P O W E R F U L. P O S I T I V E. C O N N E C T I O N S.
CH I C AG O A N D B E YO N D
THE GREEN ISSUE
Celebrating Sustainability
#THE LIFE WE SHARE FIND JOY AND S HARE IT WITH OTH ER S
Spring into Vacation LAKE GENEVA STYLE
2018 EVENTS WALWORTH COUNTY BUSINESS EXPO & JOB FAIR April 24
LAKE GENEVA RESTAURANT WEEK June 3-10
CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Every Thursday in July & August
ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS PARADE December 1
For a more complete listing of all events in 2018 please go to WWW.VISITLAKEGENEVA.COM/EVENTS
More than a place to stay.
A place to play!
Overnight package with a hand-picked selection of spa services and a $50 dining credit. Start planning today. GrandGenevaWellSpa.com
THE MIDWEST’S PREMIER VACATION DESTINATION
GrandGeneva.com Lake Geneva, WI | (800) 558-3417
Call (866) 915-4224 and mention code IEWUC to save! Holiday Inn Club Vacations® at Lake Geneva Resort 7037 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 holidayinnclubvacations.com/lakegenevarst
18-MRP-0641
BEST. GETAWAY. EVER. Just for Girls
Make a splash with fun-filled amenities and spacious one- and two-bedroom villas in the Wisconsin countryside. Enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, two golf courses, onsite dining and more.
P ROMOT I ON
NORTHSHORE ONCOLOGY EXPERTS DELVE DEEPLY INTO CANCER GENETICS
CANCER SEEMS TO TOUCH ALL OF US THESE DAYS. THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN CIRCLE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND A FEW FACES LIKELY COME TO MIND. Dr. Bruce E. Brockstein, MD, Medical Director at NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Kellogg Cancer Center and Dr. Thomas A. Hensing, MD, a Kellogg Cancer Center thoracic specialist.
The statistics support that sentiment: In 2017, more than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast, lung, prostate, colorectal and melanoma rank as the most commonly diagnosed cancers. With cancer, it’s easy to get caught up in the statistics and different treatment options which can result in a lot of fear and anxiety, according to Bruce E. Brockstein, MD, Medical Director at NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Kellogg Cancer Center. “Our patients are more than their cancer,” explained Dr. Brockstein. “That’s why NorthShore provides a very individualized approach for each patient and creates a treatment plan tailored to their medical needs as well as their lifestyle. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.”
to delve more deeply into the genetics of each person’s type of cancer, matching treatments with protocols that work best for what’s happening at the genetic level. “The value of this personalized approach is that it shortens the time from diagnosis to treatment, and ultimately improves patient outcomes,” said Thomas A. Hensing, MD, a Kellogg Cancer Center thoracic specialist based in Evanston. The role of personalized medicine and genetics is only one example of Kellogg Cancer Center’s approach to care. As a teaching affiliate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore also is on the leading edge of new research, offering patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials on promising new treatments and medication.
LATEST TECHNIQUES AND APPROACHES
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE AND A PERSONALIZED APPROACH
NorthShore’s on-site molecular and surgical pathologists use next-generation DNA sequencers to analyze tumors on a genetic level for complex cases. This approach allows Kellogg Cancer Center clinicians
At NorthShore, each patient is supported by a collaborative team that provides care at every stage, from diagnosis to developing a treatment plan to ongoing care and support.
The multidisciplinary team includes: • Surgical Oncologists • Medical and Radiation Oncologists • Geneticists and Genetic Counselors • Pathologists • Radiologists • Oncology Nurses • Oncology Pharmacists • Psychologists • Social workers • Nutritionists “Patient care is always our top priority,” said Dr. Brockstein. “We strive to deliver the finest cancer care and best outcomes possible—including the latest immunotherapies, which tap into the patient’s own immune system to fight the disease. At the same time, we provide a comfortable, soothing environment to ensure patients’ emotional and social needs are always addressed.” If someone close to you receives a cancer diagnosis, try to stay calm. Part of why cancer seems more common now is because physicians can diagnose it much earlier. Through ongoing research and clinical trials, they also can treat it better than ever before. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center at (847) 570-2112, or northshore.org/cancer
DNA holds the key to fighting your cancer. Cancer care for what’s next. At NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center, we know everyone’s cancer is unique. So we’re using DNA to unlock the secrets to fighting yours. We have leading experts in a wide range of cancers—including breast, lung, colon and prostate, as well as rare and uncommon cancers. Our molecular and surgical pathologists analyze the genetic makeup of your tumor and work with our team of specialists to design therapy that’s unique to you and your cancer. At NorthShore, we’re pushing the boundaries of cancer care to help you fight back.
northshore.org/cancer (847) 570-2112 Kellogg Cancer Center
Contents
MARCH /APRIL 2018
42
Features 42 Chicago’s Eco Champions Our city’s fiercest environmental crusaders.
56 The Year of the Vegetable Top Chicago restaurants where produce rules the menu. 8 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
TODD ROSENBERG
50 Domus In Horto An incredible Wilmette home—in a garden.
Sp r i n g t i m e . . . The End Of Winter And The Beginning Of New And Wo n d e r f u l O u t d o o r Ad ve n t u r e s .
T h e Wa y To B e g i n . . . In A New Mercedes-Benz F r o m Au t o h a u s o n E d e n s . FOR OVER 45 YEARS, AUTOHAUS ON EDENS HAS PROUDLY SERVED GENERATIONS OF CHICAGOLAND FAMILIES. COME IN NOW FOR EXCEPTIONAL PRICING, FINANCE AND LEASE OFFERS ON OUR ENTIRE LINE-UP.
New 2018 GLE
New 2018 GLC SUV
New 2018 GLS
The SUV Standard In Its Class
AUTOHAUS ON EDENS… WE DRIVE YOUR DREAMS.
Mercedes-Benz at Autohaus on Edens
1600 Frontage Rd. • Northbrook, IL 60062 1 800 NEW BENZ • autohausonedens.com
(On the Edens Expressway between Willow & Dundee)
Contents Your Chicago
30 Politics Ten questions for the 2018 Gubernatorial candidates. 32 Green Living Our fight against climate change. 34 Fashion MIB’s Sustainable Style Awards. 36 Conversation Actress Sarah Paulson gets real. 38 Reading List Eco-conscious coffee 101. 40 Finance Fresh advice on impact investing.
Destinations 63 Go An Insider’s Guide to Hawaii
Out & About
63
36
69 Calendar Things to see and do in Chicago and beyond. 75 Theater Editor’s picks: the hottest shows in town. 77 Dining Guide The very best restaurants around. 84 Better Makers Our community champions and their incredible impact.
34
Chicago Home 91 Backstory One of the city’s greenest pads. 97 Seconds A luxury home that floats. IN EVERY ISSUE 16 Editor’s Letter 18 POV 20 Impact, Amplified 21 Connect 22 New in Town 98 Reflections
HOME SWEET GARDEN Together with their architect, an ecoconscious Wilmette couple design a home that brings the outdoors in. See it in full bloom on page 50.
10 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
91
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: KYLE FLUBACKER; HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY; RAFA; ANDREW MILLER
27 Currents St. Patrick’s Day, Chicago parks, and cool new digs.
MARCH /APRIL 2018
BOTTOM DECK. TOP DECK. ALL DECKED OUT.
Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers everything you’ll need for a one-of-a-kind experience: best-in-class service, elegant interior salons, magnificent open-air city views, and more. Choose from six unique, private yachts that perfectly suit your party’s needs. CRUISECHICAGO.COM
|
847.358.1330
|
CHICAGO RIVERWALK
|
112 E. WACKER DRIVE
Honolulu excites the senses. T he Kahala refreshes the soul.
MAKEITBETTER.COM
FOUNDER & CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER Susan B. Noyes
Come discover the restful, restorative powers of Honolulu’s most desirable beachfront resort. The gracious spirit of The Kahala is always yours to share.
Editorial EDITOR IN CHIEF Brooke McDonald EXECUTIVE EDITOR Cara Sullivan DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Anna Carlson DINING EDITOR Julie Chernoff EDITORIAL INTERN Macon Bianucci COPY EDITOR Cynthia Rubin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tracy Clifford, Amanda Hanley, Michelle Huffman, Robert Loerzel, Kari Lydersen, Danielle McLimore, Nicole Schnitzler, Mimi Towle, Jim Wood
Art ART DIRECTOR Tonya Sutfin DESIGNER Brian Von Kaenel PHOTOGRAPHER Todd Rosenberg
Connect With Us GOT FEEDBACK? susan@makeitbetter.com WANT TO ADVERTISE? michellemorris@makeitbetter.com HAVE AN EVENT? anna@makeitbetter.com
Time is precious. Spend it graciously.
MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP INCLUDES
S A N F R A N C I S C O | M A R I N | N A PA | S O N O M A
Ma ke It B et t er Nor t h Shore ( IS SN No. 2151- 0 431) i s pub l i s h e d 6 t i m e s p er y e a r b y M a k e It B e t t er L L C , 2 0 3 N . L a S a l le S t r e e t , S u i t e 2 1 0 0 , C h i c a g o I L 6 0 6 0 1 . P h o n e : 8 4 7. 2 5 6 . 4 6 4 2 . C opy r ig ht 2 018 by M a ke It B et t er L L C . A l l r ig ht s r e s er ve d . Application to Mail at Periodicals Rates is pending at Chicago, IL and add itiona l ma i ling of f ices. POSTM A STER : Send add ress cha nges to: Ma ke It Bet ter, 203 N. La Sa l le Street , Su ite 2100, Ch icago IL , 60601. Make It Better is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Of fice. Copy right 2018 by Ma ke It Better LLC. A ll rights reser ved.
1 . 8 0 0 . 3 6 7 . 2 5 2 5 | K a h a la Res or t .com
Destination_Marketing_Hawaii _TheKahala_0318_FNL.indd 1
12 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
2/5/18 4:41 PM
MAKEITBETTER.COM
PUBLISHER Michelle O’Rourke Morris
Advertising INTEGRATED SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Lindsay Stout SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Barbara Baisley Murray ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Susan Becker
Operations GROUP PUBLISHER Nikki Wood CHIEF OPERATING & PHILANTHROPY MARKETING OFFICER Sharon Krone CONTROLLER Sandy Tsuchida TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jennifer Speaker
Reader Services MAILING ADDRESS 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100 Chicago IL, 60601 PHONE 847.256.4642 SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES circulation@makeitbetter.com INTERNSHIP INQUIRIES / STORY IDEAS editorial@makeitbetter.com
Subscriber Services SUBSCRIPTIONS Rates are $14.95 for out-of-state subscriptions or free for Illinois subscribers. To subscribe, visit makeitbetter.com/subscribe/mag.
BEAUT Y THROUGH E VERY SEASON
BULK ORDERS For information on bulk orders of Make It Better, please email circulation@makeitbetter.com
WWW.M A R I A N I L A N D S C A P E . COM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please send letters to editorial@makeitbetter.com. Be sure to include your full name, city, state and phone number. Make It Better reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and style.
847-234-2172
MarianiLandscape_0318_FNL.indd 1
14 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
2/8/18 4:04 PM
“ELECTRIFYING” - DAILY MAIL
“MAGNIFICENT” - EVENING STANDARD
2016/17 REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE CAST. PHOTO: JOHAN PERSSON
LONDON’S AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION MAKES ITS U.S. PREMIERE
OPENS APRIL 27
ON SALE NOW
LYRICOPERA.ORG | 312.827.5600
WATCH THE TRAILER AT LYRICOPERA .ORG/SUPERSTAR JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by Tim Rice In Association with The Really Useful Group Limited Production by The Regent's Park Theatre London
Lyric Opera premiere of Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar generously made possible by Lead Sponsor The Negaunee Foundation and cosponsors an Anonymous Donor and Mr. and Mrs. J. Christopher Reyes.
Editor’s Letter
Y
OU’RE A LMOST THERE,
Chicago. The shortest, darkest days of winter are behind us and before you know it, you’ll be catching sight of those first green buds on the trees. Spring—and with it, the perfect opportunity to bring you our Green Issue. In truth, I struggled with the idea of even doing a “green issue” in 2018. Higher temperatures, rising sea levels, and erratic weather patterns serve as near-daily reminders that climate change is very real. Just this week the New York Times published an article entitled “No Children Because of Climate Change? Some People Are Considering It,” and the Atlantic asked the question, “Does Climate Change Cause
More War?” Both are terrifying prospects. More than a green issue, we all need to make green living a way of life—and fast. That said, much has been made of “greenwashing,” and we’re constantly inundated with claims of the eco-friendliness of products and business practices. Can green be glamorous? Sure—but we’d rather not jump on that bandwagon. Instead, our goal in creating this issue was to connect you with true leaders and innovators. So, instead of getting discouraged, read on to get inspired. Start with our lead feature, “Chicago’s Eco-Champions” (p. 42), in which we profile seven Chicagoans who are absolute trailblazers in their fields, paving the way for greener tomorrows for Chicago and the world. Speaking of green Chicago, if you were as disappointed as I was when the Trump Administration pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement, take heart. Mayor Emanuel promised the world that “We are still in,” and are we ever. Read about eight ways Chicago is going all hands on deck to protect our environment on page 32. And because positive change always starts at home, we took a look inside some of the most stunning, greenest homes in Chicago. From the beautiful Wilmette property on our cover that seamlessly adapts to, rather than competes with, the area’s natural ecology (p. 50), to a stateof-the-art Lakeview pad (p. 91) that just might be “the most sustainable home in Chicago,” you’ll see that the sky’s the limit when it comes to greening up your home. I know the facts can be disturbing and discouraging, but don’t look away. The future appears a whole lot greener when you start taking matters into your own hands—and if you need a jump-start, just look to Chicago’s many eco-champions. On social media, my friend Nicole Minadeo, director of PR and Communications at Shedd Aquarium, posts stunning photos and videos of our waters and marine life, but she also shares the tragic realities of plastic pollution in our oceans and Great Lakes. By all means, be horrified to learn that by 2050—just 32 year from now—it is estimated that there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. Then resolve to once and for all say no to single-use plastics like bags, straws and water bottles. Join forces with Nicole and Shedd (p. 32), and the many other leaders in the pages that follow, and let’s all resolve to fix this together. Brooke McDonald, Editor in Chief
My friend Nicole Minadeo’s social media posts are awesome reminders of why saving our waterways is so important —and what we can all do to help.
16 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
TOP: COLIN LYONS; BOTTOM: NICOLE MINADEO
VOICES FOR CHANGE
A. PERRY HOMES
ARCHITECTS
A. Perry Homes are the architects, builders, and remodelers of choice for families who believe that making their dream home should be worry free and designed with their needs in mind. Whether your project consists of updating a condo in the city, a new gourmet kitchen, a whole house renovation, or a custom home, our team is ready to design and build something special for you. With over 30 years of award winning experience and a reputation that is unmatched in the industry, we are uniquely qualiďŹ ed to serve you best. Allow us to demonstrate the value that design build can offer. 1220 Washington Ave, Wilmette | 847.549.0668 | APerryHomes.com
BUILDERS
REMODELERS
POV
Your Letters Chicago Debate League Thanks to @makeitbetterns for recognizing the work we do, providing students from across Chicago a platform to find their voice and become the leaders we need to truly Make It Better! —@CHICAGODEBATELEAGUE
James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy In the summer of 2016, the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy was a finalist for the Evanston Community Foundation’s (ECF) Partnership for the Future Program. Equipped with our Make It Better Philanthropy Award video, we were able to tell a succinct, impactful story that helped us win the grant. The impact of the ECF grant was transformational, resulting in $140,000 from our donors plus $100,000 from the matching program. Being named the Make It Better Philanthropy Award Winner for Social Justice has helped to propel the Moran Center’s capacity to deliver our unique model of providing integrated legal representation and social work services. We are very honored to be part of your 10-year history. —KELLY AUSTIN, COMMUNICATION MANAGER, JAMES B. MORAN CENTER FOR YOUTH ADVOCACY
GreenMark Public Relations
Huge congrats to Susan B. Noyes and her team at Make It Better on their gorgeous, newly redesigned print magazine! The newest issue is big, bold, and beautiful to read. Great job! —@GREENMARKPUBLICRELATIONS
UNICEF I’m in love with this issue and have already flagged a number of items for follow-up. Thanks so much for the great reads. —BETH MCCOSTLIN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MIDWEST REGION, UNICEF
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Your comments may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to info@makeitbetter.com. RoccoFiore_0318_FNL.indd 1
18 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
2/8/18 4:09 PM
Please Pleasejoin joinus us Please join us
MONEY MONEY ALUES & & VV ALUES IMPACT IMPACT 2018 2018 2018
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018 • 5–7pm
TUESDAY,APRIL APRIL17, 17, 2018 2018 • 5–7pm TUESDAY, 5–7pm FOUR SEASONS SEASONS CHICAGO CHICAGO •• 120 120 E DELAWARE PLACE PLACE FOUR FOUR SEASONS CHICAGO • 120 EE DELAWARE DELAWARE PLACE MAKE IT BETTER’S MONEY, VALUES AND IMPACT summit is an annual high-level
MAKE IT BETTER’S MONEY, VALUES AND IMPACT summit is an annual high-level MAKE BETTER’S MONEY, AND IMPACT summit is an annual high-level event IT focusing on the latest trends VALUES in sustainable finance and impact investing. A thoughtfully event focusing on the latest trends in sustainable finance and impact investing. A thoughtfully event focusing onofthe latestwill trends into sustainable finance and impact success investing. thoughtfully curated lineup experts speak creating maximum investment andAimpact in curated lineup of experts will speak to creating maximum investment success and impact in curated lineup of expertsand willlife speak to creating maximum investment successfinancial and impact business, philanthropy by aligning values and passions with individual goals.in business, philanthropy and life by aligning values and passions with individual financial goals. business, philanthropy and life by aligning values and passions with individual financial goals. GUESTS WILL HEAR FROM EXPERT SPEAKERS GUESTS WILL HEAR FROM EXPERT SPEAKERS CARLA HARRIS
CARLA HARRIS GUESTS WILL HEAR Director, FROMMorgan EXPERT Vice Chairman & Managing StanleySPEAKERS
ViceHARRIS Chairman & Managing Director, Morgan Stanley CARLA KATHY ROESER KATHY ROESER ViceManaging Chairman & Managing Director, WealthDirector, Advisor,Morgan Morgan Stanley Stanley
Managing Director, Wealth Advisor, Morgan Stanley KATHY ROESER STEVEN ZICK
STEVEN ZICK Managing Director, Wealth Advisor,Christie’s Morgan Stanley Senior Vice President & Director,
Senior Vice President & Director, Christie’s
MELANIE STEVEN ZICKSABELHAUS
MELANIE Vice Chair,SABELHAUS National American Red Cross, Founder, Tiffany Circle
Senior Vice President & Director, Christie’s
Vice Chair, National American Red Cross, Founder, Tiffany Circle
ERIC WEINHEIMER MELANIE SABELHAUS
ERIC WEINHEIMER President & CEO, at Forefront
Vice Chair, National American Red Cross, Founder, Tiffany Circle President & CEO, at Forefront
B. NOYES ERICSUSAN WEINHEIMER
SUSAN FounderB.&NOYES Chief Visionary Officer, Make It Better
President & CEO, at Forefront Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Make It Better
SUSAN B. NOYES
Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Make It Better Limited to 100 guests in order to insure empowering dialogue
Limited 100 guests in order during to insure empowering dialogue betweentoguests and speakers round table discussions. betweenRSVPs guestswill andbespeakers during round table discussions. accepted no later than April 10. RSVPs will be in accepted later than April 10. dialogue Limited to 100atguests order tonoinsure empowering RSVP makeitbetter.com/moneyvaluesimpact at and makeitbetter.com/moneyvaluesimpact betweenRSVP guests speakers during round table discussions.
RSVPs will be accepted no later than April 10. RSVP at makeitbetter.com/moneyvaluesimpact
SPONSORS SPONSORS
SPONSORS
Impact, Amplified
The Power of Positivity T
From top: Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant speak with Mellody Hobson at the Chicago Humanities Festival. Our publisher Michelle O’Rourke Morris’ triplets, then and now. LuminAID founders Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta distribute lanterns in Puerto Rico with their humanitarian partner, Convoy of Hope. One of many Chicago neighborhoods that gathered for the Lights for Love march in August. Dining editor Julie Chernoff, actress Sarah Paulson, and editor-in-chief Brooke McDonald at Steppenwolf’s ninth annual Women in the Arts luncheon, one of our many media sponsorships.
