This spacious, sun-filled home in the desirable Hubbard Woods neighborhood is a must-see! Located on a quiet cul-de-sac this newer construction sits on a generous .34-acre lot (60 x 233). The open floor plan blends style, function, and comfort, with an eat-in kitchen flowing into a light-filled family room with a newly designed fireplace and sliders to the backyard. Outdoor features include a whole-house generator, gas lines to the grill and fire table on the new bluestone patio, and a fenced-in backyard with space for a pool, skating rink, or sports court. The main level also offers a bright living room and formal dining room, both with floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout. Upstairs are four spacious bedrooms with ample closet space. The oversized primary bedroom boasts a walk-in closet and two additional double closets, along with a nicely updated en-suite bathroom featuring both a walk-in shower and air bubble tub. The hall bath has also been recently updated and serves the other three bedrooms. The home also features a generously sized mudroom/laundry room area with direct access to the attached 2-car garage. A walk-in attic offers excellent storage and the potential to expand into another bedroom if desired. The basement features a rec room, 5th bedroom, full bath, and plenty of storage. With easy access to top-rated schools, the train, highway, and town, this home offers the perfect balance of suburban living and convenience.
NORTH SHORE DOINGS
EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
NOW THROUGH 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
NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 25
“KENILWORTH CENTENNIAL HOMES”
WHERE: Kenilworth Historical Society
Explore the history of Kenilworth’s oldest homes and celebrate their architectural significance with a dynamic exhibit that chronicles the evolution of residential development in the village. The homes featured in this exhibit were built between 1889 and 1924. kenilworthhistory.org
NOW THROUGH 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
NOW THROUGH MARCH 22
THE ORCHID SHOW INDIA BLOOMS
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Orchid Show will immerse viewers in the beauty of India. This will include a
floor-to-ceiling peacock, a towering banyan tree, and pigment powders representing Holi all made out of orchids. Tickets are available now. chicagobotanic.org
FEBRUARY 8, 9 & 16
OPEN HOUSES
WHERE: Music Institute of Chicago campuses
Participants are invited to meet Music Institute of Chicago faculty, learn about curriculum, try instruments, and see a range of campuses at four February open houses. Each date will be held at a different location. February 8 will be at the Chicago Campus at St. James Cathedral, February 9 will be at the Lake Forest Campus, and February 16 will be at the Evanston Campus. Visit musicinst.org for the full schedule and to RSVP.
FEBRUARY 8 TO 22
FINDING NEMO KIDS
WHERE: Heller Nature Center
Highland Park Players presents Disney’s FINDING NEMO Kids. Performances are February 8, 9, 15, 16, and 22 at 10 a.m.,11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available online. highlandparkplayers.org
FEBRUARY 9
CHORALE GATHER YE ROUND
WHERE: Nichols Concert Hall
The Music Institute of Chicago’s “Chorale Gather Ye Round” brings multiple choirs and instrumental ensembles together for a grand celebration. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. and is free for attendees. This is the second installment in a four concert series. musicinst.org
FEBRUARY 10
MEET RENÉE ROSEN
WHERE: Highland Park Public Library
Meet Renée Rosen, the
best-selling author of Let’s Call Her Barbie, at a 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Highland Park Public Library. Rosen’s story explores Ruth Handler’s vision for a new doll and how she and her team created Barbie. Books will be available for purchase and the event will conclude with a book signing. hplibrary.org
FEBRUARY 13
THE SILENT SERVICE SPEAKS: USS COBIA & UNITED STATES
SUBMARINE VETERANS
WHERE: History Center Lake Forest Lake Bluff
At 5 p.m. the History Center will welcome submarine service veterans and Wisconsin Maritime Museum volunteers. They will discuss Manitowoc, the WWII Submarine Memorial, the USS Cobia, and more. This program is free and requires registration. A $10 donation is suggested. lflbhistory.org
FEBRUARY 15
CUPID’S AFTERPARTY
WHERE: The Book Stall
At 2 p.m., The Book Stall is hosting a celebration of love and romance with a panel of romance authors. Sara Fujimura, Chandra Blumberg, and Arden Joy will discuss their latest books and sign copies. There will be a raffle for fun prizes, giveaways, and chocolate treats. This event is free but registration is required. thebookstall.com
FEBRUARY 20
ROOTS IN MY ROOTS
WHERE: Highwood Public Library
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sylvia England of the African American Museum at the England Manor will present her research on her connection to the Underground Railroad. highwoodlibrary.org
