Make It Better March 2014

MARCH 2014

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philanthropy award winners camp guide beach chic eataly chicago odd couples

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Every day, Walgreens strives to make our communities, and the world, a better place to get, stay and live well. Not just through our daily business— but also through activities that accelerate our century of service, heritage of giving, and deepest sense of corporate social responsibility.

Building on our commitment to service, innovation, inclusion and community involvement, Walgreens and our team in the past year alone have: · Supported the United Nations Foundation Shot@Life campaign with Walgreens Get A Shot/ Give A Shot initiative—when our patients get a flu shot or any other immunization, we’ll help provide a life-saving vaccine to up to 3 million children worldwide who need it most. · Contributed $350,000 in corporate funds and raised $5.3 million from employees and customers through in-store donations for the Red Cross hurricane disaster relief in New York and New Jersey. · Pioneered employing people with disabilities, showing that through training and experiential opportunities, people with disabilities can be successful in highly competitive environments. · Provided $23 million through Walgreens Way to Well fundraising programs for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Komen for the Cure program, earmarked for cancer prevention and early detection. · Volunteered more than 800,000 employee hours at over 19,000 events. In the North Shore and Northern Chicago areas, employees volunteered more than 42,000 hours at over 800 events. · Advanced healthcare in underserved communities through Way to Well health tours with the National Urban League and AARP, providing free health tests, assessments, education and consulting services to people and communities most in need. · Joined with Greater than AIDS, health departments and local service organizations to provide free HIV testing. · Demonstrated retail “green building” breakthroughs by building the first “net zero” retail store in Evanston, Ill., that produces more energy than it uses. · Sponsored the Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Awards because Chicagoland is the home of our hearts, and we all know that giving always starts at home.

At Walgreens, we believe in doing good by doing good business. Our 8,000+ stores in communities across America are committed to providing unprecedented convenience and service as a health and wellness destination for all. We also strive to go the extra mile to serve those most in need. We want everyone, in every walk of life, to get, stay and live well.

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Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ. Turn to page 44

march 2014 • volume 5, issue 5

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The New Philanthropists

By Julie Chernoff and Susan B. Noyes

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By Anna Carlson, Julie Chernoff, Courtney Cook, Coco Keevan, Susan B. Noyes

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Hope Springs Eternal for Cubs Fans in Arizona

By Andrea Guthmann

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March 2014

Be A Sport! Summer Sports Camp Preview

By Jaime Baum

2013 Philanthropy Awards

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inside out

By Tate Gunnerson

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beach chic

By Evangeline Politis

on our cover Liam Krehbiel and Laura Tucker Photographed by John Reilly Makeup by Elise Brill/Leesi B Cosmetics On Laura Tucker: Akris blue plaid menswear wrap dress with Max Mara leather belt; provided by Frances Heffernan, Winnetka On Liam: His own shirt and sport coat from Barney’s New York, and watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre.

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dining & entertainment

Departments family

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Negotiating StepParenting

By Jaime Baum

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Great Camps Directory

home

60

The Odd Couples

By Meghan Streit

a better you

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Make the Most of Your Philanthropy Dollars

By Meghan Streit

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Financial etiquette

By Shannan Younger

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Daytripper: Hinsdale

By Laura hine

72

Walk, climb or bike for a cause

By Christy Coughlin

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ď ´ Ditch the Safari Suit

By Susan Pasternak

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Sexy Stuff You Can Sometimes Skip

By Marjie Killeen

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cocktails are heating up

By Laura Levy Shatkin

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Eataly Chicago: Be Eatalian!

By Julie Chernoff

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Books to Know: Surf or Snow

By Kelly Konrad

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Broadway producer talks motown

By Julie Chernoff

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March Madness

By Robert Loerzel

make a difference

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Better Makers and Their Impact

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Plastic Surgeon McKay McKinnon has a Heart of Gold

By Coco Keevan

in every issue 12 | founder’s letter 14 | contributors 17 | tech mamma lounge 18 | you said it 20 | new in the northern suburbs 22 | recommended events 24 | events listing 26 | make it better column 85 | music by val 90 | give time, give things, give support 98 | closing thoughts

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Founder’s let ter

it’s all about

helping by susan b . noye s

Connecting you to the best resources in your community—online, in print and in person—with articles, tips, guides, events and soon, online shopping.

Welcome to our New Philanthropists issue. We’re excited to share rising stars and big ideas with you—including one ambitious new theater, two people with big hearts and big drive, nine Philanthropy Award nonprofit winners, and even more easy ways for you to be a philanthropist and make a difference.

Of course, we also offer our usual winning content that helps and connects you to the best resources, activities and ideas in your community. Our family, dining, sports, fashion, entertainment, books, music and local treasure stories are spot on for life in the month of March.

The Internet makes it easy for people to connect and help to make anything better. That’s why Make It Better gives prizes of the highest quality videos and articles to our Philanthropy Award winners that they can post next to a “donate” button. Please be sure to see these videos and content online after you finish this magazine (makeitbetter.net/awards2013).

Speaking of online, at makeitbetter.net you will also find a sleek new look, easier access to our guides and a new shopping section that makes it easy for you to click and support the best businesses in your community.

The virtuous circles that we create to connect our audience with the nonprofits and businesses they support— online, in print and in person—keep growing. Please use and enjoy all of them, including our email newsletter, the “Better Letter,” online tips and recommendations, event sponsorships and shopping. And please let us know how else we can help you make life better for yourself and others. You are very valuable to us.

Thank you,

“We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?” — Steve Jobs money raised for not-for-profit organizations: $2,715,579

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588 Lincoln Ave. Winnetka, IL, 60093 | 847-256-4642 Founder & CEO Susan B. Noyes

Editor In Chief Julie Chernoff

Digital Editor Lindsay Roseman

Assistant Editor Anna Carlson

Foundation Editor Coco Keevan

Art Director Sarah Philippart

Designer Lesley Smith

Dining Editor Julie Chernoff

Fashion Editor Evangeline Politis

Finance Editor Meghan Streit

Fitness Editor Christy Coughlin

Home Editor Tate Gunnerson

Senior Living Editor Stuart Greenblatt Sex & the Suburbs Editor Marjie Killeen

Contributing Writers Jaime Baum Courtney Cook Val Haller Laura Hine Coco Keevan Kelly Konrad Robert Loerzel Susan Pasternak Laura Levy Shatkin Shannan Younger

Photographers Fred Bledsoe Wayne Cable John Reilly

Publisher Kimberly Carroll

Co-Founder & Vice President of Marketing Mindy Fauntleroy

Chief Operating Officer Sandy Tsuchida

Ad Sales Manager Megan Holbrook

Senior Account Executives Patti Augustyn Julie Carter

Account Executives Jenny Newman Martha Sheridan

Director of Community Development Denise Borkowski

Director of the Tech Mamma Lounge Christina Lundin

Got feedback? Email susan@makeitbetter.net To advertise: Contact megan@makeitbetter.net Have an event? Email anna@makeitbetter.net

Make It Better North Shore (ISSN No. 2151-0431) is published 12 times per year by Make It Better LLC, 588 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093. Phone: 847.256.4642. Copyright 2014 by Make It Better LLC. All rights reserved.

Application to Mail at Periodicals Rates is pending at Wilmette, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Make It Better, 588 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093.

Make It Better is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Copyright 2014 by Make It Better LLC. All rights reserved.

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Contributors

Contributors We asked our writers, editors and art director, “Which local charity gets your vote?”

1 | Jaime Baum

2 | Lindsay Roseman

3 | Christy Coughlin

4 | Sarah Philippart

5 | Tate Gunnerson

6 | julie chernoff

7 | Laura Hine

8 | Susan Pasternak

Glencoe Jaime supports Our Place of New Trier Township, a wonderful program in Wilmette for young adults with developmental disabilities.

Chicago Tate has always admired St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital for providing free treatment to families struggling with catastrophic pediatric diseases.

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Glenview Lindsay loves CASA Lake County for giving kids a voice and an advocate to be by their side every step of the way, and to help navigate the court system during tough times.

Evanston Julie wants you to know about Curt’s Cafe in Evanston, a grass-roots organization that provides job and life-skills training to at-risk, otherwise unemployable youth…and makes a mean Green Drink smoothie besides.

Wilmette Christy admires the work of Girls on the Run, incorporating running to teach life skills and build confidence.

Wilmette Laura is a big fan of Stand for Children and their familyengagement program, Stand University for Parents. They partner with parents and schools in the most challenging communities in Chicago to put students on the path to academic success.

Chicago Sarah loves the work of LIFT Chicago, which creates a network of support to enable people to move out of poverty for good.

Highland Park Susan supports Working Together, a grass-roots organization that provides enrichment opportunities to lower-income Hispanic children and families within the boundaries of North Shore School Districts 112 and 113, all the while encouraging cross-cultural interactions.

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cHArles eDwiN PUckett

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Opening Night Private Preview Party

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ONLINE

OUR BETTER HALF IS ONLINE

pinspiration

get to know the 2013 philanthropy award winners

Our followers can’t get enough of these pins. Follow Make It Better on Pinterest to repin your faves and read more.

Want more from the nine inspiring Philanthropy Award winners? Head online to find in-depth profiles of each organization and watch their brand-new award videos.

 PINTEREST.COM/MAKEITBETTERMAG

 MAKEITBETTER.NET/AWARDS2013

what’s hot on makeitbetter.net: RECIPES

Vegetable Tortilla Soup ORGANIZED HOME

How and Why You Should Organize Your Closet Now

The perfect work bag—chic and roomy with pockets galore.

FAMILY LIFE

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make it better is on instagram!

Follow us @makeitbetterns to get a behind-the-scenes peek at what we’re up to around Chicago and the North Shore. Use the hashtag #NorthShoreMIB to share your fun photos with us!

FASHION & BEAUTY

Wet-Weather Chic HEALTH & WELLNESS

Half-Marathon Training for Beginners

Organize your fridge to maximize storage space and ensure freshness.

sign up for our better letter: Up-to-the-minute tips, trends and things to do!

THE SUNDAY LETTER

THE WEDNESDAY LETTER

Full of articles to make your life easier and better. Articles will cover topics such as: family home health recipes education

Focus on fun for the weekend!

Articles will cover topics such as: where to go new restaurants to try what’s happening in the northern suburbs and Chicago quick & easy ways to make a difference fashion & beauty

 MAKEITBETTER.NET/BETTER-LETTER

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5 beauty tips to go from day to night

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A Preview of Upcoming Classes How to Grow Your Local Business in the Digital Era With Susan B. Noyes

March 19, 5–6:30 p.m.

How to Raise More Money for Your Favorite Nonprofit With Susan B. Noyes

March 20, 7:30–9 p.m.

register for classes:

makeitbetter.net/classes 588 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka 847-256-4642

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you said it

We love to hear from you, so please keep sending us your stories, comments, opinions, ideas and reviews!

Online

Facebook

makeitbetter.net

facebook.com/makeitbetter.net

Twitter

Email

@makeitbetterNS

susan@makeitbetter.net

Thanks for all the emails, letters, tweets and Facebook messages this month! Here’s what you had to say: In response to “The Power of Knowledge: KIPP” from December 2013

“I feel Make It Better would have been much better served to highlight a charter school that has been developed by and with community support, rather than promoting a national chain like KIPP. You quote KIPP by the numbers, which supposedly proves what a successful model they have developed versus the public schools, but you do not delve any further into their policies. For example, chains like KIPP claim they enroll the same student populations as public schools and, like public schools, do not turn any students away. Yet widespread evidence suggests these schools use a variety of tactics, such as counseling certain students out, to create unrepresentative student bodies. A recent study found that in 2008, 11.5 percent of KIPP students were ELLs, compared with 19.2 percent of students in their local school districts, while 5.9 percent of KIPP students had disabilities, compared with 12.1 percent of students in the local school districts. Parents of children who are not successful at the school are often counseled to remove their children...easier to post college-bound statistics when you’ve gotten rid of all the unpromising students, right? Charter schools that show transparency, welcome parents into the classrooms, encourage creativity among their teachers—in other words, a typical day in a North Shore school—is what we should want for ALL children. That’s the story you should be writing.”

—Erica Regunberg, Wilmette

“[The Tech Mamma Lounge class] was a great evening of learning for everyone. As you know all too well, Susan, a single idea goes nowhere unless shared with others. Your work is inspiring, contagious and successful. Keep it up and see you at another workshop soon.”

—Patty Dodson, Northfield, attendee of “How to Raise More Money for Your Favorite Nonprofit”

ArielleML @ArielleML “@makeitbetterNS: Should you be taking a multivitamin every single day? Experts break it down. http://ow.ly/sEfa9” Prob yes but complicated!

Jon Simpson @jsimpson223 Power #restaurants @makeitbetterNS? How about my new bucket list for #Chicago’s North Shore makeitbetter.net/dining/fooddrink/5792-power-restaurants

“I LOVE Make it Better ... and I live in Denver! I always find something relevant!”

— Laure Leigh Miller

“I was traveling last week and, as always, I bring a stack of magazines and newspapers that pile up on my desk to read on the plane. I started with my ‘Make it Better’ magazine featuring a gorgeous image of Lindsay Avner on the front of the magazine. I figured with a two-plus hour flight I’d get through most of my pile—no luck.

Not only did I NOT get to my book, I also did NOT get to all the other items BECAUSE there was SO much to read in YOUR magazine! Great information and many informative articles—home offices, juicing, serums—but mostly I loved reading about the power profiles of six individuals who are certainly doing such good for so many people. I might add, that at the end of any flight I dump my stack, which I did do, but I saved my copy of ‘Make it Better!’”

—Faye Jacobs, Wilmette

Teresa Marie @ChiMasterGrdnr @makeitbetterNS Happiness is loving what you do, giving to and loving others, an having something to look forward to.

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Tasty Taqueria

Lose Big with “Biggest Loser” Winner Danni Allen

After winning season 14 of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” Danni Allen of Wheeling returned to Chicago with a new lease on life.

Her latest venture will help others reach their own health and fitness goals. She opened ONE2ONE yoga—a reference to the 121 pounds she dropped on the show—with Marcus Lemonis earlier this year in Evanston. “It’s a small studio and a place where people can come to find me and talk to me, and I can be the advocate of a better lifestyle,” she says. “I want to show people what I’ve done and how they can do it too, and yoga has been my ground work for all of that.” The studio offers a full schedule with 22 classes each week. Allen is currently training to become a certified yoga instructor and will begin instructing classes at the studio this summer. “We’re here to bring people into a new lifestyle and to try something different and surprise themselves, and I think they will,” she says. ONE2ONE: 2901 Central St., 2nd floor, Evanston, one2onelifestyle.com —LR

Inovasi’s Chef John des Rosiers took what had been the private dining space of his Lake Bluff restaurant and converted it into this tiny, rustic taqueria. It may be small, but the flavors are big! Ingredients are homemade, affordable and locally sourced, so you can feel good about getting your carb on.

