KCC_ KC Magazine April 2022

SUNNY DAYS

APRIL 2022

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory PAGE 10

‘A WELLOILED MACHINE'’

g n i m o c Wel

Douglas Carpet One makes renovation dreams come true PAGE 34

SPRING IN STYLE EMBRACE THE ARRIVAL OF WARMER WEATHER WITH THESE 11 TRENDY LOOKS | PAGE 14

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Editorʼs

NOTE It’s been over a week since I dined there, and I’m still thinking about Fernando’s Street Kitchen.

I went for lunch, choosing an order of tacos (which comes with three) and a side of rice.

You’re allowed to mix and match on the tacos, so for variety’s sake I went with one brisket, one pork and one chicken.

may be better for the environment and local boutiques if I elect to buy higher quality, long-term pieces. Is this a concept you’ve heard about before? Feel free to reach out via email — I love connecting with readers!

My meal there confirmed exactly why we featured it in this issue of Kane County Magazine. The owner is local, the food is outstanding and memorable, and its relative newness in downtown Batavia all make it the perfect feature for our dining section.

Read more on P. 28, and then stop there for lunch or dinner!

The April issue in particular requires a lot of contributions from the Kane County community. The clothes you see in our fashion issue — as well as the venue where they’re highlighted — are all local. From the tacos to the sunglasses, thank you to everyone who made this issue what you see today!

This issue also contains a plethora of fashion stories: everything from choosing great sunglasses to prioritizing sustainable wardrobe pieces (P. 10 and 21, respectively).

At times in my life I’ve found myself opting for “fast fashion,” pieces that are cheaply made and may not last forever in your closet. This story opened my eyes in that it

Thank you for reading!

Hannah Hoffmeister, Editor

on the

COVER

Lara Bell stuns in a trench coat, paired with a black tank top and wide-leg jeans.

All available at House of 423. See more local fashion on P. 14. Photo at Cedar Fox Weddings by Ron McKinney Photography.

Next month: Kane County is no stranger to artists — don’t miss our arts & entertainment issue!

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PUBLISHER Daily Chronicle & Suburban Weekly Group Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Hannah Hoffmeister 630-427-6263 hhoffmeister@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Allison LaPorta 630-427-6260 alaporta@shawmedia.com LOCAL SALES MANAGER Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Jaclyn Cornell 630-845-5234 jcornell@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Jonathan Bilyk, Kevin Druley, Katie McCall, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske, Erin Sauder, Chris Walker and Kelley White.

This magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send your request with payment information to Shaw Media, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

Published by Shaw Media 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

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INSIDE

Whatʼs

FASHION 8 NAIL IT Stay in vogue with these manicure trends 10 SUNNY DAYS Sunglasses — they’re more than a fashion accessory 14 WELCOMING SPRING IN STYLE Bold dresses, flared jeans and more are having their moment in the sun this season 21 SUSTAINABLE FASHION Buying long-term pieces may suit your wardrobe better than fast fashion 24 ‘A WHOLE FAMILY AFFAIR’ Secondhand treasures for every age group are available at newly opened Double Take Consignment in St. Charles

DINING & ENTERTAINING 26 EAT HEALTHY, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE OUT Digestive expert Dr. Tarun Mullick tastes two dishes at Niche 28 NOT HIS FATHER’S TACOS Fernando Martinez has crafted his own recipes for success 30 HAUTE CUISINE Katie McCall incorporates beauty in every bite — minus the price tag

HOME & LIFESTYLE 32 APRIL SHOWERS They bring May flowers, says Wasco Nursery, detailing how to care for your cut blossoms 34 ‘A WELL-OILED MACHINE’ From concept to installation, Douglas Carpet One thrives on making renovation dreams come true

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BUSINESS & CIVIC 38 SPRING CLEANING Tom McCartney and Sharon Piet share tips for reviewing your financial decisions

ART 40 ARTIST OF THE MONTH Carolina Martinez highlights universal experiences with colorful illustrations 42 CHALK IT UP A Q&A with Leah McCloskey, who’s recently taken her talents to the sidewalk

FAMILY IN FOCUS 47 MUSIC TO MY EARS From train tracks to popular Disney movies, get a glimpse into the soundtrack of being Superdad 48 HELP TRACK SPRING FLOWERS Spot Virginia bluebells and other ephemerals, then log them in the iNaturalist app 50 GRAB A BOOKMARK Two book recommendations to check out in April

NAIL IT

Stay in vogue with these manicure trends

By Erin Sauder

Photos by April Duda Photography and provided

by Onyx Studio

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T

he season of fresh starts and new beginnings is upon us. Why not step up your nail game with a fresh manicure?

Just some of the polish trends dominating Kane County this spring include marble effects, intricate floral and abstract designs, matte topcoats and more.

“I am getting more requests for nail art than ever before,” says Stephanie Olofson, owner of Onyx Studio. Her East Dundee salon offers nail, waxing and spray tanning services. “Clients of all ages, and with all different kinds of jobs, want art and designs added to their freshly manicured nails.”

And many are pulling inspiration from social media sites Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok. One classic nail art design is trending again, though these days it’s gotten a modern makeover.

“The French manicure is making a huge comeback, but not the traditional white tip,” Olofson says. “Different colored tips or mixing French tips with other designs is very popular.”

For instance, the side French manicure flips the design so that the curve of polish runs down the side of each nail rather than the tips. The skinny French manicure features a neutral base, with a superfine tip in classic white or metallic polish. The reverse French manicure is exactly what it sounds like: the half-moon curves go on the bases of the nails instead of the tips.

Matte nail polish is also in high demand at Olofson’s shop, located at 207 Barrington Ave. “It’s something I never used to do, but people are loving the unique look,” she says. “This type of nail finish changes the entire look of their polish.”

The accent nail technique is also a trend that’s sticking around.

This style of manicure involves showcasing a single nail by adding a noticeable contrast. “The ring fingers on both hands are typically decorated with a design, different color or glitter,” Olofson says.

“Although the ‘party nail’ is still very popular, I’m getting a lot more requests for nail art that involves more or even all the nails.”

Sage Healing Collective will be featured April 12 in a livestream by beauty influencers Lipgloss + Aftershave. The livestream will include a facial using a product line that focuses on sensitive skin, called Hale & Hush. Mark your calendar!

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APRIL 9th - 10th • 10am - 5pm Your favorite shops have something fun planned for you.

Grab a friend and visit them all!

SHOPCRAWLSTC.COM P

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Each new season brings with it a variety of nail styles. “I think nail art is just going to keep getting more and more fun,” Olofson says.

Shop Crawl

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Located at 525 S. Tyler Road in St. Charles, Sage Healing Collective specializes in holistic, hands-on chiropractic, acupuncture, nutritional medicine, skin care, “wildcrafted”

“Our manicures are waterless so we don’t soak the nails in water because it opens up the cuticle and that is often why manicures don’t last as long,” Loveland says. “We do waterless to soften the skin and cuticle area. So while we do keep up with trends, we don’t get trendy with stuff that’s not tried and true.”

S T

“Everybody loves the pinks for spring,” agrees Emily Loveland, owner of Sage Healing Collective. “And you’ll also see a lot of pastels — the purples and the blues. We carry an extensive amount of polishes for what’s trending each season.”

nail care, as well as relaxation and therapeutic bodywork.

•

Adding strong feminine touches to the look with small floral designs and light shades of pink is also in style.

