Hinsdale Magazine January 2021

SERVING HINSDALE, BURR RIDGE, CLARENDON HILLS & OAK BROOK

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WARP SPEED

ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY CONTRIBUTION TO COVID-19 VACCINES

+

Jim Fannin, Nationally-renowned success coach offers expert advice

Exclusive Interview Local Wonders: with Chris Kennedy on Morton Arboretum Chicago’s Wolf Point

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LETTER from THE PUBLISHER

PLAN WITH CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM 2021 opens a new chapter in all of our lives. How you succeed this year, more than ever, largely depends on how well you deal with the hand you have been dealt, and on the things and events you can control.

continue their traditions and, in some cases, secure needed funds. From Salt Creek Ballet to the Hinsdale Historical Society, in this issue, you'll read about how various local organizations have modified their events in light of the pandemic.

We have strived to make this issue as useful and informative as possible. Of course, we all look with hope that new vaccines and the right decisions will help us bring COVID-19 under control, so that people can feel safe and return to more normal conditions that will allow people to get back to work and the economy to get moving again.

Also, you will also read about a local success that has had a significant national impact. Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont was instrumental in getting COVID-19 vaccines developed, literally at “warp speed.” Hinsdale Magazine contributing editor Larry Atseff visited Argonne a year ago, and this update will share how the scientists and engineers in Lemont have been working long and hard to bring us all closer to vaccines that will make a major difference for the whole nation.

SERVING HINSDALE, BURR RIDGE, CLARENDON HILLS & OAK BROOK

In the following pages, we are bringing you examples from government, business and civic leaders on how they have stepped up in 2020, and how they are planning for 2021.

We have even brought you observations from you, our readers. In late December, we sent out a survey asking how the pandemic affected readers, and what they are doing to cope in 2021. We hope you will find the survey results interesting and informative.

DIGITAL EDITION $5 US January 2021

WARP SPEED

ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY CONTRIBUTION TO COVID-19 VACCINES

In addition, we teamed up with Hinsdale + Magazine columnist and Burr Ridge resident Jim Fannin, America’s “ZoneCoach®,” to bring you advice on how to make 2021 “your year.” This issue includes a Q-and-A with Jim on his approach to helping people, followed by four specific articles on getting yourself better focused, how to get along better with your significant other, how to stimulate your children to improve, and even tips on how to improve your business situation. Jim will be contributing observations and suggestions on a regular basis. We will also have exciting events to announce with Jim and Hinsdale Magazine, so stay tuned.

Jim Fannin, Nationally-renowned success coach offers expert advice

Exclusive Interview Local Wonders: with Chris Kennedy on Morton Arboretum Chicago’s Wolf Point

Contributing editor Mike Ellis recently spoke to Hinsdale village president Tom Cauley, Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, and Clarendon Hills village manager Kevin Barr regarding the pandemic. These officials shared how their villages initially responded to the pandemic, how it has impacted the local business community, and their current outlook for 2021.

With large gatherings on-hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic, community organizations have learned to adapt in order to 10

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

In “On the Water,” Hinsdale Magazine architecture and design editor Julie Jonlich spoke with Chris Kennedy, chair of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises Inc., about the longawaited redevelopment of Chicago’s Wolf Point peninsula on the Chicago River, and the role the Kennedy family has played in being stewards of the land purchased by his grandfather Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. from Marshall Field after World War II.

In our financial section, The Barrett Group suggests you double-check your beneficiary designations for estate planning, which are often overlooked.

In “Giving Back,” Hinsdale resident Laurie McMahon explains how her son and daughter have gotten involved with DuPage Foundation's Next Generation Initiative, a program that introduces young people to philanthropy.

Visit us at www.HinsdaleMag.com to read every issue of Hinsdale Magazine since we launched the digital-flip format in 2013, allowing you to share each and every story on social media and via e-mail.

Thank you for reading, and stay healthy and safe,

Scott Jonlich Founder & Publisher sjonlich@hinsdalemag.com

Live Life Artfully Live it here drurydesigns.com

Kitchen & Bath Studio

C L I E N T F O C U S E D D E S I G N ™ S I N C E 1 9 8 7.

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CONTENTS 10 PUBLISHER’S LETTER

30 SPOTLIGHT

16 COVER STORY

16

Stepping Forward-Community organizations adjust to pandemic conditions

- Looking Forward - Local Perspective 34 COMMUNITY NEWS - Q&A with Jim Fannin

Local village officials share - Create your life blueprint

2020 experiences, 2021 outlooks - In a great relationship 1+1=3 - 7 tips to coach your kids to greatness - 5 ways to make your company better

50

42 FINANCIAL

Tips on financial fitness from the Barrett Group

44 SCIENCE

Warp Speed-How Argonne National Laboratory aided the speed of COVID-19 vaccines

50 ON THE WATER

37 GIVING BACK

All In The Family - Charitable giving for the next generation

On Point - An inside look at the Wolf Point development on the Chicago river

58 HOME

MK Construction experts in luxury homes

40 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

60 OUTDOORS

62 DIVEHEART

Look back on 2020 and a hopeful 2021

Fresh Air - Visit the Morton Arboretum

Team up

44 ON THE COVER: Jim Fannin America’s “Zone Coach” Photography by Marcello Rodarte

FOR THE LATEST NEWS, HAPPENINGS AND PHOTOS, VISIT WWW.HINSDALEMAG.COM 12

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Hinsdale Magazine |

LOOKING FORWARD

Helping all of us through difficult times

T

he purpose of this issue and really, for all of 2021, is to help our readers cope with what we have been going through, and how to move forward: • Acknowledging the roller-coaster ride we have all been riding in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the economic devastation it has caused; • Taking positives out of our recent past experience which are worthwhile keeping; and • Learning about the best ways to move forward in 2021 as vaccines help us get COVID-19 under control, and restrictions can, sooner rather than later, finally be lifted.

We will do this in four stages. The first stage is to review advice from one of the best national resources we could draw upon, the Mayo Clinic.

The second stage is to share a survey we conducted among you, our readers, on how you have coped and what you see ahead for 2021. The third stage is to look to nationally-renowned “zone coach” Jim Fannin of Burr Ridge on how to be your best self in 2021. Lastly, we also asked leaders in the community how their local government, businesses and nonprofits have been coping, and what they are planning for 2021.

BY LARRY ATSEFF

MAYO CLINIC ADVICE: A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE The Mayo Clinic has this advice in dealing with COVID-19 from its website as of last October:

1. Take care of your body by getting enough sleep, participate in regular physical activity, eat healthy, avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs, limit screen time, relax and recharge.

2. Take care of your mind by reducing stress triggers: keep your regular routing; limit exposure to news media (rely on media you can trust such as CDC); stay busy; focus on positive thoughts; use your moral compass or spiritual life for support; and set priorities and reasonable goals; give yourself credit for steps in the right direction; and recognize that some days will be better than others.

3. Connect with others to support and strengthen relationships by making virtual connections through e-mail, texts, phone and Face Time. Find purpose in helping people around you.

Do something for others. Check on others, especially the elderly. Support a family member or friend, especially those who may need to be isolated.

4. Recognize that stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression may well occur and change over time.

Despite one's best efforts, signs like 16

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

feeling helpless, sad, angry, irritable, hopeless, losing concentration, losing appetite and body aches and difficulty sleeping may occur. If they persist for several days in a row and make it difficult to carry out normal responsibilities, it is time to ask for help.

• Get help when you need it. Call or use social media, or contact a close friend or loved one, even though it may be difficult to talk about your feelings.

• Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your community.

• Contact your employee assistance program, if available, for referrals.

• Contact your primary care provider or mental health professional.

• Contact organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). If feeling suicidal, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800273-TALK.

5. Continue your self-care strategies.

You can expect your current strong feelings to fade when the pandemic is over, but stress won’t disappear.

Source: www.mayoclinic.org 

TURN FRUSTRATION INTO CONFIDENCE R or emot In e Ses -Offic sio e ns

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adults, temperament, ability to relax, confinement to home, keeping a positive attitude, anxiety, length of pandemic, getting conflicting and/or changing information.

Hinsdale Magazine |

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE Effect of working from home

3.9

Getting along with children

3.7

Ability to concentrate on work

3.5

Effect on income

3.3

Staying organized

3.3

Ability to sleep normally

3.2

Staying in routine

3.2

Getting along with adults

3.0

Temperament

A Hinsdale Magazine survey of readers

2.7

Ability to relax

2.5

Confinement to home

2.5

Keeping a positive attitude

2.4

Anxiety

BY LARRY ATSEFF

2.2

Length of pandemic

2.1

We asked readers to take a survey that has resulted in the following findings based on a scale of 1 to 4 from positive to negative effects on readers Getting conflicting and/or changing information 1.9 from the standpoint of activities, effect on their mental outlook, physical outlook, effect on children and plans once the pandemic is over.

1. Please rate activities that were affected by the pandemic 1) Really don't miss it, 2) Don’t miss it much, 3) I do miss it, 4) I miss it very much Visiting friends and relatives is the leading activity people miss most, followed by close contact with other, taking a vacation. Going out to eat and working out at home is somewhat missed. Least missed: shopping at a store and going to a live performance, working out a fitness center.

Visiting friends and relatives

3.8

Close contact with others

3.7

Use of alcohol, cannabis, and other like substances

3.5

Taking a vacation

3.7

Use of "junk food"

3.2

Going out to eat

3.3

How I keep my surroundings (office, home)

3.1

Working out at home or neighborhood

3.2

Personal grooming

3.0

Shopping at a store Going to live performance (music, shows, movies)

3.0

Weight gain

2.9

3.0

Staying in shape

2.7

Working out at a fitness center

2.8

What I wear

2.7

2. Rate habits you have had to adopt since the pandemic 1) Least liked, 2) Somewhat disliked, 3) Somewhat liked, 4) Most liked Of habits asked to rate, working from home was most liked, followed by learning from home, and washing hands, being tested for Covid-19. taking temperature. Least liked: Social distancing, wearing a mask, staying at home.

5. Pandemic effect on school children and their activities 1) Affected them very badly, 2) Affected them somewhat badly, 3) Affected them somewhat positively, 4) Affected them very positively Parents noted children were aware of negative effects of addictive substances. They were positive about getting along with siblings, about hybrid learning, obeying parents, zoom learning and ability to see classmates, in that order.

Working from home

4.0

Learning from home

3.7

Aware of negative effects of addictive substances

Washing hands

3.2

4.8

Being tested for Covid-19

2.9

Getting along with with siblings

4.2

Taking temperature

2.8

Hybrid learning

4.0

Staying at home

2.3

Obeying parents

3.8

Wearing a mask

2.1

Zoom learning

3.6

Social distancing

1.9

Ability to see classmates

3.6

3. Rate effect of pandemic on your mental condition 1) Affected me very badly, 2) Affected me somewhat badly, 3) Affected me somewhat positively, 4) Affected me very positively Positive effects on mental condition from the pandemic: Working from home, getting along with children, ability to concentrate on work, effect on income, staying organized, ability to sleep normally, staying in routine. Less positive effects: getting along with adults, temperament, ability to relax, confinement to home, keeping a positive attitude, anxiety, length of pandemic, getting conflicting and/or changing information.

18

4. Effect of pandemic on your physical condition 1) Affected me very badly, 2) Affected me somewhat badly, 3) Affected me somewhat positively, 4) Affected me very positively Physical condition factors are in the range of "somewhat positive" 3.5 or less. We have been indulgent! Most positive: use of alcohol, cannabis and other like substances, followed by desire of "junk food", attention to keeping up surroundings, personal grooming, Least positive factors: weight gain, staying in shape, and watching what I wear.

6. Activities you will retain/return to after pandemic 1) Will not continue, 2) Probably not continue 3) Probably continue, 4) Definitely continue

Effect of working from home

3.9

Activities that people are most interested in for the future are led by live entertainment, going out to dine, shopping at stores, engage in self-improvement, use of remote streaming of live entertainment, get more involved in church, spend more time with family and friends. Closely following, in order: zooming, shopping online, more involved with arts, culture, get more involved with non-profits to help people in need. Activities of somewhat less interest: remodel home, home delivery food, other/items, move to a new location, buy a new car, find a new job, suggesting they are fairly satisfied with their situation.

