Better Summer 2021

CHICAGO | NORTH SHORE SUMMER 2021

The Outdoors Issue!

DECOR, RECREATION, DINING AND MORE

POST-VACCINE REVENGE TRAVEL

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2021 BUCKET LIST

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I T RI E D MA K I NG MY FA M O US C H ICK E N RECI PE , B U T CO NF USED TH E STE PS.

KN OW WH E R E AL Z HE I ME R’ S AN D ALL D E ME NT IA HI D E .

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DAD IS TRAILING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS SENTENCES .

KN OW WH E R E AL Z H E I M E R’ S AN D ALL D E M E N T IA HIDE .

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Contents SUMMER 202 1

FEATURES

YOUR CHICAGO

27

19

Jill Wine-Banks A reflection on Watergate, self-doubt and plans to turn her memoir into a movie starring Katie Holmes

30

Chicago’s Most Powerful Women Recognizing the leaders who are inspiring positive change throughout Chicago and the world.

35

SPACES A look at a pandemic sanctuary in Malibu and celebrating North Shore gardens with Ben Lenhardt.

46

Revenge Travel With vaccines in place, travel is back and better than ever. Here’s where you should go.

Currents Embrace nature at the Botanic Garden, Lloyd Beach gets an upgrade and the much anticipated return of Ravinia Festival.

26

Shop Local The best Father’s Day gifts from your neighborhood stores.

OUT & ABOUT

56

Calendar A look at what is happening this summer around Chicago.

COLUMNS

12 View from the Team 60 Better Makers 74 Reflections

EAT & DRINK

64

Dining 16 new restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs you need to check out.

To the left: Surfing in Oahu, one of our top destinations for travel this summer.

Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism.

On the cover: A boat sets sail at the start of the 2019 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. Photo by Sara Proctor, Chicago Yacht Club.

For more up-to-the-minute articles, subscribe to our Better Letter and follow us on Instagram @betterchicago, Facebook and Twitter at @chicagobetter and visit us online at better.net

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BETTER.NET

FOUNDER & PUBLISHER MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP Susan B. Noyes

Editorial EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Patrick Regan NATIONAL DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Brooke Geiger McDonald SPACES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Liz Logan MANAGING EDITOR Macaire Douglas SENIOR CONTENT MANAGER & DIGITAL EDITOR Jessica Gliddon SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Caroline Hetzel DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT Jessica Dlugosz DINING EDITOR Julie Chernoff EDITORIAL INTERN Alexa Weinberg CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lisa Boquiren, Alicia Fabbre, Carrie Kirby, Tate Gunnerson, Annemarie Mannion, Bonnie Miller Rubin, Kacie Whitman

Art GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Hilgers PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Alex French CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Erika Anderson, Sara Proctor

Administration CIVIC DEVELOPMENT Sharon Krone CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh TECHNICAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jennifer Speaker

B et ter i s publ i shed by Ma ke It B et t er L L C, 2 03 N. L a Sa 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 2 019 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 .

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Better, 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago IL, 60601. Make It Better is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Copyright 2019 by Make It Better LLC. All rights reserved.

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View from the Team

BETTER.NET

Media ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com

Embrace the Outdoors this Summer!

Oh, what joy! Summer’s here and we’re much freer to live robustly outdoors — in sharp contrast to this time last year.

Vaccines flow. Kids and families untether from Zoom learning. Social justice concerns are appropriately elevated. The economy has reopened and “Help Wanted” signs pepper our neighborhoods. Home sales are hot, hot, hot. And so are home and landscape improvements.

We hope that you will relish and find inspiration for your best life outdoors in this issue. We make it easier than ever for you to enjoy the lake, visit farmers markets, find new restaurants, plan to attend a local concert, envision fabulous home improvements, and support local treasure shops and organizations. We particularly recommend the examples set by our 2021 Most Powerful Women on Pages 30-33.

On the topic of inspiration, we hope you’ll enjoy our feature on Watergate prosecutor and Evanston resident Jill Wine-Banks, whose memoir is being made into a movie starring Katie Holmes (Pages 27-29).

As always, if you like what you read in this print issue, you will love what you find online. Better.net is the definitive source for a well lived life in this community. You’ll

MEDIA DIRECTOR Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com

enjoy our extensive recommendations for fun, family, and ways to make a difference.

Our voluminous content includes recipes, barbecue & picnic tips, summer reading lists and comprehensive information about all the communities we serve and you want to visit. Most importantly though, we make it easy for you to help others too. Every article includes some kind of social impact.

Recommended nonprofits to support have been carefully vetted too.

Please also note our Best Of 2021 voting launches online this month. Our pandemic virtual pivot has taught us that your voice and votes matter more than ever. Please go to better.net/vote to vote for your favorites!

If you haven’t done so yet, please subscribe to our Better Letter email newsletter and follow us on your favorite social media platforms. You will find perfectly timed recommendations, thoughtful articles and true connection to your beloved hometown.

As always, we hope that you will send us your feedback, suggestions and pics of the places and people you cherish. We’d love to feature them!

In the meantime, please enjoy better summer and outdoor living too.

Susan B. Noyes, Publisher & Chief Visionary Officer

IF YOU LIKE US IN PRINT, YOU WILL LOVE US ONLINE! For the best of Better magazine delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the Better Letter at better.net/newsletters. And follow us on social media @chicagobetter

@chicagobetter

@chicagobetter

@chicagobetter

@chicagobetter

chicagobetter

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT Sharon Coleman | scoleman@makeitbetter.com MEDIA CONSULTANT Julie Eldring | jeldring@makeitbetter.com MEDIA CONSULTANT Jessica Hamilton | jhamilton@makeitbetter.com STRATEGIC EVENTS AND MEDIA CONSULTANT Jennifer Woolford | jwoolford@ makeitbetter.com MARKETING MANAGER Natasha Romanoff | natasha@makeitbetter.com MEDIA ART MANAGER Alex French

Regional Sales Offices WINE COUNTRY Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / TAHOE Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com NEW YORK Karen Couture, Couture Marketing | 917.821.4429 HAWAII Debbie Anderson, Destination Marketing | 808.739.2200

Reader Services MAILING ADDRESS 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago IL, 60601 PHONE 847.256.4642 INQUIRIES subscriptions@makeitbetter.com | 818.286.3111 editorial@makeitbetter.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please send letters to editorial@makeitbetter.com.

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SUBSCRIPTIONS Rates are $14.95 for out-of-state subscriptions or free for Illinois subscribers. To subscribe, manage your subscription or change your address visit better.net/chicago/better-subscription BULK ORDERS For information on bulk orders of Better, please email circulation@makeitbetter.com

For more up-to-the-minute articles, tips, trends and things to do, subscribe to our Better Letter and follow us online at @betterchicago and better.net

MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP INCLUDES

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Connect with Us

better.net

EXPLORE • FOOD & DRINK • HOMES • HEALTH • ARTS & EVENTS • STYLE • TRAVEL • COMMUNITY • GUIDES & DIRECTORIES

TOP 3 STORIES ONLINE 30 THINGS TO DO IN JUNE

The best summer events can be found at better.net/calendar

BEST OF 2021 VOTING

TOP GRAM

Our top Instagram post last month was by photographer Josef Holic. The Pickwick Theatre is one of Park Ridge’s most iconic landmarks, first opening as a vaudeville stage and movie theater in 1928.

Inside the art deco building is a beautiful pipe organ designed by Alfonso Iannelli. The Pickwick is open for business and will be showing the most-anticipated summer blockbusters including Cruella, In the Heights and Black Widow. You can find Josef’s work on Facebook at Josef Holic Photography. Want to see your photo in print? Tag us @betterchicago with your best snap.

VACCINE MYTHS: HOW TO TALK TO YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS

Sign Up

DO you receive our weekly Better Letter? It’s filled with ideas for weekend fun and then some.

Sign up for our e-newsletters at better.net/newsletters and follow us online. @chicagobetter

@betterchicago

@betterchicago

@betterchicago

@betterchicago

betterchicago

Find more about the Covid-19 vaccine at better.net/covid-19

TOP: NAVY PIER; BOTTOM: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

It’s time to honor your favorite local businesses! better.net/vote

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Your Chicago / YOUR VOICES

YOU SAID IT SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS ON CONTENT: “I am so honored to be in this incredible group of women chosen to be among Chicago’s top black women of impact, in this issue of Better Chicago. ” — @suzannelemignot via Instagram in response to our Top Black Women of Impact in Chicago article

“My two favorite things combined Penguins & Friends” — @jaclynmoore1018 via Instagram in response to our post about the Shedd Aquarium penguins visiting the Friends Experience “Salted caramel peach??? Damn…” — Roscoe Nicholson via Facebook in response to our article about the best pies in and around Chicago Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Terry Dason shows off the Chamber’s new community guide, produced in partnership with Make It Better Media Group.

“Congratulations to Debra Martin, director of client support and senior vice president at Wintrust Commercial Banking, for being named one of @ChicagoBetter’s Top Black Women of Impact in Chicago!” — @Wintrust via Twitter in response to in response to our Top Black Women of Impact in Chicago article “An honor to be next to these incredible chefs and restaurateurs! ” — @barkumiko in response to Our Favorite Women-Owned Restaurants in Chicago and the Suburbs “So glad to hear that they restored this beautiful home ” — @audreymarcelladesign via Instagram in response to our article on the update of a Colonial home in Wilmette “Candace Parker, welcome home. Let’s go Sky.” — Charles Taylor via Facebook in response to our post about the WNBA superstar and Naperville native signing with the Chicago Sky

EMAIL COMMENT: Bravo! The Greenwood Project article in Better is so inspirational. We are proud partners of Better and Greenwood and we hope this visibility raises vital funds and awareness to support their mission. —Laura Coy, William Blair & Company

“Nice article. Great woman. ” — Kathleen M. Hynes via Facebook in response to our article about Sister Jean, the 101-year-old chaplain of Loyola University’s men’s basketball team “Honored this #earthday to be recognized with @ChicagoBetter’s amazing #EcoWarriors.

I and my colleagues @shedd_aquarium will keep working to protect our #blueplanet for generations to come!” — Andrea Densham (@ densham) via Twitter in response to our inspirational eco-warriors feature

COMMENTS ON OUR SOCIAL POSTS: “Yes! Love our indies! As a reader and as the author of Brave(ish): A Memoir of a Recovering Perfectionist (launched with Women and Children First!)” — @margaretghielmetti via Instagram in response to our Independent Bookstore Day post “Beautiful. Chicago is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! ” — @nitamom via Instagram in response to our post featuring a rainbow in front of Sears Tower “WOOT WOOT! These years are flying by ” — @travelsandtreasuresblog via Instagram in response to our post about Chicago’s 184th birthday “This made me laugh out loud” — @peroulastyle and “Haha new term!” — @chicagopescetarian via Instagram in response to our post about needing a “Maycation” Compiled by Better Social Media Manager Caroline Hetzel

CONNECT! editorial@better.net

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BETTER SUMMER 2021

MARKETING INITIATIVES

BETTER WEBINARS: Learn from the Experts CAN’T MISS VIRTUAL EVENTS!

The Art of Living Outdoors SPACES brings together a panel of national design leaders, including Jesse Harrison of Harrison Design, to explore how outdoor living has changed and what’s on the horizon. Moderated by SPACES Editor-in-Chief Liz Logan with panelist Jesse Harrison, Principal of Harrison Design and other leaders in design.

JUNE 24, 1 P.M.

The Modern Eco-Warrior: A conversation with Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra This esteemed panel takes to the Make It Better Media Group virtual stage to discuss intersectional environmentalism, myths of conservation, greenwashing, and the synergy of art and conservation.

Aging Well Learn what you can do to stay forever young by caring for your mind and body while also planning ahead for the future.

JULY 22, 1 P.M.

JULY 21, 2:30 P.M.

Register now at better.net/webinars

WHAT’S ON REPLAY Celebrating Women on the Rise: Unlocking Your Potential

Creator Of Multiple Intelligences Theory Howard Gardner Fireside Chat

Going Green: How to Lead a Sustainable Lifestyle

An inspiring hour with a panel of female leaders making an impact in our communities and the world. Hear from speakers Kathy Roeser of Morgan Stanley, Erin Clifford of Clifford Law, Cheryl Berman of Unbundled Creative, Zoe Elton of Mill Valley Film Festival, Nurit Raphael of Ona Life, Susan Noyes of Make It Better Media Group, and comedian Megan Gailey.

Howard Gardner and Susan Noyes discuss Gardner’s book “A Synthesizing Mind,” the importance of family, and share advice for raising and educating children.

Learn from a diverse panel of sustainability experts Nathan Kipnis, of Kipnis Architecture, Patrick Costello of Green River Sustainable Financial Services, and Andrea Densham of Shedd Aquarium as we cover topics such as sustainable architecture, green investments, conservation and much more.

Succession Planning with Whittier Trust Join wealth transfer expert Tom Frank for an in-depth discussion about succession planning.

Reduce Your College Costs - Pay for College Without Going Broke!

College Cash Solutions FounderGary Sipos returns to the Make It Better stage to discuss how you can structure your finances to maximize your student’s scholarships and grants.

Watch now at https://better.net/chicago/bettertv B E T T E R S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 15

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Your Chicago / NEW IN TOWN

New in Town

Wood-Fire Pizza in River North at Tree House, a Second Hometown Coffee & Juice Location, the Sable Hotel and More

BY KACIE WHITMAN

Warmer weather is on its way and with it a whole slew of new Chicago and North Shore business openings and reopenings. From a trendy boutique in Evanston and a hot new hotel at Navy Pier to River North pizza from a chef whose resume includes Alinea, The Publican, and Soho House, here is what is new in town in Chicago and the suburbs now.

