West Suburban Living October 2016



BEST AREA HAUNTED HOUSES



EVENT PLANNING & CATERING



SPOTLIGHT ON LEMONT

OCTOBER 2016

The Best Area Theaters for

WEST

Fun at the

SUBURBAN LIVING

MOVIES

• FUN AT THE MOVIES VOL. 21 • NUMBER

Q&AWITH

9

NAPERVILLE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL WINNER KEVIN CORDES Cover_10_16 FINAL.indd 1

OCTOBER 2016

$3.95

www.westsuburbanliving.net

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Editor & Publisher | Chuck Cozette Art Director | Rachel Switall Assistant Editor | Sarah Astra

Contributing Writers Laurie Barton, Joni Hirsch Blackman, Buzz Brandt, Sharon Brass, Kathy Johns, Denise Linke, Lynn Petrak, Diana Santos, Lisa Sloan, Sara Pearsaul Vice, Michele Weldon and Tom Witom Contributing Photographer Ed Ahern Advertising Sales Pam Loebel, Susan Reetz Accounting/Circulation Jennifer Cozette

Reader Advisory Board Laurie Barton (Glen Ellyn), Karla Bullett (Lombard) Linda Cassidy (Campton Hills), Mary Ellen Coombs (Wheaton), Joan Hoff (Elmhurst) M Grace Grzanek (Batavia), Liz Hunka (Wheaton) Nancy Jensen (Batavia), 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 Garazin (Winfield) 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 subscriptions@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. 21, No. 9 OCTOBER 2016; ISSN No. 1532-6705) is published monthly, except for July/August and November/December issues (10 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 $24; 3 years $32. Single copy $3.95; back issues, as available, $7. 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.

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Contents |

October

|

2016

Photo courtesy of Strawflower

West Suburban Living

Getaways

20

Deep in the Heart of Texas

The historic birthplace of the Lone Star State, Washington County offers scenic countryside and friendly, home-style hospitality.

Home&Garden

44

preserving nature’s beauty

48

Burning Desires

With the weather outside getting colder, bring the outdoors in with natural botanicals and lifelike artificial florals.

Warm your home with the latest trends to hit the hearth.

Town Focus

64

44

52

 Features 38

56

20

LEMONT

Made up of an integrated patchwork of new and old, this town maintains a balance of growth and historic charm.

Health relieving back pain

An array of non-surgical treatments, along with disc replacement, can help restore spinal function and offer relief from discomfort.

SPECIAL SECTION

Event Planning Guide How to put the special in your special event.

The Best Area Theaters for Fun at the MOVIES The western suburbs offer a variety of great options for catching Hollywood’s hottest

new flicks — as well as classic, art and foreign films — in comfort and style.

4 OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Departments |

October

|

2016

Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum

West Suburban Living

Photo by Diana Santos

12

23 25 Around the Towns

Perspectives

8 15

FOREWARD

Becoming an avid movie-goer again

80

12

Q&A

78

SCENE & SEEN

LOOK TO THE WESTERN SKY

A sanctuary for animals in need, Staudacher Farms in Yorkville offers a refuge for horses and a menagerie of other animals.

LAST WORD

Joining groups and associations can provide an outlet to connect with kindred spirits.

16

16

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

with Naperville native and Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Kevin Cordes

Dining

A photo gallery of recent notable charitable events

72

REVIEW: La Dolce Vita in Lemont

Style&Fashion

74

REVIEW: Caribbean Corner

STOPS & SHOPS

New stores and hidden gems

71

Out&About

25

36

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The best in music, theatre and other area events Haunted Houses

Where to get your fright on

76

in Downers Grove NEW RESTAURANTS:

Hardware Gastropub and Brewery in North Aurora and Empire Burgers & Brew in Naperville CHEERS

Why few wines truly benefit from aging

6 OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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EDITOR’S NOTE

“It is often said that before you die, your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true.

It’s called living.

- Terry Pratchett

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.

- Soren Kierkegaard

“LIfe’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.”

- Albert Schweitzer

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying,

A Return to My Movie-Going Roots

W

hile I have always really enjoyed going to the movies, I haven’t been to as many as I would have liked in recent years. I’m just not that enthralled by films involving super heroes, super villains, zombies or other outside forces that are threatening the world as we know it. And for quite awhile, it has seemed like that has been the basic premise of many of the movies being made. I suppose my lack of interest in those kinds of films is a notso-subtle reminder that I long ago aged out of Hollywood’s target demographic.

Actually, with our kids now grown, I hope to start going to more movies again, because I really do enjoy the whole in-theater experience — especially these days, with the comfy seats and the digital-quality sound and picture. Throw in a nice big bucket of popcorn and what’s not to like, right?

While I will happily go to any theater that is showing a movie I want to see, if I have a choice, I particularly enjoy going to one of the Classic Cinemas — especially the Tivoli in Downers Grove, the York in Elmhurst, and the Lake in Oak Park.

There’s just something special about the wonderful old marquees lighting up the night, the historic ambiance of the buildings themselves, and yes, the free refills on popcorn, that make seeing a movie in one of those theaters all the more memorable.

Or maybe memory-evoking, since all three theaters harken back to what movie-

yet our inner man is being

going was like in my childhood days.

It’s also nice to be able to support a local business like Classic Cinemas which has done so much to help revive the downtown business districts in those communities where it has theaters.

For a more in-depth look at the many and diverse movie-going options in the western suburbs, check out writer Jay Copp’s article, “The Best Area Theaters for Fun at the Movies,” on page 38.

We hope you’ll also enjoy this issue’s Getaway feature on Washington County, Texas (page 20). We don’t often spotlight places so far away, but my wife and I took a sidetrip to the area while visiting two of our daughters who live nearby, and we really enjoyed the small-town charm and Texas hospitality we experienced. We especially enjoyed our brief stay at Texas Ranch Life and getting to chat a bit with our hosts, owners John and Taunia Elick.

There’s lots more interesting reading in this issue, including a Q&A with Naperville native and Olympic gold medalist Kevin Cordes. We hope you enjoy it and, as always, thanks for being a reader!

renewed day by day.”

- II Corinthians 4:16

Chuck Cozette, Editor & Publisher chuck@westsuburbanliving.net

8 OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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THE

AROUND TOWNS |

STOPS & SHOPS

|

LOOK TO THE WESTERN SKY

|

LOCAL AUTHORS Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Q&A

Fall Colors T

he Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is

The program kicks off on Wednesday, Oct. 5

offering a variety of special “Fall Colors” programs

with 30-minute tractor-drawn hayrides at St. James

to take full advantage of the magnificent beauty of

Farm in Warrenville. Additional rides will be held Oct.

the season. See stunning fall displays by hiking, biking,

9, 12 and 16. For more information on the hayrides

paddling or enjoying a hayride through some of the

and other special fall tours, call 630 933-7200 or go

District’s 60 forest preserves.

to www.dupageforest.org.

WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 11

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Q&A

Kevin Cordes/

n

Naperville native and former Neuqua Valley swimmer claims Olympic gold in Rio n What are some of your best memories

of growing up in Naperville — things you did as a kid and places you liked to hang out?

KC: Naperville is a great place to grow up and I had a lot of fun. There are a lot of things to do. I remember being young and walking with my family on the Riverwalk and hanging out at Centennial Beach and downtown. But I spent most of my time in my neighborhood, White Eagle, riding my bike around, playing street hockey and hanging out on our cul-de-sac. Whiffle Ball was a favorite and I loved meeting at the park for a game of two hand touch football or fishing in the local ponds. I just loved being outdoors. n You played lots of sports when you

AS A YOUNGSTER COMPETING IN THE

It proved to be a turning point that launched him

“NAPERVILLE OLYMPICS” — the park district’s

on a swimming career in which he has won six NCAA

citywide swimming championships which

swimming titles, set numerous U.S. records, and most

determined local swim club bragging rights for

recently, won a gold medal as part of the U.S. 4 x 100

the year — Kevin Cordes never dreamed he would

medley relay at the Rio Olympics. He also missed out

someday compete in the real Olympics. At that

on a bronze medal by 35 one-hundreths of a second

point, swimming wasn’t even his favorite sport —

in the 100 meter breaststroke. But the 23-year-old

he liked football best. But his sophomore year at

Cordes says he has no regrets, that “it was an honor

Neuqua Valley High School , Cordes won the Illinois

to represent our country in an Olympic final,” and

state championship in the 100-yard breaststroke.

that he plans to compete again in Tokyo in 2020.

Q&A

RAPID FIRE

swimming career? Michael Phelps,

5. Four words that best describe

4. How do you do stay focused and

you? Competitive, Adventurous,

n

help the time go by during all those

Loyal, Foodie

— i K t t r I e

1. Favorite TV shows or movies?

Inglorious Bastards, Donnie Darko

hundreds of hours of training laps?

6. Best advice anyone ever gave

TV Shows: Fargo, Breaking Bad, True

and Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I sing — during a hard set I might sing

you and from whom? My dad gave

Detective (season 1), The Wire, Curb

2. Favorite sports teams?

a song that gets me going to help

me a poster with a quote from the

your Enthusiasm, Trailer Park Boys

Blackhawks and Bulls

me push through. I also count my

runner Steve Prefontaine “To give

and Prison Break. Movies: Super

3. Favorite or most interesting

strokes, which keeps me engaged

anything less than your best, is to

Troopers, Forrest Gump, The Departed,

person you have met during your

with what I need to be doing.

sacrifice the gift.”

12 OCTOBER 2016

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n

were younger. What were your favorites and when and why did you choose to focus on swimming?

KC: Growing up I played a number of sports. Football, baseball, basketball, swimming, soccer and golf. Up until my sophomore year in high school swimming was actually my third or fourth sport on the totem pole. My favorite was actually football and I played for the Naperville Patriots for many years. We were third in the nation when I was in 7th grade.

I chose to focus on swimming because I felt it gave me the best opportunity for a college scholarship. I also just loved to race and you just can’t get that in any of the other sports.

| WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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s

d f

n Explain the “Naperville Olympics”

and its significance to you as a young swimmer.

KC: Naperville is a huge swimming town.

There’s nothing like the summer Park District City Championship meet — otherwise known as the Naperville Olympics. This is where I first fell in love with the sport of swimming. When I was younger, I thought it was the greatest meet because all of the coaches from each neighborhood dressed up in different themed costumes and we got to swim at local high schools, which was a huge step up from our neighborhood pools. We got to be in a car-parade around our neighborhood before the meet and even got to take the Naperville Trolley to the meet when we were older. It made swimming fun as a young swimmer. It created great competition and rivalries that were carried all through high school. There were a lot of “bragging rights” involved. n You won a state championship as

a sophomore in the 100-yard breast stroke. What was that like and was that a turning point in helping propel you to the swimmer you have become today?

KC: When I was a young swimmer, I remember practicing at all the different high schools and seeing the huge state championship banners hung on the walls.

Going into high school, that was a big goal of mine. During my race my sophomore year, I turned at the 50-meter wall and saw that I had a shot to win. The only thing I kept thinking about in the final 50 was “I want a banner!” When I touched the wall and realized that I had won I celebrated more than I ever have . . . even to this day. It was definitely a turning point in my swimming career. It really helped motivate me and help me realize that this is what I wanted to do. It’s still one of my favorite accomplishments. n How did you settle on breast stroke — was that just what you were best at or is it the stroke you most enjoyed doing?

KC: Breaststroke has always come natural to me ever since the age of seven. I had trouble with the flutter kick or could never really keep my legs together in butterfly.

I also loved the fact that I could breathe every stroke!

n You won six NCAA titles — four in the 100 breast and two in the 200 breast — during your career at the University of Arizona. How were you able to take your swimming to the next level in college and is there a particular race or accomplishment that stands out from those years?

KC: The transition from high school to college, for me, was great. In college my training was much more specific and geared toward breaststroke. I also had great training partners who were former NCAA champions and Olympians. I was given the ability to stay true to who I am as a breaststroker. I was not forced to do long pull freestyle sets or things that didn’t directly help with my stroke.

My favorite race/accomplishment was during the 2013 NCAA championships my sophomore year, when I swam a 1:48 200-yard breaststroke. There had yet to be any swimmer swim under 1:50 and I was the first person to break that barrier. It was special because I had never really thought of myself as a 200-yard breaststroker. n You’ve had a number of ups and

downs in your international swimming career including a couple of race disqualifications and missing out on going to the 2012 Games by about half a second. You have also won multiple international competitions and set numerous U.S. records. How do you handle the highs and especially the lows when competing at such a high level?

KC: It’s true, I have had many ups and downs but I really try to take the positives out of both. After placing third at the 2012 Olympic Trials, I thought of that moment in each practice the following year, using it as motivation. It is what helped me take the next step in my career and earn the honor of NCAA swimmer of the year in 2013. I used that same approach and mindset when dealing with other missteps or disappointments that followed. You can learn from any situation, and that’s what I consistently try to do. n You missed out on an Olympic bronze

medal in the 100-meter breast stroke by 35 one-hundreths of a second. How WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 13

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Q&A Olympic Gold Medalist Kevin Cordes

“Representing your country is a great honor and privilege and I’m thankful every day.

Winning a gold medal with my teammates made the experience even greater and

”

it’s something I will never forget.

frustrating was that, or did you feel you swam a good race and you just fell a bit short? Anything in retrospect that you wish you had done differently or felt you could have done better?

KC: Missing out on an individual Olympic medal was disappointing. Of course you go back and second-guess your race or what you did in preparation, but I have no regrets. It was an honor to be able to represent our country in an Olympic final and place 4th in the world. I swam seven races in the Olympics and I am very proud of that. n What was it like, first, just competing

in the Olympics, and then second, winning a gold medal as part of the prelim team in the 4x100 medley relay?

KC: Competing in the Olympics has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember. It still hasn’t sunk in that I can call myself an Olympian. Representing your country is a great honor and privilege and I’m thankful every day. Winning a gold medal with my teammates made the experience even greater and it’s something I will never forget. n Other than the actual races,

what did you enjoy most about the Olympic experience and what will you remember most?

KC: My favorite thing about the Olympic experience was being in the Olympic village. You are around the greatest athletes in the world. It was fun to see all of the different countries and try to guess what sport their athletes were competing in. I also had the opportunity to meet many athletes from Team USA. I met Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green, 14 OCTOBER 2016

Q&A_wsl_10_16 FINAL.indd 14

Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Ricky Fowler, Simone Biles and many more. n What are your goals as a swimmer

going forward and will we see you in Tokyo in 2020?

KC: I plan on swimming until 2020 and to try and get better everyday. This past Olympics has made me even more motivated to be better four years from now.

It was such an unbelievable experience and I will work to make it a reality again.

The next big meet I will be working toward will be the World Championships, in Budapest in the summer of 2017. n How often do you get back home to Naperville and what are your favorite things to do, restaurants you like to eat at, places to go, etc. with friends or family?

KC: I try to get home as often as I can.

Usually I’m home for the holidays in December and a short time in the summer after a major competition.

When I’m home I love to get my Chicago food fix. I go to places like Portillos, Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s and Eatza Pizza (a local favorite close to my home.)

My favorite restaurants that my family and I go to are Front Street Cantina in downtown Naperville and Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinders in Chicago. I’m also a huge Blackhawks fan, so I usually try to make it to a game or two. n

| WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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TO THE

LOOK WESTERN SKY

By Joni Hirsch Blackman

A Sanctuary for Animals in Need A riding stable, Staudacher Farms in Yorkville is also a refuge for horses and other animals

O

n the outskirts of the western suburbs, past Naperville and Oswego, the entrance to a former excavating company property is barely visible behind a Yorkville subdivision. A closer looks reveals a large horseback riding ring and a barn with stalls and a roof, but few walls. Another fenced area holds what looks to be a sort of petting zoo.

Nope. Just your typical neighborhood alpacas, goats, chickens, sheep, geese, ducks, peacocks and pigs milling about. Somewhere two mastiffs are resting, livestock guardians who will be on duty at night.

Along the gravel walkway separating the two areas, a darling brown Boxer puppy walks, dragging a somewhat-useless paw. Down the hill, horses munch grass and swat flies with their tails. Two girls walk toward the herd, carrying bridles.

One shouts, “I’m going to find a horse!”

The Field of Dreams question seems appropriate: Is this a horse and animal lovers’ heaven? No, it’s Staudacher Farms.

Was this what Tobi Staudacher imagined in 2005 after adopting a couple of donkeys and a few chickens?

“It’s all that and then some,” says the Downers Grove native and University of Illinois-degreed veterinarian. “It’s kind of evolved. Recently I stopped to think, ‘How many people get to do this?’”

By “this,” Staudacher means adopting nearly any potentially-sociable animal that comes along, while creating an atmosphere that seems to spring from another era.

The animals have come from a variety of places. Staudacher’s son’s third-grade teacher offered two pigs left from a litter. The Boxer pup was saved from euthanization.

“I think he’ll be fine,” says Staudacher,

while the pup, exhausted from hobbling around paradise, sleeps near her feet on the porch of a small ranch-like building reminiscent of an old western TV show.

“He’s the sweetest puppy.”

Staudacher Farms feels like a family

the farm began as a business offering horseback riding lessons, Staudacher’s accountant noted constant losses necessitated it be more correctly classified as a not-self-supporting hobby.

Riding lessons do cover some of the

“

A lot of the horses are here

trying to find second, third or fourth careers.”

of furry, feathered two- and four-legged foster children, though there are actual children as well. Six of them, ages 2 to 14, are Staudacher’s with her Napervillepracticing-veterinarian husband, Tom. The rest come to learn to ride, or simply to be around horses, many of whom also help out by doing work around the farm (to volunteer or find out about riding lessons, go to www.staudacherfarms.com).

The first horse arrived after a friend from Indiana called to place the unwanted animal. Others have retired from polo or steeplechasing. Two new horses just moved in — a Marengo Realtor was surprised when a recently-listed property came with the abandoned animals.

The farm is now home to more than 30 horses in all, most retrained and now used for riding lessons, a few others being fostered until they can be adopted.

“A lot of the horses are here trying to find second, third or fourth careers,” says Staudacher, who works with her students to train the horses so they’ll be able to earn a “pay check” by eventually becoming riding school horses.

“Pay check” is a relative term. Though

costs. A small shop also helps, offering farm products — goats milk, angora from the rabbits, eggs, pumpkins — as well as used riding equipment, organic deodorant that Staudacher makes, and farm-logo t-shirts, water bottles and saddle pads. A lesson-mom sews old feed bags into totes, the proceeds from which ­help buy food for the animals.

Even the local food pantry contributes, delivering expired food for some of the animals. And lots of volunteers pitch in.

Staudacher’s favorite part of this idyllic place? Figuring out each horse.

“Every horse’s story is different,” she says. “I let them sit here a week or two.

I look at their teeth, take them around with a halter and lead rope for a bit. Then I get on them a few times — usually no one has ridden them for a while. I don’t make any judgement after the first ride.

Once they’re stable, I will let the kids ride them with supervision.”

Once told it couldn’t be done, Staudacher smiles. “People said, ‘You can’t keep your horses that way, you can’t keep the animals together that way.’ But it just kind of works — everybody gets along.”

Heavenly. n

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Stops&Shops

Photo by Kathy Johns

JAYNE Boutique

GYM CHIC

Gia Haute & Home

named after the owner’s

Recognizing the need for quality,

Expect to find the unexpected

grandmother, this bright and

performance based clothing, Nicki Turnbull opened the doors of Gym Chic in St. Charles (151 S. 1st St., 630 250-2892) in late spring. Turnbull’s goals is to present well-made, unique pieces that meet the benchmark of sportwear, as well as the demand for athletic panache.

Offerings appropriate for spin classes, yoga sessions and casual weekend events, along with coordinating accessories, are showcased in a tranquil, Zen-like atmosphere. Cross-strap bras are paired with air-brushed capris, while cutout tanks team up with comfortable motion leggings. Cashmere soft wraps and sweaters, along with light-weight puffer vests and free movement ponchos are available when additional warmth is required.

Alo, Beyond Yoga and Splits 59 are the boutique’s featured labels.

Drop in yoga classes are flexibly scheduled once a month and private parties are hosted upon request.

— Diana Santos

in this bright, elegant store that opened this past March in downtown Hinsdale (45 S. Washington St., 630 332-3332).

Described by owner Gia Lapinskas as a “lifestyle” boutique, it offers an artistic mix of new and vintage items that she carefully selects from around the world.

The ever-changing merchandise includes everything from candles, home fragrances and soaps to unique women’s apparel, artwork, high-end vintage furniture, lamps and chandeliers.

“Our main focus is jewelry and home décor,” says Lapinskas.

Although customers love the shop’s distinctive jewelry lines like Anne Marie Chagnon, Sorrelli, and Regina Andrew, they also appreciate the older pieces the store carries. “People like vintage jewelry because it’s hard to find and one of a kind,” explains Lapinskas.

The shop also offers decorating and staging services for home sellers.

— Kathy Johns

inviting shop in Glen Ellyn (476 N. Main St., 630 793-9098) is a wonderland of women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories.

It also carries body products and home goods such as candles and pottery.

The focus is on comfy, stylish clothing and outerwear that appeals to all age groups. Popular brands include Free People, Lucky Brand and Kut from the Kloth.

The store also carries accessories like handbags, scarves, hats and jewelry, with much of the latter from local artisans. There is also a large selection of footwear including brands like Frye, Birkenstock and Sorel.

Additionally, the store offers homegoods like pottery, candles and bed linens as well as body products and lotions.

This is the fifth location for Jayne, the original having opened in Forest Park three years ago. The others are in La Grange, Highland Park and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. — Laurie Barton



Photo by Diana Santos

Photo by Laurie Barton

Hidden Gems & Longtime Favorites

New Store Openings Following is a sampling of new shops that have opened in the last few months in the western suburbs.

For a full list, go to westsuburbanliving.net.

Anderson’s Toyshop Located two doors down from the bookshop, offering high-quality toys, games, crafts and puzzles. 111 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville.

630 355-4213.

FAWN GIFTS Gifts for self care and for uplifting others including bath and body products, inspirational books, teas, handbags, candles, and pottery sourced from

local artisans. 2 E. Wilson St., Batavia. 630 326-9146.

novelties. 1045 Burlington Ave., Lisle. 630 442.7985

4A Song VINYL Record store selling new and used vinyl, refurbished jukeboxes and music-related

Hazyl Boutique A full-on styling shop for women, offering clothing, jewelry, and shoes. 106 W.

2nd St. Elmhurst. 630 359-3833.

The Tea Tree Loose leaf tea, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, fresh spices, and more. 29 N. River St., Batavia. 630 425-3340

16 OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | WEST SUBURBAN LIVING

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Texas Deep in

the Heart of

The historic birthplace of the Lone Star State, Washington County offers scenic countryside and friendly home-style hospitality

O

By Sharon Brass

ne of Texas’ most charming and historic destinations is picturesque Washington County, halfway between Houston and Austin. A short drive from either city will take you to the heart of the Texas wildflower region, among bucolic rolling landscapes and a variety of attractions.

But it’s not just the entertainment and scenery that make this place so special.

Visitors to Brenham and neighboring towns delight in the friendly home-town ambiance and hospitality. You’ll find an unusually strong community spirit and

old-fashioned Texas pride.

It’s no wonder that the first Anglo settlers chose this location above all others, in the vast wilderness that was Texas. Here they found natural beauty, and everything they needed to survive and prosper. As a result, many of the state’s important forefathers lived here — the men who shaped history.

They left behind a rich heritage and a county full of historic treasures.

With so much to see and do in Washington County, a day trip from the city is not enough. To get the most from your visit you’ll want to spend at least a long weekend and immerse yourself in the culture and alluring country lifestyle.

Choose a historic B&B or a luxurious countryside resort (see “Distinctive Lodgings” on page 22 for a sampling of options) to experience the enchanting character of this place.

BRENHAM, THE PERFECT START FOR YOUR ADVENTURE Stop by the Washington County Visitor Center, in historic downtown Brenham, to get the lay of the land — literally. The center’s unique terrazzo floor is actually a map of the county, showing the locations of top attractions. The knowledgeable staff can help plan your itinerary, based on your preferences and

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the length of your visit.

On Saturdays, in the same building, The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre, you can see an engaging 25-minute movie — The Dawn of Washington County — about Texas’ earliest beginnings.

The movie also gives a sneak peek of historical attractions in the downtown area.

After the movie, ask for a tour of this magnificent landmark building. The restored 1925 Simon Theatre was originally a vaudeville stage, also equipped to show Hollywood’s first silent movies. You can learn about the upcoming schedules and possibly catch an evening show.

Then you’ll want to explore the rest of downtown Brenham, much of which is on the National Register of Historic places.

You’ll find a delightful array of eateries and antique and specialty shops clustered around the courthouse square — most in picturesque buildings that reflect the town’s early history and charm. The Downtown Art Gallery and the Back Lot Gallery showcase local artists and their original works including paintings, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, photography, wood work and more.

Your downtown walking tour will be most enjoyable if you visit the intriguing sites that are part of Step Into The Past, Brenham Historic Tours. Children and history buffs especially love Glissmann’s 1925 Drug Store and the Brenham Fire

Museum with its rare antique fire trucks.

Equally fun is Toubin Park, displaying a historic cistern, and telling the story of Brenham’s State Archeological Landmark — the only one in Texas. A trip through Brenham Heritage Museum highlights even more of the county’s unusual stories through multi-media exhibits and interactive activities for children.

For a relaxing midday break, stop by the Must Be Heaven Sandwich Shoppe, with its expansive selection of deli-style sandwiches, quiches, soups and salads plus an old-fashioned ice cream and soda counter. Or check out Funky Café which, as its name implies, features an eclectic ambiance, but more importantly, a variety of artfully prepared dishes, including homemade soups and desserts. Or if you have a hankering for some authentic Texas barbeque, hop in your car and head over to Nathan’s BBQ along the highway on the outskirts of town.

For those who love historic homes, tours are available (by appointment) to see Brenham’s oldest standing residence, the 1843 Giddings Wilkin House Museum.

You can also tour the 1870 Giddings Stone Mansion, built by the same patriarch of Brenham, Jabez Deming “J.D.” Giddings.

