Shore Magazine by The Times of NWI

style & culture

april 2011

the architecture issue Saving the Homes of Tomorrow, Today IT’S NOT EASY

6 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM Z

INCLUDING Jeremy Gantz on DOWNTOWN DREAMS Andy Shaw on RETIRED JUSTICE STEVENS JOHN CAIN’S Mystery Dinner in Michigan City

C h o pa r d i s s i m o – T h e r e v o lv i n g s i g n aT u r e r i n g

711 Main Street • Schererville, IN 219-322-2700 • www.albertsjewelers.com

ONE MAGNIFICENT LIFE. In Harbor Country, you don’t buy real estate — you buy a state of mind. The lakeshore, the parks, the architecture and all the experiences that let you live One Magnificent Life.

11097 Marquette, neW BuffaLo

49015 e Mckean, neW BuffaLo

15560 Lakeshore, union pier

11097Marquette.rubloff.com Lakefront estate, 200’ lake frtg, guest house, pool, htd drive. $9,900,000 Will schauble 312.860.4192

49015eMckean.rubloff.com spacious 5Br/5Ba beach house w/ lakefront deck.$1,950,000 Gail Lowrie 269.469.8730

15560Lakeshore.rubloff.com Lakefront estate w/125’ frtg. 4400sf home,1Br coach house. $4,495,000 Will schauble 312.860.4192

101 n Generations, three oaks

13241 royaL Dune,neW BuffaLo

3443 n 1000 West, fair oaks

101nGenerations.rubloff.com contemporary urban loft home. 5Ba/ 5Ba, truly stunning $990,000 call Mario or ron 269.469.8300

13241royalDune.rubloff.com Lakefront bldg site w/145’ on Lake Michigan on 1.1 acres. $1,250,000 call Jan or Donna 269.469.8300

3443n1000west.rubloff.com 320 acre retreat in nW indiana. Lodge home, pond, outbldgs. $1,450,000 Mario Zarantenello 269.469.8751

1961 caMp MaDron, Buchanan

204 sunset traiL, Michiana

12655 Davis, Buchanan

1961campMadron.rubloff.com Lakefront home w/3Br/2Ba,deck, scrn porch & garage. $449,000 call Debbie or Jan 269.469.8300

204sunset.rubloff.com Michiana treasure on 3 lots, fp, wd flrs, short walk to beach. $499,900 Donna iwamoto 269.469.8726

12655Davis.rubloff.com Wine country farmhouse on 12 stunning acres. $359,000 chuck heaver 312.404.2861

450 Lupine, Michiana

209 first street, GaLien

4235 haiLey, st Joseph

450Lupine.rubloff.com Michiana shores new renovation, 3Br/2Ba/2cG, pvt wded lot. $375,000 Bobbie cavic 269.469.8748

209first.rubloff.com Brick duplex, everything new. 2Br/1Ba/1cG. new applc. $114,000 Betty ramsey 269.469.8743

4235hailey.rubloff.com 4Br/3Ba colonial w/2 car garage, fireplace, rec room & more. $259,900 ron Zarantenello 269.469.8736

WHen yOu’re LOOkIng fOr a neW sTaTe Of MInd, THInk Of us. We’d LOve TO HeLp yOu fInd IT.

RUBLOFF.COM

225 n Whittaker, neW BuffaLo

3925 hiaWatha, Michiana

16 oseLka #8, neW BuffaLo

225nWhittaker.rubloff.com fabulous lake & harbor views. pools, patio, fitness center. start@$315,000 Jan,Mario,Deb,ron 269.469.8300

3925hiawatha.rubloff.com Michiana shores original log. 4Br/3Ba,Deeded beaches.$449,000 Bobbie cavic 269.469.8748

16oselka8.rubloff.com stunning 5000sf custom crafted lvg space & spec views. $1,150,000 Deb,Mario,Jan,ron 269.469.8300

C A R E E R TA L K | c a r e e r s @ R u b l o f f . c o m

ONE MAGNIFICENT ADDRESS | RUBLOFF.COM

BEVERLY SHORES. Lakefront. Incredible year round Lake Mich views. Cozy, comfortable lakefront home w/ lakeviews from every room. Open plan. 3 bdrms/2.5 baths, screened porch, decks front & back. 2 car garage. Lots of off street parking. Very private. Plenty of room to expand. $899,000

BEVERLY SHORES. Treehouse living? Certainly seems like it when you are enjoying the open living/dining/ kitchen on second level. Entry level w/2 bdrms & bath. 3rd. level offers a private master bdrm/bath. Multiple decks, screened porch & storage shed. Across from park & around corner from the beach. $329,000

BEVERLY SHORES. Lakefront. Designed to be a part of the landscape. Almost an acre of woods & dunegrass surrounds this lovely cedar & glass beach home. Tranquil Lake Mich & sandy shoreline views. Open plan. 2 bdrms/2 baths/den. Plenty of unfinished lower level space to expand. 2/car garage.Very private. $995,000

PORTER BEACH. What’s not to love about an all glass house with awesome 360 degree views? Views of Lake Michigan, sand dunes covered w/marram grass, glistening water in the lap pool, curtained gazebo & pots of colorful flowers that surround the house. Seductive & fabulous! $975,000

BEVERLY SHORES. What a combination of interesting architecture, totally private outdoor living w/multiple decks, screened porch, inground pool & incredible views of ‘never to be built on’ parkland. Derby Creek borders the property to the west & sandy path north to great beach. $735,000

PORTER BEACH. More views…long distance views… of Lake Mich, the Indiana Dunes State Park, family & friends swimming in the pool below. One of those timeless cedar shake coastal homes that remind you of water, sun, sand, fun & an escape from the ordinary. So much to offer…see photos & details on my website… www.dhofmann.com. Drastically reduced. $899,000

Donna Hofmann 219.331.1133 donna@dhofmann.com PORTER BEACH. Stunning Lake Mich & sandy shoreline views from this custom sculptured art form known as Tigerman’s ‘Daisy House’. 3 bdrm/3 baths, open living/dining/kitchen, den, fam room, changing/ possible 4th bdrm. Multiple decks, natural dunegrass landscaping. Sited high for possibly the best lake & Chgo skyline views along the shoreline. $799,000

Preview these and other fine properties online at www.dhofmann.com

DUNE ACRES. Lakefront. A family compound like no other. 3.5 acres w/300 ft of sandy shoreline in the premier beach community of Dune Acres. Vintage Tudor overlooking the lake w/3 car garage w/apt & studio above, sm screened beach house w/kit, bath, electricity & water. $2,400,000

The Right Approach to

On The GOlf COurse

Over 1 acre with a walk out lower level. 6 bedrooms, 8 baths, indoor pool, over 10,000 sq feet of heated and cooled living space. Double staircase, limestone and granite floors, architectural details, study, large pantry, views that are spectacular all in Gated Sand Creek Country Club Community.

Offered at $1,775,000

estate area

On the GOlf COurse

4700 sq foot Wagner built home offers spectacular golf course and lake views. Set on over a half acre wooded lot just outside the gates of Sand Creek with course access. Main floor master suite, study, very open floor plan, entertainment sized kitchen, and walk in pantry.

All Brick 2 story on a beautiful 3/4 acre lot . Study, family room open to kitchen, finished basement with bar, bath and wine tasting room. Large master suite with fireplace and sitting room. Generator, 3 car garage.

On the GOlf COurse

1712 snead avenue

On the GOlf COurse

Offered at $1,485,000

Offered at $975,000

Offered at $899,000

Offered at $798,000

Offered at $649,000

Over 1.8 acres with 5 bedrooms, open porches front and back to take in the views. Pool, carriage house, 2 bars, finished basement, library, butlers pantry and beautiful chandeliers. Sweeping wide staircases, gazebo and formal gardens, you would think you are at Tara!

Beautiful and spacious 4300 sq ft brick 2 story on a large lot in Sand Creeks Gated Estates section. Main Floor Master Suite, Study with Built-ins, Formal Living, Dining, and family room all on a large lot with water views and southern exposure.

Terrific Views of Pond/ Course/Fountain and Sunsets Quality Construction 4 beds, 3 baths, 3 car garage. study, 2 fireplaces, great room with a wall of windows. Main Floor bedroom, formal dining hardwood floors throughout.

lOts available in sand Creek

On the GOlf COurse

1200 Monterey Drive. Built in 2005 this home overlooks the Marsh Course. Open large kitchen, double sided stone fireplace, main floor master, hardwood floors are just a few of the homes features. 3 bedrooms plus a bonus room. Oh those views of ponds and course!

Offered at $499,000 Furnished

1165 ryder rOad Gated Sand Creek

Beauty All Brick Ranch Updated and Fabulous 4 bedrooms, hardwood floors, finished daylight basement, new appliances, new nickel hardware throughout. 3,300 square feet on main floor, large 3 season room, double fireplace.

Offered at $629,000

valparaisO-vernOn WOOds

910 Brae Burn Golf Course Lot $119,900 1712 Sotogrande Court .82A Water Views $279,000 1361 Nelson Drive Wooded Golf Course and Creek Views .468A $175,000 Various Lots in Phase V, IV call for prices from $79,900

1570 hOGan avenue

Updated and terrific. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances, screen porch, new carpet, finished basement, open kitchen to family room, study, formal living, dining room, wooded Lot.

Offered at $329,900

1099 MissiOn hills Ct

This one of a kind townhouse in Sand Creek. Totally updated, main floor master, den, walk out finished basement, 4 baths, and Views of the Golf Course. End unit. lots of light and waterfall!

Offered at $369,900

1220 Ryder Road Golf Course Lot .85A Pond Views $199,000 1728 Amen Corner Court 1.5A Private Lot with Water Views $225,000

SAND CREEK

Located on just over an acre in Valparaiso this newer home has 5 beds, 6 baths, large rooms, hardwood floors, 2 story family room open to spacious kitchen, formal living, dining, and more.

Offered at $888,500

karen COurt, tiffany WOOds lapOrte

All brick 5,000 plus sq ft. 3 Story Home 6 beds, 6 baths, in-ground pool, near expressways and Briar Leaf Golf Club.

Offered at $549,900

valparaisO

Entire Large Duplex Building for Sale on 1 acre, Over 10,000 Sq Feet, many possibilities.

Offered at $479,900

taMaraCk- ChestertOn

New on the market, Main Floor Master, 4 beds, 4 baths, fully finished basement, 2 story great room, in ground pool, study.

Offered at $447,500

WhitethOrne WOOds valparaisO

Gated Community, 1 acre wooded lot. Sprawling ranch with 3/4 beds, 3 baths. Large open great room and kitchen. Partially finished basement, 3 car garage.

Offered at $445,000

hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ridGe

Chesterton Schools . . . 5 bedroom home on large lot with open kitchen and family room, huge master suite, finished daylight basement, 3 car garage. For rent also.

Offered at $419,500

WOOded aCreaGe ChestertOn

Ranch on beautiful 7.48 Acres, 3 bedrooms, 2 fireplaces, hardwood floors, Formal living, dining, family room, 3 car garage.

Offered at $399,900

contents APRIL 2011

154

Living Landmarks

BY GREGORY H. JENKINS

The Chicago Poster Collection is a live, evolving record of the city’s great landmarks and the architects whose vision created these buildings; this edition is by Gregory H. Jenkins, AIA.

46 Downtown Dreams BY JEREMY GANTZ

Perusing the master plans of six different cities in the Lake Michigan area.

50 Restoring the Homes of Tomorrow, Today BY MADELINE SZROM

The noble work of saving the architecturally significant World’s Fair homes in Beverly Shores is a backbreaking job, but somebody has to do it. Meet the restorers.

60 Master Planners BY MARK LOEHRKE VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM

Architects tell their story of vision and building from Grand Rapids to downtown Chicago.

79 Southern Comfort BY JANE AMMESON

The roots of Cajun cooking run from the South Side of Chicago to Northern Michigan.

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY GREGORY H. JENKINS

style & culture

april 2011

the architecture issue Saving the Homes of Tomorrow, Today IT’S NOT EASY

INCLUDING Jeremy Gantz on DOWNTOWN DREAMS Andy Shaw on RETIRED JUSTICE STEVENS JOHN CAIN’S Mystery Dinner in Michigan City

Benton Harbor $5,750,000

New Buffalo

Stunning 8 br, 6.5 ba contemporary masterpiece with rare 510 ft of lake frontage & exquisite gardens on more than 8 acres overlooking Lake Mich. The spacious living area has raised fireplace and floor-to-ceiling glass. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

A rare opportunity to own 1.62 acres! Beachside estate in popular Grand Beach, MI with less then a 2 minute walk to the private beach. This custom 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath oneowner home was built to last. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

Casually elegant lake living is defined by this craftsman cottage just 30 paces from a gorgeous private beach. With 5 bedrooms, 3 baths and an open floor plan ideal for entertaining or simply relaxing. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

Across the street from prestigious Riviera Association Beach. Charming 5 bedroom, 4 bath traditional home with over 4,600 square feet of living and entertaining space. Indoor and outdoor living at its best. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

Union Pier

Sawyer

Harbert

New Buffalo

$599,000

$1,899,000

$522,500

Stevensville

$1,235,000

$469,000

New Buffalo

$950,000

$429,000

Cheery, light-filled, custom 3 br, 2 ba cottage just short walk to beaches and downtown Union Pier is a dream getaway. Features include, gourmet kitchen, open concept design, two sided stone fireplace, lg master suite. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

This custom 3350 sf home will awe you! Expansive foyer takes you to the living/great room. State of the art eat in kitchen, French door leads out to screen porch w/fireplace, master bedroom w/his & hers walk in closets. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

Enjoy this nicely updated 3 br, 2 bath home on a 1/2 acre wooded lot in Springbrook private beach association. Short walk to over 200 ft of wide sandy beach. This oneowner ranch-style home has been lovingly maintained. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

Newly rebuilt 3 bedroom, 3 bath beach house in the Village of Michiana. Just 4 blocks to stop 40 with Village of Michiana beach rights. The house was beautifully built in 2005. Sleeps 10 to 15 people. Motivated seller. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

New Buffalo

Sawyer

New Buffalo

$360,000

$356,000

$279,000

$239,000

When you walk in you will be wowed that this great home with an open floor plan in the main living area is priced for a quick sale! Enjoy the really private yard with its koi pond, deck, hot tub and landscaped yard. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

3 bedroom, 3 bath end unit adjacent to tennis courts, on the wooded side, across from the beach access and pool. New interior paint. Lakefront gated community on 40 wooded acres with tennis courts, pool, private beach. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

Live the simple life! Sip your morning coffee on the huge screened porch while you breathe in the beautiful lake breezes or walk to Warren Dunes Beach from this darling 3 bedroom, 2 bath easy maintenance ranch. Caren Curtis Cole 312-593-4130

Delightful, spacious and airy studio condo located in South Cove offering you great beach living amenities. Freshly painted and waiting for you to enjoy. Lake and harbor views are an added feature. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

Union Pier

Benton Harbor

New Buffalo

Three Oaks

$229,000

This quaint, cozy cottage retreat is just steps from its private deeded beach. Totally redone in 2002, this bright and airy 1 br unit is being sold furnished and is a turnkey investment with an excellent rental history. Caren Curtis Cole 312-593-4130

$195,000

Well-appointed 2 br, 3 ba 2-story home with exceptional views from just about every room. Main floor boasts a delightful kitchen with adjacent breakfast nook, dining room, open great room, vaulted ceiling & fireplace. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

$158,900

Great location in New Buffaloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harbor! This stand-alone end cabana unit in the South Cove association allows for easy access to the lake. Drive straight into the 46 foot attached boat slip and enjoy outstanding views. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

$139,900

LOOKING for a SPACIOUS, 4 bedroom 2 bath home in the Village of Three Oaks? Newer wood floors, big kitchen with Brick detail, Whirlpool tub in main bath, Main floor bedroom, original wood staircase, Fireplace. Coldwell Banker 269-469-3950

New Buffalo Office | 10. N. Whittaker Street, New Buffalo, MI (269) 469-3950 | (800) 288-7355 Residential bRokeRage

For detailed information on these and other fine properties in Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana, Milwaukee and the Chicagoland area, log onto our website:

www.ColdwellBankerOnline.com Any house. Any time. Anywhere.

Call Coldwell banker Home loans for your FRee mortgage pre-approval at (219) 309-1200.

contents

APRIL 2011

28 86

24 22 36 Meijer Gardens Gala 37 DeYoung Interiors Reception 38 UNICEF Gala/Winter Delights Festival 39 Lubeznik Reception/ Valpo Chamber Awards 40 United Way Gala 41 Pops Concert/ NWIAGS Fundraiser

SHORELINES 17

VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM

INTRO

Meet minor league baseball’s top female groundskeeper and Hall of Famer.

LISTEN

Discreet speaker systems—that send music via computer to multiple speakers from different sources to a variety of rooms—are growing more popular.

SHAW THOUGHTS Peaches, corn, storms, golf and tennis are on the agenda for Justice John Paul Stevens’ retirement.

CULTURE NUT

A mysterious multicourse dinner and wine pairing at the home of Kathy and Karl Dennis at Tryon Farm in Michigan City.

MOTORING

Sixteen new or improved models launch Chrysler’s comeback, and a historic automaker pops the cork with Mercedes CLS 63 AMG.

THE GOOD LIFE

Going the extra mile to reach the soul of your destination, even when the objective is doing business.

GREEN NOTES

A children’s book with the story of a superhero who protects Lake Michigan from invasive species becomes an artist’s legacy.

HOUSE & GROUNDS 86

BY MEGAN SWOYER

Dick Waskin and Larry Hanlin combine a passion for Asian craftsmanship and English architecture and decoration in their southwestern Michigan home.

HEALTH CLUB

Home fitness rooms; and professionals come together to fund care and research for children with AIDS.

LAST RESORT 96

WHERE TO GO

Historical Bricks works to preserve the memory of brick makers who paved our roads for 100 years.

Continuing Education BY KATHRYN MACNEIL

Learning about close-to-home architecture, tourist-style.

INTERVIEW

Catching up with the Vickers family in Bloomington, launching a new cinema program for Indiana University.

Worldly Style

HOTSPOTS 42 82 90 94

Essential Events Bite & Sip Shore Things Shorecast

10 Publisher’s Letter 12 Editor’s Letter

photography courtesy of [clockwise, from top left] TIM LADUKE, KEVIN O. MOONEY, CHRYSLER LLC, GEORGE AQUINO, TONY V. MARTIN

CLICKS

PUBLISHER’S

Quality medical care...

LETTER

By professionals who

care about you. No one wants to go to the hospital, but it’s good to know that when the need arises you have an alternative that’s friendly, personal, close to home and sincere about your health ... and your care. Pinnacle Hospital in Crown Point isn’t one of those giant corporate “facilities” where the doctors are faceless and the patients are numbers. We’re attentive to your needs because we’re smaller than the other hospitals and can concentrate on what’s important to you ... You. We truly make the difference because we care about you. In addition Express Medical Care, Pinnacle can also provide: • Patient Centered Care • Patient to Nurse Ratio 4-1 • Spacious Private Rooms • 150 Multi Specialty Physicians • State-of-the-art Diagnostic & Imaging • State-of-the-art all female Breast Center offering same day results and immediate treatment options Ramesh Kanuru, M.D. Kanuru Interventional Spine and Pain Institute Pain Management 3445 Ridge Road Highland, IN 46322 1 866 656-1100

Providing patients with immediate, safe and quality medical care from highly-trained physicians with on-site laboratory and radiology services. We measure your wait in minutes not hours. Walk-ins welcome and no referrals are necessary!

0 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 1

Pinnacle is conveniently located on 93rd Avenue, just east of Broadway in Crown Point.

9301 ConneCtiCut Drive • Crown Point 219-756-2100 www.PinnaClehealthCare.net

ith baseball on the horizon, stepped-up Blackhawks and Bulls playoff pressure, and dozens of projects—it’s always all about fun and economic development around the Lake Michigan area lately—I’m thinking of skipping spring fever this year and launching right into pre-summer hype as soon as we put the snowplow away. I remember telling a friend that I was fine with whatever winter wanted to throw at us back at the end of December, as the first part of winter was pretty good. I lied. I am so done with this cold weather and am ready for a long weekend back in Oklahoma the first part of April at my mom’s (Dixie Calfy’s) house. I’ve told my brother Bob and step-dad Buck that the only challenge I want to have those couple days is trying to fish with my eyes closed on the boat. I need to save my energy, because later in the month I will be joining my grandkids at Wisconsin Dells for a couple days of fun with Pa-Pa. In the past year our media company has launched numerous initiatives in health care, education, transportation and nurturing innovation and leadership. The glamour part of this is getting attention and appreciation from our state and national legislators and cabinet members, but that’s not the important part. I want to acknowledge the hardworking people who are in the trenches in our schools, hospitals and nonprofit centers doing such an outstanding job every day. Among them, my fellow board members on the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, working hard to get a new facility off the ground; the folks upholding the tradition of jobs for individuals with disabilities, both at Tradewinds and Opportunity Enterprises; and a very special group at Calumet New Tech High School. I am certain that the lure of the helping and support work for the less fortunate going on in Indiana and Michigan was the deciding factor in our daughter Shay returning for the summer. I am so proud of her and the interest she has in this area. I also need to thank Mike Whistler, who allowed Shay to aid in his class for two years, which exposed her to these wonderful kids. Once again I have to compliment our Shore columnist and host George Aquino at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids, who helped us out with another surprise competition this winter. As George told our group, this was the closest contest he and his band of experts have ever judged. I cannot stress enough how wonderful a “check-out” weekend is in Grand Rapids at this hotel. Julie and I, along with Dr. Paul and Brenda Miller, took in the Princess Diana exhibit, which was incredible, and then I slipped over to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential museum. Shore, like all of our products, is deeply online. (We continue to roll out micro-sites on an almost weekly basis—you may want to check out Dunelandcommunity.com.) The Shore e-newsletter has become a weekly experience for thousands of readers; we have almost 2,000 Facebook fans; visitors to the e-edition have increased by 35 percent over the last six months (I know it’s winter) and traffic to the VisitShoreMagazine.com website is also up. But the demand remains for the printed magazine with maps, restaurants, essential events, photos and the latest in cars. See you next month, when we’re back on an every 30 days schedule! BILL MASTERSON, JR.

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We deal with psychiatric issues such as • Depression • Anxiety • Bipolar disorder • ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults • PTSD

We also deal with addiction issues such as • Alcohol/Drugs • Vicodin addiction • Methamphetamine addiction in adolescents • Inhalant addiction • Gambling addictions • Food addictions • Internet sex addictions • School Problems • Behavior Problems • Anger Management • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder • Oppositional Defiant Disorder • Grief • Divorce & Loss • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Dual Diagnosis which includes co-occuring addictions and psychiatric problems such as anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar, ADHD, and PTSD • Intensive Outpatient Programs and Outpatient Detox Programs

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his new issue about architecture is a topic we have been meaning to get around to for a long time. It was finally pushed ahead after we took a long deep breath and realized that so many aspects of our lives take the underlying assumption of being green for granted. I just saw a web post for a carbon-free edible organic oatmeal crayon. Really. Like so much about our environment, even taking responsibility for saving the planet has reached the realm of the excessive and ridiculous. Anyway, our coverage of the new, the innovative and the environmentally friendly will continue unabated, so we will no longer pretend to isolate it. Instead, let’s talk about great creative ideas, meaningful efficiency, high-quality workmanship and stupendous, gorgeous buildings. First, meet the architects who work around Lake Michigan. Not only do they stand on the shoulders of giants, those giants are already standing on other giants. And yet, the insights, inventions and vision evolving now have never seemed more contemporary or connected. If you have not had any reason to experience the artistry of planning and designing a building that is truly an extension of the company and/or the people who inhabit it, Mark Loehrke has the keys to that kingdom of ideas. In a parallel universe, city and downtown planners are not who you think they are. As Jeremy Gantz explains, not every downtown wants to be like Bruges. The plans for growth and development in the towns around our area are every bit as progressive as the politicians would like you to believe. And maybe quite a bit further ahead than you can imagine. The planners have impressive imagination and stamina to match. Go for it. Next is everything else. All the fun stuff: Lauri Harvey Keagle introduces a children’s book author who created a superhero to protect Lake Michigan from invasive species. Kathleen Quilligan has the story of home fitness rooms and the professionals who came together for a good cause, while Seth “Tower” Hurd sheds light on the new era of discreet speaker systems orchestrating music by the room via computer. Andy Shaw has a conversation with the recently retired Justice John Paul Stevens and his serious plans for a Michigan summer of golf and tennis, peaches and corn. George Aquino has some excellent advice for making the most of a business trip by going the extra mile to reach the soul of your destination. Adam Madison takes a fascinating look at the market and providers of handmade bricks that preserve the integrity and quality of hundreds of years of road workmanship. And 2011 may go down in history as the comeback year of the automotive industry. Jim Jackson diagnoses the sixteen new or improved models unveiled by Chrysler (GM) while celebrating the iconic Mercedes-Benz’s 125th birthday. And finally, Madeline Szrom has the big conversation with the folks who actually own the original World’s Fair Homes. Everyone knows the history—there are books on the subject—but what happens when you actually own one of these historic relics? You are on a rocky and winding road that is a chronic test of passion and perseverance. Next month, we return to the subject of personal luxury, and it’s about time. In between, keep up with us online at VisitShoreMagazine.com and in our weekly Shorelines e-newser. PAT COLANDER

Beach House

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Come walk around St. Joseph. Listen to your heart say this is where you belong. Then let’s talk about the 1-3 bedroom, luxurious condominium home we’ll build for you – within minutes of singing-sand beaches and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Get away. Every day. At home.

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style & culture

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Interactive Exhibitions & Artists’ Demonstrations ARTATTACK IN HARBOR COUNTRY

APRIL29&30 ANDMAY1

For More Information or to download a schedule of events go to www.harborcountry.org or visit us on facebook

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ARTATTACK IN HARBOR COUNTRY APRIL29&30 ANDMAY1

Traffic Manager Tom Kacius Pre-press Specialists Maureen Benak Rhonda Fancher Tracy Ferguson Advertising Designers Ryan Berry Kathy Campbell Matt Huss Jacqueline Murawski

Published by Lee Enterprises The Times of Northwest Indiana Niche Division 601 W 45th Street Munster, Indiana 46321 219.933.3200

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New Subscriptions, Renewals, Inquiries and Changes of Address: Shore Magazine Circulation Dept., 601 W 45th St, Munster, IN 46321, or 800.589.2802, or visitshoremagazine.com Reprints and Permissions: You must have permission before reproducing material from Shore magazine.

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Editor / Associate Publisher Pat Colander 219.933.3225 Pat.Colander@nwi.com Managing Editor Julia Perla Huisman 219.933.3353 Julia.Huisman@nwi.com Assistant Managing Editor Kathryn MacNeil 219.933.3264 Kathy.MacNeil@nwi.com Design Director Ben Cunningham 219.933.4175 Ben.Cunningham@nwi.com Designer April Burford Lead Photographer Tony V. Martin Contributing Editors Jane Ammeson Heather Augustyn Lois Berger Sue Bero Robert Blaszkiewicz Christy Bonstell Claire Bushey John Cain Laura Caldwell Tom Chmielewski Juli Doshan Jane Dunne Rob Earnshaw Jeremy Gantz Terri Gordon Dave Hoekstra Seth “tower” Hurd Jim Jackson Rick Kaempfer Lauri Harvey Keagle Julie Dean Kessler Mark Loehrke Sherry Miller Virginia Mullin Phil Potempa Andy Shaw Fran Smith Megan Swoyer Eloise Valadez Sharon Biggs Waller Contributing Artists and Photographers Ryan Berry Jennifer Feeney Richard Hellyer Callie Lipkin David Mosele Johnny Quirin Gregg Rizzo Shore magazine invites readers and writers to submit ideas, comments and feedback through email at feedback@visitshoremagazine.com or the post office at Shore Magazine, 601 W 45th St, Munster, IN 46321, or 1111 Glendale Blvd, Valparaiso, IN 46383.

contributors

A senior at Indiana University, MALLORY JINDRA hopes to begin a long career in writing and editing. Besides Shore, her published work has appeared in Indiana Alumni Magazine, IU’s student newspaper the Indiana Daily Student, and the “Siren,” a growing newsletter that covers Bloomington, Indiana’s local music scene. In her Q&A on page 28, she had a lot of fun interviewing IU’s new cinema director Jon Vickers, who recently moved to Bloomington from Three Oaks, Michigan. “It’s always refreshing to learn about people who are doing something exciting in a new town,” Mallory says. BOB KASARDA covers Porter County courts and government for the Times Media Company, where he’s been a reporter for 16 years. As a big music fan and one-time Deadhead, he jumped at the chance to write about the April appearances of Peter Yarrow, of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, and Jefferson Starship at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks (page 18). “The Acorn is proving itself to be an affordable and intimate alternative to the music venues across the lake in Chicago,” Kasarda says. “I just hope the Cowboy Junkies enjoyed their 2009 visit enough to make another appearance.” ADAM MADISON is a freelance writer and photographer. He is a proud Whiting resident and Purdue Calumet alumnus. As a former editor of Rock Products magazine, Madison served the construction materials industry for eight years. He has seen firsthand the scars that our ravenous appetite for “progress” leaves behind. Building a road with recycled, antique brick is not only aesthetically pleasing; it is the right thing to do. Mining virgin stone for materials does irreversible damage to the landscape, wildlife and groundwater. He commends Mayor Stahura for making the extra investment to repair Cleveland Avenue, as illustrated on page 30.