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Campbell Creations Double Take Consignment Jeans and a Cute Top Shop Magnolia Soap and Bath Co SG Too The Pep Line trend + relic

Make a purchase at one of the participating shops to be entered to win one of our raffle prizes.

Each purchase counts as one entry! The more you shop, the more chances you have to win!

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for weekend specials & festivities

FASHION APRIL 2022

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S

d a y y s n n u

Sunglasses — they’re more than a fashion accessory

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photo by Ron McKinney Photography

F

orm, function and fashion: Sunglasses help us see better, protect our eyes and yes, they make us look good too.

But when it comes to finding the best frames, it’s more than just fashion.

For more than 20 years Shellie White has been helping people find the perfect frames at Geneva Eye Clinic. The clinic is home to a team of specialists who perform eye exams as well as handle medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders. Additionally, it has an optical shop where patients can select glasses, many of which are made on-site.

The clinic keeps in stock a variety of sunglasses and frequently receives the latest styles. Among one of the top selling brands is Maui Jim. “The lens are some of the best at protecting eyes from UVB rays and they have anti-reflection on the back of the lens too and polarized lens, which really helps resist glare,” White says.

While we’ve grown accustomed to thinking about protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays for our skin and in our sunscreens, Dr. Dianne Anderson, optometrist at the Geneva Eye Clinic, says UV protection is extremely important for one’s eyes.

These harmful rays can lead to several eye conditions including dry eye and cataracts along with an

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increase in risk factors for macular degeneration.

Anderson, a longtime Batavia resident, says she reminds her patients that quality ultravioletblocking sunglasses are more than just a cost to consider when it comes to caring for one’s eyes. “UV protection is super important in general,” Anderson says.

Many will recognize the name Ray-Ban when it comes to sunglasses. It’s a brand that’s worth noting for its style and popularity, White adds. “Ray-Ban has numerous different designs and is very popular.”

White adds there is no single sunglasses style to fit all activities or personalities. For example, the pair she wears when she’s out on the river in her canoe is different than the pair she prefers for driving or walking around town. Someone who enjoys running, boating and golfing may prefer a lighter style of sunglasses that is more aerodynamic, White says.

Some enjoy the lens that transition from clear to sunglasses, but White notes these may not work if you are seeking a pair to wear when driving. In recent years vehicle windshields have been created with UV ray protection within the glass. Without the UV rays to activate the lens transitions glasses, they won’t darken.

Another reason for quality sunglasses is to avoid

unnecessary squinting, which can lead to frontal headaches and wrinkles around the eyes, Anderson says. She recommends patients check their insurance coverage, which may include benefits for sunglasses or price reductions.

“You want to get the best quality, anti-reflection and broad protection for UVB rays,” she says.

And beyond prescription sunglasses, it’s easy to find great designs that look sharp and protect your eyes in the sun, White says. As for fashion trends, she notes the aviator style is a timeless classic, and she carries a few pairs that offer a more feminine style.

For this year, she says the styles are oversized sunglasses in bright, bold prints and colors. “I’m seeing big, chunky sizes, frames with bold shapes and those with cat eyes,” White says.

And another popular style is the larger frame with the tortoiseshell patterns. Oversized frames are more than a cute style — they offer some protection around the delicate skin near our eyes, Anderson notes.

And investing in a good pair of sunglasses is more than a warm-weather necessity. During the winter months, glare from the snow on a sunny day requires the same protection as one needs on a July afternoon outdoors.

CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL SUNGLASSES! Apricot Lane, Geneva Aviators are a timeless classic, says Shellie White.

Apricot Lane, Geneva

House of 423, Batavia Oversized frames in bold colors are in style!

JADE, Geneva

Cali & Chance, Geneva

House of 423, Batavia

Cali & Chance, Geneva You can’t go wrong with a tortoiseshell pattern.

FASHION APRIL 2022

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FASHION around town Stitch Switch

Stitch Switch Men’s Consignment sells a curated selection of new and gently used designer menswear at prices that are typically 60-80% below retail. From sportswear to casual and businesswear to formal, you’re sure to find something for every taste and style.

And if you have high quality men’s items that you’re looking to part with, Stitch Switch would be happy to sell them for you. They specialize in consignment for designer and brand name men’s clothing, shoes and accessories. You can bring your items into their shop anytime during regular business hours and they will set you up as a consignor.

In today's world of "fast fashion," Stitch Switch provides a socially conscious alternative that saves you money and the environment. You can browse their online shop at www.stitch-switch.com or visit their wide selection of unique men's clothing, shoes and accessories at their store in downtown Geneva. Their inventory is always evolving with new items added online and to the shop each day. Quality, variety, sustainability and affordability; make the switch and join the future of circular fashion with Stitch Switch Men’s Consignment.

310 Campbell St., Geneva | 630-457-5223 | www.stitch-switch.com

House of 423 What began as a small line of clothing and accessories has quickly grown from a brick and mortar, to a storefront in downtown Batavia. House of 423 specializes in denim, dresses and gold filled jewelry, offering a variety of pieces to create a capsule wardrobe, closet refresh or a special occasion outfit. One-on-one styling sessions help clients better understand their body type, while dressing with confidence. Private shopping parties are available, with 20% of the sales going to a local nonprofit. House of 423 focuses on making you feel your best self, while giving back to the community.

10 E. Wilson St., Batavia | 630-423-1664 | www.houseof423.com

Anew Consignment Anew is a luxury boutique located in downtown Geneva that specializes in modern women's fashion and is revamping what consignment means. Anew focuses on providing women in the area with a way to freshen up their wardrobe without paying “new” prices every season and gives a new life to clothing that no longer suits your style or needs. We also appeal to the lady looking to add a little luxury to her life with our constantly changing stock of designer bags and accessories, ranging from Louis Vuitton to Chanel to Gucci. Anew has something great for every guest that stops by!

27 W. State St., Geneva | 630-262-0944 | www.anewwaytoshop.com

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Evernia At Evernia we specialize in personal service, quality materials and unique fashion. We cater to everyone's style and offer a broad range of fashionable options from clothing to accessories so we can help you put together your dream outfit for any occasion. Stop in and visit us today!

328 S. Third St., Geneva | 630-457-5445 | Find us on Facebook

Cali & Chance Just cool stuff: That's what you find at this California-style boutique with Midwest roots and philosophy. We're a fun, authentic, multigenerational lifestyle shop featuring clothing, jewelry, decor and gifts. Our selection is constantly evolving. Stop in and be inspired. We also have a sister store, St. Charles Florist & Boutique, located in Wasco which also features flowers, seasonal garden, yard art as well as exciting boutique finds.

228 S. Third St., Geneva | 630-659-6548 | Find us on Facebook

Paula's Couture Consignment Paula’s Couture Consignment is the only women’s consignment shop in downtown Batavia. Paula’s specializes in fun, affordable fashions for a variety of ages and sizes. Things change daily at Paula’s and she loves to help women dress and accessorize for all occasions.

Paula hosts a weekly fashion show on Facebook every Wednesday night at 7pm to showcase what is new in her store. She also has daily fashion photos posted on Facebook and Instagram for style inspiration. Paula’s is located in the heart of downtown Batavia tucked along the Fox River. The little store has been described as a treasure chest of fun and stylish items. Pop by Wednesdays-Saturdays 10-6 or Sundays 12-4 to see what treasures are waiting for you!

