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Issue XII
October 2015
“About people. About Business. About YOU.” What’s Inside
Libertyville Nurse offers patient advocacy h e l p
Tina Johansson / theYOUjournal
Page 3
Waukegan Arts Community Honors Veterans
Local Business Heats things up Page 4
Story and Photos on pages 6 & 7 The Art in War, a photo exhibit by actor and decorated Marine Benjamin Busch who served two tours in Iraq, is on display at the Waukegan Library through November 11.
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theYOUjournal Established 2014
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October 2015
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Mind, Body and Soul
Local Nurse leads the way for your hospital stay Teri Dreher was glad she intervened when her 74-year-old father in-law fell critically ill while on a cruise in the Caribbean. Not only did she save his life, the episode led her to found a patient advocacy company. North Shore Patient Advocates with offices in Chicago and Libertyville helps patients navigate the chaos, fears and uncertainties of a hospital stay and to avoid medical errors and, of course, to promote better health care. “The healthcare system has become so complex and profit-driven, patients get lost in the shuffle,” said Dreher of Libertyville, a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in critical care. Her father in-law was celebrating with her mother in-law their 50th wedding anniversary when he became gravely ill aboard the cruise ship. Quickly, she suspected the culprit was a life-threatening blood clot and intervened. Treated first by a ship-side doctor, he was taken to a hospital ashore in Belize where he was treated and released. He was then flown back home to an area hospital where he stayed for nearly six weeks. Diagnoses proved her to be right in the beginning. The experience made her wonder: “What if he didn’t have a nurse in the family watching out for him?” In a large measure, it prompted her to found in 201l the North Shore Patient Advocates which today has become the largest
advocacy in the Chicago area in terms of size and patient load which she declined to disclose, however. With medical errors known to be the third leading cause of death behind cancer and heart disease, patient advocacy, as well as intervention, is in dire need. A surgeon in West Harrison, N.Y., for instance, had to intervene on his own behalf last year when he was hospitalized to avert some mishaps of his preoperative care and postoperative complications. A North Carolina woman, herself a psychiatric clinical nurse, almost died in a hospital when doctors failed to diagnose that her pain was from a perforated intestine rather than from gas. She developed massive infections and stayed in the hospital for a month, mostly in a coma. There are countless stories like these. “Up to 440,000 patients die in the hospital each year due to medical errors,” said Dreher, citing a 2013 study. “Try to avoid hospitalization, if possible, especially if the patient is elderly,” she advised, adding , “The elderly are most vulnerable to infections which often rage at hospitals.” Nevertheless, hospitalization is necessary in many cases. Hospitals are a growing industry, so is patient advocacy - a relatively new industry which has been surging since the Affordable Care Act, according to Dreher who received her training at the Memorial Hospital of Nursing in Worcester, Mass. She also took
nursing classes at the University of Illinois in Chicago. For founding the patient advocacy company, she was named the Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 by the Chamber of Commerce of Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills and Green Oaks. She said she gets most of her clients via her website: www. Northshorern. com. Dreher uses a team approach. Her team comprises three registered nurses, each with distinctive specialties and a former social worker with what Dreher describes as “a formidable record of winning insurance claims.” In addition to looking out for patients during their hospitalization, the services provided by her team include: • Educating patients and their families about patients’ medical conditions, • Finding and identifying the best possible doctor, hospital or nursing home for the patient, • Asking doctors the questions a layperson wouldn’t know how to ask, • Researching a patient’s full range of treatment options following a diagnosis, • Helping to ensure insurance claims get paid. “Many people think `advocate’ implies `adversarial,’ but that is not true,” said Dreher who belongs to the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants and the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates. Busy doctors, she pointed out, “would rather spend five minutes updating a medical
professional than 20 minutes with an overwhelmed patient. They know the advocate will educate the patient.” Dreher said her experience tells her that doctors and hospitals will be on their toes when they know an insider is watching. As a result, patients with advocates receive “superior care,” according to her.
North Shore Patient Advocates photo
by Long Hwa-shu
Nurse Teri Dreher of Libertyville, founder of North Shore Patient Advocates, assists patients in navigating through the healthcare bureaucracy.
Weekend Fun Marshall Crenshaw coming to Harvest & Harmony Fest Oct. 2 & 3 The Ravinia District of Highland Park is hosting its 1st Harvest & Harmony Fest, a FREE live outdoor music festival October 2 and October 3 along Roger Williams Avenue, between St. Johns and Dean Avenues, in Jens Jensen Park. Featuring performances by nationally known singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw, best known for his Top 40 hit “Someday, Someway” and veteran St. Louis indie-minded roots music band Bottle Rockets, that according to NPR “spill beer and stir the heart on impact.” You will revel in two days of live music featuring a variety exciting musicians: Friday, October 2 *4:30-5 p.m. - drum circle and percussion performance by 5th graders from five North Shore School District 112 schools, followed by interactive drum circles led by world percussion musician Noah Plotkin of Life Rhythms (all are encouraged to bring their own drums to join in!) *5-6:30 p.m. - Soular Planet – accompanied by local jazz guitar performer Jonah Brooks *7-9 p.m. - Local favorites Ravinia Ramblers perform their “jam-grass, blues-pop,
yacht and roll, and reggae rock” originals and covers! Saturday, October 3 *11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats, from the Old Town School of Folk Music acoustically rocks with breezy folk-pop tunes from three Parent’s Choice award-winning CDs, “Kids in the City”, “Shining Like a Star”, and her latest release, “In a Heartbeat”. Laura’s original Chicago “Hot Dog” and “El Train” songs have become highly-requested Windy City kid classics. This upbeat, interactive concert will have kids and their parents dancing and clapping! Time Out Chicago named Laura Doherty one of the “top 4 children’s acts in Chicago.” *1-2:30 p.m. – 341 Trio – acoustic rock and roll led by Jimmy Schiffman of The Shed, A Musician’s Club. *3–4:30 p.m. – The Juice (Featuring members of Xazz) is a recently formed band from Chicago’s northern suburbs that fuses genres such as Funk, Soul, and Rock to make a new refreshing sound. While The Juice is quite new, most of its members originate from Highland Park’s hometown favorite and 2014
Bitter Jester Battle of The Bands winner, Xazz. The only non-Xazz member, vocalist Caroline Baran originates from the highly regarded Bitter Jester Battle of The Bands 2015 winner, Profusion. Most recently, The Juice played to a packed crowd at Chicago’s House of Blues and continues to play gigs throughout the Chicagoland area. *5–6:30 p.m. – Steve Karras and The Country Girls- an aggregate of nationally touring bands, Chicago-born, singer/songwriter Steve Karras has described his sound as “where the blues and ‘Zippedy Doo Dah’ meet at the cross-roads.” A veteran of indie rock bands The Milligrams and Sourball, Karras’ idiosyncratic style yet personal songs reflect the rich American traditions of 50’s era quartet Gospel, traditional country, as well as the punk rock and new wave he grew up hearing. Most recently he began work on an LP with Robert Crenshaw and Don Dixon – due out next spring. *7-7:45 p.m.– The Bottle Rockets boast punk rock pedigrees and arena-rock energy with a roots/rock Americana sound similar to Uncle Tupelo, Old 97’s, and Whiskeytown. Their lyrics depict the life, struggle and dark humors of everyday people.