FOOD & DRIN K Hometown Coffee & Juice Glencoe’s beloved cafe, Hometown Coffee & Juice, is opening a second location in nearby Winnetka this June. Known for

their fresh ingredients and partnerships with several locally owned businesses, Hometown has become a staple for North Shore locals seeking the ultimate coffee shop experience.

Their signature bagel melts, smoothie blends, and endless cups of La Colombe coffee have made Hometown a local hotspot for socializing.

847-242-0220 749 Elm St., Winnetka hometowncoffeejuice.com Tree House Calling all pizza lovers, River North’s reopened Tree House brings an inventive twist to modern Italian fare with a menu crafted by Executive

Urban Athlete

Hometown Coffee & Juice

Chef Marco Colin, who has wored at Alinea, The Publican and Soho House. The delectable wood-fire Neapolitan and Detroit pies are a fan favorite alongside the Italian-American highlights like truffle spaghetti and fresh burrata.

773-348-8899 149 W Kinzie St., Chicago treehousechicago.com

H E ALTH & FITN ESS WANT MORE? Show your love for our local businesses. Check out new restaurants, shops and other openings at better.net/new-in-town.

Urban Athlete From spin to yoga to boxing, Urban Athlete’s

newest location in downtown Evanston is the place to break a sweat. Build endurance and strength with the help of a variety of personal trainers. Ever flexible to your needs, studio memberships are paid month-to-month allowing you to test out group classes and additional personal training services.

847-563-8272 1026 Davis St., Evanston urbanathlete.com/etown/

yoga and pilates classes with North Shore’s The Hot Room. With a range of classes from Hot Power Yoga to Inferno Hot Pilates, personalize your level of hot yoga with your fitness aspirations. Embrace your sweat and stretch with The Hot Room as you jumpstart your fitness journey this summer.

847-998-6030 1926 Waukegan Rd. Suite 1, Glenview thehotroom.com

The Hot Room If the summer heat is not enough, discover hot

Madison Grace Downtown Evanston wel-

SHOPPING

comes the newest local boutique Madison Grace.

Stocking fashionable apparel for a chic, effortless look for women of all ages, Angelica D’Costa and her stylists are committed to helping clients find the perfect pieces.

847-868-8467 612 Davis St., Evanston madisongraceevanston.com Casa Spazio With its new showroom in Winnetka, Casa Spazio offers a wide selection of modern italian luxury furniture.

From closet organiza-

New in Town is an ongoing bulletin on new businesses throughout Chicago. Are you or someone you know opening a new business? We want to hear about it! Email macaire@makeitbetter.com.

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Marin Layer founders

Sable Hotel

tion and the bedroom, to a refreshed dining or living room, expert design consultants are here to help you select and plan virtually, or in person.

847-386-6544 886 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka casaspazio.com

racquet works best for you. With a staff of passionate tennis players, Tennis Ballerz has expertise in customizing high-quality racquets to your individual needs.

630-946-6354 Opening in Evanston tennisballerz.com

Tennis Ballerz Ready to elevate your summer tennis game?

Tennis Ballerz offers an extensive selection of leading-edge equipment from major brands and also offers raquet stringling and regripping. The new Evanston location will include a hitting lane with a ball machine, so you can discover which

The Forester Hotel Now open, the Forester Hotel offers a unique boutique-inspired experience from the Hyatt Place for all seeking a contemporary and chic lodging experience in Lake Forest. This upand-coming hotel has been praised as a landmark achievement in the Lake Forest community

HOTE L S

for becoming the first hotel to open in the town within the past 92 years.

Inspired by Lake Forest’s motto Love of Science and Nature, the Forester Hotel aims to be a crossroads where the town’s rich history and the hotel’s international legacy can meet. The Hyatt Place is dedicated to providing spacious guest rooms, amenities, and an upscale on-site dining at the Oaken Bistro + Bar. 847-582-6400 200 N Field Dr., Lake Forest theforesterhotel.com

this summer as the first hotel to be built “on top” of Lake Michigan. With accommodations, unparalleled views of the lake, and proximity to the buzz of Navy Pier, the Sable Hotel is the perfect staycation for all Chicagoans.

Head to the hotel’s Latin-inspired Lirica restaurant for a delicious dinner, late night drinks at Navy Pier’s Offshore rooftop bar, or explore the endless attractions on the pier.

872-710-5700 900 E Grand Ave., Chicago sablehotel.com

The Sable Hotel The Sable Hotel at Navy Pier is making waves

Born and raised on the North Shore, Kacie Whitman is thrilled to be a freelance writer for Better, a magazine her family has long admired. She is a student at Lake Forest College studying English Literature and Business, and graduating soon.

The Forester Hotel

Tree House

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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 .

Summer, here we come.

Highland Park’s Ravinia Festival, the oldest music festival in North America, is back July 1. So pack those picnic baskets and get all the details on page 21.

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Your Chicago / CURRENTS Continued from page 21

Return to Ravinia Live music returns to the beloved music festival this summer BY MACAIRE DOUGLAS After Covid-19 shut down The Ravinia Festival’s 2020 summer season, the Highland Park outdoor music venue is back with 64 performances slated between July 1 and Sept. 26. Under the direction of its new President and CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon, safety protocols have been developed with Northwestern Medicine and local public health authorities to ensure guests and artists can enjoy the season safely.

“More than ever before, we look forward to welcoming audiences back to Ravinia to be re-inspired by live music together,” Haydon said. “While this year’s experience may be a little different, we look forward to continuing one of Chicagoland’s favorite summertime traditions with music under the stars.”

Precautions include staggered seating for parties of two or four in the Pavilion, pre-reserved distanced lawn pods on the South Lawn for two, four, or six people and offering reduced capacity on a first-come basis for general admission on the North Lawn. All performances will take place outdoors and will also be shorter without intermission. Park hours will also be shortened prior to concerts.

In-park dining, including The Ravinia Market, will be open for mobile ordering and contactless pickup of its grab-and-go food and drinks.

Indoor and outdoor dining options will be available at the Park View, Tree Top, and Lawn Bar restaurants in the Dining Pavilion (reservations are strongly encouraged).

HIGHLIGHTS

Tickets will be sold in two phases, to provide flexibility for updated seating protocols and programming for the second half of the season. Tickets for the general public can be purchased June 16 at ravinia.org for concerts between July 1 and Aug. 15, and for concerts after Aug. 15 on July 21.

For more, visit better.net/ravinia-festival

COURTESY OF RAVINIA FESTIVAL

• Brian McKnight, July 30 • Willie Nelson & Family and Nate Smith, Aug. 14 • Gladys Knight, Aug. 18 • The Beach Boys, Aug. 21 and 22 • Train, Aug. 27 and 28 • Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra, and Tonic, Sept. 1 • Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco, Sept. 10 • The Joffrey Ballet, Sept. 17 • Ben Folds with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Sept. 18 • Ziggy Marley: A Celebration of Bob Marley, Sept. 19

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Back to the Beach: Breakwaters Bring New Life to Lloyd Beach

BY ALICIA FABBRE

New breakwaters, a boardwalk, and other upgrades are complete, and Winnetka’s Lloyd Beach is ready for summer boaters.

One of five beaches in the Winnetka Park District, Lloyd Beach has undergone a major facelift this past year. The breakwaters have helped bring back the beach and boat launch.

“Now that we’ve installed the breakwater, there’s a huge beach,” said Kelsey Raftery, marketing brand manager for the Winnetka Park District. “It’s spectacular.”

The district spent $5.5 million on improvements at Lloyd Beach and at the Tower Road Beach in 2020. Ongoing improvements to the beaches this year are expected to cost $9 million.

The changing lake levels and crushing Lake Michigan waves left Lloyd Beach under water for most of the 2019 season, Raftery said.

“There wasn’t any beach left,” she said. “The beach essentially was unusable.”

Though the park district is making improvements at each of its beaches, Lloyd Beach quickly became a top priority, Raftery said.

“It was getting damaged so quickly and we were losing so much beach that it took precedence,” she said.

The new breakwaters, made of boulders and designed to hold for 100

years or more, hold back the lake’s waves and stabilize the beach. The breakwaters also help capture drifting sand.

Now instead of water lapping up to the beach house, the breakwaters have helped create two half-moon beaches. The beach house, once inundated by water, now stands surrounded by sand in between the two beaches.

“Now there’s actually a beach,” Raftery said.

The breakwaters were initially planned to be installed in two phases in 2020 and 2021. But with the beach closed due to the pandemic, the work was completed by November.

Other improvements at Lloyd Beach include a new boardwalk. A new trail leading to the beach will make it easier to launch kayaks and paddle boards. New boat storage racks for small watercraft also are available.

On the north side a new access road for motorized boats leads to the boat launch. Fenced in storage also is available.

COURTESY OF RAVINIA FESTIVAL

Content produced by Make It Better Media Group in partnership with the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce.

WANT MORE? Xx at better.net/chicago/arts-events

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Your Chicago / CURRENTS CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN WELCOMES BACK VISITORS WITH EXPLOSION OF COLOR

BY ANNEMARIE MANNION

WANT MORE? Got green on your mind?

Get ideas for your own lush gardens at better.net/homes/garden-landscaping/

beautify the 385-acre property never came to a halt even when the garden was closed to visitors.

“We had a critical team that continued to care for our 2.6 million plants and the production greenhouses during the closure,” says Julie McCaffreey, publc relations manager.

Indeed, what might be termed a downtime was actually quite a fertile period when one considers that 95,000 tulips and other annual bulbs were planted in the fall.

Those bulbs are now bursting into color and are not to be outdone by fields of sunny daffodils that have emerged from the garden’s 450,000 dafffodil bulbs.

“We’re inviting people to come and walk around and see the flowers,” McCaffrey said.

The spring season that stretches into late June is far from static and will roll out in waves of color, scent, and motion, McCaffrey says.

A visit to the garden promises to provide visitors with the chance to indulge not just their sight, but all their senses. They will hear the sounds of birds chirping, see insects fluttering, and inhale the fragrant scents of an ever-changing floral landscape.

“Spring is truly a spectacular time to walk around our garden and see what’s blooming each day throughout the seasn,” said Fred Spicer, executive vice president and director.

McCaffrey says people who’ve been stuck inside during the long months of winter and by the even longer months of the pandemic are craving the chance to be outdoors and to enjoy the natural world.

“People are hungry for color scent and motion,” she said. “People want to hear the birds singing and the bees buzzing. A visit to the garden is a spring break of sorts.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN

With hundreds of thousands of vibrant flowers and trees in bloom, bees buzzing and birds chirping, there’s no better place to reconnect with nature than at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

A visit to the garden is an opportuntity to relish the beauty of the outdoors — an experience that was unvailable at this time last year. Like theaters, concert halls, restaurants, museum, and many other places, the garden was closed during the spring season last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The flowers continued to bloom despite the closure and work to maintain and

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN

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Family Estate Planning Tips

to Help You Transfer Your Wealth — and Your Legacy — to the Next Generation Legacy can mean different things to each of us as we consider our family estate planning and wealth transfer and what we hope to leave behind for the next generation. Is your priority to leave security for your children and spouse? To endow a building on the campus of your alma mater?

BY CARRIE KIRBY

To explore strategies for wealth transfer and family estate planning, Make It Better Media Group held a special virtual event presented by Lyric Opera Wine Auction that tapped into the expertise of David A. Handler, a trust and estate attorney with Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, and M. Zach Mangels, a financial adviser with Private Ocean in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Better Publisher Susan B. Noyes moderated the event, during which Handler and Mangels shared essential ideas for estate planning, philanthropy, and legacy. Here are four key takeaways to keep in mind when planning your own legacy.

1 Legacy building begins long before the end of life You can begin passing on your values and wealth today, the experts said.

Financially, the earlier you begin to transfer wealth to the next generation, the less likely you are to lose part of your estate to inheritance tax. Each year, an individual is allowed to gift up to $15,000 per recipient without counting toward the lifetime gift tax/inheritance exemption of $11.7 million. For a married couple, that’s $30,000 per year, per recipient.

“Let’s say you have two kids, and four grandkids; you could give $30,000 to each of them — or about $180,000,” Mangels said. “That can be a pretty powerful thing to do during your lifetime on an annual basis.”

In another aspect of legacy building, it’s never too soon to begin sharing your values with the next generation. For example, Mangels works with a couple who are laying the groundwork now for their children to continue their practice of meaningful, ongoing charitable contributions.

“They involve their kids in their annual charitable process. They have been doing this for about 10 years. In their teens now, the kids have causes of their own that they are passionate about,” Mangels said.

3 Use gifting to avoid or reduce capital gains tax People often overlook ways to bless others using assets other than cash — and avoid taxes in the process. For instance, you might realize that some tech stocks you purchased decades ago have ballooned in value, and you want to share that good fortune. You sell the stock, donate the proceeds to charity, then use the charitable gift tax deduction to offset the capital gains tax you just incurred.

An alternative solution would be to avoid capital gains tax altogether, Magels said: “Instead of selling the stock, you can gift it directly to the charity. Because charities are taxexempt entities, when they sell that stock, they’re not going to pay any capital gains for it.”

2 Historically low interest rates make now a great time for wealth transfer Most of us know that the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates low has made this a great time to refinance a mortgage. Handler explained that low rates also present a wealth transfer opportunity.

One avenue is creating a grantor trust, then loaning money to it. The advantage of low rates: The IRS requires you to collect interest on the loan, at a rate tied to the market. Right now, the interest rate is exceptionally low, meaning more money stays in the trust instead of being paid back to you.

“I could lend $20 million to a trust for my children at 1 percent interest,” Handler said. “If they invest those funds and make 2 percent ... even 8 or 10 percent, they get all of that money.”

4 Consider where your bequests will make the biggest impact “Think about the cost of leaving money to charity, versus your kids,” Handler said.

Depending on the state, an asset given to a tax-exempt charity would effectively be worth twice as much as an asset given to heirs.

“Let’s take $1 million and assume it would be subject to state estate tax (as well as federal). If I leave that to my three kids, $1 million becomes $500,000, so they get $166,000 apiece.