20 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
HERE’S A LOT of negativity surrounding
social networking these days, from its effects on kids—and elections—to the time it can (admittedly) suck from our already full lives. But all of that pales in comparison to what a powerful force for good it can be when used appropriately. Positive posts, comments, shares and likes serve as a welcome antidote to the angst and anger of our current public dialogue—and, let’s be honest, much of our media. By amplifying your voice and focusing on the good, you inspire those around you to do the same. A poignant example of this is the post Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg wrote expressing the unbearable grief and pain she experienced in the wake of her 47-year-old husband’s sudden death—and the warm embrace of love, help and kindness that met her on the other end. That outpouring of support paved the way for her book, Option B, co-authored with Adam Grant, and her nonprofit, optionB.org, which aims to help others develop resiliency in their most difficult times. Social networks expedite the growth of powerful ideas while amplifying good intentions. Our executive editor Cara Sullivan organized a children’s peace march, Lights for Love, in response to racist and anti-Semitic graffiti at her children’s public elementary school last summer. News of the march, which Make It Better promoted, quickly spread, and it was replicated across Chicagoland and around the country too. Further illustrating the ways social networking can be used to inspire change and give back, the Hanley Family Foundation—in partnership with innovative businesses, other family
foundations, and Make It Better— recently launched a digital matching grant campaign to raise $20,000 to purchase LuminAID solar lanterns, which provide light to families without electricity in Puerto Rico (read more about LuminAID on page 47.) The campaign was five times more successful than planned, raising $100,000—the equivalent of 10,000 lanterns. Closer to home, our annual “Best Of” voting provides an opportunity for our audience to proudly promote the local and family-owned businesses they love to others via their social networks, and our many media sponsorships give each of our beloved nonprofits a pedestal from which to share their mission and earn more support. As a result, the businesses report a boost in sales, the nonprofits gain real traction—both on a local and national level— and everybody wins. As for the negative effects this brave new world of social media can have on our kids? We have the power to turn that around, and just like everything else, it all comes back to leading by example. Kids always know—and like—when their parents post something good about them. Our publisher Michelle O’Rourke Morris’ triplets just turned 18, and as Morris frequently celebrates on her Facebook and Instagram accounts, they (and her youngest daughter) are #greatkids and #collegeready. The pride and positive energy she consistently shares online about her four children is downright inspiring: The next generation is the future, and by teaching them to use their voices in positive, powerful ways, we will most certainly be #bettertogether. Susan B. Noyes, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer
FROM TOP: BEN GONZALES, MICHELLE O’ROURKE MORRIS, LUMINAID, LAUREN WEISS, KYLE FLUBACKER
Tapping into the bright side of social media
CONNECT WITH US
TOP GRAM Winter’s icy grip made for some seriously stunning images of the Chicago River. Our editor-in-chief, Brooke McDonald, snapped this pic from our office on one particularly chilly day. (Good news: It’s almost spring!) Want your photo to be featured in print? Tag us on Instagram @makeitbetterns
Top 5 Online Stories Right Now 1 Curtis Duffy Shares Why He Left Grace, and What’s Next We spoke with the award-winning chef about leaving the landmark restaurant and what lies ahead. Read the full interview at makeitbetter.com/duffy 2 Are Your Mood and Diet Making You Sick? How to Heal Yourself Naturally Health coach and author Nan Foster sounds off on the myriad ways mood and food can affect health at makeitbetter.com/mood 3 7 Healthy Recipes to Kick Off 2018 Right Whether you’re still going strong with your New Year’s resolutions or gave up a long time
ago, you’ll want to add these eats to your rotation—they’re that good: makeitbetter.com/ healthyrecipes 4 10 Easy Happiness Boosters That Will Bring You Joy Feeling the effects of a long, dreary winter? Yeah, us too—but we’re happy to report that these moodboosters totally work, just in time for spring. makeitbetter.com/happy 5 7 Food Trends Coming Your Way in 2018 A variety of foods have people buzzing this year, from activated charcoal lemonade to ghee. Get the full list and find your new favorite at makeitbetter.com/ foodtrends
STEP i n t o SP R IN G
Join Our Better Giving Circle Here’s how it works: You donate $1,000 to your favorite nonprofit through our Better Giving Circle, we give them a media sponsorship on your behalf, and you’ll be invited to an exclusive dinner curated by our dining editor, Julie Chernoff. To learn more, email Lindsay Stout (lindsay@makeitbetter.com).
1346 Shermer Road 224.326.2412 www.juniperboutique.com Juniper_0318_FNL.indd 1
2/12/18 12:20 PM
M A K E I T B E T T E R M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 8 21
New in Town
› Passerotto The first solo venture for former Snaggletooth co-owner Jennifer Kim, Andersonville’s Passerotto, (Italian for “little sparrow”) serves up authentic Korean dishes with Italian influences. Diners are encouraged to share plates, such as the Sulleontang Tortellini or the Seasonal Ssam. Passerotto.com
› TriBecca’s Cubano From April to June of 2018, this pop-up restaurant from Honey
Passerotto
E ATS
› Lago Wine Bar This cozy Lakeview restaurant features a menu of light Italian tapas and pastas, as well as an extensive list of Italian vino. With dinner on weekdays, brunch on the weekends, and wine all week long, oenophiles will want to add this one to the rotation. Lagowinebar.com
› Bar Biscay This
› Sleeping Village
“Spanish brasserie” in West Town is from the team at the helm of Chicago’s mfk restaurant. Named after the coastal region that inspired its menu, it’s a chic, unique hybrid of Basque pinxto bar and French boîte. Barbiscay.com
The crew behind The Whistler in Logan Square is responsible for bringing this longawaited music venue in Avondale—complete with outdoor seating and an impressive list of beer and cider—to fruition. Sleeping-village.com
favorite on the North Shore, this Lakeshore East salon is Gordon’s first Chicago location. Pop in for a wide variety of luxury hair and facial treatments in addition to eco-friendly Aveda products. Gordonsalon.com
SHOPPING
E XPE RIE NCES
› The Well North Shore Lago Wine Bar
B E AUT Y
› Gordon Salon Already a
› Peloton Equipped with
Butter Fried Chicken will be stationed at Revival Food Hall in the Loop. Get in line for hot Cubano sandwiches slathered in its famous mustard butter. Revivalfoodhall.com
› Beatrix Market Aside from standard-issue coffee bar and lunch items, this grab-andgo market—Lettuce Entertain You’s second Loop location, situated near DePaul’s campus— features a full-service bar, pizza counter, and private dining room. BeatrixRestaurants.com
Peloton
spirituality professionals to meet with clients and hold classes, workshops, and events. Rent out a space on the community calendar to bring likeminded, spiritually driven individuals to a place of healing in the North Shore. Thewellnorthshore.com
This unique spot in Wilmette functions as a place for wellness and
a screen that live-streams spin classes from the brand’s NYC studio, this award-winning exercise bike eliminates the need for a gym membership. Give one a test ride at the newest location, right at Old Orchard. Onepeloton.com
› Funday Finally, you can shop while your kids play at Old Orchard’s new drop-off daycare and activity center for children 3-12 years old. Want to squeeze in a workout? It’s conveniently located right next to SoulCycle. Fundaykidsplay.com
New in Town is an ongoing bulletin on new businesses in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. To be considered for future listings, email anna@makeitbetter.com.
22 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO’S FAMED WINE AUCTION RETURNS APRIL 14, 2018 Join the best wineries, collectors, and sommeliers as Lyric Opera celebrates 30 years of wine, women, and song. A project of the Women’s Board, this marquee fundraiser auctions some of the world’s greatest wines, luxury trips to exotic locales, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Wine Auction Co-Chairs: Keith Kiley Goldstein and Nancy S. Searle Catalogue Sponsor: Liz Stiffel Live Auction Sponsor: Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Reception Sponsor: Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel, Jr. Dinner Sponsor: An Anonymous Donor Dinner Wine Sponsor: An Anonymous Donor 2018 Honored Guest Winery: Château Margaux 2018 Honoree: Shirley Welsh Ryan Official Airline: American Airlines Auctioneers: Hart Davis Hart PRESENTING SPONSOR
Tickets and tables on sale now. Online bidding begins March 26. To reserve your spot or for more information, please contact the Lyric Opera Women’s Board office at 312-827-5682 or visit us at www.lyricopera.org/wineauction2018.
the LOOK P RO M OTI O N
SPRING IS IN THE AIR! It’s time to think Spring and get ready for a fresh new look for your house and yourself. La de da! has the latest trends in home decor and fashion accessories. Our staff is excited to help you embrace Spring in Chicago!
VIBRATO BOUTIQUE Presents Up! pants and ILTM top, known for their incredible fit and designs. Available in many colors and prints in sizes 2-16. Stop in, browse, touch and luxuriate in new spring arrivals! Explore fashion and “dress the inner you.”
LA DE DA!
1957 Cherry Lane Northbrook, IL 847.562.1170 ladedagift.com
VIBRATO BOUTIQUE
Plaza del Lago, Suite #25 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 847.853.1434 vibratoboutique.com
DR. JOSIE RECOMMENDS ADVANCED ANTI-AGING SKINCARE Healthy skin is always in. Repair damage, target fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration, resulting in smoother skin texture, even tone and a bright complexion. The quality of your skin shows, so make sure it’s healthy and vibrant. Refresh your skin in time for spring by starting with a complimentary skin consultation and VISIA® complexion analysis. FRESHSKIN MEDICAL SPA & WELLNESS CENTER
595 Elm Place, Suite 208 Highland Park, IL 847.681.8821 myfreshskin.com
24 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
SPRING BREAK ESCAPE Juniper is stocked up for warmer weather. Great throw and go dresses to take you from poolside to cocktails. Imagine wearing this gorgeous jumpsuit to dinner to show off your new tan. Stop by the store to find some perfect pieces to pack up and be on your way. JUNIPER BOUTIQUE
1346 Shermer Road Northbrook, IL 224.326.2412 juniperboutique.com
WWW.NAPOLITAPIZZA.COM
| 1126 CENTRAL AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 | (224) 215.0305
IT’S ALMOST PATIO TIME WEEKEND BRUNCH SATURDAY & SUNDAY
11 AM – 3 PM
HAPPY HOUR MONDAY - THURSDAY
2 PM – 5 PM
CHICAGO’S BANK SUPPORTS CHICAGO’S TEAM The weather might be cold, but some of the greatest competition athletes in the world are ready to turn up the heat this winter. Chicago’s Team is made of skiers, skaters, bobsledders and hockey players with one thing in common: their journeys all began here. The road to the top comes with
bumps along the way, but these athletes find their strength from the city that taught them to give it their all. Whether they’re competing this winter, training for next time, or working hard to stay active in the sport they’re so passionate about, they’re ready to bring the heat!
CHICAGO’S BANK
H e a r t h e i r s t o r i e s a t w i n t r u s t . co m /C h i c a go s Te a m Banking products provided by Wintrust Financial Corp. Banks.
TM
Your Chicago T H E P E O P L E . T H E P L AC E S . T H E C AU S E S .
DAVID SOWA
GO GREEN
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 17, nearly half a
million townies and tourists will gather around the Chicago River between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive to watch as members of the Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Union turn the water a spectacular shade of shamrock—a tradition that dates back to 1962. And while it’s a beautiful sight to behold, local environmentalists have taken issue with the fact that the recipe for the union’s top-secret Leprechaun dust has never been released, begging the question: What, exactly, are we putting into the river? As far as all of us at Make It Better are concerned, there’s only one thing to do: Test the green stuff and make sure it’s safe—and if it isn’t, let’s work together to make it that way. Are you with us? Drop us a line at editorial@ makeitbetter.com CARA SULLIVAN
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 27
Your Chicago / CURRENTS
Drink Green Eco-boozing? Yep—it’s a thing. Inspired by the latest bartending movement, El Che Bar beverage maven Jacyara de Oliveira created the Sangria Nadinha, a stirred concoction that reduces waste by dipping into the West Loop restaurant’s alreadyopen wine bottles. For a twist, Nadinha enlists one of her favorite blending spirits: aged cachaça from Brazil, which “gives the base a little funk,” she says. elchebarchicago.com DIY IT: SANGRIA NADINHA 3 oz wine blend . 25 oz aged cachaça . 25 oz cognac .75 oz citrus cordial 3 oz sparkling cider Directions: Add all ingredients to a Collins glass over ice. Garnish with a half-moon slice of peeled grapefruit dipped in sugar.
LIVE GREEN Whether you’re serious about making big changes in your own pad or curious about how the greener half lives, you’ll want to check out Healthy Home 2018, the first residence in the country built under the newly revised American Lung Association (ALA) Health House program guidelines. Book a guided tour of the home (all proceeds are donated to the American Lung Association), located in Inverness and constructed by Palatine-based Dior Builders, and you’ll be treated to an inside peek at top-of-the-line energy-efficient products, innovative technologies, and nontoxic materials —plus expert advice on creating a healthier home environment. healthyhome2018.com
28 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
CELEBRATE GREEN The Chicago Park District is the
oldest park district in America, dating back to 1836 when a map of the city was carved out of public ground. Composed of more than 8,000 acres of open space totaling 570 parks (including the Loop’s beloved Maggie Daley, pictured), 31 beaches, 50 nature areas, and two world-class conservatories, it’s not only the oldest in America, it’s also one of the largest.
Play Green Designed as an ode to classic parks district field houses and located in River North’s historic Borden Dairy Depot, FieldHouse Jones, it’s safe to say, is an alternative lodging destination like no other. But it gets even cooler: Co-founders Debra and Robby Baum know a thing or two about thrifting and antiquing, so the space showcases repurposed goods in the most stylish way possible (think old high school gymnasium bleachers as communal-space stadium seating, and vintage trophies and street signs as funky decor). Bring the kiddos in for a bite at Dropshot Coffee & Snack Bar, then get the competitive juices flowing over board games, pingpong, foosball, air hockey—there’s even a custom slot car race track. Whether or not you make it a staycation and bunk up for the night, be sure to check out the hotel’s interactive scavenger hunt, which encourages little ones to explore the property for hidden finds. fieldhousejones.com
Make your event part of history at a Chicago landmark. Built in 1916 as part of Daniel Burnham’s famed Plan of Chicago, Navy Pier today has more to enjoy and experience than ever before. There’s only one thing missing: your event. Bring your celebration, exposition or conference to life on the lakefront in one of Navy Pier’s elegant and expansive event spaces. Offering unparalleled amenities in a spectacular setting, this time honored location makes any occasion one for the history books.
Festival Hall exhibition space
Lakeview Terrace
170,000 square feet of functional space divisible into two halls
15,000 square feet with beautiful lake and city views
34 flexible meeting rooms
Plus, distinctive catering, exceptional service, on-site enclosed parking for 1,600 vehicles, and dozens of restaurants, shops and attractions to complete your Navy Pier experience.
Historic Aon Grand Ballroom 18,000 square feet with a spectacular view
navypier.org
BOOK YOUR EVENT TODAY 312.595.5300 | navypierevents@navypier.org
Aon Grand Ballroom
Festival Hall
Your Chicago / CURRENTS
WE ASKED, THEY ANSWERED:
Inside the 2018 Governor’s Race
to get to know our gubernatorial candidates—many of whom live right here in our community—we invited each of them to answer 10 pressing questions on everything from global warming to gun control. Visit makeitbetter.com/politics for their thoughtful responses. IN A N EFFORT
Public education expenditure in affluent suburban school districts—like New Trier and Evanston—far exceeds what is spent in less affluent areas. Do you believe that this spending disparity needs to be rectified? If so, how will your administration accomplish this?
What will your administration do to rein in Illinois’ ballooning deficit?
Do you believe that it is a fundamental conflict for elected state officials to also work as property tax appeal attorneys? What is your opinion of Chris Kennedy’s End The Racket pledge campaign?
What is your position on DACA and Dreamers currently working legally in the state?
30 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
6 7 8 9 10
What is your position on gun control and how will your administration address violence in Chicago? What, if any, criminal justice system reforms need to be enacted?
What is the current status of Illinois jobs? How will this be improved by your administration?
What is the current state of health care in Illinois? How will your administration address this?
What role should Illinois play in the fight against climate change?
What is your position on the legalization of marijuana and the role it would play in Illinois?
VICTOR_BRAVE
1 2 3 4 5
Do you believe that public investment in early childhood education offsets substantially greater remedial education dollars for older students? If so, what actions will your administration take?
FEASTING @ THE FESTIVAL JOIN RAVINIA FOR A NEW MENU OF
DINING EXPERIENCES New this year, the Lawn Bar, on the first floor of Ravinia’s extensively renovated dining pavilion, is destined to be the social hub of the festival. The Lawn Bar is actually two bars—one indoors and one outside—fully stocked with your favorite brands and signature drinks. Serving small-plate delectables such as marlin fish tacos, battered chicken sliders, and nachos at community tables, it’s the perfect place to meet your friends (or make new ones!) at the start of your Ravinia visit. No reservations needed.
Create your entire meal or supplement the picnic you packed at Ravinia’s expanded market, which features grab-and-go food and drinks as well as these new hot-food stations: Fresh pressed paninis (including a vegetarian option) will bring you in, but you’ll be blown away by the array of deli salads that you’ll want to share with your friends on the lawn. This is not your typical concertvenue hamburger. Now 847 is more than just our area code, it is the name of our signature burger—8.47 ounces of fresh beef, grilled to perfection and topped with a fried pickle (and brisket, if you choose!).
“Micro-seasonal” is the magic word for Executive Chef Michael Tsonton as he keeps the menu ever changing at the new serveyourself Tree Top restaurant on the second floor of the dining pavilion. Delicious wine pairings will be suggested to match every course and every flavor experience as guests sample flavors from themed tables and carving stations. Reservations are advised. Walk-ups welcome when available.
Always a crowd pleaser, our charcoal-fired pizza—with your choice of popular toppings (and a few surprises)—is the perfect postintermission boost to your picnic. Forget Tuesdays, tacos are a daily feast at our authentic taqueria, also serving loaded guacamole and easy-to-eat elotes.
People-watching is definitely on the menu at the Park View restaurant and bar, where plated entrees run the gamut from short ribs and steaks to seasonal pastas, and side dishes always promise a surprise or two. Make a meal of the assorted appetizers or festival salads. Desserts include Ravinia’s signature Cappuccino Crunch ice cream pie. Reservations are advised. Walk-ups welcome when available.
This is the real deal—slow cooked for over 20 hours, our new smoked brisket and chicken drumsticks come packed with flavor, but you can add even more with a choice of chef-made sauces. Don’t forget the jalapeño cornbread!
NEW THIS YEAR: HAND-DIPPED ICE CREAM SERVED FROM CARTS AROUND THE PARK
®
.ORG
Your Chicago / CURRENTS
We Are So In
After the Trump Administration’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, Mayor Emanuel vowed, “We are still in.” He wasn’t kidding—so far Chicago has met 40 percent of the 2025 goal—and we work toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city every day. Read on for eight incredible ways we’ve stepped up our efforts to protect the environment. AMANDA HANLEY 1
We’ve embraced clean energy
As the fastest-growing sector in the U.S., clean energy is the source of 120,000 Illinois jobs—and the momentous Future Energy Jobs Act, passed in 2016, has resulted in an upsurge of solar panels. (Good news: If you don’t have appropriate roof space, community solar alternatives will soon be available.) Currently, the city procures coal-free electricity, and by 2025, all Chicago public buildings will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
Clockwise from top: The Field Museum’s 99.4 kilowatt photovoltaic solar array sits atop its roof. Urban monarchs float downtown. One of Chicago’s many Divvy stations.
We’ve made “good” food a priority
As one of the nation’s top cities for urban agriculture, we have more than 500 urban farms and community gardens and 64 farmers markets spread among our neighborhoods. Gotham Greens operates the world’s largest and most productive rooftop greenhouse in Pullman, and Lawndale’s upcoming Farm on Ogden will serve as a food production and farmer-training hub, bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to food deserts. Chicago is also a hotbed of thriving food startups, including Simple Mills, MightyVine, and Phoenix Bean/ Jenny’s Tofu, and the Good Food Accelerator and The Hatchery, opening this year, will help launch future enterprises.
We value the nature that surrounds us 3
Amid a park boom, the latest nature attractions include Northerly Island, Maggie Daley Park, Big Marsh, and the Burnham Wildlife Corridor. Additionally, 327 playgrounds were created or modernized so every child lives within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city’s Building on Burnham plan aims to protect 2,020 acres of natural areas by 2020; treekeepers work tirelessly to care for urban trees besieged by invasive buckthorn and emerald 32 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
KAREN BEAN © THE FIELD MUSEUM; ABIGAIL DERBY LEWIS; AMANDA HANLEY
2
ash borers; and Field Museum scientists are promoting native milkweed in the urban landscape to help beloved monarch butterflies recover from decline. 4
We bike and walk—a lot
Chicago is on a roll with almost 300 miles of bike lanes, including the soon-to-be separated Lakefront Trail and a downtown network of protected bike lanes, the first in a major U.S. city. City plans call for a 645-mile biking network by 2020. Signature blue Divvy bikes, the nation’s second-biggest bike share system, are a mainstay of mobility. (Fun fact: During 2017, users took 3.8 million trips.) The system will reach 6,200 bikes at 620 stations this year, with recent expansion to the west and south sides and Evanston. According to Redfin, Chicago is the country’s sixth most most walkable city, with innovative walkways including The 606 trail and 312 RiverRun— which is being built as we speak—driving active transportation. 5
We’ve cleaned up our waterways
CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT; ELIZABETH GILMORE
Once forgotten, the Chicago River has transformed into a recreational magnet. Accessible walkways and open park spaces draw people to the riverfront, and rowers and kayakers enjoy four new boathouses and cleaner water thanks to disinfection improvements. Lake Michigan, a treasured recreational haven, is the drinking water source for roughly 6.6 million Illinoisans—and protecting it from toxic pollutants and invasive species, such as Asian carp, remains a top priority. Illinois was the first state to ban plastic microbeads from personal care products, and Shedd Aquarium is challenging restaurants to forgo plastic straws through its “Shedd the Straw” campaign to reduce water pollution. 6
Top: Thanks to a recent renovation, the Chicago Riverwalk is as vibrant as ever. Bottom: Students tend a garden of organic veggies at the Academy of Global Citizenship, a CPS charter school on the southwest side.
We’ve cut back on energy waste
Chicago is the 2017 Energy Star Partner of the Year for its strategies to trim energy waste, particularly a benchmarking ordinance that discloses the energy performance of large buildings. As part of the Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge, 76 buildings covering 50 million square feet have committed to reducing their energy use by 20 percent. We currently have the greenest commercial office space in the U.S.; 66
percent of office buildings qualify as LEED or Energy Star. Several cutting-edge technological firsts have raised the bar, including Method’s first LEED Platinum Factory, Walgreens’ first net energy store, and the Tierra Linda affordable housing development featuring green technology and a passive house.
