Evanston Woman Magazine by Evanston Woman Magazine

TAKE ONE

Enriching The Lives of Others

HONORING A PROMISE with

Chicago Jewish Funerals

Serving The North Shore with The Finest Plumbing, Heating, Cooling And Sewer Services Since 1918. Family Owned And Operated

EDITOR’S CORNER

vanston Woman magazine welcomes, Evanston Man. It was a journey to begin publishing this issue along side Evanston Woman. I thank our readers for the consistent reminder, men are important as well. Now we are able to bring education, information and resources to benefit men, women and families in one publication. As our seasons change, so are the needs of our community. Evanston houses 700+ non profits, many of which have served our community members for many years. I ask each of you to visit our website, evanstonwoman.com to see which organization you could contribute back to as a volunteer, member or board member. It’s important to understand the fabric of our non profits organizations who provide a “need” in our community. Thank you to Chicago Jewish Funerals for providing excellent services in honoring the legacy of loved ones. I have the upmost respect for the organization. Thank you to David, the owner for the time in working with me, along with the awesome team!! Cheers!

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Issue 3 Volume 2

CONTENTS “We began as a promise to the Jewish community. You and your family deserve a highly personal funeral service that respects your wishes and the strong traditions of the Jewish people.” Introducing Brazilian Blowout } teddiekossof.com/brazilian-blowout

847.999.9500 | teddiekossof.com 281 Waukegan Rd, Northfield Download our app

FEATURES

3 A Moment with Mary Fratini, The Goddard School 6 Honoring A Promise with Chicago Jewish Funerals

DEPARTMENTS 1 4 5 7 8

Editor’s Corner with LDB Wellness: Link Physical Therapy Wellness: Revitalize Medical Center Accidental Caregiver: Charlotte Bishop Family Relationships: Yellowbrick Treatment Center

Editor in Chief Photography Graphic Designer Advertising

Linda Del Bosque, LDB Jennifer Schuman Aaron Foster 847.722.5654

Stay in Touch

evanstonwoman@gmail.com Facebook.com/evanstonwoman IG: evanston_woman

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THE

H C N I Y R G AN June 14 - July 28

721 Howard St., Evanston www.theo-u.com 773-347-1109

A Moment with Mary Fratini Goddard School “She took the leap and built her wings on the way down”

Raised in Barrington, Mary Fratini graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Finance before working in sales and event marketing for eighteen years. A mother of two, and wife of Andrew Fratini, Mary loves to travel, ski, bike ride and hike. On her off time, you can catch Mary spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors and being involved in her children’s elementary school. As a past time she embraces riding up the North Shore on Sunday mornings with the family to enjoy brunch then heading over to Gillson park for the day. This foodie family embraces life, community, and nature.

What is your passion? Mary Fratini Depending on the season of life, my passions change. The one constant passion that has always brought me joy is traveling. I love to say, “Yes” on vacation. I enjoy exploring new cities, and participate in activities that differ from my everyday life. Local culture, cuisines, and experiences brings much excitement. I rarely have the television on, but my Sonos is always playing!

Name one accomplishment in life and what you learned from it.

Mary Fratini Leaving behind a successful career after 18 years in the corporate world that entailed consistent paychecks/benefits to launch my life long dream was empowering. I learned; with a plan, patience, faith, determination, hard work and much support from loved ones, achieving your dreams is possible. Opening the doors to the Goddard School in Skokie was a very long process from th inception of the idea to opening day. (span of two years) I stayed focused on the long term goal and kept reminding myself that any challenges that came during the process, the end result would be worth all of the risk and all of the hard work.

What is one thing you appreciate in life that has made you a better person? Mary Fratini Failure. I think everyone needs to fail to be able to understand and appreciate success. I think wisdom stems from failure more so then it does success, and without exposing ourselves to the opportunities to fail, we are limiting our true learning potential in life. This is a message that is very important to me, especially as a mother raising two daughters. I have learned way more from my failures than I ever will from my successes. And that will never change, nor do I want it to.

How do you balance family and career? Mary Fratini It is hectic, and sometimes it can be overwhelming especially with the endless activities, homework, events during the day and throughout the school year. Between concerts, recitals, and then all the days off during the school year, I am mastering the skill, “juggling time”. At times its hard to focus and balance running a business, household and family. However, I try to remind myself to be present and to act with purpose. I try to say, “no” to things that do not add happiness to my life, my husband’s or my children’s lives. When I do volunteer, I always try to focus on spending time on activities that will allow me to be with my children. A great example of this is leading my older daughter’s Girl Scout troop, or volunteering as lunch mom on occasion in my children’s cafeteria. One balancing act that I need to work on is carving out one-on-one time with my daughters. Our goal is to do everything together as a family which benefits our quality of time together. Working more on individual time with our kids is needed to work on our relationships on an individual basis.