Cheryl Short M.D., FACOG

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Crystal Strickland M.D., FACOG

Chrys Davis MSN, FNP

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Born on the southern tip of Lake Michigan and educated at the University of Cincinnati, GREGORY H. JENKINS has focused his career on architecture, photography and historic preservation. He founded his own architectural practice, Gregory H. Jenkins AIA, which is responsible for the documentation of more than 8 million square feet of new construction and renovations. In 2009 Jenkins authored the book Chicago Figural Sculpture 1871-Present. In 2010 he launched the Chicago Images photo project that includes the Chicago Poster Collection, some of which are featured in a photo essay on page 54. Jenkins also authors the blog “Architecture in the Loop.”

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shorelines

Queen of the Turf

Heather Nabozny

APRIL 2011

photography courtesy of MARK CUNNINGHAM

>> intro <<

he Detroit Tigers’ Heather Nabozny is the first female head groundskeeper in the history of major league baseball, according to a survey of major league teams. Nabozny, 40, cut her chops with the West Michigan Whitecaps near Grand Rapids, where she worked from 1994 until joining the Tigers in 1999. Her first season was the last for Tiger Stadium. In January Nabozny was inducted into the West Michigan Whitecaps Hall of Fame. The seeds were planted for her groundbreaking career in 1980, when Nabozny’s father Louis started the Turf Bird lawn care business in Milford, Michigan, where Nabozny was born. He is a Ford Motor Company retiree, where he spent 30 years in manual labor and on the assembly line. During the summer Nabozny worked for her father’s lawn care company while attending Northern Michigan University. He also sent employees to continuing education classes. “I went to Michigan State and heard about their turf management program,” she said in a January interview. “I never thought you could go to school for that. I like to be outside, I like to work with my hands and you have something to show for it.” She dabbled with baseball and softball fields at Michigan State but worked more on football and soccer fields. After her 1993 graduation (her degree is in turf management), an advisor connected Nabozny with the Toronto Blue Jays, and she became their spring training groundskeeper in 1993 and 1994 in Dunedin, Fla. But Nabozny missed her native Michigan. She was hired by West Michigan over a phone call. “There weren’t many women groundskeepers in the minor leagues then,” Nabozny said. “The [Milwaukee] Brewers had an assistant female groundskeeper and she also worked for the Whitecaps. She took my job when I left. Another girl was out in Nebraska. There are more now.” A major league groundskeeper is a year-round job. In January Nabozny was hiring two interns, working on the 2011 budget and going over her pool of a 45-person tarp crew. In the Midwest League where West Michigan (a Tigers affiliate) plays, sometimes it is common for smaller-staffed teams to recruit fans to pull out the tarp during a storm. “It can get dangerous,” she said. “If you get a lot of wind or people trip, the tarp can ripple up under your feet. When there are fifteen people pulling that tarp, they don’t see you go down underneath. We had a situation at West Michigan where we actually had to cut out some ushers that were helping.” Nabozny now lives in Royal Oak and, of course, has a well-maintained lawn. “No garden,” she said. “My dog eats everything. If I grow tomatoes, she eats those.” But dreams still grow tall on the fields of West Michigan. –DAVE HOEKSTRA

shorelines >> listen <<

Jefferson Starship

MUSICAL LEGENDS TOUCH DOWN AT ACORN The rock band Jefferson Starship and Peter Yarrow, of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, have played to some large audiences over the course of their highly successful, decadesspanning careers. Yet both are opting to return in April to the 260-seat, intimate confines of the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan. Yarrow is scheduled to appear April 14 and Jefferson Starship is landing for two nights, April 15 and 16.

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avid Fink, who co-owns the theater at 107 Generations Drive with Kim Clark, says these artists appreciate the fine acoustics of the renovated factory building, as well as the opportunity for greater intimacy with an audience. “It’s a very relaxed, connected atmosphere,” Fink says. “People feel like they’re at a party as much as a show.” The theater offers audiences plenty of parking, reasonable drink prices and a wide variety of entertainment. Yarrow, who co-wrote the classic song “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” sees his three-decades long career as part of an ongoing tradition that started for him in high school when witnessing the Weavers sing, “If I Had a Hammer” at Carnegie Hall. “It was inspiring, and it showed me the extraordinary effect that music of conscience can have,” he says. He became a political activist and has lent his support to causes ranging from opposition to the Vietnam War to Operation Respect, which works to combat childhood bullying. Jefferson Starship, which has its roots as the Jefferson Airplane in San Francisco’s psychedelic 1960s scene, thrived through the subsequent decades with hits such as “Miracles,” “Count on Me,” “Jane,” “We Built This City,” “Sara,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” The band celebrates the 40th anniversary of its first album with founding members Paul Kantner and David Freiberg. Tickets for both shows are available through the theater on the web at acorntheater.com or by calling 269.756.3879. -BOB KASARDA

Peter Yarrow

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Just as TVs got thinner, cheaper and more crisp, the home stereo world is now following suit. The days of massive speakers flanking a TV in a media junkie’s basement are waning and being replaced by distributed audio systems, which pipe music to multiple rooms in the home via discreet speakers and avoid the “messy wires and boxes” look normally associated with sound systems. While the systems never quite reach the sonic qualities of tower speakers, many homeowners now prefer the convenience of a system that can play different sources of music in different rooms. “Dad can relax and listen to jazz on the patio. Mom can work out to the oldies in the bedroom. The kids can play games while listening to their iPod in the family room,” explains John Jacobson of All Around Sound in Schererville. In addition to convenience, a distributed audio system is a way to invest money in audio equipment that’s both economical and raises the value of your home. Once the initial investment has been For More made, the system can prove to Information be a money saver by connecting it to a service such as Rhapsody, ALL AROUND which delivers streaming access SOUND to 10 million songs for $10 a 130 E US 30 month, eliminating the need to Schererville, Ind. purchase music each month to 219.322.9933 allaroundsound.tv keep your collection fresh. But the main reason that HEAR NO EVIL homeowners are installing AUDIO VIDEO distributed audio systems is their 708.258.3377 hearnoevilav.com hospitality value, according to Steve Shabaker of Hear No Evil Audio Video, a company that installs home entertainment systems from Chicago to Indianapolis. “The number one reason I see homeowners go with distributed audio is for entertaining guests,” he says. “Music can add so much to an environment, and with Control4 you can access your music library from any room in the house.” Control4 is a management system, usually controlled from an iPad, which allows you to command everything from your thermostat to your playlist from a single device. But centralizing your home’s controls doesn’t come cheap. The price tag starts around $3,500, and increases with the number of “zones” and “input sources” you add. If you’re willing to pay for it, you can even open your garage door, flip your porch light, or close your drapes via your iPhone while vacationing in Thailand. -SETH “TOWER” HURD

APRIL 2011

photography [opposite page, left] courtesy of JEFFERSON STARSHIP; [right] THE ROOTS AGENCY

Distributed audio systems make listening easier

shorelines >> shaw thoughts <<

WHERE JUSTICE GOES TO REST

hey called him “Johnny” in those days—Lakeside, circa 1925. Long before it was part of “Harbor Country.” Or so overrun with Illinois residents the locals started calling us FIPs. JPS, his adult nickname, tells me it’s “one of the best areas in the world—a great area.” His description to a Michigan lawyers’ meeting is more poetic, according to Bill Barnhart and Gene Schlickman’s authoritative biography, John Paul Stevens—An Independent Life. “I have many wonderful memories,” Stevens recalls. “The unforgettable taste of fresh peaches and fresh corn, the splendor of thunder and lightning over Lake Michigan, the beauty of a clear blue sky when the wind is from the northeast after a cold front has passed through.” Totally. The Stevens family had several houses in a Lakeside “compound” complete with a tennis court. Johnny’s older brother Jim taught next-door neighbor Betty how to play. “It was fun to learn it there,” she recalls. (Betty later married Bill Oosterbrug, and they all remained friends over the years.) In Chicago, the Stevens family lived in Hyde Park on the South Side. University of Chicago people. And many of those erudite individuals, including social activist Jane Addams, founder of Hull House, had summer homes in Lakeside. Maybe folks who move in such rarified intellectual air need the rarified country air of Southwest Michigan on their getaways. Just a thought. The family belonged to Chikaming Country Club in Lakeside, where the clubhouse is a replica of Shakespeare’s father’s house. This is where Johnny says he “learned how to hit a tennis ball and miss a golf ball.” Betty remembers him as a “well-behaved fellow, a very nice guy who was fun to be with.” I ask for a “newsworthy” vignette, some “dish,” but she can’t think of any. Hey—you can’t blame an old newsman for asking. Last year, just before Stevens stepped down from the Supreme Court, President Obama sent him a 90th birthday cake. And a proclamation that says it all: “For the last 35 years of your remarkable 90, the nation has benefitted from the rigor, courage and integrity that have marked your tenure on the Supreme Court. With the thoughtfulness and humility of your questions from the bench, and the independence and wisdom you have brought to the judgments the court has rendered, you have stood guardian of the Constitution and the rule of law, and helped move the nation toward that more perfect union.” I don’t have many heroes—30 years of political reporting does that to you. One is Daniel Burnham, a giant in every way who single-handedly saved Chicago’s magnificent lakefront from industrial and commercial ravagement. Another is Stevens, who is modest and small in stature but casts an equally large shadow. In an email inviting him to our fall BGA luncheon, I said, “If it were up to me, Justice [John] Marshall would have statutory company in the hallowed halls of your remarkable institution. But would it be properly dignified to add a justice with a Cubs hat? Time will tell!” Stevens still plays golf and tennis. So maybe you’ll see us in May on the Pebblewood links in Bridgman. Or watching a Cubs game at the “Getaway.” Or relishing the unforgettable taste of fresh peaches and fresh corn. The splendor of thunder and lightning over Lake Michigan. The beauty of a clear blue sky. In one of the best areas in the world. Amen. -ANDY SHAW

illustration by DAVID MOSELE

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Dear Justice Stevens, I hope you’re enjoying your first post-retirement winter in Florida. I know it’s cooler than usual, but bad days there beat good days here by a mile. I want to say, again, how much I appreciate your participation in our annual Better Government Association luncheon last fall, where we recognized your lifelong commitment to justice and honest government. Your stories about another “lifelong commitment” to a more mundane cause, the hapless Chicago Cubs, were priceless. And I marveled at your revelation that the high court’s uneven handling of the death penalty issue turned you into an opponent of capital punishment. I understand you’ll be in Chicago this spring to deliver the commencement address at your law school alma mater, Northwestern, so I want to invite you to jump in a “time machine” (our Subaru) for a trip down memory lane to the Southwest Michigan of yesteryear, where you spent summers before most of us were born. I have a house in Bridgman, not far from your old digs in Lakeside, and I’d love to show you around. Because, Mr. Justice, things have changed. Big time. We now have video stores. Tanning salons. Sports bars with giant HDTVs. Even a “Cubs” hangout in Bridgman called the “Getaway,” with a faux scoreboard and flags that mark wins and losses, a la Wrigley. How can you pass up a shrine to baseball’s most lovable losers? So I hope you accept my offer. Best, Andy Shaw

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NOT JUST ANOTHER MYSTERY

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The surprise, the unexpected, is everything. • The second annual South Shore Arts’ Mystery Dinner benefiting the organization’s educational programs was held on Saturday, October 23rd, prepared by executive chefs Gary Sanders and Nicole Bissonnette. • The guests of honor were Liz and Chris Valavanis, owners of Vanis Salon & Day Spa, who had purchased the dinner last June at the annual South Shore Arts Beaux Arts Ball. Liz and Chris invited three additional couples, Seda Turan-Yahne and husband Scott Yahne, Olga and Mike Pellegrino, and Jenny and Dr. Bruce Yalowitz.

very artsy crowd, everybody wore black. I volunteered to be a waiter, so I was dressed in black, too; but really, we could have all been waiters! Chris and Liz kindly provided all of the wine for the evening from their excellent cellar, beginning with champagne as we headed east in our gigantic SUV stretch limo. It was a good kind of drinking and driving. The limo was so long that I needed a microphone to point out all the lovely sights along the Borman, the industrial parks, the billboards advertising strippers. It was really a shame that the light was failing so early and that the windows of the limo were tinted such a dark color. The mystery was where the dinner was to be held—the locale was unknown at the time of the ball—and it remained unknown to the guests that the exact destination was the extraordinary home of Kathy and Karl Dennis, former Chicagoans now residing year-round in this environmentally sustainable enclave. Tryon Farm, created by Eve Noonan and her husband Ed of Chicago Associates Planners & Architects, features natural trails (which proved to be a challenge for our magnificent stretch SUV, graciously donated for the occasion by Southlake Limousine), planned settlements inspired by their natural surroundings and acres of preserved meadows, woods and ponds. It’s a conservation development that is committed to preserving a substantial portion of its land. Communities such as Tryon Farm preserve the natural habitat in which they are set rather than chop it into the bits and pieces that characterize more conventional subdivisions—and in an ecologically sustainable manner. Ed designs most of the homes, but Kathy and Karl gave plenty of input on theirs. Karl is the author of Everything Is Normal Until Proven Otherwise: A Book About Wraparound Services. He is retired as the executive director of Kaleidoscope, Inc., a nonprofit communitybased childcare agency in Chicago, where he provided leadership and vision for 27 years. He is one of the country’s leading experts and pioneers of community-based care for underserved children and families. Under Karl’s direction, Kaleidoscope, which operates under a system of unconditional caring for its clients, became nationally recognized as one of the top five child-serving agencies in the country. Kathy recently retired as director of development and training for Kaleidoscope, where she worked along with her husband. She previously worked as director of development with the

photography by TONY V. MARTIN

>> culture nut <<

2005 Sauvignon Blanc from Hartwell Vineyards. Third: a to-die-for smoked shrimp and crab cake swimming blissfully in a butternut squash and lobster bisque, paired with a 2007 Petite Syrah from Stanton Vineyards. Fourth: smoked beef tenderloin, parsnip potatoes, and asparagus in a porcini mushroom stout demi-glaze, paired with a 2005 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon from Hourglass Vineyard. (Actually, Gary burnt the parsnips earlier in the day, so he invented something altogether new: toasted caraway and celery seed mashed potatoes.) As if there was room for anything more, dessert consisted of molten chocolate cake, a fig and orange compote and gelato, paired with a Zinfandel Port from Summit Lake Vineyards. I served as the evening’s scribe and one of three waitstaff who, I must say, worked tirelessly for these demanding gourmands. My fellow waiters consisted of hostess Kathy Dennis and young Alex Skozen. Who knew that so few people could dirty so many dishes? And don’t even get me started on the cutlery. Restaurants that leave behind the dirty knives and forks from one course to another for you to reuse have always irked me. Well, I guess I’m beginning to see their point. We were going through knives like they were going out of style.

he guests had been lively throughout the evening; they knew and enjoyed each other’s company. Around about the fourth course, and certainly by dessert, everyone was feeling a bit tuckered. While the conversation had flowed, all of that artistry flourishing in the kitchen began to take a toll. There was no end of food or wine for the help, as well as for the guests. In fact, I ate so much that I had to be rushed to the emergency room on our way home, where I gave birth to a 22-pound roast turkey with all the trimmings. After this there was a whole lot less conversation in our SUV limo. Ultimately, it was a great evening made possible by the generosity of Kathy and Karl, Nicole and Gary, and Liz and Chris. The guests have since been inspired to end their days in a new-age commune, living off what they grow and taking care of each other as they get older. Chris will supply wine and haircuts, Jenny will provide family therapy (which we’ll undoubtedly need) and Bruce—a urologist—can make sure that the men’s equipment remains in working order. I’ll be waiting on them all hand and foot in exchange for the above-mentioned services and more. -JOHN CAIN

APRIL 2011

Omaha Symphony Orchestra and as a regional executive director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Since moving full time to Indiana, Kathy has become active with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, the Settlement Committee at Tryon Farm and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts. Kathy and Karl have traveled extensively throughout the world. The textures, colors and nuances of their home are a reflection of these experiences. Their collection of indigenous folk and native artworks represents the breadth of their travels and myriad interests. Prior to dinner, Karl provided a docent-led tour through their Native American and ethnographic artifacts, things that they discovered on their travels, especially in New Zealand: masks, rugs, objects of all kinds, including a fertility deity and a stuffed armadillo! Everybody loved hearing his stories and learning about the collection. Our hosts had really knocked themselves out. As Kathy noted, “When you open your home to guests—especially when you don’t know them—it’s a lot of work!” Along with the ambience, Kathy and Karl had purchased really pretty cocktail napkins and lots of mums for their terraces. As Chef Gary prepped, we who were about to serve realized that we were very likely to mess up. Gary and Nicole are the undisputed King and Queen of Cuisine in Northwest Indiana, and it was fascinating to watch them work together, flipping the contents of their pans in mid air, taste-testing each other’s food. “I’m the crab cake,” Gary noted in the preparation of one succulent dish, “Nicole is the lobster bisque.” Hanging out in the kitchen with them gave new meaning to the expression,“...if you can’t stand the heat,” especially after our third glass of wine, standing next to the stove. Kathy’s Thermador Professional Series range was, by the way, “just perfect for baking our little Brie toasts,” Nicole commented. So, let’s get to the food! The gastronomic festivities began with passed hors d’oeuvres consisting of beef au poivre on Parmesan shortbread, olive tapenade and “shrimp on a spoon” with wasabispiked cream cheese. Guests were treated to an amuse-bouche of seared scallop, Asian-style edamame puree, and, oh, around sixteen other ingredients too complicated for me to recall—but delicious! One incredible course then followed another, four in all. First: pumpkin gnocchi with braised rabbit, wilted spinach, bacon, wild mushrooms, and caramelized onion in rabbit Dijon sauce. Second: a warm Brie phyllo purse with caramelized apple, organic arugula, apple cider vinaigrette topped with candied walnuts, paired with a

shorelines

The 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup truck

>> motoring <<

Rebuilding Chrysler

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The trip, stumble and fall that toppled auto giant Chrysler into bankruptcy two years ago has brought strength to the car company in new ways. In fact, there are sixteen of them.

was one of an estimated 600 automotive journalists and business-types that attended the Economic Club of Chicago luncheon during the media preview at last year’s Chicago Auto Show to hear featured speaker Ralph Gilles—president and CEO, Dodge Brand, and senior vice president of design, Chrysler LLC—address the group. Among his remarks, Gilles emphasized that Chrysler is going to put passion back into all of its brands, listen openly to customers’ input and place greater effort into the smallest details of the business. Gilles also revealed that Chrysler’s road to recovery includes sixteen new or significantly improved Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models coming to market for 2011 with a goal to sell 2.8 million units worldwide. Chrysler’s alliance with Italian automaker Fiat partners the production of its small fuel-efficient Fiat 500 into the American-born car company. “Every car we have will have a soul,” Gilles said. Hmmm . . . I sat with a furrowed brow some of the time as he spoke. Sixteen models? Really? There was no way that could happen in eight months. Well, I’ve been wrong before. Dodge was the first to drop the hammer on Chrysler’s

reconstruction with the “New Crew” 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickup trucks that sport 6-passenger full-size crew cab styling and enough grunt to tow nearly nine tons. Mid-summer, the Jeep camp launched the overhauled 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. From boulders to boulevards, Jeep Grand Cherokee is sophisticated enough to wear blue jeans with a tuxedo. Don’t own a tuxedo? No problem. Jeep has a coverall assortment to handle the daily nuts-and-bolts grind with Jeep Compass, which points to a fresh front-end and first time four-wheel drive. Jeep Liberty remains true to the brand’s legendary 4X4 heritage while enjoying the unique appearance of a new “Jet” trim level. Jeep Patriot salutes segment-leading capacity and unsurpassed 4X4 fuel economy of 28 mpg on the highway. And for the rock-crawling enthusiast, there’s the benchmark of off-road vehicles—Jeep Wrangler—with an all-new body color Dodge Charger

photography by [this page, top] DAN LYONS; [bottom] MARC URBANO/CHRYSLER LLC; [opposite page, clockwise from top left] DAN LYONS; MERCEDES-BENZ USA; WEBB BLAND/CHRYSLER LLC

Renaissance of an American automaker

hardtop on its Sahara model. But it was late last year when Chrysler’s flood gates broke wide open for an outpouring of several “new or significantly improved” models. Dodge strapped a helmet on attending journalists to test their redesigned Charger R/T at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Charger is powerful and dials into hard corners with precision and balance. Its new full-width tail lamp is a throwback to the 1966 Charger. I also put the screws to the 2011 Challenger infused with a new 305 horsepower Pentastar V-6 engine. It is a six-cylinder that performs like a V-8. Need more power? Dodge Challenger now comes with a limited edition SRT8 392 that nails the pavement with 470 hp. A special “392” interior is part of the exclusive package. Dodge Avenger and the new Chrysler 200 share the same platform and V-6 engine. Styling and name plates are the obvious differences on these two midsize sedans. Buyers will also notice the obvious improvement in cabin features as the previous plastic look is replaced by soft-touch textured surfaces and plush seats for front and rear passengers. Interior fit and finish is excellent with a noticeable vault-like quietness. Dodge Durango SUV gets a total

ut if hauling more people and more cargo in one vehicle matters, then the tip of the hard hat must go to the vehicle that started the minivan phenomenon—Dodge Caravan. It and upscale minivan cousin Chrysler Town & Country come with more standard features and content with an improved standard Stow ‘N Go seat system unmatched by any of their competitors and with clever functionality that makes a trip cross town or cross-country a family pleasure. Crossing the reconstruction line last is another first. After a 30-year hiatus, Fiat returns to America to join Chrysler LLC with their bantam Fiat 500 to fill the void in Chrysler’s small car lineup. This gas-stingy runabout will balance the Chrysler product portfolio for a greater automotive architecture worldwide. –JIM JACKSON

Dodge Durango receives a dramatically redesigned front end for 2011.

MERCEDES-BENZ ASSEMBLES 125 YEARS The world’s first automaker, Mercedes-Benz, celebrates 125 years of building automobiles this year. Helping to pop the cork on the historic automotive anniversary is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG.

APRIL 2011

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class offers four-door coupe design to premium luxury car buyers who require sedan convenience, but don’t want to give up the taut roofline and sporty appeal of a coupe body style. Seated in the front row of the CLSClass is a newly developed 5.5-liter bi-turbo V-8 engine that features peak output of 557 horsepower managed by a 7-speed double-clutch manual-automatic transmission that helps shift a 32 percent reduction in fuel consumption over the AMG 6.3-liter V-8 of the previous model. Each AMG engine is hand-built by a highly trained sole technician from start to finish. Unique to the CLS-Class is a leatherwrapped quad-seat cabin with individual seating areas separated by a full-length center console front-to-back. Genuine wood or carbon fiber trim accents the interior. CLS exterior highlights LED highperformance headlamps as standard equipment—a world first in the passenger car segment. Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist are other “firsts” for the German automaker’s CLS-Class. The CLS 63 AMG handling is absolutely superb, with little steering wheel input required to carve up corners for Velcro-like grip on twisty S-curve roads. 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG starts at $100,000 and comes free of gas-guzzler tax. –JIM JACKSON

2012 Fiat 500

facelift for a look that is far more refined than the outgoing model. Durango comes re-engineered from the asphalt up with greater ride comfort and the addition of a third row seat for crossover utility and SUV capability. Dodge Journey also carries a third row seat. Use it when needed, stow it when you don’t. Standard allwheel drive versatility and the midsize Journey crossover go hand-in-glove. The ultra popular 5-passenger Chrysler 300 sedan arrives with new attire that features softer lines for a more relaxed look. Redesigned headlamps with LED running lights and revised tail lights bookend 300’s athletically tailored profile.

shorelines

Alla Posta dei Donini hotel

The Travel Detour ALLA POSTA DEI DONINI

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here are two types of business travelers. One is the “all business” traveler, whose main mission is to get in and out of each destination. The other is the “cultured” business traveler, whose objective other than work is the art of discovering the soul of each destination. Let’s just say that I wouldn’t be writing this column if I were the former. I have learned that some of my most memorable discoveries were due to this insatiable desire to explore the unfamiliar. On my first trip to Milan about fifteen years ago, I spent nearly two hours, passing over one restaurant after another, in search of that perfect meal for my one night in the fashion capital. As I was about ready to give up, a bustling place in the quadrilatero della moda district attracted my attention. Paper Moon, as I would later find out, is where Milan’s “fashionistas” hung out after a day on the runway. It was on this chance encounter that I tasted one of the most tantalizing dishes ever—Paper Moon’s sautéed whole octopus slathered in squid ink. As an hotelier, the search for that perfect hotel takes on a whole different level of compulsiveness. As the focal point of my trip, my hit list of the best restaurants and shops to visit usually is within walking distance from the hotel. On a business trip to Perugia, Italy, a few years ago, I decided to forego the obvious business hotel choice in the heart of downtown. Instead, I went with a friend’s advice to drive to the outskirts of city center to check out this villa about 8 km from Perugia proper. As I drove down the road that wrapped the walled city of Perugia like an endless strand of spaghetti twirled around a fork, I felt a sense of remorse for not remaining in the city center. It was dusk and the city’s layers of arch windows towering over the Umbrian valley glistened like the ocean’s water spectacles at sunset. It was a breathtaking sight, but on this evening, my hotel was going to be distant from the energetic nightlife of Perugia. I decided to take the scenic route to San Martino in Campo to take in the fields of yellow sunflowers and brick farmhouses along the way. I stuck my arm out my car window and allowed my hand to gently sway with

the warm summer breeze. The 8 km drive was over quickly as I approached the cobbled entrance to Alla Posta dei Donini hotel, once the 17th-century summer residence of the noble Donini family. Manicured lawns, oversized terra-cotta pots, a botanical garden and a spa surround the estate. While the villa’s website promotes itself as the perfect small meeting place for corporate clients, I found the serene surroundings of this 48-room retreat to be the ideal place for a quiet escape for couples and the perfect home base if your itinerary included day trips to Assisi, Spoleto and Perugia. Not to take anything away from the beauty of neighboring Tuscany, but there is a hidden romance with the Umbrian region. Umbria is like that average girl who would eventually blossom into a sexier dame than any of the popular cheerleaders in high school. Her beauty, once discovered, is ever lasting. The lobby interior denotes the hotel’s baroque beginnings without appearing too opulent. It reminded me more of an independently owned European boutique hotel versus, let’s say, the Four Seasons George V in Paris. My gorgeous room overlooked the garden below. A poster bed sat like a queen’s throne in the frescoed room. And while everything about my room was reminiscent of the villa’s storied past, the color palette, the bathroom amenities including a heated towel bar, and all the technology in the room were up to par with what you would expect from a top business hotel in the US. As I walked within the serenity of the botanical garden and marveled at the architectural details of the villa, I couldn’t help but reflect on how fortunate I was to be in this oasis nestled in the countryside of Umbria. What was meant to be another business trip, had been transformed into another pleasant travel discovery. What kind of business traveler are you? -GEORGE AQUINO

photography by GEORGE AQUINO

>> the good life <<

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A True Story of Loss, Survival, and Rescue at Sea Michael Schumacher In 1958, a 623-foot limestone carrier—caught in one of the most violent storms in Lake Michigan history—broke in two and sank in less than five minutes. This reconstruction of the terrible accident, perilous search, and chilling aftermath will captivate audiences. “Schumacher. . . writes with a steady hand, never letting the drama or emotion of the moment overwhelm the storytelling. A solid and sometimes heartbreaking addition to the maritime-tragedy genre.” —Booklist paperback $19.95

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Historic Images from the Calumet Regional Archives Stephen G. McShane and Gary S. Wilk Dramatic photographs of the beginning of a worldclass steel industry and the ethnically diverse characters and region surrounding it. “I do love these dramatic pictures of massive machines at work, with great wheels and gears turning, with everyone in place except Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times.” —Lance Trusty, author of Munster: A Centennial History hardcover $39.95

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S. Paul O’Hara A riveting account of the boom or bust mentality of industrialism through the stark reversal of fortune of Gary, Indiana from “the magic city,” and “steel’s greatest achievement,” to “the ver y model of urban decay.” paperback $19.95

shorelines >> interview <<

JON VICKERS The filmhouse legend’s new life down south

Jon and Jennifer Vickers had been running their independent art house cinema in downtown Three Oaks, Michigan, since 1996. A hub of film entertainment, art and community gathering, the Vickers Theatre has flourished by cooking up a big slice of creative pie for the people in its tiny town. But in the spring of 2010, Jon and Jennifer sold their theater and packed up their family for a move south to Bloomington, Indiana. Jon began his new position in late March as the very first director of the Indiana University Cinema, tasked with building a hub for IU’s new cinema department and an elite art house cinema to rival the best in the nation. Shore met up with Jon at their new home in Bloomington after Jennifer and their three children (Max, Frankie and Ava) joined Jon in mid-August. The family’s red brick house is right across the street from IU’s campus, just around the corner from the IU Jacobs School of Music. a show and a reception—oftentimes their first show. So, we feel that we’re supporting the artist community that way. We always also thought that we’d be a place for community gathering. Over the years, we’ve hosted countless meetings there, whether it’s League of Women Voters or local school groups or forums around elections. It’s obviously a place that both of you have put a lot of effort into. What provoked your selling it? When the opportunity came up, after visiting Indiana University and seeing the project, it was pretty clear that the university took this project seriously. You don’t often see a university project in the arts like this. Having that kind of support and importance put on cinema seemed like a big deal, and it was very, very exciting, and alluring. The clincher was having the family visit Bloomington and falling in love with it. The kids and Jennifer all thought that this was a

photograph by KEVIN O. MOONEY

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lot of the stuff you did with the Vickers Theatre— the gallery, the live shows—it wasn’t just film. How did all of that spring from just a weekend hobby to this full-time gig? I think we always intended the Vickers to be more. I mean, it’s a cinema, it’s a movie theater, but we always intended it to have more purpose than just that. We also intended it to be a place for visual art. In our gallery, we rotate artists every month and give them a chance for

pretty cool place, and that added to making the decision much easier. It was a difficult decision because we were so rooted in Three Oaks, but I guess the thought of change [was good] as well. We’d been running the theater in Three Oaks for a long time, and the thought of change is always exciting. Knowing that the kids were excited about it, Jen was excited about it, made me even more excited about the project. So I think it was a combination of all of those things. What’s happening with the theater right now? Well, it’s in great hands. There’s new ownership in Joe and Judy Scull, and their partner Bill Lindblom. They’re all longtime patrons of the theater, so they knew what the Vickers Theatre was before they stepped in. And they had a passion for keeping it going; they thought it sounded like a great, fun experience. They’re doing well. They took over in the middle of June—right during a busy season, and handled it well. We have complete confidence that they’re going to carry the vision forward, and probably add their own personal touches.