*8-9 p.m. - Marshall Crenshaw (joined by Bottle Rockets), is a celebrated singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer with an eclectic resume. His compositions have been covered by a broad array of performers including: Bette Midler, Kelly Willis, Ronnie Spector, and the Gin Blossoms, with whom Crenshaw cowrote the Top 10 single “Til I Hear It From You.” He’s also provided music for several film soundtracks, appeared in the films La Bamba (in which he portrayed Buddy Holly) and Peggy Sue Got Married, and was nominated for a Grammy and Golden Globe awards for writing the title track for the film comedy Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. He’s currently working on Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger’s much-anticipated HBO series Vinyl, doing “some session work, a little bit of songwriting…” Along with the “Harmony”, the Fest will also feature a variety of food, drinks and vendors. There will be flights of artisan beer, wine and mule cocktails, with plenty of seating under the big tent on Dean Avenue. Follow Ravinia District on Facebook for more information and live music updates.
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Local Business
Flavorful new hot sauce filling store shelves by Long Hwa-shu Some like it hot! And a trio of entrepreneurs—one from Highland Park—wants to give your food a flavor punch by making it hotter, spicier, and more delicious. All Spice Café, an Oak Brook-based manufacturer of award-winning gourmet hot sauces, is growing steadily and surely. The product with its easy-to-hold glass bottle and easy-pour top is making its way to grocery store shelves and restaurants everywhere. “This isn’t just another `me too’ hot sauce. These are thicker, quality gourmet sauces that are great to cook with as a marinade, a dip or on the barbecue,” said Buddy Feldman of Highland Park, one of the partners, who is in charge of marketing. Buddy Feldman of Highland Park handles marketing for All Spice Café hot sauces. It all started a year and a half ago when Don Mazzoni, a real estate developer from Chicago, was dining at a restaurant in Malibu, Calif. He liked the hot and spicy food served to him so much that he inquired about it. J.D. Cowles, the restaurant’s chef, told him that he was the creator of the sauce which had won the “Best Hot Sauce Maker” award from Los Angeles magazine. But it was only available at a few select L.A. area restaurants and online. Convinced that the sauce had the potential for a much broader market, Mazzoni brought his friends Feldman and Michael Brindza of Downers Grove, to meet Cowles about exploring the possibility of a venture to market the sauce nationwide. Feldman’s promotional expertise includes 25 years as executive vice president of marketing for Vita Foods Products in Chicago. He has since retired. Brindza’s forte is in finances, having owned MF Global, a brokerage firm at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for 32 years. Besides being creator of the award winning sauce and a chef, Cowles is a film editor, according to Feldman. It was a meeting of the minds. The three soon formed a partnership under the name All Spice Café with Brindza as the majority owner. Soon they began producing the hot sauces—first in Memphis, Tenn., before moving to Franklin Park. They have also opened a warehouse in Elk Grove Village. The corporate name came from Cowles who had plans to open a restaurant, according to Feldman. The company product line now include: Caribbean Spice, a medium hot space with flavor from cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice for chicken, pork and seafood; Cayenne Habanero, the Golden Chile winner of the 2014 Zest Fiery Foods Challenge as the Best Hot Wing sauce; and Jolokia Ghost Pepper, the pepper reputed as one of the hottest in the world. “We tamed down the sauce so that just about anyone can enjoy it with their food,” a company brochure says, adding, “If you like your hot wings extra spicy, try the Ghost Pepper sauce on them, but it’s great on eggs,
shrimp, kielbasa and other sausages.” The company’s best-selling sauce is Chipotle Garlic with ”aromatic smoky flavor that is sure to add great flavor to chicken, steak, eggs and breakfast burritos.” “The ingredients used in the sauces are all natural with no preservatives and are vegan friendly and gluten free with non GMO canola oil,” said Brindza. The sauces, he added, are kosher. They are available in eight to 12-ounce bottles with retail prices range from $4.99 to $6.99. “We’ve expanded our market to 650 stores in the last six months. By the end of the year we’ll be in 1,000 stores,” gushed Brindza. “We expect to double our presence to 2,000 stores next year,” he said confidently, lauding Feldman for his expertise in marketing and his success in opening markets for the company products. In addition to Illinois, the company has expanded its market to include Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, said Feldman. Among area supermarkets carrying its products are Mariano’s, Jewel and Sunset Foods, as well as select stores and restaurants. You can’t miss the hot stuff from All Spice Café because the bottles carry the image of the creator of the original sauce with his eye brows, mustaches and tongue rendered with hot peppers.
Packed with flavor and heat, All Spice Café sauce is available in four varieties--perfect for marinade, dipping, or barbecue. - Tina Johansson photo
Managing partner Michael Brindza with his All Spice hot sauce at Jewel food store in Downers Grove. - All Spice Cafe photo.