We’ve improved our public transportation 7
Chi-town commuters get around with less traffic and pollution than ever before. Each year, passengers take nearly 500 million rides on the CTA’s multicolored “L” lines and buses and 80 million trips on Metra trains. Elon Musk’s Boring Company and other firms just submitted proposals to build and operate a 20-minute express train from Block 37 downtown to O’Hare; the CTA plans to purchase 20 to 30 electric buses this year; and options to charge electric vehicles will soon expand.
8
We cultivate eco-savvy students
Chicago is home to many standout green schools: The Forest Playschool is an entirely outdoor nature preschool, while the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences offers college prep on a working farm. Loyola University is ranked the nation’s seventh greenest college by the Sierra Club, and the Academy for Global Citizenship plans to build a revolutionary net-positive-energy urban farm campus. Thanks to amazing nonprofits like The Kitchen Community, learning gardens are currently being planted at 200 CPS schools, while Space to Grow is busy converting asphalt lots to green schoolyards at 34 more. At the same time, youth programs teaching sustainability—including Sacred Keepers, GreenCorps, and Windy City Harvest Youth Farm, one of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban initiatives, are cropping up all over the city. M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 33
Your Chicago / FASHION
The New Green
Eco-friendly fashion may have a hippie connotation, but these days it’s nothing short of haute. Here, six standout brands that refuse to sacrifice style for sustainability. TRACY CLIFFORD AND CARA SULLIVAN
BEST CRAFTSMANSHIP The Look Bold and lively handmade clothing, jewelry, and accessories that embody the stories of their makers. The Mission With a priority on slow fashion and the preservation of centuries-old craftsmanship techniques, A Peace Treaty employs marginalized female
artisans in economically depressed countries.
BEST LOCAL LINE
The Designer Dana Arbib started her line as a way to celebrate ancient artisan methods while empowering women around the world.
Production Mode The Look Uniquely draped silhouettes that boast interesting textures and an impeccable fit.
The Most Coveted Item Manda Blue Scarf $225, Space519, 900 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, space519.com
The Mission Honoring designer Jamie Hayes’ commitment to slow fashion, each collection utilizes local resources and vegetable-tanned leather. In an effort to reduce waste and ensure that garment workers are paid a living wage, each piece is handsewn in Logan Square.
BEST HANDBAGS
Hozen
BEST MENSWEAR
The Look Minimalist handbags in punchy colors and chic circular shapes.
Komodo
The Mission “Hozen” is Japanese for conservation, and the vegan leather line lives up to its name by utilizing sustainably sourced materials. Each bag is made by hand in a Los Angeles factory, minimizing the company’s carbon footprint. The Designer Rae Nicoleti worked as a prop stylist before studying hand leather techniques under Hermès master artisan Beatrice Amblard.
The Look Wearable men’s basics that merge comfort with sophistication. The Mission A pioneer in the eco-clothing space, Komodo has been using organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo since the early 1990s. Today, it is a member of the Ethical Fashion Forum, the industry body for sustainable fashion.
The Most Coveted Item Canteen bag in rouge, $395, hozen.com
The Designer After spending significant time in Asia, Mark Bloom, otherwise known as “Joe Komodo,” was inspired to launch a clothing line that respected the earth as well as the Asian ethos. The Most Coveted Item Harrington Wool Jacket, €113 ($138), komodo.com
BEST SHOES
The Designer After working in immigration and labor rights and volunteering as a campaign leader for Chicago Fair Trade, Hayes channeled her frustrations with the fast fashion industry into a line of her own.
Rafa The Look Classic footwear combining luxury, comfort and style—with an eyecatching twist. The Mission Rafa eschews environmentally challenging materials such as leather and suede in favor of 100 percent vegan textiles including faux-suede, velvet, and plush tapestry fabrics. The Designer Taghrid Zorob emigrated to Los Angeles from Lebanon, where she worked as a blogger and photographer before creating her own sustainable shoe line. The Most Coveted Item Sock Boot, Heliotrope, $400, garmentory.com
The Most Coveted Item Fluid jumpsuit in 4-ply silk crepe, $745, Production Mode, 3013 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, productionmodechicago.com
BEST CHILDREN’S WEAR
Bobo Choses The Look Comfortable, wearable basics for little ones, featuring quirky, hand-illustrated prints. The Mission In an effort to prioritize sustainability, the line uses organic cotton and recycled materials in addition to ensuring that 100 percent of clothing is made locally. Most recently, the company pledged to donate $25,000 to ocean
34 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
conservation, which inspired the 2017 collection. The Designer Adriana Esperalba worked as an art designer in Barcelona before starting her own graphic design studio. When her babies were born, she set her sights on children’s clothing. The Most Coveted Item Banana Spaghetti Strap Swimsuit, $62, Half Pint Shop, 3756 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, halfpintshop.com
R E A D MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / FA S H I O N
CARLOS MOORE
A Peace Treaty
ALL ABOARD! ALL ARE WELCOME
2018 CELEBRATION CRUISE
Join us for a festive evening boat cruise on Lake Michigan celebrating Make It Better businesses, partners and friends. TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2018 6:30–8:30 PM Chicago’s First Lady Cruises 112 E Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois Cocktails • Small Bites • Music Space is limited.
makeitbetter.com/bestofcelebration
A special thanks to our Host Sponsor
Your Chicago / CONVERSATION
On whether it was her decision to be a character actor: I think my opinion about it never played into it. There was no master plan, no design; people will say, “God, that role, and those choices you made.” It wasn’t that I had an array of choices to make, it was more, this is what I’ve got to do.
S
She’s supremely talented, utterly fearless, an inspiration to women—and we got to hang with her. Pinch. Us. JULIE CHERNOFF
HE’S PL AYED A witch, a psychic and
a woman with two heads, but at Steppenwolf’s 2018 Women in the Arts luncheon, held January 22 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, award-winning actress Sarah Paulson (The People vs. OJ Simpson, American Horror Story, Twelve Years a Slave) played the part of “honoree.” In an onstage, far-ranging conversation with her longtime friend and Steppenwolf ensemble member Tracy Letts, Paulson was witty, warm, and articulate. The historymaking actress—the first to win all five major TV awards—discussed her art, her process, her formative years, and the importance of mentorship in her life. Here, we share some excerpts from this very special event. 36 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
On when she knew she wanted to be an actress: In the womb. On why she’s had such success in recent years: I think it has everything to do with Ryan Murphy. Before American Horror Story, it’s not that I hadn’t worked before, but things seemed to bloom from there, opportunities started to come my way. I think that’s partly because every single year on that series I’m playing a different character, so audiences don’t get attached to one particular type of thing I did, I wasn’t playing a particularly beloved character that they liked, and I think that’s part of it. And I think the world is changing a little bit that way for women, a little bit, a tiny bit.
On why she still auditions for parts: I prefer to do it that way. I hate walking on set having been offered a job, because I feel like I don’t know myself what I’m capable of, and I feel this constant fear that they’re thinking, “Whoops! I sure liked her in that one thing, and we thought it would lend itself to this particular thing, and maybe it didn’t.” If I earn something, I have a much greater sense of feeling like I belong somewhere. I know that I fought for it, sometimes very hard. On being mentored by great actresses like Jessica Lange, Diane Keaton, and the late Jill Clayburgh: They’re all women I worked with who played my mother. Paging Dr. Freud! I remember one time I called Diane Keaton, I was maybe going to hire a manager or get a lawyer or something, and I had nothing to manage, and nothing to lawyer about. She was so adamant that I not crowd my artistic vision with the business part of it. And I was young enough to have that resonate with me so I don’t have a lawyer or manager even now. I did get very lucky that way, that some women I work with, I not only admire their working life, but the way they conduct themselves, their independence, their tenacity, their generosity. I know why I was drawn to them and
KYLE FLUBACKER
An Afternoon with Sarah Paulson
On an unsympathetic part in Twelve Years a Slave: I have some friends; quite fancy famous girls, who said, “I refused to audition for that part. That woman was too evil.” As if that would mess with their brand! Maybe that’s something that separates us, because it never occurred to me not to try and get that job because I’d be playing someone who was a deplorable human being, someone that people couldn’t relate to. I just wanted to play the part. It seemed like a very interesting acting challenge to play someone you couldn’t connect to at all. So that’s how I decide what I’m going to do, not whether people are going to want to see my movies.
why I want to spend time with them but I’m not sure what drew them to me.
H C N LAU
On her star turn as prosecutor Marcia Clark in The People vs. O.J. Simpson: I haven’t watched it. I’m terrified. I think it was the thing people responded to the most. I’m hypercritical of my work, always have been. I was afraid for it to be the barometer for my happiness for the thing. People seemed to be excited about it, and I didn’t want to tear that down with my own harsh eye. Since then, I haven’t seen anything that I’ve done. I’m embracing that. It’s not healthy for me to watch myself. There are certain things I do that are MY mannerisms, and I get so angry with myself that I couldn’t obliterate my personhood entirely when playing a part.
Steppenwolf’s Women in the Arts Luncheon is held annually to raise funds for Steppenwolf Education, which includes Steppenwolf for Young Adults, the School at Steppenwolf, and the Professional Leadership Programs. Visit steppenwolf.org to support this programming.
RW N FO
ARD
w o h S n o i h s a F g n i r Sp DRIV
ING
MARCH 18, 2018 4:30-7:30 PM UTOHAUS ON EDENS SUNDAY A1600 Frontage Rd. Northbrook, IL Shop THE TRUNK SHOWS taste
On what women inspire her: You know, given what we’re experiencing now culturally, it’s an extraordinary thing that all of us in the arts have a great platform, an opportunity to have a megaphone and speak loudly. But the people whom I’m most concerned with having an actual impact are the people who don’t have a voice. I think women in general. I don’t think there’s a particular person who’s most inspiring, but any female who’s of service to those around her is an incredible inspiration to me. On advice for actors pursuing their craft: Allow your timetable to be what your timetable is. Sometimes we get very, very focused on an arbitrary moment when it should be decided that if you’re going to have the career you want, you should have done this and this by now, or it’s never going to happen…so I guess I’d say, keep your nose in your own book; march to the sound in your own head. Get out of your own way. There’s a lot of noise around when you start to think that it has to look like some particular thing that we recognize, that we’ve been told it needs to be. And I think I’m proof that that is not true.
IO FA S H
SOME OF THE BEST APPETIZERS, TREATS AND COCKTAILS FROM: Bent Fork Bakery, Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe, Morton’s The Steakhouse, The Happ Inn & Café Central
Buy
SILENT/LIVE AUCTION ITEMS & “RUFF”LE TICKETS
View
SPRING RUNWAY FASHION SHOW Avant for Men, Juniper Boutique, Londo Mondo, Peach Carr Designs, The Lake Forest Shop Including special pet cameos on the Runway!
Vote
EMERGING COLUMBIA COLLEGE STUDENT DESIGNER COMPETITION PROCEEDS BENEFIT
80 GENERAL ADMISSION
$
100 VIP – Includes goody bag & runwa y sea
$
ting
BUY YOUR TIX PRESENTING SPONSOR
Mercedes-Benz
NOW @ LAUNCHFASHIONSHOW.COM R U N WAY PA R T N E R S N O N - P R O F I T PA R T N E R
M E D I A PA R T N E R
at
AutoHaus_0318_2/3v_FNL.indd 1
2/13/18 12:58 PM
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 37
Your Chicago / READING LIST
Do you know where your coffee comes from? You should. Local java expert Jessica Easto, author of Craft Coffee: A Manual, explains.
MIB: Does most of the coffee we drink come from the same place? JE: Yes—it’s almost all produced in what is referred to as the bean belt, a strip of the globe between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. There are more than 50 countries that grow coffee, and of those, you’ll most commonly see about 20 of them labeled as “origin” on bags of high-quality coffee in the United States—mostly from parts of Africa, Central and South America and Indonesia. MIB: What are the ethical and sustainability issues facing the coffee industry right now? JE: Workers have been exploited, ecosystems have been razed to make way for mono-crop coffee plantations, and waste can be a problem. Coffee is often grown in developing countries, where resources are limited and it is difficult to track the bean at all stages of the process. There is also a lot of waste produced by coffee companies and consumers (think about all those disposable cups and plastic pods, for example).
38 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
MIB: What should we do to be more responsible coffee drinkers? JE: Understand that labels like “USDA Organic,” “Fair Trade,” “Rain Forest Alliance,” and “Bird-Friendly,” all of which signify some level of ecological and ethical responsibility, aren’t failproof. For example, the USDA Organic certification doesn’t require that no synthetic materials be used in production. Similarly, “Fair Trade” has been criticized in recent years for not being all that fair. On top of this, some certifications require producers to pay a fee that many simply can’t afford. The best way for you to make good purchasing decisions is to develop a relationship with your local roaster, just as you would at the farmers’ market or butcher. As a consumer, you can also do your part to make sure you’re enjoying your brew in an environmentally responsible way. Used grounds and paper coffee filters can be composted. (Those grounds are also an amazing skin exfoliant!) And you can support companies that use the byproducts of coffee production. For example, an Australia-based startup called Huskee makes reusable cups from parchment (also called the “husk”), which is typically removed from the beans and discarded as waste. DANIELLE MCLIMORE
The landmark Women & Children First bookstore in Andersonville shares its spring reading list. Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper; St. Martin’s Press, $26. The popular Cosmopolitan.com columnist embraces the “mad black woman” stereotype and points out that as a woman, and a woman of color, she’s got a right to be pissed off. She believes we can make this world a better place if we harness our anger into productivity, and her energy is galvanizing. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones; Algonquin Books, $27. This complex, character-driven novel tells the story of a man who’s wrongly convicted of a crime, and his wife who is left to create a new life for herself while her husband is incarcerated. As in real life, the plot is further complicated by institutional discrimination. Feel Free by Zadie Smith; Penguin Press, $28. The novelist’s second essay collection approaches topics like freedom, art, politics, race, and family with equal brilliance and thoughtfulness. Smith’s passion is truly contagious, and her essay about Joni Mitchell is a real standout. What Are We Doing Here? by Marilynne Robinson; Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, $27. The essays in this collection manage to be academic and highly engrossing all at once, offering deep thoughts on our current political and cultural climate from a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer; Riverhead Books, $28. This isn’t just a mesmerizing novel about a young woman dealing with relationships, career, and her mentor, a Steinem-style feminist icon; it also interweaves an astute critique of modern feminism and the women’s rights movement.
ANNA SODZIAK
Author Talk
New and Noteworthy
R E A D MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / BO O K S
On behalf of the Make It Better Foundation invites you to
The 6 Annual th
presented by
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Wintrust’s Grand Banking Hall 231 S. LaSalle Street Chicago , Illinois 5:30-7:30pm Reservation Required
RSVP at makeitbetter.com/orangecarpet Presented by
CBSChicago.com
Your Chicago / FINANCE
Invest with Values
There’s no time like the present to align the issues you care about with your savings strategy. AMANDA HANLEY
rights?—and decide where you’d like to make the most impact. Define your expectations of financial and societal returns, appetite for risk, and patience with investment capital. 2
Work with an adviser who gets it
To help assess a potential adviser’s SRI expertise, inquire if he or she is a US SIF member and has a stated ESG investing policy. Some money managers remain old school, so it’s crucial to be clear about your values and goals up front. Ultimately, you want to ensure that your chosen pro will be able to inform you of the risks, potential for return, time horizons, and complexities of your investments. 3
Shine a light on your holdings
Most people have no idea what is actually in their mutual or index funds. “Each fund is a big basket of stocks, and you may own dozens of companies that are completely out of sync with what you value most,” notes Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow, a corporate accountability and shareholder advocacy nonprofit. Fortunately, new financial transparency tools help investors discover what’s inside and pivot to better options if needed, including Fossil-Free Funds, Deforestation-Free Funds, and TobaccoFree Funds. Additional transparency platforms under development include War-Free Funds, Gender Equity Funds, and Prison-Free Funds. 4
for good can also be, well, a good investment. According to a recent study from Harvard Business Review, companies actively improving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices exhibit better stock performance and profitability than their counterparts. “ESG investing has gone mainstream, and this is creating real opportunities for investors,” says Regina Cross, vice president of the Investment Management Division at Goldman Sachs. Still not convinced? As highlighted in a report by the U.S. Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF), sustainable, responsible, and impact (SRI) investing now accounts for more than one out of every five dollars under professional management in the United States. This amounts to over $8.7 trillion in assets under management, a whopping 33 percent surge from 2014. The financial industry is acclimating, and a rise of products, tools, and know-how has made it easier than ever to own your values, both literally and figuratively. To help capitalize a world you want to see, enlist these six pro-vetted suggestions. 1
Assess your values in tandem with financial goals
First, determine what issues are most important to you—clean energy? the empowerment of women? sustainable agriculture? human 40 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
5
Weed out bad actors
Repeat after us: You don’t have to own companies that make you cringe. Investors often use negative screens to avoid “sin stocks” in gambling, tobacco, and weapons companies. In 2011, college students started fossil fuel divestment campaigns to address climate change—and as of last year, thousands of institutions and individuals with $5.2 trillion in assets have pledged to remove fossil fuel holdings and invest in climate solutions. The Divest Invest movement has caused a sea change in responsible investing, and multiple new funds exclude fossil fuel companies. 6
Advocate for retirement fund choices
If you have retirement savings through your employer, engage in a dialogue with your 401(k) plan administrator and other participants. If the offerings of mutual funds/ETFs do not include sustainable and socially responsible options, speak up! SAVE THE DATE: April 17 Attend our annual financial seminar, Money, Values, and Impact, for the latest trends in impact investing. Learn more at makeitbetter.net/MVI R E A D MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / FI N A N C E
ACIDLABS
M
ORE TH A N A well-intentioned proposition, investing
Reward ethical behavior and best practices
“Proactively seeking out virtuous funds and companies is the most common way to SRI invest,” says Matt Dillig, Managing Director and Partner at HighTower Advisors. “Focusing on strong ESG performers may be your safest bet.” Since 2016, Morningstar’s Sustainability Rating has made it easier to evaluate funds. It scores more than 20,000 funds with 1 to 5 globes based on ESG criteria. Funds with the highest rating (5 globes) tend to have higher-quality holdings, while low ratings may serve as a red flag. Other sources to research include US SIF’s Mutual Fund and ETF Performance Chart and Barron’s Top 200 Sustainable Funds.
Preparing for the future? Let’s have that conversation. Planning your family’s future is too important to treat lightly. That’s why you should evaluate a Financial Advisor based on what they can do for their clients. The guidance they provide, the insight they’re equipped with, the level of service and excellence they offer. So contact me and find out how I can help you prepare for the years ahead.
The Roeser Group at Morgan Stanley Kathy Roeser , ChFC® Managing Director — Wealth Management Wealth Advisor CA Insurance Lic. #0B07198 NMLS# 1285027
70 West Madison Street Chicago, IL, 60602 +1 312 443-6500 kathy.roeser@morganstanley.com http://fa.morganstanley.com/theroesergroup/
© 2018 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1176138 04/15 CS 9165146 02/18
C H ICAG O ’ S
ECOCHAMPIONS MEET SIX INCR EDIBLE INNOVATORS on the front lines of U R BA N SUSTA INA BILIT Y. As stewards for the future, THEY’R E WOR KING TIR ELESSLY TO ENGAGE LOCA L A N D GLOBA L COM M U N ITIE S IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE— and their efforts are SH A PING TH E WOR LD. BY KARI LYDERSEN + JULIE CHERNOFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD ROSENBERG
42 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
EMM ANUEL PR ATT Sweet Water Foundation
“We have a built environment that is a reflection of our consciousness and the lack of a moral compass. There’s the public and private sector; we’re in the third sector—a collaborative economy and sharing economy where people are figuring out how to make things work together.”