FEBRUARY 20
PRESUMED GUILTY: AN EVENING WITH SCOTT TUROW
WHERE: The Book Stall
At 6:30 p.m., The Book Stall will host celebrated author Scott Turow to discuss his “new master class in legal suspense, Presumed Guilty Tickets include a copy of the book, which Turow will be available to sign. thebookstall.com
FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 2
GOLDEN HOUR
WHERE: Lyric Opera
The Joffrey Ballet presents Golden Hour, a radiant, mixed repertoire program of warmth and splendor. Performances will be held at 2 p.m. on February 22, 23, and March 1 and 2; and at 7:30 p.m. on February 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and March 1. Featuring world premieres by Dani Rowe and Yuri Possokhov, the return of Cathy Marston, and an audience favorite by Nicolas Blanc, the curated program welcomes audiences in from the cold to experience the light of these four immersive works. Golden Hour will be presented at Chicago’s historic Lyric Opera House. joffrey.org
FEBRUARY 22
ARTS OF LIFE BIRTHDAY
PARTY & BOOK LAUNCH
WHERE: Seven Star Venue Space
Arts of Life celebrates its 25th anniversary with a kick-off event for its new book, 2wenty 5ive–Arts of Life 2000-2025, a retrospective that highlights the organization’s role in supporting artists with disabilities. The book launch event will honor Wilmette resident and arts supporter Cindy Shanker for her commitment to the organization. Located in both Chicago and Glenview, the Arts of Life studio and gallery gives artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership. artsoflife.org
FEBRUARY 23
MIDWEST FRUIT EXPLORERS
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., join Midwest Fruit Explorers for a lecture about tree maintenance and home orchards at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center. Midwest Fruit Explorers is a nonprofit organization of amateur backyard fruitgrowing enthusiasts. New members are always welcome. chicagobotanic.org
FEBRUARY 25
SAVOR AND SHARE COOKBOOK BOOK CLUB WHERE: Northfield Public Library
From noon to 1:30 p.m., join this adult program escaping into the world of cuisine. Check out one of the spotlighted cookbooks, try some recipes, and bring a dish to share. Smitten Kitchen is the featured book for this month. Registration is required. wnpld.org
MARCH 13
VIETNAM WAR LITERATURE DISCUSSION WHERE: History Center Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Join Lake Forest College Professor Dr. Benjamin Goluboff at 5 p.m. for a presentation connected to a current exhibit at the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff titled Returning Home From War. Goluboff’s talk will discuss international writing about the Vietnam war, including the homecoming theme. It will include works by Tim O’Brien, John Balaban, and Larry Heinemann among others. This program is free but registration is required. lflbhistory.org
To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.
The Silent Service Speaks: USS Cobia & United States Submarine Veterans
BY BILL MCLEAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
GEORGE PFOERTNER NORTH SHORE SPORTS
POINTING UP
Regina Dominican’s basketball team—a selfless squad helmed by a passionate, caring coach— captures its first Independent School League title.
Regina Dominican High School (RDHS) junior forward Olivia Frater rigo exercised her right index finger often in a basketball game last week.
Not while shoot ing.
Nor while passing.
The 5-foot9 Panther put the digit to good use after making a shot, pointing it at a teammate who had delivered the assist throughout RDHS’s 53-39 defeat of host Deerfield High School (DHS) on January 29. Fraterrigo netted six shots in all and finished with 12 shots, second among team mates to unflappable junior
points via
tics—a teammate’s good pass and, in a way,
cluding five three-pointers in the first half, against DHS’s Warriors. Junior forward Anna O’Connor paced the Panthers with five assists, followed by Cerrado and junior guard Jillian DeFranza with three apiece. Fraterrigo dished a pair of assists.
“Passing is one of our strengths,” says RDHS coach Bob Newton, who guided the Panthers to a fourth-place showing at the Class 2A state tournament last winter.
“We like to share the ball, and our best possessions are usually those when four or five of our players touch the ball.”
Newton’s crew plays the game the right way, even during breaks in action. Watch the team’s bench area after a player gets pulled for a substitute. Newton and his assistants, along with every bench player, stand to greet the player returning to the bench.
“Our coaches are the best,” says DeFranza, who scored 11 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds at DHS. “When we had a not-so-good practice one day, they told us, ‘You probably have a million things on your mind, not all having to do
CLARE’S FLAIR
with basketball, and that’s okay.’ They care about us and they understand what we’re going through as student-athletes.