Choose from tacos, tostadas, burritos or rice bowls, and then select a favorite filling, like grilled grass-fed steak, slow-cooked heritage pork, smoky braised fish or slow-roasted chicken. Garnish with one of 10 different salsas and your choice of toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, cheese, etc.), pair it with a Mexican Coke or a margarita, and get your own fiesta started. The Side Door: 28 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff, 847-295-1020, thesidedoor.us —JC

Parisian Antiques in Barrington

Something’s Brewing

Home brewers, rejoice! North Shore Brewing Supply has opened its doors. It should be your go-to source for everything you need to make your own wine, beer, mead or cider, providing ingredients, equipment and the knowhow necessary for this super-fun DIY project. They’ve got classes to get you started, and they’ll even bottle your homebrew—sounds like a great potential party idea to me! North Shore Brewing Supply: 1480 Old Deerfield Rd., Suite 15, Highland Park, 847-831-0570, northshorebrewingsupply.com —JC

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No need to fly across the pond to score fabulous European antiques. Paris Market Antiques, which opened earlier this year in the Ice House Mall, carries antiques from the Belgian, French and Italian markets. Owners Gwendolyn Whiston and Laurence McMurray, former owners of Tivoli Garden Antiques on Main Street, are bringing Paris Market Antiques to life with an even larger selection of one-of-a-kind items for your home and garden. In the new store you’ll find vintage furniture, clothing, jewelry, art, fine crystal, hand-painted china and much more.

“It’s just a feast for the eyes,” Whiston says. “Make sure that you come in and really have time to look at things.” Looking to consign a classic piece? You can do that here, too. Paris Market Antiques: 200 Applebee St., Barrington, 847-756-4174, parismarketantiques.blogspot.com —LR

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Events

r e c o mme n d e d

By anna carlson

editor’s pick Gatsby Gala 22 March 22 | Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., Chicago | uccrfassociates.com We’re highlighting our Philanthropy Award winners this month, and you can give back, too. Party like Jay Gatsby while supporting the work of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, which is committed to treating, preventing and curing cancer.

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Joe Frank in Murdered by the Mind March 1 | Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted Ave., Chicago | steppenwolf.org This funny and moving spoken-word performance by NPR personality and author Joe Frank features musicians Danny Frankel and David Ralicke.

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Kiddie Gras March 1 | Glenview Park District, 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview | glenviewparks.org Get your kids in on the Mardi Gras fun with Cajun-style refreshments, games, crafts, bouncers and more. The night will even end with a balloon drop.

Fifth Annual Wine and Beer Tasting March 7 | Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka | winnetkacommunityhouse.org If you can never agree with your significant other (or friends) on wine or beer, you don’t have to compromise this month. Sip from more than 50 wines and premium beers, all paired with hors d’oeuvres, cheeses and sweets.

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Sixth Annual Peace on Earth Film Festival 6 March 6-9 | Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago | peaceonearthfilmfestival.org This festival is all about raising awareness of peace, nonviolence and social justice. The 2014 edition will certainly get you talking with film selections like “HEAR OUR VOICES: Transforming the Children’s Mental Healthy System” and “A Quest For Peace: Nonviolence Among Religions.”

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International Women’s Day Breakfast 7 March 7 | Woman’s Club of Evanston, 1702 Chicago Ave., Evanston | wcofe.org Learn, engage and celebrate at this annual event in honor of International Women’s Day presented jointly by the Woman’s Club of Evanston, the YWCA Evanston/North Shore and the Women’s Center of Northwestern University.

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Dyeing of the Chicago River March 16 | Chicago River, Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, Chicago| chicagostpatsparade.com If you’ve never seen the Chicago River in all its green glory, this year is the perfect time to enjoy the tradition. Afterward, watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which begins on ColumMar

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Photo courtesy of C. Saville Photography

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Chicago Flower & Garden Show March 15-23 | Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago | chicagoflower.com After an especially harsh winter, spring can’t get here soon enough. Fortunately, Navy Pier will be filled with perennials, annuals and trees for more than a week.

It’s the perfect way to ward off the last bit of winter chill.

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bus Drive and moves through Grant Park, or take a Shoreline Sightseeing St. Patrick’s Day Cruise.

Mom’s Day Out March 18 | Deer Creek Courts, 701 Deer Creek Pkwy., Highland Park | pdhp.org You need a break, and your kids want to have some fun, so drop them off for a day of Quick Start Tennis, racquetball, wallyball and pingpong. Win-win!

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Phillip Phillips March 18 | Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan geneseetheatre.com The “Gone, Gone, Gone” singer and “American Idol” winner is heading out on a North American tour, and his only U.S. stop is in Waukegan.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW AND CITY WINERY

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Molly Ringwald Quintet  19 March 19 | City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago | citywinery.com Don’t miss this concert with ‘80s icon Molly Ringwald. She’ll perform songs from her debut jazz album “Except Sometimes.”

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Holmes & Yang Trunk Show March 20 | Chalk Boutique, 2611 Prairie Ave., Evanston chalkboutique.com It’s time to update your wardrobe for spring. Get help from stylist Jeanne Yang, who will be presenting Holmes & Yang’s Spring 2014 collection. Chalk will be the only Chicago-area shop carrying these clothes, so get them before they sell out.

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Hinsdale Home Show March 22 | The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale hinsdalechamber.com Spring is a great time to start thinking about updating your home, whether with new paint or an entirely new kitchen. Ask questions and get inspired by architectural and design experts, including “HGTV Star” winner Tiffany Brooks.

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Dinosaur Zoo Live 25 March 25-30 | Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago broadwayinchicago.com Dinosaurs will come to life in Chicago this month. This interactive and educational show will bring you back to pre-historic Australia and also includes ancient insects and mammals.

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Matt Wertz March 30 | SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston | evanstonspace.com If you’re a fan of singer-songwriters, this is one concert you need to put on your calendar. It’s the perfect date-night option.

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events listing

march highlights By anna carlson

march 1–9

Oscar Shorts Film Festival 2014 March 1 The Catlow Theater, 116 W. Main St., Barrington | enjoybarrington.com Creole Stomp March 4 Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights metropolisarts.com Rick Springfield March 6 Center Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie northshorecenter.org Mom and Son Sports Night March 7 Sachs Recreation Center, 455 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield | deerfieldparks.org

march 10–16

Dozin’ with the Dinos March 14 (also March 28) The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago | fieldmuseum.org First International Young Artist Piano Concerto Competition March 15 Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago | cso.org Family Fun Fest March 16 Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe glencoeparkdistrict.com

march 17–23

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

March 18 and 20 North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie | northshorecenter.org

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Spring Seedlings March 20 Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston | evanstonenvironment.org Morning Safari: Tour of the Tropics March 22 Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago lpzoo.org Houston Ballet: Aladdin March 22 and 23 Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago | ravinia.org

march 24–31

Lecture: National Jewish Book Award March 27 Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Dr., Skokie | ilholocaustmuseum.org  Wishes for Fishes Family Sleepover March 28 Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago | sheddaquarium.org

Turtle Island Quartet with Nellie McKay: A Flower is a Lovesome Thing March 31 Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston | pickstaiger.org

ongoing

80 at 80 Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago | msichicago.org Cabaret Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire marriotttheatre.com Christopher Williams: The Production Line of Happiness Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago | artic.edu Forts Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago | chicagochildrensmuseum.org

Photo courtesy of shedd aquarium

Imagine Dragons March 13 Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd,.

Rosemont | allstatearena.com

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Hedda Gabler Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe writerstheatre.org Japan and Nature: Spirits of the Seasons Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview | kohlchildrensmuseum.org  The Orchid Show Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe | chicagobotanic.org Steichen | Warhol: Picturing Fame Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston blockmuseum.northwestern.edu

Photo courtesy of chicago botanic garden

sponsored listings Algo of Switzerland March 3-8 Lake Forest Shop, 265 Market Square, Lake Forest, IL | 847-234-0458 thelakeforestshop.com View the Fresh and Elegant Spring Summer 2014 Algo of Switzerland Collection that combines a touch of sex appeal with the spirit of eternal youth. High fashion women’s apparel for day and evening wear.

LAUNCH: Driving Fashion Forward Sunday, April 13, 5 PM Autohaus on Edens Mercedes Benz Showroom, 1600 W. Frontage Rd., Northbrook | 847-2727900 | dogoodersdodah.com 3rd Annual Spring Fashion show featuring designs from North Shore’s finest boutiques including trunk shows to shop accessories, and silent and live auctions featuring a priceless trip for 2 to the 2014 Mercedes Fall Fashion Show in New York.

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make it bet ter column

loved ones,” says Anita Sarafa, Managing Director of J. P. Morgan Private Bank.

I have to confess to procrastinating myself in the past, despite my blended family and other reasons to prioritize estate planning. I used excuses like “I’m too busy,” or “I hate thinking about death.” I finally kicked myself into gear and used excellent resources to educate myself, including “Plan Your Estate” (Nolo, 2012) by Denis Clifford, and the advice of outstanding attorneys, financial planners and insurance experts.

I’ve developed the following nine steps to responsible estate planning, which I hope will motivate you to start and complete your own estate plan.

Steps to

Responsible Estate Planning for Women

by susan b . noye s

Every woman needs an estate plan, particularly if they have children or other dependents. Unfortunately, most American women either don’t have an estate plan, or they let their husbands do the planning. This needs to change.

States, women become widowed at 59, but their average lifespan is 80,” says Kathy Roeser, Executive Director and Wealth Advisor for The Roeser Group of Morgan Stanley. Twenty-one years is a long time to live with the consequences of a spouse’s estate plan.

The number of American second marriages and blended families keeps growing. In these situations, women “On average in the United

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should not only participate in the estate planning, but they should consult with experts independently of their husband to assure that joint plans provide well for all members of their families.

“Although it may be initially uncomfortable...for a married woman to seek independent advice, women who fall into [these] circumstances will ultimately find comfort in knowing the estate plan works appropriately for them and their

1. Survey your property.

Gather, review and understand all financial statements, policies, etc. that reflect the value of your property and insurance coverage upon your death.

Include any property that you own with your spouse or other partners.

2. Survey your spouse’s property.

If married, do the same for all property your spouse owns.

3. Set goals and objectives.

Decide what you want to happen after you die, including custodianship of minors and any charitable bequests.

Set your financial goal to support your family if predeceased by your spouse.

4. Get expert advice.

Educate yourself inexpensively with reference books, and by consulting with reputable insurance agents and financial planners. Invest in an outstanding estateplanning attorney. Research experts and get referrals before choosing insurance agents, financial planners or attorneys.

5. Schedule estate-planning meetings with your spouse.

Set a schedule; don’t procrastinate.

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You should plan a loving presentation of all issues that need to be addressed.

6. Lay a foundation for estateplanning decisions to follow.

Really, shouldn’t shared values, hopes and dreams undergird most major decision making with your spouse?

Estate planning is no exception.

7. Allow yourself time to develop and execute Taking full advantage of all opportunities to transfer wealth with the least tax consequence, insure financial stability using insurance and other techniques, and to make wise decisions on behalf of your heirs will require time to explore options and put in place appropriate legal instruments. This includes trust documents that pass assets outside of the probate system. Be patient with yourself and the process. Persist by always scheduling the next meeting with your expert consultants or spouse to move the process forward.

8. Designate decision makers.

Decide who should make legal or health-care decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Stipulate your preferences regarding life-support and organ donations.

9. Secure all estate documents Make it easy for others to find and execute your plans. Include a letter or videotape that reminds your heirs of your values, hopes and dreams. Although initiating your estate planning process and requesting active participation from a spouse can be hard, the emotional rewards far outweigh the discomfort; you alleviate potential angst and assure a sounder future for your family. In short, with thoughtful estate planning you will make it better for yourself and the ones you love.

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2/11/14 11:40 AM

THE NEW

PHILANTHROPISTS

By Julie Chernoff and Susan B . Noye s

There’s something new happening in the world of philanthropy. family starts a venture philanthropy fund for the Chicago metropolitan area to provide funding and management support to nonprofit organizations to provide advancing opportunities for our most needy citizens.

A difference is made in women’s urgent health issues by a philanthropist who advocates

The scion of a Hinsdale

at the national and regional levels while dazzling at the local with her fundraising prowess.

A North Shore community, led by some of its most philanthropic denizens, is coming together in support of a world-class theater, designed by a high-profile Chicago architect.

Checks are being written, hearts are opening wide, and change is coming.

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A Better Idea

By Susan B . Noye s

hat his grandfather did for plastic manufacturing, Liam Krehbiel, Founder and CEO of A Better Chicago, is poised to do for venture philanthropy. That’s a big statement.

Frederick Krehbiel founded Molex Inc. in 1938, when plastic was in its infancy.

The Krehbiel family recently sold the Chicago-based business for $7.2 billion.

Venture philanthropy is another big idea in its infancy, just as plastic

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was 80 years ago. In brief, it means investing philanthropic dollars and volunteer hours for maximum impact—think most lives made better per dollar spent.

Krehbiel so believes that society will “move the needle for low-income Chicagoans” when we approach social mission work like venture capitalists, that he made proving this his life’s work in 2010 when he founded A Better Chicago (ABC).

photo by john reilly photography

Liam Krehbiel:

Krehbiel, 38, grew up in Hinsdale, then earned a BA from Dartmouth College (where he rowed heavyweight crew and met his future wife), and an MBA from Kellogg. He worked as a crew coach and a management consultant for a New York foundation before founding A Better Chicago. He now lives in Lincoln Park with his two young children and wife, Karen Rose Krehbiel, an attorney practicing family and child advocacy law.

Four key characteristics differentiate ABC from other nonprofits, according to Krehbiel. “First, 100 percent of all donated dollars go to our portfolio of grantees, because our board underwrites all operating expenses. Second, our investment goes beyond just dollars. We support our grantees in areas such as business planning and talent development,” he says. “The final two are our rigorous diligence process and our emphasis on accountability.”

ABC is still in its infancy, but it can already demonstrate early success with many of the programs in its portfolio, like LEARN Charter School Network and OneGoal. “We are seeing early but tangible signs that our investment approach is working.” Krehbiel adds with a grin, “I’m excited about our trajectory.”

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is similarly excited. It recently named Krehbiel a 2014 Emerging Leader.

The more ABC demonstrates real social impact with convincing, business-like data, the more civic dollars and volunteer hours will follow Krehbiel’s lead. Indeed, this will prove him to be as innovative and visionary a philanthropist as his grandfather was with industry.

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laura tucker:

the active activist photo by john reilly photography

By julie chernoff

rowing up in Evanston in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Laura Tucker found herself surrounded by adults and students that were advocating for social change: ending the war, passing the ERA, desegregating schools.

Of her own family, Tucker says, “It was expected that you know what’s going on in the world, and that you do what you can to make a difference, to have an impact. It wasn’t pushed down our throats, but it was all around us.”

Her parents led by example, teaching her to take a stand and make a difference. And make a difference she has, particularly in the realm of women’s rights issues. Not only have Laura and her husband, Peter Giangreco of the Strategy Group, been generous donors to many public policy-oriented nonprofits, but Tucker has been a powerful fundraising force for the greater good.