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 43
Emmanuel Pratt
executive director of sweet water foundation
E
Learn more: sweetwaterfoundation.com MMANUEL PRATT, WITH his
partners, has turned blocks of vacant lots on the South Side into an urban farm and greenhouse overflowing with fresh produce in a part of the city known as a food desert. And he has turned a former shoe factory into an aquaponics operation, growing tilapia fish and plants that filter the water and feed on nutrients from the tilapia. But Pratt does not consider his mission to be farming or gardening or aquaponics. Rather it is “radical reconstruction” and “regeneration,” as he explains, building on the assets of the neighborhood and its history to create enterprises that bring people together, create economic vitality, improve health and wellness and achieve other aims. Pratt is executive director of the Sweet Water Foundation, which he co-founded tapping his formal expertise in urban planning, architecture and design, and his deep community connections and commitment. “The single-bottom-line, return-on-investment strategy has basically led us to where we are right now, the bipolarity we have in the city of Chicago, where it is an extreme difference between the haves and have-nots,” Pratt says. “We have a built environment that is a reflection of our consciousness and the lack of a moral compass. There’s the public and private sector; we’re in the third sector—a collaborative economy and sharing economy where people are figuring out how to make things work together.” Sweet Water provided part-time employment to about 100 people last year. Its home base, k now n as Perr y Avenue Commons, includes a carpentry shop, silk-screening and other workshops, along with the urban farming and aquaponics. Live-work spaces for visiting artists are also in the works, and the foundation is partnering with cultural institutions 44 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
including the Hyde Park Art Center and Smart Museum of Art, where Pratt is the 2017-2018 interpreter-in-residence. Last fall, Sweet Water held an old-fashioned barn raising to construct what Pratt says is the first timber-frame barn built in the city since the Great Chicago Fire. It is on the site of the former Moseley Correctional School, which closed in the 1990s. This Thought Barn will be used for any number of activities and programs including art, education, weddings and a massive Juneteenth celebration block party. “It’s on a site that used to be a school,” Pratt says. “And in many ways, “it is a school—it’s equipping people with the capacity to raise themselves up and collectively share ideas.” —KL
Ana Garcia Doyle
co-founder of one earth film festival
A
Learn more: oneearthfilmfest.org S A YOUNGSTER living in a rural area
outside Baltimore, Ana Garcia Doyle spent afternoons romping through the woods and finding salamanders in the creek, free-range style. But after her family moved to Wrigleyville, she became a true city kid; she pegs the dawning of her ecological awareness much later, when she had just had her own child and was living with her husband in Zurich, Switzerland. “Living abroad opened my eyes to people living really differently—closer to nature, and without runaway consumerism,” she notes. Stores were closed on Sundays, which meant people spent time outdoors at the lake or in the mountains, and
healthy living was simply a way of life; it was there, she notes, that she became especially aware of providing natural, healthy food and surroundings for her baby. After she moved back to the Chicago area and was inspired by the words of The New Jim Crow author Michelle Alexander, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others, Garcia Doyle’s understanding of ecology grew to include social equity. Expanding the tent of environmentalism to encompass marginalized communities and communities of color is a major tenet of the One Earth Film Festival, which Garcia Doyle co-founded in 2012 with several screenings in Oak Park and River Forest and nurtured to its current incarnation: 33 films being screened in 47 venues across the Chicago area in March. Last year, almost 16,000 people attended the films and related events. The films are chosen by local communities, and each year has a theme. This year’s is “this is the moment,” which is meant to be open-ended: this is the moment for volunteering, for marching, for running for office, for otherwise helping to change the world. One Earth is part of a larger nonprofit organization, Green Community Connections, which focuses on developing sustainable and resilient communities on the West Side of Chicago. It involves local youth leaders in projects like growing food and creating butterfly gardens. Garcia Doyle hopes the upcoming film festival will catalyze awareness, action and dialogue on the local level and beyond. “Come!” she says. “Let’s figure out how to move our planet forward…to be just, resilient, sustainable, all of it.” —KL
“Come! Let’s figure out how to move our planet forward…to be just, resilient, sustainable, all of it.” —Ana Garcia Doyle
ANA GARCIA DOYLE One Earth Film Festival
Dr. Nancy Tuchman founding dean of loyola university’s
DR. NANCY TUCHM AN Loyola University’s Institute of Environmental Sustainability
46 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
institute of environmental sustainability
D
Learn more: luc.edu/sustainability/ g rew up i n Nor t her n Mich iga n w it h a mateur ecologist parents and spent her childhood outdoors exploring the abundant lakes and streams. So when she became a biologist and professor of aquatic ecology at Loyola University, she focused on studying carbon dioxide’s impact on aquatic ecosystems and food webs. “I gravitate toward water,” she says. “It could be rivers, streams, wetlands. I love any walk in the woods, I love being in a canoe, and I love just walking in a stream with sneakers on.” Her work segued into trying to help protect those fragile ecosystems and the world as a whole from climate change and other ecological stresses. She became the founding Dean of Loyola University’s Institute of Environmental Sustainability, overhauling the school’s own sustainability practices and spreading awareness and training students about sustainability and the environment. In the fall Tuchman and co-author Dr. Michael Schuck, a Loyola theology professor, received an award from the Vatican and met Pope Francis because of their e-book Healing Earth. Tuchman describes it as an “environmental science textbook that has both an ethical lens and a spiritual lens,” addressing biodiversity, natural resources, climate change and other topics. On Ma rch 15 -16, Loyola’s Instit ute of Environmental Sustainability will host the school’s f if th a nnua l summit on climate change. This year’s theme is climate change i mp ac t s on hu m a n he a lt h , w it h p a nel s exploring the health repercussions of recent hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides and the like. The keynote speaker is Gina McCarthy, head of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama. Tuchman also still works with students at a Michigan research station studying invasive plants in the Great Lakes coastal wetlands. “Teaching them about just how intricate nature is, the design of nature, the beauty of nature, the fragility of nature and also the complexity—all those things make you feel this sense of awe,” she says. “I always felt like conveying that R. NA NCY TUCHM A N
piece of it to students was the most exciting: seeing their eyes light up when they see amazing things happen in nature.”—KL
Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork founders of luminaid
Learn more: luminaid.com
P
countries often take electric light for granted. But across the globe, many millions of people live without electricity, depending on candles, kerosene lanterns, gas-guzzling generators or other sources that can be harmful to the environment and human health. And Hurricane Maria’s devastation of Puerto Rico showed just how fragile access to an electric grid can be even in developed countries. Young entrepreneurs A nna Stork a nd Andrea Sreshta are providing an alternative, through their company LuminAID, making durable, affordable solar lanterns well-suited to disaster areas, humanitarian crisis situations, countries lacking electric infrastructure and even outdoor adventurers. “We believe light is a very essential human need,” says Stork. “Light can really provide a level of comfort, allow people to take care of their families, and work more hours so they can make more money.” As architecture graduate students at Columbia University, the duo were inspired to create LuminAID after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. They made the first 50 prototypes by hand and raised money through crowdfunding. Stork had interned at a U.S. Army lab that was investigating how to best heat food in remote locations, piquing her interest in developing technologies to provide energy to people lacking basic infrastructure. Sreshta’s family is from India, and on visits there she experienced firsthand the impacts of frequent outages and lack of electricity. In 2013, Stork and Sreshta won a prestigious award in the Clean Energy Challenge competition for startups in Chicago. They also appeared on the TV reality show Shark Tank and secured investment from billionaire Mark Cuban. Now they are fine-tuning their next offering, a dual solar lantern and cellphone charger. Their distribution innovations include a popular program where people purchasing their own LuminAID lanterns can also buy a lantern for someone in need. They EOPLE IN DEV ELOPED
ANDREA SRESHTA AND ANNA STORK LuminAID
“We believe light is a very essential human need. Light can really provide a level of comfort, allow people to take care of their families, and work more hours so they can make more money.” —Anna Stork partner with organizations on the ground in the countries—now more than 100—where the lanterns are distributed. They recently traveled to Puerto Rico, where more than 10,000 lanterns have been distributed since Hurricane Maria, including through a program with Chicago family foundations and clean energy companies and groups. Sreshta says
that since the recent hurricanes, they’ve worked with more U.S.-based disaster relief organizations and “really saw a huge increase in awareness throughout the U.S…that these types of disasters can happen close to home. People were very interested in starting to prepare and take that more seriously. Hopefully it’s something that will continue to grow as people become more aware.”—KL M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 47
MIKE ABT Abt Electronics
Mike Abt
co-president of abt electronics
D
Learn more: abt.com as a student at the University of Colorado, Mike Abt worked as a naturalist at a camp on an island in Washington state. The island was abundant not only in natural beauty, but also in pigs that ate much of the food waste from the camp. It was a lesson in reusing and recycling that Abt took to heart later at the family business, Abt Electronics, where he is co-president and his father is CEO. The Glenview-based company sells a wide range of goods including TVs, exercise equipment, mattresses, power tools and phones. It also makes durable energy-efficient appliances, helping customers cut down on their energy use. Abt Electronics has an on-site recycling center where it coordinates recycling of almost all of its waste, including cardboard boxes, Styrofoam, plastics and metals. The company’s trucks collect packing materials, old mattresses and appliances and other refuse U R ING HIS TIME
48 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
from customers and bring it to the recycling center where it is sorted and sent out to different facilities for recycling. Not only is the practice environmentally friendly, it also helps the company’s bottom line. They avoid the major expense of waste disposal and earn money for the copper and other materials they recycle. The company also generates energy on-site, with solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall battery that stores energy to use when the sun isn’t shining. They get a rebate from ComEd for allowing the utility to tap power from their battery when it’s needed to help stabilize the grid or meet high demand. Abt notes that the financial arrangement with ComEd panned out well after tricky logistical twists and turns. He also tried to install wind power onsite, but that didn’t work so well. Meanwhile he’s got a green roof ready for installation, which will lower heating and cooling costs and provide a space for vegetation and maybe a beekeeping operation. “We’re never scared to fail,” Abt says. “Don’t be afraid to take chances. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Everything is a learning experience.”—KL
Sarah Grueneberg head chef and owner of monteverde restaurant & pastificio
E
Learn more: monteverdechicago.com VEN AT A young age, Sarah Grueneberg
knew that food wasn’t just something you picked up at a grocery store. She grew up an only child in Texas, cooking with her mother and grandmother, visiting cattle auctions with her grandfather, walking her family’s land, pulling up onions and cutting cabbage. By age 12, she realized that she wanted to be a chef—that cooking, which started as a way to entertain herself, had become her passion. Culinary school led to Brennan’s in Houston, then to Chicago and Spiaggia, and a season on Bravo’s Top Chef. Grueneberg opened Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio in late 2015 to local and national acclaim, then won the 2017 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes, and the 2018 Jean Banchet Award for Restaurant of the Year, among myriad other accolades. Seasonal farm-to-table cooking is a hallmark of the restaurant; that translates to gorgeous local
asparagus and ramps in the spring, cabbages and squash in the winter. Fresh pasta is made daily in the open kitchen, and vegetables are used with abandon, as is the Italian way. The Monteverde team thinks and acts locally whenever possible. Eggs, vegetables, and proteins are all sourced in the Midwest, as are polenta and rye flour. “In the winter, it’s much more challenging to find local produce, but new farms and producers are helping,” says Grueneberg. They’re purchasing two pigs a month from a Michigan farmer, accepting the challenge of snout-to-tail utilization. “We are trying to source responsibly, using animals that are raised humanely and processed to the highest standards, and trying to support local farmers on our menus and website,” she says.
SAR AH GRUENEBERG Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
“We are trying to source responsibly, using animals that are raised humanely and processed to the highest standards, and trying to support local farmers on our menus and website.” —Sarah Grueneberg
“The margins of a restaurant are small already, so we also strive to be very conscious of our waste,” she says. One of the most popular pasta dishes, Cacio Whey e Pepe, reuses the whey from the house-made fresh ricotta as part of the sauce, an effective technique to maximize ingredients. “I think you should try to know your farmers and support the people who work so hard to grow the vegetables and raise the animals,” Grueneberg says. “I think that those relationships make the food more real and the dish more special. Because there’s feeling and emotion in that, and those relationships start even before something is cooked and plated. I think our guests can feel that. They can feel that connection with the grower.” —JC Sarah Grueneberg will be receiving FamilyFarmed’s Good Food Chef of the Year award at the upcoming Good Food EXPO (Make it Better is a media sponsor of this event). Don’t miss her chef demo on March 24! For more info and to register, visit goodfoodEXPO.org.
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 49
CURB APPEAL What the front yard lacks in lawn it more than makes up for in lush, native plantings that require little to no maintenance.
50 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
DOMUS IN HORTO: The Gregory Street Residence Chicago’s official motto is Urbs in Horto, or City in a Garden. So when a pair of avid horticulturists decided to put down roots in a northern suburb, designing a home in a garden was the natural choice. KARI LYDERSEN • PHOTOS BY TONY SOLURI
E
below zero degrees outside, the owner of the Gregory Street Residence in Wilmette is in his garden. Or it feels that way. That’s because the home he and his husband designed and built on a sunny, “unusually narrow and long” lot is structured to wrap around the garden and embrace it with a 29-foot glass wall that brings in the warmth of the sun in winter. “It’s like we never stop living in the garden, even now when we’re not actually going outside,” he says. “We’re outdoorsy people, so when it gets to the point you can throw on a blanket, we’ll be out on the patio having a glass of wine in the evening.” V EN W HEN IT’S
The garden stays beautiful all year long, since the owners, both horticulturists, subscribe to the New Perennial Movement, a global gardening trend that advocates nurturing and celebrating an area’s historical ecology and adapting architecture to it.
In other words, the garden is planted with native grasses and other prairie plants that look natural and attractive whether blooming or dry and snow-covered. “It’s as natural as land can be when you’ve torn it up and put a house on it,” says the owner, a middle school M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 51
bandleader and music teacher who breeds flowering clematis vines in his spare time. Eight years ago, when the couple made the decision to move from their home in Evanston, they teamed up with Searl Lamaster Howe A rchitects, a firm that does commercia l, residential and institutional projects and prioritizes intense client collaboration. The team spent several years searching for a spot before ultimately settling on the lot in southeastern Wilmette and designing the perfect home for it. In 2015, the couple moved in. Now, the Gregory Street Residence is featured on the architects’ website along with projects including the downtown Chicago Water Tower Flat, flooded with natural light; the wooded Harbert Cottage, with a geothermal well; and the cozy Asbury Residence in a historic part of Evanston. But the Gregory Street Residence is unique, says its architect Greg Howe. “Its beauty is really the relationship between inside and out.”
Sustainable growing
The property’s garden is planted with a variety of grasses, hedges, shrubs, trees and perennials, including echinacea, hydrangea, Rosa rugosa hybrids, a species called “walker’s low,” prairie dropseed, prairie switchgrass and many more. To the owner, who is fluent in the Latin names like Sesleria autumnalis, Schizachryium scoparium and Euphorbia corrollata, gardening isn’t simply a hobby—it’s a passion. To ensure the garden is as safe for dogs and kids as it is for bees and other pollinators, the couple doesn’t use pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizer. Since it’s filled with perennials, everything comes up on its own each year, making it incredibly low-maintenance. It needs minimal watering, and a rain garden collects run off during storms to take pressure off the area’s often-overloaded stormwater system. Meanwhile, since there is no lawn to mow, they’re not burning gas in a mower. The owner, who asked his name not be used, spent a year propagating shoots of plants from the garden at the couple’s previous home to bring to the new house. As they lived near the beach in Evanston where the soil was much sandier, some of the transplants have fared better than others. “It’s all about puttering,” he says. “You find out what works and what doesn’t.” The vegetable garden is the only part of the yard that can look a little ragged in winter, but it’s obscured by a wall and line of shrubs. And 52 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
ROOM WITH A VIEW Minimalist furniture, an earthy color palette, and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall—which can be opened in warmer weather—makes for a seamless transition from indoors to out.
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 53
CLEAN EATING The massive kitchen island— reconstituted wood veneer made from recycled wood scraps—offers ample storage and space for meal prep while providing an inviting space for guests to gather over cocktails.
even while the garden is dormant, in the house’s basement seedlings of artichoke, tomato, pepper, broccoli and other plants are growing in preparation for spring planting.
Sun salutations
Cultivating a thriving garden with native plants and vegetables was the prime driver in the couple’s plans for a new home. (It’s worth noting that finding a lot sunny enough for such a garden is no easy task in Chicago’s northern suburbs, where decades-old trees make streets lush and cool but also block the sunlight.) On top of that, the owners did not want to cut down any trees to build their dream house; in fact, there is a monetary penalty for removing trees in the neighborhood without replacing them. So 54 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
they were thrilled when they found the oddly shaped lot with “an ugly blue house” that neighbors were eager to have torn down, and only one tree that had also seen better days. It was also close to public transportation and local amenities, a crucial factor since the owners both bike, walk and take public transportation whenever possible. (Fun fact: Their car is 17 years old and has just 150,000 miles on it!) After purchasing the lot, the owners worked closely with Howe and his partners to design a home that would fit into the narrow space while leaving plenty of room for and showcasing the garden. They praised Howe’s skill in coming up with a creative floor plan that works with the space constraints. In keeping with the couple’s ethos, the home is highly sustainable, using minimal energy for heating, cooling or light. “The rear overhang
was precisely sized to mask direct summer sun while letting it pour in during the winter months when the sun sits lower to the horizon,” says Howe, who notes that the building envelope is also super-insulated, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. “A highly reflective roof surface reflects heat rather than soaking it in,” he says. Motorized dampers in the heating and cooling systems direct conditioned air only where it is required, and a “whole house fan” draws heat up and out of the house in the summer, further reducing the need for air-conditioning.
Size matters
At 2,100 square feet, the home is inherently ecological, with fever materials used and less energy needed than a larger home. “A lot of
PRIVATE PARK Though the home itself is modest in size, a well-designed patio doubles the entertaining space for much of the year.
people try to maximize the square footage on the site—and maximize their return on investment—which results in houses that are not the most ecologically sound,” notes architect Pam Lamaster-Millett, another partner in the firm. “Other clients could have built something twice that size on this property, so in that regard, [The Gregory Street owners] are bucking the trend.” Inside, the materials are largely recycled, environmentally friendly, and low-VOC. The kitchen island is made from recycled wood; the cabinets are from Ikea, which exceeds the German E-1 formaldehyde emissions standard (the strictest in the world) by 50 percent; and paneling and cladding is made from Richlite, a n eco-friendly resin-inf used composite paper. Outside, Richlite and other understated R E A D MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / H OM E
exterior materials including white stucco and cement serve as a quiet backdrop to the vivid colors, shapes, layers, and textures of the plantings,” says Howe.
Modern sensibility
Contemporar y-st yle homes that blend in with rather than dominate their surroundings might be commonplace on the West Coast or in the Southwest. But in the Chicago area, despite the city ’s famed Modernist movement, single-family homes and multifamily buildings are often solid and imposing with ornate flourishes and grandiose details. The Gregory Street owner acknowledges that in other parts of the country, people “aren’t as likely to want something that looks like it’s
from the 1800s.” But he thinks modern homes with natural gardens will become increasingly popular in the Midwest and the Chicago area, especially among young people who prioritize sustainability. “There is a subset of people who don’t want the typical house they see in this area, who enjoy seeing something new pop up,” Lamaster-Millett says. “I do think there’s a need for it, a group that wants to stand out by doing things in more of a modern vein.” For both the owners and the architects, the Gregory Street Residence is ever-evolving. “We heard about all these plants, but it’s so special to see everything in bloom,” says Lamaster-Millett. “Normally with a house once the hammering stops, it’s done. But it’s been exciting to really see this project come to completion over time.” M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 55
Theof the Year
Vegetable six chicago restaurants that are anything but garden variety
EGETA BLE-CENTRIC. FLEXITA RIA N. VEGETA RIA N with benefits. Whatever
name you give it, the meaning is still the same. More and more people—yes, even in this meat-crazy town—are turning toward vegetables as they seek out a healthier diet, both for themselves and for the planet. But don’t worry, no one’s suggesting we give up animal protein completely. In fact, some of the most spectacular vegetable dishes around can be found in restaurants that are willing to give garden goodies their due without shying away from meat (locally and sustainably raised whenever possible, of course). 56 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
To that end, these are not your grandma’s green beans, poured out of a freezer bag and cooked beyond recognition. Instead, we’re talking heirloom varietals, locally grown, and lovingly prepared. You’ll find them charred, grilled, roasted, pickled, steamed, puréed, sautéed, and flash-fried; they’ve become the focal point of a dish rather than a mere garnish. Inspired by our local farmers’ markets and producers, these endlessly inventive chefs and restaurateurs are keeping pace with our shifting attitudes toward food and healthy lifestyles. We got This page: Clever Rabbit’s to the root of it all with chefs at Cauliflower. Opposite: Bad Hunter’s Butter Dumplings some of the city’s freshest spots.
ERIC KLEIBERG
V
JULIE CHERNOFF
ANTHONY TAHLIER
We’re not necessarily trying to be healthy for the sake of being healthy,” admits Chef Dan Snowden of Bad Hunter, “but in highlighting the array of veggies the Midwest has to offer, we are providing a more ‘sessionable’ and sustainable meal.