His houses were architectural feats of the time and they reveal how aristocrats lived in early Texas.

The Giddings houses are owned and

operated by the Heritage Society of Washington County, which also offers tours of the 1898 Ross Carol Bennett House. All these houses are Texas Historical Landmarks.

A visit to Brenham would not be complete without stopping by Blue Bell Creameries, one of the region’s most popular attractions. Although Blue Bell Ice Cream is sold only in 16 southern states, it ranks among the top-selling brands in America. Learn how this delectable treat is made and browse the Tour Center’s entertaining exhibits, videos and gift shop. While you are there, treat yourself to a scoop of your favorite flavor.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT No matter where you spend your day touring in Washington County, you’ll want to return to downtown Brenham for the great food and evening entertainment.

Live music, every Friday and Saturday night, lures locals and visitors to Home Sweet Farm Market & Biergarten. This family-friendly gathering place offers craft beers (and rootbeer for kids), wines, artisan cheeses and locally grown organic foods.

Unity Theatre, housed in a restored warehouse, is a professional theatrical venue featuring top performers from across the Texas region and beyond. It produces four mainstage productions each year as well as two smaller studio shows.

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Heart of Texas

Photos by Kathlyn Dragna

Getaways

craft beers and regional artists showing their works.

Friday, December 3 brings the annual Christmas Stroll, turning the town square into a magical holiday wonderland. This year’s Grand Marshall of the Lighted Christmas Parade is the legendary singing cowboy, Michael Martin Murphey. That afternoon and evening, Murphey will perform his Cowboy Christmas Concert at The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre. This show is chock full of cowboy and Christmas songs, cowboy poetry and colorful stories.

The annual Uptown Swirl in Downtown Brenham, on January 16th, is a celebration of fine wines from the region and around the world. Sipping, sampling and live music highlight the festive walking tour that turns the town square into a huge street party.

You won’t want to miss Big Al’s Historical, Almost Authentic, Electrified Vaudeville Show on January 27th and 28th at The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre. This popular extravaganza celebrates the Simon Theatre’s vaudeville heritage, featuring more than 30 performers.

Historical reenactors at Independence Hall (above) and Barrington Living History Farm (right) give visitors a sense of the life of early Texas settlers.

The O’Donnell Performing Arts Center at Blinn College, close to downtown, also hosts a variety of theatrical, musical and choral performances.

The downtown Brazos Valley Brewing Company is a craft brewery with outdoor entertainment spaces for casual visitors, events and parties. Stop by on weekends to sample their high-quality beers, ranging from blonde ales to stouts.

For a good evening meal, there are a number of options. For Italian fare, check out Volare, located in a historic house with fireplaces in some rooms and a backroom overlooking a garden. Other options include the Brenham Grill, located in the historic Ant Street Inn and offering a wide variety of menu selections, including authentic Mexican food; BT Longhorn Steakhouse, also housed in a historic building with a spectacular vintage bar; and 96 West, a contemporary bistro on the town square serving tapas, wines and craft beers.

Just outside of Brenham, Horseshoe Junction Family Fun Park gives your

DAY TRIPS FROM BRENHAM

whole group an entertaining place to play together. Mini-golf, bumper boats, go-karts, laser tag, a rock climbing wall, mini-bowling and an arcade will entertain for hours. Adjacent to the park are several restaurants, a bowling alley and a multiplex movie theatre showing current releases.

UPCOMING BRENHAM EVENTS Special events draw crowds to the downtown area, further promoting Brenham’s home-town atmosphere.

This year the annual Texas Brew-Fest is being combined with the Texas Arts & Music Festival, October 14th – 16th resulting in a weekend of live entertainment,

Go geocaching in Washington County! This treasure hunt is fun for anyone using a smartphone app or a handheld GPS device. Finding a cache is only part of the reward — the most fun is the journey to find a cache. Geocaching takes you to interesting places and you can collect points to win a prize. Start at the Washington County Visitor Center in downtown Brenham, to learn the details and get started.

The Visitor Center can also provide you with literature about Step Into The Past, Washington County Historic Tours.

This brochure features a map of the county, guiding you to all other towns via a pleasant driving tour.

While you plan your route to county-wide destinations, be sure to include a drive along the scenic La Bahia

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Trail, FM 390. This was the main route used by Texas’ first settlers from America — 39 miles of it are within Washington County, linking some of the towns and historic sites. You’ll travel through flourishing landscapes that are especially beautiful in springtime when wildflowers bloom.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station is only a 45-minute drive from Brenham. You’ll want to spend at least a half-day here, to experience this grand tribute to history, the U.S. presidency, and the 41st president himself.

Don’t miss Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, 25 minutes from Brenham. This is some of Texas’ most historically sacred ground. A full day is needed to see the four entertaining attractions within the 293-acre park.

Not only was this the first Anglo settlement in Texas (1821), but it was also the site where Texas delegates (including Sam Houston) declared the Mexican province of Texas to be a free and independent nation — thus creating the Republic of Texas. In Independence Hall, you can stand on the very spot where these brave men risked their lives in 1836 to write their Declaration of Independence, determining the fate of Texas.

The Star of the Republic Museum tells these enthralling stories of early Texas through exhibits, tours, videos and the Pioneer Playroom, a simulated Texas frontier homestead where visitors can put themselves in the shoes of the earliest settlers.

At Barrington Living History Farm you can literally experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the mid-1800s.

This was the family home of Dr. Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas before it became part of the United States. You’ll experience how his family lived through interpreters in period clothing, demonstrating 19th century methods and tools for planting, caring for the livestock, cultivating and harvesting

The George H. W. Bush Library and Museum is a popular attraction in nearby College Station.

the fields. Tour the main house, two slave cabins, a kitchen building, smokehouse, cotton house and barn that made this farm self-sufficient.

Enjoy a picnic on the beautiful park grounds next to the Brazos River, and explore the interpretive hiking trails. At the park’s Visitor Center are more interactive exhibits and a large Texas gift shop.

Next year marks the 180th anniversary of Texas Independence. A huge celebration will be hosted by Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site on March 5th and 6th. Musicians, soldiers, historical re-enactors and craftsmen will gather for the festivities.

Just outside the park is the only restaurant in the area, but R Place doesn’t disappoint. On weekends you’ll find great sandwiches and barbeque for lunch, and savory Saturday night cuisine with beer and wine.

The pretty rural village of Independence, a 15-minute drive from Brenham, was the next Texas town to be established in 1824. It is here that you can tour Texas’ oldest standing Anglo homes, a one-room school house from the era, and the remains of the original Baylor University campus — all Texas Historic Landmarks.

At the Texas Baptist Historical Museum, you can sit on the pew that Sam Houston often occupied, and run your fingers over the initials he carved. This

is Texas’ oldest continuously-operating Baptist church, where Sam Houston was baptized. You’ll see fascinating historical exhibits, including artifacts from the Houston family.

While in Independence, stroll through the spectacular gardens of the Antique Rose Emporium, a favorite for tourists and horticulturists. Then visit Windy Hill Winery, a few miles south and halfway back to Brenham. Here you can learn about Texas wine-making, and enjoy the tasting room and gift shop.

Chappell Hill, founded in 1847, looks much like it did in the 19th century.

If you make the 15-minute drive from Brenham, you’ll feel like you are on the set of a western movie. Stroll down Main Street that is lined with buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Chappell Hill Museum is a must-see.

This tiny town is a great shopping destination and has several locally-owned restaurants that are famous for Texas barbeque, steaks and delicious home cooking. Among the best is Bevers Kitchen, located in a modified 1900s-era Victorian-style cottage and featuring home-style country cooking.

Chappell Hill is home of the official

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Getaways

Heart of Texas

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mong the numerous comfortable and interesting lodging options in the Washington County are the following: Ant Street Inn Located in a posh historic building with a rich heritage in downtown Brenham, this inn features spacious rooms with high ceilings and original wood floors, and is furnished with museum-quality antiques. The large upstairs lobby looks like a mid-19th century parlor. A long covered porch, complete with rocking chairs, overlooks beautiful grounds and the vintage dining room could be in a western movie.

Lillian Farms This stunning country estate features a large Victorian mansion overlooking a scenic lake, with five elegantly appointed guest rooms and eight private guest cottages nestled on 230 acres. The cottages have full kitchens, gas grills and most have hot tubs. Guests enjoy spectacular sunsets and views of horses grazing on rolling pastures.

Lillian Farms

separate from the Innkeeper’s home, has two spacious suites. Relax in a rocking chair on the covered front porch, and take in the views of livestock peacefully grazing in green pastures. Gourmet breakfasts for guests are served in an unusual outdoor stone kitchen that is warmed by a fireplace in cool seasons. All the comfort and conveniences of home, but in a secluded country setting.

Southern Rose Ranch A delightful guest cottage,

Texas Ranch Life An authentic, family-operated working Texas guest ranch, featuring nine historic homes from around the region that have been moved to the property, completely renovated, and now serve as homey guest cottages.

The ranch is especially designed for groups, and offers horseback riding, skeet shooting, tomahawk throwing and other outdoor activities.

annual Bluebonnet Festival of Texas.

Slated for next April 9 - 10, it is the seventh most popular festival in the state, according to Texas Highways Magazine. Come savor the great food, sing along with the live music, and shop over 400 vendors with carefully-selected merchandise. Then enjoy a spectacular drive through the surrounding countryside during the height of the Bluebonnet season.

The Chappell Hill Lavender Farm is

also a worthwhile stop for its beautiful lavender fields, gift shop and lavender cuisine. Pick your own lavender during the summer harvesting season.

Burton, a 20-minute drive from Brenham, is a sleepy town of only 325 people. It’s hard to imagine that this was once a bustling business center. Cotton was brought into town from surrounding cotton plantations, to be ginned and shipped to markets via the railroad.

Photo by Alexi Killmer

Interesting and Fun Places to Stay

Here you can see America’s oldest operating cotton gin, built in 1914, at the Texas Cotton Gin Museum. The restored 1898 Burton Railroad Depot continues the cotton story, and also highlights the many generations of passenger train travel that was prevalent across Texas. Both of these intriguing attractions hold various historical designations.

The cotton era comes alive at the Burton Cotton Gin Festival, April 15th and 16th. Enjoy gin tours and live music.

See demonstrations, a colorful parade, a tractor pull, a petting zoo and more.

Adjacent to these attractions you’ll take pleasure in Burton’s shopping adventures, local eateries, markets and taverns. The nearby Saddlehorn Winery offers beautiful countryside views while you sample its award-winning wines.

A few miles south of Burton, just across the county line, you’ll find the quaint town of Round Top. This historic German village is a premier destination for shopping, art galleries, good food and evening entertainment.

Semi-annual antique fairs — held throughout the countryside — attract thousands of enthusiasts from across the U.S. in the spring and fall.

The Round Top Festival Institute features a breathtakingly beautiful concert hall where many professional performances are offered throughout the year. This educational facility for young musicians also provides period-styled housing, a chapel, touring gardens and beautiful grounds for events.

Each summer, the Institute also hosts the annual Round Top Music Festival, where young musicians from around the world come for six weeks of intense training, while also performing as part of the Texas Festival Orchestra. Next year the festival will be held from June 4 through July 16. n Sharon Brass is a freelance writer who has lived in Brenham, Texas for 12 years and is the author of the book, “The Burning of Brenham,” and publisher of Brenham and Washington County Magazine.

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OUT&ABOUT

Photo courtesy of Paramount Theatre

MUSIC | THEATRE | COMEDY | ART | FAMILY ACTIVITIES | HOME & GARDEN | AND MUCH MORE

Mamma Mia! Through Oct. 30 When a 20-year-old bride-to-be, finds her mother’s diary and reads about her love-filled summer 20 years ago with three different men, she sets out to discover which one is her father. Now playing at Paramount Theatre. Call 630 896-6666 for information.

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OUT&ABOUT

Calendar of Events from discussions with parents, survivors and community leaders as well as police evidence to bring to light the dark recesses of American adolescence. Cost: $16/12.

Vero Voce Theatre, 951 State Ave., St. Charles. 630 965-0825 | The Comedy Of Errors By William Shakespeare | Fri − Sun, Oct 7 − 23, Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun 2 p.m. This all female cast performs one of Shakespeare's earliest and most farcical comedies featuring slapstick and mistaken identity humor. Cost: $20/15. Madison Street Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. 312 282-1750 | Mystery At The Theatre X | Fri − Sat, Oct 14 − 15, 7:30 p.m. The 10th annual show features a comical whodunnit caper mystery filled with music, mirth and a murder plot.

Cost: $20. Maggie Atcher Theatre, 201 Schaumburg Ct., Schaumburg. 847 895-3600

Oct. 9 DANADA FALL FESTIVAL

| The 39 Steps | Thur − Sun, Oct 20 − 30, Thur − Sat 8 p.m. and Sun 2:30 p.m.; Additional shows on Sun, Oct 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Sat, Oct 29 at 2:30 p.m. Described as Alfred Hitchcock meets Monty Python, this comedy features more than 150 zany characters played by four actors.

Cost: $22/12. Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. 708 246-3380

Join a celebration of horses and the season with a parade of breeds, continuous equestrian performances, hayrides, pony rides and more at the Danada Equestrian Center.

Call 630 668-6012.

THEATRE | Don't Dress For Dinner | Through Oct 9, Thur − Sun, Thur − Sat 8 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. Hidden identities and infidelities take center stage in this comedic sequel to Camoletti’s “Boeing Boeing.” Cost: $35. Playhouse Theatre at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

630 942-4000 | Forbidden Broadway | Through Oct 9, Thur − Sun, Thur − Sat 8 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. An Off-Broadway revue parodying musical theatre, particularly Broadway musicals. Cost: $23/20. Playhouse 111, 111 N Hale St., Wheaton. 630 260-1820 | Making God Laugh | Through Oct 9, Fri − Sun, Fri − Sat 7:30 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m.; No show on Fri, Oct 9. This comedy/drama tells a story of life’s changes of direction, the role reversals of parents and children, the primacy of the reality of now versus the memories of the past and the predictions of the future, and the importance of family breaking bread together. Cost: $14/12. Gallery Theatre, 203 Turner Ct., West Chicago. 630 234-5919 | The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (Abridged) | Through Oct 9, Fri − Sun, Fri − Sat 8 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. A play that parodies the plays of William Shakespeare being performed in a comically shortened or merged form. Cost: $28/23. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W Main St., St. Charles. 630 587-8521 | Born Yesterday | Through Oct 9, Fri − Sun. Egotistical junk dealer Harry Brocks goes to Washington to make crooked deals and brings his ditsy girlfriend with him, but when he enlists the help of a young magazine reporter to educate his girlfriend, she and the reporter fall in love and uncover Harry's crooked schemes. For showtimes and tickets, visit www.greenmantheatre.org. First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, 232 S York Rd., Elmhurst. 630 464-2646 | Smokey Joe’s Café | Through Oct 23, Wed − Sun, Wed 1:30 p.m., Thur 1:30 & 8 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 5 & 8:30 p.m. and Sun 2 & 6 p.m. The Tony Award-nominated musical showcases 39 pop standards, including rock and roll and blues anthems written by duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, as well as other jukebox hits like "Stand By Me" and "Charlie Brown." Cost: $60/40. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Ln., Oakbrook Terrace. 630 530-0111

| Mamma Mia! | Through Oct 30, Wed − Sun, Wed 1:30 & 7 p.m., Thur 7 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 3 & 8 p.m. and Sun 1 & 5:30 p.m. When Sophie, a 20-year-old bride-to-be, finds her mother's diary and reads about her love-filled summer 20 years ago with three different men, she sets out to discover which one is her father. Cost: $59/44. Paramount Theatre, 23 E Galena Blvd., Aurora. 630 896-6666 | Theatre-Hikes | Through Oct 30, Sat − Sun 3 p.m.

Enjoy live performances among 1,700 acres of trees and landscapes featuring "10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse." Registration required. Cost: $20/5. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 968-0074 | Reefer Madness... Tell The Children | Through Nov 5, Fri − Sat 8 p.m. Adapted from the anti-drug propaganda movie, "Reefer Madness," this dark comedy about marijuana in the late 30s takes a look at the attitudes and ideas surrounding the drug. Cost: $17/15. The Riverfront Playhouse, 11 &13 S Water St. Mall, Aurora. 630 897-9496 | Dr. Seward's Dracula | Wed − Sun, Oct 5 − Nov 6, Wed & Fri 8 p.m., Thur & Sun 3 p.m. and Sat 4 & 8 p.m.; No 4 p.m. show on Sat, Oct 8 & 15; Thur, Oct 6 show is at 8 p.m. rather than 3 p.m. When Dr. Seward is accused of killing multiple people, he must convince the police, and himself, that he is innocent and Dracula is alive. Cost: $39/26. First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W 31st St., Oak Brook. 630 986-8067 | Time Wasted | Thur − Sun, Oct 6 − 9, Thur − Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun 2:30 p.m. This play focuses on the relationship between a daughter and her alcoholic mother, and their struggle to communicate after many years of separation and a lifetime of addiction. Cost: $10/5. Madden Theatre, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville.

630 637-7469 | A Woman Of No Importance | Thur − Sun, Oct 6 − 23, Thur − Sat 8 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. This play takes a witty and piercing look at societal values and gender biases as the story of Gerald Arbuthnot, a man who has everything going for him, takes an unexpected turn when his mother's secret threatens his perfect world. Cost: $14/12. Studio Theatre at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Columbinus | Fri − Sun, Oct 7 − 16, Fri − Sat 7:30 p.m. and Sun 6 p.m. Sparked by the April 1999 massacre at Columbine, this performance weaves together excerpts

| The Mousetrap | Fri & Sun, Oct 21 & 23, Fri 6:30 p.m. and Sun 2:30 p.m. Enjoy a reception featuring cocktails, live 40s music and food before a theatrical recreation of the "live remote broadcast" of Agatha Christie's thrilling mystery.

Cost: $30/15. Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. 708 445-4440 | Time Stands Still | Fri − Sat, Oct 21 − Nov 12, 8 p.m.; Also, 3 p.m. shows on Sat, Nov 5 and 12 and Sun, Oct 30 adn Nov 6. After journalists James and Sarah return from the Mid-East, they must learn to repair their relationship and maintain a normal life with their now conflicting ideas.

Cost: $18. Village Theatre Guild, 3S020 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

630 469-8230 | Mosque Alert | Thur − Sun, Oct 27 − 30, Thur − Sat 7:30 p.m. and Sun 4 p.m. Inspired by the "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy in New York City, this play tells the story of three fictional families living in Naperville, whose lives are interrupted by a proposed Islamic Center on the site of a local landmark. Cost: $10/8. Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S Ellsworth St., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | The Addams Family: A New Musical | Fri − Sun, Oct 28 − 30, Fri − Sat 7:30 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. Potions are misplaced and trouble ensues when the Addams' invite a "normal" family over for dinner in this new musical comedy.

Cost: $17. Lund Auditorium at Dominican University, 7900 W Division St., River Forest. 708 488-5000 | Steel Magnolias | Thur − Sun, Nov 4 − 13, Thur − Sat 7:30 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. This classic comic-drama centers on a close-knit group of women who gather at a smalltown beauty parlor where, over the course of three years, they share each other's joys and sorrows. Cost: $11/9.

SecondSpace Theatre at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin. 847 622-0300 | Frankenstein | Sat, Nov 5 & Thur, Nov 10, 7 p.m. Enjoy a special encore broadcast screening of England's National Theatre Live's "Frankenstein," featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the creature. Cost: $20. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000

COMEDY | "Chingo Bling" | Sat − Sun, Oct 1 − 2, Sat 7 & 9:30 p.m. and Sun 7 p.m. The self-parodying alter ego of Pedro Herrera III is a rapper, producer and comedian, and is

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known for his music parody albums and YouTube videos that celebrate and have fun with Mexican-American culture and identity. For ages 18 and over. Cost: $66/33 + 2 item min. Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Rd., Woodfield Mall, Store K120B, Schaumburg. 847 240-2001 | Free Speech! (While Supplies Last) | Sat, Oct 1, 6 p.m.

The Second City brings their new show that provides an irreverent look at America's electoral insanity, including political satire, songs and improv. Cost: $46/32. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Jake "The Snake" Roberts | Tue, Oct 4, 8 p.m. The WWE Hall of Famer shares stories from the world of wrestling and holds a Q&A session with the audience during his "UnSpokeN WorD TouR" featuring comedian Alex Ansel.

For ages 18 and over. Cost: $20 + 2 item food/bev min.

Zanies Comedy Club in MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont. 847 813-0484 | Shawn Wayans | Fri − Sun, Oct 7 − 9, Fri 8 & 10:15 p.m., Sat 7 & 9:15 p.m. and Sun 7 p.m. Known for his performance in "Scary Movie" and "Dance Flick," this actor/comedian brings his jokes to the stage. For ages 18 and over. Cost: $28 + 2 item min. Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Rd., Woodfield Mall, Store K120B, Schaumburg. 847 240-2001 | Joey "Coco" Diaz | Thur − Sat, Oct 13 − 15, Thur 8 p.m., Fri 8 & 10:30 p.m. and Sat 7 & 9:30 p.m. This regular on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast and co-host of the podcast "Beauty and Da Beast" returns with his raw style of comedy.

Cost: $25 + 2 item food/bev min. Zanies Comedy Club in MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont. 847 813-0484 | Whitney Cummings | Fri − Sat, Oct 14 − 15, Fri 8 & 10:15 p.m. and Sat 7 & 9:15 p.m. The co-creator of CBS' "2 Broke Girls" and actress in NBC's "Whitney" shares her comedy

and jokes. Cost: $31 + 2 item min. Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Rd., Woodfield Mall, Store K120B, Schaumburg.

847 240-2001 | Gallagher | Fri, Oct 21, 8 p.m. This prop comic, known for his watermelon-smashing, hits the stage with his Sledge-OMatic and wordplay. Cost: $79/39. Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. 630 962-7000 | Maz Jobrani | Fri − Sat, Oct 21 − 22, Fri 8 & 10:15 p.m. and Sat 7 & 9:15 p.m. The founding member of "The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour" has had two Showtime specials, performs stand-up around the world and is a regular panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me." For ages 18 and over. Cost: $55/33 + 2 item min. Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Rd., Woodfield Mall, Store K120B, Schaumburg. 847 240-2001 | "Dirty" Dutch Mantell | Wed, Oct 26, 8 p.m. Retired pro wrestler and manager, A.K.A Zeb Colter, shares his unique stories about the WWE world. Cost: $20 + 2 item food/bev min. Zanies Comedy Club in MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont. 847 813-0484; Also, Fri, Oct 28, 8 p.m. show at Zanies Comedy Club in Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E Main St., St. Charles. 630 524-0001

MUSIC | Sounds Of Summer Concert Series | Through Oct 29, Fri − Sat 8 p.m. This concert series features live performances from local bands of many genres, including Frank & Dave, Chi-Town Soul, The Incognitos, The Messengers, Eleventh Hour and more. Eaglewood Resort & Spa, 1401 Nordic Rd., Itasca. 630 773-1400 | Danny Gokey: Hope Is A Home | Sat, Oct 1, 8 p.m.

The third-place winner on season 8 of "American Idol,"

who moved his musical direction toward adult pop/ contemporary Christian music, performs during Emmanuel House's benefit concert. Cost: $35/25. Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. 630 937-8930 | Richard Marx | Sat, Oct 1, 8 p.m. With more than 30 million records sold, the Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer has had many hits including "Right Here Waiting," "Don't Mean Nothing" and "Hold On to the Nights," and composed songs including NSYNC's "This I Promise You." Cost: $65/55. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | Rita Moreno | Sun, Oct 2, 3 p.m. The Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer, with notable roles in the musical films "The King and I" and "West Side Story" takes the stage. Cost: $89/49. Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. 630 962-7000 | The Symphony Of Oak Park And River Forest | Sun, Oct 2, 4 p.m. One of the nation's oldest community orchestras performs Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5" and "Symphony No. 5." Pre-show lecture is at 3 p.m. Cost: $28.

Lund Auditorium at Dominican University, 7900 W Division St., River Forest. 708 488-5000 | John Hiatt | Sun, Oct 2, 7:30 p.m. An acoustic evening with the Grammy Award-nominated rock guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter, who has played a variety of musical styles, such as new wave, blues and country. Cost: $60/45.

Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Heroic Beethoven | Sun, Oct 2, 4 p.m. One of the nation's oldest community orchestras performs Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5" and "Symphony No. 3." Pre-show lecture at 3 p.m. Cost: $28. Lund Auditorium at Dominican University, 7900 W Division St., RIver Forest.

708 488-5000

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Calendar of Events

| Megadeth | Wed, Oct 5, 6:30 p.m. The thrash metal band performs past hits as well as new music off of their Dystopia album featuring the new single, "Post American World." Cost: $58/20. Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates. 847 649-2270 | Eros Ramazzotti | Fri, Oct 7, 8 p.m. The multiple awardwinning Italian musician and singer-songwriter, with hits "Otra Como Tú," "La Cosa Más Bella" and "Un'emozione per Sempre," takes the stage during his World Tour. Cost: $225/79. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd., Rosemont.

847 671-5100 | Stephen Schwartz And Friends | Fri, Oct 7, 8 p.m.

A concert of popular Broadway tunes performed by the Academy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning composer and musical icon, such as "Day by Day," "Popular" and "Defying Gravity," featuring award-winning Broadway vocalists Liz Callaway, Scott Coulter and Debbie Gravitte.

Cost: $73/53. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Buddy Guy | Sat, Oct 8, 8 p.m. Celebrating his 80th birthday, this six-time Grammy Award-winning blues artist performs his songs and tells stories or his life and music.

Cost: $175/79. Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles.

630 962-7000 | Chicago Jazz Orchestra | Sat, Oct 8, 8 p.m. Starring Allan Harris and led by artistic director Jeff Lindberg, the 17-piece ensemble has received local and national acclaim for more than 35 years. Cost: $49/39. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Kanye West | Sat, Oct 8, 8 p.m. The 22-time Grammy Award-winning artist, who has sold over 30 million albums, brings to life songs from his seventh consecutive #1 album, "The Life Of Pablo." Cost: $140/30. Allstate Arena, 6920 N Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 847 635-6601 | Gloria Trevi | Sat, Oct 8, 8:30 p.m. The Mexican poprock singer-songwriter, who has sold more than 20 million records, performs during her El Amor Tour. Cost: $150/60.