Laura began her career in campaign politics but moved into public policy in hopes of making more of an impact.

A job as Public Affairs Director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) led to connections within the reproductive rights community, and after a stint on Clinton’s winning 1992 campaign, she ran the Illinois Attorney General’s Women’s Advocacy Division.

“That job introduced me to a much broader range of issues affecting women’s independence and well-being, from finances and domestic violence to access to family planning,” Tucker says. “I learned the cornerstone to women’s equality is the ability to control our own destiny.”

In 1996, when Tucker made the choice to stay home and raise her kids, she joined the boards of Planned Parenthood and the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network to stay connected to the causes that she believed in.

Since then, she’s played leadership roles and raised money for The Chicago Foundation for Women, The Women’s Media Center, the YWCA and more.

She currently serves at both the national and state levels for Planned Parenthood.

Tucker favors a hand-on approach to board service, providing strategic direction and fiduciary oversight as well as working her fundraising magic.

Tucker believes that the best way to make a real impact as a board member is to know as much as possible about the work of an organization and utilize that knowledge to help convince others of their potential impact.

“Asking for money isn’t easy, but I try to think of it as giving them an opportunity to do good, to make a real impact in someone’s life,” Tucker says. “True philanthropy isn’t just about writing your own check, but getting others to do the same. It’s digging in and taking part—not sitting on the sidelines.”

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the group effort By julie chernoff

wenty years ago, when Artistic Director Michael Halberstam first founded Writers Theatre in Glencoe, their plays were produced in the back of Books on Vernon, hardly an auspicious start.

But with persistence, charm and riveting, must-see productions, Halberstam won over Glencoe, the North Shore and Chicago, expanding into a larger space at the Woman’s Library Club of Glencoe.

This year, he’s dreaming even bigger, and with the help of some North Shore families that believe in his mission to bring world-class theater to their town, that dream is becoming a reality.

Writers Theatre launched the $31 million On To A New Stage Campaign to build a state-of-the-art theater center designed by the uber-renowned architecture firm Studio Gang, led by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang. The new building, with its nod toward the Tudor style favored by Glencoe, will feature two intimate performance

spaces under one roof, along with production and rehearsal spaces and many amenities for patrons and artists alike, including rooftop terraces and a grand gallery walk.

At the kickoff event held this past November, Halberstam was able to announce that more than $22 million in campaign commitments had already been raised. “I think it is vital to take this moment to acknowledge the passion and commitment of our foundational donors who have simply taken my breath away with the scope of their generosity and vision in bringing this project to such a confident and significant launch,” Halberstam said.

Lead donors include: Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols ($5 million), Alec and Jennifer Litowitz ($3 million), Gillian and Ellis Goodman ($3 million), Mary Winton Green and the Green family ($2 million), and Stephanie and Bill Sick ($1 million).

“An amazing group has come together… with a desire to ensure the

company’s future,” says Board President and Campaign Co-Chair Elaine Tinberg. The project has already earned a National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant, recognizing civic collaborations that enhance communities by engaging in “creative place-making.”

Without question, this labor of love has been a group effort. “Writers Theatre’s new center has been developed in partnership with the Woman’s Library Club and the Village of Glencoe to build a strong sense of place and community and attract visitors to performances, restaurants, shops and open spaces,” says Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma. “Along with the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Botanic Garden and Kohl Children’s Museum, our new home will help strengthen Chicago’s North Shore as a national destination for culture.”

PICTURED: (Top) Ellis Goodman and Trustee Gillian Goodman (Glencoe), Alexandra and John Nichols (Winnetka), Trustee Stephanie Sick and Bill Sick (Winnetka). (Bottom) Richard Tinberg (Winnetka), Alec Litowitz and Trustee Jennifer Litowitz (Glencoe), architect Jeanne Gang, Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma, Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, Mary Winton Green (Winnetka), Trustee Sara Green Cohan (Wilmette) and Board Chair Elaine Tinberg (Winnetka).

Photo courtesy of the writers theatre

writers theatre:

See the plans for their fabulous new space at: writerstheatre.org/new-theatre-center

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Please save the date

philanthropy awards celebration April 30, 2014 | 5:30 pm Chase Tower Auditorium 10 S. Dearborn St. | Plaza Level | Chicago, IL

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philantrhopy award winners

B y A n n a C a r l s o n , J u l i e C h e r n o f f, C o u r t n e y C o o k , Co co K e e va n a n d S u s a n B . N oy e s

e founded Make It Better Media to connect and help our North Shore audience amplify their philanthropic efforts. We found that doing this leads to more— more connections and ideas, better community, more money raised by good people, better business for all.

To amplify this happy effect, we established our annual Philanthropy Awards. An impressive group of judges—thoughtful, strategic philanthropists all—choose winners from applications submitted online.

We notify the winners on November 15, National Philanthropy Day, with a surprise visit to

each nonprofit. Their prizes include videos and articles that bring to life their missions and demonstrate that donated dollars are well spent. And on April 30, the nonprofits and videos will be the stars of our gala 2013 Philanthropy Awards celebration at Chase Auditorium.

Our sincerest congratulations to these innovative and inspirational winners and to the dedicated men and women who keep these nonprofits humming along.

To see the winning videos and more in-depth information on each organization, as well as a video of our Philanthropy Awards delivery, please visit makeitbetter.net/awards2013.

Our Academy of Judges includes: Make It Better Judges: Heather Blackwell, Mindy Fauntleroy, Susan B. Noyes, Sandy Tsuchida, Sharon Krone; Former Philanthropy Award Winners: Cherie Hrusovsky, GLASA; Dawn Kobel, Girls in the Game; Sarah Mayeda, Spark; Kim Michelson, Project Music; Seth Weinberger, Innovations for Learning; Civic Leaders: Francee Harrington, JPMorgan Chase; Sandra Miller, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago; Liam Krehbiel, A Better Chicago; Tom Sabatino, Walgreens

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Bernie’s Book Bank

winner: Education (Local) Mission: To significantly increase book ownership among at-risk infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout the Chicago area by collecting, processing and redistributing new and gently used children’s books.

Exemplary Because: Bernie’s Book Bank is the logistical bridge between where children’s books exist unused and where they are desperately needed.

Since 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank has collected, processed and distributed more than 2 million books to more than 80,000 children, who each receive 12 books a year from birth to sixth grade. “When we were growing up, we got books over and over and over and over again,” says Founder and Executive Director Brian Floriani. “And that’s what we need to be doing for these children if we expect them to be successful.” — Anna Carlson

Beyond Sports Foundation winner: athletics

Mission: To support disadvantaged high school and collegiate student athletes in Chicagoland by combining strong mentoring with academic, athletic, social and career programs to produce responsible young adults capable of achieving life-long success.

Exemplary Because: Beyond Sports Foundation recognizes that student athletes are students first and athletes second, emphasizing education as its top priority. Since its inception in 2003, BSF has reached more than 75 teenagers, providing appropriate academic tutoring, mentoring and sport-specific training to ensure future success. The goal is to place each participant in an affordable and appropriate college environment with a full or partial NCAA scholarship.

To date, they’ve met their goal: All of the alumni of the BSF high school program graduated high school and enrolled in higher education. — Coco Keevan

garfield park conservatory

Mission: The mission of Garfield Park Conservatory and Garfield Park Con-

servatory Alliance (GPCA) is to be a free, beautiful facility with outstanding programs that encourage visitors to engage with science, nature, plants and conservation and to help transform the surrounding community.

Exemplary Because: The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance is an innovative private/public funding organization created only 15 years ago to restore a badly damaged facility and to facilitate the flowering of education, health, cultural arts, housing, business and workforce development programs in the surrounding diverse and sometimes chaotic community. Fleurotica, GPCA’s annual fashion-show fundraiser, features imaginative and stunning work by designers using only natural plant materials to create a world of wonder.

— Susan B. Noyes

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Photos courtesy of each organization

winner: most innovative fundraising

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Literature for All of Us winner: arts

Mission: Literature for All of Us brings the rewards of reading and writing to teen parents and other young people in underserved neighborhoods through book groups led by trained volunteers. “We open doors by opening books.”

Exemplary Because: Since 1996, their award-winning program has provided significant opportunities for thousands of young adults of compromised circumstances. They combine weekly book discussions with poetry-writing exercises that encourage the students to share their voices with each other and the world beyond. Published anthologies and public readings of the students’ work empower them in a way that makes the goal of literacy more compelling. Each year, they reach 500-600 young people who are hungry for the opportunity to learn and grow using this holistic literacy model. — Julie Chernoff

Midwest Palliative Hospice & CareCenter winner: Health

Mission: To provide high-quality, compassionate care through hospice and palliative care services to patients and their families in 150 communities in the Chicago area. They aim to bring both comfort and meaning to the end-of-life experience by respecting patients’ religious, cultural and personal choices and by helping them achieve their goals.

Exemplary Because: The Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter was

named a top 100 workplace by the Chicago Tribune in 2012 for a reason. They provide highly unique, individualized care that aims to help each patient live life on their own terms and reach their goals at any stage of life. Not only focusing on the physical care of their patients, they make an extreme effort to care for their patients’ mental and spiritual well-being, as well as providing support to family members who have lost a loved one. — Courtney Cook

Mother’s Trust

Photos courtesy of each organization

winner: Human Services–Social Services Mission: To support social service providers in order to assist children in Lake County who are in crisis or trouble; raise awareness of children’s needs; link needs with community resources; and provide volunteer opportunities, as well as creating benefits and making opportunities available that cannot be obtained anywhere else.

Exemplary Because: Having granted nearly $1.7 million since 1998 to benefit more than 20,000 disadvantaged children throughout Lake County, Mother’s Trust helps children under the age of 21 meet needs that can not be met in full anywhere else. In 2012 alone, they made $192,777 in grants to almost 2,500 Lake County children and their families that allowed them to stay warm, receive an education, graduate on time, sleep in their own beds and know they are valued.

As all requests for grants come through official channels, such as social workers, Mother’s Trust succeeds in helping those in great need. — Courtney Cook

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Northwestern University Settlement House winner: Most Improved Fundraising

Mission: Northwestern Settlement nurtures, educates and inspires children, families and seniors in Chicago’s West Town community through programs that wrap comprehensive support around a diverse population of clients.

Exemplary Because: Founded more than 120 years ago, NUSH has grown dramatically to include comprehensive social services, a Head Start preschool, the Rowe Elementary Charter School, a food bank and more programs for the diverse community it serves. From birth to death, NUSH’s “wrap-around” holistic approach to helping the needs of individuals and families insures immediate assistance for short-term emergencies and provides the long-term best-practice knowledge, opportunities and support that can help clients break the cycle of poverty. NUSH’s ability to innovate and collaborate with other programs is the hallmark of its success. — Susan B. Noyes

The Posse Foundation

winner: Education – National Mission: To identify, recruit and train student leaders from public high schools with extraordinary academic and leadership potential and provide the opportunity to pursue academic excellence in supportive, multicultural teams— ”posses”—of 10 students.

Exemplary because: The Posse Foundation identifies students with exceptional potential who may have been overlooked by traditional college selection.

The students are placed in supportive teams of 10 people, who are each awarded a four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarship to a college or university partner. The program has graduated 5,544 scholars since its inception in 1989, with students awarded $670 million in scholarships and graduating at a rate of 90 percent. Posse Chicago has 11 college and university partners, including Cornell University and University of Wisconsin-Madison.— Coco Keevan

Youth Organization Umbrella

Mission: Y.O.U. provides academic assistance, life and social-skills development, parental support, crisis intervention, mentoring, case management, and all forms of counseling for youth and their families in order to forge healthy relationships between families, peers and the community.

Exemplary Because: Y.O.U. helps youths create a positive, healthy and productive environment in which to grow. They offer after-school programs that help children succeed in school, parental engagement activities that foster nurturing homes and positive parent-child relationships, mentorship programs that connect youth with community leaders to give them positive role models, and crisis and clinical counseling that includes 24-hour emergency housing to help youths navigate tough times. Over the past 40 years, their services have helped more than 15,000 kids, teens and young adults. — Courtney Cook

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Photos courtesy of each organization

winner: Human Services-Family, Youth & Child

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philanthropy awards

By the Numbers

The Beyond Sports Foundation

100% of the students that completed the BSF high school program graduated high school and enrolled in a college or university.

Midwest Palliative & Hospice Carecenter

Posse Foundation

Mother’s trust

More than 10 NFL players are among their alumni.

2,870 children from 36 communities in Lake County were assisted in 2013.

60 student athletes have received assistance as of 2012!

Awarded grants totaling more than 1.8 million dollars since 1998.

Provides hospice and palliative care services to patients and their families in 150 communities.

5,544 public high school students identified, recruited and trained to become Posse Scholars. $670 million awarded in leadership scholarships.

1,300 kids benefitted from CampCare over the past 13 years.

90% persistence and graduation rate.

Literature for All of Us

20-24 book groups facilitated each year.

More than 7,000 young people served through these programs.

NUSH

220 volunteers in the School Age Program.

60,610 hours of service provided through their AmeriCorps Project YES! 425,000 pounds of food distributed.

400 summer campers served through House in the Wood.

Bernie’s Book Bank

Garfield Park Conservatory

5,000 varieties of plants, including about 71 species of palm trees, 65 other species of trees, 236 species of ferns, and 500 species of cacti and succulents. more than 160,000 visitors to the Conservatory each year.

More than 2 million books distributed since 2009.

Each child receives 12 books per year from BBB that they can keep forever.

More than 80,000 children currently served in Chicagoland.

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Y.O.U.

18,000 youth served in Evanston during the past 43 years.

69% of youth increased their grade point average (GPA).

90% of youth reported an improvement in their relationships with their family.

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family | parenting

Avoiding Blowups with Your Spouse, Kids and Stepkids

By Jaime Baum

Even the most harmonious marriages aren’t always in sync, especially with such a staggering number of first marriages ending in divorce. Second marriages—especially when stepchildren are in the mix—are like doubling-down on a questionable bet. In fact, Psychology Today notes that marital conflict associated with parenting is a big factor behind the 67-percent failure rate of second trips down the aisle.

So how best to negotiate the landmines that can lead to familiar blowups? It’s a multi-part question, but here are some answers from the experts.

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Negotiating: You and Your Spouse

Negotiating: You and His Kids

Negotiating: You and Your Kids

“The Brady Bunch” set the bar unrealistically high, according to Dr. Kathi Marks, a Glencoe-based psychologist. “That’s not what we’re shooting for today,” she says of the idealistic but improbable TV show.

“Now, it’s a stew of family members; all of the individual ingredients are there, they’re not just magically blended together.”

Not surprisingly, Marks notes that conflicts occur most often with adolescents and teens, and that’s when the biological parent needs to step up.

“For any couple, parenting is a challenge,” she says. “So if one parent feels strongly about an issue—phones at the table, talking respectfully, homework routines, whatever—the other should be supportive. It’s as easy as saying, ‘In this house, these are the rules.’ That shows support for your spouse and sets clear guidelines for the kids.”