Getting along with children

3.7

Ability to concentrate on work

3.5

Live entertainment

3.9

Effect on income

3.3

Going out to dine

3.9

Staying organized

3.3

Shopping at stores

3.7

Ability to sleep normally

3.2

Engage in self-improvement

3.6

Staying in routine

3.2

Remote streaming of live entertainment

3.5

Getting along with adults

3.0

Get more involved with church

3.5

Temperament

2.7

Spend more time with family and friends

3.5

Ability to relax

2.5

Zoom

3.4

Confinement to home

2.5

Shopping online

3.4

Keeping a positive attitude

2.4

Become more involved in arts, culture Get more involved with non-profits helping people in need

3.3

Anxiety

2.2

Length of pandemic

2.1

Remodel home

3.1

Getting conflicting and/or changing information

1.9

Home delivery food, other/items

3.0

Move to a new location

2.9

Buy a new car

2.7

Find a new job

2.7

4. Effect of pandemic on your physical condition 1) Affected me very badly, 2) Affected me somewhat badly, HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE 3) Affected me somewhat positively, 4) Affected me very positively Physical condition factors are in the range of "somewhat positive" 3.5 or less. We have

3.3

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2021 It’s your

year!

Jim Fannin 20

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Q&A

With America’s “Zone Coach” Jim Fannin

J

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH JIM FANNIN AND LARRY ATSEFF

im Fannin, a Burr Ridge resident, is widely known as America’s “zone coach."

His 21-page biography (link attached) reflects his career and memorializes his clients’ successes. It covers 48 years, and details how he has coached tens of thousands of students, amateur and professional athletes, as well as corporate executives from small and large businesses to moms, dads and couples, using simple tools and techniques to help an individual make the most of their mental capabilities— to become their genuine, authentic best self.

Because 2020 has been such an upsetting year for everyone, we asked Jim to remind us of how we can be our best selves as we go in 2021.

Q. Jim, how and when did you realize you had a gift for helping people improve themselves?

count as high as I could, and take the blindfold off. (He was always nearby).

He said, “You’re never lost. You just haven’t found your way. If you get lost, physically go to 'higher ground' by climbing a tree or standing on a large rock. Don’t panic—take a deep breath, relax and look for signs.” We played this game for years, and it made a big impression. He also said something else I’ve never forgotten: “Your dreams are like the woods; they are alive. Keep them alive, and they can come true.”

A few years later, I was on a park

with them. See yourself playing and winning with them on the world tennis stage.” Those vivid images stayed with me for many years, and I followed their progress, while living a life I could only dream about. Sixteen years later, in 1978, I coached those two and their Italian Davis Cup teammates to the world finals. We traveled the world together. We even practiced at the Salt Creek Club in Hinsdale. Dreams do come true.

Because of my tennis prowess, a college scholarship and pro circuit arrived. Coaching, however, became my passion. Seeing others achieve their dreams set my dreams in motion.

[I] coached seven players in the world’s top ten (Wimbledon and French Open champions), as well as seven national amateur champions and scores of state champions.

“You’re never lost. You just haven’t found your way. If you get lost, physically go to 'higher ground; by climbing a tree or standing on a large rock. Don’t panic—take a deep breath, relax and look for signs.”

A. In addition to my extremely positive parents, there were two early mentors that helped me understand how to focus on what is important, and to pay attention to detail. My Cherokee Indian grandfather (“pap-paw”) would take me into the woods in my native eastern Kentucky mountains, when I was just 5 years old. He trained me to be aware of my surroundings in the here and now. One day he said, “Let’s play a game of ‘find your way home.’

I am going to blindfold you, and take you to a place in the mountains you’ve never been.” He told me to

- JIM FANNIN

bench in Ashland, Kent. reading a tennis magazine article about two young Italian players. They were my age of 12. They were playing the European junior tennis circuit. A retired philosophy professor and YMCA tennis director named R.W. Ross looked over my shoulder and said, “You could go there. See it in your mind’s eye. Play tennis with them. Travel with them. Shut your eyes, and see it as if it’s so.” The next day, the scenario repeated itself.

“Go in your mind with them. Travel

Q. You have developed a proven success system you call S.C.O.R.E. Why does it work?

A. It came out of a private and independent 18-month research study that I funded in 1974. With three Ohio State Ph.D. professors, we studied 250 kids, ages 4 through 8, with the quest of “how to maximize super learning?” We discovered kids learn more in their first 60 months than the rest of their lives cumulatively. The reason: their minds are free—no past, no future to think about, just the here and now.

Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

21

Hinsdale Magazine |

“Everyone needs a blueprint in life.”

- JIM FANNIN

Continued from previous page They are, in effect, in their zone of “super-learning.”

We also discovered five universal “markers” inherent in everyone: selfdiscipline, concentration, optimism, relaxation and enjoyment.

By this time, I was working with not only tennis players, but amateur and professional athletes in other sports.

22

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

Over and over, world champion athletes in virtually every sport told me how and why they became great.

Before playing, the more they focused, those five markers were working in combination to trigger natural body chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, adrenaline, etc. to create a mind-body fusion called being in the “zone.”

I thought, this “zone” thing is real,

whether you are a youngster, or a world-class pro athlete.

More than that, I also came to the realization that people could apply a “zone” focus to their everyday life activities. We developed easy-to-use analytics, which enable individuals to rate what is important to them, so they can focus on what to improve. Those inherent “markers” were codified into an easy-to-remember acronym

called S.C.O.R.E. (S stands for Selfdiscipline, C for Concentration, O for Optimism, R for Relaxation and E for Enjoyment). Hundreds of concrete mental tools and techniques have been added, such as the 90-second rule, a common-sense observation that most decisions can be made in just a few seconds, when a logical evaluation approach is followed. In effect, we help individuals, teams and companies create their own blueprint for improvement, coupled with the tools and techniques for manifestation.

The S.C.O.R.E. system simply works. It takes less than 3 percent of your waking hours to implement. It is all spelled out in my latest book called The Blueprint.

Q. What is keeping you busy these days?

A. My current focus is one of my greatest challenges, and it is crucial for our society to resolve.

When I went back home to eastern Kentucky a few years ago, I couldn’t believe how many restaurants had

closed. Hepatitis had overrun the area, because of opioid needles. That woke me up.—What happened to my hometown? I have also become very aware of opioid and alcohol challenges among teens and adults right here in DuPage County.

Fortunately, two years ago, I discovered a New Jersey-based company (Recovery Zone Solutions LLC) with a very effective non-opioidbased implant, enabling alcohol and opioid addicts to recover at home. I granted them an industry-exclusive license to pair their treatments with our S.C.O.R.E. tools and techniques. In combination with well-trained, licensed, clinical "zone coach" therapists, patients today are achieving a 90 percent recovery rate— four times more effective than other addiction programs for alcohol and opioids.

Recovery Zone Solutions also has a special focus on our military (both active and retired). Unfortunately, because of the psychological trauma and stress of the job and being away

from family while on duty, our military is affected more than most of us.

Q. What advice do you have for people right now?

A. Look, we have not only [gone] through this terrible 2020 year of [the] COVID-19 pandemic and economic upheaval, [but] for years, our ability to think and focus has been eroding. No thanks to social media, we are bombarded daily with thousands of messages. As a result, we are doing more “surface thinking” just to keep up, which is not very positive thinking at all. Attention spans have dropped. As quantity of information has increased, quality of thinking has decreased.

When we focus on things that really make a difference in our lives, we will be much better off. 

Continued on next page

“Reaching the Hall of Fame, I mean, I owe it to Jim Fannin.

He taught me to live in the ‘zone.’ Once I started using Jim’s S.C.O.R.E. system, and following The Blueprint, it changed my entire life and career.”

- FRANK TOMAS, Former Chicago White Sox Player

Chicago White Sox great Frank Thomas at his induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine |

Create Your Life Blueprint

BY JIM FANNIN

I

n these unprecedented times, 2020 has been a year unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. We saw family members dying across America, unable to be with their loved ones while at death’s door. We saw politics go to a whole other level, regardless of your preference. Some of us witnessed our children, family members and others in our community overdose on opioids. We know friends that lost 70 to 90 percent of their business, with many closing their doors forever. Suicide is up across our nation. Divorce has skyrocketed to all-time highs. Domestic violence is up.

Our young adult children cannot find employment. Verbal and physical child abuse is at an all-time high. Seventy-four percent of us are experiencing symptoms of chronic depression. Mental illness is on an upward projection, and it may be the new pandemic.

Regardless of your economic status, we have all been impacted by 2020.

The above snapshot is real—it is still happening now. This is not a time of hopelessness. Do not give up; do not throw in the towel. Change, adjust and adapt to have your best year ever.

The following tips, tools and techniques have been wielded by the best athletes and businesses in the world. I don’t remember a time when I had so many people reaching out to me on a daily basis telling me how bad it is. Since 1974, I’ve never had to deal with multiple, simultaneous life-altering challenges with my clients on this scale.—This is unprecedented!

Positive change begins with you.

Without lifting yourself up to becoming your genuine, authentic best self, how can you hope to influence your significant other, your children, business and community? Hold yourself accountable by bolstering the five pillars of overall 24

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

attitude. They are: self-discipline, concentration, optimism, relaxation and enjoyment (S.C.O.R.E.).

If you’re ready for your personal best in 2021, let’s stop: • Blaming others; • Being a victim of circumstance, situation or condition; • Being a judge; • Relying on other people to get things done; • Petty bickering and fighting with loved ones, family and friends; • Jealousy; • Worry; • Fear; • Anxiety; • Depression; • Spreading gossip, rumors and hearsay; • Financial instability; • Trying to do too much; • Having too little time for family, friends and myself; • Over-working and under-playing; • Being out of physical shape; • Emotions that cloud reasoning; • Thinking about what you don’t want; • Disappointing results.

What can you do about you?—Initially, this is all that matters.

If you’re ready for your personal best in 2021, let’s start: • Being more self-disciplined; • Possessing quality-laden, long-term focus; • Immunizing yourself from external negativity; • Attracting harmony and peace in your family and community; • Finding a career that you love; • Having more time for yourself; • Better communication with everyone in your life;

• Making more money that stays in your pocket; • Never violating or compromising your principles and ideals; • Bolstering your confidence in all you do; • Physical wellness immediately; • A pathway to spiritual clarity; • More relaxation and stress-free days and nights; • Happiness every day; • Holding yourself accountable.

Ask yourself, “How do I do this?”

The person with the most constants in a world of variables prevails

With 2020 being one of the most volatile, unpredictable, disappointing and chaotic 12 months in world history, personal constants will help you solidify a strong mental foundation for being your genuine, authentic best self.

Check if these are constants in your life:

Self-discipline: You have the willingness and commitment to stay with welldesigned tasks (routines) that lead to well-defined goals and your ultimate life vision. Get disciplined with the following: • Food intake: Many of us gained weight during COVID-19. Why? Binge eating (of course, it was hard to turn down a lobster grilled cheese at 1:30 a.m. while binge watching Emily in Paris or Dead To Me). Eat daily meals that are collectively balanced in protein, carbs, nutrients, etc. Eat on a schedule, and do your best to maintain it. Many of my clients fast 12 hours (e.g. 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.), and eat four to six meals during the other 12 hours. Bottom line: stay on a schedule that suits you, and provide flexibility for a few special treats.

• Physical fitness: Exercise routinely at the same time of day. Consult fitness experts to assist with a plan if needed.

• Sleep: We were turned upside down with our sleep habits. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time with your seven-plus hours of deep sleep recalibrates your sleep cycle, and this restorative energy function will provide mental and emotional endurance and a short burst of peak performance when you need it most.

Concentration: By concentration, I mean the ability to focus mental and physical energy on your tasks that lead to your well-defined goals and overall life vision.

Because of social media, news channels, remote working, remote learning and other external distractions, holding our focus for any period of time has decreased in alarming ways.

• Thoughts: We are all awake, but not all aware. Think about what you think about. Avoid negative replays of the past. By placing these nonhelpful thoughts on a mental loop, you will eventually use your available imagination to project these negatives into your future. This is the essence of worry, anxiety and fear. Go into your past only to evaluate, analyze and learn and occasionally reminisce positive, fun and happy events with family, friends and colleagues. Otherwise, stay out of the past. Next is your new daily creed.

Go into the future only for planning, strategy and tactics. The average person in 2020 spent approximately 80 percent of their daily or waking thoughts in the collective past and future, with only 20 percent of thoughts locked in the moment. Flip the script by being present 80 percent of the time, and spend only 20 percent in the past and future.

Avoid thoughts that don’t serve you well, especially 30 minutes before deep sleep and within 30 minutes after you awake. Frame your day with positive thoughts, and the rest of the day will follow this lead.

Lastly, the best in the world in sports and business think less, not more. By eliminating or immunizing yourself from all drama and micro-management, you perform better as a mentally-trim performer.