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd., Rosemont. 847 671-5100 | Lindsey Stirling | Thur, Oct 13, 8 p.m. Known for her popular Youtube videos and single "Shatter Me," this dancing violinist performs her unique music. Cost: $58/28. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd., Rosemont.

847 671-5100 | Autumn Blues: Moreland & Arbuckle | Fri, Oct 14, 7:30 − 11 p.m. Opening with Joe Moss Band, this event features these Kansas blues rockers known for their songs "18 Countries" and "Tall Boogie." Cost: $25/20. The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. 847 931-5900 | The Piano Men | Fri, Oct 14. 7:30 p.m. Listen to these pianists in their tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel as they perform singles from both artists. Cost: $55/47. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Herb Alpert & Lani Hall | Sat, Oct 15, 7:30 p.m. Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Alpert and partner Hall bring their "Come Fly With Us" tour to the stage. Cost: $80/65.

Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Mozart Journey XI: Mannheim and Beyond | Sat, Oct 15, 7:30 p.m. Listen to the St. Charles Singers as they perform Mozart classics and lesser-known pieces such as "Kyrie in E flat Major" and "Missa in C Major". For more information, visit www.stcharlessingers.com. Cost: $$35/10.

Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles.

630 513-5272; Additional show on Sun, Oct 6, 4 p.m. at 397 Fulton St., Elgin.

| Patchouli | Sat, Oct 15, 7:30 p.m. This rock/folk duo released 17 albums of original compositions and brings their acoustic sound to the stage. Cost: $15. Maple Street Chapel, S Main & W Maple Streets, Lombard. 630 627-0171 | DuPage Symphony Orchestra: Reach For The Stars | Sat, Oct 15, 8 p.m. Featuring Gustav Holst's sevenmovement orchestral suite, "The Planets," this orchestra of 100 members depicts the astrological profiles of the solar system through music. For tickets, visit www.dupagesymphony.org. Cost: $38/15. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | The Hit Men | Sat, Oct 15, 8 p.m. Enjoy a night of rock and roll with a group of Grammy Award-winning performers including Frankie Valli, Carole King, Cat Stevens and more.

Cost: $69/29. Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N Chicago St., Joliet. 815 726-6600 | Pepe Aguilar | Sat, Oct 15, 8 p.m. Nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist brings his popular Latin music to the stage. Cost: $173/63. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd., Rosemont. 847 671-5100 | Black Violin | Sun, Oct 16, 6 p.m. With an equal footing in both classical and hip-hop music, this string duo made up of Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus plays a wide range of R&B, jazz and rock elements in its debut album "Stereotypes."

Cost: $50/40. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | Chris White | Fri, Oct 21, 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening with the jazz pianist, accompanied by Mitch Paliga on saxophone, Brad Stirtz on vibraphone, Kelly Sill on bass and Jack Mouse on drums. Cost: $20/15. Madden Theatre, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | Spirito! Autumn Voices Gala | Sat, Oct 22, 6 p.m. − midnight. This fundraiser features over 220 singers, a gourmet dinner, an auction, open bar and more. For more information, visit www.spiritosingers.org. Cost: $110. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Ln., Oakbrook Terrace. 630 5815440 | The Birds And Bees: Songs Of Nature And Naughtiness | Sat, Oct 22, 8 p.m. Narrated by sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, this show features music ranging from Renaissance madrigals to Motown songs about nature and love. Cost: $45/15. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. www.chicagoacapella.org; Additional show on Sun, Oct 30, 4 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. | Platinum Rock All Stars | Sat, Oct 22, 8 p.m. Featuring Carmine Appice, Gene Cornish, Rudy Sarzo, Geoff Downes, Phil Naro and Ron Thal, this all star band performs songs from Rascals, Guns N Roses and more. Cost: $59/29.

Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. 630 962-7000 | An Evening Of Gershwin | Sat − Sun, Oct 22 − 23, Sat 7:30 p.m. and Sun 3 p.m. A 100-voice chorus and awardwinning pianist Marta Aznavoorian perform Gershwin's jazz/classical styles in songs such as "Summertime," "Rhapsody in Blue," "It Ain't Necessarily So" and more. Cost: $49. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | DuPage Symphony Orchestra: Out Of This World | Sun, Oct 23, 2 & 4 p.m. This Halloween concert features excerpts from Holst's "The Planets," "Star Wars," "E.T" and more. For tickets, visit www.dupagesymphony.org. Cost: $10/5. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville.

630 637-7469 | Pentatonix | Thur, Oct 27, 8 p.m. Famous for their pop song medlies and holiday albums, this Grammy Awardwinning a capella group hits the stage with their unique sound. Cost: $85/35. Allstate Arena, 6920 N Mannheim Rd.,

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Rosemont. 847 635-6601 | An Evening With Bruce Hornsby | Fri, Oct 28, 7:30 p.m.

This three-time Grammy Award-winning singer/keyboardist is known for hits "The Way It Is" and "Mandolin Rain." Cost: $75/65. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Keith Urban | Fri, Oct 28, 7:30 p.m. Known for hits "Somebody Like You" and "Break On Me," this Grammy Award-winning country musician performs his "RipCORD World Tour 2016." Cost: $60/38. Allstate Arena, 6920 N Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 847 635-6601 | Olé! | Sat, Oct 29, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate Spanish music with the Elmhurst College's Philharmonic Orchestra and other musicians performing the music of Astor Piazzolla, Heitor Villa-Lobos and more. Cost: $10. Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel at Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., 630 617-3390 | Chicago Sinfonietta: Dia De Los Muertos | Sat, Oct 29, 8 p.m. Named "The Dance of Life and Death" in honor of the Day of the Dead, this concert features Rivera's "PizziCuban Polka" and Galindo's "Sones de Mariachi" with other favorites to celebrate life and the holiday.

Cost: $60/10. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | Las Migas | Sat, Oct 29, 8 & 10 p.m. This Barcelonabased quartet features vocals, guitar and violin melodies which blend Flamenco and Mediterranean styles. Cost: $27/14. Fermilab’s Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Rd. and Pine St., Batavia. 630 840-2787 | LOVE In Concert | Fri, Nov 4, 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of jazz and country music, featuring Andrew Salgado, Wayne Messmer, Tristan Abrams and more. For more information, visit www.love-cc.org. Cost: $40/36. Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W Brush Hill Rd., Elmhurst.

630 512-8673 | Manhattan Transfer & Take 6: The Summit | Fri, Nov 4, 8 − 10 p.m. These two award-winning vocal groups team up to bring the audience a night of jazz, swing, gospel and more. Cost: $85/75. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-7469 | Eroica Trio | Sat, Nov 5, 7:30 p.m. Featuring the piano, violin and cello, this award-winning group performs Loiellet's "Sonata in B Minor," Dvorak's "Slavonic Dance" and "Dumky Trio," and Shostakovich's "Trio No. 2." Cost: $45/10. Edman Memorial Chapel at Wheaton College, NE corner of Washington and Franklin St., Wheaton.

630 752-5010 | Engelbert Humperdinck | Sat, Nov 5, 8 p.m. Four-time Grammy-nominated singer, known for hits "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "After The Lovin'" brings his pop music to the stage. Cost: $65/55. Paramount Theatre, 23 E Galena Blvd., Aurora. 630 896-6666 | The Havana Cuba All-Stars | Sun, Nov 6, 2 p.m. This ensemble, performing their "Cuban Nights" tour, bring their traditional Cuban music and acoustic sound to the stage.

Cost: $49/39. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Trevor Stephenson | Sun, Nov 6, 2:15 p.m. This pianist presents majory pieces by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and more on the Viennese-style fortepiano. Cost: $30/25. Arbor Room of the Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 968-0074 | Under The Streetlamp | Sun, Nov 6, 3 p.m. Former cast members of "Jersey Boys" bring their Doo-Wop, Motown and Rock n' Roll music to the stage. Cost: $59/49. Paramount Theatre, 23 E Galena Blvd., Aurora. 630 896-6666 WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 29

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Calendar of Events

DANCE | The Shanghai Acrobats: Shanghai Nights | Sun, Oct 16, 2 & 6 p.m. This acrobatic troupe brings their newest show featuring contortionists, martial arts and more. Cost: $47/27. Belushi Performance Hall at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630 942-4000 | Parsons Dance | Sat, Oct 22, 8 p.m. The New York Citybased modern dance company, known for its energized, athletic, ensemble work, has collaborated with iconic artists like Billy Taylor, Annie Leibovitz and Lex Katz. Cost: $35/20. Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E Benton, Naperville. 630 637-7469 | Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl | Fri, Nov 4, 8 p.m.

The nationally recognized Mexican folk dance troupe celebrates traditional Mexican folklorico with colorful costumes, music and dance. Cost: $28/18. Paramount Theatre, 23 E Galena Blvd., Aurora. 630 896-6666

ART | By All Accounts: The Story Of Elmhurst | Ongoing, Tue − Sun 1 − 5 p.m. A new, innovative and interactive exhibit that shows how Elmhurst has changed and grown over the past 165 years with artifacts and the latest museum technology. Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E Park Ave., Elmhurst. 630 833-1457 | Sharron Ott | Through Oct 6, Mon − Sun, Mon − Fri 8 a.m. − 8 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. − 5 p.m. and Sun noon − 8 p.m.

This artist's expressionistic paintings speak to the beauty of nature, bringing awareness of creatures that are endangered and precious. Oesterle Library Gallery, 320 E School St., Naperville. 630 637-5375

Oct. 12-16 GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH Come to the West Lawn at The Morton Arboretum to shop and admire an array of hand-blown glass pumpkins and autumnal-themed designs and watch daily demonstrations by featured glass-blower Shannon Jane Morgan and other artists. Call 630 968-0074 | Bogumil Bronkowski & Nathan Motsinger | Through Oct 16, Mon − Sun, Mon & Sat 10 a.m. − 6 p.m., Tue − Fri 10 a.m. − 9 p.m. and Sun noon − 5 p.m. Bronkowski plays with the sense of space and depth in his paintings, while Motsinger's work incorporates raw materials with the process of layering, editing and creating space for the unknown. Schoenherr Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-5375 | Revelations: Banner Paintings | Through Nov 11, Mon

− Fri. Artist Glen C Davies displays his "imaginism" pop art with banner paintings featuring themes of figural fantasies, spiritual conflict and the journey toward enlightenment while drawing inspiration from canvas banners used to promote sideshow attractions at the circus. Founders Lounge at Elmhurst College’s Frick Center, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. 630 617-3390 | BLOW UP: Inflatable Contemporary Art | Through Nov 27, Tue − Sun, Tue − Thur & Sat − Sun 11 a.m. − 5 p.m. and

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Fri 11 a.m. − 7 p.m. This exhibit investigates the ways artists can use air as a tool for creating large-scale sculptures and features inflatable objects ranging from the sleeping Buddha to colorful abstract shapes. Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. 630 834-0202 | North Central College Community Show | Mon − Sun, Oct 9 − Dec 1, Mon − Fri 9 a.m. − 5 p.m. and Sat − Sun noon − 8 p.m. North Central College presents its first-ever juried art exhibition featuring North Central faculty, staff and students. Oesterle Library Gallery, 320 E School St., Naperville. 630 637-5375 | Art For Social Change: Behind The Wall | Mon − Sat, Oct 14 − Nov 4, Mon − Fri 1 − 5 p.m. and Sat 1 − 4 p.m.

This juried art exhibition showcases pieces from different mediums dedicated to raising awareness for victims of domestic violence and their struggles in daily life. Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. 708 386-9853 | I AM American | Mon − Sun, Oct 21 − Dec 11, Mon & Sat 10 a.m. − 6 p.m., Tue − Fri 10 a.m. − 9 p.m. and Sun noon − 5 p.m. A group exhibition that uses a variety of visual forms, symbols and metaphors to provide a wide-angle view into the bicultural experience and explores the meaning of being "American." Schoenherr Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville. 630 637-5375 | Uncommon Threads | Sun, Oct 23, 10 a.m. The 30th annual wearable art show and luncheon brings together textiles and accessories created by local and national artists and features a boutique sale, raffle and a fashion show, with runway fashions available to purchase after the show. For more information, visit www.fineline.org. Cost: $65.

Q Center, 1405 N Fifth Ave., St. Charles. 630 584-9443 | Fine Art Of Fiber | Thur − Sun, Nov 3 − 6, Thur 6:30 − 9 p.m. and Fri − Sun 10 a.m. − 5 p.m. View the area's oldest and largest exhibition of over 150 fiber pieces including quilts, needle art, knitting, weaving and more. For more information, visit www.fineartoffiber.org. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. 847 835-5440

FAMILY & GENERAL | Harvest Days | Sun, Oct 2, 11:30 a.m. − 4 p.m. Celebrate the season with continuous demonstrations of farm and household skills, food and 19th-century music. Cost: $6/3.

Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Rd., Campton Hills.

630 584-8485 | Blacksmithing 101 & 201 | Sat, Oct 8, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Learn the basics of blacksmithing with staff member Joseph Coleman and a demonstration followed by handson experience in the later class. Cost: $40/10 Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Rd., Campton Hills. 630 584-8485 | Family Jack O' Lantern Hikes | Sat − Sun, Oct 8 − 9 & 15 − 16, 6 − 8:30 p.m. Enjoy an hour and a half long hike along a jack o' lantern lit path through the Arboretum followed by pumpkin decorating and marshmallow roasting.

Registration required. Cost: $19/16. Thornhill Shelter at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | Family Night: Pumpkins And Treats | Fri, Oct 21, 5:30 − 7:30 p.m. Grab a costume and participate in trick-ortreating, pumpkin decorating and more. Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 668-5161 | Jym Elders | Fri, Oct 21, 7 − 9 p.m. This award-winning mentalist, known for his psychic spoon-bending on MTV's "Fame or Shame," performs his magic. Reservations recommended. Cost: $5. St. Andrews Golf & Country Club, 2241 Route 59, West Chicago. 630 231-3100 ex. 114 | Inflate & Create With Artist Claire Ashley | Sat, Oct 22, WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 31

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2 − 4 p.m. Learn how to make inflatable art from inflatable abstract artist, Claire Ashley. Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. 630 834-0202 | Cantigny Catapult Contest | Sat, Oct 29, 10 a.m.

Construct a working catapult and compete in the various categories: distance, shot group and accuracy.

Registration required. First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 260-8274 | Annual Ghost Walks | Sat, Oct 29, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Guided walking tours with author Donna Lathem, who tells haunting tales of Geneva. Cost: $10/5. Geneva History Museum, 113 S Third St., Geneva. 630 232-4951 | Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey: Out Of This World | Thur − Sun, Nov 4 − 13, Fri 7 p.m., Sat 11 a.m., 3 & 7 p.m. and Sun 1 & 5 p.m. Additional show on Fri, Nov 4 at 10:30 a.m. This space-themed circus show features ice surfaces, video projection mapping and more. Cost: $65/20. Allstate Arena, 6920 N Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 847 635-6601 | Monster Jam | Fri − Sat, Nov 4 − 5, Fri 7:30 p.m. and Sat 2 & 7:30 p.m. Watch the 12-feet-tall, 10,000-pound machines soar over and smash into obstacles. Cost: $30/20. BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. 815 968-5222 | The Price Is Right Live | Sun, Nov 6, 7 p.m. Television's longest running game show comes to the live stage with the classic games such as Plinko, the Big Wheel, Cliffhangers, Showcase and more. Cost: $52/34. Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N Chicago St., Joliet. 815 726-6600

KIDS | Trick Or Trees | Sat − Sun, Oct 1 − 30, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.;

Also, Mon, Oct 10, 11 a.m. − 4 p.m. Play games, create fall crafts, paint pumpkins and plant a tree seed to take home as a treat. Cost: Free with Arboretum admission.

Cost: $14/9. Children’s Garden at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 968-0074 | Octonauts Live! | Sun, Oct 23, 2 p.m. Join the OctoCadets as they adventure into a deep sea volcano, featuring new songs and characters in this Disney Jr. live show. Cost: $43/25. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N River Rd., Rosemont. 847 671-5100 | Boo Bash | Fri, Oct 28, 10 a.m. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and enjoy stories, crafts and special treats. For ages 3-5. Registration required. Cost: $10 per child. Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 260-8162 | Jigsaw Jones And The Case Of The Clown | Wed, Nov 2, 9:30 a.m. & noon. Based on the book by James Preller, this play tells the story of Junior Detective Jigsaw Jones and how he uses his problem-solving skills to catch a practical joker at school. Cost: $9. Paramount Theatre, 23 E Galena Blvd., Aurora. 630 896-6666 | Doktor Kaboom | Thur, Nov 3, 9:30 a.m. & noon. See the fun side of science with this educational show featuring electricity, rockets, physical science and more. Cost: $9.

Paramount Theatre, 23 E Galena Blvd., Aurora. 630 896-6666

HISTORY | Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America | Through Oct 12, Tue − Sun, Tue − Sat 10 a.m. − 4 p.m. and Sun 1 − 4 p.m.; Closed Sept 28 − Oct 3. This

traveling exhibit features reproductions and artifacts about the founding father and his influence on American history. Pre-Emption House at Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St., Naperville. 630 420-6010 | Who Was Sadie Cooksey? | Through Nov 7, Tue − Sat 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. An exhibition in memory of professional photographer and former Genevan Maggie Foskett, documenting the early history of the Illinois State Training School for Delinquent Girls or Geneva’s Girl’s School. Cost: $3/2. Geneva History Museum, 113 S Third St., Geneva.

630 232-4951 | Military Through The Ages | Sat − Sun, Oct 1 − 2, 10 a.m. − 4 p.m. Walk through history in Cantigny's wide span of military encampments, ranging from ancient Rome through Operation Desert Storm, and learn about how soldiers lived and fought throughout the history of civilization, as well as the progression of weapons, clothing and technology. Parade Field at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 668-5161 | Stories In Stone: A First-Person Cemetery Walk | Sat, Oct 8, 2 − 3:30 p.m. History comes alive as you "meet" Naperville residents from the past, all with stories to tell.

For ages 13 and over. Reservations recommended. Cost: $15/13. Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St., Naperville. 630 420-6010 | History Speaks: The Secret Life Of Anne Bonny | Sun, Oct 9, 4 p.m. Learn about the life and adventures of Anne Bonny, one of the most notorious female pirates in the Caribbean during the 1700s. For ages 12 and over. Cost: $10/7. Meeting House at Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St., Naperville. 630 420-6010 | I Am Rosie The Riveter | Sat, Oct 15, 1 p.m. Learn the

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story behind the famous "Rosie the Riveter" poster and other real life "Rosies" who stepped out of traditional female roles to go to work during WWII. Reservations required. Auditiorium of the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E Wesley St., Wheaton. 630 510-4941 | Railroad Ramble Walking Tour | Sun, Oct 16, 2 − 4 p.m.

Take a walk along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and learn about the history and influence of rail service in Naperville, including the cultural impact of the railroad on its community. Registration required. Cost: $15/13.

Southwest corner of Burlington Square Park, 307 N Ellsworth St., Naperville. 630 420-6010 | The Chicago "L": Chicago's Biggest "Mover & Shaker" | Sat, Oct 29, 1 p.m. Discover the world-famous Chicago "L" with Greg Borzo, author of the "The Chicago L," as he gives a presentation portraying its growth and development.

Reservations required. Auditorium of the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E Wesley St., Wheaton. 630 510-4941

HOME & GARDEN | Annual Bulb Sale | Mon − Sun, Oct 3 − 31, 10 a.m. − 6 p.m. View and purchase dozens of bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, alliums and more. The Arboretum Store at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 968-0074 | Beginning Home Composting | Thur, Oct 6, 6:30 − 8:30 p.m. Learn the basics of composting with worms and in the backyard. Registration required. Cost: $34/25. Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | Healing Gardens | Sun, Oct 9, 11 a.m. − 4 p.m. Enjoy two acres of mosquito-free woodland and perennial gardens. Free for cancer survivors. Cost: $5 per person.

Healing Gardens, 37W249 Dean St., St. Charles. 630 377-1846 | Growing Greens Indoors | Sat, Oct 15, 9 − 11 a.m. Learn how to grow your own greens inside and how to set up growing and soil recycling systems during the cold months.

Registration required. Cost: $34/25. Hawthorn/Chestnut Room in the Visitor Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | Putting The Garden To Bed | Tue, Oct 18, 6:15 p.m.

Learn some of the fall dos and don'ts as well as how to get a jump-start on gardening for the spring. Registration required. St. Paul Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. www.bloomingdalegardenclub.org | Double, Double – No Toil Or Trouble | Tue, Oct 25, 6 − 7:30 p.m. Get in the Halloween spirit and create a witch's cauldron centerpiece featuring pave-style, a technique that utilizes close-set blossoms. Registration required. Cost: $50/45. Greenhouse at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 668-5161 | Grow Vegetables Year–Round | Thur, Oct 27, 6 − 9 p.m.

Learn to grow vegetables in any space or season with a home hydroponics system, a method that is void of soil but uses nutrient-rich water solution. Registration required.

Cost: $44/35. Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | American Home Garden Design: 1830 To Present | Wed, Nov 2, 7 − 9 p.m. Find out how past and changing Midwestern garden designs can be applied to modern day garden styles. Registration required. Cost: $24/16.

Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468 | Four-Season Landscapes | Fri, Nov 4, 9 a.m. − noon. Learnabout trees and shrubs that will improve the landscape year-round, speak with an Arboretum WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 33

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Calendar of Events Photo by Gretchen Kelley

Out&about In the heights

horticulturist and see examples of landscapes that work in winter. Registration required. Cost: $44/35. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 719-2468

FASHION & BRIDAL | Fall Style Weekend | Sat − Sun, Oct 15 − 16. Events and sales take place at various downtown shops, spas and eateries, including a brunch/fashion show on Saturday. For complete schedule, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.

Downtown Naperville. 630 544-3372 | Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories Show | Thur − Sun, Oct 20 − 23, Thur 10 a.m. − 5:30 p.m. and Fri − Sun 9:30 a.m. − 5 p.m. View items from over 450 exhibitors offering jewelry, housewares, gifts and more. For more information, visit www.jfashow.com. For ages 16 and over. Registration required. Cost: $10/5. Donald E Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd., Rosemont. 847 446-8434

Wor th Going Downtown For - In The Heights - Through Oct 16, Thur − Sat. From the creator of "Hamilton" and winner of two Tony Awards, this musical tells the story of a tight knit community in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood and how they struggle with change, dreams and traditions they take with them and leave behind. For showtimes and tickets, visit www. porchlightmusictheatre.org.

Cost: $51/40. Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont, Chicago. 773 327-5252 - Ear Taxi Festival - Wed − Sat & Mon, Oct 5 − 8 & 10. Spread out over four days, this festival features new music from over 300 musicians, 25 ensembles, 75 composers and many others including performances from Spektral Quartet, Patricia Barber and more. Cost: $200/100.Various locations in downtown Chicago. www.eartaxifestival.com - Reel Science Film Series - Thur, Oct 6, 5:30 p.m. Enjoy "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" with refreshments and conversations about fact vs. fiction in the film.

Cost: $22/10. Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr., Chicago.

312 922-7827

- Chicago Museum Week Oct 13 − 23. Enjoy discounted admission, exclusive offers and special programs at participating Chicago museums including The Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science and Industry and more. Various locations. www.chicagomuseumweek.com

- The Joffrey Ballet: Romeo & Juliet - Thur − Sun, Oct 13 − 23,

Thur − Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun 2 p.m. This critically acclaimed performance tells the classic story of two lovers as they fight against a 20th century Italian society awash in political strife and war. Cost: $174/34.

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E Congress Pkwy., Chicago. 800 982-2787

- Wild Spirits - Sat, Oct 15, 6 − 10 p.m. Sample a variety of liquors with food pairings, enjoy live music and more. For ages 21 and over. Cost: $49/44. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St., Chicago.

312-742-2000

break. For showtimes and tickets, visit www.goodmantheatre.org.

For ages 13 and over. Cost: $25/10. The Owen at Goodman Theatre, 170 N Dearborn St., Chicago. 312 443-3800

- EVOLVE: INK - Sat, Oct 22, 8 p.m.

Annual fundraiser features music, dancing, cocktails, special afterhours access to the "Tattoo" exhibit and more. For ages 21 and over. Cost: $125/100. The Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr., Chicago. 312 665-7137

- Longer! Louder! Wagner! - Thur

time Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter, known for hits "Cheap Thrills" and "Chandelier," presents her "Nostalgic for the Present" tour featuring songs from her new album. Cost: $150/35.

United Center, 1901 W Madison St., Chicago. 312 455-4500

− Sun, Oct 27 − 30, Thur 7 p.m., Fri 2 & 7 p.m., Sat 2 p.m. and Sun 1 & 4 p.m. The Second City presents this opera set in 1848 Germany where Richard Wagner first began work on the "Ring" and what modern-day opera companies go through to perform his works.

Cost: $65/35. Lyric Opera Chicago, 20 N Wacker Dr., Chicago.

312 827-5600

- Adler After Dark: Nightmare -

- Giordano Dance Chicago -

Thur, Oct 20, 6:30 − 11 p.m. Bring your Halloween costume and enjoy the planetarium after hours with a talk about black holes, a performance by synthetic/pop band Terrible Spaceship and more. For ages 21 and over.

Cost: $25/15. Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr., Chicago.

312 922-7827

Fri − Sat, Oct 28 − 29, 7:30 p.m. This world-renowned dance troupe brings the premiere of artist Peter Chu's choreography as well as three revival pieces and two favorites from the troupe's repertoire. Cost: $75/15. Harris Theatre, 205 E Randolph Dr., Chicago. 312 334-7777

- Sia - Sun, Oct 16, 7 p.m. Five-

- Elvis Costello & The Imposters - The Magic Play - Wed − Sun, Oct 21 − Nov 20; Also, Tue, Nov 8, 7:30 p.m. When a rising young magician must take the stage just hours after his partner leaves him, his performance begins to unravel due to his recent heart-

Sat, Oct 29, 8 p.m. This Grammy Award-winning musician and his band hit the stage with their "Imperial Bedroom & Other Chambers" tour. Cost: $154/39.

Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St., Chicago. 312 462-6300

FESTIVALS | Oktoberfest | Sat, Oct 1, noon − 10 p.m. Celebrate Naperville's German heritage with live music, food, drinks and other activities. Cost: $15/8. Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St., Naperville. 630 420-6010 | Grundy County Corn Festival | Sat − Sun, Oct 1 − 2.

A craft show, flea market, parade, live entertainment, food and more. For more information, visit www.cornfestival. org. 909 N Liberty St., Morris. 815 942-2676 | Pumpkin Fest | Mon − Sun, Oct 1 − 31, 9 a.m. − 5 p.m.

Visit with the animals, explore a straw pyramid and corn stalk tunnel, and pick from thousands of pumpkins. Free for members and children under 18. For more information, visit www.cosleyzoo.org. Cost: $5/4. 1356 N Gary Ave., Wheaton. 630 665-5534 | Batavia Oktoberfest | Fri − Sat, Oct 7 − 8, Fri 4 − 11 p.m. and Sat 11 a.m. − 10 p.m. Authentic German food, beer, music, entertainment, contests and more. Along River St., downtown Batavia. 630 761-3528 | Fall Bulb Festival | Fri − Sun, Oct 7 − 9, 10 a.m. − 4 p.m.

Enjoy live music, a harvest market of more than 20 local vendors, cider, wine and beer to purchase, and more than 225 varieties of daffodils, tulips, crocus and specialty bulbs. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. 847 835-5440 | St. Charles Scarecrow Festival | Fri − Sun, Oct 7 − 9, Fri − Sat 10 a.m. − 9 p.m. and Sun 10 a.m. − 5 p.m. View hand-crafted scarecrows, visit the petting zoo, and enjoy live entertainment, a craft show, carnival, food and more.

Downtown St. Charles. 800 777-4373 | PumpkinPalooza Fest | Sat − Sun, Oct 8 − 9, Sat 9 a.m. − 5 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m. − 5 p.m. Celebrate pumpkins and fall with hayrides, pumpkin painting for kids & adults, a pumpkin bounce house, a pumpkin decorating contest and more. The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Rd., Aurora. 630 820-8088 | Fall Festival | Sat, Oct 8, 10 a.m. − 4 p.m. Enjoy a variety of activities including a fall craft show, music, hayrides, hot cider, treats and more. Parade Field at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 668-5161 | Danada Fall Festival | Sun, Oct 9, 11 a.m. − 5 p.m. Join a celebration of horses and the season with a parade of breeds, continuous equestrian performances, hayrides, pony rides and more. Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Rd., Wheaton. 630 668-6012

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| Pinktober Fest | Sat, Oct 15, 10 a.m. − noon. Sample fitness classes and shop and dine at participating boutiques. Cost: $20. Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Willowbrook. 630 654-2782 | Family Fall Festival | Sat, Oct 15, 1 − 6 p.m. Enjoy horse-drawn hayrides, live music, face painting, magic acts and more. MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Pl., Rosemont.

847 349-5008 | MicroFest | Sat,Oct 15,7 p.m.Enjoy musical performances

by Whiskey Shivers and I Sing Walt Whitman, entertainment from juggler Tossed & Found and craft brews with specialty food vedors. Cost: $26. Blizzard Theatre at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin. 847 622-0300 | Art On Harrison | Fri − Sat, Oct 21 − 22, Fri 6 − 10 p.m. and Sat noon − 8 p.m. Art showcases, live entertainment, activities and more at participating galleries. Harrison St. between Ridgeland Ave. and Austin Blvd., Oak Park. www.oakparkartsdistrict.com | Cider And Ale Festival | Sat, Oct 22, 1 − 4:30 p.m.

Sample ciders and seasonal craft beers while enjoying live music and concessions. For ages 21 and over. Cost: $70/40.

Near the Visitor Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 968-0074 | SCARCE Green Fair | Sun, Oct 23, 10 a.m. − 4 p.m. Browse the environmentally friendly vendors, learn about energy saving strategies and composting, and enjoy live music and more activities at this annual fair. For more information, visit www.scarce.org. DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton. 630 545-9710 | La Grange Halloween Walk & Fall Fest | Sat, Oct 29, 10 − noon. Join the trick-or-treat parade, enjoy seasonal activities, and more. Parade start at Madison & Harris Ave., La Grange. www.lgba.com

SEASONAL | Autumn Hayride | Tue, Oct 4, 10 a.m. − noon. Tour the perimeter of the estate on the hay wagon. Departs from the Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 260-8162 | Fall Colors Wagon Ride | Wed & Sun, Oct 5 − 16, 1 − 2:30 p.m. Take in the fall colors on a short tractor-drawn wagon ride as passengers learn about the buildings, natural areas and equestrian roots of the preserve. Free for children under 5. Cost: $5. St. James Farm, Winfield Rd. and Butterfield Rd., Warrenville. 630 580-7025

, | All Hallows Eve | Fri − Sat, Oct 14 − 15, 6:30 − 10 p.m.

Experience 12 acres of haunting creatures, entertainment, themed buildings and eerie stories. Not recommended for children under 8. Free for members. Cost: $15. Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St., Naperville. 630 420-6010

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| Mystery Dinner At Thornhill Mansion | Thur, Oct 20 & 27, 6:30 p.m. Also, Sat, Oct 29, 6:30 p.m. Grab your 70s costume and enjoy a night of food, drinks and photo booths while trying to solve the mystery at Thornhill Mansion. For ages 21 and over. Registration required. Cost: $105/95. Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 725-2066

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| Night Of 1,000 Jack-O'-Lanterns | Thur − Sun, Oct 20 − 23, 6:30 − 10:30 p.m. View the hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns created by artists, encounter characters along the path and try out seasonal food and drinks. Cost: $16/10.

Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.

847 835-5440 | Brick–Or–Treat | Mon − Sun, Oct 21 − 31, Mon − Fri noon WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 35

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Out&about



Calendar of Events

Quick guide

Haunted Houses: Where to Get Your Fright On Ave., Morton Grove. 224 888-1031 13TH FLOOR  MASSACRE HAUNTED HOUSE – Through Oct 31.

Visit www.fearthemassacre.com for showtimes and tickets. Cost: $35/25. Massacre Haunted House, 299 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery.

708 320-3327  MIDNIGHT TERROR HAUNTED HOUSE

Through Nov 5, Thur – Sun, Thur & Sun 7 – 10 p.m. and Fri – Sat 7 – 11 p.m.; Also, Mon, Oct 31, 7 – 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com.

Cost: $45/23. Midnight Terror Haunted House, 5520 W 111th St., Oak Lawn. 708 639-3279  PSYCHOSIS HAUNTED HOUSE – Through

 BASEMENT OF THE DEAD – Through Nov 5,

 FRIGHTMARE HAUNTED HOUSE – Oct 7 – 10 & 13

Thur – Sun; Additional show on Mon, Oct 31. Visit www.4fear.com for showtimes and tickets. Cost: $45/20. 42 W New York St., Aurora. 630 896-2466

– 31. Visit www.frightmarehauntedhouse.com for showtimes and tickets. Cost: $12. Haunted Trails Family Amusement Park, 7759 S Harlem Ave., Burbank. 708 598-8580

 DISTURBIA: SCREAMS IN THE PARK – Through

Nov 5, Fri – Sun, Fri – Sat 7 p.m. – midnight and Sun 7–11 p.m.; Also, Wed, Oct 26 and Thur, Oct 20 & 27, 7 – 9 p.m. With two new attractions, Sewer of the Underworld and the Dark Swamp, the acclaimed interactive horror experience returns to Rosemont.

For information, visit www.disturbiascreams.com.

Cost: $30/25. MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Pl., Rosemont. 847 349-5008

− 7 p.m. and Sat − Sun 10 a.m. − 7 p.m. Dress up in your Halloween costume and trick or treat for LEGO bricks to create a mini model, take photos with the giant pumpkin model and more. Cost: $30/15. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago in the Streets of Woodfield, 601 N Martingale Rd., Schaumburg. 847 592-9700 | Halloween Night Walks | Fri − Sat, Oct 21 − 22, 6 − 9 p.m. Enjoy Halloween tricks and natural history tales during a 75-minute walk through the woods after dark. For ages 2 and over. Cost: $12. Fullersburg Woods, 3609 Spring Rd., Oak Brook. 630 850-8110 | Boo! At The Zoo | Sat − Sun, Oct 22 − 30, 11 a.m. − 4 p.m.

Ride the Haunted Hayride, carve a pumpkin, participate in the costume contest and find your way through the corn maze at this Halloween-themed family festival. Free with zoo admission. Cost: $18/13. Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. 708 688-8000 | Spooktacular | Fri, Oct 28, 5:30 & 7 p.m. Explore the corn maze, meet live animals, carve or decorate pumpkins, enjoy refreshments and trick-or-treat around the stations to receive holiday goodies. Pre-registration required and space is limited. Cost: $10/5. Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Ave., Wheaton. 630 665-5534 | Murder Mystery Dinner Theater | Fri, Oct 28, 6:30 − 9:30 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, a full meal and solve a professionally produced interactive dinner/theater mystery. For more information, visit www.cantigny.org. For ages 21 and over.

Registration required and space is limited. Cost: $100.

 HELLSGATE HAUNTED HOUSE – Thur – Sun, Oct 6

– 30, Thur & Sun 7 – 10 p.m. and Fri – Sat 7 – 11 p.m.; Also, Mon, Oct 31, 7 – 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.hellsgate.com. Cost: $35/25. 3101 Canal St., Lockport. 815 651-6815  HOUSE OF TORMENT: CHICAGO – Through Nov

5. Visit www.houseoftormentchicago.com for showtimes and tickets. Cost: $33/20. 8240 N Austin

Robert McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. 630 260-8162 | Boo Breakfast | Sat − Sun, Oct 29 − 30, 9 − 11 a.m. Dress up in a costume and enjoy Halloween-themed breakfast foods with visits from characters. Registration required. Free for children under 3. Cost: $38/27. Ginkgo Restaurant in the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 630 725-2066 | Haunted History: Goosebump Stories Of The Midwest | Sat, Oct 29, 2 p.m. Actor Terry Lynch, tells haunting historical tales of Brookfield Zoo, the Fort Dearborn Massacre, John Dillinger and more. Cost: $10/5. Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N Main St., Glen Ellyn. 630 469-1867

PUMPKIN FARMS & CORN MAZES | Blackberry Farm Pumpkin Weekends | Sat – Sun, Oct 1 – 30, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Also, Mon, Oct 10. Enjoy hay wagon rides, paddle boats, a Victorian Halloween Party, pumpkins for sale and more. For more information, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. Cost: $8/5. Blackberry Farm, 100 S Barnes Rd., Aurora. 630 892-1550 | Abbey Farms | Through Oct 31, Mon – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Night Maze open until 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Corn maze, fire pits, pony rides, a petting zoo, beer tent and more. Cost: $14/6. 2855 Hart Rd., Aurora. 630 966-7775

Oct 30, Fri – Sun, Fri 8 p.m. – midnight, Sat 7 p.m.

– midnight and Sun 7 – 10 p.m.; Also Thur & Mon, Oct 27 & 31, 7 – 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.psychosishauntedhouse.net. Cost: $27/20.

300 Lake St., Elgin. 708 689-9837  STATESVILLE HAUNTED PRISON & CITY OF THE DEAD – Through Oct 31, Thur – Sun, Thur & Sun 7 – 10 p.m. and Fri – Sat 7 – 11 p.m.; Also Wed Oct 26, 7 – 11 p.m. Cost: $45/21. Statesville Haunted Prison, 17250 S Weber Rd., Crest Hill. www.statesvillehauntedprison.com  13TH FLOOR CHICAGO – Through Nov 5. Visit www.13thfloorchicago.com for showtimes and tickets. Cost: $33/20. 1940 George St., Melrose Park.

708 571-3326

or www.abbeyfarms.org | Bengtston's | Through Oct 30, Mon – Sun. Enjoy pumpkins, pig races, pony rides, pumpkin launching, kiddie rides, hayrides, a petting zoo and more. For specific times, visit website. Cost: $17/10. 13341 W 151st St., Homer Glen. 708 301-3276 or www.pumpkinfarm.com | Cosley Zoo | Mon – Sun, Oct 1 – 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Visit the animals, explore a straw pyramid and corn stalk tunnel, and pick from thousands of pumpkins. Free for members and children under 18. Cost: $5/4. 1356 N Gary Ave., Wheaton. 630 665-5534 or www.cosleyzoo.org | Dollinger Farms | Through Oct 30, Mon – Sun 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Visit this pumpkin farm with a gift shop, petting zoo, 4-acre corn maze, and weekend hayrides and train rides. 7420 E Hansel Rd., Channahon. 815 467-6766 or www.dollingerfarms.com | Goebbert's Farm & Garden Center | Through Oct 30, Mon – Sun 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Also, Mon, Oct 31, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Corn and straw mazes, wagon rides, pig races, animal farm, weekend magic shows and more. 40 W Higgins Rd., South Barrington. 847 428-6727 or www.goebbertsgardencenter.com | Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch | Through Oct 30, Mon – Sun 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Also, Mon, Oct 31, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Pumpkin Express train, pumpkin patch, mazes, haunted house, petting zoo, pig races, the Pumpkin Eating Dinosaur, wagon, camel and pony rides and more. Cost:

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$15/6. 42W813 Reinking Rd., Hampshire. 847 464-5952 or www.goebbertspumpkinpatch.com | Great Godfrey Maze | Through Oct 30, Fri 6 – 10 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sun 1 p.m. – dusk; Park closes at 4 p.m. on Oct 30. The park features a 7-acre maze, haunted maze, cow train, hay wagon and more. Cost: $6/4. Robert E Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Ln., Godfrey. 618 466-1483 or www.godfreyil.org | Johansen Farms Children's Zoo | Through Oct 31, Mon – Sun 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Pick pumpkins, visit a petting zoo, enjoy train rides and hayrides, a corn maze, twostory airslide and more. Cost: $14/9. 710 W Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook. 630 739-7587 or www.johansenfarmszoo.com | Jonamac Orchard |– Through Nov 25, Mon – Sun. Pick fresh apples and pumpkins, visit the bakery and store, jump on a hayride, navigate the corn mazes, enjoy a petting zoo and more. Visit website for more information on specific hours and activities. 19412 Shabbona Rd., Malta. 815 825-2158 or www.jonamacorchard.com | Kuipers Family Farm | – Through Oct 31, Mon – Sat 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Enjoy 230 acres of pumpkin and apple picking, a corn “Maize,” peddle tractor derby, farm animals, pig and duck races, pony rides, hayrides, food, shops and more. Cost: $15/6. 1N318 Watson Rd., Maple Park. 815 827-5200 or www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com | Norton's Hollow Fall Fun | – Through Oct 31, Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sun 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy straw mazes, hayrides, corn tunnels and other activities. Cost $3/1. Norton Farm, 39W369 Illinois Route 64, St. Charles. 630 377-8118 or www.nortonsproduce.com | Siegel's Cottonwood Farms | Through Oct 31, Mon – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Take a fall hayride through a pumpkin patch, explore the Haunted Barn with animals to pet, enjoy a 15-acre corn maze, kiddie train ride, pony rides and more. Cost: $13/11. 17250 S Weber Rd., Crest Hill.

815 741-2693 or www.ourpumpkinfarm.com | Sonny Acres Farm | Through Oct 31, Mon – Thur 10 a.m.

– 6 p.m. and Fri – Sun 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Explore piles of pumpkins, a farmers market, haunted barn and costume shop, and enjoy carnival rides, wagon rides and a petting zoo. 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago. 630 231-3859 or www.sonnyacres.com | Tom's Farm Market | Mon – Sat, Oct 1 – 31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sun 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. A 6-acre corn maze, tractor rides, hayrides, pumpkins, petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, and bakery. 10214 Algonquin Rd., Huntley. 847 669-3421 or www.tomsfarmmarket.com | Windy Acres Farm | Through Oct 31, Mon – Sun 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. More than four acres of pumpkins, a corn maze, tractor rides, minitaure golf, children’s zoo, bakery, live entertainment and more in October. Cost: $13/7. 37W446 Fabyan Pkwy., Geneva. 630 232-6429 or www.windyacresfarmstand.com

OUTDOORS | Ride The Trails Fall Colors Tour | Thur, Oct 13, 9 a.m. − noon. Bring your bike and tour several forest preserves on a 15- to 18-mile ranger-led ride through the fall scenery.

For ages 12 and over. Registration requried. For more information, visit www.dupageforest.com. Spring Creek Reservoir, Medinah Rd. & Lake St., Bloomingdale. 630 9337248; Additional tour Oct 29, 9 a.m. − noon, Danada Forest Preserve, Naperville & Butterfield Rd., Wheaton. | Fall Colors Hike | Fri, Oct 14, 9 a.m. − 10:30 p.m.

Learn about wildlife, plants, history, and forest preserve features on a guided hike though scenic fall landscapes.

Registration required. For more information, visit www. dupageforest.com. Meacham Grove, Spring Valley Dr. and Circle Ave., Bloomingdale. 630 933-7248; Additional hikes Sat, Oct 15, 1:30 − 3 p.m. at Waterfall Glen, along Lemont Rd., Lemont; Tue, Oct 18, 9 a.m. − 10:30 p.m. at Maple Grove, Lee & Maple Aves., Downers Grove; and Wed, Oct 26, 11 a.m. − 12:30 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods, 3609 Spring Rd., Oak Brook. | Paddling: Fall Colors | Sat, Oct 15, 1 − 5 p.m. Bring your canoe or kayak and enjoy a guided paddle throughout Winfield and Warrenville Grove. For ages 6 and over.

Registration required. For more information, visit www. dupageforest.com. Cost: $20 to rent kayak or canoe.

Various locations in Winfield. 630 933-7248

SPORTS | 2016 Progressive Skate America | Fri − Sun, Oct 21 − 23, Fri 7 p.m., Sat 1 & 7 p.m. and Sun 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

This competition features 56 world-class athletes including Olympic and World competitors and national champions competing in the ladies, men's, pairs and ice dance events. Cost: $80/15. Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates. 847 649-2270 | Bears Rivalry Scramble | Sun, Oct 23, 9 a.m. Grab a fellow Bears fan and compete against fans of other teams in this two-person golf event. Cost: $70 per person.

St. Andrews Golf & Country Club, 2241 Route 59, West Chicago. 630 231-3100 ex. 114

LITERATURE | Lindsey Vonn | Fri, Oct 7, 7 p.m. The American alpine ski racer, and one of only two female skiers to win four World Cup overall championships, presents her book "Strong is the New Beautiful." For more information and tickets, visit www.andersonsbookshop.com. Cost: $31. Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W Jefferson Ave., Naperville. 630 355-2665 | Newt & Callista Gingrich | Fri, Nov 4, 7 p.m. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives and his wife introduce their literature including "Treason," the sequel to "Duplicity," and "Hail to the Chief," a picture book featuring Ellis the Elephant. Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W Jefferson Ave., Naperville. 630 355-2665

LECTURES | Annual Women's Leadership Summit | Fri, Oct 7, 9 a.m. − 2 p.m. Speakers Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, national board president of Girls Scouts of America; State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia; and Dorri McWhorter, CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, address work/life balance and innovative leadership. Cost: $30/25. Benedictine University, 5700 College Rd., Lisle. 630 829-6406 | Mary Lou Retton | Mon, Oct 10, 7 p.m. American gold medal-winning gymnast in the women's all-around at the 1984 Olympics speaks at Judson University's World Leaders Forum. Cost: $60/50. Herrick Chapel at Judson University, 1151 N State St., Elgin. 847 628 9999 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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The Best Area Theaters for

Fun at the

MOVIES The western suburbs offer a variety of great options for catching Hollywood’s hottest new flicks — as well as classic, art and foreign films — in comfort and style.

by Jay Copp

Football games are on TV, and it doesn’t affect stadium attendance at all. It’s the same with movies. People who really love movies and like to go out on a Saturday night will go to the movie theater.

—George Lucas

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t’s the same old story with new technology. The telegraph doomed the Pony Express. The automobile put the horse out to pasture. In modern times, big-screen TVs, movies on demand and Netflix pummeled the movie industry. Well, no.

Operating theaters in Oak Park, Elmhurst, Downers Grove and 11 other Chicago-area locations, Classic Cinemas sold its 3.5 millionth ticket in early September, already topping last year’s record total and beating the attendance of a certain downtown attraction. “I think we’re ahead of the Cubs,” says Chris Johnson, CEO of Classic Cinemas with a smile.

The popularity of movies is evident elsewhere locally. The only thing busier than the congested parking lot of the 18-screen AMC Yorktown in Lombard on a Saturday night is its lobby, swarming with mostly young moviegoers. On weekends the downtowns of Oak Park and La Grange are packed with movie patrons.

The appeal of going to the movies is often stronger than the comforts of home. In fact, technology — particularly smart phones — actually drives people to the show. “It’s not about what you can get at home,” says Johnson. “It’s about getting out of the house.

There is no doorbell. No phone. You can sit down and not be connected. People want to be disconnected for a couple of hours.”

Movies offer a communal experience where we can laugh and cry together. If it weren’t for movies, “we’d all be hermits,” says Oak Parker Martha Fluharty, who was at the Lake Theatre in Oak Park to see Don’t Think Twice. “It’s nice to see the reactions of people.”

Of course it helps a lot that our area has undergone a movie theater renaissance, thanks in large part to Classic Cinemas. Local theaters today feature recliner loungers, superb audio and picture quality and a vast array of food and beverages. The days of a theater in every suburb are gone. But after a fallow period — dominated by soulless multiplexes — the spirit of downtown movie houses has been revived. So here is our moviegoers’ guide to the best of local cinema.

Best Theater: The York in Elmhurst The Classic Cinemas formula is pretty simple: buy and renovate an older theater worn around the edges, add state-of-the-art sound, picture quality and seating, and sprinkle in clever touches such as fixtures and statues scavenged from old movie palaces far and wide. And don’t forget to offer free refills. “People love that. That’s extremely popular,” says Johnson.

It’s hard to separate one Classic Cinema from another and to single out one as tops. But the York is, well, picture-perfect. Start WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 39

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FUN AT THE MOVIES

with the exterior. The neon marquee is bold, bright and beautiful. The movie posters north of the marquee seem to leap off the wall. Inside, the lobby and concession stand look so right — as if straight out of a movie set. Its long history adds to its glamour. The York opened in 1924 and hosted vaudeville acts and showed newsreels for years. Its second floor houses the Theatre Historical Society of America, open by appointment.

The York also gets the nod for its role in reviving downtown Elmhurst. As a movie plot line, it seems far-fetched.

But truth is stranger than fiction.

Former Mayor Thomas Marcucci once credited the York Theater and its owners for “single-handedly redeveloping our central downtown business district.”

He hailed it as the “eight-cylinder (eight-screen) engine which drives foot traffic for all downtown.”

Best Theater (Runner-up): The Lake in Oak Park The Lake Theatre in Oak Park, another Classic Cinemas theater, has many of the same great features of the York — a bustling downtown location, a bright marquee and a rich history. Thomas Lamb, a pre-eminent architect, designed the art-deco movie house in 1936. Today the theater is speckled with treasures from other movie houses — ceiling fixtures in the lobby from the Will Rogers theater on the West Side, plaster musician busts from the Southtown Theatre on the South Side, and art deco wall features rescued from the Colonial Theatre in Marengo. Art movies are shown on Tuesday.

Special Mention: La Grange Theater Opened in 1925 as a live venue, La Grange Theater featured dramatic ceiling paintings and carried an air of opulence found only in public spaces like this.

Movies arrived in the 1940s, but decay crept in by the 1970s. Using the tiny restroom, located in a dank basement down a dark, twisting staircase, often was more exciting than the movie. New

owners purchased the theater in 2004 and today the bright, clean, four-screen theater is a linchpin of the vibrant downtown.

The restaurants attract crowds, but the theater’s proximity to them gives the town a distinct nightlife advantage over neighboring ‘burbs. Dinner and a show can be accomplished with minimal walking.

Tickets are more than the $2 they were a few years back, but that’s a good thing.

Back then the theater’s movies could be seen on DVD very shortly. Today the movies are much more current.

Best Movie/Dinner Place: iPic, Bolingbrook and South Barrington Enjoying a full-scale restaurant and bar at the show is now commonplace, but the concept was pioneered by this theater a decade ago. It still sets the standard. Meals are served discreetly so nearby patrons are not disturbed. Chefs prepare the delicious food. The menu includes mahi mahi fish tacos, lobster rolls and buttermilk fried chicken. Among the sumptuous desserts are cheesecake brulée and red velvet bread pudding.

Best Old-Time Theater: The Tivoli in Downers Grove The Tivoli in Downers Grove is one of a kind and one of the last of its kind.

Opened on Christmas in 1928, it was one of the first theaters to offer sound. Its original luster has been preserved — at great expense. In the mid-1990s painters spent months repainting the theater, partly using a gold leaf paint that cost $100 per gallon. The theater now has a state-of-theart sound system. On weekends before shows, patrons are treated to music from a grand Wurlitzer pipe organ.

The Tivoli has a loyal core of patrons.

“I just love it,” says middle-aged Chris Bowen of Westmont. “It’s a real movie theater with a huge screen. The whole atmosphere is right. It reminds me of going to the movies when I was a kid.”

The 1,392-seat, single-screen movie palace was bought by the Johnson family in 1976. They got into the movie business

unexpectedly when the company leasing the theater abruptly left. The Tivoli was the first link in the Classic Cinemas chain.

The After Hours Film Society shows movies twice a month on Mondays at the Tivoli, and Classic Cinemas recently began screening art movies such as Jimmy’s Hall on Tuesdays. In December, the Tivoli shows holiday movies such as White Christmas.