Alisa Lewin-Waldman, an LCSW practicing in Evanston, says that “communicating in openness” is critical to a working blended family dynamic.

“Have a family meeting and let the kids write down what they want to discuss,” she suggests. “Let them know you’re really listening.”

It’s not uncommon for the “new” parent to be considered an outsider, so be prepared for the inevitable “You’re not my real Mom!” blowup.

But Lewin-Waldman says that while you may be viewed as an “interloper” for the short term, be clear about respectful behavior for every member of the household.

Another key point: Try not to be the one disciplining his kids. “As a general rule, discipline should emanate from the biological parent—not the stepparent,” says social worker Stephen Rosenbaum.

Whether because of death or divorce, there was a period of time when you and your kids had your own groove going. The kids had your full, undivided attention, and the rules and dynamics of the household were understood by all—that all changes when a new spouse and stepkids enter the mix.

Understandably, kids who grew up in a household other than yours will have different routines. You and your kids need to be respectful of those differences until the family has settled in and started developing agreed-upon habits.

According to Lewin-Waldman, because dads tend to be more lenient, stepchildren may initially chafe at newly imposed boundaries. If your own kids pipe up about the unfairness of the situation, “remind them that it will take Johnny a little longer to learn the house rules.”

Remember that just as your spouse’s children are now your stepkids, yours are his as well. Mutual respect and strong lines of communication are your goals to ensure a happy blended family.

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Jenn Gambatese as Maria VonTrapp

an interview with broadway star

JENN GAMBATESE

BY JULIE CHERNOFF REHEARSALS FOR LYRIC OPERA OF Chicago’s muchanticipated production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” begin in Chicago at the end of the month for an April 25th opening, and we couldn’t be more excited! This iconic family musical is getting the real “Lyric treatment,” complete with a 37-piece orchestra (playing the gorgeous original arrangements) and an all-star cast, featuring the fiercely talented Broadway star Jenn Gambatese in the role of Maria.

We had the chance to interview Gambatese recently about taking on this iconic role of American musical theater, what it means to her, and how she’s preparing for it. She played Glinda with the touring company of “Wicked” in Chicago just last year and is thrilled to be back in the Windy City.

MIB: Jenn, you’ve done a lot of Broadway shows, both on and off the Great White Way. How different will this production of “Sound of Music” at Lyric be?

JG: It is such a huge theater that even a shorter run (currently April 25–May 18) reaches so many peo-

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ple… Lyric seats 3,600 people! This is my first foray with Lyric, and I’m really excited because they go all out on production. There’s an enormous orchestra, which you just don’t get on Broadway anymore.

To do the full score of Rodgers and Hammerstein… that’s just incredible!

Will they be using amplification for the production?

They do use microphones for the musical theater pieces at Lyric; we are doing eight shows a week, after all. The thought of my voice reaching all of those people in the audience without amplification is just amazing to me. I bow down to the opera folks!

How have you been preparing for the role of Maria?

I’ve been going over the material incessantly; my husband is teaching me the guitar chords since I haven’t played before, and I’m trying to build up strength in my hands. Like everyone, I’m pretty familiar with the score, but I’m looking forward to working with Maestro Rob Fischer in New York. He’s putting down blank tracks for me so that I can work on it a little more organically. I don’t just want to fall into the habit of imitating the great women (Mary Martin, Julie Andrews) who have gone before me.

“The Sound of Music” is such an iconic family musical. What’s your personal history with it?

My brother Joe and I used to watch it on TV every year. I’ve never performed it before, but to me the score is just part of our cultural consciousness. And not just America—it’s global. You could sing “DoRe-Mi” in Japan and everyone would sing along with you! So it’s in my blood as an actor; it’s been a part of my life.

Now that you’re a mother yourself (to adorable daughter Josephine, age 4), how does the role of Maria resonate with you?

Even just in reading through the material now, there are so many moments that make me catch my breath. It’s so tender, her relationship with the children, with the mountains… Being a mother will certainly affect my rehearsal process with the Von Trapp children. I’ve felt my work deepen since I’ve become a mother. This role will take me to deeper places than I’ve been before.

Visit lyricopera.org/sound for more information on the upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” and to purchase tickets. Hurry before they sell out!

PHOTO COURTESY OF TODD ROSENBERG PHOTOGRAPHY

SPONSORED CONTENT

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family | travel

hope springs eternal

for cubs fans in arizona

t’s a whole new ball game for the legions of Chicago Cubs fans that head to Arizona every March for spring training. After more than 60 years at the same stadium in Mesa, AZ, the Cubs are moving three miles away to a brand new ballpark.

“It brings the best of what Cubs fans love about Wrigley Field and combines it with what’s special about the Cactus League and Arizona,” says Justin Piper, general manager for spring training business operations at the new $84 million Cubs Park. “It’s a completely different ballpark with modern amenities, but Chicago fans will immediately see certain features reminiscent of Wrigley Field.”

Alan Solomon, adjunct journalism professor at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism and author of “A Century of Wrigley Field: The Official History of the Friendly Confines,” covered many a Cubs and Sox spring training for the Chicago Tribune.

“What makes an Arizona spring vacation so terrific for baseball fans is, unlike Florida, where teams are spread all over the state, you’ve got all these teams, including the White Sox and Cubs, within about an hour drive of whatever town you choose as a base. You can watch

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one team work out in Glendale in the morning, hop in the car and catch two more teams playing a game in Surprise or Scottsdale that afternoon.”

Combine the chance to see your favorite baseball players up close and get autographs with daily temperatures in the 70s, and you’ve scored a home run! After the big game, Solomon recommends heading over to Don & Charlie’s (donandcharlies.com), home base for Chicago fans. “It’s a pretty good steakhouse and rib joint, and Don Carson, the owner, is from the Carson’s Ribs family. Whole walls of the place are covered with autographed baseballs and other great memorabilia.”

Not a major baseball fan? You won’t strike out on this vacation. Nearby mountains prove nirvana for nature-lovers; the town of Scottsdale has an incredible arts scene; and the college town of Tempe is hopping. Here’s the lineup for a perfect vacation in the Valley of the Sun.

Fans Going Wild Trade the Cactus League for real plants at the Desert Botanical Garden (dbg.org) for a few hours. More than 50,000 plants bloom on 145 acres, including many

Photo courtesy of desert botanical garden

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endangered species from around the Southwest. An onsite farm supplies much of the produce for Gertrude’s (gertrudesrestaurant.net), the deliciously unique farm-totable restaurant. A great hotel choice for nature-lovers who crave style and comfort, the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North ( fourseasons.com/scottsdale) is an oasis of luxury in one of the Sonoran Desert’s most beautiful landscapes. Get your workout here the natural way hiking nearby Pinnacle Peak. Be a trailblazer or join one of the daily complimentary guided hikes.

Paul Simon’s guitars, John Lennon’s piano and other priceless rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. Architecture buffs will enjoy Phoenix’ legendary Arizona Biltmore (arizonabiltmore.com). Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence is felt throughout this sprawling resort, from the geometric stained-glass panel he designed for the lobby to the Craftsman and Mission decor. There’s even a Prairiestyle waterpark! For more of the “Wright” stuff, take a tour of Taliesin West ( franklloydwright.org), Wright’s winter home and architectural school, in Scottsdale.

Culture Club

Attention Shoppers

Baseball isn’t the only game in town. Culture vultures will score big in Scottsdale, with more than 100 galleries and one of the country’s oldest art walks, held every Thursday night throughout the year. Majorleague museums include The Heard Museum (heard. org), a world-class collection of Native American artifacts and contemporary art. Take note of the new Musical Instrument Museum (mim.org), where 12,000 instruments are displayed alongside Eric Clapton and

Enjoy milling about on Mill Avenue in Tempe, home to Arizona State University. It’s a rare walkable urban district in our car-obsessed country. A college town, it has plenty of pubs, but you’ll also find trendy restaurants and delightful shops and galleries.

Big-league baseball at budget-friendly prices, a great arts scene and the beauty of the desert in bloom: A spring escape to the Valley of the Sun is sure to brighten your mood.

(Research for this article was obtained on a trip sponsored in part by the Arizona Office of Tourism.)

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2014 camp guide

Hi-5 Sports Camp

Summer Sports Camp Preview Google “Chicago-area summer sports camps” and more than 600 million results pop up in less than one second. But don’t let that overwhelm you!

To narrow down the field, we’ve teed up these local options for your youthful swimmer, slugger, spiker or swinger.

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Photo courtesy of hi-5 sports camp

by Jaime Baum

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3Point Athletics

Joy of the Game ( joyofthegame.com) in Deerfield runs morning and afternoon sessions of its week-long camp. Focusing on offense, defense, skills and shooting, Joy of the Game runs girls-only programs and caters to players age 8 and up.

Elementary school fans of all games will love Good Sports! in Evanston (goodsportsyouthcamp.org).

Wrestling, tennis and volleyball are among the games to be played for campers in grades K-6.

3Point Athletics (3pointathletics.com) runs afterschool sports programs throughout the year, but in the summer, they take it up a notch. For kids ages 6-14, 3Point’s focus on productive, positive fun means competitors learn to be good players and good sports.

Rounding out the lineup is Hi-5 Sports Camp (hifivesportsclubs.com) in Northfield. This veteran player is in its 24th season, introducing local kids in grades pre-K-8 to the finer points of a range of games.

A full-day, four-, six- or eight-week session will keep your camper in top form.

Play Like a Girl? You Bet! Whether your junior athlete wants to take his or her game to the next level or maintain conditioning during the off season, the roster of privately run camps is packed with heavy hitters. Keep in mind, the specialty camps fill up fast and have limited openings, so be quick out of the gate to claim a spot.

For baseball enthusiasts, The Strike Zone in Glenview and Northfield (thestrikezone.org) has camps for baseball and softball players. From pitching to hitting, they cover the intricacies of the game.

The North Shore Baseball Academy (playnsba. org) in Vernon Hills has a 13,000-square-foot academy in which it hosts camps and clinics. The fundamentals and mechanics of play get fine-tuned by these pros.

If hoops is your child’s game of choice, check out RMG Hoops (rmghoops.com), which runs advanced training camps for kids in third grade and up at its Northfield location. The week-long sessions are payas-you-go, so it’s easier to grab a ball and get in the game here.

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Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls (gameonsportscamp.com) is a multi-sport week-to-week day camp for girls only. Conducted on the Lake Forest College campus, Game On! offers a broad range of activities, including hip-hop dance, horseback riding, cricket and yoga.

Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls top Photo courtesy of 3point athletics, bottom photo courtesy of game on!

The Pros

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High School Sports Camps From Evanston and Wilmette to Lake Forest and Libertyville, area high schools host summer sporting options for school-age athletes.

Most schools not only run athletic programs geared toward those already in high school, but also weekly coaching camps for younger kids. Evanston Township High School (eths.k12.il.us) has sports running for kids as young as 3 years old. Lake Forest High School’s Future Scouts camp (lfhs.org) has week-long opportunities for fifth- through eighth-grade boys and girls in sports including wrestling, field hockey and lacrosse. New Trier (newtrier.k12.il.us) hosts two two-week sessions of sports camps.

Park Districts Get in the Game Soccer, tennis, lacrosse, golf, volleyball, sailing— you’ll find lessons and coaching at a local park district. Glencoe Park District (glencoeparkdistrict.com) offers all of those mentioned; add gymnastics and you’ll know what’s happening at the Park District of Highland Park (pdhp.org). In Northbrook (nbparks. org), kids can try ice dance or hockey, too.

The Winnetka Park District hosts an array of specialty camps for athletes, including the Illinois Baseball Association’s mini-camp, Chicago White Sox baseball camp, and the Illinois Girls Lacrosse Assocation week-long program (winpark.org).

The Deerfield Park District (deerfieldparks.org) gives competitors non-coed sports camp options for grades three through eight.

Photo courtesy of Opark district of Highland park

Park District of Highland Park

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camp guide

Actors Training Center at Wilmette Theatre Wilmette | 847-251-8710 actorstrainingcenter.com Banner Day Camp Lake Forest | 847-295-4900 bannerdaycamp.com Camp Anokijig Plymouth, WI | 800-741-6931 anokijig.com Camp CBG at the Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe | 847-835-8361 chicagobotanic.org/camp Camp Echo Fremont, MI | 231-924-7076 mcgawymca.org

JCC Apachi Chicago Day Camp Chicago | 773-938-8348 gojcc.org Music Institute of Chicago Evanston | Chicago | Downers Grove | Highland Park | Lake Forest | Lincolnshire | Winnetka 847-905-1500 | musicinst.org Northwestern Boys Soccer Academy Evanston | 847-467-1312 nusoccercamps.com Northwestern Girls Soccer Academy Evanston | 414-395-5425 northwesterngirlssocceracademy. com

Camp Kawaga Minocqua, WI | 715-356-6262 kawaga.com

Park District of Highland Park Camps Highland Park | 847-831-3810 pdhp.org

Camp Menominee Eagle River, WI | 715-479-2267 campmenominee.com

Piven Theatre Workshop Evanston | 847-866-6597 piventheatre.org

Camp Woodland for Girls Eagle River, WI | 847-446-7311 campwoodland.com

Tamarak Day Camp Lincolnshire | 847-634-3168 tamarakdaycamp.com

Cheley Colorado Camps Estes Park, CO | 970-586-4244 cheley.com

Towering Pines Camp for Boys Eagle River, WI | 847-446-7311 toweringpinescamp.com

Harand Camp of the Theatre Arts Kenosha, WI | 847-864-1500 harandcamp.com

Valley Lo Club Glenview | 847-729-5550 valleylo.com

Hi-Five Sports Camp Northfield | 847-229-9555, ext.

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PHOTO ©2013 WAYNE CABLE (.COM)

HOME

S T O R Y B Y TAT E G U N N E R S O N | P H O T O S B Y WAY N E C A B L E

New finishes and a fabulous addition completely transform a ’50s-era split-level home in Glencoe.

MARCH 2014

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PHOTO Š2013 WAYNE CABLE (.COM)

To blur the distinction between interior and exterior, Kipnis lined up the gravel ground covering with the home’s overhang and had the bluestone pavers cut and laid in the same dimension as the interior slate floor. The curved brick wall conceals a seating area; solar panels reduce energy consumption.

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“I walked in and felt

like I could breathe,” says Nancy Newberger of her ‘50s-era home in Glencoe. Newberger bought the split-level two years after she and her husband divorced. While the house was dated and smaller than she envisioned, Newberger loved its midcentury architecture and light-filled rooms, and she looked forward to making it her own. “I had all this pent-up desire to remodel, and I didn’t have to compromise on any of the decisions,” Newberger says. “It was all mine.”

Acting on a referral, Newberger interviewed and ultimately hired architect Nathan Kipnis, of Kipnis Architecture + Planning, to design the renovation and create an addition.

“There was kind of an unfortunate renovation from the ‘90s with a lot of mirrors and other details typical of that time period,” Kipnis recalls. His plan called for demolishing the original garage and replacing it with a new one that includes a newly dug basement and a second-floor guest suite that can be accessed by a circular tower with a spiral staircase. “The tower would have been right at home in the ‘50s,” Kipnis says, noting that it was inspired by an unusual serpentine brick wall that was original to the home.

