Lake Forest’s celebrated artist community evolves under Paul Sacaridiz's new leadership. pg6
Cory helped us sell a very particular house during a brief lull period in the market. He went above and beyond in all steps of the selling process. He gave us advice on how to prepare our house for sale, hosted around 5 or more open houses, actively marketed our home, led us through the negotiations during the offer process and was always available for questions. Additionally, once the house was under contract and the inspection period started, we needed a contractor to come over to our house when we were out of town and he offered to meet the person and let them into the house and represent us. In addition to being professional, transparent, patient, and helpful, he is someone we completely trust. He is a genuinely nice guy and a great person to work with. We highly recommend Cory!” —Katsnelson Family, Ravinia
RAVINIA
RAVINIA
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5 north shore doings
Your go-to guide for all the latest local events this month
8 owning air
Grab a slice of Michael Jordan’s fabled Highland Park mansion, one million-dollar share at a time
9 north shore sports
Warm welcome for transfer Miami Martinez ignites strong start for Highland Park High School's girls' basketball team
LIFESTYLE & ARTS
10 #hashtag
As the lead for Moms Demand Action New Trier Township, Kylee Rudd is a vocal advocate for community safety
10 trotter tribute
Now through January 26, the late Charlie Trotter's legacy will be honored at his restaurant's former location
12 wolf man
Our new reviewer calls Universal’s latest attempt to resurrect its classic monster canon "toothless"
13 squid game season 2
We now feature reviews of streaming TV shows and films, including this popular series
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
14 sunday breakfast
Popular Highwood/Highland Park restaurateur Isaac Nava talks family, faith, and food
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
JANUARY 18 TO 27
JOB CENTER ON THE MOVE
WHERE: Highwood Library
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lake County’s Workforce Development will be hosting its weekly program to help the community with careers. This program will focus on one-on-one resume development, job training, internships, career transitions, and more. No appointment is necessary. highwoodlibrary.org
JANUARY 18 TO 31
HOLIDAY LIGHTS RECYCLING
WHERE: Northfield Community Center
Clean out your decorations stash and make room for new lights and supplies by recycling the old. Northfield’s Village Hall and Community Center will be providing bins where holiday lights and extension cords can be recycled now through January 31. northfieldparks.org
JANUARY 19
MLK: A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION CONCERT
WHERE: Nichols Concert Hall
Enjoy the Music Institute of Chicago’s annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., featuring performances by students and community partners. The concert is at 3 p.m. musicinst.org
JANUARY 19
JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
WHERE: Trinity Wilmette Claudia Marchan, Executive Director for Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors, will share her experience working with people seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity in the United States. She will
provide insights on U.S. and Illinois state laws and their impact on immigrants and communities at the 3:30 p.m. event. trinitywilmette.com
JANUARY 20 TO FEBRUARY 24
COMPUTER BASICS CLASS
WHERE: Highwood Public Library
A weekly Spanish language class will be provided at the Highwood Public Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is required. For more information, email Aurora at adultlit@highwoodlibrary.org. highwoodlibrary.org
JANUARY 20
SCHOOL’S OUT: MLK JR. DAY WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve From 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., young people are invited to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. Could the birds use a little extra food? Maybe a rabbit needs more sticks for shelter? This event teaches how to be of service to the natural world. lfola.org
JANUARY 21
TICKETS FOR FROZEN KIDS
WHERE: Community Recreation Center Tickets for Wilmette Children’s Theater’s upcoming production of Frozen KIDS go on sale at 10 a.m. on January 21. Performances will be held February 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, and 16. General tickets are $13. Seats to performances are limited. Tickets can also be purchased online. wilmettepark.org
JANUARY 21 TO MARCH 11
TUESDAY ON THE TRAIL
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
From noon to 1 p.m.,
embark on an invigorating lunchtime adventure every Tuesday with guided hikes at Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s (LFOLA) Mellody Farm Nature Preserver. Led by knowledgeable field educators, each week offers a captivating journey through a different LFOLA preserve, where participants will discover the unique habitats, flora, fauna, and avian wonders that thrive in these natural sanctuaries. lfola.org
JANUARY 24 TO 25
MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR
2025
WHERE: Gorton Center
As part of its annual Winterfest, the Gorton Center will show Mountainfilm on Tour. The festival will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 24, with the film starting at 7 p.m. and continues on Saturday, January 25, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mountainfilm will show a collection of documentaries curated from Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado. Dress in your coolest apres-ski apparel, grab a warm drink, and hang out with friends in the lodge during this winter event. gortoncenter.org
JANUARY 25
CHOO-CHOO AND CHEWCHEWS HOT CHOCOLATE PARTY
WHERE: History Center
Lake Forest-Lake Bluff