• Water: How much water do you need daily for your body-type, size and physical workout regimen? If you lose 1 to 2 percent of the water in your body, your focus will decline at least 10 percent. As I’ve said to all professional athletes I've coached, “Urine clear, never fear; urine yellow, loser fellow.”

Hydrate, and your focus will hold steadier.

Optimism: To believe, expect and know the tasks you execute will lead to your welldefined goals and your long-term vision.

• No put-downs: Avoid disparaging words about you, such as, “I’m an idiot!” “Why am I so stupid?” “If I didn’t have any bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.”

your confrontation, then lift your head to the sunshine, once the hurricane’s negative winds subside.

Enjoyment: This is the pleasure and satisfaction of executing your tasks that leads to well-defined goals and your ultimate life vision.

• Music: The rhythm and beat of your favorite songs will put a bounce in your step, and keep a song in your heart. Listen to upbeat, motivating and sometimes peaceful and soothing tunes. Create your personal life-movie soundtrack.

• Laugh: Skip for no reason; dance during TV commercials for no reason.

Be spontaneous. Smile and collect smiles in return—laugh, laugh, laugh.

• Build yourself up: Sell yourself on the awesomeness of you—positive “I am” statements with no "buts" or "however" qualifying statements.

• Passion: Be passionate about your improvement, and this passion will become contagious. Start an enjoyment pandemic!

• Upgrade your hello: You are asked, “How are you?” Your reply is, “I’m awesome,” or “I’m two levels above awesome!” Choose your consistent positive greeting.

Balance these five components of S.C.O.R.E. Which one is your current weakest link? Do you need more selfdiscipline? How about more enjoyment?

Relaxation: Being comfortable (free from worry, anxiety and fear) with executing your tasks that lead to your well-defined goals and ultimate vision.

We’re all awake.

We are not all aware.

• Breathe: Most of us have 15 to 17 breaths per minute. Get stressed out, and breathing will increase to and past 20 breaths per minute. Anxiety, depression and fear reside here. Set your mobile alarm every two hours, and when it sounds off, lower your breathing to six to eight breaths per minute—long inhale and exhale.

Calm and cool will soon become your overcoat for negative stress. Be aware.

• Silence: Add silence (at least 90 seconds) every few hours to clear your mind, while being present alone. These simple meditations will replenish your energy, and keep you from over-working and over-thinking.

• Be a palm tree: If you find yourself in a in a verbal hurricane with a spouse, co-worker, vendor or teenager, be the palm tree. Absorb the negativity, and let it pass through you. Breathe deeply with your chin up during this one-sided exchange. Bend like a palm tree. Be the palm tree for up to 90 seconds from

It is here that the rubber meets the road. No wishes—no aimless resolutions— no idle thoughts—no empty promises to yourself. Make a major commitment to a simple, balanced and abundant life.

By taking care of you by adding constants in our world of chaos and uncertainty, you will prevail.

S.C.O.R.E. is a federally-registered trademark of Jim Fannin Brands, Inc. The 48-year-old S.C.O.R.E. success system has helped premier professional and amateur athletes, as well as thousands of executives from 350 of the Fortune 500. 

Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine |

In a Great Relationship,

1+1=3

R

emember when you first started dating your significant other? Just being around them made you feel giddy. You wanted nothing more than to spend time with this person. When you were apart, all you could think about was this person, and how lucky you were to have them in your life. When you and your significant other talked, the conversation was carefree. You talked about the future; you talked about your life together; and you talked about what you wanted for each other. At some point, your relationship started to develop a shared vision; your relationship was no longer about you and me; it was about you, me and us.

This was when 1 + 1 equaled 3 in your relationship—it’s when you and your partner equaled more together than apart.

When 1 + 1 = 3, a couple is looking

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down the line: five years, ten years, 20 years. The couple sees that they have shared vision. But time inevitably passes, and soon, you’re busy with other stuff, and your partner has his or her own agenda and obligations.

Once you commit to your relationship, comfort kicks in, so you can focus on other things. Thoughts about your partner may still creep in, but they are not as vibrant and they’re not as awesome, because other things have taken their place. Life becomes much more complicated. Being in a positive, loving relationship is just not as easy as it used to be. When you go to bed at night, you’re thinking about your own vision, your individual goals.

One person may even be going to bed thinking about another partner—not the one in the bed. Pretty soon, you wake up, and 1 + 1 does not equal 3 anymore. Your vision is no longer shared. You don’t talk about the future; instead, you’re always talking about the

past. And the only things you have in common are the kids and paying bills.

Is this your current “significant other” relationship? Is this where it is heading, or is this where it’s been? In a relationship, it’s all about what you think.

Your relationship is only as strong as what your partner thinks when you’re not there. Know your partner’s goals; know their individual vision. Really sit down and talk about the milestones that are coming up. What are the things you want to do? What places do you want to go see? How and when do you want to retire? What do you want your quality of life together to be?

Does 1 + 1 = 3 (or more) in your relationship? Work on your math.

You’ll have a better life and a better relationship. 

7 Tips to Coach Your Kids to Greatness

P

arenting is the most important responsibility one can have.

Congratulations, you are in the game.—So how are you doing?

The main parental role is to develop your child into a world-class decision maker. This ability will determine their success or failure, and it paves his or her way toward greatness.

How do you coach your child to greatness?

First, greatness is being your most genuine, authentic best self during any circumstance, situation or condition. It is reaching a high, daily standard over a long period of time.

Here are seven tips to help guide the most important person in your life: your child.

1. Your children are watching you. Lead by example by:

a. Saying what you mean and meaning what you say. Be consistent.

b. Showcasing extreme optimism with a solution-oriented mindset.

c. Showcasing solidarity between parents. d. Acting how you would like your children to act. e. Eliminating or hiding the victim and judge in you.

2. Establish routines. Create and adhere to measurable bedtime and morning routines. Get up happy and go to bed happy. Establish “family first” routines such as church or community service. Set family traditions for all important holidays.

3. Teach the concept of risk and reward.

Explain and consistently mention this concept in all decisions involving your child’s independence, e.g. going on sleepovers, attending extracurricular functions, hanging out with friends.

4. Teach the concept of supply and demand. Money matters need to be discussed at an early age in order to instill the value of money. Learning how this concept dictates the price of goods and services is invaluable. Also, remember: your money is your money and not your child’s money. Instill a positive work ethic; stop the “entitlement” mindset.

5. Develop world-class decision-making.

Allow your child to make his or her own decisions with the understanding of the consequences of poor decision-making.

Let them fail when their decisions were poor choices. Do not always bail them out. Ask what they would do in certain situations. Prepare them for the crossroads of life. Acknowledge their sound decision-making. Make the art of “decision-making” an integral part of your family fabric.

When expectations don’t meet reality, how your child reacts when their expectation doesn’t match reality is crucial for their success. Let the expectation be reaching a high performance standard over a long period of time, and periodically zoning out with their best ever performance. Champions in all walks of life positively manage this dynamic. Reaching a high performance standard over a long period of time is greatness. The White Sox great Frank Thomas adhered to this concept every day

to the Hall of Fame. I know, as I coached him every game from his rookie year to Cooperstown. Success is getting up one more time from defeat. This process is never-ending. Next—this is the champion’s battle-cry when expectations do not match reality.

6. Four most powerful words. Building positive self-esteem is crucial for success. “I believe in you” is a power statement made to your children 30 minutes before sleep.

Use this judiciously and periodically. This works especially when delivered softly with lowered voice, and with silence between these four powerful words.

7. Goal-setting rules. Teach the power of setting measurable, well-defined goals at the earliest age. Help him or her set annual or quarterly long-term goals. Setting shortterm goals for the month, week and day will keep your child on a positive track.

Introduce simple visualization into the goal-setting process.

Parenting is the world’s most important job. What you say and do will stay with your child for their lifetime. What they say and do can potentially impact hundreds, thousands and even millions of people over their lifetime.

Be the leader, guide, advisor, coach and instructor, instead of your child’s buddy or friend. You can be best friends with them once they’re 30 years old. Today, you’re mom or dad, the world’s greatest coach—period. 

Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine |

5 Ways to Make Your Company Better

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

A

s you walk into your Zoom meeting, you can feel the Mondaymorning blues from your staff sitting with blank stares into their computer screens. There's no doubt many have not prepared for the week. Some have left their creativity at home this morning. Others have only prepared to cover their rears. The victim and the judge are both represented on the screen.

Would you break up the whole and start selling the parts?

Would you trim the payroll by eliminating overlapping jobs, or slice positions that have grown obsolete? Would you eliminate the inner circle of VPs and department heads that had been the brain-trust of the organization? Would you bring in mercenaries to infuse a little firepower? Would you add to your product line or services, or completely eliminate the unprofitable ones?

Hostile takeover—extreme? Of course it is. But so is the current business landscape.

Extreme is the competition. Extreme is the economic state of the union.

With a massive unemployment level that continues to rise, a credit crunch that suffocates the biggest and best and a cash-flow drain that can paralyze even the most efficient, it's no wonder extreme measures are required.

Thinking like an experienced takeover artist would let you see your company from a 50,000-foot vantage point. From here you can see opportunities that you've missed: tax breaks, decreased insurance costs, new income streams, more efficient manufacturing.

Chess is the game. Offensive and defensive strategies and tactics are at the top of your thought-chart. As the business chess master, be decisive. The marketplace is your chessboard. Here's what I recommend:

1. Influence thoughts.

With the average business team member having a collective 2,000plus thoughts per day, you know your business will only receive a portion of

them. If you manage ten people, you are managing more than 20,000 daily collective thoughts. (Your company will receive fewer thoughts from poorly-trained remote workers.) Stop managing people; influence thoughts.

When thoughts on each P/L statement line-item changes, the numbers shift from black to red or red to black.

See yourself as a thought leader and thought manager. Change vendor

“Here's a thought: fire them—fire them all. Initiate a hostile takeover.”

- JIM FANNIN

thoughts, and your price may be lowered. Positively influence prospect thoughts, and your sales increase.

2. Divide and conquer.

Inspect each business segment with no emotion. Place all the parts in separate containers on one sheet of paper. How does each part impact the bottom line? Do you abort, amend, stay the current course of action or accelerate? With each part, determine what you want from this year. What current thoughts (customer, supplier, management, etc.) need to change in each part? You decide.

4. What do you want your customers to think?

With 2020 wreaking havoc, our customers or clients have drastically changed. After your customer purchased and used your product or service for 30 days, what do you want them to think and feel about their experience? What does your “inner circle” want them to think?

Meet and compare notes. Now have the rest of your organization do the same exercise. You don’t sell; you motivate and inspire your customers, clients and prospects to improve their quality of business (B2B) or quality of life at a price they can afford. Helping your customers navigate tough times will set the stage for lifelong customers.

Adjust marketing accordingly.

5. Go to higher ground weekly.

At least once a week, look at your company from a 50,000-foot level.

Carve an hour from your day in order to think. Remember: you're hired by the company to think, not work. Seeing the macro issues clearly will assist you in profitable decision-making.

It may be time to reinvent your company; it may be time to reinvent you.

This hostile takeover will reduce some of the emotion from your decisions. Be the world-class chess master; take your team to a new level. Make this year special for your customers, suppliers, team members and especially you. 

3. See in reverse.

Use the B to A principle. Most of us go from A to B. We've been trained like that. For example, what do you want people to think when the meeting is over? See the end first.

For this quarter, see your expectation and results on March 31. Now reverseengineer from B back to A (today). See the end of the week before it happens.

Illuminate a pathway from point B chronologically back to A. Now you can walk this path as if it’s so. Your team will have a pathway they can now follow. And if they get off track, they have illumination to find the path again. Great leaders illuminate pathways for success. Train your direct reports to think the same.

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Hinsdale Magazine | Spotlight

Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills reorganized its annual Christmas concert under a virtual format in December.

Photography by James Pommier

STEPPING FORWARD Community organizations adjust to pandemic conditions

T

BY MIKE ELLIS

he Coronavirus pandemic has thoroughly impacted virtually every aspect of society.

At the heart of the various restrictions that have been imposed is the desire to reduce person-to-person contact.

We have all witnessed the consequences of this in the implementation of hybrid and remote learning in schools, and on television through the bizarre imagery of professional and collegiate sporting

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events being played in enormous empty or sparsely-peopled stadiums.

But this discouragement of large gatherings has also had a salient effect on a multitude of non-profit organizations that have traditionally relied upon inperson fundraisers to secure needed revenues, or used in-person events to showcase particular abilities and talents.

At first, the social and arts scenes halted altogether, with organizations postponing fundraisers and

performances indefinitely, unsure of how to restructure events in the midst of the pandemic, while hopeful that circumstances would improve by summer or fall.

