Highland Park’s Colleen Spector has channeled a heart for customer happiness into high-flying success at Southwest Airlines. pg16
-Corrie Ten Boom
Elktoberfest
The North Shore ®
JUST BOUGHT & SOLD WITH CORY ALBIANI
“Cory is the best! This is the second time I’ve used his services (four if you count buying AND selling). Starting with Cory’s considerable marketing and brokerage skills, he generated a lot of interest in my home and we had a quick sale! He interacts with people in the best manner, even when discussing difficult or stressful issues. Cory is also very skillful dealing with the back end of the home sale, dealing with inspections, attorneys, lenders, contractors etc. The buyer requested a 15-day closing and Cory was instrumental with making that happen. Even better, he’s the kind of guy you like being with! He helped me so much!
I highly recommend Cory.”
—Lauri Hanson (Fort Sheridan)
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NEWS
8 north shore doings
Your go-to guide for all the latest local events this month
12 fiesta ravinia
Julieta Venegas makes her Ravinia debut on Sunday at Fiesta Ravinia, a day-long family celebration of Mexican culture and arts
LIFESTYLE & ARTS
14 #hashtag
Jim Carris of Lake Forest takes time from his busy campaign schedule to share how he stays current and on trend
18 the thicket
Juliette Lewis and Peter Dinklage star in this misguided nouveau western about a villain named Cut Throat Bill
20 north shore foodie
This after-school snack recipe for gluten-free sour cherry and almond bars is perfect for sharing
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
22 sunday breakfast
Winnetka's Peter Chatain bows for an Olympic medal and gets down on one knee for a proposal in France
EDITORIAL INQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO EDITORIAL@NSWEEKEND.COM
Ravinia
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 14 TO
NOVEMBER 1
STORYTIME ADVENTURE
WHERE: Mellody Nature Farm Preserve
Calling all children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers! Join Lake Forest Open Lands for an hour of fun exploring Mellody Farm Nature Preserve from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Friday. Kids will explore through stories, songs, and hiking. Each week they’ll read a new story and explore the prairie, wetland, and woodland. You are welcome to drop off your child or join for the duration of activities. lfola.org
SEPTEMBER 14
GOODFEST 2024
WHERE: St. John’s Wilmette
From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy an evening of music from Antler Chandelier and Tributosaurus while enjoying mouthwatering BBQ. Tickets are $30 if purchased prior to the event and $40 at the door. All proceeds benefit Family Promise, North Shore, a local cause that provides resources for families who are without a home. This is a family fun event and kids under 12 are free. eventbrite.com
SEPTEMBER 14
DECADES FEST
WHERE: The Lot Hop in the DeLorean and get ready to travel back in time for Decades Fest. Attendees can expect to get their groove back with performances of iconic hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, a delicious assortment of onsite vendors, and a decadesthemed drone show at the end of the night. Visit Rock N’ Rags from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pick up a “Decades of Music” sticker card and embark on the interactive trail
through downtown Highland Park businesses collecting totally rad stickers. Completed sticker cards can be redeemed from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a $10 coupon to participating businesses, and all redeemed cards are entered into a drawing for a grand prize basket valued at $500 (guests must be present to win). Music will perform from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. enjoyhighlandpark.com
SEPTEMBER 14
GORTON'S BIRTHDAY
BASH DOG DAY
WHERE: Gorton Center
Parking Lot
Join the Gorton Center for its PAWSOME Annual Dog Day happening during its Birthday Bash weekend. This beloved event has been taking place for years and not only brings community families together with their furry friends but entertains big time. Come for fun activities with your "best friend" including games, face painting, a costume contest, dog treats, and more. Music will be provided by the School of Rock. Food vendors include Left Bank and Donut Jester. This event is free. Sign your pup up at gortoncenter.org soon so they know who is attending!