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 57
58 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
BAD HUNTER
This “veg-forward” Restaurant Row darling keeps it real. “We’re not necessarily trying to be healthy for the sake of being healthy,” Chef Dan Snowden admits, “but in highlighting the array of veggies the Midwest has to offer, we are providing a more ‘sessionable’ and sustainable meal.” It’s the way he likes to eat at home, and he knows that today’s customers want to feel good about what’s on their plate. Winter dishes like Charred Brussels Sprouts ($12) with fried arepas, spicy tomato and garlic yogurt or the meaty-but-meatless Wood-Grilled Forest Mushrooms ($16) with parsnip custard, smoked pecans and puffed nori are testament to the flavor heights vegetables can attain. MOST VERSATILE PRODUCE IN YOUR ARSENAL? “The onion. It’s sweet, it’s savory, it is the start to nearly every recipe I make. There are so many varieties of onion: Spanish, sweet Vidalia, leeks, scallions, chives, garlic, and ramps, just to name a few, [and] all with their own unique flavor and application. I can’t imagine cooking without them.” PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT? “I tend to reach for the mortar and pestle more than anything else. There’s no better way to feel connected to cooking than with this primitive piece of equipment. [It makes] the smoothest pesto, the most beautiful salsa verde, and the best aillade (it’s a nut sauce) you’ll ever eat.” Bad Hunter, 802 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 312-265-1745, badhunter.com
CHRISTINA SLATON
CLEVER RABBIT
Wascally wabbits know that vegetables are delicious, and this Clever Rabbit is no exception to the rule. Owner Chris Haisma and executive chef Nathaniel Herrera bring the vegetables to Wicker Park every which way. They are “veggie focused, but [not] a vegetarian restaurant,” says Haisma, “so you will see proteins on the menu. We offer a healthy approach to dining in a city not necessarily known for it.” In the winter months, their best sellers include the Carrot Dumplings ($12), with roasted carrots, preserved lemon and herbs, and the Roasted Cauliflower ($13) with pickled veggies and cauliflower puree. In the warmer months, they serve a spectacular Crudité Board with all manner of roasted, raw and pickled veggies, along with house-made crackers and toppings. MOST VERSATILE PRODUCE IN YOUR ARSENAL? “That depends on the time of year. Right now, in the middle of winter, it’s root veggies.” PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT? “Our combi oven. Our service kitchen isn’t large, so maximizing every part of it was key to allowing us to create the style we wanted. You can do so many different things with [it].” Clever Rabbit, 2015 W. Division St., Chicago, 773-697-8711, cleverrabbitchicago.com
EMA
With a focus on all things light and fresh, Chef CJ Jacobson has brought a bright-and-sunny Mediterranean feeling (think spreads, dips, mezze, and small plates) to this River North pleaser from Lettuce Entertain You. “I think I put an influence on vegetables simply because I’m used to eating them,” says Jacobson, who moved from Orange County to Chicago a few years ago. “Coming from California, [where] the growing season is longer and the amount and quality of vegetables is unmatched.” Consequently, a walk through the bounty of Chicago’s Green City Market or other local markets can inspire delicious ideas, such as the Pan-Roasted Romanesque Cauliflower ($10) with house-made yogurt and local honey or the Toasted Almond & Garlic Spread ($9) with tahini, Castelvetrano olives and fresh herbs. MOST VERSATILE PRODUCE IN YOUR ARSENAL? “The eggplant—wow, what a wonderful vegetable! I really had no idea it could be cooked so many ways with such an infinity of flavorful results. At Ēma, we roast it whole, char it whole, grill it, and pan-fry it. My favorite method is slowly cooking it on the stovetop for two or three hours until it's well caramelized.” PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT? “We probably couldn’t live without our Rational Oven. It is in charge of cooking 50 percent of our product!” Ēma, 74 W. Illinois St., Chicago, 312-527-5586, emachicago.com
Opposite: Found’s Ginger Braised Beets. This page: Ema's Toasted Almond Dip with Olives
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 59
FOUND
This page: Lula Cafe's Kohlrabi. Opposite: Proxi’s Shaved Zucchini
When restaurateur Amy Morton first opened Found in Evanston five years ago, she knew that she would encourage her patrons to eat their vegetables. “Why vegetables?” asks Morton. “Why not, I say? The concept always was and remains based on sustainability and health for the environment and for ourselves, so I wanted Found to have a strong grain and vegetable focus.” We’ll gladly eat the famous Kale and Swiss Chard Salad ($12) with golden raisins, pickled chard stems, candied nuts and seeds, all tossed in apple vinaigrette. And the Sweet Potato & Coconut Cream Flatbread ($16) topped with chopped peanuts, spicy greens and pickled onions shows that a vegan dish can be just as scrumptious as one dripping with cheese (not that there’s anything wrong with that). MOST VERSATILE PRODUCE IN YOUR ARSENAL? “Clearly root vegetables, as they are truly the only veg we can get all year in the Midwest—and squashes too.” PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT? “I’d have to say it is the wood-burning oven . It’s such an incredible addition to any kitchen and [it] has insane versatility.” Found, 1631 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-868-8945, foundkitchen.com
LULA CAFE
Nearly 20 years ago, chef/proprietors Jason Hamel and Amalea Tshilds blazed a trail in Logan Square that many have since followed, leading the then-nascent farm-totable movement in Chicago. Vegetables motivate these chefs. “The sheer near-infinite variety makes my life interesting,” says Hamel. “And working closely with the people who tend to the farms and gardens from which we buy brings a story to each product. I like [the] stories, the depth of knowing who made something and why. Vegetables tell these stories in many curious ways.” In addition to a la carte items like Grilled Kohlrabi ($11) with black lime, quark cheese and sprouted seeds, Lula Cafe offers a six-course Vegetarian Tasting Menu ($60) at dinner. MOST VERSATILE PRODUCE IN YOUR ARSENAL?
“Cauliflower—without a doubt. Texture, color, shape. It can take serious seasoning and flavor but it also gives so much to a preparation.” PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT? “The Vitaprep 3. It’s really the only indispensable piece of equipment. You could do the whole restaurant on a log fire. But for sauces and purees, soups and vinaigrettes, you need the Vitaprep.” Lula Cafe, 2537 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, 773-489-9554, lulacafe.com
The 2018 Jean Banchet Award-winning Chef of the Year, Andrew Zimmerman, is known for his culinary alchemy; at both globally inspired Proxi and the more refined nearby sister restaurant Sepia, he spins gold out of humble and precious ingredients alike. “For me, focusing on vegetables is more about taste than anything else,” says Zimmerman. “They offer such an array of textures, flavors, and preparations, it’s easy to make them a main focus of the meal.” The Tempura Elotes ($8) are a starter found on nearly every table; sweet corn kernels battered and fried to a happy crunch and drizzled with lime crema, a shower of chives, aged cheese and cayenne pepper sprinkled over. The Grilled Sweet Potato Salad ($11), topped with sesame yogurt, chiles, citrus and cashew dukkah, is another coldweather dish that satisfies. MOST VERSATILE PRODUCE IN YOUR ARSENAL? “Squash is very versatile and we prepare it in a number of ways here. We shave zucchini into thin ribbons for a light, bright salad and roast butternut squash for a heartier application.” PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT? “Proxi’s custom-made wood-fire grill. I’m able to control the temperature in different areas and cook a number of dishes at once.” Proxi, 565 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 312-466-1950, proxichicago.com 60 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
KYLE KISSEL; OPPOSITE: PAUL STRABBING
PROXI
For me, focusing on vegetables is more about taste than anything else,” says Zimmerman. “They offer such an array of textures, flavors, and preparations, it’s easy to make them a main focus of the meal.
R E AD MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / E AT
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 61
Built in an era when mobile devices didn’t have batteries.
Timeless happens here. M A U N A K E A B E A C H H OT E L .C O M
Destinations T H E L AT E ST LO C A L T R AV E L H OT S P OT S PLU S J O U R N E YS A RO U N D T H E G LO B E
INSIDER’S GUIDE: HAWAII The only thing better than a trip to the Aloha State? Easy—a trip to the Aloha State planned by in-the-know pros. Welcome to paradise. »
HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY (HTA) / TOR JOHNSON
BY MIMI TOWLE
Family snorkeling on Oahu’s North Shore.
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 63
Destinations / GO HAWAII
Planning a tropical escape? We asked some of Hawaii’s top hospitality experts to share their favorite recreational activities and cultural destinations with one goal in mind: to help you get the most out of your vacation. Pick and choose from their suggestions to create a personalized itinerary so dreamy, you’ll never want to leave. MAUI
THE PRO: ALVIN WONG DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AT WAILEA BEACH RESORT
➺ Watch the sunrise at Haleakala, a dormant crater that rises 10,023 feet above sea level. Its name translates to “house of the sun” in Hawaiian, and for good reason—sunrise here is so epic, Mark Twain famously described it as “the most sublime spectacle I have ever witnessed.” You’ll need a reservation, which can be made 60 days in advance for $1.50 per car. Visit nps.gov for details.
➺ Book a five-line Haleakala zip line run
with Skyline Adventure tours, which starts off across an Indiana Jones–style swinging bridge, swoops over 90-foot drops, and continues through a forest of eucalyptus. Plan your visit on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to experience the Haleakala Bike ’n’ Zip tour, which combines the zip experience with an epic sunrise bike ride to that crater in the sky. You’ll work up quite the appetite, so head to Grandma’s Coffee House in Kula for lunch.
➺ Visit “Big Beach” on South Maui (it’s also
known as Oneloa or Makena) where the locals go for bodysurfing, picnicking and relaxation. It’s blissfully development-free, so there’s not a resort in sight—just beautiful, picturesque beach stretching two-thirds of a mile. If you’re feeling adventurous, saunter on over the hill to “Little Beach,” where clothing is optional. When in Maui, right?
➺ If you visit during whale season, (November through March), don’t miss the opportunity to head out for an excursion with Hawaiian 64 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
Outrigger Experience. You’ll learn about Hawaiian history, culture and language as you cruise along the gorgeous shores of Wailea, peeping whales all the while.
➺ Ride the waterslide at Wailea Beach Resort (it’s for hotel guests only). Opened recently, this curvy tube of fun has taken the prize for the longest aquatic slide in the state: Part of the resort’s NALU Adventure Pool, it measures 325 feet and drops five-and-a-half stories into a deep pool.
➺ End your days the Maui way: Settle in somewhere cozy along the southern shoreline with your beverage of choice (we recommend a mai tai, because Hawaii), then turn off your phone, enjoy the view, and breathe in that island air. Paradise. Found.
oldest home still standing on the island); Hale Pa‘ahao Prison, which was used to detain rowdy sailors in the mid 1800s; and the Hale Pa‘i Printing Museum. Make your way to Mokuhinia Pond, said to be the home of Kihawahine, a powerful lizard goddess (the kids will love this one!), and Moku‘ula Island, where King Kamehameha III resided from 1837 to 1845.
➺ Soak in the history at Iao Valley State Park,
the site of a famous battle between the army of Kamehameha the Great and Maui’s Chief Kalanikūpule in 1790. It’s also the site of a love connection between King Kamehameha and Keōpūolani, the future mother of his children and the most sacred woman in the kingdom. Enough culture for one day? Perfect timing: There are gorgeous nature trails and cool river waters worth exploring here, too.
➺ Even the beaches in Maui are rich with
history. Check out Ka‘anapali Beach, where the famous Black Rock, or Pu‘u Keka‘a (which means “rumbling hill” ), rises majestically out of the water. Here, hundreds of years ago, Chief Kahekili II made lele kawa (the act of leaping feet-first from a cliff into water without splashing) an exercise for his warriors as he assessed their courage and loyalty. These days, pencil diving off Black Rock is a fun pastime for locals and visitors alike.
THE PRO: JONELLE KAMAI CULTURAL AMBASSADOR AND CHEF CONCIERGE AT FAIRMONT KEA LANI
THE BIG ISLAND
➺ Scope out one of the most culturally
THE PRO: CRAIG ANDERSON VP OF OPERATIONS AT THE MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL
significant spots in the state: Hale o Pi‘ilani Heiau. Located in the Kahuna Garden, a native forest near the town of Hana, this ancient place of worship dates back to the 13th century. Not only is it one of the largest archaeological sites on Maui, but it’s also the largest heiau in all of Polynesia. Explore the grounds on your own, or sign up for a guided tour.
➺ Head to Front Street in Lahaina, a bustling
beachside destination that’s practically dripping with Hawaiian history (there’s great shopping, too, when you’re ready for a break). Start with the old courthouse, where you’ll learn about Hawaii’s monarchs and missionary influence, then continue on to the Baldwin Museum (the
➺ Stroll the beach along Kauna‘oa Bay at the
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel; each lap is about a quarter-mile. Then take a 200-yard swim out to the hotel’s iconic float. While it’s easier for hotel guests to do this, there are about two dozen or so public parking spots. (Hint: Morning is the best time to get one.)
➺ Get the adrenaline flowing at Kohala
Zipline, the only all-canopy zip line in the state. (Translation: You’ll be high in the treetops the entire time). Can’t decide which tour to choose? Opt for the Zip and Dip, which ends with a refreshing swim under a waterfall.
➺ Drive to Volcanoes National Park, where you can explore the summit of Kīlauea volcano via Crater Rim Drive. The 11-mile road encircles the summit and passes through both desert and lush tropical rain forest. ➺ Hike down to the beach at Waipio Valley, if only so you can tell your friends you conquered one of the steepest roads in the world. It’s a mile to the beach at a 25 percent grade, so give yourself 30 minutes to get down and 45 to hike back up. Stop for a malasada (sweet fried dough) at Tex Drive In Honoka’a on your way home—you deserve it. ➺ Summit Mauna Kea, which entails an
hour-plus drive to a parking lot and a 7-mile hike to the top. If it’s offered, take the stargazing tour.
➺ Discover why the Big Island is famous for night diving. Big Island Divers has options for scuba divers and snorkelers alike; be on the lookout for Hawaii’s graceful manta rays. THE PRO: DONNA KIMURA DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, ISLAND OF HAWAII VISITORS BUREAU
➺ Explore historic Kailua-Kona with a walk
down Ali‘i Drive, home to Hulihe‘e Palace, a former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty, and Moku‘aikaua Church, the oldest Christian church in Hawaii.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A farmers’ market on Kauai
➺ Head north along the Kohala Coast for
a stop in Waimea, a town rich in paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) history and culture. The rolling pastures here offer an unexpected respite from the surf, sand, and palm trees.
➺ Take a quick trip up Kohala Mountain Road
HTA/TOR JOHNSON
to Kapa‘au for a picnic lunch—and don’t leave without snapping a selfie with the statue of King Kamehameha, the man credited with uniting the islands into one royal kingdom.
➺ Follow the Hamakua Heritage Corridor, a scenic drive filled with gardens and waterfalls, to Hilo. There, duck into the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and Planetarium for a dose of astronomy, or check out the waterfront
Iolani Palace
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 65
Destinations / GO HAWAII
Oahu’s east side. This wild beach is best suited to those with complete confidence in their abilities; novices should stick to calmer waters. ➺ Indulge in the island’s delicious seafood at a restaurant known for its sustainable options, like Mud Hen Water or The Pig & the Lady . THE PRO: GERALD GLENNON, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT
➺ Take a sunrise walk along Waikiki,
stopping to read the plaques created by cultural historian George Kanahele and his crew along the way, and imagine what this metropolis was like hundreds of years ago. Start at the east end at the beach, at what is now the Kaimana Beach Hotel (formerly Sans Souci, Waikiki’s first hotel), and continue to Kapahulu Groin. Today, the popular surf spot is crowded with surfers from around the world—but when the chiefs ruled the land, a commoner might have lost his life by daring to ride those royal waves.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
➺ Check out the banyan tree in the center of Japanese gardens at Lili‘uokalani Gardens, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary.
➺ To complete the circle-island adventure,
head back to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see what Halema‘uma‘u Crater’s glowing red lava looks like after dark.
OAHU
THE PRO: REBECCA PANG PUBLIC RELATIONS, REBECCA PANG & CO.
➺ Take a morning hike to the top of Diamond
Head (or Le‘ahi, as the Hawaiians say), a 1.6mile round-trip. The trail, built in 1908 as part of Oahu’s coastal defense system, originally led to a center that directed artillery fire, and walking it is like taking a trip back in time. The reward after an ascent up steep stairs and through a lighted 225-foot tunnel is a prime view of Waikiki and beyond, from a vantage point only reachable on foot. 66 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
➺ Take a surf lesson on world-famous Waikiki Beach. For decades, locals and travelers have gotten their cowabunga stoke on these perfect small rolling waves, and you can too. The beach is filled with opportunities to rent a board, including Faith Surf School in front of the Outrigger Waikiki. If surfing isn’t your thing, try stand-up paddleboarding.
➺ Explore the North Shore with Climb
Works Keana Farms, a three-hour guided zip line tour. It includes lines ranging from 500 feet to almost half a mile and features eight dual lines, two rappels, and three skybridges that stretch over beautifully expansive farmland.
➺ Walk Kailua Beach at sunrise. This 2.5-
mile stretch of white flour-like sand is famous for its beauty. Bring a boogie board; you’ll find a couple of spots that are great for beginners.
➺ Show off your sick boogie boarding and
bodysurfing skills at Makapuu Beach Park on
the courtyard at the Moana Surfrider Hotel, where Robert Louis Stevenson is said to have written poems with the lovely Princess Kaiulani. The princess grew up on an estate just across the street (where the Sheraton Kaiulani stands today). A little farther down the road, between the Halekulani and Outrigger Reef, you’ll find Gray’s Beach. Dip into its waters to heal whatever might be ailing you, as it was once famous for its restorative powers. Hey, it can’t hurt!
➺ Sign up for a guided tour at Iolani Palace,
the only true-blue palace on U.S. soil. Fun fact: If you happen to have seen the movie Princess Kaiulani (it’s usually offered on Hawaiian Airlines) you’ll recognize this spot. Be sure to visit the corner bedroom where Queen Lili‘uokalani was imprisoned for eight months, during which time she wrote the famous song “Aloha ‘Oe.”
➺ When you’ve had enough of the beach, visit the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, home to over 24 million (!) historical, cultural, and
natural Hawaiian treasures. Consider the Monarchs and Behind the Scenes tours, and plan to stay for a while—it’s a good one.
➺ Sign up for a guided tour through Waimea
Falls, and prepare to have your mind blown by the flora and fauna—including rare species of birds and plants along the path that winds past an ancient Hawaiian village. When you’re done, make time for a swim in the cool, refreshing waters off Waimea Beach.
➺ Stop at the Pali Lookout, which has deep
historical significance. Pali means cliff in Hawaiian, and this one is the site of the Battle of Nuuanu, where in 1795 Kamehameha the Great won the struggle that finally united Oahu under his rule. Whether you hike or drive, you’ll be rewarded by an expansive view of Kane’ohe and Kailua bays.
➺ Spend cocktail hour at the Kahala Hotel, which when built in 1964 for $11 million was the most expensive hotel in the world. In fact, the spot was affectionately known as “Kahollywood” for the movie stars who flocked here. As you sip that cool, refreshing Maui Mule, contemplate the fact that in 1795, on this very spot, Kamehameha the Great landed many of his canoes (which came from Maui) en route to the Battle of Nuuanu, which led to the unification of the Hawaiian Islands. Eventually, the kanaka or native islanders began to settle in Kahala.
KAUAI
THE PRO: DENISE WARDLOW GENERAL MANAGER AT WESTIN PRINCEVILLE OCEAN RESORT VILLAS
➺ Take a morning run around the picturesque Princeville area, keeping your eyes peeled for nene geese, the Hawaii state bird, along with albatross, rainbow eucalyptus, and more. If you happen to be staying at the Westin, ask for a RunWestin running route (either a 2.5- or 5-mile map) to help lead the way.
➺ Drive to Waioli Hui‘ia Church, an iconic and frequently photographed Hanalei destination established by American
R E A D MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / T R AV E L
Christian missionaries in 1834. In Kilauea, the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge offers a unique opportunity to observe seabirds in their habitat and visit a lighthouse built in 1913. If the timing works out, catch a yoga class in Kilauea town.
➺ Stop for local goodies at one of the Garden
Isle’s many farmers’ markets. In addition to fresh produce produced by Kauai’s robust agricultural community, they offer ready-todevour food like traditional lunch plates and Kauai-made items like jewelry and honey.
➺ Visit Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State
Park, nicknamed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The canyon, on Kauai’s west side, is 14 miles long, one mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep. Although not as big or as old as its Arizona counterpart, this geological wonder is unique in the islands and provides panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags and deep valley gorges. Numerous trails are available for beginner and seasoned hikers.
➺ Walk along the picturesque Poipu Beach
to RumFire at the Sheraton Kauai Resort for arguably the best sunset views in Poipu. If you’re feeling charitable, participate in the restaurant’s Table 53 program, which to date has raised more than $185,000 for Kauaibased nonprofits by donating proceeds from the diner’s bill. THE PRO: SUE KANOHO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KAUAI VISITORS BUREAU
➺ Feast on delicious Kauai shrimp via a
Tasting Kauai tour, then take a trip down crustacean lane at Opaekaa Falls on the south shore. (Opaekaa means “rolling shrimp,” alluding to the freshwater shrimp’s one-time abundance in the tumbling cascade of the waterfall.)
➺ Reflect on the past at Poli‘ahu Heiau, one
of seven ancient Hawaiian temples on the Wailua River. This one, situated on a bluff above water, offers impressive views of Wailua Bay and the verdant mountains Nounou and Kalepa. Though it’s unclear when this
particular heiau was built, there is evidence it was used as early as the 1600s.
➺ Set off on a 10-mile walk, bike ride, or drive
along Ka Ala Hele Waiwai Ho‘olina o Koloa, or the Koloa Heritage Trail. There are 14 stops and monuments, and marked signs highlight the natural history, archaeology, and culture of the Koloa District of Kauai and its people. Look for the birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, born in Koloa in a grass hut to Princess Kinoike Kekaulike and High Chief David Kahalepouli Pi‘ikoi. Jonah became a delegate to the U.S. Congress after Hawaii became a territory in 1900, serving for 19 years. His name can be found throughout the state, including Kuhio Avenue, one of the main roads in Waikiki.
➺ Spend a rainy afternoon exploring the
Kauai Museum in Lihue, where you’ll be able to see the Ha‘aheo artifacts from King Kamehameha II’s sunken yacht in addition to various exhibits about Kauai life long ago. ➺ Learn how to make a haku (braided) flower lei, using a variety of colorful blossoms found throughout the island, with award-winning lei maker Elvrine Chow of Heavenly Hakus.
➺ Roam through the McBryde Garden,
nestled in the picturesque and historic Lawa‘i Valley on the south shore of the island. Home to the largest collection of native Hawaiian flora in existence, it’s arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world.
➺ Treat yourself to an island-inspired dinner
at the Westin Princeville. Twice monthly, the resort partners with the Waipa Foundation for He ‘Aina Ola (a nourishing feast), a farm tour and dinner event. The event begins with a walking tour of Waipa’s orchard and gardens as the foundation’s staff relays details on the history of the area and the organization’s efforts to practice cultural stewardship in the ancient ahupua‘a (land division). Following the tour, a three-course dinner with wine pairings is offered in Waipa’s Laukupu Hale Imu. Prepared by a resort culinary team, the meal features locally sourced ingredients, including produce grown at Waipa, and live entertainment is provided by the Waipa ‘ohana, or family. M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 67
TAKE FUN
FOR A SPIN • Enjoy gaming action at nearly 1,000 slots and over 50 table games • Dine at any of 7 restaurants, including Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House • Catch live entertainment at Cube • Sip craft cocktails in Lotus Lounge
RIVERSCASINO.COM 888.307.0777
3000 S. River Road | Des Plaines, IL 60018
Not valid for any participant of the Illinois Gaming Board Statewide Voluntary Self- Exclusion Program. Must be 21 years of age or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).