Why did you choose to open Goddard School? Mary Fratini My children attended The Goddard School in Lincoln Park. My oldest was the first infant in their school and she started on the day they opened in 2011. I spent 6 years in that school and loved the experience. I loved the community, the play based curriculum, the love and support I felt and my children received. I knew that when I did open my own business I wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on my community and the families in it. When we were looking to move to the North Shore I found a real need for a Goddard School and decided that we were going to be the ones to bring the school to the area. This August we will be celebrating our third year.

EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

WELLNESS

Top 5 Pelvic Health Tips for Girls and Young Women “I wish I had known…”

In our combined 40+ years of practice as pelvic health physical therapists, this is one of the most common statements we hear from women. Many women agree that more knowledge about pelvic health earlier in life is needed (before there are problems). It’s never too early to start!

Here are our top 5 pelvic health tips for the girls and young women in our lives 1 Use proper anatomical names for body parts. Parents can use names

such as vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, anus, as they would to identify other body parts such as the knee, foot, shoulder. This can enhance a child’s self-confidence and positive body image, as well as allow them to accurately report any questions or concerns to a trusted adult.

2 Have good potty habits. Regular, comfortable urination and bow-

el movements daily is normal. Frequent hard stools/constipation, bladder or bowel leakage, or any stress about going potty should be addressed early with a health care professional.

3 Monthly period = monthly “report card.” When a girl learns to

track her cycle (length of cycle, flow length and volume, ovulation – as well as her mood, energy level, pain, appetite, and sleep), she can better understand her normal patterns and identify changes. She can gain insight regarding her body’s nutrition, rest, and exercise needs. Periods aren’t a burden…they are informative and healthy!

4 Pelvic pain is not normal. Whether it be with toileting, sports,

sitting, or, later, with sexual activity, pain in the pelvis is not normal and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

5 Sexual pleasure IS normal. Yes, even for girls. Boys learn from an

early age that this is a normal part of puberty, and we adults also accept and expect this. Many girls do not learn about normal, healthy sensations, and may feel shame or discomfort about it. See #1 above. This applies here too – learn about what your parts are called, how they look, and how everything works.

For more information about these tips, please visit linkpt.org 847-868-8396

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Burn Away Chronic Pain with an Ablation

Sheetal DeCaria, M.D

he etiology of pain is often multi-factorial. Pain can be the result of many anatomical causes: muscles, ligaments, nerve roots, discs, and joints, to name a few. Due to the complicated nature of diagnosing chronic pain, it is very important patients visit with a qualified board-certified pain physician to establish a diagnosis prior to embarking on a treatment plan.

At Revitalize Medical Center, we promote an integrative and multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain. To truly heal chronic pain, we believe a treatment plan must be founded upon a comprehensive mindbody approach, focusing on movement, stress reduction, improving sleep, and optimizing one’s diet. However, in the right patient, interventional procedures can offer substantial relief and allow someone to wean off medications, exercise, and improve their overall quality of life.

For certain chronic pain conditions, there is a procedure called radio frequency ablation (RFA) that can be done to destroy the functionality of nerves that supply sensation to a given area. The nerves are first tested with numbing medicine (local anesthetic) to see if they provide pain relief. Following two successful “test” or “diagnostic” injections, a patient is brought back for the radio-frequency ablation procedure. The radio-frequency ablation procedure is an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure that takes about 30 minutes to perform and can give between 6 to 24 months of pain relief. There is no recovery time, which makes it appealing for patients who may not be good candidates for surgery or want to avoid surgery.

Revitalize Medical Center is accepting new patients at their Glenview and Evanston locations. Most major insurance plans accepted. To schedule a consultation, call 847-834-4018

Radio-frequency ablation has been used with success for a number of pain conditions: chronic neck and low back pain, post-mastectomy pain, facial pain, knee pain (Coolief procedure), hip pain, ilioinguinal neuralgia, groin pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and occipital neuralgia headaches, to name a few. At Revitalize Medical Center, we offer these and other approaches to manage chronic pain.

Sheetal DeCaria, M.D.

or visit RevitalizeMedCenter.com .

Revitalize Medical Center

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CHICAGO JEWISH FUNERALS

David Jacobson- “You And Your Family Deserve A Highly Personal Funeral Service Th

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hicago Jewish cierge-level fu providing spe customs and personalized s complished by a team inc Goodwill Ambassadors, a Engagement, in addition t Support Staffs. David Jaco cago Jewish Funerals, leads shares his passion to serve dinary level of care, suppor ever possible, their answer are committed to caring fo comforting the mourners. Th ligiously and culturally div ing on the entire Jewish com

Chicago Jewish Funerals Directors, many of whom a the way with a touch of gra

A typical workday in th consists of meeting with fa planning of future funerals scheduled funerals.