The History Center will host three hot chocolate parties from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hot chocolate, cookies, and desserts will be served and scavenger hunts, coloring stations, and other kid-friendly activities will be available. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. RSVP now. lflbhistory.org
JANUARY 25
12TH ANNUAL SEED SWEEP
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Chicago Botanic Garden’s (CBG) Regenstein Center, gardeners can come together to share/swap seeds and to learn more about starting seeds, saving seeds, and related topics. Guests are not required to bring seeds to share/swap. CBG staff and volunteers will have displays and will be available to answer questions. chicagobotanic.org
JANUARY 26
KENILWORTH
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BINGO
WHERE: Kenilworth Assembly Hall
Spend a Sunday afternoon with a few rounds of history-focused bingo from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will learn about Kenilworth’s past while playing on custom bingo cards that feature historical photographs. Prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $5 per person or $10 per family for non-members. Register online. kenilworthhistory.org
JANUARY 30 TO MARCH 16
FOOL FOR LOVE
WHERE: Steppenwolf Theatre
Fool For Love, a dark
and beautiful tale by Sam Shepard, comes to the stage at Chicago’s iconic Steppenwolf Theatre. The ensemble cast features Cliff Chamberlain, Tim Hopper, Caroline Neff, and Nick Gehlfuss. steppenwolf.org
FEBRUARY 1
IKE REILLY CONCERT
WHERE: College of Lake County
College of Lake Country’s “Don’t Turn Your Back on Friday Night” chronicles the life and decades-long career of Ike Reilly, Libertyville’s own “Punk Rock Troubadour.” The award-winning film masterfully weaves together over 40 years of footage with songs that reveal a complicated, formidable artist. Following the film, Reilly and his bandmates will perform live. Tickets are $25, $22 for seniors 65+ and military, and $5 for students. clcillinois.edu
FEBRUARY 1
BEADED LIZARD
KEYCHAIN
WHERE: Winnetka Public Library
From noon to 2 p.m., teens and ‘tweens are invited to make a 1990s-themed beaded lizard chain and then team up to create a giant version with pool noodles at Winnetka Public Library.
Admission is free. wnpld.org
FEBRUARY 1
LOVE NOTES!
WHERE: Woman’s Club of Wilmette
Just in time for Valentine's Day, LoveNotes! is a one-ofa-kind storytelling show in which real people share real stories about romantic love in all its incarnations— first love, last love, unrequited love and so much more. LoveNotes! was created by Heather Christie and produced in New York City last year as an off-Broadway. Sarah Squires-Doyle, Founder of My Mini Memoirs, is thrilled to direct/produce the first show on the North Shore with a local cast of storytellers. The event will also feature live music from some of Wilmette’s favorites, an assortment of beverages, and a post-show reception. Plans are underway to restore the Woman’s Club of Wilmette auditorium and a donation will be made from ticket sale proceeds towards those efforts. Ticket holders will get a sneak preview of what's coming—one of the biggest stages in town! heatherchristiebooks.com/ lovenotes
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
Tuesday on the Trail
It’s been 25 years since Paul Sacaridiz, The Ragdale Foundation’s new Executive Director, first came to the Lake Forest nonprofit as an artist-in-residence. A deep-thinking artist, his work as a sculptor would be exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Denver Art Museum and other venues throughout the country. Then, building from this base, Sacaridiz would go on to lead as an educator and administrator in higher education and the nonprofit sector, shaping sustainable programs and systems designed to meet artist’s needs in an ever-changing world.
Some of those roles included serving as Director of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, and as Executive Director of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine. While there, Sacaridiz was responsible for setting mission, vision, and programming for one of the leading studio craft programs in the country. He expanded audiences by developing many new partnerships and collaborations—the Norwegian Crafts Council, the Shigaraki Cultural Center in Japan, and the Smithsonian Institution, among them.
During his tenure at Haystack, Sacaridiz also led the school through its first comprehensive strategic plan, launching a longrange campus planning process with the focus on accessibility, historic preservation, and sustainability. Navigating Haystack through the pandemic, Sacaridiz created fellowships to support BIPOC students, launched a new program for LQBTQ teens, and completed major facility and infrastructure upgrades to the historic campus. All of this, plus growing the school’s endowment from $9 million to over $24 million.
Earlier in his career, Sacaridiz chaired the Department of Art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served as Associate Director of the Wonsook Kim School of Art at Illinois State University and was a Fellow with the National Council of Arts Administrators. He also has extensive experience serving on nonprofit boards including the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+).
“I seem to come into organizations when they are in transitional moments, when change is afoot,” says Sacaridiz. “At Haystack, my predecessor had been there for 27 years and the school was ready for a new perspective and outlook. Ragdale is in a similar position. For me as a leader coming into an organization that is at a time of transition, it requires an intense amount of focus and strategy and thought.”
Now at the helm of Ragdale, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2026 as one of the country’s largest interdisciplinary artist communities, Sacaridiz has spent the past number of months observing the organization, establishing relationships, and planning for the organizations next chapter.