Most Beloved Theater: Catlow, Barrington A few years ago, Hollywood stopped releasing movies on 35-millimeter film, and theaters were forced to convert to a costly digital technology. Unable to pay for a digital projector, the historic Catlow Theater faced closure — until $100,000 was raised in seven days in 2012 through an online fundraiser. Patrons rescued the beloved Catlow, opened in 1927.

Designed to look like a medieval hall, the

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Photos courtesy of Classic Cinemas

Best Old-Timey Theater: The Glen Art Theatre, Glen Ellyn This is somewhat of a Dubious Achievement Award. The Glen is a little rough around the edges. And it does not show nearly as many art movies as it once did. But the Glen is a step back in time — not all clean and shiny, but honest and real, and a worthwhile destination for movie buffs.

theater is an important part of Barrington history. Singing cowboy Gene Autry and fan dancer Sally Rand played here. In 1989 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It takes a bit longer for new releases to play here, but tickets are only $7. And patrons can take on the role of movie mogul — the theater chooses a slate of possible movies for online voting.

Normally, the movie with the most votes is eventually shown.

Best Destination Theater: Hollywood Palms in Naperville “What’s playing” is the reason we go the movies. But at the Hollywood Palms in Naperville, the extra attraction is the grand homage paid to the movies. The Palms lobby, corridors and screening rooms are lined with thousands of posters of classic movies, stills from memorable movie scenes and stunning black-and-white photos of gorgeous starlets and ultra-handsome actors. “I think we have the slowest exiting patrons of any cinema,” says Donnacha Kenny, its genial, Irish-born marketing

manager, as he mimics how patrons stop and peer at the gallery of images. The theater is also overflowing with movierelated knickknacks and attractions such as Disney characters; life-size statues of Blues Brothers Jake and Elwood; the costumes worn by Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz; and, in a tank of exotic fish, a Blue Tang, a living Dory from Finding Nemo.”

Each of the eight screening rooms has a theme. The Asian room has terra cotta soldiers, among many other decorations.

The Egyptian room has a sarcophagus and the ark (a knockoff) from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Outside the Wizard of Oz Room are memorabilia related to a visit to the theater a few years ago by people who played the Munchkins and inside are flying monkeys.

Special events are held regularly at the Palms and its long celebrity guest list includes Dan Aykroyd, Tony Curtis, Richard Dreyfuss and Karen Allen. A good sport, Aykroyd taped a short spot that plays before every movie: “We’re 26 miles from Chicago. We’re in a dark theater. And we’re wearing sunglasses.”

Upcoming events include an Oct. 29 screening of A Nightmare on Elm Street with Mimi Craven, the ex-wife of director Wes, who worked on the film; a Nov. 5 appearance by Doctor Strange devotee Doc Comik dovetailing with the new Doctor Strange movie; and a Star Wars opening night extravaganza on Dec. 15.

Admission is just $8. Two bars are located in the lobby, and patrons can order dinner, which is delivered to them at their seats. The Palms often shows older movies — typically tied to a holiday or event.

After Gene Wilder, who had Alzheimer’s, died in September, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was shown, and $2,000 was donated for Alzheimer’s research.

So why is it called the Palms? The lobby has a rain forest motif complete with a three-story waterfall and an unusual box office with support masts from Indonesia.

The décor is over-the-top, Hollywood-style.

“I think the prior owner really liked palms and all that,” says Kenny.

Hollywood Blvd. in Woodridge was

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once a sister theater of the Palms, having the same owner and same set-up. The owners are different today but Hollywood Blvd. still has a lot in common with the Palms, including screening rooms with special décor, dinner service and special events and guests. Upcoming special offerings include Horror Month in October, a Harry Potter event on Nov. 19, and a series of holiday classics in December.

Best Theater for People Who Can’t Agree on a Movie: Muvico 18 With its 18 screens, the Muvico 18 in Rosemont just about covers the gamut in terms of new releases. Other reasons to try it out — a cool lobby, state-of-the-art screens, $5 Tuesdays and Bogart’s Bar and Grill upstairs. Also recommended is the Regal Cantera 17 in Warrenville for its plush seats, multiple food and drink options and its bargain matinee prices. And for sheer volume of options, you can’t beat the AMC Cantera 30, also in Warrenville.

Photo courtesy of iPic

FUN AT THE MOVIES

Best New Theater: AMC Oak Brook There is not a lot of competition in this category, and soon the one theater will be competing against itself. Confused?

Moviegoers may be, too. The new, hard-to-find AMC at the Oak Brook Center is tucked in an inner courtyard.

The four-screen theater is clean and

comfortable. In a month or two, a 12-screen IMAX AMC will open at the shopping center north of what will be the old AMC, which will stay open.

So “meet at the Oak Brook AMC” will require further explanation. The old AMC show is expected to include art movies in its rotation.

Talking Movies with the Movie Man Chris Johnson is the 49-year-old CEO of the 14-theater Classic Cinemas chain including the York in Elmhurst, the Tivoli in Downers Grove, and the Lake in Oak Park. Here’s his insider’s take on movies.

People may know you from the short ad you do before the Regular Guy movie reviews on WXRT. Tell me how that came about? The Little Guys electronics store was sponsoring them, but they dropped it. The jocks on XRT stay forever — it’s kind of a hometown place. That matches up with what we are. So we thought it was a good fit. And yeah, I do cringe a bit when there’s a negative review (of a movie that happens to be showing at Classic Cinemas). But I’m glad he’s (reviewer Marty Lenartz) honest. You need that.

Being a theater owner must be a good gig? Yeah, it’s not like I go to a lot of parties, but everybody likes to talk about the movies. I get to go to conventions and see stars and directors.

You’d be surprised sometimes how they are. Tom Cruise is just so invested in his projects. I met (filmmaker) Jon Landau. I asked him to give some advice to my kids. He wrote: “Pursue your dreams. Listen to your parents.” I really liked that.

What’s your pet peeve about theaters? It used to be scratched prints, but that’s not an issue now with the digital. Sometimes previews go on forever. We try to limit it to three, four at most.

3D just to be 3D is a real negative. Oh, my biggest gripe — the money grab. $2 extra for this. $1 for this. It’s like an airline now where you have to pay extra to get on early.

Ever get frustrated with the quality of movies from Hollywood? There are lots of movies. A lot of good movies. A lot of bad movies. I don’t think there are any less good movies today.

How do you pick the movies for your theaters? We watch them. In Elk Grove, I have a booker who watches all of them. I watch some. There is so much information to help you make a decision. There is social media tracking. There are trailer views.

Sometimes people say I have “an agenda” in what gets played. I don’t. I want to see people in the seats. But I know some movies will draw a lot and some less.

What’s your favorite movie? I love Cinema Paradiso. But I’d have to say Shawshank Redemption. I just love how he slowly and

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incorporates sounds, motion and even smells into the movie experience. An auditorium also features a 70-ft wide, three-story-tall screen.

Photo courtesy of Cinemark

Worth a Trip: Gurnee Mills Gurnee Mills Cinema has an innovative 4Dx auditorium — one of the very few in the country — that

methodically plans his escape. Life is Beautiful was heartbreaking.

It just twists your emotions. It was torture. It was so emotional I almost walked out of the theater. I used to be Mr. Art Movie.

I don’t know if I want to be tortured any more at the movies.

But I love stupid comedies, too. I liked Happy Gilmore.

What is your favorite movie memory as a kid? I saw the Shaggy D.A. when a friend had a birthday party. I couldn’t believe it — you get to go to the show for a birthday. But probably the best memory is I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey at McClurg Court.

I didn’t understand a thing. But we were in the city and went out for ice cream.

Did you watch a lot of movies as a kid? Oh, yes. Our TV broke. We didn’t get it fixed for six years. My parents were divorced, so that’s just how it went. So I saw a ton of movies.

What are the most popular concession items? The old split was 40-40-20 — drinks, popcorn, candy. It’s different today with nachos and icees. Kids like to make their own with different flavors.

We have that at St. Charles and we’ll be offering it at other theaters.

Gone But Not Forgotten Old movie theaters get shuttered and some are pounded into dust, but those we frequented — on first dates or with children — remain lodged in our memories. Classy Hinsdale Theater, with its ornate interior closed in 2003. Some of its Renaissance Revival features were left intact and incorporated into the CiNe restaurant. Preservationists tried for years to save the DuPage Theatre in Lombard, but it fell to the wrecking ball in 2007.

The Wheaton Theater closed in 2006 after 81 years, and a local group has been raising funds to reopen it. The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, which hosted vaudeville and circus performances before showing movies, is now known for its Broadway shows. The 1926 Arcada Theatre in St. Charles was extensively renovated and today presents nostalgic musical acts. Lastly, raise a pint or two to the Geneva Theatre. Opened in 1928, it now houses the Geneva Ale House. Its tagline is “located under the marquee.” n

What about popcorn? It’s still a staple. The key is coconut oil. We tried the healthier stuff but got complaints. The average person goes to the movies just once a month, so they like to treat themselves.

Room temperature is always a concern for couples — how do you handle that in your theaters? That is an insane issue.

Because you’re sitting still, we want it a little warmer — between 72 and 74 in the summer. In the winter we have it at 70.

What about the volume? The previews at shows especially seem extra loud. We play the movies at level 7. And we actually do the previews at 6. We want to build into it.

Do you go to the movies with your children? I saw Jason Bourne with my son. I think I liked it more than he did. We have to sign off on movies played at his high school. I sign off on all of them. They’re usually R because of the “F” word. But I think there are a lot of life lessons in the movies. People overcome adversity and challenges. My son had an issue with his speech, so we saw The King’s Speech. I’m not sure he liked it. But it was a good experience.

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Photo courtesy of Strawflower Shop

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Preserving a With the weather outside getting colder, bring the outdoors in with natural botanicals and lifelike artificial florals.

by Sara Pearsaul Vice

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s autumn takes hold, flowers begin to fade, trees display a blaze of glory, and our thoughts turn inward with a desire to keep the beauty of nature just a bit longer. Through the use of preserved natural botanicals and lifelike artificial florals, it is possible to create a virtual garden of fall delights, indoors and out.

Designing with Permanent Botanicals Whether you want to do it yourself or leave the design to experienced floral arrangers, your choice of permanent botanicals is virtually limitless — from independent gift shops, interior designers and florists, to crafts chain stores.

Floral designers suggest that you use the colors of your home’s interior as a starting point when choosing a theme for a permanent botanical arrangement for fall. Most

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Photo courtesy of Nona Jo’s Gift Shop

Photo courtesy of Jane’s Blue Iris

ature’s Beauty N shops offer both ready-made and custom arrangements.

At Blue Iris in Hinsdale, customers are encouraged to bring in photos of their homes to share with the designers. “We select things that will work with the house versus just the season,” explains Elizabeth Zimmer, designer and manager for Blue Iris. “We pull out options so the customer can pick and choose.”

“In fall, we always see traditional Tuscan colors in deeper tones like rust,” says Diana Wisch, designer for the Hinsdale shop of Phillip’s Flowers and Gifts, which has locations throughout the western suburbs. She observes that “more vintage, natural colors,” including whites

and creams, are particularly popular this year, with flourishes such as linen ribbons and “lots of texture.”

In fact, texture was mentioned by several designers as one of the big trends in permanent botanicals. At Nona Jo’s Gift Shop in Naperville, interior floral designer Mary Mazzeffi achieves texture by mixing such elements as “dried woody plants with silks and succulents,” such as artificial cactus or hens and chicks, along with natural dried pods, artichokes, different organic branches, protea and hydrangea.

She also sees neutral color palettes growing in popularity, with even artificial pumpkins taking on hues of grey, silver or taupe this year. To brighten the more muted colors,

she may add botanicals in tones of burnt orange, plum or lime green.

At P.S. Flowers and Interiors in Wheaton, owner Patty Sorenson designs for different tastes, offering arrangements in both subdued and brighter hues. For arrangements that will hang on a front door, she recommends brighter colors that will “grab attention.” For door designs, she may incorporate sunflowers, Chinese lanterns, bittersweet and other berries, along with acorns, fall leaves, pumpkins and gourds, depending on the customer’s preferences. “Sunflowers are very cheerful and bright, and people love sunflowers,” she notes. For softer, more muted arrangements, she may choose

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the space, floral designers are happy to work with it. If not, you can select a container when you select the botanicals with guidance from the designer.

In fact, Wisch of Phillip’s says that the arrangement is container-driven to some extent, and the natural look is trending in containers as well as botanicals, such as reclaimed wood boxes, birch and mercury glass. For centerpieces and other arrangements that must remain low, designers may create the flower arrangement on tiles, which you can just put on the table or tuck into a container at home.

If you have a special event coming up, plan ahead if you want a custom interior floral arrangement. After you select the materials, designers may require anywhere from a day or two to a week to complete the final arrangement.

If you have a special event coming up, plan ahead if you want a custom interior floral arrangement.

For arrangements that will hang on a front door, P.S. Flowers owner Patty Sorenson recommends brighter colors that will “grab attention.”

suggests keeping the price of each piece you select in mind, as some of the more expensive stems range from $12 to $15 each.

Both P.S. Flowers and Interiors and Nona Jo’s offer pre-made sprays of permanent botanicals and ribbons, which can be tied onto a lamp or candlestick, draped over a mirror or arranged in a vignette of candles and other decorative items on a shelf. At Nona Jo’s, prices range from $12 and up, depending on the size of the spray. P.S. Flowers and Interiors has an array of sprays in the store and just launched an online store, where tie-ons can be ordered for $29. At the other end of the spectrum, elaborate floral arrangements that are large enough to decorate a mantelpiece can cost several hundred dollars.

Picking the Right Container The container for a permanent botanical arrangement should be chosen with the location of the arrangement in mind, including the proportions that will be appropriate for the space. If you already have a vase or a special container that fits

If you don’t have the time or the inclination to wait, the shops have ready-made arrangements, as well as items you can bring home and put in your own vase, such as hand-tied bouquets.

Sorenson says that the most popular arrangements are for dining rooms and kitchen tables. Also in demand are free-form swags for the front door, wall pocket swags, wreathes, cornucopias and mantelpiece toppers.

Drying Your own Botanicals For creative types who like to craft their own designs, it is possible to find all the inspiration and most of the materials you need in your own backyard. “There’s so much more in your yard than you can imagine,” says Linda Valenti, an instructor and floral botanical arranger for the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. She encourages people to experiment with preserving different plants and combinations, such as seed heads and branches. “Don’t be afraid to try to match things. There’s no wrong way to do it.”

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Photo courtesy of Strawflower Shop

Photos courtesy of P.S. Flowers & Interiors

preserved natural materials such as wheat.

“Fall is my favorite season here at the store. It’s such a pretty time of year,” says Susie Haas, one of three owners of the Strawflower Shop in Geneva. She notes that pumpkins are perennial favorites as part of a fall design. “Everyone loves it.”

Floral designers at the Strawflower Shop also incorporate botanicals such as lunaria, otherwise known as silver dollars, for their wavy, silvery white seedpods.

“People love the way they move. More movement makes it more realistic,” says Haas.

Pre-made arrangements at the Strawflower Shop range in price from $89 to $140, and custom arrangements can be made to fit the customer’s budget.

When choosing different elements of a permanent botanical arrangement, Haas

Changing with the Seasons Autumn offers so many options for decorating with permanent botanicals — from a harvest theme to Halloween.

Photo courtesy of Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts

Photo courtesy of Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts

Photo courtesy of Strawflower Shop

For the Thanksgiving table arrangement workshop that she will be co-teaching at the Arboretum on November 19, Valenti will demonstrate how to combine dried and preserved botanicals with fresh flowers and evergreens into a small arrangement.

She plans to harvest and dry as much as possible from the great outdoors, including wild grapevine, cinnamon ferns and hydrangea. Of the latter, she advises, “Wait until the flowers turn green to cut them and then hang them upside down in the garage to dry.”

To keep evergreens looking fresh in an arrangement, she mixes equal parts of floor wax and water to spray all over the greens.

She will also gather pinecones and acorns for use in arrangements, which she bakes for 40 minutes on a cookie sheet lined with foil to get rid of the resin and any insects that might be lurking.

Of course, craft stores such as Michaels, Jo-Ann and Hobby Lobby offer an abundance of artificial botanicals and florals for the do-it-yourselfer with limited time and a smaller budget. Michaels reports that fall trends have metallics in the mix: “From wreaths to florals to pumpkins, anything can be made metallic this season.” Their website features an array of do-it-yourself projects for fall, including tablescapes, bouquets, centerpieces and ribbon-embellished wheat.

But because permanent arrangements are made to last, people tend to go with designs that can transcend a particular holiday. “Everyone is going transitional,” observes Mazzeffi, who has her own event flower business in addition to her design work for Nona Jo’s.

Zimmer at Blue Iris observes that design trends include more monochromatic arrangements. “Rather than making things that are blatantly fall, we work to try make things more trans-seasonal,” with some arrangements working well from March through Thanksgiving.

Of course, Christmas has its own traditions, requiring a different color scheme. Designers are happy to rework existing arrangements or swap out elements to suit the seasons, as well as make entirely new creations.

To keep permanent botanicals looking their best, Mazzeffi suggests using a hair dryer to gently blow away the dust before storing the arrangement in a plastic bag in a dry spot out of the sun.

If you plan to keep your arrangement for some time, consider investing in high-quality permanent botanicals. The newest artificial and silk flowers are much sturdier and longer lasting than in the past.

In contrast, dried natural botanicals tend to be more fragile and will need to be replaced more frequently.

For outdoor use, permanent botanicals will hold up well on a door or in a protected spot, but may not be the sturdiest option for filling outdoor planters that will be in

Dried flower arrangements can make a beautiful centerpiece for any table.

the sun and snow. Phillip’s recommends using real evergreens and natural botanicals such as branches and pods instead.

If you are not sure what will work best for your location, consult a floral designer or enroll in a workshop where you can get hands-on help. Janeen Home Décor in Geneva offers Girls Day Out classes where you and your friends can design your own arrangements. In late November, Thanksgiving table arrangement workshops will be held at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Morton Arboretum. At the annual Roadside Flower Sale that runs from October 21 to 23, hundreds of arrangements of dried and preserved natural materials made by volunteers will be for sale, with proceeds benefitting the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Really, all you have to do is decide what style you like best. n

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Photo courtesy of Hearth & Home

Burning Desires Warm your home

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with the latest trends to hit the hearth.

As pumpkin-spice products flood the market and a chill creeps into the air, the warmth and beauty of a crackling fire is more appealing than ever. “A house with no fireplace is a house without a heart,” wrote author Gladys Taber, and, judging by the enduring popularity of the fireplace, many of us share that sentiment. A recent survey by the National Association of Realtors placed the fireplace among the most sought-after home features.

“Fire is from the beginning of our creation and is embedded in our psyche,” maintains Pat O’Donnell, president of Hearth & Home in Mt. Prospect. “Being in front of a controlled fire somehow just makes us feel good.”

Whether you’re building a home or

by Lisa Sloan

addition, thinking of adding a fireplace to an existing room or seeking to update an old fireplace that needs a fresh look and function, there are many options on the market today.

Wood-Burning Tradition For some homeowners, nothing beats the ambience and aroma of a classic wood-burning fireplace. “The standard wood-burning masonry fireplace is still the desired fireplace for our clients,” says Bruce George, president and CEO of Charles Vincent George Architects in Naperville.

Mike Campbell, operations manager and fireplace specialist for Reliable Home Improvement in Naperville, says that is also

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Photo at left courtesy of Hearth & Home; at right courtesy of Charles Vincent George Architects

Photos courtesy of Southwest Fireplace

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Fireplaces add warmth and style to virtually any room.

the case in their business. “We are still selling a lot of wood-burning. The first preference is combining wood burning with a gas log lighter,” says Campbell.

When a masonry fireplace is not feasible, either for reasons of budget or location in the home, George says prefabricated metal units with a thin brick or stone face shell are an option. “The pre-manufactured units have come a long way, and some are so good at disguising themselves that I have to knock on the inside wall of the fireplace to see if it is solid masonry or metal.”

To improve the efficiency of a woodburning fireplace, some homeowners choose to have a highly efficient woodburning insert fitted into their existing fireplace opening. “We are selling a lot

more inserts,” says Daniel Mayer, president of Northwest Metalcraft in Arlington Heights. “That drafty old fireplace won’t heat your home, but these inserts operate at about 70 to 80 percent efficiency, almost like another furnace.”

Innovations in Gas New developments in gas fireplaces have made them simpler to install, extremely easy to use and very energy efficient, which is likely why they remain a top-seller in the Chicagoland area, according to many in the fireplace business. “No matter how much you romanticize the notion of burning wood, for practical lifestyles, it is expensive and inefficient,” says Russ Slezak, owner of A Cozy Fireplace in Warrenville. “You can get beautiful,

realistic-looking fires with vented gas logs, and they are tremendously popular.”

Mayer says that heating efficiency, less maintenance and convenience are the reasons gas fireplaces are popular with his customers, outselling wood at a ratio of about 8:1.

Direct-vent gas can vent out of a wall instead of a roof like a traditional woodburning fireplace and can be installed in nearly every room. Double-sided gas fireplaces are big, whether located between dining and family rooms or master bath and bedroom. New to the market is a vent-free indoor-outdoor gas fireplace that can be enjoyed both from the interior and exterior of the home.

Campbell says he’s been seeing double-sided fireplaces used as a room

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Photos courtesy of McDowell Remodeling

BURNING DESIRES

Photo courtesy of Southwest Fireplace

Photo courtesy of Southwest Fireplace

Photo courtesy of Hearth & Home

Photo courtesy of Cozy Fireplace

The electric option is moving from the freestanding floor units with mantel surrounds to include wall-mounted units with an artistic flair — adjustable blue or yellow “flames” dancing over colored stones or glass.

“Some of the new electric fireplace systems are just awesome,” says O’Donnell.

“While they can’t boast a real fire, they can emulate one for a small den, apartment, condo, bedroom or a basement that might be unable to use a gas direct-vent fireplace.”

Fireplaces come in many different shapes and sizes to accommodate a home’s needs and décor.

divider, often with columns or built-ins, like bookcases, incorporated into the design. “It provides a demarcation between spaces, and it becomes more a feature of interest rather than a standalone fireplace,” he says.

Electric Offerings Though they don’t put out as much heat, electric fireplaces, which are also available in clean, linear shapes, are becoming more popular. These are the least-expensive, easiest-to-install option.

In Place of Wood For those who like the look of burning wood, the logs and embers used in gas fireplaces today are more realistic than ever.

And there are a variety of choices far beyond traditional logs, including stones, glass, ceramic “driftwood” or metal tubes.

Some direct-vent gas fireplaces incorporate color-changing LED lights that work in combination with flame for a unique look.

“You’ll see everything from glass and pebbles to ceramic artwork inside fireplaces,” says John Ivancicts, president of Southwest Fireplace in Aurora.

Shifting Shapes Since fireboxes have advanced beyond the traditional square shape, linear fireplaces, which are wider than they are high, have become very popular.

And as an alternative to brick, exteriors can be clad with materials like stacked stone with no mortar, mosaic, glass, slate, marble, travertine, metal and more. “There has been an explosion of face materials that has completely changed the game, allowing you to really make the fireplace unique and contemporary,” says Slezak.

Even the mantel surround or mantel shelf style is changing. “The clean look without any mantel is gaining ground, and when mantels are employed, they tend towards simpler designs,” says George.

Mantels can be traditional or contemporary, the choice of which is typically dictated by the fireplace material.

More rustic looks may call for a rough-hewn shelf, while traditional

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designs might best be complemented by a three-sided wood mantel in a style that coordinates with the architecture of the home. “It depends what you want — a casual aura or a more formal feel,” says Ivancicts.

Homeowners are also choosing steel mantels in finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze and aged steel. Cement mantels offer a traditional look in a modern material, and are also becoming popular.

Makeover Magic Just like anything else in the home, fireplaces are influenced by the fashion industry and need to be updated. “People are wanting to upgrade not just what they burn, but how the fireplace actually looks,” says Slezak.

A typical fireplace will either be a pre-fabricated firebox with a standard wall construction around it or a real masonry fireplace with a firebox built out of real bricks and concrete blocks. When giving either of these a facelift, the firebox is usually left in place while the decorative stone, brick or wood can be removed and replaced with new materials.

Painting old brick, covering it with drywall or cement board or adding a new mantel or different doors are other ways to get a fresh look.

However, when it comes to updating an existing fireplace, it’s important to have it inspected to determine whether a facelift is fine or a replacement is warranted. In addition to looking dated, many of the stone and brick fireplaces from the 1940s through the 1980s are literally falling apart on the inside, notes O’Donnell. He says these clients often choose to replace what they have with gas or wood fireplace inserts for an efficient, clean-burning, safe, convenient and affordable “new” fireplace.

Regardless of the type of and style of fireplace you end up with, it is sure to enhance your home and your lifestyle.

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ot too long ago, a bad back was something most sufferers just had to live with. Many patients were seniors whose health was too poor to risk open-spine surgery. Patients who did have surgery often found their relief was only temporary, forcing them to either have repeated surgeries or take powerful painkillers. And diagnosing exactly what was causing a patient’s chronic back pain was a matter of educated guesswork before the advent of high-resolution MRI scans, so nonsurgical treatments were often anything but personalized.

“You hear about a lot of people who had bad experiences with back surgery,” acknowledges Dr. Bartosz Wojewnik, an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor at Loyola University Medical School. “But with the correct diagnosis, back surgery can be very effective, or the patient can get relief without needing surgery.”

Area orthopedic surgeons agree that only about 5 percent of the patients referred to them actually need surgery to relieve pain or restore spine function.

Most of those patients suffer from pinched nerves that result from fractures or other damage to individual vertebrae.

Unlike a muscle strain or spinal arthritis, a pinched nerve causes pain to radiate down the patient’s leg and sometimes

by Denise Linke

Pain An array of non-surgical treatments, along with disc replacement, can help restore spinal function and offer relief from discomfort.

blocks motor impulses from reaching the brain, which leaves leg muscles feeling weak and less responsive.

“If the primary problem is a pinched nerve, surgery relieves the symptoms more than 90 percent of the time,” asserts Dr. Edward Goldberg, an orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush in Westchester. “When a patient comes in with a bad foot drop, you don’t bother with physical therapy, you go straight to surgery because it’s a neurological problem.”