“We’re not just basketball players to them.”
RDHS sophomore guard Grace Byrne and sophomore guard/forward Bridget Conway had strong games off the bench vs. DHS, scoring six and five points respectively. Conway also came down with three rebounds and had two deflections and a steal.
“Those two have great wingspans and put them to good use in games,” Newton says.
Panthers sophomore guard Judy Fabianski scored only two points in the nonconference game at DHS but had quite an impact at the other end of the floor, deflecting four passes and securing a trio of steals.
“Our record doesn’t matter,” says Newton, who, from day one of the season, is all about making sure his team is fully prepared for the first playoff game. “Our mentality after each game is, ‘Let’s try to be 1-0 after our next game.’”
Loyola Academy’s girls’ basketball team—the reigning Class 4A state champion—continues to net lots of wins behind its potent backcourt corps, including creative Clare Weasler.
Jeremy Schoenecker didn’t shoot a basketball at Glenbrook South High School (GSHS) last week, but Loyola Academy’s girls’ basketball coach made two good points after his team’s 71-50 victory in Glenview.
“It was hard going 38-0,” he said of the record his Class 4A state championship team produced last winter.
“And it’s been hard going to 25-2,” Schoenecker added, referring to his Ramblers’ overall record through January 30.
But his hoopsters made the game look ABC easy against GSHS’s Titans (18-8), nailing a whopping 13 three-pointers and getting a crowd-pleasing, left-handed scoop layup through traffic from junior guard Clare Weasler in the first quarter.
Call it “The Scoopy.”
Weasler would finish with 20 points, 18 in the first half, and snare a team-high eight rebounds. Guards normally don’t come down with that many boards in a game. But the
5-foot-6, nose-for-the-carom Weasler does so regularly.
“She and (junior guard) Marycait Mackie both play way taller than their height,” Schoenecker said. “They’re active and they work hard.”
Loyola Academy (LA) senior guard Aubrey Galvan, an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-State selectee after the 2023-2024 season, toiled effectively from long-range terrain, draining six three-pointers en route to a team-high 24 points. The Vanderbilt University signee and Weasler each hit a trio of treys in the second quarter, when the Ramblers steadily took control by outscoring a game group of Titans 26-14.
A pair of third-quarter free throws from LA senior guard Nora Emerson capped a 10-0 run in a two-minute span and upped the Ramblers’ lead to 59-37 at the 4:28 mark.
LA’s crisp passing and stifling help defense proved too formidable for GSHS.
“We all love to play together,” said Weasler, a sophomore who played like a clutch senior in the Ramblers’ 43-40 defeat of William Fremd High School in a Class 4A state semifinal last March. “’Playing as one’—that’s our motto.”
LA senior forward Grace Bronski fell three rebounds shy of a double-double, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds against the Titans. Sophomore forward Emily Naraky contributed seven points, and senior guard/ forward Hannah Naraky hit a three-pointer and elevated for seven rebounds in the second half.
“There are people out there who think, ‘Loyola must be down, with two losses,’” Schoenecker said, alluding to setbacks to Whitney Young High School (51-34 on December 8) and Class 3A power St. Ignatius College Prep (49-43 on December 13).
“We’re not down.
“We’ve been playing very well against a tough schedule.”
Q & A with New Trier Township High School swimmer STUART
Wondering what New Trier Township High School (New Trier) senior swimmer and University of Southern Californiabound Stuart Timmerman, a Kenilworth resident, thinks about as he stands atop a start block before a race? Or what he loves to eat for breakfast on meet days?
We caught up with the five-time state medalist during a break in New Trier’s home dual vs. Glenbrook North High School on January 31, after the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Timmerman had won the 50yard freestyle in 21.79.
Why swimming?
I’d also played soccer, basketball, and tennis as a kid. What I especially liked about swimming is that it’s so competitive, and it’s satisfying, kind of addictive, to beat seven others in a race.
What is going through your mind as you await the start of a race on a block?
Nothing. My mind goes totally blank. And I don’t hear anything until I hear the start beep. At that point I’m relying on instinct and the fact that I had put in all the hard work to be as prepared as possible.
Do you have any superstitions?
I do have a routine on the day of a meet, in that I eat the same thing—two eggs over
WEEKEND POEM
easy, an English muffin, and fruit. Mom (Brooke) makes breakfast for me. She’s a phenomenal cook.
Was there a moment when you realized New Trier swimming coach Josh Runkle is an effective coach?