4 1/2 W. Wilson St., Batavia | 630-425-3196 | www.paulascoutureconsignment.com

FASHION APRIL 2022

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 She wears a sheer floral top tucked in to dark flared jeans, both available at House of 423.

g n i m o c l We

SPRING STYLE Bold dresses, flared jeans and more are having their moment in the sun this season Photos of models Lara Bell and Shanon Lersch by Ron McKinney Photography

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Sunglasses are functional AND fashionable! Learn more about current sunnies trends on P. 10.

G in E FASHION APRIL 2022

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 Both models wear delicate sweaters and chic, casual bottoms. Find both outfits and the green tote at Evernia.

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ur annual spring fashion photo shoot fell on a bright, unseasonably warm day. To a soundtrack of hits both classic and new, Cedar Fox Weddings’ open space, natural light and gorgeous seating options made for a delightful morning. See the captions for information on where to find these outfits, all sourced from local Kane County boutiques.

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 Left: Embrace your feminine side with this loose white dress and oversized sunglasses, both available at Apricot Lane.

 Relax in white leather shorts and a soft sweater — then finish the look with a pop of color from a comfy kimono. Find it all at JADE Clothing.

 You can’t go wrong with highwaisted straight jeans and an oversized button-up. Her look is from JADE Clothing.

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 This soft, light green jumpsuit and jean jacket provide the perfect coverage for spring. Jumpsuit, jacket and sunglasses available at Apricot Lane.

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 Wear this V-neck black tank top with patterned pants, perfect for a day indoors or a night out for dinner. Both can be found at Cali & Chance.

 Top: Her colorful maxi dress accentuates the waist and brings a springtime pop of color to any event.

Bottom: This gorgeous patterned midi-length dress ties in the back. Both dresses are available at House of 423.

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Sustainable Fashion

BUYING BUYING LONG-TERM LONG-TERM PIECES MAY PIECES MAY SUIT SUIT YOUR YOUR WARDROBE WARDROBE BETTER BETTER THAN FAST THAN FAST FASHION FASHION

By Kevin Druley Photos provided by Six Cypress and Always in Style

F

ast-fashion clothing often comes at a price beyond face value.

Sure, paying $12 for a new top may extend that shopping fund now, but what do you suppose happens to the worth of a mass-produced, low-quality garment after a handful of wash cycles?

Gauging by interaction with customers and the types of items being sold, Kane County boutique and consignment shop owners attest to an emerging fashion statement. “Sustainable” and “chic,” it turns out, are antonyms no more.

“It feels like it’s changed so much over the last few years where people always wanted the trendiest thing or what they would see celebrities wearing or something to that effect,” says Kasey

Hoag, owner of Six Cypress Boutique in Batavia. “You have seen a little bit of a mind shift now of people really looking for more quality items and willing to pay a little bit more for something they know is going to last longer.”

For Hoag, those attributes form the essence of independent operations.

“You do find your items are a little bit higher priced than your big box store, and it’s because we are small and our items are unique and the quality is a little higher,” she says.

Prompted for a driving force behind the sustainable fashion movement, store owners give varying opinions. Robin Fogel, owner of Always in Style consignment boutique in Geneva, feels environmental concerns play at least a partial role.

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Consumers who know they’re purchasing something that isn’t ultimately destined for a landfill — which often can be the case for lesser-made clothes, owners find — “feel much better,” Fogel says.

Hoag believes consumers who seemingly were moved to support small, local businesses at the onset of the pandemic saw a “second lightbulb” after an initial wave of operations closed.

“That drove it home to them that, ‘These people really struggled, and we need to make sure that we get out here if we want to keep our downtowns cute and fun and walkable and (have) a day out where you can dine and shop and have entertainment,’ and all the things that you love about a small, historic downtown stay,” she says.

Supporting her stance is a second storefront. In addition to a successful online presence, Hoag credits an “outpouring of support of people thinking, ‘Shop small, shop small,’” for helping her open another location in Valparaiso, Indiana, during the pandemic.

Even as many Americans scarcely changed out of their sweats during early stay-at-home orders before businesses reopened, fashion and financial trends evolved.

As customers returned to Always in Style, Fogel found an increased appetite for garb of the late 1990s and early 2000s, especially among the high school and college-age set. Did hunting for older items influence these shoppers to think like their parents, too?

“There are people who are understanding that maybe they don’t have the type of budget where they can go to, let’s say, the Ralph Lauren store and buy a $300 sweater, but they can come here and find an older sweater that has held up great for sometimes $28,” Fogel says.

“So, I think people are realizing that they can have a better wardrobe while still sticking to their budget. They just have to do a little searching, is all.”

Whether it will be worn fast or forever, checking the feel of a garment to assess its quality is a pastime unlikely to fade.

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Servicing St. Charles, Batavia, Aurora, Elburn, Geneva, Naperville, Wheaton, Elgin, Fox Valley & Chicago suburbs.

FASHION APRIL 2022

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‘A WHOLE F AFFAIR' V

isiting a consignment shop can be like stepping into the Cave of Wonders from “Aladdin.” You could spend hours perusing an endless cache of clothing and enhancing your wardrobe with hidden gems for an affordable price.

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Rojek. “When my daughter was born, I would go to Once Upon A Child and shop there for her.”

every part of the family is represented as much as possible.

Since opening its doors at the beginning of December, at the intersection of Main Street and Route 31, Double Take Consignment has encouraged the entire family to find something to love.

Rojek was inspired to open her own shop, thinking she would start with the store she already knew and loved. Instead, Rojek opened an independent business but ultimately closed it after three years to focus more on her young children. Then she once again made her foray into resale ownership.

“A store in Crystal Lake announced that she was closing, so I ended up buying her out,” says Rojek.

“We wanted it to be inclusive of the whole family, not just kids but women’s and men’s as well.”

“When I see a family come in, over the years that I’ve been doing this, I feel like there’s a look of disappointment sometimes, especially in the men’s faces when we haven’t had (menswear) in the past,” says Rojek. “Now when I tell them we have a men’s section, their eyes light up.”

“I went to school on the north shore of Chicago, and I loved shopping the resale stores up there in Highland Park and Lake Forest,” says owner Tammi

To Rojek, family is everything, a belief she carries into her business model — at both her Crystal Lake and new St. Charles locations. At Double Take,

FASHION APRIIL 2022

Rojek also understands the value of entertaining children so adults can enjoy their shopping experience. She says the kids can look at toys and books while the parents shop. “It’s a whole family affair and if we can have something for everyone, I know there’s a better chance the whole family will want to come.”

FAMILY

Secondhand treasures for every age group are available at newly opened Double Take Consignment in St. Charles

BY KELLEY WHITE | PHOTOS BY TAMMI ROJEK AND STAFF

To Rojek, consignment resale gives customers and consigners alike an opportunity to be sustainable while creating lasting relationships between a local business and the community. “I love when people come in and tell me their stories,” says Rojek. Consigners serve a vital role in Double Take, providing inventory and adding to the boutique atmosphere of the shop. “We use our baseline for women’s clothing as White House Black Market on up,” says Rojek. “We have 5,400 square feet and we want to fill it with things that are unique, so we try to find items like Anthropologie, Free People and some of the brands that are a little different than some of the regular brands, even though we also carry regular brands for the people who

Learn more about sustainable fashion on P. 21!

would like them. You never know what you’ll find.”