The tower’s small square windows glow at night, which gives the home a stronger street presence. So does the new cement-fiberboard siding, which is composed of a variety of standard sizes that Kipnis designed to give the appearance of a random pattern. “The siding lines up subtly with things around the building,” Kipnis says, pointing to the way its horizontal joints align with windows and other architectural details. “These mid-century modern homes have a geometric basis to their design, and that’s really a fun thing to pick up on.”

Indeed, Kipnis’ design also uses geometry to blur the boundaries between the interior and exterior. In one area, the exterior siding continues into the interi-

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or; the joints of the bluestone patio tile were installed to align with the existing slate-tile floor in the living room.

Even the ductwork has been concealed in interior soffits that line up with those outside the house. “The idea is to make the space look bigger,” Kipnis explains. “To some extent, this makes the walls disappear.”

Many of the improvements are invisible to the naked eye. Windows were replaced throughout the house with an eye toward efficiency. New insulation was added, as were solar panels for hot water, and

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later, a photovoltaic system that Newberger estimates saves her 30 percent on energy costs. “Fossil fuels are finite, and I feel that it’s irresponsible not to use other forms of energy that are available,” she says.

According to Newberger, the project was actually fun. “There was no spouse to deal with, so I didn’t have to compromise. It was very freeing to make those decisions by myself,” she says. “It’s a flexible space. I’m as comfortable when I’m alone as I am when there are seven of us in the house.”

PHOTO ©2013 WAYNE CABLE (.COM)

In the living room, Kipnis had the original singleglazed, untempered glass windows replaced with safer, more efficient ones. The soft gray wall color changes throughout the day with the sunlight. “Every 10 minutes the room looks a little different,” Kipnis says. “The goal of the living room is to bring the outside in.”

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home | decor

Bring your living room to life with mismatched chairs.

By Meghan Streit

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In fact, purposefully mismatching lounge and accent seating is one of the easiest ways to fill your living or family room with personality and visual interest.

Photo courtesy of SuzAnn Kletzien

If you think your living room has to feature a set of matching side chairs, think again.

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 Kletzien paired a luxe egg chair with a Louis lounge chair in this Chicago high-rise condo. “These are obviously from very different eras, but they are working together because of their shared elegant fabric textures and color scheme,” Kletzien says.

“The Louis chair is provided for casual seating and conversation. It is a larger scaled armchair, which works well with the volume and visual weight of the egg chair.”

“So many times, people go the safe route by using matching chairs, which can sometimes lead to a more ‘catalog’ look,” says Chicago designer SuzAnn Kletzien.

Wilmette designer Deb Reinhart likens design to fashion. She says to think of your living room as your little black dress—a neutral palette that you can accessorize to create a variety of different looks. Whether you’re putting together an outfit or a room, accessories that don’t match usually create the most interesting look.

“If you are doing leopard shoes, you aren’t going to use a leopard bag,” Reinhart says.

So, what are the interior-design rules for artfully pairing two different chairs?

Chair s don ’ t need to be from the same era.

Fortunately, designers say that just about anything goes. Park Ridge designer Edyta Czajkowska says you can mix different textiles, fabrics and patterns.

“Putting a very modern chair next to a more classic and ornate one can be exactly the feeling you are going for,” Czajkowska says. “The two against each other will add so much interest and each will accentuate the other’s beauty.”

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Winter says the Mission-style rocking chair was the only existing piece of furniture when she started this project, so she designed the living room around it. She added a neutral-colored couch and an armchair covered with patterned upholstery.

Keep scale in mind.

Karyn Musick of North Shore design firm Divas ‘N Design says mismatched chairs should be similar in size.

“If you have one gigantic piece of furniture next to a really small piece, it may look like a sore thumb,” Musick says. “Each chair has to look like it was meant to be there even though they are different.”

Lake Forest designer Tina Dann-Fenwick says mixing and matching chairs is the perfect opportunity to update and showcase an heirloom piece that might otherwise go unused. You might reupholster or refinish an older chair and then pair it with a new and unexpected chair. Just make sure the two pieces have one design element in common that ties them together.

“When you have two completely different chairs in one room, they need to speak to each other, but they don’t need to necessarily resemble each other,” says Highland Park designer Paula Winter.

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Photo courtesy of Paula winter

I n c o r p o r at e h e i r l o o m p i e c e s .

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Music Institute of Chicago event at the home of Nick & Susan Noyes

BY MEGHAN STREIT

serve on the board of, a nonprofit organization, you’re probably always on the hunt for fun, innovative fundraising ideas. Local and national fundraising experts shared their insider tips for the most effective ways nonprofits can secure funding. They dished on what works—and also what doesn’t. Read on and share these ideas at your next board or committee meeting.

Gail Perry (gailperry.com) is a North Carolinabased fundraising consultant. Her surprising advice: “Ditch your next event.” She says events like wine tastings and golf outings require significant work, but rarely bring in big fundraising dollars. “If you’re having events back-to-back, you stay on a treadmill,” she says.

IF YOU VOLUNTEER FOR, OR

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Chicago philanthropy expert Lisa Dietlin (lmdietlin. com) recommends one big annual event and reminds organizers not to get mired in details like flowers and invitations. She says people attend charitable events for three reasons: to receive an award, to support an awardee, or to see a speaker or performer.

“People are doing these unique venues, where they’re hauling in caterers and chairs,” Dietlin says.

“But, people aren’t coming to see Union Station; they’re coming to support the organization.”

Instead of several large events, Dietlin recommends “salons,” informal gatherings for about 10 people in the homes of board members. The host provides wine and cheese and talks to guests about why they support the cause.

“If you get 12 board members doing that once a month, now you have 120 new people introduced to the organization, and they are more likely to make a donation because they sat in an intimate setting with someone who they know who is already involved in the organization,” Dietlin says.

Social media has permeated nearly every aspect of our lives, and experts say it should be a key part of a winning fundraising strategy. Don’t bombard followers with solicitations. Instead, Dietlin recommends using Facebook and Twitter to educate supporters with posts like volunteer profiles or project updates.

Beth Kanter (bethkanter.org), co-author of “Measuring the Networked Nonprofit,” suggests using social media in conjunction with events: promote fundraisers online, tag donors in Facebook photos and set up event hashtags for guests to tweet.

Kanter says nonprofits can fundraise with “crowdfunding” sites like Razoo (razoo.com) or Crowdrise (crowdrise.com) that enable charities to collect donations online. The key to a successful crowdfunding campaign? Appoint “champions,” influential board members who promote it via social networks. “People are more likely to donate if asked by a friend,” Kanter says.

Many nonprofits outsource tasks like updating Facebook, managing Twitter accounts and maintaining websites to the ubiquitous “social media intern.”

Dumping the maintenance of your organization’s online presence on unpaid college students isn’t always wise, Kanter says. Unless you plan to fully integrate the intern into the team, communication will be more authentic and engaging coming from a staff or board member who’s tuned into the group’s mission and understands the inner workings of social media.

PHOTO BY BOB CARL

BET TER YOU | finance

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bet ter you | finance

When and How to Talk About Money

By Shannan You nger

Decades ago, it was unthinkable

to discuss religion, politics or money in “polite company.” But does that etiquette adage still hold true today when it comes to those closest to us? Etiquette experts weigh in, explaining the amount of information which can be appropriately shared often depends on the specific circumstances.

Kids Parents know that the responsibility of raising financially literate kids rests primarily with them. They are unsure, however, of how much of their own personal information to disclose when imparting lessons about dollars and cents.

Joanne Wong, VP of Marketing for Virtual Piggy, stresses the importance of discussing money management with children.

“Only half of parents talk to their kids about money, even though 86 percent of teens say they learn money management from their parents,” Wong says. “So it’s really important for parents to take the first step to begin the conversation.”

How much information a parent shares with a child depends on a child’s age and maturity level.

“As a child grows up, the conversation can evolve from teaching the child about the basic definition of money to a more nuanced discussion using examples from a parent’s own life,” she says.

“Particularly as a child gets closer to being more independent or moving out of the house, parents’ examples of their own lessons learned may help drive the point home.”

When teaching kids that salary information and other figures are not great

topics for the lunch table, Wong suggests that parents “be clear with kids that although money is not a ‘bad’ topic to discuss, it can be a sensitive topic for others.”

Lynn Rogers, author of “Miss Mind Your Manners” on ChicagoNow, considers that children sometimes share information that should be kept private.

“Do [my kids] need to know our annual double income? No. That’s information that I am not sure they can keep to themselves when talking to others,” Rogers says.

Parents Having a conversation about finances with an adult parent can be difficult, but it can be necessary if the roles between parent and child start to shift.

Cheryl Kuba, Executive Director of LivHOME in Skokie, says adult children find it difficult to discuss finances with parents who are part of a generation that was very private about money. She suggests they bring up a similar financial topic, such as planning for their own retirement, then say, “This is a good time for us to discuss that,” and move into a discussion about the parent’s finances.

Sometimes just acknowledging the difficulty, but explaining the need to know, can help parents move past the long-ago etiquette rules of not discussing money.

share a general price range of a kitchen remodel with someone considering a similar project than with a neighbor with no clear intentions.

Rogers takes into account what information is readily available online.

“With neighbors … there are certain things that you can freely discuss, and others that should be more personal and hence private. I don’t share information about my or my husband’s income, for example. [But] I don’t mind talking about my property taxes or minor home improvements.”

Should a nosy neighbor take the questioning too far, Rogers suggests saying something vague, such as, “Like everyone, we work hard and we’re doing OK.” Another tactic is to laugh it off with a phrase like, “You know, my mom said, ‘Never talk religion, politics, money or sex in polite company!’”

Neighbors Many variables can influence what monetary information is appropriate to share with neighbors, including the relationship between neighbors and the reason the neighbor is requesting the information.

A neighbor may be more willing to

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bet ter you | daytripper

Daytripper

By Laur a Hine

We’ve all done it for too long: hibernate and hunker down. But spring is beckoning—it might not be here yet, but it’s getting close—so it’s time to hop in the car and explore.

1 | Brookfield Zoo 

If this is your first visit to the 216-acre zoological park, start with the motor safari. For only $4/adults and $2.50/kids, you get a narrated overview of the zoo, and you can hop on and off all day. It helps cover a lot of ground and, more importantly, minimizes the whining. Your kids’ interests will determine your animal priorities, but you can’t go wrong with The Fragile Kingdom, three habitats that explore the rain forest, savannah and desert. 8400 31st St., Brookfield, 708-688-8000, brookfieldzoo.org

2 | Nabuki

By lunch it’s time to transition to adult tastes.

Nabuki in historic downtown Hinsdale features light and fresh Asian food. The Seaweed Salad has the traditional sesame dressing, but it’s totally livened up with the addition of raw beets spun into long, skinny strands. Try the delicious sushi rolls (plenty with cooked ingredients for the cautious), and panic not, they have a kid’s menu with dishes like Nabu Chicken Fingers—definitely a step up from the usual—served with edamame. 18 E. First St., Hinsdale, 630-654-8880, nabukihinsdale.com

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Photo courtesy of the brookfield zoo

Grab the kids or better yet, add a girlfriend and her kids, and head to Hinsdale. The historical downtown is a lovely place for lunch and shopping, but the advantage of a daytrip to this western suburb is its proximity to one of our area’s best kid delights, the Brookfield Zoo.

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3 | Sweet William 

In Hinsdale for more than 25 years, this women’s store gets high marks for beautifully made and wearable, luxurious clothing.

Park your kids with your iPhone, so you can take a few minutes to try on their welledited mix of pieces from Brunello Cucinelli, Costume National and Rag & Bone. They appeal to a broad age range, and the staff are masters at helping you mix pieces from different designers. Prices are what you’d expect for designer goods, so if you’re looking for a bargain, head downstairs to The Cellar where merchandise is marked down as much as 50 percent. 15 E. First St., Hinsdale, 630-920-8444, sweetwilliaminc.com

Photos courtesy of sweet william and alixandra blue

4 | Alixandra Blue 

For a more boho vibe, head to this little boutique that features fashion, home and accessories; all chosen for the woman who loves yoga and granola—or just wants to look like she does. It’s worth a stop to shop the jewelry selection, including the line Love Heals with its gorgeous and multifunctional necklaces, bracelets and rings.

For every design they make, they plant 10 trees, so it’s a great company to support.

You’ll also be tempted by Alixandra Blue’s beautiful candles, as well as clothes by Ella Moss, Velvet and Michael Stars. 2 W. First St., Hinsdale, 630-455-0022, shopalix.com

5 | Spring Rock Park

Before heading home, reward those kiddies for letting you shop a little, and drive over to this huge park with a nice playground and the all-important real bathrooms. It’s a great place to run around with a ball or climb the monkey bars. 4400 Central Ave., Western Springs, wsparks.org/parks

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bet ter you | fashion

s to ry & s t y l i n g By E va n g e l i n e P o l i t i s

|

photos by fred bledsoe

Say goodbye to subzero, and hello to tropical—spring break is here! We all deserve a break from this winter’s especially icy grip. So Make It Better has curated some warm-weather looks for your balmy getaway.

sandy style Tommy Bahama swimsuit, $122, Macy’s Mayle seagrass basket, $130, Club Monaco Arianna sunglasses, $158, Kate Spade Frank & Eileen shirtdress, $288, Chalk Boutique Blue paisley underwire tank swimsuit, $115, J.Crew Reed Krakoff floral track tote, $1,890, Chalk Boutique Canfora Gail sandal, $229, Club Monaco Selima Violet sunglasses, $165, Club Monaco

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DAY dreamin’ Striped shirt, $99, Club Monaco Moonglow paisley short, $80, J.Crew Shore sandal, $228, Kate Spade Tom Binns neon gold bracelet, $400, Chalk Boutique Two-tone square sunglasses, $175, Tory Burch Isabel Marant poncho, $615, Chalk Boutique Isabel Marant origami jeans, $768, Chalk Boutique Metro mini watch, $195, Kate Spade Reed Krakoff patent double-zip wristlet, $390, Chalk Boutique Davy patent leather thong sandal, $265, Tory Burch

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night beauty Chloe silk organza blouse, $1,675, Chalk Boutique Rowan skirt, $130, Club Monaco Balenciaga wedge, $995, Chalk Boutique Pentier simple earring, $135, Tory Burch Amanda logo clutch, $350, Tory Burch

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bet ter you | fitness

(lungchicago.org); do the full (94 stories) or half climb (52 stories). The event raises more than $1 million to promote lung health and fight disease.

Training for this taxing event requires real fitness.

Participants are encouraged to work out three to four times a week for at least four weeks leading up to the event. Running, elliptical training and stair climbing are the best preparation. “Estimate how long you expect it to take you, say 30 minutes,” says Dan Kittaka, former Hustle Up the Hancock champion. “Train at least once or twice at the same level of intensity as the climb for the same duration.”