Surgery also is a last-ditch cure for severely herniated vertebral discs that no longer keep the bones from grinding against each other or that are pinching nerve roots branching off the spinal cord.

While removing the damaged discs, then fusing the affected vertebrae together, is still the only option to stop lower spine grinding, doctors now can offer disc replacement surgery to relieve neck and upper back pain without limiting the spine’s ability to move.

“You don’t realize how much time you spend looking up or looking down until you have cervical vertebrae fused and you can’t bend your neck as far,” says Dr. Craig Popp, an orthopedic surgeon at Fox Valley Orthopedics in Geneva. “The goal is to perform disc replacement procedures whenever possible.”

Unlike the first generation of all-metal artificial discs, today’s artificial discs are made from a shaped piece of polyethylene or other hard plastic sandwiched between two titanium endplates. Some manufacturers coat the plastic core’s top and bottom with lubricant so it can shift slightly between its endplates to match the spine’s motions, similar to the way the gelatinous core of the original disc shifts within its collagen fiber capsule.

As in a discectomy/fusion procedure, the surgeon performing a disc replacement — called a spinal arthroplasty — makes a 1- to 2-inch incision in the front of the patient’s neck or, more rarely, the lower

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RELIEVING Back Pain

back, in front of the damaged disc. After pulling aside the muscle and protective tissue that covers the spinal column, the surgeon cuts away most or all of the damaged disc and removes any bone spurs that have developed as a result of the damage. Then, instead of inserting a bone chip into the gap and cementing it in place to fuse the vertebrae, the surgeon jacks up the vertebra above the gap to restore its original width, then inserts the artificial disc and makes sure it’s properly positioned to be held in place by the vertebrae. Most patients can go home the day after surgery.

“We want to get patients home as quickly as possible so that they don’t risk complications from a lengthy hospital

{

vertebrae because bone damage won’t accommodate artificial discs, they can use intraoperative MRI imaging to better align the vertebrae before immobilizing them.

“Using intraoperative imaging, we can look at the curvature of the spine as we’re operating and adjust it to the optimum position for the patient as we go. That’s a pretty big innovation,” Paul says.

But intraoperative imaging does carry risks for elderly or physically fragile patients, cautions Goldberg. “Using it can help achieve proper alignment, but it keeps patients under general anesthesia longer, which some patients don’t tolerate well,” he explains.

Even patients who end up on an

Area orthopedic surgeons agree that only about 5 percent of the patients referred to them actually need surgery to relieve pain or restore spine function. Even patients who end up on an operating table usually go through weeks or months of nonsurgical treatment first.

stay, like infections, that can slow their recovery,” Popp explains.

Doctors also prefer disc replacement to vertebral fusion because fusing two vertebrae together doesn’t eliminate the stress that destroyed the disc between them. Instead, the fusion just transfers that stress to other vertebrae above and below the original injury. The increased stress often makes those vertebrae’s discs wear out sooner than they otherwise might, sending the patient back to the orthopedic surgeon’s office with a new source of pain.

“Cervical artificial disc replacement procedures comprise about a third of all the surgeries we perform,” asserts Dr. Ronjon Paul of DuPage Medical Group’s Spine Center, which has seven locations throughout the western suburbs.

“For many patients, it’s a better solution than fusion.”

When surgeons must fuse two or more

operating table usually go through weeks or months of nonsurgical treatment first.

“I’m here to help patients exhaust every conservative measure we can before resorting to surgery,” explains interventional physiatrist Dr. Madhu Singh of Midwest Orthopedics at Rush in Westchester. “Most back injuries can be successfully treated without surgery, so it makes sense to avoid the complications and risks of going through surgery if possible.”

The first line of attack for chronic back pain includes massage therapy to relax muscles locked in spasm, physical therapy to stretch and strengthen strained muscles, chiropractic treatment to correct vertebral misalignment caused by unequal muscle tension between the right and left sides of the spine, and medical acupuncture.

Often physiatrists will prescribe acupuncture to provide pain relief while the patient is going through physical

therapy, says Singh.

“Acupuncture as part of a traditional Western medical treatment model is far more accepted now than it was 10 years ago,” explains Singh, who is a certified medical acupuncturist and uses acupuncture in her practice. “Medical acupuncture combines ancient Chinese teachings with modern medical training.

It integrates the best of East and West.”

When done properly, medical acupuncture stimulates nerves to signal the brain to release endorphins, Singh says. It also can block pain signals coming from spinal nerves by flooding the brain with neutral signals triggered by the acupuncture needles. “The needles don’t just go where the pain is,” she adds. “They can go lots of places on the body that don’t seem to be related to the back, but they’re connected to the back through the peripheral nervous system.”

A new technology can help give relief to people with severe chronic back pain who’ve tried other treatments without success, says Loyola’s Wojewnik. Spinal cord stimulators block pain signals from reaching the brain by sending electrical pulses into the spinal cord from an electrode implanted underneath the skin.

Before implantation, the doctor sets the device to deliver the pulses for a specific amount of time per day, usually one to three hours.

“Spinal stimulation doesn’t work for everyone, so people who want to try it can start with an external device with wires that are implanted under the skin,” Wojewnik advises. “If they like it, they can have the entire device implanted so they don’t have to worry about the wires sticking out.” Some patients have experienced side effects ranging from headaches and infections to loss of bladder control and spinal fluid leakage, he warns.

If none of the first-line therapies work, patients can choose to try prescription painkillers or tranquilizers to manage their chronic back pain. One specialized medicinal treatment is trigger point

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injection, which treats chronic back spasms, Singh says.

“Spinal muscles are some of the strongest muscles in the body,” notes Singh. “Once they experience a strain, they tighten up with the effort to keep the spine stabilized until they can’t relax anymore.

This causes the muscles to spasm, which is painful for the patient and puts stress on other spinal muscles. It’s a vicious cycle.”

After finding the primary knot of bunched fibers in the affected muscle — called the trigger point — the doctor injects it with a mixture of saline solution and local anesthetic, sometimes with a corticosteroid drug included. The anesthetic forces the muscle to relax, relieving the pain and the excess tension across that section of the spine. Sometimes the injection targets a nerve or group of nerves to block the motor signals that make the muscle stay contracted.

Doctors sometimes inject Botox into lower back trigger points because its effects are strong enough to overcome the increased strength of the lower back muscles, Singh says. “I try to avoid doing that, though, because Botox is a neurotoxin and it takes three months to work. It’s better for chronic problems that can’t be fixed with therapy.”

While a trigger point injection usually blocks spasms for about a month, that can give the patient enough time to cure the underlying muscle imbalance through physical therapy, adds Singh.

Of course, the real first line of defense against back pain is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. While eating right and getting plenty of low-stress exercise go a long way to keeping the spine in shape, the aging process can catch up to even the fittest individual.

“After age 35, most people get a lot of age-related schmutz in their spines,” says Goldberg. “After about age 40, many of us are walking around with minor spine arthritis and herniated discs without even knowing it. By age 70, we don’t see new hernias because the discs are too worn out

to herniate. Older people are seeking treatment more often now than they did in the past because they’re still physically active and they want to stay that way.”

Surprisingly, the single most effective way to prevent vertebral disc damage is to quit smoking and/or avoid secondhand smoke. “Everyone knows now that smoking is bad for the lungs and heart, but patients are always amazed that it’s also bad for the back,” Popp says. “The nicotine in tobacco is very harmful to the collagen that forms the outside of vertebral discs. Over time, the collagen starts to break down, gets injured more easily and doesn’t heal as well as it did. That leads to disc herniation and degeneration, which can cause pinched nerves and arthritis in the spine.”

Maintaining a proper weight helps by keeping excess pressure off the vertebrae and surrounding muscles, Paul notes. Even high-stress exercise or athletic activity can help strengthen the back if it’s done with proper form to avoid spinal muscle imbalances. “A lot of people with bad backs think they can’t do strenuous sports like running or skiing, but with proper form those activities actually help relieve back pain,” he asserts. “We believe in treating back pain with lots of exercise to prevent repeated muscle strain.” Swimming, bicycle riding and other aerobic exercises are also good choices, he adds.

Stem cell therapy and human growth hormone treatments could someday make chronic back pain a thing of the past, doctors agree. But that day is not likely to arrive anytime in the next 10 years.

“The best innovations we can look forward to in the near future are changes in the way we provide care to back patients,” maintains Paul. “We’re shifting to a far more interdisciplinary care model that brings surgeons, physiatrists, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners and physical therapists together in one team that approaches each patient’s case cooperatively to get the best possible outcome.” n WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | OCTOBER 2016 55

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SPECIAL EVENT PLANNING

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How to put the Special in your Special Event

By Sara Pearsaul Vice

Finding a venue that meets your needs and budget is key, and fortunately, the western suburbs boast a wide range of options, from private dining rooms and meeting spaces, to grand ballrooms and the great outdoors.

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rom charity balls to business meetings, from golf outings to weddings, west suburban venues host a plethora of events year-round, each planned to be unique and, well, special. How do they do it? We asked the insiders.

Set your budget and negotiate your options accordingly.

When speaking with an event or sales manager about a venue, one of the first questions he or she will ask will be your budget. We all want the best for our guests, but we all have financial limits, even corporate meeting planners.

Many venues provide menus online where you can review their food choices and prices. But the cost of the meal is only the beginning. Every add-on service from a reception venue can add to costs.

Some venues, particularly outdoor ones on private property, charge for the use of the space and then price catering separately.

Others may include the banquet or meeting room at no charge if you spend a certain amount for food and beverages. According to Cathleen Knobbe, director of sales for The Drake Oak Brook, “The rule of thumb for meeting rooms is that if you spend $50 to $60 per person in food and beverages for a day meeting, we can waive the meeting room rentals.”

Pricing also depends upon the time of year and even the day of the week. “Like booking an airline ticket, there are slow times and peak times,” says Knobbe. Prices vary with demand. For multiple-day events such as conferences and weddings that require hotel accommodations, she notes that hotel room rates may range from $119 to $299, depending on the time of year.

Keep in mind that just about everything is negotiable, and many venues offer packages that include all the basics and more.

At Eaglewood Resort and Spa in Itasca,

corporate meeting planners tend to opt for package deals, according to Brian Mulhall, director of sales. He notes that their Benchmark Conference Plan, which includes most of the costs of a multiple-day event, is popular, as it can be customized to the event without changing the price.

“Our goal is to give meeting planners options, so you can choose what works best for you,” says Mulhall. “Meeting planners have to stay within their budget, and they have to make everyone happy.”

The resort’s conference center is typically booked with business meetings from Sunday through Friday, says Mulhall,

Select the venue that will best accommodate your guests.

With so many choices of venues in the area, how do you decide? The first consideration is the size of the event venue.

If you are hosting a large event, such as an awards banquet or a wedding, the size of the banquet room is crucial. At the about-to-open Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk, the second floor is devoted to meeting space, called Elements at Water

while on weekends it will play host to charity galas, family reunions, religious retreats and other social events.

Event venues of all sizes are happy to host small gatherings. According to Mike Concepcion, executive chef at Reserve 22 in Glen Ellyn, parties range from memorial lunches to birthdays, showers, golf outings, rehearsal dinners and reunions.

At The Drake Oak Brook, fond memories often play a role in families choosing to hold their parties there, says

Street, with three rooms totaling 7,000 square feet. The ballroom has a maximum capacity of 250 people for a wedding with a dance floor, 200 for a corporate function with classroom tables and up to 300 for theatre-style seating, according to Doug Kelly, director of sales. The space can be set up to have pre-function activities such as cocktails, with access to a 28-ft outdoor terrace.

At Reserve 22, the banquet room seats up to 160 guests and can be divided into

Knobbe, because of the long history of the place and the multiple generations that have celebrated at the hotel through the years.

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SPECIAL EVENT PLANNING two rooms for smaller parties, while the outdoor patio can hold 48 people for a more casual event. Of course, the spot is particularly suited to golf outings, as it is part of the Village Links 27-hole course.

Eaglewood Resort and The Drake Oak Brook also are connected to golf courses.

The Bloomingdale Golf Club has a banquet room that seats up 220 guests, and the public club will book golf outings for groups of 24 and up.

Similarly, the clubhouse at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton offers corporate, social and wedding event options for groups ranging from 20 to 275. The club has a total of 13,000 square feet of event space, with each of its spaces offering views of the golf course. Most also have a balcony or patio so that during the event guests can take in the views and enjoy the outside.

With such a wide range of possible venues, many of which feature a variety of spaces, clearly you need to have a handle

P f c s t w t t

i w b m F e y d on the number of guests you expect to attend, as well as what types of activities will be offered in addition to the meal.

For very large events, the great outdoors may be your best option. Arranmore Farm and Polo Club in Oswego has more than

300 acres of lawn on which to celebrate.

With no large permanent structures on the property, all events are held in custom tents from Blue Peak Tents in West Chicago.

“These are elaborate, high-end tents, with a high-peak frame,” says Jenin

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Paradise, wedding and event coordinator for the private club. The tents can be customized to the client’s wishes, whether sailcloth or clear top tents, and have walls that can be let down in case of inclement weather. “Brides like DIY spaces, where they can create their dream wedding from the ground up.”

Other options for outdoor events include Heritage Prairie Farm in Elburn, which has a high-peak tent and a rustic barn to accommodate guests for its gourmet meals; and the Nagel Emporium at Abbey Farms in Aurora, which has an 8,000-sq-ft event building designed for banquets, or you can even rent the farm itself for a down-home-style party.

Keep in mind that outdoor venues have a limited season so you will have to book well in advance. Arranmore is already taking bookings for 2018. Indoor venues can also book up quickly during the holidays, wedding season and other peak times, especially weekends. So while there is still time to plan a holiday event, the sooner you book, the better.

If you are doing the event planning yourself, you may want to choose a venue with an on-site event planner or coordinator, who can help handle the logistics in advance and assist on the day of the event. “It’s scary if you rent out a property and nobody is there to coordinate,” says Arranmore Farm’s Paradise. “I coordinate it all, which makes our clients feel secure.”

Create a memorable experience.

Above all, hosts want their events to be unique, so the trend is toward visually interesting venues, personalized décor, hand-picked food vendors or customized menus, and engaging activities for guests.

“I spend a lot of time trying to figure out their vision,” says Tina Drzonek, general manager of Riverside Receptions and Conference Center in Geneva, which is part of the Herrington Inn properties.

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SPECIAL EVENT PLANNING

If you are doing the event planning yourself, you may want to choose a venue with an on-site event planner or coordinator, who can help handle the logistics in advance and assist on the day of the event. for people looking for a different type of atmosphere for their weddings or special events.

“They want to personalize it, so they bring things from home, like a lace tablecloth for the cake table, or family photos to put on the mantel” of the fireplace. “The other thing we love is candlelight.”

She also sees a movement towards both more “foodie-oriented” culinary options and more casual choices like pulled pork and a greater selection of wines and craft beers.

At Arranmore, guests can choose their own caterer or even bring in their favorite food trucks. For a corporate event for employees and their families, one group rented yard games, a rock-climbing wall, a bounce house and a hot air balloon.

For weddings, yard games like bocce ball and beanbag toss are popular.

For business meetings, the trend is toward meals that lend themselves to networking, rather than sit-down dinners.

A reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres may be substituted for a dinner so that people can mingle and participate in activities designed for team building or just plain socializing. Eaglewood Resort

offers experiential activities such as night golf, cosmic bowling and bourbon tasting, as well as a top chef competition for group events.

Reserve 22 also sees the trend toward small-plate receptions, yet demand remains strong for their more traditional banquet, holiday and theme menus, such as Little Italy, which is popular with event planners.

For showers, brunches are popular, often with embellishments like mimosa bars and omelet stations. Locavores can appreciate that Reserve 22s produce is grown on site, and their honey is gathered from four colonies on the property. The same holds true for Heritage Prairie Farm, which grows many of the ingredients found on its banquet menus.

At Hotel Indigo in Naperville, the Riverwalk takes center stage as an attraction, as does the walk-able downtown. Kelly observes that people who attend business meetings are looking for convenience, “what they can do once the meeting has ended, to go out in the area and do something out-of-the box.”

Event professionals and attendees alike seem to agree with Kelly’s assessment: “People want something out of the ordinary.” n

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Memorable Meals

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A key aspect of any successful event is the food, and these days that can mean anything from traditional sit-down banquets, to farm-style barbecues and picnics, to theme-oriented menus.

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iring a caterer was never an option when I planned my wedding 30-plus years ago.

As the first bride since the Johnson administration in a large extended family with a 400-year tradition of DIY farmyard receptions, I was content to embrace that legacy — even though my “family farm” was the large vegetable garden in my parents’ suburban back yard. When I asked my mother if she’d rather use a caterer than cook dinner for 100, she

by Denise Linke

replied that we couldn’t disappoint all the aunts who’d already filled their freezers with homemade hors d’oeuvres to contribute, even though we’d just announced the engagement a week before.

While my “down home” reception turned into a great party — thanks to the bridesmaid’s boyfriend who skipped the ceremony to wait for the late-arriving bakery cake, not to mention the nice neighbor who quickly removed the cloths from the outdoor tables when the

thunderstorm hit during the ceremony and replaced them when the sun returned — a good caterer has the resources to disaster-proof any occasion without tying up family and friends who’d rather be watching the happy couple tie the knot.

West suburban couples — or anyone who wants to throw a great party for a special occasion — are lucky to have a host of local caterers and venues nearby that can make their event stand out regardless of their budgets.

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“People are still throwing catered events, despite the struggling economy,” observes Dominick Scafidi, new co-owner of My Chef Catering in Naperville.

“They’re just not spending as much, and they’re looking for creative ways to make their entertaining money stretch farther.”

“Part of the fun of what we do is figuring out how we can provide what the client wants without breaking the client’s budget,” adds Ellen Harte, director of business development for Tasty Catering in Elk Grove Village. “Usually there’s something we can scale back without guests even noticing it to make room for the high-end extras that make the event.”

For most clients, the most painless place to cut back costs is room and table décor. In fact, simpler table and room decorations have become fashionable even for big-budget extravaganzas, says David Miller, managing owner of Chef By Request in Lisle.

“The big trend we’re seeing is ‘linenless’ tables,” Miller states. “The client rents tables with decorative tops, like brushed metal or painted, and uses small disposable placemats instead. If the head table is on a dais, we wrap a Spandex cloth around the edge of the tabletop.” New styles of high-end disposable plates and utensils provide elegance for far less cost than renting china and silverware, area caterers agree.

A couple of large floral arrangements, along with a few draped fabrics and decorative lighting throughout the room, are replacing the individual table centerpieces that once were de rigueur. “These days it’s less about table décor and more about room décor,” Miller asserts. “You can really personalize a generic banquet space with some dramatic lighting and some cloth panels to dress up the walls.”

The growing popularity of “shabby chic” décor makes it easy for craft-minded clients to create their own decorations

with items they already own. “We’ve seen a number of events at which clients wrapped burlap and lace around oldfashioned canning jars and put wildflowers in them,” says Tommy Roman, owner of Tommy R’s Catering in Willowbrook.

“One guy chopped up some old railroad ties, planted succulents in them and placed them around the room. They looked fantastic.”

Most clients who scrimp on décor are spending those savings to upgrade the food. “At the end of the day, guests aren’t going to remember the linens or the candles on the tables, but they’re going to remember a great meal,” Harte asserts.

Upgrading doesn’t have to mean putting filet mignon and caviar on guests’ plates. “More people are asking for lighter, healthier food with unique seasonings,” Scafidi reports. “We’re seeing more

requests for organic or locally sourced ‘farm to table’ ingredients, even though those can cost up to 30 percent more than standard ingredients.”

Farm-style barbecues and picnics with old-fashioned American dishes, like biscuits and fried chicken, have claimed a growing percentage of catered functions.

Tasty Catering even set up a separate picnic division that booked more than 500 events this year, Harte notes. “Picnics are especially popular with couples who’ve just returned from their destination weddings and want to throw a party for all the friends and relatives who couldn’t attend. It’s not so much a wedding reception as it is a family reunion to celebrate the wedding and give both families a chance to meet each other,” she explains.

Clients who want a more urban atmosphere often seek gourmet twists on

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traditional comfort foods. “Many of our clients are a little more adventurous in their tastes because they watch the Food Network. They’re more educated about cuisine,” Roman states. “They’ll decide to serve hamburgers, but they’ll ask for a specialty burger with mixes of prime cuts like rib, tri-tip and filet, and they’ll offer a condiments bar with unique extras.

Instead of just salads, we’re making farm-to-table salads with fresh herbs and microgreens.”

“A lot of fun foods are coming back, even for formal occasions,” Miller observes. “We’ve set up macaroni and cheese bars, nacho bars and slider bars, and we’ve served corn dogs and other ‘retro carnival’ foods that are made with high-end ingredients. Younger people especially don’t want fancy food — they want lighter and fresher versions of fun

or nostalgic food.”

Most of all, clients want to let guests get interactive with their meals. “When you go with food stations, you give the guests more power to make their meals exactly the way they want them,” states Miller. “It also makes it easier for guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions to avoid foods that give them problems.”

Buffet stations also can make the most of the alternate venues many clients are choosing instead of traditional banquet halls. “The hotel-type environment is out, particularly with millennials,” Roman declares. “People would rather hold their events in a unique atmosphere, like a library, museum or historic building.”

Tommy R’s Catering clients frequently host events at Katherine Legge Community Center in Hinsdale, 19th-century Graue Mill in Oak Brook and Chicago’s Grant Park, he adds.

Some west suburbanites are even mirroring my family’s tradition by holding weddings, reunions and other special events in their own backyards. Unlike my shoestring-budget reception, though, these backyard events often come with professional landscaping, dance floors, large tents and restroom trailers with flush toilets, posh fixtures and running water.

“An upscale backyard event can be very expensive if there are a lot of guests attending,” cautions Scafidi. “It can cost $5,000 to rent a restroom trailer and up to $12,000 to rent a tent big enough for a couple of hundred people, plus tables, chairs, dance floor, an outdoor bar and a separate tent for the caterer’s prep space.

But people are willing to pay that to get the friendly, relaxed feel of an event at home without overloading the home’s facilities.”

Today’s catering industry has developed the flexibility to let clients personalize their events like never before. “The new norm in catering is that there is no norm,” Harte says. “It’s all about making each client’s vision come true.” n

Check us out online

4

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LEmONT Made up of an integrated patchwork of new and old, this town maintains a balance of growth and historic charm.

by Lynn Petrak

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W

T

W

alking around downtown Lemont, one comes across a series of mosaics — small tiles glued together to create images of the community and its people and places. These colorful bits of artistry, found along a bridge, in sidewalk flowerpots and other locales, reflect the nature of the village and how different

where residents are proud to call home,” says Mayor Brian Reaves. “You will find many fourth-generation families here with roots going back to the late 1800s. It’s a close-knit community where people really care about their neighbors, and when someone is in need, this community really pulls together to help one another.”

It’s also a town in growth mode, with a population that rose from about

for all ages and interests. “This is my 50th year living in Lemont and I can honestly say Lemont is an undiscovered jewel in the southwest suburbs,” he remarks.

Downtown Lemont With picturesque hills, graceful church steeples, arching bridges spanning rivers and canals and charming storefronts — including Tom’s Place, with an original

The car show, the farmers market and the pool at the park district are a few of the many outdoor activities enjoyed by the residents of and visitors to Lemont.

pieces come together to make a home and a destination.

Located 27 miles southwest of Chicago, Lemont has many mosaic-like facets. It is one of the oldest communities in the state, dating to its founding in 1836. At various points in its history, Lemont has been a magnet for immigrants looking for work in its industrial and agricultural areas, including groups of people from Ireland, Lithuania and Poland.

The village spans parts of Cook, DuPage and Will counties, and its topography is defined by hills, valleys and waterways like the Des Plaines River and Illinois and Michigan (I&M) Canal. While its historic downtown looks just that — like stepping back in history — various developments and new projects are designed with the future in mind.

“Lemont is a village that’s rich in history, strong in traditions and a place

5,600 residents in 1980 to approximately 16,700 today. “In the last decade, the village has rebounded nicely from the recession of 2007 and has seen significant residential growth over these years and continued development coming to Lemont,” reports Village Administrator George Schafer, adding that several local and national developers have invested in Lemont recently for both residential and commercial development. “Lemont is strategically located by the I-55 and 355 highway system, with an interchange added as part of the I-355 expansion in 2007, which makes it an attractive place to live and commute to downtown Chicago or to other employment centers around the region.”

Glenn Pasiewicz, executive director of the Lemont Chamber of Commerce, says that Lemont successfully straddles history and progress, with things to do and see

lit-up “Blatz” beer sign — downtown Lemont has a distinctive look, even when compared to other western suburbs.

Within these historic storefronts, many fashioned from signature Lemont limestone and others built from wood and brick, a variety of businesses cater to residents and visitors. Befitting the look of the downtown, there are several antique stores, such as Mabel’s Market and Smokey Row Antiques, along with Second Chance Thrift Shoppe.

The Inn at Smokey Row is a B&B right in the center of town. (Side note: Smokey Row is a part of the downtown named for its 18th century brothels, taverns and gambling spots, popular with young men who lived and worked in town at the time. Those days are long gone, but the history is intriguing.)

There are a variety of newer stores in downtown Lemont, too, including

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Lemont

Statistical Snapshot Photo courtesy of the Village of Lemont

Population 2014 est - 16,661

g Increase from 2000 – 27.2% g Median Age – 42.4 g 19 and under – 27.2% g 20-24 – 5.5% g 25-34 – 9.4% g 35-44 – 12.2% g 45-54 – 17.9% g 55-64 –11.9% g 65 and over – 15.8% g % Male – 47.3% g % Female – 52.7% g % White – 95.1% g % African-American – 0.9% g % Asian – 0.9% g % Hispanic – 7.0%

Education g % High school degree or higher – 93.3%

g % Bachelor’s degree or higher – 39.7%

g % Graduate or Professional degree – 15.9%

4,876

Income g Median Household Income – $86,529

g Renter-occupied units – 798 g Gross median rent – $861

Business/Employment g % Residents Employed

Housing g Total households – 5,979 g % Family Households – 72.9% g Avg. Household Size – 2.8 g Mean Price for Detached Houses – $289,664

boutiques like 1 Happy Girl and Jilley’s Boutique, as well as salons such as Belle de Jour and Salon 312.