“It’s incredibly important to ensure that a place like Ragdale will sustain for another 50 years and beyond,” he says. “We are living in a fast paced and increasingly divided time. We don’t inherently have many quiet spaces in our lives to be reflective anymore. Ragdale provides that space and time for artists to ask challenging questions, which in turn help us to see the world in new ways.”
Time spent at Ragdale has allowed many artists to find answers to such questions, going on to produce works that have helped to shape American art and culture. “And that’s a very profound concept,” says Sacaridiz.
The shift from being an artist, academic and teacher into someone thinking and working administratively, was a natural progression for Sacaridiz. “Bringing clarity to systems, processes and structure, looking at history to discern what to pull forward, what should be left behind, what needs to be reinvented, and what are all of the ways to ensure people feel seen, safe and valued,” says Sacaridiz. “Thinking about and finding answers to these questions is, and always has been, wildly interesting to me.”
Sacaridiz appointment comes at a pivotal time for Ragdale as it asks the question, “Who are we now, at 50?” The organization just completed three years of capital projects after a successful capital campaign that raised $6.8 million to renovate, expand and rehabilitate the historic property. It also just
received a transformational gift of $750,000 that will be used to establish Ragdale’s first dedicated endowment fund for programs and general operations. “So, my job now is to help us transition from capital projects, to re-focus fundraising efforts on developing greater fiscal sustainability, building our operational endowment and expanding fellowship opportunities for artists,” says Sacaridiz. Currently, Ragdale funds eleven fellowships annually, providing a fully funded residency, housing, and a stipend to selected artists. Ragdale also hosts about 250, threeweek-long, artist-residencies for which participants pay on a sliding scale. “But my goal is to triple our Fellowship by the end of 2026 so that we can offer up to 40 fellowships each year to support artists at various stages of their careers.,” says Sacaridiz.
He adds that there are many interesting structural questions Ragdale is also thinking through as it envisions change and growth: How to better engage with the local community and the community at large? How can Ragdale expand and deepen educational outreach? As thought leaders, can Ragdale collaborate with other institutions to co-produce conferences, symposiums and convenings? What is the organizations social responsibility as an institution, or its role in bringing arts programming to support underserved communities? And how do we develop deeper connections with arts and culture organizations in Chicago?
One big question overall is how Ragdale can accomplish these more public-facing objectives while still ensuring the privacy and solitude that is part and parcel of its core mission: To steward an inspirational environment that fosters courageous creativity
and inclusive community through its artist residencies. “It’s important that we evolve, but still preserve the institution’s core. We are a residency program, not an art school,” Sacaridiz explains.
Whatever unfolds as the evolution continues, Sacaridiz is excited at the prospect of thoughtful change. “Ragdale has had such lasting impact because of the ideas artists have explored here. That’s been true since this place began, as Howard Van Doren Shaw’s family retreat and what can be thought of as a literal experiment in building a creative
community dating back to 1897, for family and friends, and that spirit is still very much present today. But many people don’t fully understand the impact that Ragdale has had, and the significance of the artists we bring here. Telling that story is a top priority. I am so excited for the momentum that we are building and the opportunities we have to steward and grow this remarkable place.”
RAGDALE'S NEXT CHAPTER From PG 1
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Ragdale House. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES CAULFIELD
Ragdale campus sculpture. PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN MCLEOD
BY BEN SAMUELS
OWNING AIR
Now you can grab a slice of Michael Jordan’s fabled mansion, a million dollars at a time.
It’s been more than a decade since Michael Jordan’s Highland Park estate first hit the market at a sky-high $29 million. Over the years, it became less of a home and more of a mythic shrine—complete with an Air Jordan logo-emblazoned gate, nine bedrooms, 19 bathrooms (one for each player on a basketball team?), and a basketball court fit for the GOAT himself.
After languishing on the market and enduring price cuts that would make a bargain hunter blush, the estate finally sold in December. But instead of resting quietly in real estate lore, it’s back in the headlines with a new twist—fractional ownership.
Enter John Cooper, the mastermind behind this unconventional real estate play.
A self-described "visionary" (and, presumably, a fan of both spreadsheets and slam dunks), Cooper isn’t flipping the property. He’s slicing it—like a perfectly executed fadeaway—into million-dollar shares under the moniker Champions Point
The pitch? A $1 million buy-in gets you one week a year at the 56,000-square-foot estate, complete with nine friends, 14 cousins, and whatever entourage you can muster.
“It’s not a timeshare,” insists the Champions Point website, as if the very word might summon pitchforks from the co-op board of Highland Park. No, this is coownership, a concept that sounds much fancier because it comes with deeded ownership, a potential shot at appreciation, and the ability to resell your slice of Jordan’s court on the open market.
Want to sell your week to a crypto billionaire in 2032? Be my guest. Timeshares may be the punchline of every bad invest-
ment joke, but co-ownership is the disruptor. (Or so they say.)
What’s in the Box?