$63 per day...

APRIL 2011

And finally, your new position. You’re the director of the Indiana University Cinema? Yes. We intend to become one of the best art house cinemas in the country. We’re showing first-run international, documentary and independent film, plus a heavy rotation of classic film, including silent film with piano, silent film with orchestra, silent film with organ. [The old university theater] is this beautiful little 260-seat cinema that was built as a stage theater in the 1930s. The space has been completely converted, updated with the best in both motion picture and digital cinema technology. It has the ability to show pretty much any format of film that’s being presented these days. We’re screening over 200 film titles a year, and almost everything is open to the public. And the amazing thing is, almost everything is free. It’s very accessible to students and to the community, thanks to the university’s vision. -MALLORY JINDRA

shorelines >> where to go <<

A Better Road

Brick brings back value and history to a community

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hese roads, particularly Cleveland and Pennsylvania Avenues, are original brick roads dating back more than 100 years. These bricks each are stamped with the names of ghost companies including Metropolitan, Moulding, Streator, Danville and Theodore. These companies were successful brick manufacturing companies that paved many streets in and around Chicago, but they have all been driven out of business by asphalt companies, explains John Gavin. Gavin is president of Historical Bricks, a private company that buys and sells the same antique bricks that built these Whiting streets. He says municipalities looking to cut costs often sold the bricks from old roads that he resells for profit. But usually cities just paved over the roads, burying the history with them. Whiting was no exception. “Somebody throws an inch and a half or two of asphalt on top of brick over the years, and they call that improvement,” says Whiting mayor Joe Stahura. “Asphalt back in the fifties and sixties was really cheap, so you paved everything.” A lot of work was done very quickly, he says. Now people are questioning the value of the so-called progress, because it turns out that brick roads were just better. They lasted longer. The grooves between the bricks acted as speed barriers to reckless drivers. Most agree that the various shades of smoky red are more aesthetically pleasing than the blacktops that collect heat and emit toxic vapors in the summer sun. Stahura made this realization as a councilman when the city was faced with the decision of paving or restoring the brick on Pennsylvania Avenue. Instead of simply looking at the cost, they went door to door and asked. The answer was unanimous, he says. People wanted their streets brick. There was no need to ask again when a recent sewer failure forced the city to dig up Cleveland Avenue. Whiting went ahead and absorbed the cost to

return every brick. In fact, Stahura took out a local five-year bond to fund the project that cost $350,000 more than the price of a quick-and-easy asphalt job. The larger price tag was attributed to the cost of labor, as every brick was removed, stacked and restored. It’s a little trickier than steamrolling asphalt, explains Jason Durr and Sandra Bucklew. Durr and Bucklew are civil engineers for Christopher B. Burke Engineering, which was awarded the contract for the project. They say ripping up an asphalt street with a milling machine and a dump truck would have been a one-day process. Pouring and steamrolling asphalt likewise could have been completed in a single day. However, removing the bricks was a four-week process, as was returning them. Antique brick also can be found in the crosswalks of 119th Street. On other intersections throughout Northwest Indiana, crosswalks have been made to at least resemble brick with a variety of methods. Most commonly, brick patterns are etched directly into the asphalt and painted a brownish red. It’s fast and easy, but the paint fades in a couple of years and must be repainted, Stahura says. In other areas such as Robertsdale, antique brick is substituted with newly manufactured pavers. Unfortunately, they are often dislodged by traffic and crumble to dust. The newest trend in mimicking brick for crosswalks uses a thermal-plastic street print that is embedded directly onto the pavement. It can be made in any color (even fluorescent) and looks almost identical to brick, only more durable, much cheaper and even more vibrant. “I think it is a testimony to the fact that people want brick streets and crosswalks that somebody actually created a product like this,” Stahura says. “It definitely gives the appearance of brick.”

ecognizing that desire, Stahura continues to stockpile the old bricks whenever possible. Often street work will uncover the old brick surface, which is like finding polished hardwood under an old carpet. Whiting removes these bricks when possible and stores them for future use. More will be uncovered in the future as the city moves forward to redevelop its lakefront Whiting Park, which will include many brick walkways. As the city continues to “refine the community,” brick will play a major role. Like the roads, Whiting should last forever. It just needs a solid foundation with neighbors lending strength to the whole like bricks in a road. This brick sends a message that the community is worth investing a little extra money and some hard work. What’s more, reusing this material will keep it out of landfills, preserve resources and maintain property values. Simply put, brick is better. -ADAM MADISON

photography by ADAM MADISON

The front lawn often is a factor when judging the character of one’s neighbor. The quality of a community is likewise indicated by the condition of its roads. Whiting has its share of potholes, as well as a few weeds; most neighborhoods do. Whiting, however, also has a few characteristics that other communities lack, such as pride, commitment and history. It’s written on the surface of a dwindling number of brick roads and crosswalks.

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APRIL 2011

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shorelines >> green notes <<

MICHIGAN’S GREENEST SUPERHEROES New book teaches kids about invasive species

How invasive species enter the Great Lakes Ballast water, which keeps ships upright and balanced, is discharged when a vessel moves from one body of water to another through canals or locks. One billion gallons are dumped annually in the Great Lakes, roughly the equivalent of 1,500 Olympic-size pools. Untreated ballast discharges introduced more than 180 aquatic invasive species into the Great Lakes, causing billions of dollars in damage to fisheries, recreation and public infrastructure. SOURCE: SOOPERYOOPER.COM

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UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO TO HOST INVASIVE SPECIES CONFERENCE The Program on the Global Environment at the University of Chicago is hosting a conference on invasive species May 11-13 at Swift Hall on the Hyde Park campus, 5828 South University Avenue in Chicago. Ecologists, economists, policy-makers, lawyers, journalists, historians and authors—including Sooper Yooper author Mark Newman—are among those planned as presenters. All events are free and open to the public, but registration online is encouraged to assure a seat. For more information, go to pge.uchicago.edu/invasivespecies.

illustrations by MARK HECKMAN

Mark Newman and his best friend Mark Heckman were used to putting pen to paper and brush to canvas for a cause. “Mark and I had done a lot of environmental billboards and always had in the back of our minds that we wanted to do a kids’ book, a picture book,” Newman says. “It only made sense to do something around the Great Lakes.” The Michigan men started plotting their plans more than five years ago and the result was Sooper Yooper, a children’s book about Billy Cooper, an ex-Navy SEAL and environmental superhero who lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and battles invasive species to protect the Great Lakes along with his dog, Mighty Mac. “We decided not to give him a superpower, because we wanted kids to relate to him,” Newman says. “It’s not going to be one person who saves the Great Lakes, it’s going to be all of us.” Heckman, of Sparta, Michigan, passed away in May 2010 after a near two-year battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the age of 49. He died before seeing the book in print. “It changes, but it never gets easier,” Newman said of Heckman’s loss. “I can’t pick up the phone and talk to him anymore. We always worked on the phone. If we got together, we got too distracted. We would sometimes be up until two or three in the morning working things out.” Each of the detailed illustrations are actually paintings, each of which took Heckman one to two months to create. Newman wrote much of the book around the artwork, which Heckman insisted include such U.P. landmarks as the Mackinac Bridge and Castle Rock. Newman travels around the Great Lakes visiting schools, libraries and museums to share the Sooper Yooper story and message, educating young people on the dangers associated with invasive species. The programs are free, thanks to funding from the Wege Foundation. The book gives a nod to the organization’s founder, Michigan philanthropist Peter Wege, in the character “The Wedge,” whom Cooper goes to for help in his fight against invasive species. “We were going to jointly go around to the schools and talked about a map with cities we wanted to reach,” Newman says. “[Heckman] called me about two months before he passed and said, ‘Newman, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it. Can you do the schools?’ I said, ‘Mark, you know you don’t have to ask.’” As of January, Newman had taken the Sooper Yooper story and message to close to 7,000 students. “The book is really Mark’s legacy,” Newman says. “I explain to the kids that he was ill for the entire process of making the books, in and out of the hospital and chemo and that it’s a sad story that he died last May, but it has a happy ending in that his legacy lives on in this book.” -LAURI HARVEY KEAGLE

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HOME FITNESS ROOMS How to make your workout space functional and fabulous

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s spring makes its way onto the Lake Michigan shore, workout enthusiasts rejoice with the ability to exercise outside. But with warmer temperatures also comes rainy weather, making an in-home fitness center important year-round. After Shatar and her partner Amy Dauer purchased an old carriage house in St. Joseph, the two gutted the building and completely redesigned it to meet their needs, including an in-home gym. Shatar, a former professional tennis player and now interior designer, and Dauer, a retired physical therapist, used their professional knowledge, as well as a list of their personal needs, to create a warm workout oasis that blends with the rest of the house. “The key thing is to design something that is beautiful and inviting,” Shatar says. “This is as beautiful a room as any other room in the house.” The room features colorful walls covered in artwork, workout balls, a wall geared toward stretching and bands and also a jogging pool, an Shatar and Amy’s fitness room features important factor for Dauer after she workout balls, a was diagnosed with osteoporosis. wall geared toward The couple was lucky, they say, stretching and bands because they could design their perfect and a jogging pool. workout room as they were building their home. But not everyone can tuck a home gym addition into a remodeling job, especially if no remodeling is planned. Still, Michael Smith, a designer with Triad Design in Griffith, has some ideas to turn that extra room into an ideal workout space. Smith advises checking the room to make sure it has enough space, including ceiling clearance, for the equipment you’d like to put in it. He suggests trying to lay out the room with paper patterns to ensure there’s enough space. Next, make sure the right kind of flooring is installed. For example, carpet may end up being a bad idea once you start sweating; instead, try rubber flooring that won’t be harmed by the equipment. Lighting and air circulation are also key, Smith says. “Really personalize it,” he says. “It’s all about doing the prep work.” Dauer says it wasn’t an option for Shatar and her to stop working out during the long, dark and cold months that Michigan favors, and they tried to make their workout room a place they would want to come to do things they enjoy doing. “I think the average person is terrified about how to begin,” Dauer says. “It’s not a huge room, but it so hugely meets our needs.” -KATHLEEN QUILLIGAN

the junior council Chicago young professionals aid pediatric AIDS research When she first moved to Chicago, Diana Arand lived a 10-minute walk away from Children’s Memorial Hospital. Arand attended a call-out meeting for volunteering at the hospital, but learned it would be close to six months before she would be able to participate. At the same meeting, she learned about the Junior Council of Children’s Memorial Hospital and decided to join. Now Arand is the development chair of the council, one of fourteen executive members of the group of young professionals dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support the Pediatric and Adolescent HIV/AIDS programs at Children’s Memorial Hospital. “We work pretty closely with Dr. [Ram] Yogev,” says Arand of the relationship with the cofounder of the program. “He’s very involved, and lets us know where the money is going.” The Pediatric and Adolescent HIV/ AIDS program of Children’s Memorial Hospital was established in 1987 by Yogev and Dr. Ellen Chadwick, and in 1988 the Junior Council of Children’s Memorial Hospital was created to help with fundraising efforts. Throughout the year the council hosts fundraising events and also events that directly impact the program, such as hosting a holiday party for patients and their families each December, says Jennifer Ebie, the council’s marketing chair. A check is presented to the program annually at the council’s primary event, Snowball, a black-tie gala. The check presented in 2010 was for $115,000. Because of the close relationship with Yogev, the council is able to see where a lot of their donation goes. For example, Arand says there was a nurse who was going to be let go because of budget issues, but the council’s donation was able to pay her salary. Ebie says the hospital’s mission is to take care of children regardless of a family’s ability to pay, and some children require medication that needs to be refrigerated, but they don’t have a refrigerator. So their donation might pay for the refrigeration. The council is always looking for new members, and anyone interested should visit cmh-juniorcouncil.org. “It’s an incredible learning opportunity,” Ebie says. “There’s a lot in our demographic that don’t know what it is to have, and live with, and treat AIDS, and how it really affects every facet of life.” -KATHLEEN QUILLIGAN

photography by TONY V. MARTIN

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MEIJER GARDENS GALA, GRAND RAPIDS • DEYOUNG INTERIORS RECEPTION, ST. JOHN • UNICEF GALA, CHICAGO • WINTER DELIGHTS FESTIVAL, BENTON HARBOR • LUBEZNIK RECEPTION, MICHIGAN CITY • CHAMBER AWARDS, VALPARAISO • UNITED WAY GALA, MICHIGAN CITY • POPS CONCERT, LAPORTE • NWIAGS FUNDRAISER, HOBART 1

garden party

meijer gardens gala grand rapids

photography by gregg rizzo

More than 500 guests enjoyed a holiday season kickoff that benefited Frederik Meijer Gardens and also served as a 91st birthday celebration for Frederik. The festivities included ethnic cuisine, a horsedrawn carriage in the candlelit Sculpture Park and 40 holiday trees that represented traditions from around the world.

1 Kaitlyn and Pam Kleibusch of Ada 2 Frederik and Lena Meijer of Grand Rapids 3 Mary Bowman of Kalamazoo with Tammy Born of Grand Rapids 4 Donald and Ann Kelley with John and Janet Boyles, all of Grand Rapids

5 Brian and Beth Moore of Kentwood 6 Sharon and Steve VanLoon of Rockford

7 Jill and Steve Wenger of Rockford 8 Steve and Amy Strickland of Caledonia 9 Hildegard Adkins, Dr. Bill Wagner and MaryAnn Keeler, all of Grand Rapids

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10 Richard and Ellen Wicks of Grand Rapids

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ALL CLICKS COMPILED BY SUE BERO

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an artful evening deyoung interiors reception | st.john photography by gregg rizzo

An array of 12 local and Chicago area artists and members of the art community, including Julia Oehmke and Charles Lotton, were among 300 people who attended an exhibition/opening reception at DeYoung Interiors, hosted by John DeYoung. The Evening of the Arts included paintings and other images and an exhibition of quality furniture, flooring and window treatments.

1 Nick Kostner of South Holland 2 Charles Lotton of Crete with John DeYoung 3 Bob Scheuneman of Schererville with Charlyn Vlasic of Merrillville

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4 John DeYoung with Julia Oehmke of Crete

ARTATTACK IN HARBOR COUNTRY APRIL29&30 ANDMAY1

5 Sal and Debra Bolanos of East Chicago 6 Carolyn VanDerGriend of Lansing with Kyle DeYoung

APRIL 2011

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message of hope

a fine time of wine

photography by public communications

photography by gregg rizzo

UNICEF gala | chicago

More than 370 guests gathered at the InterContinental Hotel to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. Nearly $550,000 was raised to benefit UNICEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Build Back Better initiative. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and followed by a candlelit dinner in the Grand Ballroom. Port-au-Prince musician Donald Dorcilus and the West Indian Folk Dance Company began the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events with a spirited performance.

winter delights festival | benton harbor

2 1 Jack Meyers of Baroda with Angelique Petersen of Benton Harbor

1 Frank and Lillian Brunacci of Chicago

2 Debbie and Jef VanPelt of Michigan City

2 Laura Myntti of River Forest and Brendan Burke of Chicago 3 Paul Harvey of Evanston with Nicole Klotz, Joe Silich and MaryLou Giustini, all of Chicago

3 Tony and Lisa Turner of Mattawan

4 Andy Rink of Indianapolis Caitlin Bossy of Chicago and

4 June and Larry Bowman of St. Joseph 5 Michelle and Brad Rush of St. Joseph 6 Rachelle Bernard with Judy Sykora, both of St. Joseph

5 Caryl Stern of New York City and Kathi Seifert of Appleton, Wis.

Some 400 guests braved the elements to enjoy an evening of wine tasting, culinary pleasures and the smooth sounds of Bryan Lubeck and Acoustic Vineyard at the second annual Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Winter Delights festival. The event also featured wine tasting classes taught by Jason Forbed and a free commemorative wine glass for attendees.

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a fitting opening

salute to leadership

photography by gregg rizzo

lubeznik reception | michigan city

An opening reception of the Lubeznik Center for the Arts season featured a spirited panel discussion with Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rick Kogan and other gentlemen who spoke of misspent younger days frequenting iconic Windy City bars. More than 100 guests attended the festivities and also enjoyed a themed photo exhibition.

1 Judy and Terry Truesdell of Niles 2 Kris Jones with Jim Tuohy, both of Chicago

chamber awards | valparaiso

Bruce Leetz, of North Coast Distributing Inc., and Larry Klemz, of Home Mountain Printing, were named 2010 Distinguished Community Leader and 2010 Legacy of Service Award winner, respectively, as 360 guests attended a leadership program sponsored by the board of directors of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. The event at Strongbow Inn also honored businesses that have offered services for 50, 75 and 100 years.

3 Joanne DeVargas of Racine, Wis., with Dani Lane of New Buffalo

1 George and Julie Douglas of Valparaiso

4 Leona Marshall of Michigan City, Janet Bloch of Chesterton, Sandi Weindling of Ogden Dunes and Judi Burnison of Lakeside

2 Carol and Steve Highsmith of Crown Point

5 Jack Lane of New Buffalo and Rick Kogan of Chicago

6 Olga Shurmina-Welch and Randy Welch of Michigan City

3 Rex and Judy Richards of Valparaiso 4 Nancy Adams of Valparaiso with Mike and Abby Leetz of Westville

5 Tom and Jane Szymczak of Crown Point 6 Spiro and Jennifer Olympidis of Valparaiso

APRIL 2011

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sure bet

united way gala michigan city

photography by gregg rizzo

A Night in Old Hollywood was the theme of a fundraiser for United Way of LaPorte County, as 550 attendees graced the red carpet for a night of dancing, entertainment, mingling with celebrity impersonators, enjoying fine food and libations and participating in live and silent auctions.

1 Dori Huber of Union Mills with Lucy Vergo of LaPorte 2 Cathy and Scott Thompson of Valparaiso 3 Michael and Gale Gonder of Michigan City 4 Mike Charbonneau of South Bend, Ted Bogich of Chesterton, Bryanne Dunlop of Valparaiso, Jeff Smith of Crown Point and Dave Meyer of Crown Point

5 Denise and Jason Curtis of LaPorte

6 Brad and Laura Smith of Michigan City 7 Matthew Shoemaker of LaPorte and Mary Casini of South Bend 8 Mike and Chris Stantz of LaPorte 9 Karen and Lou Biernacki of LaPorte

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10 Katie Kalil and Curt Cipares of Michigan City

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music for charity

food favorites

photography by gregg rizzo

pops concert | laporte

The 16th Annual LaPorte Hospital Foundation Holiday at the Pops event drew more than 1,800 guests who enjoyed entertainment provided by the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium. Proceeds benefited Visiting Nurse Association home care and hospice programs and other philanthropic needs in the county.

1 Katrina Langford of LaPorte

NWIAGS fundraiser | hobart

Northwest Indiana Adult Guardianship Services Inc. teamed with ACF Chefs of Northwest Indiana to offer Adventures in International Cuisine at Avalon Manor. A crowd of 150 to 200 patrons sampled food from six stations and voted for their favorite. The second annual program, proceeds from which benefit the services organization, also offered silent and live auctions, jazz music and dancing.

2 1 Pat Romanchek and Patty Rees of New Buffalo

2 Karen Jedrysek and Lee Bauman of LaPorte with Lauren Stafford of Merrillville

2 Dana Goodman and Marilyn Kmak, both of Merrillville

3 Maria and Greg Fruth with Marti Swanson, all of LaPorte

3 Sandy Enzwiler of Valparaiso with Deb Hoch of Lowell

4 Liz Kaminski, Elizabeth Dekker and Michele Thompson, all of LaPorte

5 Debbie Handel and Laura Krentz, both of LaPorte 6 Michele Thompson and Jim Magnuson, both of LaPorte

4 Kyle Fouch of Valparaiso, Jessica Bishop and Nichols Edwards, both of Crown Point, Jim Galligan of Valparaiso and Jack Mix of St. John

5 Christopher Herrmann of Dyer and Barb Melendez of Valparaiso 6 Chelsea Evenson of Highland and Teddy Flores of East Chicago

APRIL 2011

essential events HAPPENINGS 42

EXHIBITIONS 43

FILM 43

PERFORMANCE 44

Apr 29-May 1 ART ATTACK

Harbor Country. 877.469.3822 harborcountry.org/artattack Gallery receptions, artists’ demonstrations, exhibitions, wine tasting and open houses are just some of the events that are a part of the highly anticipated 18th annual Art Attack, held in various locations throughout Harbor Country.

CALENDAR COMPILED BY JULI DOSHAN

happenings Indiana

Apr 7 The Midwest Smoke Out, 5-10pm, The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond. 888.226.0330. midwestsmokeout.com. The second-largest cigar show in the country returns with dozens of big brands of premium cigars, spirits and luxury items. This event also allows participants to network with Fortune 500 executives and VIPs. Apr 8 Taste of La Lumiere, 7pm, Marsch Gymnasium, La Lumiere Campus, 6801 N Wilhelm Rd, LaPorte. 219.326.7450. lalumni.org. This international food festival has been celebrating the different cultures represented in this community for 20 years. Each year, students serve as many as 92 different and unique dishes from 34 countries to more than 500 guests.

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Apr 11-16 Valparaiso University Jazz Festival, Harre Union, Valparaiso University, 1509 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso. 219.464.5415. valpo.edu. The 26th edition of the Valparaiso University Jazz Festival will be headlined by American jazz composer and performer Ramsey Lewis and the nationally renowned group, the Tia Fuller Quartet. The Midwest’s largest non-juried jazz event will also feature university faculty and student ensembles, jazz bands from Northwest Indiana high schools and other guest performers. Apr 13 20th Annual Spring Luncheon, 10:30am, Halls of St. George, 905 E Joliet St, Schererville. 219.778.2585. sharefoundation.org. Celebrate the coming season at this luncheon, which benefits the Share Foundation. Lunch will be accompanied by a baked goods sale, silent auction, table prizes and musical entertainment for the more than 800 guests in attendance. Apr 16-27 Prairie Pride Folk Art Show, 10am5pm, Fawn Run Farm, 3883 E 700 N, Rolling Prairie.

219.778.2809. fawnrunfarmprimitive.com. This free show has brought fine quality, handcrafted folk art, traditional crafts, antiques and garden goods from local artisans and dealers to the area for 20 years. Homemade treats are also available, including baked goods and roasted coffee beans. Apr 30 April in Paris, 11am-3pm, Old World Market, 76 Washington St, Valparaiso. 219.476.0700. oldworldmarketonline.com. A free wine tasting and more than 200 cheeses in stock will help participants learn how to pair different wines and cheeses. Guests can also enjoy live music, pastries and chocolates.

Michigan

Apr Culture of India Festival, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St, Saugatuck. 269.857.2399. sc4a.org. The Saugatuck Center for the Arts celebrates the rich culture of India throughout April with classes, lectures, live performances and exhibits. Apr 7: Bollywood Dance 101 Workshop; Apr 11: Henna Tattoo class; Apr 14: Sari Fashion Show; Apr 18: 330 Million Faces—Meeting Hindu’s Deities; Apr 20: Aromatic Indian Cuisine. Apr 9 Herb Society High Tea, Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, 13988, Range Line Rd, Niles. 269.423.4901. fernwoodbotanical.org. Guests to this event can enjoy exotic teas and sweets served on fine china in the style of a traditional high tea, as well as a lecture from Joyce Kebless, who will explore the rich traditions and tales of spring. Sponsored by the Michiana Unit of the Herb Society of America, proceeds will benefit the Society’s work and other projects at Fernwood Botanical Garden. Apr 15 15th Annual Wege Speaker Series, 4-5pm, Performing Arts Center, Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Rd SE, Grand Rapids.

616.957.0480 ext 206. wegefoundation.com. Internationally honored environmental film producer Chris Palmer will deliver the 15th annual Wege Speaker Series lecture. Palmer has produced environmental films for the Disney Channel, TBS, Animal Planet, HGTV, the Travel Channel, the Outdoor Life Network and PBS. Apr 17 Art Dart, Water Street Gallery, 98 Center St, Douglas. 616.834.4686. waterstreetgallery.com. Visitors to this unique art event can purchase a dart from the Water Street Gallery that they will then throw at a number. When guests hear their number called, they can grab their favorite piece of artwork from the gallery wall to take home. Apr 23 Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Parade, egg hunt begins at 11:30am, Lake Bluff Park, downtown St. Joseph. 269.985.1111. sjtoday.org. Children ages 2-10 years old can find more than 6,000 eggs hidden at Lake Bluff Park. Afterward, families can enjoy the Easter Bonnet Parade.

Illinois

Through Apr Winter French Market, 8-11am Sat, Wheaton Metra Station, Main St & Liberty Dr, downtown Wheaton. downtownwheaton.com. Cold weather can’t stop vendors at this seasonal market from selling flowers, locally grown produce, jewelry, crafts and more. Through May 8 Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show, 9am-5pm, Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago. garfield-conservatory.org. Visitors can experience the beauty of spring before the weather even begins to warm up at this free annual flower show. Featured flowers include the direct descendents of the great azaleas that once bloomed at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and spring flowering annuals and perennials.

photograph courtesy of ART ATTACK COMMITTEE

The information presented in Essential Events is accurate as of press time, but readers are encouraged to call ahead to verify the dates and times. Please note that Illinois and most Indiana events adhere to central time, and Michigan events are eastern time.

Apr 9 Don’t Call Me Joe, 7pm, Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph St, Chicago. 312.893.2852. wbez.org. This event provides guests with an exclusive chance to participate in a culinary conversation and learn about tasting and brewing all types of coffee. Information on terminology, coffee processing and history will be available, and guests will be able to mingle with baristas, roasters, green coffee buyers and members of the Intelligentsia Quality Control team. Apr 13 The Downtown Seder, 7pm, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago. citywinery. com/seder/chicago. Customary traditions will be followed at this imaginative and interactive Passover Seder dinner, which will be served at elegant long family-style tables set with traditional accoutrements. An all-star lineup of local and national artists will lead various sections of the Passover Haggadah and guests will enjoy a delicious kosher meal featuring Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck. Apr 15-17 Chicago Botanic Garden’s Antiques & Garden Fair, 10am-5pm, Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe. 847.835.6944. chicagobotanic.org. “Landscapes Transformed—Gardens of a New Era” will be the theme of the 11th anniversary of this signature event. Guests are invited to listen to renowned Belgian landscape artist Peter Wirtz’s lecture on Friday morning before enjoying the best in classical and contemporary gardening furnishings, botanical art, and home and garden design from more than 100 exhibitors from the United States and Europe. Apr 29-May 2 Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, 11am-7pm Fri-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun, 11am-3pm Mon, The Merchandise Mart, 8th Floor, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. 800.677.6728. merchandisemartantiques.com. More than 100 of the world’s top dealers of antiques and fine art will be on hand to showcase a wide range of antiques.

exhibitions

Indiana

Apr 16-Jun 26 Tommy—The Material Girl, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W 2nd St, Michigan City. 219.874.4900. lubeznikcenter. org. Colorful mixed media art quilts combine fiber arts, weaving and hand dyeing by local artist Tommy Fitzsimmons. Also, through Apr 10: 100 Views of Chicago—Bronislaw M. Bak Woodcut Prints; through Apr 10: Through the Woods, Around the Block; Apr 16-Jun 26: Vintage Vogue—Cover Art from the LCA Permanent Collection; Apr 16-Jun 26: Woman as Artist, Woman as Muse—Diamond Collection Posters of the Belle Epoque 1890-1910.