Most of their funerals two funeral chapels, 8 Skokie and 195 N. Buffa Grove. Additionally, funer take place at various cemete Chicagoland. Families rece sistent guidance throughou well as during the fulfillme

Chicagoland based Chicago Jewish Funerals, with funeral chapels located in Skokie and in Buffalo Grove, is proudly the only independently owned, Jewish owned, funeral service in Chicagoland. 6

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In addition providing the h families, these d en also visit v homes and resi sistance with all quests. “I am p with our team o go Jewish Funer family members loss. We offer a and offer a conve wallet or family tact with us whe rite O’Connor

S HAS HONORED A PROMISE

That Respects Your Wishes And The Strong Traditions Of The Jewish People.” (1997)

h Funerals delivers conuneral service while also ecial sensitivity to Jewish traditions. The level of service they provide is accluding; Funeral Directors, a Director of Community to the Administrative and obson, as Founder of Chis his team by example and e families with an extraorrt and compassion. Whenr will always be “yes”. They or the deceased while also Their team is ethnically, reverse in itself, while focusmmunity.

s includes a team of Funeral are women, striving to lead ace, tradition and empathy.

he life of a funeral director amilies to assist them in the s or in directing previously

s take place at one of their 8851 Skokie Boulevard in alo Grove Road in Buffalo ral services also frequently eries or synagogues around eive personalized and conut the funeral planning as ent of the families wishes.

n to and with the goal of highest level of service to dedicated men and womvarious hospitals, nursing idences offering their asl manner of issues and repassionate about working of professionals at Chicarals. Rituals help grieving s and friends cope with advanced funeral planning enient card for your purse, member to facilitate conen needed,” says, Margue(Goodwill Ambassador).

This personalized information card offers the peace of mind and comfort of having communicated your advance planning directives. She adds, “It makes sense for people to have important conversations and to put their end of life wishes in writing so that we can do our best to understand, clarify and honor those decisions. It makes sense for those who will have the responsibility of making funeral arrangements for someone else to be organized and prepared to fulfill that sacred duty with respect and without additional stress. Our dedicated team is always available to assist with offering funeral options, writing the death notice and explaining costs.” The focus of Marguerite’s work is to be out in the community, presenting programs, attending Chamber of Commerce meetings, networking at events and writing articles for the website. “We are members of four Chambers of Commerce: Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Northbrook and Skokie. David Jacobson adds, “It is by talking with friends, clergy and leaders in our community that I have the opportunity to deeply listen to their stories, concerns, testimonials and questions. By sharing meals with other professionals, I stay aware of changing trends and resources that might also benefit the families that we serve.” Judy Engels Greenberg shared “For the past eight years, I have enjoyed working at Chicago Jewish Funerals among a very supportive staff. It brings me comfort to know that I work at a place where the families receive the best possible service and care. I enjoy helping families, explaining the details of funeral arrangements in both Russian and English, especially given that it is difficult to deal with these moments of loss outside of one’s native language.” Peggi Lake stated “I have been a funeral director for almost 30 years. Helping families through the steps, after a loved one has died, is very meaningful to me. You meet the nicest people at one of the worst times of their lives. For most families, it’s the first time they have had to plan and make decisions about a funeral which can be very daunting. So if we can be there for them, and take them through everything step by step, it takes a bit of the unknown away. I love helping families during this very sad time of their lives and if I get a hug at the end of the day, that means the world to me.” “I enjoy working at Chicago Jewish Funerals because I am given the freedom and support from the company and owner to provide exceptional service to the families who come to us.

The knowledge that the work I do will impact people directly is very fulfilling. This is a difficult career choice for many reasons so I also appreciate that our owner is sensitive to the needs of his staff and the toll that constant exposure to others grief and distress can take on any of us. When I started with the company in 2004 it was still a relatively small business and has grown significantly since then. However, many of the benefits of working for a small business remain intact. The rapport the staff shares with each other and the owner is not something that would be found in a larger business or corporation. All the staff are in constant direct communication with each other. When I have an issue or need a definitive answer for anything regarding a family or the company, I can call David and get immediate resolution. I don’t have to go through layers of management or sift through memos. And he remains very approachable regarding changes that may need to take place within the company especially if it’s for the benefit of the families we serve. I feel proud to be part of a company that has a reputation of trustworthiness and compassion. That reputation is a direct result of an efficient and dedicated staff that I feel fortunate to have learned so much from.” Says Jackie Jasinski. “I enjoy working at Chicago Jewish Funerals because I am able to be a part of helping families as they go through a very difficult time in their lives. Working and being part of a funeral home takes employees who have a lot of caring, empathy and compassion. I am proud to be associated with all of the people I work with at Chicago Jewish Funerals. I enjoy speaking with the families on the phone. Many people call for different reasons and it is fulfilling to be able to help them with a problem or answering any questions they may have. I enjoy working at Chicago Jewish Funerals because I am encouraged to offer suggestions and ideas that may improve our service and take care of each family to the best of our ability. David is always open to new ideas and suggestions. He implements them and we see if the ideas work or don’t work. We also listen to ideas and suggestions from families and their needs or concerns”, says Connie Rocque the company’s bookkeeper/administrator. Susan Winkelstein said “I was a bit of a pioneer as a woman in funeral service as I have been licensed for over 40 years. I have worked for several funeral homes over my career and I am most proud to work with my colleagues at Chicago Jewish Funerals.” (Continue pg. 8)