All Spice Chipotle Garlic Tri Tip Buddy Feldman of Highland Park discusses his marketing strategy for the gourmet sauce company All Spice Cafe. - Tina Johansson photo
1 tri tip roast Mix together • 4 oz. apple cider vinegar • 2 oz. All Spice Chipotle Garlic Sauce • salt and pepper to taste Marinate tri tip with mixture in a zip lock bag for 4-6 hours in the refrigerator. Sear tri tip on hot grill for 5 minutes on each side. Turn to low (300°F) and cook until done. For more recipes visit www.AllSpiceCafe.com
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All things Fall - from Pumpkin Patches to Haunted Mansions by Angela Sykora The leaves are falling. The air is getting crisp. The arrival of autumn is beckoning us to get out and enjoy the festivities of the season before the long, cold winter sets in. From tricks to treats, here are some ideas to keep you busy until the gloves have to come on.
Family Fun Patch 22
15900 Kelly Rd., Wadsworth (northwest corner of Route 41 and Kelly Road) 847-336-0120 www.patch22.biz/pumpkinsfall.html Patch 22 is open Saturdays and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of October, including Columbus Day. The farm has thousands of different pumpkins to choose from, horse and tractor-drawn hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo where kids can feed the animals and seasonal refreshments.
Didier Farms Pumpkinfest
16678 W. Aptakisic Rd., Lincolnshire 847-634-3291 http://didierfarms.com/pumpkinfest/ Didier Farms’ Pumpkinfest is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Activities
include a Pumpkin Playland, hayrides, corn maze, pony and camel rides, zoo with pig races, gem mining, concessions, bake shop and more.
rides and food vendors, trick-or-treating, HGTV Magazine demonstrations and a Costume Run/Walk to benefit autism.
Kroll’s Farm
13236 W. Townline Rd., Waukegan 847-662-5733 www.krollsfarm.com Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm is open through Nov. 1. Hours are 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Pick your own pumpkin, get lost in the corn maze, and visit the petting zoo. The farm also has a gift shop for with holiday decorations and accessories. Cash only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.
This 6th annual event will be held Oct. 9 through Oct. 11. Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The fest features allyou-can-carve pumpkin stations and a pumpkin lightshow that will try to break the world record along with costume contests, a parade,
Richardson Farm Didier Farms in Lincolnshire has a pumpkin playland, petting zoo and more. -Didierfarms.com photo
PumpkinFest at Country Bumpkin
27691 N. Gilmer Rd. (Gilmer and Hawley), Mundelein 847-566-2176 http://www.thebumpkin.com Get into the spirit of fall. Pick out a pumpkin, attempt the straw maze and ride a barrel train. They also have a petting zoo, moonwalks, corn stalks and fall décor for purchase.
League of Women Voters to Highlight Climate Change at Fall Social Oct. 4 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest Staff Report Join The League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff for their Fall kick-off event at Elawa Farm. Scheduled is a social hour with an appetizer buffet and wine, followed by a timely presentation about climate change. There is renewed interest in the topic since the Pope’s recent encyclical and the
upcoming U.N. Paris Climate Change Conference. Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest, strives for sustainability and provides the perfect background for the panel presentation ‘‘Environmental Stewardship in the Face of Climate Change.” The presentation focuses on how science,
religion and law form the public policy on climate change. Three experts lead the panel presentation “Environmental Stewardship in the Face of Climate Change”: Seth Darling, Ph.D., Father John Pawlikowski, O.S.M., Ph. D., and David G. Mueller. Seth Darling, Ph.D., is a scientist with Argonne National Laboratory and a Fellow at the University of Chicago. He has worked extensively in the area of climate disruption and has recently appeared in an interview on WGN in a special on climate change. He is co-author of the book “How to Change Minds About Our Changing Climate.” Father John Pawlikowski, O.S.M., Ph.D. is a professor of Social Ethics and Director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Program at Catholic Theological Union. He has served on the Ethics Working Group of the World Conservation Union, the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future, the Board of Directors for the Society of Christian Ethics and as principal theological consultant for the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s Statement on Energy. David Mueller has practiced environmental law for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Guscott Mueller Law in 2013,
7150 18th St. (Hwy J), Kenosha, Wis. 262-859-2645 www.smithpumpkinfarm.com
Jerry’s features affordable family activities ranging from $3 to $5, including hayrides, corn maze, haunted forest, Giant Jumping Pumpkin Pillow, pony and camel rides and face painting. There’s also a country store with produce, honey, homemade fudge, kettle corn, cold and hot apple cider and more.
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival 17 Highwood Ave., Highwood 847-432-1924 http://www.highwoodpumpkinfest.com
Jerry Smith Produce and Pumpkin Farm
Mueller’s government and private practice experience included the USEPA, Illinois Attorney General-Environmental Control Division, Illinois Pollution Control Board, Partner and Head of the Environmental Law Department at a large Chicago law firm, and in-house counsel at CNH Global, a multinational manufacturing company, in which he developed and coordinated an international environmental compliance and sustainability program. After the brief presentations there will be time for questions. The League thanks The Fresh Market for their support and delicious contributions. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Men and women of all ages are welcome to join. Due to space limitations please register at www.LWV-LFLB.ORG For more information follow the league on Facebook.
909 English Prairie Rd., Spring Grove 815-675-9729 http://www.richardsonadventurefarm.com Richardson Adventure Farm boasts the world’s largest and most intricate corn maze, a pumpkin patch, ziplines, giant slides, goat walk, train and pony rides, picnic areas and campfires and more. Hours are 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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Zion Genealogical Society meeting Oct. 19 at Beach Park Village Hall The Zion Genealogical Society will meet on Monday, October 19 at the Beach Park Village Hall, 11270 West Wadsworth Road, Beach Park for the regular monthly meeting which begins at 7 p.m. The doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is held in the lower level of the Village Hall on the north side of the building. The program “Billion Graves - What’s the Buzz About Billion Graves?” will be presented by Debra Dudek. The program will be interesting as well as educational. There is no charge - all are welcome. Refreshments will be served after the program. Then a short business meeting will follow. The Society offers assistance on Monday from 10 a.m. to Noon, Tuesday and Wednesday night at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Zion Benton Library for anyone interested in pursuing individual family research. Also, the Society in partnership with the Zion Benton Library will hold a workshop on Saturday, October 17 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Genealogy and Technology for beginner and seasoned researchers. Registration required at the Library, lunch and materials also may be purchased. For additional information, please call Joanne Layne at 847-360-0360.