I’d been adjusting from club coaching to high school coaching freshman year when I was favored to win the 100-yard breaststroke at the conference meet. I didn’t win it. Josh then told me, “What you do in your next race, the 400-yard free relay, will show what you’re made of and will give you the chance to reveal your resiliency.”
It’s March 1, the second day of the state meet in Westmont. What would you like to be doing as you and your teammates head to the team bus?
Smiling with all of them, as someone is carrying a top-three trophy. We lost six of our top nine swimmers to graduation last year. Nobody thought we’d be as strong as we are now; we’ve exceeded expectations. Regardless of where we finish at state, I know we’ll be proud of our team effort. I’ll also look back at my memorable four years in the program. New Trier swimming is tradition-focused, which is why there’s an LTT—Live The Tradition—sign in our locker room.
BY NICHOLAS ROSS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
I walked the edge of ruin’s shore, my footprints swallowed by the tide, each step a whisper of regret, each wave a debt I could not hide.
The wind, a choir of all my failings, sang dirges through the hollow air, and love, once firm beneath my hands, lay fractured—silent, stripped, and bare.
Yet in the hush where sorrow lingers, a softer voice, like dawn’s first light, unwound the chains I’d forged in darkness, and called me back from endless night.
Not by right, nor earned redemption, but mercy’s hand, unscarred, outstretched— a love that bends but does not break, that gathers all I have transgressed.
I stand before the flood made clean, my name still spoken, not erased, and where I feared the sky was empty, I find the arms of love embraced. No words can weigh what grace has given, nor measure mercy’s boundless sea— but if the heart can speak repentance, then let my life now speak for me.
BY
Speaking with JH Philanthropy founder and CEO Julie Hoffmann, one thing is clear: Her passion is finding your passion and shaping it into a strategic, impactful philanthropic plan. “I really see myself as a human bridge between philanthropists and the lasting impact they want to achieve in the world,” she observes.
Eschewing polished industry speak or slick marketing messages, Hoffmann gets “real” with clients, asking the unfiltered questions that get to the heart of any person’s raison d’être: “What are the critical social issues that truly resonate with you? What makes your soul come to life?” And “When you lie down at night, what gives you a sense of pride?”
By going deep with clients from the getgo, Hoffmann establishes the level of raw honesty, respect, and acceptance necessary to build trust—and to help each person unearth and claim their unique legacy. “I strive to reflect this level of vulnerability and authenticity in all of my interactions,” says Hoffmann, adding, with a laugh, “Frankly, I don’t know how to show up as anything but myself, quirks and all!”
Understanding the human desire to leave an impact is universal, but the “to whom, with whom, and how” is unique to each philanthropic family and led Hoffmann to found JH Philanthropy (JHP) in 2019.
The recognition of this need came during Hoffmann’s 15-year career leading nonprofits and foundations. “Nearly every family or foundation I encountered in my work faced different challenges and had singular interests. It was very clear to me that a cookie-cutter approach simply would not suffice.”
Today, whether guiding individuals, multigenerational families, private foundations, or corporations in bringing their legacies to life, Hoffmann and her team recognize the individuality of each person they encounter, and the importance of helping everyone feel involved. Hoffmann explains, “Making something everyone can be part of, and understanding what each person and each generation wants to get out of it—no matter their passions or family dynamics—is key.”
“For clients, the path to creating a giving plan usually starts with two ‘w’s and an ‘h’: Why are we doing philanthropy? What kind of impact or engagement do we want to have? And how (with what structure, strategy, and grant administration) are we going to make it happen?”
“Many families don’t think they need much structure or governance, but an effective philanthropy ecosystem is truly a business to be set up and should be treated as such,” explains
Hoffmann. “It’s important to have clarity around issues such as how you will make grant decisions, how you will communicate with each other and nonprofits, and how you plan to measure, and scale, results.”
Hoffmann and her team can help clients through these steps. And, once the JHP team and the family have aligned on a plan, JHP can help run it–from the nuts and bolts of grant administration to serving as a liaison for the family with nonprofits, grantees, and the community.
JHP calls itself a “nonprofit-centered philanthropy advisory” because “no matter what approach different clients take with their philanthropy, we always aim to center the perspective of the nonprofit leaders and the constituents they serve, leading to greater impact,” Hoffmann notes. Therefore, JHP prioritizes clear and respectful communication with nonprofits to achieve more dynamic and authentic partnerships.