But as it became apparent that life would not be returning to normal anytime soon, many non-profits began to pivot, exercising their ingenuity in developing both new and modified event concepts.

The

Hinsdale

Historical

Society

(HHS) has been uniquely strained by the pandemic.

Canceling its popular Hinsdale Cooks!

Kitchen Walk in May would have been devastating in any year, but especially now that the society is embarking on a $1 million capital campaign to restore the R. Harold Zook Home and Studio at Katherine Legge Memorial Park.

The kitchen walk is the largest annual fundraiser for the HHS, and women's board president Carrie Rozich said it is attempting to “recover the funds of not having the kitchen walk.”

The women’s board, which functions as the fundraising arm of the society, was also precluded from conducting its “holly jolly trolley” last month, as well as its in-person January luncheon.

Consequently, the HHS has developed some new events and altered others in order to compensate for lost traditional gatherings. In the fall, it hosted “take a look at Zook,” an outdoor event at the Zook home and studio that kicked off the capital campaign. The society also organized “tales from the tombstones” at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook, as well as a drive-thru wine-pull at Immanuel Hall in Hinsdale last month.

“People want to get out and do things,” Rozich said.

The Hinsdale Historical Society kicked off its R. Harold Zook Home and Studio capital campaign with an outdoor event at Katherine Legge Memorial Park this past fall.

Photography by Mike Ellis

community and get the involvement and help needed to get that off the ground,” she said.

Fresh off its annual luminaria tradition—one of the few that the pandemic did not undermine—the

The purchase of a $75 ticket affords any individual access to a link to virtual benefit evening entertainment and content, including a comedian, silent and live auctions, a raffle and information concerning the Clarendon Hills chapter and the Infant Welfare’s Angel Harvey Family Health Center on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Any ticket purchaser is eligible to host their own party to celebrate the benefit in their home.

“It could be a bit challenging, but I think when you have something specific that you’re working towards, and [with] what Zook means to the community, I think that will really help to organize the community and get the involvement and help needed to get that off the ground.”

CHIW vice president and benefit co-chair Melissa Woodbury described the concept as a “pop-up” benefit in your home, with the overall event consisting of separate parties, “but we are giving them all the components to make it as easy as possible for them.”

Rozich said the HHS is planning a virtual event as a substitute for its annual luncheon, and will also - CARRIE ROZICH, Hinsdale Historical Society Women's Board conduct a virtual trivia night “We can’t control how president on Jan. 30. The women's many people you have in board is exploring several your house,” Woodbury said. alternatives to the customary May Clarendon Hills chapter of the Infant “We hope that people who host will kitchen walk, including postponing it Welfare Society of Chicago auxiliary encourage their guests to give generously until fall, adopting a virtual format, and (CHIW) is preparing to host its annual to the cause.” benefit with a twist on Jan. 23. developing an outdoor version.

In addition to the basic ticket, hosts While “virtual” events streamed on the also have the option of purchasing Notwithstanding the difficulties of fundraising during the pandemic, Internet have been popular makeshifts, various “add-ons,” including food, floral, Rozich believes the Zook project has CHIW has developed more of a hybrid alcohol and luminaria. Host homes are given community members “something concept for its annual benefit. Unable encouraged to display luminaria that to hold its largest annual fundraiser at night as they would do on Christmas new and exciting to get behind.”

Butterfield Country Club and welcome “It could be a bit challenging, but I more than 300 guests in-person, the Eve to signify their participation in the think when you have something specific chapter is inviting local homeowners and benefit. that you're working towards, and [with] other interested parties to host their own Floral services will be provided by what Zook means to the community, I events at home. think that will really help to organize the Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

31

Hinsdale Magazine | Spotlight would not create new COVID-19 exposure risks for each other,” he said.

The concert was filmed during multiple day-long recording sessions between September and December, with several video and audio takes being done for each piece, reading and additional speaking part. Pommier then edited the video, and prepared it for streaming on Dec. 5.

Salt Creek Ballet presented a virtual Nutcracker in December. Photography by Mike Ellis

Continued from previous page the English Garden Flower Shop in downtown Clarendon Hills, with hosts either procuring arrangements from the shop that day, or having them delivered to their homes by chapter members.

As for food and beverages, Chicago-based catering company Maison Cuisine, which is owned by benefit cochair Danielle Wheeler, will be delivering to host homes within a 15-mile radius.

“We’re going to be providing all the meals for anyone who wants food delivered to their home,” Wheeler said.

Pommier said the parish met its fundraising target for the concert as well.

“Overall, Notre Dame is very satisfied, knowing that they made the best of difficult circumstances, and were able to provide something positive and uplifting to the community,” he said.

“The groups of performers selected were all close in some way, coming either from a single family or groups who had already been practicing together throughout the pandemic, and therefore would not create new COVID-19 exposure risks for each other.”

Because the benefit will feature a virtual component, it is not confined within any specific geographic boundaries, offering homeowners well beyond Clarendon Hills and surrounding communities the opportunity to partake in the evening.

“There could be a thousand different people hosting, anywhere in the United States,” Woodbury said. ... “If you go online and buy a ticket on the Infant Welfare website, you could buy it from Des Moines and participate for $75.”

The arts scene has also suffered significantly from the pandemic, with everything from concerts and musicals to plays and recitals being canceled.

In December, Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills restructured its 32

annual Christmas concert, recording performances ahead of time, and compiling them together to be streamed online.

“Since the concert has premiered, Notre Dame Parish has heard nothing but very positive feedback,” Pommier said. “Texts and e-mails starting rolling in during the concert premiere, with viewers sharing words of gratitude, praise and excitement about the concert.”

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- JAMES POMMIER, director of marketing, Notre Dame Parish

Director of marketing James Pommier said the church originally thought it would have to cancel the concert, but music director Michael Keefe contemplated a virtual format after having worked with the Joffrey Ballet and the Chicago Sinfonietta on a television commercial project in Chicago earlier in the year.

Pommier said Fr. David Medow, then pastor of the parish, suggested a “lessons and carols” format, combining the musical performances with scripture readings.

“The groups of performers selected were all close in some way, coming either from a single family or groups who had already been practicing together throughout the pandemic, and therefore

Salt Creek Ballet’s (SCB) staging of The Nutcracker in the Hinsdale Central auditorium has become a holiday staple in the community, but in 2020, the organization had to improvise in order to continue its tradition.

Converting its Westmont studio parking lot into an outdoor theater, SCB settled on a pair of outdoor showings of the ballet’s second act on an enormous video projector, as well as an online streaming that more than 200 community members viewed. Both options required ticket purchases, with the event also functioning as a fundraiser for Salt Creek.

“I started working at Salt Creek Ballet in the fall, and pitched the idea of a filmed version of [The] Nutcracker right away,” SCB ballet master Kyle Seguin said. “I wanted the dancers to have something to work towards in addition to their regular ballet training.”

The production consisted of SCB company members, who performed the second act of The Nutcracker at the studio while wearing masks.

“Because dancing for film and in masks while distancing was all uncharted territory both for myself and for the dancers, I decided to keep it simple and just do Act II,” Seguin said. “I adapted and redid choreography to maintain distancing and avoid touching, and the dancers had to work harder than usual to build stamina in their masks.”

Attendees who purchased tickets to view the performance in their vehicles ordered hot chocolate from their vehicles, which SCB company members and volunteers distributed to them.

“I thought of a drive-in early on, because it would serve as an in-person event that easily and naturally allowed distancing,” Seguin said. “We added a virtual option to allow families and patrons who would rather stay in to watch from home.

Photography by Mike Ellis

“The drive-in was safe and festive, and the virtual option allowed friends and family from all over the world to view Salt Creek Ballet’s Nutcracker.

“We pre-sold merchandise and prepackaged concessions, held a virtual silent auction and wrapped everything up as a fundraiser to help the organization recover from COVID-related impacts.”

As we enter a new year, and various iterations of the Coronavirus vaccine are distributed, there is optimism that we will once again be able to convene for large gatherings in 2021.

Photography by Mike Ellis

But while the pandemic has created adversity for non-profit organizations in the community and beyond, it has also taught them how to pivot and restructure activities in the event that gathering restrictions persist or are imposed in the future.

“We learned a lot,” Seguin said, “and felt so much gratitude for all the support we received, and for the opportunity to bring our dancers, families and patrons together safely during a tough time.” 

Photography by Mike Ellis

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Hinsdale Magazine | Community News

Local village officials share 2020 experiences, 2021 outlook

S

ince the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic in March, our local communities have been transformed in ways previously unimaginable.

Traditional events from Christmas walks and summer concert series to the Hinsdale Fourth of July parade were canceled, while

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BY MIKE ELLIS

parking spaces and portions of streets were converted into outdoor dining spaces to accommodate local restaurants.

Municipal leaders have been at the forefront of the local response to the pandemic, from monitoring the spread of the disease within their jurisdictions, to surveying the impacts of restrictions on

small businesses.

“In my lifetime, we have 9/11 to remember; we have Kennedy’s [assassination]; and now we have the 2020 pandemic,” Burr Ridge mayor Gary Grasso said. “In my generation, I think those are the three dates that will stand out.”

Grasso said he believes Burr Ridge’s

pandemic experience has been comparable to other local villages.

“I think it’s had an enormous financial and psychological negative impact on the village and on many of the businesses and restaurants within the village,” he said.

Clarendon Hills village manager Kevin Barr said he has engaged in an “endless stream” of intergovernmental discussions since the pandemic commenced in March.

“I think for most of us, it hit fairly suddenly,” Barr said. ... “At that time, you didn’t have a good handle—how it could spread or what that would mean.”

Barr said Clarendon Hills sent staff home where feasible, and did everything it could to protect employees that could not work from home, such as police officers, firefighters and public works officials.

Hinsdale village president Tom Cauley complimented his village's essential workers for continuing to come to work throughout the pandemic.

“We’ve been able to continue to providing the services,” Cauley said.

From mid-March through late May, Illinois was essentially paralyzed under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's shelter in place order.

“He placed health first, and I don't fault him for that, under those circumstances that prevailed in March and in April,” Grasso said.

During that period, it became increasingly evident that traditional summer events like Concerts on the Green, Dancin’ in the Street and Uniquely Thursdays could not be held safely in 2020.

“We held off as long as we could,” Barr said regarding Clarendon Hills canceling its Dancin’ in the Street summer concert series. ... “It was a shame, because I think people love those things.”

Entering 2020, local municipalities had a different outlook on what they anticipated would be the major issues and projects in their jurisdictions during the year ahead.

In Hinsdale, at the start of the year, 5G infrastructure, the downtown parking garage and the Tri-State Tollway project were top of mind.

Cauley said the tollway project is essentially proceeding as planned, and has not really been impacted by the pandemic.

The

parking

garage—which

was

constructed jointly by the village and District 181 as part of an intergovernmental agreement—was completed during the summer, and the village received a $400,000 grant to assist in defraying expenses on Dec. 15.

“That all worked out very well,” Cauley said of the project.

With fewer people frequenting the downtown during the pandemic, coupled with the new garage, parking meter use has declined substantially. Cauley said the board will not address the topic of removing the meters until after the pandemic.

“We’re not of one mind yet as to what will be done with the parking meters,” he said.

As for 5G, both Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills recently imposed executive orders essentially halting small-cell wireless permit applications while the pandemic rages.

“The trustees and I just don't want to deal with this at this time,” Cauley said.

Barr believes the pandemic helped to “delay the whole process” of 5G implementation.

“The companies involved seemed willing to back off, because of the concerns,” he said.

Clarendon Hills is in the midst of a significant downtown revitalization project that includes the construction of a new train station, as well as improvements to the railroad crossing at Prospect Ave. With commuters virtually disappearing for months and car traffic reduced as well, Barr said the project has been easier to implement.

“It’s gone a little longer than we hoped, but I don’t think that’s really because of the pandemic,” he said.

According to Grasso, Burr Ridge entered the year desiring to fill up its village center and develop the property formerly occupied by TCF Bank.

“Obviously, the pandemic caused those plans to be put on hold,” he said, adding that the village’s ability to attract new businesses has been impeded.

Pritzker’s mitigation measures impacted small, local businesses—and especially restaurants, which were prohibited from serving customers indoors from midMarch till late June, and now have been

reduced to the same position under a more inhospitable climate.

Back in May, Hinsdale was among the first communities in the Chicago metropolitan area to propose the permission of outdoor dining during the third phase of the “Restore Illinois” plan.

The village converted First Street into a one-way street eastbound, affording restaurants like Fuller House and Nabuki more space to set up tables.