Out & About C A L E N DA R / T H E AT E R / D I N E / B E T T E R M A K E R S
EAT THIS NOW
STEVE STURGILL
EVENTS
Chicago Cubs Home Opener LISTING ON PAGE 74
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 69
Calendar
T H E AT E R / DA N C E / CO M E DY / F I L M / M U S I C / G A L L E R I E S / M U S E U M S / E V E N T S
BY NICOLE SCHNITZLER
DANCE MARCH 23-24 Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Spring Series The Spring Series will mark Hubbard Street’s return to the Auditorium Theatre for the first time in 20 years—and will feature an evening of works from resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago, 312-850-9744, hubbardstreetdance.com
THEATER MARCH 3-21 Faust Lyric Opera of Chicago continues its season with a unique production of Charles Gounod’s Faust, a classic story about the pursuit of eternal youth. Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, 312-827-5600, lyricopera.org MARCH 8-APRIL 8 Mass Appeal Father Timothy Farley has
always preached about miracles—now he has to perform one in this comical examination of the nature of friendship, courage, and the infinite variety of love. Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Rd., Glenview, 847-8340738, oillamptheater.org MARCH 13-APRIL 15 Pretty Woman: The Musical Oriental Theatre brings Vivian and Edward to the stage in a show that captures some of the
70 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
best moments from the movie we all remember. Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 800-775-2000, broadwayinchicago.com OPENS MARCH 21 Smart People Writers Theatre presents Smart People, the story of four young urban professionals in their search for love and success as they navigate the intricacies of racial and sexual politics. The Gillian Theatre, 325
Tudor Court, Glencoe, 847-242-6000, writerstheatre.org APRIL 10-15 The Sound of Music The spirited, romantic, and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp family will once again thrill audiences this spring. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 800-775-2000, broadwayinchicago.com
OPENS APRIL 27 Jesus Christ Superstar Witness history in the making as Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famed rock opera, Lyric’s very first rock ‘n’ roll performance. Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, 312827-5600, lyricopera.org
DANCE MARCH 3-4 Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s “The Sleeping Beauty (La
Belle)” The premier dance company of Monaco, known for its elegant, classical style, brings this dazzling performance to the Auditorium Theatre. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., 312-341-2300, auditoriumtheatre.org MARCH 16 Trinity Irish Dancers Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Trinity Irish dancers and the Trinity Academy, an institution striving to
empower through Irish dance. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, cityofchicago.org MARCH 16-17 Layla and Manjun: Mark Morris Dance Group & Silk Road Ensemble Featuring mugham singers, musicians of the Silk Road Ensemble, and 16 dancers of the Mark Morris Dance Group, this production aims to introduce a beloved cornerstone of Middle Eastern folklore to a wide audience in the U.S. 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, 847-242-6000, writerstheatre.org APRIL 1-30 Chicago Dance Month This annual, month-long celebration highlights the richness of the Chicago dance community through performances and other events. Various locations, Chicago, 312-846-6357, seechicagodance.com APRIL 20 Meher Dance Company Meher Dance Company is dedicated to the art of Bollywood and Indian dance, creating a platform where individuals can enjoy, practice, and learn diverse styles of the art form. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, cityof chicago.org APRIL 26-MAY 5 Midsummer Night’s Dream Choreographed by Swedish trailblazer Alexander Ekman, this colorful ode to the longest day of the year is every bit as captivating as Shakespeare’s original. Joffrey Ballet at Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago, 312-386-8905, joffrey.org
COMEDY
FILM
MARCH 9-APRIL 29 Women Laughing Alone with Salad This four-person comic tourde-force explores the idea of how we live with ourselves — or, possibly, how we can’t. Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, 773-9758150, theaterwit.org
MARCH 1-4 Chicago Irish Film Festival This celebration of Irish film production embraces innovation, independence, and creativity that is rooted in Ireland’s cultural heritage. chicagoirishfilm festival.com
MARCH 15-18 Joe Zimmerman Spend an evening with Joe Zimmerman, who has landed TV appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Conan, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Zanies, 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, 312-337-4027, chicago.zanies.com
STARTS MARCH 1 JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival The JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival features films depicting the strong Jewish contributions to world culture. jccchicago.org
MARCH 23 Janeane Garofalo American actress, comedian, and writer Janeane Garofalo joins Thalia Hall for an evening of stand-up comedy. Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago, 312-526-3851, thaliahallchicago.com APRIL 14 Jay Leno The outspoken late-night talk show host hits town for another evening of chat, comedy, and entertainment. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, 847-263-6300, geneseetheatre.com APRIL 20 Lisa Lampanelli Nicknamed the “Queen of Mean,” this Connecticut-born comedian has been insulting everyone under the sun since the early ‘90s—and she’s just getting started. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, 847-2636300, genesee theatre.com
MARCH 2-11 One Earth Film Festival One Earth Film Festival unveils “This Is the Moment” as its 2018 theme for its presentation of 33 environmental films in 47 venues. Read more on page 44. oneearthfilmfest.org MARCH 8-11 The Onion City Experimental Film + Video Festival This festival showcases a range of experimental works that represent differing styles, forms, and nationalities. onioncity.org MARCH 8 Blind Spots of Memory The limitations of historical memory, as well as the insufficiency of historical documentation to accurately reflect history, are at the center of these two films that focus on war. Block Cinema at Block Museum, 40 Arts Circle, Northwestern University, Evanston, 847-491-4000, blockmuseum .northwestern.edu
MARCH 9-11 Peace on Earth Film Festival This nonprofit festival has a mission to foster change in public discourse by cultivating alternatives to violence, while demonstrating steps toward social justice and an ecobalanced world. Peaceonearthfilm festival.org
APRIL 20-22 CineYouth Festival CineYouth is the Chicago International Film Festival’s yearly showcase of short works by filmmakers age 22 and younger from around the world. chicagofilmfestival.com
MUSIC MARCH 9-10 P!NK International pop icon P!NK announces her Beautiful Trauma World Tour 2018 and makes a two-night stop at the United Center. The United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, 312-455-4500, unitedcenter.com
H IG H LIG HT S
Editors’ Favorites Make It Better is a proud media sponsor of these events: OPENS MARCH 15 “Where the Children Sleep” The Illinois Holocaust Museum exhibit’s powerful photos of Syrian refugee children are presented as “a wake-up call to recognize the tragedy of the Syrian refugee crisis.” Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, ilholocaust museum.org MARCH 18 Launch: Driving Fashion Forward An annual fashion show featuring designs from Juniper Boutique, Londo Mondo, The Lake Forest Shop, and more, plus cocktails, auction items, and the Emerging Columbia College Student Designer Competition. Proceeds benefit PAWS Chicago. Autohaus on Edens, 1600 Frontage Rd., Northbrook, launch fashionshow.com MARCH 23-24 Good Food EXPO Shop, eat, learn, and grow the Good Food Movement at FamilyFarmed’s 14th Annual Good Food EXPO, an event that promotes a healthier,
more environmentally sustainable, and more economically dynamic food system. UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, goodfoodexpo.org APRIL 5 Glencoe Women’s Club Fashion Show This year’s annual fundraising event, Fabulous Fashions of the North Shore, will benefit Curts Cafe in Evanston. Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe, writerstheatre.org APRIL 7 Rock for Peace Support Waukegan’s House of Peace, a domestic violence shelter, with this benefit concert and party featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks and Band. Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, houseof peaceshelter.org APRIL 14 Lyric Opera of Chicago Wine Auction 2018 The triennial auction, named one of the “Top 10 Charity Wine Auctions” by Wine Spectator, will raise funds to support the programs of Lyric
Opera. This year’s event will feature a champagne reception, silent and live auctions, and an elegant dinner. Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, lyricopera.org APRIL 20 The Joffrey Ballet Spring Gala This Swedish Midsummer gala will celebrate Ashley Wheater’s 10 years as artistic director of The Joffrey Ballet with a performance, cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago; The Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago, joffrey.org/gala APRIL 21-22 Chocolate, Wine & Spirits Expo More than 50 vendors will offer samples of artisan chocolates and foods, demonstrations, pairings, and more during this event to benefit Holiday Heroes, which creates parties for hospitalized children. Free parking. Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, gourmetexpos.com
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 71
Out & About / CALENDAR
Keith Haring: The Chicago Mural
P
the Cultural Center for a peek at this unique exhibition, which includes a large selection of the 500-foot-long mural graffiti artist Keith Haring—along with 400 Chicago Public School students— created for Chicago’s Grant Park back in 1989. Opens March 3. Sidney R. Yates Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, cityofchicago.org
MARCH 10 The Oh Hellos Siblings Tyler and Maggie Heath make up this American folkrock duo, which will be performing tracks from their latest EP Notos. House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, 312-923-2000,
houseofblues.com/ chicago MARCH 11 100th Anniversary of Leonard Bernstein This unique program will feature a variety of the renowned composer’s works. Highlights include
OP DOW N TO
songs by Soprano Michelle Areyzagam, accompanied by pianist Welz Kauffman, the president and CEO of Ravinia. Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, pilgrimplayers.org
MARCH 12 Langhorne Slim The songs on Langhorne Slim’s newest album, Lost At Last Vol. 1, challenge the idea of social rigidity and the attitude that there’s a “correct” way for us to live. SPACE, 1245 Chicago
Ave., Evanston, 847-492-8860, evanstonspace.com MARCH 17 Los Lonely Boys Check out the latest from this Texasbased rock trio, along with tracks from singer-songwriter Lisa
Morales. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 312-733-9463, citywinery.com/chicago MARCH 27 Lorde Watch the New Zealand singersongwriter perform her Melodrama World Tour at the Allstate Arena. Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Rd., Rosemont, 847-6356601, rosemont.com/ allstate MARCH 27-28 Joshua Radin City Winery welcomes Joshua Radin, whose acoustic tunes have landed on the soundtracks of more than 72 television shows and movies. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 312-733-9463, citywinery.com/chicago
MARCELINO Y. FAHD
SPOTLIGHT
810 Elm Street Winnetka, IL 60093 | 847.446.2112 | francesheffernan.com FrancesHeffernan_0318_MC_FNL.indd 1
72 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
2/13/18 3:55 PM
PHOTO CREDIT
FALL 2018 | TRUNK SHOW April 6th – 7th | 10am – 5pm
Out & About / CALENDAR APRIL 10 The Decemberists The indie rock band explores a new sound on its eighth studio album, I’ll Be Your Girl. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, 312462-6300, msg.com/ the-chicago-theatre APRIL 14 RSMI Piano & Strings Concert The RSMI’s 2018 tour kicks off with a program featuring Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13 and Mendelssohn’s String Quintet No. 1. Bennett Gordon Hall, 201 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, 847-266-5100, ravinia.org APRIL 26-29 John Williams Returns Legendary composer John Williams
returns to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra podium to conduct some of his most beloved and unforgettable works alongside longtime CSO at the Movies guest conductor Richard Kaufman. The concert will feature music from E.T., Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Lincoln, and more. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-294-3000, cso.org APRIL 27-28 Jeff Tweedy The Wilco frontman returns to the Windy City for his Annual Benefit for Education. April 27-28. The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, 773-4720449, victheatre.com
GALLERIES MARCH 9-21 Shades of Inspiration This opening reception showcases work from students at Illinois School in Park Forest and live jazz music by Muzicnet School of Music. Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main St. Park Forest, 708-833-5108, salon artistsgallery.com MARCH 19 Art & Religion Noon Curator’s Lecture: Sr. Tomasita Fessler, Artist and Nun Learn about the life of Sr. Thomasita Fessler, one of the most publicly known artists within the Brielmaier artist family. Komechak Art Gallery, 5700 College Rd., Lisle, 630829-6320, ben.edu/ komechak-art-gallery
OPENS MARCH 23 To Be Seen and Heard This show puts the focus on five Wisconsin artists: Prophet William J. Blackmon, Josephus Farmer, Simon Sparrow, Albert Zahn, and Eugene Von Bruenchenhein. Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, 312-2439088, art.org APRIL 13-28 Earth Day Closing Ceremonies Celebrate the Park Forest Environmental Commission’s closing of a week of activities scheduled throughout Park Forest. Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main St., Park Forest, 708-833-5108, salonartistsgallery.com
OPENS APRIL 14 Richard Hull View the latest from Richard Hull, who calls his recent paintings “stolen portraits.” Western Exhibitions, 1709 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, 312-480-8390, westernexhibitions.com
MUSEUMS OPENS MARCH 16 Mummies at the Field Museum Bring the kids to experience a rare, close-up look at the mummies and mummification traditions of ancient Egypt and Peru. The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org
MARCH 22–APRIL 12 Chicago Public Schools All-School Exhibition This juried art exhibition focuses on works by Chicago Public School art students who’ve been given the opportunity to show in a real-deal gallery setting. Expo 72, 72 E. Randolph St., Chicago, cityofchicago.org OPENS MARCH 23 Arte Diseño Xicágo: Mexican Inspiration from the World’s Columbian Exposition to the Civil Rights Era This exhibition surveys the early artistic involvement of Mexican artists and craftspeople who visited or migrated to Chicago between 1893 and 1970. National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago, 312-738-1503, artdesignchicago.org
• Trusted Since 1982 •
Committed to Eco-Friendly Roofing
Cedar Roofing Company, LLC
PHOTO CREDIT
License #104-003386
www.CedarRoofingCompany.com
Synthetics • Metal • Cedar • Asphalt • Restoration & Preservation • Gutters CedarRoofingCo_0318_FNL.indd 1
2/6/18 2:47 PM
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 73
Out & About / CALENDAR OPENS MARCH 31 Otobong Nkanga: To Dig a Hole That Collapses Again Born in Nigeria and now based in Antwerp, Otobong Nkanga explores the contested social and political histories of colonialism, with a particular focus on the relationship between Africa and the Western world. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, 312-280-2660, mcachicago.org OPENS APRIL 28 Picture Fiction: Kenneth Josephson and Contemporary Photography This exhibit focuses on the photographer’s four major series: Images within Images, Marks and Evidence, History
of Photography Series, and Archaeological Series. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, 312-280-2660, artdesignchicago.org
EVENTS MARCH 14-18 Chicago Flower & Garden Show Enjoy life-size gardens, how-to workshops, and instructional seminars at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, a familyfriendly event dating back to 1847. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, 312-241-1250 chicagoflower.com MARCH 18 Critical Conversations Don’t miss former Governors Jennifer Granholm (D-Michigan) and Mike Huckabee
(R-Arkansas) address front-page issues in Chicago’s inaugural Critical Conversations event. Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, spertus.edu/ conversation
and celebrate the passion, commitment, accomplishments and impact of civic leadership in the Chicago region. Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., lgcchicago.org
MARCH 27-29 Windows of The Magnificent Mile The Magnificent Mile Association presents window displays from retailer members with materials provided by GlobalShop exhibitors. The Magnificent Mile, Chicago, 800-798-5204, themagnificentmile.com
APRIL 5 Chicago White Sox Home Opener It’s officially baseball season in Chicago as the Sox and the Detroit Tigers face off at Guaranteed Rate Field. 333 W. 35th St., Chicago, 312674-1000, mlb.com/ whitesox
MARCH 30 Leadership Greater Chicago’s Celebrate Leaders Dinner This annual event brings together more than 500 Fellows and civic and business leaders to recognize
APRIL 9 Chicago Cubs Home Opener Our 2016 World Series champs are ready to begin another season at Wrigley, kicking off with a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wrigley Field, 1060 W.
Addison St., Chicago, 800-THE-CUBS, mlb.com/cubs APRIL 14 AC2 Live Witness the bromance of Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen firsthand. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, 312462-6300, msg.com/ the-chicago-theatre
APRIL 27-29 One of A Kind Show and Sale The third annual show returns to The Mart with more than 300 artists from across NorthAmerica. The Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 7th fl., Chicago, 312-527-4141, oneofakindshow chicago.com
APRIL 22 One Book, Everybody Reads Amor Towles visits Wilmette Junior High School to discuss his wildly popular novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, as part of Wilmette Public Library’s One Book, Everybody Reads initiative. Wilmette Junior High, 620 Locust Rd., Wilmette Public Library, 847-256-5025, wilmettelibrary.info
APRIL 29 27th Annual Blossoms of Hope Brunch Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago hosts the 27th annual brunch to support the Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) Program. Drury Lane of Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, 312-655-7912, catholiccharities.net/ lossbrunch
“A JUICY REGAL SMACKDOWN” –VARIETY
K.K. Moggie & Kellie Overbey, photo by Jeff Sciortino
IN A NEW VERSION BY
PETER OSWALD DIRECTED BY
JENN THOMPSON
UNDER 35? PRODUCTION SPONSORS
Raymond and Judy McCaskey Carl and Marilynn Thoma ChicagoShakespeareTheater_0318_FNL.indd 1
74 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
Great price for students & young professionals. MAJOR 2017/18 SEASON SUPPORTERS
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
2/7/18 6:37 PM
R E AD MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / E V E NT S
PHOTO CREDIT
NOW PLAYING
Editor’s Theater Picks W E T U R N T H E S P OT L I G H T O N T H E H OT T E S T S H OW S I N TOW N .
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, 312-977-1700, broadwayinchicago.com
A Taste of Things to Come
EVENT DATE Event Name Vulla at dolor erosto delendre dit iriusci duipis niatue min henibh et nulla esequating. Tktktk Theater. 555.555.5555, tktktk.com
THEATER MARCH 10 - APRIL 15 An Enemy of the People Although it was written in 1882 by a Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen’s darkly comedic drama has gained new relevance in America’s current political era. The Goodman’s esteemed artistic director, Evanston resident Robert Falls, will direct this play about the contamination of a resort town’s water supply, which sparks a political and ethical struggle between the town’s mayor and his brother, a respected doctor. Falls is an insightful and
thoughtful risk-taker, so expectations are high for this production. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org MARCH 15 - APRIL 22 The Beauty Queen of Leenane Martin McDonagh’s latest work is the Golden Globewinning movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, but the Irish writer made his name back in 1996 with this biting black comedy for the stage. As the Vulture website observes, there’s something “hilariously grim” about the Ireland that
R E AD MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / T H E AT E R
BY ROBERT LOER ZEL
McDonagh brings to life in his plays. Beauty Queen, the story of a 40-year-old spinster in a battle of wits with her manipulative mother, will be directed by Northlight artistic director BJ Jones, with a star turn by one of Chicago’s most talented and empathetic actresses, Kate Fry. Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 847-673-6300, northlight.org MARCH 20 - APRIL 29 A Taste of Things to Come Even though this show’s creators aren’t local, they chose the North Shore as the ideal
setting for their story about four women making their way through changing American society in the 1950s and ’60s. The characters are best friends who meet once a week in preparation for a Betty Crocker cooking contest, but the kitchen gatherings are mostly an excuse for them to confide their hopes, dreams and frustrations to one another. Their conversations are interspersed with original songs that evoke the era’s rock and pop hits, performed by an allfemale band. When the show ran Off-Broadway, The New York Times praised its catchy music.
