this article and will show you two of the products I happened to have that appear to be ocean safe.

DON’Ts:

-Don’t use sunscreen with Active Ingredients: Oxybenzone and/or Octinoxate. They kill coral.

–Don’t use sunscreens with Methyl Paraben, Butyl Paraben, or Phenoxyethanol. These are preservatives that are also toxic.

-If you must use these, they don’t recommend using SPF ratings over 30. They are not anymore effective in protecting your skin and contain higher concentrations of the toxic chemicals.

–Don’t use aerosol sunscreens. The chemical ingredients are microscopic and [are] inhaled into the lungs, and dispersed airborne into the environment

Reef-safe sunscreen, bought at Walgreens.

DO:

-Do use sunscreen with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

-Do use sunscreen with Non-nano Titanium Dioxide. See pictures. I bought these sunscreens at Walgreens, here in Highland Park,

–The best thing to do is wear UV protective shirts or “Rash Guards.”  A rash guard, also known as rash vest or rashie, is an athletic fitted, spandex top, bottom or one-piece that protects beachgoers from the sun and other elements. Surfers typically wear them while they are riding the waves or hanging out on the shore. These shirts/leggings have UV protection ratings.

Remember, you will still need sunscreen protection on your face, neck, feet and hands… so be sure to wear the non-toxic products!

Here is the article link: https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/beauty/reef-safe-sunscreen

Also reef-friendly sunscreen

 

 

 

HomeAlone and the Holidays, is like Hot Cocoa and Marshmallows

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It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving meal hangover and my phone starts to buzz with emails from the media about the Home Alone home. It’s been nearly seven years since I sold the Home Alone home for the original owners, the ones who lived through the filming and got to know John Hughes and the cast. And all that happened nearly three decades ago, as the movie was released in 1990! Yet, the calls keep trickling in.

Not imagining there was any more I could possibly tell, I returned one of these calls as a courtesy. It was from Rich with “Guys Telling Stories.” He was interested in interviewing me for a podcast on what it was like to sell the Home Alone Home. I couldn’t help but ask why? Who could possibly be interested in this old story?

The-Home-Alone-House

Maybe it’s the time of year or maybe it’s the magic of the stately Red-Brick Georgian, but as we spoke it became crystal clear. It’s all about home. The place we make memories. The place we want to know everything about; every story. The place that protects us- keeping evil at bay. The place we bury hidden treasures, and breathes in new life with every newborn. So my story is another facet of the house of everyone’s dreams.

So, if you are so inclined, here is another chapter in the Home Alone Home story. Find a comfortable recliner, a warm blanket and sip on hot cocoa, as you learn a little about me and my telling of selling the Home Alone Home.

Happy holidays,  Marissa

P.S. Every home has a story. How is yours special?

Enjoy A Century Plant’s Delicious Flowers!

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Have you ever noticed those exotic, almost desert-looking plants that seem to pop up out of nowhere and grow to be at least 5′ tall? I am talking about the Century plant. In my yard, here in Highland Park, IL, I have two volunteers that keep coming back each year. They each grow one or two big spikes that flower at the end of June, then make a mess when the flowers fall a few days later.

HOWEVER, A little over a year ago I was told the flowers were edible –a delicacy in some Central and South American countries. We’ve been eating them ever since. They are delicious! To me, they taste a little like artichokes –only more delicate. They also start to turn a pretty bright green when they’re sauted (See pic below).

Our Century Flower and Greens Saute

Here is a pic of a vegtable saute I made from our garden for dinner tonight. I used 2 kinds of kale, chard, fresh basil, 1/2 a bulb onion (from the grocery store!), and the Century flowers. Note: the flowers take only seconds to cook. So if sauteing, add them at the very last minute and cook very lightly!

One other note, pick and use the flowers as soon as they open, as they are freshest at that moment. The flowering period is very brief –days. So this is a fleeting delight. Finally my disclaimer: always use your own judgement about eating anything, such as this, you’ve never tried before.

Summertime and the living is easy…and BOUNTIFUL here on the North Shore of Chicago!

This is just when the Century plant is starting to flower. It will soon become heavy with white flowers.

Heat up the Summer with a taste of BRAZIL!

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Enjoy a hot summer here on the cool North Shore!

One of my absolute favorite places on the North Shore is about to get hotter with dancing, bold colors, and exotic plants: the Botanic Gardens.

There is a full schedule of all things Brazilian to do, to buy, to smell, to hear and taste! I am particularly fond of dancing so here’s the music schedule:

Brazilian music nights:
June 15: Planeta Azul (Brazilian Carnival)
June 20: Carpacho Super Combo (Brazilian/Latin Jazz)
July 18: Rio Bamba (Brazilian Jazz)
July 20: Dill Costa Quartet (Brazilian Samba)
August 15: Luciano Antonio Quartet (Brazilian Jazz/Bossa Nova)
August 17: Chicago Samba (Brazilian Samba)

Here’s the link so you can see all things Brazil in the Gardens will be offering. https://www.chicagobotanic.org/brazil

In case you don’t know, admission to the Botanic Gardens is FREE. But there is a fee to park –so ride you bike over!