“Every business in the downtown was offered the opportunity to have outdoor dining,” Cauley said.

Burr Ridge created tent space in its village center, which allowed restaurants to serve patrons even under inclement weather conditions.

“Many of our restaurants took advantage of it,” Grasso said.

Grasso said the village also awarded $15,000 to each of its hotels and $7,500 to nearly all of its small retailers to assist them during the initial months of the pandemic.

“We used hotel-motel money and other budget resources to financially assist our restaurants and our small businesses,” he said.

Grasso said he feels the tent and stimulus programs “went a long way towards keeping our Burr Ridge businesses alive,” adding that to his knowledge, the village has lost only two businesses since the start of the pandemic, one of which was a Subway franchise.

At the end of the year, Clarendon Hills discussed waiving liquor license fees for all of its businesses that serve alcohol, as well as other prospective remedies to aid its small business.

At the same time villages worked to accommodate their local businesses, they were pressed with budgetary challenges of their own.

Hinsdale estimates it has suffered a total of $1.9 million in revenue losses as a result of the pandemic.

Cauley said the village has observed a “fairly dramatic decline” in revenues from three sources: sales tax, food and beverage tax and parking permits.

Prior to the pandemic, he said the village had a waiting list of more than 100

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Hinsdale Magazine | Community News Continued from previous page

continuity of people,” he said.

individuals for commuter parking permits, which has since vanished.

Hinsdale has a reserve of $8.2 million, which accounts for approximately 34 percent of its operating expenses, thus placing it in a more comfortable position even during a crisis such as this.

“Most of the people who used to park in that lot have just surrendered their permits,” Cauley said. “They just haven't renewed them.”

Diminished driving has led to fewer visits to gas stations, which Cauley said has produced a significant impact on sales tax in Hinsdale, whose oasis, Mobil and Ogden Ave. gas stations account for a substantial portion of its overall sales tax revenues.

“We need these monies to maintain these services that the community is used to,” he said.

In forecasting for 2021, Cauley said the village assumed “things would get better, but not by much.”

“We did a fairly conservative budget this year,” he said.

Grasso said Burr Ridge is “very dependent” on sales tax revenues, with only approximately two percent of property tax bills being directed to the village.

“Many people think that villages run on property taxes,” he said. “Almost none do.”

Cauley said the village has deferred maintenance on loans to sustain the essential services of police, fire and public works, and has not laid off any employees.

Barr said Clarendon Hills received grants early in the year for its revitalization project, which “really helped to put our overall financial position in a better light.”

“We think it’s important to have

He said his village was not as financially

impacted as some municipalities, because it derives a smaller portion of its revenues from sales tax.

As we move into 2021 and Coronavirus vaccines are rolled out, village officials are hopeful that we may regain a sense of normalcy by the second half of the year.

The order of vaccination eligibility is as follows: first, healthcare workers and long-term care residents; second, essential workers such as firefighters and police officers; and third, all adults 65 or over or at high-risk for suffering serious complications from the virus.

“It sounds like by late spring, for most people, it could happen,” Barr said.

The villages are optimistic that they will be able to renew their summer events in 2021.

“We’re very hopeful that by summer, those types of things can go forward, more or less, as normal,” Barr said.

“I’m hoping that this will all be over by the summer, and we’ll be able to have all of our summer events,” Cauley said.

“The vaccines are the game-changer,” Grasso said.

But officials likewise understand that there is still a long way to go until the pandemic has abated, and local businesses will continue to require assistance for much of 2021.

Burr Ridge is in the process of fashioning an entertainment section within the village center, which will be situated between Kohler and Topaz at one end, and between Wok-n-fire and Chico’s at the other. The portion of the street in that space will be closed off to drivers.

Grasso said Burr Ridge does not believe the village center can be as reliant upon retail going forward.

“I think retail is going to have to rethink its existence before the pandemic,” he said.

“The businesses that are the most likely to survive the pandemic are the chains, and I’m very concerned about the businesses in Hinsdale that are not chains,” Cauley said.

Cauley said Hinsdale’s vacancy rate has been “extremely low”—presently about four percent—and that he is “anxious” to keep businesses in the village.

“We’ve been very good at keeping businesses in town.” 

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

Hinsdale Magazine | Giving Back

John Mastandona , Andrew McMahon, Laurie McMahon, Dan McMahon, Caroline McMahon Mastandona

ALL IN THE FAMILY Charitable giving for the next generation

Y

ou’ve most likely heard about well-known philanthropists like Warren Buffett or Bill and Melinda Gates, who are among the top givers in the world. Maybe you’ve even heard about major donors from Illinois, like the Pritzker family or Shirley and Patrick Ryan, whose generous donations and leadership created the outstanding Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. There are also outstanding philanthropists in DuPage County and right here in Hinsdale.

Joining DuPage Foundation’s next generation initiative is one way to learn more about how philanthropy works and who can benefit from your philanthropic intentions.

BY GINGER WHEELER

What is DuPage Foundation’s next generation initiative?

An initiative of DuPage Foundation, the area’s philanthropic leader and a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to raising the quality of life throughout the community, the next generation initiative (NGI) is comprised of communityminded individuals working to create a positive impact within DuPage by engaging and empowering the county’s next generation of philanthropic leaders with opportunities to connect, learn and give back. Approximately 80 members, consisting of individuals, couples and families, currently participate in NGI through collaborative giving, social events (which have been virtual during recent months), volunteer projects and other activities.

Multi-generational philanthropy

(or “getting the kids involved”) Laurie K. McMahon of Hinsdale is one person who has found joy in the experience of giving back. McMahon has served on the boards of a variety of organizations, including the Hinsdale Humane Society, Child’s Voice School of Wood Dale and Chicago and DuPage Foundation. She has also been actively involved with Union Church of Hinsdale and HCS Family Services. McMahon said DuPage Foundation’s NGI is a great way to get young adults involved with the process of philanthropy.

“It’s not easy to get your adult children involved with charities you care about,” McMahon said. “They’re busy, have busy lives, and just because you care about a

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Hinsdale Magazine | Giving Back Continued from previous page cause, service or program, doesn’t mean they will. NGI, however, covers a lot of bases, and is a fun way for younger people or people new to organized philanthropy to not only learn more, but also have fun doing it."

NGI is one way to ease young adult philanthropists into a bigger role without a lot of stress or a huge learning curve.

“I love to see my children giving back,” McMahon said.

Often, there’s a personal connection McMahon’s own introduction to philanthropy occurred, because her son Daniel became hearing impaired at a very young age. She enrolled him at Child’s Voice, a school that teaches hearingimpaired children, from a few weeks old to age 5, the oral and listening skills they need to succeed and enables them to be mainstreamed into their neighborhood school classrooms. Daniel is now a successful financial analyst in Chicago.

Daniel got involved with Child’s Voice first as an event participant, then as an event keynote speaker, and is now helping the agency organize its fundraising events.

“Of course, Daniel has this connection," McMahon said, "but I think it was strengthened by me staying involved for the past 20 years with Child’s Voice. He saw that was important. The school helped him at a critical point in

his life, and now he’s able to give back.

That’s very gratifying for me as a parent.”

Raising the quality of life for others McMahon’s daughter Caroline, a teacher in a low-income Chicago suburb, has attended some NGI events, which McMahon said she really enjoyed.

Governed by a steering committee of young professionals, NGI hosts a mix of activities for its members each year, including educational programs focusing on philanthropy, introductions to DuPage area not-for-profits, group service projects and social events. NGI also enables members to participate in pooled giving through a permanent endowment fund with memberships and other contributions. Earnings from the next generation initiative fund are then used by NGI to make grants to local non-profit organizations selected by its members. Grantees have included Assistance League of Chicagoland West and the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which supplies food to HCS Family Services. Since its creation, NGI has granted nearly $100,000 to local nonprofits, and built its endowment to more than $225,000.

Apart from its grant-making impact, NGI also brings families and donors of different ages together.

“While NGI was originally contemplated as a means to engage younger community leaders and

donors, we’ve found that constituents of all ages enjoy participating in NGI and connecting with each other,” said Mike Sitrick, DuPage Foundation’s vice president for advancement. “Many of our established fund-holders enjoy learning about featured charities they haven’t heard of before, and others often step up to provide matching funds to help NGI grant dollars go further. Having a diverse mix of ages involved is incredibly fun, and it’s inspiring to see crossgenerational relationships being built and strengthened through collaborative philanthropy.”

NGI’s next event On Feb. 24, NGI is hosting a virtual trivia night at which participants can compete for the chance to recommend a DuPage Foundation grant to a DuPage County non-profit organization of their choice. Past recipients of this grant include the North Central College Center for Financial Literacy in Naperville and Bridge Communities in Glen Ellyn.

“The trivia night is a blast,” said event organizer Kait Balsewicz, a member of NGI, as well as its staff coordinator in her role as development officer for DuPage Foundation. “Normally, trivia night is a sold-out, in-person event, where longtime friends come together and new friends get to know each other. This year, we’re going virtual, but we know it’s still going to be a ton of fun, and look forward to connecting with everyone.”

If you go Registration for DuPage Foundation’s next generation virtual trivia night, scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, is available through www.dupagefoundation.org/NGI. Sign up by Feb. 22. The link can also be used to become an NGI member or corporate sponsor. 

Cosley Zoo was a beneficiary of NGI’s grantmaking in 2019.

Pictured (from left to right) are Cathy Mousseau, Amber Drew and Jenny Theuman.

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Hinsdale Magazine |

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Look back on 2020 and a hopeful 2021

BY LARRY ATSEFF

Daniel Meyer, senior pastor, Christ Church of Oak Brook “My encouragement is to resolve to take with you into the new year something valuable from the last year. Most of us are eager to leave 2020 behind, but chances are, we learned in the midst of the mess some important lessons. Maybe it was a commitment to resting more frequently.

Perhaps it was clarity about the value of investing in a few important people. It may have been a new constructive habit we formed. Take some seeds from 2020 and plant them in 2021, and see what greater fruit comes from them.”

How performers are performing

Peter Lipari, maestro for the ensemble, and Kathy Macal, one of the volunteer officers of the group.

This past October, 16 symphony players and singers took part in the Lift Your Voice regional event, inspired by Neuqua Valley High School orchestra director Greg Schwegler, on a front-yard in Darien.

Lipari led a no-rehearsal performance for the neighbors of “Simple Gifts,” an 1848 Shaker song used by Aaron Copland in his ballet Appalachian Spring and “America The Beautiful.”

For health reasons, the group can’t gather for indoor performances. An audience can’t gather to see and hear them. They can’t even rehearse, because the schools and churches at which they would normally meet aren’t allowing outside rentals.

Despite the fact that music is a welcome alternative to what all of us have been going through, about the best they can do as players and singers is to continue to practice on their own, stay in touch and work on plans for another outdoor pop-up performance when warm weather returns.

And wait—and make plans for fundraising—and plan for when restrictions are lifted, and it is safe to get together to rehearse, and it is safe to perform as an ensemble and for audiences indoors.

West Suburban Symphony has a dilemma What do you do when a volunteer musical organization like the West Suburban Symphony orchestra and chorus get hit by the pandemic? We asked 40

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As the saying goes, you don’t realize how much something means to you until it is taken away. In the meantime, if you love the music they offer, you might consider sending a tax-deductible donation to the West Suburban Symphony, P.O. Box 565, Hinsdale, IL 60522.

Drury Lane goes back to its roots Drury Lane executive producer Kyle DeSantis shared this approach that goes back to when his grandfather Tony was just starting out.

“As an organization dedicated to creativity and live entertainment, we looked at the pandemic as a unique opportunity to find our way back to our roots,” DeSantis said. “Drury Lane started in a tent back in 1949, so we channeled our rich history and creative foundation to explore new ways of sharing art, whether that’s a live jazz trio during Sunday brunch or our Cabaret room under the canopy series, featuring Drury Lane performers and Drury Lane Orchestra members.

“As difficult as this time has been, it’s challenged us to adapt and try new things— and ironically, we’ve found ourselves in a tent similar to where Drury Lane began.

We are so grateful to our loyal patrons who continue to support us. Until we can safely reopen the theatre, we look forward to continuing to get creative under the canopy.”

Business owner Roy Spencer: Look for silver linings When asked for his thoughts on 2020 and 2021, Roy Spencer, founder of PermaSeal in Burr Ridge, had these observations.

“About the only thing I can add to Jim Fannin’s wise insights and advice is something that has helped me cope and maintain hope throughout this ordeal.

With the maelstrom of fear-mongering, governmental overstepping and the general gloom and doom prevalent in our community and across the world, it can be difficult to maintain positivity and hope for what’s to come in 2021 and beyond.