Michigan

Through Apr 17 The Wyeths— America’s Artists, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S Park St, Kalamazoo. 269.349.7775. kiarts. org. Displaying works from three generations of artists, this exhibit features approximately 90 paintings and drawings from “America’s Painter” Andrew Wyeth and his family. Also, through Apr 24: Ukiyo-e Redux—Contemporary Japanese Prints; through Apr 10: Familiar Surroundings. Through May 1 Bodies Revealed, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids. 616.456.3977. grmuseum.org. Each gallery of this exhibit uses 14 full body specimens and more than 200 organs to tell the story of the amazing systems at work within the human body every second of the day. Carefully dissected, the bodies reveal the function and relationship of a complete anatomical system to the body as a whole, while presentation cases of related organs provide an even more detailed look into the elements that make up each system. Mar 31-May 22 Meditations on Michigan’s Land, Lakes and Rivers, Grand Rapids Art Museum, 1010 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids. 616.831.1000. artmuseumgr.org. Traditional etchings inspired by Michigan’s diverse landscape by Ladislav Hanka will be on display at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Along with the artist’s crooked tree print series, this exhibit features Hanka’s ArtPrize entry from 2010, which won a Curator’s Purchase Award. Also, Apr 15-Aug 14: Birds of America—Audubon Prints from Shelburne Museum.

Illinois

Through May 29 Jim Nutt— Coming Into Character, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago. 312.280.2660. mcachicago.org. This exhibit will be the first major presentation of Jim Nutt’s work—which focuses on female heads in spare line drawings and rich, detailed paintings—in more than 10 years. Drawing from many inspirations, not limited to Henri Matisse, Max Ernst and H. C. Westermann, Nutt’s work shows the maturity he has gained over more than four decades of artistic development.

Through July 20 Hyperlinks— Architecture and Design, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago. 317.443.3600. artic.edu/aic. The emergence of the Internet has resulted in many things, not the least of which are new attitudes to architecture and design. This exhibit displays more than 30 projects in architecture, furniture, multimedia and conceptual design that have stemmed from the Internet in some way from an international group of architects and designers. Also, through Apr 3: Egoyomi-Japanese Pictures Calendars; through Apr 17: John Marin’s Watercolors—A Medium for Modernism; through Apr 17: Peter Fischli David Weiss—Questions, the Sausage Photographs, and a Quiet Afternoon; through May 15: American Modern—Abbott, Evans, Bourke-White; through May 29: Real and Imaginary—Three Latin American Artists; through May 30: Kings, Queens, and Courtiers—Art in Early Renaissance France. Through Aug 14 The Horse, The Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago. 312.922.9410. fieldmuseum.org. Exploring the profound relationship between horses and humans, this exhibit features over 200 different breeds of horses and astonishing artifacts like a 2nd-century B.C.E. bronze figurine, a full suit of armor from the 15th century and an American horse-drawn fire engine from the 20th century. Also, through Nov 28: Climate Change. Through Sep 5 Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life, Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St & Lake Shore Dr, Chicago. 773.947.3730. msichicago.org. This exhibition, from Dr. Gunther von Hagens, makes its U.S. debut at the Museum of Science and Industry. Featuring more than 200 real human specimens preserved through plastination, the human life cycle and the arc of aging will be examined. Apr 1-Aug 7 Nature’s Architects, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago. 773.755.5100. naturemuseum.org. The Nature Museum’s first completely self-curated exhibition, Nature’s Architects investigates the creative, industrious and skillful craftsmanship of animal builders, locally and around the world. Guests will gain an appreciation for how and why animals build, by viewing live animals, a building materials station, a video stations and nests from the Chicago Academy of Science’s 150-year-old collection.

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film Indiana

Portage 16 IMAX, 6550 US Hwy 6, Portage. 219.764.7569. portage16imax.com. The brandnew Portage 16 IMAX showcases blockbusters as well as electrifying 3D films that are uniquely suited to the IMAX format. With projected images up to eight stories high and a spectacular, wraparound digital surround-sound system, this theater offers a total-immersion moviegoing experience.

HOME THEATER & MOBILE ELECTRONICS 2912 N. Calumet Avenue Valparaiso, IN • 219-548-2571 www.cartronix.com

APRIL 2011

Apr 3-May 15 Exercises in Creativity—Italian Drawings, 1500-1800, Snite Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame. 574.631.5466. nd.edu/~sniteart. This small exhibition of Old Master Drawings selected from the Museum’s collection features 540 studies, sketches and finished works in pen, pencil, chalk and charcoal by significant European artists of the

15th through 18th centuries. Also, Apr 3-May 22: 2011 Annual UND Art Student Exhibition.

Apr 8 Red or White Ball, 8pm-1am, Salvage One, 1840 W Hubbard St, Chicago. 312.654.5681. steppenwolf.org. More than 550 young area professionals will gather for an extravagant evening of cocktails, food, entertainment, a silent auction and raffle prizes at this ball hosted by the Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council. This is the ninth year for this premier event for Chicago’s most influential young philanthropists.

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Michigan

The Vickers Theatre, 6 N Elm St, Three Oaks. 269.756.3522. vickerstheatre.com. Home of the annual “Sound of Silents Film Festival,” this painstakingly restored turn-of-the-century art house screens a variety of notable independent films. A lofty, two-story gallery space, showcasing the works of Midwestern artists, is open to the public before and between shows. Further enhancing its art-house cachet, the Vickers hosts live music, performance art and poetry readings on its stage.

Illinois

The Gene Siskel Film Center, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 164 N State St, Chicago. 312.846.2600. siskelfilmcenter.org. This film center—renamed in 2000 for its most passionate supporter, the late film critic Gene Siskel—has been exhibiting critically acclaimed, as well as entertaining “motion picture art” in its state-of-the-art facilities since its inception in 1972. Presenting more than 100 films each month, the center showcases cutting-edge, independent features and classic revivals, as well as premieres of new American and foreign films. From hosting the “Annual Festival of Films from Iran” to The Grapes of Wrath, the diverse offerings have quality in common. A focus on education is supported by guest lecturers, discussions and courses, and film-related exhibits can be viewed at the on-site gallery/café.

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performance Indiana

Chicago Street Theater, 154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso. 219.464.1636. ctgonline.org. Now in its 56th season of bringing live theatrical entertainment to the greater Northwest Indiana region, the CST presents a variety of plays and musicals each season, in addition to regularly scheduled theater classes for both adults and children. Apr 1-16: The Clean House.

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DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Campus. 574.631.2800. performingarts. nd.edu. The state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot facility, newly opened in 2004, is host to some of the world’s most celebrated artists. In addition, its stages showcase student, faculty and community performers, as well as the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Southold Dance, the Notre Dame Symphony, the South Bend Civic Theatre, and more. Apr 5-10: Two Gentlemen of Verona; Apr 9: Venice Baroque Orchestra; Apr 14-17: Le Nozze Di Figaro; Apr 29: NDSO Spring Concert 2011. Footlight Players, 1705 Franklin St, Michigan City. 219.874.4035. footlightplayers.org. This community theater group has been entertaining audiences in Michigan City for more than 50 years with its productions of dramas, comedies and musicals. Apr 1-17: Nunsense.

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Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond. 866.711.7463.

horseshoehammond.com. Worldclass gambling and top-name entertainment combine to create an unprecedented experience at this 350,000-square-foot casino. The Venue, the casino’s 90,000-squarefoot entertainment facility, hosts some of the hottest Chicagoland entertainment. Apr 1: Bob Saget, Apr 23: Jackson Browne. LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, performances in LaPorte and Michigan City, 614 Lincolnway, LaPorte. 219.362.9020. lcso.net. This exciting orchestra offers a variety of concerts throughout the season—including classical, pops, chamber, children’s and family. Apr 16: young@heart. The Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N Michigan St, South Bend. 574.235.9190, 800.537.6415. morriscenter.org. The home of the Broadway Theatre League, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and the Southold Dance Theater, the 2,560-seat Morris Performing Arts Center has enraptured audiences in the heart of downtown South Bend for more than 75 years. Apr 7: Randy Travis; Apr 9: South Bend Symphony Orchestra, “Variations on a Theme”; Apr 15: Celtic Woman; Apr 17: Bill Maher; Apr 29-30: Legally Blonde—The Musical. Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, various venues. 219.836.0525. nwisymphony.org. Conducted by the charismatic Kirk Muspratt, this professional orchestra performs concerts that range in atmosphere from the whimsical pops series to the edifying and inspirational maestro series, many of which offer pre-concert discussions with the conductor an hour before the concert. Apr 8: Carmina Burana. Star Plaza Theatre, I-65 & US 30, Merrillville. 219.769.6600. starplazatheatre.com. With 3,400 seats arranged in two intimate seating levels, the theater consistently hosts premier performers year-round. With its convenient location in the heart of Northwest Indiana’s shopping and dining district and its proximity to the adjoining Radisson Hotel, the Star Plaza offers a total entertainment package to area theatergoers. Apr 1: The Dirty Joke Show; Apr 3: Kevin Hart; Apr 9: Soul Sensation. The Theatre at the Center, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter. com. This theater, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, has the distinction of being the only professional equity theater in Northwest Indiana, and showcases the artistry of professional actors, musicians and designers from throughout the Midwest. Apr 28-May 29: Nunset Boulevard.

Michigan

The Acorn Theater, 6 N Elm St, Three Oaks. 269.756.3879. acorntheater.com. The 250-seat Acorn is home to a carefully reconstructed, rare Barton Theater Pipe Organ and boasts bistro tables and occasionally offbeat entertainment options. Apr 9:

Special Consensus; Apr 10: Tempest; Apr 14: Peter Yarrow; Apr 15-16: Jefferson Starship; Apr 19: David Lahm; Apr 30: Kennedy’s Kitchen. Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids. 616.454.9451 ext 4. grsymphony.org. Recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras, this Grammy-nominated symphony provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. The orchestra’s eight concert series with performances designed for young children through adults feature a wide range of repertoire. Mar 31-Apr 2: Inspired by Mozart; Apr 15-16: Two Dons and Dvorák. Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, various venues. 269.349.7759. kalamazoosymphony.com. Founded in 1921, this outstanding ensemble entertains the Kalamazoo area with a classical subscription series, annual holiday presentations, chamber orchestra concerts, free summer park concerts and various educational programs. Apr 15: 1812 Overture; Apr 28: 90th Season Celebration with Yo-Yo Ma. The Livery, 190 5th St, Benton Harbor. 269.925.8760. liverybrew.com. As its name suggests, the Livery is a former horse stable, residing in the Arts District of downtown Benton Harbor. Not content to just offer its twelve taps of microbrew, an outdoor beer garden, an appetizing soup and sandwich menu, and a coffee bar, the Livery is also a venue for an eclectic variety of musical performances. Mar 31: Pre-Fools with VS Band & Chuck Jagers; Apr 1: Sarah & the Tall Boys; Apr 8: Town Mountain. Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, various venues. 269.982.4030. smso.org. This versatile orchestra offers a traditional Mendel Mainstage Series, small ensemble works in the Around Town Series, and the Performing Artists series, which showcases a wide range of styles with guest artists. Apr 1: Solaire Quartet; Apr 9: Soap Operas, Symphonies & Sexy Music. Van Andel Arena, 130 W Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616.742.6600. vanandelarena.com. Ranked second on Billboard Magazine’s 2003 Top 10 Arena Venues for its size, this $75 million 12,000-plus capacity arena offers world-class family shows, concerts and sporting events to the increasingly popular Grand Rapids area. Apr 2: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band; Apr 5: Celtic Woman. West Michigan Symphony, Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts, 425 W Western Ave, Muskegon. 231.727.8001. westmichigansymphony.org. With eight pairs of concerts a year, the West Michigan Symphony has played a leading role in the region’s cultural community for almost 70 years. It has helped bring a renewed vitality and life to the center of Muskegon and with it, the historic Frauenthal Theater, a 1,729-seat venue with extraordinary

Illinois

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E Parkway, Chicago. 312.902.1500. auditoriumtheatre.org. A National Historic Landmark and a mainstay of Chicago architecture and theatre since 1889, the Auditorium continues to provide unparalleled ballet performances and a variety of artistic productions. Apr 16: River North Dance Chicago; Apr 21-23: The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. Broadway in Chicago, various venues, Chicago. 800.775.2000. broadwayinchicago.com. A joint venture between the two largest commercial theater producers and owner/operators in the U.S., Broadway in Chicago offers the finest of professional stage productions in multiple theaters, all residing in Chicago’s lively Loop. Bank of America Theatre, 18 W Monroe. Apr 26-May 8: Next to Normal. Broadway Playhouse, 175 E Chestnut. Through May 8: Working. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W Randolph. Apr 1-2: Jeff Beck; Apr 26-May 8: Cirque Éloize iD. The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy, University Park. 708.235.2222. centertickets.net. The Center for Performing Arts is celebrating 11 years of promoting cultural enhancement on the South Side of Chicago through world-class performing arts productions and arts education. Apr 10: In the Mood. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E Grand Ave, Chicago. 312.595.5600. chicagoshakes.com. Prominently located on Navy Pier in Chicago, this venue mounts renowned productions of the plays of William Shakespeare, as well as works from distinguished American and international playwrights and directors. The theater’s mission to reach out to younger audiences is well accomplished with its offerings of children’s productions and student matinees. The architecturally dynamic structure, new in 1999, houses both an engaging, 500-seat courtyard theater and a 200-seat black box theater. Through Apr 10: Black Watch; Apr 12-Jun 19: Murder for Two; Apr 13-Jun 12: The Madness of George III. Chicago Sinfonietta, Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 2205 S Michigan Ave, Chicago. chicagosinfonietta.org. In its pursuit of “Musical Excellence through Diversity,” the Chicago Sinfonietta— the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet—presents compelling, innovative works, often by composers and soloists of color. Mar 28: Generation Next; Apr 3: Chamber Series Concert III. The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Chicago. 312.462.6300. thechicagotheatre.com. The Chicago Theatre has been a prototype for area theaters since 1921. With its lavish architecture and an elegant stage, the Chicago Theatre seats 3,600 and stands seven stories high. Apr 14: Glenn Beck; Apr 16-17: Celtic Woman.

The Goodman Theatre, 170 N Dearborn St, Chicago. 312.443.3800. goodmantheatre.org. Since 1925, the Goodman Theatre has provided entertainment to the Chicago area; however, a new, state-of-the-art two-theater complex was completed in 2000—75 years to the day after the dedication of the original—and resides in the vibrant North Loop Theater District within walking distance of fine hotels and restaurants. Through Apr 17: God of Carnage; through Apr 24: El Nogalar; Apr 30-Jun 5: Stage Kiss. Harris Theater, 205 E Randolph, Chicago. 312.704.8414. harristheaterchicago.org. Now in its fifth season at its home in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, this modern state-of-the-art theater guarantees that the audience will enjoy a wide variety of performances in an intimate setting. Apr 2-10: Tod Machover’s Death and the Powers—A Robots’ Opera; Apr 15: Music of the Baroque; Apr 23-May 1: Marc-Antoine Charpentier—Medea.

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Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago. 312.397.4010. mcachicago.org. Reflecting the modern atmosphere of the adjoining museum, the state-ofthe-art MCA Theater features elegant oak-paneled walls and tiered seating, which guarantees that every one of the 300 seats can boast the best seat in the house. Apr 15-17: Trisha Brown Dance Company; Apr 27-May 1: Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes with MAVerick Ensemble-El Gallo—opera for actors. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N Halsted, Chicago. 312.335.1650. steppenwolf. org. The Chicago-based cast is an internationally renowned group of 43 artists, committed to the art of ensemble collaboration. Now in its 35th season, Steppenwolf continues to fulfill its mission by offering intriguing performances and taking artistic risks. Through Apr 24: Garage Rep; through May 15: Sex with Strangers; through May 29: The Hot L Baltimore. Victory Gardens Theater, various venues. 773.871.3000. victorygardens.org. As one of the country’s most respected midsized professional theater companies, this Tony Award-winning theater is dedicated to serving playwrights and producing world premiere plays. Programs include five mainstage productions with emphasis placed on the development of an ethnically and culturally diverse community of arts. Through Apr 10: Circle Mirror Transformation; Apr 1-May 1: Tree.

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APRIL 2011

Court Theatre, 5535 S Ellis Ave, Chicago. 773.753.4472. courttheatre.org. The Court Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional regional theater that is

located on the campus of the University of Chicago. Its mission to “discover the power of classic theater” is realized in its intimate, 251-seat auditorium. Through Apr 10: Virginia Woolf’s Orlando.

beauty, excellent acoustics and sight lines. Apr 15-16: Beethoven & Blue Jeans—rhythmic energy.

WORDS BY JEREMY GANTZ

Planners and development officials from six communities in Shore’s readership area agree: IT’S TIME TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO THE CITY.

very community’s present is a balancing act between the past and future. Unique, healthy towns and cities tend to be grounded in their respective pasts, but not so hidebound that they fall behind America’s dynamic economy. When a town doesn’t adapt fast enough, it withers. The Midwest is pockmarked with old manufacturing towns now trying to write their second, post-industrial act—Detroit being the glaring example. Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan aren’t immune to this trend, as anyone familiar with Gary, Indiana, and Grand Rapids knows. But the bigger beleaguered cities in the region aren’t the only ones trying to implement a “comprehensive” “master” plan that offers a roadmap to a better-looking 21st century. Even Valparaiso, named 2009 Community of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, has an official plan that the city’s government and citizens have agreed on. After all, if growth is unplanned and unmanaged, it’s more likely to undermine prospects for future growth. Success can trigger negative unintended consequences—like traffic jams and air pollution. To get a sense of the unique challenges facing the region, Shore talked to planning and development officials and perused the “master plans” of six different cities in the magazine’s readership area: LaPorte, Gary, Valparaiso, South Bend, Grand Rapids and Benton Harbor. We asked the experts: If money and politics were no obstacle, what big project would be at the top of your “to do” list? One clear theme emerged from these far-flung places: it’s time to grow smarter by bringing people back into downtown areas where there’s already infrastructure and services. That idea is very familiar to the staff of the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC). For the last two years, the organization, which serves Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, has been working on its 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. Revitalizing the area’s “unique core communities” will be one of its central goals, says Steve Strains, director of planning at NIRPC. A big reason NIRPC wants to see older communities revitalized (rather than expanding newer ones) is that they have existing infrastructure—things like housing, sewers and transit. “Some of it is old, and has to be repaired,” Strains says. “But we’re saying, let’s bring those communities back to life.” So without further ado, here’s a look at what the professional planners in these very different cities are dreaming about:

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aPorte, a city of about 22,000 and 15 miles from Lake Michigan, has one overriding problem, says Tim Gropp, executive director of the Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corporation: all roads lead to it. Well, four roads, to be exact: state highways 2, 4, 35 and 39 all converge in downtown LaPorte. That means too much truck traffic, which in turn means a less than attractive parking, dining and shopping experience, Gropp says. (It’s an ironic predicament, but not one that stopped the city from being named Community of the Year in 2005 by the state’s Chamber of Commerce and a finalist in the 2007 AllAmerica City competition held by the National Civic League.) “LaPorte is unique in that four state highways converge in the downtown area. We have a significant amount of truck traffic that goes through, which deters people from wanting to park downtown,” explains Gropp, who is also codirector at LaPorte County Economic Development Alliance. “So people don’t necessarily want to invest [in the downtown] because it’s so busy—in a bad way.” For downtown LaPorte to become as lively as its heyday in the 1970s, he says, most commercial traffic needs to be diverted onto a new bypass road connecting trucks to Interstate 80/90. The

project would be costly and complicated—the city and county would have to work together to secure land for the new road— but worth it. “That’s needed if there’s going to be expansion,” Gropp says. “It’s a lengthy process, but everyone agrees there’s a need to divert the traffic.” Traffic is the major obstacle to Gropp’s ideal downtown: a walkable area with shopping on ground floors and residences in upper floors. It’s a chicken-and-egg problem; many won’t move downtown until there are reasons to be living there, but restaurants and other shops won’t stay open late until there’s enough demand. “It’s very much not pedestrian-friendly right now, which has really deteriorated in the last couple years,” Gropp says. A new road to decongest the area would likely do the trick, he says, beginning a domino effect that could lead to a decongested downtown.

“LAPORTE IS UNIQUE IN THAT FOUR STATE HIGHWAYS CONVERGE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.”

APRIL 2011

US Route 30 (this would divert trucks from the same, echoing Gropp’s dream). But a truly ideal downtown Valpo would feature heated sidewalks, new condominiums, a new grocery store (a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods) and “state-of-the-art parking garages,” Phillips says. “Like many other cities with older, established downtowns, upgrading and replacement of aging infrastructure remains a priority.” Many of these projects would require grant funding and collaboration between different governmental levels and organizations, but all of them are achievable, he says. In fact, Valparaiso officials have visited Holland, Michigan, to see how that town has installed heated sidewalks and outdoor fireplaces. Those kinds of amenities encourage downtown commerce and can attract new residents. A commuter rail station isn’t out of the question, either. Since 2008, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has been studying the feasibility of a new Gary-to-Valparaiso leg to the South Shore, after it abandoned the idea of a “West Lake Corridor” line running through Hammond and Munster to Valparaiso because of low projected ridership.

hen asked how he’d like to see his city improved, Valparaiso city planner Craig Phillips can’t resist offering a detailed wish list. But one project is definitely at the top of that list: an extension of the South Shore train line connecting Valparaiso to Chicago. “This would spur additional transit-oriented development to the western portion of the downtown area,” Phillips writes in an email. That’s not the only transportation-related improvement he’d like to see to the city’s core. Phillips would like to reroute South Campbell Street as part of implementing the same transit-oriented development district (this would improve access to downtown) and extend State Road 149 to connect to

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ear the other end of the South Shore Line lies Gary, one of the country’s poster children for urban decay. Two numbers say it all: 178,000 and 80,294. The first is the city’s population in 1960, and the second is its estimated current population. Mayor Rudy Clay, now facing re-election, likes to say that “Gary’s best days are still ahead.” But what should be done now to ensure that his claim comes true? Last year, the Gary and Region Investment Project (GRIP), a joint effort of the Times Media Company and the Chicago-based Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), got underway. It aims to “build consensus among local leaders and stakeholders about how to address some of the most pressing issues” facing the city and its environs—in other words, prioritize problems and figure out what to do about them. “We really want to see a community effort on how Gary should look,” says Joanna Trotter, a GRIP project manager and director of community development at the MPC. Between October and December 2010, more than 800 Northwest Indiana residents took a GRIP survey to do just that, and the results are fairly conclusive. The Gary/Chicago International Airport Business Plan and Implementation garnered the most support, followed by the development of a Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and the implementation of a plan to revitalize Gary’s downtown and midtown areas, which are anchored by the very blighted Broadway Street corridor. Voters’ three top choices are all what Trotter terms “catalytic projects”—projects that would spur development throughout the region. Ideally, the expansion of the Gary/Chicago airport would “create high-quality jobs for Gary and the region, redevelop vacant and underutilized property along the Cline Avenue corridor,” as a GRIP document puts it. The other two projects are both in line with “smart growth” strategies being pushed by the NIRPC. The transportation district plan would turn many of Gary’s vacant lots into mixed-use (retail/residential) neighborhoods centered around commuter rail stations. The downtown/midtown plan would give an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places a major, desperately needed makeover. This year, GRIP will partner with Gary and adjacent communities and work with experts from the Urban Land Institute-Chicago to get the most promising projects up and running. “We’re all in the same boat,” Trotter says. “Let’s work together to figure out some of these challenges.”

he South Shore Line ends at South Bend, home of the University of Notre Dame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Those two things will always draw visitors, but the city (unlike Notre Dame’s campus) suffers from a bit of an image problem—something bluntly underscored by South Bend’s inclusion on Newsweek’s January 2011 “America’s Dying Cities” list. (The magazine apparently only considered one criterion when putting together the list—depopulation rate. South Bend lost nearly 4 percent of its people during the last decade; it’s now down to about 104,000.) Jitin Kain, interim executive director of Downtown South Bend, a not-for-profit “OUR BIGGEST organization dedicated to revitalizing the city’s downtown, says the city’s image GOAL IS problem is undeserved. Summer events TO MAKE like Art Beat, which highlights downtown DOWNTOWN business, draw thousands of people each A REGIONAL year. “We’re seeing that [bad] perception DESTINATION start to go away,” he says. But what Kain really wants is for those FOR ART AND downtown visitors to become residents. CULTURE AND “Our biggest goal is to make downtown DINING AND a regional destination for art and culture NIGHTLIFE.” and dining and nightlife,” he says. “To accommodate that, one of the things we need to focus on as a community is getting more residential development downtown. “The city recently invested a lot of money on infrastructure downtown: new sidewalks, new lighting,” Kain says. “That helps bring new energy to the downtown area, which must look nice. I think the next phase [for the city] is working with the development community to create incentives for residential housing downtown.” Town house developments are already happening, he notes; the city needs to attract development companies to strengthen this trend. “It’s about creating marketrate housing that’s affordable for young professionals. They’ll be a role the city has to play in prepping land for development,” says Kain, a native of New Delhi who previously worked as a planner in South Bend’s Department of Community & Economic Development. “That has to be a high priority for the city.”

“open” river that can be enjoyed by fishermen, kayakers and walkers (a riverwalk extension is planned); after daytime recreation, residents could dine at riverside bistros. “We looked extensively at the river and how to activate it,” Schulz says. “You look at many cities our size, and they don’t have the natural resources we do. We need to celebrate them.” But given that Grand Rapids has been cutting city budgets since 2002, engaged citizens are going to have to do a lot of organizing (and fundraising?) before they can complete the “greening” of the city. A handful of “community champions” like the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Great Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition and Grand Rapids White Water, Schulz says, have partnered with the city to help it meet its ambitious new goals. “How do you get this work done to improve the quality of life of the community as a community? Government’s not going to do it,” Schulz says. “They’re leading to implement this plan.” Older cities throughout the region, take note: In this time of widespread budget austerity, new kinds of civic partnerships are increasingly necessary to make downtown dreams come true. APRIL 2011

hile Benton Harbor has just begun to reinvent its landscape, Grand Rapids is making significant headway. During the last ten years, Michigan’s second-largest city has overhauled its zoning regulations to encourage “smart growth”: Now Grand Rapids encourages increased population density, mixed-use (residential/commercial) developments and street-level windows to build a sense of safety and connection. “We’ve really looked at development from the standpoint of building community character,” says Suzanne Schulz, Grand Rapids’ director of city planning. “That strong sense of place that makes you different from the suburbs.” A basic goal of revitalizing the city is to attract baby boomers and “millennials” and young professionals. (The portion of its population younger than 18 dropped by 2 percent over the last decade, earning it the dubious honor of topping Newsweek’s “Dying Cities” list.) Its “latest and greatest” initiative, Schulz says, is “Greening Grand Rapids,” an ambitious citywide green infrastructure planning process that aims to both make the city greener— more parks, green roofs and bike trails, more access to the Grand River—and educate its citizens about the value of “green infrastructure improvements.” Saying that “we have a long way to go,” Schulz notes that “Greening Grand Rapids” aims for 100 planned miles of bike trails, 185,000 trees planted, and a public park within a quarter-mile radius of every home in the city. City officials and community activists want to put the rapids back into Grand Rapids. Schulz envisions an

improvements and others in Benton Harbor’s business district, the master plan says, the city will adhere to “smart growth” (there’s that phrase again) principles that encourage redevelopment and reuse rather than new growth. Benton Harbor is a small city—just 4.5 square miles—but one thing it does have is land to turn into new greenways, and waterways (the St. Joseph River, access to the Paw Paw River, a ship canal) to beautify and improve access to. A big part of the city’s new vision of itself is about taking full advantage of its resources by creating new public spaces. Those spaces will improve current residents’ quality of life and—hopefully—spur new economic developments and attract future residents. As with Gary, but on a much smaller scale, the severe economic challenges facing Benton Harbor free the city to dream big, and dramatically reinvent itself.

ike Gary, Benton Harbor abuts Lake Michigan, but its downtown area doesn’t overlook it. Also like Gary, the city is mostly African-American and suffers from many blighted, unsafe buildings due to depopulation. Razing as many of those as possible is a central focus of the residential vision for Benton Harbor outlined in the city’s new master plan, which was formally adopted by the City Commission in early January “to meet and plan for future challenges facing the City, including preserving the City’s historic character, meeting future housing needs, and economic development.” Along with establishing “minimum design standards” for new residential construction to ensure high-quality, good-looking homes, the plan announces that Benton Harbor will improve neighborhoods by creating “a network of ‘neighborhood greens’ that include . . . playgrounds and urban gardens in areas that are deficient in open space,” and local commercial areas—i.e., corner stores—to provide convenient shopping opportunities for residents within walking distance. While creating these neighborhood

The most delightfully strange structure, the House of Tomorrow, is the only house left without a sublease.

Restoring The Homes of Tomorrow, Today WORDS BY MADELINE SZROM

photography by TONY V. MARTIN

Meet the people behind the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fair home renovations

Beverly Shores, Indiana, may seem like a typical beachfront community—quiet and quaint. However, on a particular road, known as Lakefront (or Lakeshore Drive), there are five examples that prove how atypical it is. Travel left far enough on Lakefront Drive and you’ll be struck with the Pepto Bismol-pink exterior of the Florida Tropical House, just one of the five historic structures built in 1933 for the Chicago World’s Fair. During the peak of the Great Depression, the fair, themed “A Century of Progress,” brought the future to life with an exhibit titled The Homes of Tomorrow, which brought famed architects together to construct homes that highlighted the modern designs and great architectural developments of the time.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE HOMES OF TOMORROW

Even more impressive than these unique and historic structures are the people that lease them. “Each of the sub-lessees had specific skills and/or interests that meshed well with the specific house they were interested in,” Zeiger says. The Beatty, Gambril, Lichtenfeld and Alm families have dedicated their time, money and devotion to restoring the rare homes back to their original grandeur.