Not bad — but we started with $1 million,” Handler said.

If you have already taken advantage of wealth transfer allowances during your lifetime, your kids may already be at a place where this amount of money isn’t going to make a major difference in their lives.

“One million to charity is going to be meaningful,” Handler said.

For more tips from Handler and Mangels, go to Better.net.

Carrie Kirby is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance, business, technology and travel.

WANT MORE? Got more questions about family and finance? Check out our family finance guide at better.net/family-finance

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Your Chicago / SHOP LOCAL

RAD DAD Father’s Day is June 20: Here are eight gift ideas from local businesses that show him some love.

BY MACAIRE DOUGLAS

Tala Coffee Roasters Coffee Club Subscription Starts at $18 per week, talacoffeeroasters.com 428 Green Bay Rd., Suite B, Highwood Up his caffeine game with a weekly or monthly delivery of coffee roasted locally in Libertyville. Better yet, being a member has its perks, including exclusive roasts and merchandise.

Forest Bootery Birkenstock Men’s Arizona Eva R Sandals $45, forestbootery.com Shops at Market Square, 284 E. Market Square, Lake Forest These stylish Birks are quite the MVP: they are waterproof, flexible and lightweight, making them perfect for the pool, beach or post-workout.

J.McLaughlin Patterned Socks $24, jmclaughlin.com Shops at Market Square, 261 Market Square, Lake Forest Socks are a classic gift that dad can never have too much of, right? Pick up a pair with a fun pattern in his favorite hobby, sport or four-legged friend at J.McLaughlin.

Uncle Dan’s Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair $299, udans.com 1600 Sherman Ave., Evanston & 621 Central Ave., Highland Park Is dad a big Yeti fan? Surprise him with Yeti’s Trailhead Camp Chair. It’s lightweight, portable, and folds up easily to take wherever adventure leads him.

Backyard Barbecue Store Solo Stove Yukon 27” with stand $539, backyardbbqstore.com 535 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette Is there anything better than a crisp night around the fire with family and friends? Dad will be the hit of the block with his new portable Solo Stove fire pit that burns more efficiently, resulting in less smoke.

Sketchbook Brewing Company Community Supported Brews Varies, sketchbookbrewering.com 821 Chicago Ave., Evanston This local microbrewery treats beer as art, and may we say it is a delicious masterpiece. Pick up a few of their year-round bestsellers, or seasonal brews, to pair with dad’s BBQ.

Bookends and Beginnings “Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age”

by Annalee Newitz $26.95, bookendsandbeginnings.com 1712 Sherman Ave., Alley #1, Evanston If dad loves a good read, pick up this new book from Evanston’s Bookends and Beginnings. In Four Lost Cities, acclaimed science journalist Annalee Newitz takes readers on a quest to explore some of the most spectacular ancient cities in human history.

Wheel and Sprocket All-City Classic Men’s Jersey $120, wheelandsprocket.com 1027 Davis St., Evanston Bikers can never have enough jerseys, and this top from Wheel & Sprocket is perfect for hot summer days on the Lakefront path.

*check with stores for availability and pricing WANT MORE? Find more great gifts Dad will love at better.net/shop-local

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J JILL WINE-BANKS

Her

Reflects on Watergate, Self-Doubt, and Plans to Turn Her Memoir into a Movie Starring Katie Holmes

BY SUSAN BERGER

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I

t’s been a whirlwind year for Jill Wine-Banks, from the release of her memoir to her canceled book tour because of the pandemic to the recent news that there are plans to turn her story into a movie.

Wine-Banks’ book “The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President” has been optioned by actress Katie Holmes who plans to star in and produce the movie.

“I am ecstatic,” Wine-Banks said.

Holmes called her, and they had several conversations, Wine-Banks said.

“From both of our perspectives, I wanted to make sure it was in good hands, and she

on the women’s page. She ultimately found her niche in law at Columbia Law School and a job in the organized crime section at the U.S. Department of Justice. Her position as Watergate special prosecutor under Archibald Cox sealed the deal.

Wine-Banks, the only female prosecutor in the Watergate scandal, is known not only for participating in the takedown of President Richard Nixon but she is also credited with a game-changing move at the trial.

Rose Mary Woods, the president’s secretary, testified that an 18-minute section of audiotape of Nixon was accidentally erased when she reached for the phone in her office while transcribing the tape. She was unable to

reconnected and we married.”

Wine-Banks divorced her first husband and married Michael Banks, an antiques dealer, in 1980.

Wine-Banks also has a robust career providing legal analyst commentary on MSNBC.

Wine-Banks, the only female prosecutor in the Watergate scandal, is known not only for participating in the takedown of President Richard Nixon but she is also credited with a gamechanging move at the trial. wanted to know what she was buying,” WineBanks said. “There is nothing more flattering than someone famous playing me.”

In a recent interview with Better, WineBanks discussed her career, finding her voice as an opinion writer, and the importance of sharing unflattering details of her life in her book.

The Evanston resident also opened up about the self-doubt that lingers beneath the surface of the confidence she usually projects.

‘It changed my life’ Wine-Banks was a news junkie at an early age, but her ambitions to be a journalist took a detour when she strategized that a law degree would enhance her chances of getting hired for a hard news position instead of working WANT MORE? Chicago is full of influential women who have paved they way and inspired others. Read their stories at better.net/chicago/women-leaders

demonstrate how that happened on the witness stand and explained that it worked in the office at the White House.

Wine-Banks, 30 at the time, called Woods’ bluff and asked to go to the office to recreate the scene. At the White House, a photographer captured what became known as the “Rose Mary stretch,” in which she awkwardly reached across her desk for the phone while also keeping her foot on a pedal in a way that could have erased the tape.

The pose was so unwieldy it would have been nearly impossible to maintain long enough to erase the 18 minutes of missing tape, thus confirming Woods had lied. That was a pivotal moment in Wine-Banks’ life.

“It was a game changer in Watergate. It changed my career path and my husband, who I dated in high school, saw me in the newspaper,” Wine-Banks said. “So, when I say it changed my life, it changed my life. We

Katie Holmes

She hosts two podcasts, Intergenerational Politics and SistersinLaw, which features Boston Globe columnist and former lawyer Kimberly Atkins and former U.S. Attorneys Barb McQuade and Joyce White Vance.

Work on the book began in about 2008 after Wine-Banks said she “theoretically retired’ and met some friends in Italy. Her friends had been encouraging her for years to write her memoir and on this trip she was told with retirement there were no more excuses.

She started writing right then — in longhand.

Wine-Banks joined an Evanston writing group and in 2016 was a resident at the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest where she worked on her book.

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Richard Ben-Veniste, left, Jill Wine-Banks, and Jimmy Breslin walk to the courthouse during the Watergate trial.

Jill Wine-Banks

‘I had better luck than Nixon’ Wine-Banks’ story is more than that of a sharp lawyer successfully bringing down an American president. She details the sexism which prevailed at the time in the courtroom — being called “young lady” when others were referred to as “esteemed counsel.” She noted that the judge, referring to her back-and-forth with Woods, commented that “We have enough trouble in the courtroom without two ladies arguing.”

She also details the rampant sexism that followed her years later when she was the first female general counsel of the Army under President Jimmy Carter. She recalls at the Pentagon that the Army chief of staff once told her “You’re too cute to be general counsel.”

Causes for women became her passion. As women were integrated into the military, WineBanks urged the Pentagon to provide helmets and boots that fit women, pushed for maternity

uniforms, and worked to abolish WACs. Her book includes details of her personal life, told with brutal honesty, including details of an unhappy first marriage and a seven-year affair with a man she met at the Department of Justice. The details provide a glimpse into the young attorney, different than the one the media portrayed at the time.

Wine-Banks recalled almost getting caught by her husband with her lover.

“When it came to covering up my misdeeds, I had better luck than Nixon,” she said.

Friends and colleagues warned her about putting personal details in the book, but WineBanks disagreed.

“It makes me authentic,” she said. “I was powerful in court, but there was another side to me. I think a lot of women then and today are in bad marriages and blame themselves … that’s nonsense.”

‘I don’t have the confidence that I put on’ Wine-Banks credits her friendship with Rita Dragonette, the award-winning public relations executive, as jumpstarting her current media career.

They had stayed close since their days at Ragdale, and Dragonette suggested WineBanks enroll in The OpEd Project to learn to write opinion pieces.

“She told me, now you have something to say.”

Wine-Banks took the course on a Sunday and by Tuesday she had her hook. “(FBI Director James) Comey was fired,” she said.

Wine-Banks sent her opinion piece to the Chicago Tribune and got an immediate yes.

When it published a few days later, her phone rang with multiple requests to appear on TV. The reaction gave her a jolt of confidence.

“It’s hard to believe, but you can tell from my book, I don’t have the confidence that I put on. There are always self-doubts,” she said.

Susan Berger is a freelance journalist who writes frequently for Better, The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune. Follow her on Twitter @Msjournalist

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Meet Chicago’s MOST POW E Now more than ever, businesses, nonprofits and government agencies rely on strong, energetic leadership to thrive during challenging times.

At Better, we think it’s important to recognize the leaders who are building businesses, serving as public servants, and leading nonprofits, all of which inspire positive change in the world — whatever the arena.

That’s the motivation behind our list of the Most Powerful Women in the Chicago area. We used both our own research and recommendations from those outside our company to compile this list that includes a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a leader of a nonprofit that responds to 2,000 disasters a year, and Chicago’s mayor.

These dynamic women are at the top of their respective industries, and yet find they each also find time to support nonprofits and civic organizations.

Despite the recent challenges we’ve all faced in the past year, many on this list offer words of wisdom for future leaders and are looking forward to a bright future.

Here is our list of Most Powerful Women in Chicago (organized alphabetically):

ROSALIND BREWER

LESLIE BLUHM As president of Chicago Cares Inc., a nonprofit volunteer service organization, Bluhm inspires people to work together to tackle challenges.

The non-profit builds stronger communities through volunteerism and is credited with creating, managing, and leading hands-on service projects that meet Chicago’s critical social, education and environmental needs.

Since 2017, Chicago Cares has engaged 14,275 volunteers across 1,069 projects in neighborhoods like Auburn Gresham, Belmont Cragin, Bronzeville, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Hermosa, Little Village, and North Lawndale.

About her role in co-founding the non-profit, Bluhm told the Chicago Tribune: “I really wanted to instill that ethic that writing a check is not a substitute for actually getting out there and understanding your community. And you can’t fully understand your community until you get out there and see it firsthand. You talk to people. (You) feel it. (You) touch it.”

Brewer is the CEO and member of the board of directors of Walgreens Boots Alliance, a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy.

But that’s far from all that she has accomplished. Forbes reports that Brewer was the first woman and first African-American to serve as COO of Starbucks. She also was CEO of Sam’s Club where she brought in such services as advance online ordering of groceries. In 2019, she became the only Black woman to sit on Amazon’s board.

She tells young people to aim high.

“As you’re embarking on your careers, please do dream big and do not place limits on your dreams or aspirations based on others’ or society’s expectations of you. Be your whole, authentic self, and bring both your head and your heart to your decisions in your work to achieve your dreams.”

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W ERFUL WOMEN

BY ANNEMARIE MANNION

TAMMY DUCKWORTH

MARY DILLON A Chicago native, Dillon is CEO of Ulta Beauty where she and her team have overseen the company’s rise to the Fortune 500. Since she took the reins in 2013, the company has more than doubled revenues. It also boasts an associate base that is 92% women and a board of directors that is one of the most gender diverse of any large company in the nation.

Dillon will step away from Ulta in July to become the next chair of the Economic Club of Chicago, which fosters meaningful connections among Chicago leaders to encourage dialogue on important economic and social issues and encourage the next generation of leaders.

Discussing lessons she imparts to young people, Dillon told The Chicago Network: “I encourage each to make the most of all work or related learning experience, as each will begin to shape you. For example, my first job at Osco Drug helped shape my view about the valuable insights that our store associates — those that are closest to the guest — can offer to continuously improve our business and serve our guests. Those associates have been instrumental in our success as a team.”

Duckworth knows what it means to overcome challenges. As was one of the first women in the U.S. Army to fly Blackhawk helicopters, she lost both her legs, and partial use of her right arm in 2004 when her helicopter was hit by an RPG. Before being elected to U.S. Senate in 2017, she served 23 years in the Reserves, and she continues to advocate for soldiers and veterans. She delivered a message of strength in 2017 to graduates of George Washington University.

“There will be hard times when you get hurt or lose someone close to you,” she said.

“But those challenges, those struggles, those are what make our successes possible. We are not successful in spite of our challenges, we are successful because of our will to overcome them.”

JAIME FAULKNER Faulkner was named president of business operations for the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2020, and the team cited her leadership, passion for analytics and customer-focused strategy that positioned her to be one of the brightest leaders in the industry.

She directs the consumer facing, revenue generating and brand aspects of the Blackhawks. She talked with NBC Sports about how she prioritizes connecting with fans to learn their needs.

“One of the things I’m known for in the industry is I joke about my strong sneaker game because I spend a lot of time during events talking with fans: standing in line with them as they’re entering the building, going to the box office, watching the employees get checked in, talking with them on the concourse and really understanding what their journey is like. Why are they fans? Why did they decide to come?

What are things we can do better? ”

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Meet Chicago’s MOST POWERFUL WOMEN

LORI LIGHTFOOT

HELENE GAYLE Gayle has served since 2017 as president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations. Under her leadership, the Trust has adopted a new strategic focus on closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap in the Chicago region.

She believes the time is ripe for increasing social equity, and Chicago can lead the way.

“I’m an eternal optimist. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to double down on our commitment to confront the Chicago region’s racial and ethnic wealth gap and ensure that we don’t return to the status quo,” she said. “As one of the most philanthropic and civically-minded cities in America, I am hopeful that we will rise to this moment to advance equity across our region and ensure that no community is left behind in our economic recovery.”