Many clients find JHP during transition points in life, such as a liquidity event or a significant wealth transfer. “This could be a married couple who has sold their business and wants to expand their social impact, or a
account for diverse communication styles, and establish practices that lead to civil discourse and mutual learning. All, so we can create an environment that encourages collaboration and social impact.”
Once a giving vehicle has been established, Hoffmann and her team stay in close contact to ensure goals are met, keep tabs on satisfaction levels, and meet regularly with clients and their grantees. Through it all, clients’ philanthropic goals, the nonprofit landscape, and the families continue to evolve.
The JHP team stays abreast of these changes by creating customized objective rubrics to evaluate possible grantees and giving practices that align with each client’s values. “One family may prioritize economic mobility, for example, while another may focus on climate change or democracy,” says Hoffmann. “We treat their passions like our own.”
Looking ahead, Hoffmann says the blessing of a world filled with opportunity and generosity brings with it the challenge of increased demand. JHP just doubled the size of its team, launching operations in Dallas and San Francisco, in addition to its home base in Chicago, but will still have to say no to some potential clients. “We never want to become cookie-cutter advisors,” Hoffmann sums. “We want to continue delivering bespoke, highimpact work for our clients, ensuring that they know they have a trusted advisor by their side through thick and thin.”
family with four generations and 50 members living across the country struggling to reach consensus.”
In each situation, the goal is to help clients come together to understand the roles philanthropy and wealth play in their lives. “We assist them in dreaming up and building a philanthropic ecosystem that honors their legacy, acknowledges diverse interests of family members, and fosters collaboration across generations,” she explains.
Engaging the next generation in family philanthropy is key for Hoffmann. Take, for example, a family four generations deep with an 80-year-old patriarch, his siblings, their kids, and their kids’ children. As the wealth creator, the patriarch is thinking about his legacy but is also worried about whether his family is aligned with his philanthropic vision. His siblings are perhaps more concerned with setting their children up for success, and the third and fourth generations have completely different priorities and values and may not be excited about giving at all.
Navigating all of this, JHP’s job is to design a philanthropic vehicle that the family could engage with and coalesce around. “Plus,” says Hoffmann, “we understand family dynamics,
Respect for others is rooted in Hoffmann’s life. Experiences as a child volunteering with her sister and mother, helping to build a recovery house for formerly incarcerated women while she was in college, teaching kids to read and write in the Dominican Republic, and serving as a Peace Corps Community Health Volunteer all shaped her perspective. “Those early experiences—especially seeing how my mom engaged with everyone she spoke to as if they were the most interesting person in the world, whatever their background, shaped a lot of who I am and what I do now,” says Hoffmann.
Hoffmann feels incredibly fortunate to be part of this work. “In a single day, we might discuss initiatives like a two-generation scholarship program to increase educational access and economic mobility, or work on making Chicago the first diaper-need-free city. We might meet with our giving circle clients, make connections for a nonprofit leveraging technology to increase access to food pantries, and work with a group of foundations on increasing access to funding for their grantees. And then we will lead a session for young family members on best practices for foundation governance and budgeting. It’s truly a dream to be involved in and facilitate these efforts.”
For more information, visit jhphilanthropy.com.
BRIDGE TO LEGACY From PG 1
MONICA KASS ROGERS
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
Julie Hoffmann. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP
HOPE IS
Cancer. It’s a word no one wants to hear. But 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. At City of Hope® , our women’s cancer experts understand that female cancers pose unique challenges to women of all ages. Our team is focused on diagnosing and treating breast and reproductive cancers with the deep compassion that puts you and your needs first — personalizing treatment plans right down to a patient’s DNA.
City of Hope is serving the Chicago area with locations in Lake County, Downtown Chicago and our newest North Shore location in Morton Grove, which opened in November 2024.
Helping children and families has been a focus of Lake Forest’s KAREN ANDERSON since she was a teen. In high school, she taught religious education and coached girls’ basketball and in college, she helped those on welfare navigate legal and fiscal challenges. During her years working at Deloitte, she tutored underserved children and worked to beautify common urban spaces. Being introduced to Allendale Association “was a blessing” expresses Anderson, who embraces the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the Illinois children who need it most. Allendale Association is a nonprofit child welfare agency based in Lake Villa, dedicated to the care, education, treatment, and advocacy for disadvantaged youth. As the President of Allendale Women’s Board, she is busy planning the new fundraiser Après Ski-Aspen, taking place February 22 at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest. The indoor/ outdoor party will bring the beloved post-ski celebration to Lake Forest with cocktails and champagne, fire pits, and VIP yurts paired with a menu designed by chef Paul Kahan of One Off Hospitality. “Allendale focuses on healing and growth,” she explains. “The school believes in every kid until they can believe in themselves.” To learn more, visit allendale4kids.org or follow @allendalewomensboard on Instagram.