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ACCIDENTAL CAREGIVER

(Continue pg. 7) Iris Jacobson, who has witnessed the growth of Chicago Jewish Funerals for 21 years, says, “I choose to work at Chicago Jewish Funerals because I find it gratifying to meet, help, listen to and comfort people. I feel the warmth of community and connection and enjoy working with my husband David and all the staff. Chicago Jewish Funerals provides safe, welcoming spaces where mourners feel comfortable and I am honored to have assisted in the interior designs of the funeral homes as well as contributing my personal art to the next version of our recurring 2-year, Jewish calendar.”

[ This column was created because I’m often asked many questions by overwhelmed caregivers to older loved ones. As an Aging Life Care Professional I provide Answers, Advocacy and Alternatives to individuals coping with this challenge while maintaining their life responsibilities.]

Caregiver’s Question

“I am so overwhelmed with trying to balance work, my family and the needs of my mother who has so many health issues. It seems impossible to please her. I try to do the right things, but at the end of the day I’m exhausted. What should I do?

Answer Sometimes there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done, but it also sounds like you have a bit of self-talk here as well…and you are not being very kind to you.

Each week, make a list of what you will be doing for your mom. Check off each task as you complete the task. At the end of each week, take stock of all that you’ve accomplished… not what you have NOT accomplished. Compliment yourself. Know it’s OK to be “good enough:” 1. Recognize there’s only so much that one person can do. 2. Delegate by accepting help from friends, family. 3. Appreciate being “Good Enough.”

If you have a questions or need advice, please send your questions to: info@AccidentalCaregiver.info “There are four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who currently are caregivers; those who will be caregivers; and those who will need caregivers.” Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady

Charlotte Bishop MS CRC, GCM, LCPC, President Creative Care Management 847.869.5118 (ext 511) creativecaremanagement.

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Founder, David Jacobson, and his wife Iris are extremely supportive and engaged in the Jewish community. They believe in providing compassionate and attentive service in fulfillment of the company motto “The Way it Should Be.” Although a wonderful staff routinely and adeptly attends to nearly innumerable details, David remains personally involved and present, while overseeing all aspects of their services provided. To learn more about their staff, their facilities, their company’s history and a wealth of other resources and support information Please visit. Chicagojewishfunerals.com

IT’S GREAT ON GROVE! Visit Grove Street in Downtown Evanston For toys, jewelry, coffee & Cocktails, and to freshen up! Aylas Originals » Bangers & Lace Becky & Me Toys » Cupitol Coffee Egea Spa » Other Brother Coffeebar Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio Qi Kratom CBD & Tea » Salon Lamia

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PLACE YOUR MASK ON FIRST;

CARING FOR YOURSELF AS A PARENT Eliza Hofman, MFA, BFA, Integrative Services Specialist,Yellowbrick

n an airplane, according to the card in the seat back pocket in front of you, in case of a sudden drop in cabin pressure, you should put on your oxygen mask first before assisting your children. Whenever I’m on an airplane and hear these instructions, a small voice inside my head says, “umm, no. I’m getting my son’s mask on first. I can definitely do that.” Despite a rational understanding that to help another person, I must help myself first, as a parent, some part of my mind is convinced that despite having no oxygen, I can still care for my child. An extreme example, perhaps, but this kind of negotiation happens all the time as parents; caring for ourselves comes second to the needs of our child. Given the consuming nature of parenting in our culture today, often this sacrifice leaves little time for self-care. This outward focus becomes a habit, and nourishing moments start to fall away leaving us exhausted, burned out, and occasionally, resentful. If we practice mindfulness, however, we can recapture even the briefest moment for ourselves.

To parents, the concept of self-care can seem out of reach. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, for a parent with young children, over two hours a day are spent caring for a child directly. Factor in a full-time job, other household duties like laundry and cooking, and relentless tasks like getting the oil changed and going to the dentist, not much time remains for something like a bubble bath and a walk on the beach. The idea of “self-care” also often comes with an association with healthy habits, such exercise and eating healthy. What if you hate to exercise? Then it’s just another chore. Self-care can, in fact, become another box to check in an endless list of to-dos. Self-care can also backfire when you spend your bubble bath thinking about all the things you need to do for your kids afterward. I argue, therefore, that we don’t need more “self-care” as parents; what we need is to be present for our experience. We need some nourishment, and we need to be aware enough to receive it.