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

May 31 to June 1 | avonwalk.org

June 21-22 | bikeild.nationalmssociety.org

As the weather improves, it’s time to start plan-

Riders can ride from 15 to 200 miles through scenic DeKalb, allowing all levels of cyclists to participate and make a difference for those suffering from MS. Bike MS provides snacks, drinks, meals, mechanical support and an energized vibe. Craig Strong, of Precision Multisport in Evanston (precisionmultisport. com), emphasizes that riders must allow months of preparation, including “training outdoors in variable weather conditions, dealing with other cyclists, traffic and knowing the rules of the road.” Strong suggests slowly increasing mileage by 15-20 percent a week with a long ride on the weekends to simulate the event. “A touring bike or a road bike is the best option,” he says. “Mountain bikes have wide tires and are heavier.”

Whichever event you choose, you’ll have a blast training; you’ll get lean and fit for summer; and your efforts will benefit a great cause.

ning for a spring or summer athletic event, both to focus your training and to get in shape for swimsuit season. Combine your fitness and charitable goals by committing to one of the many charitable athletic endeavors in Chicagoland. As you log your training time on Saturday mornings, the philanthropic element will motivate you. Recruit a few friends, sign up, develop a training plan, set a fund-raising goal and look forward to a physical feat that will have a lasting impact.

three challenging, fun options: Hustle up the Hancock

April 13 | hustleupthehancock.org

Take the stairs up the John Hancock building and raise money for the Respiratory Health Association

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Bike MS: Tour de Farms

By Christ y Coughlin

March 2014

Photo courtesy of Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Chicago

walk, climb or bike for a cause

This two-day walk, covering 39 miles, is a powerful experience, raising money for the Avon Foundation for Women (avonfoundation.org) and funding breast cancer programs across the country. This well-established event offers training assistance and programs, helpful fundraising tools, and an emotional, uplifting and empowering atmosphere along each mile.

“Training consistently for three months will best prepare you and reduce the chance of injury. Walk four to five days a week, with two one-hour walks, one one-to-two-hour walk, and a longer walk, generally on the weekend,” says Jolene Moore, world-class race walker and Coach of the USA World team.

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SHOP | sponsored content

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Spring Break Accessories Glam up for spring break with these great finds from local retailers.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS

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Finn Coral Dangle Earrings $500, Barneys New York, E. Oak St., Chicago, 312-587-1700, barneys.com

Furla Brigitte Large Straw Shopper $298, Macy’s, 1555 Northbrook Court, Northbrook, 847509-5100; 4909 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, 847-3292700; macys.com

Betmar Miami Heat Hat $58, Mattie M, 990 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, 847784-8701

Irene Neuwirth Turquoise Link Bracelet $2,510, Barneys New York, E. Oak St., Chicago, 312-587-1700, barneys.com

Visconti & Du Reau Maui Sandal $350, Barneys New York, E. Oak St., Chicago, 312-587-1700, barneys.com

Kate Spades Circes Bow Sunglasses $138, Kate Spade, 56 E. Oak St., Chicago, 312654-8853; 2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook, 847-559-2301; katespade.com

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bet ter you | beauty

New Stylish Sun-Protective Clothing Could Save Lives

By S u s a n Pa s t e r n a k

greet the sun wrapped up like a mummy, and I spend a good chunk of the summer months chasing down my kids, slathering them with white goop and begging them to wear swim tops.

I am a four-year survivor of melanoma, the often-fatal skin cancer that’s on the rise.

Not a day goes by when I don’t think about sun protection and the best way to keep not only myself healthy, but spare my children the emotional and physical pain I went through after being diagnosed and surgically treated when I was only 38 years old.

“Dermatologists stress the importance of a blended approach that incorporates sunscreen clothing, and then use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen,” says Dr. Mary Martini, M.D., a dermatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

As the incidence of melanoma and the less deadly but physically scarring skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma have risen, demand for sun-protective clothing has spurred designers to create comfortable and stylish pieces that will hopefully become standard attire. One such company is Chicago-based Mott50, which manufactures and sells a line

of fashion-forward clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor of 50.

“Regular clothing doesn’t fully protect you from the sun, and when you’re sitting in the car, at the office or out at the park with your kids, you’re still getting the UVA rays through the clothing,” says Anne Reilly, co-founder of Mott 50. “Almost regardless of the sun protection, we wanted to create pieces that people would want to wear.”

Dr. Amy Brodsky, M.D., is an adult and pediatric dermatologist with offices in Glenview and Park Ridge who started the Pediatric Sun Protection Foundation (PSPF) to educate parents and children that skin cancer is a preventable disease. As part of its effort to alter behaviors that contribute to skin cancer, PSPF provides “sun shield” shirts to participating summer camps, and is piloting a program with Northwestern Memorial Hospital to distribute sun shields to children ages 6 months to 6 years old.

“I’m trying to change the culture,” Brodsky says. “You wouldn’t put your children on a bicycle without a helmet. Why would you put them in the sun without a sun shield?”

To see a range of sun-protective clothing, check out these websites and retailers: mott50.com sells the company’s full line of clothing; Neapolitan in Winnetka and The Shop at Equinox in Highland Park both sell pieces from Mott50, and a portion of the line will soon be available on nordstrom.com.

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coolibar.com has a great selection of children’s sun-protective clothing, as well as an extensive range of wide-brim hats. sunprecautions.com sells every type of clothing and accessory to

guard one’s body from the sun; it’s possible to cover yourself head to toe with the company’s face masks, gloves and hats.

Your look might elicit strange stares, but your skin will certainly be protected!

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TRY THESE CUTE COVER-UPS Aretha Hooded Cover-Up Mott 50, mott50.com A hood offers extra protection, and we love the pockets for stashing your room key on vacation.

Ruche Swim Shirt Coolibar, coolibar.com Wear long as a tunic, or cinch up the sides for a shorter look.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EACH MANUFACTURER

Margaret Longsleeve Ruche Dress Rib Mott 50, mott50.com Sun protection isn’t just for the beach; this dress can go almost anywhere in style.

AND THESE STYLISH HATS Beach Comber Sun Hat Coolibar, coolibar.com We love the rustic look, and the chinstrap is actually useful on windy days.

Italia Sun Hat Sun Precautions, sunprecautions.com Cute but elegant, available in white or black and works with everything.

SmartStraw Monaco Sun Hat Coolibar, coolibar.com This totally glam wide-brim hat completely shades your face and neck.

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bet ter you | sex & the suburbs

sexy stuff You can sometimes skip

By Mar jie Killeen

t’s important to make romance a priority, but that doesn’t mean date night has to be a full-blown production every time. In fact, switching things up with a few shortcuts can actually make your love life feel fresher and more exciting. Here are a few traditional elements of seduction that aren’t always required.

Wining and Dining Dinner at a fancy restaurant is a treat, but it’s not always conducive to hot sex. Drinks and a big meal can take up the whole evening and leave you feeling bloated and sleepy. Instead of making reservations, make intimacy the main course. Have sex before dinner, then order a pizza and share a bottle of wine in front of

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the TV afterward. The evening will still be yummy and relaxing, but you don’t have to worry about indigestion at delicate moments, and your partner won’t be mad if you doze off.

Conversation Not only can you take a pass on the big meal, you can cut the chatter too. Baring your

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souls to one another is lovely, but sometimes conversation can be a big libido killer. The question “How was your day, dear?” can result in a lot of small talk that’s either distracting or stressful. Who cares about the meeting, the commute or the kids’ sports—especially when you’re trying to get into an erotic state of mind? Shut up and kiss me.

The Bedroom The master suite is a place of refuge and rest, but it’s comforting familiarity can also make it feel like the least sexy place on earth (yawn). Explore other secluded spots in your home, like the bathroom, the laundry room, or even the pantry. Simply finding a new locale can inject a little adventure and spice into your routine.

Getting Naked Every woman has times when she doesn’t feel all that confident about her body. On those days, maybe you’d feel more comfortable staying covered up.

Permission granted! Wear a T-shirt, a nightie, or tie a big scarf around your waist. And if you’re feeling particularly self-conscious, slap a blindfold or sleep mask on your man. You won’t feel exposed and he won’t mind a bit. Just make sure you don’t gripe if he keeps his socks on next time.

Orgasms Don’t get me wrong, orgasms are awesome, but they’re not always a requirement for lovemaking. In fact, the expectation that everything has got to end in mutual fireworks can feel like pressure. So just relax, enjoy what you’re feeling, and don’t worry about achieving any particular outcome. Intimacy comes in all different shades of sensation. But don’t fake it! That’s misleading and gives your guy the wrong cues about what satisfies you.

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DINING

ARE HEATING UP B Y L A U R A L E V Y S H AT K I N

It’s cold outside, but you can warm up indoors at some of our favorite watering holes around Chicagoland.

These bars are hot, hot, hot!

CHICAGO ANALOGUE

2523 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-904-8567, analoguechicago.com Violet Hour vets Robby Haynes and Henry Prendergast introduced Analogue in Logan Square last year. Grab a bowl of Alfredo Nogueira ‘s hot andouille and chicken gumbo and wash it down with a strong but satisfying Strike Anywhere; Yahara Bay V Bourbon, DeMuth Vermouth, Montmorency Cherry and Angostura bitters.

2624 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-857-0421, barrelhouseflat.com This Lincoln Park spot pays homage to classic cocktails, but with a few twists. The Piano Necktie heats you up inside with a mix of a few aged rums, maple syrup and vanilla.

Not a stiff cocktail fan? Their bowls runneth over with fruit punches like the Joseph Banks Explorer, spiked with pineapple, honey-chai syrup and Banks 7 rum. That’s a punch that’s packs one.

CH DISTILLERY & COCKTAIL BAR

The Snowbird at Salone Nico

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564 W. Randolph St., 312-707-8780, chdistillery.com Chicago welcomes its first distillery that doubles as a cocktail bar, with a focus on vodka and gin. Tea-lovers will rejoice over the Cease and Desist; smoky Lapsang Souchonginfused London Dry Gin, ginger, honey and lemon .

PHOTO BY DEREK RICHMOND

THE BARRELHOUSE FLAT

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The Dawson

730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955, the-dawson.com Billy Lawless’ (The Gage, Henri) drink-focused restaurant has officially landed on the mixology map with Beverage Director Annmarie Sagoi’s impressive cocktail menu. I could just stick with the Carillon Cup; Death’s Door gin, Applejack, housemade vanilla-pear shrub, lemon, soda and the extraordinary black-walnut bitters. Wow, is all I can say.

Lone Wolf

806 W. Randolph St., 312-600-9391 At last, a TV-free space on the restaurant row stretch of West Randolph that’s great for pre- and post-dinner drinks.

The cocktail menu’s divided into two parts: those on the lighter, sweeter side and those on the Amaro-based side, which are a tad heavier and more bitter. Combat the winter doldrums with the Seven Sisters; three Amaros—fernet blanca, amaro lucano and amaro Montenegro—blended with yellow chartreuse. Bar nibbles from Pleasant House Bakery support the triple hit of bitters.

Salone Nico at Nico Osteria Restaurant

Thompson Hotel, 1015 N. Rush St., 312-994-7100, nicoosteria.com What’s not to like about a Gold Coast meld of Blackbird, Avec and Publican? Proprietors Donnie Madia and Paul Kahan have made us fall in love with Italian again. Warm up and start off the evening with an aperitif like the Villa Carpano; a balanced blend of Bianco Vermouth, Maraska Kirsch and a touch of Myrtle.

Three Dots and a Dash

435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4220, threedotschicago.com Paul McGee’s bar, named after the classic tiki cocktail, transports from the chilly ice and snow into the tropics of Polynesian paradise. Imagine a sandy beach with a classic Mai Tai or a modern take on a Painkiller No. 3 (Jamaican and Bajan rums, pineapple, coconut liqueur, passion fruit and cream) served in a souvenir mugs. Fun in the imagined sun.

Evanston

The wintry Pumpkin-Spiced Martini with vanilla vodka, Bailey’s, pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, is like a glorious slice of pumpkin pie in a martini glass.

Glenview

Glenview House

1843 Glenview Rd., 847-724-0692, theglenviewhouse.com This venerable watering hole, founded circa 1873, added an upstairs whiskey bar for comfier sipping. A seasonal favorite cocktail here is the Caramel Chata; Salted-Caramel Stoli Vodka mixed with creamy Rumchata served straight up Martini-style with a dash of cinnamon.

Highland Park

Abigail’s American Bistro

493 Roger Williams Ave., 847-780-4862, abigails493.com Cozy into this comfortable neighborhood spot where lovely handcrafted cuisine is complemented by a list of barrelaged and home-bottled cocktails. The Walking Dead is a sweet but sprightly combo of pomegranate juice, white whiskey, and whiskey-soaked golden raisins for body. It’s refreshing and has a magical after effect once you bit into the chewy marinated raisins.

Libertyville Firkin

515 N. Milwaukee Ave., 847-367-6168, firkinoflibertyville.com While imported beers and local microbrews dominate here (28 on draft and more than 50 by the bottle), you can also belly up to the bar for the Broadway Gypsy; vodka, fresh lime juice and raspberries with a zingy ginger liqueur.

Skokie Libertad

7931 Lincoln Ave., 847-674-8100, libertad7931.com Armando Gonzales doesn’t miss a detail at his darling neighborhood small-plate, Nuevo-Latin eatery. Ambitious takes on classic Latin cocktails, such as the winter warming Spice & Ice (rum, lime, house-made ginger-habanero syrup and passion fruit), will thaw you out in a hurry.

The Cellar at the Stained Glass

820 N. Clark St., 847-864-8678, thecellarevanston.com It’s always an easy stop into this casual cafe around the corner from the mothership. A versatile year-round drink here is the sprightly Honeysuckle Rose; a herbaceous and mildly sweet mash up of Chopin Vodka, rosemary-honey infusion, orange juice, and Prosecco. You just float away after a few and forget about any impending storm in the forecast.

Farmhouse Evanston

Photo <credit>

703 Church St., 847-492-9700, farmhouseevanston.com Local food and drink is the motto here, and that goes for spirits as well. Check out the Urban Gardener; Few gin, jalapeño simple syrup, fresh dill and cucumber, served on the rocks. Have it for brunch, which is a must-try here, or even as a savory-fresh starter before dinner.

Q2, Quince at the Homestead

1625 Hinman Ave., 847-570-8400, quincerestaurant.net The warm, inviting Homestead lobby area is home to this cozy spot, perfect for a quiet drink or light supper ordered from the eclectic bar menu (or from Quince’s dinner menu).

Wilmette

Nick’s Bar & Grill

1168 Wilmette Ave., 847-251-3262, nickswilmette.com Wilmette has never looked so good, with its bustling little downtown dotted with quaint places like this one. The Blood Orange Margarita meets all of your vitamin C needs, with a combo of blood orange and ruby-red grapefruit juices, Milagro tequila and a squeeze of lime. It’s the perfect foil for the very simple-yet-sophisticated cuisine of chef Derek Dwyer.