SEPTEMBER 14 TO 15
ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE
WHERE: Lake Forest Library
Lake Forest Library’s 48th Annual Used Book Sale runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s sale will have a 25 percent off for teachers, first responders, and active duty with IDs. The final day will have books selling for 50 percent off on everything. lakeforestlibrary.org
SEPTEMBER 14 TO OCTOBER 6
RIGOLETTO
WHERE: Lyric Opera Chicago
Enjoy an evening showcasing Giuseppe Verdi’s sensation, Rigoletto. Sung in Italian with projected English titles, the breathtaking piece is based on Victor Hugo’s play. Composer Music Director Enrique Mazzola, a muchacclaimed Verdian, brings astounding intensity to the story of Rigoletto, a court jester who is tragically consumed with the vengeance of his daughter Gilda’s dishonor. lyricopera.org
SEPTEMBER 15 & DECEMBER 8
RANDOLPH STREET MARKET
WHERE: Highland Park Community House Randolph Street Market celebrates its 21st anniversary with two remote “Vintage Shindig” events held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The popular Chicago festival brings more than 40 indoor and outdoor vendors to Highland Park, including artists, housewares, fashion, makers, and food. The lively event will offer an ultra-curated, high-quality selection of antiques, vintage and modern goods for fall, and winter fashion and home décor with a focus on indoor living spaces. Treasure hunters and entertainmentseekers alike will be delighted by the live DJ, fun cocktails, appetizers, and more to enjoy throughout the day(s). Tickets are on sale now for $10 and kids under age 12 are free. randolphstreetmarket.com
SEPTEMBER 15 & OCTOBER 20
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT GUIDED WALKING TOURS
WHERE: Ravine Bluffs Subdivision
Explore the third largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright homes with these Glencoe Historical Society guided walking tours. These society-led tours begin at 2 p.m. and will cover the history of Wright’s work in
Glencoe, the Ravine Bluff’s subdivision, and the preservation of the relocated Wrightdesigned cottage. Reservations are required and tickets are $30 per person or $20 for members. Reservations can be made on the society’s website. glencoehistory.org
SEPTEMBER 18
ANNUAL COOK’S TOUR
WHERE: Winnetka
Join the Auxiliary of the Woman’s Board of RUSH University Medical Center for its 53rd Cook’s Tour. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., guests will tour five premier homes and gardens on the North Shore, celebrating home design, personal style, and generosity. A lunch will be held after at Pomeroy at 11:30 a.m. in Winnetka. The event will conclude at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are required for the tour and luncheon. There will also be a raffle guests can purchase tickets for. nscookstour.org
SEPTEMBER 18
ALL BY MYSELF
WHERE: Evanston Public Library
From 1:30 p.m. to 2:10 p.m., children who are ready to attend a story program without their parents or younger siblings are invited to a special story time. There will be songs and crafts for “big kids in training.” Registration is required and this program will be held in the Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room. epl.org
SEPTEMBER 18 & 25
ADVENTURE CLUB
WHERE: Highwood Library
From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., the library will be hosting a fun activity each week ideal for kids ages 5 and up. Children ages 4 and under may participate with a guardian. highwoodlibrary.org
SEPTEMBER 19
GO GREEN WILMETTE
BIRD HABITAT WORKDAY
WHERE: Gillson Park
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., join Wilmette Go Green to work with and learn about native plants. Participants are required to wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Bring gardening gloves and drinking water. Tools are provided by the Wilmette Park Dis-
trict. This event is for all ages. wilmettepark.org
SEPTEMBER 21
NORTH SHORE UMC
RUMMAGE SALE
WHERE: United Methodist Church From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., come for the bargains and fun in Glencoe. United Methodist’s Rummage Sale will feature a variety of high-quality goods at low prices. Departments include women’s and men’s clothing, children’s clothing, books and toys, housewares, furniture, linens, holiday décor and art, sports/gardening equipment, books, and much more. Cash or credit are both accepted. northshoreumc.com
SEPTEMBER 22
DOGGIE DIP
WHERE: Glencoe Beach Bring your four-legged friends to the beach from noon to 1 p.m. for a whole lot of doggone fun! Watch the dogs swim in Lake Michigan while enjoying the company of other dogs. This event is
Chicago at the Millennium: Paintings by Jill Jeannides
Chef Thierry Lefeuvre
Continued from PG 8
free and a great chance to socialize the dogs and try something new. All dogs must be on leash. glencoeparkdistrict.com
SEPTEMBER 22, 23 & 29
MELODY! ORION
ENSEMBLE CONCERT
WHERE: Music Institute of Chicago, Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston Orion Ensemble’s 32nd season begins with Melody! These three performances welcome frequent guest violist Stephen Boe and features Max Bruch’s Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op. 83; Franz Schubert’s Trio in B-flat Major for Violin, Viola and Cello, D. 581; and Antonin Dvorák’s Quartet in E-flat Major for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 87. Performances are September 22 (Aurora), September 23 (Chicago) and September 29 (Evanston). orionensemble.org
NOW THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 22
THE CHICAGO ALLIANCE OF VISUAL ARTISTS
ANNUAL MEMBER SHOW
WHERE: North Shore Art League
The Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists (CAVA) will hold its annual show on the first and second floor galleries of the North Shore Art League (NSAL). More than 100 works of art will be displayed. During the run of the show, there will be a Learning Symposium from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on September 22. The Symposium will feature two speakers sharing their experiences. Everyone is welcome to attend and an RSVP is required for both events. RSVP emails can be sent to events@wearecava. org. Non-members can pay the $10 admission fee for one or both events through PayPal.