Rojek welcomes you to find your next treasure at Double Take Consignment and make lasting friendships with her staff: “I like a small-town feel where the customer can come in and say hi whenever, knowing they can walk in the door and see a friendly face,” she says. “We’re here for them. We’re here for community.”

 DOUBLE TAKE CONSIGNMENT – ST. CHARLES LOCATION 122 W. Main St., St. Charles 630-549-6284 Facebook: Double Take Consignment St. Charles

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WITH DR. TARUN MULLICK

A

s spring approaches, find a warm-weather outfit and head out to dinner without needing to scrape the windshield first. Kane County offers so many delicious options!

In downtown Geneva, right at the entrance to historic Third Street is Niche, featuring original, high-end contemporary cuisine. The chef sources ingredients regionally and varies the menu seasonally in order to tantalize our taste buds.

To start, I had the blistered green beans, served with bagna cauda, made from garlic and anchovies and served almost like a fondue; toasted macadamia nuts; and a touch of rich lemon. What a presentation with robust flavor that still keeps my waistline intact!

 Dr. Tarun Mullick is a specialist trained at Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy based in Geneva.

Connect with him at www.mullickmd. com or by phone at 630-232-2025.

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DINING & ENTERTAINING APRIIL 2022

Next, I tried the pan-seared fjord trout. The sear on this beautiful fish, regionally sourced, gives it a wonderful crisp outside yet fluffy, light inside. It is adorned with celery root hash, sherried shiitake mushrooms and roquette greens.

It is topped with a tarragon vinaigrette and a hollandaise that just takes this dish over the top. It is accompanied by crispy potatoes, which I sampled a tiny bit just to save the carb count but yet get that rich flavor.

All this in a very elegant environment leaves you wanting to come back over and over!

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Ask the doctor

It is my honor and privilege to serve the community and readership of this publication. Our practice’s focus is to care for patients, to help them and tailor their care individually with current therapies.

Q: Why do hospitals cost more than endoscopy centers?

A: I honestly don’t know the answer except to say you can get a

colonoscopy for facility fees way less at endocenters like ours compared to the brand-name, expensive hospitals. It likely has to do with layers of administration. That being said, the same quality and a more personal touch is given in endocenters.

Insurance companies and those with higher deductibles prefer these centers as costs are way less with the same doctors and service.

Q: Has the pandemic changed the guidelines for screening?

A: No, the guidelines for screening are the same even amid the pandemic. In fact, a lot of people have postponed their screenings or surveillance, which has resulted in more cancers and other later stage diseases. I recommend catching up with the screenings and surveillance so that you are up to date.

Q: Why have there been more cancer deaths lately?

A: During the pandemic many people put off the all-too-important

screenings and surveillance that was needed. As a result, cancer deaths unnecessarily increased.

Q: Do you offer telehealth? Many practices don’t? What do you think about that?

A: Yes, we offer telehealth. This means you can get treatment

without leaving your home. We will only bring you in for necessary tests, and you can choose locations away from hospitals. It’s safer to go to smaller practices and centers away like ours. In general, it appears telehealth is here to stay for years to come. It presents an alternative. And, for those, who don’t like waits — we call you. Thus, you can continue to do whatever you need to in the meanwhile.

Q: Has the screening age of colonoscopy for cancer changed to 45?

A: Yes, recently a study was done that demonstrated a significant increase in colon cancer for current 27-year-olds compared to a 27-year-old from 40 years ago. This prompted the change of the guidelines for men and women to get screened with a colonoscopy at age 45 rather than 50.

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Dear Jane: Great question. Colon cancer can affect anyone, regardless of family history. Everyone over age 45 should get a colonoscopy. If you have family history you should start at age 40 or 10 to 15 years before the youngest relative with a problem. Screening helps reduce risk.

Dr. Mullick, I’ve got bloating and gas. Sometimes I have diarrhea or nausea after I eat. Could I have food allergies?

My doctor said it’s IBS (irritable bowel). Kristen

Dear Kristen: Yes, food intolerances to lactose, sucrose and fructose are common, so you may need to avoid those. We have tests in the office for that. The symptoms of IBS and food allergies are often similar, so testing for food allergies is reasonable. We can test for that, too. We have helped many patients diagnosed with food allergies, so it’s not all IBS.

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DINING & ENTERTAINING APRIL 2022

27

ANSWERS: Easter, Jellybean, Colonoscopy, Telehealth, Flowers

NOT HIS FATHER’S s o c a T Fernando Martinez has crafted his own recipes for success

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske Photos by Shaw Media and provided by Fernando Martinez

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DINING & ENTERTAINING APRIIL 2022

 FERNANDO’S STREET KITCHEN 12 S. Water St., Batavia 630-326-9105 www.fernandosstreetkitchen.com

P

icture this: warm corn tortillas filled with grilled brisket and nachos topped with elote.

Chef Fernando Martinez says those aren’t his father’s recipes.

And he loves it.

After years of working in his parents’ Mexican restaurant, managing his own restaurant and taking time off for a venture in a new career, Martinez is back in the kitchen, having just rented a space in downtown Batavia. The longtime Batavia resident — and now owner of Fernando’s Street Kitchen — jokes it’s like having a restaurant in his backyard.

Martinez was just 15 when his parents opened El Taco Grande in Batavia, serving tacos and burritos. He got his start busing tables, taking orders and later joining his older brothers and father in the kitchen.

After years in the family restaurant, he launched Fernando’s in Geneva, but the love of the food met the challenges of working long hours seven days a week and missing time with his family. Martinez decided, after 20 years in the restaurant business, he needed a change.

He enrolled in cosmetology school during the day to learn the art of hair styling and coloring, continuing to work nights at the restaurant. When he earned his certificate, he closed the restaurant business and joined his wife to manage a small hair salon.

For the last 10 years Martinez has colored and cut hair for men and women, but the love of food was never far away. About three years ago he and his father took a trip to Mexico; the two went on a food journey, sampling cuisines from street vendors in Mexico City.

Martinez says he hired a guide to help them better explore the best street vendors.

It was from that trip that he was inspired to return to the kitchen and cook for others. He started a catering business where he would prepare dishes, load them into his truck and deliver to events and parties. As business grew, he purchased a trailer and offered onsite food preparation. Parking on someone’s driveway, he’d serve his street tacos to hungry friends gathered for parties.

“I’m trying to bring the flavors of Mexico back to our area. I offer something different,” Martinez says.

One trailer grew to three, and word of his food had him booking more than block parties. He’s prepared individual boxed lunches for corporate events to feed 150 people and catering options for events that feed more than 500.

Last year he learned about a restaurant space on Water Street, in downtown Batavia. He decided to park his trailers temporarily and open a restaurant, but this time it would be on his schedule. Dine-in and carryout at Fernando’s Street Kitchen is available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for lunch and dinner, providing

the other days with time for him to prepare and manage his catering operations, whether prepping for a wedding or serving food at a brewery or local event.

In the kitchen he’s recruited two of his brothers to lend a hand. His now-retired dad, Manuel Martinez, stops in to visit and check on him. Manuel came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1966 at the age of 14. Among his first jobs was as a dishwasher at a hotel, later working his way up to cooking.

Manuel met his wife, Ancelma, when he accepted a job working at a local greenhouse. She was the owner’s daughter. They worked, saved and decided to plant the family roots in Batavia. “At the time, there were not too many restaurants in Batavia,” Manuel Martinez recalls.