Winnetka

Avli Estiatorio

566 Chestnut St., 847-446-9300, avli.us Modern regional Greek food is the call here at this sunnyfeeling spot. Sip on the Skinos Sour: Skinos Mastiha, the classic Greek liqueur, shaken with fresh orange and lemon juices, and finished with bitters. It’s got hints of resin, anise and fresh herbs, set off by the citrus; unique flavors

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bet ter you | finance

Eataly Chicago

Be Eatalian!

By Julie Chernoff

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a food tourist. I spend part of every vacation dragging my family to visit the local food markets and grocery stores.

Nothing in Paris makes me happier than the organic market on the Rue de Raspail, where I can happily ogle the goat cheeses for hours.

And no trip to New York could be complete without at least one visit to Eataly, that awe-inspiring paean to Italian food (and Mario Batali).

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Photo courtesy of eataly

o imagine my delight when I heard that Eataly was opening in Chicago, and that it was going to be even more humongous than the New York store. Second City no more!

I skipped the opening—I’m not that much of a glutton for punishment— and felt vindicated when I heard that lines were around the block. But truthfully, it was all I could think about until I finally made the pilgrimage. Yes, it’s a sickness. I’m aware.

So here’s my review: WOW. It’s 63,000 square feet spread across two floors, with 650 employees providing service at the 23 restaurants and food counters. They are stocking nearly 10,000 different products, from imported Italian sodas and Prosecco to fresh focaccia and sweets made on-premise.

My advice is to take a quick turn around the first floor to admire the Nutella counter (you heard me), the many flavors of house-made gelato, and the colorful rows of Italian pastries.

Then head upstairs to get your eat on.

Eataly has everything you need, plus stuff you didn’t know you needed, but now desperately do. I defy you to find a better or deeper source for dried pasta, canned tomatoes and sauces, or Italian condiments (all housed on the second floor). There’s enough extravirgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar to fill a swimming pool. But it’s not just the range of packaged goods that astonishes here.

There’s La Focacceria, where you’ll discover crusty loaves of bread, thick slices of fresh focaccia topped with various cheeses, meats and roasted veggies, and all sorts of other goodies, like perfect butter cookies edged in poppy seeds.

Fresh fish and shellfish are stocked in abundance at the fishmonger counter; cured meats and cheeses beckon from open refrigerated shelves; gorgeous cuts of beef, pork and veal are displayed at

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the butcher; and 15 kinds of fresh pasta are made daily, right in front of you.

Looking for a restaurant? You’ve got options: La Carne, a 100-seat meat-centric restaurant; La Pizza & La Pasta, 200 seats available but the longest waits; Il Pesce, an 80-seat fish and seafood café; and Le Verdure, the 60-seat veggie paradise where we left our name and number and then wandered happily through the food wonderland until they texted us. No walls separate the restaurants from the general hubbub, so prepare to be surrounded by people shopping, gaping and chatting while you enjoy your veggies.

And enjoy them you will, if our meal was any barometer. We enjoyed the smoky Scarola Griglia ($14), grilled leaves of escarole and radicchio, the bitterness of the greens countered by a generous drizzle of unctuous balsamic vinegar, a light dusting of grated Pecorino Romano, pinenuts and tiny, sweet currants.

We followed that up with a bowl of the toothsome Farrotto ($18), the nutty farro grain combined with chunks of winter squash, vegetable broth and, I’m guessing, a fair amount of butter in risotto-like fashion.

The Gnocchi alla Romana ($19) was another winner,

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but be warned that Roman-style gnocchi are not the little potato pillows that you might expect, but a polenta-like disc made from semolina, here dotted with melty cheese and earthy, sautéed wild mushrooms.

Too excited to sit down (or, alternately, too hungry to wait for a table)? Grab a bite at La Piazza, where you can stand at a bar table and order from La Mozzarella (Eataly’s cheesemonger), Il Crudo (raw seafood bar), I Salumi e Formaggi (charcuterie and cheese plates) or Il Fritto (offering arancini and fritto misto). If you want a grab-and-go option, try La Rosticceria for their rotisserie chickens, roasted meats and veggies.

After you’ve eaten and/or shopped your way around the second floor, head downstairs to the Grand Bar Lavazza for a perfect espresso to accompany your Nutella crepe. Add a few Italian chocolate confections to your overflowing rolling basket, and aim for the cashiers near the front door.

Don’t be dissuaded by the crowds, but it’s not a bad idea to aim for the middle of the week, rather than a Saturday when the tourist crowds are sure to descend.

Eataly is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Photo courtesy of eataly

Eataly 43 E. Ohio St. Chicago 312-521-8700 eataly.com

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2/11/14 11:51 AM

Books

books to know:

surf or snow b y k e l ly k o n r a d

Whether you’re headed to a beach, the slopes or even just the family room couch, spring break may be the first time all year you have the chance to dive into a book and not come up for air until you are done. Need suggestions? These will keep you entertained and engaged: Little Failure

Gary Shteyngart The author of “Super Sad True Love Story” weaves the tale of his upbringing as a Russian Jew immigrating to the United States as a young child in a both hilarious and touching way. If you can’t find a page from your own childhood, you’re not trying.

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Ransom Riggs Creepy-cool fun for vacation—geared toward the YA set, you’ll be sneaking it from your daughter’s beach bag. The follow up to “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” finds Jacob on his way to London, friends in tow.

Still Life with Bread Crumbs

The Circle

Anna Quindlen Quindlen is perfection when it comes to smart love stories like this one. It’s the tale of Rebecca Winter, a photographer whose career is on the rocks when she meets a local roofer.

Dave Eggers While not the most realistic interpretation of our digital future, it’s as if Google, Amazon and Facebook had a three-way and “The Circle” is the result. When Mae Holland goes to work for the Circle, you’ll be hooked, along with her.

The Husband’s Secret

The Invention of Wings

Liane Moriarty The intertwined Australian lives of Tess, Cecilia, John Paul, Rachel and more make for a highly entertaining read from the author of “What Alice Forgot.” It’ll make you think twice about opening up that next sealed envelope you find. There are some things you just don’t want to know.

Sue Monk Kidd It’s an Oprah pick, so you will probably like it in spite of yourself—and you can come back from the beach able to one-up your friends because you’ll be ready for book club. A generation’s journey for two young girls—one a slave, one the “master.”

Theirs to Cherish

One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life

Shayla Black And here’s your dose of smut for vacation—the kind of book you can only read when you are somewhere you will never go back to, hence no embarrassment. It’s just Callie Ward.

Hanging out at Club Dominion.

Trying to decide between Sean and Mitchell. Uh-huh.

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Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children

Mitch Horowitz It’s less about how and more about “why”—the story of when the power of positive thinking took root and some of the misconceptions behind it. Given this long, cold, snowy winter, a solid grasp of positive thinking is something from which we could all benefit.

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MUSIC BY VAL:

LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER

BY VA L H A L L E R YOU PROBABLY KNOW BOB WOOD-

at least his story. He’s the TV journalist who was to succeed Peter Jennings as co-anchor of ABC News’ weekday broadcast, “World News Tonight” back in December 2005. But the plan was derailed when he was critically wounded by a roadside bomb while on assignment in Iraq. He sustained massive brain injuries and lost part of his skull, but lived to tell about it.

What you may not know is that Bob, his wife, Lee, and their four children lived in Winnetka for a year back in ‘96 on my old street, Elder Lane. Then they moved, and so did we. But a sweet serendipity brought us together this past fall.

I was writing a story for The New York Times featuring Pink Floyd’s song “Comfortably Numb.” While doing my research, I noticed that a large New York event was taking place on the same day my article was coming out, and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters was a featured guest. The tie-in got even sweeter. The event was an annual benefit, “Stand Up For Heroes,” presented by New York Comedy Fest and The Bob Woodruff Foundation (bobwoodrufffoundaiton. org) to raise awareness and money for injured vets and their families. Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Seinfeld and Jon Stewart were headlining the event. But the big act of the night would be Roger Waters playing alongside The Wounded Warrior Band—injured soldiers who are using music as therapy— and ironically, they would perform “Comfortably Numb.”

Bob Woodruff’s story includes many characters, from journalists to TV producers, soldiers and enemies, doctors and therapists, and everything in between. The protagonist and his beautiful wife not only survive to tell the tale, but they persevere, learn and heal, with energy left over to launch something impactful for others.

RUFF—OR

MARCH SHOWS NOT TO MISS

Mar. 3 and 10 Mark Scibilia at SPACE Evanston (date night) Mar. 4 Greg Laswell at SPACE Evanston (a Valslist favorite artist) Mar. 9 James McMurtry at City Winrey (fun night out) Mar. 13 Marc Cohn at SPACE Evanston (take your parents) Mar. 14 The War on Drugs at Metro (take your guy - great rock) Mar. 15 David Garrett at The Chicago Theatre (rock violinist, must see)

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Mar. 22 Young the Giant at Riviera Theatre (grab another couple and go) Mar. 29 Grant Lee Buffalo at Old Town School of Folk Music Mar. 29 Martin Sexton at SPACE Evanston (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows) Mar. 31 Bastille at Riviera Theatre (girls’ night out)

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Entertainment

to the system. He found his footing here, though, graduating from Deerfield High School and then the University of Cincinnati’s Music Conservatory.

A Master’s in Film Production from USC followed, then a job at Disney, before he moved to New York and founded The Booking Office in 1991, an agency he still owns a piece of today.

McCollum is headed back to town in April with his mega-hit show, “Motown the Musical.” We spoke with him recently about his role in the production of that show and many others.

Broadway Producer

Talks Motown

By Julie Chernoff

Kevin McCollum has come full circle.

“Chicago was a great town for

me,” McCollum says. “I drove down to see my first Broadway show— the touring company of A Chorus Line—when it came through town in 1977, and now here I am, bringing my own shows here!”

He’s being modest. If you don’t already know, Kevin McCollum is the Tony Award-winning producer of “Rent,” “Avenue Q,” “In the Heights” and other Broadway shows you’ve loved. Many have toured through Chicago over the years, and he’s reached the highest rungs on the ladder of success—but his story wasn’t always so sunny.

Born and raised in Hawaii, McCollum was 14 when his beloved mother died of breast cancer and he was shuttled off to live with relatives in Deerfield.

Reeling with grief, the jump “from puka shells and flip-flops” to snow boots and parkas was a shock

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The history behind the making of that musical is heartbreaking and so powerful.

I’ve had a lot of loss in my life … but losing Jonathan was second only to losing my mom. When he died, my business partner Jeffrey Seller and I looked at each other and said, “It’s our job that as many people see this show as possible. It’s our job to make sure that no one forgets his name.” That’s what we tried to do. We still love seeing it being produced around the world. It’s very gratifying … the wonderful ability of musicals— I might be a little hyperbolic here—to change the world and influence culture. Art is such an important way to get in front of young people.

Now tell us about Motown the Musical. It’s more of a jukebox musical. What attracted you to the project?

Here’s what I think a lot of people miss. Critics like to put it in the category of jukebox musical because the songs were written for another medium.

But look at the success of my musicals. Maybe it’s because I’m an only child, and my parents died when I was young, but they’re all about neighborhoods; they start with an earthly problem. You think it’s because you can’t pay the rent, or what do you do with a BA in English … but it transforms into finding your family against all odds; going to a much more redemptive, spiritual place. You realize that earthly problem

Photo Bruce Glikas/Broadway.com

Berry Gordy and Kevin McCollum

MIB: How did you get your start in producing?

Kevin McCollum: Having worked in the film biz, I understood about distribution and how things worked. As I was building my company, I would invest in shows that friends were writing.

I met Jonathan Larson, he was writing a show, and we gave him money so he could do a little show called “Rent,” perhaps you’ve heard of it? (laughs) That’s how I transitioned into producing shows.

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wasn’t your issue. The problem was that you isolated, and you didn’t find your family. You weren’t open to finding who you really were.

[As for Motown, the Musical,] I could see this story of how, against all odds, [Berry Gordy] transformed black music and race music into the music of middle America and … to say it’s a jukebox musical might be true of form, but in experience, when you hear this music and see how we’ve told the story, it’s such a transformative group of songs that provided the soundtrack for our culture in the second half of the 20th century, which changed race relations in our country. So I encourage you not to categorize it as a jukebox musical, but as a musical about the transformation of American culture through music. That’s what it is.

What was the creative process like with Berry Gordy?

(Laughs) He said it was very much like Motown itself. We argued; we fought; we teased each other… he’s a big believer in the fact that “competition breeds champions.”

It was a great collaboration along with the director, Charles Randolph-Wright, who really understood how to get into the story. So once Charles came on, I could eventually back off a little bit.

It’s a great ride, and that can happen because [Gordy] believed that art and talent could overcome any obstacle. That’s what Berry did. And to have a musical vocabulary, and make a musical from the songs that Berry wrote, it was a great challenge. But life is about bumping into great stories.

Working with someone you admire so much must have been personally rewarding.

Look, I’m glad we made a great show, and I’m glad we’re selling a lot of tickets. But selfishly, I just wanted to be in the room and try to create something with someone I really admired. That’s how success comes: When you put yourself in situations where you’re not sure exactly where it’s going to go economically, but you have a passion…and that has served me well. Working with Berry was not only a great honor, but I learned a great deal about myself, about him, and about the art form.

Motown the Musical will run April 22 to July 13 at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. For tickets and more information, visit broadwayinchicago.com.

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Entertainment | theatre

theaterGuide

march

madness Chapatti March 7–April 13 | Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie | 847-6736300 | northlight.org American theaters have imported many great plays from Ireland over the past couple of decades, but this is a rare case of an Irish play making its world premiere right here in Chicagoland. In Christian O’Reilly’s story, the beloved John Mahoney plays a lonely man in Dublin with a dog named Chapatti. Another likable local talent, Penny Slusher, plays a lonely woman with 19 cats. They cross paths and rediscover the importance of companionship. Northlight’s artistic director, BJ Jones, directs.

Venus in Fur March 8–April 13 | Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago | 312-443-3800 | goodmantheatre.org Playwright David Ives, who was born in the Chicago area and attended Northwestern, is renowned as a master of wit and language; and this play was one of his most successful in New York, earning two Tony nominations. Joanie Schultz is directing the Chicago premiere, starring Amanda Drinkall and Rufus Collins as an actress and a demanding director who play power games during an audition (for a play based on the erotic 1870 novel “Venus in Furs”). Vogue’s critic called the Broadway production a “smart, sexy, sinister comedy.”

The Language Archive through March 23 | Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St., Evanston 847-866-6597 | piventheatre.org Evanston native Polly Noonan, who has acted in several plays by the acclaimed Sarah Ruhl, returns to the theater where both of them got their start as youngsters: Piven Theatre, Evanston’s breeding ground for stage and screen talent. This is the first time Noonan has directed a play at Piven, and it’s a Chicago premiere. Julia Cho’s play about dying languages and the struggle to communicate has been compared to Ruhl’s clever, whimsical work, so it should be a natural fit for Noonan.