Mindfulness requires awareness of the present moment, and the good news is that you don’t need more time in your schedule to practice this concept. Any old moment will do, even boring ones or this moment right now. Mindfulness also encourages acceptance, and as parents, some relief comes when we admit that at this point in life, we just don’t have much time for self-care. That being said, staying in the present moment when you do care for yourself will deepen your experience of that care. Do whatever you find nourishing for just a few moments, and notice yourself doing it. Notice how your body feels and the emotions you have. Wallow in it. Your presence for yourself is itself self-caring. Finally, remind yourself that putting on your mask takes less than a minute, and its benefits last much longer, for you and your child. To learn more about Yellowbrick Program and services lines for parents Please visit. www.yellowbrickprogram.com

[great reference tool] www.bls.gov/charts/american-time-use/activity-by-parent.htm EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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Welcome to Rex’s Place!

Where Families Bring Their Furry Family for Summer Vacations

n Evanston, furry, extended members of the family are not an uncommon sight. Just one step out in Downtown Evanston or Central Street and you will surely be met with a melee of dogs and their parents taking a stroll, eating together, or enjoying downtime outside. It is safe to say Evanston is a pet friendly place where dog parents take pride in ensuring the highest caliber of care is being given to their furry family members. That being said, unfortunately it can be difficult to find quality care for your pets in the place of your own while away from home or while trying to balance a busy schedule. Rex’s Place on the corner of Ashland Avenue and Simpson Street can easily remedy this problem. Rex’s Place offers both cage free and regular overnight boarding giving you the option to find what fits your pets needs best. The loving, dedicated staff at Rex’s Place begins their work early each morning tailoring the care they provide to fit you and your pets individualized needs all day. This includes administering medicine, walks, breakfast, dinner, and an optional lunch upon request all at no extra cost. The only thing that pet parents are required to bring is food the rest is taken care of. Each dog is provided with their own spacious boarding suite, a bed, dishes, and lots of love.

However, if you believe regular boarding is not the best option for your dog, but are still in need of care while you are away, Rex’s offers cage free boarding is only availble to dogs who attend day care. This entails a spacious boarding facility filled with comfy couches and beds where your dog will be able to roam, play, and rest while being supervised all night long by trained staff members. Cage free boarding is an excellent option for those who have never boarded, have special medical needs, suffer from anxiety, or simply have too much energy for normal boarding. Monday through Friday boarders, both cage free and normal boarders, spend all day at Rex’s Place’s over 20,000 square foot daycare facility which includes a small dog play room, a wrestling room, a ballroom, and an outdoor space where your dogs can have fun in the sun. Daycare is great for those pet parents with a busy schedule who may not have time during the day to spend time with their furry family members, half and full days are available to fit you and your pet’s schedule. What sets Rex’s Place apart from other pet boarding and daycare facilities is the customized care offered, their cage free approach takes dogs social needs into account and provides a worry free experience for pet parents concerned about the amount of attention, exercise, and love your pet will receive while not in your care.

Both you and your furry family member will leave with a smile. For more information call 847-920-8739 or email info@rexsplace.com.

EVANSTONMAN.COM

“

I REALLY LOOK AT PEOPLE AND PROPERTIES THROUGH THE EYES OF A FIRST RESPONDER,” SAID MICHAEL. “YOUR HOUSE IS ON A ‘GURNEY’ TIL WE ASSESS THE BEST POSSIBLE PATHWAYS FOR YOU AND YOUR VALUABLE PROPERTY.”

ichael Marin, MA, MSW, RN, owner of Signature Homes Realty in Evanston, has a unique approach to real estate. When accessing a new client or home, he first performs Triage, which in medical terms is the assignment of degrees of urgency to wounds or illnesses to decide the order of treatment of a large number of patients or casualties. “I really look at people and properties through the eyes of a First Responder,” said Michael. “Your house is on a ‘gurney’

“Yes

-Michael Marin

until we assess the best possible path- zen of Colombia and the United States. ways for you and your valuable property.” “I identify as Colombian-American in no Michael’s method is no accident. This real particular order,” said Michael. “I have a estate expert, often referred to as the “con- strong South American value system and do king,” is also a Master’s RegisteredNurse. strong Midwest cultural values as well.” Michael was born in Chicago after his parents, Herman and Emily, legally immigrated to the United States from Medellín, Colombia, South America. His family moved to Colombia and back when Michael was young, but those Colombian roots stuck. This year, he will become a dual citi-

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Along his journey, Michael served in the U.S. Army with honors commendations, earned a dual Master’s in Healthcare and Administration from the University of Chicago and practiced as a psychotherapist and charge nurse. He also was a motivational speaker for Colombian military troops during some of the coun-

ty and implemented the Triage Model.

dellín and all over the world.

“This model — and its diagnostic features and critical scales, along with other psychometric measures — can rank and order buyers’ and sellers’ priority rankings and future outcomes, even if the client is not initially aware of the need,” he said.