“I’ve made it my mindset to focus on all the many silver linings of 2020: all the heroic work done by parents, firstresponders and essential workers who have worked tirelessly to overcome the many obstacles that were put before them.

The realizations that have come to people and organizations about what they really ‘need’ to get things done, and what's really important to them. Just as we’ve learned the importance of personal hygiene and attention to our physical health, we have also learned how important family and relationships at work are to our mental well-being.

“We are social beings who need and crave interaction with others. Our liberties are precious, and are key to our economic and spiritual recovery; we cannot surrender them to any false Messiah or tyrant, no matter how dark

the day. I believe that we have learned these lessons, and starting in 2021, we will build a more cheerful, prosperous society upon this foundation.”

Dennis Jones, chairman of Hinsdale Bank & Trust, had a shorter, but still pertinent observation about how to approach this year.

“2021 promises to be a year of highs and lows, ups and downs—a ‘yo-yo’ of a year.

Our plan and advice is to work to keep the string attached to both the axle and the index finger to remain in control of the game.”

Tips on physical fitness

process. Getting active is an important part of feeling better, and benefits your physical and emotional well-being.

“For decades, The Community House has offered programs and services that can help individuals achieve their physical and emotional goals as we all heal and plan our new priorities. With athletic and fitness activities for kids, adults and seniors, in addition to a counseling center with licensed therapists, The Community House looks forward to being a partner in health in 2021.”

Lesley Arnett, senior studio manager for CorePower Yoga Hinsdale, wants everyone considering a physical fitness facility to know that CorePower Yoga is committed to positively impacting its students’ days and lives by building the powerful weekly habit of yoga.

“We ensure the highest level of health and safety by limiting class-size, online booking for classes, six feet of space between each mat, temperature and health checks, and a sanitation system using hospital-grade EPA disinfectants,” Arnett said.

Dan Janowick, executive director, The Community House, Hinsdale “Whether you were diagnosed with COVID-19 or not, we all are in a recovery

Dennis Jones, chairman of Hinsdale Bank & Trust

Dr. Ronak Patel, orthopaedic surgeon at Hinsdale Orthopaedics, also encourages physical fitness for the potential it has to release energy and stay balanced internally.

“Whether you are a dedicated runner, a high-school athlete, a weekend warrior who wants to get out of the house, if you haven’t been doing any kind of athletic activity recently, don’t overdo it,” Patel said. “Start slowly and build yourself up. ...

“I have noted an increase in overuse injuries these past few months, since people who have been restricted, were thinking ‘go-go-go,’ with predictable results.”

Patel also suggests cross-training or a variety of exercises so that all your muscles and joints get some exercise, and no one particular muscle or joint gets overused. 

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Financial

Tips on Financial Fitness From the Barrett Group

BY LARRY ATSEFF

F

or advice on designating beneficiaries for various financial instruments in 2021, we turned to Jesse Barrett of the Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in Hinsdale.

accounts and insurance products, it can be difficult to keep up; however, it’s worth the effort. Failing to maintain the beneficiary designation on that 401(k) from three employers ago could mean money will go to the wrong place.

10 reasons why beneficiary designations are important

When you first set up your estate plan, go over all the designations you previously made, and align them with your plan.

After that, you should review and update them regularly, at least once per year.

Beneficiary designations can provide a relatively easy way to transfer an account or insurance policy upon your death.

However, if you’re not careful, missing or outdated beneficiary designations can easily cause your estate plan to go awry.

We often complete these designations without giving it much thought, but they’re actually important and deserve careful attention. Here’s why: beneficiary designations take priority over what’s in other estate planning documents, such as a will or trust.

whom you intended.

2. Name both primary and contingent beneficiaries. It’s a good practice to name a “back-up” or contingent beneficiary in case the primary

beneficiary dies before you.

Depending on your situation, you may have only a primary beneficiary.

In that case, consider whether a charity (or charities) may make sense to name as the contingent beneficiary.

“(People) often complete (beneficiary) designations without giving it much thought, but they’re actually important and deserve careful attention. Here’s why: Beneficiary designations take priority over what’s in other estate planning documents, such as a will or trust.”

3. Update for life events. Review your beneficiary designations regularly, and update them as needed based on major life events, such as births, deaths, marriages and divorces.

4. Read the instructions.

Beneficiary designation forms are not all alike. Don’t just fill in names—be sure to read the form carefully.

5. Coordinate with your will and trust. Whenever you change your will or trust, be sure to talk with your attorney about your beneficiary designations.

Because these designations operate independently of your other estate planning documents, it’s important to understand how the different parts of your plan work as a whole.

For example, you may indicate in - JESSIE BARRETT, your will that you want everything to go to your spouse after your Co-Founder, The Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisers death. However, if the beneficiary designation on your life insurance policy 10 tips about still names your ex-spouse, he or she may beneficiary designations end up getting the proceeds.

Because beneficiary designations are so Where you can find them important, keep these things in mind in • Employer-sponsored retirement your estate planning: 6. Think twice before naming individual plans [401(k), 403(b), etc.]

1. Remember to name beneficiaries. If beneficiaries for particular assets. For • IRAs you don’t name a beneficiary, one of example, you establish three accounts of equal value and name a different the following could occur: • Life insurance policies child as beneficiary of each. Over the • The account or policy may have to • Annuities years, the accounts may grow go through probate court. This unevenly, so the children end up • Transfer-on-death (TOD)

process often results in getting different amounts—which is investment accounts unnecessary delays, additional not what you originally intended.

• Pay-on-death (POD) bank accounts costs and unfavorable income 7.

Avoid naming your estate as tax treatment.

• Stock options and restricted stock beneficiary. If you designate a • The agreement that controls the • Executive-deferred beneficiary on your 401(k), for

account or policy may provide for compensation plans example, it won’t have to go through “default” beneficiaries. This could Because you’re asked to designate be helpful, but it’s possible the probate court to be distributed to beneficiaries on so many different default beneficiaries may not be the beneficiary. If you name your 42

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

estate as beneficiary, the account will have to go through probate. For IRAs and qualified retirement plans, there may also be unfavorable income tax consequences.

8.

Use caution when naming a trust as a beneficiary. Consult your attorney or CPA before naming a trust as a beneficiary for IRAs,

qualified retirement plans or annuities. There are situations where it makes sense to name a trust; for example, if: • Your beneficiaries are minor children; • You’re in a second marriage; or • You want to control access to funds.

Even in cases like these, understand the tax consequences before you name a trust as a beneficiary.

9. Be aware of tax consequences. Many assets that transfer by beneficiary designation come with special tax consequences. It’s helpful to work with an experienced tax advisor who can help provide planning ideas for your particular situation.

10.

Use disclaimers when necessary— but be careful. Sometimes, a beneficiary may actually want to decline (disclaim) assets on which they’re designated as beneficiary.

Keep in mind disclaimers involve complex legal and tax issues, and require careful consultation with your attorney and CPA.

pay attention to your beneficiary designations.

• Remember, beneficiary designations take precedence over what you may have specified in a will or trust.

• Put a reminder on your calendar to check your beneficiary designations annually, so you can keep them up-to-date.

Wells Fargo Advisors and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and/or legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax and/or legal consequence. 

Next steps • When creating, updating or simply reviewing your estate plan,

Jessie Barrett and his father Dick Barrett, Founders, The Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisers HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Science

WARP SPEED

How Argonne National Laboratory aided the speed of COVID-19 vaccines

BY LARRY ATSEFF 44

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

AERIAL PHOTO OF THE ADVANCED PHOTON SOURCE FACILITY AT ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY

B

ack in January 2020, Hinsdale Magazine took readers on a tour of Argonne National Laboratory in nearby Lemont. One of the more impressive facilities on the campus is the Advanced Photon Source (APS).

Little did we know that early that January, the worldwide collaborative effort to combat COVID-19 was already underway at the APS and at facilities like it around the world.

Fortunately, as you know, in record time, vaccines are now being deployed

to bring COVID-19 under control.

From understanding the virus at the outset, Argonne has been heavily involved.

Here is the story of how Argonne and its APS and staff were able to make major contributions quickly and continuously.

The Argonne effort is led by Andrzej Joachimiak, director of the structural biology center (SBC) at beamline 19-ID-D of the APS. Joachimiak is a member of Argonne’s X-ray science division and the University of Chicago, and is also a co-director of the Center

for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), a consortium of biologists from around the country.

“An outbreak such as COVID-19 is exactly what the CSGID was created for," Joachimiak said. "The virus is a complex system made up of at least 29 different proteins, and structural genomics have been the key to finding a treatment or a vaccine to curb this pandemic.”

Those contributions began in January, when the scientific community became aware of the outbreak in China and a genome of Continued on next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Science

Argonne crystallographer Karolina Michalska works at the structural biology center (SBC) at the Advanced Photon Source.

SBC is an important site for the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, which marshals resources from various institutions to fight viral outbreaks. (Image by Mark Lopez / Argonne National Laboratory)

Continued from previous page the virus became available. (A genome is a complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.)

“We called [the] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) on Jan. 10, and said, ‘Get us the genome right away,’” said Karla Satchell, a microbiologist at Northwestern University and co-director of the CSGID. “Fifteen days later, we had put together a big platform. We wrote a white paper that said we would commit a huge amount of resources to address the disease.”

more than half of that number, using the APS. Scientists have continuously used the powerful X-rays generated by the APS to determine the exact atomic

APS data,” said Stephen Streiffer, Argonne’s deputy laboratory director for science and technology and the interim director of the APS. “One hundred structures means 100 opportunities to take on this disease, and the APS will continue to be an important part of that fight with structure 101 and beyond. ...

“An outbreak such as COVID-19 is exactly what the CSGID was created for. The virus is a complex system made up of at least 29 different proteins, and structural genomics have been the key to finding a treatment or a vaccine to curb this pandemic.”

“The APS has dedicated more than 10,000 hours of time to research into the structure of SARS-CoV-2 this year, and has made its resources available to more than 80 groups of researchers from across the country, in addition to the work done by Argonne The APS immediately - ANDRZEJ JOACHIMIAK, director of the structural biology center scientists there. With more at beamline 19-ID-D of the APS than 100 structures of the dedicated its biological virus made available to the research efforts to understanding the virus, also known arrangement of the virus’s proteins, world scientific community—more as SARS-CoV-2. As of mid-December, either alone or with compounds than any other U.S. light source—the scientists using the APS have deposited and antibodies that may be used for APS has been an important factor in the effort to combat COVID-19. more than 100 structures into the treatment. international protein data-bank, and “Just as what we learned from “Much of what we know about CSGID scientists are responsible for the SARS-CoV-2 virus comes from previous outbreaks helped to create 46

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

vaccines and treatments at record speed, what we are learning about SARS-CoV-2 at the APS will help fight not only this outbreak, but future ones.”

Regarding APS staff at Argonne, Joachimiak said, “We have extremely experienced people who have been working with me for more than 20 years. We work as a team, we know the system, we have the best possible technology and the most dedicated people.”

Joachimiak’s team has also been providing proteins and crystals for other research groups at more than 20 different labs around the world, assisting those without the facilities to synthesize and crystallize proteins. The philosophy of cooperation within the center extends outside of it as well “Everything is interconnected,” he said.

Joachimiak said his team has also been solving structures of complexes with inhibitors, including various drug candidates that can stop the virus from attaching itself to human cells, or replicating itself. Other sites in the center have been working on vaccine candidates and antibodies, many using APS data to look for weaknesses in the virus’s defenses.

In addition to work centered at the APS facility, Argonne also has stateof-the-art supercomputing. Indeed, Argonne supercomputer researchers have been providing insights that helped form the foundation for the vaccines we now have. At the same time, other computer scientists have been modeling the further progression of the epidemic so that supply chains of vaccines have been able to get the approved vaccines out to the medical community as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Argonne also collaborates with the University of Chicago through the Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory (HTRL) on the Argonne campus. The mission of the HTRL is to carry out cutting-edge translational research on biodefense-related agents, as well as the causative agents of emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19.

The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines would not have been possible without years of research into similar viruses. Work done at the Advanced Photon Source between 2009 and 2013 led to an increase in effectiveness of several of the vaccines.

At HTRL, John Bivona is the point man tasked with explaining to organizations all over the U.S. how to deal with COVID-19. He explains to research, clinical, production, testing, educational, developmental and other work environments how the virus is transmitted. He also shares his detailed knowledge of regulatory guidelines and standards impacting work with infectious agents and materials and safe methods for manipulating, studying, producing and containing infectious microorganisms and biological hazards.