Lightfoot made history in April 2019 when she won a runoff election to become mayor of Chicago and the city’s first openly gay mayor.

Prior to serving as mayor, Lightfoot was a senior equity partner in the Litigation and Conflict Resolution Group at the law firm Mayer Brown, was president of the Chicago Police Board, and served as chair of the Police Accountability Task Force.

Lightfoot devoted much of her life public service and urged graduates of Northwestern University in 2020 to do the same.

“My challenge to all of you is to use this collective moment to energize whatever you do around the notion of public service and the responsibility we all share,” she said.

DR. SUZET MCKINNEY A nationally recognized public health expert, McKinney in January joined Sterling Bay, a real estate investment and development company, where she is principal and director of the Life Sciences Division.

She oversees the company’s relationships with the scientific, academic, corporate, tech and governmental sectors involved in life science, as well as facilitates the growth of life science tenants in Sterling Bay developments.

She previously was CEO and Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District where she managed medical research facilities, labs, a biotech business incubator, four hospitals, and more than 40 healthcare-related facilities.

“I would advise today’s up-and-coming leaders that nothing trumps hard work and dedication,” she said. “I don’t subscribe to the notion that different generations approach work and career differently. If you want promotion, rewards, etc. you must work for it. And most importantly, cultivating leadership skills isn’t just about you. Leaders have a responsibility to be civically engaged and to give back to others.”

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NYKIA WRIGHT

CELENA ROLDÁN Joining the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois in 2016, Roldán was tapped in 2020 to become CEO of the new Illinois region, which is the non-profit’s second largest region, covers 88 counties, and responds to more than 2,000 disasters annually.

Roldán previously served as Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House, which was founded in 1870 to strengthen low-income, primarily Latino families through skill-building, access to resources and advocacy.

Roldán is proud to be just one of many working to create a better world.

“The voices of today’s leaders are compassionate, fearless, and more powerful than ever before,” she said. “I do not have advice, only to remind them how much we need their voice, perspective, and conviction. I only hope to continue to be asked to walk alongside them.”

Wright is the CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times, the oldest, continuously published news publication in Illinois. As a mover and shaker in the journalism industry, she is responsible for implementing the company’s digital transformation.

Wright believes young people can sometimes create a positive change simply by staying the course.

“I believe that the next generation’s workforce switches jobs too often,” she said. “Leadership muscle is strengthened when one experiences success and disappointment and true wisdom is born from disappointment. I would encourage people to see more of the organization’s shortcomings and try to help overcome them before leaving a post so quickly.”

WANT MORE? Check out our Women on the Rise webinar at better.net/chicago/bettertv.

And we haven’t forgotten about the men. Find our list of dads we love at better.net.

ANDREA ZOPP As managing partner at Cleveland Avenue, a Chicago venture capital firm focused on the food and beverage industry, Zopp is continuing her lifelong work to expand economic opportunity in underserved communities.

At Cleveland Avenue, she focuses on developing minority and women-led entrepreneurs and their companies. Zopp has experience in a range of areas including banking, consumer products, retail, regulated industries, human capital, crisis and risk management and government and community relations.

Zopp, who previously was president and CEO of World Business Chicago, told the Chicago Sun-Times about her new position.

“I have a tremendous opportunity to do hands-on the work that I’ve been ... pushing for at WBC, which is supporting minority- and women-owned entrepreneurs and growing those businesses here.”

Annemarie Mannion is a freelance writer and former reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She earned a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University and is especially passionate about covering nonprofits.

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2021

Make It Better Foundation is now accepting applications for the

2021 PHILANTHROPY AWARDS Make It Better Foundation announces the return of its 8th Annual Philanthropy Awards competition which identifies and amplifies the most effective nonprofits in Human Services, Education, Arts, Empowerment, Social Justice and Environment.

Award packages include • Video promotion package

• 12-month media sponsorship

• Ongoing nonprofit leadership education scholarships

• Celebration event during the week of National Philanthropy Day

• Cash gift

Efficiency • Effectiveness • Scalability • Leadership • Excellence

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T W O H O M E S C E L E B R AT E T H E G R E AT O U T D O O R S , P L U S O U T D O O R F U R N I T U R E T H AT W I L L TA K E Y O U R PAT I O G A M E TO T H E N E X T L E V E L .

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The fully equipped outdoor kitchen has a bar with stools from Janus et Cie. Opposite: The fire pit behind the guest house is surrounded by club chairs from RH.

36 SUMMER 2021 BET TER

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LA VITA BELLA

A MALIBU VILLA OWNED BY A FAMILY FROM CHICAGO'S NORTH SHORE IS A PARADISE FOR OUTDOOR GATHERINGS.

BY LIZ LOGAN PHOTOS BY CHASE HANSSEN

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A PLACE FOR GATHERING

Four generations in the veggie garden: Susan Noyes with her expectant daughter, Skatie, and her 88-year-old mother, Virginia.

Caption here

In the center of the home is an open-plan family room and kitchen, with wall-sized glass doors that open to the outside. “They’re open, all day, every day,” Noyes says. Outside the doors is a terrace with a living area, including a large fire pit, and a dining area, all under a pergola covered with ivy, jasmine and wisteria. The outdoor kitchen includes a pizza oven.

Harrison Design principal Jesse Harrison and director of interiors Daniel Romanoff collaborated on the project. Harrison says, “Susan wanted the outdoor spaces beautiful and groomed, but not precious.”

A major component was commissioning inviting outdoor furnishings. “The terraces are all stone, in shades of taupe, green and gray, so I pulled the colors from there,” Romanoff says. The taupe outdoor dining table and dining chairs are from Janus et Cie.

ON A TUCKED-AWAY STREET IN MALIBU THAT’S KNOWN only among locals, there’s a Mediterranean villa-style home called “Villa di Vita Bella.” “That means beautiful life in Italian,” says owner Susan Noyes, the founder of Make It Better Media Group, which owns Marin Magazine. (She has also owned a home in Marin since 2004).

Living the sweet life for Noyes means spending as much time as possible outside with her family, which includes: her husband, Nick; six adult

The property is lined with "ever-changing flowers," Noyes says.

"I often feel like I'm in Italy, or the south of France." children; two adult step children; daughters- and sons-in-law; six grandchildren; and her 88-year-old mother. (“And pets,” she adds.)

Noyes’s husband has always loved California. But as an Indiana native, she was adamant about raising their children in the Midwest, so they chose the Chicago suburbs, from where Noyes also launched her business. As their adult children migrated to L.A., the couple started spending more time there and decided to make it their new home.

She fell in love with the five-bedroom home, which is full of exquisite Italian details. The Noyeses bought the house in August 2020. They hired Harrison Design, a firm with an international reputation, to transform the house in just two months. Though moving during a pandemic wasn’t ideal, Noyes was eager to make use of the home’s outdoor spaces for gathering safely with her family.

In a light well that's accessed from the lower ground floor, artist James Goldcrown created a one-of-a-kind mural.

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The outdoor dining area comprises a table and chairs from Janus et Cie. The seat cushions are upholstered in outdoor fabric from F. Schumacher.

With only two months until moving day, the designers chose outdoor furniture from RH and Janus et Cie in part because it was readily available. Then, they created custom blue cushions for the Janus et Cie pieces, with fabric from F. Schumacher. “The blue gives the otherwise subtle color palette a pop of color,” Romanoff says.

A SWIM, A RIDE OR A TENNIS MATCH

Beyond the patio is what Noyes calls “the best swimming pool in the world”: “There are three tiers of fountains, which work elegantly with the infinity edge, the hot tub waterfall and the overall architectural aesthetic.” Beyond the pool is a multi-sport court and a greenhouse that's been converted into a home gym that includes a Peloton. The property is lined with “ever-changing flowers,” Noyes says. "I often feel like I’m in Italy, or the south of France.”

SECRET GARDEN

One outdoor space is hidden away: A light well at the front of the house has been turned into a “secret garden room” that can only be accessed from the lower ground floor. Harrison commissioned acclaimed artist James Goldcrown to create a custom mural of overlapping hearts in his

WANT MORE? See more unique and beautiful homes in the Bay Area and beyond at spacesmag.com

signature medium: spray paint. Harrison says, “It’s joyous — but with a little edginess.” Subtly scrawled on the walls are secret messages of love for Noyes’s grandchildren.

This light well is one of the best spots for listening to birds, Noyes says. A thrush she often hears she’s nicknamed Renée, after the opera singer Renée Fleming, whom Noyes has known for years from serving on the Women’s Board of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. “The secret garden is really like an opera house,” Noyes observes.

GROWING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Behind the guest house is one of Noyes’s favorite spots, her expansive organic garden. There, expert gardener Tommy Teeple designed a layout of numerous beds and boxes for growing fruits and vegetables: lettuces, sweet peppers, blueberries, raspberries, herbs. The brightorange nasturtium are “delicious, and healthy in a salad,” Noyes says.

Fruit trees provide four different kinds of lemons, and oranges. “We’re making a lot of lemonade, juice blends and margaritas,” she says. The whole family eats daily salads from the garden, and socially-distanced friends who visit often leave with a bag full of produce. “We are living as sustainably as we can,” Noyes says, “and have a lot of fun doing it.”

Liz Logan is the editor-in-chief of SPACES. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine and Martha Stewart Living, among other publications.

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A PASSION BLOSSOMS AUTHOR AND PHILANTHROPIST BEN LENHARDT’S BOOK REFLECTS HIS LOVE OF GARDENS, THE NORTH SHORE AND PRESERVATION.

BY LIZ LOGAN | PHOTOGRAPHS BY SCOTT SHIGLEY

At Crab Tree Farm Summer House in Lake Bluff, Belgian landscape architect Peter Wirtz juxtaposed bucolic pastures with asymmetrical hornbeam hedges, punctuated by a glass sculpture. Page 35: A pergola of pollarded plane trees covers a walkway. At the end is a prototype plate from Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate," a gift from the artist.

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Ben Lenhardt loves gardens fervently, and he’s got the résumé to prove it. After retiring from a successful investment management career, Lenhardt, who lives in Winnetka, and in Charleston, South Carolina, focused intently on his passions: gardening and historic preservation. In Winnetka, he filled his ravine garden with Caesar’s Brother Siberian iris and Japanese butterbur. He took on many philanthropic roles, including serving as chairman of the Garden Conservancy, a national nonprofit dedicated to preserving and celebrating outstanding gardens. (He’s now

"I wanted to tell people this area is not a wasteland. It's an amazing horticultural place." chairman emeritus, in addition to serving on the board of the Chicago Botanic Garden, where the Lenhardt Library bears his name).

A few years ago, he got the idea to write a book about gardens on Chicago’s North Shore, because he felt the Midwest was overlooked in the gardening world. The result was Gardens of the North Shore of Chicago (The Monacelli Press, 2020) which takes readers into 25 private gardens and showcases the work of some of Chicago’s best landscape architects, such as Craig Bergmann and Scott Byron.

SPACES Editor-in-Chief Liz Logan caught up with Lenhardt to find out more about what makes North Shore gardens special. Here's an edited version of that conversation.

Why was it important to you to write this book?

There are many wonderful books about gardens across America, but most of them are on the coasts. There hadn’t been a book written about gardens on the North Shore of Chicago for over a century. We have a relatively short growing season here. Nonetheless, we have some of the finest gardens in America. I wanted to tell people this is not a wasteland. This is a vibrant, amazing horticultural place.

The book is divided into sections of different garden styles: classic, contemporary, country and naturalistic. Personally, I like contemporary architecture, so I was drawn to Crab Tree Farm Summerhouse in Lake Bluff. Can you tell me about that one?

Crab Tree Farm is a historic site, with pastures, a dairy farm and a house.

The estate was bought by John and Neville Bryan. They preserved the original house and also built their own contemporary house. They CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! spacesmag.com/subscribe

Pat and Shirley Ryan's garden in Winnetka, "Beauty Without Borders," is accessible for individuals of all abilities. Tulips are plentiful, accompanied here by narcissus and Virginia bluebells. Left: The author and the cover of his book.

wanted a contemporary landscape, so they hired Belgian landscape architect Peter Wirtz (whose father, Jacques Wirtz, was famous for designing hedges in various shapes and forms).

Peter did all sorts of wonderful things. There are hornCaption here beam hedges with pastures beyond. It’s a very contemporary garden in the middle of a beautiful forest and pasture.

John successfully led the private sector fundraising efforts for Millennium Park. So, Anish Kapoor, known for his famous sculpture “Cloud Gate,” gave John a prototype plate from the work as a thank you. That piece of sculpture is at the end of a walkway covered with a pergola of pollarded plane trees. It’s extraordinary, the unusual way the trees are clipped and pruned.

Can you give me another example of a tree or a shrub in one of the gardens that was treated in an unusual manner?

Definitely. At Camp Rosemary in Lake Forest, there’s a hedge of pleached Bradford pear trees. Typically, Bradford pear trees are planted and left to grow, but here they’ve been shaped. Camp Rosemary is the quintessential English garden in the Midwest—if not in America. It’s

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perfectly manicured and beautiful, with borders galore.

Everyone in Chicago knows of Bill Kurtis. What was it like to visit his home, Mettawa Manor?

There are many gardens on the property, but one of Bill’s favorite things is the prairie. Bill grew up in Kansas and loved the prairie, so he took this flat part of the property, 30 acres, and created a tall grass prairie. There’s Blazing Star in bloom, along with other native plants. It’s just amazing.

The garden called “Beauty Without Boundaries” in Winnetka speaks strongly to the values of its owners. Can you tell me about it?

This garden belongs to Pat and Shirley Ryan. Shirley is a renowned philanthropist in the area of disability—among her accomplishments, she founded Pathways.org—so it was important to her that the garden be accessible. So, there are smooth, broad paths and no steps. Also, Shirley grew up in Indiana and her family went to Holland, Michigan, every year for the tulip festival there. So, tulips, in many colors, abound.