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theYOUjournal October 2015
Waukegan Salutes the Military with Art 2015 series Those Who Serve runs through Nov. 11 by Tina Johansson
It may have looked like your typical 3rd Saturday of the month ArtWauk in downtown Waukegan. It was not. Many of the galleries were abuzz with a sense of pride and heartfelt gratitude for the men and women who are serving and who have served this country. And everyone seemed to have a story to tell about a loved one who was in the military. Some of the exhibit-goers were veterans themselves. “This is great. It’s so nice to have this kind of art on display,” said Tony Mazzuca, a former Army officer. Mazzuca of Waukegan took the art tour with his new wife Connie, and both were amazed by what they saw. From the timeliest of moments caught on camera, to dreamy, ingenious depictions of war via paintbrush and paper-mache, nearly every little shop in this close-knit arts community featured something to honor those who serve. At Dandelion Gallery, 109 S. Genesee Street, Leisa Corbett of Grayslake displayed her painting Honorary Man. Corbett, a former Army Intelligence officer stationed in Berlin, said when people, partic-
Leisa Corbett of Grayslake with her work Honorary Man on display at Dandelion Gallery in Waukegan. -Tina Johansson photos
ularly women, view her piece, no explanation seems to be needed. The painting completed in 1990 features the artist next to a handsome blonde soldier, her former husband. She is depicted as a puppet, with rosy cheeks and a hinged mouth. Corbett, who began creating art as a child said making this particular work gave her a great sense of relief. “During that time there were things that I felt, but I couldn’t say,” she said. Nearby, Waukegan artist Mary Neely’s 16” x 20” piece – homage to her late husband Kevin, a Green Beret—hung on a wall. The
bright orange and black mixed-media work was created from a 1970 photograph of Mr. Neely who served during the Viet Nam Conflict. Down the street at Karcher 405 Gallery, an exhibit of works by Columbia professor Richard Laurent proved to be a popular display. There were photos and paintings from others also, at the hotel-turned artist lofts. Nicole Romany, curator of the Karcher exhibit, went to the Naval Station Great Lakes to get a shot of an American flag. The photo capures life in the flag, though a sad one. Taken in July, just days after four Marines were gunned down in a terrorist attack in Tennessee, Romany recalls how the flag at half-staff kept flipping and wrapping around metal bars next to it. “It was as if the flag were mourning, crying for the Marines that were killed,” she said. Though Navy personnel continued to unwrap the flag, the flag seemingly had a mind of its own. When she looked at the photo later, Romany was surprised to observe four of the brightest stars in the flag. “Those stars represented the marines,” she concluded. She appropriately titled the piece Flag in Mourning. Though she generally deals in other medium, local artist Evelyn Larsen Ford dove into the show by painting an impressively-sized picture of deep sea blue with a diver’s helmet. Ford said she got the idea for the piece after reading a true and stirring story by Heidi Keller about two Navy divers who perished together in 2013 after their oxygen supplies were cut off. According to accounts, one of the men could have chosen to save his own life, but did not. “(They were) men of honor who chose to die together, rather leave a man behind,” said Ford. Subsequently she “fell in love with the story.” An intricate, now oxidized, pewter pin, given to her as a gift from a mobile diver long ago was the inspiration for the centerpiece of the painting. In fact Ford proudly donned the pin during the ArtWauk exhibit. Ford manages and curates Sidecar Studio at the east corner of the Karcher building.
father-in-law, a former longtime serviceman, with an American Flag background, through November 11.
That’s not all
Local artist and curator of Sidecar Studios Evelyn Larsen Ford was inspired to create Men of Honor, a 48″ x 48″ acrylic on wood piece, from a true story and a Navy pin she was gifted 30-years ago. - Evelyn Larsen Ford photo
If you missed the ArtWauk exhibit in September, there is still time to see many of the military-inspired pieces again. Dandelion Gallery will feature Corbett’s painting Honorary Man on Oct. 17 and Oct. 22; and Karcher 405 Gallery will continue its Richard Laurent series that includes a large portrait of his
In fact the entire City of Waukegan is brimming with military pride right now. The exhibits began appropriately on 9/11 and many are continuing through Veteran’s Day. It is all part of the WaukeganArtWise 2015 Series titled “Those Who Serve.” At the Waukegan History Museum in Bowen Park combat photographer and Waukegan High School graduate Albert Klein’s work from WWII is being featured. A Veterans Visual Art Exhibition is taking place in the Lake County Courthouse lobby.
Play on
Two Rooms which is about a journalist kidnapped and held hostage is being performed at 3 Brothers Theatre at 115 N. Genesee Street. It stars Caitlin Robertson, Rick Adams, Bill Cahill, and Emily Dykstra and runs on Oct. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Visit https://www.3brostheatre.com/ or call 319-621-0024. At Clockwise Theatre visitors can see Soldier’s Heart by Tammy Ryan and directed by Doug McDade. Show times are Saturdays
Creativity runs in the family
Ford’s son Evan, a graduate of Warren Township High School, who is studying illustration and figure drawing at College of Lake County, intrigued spectators with his colorful illustration of a solider in action in his 11” x 14” piece titled Last Stand. Evan, 20, has been creating and selling prints of his artwork for several years.
A gallery-goer takes at look at Waukegan artist and photographer Mary Neely’s mixed-media piece, modeled after a photo of her late husband Kevin Neely who served as a Green Beret in Viet Nam. Continued on next page
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Waukegan Salutes Military continued and Sundays Sept. 25 through Oct. 18. Clockwise is at 221 N. Genesee Street. Visit clockwisetheatre.org. The Bowen Park Theatre Company will present two plays about 9/11 – The Guys by Anne Nelson, and The Mercy Seat by Neil Labute. Show dates are Sept. 25, Sept. 26, and Oct. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11. Bowen Park Theatre is at 39 Jack Benny Drive. Call (847) 3604740 for more information. Writer’s Series at the newly-renovated Waukegan Public Library. Recently Benjamin Busch, a decorated Marine officer (he is a recipient of the purple heart medal among other honors) who served two combat tours in Iraq and was an actor on the hit HBO series The Wire, visited and spoke to
Nicole Romany, photographer and curator of Karcher 405 Gallery displays a picture she captured at Naval Station Great Lakes, just days after four Marines were gunned down in Tennessee. Her piece is appropriately named Flag in Mourning. - John Petersen photo
several groups including students, about his powerful memoir Dust to Dust. In addition, Busch’s photo exhibit The Art in War is on display at the library through Veteran’s Day.