“As a result of being bicultural, maintaining a global perspective and having traveled to 65 countries, I’m able to understand accents and international clients’ needs much better,” he said. “We’ve had successful real estate transactions with remote clients from China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, all-over Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.”

“The current broker-centric approach is to rapidly place all properties on the market and sell. We, on the other hand, assume a client-centric approach and advocate where, when and how the client should enter the ‘field of operation.’”

s... you can! ¡Sí, se puede!”

It must be working. In 2017, according to Brokermetrics, Signature Homes Realty had an 80% close rate, recorded the quickest sales in Evanston at 19 days (2.5 times faster than the next brokerage), and earned the highest list-to-sale ratio in town at 99%. His company is drone- and aerial-intensive, and Michael says these videos help obtain higher SEO (Search Engine Optimization) rankings.

Signature Homes Realty also offers programs for military philanthropy and First Responders and focuses on charities and non-profits, including Connections for Homeless and PAWS. “I found what encompasses all of my passions, and my clients benefit directly,” said Michael. “You could say I found my purpose as a real estate advocate and ‘bridge’ for local and international clients.

“We have taken clients in helicopters so that we can have a visual of views of pre-construction towers,” said Michael. “We like to say, ‘we go above and beyond our competitors.’” Michael goes beyond city limits as well, working with clients not only in Evanston but also Chicago, Florida, Me-

try’s most aggressive periods of combat. “I am very proud of my commendations and military honors,” he said. “I did not personally see combat but am empathetic and have seen the effects of war as a former psychotherapist and active Master’s Registered Nurse. I am a natural advocate.” Michael was the owner of a healthcare business when he decided to transfer his skill set to real estate. He was awarded a Minority Illinois Scholarship for education and took classes with Coldwell Banker. In 2006, he created Signature Homes Real-

For more information on Michael Marin and Signature Homes Realty, visit www.signaturehomescondo.com or call/text 847-312-1014. EVANSTONMAN.COM

AN OFFICER YOU SHOULD KNOW James A. Pickett

Deputy Chief/Field Operations trolling an area where shootings have occurred. More importantly it means getting out of the squad car and talking to citizens getting to know them. It;s important for officers to develop relationships with the citizens finding out there concerns for the neighborhood or simply to say hi and to reassure them you are there to serve.

In what types of ways does Evanston PD incorporate proactive policing into their procedures, and/ or an officers daily tour of duty? Where did you grow up? I grew up on the south side of Chicago.

What do you feel you “overcame” (message: lesson for the youth)? I grew up with a single mom struggling to provide for myself and my sister with very little father involvement. Besides not having a male mentor I focused hard on my academics and was able to achieve my goals of being a law enforcement officer.

When growing up what was your idea of “The police” and how is that changed? I never had too much of a negative view of the police probably due to the fact my father spent time as an officer with the Chicago Police Dept. and my uncle and aunt actually retired as an officers with CPD. I did come across some mean CPD officers but that didn’t taint my view of officers as a whole due to my admiration for my uncle and aunt.

I’ve noticed that the term “Proactive Policing” is sort of a current buzz word among law enforcement agencies. What is your personal definition of “Proactive Policing”? Proactive Policing means a couple of things. First of all it means actively patrolling the area you are assigned. This can consist of actively looking for violations of the law. It means providing high visibility in order to prevent violations from occurring. Examples include monitoring an area where traffic violations occur. It can mean pa-

The Evanston Police Dept is fortunate to have several different units that focus on specific missions’. For example traffic enforcement, narcotic and gang investigations, general investigative procedures, etc have specific dailey tasks. No matter what division an officer is assigned to it’s important for that officer to actively get out of the squad car and get to know the citizens of Evanston. Every officer is encouraged to be visible to the public in a positive police presence sort of way. This means talking to citizens as a citizen who happens to be an officer. I can’t emphasize enough the most important way to pro-actively police is to be visible and approachable.

What are two things that you want young people who may be apprehensive in terms of interacting with law enforcement officers to know about Evanston PD specifically? The first thing I would like the young citizens to know is the Evanston Police Department is committed to improving our relationships with the youth. Programs like the Youth Citizens’ Police Academy, The Police Explorer’s, the Officer and a Gentleman Academy, the Skills to Achieve Results Academy, (S.T.A.R.) all are programs geared towards bridging the gap between police and youth. We care about our young citizens and want the best for them, Secondly, we would like all citizens to know that we are “regular people” we are approachable. Police personnel are parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, husbands, wives, sports fans, movie buffs, just like everyone else. We come from different backgrounds and must strive to make a concerted effort to get to

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know one another. Yes our job does have an enforcement component which can often come across negatively, but more importantly we are here to develop relationships (mentoring) and to get to know everyone but especially the youth in a positive way.