What do you hope gardeners glean from the book?

I hope they’ll learn about Midwest horticulture and also find something that they might like to try. Gardening is a lot of trial and error. You can try these gardens on a small scale. For example, in one garden, an Espalier fruit tree is grown on a fence. What a beautiful way to have a fence!

People have been spending a lot more time outdoors because of the pandemic. Do you think people are appreciating gardens more?

Absolutely. Gardens are a wonderful consolation. They're quiet retreats, but they also stimulate the imagination. Nursery sales are up. People have discovered the peacefulness of the garden. But us gardeners, we’ve always known this.

Liz Logan is the editor-in-chief of SPACES. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine and Martha Stewart Living, among other publications.

At Camp Rosemary in Lake Forest, the pergola garden includes a hedge of pleached Bradford pear trees and a mixed border with veronica, betony, cosmos and delphinium.

WANT MORE? To view more stunning homes, gardens and to get more great design ideas, visit spacesmag.com or better.net/homes

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GALLERY

SITTING PRETTY THESE FOUR FURNITURE PIECES ARE PERFECT FOR AMPING UP YOUR SUMMER RELAXATION ROUTINE.

BY LISA BOQUIREN

NOZOMU HANGING CHAIR

by Laura Kirar for McGuire This chair’s cocoon seat with soft cushions makes it perfect for curling up in the breeze with a good book. The chair can also be hung indoors for year-round swinging. Price upon request. mcguire.com

TRAMPOLINE ARMCHAIR

by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina This piece by the legendary Spanish designer is playful; the weave on the backrest references the tension cords of trampolines. Upholstery options include fabric made from recycled plastic. Price upon request. cassina.com

THE EARL OUTDOOR LOUNGE CHAIR by Jess This low chair is perfect for relaxing outside with friends over cocktails. The pillow-shaped cushion is sumptuous, and the steel frame means this piece will last for decades. Price upon request. morlensinoway.com

PAVONA SOFA

by Ann Marie Vering for RH The inspiration for this sofa was handheld folding fans.

The handwoven frame is a single continuous panel, and the open weave of all-weather cords casts beautiful shadows on a patio. Pricing starts at $2,095. rh.com

WANT MORE? For the latest furniture designs and unique pieces, visit spacesmag.com/gallery

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Destinations / GO

Revenge Travel For more than a year, the pandemic has left globetrotters with nothing but their wanderlust. Now, with vaccines in arms, travelers determined to make up for lost time are packing their bags.

A

fter what’s felt like an eternity on lockdown, vaccinated Americans are cautiously emerging from their pandemic bunkers, eager to lap up all the life experiences they’ve been missing and to again see the world beyond their local quarantine radius. While the numbers are trending in the right direction, the fight against Covid-19 is far from over and uncertainty still hangs over many areas of travel.

So where are Chicagoans heading this summer and beyond? We checked in with travel industry leaders for a pulse check.

MAKE WAY FOR THE TRAVELING TWENTIES

“If the Roaring Twenties followed the last global public health

pandemic, we expect the Traveling Twenties to follow this pandemic,” said Anne Sayers, Acting Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Sayers expects recreational tourism to make a relatively quick rebound, noting that travelers are looking not only to reconnect with loved ones, but to “get revenge on a year’s worth of canceled or postponed travel.”

Travel search terms such as “cruises”, “hotels”, and “flights” have all been trending upward by between 25 and 50 percent over the past several months, said Eric Bowman, executive editor of TravelPulse.com.

“Widespread vaccine availability has created higher confidence among travelers to get out there or at the very least to start making upcoming travel plans,” Bowman said.

BEN ONO (HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY )

BY BROOKE GEIGER MCDONALD

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BEN ONO (HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY )

Waikiki Beach, Oahu

A new travel search term is on the rise too — “vaccine travel.”

“Travelers want to know what the vaccine might mean for their vacation plans; cruisers want to know what cruise lines are saying about vaccine requirements,” Bowman said.

Kendra Thornton, president of Royal Travel & Tours in Winnetka, is seeing a lot of activity among her clients both in the short and longer term.

“As more people get vaccinated, we’re seeing bookings really increase greatly for last-minute trips, particularly for couples who maybe want to travel without their children before kids get out of school,” Thornton said. She said Royal Travel is also busy helping families plan everything from summer and holiday travel in 2021

through to next year’s spring breaks.

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

To date, most of Thornton’s clients have focused on domestic travel, with many requests for Florida, the Carolinas, Arizona, Georgia, and Louisiana, she said.

Lauded for its stringent health and safety protocols, Walt Disney World has been a popular destination for families since the resort reopened in July, with some regular visitors actually preferring the pandemic-era changes to the experience.

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Destinations / GO

Springs whose family visits Disney World annually. “I don't know if I could ever pick a favorite trip, but it was absolutely up there in my book.”

Because of the state’s pre-departure testing requirement, Hawaii has been another popular destination for cautious travelers.

HITTING THE ROAD Despite the increase in vaccinations, some Americans remain hesitant to fly, Bowman said.

“Road trips and staycations are the trips we’re seeing now, and some people will continue to travel this way through 2021,” he said.

Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, a 7-hour drive from Chicago, is always a popular destination among Thornton’s clients, particularly those currently avoiding flying. Set on a 4,200-acre estate in the Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm offers guests hiking, horseback riding, and a farm-to-table dining experience, Thornton said. Many guests who drive opt to stop on the way in Nashville, Hilton Head or Charleston.

Closer to home, Sayers says Wisconsin is well positioned to capture the regional drive market.

“We’re seeing family (including multigenerational) trips and friendsgroup trips as the most popular preference for travel this year, and outdoor activities and adventure seem to be on everyone’s mind,” she said.

Just two-and-a-half hours from the North Shore, Elkhart Lake is a charming resort village that’s popular for weekend getaways to enjoy the lake’s crystal-clear waters, farm-to-table cooking, and motor sports at Road America, one of the world’s fastest permanent road racing tracks. Elkhart Lake’s grand dame hotel, The Ostoff Resort, is home to award-winning Aspira Spa and features 245 spacious suites.

In Lake Geneva, boating and golf are the name of the game. Grand

The Cabins at Destination Kohler

WANT MORE? From local getaways and Chicago staycations to exotic escapes, the best family-friendly destinations, and the latest trends and updates to know before you go, indulge your wanderlust and get expert planning tips at better.net/travel.

Hilton Head

Geneva Resort & Spa is a perennial favorite with its two world-class golf courses and spa just minutes from the lake and charming downtown area. Fortify for a day on the water with breakfast or brunch at Simple Café or Egg Harbor Cafe and for a family-friendly dinner, try Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas at Oakfire Pizza.

Located on a peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Door County is home to charming villages, parks, beaches, water activities, and the arts. Kick off the weekend with a fish fry at Pelletier’s in Fish Creek, ice cream at historic Wilson’s in Ephraim, and take a day trip by ferry to Washington Island for hiking and relaxing at the beach.

For a more secluded Wisconsin getaway, The Cabins at Destination Kohler feature two idyllic new private cabins, surrounded by nature while providing easy access to Destination Kohler’s five-star amenities and spa treatments.

Michigan is also gearing up for a busy summer tourism season, said Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, noting that there is huge pent-up demand for travel.

“Travelers will be looking for places like Michigan that feature abundant natural open space for distancing,” Lorenz said. “With warm weather upon us, we are reminding travelers of the beauty and diversity of Michigan’s destinations and that their favorite activities can still be enjoyed in Pure Michigan, while staying safe.”

It’s well worth the six-and-a-half hour drive plus ferry ride to experience the car-free bliss of Mackinac Island. For an ultra-luxe stay, try The Grand Hotel — or just pay a visit to the resort for dinner at The Jockey Club. For a quainter experience, The Cottage Inn bed and breakfast oozes charm and is located just one block from the historic downtown area where you can take one of the island’s iconic horsedrawn carriage tours. Read more about the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Island on p. 50.

PLANNING AHEAD While road trips might still be king this summer, Bowman says people are going “big and long” with future travel plans. “Bucket list trips will be a focal point for many, as will extended long trips,” he said. Thornton said Africa and Europe are among the most popular destinations for her clients who have bigger plans in the works next year while Bowman noted that Oceania Cruises’ Around the World in 180 Days cruise sold out in just one day.

Ever-changing cruise guidelines from the CDC have led to ongoing uncertainty about when the big cruise lines will resume operation.

Thornton has been told to expect cruises to book in 2022-2023, and has been seeing more interest from clients in private charters of yachts and catamarans as well as small ship cruising.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is now taking reservations for bespoke voyages on custom-built yachts accommodating up to 298 guests in 149 suites.

Disney Cruise Line has been generating excitement for a return to big-ship cruising with the recent reveal of the newest ship in its fleet, the Disney Wish. The new ship sets sail in 2022 and includes first-ever features for the cruise line like a Disney attraction at sea, luxurious

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Sea Caves at Apostle Islands, Bayfield

two-story concierge staterooms, a Star Wars-themed lounge for adults, and Marvel- and Frozen-themed dining experiences.

Always a popular bucket-list destination for family and multi-generational travel, Hawaii has maintained and even enhanced its testing requirements, giving reassurance to travelers and locals. Maui has even added a second Covid test requirement upon arrival for Trans-Pacific visitors which will “further provide peace of mind to enjoy the island life,” said Leanne Pletcher of the Maui Visitors & Conventions Bureau.

For a multi-generational home away from home, the ‘Ilikai Villas at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort feature 19 brand-new two- and threebedroom luxury villas and include a gourmet Bosch Kitchen, expansive lanai, and direct access to the resort’s VIP concierge team. Support the local community by shopping for produce and wares and enjoying live music at the Thursday night Sunset Market at Wailea Village.

For families looking for the ultimate kid-friendly Hawaiian escape, Aulani a Disney Resort & Spa on the island of Oahu has recently brought back two of its most popular offerings, a character breakfast at Makahiki Restaurant and the KA WA’A traditional luau. The resort features traditional hotel rooms as well as sprawling Disney Vacation Club villas with full kitchens, washers and dryers, breathtaking island vistas and easy access to Oahu attractions like Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park filming location Kualoa Ranch, and surfing off Waikiki Beach.

BUYER BEWARE One major shift both Bowman and Thornton noted is that even seasoned travelers are turning to travel advisors because of so much uncertainty around future travel. Virtuoso, a leading host agency in the travel industry, has reported significant increases in the number of

Disney Wish Stateroom, Princess Aurora Royal Suite

consumers seeking out travel advisors for trip planning. Thornton said despite more flexible cancellation policies, her team has had to work 24/7 advocating for refunds and/or future credits for clients who have had to cancel trips due to the pandemic.

Brooke Geiger McDonald is the national content director for Make It Better Media Group. Her work has appeared in Parents, TravelPulse, Attractions Magazine, MSN, Disney Food Blog, and more. Brooke is a passionate supporter of the Shedd Aquarium and The Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago.

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COME SAIL

BY PATRICK REGAN

Away

The return of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac coupled with a surge in interest in boating means this could be an epic summer on the water in Chicago

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Y

ou know it when you see it, the colorful sails splashed against the city skyline as hundreds of boats and thousands of sailors and crew gather on the water near Navy Pier.

It’s one of the the signature events of the Chicago calendar — the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac — and the race is scheduled to make its return July 16 after a one-year hiatus. The race, aka The Mac, is an annual reminder that summer is indeed here as the boats start the two-day 333-mile journey to Mackinac Island in Michigan.

Last year, limits on the number of people who could gather in one place were too small for the crews required to sail in The Mac. That, and the fact harbor openings were delayed, limiting practice time before the race, led organizers to cancel the event in 2020 for the first time in 100 years.

“This year the capacity limitations are much more generous,” Chicago Yacht Club Commodore Nick Berberian said. “Registrations for the race are on par with where they are during a normal season.

We’re very excited about it.”

Excitement for the 112th Mac race is building, but boating in general has seen a rise in interest during the pandemic. Luxury boat sales reached a 13-year high in 2020, the National Marine Manufacturers Association reported.

The Chicago Yacht Club’s sailing school maxed out at 450 kids.

Sail boat rentals are booked up far in advance, and the club is adding an electric boat this summer to help meet demand.

“From every measurement we’re seeing, the interest is there,” said Berberian, who moved into his current leadership position at the club in January. “People want to get out on the water.”

Applications for associate memberships, available to those under 40, are growing rapidly, Berberian said. Overall membership is 1,200 strong.

Two Chicago Yacht Club members — Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea — are scheduled to compete in the Tokyo Olympics in what could be a perfect finish to a memorable summer on the water in Chicago.

“Our one common thread (at the Chicago Yacht Club) is passion for the water,” Berberian said. “The vibrancy is enormous.”

Patrick Regan is editorial director for Make It Better Media Group. He’s a former suburban bureau chief and editor for the Chicago Tribune. You can find him boating this summer on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.

WANT MORE? Find more outdoor recreation options at better.net

alfresco DINING P R O M OT I O N

Enjoy eating outdoors in the fresh air this summer ...

GLOBALLY INSPIRED. LOCALLY SOURCED. Explore the crisp,

fresh flavors of the Mediterranean at Le Sud, located in one of Chicago’s trendiest neighborhoods—Roscoe Village. Restaurateur Sandy Chen (Koi Fine Asian Cuisine) and Executive chef Michael Woodhall (Perennial, Gilt Bar, Bavette’s) take diners on a culinary tour to explore the Mediterranean and southern France.

Allgauer’s on the Riverfront located at the Hilton Northbrook is open for outdoor dining!

Come unwind, relax and enjoy an afternoon in the sun or an evening under the stars on our beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the river. Sip and savor some delicious cocktails while enjoying lunch, brunch or dinner!