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
The Power to Get Things Done by Steve Levinson, Ph.D., is proving to be a wonderful reminder of the ways in which we can still influence our world. If you want to see more good, then do good. If you want to see more harmony, then find a way to be more harmonious. I highly recommend it!
#ON MY MOBILE
@helenleland is one of my favorite accounts to follow. She talks about women’s health and wellness in an authentic way and offers tips, recipes, and resources. Her Costco shopping clips are my favorite!
#IN MY EARBUDS
In a world of opinionated media, I find Katie Couric to be a gem. Her Next Question podcast speaks to buzz-worthy topics in an informed, well-rounded way that allows the listener to form their own opinions. I just finished her “Living in an Age of Grievance with Frank Bruni” episode. It reminded me of how important it is to remember lessons learned through history.
EDITED BY REDDING WORTH ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
NO ADDRESS
This compelling new film is a heartfelt exploration of humanity’s unseen corners.
In a cinematic landscape often dominated by capes, explosions, and convoluted plot twists, No Address emerges as a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling rooted in reality. Directed by Julia Verdin, this compelling drama delves into the lives of individuals who find themselves navigating the harsh realities of American homelessness, weaving a narrative that is both heartwrenching and uplifting.
RUNNING TIME: 110 MINUTES
VERDICT: No Address is a cinematic triumph that shines a light on the overlooked corners of society. With stellar performances, masterful direction, and a narrative that resonates deeply, it's a film that demands to be seen—and felt.
The film introduces us to Lauren, portrayed with remarkable depth by an as-yetundiscovered talent. Orphaned at a tender age and later cast out from foster care upon reaching adulthood, Lauren's journey is a stark depiction of how easily one can slip through society's cracks. As she meanders through an unforgiving urban landscape, Lauren encounters a motley crew of fellow souls adrift: Jimmy, a runaway escaping domestic torment; Harris, a war veteran grappling with his past; Dora, a former actress battling mental health demons; and Violet, another veteran ensnared by addiction. Together, they form an unconventional family, bound not by blood, but by shared adversity and the innate human desire for connection.
William Baldwin delivers a standout performance as Robert, a once-successful businessman whose life unravels due to a gambling addiction. His portrayal is nuanced, capturing the internal conflict of a man torn between ambition and redemption. The supporting cast, including Ashanti, Xander Berkeley, and Beverly D'Angelo, bring authenticity to their roles, each adding a unique layer to the narrative tapestry.
Verdin's direction is both sensitive and unflinching, shedding light on the systemic issues that perpetuate homelessness without resorting to didacticism. The screenplay, inspired by true events, avoids melodrama, instead opting for a raw and honest portrayal of life on the streets. The dialogue is crisp, often laced with humor that provides much-needed levity amidst the prevailing gloom.
Visually, No Address is a treat. The cinematography captures the stark contrast between the bustling city and the hidden enclaves where the homeless seek refuge. The use of light and shadow serves as a metaphor for the characters' internal struggles, with moments of brightness piercing through the darkness, symbolizing hope and resilience.
The film's pacing is deliberate, allow-
ing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the characters' journeys. Each scene is meticulously crafted, contributing to a narrative that is as engaging as it is enlightening. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from Grammy-winning artists, complements the storytelling, evoking a range of emotions that linger long after the credits roll.
One of the film's most commendable aspects is its commitment to authenticity. The characters are multi-dimensional, portrayed with dignity and respect. Their stories challenge preconceived notions about homelessness, highlighting the
diverse circumstances that can lead to such a predicament. The film also underscores the importance of community and compassion, illustrating how small acts of kindness can have profound impacts.
No Address is more than just a film; it's a call to action. By humanizing an often marginalized population, it encourages viewers to look beyond stereotypes and recognize the shared humanity that binds us all. It's a timely reminder that, in a world obsessed with material success, true wealth is found in empathy and connection.
No Address is set to release in theaters nationwide on February 28.
BY FELIX MCMILLAN, MAN ABOUT FILM ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
A new Netflix series offers a bittersweet brew of lies, influence, and consequences.