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22
LOST & FOUND
WHERE: Chicago Botanic
Garden
Experience plant conservation success stories through art and science at Chicago Botanic Garden through September 22. Engage in hands-on experiences, art installations, After Hour Buzz events, and other engaging activities inspired by restoration stories of plants once lost and forgotten. Original art pieces will be on display throughout the garden including “A Summer Journey,” “Gleanhouse and Prismatic Landscape,” “Color Writing,” “Rhizomatic,” and “Through The Eye of the Unicorn.” These pieces represent conserving what has been lost over the years through development, natural disaster, and expansions. Tickets are included with the cost of admission. chicagobotanic.org
SEPTEMBER 23
LOST RESTAURANTS OF CHICAGO
WHERE: Northfield Library
Revisit the gone but not forgotten restaurants of Chicago from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. With this adult program, Greg Borzo dishes out course after course of fondly remembered fare, from Maxim’s to Charlie Trotter’s and Trader Vic’s to the Blackhawk. Registration is required and seats are limited. Enjoy food, drink, and history in the Northfield Community Room. wnpld.org
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24
SUNSET YOGA
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve Immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s (LFOLA) Mellody Farm
Nature Preserve while relaxing into a gentle, restorative yoga session that will incorporate breathwork and mindfulness. All abilities are welcome! Instructor, Ana Holland Krawec, is a certified 200 RYT instructor, a Reiki healing master, and Sudarshan Kriya Breathwork
instructor. This program is for adults only and takes place Tuesday evenings. lfola.org
SEPTEMBER 26
SIT & KNIT
WHERE: Northfield Public Library
Spend the afternoon with fellow knitters in the Community Room at Northfield Public Library. From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. adults of all levels of experience are welcome. Basic supplies will be provided and library staff will be present to assist. Registration is required. wnpld.org
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26
FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS
WHERE: Ravinia District Food Truck Thursdays continue in downtown Ravinia through September 26. A variety of food trucks and vendors will sell their wares from 4:30 p.m. until dusk each Thursday night throughout the summer. These evenings will also include live music, food,
Center hosts its 2024 Fall Benefit: A Night in the White City—themed after the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The evening will feature a sit-down dinner, cocktails, live music, and inspiration. Funds raised will support The Woman’s Board Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at RUSH. thewomansboard.org
SEPTEMBER 29
KENILWORTH WALKING TOURS
WHERE: Kenilworth Train Station
Order of the Tartan, or Patron and enjoy a gourmet picnic dinner provided by LFOLA. lfola.org
OCTOBER 4 TO 6 THE GREAT HIGHWOOD PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
WHERE: Downtown Highwood
beer, and wine tastings from local restaurants. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine on a picnic bench in Jens Jensen Park. Each Thursday will feature a different theme of music and its respective performers. enjoyhighlandpark.com
SEPTEMBER 27
100TH ANNIVERSARY
GALA
WHERE: Community House
Celebrate North Shore Art League’s 100th anniversary at 6 p.m. with a festive gala, held on the second floor of the Community House in Winnetka. Enjoy libations, live art, music, and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are on sale now. northshoreartleague.org
SEPTEMBER 28
RUSH FALL BENEFIT: A NIGHT IN THE WHITE CITY
WHERE: Palmer House Hilton, Chicago
The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical
The Chicago Architecture Center’s popular Kenilworth Walking Tours have returned. Explore the history of the earliest homes and buildings in the village designed by renowned Chicago architects. Tour attendees will also learn about Joseph Sears’s vision for Kenilworth and the architect who helped him bring his suburban ideal to life through their designs. The 90-minute tours start at the Kenilworth Train Station and end at Kenilworth Historical Society. Tickets can be purchased on the Chicago Architecture Center’s website. Members of the Kenilworth Historical Society are eligible for discounted tickets at $10 each. Contact the historical society for this promo code. kenilworthhistory.org
Celebrate Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s (LFOLA) annual fall tradition with games, activities, and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy a complimentary donut from Firecakes Donuts. Feel the warmth of the community bonfire and gather to watch Highland games and the procession of the marching pipers on the field. Pack a dinner and refreshments and be a part of the community picnic. Alternatively, join this fundraising event as a Grand Tartan,
The annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival returns! This year’s beneficiary will be Kids Rank, a nonprofit that benefits military children. To reflect this, the skeletons that decorate the streets of Highwood will be dressed up as characters from superhero movies. Highwood will also be looking to break the Guinness World Records for the longest line of pies of 2209 set in 2021. They will be partnering with military chefs and other local bakeries, restaurants, and groceries to make pumpkin pies. They will be donated to nonprofits after the festival. In addition to this, there will be live music, a variety of food vendors, costume contests, and carnival rides. elebratehighwood.org
NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 6
CHICAGO AT THE MILLENNIUM: PAINTINGS BY JILL JEANNIDES
WHERE: Friendly Community Gallery
Acclaimed Lake Forest artist Jill Jeannides passed away unexpectedly in 2021, leaving behind a captivating collection of art now managed by her family. An exhibition of Jeannides’ work titled “Chicago at the Millennium” will showcase paintings of Chicago at the turn of the last century. These works include Grant Park, the Loop, and Ukrainian Village, and are all available for purchase. jilljeannidesart.com
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
Julieta Venegas makes her Ravinia debut at this weekend’s eighth annual Fiesta Ravinia, a day-long family festival of Mexican culture and arts.
Mexican pop star Julieta Venegas headlines the eighth annual Fiesta Ravinia—Ravinia’s celebration of Mexican independence—on Sunday, September 15.
Known for her versatility in poprock-indie music in Spanish, Venegas will make her Ravinia debut to close out the evening with a performance on the Pavilion stage.
Fiesta Ravinia promises a vibrant daylong festival of Mexican culture, live music, and family-friendly activities.
La Santa Cecilia, a pop/rock sextet based in Los Angeles, is set to make its own Ravinia debut with a set in the Pavilion before Venegas takes the stage. The band draws musical inspiration from across the globe, utilizing Pan-American rhythms from Colombian and Mexican cumbia, bossa nova, rhumba, bolero, and tango and marrying them to rock, soul, R&B, jazz, and more.
Performances by Sonia De Los Santos, as well as Lake County students from the Sistema Ravinia orchestra program of Reach Teach Play, are scheduled in the festival’s Carousel Stage across the afternoon. The family event will also feature lively performances around the park, including Mariachi Estrellas of Waukegan and Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago in the Martin Theatre Plaza (just inside Ravinia’s main entrance), as well as the return of Lucha Libre Internacional to a wrestling ring on the North Lawn.
A special presentation across the afternoon and into the evening of this year’s Fiesta is “Spirit Animals”—an exhibition of alebrije-style sculptures by renowned artist Emanuel Zarate of Patibulario Art & Craft. It will be Ravinia’s first showing dedicated to this fantastical, brightly colored Mexican folk art form. This unique collection will be displayed in the Santa Fe Tent, offering festival-goers an immersive
experience that celebrates the rich cultural heritage and artistic mastery of Zarate’s work as it blends tradition with contemporary artistry in a stunning tribute to Mexican folklore, beauty, and fragility.
Throughout the day, Fiesta-goers can also enjoy face painting by A Hardy Party at the Northern Trust Tent and a specially curated menu in the Ravinia Market and Café at the Dining Pavilion—plus churros from Lupita’s Bakery as well as food trucks from La Cocinita and Cafe Tola offering a variety of options in the festival’s Picnic Grove.
The park opens for the special festivities at 2 p.m. on September 15. The mainstage show begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets to Fiesta Ravinia include all festival activities, attractions, and the main-stage concert.
For more information and the full schedule, visit ravinia.org.
Julieta Venegas
Affordable Luxury Pre-Owned Vehicles
BY REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt. As a dad, I am concerned with the rise in mental health issues with our youth. My own daughter truly struggled in high school and my wife and I did everything to the best of our ability to help her, but I still have more to learn. This book focuses on this critical issue and how we can best help our youth as parents and as a society.
#ON MY MOBILE
Reading the news is the first thing I do when I find a moment of free time, and the best way to do that is to hear from various sources, so I am constantly tapping between my different news apps. My main apps are the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s, The Wall Street Journal, AP News, CNN, Fox, and Apple News. I also check in on sports scores and sports news.