FLORIDA TROPICAL HOUSE

WIEBOLDT-ROSTONE HOUSE

The second sub-leaser, Ross Gambril, 61, is no stranger to historic renovation. Gambril is a commercial real estate developer and general contractor. On his roster of projects, he is restoring the lobby of a building near the Hancock skyscraper to its original 1924 state as well as writing a book called Lost Chicago, which details historic buildings in Chicago that have been torn down. “Destroying history isn’t a good idea,” Gambril says. He explains that he chose the Wieboldt-Rostone house because it’s pure art deco and, “I’m a purist.” While Gambril’s experience and knowledge certainly proved helpful in a project of this magnitude, it was still a challenge. The Wieboldt-Rostone house stood vacant for 17 years, and as it sits directly on the shore of Lake Michigan, it is subjected to the brunt of the harsh weather conditions throughout the seasons. “Had this home stayed unoccupied for another two or three years, it would’ve imploded,” Gambril says. It took him and his crew two years to finally craft a plan and, after that strenuous stage, the most difficult part of the process began. “We had to remove everything to expose all the steel and find out what we had to do. Going in, there were eight columns that needed to be restored, but I missed the other ninety-six,” Gambril admits through a burst of laughter. One of his men needs his opinion and a hand on one of the outdoor balconies that are by anyone’s standard massive. His long white hair blows furiously in the freezing wind, crisis averted. It’s clear that he’s the alpha figure. That’s even more apparent when he adds that if you don’t do something right, it’s not worth doing at all. Gambril and his team have come a long way from the mess that was the Wieboldt-Rostone house, and now with drywall in the near future it’s obvious that even through the utmost adversities and snags he’s remained content in his choice. “The whole thing has been an absolute joy,” he says as he takes the last sip from his Coors Light.

The pink façade of the Florida Tropical house makes it the most recognizable of the five World’s Fair homes.

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In 1998 Bill Beatty, 73, and his first wife Marcy leased the Florida Tropical house. “Marcy saw the Florida house being offered for free to a restorer on a news broadcast on one of the Chicago TV stations,” says Beatty, the chairman of a family-owned heavy machinery sales and repair shop. “It appeared to require the least amount of work.” The process proved to be arduous, however. “It always looked overwhelming,” Beatty says. Wondering, why spend so much time, money and energy on a semi-permanent residence that you will never actually own? “That’s a good question,” Beatty quips. “It is one of the dumbest things I have ever done.”

With 23 years of his lease still remaining, the Beattys gradually restored the once dilapidated and sun-streaked Florida Tropical house back to its bright pink roots. “Preserving these homes is important, as they are five of the only actual physical items that were in the Century of Progress Fair,” Beatty says. As days turn to weeks, the Beattys, Bill and present wife, Lisa, 49, are closer to finally residing in their newly restored home.

fter the fair ended in 1934, the Armco-Ferro, Wieboldt-Rostone, Florida Tropical and House of Tomorrow were shipped to Beverly Shores on a barge, while the Cypress Log Cabin was disassembled and taken by truck. Once there, the homes were mainly neglected until the mid-1980s. After a short battle with the National Park Service, the Indiana Landmarks organization created the Century of Progress Project to rehabilitate and restore the houses. The NPS leases each home to Indiana Landmarks, which subleases them to individuals willing to put forth the money and time necessary for renovations. “There are three primary things we look for,” says Todd Zeiger, Indiana Landmark’s Northern Regional Office director, of finding the proper sub-lessee. “One is experience working on historical property, or worked on renovations before. Two, they have to agree that whatever they are going to do has to be reviewed and pass approval. Three, they have to have the financial capacity to do the work.” Subleasing a home also entails allowing it to be open to the public once a year in late October for tours of each house.

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Across the street sits the adorable Armco-Ferro house. While it’s more petite than the Wieboldt-Rostone home, its worn-out steel frame and rusting insides proved to be an enormous task for 68-year-old retired manufacturing engineer Christoph Lichtenfeld and his wife Char, 59, who practices physical therapy. “There was water running down, corroding everything,” Mr. Litchtenfeld recalls wearily. “Had anyone known what it would’ve been like, it would’ve been condemned or no one would’ve taken it.” But the Lichtenfelds persevered, began labor in 2005 and are now in their sixth year of the 30-year lease. In 2006 they stumbled upon a group of ironwork apprentices, part of Iron Worker Local 395. “I stopped and talked to the apprentice school about the project and showed pictures,” Mr. Lichtenfeld says. Luckily the ironworkers decided to lend their experience. “I had up to fourteen apprentices here—grown men in their twenties to thirties. They were the cream of the crop,” he says. The Lichtenfelds provided the materials and the apprentices installed them, but even with the help, the project was still laborintensive. “We took all the windows out because they were rusted, there were holes all over and everything was rusted out,” Mr. Lichtenfeld says as he looks around the now stable and almost complete home from the living room he sits in. “Repairing the structure’s steel was the worst. It was a hellhole you didn’t want to be in.” Things are better now, easier for Christoph and Char. “The best part is now, is finishing up; it goes so fast now.” Although the process has been backbreaking and beyond overwhelming, the Lichtenfelds wouldn’t take any of it back. “Now I’m happy,” Mr. Lichtenfeld says with enthusiasm and contentment. “We have brought life back to this house.”

The Cypress Log Cabin is the only one of five homes that is entirely finished, complete with full-time residents.

CYPRESS LOG CABIN

The Cypress Log Cabin is almost invisible when traveling down Lakefront Drive, fitting in perfectly with the rest of the trees and shrubs that surround it. It’s the only one of the five homes that is entirely finished, complete with full-time residents. Flint and Jamie Alm are the saviors to the Cypress cabin, which was in such bad condition the Lichtenfelds decided against subleasing it. Raccoons had found a home in its abandoned shell, causing the smell to be unbearable. Luckily the Alm family agreed to take the once ruggedly beautiful cabin, and with extreme work and dedication, transform it to its original beauty.

HOUSE OF TOMORROW

The most delightfully strange structure is the only house left without a sublease. “It was lived in until 1999 by a private party and we entered into the project after they moved out,” Zeiger says. Once the House of Tomorrow was part of the Century of Progress Project, it was soon subleased. Things didn’t go as anticipated. “We had a problem with the party leasing it so we had to revoke their sublease. We’re caught in limbo right now,” Zeiger reports rather sadly. The House of Tomorrow currently remains open to applicants willing to take the responsibility of restoring it to its true form. Progress on the homes, with the exception of the House of Tomorrow, is in the mid to late stages. According to Zeiger, “persistence, perseverance and the ability to creatively approach very problematic situations during the rehabilitation projects” are qualities that each family has illuminated over the years. Because of this, the homes will soon look as they once did and will be ready to last at least another 77 years.

photography [this page, top] by TONY V. MARTIN; [bottom] JON L. HENDRICKS; [opposite page] TONY V. MARTIN

ARMCO-FERRO HOUSE

After many struggles, Christoph and Char Lichtenfeld feel they “have brought life back” to the Armco-Ferro house, which needed complete repair.

A HISTORY OF THE HOMES Each of the five homes was created to demonstrate some sort of futuristic ideal. Robert Smith Jr., an architect from Cleveland, Ohio, designed the Armco-Ferro home, which was a steel framed home covered in porcelain-enameled steel panels. It was the only home at the fair that met the standards to be mass-produced. The Cypress Log Cabin, designed by Chicago architect Murray D. Heathington, was created to show the many qualities and uses for cypress and was showcased as a mountain home. Robert Law Reed, from Miami, Florida, created the idea for the Florida Tropical house, which was wood framed and coated with cement. The exterior was art deco and painted Flamingo pink. The only other pure art deco home is the Wieboldt-Rostone home, designed by Walter Schuler, from Lafayette, Indiana. Framed in steel and covered with an experimental material called Rostone—a mix of shale, limestone and alkali—the home wasn’t resilient and had severely deteriorated by the 1950s. The last of the five homes, the House of Tomorrow, created by Chicago architect George Fred Keck, was the most revolutionary. The twelve-sided home included a garage with a built-in airplane hangar, air conditioning and some of the era’s first electronic appliances, like a dishwasher. The design placed a solarium as the third floor, which heated the home by solar power decently in the winters; however, in the summertime it became so strong the modern air conditioner failed.

It took Russ Gambril and his crew two years to craft a plan for the WieboldtRostone house, and now the hefty renovation process is going strong.

TRUMP TOWER Three generations of skyscrapers face the Chicago River at Wabash Avenue: the Unitrin Building, Trump Tower, and the Jewelersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Building.

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living LANDMARKS An architectural landscape as photographer’s inspiration

the artist’s statement BY GREGORY H. JENKINS

I am an Architect. My work consists of two-dimensional documentation of imagined three-dimensional objects. Architecture. Drawings, digital models, and photography are tools of the trade. Each visual tool is used succinctly. To tell the story, define the image. Give instruction. Focus attention. There is craftsmanship in the use of tools. But, the art of architecture lies in the object defined. I, too, am a Photographer. And as a photographer, the craft is similar. Except that the object of my work is the art of others. To document that art. The achievement, and its context in light, time and history. During the past 30 years I have recorded thousands of images of Chicago’s landmark architecture and sculpture. Each furthers my own understanding and respect for the artist. Each is a tribute to Chicago’s architectural, artistic and sculptural tradition. The Chicago Poster Collection was conceived as a highly personal, evolving record of Chicago landmarks and their architects. Daniel Burnham. Holabird and Roche. Peirce Anderson. SOM. The Prudential Building. Union Station. The El. And, more will follow. When the light and time are exactly right.

To see more of Gregory H. Jenkin’s photography—and to purchase his limited edition Chicago Images Poster Collection—please visit imagesintheloop.com.

APRIL 2011

THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: Charles Atwood’s masterpiece, The Fine Arts Building from the 1893 Columbian Exposition, is now Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. [opposite, top] MARSHALL FIELD & COMPANY CLOCK: No landmark in Chicago is more familiar or more loved than the Marshall Field & Company Clock at State Street and Randolph. Designed in 1899 by D. H. Burnham & Company’s senior designer, Peirce Anderson, the clock is an elegant example of the international Beaux Arts style. [opposite, bottom] CITY HALL: Daniel Burnham’s Conway Building stands in front of City Hall’s mammoth Corinthian columns.

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[clockwise from right] THE EL: Constructed between 1895 and 1897 the Chicago Union elevated Loop was an immediate landmark. Seen here is the view north across the Chicago River on the Wells Street Bridge. THE MERCHANDISE MART: When the“Mart” opened its doors in 1930, it was the largest building in the world. CHICAGO TEMPLE: The steeple towering over Chicago’s First United Methodist Church lights the night sky. [opposite] SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE: Edward Kemeys’ bronze lion sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago stands watch on South Michigan Avenue.

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APRIL 2011

Master Planners BY MARK LOEHRKE‌

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They plot. They envision. They conceptualize. • Yet not one of the distinguished designers or architects in this piece could have possibly foreseen the degree to which the construction and housing bubbles would wreak havoc on their industry over the past several years. Still, a common theme of tentative recuperation ran through many of our exchanges with these visionaries, with a sense of optimism that the light at the end of the tunnel may be near. They’re encouraged not only by the fact that clients are once again progressing beyond the idea stage, but also by the fact that so many are now incorporating elements of green design and sustainable architecture into their plans. • When it comes to shaping the future physical spaces of Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan, the task remains firmly in their capable hands, and they approach that responsibility with excitement and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

photography [opposite page, top] by TONY V. MARTIN; [bottom] JC Chi

World-class architects in the Shore region

JC CHI

Chi Design Group Atlanta/Chicago

LASTING RESORT

and wide-ranging projects in the history of the southern Lake Michigan shoreline—the sprawling Harbor Shores development in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.

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the history of the southern Lake Michigan shoreline—the C Chi grew up with early artistic promise that mostly sprawling Harbor Shores development in Benton Harbor and manifested itself in drawings and paintings, but it St. Joseph. As the director of design, Chi has been intimately was an awakening to the notions of building and i nvolved in seeing this waterfront project of homes, parks design that took his passion for creativity to a whole and businesses through a tumultuous period of economic new level. uncertainty, vacillating public support and often conflicting “My true curiosity and sense of wonderment agendas. Through it all, he has remained committed to his really peaked when I started building art,” he original vision of reshaping the says. “The use of the area in a way that will make imagination, eyes and residents proud and ultimately hands to assemble stand the test of time. three-dimensional forms “Though it’s early in the eventually led to an design stages, Harbor Shores is, appreciation for architecture and and probably will forever be, how constructive art can actually the most memorable project we lead to an environment for work on in the area,” Chi says. people to live, work and play.” “Not necessarily because of any Fitting then, perhaps, that phenomenal designs that will be Chi’s professional successes since built, but because of the positive then helped place him at the economic and lifestyle impact forefront of what is already this new community will have on among the most ambitious JC Chi is director of design on one of the most ambitious the existing area.” and wide-ranging projects in

HOME, OFFICE

Rosalyn Mitchell

Forms + Funktion, Inc. Gary

Rosalyn Mitchell’s handiwork in Gary can be seen all around town, including the Gary Steelyard baseball stadium, which was recognized as the State of Indiana’s Public Works Project of the Year in 2002.

photography [this page, top] by TONY V. MARTIN; [bottom] courtesy of ROSALYN MITCHELL; [opposite page, left] VISBEEN ASSOCIATES, INC.; [right] CHRISTOPHER RUDOLPH

rchitects and designers tend to flock to developments in thriving cities or high-profile settings, but far fewer are willing to take on the challenge of a reclamation project in a battered, perpetually downon-its-luck town like Gary. But when you set up shop there like Rosalyn Mitchell did more than a decade ago with her firm Forms + Funktion, you make something of a tacit commitment to help build up the area right around you. “Our firm motto is ‘designs for humanity,’ because we believe that the quality of life can be elevated by design,” Mitchell explains. “Our practice originated in Gary, because there is a huge need for beautification and quality design of public and private places.” Mitchell’s personal handiwork in Gary can be seen in glimmers of hope all around town, including the 2000 renovation of the downtown Genesis Center and the Gary Steelyard baseball stadium, which was recognized as the State of Indiana’s Public Works Project of the Year in 2002. When she looks around Gary these days, Mitchell tends not to see first and foremost the blight and neglect that many casual observers might, but rather the potential to polish a faded gem with modern design—whether in a park, a theater, or an airport addition. “I love the way the built environment can inspire us; how a beautiful boulevard, a progressive façade or a grand lobby can lift the soul,” she says.

Christopher Rudolph Rudolph Architects, Chicago

SECOND HELPINGS

Visbeen Associates, Inc. Grand Rapids

STAYING THE COURSE

APRIL 2011

here’s more than just financial risk involved when one decides to build a home along the occasionally volatile and always highly regulated shoreline of Lake Michigan. But when you’ve worked on as many of these types of projects as architect Wayne Visbeen has, you tend to take the hurdles in stride. “There are certainly challenges of critical dune and high-risk erosion on the lakeshore,” Visbeen says, “but we have a lot of experience navigating these issues with little anxiety and still creating beautiful homes for our clients.” Maybe this calm, cool façade in the face of the pressures of big projects comes from his having seen it all growing up in New Jersey amid a family of homebuilders—Visbeen’s grandfather was a designer and his dad owned a construction company. While the market for the types of luxury homes that his firm specializes in has taken a hit in the past few years, Visbeen remains upbeat. After all, one welcome byproduct of the downturn has been a trend that actually dovetails nicely with what he feels has been one of his firm’s stylistic hallmarks for years. “Right-sizing has become a prominent movement of late—better detail over quantity,” he says. “This is a great trend that we’ve been operating under from the beginning of our practice. Our design habits have become the trend.”

Wayne Visbeen

eing in a creative field, most architects would bristle at the notion of repeating themselves, but when it comes to repeat business—well, that’s something altogether different. Christopher Rudolph finds it difficult to recall the last time he worked with a new client, yet his firm is plenty busy, thanks mainly to the many existing clients who come back repeatedly for ideas on additions, upgrades, and second and third houses. “I think communication with the client is the key to a successful project, which is one of the reasons I’m pleased to work with so many repeat clients, because we already have that trust and understanding,” he says. Rudolph’s work tends to come from the Prairie School movement, with a deliberate and prominent use of wood in almost everything his firm turns out. He also likes to focus on the idea of trying to tie the structure to the landscape design to bring everything together from a visual, spatial and functional perspective. Both parts of that philosophy have served him well on one of his most memorable projects in the area—a massive, evolving home in Grand Beach. “It’s probably one of the nicest things we’ve ever done, and it’s another example of the benefits of an ongoing, supportive client relationship,” he says. “We started with the main house, then the guest house and gardens, and I was just out there recently to do measurements for some of the art glasswork. All told, it’s probably been 5 or 6 years in the making, and it’s been great to keep that relationship going and watch the project develop over that time.”

FORE! SITE

4 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 6

Nick Georgiou

G&K Development St. John

or the better part of his career, Nick Georgiou helped design and build the kind of commercial and municipal structures around Chicago that few people ever really noticed—industrial buildings, laboratories, post offices and the like. But when he started his own firm in 2004 and shifted to a more residential focus, he eventually came to work on several houses (including his own) in what has become a development that everyone in and around St. John has noticed—the scenic, undulating parcel that was formerly Lake Hills Golf Course. A traditionalist at heart, Georgiou nevertheless likes to work a few modern features into his homes when the design makes sense, but only if such additions work with the client’s vision for the space. “I try to make sure that everything I design fits in terms of how the client plans to live or work,” he says. “The key is to make suggestions and recommendations based on my experience, but not to force anything that the client might not be comfortable with.” One thing that more and more of his customers seem to be interested in lately is green design and energy efficiency, which has become an almost standard part of Georgiou’s design meetings with clients these days—and in some cases, yet another stress on the already strained finances of many projects. As he gets started on a few more sites in the Lake Hills development this spring, he’ll continue to try and strike the important balance between design and dollars. “Budget drives the process,” he admits. “If you give a client everything they ever wish for in a house but blow past their budget, it’s not a successful project. Fortunately, I’ve become pretty good at getting clients the space they want at a price that makes sense for them.”

SAND CASTLES

rowing up as the son of an architect, Jesse Hibler knew early on that these were indeed the footsteps in which he would follow. Now a designer with his own 5-year-old firm, Hibler finds that his footsteps these days are mostly in the sand—specifically in and around the beach communities of Southwest Michigan, where he’s put his skills to work on a number of lakefront dream houses. The past three years, in fact, have found him busy shaping and refining a staggering 7,000-square-foot home along the lake in Stevensville, among his various other ongoing projects. “The clients actually had another

Designer Jesse Hibler architect lined up, but they fell in works primarily love with my sketches and we’ve in and around the been working together ever since,” beach communities of Hibler says. “It’s really a unique Southwest Michigan. design—very traditional, but with a lot of customized touches and a lot of Indiana limestone.” Hibler enjoys the process of working with his clients to design these types of stunning retreats (he has a few more in the planning stages for the Harbor Shores development), incorporating their ideas and nuances with his own keen sense of attention to clean lines and proportion. He also finds himself thinking more and more about concepts like energy efficiency and environmental awareness, from windows and doors to heating systems. “Almost every client tends to bring up the notion of ‘green design’ these days,” he says. “Even in these really big houses, where the costs of doing some of those things can be huge, they’re really looking to be more responsible as stewards of the environment.”

Jesse Hibler

APRIL 2011

photography [opposite page, top] by TONY V. MARTIN; [bottom] courtesy of NICK GEORGIOU; [this page, top] JESSE HIBLER; [bottom] TONY V. MARTIN

Hibler Design Studio Berrien Springs

TEAM BUILDING

6 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 6

he notion that “two heads are better than one” is likely one of the more tired problem-solving clichés, but in the case of architects Joanne Bauer and Bill Latoza, it’s been the bedrock of success for more than two decades. The pair founded BauerLatoza Studio together in 1990 to develop their shared passion for creating buildings that become integral parts of the communities in which they are situated, developing a system that incorporates both of their individual styles into a seamless aesthetic whole—his joy in finding new uses for older structures, and her eye for adding modern flourishes within contextual designs. “I have a strong love for restoration and adaptive reuse of old and historic buildings, which not only preserves our history but provides a sustainable approach to the built environment,” Latoza says. To that end, BauerLatoza has worked on a variety of significant projects throughout Northwest Indiana, covering both the new (site, landscape and architectural design for the East Edge residential development in Miller Beach) and the old (building assessments for a potential renovation of the House of Tomorrow, a historic structure in Beverly Shores that was originally part of the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair), or some combination of the two (the firm is currently involved in master planning an overhaul of Marquette

Park in Gary). Despite their Joanne Bauer and Bill disparate styles, both Bauer Latoza [pictured to and Latoza speak to a shared the right of East Edge developers Ann and Jay vision that has helped their Gallagher] of BauerLatoza partnership flourish—a Studio, Gary/Chicago belief that the idea of “sustainability” goes far beyond just the environmental aspects of design. “Good architectural design is sustainable,” Bauer says. “Not just in terms of so-called ‘green’ architecture, but in a design that retains both its aesthetic and functional value for future generations.”

Joanne Bauer and Bill Latoza BauerLatoza Studio, Gary/Chicago

photography [this page, top] courtesy of BAUERLATOZA STUDIO; [bottom] by ROBERT WRAY; [opposite page, top] TONY V. MARTIN; [bottom] SPERO VALAVANIS

Joanne Bauer and Bill Latoza have worked on a variety of significant projects throughout Northwest Indiana, including the site, landscape and architectural design for the East Edge residential development in Miller Beach.

STYLE = SUBSTANCE

ust as there are notable differences between rock stars and regular people, there are differences as well between “rock star” architects and regular ones. While the former are alternately scorned and beatified for designing monuments to their own outsized egos, the latter know that any display of personal brilliance isn’t worth a thing unless it ultimately satisfies the wants and needs of the client. In this philosophical taffy-pull, 36year design veteran Spero Valavanis is firmly in the camp of making his ideas work for his customers. “Our philosophy at Design Organization is to create environments for our clients that reflect their goals and aspirations, not a particular style,” he says. To that end, Valavanis and his creative team see the notion of sustainability not just as an industry trend, but as an integral step in satisfying the wants and needs of their clients, many of whom specifically raise the topic in planning meetings. He cites the recent completion of the IBEW Local 697/JATC project in Merrillville (a Lake County Electricians Training and Apprenticeship Center) as an example of the firm’s commitment to responsible design matching up perfectly with a client’s needs. “We designed the building as a living classroom, using photovoltaics (solar energy) and incorporating harvested trees from the site into the design,” he explains. “This was a client with a vision for their organization, and that vision included a sustainable future.”

Spero Valavanis Design Organization Valparaiso

Valavanis and his creative team at Design Organization designed the newest, most recognizable sustainable signature in the area—the Portage Lakefront Pavilion.

new home smell Why buy used when new can be... AFFORDABLE & DISTINCTIVE MODEL OPEN DAILY, 1-4PM 165 CARRINGTON CR. VALPARAISO, IN 46385

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DREAM KITCHEN

hen the family gathers in the kitchen to relax, talk, and eat together, that makes Mom happy! As a builder, the challenge that I relish is to make the kitchen/breakfast nook as warm and functional as possible. Here are a few of our secrets that we use to make these areas warm and usable: The breakfast nook should be free-flowing and out of the work area of the kitchen. The nook should be large enough to have a table that fits the needs of seating the family and/ or friends. High-quality cabinetry, with certain features, can make the preparer’s life so much easier. We provide dovetail drawers with wood sides and easy-close drawers, which allow for lasting use. We enjoy building wood lockers off of the kitchen, so that all of the items that come home with the kids are easily stored before they come into the kitchen, scrounging for a snack or drink. STEINER HOMES LTD. For more information on 4825 W 100th Ln building the kitchen of your Crown Point, Ind. dreams, please visit our website at 219.916.3744 steinerhomesltd.com steinerhomesltd.com. -DAN STEINER

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GIVING BACK Architects have a responsibility to give back something to the communities in which their projects are located.”

WILLIAM O. MCCOLLUM

McCollum architects 16109 RED ARROW HWY. UNION PIER, MI 49129 PHONE: 269-469-9211 www.mccollumarchitects.com

APRIL 2011

ave you been outside lately? Then you’ve witnessed the work of McCollum Architects. The Union Pier-based full-service architectural firm has spanned 40 years and 100 miles, and has built everything from urban to second home communities, low to upscale housing, single family to multi-family homes, tiny boutique restaurants and even upscale urban eateries. The firm is involved with renovating and creating new housing, amphitheaters, daycare centers, and special community development projects designed to create flexible environments, providing dignified alternatives to those often neglected members of society. McCollum Architects also makes a point of leaving a footprint—in a good way—to his client’s projects and neighborhoods. “Architects have a responsibility to give back something to the communities in which their projects are located,” says William McCollum, owner of McCollum Architects. For example, in the Woodlawn neighborhood in Chicago, McCollum designed Vision House, an apartment building for families William McCollum, impacted by AIDS, followed by owner of McCollum Children’s Place at Vision House, Architects a daycare facility specifically designed for children impacted by AIDS. Each of these projects received an award from the Richard Driehaus Foundation for Architectural Excellence. Two recent, very exciting Southwest Michigan projects include the New Buffalo Township Pavilion and Camp Buffalo Cottages, each demonstrating the unique twists in McCollum’s architecture. Throughout the projects, McCollum is fully dedicated to sustainable energy, environmentally friendly buildings, and low maintenance costs. Although he has done plenty of elaborate “green” mechanical systems, he mainly focuses on a wellsealed envelope with sensitive placement of high performance windows as well as careful positioning of the home to reduce the solar gain in the summer and provide supplemental heat in the winter. “Simple and practical green solutions can give you more bang for the buck,” McCollum says. There is always an element of surprise in McCollum’s designs—unexpected old parts given a new life, hidden vistas, bridges to entryways, and customized spaces for personal collections. A sense of arrival is key to any project. “With respect for the past and a vision of the future,” McCollum says, MCCOLLUM ARCHITECTS “this office designs and builds 16109 Red Arrow Hwy community-based projects and Union Pier, Mich. homes that enrich the lives of 269.469.9211 our clients.” -DANIELLE BRAFF mccollumarchitects.com

your

home &garden 0 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 7

There really is no place like home. And we at Shore believe that improving the home leads to improving oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. In this special section, we feature ten home and garden experts located throughout the Shore region that offer the best in architecture, design, kitchen and bath, outdoor extras, and overall home improvement services. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to spruce up your current habitat or are looking to build a new one, this guide serves as a resource to hold on to all year long.

Shore Magazine / special 2011 / 4.375” x 11.125” / Bleed advertising section

YOUR HOME & GARDEN

CAMP BUFFALO COTTAGES

simpler Please ask us about our discount á la carte program.

APRIL 2011

f you have driven by Redamak’s, you may have spotted a new cottage community just off of Red Arrow Highway down Franklin Street. Within walking distance of downtown New Buffalo, Camp Buffalo is just the spot for both seclusion and convenience to all that New Buffalo offers. The idea of Camp Buffalo was conceived over 20 years ago by developers Bill McCollum and Diane Pyshos when they purchased vacant land in the City of New Buffalo. For 18 years, Diane and Bill held an annual Harvest Days Pow Wow on the property for dozens of friends. Pumpkins were gathered in outlying pumpkin patches, brought back to Camp Buffalo, carved, lit, and placed carefully up in the trees. At twilight, a fire was started, stories read, and everyone joined in a simple pot luck dinner followed by s’mores. Years passed and the design inspiration came to replicate the simple lifestyle that attracted these folks year after year; joined together by family, friends, nature, humor and memories. Of the 19 home sites, there are 8 homes already completed plus the clubhouse, pool and outdoor movie theater. Architect Bill McCollum says, “We designed the ten different home plans to reflect the local Michiana style with an added flair of river rocks and several different types of siding and colors to give the homes an artsy, cabin look; definitely suited for a natural environment.” To take advantage of the spectacular views, Bill flipped several of the home designs so that the rear elevations have huge window vistas overlooking the ravines. “Nearly every day we spot deer and other wildlife, not to mention star gazing while watching an outdoor movie or taking a night swim in the pool,” Diane states. Lots have been flying off the shelf in the past two years as buyers took advantage of an innovative idea called their “a la carte” program. “With this program, savings of $30,000 on the home/lot are possible,” Diane says. “And who couldn’t benefit from a $30,000 savings?” “We’re so excited about how everything is shaping up— it’s even better than what we imagined,” Diane adds. “It’s all about evoking simpler times: togetherness around a campfire, reading a book CAMP BUFFALO on the screen porch, visiting COTTAGES your neighbor, taking in a 106 S Franklin St swim or walking into town New Buffalo, Mich. for a concert. It’s 269.469.9090 just splendid.” campbuffalocottages.com

time

Get Here. Play Here. Live Here.