Those looking for a bite to eat can find a mix of longtime eateries, like Nick’s Tavern, Canal Street Pub and Sweetwater Deli, as well as hotspots with a contemporary feel like Front Street Cantina, La Dolce Vita of Lemont, StoneHouse Pub, Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria & Pub (the first of that franchise to open in Illinois), Pollyanna Brewing Company and the Vault Cafe and Bar (in the site of an old bank), among others.

In keeping with the legacy of fusing people, places and events, Lemont’s business owners often team up with other groups in town for the greater good.

One example is Pawz & Klawz Pet Salon, which recently worked with Cache Creek TLC to help find homes for homeless cats and dogs. “We partnered with both organizations by holding a Pet Night on June 22 at our car show and were able to find homes for a number of dogs that night,” reports Pasiewicz. He cites another example of Simply Yoga Lemont, which offers classes with proceeds donated to Hope & Friendship Foundation and local women’s shelters.

Village leaders have strived to maintain

g Owner-occupied units –

While downtown Lemont boasts a quaint ambiance and array of stores and restaurants, there are other commercial areas that are thriving as the community has grown over the past 20 years.

– 94.8%

g % Residents Unemployed – 5.2%

g Avg. Travel Time to work – 32.3 min Sources: U.S. Census, City-Data.com and usa.com

the legacy and look of downtown Lemont while making sure that services and businesses meet the needs of the town’s growing population. “The district allows for redevelopment that preserves existing sites and growth that is consistent with the established historic characters,” explains Village Planner Heather Valone, who notes that a small part of the downtown historic district was placed on the National Register this past summer. “The placement on the National Register brings with it incentives for redevelopment of the historic downtown area.”

Adds Village Trustee Paul Chialdikas, “Revitalizing our historic downtown has been a priority for the village over the last several years.” He cites the implementation of a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district in the late 2000s created to spur economic development in the downtown, which he says led to major investment of infrastructure and private development.

While downtown Lemont boasts a quaint ambiance and array of stores and restaurants, there are other commercial areas that are thriving as the community has grown over the past 20 years. A variety of shops and restaurants have made the area around 127th and State Streets a hub along the southern part of town, with

longtime businesses like Chipain’s Fresh Market and newer ones like the Illinois Bar & Grill. Another growing area is on the east side of town near McCarthy Road, Derby Road and Archer Avenue.

Expansion isn’t finished yet, according to Valone. “The village has begun to market its Gateway Site at Route 83 and Main Street to potential developers. It is likely that a portion of the Gateway Site will be developed for commercial uses,” she says.

Lemontster Days and Other Community Events Like many western suburbs, Lemont hosts special events throughout the year, sponsored by various organizations in town. Lemontster Days in October is an example of a popular event, stretching three full weeks and involving several different groups.

Lemontster Days kicks off on Saturday, October 8 with a new Witches Wine Walk. “More than 125 costumed witches from Lemont and surrounding communities will be visiting four downtown merchants and ending the night at Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria for food and dancing to a live band,” says Pasiewicz, adding that proceeds will benefit the Lemont Chamber of Commerce and the Lemont Park Foundation.

The Rotary Club of Lemont-Homer Glen will focus on another spirit for the season at an Autumn Craft Beer Tasting on Oct. 13 at Gelsosomo’s. The event highlights beers from Pollyanna Brewing along with DIY tips from an awardwinning home brewer.

Other activities during Lemontster

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Lemont

Photo courtesy of the Village of Lemont

Resources

Waterfall Glen

Lemont Public Library  Total Holdings – 81,865  Items Checked Out Per Year – 157,387  Visitors Per Year – 115,000

Attractions

 Argonne National Laboratory – 9700 Cass Ave., 630 252-2000. Science and engineering research complex focusing on clean energy and environmental protection.  Hindu Temple of Greater

Chicago – 10915 Lemont Rd., 630 972-0300. Traditional Hindu temple promoting Indian religious and cultural values and offering a spiritual center, classes and more.  L’Arte e’ Vita Studio – 115

Stephen St., 630 754-7750. Art studio offering classes, open paints, parties and more.  Lemont Center for the Arts 1243 State St. #101, 630 243-7375. Center dedicated to exhibitions, performances, classes and more art-related events.  Little Mountain Community Theatre – 800 Porter St., 630 623-3523. Community theatre founded in 2014 that offers workshops and performances for all ages.

Museums

 Lemont Area Historical Society – 306 Lemont St., 630 257-2972. Not-for-profit society operating in a museum containing a

collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia from Lemont.  Lithuanian World Center

14911 E 127th St., 630 257-8787. Facilities dedicated to Lithuanian heritage and history including a museum of art, library, gallery and more.

Recreation

 Centennial Outdoor

Aquatic Center – 16028 W 127th St., 630 257-6787.

Features a 6-lane outdoor swimming pool with a diving board, water slide and leisure pool with zero-depth entry.  The CORE Fitness & Aquatic Complex – 16028 W 127th St., 630 257-6787. Features exercise equipment, a 6-lane indoor swimming pool, an indoor track and more.  Heritage Quarries Recreation Area – Along the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 630 257-1550. Hiking, biking, fishing and more on nearly 100 acres of trails and several former quarries turned fresh water lakes.  Heritage Woodlands Sanctuary – 127th St. & Timberland Dr., 630 257-1550.

Over 59 acres of restored habitats including prairie, wetlands and more.  Ruffled Feathers Golf Course – 1 Pete Dye Dr., 630 257-1000. A 6,898-yard

Days include children’s crafts and activities at Talcott Square, a screening of classic fright films by the Lemont Historical Society Museum, a Haunted House at an old school in town, and

championship golf course, par-72, with dining, banquet rooms, tournaments and more.  Sagawau Canyon & Environmental Learning Center – 12545 W 111th St., 630 257-2045. Features tours of the only canyon in Cook County, exhibits, programs and more.  Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve – Along Lemont Rd., 630 933-7248. Forest preserve with 2,492 acres offering 11 miles of hiking trails, fishing, campgrounds and more.

Events

 Cruise Nights Main, Canal and Lemont Streets in downtown Lemont, 630 257-5997. Annual summer event featuring vintage cars on Wednesday nights.  Halloween Hoedown

Downtown Lemont, 630 243-2700. Annual event featuring parade, costume contest, trick-or-treating and more in late October.  Heritage Fest Various locations in downtown Lemont, 630 243-2700. Annual Fall event featuring children’s activities, live music, a zipline and more.  Hometown Holidays Various locations in downtown Lemont, 630 243-2700. Early December event featuring shopping, children’s activities, Santa visits, tree lighting and more.  Lemont Farmers Market Talcott Square Parking Lot, Stephen St. and Talcott St., 630 243-2700. Tuesdays through Oct 25, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.  St. Patrick’s Day Parade Various locations in downtown Lemont, 630 243-2700. Annual parade in early March featuring a live Irish band, Irish dancing, and the crowning of the Irish Queen.

a Halloween Hoedown on Oct. 29, complete with a costume contest and parade. Pets can get in on the fun with a Hoowl-A-Ween pet event on Oct. 30 at the Central Bark Dog Park.

The Lemont Park District is also involved with Lemontster Days. “This fun, fall-themed series of community events will include the Lemont Park District’s Fall Fest on Oct. 15, a free event at Centennial Park featuring entertainment for the whole family including live music, hay rides, free s’mores, scarecrow decorating and much more,” reports Carrie Dellamano, director of communications, sales and development for the park district.

As fall gives way to the holidays, Lemont hosts other events and celebrations, including the Women’s Holiday Soiree on Nov. 10 at Crystal Grand Banquets and the annual Hometown Holiday event on Dec. 3 in downtown Lemont, with children’s activities, wagon/sleigh rides, lighting of the town Christmas tree with Santa, music entertainment, drinks, a Kris Kringle Market and more.

Early in the new year, the Chamber of Commerce and Lemont Park District will team up for the annual Community Business Expo on Feb. 25 to spotlight an array of locally owned businesses.

Later in 2017, seasonal events heat up again, including a farmers market on Tuesdays, car shows on Wednesday nights and the village’s annual Heritage Fest in early September.

Lemont Park District Marking its 50th year in 2016, the Lemont Park District doesn’t just scare up a good time at Halloween, according to Dellamano. Headquartered at its Centennial Campus — which boasts a community center and the CORE Fitness and Aquatic Complex — the organization operates more than 500 recreation programs and special events annually.

Park district programs are geared for participants of all ages. Programs include preschool, early childhood development, dance, gymnastics, activities for seniors, racquetball, basketball, soccer, karate, arts and crafts, several athletic sports programs, trips, leagues, fitness programs and more.

In addition to Centennial Campus, which hosts approximately 250,000 visitors per year and covers 1.7 million feet in

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space, the Lemont Park District provides and maintains 22 park sites that include various playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts and numerous athletic fields.

Heritage Quarries Recreation Area For those seeking to take advantage of time spent in the great outdoors, the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area (HQRA) spans 100 acres in Lemont.

The area is rimmed by an I&M Canal Trail which loops around freshwater lakes that once served as quarries and that now provide recreation, from boating and kayaking to fishing.

Schafer calls the HQRA a hidden gem in Lemont that underscores the authenticity and experiences that the village has to offer. “The community has implemented several forward-thinking initiatives to improve this community asset, most recently leveraging a partnership with one if its corporate partners, CITGO of Lemont, to restore areas of the recreational park with native plantings along with financial assistance for other related improvements in the HQRA,” he says. The partnership has produced several environmental restoration days, involving the science community, hundreds of volunteers from the community and students from Lemont’s high school district. The next restoration day is Oct. 15, according to Schafer.

Lemont Center for the Arts If nature enriches the human experience, so, too, does art. To that end, the village of Lemont fosters art participation, awareness and appreciation in a variety of ways.

One of the most prolific ways is through the Lemont Center for the Arts, headquarters of the village’s official Art & Culture Commission. The Lemont Center for the Arts opened in 2010 and features a gallery showcasing the works of student and professional artists. An on-site boutique offers a variety of artisan-made gifts.

In addition to fostering artists and their works, the Lemont Center for the Arts offers free events. “We’re having our sixth anniversary exhibit during September

and October, called ‘Lemont: Then and Now,’” says Artistic Director Mona Parry.

Exemplifying the mosaic-like feel of the community, the anniversary exhibit was made possible by others.

“We are collaborating with the Lemont Area Historical Society for photos of Lemont ‘then.’ We have invited local artists to submit work for the Lemont ‘now’ portion,” explains Parry.

People looking for holiday gifts can also stop by the Lemont Center for the Arts during November and December for the group’s annual Holiday Artists Bazaar.

Lithuanian Museum of Art and Lithuanian World Center The Lithuanian Museum of Art inside the Lithuanian World Center is another place to view and appreciate art. The 10,000-sq-ft exhibit space includes four galleries featuring different art forms, from Lithuanian wood sculpture and folk art, to contemporary works.

The organization that houses the galleries, the Lithuanian World Center, is a signature building in the village of Lemont. Created to preserve the community’s Lithuanian heritage and culture, the non-profit center offers weekly church services and bingo, along with other special events, including an Oktoberfest on Oct. 8 and Holiday Craft Fair on Dec. 3 and 4. To raise funds for the nonprofit organization, its building and programs, an annual Gala will be held on November 5.

In all, more than 35 nonprofit Lithuanian organizations take part in the center in one way or another. Examples include the “Dainava” Lithuanian Chorale, “Spindulys” Dance Ensemble, Lithuanian World Center Library, Lituanica Basketball Academy and Chicago Lithuanian Basketball League, among others.

Houses of Worship Given its legacy and population of people hailing from different backgrounds and nations, Lemont is home to a number of houses of worship, some of them notable for their architecture and influence. One of the community’s mottos is “Village of Faith.”

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SS. (Saints) Cyril and Methodius, for example, is a cathedral-style church and school built on a hillside in 1884 by its founding Polish parishioners and rebuilt in 1930 after a fire destroyed the original structures. Currently, there are plans for a new parish center to be built after funds are raised through a capital campaign.

Meanwhile, the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago is a visual icon and a draw for members throughout the Chicago area. Set on a hillside along Lemont Road, the complex includes two separate temples, in addition to a spiritual center. An on-site meditation center hosts meditation and yoga activities.

In addition to worship services and programs, the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago sponsors a variety of cultural festivals throughout the year, including several religious festivals and a New Year’s Day event.

Argonne National Laboratory Created for the University of Chicagoled Manhattan Project during World War II, Argonne National Laboratory is known worldwide for its science and engineering center. Scientists and researchers at Argonne work with experts all over the world on scientific innovations and breakthroughs, including clean energy.

Argonne has a staff of nearly 3,300 and includes 15 different research divisions.

Public tours are available at Argonne

Through the “Lemont 2030 Comprehensive Plan,” village leaders are striving to balance new developments, while maintaining the charming small-town look of Lemont.

for people over age 16. Guests must register for two-and-a-half hour tours in advance. Argonne also offers a public lecture series called “Argonne OutLoud,” with free presentations that cover a variety of topics.

A Blend of New and Old In addition to the many things to do and see in Lemont, the village’s fusion of history and growth is evident in other ways.

The Lemont Area Historical Society, housed in the Old Stone Church, offers a variety of exhibits and artifact collections.

The group also works to preserve history, including recent efforts to help save Old St. Patrick School in town from the wrecking ball.

The Lemont Area Historical Society sponsors the Lemont Quarrymen, a vintage baseball team that plays baseball the way it was played in 1858. The team competes from May through September in tournaments throughout the region.

New residential developments have

gone up in town including Kettering Estates, located near the intersection of 131st St. and Parker Road; and the Estates of Montefiori, on the site of the former Montefiori Banquet facility near Main Street and Route 83.

Village leaders strive to balance new developments while maintaining the charming small-town look of Lemont through the “Lemont 2030 Comprehensive Plan” aimed at maintaining the character of established neighborhoods, nurturing of the historic district, and preservation of Lemont’s natural resources and areas.

Earlier this year, a new service on the Metra Heritage Corridor line was added to the Lemont train station, an occasion marked by a maiden voyage ride and ceremony attended by Mayor Reaves, village administrator Schafer and U.S. Congressman Dan Lipinski.

While technically not in Lemont, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is located a half mile away on Lemont Road near the Des Plaines River. It is an attraction for those seeking to connect with nature or to walk, bike or run on its nearly 10 miles of trails.

As Chicago Blackhawks hockey begins, one native son — goalie Scott Darling — is welcoming the 2016-’17 season with a new mask featuring iconic Chicago people and places. Other notable Lemont natives include screenwriter Diablo Cody and ABC7 meteorologist Jerry Taft. n

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DINING

| REVIEWS | LISTINGS | CHEERS WINE COLUMN | AND MUCH MORE Photo courtesy of Hardware Gastropub and Brewery

RESTAURANT OPENINGS

RECENTLY OPENED

Hardware Gastropub and Brewery

H

ardware Gastropub and Brewery,

Saddle Room in Hoffman Estates.

the premises,” says Grabowski. “Fish and chips, a

The site of his newest venue features a

dinner time favorite, stars a sushi-grade Hawaiian

was recently opened by veteran

1.5-acre plot on which grow 1,200 hop plants

swordfish that’s breaded in our brewery’s stout.”

restaurateur Parker Grabowski and

used by Hardware’s brewery. There’s also

Brent Fiedor wears two hats, that of

six working partners at 2000 W.

a 40-fruit-tree micro-orchard and a heated

executive chef and brewmaster. Among his

greenhouse designed to produce salad

recent house-brewed beers were Barney’s

ingredients year-round, which uses rainwater

Coffee Stout, Wild Bill Double IPA and Earl the

collected in a cistern.

Pearl Pale Ale. Hardware also carries a broad

an exemplar of sustainability,

Orchard Rd., North Aurora (630 299-33977).

“The building we occupy was constructed

from reused bricks, steel and wood. Light fixtures

selection of whiskeys numbering about 350.

were made from old wine barrels and our bar

One-quarter of the menu features

rails were repurposed from railroad tracks,” says

charcuterie. Also popular are the 14-hour

Grabowski, whose other restaurant properties

smoked brisket and pork belly sandwiches. “All

seasonal patio. Diners can expect to pay $10

include the Turf Room in North Aurora and the

of our meats are cured, dried and smoked on

to $25 excluding alcohol.

The venue seats 200 indoors and 140 on a –T.R. Witom

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Photos courtesy of La Dolce Vita

GoOd food

By Mathew Powers

La Dolce Vita Creative and classic Italian fare in Lemont

F

ew restaurants successfully provide an environment suitable for a romantic date, an after-work get-together, or a family of four, but La Dolce Vita in downtown Lemont scores the dining trifecta.

The ambiance and white table cloths portend an expectation of high quality, well-crafted Italian food. And with antipasti options that includes Polpo Alla Griglia (grilled octopus, roasted peppers, garbanzo beans, aged balsamic) and Pepe Farcite (baked stuffed pepper with sausage risotto, fresh mozzarella, and parmesan), it is clear from the outset that one’s palate will not be disappointed. Yet, while La Dolce Vita offers imaginative dishes and an extensive wine selection, it is also a place that offers familiar Italian fare and even provides children with crayons, their own menu, and chocolate milk.

With soft music in the background — think Sinatra or jazz — patrons will find themselves seated in a quaint dining room featuring brick, dark woods, soft lighting and a little touch of Tuscan ornamentation. A well-stocked bar sits adjacent to the dining area and has a TV,

so sports fans need not worry about missing the game. It’s a cozy atmosphere without ever seeming crowded.

La Dolce Vita also offers diners a chance to dine al fresco in a beautiful, screened-in patio. No matter where hungry visitors sit, the staff is sure to greet incoming guests with a smile and then follow that with terrific service — servers are pleasant, attentive and knowledgeable.

Of course, quality service, impressive ambiance and beautiful décor are wonderful features, but no restaurant is worthy of a visit unless the food is good.

It is. In fact, it’s delectable. In addition to several, recognizable pasta dishes that will not disappoint, guests can enjoy items such as Linguine Con Scampi featuring shrimp and broccoli sautéed with olive oil and garlic and then tossed with linguine. Or, enjoy perfectly cooked steak, chicken, fish or the outstanding sausage and peppers dish served in a white wine sauce that hits on several notes — sweet and spicey with a touch of salt. All

Mixed Berry Semi Freddo

dishes arrive with bread, parmesan cheese and olive oil along with a masterfully dressed salad that will delight even the most stubborn carnivore.

Portions are not overwhelming, but expect to take home a healthy amount of leftovers. Besides, saving room for dessert is a must — the tiramisu is excellent.

La Dolce Vita is not in Rome, obviously. In fact, the restaurant lies in the heart of what was once referred to as “Smokey Row.” Lemont’s 19th century western-city, mining-town days were marked by streets populated by a rough and tumble crowd. Today, Lemont’s historically quaint downtown, along with the wonderful dining experience awaiting people at La Dolce Vita, makes it well worth the trip, no matter where one resides within the west suburban area. n

QUICK FACTS

La Dolce Vita/

107 Stephen Street, Lemont 630 257-9111 www.ladolcevitalemont.com

Recommended Dishes:

Cost:

Hours:

Extras:

Polenta Bolognese al

Pasta and antipasti,

Mon-Thurs 4 p.m.-9 p.m.;

25 wines by the glass;

Forno and Tortellacci

$9 to $17.

Fri-Sat 4 p.m.-10 p.m.;

gluten-free menu;

Di Vitello e Prosciutto

Specials, $12 to $35.

Sun 3 p.m.-8 p.m.;

free parking.

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DINING 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!  CENTRAL DUPAGE  NW DUPAGE & UPPER FOX VALLEY  SW DUPAGE & LOWER FOX VALLEY  SE DUPAGE & SW COOK  NE DUPAGE & NW COOK  ADELLE’S: 535 W Liberty Dr, Wheaton. 630 784-8015.

New twists on old American favorites served by seasoned professionals in a stylish ambiance.

Capacity: 160 plus 50 on outdoor patio. Yrs in bus: 13. Chef’s Choice: White fish. Entrée prices: $18-$34.

Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, banquets, wine room, carry-out, live jazz Th at 7 pm, live music on select other nights, lounge, fireplaces. T-Th 4:30-8:30, F-Sat 4:30-9:30, Sun 4-8. Reservations: Recommended.

 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. Specializes in locally sourced, dry aged steaks, fresh seafood and chops.

Capacity:196 at 44 tables. Yrs in bus: 35. Chef’s Choice: Potato-crusted halibut. Entrée prices: $25- $44; lunch menu $9-$18. Extras: Bar, banquets, family friendly, Sunday brunch, breakfast buffet Mon-Sun, lunch buffet M-F, seafood buffet on Friday. 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 5:30-8:30, Sun brunch 10:30-2:30. Reservations: Recommended.

 ANYWAY’S CHICAGO RESTAURANT & PUB

5 E Roosevelt Rd, Oakbrook Terrace. 630 932-9323.

Classic neighborhood restaurant and pub serving American cuisine. Capacity: 200 at 45 tables.

Yrs in bus: 20. Chef’s Choice: Izzy’s jambalaya pasta and Certified Angus burgers. Entrée prices: $7-$15. Extras: Bar, carry-out, banquets, outdoor dining, kids’ menu, daily specials. M-Th 11:30 am1 am, F-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-1 am.

Reservations: Yes, for 10 or more. Additional location at 304 W Army Trail Rd, Bloomingdale, 630 351-8870.

 ARROWHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR: 26W151

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: 10.

Chef’s Choice: Barrel Cut Ribeye. Entrée prices: $16-$30. Extras: Bar, banquets, seasonal outdoor dining, wine list, beer list, private rooms, carry-out, weekly and daily specials, 15 HDTVs. M-Th 11-11, F-Sat 11 am-1 am, Sun 11-9. Reservations: Yes.

Experience the Finest Selection of Italian Cuisine One-of-a-Kind Gourmet Specialties, Custom Created by Experienced Chefs

 ATWATER’S: 15 S River Ln, Geneva; in the

Herrington Inn & Spa. 630 208-8920. Eclectic American cuisine with a rotating, seasonal menu in a European style atrium setting overlooking the Fox River.

Capacity: 40. Yrs in bus: 23. Entrée prices: $24-$45.

Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, banquets, catering, private dining in gazebo, event space. Breakfast M-F 7 am-11 am, Sat-Sun 8 am-11 am; Lunch M-Sun 11-2; Dinner Sun-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5-10; Brunch Sun 11-2.

Reservations: Recommended.

 BIAGGI’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO

2752 Showplace Dr, Naperville. 630 428-8500. Classic

483 Spring Road • Elmhurst www.robertosristorante.com

630.279.8486

Mon - Thurs 11 am - 11 pm • Fri 11 am - midnight • Sat 4 pm - midnight • Sun 2 - 10 pm

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Photos courtesy of Caribbean Corner

GOOD FOOD

By T.R. Witom

Caribbean Corner Cuban and Dominican fare in Downers Grove

A

single whiff of the fragrant cooking scents emanating from the Caribbean Corner kitchen was all it took to convert two more diners into instant fans of this recently expanded restaurant in downtown Downers Grove.

The family-run venue offers a mix of thoughtfully prepared Cuban, Puerto Rican and Dominican dishes.

A recent visit provided an opportunity to experience delicious Latin-inspired comfort food. Diners place their orders at a walk-up counter, and their meal is brought to their table.

Two of Caribbean Corner’s most popular entrées that make for a satisfying repast are ropa vieja, pulled braised flank steak with onions, peppers and garlic in a tomato-white wine sauce; and lechon, a slow-roasted pork that has marinated in a proprietary brine for two to three days.

The former went well with black beans and white rice and the latter with Puerto Rican rice with pigeon peas. Both entrées were plated with plantains.

Anyone in the mood for a sandwich will find plenty of possibilities, including smoked ham, chicken and a vegetarian option. But most in demand are the Cuban, a panini filled with pork, Swiss cheese and various condiments; and

the jabarito, which is wrapped in fried green plantain instead of bread.

A few traditional treats such as tres leches cake and bread pudding with caramel sauce are found in the dessert lineup. If the guava flan — a rich, sweet confection — is available, be sure to give it a try.

At present, the sale of alcohol isn’t permitted, but management has high hopes its request to dispense wine and beer will be approved by next summer.

Caribbean Corner got off to a modest but promising start in late September 2014. Before it introduced dinner entrées, the eatery only served homemade sandwiches, soup and side dishes from a tight storefront space on Main Street with very limited seating.

Recognizing that their restaurant was striking a responsive chord with locals, chef-owner Rachel Black and her husband Dave decided to build on the early success.

Three months ago they moved a short distance to their present, more spacious quarters on Warren Avenue where they can feed 35 customers plus another 26 on a seasonal patio fronting the

Lechon with Puerto Rican rice and maduros

premises. The space has a subtle tropical feel with travel posters, ceiling fans and pastel-painted shutters.

The new, larger location should lead to greater visibility. Locals currently comprise the largest segment of customers, though Dave, who runs the front of the house, has met diners from as far away as Plainfield, Elgin and Rockford.

Rachel, who grew up in the Dominican Republic and Miami, says she came from a family that loved to cook. In 2008, after working in healthcare for more than 20 years, she rediscovered cooking and honed her kitchen skills by taking one or two classes at a time through the culinary program at College of DuPage.

“I did it for the fun of it,” she notes, “never thinking it would lead to owning a restaurant.” n

QUICK FACTS

Caribbean Corner/

970 Warren Ave., Downers Grove 630 541-8641 www.caribbean-corner.com

RECOMMENDED DISHES:

COST:

HOURS:

EXTRAS:

Ropa vieja with black

Sandwiches, $9;

Tue-Sat, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.;

Seasonal patio;

beans and rice; lechon;

empanada, $4;

Sun-Mon, closed.

dine in or take out;

and guava flan.

entrées, $13 to $15

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on-street parking.