“We always wanted to have good quality food. That’s what I teach (Fernando), to always get the best quality.”

Manuel speaks with pride about his son, impressed to see him bring flavors like brisket tacos or the way he enjoys cooking up breakfast tacos at an outdoor market in the summer. “He can do most anything,” he says.

While the restaurant is fun, for Fernando Martinez, there is a greater joy to be outside, grilling and serving warm food, much like the street vendors he admires. While he jokes it’s the opportunity to serve dinner with a show, it offers the chef a chance to witness people enjoying his foods and to engage in banter over the sizzling cheese on the griddle.

DINING & ENTERTAINING APRIL 2022

29

a fresh take

INCORPORATING BEAUTY IN EVERY BITE — MINUS THE PRICE TAG

By Katie McCall, local food columnist

M

any years ago, I had the unique opportunity to dine at Thomas Keller’s three-star Michelin restaurant The French Laundry in Yountville, California. While I can’t recall everything I ate from the nine-course, prix fixe tasting menu (except for the glorious box of handmade chocolates presented at the end of the meal), the warm ambiance, immaculate service and stunning presentation of each dish will forever be ingrained in my mind.

After the three-hour meal, I wandered across the street to the restaurant’s culinary garden; it was just

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DINING & ENTERTAINING APRIIL 2022

before sunset and golden rays filtered through rows upon rows of lettuces, herbs, heirloom tomatoes, radishes, beans and the like. I watched the gardeners carefully pick the produce and then walk across the street, delivering them to the kitchen staff. Within hours, these gems would appear on the dinner plates.

In that moment, I felt utterly grateful. Grateful to have dined at this restaurant, but more so to have been raised in a home where good, wholesome food was valued and regularly celebrated. Memories of picking beans from our family’s garden and running them up to the porch didn’t seem too far off from the culinary gardeners at The French Laundry … except our meal

Photo by Victoria C Photos

HAUTE CUISINE at home didn’t cost an arm and a leg!

That’s when it hit me: What excited me most about food was its natural beauty — and a Michelin-starred dining experience wasn’t needed to achieve that.

Sure, my meal was filled with caviar, Champagne and warm hand towels, but in all honesty, I enjoyed the simplicity of homegrown green beans sauteed in butter and seasoned with salt and pepper all the same.

After my trip, I made a commitment to incorporate beautiful elements into my life — and onto my plate — because beauty is intrinsically tied to quality. And

when we genuinely appreciate the quality of something, big or small, we can connect with it on a more visceral level.

For me, the most obvious way to achieve this was growing my own little culinary garden. It started out small with a few herbs and tomato plants from my mom, but over the years, I experimented and expanded my humble plot to include a variety of squash, beans, peas, lettuces, peppers and eggplant.

I believe knowing exactly where something comes from, how it’s grown or who made it automatically gives an object more value, making it less disposable and forgettable. With these fundamentals in mind, we’re essentially forcing ourselves to be present with what’s before us, and the act of preparing and eating food becomes therapeutic.

As a culinary professional and lover of food, I will always look forward to a “fancy” dinner out, but these days, I relish in being home and elevating the day’s most basic dishes (see this month’s recipe) with the addition of a freshly picked herb, unexpected ingredient or locally sourced product. My kitchen might not have a Michelin star, but bringing a little bit of beauty to my table every day is good enough for me.

RICOTTA & JAM TOAST Though hardly a “recipe,” this delicious spin on morning toast is a perfect example of taking something average and elevating it to something beautiful. I love this toast with a hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning or as a late afternoon snack. Kids love it, too!

SERVES 1-2

 Katie McCall, former owner of Two Wild Seeds Baking Co., is a bona fide Midwestern girl. Raised on four acres of rural property in Yorkville, she was always taught to respect nature and all of its bounty. From foraging morel mushrooms in the woods to picking wild black raspberries for homemade jam, Katie feels most at home when in nature and preparing food for others. When she’s not creating new dishes in the kitchen (and writing about them) she can be found nose-deep in cookbooks, exploring the outdoors with her family — and eating … always eating.

INGREDIENTS: • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese • 1/4 cup strawberry jam • 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest • 2 slices of favorite bread, toasted • 4 fresh strawberries, sliced • Cinnamon • Sprig of fresh thyme

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DINING & ENTERTAINING APRIL 2022

31

April SHOWERS May bring

FLOWERS

T

here’s a reason why flowers make us go “ooh” and “ahh” when we see them in the garden. Plants need showy or fragrant flowers to attract the insects that pollinate them. Flowers are the whole reason certain plants exist … they help produce seed, which technically helps the plant carry on to the next generation. Of course, many plants don’t actively reproduce and reseed themselves, but the process is still in place. And even though flowers are the working part of plants, they are enjoyed by humans, too.

I plan entire gardens around flowering plants

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HOME & LIFESTYLE APRIIL 2022

because they bring us such joy while also attracting pollinators. I also cut tons of flowers in my own garden and arrange bouquets as often as I can.

There is no reason that you can’t snip a few flowers off of your favorite plants. Even a simple Mason jar of cut zinnias will brighten my kitchen counter all summer. It’s wonderful to share your flowers — make a quick bouquet and hand it to a neighbor as they walk by. Drop some flowers from your garden off at the nurse’s station at the local hospital or doctor’s office. Send a little nosegay to your child’s teacher with a little note of support. Don’t be afraid that you are hurting the plant — just clip away!

There’s plenty for the pollinators still!

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR CUTTING FLOWERS: Make a fresh cut at the base of the stem right before you put flower stems in water.

No need to add anything to the water — just change it every other day and you’ll get longer life.

Pick flowers early in the morning or late at night to avoid heat of day and wilting. Be creative! Try anything once — you never know how it will hold up until you try.

Try your hand at drying flowers: Hang flowers upside down in a cool place (for example, the basement) and when dry, use in arrangements (no water). I have a giant bowl of dried hydrangea that I’ve had for several years!

Pick leaves from trees (either green or with fall color) and press them between heavy book pages. Once they are dry, wire them to a skewer to arrange or use them flat, scattered about.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE PLANTS AND FLOWERS FOR CUTTING THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON:  PERENNIALS: • Iris • Goldenrod • Peonies • Penstemon • Hosta (their leaves look AWESOME in bouquets!)

• Daylilies (only last a day but they have other buds waiting to bloom) • Bee balm • Sedum • Salvia • False indigo • Catmint • Dianthus • Calamint • Peonies

• • • • • • • •

Allium Lavender Russian sage Fern fronds Black-eyed Susan Coneflowers Gaillardia Grasses (leaves and plumes look great in arrangements!)

 SHRUBS & TREES: • Lilacs • Pussy willow • Viburnum • Contorted hazelnut • Hydrangea • Saint-John’s wort • Forsythia stems

• • • •

Roses Crabapple stems Ninebark stems Red twig dogwood stems • Tree peonies

Let us grow them into the garden of your dreams.

 ANNUALS: • Zinnias • Sunflowers • Cosmos • Sweet peas • Tithonia • Basil • Geranium • Rosemary • Salvia • Marigolds • Coleus • Gomphrena • Pansies

Meagan is the Senior Landscape Designer at Wasco Nursery in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@ wasconursery.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

HOME & LIFESTYLE APRIL 2022

33

‘A WELL-OILE MACHINE’ From concept to installation, Douglas Carpet One thrives on making renovation dreams come true

By Vicki Martinka Petersen | Photos by Kathy Green, RCG Photography

C

ustomers who step into the showroom at Douglas Carpet One in Batavia are often welcomed by the company’s most valued and furriest employee: a friendly service dog, Brady.

