July/August 2013 by West Suburban Living Magazine

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CUTTING EDGE MEDICINE

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PRESERVING HISTORIC HOMES

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SPOTLIGHT ON LISLE

J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 W E S T

10Best State Parks

S U B U R B A N L I V I N G •

THIS SUMMER, EXPLORE THE BREADTH OF ILLINOIS’ NATURAL BEAUTY, OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

B E S T S T A T E P A R K S V O L . 1 8 • N U M B E R

FARMER’S MARKETS

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JULY/AUGUST 2013

WHERE TO GO FOR THE BEST FRESH PRODUCE

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61259 25805

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Editor & Publisher | Chuck Cozette Assistant Editor | Joe Allen Art Director | Catherine A. LePenske Editorial Interns Alicia Kortendick, Ian Walker Contributing Writers Laura Amann, Joni Hirsch Blackman, Buzz Brandt, Denise Linke, Jennie McKee, Lynn Petrak, Lisa Sloan, Sara Pearsaul Vice, Michele Weldon, Tom Witom, Chris Young Contributing Photographer Ed Ahern Advertising Sales Susan Reetz Director of Operations/Circulation Ken Cozette

Reader Advisory Board Laurie Barton (Glen Ellyn), Karla Bullett (Lombard) Linda Cassidy (Campton Hills), Mary Ellen Coombs (Wheaton), Joan Hoff (Elmhurst) Grace Grzanek (Batavia), Liz Hunka (Wheaton) Nancy Jensen (Wheaton), Holly Jordan (Wheaton) Mary Ellen Kastenholz (Western Springs) Kate Kirkpatrick (Naperville) Molly Livermore (St. Charles) Pamela Peterson (Burr Ridge) Diana Santos (Woodridge), Darla Scheidt (Darien) Jean Stawarz (Oak Brook) Marilyn Straub (Willowbrook)

West Suburban Living is a publication of C2 Publishing, Inc. 5101 Darmstadt Rd., Hillside, IL 60162 630.834.4995 / 630.834.4996 (fax) wsl@westsuburbanliving.net www.westsuburbanliving.net No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of C2 Publishing, Inc. Any views expressed in any advertisement, signed letter, article or photograph are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of West Suburban Living or its parent company. West Suburban Living (Vol. 17, No. 4, JULY/AUGUST 2013; ISSN No. 1532-6705) is published bi-monthly (6 times a year) by C2 Publishing, Inc., 5101 Darmstadt Rd., Hillside, IL 60162, 630 834-4995, fax 630 834-4996. Periodicals postage paid at Elmhurst, Illinois and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: 1 year $15; 2 years $22; 3 years $30. Single copy $3.95; back issues, as available, $6. West Suburban Living assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to West Suburban Living Magazine, P.O. Box 111, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Printed in USA. 2 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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Contents West Suburban Living

July/August

2013

Home&Garden

Past presence

Making a Splash

The joys and challenges of restoring a historic home, plus, how to find out your own house’s history.

Pools, ponds and fountains can provide an elegant outdoor ambiance, as well as a backyard oasis for family fun and entertaining.

Health&Wellness

Cutting Edge Medicine

More state-of-the-art medical treatments are becoming available in the western suburbs.

Education Guide

 Feature 44

10 Best STATE PARKS

Transitioning to the future

Area colleges ramp up to prepare students for careers in the fast-changing economy.

76 Town Focus

For those looking for a great

of Illinois’ natural beauty,

family roadtrip this summer,

expansive outdoor recreational

use this handy guide to

opportunities, and surprising

explore the full breadth

ecological diversity.

Lisle

The village that is home to the Morton Arboretum is also strategically situated at the crossroads of DuPage, making it a vibrant place to live and work.

4 JULY/AUGUST 2013 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Departments West Suburban Living

July/August

2013

83 Perspectives

8 10 26

18 20

FOREWORD

The spirit of community Letters

Our readers sound off.

FOOD TRUCKS

Local authors

Last Word

The ubiquity of social media makes private moments spent with true friends all the more special.

When tragedy strikes

A community responds with a stirring outpouring of support.

No Cruising Allowed

In downtown Naperville, several old signs, reflect old times.

westsuburbanliving.net The go-to site for the Best of the Western Suburbs at your fingertips!

Mobile eateries put a local spin on an urban trend.

New book releases from west suburban writers

Style&Fashion

Around the Towns

With young entrepreneur Kimberly Elam of Kimmer’s Ice Cream in St. Charles

Life in the Burbs

The 20-year process of becoming a true west suburbanite.

Q&A

Dining

REVIEW: Maya Del Sol

REVIEW: Isaaco’s

NEW RESTAURANTS

CHEERS

stops & shops

New stores and favorite hidden gems

Out&About ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The best in music, theatre and other area events SCENE & SEEN

Charitable events of note from throughout the area.

Latin American fare with flare in Oak Park

A taste of Northern Italy in St. Charles

Sushi House in Downers Grove; Jimmy’s Island Grille in Westmont; Made in Italy Trattoria in Glen Ellyn; and Rancheros Mexican Grille in Naperville

The return of Viognier

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editor’s Note

Celebrating Community “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” - Soren Kierkegaard

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” - Mark Twain

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” - Reinhold Niebuhr

“So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” - Romans 14:19

n spite of — or more likely, because of — the fast changing environment in which we live, the desire to maintain a sense of community seems to be stronger than ever. There is a need to be truly connected with others, not in a superficial Facebook or Twitter way (see Michele Weldon’s column, page 96), but to have a shared and meaningful bond with family, friends and neighbors. At the same time, defining just what true community really means is difficult. It’s more one of those “you know it when you see it” types of things. That was certainly the case for me when I was driving through River Forest a month or so ago. As its name implies, the town has lots of trees — they line the parkways of virtually every street. And on this day — and for weeks thereafter — single white ribbons were tied around each and every tree. Block after block, tree after tree — hundreds, probably thousands of trees in all, each circled by a single, solitary white ribbon. It was beautiful. It was inspiring. Yet it was sad. The ribbons were a tribute to a young woman from the community who had been killed in Afghanistan while serving as a Foreign Service Officer. What started out as a show of unity among neighbors on the family’s block, grew into a villagewide show of solidarity — and a tangible demonstration of true community.

One of our new writers, Joni Hirsch Blackman, relates more of the details in her article, “When Tragedy Strikes: A Community Responds with a Stirring Outpouring of Support” on page 14. Across the page, Blackman shares another uplifting story of community — how parents at a St. Charles middle school, with a big assist from a local benefactor, held a special 8th grade graduation ceremony for their kids. Then, in her new column on page 26, Blackman, a 20-year resident of Naperville, shares her pilgrimage from the North Shore, where she grew up, to becoming a true west suburbanite. Helping promote a stronger sense of community is a big part of the mission of West Suburban Living. We’ll continue to do our best to share the stories that make this place where we live special. We invite you to join in the effort by actively engaging in your community and then letting us know all about it.

Chuck Cozette, Editor & Publisher chuck@westsuburbanliving.net

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George Shipperley

LETTERS

Readers Respond

Elmhurst Short Changed Oil Pastel

Pears

32”w x 32” h

Luis Pantigozo

am a longtime subscriber to your magazine and enjoy reading it very much. I especially liked the “Spotlight on Elmhurst” feature article in the May/June 2013 issue. I have lived in Elmhurst for over thirty years and love the community. However, there was an error in the Statistical Snapshot part of the article. The median household income shown was incorrect. Using the 2011 Census Data, I found that the median household income in Elmhurst is $87,935. The figure of $56,576 as stated in your article is the median household income for the State of Illinois, not Elmhurst. I hope you will publish a correction in the near future. - Kathleen Lundberg, Elmhurst Editor’s Note: Despite our best efforts at verifying the accuracy of all information printed in the magazine, mistakes still occasionally slip through. We regret the error and appreciate your calling it to our attention. Thanks also for providing us and our readers with the correct median

Mirando el Atardecer

Oil on Canvas

24”w x 30” h

Proud Fox Gallery Original Art

I Prints I Custom Framing I Restoration

213 W State St.

•

Geneva

•

630-262-8797

proudfoxgallery.com

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household income for Elmhurst.

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU Your thoughts, feedback and suggestions are always welcome. Drop us a note at West Suburban Living Magazine, P.O. Box 111, Elmhurst, 60126 or e-mail editor Chuck Cozette at wsl@westsuburbanliving.net.

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THE

AROUND TOWNS

COMMUNITY

STOPS & SHOPS

Q&A

FOOD TRUCKS

LIFE IN THE BURBS

LOCAL AUTHORS

Drama in the Park WHAT IS IT ABOUT SHAKESPEARE that makes the Bardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tales so especially enjoyable outdoors? Once again this summer several local theatre groups will be mounting seasonal productions including Cymbeline: A Folk Tale (pictured) by First Folio at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook; The Comedy of Errors by Shakespeare on Clark, held on Clark Island in Batavia; and Twelfth Night by Oak Park Festival Theatre in Austin Gardens in Oak Park. WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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the

Around towns

When Tragedy Strikes A Community Reponds with a Visually Stirring Outpouring of Support

and watched all the people and actually hen news of 25-year-old broke into tears,” recalls Harrington. Anne Smedinghoff’s death in “It was just really, really moving — even Afghanistan reached the River people who didn’t know Anne, people Forest neighborhood in which she’d grown just wanted ribbons for their trees and up, neighbors were first devastated, then for their neighbors.” driven to express their feelings. On the block where the Foreign Service “I said to the ribbon distributor, ‘Isn’t it Officer grew up, they tied white ribbons so rewarding to see?’ I couldn’t believe we’d to their trees and lit luminarias every night pulled it off — there were a lot of logistics. for a month to mourn the loss of the young I had never met the woman from First Pres woman killed by Taliban terrorists while on before and we were like old buddies by the a humanitarian mission. The white ribbons time it was over. If it wasn’t for her idea, for symbolized the peace Anne had worked to me knowing a ribbon distributor . . . it was bring to the world. an amazing thing.” Marigayle Harrington, whose children The sense of community, were Anne’s schoolmates at St. Luke’s Harrington says, was overwhelming. Her parish school, put one on her tree daughter, a junior high student, told “It was just really, really moving — after seeing the Smedinghoffs’ block. her, “That was the best thing I’ve ever Her neighbor remarked, “Wouldn’t even people who didn’t know Anne, taken part in.” it be beautiful if we could put white By the time Anne’s sister and people just wanted ribbons for ribbons everywhere in town?” brother returned to River Forest, The women contacted the St. virtually every tree in the village was their trees and for their neighbors.” Luke’s parish women’s club. Then a decorated with a white ribbon. woman from nearby First Presbyterian “It was awesome. No matter Church suggested a drive-through small American flags. where you went, everywhere, there ribbon distribution in the church parking “We wanted every tree to have a ribbon,” were ribbons,” recalls Harrington. “There lot. Things just fell into place. says Harrington. “We wanted all the ribbons were no empty trees.” Maribeth and Tom “The woman didn’t have a plan of on the trees before Regina and Mark — (Anne’s parents) said how great it made action,” recalls Harrington, “but I said I Anne’s siblings — came home.” them feel. knew someone in Forest Park who has a Hundreds of ribbons and flags were As another part of the tribute, almost ribbon distributorship. How odd is that? distributed. Then a woman came through 20,000 books were collected and donated He said absolutely he would help, and I the line insisting volunteers take $600 to to commemorate Anne’s educational work bought the first bunch at cost.” buy more ribbons. with children in Afghanistan. The drive-through was set for 3:30 p.m. “She said she had daughters and she It was, says a still marveling Harrington, just two days after the first conversation couldn’t imagine what it would be like to a united, heartfelt community effort. “It’s about expanding the ribbon display. Lines lose one,” said Harrington. the people who stepped up. The lady who started forming at 2:50. Volunteers handed The ribbon distributor had said he’d underwrote it, the woman who cut the out pre-cut ribbons in various sizes, as bring more ribbons whenever Harrington ribbons. Those people never met Anne. many ribbons as each driver requested, and needed them. “When he arrived, he stayed They just did it.” — Joni Hirsch Blackman

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In Naperville, No Downtown Cruising Allowed Some traffic signs look a little out of place in downtown Naperville, much like a video store in the digital age, they are nostalgic symbols of a bygone era: “Restricted Cruising Area 7 PM to 1 AM, May 1 thru Sept. 30. Unlawful to pass traffic control point more than 2 times in 3 hours.” The signs were erected after passage of a 1994 law, but it has been 18 years or so since cruising has been any problem. “The law was enacted when the Riverwalk was a huge place for teens to hang out,” recalls Naperville Police Sgt. Lou Cammiso. “People would come with their cars, do loops and make noise and tie up the whole downtown area.” Police sitting in their patrol cars used laptop computers

to keep track of cruising cars’ license plates, writing tickets ranging from $75 for a first offense to $150 for a third or subsequent violation. After the first year of enforcement, during which officers handed out hundreds of warnings but only about 20 tickets, the problem disappeared. “We have not had any issue with cruising for several years,” says Cammiso. “The ordinance is still in effect. The signs are still there to avoid starting the problem again.” Cammiso worked downtown patrol at the time the ordinance was enacted and remembers business owners complaining about the congestion caused by the teen cruisers driving the loop of Jackson Avenue, Main Street, Jefferson Avenue and Eagle Street.

A Graduation Ceremony that Almost Wasn’t, Becomes One to Remember

An informal survey found 83 percent of the license plates were from outside Naperville. “It was total gridlock — mostly weekends but occasionally weeknights as people drove in circles. If you wanted to go downtown for dinner — you’d avoid downtown and say, ‘Forget this, I’ll go somewhere else!’” The law, modeled after one in Virginia Beach, cured the problem so quickly and efficiently, Cammiso mused how great it would be if every law worked so well. Even so, he thinks the rather irrelevant signs should remain. “There’s a historical significance,” he says with a slight laugh. “I suppose if someone was cruising around just aimlessly, an officer could still cite them.” Teen behavior has

changed so much the past couple of decades, Cammiso notes. The Riverwalk was “the place to be seen,” years ago. “Now they’re doing other things — they can be seen virtually online and they’re playing video games. It’s kind of sad.” The signs, meanwhile, remain an actual reminder of what real life was like before virtual lives were born. — Joni Hirsch Blackman

middle school graduation ceremonies had been discontinued for the first time this year — the result of a decision made by District 303 three years ago — she wanted to try to save the tradition.

She researched districts within 25 miles and found most still

offered an evening middle school “moving on” or “promotion” event, but District 303 wouldn’t change the decision made in 2010. Each middle school would have some sort of recognition ceremony, but the events would be scheduled during the school day. “The emphasis for our students is more properly placed on high school graduation,” explains District 303 spokesman Jim Blaney. While Breen agrees middle school completion is a given these days, she still believed the milestone should be a family occasion. “I understood that maybe you don’t want For one St. Charles graduating class, the end of middle

to call it a graduation. But when you have it during the day,

school was time for one more lesson — never give up.

parents, family and friends can’t be there to celebrate with

the kids.

When Thompson Middle School parent Lisa Breen heard

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An online petition drew 87 percent agreement and several offers to help. “I wasn’t sure what we would do — we just felt

memories. I remember my 8th grade graduation!” explains Onesti. “We should do things to make memories for kids, not

like we had to do something for our kids,” recalls Breen.

destroy them.”

Looking for a venue, she emailed the Arcada Theater to

About 120 of Thompson’s Class of 2013 participated in the

inquire about the cost for an event there. The response from

celebration attended by their families. Though that wasn’t the

owner Ron Onesti was “totally unexpected,” says Breen, who

entire class, the event was “available for those who wanted

had outlined the issue behind the request.

it,” says Breen.

“He said, ‘That’s crazy, we need to talk.’ We talked and

Onesti emceed, introducing each graduate on the stage of

he was very supportive — he told me they would take care

the 888-seat historic theater. A photographer and videographer

of it and we could make this great for the kids. I said, ‘Are you

recorded the festivities, including the evening-ending balloon

serious?!’ and from then on, he was just super.”

drop. Afterwards many emotional students and family members

thanked Onesti and Breen.

Onesti offered the theater, including staff to help decorate

and work sound and lighting apparatus, at no cost. A local

printer donated “diploma” certificates.

just we parents and the community rallied together and

made it happen for our kids.”

“When I heard the story, I told her, ‘Life is made of little

“I have no ill feelings toward the district,” said Breen. “It’s — Joni Hirsch Blackman

A Grade School Science Experiment Turns into a NASA Adventure

t St. Joan of Arc school in Lisle, when junior high science teacher Tanya Anderson signed up her school for the NASA Explorer School program two years ago, she was just looking for free resources to help her students get excited about science. She got that and more — a trip to Houston with three other teachers to learn about MicroGravity. Last fall, NASA asked member teachers for experiment proposals they could perform in a reduced-gravity airplane. Over several class periods, lab groups of students developed various ideas. With three other teachers, Anderson modified the ideas into an experiment, then submitted the proposal. “You had to come up with an experiment you could conduct with your students that you could then take into the aircraft, “says Anderson of the proposal. “You had to explain how you thought gravity would affect your experiment, how the experiment would affect your curriculum and what the students would learn.” Her idea was to test gravity’s effect on floating magnets — something most K-8th grade students at the school could

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understand — but she wasn’t sure how she’d do it. St. Joan of Arc students helped develop the experiment. “Quite a bit of it was them,” says Anderson. “I talked about the design of the experiment with the 8th graders — we talked about what was safe to take on the aircraft, designs that were realistic that tested what we wanted to test.” While Anderson thought her proposal was a longshot, the school was one of seven nationwide selected for a July trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The teachers attended online classes every two weeks to prepare. Meanwhile, every grade at the K-8 school worked on part of the July mission, from writing experiment procedures to researching magnetism to a paper-chain countdown. The teachers’ mission patch was designed by winners of a school contest. The team will videoconference with students during their Reduced Gravity Education Flight week in Houston. “Hopefully some of the kids who have been involved in this will think this is something they want to go into in the future,” says Anderson. “NASA is trying to get students excited about science and space and research — they’re really big on education and helping teachers make it real for their students.” For the teachers, the low-gravity flight will be quite real. Performing their experiment while flying for approximately an hour in a modified Boeing 727, the teams will go up and dip down about 30 times, causing a 2G force, then the weightlessness of reduced gravity. They also will tour NASA Johnson Space Center, including facilities where microgravity is simulated on earth. — Joni Hirsch Blackman

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6/20/13 3:53 PM

Stops&Shops

Nanette’s

ELAN BOUTIQUE

URBAN CHIC HOME

Film Star Audrey Hepburn’s

Discerning Shoppers looking

UNTOLD treasures await guests

classic charm lives on at Nanette’s in Yorkville (101 E. Center St., 630 553-5333), a cute little boutique that carries unique clothing for women and children, as well as jewelry, accessories, shoes, and gift items. Framed portraits of the impeccably stylish Hepburn adorn the walls of this “giving boutique,” which donates 10 percent of its sales to special causes and local families in need. The six-room shop has “the elegance of Michigan Avenue, with a Mayberry feeling,” says friendly owner Nanette Elliot-Michalec, who stocks her store with wonderful finds in limited quantities. The shop, which also boasts a wide array of colorful tops and dresses, carries casual clothing lines such as Isle Apparel. Adorable children’s clothing and accessories also abound, as do fragrant candles and gift items.

for fun, fashionable women’s clothing and accessories in downtown Naperville make a point of visiting Elan Boutique (143 W. Jefferson Ave., 630 922-5766). “Our staff is very friendly, and will bend over backwards to make customers happy,” says Janet Armijo, who co-owns the store with Laura Vertucci. Offerings such as cute tank tops, scarves and sundresses in vibrant hues, fashion-forward leather and cloth purses, and Miss Me Jeans reflect the latest trends in the L.A. fashion scene. One of the store’s popular jewelry lines is Virgins, Saints & Angels, a distinctive brand with a loyal celebrity following. Other bracelets, earrings, and necklaces range from the minimalistic to the bold. Elan Boutique also has a wide array of stylish cowboy hats and baseball caps.

of Urban Chic Home in Glen Ellyn (491 Pennsylvania Ave., 630 327-8013), an inviting little shop filled with reasonably priced home décor pieces that harken back to a simpler time. “We paint old furniture and give it a new life,” says owner Beckie Nilles, who started out by recycling, repainting and repurposing furniture with a few friends. In the two years since it opened, Urban Chic Home has gained a loyal following of customers looking for distinctive furnishings and accessories. Tables, chairs and dressers repainted in eye-catching colors represent multiple period styles. Visitors will find wall décor, mirrors, frames, farm benches, small lamps, and industrial pieces. Vintage hats, furs, wedding gowns, and books also abound. The store also features vintage jewelry updated to the latest trends.

– Jennie McKee



Photo by Jennie McKee

Hidden Gems & Longtime Favorites

– Jennie McKee

New Store Openings Following is a sampling of new stores that have opened in the last few months in the western suburbs. For a full list, go to westsuburbanliving.net. AquaVIVA WINERY Tasting bar for Maple Park winery. 214 Main St. in St. Charles. 630 365-0333. BELLA ROBA BOUTIQUE Stylish apparel, jewelry and home decor. 104 N. Hale St. in downtown

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Wheaton, 224 279-4500. Burning LEAF CIGARS Premium cigars and cigar accessories 577 S. Third St., Geneva, 630 262-0031. CORE INTERIOR DESIGN Interior design studio and

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antique store. 1005 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, 630 964-1258. MicroSOFT STORE Software giant’s newest retail location. Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. 855 270-6581 MISH WOMEN’s BOUTIQUE

Denim, dresses, tops, jewelry, handbags, and accessories. 206 W. State St., Geneva, 630 232-9520 QT APPARREL AND ACCESSORIES Custom and stock rhinestone T-shirts, jewelry,

scarves and handbags. 5122 Main St., Downers Grove, 630 541-6796. TWO BOSTONS PET BOUTIQUE & BAKERY Pet foods and accessories 309 W. State St., Geneva, 630 262-0345

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Q&A

Kimberly Elam/ Batavia native finds her entrepreneurial niche by pursuing a childhood passion. The result? Kimmer’s Ice Cream in St Charles. took several classes including Social Entrepreneurship — my favorite — in which we were required to write business plans. Nine times out of 10, I wrote about ice cream shops. The mantra of my professors was, “Do what you love, do what you know.” I had been a scooper at my local Batavia Baskin-Robbins since I was 16, and worked there on callege breaks when it became an independent store, Batavia A Batavia native, Kimberly Elam has been savoring all things ice cream since she was a toddler. She worked in an ice cream shop all through high school and studied business and entrepreneurship in college. Heeding the advice of her professors who told her “do what you love, do what you know,” she attended Ice Cream University right after her graduation from the Unversity of Iowa. Shortly thereafter, she bought the former Gramps Frozen Custard in St. Charles and has been making ice cream ever since. The vivacious young entrepreneur recently expanded her business horizons by branching out to provide her distinctive ice cream flavors through local grocery stores. n So when did you get really serious about the possibility of running your own ice cream business? I was an English major in college but also took classes to attain my Certificate in Entrepreneurship. The classes were thought-provoking. A lot of problem solving and relevant issues arose, like how businesses are run and for whose benefit. I

Q&A

Creamery. And I even did a stint at the Iowa City Cold Stone Creamery. Through my classes, I discovered the value that entrepreneurs could bring to business, that a social good could be achieved, while still having a viable business. Those classes really flipped a switch. I wanted to run a business that way — honest and transparent, trying to promote good works through relationships with customers, vendors and the community. I graduated in May of 2010 and purchased Gramps Frozen Custard in St. Charles in October. The transformation to Kimmer’s Ice Cream happened in just a few months. It’s been a short but incredible journey. I’ve learned an enormous amount about the dedication and demands small business ownership requires. But it’s always worthwhile, if you believe in your cause, and you do what you love. Everyone loves eating ice cream, but actually making it has to be a lot more n

RAPID FIRE

challenging. Can you walk us through the ice cream making process and what makes your ice cream different and better than others? Our ice cream machine is actually called a batch freezer. It has a large bar inside that churns or “spins” the ice cream. We can control how fast or slow the RPMs run. The faster, the more air is whipped into the product and the less dense and less pure the ice cream becomes. Raising the number of RPMs has been a commercial ice cream standard for many years. So while our batch freezer takes care of the majority of the actual mixing and freezing, one of our key differences is our slower churn, which results in a more super-premium ice cream. From my coursework at Ice Cream University and classes we have taken at the week-long Penn State Ice Cream Short Course, we’ve learned a lot. From the physics of ice crystals, to the viscosity and mouth feel of the ice creams, to why ice cream needs to get into the freezer as fast as it can when it’s fresh. It’s also about sourcing quality ingredients. Making great ice cream means finding the best items to include and to pair. Everything from our vanilla bean, to our cocoa powder, to our locally sourced espresso grinds, has been experimented with, tasted, re-tasted, and run again in different ratios. n How many flavors did you start out with when you first opened and how many do you have now? What are the best-sellers? We started out selling frozen custard,

favorite bands/artists? Jay-Z and

and Dick Portillo.

anything my Dad listens to.

8. Hobbies when not working?

3. Best advice anyone ever gave

6. Four words that best describe you?

Golf and reading.

cream shop, what other career

you? “It’s a jungle out there,” from

Curious, energetic, determined, caring.

9. Favorite places to shop, eat

would you have likely pursued?

my grandfather.

7. Three people (living or deceased)

or hang out in the western suburbs?

4. Favorite TV shows? “Entourage”

that you’d most like to share a

363 in Naperville to shop, and Blue

and “Mad Men.”

sundae with? John D. Rockefeller,

Goose BBQ on Fridays and Saturdays

5. Preferred genre of music or

Chicago chef Stephanie Izard

in the summer.

1. If you didn’t open up an ice

Journalism or public relations. 2. Favorite flavor? Chocolate chip cookie dough — for life.

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since that is what the business we bought did. There were four flavors originally being served per day — chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and a flavor of the day. We started running ice cream and custard about six months later and increased the flavor offerings per day to 20, with a master list of around 30 or 40. Now we only sell hard-packed ice cream and our recipe box has around 135 flavors, last I counted. It’s fun to have such a variety to choose from when we are making ice cream, and gets customers excited to come in and see what’s new or back on the flavor list. Our top-seller is definitely Caramel Sea Salt, ever since we ran the first batch two years ago. We offer it every day now. We’ve recently collaborated with Moveable Feast, a catering company in Geneva, to use some of their scratch cookies and brownies for a few of our flavors. For example, they provide White Chocolate Salty Oatmeal cookies for our White Chocolate Salty Oatmeal ice cream and the brownies for our Chocolate Fudge Brownie. n What is the process you use to come up with new flavors, how much tweaking do you have to do, and how many variations do you typically have to try to come up with just the right blend of tastes? Any flavors that sounded like they would be good but that just never worked out? The process we use is really just talking out loud and thinking a bit outside the box. Our inspirations come from everywhere, from pop culture to the economy — Rocky Road to Economic Recovery has been a fun title and flavor. Several flavors have been inspired by staff and customers and are named for them. We also like to be sponges of information when it comes to food — grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, candy shops, coffee houses all can be interpreted and used as creative sources. We take lots of suggestions and then rely on our experience to weed out combinations that we know aren’t feasible and to turn other ideas into new flavors. We have definitely had some flavors that have been great ideas in theory, but didn’t work out so well in production. Blue Cheese and Pear with Walnuts, inspired by a great salad, was pretty terrible. Blue cheese is delicious, just not in ice cream. I also tried to make a flavor called Good WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | JULY/AUGUST 2013 21

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Q&A Morning using breakfast cereals like Fruit Loops and Cap n’ Crunch. It didn’t work out, the cereal got soggy. Jelly Bean was an Easter season failure — it almost caused some major tooth damage because the jelly beans were like jelly rocks! n Making ice cream from scratch is a challenge in itself, but starting a business from scratch, especially in the recent economy, has undoubtedly been even more difficult. What have been your biggest challenges as a young entrepreneur — problems you’ve had to overcome that they didn’t teach you about in your business classes in college? There have been a lot, but mostly it’s realizing that those challenges don’t and won’t stop. It’s really the management of the challenges, and looking at them as obstacles that will lead to a better business model. For instance, I never used to call refrigeration experts unless I had a problem, like a freezer meltdown. It was very stressful and we would lose a lot of product. I didn’t have any contingency plans or room for error. Now I have an extra freezer and a great deal with a local grocery store, so if we have an emergency, we can use their storage freezer. And this year, before the season began to pick up, I got all of our equipment checked out and cleaned just in case. That isn’t to say something won’t break down tomorrow, or that I have avoided a potential issue entirely. But if there was a cumulative problem, at least we could be preemptive in dealing with it then, instead of in July. Entrepreneurship really takes grit and determination. I don’t know if that can be taught, as much as learned through experience. n On the flip side, what do you like best about running your own business? I love our customers and I love being a part of the community. I love having friends and family in the area that can come and visit. One of my favorite parts has been seeing the staff that I started with grow up, some of them move on to other jobs and other states, some have been with me since the beginning. They are the reason we are still in business. I also love being creative and having a product that makes people happy. Ice cream is a fun product to sell, and our customers are almost always in a great mood when they come to see us.

n Any mentors or supporters that have helped you along the way? Many! Monique from Moveable Feast and Paul Lencioni from Blue Goose both would be major mentors. My parents, my friends, my brother, my staff, everyone who lets me talk about the challenges and the successes and help digest them in different ways. Without that help, I would be totally lost. Given my age and lack of experience, I have been really lucky that so many people have been caring enough and open to helping me. I could never do what I do without that. n In addition to your shop, you are now selling your ice cream through a number of area retailers. How did that come about and do you plan to continue to expand your brand, either by adding new shops or by expanding your distribution network? Gramps Frozen Custard was selling to the Blue Goose when I bought it, so we continued that relationship, even as the brand transformed. Standard Market in Westmont found us via Twitter, which was really awesome. We approached Casey’s Foods in Naperville and Riverside Foods in Riverside and they took our product in, which was really exciting. Our newest store is Heinen’s in Barrington and they have been wonderful to work with. For now, we plan to focus on those stores, to ensure the quality and maintain the exclusive appeal for those merchants who put their trust in us early. n What is your vision for Kimmer’s five to 10 years from now? Growth definitely exceeded my expectations between the first and second year. This year it’s slowed a bit, allowing us to work on getting our processes consistent. I’d love to have another shop in five years and maybe two more 10 years from now. I want to grow slowly because I love our neighborhood feel, knowing the community in St. Charles, and being able to change up our flavors pretty quickly. Being small is good for being flexible, but I think we will be able to continue that, even if there is more growth. n Any words of wisdom for other young college graduates who might be thinking of starting their own business? Pursue your dreams with passion and determination. Never stop asking questions and never stop exploring new ideas. Plan as much as you can plan, and then go

for it.