For your $1 million share—and an additional 2 percent of annual expenses—you’ll get seven glorious days and six glamorous nights in the house that Jordan built. Need more enticement? Add-ons include private chefs, transportation, live entertainment, and, presumably, a copy of Space Jam playing on loop in the screening room. Got a
corporate retreat, family reunion, or wedding on the horizon? Champions Point has you covered. All you need is $1 million, a Wednesday-to-Wednesday schedule, and a willingness to bunk in a house where greatness once walked (and dunked).
What Does Highland Park Think?
It’s hard to tell. Neither the city manager nor Cooper responded to requests for comment. One assumes that splitting a mansion into time-blocked parcels of co-ownership might raise a few zoning eyebrows—or at least some curious glances from neighbors whose homes don’t come with their own personalized number 23 gates. But hey, when the property’s been unsold for years, who’s going to argue against innovation? Will It Work?
The jury’s out. Jordan’s name is conspicuously absent from the branding, likely because licensing the legend’s likeness would add another seven figures to the project cost. What Champions Point lacks in Jordan branding, however, it makes up for in sheer audacity. Co-ownership of luxury properties is a burgeoning trend, but
it’s typically reserved for vacation destinations like Aspen or Malibu—not suburban Chicago.
Still, Cooper is betting big that nostalgia—and a bit of ego—will entice deeppocketed sports fans to pay for proximity to Jordan’s legacy. After all, this is the house where Jordan lived during the Bulls’ dynasty years, the address from which he drove to the Berto Center for practice, and the gym where he probably made a few hundred free throws on lazy afternoons.
The Bottom Line
For a million bucks, you won’t just own a week at a mansion. You’ll own a slice of cultural history, the bragging rights to sleep in Michael Jordan’s old bedroom (though you may want to change the linens), and the ability to tell your friends, “I own a piece of MJ’s house.”
Is it worth it? That’s for the market to decide. But if nothing else, Champions Point is turning the stale saga of Jordan’s mansion into a high-stakes, high-priced game. And in the world of North Shore real estate, that’s a win.
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER NORTH SHORE SPORTS
Poised to capture its second straight North Suburban Conference title, Lake Forest High School’s girls’ gymnastics team aces key midseason test.
Halfway through the girls’ gymnastics season, on the eve of her team’s showdown with Libertyville High School earlier this month, Lake Forest High School (LFHS) coach Brittany Moccia was curious about her Scouts.
How would they perform fresh off winter break?
Who would come up big to make up for the two events that standout sophomore and 2024 state qualifier Lyla Drowne would skip as she nursed a foot injury?
How sharp would the Scouts’ new skills—developed during the break—look to the meet’s judges?
And would several of Moccia’s other athletes be able to overcome aches and pains while executing their routines?
Moccia’s curiosity turned into delight as LFHS edged Libertyville 137-136.1 on January 8. Each squad had entered the dual meet with an undefeated record in the North Suburban Conference (NSC).
Reigning NSC Meet champion LFHS improved to 4-0 in the conference with the defeat of Libertyville High’s Wildcats. The gathering doubled as the Scouts’ Senior Night, recognizing fourth-year varsity members Ella Boudreau and Ava Starks and JV gymnast Brooke Kaiser.
“The win meant a lot to us,” says Moccia, a 2014 LFHS
GYM DANDIES LOOKING UP
graduate and former Scouts gymnast. “It was such an awesome night. Our girls wanted to show off their new skills and stay undefeated.
“This team is driven together at practices and at meets,” she adds. “They’re all also kind and respectful and hardworking. They all get along, root for each other, and care more about the team than their individual results.”
Drowne and classmate Asha Patel qualified for the Il linois High School Association state meet last winter at the Glenbrook South Sectional in Glenview, where Moccia’s crew finished fourth (141.425 points) and Drowne earned a bronze medal on vault with a stellar score of 9.5.
At the state meet at Palatine High School in February, Drowne wound up in 14th place on the uneven bars (9.1), tied for 17th on floor exercise (9.175), and 19th on vault (9.275); Patel competed on bars and floor as a freshman.
“Lyla is talented and consistent and motivates her teammates to be their best,” Moccia says. “Asha seems to get better and better as she adds difficulty to her routines, And she’s showing more confidence and joy. When you add confidence and joy, you perform better.”
The most fun loving of Moccia’s bunch has been junior Mad die Phillips.
“She has,” the coach says, “the best sense of humor. Maddie having fun is infectious; it benefits the team. She’s also crazy-talented, throwing the difficult skills she has. What also makes her such a valuable teammate is her reaction to a fall or a wobble—Maddie never lets it break her spirit.”
Junior tri-captain Taylor Gaston exudes the qualities of a
Highland Park High School’s (HPHS) girls’ basketball team was a tall squad before it warmly welcomed Missouri transfer Miami Martinez at the start of the 2024-2025 season. Martinez, a forward, stands 5 feet, 10 inches, upping the total number of Giants who are that height or taller to six. She and 6-2 senior forward Maddie Reitmayer each average a
“We’re looking to score 140 soon,” says Moccia, whose eighth varsity squad at LFHS includes freshmen Amanda Hough and Adair Westerman. “Our plan, ahead of the start to the postseason, is to be healthy, confident, and ready. There’s so much talent out there, and we’re excited to show what we can achieve against the best teams in the state.”