“My dog, Brady, is the official greeter. He’s also been in a lot of our ads,” says Belinda Demski, sales manager.

It’s that level of service and hospitality from both the human and canine employees that have made Douglas Carpet a fixture of the Fox Valley area since 1964.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE APRIIL 2022

Part of the Carpet One national chain, Douglas Carpet prides itself in being a hometown destination for the community’s remodeling needs. “We’re family-owned and -operated. We keep our company small, giving employees the opportunity to play many roles,” Demski says.

founders Len and Marilyn Douglas’ basement in their North Aurora home. The Douglas family opened a storefront in North Aurora, then later expanded to a second location in Geneva. In the ’80s, Douglas passed the torch to his sons Mike and Jim, who now own the company.

Douglas Carpet also is proud to provide their customers with top-notch service thanks to its loyal, hardworking and knowledgeable staff. “Everyone that's been here tends to stay. So it’s really like a family without a lot of turnover,” Demski says. “We’re a well-oiled machine.”

A lot has changed over the nearly 60 years of the business. In February, Douglas Carpet consolidated from its two locations in Geneva and North Aurora into a bigger space at the former TGI Fridays building in Batavia. “The move gave us more room and a chance to own a building rather than renting a space,” says Demski.

The company began as Douglas Flooring Inc. in

ED ’ “

Everyone that’s been here tends to stay. So it’s really like a family without a lot of turnover.

We’re a well-oiled machine.

“

- Belinda Demski, sales manager

HOME & LIFESTYLE APRIL 2022

35

One of the biggest changes was when the company moved into the digital age, first digitizing records and later creating a social media presence. “When I started with the company about 26 years ago, everything was handwritten including orders and receipts,” Demski says. "As a team we ventured into the computer age with everyone on board."

The last two years saw the largest sales in the company’s history. People spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic tackled home improvements projects, and the company saw $13 million in sales in 2021. To put that in context, the company had $100,000 in sales in 1982 when the Douglas sons took over the business. Bathroom remodels have been popular the last two years as well as replacing stair runners, says Demski.

The process for a project begins with people coming into the showroom to see if the offerings match their design aspirations. The company offers a wide variety of flooring, including carpet, luxury vinyl, hardwood, tile and laminate.

“Between Pinterest and home improvement shows, most people know a style direction they want to go,” Demski says. “It’s really about narrowing down a style and color.”

Next they’ll do an in-home consultation and take

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HOME & LIFESTYLE APRIIL 2022

measurements. That information is used to put together a comprehensive proposal they’ll go over with the clients. “We can provide everything from the materials through installation. Customers pick how much or how little help they want,” Demski says.

Like many industries, the pandemic has affected wait times for materials and labor, but one of the perks of Douglas Carpet is they employ their own installers rather than subcontract. Over the next few years, Douglas Carpet will continue providing residential services in the Fox Valley area at an even pace.

She also sees the company continuing to grow with commercial projects including schools, government buildings, and police and fire stations.

No matter what type of project they do, Douglas Carpet prides itself in its great sales staff and team members.

“They spend time away from their own families to help all people make choices for what’s best for their homes and for their families,” Demski says.  DOUGLAS CARPET ONE 490 N. Randall Road, Batavia 630-618-2640 www.douglascarpetone.com

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490 N. Randall Rd., Batavia 630-892-8600 www.douglascarpetone.com • find us on

Spring

CLEANING! S ince childhood you’ve probably heard the saying that April showers bring May flowers and are probably also used to a traditional “spring cleaning” ritual of some sort. At our

place this is the time of year that my wife, Gina, proclaims

that our “yard is a disaster” and dictates that our family proceed to

edge, mulch, mow, trim, prune, and weed and seed post-haste. A casual

bystander may think that they had stumbled onto a natural disaster site and that FEMA would soon roll into our cul-de-sac to help address this

dire situation. We dutifully snap to attention and within weeks there is a magical transformation, which largely should be credited to Mother Nature but which we have learned to praise Gina for.

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BUSINESS & CIVIC APRIIL 2022

If this is a scenario you can relate to, then we are brethren in a pretty large club. What this time of year can also be a good reminder for is for you to do some spring cleaning of your financial house. Here are a few things that warrant your attention and can lead to a brighter future you can be proud of.

 UPDATE YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN It is estimated that only one in four people have a written financial plan and if you are part of that minority, you have already taken an important step towards financial security. Unfortunately, many of those who invest their time in assembling a plan file it away once the exercise is complete. It should be a living document, and now is a good time to review and update.

For the majority that have yet to take the step of developing a plan, there is no time like the present to do so. If you feel that you don’t have enough money to warrant a plan or that it might be too expensive to do so, you are misinformed. Regardless of your current net worth, you need and deserve a plan.  TIME TO REFLECT Just because it is now April and tax season is coming to an end, this is not the time to forget about the pain you probably just went through. Now is a great opportunity to review your current position and what you can do to make tax time less burdensome next year. A few quick suggestions include: • Recommit to saving receipts and having good documentation around your charitable donations of time and treasure.

• Revisit your retirement savings rate. Are you maximizing your 401(k) contributions? Are you funding an IRA each year? (You can and should do both!) Are you on

track for the retirement you dream about or the one you dread? This is important.

• Review your investments. How tax efficient were they? Were your 1099s comprised primarily of shortterm capital gains or were you able to realize more friendly long-term capital gains? Do you understand everything you are invested in, and do each of your investments have a clear goal and purpose?

• Review your spending habits. Are you differentiating between your “wants” and your “needs”? Are you paying attention to your cashflow or just checking your balances to make sure that you are covered?

Are you spending from a cash position or do you find yourself using a credit card frequently for personal purchases? A little attention here can make a big difference.

Few plan to fail, but many of us fail to plan. Make the commitment today to do the things your future self will be grateful for!

Photo by Indre Cantero

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or plan provider. Any opinions are those of Tom McCartney and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

 Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a Wealth Manager.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services Offered Through Raymond James Financial Services, a Registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Adviser, Member FINRA/SIPC. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated.

Tom and his team can be reached at info@ mapyourfuture.net, at 630-457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net .

BUSINESS & CIVIC APRIL 2022

39

Artist OF THE MONTH

CAROLINA MARTINEZ The Tri-Cities are booming with arts and artists — perhaps nowhere more vibrantly than Batavia’s Water Street Studios, which hosts events, galleries and up to 25 artists in residence. Each month, Kane County Magazine and Water Street Studios are partnering to highlight artists and their work.

1.

C

arolina Martinez was shopping one day when something caught her eye.

“I noticed a fridge with a slice of cake that glistened with the most beautiful colors,” she remembers.

“I decided I wanted to paint it … I am very proud of the final result and enjoyed the process immensely which I think is what my practice needed at the moment.”

Martinez produced eight gouache paintings of different slices of cake, two of which are pictured here. As an artist, she uses “images that evoke personal and universal experiences” to “connect my inner world with that of the observer.”

“I use digital and traditional painting to create landscapes, places and narratives about things that intrigue me and delight me,” she says.

The Colombian-born illustrator has been a resident artist at Water Street Studios since October 2020, an experience that came about after she discovered the studio through the local farmers market. “I was immediately impressed to find such a well-established art community,” she notes.