What are two things that you want law enforcement officers (who may be apprehensive in terms of dealing with youth) to know or understand about young people? It’s important for officers to understand differences in youth cultures, fads, upbringing, etc. What may appear to be delinquent behavior may not be. Get to know the community. Secondly, officers must understand how interaction with a youth can have a long term effect on that youth. A negative interaction can increase mistrust of the police.

What is one specific change, update or improvement within the City of Evanston that you believe would positively impact the public safety and/or quality of life for Evanston residents and visitors alike? A continued commitment to be as transparent as we can be with the community. When issues occur let’s continue to openly talk about them so we can improve our relationships. Also our continued commitment to train our officers in cultural diversity and mental health procedures.

auguSt 24th

Join uS

come out and ride for charity

Cy c l e for You r He a r t S c h o l a r s h i p

FUNDRAISER Saturday,

Au g u s t 2 4 , 2 0 1 9

Bi ke rs w i l l t a ke a ( 2 5 ) m i l e tou r a l ong S h e r i d an R o a d t h rou g h s c e n i c Nor t h S h ore bi ke f r i e n d ly c om mu n it i e s p a s t R avinia in Hy land Park, IL and back to Evanston. The proceeds from Cycle For Your Heart will make an impact by prov i d i n g a c a d e m i c s c h o l a r s h ip s t o c o l l e g e - b ou n d s t u d e nt s i n t h e Ev a n s t on an d Nor t h S h ore c om mu n it i e s .

Our Purpose T H E PAU L W. C A I N E F OU N DAT ION T h e p u r p o s e o f t h e Fo u n d at i o n i s t o prom ot e h e a lt h aw are n e s s , e du cational achie vement, and programs that suppor t community development particularly for disenfranc h i s e d yout h .

You r p ar t i c ip at i on w i l l g re at ly h e lp ou r org an i z at i on s t re t c h it s l i m it e d d ol l ar s t ow ard ve r y h on or abl e go a l s . Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proj e c t i ng t h at t h i s ye arâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s e ve nt w i l l b e e ve n bi g ge r !

paulwcainefoundation.org

Tech and Toys

The Aston Martin

Valkyrie

Rockets Towards Production

EVANSTONMAN.COM

Tech and Toys

The Aston Marin Valkyrie—

The brainchild of Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing—

is an aerodynamic moonshot that runs right at the limits of a V-12 hypercar, and now we have an inside look into where the $3.2 million land rocket is in its progress towards production. Christian Horner, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team principal, has illuminated where Valkyrie is in the development and testing phase.

Like the Mercedes-AMG Project One, Valkyrie builds heavily on engineering and aerodynamic work harnessed from racing. Says Horner: “There’s an awful lot of DNA that’s coming out of Formula 1, but of course as a closed-wheel car, and here is an opportunity without the regulation constraints that there are in Formula 1.” Adrian Newey, renowned aerodynamic wizard and head of Red Bull Racing, has been given the freedom to push the boundaries on Aston’s hypercar and it shows in the results, according to Horner. “The diffuser on it is insane, and the amount of downforce it generates is insane, it’s basically a diffuser on wheels.” Horner says that despite being a road car, and even on road tires, he believes Valkyrie would be competitive in Formula 2. Aston Martin is also building a track-only special, the Valkyrie AMR Pro, that does away with the road components and is essentially the closest hypercar to an F1 racer. The AMR Pro version will be limited to only 25 examples, all of which have already been spoken for.

BY MATTHEW ASKARI

EVANSTONMAN.COM

OPEN TAB EVANSTONMAN Magazine Ask’s Expert James Damask from Imlifted.com

“

How Can I Make The Most Out Of Illinois’ Marijuana Boom? Q: SO HOW CAN ILLINOIANS’ SUCCEED LIKE YOU HAVE IN THE LA MARKET ?

Q: DO YOU ‘GET HIGH?” A: Well?..I don’t indulge. I’m high on life but I believe in the medicinal value of it and of course I find the business irresistible. I believe the owner should not use his product in this case. Chocolatiers’ eating chocolate that is fine but will make you obese. Marijuana has different effects on your life in bulk.

Q: HAS MARKETING BEEN A CHALLENGE? A: Original” marketing has been an issue. We market the products. We advertise to our target market in Cali using social media, microsites, etc. We sponsor things like surf tournaments. For example, we launched February first, and once we received content from film teams, we shared it with good e-results especially on Facebook. We’re finding the best marketing dollars are spent on social media and we will have many commercial ventures. We’re looking at doing a comedy sponsored tour with Seestandup.com soon. Film teams, we shared it with good e-results especially on Facebook. We’re finding the best marketing dollars are spent on social media and we will have many commercial ventures. We’re looking at doing a comedy sponsored tour with Seestandup.com soon.

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CHICAGO BEING A MARIJUANA STATE?

A: Not sure yet, it’s all really po-

litical and dirty in that city (James is from Chicago). Some people I know invest millions in cannabis there like four years ago. It made no sense at the time but it makes sense now. All of the opportunity will go to rich “tied in” people. I predict they will “F*** it up”.