Not to be missed
On Oct. 8 Michael Pitre, author of Fives and Twenty-Fives will visit. Fives and Twenty-Fives marks the measure of a marine’s life in the road-repair platoon. The book proves that filling potholes on the highways of Iraq is a very dangerous job. Kirsten Holmstedt, Winner of the 2007 American Authors Association Golden Quill Award and Winner of the 2007 Military Writers Society of America Founder’s Award will feature her book Band of Sister on Nov. 5. Band of Sisters presents a dozen groundbreaking and often heart-wrenching stories of American women in combat in Iraq.
given the number of active and retired veterans in our community. We have the Naval Station in our backyard and Lovell Healthcare Center in North Chicago.”
The moving force
Acclaimed photojournalist Ryan Spencer Reed with one of his many photos on display at Urban Edge Gallery, 220 Clayton Street. This particular one is especially moving. It features a soldier who was watching his baby being born via Skype. And last but not least, Those Who Serve presents a very compelling and powerful photo exhibit at Urban Edge Gallery by acclaimed photojournalist Ryan Spencer Reed. The exhibit which is the catalyst for all the others, features pictures taken by Reed who was embedded with the 101st Airborne Band of Brothers in Afghanistan. The photographs he took while embedded speak to the experiences of young soldiers when we send them to war on behalf of our country. His work debuted at ArtPrize 2014 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. More than 220,000 people stood in line to see his exhibit during a three-week period. This same body of work was also just recognized by Pictures of the Year International for World Understanding. Lori Nerheim, chair of the Waukegan Arts Council explained about the launch of the inaugural theme series for Those Who Serve. In creating the event, she and council members had a number of goals in mind: “We wanted to inspire conversation, to have thoughtful collaboration among our community partners, to build audience and bring people to Waukegan, and to elevate the profile of our city.” Nerheim added, “And it seemed a natural
Evan Ford, a graduate of Warren Township High School who is currently studying art at CLC craeted this colorful soldier piece displayed at Karcher art gallery.
Internationally acclaimed photojournalist Ryan Spencer Reed, in July, shows a catalog of his photos and the accounts of young soldiers. Reed spent time in Afghanistan embedded in the 101st Airborne Band of Brothers. His work is on display at Urban Edge Gallery in Waukegan through Nov. 11.
The exhibit “Through the Eyes of an Artist” at Karcher 405 Gallery in downtown Waukegan features work by Richard Laurent among others. Laurent, a professor at Columbia College, created this piece to honor his father-in-law, a veteran.
Gurnee artist Angie Bongratz created the works on the left using thousands of tiny paper circles from a paper punch.
ArtWauk is sponsored by the Waukegan Arts Council, Waukegan Main Street, and the City of Waukegan. For more information visit info@artwauk.com or call 847-623-6650. To find out more about the 2015 series “Those Who Serve,” visit waukeganartwise.com.
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theYOUjournal
October
2015
Local Business
PLEEZing place gets Red Ribbon Treatment by Tina Johansson
Before guitarist Matt Fedderman took to the stage, Highland Park Chamber members and city officials showed their pleasure by welcoming new business PLEEZ at a recent ribbon cutting. Owner Steve Schwartz, a former advertising executive opened the place five months ago, after making major renovations which took nearly a year. The contemporary and colorful 2,600 square foot restaurant, bar and entertainment venue located in the former nightclub VIBE at 1935, brings freshness and fun to the area. After opening, the hands-on restaurateur listened to customers and tweaked the business here and there. A new chef was hired, and a new menu launched. Schwartz, 60, who has lived in the area for two decades, remarked that while this is his first foray into the restaurant business, as a young man he worked for a party planning company which focused on weddings. A drummer, Schwartz has been involved in Not for Profit for years, a rock band that he co-founded. He proudly noted the band has thus far raised more than $1.5 million for various charities. “I wanted to do something that represents both worlds,” he said of his experience in the music and party industries. At the ribbon cutting, Schwartz introduced Chef Juan Ortega, who had worked for Miramar Bistro in Highwood for ten years, among other restaurants. The owner said the chef puts his heart into everything he cooks, and takes casual dining up a notch. His specialties are fish, steaks and homemade desserts, excelling the American menu at PLEEZ. “And (Ortega) puts his own spin on
things,” said Schwartz. “We are not heavy on the sauces, but we are heavy on flavor.” Freshly made in-house salad dressings, sauces, and hand-crafted dough for light and crispy flatbreads are available under Chef Ortega. The menu ranges from skirt steak, pan seared ahi tuna, seafood salad, pasta primavera and whole roasted Branzino fish. There are also craft cocktails, beers and wines, and a children’s menu. “I wanted to have a little something for everybody,” said Schwartz, giving a nod to the name of the place. Though new to the gastronomy scene, PLEEZ climbed to the top recently when its Cucumber Cooler was voted Best Cocktail at the Port Clinton Art Fair. Schwartz gave kudos to bartender Judy Glatz of Lincolnwood for creating the cocktail with a kick. No matter what you are supping on at the place, or where you sit, you are sure to get a good view of the elevated stage.
Architect Barry Weinstein and his firm B. Weinstein Associates of Highland Park handled the design of PLEEZ. His wife Margie is across the table from him, and Realtor Betsy Philips (in white) is next to him.