Height, talent, and a transfer student-athlete pose challenges for opponents of Highland Park High School’s girls’ basketball team.
team-high 10 points this winter.
“Great presence in the paint, excellent rebounder,” HPHS coach Jolie Bechtel says of Martinez, who ranks second among teammates in rebounding (eight per game) to Reitmayer (11). “After a couple of weeks early in the school year, we started check-ins with Miami. She let us know how much she appreciated the team culture and how comfortable she felt around the returning players.
“That’s a credit to her teammates,” she adds.
Other “trees” in the HPHS fold include 6-1 senior Emma Sitati, 6-1 sophomore Esmae You, and 6-0 juniors Reese Crosby and Lea Wilhelmsen.
“Our height,” Bechtel says, “creates tough matchups for other teams,” Bechtel says.
But her post players don’t just protect the rim, alter shots, and cause mounting consternation for the other team during the pre-game warm-up session. Reitmayer handles and distributes the ball like a dependable guard
does and shoots an impressive 87 percent from the free-throw line. And Crosby averages two steals per contest, trailing only sophomore point guard Kourtnie Halperin (three) in that category.
Halperin also paces the team in assists (three per game) and has been the club’s top three-point shooter.
Bechtel’s crew—her 20th at the school—got off to an auspicious start, capturing the Mundelein High School Thanksgiving Tournament title after downing the host school in its fifth game. The Giants, sporting a 9-4 overall record through January 9, played stifling defense in that one, particularly against the Mustangs’ leading scorer, junior guard Casey Vyverman.
The 5-10 Vyverman, who has drawn interest from Division I colleges, netted 24 points in the Mustangs’ 41-35 defeat of Grayslake Central HS at last month’s Blenner Classic at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights.
Right before the start of winter break, the
Giants’ ‘D’ came up with another A-plus effort in a 58-25 defeat of Niles North High School in a Central Suburban League North (CSL North) game. HPHS secured a large enough lead to trigger a running clock in the second half.
Martinez had poured in a season-high 22 points against CSL North foe Vernon Hills High School (VHHS) earlier in December. Reigning CSL North champion HPHS and VHHS were tied for first place in the six-team division with 4-1 records through January 9.
“The girls aspire to win the conference again,” says Bechtel, whose varsity assistants are Sarah Holsen and Ron Abrams. “It’s another strong group, with the additions of Miami and (5-foot-7) freshman guard Emily Calub.
Bechtel’s other hoopsters: 5-8 junior Alexis Peterson, 5-5 senior Anne Regalado, 5-6 sophomore Eden Bernardi, and 5-9 sophomore Lily Sever.
Asha Patel
Miami Martinez
EDITED BY STELLA GRIFFIN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
Growing up with parents who own an art and antique gallery, New York native KYLEE RUDD developed a passion for art and design early in life. These interests led her to earn an engineering degree from George Washington University and an MBA in marketing and strategy from Wharton. Kylee then worked on innovation for Campbell Soup Company in Philadelphia. After a brief, two-year stint in Charlotte, North Carolina, she settled in Glencoe in 2020 with her growing family—which now includes her husband, Ben Singer-Scott, and three children, 9-year-old Chase, 7-year-old Sadie, and 2-year-old Arlo. Despite the demands of shuttling between soccer matches, lacrosse and baseball games, and dance recitals, Rudd is deeply involved in her community. As co-chair of Glencoe PTO’s Social Series, she created the Glencoe Kids Carnival modeled after her elementary school’s “Fun Night,” which include carnival games, a DJ dance party, and a raffle with kid-friendly prizes. As the lead for Moms Demand Action New Trier Township, Rudd is a vocal advocate for community safety. This busy mom and community leader puts down her car keys and clipboard to share how she stays current on the North Shore.
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I primarily read on my Kindle, and I recently devoured The Women by Kristin Hannah. This poignant war narrative follows nurses in Vietnam and their challenging return to a divided America—highlighting the underappreciated contributions of women during wartime. It’s a story that will stay with me for a long time.
#ON MY MOBILE
It’s embarrassing to admit, but I think the most important app on my phone is my calendar. Everyone in my life has their own calendar color—each of my three kids, my husband, my parents, and oh, I’ve got one too! I even keep my to-do lists in my calendar in hopes that my tasks will only take the amount of time I allot. I probably spend more time on Instagram than I care to admit but I love to follow design accounts, auction houses, and keep up with friends near and far.