#IN MY EARBUDS
Audio books and podcasts are great for when I am in the gym or driving to the office (one of my favorites is The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series), but when I’m home, we always have music playing. On Sundays after church, I make pancakes for my family and we listen to everything under the sun. Some of my favorites include “Hey Ya!” By Outkast, No Doubt’s “It’s My Life” by Gwen Stefani, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, and “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, which reminds me of my wife Kimberly.
Lake Forest’s very own JIM CARRIS is blazing the campaign trail for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District alongside his dedicated and amazing wife and three children. The son of a Greek immigrant, Carris is a businessman, attorney, and life-long District resident who is taking his legal and business experience from boardrooms to people’s living rooms to learn more about the needs of his neighbors. He took a moment between campaign stops to tell us how he stays current on what’s going on in the zeitgeist while on the road.
EDITED
624 Pine Lane, Winnetka $6,350,000
Welcome to this magnificent custom home by Morgante Wilson, set on a picturesque 9/10 acre lot on private Pine Lane, close to schools, town, and train. This thoughtfully designed home blends creativity and style for all ages. The inviting entrance hall leads to a cozy library with a fireplace, and sets the stage for the ambiance within. The spacious family room, featuring a saltwater aquarium and fireplace, flows into a fantastic kitchen with a huge island and top-of-the-line appliances. An adjacent private office overlooks the property. Enjoy year-round comfort in the four-season porch with its own fireplace. Upstairs, the second floor boasts six bedrooms, including a primary suite with a fireplace, luxurious bath, and private open-air porch. Four additional bedrooms share two Jack and Jill baths and a computer workstation. The third floor offers a versatile retreat with a second family room (or guest bedroom), a spacious deck, a full bath, and an office with a living and work area. The lower level is an entertainer’s dream featuring a media area, billiards room, play area, entertaining kitchen, pool bath, and storage. This level also includes a pool and spa, a 20’ sport court, and an exercise room. The lush grounds, designed by Eiserman and Associates, feature beautifully planted flower beds, expansive ground and patios for outdoor relaxation. Additional highlights include a three-car attached garage, an extra attached one+ car garage, and energy-efficient geothermal heating and air conditioning. This perfect home in an idyllic private setting offers a rare blend of comfort and elegance in a prime location. Come home!
BY JOE
There are few industries as compelling or complex as the airline industry. Tens of millions of customers are shuttling through the sky above us bound for destinations as diverse as Albany, Amarillo, and Aruba, 24/7/365. This ceaseless ballet of technology and logistics is hard to fathom until you slow down to think about it.
It takes a certain type of person to thrive amid the chaos and competition of the business—someone who can see through all the contrails and find the silver linings. Enter Colleen Spector. Born in Libertyville, educated at Purdue, and now living with her family in Highland Park, Spector was recently elevated to a Senior Leader role at Southwest Airlines, supporting the company’s East Coast sales team of 17 members. It’s Spector’s fourth promotion in five years. Clearly, she found her place at what is now the largest U.S. airline, serving the most air travelers domestically.
An earlier role in the hotel business opened Spector’s eyes to the power of corporate hospitality and illuminated her path to the airline world.
“I just found it so interesting that these major companies—the Googles, Amazons, and McDonald’s of the world—were spending hundreds of millions of dollars every year on airplanes, hotels, food, and meetings to drive their business,” Spector says. “Business travel supports every industry globally. What an underline on the power of this. Taking care of these business travelers to keep economies and businesses going.”
Spector credits her ability to successfully manage different roles and hit critical revenue targets to her belief in the power of “And.” To achieve success, Spector believes that it is important to remove the selfimposed barriers we sometimes place on ourselves. It’s possible to be young and lead a team with perspective. Or to be a dedicated mom and fully committed corporate leader. When the invisible boundaries disappear, it becomes possible to succeed at things that seem to intrinsically oppose one another. It was a lesson she learned in her first job out of school, running food and beverage for a private management company in Ohio.
she recalls, “because I was a 22-year-old leading people who were 20-plus years older than me. That experience taught me if you’re willing to be humble and listen and do the hard work alongside everybody else, you can earn respect. That’s where I learned I can be young and be influential. I can be new in my career and still have a bit of wisdom about what we need to improve the process. I started understanding there’s this duality that exists here.”
briefcases and laptops, its commitment to the corporate segment has not waivered and is climbing back to pre-pandemic levels. According to Spector, the same things that leisure travelers love about Southwest are what the airline brings to the business sector. “Being on the road can be stressful. And you have a lot of choices,” she says. “So, the way you feel on the road can impact not only your health and happiness as a business traveler, but that also translates into how you
experiences have a significant impact on their readiness to perform for work. Spector says Southwest has long recognized this importance, and that’s why they emphasize laughter and fun as part of the air travel journey.