RUNNING TIME: 110 MINUTES
VERDICT: Apple Cider Vinegar is a sharp, unsettling exploration of the modern wellness industry and the seductive power of social media. Anchored by Kaitlyn Dever’s mesmerizing performance, the series is a cautionary tale that lingers long after the final frame. Stylish, provocative, and thought-provoking, this is a limited series worth savoring.
Premiering earlier this week, Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar serves up a gripping fictionalized account of a wellness empire’s meteoric rise and devastating collapse. Loosely based on the true story of Belle Gibson, the infamous influencer who faked a cancer diagnosis to sell wellness products, the limited series offers a biting critique of social media’s role in fostering deception and the cult of self-made gurus.
Kaitlyn Dever shines as Callie Gibson, the charismatic yet deeply flawed protagonist whose life is a carefully curated performance for her millions of followers. Dever captures the intoxicating allure of Callie’s personality while gradually revealing the darker forces of insecurity and greed that drive her manipulations. Her portrayal is nuanced and electric, giving depth to a character you can’t look away from—even when you desperately want to.
Shot in Melbourne, the series contrasts idyllic, Instagram-worthy backdrops with the increasingly suffocating interiors of Callie’s private life as her empire begins to crumble.
The cinematography underscores the dichotomy between the polished, perfect world Callie sells online and the messy, desperate reality behind the scenes.
Produced by See-Saw Films (The Power of the Dog) and Picking Scabs, the show delivers its message with sharp precision. Its writing balances dark humor, emotional tension, and social commentary, holding a mirror up to our collective obsession with curated perfection. Social media is as much a character as the protagonist, functioning as both a platform for Callie’s rise and a catalyst for her fall.
While Apple Cider Vinegar succeeds in peeling back the glossy surface of influencer culture, it occasionally loses steam in the middle episodes, with some scenes feeling redundant. However, the series redeems itself with a finale that refuses to offer neat conclusions or easy forgiveness. Instead, it leaves viewers grappling with hard questions about accountability—not only for Callie but for the platforms, followers, and systems that enable such deception to flourish.
ME TIME
BY THERESA DEMARIA
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scott glazer
GREEN BEANS ALMONDINE
BY MONICA KASS ROGERS FOOD EDITOR
Gathering a bundle of fresh green beans the other day, the bright scent wafted up and I thought, “Green. That scent is the color green.” And there’s a reason for that. Studies in neuroscience have shown that cross modal associations in our brains link visuals with the sense of smell and affect our perception of colors. But whether your brain luxuriates in fresh green associations when you see a green bean or not, your tastebuds will love this recipe. This classic French preparation combines green beans blanched in salted water to squeaky doneness, with butter-browned shallots, garlic, and slivered almonds. A spritz of lemon and sprinkle of zest is the bright finish. Note: While past literature may have warned you off boiling veg, the quick blanch in salted water ensures the beans will keep their color and nicely seasons them inside and out.
SERVES 4 TO 6
INGREDIENTS
• 1 lb fresh green beans or slim French haricot verts
• 1/4 cup salt for boiling water
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup untoasted sliced almonds
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced OR substitute one small very thinly sliced yellow onion
• 1 large or 2 small garlic cloves, very finely minced to make 2 tsp
• Zest and 2 tsp juice from one fresh lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
PREP VEGETABLES Snip off and discard stem ends of beans. Set beans aside. Peel and discard skins from shallots. Thinly slice shallots. Set aside. Finely mince 1 large or 2 small garlic clove(s) to make two teaspoons.
READY BOILING WATER Place 4 quarts of water in a large pot over high heat. Add 1/4 cup salt.
COOK SHALLOTS & GARLIC While the water heats up, in a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 Tbsp butter. Add sliced shallots and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook another 2 minutes until shallots are translucent and golden. Scoop shallot garlic mixture into a small bowl, leaving melted butter in pan. Add almonds and brown in butter, stirring until toasted and golden. Stir shallots and garlic back into the skillet. Remove from heat.
BLANCH GREEN BEANS When water has come to a rolling boil, add green beans and blanch for four minutes until green beans are cooked al dente, and squeak when you bite them. Pour green beans into a colander. Add green beans into the skillet with the shallots, garlic, and almond. Turn heat to medium and briefly sauté until beans are tender. Add lemon juice and zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
THE SAFETY CHANCE
Former Chicago Bears defensive back and current Loyola Academy Assistant Athletic Director Mark Carrier is as appreciative as ever for having received the opportunity to enter the field of sports administration at the Wilmette school six years ago.
BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT
Nobody in this weekend’s Super Bowl matchup between Kansas City and Philadelphia intercepted 10 passes in the regular season.
Loyola Academy Assistant Athletic Direc tor Mark Carrier accomplished that lofty and National Football League-leading feat in 1990—as a Chicago Bears rookie free safety, no less.
“I didn’t think that was a big deal,” says the 56-year-old in the middle of his sixth year at the college preparatory school in Wilmette.
But a panel of members of the Associated Press who regularly cover the league certainly did, voting Carrier the National Football League Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Carrier played for the Bears until 1996 and for Detroit (1997-1999) and Washington (2000) before serving mostly as a defensive backs coach for three NFL teams from 2006-2015.
So, it would be easy to assume, Carrier must have joined former Loyola Academy football coach John Holecek’s varsity staff and later Beau Desherow’s group of varsity assistants as a defensive backs guru. Loyola Academy, by the way, is the three-time reign ing Class 8A state football champion.
“No, no, no,” says Carrier, who, with his wife of nearly 30 years, Andrea, raised son Mac, 28, and daughter Lexi, 26. “I’m a behind-the-scenes guy during the football season here. I’ll watch film of games, but I only talk to our players if they come to me with questions or ask for advice.
“They know my door is always open.”
A few years after the final season (2015) of his stint as defensive backs coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, Carrier—selected as one of the Top 100 Bears in franchise history in 2019—heard from a Chicago-area friend who thought Carrier and a sports administration position at a prep school would be a good fit.
The friend was spot-on.
The Mark Carrier-Loyola Academy con-
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Long Beach Polytechnic High
had started as a high school player.”
Before the start of his first Chicago Bears training camp in the summer of 1990, Carrier’s first date with his future wife was a movie.
“I think we saw Die Hard,” he says. “What I do remember was meeting her at the theater and holding one of those big brick cell phones. Remember those? Andrea looked at it and asked, ‘Why did you bring that?’ I couldn’t answer that because I didn’t know.”
The couple will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary on February 18.
“She’s beautiful and a great mother,” Carrier says of the Waukegan native. “And Andrea has been incredibly patient with me all these years. She’s aces.”
pe Award winner in 1989 as the nation’s top defensive back
Academy. They’ve put me in a good position to succeed. I’m a big believer in, ‘Everything happens for a reason.’
“Genevieve,” the Northbrook resident adds, “is an ex-athlete, a teacher, and a mother. She gets it, gets that what we do here is all about the development of students at a special school that’s also truly a community.”
A funny-turned-serious moment involving Carrier and his mother, Marie, occurred shortly after his Bears rookie season in 1990.
“Mom called me from California and asked, ‘What are you doing?’ Carrier, who played football at the University of Southern California (USC), recounts. “I told her, “I’m
“There’s more USC memorabilia at my home than NFL memorabilia,” says Carrier, who had originally committed to play college football at Notre Dame before a conversation with USC graduate and former Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals defensive back Dennis Thurman changed his mind. “I loved everything about my college football experience at USC, from the school itself to the atmosphere on game days to my teammates, and I enjoyed building on the foundation I
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cheyanne Lencioni, Bill McLean, Felix McMillan, Redding Worth
Speaking of aces, Andrea’s husband carded a hole-in-one at Glenview’s North Shore Country Club in the mid-1990s.
Mark Carrier plans to watch the Super Bowl either at home or at his in-laws’ abode in Wadsworth. He has connections with a trio of assistants who get to work in New Orleans on Sunday: Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Philadelphia cornerbacks coach Roy Anderson, and Kansas City offensive line coach Andy Heck.
Carrier, Fangio, and Anderson coached together as assistants for the Baltimore Ravens, and Heck suited up for the Bears as an offensive lineman from 1994-1998.
“I like it to be fairly quiet when I watch the Super Bowl each year,” says Carrier, whose longtime friend, rapper and Long Beach native Snoop Dogg, will host this weekend’s NFL Honors in New Orleans.
Come Monday, Carrier will be back at work at Loyola Academy, greeting colleagues and students in the hallways and, if asked, breaking down what happened in the Super Bowl.
“So many people have been good to me at Loyola Academy,” Carrier says. “They’ve put me in a good position to succeed. I’m a big believer in, ‘Everything happens for a reason.’
“I’m here, at a wonderful school, and I’ll always be grateful that the good Lord gave me this opportunity.”
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART
George Pfoertner, Katrina Wittkamp
Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION
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