#IN MY EARBUDS
When I’m not talking on my phone, I’m listening to podcasts. First thing each day, I listen to The Mo News Podcast. I love that they simplify the news and give great insight into what it means and why it matters. As an added bonus, the host is a Stevenson grad who went to my alma mater. I also look forward to the Honestly Podcast by Bari Weiss. She is an excellent interviewer who chooses interesting and timely topics.
TROTTER TRIBUTE
Local chefs come together to pay tribute to the legacy of a North Shore culinary icon.
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS FOOD EDITOR THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Of all the North Shore’s native sons, none made a greater mark on the culinary world than Charlie Trotter. Before his untimely passing at 54 in 2013, Trotter transformed Chicago’s reputation as a global food destination through his groundbreaking work at his eponymous restaurant on Armitage Avenue. Yet his story began right here on the North Shore.
Trotter grew up in Wilmette, attended New Trier High School, and launched his career at Sinclair’s in Lake Forest—training under renowned chefs Norman Van Aken and Carrie Nahabidian. These roots shaped the culinary visionary who would go on to redefine fine dining.
From now through January 26, Trotter’s legacy will be celebrated in a series of sold-out tribute dinners orchestrated by his son, Dylan, alongside acclaimed chef Grant Achatz. The original Charlie Trotter’s space
in Lincoln Park will come alive once more, hosting a special tasting menu that Achatz has been serving at his restaurant, Next, since September.
Achatz, who once worked at Trotter’s, has created a menu that pays homage to the creativity and brilliance of his mentor.
For those who remember Charlie Trotter as both a culinary pioneer, this tribute offers a rare opportunity to relive the magic that put Chicago on the culinary map. For a limited time, the iconic restaurant will not only serve as a memorial but as a celebration of the lasting impact Trotter had on the food world.
Charlie Trotter. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL ELLEDGE PHOTOGRAPHY
WOLF MAN
This Universal release is a “toothless howl at the moon,” according to our new film critic.
BY FELIX MCMILLAN, MAN ABOUT FILM ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
RUNNING TIME: 103 MINUTES
VERDICT: Stylish but muddled, Wolf Man offers flashes of brilliance but ultimately falters under the weight of its own ambition. A missed opportunity to bring fresh life to a classic tale.
Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man, Universal’s latest attempt to resurrect its classic monster canon, arrives under the weight of lofty expectations. Following Whannell’s masterful reinvention of The Invisible Man, there was every reason to believe he might breathe new life—and sharpened fangs—into the werewolf genre.
But instead, we’re left with a film that straddles the line between psychological drama and horror spectacle, ultimately failing to satisfy either camp. It’s an ambitious but muddled effort that forgets one simple truth: good werewolf movies need teeth.
Christopher Abbott stars as Blake, a brooding everyman saddled with a remote Oregon estate after his estranged father’s mysterious death. Seeking a fresh start, Blake moves his high-powered wife, Charlotte (Julia Garner), and their wide-eyed young daughter, Ginger (Matilda Firth), into the family farmhouse.
Naturally, this idyllic retreat soon devolves into a nightmare when Blake is attacked by a feral creature on the property. His subsequent transformations—both physical and psychological—send him spiraling into chaos, threatening to destroy his family as he wrestles with the beast within.
Whannell, so adept at grounding genre films with emotional heft, tries to marry the primal horror of werewolves with an introspective meditation on degenerative illness and suppressed rage. It’s an intriguing premise, and there are moments where this thematic ambition glimmers.
Abbott delivers a raw, visceral performance, convincingly embodying a man unraveling under the weight of his condition. His anguish
is palpable, his terror real. But the film’s insistence on treating its material with such somber seriousness often feels self-defeating. There’s no room for levity, no acknowledgment of the sheer absurdity of its premise. What could have been a clever modernization of lycanthropy as metaphor instead devolves into overwrought melodrama.
Julia Garner, fresh off her Emmy-winning turn in Ozark, is criminally wasted as Charlotte. Her character is little more than a well-coiffed cipher, reduced to fretting over Blake’s erratic behavior and shielding their daughter from his growing volatility.
Matilda Firth fares better as Ginger, bringing an innocent charm to the film’s emotional core, but even her precocious character suffers from thin writing. The supporting cast is equally underserved, with Matthias Schoenaerts in particular reduced to a cartoonish rival werewolf who snarls through a predictably clumsy third act.
What Wolf Man does have going for it is style. Visually, the film is striking, thanks to cinematographer Stefan Duscio’s hauntingly atmospheric lens. The Oregon wilderness is drenched in mist and shadow, evoking a foreboding sense of isolation that matches Blake’s inner turmoil. The practical effects, crafted by Arjen Tuiten, deserve high praise. Blake’s transformation scenes are grotesque and visceral, harking back to the body horror of Cronenberg and the glory days of An American Werewolf in London. Whannell wisely eschews CGI in favor of tactile, flesh-and-blood effects, and the result is both compelling and horrifying. But technical prowess can only carry a film so
far. The pacing, for one, is maddeningly uneven. The first act unfolds at an agonizingly slow pace, straining to establish mood and tension. By the time the claws come out—both figuratively and literally—patience is already wearing thin. Meanwhile, the climax rushes to tie up loose ends with a barrage of predictable action beats that betray the film’s earlier introspective ambitions.