Martinez incorporates graphic design, commercial illustration and paintings — both digital and traditional — to tell stories of the everyday world. Through a 2016 fellowship at Chicago-based Spudnik Press, she also worked with screen printing. “I created a series of prints where I could combine the expressiveness and freedom of painting through the sometimes clean, sometimes messy and unexpected repetition of the colors and forms that provide the silkscreen,” she says.

If art feels like it’s not within your realm of possibility, Martinez would ask you to think again.

“There’s a common misconception that art is only for some people and only done by the naturally gifted,” she says.

“And I think art can be expressed in many ways and talent comes after, when you cultivate ideas by pursuing interests, techniques and skills that take time to develop.”

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ART APRIIL 2022

2.

3.

DETAILS OF CAROLINA MARTINEZ’S WORK: 4.

5.

To purchase or learn more about these creations, visit www.caromartillustration. com or www.waterstreetstudios.org/ shopwaterstreet.  Some Cake (1 of 8): gouache on panel, 5x7, at Water Street Studios outside Studio 9, $400  Walter Sketches: digital illustration, 11x11, not for sale  Island: screen printing, 22x14, at Water Street Studios outside Studio 9, $350  Coyoacan: digital illustration/giclee print, 11x14, at Water Street Studios outside Studio 9, $100  Some Cake (2 of 8): gouache on panel, 5x7, at Water Street Studios outside Studio 9, $400

Since studying visual arts in her hometown of Bogota, Colombia, Carolina Martinez has worked as an artist, creating illustrations and paintings that use color “as a main tool for expression.” “I relish the aesthetic pleasure of simple things,” she says. Learn more at www. caromartillustration.com or @caromartartwork on Instagram.

For more information on the artist of the month, head to www.waterstreetstudios.org or the organization’s social media pages.

ART APRIL 2022

41

Chalk it up

A Q&A with local artist Leah McCloskey, who’s recently taken her talents to the sidewalk

By Chris Walker | Photos provided by Leah McCloskey

W

hen life gave Leah McCloskey lemons, she made chalk art.

The South Elgin resident has used her art as a way of coping during these past two years as the licensed massage therapist and henna, pyrography and chalk artist had to close her business for a brief time.

Recently, Kane County Magazine talked with McCloskey about her artwork and how she’s evolved.  KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE: How did you get starting doing chalk art?

LEAH MCCLOSKEY: When I had to close my office as a licensed massage therapist in Elgin in 2020 for the mandated quarantine of nonessential workers, I started chalking. I had always wanted to play

42

ART APRIIL 2022

with the medium, but never really had time.

Suddenly time was all I had. I chalked rolls of toilet paper around my street as a way of comic relief, also a few birthday wishes and Mother's Day wishes for family and friends that I couldn’t gather with. It just blossomed from there.  KC: What motivated you to do this?

LM: It's a way for me to express myself, test out ideas for upcoming projects and give back to my community by putting smiles on people's faces.  KC: How long do most of your chalk creations take, and how do you do it?

LM: Most pieces take between an hour and a half to four hours. I use both artist chalk, pastels and regular sidewalk chalk, and I use a brush to paint in the chalk and spread it more evenly. I also seal the piece with hairspray, so they last a really long time.  KC: You’ve also been able to turn your chalk art into a side business?

LM: I have managed to turn this into an offshoot of my art business. I get requests often to do birthday, graduation and even retirement wishes. I also did a couple of “welcome back to school” wishes last year. So people send me ideas and concepts; if I have the time and the weather cooperates, I let ART APRIL 2022

43

them know my price per hour and how long I estimate the idea to take me, and we go from there.  KC: What are your favorite chalk art creations?

LM: My favorite pieces so far have been Frida Kahlo, Michelle Kwan, elephant with balloons, a frog, a dog memorial. OK, there's just too many.  KC: What’s next?

LM: I'm not sure, but I'd like to do some

sort of treasure hunt with chalk art. My boyfriend and I came up with the idea last year. I like to sneak out and chalk late at night, so it would be fun to do them in random spots around my neighborhood and leave clues where and when to find the next one. I don't know if it will come to fruition, but it sounds like a fun challenge, as long as I don't get arrested for late-night chalk graffiti. I have a lot of wood-burning projects coming up as well, some are commissions and some are ideas I need to get out of my head.

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ART APRIIL 2022

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CHILDREN • FAMILIES • SENIORS • HEADSHOTS Thank you for voting RCG Photography among the th BEST OF THE FOX for the consecutive year!

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 SUBURBAN SUPERDAD 

MUSIC TO MY EARS

FROM TRAIN TRACKS TO POPULAR DISNEY MOVIES, GET A GLIMPSE INTO THE SOUNDTRACK OF BEING SUPERDAD

A

s a kid, on trips from my home in the suburbs into the city, the questions would roll into my mind and often off my lips.

And my dad, who was born and raised in the city — or another relative who either worked or had lived there — was usually nearby to give ready answers (that were usually historically reliable).

The paraphrased exchanges went something like this: Q: Why are there so many skyscrapers in Chicago?

A: Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and Daniel Burnham (mostly).

Q: Why aren’t the buildings right up next to the lake, like on the beach in Florida?

A: See again: Burnham. And aren’t you glad they’re not?

Q: Why are Chicago drivers so crazy?

A: (Laughter ) That will all make sense when you’re older.

But, in addition to deeper, societal questions — the answers to which included the words “racism,” “redlining,” “immigration” and “Mayor Daley” (among others), one particular observation lingered in the back of my mind into adulthood: Q: How can anyone live with their window that close to the train tracks?

A: Because it just becomes background noise.

My young suburban mind just couldn’t wrap itself around how anything so loud, so annoying and so frequent did not automatically make living conditions, well, automatically unlivable.

Then, two things happened.

First, my bride and I bought our first home.

And the first night, as we settled in for bed, we discovered our cozy little old house also came with its own built-in nighttime soundtrack, thanks to the apparently busy transcontinental freight rail superhighway running less than a mile from our bedroom windows.

Within a few weeks, our brains had rewired to essentially block out the sound, leaving it noticeable

to anyone who may visit but rendering the honks, squeaks and dings all but inaudible to us — except when they resumed after falling silent on a holiday or slower weekend.

But little did we know, an even more enduring addition to our family soundtrack would soon blow in like a blizzard through our open door, courtesy of The Walt Disney Co., two sister princesses, a jovial magic snowman and everyone else associated with the production of Disney’s “Frozen.”

It quickly became apparent our little darling was not — maybe ever — going to simply let it go.

Within days, it was obvious this little savant had seemingly somehow managed to learn every word of every song in the show. And within months, the frosty earworms had managed to burrow into our minds as well.

(Since you will ask, yes, I know nearly all the words to many “Frozen” selections. Yes, I do still want to build a snowman. But no, I will not sing about it, except as part of my fatherly duties to ambush, annoy and embarrass my offspring.)

For many months, the answer to the question of “What movie would you like to watch?” came with one, cold answer, and sometimes tears when Mom and Dad suggested we view something else.

As the years wore on and the obsession diminished only slightly, her younger sister took up the icy baton.

Wandering into the unknown, their mother and I felt lost in the woods, dismaying over whether Elsa would ever relinquish her icy grip, leaving us waiting on a miracle, hoping we may yet see what happens to Frozen (water) when it gets warm.