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the

Around towns

By Jennie McKee

Meals on Wheels Mobile eateries put a local spin on an urban trend

t’s hard to miss Greg Barnhart of the Toasty Cheese Mobile Eatery, when he pulls up in the orange and white food truck. With a ready smile and hair dyed the color of cheddar, Barnhart chats easily with customers. As he serves up piping hot grilled cheese sandwiches made with duck bacon, fresh baby arugula, goat cheese, and other gourmet ingredients, one thing is clear — Greg and his crew turn making grilled cheese into an art form. In business since last October, Toasty Cheese is one of a handful of mobile eateries bringing a taste of the city food truck craze to the western suburbs. The trucks serve local residents on their lunch breaks, attendees of sporting events and

concerts, guests at private parties, and many produce locally, as the season permits, and we use only local bakeries that deliver others. Food trucks are also participating our bread fresh daily.” in suburban events such as the Yorktown Farmer’s Market in Lombard, and Oak An even more recent eatery on the Park’s Great Food Truck Rally, held this suburban food truck scene is the Calle past May. Wagon. Owner In business since last October, According to and self-described Barnhart, an important Toasty Cheese is one of a handful “foodie” Jorge Oakes of mobile eateries bringing a part of Toasty Cheese’s serves up gourmet success involves the Mexican cuisine made taste of the city food truck craze careful selection of with slow-roasted to the western suburbs. top-notch ingredients beef, as well as for its sandwiches, French fries, sweets, Mediterranean-style quesadillas and and other offerings. other fare, for about $3 to $5. “We use the best cheese we can get,” “I like everything to be as fresh as it says Barnhart of the truck’s grilled cheese can be,” says Oakes. “I really think you sandwiches, which range in price from can taste the difference when you use $4 to $8. “We try to source all of our fresh squeezed limes and roast your own WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | JULY/AUGUST 2013 23

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the

Around towns garlic and chilies.” Toasty Cheese works from a custombuilt food truck stocked with National Sanitation Foundation-approved equipment, including grills, deep fryers, and refrigerators. To create the Calle Wagon, Oakes added a variety of equipment to a former delivery truck, including a steam table, flat grill, char-broiler, refrigerator, and a four-burner range with oven. Toasty Cheese preps its food at the company’s commissary in Schaumburg; however, all food is cooked to order on the truck. “When you step up and order from our truck, nothing is prepackaged, except the cupcakes,” he says. These technology-savvy mobile eateries keep loyal customers apprised of upcoming stops via frequent updates on their websites, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. “We have more than 1,500 followers on Facebook, and that grows

The GiaVia Sweets food truck features gourmet cupcakes.

every day,” says Barnhart, noting that customers can order online for pick up via Facebook, the Toasty Cheese website, or by using a downloadable phone app. Both Barnhart and Oakes have a great time traversing the suburbs and interacting with customers, as does Carli Curatola, who co-owns GiaVia Sweets with her father, Carl Curatola. The bright pink food truck, operating since October

2011, offers delectable gourmet cupcakes for about $3, in varieties such as Chocolate Turtle and Salted Caramel, as well as cake pops and other sweets. GiaVia’s pastry chef, who formerly worked for the renowned chef and restaurateur Charlie Trotter, uses real butter, organic eggs, and coconut oils. The result, notes Carli Curatola, is amazing cupcakes. “Being mobile has enabled us to bring our products anywhere, and expose more people to them than we could with a brick-and-mortar restaurant,” she says. “The biggest joy of all is to see the smiles on customers’ faces.” SAFETY FIRST As Curatola points out, not everything about running a food truck is a piece of cake. A great deal of care must be exercised to ensure that all regulations are met and that food safety standards are upheld. “Each

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town and village has different ordinances, and some still do not allow food trucks,” she says. No matter where they sell food, mobile eateries are required to meet food safety regulations.“Food-borne illness is serious — no one wants to get anybody sick,” says Barnhart. “There are standards that have to be followed.” Each year, DuPage County typically issues permits to 80 to 100 mobile food vendors, ranging from hot dog carts to food trucks, according to David W. Hass, communications manager for the DuPage County Health Department. Food trucks must pass inspections appropriate to the type of food they serve, and are evaluated on factors such as whether food is maintained at proper temperatures. In DuPage County, notes Hass, mobile eateries “go through the same kind of inspection process that a brickand-mortar facility would have to go through to get its permit. THE FUTURE OF FOOD TRUCKS When asked whether he thinks food trucks will continue to thrive in the suburbs, GiaVia’s Carl Curatola emphatically replies, “No doubt.” “I really do feel like a suburban food truck pioneer, because when we first opened, we were on our own in the burbs,” adds Carli. “We’re constantly picking up new customers who rejoice at seeing their first food truck.” Barnhart has also received a great deal of positive feedback about Toasty Cheese. “We have people who leave with their food and then drive back just to tell us how much they liked it,” he says. “That’s what makes it all worth it.” Suburban resident Susan McManus describes GiaVia’s cupcakes as “out of this world,” noting that she has purchased the sweet treats for special occasions as well as weeknight treats. Fellow Lombard resident and GiaVia customer Mallory Hermansen hopes more food trucks come to the suburbs. “I think it’s a very exciting idea,” she says. “I can’t wait to see more.” n

Effective Co-Parenting After Divorce

ivorce is challenging, but especially so for those couples raising children together. Those couples have their relationships transformed but not ended by divorce — as parents, they still need to maintain contact with each other about custody, finances, doctor’s visits, and whatever else involves their children. Becoming better co-parents takes a conscious, ongoing effort — it doesn’t happen easily, and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight. Here are some tips to be mindful of as you make that journey. Communication is key: Before initiating a conversation with your ex-spouse, make sure you know what your goals are for the exchange and be able to state them succinctly. Be as cordial and professional as you can be; anger and bitterness interfere with communication, and can even put your ex-spouse on the defensive. If a face-to-face or phone conversation is too challenging, e-mail is an excellent option. Consider a therapist or another trusted mediator if you’re not able to manage productive conversation on your own. Be consistent yet flexible: Regular schedules help children thrive — so maintain as much consistency as you can in custody schedules and bedtime and morning routines. But when work conflicts, illnesses, or emergencies arise, be flexible, and work together to accommodate those unexpected situations. If you need to involve family members or friends when neither of you can be with the children, agree on them beforehand. Know what’s happening: Use online tools like Google Calendar to keep track of activities, appointments, and custody days — particularly in summer, when you might vary considerably from your usual schedule. If your child’s school maintains an e-mail list, make sure both you and your ex-spouse subscribe. Be proactive in getting information from teachers, coaches, and most importantly of all, your own children. Being informed allows you to be more responsive to your children’s needs and better able to anticipate potential schedule conflicts.

Deborah Carder

Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP is dedicated to achieving the best possible results for our cllients. Deborah Carder, a partner with Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, helps clients with complex, financial, custody and high-asset family law matters. Ms Carder has consistently received the honor of being selected by her peers as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois. She is the past President of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers. For more information, contact our Wheaton Family Law office at (630) 665-5800. Upon request, we will send you a “Straight Talk on Divorce” information booklet.

Work to maintain a civil tone in your summer scheduling, and seek compromise and negotiation to resolve any conflicts.

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in the

Life Burbs

By Joni Hirsch Blackman

Becoming a True West Suburbanite Twenty years of living in the western burbs has made this former North Shore girl proud to call it home

“W

here are you from?” the cute college boy from San Francisco asked. “The Chicago area,” I responded. “I used to live there,” he said. “In the Hinsdale-Naperville area.” “Where’s that?” I replied. Born in Chicago, I spent my entire childhood in the northern suburbs. I had never heard of either Hinsdale or Naperville, much less the west suburban area in between. I’d had my driver’s license for a few years, but had never taken the Tri-State south of O’Hare. I’m not sure if I even knew it went south of O’Hare. It was the era of folding maps and my maps stopped at O’Hare. Hins-where? I knew all about Old Orchard, nothing about Oakbrook Center. About 15 years after that conversation, I moved to Naperville with that same young man and our three small children. By then I knew all about the once unknown “Hinsdale-Naperville area” and had made the pilgrimage south to the western suburbs many times. Though I’ve now lived in the western suburbs longer than the northern suburbs, I still feel as if I’m approaching Chicago from the “back way” when I see the Sears (Willis) Tower before the John Hancock when driving in on the Eisenhower or the Stevenson. And my family who live north still comment on how our home is “almost in Iowa” when they venture out to the west suburban hinterlands. When I worked in Chicago, my boss always thought I lived in Schaumburg — all the suburbs were the same to her. We know better. While many suburban

residents have a working knowledge of Chicago, city residents seem to revel in their ignorance of the suburbs. I learned early on to laugh at the offhand dismissals of the place where I live. Among those who used to especially like to

“

explored the once mythical “HinsdaleNaperville” area — from my kids’ Montessori School in Warrenville, to Little League games in Western Springs; from interviewing Ty Warner of Beanie Baby fame in Westmont, to bike riding on the

I learned early on to laugh

at the offhand dismissals of the place where I live.

make fun of our suburban neighborhood were some longtime friends who lived in the city of Denver . . . until they moved to the suburban Denver neighborhood they used to laugh at. They’re still there. Prior to moving to Naperville, I lived in a variety of suburbs in other states — from a campus in then-smalltown Tucson, to the south suburbs of Houston, to the south suburbs of Denver, to the east suburbs of Seattle, and back to the south suburbs of Denver. It wasn’t process of elimination that made us choose the western suburbs when we moved to Chicago. It was a matter of access to where my husband works — near the airport this northsider once didn’t know existed, the airport I now prefer — Midway. We arrived in Naperville just before its downtown became the phenomenon it is, just as the city began collecting “best” awards the way Seattle racks up rain totals. Our family grew with the city and fell in love with it. In the past 20 years, I’ve extensively

Illinois Prairie Path; from entertaining my children at the old DuPage Children’s Museum in Wheaton, to delighting them at Blackberry Farm near Sugar Grove. I have shopped in beautiful downtown Hinsdale and beautiful downtown Geneva, and virtually all of the towns between. I have seen amazing theatrical productions at the Paramount in downtown Aurora, enjoyed apple-picking in Elburn, and tried unsuccessfully to find the one spot in the western suburbs I visited as a teen -— the long-gone Old Chicago indoor amusement park in Bolingbrook. I couldn’t be happier to be writing about the western suburbs after working as a reporter for various newspapers and freelancing for various magazines. I left home decades ago to head west, and somehow ended up just west of where I began. I guess you could say I’ve come full circle. In the process, I’ve come to love this wonderful area in which we live and look forward to sharing it with you through this column in the months and years to come. n

26 JULY/AUGUST 2013 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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LOCAL AUTHORS

THE REMARK

HINSDALE by Sandra Williams, of Hinsdale,

BUSINESS TECHNIQUES IN TROUBLED TIMES

THE FIG FACTOR

by Brian Walter Budzynski of Lombard, $12. A

$22. Part of Arcadia Publishing’s

byThomas H. Gray of Lisle,

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condemned man in Stalinist

popular “Images of America”

$13. Gray draws on decades

propel people forward or hold

Poland is sent to a decaying

series, this book features more

of business experience with

them back? Ruiz shares eight

barn off the Baltic coast,

than 200 vintage photos,

dozens of companies to

secrets — or fig factors, as she

where four other men serve

helping readers visualize the

address the practical

calls them — for discovering true

their time completing

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challenges faced by small

awareness and embarcing life’s

unspoken-of tasks. When the

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business owners. Presenting

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Out&About

MUSIC

THEATRE

COMEDY

ART

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

HOME & GARDEN

AND MUCH MORE

Frampton’s Guitar Circus Aug 16 Rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Peter Frampton performs at RiverEdge Park in Aurora with blues legend B.B. King and slide guitarist Sonny Landreth. Call 630 896-6666 for tickets.

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Out&about

Calendar of Events

July 6 -28 The Three Musketeers

THEATRE

This outdoor theatre performance of the classic novel, presented by Theatre Hikes, is shown in the Morton Aboretum. Call 630 725-2066 for tickets.

| Shakespeare’s Cymbeline: A Folk Tale With Music | Through July 21, Wed - Sun, 8:15 p.m. This new version of the Shakespeare play takes place during the Civil War and includes ten original songs featuring bluegrass melodies. Cost: $37/26. First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate Forest Preserve, 1717 W 31st St., Oak Brook. 630 986-8067

| Boeing-Boeing | Through Aug 4, Wed - Sun, Wed

1:30 p.m., Thur 1:30 p.m. & 8 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 5 & 8:30 p.m. and Sun 2 & 6 p.m. Bernard, a jet-setting architect living in Paris during the 1960s is juggling three flight attendant fiancees, a scheme he reveals to his brother. “SNL” alum Nora Dunn also stars. Cost: $74/30. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Ln, Oakbrook Terrace. 630 530-0111

The Three Musketeers Presented By TheatreHikes ® | July 6 - 28, Saturdays & Sundays, 1 p.m. This outdoor performance of the classic novel is geared toward children ages 6 to 14. Cost: $19/8. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 725-2066

family is dissected in this rock musical. Cost: $50/38. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Ln, Oakbrook Terrace 630 530-0111

| Jesus Christ Superstar | July 12-14, July 19-21, Fri &

Sat 8 p.m., and Sun 3 p.m. The original rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life, and the production parallels his rise to contemporary celebrity worship. Cost: $15. The Hemmens Cultural Center, Symphony Way, Elgin. 847 931-5900 Midsummer Theatre Troupe’s Shakespeare In The Park | July 12, 7 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park provides audience members of all ages with an outdoor theater experience in the park. This year, the performance is The Comedy of Errors. Central Park, 104 E Benton Ave., Naperville. 630 848-5000

comedy | Chicago Clean Comedy | Ongoing, Fri - Sat 7:30 &

| American Idol Tour | Sat, July 6, 7:30 p.m. American

Whose Line? | Ongoing, Fri & Sat 8 p.m. Actors perform short-form improv with audience interaction. Cost: $20. Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora 630 585-0300

| Annie | July

12 - Aug 3, Thur - Sat, Thur & Fri 7:30 p.m. and Sat 2 & 7:30. No 2 p.m. performance on Sat, July 13. Cost: $14/12. Overshadowed Theatrical Productions, 777 So Meacham Rd. Elk Grove Village. 630 250-7518

| Jay Pharoah | Fri, July 19, 8 p.m. & 9:45 p.m. Jay Pharoah from “SNL” is doing his stand-up routine. He’s known for his celebrity impressions. Cost: $25. Zanies Comedy Night Club, Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E Main St., St. Charles. 630 584-6342

| Chicago Shakespeare In The Parks | July 26 - Aug 25, Tue - Sat, 6:30 p.m. & Sun, 4 p.m. Except Sun, Aug 25, performance at 3 p.m. This travelling, 75-minute production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, the tale of mistaken identities when two men look for their long-lost twin brothers. Various parks in Chicago. customerservice@chicagoshakes.com or 312 595-5600

| Whose Line? The Naughty Show | Ongoing, Fri & Sat at 10 p.m. Actors perform short-form improv with audience interaction. Adult content; for patrons ages 17 and older. Cost: $20/12. Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora 630 585-0300

| James And The Giant Peach Presented By TheatreHikes | Aug 3 - 25, Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m.

A boy who was always told he was worth nothing achieves the impossible in this play based on the story by Roald Dahl. Geared toward children 6-13. Some adult humor. Cost: $19/8. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 725-2066

- Sun, 8:15 p.m. When a charming con-man named Starbuck comes to a drought stricken Western town during the Great Depression, he sets a family’s world on end. Cost: $37/26. First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate Forest Preserve, 1717 W 31st St., Oak Brook. 630 986-8067

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The cerebral pop duo come to Ravinia to perform songs off their 2012 album “Love This Giant.” Cost: $65/27. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100

| Naperville Park District’s Rollin’ On The River | Through Aug 2, Fridays, 7 - 9 p.m. Except for July 5. Join the Naperville Park District on Friday nights for live music with a different performer each week. Riverwalk Free Speech Pavilion at Jackson Ave. & Webster St., Naperville. 630 848-5000 | Anita Baker | Sat, July 13, 7:30 p.m. The eight-time

Grammy Award-winner Anita Baker comes to Ravinia to perform her greatest R&B and soul hits. Cost: $85/38. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100

music

from across the country and all over the world perform at the Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower. Naperville Riverwalk near Rotary Hill, 441 Aurora

| David Byrne & St. Vincent | Sat, July 6, 7:30 p.m.

| Trace

| Millennium Carillon 2013 Summer Recital Series | July 2 - August 20, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Carillonneurs

| Next To Normal | Aug 22 - Oct 6, Wed - Sun, Wed 1:30 p.m., Thur 1:30 p.m. & 8 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 5 & 8:30 p.m. and Sun 2 & 6 p.m A “normal” American

Idol winner Candice Glover performs with the rest of the final 10 contestants. Cost: $79/46. Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 847 635-6601

| Farcical Fairy Tales | Ongoing, Sat 2 p.m. A new, family-friendly improv show aimed at kids and adults alike. Cost: $10/5. Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora 630 585-0300

| Rockin’ In The Park | Thursdays through Aug 15, 7 - 9:45 p.m. Also Wed, July 3 & 31. The free concert series Rockin’ in the Park is back in Rosemont. Each date of the series will offer live bands and fireworks, as well as food and beverage tents. MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Pl., Rosemont. 847 349-5008

| The Rainmaker | Aug 3 - Sept 1, Wed

| Bruce In The USA | Thur, July 4, 6 p.m. A cover band

recreates a Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band show. Following, the Fox Valley Orchestra performs. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 896-6666

9:30 p.m., and Sun 7:30 p.m. This improv comedy club for adults and teens features clean and inoffensive comedy. Cost: $15/11. Chicago Comedy Co., 601 N Martingale Rd., Schaumburg. 847 240-0380

Ave., Naperville. 630 848-3611

Atkins: The Country Lineup | Sat, July 13, 4 p.m. Country crooner Trace Atkins performs with Aaron Lewis, Blackberry Smoke and Drake White. Cost: $50/35. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 896-6666

Naperville Park District Concerts In Your Park Presented By Continental Motors Of Naperville | July 14 - Aug 4, Sundays, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Enjoy this summertime live music series designed for families and neighborhoods throughout Naperville. Various parks in Naperville. info@napervilleparks.org

| Summer Jazz in the Park | Wed, July 17 & Aug 21, 7 - 9 p.m. The Glen Ellyn Jazz Ensemble, a 16-member group, plays jazz at Lake Ellyn Park. Bring a blanket, a picnic dinner and lawn chairs. Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. 630 858-2462 | Concerts In The Park: The Neverly Brothers | Thur,

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July 18, 7:30 p.m. The Neverly Brothers play rock ‘n’ roll favorites as well as rhythm and blues hits from the 1950s through 1964. Settlers’ Park, Downtown Plainfield just South of Village Hall, Southeast of the intersection of Lockport St. and Van Dyke Rd., Plainfield. 815 609-6124

Sheryl Crow | Fri, July 19, 7:30 p.m. The nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow is at Ravinia performing her hit country songs with special guest Kristen Kelly. Cost: $100/33. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100

| Under The Sun Tour | Sat, July 20, 6 p.m. The Under the Sun tour includes musical acts such as Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon and Fastball. Cost: $65/27. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100 | The Music Of ABBA | Sat, July 20, 7:30 p.m. Arrival, a Swedish ABBA tribute band, has performed together since 1995. They perform all of ABBA’s greatest pop hits. Cost: $58/43. The Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd., Rosemont. 800 745-3000 | Hot Jazz - Six Cool Nites | July 21, 23-27, Sun & Tue Sat, 7:30 p.m. Concert featuring student performers from Janice Borla’s 25th annual Vocal Jazz Camp. Cost: $20/5. North Central College’s Madden Theatre, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | Naper Nights Community Concert Series | July 26 & 27, Aug 23 & 24, Fri - Sat, 5 -10 p.m. This year’s theme is a “History of Rock.” Enjoy beverages and listen to rock tribute bands work their way from the Beatles to Dave Matthews Band. Cost: $15/5. Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St. Naperville. 630 420-6010 | Steely Dan | Aug 1-2, Thur - Fri, 7:30 p.m. The two remaining members of Steely Dan, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, along with some supporting members are making a two-day stop at Ravinia for their 2013 Mood Swings tour. Cost: $105/38. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100 | Summer At Town Square: Steve Cooper Orchestra |

Mon, Aug 5, 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. The Steve Cooper Orchestra, featuring vocalist Mary Kalfas, performs beloved musical selections from Hollywood movies plus ballroom favorites. Town Square, Schaumburg. 847 923-3144

| TROPIXLOSION | Sat, Aug 10, 7:30 p.m. TROPIXLOSION

is a Caribbean show-band that features steel drums, percussion, vocals and Blue Man-style performance pieces. Settlers’ Park, Downtown Plainfield just South of Village Hall, Southeast of the intersection of Lockport St. and Van Dyke Rd., Plainfield. 815 609-6124

| Josh Groban | Sat, Aug 10, 7:30 p.m. The singer, known for his vocal range, is stopping in Ravinia before starting his fall tour, “All That Echoes.” Cost: $120/33. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100

| Sail Rock | Sat, Aug 10, 8 p.m. Christopher Cross, Orleans, Gary Wright, Firefall, John Ford Coley, Robbie Dupree and Player get together to perform their songs from the 70’s and early 80’s. Cost: $60/30. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 896-6666 | Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Fri, Aug 16, 7:30 p.m. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs the entire score of the second installment of Lord of the Rings, the Two Towers. Cost: $25/5. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100 | Buddy Guy | Sat, Aug 17, 7:30 p.m. The pioneer of Chicago blues is at Ravinia with George Thorogood & WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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The Destroyers. Cost: $85/33. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100

| Peter Frampton’s Guitar Circus | Fri, Aug 16, 6:30 p.m. Rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Peter Frampton performs. The show also features slide blues guitarist Sonny Landreth and blues legend B.B. King. Cost: $55/35. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 896-6666 | The

Pink Floyd Experience | Sat, Aug 17, 8 p.m. The Pink Floyd Experience recreates a Pink Floyd concert, down to the lasers and the flying pig. Cost: $60/20. RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 896-6666

Aug 10 Sail rock Orleans (pictured) shares the stage with Christopher Cross, Firefall, Gary Wright, John Ford Coley, Robbie Dupree and Player at RiverEdge Park. Call 630 896-6666 for tickets.

The Congregation | Sat, Aug 17, 8 p.m. Classic soul meets rock ‘n’ roll in this eight-piece band from Chicago. One of the members is Fermilab’s own Astrophysicist Dan Hooper, his musical alias being Charlie Wayne. Cost: $15/8. Ramsay Auditorium, Wilson Hall, Fermilab, Kirk Rd. & Pine St., Batavia. 630 840-2787

| Cheap

Trick | Sat, Aug 31, 7:30 p.m. Cheap Trick will perform two classic albums with an orchestra. One album is their own, “At Budokan,” and the other is the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Cost: $70/27. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 630 541-6096

| Tony Bennett | Thur, Aug 22, 8 p.m. The 86-year-old

crooner is spending a night at Ravinia performing. Cost: $101/34. Ravinia Pavilion, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 847 266-5100

Festivals

| Get The Led Out - The American Led Zeppelin |

Fri, Aug 30, 8 p.m. A part of the Downtown Alive! Music Series, Get The Led Out is a Led Zeppelin tribute band that recreates on stage the complete sound of Led Zeppelin’s recordings. They present a two hourplus set that spans the career of Led Zeppelin. Cost: $8. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 896-6666

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| Lisle Eyes to the Skies | July 3 - 7, Wed 5 - 11 p.m., Thur noon - 11 p.m., Fri 3 - 11 p.m., Sat & Sun noon - 11 p.m. Hot air balloon launches and rides, carnival, craft fair and live music. Lisle Community Park, Lisle. 630 769-1000 | Naperville Ribfest | July 3 - 7, Wed, 4 - 10 p.m., Thur Sun noon - 10 p.m. Rib vendors, music featuring Casey

James, Love and Theft, Slash, Lynyrd Skynyrd and others, a carnival and more. Cost: $15/12. Knoch Park, Naperville. 630 545-7100

| 4th of July Festival | July 3 - 4, Wed & Thur. Parade, music, games, fireworks and live music. Cerny Park, River Rd. & Forest View, Warrenville. 630 393-9427 |

Glendale Heights Fest | July 10 - 14, Wed - Sun, Carnival, fireworks, live entertainment and food vendors. Camera Park, 101 E Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights. 630 260-6000

| Railroad Days | July 11 - 14, Thur 4:30 - 10 p.m., Fri 4:30 - 11 p.m., Sat noon - midnight, and Sun 2:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fine arts festival, live entertainment and a carnival. Reed Keppler Park, 129 W National

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| Taste of Westmont | July 11 - 14, Thur 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Fri 4 - 10:30 p.m., Sat noon - 10:30 p.m., Sun noon - 9 p.m. Music, carnival, car show and more. Downtown Westmont. 630 829-9378 | Itasca Fest | July 11 - 14, Thur - Sun, Thur 6 - 11 p.m., Fri 6 p.m. - midnight, Sat noon - midnight, and Sun noon - 11 p.m. Music, carnival, children’s entertainment, food and more. Washington Park, Irving Park and Bloomingdale Roads., Itasca. 630 773-0835 | Windmill City Festival | July 12 - 14, Fri 5 - 11 p.m., Sat 11 a.m., - 11 p.m., and Sun 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Music, carnival, craft show, and more. Downtown Batavia. 630 879-5235

Lemont Heritage Festival | Sat, July 13. Live music, children’s activities, food and more. Downtown Lemont. 630 243-2700

| Naperville Woman’s Club Fine Art Fair | July 13 - 14, Sat - Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Original works, children’s activities and more. Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St., Naperville. 630 420-9680 | Kane County Fair | July 17 - 21, Wed

3 - 11 p.m., Thur noon - 11 p.m., Fri & Sat noon - midnight, and Sun noon - 9 p.m. Live music, demolition derby, rodeo and more. Cost: $8. Kane County Fairgrounds, Rt. 38 & Randall Rd., St. Charles. 630 584-6926

| DuPage County Fair | July 24 - 28, Wed - Sun, 8 a.m.

- 11 p.m. Live music, carnival, youth talent show, livestock auction and more. DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W Manchester Rd., Wheaton. 630 668-6636

| Family Fun Fest | Fri, July 26, 6:30 .m. - 8:30 p.m. Face painting, games, and much more. Cost: $10. Community Park Bandshell, 1825 Short St., Lisle. 630 964-3410 | Sugar Grove Corn Boil | July 26 - 28, Fri 4 - 11 p.m., Sat 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m., and Sun 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Carnival, entertainment, and arts and crafts. 85 Main St., Sugar Grove. 630 466-5166

| Streamwood Summer Celebration | July 26 - 28, Fri 5 - 10 p.m., Sat noon - 11 p.m., and Sun noon - 8 p.m. Music, carnival and games. 700 W Irving Rd., Streamwood. 630 736-3800 | Geneva Arts Fair | July 27 - 28, Sat - Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Over 150 artist booths display their works in an open-air show. Third St., Geneva. 630 232-6060 | Anonapalooza Family Summerfest | July 27 - 28, Sat Sun noon - 7 p.m. Family activities, live music and more. Cost: $5. Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Dr., Geneva. 630 909-9121 | Aurora Puerto Rican 42nd Heritage Festival | July 27

- 28, Sat - Sun, 11 a.m. The Puerto Rican Heritage Festival includes the “Aurora’s Got Talent” competition, live folk music, food and novelty vendors and a heritage parade on Sunday. Cost: $2/1. RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 631-9270

| Kendall County Fair | Aug 1 - 4, Thur - Sun. Demolition derby,

professional bull riding and live music. Cost: $10/5. Kendall County Fairgrounds, 10826 Rt. 71, Yorkville, 630 553-2860

| Romeofest | Aug 1 - 4, Thur - Sun. Food, carnival rides,

fireworks, sports tournaments, live music and more. 1050 and 900 W Romeo Rd., Romeoville. 815 886-6222

| GreenFest |Sat, Aug 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Explore ecofriendly products and services, listen to guest speakers, drop-off recycling, go to adult workshops, and children can

Photos by Graham Webb

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participate in kids’ classes. Wilder Park, 175 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. 630 993-8980

| Summer Daze Festival | Aug 2 - 3, Fri - Sat. Car show, kids’ activities, teen area, rides and live bands. City Hall Campus, Butterfield & Batavia Roads., Warrenville. 630 393-9080 | Lollapalooza | Aug 2 - 4, Fri - Sun. Music festival featuring multiple acts each day on various stages. Grant Park, Chicago. www.lollapalooza.com | Taste of Roselle | Aug 2 - 4, Fri - Sun. Food, crafts, kids’ carnival and more. Downtown Roselle. 630 980-2000

July 13 & Aug 10

| North Aurora Days | Aug 2 - 4, Fri - Sun. Craft show,

Summer Wildflower Walk

parade, fishing derby and live entertainment. Throughout North Aurora. 630 897-8228

Explore how colorful flowers and grasses change from day to day in the prairies, woodlands and wetlands at the Morton Arboretum. Call 630 719-2468

| Montgomery Fest | Aug 9 - 11, Fri 5 - 9 p.m., Sat - Sun 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Carnival, crafts and music. Montgomery Park, River and Mill Streets, Montgomery. 630 896-8080 | Veggie Fest | Aug 10 - 11, Sat - Sun 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

| International

Folk Dancing | Ongoing, Thursdays 8 - 11 p.m. Traditional dancing of many lands mostly without partners. Fermilab, Kuhn Village Barn or Wilson Hall, Pine St. and Kirk Rd., Batavia. 630 584-0825 or 630 840-8194

Food, music and speakers focused on vegetarianism. 4S175 Naperville/Wheaton Rd., Naperville. 630 955-1200

| Elburn Days | Aug 16 - 18, Fri 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sat 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun 9:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Parade, live music, carnival, games, rides, food and more. Lions Park, 500 Filmore St., Elburn. 630 365-6315

art

| Hummingbird Festival | Sat, Aug 17, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Celebrate the beauty of hummingbirds and come for hummingbird games, viewing and a demonstration of how the birds are banded for tracking and research purposes. Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W 111th St., Lemont. 630 257-2045

| Folk Art | Through Sept 2013. Sat - Sun, 12 - 4 p.m.

Discover the traditional world of homemade folk art from folks of 19th and 20th century Illinois. DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 Wesley St., Wheaton. 630 510-4941

| Naperville Wine Festival | Aug 23 - 24, Fri 4 - 10 p.m.,

| Community Art Banner Project | Through Sept 2013. One-of-a-kind pole banners will be displayed all along Main Street in this competition that will ‘question the balance in the world.’ Gallery 200, 200 Main St., West Chicago. 630 231-3376

and Sat 2 - 8 p.m. Wines from around the world, music and food from local restaurants. Cost: $35/29. CityGate Centre, 2155 City Gate Ln., Naperville. 847 382-3270

| Hometown Days Festival | Aug 29 - Sept 1, Thur Sun. Live entertainment, car show, carnival rides, a pet parade and more. Beecher Community Park, Yorkville. 630 553-4357

| Begin To Draw Nature | Mondays, July 1- 29, 6:30

- 9:30 p.m. A beginner class that teaches the basics of nature drawing, including how to hold the pencil and what paper to use. Cost: $188/160. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

| Chicago Jazz Festival | Aug 29 - Sept 1, Thur noon

- 3 p.m., 5 - 6 p.m. & 6:30 p.m., Fri 2 - 10 p.m., Sat & Sun 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Millennium Park, Chicago. 312 744-3316

| Garden Journaling | Sun, July 21, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Use photos, nature prints and pressings to create an embellished sketchbook or journal. Cost: $71/60. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

| Naperville

Last Fling | Aug 30 - Sept 2, Fri - Mon. Main stage entertainment, carnival, parade, and more. Downtown Naperville. 630 961-4143 or www.lastfling.org

family & General

| Alley

(ART) Festival | Sat, Aug 31, noon - 5 p.m. Local art, carnival, yoga classes and more. Water Street Mall, Downer Place & Galena Blvd., Aurora.

| Lombard Cruise Nights | Through Aug 31, Saturdays, 6 – 10 p.m. Park the cruise car and enjoy some flashback ‘50s music on Saturdays this summer. Cruise cars can park along St. Charles Road from Main Street to Elizabeth St. in Lombard. 630 620-3083

| Oakbrook Center Invitational Fine Art Exhibition |

Aug 31 - Sept 1, Sat 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sun 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fine art showcase. Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook. 630 573-0700

| Liberty 5K Run/Walk | Wed, July 3, 7:30 p.m. Support our military service men and women and participate in the ¼ Mile Kids Fun Run for kids under 8, 1 Mile Kids Fun Run for ages 9-13 or the certified 5K for adults. Cost: $30/25. Liberty St., Downtown Morris. 815 941-0245

dance |

Dancing In The Western Suburbs | Ongoing, Wednesdays 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. Dance lessons followed by salsa until 11 p.m. All ages, singles welcome. Cost: $8. Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S Archer, Willow Springs. 708 839-1000

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| Afternoon Festivities | Thurs, July 4, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. There are family fun festivities in Lake Ellyn Park after the fourth of July parade. These include carnival games |

with tickets redeemable for prizes, live music, an inflatable obstacle course and moonwalks. Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. 630 858-2462

| Hooked On Fishing| Sun, July 7 & Aug 11 and Sat July 20, 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. Spend the morning fishing, catch and release, in the Arboretum’s Lake Marmo. This lake contains a wide variety of fish including bluegills and bass. For families with children 6 and up. Cost: $17/10. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | Summer At Town Square: Circus Boy | Tue, July 9, 7 p.m. Enjoy a show of comedy, incredible acts of bravery and wacky stunts. Town Square, Schaumburg. 847 923-3435 | Snail Trails | Wed, July 10 & Tue, July 16, 9:30 - 10:45

a.m. A sensory-based class for children between 20 -35 months old with an adult. Children pretend to be snails, go on a snail hunt, play games and make a slimy craft. Cost: $22/15. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

Cruise Night And Concerts On The Plaza | Wednesdays through Aug 21, 6 - 8 p.m. Enjoy food and a live concert while showing off your classic, custom or super car. There are different performers each night. The car parking is limited to 230 spaces. The Arboretum, 100 W Higgins Rd., South Barrington. 847 426-6200

| Sidewalk Sale | July 12 - July 13, Fri & Sat, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. The annual Hindsale Sidewalk Sale is back. Shop on the sidewalks of more than 80 participating businesses. The sale is all throughout downtown Hinsdale. 630 323-3952 | Family Twilight Adventures | Sat, July 13 & Aug 3, 6 - 8 p.m. and Fri, July 19 & Aug 9, 7 - 9 p.m. Go on an adventure after hours in the Morton Arboretum. Hike, do activities and roast marshmallows before going on a silent tram ride through the dark woods. Cost: $19/16. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | Boating at Lake Ellyn | Sun, July 14 & Aug 11, noon - 5 p.m. Pack a picnic and bring the family to Lake Ellyn. Enjoy a nice walk, lunch and canoe rides. Canoes, paddles, oars and life jackets are provided. Cost: $5 for 20 minute rentals. Lake Ellyn, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. 630 858-2462.