Obtain the Property Report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

All it takes is one visit to Harbor Shores to find your dream home. With gorgeous neighborhoods, breathtaking beaches, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, and 12 miles of walking trails connecting the entire community, Harbor Shores has left no stone unturned. Whether you stay a weekend or a lifetime, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have the time of your life at Harbor Shores. Host of the 2012 & 2014 Senior PGA Championships. www.HarborShoresResort.com | Model Homes Now Open 269.932.1600

YOUR HOME & GARDEN

special advertising section

PRIEBE’S CREATIVE WOODWORKING

family focus

ome is the heart of the family, a place where memories are made and cherished for generations to come, in rooms that invite conversation, laughter and warmth. Priebe’s Creative Woodworking understands that homeowners who invest in heirloom-quality custom cabinetry are providing spaces that encourage priceless shared family time. Priebe’s highly skilled artists in woodworking practice the art of humble craftsmanship with great pride in what they do, knowing their meticulous work becomes part of the fabric of family life. “Built for generations”—that’s the motto at Priebe’s. After all, special family moments stay in the heart forever. When a mother and daughter first bake a batch of cookies together . . . when a couple talks about their dreams for the future as they share a late-night piece of pie at the beautifully curved, comfortable kitchen bar . . . the spontaneous, intimate conversations while dishes are done—for 16 years owner Jeff Priebe’s company has been crafting custom designs for kitchens and other rooms with deep respect for those treasured times. With some of the most accomplished artists in the industry, Priebe’s brings the expertise of its craftspeople to homeowners

all along the Lake Michigan shore, from north Chicago through Southwest Michigan. They won’t boast of their work—but you will, thrilled to have the kitchen you’ve always wanted. You might think having your dream kitchen, beautiful bath, or inviting downstairs bar might come at a high price, but the in-house team at Priebe’s will offer options for nearly everyone. And, “from start to finish,” says managing designer Lillian Priebe, “no one unfamiliar with your project will be crafting your design. We’ll ask questions to understand how you and your family work and live in the space, to bring you the stylish and functional kitchen you always wanted but perhaps thought you couldn’t afford.” No job is too big nor too small. From kitchen cabinetry and a custom-designed island to a cozy kitchen-corner bench seat and table, Priebe’s craftsmanship has no compromises. Every detail is precise, every design is coordinated with the home’s other elements to ensure satisfaction for years to come. As a full-service custom cabinet firm, Priebe’s also offers top-quality cabinet lines including Dynasty and Medallion, providing a broad product selection for remodeling or creating any room, from laundry to lower-level bath. Working closely with the homeowner, architect or builder, Priebe’s strives to develop relationships that foster trust and confidence during the entire process of design to installation. PRIEBE’S CREATIVE Priebe’s exquisite, creative WOODWORKING designs by seasoned artists with 2113 Plaza Dr premium quality materials are Benton Harbor, Mich. indeed built for generations. 269.926.2469 -JULIE DEAN KESSLER

priebeswoodworking.com

BEAUTIFUL

CUSTOM 4 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 7

Priebe’s Creative Woodworking www.priebeswoodworking.com

269.926.2469

CABINETRY

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YOUR HOME & GARDEN

POOL PRO CONTRACTORS, INC.

just keep

swimming

or more than 20 years, Pool Pro Contractors has provided expert in-ground swimming pool construction services. Not your average pool contractor, Pool Pro offers unrivaled expertise and dedicated service to make your dream pool a reality. A family owned and operated business, the Pool Pro team prides itself on hands-on perfection of your custom in-ground swimming pool project, with attention to detail through every stage of construction, on-time completion, and the integrity to stand behind their work 100 percent. Call Pool Pro today for a free on-site survey and quotation for your custom in-ground swimming pool. They commit to giving you an honest evaluation of your site, expert advice, a fair price, a dependable turnaround time and service that lasts. Already have a pool? Pool Pro carries a full line POOL PRO CONTRACTORS of quality products for 314 N 325 E your pool and spa needs 219.548.5783 and also offers a broad Valparaiso, Ind. poolprocontractors.com range of service options.

DECORATING DEN

full-service

Furniture Lighting Floor Coverings Accessories

www.DecDens.com/cathilloyd

Creating Beautiful Rooms Since 1969

Each franchise independently owned and operated

www.DecoratingDen.com

APRIL 2011

Cathi Lloyd (219)365-0198

style

ou’ve probably watched the home decorating shows on TV and flipped through some renovation magazines. But when it comes to actually making the move and renovating your house, the idea of shopping for furniture, picking out complementary window coverings and even figuring out the correct height of the sofa, can be exhausting. That’s where Decorating Den Interiors steps in. Cathi Lloyd, owner of the St. John interior design study, makes it as simple as it can be: She comes to your home, she brings pictures, fabric samples, suppliers and products. And then she helps you come to a decision that works for you and your home. If you don’t know what your dream home is yet, Lloyd can help you with that, too. She’ll walk through your home, looking at what you like (and don’t like), and then she’ll help you figure out what you want transformed. So whether you need new CATHI LLOYD window treatments or a full home OF DECORATING transformation, Lloyd will make your DEN INTERIORS home more beautiful—one room at 219.365.0198 a time. -DANIELLE BRAFF decoratingden.com

Custom Window Treatments

CLloyd Feb 2011d Wednesday, February 16, 2011 8:57:25 AM

YOUR HOME & GARDEN

special advertising section

SAWYER HOME & GARDEN CENTER

a bountiful retreat

estled in the heart of Sawyer, Michigan, just east off I-94 exit 12, is one of Harbor Country’s true gems—Sawyer Home & Garden Center. A bountiful retreat sure to delight your every sense, Sawyer Home & Garden Center has everything you need for an inspired home or lakefront getaway. For a little R&R, sit back with friends while enjoying your newest favorite wine during a Saturday wine tasting event. Then visit again on Sunday to share stories with Chef Joe, while he performs a cooking demonstration of how to best add more flavor to your life with Sawyer Home & Garden Center’s own custom-blended spice line. Beautify your gardens and terrace by selecting from the seasonal flowers, perennials, and plants colorizing the store’s wonderful greenhouse, or visit for the great nursery stock, which features Monrovia and arrives daily during the planting season. When the time arrives to further enhance your outdoor living space, you’re certain to find the perfect item while browsing amongst elegant patio sets by Telescope, hammocks, umbrellas and fire pits. Also, allow nature to serenade you by inviting

songbirds and hummingbirds into your backyard with Sawyer Home & Garden Center’s diverse selection of birdbaths, feeders, houses and seed. Also carried at the store are Weber Grills, with a large selection of charcoal and gas grills to fit your perfect style, along with kitchen products by Oxo and Chantal, dinnerware by Tag, Lampe Berger fragrance lamps and many more top-of-the-line brands. Sawyer Home & Garden Center is pleased to bring you farm fresh, locally grown, in-season produce selected from the area’s finest growers, as well as many gourmet food products, over 550 wines both local and worldwide, SAWYER HOME & and craft and domestic beers. GARDEN CENTER Sawyer Home & Garden Center 5865 Sawyer Rd is open seven days a week 8amSawyer, Mich. 269.426.8810 8pm. For directions or info please sawyergardencenter.com call 269.426.8810.

special advertising section

CLOSET & CARPENTRY DESIGNS

get organized

YOUR HOME & GARDEN

Discover the

Possibilities

in Your Home

Closets | Home tHeater systems | garage units | offiCe units Superb quality. Locally owned. HOME ORGANIZATION SINCE 1993.

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Visit our showroom at: 1431 S. Michigan, South Bend, IN | 800.355.5713 or 574.239.1347

APRIL 2011

loset and Carpentry Designs, family owned since 1993, has been offering the Michiana area a variety of products and materials suitable to your specific organizational needs and budget. We are able to work off blueprints at the very beginning of the design phase, as well as existing home renovations, providing a variety of custom features to meet any space requirement. Our product line has grown to include home and small office solutions, home theater/entertainment built-ins, garage/mudroom storage solutions, and even commercial projects such as storage and shelving. Materials range from wire shelving to melamine to natural wood. Some of our customers even prefer doing the CLOSET AND work themselves. We will CARPENTRY DESIGNS gladly provide design, 1431 S Michigan St materials and installation South Bend, Ind. instructions to be 574.239.1347. delivered to the site. closetandcarpentrydesign.com

YOUR HOME & GARDEN

special advertising section

WATERPLACE/LEEPS

TILE MART

high-quality

hardware

omeowners looking for the best in kitchens and baths find it at Leeps Supply’s WaterPlace plumbing showrooms, offering a wide range of decorative, plumbing, and hardware products. From modest repairs to architects’ upscale remodels, customers find that a big-box store can’t match WaterPlace’s huge selections and high quality. With products meeting all price points for all budgets, taking center stage are showcased pieces that reflect homeowners’ pride in kitchens and baths that are truly beautiful as well as functional. “People are pleasantly surprised by our competitive pricing,” says New Buffalo showroom manager Ralph Herrbach. “Our well-trained and experienced sales staff helps homeowners, builders and remodelers with planning, layout and product selection. We embrace WATERPLACE/LEEPS service with integrity, SUPPLY SHOWROOM ensuring complete 18853 W US 12, Ste 3, New satisfaction on Buffalo, Mich. 269.231.5153 every order.” 8001 Tyler St, Merrillville, Ind. 219.756.5337. leeps.com

-JULIE DEAN KESSLER

international

influence

hoose your tile, porcelain, glass or stone from items we import ourselves from Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and emerging Asian manufacturers. Review nearly endless options we ship direct from quality domestic manufacturers. Come create your idea of “home.” Our direct relationships gain us early access to exceptional special floor covering buys—which offers you special prices. Reductions due to a factory’s warehouse moves. Overruns custom-made for huge mall tile jobs. A shade somebody felt was “not quite right for West Coast sensibilities,” that could create a wonderful floor here in the Midwest. Or a beautiful line with classic looks scheduled to be discontinued. All first quality, all at prices others wish they could offer. The Benton Harbor location is open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm and Sat 9am-3pm. The Holland location is open Mon-Thu 9am-6pm, Fri TILE MART 2465 S M139, Benton 9am-7pm and Sat 9am-3pm. Harbor, Mich. 269.925.0629 Tile Mart has additional locations in Portage, 165 Veteran’s Dr, Holland, Mich.; Holt, Mich.; and Mich. 616.396.8453 tilemartmichigan.com Indianapolis, Ind.

It’s time for your living spaces to meet your modern needs. Easy care. Long lasting durability. Enhanced personal style. All this is possible with porcelain tile. We invite you to come in and see the many new tile displays in our gallery. We exhibit porcelain masterpieces from around the world. Endless possibilities.

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2465 S M-139 Benton Harbor

165 Veterans Dr. Holland

(I94 to x28, turn 1/4 mile North) M-F 9-6, Sat 9-3

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269-925-0629

616-396-8453

Ceramic Tile • Pre-Finished Hardwood • Granite • Marble Chinese Slate • Limestone • Glass • Area Rugs • Carpet Other locations in Portage, Holt, and Indianapolis IN

bite & sip FOOD FEATURE

southern WHERE TO FIND CAJUNINSPIRED CUISINE

A typical Cajun dish: catfish po boy with greens and rice from Ursuline’s Kitchen in Merrillville.

APRIL 2011

photograph by TONY V. MARTIN

BY JANE AMMESON

bite & sip

0 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 8

Growing up in North Carolina with a French grandmother who adapted her traditional recipes to the bounty of her new home—crawfish, crabs, catfish, rice and beans— Joel Nickson transferred much of that good Cajun/Creole/ Southern cooking to the menu of his Chicago restaurant, Wishbone, which he opened in 1990.

The cuisine at Ursuline’s Kitchen in Merrillville combines “French country with New Orleans style cooking,” according to manager Markus Nowlin.

“I

never thought of the food as Cajun or Creole,” Nickson says. “We just thought of it as what we ate back home, and so my menu also includes a lot of Low Country dishes as well as shrimp and grits, collards and smothered pork chops.” But Nickson is the first to acknowledge there’s a big crossover between Southern-style cooking and Cajun cooking, as both emphasize using what’s local and fresh and making sure that everything coming out of the kitchen is loaded with flavor. “I like to take old family recipes and mix them up a little,” he says. “Like my mother always used to make corncakes, which is a real traditional dish, and I do too, but I serve mine with a red pepper cream sauce.” Nickson, who now owns three Wishbone restaurants, also smokes his own chicken to replace the pork typically used in making andouille sausage, often used in gumbos and jambalayas, because it’s less fatty. “Think of it as healthy Cajun/Creole without losing what makes it taste so good,” he says. When Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen first opened in Elk Rapids, Michigan, chef/owner Mary Palmer was somewhat apprehensive. “There weren’t that many Cajun restaurants, not even in Chicago, let alone this far north,” says Palmer, who had traveled to New Orleans to learn techniques and recipes prior to developing a menu. “We had zydeco musicians from New Orleans playing at the opening and I really worried about what they would say about the food. One of the musicians told me, it’s just as wonderful as back home, only your roux isn’t brown enough in color; otherwise, it’s perfect.” The reaction to the food served at Pearl’s, located in this charming Lake Michigan town just north of Traverse City, has exceeded Palmer’s expectations. “Crawfish étouffée is our number one seller,” says Palmer about the seafood dish made with a rich roux and usually served over rice. “We also sell a lot of blackened catfish with hush puppies and collard greens, and one of the favorite appetizers is collards and grits topped with andouille sausage.” Besides Louisiana-style foods, Palmer and her chefs throw in a little Kentucky flavor with their bourbon-based recipes such as sour mash blackberry cobbler with bourbon. “We have thirty types of bourbon, because it fits into the concept,” she says. “We took a field trip with our employees down to Kentucky to learn more about bourbon.” And for a little added Cajun fun, Palmer and her staff host a Crawfest every May where masses of crawfish are flown in fresh

photograph [this page] by TONY V. MARTIN

FOOD FEATURE

recipes

3/4 stick unsalted butter 1/4 cup diced celery 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper 1 tablespoon diced red onion 1 tablespoon diced white onion 1 tablespoon chopped green onions 2 teaspoons roasted garlic puree (see recipe) 1 pound crawfish tails, rinsed and chopped 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/8 teaspoon white pepper 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon Angel Dust (see recipe) 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella 3 8-packs refrigerated crescent rolls

Prepare the crawfish stuffing by melting the butter in a pan and sautéing the vegetables and garlic puree just until softened. In a bowl, mix the crawfish tails with the peppers and Angel Dust and add to the sauté pan. Sauté for about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. Unroll the crescent rolls into long triangles. Spread the cooled crawfish stuffing across the base of each triangle, then roll up the pastry to enclose the stuffing. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 375-degree oven until golden brown, 11 to 13 minutes. Serve warm. ROASTED GARLIC PUREE

1 cup peeled garlic cloves 1 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 300. Place garlic in earthenware

container and cover with oil. Cover container. Bake for 1 hour. Remove garlic from oil. Place in blender. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil to blender. Puree. ANGEL DUST SEASONING

3 tablespoons Hungarian paprika 1 1/2 tablespoons Spanish paprika 5 teaspoons salt 1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme leaves 1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon onion powder

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Use as needed, storing in an airtight container for up to 2 months. CRAWFISH CAKES Recipe from Mary Palmer, chef/owner Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen 1/2 cup butter 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1 red pepper, small dice 12 teaspoons freshly minced garlic 1 pound crawfish tails, roughly chopped 1/8 cup Creole seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon (or more, depending upon taste) hot sauce 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 2 eggs 1 cup bread crumbs

Melt butter in large sauce pan, add onions, peppers and garlic. Sauté lightly, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine vegetables and other ingredients. Blend well. Portion into patties and coat with bread crumbs. Sauté in butter until lightly browned on both sides.

CRAWFISH CRESCENTS From Big Easy Cocktails: Jazzy Drinks and Savory Bites from New Orleans [Ten Speed Press, 2006] by Jimmy Bannos and John DeMers

APRIL 2011

from New Orleans. The Old Ursuline Convent, built in 1752 partly to educate French girls sent to the New World in the skills necessary for making good marriages, is the only remaining building in the U.S. from the French colonial period. A magnificent structure with herb and vegetable gardens often tended to by local chefs, it’s part of the fabric of the French Quarter in New Orleans. “The Ursuline nuns there took all the cheap ingredients they could find—collards, rice, beans—to feed the poor,” says Markus Nowlin, manager of Ursuline’s Kitchen in Merrillville. “They invented dirty rice, which is a classic Cajun dish. That’s why we chose this name.” Before opening the restaurant, Leslie Kotvasz took cooking lessons at the New Orleans School of Cooking and recently was down in the city again for a few weeks to sample foods and enjoy the ambience. And like Cajun cooking, there’s a French twist to Ursuline’s Kitchen. “We also have dishes such as the French onion soup and crepes that are still staples on our menu, along with dishes like crab cakes, poor boy sandwiches, jambalaya and crawfish étouffée,” Nowlin says. “It just seemed like a natural progression—combining French country with New Orleans-style cooking.” Long before Emeril became a one-name phenomenon, Charlie Orr began focusing on Cajun cuisine back in 1980, and even though the famed restaurateur is gone, his Maple Tree Inn in Blue Island remains in the family and is still a popular eatery. “We not only have great Cajun food, but we also have great Cajun drinks,” says Emily Bohn, the head bartender at the Maple Tree Inn. “Our hurricane zombies are phenomenal. So are our Cajun martinis, made with jalapeño infused vodka, and our Louisiana iced teas, made with four different types of liquor.” Oyster lovers won’t want to miss out on their long list of dishes that includes the traditional, such as Bienville and Rockefeller and the more unique, like Mr. Charlie’s, where super large oysters are lightly dusted with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, flash fried and then, after a few parts of asiago garlic butter, finished under the broiler. Other menu favorites include crawfish cardinale—crawfish tails simmered with brandy, white wine, cream and tomatoes and served with garlic toast points and the N’awlins bouillabaisse—a Big Easy take on the classic Mediterranean dish, chock-full of shrimp, clams, oysters, catfish, squid, mussels and oysters. When Emeril Lagasse came to Chicago in October of 1996, “Bam!” (his signature remark) was just beginning to reverberate throughout the nation. In town to promote his second cookbook (yes, there was a time when there were only two Emeril-authored cookbooks), Louisiana Real & Rustic, he hosted a private dinner at Heaven on Seven on Wabash. And introducing Emeril that night was chef/owner Jimmy Bannos, who had reopened the Garland Coffee Shop on the seventh floor of the Garland Building sixteen years earlier and then, after a sojourn in New Orleans, rechristened it with the name Heaven on Seven. “Jimmy just cold-called Paul Prudhomme,” says general manager Anthony Schittino, naming one of the most well-known of all the New Orleans chefs and Cajun food empire builders. “He learned the tried-and-true recipes, and that’s what we stick with.” Bannos, a 2007 inductee to the Chicago Chef’s Hall of Fame, went on to open two other Heaven on Sevens—one on Rush and one in Naperville. “If Chef Paul had been rude to me, I’m not sure what would have happened,” Bannos muses years later. “But he was warm, friendly, just great. It opened a new world of food to me and one that I went on to share.”

bite & sip Svago Ristorante

1103 Joliet Rd, Dyer 219.322.7305. svagoristorante.com.

The information presented in Bite & Sip is accurate as of press time, but readers are encouraged to call ahead to verify listing information.

Indiana

BARTLETT’S GOURMET GRILL & TAVERN 131 E Dunes Hwy 12, Beverly Shores. 219.879.3081. eatatbartletts.com. Bartlett’s is a new gourmet grill by husband-and-wife team Gary Sanders and Nicole Bissonnette-Sanders. Located in the heart of the National Lakeshore, Bartlett’s has a cozy but very modern ambience. The menu is an exceptionally creative take on upscale roadhouse-type food. Starting off the meal are appetizers such as andouille sausage corndogs and surf & turf potstickers, as well as family style offerings like Low Country spiced boiled peanuts and smoked venison sticks. Entrées include 5-hour pot roast, whitefish fillet and linguine bolognese, ranging in price from $10 to $20. The wine list is modest but well-crafted. BISTRO 157 157 W Lincolnway, Valparaiso. 219.462.0992. bistro157.net. Trained in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu, chef and owner Nicole Bissonnette-Sanders has created a menu of classics-like a decadent sautéed veal and gulf shrimp, a pork rib chop with apple horseradish ham, and an herb-rubbed roasted half chicken-combined with her own creative takes on nouvelle cuisine with a number of fresh fish selections. Desserts include black chocolate-infused confections that have become standard for fine dining, and also sorbets and ice cream made from fresh fruit. There are some treasures on the extensive list of bottle wines, and many solid choices by the glass.

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CIAO BELLA 1514 US 41, Scherer ville. 219.322.6800. ciaobellaonline.com. The cuisines of three different regions of Italy are featured at Ciao Bella, a ristorante, pizzeria and wine bar. Patrons can sample a 12-inch gourmet pizza with a creative array of toppings like the Pizza Quattro Stagioni—tomatoes, artichokes, prosciutto and black olives—or the sauceless Pizza Al Fichi topped with goat cheese, figs and onions and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. For those who like more traditional pies, there are thin-crust options with toppings such as sausage, fresh garlic, salami

and jalapeños. Or try such entries as Ciao Bella’s signature dishes, Rigatoni Boscaiola—spicy Italian sausage and rigatoni noodles topped with a tomato cream sauce—and the Chicken Pollo Ala Romana, a chicken breast sautéed in a white wine sauce with roasted tri-color peppers and then sauced in a tomato cream. There’s also a great selection of seafood, pork and beef. Desserts change frequently, but the tiramisu is always on the menu. The extensive wine list focuses on European and Californian wines. Delivery and take-out available.

lump crab cakes with mustard aioli, tender smoky baby back ribs with sweet BBQ sauce, gaufrettes and house-made slaw, or black truffle risotto. Round out your evening with something sweet prepared inhouse by the pastry chef. Not a lot of room left over? Everyone has room for a mini: tantalizing assorted desserts—such as coconut cream pie, triple chocolate cake, berries sabayon, to name a few-served in miniature martini glasses. Looking for a place for that special occasion? Private dinners and catering are available for any event.

DON QUIJOTE 119 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso. 219.462.7976. donquijoterestaurantandimports.com. Proprietor Carlos Rivero’s authentic Spanish cuisine, lively and friendly atmosphere, and conviviality with his return customers make this downtown Valparaiso restaurant a destination for Chicagoans and Michigan residents alike. The exciting menu features dozens of small courses, including a well-known classic paella with saffron rice and fresh-grilled seafood chunks. Grilled steaks and lamb and veal chops are abundant and cooked according to family recipes handed down for generations. The house specialty is a flan-textured vanilla cake. Lunch entrées average $15, dinner $25.

KELLY’S TABLE 5727 N 600 W, Michigan City. 219.872.5624. kellyscreekwood.com. Tucked away amidst 30 acres of woodland, the Creekwood Inn, built in the 1930s as a second home, is a delightful spot for those wanting to get away. But you don’t have to spend the night to enjoy a great repast at Kelly’s Table, located inside the inn. It’s here that chef/proprietor Patricia Kelly Molden creates a seasonal menu using the local bounty of the neighboring farms and orchards. Recent appetizer offerings include a rich Onion Soup Savoyarde with egg yolks and cream, topped with Gruyère toast as well as crabmeat and artichoke-stuffed mushrooms. Entrées range from the simple but delicious chicken tetrazzini to grilled cumin-crusted tuna with a mango habanero salsa, and rabbit braised in wine and served with summer vegetables. Fresh pumpkin custard—topped with whipped cream and flavored with Grand Marnier and crystallized ginger—and chocolate mousse served in chocolate tulip cups accompanied by a berry sauce are among Molden’s to-die-for desserts. For cocktails, consider Kelly’s Table Cosmopolitan: a delightful concoction of Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Chambord, lime and cranberry or a capirinha made with Brazilian cachaça, fresh limes and turbinado sugar.

DUNELAND BEACH INN 3311 Pottawattamie Tr, Michigan City. 800.423.7729. dunelandbeachinn.com. Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, just outside of New Buffalo, Duneland Beach Inn lies in wait to greet its guests. The newly remodeled, circa-1924 inn buzzes with the activity of locals and Chicagoans alike. Start your evening in the cozy bar with a bottle of wine that you will find nowhere else in the region, ranging from $26 to $210. Or, after a martini, retire to a table near the fireplace to enjoy one of the chef’s features which may include steaks, fresh fish and seafood or seasonal cuisine. All items are prepared from the freshest ingredients available, whether it be a seared ahi tuna with soba noodle salad, Alaskan halibut with ginger hoisin glaze, New Zealand rack of lamb with herb demi-glace, Maryland style jumbo

LUCREZIA 428 Calumet Rd, Chesterton. 219.926.5829. 302 S Main St, Crown Point. 219.661.5829. lucreziacafe.com. Lucrezia has been a Northern Italian favorite since owners Michael and Nada Karas first opened it in

photograph by TONY V. MARTIN

Now under new management, Svago is committed to carrying out the traditions of the family restaurant first started by executive chef Tony Sanfilippo‘s grandparents in Palermo, Italy, on the island of Sicily. “I’m third generation in the restaurant business,” says Sanfilippo, noting that his father was a master sommelier and that his grandfather not only ran a restaurant but also grew grapes and made his own wine. Taking the recipes used by his grandmother in her kitchen back in 1905, Sanfilippo wants to create the ultimate trattoria, one where people come for good times and good food. That’s why the food at Svago, which means entertainment in Italian, focuses on slowly braised foods, long simmered sauces as well as great salads and soups. For those who want a quick bite or simpler fare, there’s the café in front which features sandwiches and is also a place to sip coffee and enjoy a sweet. “Tradition is very important in Italy,” says Sanfilippo. “And that’s what we hope to create here as well.”

SAHARA 1701 Franklin St, Michigan City. 219.871.1223. sahara-restaurant.net. A cozy, casual bistro serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine in downtown Michigan City, the menu at Sahara reflects the traditional dishes of owner Moe Mroueh’s homeland. “I like to cook what I grew up eating,” says Mroueh, who isn’t afraid to add a defining touch to classics as he does with such menu items as feta-stuffed dates in a pomegranate reduction sauce, a cucumber Napoleon—slices of cucumber topped with housemade hummus and feta—and a Greek Isle Salad with the usual toppings of cucumbers, onions and feta with an added flourish of gyro meat. Those who want to graze can order one of the combination plates. Patrons are encouraged to linger and enjoy the music with a cold beer or glass of wine. STOP 50 WOOD FIRED PIZZERIA. 500 S El Portal, Michigan City. 219.879.8777. stop50woodfiredpizzeria. com. Just north of US Hwy 12 and west of New Buffalo, this café enjoys a well-deserved reputation—including being named one of the top four pizzerias in the Midwest by Rachael Ray magazine—for authentic Italian pizza baked “Naples-style” in wood-fired hearth ovens. Customers return again and again-it’s only difficult to find the first time. The recipes are traditional, and the ingredients are fresh daily. In addition to the Napoletana pizza, sandwiches and salads are available to eat at Stop 50, or you can get your snack or meal to go. Try the banana peppers stuffed with house-made sausage or a fiery tomato and goat cheese dip with hand-cut fried chips. Owners Chris and Kristy Bardol, who rehabbed the 50-year-old beach community grocery store into a restaurant, stick to strictly locally grown food. Average entrée cost is $15, but you can make a satisfying light meal out of the generously proportioned starters at $8-$12. The Bardols also own SodaDog, the menu of which includes authentic hot dogs and sausages and micro-crafted soda, all served via carhop service. SodaDog is located at 171 Hwy 212 in Michigan City.

WILLIAM B’S STEAKHOUSE AT BLUE CHIP CASINO 2 Easy St, Michigan City. 888.879.7711, ext 2118. bluechip-casino.com. Named after Boyd Gaming Corporation’s chairman and CEO William S. Boyd, William B’s is a world-class steakhouse in the tradition of the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas. Executive Chef Rudy Paniuagua advises that you should not over-grill a great steak: “The flavor of the meat and the marbling should speak for themselves.” Rib eyes, T-bones, filet and porterhouse are the centerpiece of the menu-and all the little extras are available, including creamy horseradish, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and au poivre sauce with shallots, butter, cracked peppercorns and cognac—but you will also find fresh seafood, occasional exotic selections like ostrich, and exquisite pasta dishes, prepared in-house. There is a complete cocktail menu (the traditional martinis are excellent), as well as a fivestar wine list and complete appetizer and dessert selections. The average cost of dinner is $25, and reservations are highly recommended.