“You have to experience the product because it’s really difficult to understand an intangible like hospitality or the feel of our gate area when agents are making it fun and saying, ‘thank you,’” she explains. “Those things are not a part of a contract. It’s part of the heart of who we are. And that’s always been the case going back to the ‘70s.”
Customer service became a linchpin of the company not long after it was founded by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King as an intrastate Texas airline in 1971. Kelleher, the company’s late CEO, was famous for his no-bull witticisms, including many on the topic of service. “The essential difference in service,” he once said, “is not machines or ‘things.’ The essential difference is minds, hearts, spirits, and souls.”
Spector lights up when she talks about the culture of the airline, now nearly 75,000 employees strong, because she believes the values of the founders still course through the company. (Including those of Southwest President Emerita Colleen Barrett, a pioneer in airline customer service known as the “Queen of Hearts”). Spector says Southwest places a strong emphasis on the happiness of its workers, and when employees are happy and supported, they perform better. It’s a point of view that meshes well with her training in hospitality at Purdue and her upbringing in general.
“I am very much a stereotypical oldest child. I am a people pleaser,” she says. “I have a high level of responsibility. I want to make sure everybody’s cohesive. I also really have a respect for service. I think that was part of my Catholic school upbringing [she attended high school at Carmel] . . . it was service work, volunteering at nursing homes, Girl Scout troops, all of those things.”
Witnessing Spector’s fast ascent within the Southwest culture, it feels natural to ask where Spector sees herself going next.
“This power of ‘And’ really came into play,”
On the topic of duality, Spector is specifically responsible for growing Southwest’s business travel, which exists alongside its well-known footprint in leisure travel. While the airline that strives to bring “heart” to travelers may not immediately suggest
show up for your group, which affects your profitability and how successful you are.”
A recent white paper by independent research group Festive Road commissioned by Southwest found that 91 percent of business travelers believe that airline and airport
“I’m proud of where I’ve gotten and of my success. I want to be a role model for my kids and have them know that I’m choosing this because it makes me feel proud of myself and the work we are doing. I want to have an impact,” Spector says. “I feel whole at the end of my day. I fall asleep overflowing.”
WHEELS UP From PG 1
ROSENTHAL THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Colleen Spector
northshoreexchange.org
Gold Standard Auctions is partnering with the non-profit North Shore Exchange to invite clients to bring in their gold and silver coins and other collectibles for appraisal and potential cash offers. We will be paying the highest prices for these items.
We are interested in:
• Gold and Silver Coins
• Fine Art A percentage of all sales will be donated to North Shore Exchange
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 10-4 900 Shops 900 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60611
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 10-4
North Shore Exchange 1100 Central Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 10-4
North Shore Exchange 372 Hazel Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022 • Fine Watches • Fine Jewelry
THE THICKET
This nouveau western stars Juliette Lewis as a villain called Cut Throat Bill and Peter Dinklage as a bounty hunter hired to save her latest victim.
BY REX REED
RUNNING TIME: 1 HOUR, 45 MINUTES
RATING: 2 stars
The search never ends for ways to make old genres like cowboy movies look fresh and different. To this purpose there is a shoot-em-up called The Thicket. No cowboys here, but it’s still a western, with plenty of shooting. Call it a nouveau western, which means more psychology than action, and fewer saddle horses than arty rock formations.
One thing is the same: there’s no plot to write home about, slim hope for a happy ending, and among a multitude of characters, a parade of villains that outnumber the heroes.
When their parents die from small pox, Jack Parker (Levon Hawke) and his younger sister Lula (Esme Creed-Miles) are escorted by their grandfather to a ferry that will take them to the home of a guardian aunt. But before they can cross the river, a vicious bank robberserial killer called Cut Throat Bill (played by a woman, Juliette Lewis) kills Grandpa, kidnaps Lula, and drags her off to a remote landscape called The Thicket.