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| Special

Needs Nights At Centennial Beach | Sun, July 14 & 28, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Families with members who have special needs can enjoy a quiet, relaxing evening after regular opening hours. Cost: $3. 500 W Jackson Ave., Naperville. 630 848-5000

| Cosley Zoo Uncorked: A Wild Wine-Tasting Experience| Thur, July 18, 5:30 - 8 p.m. Guests can take a stroll through the zoo after hours and enjoy an evening of wine, food and music. There are 40 different wines avaliable from Famous Liquors of Forest Park. Cost: $50/35. Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. 630 665-5534

| Nights In The Wild - Good Ole BBQ | Fri, July 19, 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Brookfield Zoo’s Great Bear Wilderness. Afterwards, go on a Motor Safari to the dinner location where a buffet is prepared by Brookfield Zoo’s culinary team. Cost: $150/75. 8400 W 31 St., Brookfield. 708 688-8355 | National Hot Dog Day | Fri, July 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Visit the Heritage Center and celebrate national hotdog day with a free hot dog from Mickey’s Hot Dogs. Heritage Center, Oakbrook Terrace Park District, 1S325 Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. 630 627-6100 | Mr. D’s Magic Show | Fri, July 19, 1 p.m. Mr. D has been performing for 25 years. Enjoy magic and illusions combined with comedy, audience participation, fire and live animals. Heritage Park, Oakbrook Terrace Park District, 1S325 Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. 630 627-6100 | Family Fun Night | Wed, July 24, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Family-oriented entertainment, games, crafts and rides. Lake Ellyn, 645 Lenox Rd., Glen Ellyn. 630 858-2462

| Glen Ellyn Park District Neighborhood Meet & Greet | Thur, July 25, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Enjoy a complimentary

picnic on a first-come, first-served basis. Meet Park board members and ask questions related to the district. Danby Park, 280 Duane St., Glen Ellyn. 630 858-2462

| Movie At The Lake | Fri, July 26, 8:15 p.m. Get the whole family together to watch Pixar’s “Brave” outdoors. Lake Ellyn, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. 630 858-0920 | Family Camp-out Adventure | July 26 - 27 & Aug 2 - 3, Fri & Sat, 6:30 p,m. - 9 a.m. Pitch a tent, enjoy hands-on activities such as night hikes and bedtime stories with the family. In the morning have a light breakfast and explore the Children’s Garden before it opens. The July date is best suited for families with children between the ages of 2-8 and the August date is best suited for children between the ages of 5-10. Tents are not provided. Cost: $37/30. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | Nights In The Wild - Dinosaur Delight | Fri, Aug 16, 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Brookfield Zoo’s Great Dinosaurs ALIVE! exhibit. Afterwards, go on a Motor Safari to the dinner location where a buffet is prepared by Brookfield Zoo’s culinary team. Cost: $150/75. 8400 W 31 St., Brookfield. 708 688-8355 | Sing-A-Long-A

Grease| Fri, Aug 9, 8 p.m. See the hit musical from 1978 on the big screen, where dancing is encouraged and singing is mandatory. Cost: $5. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora. 630 896-6666

| Park Palooza | Sat, Aug 24, 5 – 10 p.m. Bring blankets

to Park Palooza and enjoy the music of Chicago-based bands the Sons of Never Wrong and the Matt Stedman Band. The fest also features Uncle Bub’s barbecue and a beer garden. Berens Park, 493 N Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. 630 993-8900

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to preserve food, pickling. Cost: $2/1. Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. 630 377-6424

| Kohl Children’s Museum “Watch Us Grow” Butterfly Exhibit | Through Sept 1, Mon, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.,

Tue - Sat, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sun 12 -5 p.m. Children are able to view four stages of Monarch butterfly development from eggs to adult butterflies. Cost: $10/9, Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. 847 832-6600

| Children’s Story Hour | Through Aug 26, Mondays,

10 - 11 a.m. Families can spread their blankets out by the farmhouse and hear stories from the 1890s, including Tom Sawyer, Peter Rabbit, and Princess Scheherazade. Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 Country Farm Rd., West Chicago. 630 876-5900

| Musical Fun at Maryknoll with Wee Heart Music |

Mon, July 8 & Thur, August 15, 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Enjoy chanting, singing and dancing with “Miss Christy” Burich from Music Together, which is an early childhood music program. Maryknoll Park Party Tent, 845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn. 630 858-2462

Naperville Park District Children’s Lunch-Hour Entertainment | Through July 30, Tuesdays, 12 - 12:45 p.m. From a mini-circus variety show to musical acts, children can enjoy some entertainment. Depending on the day, either located at Frontier Park, Book Road Entrance 3380 Cedar Glade Rd., Naperville, or Grand Pavilion, Centennial Park 500 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville. 630 848-5000

| Tom Chapin And Friends| Sun, July 14, 1 p.m. Tom

Chapin and Friends is a family-friendly band. Chapin has been nominated for Grammy awards for his songs. Cost: $10/5. Martin Theatre, Ravinia, 201 St. John’s Ave., Highland Park. 847 266-5100

Lockport

best of downtown

| Girl Scouts Brownie Acting Camp: GIRL POWER! SUPER POWER! | July 15 - 20, Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 12

p.m. & Sat performance at 4 p.m. The girls will spend a week exploring their connection to each other, friendship and super powers within. They will use voice, movement, and teamwork through games to create a play of their own. Girls do not have to be a Girl Scout to participate. Cost: $150. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W Main St., St. Charles. 630 587-8521.

Best Bike Event Best Canal Trail B es t Pa t io D ining Best Classic Car Show more information on our web site

| Spider

City | July 20 - July 21, Sat - Sun, 11 a.m. 4 p.m. Brian Moskalik Ph.D goes into the world of these miniature predators. View local spiders, praying mantises and even exotic tarantulas. Children’s Garden, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

| Forest Fairies Class | Sun, Juiy 21, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Join the magical fairies of the Oakbrook Terrace Forest for an outdoor adventure and turn into a fairy. For children between the ages of 5 and 12. Cost: $25/20. Oakbrook Terrace Park District, 1S325 Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. 630 627-6100

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| Textile Day | Sun, July 14, 1 - 4 p.m. Learn the technique of making linen from flax, how sheep wool becomes yarn and the weaving techniques to make strong straps. Cost: $2/1. Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. 630 377-6424

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Pickling Party At Durant House | Sundays, Aug 4 & 18, 1 - 4 p.m. Learn about the way people used

Faces Of The 1st | Through Sept 2, Tue - Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A multimedia exhibit that tells the stories of those who served the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, known as the Big Red One. First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 30 260-8185

Shutter To Think: The Rock & Roll Lens Of Paul Natkin | Through Aug 25, Tues - Sun 1 - 5 p.m. Natkin’s photographic gems include famous faces throughout rock ‘n roll history, including Springsteen, Madonna, The Who and more. Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E Park Ave., Elmhurst. 630 833-1457

| Belle of Amherst | Sun, July 28, 2 p.m. Storyteller and

artist Paddy Lynn shares the story of poet Emily Dickinson. Cost: $4.50/2. Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Rd., Oak Brook. 630 655-2090

| Walking Tours of the Historic Riverside | Sun, July

28, 2 p.m., The tour covers the north side of the river, including the Tomek House by Frank Lloyd Wright and architecture by William LeBaron Jenney, Joseph Silsbee, Howard Van Doren Shaw and Purcell & Elmslie. A second tour on Sun, Aug 25, covers the south side of the village. Cost: $10/3. Riverside Railway Depot, 90 Bloomingbank Rd., Riverside. 708 442-7675

| Archaeology Field Session 1 | Aug 14 - 16, Aug 21 -23, Wed - Fri, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Participate in or observe archaeological investigations of the 1830s/1840s log tavern site. The Garfield Farm and Inn Musuem, Garfield Rd., LaFox. 630 584-8485

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| Senior Suburban Orchestra “Play-Day” | Tuesdays, July 9 & Aug 13, 1 - 3:15 p.m. Senior Suburban Orchestra is hosting sight-reading sessions for orchestral musicians. Participating musicians need to bring their own instruments and music stands. Oak Trace Baptist Home, 200 Village Dr., Downers Grove. 630 935-7103

HOME & GARDEN | Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society Show | July 6 - July 7, Sat 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society’s annual show features floral arrangements in four artistic categories, and a judged display of more than 100 lily blooms in different varieties. Cost: $43/35Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. 847 835-5440

| Gardening For Fragrance | Sat, July 13, 8:30 a.m.

- 12:30 p.m. Tour the Morton Arboretum’s Fragrance Garden and learn from the Arboretum’s successes as well as failures. Look for plants to bring more fragrance into gardens. Cost: $52/44. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

| Xeriscaping & Low Maintenance Gardening | Sat, July 13, 10 to 11 a.m. Horiculturist Dan Kosta

leads a class about xeriscaping, or drought-tolerant landscaping, along with maintenance gardening. Vern Goers Greenhouse, 5260 S. Oak St., Hinsdale. 630 323-1085

| Landscape Plants: Late Summer | Thursdays, July 18 & July 25, 6 - 9 p.m. Also Sat, July 27, 9 a.m. - noon. Learn how to identify approximately 30 selected native and exotic shrubs, which are at the peak of

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their beauty in July. Cost: $127/108. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

| Do-It-Yourself Rain Gardens | Sat, July 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Learn how to design, build and plant a rain garden for home. Cost: $69/59. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 |

Cactus & Succulent Society Of Greater Chicago Show & Sale | July 20 - 21, Sat-Sun, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Cactus and Succulent Society of Greater Chicago presents a show and sale of cactuses and succulents. Sale features plants grown by members of the society. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. 847 835-5440

| Bird & Butterfly Gardens | Sat, Aug 10, 10 a.m. Hosted by horiculturalist Dan Kosta, he talks about how to attract bird and butterflies to the garden. Vern Goers Greenhouse, 5260 S. Oak St., Hinsdale. 630 323-1085

| Heirloom Garden Show | Sun, Aug 25, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. A show and sale of speciality fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs grown by Midwesterners. Cost: $6/3. Garfield Farm and Museum, 3N016 Garfield Rd, LaFox. 630 584-8485

hobbies |

Indian Prairie Computer Club | Ongoing, Second Wednesday of every month, 9:30 a.m. Offers periodic presentations by guest speakers or club members as well as a general Q&A session. Hinsdale Community House, 415 W Eighth St., Hinsdale. 630 953-9315

Genealogy Group | Ongoing, Fourth Thursday of every month, 1 - 3 p.m. Local genealogists share tips on researching family history. Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Rd., Darien. 630 887-8760

Classic Film Discussion Group | Sat, July 20, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Showing of Roman Polanski 1975 classic Chinatown, followed by discussion. Eola Road Branch, 555 S Eola Rd., Aurora. 630 264-3400

English (ESL) Conversation Groups | Ongoing, First and third Sat of every month, 10 a.m. - noon. Volunteerguided group practices English pronouncation and conversation skills. Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Rd., Darien. 630 887-8760

| Life Drawing And Painting | Ongoing, Saturdays 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. One three-hour pose for each class allows for developing more extended works in any medium. Cost: $15. DuPage Art League, 218 W Front St., Wheaton. 630 653-7090

ANTIQUES & CRAFTS | La Grange Craft Fair | July 13-14, Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.,

Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. La Grange displays a broad range of crafts from original paintings to garden items to homemade clothing and home decor. The fair runs along La Grange Road, from Cassitt Ave. to Burlington and west on Harris St. to Ashland Ave., La Grange. 815 878-2728.

| Antique Tool Show & Sale | Sun, Aug 4, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Members of the Midwest Tool Collectors Association and the Early Industries Association display, trade and sell antique tools. Cost: $6/2. The Garfield Farm and Inn Museum, Garfield Road, LaFox. 630 584-8485

outdoors | Summer Bird Walks | Saturdays July 6 & 20 and Aug 3 WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Out&about

Calendar of Events

Lisle French Market – Saturdays through Oct 26, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Commuter parking lot, 925 Burlington Ave. 312 575-0286

n Long Grove – Sundays through Oct 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Archer Parking Lot in historic downtown, 847 634-3117 n Morris French Country Market – Second Saturday each month through Oct 12, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sept 14 market only open 5 - 10 p.m. 123 W. Illinois Ave., Canal Port. www.3frenchhensmarket.blogspot.com or 815 513-5600

Naperville – Saturdays through Oct 29, 7 a.m. - noon. Fifth Ave. Metra station parking lot, 200 E Fifth Ave. 630 369-5638

n Oak Park – Saturdays through Oct 26, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pilgrim Church parking lot, 460 Lake St. 708 358-5780.

Oswego Country Market – Sundays through Sept 29, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Main St. 630 554-4433

Quick Guide To Area Farmers’ Markets n Aurora - Saturdays through Oct 19, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N Broadway; Wednesdays, July 10 - Sept 11, 1 - 5 p.m. West Plaza Shopping Center, 1901 W Galena Blvd.; Thursdays, July 11 - Aug 29, 1 - 6 p.m. Our Lady of Mercy, 701 E Eola Rd. 630 256-4636

Aug 15, Noon - 2 p.m. Old Gail Borden Library parking lot, SW corner of Kimball St. & N Grove Ave or 200 N Grove Ave. 847 488-1456 Elmhurst – Wednesdays through Oct 30, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. York Rd. & Vallette St. 630 832-4550

n Geneva French Market – Sundays through Nov 10, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Geneva Metra Station, 328 Crescent Pl. 312 575-0286

Bartlett - Fridays through Sept 13, 2 - 7 p.m., Village Hall lot, 228 S Main St., 630 837-0800 Batavia - Saturdays through Oct 19, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., North River St. between Wilson St. and State St., 630 761-3528

n Geneva Green Market – Thursdays through Oct 31, 617 W State St. 847 501-0430

Glen Ellyn – Fridays through Oct 25, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Main Street parking lot, adjacent to Giesche Shoes. 630 469-0907

Bolingbrook - Thursdays, through Aug 29, 4 - 9 p.m. (Sept 5 - Oct 3, 4 - 8 p.m.) Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E Boughton Rd. 630 296-8358

Hinsdale – Mondays through Oct 14, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Burlington Park, 30 E Chicago Ave. 630 323-3952 n

n Brookfield - Saturdays through Oct. 26, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Brookfield Village Hall parking lost, 8820 Brookfield Ave. 708 268-8080

Burr Ridge - Thursdays through Sept 26, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Burr Ridge Village Center. 630 654-2782

n Downers Grove - Saturdays through Oct 19, 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Metra Station parking lot near Main St. 630 968-8400

n Joliet – Fridays through Sept 27, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Van Buren Plaza and Chicago St., Downtown Joliet. 815 774-6066

East Dundee – Saturdays through Oct 26, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dundee Township Visitor’s Center, 319 N River St. 847 426-4307

n LaGrange – Thursdays through Oct 24, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Village parking lot, 53 S LaGrange Rd. 708 387-7550

Elgin Harvest Market – Thursdays through Oct 3, 9 a.m. - Noon. Open on July 4, Noon - 2 p.m. Kids Programming offered through

n Lemont – Tuesdays through Oct 29, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Talcott Square, Stephen & Talcott streets. 630 243-2700

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Schaumburg – Fridays through Oct 25, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Trickster Gallery, 190 S Roselle Rd. 847 895-4500

St. Charles – Fridays through Oct 25, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 4th Ave. and Main St. 630 584-6680

n Sugar Grove Farmer’s Market – Saturdays though Sept. 28, 8 a.m. - Noon. Municipal Building Parking Lot, 10 S. Municipal Dr. 630 466-7895 n Villa Park French Market – Sundays through Oct 27, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Park Blvd, west of Ardmore Ave. 312 575-0286

Western Springs French Market – Thursdays through Oct 24, 2 - 7 p.m. Historic Water Tower, Hillgrove Ave. 312 575-0286

Hoffman Estates – Thursdays through mid-October, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Prairie Stone and Sports Wellness parking lot, 5050 Sedge Blvd. 815 858-5005

n Riverside – Wednesdays through Oct 2, 2:30 - 7 p.m. Parking lot between Township Hall and Public Library. 708 447-2700

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Plainfield Open-Air Market – Saturdays through Sept. 28, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Rt. 59 and Lockport St. 630 608-7344

• Wheaton French Market – Saturdays through Dec 21, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Municipal parking lot at the corner of S Main St. and W. Liberty Dr. 312 575-0286 • Winfield – Wednesdays through Oct 30, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Prairie Trail Center, SW corner of County Farm and Geneva Rds. 630 682-3712 • Yorkville – Saturdays through Oct 26, 8 a.m. - noon. Town Square Park, Rt. 47 & Main St. 630 553-4350

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& 17, 8 - 10:30 a.m. Listen to bird calls and learn all about summer resident birds and their habits and behavior with an expert guide. Cost: $10/8. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

| Downers Grove Garden Walk | Sat July 13, 9:30 a.m.

- 3 p.m. Tour seven unique gardens, including a rain garden, vine-covered arbors, an edible garden, Boxwood Knot gardens and a dry creek bed. Cost: $25/20. Proceeds go to the Bridge Communities’ program for formerly homeless families. Takes place throughout Downers Grove. 630 968-7120

Aldo Botti on Divorce Settlements.

| Summer Wildflower Walk | Saturdays, July 13 & Aug 10, 9:30 - noon Explore how colorful flowers and grasses change from day to day in the prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. Cost: $26/18. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

In most divorce cases questions of

| Brunch at Ball Gardens | Sat, July 20, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Who gets the family home?

the assets and child custody have to be decided:

Brunch is served until 2 p.m. Enjoy brunch and garden tours at Ball Garden’s, the DuPage Friends of Extension’s annual fundraiser for the community programs provided by University of Illinois Extension in DuPage. Cost: $35. Ball Horticulture, 622 Town Rd., West Chicago. 630 534-6443

• How will bank accounts be divided? • Who gets custody of the children?

HEALTH & FITNESS

• How much are the support payments? • And what are the visitation rights?

| Yoga Classes For Cancer Survivors | Ongoing, Mon & Wed 6:00 p.m., and Fri 9 - 10 a.m. LivingWell offers these classes for cancer survivors and their family members. Pre-registration required. CDH Cancer Center, 4405 Weaver Pkwy., Warrenville. 630 262-1111 | Spinning Classes | Ongoing. Personal training on the new Pilates Allegro Reformer. Call for specific times. Cost: $55/30. Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, 3551 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. 630 275-2782 | Liberty 5K Run/Walk | Wed, July 3, 7:30 p.m. Begin-

ning at Liberty St., this certified 5K goes through Downtown Morris, area parks, neighborhoods and returns downtown Liberty St. Military Service men and women will receive special recognition and proceeds benefit Patriots 4 Heroes. Cost:$30/25. Downton Morris, finish on Liberty St. 815 941-0245

| Freedom Four 4-Mile Run | Thur, July 4, 8 a.m. People of all ages can spend their 4th of July racing for a cause. All proceeds go to the Park District which provides scholarships to help provide recreation opportunities for families in Glen Ellyn. Cost : $30/25. Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd. Glen Ellyn. 630 858-2462 | Color

Vibe 5K Race | Sat, July 6, 8 a.m. It’s not the average 5K run. Runners are blasted by vibrant color powders as they run through downtown Aurora, along the Fox River and end in RiverEdge Park. Cost: $50/40. RiverEdge Park, 360 North Broadway, Aurora. support@ thecolorvibe.com.

If spouses can’t agree, the judge

Aldo Botti

decides by relying on the lawyer’s presentation of evidence during a hearing.

The spouse whose lawyer does it better is more likely to get a satisfactory settlement. For more information about divorce, call 630-573-8585 and ask for me.

Botti Law Firm, PC. Jean M. Lasics-Wessels, Michael R. Botti, John E. Botti and Associates 1550 Spring Rd, Third Floor • Oak Brook, IL 60523 • www.botti-law.com 1755 S. Naperville Rd. • Wheaton, IL 60187 • 630.573.8585

culinary | Cooking With Marco | Ongoing, Second Monday of every month, 7 - 9 p.m. Cooking and preparation demonstrations, with samples, wines and recipes. Cost: $35. Café Amano, 105 S York St., Elmhurst. 630 279-9333 or www.cafeamano.com

sports | 2013 U.S. Classic | Sat, July 27, 1 p.m. for junior level

and 6 p.m. for senior level. The Sears Centre Arena is hosting the final qualifying women’s gymnastics event, which determines U.S. champions and the national team WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Calendar of Events for the Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016. Cost: $69/20. Sears Centre Arena, 333 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates. 888-732-7784

| Men’s City Championship Golf Tournament | July 27 - 28, Sat - Sun, 6 a.m. Don’t miss this championship, a 36-hole format with 18 holes played at Springbrook and Naperbrook. Any amateur male golfer 18 and over with a USGA handicap is able to participate. Both courses will be played both days. Cost: $150. Springbrook Golf Course, 2220, W 83rd St., Naperville. 630 848-5060 aperbrook Golf Course, 22204 W 111st St./Hassert Blvd., Planfield. 630 378-4215 | Couples Glow Ball Scramble Golf Tournament | Fri, August 16, 7 p.m. Enjoy the course in a whole new light - after dark. This 9-hole course, two person scramble is designed for golfers 18 and up. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., then a mandatory players’ meeting at 8:30 p.m. then the game begins at 9 p.m. Cost: $75 per team. Naperbrook Golf Course, 22204 W 111th St./Hassard Blvd., Plainfield. 630 378-4215 www.golfnaperville.org

Stingray Touch at Shedd Aquarium

Wor th Going Downtown For |

Unity Tour 2013: 311 With Special Guests | Wed, July 3, 6:30 p.m. 311, the rock band from Omaha, performs with Cypress Hill and G Love & Special Sauce. Cost: $72. Charter One Pavilion, at Northerly Island, 1300 S Linn White Dr., Chicago. 800 745-3000

| Counting Crows & the Wallflowers | Sun, July 7, 7 p.m.

| The Mrs. Carter World Tour Starring Beyoncé | Wed, July 17, 8 p.m. Beyonce is back with a world tour after a short hiatus after giving birth to her daughter. Cost: $266/56. United Center, 1901 W Madison St., Chicago. 800 745-3000

Fall “Accidentally in Love” with Counting Crows again as they perform with the Grammy-winning Wallflowers. Cost: $172/55. Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S Linn White Dr., Chicago. 800 745-3000

Last Summer On Earth: Barenaked Ladies and Ben Folds Five | Tue, July 9, 7:30 p.m. Barenaked Ladies is celebrating their 25th anniversary by bringing back their “The Last Summer on Earth” tour from last year. This year they are joined by Ben Folds Five and Boothby Graffoe. Cost: $228/32. Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S Linn White Dr., Chicago. 800 745-3000

| 33rd Annual Taste of Chicago |

July 10 - 14, Wed - Sun, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Enjoy a variety of local cuisine in this outdoor food festival as well as musical entertainment. Grant Park, 331 E. Randolph St., Chicago. 312 744-3316

| Bon Jovi: Because We Can | Fri, July 12, 7:30 p.m. Bon Jovi

performs songs from their new album “What About Now” and fan favorites. Cost: $602/31. Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Dr., Chicago. 800 745-3000

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Shrek the Musical | July 13 - Sept 1, Wed, 11 a.m. & Thur Sun, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Based on the Academy Award-winning film and book by William Steig. Cost: $25/18. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E Grand Ave., Chicago. 312 595-5600

98 Degrees, New Kids On The Block & Boys II Men | July 18 - 19, Thur- Fri, 7:30 p.m. Rid nostalgia and spend a summer night with your favorite boys who are now men, but still live just down the block in this performance to remember. Cost: $750/80. Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 800 653-8000

Jay-Z & Justin Timberlake | Mon, July 22, 8 p.m. Justin Timberlake hits the road with Jay-Z this summer to promote his new album “Mirrors.” Cost: $269/69. 1410 S. Museum Campus Dr., Chicago. 800 745-3000

Twilight Safari | Wed, July 24 & Aug 28, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Explore the zoo after hours. A zoo horticulturist and an animal expert lead participants 16 and older on a leisurely, educational stroll. Cost: $13/10. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St., Chicago. 312 742-2067

| Jammin’ at the Zoo - Michael Franti And Spearhead | Fri, July 26, 7:30 p.m. Watch reggae-hip hop fusion group known for their hit “Say Hey (I Love You)” perform at Lincoln Park Zoo. Cost: $29/11. Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St., Chicago. 312 742-2283

| Tall Ships Chicago 2013 | Aug 7 - 11, Wed 2 - 5 p.m., Thur - Sat 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Visitors can walk the grounds to view 14 ships, hop aboard for a dockside tour or take a cruise. Admission is free on Wednesday, the Parade of Sail day. Cost: $99/5. Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave., Chicago. navypier.com/tallshipschicago/

| Legends of The Summer Tour:

| 55th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show | Aug 17 18, Sat - Sun, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pilots and other performers use Chicago’s skyline as a backdrop for aerial and water acrobatics and performances. North Ave. Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago. 312 744-3316

| An | Fri,

Evening With Pearl Jam July 19, 7:30 p.m. Pearl Jam, the American 90’s rock band, stops at Wrigley Field for the night. 1060 W Addison St., Chicago. 773 404-2827 Jason Aldean: Night Train Tour | Sat, July 20, 7 p.m. Country singer Jason Aldean is getting off the “Dirt Road” and going to Wrigley Field. He performs with special guests Kelly Clarkson, Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett. Cost: $85/65. Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago. 773 404-2827

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lectures | Fermilab Arts & Lecture Series: How To Discover A Planet From Your Sofa | Fri, July 19, 8 p.m. Oxford Astronomer and BBC Sky at Night co-presenter Dr. Chris Lintott talks about the Zooniverse, a collection of citizen science projects. Cost: $ 7. Ramsey Auditorium, Wilson Hall, S Kirk Rd. and Pine St., Batavia. 630 840-2787 | Fermilab Arts & Lecture Series: Topic of Neuroscience, Connectomics and Brainbows| Fri, Aug 9, 8 p.m. Dr.

Jeff Lichtman from Harvard University speaks about his research on the brain and how he is interested in longlasting memory, especially in how synaptic connections change over time. Cost: $7. Ramsey Auditorium, Wilson Hall, S Kirk Rd. and Pine St., Batavia. 630 840-2787

FASHION | Complete Wedding Expo | A first and final source for

brides-to-be and other shoppers to meet with over 80 bridal vendors. Cost: $20/15. Complete Wedding Expo, 445 Edinburgh, Suite 2A, West Dundee. 847 254-0621. Go to thecompleteweddingexpo.com for dates and times.

business & finance | West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs | Ongoing, Third Thur of the month, 8 - 10 a.m. Meetings feature speakers on topics relevant to women business owners. Cost: $35. Katherine Legge Memorial Lodge, 5901 S County Line Rd., Hinsdale. www.wswe.org | Executives Breakfast Club Of Oak Brook | Ongoing, Thur - Fri 6:45 - 8:15 a.m. Series of speakers for business executives and associates. Cost: $350 (yearly membership) $40 (guest). Drury Lane/Oak Brook Terrace Grand Ballroom, 100 Drury Ln., Oakbrook Terrace. 630 530-0111 | Geneva Women In Business | Ongoing, Third Tue of every month. Monthly business seminars for professional women in Geneva, focusing on topics such as business benefits and reducing stress. Locations listed. 630 232-6060 Information is as accurate as possible, but times and dates do sometimes change and events are occasionally canceled. Please call to verify all critical information. To have an event included in this guide, send information two to three months in advance to: Out & About, P.O. Box 111, Elmhurst, IL 60126, or wsl@westsuburbanliving.net.

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13.

10 Best State Parks By Chris Young

14.

Exploring the full breadth of Illinois’ natural beauty, expansive outdoor recreational opportunities and surprising ecological diversity

or those thinking about getting away this summer to camp or enjoy the beauty of nature, our home state of Illinois is not likely the first destination that comes to mind. And that’s truly too bad, because stretching almost 400 miles from north to south, Illinois boasts an incredibly varied landscape to explore — from glacier-shaped terrain in the north, to

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Mississippi River bluffs on the west, to the cypress-tupelo swamps at the southern tip of the state. Most of these natural wonders are easily accessible and beautifully showcased via 324 state parks, fish and wildlife areas, forests, trails, natural areas and other publicly owned lands. Best of all, there are no admission fees. If you have an Illinois license plate on your car, you’ve already paid your way in the form of a $2 |

surcharge on license plate renewals, designated specifically for the support and maintenance of state parks. With that in mind, we have put together a guide to 10 of the state’s best parks, each of which offers a distinctive mix of attractions — from hunting and fishing, to hiking and camping, to celebrating Illinois history in unique ways. So go ahead, hit the road this summer. You’ve earned some time off. And you’ve

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13. Most Visited State Parks 1. Starved Rock 2.18 million visits 2. Kankakee River 1.56 million 3. Kickapoo 1.54 million 4. Ft. Massac 1.38 million 5. Wayne Fitzgerrell 1.29 million 6. Hennepin Canal 1.25 million 7. Rock Cut 1.14 million 8. Illinois Beach 1.01 million 9. Mazonia Braidwood 1 million 10. Giant City 991,000 11. Frank Holten 902,000 12. Chain ‘O Lakes 868,000 13. Pere Marquette 853,000 14. North Point Marina 814,000 15. Moraine Hills 704,000

10.

8. 1.

15.

10. All photos courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Adele Hodde

already got your ticket to the great outdoors. 1. STARVED ROCK STATE PARK Starved Rock is the most heavily visited state park and it’s easy to see why. Where else in the middle of Illinois farm country can you find 70-foot waterfalls and spectacular sandstone canyons with bluffs overlooking the Illinois River? The park was shaped thousands of years ago when melting glaciers released torrents of water that rushed downstream and stripped away everything except the resistant St. Peter sandstone. Water is still at work today, but at a much slower pace.

When conditions are right, water cascades down into the canyons. Miles of hiking trails take visitors into the park to view canyons from all angles. The park also features a lodge constructed during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The lodge has a restaurant, gift shop and swimming pool. Book your room early, because the lodge is popular and fills quickly, especially on weekends. Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort is located just up the road from the park entrance. The resort features an indoor water park and more. Additional lodging WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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can be found at hotels in Oglesby. Across the river in Utica, wineries and pubs beckon after the hiking shoes have been put away for the evening. Starved Rock is easily accessible from Interstate 80 and Interstate 39. It is conveniently located within a 90-minute drive from the western suburbs, and also draws visitors from Chicago, Bloomington, Peoria and Rockford. Starved Rock State Park records more than two million visits each year. 2. KANKAKEE RIVER STATE PARK More than 4,000 acres in size, |

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Getaways

10 Best State Parks

What is the difference between state parks, state forests, fish and wildlife areas, and other designations? Of the 324 state-managed sites in Illinois, about 100 are state parks. The designation has to do mostly with the management and funding of the sites. Expenses for operation and care may come from different sources, depending on a site’s primary uses.

A state fish and wildlife area, for

example, may be able to tap more hunting and fishing license money if one of its main uses is to provide those opportunities. State trails, state forests and other sites may get their funding from monies dedicated to those purposes.

Designations also relate to rules

that govern a site’s use. Fishing is allowed in state parks, but not in natural areas.

In all, the Illinois DNR manages

about 500,000 acres of public land.