Then, one day, like suddenly noticing a train had not sounded a whistle for an extended period of time, it became obvious: A magical transformation in the background soundtrack of our lives had suddenly occurred.

And here is where I doff my cap in wonder to the incomparable modern titan of musical theater, LinManuel Miranda, whose talents produced Disney’s

“Encanto.”

Within days of viewing the film, it was again obvious our young ones were, dare I say, enchanted by the Colombian cultural backdrop, story, imagery and — most importantly, for us — the music of “Encanto.”

While his work on “Hamilton” and “Moana” are personal favorites, Miranda’s lasting legacy in our household may come from the adventures of La Familia Madrigal, whose abilities, charm and Latin rhythms have unexpectedly dethroned Elsa, Anna and Olaf.

At a minimum, I can say with confidence the Madrigals and “Encanto” have established a welcome rival kingdom at war for the hearts, minds and vocal cords of my young ones. And their tropical charm has, for now, thawed the frozen heart of this dad.

With no offense at all to the incomparable Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell and Josh Gad, given a choice, I will almost always opt for slapping Latin pop over Broadway-style showtunes.

At some point, no doubt, there will come a time when I no longer wish to talk about Bruno.

But for now, I believe I can speak for many other parents across the world in saying: Today is not that day.

Thank you, Mr. Miranda. In a world (and households) desperately in need of a change to the background, you delivered. Un Encanto, indeed.  Jonathan Bilyk writes about the triumphs and travails of being a modern-day dad who legitimately enjoys time with his family, while tolerating a dog that seems to adore him. He also doesn’t really like the moniker “Superdad” because it makes it sound like he wants to wear his undergarments on the outside of his pants. (Also, the cape remains on back order.)

FAMILY IN FOCUS APRIL 2022

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help track

flowers

Spot Virginia bluebells and other ephemerals, then log them in the iNaturalist app

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photos provided by St. Charles Park District

T

hey are the first signs of spring.

Although the bloom of tender flowers known as spring ephemerals may be brief, they bring essential nutrients to insects while offering humans a reminder that warmer weather lies ahead.

The St. Charles Park District is bringing back its popular Spring Ephemerals project, inviting the public to help locate these first blooms, found between March and May. Residents can help record the blooms like white trout lily and Virginia bluebell, using the free iNaturalist app.

This spring the program is back and the District has teamed up with several local organizations to expand the scope of participation. Other places to search for spring ephemerals will include locations maintained by Wild Ones of Greater Kane County, Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Geneva Park District, Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary, Trout Park in Elgin, Campton Township Open Space, Dundee Township Open Space and The Conservation Foundation.

These annual blooms are found on the forest floor, before the lush canopy of leaves fills in overhead and limits the sunlight to the forest’s ground layer. Last year the St. Charles Park District launched the program to document sightings of

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, and search for Kane County, IL: Spring 2022 Ephemerals. Through the app participants can photograph and chart sightings of these flowers such as bloodroots, snowdrops and skunk cabbage.

And now you can help locate these early bloomers too in a citizen science project.

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the flowers. In addition to the iNaturalist project, an ephemeral walk was set up in Delnor Woods Park, offering signage to help identify and locate the variety of species. The program proved to be a fun way to gather data, and people enjoyed the extra experience of hunting for the blooms on their walks, says Chris Gingrich, assistant superintendent of outdoor education.

FAMILY IN FOCUS APRIIL 2022

Although ephemerals can be spotted in almost any woodland in the area, one of the best venues in St. Charles to spot them is Delnor Woods, Gingrich says. This is the reason the park was chosen as the location for signage explaining what ephemerals are and for identifying various species while they were in bloom. Strolling along the paved path, visitors have been able to spy and learn about the plants.

Participants in last year’s iNaturalist projects logged more than 300 sightings around the St. Charles area and showed that bloodroot was the most observed species of spring ephemeral in the St. Charles area, Gingrich says. He adds his favorite is the trout lily, which creates a carpet-like colony in undisturbed areas and can be found along the trails at Delnor Woods.

“It’s cool from our perspective to see where the flowers are living and doing well, and while talking with walkers at Delnor Woods, people will often ask about adding some of these to their own backyard,” Gingrich says. “The app and walk are great ways to learn and provides a fun data set of

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS SERVING THE FOX VALLEY AREA

Another popular bloom is the mayapple, whose flower blooms under a large wide leaf. See if you can find Dutchman’s-breeches, named because the small white and pink flowers resemble pants hanging upside down as though they were on a laundry line.

“Some of these plants will peek up and pop up through the snow, like the eastern skunk cabbage, which produces heat that can melt snow and help it get an early start,” Gingrich says.

Some may find these blooms in their own backyard, Gingrich says. Other great places to look in St. Charles include around Hickory Knolls and

Persimmon Woods, which have recently undergone restoration, he says. With the project boundary for iNaturalist now including all of Kane County, people can submit observations from parks, forest preserves and other locations throughout the county. Other partners in the program will also be putting out signs in their own parks to help visitors learn about these spring wildflowers.

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These blooms, which often appear only briefly in nature, are essential food sources to small insects and pollinators as they emerge in the spring. For those of us ready to shed our layers of winter clothing, they are the reminder that days filled with longer hours of sunlight and warmer temperatures are well on their way.

FAMILY IN FOCUS APRIL 2022

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Grab a Books are in fashion, too — set aside some time this spring to read! Here are two recommendations for your April reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.

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FAMILY IN FOCUS APRIIL 2022

 FOR YOUR KIDS OR GRANDKIDS: "The Canyon's Edge" by Dusti Bowling

 FOR OUR READERS: “The Chilbury Ladies' Choir” by Jennifer Ryan

Could you survive a disaster in the desert?

That's what middle-schooler Nora has to discover in the action-packed story "The Canyon's Edge" by Dusti Bowling.

Nora's mom was killed at a restaurant on Nora's birthday. For the next year, Nora and her dad struggle with their injuries, both physical and emotional. Nora uses poetry to cope with her grief. Exactly one year after the shooting, Nora and her dad embark on a climbing trip to a slot canyon, deep in the desert of Arizona where they can explore and find peace.

As they reach the bottom of the canyon, disaster strikes. A flood tears through the canyon, carrying away Nora's father and all of her supplies. Alone in the desert, Nora faces snakes, scorpions and her nightmares. She has no food, no water and no way to call for help.

Nora has to dig deep to find the strength and courage to save herself — and her dad — against all odds.

This is a fast-paced adventure story full of suspense. Readers in grades 5 and up who like survival stories will love this book!

— Lexy Rodriguez, librarian

A heartwarming novel with intrigue and mystery mixed in, the story of “The Chilbury Ladies' Choir” by Jennifer Ryan starts when the local vicar terminates the choir because all the men are away at war. How can there be a successful choir without men? Well, the Chilbury Ladies' Choir finds a way to make it work.

It’s important for the village to come together and help each other get through the harsh realities of World War II. In fact, the women not only make the choir work — they go on to win awards and provide strength and comfort to their community. Through journal entries and letters, Ryan reveals the difficulties, unfaithfulness, dishonesties and victories of five members of the choir. There is a shy widow grieving her son’s choice to join the war effort; the daughter of a local powerful family attracted to an artist; her younger sister longing for an unrealistic crush; a refugee hiding a secret; and a midwife looking to bury her shady past. It’s a satisfying read as the characters grow, face their fears and discover how to make the best of the challenges they face during a bleak period in history.

— Kay DiVerde, library associate

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