All in all, many aspects of Argonne have been making significant contributions to conquering COVID-19.

For more information on how Argonne has contributed to bringing COVID-19 under control, go to www.anl.gov/news 

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | On the water

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On Point

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

Photography by Pawel Dmytrow; image courtesy of Luxury Living Chicago Realty

An inside look at the redevelopment of Chicago’s most significant address and its pivotal skyscraper on the Chicago River

BY JULIE JONLICH HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | On the water

Map of Chicago circa 1833

A

David Rumsy Map collection/public domain.

t the confluence of the Chicago River’s three branches is Wolf Point.

Located in the heart of what is now the city’s downtown area, Wolf Point has been considered Chicago’s first gathering spot since the early 19th century, making this historic peninsula-like piece of land an important part of the city from its beginnings.

icon, consisting of a Y-shape inscribed inside of a circle, represents the north, south and main branches of the Chicago River as they come together at Wolf Point. Used officially by the City of Chicago and unofficially by various agencies and companies associated with the city, the Y-shaped symbol can be found throughout the city on bridges, buildings and infrastructure.

Once the social center of frontier Chicago for a lively mix of Native Americans, French Canadian fur traders and New England pioneers, it was here in the early 1800s that river settlers established Chicago’s first tavern, hotel, drug store, church, theater company and the first bridges across the Chicago River.

Although there are numerous stories on how Wolf Point got its name, it has been said to come from a Native American chief whose name translated to Wolf.

Originally located on the west bank of the river at the fork, by the 1830s, the Wolf Point area and settlement had grown up around the river-fork. By 1857, the site of Wolf Point tavern was being used as a lumberyard, and was home to the Fulton Elevator, one of Chicago’s earliest grain elevators.

As the city grew, so did Wolf Point’s importance. In 1917, the city adopted the municipal device of Chicago. This familiar 52

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Chicago Municipal Device

This prominent property on the north bank of the river was sold from department store giant Marshall Field to American businessman Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. after World War II. Under-developed for a long time, today, Wolf Point refers to a plot of land on the north bank at the fork that is owned by the Kennedy family.

I sat down recently with Chris Kennedy, chair of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises Inc., to talk about the redevelopment of Wolf Point and the newly-completed Wolf Point East multifamily development located on a four-acre riverfront land parcel near the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

Julie Jonlich Your grandfather (Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.) purchased the property in 1945/46 from Marshall Field. What was he thinking when he bought Wolf Point? What initially attracted him to the property?

Chris Kennedy He had been the ambassador to the Court of St. James, England, and I think he had a clear view that after World War II, the country would remain free from the grip of the Great Depression, and that it would enjoy great prosperity—that Chicago was uniquely positioned as the transportation center of the country. With the interstate system and most railroads traveling through Chicago in the great inland port, and that building the Merchandise Mart, and the land around it would become incredibly valuable over the next few decades. So, I think he was playing the long game, and had great faith in the country at that time.

Julie Jonlich You and your family are active stewards of the land. What has that been like, and what does the future hold?

Chris Kennedy There were any number of opportunities in the '70s, the '80s, the '90s [and] the first decade of this century to develop the land, and none of it seemed right to us. We also have a long view—our grandfather taught us that. It was our belief that if we waited and did the right thing, that the vagaries of the economy, the tax considerations, the zoning issues, that none of that would matter if we did something great and important for the City of Chicago. I think we waited, and as a result, we have a project that we can be proud of and our children can be proud of. And I hope they’ll continue to hold on to it for their lifetimes as well.

Julie Jonlich What inspired you? Where did you start with the Wolf Point redevelopment idea?

Chris Kennedy View eastward from Wolf Point, circa 1885 - Chicago History Museum The Merchandise Mart was built as the largest building in the world. It’s their firm "embraces filled with showrooms the civic responsibility of manufacturers from of tall buildings... different industries from designing architecture that all across the globe. We contributes to the cities ran about 90 trade shows, in which they are built." many in the mart, some What do you think? of them in other locations Chris Kennedy all around the United “I think Fred Clarke and States. And when you his firm have designed see all those industries the defining building in at work, you realize that - Chris Kennedy on his grandfather Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. 20 different cities around the manufacturers, the the world, and probably And we thought, 'What happens if we measure retailers that succeed in nobody has given more thought to the role our decisions and ourselves by being the best at that cut-throat environment are the ones that of a skyscraper in a community.

His buildings what we do?

Let’s decide who the best architect focus on being the best at what they do. I have been known for being some of the tallest is, and pick that architect and get out of the think we took what we saw in those markets and applied them as best [as] we could to way. Let’s choose the best landscape designer, in the world at the time they were constructed. and let them choose and get out of their way, But that’s not really what he talks about. He’s development. and so forth.' I think that’s what we’ve done. very civic-minded. He understands culture and When you bring all the community, and the effect on humanity— of those individual the human scale and what we respond to entities, each of which as individuals. It isn’t awe and shock: it’s are dedicated to be the welcoming and humanity that drives his best at what they do at design. That makes it a pleasant place to walk their craft together in into. one place, you create Certainly when you’re across the river, you’re something special. struck by the gracefulness and enormity of

“He did not think his children’s job was to simply make money and enjoy a life of leisure. He wanted them active and involved in the communities they were part of—whether that was Boston, New York or the country itself. And he sacrificed and his children sacrificed for this country.”

Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. in London in March 1938 with his wife Rose (his left) and his children Kathleen, Edward, Patricia, Jean and Robert Getty Image

Julie Jonlich Architect Fred Clarke of Pelli Clark Pelli has said, “Chicago is rediscovering its river…its civic nature, openness, welcoming quality,” and that

the building. But when you walk into the building, it’s not overpowering. That lobby may be incredible, but the scale down at the furniture level and the lighting and where the trim points exist, help reinforce this notion that it’s a human scale that’s very different than just having a large empty box. And I think Fred Clarke’s vision around doing something

Continued on page 42 HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | On the water

Exterior image

Photography by Pawel Dmytrow; image courtesy of Luxury Living Chicago Realty

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HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

“We need to see ourselves as something bigger than individuals—that land that exists is part of a block, and that block that exists is part of a street, and that street is part of a city, that city, that neighborhood is part of a great state and our country, too. And somehow in every decision that we make, we need to contribute for all of those things to make ourselves proud of the accomplishments that we make our life's work.”

- CHRIS KENNEDY ON THE WOLF POINT LEGACY HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | On the water

Wolf Point East interior

Photography by Pawel Dmytrow; image courtesy of Luxury Living Chicago Realty

Continued from page 39 for humanity, something that we react to at a human level, rather than at a city-amazement level, is really genius.

Julie Jonlich The building (WPE) is a series of offset planes, landing lightly within a park, with its stepped profile being the same at the bottom as it is at the top. If it were turned upside down, its profile would be the same—a rich connection to Burnham’s grid system in Chicago. What inspired the planes?

Chris Kennedy One of the things that is the reward for working with genius is this: you end up doing things that are counterintuitive; you end up doing things that would have never occurred; you end up doing things that are great, that are, let’s say, visionary, but beyond the horizon; and that’s what occurred with Wolf Point.

The notion of giving up the retail space on the lower levels of the building—that would be crazy talk in a regular development; that’s often the most valuable part of the building. [In] some buildings, their retail footprint accounts for more than the value of the entire upper floors, and Fred was able to convince us that we should do something great for the city, and that we would be rewarded in doing that in ways that we could not expect. He thought that if we gave up the retail, we would get greater value on the upper floors, and people would flock to be a part of something that was set in a park and not above a mall. That’s hard to swallow, 56

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but when you’re dealing with someone that great, they can be convincing. They can share their vision, their experience, their lifetime of incredible works, and form what we’re doing in Chicago, and I think that’s what happened with Fred Clarke.

Julie Jonlich What’s your favorite redevelopment?

aspect

of

the

Chris Kennedy I think there’s really nowhere else you can live directly on the river, without you and Wacker Drive between you and the river, or other buildings between you and the river. I’ve spent my whole 35 years in Chicago working along the river, but never this close—never where I felt like I could reach out my window and touch it. Certainly if you had a tennis ball, you could drop it in the water from our building.

And that notion that we’re tied to the water, the lake and the river, the environment is that proximate—that we haven’t abandoned it as we’ve moved into the city—that nature continues to form our lives—that we can have it all, in the sense that we can have a dense community and nature too. I think that’s the great riddle of mankind in this century: how can we all be together without abandoning our planet? And Fred has found a way to do that in Chicago.

Julie Jonlich What do you think your grandfather Joseph would be most proud of with the way things turned out?

Chris Kennedy For his own family, his own wealth, I think he had a very human and community-oriented vision for what those great assets should do.

He did not think his children’s job was to simply make money and enjoy a life of leisure.

He wanted them active and involved in the communities they were part of—whether that was Boston, New York or the country itself.

And he sacrificed and his children sacrificed for this country. I think in some ways, Wolf Point is a testament to that legacy—that notion that we need to see ourselves as something bigger than individuals—that land that exists is part of a block, and that block that exists is part of a street, and that street is part of a city, that city, that neighborhood is part of a great state and our country, too. And somehow in every decision that we make, we need to contribute for all of those things to make ourselves proud of the accomplishments that we make our life's work, and I think he would see what has occurred on Wolf Point as part of that legacy.

I think one thing about Wolf Point that’s really interesting to me is the notion that it exists on that peninsula. It is part of the city, but also apart. It gives people a little bit of an oasis where they can still be a part of the city. I think the people that move into Wolf Point look for ways to participate in the greater community, and we hope that notion of involvement will be a part of the building people’s lives forever. 

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BU I L D E R S | M K C O N S T R U C T I O N

Examples of distinctly different luxury baths that MK has built in collaboration with various designers/architects.

MK CONSTRUCTION Experts in luxury homes

M

arcin Kawa, founder and owner of MK Construction and Builders, learned from the best builders on how to build the best. Over his 15 years in business, he has put his focus on luxury construction and combined it with his keen eye for design.

Today, he has others in the firm like himself, who build to the highest standards with the best materials, and who also have an appreciation for great design.

As the business has grown, architects and designers have taken note.

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BY HINDALE MAGAZINE STAFF

The result is a collaboration between top architects/designers and MK’s builders that consistently helps customers see their dreams come true.

A perfect example comes from an article in the January/January issue or LUXE Magazine, which described how designer London Walder took advantage of a Chicago high rise apartment’s “good bones to enhance the classic details of what was already there, recruiting MK builders to refinish oak herringbone flooring and create built-in cabinetry and moldings, along with new marble windowsills throughout to add to the elegance.”

According to Kawa, this flexibility in having knowledgeable in-house teams of builders collaborating with top designers he knows, and who know his company, or with clients who come to him with a designer in mind, is a big advantage. “It brings customers the best outcomes.” He adds, “We work with some of the finest names in design throughout Chicago, L.A. or New York, so we are not limited in any way.”

We then asked Marcin if he would explain how the company goes about helping people with a luxury bath suite.

“First of all, our teams are very aware of

BU I L D E R S | M K C O N S T R U C T I O N

the trends in luxury baths and suites, in terms of design, materials and amenities.”

“Today, we know at the higher end, prospects are experiencing luxury bath settings when they go to a luxury hotel.

They realize how enjoyable it is to have a space where you can really relax and indulge yourself.

They think, wouldn’t it be nice to have something like this not for just a few days, but year round.”

“So they get back home from a trip and look at their bathroom situation and ask themselves, why are we putting up with a small, outmoded bath area and traditional clutter, when we could turn the space into a place to retreat and relax.”

“For example, we will show them how natural stone, even wood, or tiles can be combined into a very inviting designs, walls and floors. We’ll show them faucets that operate as touchless appliances, even controlled by your voice. We’ll show them

“We have access to a full line of ‘tranquility tubs. Why, we may even have suggestions for ‘greenery’ that adds a natural, healthy touch, and, if desired, we can even arrange to have special aromas waft through the suite, or pipe in music, depending on the mood.”

“So they get back home from a trip and look at their bathroom situation and ask themselves, why are we putting up with a small, outmoded bath area and traditional clutter, when we could turn the space into a place to retreat and relax.”

- MARCIN KAWA, founder and owner, MK Construction & Builders

“So, when they first meet with us, we listen closely because they are sure to have their ideas.”

“Since we have a wide range of choices of materials and designs for luxury baths, we can then show them materials, amenities, and designs that most closely fit what they are after.”

shower heads that can massage their scalp, or create the sensation of a waterfall effect.

Instead of expected stainless steel, we’ll show them a variety of fixtures.”

“We’ll help them think through a ‘work space’ with mirrors, counters, and storage, and just the right lighting.”