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE GOVERNOR’S NEW BUSINESS? A: Now that’s being an insider truly “connected”.

A: The trick will be to look for a license in a crappy non populated town in Illinois. Never get one in Chicago (it will be over priced ) in Chicago the black market will thrive for years because they’ll tax the s*** out of legal weed. Then you’ll have total morons trying to grow legal weed and by the time it hits the store it’ll be way overpriced. So nobody will use the “weed store”. In California, an 1/8 in the black market is $25 in the legal store it’s $80 plus 30% tax. The average cannabis users buy weed every two weeks. Now you tell me where he’s going to buy it. It wont be the store.

Q: WHAT’S YOUR BEST BUSINESS ADVISE?

A: Create packaged products like edibles and extrat the THC oil to ship to the stores. You don’t want to own ta store or cultivate; you want to manafacture the product. Buy weed from cultivator, then process the packagng.. Sell it to the stores - that is success.

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OPEN TAB EVANSTONMAN’S

Spirit of the Month

EVANSTONMAN’S

Corona Gorda Cigar Review

The Green Fairy When absinthe — also known as the Green Fairy — was banned in many other countries in the early 1900s, it had become associated with illicit behavior. EvanstonMan investigates its balance between its delicious taste and reputation of death. Also we know that absinthe when made correctly can produce a life changing moment of high caliber taste. Its like experiencing a fine Cuban cigar. The tales of hallucinations, Oscar Wilde and his tulips, family massacres and instant death are not absinthe’s fault, technically speaking. Absinthe does have a very high alcohol content — anywhere between 55 and 75 percent alcohol by volume, which equates to about 110 to 144 proof. It makes whiskey’s standard 40 percent (80 proof) seem like child’s play. This is why absinthe is supposed to be diluted. Absinthe is not a hallucinogen; its alcohol content and herbal flavor set it apart from other liquors. Traditional absinthe is made of anise, fennel and wormwood (a plant), and various recipes add other herbs and flowers to the mix. The chemical that’s taken all the blame for absinthe’s hallucinogenic reputation is called thujone, which is a component of wormwood. In very high doses, thujone can be toxic. In the U.S., thujone levels in absinthe are capped at 10 milligrams per liter, while absinthe in Europe may have 35 milligrams per liter. Modern science has estimated that a person drinking absinthe would die from alcohol poisoning long before he or she were affected by the thujone. And there is no evidence at all that thujone can cause hallucinations, even in high doses.

Corona Gorda Cigar Review – this 6×50 stick features a dark brown, oily paper textured wrapper with a very firm pack, small veins, tight invisible seams, triple cap and almost no aroma, just a faint light wood. Pure luxury that will make the cost worth every moment First light reveals a perfect draw with medium bodied plain smoke of a soft generic wood with a long finish. Enhaling this will bring you back to times of folk tales. The first third burns perfectly with a very long finish just adding a slightly zingy pepper to the mix. The 1/2 way point comes at 25 minutes just adding a subtly slightly sweet baking spice to the draw. Construction is flawless. The last third comes up to a medium-full body with the wood going to a deeper oakiness, and the nutmeg more pronounced before the pepper takes over.

CONCLUSION: We now know that properly manufactured absinthe — an anise-flavored, alcoholic drink — is no more dangerous than any other properly prepared liquor

EVANSTONMAN.COM

EDITORS CORNER

C ON TENT S DEPARTMENTS

02 05

OPEN TAB: LEGAL CANNIBUS BUSINESS TECH AND TOYS- ASTON MARTINS VALKERIE

FEATURES

07 09 10

OFFICER YOU SHOULD KNOW MICHEAL MERIN- FROM RN TO REAL ESTATE REX’S PLACE A DOGGIE HAVEN

I dedicate this issue to my mother she left me on this eart without her. I am glad she can rest. I have grown a lot in the last few weeks and so has the country. Specifically, the state of Illinois, in that marijuanna is legal now. Therefore, in this issue you will find a great interview with James Damask, owner of the website imlifted.com. A delivery service for the marijuana lover. My personal growth included a run for Polemarch (President) of my local chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. And a lesson on how to lose that battle with grace. So, I enter this summer with a sunny disposition. Just as the June cover story displays the life a man who moved from Columbia, to learn nursing and turn that knowledge into a Real Estate empire. Micheal Merin has done that and more. You can learn all about him on page 8. Enjoy this issue of EVANSTONMAN magazine, visit the website and look for Julys hot upcoming issue.. Thankfully yours,

Aaron Foster

2019

FREE Tuesdays, June 4–July 30 Parks throughout Evanston Interactive family activities, 6pm Concert, 7pm

Visit cityofevanston.org/starlight or call 311.

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TAKE ONE

Michael Marin

JENNIFER SCHUMAN