MARCH 21 - JUNE 10 Smart People Lydia Diamond’s new play follows four young urban professionals—a doctor, an actress, a psychologist, and a neurobiologist studying the human brain’s response to race—as they look for love and success while grappling with racial and sexual politics. During an earlier run of this play, The Boston Globe called it “splendid,” praising the way it “holds up a mirror to the choppy, one-stepforward-one-step-back workings of an increasingly multicultural society.” Hallie Gordon, who’s best known for her work leading Steppenwolf Theatre’s shows for young adults, will direct this local premiere. Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, 847-242-6000, writerstheatre.org APRIL 25 - JUNE 24 Macbeth When Aaron Posner and Teller (the taciturn half of the magic duo Penn & Teller) teamed up for a lively reimagining of The Tempest at Chicago Shakespeare in 2015, it was one of that year’s most innovative performances. Now, Posner and Teller are cooking up a new magical stew, as they devise a spectacle based on Shakespeare’s “Scottish
play.” “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble… “If those witches are as wise as they claim to be, they forecast an enchanting show. The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, 312-595-5600, chicagoshakes.com OTHER PLAYS WORTH CHECKING OUT: MARCH 21-APRIL 29, hang, Remy Bumppo Theatre (at Greenhouse), 773-244-8119, remybumppo.org APRIL 5-MAY 20, The Doppelgänger, Steppenwolf Theatre, 312-335-1650, steppenwolf.org APRIL 5-JUNE 17, South Pacific, Drury Lane, 630-530-0111, drurylaneoakbrook.com APRIL 6-MAY 6, Doing It, Victory Gardens, 773-871-3000, victorygardens.org APRIL 11-JUNE 3, Oklahoma!, Marriott Theatre, 847-634-0200, marriotttheatre.com APRIL 25-JUNE 3, Once: The Musical, Paramount Theatre, 630-896-6666, paramountaurora.com APRIL 27-MAY 13, Until the Flood, Goodman Theatre, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 75
Dine
A N I N S I D E R ’ S G U I D E TO T H E V E RY B E S T E AT S I N C H I C AG O A N D B E YO N D
EDITED BY JULIE CHERNOFF
Italian dessert crepes
TERZO PIANO Italian The restaurant’s design is right at home in the Art Institute’s Modern Wing. Chef/owner Tony Mantuano’s seasonal pastas, salads and shared plates are stunning, too. 159 E. Monroe St., 312-4438650, terzopiano chicago.com L, BR
GOLD COAST SOMERSET Seasonal American Chef Lee Wolen and pastry goddess Meg Galus are at it again, shaking up the Gold Coast with this snazzy resto in the new Viceroy Hotel, designed to the nines and the perfect backdrop for their seasonal take on elevated comfort food. Viceroy Hotel, 1112 N. State St., 312-586-2150, somersetchicago.com BLD, BR
• SPIAGGIA Italian Barack and Michelle flipped for James Beard Award winner Tony Mantuano’s luxe Italian cuisine, and it’s easy to understand why. The nearby Café Spiaggia is a more casual option, and also open for lunch. 980 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor, 312-280-2750, spiaggiarestaurant.com D
CHICAGO ANDERSONVILLE HOPLEAF Gastropub For 25 years, this has been the place for mussels and frites, washed down with one of more than 60 different craft beers. 5148 N. Clark St., Chicago, 773-334-9851, hopleafbar.com LD
BUCKTOWN/ WICKER PARK ADA STREET Global/ Shared Plates New chef Scott Sax brings a decidedly Latin flair
to this charming resto, including pleasantly doughy Brazilian Pao de Quejo, tequila-glazed Grilled Baby Octopus and Pork Adobo. The secluded outdoor patio is a super-fun summer destination. 1664 N. Ada St., 773-697-7069, adastreetchicago.com D
perfect hamburger, or her Crispy Chicken with Grits. But if you decide to leave without slurping down her Malted Coffee Cocoa Nib Milkshake, you are clearly insane. 1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-1747, hotchocolatechicago.com
HOT CHOCOLATE American Comfort Food James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal is so much more than a dessert queen; witness the brilliance of her mac and cheese, the
DOWNTOWN/ LOOP
LD, BR
ACANTO Italian Terrific rustic Italian food is just within reach of Millennium Park and Chicago’s Cultural Mile. Order
one of chef Christopher Gawronski’s thin-crust pizzas or tender pastas and a glass of wine, and relax. 18 S. Michigan Ave., 312-578-0763, acantochicago.com LD, BR
CINDY’S Mediterranean Shared Plates The panoramic rooftop patio views overlooking Millennium Park and Lake Michigan are worth it alone, but happily chef Christian Ragano turns out food both delicious and Instagrammable. The craft cocktails are on
point as well. 12 S. Michigan Ave., 312-7923502, cindysrooftop.com LD, BR
THE DEARBORN Upscale Tavern The perfect location for dinner before (or after—they’re open late!) virtually any Loop theatre show or concert, The Dearborn’s eclectic global cuisine covers the gamut from Korean BBQ Tacos to Shrimp and Octopus Ceviche, but they’ve also got a damn good burger. 145 N. Dearborn St., 312384-1242, thedearborn tavern.com LD, BR
LINCOLN PARK/ LAKEVIEW ALINEA Tasting Menu James Beard Award winner and three-star Michelin chef Grant Achatz has the world on a string. Reservations are rare and the price is steep, but if you can, this is an experience you should have at least once. 1723 N. Halsted St., 312-867-0110, alinearestaurant.com D BOKA Contemporary American Chef Lee Wolen ably helms the BOKA Group’s flagship restaurant. Clubby, sleek interiors are the perfect backdrop for his lovely, seasonal American cuisine and pastry chef Meg Galus’
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 77
Out & About / DINE outstanding creations. 1729 N. Halsted St., 312-337-6070, bokachicago.com D MON AMI GABI French Bistro You’ll find all the bistro classics on Chef Nelli Maltezos’ menu—steak frites, frisée salad, onion soup au gratin—and they’re delightful every time, along with the service and wine list. 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, 773-348-8886, monamigabi.com D, BR
Shrimp and Grits
• BIG JONES Southern Just off a renovation, this is chef Paul Fehribach’s love letter to the South, inspired by its people and history. The cornbread! The fried chicken! The gumbo! All stellar. 5347 N. Clark St., 773-2755725, bigjoneschicago.com LD, BR
NAOKI Sushi Muchawarded sushi chef Naoki Nakashima is all about the freshest, most pristine sashimi and nigiri. Japanese small plates, specialty maki and substantial sake and Japanese whiskey offerings round out the
menu. 2300 N. Lincoln Park, 773-868-0002, naoki-sushi.com D NORTH POND Seasonal American This Arts & Crafts beauty perches on the edge of a tranquil pond in verdant Lincoln Park. James Beard Award-winning chef Bruce Sherman sources from small local farms to create his exquisitely prepared and presented dishes. 2610 N. Cannon Dr., 773-477-5845, northpond restaurant.com D, BR RICCARDO TRATTORIA Italian Now that’s Italian—Northern Italian, to be exact. We’d be hard-pressed to name a favorite among the gems, but truly every risotto and pasta dish is like a quick trip to
Milan or Florence. Authentic and delicioso. Sister restaurant Riccardo Enoteca is across the street. 2119 N. Clark St., 773-549-0038, riccardotrattoria.com D
LOGAN SQUARE /AVONDALE DOS URBAN CANTINA Modern Mexican Husband-and-wife chef team Brian and Jennifer Enyart opened this spot as a showcase for their modern Mexican cuisine. Octopus al pastor with pineapple and adobo and masa gnocchi in chorizo sauce are just a few of their inventive dishes. 2829 W. Armitage Ave., 773-661-6452, dosurban cantina.com D, BR
FAT RICE Macanese Another culinary couple, Abe Conlon and Adrienne Lo, opened the first Macanese restaurant in Chicago, a happy combination of Southeast Asian, Portuguese, Indian and Chinese food. The Arroz Gordo (“Fat Rice”) is like paella on steroids. 2957 W. Diversey Ave., 773-661-9170, eatfatrice.com LD, BR GIANT Global Cuisine Chef Jason Vincent is a culinary omnivore with many influences, so he decided to cook all of his favorites. The buzz around the Jonah Crab Salad with Waffle Fries, Super Uni Shooter and the “Sortallini”? Well deserved. 3209 W. Armitage Ave., 773-252-0997, giantrestaurant.com D
the best things in life are Sweet 1208 W Webster Ave Chicago IL 60614 773.244.1174 sweetmandybs.com
78 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
we ! r e v i l e d
OSTERIA LANGHE Italian Possibly the best Italian restaurant in the city, this sister restaurant to Animale is run by Scottish chef Cameron Grant and Belgian-Italian front man Aldo Zaninotto. 2824 W. Armitage Ave., 773-661-1582, osterialanghe.com D PARACHUTE Korean Top Chef finalist Beverly Kim and her husband Johnny Clark were in the forefront of the couplesopening-restaurants phenomenon in Chicago with this fabulous Korean fusion spot in Avondale. The Baked Potato Bing Bread is a must-order, along with the Oysters with Soju Granita and the Bi Bim Bop, here made with yellowfin tuna and
preserved lemon. 3500 N. Elston Ave., 773-654-1460, parachute restaurant.com D TABLE, DONKEY AND STICK Alpine Gastropub This Tyrolean charmer captures the spirit of an Alpine mountain inn. Toast yourself by the fire, or hang out on their lovely patio in warmer weather. Either way, don’t miss the housemade charcuterie, bread and cultured butter. They have a way with game here, and of course the pretzel with beer cheese and the potato latkes are highly satisfying. 2728 W. Armitage 773-486-8525, tabledonkeystick.com D
PILSEN/ BRIDGEPORT THE DUCK INN Gastropub Bridgeport’s other favorite son, Kevin Hickey, came home and brought a restaurant with him. The Rotisserie Duck is the star of the show, but the supporting players are equally talented. 2701 S. Eleanor, 312-724-8811, the duckinnchicago.com D HAISOUS Vietnamese On everyone’s best new restaurant list, this Pilsen spot scored a Bib Gourmand rating from the venerable Michelin Guide. Owners Thai and Danielle Dang are sharing their love of Vietnamese food with us. And trust us—from the soulful beef pho to the earthy roasted duck
stuffed with kaffir lime leaves, you will feel the love. 1800 S. Carpenter St., 312-702-1303, haisous.com D, BR S.K.Y. Global Fusion L.A. transplant Stephen Gillanders unites the cuisines of East Asia and the Mediterranean at this chic new spot. Dishes like Foie Gras Bibimbap and Maine Lobster Dumplings with Jade Butter are bursting with flavor. 1239 W. 18th St., 312-846-1077, sky restaurantchicago.com D
RIVER NORTH BEATRIX American Comfort Food This neighborhood favorite (with outposts in Streeterville and West Loop) brings the yummy with fresh-squeezed
juice medleys, bounteous salads, burgers for every diet, and a killer turkey meatloaf. Skip the pastry bar? Never. 519 N. Clark St., 312-284-1377, beatrixrestaurants.com BLD, BR
BRINDILLE French Chef/owner Carrie Nahabedian’s seasonal interpretations of impeccable French cuisine are worth every penny. Luxe ingredients such as Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Steak Tartare, and Whole Dover Sole sound their siren call. Tasting menus available. 534 N. Clark St., 312-595-1616, brindille-chicago.com D FRONTERA GRILL Mexican For over 30 years, James Beard Award-winning chef
Rick Bayless has been educating Chicago— and beyond—about authentic regional Mexican cuisine. His fine-dining restaurant, Topolobampo, shares an entrance with Frontera; fast casual Xoco is on the corner. All three more than live up to the hype. 445 N. Clark St., 312-661-1434, rickbayless.com LD, BR GT FISH & OYSTER Seafood Chef Giuseppe Tentori, in partnership with the Boka Group, has his way with seafood, and the results are memorable. 531 N. Wells St., 312-929-3501, gtoyster.com LD, BR GT PRIME Steakhouse See above; substitute meat for seafood and you’ve got the idea.
Scott Byron & Co., Inc. • 30088 N. Skokie Highway, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 • 847.689.0266 Tel • www.scottbyron.com ScottByron_0318_FNL.indd 1
2/12/18 3:01 PM
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 79
Out & About / DINE Olives Six Ways
• THE PURPLE PIG Mediterranean/ Small Plates Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. is a fourth-generation restaurateur—and a James Beard Award winner. Known for an awe-inspiring collection of cured meats, cheeses, “schmears,” and housemade antipasti, this place keeps the plancha fired up with a great selection of meaty small plates, perfect for sharing after a hard day of shopping on Michigan Avenue. 500 N. Michigan Ave., 312-464-1744, thepurplepigchicago.com LD 707 N. Wells St., 312600-6305, gprime.com D NAHA Mediterranean Carrie Nahabedian’s original restaurant is clean and contemporary in decor, but the food is lush and deeply flavorful. A board member of Green City Market, the chef clearly has a reverence for fresh, seasonal produce and local products. 500 N. Clark St., 312-321-6242, naha-chicago.com LD PORTSMITH Seafood From the Fifty/50 Group comes this gorgeous seafood-forward resto. The bread service is stellar, raw bar items top-notch, and Chef Nate Henssler’s cacio e pepe with uni butter and caviar a rich surprise. 660 N. State St., 312202-6050, portsmith chicago.com BLD, BR
TANTA Peruvian Peruvian super chef Gaston Acurio brings Lima to Chicago by way of his kitchen, turning out luscious empanadas, antichuchos (skewers), cebiche with leche de tigre (translated as “tiger’s milk,” but not really!), pollo a la brasa, and more. Pisco drinks are big here, and we don’t mind at all! 118 W. Grand Ave., 312-222-9700, tantachicago.com LD, BR
SOUTH LOOP ACADIA Tasting Menu Dinner is always a wow at this Michelin Guide two-star stunner. Chef Ryan McCaskey plays with the classics in inspiring, beautiful and supremely flavorful ways. 1639 S. Wabash Ave., 312-360-9500, acadiachicago.com D
80 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
STREETERVILLE /GOLD COAST
SHANGHAI TERRACE Chinese Tucked away in the glamorous Peninsula Hotel is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city—and undoubtedly the priciest. The dim sum nibbles, the Peking duck, the abalone (you read that right!)… all spectacular, and the service is impeccable. In summer, insist on the glorious rooftop terrace. 108 E. Superior St., 312573-6744, chicago .peninsula.com LD TORALI ITALIAN STEAK Italian Steakhouse Inside the zillion-dollar renovation of the Ritz-Carlton, you’ll find this modern approach to a steakhouse with an Italian twist. House-made pastas, prime and dry-aged meats, inspired cocktails and a gorgeous interior. 160 E. Pearson at Water Tower Place, 312-573-5160, torali chicago.com BLD
WEST LOOP
MAPLE & ASH Steakhouse This super-luxe Gold Coast steakhouse has it all: craft cocktails, woodfired hearth-cooked proteins, expansive raw bar offerings, a killer interior, and the culinary stylings of chef Danny Grant. Don’t skip Aya Fukai’s amazing desserts. 8 W. Maple St., 312-944-8888, mapleandash.com D, BR
AVEC Mediterranean Small Plates Make new friends at Avec’s communal tables while sharing the signature Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates wrapped in bacon, served with a piquillo pepper-tomato sauce. The paella here is spot on. 615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002, avecrestaurant.com LD, BR
NICO OSTERIA Italian/Seafood The Gold Coast’s chic Thompson Hotel really scored big when it opened this Italian seafood-focused resto. House-made pastas and pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky’s calorieworthy desserts are particular highlights. 1015 N. Rush St., 312-994-7100, nicoosteria.com BLD, BR
BELLYQ Asian BBQ Chef Bill Kim’s panAsian menu is filled with craveable delights: Korean Fried Chicken, Scallion Pancakes with BBQ Pork, TeaSmoked Duck Breast and Coconut Grits are just a sampling. And that PB&J Soft Serve! Addictive stuff. 1400 W. Randolph St., 312-563-1010, bellyqchicago.com D
BLACKBIRD Contemporary American This is where it all began for Paul Kahan and his restaurant empire, and it’s still of the moment. Chef de cuisine Ryan Pfeiffer is putting out beautiful, modern food made with local, sustainable ingredients. 619 W. Randolph St., 312-715-0708, blackbird restaurant.com LD GIRL & THE GOAT Global Cuisine James Beard Award and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard favors familystyle, big-hearted dishes at her culinary global mash-up, like the Wood-Oven Roasted Pig Face (surprisingly scrumptious despite the name), Goat Empanadas, and even a whole goat leg available by reservation only. 809 W. Randolph St., 312-492-6262, girlandthegoat.com D LEÑA BRAVA Mexican/Seafood Rick Bayless’ newest venture is a Mexican seafood (from sustainable and environmentally responsible sources, of course) restaurant that draws inspiration from fire and ice. Everything is cooked by fire, either in a woodburning oven or over a hot grill. Bayless’ Cruz Blanca Brewery and Taqueria is right next door. 900 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975, rickbayless.com D ORIOLE Tasting Menu Two Michelin stars for the Asian-influenced vision of chef Noah Sandoval combined with the divine desserts of pastry chef Genie Kwon. An inauspicious entrance belies the serene and awe-inducing culinary experience within.
661 W. Walnut St., 312-877-5339, oriolechicago.com D THE PUBLICAN Gastropub Oysters, craft beer and pork, oh my! If it’s über-loud here, that’s because everyone is fighting over the last piece of roasted farm chicken. Don’t miss Publican Quality Meats (L only), the amazing deli across the street. 837 W. Fulton Market, 312-6012970, thepublican restaurant.com D, BR SALERO Spanish If you’re looking for an enormous Spanishstyle “Gin Tonic,” you’ve come to the right place. Keep it company with chef Ashlee Aubin’s tapas (grilled octopus, confit potatoes, chorizo-stuffed quail) and a paella for the table. Don’t even think of leaving without trying the cheese flan or the churros! 621 W. Randolph St., 312-466-1000, salerochicago.com D LA SIRENA CLANDESTINA South American Chef John Manion spent his childhood in Brazil and cooked his way through Argentina, so it’s no surprise that he’s doing South American cuisine serious justice here. His feijoada (a meat, rice and greens dish), moqueca (a coconut-infused seafood stew with risotto) and Black Beans & Rice are all delicious. Try them with a house caipirinha or pisco sour. 954 W. Fulton Market, 312-226-5300, lasirenachicago.com D, BR SMYTH + THE LOYALIST Tasting Menu / Modern American Powerhouse husband-and-wife team John and Karen Shields give you two options: Smyth’s exquisite
multi-course offerings, or The Loyalist’s casual vibe. Honestly, there’s no wrong choice here. 177 N. Ada St., 773-9133773, smythandthe loyalist.com D
638 S. Michigan Ave., 312-765-0524, mercat chicago.com BLD, BR
SWIFT & SONS Steakhouse Chef Chris Pandel and the Boka Group are aiming for nothing less than the evolution of the American steakhouse for modern sensibilities. The meat is aged beautifully, dessert comes on a cart, and the gin is cold. What more could you ask? 1000 W. Fulton Market, 312733-9420, swiftandsons chicago.com D
THE BARN Contemporary American / Steakhouse This sister restaurant to Found Kitchen has a speakeasy feel (it’s down a side alley), chic decor and food that’s classic with a twist. The craft cocktails here are also top-notch. Rear 1016 Church St., Evanston, 847-868-8041, thebarnevanston.com D
SOUTH LOOP MERCAT A LA PLANXA Spanish At this Spanish spot in the Blackstone Hotel, small plates, Catalanstyle cuisine, a lively downstairs bar, and an airy two-story dining room are all selling points.
NORTH SHORE EVANSTON
BOLTWOOD Farm to Table Chef Brian Huston’s seasonally driven food draws a crowd. Order the Roasted Half Chicken and Crispy Potatoes with Garlic Schmaltz and thank us later. 804 Davis St., Evanston, 847-859-2880, boltwood evanston.com LD, BR
The Fresh Foam LAZR Uncompromising performance for athletes on the move
NewBalance_0318_FNL.indd 1
2/9/18 12:56 AM
Coconut Poached Seafood
Introducing
SAM RATTANOPAS
Spring
• NAKORN Modern Thai This “Cosmopolitan Thai” resto is exactly where you need to eat. Clean, bright flavors pop big in craft cocktails and curries; not your average Thai menu, as the mouthwatering New York Strip Steak attests. 1622 Orrington Ave., Evanston, 847-733-8424, nakornkitchen.com LD
Your luxury spring break awaits at Stone Terrace Bed & Breakfast. Steps from Lake Michigan, gourmet breakfast, close to Northwestern University and Downtown Evanston shopping and dining, massage and exercise rooms.