ALLGAUER’S ON THE RIVERFRONT

LE SUD

2301 W Roscoe St, Chicago IL (773) 857-1985 lesudchicago.com

2855 N. Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL (847) 664-7999 allgauersriverfrontrestaurant.com

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Family Navigating a painful family rift and what to do about it

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s long as Linda can remember, she felt like she was in competition with her three older siblings. Growing up in Wilmette, she remembers that they were “better at everything – sports, academics, more friends...you name it,” she says. “I always felt like I didn’t measure up.”

But looking back, she doesn’t lay blame entirely on her two sisters and a brother for her battered self-esteem. “My parents always pitted one kid against the other, They believed that was the way to elevate everyone’s performance...Instead, we just grew up resenting each other.”

Today, the 45-year-old accountant hasn’t spoken to two of her sisters since 2017. “It’s painful...but it’s just easier that way,” said Linda, who did not want to use her last name to keep her family’s rift a secret.

These days, such stories about an explosion in the nuclear family are all too common. The rupture may be between siblings, or parents and their adult children, but the drama can have a profound impact on a much wider circle, such as grandchildren who are denied access to grandparents and cousins. No one seems to be immune — not even royalty, as anyone who has followed the Prince Harry-Meghan Markle saga knows.

While it’s difficult to pin down exact numbers, researchers estimate that such serious splits affect an increasing number of families. More than 25 percent of adults responding to a survey by the Cornell Family Reconciliation Project reported being estranged from a family member.

The number may actually be higher, they say, because there’s so much shame and stigma surrounding the issue.

So how to explain all these broken relationships? According to Joshua Coleman, a San Francisco area psychologist and author of the new book, “Rules of Estrangement,” there can be many reasons why we cut off the very people we should be closest to. Certainly, longsimmering childhood grievances as in

Linda’s case, is a contributing factor — but other causes include in-laws, addictions, money, undiagnosed mental illness and especially divorce.

In his survey of more than 1,600 estranged parents, about 70 percent of the respondents were divorced from the estranged child’s other biological parent, said Coleman, who specializes in parent/ adult child estrangement and speaks from personal as well as professional experience. For two years, he had no contact with his daughter from his first marriage. (They have since reconciled.)

Joshua Coleman offers the following strategies for taking care of yourself in a family rift.

1 Get support Reach out to friends and family and consider joining a support group or getting professional help.

2 Don’t cut off in response You are not the one cutting ties, your family member is. Don’t cut off your family member in response. Continue to reach out, letting him or her know that you love them and that you want to mend whatever has broken.

3 Don’t feed the anger It’s understandable to feel angry. Step back and try to understand what led to this estrangement. If the door opens, you will be in a much better position to reconcile.

4 Listen to without defending yourself If there’s a chance to talk with your loved one, listen with an open heart. Even if you disagree, look for the grains of truth. Try to empathize with your family member’s pain rather than get caught up in the hurt and anger.

5 Focus on yourself If you do begin communicating again, you will be in a position to learn from the mistakes of the past and work toward an improved relationship. Put your efforts into changing yourself, not your family member.

“Divorce can increase the risk of estrangement because it creates a realignment of loyalty by bringing in new people, such as step-parents and step-siblings,” he explained. “It can also tempt one parent to poison the relationship with the other parent.”

That shift of loyalties can also happen when an adult child marries and the new spouse is not eager to have a relationship with the new in-laws – perhaps because he or she had a more distant relationship with their own kin.

That was the case for one woman who often dropped off dinner for her son and daughter-in-law, who both were juggling full-time jobs and going to school. The mother-in-law soon found herself on the receiving end of a scathing email “What I saw as loving and supportive, my daughter-in-law saw as intrusive,” said the mother, who has not seen her son in almost a year. Given that the wife is typically the keeper of the social calendar, she doesn’t expect to see him any time soon.

Of course, there may be more to the story than unsolicited casseroles, but why — at least anecdotally — do such splits seem to be more prevalent today? There’s nothing new about divorce, sibling rivalry or parents meddling in their children’s lives and yet, in the past, you rarely heard about a family member severing ties with the rest of the clan.

Amy Dickinson has noticed an uptick during her 18 years as a nationallysyndicated advice columnist, which she attributes to a multitude of factors, including the fact that people are more candid about airing their problems and the rise of social media.

“The same tools that make it easier to communicate with one another, can also bring on misunderstandings,” she said. “A foolish post, a snarky comment, an unkind or unflattering photo or video...can all lead to relationship problems.”

Another factor: A change in the way parents interact with their children today.

A century ago, elders were to be respected, if not feared. However, in recent decades,

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More than

25

percent

parenting became less authoritarian and more democratic, giving children more of a voice in family decisions — and, when they’re adults, that includes wielding more power over the relationship.

Karl Pillemer, the researcher who led the Cornell study and is the author of “Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them” summed it up this way: “There’s a lower threshold breaking point – for younger people in particular.”

That’s the case for a 70-year-old mother of three daughters in Mill Valley, California. Her oldest daughter can “turn off her family with the flip of a switch,” said Nancy, who like other families in this story, are not using their last name for privacy.

One day, seemingly without provocation, her oldest daughter came over and delivered a litany of all the things Nancy did wrong raising her. “I was just stunned.

I told her that she was my first — that parents are bound to make mistakes and that

WANT MORE? Find tips and advice on how to deal with relationships of all kinds at better. net/life/sex-relationships/

of adults responding to a survey by the Cornell Family Reconciliation Project reported being estranged from a family member.

kids don’t come with a manual.”

The conflict hardened into a rift that lasted 13 years, and Nancy did not see her oldest granddaughter from age 2 to 15. One day, her daughter called, saying that she wanted to come over and, just like that, the break-up was over. The fragile peace held for eight years, until a few months ago, when the daughter became upset over some language in her mother’s will.

“My friends all tell me ‘You ought to call her.’ They have even offered to intervene on my behalf, but I know what I’m up against...I can’t ever win a discussion with her. And I just don’t have the strength to go through that again.”

Nancy ticked off a long list of privileges that her daughter received growing up — such as summer camp, private school tuition and, as a newlywed, living in the family’s second home, rent-free. It’s what University of Virginia sociologist Joseph E. Davis called the “reciprocal bond of

kinship” in which years of parenting will be repaid with later closeness. When that doesn’t happen, parents see their offspring as ungrateful and their actions as the ultimate betrayal.

Of course, experts note that not everyone is deserving of such reciprocity and some cut-offs are necessary — for example, in cases of abuse — and other relatives should respect the decision.

But for the most part, people can refuse to be caught up in feuds, because it only leads to more drama, Dickinson said.

She cited an example from her own family — a relative who has drifted away completely. Now, after four decades of nearly zero contact, he is drifting back, in poor health and needing help.

“My work has inspired me to try to welcome him back, others refuse. I don’t blame anyone in my family who might want to keep their distance...but nobody has the right to control who I choose to have a relationship with. I am making my own choices based on what I’m capable of and what I want to do.”

Bonnie Miller Rubin grew up on the North Shore and was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune for 25 years, specializing in health and family issues. She is a regular contributor to The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

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Out & About

A R O U N D U P O F T H E H O T T E S T L O C A L E V E N T S , V I R T U A L G AT H E R I N G S A N D P L A C E S T O E AT A N D D R I N K

THE ART OF BANKSY Exhibition brings 80 original works by the elusive street artist to Chicago’s West Loop starting July 1.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ART OF BANKSY

banksyexhibit.com

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Calendar

T H E L AT E S T H A P P E N I N G S T H I S S U M M E R

E D I T E D B Y K AC I E W H I T M A N & M AC A I R E D O U G L A S

Evanston Garden Walk

S

unique yoga and mindfulness sessions this summer. In partnership with CorePower Yoga, enjoy your practice in the all-encompassing projections of Vincent Van Gogh’s illuminating art. 108 W Germania St, Chicago. vangoghchicago.com/ yoga-classes

Navy Pier Reopening Navy Pier is synonymous with summer. Deemed Chicago’s “cultural anchor,” the pier is now welcoming guests back to the lakefront landmark for summertime activities. The Pier Park will open top attractions including the carousel

and Centennial Wheel, with additional rides opening in the coming weeks. Top restaurants, including Harry Caray’s Tavern, have opened their doors once again as well.

600 E Grand Ave, Chicago. navypier.org

Wilmette French Market Just east of the Wilmette Metra Station, you’ll find Wilmette’s own French Market, brimming with fresh foods and produce, flowers and music. Open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the first hour of the market will be reserved for seniors.

722 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette. bensidounusa.com/ wilmette THROUGH AUGUST: Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit’s Yoga Classes Roll out your workout mat at the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit’s

THROUGH AUGUST: WNDR Museum’s Reimagined Experience Transforming the traditional museum experience, WNDR welcomes back all guests to their new state-of-the-art installations. The immersive art features the latest innovation of artists from Chicago and beyond.

1130 W. Monroe St. Chicago. wndrmuseum.com

THROUGH SEPTEMBER: Chicago Dogs Baseball Spend a sunny weekend in Rosemont, where you can shop, dine and take in a classic game of baseball at Impact Field.

The Chicago Dogs often host themed games with food and drink specials, including Elvis nights, Thirsty Thursdays and Family Sundays. Just remember, #noketchup!

9850 Balmoral Ave, Rosemont. thechicagodogs.com JUNE 2: Chicago History Museum 27th Annual Making History Awards Coined the “cornerstone event of this institution,” the Chicago History Museum is thrilled to commemorate the accomplishments of three distinguished honorees virtually this year. Take

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a look into the museum’s current exhibitions alongside unique stories of how these award recipients have made an extraordinary impact on the Chicago community. chicagohistory.org

JUNE 3: UCAN Youth Leadership Awards Virtual Event Celebrate the achievements of Chicago’s seven outstanding youth with the non-profit UCAN. These outstanding young leaders are set to receive scholar

Yoga at the Chicago Botanic Garden

ships at the event, while UCAN continues to raise funds in support of social services for Chicago youth and their families. justgiving.com JUNE 5: North Shore Pride Fest in Highwood It’s the (would be) 10th annual North Shore Pride Fest, taking place in Highwood and benefitting Highland Park High School Spectrum Club. For up-to-date information and celebration plans, visit celebratehighwood.org.

JUNE 5: ChiTown Movies Family Matters Drive-In Fundraiser Enjoy a movie drive-in night featuring the Pixar blockbuster movie Toy

Story in support of the Family Matters School and Youth Development Programs. A silent auction and raffle with readily available food and beverage options are accessible to you from the comfort of your car.

2343 S Throop St., Chicago, chitownmovies.com JUNE 7: Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund Annual Golf Classic Break out your Sunday bag at one of Chicago’s finest golf courses in support of Murphy Scholars. Dedicated to providing scholarship assistance for high school students in need, the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund is here to make a difference and

arrange a day of friendly competition at the following clubs: Beverly, Conway Farms, Exmoor, Knollwood, Oak Park, Onwentsia, Shoreacres, and Skokie. dmsf.org/golf JUNE 10 - JULY 29: Chicago Botanic Garden Yoga at the Garden Register for an eight class package of weekly outdoor yoga sessions immersed in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s beauty.

Classes are scheduled within the McGinley pavilion every Thursday morning with two slots available for your convenience: 9-10 a.m, 10:30-11:30 am. 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe. chicagobotanic.org

JUNE 12-13: Old Town Art Fair The Old Town Art Fair is back in the heart of the charming Old Town Triangle Historic District. There will be 200+ nationally acclaimed artists, an estimated 10,000 art lovers, a Garden Walk, live music and more. Gates open Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine.

Intersection of Lincoln, W Wisconsin St, Chicago. oldtownartfair.org JUNE 13: Alzheimer’s Association Power of Purple Event Tune in to the fourth annual event of “Power of Purple” highlighting the newest Alzheimer’s

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DANIEL BOCZARSKI (KETCHUP, CHICAGO DOGS MASCOT)

Arlington Race Track

research on the journey to find a cure. Partnering with the Illinois Women Conquer ALZ, guests are invited to commemorate dementia caregivers’ stories and bid on exclusive auction items. ilalzwomen.org JUNE 16: Family Focus 2021 Virtual Celebration In honor of their merger with the Chicago Child Care Society, Family Focus will celebrate its shared mission to help children and families in under-resourced communities with a virtual celebration. Join them on June 16 to help raise awareness and critical funds for program delivery throughout Chicagoland. family-focus.org

DANIEL BOCZARSKI (KETCHUP, CHICAGO DOGS MASCOT)

JUNE 18-AUG. 15: Art Institute of Chicago, The Obama Portraits Stop by the Art Institute to view the famous official portraits of former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama commissioned by the Smithsonian’s

The Obama Portraits at Art Institute of Chicago

National Portrait Gallery. Painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, these groundbreaking paintings made history as the first African-American artists assigned to create official president portraits. Fun Fact: the Obamas had their first date at the Art Institute.

111 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago. artic.edu JUNE 19-20: Chicago Pride Fest Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at the 20th anniversary of Chicago’s Pride Fest in the Boystown neighborhood.

Dance the weekend away with top music acts and cheer on the amazing performances in stunning drag shows.

800 W Waveland Ave., Chicago. chicagoevents.com JUNE 20: Father’s Day at the Arlington International Racecourse Attending the historic Arlington Park has become a Chicago tradition. Surprise your Dad

with a fun-filled day of wagering on horse races at what the Chicago Tribune has deemed the “greatest racecourse in America and one of the greatest in the world.”

2200 West Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. arlingtonpark.com JUNE 27: Evanston Garden Walk Rain or shine, head to Evanston from noon to 5 p.m. to see some of the most beautiful and creative private and public gardens on the North Shore that will inspire gardeners of today and tomorrow. evanstonenvironment.org JUNE 28: Center for Enriched Living Chefs’ Night Prepare for a virtual night of crafty chef demos from appetizer platters to a superb fieste penne dish to serve at your next dinner party.