Highland Park Chamber members and city officials welcomes PLEEZ at an official ribbon cutting. Fourth from left is owner Steve Schwartrz and next to him is Ginny Glasner, executive director of the Chamber; Chef Juan Ortega; and Jamie Weil, Schwarz’s girlfriend whom he gave great thanks to for her help with the restaurant. - Tina Johansson photo
A state-of-the-art sound system complete with special acoustical tiles, absorbs the noise level for those who want to focus on the food. Highland Park architect Barry Weinstein said by relocating the bar which took up a majority of floor space, he nearly doubled the size of the place. Other major work entailed renovating the restrooms, and enlarging the ladies room, which had been a problem for customers. Interior designer, Brittany Husenica of Chicago, inserted splashes of color throughout including her choice of decorative paintings and brass hanging lamps in the bar area. The builder, Koplin Construction & Design of Deerfield, used its cabinetry-making skills to create space-saving cubby holes on the walls, and a sleek new service bar. All of the pale gray tables, many which include expandable leaves, were created on
site. The business can seat up to 100 inside and another 40 outside. Corporate and special events for groups are welcome. PLEEZ offers 30% discounts to fire, police, hospitality and other service businesses on industry and uniform nights. Plans are for the restaurant to be open for lunch soon. PLEEZ is at 1935 Sheridan Avenue in Downtown Highland Park, and is open Mondays, Wednesdays-Thursdays, 5-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 5pm-midnight, Sundays, 5-9pm, closed Tuesdays. For reservations call 847-780-4815. For information about the menu, bands, and special events, visit https://www.facebook. com/pleez1935.
New Balance North Shore Celebrates 20 Years Staff Report
Allen Adelman, owner of New Balance North Shore in Highland Park, is proud of his success. After operating successfully for two decades, there’s no reason not to be. Adelman opened the business in 1995 with a new concept of devoting the entire store exclusively to the New Balance brand. Very few in the country had ever done that before and Adelman was excited to bring New Balance to Chicago’s North Shore. He was a fan of the shoes, believed in the brand, and felt strongly that the public would embrace New Balance just like he did. He quickly learned that he was right. Fast forward, and Adelman is celebrating the store’s 20th anniversary. To commemo-
rate this milestone, the public is invited to an anniversary sale, October 20 - 31 in which some of the prices will be rolled back to those in 1995. In addition will be various contests, raffle drawings, and special giveaways during the 12-day celebration. Adding to the anniversary festivities, a New Balance Family Fun Day has been planned for Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the store with a variety of activities for kids of all ages including live entertainment, a temporary tattoo artist, a photo booth, refreshments, and more. Kelly Moyer, founder of Highland Park’s Tails of Hope will also be there with several dogs that are ready for adoption. New Balance will be donating $1 to Tails of Hope for every pair of shoes sold during the Family
Fun Day to help support Moyer’s no-kill, non-profit animal rescue and adoption organization. Adelman credits his store’s success and longevity to consistency and hard work, dedication to great customer service, and the growing popularity of New Balance footwear over the years. “Having this anniversary event is our way of showing appreciation to our many loyal customers and their families; people we’ve fitted with shoes since the very beginning,” he said. “We’re looking forward to celebrating with everyone!” New Balance North Shore is at 610 Central Avenue in the Port Clinton Square district. For information, call 847-266-8323 or visit www.shopnewshoes.com.
Allen Adelman, center, owner of New Balance North Shore with employees Josh Saint Cyr, left, and Bruch Merchant. Adelman is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his store. - New Balance North Shore photo
theYOUjournal
Ocrober
2015
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Scare Up Your Halloween Costume at JJ Blinkers Hot get-ups for 2015 are Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner wigs, and Steampunk by Angela Sykora
Don’t be fooled by the summer-like temperatures; Halloween will be here before you know it. Have you started thinking about you or your child’s costume? Unless you want to risk getting stuck with the leftovers at the pop-up shops, now is the time to plan a trip to the legendary JJ Blinkers in downtown Antioch, where you will be overwhelmed by the wall-to-wall selection of costumes, wigs, makeup, accessories, props and more for kids, teens and adults of all sizes, including plus-sized. This year-round joke, magic and costume shop has been in business for 30 years,
JJ Blinkers has everything it seems. Here, store manager Kim Garcia with a slice of bacon costume. - Angela Sykora photos
with fun-loving owner Joanne Linker at the helm. She credits the continued success of JJ Blinkers to exceptional customer service, a loyal following and a great location.
“We’re excited that we’re still here. It’s a local thing,” said Linker from behind her mouse make-up and ears. Every day is festive at JJ Blinkers, and every employee rocks a costume to get into the spirit of Halloween, the store’s busiest and craziest time of year. “It’s fun and crazy and I just love it. Every day is different,” said Kim “Batgirl” Garcia, who has been store manager for 16 years. To prepare for the inevitable rush, JJ Blinkers began ordering Halloween inventory at the start of summer. The store is jam packed with inventory to make your costume memorable, from neon green furry leg warmers and afro wigs to latex masks and custom vampire fangs. And everything is on sale! Customers can also enter to win prizes including a 48inch TV, with no purchase necessary. Contests to collect “prize dollars” are held daily. Customers have been trickling in since after Labor Day. As Halloween grows nearer, weekends are expected to get pretty busy. Current store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Hours will be extended a few weeks before the holiday. What’s hot this Halloween are masks of presidential candidate Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner wigs, Flo from the Progressive insurance TV commercials and Steampunk costumes inspired by Victorian fashion and steam technology. Disney characters, such as Elsa from the movie “Frozen,” are also still in demand, according to Linker, along with the old staples—“witches, Dracula, vampires and zombies.” “We try to be everything to everybody. It’s hard, but we do our best.” Garcia said customers often come into the store with a costume idea but change their mind once they get a load of all there is to choose from. “It’s so much fun. The people are the best. I love seeing their reactions, the kids especially,” said employee Alicia Johansen who goes
by the name “Spencer.” The cosplay model creates her own costumes and enjoys helping others find a look that’s perfect for them. When it’s not the Halloween season, the staff stays busy helping customers find costumes and accessories for all kinds of occasions, from murder mystery dinners to bachelorette parties. The store is also a popular destination for the Renaissance Faire crowd and customers looking for a German-inspired costume to celebrate Oktoberfest. “I love it. It’s a happy thing. I’m really blessed,” Linker said of her job. “The kids that came in when we started are now bringing their own kids.” Interestingly, Linker confided that she doesn’t watch horror movies and she’s scared of haunted houses. She admits to getting a little spooked by all the creepy Halloween masks
tions. Fright Fest runs through Nov. 1, and is also open Columbus Day. Hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Check website for pricing.
Dungeon of Doom
Owner Joanne Linker organizing some of the many costume details on display at the store.
and props when she’s closing up at night. “I say, ‘Good night, guys!’ and hope no one answers back.” JJ Blinkers is located at 896 N. Main St. (Route 83) in downtown Antioch. Visit the store online at www.jjblinkers.com.