1622 Forest Place, Evanston, IL 60201
StoneTerrace_0318_v2_FNL.indd 1
847-859-2198
stoneterracebb.com
2/14/18 10:49 AM
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 81
Out & About / DINE Griddle Burger
• FRED’S GARAGE American Comfort Food Built in a repurposed and refurbished garage, Fred’s (from the owners of Evanston’s Ten Mile House) is a neighborhood restaurant with a fun, unique atmosphere and food you’ll crave—especially that crispy-onthe-outside, juicy-on-the-inside fried chicken. 574 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, 847-496-3733, fredswinnetka.com LD CAMPAGNOLA Italian Rustic Italian hits the spot at this longtime South Evanston favorite. Chef Vince Di Battista favors local, organic ingredients whenever possible. Pappardelle Bolognese here is some of the best around. 815 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847475-6100, campagnola restaurant.com D FIVE & DIME / LULU’S / TACO DIABLO American / Asian / Mexican Owners Dan and Laura Kelch are back after a devastating fire closed the original Taco Diablo. Now across the street, they’ve got three energetic joints going at once: the pan-Asian Lulu’s; tequila-haven Taco Diablo; and indoor/ outdoor hangout spot Five & Dime. 1026 Davis 82 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
St., Evanston, 847-8596847, lulusevanston. com, tacodiablo.com LD HEARTH American A welcome respite in a sea of deafening restaurants, Hearth offers a lovely dining experience and carefully prepared, seasonal fare. Brunch is a highlight. 1625 Hinman Ave., Evanston, 847-5708400, hearth restaurant.net D, BR LA PRINCIPAL Mexican This colorful taco palace pours a mean margarita, and the churros are a local treasure. Sister restaurant The Lucky Platter, an eclectic diner, is one block east. 700 Main St., Evanston, 224-307-24444, laprincipalevanston.com BLD
OCEANIQUE French / Seafood Whether you opt for the seven-course tasting menu or the à la carte choices, it’s clear that chef Mark Grosz has serious cooking chops. Pair your foie gras or lobster with something fine from the award-winning wine list. 505 Main St., Evanston, 847-8643435, oceanique.com D TERRA & VINE Italian Celebrity restaurateur and sommelier Alpana Singh knows a thing or two about hospitality, and you’ll find it on display at this rustic Italian spot. There’s also teriffic private dining for events. 1701 Maple Ave., Evanston, 847-563-4333, terraandvine.com LD, BR UNION PIZZERIA Pizza Pies from a woodburning pizza oven just have that special something. We love the blistered thin-crust pizzas and small antipasti plates here and the Detroit-style square pizzas down the street at sister restaurant Union Squared. 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-4752400, unionpizza.com D
GLENCOE GUILDHALL Contemporary American The bar is always packed at this lovely restaurant just a stone’s throw from Writers Theatre. Seasonal produce and local purveyors play an important part. 694 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, 847-835-8100, guildhall restaurant.com LD, BR VALOR Mediterranean Bistro Third time is the charm for this cozy bistro in downtown Glencoe. They score with serious craft cocktails
and flavor-forward preparations of pasta, seafood and meat. If the Plancha Octopus is available, don’t miss it. 667 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, 847-786-4324, valorglencoe.com D
HIGHLAND PARK/ HIGHWOOD ABIGAIL’S AMERICAN BISTRO Contemporary American Chef Michael Paulsen’s big flavors deliver all the yummy and keep everyone happy, from the killer cheeseburger and flashfried brussels sprouts to the duck confit salad. Even better, it’s close to Ravinia. 493 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park, 847-780-4862, abigails493.com LD BALLARO Italian Thin-crust pizza, fresh pasta and more at this contemporary Italian spot. Don’t miss the Bucatini Carbonara. 214 Green Bay Road, Highwood, 847-7803396, ballarohw.com D
LAKE FOREST/ LAKE BLUFF INOVASI Contemporary American Separated into small, medium and large plates of seasonal deliciousness, chef John des Rosiers’ food is also largely—and naturally— gluten-free. 28 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff, 847295-1000, inovasi.us LD MARKET HOUSE ON THE SQUARE Farm to Table Local and seasonal are the watchwords here. So much so that chef Dan Marquis and his brother Tim own Mill Road Farms in Sheffield, Illinois, and supply the restaurant with their organic produce. 655 Forest Ave., Lake Forest, 847-234-8800 LD, BR
HOUSE 406 Contemporary American / Steakhouse Beef is a strong point here, but Chef Eloin Amador has a way with seafood, grilled pizza, soups and salads as well. Be sure to save room for one of the beautiful Wisconsin Cheese Flights—the perfect complement to that last glass of wine. 1143 ½ Church St., Northbrook, 847-7140200, house406 restaurant.com LD PRAIRIE GRASS CAFE Farm to Table Chef/ owners Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris are committed to using seasonal produce from local farms and meat and dairy from Midwestern producers, all prepared with great care for maximum flavor. 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-2054433, prairiegrass cafe.com LD, BR
SKOKIE LIBERTAD Pan-Latino The warm flavors of Latin America are well represented at this cozy spot with an urban vibe. Small plates, reasonable prices and beautifully prepared and presented food make this a must-visit spot. 7931 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 847-674-8100, libertad7931.com D, BR ROKA AKOR Japanese The food at Old Orchard mall took a step forward when this sushi and robata grill-centric restaurant opened a few years ago. Seafood is pristinely fresh and the grill infuses meats, fish and veggies alike with smoky goodness. 4999 Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, 847-329-7650, rokaakor.com LD, BR
WILMETTE CONVITO CAFÉ & MARKET French / Italian Stroll through the gourmet market stocked with imported Italian delicacies, wines and freshly prepared take-home foods to the charming bistro beyond. A lunch and brunch favorite. 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, 847-251-3654, convitocafeand market.com LD, BR FIREFLY KITCHEN American Bistro Chef Dean Salerno brings a Brooklyn flair to the Midwest, with upscale comfort foods like mushroom risotto, seasonal flatbreads and charcuterie boards. 111 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette, 224-408-2464, ffkitchen.com D, BR NAPOLITA Pizza / Italian The hand-tiled, wood-burning oven in the corner lets you know they mean serious pizza business here, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the pastas, risottos and salads hold their own. 1126 Central Ave., Wilmette, 224-2150305, napolitapizza.com LD, BR
WINNETKA RESTAURANT MICHAEL French Chef/proprietor Michael Lachowicz has long championed an elegant French dining experience, with spectacular food and exquisite service. From the opening salvo of Tuna & Salmon Tartare to the Hot Fallen Chocolate Soufflé, the food here never disappoints. 64 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, 847-4413100, restaurant michael.com D
R E AD MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / E AT
Original Off-Broadway Cast. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
NORTHBROOK/ NORTHFIELD
BroadwayInChicago_2/3v_0318_FNL.indd 1
1/31/18 12:08 PM
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 83
Better Makers
R ECO G N I Z I N G C H I C AG O ’ S E V E RY DAY H E R O E S A N D T H E I R I N C R E D I B L E I M PAC T
• JDRF ILLINOIS CHAPTER
On Dec. 9, the JDRF Illinois Chapter hosted the 38th Annual One Dream Gala. The event raised a record $5 million “to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications.” Corporate partners: • Aldridge Electric • Allscripts • American Airlines • Astellas • CIBC • ComEd • DHR International • Experian
• Ford • Kemper Foundation • Launch Group • Merrick Natural Pet Care • RRD • Sidley Austin • Zeno Group
The 2017 Fund a Cure Family, the Carlsons (Carrie, Wyatt, Sasha, and David), with Governor Bruce Rauner
MIB IMPACT
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Grant Deady, managing director, Chicago office; and Barby K. Siegel, CEO, Zeno Group
Mayor Emanuel and the 2017 JDRF One Dream Gala leadership (David Carlson, Michael Alter, Sarah Alter, JDRF CEO Derek Rapp, Brianna Slawinksi, Jim Robinson, Mayor Emanuel, Mike Roche, Tom Howe, Marisue Lacher, Joe Lacher, Bob Napoli, JDRF IL Executive Director Mimi Crabtree)
84 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
Gala co-chairs Ken and Amy Aldridge; NBC 5’s Allison Rosati and Rob Stafford; and Jim Cornelison
Derek Rapp, CEO of JDRF International; John Treece, JDRF IL board president; Marci Eisenstein; Diana Rauner; Governor Bruce Rauner
Events with this icon indicate Make It Better was a media sponsor.
LYNN PERSIN; DAVID BLACHMAN; JDRF ILLINOIS
The One Dream Gala raised $5 million for type 1 diabetes research.
• ANN & ROBERT H. LURIE CHILDREN’S
HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO On Dec. 2, the Children’s Research Fund, an affiliated organization of Lurie Children’s, hosted the 59th Annual Children’s Ball. The event raised more than $3.75 million for Lurie Children’s Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute. Sponsors included: • Barneys New York • Jenner & Block LLP • Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
• Goldman Sachs, Broadhaven • GCM Grosvenor
Lester Crown, co-chair Laura Keidan Martin, Renee Crown, and co-chair Craig Martin
Ben Drescher, Arielle Neiger, Zach Smith, Rachel Drescher Smith, Dennis Drescher, chairman of the Children’s Research Fund Donna Drescher, Jacob Drescher, and Jessica Drescher
PHOTO COURTESY OF LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
MIB IMPACT
Devanee and Alex Washington
Dr. Derek J. Robinson, Dr. Shawn Robinson, Darrel Hackett, Kim Smith, and Eric Smith
Funds raised at the Children’s Ball will benefit patients like Savannah by supporting a broad spectrum of pediatric research at Lurie Children’s, including clinical trials for new cancer treatments.
Co-chair John H. Simpson and Mayor Rahm Emanuel
• CATHOLIC CHARITIES
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES
On Jan. 28, Catholic Charities hosted its 17th Annual d’Vine Affair, where guests enjoyed more than 250 wines, craft and imported beers, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts. This year’s d’Vine Affair was hosted by Reverend Monsignor Michael M. Boland, president of Catholic Charities; event founders Joseph and Helen Glunz of Louis Glunz Wines Inc.; and co-chairs Joseph Jr. and Kristin Glunz and Jon Cohn and Erin Reardon Cohn. The event raised more than $120,000 for the organization’s self-sufficiency programs.
Marie and Danny Yunez
Nick Cosek, Katie Malinich, and Nick and Stacey Frane
MIB IMPACT
Money raised at this event will support Catholic Charities’ self-sufficiency programs.
David and Kaylie Shuck
Heidi Barker and Derrick Blakley
Renata Gryzik and Carmela Griffin
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 85
Out & About / BETTER MAKERS • CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION On Feb. 2, the Illinois Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosted the Grand Chefs Experience at The Field Museum, raising more than $350,000 to support finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Chefs and mixologists came together to serve signature dishes and drinks, and Jennifer Nickerson, Vice President of Restaurant Operations for Levy Restaurants, received the Chicago Classic Award.
Neelam Jani and Dimple Jani
Jennifer Nickerson, recipient of the Chicago Classic Award
MIB IMPACT
Money raised at this event will go toward finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.
86 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
Chris Rebollo, Jeanne Brassil, and Akeshi and Akin Akinsey
SODA FOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Dan and Rachael Lapinskas
Out & About / BETTER MAKERS • THE JEWISH UNITED FUND OF
METROPOLITAN CHICAGO On Dec. 9, the Young Leadership Division of JUF hosted its 10th Big Event Fundraiser. This year’s event featured Saturday Night Live alum David Spade and raised more than $162,300. Sponsors included:
ROBERT F. KUSEL AND JEFF ELLIS
• Eleven City Diner • The Gallery Luxury Residences/Magellan Development • Chicago Financial Services
• The Cohn Weisskopf Oxman Group at Morgan Stanley • Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc.
Alex Entratter; Courtney Cohen, YLD campaign chair; David Spade; Mike Schwartz; and Lisa Tarshis, YLD president
Daniel Rosenstein, Abby Berman, Courtney Anixter, and Michael Zuckerman
MIB IMPACT Money raised at this event
Michael Oxman and Doug Winkelstein
Esther Sussman, Ezra Hilton, and Orly Henry
Josh Gibbs and Ashley Abramowicz
will support JUF’s work in the community, including their Uptown Cafe.
• THE SERVICE CLUB OF CHICAGO
In October, The Service Club of Chicago raised more than $450,000—a record amount— during its 2017 Annual Gala. Myra Reilly was also honored for her 37 years of volunteerism with the club, the oldest all-women philanthropic organization in Chicago.
JOHN REILLY PHOTOGRAPHY
Myra Reilly (second from right) with daughters Laura Brinkerhoff, Meg Tallon, and Lyza Schlenker
MIB IMPACT Money raised supports infrastructure and programming for Chicagoland nonprofits. Example: A new company van (pictured) is procured for Lookingglass Theatre, which estimates that it will be able to serve close to 500,000 community members through The Service Club of Chicago’s grant.
R E AD MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / PH I L A NT H RO PY
Al Capitanini and co-chair Pam Capitanini
Dr. Houda Tebcherany Naayem, co-chair Kristine Farra, and April Schwartz
Co-chair Cheryl Coleman and Ron Katz
Simona and Dennis Garcia
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR IL 2018 87
Clean up your old files before somebody else does Now is the perfect time to clean your files. Don’t just throw your important paperwork into the trash, protect your identity and contribute to the well-being of our environment.
IDENTITY PROTECTION SHREDDING EVENT Friday, May 11, 2018 • 10 am - 2 pm Join us in the parking lot of our Highland Park location while Glenkirk Services shreds your old documents free of charge. Customers are limited to five filled paper bags. Highland Park 1835 First Street (847) 432-7800
FIRSTBANKHP.COM
Northbrook 633 Skokie Boulevard (847) 272-1300
FirstBankOfHP_0318_FNL.indd 1
2/15/18 10:35 AM
SUBSCRIBE TO THE
BETTER LETTER THE BI-WEEKLY BETTER LETTER IS PACKED WITH TIPS, TRENDS AND RESOURCES FOR FOOD, FINANCES, FITNESS, PHILANTHROPY AND MORE! makeitbetter.net/subscribe
88 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
CONVITO CAFÉ & MARKET
french & italian countryside fare / gourmet market / wine shop
• • • • •
the cafe
the best authentic italian incomparable french bistro fare kids menu brunch private parties
• • • • •
the market
Call: 847. 922. 3418
gourmet food you can count on creative, convenient cuisine great wines, local beers catering, party trays unique groceries
getdwell.com
Spring is in the Air
ANNUAL IDES OF MARCH SALE 15% off market, 50% off select wines in cafe MARCH 15–18
SPRING WINE TASTING! THURSDAY, APRIL 12 6:30–8:30
Remodeling, Repair and Home Maintenance
30 wines, great apps, only $15 pp
“Plain and simple...these guys are the Best!”
– Get Dwell was voted #1 by the readers of 7 North Shore newspapers
2017 WINNER
Serving the North Shore for almost 40 years 1515 Sheridan Rd, Wilmette • 847.251.3654 • convitocafeandmarket.com
vito_0318_FNL.indd 1
Schmechtig_Landscapes_0318_CR_FNL.indd 1
5 time winner
GetDwell_0318_MC_FNL.indd 2/14/18 11:37 1 AM
2/13/18 1:
2/6/18 2:54 PM
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH Y/APR IL 2018 89
9346 N. WAUKEGAN RD | MORTON GROVE (847) 965-8330 | APEXKITCHENS.COM
Chicago Home
FROM BEAUTIFUL BUILDS AND STUNNING
MAKEOVERS TO TOP TRENDS AND REALTOR INSIGHTS
GREENING THE WAY
Some houses feature sustainable elements, while others, like this state-of-the-art Lakeview home, are sustainably built—and there’s a big difference. MICHELLE HUFFMAN PHOTOS BY ANDREW MILLER
This stunning cantilevered staircase isn’t just for looks: The large, open space allows warm air to rise naturally, where it can be vented out the skylight in the summer.
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 91
Chicago Home / BACKSTORY
R
YA N KOL A R’S $1.5 million west
Lakeview home has been described as the “most sustainable home in Chicago.” And while that sounds a little bit like marketing hype, it’s hard to deny, as sustainability was integrated into every single element of the building’s construction and design. To bring the project to fruition, Kolar and his team at Ariise, a green real estate development company, had to get approval for innovations nobody had ever used before in Chicago architecture. When he started the project in 2016, gray water systems, which recycle drained water from sinks and showers into toilets, were not allowed, and neither was collecting and recycling roof runoff. “We wanted to service our own water and irrigate with our own runoff to eliminate any wasted water supply,” Kolar says. Luckily, he jokes, zoning on the unique triangle-shaped property took so long that they were eventually able to 92 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
get approval for the systems—which currently recycle 60 percent of the home’s water supply. Perhaps not surprisingly, the architecture delivers the same attention to detail as the infrastructure. The home is filled with natural light, but it’s achieved with only eight windows, strategically placed around the house to maximize light and privacy—and there are no views of alleyways or other houses. “With every penetration of the exterior skin, you lose some energy efficiency,” says Kolar, who wanted to minimize the number of windows while maximizing their size. The resulting custom-made, wood-framed windows are triple-paned: The exterior pane is reflective, the middle is tinted, and the interior is low-e, allowing in light, but not heat, he explains. As for the structure of the home, the walls are made from 6-inch poured reinforced concrete sandwiched between two sheets of 3-inch-thick rigid foam insulation called ICF. “It’s like a Styrofoam Lego that you stack and
build and shape, then reinforce with steel and concrete,” Kolar explains. This gives the building an R-value of 81, while the standard house has a 35 (R-values denote the effectiveness of insulation: the higher, the better). This shell, along with the wide, central staircase, open spaces, and 40-foot balcony, allows the five-bedroom, 4,700-square-foot home to utilize a central air system built for a two-bedroom condo. The unit is also installed on the roof—antithetical to the standard basement placement—and forces the air down, allowing hot air to rise naturally to the top, further minimizing energy use. A recycled concrete three-car garage boasts two charging stations, and the home itself can run on a battery, making it possible to go completely off grid. Inside, all the materials selected are recycled, from the glass shower tiles to the quartz countertops. “We thought about sustainability with every single element of this house,” Kolar says. “The appliances and PVC and
Clockwise from left: The cabinets are painted with low-VOC paint, which means they do not emit volatile organic compounds. Outside, both wood and brick are recycled. The cedar in the master closet was harvested from sustainably managed forests, while the basement ceiling beams were salvaged. Shower water is recycled through a state-of-the-art gray water system. Bauhaus-inspired finishes are modern and functional.
copper piping are newly fabricated, but the rest is recycled or repurposed.” To that end, the flooring and interior millwork is all grown from Forest Stewardship Council forests, created for construction and then replanted, and the wood that flanks the exterior was sourced from a 125-year-old Midwestern barn. Despite the revolutionary sustainability measures taken to build the home, it hasn’t yet found a buyer. The two most interested parties so far have been couples from California, where this kind of emphasis on green design is commonplace. Here, although buyers are certainly drawn to eco-friendly elements, a complete commitment to sustainable design isn’t something that’s been fully embraced— yet. But Chicago’s future looks greener than ever, as sustainable construction has been cropping up all over Chicagoland in the two years since Kolar broke ground on this project. Remember Field of Dreams? Here’s proof that if you build it, they will come. R E A D MO R E AT M A K E IT B E T T E R .COM / R E A LE STAT E
M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 93
I
The Classics WHAT SETS WINNETKA APART IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET?
Our village is fortunate to have many stately crafted homes constructed in the early 1900’s. WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THESE TYPES OF HOMES?
Homes from this time period were tastefully designed and constructed with integrity, using solid building materials not available today. WHAT SPECIAL FEATURES OF THESE HOMES STAND OUT TO YOU?
Homes built in the early 1900’s featured carved solid wood doors and elegant wooden staircases with polished honed handrails and spindles. The grand old world wainscoting and decorative crown moldings plus arched barrel doorways were standard appointments incorporated by the architects of that period. These were the days of timeless grace and beauty.
312.771.1722 gayledunn@atproperties.com
Exceptional Service, Dedication & Positive Results
HOW CAN TODAY’S BUYER OR SELLER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A HOME OF THIS DESIGN?
My real estate and design background can help you uncover architectural and design possibilities that would enhance these older properties.
Let’s keep and preserve them in our charming village. Please contact me for a free market consultation!
Stop looking, start finding® atproperties.com
W
ith expertise extending from the South Loop to the city’s north side and including Chicago’s North Shore, Linda understands the culture and distinctions of the various communities and neighborhoods,
and guides clients through the assets of each unique area. Linda has built a
reputation of excellence and loyalty among clients and real estate peers alike by sharing her expertise and conducting herself with high ethical standards. Her commitment to service does not end when the transaction is over; rather, Linda looks to remain a valued resource and build long-term partnerships.
www.lindalevinrealestate.com 312.320.6741 | linda.levin@sothebysrealty.com
SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY AND THE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY LOGO ARE REGISTERED (OR UNREGISTERED) SERVICE MARKS USED WITH PERMISSION. SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY AFFILIATES LLC FULLY SUPPORTS THE PRINCIPLES OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT. EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED.
JamesonSotheby_Fleetwood&Miceli_0318_FNL.indd 1
Unlock the equity in your home to use anyway you wish. Unison HomeOwner can provide up to 20% of your home’s current value in cash in as few as 15 days.
Find out more at Unison.com | 800.330.9400 No monthly payments - No interest charges - No loan ©2018 Unison Agreement Corp. All rights reserved. IL DFPR License #478026863.
96 M ARCH /APR IL 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
2/14/18 2:20 PM
Chicago Home / SECONDS
Top of the World An ultra-luxury home that floats. BY JIM WOOD
“I
T’S THE COMBINATION of a five-star hotel, a fine university,
and a summer camp for adults,” says Rick Newton, a retired neurologist who lives in Ross, California. He’s talking about The World, a 644-foot-long, 12-deck cruise ship where he owns what could be called a second home. And for many, it could be a third or fourth home—as your net worth must exceed $10 million before you are even allowed to look at properties available on board. The World is indeed a special place—that floats. Walk on board and you’ll see its lobby and bar areas are akin to, if not even more grandiose than, those of a boutique Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons. Regarding Newton’s “fine university” descriptor, it’s a fact that academicians, along with environmentalists and adventurers, come aboard to give lectures and conduct seminars when the ship is visiting remote locations such as Antarctica’s Ross Sea, the subregion of Melanesia off the islands of New Guinea, or the Great Northwest Passage. And as for The World being “a summer camp for adults,” Newton is emphatic: “I don’t mean this in a frivolous way; I mean there are all kinds of activities on board. When we’re at sea, people are playing tennis, running laps, using the golf simulator, working out in the gym or swimming in the pool. When we’re in port, people line up to go scuba diving, kayaking, sailing or hiking; they even climb mountains.”
What about prices aboard The World? A studio the size of a cruise ship cabin sells for $1.5 million, while a three-bedroom three-bath suite, offering in-port views of city skylines or at sea vistas of endless ocean and sky, might cost upward of $10 million. Then come yearly fees—fuel costs, ship maintenance, crew and supplies—that are based on your home’s square footage and generally start in the six-figure range. Keep in mind, there are 165 residences on The World and the manifest usually lists 200 passengers. Match that against a well-trained, high-quality crew that numbers around 230. And while homeowners have a strictly enforced ethic of never scolding or critiquing crew members, they’re also forbidden to tip an obliging pool attendant or ever-smiling waiter. Newton has owned a two-bedroom two-bath residence aboard The World for well over five years, spending at least half of each year seeing, well, the world, while traveling the open sea. Ask where he’s been, and Africa, the Scandinavian countries, South America, Japan and Alaska come quickly to his mind. Queried about the most memorable destination, he spends a moment in thought. “It’s a tie,” he then exclaims, “between Antarctica, where the remoteness, followed by the sight of thousands of penguins, was unforgettable,” and (a surprise here) “... Pyongyang, North Korea, in 2014.” He smiles at the memory. “We spent four days there after getting a guide in Seoul, South Korea, traveling overland. It was grim, stark and really cold.” M A K E IT B E T T E R M ARCH /APR I L 2018 97
…a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps. CHARLOTTE BRONTË, JANE EYRE
98 M ARCH /APR I L 2018 M A K E IT B E T T E R
2017/JOSE OSORIO/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS
Reflections
1
#Broker in the
1 winnetka office *
#
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
312.925.9899 jradnay@atproperties.com
*#1 broker by sales volume in the #1 office on the North Shore Source: BrokerMetrics LLC, all residential properties, 12-month period ended 1/5/18
Stop looking, start findingÂŽ atproperties.com