Kankakee State Park stretches for 11 miles on both sides of the Kankakee River, just an hour southwest of downtown Chicago, and a few miles from Bourbonnais and Kankakee. The park’s size means nice, long trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. There are plenty of opportunities for camping, including an equestrian campground open seasonally. The Kankakee River, left in its natural state, meanders through the park. The river is recognized for its exceptionally clean water, and is known for smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Its Hiking amidst the bluffs, rock formations and waterfalls at Starved Rock, and taking in a little history at Ft. Massac State Park near the southern tip of the state.

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confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The park is named for a Jesuit missionary, Father Jacques Marquette, who was one of the first explorers of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers in the 1670s (père means father in French). Like Starved Rock, this park also features a lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The lodge and conference center together have more than 50 guest rooms and 22 stone cabin rooms. The park offers spectacular views of the Illinois River from overlooks. One end of the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail begins —or ends, depending on your direction of travel — at Pere Marquette. About 14 miles away is Grafton, with its riverfront bars, restaurants, antique stores and a shop where you can pick up some homemade fudge to replace the calories burned during your bike ride. The trail stretches 20 miles from the park to just north of Alton. At the south terminus of the trail is the Piasa Bird, a 48-foot-wide, 22-foot-tall replica of a Native American petroglyph that once was painted on the bluff.

(From top) A natural beach area near North Point Marina; the lodge at Giant City, one of several built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in various state parks; and fishing in the Kankakee River in Kankakee State Park.

Dolomite and limestone cliffs provide spectacular scenery and overlooks.

How do I reserve a shelter or campsite? All state park reservations, with the exception of lodges operated by concessionaires, are taken online,

3. Kickapoo State Recreation Area The Kickapoo State Recreation Area in Vermilion County near Danville is known for its canoeing, kayaking and tubing on the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River. The Middle Fork is Illinois’ only National Scenic River, but it didn’t start out that way. More than 100 years ago, the area was a strip mine, and as a result the landscape was left scarred and barren. You wouldn’t know that today. The land has been reclaimed, and today visitors float lazily past sandy bluffs on brightly colored tubes, blissfully unaware of the site’s mining history. A concessionaire at the park provides transportation to the put-in sites, located various distances upstream — depending on how much time you want to commit — and the float ends up conveniently right back where you arrived.

5. Illinois Beach State Park It’s hard to believe that with all its skyscrapers, concrete and steel, the Chicago region is biologically rich. The dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline, for example, support more than 650 species of plants. Illinois Beach State Park near Zion stretches for more than six miles. Dune ecosystems around Lake Michigan are rare because many of them were mined for sand. They are also fragile and constantly changing, so preserving them is a challenge. Accommodations are available at the Illinois Beach Lodge and Conference Center, which offers nearly 100 rooms. Banquet and meeting space can serve up to 500 people. The nearby North Point Marina is also one of the most visited Illinois Dept.

not by calling the site office. Visit www.reserveamerica.com.

4. Pere Marquette State Park Pere Marquette is located on Illinois 100, the Great River Road, near the WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Getaways

10 Best State Parks

Shawnee National Forest sites such as the Pomona Natural Bridge, Alto Pass and the Bald Knob Cross. 7. Hennepin Canal State Park Hennepin Canal is a very different type of state park. For one thing, it is more than 100 miles long and stretches over five counties — Rock Island, Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside. Hikers will be thrilled with its 155 miles of footpaths — originally intended as towpaths for use by horses and mules to pull boats through the canal. Construction began in 1890, but the canal was outdated before it was finished linking the Illinois River and Mississippi River systems in 1907. Bicycling, camping and recreational boating are available. 8. Moraine Hills Visitors to Moraine Hills in McHenry can get a glimpse into the state’s glacial past. Moraines are features created by glaciers that scraped and pushed large quantities of gravel and (From top down) Sunset sets the trees ablaze in color at Moraine Hills; hiking the forest trails and then kicking back at a campsite at Pere rock ahead of them, then Marquette State Park; and kayaking on the Middle Fork River at the Kickapoo State Recreation Area. retreated, then advanced, then retreated again. The park gets its name from these ridges left behind. Nature Trail is not to be missed. Adults and kids alike will enjoy exploring this Other features of the park serve as tangible reminders of the glaciers’ influence, “city” made by nature. The hike has some including Lake Defiance, created when a uneven terrain but is not very long and is relatively easy to navigate. large chunk of ice broke away from a Giant City also features a Civilian glacier and melted. The site also includes Conservation Corps-built lodge with marshes, bogs and fens, all with unique outlying cabins. The park can serve as a water chemistry that supports the growth convenient base of operations to explore of rare and unusual plants. southern Illinois and the Shawnee Fishing, boating, hiking, birding and National Forest. other outdoors activities are encouraged. Just outside the south entrance of the An exciting development in northern park, visitors will find themselves merging Illinois and southern Wisconsin is the onto the Shawnee Wine Trail, featuring a establishment of the Hackmatack National dozen wineries within easy reach. As an Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was officially added bonus, driving the wine trail will established with an announcement in take you close to many other well-known February of its first acquisition, a 72-acre

of Natural Resources’ sites. Situated near the Illinois-Wisconsin border, it is the largest marina on Lake Michigan with 1,500 slips. 6. Giant City State Park Giant City gets its name from the giant blocks of Pennsylvanian sandstone that slid downhill eons ago. They came to rest in an arrangement that recalls the skyscraper canyons of urban areas, and the spaces between the stone blocks are known as the “Streets of Giant City.” The Giant City 48 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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p w c p H o e M p r

9 I e — t i t F c b b d b A s a t a

1 R ( m F

Three More for the Road

Sunset at Illinois Beach State Park

parcel in McHenry County. Partners will work together to acquire wildlife habitat and conserve rare species in a rapidly developing part of the state. Going forward, Moraine Hills will be part of a collection of properties owned by various government and private entities that will be part of the refuge. Moraine Hills, and other properties participating in the development of the refuge, will remain with their original owners. 9. Fort Massac State Park Fort Massac has the distinction of being Illinois’ first state park. It is located in extreme southern Illinois near Metropolis — home of Superman, too — and just across the Ohio River from Paducah, Kentucky. It is fitting, then, that Fort Massac focuses on the early history of Illinois settlement. The Fort Massac Encampment held each fall celebrates pioneer life. Over the past 300 years or so, the fort has been burned to the ground, rebuilt, destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt again, torn down for lumber, and finally reconstructed based on archaeological studies. Native Americans and European explorers and settlers — including the Spanish, French and British — have all used the site at one time or another. Hiking, picnicking and camping are among the activities available at Fort Massac. 10. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area State park facilities are often paired (naturally) with recreational facilities maintained by other agencies. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, is located

The Mazonia State Fish

several ponds, extensive

and Wildlife Area

campgrounds, plus great hunting,

Located only about 70 miles

fishing and equestrian opportunities

southwest of the western suburbs,

lure visitors. There’s even an

this site’s 1,017 acres are managed

equestrian campground just for

primarily for fishing and waterfowl.

those who like to explore

Despite its rather particular focus,

on horseback.

the site had 1 million visits in 2012, a figure that demonstrates the high

Cache River State Natural Area

demand for hunting and fishing

Less than an hour south of Giant City

opportunities within a reasonable

State Park is the Cache River State

drive of the Chicago area.

Natural Area, part of a complex of

sites managed by a partnership

Like Kickapoo State Park, this

site is built around land reclaimed

group that includes the Illinois DNR,

from mining. Dozens of bodies of

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The

water of various sizes were created

Nature Conservancy. Visit Heron

following the completion of surface

Pond State Nature Preserve, the

mining. The adjacent Braidwood

Section 8 Boardwalk, ancient

Lake was built about 40 years ago

cypress trees and more. The

by Commonwealth Edison to be

swamps associated with the Cache

used as a power plant cooling lake.

River are the northernmost cypresstupelo swamps in the U.S. You will

Jim Edgar Panther Creek

think you’ve left Illinois for Louisiana.

State Fish and Wildlife Area

The Lower Cache Canoe Trail will

At 26 square miles in size, Jim Edgar

take you to see the Illinois state

Panther Creek — known as Site M to

champion bald cypress tree that is

the locals — beckons outdoorsmen

over 1,000 years old.

from the city yearning for wide-open

spaces, especially hunters during

and your walking shoes. For bird-

deer season.

watchers, spring migration in

southern Illinois is not to be missed.

Site M was supposed to be

the location of a new power

Located at the crossroads of north,

plant, but plans changed and

south, east and west, the Cache

Commonwealth Edison sold the

attracts birds from many different

land to the state of Illinois just over

regions of the country and boasts

20 years ago. Three artificial lakes,

some of the best birding in the state.

on the shores of Rend Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in southeast Illinois not far from Mt. Vernon. Rend Lake offers excellent fishing — particularly crappie — and boating opportunities. The park features a modern lodge and conference center complex. WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Bring a kayak, bike, binoculars

It’s great for a get-away-from-it-all-butstill-get-some-work-done meeting. Rend Lake also makes a comfortable stopping point to break up the long drive to southern Illinois. From downtown Chicago, Rend Lake is about four and a half hours. n |

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PastPRESENCE

After

Before

The joys and challenges of preserving a historic home By Lisa Sloan

All have special places in the hearts of their owners and those who work on them. “It takes a certain type of person to love and want to live in an older home,” says Brian Hinds, owner of BGH Construction, Inc. in Batavia. “You have to appreciate the quirkiness. All the things that have happened over the years make these homes what they are. You have to take the good with the bad.”

istorical significance, architectural detail, a great back story or just plain old charm — these are just a few of the reasons homeowners gravitate toward houses with history. Throughout the western suburbs, plenty of folks have chosen to preserve, maintain and sometimes adapt old homes — from 1920s kit homes, to stately 1800s Victorians, to Frank Lloyd Wright masterpieces. Some are located within locally designated historic districts or listed on the National Register of Historic Places, while others are not.

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CHARACTER COUNTS The good includes interesting architectural features and solid craftsmanship, something Bruce George, president of |

Charles Vincent George Architects in Naperville, truly appreciates. “Some of the details are fabulous — carvings, moldings, old species of wood, old crystal door knobs. It’s like a treasure hunt,” he says. Batavia resident Lisa Keefe would agree. She and her husband, Thomas Gaitsch, live in a 1930s home built by a Bavarian immigrant. The Tudor-style residence features a turret and a distinct Old World flavor. It had been neglected for a while, but was still in good shape when the couple moved in 17 years ago. Even the original chandeliers were untouched. “Sometimes, in older homes,

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After

Before

This dilapidated old Batavia home was completely renovated while still maintaining its historic integrity.

Before

After

All photos courtesy of BGH Construction, Inc.

a lot of these things have been stripped away, but this one had everything intact,” says Keefe. At Acorn Custom Builders in Lemont, owner Patrick “Packey” A’Hearn appreciates that the classic architectural details often serve a practical purpose as well as having an attractive appearance. One such example is the covered porch. Common on older homes, they provided a space for people to gather to escape the heat in the days before air-conditioning was available. “Now they are more of a design element,” he says, “but they are still a practical living space that is unfortunately not seen as much in new homes.” Uncovering the Old Frank Heitzman, owner of Heitzman Architects in Oak Park, has a master’s degree in architectural history, which is what prompted him to start his firm in the suburb most closely associated with Frank Lloyd Wright and other architects of the Prairie School. Heitzman also enjoys old homes on a personal level — he has lived in and worked on an 1889 Oak Park Victorian home for the past 15 years. It often takes a bit of detective work to uncover what is hiding beneath years of updates. In Oak Park, Victorian homes were often modified to reflect the Prairie style, which was the case with Heitzman’s own home. The porch had been altered and the original round columns were framed to appear square.

George is also familiar with uncovering the past — his firm worked on the renovation of the Francis Stuyvesant Peabody House in Hinsdale. “It was originally this beautiful Victorian house,” says George of the 1889 Queen Annestyle home on the National Register of Historic Places, “but one of the previous owners had done additions that were out of character for the home.”

Necessary Updates Part of the work and expense of

Learning the History of Your Home Those looking to find out more about

out more about their Batavia home when

the history of their homes can turn to

some of the original homeowner’s elderly

archives at the local library or history center.

children and grandchildren came to visit

At the Geneva History Center, for example,

from out of state. They were able to shed

homeowners can fill out an archives

some light on what the home looked like

research request form and, for a small initial

when they grew up there and explained

fee, staff or volunteers will spend up to 30

some puzzling features, like the unusual

minutes searching the center’s archives,

copper-trimmed glass lens embedded in

and will share the materials they find at a

the kitchen wall. (The original homeowner,

scheduled appointment. Expanded research

a watchmaker by trade, had an interest in

time requires an hourly fee, paid in advance.

optometry.) In addition to sharing personal

memories about the home, the family also

Information can also come from

unexpected places — sometimes treasures

sent the couple a copy of the original

are hidden in walls or under floorboards

architectural drawings.

and revealed during renovation. Packey

A’Hearn, of Acorn Custom Builders, recalls

valuable information. Graham Morin of

finding a diary on top of an attic wall and

Naperville was able to purchase the

a December 8, 1941 newspaper hidden

original catalog featuring his 1925 Sears kit

under a floorboard.

home in an online auction and used it to

guide renovations.

Lisa Keefe and Thomas Gaitsch found

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His company’s task was to tie those additions into the older home by picking up details like the gable ends, frieze molding and brackets, adjusting rooflines, and adding new porches that reflected the Victorian style. “We had to visually tie the picture together,” says George.

Searching online can also unearth

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HOMe

Past Presense

Local Historic Districts & Preservation Efforts What does a local historic preservation commission do? A group of local citizens, typically appointed by the city council, works to identify historic districts and ensure that historic buildings within them are properly preserved, protected, enhanced and rehabilitated. They conduct design reviews to make sure proposed changes to homes in historic districts meet guidelines and issue certificates of appropriateness if the work is approved. They also educate residents about the importance of historic preservation and provide architectural advice to homeowners. How are historic districts determined? Community members usually approach the local government or state historical preservation office. On the local level, the preservation commission looks into the historic qualifications of the neighborhood and prepares a report for local elected officials. The commission then has to notify property owners in the proposed district and hold public hearings. After gathering input, the commission makes a recommendation to local officials, who may approve or reject it. What is the difference between a state and local historic district? Historic districts can be designated on the national, state and local level. State and national historic districts are largely symbolic, and do not necessarily ensure the homes in the district maintain their character. Local districts generally have ordinances that limit things like altering the exterior features of homes in the district or new construction that is not compatible with the style of homes in the district. Towns may have more than one designated historic district — for example, Oak Park has three, comprising nearly a third of the homes in the village, and all are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. What does it mean to be on the National Register? The National Register of Historic Places is the federal government’s official list of historic districts, sites, buildings and structures.

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rehabbing old homes involves updating old mechanical systems and construction methods to meet modern standards for safety and comfort. Floors and roofs of the past were not as strong as they are now, and the older plumbing and electrical systems cannot handle today’s usage. Heitzman recommends those buying an old or historic home start with a review of the structure to make sure it is sound, because structural weaknesses can sometimes lead to permanent damage. Some of those weaknesses might not even be apparent. “You don’t know what you’re going to run into,” says Hinds, who, during a recent project, found that a two-story, 1950s-era addition to a 1920s home had been built without a foundation. Another problem that plagues most older homes is poor insulation. Many times, walls were not insulated. An energy audit can help reveal problems, which can typically be remedied by installing weather-stripping around windows and doors and adding insulation in the attic, as well as sealing around the foundation where the exterior walls meet foundation walls. “The biggest challenge is dealing with existing conditions, bringing together today’s building technology and materials while respecting the way things were built in the past,” says Mike Pudlik, owner of Legacy Design and Construction in St. Charles.

want to keep the integrity of the exterior,” he observes. In cases when additions are possible, a common request is a two-story addition containing a master suite and family room, because old homes usually had a single shared bath on the second floor, and large family gathering spaces were not typically a feature. A’Hearn recently added a two-story addition — first-floor laundry and family room and second-floor master suite — to a 1925 Sears kit home near downtown Naperville. The owners, Graham and Martha Morin, wanted to preserve the character of the home, which had been marketed as a teardown, while expanding it to fit their needs. “We thought it had good bones and was too interesting to tear down,” says Graham. Often, homeowners like to remodel the interiors of their old homes to create more open spaces for their families. “A lot of times people want to keep the interior character the same, but they want to open up the floor plan and get rid of the smaller rooms,” says Hinds. There are others who are partial to the original room sizes. Keefe, for one, believes smaller rooms are more intimate and conducive to conversation. “That’s what is so great about older homes; it’s not just big, undefined space, but spaces that are clearly defined and delineated for a purpose.”

Room For Change A majority of those who buy old homes are looking to keep the character of home but make it more livable for today. For example, most need retooled kitchens and baths. “Those rooms require updating and integrating to modern life or people will be unhappy living in them,” observes Keefe. Pudlik notes that there is more freedom to alter the interior rather than the exterior of older homes, especially those in historic districts. “They really

Perfect Blend Making sure a new addition blends seamlessly with the old home is essential, and might include seeking out sources of vintage-style materials, like tiles and paint as well as having custom millwork made. “We try to use existing materials and new materials that mimic the style and design of what they currently have,” says Pudlik. The Morins tried to keep their Naperville house looking similar to its origins, yet updated. They used historically appropriate tile and a salvaged

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mantel from a demolished Chicago bungalow, among other things. Some might even see preserving the past as part of the modern “green” movement. “There is something really good about living in an historic house because of the sustainability; using materials that have been there since the 19th century,” says Heitzman. “If you are concerned about green issues, keeping those materials intact are a positive thing. Labor of Love While completing home projects themselves works for people like Keefe and Gaitsch, who built their own addition, from crafting the cabinetry to installing salvaged beadboard, others find it best to work with a professional. In the beginning, the Morins tried to do some of the remodeling themselves, with an eye toward saving money. However, they found that later they had to re-do some of their early work. “I guess the biggest thing we would have done differently was engaged an architect and trusted contractor earlier,” says Graham. “We set down a path of what we thought was the best way, but we had to change course when we started working with a contractor.” Remodeling an older home costs more and takes longer than remodeling a new one, acknowledges A’Hearn, noting that the 1986 Tom Hanks movie, The Money Pit, has some truth in it. “If they are going to upgrade, yet keep the style of the home, which I think they should, it is expensive, but you can’t beat the charm,” he acknoweldges. For homeowners like Keefe and Gaitsch, who adore their old homes, the time, work and money required in fixing them up is well spent. As Keefe says, “Nothing is more gratifying than taking a space and bringing it back to how it was originally intended, designed or imagined.” n WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Splash

MAKING A

Pools, ponds and fountains can provide an elegant outdoor ambiance while also creating a backyard oasis for family fun and entertaining

By Sara Pearsaul Vice

One of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest gifts may well be the soothing sound and refreshing feel of flowing water, which may be why so many area homeowners are bringing water features into their backyards. From simple plug-in fountains to elaborate custom ponds and pools, water is making a bigger splash in west suburban landscapes this summer than ever before. In fact, many homeowners are incorporating design ideas they have picked up on their travels and enlisting local landscape architects and pool and pond builders to recreate them at home.

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rectangular pool seem to be fading, as popular new concepts such as zero-edge pools take their place. For those whose budget is a bit smaller than estate size, elegant DIY fountains are available at garden centers such as Heinz Brothers in St. Charles, The Growing Place in Aurora and Naperville, and the Planter’s Palette in Winfield. Diana Stoll, retail manager for the Planter’s Palette, says that demand for fountains is so strong that they had to re-order twice at the beginning of the growing season. “The traditional look is what is really selling,” she observes. Stoll notes that many people are choosing the larger, three-tier fountains this year, which run $600 and up, as opposed to the smaller, less-expensive fountains that have been popular in the past. “A lot of fountains have great LED lights, which are beautiful,” she says. The fountain comes in pieces so you can assemble it at home yourself. All you need is an outdoor electrical supply. You don’t even need an ongoing water supply, as you just add water at the start. Then the water recirculates and only needs to be refreshed as it evaporates.

FABULOUS FOUNTAINS magine your backyard looking like the Villa d’Este, the famed Renaissance estate outside of Rome, which features a fountain at every turn, including one where you can walk behind the waterfall and not get wet. Although the renowned masterpiece of garden design boasts fountains on a truly grand scale, many of the same design principles are being realized in suburban landscapes. At Rosebrook Pools, the staff sees a lot of creativity among their customers in the western suburbs when it comes to creating unique water features. One client took components from all his favorite resorts, which Rosebrook then incorporated into his pool design. Laminar-flow fountains, which appear as solid tubes of water, are particularly popular as a pool feature, illuminated with LED lights to create light shows at night. According to Mike Murillo, sales director of Barrington Pools, one of their clients visited the Bellagio in Las Vegas and wanted to bring their over-the-top fountains into his own backyard, complete with music and dancing lights. Murillo often gets requests to incorporate everything a homeowner likes into one giant water feature, such as a waterfall with a grotto behind, which flows into a spa and then into a pool. The days of the simple

Photos courtesy of Rosebrook Pools

Photos courtesy of Aquascape

PRODIGIOUS PONDS If anyone is personally responsible for promoting water features and ponds in suburban backyards, it must be Greg

Though pools and ponds provide intrinsically different tyes of ambiance, both can serve as a relaxing backyard escape. WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Photo courtesy of Downes Swiiming Pool Company

Photo courtesy of Aquascape

Making a Splash

Wittstock, “The Pond Guy,” who started Aquascape in 1991. As the business expanded, he moved into new headquarters in 2005 in St. Charles, dubbed Aqualand, where you can see a giant pond measuring 250 by 90 feet at the front of the building, visit a retail store for pond supplies and aquatic plants, and view fountains and smaller water features out back. In fact, St. Charles now calls itself the “Water Garden Capital of the World,” thanks to Aquascape’s corporate headquarters on the outskirts of town and 56 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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A well designed pond can create a serene setting for relaxing and enjoying a home’s outside environment. While offering additional recreational benefits, pools, too, can offer a calm and picturesque backyard ambiance.

the pond, all of which work together to keep the pond clean. The company also developed the “pondless” waterfall, which works in smaller spaces via a recirculating water reservoir underground. The company’s patented ponds and other products are now distributed nationwide. Jason Bowen, sales director for Kane Brothers Water Features, advises homeowners to work with a designer to create a master plan for their landscape before starting construction of a pond or pool. He notes that most people do not want to redo the entire landscape all at once, so he works with them to develop a plan that can be implemented in separate projects year by year. Given the expense involved, he says that a master plan, based on the topography, will ensure that you “do it the correct way, rather than piecemeal.” He recommends using natural stonework around any water feature and incorporating aquatic plants into the design to enhance water quality and aesthetics. “A lot of plants that give really bright color are tropical,” he says. Adding koi and other fish is also popular. If you keep the water circulating, the fish can remain outdoors all winter long, although any tropical plants need to be

The pleasures of resort life are finding their way into home pools, complete with charming pool houses, winding water slides, waterfalls, caves, deck jets and bubblers, all illuminated with long-lasting LED lights. the ponds it has built around the area. Aquascape made a name for itself by the ecosystem pond it invented, which incorporates a pond liner, a circulation system, a filtration system, fish, aquatic plants, and natural stone on the bottom of |

moved inside if you want to keep them for the following summer. Palatial Pools The pleasures of resort life are finding their way into home pools, complete with

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Photo courtesy of Downes Swiiming Pool Company Photos courtesy of Rosebrook Pools

charming pool houses, winding water slides, waterfalls, caves, deck jets and bubblers, all illuminated with long-lasting LED lights. According to Lou Downes, president of Downes Swimming Pool Company, a pool should be a beautiful and dramatic focal point that you can enjoy viewing whether you are indoors or out, and equipped to fit your family’s lifestyle. For example, young children enjoy fun jets, which project a column of water, while sunbathers appreciate a sun shelf, where you can lay on a float or chaise lounge in six inches of water next to the pool’s edge. In the planning stages, Downes’ pool designers will have discussions about how the family plans to use the pool area and options such as diving boards. “It’s a huge investment, and they want to get it right,” Downes says. When it comes to getting the most use out of a pool, given Chicago’s unpredictable climate, Downes advises adding a spa. “It’s almost a no-brainer,” he observes. “I’ve raised five kids in three different homes with swimming pools. If you plan a party, June can be nice, or cold and wet. It may not be a swimming pool day, but it will be a spa day.” A spa that adjoins the pool shares the same water system, he notes. “The water is always being refreshed, heated, treated and filtered.” Downes says that salt systems are getting a lot of undeserved buzz as a replacement for chlorinated water in pools, but he explains that they are just another way to create sodium chloride when the water passes over electrically charged plates. “It’s the same stuff they put on the streets of Chicago,” he says, which causes “stains and pits and corrodes pools.” Murillo of Barrington Pools sees clients using their pools much longer than just the summer months. “People have been opening up their pools earlier and closing them later and later,” he observes. One client evens keeps the pool’s water temperature at 87 degrees through the second week of January. Six weeks later, the pool is re-opened. For the heartiest of

clients, the pool never closes. Of course, for people who want to swim all year in greater comfort, indoor pools are still a popular though more expensive choice, given the structure that must be built to house it. Aquatic Containers Now back to reality. For gardeners who have neither the budget nor the desire WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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to build a big water feature or pool, consider the container water garden or a patio pond. With a waterproof container and a working knowledge of the requirements of different aquatic plants, you can have a lily pad in a pot. Aquascape has created special containers for aquatic plants with ledges at different depths to accommodate different plants, but any watertight container will do. With such an array of aquatic products and plants now on the market, just about anyone can enjoy the beauty of a water garden in their own backyard. n

Multi-level pools with waterfalls and spas that flow into the pool have become popular, as homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to create a distinctive aquatic ambiance in their backyards.

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Photo courtesy of Presence Mercy Medical Center

MEDICINE

Collaborative efforts and investments in new technologies are making more “state-of-the-art” medical treatments available in the western suburbs



Using daVinci robotic surgical equipment, Dr. Donald Prentiss performed the first single incision gallbladder surgery in Kane County at Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora.

procedures being offered by local healthcare providers that are improving the quality of care for area residents. SINGLE-SITE DA VINCI SURGERY About 10 years ago the Da Vinci surgical robot burst onto the scene in a blaze of publicity. But it wasn’t until the last two years that this cutting-edge technology truly came into its own, expanding its repertoire to many different types of surgical procedures. “Its applications have grown across all surgical specialties, with new ones being developed all the time,” says Dr. Michael Martirano of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. “The new Da Vinci Single-Site platform is particularly important because it allows single-incision surgery.” Martirano recently performed the first single-incision gallbladder removal

or those needing access to the latest medical technologies, the western suburbs is a good place to be. Signficant investments in new facilities and equipment along with collaborations with local and national research hospitals have brought many cutting-edge medical services to the suburbs in recent years. And as researchers worldwide keep redefining the “state of the art” in medicine, west suburbanites continue to be among the first to enjoy the latest advances, practically without having to leave their home. Following are just a few of the new

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Cutting Edge

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operation in DuPage County, just weeks after the Food and Drug Administration approved the procedure. “It’s a huge deal for patients because instead of having four incisions in their abdomens, they now have a single incision that’s hidden in their belly buttons,” he explains. “That greatly reduces recovery time from the procedure. One of my patients, a new mother, told us how fast she was able to go back to work and taking care of her family.” Dr. Donald Prentiss performed Kane County’s first single-incision gallbladder surgery at Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. “The quicker recovery time means lower risk of infection for the patient,” he explains. “It also means less time spent in the hospital and a better cosmetic result over traditional laparoscopy.” Surgeons using the Da Vinci platform sit at a control panel that lets them manipulate tiny robotic arms and cameras to perform procedures instead of standing over the patient to make large incisions. Hand and foot controls let one surgeon use three instruments and a camera at once, greatly enhancing surgical precision and

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efficiency over standard minimally invasive laparoscopy. “The robotic instruments twist and turn just like the surgeon’s hand and wrist, which makes them much more versatile and easy to control than laparoscopic instruments,” Martirano asserts. “Compared to the Da Vinci platform, using laparoscopic instruments is like tying your shoes with chopsticks.” As robotic surgical techniques continue to advance, traditional open-body surgery will go the way of the dinosaur, Martirano predicts. “Open surgery is already starting to disappear, especially in DuPage,” he says. “That’s good news for everyone, since just about everyone winds up on an operating table at some point.” GENETIC TESTING FOR CANCER When actress Angelina Jolie announced that her positive test result for the BRCA1 gene mutation prompted her to undergo a double mastectomy, she inspired thousands of women to get their own genes tested for “genetic syndrome” — the predisposition to generate cancers of the breast, uterus or ovaries. When Plainfield resident Sheri Reed underwent a new genetic test this spring, her results alerted hundreds of women in her extended family around the U.S. that they could be at increased risk of ovarian cancer. “My geneticist saved me and my family a lot of grief by finding this newly discovered mutation,” she says of Edward Hospital geneticist Elyse Weber. Reed had already gone through a double mastectomy herself after weaning her youngest child. “I have a really long and terrible family history of breast cancer,” she explains. “My grandmother and three of her four sisters died of breast cancer in their 40s and my mom had it

IMPELLA HEART ASSIST PUMP Sometimes a cardiac patient needs drastic treatment, such as an artificial valve or a heart transplant, that he can’t get because his body can’t stand the strain of surgery. Sometimes a patient needs help keeping his blood flowing during a complicated angioplasty. Sometimes a

Surgeons using the Da Vinci platform sit at a control panel that lets them manipulate tiny robotic arms and cameras to perform procedures instead of standing over the patient to make large incisions. patient just needs a little extra help to heal a normally healthy heart. A five-year-old miniature pump that’s smaller than a No. 2 pencil can help all these different types of patients, says cardiologist Dr. Lawrence Barr of Midwest Heart Specialists and Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. “I started using the Impella device a year and a half ago, and it’s been very helpful,” Barr asserts. “It works well in short-term applications and it’s easy to implant and remove with little trauma to the patient. You can’t walk around with one, but you can live in a hospital bed with it.” The Impella pump requires no surgery to implant. Instead, doctors attach it to a specialized catheter, then thread it through the femoral artery into the heart, where it rests in the left ventricle. It pulls blood into itself from the ventricle and pumps it into

maternal grandmother’s 12 siblings and their offspring. “Hundreds and hundreds of descendants from these 13 siblings now know that they probably have this, so now they can get tested and take precautions before they get cancer,” notes Reed. “Our whole family will benefit from this knowledge for generations to come.” Genetic mutations can contribute to many different types of cancer, including kidney cancer, colon cancer, retinal cancer and endometrial cancer. People may want to consider genetic screening if they have several close relatives on one side of their family who’ve developed similar cancers; if they have relatives who contracted cancer in their 20s, 30s or 40s; and if those relatives did not have lifestyle-based risk factors such as smoking. “Genetic counseling is the cutting edge of cancer care today,” asserts Edward WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Hospital oncologist Dr. Samir Undevia. “Identifying people (with cancer-causing mutations) before they have cancer is the best possible treatment.”

when I was 10. When I was tested later and found out I had the mutation, there was no question in my mind that I would have the mastectomy when the time was right.” Three years later, Reed’s mother developed ovarian cancer, prompting Reed and her sister to undergo a second genetic screening — this time for a recently discovered mutation that promotes ovarian tumors. Her sister’s positive test result for the rare mutation could save many lives among her extended family, which has seen more than its share of cancers in her

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Photo courtesy of Loyola University Medical Center

CUTTING EDGE MEDICINE

Using the FilmArray Respiratory Panel at Loyola University Medical Center, Medical Technologist Meredith Smith can determine within an hour whether a patient has one of 20 respiratory illnesses from a single blood sample.

inches below her heart. “There were no surgical options,” says Dr. Luke Sewall, an interventional radiologist. “Most places would leave this patient with swollen, incapacitated legs, leaving the patient unable to work for the rest of her life.” After blood-thinning medicine failed to break up the clots and left the patient at risk of hemorrhage, Sewall used a catheter to insert the miniature vacuum pump into her clogged vein, along with a bypass pump to redirect her blood to a healthy vein so that it could keep circulating. He then sucked the entire clot, intact, from her body, leaving no remnants that could travel to the heart and cause a heart attack. He performed the same procedure on her other leg, leaving her completely clot-free. While the three-year-old device is recommended for use in clots that have been in place for three months or less, Sewall’s success in treating this patient has given him the confidence to “push the envelope” with more long-term cases. “We frequently have been asked to see people who have had a vein clotted for as much as a year,” he notes. “Other than stenting it out of the way, we haven’t had a good solution for that. Now we’ll see how this

the aortic valve, from which it flows into the circulatory system. Doctors use a laptop-size control board to regulate how much blood it pumps per minute. Barr and his colleagues use the Impella pump to operate on people who otherwise might die during surgery; to restore blood circulation quickly during a multiple angioplasty; and to treat myocarditis, also called “broken heart syndrome,” when a strained heart muscle just needs to rest. “If we can bridge the gap for two or three days, often the patient will recover without further treatment,” Barr says. So far Barr has only needed to use the pump on about 20 people. “But those people would have been up the creek if we didn’t have it to use,” he asserts. ANGIOVAC CLOT REMOVING SYSTEM A Hinsdale Hospital patient recently became the first person in Illinois to lose serious blood clots — and regain her life — with the help of the Angiovac clot vacuum system. The patient had clotting in both of her legs, with one clot running all the way up her main vein into her stomach, just a few 60 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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works for an older clot.” PROPEL SINUS IMPLANT Sinusitis might not kill its victims, but it sure isn’t fun to live with. This chronic condition repeatedly inflames patients’ sinuses for up to three months at a time, leaving the patients congested, headachy, sleep-deprived and struggling for breath. Some sufferers are too sick to work, and many develop clinical depressions because of their symptoms. While ethmoid sinus surgery can provide relief, most patients’ symptoms recur within a year or two, and about 25 percent of them need a second surgery to reopen the ethmoid sinus opening when it gets blocked by scar tissue and inflammation from the first surgery. Now a new biodegradable sinus stent can keep the ethmoid sinus opening from closing up after surgery while it delivers a steady dose of steroids straight to the inflamed tissue without affecting the rest of the body. Called the Propel SteroidReleasing Implant, it adjusts to fit the surgically enlarged sinus opening and holds the tissue in place. Its polymer spring-like struts are coated with a steroid that gradually dissolves into the sinus. Eventually, the entire device dissolves, leaving the healed sinus intact with no need for surgical removal. Dr. Jay Dutton of Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, one of the first Chicago-area surgeons to use the Propel implant, has treated more than 50 patients with it since it became available last year. “It’s been a blessing to my patients,” he asserts. “They’re able to wake up and breathe freely in the recovery room after surgery instead of having to wait days for the swelling to subside. The direct steroid application is also a big help for them, since many of them are older people who are already taking other medications.” Dutton says he expects to see the dissolving stent technology applied to other medical

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issues in the coming years. “Maybe soon we’ll be able to deliver antibiotics and other medications through devices like this instead of making patients take pills,” he predicts. 3D MAMMOGRAPHY A picture is worth a thousand words, and a three-dimensional picture of a living breast is worth many times more than a flat image, area doctors are learning. Three-dimensional mammography is quickly becoming the standard in the western suburbs, a year or less after the first machines appeared in radiation departments. “We perform about 35,000 screening mammograms per year, and we’re trying to do as many of them as possible in 3D,” says Dr. Anne Zimmermann, a gynecologist with DuPage Medical Group. “At first we used them just for diagnostic mammograms, but they’re so effective we’re using them in all situations.” Unlike traditional mammogram machines, 3D machines pass a beam through the breast tissue, taking up to 1 million photos as the beam progresses. Doctors and radiologists can look at each photo separately to examine small segments of the breast, or they can layer them to get a three-dimensional image that shows exactly where any anomalies lie inside the tissue. “The radiation dose is more than it is for a 2D mammogram, but it’s about as much as with an old-fashioned film mammogram,” explains Zimmermann. The payoff is that 3D mammograms are letting doctors pinpoint smaller tumors and distinguish better between tumors and moles, calcium deposits or other common skin anomalies. “We’ve found cancers as small as three millimeters, which is unheard of with 2D mammograms,” Zimmermann asserts. “And when we see something we can’t identify and call the patient back for a follow-up mammogram, we can target the beam so we need fewer views, which means less radiation.”