Employee Alicia “Spencer” Johansen of Antioch, dressed in Steampunk wear. Below, some of the masks available at JJ Blinkers.
Fall events continued from page 5
Kenosha’s Fall Festival in Library Park
711 59th Place, Kenosha, Wis. 262-653-4177 http://www.kenosha.org/kenevents/calendar/ documents/Oct2014Flyer.pdf This festive event is happening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 11. Activities include a costume contest, outdoor movie screening of “Divergent,” Build-A-Monster, “Ride of the Living Zombies” and more. Participating restaurants and businesses will have specials.
Definitely not for kids, Dungeon of Doom is 42,000-square feet of pure terror. Can you survive 60 minutes in the dungeon? Open Oct. 2-3, 9-11, 16-18, 22-25, 28-31 and Nov. 6-7. See website for hours and pricing.
Six Flags Great America Fright Fest
I94 and Route 132 (Grand Ave.), Gurnee 847-249-4636 https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica Filbert and Frank, the friendly potbelly pigs at Jerry Smith’s Pumpkin Farm in Kenosha, Wis. - Jerry Smith Facebook
A new carnival is in town, and the demented ring leader has arrived with twisted performers to scare, disgust, and amaze in ways you couldn’t possibly fathom. This activity is not recommended for children. As darkness falls, will you dare to enter? Ages 14 and up. This attraction is open 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sunday Oct. 2 through Oct. 31. Admission is $10.
The Haunted House of Macabre Presents Asylum II
Abandoned Haunted House Complex
Visit the disease-infected, deranged patients at the asylum Oct. 2 through Oct. 31. Experience 15,000-square feet of heart-pounding scares. Tickets are $20 at the door or $17 online.
The complex features two different haunted houses open through Oct. 31. See website for hours and pricing. The Ambush Haunted House is designed to be an intense, startle-scare haunted house with loud noises, actors popping out of unexpected places, bright lights and special effects. The Hysteria Haunted House focuses on visual and audible scares, confusion, misdirection and illusion with lighting effects and actor interactions.
882 Anita Ave., Antioch 847-395-4935 http://antiochhaunt.com/
Haunted Attractions
Experience all the thrills Six Flags has to offer with a Halloween-themed twist. The entire park is transformed for Fright Fest and features amazing lights and props, frightening costumed characters, six haunted houses, live shows and much more. There are also nonscary areas for the kids and plenty of games and food to enjoy between rides and attrac-
600 29th St., Zion 262-331-0092 www.dungeonofdoom.com
Carnival of Chaos Haunted House
1401 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein (Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center) 847-388-5490 www.mundeleinparks.org
2825 SE Frontage Rd., Mount Prospect, Wis. (next to I94 near Racine/Kenosha) 262-886-1182 www.abandonedhauntedhouse.com
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theYOUjournal October 2015
TheGreen Thumb by Long Hwa-shu As a gardener, I had tried several kinds of pole beans until I came upon Romano, the Italian variety. It’s flat, meaty and with a distinctive flavor. I found the seeds in a hardware store and planted several. Before long they sprouted and sent out climbing vines. Their tiny, dainty, light purplish blossoms quickly turned into tiny pods which increased in size. The vines, growing vigorously, provided us an endless supply of beans all summer and late into fall. I’ve grown Romano since then. No other varieties could replace it – for me, of course. The beans are tender and delicious. We steam or stir-fry them and are never tired of eating them. They are great for salads when they are young and tender. Growing the Romano or other pole beans is easy. They take up little space because they
grow vertically. Choose a sunny spot. Sow the seeds about two inches deep and six or so inches apart to allow room for them to grow. Four or five plants can amount to a hill of beans. They’ll provide enough beans for a family of four continuously for the entire growing season because these plants can be heavy producers. You do need a couple of poles or a trellis to support the vines which will develop stems that’ll swirl and climb. You may need to use twist ties to guide the stems a little. My experience shows that fertilizer is rarely needed, much less spray. You do need to water them occasionally to keep them from drying out though. Save a few pods for seeds. Leave them on the vine. They’ll turn yellow and dry out and the beans will become dark brown and hard. They are your seeds for the next season.
Tina Johansson/theYOUjournal
Delicious Romano beans so easy to grow
WHAT’S YOUR GUESS?
Easy to grow Romano beans freshly picked are ready to be steamed or stirfried. -Tina Johansson photo
This cone shaped object is actually a food. There’s perhaps no tree so versatile than the bamboo tree. The bamboo shoots, as shown, are new tender sprouts from its roots. They are used widely in Chinese cooking, in soups and stir-fry. They can be pickled. Leave the shoots alone, they grow to trees as tall as 30 feet or more. Bamboo poles are used in many ways including in constructions and for making floors. Bamboo fibers are used for making towels softer than cotton. Bamboo shoots are available at Asian Chinese grocery stores, pre-packaged and ready for cooking, or dried. - Long Hwa-shu
Mind, Body and Soul
It may seem like Alzheimer’s Disease, but it may not be Eight Conditions That Can Mimic Alzheimer’s Symptoms; Most can be Reversed Staff Report
When you or a friend or loved one, begin experiencing forgetfulness, start repeating the same things, act confused, or exhibit mood or personality changes–it’s always cause for concern. Many people automatically assume it’s Alzheimer’s Disease or one of the other forms of dementia. Thankfully, quite often it’s actually not dementia but some other medical problem. Whatever the problem is, these symptoms mean it’s time to see the doctor. With an examination, your doctor will be able to rule out many possible causes-and hopefully determine what is really going on, and, what can be done about it. Here are some common problems that often cause symptoms that look like Alzheimer’s disease: Urinary Tract and other infections “It is not that easy to diagnose a urinary tract infection because there may be little or no pain or discomfort,” said Bob Tucker, dementia care provider and co-owner of Senior Helpers Northbrook office. “It is important to diagnose this condition because it’s a leading cause of sepsis, a life-threatening infection. Since this infection causes stress on the body, it can result in confusion and chang-