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Michigan

BISTRO ON THE BOULEVARD 521 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, Michigan. 269.983.6600. theboulevardinn.com. This French bistro on Lake Michigan has a well-deserved and unrivaled reputation in Southwest Michigan. The view through the French doors overlooking the bluff is spectacular no matter what season, though dining outside on the porch has its own special charm, particularly at sunset or on a starry summer night. The interior of the dining room and cozy adjacent bar is impeccable, right down to the tinted water glasses, burnished wood and wood-burning fireplace. The menu changes frequently to accommodate seasonal, fresh and available fruits and vegetables, much of which are grown locally, but the basic entrée list—created by executive chef Ryan Thornburg, who worked as the restaurant’s sous chef for three years when it first opened—is extensive. Thornburg returned last year after working as executive chef at Tosi’s Restaurant and then the Orchard Hills Country Club, to replace longtime executive chef Ali Barker, who moved from the area. Thornburg’s menu items include Horseradish Crusted Faroe Islands Salmon accompanied by sautéed spinach in a Michigan cherry vinaigrette, Steak Frites—a tallgrass 8-ounce top sirloin with pomme frites and herb butter—and Crispy Duck Confit with sautéed garlic potatoes and mixed greens dressed with an aged sherry vinaigrette. Prices are reasonable, starting at $17 for the macaroni and cheese made with aged white cheddar, mascarpone, gruyere and country ham topped with garlic bread crumbs, to steaks for around $30. Be sure to check out the Wednesday sushi menu for such delights as Black Dragon—broiled eel, shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber with wasabi topikiko—as well as the choice of sakes. Reservations are always helpful, especially on the weekends.

APRIL 2011

STRONGBOW INN 2405 E US 30, Valparaiso. 800.462.5121. strongbowinn.com. The menu at this classic institution still includes a wide variety of turkey selections, but with daily specials that include barbecued pork ribs, seafood choices, prime rib and other comfort foods, one would never guess that the bakery and restaurant started as a sandwich stand during the Depression.

Many families have had Thanksgiving catered by Strongbow—the meticulously prepared traditional meal that can be ordered as take-out is virtually indistinguishable from that produced by a family team working in the kitchen for ten hours. Also, the bakery has exploded with a range of treats created daily, including cinnamon rolls, cakes, pies, brownies, fruit tarts, truffles, crème brûlée and strawberry napoleons. Lunch entrées average $8, and dinner is $18.

the mid-nineties, in a historic downtown Chesterton building. Several years later, the couple renovated the William Barringer Brown Mansion just off the downtown square in Crown Point, continuing their fine dining tradition. (In fact, Lucrezia won 2006 and 2008 ROSE Awards for “Putting Porter County on the Map.”) Signature dishes include slow-cooked Chicken Vesuvio, slowcooked chicken served in a rosemary garlic sauce with roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables, and roasted lamb shank braised in its own juices accompanied by roasted potatoes and braised red cabbage. Specials include veal medallions with mustard and mushrooms topped with a roasted brandy cream sauce. Not to be missed is the zuccotto, a sinful dome-shaped chocolate sponge cake filled with white chocolate mousse and pistachios and sauced with both chocolate and raspberry. Lunch entrées average $20, dinner $30.

bite & sip ¡Bienvenidos! For Lunch & Dinner

The only Spanish restaurant in Indiana.

don Quijote Restaurante

Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary Outdoor Dining Available

Downtown Valparaiso

219-462-7976

www.donquijoterestaurantandimports.com

3158 S. St. Rd. 2 Valparaiso, IN 866-761-3753 Best B&B NW IN - TIMES newspaper readers Best Business Retreat NW IN Business magazine Featured on ABC Chicago TV’s 190-N

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THE PHOENIX 124 Water Street, Benton Harbor. 269.925.8060. thephoenixbh.com. For those wanting to taste Elizabeth Frost’s exquisite, freshly made croissants, timing is everything at the Phoenix, her cafe in the Arts District of Benton Harbor. Frost starts rolling out the laminated layers of butter and dough in this historic building, with its large windows overlooking the blossoming neighborhood, at a time when late-nighters are just thinking of going to bed. Since she first opened, word of mouth has spiked demand and the French pastries sell so quickly that Frost, who is dedicated to quality, often can’t keep up with the demand. Currently she’s offering three varieties—plain, ham and Gruyere cheese, and chocolate. But even those that miss out on her croissants can still enjoy her other baked goods, like the wonderful scones—often made with fresh fruit when in season—and such breakfast offerings as the One Eyed Jack—bread with a hole cut out of the middle to accommodate a cooked egg—and Egg McPhoenix, two organic eggs with a blend of cheeses served grilled on Challah bread. As with all the breakfast breads, lunch items are made with breads shipped in from the famed Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor and include grilled pimento and cheese, and turkey, havarti, bacon and avocado with mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato. There’s freshly brewed coffee, lattes and cappuccinos, Boylan sodas and an array of teas. Outdoor seating completes Frost’s croissant dream. RESERVE WINE & FOOD BAR 21 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids. 616.855.9463. reservegr.com. Sleek and

sophisticated, Reserve Wine & Food Bar in downtown Grand Rapids is a food lover’s dream. It is here that executive chef Matt Millar, a James Beard nominee and owner of the now-closed, muchloved Journeyman in Fennville, takes his culinary skills to an incendiary level. The restaurant, located in an old bank (the vault is now a wine cellar with private dining options), has a soaring two-story main floor with a charcuterie bar where Millar creates such wonders as his Riesling poached foie gras and housemade boudin blanc sausage. The tasting bar, with its Cruvinet preservation system dispensing more than 100 wines by the glass, was designed to showcase the larger-than-life painting “Open Water #24,” winner of the first Art Prize competition sponsored by the DeVos family, who also co-own the restaurant. Upstairs, the lively buzz is more muted for those who want intimate dining. But no matter where you sit, the food is amazing. With a menu reading like a who’s who of locavore and artisan food producers there’s Blis handcrafted Michigan-made smoked steelhead roe, Mangalitsa ham from Baker’s Green Acres in Marion, Michigan, and goat cheese from Dancing Goat Creamery in Fennville. And, of course, there’s the wine—try samples by ordering wine flights and types. SCHU’S GRILL & BAR 501 Pleasant St, St. Joseph. 269.983.7248. schulersrest.com. The restaurant tradition of Schuler’s goes back four generations in Michigan and continues with Schu’s Grill & Bar in St. Joe. Diners can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan and cozy up to the hand-crafted fieldstone fireplace.

Meet the Chef CHRIS BARDOL

Ranked top 8 Neapolitan-style pizza – Chicago Magazine Recommended by The Hungry Hound – ABC 7 Chicago Recommended by South Bend WNDU’s Unique Eats

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STop 50 wood fired pizzeria 500 S. El Portal | Michiana Shores, IN 219-879-8777 Indoor & Outdoor Seating | Carry-out Spring Hours: Fri 5-10pm; Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-8pm www.Stop50woodfiredpizzeria.com

photograph by ROBERT WRAY

Ranked top 4 in the Midwest and top 16 Nationally – Rachael Ray Magazine 2010

rowing up in Michiana Shores, Chris Bardol remembers such small town delights as ordering hot dogs at a drive-in and riding his bike to the small neighborhood grocery store. Now, Bardol and his wife, Kristy, have stepped back into that time, rehabbing those two places, long out of business, into restaurants that celebrate the era before big chain eateries became the norm. “Our mission and passion is to keep things as simple as possible, buying local so that the food we serve is farm to plate,” says Bardol, owner of Stop 50 and Soda Dog. And at Stop 50, where the only cooking utensil is a wood burning pizza oven—no fryers, grills or even a stove—Bardol lives his passion. “Cooking over burning wood is archaic, primitive; it’s the ultimate in simplicity,” Bardol says. “And we follow the seasons. What’s in season will be on our pizzas. Last spring we served a morel pie; we had roasted asparagus appetizers and used them on pizza, too. When there are STOP 50 WOOD FIRED PIZZERIA mulberries on the 500 S El Portal, Michigan City, Ind. bushes out back, we use them in our SODA DOG house-made gelatos.” 171 Hwy 212, Michigan City, Ind. stop50woodfiredpizzeria.com -JANE AMMESON

TABOR HILL WINERY & RESTAURANT 1 8 5 M t Ta b o r R d , B u c h a n a n . 800.283.3363. taborhill.com. Tabor Hill Winery’s restaurant is all at once elegant, urbane and semi-casual. Its windows afford ample, rolling vineyard views; the menu is sophisticated. Chef John Paul Verhage, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, gives a modified California-cuisine touch to signature dishes like raspberry chicken and the salmon wrapped in grape leaves. The extensive appetizer menu includes items like mini Morel Mushroom Pizzas and Kobe Beef Carpaccio. Though the restaurant is easy to find—just a half hour north of South Bend and 20 minutes east of New Buffalo—it’s not always easy to get in. Reservations are suggested—but those who wander in unannounced can sip at the complimentary wine bar or purchase a glass and enjoy it on the stone terrace overlooking the vines. Tabor Hill produces a wonderful variety of awardwinning wines, but for those who desire a harder libation, a full bar awaits. WHEATBERRY RESTAURANT & TAVERN 15212 N Red Bud Tr, Buchanan. 269.697.0043. wheatberrytavern.com. Nestled on a bend of the slow-moving St. Joseph River just north of Buchanan—a town transforming into trendiness with its historic downtown filled with eclectic shops—the owners of the recently opened Wheatberry Restaurant & Tavern see their place as a gathering spot for lovers of regional American cuisine. “We cook everything from scratch,” says Mike Hoyland, one of the restaurant’s owners. Besides a dedication to using the best of local farms and food producers, there’s also an emphasis on the smoked ribs, pork and chicken that come out of the large Southern Pride Smoker in the back of the restaurant. Other entrées include prime sliced sirloin topped with Wisconsin’s wonderful Mindoro Blue cheese, basil and toasted pine nut butter, as well as cedar-planked salmon and wood-roasted chicken Vesuvio. Soups, sandwiches, salads and killer hamburgers, thick and juicy and cooked to order, are also on the menu. Dessert specialties include Texas sheet cake-a dense, rich brownie-like cake-and Key lime pie.

Illinois

BALAGIO RISTORANTE 1 7 5 0 1 D i x i e H w y, H o m e w o o d . 708.957.1650. balagio-restaurant.com. This popular Italian restaurant has changed its menu offerings, with many entrée prices now under $12.95. Some of the specialties created by chef/owner Mike Galderio include chicken scaloppinithin breast cutlets quickly sautéed with white wine-Italian sausage and roasted red peppers served with braised escarole, and a salmon club sandwich with broiled salmon, crisp bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato. There are also Galderio traditional family recipes like the chopped salad with chicken, salami and hearts of palm, housemade marinara sauce and spaghetti and meatballs. There’s an extensive wine list as well as live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. Private dining is available for any group from 10 to 200, either family style or custom designed. THE COURTYARD BISTRO 21 S White St, Frankfort. 815.464.1404. The ambitious menu is inspired by the cooking of Italy, France and the American Southwest, but this south suburban bistro adeptly meets the challenge of its own making while getting results that delight both newcomers and regulars. Signature dishes include Santa Fe lasagna and artichoke ravioli on the Neapolitan side, and onion tart and gorgonzola-seared beef tenderloin are straight out of a sidewalk café near the River Seine in Paris. The martini menu is as innovative as the food, and the wine list is better than average with interesting possibilities for complementing the entrées. The seafood is very fresh and well-prepared with garnishes and light sauces, and main dishes are economical in the $915 range. The atmosphere is always friendly and can range from celebratory for special luncheons on the weekends to cozy, romantic couple dinners in the evening. But it is the attention to detail at every level from customer comfort to the dessert selections and coffee service at the end of the meal that gets the repeat customers.

Dine on Authentic in a Rustic, Relaxed Setting.

EXPRESS LUNCH All-You-Can-Eat Buffet 9.95 WEDNESDAYS 1/2 Off any bottle of wine $40 or more

WEEKLY DINING & DRINK SPECIALS GIVE THE GIFT OF GOOD TASTE... Ciao Bella Gift Certificates Let us cater your next party or event. Carry-out Available semi private room available for up to 20 guests. We can host up to 200 as a preferred caterer at Centennial Park in Munster. Award Winning (Gourmet Magazine)

219.322.6800 Monday-Thursday: 11am - 10pm Friday-Saturday: 11am-11pm Sunday: 11am-10pm 1514 U.S. 41, Schererville, IN

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APRIL 2011

WILD DOG GRILLE 24 W Center St, Douglas. 269.857.2519. Sam Kendall, co-owner of the Wild Dog Grille, says their Italian-inspired cuisine, with a new-age twist, has been delighting the public ever since they opened their doors in June 2007. Start out with fresh spring rolls stuffed with crab meat and wrapped in a thin rice

paper, or try the crab cake served with three dollops of Creole remoulade for a flavor enhancement. Another tasty option is the pesto spinach cheese dip served with flat breads fired fresh in the stone oven. Their trademark stone oven pizzas are fired in the best stone oven on the market for an old-world, thincrust flavor. Fresh-cut steaks, such as the popular filet mignon and New York strip, are exceptional. Finish the meal with a vanilla panna cotta made from scratch from the chef’s family recipe, the Oregon berry cobbler or a Key lime tart. The restaurant has a liquor license, and the owners pride themselves on offering a laid-back atmosphere with the quality of high-end restaurants. Prices go up to $25.95 for the filet mignon, with most selections under $20.

Good conversation and good food are all part of the experience at Schu’s, where the start of a tasty night includes Schu’s potato soup—the restaurant’s famous original soup served with cheddar cheese, bacon bits and diced scallions. Gumbos and a selection of distinctive salads, like the sweet chili shrimp salad, also make great starters before the hearty portions of pasta or a sizzlin’ rib eye steak. Also, try the terrific fall-off-the-bone barbeque ribs presented on a wooden plank with tangy molasses sauce served with crispy French fries. Schu’s is also a great place to stop for lunch. A homemade egg salad sandwich is made exceptional with shallots and a touch of tarragon topped with lettuce and tomato, or devour the salmon B.L.T. made with a generous sixounce portion of grilled salmon with crisp bacon, mixed greens and fresh tomatoes, topped with tarragon Dijon sauce and served with housemade chips.

house&

GROUNDS

BRITISH-COLONIAL-STYLE HOME EVOKES AN EXOTIC VIBE

worldly

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Many intriguing artifacts decorate the life paths of Dick Waskin and Larry Hanlin. • The two have lived in, renovated and built several homes in Michigan. For a decade, they owned a furnishings import shop. In addition, their careers include police work, human resources, general contracting and real estate. • They also discovered and bought some 30 acres of land about five or six blocks from downtown Saugatuck and Douglas on the Kalamazoo River. Here, they created a 17-lot development called Heron Bay, where they now live in an English-style home that brims with all things British-Colonial. • How’s that for lives that are as varied and ever-changing as the river on which they live?

WORDS BY MEGAN SWOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM LADUKE

APRIL 2011

[opposite] “Our goal for the exterior design of the home was to be traditional English,” says homeowner Dick Waskin, who does all of the gardening and has collected and brought in different plants that are native to the area. The homeowners hired Landscape Impressions Design & Garden Center of Caledonia to create the hardscaping. “We wanted to use a lot of stone,” Waskin says. [this page] “People tell us it’s such a comfortable home to be in, especially with all the wood,” says homeowner Larry Hanlin. “It comforts you.” The two-story windows provide a fantastic view of the Kalamazoo River and Heron Bay. Pear-colored walls showcase the artwork well, say the homeowners.

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GROUNDS

The men’s home reflects their passion for Asian craftsmanship and English architecture. “We wanted the design of the home to be traditional English on the exterior, and British-Colonial on the interior,” says Waskin, a Realtor who owns RE/MAX Saugatuck-Douglas. A British-Colonial look typically features the influences of British colonists who in history marched around the globe and blended the rich dark woods of exotic faraway places with their traditional British finery. Dark furniture and flooring were signatures of the style.

DOWN BY THE RIVER

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These homeowners are just as savvy about what’s outside, as what’s inside. The Kalamazoo River views are awesome, say the two men. The river, which is the harbor for the city of Douglas, empties into Lake Michigan beyond the Blue Star Bridge. “We can boat out to Lake Michigan or up the river. It’s a wonderful natural wetland here,” Hanlin explains. The gardens and a backyard koi pond are Waskin’s pride and joy. With two waterfalls and fish caves (for

Dark furnishings, ceramic tiles, colorful rugs and intricate molding define a British-Colonial style, which reigns supreme at the Waskin/Hanlin home. The masonry stone fireplace [lower right] is faced with stone from nearby Escanaba, Mich. The men’s kitchen [opposite] is relatively simple, but full of convenience for cooking and entertaining. An artist in Texas created the ceramic lion’s head artwork above the range.

hiding from herons), “It’s the koi pond of all koi ponds,” Waskin says with a laugh. Hanlin, a retired Detroit police officer and former HR director for the Private Industry Council of BerrienVan Buren County, was the general contractor for their Heron Bay home’s construction. A man of many talents, he has been involved in building and home design for several years. “When we lived in Detroit, we would buy homes, renovate them and sell or rent them,” Hanlin explains. One of their favorite life chapters involves meeting an eye surgeon who lived in one of the Heron Bay homes and had an eye for Indian adornments. One day he arrived at the Hanlin/ Waskin residence with a big British-Colonial-style chair. “It was a plantation chair,” Hanlin recalls. Over a “nice bottle of port,” the men talked about their desire to open a gallery/store with these types of furnishings.

Every design feature has a story behind it. For example, if you look straight up as you approach the home’s front doors (beneath a cathedral roof over the porch), you’ll see hand-glazed tiles made in Thailand and a bronze stag head that they bought at LaBarge Furniture & Accessory Co., which was formerly located in Holland, Michigan. “It’s a very English look,” Hanlin says. That tile also was used for a fireplace surround. In the kitchen, a three-piece tile installation of a lion’s head, made by

HANDIWORK EXTRAORDINAIRE

a ceramic artist in Texas, reigns supreme. Then there’s the charming powder room sink. “A potter in Thailand impressed a pattern on the sink, and then sculpted frogs for it.” Visitors sometimes even feel a bit like Harry Potter as they take in Potter-esque lighting and magnificent stone and woodwork. “We drew a lot of our inspiration from when we went to England and saw where some of the Potter movie scenes were filmed,” Waskin says. The home’s exterior stone is from a quarry in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Escanaba and was ordered through Halquist Stone in Wisconsin. The two also worked with Wisconsin-based Port City Studio Architects. “Port City was great,” Hanlin says. “They even photographed all of our unique furniture so that they could design places for it,” he adds. “We wanted our home to look and feel like it’s been here for at least 50 years, and we’ve achieved that.” Another home-design chapter finished. What’s next? The men say they may take on a new project soon and create a whole different look. “Stay tuned,” Waskin says with a laugh.

APRIL 2011

And voila, they became business partners and opened an import store called the Elephant’s Trunk in Douglas. “Our friend was our inspiration to import British-Colonial furniture—he provided us with the necessary contacts to begin our importing business,” Waskin explains. For 10 years, they imported unusual architectural items and furnishings, mostly from Southeast Asia. The store is no longer in business, but their home reflects an exotic and worldly sensibility through and through, with items and embellishments from Burma, Thailand, Hong Kong and beyond.

shore things Sanctuary at Customs Imports

430 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, Mich. 269.469.9180. customsimports.com Born out of a desire for inner peace amidst the nation’s current economic turmoil is Sanctuary, the new store-within-a-store at Customs Imports. Owner Dee Dee Duhn has dedicated this space to feature items promoting quiet and tranquility, including art, music, candles, fountains and incense. Patrons will receive a CD of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, chanted by the Dalai Lama, with any purchase. Sanctuary opens the last weekend of April.

build Indiana

TRAINOR GLASS COMPANY 202 N Dixie Way, South Bend. 574.855.2380. trainorglass.com. Since 1953, Trainor Glass has specialized in commercial glass and glazing. Their state-of-the-art glass can be installed just about anywhere, from partitions, walls and doors, to the shower and bath. The inventory includes endless variations of glass, including clear, frosted, patterned and back-painted glass, along with digitally printed glass products. Trainor serves all of Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

MARUSZCZAK APPLIANCE 7809 W Lincoln Hwy, Schererville. 219.865.0555. For nineteen years, Maruszczak has been selling and servicing major home appliances in the Munster area. Its broad inventory includes fridges, stoves, dishwashers, washer/dryers and more, made by virtually every brand in the market. The company is also factory-authorized to service everything it sells.

Michigan

HORIZON AWNING 2227 E US 12, Michigan City. 219.872.2329. horizon-awning.com. For more than 25 years, this company has built canvas and aluminum awnings for the home and business, plus custom boat covers. Canvas awnings are made of long-wearing, faderesistant fabrics, and the aluminum variety come with whimsical scalloped edges.

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POOL PRO CONTRACTORS 3 1 4 N 3 2 5 E , Va l p a r a i s o . 2 1 9 . 5 4 8 . 5 7 8 3 . poolprocontractors.com. For more than two decades, Pool Pro has specialized in custom swimming pool installation, providing expert in-ground swimming pool construction services to clients’ specifications. The team prides itself on hands-on perfection of each custom in-ground swimming pool project, with attention to detail through every stage of construction and on-time completion. Pool Pro also carries a full line of chemical and maintenance supplies for pools and spas. STEINER HOMES 4825 W 100th Ln, Crown Point. 219.916.3744. steinerhomesltd.com. Steiner Homes offers affordable homes throughout Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties. The in-house residential home designer works with clients’ ideas, either from a previous plan or starting from scratch. Clients can build on their own lot, or Steiner has access to a variety of lots throughout the area. A variety of features are available, and Steiner is committed to keeping those options at the highest quality and most affordable price.

MC COLLUM ARCHITECTS 16109 Red Arrow Hwy, Union Pier. 269.469.9211. mccollumarchitects.com. This full-service architectural firm has spanned 40 years and 100 miles, and has built everything from urban to second home communities, low to upscale housing, single family to multi-family homes, tiny boutique restaurants and even upscale urban eateries. The firm is involved with renovating and creating new housing, amphitheaters, daycare centers, and special community development projects designed to create flexible environments. TILE MART 2465 S M139, Benton Harbor. 269.925.0629. 165 Veteran’s Dr, Holland. 616.396.8453. tilemartmichigan.com. Tile Mart offers a “plethora” of tile, porcelain, glass or stone from items imported from Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and emerging Asian manufacturers, as well as from quality domestic manufacturers. Flooring material options include carpet, ceramic, porcelain, laminate, vinyl and wood, and area rugs are also available. WATER PLACE 188 W US 12, Ste 3, New Buffalo. 269.231.5153. The Water Place is a decorative plumbing and hardware products superstore. With whirlpools, faucets and cabinets, this has “everything you need for plumbing services.”

design Indiana

THE BEACH HOUSE 619 E 3rd St, Hobart. 219.942.0783. The 1,000-square-foot showroom at the Beach House features “beachy,” cottage-style home furnishing and accessories. In the store’s lower level, The Wicker Gallery, custom orders are accepted. The store began as and still houses an upscale showroom of very current, high-quality, pre-owned furniture known as Like New. CARTRONIX, INC. Locations in Merrillville, Portage, Schererville and Valparaiso. 219.548.2571. cartronix.com. Cartronix is perhaps best known throughout Northwest Indiana for being an AT&T dealer, but the company also specializes in home and mobile electronics. The custom audio/video home theater department designs, engineers and installs electronic systems, including home theaters, distributed audio/video, communications and home networks, for both residential and commercial clients. Design and installation of car stereos, security systems and remote car starters are also available. CLOSET & CARPENTRY DESIGNS 1431 S Michigan St, South Bend. 574.239.1347. closetandcarpentrydesign.com. This “one-stop closet shop” designs and manufactures anything related to storage and organization, including closets, bookcases, home offices and garages. A wide variety of products—from melamine to wood—are offered at all price ranges. Owner Mark Tepe and his staff work throughout the shoreline area, including Harbor Country and Chicago. DECORATING DEN INTERIORS decoratingden.com. This award-winning international design firm provides full-service, professional interior decorating. Well-trained decorators bring their ideas and expertise directly to clients’ homes, along with fabrics, furniture, floor and wall coverings, lighting and other accessories.

photograph courtesy of CUSTOMS IMPORTS

The information presented in Shore Things is accurate as of press time, but readers are encouraged to call ahead to verify the listing information.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME 1 1 0 E l m w o o d D r, M i c h i g a n C i t y. 219.879.9140. 400 E Randolph St, Ste 3414, Chicago. 312.938.9140. nplhinc.com. This eco-minded interior design firm has multiple specialties, including space planning, architectural design consultation, kitchen and bath design and renovations, custom cabinetry design and installation, and selection of additional materials, plus decorating and staging services. MC INTERIORS 1 1 0 2 F r a n k l i n S t , M i c h i g a n C i t y. 219.872.7236. mcinteriorsin.com. MC Interiors offers a variety of home décor products including window treatments, floor coverings, draperies and upholstery. Services include free in-home consultation and estimates, plus installation of drapery, blinds, carpet, hardwood and ceramic flooring. STRATA SHOPS 800.985.9495. stratashops.com. StrataShops, based in Elkhart, Ind., operates multiple online stores featuring furniture for all tastes and budgets. Six of the stores offer outdoor furniture— made of wicker, recycled polywood, teak, eucalyptus and other sustainable materials—and the company’s newest store features modern indoor furniture. StrataShops prides itself on fair prices, fast shipping and an easy online shopping experience.

Michigan

CUSTOMS IMPORTS 430 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo. 269.469.9180. customsimports.com. This exotic gallery hosts a large, distinguished inventory of global art, furniture and antiques from India, Indonesia, China, Morocco and Vietnam. Dee Dee Duhn’s new showroom features teak root benches, textiles, Indonesian pottery, unique new furniture and an extensive mirror gallery. Claudia Labao’s Global Dreams jewelry— popular with the stars of Desperate Housewives—can also be found here. HARBOR TOWN INTERIORS 613 Broad St, St.Joseph. 269.983.7774. Harbor Town Interiors offers home decor items such as furniture, mattresses, bed coverings, rugs, and home accessories. Gift items and full service design consultation is available. PRIEBE’S CREATIVE WOODWORKING 2 1 1 3 P l a z a D r, B e n t o n H a r b o r. 269.926.2469. priebeswoodworking.com. For more than twelve years, the craftsmen at Priebe’s have created custom cabinetry, countertops (in granite and quartz), entertainment centers, mantels and surrounds, and millwork. Priebe’s offers installation services, and a custom threedimensional computer-assisted kitchen design service is also available.

drive Indiana

DORMAN GARAGE, INC. 1317 Lake St, LaPorte. 219.324.7646. dormangarage.com. With more than twenty years of experience, Dorman Garage specializes in classic car restoration. Aside from offering restoration services, there is also a large inventory of restored classic automobiles for sale. LEXUS OF MERRILLVILLE 3957 US Hwy 30, Merrillville. 219.769.4545. lexusofmerrillville.com. Lexus vehicles and customer servicefocused sales teams can be found at this dealership, which features new and pre-owned vehicles—including luxury and sport sedans, SUVs and convertibles. Financing, vehicle services and parts and accessories are also available.

Michigan

RUSSELL’S FOREIGN CAR REPAIR 8754 US Hwy 31, Berrien Springs. 269.473.3088. This dealer alternative provides service, repairs and maintenance during the vehicle’s factory warranty and beyond. Russell’s Foreign Car Repair services all imported car makes, but specializes in upscale European and Asian vehicles.

eat Indiana

GREAT LAKES CATERING 701 Washington St, Michigan City. 219.898.1501. greatlakescatering.com. With a combined 75 years of experience, father and son Ed and Matt Kis have formed one of the area’s leading catering companies. A full range of services is available for all kinds of events, including catered foods and beverages, bands, tents, tables and more. MOLLY BEA’S INGREDIENTS 761 Indian Boundary Rd, Chesterton. 219.983.9401. mollybeas.com. This specialty grocer is a “haven for people who cook, bake and eat.” Pretty much any baking and cooking ingredient can be found here, including flours, pastas, seeds, nuts, sprinkles, chips and more. A selection of fair trade and organic products are available, including coffees, and loose and packaged teas. Molly Bea’s also boasts the largest licorice selection in Northwest Indiana. There are a good deal of sugarless gluten-free products as well.

Michigan

CHOCOLATE CAFE 300 State St, St. Joseph. 269.985.9866. sbchocolate.com. This delicious stop in downtown St. Joseph features all things chocolate—fudge, creams, gourments, even sugar-free chocolate. There are options for non-chocoholics as well, including coffee, fruits, nuts, and ice cream. Specialty gift boxes are available, and the company features licensed treats from several local universities as well. SEASON’S HARVEST 1 3 6 8 6 R e d A r r o w H w y, H a r b e r t . 269.469.7899. seasonsharvest.com. This quaint shop along Red Arrow Highway features natural gourmet provisions like barbecue sauces, salad dressings, dipping sauces and olive oil, among others. Products can be purchased either online or at the shop, and gift sets are available.

give Indiana

ST. JOHN WINE & SPIRITS 9540 Poplar Ln, St. John. 219.558.8911. stjohnwineandspirits.com. Both the connoisseur and the beginner alike will feel comfortable in this shop, which features a wide variety of fine wines, beer and spirits. The staff is trained to assist customers with selection needs, in order “to take the intimidation out of shopping for wine and spirits.” Wine tastings are held here often, and gifts and accessories are also available. WISE GUYS DISCOUNT LIQUORS 9133 Taft St, Merrillville. 219.791.9419. wiseguysliquors.com. This 7,000-square-foot store features a large stock of beer, wine and spirits at discount prices. The cold beer case is filled with a wide variety of both craft beers and microbrews, and the more than 300 wines available come from around the world. Spirits include regulars like gin and rum, as well as unique varieties such as absinthe, cognac and one-of-a-kind liqueurs.