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CUTTING EDGE MEDICINE

Visionary Commitment Needed to Fund a Possible Cure for Blindness TWO WEST SUBURBAN medical

“It’s very frustrating,” Allan Chow

researchers are hoping to give blind

asserts. “The first two studies

people back their sight — if they can

succeeded our expectations. It not

find the money to conduct one more

only replaced patients’ retinal input

clinical trial.

to the brain with signals generated

Dr. Allan Chow, founder of

by the implanted microchip, but the

Optobionics Inc. of Glen Ellyn,

retinal stimulation caused some of

invented a microchip implant with his

the patients’ damaged cells to start

brother, electrical engineer Vincent

functioning again. But in this economy,

Chow, which replaces damaged

it’s impossible to find investors willing

retinas in people with retinal

to give us funding.”

pigmentosis or macular degeneration.

Though the Chows have applied

Since they first unveiled the Artificial

to the FDA for a humanitarian

Silicon Retina nearly 15 years ago, the

exemption that would allow them

Chows have successfully navigated it

to scale back the final-phase study,

through two phases of testing for Food

they fear it would make finding

and Drug Administration approval,

investors even harder because the

restoring sight to 40 patients. Those

exemption would ban turning a profit

studies cost a total of $50 million to

on the invention.

conduct, Allan Chow says.

The worst part, he adds, is that they

Now the FDA has given

are still receiving thousands of calls,

Optobionics the go-ahead to conduct

letters and e-mails each week from

the final phase of testing – a large-scale

blind or near-blind people eager to

study involving hundreds of patients.

participate in the proposed study. “It’s

But the brothers can’t find investors to

sad,” he says, “that there’s a

provide the $200 million such a study

treatment for blindness here, but it’s

would cost.

not commercially available.”

Researchers are developing ways to use 3D mammograms to help perform biopsies more precisely, Zimmermann notes.

citizens and its Integrated Oncology Clinic for cancer patients. Both bring together all the subspecialties needed to give patients the most complete treatment possible, says chief operating officer Dennis Fine. “The trend now is to have more collaboration among physicians across disciplines,” Fine explains. “By having a complete medical team and all the resources needed in one place, we make it easier for patients to get comprehensive treatment.” The oncology clinic, which opened last December in Lisle, includes oncologists, radiologists and surgeons as well as support groups, exercise classes,

INTEGRATED SPECIALTY CLINICS Like supermarkets that have largely replaced the butcher, baker and candlestick maker shops, the health care industry is moving away from separate, narrowly specialized clinics to team-driven facilities that provide every service patients need under one roof. DuPage Medical Group has launched two versions of this new paradigm: its Breakthrough Care Centers for senior 62 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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case managers and an American Cancer Society wig boutique. It even boasts a linear particle accelerator to provide radiation treatments, Fine adds. The Breakthrough Care Centers, which opened in January in Lombard and Naperville, offers geriatrics specialists, a pharmacy, case workers, social workers, dieticians, physical therapists, a bloodwork lab, radiology department and registered nurses who serve as patients’ personal health coaches. A gym and an activity center offer patients a chance to exercise and socialize. “Seniors who are isolated, have co-morbidities or insurance difficulties fall through the cracks and don’t get the treatment they need to stay healthy,” explains Dr. Brian O’Leary, who directs the Naperville facility. “They can’t afford their medicine, or they can’t get a ride to the lab to get blood drawn for tests. We want to close those gaps and keep these people living at home and feeling well.”

CUTTING COLD AND VIRUS DIAGNOSIS TIME The diagnosis of colds and viruses is being signficantly reduced thanks to the FilmArray Respiratory Panel, which screens for 17 viral and three bacterial pathogens from a single blood sample. Using the technology, physicians at Loyola University Medical Center can confirm within an hour whether a patient has one of 20 respiratory illnesses. The diagnostic test panel takes only a few minutes to set up and about an hour to run, says Loyola microbiology lab director Paul Schreckenberger, cutting diagnosis time by several days. Faster results can improve patient management, limit the spread of the disease and reduce costs by minimizing the need for further testing. The panel system also enhances tracking of these illnesses, information which is shared with other clinicians and public health officials. 

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

MEDICAL EXPERTS Some of the area’s top healthcare providers share their expertise

EDWARD CANCER CENTER WELCOMES RENOWNED CANCER SURGEON TO ITS TEAM

eorge Salti, MD, FACS, a renowned surgical oncologist and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is now the Co-Medical Director of the Edward Cancer Center and Medical Director of the Edward Hospital Surgical Oncology Program. Dr. Salti uses advanced surgical techniques to treat melanoma, sarcoma, breast cancer, gastrointestinal and esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatobiliary cancer and endocrine tumors. In addition, Dr. Salti has developed a special interest in — and is one of only a few surgeons in Illinois and the country — treating late stage abdominal cancers with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, also known as HIPEC. Only 1,300-1,500 of the procedures are performed annually in the

U.S. (Scan the QR code to learn more about the procedure and to watch an animated video.) A board-certified surgeon, Dr. Salti earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and completed his residency in General Surgery and fellowship training in Surgical Oncology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. To schedule a patient consultation with Dr. Salti, call (630) 527-3788.

For a patient consultation call 630.527.3788 or for more information go to www.edward.org/cancersurgery Edward Hospital and Health Services

EDWARD_SALTI_PROFILE-new.indd 1

DR. GEORGE SALTI

801 S. Washington, Naperville Edward Plainfield Cancer Center 24600 W. 127th St., Plainfield

6/24/13 12:06 AM

Medical Experts

Breathe Better . . .

Samuel J. Girgis, M.D.

S pec i al P R O M O T I O N A L sect i on

Hear

Better . . .

Robert D. Thomas, M.D.

Sleep

Better . . .

Deb Cheval, FNP-BC

rs. Girgis & Associates, S.C. delivers superior-quality

• Voice and swallowing difficulties

ear, nose and throat care to both pediatric and adult

• Allergies related to the ears, nose and throat

patients at three locations in the western suburbs —

• Thyroid disorders and surgeries

Hinsdale, La Grange, and Oak Park.

• Temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) treatment

Dr. Samuel J. Girgis, M.D. is a board-certified Otolaryngologist

Drs. Girgis and Associates accepts Medicare and all major

who completed his specialty training at Loyola University and

forms of insurance, and maintains affiliations with the leading

has performed more than 4,000 nasal/sinus functional and

hospitals in the western suburbs, including Adventist Hinsdale,

cosmetic procedures since he opened his practice in 1986.

Adventist La Grange, Advocate Good Samaritan and Elmhurst

His fellow practitioners — Robert D. Thomas, M.D., a board-

Memorial. They have been proud to serve the western suburbs

certified Otolaryngologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist;

for more than 50 years.

and Debra A. Cheval, FNP, B.C., a certified nurse practitioner in both Otolaryngology and Family Practice — work in concert to deliver a range of ENT and sleep-related services to

appointments are often available.

These services, and the situations they address, include but are not limited to:

more accurate diagnosis without additional visits.

• Facial cosmetic and reconstructive procedures • Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and the use of

Drs. Girgis & Associates, S.C.

Girgis & Associates can perform a thorough ENT exam and obtain a CT scan onsite during the same visit, providing a

• Nasal and sinus procedures

• Hearing and balance issues

and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, but evening appointments are available each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Same-day

their patients.

continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday,

Visit Drs. Girgis & Associates at one of their three locations in Hinsdale, La Grange and Oak Park. To make an appointment, call 630 323-5214 or visit their website at www.girgisent.com.

908 N. Elm St., Suites 306 & 315, Hinsdale 5201 S. Willow Springs Rd., Suite 240, LaGrange 1515 N. Harlem Ave., Suite 300, Oak Park

630 323-5214 • www.girgisent.com

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Medical Experts

S p e c i a l P R O M O T I O N AL s e c t i on

Dr. John E. Nathan: Excellence in Pediatric Dentistry

ohn E. Nathan, DDS, MDS knows the anxiety and outright fear a dental visit can trigger in adults. And he knows this situation is often intensified among children of all ages by virtue of a child’s disposition or previous unpleasant experience. In response, at his Oak Brook and St. Charles pediatric dental office locations, Dr. Nathan utilizes a proven childoriented and friendly approach that not only allows but encourages parents to remain at their child’s side during exams and treatment while incorporating other measures to make visits pleasant, calming and painless. The presence of a familiar face during treatment, he believes, not only provides reassurance but builds a solid rapport among parents, children, and the dental team allowing for full discussion and dialogue regarding viable treatment options. The care Dr. Nathan provides to infants, young children, adolescents, the medically compromised, and the neurologically challenged is the most advanced available anywhere. A nationally recognized expert in pediatric sedation as well as conventional communication strategies to reduce dentalrelated anxiety in young patients, Dr. Nathan is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Fellow and Master, American Society of Dentistry for Children. He has been active attending housestaff at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children’s Memorial) for more than two decades, and active staff at Hinsdale Hospital and Delnor/Cadence Hospital. He has served on the Advisory Council and consultant to the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and as pediatric site consultant for the A.D.A Council on Dental Accreditation. A 1975 graduate of Northwestern University Dental School, Dr. Nathan completed a one year general practice residency in Chicago, then completed the three year Pediatric Residency and Master of Dental Science Program at the University of Connecticut in 1979. He returned to Chicago to teach fulltime and direct the postgraduate pediatric training program at the University of Illinois until 1986 when he opened his practice in Oak Brook. Dr. Nathan has continued his academic interests serving as Adjunct Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the

John E. Nathan, DDS, MDS and Associates

University of Alabama in Birmingham, Case Western Reserve Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, and the University of Iowa. Closer to home, he is Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology/Dentistry at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine since 1999. He is frequently asked to lecture to pediatric medical and dental residents, pediatricians, nursing personnel, and pediatric dentists across the nation. Dr. Nathan’s calm and reassuring manner and sense of humor complement his outstanding credentials and extensive experience. His publications and widely recognized expertise often find other pediatric dentists and pediatricians referring their most challenging cases to Dr. Nathan and his team of professionals. In all cases, including the medically compromised or those facing neurological disability or impairment, treatment is provided under a strict “No Restraint” policy; no form of restraint is ever used to counteract a child’s will or limited ability to cooperate. Instead, Dr. Nathan and his staff endeavor to see the world of dental care from a child’s perspective as the first step in fostering a lifelong commitment to dental health. Just as no two children are alike, there is no single strategy in delivering dental care to a fearful or uncooperative young patient. Dr. Nathan’s personal approach philosophy is focused on what will happen, and how it will happen in terms that children can understand. For some children, a drug-based (or “pharmacological”) approach may be indicated that involves in-office oral conscious sedation, or general anesthesia administered by a pediatric anesthesiologist in either a hospital or surgical center. For these patients, Dr. Nathan’s skill, knowledge base and judgment in pediatric sedation is a paramount consideration. For more information, call 603.574.7336 or go to www.johnenathandds.com or e-mail drjohnenathan@gmail.com.

815 Commerce Dr., Oak Brook, 630.574.7336 2320 Dean St., St. Charles, 630.584.3624

www.johnenathandds.com

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6/26/13 12:08 AM

Transitioning

to the

FUTURE Area colleges ramp up on science and

technology, and expand interdisciplinary programs to prepare students for careers in the fast-changing economy Benedictine University

or years, students have been advised to do what they love and the money will follow. That was hard enough advice to follow back when you could simply figure out that you liked science. But today’s students have the daunting task of not only figuring out what they love to do, but what is going to be relevant in this rapidly changing world. Current college students must grapple with a stagnant economy coupled with swiftly evolving technology, along with a growing emphasis on global perspectives and a shifting business paradigm. Area colleges and universities, however, are rising to the challenge, introducing new and innovative programs and degrees to prepare students for a new world. In many ways, it’s a better time than ever to be a student.

well-earned retirement. Not so much today. A recent study by the Human Capital Institute indicates that one-third of the U.S. work force is now composed of freelancers, also known as contract workers. And that group of workers is growing at more than twice the rate of the full-time work force. In addition, a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nearly one in nine American workers are self-employed. By 2020, more than 50% of workers are expected to be contract/freelance workers and essentially self-employed. “We’re really starting to see a change in the traditional employer/employee relationship,” says Judie Caribeaux, director of career services at Aurora University. “These students are going to see more contractual relationships, rather than traditional employer jobs. They’ll work somewhere for a year or two and move on.”

CHANGING MEANING OF “JOB” Perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing recent graduates is the shift in what a “job” even means. For years, a successful career meant working at the same company for 40 years, then receiving a plaque, a handshake and a

INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES As a result of that employer/employee shift, students no longer need to fit their interests into a tidy degree like “Chemistry” or “Business.” Interdisciplinary classes and degrees are combining diverse areas of study such as design and technology, medicine

By Laura Amann

and humanities, business and science. “A lot of these fields are merging, and the lines are getting blurry,” says Francine Navakas, the director of integrative programs and associate academic dean at North Central College. “Students really need to merge fields and see new directions.” For instance, the changing world of healthcare means that doctors and nurses need to do more than just keep people healthy. They need to be able to navigate through technology, evaluate data, and understand both the psychological and physiological needs of the patients. Likewise, business majors need to be more technologically savvy than ever, as well as be able to communicate in a global market. They are expected to know how to work with social media and write for an online audience. And computer programming degrees, traditionally attractive to introverted students, now require students to learn more than programming languages and network concepts. “Employers are looking for students with excellent communication and ‘people’ skills,” says William Muellner, professor of computer science at Elmhurst College,

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n i w i

“

U s o o a

p t B i t d

t w C U B B e

Lewis University

Elgin Community College

Benedictine University

Wheaton College

Elgin Community College

Wheaton College

Lewis University

Delet Photo or de indiv capt tion h and d photo

Waubonsee Community College

noting that the college has an expansive internship program to provide students with real-world skills not solely attainable in academia. “WHO AM I” COURSES Again, schools aren’t letting their students flounder amid the changing expectations. Both Benedictine University and Aurora University are offering innovative programs specifically designed to help students figure out where their strengths and interests lie, in order to prepare them for the changes in jobs and job structure they will most likely face. Benedictine offers a “Why Work?” program, which is a collaboration between the Liberal Arts College and the College of Business. It lets students explore what’s important to them by walking them through various metrics and ranking different qualities. “We’ve found that it helps them when they finish college and get a job, to decide where they want to go,” says Dr. Deborah Cernauskas, department chairman of the Undergraduate Business and International Business and Economics Departments at Benedictine University. “We want them to explore their values and figure out their skills.”

Aurora University is rolling out a new curriculum with courses designed to help students identify their strengths and learn how they can best contribute to society. The curriculum will be phased in over the next three to four years, with the first course called “Being Human.” The interdisciplinary class will offer insights from professors who can give students a business, historical, ethical or religious perspective. Aurora University is also looking at a vocation initiative which will involve retreats and mentoring programs, not just between faculty and students, but also between students and students. “We really want to help students discover what is important,” says Caribeaux, “and then help them build their life toward that, with the necessary skills to reinvent themselves down the road.” GLOBAL FOCUS While students analyze inward, there is a growing need to move outward. There’s simply no denying that we live in a shrinking world. You’d be hard-pressed to find any field — healthcare, business, education, science,

technology — which doesn’t rub elbows across the globe. Whether doing business internationally or working alongside different cultures, it is crucial that students develop a cultural understanding of the world outside of their own. Awareness of languages, religions and cultural differences are keys to competing in today’s economy. Schools are responding by bolstering their language departments, with many offering Chinese, Japanese and Arabic. These courses not only teach the language, but cultural and religious awareness as well. “Central to the mission of a liberal-arts education, the Chinese program aims to foster autonomous and life-long learners who act as globally conscious citizens after graduation,” says Maria de la Camara, dean of the College of the Liberal Arts at Benedictine University, which offers a minor in Chinese. “We encourage students to connect their Chinese language skills to their chosen major.” Schools are beefing up their opportunities to study abroad as well, encouraging not just the traditional junior year abroad study, but offering shorter trips with internships and experiences in other countries.

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Education Guide BUSINESS MAJORS GET A BROADER FOUNDATION

ecognizing the impact of a global economy coupled with increased technology, local schools are ramp-

ing up the majors and courses which expose business students to science, math, computer programming and psychology. Benedictine University’s Business with Science Applications major allows students to take foundation business courses along with science classes and prepares students to work in management of a scientific company. The Business Analytics major requires

“We really want to open their eyes to the global perspective,” explains Navakas of North Central College. “We want our students to be able to speak globally about issues, whether in business or education.” Closer to home and in response to the growing Spanish-speaking population in the U.S., Benedictine now offers a Bilingual Journalism program. Faculty from both the Spanish and the Communication Arts programs conduct the courses, which are aimed at preparing students for careers in journalism within the burgeoning HispanicAmerican mass media.

students to integrate business knowledge with analytical skills often acquired from math and computer courses. “Business students need strong computer skills, but not the same skills as computer programmers,” explains Deborah Cernauskas, department chair of the undergraduate business department at Benedictine. “They need to take vast amounts of data from companies and analyze it to see the strengths and weaknesses. Many companies have been collecting data over the years but they don’t know what to do with it. We’re trying to supply that need.” Another interdisciplinary course at Benedictine, Web Intelligence and Analytics, looks at social media and how to pull data from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to uncover trends and thought directions. Elmhurst College is offering innovative and hybrid courses such as Digital Business Communications, which focuses on social media strategic planning. Other courses look at business communications and focus on podcasting, blogging and so on. “We’re constantly modifying courses to prepare students for improved performance in the contemporary workplace,” says Craig Engstrom, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at Elmhurst College. “My job is not to teach students how to use HootSuite or Tumblr,” says Engstrom. “It’s to teach them how to prepare, craft and deliver effective stories and introduce them to social platforms.”

NON-TRADITIONAL “TEACHERS” Not only does the real world look different, the classroom does as well. Recognizing the need for students to broaden their experiences and viewpoints, many schools are beginning to offer non-traditional instructors, such as other students or professionals from the “real world.” At North Central College, students present information to other students about the work and developments in their particular field. The idea is to not only provide awareness of this work but to aid students in problem solving and working together. “In today’s world,” says Navakas, “you may have a narrow specialization, but you need to work with other people to solve problems. And even if you’re in science, you need to understand ethical and business decisions more than ever.” Caribeaux agrees. “Leadership has always been on the list of top skills that employers want to see,” she says. “But increasingly being a team member is equally important. People need to know when it’s appropriate to take the lead and when to support the team, be a team member and get the job done.” Aurora University is also emphasizing what students as well as non-traditional faculty can offer each other. The university frequently brings in adjunct professors from

the outside world to present students with applicable information on what happens in the real world and what they need to know about it and how to adapt. “We’re very thoughtful about the industries where we’re pulling adjunct professors from,” says Caribeaux. “We know we want people from specific industries to help our students learn to navigate those worlds.” TECHNOLOGY As for this computer-based world today, basically and simply, “The assumption is that as students graduate, they are technology savvy,” says Caribeaux. “That is the expectation.” And indeed, you’d be hard-pressed to find any field that doesn’t rely on technology. “IT (Information Technology) has to be used by everybody,” agrees Desiree Chen of Elmhurst College. “You think you’re working for a nonprofit and you don’t need to know something like web design, but of course you will. And you can bring added value if you know how to do something like that well.” Today’s students have spent their formative years with laptops, social media, smartphones and other digital devices unheard of even 10 years ago. Professors now require students to use Excel, PowerPoint, Word and other tools simply to complete homework assignments. Even traditional communications departments are incorporating this technological literacy into their longstanding courses, “It’s not just how do I use social media or build a website,” maintains Caribeaux. “It’s really about how do you communicate through those styles as well.” “The truth is, that for all the focus on social media and technology,” says Craig Engstrom, assistant professor of communications arts and sciences at Elmhurst College, “employers still want the basic skills of writing and analysis.” 

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Education Guide Argosy University 999 N. Plaza Dr., Suite 111, Schaumburg 847 969-4900 www.argosy.edu Founded In: 1961 Size of campus: Office building # of Students: 560 Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergraduate Majors: 4 bachelor’s degree programs Graduate Programs: 11 master’s degree and 7 doctoral degree programs in business, education, health sciences and psychology Continuing Education: Type 75 endorsement, degree completion available, 4 certificates available. Satellite Campuses: 28 locations in 13 states Undergraduate Tuition: $428-$588/credit hour Graduate Tuition: $542-$1,006/credit hour Augustana College 639 38th St., Rock Island 309 794-7341 or 800 798-8100 www.augustana.edu Founded In: 1860 Size of campus: 115 acres # of Students: 2,500 Academic Calendar: Three-term calendar Undergraduate Majors: 51 majors, 34 minors and 14 pre-professional programs Undergraduate Tuition: $44,800 full-time (includes fees, housing and meal plan) Aurora University 347 S. Gladstone, Aurora 630 844-5533 www.aurora.edu Founded In: 1893 Size of campus: 40 acres # of Students: 4,400 Academic Calendar: Semesters with May Term and Summer Session Undergraduate Majors: 40 Graduate Programs: 20 master’s degree programs, two doctoral programs and a wide variety of endorsement and certificate programs Continuing Education: Extensive programs in IL and WI Satellite Campus: Woodstock, IL and Williams Bay, WI Undergraduate Tuition: $20,500 full-time Graduate Tuition: $50-$720/semester hour New Programs: Aurora University Online - Adult Degree Completion and Graduate Programs; Master of Science in Mathematics, Master of Arts in Mathematics Education, Master of Arts in Science Education, Master of Arts in Mathematics and Science Education for Elementary Teachers, Master of Arts in Communication Management, Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Benedictine University 5700 College Rd., Lisle (630) 829-6000 www.ben.edu Founded In: 1887 Size of Campus: 108 acres # of students: 9,923 Academic Calendar: Undergraduate on semesters, graduate on quarters and semesters Undergraduate Majors: 55 total, 4 are adult undergraduate only Graduate Programs: 14, with 4 doctoral programs Undergraduate Tuition: $24,850 full-time Graduate Tuition: $570/quarter hour, $830/semester hour Chamberlain College of Nursing 1221 N. Swift Rd., Addison 630 953-3660 www.chamberlain.edu/addison Founded In: 1889 Size of Campus: Each campus is averages 6,000 sq. ft. # of Students Nationwide: (Fall 2012): 15,316 Academic Calendar: Three semesters/year (May, January, September) Undergraduate Majors: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Graduate Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Continuing Education: RN to BSN option for registered nurses, Graduate Certificates Other Campuses: Chicago and Tinley Park. Undergraduate Tuition: $665/credit hour College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn 630 942-2800 www.cod.edu Founded In: 1967 Size of Campus: 283 acres # of Students: 30,000

COMPUTER SCIENCE FINDS NO SHORTAGE OF NEW APPLICATIONS

ou’d be hard-pressed

is ideal for students interested

multimedia systems using

to uncover any facet

in web design, animation

artificial intelligence.

of modern life that

graphic design and

isn’t affected by computers and information technology.

Likewise, the College of DuPage recently rolled

digital marketing. More traditional areas of

out degree and certificate

So it’s not surprisingly that

study, such as manufacturing

programs in Game Design

computer science is one of

and engineering, are

and Development as well as

the fastest growing areas of

becoming increasingly more

Game Programming and In-

study in college.

technology-oriented as well.

formation Security. Starting this

Factories need to run more

fall, the college will be offering

traditional undergraduate

efficiently, with fewer people

an iPhone/iPad Developer

degree programs in computer

working at much higher skill

Proficiency certificate.

sciences to include courses

levels. Biomedical Engineers

related to web and app

are now a necessity at

isn’t all fun and games. Recent

design, internet and computer

hospitals, both large and small.

cyber attacks have led to a

“We’ve upgraded our

network architecture, cloud

“Most hospitals have at least

But computer programming

greater need for cyber-

computing and social media

400 machines that require

security specialists. In

applications,” says William

maintenance, from the MRI

response, Elmhurst College

Muellner, professor in the

and nuclear imaging machines

will offer an online program

computer science and

down to automated blood

in cyber security in early

information systems department

pressure,” says John Kronenburger,

2014, as both a certificate

at Elmhurst College.

assocate dean of technology

program and an accelerated

at College of DuPage.

undergraduate major.

In the true IT spirit, students at Elmhurst also have the

And why not use those

“This will be a state-of-

option of enrolling in these

video skills for profit? Elmhurst

the-art program,” says James

courses online.

College’s new program,

Dauer, associate professor of

Computer Game and

computer science at Elmhurst

programs at North Central

Entertainment Technology,

College. “It was developed

College is Interactive Media

prepares students for careers

in response to the urgent need

Studies, which combines

in computer game design,

for IT security professionals

a graphic arts track with a

computer animation, com-

in both the public and

technology track. The program

puter simulation and

private sectors.”

One of the fastest growing

Academic Calender: Semesters Associate Degrees: 78 Certificates: 160 Continuing Education: Variety of non-credit programming for youth, adults and older adults Regional Centers: Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Naperville, Westmont and more than 100 additional satellite locations Tuition: $140/credit in-district, $327/credit out-of-district, $397/credit out-of-state Concordia University Chicago 7400 Augusta St., River Forest 708 771-8300 www.cuchicago.edu Founded In: 1864 Size of campus: 40 acres # of Students: 5,450 (est) Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergraduate Programs: 70+ Graduate and Doctoral Programs: 30+ Continuing Education: Accelerated degree completion program for adults (BA in organizational management); 60+ College Program; Certificate programs in human resource management, information technology management, organizational processes, couple and family relational systems, not-for-profit/church management, gerontology and education technology; Post-master’s certificate programs for Type 73 certification (school counseling), Type 75 certification (school administration), and Type 75 certification (superintendent endorsement)

DePaul University 150 W. Warrenville Rd., Naperville 630 548-9378 www.depaul.edu Founded In: 1898 Size of Campus: 63,000 sq. ft. Academic Calendar: Quarters # of Students: Approx. 1,000 Undergraduate Majors: 4 degree options for adults Graduate Programs: Various options available at Naperville campus Continuing Education: Various certificate programs Conference Services Available Main Campus: Chicago Undergraduate Tuition: Varies Graduate Tuition: Varies DeVry University 18624 W. Creek Dr., Tinley Park 708 342-3300 www.devry.edu Founded In: 1931 Size of Campus: 11 acres # of Students: 1,071 (Fall 2012 enrollment) Academic Calendar: Three semesters Undergraduate Degrees: 3 Associates, 13 Bachelors Master’s Degrees: 9 Dominican University 7900 W. Division St., River Forest, 708 366-2490 Priory Campus: 7200 W. Division St., River Forest www.dom.edu Founded In: 1901 Size of Campus: 30 acres # of Students: 3,368

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Education Guide

NEW INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPARK EDUCATION PROGRAMS

he consistent demand

incorporating coursework

of that and the ethics of

for teachers means

on instructional technology,

rapid change.”

that elementary

covering the use of smart

The College of DuPage

education continues to be

boards, iPads and other

is offering a new education

one of the most popular

techniques. Faculty from

certificate, Teaching

majors in the country.

the Computer Science

Online Utilizing Technology,

school instruct education

which offers instruction to

majors in these courses.

existing educators in how

No longer do teachers just need to learn to teach. They also need to

And kids are advancing

to design collaborative,

integrate technology into

as rapidly as the incoming

their classes and be able

teachers. “Our students

to analyze data. Today’s

come back to report on

an MA/certification

kindergartners have been

their amazement at

program in Linguistics with

using smartphones and

what kids can do,”

a TESOL (Teachers of English

computers since a tender

explains Francine Navakas,

to Speakers of Other

age, and the current use

director of integrative

Languages) option, geared

of computer assessments

programs and associate

toward in-service and

reveal real data about

academic dean at North

education majors who

each student’s abilities

Central. “How they listen

want to study languages

and struggles.

to music and watch

in a cultural context. It will

videos — their brains are

connect language theory

To help future teachers

engaging learning materials. Benedictine is proposing

prepare, schools like

rapidly changing. We can

and literature with options

North Central College

help our students think

in Spanish, Chinese

in Naperville have been

about the implications

and Arabic.