Tonally, Wolf Man is a mess. It flirts with being a highbrow allegory about the fragility of the human condition but lacks the courage of its convictions. At the same time, it’s too self-serious to embrace its potential as a pulpy monster movie. Whannell’s script, co-written with frequent collaborator Luke Dawson, tries to say too much and ends up saying very little. The result is a film that lacks both the emotional depth of a drama and the visceral thrills of a horror flick.
Yet, buried beneath the muddle, there are glimpses of the film Wolf Man might have been. A dinner table scene in which Blake struggles to suppress his animal instincts is a masterclass in tension, balancing horror and dark comedy with finesse. And the melancholic final shot—a quiet, mournful acknowledgment of Blake’s humanity—is genuinely moving. But these moments are too few and far between to redeem the film as a whole.
In the end, Wolf Man is a frustratingly toothless affair. Whannell’s direction and Abbott’s performance occasionally rise to the occasion, but the script’s lack of focus and tonal inconsistencies keep the film from realizing its potential. It’s a howl at the moon that never quite lands, more whimper than roar.
SQUID GAME SEASON 2
RUNNING TIME:
9 EPISODES, 7 HOURS & 7 MINUTES
The highly anticipated second season of Squid Game has finally arrived on Netflix, but fans hoping for another blood-soaked cultural phenomenon may find themselves treading in more familiar, and less shocking, waters. While the series remains visually stunning and conceptually sharp, it struggles under the immense pressure of replicating the novelty and intensity that made its first season a global sensation.
Season 2 picks up with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) determined to take down the shadowy organization behind the deadly games. This new iteration shifts gears, moving from survival thriller to a more methodical, revenge-fueled drama.
The pivot, while intriguing in theory, somewhat dilutes the visceral tension that defined the original. Gi-hun’s transition from hapless contestant to a man on a mis-
WEEKEND POEM
sion is compelling, but it often feels like the narrative is holding back, more interested in building bridges than blazing trails.
Lee Jung-jae anchors the series with his signature blend of vulnerability and resolve, but it’s hard not to miss the ensemble magic of the first season. The new players—while perfectly serviceable—don’t quite pack the same punch. Their backstories feel thinner, their arcs more perfunctory, and as a result, the emotional stakes don’t cut as deeply. Even the games, which are still visually arresting and meticulously crafted, lack the sense of discovery and gut-wrenching surprise that kept viewers on edge in Season 1.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s flair for arresting visuals remains intact. The series continues to juxtapose its whimsical, pasteldrenched production design with the brutal realities of its narrative. The surreal game arenas, once again, look like they were dreamed up by a deranged children’s television host, and the tension in these spaces is palpable. However, outside the games, the pacing sags, and the focus on Gi-hun’s investigation often feels too safe—a missed opportunity to explore deeper, more provocative territory. Thematically, Squid Game still has its sights set on the inequalities and cruelties of modern society, but it no longer feels as
LAKE MICHIGAN IN WINTER
A steel-gray sea, a breath held still,
The hush of snow on dune and hill.
Its waves, once bold, now softly sleep, Beneath a veil both cold and deep.
An artist armed with wind and frost, Carves icy filigree—none lost.
Each shard, each flake, a fleeting thought, Ephemeral as dreams are wrought.
The lighthouse stands, a stoic sage, Through winter’s wrath and stormy rage. Its beam, a whisper, thin and bright, Cuts through the long and brooding night.
Upon the shore, the ice shelves grow, Pale cathedrals born of snow.
A frozen hymn, a silent psalm, To winter's cruel yet aching calm.
The gulls have fled, their cries now faint, The beach a canvas, bare, sans paint.
Yet in this desolation’s spell,
A strange allure, a beauty dwells.
For here, where earth and heaven blur, The cold commands, the heart demurs.
Lake Michigan, in winter’s guise, Holds mysteries beneath its skies.
urgent or audacious. Season 1’s strength was its raw, unfiltered critique of capitalism’s dehumanizing effects, presented through a ruthlessly original premise.
Season 2, by comparison, feels more like an exercise in connecting dots, bridging the shocking chaos of the first season with a more structured but less daring narrative.
Ultimately, Squid Game Season 2 delivers moments of brilliance and tension, but it never quite escapes the shadow of its predecessor. It’s a competent return, but one can’t help but miss the ferocity that made the first season a phenomenon.
BY NICHOLAS ROSS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
ICONIC ISAAC
Restaurateur Isaac Nava renovates his popular Highwood space, La Casa De Isaac & Moishe, but its Mexican fare remains authentic and exceptionally flavorful.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Regular patrons of La Casa De Isaac & Moishe in Highwood have known for years that they have to prepare to squint before entering the Mexican restaurant on Waukegan Avenue.