Hosted by the Center for Enriched Living, proceeds will go to ensuring those with developmental disabilities have quality programming to enrich their life. centerforenrichedliving.org JULY 4: 4th of July Premier Fireworks Dinner Cruise Watch this year’s Fourth of July fireworks on the Chicago River skyline with City Cruises. With outstanding views of the city’s notable architecture, you will be treated to a flavorful plated dining experience with a selection of award-winning wines. The evening will conclude with a showcase of Navy Pier’s stunning fireworks show.

455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr., Chicago. cityexperiences.com

JULY 8-11: Windy City Smokeout Summer is in full swing when this city’s favorite event of bands, barbeque, and beer returns soon to Chicago. With over 15 live country music performances, including renowned artists like Brett Eldredge and Darius Rucker, you can look forward to getting back into the concert scene.

United Center Parking Lot C at 1901 West Madison St., Chicago.

Windycitysmokeout.com JULY 9-12: Taste of Chicago To-Go While the festival will be different again this year, the Taste will continue to champion the city’s favorite restaurants from Billy Goat Tavern’s juicy triple cheezborger to Lou Malnati’s buttery deep-dish pizza.

Reimagined events include pop-up cooking demonstrations around the city and food available for pick-up or delivery for downtown Chicago residents.

Chicago.gov JULY 15-19: Chicago Auto Show Summertime Edition Our favorite auto show is back this summer with a special edition at McCormick Place. The 113th show will have exhibits both inside and outside, including a test track on Indiana Avenue, and will use electronic ticketing and timed entrance to regulate attendance and control crowd capacity.

2301 S King Dr, Chicago. chicagoautoshow.com JULY 17-25: A Safe Haven Foundation Run/ Walk Join the weeklong race with the Safe Haven Foundation in transforming the lives of the

DMSF Annual Golf

Ketchup, Chicago Dogs Mascot

city’s homeless. Track your miles with friends alongside a schedule of exciting live pre- and post-event shows. asafehaven.org/2021-virtual-run-walk/ THROUGH JULY 31: Yannis Tsarouchis: Dancing in Real Life The first U.S. exhibition devoted to the work of Yannis Tsarouchis, widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek painters of the 20th century, opens at Wrightwood 659 this summer. View Fridays and Saturdays through July 31.

659 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago. wrightwood659.org AUG. 27: Lady Gaga at Wrigley Field Mother Monster is finally returning to Wrigley Field to play her cancelled 2020 show this summer. If you had tickets for the original date

they are still valid, and tickets are on sale now for remaining seats to take in the “Chromatica Ball.” Other upcoming Wrigley Field concerts include Maroon 5, Dead & Company and more.

1060 W Addison St. mlb. com/cubs/tickets/concerts AUG. 27-29: Cubs v.

White Sox Rivalry The Cubs and White Sox go head-to-head to close the summer. Guaranteed Rate Field hosts the ultimate rivalry for three days on the South Side.

Soak up the summertime heat, order a hot dog, and enjoy a day at the ballgame with family. mlb.com/whitesox/ tickets With weather and Covid-19 precautions, we recommend checking each event website for the most up-to-date information before heading out.

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Chicago’s Better Makers O U R COM M U N IT Y COM I N G TO G E T H E R I N 202 1

• GEORGE POCOCK FOUNDATION CONNECTS KIDS WITH BENEFITS OF ROWING The George Pocock Rowing Foundation held its 13th annual Row to the Future Benefit Breakfast in April. The interactive virtual event included nearly 300 attendees and featured goody bags, a coffee demonstration and presentations by the foundation’s National Inclusion Program Director Arshay Cooper, Executive Director Jenn Gibbon, and Board leaders Sara Lopez and Tom Hull.

IMPACT: The event raised $162,000 for programs and facilities that promote access to rowing, teaching kids about physical activity, leadership and community engagement.

• BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CHICAGO NAMES YOUTH OF THE YEAR The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago announced its Youth of the Year winner during a virtual event attended by 400 guests and emceed by Micah Materre of WGN. The award, presented to 15-year-old Sammantha C. of the True Value Club in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, recognizes club members ages 14-18 for their service, leadership and academic standing. Sammantha C. plans to be a social worker one day to continue to help families in need.

IMPACT: Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago blends mentorship and programs to give youths the tools to become successful adults.

SPONSORS: McCartin Family Foundation, George and Cindy Rusu Family Foundation, BMO Harris Bank, Goldman Sachs, Chicago’s Laborers’ District Council, Nuveen.

Sammantha C.

@ 2019 CLAYTON HAUCK, COURTESY OF 50 EGGS FILMS (LINCOLN PARK BOAT HOUSE)

SPONSORS: Pocock Racing Shells, Make It Better Media Group, Avole Coffee Roasters, Fishbowl Media, PowerUp Virtual Events

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The People’s Music School

• ESPERANZA SPALDING HEADLINES GALA FOR THE PEOPLE’S MUSIC SCHOOL Four-time Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding joined a virtual gala for The People’s Music School, helping raise money for the only tuition free musical school of its kind in the country. The event included jazz ensemble The Soul Rebels and remarks by TPMS President and Artistic Director Jennifer Kim-Matsuzawa.

Lisa Raffel, Executive Director

IMPACT: More than $550,000 was raised to The People’s Music School, which gives 1,600 students in Chicago and East Palo Alto, California, access to music education. More than 90 percent of the school’s students are of color with 100 percent high school graduation and college attendance rates.

SPONSORS: Dan and Susie Ephraim, The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, Richard and Elaine Tinberg, John W. Rogers Jr., Perry Family Charitable Foundation.

Esperanza Spalding

• RED CROSS HEROES EVENT RAISES $1.6 MILLION

@ 2019 CLAYTON HAUCK, COURTESY OF 50 EGGS FILMS (LINCOLN PARK BOAT HOUSE)

Kyla Davis

The American Red Cross of Illinois held its annual Honoring Our Heroes event to raise awareness of local heroes who carry out the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. About 800 people attended the virtual event, which featured videos highlighting the work of the 12 Chicago Red Cross heroes recognized this year. The Heritage Award was given to Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions, for his philanthropic life and work.

Red Cross

WANT MORE? For more inspiring success stories, matching grant opportunities, deserving nonprofits to support, and easy ways you can help those in need right now, visit marinmagazine.com/philanthropy.

IMPACT: $1.6 million was raised to support the mission of the American Red Cross: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in emergencies by mobilizing volunteers and donors.

SPONSORS: Better Media Group, Edwardson Family Foundation, Susan & Nick Noyes, William Blair, CSX Transportation, KPMG US LLP, and the Red Cross Tiffany Circle.

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Out & About / FLAVOR

Farmers Markets are Back!

BY ALICIA FABBRE

It’s time to get outdoors, enjoy the weather and pick up some fresh produce and other locally sourced goods.

Though farmers markets in past years have allowed shoppers to mingle and linger, shoppers may find a different tone this year. Many markets have pandemic safety protocols in place such as social distancing, requiring face masks and one-way foot traffic. You probably won’t find much food sampling at the markets.

But shoppers will still find bountiful choices at their local markets. So grab your face mask and a reusable bag and head out to see a few of our favorites.

CIT Y Andersonville Farmers Market Catalpa Ave. between Clark and Ashland May 12 to Oct. 20, Wednesdays 3-7 p.m.

City Market at Daley Plaza 50 W. Washington St.

May 27 to Sept. 30, Thursdays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursdays (May 6 to Oct. 28) from 3 to 7 p.m.

Division Street City Market 100 W. Division St. May 15 to Oct. 30, Saturdays 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Lincoln Park Farmers Market 2001 N. Orchard St. May 1 to Nov. 20, Saturdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Green City Market — Lincoln Park 1817 N. Clark Street May 5 to Oct. 30, Saturdays and Wedne days, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Low-Line Market — Lakeview Southport CTA Station June 3 to Oct. 28, Thursdays 3:30-7:30 p.m.

(3 to 7 p.m. in Sept. and Oct.)

Green City Market — West Loop 115 S. Sangamon St. June 5 to October 30 Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wicker Park Farmers Market 1425 N. Damen Ave. May 16 to Oct. 31 Sundays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jefferson Park Sunday Market 4626 N. Knox Ave. June 13 to Oct. 24, 2nd and 4th Sundays 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lincoln Square Farmers Market 2309 W. Leland Ave. May 4 to Nov. 23, Tuesdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(7 to 7:30 is open to senior citizens and those who are immunocompromised) and

WANT MORE? Find our full list of Chicago-area farmers markets at Better.net.

SU BU RBS Barrington Farmers Market Park Ave. and Cook St. June 17 to Oct. 21 Thursdays 3-7 p.m.

Buffalo Grove Farmers Market Route 83, between Deefield Pkwy. and Buffalo Grove Road June 13 to Oct. 10, Sundays 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Deefield Farmers Market Park Ave. between Jewett

Park Drive and Hazel Ave., June 12 to Oct. 9 Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Downtown Evanston Farmers Market University Ave. at Oak St., May 1 to Nov. 6 Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Shopping is open from 7 to 7:30 a.m. for senior citizens and shoppers with disabilities).

Glencoe Farmers Market 675 Village Court June 10-September 30, Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Glenview Farmers Market Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Rd. June 19 to Oct. 23, Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon Highwood’s Evening Gourmet Market Everts Park, near Highwood Ave. and Green Bay Rd. July 7 to Sept. 22 Wednesdays 4:309:30 p.m.

Hinsdale Farmers Market Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave., May 31 to

Oct. 25, Mondays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oct. 30, Saturdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lake Bluff Farmers Market Village Green, intersection of Sheridan Rd. and E. Scranton Ave., June 4 to Oct. 8, Fridays 7 a.m. to 1 noon

Ravinia Farmers Market On Dean Avenue at Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave., June 2 to Oct. 27, Wednesdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ● Wilmette French Market East of Wilmette Train Station, 722 Green Bay Road. April 17 to Oct. 30 Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(The first hour is reserved for seniors and those with underlying health conditions).

Libertyville Farmers Market Cook Park on N. Milwaukee Ave. June 3 to Oct. 21 Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Northbrook Farmers Market Meadow Plaza Parking lot, intersection of Cherry & Meadow. June 16 to Oct. 13, Wednesdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Park Ridge Farmers Market 15 Prairie Avenue (intersection of Prairie Ave. and Main St.) May 29 to

Winnetka Farmers Market Winnetka Village Hall, 510 Green Bay Road June 5 to Oct. 30, Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Alicia Fabbre is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune. She lives in the suburbs with her husband and their twin teenagers.

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Urban

P R O M OT I O N

shop LOCAL TREASURES EVANSTON

Koi Fine Asian Cuisine & Lounge

DINE WITH PURPOSE AT CURT’S CAFÉ. We are open! We

Koi Fine Asian Cuisine & Lounge 624 Davis St, Evanston IL (847) 866-6969 koievanston.com

CURT’S CAFE

Koi is located right in the heart of charming Evanston’s restaurant row. Sandy Chen brings the bold flavors of the eight different regions of authentic Chinese Cuisine and fresh sushi to every dining experience. ETS.2004

continue to serve our food insecure clients, but also made safe space for customers to enjoy our cafe! Stop in for a FREE CUP OF COFFEE with any purchase in June. Please mention ‘Better’ to redeem offer.

2922 Central St, Evanston, IL NORTH: (847) 868-8385, HIGHLAND PARK: (847) 748-8086 curtscafe.org

Delivering customers a curated selection from geographically diverse countries, often focused on small production, familyowned, and sustainably produced wines and spirits.

Warm and inviting retail space—both in design and customer service philosophy —created by a passionate, 25-year industry veteran.

CUPITOL COFFEE & EATERY is a woman-owned Europeanstyle restaurant that offers an all-day food and drink menu with something for everyone. Choose from sweet and savory pastries, breakfast spreads, vegan soups, sandwiches, as well as heartier fare like skirt steak, burgers, and wild mushroom alfredo pasta.

VINISSIMO WINE SHOP

2120 Central St, Evanston, IL (847) 905-0173 vinissimowine.com

Cupitol Coffee & Eatery 812 Grove St, Evanston, IL (847) 868 8078 cupitol.com

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16 New Chicago Restaurants to Get Excited About

BY JULIE CHERNOFF

Many of your favorite restaurants are reawakening after their pandemic slumber, and there have been a surprising number of new restaurant openings, with more to come on the horizon. Big names (think José Andres, Paul Kahan, Joe Flamm, and others), new iterations of old standards, and new places popping up where other restaurants failed to thrive are all on the menu. Here are some we’re especially thrilled about!

Now Open Apolonia This sure-to-be-a-hit South Loop resto has a great provenance: it’s the second restaurant from S.K.Y.’s Stephen Gillanders and his wife, Seonkeung Yuk. He cooks, she designs, and the results (so far) have been magic. Don’t expect S.K.Y. Jr — this is more his take on Mediterranean food. House-made Tagliatelle with Seared Scallops, Robiola Ravioli with Parmesan Brodo and Grilled Swordfish with Piperade and Rapini will all make appearances on the opening menu. 2201 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago Avec River North One Off Hospitality made the decision to close Pacific Standard Time during the pandemic, but the space certainly isn’t sitting empty.

After nearly two decades, they finally made the decision to open a second iteration of their megahit Randolph St. restaurant, avec, in the beautiful, vacated space. There’s a more expansive menu to match the larger interior, but don’t worry — you’ll still find your favorite Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates with Bacon, the Deluxe Focaccia with Taleggio and Ricotta, and other avec stalwarts. 141 W Erie St., Chicago

First Watch Oak Brook is the first Illinois location chosen for beloved breakfast restaurant chain First Watch, where everything is made to order, baked goods are made from scratch, and all fruits and veggies are fresh, not frozen. Healthy options like the vegan A.M. Superfoods Bowl stuffed with chia pudding, fresh fruit, and house-made granola, or the Avocado Toast on thick slices of whole-grain toast with poached eggs will help you get the morning started on the right foot.