es in behavior. Once diagnosed, however, it can usually be treated with antibiotics and successfully overcome. Other infections may also cause these symptoms but typically can be managed well when caught early.” Thyroid and liver conditions When your thyroid is not functioning properly or you are not receiving enough Vitamin A for your liver, you can experience memory deficiencies. Both conditions need to be ruled out before worrying about any type of dementia. Depression Depression is a serious problem for many seniors. When seniors become depressed, they may not be paying close attention to what you have to say or be capable of interacting well with people. A physician needs to determine if depression is causing their memory issues and social interaction problems, and how it can be treated. Hearing loss “When a loved one can’t hear,” said Abbie Tucker, M.A., C.S.A. and a qualified dementia care provider (QDCP) and co-owner of Senior Helpers, “they can’t respond normally to the world around them. Your loved one may not even realize that hearing loss is
their problem. Make sure your loved one is given a hearing test to determine if that is the reason for their disinterest in conversations, decreased levels of socialization, strange behaviors or unusual answers to common questions.” Side-effects from medicines Many seniors take numerous medications every day. More than 100 medications have side effects that can impact behavior and memory. If your loved one is having these memory issues, especially if they have recently begun taking a new prescription, make sure the doctor reviews all the medications they are taking. Substance abuse Did your friend or loved one have substance abuse issues when they were younger? Or, do they still have substance abuse problems. Drug and alcohol problems can cause all kinds of cognitive and physical problems– including symptoms that look like Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Vitamin deficiencies A lack of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D can cause memory problems in older adults. When your loved one has an annual checkup, ask their doctor to run a test to determine if
vitamin deficiencies are a problem. Brain Tumor Benign and cancerous brain tumors can cause memory loss, confusion and many other symptoms. A brain scan may show that a tumor is causing the problems-and not Alzheimer’s. Many tumors are benign, but if they are growing or malignant surgery may need to be considered. Numerous other types of dementias To determine if your loved one has Alzheimer’s, they need to be tested to determine the possibilities that they are suffering from another type of dementia such as Frontotemporal, Vascular, Lewy Body Dementia or Parkinson’s Disease. Sometimes symptoms are similar, sometimes not. Medicines and other treatments can vary significantly so getting a diagnosis of what type of dementia it is-if, in fact, it is dementia is very important.
To contact Bob Tucker call 847-564-7500, or visit www.seniorhelpers.com. Senior Helpers is also the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America CARES Affiliate Office for the Chicagoland area and a Certified Senior Gems® Dementia Care Office.
theYOUjournal
October
2015
11
Restaurant Row
Zion Eatery’s Recipe for Success: Quality, Flavor, Service Husband/wife team keeps customers coming back by Long Hwa-shu
Anyone who lives around Zion and loves Chinese food would certainly know Julie Kao, the matriarch at Whey Chai Chinese Restaurant, a downtown institution that is more than 50 years old. Julie and her husband, David who live in Winthrop Harbor, bought the business from the original owner, Liu Whey Chai, 22 years ago and kept the name. Whey Chai, by the way, means “great talents.” David is the chef but Julie runs the popular restaurant, known for its surprisingly good food and attentive service. Fast-talking and quick-footed, she is often seen running the whole length of the place – front, center and back, while taking orders for carry-outs, greeting customers and cleaning tables. Energetic and friendly, she is on firstname basis with many of her customers. “My parents had their wedding reception here 25 years ago. I came as a kid and I just love this place,” said Gabrielle Lee of Zion while enjoying a plate of chicken eggs rolls and an order of crab Rangoon. “Their crab Rangoon is the best in the area,” she vouched. It was Friday evening and the place was busy. Carlos Hernandez and Ruby Santana, both of Gurnee, binged on egg Foo Young, lobster fried rice, General Tso’s chicken. Overhearing the high praises from the next booth, they also ordered crab Rangoon. “We’ve been customers for ten years. We just keep on coming back whenever we want to eat Chinese food,” said Hernandez. Despite a husband-wife operation with kitchen help, Whey Chai excels itself for the quality of its food, the diversity of its menu and the friendly atmosphere. Among the popular dishes are Hunan chicken, Sichuan beef, sweet-sour pork and kung-pao shrimp. In fried rice alone, it offers nine choices from eggs and vegetables to curry beef. Its sumptuous fish fried in hot sauce and garlic, while off the menu, is ordered by those in the know. “My greatest satisfaction is when customers are happy,” said David, a mild-mannered man born in Jiading in eastern China, who prepares the dishes mostly himself apparently with great care. And Whey Chai’s prices haven’t changed in a long time, one reason customers keep coming back. “Our prices have stayed the same for the past five years. We try to hold the prices down even though our cost has gone up,” said Julie
The popular Whey Chai restaurant has been at 2683 Sheridan Road in Zion for 50 years.
not to panic under the circumstances.” And asked if she is taking anything like ginseng or vitamins to keep her energy-level up, she replied, “I take nothing extra and I She’s one tough (fortune) cookie! At one time Julie Kao, co-owner of Whey Chai, single-handedly outsmarted two would-be robbers at the place. - Tina Johansson photos
who was born in Korea of Chinese parents. While waiting on her customers, Julie kept the conversation going on with them as if they were part of the family. One customer asked her about an incident years ago in which she single-handedly fought off two young men who tried to rob her with a pointed gun. It happened one night before closing time when the duo barged into the restaurant and demanded money from her. “I told them to stay in front where they were so that I could go back to the kitchen where I kept the money,” she vividly recounted. “I told them they had to be crazy if they thought I would keep my money in front,” she remembered telling the invaders. “Stay where you are,” she sort of commanded the robbers as she was walking back toward the kitchen. They did. And as she reached the kitchen, she grabbed her cell phone and called the police. Sensing their attempt had gone sour, they quickly ran out. Those who heard her story greeted her with “Bravo” and complimented her on her courage and quick wits. Asked how she was able to handle the near crisis, she said, “I tried to steel myself,
Hunan chicken and Mandarin chicken dishes with fresh vegetables are as good to look at as they are to eat.
Owner David Kao prepares some fried rice for a customer.
just eat what is available at the restaurant.” Whey Chai is open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and also on Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Tuesday. For more information or to place an order call 847.746.3003.
Battered, fried fish in spicy pepper sauce and garlic is an excellent choice. It is not on the menu, but can be made for you
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October 2015
theYOUjournal