Owner Isaac Nava’s perpetual smile is that blinding.
“I’ve been told it’s contagious,” Nava says while—you guessed it—smiling. “I smile big when I shake hands and hug my customers.”
The 56-year-old has been counting on those same customers to embrace something else recently—change. Nava oversaw the renovation of his popular space in Highwood last year. Launched in 2008 as a restaurant/grocery store, La Casa De Isaac & Moishe shed its grocery component and unveiled a refreshed layout featuring seating for 120 guests and a private area for events.
But the restaurant’s signature fare, including its enchiladas and gourmet tacos, remains authentic, savory, and must-consumeagain-soon good. And its mission to delight the taste buds of patrons via the soulful food of his native Guerrero, Mexico, is as strong as ever.
La Casa De Isaac & Moishe’s grand reopening in Highwood took place on October 27, with possibly another one scheduled early this year.
“We want to continue to offer outstanding food and service and make sure all who eat here feel comfortable and like the atmosphere, because we all know they have so many other restaurant options,” says Nava, who also owns the La Casa De Isaac & Moishe on First Street in Highland Park. “My employees, I don’t consider them employees. They’re family to me, even though they’re not related to me.
“You treat them like family,” he continues, “and they then treat our customers the same way.”
Nava’s restaurants are closed on Fridays and Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath, a remarkable business decision in the indus-
try given that foot traffic at most restaurants is heavi est on those two days. Then again, it’s also a telling testament to the Nava family’s steadfast commit ment to faith.
Every Sat urday, Nava’s extended family gathers to dine and celebrate Shabbat, Judaism’s day of rest on the seventh day of the week.
Most Wednesday nights in the summer? You can’t miss Nava at Everts Park in Highwood, hollering “Tacos! Tacos!
from the Highwood community and others along the North Shore. I found out right away, after opening our restaurants with my brothers (Moishe, David, and Israel), the people here respect my principles and
“Principles and family,” the Highland Park resident and father of four adds, “are the most important parts of life.”
Raised in Guerrero as the third of Ruben and Florencia’s 12 children, Nava started working for his father at the age of six. Ruben, now 87, ran the produce section at a grocery store and stressed temple, school, and work to his offspring.
religious meeting. Iliana was born in Mexico and had joined her mother in Dallas. Nava, who had moved to Illinois, later invited Iliana to Mount Prospect one summer.
“I’d been living on a couch on the third floor of an apartment,” says Nava, whose first restaurant job was dishwasher at a Big Boy.
“Iliana and her sister came up for a 10-day vacation. I had arranged for them to stay in a room on the second floor. Iliana and I were friends at that point, but on the last day of her vacation, while at a plaza near Palwaukee Airport (in Wheeling), I proposed to her.
“I was shaking. I told her, ‘I have next to nothing but I have love for you,’ and she still said yes.”
Isaac and Iliana got married in El Paso, Texas, in 1995. The ages of their daughter and three sons range from 17 to 27.
Tacos!” to hungry Gourmet Market attendees near the La Casa De Isaac & Moishe booth. More than a few youngsters like to echo the shouts, much to the delight of the magnetic Nava.
“Our restaurants are still kicking,” Nava, smiling widely and brightly once again, says. “I’ll always be grateful for the support
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
“I learned a lot from him,” Nava says. “My father was strict and the hardest worker.”
Nava worked at Once Upon A Bagel in Highland Park for nearly 20 years with his brothers. After he opened La Casa De Isaac in Highwood, it didn’t take long for positive word-of-mouth(watering) reviews to spread, especially about the enchiladas.
“My mother’s recipe,” Nava says of the enchiladas. “They still keep coming back for them. Most of our creations here are my mother’s. When I was young, my mom treated her children to special meals because we had behaved that day. She had such a passion for cooking because she cooked with love. Mom taught us how to cook; we took notes.”
Florencia died in Mexico about 10 years ago. Isaac held her hand as she delivered three final messages to a son whose father forgave him for fleeing Mexico.
“She told me, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing, keep putting good food on the table, and tell your customers that I love them,’” Nava says.
A 16-year-old Isaac, confident and fearless, ran away from home in 1986 and landed in Anaheim, California, where he struggled, having chosen paths that led to “bad companies and bad friends,” he notes.
In 1992 he met his future wife, Iliana, at a
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cheyanne Lencioni, Bill McLean, Felix McMillan, Ben Samuels
I’ll always be grateful for the support from the Highwood community and others along the North Shore. I found out right away that the people here respect my principles and family. John Conatser
Isaac Nava’s restaurants are located at 311 Waukegan Avenue, Highwood, and at 2014 First Street, Highland Park They’re open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Visit lacasadeisaacmoishe.com for more information.
Bachtell, Barry Blitt
From left to right: Forrest Hudson, Kelly Lundin, Rinne Evans, Joanne Hudson, Catherine King, Laura McCain