Shops at Oak Brook

bitterness that I find really appealing. So, I’m going to beeline it over to this new Lincoln Park spot for a Matcha Horchata, or perhaps a Purple Haze Latte, made with lavender, matcha, oat milk, and CBD. What could be more zen? Matcha lemonade, matcha smoothies... so many options, plus coffee drinks and Strawberry-Nutella Toast. This might be heaven.

705 W Belden Ave., Chicago

Hinoki Sushiko Award-winning Chef Otto Phan (Kyōten) has opened a two-story complex in the Elston Corridor that features an izakaya lounge on the first floor (the space dominated by a huge man-made tree left over from previous occupant, Camp Willow) and a world-class omakase experience on the second.

The omakase will offer sushi bar and tableside seating; there will be one seating each evening at 6 pm. 1465 W Willow St., Chicago

Oaken Bistro + Bar Lake Forest gets a taste of something fresh with the opening of this upscale bistro in the new Forester Hotel, the first boutiqueinspired Hyatt Place Hotel. Chef Kristen Burman will be serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner (it is a hotel, after all), and currently they are offering half-off every meal as they ramp up to a full opening. Look for inventive options like Rohan Duck Tacos with fivespiced pineapple and scallion pancakes and ChickenFried Cauliflower with avocado-green goddess dip.

200 N Field Dr., Lake Forest

Matchacita While no one would ever confuse me with a cool kid, I’ve become obsessed with matcha drinks.

There’s something about that back note of grassy

Rose Mary Top Chef winner Joe Flamm has been planning this dream restaurant since leaving his post at Spiaggia, and it’s sure to be a doozy. Named for his

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Avli on the Park

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grandmothers Mary and Mary Rose, and of course, the herb that is prevalent in Italian and Croatian cooking. The Fulton Market neighborhood is home to his seasonal, rustic Mediterranean cuisine, and you’ll also find a host of Eastern European spirits, and both Italian and Croatian beers and wine. I’m especially excited to try the Whole Branzino Paprikas, served with Rancho Gordo beans, a fennel and herb salad garnish, and of course plenty of paprika. 932 W Fulton St., Chicago Rye Deli + Drink Opened in late fall, this fabulous deli has flown a little under the radar, and it’s time for Rye to shine. Fresh bagels made with local grains (in flavors like za’atar, thyme/sea salt, and oat/pepita),

salmon and pastrami smoked in-house, and perfect matzo ball soup made new with the addition of local grains and seasonal fresh veggies set this deli apart from the rest. The Whole Smoked Chicken Dinner for Four — with charred carrots, fava bean hummus, dill aioli, pita, herb and radish salad, and pickles — is an incredible bargain. 25 S Halsted St., Chicago Soul & Smoke Evanston has long known the skills of classically trained Chef D’Andre Carter, who also owns the boundary-pushing Feast & Imbibe catering company. And when he and wife Heather Bublick opened their comfort food and BBQ take-out spot Soul and Smoke, trust and believe there was rejoicing on the North Shore. But now Carter and company are bringing the heat to Avondale, with a ghost kitchen set-up that will get your brisket and ribs to you in the city, with a third location to open in the South Loop later this year. Damn, this food is good. 3517 N Spaulding Ave., Chicago The Arch Chef Brian Huston is back, and I couldn’t be happier. After he closed Boltwood — his terrific Evanston restaurant — in 2019, he joined forces with restaurateur and allaround mensch David Morton (DMK Restaurants) to plan a spectacular set of restaurants in the refurbished Railway Exchange building. The Arch – a “carefully curates, chef-driven, virtual market” — is the first to open, and it features pizza made with a threeday fermented dough, breads and pastries made from locally grown grains, and house-made butters, jams, and pickles.

224 S Michigan Ave., Chicago Tree House The menu at Chef Marco Colin’s new “chef-driven” restaurant in River North is filled with updated comfort/bar food with an Italian accent. Small plates (Chicken Parm Sliders, Frites with Parmesan and Truffle, Calamari Fritti), Wood-Fired Neapolitan and Detroit-Style Pizzas, pastas, salads, and more, make for a fun and share-friendly experience (but please, only the people at your table!). Come for the Limoncello Semifreddo, stay for the dazzling mirror ball. 149 W Kinzie St., Chicago

On the Horizon These new spots are scheduled to open soon, if they’re not serving customers already. Check their websites for the latest on opening dates.

Avli on the Park Winnetka’s Louie Alexakis is at it again, opening his fourth Avli in Lakeshore East.

Expect spectacular views from huge floor-to-ceiling windows, double-sided stone fireplaces, a huge bar, and a large outdoor roof deck with heated cabanas.

Executive chef Niko Kapernaros’ favorite new dishes include Octopus Stifado (stew) with tomatoes, pearl onions, rosemary, and red wine, and Shrimp Mikrolimano (sauteed shrimp in fresh tomato sauce with smoked feta, served over cauliflower purée). 180 N Field Blvd., Chicago. avli.us Chiya Chai This Logan Square darling is opening a second location in the Loop, and if you’re a true chai fan (and we aren’t talking the sweet swill they peddle at Starbucks), it’s time to get psyched. They’ve got 150 combinations to explore, from black cardamom to ginger-fennel, turmeric-curry to caramel-sea salt chais. Hot, cold, however you take it, always delightful.

The Loop location will also offer fresh samosas, dumplings, sweet and savory pies, curry bowls, and chaat. chiyachai.com José Andrés’ Trio of Restaurants Legendary chef and humanitarian José Andres brings his culinary magic to Chicago in Summer 2021 with two different concepts: Jaleo, his Spanish restaurant, will open in the old Naha space in River North; Joe’s by the River, an all-day café, will open in the old Bank of America Tower in the Loop. No opening date yet for Andres’ Bazaar Meat, also to open in the Bank of America Tower, but I’ve eaten at the Las Vegas outpost and the food is outstanding, so looking forward to it being a little closer to home! jaleo.com

Julie Chernoff, Better’s dining editor since its inception in 2007, graduated from Yale University with a degree in English — which she speaks fluently — and added a professional chef’s degree from the California Culinary Academy. She has worked for Boz Scaggs, Rick Bayless, and Wolfgang Puck (not all at the same time); and counts Northlight Theatre and Les Dames d’Escoffier International as two of her favorite nonprofits. She currently serves on the national board of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.

WANT MORE? Looking for more great places to eat?

Satisfy your cravings at better.net/food-drink.

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Opposite: Oaken Bistro & Bar This page, from top: Soul Smoke’s D’Andre Carter; Matchacita’s Purple Haze Matcha Latte and macarons; First Watch in Oakbrook

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Janet Borden is a Real Estate broker affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage. *Data from MRED, Broker Metrics: 1/1/20-5/6/21.

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Chicago Home

F RO M B E AU T I F U L B U I L DS A N D S T U N N I N G

M A K EOV E R S TO TO P T R E N DS A N D R E A LTO R I N S I G H T S

NEW DIMENSIONS A historic home in Highland Park gets an inventive renovation and addition, along with remarkable outdoor spaces.

BY TATE GUNNERSON

PHOTO CREDIT

PHOTOS BY MIKE SCHWARTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

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Chicago Home / BACKSTORY

Previous page: To placate the local historical society, the addition on the back of the house is stepped down and barely visible from the street. This page: A custom sofa and four clean-lined chairs create a spot for post-dinner conversations in the family room.

The clients chose not to have a formal living room.

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ometimes a roadblock leads to an interesting route, as was the case when a North Shore couple discovered an obstacle to building their smaller, chicer, empty-nest abode on a lush one-acre ravine-front lot in Highland Park – the existing house on the site.

“This area is a historic district, so we couldn’t tear it down,” the husband explains.

The more they thought about it, however, the more they realized the early 1900s-era red-brick home by Howard Van Doren Shaw had loads of potential. Enamored, the couple changed course and hired Morgante Wilson to design a down-to-the-studs renovation and rear addition that effortlessly walks the line between historic and modern influences.

Principal Fred Wilson worked closely with the Highland Park Historical Society on the proposed changes, stepping the new addition down and tucking it behind the main structure so that it’s barely seen from the street. Later,

he secured approval to enclose the open-air sleeping porches along the side of the house.

That same care informed his approach to the interior. For example, he repurposed a pair of interior doors with a unique circular motif for a new built-in closet in the front foyer.

Then, he incorporated the motif into the new millwork in key spots, such as the new millwork between the foyer and the living room.

The Kitchen In perhaps the most dramatic move, Wilson created a brand-new kitchen in the center of the floorplan. Banded in steel, an enormous cerused oak island with a white quartzite top sets the tone. The same metal detail adorns the wall cabinets above the range, integrating with the custom hood they flank. “This is tradition with a twist,” Wilson says.

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The Wet Bar Indeed, the glamorous bars of yesteryear inspired the design of the wet bar, which is outfitted with built-in cabinetry painted in a smokey blue hue, dark quartzite countertops and a mix of glass tiles that clad the walls.

“It’s a little jewel box,” Wilson says.

The Butler’s Pantry The architect carried the blue cabinetry and light quartzite countertops into the butler’s pantry, which is separated from the formal dining room by a set of iron-framed doors with glass panels in a Mondrian-inspired pattern.

Interior designer Elizabeth Kreuger covered the walls in both spaces with a graphic wallcovering that enlivens the neutral palette.

“The clients were really dialed into the details and wanted to understand how

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A custom linen-covered sofa and an Eames lounge chair upholstered in sumptuous mohair invite relaxation in the sitting room, which was previously a sleeping porch. The cocktail table is from Noir Furniture.

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comfortable the spaces would be and not just how they would look,” Krueger says.

The Living Room In the living room, a large, textural hand-woven rug helps define a tailored mohair-covered sofa and four matching linencovered chairs, all around a large wooden cocktail table with metal banding inspired by the custom detail in the kitchen.

In front of the window, a funky console table with a geometric metal base acts as a stage for artistic vignettes. “I wanted something sculptural to anchor that spot,” Krueger explains.

The Sleeping Porch Through the French doors is the former sleeping porch, which has been redone with inlaid blue ceramic tile laid in herringbone pattern bordered by hardwood flooring. A streamlined

sofa and an Eames chair done in a neutral mohair lean into the refined yet comfortable milieu. “There’s a relaxed elegance,” Krueger says. “There’s a consistency, but each room really stands on its own.”

The Patio, Pool & Landscaping That also goes for the spectacular outdoor spaces by landscape architect Scott Byron.

Accented by native grasses, sculptural flowering trees and summer perennials, a path of bluestone pavers bordered by crushed bluestone leads to a limestone poolside patio, alongside the garage-turned-pool house.

“The idea was to create a natural setting for this strongly architectural home,” he says. “Instead of trying to mimic the architecture with lots of formality, we created an informal and lush garden setting that plays up the architecture rather than competing with it.”

An outdoor fireplace stands in between the hot tub and a sunken outdoor seating area furnished with areas for living and dining. “It’s a cozy, grotto-like garden,” Byron says of that section of landscaping. Just inside, the pool house has additional seating and a bonus guest suite upstairs.

The owners debated a lot about whether or not they needed a swimming pool. They were especially grateful they pulled the trigger when the pandemic happened.

With an array of outdoor spaces to enjoy, the couple celebrated the husband’s birthday al fresco with a few close friends. She recalls, “It was wonderful to be able to have people over, sit outside and feel a little bit normal.”

Tate Gunnerson is a Chicago-based freelance journalist with an equal appreciation for natural beauty and good design. He is a passionate supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A figurative bronze sculpture

by Boaz Vaadia punctuates the landscaping by Scott Byron.

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Taking center stage in the renovated home, the newly relocated kitchen features metal banding detail by Morgante Wilson, which adds a bespoke look to the custom white perimeter cabinetry and cerused-oak island.

THE DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE: Fred Wilson, Elissa Morgante, John Leonard and John Gibson, Morgante Wilson, morgantewilson.com

A Sub-Zero wine refrigerator and other functional items are concealed within the bank of custom cabinetry in the butler’s pantry, which is separated from the dining room by iron-framed glass doors. The artwork is

by Ezra Siegel.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Elizabeth Krueger, Elizbeth Krueger Design, elizabethkruegerdesign.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: Scott Byron & Co., scottbyron.com CONSTRUCTION: Peter Wisniewski, TEMco Contracting, temcocgi.com

WANT MORE? For more home decor and design inspiration, expert advice from industry leaders, and stunning pieces by local artists, visit spacesmag.com.

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Ref lections

Brighter Days Are Here!

Photographer Erika Anderson captured this shot of Evanston’s Clark Street Beach from the top of the Northwestern University Segal Visitors Center parking garage: “I love the different vistas and pockets of activity in the image. The backdrop of the image is the Chicago skyline, gently glowing in the evening sun. In the distance, you can just make out the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Planes fly overhead, on their way to or from Midway and O’Hare. On Greenwood Street Beach, you can see the racks of colorful kayaks and waders dipping toes in Lake Michigan … At the Church Street Boat Ramp, people watch and feed the ducks floating in the sheltered water. The foreground is Clark Street Beach and it is full of activity.” Erika Anderson is an Evanston photographer and member of Evanston Made. See more of her work on Instagram @erika_andersonphoto See more great photographs highlighted on our Instagram at @betterchicago

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NORTH SHORE

“Julie is absolutely terrific! She is deeply knowledgeable about her market, well-connected, and current, and brings her marketing background to bear as a highly capable advisor and negotiator.

She is also responsive, personable, and compassionate — a true partner in your home sale or search. Julie goes the extra mile — she cares about her clients, and it really shows. I cannot recommend her highly enough!”

REDEFINED JULIE HART VIGSEN julie.hartvigsen@compass.com 773.266.9850

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Julie Hartvigsen is a real estate agent affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local equal housing opportunity laws. 851 Spruce Street, Winnetka, IL 60093

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