The boy enlists the services of a bounty hunter called Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage) and his accomplice, an ex-slave who digs graves for a living, to track down Cut Throat Bill and save his sister from a fate worse than death. (In addition to murdering half of the populace, Bill
is also something of a pervert. She takes great pleasure forcing her terrified lady prisoner to strip, then curls up in her arms by the fire while she sleeps. Other female captives who refused Bill’s advances in the past, we are told, ended up with body parts strewn across the prairie.)
On the journey to find Lula, Jack lands in a brutal fight in a town brothel and rescues a prostitute named Jimmie Sue (Leslie Grace), who joins the three men on their search and does her share of the killings.
To pass the time and justify the film’s nearly two-hour length, director Elliott Lewis and screenwriter Chris Kelley concentrate on loading everyone with enough oddball characteristics to convince jaded viewers who hate westerns that they are watching something unique. The bounty hunter is a dwarf whose father sold him as a freak to a carnival show for $40 and two goats when he was just a child; his pride and joy is a rifle he drags around that was a gift from Annie Oakley.
The film’s most outrageous and consistently interesting character is the savage Cut Throat Bill, played with evil, cackling glee by Juliette Lewis. Addicted to licorice, she slaughters everybody who has any, sucking and chewing her way through every scene—covered with scars,
scowling with a septic grin, and speaking in a voice that sounds like a slow-moving tractor wheel. She’s over the top, but even though this is not the kind of movie that shows actors off at their best. It is the kind of film an actor can easily steal just by being hammier than everyone else—a job she manages quite well.
People speak in crude, clipped grunts, the dialogue blurred, along with the action and all muted attempts at character motivation, and time frames meld uncomfortably. In one scene, Lula searches for a trace of plant life in the primitive west while a man in goggles flies by on a motorcycle, decades before the invention of the engine. It all plays out in a vast, snowy wasteland that is no phony setting. When the horses snort, the air fills with steam from their breath. There’s a lot of bloody action to satisfy the director’s for photographing red blood splattered on white snow. It looks as bleak as it should and in spite of its pointlessness, there’s always something visual to admire.
By my calculation, only two cast members are still alive at the end of this movie and I won’t reveal any spoilers about who they are or where they’re going, although I’m not sure what it is anyone could spoil about The Thicket
ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
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BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
If there’s one back-to-school element that helps soften kids’ daily-learning routine, it’s coming home to share a tasty after-school snack with buddies. Made with almond and gluten free flours, sour cherry jam and crunchy chopped almonds, these tender treats are a great alternative to the PBJ bars in your recipe collection. The flavor of the almond and cherry perfectly complement one another.
SOUR CHERRY ALMOND BARS
INGREDIENTS
• 2 sticks butter (1 cup) softened to room temperature
• 1 Tbsp butter or solid shortening to grease the baking pan
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
• 1 cup almond butter, stirred well to remove lumps
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1 1/2 cups gluten free flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup sour cherry jam
• ¾ cup chopped blanched almonds
METHOD
In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment on medium speed, beat butter with sugar until fluffy for 3 minutes. Add egg, almond butter, and vanilla and beat again until smooth. Add flours and baking powder and mix again until no streaks remain, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated well.
With the oven rack in the center position, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or shortening. Line the pan with parchment paper cut large enough to allow an inch to extend over both of
the long sides of the pan. (You’ll grip the extensions to lift the bars out of the pan after baking.) Lightly grease the parchment paper. Smooth 2/3 of the batter into the pan. Spread cherry jam over the batter. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter all over the jam, leaving little gaps between. Sprinkle chopped blanched almonds over. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Remove pan from oven and be sure to cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Grip the parchment paper extensions and carefully lift to a cutting board. The crumb of these bars is very tender and light, so use care when slicing. Slice and serve warm, or, cover well and refrigerate before serving.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
MAKES 1, 9X13 PAN OF BAR COOKIES
RARIN’ TO ROW
Winnetka’s Peter Chatain is already eyeing a quest for a 2028 Summer Olympic medal—after earning a bronze medal in men’s eight rowing at last month’s Summer Games in Paris.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
The staging of the Olympic Games has been dubbed the “Five-ring Circus” for its frenetic showcase of sporting events and because the Games’ symbol is five interlocking rings.
Five days after helping Team USA capture the bronze medal in men’s eight rowing at last month’s Summer Games in Paris, Winnetka native and 2018 New Trier Township High School graduate Peter Chatain turned his attention to an entirely different kind of ring—the one he gave to his girlfriend, Briana.
“We got engaged in France,” Chatain, 24, says. “She thought I would propose to her on a beach, but I surprised her.”
