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HINSDALE’S FIRST & ONLY LOCALLY-BASED MAGAZINE $4 US NOVEMBER 2016 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 11 HINSDALE60521.COM
EDUCATION
ISSUE
75th
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATING THE COMMUNITY HOUSE
TEACHERS AND TODAY’S YOUTH
GREENHOUSE SCHOLARS HINSDALE’S PETE BURRIDGE CREATING CHANGE THROUGH GENERATIONS
Hinsdale MA GA Z IN E
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FIELD OF DREAMS Hinsdale’s Billy Main tops at Sox ‘Champions Day’
Hinsdale’s 8-year old Billy Main won the 2016 Bulls/Sox Academy Skills Competition ‘Champions Day’ on September 16 at US Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. Main compiled the best score out of 60 baseball camp scores in his age group. Over 3,000 campers have taken part in the Sox programs this summer and the Hinsdale Little Leaguer show his best stuff in front of aspiring big leaguers’ “field of dreams.” Former White Sox outfielder Michael Huff and Vice President of Baseball/ Fastpitch at the Bulls/Sox Academy was on hand along with White Sox personnel, coaches and parents. “Billy was one of top 40 kids chosen to compete in his category spanning the tristate area where we held Sox Academy camps, said Huff. “We evaluated throwing and hitting skills which are some of the skills pro scouts use to evaluate high school and college players.”
2016 CHAMPIONS DAY AT SOX PARK Billy Main’s score was the top score from the 8 year old age group.
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For official scores visit www. bullssoxacademy.com/sports/ baseball
CONTENTS | November 2016
50 16 ON THE COVER PUBLISHER’S PROFILE
Pete Burridge talks with Hinsdale Magazine publisher Scott Jonlich
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24 HOLIDAY EVENTS November/December calendar FOUNDER & PUBLISHER 26 INSIDE 60521 Scott Jonlich | sjonlich@hinsdale60521.com Back to the future CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 28 FASHION & STYLE Mike Ellis | mike@hinsdale60521.com VaVa Velvet CREATIVE DEPARTMENT 30 OUT & ABOUT Cheryl Chrzanowski | graphics@hinsdale60521.com Everything that’s new around town Julia Sinogeikina 35 2016 READER FAVORITES Top 40 categories revealed CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Julie Jonlich 52 FEATURE STORY Kerrie Kennedy Burr Ridge, part II Melanie Stone 56 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Guru of preservation COLUMNISTS Jim Fannin 60 ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Errol Janusz Military style Dan Meyer 66 EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS Money mastery Kyle Hampson 70 GIVING BACK Corey Huth Giving Tree Ginger Kroll Jim Prisching 72 COMMUNITY SCENE FalconFest
Hinsdale Central Homecoming Living Room grand opening Chicago Sports Summit Madison School Dash & Bash Boots vs. Badges Rotary Run Charity Classic
80 TECH KNOW Student laptops 82 PEAK PERFORMANCE What if you could focus better? 84 SPIRITUAL INSIGHT The glorious table
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Rick Dahl | rick@hinsdale60521.com Renee Lawrence | renee@hinsdale60521.com HINSDALE MAGAZINE, INC.
3 Grant Square, #201 | Hinsdale, IL 60521 630-655-3400 advertise@Hinsdale60521.com Hinsdale Magazine is mailed to 18,000 homes and businesses.
No person, organization or publication can copy or re-produce the content in this magazine or any part of this publication without a written consent from the publisher. The publisher, authors, contributors and designers reserve their rights with regards to copyright of their work. Hinsdale Magazine, Inc. assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Hinsdale Magazine, Inc. Comments are welcome, but they should be on-topic and well-expressed. Copyright ©2016 Hinsdale Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved.
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YOU DESERVE ANXIETY-FREE DENTISTRY If you’ve spent your life struggling with dental anxiety, comfortable treatment may seem impossible. It’s time to change that. At Hinsdale Dentistry, we strive to transform the way anxious patients view the office. Our goal is for every patient to feel relaxed and at ease. Dental anxiety is incredibly common, but it’s not unbeatable. Whether you’re facing a new procedure, or one that you’ve undergone many times, the experience can be a positive one. Anxiety can keep patients out of the office for years at a time. Their nerves hold them back from getting preventive care that reduces the likelihood of more serious dental problems. They enter a vicious cycle of worsening oral health met by worsening anxiety. But sedation dentistry can help them break free. Oral sedation eases the negative emotional impact of long or stressful dental procedures. A chemical reduction in fear, apprehension and stress dramatically improves the patient experience— safely, simply and comfortably. Relaxation begins the moment you take a seat in the dental chair.
How does oral sedation work? Before your procedure begins, a small dose of antianxiety medication is placed under the tongue. As the medication takes hold, you enter a state of relaxation. Throughout treatment, you’ll experience a reduced perception of pain. Some medications also have an amnesiac effect, leaving patients with few memories of the procedure.
Will I personally benefit from sedation? Consider the way you usually feel at the dental office. If you have generalized anxiety, prior traumatic dental experiences, fear of needles or sounds from instruments, the need for significant dental work, difficulty staying still for an extended period, sensitive teeth, or a bad gag reflex, oral sedation is ideal.