“In short, we know how to work closely with designers/ architects to bring a customer’s ideas to life” “We even have spec homes where customers and designers/ architects can actually see some of our homes for the quality of design, construction and materials.”

“And, because we also build in the city, where space and lot size are at a premium, we have gotten to be very good at making efficient use of space, no matter the project…and at competitive prices.”

For more, please go to mkconstructioninc. net or call 773-817-1861.

HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com

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Hinsdale Magazine | Outdoors

Start a healthy new year with the new Pine Pacer Challenge running and walking event. Select a goal of 25, 50 or 100 miles to complete in January, then track your mileage on the virtual results website. Miles can be completed at the arboretum, in your neighborhood, on a treadmill or anywhere else they enjoy. All participants will receive a fleece-lined pullover and a challenge sticker.

FRESH AIR

Visit the Morton Arboretum

T

he Morton Arboretum has a full range of activities on location and online for you to enjoy in January and through the winter. New this year is the Pine Pacer Challenge.

Start 2021 off on the right foot with a new running and walking challenge from the arboretum. Participants are invited to set a goal of 25, 50, or 100 miles, track their activities through the month of January, and submit mileage on the arboretum's virtual result website to chart their progress.

Though participants are encouraged to get their miles onsite at the arboretum, they can also simply run or walk around the block, on a treadmill or anywhere

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BY LARRY ATSEFF

else they enjoy. The goal is to meet a personal challenge, and enjoy the many health benefits of physical activity and spending time in nature.

All participants will receive one of the arboretum's fleece-lined, long-sleeved, quarter-zip pullover, as well as a challenge sticker. Members can run or walk at the arboretum anytime by reserving a free, timed admission pass, while guests may reserve one free admission pass each week of the challenge. As a special bonus, guests will also have the option of purchasing an arboretum membership at a $10 discount when they register for the challenge.

Register through Jan. 15. Fees and admission are $40 for members and $50

for guests $50.

The arboretum also has several other activities at the location itself and online. Some of these include snowshoe and cross country trails, and rentals, a Gnome hunt where you can search for 15 gnomes hiding in thee Children’s Garden, Winter pruning, on premise and online, Dog Admission Day on January 31, Guided Hikes on January 22, Trolls after dark, a guided hike on January 21, and a host of activities to bring you closer to nature and hone your creative skills, or just join workouts. To learn more about all of these activities, simply go to Mortonarb.org. ď Ž

Strive Martial Arts Kicking the digital world

W

hen people hear the words “martial arts”, they sometimes think of action movies. Bill Thompson offers a different view. Bill is the president of Strive Martial Arts, where he explains that martial arts is more than kicking and punching. It is about a way of life built around All-American words like confidence, focus, selfdiscipline, persistence and achievement. Together, these concepts build a foundation of character designed to promote self-reliance, courage, loyalty, respect and personal satisfaction.

The use of the word “Strive” in Strive Martial Arts is no accident. Bill and his fellow instructors work tirelessly to support their students as they strive to reach their own personal goals. Whether young or old, each student is there for his or her own reasons.

Some are looking to build confidence through their ability to defend themselves. Others want to improve their physical fitness.

Of course, some are there because it was their parent’s idea. Parents see martial arts as a way to

help their child grow and establish good mental and physical habits that will serve them in all aspects of their life, both now and in the future.

The funny thing is that kids brought in by their mother or father soon find out there is more in this adventure for them; much more than their parents ever thought.

Strive staff members take a special interest in every student and they work to understand the goal and motivation of each individual who steps into the studio. They emphasize this is not a “onesize fits all” experience. The staff uses their unique ability to zero in on a student’s interests, especially young students. This helps them grow, week by week, and enjoy an ongoing sense of achievement.

This is important.

Every new goal achieved builds confidence that helps the student tackle the next challenging goal.

As Bill Thompson says, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” For all students, the dream of attaining a black belt is always there in the distance, but as Thompson points out, a dream without a goal is just a dream. The Strive program is designed to help students pursue their dreams, one step at a

time, one goal at a time.

At Strive, we say there is only one direction to go, and that is always forward. That is why classes move forward in a seven-week session, ending with testing. When requirements are met, students are awarded the next level belt. At every step, students take pride in attaining their newest belt. Of course.

As Thompson reminds everyone, while the black belt may be the ultimate destination, it is the journey that counts. It is the journey that builds the kind of character that most people agree makes the difference in the world. Thompson points out kids are growing up in the digital world, spending more time on computers and video games, and their brains are becoming wired for distraction, multitasking and short attention spans. All of this can get in the way of success, both in school and life.

Strive Martial Arts is helping students make a difference. Learning to kick and punch is only the beginning, but it is a first step in being able to kick the digital habit, put it in its proper place and focus on what’s important in life.

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D I V E H E A RT I N D E P T H

Team up

BY MIKE ELLIS

M

any partnerships between people from different organizations work as or more seamlessly than intraorganizational relationships.

to individuals with disabilities in the Chicagoland area, has established a similar partnership with Mark Kovic, associate professor in the college of health sciences at Midwestern University.

In October, we reviewed the medical research of Dr. Milan Mrksich, a Hinsdale resident and professor at Northwestern University, and observed how naturally his group’s work aligns with and furthers the objectives of pharmaceutical companies in developing drugs.

Like Mrksich, Kovic’s work centers on research, and in his specialty area of occupational therapy, Diveheart has furnished ample materials for test subjects.

Downers Grove-based non-profit organization Diveheart, which extends deep-sea scuba-diving opportunities 62

A unique partnership to study the effects of deep-sea scuba-diving on people with autism spectrum disorders

HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE

“Right after I started Diveheart, I knew intuitively that we wanted to do research,” Diveheart founder Jim Elliott said, adding that research studies “build credibility for the program.”

Roughly ten years ago, Elliott said

Top photo: Diveheart leaders with Ahmadi Belquis; Above: Mark Kovic, associate director and associate professor, doctorate of occupational therapy program in the College of Health Sciences at Midwestern University

he approached Midwestern University, and after working with several other researchers, discovered that “Mark was the right person” to work with Diveheart.

“I was approached by one of the physical therapy faculty here, who had been doing research on lung capacity related to divers with Diveheart,” said Kovic, who started at Midwestern in 2009, and traced his relationship with Diveheart to 2010 or 2011. ... “What I quickly learned was that there was a unique contribution that I might be able to make.”

According to Kovic, occupational therapists take a “holistic approach” when evaluating their subjects, and after having seen roughly 800 people across a variety of conditions and ages, they realized that “there’s a lot we have to learn.”

“We’re fortunate that they’re right here in our backyard in Downers Grove,” he said. “I think it’s a hidden gem right here, and a lot of what I’ve been able to do with Diveheart is learn that it’s not just about the diving, but it’s more about the intangible.”

Recently, students pursuing master’s and doctorate degrees at Midwestern have been researching individuals with disabilities, and the impact of diving and other physical activities on their conditions.

One study, which focused specifically on the effects of scuba-diving on children on the autism spectrum, found that the subjects reported gaining confidence, “sensory freedom” and other quality of life improvements through diving.

“The power of qualitative data comes from when you analyze the data, and then take it back to the subjects, and get their points of view on it,” Kovic said.

disabilities. (Essentially, self-efficacy refers to the confidence individuals feel in their personal autonomy and independence.)

This study incorporated both adapted scuba-diving and soccer, with all of the former subjects being evaluated through Diveheart.

The Diveheart respondents suffered from a variety of disabilities, ranging from autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy, to bipolar disorder, ADHD and visual impairment from neurofibromatosis.

According to Kovic, five of the six respondents viewed diving as both a group and individual sport, while the sixth identified it predominantly as

“The power of qualitative data comes from when you analyze the data, and then take it back to the subjects, and get their points of view on it.”

- MARK KOVIC

a group sport. When asked why they considered it as such, the Diveheart participants replied that they were diving together, in a group.

Respondents from the same study reported that diving made them “more self-aware,” provided a “sense of belonging,” assisted with problem-solving and benefited social participation.

According to Kovic, this particular study has not been replicated, but it is one that he would be interested in revisiting down the road.

On a general self-efficacy scale, which represents a self-report of how someone feels about their own usefulness, Diveheart respondents scored a 73 percent on average, as opposed to the adapted soccer respondents, who scored a 60.

Another student study took a more general approach, attempting to assess the impact participation in adapted sports had on what is termed the “self-efficacy” of adolescents with

Since the ages and conditions of the subjects varied considerably, Kovic said the study suggested that adapted scubadiving is a more productive activity for individuals with disabilities than

adapted soccer.

“What we’re taking from that is, both groups were equal, such that to us it seems like the activity they were involved in made the difference,” he said.

When asked whether he would like to see more physiological data buttress his research findings, Kovic said that is not his primary concern.

“Am I curious about that as an area that we haven’t seen—absolutely,” he said.

Elliott said he has been very pleased with the partnership his organization has forged with Kovic and his fellow researchers at Midwestern.

“I think Midwestern University has been an incredible supporter, and what they’ve done is motivate other medical universities to get involved,” he said.

Kovic expressed a similar sentiment regarding extending his research to work with other organizations in the area.

“It would be good if we could partner with others; I’m always looking to do that,” he said.

Irrespective of the research component, Kovic offered effusive praise for Diveheart, and said he looks forward to continuing the partnership he has cultivated, and learning more about the benefits that individuals with disabilities can derive from therapeutic activities like deep-sea scuba-diving.

“It’s one of the most powerful, committed, professional service organizations that I’ve ever been involved with,” he said. ... “For me to have been connected with them for so long now, I like to think we’re just at the beginning of unpacking what can be done for people with disabilities.”

For more information about Diveheart, visit www.diveheart.org. 

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Strive Programs teach commitment and provide an opportunity for growth, to give you the greater advantage!

WILLOWBROOK

6950 Kingery Highway 630-850-3500

Call 630.850.3500 or visit WWW.STRIVEMA.COM

C ompassionateC are SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1984.

We’re dedicated to providing personalized, professional and compassionate services to help lighten your burden and support you through the difficult times that follow the loss of a loved one. You can rely on us to provide your family with the highest quality care and service in your time of need.

Terrence M. Sullivan and Brian D. Sullivan 60 S GRANT STREET

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HINSDALE

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630.323.0275

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NEW YEAR. NEW PODCAST. Health 360 with Dr. G is a new podcast featuring conversations with experts that aims to inform and inspire a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Mark Gomez, a board-certified internal medicine physician with Edward-Elmhurst Health, and his guests take complex health topics and break them down into simpler terms.

Learn more at

HEALTH 360 PODCAST.COM

You can be an Associate Publisher in your community Hinsdale Magazine Group is seeking community influencers with a background in content and advertising sales development. If you have what it takes to be a community publisher, contact us today. We serve, our readers to relevant content, consumers to area businesses and residents to valuable information about our local area. There’s something for everyone in every issue. Hinsdale Magazine Group has been at the forefront of delivering local content in the area for over nine years.

Now Interviewing for New Community Publishers

Anne Healy, Associate Publisher Downers Grove Magazine $5 US VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2020

$5 US VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER 2020

630-655-3400

sjonlich@hinsdalemag.com SERVING HINSDALE, BURR RIDGE, CLARENDON HILLS & OAK BROOK

SERVING HINSDALE, BURR RIDGE, CLARENDON HILLS & OAK BROOK

HINSDALE’S FIRST MAGAZINE $5 US VOLUME 10 ISSUE 10

HINSDALE’S FIRST MAGAZINE $5 US VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12

October 2020

December 2020

PLATINUM UNPLUGGED Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club Planning April Benefit

Hidden Gems in Downers Grove

BROOKRIDGE AIRPARK FLIES UNDER THE RADAR HISTORY VAULT: THE TIVOLI HOTEL HOME & DESIGN: THE GLASS HOUSE PUBLISHER PROFILE: KOHA DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE

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PAYING IT FORWARD

Three local women share their inspirational stories of bravery and victory #WeAreDG: IN FOR THE LONG RUN

ARTS AND THEATRE: STAGES OF GRIEF

LIFE & STYLE: NEWCOMERS TO DOWNERS GROVE

DOWNERS GROVE MAGAZINE

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From T he

CLASSROOM To the COURTROOM Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judges; Ann Celine Walsh and Monique O’Toole

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Fit Fashion

Wellness is the New status symbol

Education

Students and parents rally to get back into school

BEST OF 2020 The struggles of being the BEST OF in this year of uncertainty

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DuPage Foundation Supports Non-Profits In Many Ways

Giving Book: Annual Gathering of Worthy Non-Profits

Hinsdale Police and Fire Department Profiles