Chatain asked the big question on the bridge leading to the Mont Saint-Michel monastery on which the castle featured in the animated Disney movie Tangled was based.
Briana said yes, or maybe oui to widen Peter’s smile.
Upon his return to the United States as a decorated athlete and a future groom, Chatain discovered he is the protagonist in Peter’s Big Race, an 11-page children’s book with illustrations depicting what he and his crew mates accomplished at the Vairessur-Marne Nautical Stadium in northern France on August 3. His colleagues at Ello, a San Francisco-based startup, published the book and presented a copy of one to him at work.
Chatain is a machine learning engineer at Ello, an AI reading tutor and book delivery service for struggling readers ages 4-8. Now a resident of Alameda, California, and an Ello full-timer, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Chatain worked as a part-timer there while training for the 2024 Olympics.
“We weren’t sure we’d be able to medal after competing at the qualification regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland (in May),” Chatain recalls. “We decided to stay there and race the same course at the World Cup II, where we won one race and almost won another.
“We then liked our chances as we trained for the Olympics.”
Rielly Milne served as Team USA’s coxswain in the men’s eight in Paris, with Chatain joining rowers Pieter Quinton,
Near the end of the race, when my legs were on fire with about 400 meters left, I thought deep down inside that we’d win.
Evan Olson, Chris Carlson, Clark Dean, Christian Tabash, Nick Rusher and Henry Hollingsworth. Coach Casey Galvanek’s oarsmen won an Olympic preliminary heat six days before the A Final, where they finished third behind the Netherlands and the gold medalists from Great Britain.
Great Britain clocked a victorious time of 5 minutes, 22.88 seconds, which was 1:04 seconds ahead of the Netherlands and 2.4 seconds faster than Chatain’s boat in the 2,000-meter race.
“We wanted to get off to a quick start and count on our sprint (the last 500 meters),” Chatain says. “Many believe the best strategy in rowing is to start fast and maintain a comfortable lead for as long as possible. When you’re behind for most of
a race, with your back to the leader, it can get demoralizing because you’re not sure how far behind you are. Near the end of the race, when my legs were on fire with about 400 meters left, I thought deep down inside that we’d win.”
The bronze was the United States’ first medal in the men’s eight since 2008, and the 17th medal overall in the event, the most of any nation.
“We all were happy after the race, but we didn’t jump out of our boat and start a crazy celebration,” says Chatain, who has been named to five national rowing teams. “The goal had been to take the gold. Plus, at that point, a lot of guys were on the verge of blacking out. I remember giving and receiving a lot of back slaps in our
boat. We knew we did the best we could’ve done.
“What made that day particularly special for me was seeing my parents (Chris and Kim) in the crowd during the medal ceremony. They have done a lot to support me.”
Dad Chris, a collegiate All-American sailor, came close to becoming an Olympian, placing third in the Flying Dutchman class at the 1968 Olympic Trials. When his son was 12, he signed him up for a Michigan summer rowing camp for boys who were 13 and older.
“My dad,” Peter says,” told the camp’s staff that I was big enough to handle whatever I’d have to do. I got to compete in relay races. It was fun. I liked rowing right away. I remember being told, ‘Pace yourself!’ after recording a (1 minute, 30-second) split—an elite time. People cheered me on, but I couldn't hold that pace very long.”
A 6-foot-4 Chatain, who had also competed in hockey, showed up among about 70 other freshmen for rowing tryouts at New Trier in the fall of 2014. The number stressed him out, and he wasn’t thrilled about having to run nearly three miles for stopwatch-gripping coaches, but he made the team, received a rowing scholarship from Stanford University three years later, and earned the PAC-12 Conference Rower of the Year honor in 2021.
A Mathematics major, Chatain—while getting his master’s degree in Computer Science at Stanford—helped the school’s rowing program finish eighth at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in 2023.
“I got checked in hockey as a New Trier freshman and injured my thumb,” Chatain says. “I couldn’t row for two weeks. I asked myself, ‘What am I doing?’ That was when I decided to stop playing hockey.”
He has no plans to cease rowing.
Peter and Briana are thinking of planning for an early 2026 wedding. The future husband will row, row, row hard afterward, vying for another shot at gold at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Count on a sequel to Peter’s Big Race.
A video of the men’s eight rowing final at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris can be found on YouTube, “Team USA snags bronze as Great Britain holds over Netherlands for men’s eight gold.”