Undergraduate Majors: 50+, including 8 pre-professional programs Graduate Programs: 15 in the Brennan School of Business, the School of Education, the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, the Graduate School of Social Work, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies Satellite Sites: Chicago Loop, Elk Grove Village and University Center of Lake County in Grayslake Undergraduate Tuition: $28,440 full-time Graduate Tuition: $520-895/credit hour; $1,500/credit hour for doctoral program Elgin Community College 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin, 847-697-1000 www.elgin.edu Founded In: 1949 Size of campus: 145 acres # of Students: 11,554 credit students Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergraduate Majors: Over 140 degrees/certificates Satellite Campuses: Courses offered at the Streamwood Village Hall and other off-campus locations, including public schools, libraries and hospitals Tuition: $109/credit in-district, $354.81/out-of-district resident, and students ages 60 and older are eligible for an in-district tuition waiver Elmhurst College 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst 630 617-3500 www.elmhurst.edu Founded In: 1871 Size of Campus: 48 acres # of Students: 3,400 Academic Calendar: Fall and Spring terms, plus January term Undergraduate Degrees: 50+, Accelerated, 5 Master’s Degrees: 10 Accelerated Undergraduate Programs: Business

administration, information technology, organizational leadership and communication, pre-clinical psychology, degree completion for RNs, various certificate programs Graduate Programs: MBA, Supply Chain Management, Professional Accountancy, Computer Information Systems, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Early Childhood Special Education, Teacher Leadership Nursing, Public Health, Communication Sciences & Disorders, various certificate programs Continuing Education: Non-credit certificates for professional development, ELSA (Elmhurst Life Skills Academy) certificate program for students with cognitive disabilities Certificate Tuition: Varies by program Undergraduate Tuition: $31,450 full-time, $896 per credit hour part-time, $575 per credit hour for adult accelerated Graduate Tuition: Varies by program Harrington College of Design 200 W. Madison St., Chicago 877 939-4975 www. Harrington.edu Founded in: 1931 Size of Campus: 82,000 square feet on six floors Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergraduate Majors: Associate of applied science in interior design or digital photography, bachelor of fine arts in graphic design or interior design, commercial photography and a bachelor of science in web design and development. Illinois Institute of Technology 201 E. Loop Rd., Wheaton 630 682-6000 www.iit.edu Founded In: 1890 Main Campus: Chicago Size of Campus: 19 acres # of Students: approx. 2,800 undergrad (full and part-time), 5,000 graduate, and 400 at Wheaton Rice campus Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergrad Majors: 30

Graduate Programs: 50 master’s programs, 17 PhD and 7 combined degree programs Continuing Education: 60 professional certificates and information technology certificates, online learning and 1 to 3 day short courses that award CEUs Tuition: $36,504 full-time, $1,204/credit hour part time Judson University 1151 N. State St., Elgin 847 628-2500 www.judsonu.edu Founded In Chicago: 1913; moved to Elgin in 1963 Size of Campus: 90 Acres # of Students: 1,100 Academic Calendar: Semesters (Terms for Adults) Undergraduate Majors: 60+ and 10 pre-professional programs Graduate Programs: 3 Satellite Campus: Rockford (Center for Adult Professional Studies only) Traditional Undergraduate Tuition: $26,750 full-time Accelerated Adult Undergraduate Tuition: $21,525 Graduate Tuition: Varies Lewis University One University Pkwy., Romeoville 800 897-9000 www.lewisu.edu Founded In: 1932 Size of Campus: 410 acres # of Students: 6,600 Academic Calendar: Semesters, with 5- and 8-week sessions, online and campus-based, and summer classes Undergraduate Majors: 80 Graduate Programs: 25 Continuing Education: Degree completion programs, adult accelerated programs Satellite Campuses: Chicago, Hickory Hills, Oak Brook, Shorewood, Tinley Park, and Albuquerque, NM Fall 2013 Undergraduate Tuition: $26,780 full-time Graduate Tuition: Varies Midwestern University 555 31st St., Downers Grove 630 515-6171 www.midwestern.edu Founded in: 1993 Size of Campus: 105 acres # of Students: 2,547 Undergraduate Majors: None Graduate Programs: 9 Continuing Education: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Chicago College of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences and College of Dental Medicine New Programs: New Medical Campus opening at 3450 Lacey Rd., Downers Grove (630 743-4500) featuring a Dental Institute with additional healthcare services to be offered National-Louis University 122 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago 888 658-8632 www.nl.edu Founded In: 1886 # of Students: 8,376 Undergraduate Majors: 14 Graduate Programs: 30 master’s, 6 doctoral’s (5 Ed.D., 1 Ph.D) 4 Education Specialist (Ed.S) and 10 Certificates of Advanced Study Continuing Education: Credit and non-credit in the National College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Management and Business Other Campuses: Elgin, Lisle, Skokie, Wheeling Tuition: Varies (check online) National University of Health Sciences 200 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard 630 629-2000 www.nuhs.edu Founded In: 1906 Size of Campus: 35 acres # of Students: 800+ Academic Calendar: Trimesters Undergraduate Majors: 2 Graduate Programs: Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Master of Science in Acupuncture, Master of Science in Oriental Medicine Certificate Programs: Massage Therapy and Chiropractic Assistant Other Programs: Bachelor of Science completion program, Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy Continuing Education: Certificate programs, diplomate programs and specialty seminars Tuition: Varies

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Education Guide MEDICAL COURSES GET MORE HIGH TECH, HIGH TOUCH

oday’s doctors

“People are paying more

and nurses need

attention than ever to

to be more than

the costs and what they

point that medical

want from a doctor.”

professionals need to be

just skilled in medicine, they also need to be

Benedictine University

Arts at Benedictine. To underscore the

technically savvy, North

technologically savvy

offers a Medical Humanities

Central College has added

and demonstrate strong

major which exposes

a Bioinformatics minor,

interpersonal skills.

pre-med and science

which integrates biology

majors to the ideas and

and computer science

the most rapidly growing

practices that “humanize”

and allows students

fields, for many reasons,”

medical science, including

to pursue careers in

says Judie Caribeaux,

ethical studies, psychology

data mining, organizing

director of career services

and literature.

and analyzing data for

“Healthcare is one of

at Aurora University. “But

“If you look at what

molecular biology and

they’re not just studying,

medical schools are

work in pharmaceuticals.

say, nursing. Employers

looking for — students

“It really brings together

need nurses who know

obviously need to know

science and technology,”

how to use data and

science, but schools

says Francine Navakas,

technology to better

also want a humanities

director of integrative

treat their patients.”

background or experience,

programs and associate

such as studying abroad,

academic dean at

bringing social sciences,

because healthcare

North Central.

such as psychiatry and

professionals have

sociology, to their pre-med

to deal with different

Central has modified

classes. “The doctor/

cultures and different

courses in sports medicine,

patient relationship is

experiences,” says María

athletic training and exercise

very important,” notes the

de la Cámara, dean of

science to be more

college’s Desiree Chen.

the College of the Liberal

technology-oriented.

Elmhurst College is

North Central College 30 N. Brainard St., Naperville 630-637-5800 www.northcentralcollege.edu Founded In: 1861 Size of Campus: 65 acres # of Students: 3,000 Academic Calendar: Trimesters, plus 3-week December term and a summer term Undergraduate Majors/Minors: 70 Graduate Programs: 7 Continuing Education: Day, night and weekend classes Undergraduate Tuition: $32,433 full-time Graduate Tuition: Varies

In addition, North

Northwood University 1200 Roosevelt Rd., Suite 140, Glen Ellyn 630.620.9488 www.northwood.edu Main Campus: Midland, MI Founded in: 1959 in Midland, MI, 1991 (Lisle site), 2010 (Glen Ellyn Adult Program Center opened) Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergraduate Major: Business administration in areas of Management and Marketing

Northern Illinois University 1120 E. Diehl St., Naperville, 630 577-9101 Main Campus: DeKalb, 815 753-1000 www.niu.edu Founded: 1895 Undergrad Enrollment: 17, 306 Graduate & Law: 5,684 Academic Programs: 63 undergraduate majors, 69 minors, 20 certificates, 78 graduate programs including 20 Doctoral Programs Tuition: $11,024 resident, $19,515 out-of-state Room & Board: $9,346 for double room, basic meal plan.

Robert Morris University 905 Meridian Lake Dr., Aurora 800 762-5960 www.robertmorris.edu Founded In: 1913 Academic Calendar: 10-week sessions (quarters) Undergraduate Majors: 11 associate’s degrees, 12 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees Graduate Programs: Yes Continuing Education: Yes Other Campuses: Chicago (main campus), Arlington Heights, Bensenville, Elgin, Lake County, Orland Park, Peoria, Schaumburg, Springfield Undergraduate Tuition: $7,600 full-time, $5,067 part-time Graduate Tuition: $2,400/course

Northern Seminary 660 E. Butterfield Rd., Lombard, 630 620-2180 www.seminary.edu Founded In: 1913 Size of Campus: 28 acres # of Students: 300-350 Graduate Programs: MA in Christian Ministries, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry Continuing Education: Certificate in Christian Studies, Diploma in Divinity Other Campus: Chicago, Lawndale Graduate Tuition: Varies by program

Trinity Christian College 6601 W. College Dr., Palos Heights 866 874-6463 www.trinty.edu Founded In: 1959 Size of Campus: 138 acres # of Students: 1,450 Undergraduate Majors: 40 Graduate Majors: 2 - Counseling Psychology and Special Education Continuing Education: 5 accelerated degree-completion programs in business, criminal justice, education/teaching licensure, special education and RN-BSN; plus two

endorsement programs for licensed teachers in English as a Second Language or Bilingual and Special Education Other Campuses: Addison and Chicago (accelerated teaching only) Undergraduate Tuition: $23,980 Continuing Education Tuition: $24,990 business; $19,800 criminal justice; $25,650 education or teaching certification; $38,760 special education/dual certification; $20,475 RN-BSN; $8,982 ESL/BL endorsement; $6,986 special education endorsement Graduate Tuition: $22,464 M.A. in Special Education ($624/credit hour); $29,952 M.A. in Counseling Psychology ($624/credit hour) Triton College 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove (708) 456-0300 www.triton.edu Founded In: 1964 Size of Campus: 100 acres # of Students: 15,000+ Academic Calendar: Semesters Pre-Associate/Associate’s Degrees: Close to 100 Continuing Education: More than 30 subject areas, more than 100 certificate programs, and adult education courses Tuition (Fall 2013): $103/credit in-district, $268.80 out-of-district University of Illinois at Chicago Liautaud Graduate School of Business 110 Douglas Hall, MC 077 705 South Morgan Street, Chicago 312 996-4573 http://go.uic.edu/liautaud Founded In: 1977 (MBA), 2003 (UIC Liautaud) Academic Calendar: Semesters Graduate Programs: 5 Graduate Tuition: $9,883 full-time, $6,589 part-time New Weekend MBA program offered starting Fall 2013 University of St. Francis 500 Wilcox St., Joliet 800 735-7500 www.stfrancis.edu Founded In: 1920 Size of Campus: 24 acres # of Students: 3,452 Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergraduate Programs: 45 Graduate Programs: 19 Doctoral Programs: 2 Continuing Education: Four degree completion programs in business, healthcare, leadership and nursing Satellite Campuses: Online and Albuquerque, NM Undergraduate Tuition: $27,400 full-time Graduate Tuition: Varies Waubonsee Community College Rt. 47 at Waubonsee Dr., Sugar Grove 630 466-7900 www.waubonsee.edu Founded In: 1966 Size of Campus: 243 acres # of Students: 12,000+ Academic Calendar: Semesters Associate’s Degrees: Four transfer degrees and more than 100 career degrees and certificates of achievement Continuing Education: Non-credit courses in Community Education and Workforce Development departments Satellite Campuses: Downtown Aurora, Copley Campus and Plano Campus plus various extension sites Tuition: $100/credit hour in-district, $269/credit hour outof-district Wheaton College 501 College Ave., Wheaton 630 752-5000 www.wheaton.edu Founded In: 1860 Size of Campus: 80 acres # of Students: approx. 2,900 Academic Calendar: Semesters Undergraduate Majors: 39 Graduate Programs: 17 Continuing Education: Certificates in TESOL, Urban Missions Undergraduate Tuition: $30,120 full-time Undergraduate tuition; room and board: $8,560 Graduate Tuition: $715/credit hour for Master’s, $875/credit hour for PhD, $910/credit hour for PsyD

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LISLE

I h t s f t h c

By Lynn Petrak

Taking a page from the nearby Morton Arboretum (left), recent streetscaping in downtown Lisle has emphasized colorful flora and fauna, complemented by attractive Praire-style lighting. A Garden Walk winds through the downtown area, taking visitors by a naturethemed fountain (top right) and the Museums of Lisle Station (above). Photo Credits: Photos by Ed Ahern and courtesy of Morton Arboretum and the Village of Lisle.

t s A e M r t g o w v p

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ntown e-style ature-

Photo credit

The village that is home to the Morton Arboretum

(From left) The PrairieWalk Pond serves as a scenic recreational area while also providing flood retention. The village is home to a variety of corporations and its small but thriving downtown boasts many local businesses.

is also strategicaly situated at the crossroads of DuPage, making it a key business hub on the I-88 high tech

talk with Broda for a while — as people often do, during his regular “Coffee with the Mayor” open public chats — he’ll share dozens of other things he loves to do and see in his hometown. Speaking of things do to and see in Lisle, summer and early fall is a great time to take advantage of what this village of about 23,000 residents, 26 miles due west of Chicago, has to offer.

corridor and a vibrant place to live and work.

It’s an area marked by rolling hills, hundreds of acres of native and rare trees and prairie grasses waving in the summer wind. It’s also a place that allows for immediate access to tollways and trains, and is home to sprawling corporate headquarters and gleaming hotels and conference centers. Welcome to Lisle, the western suburb that boasts both a country side and a city side. It is officially known as “The Arboretum Village,” because of the environmentally important and bucolic Morton Arboretum. Downtown Lisle reflects the community’s celebration of all things green, with its own arbors, shrubs, grasses and blooms that peak this time of year. Those looking for a quiet walk, where they can enjoy flora and fauna vistas, can stroll along a number of public parks, nature areas and trails. As for the city side, Lisle is centrally located, with easy access on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), and Route 53, among other major thoroughfares. The Metra commuter rail line to Chicago bisects the downtown area. Because of its strategic geography, many major businesses

have put down roots in what’s known as the “corporate corridor” in Lisle, including Navistar, Molex, McCain Foods, Unilever, IPSCO, Logicalis, IKON Office Solutions and SXC, to name a few. Other venerable Lisle-founded businesses include Lisle Savings Bank (established in 1917) and Weldon Hardware, among others. Kitty Murphy grew up in Lisle and now owns the hangout — called The Nook — that she enjoyed as a kid. She thinks Lisle’s appeal is based on the fact that one can still enjoy such charming, old-school places, yet have the best of today’s conveniences. “I love the small town of it — Main Street and all of the nostalgia. I call it Mayberry, because it’s a little gem, yet offers easy access to anywhere around the Chicago area,” she says. Lisle Mayor Joe Broda — the longestserving public official in the village — agrees that the community’s appeal is that it balances easy living with beautiful surroundings. “Lisle really is the crossroads to DuPage. There is easy access to and from Lisle, and we have the Arboretum, one of the top places in the Chicago area to visit, along with a great park district and downtown,” he says. In fact, if you WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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The Main (Street) Attraction: Downtown Lisle Living up to its slogan as the Arboretum Village, Lisle has devoted considerable time and planning to make its downtown — which sprang up decades ago along the all-American-sounding Main Street — a natural attraction. If it seems like you’re taking a garden walk when you’re ambling along Main Street in downtown Lisle, that’s exactly the point. Redeveloped three years ago, the prairiestyle streetscape includes large planters and beds teeming with flowers and native grasses, and sidewalks etched with nature motifs. This summer, you’ll also encounter dragonflies — maybe some real ones, but definitely some artistic ones, in the form of large decorative dragonflies that have been set up for the season. The downtown district even has its own Garden Walk along the west side of |

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Town Focus

Lisle

Statistical Snapshot

2013 pop - 22,409 (est) Decrease from 2000 - 4% n Median Age - 37.8 n % 20 or Under - 25% n % 21 to 24 - 6% n % 25 to 34 - 15% n % 35 to 64 - 41% n % 65 and over - 13% n % White - 77%x n % African American - 6% n % Asian - 12% n % Hispanic - 8% n n

* Race percentages add up to more than 100 because respondents were allowed to check multiple boxes.

Income Median Household Income - $71,827 n % Household Income $100,000 and over - 34% n % Below Poverty Level - 2%

Housing n

Total households - 9,347 (est)

% Family Households - 58%

% Married Couple Families - 83%

Avg Household Size - 2.31

Avg Home Sale Price $261,413

Owner-occupied housing units - 59%

Renter-occupied housing units - 41%

Business/Employment n

% Residents Employed - 69%

Average Travel Time to Work - 32 minutes

Major Employers

McCain Foods - 300

Benedictne University - 280

Hilton Lisle/Naperville - 275

Navistar - 3,095

Molex - 952

John Morrell Food Group - 270

DuPage Medical - 610

Patrick Engineering - 203

Lisle Auto Plaza - 433

Wyndham Lisle - 200

% High school degree or more - 96%

CA Technologies - 433

Hapag Lloyd - 200

Millward Brown - 305

Hyatt Lisle - 180

% Bachelor’s degree - 33%

Education n

% Graduate degree - 24%

Photo xxx

Population

Sources: U.S. Census, Neilson Estimates, and Village of Lisle Supplied Data

will be on display during Downtown Lisle Block Party and Cruise Night events, slated for July 27 and August 31. Although downtown Lisle is the central business district, there are other commercial areas of town, including the Ogden Avenue corridor, the College Square shopping center, the Green Trails shopping center, and the area along Route 53 and Maple Avenue.

Main Street, complete with a fountain inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” design. To be sure, the Garden Walk offers a pleasant respite, but downtown Lisle also boasts a variety of busy and mostly independent stores and restaurants, from longtime businesses like The Nook Yarn Shop to newer spots like Crème de la Crème boutique. Eateries include Yerbabuena Mexican Restaurant, Evviva Bar and Eatery, The Lisle Fox, Traviata Chocolate and Gelato Café, John Dough’s Bakery & Café, as well as the nearby Chinn’s 34th Street Fishery. From early summer through late October, the French Market comes to downtown Lisle on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., with vendors offering fresh produce, home-baked goods and artisan pieces, among other offerings. Once a month on Saturday nights in the summertime, the streets of downtown Lisle are clogged with cars, but in this case, that’s a good thing for those who enjoy car shows. All kinds of unique cars 78 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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Little Walk on the Prairie: PrairieWalk Pond and Dragonfly Landing Just as a tree has roots that extend in different directions, the natural elements of downtown Lisle stretch beyond the Main Street shopping and dining district. Keep walking along the Garden Walk that starts in downtown Lisle, for instance, and you’ll end up at PrairieWalk Pond. The recreation area spans nearly five acres, and includes the namesake pond, walking trails, a gazebo and a preserved wetland. Little ones will have a blast at Dragonfly Landing, a children’s area that includes a |

splash pad — a cool place to be in the dog days of summer. While these natural elements are pretty to look at and enjoyed by residents and visitors, they also serve a purpose. The PrairieWalk Pond doubles as a retention basin capable of holding nearly five million gallons of stormwater runoff. The pond was inundated during the record rainfall and subsequent flooding this spring that wreaked havoc on many suburbs, including Lisle. Past is Present: The Museums at Station Park While PrairieWalk Pond and Dragonfly Landing are a western gateway to downtown Lisle, the eastern side has its own attraction in a series of historic buildings known as the Museums at Station Park. This museum campus includes historic mid- and late 19th century homes, along with an old-time tavern and blacksmith shop that comprised the center of town after Lisle was first settled in 1832. Train enthusiasts will appreciate the vintage train depot that was built in 1874, and a circa-1880, bright-red Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad caboose. The curious can also check out the Lisle Cemetery, with gravestones that date to the earliest days of the region. Seasonal activities and events bring history to life on this museum campus, which is a joint effort among the Lisle Park District, the Lisle Heritage Society and the Village of Lisle. As summer ends, the Museums at Station Park get livelier with the annual Depot Days celebration, this year slated for Sept. 14 and 15, featuring public tours of the museum buildings, along with fall-themed activities like hayrides and apple pie tastings. Around the holidays, the museum area welcomes yet another season with “Once Upon a Christmas.” Trunk Show: The Morton Arboretum Of course, if the town’s nickname is the

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Arboretum Village, the Arboretum itself is part and parcel of the community. Certainly, the Morton Arboretum extends across a huge parcel of land in Lisle — more than 1,700 acres, in fact. Arbors are the main draw here — with more than 4,000 trees, shrubs and other plants, the Morton Arboretum is considered a tree museum. Beyond the woodlands, the topography includes prairies, wetlands, meadows and Meadow Lake. Families with youngsters flock to the interactive Children’s Garden, which includes several smaller gardens designed for those ages 2 to 10. Guests can go off on their own by foot or bicycle — and, during the winter months, cross-country skis — to explore the Arboretum’s grounds or take a guided tour. Activities and programs for all ages are held throughout the year, for both educational and entertainment purposes. “We really do have something for everyone, and that is one of best things about the Arboretum that differentiates us from other sites,” says Anna Kaufner, who heads up visitor services. “You can explore hiking and the woodlands, or take advantage of the Children’s Garden. Activities change seasonally at the Arboretum, too.” With plenty of temperate days still ahead this summer and early fall, the schedule includes a broad range of things do to and see. Families can check out this summer’s new exhibit, “Big Bugs,” with large insects fashioned by artist David Rogers and accompanying bug-themed children’s programs, along with family nights every Thursday featuring live entertainment. Adults can enjoy Wednesday evening events that include wine and cheese tastings, live music and, of course, a scenic background. Theatre hikes are also held throughout the summer, which allow guests to walk the grounds along with actors for a truly interactive experience. (A full schedule is available on the website, mortonarb.org.) Picnics are perennially popular here, given the surroundings, but guests can also

SUMMER LOVIN’ LISLE

Sunsational Fun!

Summer is in full swing and what better way to celebrate this “sensational” season than in Lisle, “The Arboretum Village!” Visit the Village’s website (villageoflisle.org) or Facebook page (facebook.com/villageoflisle) to learn about fun activities, special events and offers from your favorite stores and restaurants. And be sure to visit beautiful Downtown Lisle, filled with blooming flowers and grasses - and for a limited time - giant dragonflies!

villageoflisle.org/lovin

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Town Focus

Lisle

Resources

Sporting fields and a recreational site are part of Community Park, as are a fishing pond, picnic area and bandshell, where various summer performances are held.

PrairieWalk Pond & Dragonfly Landing

Lisle Public Library

Farmhouse, Beaubien

fields, nature walk, fishing

Total Holdings - 201,660

Tavern, CB&Q Waycar and

ponds, sled hills, bike paths,

Items Checked Out

Blacksmith Shop.

outdoor amphitheater, picnic

Per Year - 534,248

Jurica-Suchy Nature

shelters and band shell.

Museum - 5700 College

Rd., 630 829-6546

5900 S Rt. 53, 630 968-1920

Natural history exhibits with

Named one of

almost 10,000 specimens,

Chicagoland’s best 9-hole

4100 Rt. 53, 630 968-0074

including Pancotto animal

public courses in 2012.

1,700 acres of natural areas

collection.

Visitors Per Year - 167,570

Attractions n

Morton Arboretum

with hiking trails, gardens, store, restaurant, Visitor Center, and Plant Clinic. n

PrairieWalk Pond

& Dragonfly Landing 925 Burlington Ave. 4.5-acre natural area with

Chicago Bulls/Sox

Academy - 6200 River Bend Dr., 630 324-8221 Facility providing athletic programs, batting cages,

large pond, lighted paths,

and basketball courts.

gazebo, colored fountains

and children’s splash pad.

5750 Lakeside Dr., 630 964-2550

Four Lakes Ski Area

Skiing and snowboarding

Museums n

during winter season.

Museums at Lisle Station

Park - 921 School St., 630 968-0499. Lisle Depot Museum, Netzley/Yender

Lisle Community Park

1825 Short St., 630 964-3410 Basketball courts, ball fields, tennis courts, soccer

get a bite to eat at the Gingko Restaurant, located in the Morton Arboretum’s visitor’s center, which also features a charming gift shop. The fall season is another kind of experience at the Morton Arboretum. “Fall color is one of our busiest times of the year,” reports Kaufner, who notes that the museum holds an annual fall 80 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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Sea Lion Aquatic Park

1825 Short St., 630 964-3410.

Recreation n

River Bend Golf Club

Four waterslides, baby pool, sand area, lazy river, zero depth pool, water playground. n

Village of Lisle/

Benedictine Sports Complex 5700 College Rd., 630 829-6085 On-campus facility with 3,000-seat football and 1,100-seat baseball stadiums. n

Recreation Center

1925 Ohio St., 630 964-3410 New building with Gentle Learning Preschool, senior center, and administrative offices.

festival and is planning a new winter lights festival, “Illumination,” for holiday time. In addition to this emerald gem in Lisle, there are other green spaces in the community. The Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail both pass through Lisle. The Lisle Park District owns and maintains 37 parks around town, including the large Community Park off Route 53. |

No Bones about It: Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum If the Morton Arboretum is an outdoor nature museum, Lisle also has its own indoor natural museum. The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, housed on the campus of Benedictine University, features a variety of artifacts that were part of the namesake professors’ personal collections. Specimens include a whale skeleton, along with an extensive animal collection that includes bears, sheep, and lions. Museum-goers also can check out a special exhibit on coal, one of this state’s most plentiful natural resources. Group tours are offered at the museum, which is free and open to all. The museum is just one aspect of Benedictine University, which has been in the heart of Lisle since its founding in 1887. Known previously as St. Procopius and Illinois Benedictine College, the Roman Catholic institution offers undergraduate and graduate programs in both online and on-campus formats. Just across the street is another academic institution, Benet Academy, that draws students from throughout the region. The college preparatory high school is owned and operated by St. Procopius Abbey. Nearby is Villa St. Benedict, a retirement community with both independent and assisted living built on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Monastery. Full of Hot Air: Eyes to the Skies Balloon Fest One of the most beloved and heavily attended annual events in Lisle is the annual Eyes to the Skies Hot Air Balloon Festival. Started by the Lisle Park District many years ago, the event is now run by a volunteer organization. This year, the skies in and around

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Lisle will be splashed with color between July 3 and 6, as hot air balloons take off on flights throughout the day. The balloon inflations and launches make for great sightseeing, especially the evening “glow” flights. But this is also an event to take part in as tethered hot air balloon rides are available, weather permitting, including a special wheelchair-accessible balloon for people with disabilities. Befitting the time frame, a 4th of July parade and fireworks show are part of the festivities. Also part of the tradition — a carnival, concerts, food vendors and an arts and crafts fair. (For a full schedule, visit eyestotheskies.org.) In addition to Eyes to the Skies, Lisle offers other seasonal festivals throughout the year, from a fall/harvest event to a holiday festival. One new event that is tentatively scheduled for this September is an inaugural Ale Fest, planned by the Lisle Chamber of Commerce. Field of Dreams: Village of Lisle/ Benedictine University Sports Complex Lisle has its fair share of athletic fields, dotted with youth league and pickup players. It’s also home to a professional stadium complete with a press box, private suites and Olympic-sized running track. The Village of Lisle/Benedictine University Sports Complex was built and is used as a collaboration between Benedictine University and the Village of Lisle. The 3,000-seat stadium is the home field of the university’s baseball, softball, football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and track and field teams. It is also the home field of the collegiate wooden bat team, the DuPage County Hounds, who play there during the summer months, and the Chicago Red Stars women’s soccer team. “The facility is used for a lot of different things,” says Mayor Broda. “A lot of youth baseball teams rent it out, and there are tournaments with young players who get a unique chance to play on a professional field.” WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Lisle

The complex is the site of other special events, including an upcoming drum and bugle corps competition called the Cavalcade of Brass on Sunday, July 7. In addition to that stadium and the many Lisle Park District locations in town, Lisle is home to the Chicago Bulls/ White Sox Academy, where professional instructors offer training for youth in baseball and basketball. The facility has 13 batting cages and three basketball courts, including one that is a replica of the Chicago Bulls court at the United Center. For those who prefer greener pastures for their athletic pursuits — or, as the case may be, greener links — Lisle is home to the nine-hole River Bend Golf Course, run by the Lisle Park District. This course, too, reflects the village’s dedication to and celebration of nature, with preserved wetlands and several water features. Grab some lunch afterward, or even if you’re not golfing, at the clubhouse restaurant, Wheatstack Eatery and Tap. Sun and Snow: Sea Lion Aquatic Park and Four Lakes It’s summertime, and the living is easy – at least judging by the crowds at the Sea Lion Aquatic Park, run by the Lisle Park District. In addition to a zero-depth pool, the aquatic park has several waterslides and play areas for kids, including a sand park. Special events, including evening parties, are held for both residents and non-residents. There is fun for adults, too. Children under 18 aren’t allowed in an adult area, a deck that has its own whirlpool spas. While Sea Lion Aquatic Park is a hotbed of activity in the summer, Four Lakes Ski and Snowboard Area is where it’s at in the winter months. Four Lakes, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary, offers ski and snowboarding activities for all ages, from those just starting out to those who are seasoned on the slopes. In addition to 82 JULY/AUGUST 2013

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classes for all ability levels, Four Lakes offers group instruction for organizations like Scouts, schools and church groups. Checking In: Hotels and Conference Centers, Lisle Neighborhoods Many people who do and see things in Lisle live there, of course. Many others work in Lisle, at one of the numerous corporations and small businesses located within the village limits. And then there are those who stay in Lisle, for business or pleasure, at one of the village’s many hotels. Most, if not all, suburbs have hotels, of course. But Lisle happens to have three high-profile properties in the Hilton Lisle, Hyatt Lisle and Wyndham Lisle and Executive Meeting Center. Each offers spaces for special events for nearby residents as well as out-of-town visitors, and the hotel’s restaurants, such as Allgauer’s at the Hilton, attract their share of locals. For visitors who later choose to make Lisle home, the community is comprised of distinct, diverse neighborhoods. “We have a variety of housing here,” says Broda. “You can move into an apartment as a single person out of college, you can get married and have a small bungalow, move into a bigger two- or three-bedroom home or buy a million-dollar mansion, then downsize into a condo.” To Your Health: DuPage Medical Group It’s not an attraction in the sense that people flock to it for, say, pure recreation. After all, a medical center is there to help those with health issues and concerns. However, the DuPage Medical Group’s newly built, 100,000-square-foot medical office building in Lisle has commanded attention for its new, advanced cancer center and other state-of-the-art healthcare services. The facility serves as a tangible example of how Lisle continues to evolve, blending the new and progressive with a strong sense of place and history. n

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DINING

RESTAURANT OPENINGS

REVIEWS

LISTINGS

CHEERS WINE COLUMN

AND MUCH MORE

SUSHI HOUSE NEW DOWNERS GROVE LOCATION The local Sushi House restaurant group will open its sixth west suburban outlet when its new Downers Grove location debuts in mid-July. Located across from the Tivoli Theatre at 950 Warren St.

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including two private tatami rooms and a sushi bar. Outdoor seating will be offered later in the season. Beer, wine and sake will be available and there will also be a kid’s menu. The interior will feature natural bamboo and slate in dark brown tones, punctuated by brightly colored fabrics. – Chuck Cozette

(630 968-0099) in downtown, the restaurant will feature Sushi House’s signature dishes including its popular sushi rolls. But Manager and Executive Chef Simon Wang, who has been with the local dining chain for 13 years, will also offer his own creative specials. The restaurant will seat 45,

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Photos courtesy of Maya del Sol

GoOd food

By Rebekah Byrd

Maya del Sol Latin American fare with flair in Oak Park

f its summer time, one of the hottest places to dine in the western suburbs is Maya del Sol in Oak Park, which boasts delectable Latin fusion cuisine and a wonderfully large yet still intimate outdoor patio area. While the patio is a prime attraction during warm weather months, it is the ever-changing mix of Mexican, Central American and South American cuisine that has made Maya del Sol a popular year-round dining destination since it opened several year ago. Whether dining indoors or out, Maya provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The main dining area, which features both tables and booths, has a contemporary yet cozy feel, thanks in part to a rustic brick side wall. The extensive patio is surrounded by a tall wood fence which, combined with several pergolas overhead, give the area a sense of intimacy despite its size. In the evening, strings of white lights further enhance the festive atmosphere. Upon arrival, diners are welcomed with fresh homemade salsa and chips. There are, of course, plenty of drink options including several versions of the always-popular margarita as well as

specialties like el jengibre, which is pear vodka, muddled ginger, habanero syrup with fresh squeezed lime juice. Beer and an extensive list of Spanish wines are also offered. Traditional guacamole anchors the appetizer menu, but one of the real gems is the plantains ($9). Served with stewed beef and topped with pico de gallo, queso fresco and a jai amarillo drizzle, the dish is a perfect start to the meal. Another tasty option is the sopes de tinga — corn masa cups topped with chicken tinga, avocado, sour cream and queso fresco ($8). Seasonal additions to the appetizers included a wonderful mango-habanero gazpacho ($5) and stone crab claws served with watermelon and a mescal-tomato serrano chili sauce ($12). Among the entrées, recommended fare includes the carne asada, marinated skirt steak served with seasonal preparations available on request ($24); and sea scallops plated with a habanero-red wine reduction, served over a mushroom and asparagus risotto and finished off with a chipotle glaze ($28).