Michigan

DECADENT DOGS 505 Phoenix St, South Haven. 866.459.5437. This dog-exclusive boutique features high-end canine products, including designer dog collars and apparel, toys and gourmet dog treats. For the humans, dog-oriented gifts and décor items are also available. LAMBRECHT’S LIQUORS 2926 Niles Ave, St. Joseph. 269.983.5353. lambrechtsliquors.com. Lambrecht’s features a comprehensive selection of wines, beers, spirits, cigars, pipes and tobacco products. Specialty items include beer and winemaking equipment and supplies and gourmet coffees and cheeses. Occasional tasting events and seminars are offered as well.

heal Indiana

CENTER FOR OTOLARYNGOLOGY 9120 Columbia Ave, Ste A, Munster. 219.836.4820. Bethany Cataldi, D.O., specializes in ear, nose and throat surgery and facial plastic surgery. In fact, she is the only female facial plastic surgeon in Northwest Indiana who’s been specifically trained in surgery of the face, head and neck. Dr. Cataldi’s expertise in such procedures exclusively ranges all spectrums, from topical treatments like skin peels, to hair removal, to full nasal construction. CONFIDENTIAL CARE 750 45th St, Munster. 219.934.6410. confidentialcare.com. Drs. Sanker and Vijay Jayachandran are board certified psychiatrists who provide intensive psychiatric outpatient care for adolescents and adults. The doctors and their staff— two nurse practitioners and six clinical therapists—specialize in social and school behavior, family counseling, drug and alcohol addiction treatment, and ADHD in adolescents, among many other services. OBSTETRICAL & GYNECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC. 1101 E Glendale Blvd, Ste 102, Valparaiso. 219.462.6144. 3630 Willowcreek Rd, Ste 1, Portage. 219.364.3230. The boardcertified obstetrician-gynecologists—Drs. Short, Strickland and Murphy—at this clinic specialize in pregnancy care, family planning, infertility and menopause, along with general women’s wellness. Patients are made to feel at ease because of the clinic’s state-of-the-art equipment and a skilled staff.

PINNACLE HOSPITAL 9301 Connecticut Dr, Crown Point. 219.756.2100. pinnaclehealthcare.net. This acute care hospital prides itself on its small facility; with only 18 beds and five operating suites, each patient receives high-quality care and undivided attention. Owned and operated by physicians, Pinnacle offers a full range of specialties, including orthopaedics, spinal surgeries and women’s health, and is the home to the Indiana Breast Center, led by Dr. Marylyn Rosencranz. PORTER HOSPITAL 8 1 4 L a P o r t e Av e , Va l p a r a i s o . 219.263.4600. 3630 Willowcreek Rd, Portage. 219.364.3000. 650 Dickinson Rd, Chesterton. 219.926.7755. porterhealth.org. Since opening in 1939 as a community-owned, not-for-profit hospital, Porter has served area families by providing quality care and programs. With ten facilities in two counties, Porter provides health care that is recognized on local, state and national levels and offers a continuum of specialized services such as emergency/trauma, cardiology, family medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, oncology, sleep lab, physical rehabilitation care and more. ST. ANTHONY MEMORIAL 301 W Homer St, Michigan City. 888.879.8511. saintanthonymemorial. org. This acute care hospital, serving LaPorte, Porter and Berrien Counties, boasts an integrated health care network that is made up of an intensive care unit, a new birthing unit, emergency department, behavioral medicine, rehabilitation services, surgery units, oncology, pediatrics and a multidiscipline physician practice. ST. MARY MEDICAL CENTER 1500 S Lake Park Ave, Hobart. 2 1 9 . 9 4 2 . 0 5 5 1 . c o m h s . o r g / s t m a r y. Innovative women’s health services are available here, including complete gynecologic and obstetrical care, plus treatment for high-risk pregnancies and menopause. Functional, metabolic and nutritional medicine is practiced wherever possible.

invest Michigan

MUTUAL BANK, KATHY SELLERS 307 W Buffalo St, New Buffalo. 269.469.5552. bankwithmutual.com. Kathy Sellers is a Mutual Bank agent who services both first-time home buyers and seasoned investors. Mutual Bank specializes in investments and wealth management for businesses and personal clients.

live Indiana

COLDWELL BANKER, DAWN BERNHARDT 748 E Porter, Chesterton. 219.241.0952. dawnbernhardt.com. Dawn Bernhardt is the go-to agent for homes in Chesterton’s luxurious Sand Creek subdivision, along with other properties in Porter, LaPorte and Lake Counties. The website offers an abundance of resources for both buyers and sellers. COLDWELL BANKER, DONNA HOFMANN 219.331.1133. dhofmann.com. Donna Hofmann specializes in helping clients with buying and selling lakefront properties in Ogden Dunes, Dune Acres, Porter Beach, Beverly Shores, Chesterton and Valparaiso.

APRIL 2011

SAWYER HOME & GARDEN CENTER 5865 Sawyer Rd, Sawyer. 269.426.8810. sawyergardencenter.com. The Sawyer Garden Center offers a large inventory of items for the garden, including annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, plus a variety of high-quality lawn accessories. A large

gift shop and gourmet shop—featuring produce, breads, sauces and cheeses—are also on site.

FENKER’S HOME FURNISHINGS AND GIFTS 1114 Lincolnway, LaPorte. 219.362.3538. fenkersfurniture.com. For more than 100 years, Fenker’s has been a regular fixture in downtown LaPorte. Among the large inventory is quality home furnishings for every room of the home—from the largest sofa to the smallest accessory. Fenker’s carries reputable lines such as Ashley, Kincaid, Leathercraft, Seth Thomas and many others.

shore things Michigan

CAMP BUFFALO COTTAGES 106 S Franklin St, New Buffalo. 269.469.9090. campbuffalocottages.com. At Camp Buffalo, cozy cedar-shaked cottages resting in lush woodlands outline a property that promises sanctuary and solitude. The center clubhouse, naturally landscaped amphitheater and inground swimming pool bring the community together for fellowship and fun. Residents may choose between five spacious cottage plans. COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE 10 N Whittaker St, New Buffalo. 269.469.3950. coldwellbankeronline.com. This New Buffalo real estate firm features more than 200,000 properties in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Both the in-office staff and the Coldwell Banker website offer multiple services and resources for buyers and sellers. HARBOR SHORES REALTORS 584 Lake St, Saugatuck. 269.857.3900. harborshoresrealtors.com. Principal broker Tammy Kerr and team specialize in helping their clients buy and sell properties in the Saugatuck/Douglas area. Each of the agents are members of the National Association of REALTORS. HARBOR SHORES RESORT 269.932.1600. harborshoresresort.com. Southwest Michigan’s biggest, most talked-about project is underway in Benton Harbor. The residential community will include a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, marinas, an indoor water park and a luxury spa. The property is surrounded by two rivers and five beaches. Custom homesites and cottages are available. PRUDENTIAL RUBLOFF PROPERTIES 439 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo. 888.257.5800. rubloff.com. Since 1930, Rubloff has been one of the premier real estate firms on the local scene. Serving clients all along Lake Michigan’s southern coast and beyond, the certified sales associates at Rubloff proclaim great success in buying, selling and renting properties along the lakeshore.

Illinois

DEWITT PLACE 900 N DeWitt Pl, Chicago. 312.642.7020. dewittplace.com. This 82-unit vintage building, built in 1924, offers corporate housing, temporary furnished apartment rentals and long-term temporary housing solutions. These studio and one-bedroom apartments come with a variety of amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen, wireless Internet access, DirecTV satellite service and an exercise room.

pamper Indiana

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COSMEDIC SKIN & BODY CLINIC 210 E 86th Pl, Merrillville. 219.795.1255. 58 E Walton, Chicago. 312.377.3333. c o s m e d i c c l i n i c . c o m . Av a i l a b l e b y appointment. Dr. James Platis, who has been featured on local and national news programs and has been applauded by Dr. Phil, specializes in all forms of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, p a r t i c u l a r l y b re a s t s u r g e r y, b o d y contouring and facial aesthetic surgery. Less invasive procedures include tanning, waxing and facials. ELLE SALON 1 1 3 W 8 t h S t , M i c h i g a n C i t y. 219.874.3553. This upscale salon, situated in Michigan City’s historic district, offers

full-service hair care, manicures, pedicures and facial waxing. Retail products include skin care, body care, a men’s line, wooden styling tools, a full line of Aveda products, and other calming items such as Aveda teas, candles and oils. VANIS SALON & SPA 221 US 41, Ste J, Schererville. 219.322.5600. 1620 Country Club Rd, Valparaiso. 219.465.6414. 107 N Main St, Crown Point. 219.663.5200. vanis.net. One of Northwest Indiana’s premier salons, Vanis features a well-trained, professional staff for hair care, nail care and spa body treatments. Group and corporate retreats (for four to twenty people) can be arranged.

Michigan

HEATH & COMPANY 419 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo. 269.469.4247. This Aveda-concept salon is one of the familiar businesses greeting visitors to New Buffalo from the south. Owner Rick Heath and his staff gel their expertise and friendliness, making a trip to this salon more of an experience than a necessity. Services include hair care, nail care, massage therapy and waxing. YOGA GLOW 6 Linden St, Three Oaks. 269.697.4394. yogathreeoaks.com. This renowned yoga studio features group yoga classes and private lessons for all levels, plus workshops every month. Patrons are encouraged to visit Yoga Glow’s website for class schedules, teacher bios and other yoga-related information.

play Indiana

BLUE CHIP CASINO, HOTEL & SPA 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City. 888.879.7711. bluechipcasino.com. The casino portion of Blue Chip features 65,000 square feet of gaming, all on one level, including more than 2,100 slot games and all the classic table games. Brand new to the facility is the 22-story Spa Blu Tower, which features a state-ofthe-art hotel, luxury spa and convention center. Dining options include It’s Vegas Baby! and the Game, along with the finedining restaurant William B’s Steakhouse.

Michigan

FOUR WINDS CASINO 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, Michigan. 866.494.6371. fourwindscasino.com. With 3,000 of the most recent types of slot machines and more than 100 tables games, including blackjack and craps, New Buffalo’s Four Winds is the only casino in the area that offers million dollar jackpots. This brand new casino also has the Midwest’s only World Poker Tour poker room.

stay Indiana

DUNELAND BEACH INN 3311 Pottawattamie Tr, Michigan City. 219.874.7729. dunelandbeachinn.com. Nestled in a private wooded community on the beach, yet only minutes from Michigan City’s best shopping and dining, this cozy inn provides guests with comfort and convenience. Also on the premises is Duneland Beach Inn’s fine dining restaurant, which features steaks, chops, pasta and seafood. INN AT ABERDEEN 3 1 5 8 S S t a t e R d 2 , Va l p a r a i s o .

219.465.3753. innataberdeen.com. Located in the beautiful and prestigious Aberdeen neighborhood, just minutes from downtown Valparaiso, the Inn at Aberdeen is a comfortable and convenient place to stay. A variety of unique rooms and suites are available, as well as a Flavia coffee and tea bar, a full gourmet breakfast every morning, and all of the amenities needed for both a personal and business stay. A conference room is available for business meetings and private parties.

Michigan

THE BOULEVARD INN 521 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph. 269.983.6600. theboulevardinn.com. Warmth and coziness are a theme at this historic hotel in St. Joseph. From the plush furniture in the lobby to the comfort food at the Bistro, to the luxurious amenities in the hotel’s suites, the Boulevard offers more than just a place to stay. Business and fitness centers are also available for use.

visit Michigan

ST. JOSEPH TODAY 120 State St, St. Joseph. 269.985.1111. sjtoday.org. Visitors to St. Joseph will find a variety of helpful information—on shopping, dining and events—at this welcome center. St. Joseph Today is a nonprofit organization that assists and encourages local business and tourism development. SILVER BEACH CENTER 333 Broad St, St. Joseph. 269.982.8500. silverbeachcarousel.com. Brand new to St. Joseph is this family-friendly center, which features an abundance of fun and unique activities for people of all ages. The primary attraction is the Silver Beach Carousel, a spectacular structure that features 44 colorful, hand-carved horses. Also at the center is Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone, the Shadowland Ballroom, Whirlpool Compass Fountain, and Michigan’s tallest kaleidoscope. SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN TOURIST COUNCIL 2300 Pipestone Rd, Benton Harbor. 269.925.6301. swmichigan.org. The natural attractions of Southwest Michigan—the dunes, miles of scenic Lake Michigan beach, rivers and parks with hiking trails and biking paths—offer beauty in every season. The friendly staff at this nonprofit organization can assist travelers whether they seek solitude or a group learning experience.

wear Indiana

ALBERT’S DIAMOND JEWELERS 711 Main St, Schererville. 219.322.2700. albertsjewelers.com. Besides the fact that Albert’s showcases 5,000 square feet of jewelry, the store in itself is an entertainment destination. A bar, largescreen TV, dance floor and karaoke are among the many ways that patrons can let loose while browsing every type of fine jewelry imaginable. Brands include Tacori, Bulgari, Cartier and Bez Ambar, and the store’s entire back wall is devoted to bridal jewelry and accessories. INDIAN SUMMER, CHESTERTON 131 S Calumet Rd, Chesterton. 219.983.9994. This women’s clothing boutique offers casual and contemporary clothing and jewelry from around the world. Indian Summer features brands

such as Sympli, Oh My Gauze, Completo, Flax, Connie’s Moonlight, Minnetonka, Big Buddha and San Miguel shoes. The Chesterton shop offers a large selection of apparel, jewelry and accessories, while the original New Buffalo storefront continues to feature its quality inventory for those on the other side of the lake. LUX & MIE 4 0 4 E L i n c o l n w a y, Va l p a r a i s o . 219.464.3330. luxandmie.com. Fashions and accessories in contemporary, trendy and casual-chic styles come together at Lux & Mie, an upscale boutique owned by mother-daughter pair Kate and Jamie Salan. The fashionable selection appeals to both men and women, from high school age to those in their 50s and 60s. Featured designers include English Laundry, Covet and Wish Collection. REVIVE CONSIGNMENTS 5 2 3 F r a n k l i n S t , M i c h i g a n C i t y. 219.814.4063. reviveconsignments.com. This upscale consignment boutique, located in the historic Franklin Square district, features gently worn and new designer clothing, shoes and accessories. Furniture, art and jewelry—all made by local and national artists—are also available for purchase.

Michigan

DK BOUTIQUE 213 State St, St. Joseph. 269.983.7313. dkboutique.com. This contemporary women’s clothing boutique in downtown St. Joe offers limited edition designer apparel, cool new accessories and the latest designs in jewelry from Pandora Jewelry. With something for everyone, from teenagers and older, DK Boutique provides the most current styles that are full of flair. EVE 319 State St, St. Joseph. 269.983.4372. This boutique for women is a longtime favorite among visitors to downtown St. Joseph. Owned by Rachel Arent, Eve specializes in artisan-designed clothing and trendy jewelry and accessories. Some of the more popular designers found here include Linda Lundstrom, Lee Andersen, Sympli, Painted Pony and Fenini. Eve’s selection of linen clothing is wildly popular among customers. INDIAN SUMMER, NEW BUFFALO 126 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, Mich. 269.469.9994. This women’s clothing boutique offers casual and contemporary clothing and jewelry from around the world. Indian Summer features brands such as Sympli, Oh My Gauze, Completo, Flax, Connie’s Moonlight, Minnetonka, and San Miguel shoes. The Chesterton shop also offers a distinctive selection of apparel, jewelry and accessories. MOXIE’S BOUTIQUE 321 State St, St. Joseph. 269.983.4273. moxiesboutique.com. This fun and festive boutique features women’s fashions, accessories and gifts. Apparel—from designers such as Belamie, Flashback Couture and Nic & Zoe—comes in a range of styles and prices. Many local artists’ works are available here as well, including handbags, scarves, jewelry, furniture and art.

For more business listings, please go to visitshoremagazine.com.

nwi.com

Your Automotive Source for Northwest Indiana

Locate Auto Dealers with Ease, in NW Indiana & Chicagoland ACURA

GMC

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shorecast predictions by fran smith

For more astrological advice, be sure to check out Fran Smith’s regular blog on visitshoremagazine.com.

[aries] MARCH 21APRIL 20 KEY WORDS in April: An Excellent Start—for the month of April always marks the beginning of your personal New Year as the New Moon (a time when the Sun is perfectly aligned with the Moon, thereby signifying new starts) occurs in your sun-sign. This enterprising time is also made rare by the addition of two highly energized planets, Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected), and Jupiter (Lady Luck)— both in Aries—now. Think well about what you want—and what you want to do. Your heart’s desire is within reach. SIDESTEP vagueness and uncertainty.

[gemini] MAY 21-JUNE 20 KEY WORDS in April: Your Heart’s Desire. Summer baby though you may be, it’s during the spring that whatever/whomever it is that you want most, comes to mind—your mind. And for you, ruled by the planet Mercury (all thoughts, all ideas—everywhere and in every language imaginable), nothing is more important than what you’re thinking. High activity exists now, for Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected), and Jupiter (Lady Luck)—both in Aries—may surprise even you with some incredible new desires. SIDESTEP an inclination to forget that work exists. [cancer] JUNE 21-JULY 22 KEY WORD in April: The Summit. It’s a time of extreme importance within your career, its content—above all, its advancement. You can now go anywhere and have any fantastic position that you want; however, you’ll have to be open to a new mindset regarding your work and career. The reason? Two potent planets, Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected), and Jupiter (Lady Luck)—both in Aries—are sitting at the top of your birth chart, attracting stunning new work-related possibilities. What you must decide is: Are you ready for change? SIDESTEP an unwillingness to even try. [leo] JULY 23-AUGUST 22 KEY WORDS in April: People, Plans and Projects—near and at a distance. This is destined to be a phenomenal month—if you allow it to be. With the planets Jupiter (Lady Luck) and Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected)—both in Aries—you’ll encounter good fortune combined with incredible change. Now, whether you want to accept a new situation, new conditions, or a new lifestyle—the choice is yours. You may even say no to all of it, at first glance. Advance slowly. The final word is still yours. SIDESTEP an uncharacteristic distrust of optimism.

4 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 9

[virgo] AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22 KEY WORD in April: Revitalization, on all levels—mental, emotional, physical, financial and spiritual. You really take the whole meaning of spring in its most basic sense—namely, the appearance of new life through green growing things. But this April, a new spin is added. It’s the transit of Jupiter (Lady Luck) and Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected)—both in Aries—through this, your eighth house of revitalization. And you may find yourself feeling utterly wonderful. Relax. It is, after all, springtime. SIDESTEP a tendency to sidestep—everything. [libra] SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22 KEY WORDS in April: Alliances and Agreements. There’ll be countless choices this month—and all of them will be slightly tinged with the remarkable and the unbelievable; one or two may even have a touch of magic. Why? It’s very simple. The planets Uranus (the unusual and the

unexpected) and Jupiter (Lady Luck) are traveling through Aries, your seventh house of partnerships and contracts. There’s much happening. And given your unique nature, you’ll have no difficulty keeping track of it all. SIDESTEP constant rescheduling because fun, elsewhere, beckons. [scorpio] OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 22 KEY WORDS in April: The Work Scene and Its Content. You’re definitely not one to be pushed around; worse still, manipulated. And the travel schedule of several planets isn’t going to get in the way of your plans, especially as those plans relate to your work and your career. Yet that temptress, Jupiter (Lady Luck), and that bad boy, Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected)—both in Aries—now prove to be so splendid and so projectaffirming that you’ll want to put your arms around them and keep them, forever. SIDESTEP any pace that you’re not comfortable with. [sagittarius] NOVEMBER 23-DECEMBER 21 KEY WORDS in April: Hearts Afire. After many months of sheer toil locked together with starts and stops (not to mention all-out disappointment), those two incredible planets, Jupiter (Lady Luck) and Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected), suddenly leap together into Aries, your fifth house of love, close ties and creative matters— of every kind. Truly, it’s a happy day—for now you find yourself in a position to think, select and construct the best possible (not to mention the happiest) close-to-theheart lifestyle. Do it! SIDESTEP confrontation as well as sarcasm. [capricorn] DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 19 KEY WORDS in April: Home and Home-Related Matters. This includes your base of operations—where you live and where you work. Actually, you never do get away from your work. It lives with you; it’s right there in your home. However, the current sojourn of Jupiter (Lady Luck) and Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected) through Aries—the sun-sign that governs your fourth house of home—now creates an amazing series of new situations and conditions within this very environment. It could be a delight. SIDESTEP stern words. A bit of warmth would do nicely. [aquarius] JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 KEY WORDS in April: All Forms of Communications. This is something that has come along just when you need it most. New life! That’s right, the advent of those life-changing planets, Jupiter (Lady Luck) and Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected)—both in Aries—now in your third house of calls, emails, text messages, etc., changes everything. And definitely for the better. Whatever had been routine or lackluster—in the way that you get your message across—will now be transformed. Totally. SIDESTEP confusion. Keep your mind where your physical body is. [pisces] FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20 KEY WORDS in April: Your Income, Possessions and Lifestyle. This is serious stuff. Fortunately, Aries, the Ram, governs this, the second house in your birth chart. And although you’re often mild-mannered, you’re quite vigorous in the pursuit of your financial affairs. Add the late-breaking news that two planets, Jupiter (Lady Luck) and Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected), are spinning through Aries, at this moment. And here is where great and good fortune will appear, unexpectedly. That’s noteworthy. SIDESTEP any form of game playing.

photograph courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

actor VINCE VAUGHN

[taurus] APRIL 21-MAY 20 KEY WORDS in April: Confidentiality and Closed-Door Strategy-Planning Sessions. This can be a vibrant period, if you select your associates with great care. Not just anyone will do. In fact, if you’re uncertain—even in the slightest—about the motives of others, you’d do well to go it alone. However, with Aries’ planetary ruler, Mars (raw energy), combining its powerful and invisible force with the likes of Uranus (the unusual and the unexpected) and Jupiter (Lady Luck)—both in Aries—superb activity is more than likely. SIDESTEP scattering your energy—mental/physical.

WANT MORE? please go to page 42 or visitshoremagazine.com for a full listing of the area’s best events.

shore picks

Apr 11-16 VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY JAZZ FESTIVAL Harre Union Valparaiso University 1509 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso 219.464.5415. valpo.edu The 26th edition of the Valparaiso University Jazz Festival will be headlined by American jazz composer and performer Ramsey Lewis and the nationally renowned group, the Tia Fuller Quartet. The Midwest’s largest non-juried jazz event will also feature university faculty and student ensembles, jazz bands from Northwest Indiana high schools and other guest performers.

Apr 13 20TH ANNUAL SPRING LUNCHEON 10:30am Halls of St. George 905 E Joliet St, Schererville 219.778.2585 sharefoundation.org Participants will celebrate the coming season at this luncheon, which benefits the Share Foundation. Lunch will be accompanied by a baked goods sale, silent auction, table prizes and musical entertainment for the more than 800 guests in attendance.

Through May 8

Apr 9 HERB SOCIETY HIGH TEA Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve 13988 Range Line Rd, Niles 269.423.4901 fernwoodbotanical.org Guests to this event can enjoy exotic teas and sweets served on fine china in the style of a traditional high tea, as well as a lecture from Joyce Kebless, who will explore the rich traditions and tales of spring.

Lake Michigan

APRIL 2011

GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY SPRING FLOWER SHOW 9am-5pm Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave Chicago garfield-conservatory.org Visitors can experience the beauty of spring before the weather even begins to warm up at this free annual flower show. Featured flowers include the direct descendents of the great azaleas that once bloomed at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and spring flowering annuals and perennials.

last resort

Continuing Education

resumed traveling, visited art museums, and discovered that I love jazz. One trip to the Art Institute of Chicago even renewed my interest in architecture. As a result of a rigorous liberal arts undergraduate education, it’s safe to say that I possess just enough knowledge on the topic to appear pretentious to the disinterested, yet completely ignorant to an aficionado. I brushed some mental cobwebs aside and could only unearth out-of-context gems such as “Frank Lloyd Wright,” “Beaux Arts,” “Prairie style,” “sustainability,” “Bauhaus” and “Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.” For a refresher course, I decided to make a pilgrimage By KATHRYN MACNEIL to Chicago, home to some of the most recognizable examples of architecture in the world. Now I’ve lived within an hour of I remember when I used to know things; Chicago for much of my life—I’ve I just don’t remember the things I used to know. attended myriad theater performances and sporting events, dined at many of its trendier restaurants, and hit most of the must-see (as well as a few “mustflee”) destinations—so I inwardly bristled at the idea of being t was “smart stuff,” too, like art history, differential perceived as a lowly tourist. But even though I can bluster with equations, Shakespeare, organic chemistry, and indignation about the egregious renaming of the Sears Tower as even How Electricity Works. But, as a result of the any native Chicagoan would, I’ve never actually been inside the decades-long Real Life Intermission that followed my iconic building, so I reluctantly agreed to go with my husband formal education, I find that the face of my intellect on a 2-hour walking tour called “Modern Skyscrapers,” hosted has undergone a dramatic makeover; I’m still actively by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. engaged in a daily learning process, it’s just that Even though it was the dead of winter, I pictured us in gaudy the facts have morphed from “want-to-know” to shirts and shorts, with oversized cameras dangling from our “need-to-know” (plus the inevitable intrusion of “just-happennecks, forming awkward, obvious clusters on corners, gawking to-know” trivia). at skyscrapers (“Ooh, look at the tall buildings, dear!”) while For example, while I may not be able to engage in a the exasperated “city people” in their black skinny jeans, discourse over the current global economy, I can—because of hipster scarves, leather jackets and boots rolled their eyes and the teenage drivers in my house—recite verbatim the Weather coolly stepped around us. Channel’s updated ten-day forecast for venues within a But it turned out to be a much more discreet affair. On 25-mile radius of the high school. I can’t wrap my head around the first post-blizzard Saturday that didn’t have a nostril-hairquantum mechanics anymore, but I am a whiz at separating curdling forecast (see: “obsession with Weather Channel,” grocery carts that are stuck together. I can navigate the four above), my husband and I bundled up in [black!] coats and remote controls needed to watch a DVD in high definition, plus scarves, and joined a group of eight normal-looking pedestrians download music and take photos with my cell phone. for our tour. Instead of oversized cameras, we were fitted with I could probably teach a college class entitled tiny earpieces and receivers, which allowed our tour guide to “American Idol/Season 8” and even maintain a normal, conversational tone as we casually strolled though I can’t remember how to say through the city streets. In fact, if anyone was really observing “chicken” in French, us, I like to think that we might have been mistaken for a I’m qualified to host a group of Secret Service agents scouting a location in advance of workshop on “Advanced a presidential motorcade. Strategies for Ordering The tour’s emphasis was on modern, postmodern and Carry-out from Buffalo neoclassical works, and I nodded my head knowingly every Wild Wings.” I can sing the time Mies van der Rohe’s name was mentioned, as if to say, entire Wicked soundtrack on “Of course, as a native Chicagoan, that’s old news to me.” But my commute to work while I couldn’t maintain the disinterested façade for long. The brisk simultaneously predicting how walk was invigorating, the lecture was fascinating, and even the many oncoming cars are going to side conversations were entertaining (“Please tell me that was turn left on red in front of me at water from melting snow that just fell on my head...”). each intersection. By the end of the tour, I even found myself unabashedly But it turns out that none of engaging in the ultimate of touristy activities: staring up in these skills are really conversational wonderment at the majestic skyscrapers towering over us . . . juggernauts. So I recently came to the and pulling out my phone to take photos. The bad news? We realization that maybe it was time to never made it inside the Sears (okay, Willis) Tower. The good put my proverbial thinking cap back on news? I have a great excuse to go back. And this time, I’ll be and embark on a cultural learning proudly sporting a gaudy shirt and shorts. odyssey: I joined a book club,

YOU’RE NEVER TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL

6 VISITSHOREMAGAZINE.COM 9

illustration by RYAN BERRY

j EXPERIENCE j thE th E Natu atuR Ral look of wINNIN wINNIN INNINg. g. The beauty begins the moment you walk through the doors.

At Four Winds Casino Resort, we’ve taken a completely fresh approach to Midwest gaming. The beauty begins the moment you walk through the door. Take in the awe-inspiring Rotunda, complete with its granite floor, aromatic cedar beams and stone fireplaces. Then explore 130,000 square feet of gaming excitement with 3,000 slots, all your favorite table games and four unique restaurants. Winning never looked so good. Four Winds Casino Resort. New Buffalo, Michigan. To learn more, visit fourwindscasino.com or call 1-866-4WINDS1 (494-6371).

Must be 21 years of age or older. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians invites you to play responsibly. If you think you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700. © 2011 Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

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Are you one of the 10 million Americans at risk for PAD? Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is caused by blocked blood flow in the legs. It can be a sign of blocked arteries elsewhere, including the heart, so detection is critical. Symptoms include pain, cramping and fatigue in the legs while walking, or skin discoloration and pain in the feet. Most common in people over 50, those who smoke, have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol are also at increased risk. Legs for Life is a national screening program provided by Porter Health System. To schedule your FREE PAD screening, call 219-263-LEGS (5347) today.

porterhealth.com

2 Hospitals. 350 Physicians. 7 Convenient Outpatient Locations. VALPARAISO | PORTAGE | CHESTERTON | HEBRON | DEMOTTE Serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Newton and Jasper Counties.