Cats March 26–May 25 | Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire | 847-634-0200 | marriotttheatre.com Andrew Lloyd Webber’s show, based on the poems of T.S. Eliot, is not only one of the most popular musicals ever; it also set the Marriott’s local box office records when the Lincolnshire theater presented “Cats” for the first time back in 2003. And now the Marriott says it’s ready to let the “Memory” live again.

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American Blues Theater (at Greenhouse) “American Myth” March 7–April 6 773-404-7336 | americanbluestheater.com Bailiwick Chicago (at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater) “Dessa Rose” March 6–April 5 773-969-6201 | bailiwickchicago.com Chicago Shakespeare Theatre “Road Show” March 13–May 4 312-595-5600 | chicagoshakes.com Court Theatre “Water by the Spoonful” March 6–April 6 773-753-4472 | courttheatre.org The Hypocrites (at the Mercury Theater) “Into the Woods” Through March 30 773-325-1700 | mercurytheaterchicago.com Northwestern University (Josephine Louis Theater) “Danceworks 2014: Hot Buttons” Feb. 28–March 9 847-491-7282 communication.northwestern.edu/tic/ Oriental Theatre “Heartbeat of Home” March 4–16 312-977-1700 | broadwayinchicago.com Raven Theatre “Good Boys and True” March 4 – May 3 773-338-2177 | raventheatre.com Steppenwolf Theatre (for Young Adults) “Leveling Up” March 7–15 312-335-1650 | steppenwolf.org Theo Ubique “Passion” March 7–April 27 773-347-1109 | theo-u.com TimeLine Theatre “The How and the Why” Through April 6 773-281-8463 | timelinetheatre.com

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Don’t miss the EXCLUSIVE articles and prizes in this month’s iPad edition:

ENTER TO WIN: $100 Gift Card to Caputo Cheese Market!

READ MORE: Movies That Move Us • 10 Chicago Instagram Accounts You Should Follow Recipe: Vegetable Tortilla Soup • 3 Stylish Pieces to Take You From Winter to Spring

download at makeitbetter.net/ipad or search “Make It Better” in the App Store

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MENTOR A COLLEGE-BOUND YOUTH

BY CO CO K E E VA N

College Bound Opportunities 847-943-9226 | cbo4success.org College Bound Opportunities seeks community volunteers to serve as mentors to under-resourced youth. One-to-one mentorships provide adolescents with guidance to help develop their potential through face-toface meetings, regular communication and coaching of interpersonal and professional skills. Additionally, CBO seeks volunteers with expertise in law, marketing, IT, finance or communications to serve on its committees.

College Bound Opportunities is committed to supporting high-achieving but underresourced students within the communities of Districts 113 and 115 by giving them access to a college education. For more information, call 847-943-9226 or send an email to info@ cbo4success.org.

HELP FEED A FAMILY FOR PURIM

Northbrook Community Synagogue 847-509-9204 northbrookcommunitysynagogue.org Northbrook Community Synagogue needs volunteers and donations for its Annual FeedA-Family Project. The Feed-A-Family Project delivers generous food parcels and cash stipends for the Jewish holiday of Purim to families referred to the synagogue. The synagogue joins with the ARK, Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major social service agency serving the needs of the Jewish poor, to assist more than 200 adults and children. Volunteer drivers are needed for deliveries for one to two hours in the morning on Sunday, March 9. For more information, call the synagogue at 847-509-9204 or visit their website.

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ď ° SUPPORT CANCER PATIENTS FORCE 866-288-7475 | facingourrisk.org FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) offers many opportunities for passionate volunteers to help with everything from fundraising to peer support. The commitment schedule is flexible, with opportunities as Helpline volunteers available over the telephone from your own home. Helpline volunteers listen to callers, find resources to offer support and share their own stories to empower the caller and diminish fears. Men and Spanish-speaking individuals are specifically needed, but FORCE encourages all compassionate survivors to share their experiences.

FORCE is devoted to improving the lives of people and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. For more information, contact Volunteer Programs Coordinator Sandy Cohen at sandarac@facingourrisk.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FORCE

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SUPPLY CLEAN, DISPOSABLE DIAPERS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

Lake County Diaper Depot 847-782-4117 | catholiccharities.net Lake County Diaper Depot is in need of size newborn and size 1 diapers for families in Lake County.

According to a HUGGIES study, one in three American moms cut back on basics such as food, utilities or child care to afford enough diapers for their children. More than four out of 10 have to choose between buying diapers and other necessities. Collecting and distributing diapers to needy families help mothers avoid this difficult decision.

Diaper donations will be gratefully received at 671 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan, IL 60085. For more information, please contact Kelsey Weeks, Regional Project Manager at 847-782-4117 or email keweeks@catholiccharities.net.

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make a difference

HELP LIFT FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY

LIFT 773-303-0700 | liftcommunities.org Help lift people out of poverty for good by building strong personal, social and financial foundations in the community. LIFT pairs rigorously trained advocates with committed citizens to help community members achieve economic stability and well-being.

LIFT members are empowered to get a job, a safe home and a quality education for themselves and their kids. Donations directly support LIFTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to meet the needs of low-income individuals and families; a $250 donation will sponsor one family for a year as they work with LIFT. To make a donation, visit liftcommunities.org/donate or send checks by mail to LIFT, c/o Development Office, 1620 I Street NW, Suite 820, Washington, DC, 20006. Designate LIFT Chicago in the memo line of the check to ensure the funds are allocated locally.

SUPPORT ADVANCED CANCER RESEARCH

UCCRF Auxiliary Board 773-702-6566 | uccrfab.bsd.uchicago.edu A donation to the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation Auxiliary Board is an investment in the doctors at one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading cancer research institutions. Such donations advance breakthroughs that will help people here at home and

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around the world. The mission of UCCRFAB is to be investors in innovation, providing unrestricted grants to establish much-needed research programs to work toward the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer. To make a donation online, visit donation.uccrc. org/donations/ and check the box for UCCRF Auxiliary Board. Donations can also be made by check and sent to UCCRFAB, 5841 S. Maryland, Room H212, MC 1140, Chicago, IL, 60637. For more information, call 773-702-6566 or email nseidlit@bsd.uchicago.edu.

WORK TO FIND A CURE FOR TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX

BCureful bcureful@gmail.com | bcureful.org Help find a cure for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a genetic disorder characterized by tumors or other abnormal growths. The skin, brain, kidneys, heart, lungs and other organs can be affected, potentially inhibiting early childhood development, cognition, behavior and motor skills. Up to 90 percent of children with TSC develop epilepsy. BCureful is dedicated to accelerating research toward a cure for TSC while raising public awareness of the disease.

BCureful accepts donations online and by mail, as well as in the form of gift stock. For more information, visit bcureful.org/donate or direct questions to Bcureful@gmail.com.

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE | better makers

BETTER MAKERS AND THEIR IMPACT 1

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UNICEF

SHOWN IN PHOTOS: (1) Board Member Mary Lou Giustini of Chicago, Ty Harvey of Evanston, Board Member Paul Harvey of Evanston, Anna Lisa Giustini of Chicago; (2) U.S. Fund for UNICEF Midwest Regional Office Board Chair Wendy Serrino of Glencoe and UNICEF Chicago Humanitarian Award Honoree Ann Lurie, President of Lurie Holdings and of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation, of Chicago; (3) Nancy Searle of Winnetka and UNICEF Chicago Humanitarian Award Honoree Dolores Kohl of Highland Park, President and CEO of the Dolores Kohl Education Foundation and Founder of the Kohl Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum; (4) IMPACT: two young children are able to access clean water; (5) UCHA Committee Member Ashley Prasad of Glencoe, Julie Ackerman of Highland Park, Senior Vice President of Development Barron Segar of New York, New York, Maxine Retsky of Glencoe, Deb Wineman of Glencoe and Mohini Chopra of Chicago.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF US FUND FOR UNICEF/LILIANE CALFEE OF SOLEIL MEDIA

Chicago Humanitarian Awards Luncheon 2013 October 25, 2013 Ritz-Carlton Chicago Grand Ballroom $80,000 raised

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SPONSORED CONTENT

ACT IMP

A. PERRY HOMES

PHOTOS COURTESY OF A. PERRY HOMES

Winterfest January 25, 2014 Tony Perry’s award-winning cottage home on two wooded acres in Libertyville 4,997 diapers, 6,480 baby wipes, 250 pounds of baby formula and $2,500 donated to the babies of Northwestern University Settlement House A. Perry Homes’ annual tradition, Winterfest, has become the must-attend event of the winter season. Winterfest features familycentered events such as ice skating, sledding, hockey, luge runs and hay rides. The stage is set with tasty food served by local gourmet chefs, cocktails, hot cocoa and bonfires everywhere. Winterfest never disappoints! Special moments from past years include 2 a.m. hockey games, live music performances and even celebrity guest appearances. However, every Winterfest is uniquely entertaining; you’ll have to ask a current or former A. Perry Homes client to see what everyone has been talking about. This year, we asked guests to bring baby items (diapers, wipes, formula) and toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, soap) to help the families served by NUSH.

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SHOWN IN PHOTOS: (1) Executive Vice President of HR and General Counsel Karina Ayala-Bermejo of Chicago, Senior VP of External Affairs Dennis Conroy of Chicago, Board Member and Event Host Committee Member Ginger Pillman of Chicago, Donna Tropp and Board Member David Tropp, both of Glencoe; (2) ABC 7 meteorologist Tracy Butler and WLS-AM sportscaster Roe Conn; (3) Metropolitan Family Services President and CEO Ric Estrada of Chicago, Event Chair Martha Melman of Winnetka, Board Chair and Event Co-Chair Tony Hunter; (4) IMPACT: Metropolitan Family Services offers early childhood education programs, including arts programming.

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Make It Better was the media sponsor of this event.

URBAN INITIATIVES

8th Annual Soccer Ball January 24, 2014 River East Art Center $345,000 raised SHOWN IN PHOTOS: (1) Kurt Reichert and Charlie Falcone, both of Wilmette; (2) Maggie Belliel of Wilmette with Steve and Karen Sokal of Winnetka; (3) Maggie and Dan Belliel of Wilmette; (4) IMPACT: Urban Initiatives runs health, education and character development programming for kids in the Chicago Public Schools.

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Make It Better was the media sponsor of this event.

ACT IMP

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES

Holiday Celebration December 7, 2013 Hilton Chicago $1.3 million raised

PHOTOS COURTESY OF URBAN INITIATIVES

METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES

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2013 Philanthropy awards

November 15th award announcements 1

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The 2013 Make It Better Philanthropy Awards proved an exciting afternoon for both MIB staff members and award winners alike.

Shown in photos: (1) Make It Better co-founder Mindy Fauntleroy presents the award to Beyond Sports Foundation ; (2) Make It Better Founder Susan B. Noyes presents the award to Posse; (3) Y.O.U. and MIB staff pose proudly with Y.O.U. director Seth Green; (4) Editor in Chief Julie Chernoff presents the award to Literature For All of Us; (5) Susan B. Noyes presents the award to Mothers Trust.

March 2014

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Plastic Surgeon McKay McKinnon Has a

Heart of Gold By co co k e e va n

In Vietnam, newspapers have deemed him “The

Man with the Golden Hands.”

His surgical resume is impressive, arguably more so than any other doctor in his field. And while TLC runs sensationally titled programming documenting his work (“My Giant Face Tumor”), he remains an enigmatic hometown hero.

While Dr. McKay McKinnon, MD, runs a successful full-service plastic surgery practice in Chicago, it’s his international philanthropic work that sets him apart. For the past three decades, Dr. McKinnon has traveled extensively, performing life-saving surgeries

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on some of the world’s most exceptional medical conditions. McKinnon’s work has taken him from Choluteca, Honduras, where he has routinely performed cleft lip and palate surgery since 1985, to Romania, Vietnam and now India to remove invasive tumors from patients suffering from neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nervous system, causes tumors to grow on the nerves.

The condition is exceedingly common, affecting one in 2,500 people, and absolutely devastating. In extreme cases, such tumors can keep sufferers homebound and out of public sight. Given the low success rate and high risk of complications, surgery for severe neurofibromatosis is eschewed by even the most accomplished surgeons.

With decades of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery under his belt, Dr. McKinnon is one of the world’s few surgeons willing to take on these difficult cases. Dr. McKinnon is soft-spoken, modest and reserved, a pragmatist to his core. The Kenilworth father of four has made surgery a family affair; his wife, Astrid, a practicing nurse, works with him in their Lake Shore Drive office, and the family often travels together for Dr. McKinnon’s international operations.

And while his groundbreaking work has brought Dr. McKinnon to exotic locales, these mission trips are far from a vacation. “I’m not here to be a tourist,” he says. In addition to surgery, McKinnon led clinics and conferences while in India to equip local doctors with the tools to perform similar high-risk surgeries.

In late 2011, the McKinnons traveled to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to assess a then-31-year-old man bedridden by a 200-pound tumor. The monstrous tumor defined Nguyen Duy Hai’s life, restricting him to his home in the Vietnamese countryside for six years. It required half a dozen men to lift him, as he’d lost the capacity to move his lower body. After meeting Nguyen via Skype, McKinnon agreed to travel to Vietnam to take him on as a patient.

Nguyen’s journey, chronicled in a TLC special, “The Man with the 200-lb. Tumor,” took him from his small hometown of Da Lat to the bustling city,

Photo courtesy of mckay McKinnon

Local treasure

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but, upon McKinnon’s arrival and a subsequent evaluation, local doctors rejected Nguyen’s surgery. The operation had a 50 percent success rate, but without surgery, Nguyen was given just a year to live.

McKinnon, traditionally level-headed and exceedingly polite, becomes fiery when faced with an obstacle to a worthy case, and he tried to convince the hospital board to host Nguyen’s procedure.

With his pleas in vain, McKinnon was forced to tell Nguyen he could not operate and returned to Chicago.

Amanda Schumacher, founder of the Tree of Life Foundation, persisted, and the nearby Franco-Vietnamese Hospital agreed to host McKinnon and a team of associates for Nguyen’s surgery. McKinnon spent 12 hours in surgery, and successfully removed what was considered the world’s largest tumor.

“We talk about how brave you were two months ago to accept what seemed to be a different fate,” McKinnon told Nguyen as he recovered. “And you could accept that, it seemed, but I could not; so I had to come back.” His resilience proved well founded. Nguyen has been tumor-free since the surgery and is relearning to walk.

“I enjoy the challenge,” Dr. McKinnon says. “It’s ultimately about helping a patient who otherwise wouldn’t get any help at all.”

Nguyen is exceptionally grateful for his opportunity. In a poignant moment from the TLC documentary about his surgery, Nguyen tearfully addresses Dr. McKinnon, “I am a person drowning at sea. Doctor, you are my lifesaver that I can hold onto.”

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closing thoughts

Wise Women

Encouraging All To Be

Philanthropists If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.

— Mother Teresa

— Eleanor Roosevelt

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

— Maya Angelou

Helping people doesn’t have to be an unsound financial strategy.

— Melinda French Gates

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It’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being able to touch somebody’s life.

— Oprah Winfrey

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