Fish tacos, available with blackened tilapia or beer battered mahi mahi.

Chicken enchiladas, rolled in rich sweet mole sauce and topped with cool radish slices to balance the sauce’s heat ($17), are among the house specialties. Tacos, served in threes with a choice of skirt steak, duck confit or blackened tilapia ($17), are another popular and tasty option. Vegetarians are well served with a variety of menu options ranging from a tostada portabello, to an acorn squash served with arborio rice, mushrooms, chayote and zucchini, and topped with a sweet corn-butter sauce. A gluten/dairy free menu is also available on request. For those dining in a group, or who just have a sweet tooth, the dessert sampler — which includes a salted caramel cheesecake, tres leches cake, vanilla flan and a scoop of raspberry sorbet — offers a truly sweet ending to a delicious meal. n

QUICK FACTS

Maya del Sol/

144 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 708 358-9800 www.mayadelsol.com

recommended dishes:

cost:

hours:

extras:

Plantain appetizer,

Appetizers: $6-$14,

Mon-Thur 4 to 10 pm

Full bar inside and on

mango-habanero

Emtrées:$16-$34

Fri-Sat 4 to 11 pm

patio, gluten free menu,

gazpacho, carne

Desserts: $4-$10

Sun brunch, 9 am to 2

children’s menu, live

pm; dinner, 4pm to 9pm

music fall through spring,

asada, sea scallops, chicken enchiladas

reservations accepted.

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6/26/13 9:20 PM

DIning Recently Opened

Tropical eatery now open in Westmont

Listings

Following is a sampling of some of the best dining destinations in the western suburbs, including reader favorites, advertisers and a cross-section of just plain good places to grab a bite. Bon appétit! n Central DuPage n Nw DuPage & Upper Fox Valley n Sw DuPage & lower fox valley n Se Dupage & SW Cook n Ne DuPage & nw cook n Adelle’s/535 W Liberty, Wheaton. 630 784-8015. Fine

American fare in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. Capacity: 110 plus 45 on outdoor patio. Yrs in bus: 8.5. Chef’s Choice: White fish. Entrée prices: $18-$36. Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, banquets, wine room, carry-out, live jazz Th at 7 pm, live music on Sat, lounge. T-Th 9-8:30, F-Sat 10-9:30, Sun 4-8. Reservations: Recommended. n Allgauer’s/3003 Corporate West Dr, Lisle; in the Hilton Lisle/Naperville. 630 245-7650. Classic American fare with an eclectic twist in a contemporary environment with stunning views and exquisite service serving USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood and chops. Capacity: 196 at 44 tables. Yrs in bus: 31. Chef’s Choice: Potato-crusted halibut. Entrée prices: $21-$35; moderate portions menu $23-$35. Extras: Bar, banquets, Sun brunch, breakfast buffet Mon-Sun, lunch buffet M-F, family friendly, F seafood & prime rib buffet. Breakfast M-F 6:30-11 am, Sat 7-11 am, Sun 7-9:30 am; Lunch M-Sat 11-3; Dinner M-Sun 4-10, F seafood & prime rib buffet 5:30-9:30, Sun brunch 10:30-2:30. Reservations: Recommended. n Amber Café/ 13 N Cass Ave, Westmont. 630 515-8080. Contemporary American cuisine in a newly remodeled setting. Capacity: 70 inside, 50 outside. Chef’s Choice: Pan-roasted Lake Superior whitefish. Yrs in bus: 8. Entrée prices: $15-$37. Extras: Outdoor dining, bar, private parties on Sun, wine list. M-Th 4:30-10, F-Sat 4:30-11. Reservations: Recommended.

n ANYWAY’S CHICAGO RESTAURANT & PUB/ 5 E Roosevelt Rd, Oakbrook Terrace. 630 932-9323. Classic, cozy neighborhood restaurant and pub serving American cuisine. Capacity: 200 at 45 tables. Yrs in bus: 17. Chef’s Choice: Izzy’s jambalaya pasta. Entrée prices: $8-$14. Extras: Bar, carry-out, banquets, outdoor dining. M-Th 11:30-1 am, F-Sat 11:30-2 am, Sun noon-1 am. Reservations: Yes, for 10 or more. Additional location at 304 W Army Trail Rd, Bloomingdale, 630 351-8870. n Arrowhead Restaurant & Bar/ 26W151

he long-anticipated

prepared by Chef Pablo

opening of Jimmy’s Island

Hernandez, who previously

Grille at 800 E. Ogden Ave.,

owned and operated the

Westmont (630) 789-2722

now-closed Victoria’s Mexican

finally took place in early

Grill in Long Grove.

May, following extensive

remodeling of the property.

in a laid-back atmosphere,”

expect a per-person tab

says service manager Karin

average of $45.

Diners at the 250-seat

“We’re offering fine dining

restaurant will find a tropical

Howard. There’s a full bar

Caribbean and Hawaiian

service, including Mai Tais and

open for lunch and dinner

motif with a menu featuring

other specialty cocktails. The

Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-

fresh seafood, including

general manager is Harlan Tarr.

10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday

Alaskan King Crab, flown

from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

in daily, and prime steaks

accepted, and one can

Reservations are

event space. Breakfast M-F 7 am-2 pm, Sat-Sun 8 am-2 pm; Brunch Sun 11-2; Dinner Sun-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5-10. Reservations: Recommended.

— T.R. Witom

children’s menu, gluten-free menu, carry-out, catering, private parties, family friendly. M-Th 11:30-9:30, F-Sat 11:30-10:30, Sun 11-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 20560 N Rand Rd, Deer Park, 847 438-1850. n Bien Trucha/ 410 W State St, Geneva. 630 232-2665. A variety of authentic and modern Mexican cuisine including little samplers and tapas. Capacity: 80. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Tacos. Entrée prices: $5-$11. Extras: Carry-out, outdoor dining, bar (open later). Lunch T-F 11-3, Sat noon-3; Dinner T-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5-10. Reservations: No.

708 775-8122. Mediterranean-infused fare served in an urban setting. Capacity: 85. Yrs in bus: 1. Entrée prices: $7-$12. Chef’s Choice: Pastas made fresh daily. Extras: Patio, bar open 1 hour earlier M-Sat. T-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-11, Sun 5-9. Reservations: Yes. n Bakersfield/ 330 E Ogden Ave, Westmont. 630 568-3615.

Casual yet sophisticated eatery, featuring steaks butchered in-house and prepared on a wood-fired grill. Capacity: 175 indoors, 48 outdoors. Mths in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: 96-hour marinated Cajun ribeye. Entrée prices: $18-$42. Extras: Outdoor seating, fireplace, bar, family friendly. Hours: Sun-M 11-9, T-Sat 11-10. Reservations: Yes.

n Bistro Monet/ 462 N Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn. 630 469-4002. Country French dining featuring traditional bistro fare with a modern interpretation and a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Capacity: 75. Yrs in bus: 6. Chef’s Choice: Roasted medallion of salmon. Entrée prices: $18-$25. Extras: Carry-out, wine cellar, private parties with no additional charge. T-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5-10, Sun 5-8. Reservations: Recommended.

n THe Bank RestauranT/ 121 W Front St, Wheaton. 630 665-2265. A seasonally changing menu served in a contemporary, historical décor. Capacity: 125. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Heartland meat ribeye filet. Entrée prices: $11-$26. Extras: Outdoor dining, two bars (open later), private parties, carry-out, catering, live entertainment. Sun-Th 11:30-11, F-Sat 11:30 am-1 am. Reservations: Yes.

n Borrowed Earth Café/ 970 Warren Ave, Downers Grove. 630 795-1729. Vegan raw food dining in an eco-friendly environment. Capacity: 30 inside, 20 on patio. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Sweet potato quesadilla. Entrée prices: $16$18. Extras: Carry-out, outdoor dining, raw food preparation classes. T-Sat 10:57 am-9:03 pm. Reservations: Yes, for 4 or more.

n Barclay’s American Grille/ 1120 Pleasant St,

Oak Park; in the Carleton Hotel. 708 848-4250. Classic American cuisine “with a twist,” with some selections prepared on a wood-burning grill. Yrs in bus: 3. Entrée prices: Avg: $13-$23. Extras: Bar, banquets, outdoor dining, children’s menu, carry-out. M-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-11, Sun 5-9. Reservations: Yes. Basils Greek Dining/ 4000 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora. 630 692-1300. Classic Mediterranean and Greek cuisine blending Old World tradition and culinary flair and served in a modern, Greek setting. Capacity: 240. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Colorado braised lamb. Entrée prices: Avg. $15-$18. Extras: Bar, banquets, outdoor dining, children’s menu, catering, carry-out. Sun-Th 10-10, F-Sat 10 am-11 pm. Reservations: Yes.

n Atwater’s/ 15 S River Ln, Geneva; in the Herrington

n Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano/ 2752 Showplace

n The Capital Grille/ 87 Yorktown Center, Lombard. 630 627-9800.Classic American, fine dining restaurant known for hand-cut, dry-aged steaks, seafood and an award-winning wine list. Capacity: 260. Yrs in bus: 6. Chef’s Choice: New York-style steak. Entrée prices: $25-$45. Extras: Over 3,000 bottles of more than 325 Old and New World wine selections, temperature-controlled wine kiosk, four private dining rooms, bar, lounge, chef’s table with front-line view of open kitchen. Lunch M-F 11-3; Dinner M-F 5-10, Sat 4-11, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 5340 N River Rd, Rosemont, 847 671-8125.

n Carlucci/ 1801 Butterfield Rd, Downers Grove. 630 512-0990. Rustic Italian restaurant serving Tuscan cuisine. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 9. Chef’s Choice: Linguini bobonato. Entrée prices: $12-$33. Extras: Carry-out, private dining, outdoor dining, bar open later, daily specials, live entertainment. Lunch M-F 11:30-3:30; Dinner M-Th 3:30-9:30, F 3:30-

Dr, Naperville. 630 428-8500. Classic and contemporary authentic Italian dining in a casual, friendly setting. Capacity: 240. Yrs in bus: 6. Chef’s Choice: Black fettuccini with lobster & wild mushrooms. Entrée prices: $10-$20. Extras: Exhibition kitchen, bar, wine list, WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Jimmy’s Island Grille is

n Autre Monde/ 6727 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn.

Butterfield Rd, Wheaton. 630 510-5070. Classic American fare and premium spirits in a golf-themed décor and a panoramic view of the golf course. Capacity: 120 inside, 60 on patio. Yrs in bus: 6. Chef’s Choice: Bacon beer pork. Entrée prices: $9-$20. Extras: Bar, banquets, seasonal outdoor dining, special events, private rooms, carry-out, weekly and daily specials. M-Th 11-11, F 11-1 am, Sat 9 am-1 am, Sun 9-9. Reservations: Yes.

Inn & Spa. 630 208-8920. Eclectic American cuisine with a rotating, seasonal menu in a European-style atrium setting overlooking the Fox River. Capacity: 30. Yrs in bus: 19. Entrée prices: $24-$33. Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, banquets, catering, private dining in gazebo,

Photo by Ed Ahern

Jimmy’s Island Grille

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6/26/13 2:58 AM

Photos by Ed Ahern

GoOd food

By T.R. Witom

ISACCO KITCHEN A taste of Northern Italy in St. Charles

he good things that emanate from Isacco Kitchen in St. Charles may come as a pleasant surprise to first-timers at this popular trattoria. But to the cognoscenti who have already discovered the cozy restaurant, its fine food is something they have come to expect as the norm. And well-traveled chef-owner Isacco Vitali rarely disappoints. The chef, who grew up in Brescia, east of Milan in Northern Italy, began learning the culinary arts as a teen. Starting in the mid-1990s he polished his skills, working at restaurants in Scotland, England and Spain as well as with high-end cruise lines. In 2006, four years before coming to America to launch Isacco Kitchen, he teamed up with his brother Angelo to revitalize Ristorante Sant’ Antonio in Italy. At Isacco Kitchen, the diverse menu changes often, depending on the chef’s inclination and what’s available at the market. At least two homemade pasta dishes, including pappardelle bolognese, are always available. Entrées, substantial but not overwhelming, range in price from $18 to $28 — the priciest for a seafood

spaghetti dish studded with mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, calamari, octopus and half of a lobster. The accent is decidedly Northern Italian, with well-conceived classics bearing a contemporary stamp. One could easily craft a meal from the a la carte starters. A hand-cut fruit and vegetable gazpacho; baked grilled eggplant with Italian sausage, marinara and asiago; a grilled vegetable tart with burrata (made from mozzarella and cream) and prosciutto; and fried calamari with a garlic aioli were among nearly 20 choices. Large groups might enjoy sharing the antipasto platter. But for our party of two, zucchini flower tempura offered just the right taste of the season. The shareable, indulgent dish consisted of six fried rolls the shape of small, blunt logs filled with flavorful goat cheese cream and drizzled with pesto. One of the entrées sampled was an impeccable flank steak tagliata, the tender meat sliced, kissed with a touch of olive oil and perfectly grilled to a rosy-pink medium rare. It was topped with a small arugula salad and shaved Parmesan, and

Sea bass with lemon butter and creamy asparagus sauce

plated with asparagus and a potato gratin. Also impressive was a fellow diner’s pork tenderloin saltimbocca, another classic Italian favorite, served with marsala wine sauce. The night of our visit, Isacco Kitchen also had available butternut squash ravioli, fettuccine pomodoro, grilled duck breast and a zippy shrimp and diver scallop diablo dish with spicy vodka sauce, among other choices. Desserts change regularly, too, but don’t be surprised to find tiramisu, mini-cannoli and Nutella-topped crepes. Especially noteworthy, if a bit on the sweet side, was the chocolate semifreddo, a semi-frozen confection that’s part gelato and part whipped cream — and all goodness. The intimate dining room can comfortably seat about 50, while a seasonal outdoor patio ups the capacity. n

QUICK FACTS

ISACCO KITCHEN/

210 Cedar St., St Charles, 630 444-0202 www.isaccokitchen.com

recommended dishes:

cost:

hours:

extras:

Zuchini flower tempura,

Appetizers: $9-18,

Mon-Thur 4 to 10 pm

Full bar, ample free

grilled flank steak

Entrées:$18-$28

Fri-Sat 4 to 11 pm

parking, frequent

tagliata, pork tenderloin

Desserts: $7-$8

Sun 4 to 9 pm

menu changes,

saltimbocca.

reservations accepted

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DIning 10:30, Sat 4:30-10:30, Sun 4:30-9:30. Reservations: Recommended. n Catch Thirty-Five/ 35 S Washington St, Naperville. 630 717-3500. Seafood, steaks and Thai-influenced cuisine in an uptown atmosphere. Capacity: 180. Yrs in bus: 8. Chef’s Choice: Chilean sea bass. Entrée prices: $16-$25. Extras: Bar, private parties, family friendly, outdoor dining, valet parking T-Sat. Lunch M-Sat 11:30-2; Dinner M-Sat 5-10, Sun 4:30-9. Reservations: Yes. n The Cellar Bistro/ 132 Hale St, Wheaton. 630 653-6299. Contemporary American cuisine in an intimate, urban neighborhood setting featuring food from local farmers and vendors. Capacity: 60. Yrs in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: Fresh fish. Entrée prices: $12$34. Extras: Outdoor dining, organic menu items, live music on Sun and M, wine list, private parties. M-Th 11:30-9, F-Sat 11:30-10, Sun 11-9. Reservations: Yes. n Cheeseburger In Paradise/ 2970 Finley Rd, Downers Grove. 630 953-7095. Tropical Key Weststyle décor and signature hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and entrées. Capacity: 240. Yrs in bus: 9. Chef’s Choice: Signature cheeseburgers. Entrée prices: $8-$15. Extras: Tiki bar, live music Sat, glutenfree alternatives, family friendly, karaoke on F, outdoor dining, 15 TVs. M-Th 11 am-midnight, F-Sat 11 am-1 am, Sun 11-10.

n Chinn’s 34th Street Fishery/ 3011 W Ogden Ave,

Lisle. 630 637-1777. Seafood, steaks and pasta served in a casual maritime setting. Capacity: 200 at 46 tables. Yrs in bus: 17. Chef’s Choice: Dover sole and king crab legs. Entrée prices: $12-$45, Avg: $23. Extras: Bar, private parties, children’s menu, catering, family friendly. M-Th 11-10, F-Sat 11-11, Sun 3-9. Reservations: No, but callahead seating available. n CityGate Grille/ 2020 Calamos Ct, Naperville.

630 718-1010. Fine dining serving contemporary American fare with a Mediterranean influence. Capacity: 220. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Seared diver scallops. Entrée prices: $18-40, Avg: $35. Extras: Live music F-Sat, private parties, catering. Lunch M-F 11:30-5; Dinner M-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-11. Reservations: Yes. n The Clubhouse/ 298 Oakbrook Center (next to Neiman Marcus), Oak Brook. 630 472-0600. Upscale American cuisine in a country club atmosphere. Capacity: 400 on multi-levels. Yrs in bus: 15. Chef’s Choice: Chicken Romano and pecan-crusted tilapia. Entrée prices: $12-$38. Extras: Full bar, outdoor dining, carry-out, banquets, kids’ menu. M-Th 11:1510:30, F-Sat 11:15-11:30, Sun 10-9:30, Sun brunch buffet 10-2. Reservations: Recommended. n Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant/ 510 Village Center Dr, Burr Ridge. 630 887-0123. Upscale, yet casual dining featuring wines from Cooper’s Hawk’s own winery. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: Red wine and mustard short ribs. Entrée prices: $10-$30. Extras: Bar, wine club, tasting room, retail boutique, private parties, full wine list, live music Th-Sat. M-Th 11:30-9:30, F-Sat 11:30-10, Sun 11:30-9. Reservations: Recommended. Additional locations at The Arboretum of South Barrington, South Barrington, 847 836-9463 and Freedom Commons, Naperville, 630 245-8000.

Country House/ 2095 S Kirk Rd, Geneva. 630 208-8181. Steaks, burgers. sandwiches, seafood, salads and pasta in a casual and rustic setting. Capacity: 240 at 30 tables inside, 70 outside. Yrs in bus: 16. Chef’s Choice: Pretzel-crusted walleye. Entrée prices: $9-$20, Avg: $12. Extras: Carry-out, bar, kids’ menu, outdoor dining. M-Th 11am-12:30am,

Roberto’s Ristorante

Experience the Finest Selection of Italian Cuisine Roberto’s Ristorante Features One-of-a-Kind Gourmet Specialties Custom Created by Experienced Chefs Ready to Serve Your Family, Business and Special Event Gathering

483 Spring Road • Elmhurst • 630-279-8486 Mon - Thurs 11 am - 11 pm • Fri 11 am - midnight • Sat 4 pm - midnight • Sun 2 - 10 pm

www.robertosristorante.net

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DIning F-Sat 11am-1:30am, Sun 11am-11:30pm. Reservations: Yes. Additional locations at 241 W 55th St, Clarendon Hills, 630 325-1444; and 6460 College Rd, Lisle, 630 983-0545.

n Emilio’s Tapas Bar/ 4100 Roosevelt Rd, Hillside.

708 547-7177. Spanish tapas in an authentic countryside atmosphere. Capacity: 150. Yrs in bus: 24. Chef’s Choice: Paella and datiles con bacon. Entrée prices: $6-$15 per person. Extras: Outdoor dining, online reservations, carry-out, bar, family friendly, “Tapeo” $1.95 bites menu 4:30-6:30 M-Sun at bar. T-Th 11:30-9:30, F-Sat 11:30-10, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes.

n Courtright’s Restaurant/ 8989 Archer Ave,

Willow Springs. 708 839-8000. American fine dining set on two acres of wooded property with a woodland vista. Capacity: 150. Yrs in bus: 17. Chef’s Choice: Rack of lamb. Entrée prices: $18-$42. Extras: Lounge, two private dining rooms, 25,000-bottle wine cellar, private parties. T-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5-10, Sun 4-8. Reservations: Recommended.

EvenFlow Music & Spirits/ 302 W State St, Geneva. 331 248-0269. American contemporary fare with a comfort food vibe. Capacity: 220. Mths in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Cured pork chop with blue cheese crust. Entrée prices: $14-$16. Extras: Live entertainment, full bar, local craft beers. Hours: T-Th 4:30 pm-1 am, F-Sat 4:30 pm-2 am, Sun 4:30 pm-midnight. Reservations: No.

n Devon Seafood + Steak/ 17W400 22nd St,

Oakbrook Terrace. 630 516-0180. Sleek, upscale venue serving fresh seafood and steak. Capacity: 237. Mths in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: Sockeye salmon. Entrée prices: $10-$31. Extras: Private banquet room, happy hour M-F, full bar (open later), Sun brunch 10-2, half-priced

n Fiora’s/ 317 Third St, Geneva. 630 262-1317.

Recently Opened

Made In Italy Trattoria Glen Ellyn welcomes classic Italian restaurant run by a familar chef

raditional Southern Italian

born chef previously operated

Thursday from 4-10 p.m.,

fare is featured at the

the now-shuttered Ciao Bella

Friday-Saturday 4-10 p.m. and

recently opened Made in Italy

Ristorante in town for 20 years.

Sunday from 1-9 p.m., and the

Trattoria, 476 Forest Ave., Glen

start-up of lunch service was

Ellyn (630) 469-4146, where

entrees $12-$19 at Made in

being planned.

chef-owner Vincenzo serves a

Italy. The redecorated 60-seat

variety of homemade pasta,

space, which previously housed

accepted. “We’re a small

veal, chicken and seafood

a Vietnamese restaurant,

place,” explains Vincenzo, “and

dishes as well as made-in-

serves wine and beer.

we like for our guests to linger

house desserts. The Naples-

over their meal.”

Appetizers run $6-$14 and

It’s open Monday-

wine bottles on Sun. M-Th 11-10, F-Sat 11-10, Sun 10-9. Reservations: Yes. Ditka’s/ Rt 83 & 22nd St, Oakbrook Terrace. 630 572-2200. Fine dining steakhouse also offering fresh seafood, burger and sandwiches in a hospitable and vibrant atmosphere. Capacity: 350. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Da Pork Chop and fish tacos. Entrée prices: $9-$50. Extras: Awardwinning wine list, private rooms, breakfast on Sat & Sun, complimentary valet parking. M-Th 11-10, F 11 am-midnight, Sat 10 am-midnight, Sun 10-10. Reservations: Yes. Additional location in Chicago.

n flour+wine/ 433 N Main St, Glen Ellyn. 630 793-9955.

Newly remodeled space serving small-plate fare, authentic Neapolitan artesian pizzas and classic pastas in a family friendly atmosphere. Capacity: 135. Mths in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: Risotto. Entrée prices: $7-$18. Extras: Bar, wine list, craft beer, family friendly, kids’ menu. T-Sun 3-10 (later on weekends). Reservations: No.

n Domo 77/ 2040 S Naperville Rd, Wheaton. 630 690-3277.

Japanese steak, seafood and sushi prepared at your table featuring a newly redesigned sushi bar and lounge with a new menu. Capacity: 180. Yrs in bus: 23. Chef’s Choice: Filet lobster and French garlic shrimp. Entrée prices: $12-$32. Extras: Carry-out, bar, banquets, private rooms, group rates, kids’ menu. Lunch M-Sun 11:30-2; Dinner M-Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 4097 Healthway Dr, Aurora, 630 692-0030. Affiliated with Japan 77, 2161 Bloomingdale Rd, Glendale Heights, 630 893-3377.

n French Quarter/ 44 Yorktown Center, Lombard. 630 495-2700. New Orleans-style, made-from-scratch cooking using farm fresh ingredients served in an authentic atmosphere. Capacity: 190. Yrs in bus: 1. Chef’s Choice: N’awlins barbacue shrimp and softshell stuffed crab. Entrée prices: $18-$26. Extras: Full bar, live blues on Sat, DJ and karaoke on Sun, team trivia on W, outdoor patio, kids’ menu, catering, carry-out, party room. T-Th 4-1 am, F-Sat 4-2 am, Sun 11 am-1 am. Reservations: Yes.

n Eddie Merlot/ 28254 Diehl Rd, Warrenville. 630 393-1900. Upscale contemporary steakhouse with a lighter ambiance also known for its wine. Capacity: 260. Mths in bus: 6. Chef’s Choice: Prime aged steaks. Entrée prices: $23-$51. Extras: Extensive wine list, private dining, outdoor dining, lounge with drink specials. M-Th 4-11, F-Sat 4-midnight, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 201 Bridewell Dr, Burr Ridge. 630 468-2098.

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— T.R. Witom

European-influenced American cuisine served in one of Geneva’s historic landmark buildings. Capacity: 120 inside, 60 outside. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Braized pork shank. Entrée prices: $14-$20. Extras: Bar, private dining, wine cellar, children’s menu, catering, carry-out, wine list, lounge, outdoor dining. Lunch T-Sat 11:30-2; Dinner T-Th 5:30-9, F-Sat 5:30-10. Reservations: Yes.

88 JULY/AUGUST 2013

Reservations aren’t

Fu Yuan/ 118 W Liberty Dr, Wheaton. 630 668-8770. Traditional Chinese favorites in a casual setting. Capacity: 50. Yrs in bus: 21. Chef’s Choice: Sesame chicken. Entrée prices: $6-$10. Extras: Carry-out. M-Th 11:30-8:30, F-Sat 11:30-9. Reservations: No.

Gaetano’s/ 7636 W Madison St, Forest Park. 708 366-4010. Rustic Italian dining in an intimate, contemporary atmosphere. Capacity: 90. Yrs in bus: 4.5. Chef’s Choice: Chef’s four-course tasting menu. Entrée prices: $17-$36. Extras: Cooking classes, catering, wine dinners, full bar, carry-out, parent’s night one M per month. M-Th 5-9:30, F-Sat 4:30-10:30. Reservations: Recommended.

n Gatto’s Restaurant & Bar/ 5123 Main St,

Downers Grove. 630 515-6400. Italian comfort food served in a rustic setting. Capacity: 145. Yrs in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: Chicken carmine. Entrée prices: $8-$24. Extras: Private parties, bar, catering, carry-out. M-F 4-10, Sat 11-11, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes, for 6 or more. Geppetto’s/ 113 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park. 708 386-9200. Italian classics, salad and dessert bar served in a casual atmosphere. Capacity: 95. Yrs in bus: 30. Chef’s Choice: Spaghetti pie. Entrée prices: Avg: $12. Extras: Carry-out, delivery, bar, catering. Sun-Th 11-10:30, F-Sat 11 am-11:30 pm. Reservations: Yes.

n Gibsons Steakhouse/ 2105 Spring Rd, Oak Brook, 630 954-0000. Classic American steakhouse in a 1920s arto deco-style setting. Capacity: 260. Yrs in bus: 12. Chef’s Choice: WR’s Chicago cut. Entrée prices: $12-$52. Extras: Carry-out, free valet parking, private parties, piano bar (open late), entertainment. M-Sat 11-midnight, Sun 11-11. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 5464 N River Rd, Rosemont. 847 928-9900. n HARRY CARAY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE/ 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard. 630 953-3400. Classic Italian steakhouse in a sports-themed atmosphere. Capacity: 550. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Prime steaks and chops. Entree prices: $12-$45. Extras: Outdoor dining, bar, sports memorabilia, carry-out. Lunch M-Sun 11-5 (bar only); Dinner M-Sat 5-10, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 10233 W Higgins Rd, Rosemont, 847 699-1200.

Heaven On Seven/ 224 S Main St, Naperville. 630 717-0777. Louisiana-style restaurant featuring Cajun and Creole entrées. Capacity: 120. Yrs in bus: 9. Chef’s Choice: Shrimp voodoo over rice. Entrée prices: $9-$20. Extras: Cooking classes, bar, catering. M-Th 11-10, F 11-11, Sat 10-11, Sun 10-9, Sat-Sun brunch 10-3. Reservations: Yes.

n Hemmingway’s Bistro/ 211 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park. 708 524-0806. Upscale French dishes in a Parisian bistro atmosphere. Capacity: 80. Yrs in bus: 11. Chef’s Choice: Herb-crusted whitefish. Entrée prices: $18-$25. Extras: Banquets, bar, valet parking on weekends, W & Sun jazz and martini night, Sun champagne brunch 11-3 with live jazz. M-Th 7 am-10 pm, F-Sat 7 am-11 pm, Sun 11-8. Reservations: Recommended.

Holy Mackerel!/ 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard. 630 953-3444. Fresh interpretations on fish house classics in a vintage décor. Capacity: 60. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Kasu marinated sea bass. Entree prices: $9-$46. Extras: Private parties, bar, carry-out. Breakfast M-Sun 6-11 am; Lunch M-Sun 11-4; Dinner M-Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes.

Hugo’s Frog Bar And Fish House/ 55 S Main St, Naperville. 630 548-3764. Fresh seafood and steaks in a relaxed atmosphere. Capacity: 200. Yrs in bus: 8. Chef’s Choice: Crab cakes and frog legs. Entrée prices: $15-$35. Extras: Bar, live blues and jazz, valet parking, outdoor dining. M-Sat 11 am-midnight, Sun 11-11. Reservations: Recommended.

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n Il Poggiolo/ 8 E First St, Hinsdale. 630 734-9400.

Regional Italian fare. Capacity: 130. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Ranzino con rapini. Entrée prices: $12-$28. Extras: Wine list, catering, delivery, outdoor seating. Lunch M-F 11:30-2:30, Sat noon-2:30; Dinner M-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-11, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. n Il Vicolo Trattoria/ 116 Oak Park Ave, Oak Park. 708 386-5801. Traditonal Italian fare served in a comfortable atmosphere. Capacity: 130. Yrs in bus: 1. Chef’s Choice: Tagliolini frutti di mare. Entrée prices: $11-$20. Extras: Outdoor seating, family friendly. M-Sat 11-10, Sun 4-10. Reservations: Yes.

menu. Lunch F-Sun noon-2 pm; Dinner M-Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. Affiliated with Domo 77, 4097 Healthway Dr, Aurora, 630 692-0030; and 2040 S Naperville Rd, Wheaton, 630 690-3277.

n Mack’s golden pheasant/

668 W North Ave, Elmhurst. 630 279-8544. Classic American fare and Bohemian specialties in a lodge-like setting. Capacity: 130. Yrs in bus: 65. Chef’s Choice: Wiener schnitzel. Entrée prices: $8-$20. Extras: Bar, outdoor dining and patio, banquets. M-Th 11:30-10, F-Sat 11:30-10:30, Sun 10-9. Reservations: Yes.

n La Bella Pasteria/ 1103 South Blvd, Oak Park. 708 524-0044. Southern Italian bistro cuisine served in a casual environment. Capacity: 55. Yrs in bus: 21. Chef’s Choice: Veal. Entrée prices: $9-$25, Avg: $14. Extras: Carry-out, delivery, banquets, catering, bar, outdoor dining. T-Th 5-9, F-Sat 11:30-10, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes.

n Marconi’s/ 15 Calendar Ave, LaGrange. 708 352-1621. Casual atmosphere featuring Northern Italian and American cuisine. Capacity: 110. Yrs in bus: 15. Chef’s Choice: Chicken Vesuvio. Entrée prices: $9-$22. Extras: Full bar, outdoor dining, private parties on Sun. M-Th 11-10, F 11-11, Sat 4-11. Reservations: Yes, for 5 or more on weekends only.

La France Café & Crêpes/ 939 S Main St, Lombard. 630 613-9511. Authentic French crêpes, coffee, smoothies and more. Capacity: 20. Yrs in bus: 2.5. Chef’s Choice: Sweet and savory French crêpes. Entrée prices: $6-$15. Extras: Carry-out, catering, private parties, cooking classes. W-Sat 10-2:30 & 5-8, Sun 9-2:30.