DIning Recently Opened

Empire Burgers + Brew Long-awaited restaurant and bar debuts in Naperville

T

he wraps on Empire

space has year-round

Burgers + Brew at 48 W.

seating for 140 with views

Chicago Ave. (630 355-9000)

of the DuPage River and

in downtown Naperville finally

environs. Total seating at

came off in late August,

the venue is about 500

three years after Phil Cullen

— though the capacity

acquired the property that

expands on weekends

previously housed Rosebud

when live bands perform.

Italian Restaurant.

Half-pound Angus beef

“More renovation was

burgers, priced from $10 to

through Thursday from 11 a.m.

required than initially thought,”

$15, star on the menu with a

to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday

says Cullen, who owns the

choice of creative toppings.

until 2 a.m.; and Sunday until

space with his wife, Marta,

Also popular is The Shredder,

10 p.m.

and son, Will.

a salad comprised of kale,

Walls covered in reclaimed

Walls were removed in

broccoli, grilled chicken,

barn wood from 120-year-old

the complex of adjoining

goat cheese and other

beams emphasize the décor’s

buildings to create an open-

ingredients and served with

modern industrial theme. The

space look and feel to the

poppyseed dressing.

bar is made partly from old

main dining room. On an

Forty craft beers, most

upper level, a concrete sky

of which are from area

deck with a retractable roof

breweries, are offered on tap.

was installed. That heated

Empire is open Monday

and contemporary authentic Italian dining in a casual, friendly setting. Capacity: 240. Yrs in bus: 9.

Chef’s Choice: Black fettuccine with lobster & wild mushrooms. Entrée prices: $10-$30. Extras: Exhibition kitchen, bar, wine list, 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 Carlucci: 1801 Butterfield Rd, Downers Grove.

630 512-0990. Rustic Italian restaurant serving Tuscan cuisine. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 12. Chef’s Choice: Linguini bobonato. Entrée prices: $12-$33. Extras: Carry-out, private dining, outdoor dining, bar open later, live entertainment. Lunch M-F 11:30-3:30; Dinner M-Th 3:30-9:30, F 3:30-10:30, Sat 4:30-10:30, Sun 4:30-9:30. Reservations: Recommended. n Catch Thirty-Five: 35 S Washington St, Naperville. 630 717-3500. A deep and interesting variety of flavorful seafood and premium steaks in an uptown atmosphere. Capacity: 192. Yrs in bus: 11. Chef’s Choice: Chilean sea bass. Entrée prices: $16-$50. Extras: Bar, private parties, family friendly, outdoor dining, valet parking T-Sat. Lunch M-Sat 11:30-4; Dinner M-Sat 4-10, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. 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: 20. Chef’s Choice: Dover sole and king crab legs. Entrée prices: $15-$49. Extras: Bar, carry-out, private parties, kids’ menu, family friendly.

M-Th 11-9, F-Sat 11-11, Sun 3-9. Reservations: No, but call-ahead seating available. n CityGate Grille: 2020 Calamos Ct, Naperville.

630 718-1010. Fine dining serving contemporary American fare in a steakhouse atmosphere. Capacity: 220. Yrs in bus: 7. Chef’s Choice: Seared Diver Scallops and Steak Risotto. Entrée prices: $18-$39, Avg: $25.

Extras: Live music F-Sat, private parties, catering, kids’ menu. M-Th 11:30-9, F 11:30-10, Sat 5-10 (bar open later F-Sat). Reservations: Yes.

Kentucky whiskey barrels.

Cullen also runs Ballydoyle Irish pubs in Downers Grove and Aurora.

– T.R. Witom

n Davanti Enoteca: 800 W Hillgrove Ave, Western Springs. 708 783-1060. Simple Italian fare served in a rustic wine bar setting. Capacity: 130 plus 30 on a seasonal patio. Yrs in bus: 3. Chef’s Choice: Focaccia di Recco, Burratta Salad and Davante Burger. Entrée prices: $11-$24. Extras: Brunch Sat 11-2 and Sun 10-2, full bar, daily specials, Bloody Mary bar, M-F rotating sandwich menu. M-T 11:30-9, W-Th 11:30-9:30, F 11:30-10, Sat 11-10, Sun 10-9 (bar open later F-Sat). Reservations: Yes. n Dell Rhea Chicken Basket: 645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook. 630 325-0780. World-famous fried chicken in a 1940s-style Route 66 roadhouse featuring video gaming. Capacity: 225 at 40 tables. Yrs in bus: 70.

Chef’s Choice: 50/50 burger and breakfast burger.

Entrée prices: $10-$20, Avg: $13. Extras: Carry-out, bar, catering, over 50 beers. Sun-Th 11-9, F-Sat 11-10.

Reservations: Yes. n Emilio’s Tapas Bar: 4100 Roosevelt Rd, Hillside.

708 547-7177. Spanish tapas in an authentic countryside atmosphere. Capacity: 150. Yrs in bus: 28. Chef’s Choice: Paella and Datiles Con Bacon.

Entrée prices: $6-$16 per person. Extras: flowered patio, online reservations, carry-out, bar, family friendly, “Tapeo” $1.95 bites menu 4:30-6:30 M-Fri, GrubHub and Yelp Eat 24, live entertainment Fridays, full bar, catering. M 4:30-9:30, T-Th 11:30-9:30, F-Sat 11:30-10, Sun 4-9. Reservations: Yes. n Geneva Ale House: 319 W State St, Geneva.

630 262-3877. Upscale pub fare featuring regionally produced specialty brews and limited-availability beers. Capacity: 80. Yrs in bus: 7. Chef’s Choice: The Ale House Burger. Entrée prices: $13-$18. Extras: Bar, beer education events, beer dinners, burger of the month, daily specials, carry-out. M-Sun 11-2 am. Reservations: Yes, 6 or more. n Gia Mia: 106 N Hale St, Wheaton. 630 480-2480.

Old-world authentic Neapolitan pizza in a rustic restaurant. Capacity: 120. Yrs in bus: 1.5. Chef’s Choice: Hand-crafted meatballs. Entrée prices:

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cheers

DIning

By Buzz Brandt

$6-$20. Extras: Newly renovated space, full bar, TVs, carry-out, large wine selection, fresh ingredients from local sources, mobile brick-oven. M 4-9, T-Th 11-2 and 4-10, F-Sat 11-10. Reservations: No, but call-ahead seating available. Additional location at 13 N Third St. Geneva, 630 405-5544.

Few Wines Truly Benefit from Aging

n Glen Prairie: 1250 Roosevelt Rd, Glen Ellyn; in

Most are best enjoyed “young”

T

here’s a romantic mystique to the mental image of dust-caked bottles slumbering for decades in some connoisseur’s cellar, elegantly maturing as the tannins mellow and the acids surrender their sharp edges to time. But the truth is, for the average wine drinker, it’s more prudent to invest in a corkscrew than a wine cellar. Only about 1 to 2 percent of the world’s vintages — usually ultra-expensive, top-flight Bordeaux-style wines — are complex and structured enough to benefit from long-term aging. The majority of consumer-level wines are vinified to be drunk young.

To a winemaker, “young” means a wine should be opened and enjoyed within a year or two of the vintage date displayed on the label, and should not be aged more than three to five years past this date. Less expensive reds — even those with significant aging-potential acids and tannins like Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah/Shiraz — will not benefit from

cellaring and are even at risk of becoming dull and insipid with all their fruitiness dissipated if stored too long. Likewise for lighter-styled, fruitdriven, lower-tannin reds like Beaujolais, Grenache and Rosé. The same generality applies to lower-priced whites, especially less-structured varietals like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.

Non-vintage Champagnes fall into this category as well.

A good rule of thumb is to assume that any wine priced under $30 is meant to be consumed right away or within five-years, and

those above this price point — providing they have sufficient tannin, acid, alcohol and fruitiness — can benefit from aging.

As delicious as young wines can be, they can at times be too tannic, too overly acidic, or too green with vegetal overtones, so there’s nothing to be lost (though likely nothing to be gained) from laying them up for a short period.

It’s best to decant young wines or swirl them in the glass to expose more of the wine’s surface to oxygen in order to help soften any aggressive tannins and release aromatics. n

Expert wine recommendations • Kate Deck Standard Market Wine Store (Westmont) -2015 Domaine Des Cèdres Pays du Gard Rosé $17, Grenache grapes lend their characteristic strawberry, raspberry and cherry fragrances and flavors along with subtle touches of spice and pepper.

-2014 Famille Perrin Réserve Côtes du Rhône Blanc $14, the aromas of honeysuckle, citrus,

and stone fruits pervade in this enticing white blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier. The palate is smooth and balanced, with fresh flavors of pears, melons, apricots and lemon zest.

• Geno Kenny Geno’s Fine Wine and Spirits (Elgin) -2011 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel $43, from half-a-centuryold vines, this Sonoma Zin exudes deeply-perfumed

aromas of blackberries, plums, red fruits, baking spices and hints of chocolate and cedar while the ripe, juicy palate is layered with a payload of red and black fruit.

-2013 The Prisoner Saldo Zinfandel $33, dark ruby in the glass and packed with lusty, flavors of black cherries, currants, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries with loads of juicy acidity and toasty oak.

the Crowne-Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard. 630 613-1250.

Contemporary American cuisine with a strong emphasis on local Midwest flavors and products, as well as natural and organic ingredients. Capacity: 120. Yrs in bus: 8. Chef’s Choice: Skuna Bay Salmon & Short Ribs. Entrée prices: $11-$32. Extras: Lounge, private dining, “green”-farmed wine list, bar (open later), Wi-Fi, gluten-free and vegetarian options.

M-Th 6 am-10 pm, F 6 am-11 pm, Sat 7 am-11 pm, Sun 7 am-10 pm. Reservations: Recommended.

n Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard; in the Westin Hotel.

630 953-3400. Classic Italian steakhouse in a sportsthemed atmosphere. Capacity: 550. Yrs in bus: 9.

Chef’s Choice: Prime steaks, chops and Italian Specialties. Entrée prices: $12-$52. Extras: Outdoor dining, bar, sports memorabilia, carry-out, private events. 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. n Hillgrove Tap: 800 Hillgrove Ave, Western Springs.

708 290-0055. Traditional bar fare with a creative twist served up in a family friendly neighborhood sports bar. Capacity: 115, plus 50 on a seasonal patio. Mths in bus: 9. Chef’s Choice: Nacho Bites or Bourbon glazed pork chop. Entrée prices: $12-$19. Extras: TVs, 24 craft beers on tap, selection of bourbons and whiskeys, carry-out, full bar, happy hour, outdoor seating, catering. M-Th 11-midnight, F-Sat 11-1 am, Sun 11-10 pm. Reservations: Accepted. n Holy Mackerel!: 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard; in the Westin Hotel. 630 953-3444. Fresh interpretations on fish house classics in a vintage décor. Capacity: 150. Yrs in bus: 9. Chef’s Choice: Kasu marinated sea bass. Entree prices: $9-$46. Extras: Private parties, bar, carry-out. Breakfast M-Sat 6-11, Sun 6 am-noon; Lunch M-Sat 11-4; Dinner M-Sat 4-9. Reservations: Yes. n Labriola Bakery Café & Neopolitan Pizzeria 3021 Butterfield Rd, Oak Brook. 630 574-2008.

European-inspired café featuring freshly made breakfast, lunch, dinner and bakery selections.

Capacity: 180. Yrs in bus: 10. Chef’s Choice: Cheese burger with hand-cut fries. Entrée prices: $6-$18. Extras: Pastries, gelato, carry-out, catering, family friendly, kids’ menu. Sun-Th 7 am-9 pm, F-Sat 7 am-10 pm. Reservations: No.

n Maya Del Sol: 144 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park.

708 358-9800. Casual, yet upscale New World Latin dining. Capacity: 175, 130 outdoors. Yrs in bus: 8.

Chef’s Choice: Carne asada. Entrée prices: $14-$36.

Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, live entertainment, gluten and dairy free options, catering, carry-out, private dining. M-Th 4-10, F-Sat 4-11, Sun 4-9, Sun brunch 9-2.

Reservations: Yes. n Parkers’ Restaurant & BAr: 1000 31st St,

Downers Grove. 630 960-5700. Casually elegant restaurant serving a contemporary American menu. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 15. Chef’s Choice: Cedar-planked halibut. and charcoal-grilled center cut pork chop. Entrée prices: $14-$65, Avg: $32.

Extras: Bar, outdoor dining, private dining, live music in lounge W-Sat. Lunch M-F 11:30-2:30; Dinner M-Th 5-10, F 5-10:30, Sat 4-10:30, Sun 4-8:30.

Reservations: Recommended. n Patten House Restaurant & Bar 124 S Second St, Geneva. 630 492-5040. A newly

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.

renovated historic landmark featuring a unique menu with a Cajun flair. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 2. Chef’s Choice: BBQ Pork Sandwich and Honey Sriracha Glazed Brussel Sprouts. Entrée prices: $18-$30. Extras: Full bar, outdoor seating, TVs. M-Th 11-10, F-Sat 11-11, Sun 10-10. Reservations: Yes. n Patio Restaurant: 7440 S Kingery Hwy (Rt 83),

Darien. 630 920-0211. Casual dining featuring American food and specializing in BBQ ribs. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 27. Chef’s Choice: BBQ ribs. Entrée prices: $7-$22.

Extras: Carry-out, outdoor dining, catering, family friendly, drive-up. M-Th 10:30-10, F-Sat 10:30-11 pm, Sun 10:30-9:30. Reservations: No. Additional locations at 4400 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora. 630 820-8800; 151 S Weber Rd, Bolingbrook, 630 226-9696; and 2780 S Highland Ave, Lombard, 630 627-2600. n Pazzi Di Pizza: 105 S York St, Elmhurst. 630 279-2323.

Authentic Italian pizza prepared in a wood-burning oven. Capacity: 90. Yrs in bus: 5. Chef’s Choice: Woodfired pizzas. Entrée prices: $13-$18. Extras: Patio, delivery, bar, catering. M-T 4-10, W-Th 11-10, F-Sat 11-10, Sun 4-9.

family friendly, banquets. M-Th 11-11, F 11-midnight, Sat 4-midnight, Sun 2-10. Reservations: Yes. n Seasons 52: 3 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook.

630 571-4752. Fresh grill and wine bar focusing on low-calorie entrées and farmers’ market-influenced fare. Capacity: 350. Yrs in bus: 4. Chef’s Choice: Caramelized sea scallops. Entrée prices: $16-$25.

Extras: Extensive wine list, live music, private dining.

M-Th 11-10, F-Sat 11-11, Sun 11-9. Reservations: Yes, recommended. Additional location at 1770 E Higgins Rd, Schaumburg. 847 517-5252.

n Tallgrass: 1006 S State, Lockport. 815 838-5566.

Modern French cuisine in an elegant and intimate historic Victorian building. Capacity: 32. Yrs in bus: 36.

Chef’s Choice: Lobster lasagna. Entrée prices: $59, $69 & $79 for 3, 4 & 5 course dinners. Extras: Bar, private parties. W-Sun 6 pm-10. Reservations: Required.

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

n Vie: 4471 Lawn Ave, Western Springs. 708 246-2082.

630 305-0230. Steak, chops and seafood in a 1940s Chicago-style décor. Capacity: 300. Yrs in bus: 18.

Chef’s Choice: Seafood and steak. Entrée prices: $30-$60. Extras: Bar, live entertainment, valet parking.

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

Seasonal, contemporary American à la carte menu with European influences in an elegant atmosphere.

Capacity: 120. Yrs in bus: 12. Chef’s Choice: Gnocchi.

Entrée prices: $26-46. Extras: Bar, new lounge space with exclusive menu, gluten-free and vegetarian options, private parties, monthly Sunday suppers.

M-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5-10. Reservations: Yes.

n Sushi House: 830 E Ogden Ave, Westmont.

n Redstone American Grill: 13 Lincoln Center, Oakbrook Terrace. 630 268-0313. Spirited, rugged and romantic upscale dining. Capacity: 350. Yrs in bus: 13. Chef’s Choice: Swordfish. Entrée prices: $12-$39, Avg: $28. Extras: Bar, lounge, outdoor dining, private dining, fire pit. M-Th 11-11, F-Sat 11 am-1am, Sun 10-10.

Reservations: Yes.

630 920-8948. Sushi, sashimi and other Japanese fare.

Capacity: 100. Yrs in bus: 21. Chef’s Choice: Cracker Roll. Entrée prices: $10-$20. Extras: Carry-out, catering, delivery, private parties, kid’s menu, sushi bar, beer & wine. M-F 11:30-10, Sat noon-10, Sun noon-9:30.

Reservations: Yes. Additional locations at 950 Warren St, Downers Grove, 630 968-0088; 1107 Lake St, Oak Park, 708 660-8899; and 281 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton, 630 221-8986.

n Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria: 483 Spring

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

Rd, Elmhurst. 630 279-8486. Italian cuisine served in a romantic, neighborhood setting accented by white tablecloths. Capacity: 250. Yrs in bus: 54.

Chef’s Choice: Fish entrées. Entrée prices: $14-$44.

Extras: Carry-out, bar, outdoor dining, catering,

private parties, boutique weddings, occasional live music. Pâtisserie open at 7 am, M-Sat, Sun brunch 11-2, afternoon tea T-Sat 2 pm, Sun 1 pm. Breakfast T-Sat 7-11 am, Sun 8-11 am; Lunch T-Sat 11-4; Dinner T-Th 5-9, F-Sat 5:30-9:30. Reservations: Recommended.

Crêperie, pâtisserie, boulangerie, French country bistro and wine bar in a casual setting. Capacity: 88.

Yrs in bus: 16. Chef’s Choice: Beef bourguignon crêpe and Suzette’s benedict. Entrée prices: $13-$40. Extras: Wine bar, bakery, carry-out, full bar, outdoor dining,

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: 16. Chef’s Choice: BBQ ribs. Entrée prices: $10-$40, 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 YORK TAVREN: 3702 York Rd, Oak Brook. 630 323-5090.

The oldest, continuously operating restaurant in DuPage County, restored and updated in 2006, serving burgers and American fare. Capacity: 60. Yrs in bus: 172.

Chef’s Choice: Burgers. Entrée prices: $6-$20. Extras: Carry-out, bar. M-F 11-1 am, Sat 11-2 am, Sun noon-10.

Reservations: No.

h

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Charitable Events of Note

Photos courtesy of Adler Planetarium

SCENE&SEEN



Photos by Sarah Bass, Healthy West Chicago

ON SEPTEMBER 10, the Women’s Board of the Adler Planetarium hosted the Adler’s biggest fundraising event of the year, the 2016 Celestial Ball, Across the Universe. With more than 600 guests, the annual black-tie gala raised more than $1.6 million for exhibitions, shows and programs that engage the community and inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Attendees included (above left, left to right) Rob and Carlissa Hughes and Caroline and Brian Becker Joss, all of River Forest; (above, center) Russ and Betty Roberts of Hoffman Estates; (above, right) Amrit and Adler Planetarium Trustee Gurpreet Singh of Clarendon Hills; and (left, left to right) Gastone and Linda Celesia of Oak Brook and Erin and Andrew Johnston of Chicago.

WEST CHICAGO MAYOR RUBEN PINEDA joined residents, students and other elected officials on Sept. 10 — taking steps to fight heart disease. In partnership with Healthy West Chicago, the first annual “Move with the Mayor Challenge” is a month-long series of walks to raise awareness about heart disease and ways to prevent it. More than 155 participants walked from Currier Elementary School to the Blackwell Forest Preserve trail system. Maria Alanis of West Chicago (near right) and her family came out to walk, as did (far right) jump roper Jocelyn Ramirez, also of West Chicago.

Photos by Bob

Blandin

THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK and a host of community partners came together for the Food Bank’s 18th Annual Hunger Scramble Golf Outing, held at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton. More than 160 golfers raised more than $95,000 for Food Bank feeding programs, totaling more than $760,000 worth of food for hungry neighbors. All proceeds from the Hunger Scramble benefit Northern Illinois Food Bank, where $1 donated provides $8 of food for neighbors in need. The Food Bank provides food assistance to more than 71,500 neighbors each week through a network of 800 community food pantries and feeding programs across 13 counties. Some of the teams participating were (top left) The Avnet team from Elgin and (near left) The Bimbo Bakeries USA team from Glendale Heights. The Chick-Fil-A Wheaton/Lombard team (lower left) provided breakfast of chicken biscuits and yogurt parfaits for the golfers.

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Photo by Rebekah Axtell

Photo by Rebekah Axtell

Photo by Joshua Schultz

Photo by Joshua Schultz

Photo by Joshua Schultz

A TOTAL OF $35,000 WAS RAISED at The 3rd Annual “Fill the Bowls Taste of Fox Valley” event, which took place on Aug. 28 at Pipefitters Training Center in Aurora. The fundraiser, which included soup and samples from 20 local restaurants, was held to benefit the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry. Diane Renner (left), director of the Food Pantry & Community Garden Park, greeted the guests. Battalion Chiefs Michael McCue and Ed Oros (top left) of the Aurora Fire Department enjoyed tasty bowls of soup. Angela Kotsiras (top center) of Aurora served soup from Basil’s Greek Dining in Aurora, while Joanne Buckley (top right) of Naperville served up shepherds pie and Irish chips from Ballydoyle’s Pub of Aurora. Also in attendance were (right, from left to right) Lynette and Bonnie Wegman of Aurora with Cathy Rodriquez of Plano and Cyndy Wollenweber of Montgomery.

Photos by Christina Cordova Herrera

Photos courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society

NEARLY 2,800 RUNNERS AND WALKERS of all ages participated in Brookfield Zoo’s 5K ZooRunRun for the Conservation Fund on Sept. 11. Proceeds, which totaled an estimated $60,000, benefit the Chicago Zoological Society’s Animal Welfare and Conservation Fund, which supports research and education efforts around the world and at Brookfield Zoo. Runners who placed in their age groups were (clockwise, from top left) Roberta Seigel of Lisle, Ed Sawica of Darien, Cole Cook of Woodridge and Debra Nagel of Bloomingdale.

HOSTING 265 GOLFERS, the 6th Annual Patrick J. Ryan Golf Outing raised $128,000 for Catholic Charities. The proceeds will benefit the Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) Program for Children and Youth, created to assist children who have endured the loss of a loved one to suicide.

The event took place on Aug. 18 at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago and was emceed by HGTV star Monica Pederson. Among the golfers were (top, left to right) James Bellinger of South Barrington, Michael Rimmele of Western Springs, and Tim Webb and Paul Ihle of Crown Point, Indiana; (lower left, left to right) Thomas Holly of Elmhurst, John Holly of Chicago and Mike Mannard of Schaumburg; and (lower right, left to right) Matt Tennicott of Brookfield, Vincent Rangel of Chicago and Rick Martinez of Tinley Park.

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Last Word

By Michele Weldon

The Value of Belonging Joining groups, clubs and associations can provide an outlet to connect with kindred spirits

I

belong.

Don’t worry. This will not be a politically-charged rant about one party or another. As we mercifully wind down to Election Day this year, I know better than to engage in a public discourse on the candidate I love — or dislike tremendously.

This is about the joy of joining.

I blissfully subscribe to many different groups and organizations, each one addressing a different professional or personal affiliation, tendency or aspiration. I am not talking about virtual groups, but about the face-to-face gatherings that may involve coffee, wine or even just a delightful cheese and caramel popcorn mix by the fistfuls.

Many of us are required to belong to professional associations and they may be met with eye-rolling disdain or just a lack of genuine connection. You dutifully send in your membership fees; sit in a hotel conference room not knowing the person next to you, behind you, in front of you, or on stage; and place the organization on your resume because it sounds impressive.

Thankfully, I belong to a few professional organizations where I do know the names — and even the names of spouses and children — of my fellow members. It is in these organizations that I volunteer my time and ideas, and reap the benefits of spirited colleagues who would help, applaud, reprimand or advise me when asked. But especially when not asked.

One is a local group, and one is an international group — both of women journalists — and I would dare say we are not like-minded. But we are all

“I see the groups I belong to as a way to express who I am and what I do, think and believe.”

high-minded (I hope), and have in place a set of ethics and insights we are willing to share, debate and defend. At each annual meeting or gathering, I gain a sense of fellowship, inspiration and gratitude.

I also belong to a writing group. We are fellow authors and playwrights who not only meet weekly to discuss our works in progress, but also rigorously encourage the creative process with friendship, admiration and a depth of understanding often reserved for family.

Many of us belong to our alumni associations and every fall wear the colors and paraphernalia of our college football teams, cheering them on as if each player on the field is a roommate or the son or daughter of a close friend. It’s a way to model affinity, feel a part of something bigger than ourselves, even if it is just an excuse to tailgate with chicken wings and cold beer.

Religion offers connection for most of us. The weekly or even less frequent chance to worship, sing and express our faith in a large group makes us feel welcome and whole. It is a chance to extend the intimate connection of our personal belief system to a broader realm — a declaration of the private in a public space that can be freeing.

The street where I have lived for more than 20 years used to have its own group of congenial neighbors — every year we had summer block parties and Christmas

cocktail hours. We waved to each other and knew each other’s children by name.

Of course, people move and move on.

And those of us who stay get too busy for such extra-curriculars, and reduce our connections to waves from the driveway.

But every time I see a saw horse in the middle of a street marked, “Closed For Block Party,” I still get nostalgic.

Some of my friends belong to knitting groups, running clubs, book clubs — where the book is sometimes the least important item on the agenda — gourmet clubs, hiking clubs or bridge groups. And whether the obligation is weekly, monthly or only once a year, the sense of fulfillment when meeting face to face is far more satisfying than a virtual gathering where you may occasionally Skype each other to stay in touch.

There is something extraordinary about the ability to develop kinship with people to whom you do not share a family bond — those who are not your relatives nor have a sense of familial duty to meet with you at holidays, birthdays or weddings. Because the connection is elective is probably why it feels a cut above the predictable.

“Group think” is a dismissal of individuality, but I see the groups I belong to as a way to express who I am and what I do, think and believe.

It is there and with these friends that I feel understood. n

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