Isacco Kitchen/ 210 Cedar St, St. Charles. 630 444-0202. Contemporary Northern Italian fare served in a classy décor. Capacity: 50. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Scallops with chipotle and avocado risotto. Entrée prices: $17-$25. Extras: Outdoor dining, bar. Lunch T-F 11:30-2:30; Dinner T-F 4:30-10 and SatSun 4:30-11. Reservations: Yes. n

n Ivy Restaurant/ 120 N Hale St, Wheaton. 630 665-2489.

Casually elegant dining featuring steaks, chops and seafood. Capacity: 207. Yrs in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: Black pepper shrimp. Entrée prices: Avg: $19. Extras: Banquets, outdoor dining, carry-out. M-Th 11-9:30, F-Sat 11-10, Sun 11-9. Reservations: Yes. Japan 77/ 2161 Bloomingdale Rd, Glendale Heights. 630 893-3377. Japanese-style cooking featuring fresh steak, chicken and seafood prepared at your table. Capacity: 140-160. Yrs in bus: 31. Chef’s Choice: Filet mignon and lobster. Entrée prices: $12-$32. Extras: Bar, carryout, birthday specials, party packages, kids’ n

n Lake Street Kitchen + BaR/ 1101 Lake St, Oak

Park. 708 383-5253. Comfortable atmosphere with an eclectic Mediterranean menu. Capacity: 90. Yrs in bus: 1. Chef’s Choice: Flatbreads. Entrée prices: $15-$24. Extras: Seasonal outdoor seating. M-Th 11:30 am-midnight, F-Sat 11:30 am-1 am, Sun 11:30-10. Reservations: Yes.

n Mécénat Bistro/ 821 W Burlington Ave., Western

Springs. 708 246-8668. American eclectic fare with a French influence. Capacity: 200. Yrs in bus: 1.5. Chef’s Choice: Pan seared whitefish. Entrée prices: $12-$30. Extras: Outdoor dining, full bar, live entertainment F & Sat nights, private dining, retail wine shop. T-Th 4-10, F 4-11, Sat 4-11 pm, Sun brunch 11-2. Reservations: Yes.

n Labriola Bakery Café & Neapolitan Pizzeria/

3021 Butterfield Rd, Oak Brook. 630 574-2008. Europeaninspired café featuring freshly made breakfast, lunch, dinner and bakery selections. Capacity: 180. Yrs in bus: 3.5. Chef’s Choice: Buffalo mozzarella neapolitan pizza. Entrée prices: $6-$15. Extras: Pastries, gelato, carry-out, catering, family friendly, kids’ menu. Sun-Th 7 am-9 pm, F-Sat 7 am-10 pm. Reservations: No.

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n Marion Street Grille/ 189 N Marion St, Oak Park. 708 383-1551. Old-time steakhouse serving steaks, chops, ribs and fresh seafood. Capacity: 60 at 26 tables. Yrs in bus: 17. Chef’s Choice: Sautéed frog legs. Entrée prices: $18-$28. Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, banquets, carry-out. T-Sat 5-10, Sun 5-9.

n Mesón Sabika/ 1025 Aurora Ave, Naperville.

630 983-3000. Spanish cuisine in a multi-dining room mansion with well manicured grounds. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 21. Chef’s Choice: Tapas and paella. Tapas prices: $5-$17. Extras: Banquets, carry-out, bar, outdoor

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cheers

The place to go in the western suburbs for

GREAT SEAFOOD

The Return of Viognier

alf a century ago, the soft-skinned, finicky-to-grow Viognier (pronounced “vee-ohnyay”) grape had all but disappeared from its ancestral homeland in France’s northern Rhône Valley, a casualty of the late 19th-century phylloxera pest epidemic that devastated the French wine industry. But since the 1980s Viognier’s popularity has surged dramatically with plantings not only in France, but in Italy, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, and especially California, where the grape is cultivated the length of the state, from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys to Santa Barbara. The Viognier grape produces deeply goldenhued wines that are lush and aromatic, low in acid and dry in style, with intense perfumes of apricots, honeysuckle, peaches, violets, acacia, and orange blossoms. On the palate, Viognier overflows with flavors of stone fruits like apricot and peach and tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, guava, and

Chinn’s 34th Street Fishery - 3011 West Ogden Ave.

LISLE 630.637.1777

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By Buzz Brandt

kiwi. Stainless steel fermentation accentuates the fruit and floral aspects, producing a wine that is lean and crisp with hints of mineral or stone; partial aging in oak barrels adds layers of vanilla and spice. Some vintners subject the wine to a full or partial secondary malolactic fermentation in oak barrels to induce a creamy, buttery mouth feel, although even without wood aging, Viognier can be as voluptuous as a fully-oaked Chardonnay. Despite its desirable marriage of perfume and body, winemakers can have a love-hate

relationship with Viognier, finding it a challenging grape to grow. Easily infected by mildew, it also suffers from low and unpredictable yields. The grapes must be harvested only when fully ripe — if picked too early, the resulting wines are thin and lacking the characteristic rich aromas and flavors; if harvested too late, they are highly alcoholic, oily, and devoid of aromatics. Because Viognier is low in acid, its fruit flavors are volatile and will dissipate with long aging and so the wine should be consumed young. n

Expert wine recommendations Chrys Maritote The Village Cellar in Hinsdale - 2009 Thomas Fogarty Langley Chardonnay, $53, single-vineyard Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains invites with a golden yellow hue and enticing scents of ripe pear and tangerine. - 2010 Galante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, $30, from California.

Brilliant ruby in the glass, 100% Cabernet fruit, with an expressive nose of toasty vanilla, red cherries, plums, and berries. Christina Anderson-Heller Lynfred Winery - 2011 Lynfred Viognier, $22, from Illinois, sourced from the Borra Vineyard in Lodi, California. Aromas of apricot, peaches,

honeysuckle, and wild flowers jump from the glass, followed by a mouthful of honey, crushed flowers, pears, sliced melon, and limes. - NV Lynfred Rosé $12, from Illinois. Blend of Grenache, Zinfandel, and Carignane produces a garnetcolored Rosé, not cloyingly sweet nor bone dry, with a nice touch of refreshing acidity.

WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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DIning dining, flamenco dancer & guitarist on F, family friendly, Sun brunch. M-Th 11:30-10, F 11:30-11, Sat 5-11, Sun 4:30-9, Sun brunch 11-2. Reservations: Yes.

Short ribs. Entrée prices: $9-$29. Extras: Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes, outdoor seating. M-Sun 8 am-10 pm. Reservations: Yes.

n Munch/ 104 N Marion St, Oak Park. 708 848-4226.

n Q BBQ/ 70 S LaGrange Rd, LaGrange. 708 482-8700.

Made-from-scratch food using fresh ingredients from local vendors in a modern environment, also offering vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Capacity: 30 at 12 tables. Yrs in bus: 1. Chef’s Choice: Black bean burger. Entrée prices: Avg: $8. Extras: Delivery, carry-out, outdoor dining. T-Th 11-8, F 11-9, Sat 10-9, Sun 10-5. Reservations: No. Nabuki/ 18 E First St, Hinsdale. 630 654-8880. Contemporary Japanese cuisine and sushi restaurant serving traditional and innovative dishes. Capacity: 100. Yrs in bus: 1.5. Chef’s Choice: Red devil roll. Entrée prices: $14-$32. Extras: Children’s menu, carryout, bar. Lunch M-F 11:30-2:30; Dinner M-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-11, Sun 5-9. Reservations: Recommended. n

Niche/ 14 S Third St, Geneva. 630 262-1000. Contemporary American cuisine including seasonal and local foods in a warm atmosphere. Capacity: 72. Yrs in bus: 6. Chef’s Choice: Pumpernickelcrusted halibut. Entrée prices: $15-$30. Extras: Wine list, bar. T-Th 5:30-9, F-Sat 5:30-10. Reservations: Recommended. n

The Office Dining & Spirits/ 201 E Main St, St. Charles. 630 549-0287. Hybrid gastropub featuring made-from-scratch comfort food. Capacity: 275. Yrs in bus: 2. Chef’s Choice: Barbecue pulled pork. Entrée prices: Avg: $15. Extras: Full-service lounge, outdoor dining, wood-burning oven, bar, private parties. M-Th 11 am-1 am, F-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-midnight. Reservations: Recommended. n

Casual barbecue featuring a variety of sauces from across the country. Capacity: 50 inside, 50 outside. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Brisket burn ends. Entrée prices: $7-$10. Extras: Carry-out, delivery, children’s menu. M-Sun 11-8. Reservations: No. Additional location at 103 S Main St, Naperville, 630 637-6400. n RA Sushi/ 310 Yorktown Center, Lombard.

630 627-6800. Contemporary Japanese dining featuring signature rock ‘n roll themed sushi creations. Capacity: 240. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Las Vegas roll. Entrée prices: $15-$20. Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, catering, sushi rolling classes, happy hour M-Sat 3-7, kids sushi fest. Sun-F 11-1 am, Sat 11-2 am. Reservations: Yes. n Redstone American Grill/ 13 Lincoln Center,

Oakbrook Terrace. 630 268-0313. Spirited, rugged and romantic upscale dining. Capacity: 350. Yrs in bus: 8. Chef’s Choice: Chilean sea bass. Entrée prices: $12-$39, Avg: $28. Extras: Bar, lounge, outdoor dining, private dining, firepit. M-Th 11-11, F-Sat 11 am-midnight, Sun 10-10. Reservations: Yes. n Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria/ 483 Spring

Rd, Elmhurst. 630 279-8486. Italian cuisine served in a romantic, neighborhood setting accented by white tablecloths. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 50. Chef’s Choice: Chilean sea bass. Entrée prices: $16-$40. Extras: Carry-out, bar, outdoor dining, catering, family friendly, banquets. M-Th 11-11, F 11 am-midnight, Sat 4-midnight, Sun 2-10. Reservations: Yes. n Rosalia’s deli/ 241 N York Rd, Elmhurst.

100 south chop house and grill/100 S York St, Elmhurst. 630 782-9091. Upscale, semi-casual 1950s style steakhouse/supperclub with seafood, prime steaks, pastas and salads and adjacent Swank Martini Lounge (W-Sat). Capacity: 190. Yrs in bus: 11. Chef’s Choice: Chop chop ribeye. Entrée prices: $14-$50. Extras: Banquets, catering, carry-out, live entertainment F & Sat. Lunch: M-F 11-2; Dinner: M-W 11-11, Th-Sat 3 pm-2 am, Sun noon-11 pm. Reservations: Yes. n

n Palmer Place/ 56 S LaGrange Rd, LaGrange. 708 482-7127. Casual American fare featuring 35 kinds of hamburgers. Capacity: 400+ (seats 220 inside, 260 outside). Yrs in bus: 36. Chef’s Choice: Sirloin steak sandwich. Entrée prices: $8-$24. Extras: Bar with over 300 beers, outdoor dining. M-Th 11 am-midnight, F-Sat 11-1 am, Sun noon-11.

630 516-3354. Deli serving sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza and gelato. Capacity: 30. Yrs in bus: 1.5. Chef’s Choice: Prosciutto panini. Entrée prices: Avg: $5. Extras: Catering, carry-out, deli. M-F 10:30-10, Sat 10-8, Sun 10-3. Reservations: Yes. Scapa Italian Kitchen/ 1 Walker Ave, Clarendon Hills. 630 323-7000. Family-run, upscale casual Italian restaurant. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 6. Chef’s Choice: Chianti braised short ribs. Entrée prices: $8-$38. Extras: Private parties, carryout, delivery, catering, bar (open later), live entertainment F, patio dining, kids’ menu, extensive wine list, daily specials. M-Th 4-10, F-Sat 4-11, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes.

n Seasons 52/ 1770 E Higgins Rd, Schaumburg.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen/ 921 Pasquinelli Dr, Westmont. 630 455-9846. Fresh seafood from around the world with a Cajun flare in a casual dining atmosphere. Capacity: 350 at 70 tables. Yrs in bus: 13. Chef’s Choice: Blackened mahi. Entrée prices: $18-$40, Avg: $20. Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, family friendly, banquets, live music F-Sat nights. SunTh 11-10, F-Sat 11-11. Reservations: Yes.

847 517-5252. Fresh grill and wine bar focusing on lowcalorie entrées and farmers’ market-influenced fare that celebrates living well. Capacity: 350. Yrs in bus: 2. Chef’s Choice: Caramelized sea scallops. Entrée prices: $16-$25. Extras: Extensive wine list, live music. Sun-Th 11:30-10, F-Sat 11:30-11. Reservations: Yes, recommended. Additional location at 3 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook. 630 571-4752.

n Parkers’ Restaurant & Bar/ 1000 31st St, located

n SugarToad/ 2139 CityGate Ln, Naperville; in

at 31st St & Highland Ave, Downers Grove. 630 960-5700. Casually elegant restaurant serving a contemporary American menu. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 12. Chef’s Choice: Cedar-planked halibut; lavender and honeyglazed duck. Entrée prices: $14-$35, Avg: $26. Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, private dining, live music in lounge Th-Sat. Lunch M-F 11:30-2:30; Dinner M-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-10:30, Sun 4-8. Reservations: Recommended.

the Hotel Arista. 630 778-8623. American cuisine with a French touch in a modern, classy décor. Capacity: 105. Yrs in bus: 4. Entrée prices: $10-$35. Extras: Bar, catering, outdoor dining, on-site garden, carry-out, Sun brunch 7-2. M-F 6:30 am-10 pm, Sat 7 am-10 pm, Sun 7 am-9 pm. Reservations: Recommended.

n Prasino/ 93 S LaGrange Rd, LaGrange. 708 469-7058.

Eco-friendly restaurant focusing on locally-grown, organic fare. Capacity: 200. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice:

n Sullivan’s Steakhouse/ 244 S Main St, Naperville.

630 305-0230. Steak, chops and seafood in a 1940s Chicago-style décor. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 13. Chef’s Choice: Seafood and steak. Entrée prices: $30-$60. Extras: Bar, live jazz, valet parking. Lunch M-F

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DIning 11:30-2:30; Dinner M-F 5-11, Sat 4:30-11, Sun 4:30-10. Reservations: Recommended.

11-10. Reservations: Yes, but not accepted F-Sat after 5 pm; call-ahead seating available.

n Sushi House/ 830 E Ogden Ave, Westmont.

n Uno Chicago Grill/ 1160 Plaza Dr, Schaumburg.

630 920-8948. Sushi, sashimi and other Japanese fare. Capacity: 100. Yrs in bus: 19. Chef’s Choice: Best West roll. Entrée prices: $17-$18. Extras: Carry-out, catering, delivery, private parties, children’s menu, full bar. M-F 11:30-10, Sat noon-10, Sun noon-9:30. Reservations: Yes. Additional locations at 120 W Calender Ave, LaGrange, 708 354-8899; 175 W Jackson Ave, Naperville, 630 717-8888; 1107 Lake St, Oak Park, 708 660-8899; and 281 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton, 630 221-8986.

847 413-0200. Pizza, pasta, steaks and more in an upscale, yet comfortable and casual family setting with old-fashioned sports memorabilia and pictures. Capacity: 306. Yrs in bus: 18. Chef’s Choice: Three-topping pizza. Entrée prices: $11$19. Extras: Bar, carry-out, Insiders’ Club. M-Th 11-11, F-Sat 11-midnight, Sun 11-10. Reservations: Yes. Urban Grille/ 524 W State St, #3, Geneva. 630 2620100. Eclectic American fare with global flavors ranging from gourmet burgers and wood-grilled pizzas to fresh seafood, steaks and dry-aged prime rib. Capacity: 150. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Shrimp Alyx. Entrée prices: $11-$29. Extras: Outdoor dining, private parties, banquets, wine cellar. M-Th 11-9, F-Sat 11-10, Sun noon-8. Reservations: Yes.

n Suzette’s/ 211 W Front St, Wheaton. 630 462-0898.

Crêperie, pâtisserie, boulangerie, French country bistro and wine bar in a casual setting. Capacity: 75. Yrs in bus: 12. Chef’s Choice: Beef bourguignon crêpe. Entrée prices: $10-$30. Extras: Wine bar, bakery, carryout, full bar, outdoor dining, private parties, pâtisserie open at 7 am M-Sat, Sun brunch 11-2, afternoon tea T-Sat 2 pm, Sun 1 pm. Breakfast M-Sat 7-11 am, Sun 8-11 am; Lunch M-Sat 11-3; Dinner T-Th 5-8:30, F-Sat 5:30-9:30. Reservations: Recommended.

ViE/ 4471 Lawn Ave, Western Springs. 708 246-2082. Seasonal, contemporary American à la carte menu with European influences in an elegant atmosphere. Capacity: 120. Yrs in bus: 8. Chef’s Choice: Gnocchi. Entrée prices: $35+. Extras: Bar, gluten-free and vegetarian options, Sun monthly children’s suppers. M-Sat 5-10. Reservations: Yes.

Tallgrass/ 1006 S State, Lockport. 815 838-5566. Modern French cuisine in an elegant and intimate historic Victorian building. Capacity: 40. Yrs in bus: 32. Chef’s Choice: Rack of lamb. Entrée prices: $48, $58 & $68 for 3, 4 & 5 course dinners. Extras: Bar,

n Villa Verone/ 416 Hamilton St, Geneva. 630 232-2201. Casual, upscale dining serving Italian favorites. Capacity: 200. Yrs in bus: 16. Entrée prices: $13-$25. Chef’s Choice: Seafood. Extras: Carry-out, live entertainment, outdoor dining, bar and club

Recently Opened

Traditional Mexican fare served in new 300-seat Naperville restaurant uthentic Mexican fare

Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-

— from ceviche and

midnight and Friday-Saturday

or booths in the 300-seat

homemade guacamole to

from 11 a.m.-1 a.m. It accepts

remodeled restaurant, which

chiles rellenos and chicken

reservations and has a full bar.

previous was the site of the

with mole — stars on the

menu at the recently opened

fajitas (chicken, steak, shrimp

Rancheros Mexican Grille

and vegetable) are among

space that can be booked

& Cantina, 523 Fairway Dr.,

the most popular dishes,”

for private parties and

Naperville (630) 355-1100.

says manager George

Boulougouris is considering

Boulougouris. Entrées range

adding an outdoor patio.

in price from $8 to $20.

The locally owned and

operated business is open

“So far our burritos and

private parties. W-Sun 6 pm-midnight. Reservations: Yes, required.

now-shuttered Total Sports Bar. The restaurant has

— T.R. Witom

Ellyn. 630 942-6881. Offering locally grown, seasonal ingredients, Waterleaf offers a contemporary approach to fine dining. Capacity: 120. Yrs in bus: 1. Chef’s Choice: Seared foie gras. Entrée prices: $31-$50. Extras: Private dining, bar, outdoor dining, cooking classes, wine room, Sun brunch 11-2:30. Breakfast: M-Sun 7-10 a.m., Lunch: W-F 11:30 - 2 pm, Sat 11:30-2:30; Dinner: W-F 5-8:30, Sat 5-9, Sun 4:30-8:30. Reservations: Yes. n Weber Grill/ 2331 Fountain Square Dr, Lombard. 630 953-8880. Meat cooked on charcoal kettle grills in an open kitchen. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 13. Chef’s Choice: BBQ ribs. Entrée prices: $12-$37, Avg. $21. Extras: Outdoor dining, banquets, bar (open later). M-Th 11:30-10, F-Sat 11:30-11, Sun noon-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 1010 N Meacham Rd, Schaumburg, 847 413-0800.

n Uncle Julio’s Hacienda/ 2360 Fountain Square Dr,

Lombard. 630 705-9260. Tex-Mex food in a family friendly and festive atmosphere. Capacity: 350. Yrs in bus: 9. Chef’s Choice: Fajitas. Entrée prices: $8-$27. Extras: Carry-out, outdoor dining, catering. M-Th 11-10, F 11-11, Sat 11-11, Sun

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n Wildwood/ 477 S Third St, Geneva. 630 377-8325.

Upscale American cuisine featuring steaks and seafood in a modern setting. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 6. Entrée prices: $18-$42. Extras: Bar, extensive wine list, piano lounge, live entertainment on weekends, outdoor dining. Lunch T-Sat 11:30-2:30; Dinner M-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5-10, Sun 5-9, Sun brunch 10 am-2 pm. Reservations: Yes. n Winberie’s/ 151 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park. 708 386-

XNI PEC/ 3755 Grand Blvd, Brookfield. 708 290-0082. Authentic Yucatecan cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Yrs in bus: 8. Chef’s Choice: Cochinita and Mole. Entrée prices: $12-$19. Extras: Bar, family friendly, carry-out. T-Th 4-10, F-Sat 2-10, Sun 2-8.

n Waterleaf Restaurant/ 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen

Authentic, slow-smoked barbecue served in a Southwestern décor. Capacity: 185. Yrs in bus: 15. Chef’s Choice: Baby back ribs. Entrée prices: $11-$19. Extras: Carry-out, catering. Sun 11-9, F-Sat 11-10. Reservations: Yes.

9000. Steaks, chops and seafood served in a 1940s-style steakhouse. Capacity: 260. Yrs in bus: 15. Chef’s Choice: Filet mignon. Entrée prices: $15-$33. Extras: Bar (open 1 hr later M-Sat), valet parking. M-Th 11:15-10, F-Sat 11:15-11, Sun 11:15-9. Reservations: Recommended. Additional location at 1250 E Higgins Rd, Schaumburg, 847 995-0100.

Pan-Asian cuisine and sushi prepared fresh daily using only natural and high-quality ingredients. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 8. Chef’s Choice: Miso sea bass. Entrée prices: $11-$30. Extras: Bar, carry-out, private parties, outdoor dining. M-Th 11:30-9:30, F-Sat 11:30-10:30, Sun 3-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional locations at 108 Schiller St, Elmhurst, 630 993-0888; 181 S First St, St. Charles, 630 444-3580; 120 E Liberty Dr, Wheaton, 630 665-1440; and 590 Village Center Dr., Burr Ridge, 630 323-5100.

n Tuscany/ 1425 W 22nd St, Oak Brook. 630 990-1993.

n Uncle Bub’s/ 132 Cass Ave, Westmont. 630 493-9000.

n Wildfire/ 232 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook. 630 586-

n Wok ‘N Fire/ 1576 Lake St, Addison. 630 775-0290.

Diners can sit at tables

(open later). M-Th 11:30-9, F 11:30-10, Sat 4-10, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. Additional location at 13 Douglas Ave, Elgin, 847 742-0263.

Italian Tuscan cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere and casual bistro setting. Capacity: 250 at 50 tables. Yrs in bus: 19. Chef’s Choice: Grilled veal chops. Entrée prices: $11-$30. Extras: Carry-out, bar, valet parking, live music, banquets, outdoor dining. Lunch M-F 11:30-3:30; Dinner M-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-11. Reservations: Recommended.

n White Chocolate Grill/ 1803 Freedom Dr, Naperville. 630 505-8300. Classic American fare featuring made-fromscratch selections. Capacity: 280. Yrs in bus: 4.5. Chef’s Choice: White chocolate desserts. Entrée prices: $6-$30. Extras: Exhibition kitchen, private rooms. Tue-Sat 11-10, M-Sun 11-9. Reservations: Yes.

2600. American fare in a warm and inviting bistro setting. Capacity: 160. Yrs in bus: 30. Chef’s Choice: Cedar-planked salmon. Entrée prices: $10-$25. Extras: Bar, family friendly. Lunch M-Sat 11-4; Dinner M-Th 4-10, F-Sat 4-11, Sun 10-9; Sun brunch 10-1:30. Reservations: Yes.

Rancheros Mexican Grille

n Wheatstack/ 5900 S Rt 53, Lisle. 630 968-1920. Casual dining overlooking the River Bend Golf Course. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 2. Chef’s Choice: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. Entrée prices: $10-$24. Extras: Full bar, banquet facilities, catering, outdoor dining. M-Th 11-9, F-Sat 11-10, Sun 11-8. Reservations: Yes.

Yerbabuena/ 4732 Main St, Lisle. 630 852-8040. Upscale, yet casual Mexican restaurant serving traditional fare and signature dishes. Capacity: 86 indoor, 32 outdoor. Yrs in bus: 12. Chef’s Choice: Carnitas with roasted tomatillo jalapeño sauce. Entrée prices: $9-$15. Extras: Outdoor dining, carry-out, catering, wireless Internet, kids’ menu, vegan/vegetarian options. M-Th 11-9, F-Sat 11-10. Reservations: Yes.

YAU’S PLACE/ 110 W Burlington Ave, LaGrange. 708 352-7928. Thai and Chinese cooking in an Asianthemed atmosphere. Capacity: 30. Yrs in bus: 7. Entrée prices: Avg: $10. Extras: Carry-out, catering. Lunch T-F 11-3; Dinner T-Th 4:30-10, F 4:30-10:30, Sat -Sun 3-10.

n York Tavern/ 3702 York Rd, Oak Brook. 630 323-5090.

Oldest, continuously operating restaurant in DuPage County, restored and updated in 2006, American fare. Capacity: 60. Yrs in bus: 169. Chef’s Choice: Burgers. Entrée prices: $5-$19. Extras: Carry-out, bar. M-F 11-1 am, Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-10. Reservations: No.

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Photo: Jim Schulz, Chicago Zoological Society

Photo: Violet Dominek, John Reilly Photography

Photo: Jim Schulz, Chicago Zoological Society

Charitable Events of Note

The Chicago Zoological Society’s “Animals Around the Whirl” event (below) raised an estimated $1.24 million to support the animals of Brookfield Zoo as well as the society’s conservation and education programs. Wheaton resident and Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board Member Sandy Becky (above, second from left) and husband, Wally, get a close-up look at a cheetah escorted by handlers from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; (upper right) Congressman Peter Roskam and wife Elizabeth of Wheaton; and (right) Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board President Diane Dygert of River Forest, Chicago Zoological Society

Photo: Kelly Tone, Chicago Zoological Society

President and CEO Dr. Stuart D. Strahl, and 2013 Whirl Chair Romana Malinowski of Hinsdale.

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Charitable Events of Note

Soirée 2013: A Benefit for Elmhurst Art Museum raised $160,000 to support Elmhurst Art Museum’s exhibitions by distinguised regional, national and international artists, high quality art classes and free public programs. Among those enjoying the event were (above, from left) Muffie Sanfilippo, Veronica Lidral, Anna Maria Ryan and Lynette Stack of Emhurst; (above right) Mr. and Mrs. Paul Darley

Photos: LeVern Danley

of Elmhurst; and (right) John Kosich, James Owens, and Sara and Mark Schoonveld. all of Elmhurst.

The 12th Annual DuPage Gala of Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, held at Bobak’s Signature Events at Seven Bridges in Woodridge, raised $243,000 to provide support services like counseling, youth mentoring and senior respite care for the DuPage area’s most vulnerable residents. Honoring Alan and Milly Peterson of Glen Ellyn (above left, second and third from left) as recipients of the Roger K. Johnson Award, in honor of their many years of service to families and communities served by Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, were Roger Johnson of Clarendon Hills (far left) and event co-chairs Kim Stapleton and Bill Jennrich (right). The event was emceed by Judy Hsu, co-anchor of ABC7 News This Morning, shown above right with Metropolitan Family Services Executive Director Theresa Nihill.

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TCFS Clinical Staff Linda Coglianese and Allyse Rehak helped host the Friends of TriCity Family Services 24th Annual Benefit & Auction “All That Glitters…Treasuring Teens” at Lincoln Inn Banquets in Batavia. More than 360 guests enjoyed the glitzy décor at the event, which netted over $144,000 to benefit TriCity Family Services. The organization provides counseling and other mental health services for children and teens, their families, and community members across all income levels and life stages. Family Shelter Service’s “Magic of Wonderland Gala” at the Abbington in Glen Ellyn drew nearly 500 guests and helped raise more than $200,000 for the organization’s trauma-informed counseling, emergency and intermediate shelter, court advocacy and prevention programs. Among Travers, Tracy and Ryan Luckey, and Beth and Jake Kist, all of Downers Grove. Also at the event were (below, center) DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his wife Carolyn, of Clarendon Hills, flanked by Brian and Tami Bowman of Downers Grove.

Life Transformed Award

Photos: Neil Gates Photography

attendees at the event were (above) Mary Ann and Paul

recipients Sue Principe of Plainfield (left) and Mary Ellen Durbin of Lisle (right), and Mistress of Ceremonies Karen Wells of Naperville at Bridge Communities “Celebrating Women . . .Transforming Lives” luncheon, which raised more than $40,000 to help homeless families in its transitional housing program. Members of he event planning committee included (from left) Connie Pecover of Glen Ellyn, Kay Searcy of Glen Ellyn, Jennifer Darnall of Glen Ellyn, Leslie Wilson of Wheaton, Karen Wincenciak of Glen Ellyn, and Alicia Rasnic of Glen Ellyn.

Bob and Ingrid Rowlett of I. B. Quality Cabinets in Geneva prepared Swedish Meatballs dressed in traditional Swedish attire at the Geneva Chamber’of Commerce’s “30 Men vs. 30 Women Who Cook” at the Kane County Fairgrounds. The event raised funds to benefit Geneva History Center, Geneva Lions Club and Rotary Club of Geneva.

The Awards Ceremony at the DuPage Senior Citizens Council second annual “Dancing for Seniors” gala held at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook Hotel. Proceeds from the event will be used to help provide support service for seniors in need in DuPage County.

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Last Word

By Michele Weldon

Transcending the Superficial The ubiquity of social media makes private moments with true friends all the more special

fter pulling out of my driveway and heading to work, I often see them walking in pairs, briskly, happily, arms gesturing to punctuate a point, deeply pleased with the chance to share a summer morning and the details of a complicated life. I see them on this street, that corner, passing by the park, emerging from a coffee shop — smiling women dressed in running shoes and reveling in the comfort of true friendships, fully engaged in a live conversation for two. And I am jealous. Those moments of selective sharing are the life diamonds that so many of us miss on a regular basis for so many different reasons — too many obligations, too little time. I have those shining moments, yes, but not often enough. In an age of feigned public intimacy, where social media followers and friends think they know others merely because they commented on a photo of a child’s graduation or a beach party scene, not enough attention is paid to the unrehearsed private moments — the real connections that survive 10,000 clicks. It is the essence of those unpublic relationships that transcend the superficial and remind me of the sanctity of the “shares” we need to keep. In May of this year, new statisitics revealed that across the globe 1.1 billion people are now Facebook users; 1 billion people use YouTube, where they sit through 4 billion views of videos each day. More than 500 million people trade characters and information on Twitter and 100 million share photos on Instagram. Yes, I use each of those services and share my

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Sharing an idea or a moment with a follower on Twitter will never replace the need to share a heartfelt notion with someone who knows me well.

own information both banal and profound, but I spill decidedly less information into the public sphere than most people, who I contend tell far too much to far too many. I keep the good stuff for my real friends. Sometimes it feels as if so many of us have relinquished the ability to restrain from broadcasting the minutiae of our lives that we forego a reverence for communicating in real time to a real confidante — a sibling, parent, spouse, partner or friend. Sharing an idea or a moment with a follower on Twitter will never replace the need to share a heartfelt notion with someone who knows me well. It’s about trust, the longevity of secrets well-kept and the drive to be understood. Really understood. A like on Facebook doesn’t cut it. Yes, it is seductive to log on at any time anywhere from any place and have access to the quips and quirky visuals from acquaintances new and old, far and near. It almost feels good. But sometimes even the sheer volume of accumulated messages and information diminishes their importance. If someone is telling everyone everything, how can it be so special? And how am I special if you tell everyone and anyone else? You hardly hear the phrase, “Keep it to yourself” anymore, even if the acronym TMI (too much information) is long |

out of style. That is because the urge to instantly share information far and wide has supplanted the urge to edit or to selectively decide who knows what about whom. I have three sisters, two brothers and a close collection of friends I have known for decades. We have history — stories and experiences layered over the years. I can tell them things I would not tell everyone. I am the receiver of secrets from many, including my sons. I do not betray confidences and I respect the immeasurable difference between what stays private and what gets live-streamed. The phone in my office rarely rings. Instead I get hundreds and hundreds of emails each day from coworkers, friends and business associates who trade information and yes, sometimes secrets. A few times a day I log onto LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter and gather even more information from friends and acquaintances — sometimes so much is put in front of me that I retain nothing. Call me old-fashioned, but during a busy work day when my words posted online may touch thousands of readers or listeners, I need more. I long for the fleeting moments — two friends laughing while walking together on a summer morning, sharing secrets no one else will hear. n

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