Is oral sedation better than IV sedation? Needle-phobic patients find that IV sedation actually triggers their anxiety. This is the last thing we want from your sedation; starting the procedure on edge is not conducive to a comfortable experience. Instead of facing a needle or the sight of blood, all you need do is place a tablet under your tongue. Orally administered medication has a longer onset, but the stress-free process makes it more than worth the wait.
Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry? At Hinsdale Dentistry, we offer a consultation appointment for your dentist to discuss your options and determine if oral sedation is the right choice. We will review your medical history and any medications you are taking to ensure your safety.
Michael J. Kowalczyk, DDS
Sedation Dentist Spotlight Dr. Michael Kowalczyk received a Bachelor of Science at Emory University, a Doctor of Dental Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a certificate for Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the University of Florida. During his residency at the University of Florida, he received comprehensive training to administer and manage minimal sedation of dental patients.
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PUBLISHERS PROFILE Greenhouse Scholars’
PETE BURRIDGE by Scott Jonlich
SCOTT JONLICH FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
sjonlich@hinsdale60521.com
N
ick Tarleton is a Greenhouse Scholar who graduated as the first African-American male with a Bachelor of Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. On Sept. 6, he was one of a handful of college students that attended a block party at the Burridge residence on a beautiful street in Hinsdale. It was geographically 20 miles from where Nick grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood—but to him, it might as well be millions of miles away from where he wanted to be someday. Pete Burridge is the founder of Greenhouse Scholars, and his vision is to help underprivileged kids graduate from college and become leaders. That idea came out of his desire to “make an impact that spans multiple generations.” Pete, along with his father Dick Burridge Sr., stood with his family, and watched Tarleton as he presented his speech to a room filled with mostly Hinsdale-area guests and fellow Greenhouse Scholar students. “I am the first person in my family to ever attend and graduate from college, and I also grew up just a short, 50-minute drive from where we stand today, Tarleton said. “I am often asked the question, ‘Nick, did you know or did you believe you would achieve so much in your four short years of college?’ I always respond to the question with a saddened sigh and the word, no, because of obstacles I faced starting at the end of my freshman year of high school. “My family had always struggled to make ends meet, but during two years of high school, everything completely fell apart. First, I came home one day
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after school to find the house had been completely emptied out. Without any warning to me at all, my father had moved out, and my parents got divorced. As a single parent, my mom struggled mentally, spiritually and financially.” As the audience listened to Tarleton’s speech, all eyes were on this 22-year-old, as he stood at the podium shuffling papers and cleared his throat several times. The room was lively during this perfect September evening under a white canopy. Then, as Tarleton acknowledged the Greenhouse
“
GREENHOUSE SCHOLARS
IS A STRONG COMMUNITY OF
SUPPORT, LOVE, AND FAMILY.
”
–NICK TARLETON GREENHOUSE SCHOLAR AND GRADUATE OF UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Scholars program, the room became quiet as his voice trembled, recalling the hardest day of his life. Tarleton recollected when he came home from school with half of his family’s belongings gone. His parents divorced. Tarleton remembered days he had to choose if the $2.50 in his pocket would buy him breakfast or lunch. His Greenhouse Scholar mentors Brian and Janet Weed looked on from across the room with watchful eyes and supportive nods. Tarleton now controlled his emotions, and in that pause, his shoulders raised. He looked out at this audience, and told how he would use his memories to empower himself to do more. But this Greenhouse Scholar was not thinking only of himself—consistent with the mantra of the Greenhouse Scholars organization, he
set his vision on not having another kid experience the pain of deciding which meal he or she will miss. As he scanned the room now with a more commanding posture, Tarleton went on to talk about his dream to help end child obesity in his community and in communities around the world. Tarleton shared his college success with his captive audience, and credited his Greenhouse Scholars family for all the success and confidence in him. Tarleton also recounted his college days. ”Checking in with Brian [Weed] every two weeks, listening and writing down the advice he provided, and having face-to-face check-ins when I was home is one of the ways I was able to get through college— with his wife Janet’s everlasting support,” he said. Brian and Janet Weed live in Clarendon Hills, and Brian recalled the talks and visits he had with Tarleton as he embarked on college life and his goal for his future. “Nick is a very capable kid, and even more important than his capability is his grit,” Weed said. “It’s inherent to him, and it paid off in spades. It’s interesting that he jumped to the idea of mentoring other kids, because that’s what Greenhouse Scholars program is trying to reinforce. ... “The mentor relationship we had with Nick was steady. We talked every couple weeks, and got together in person when we could. Little things like being able to balance school and the college experience, expectations around interviews, building a network—I was able to encourage and help him in that way. Nick deserves all the credit.” The impact the Weeds had on Tarleton was essential in the Greenhouse Scholars program Pete Burridge built.
NICK’S MENTOR Brian Weed, Janet Weed and Nick Tarleton Photograph by Jim Prisching
Photography by Tiia Norsym Photography
“I’m a big believer in the concept of ‘impact’ concept—the concept is where it starts and ends for me,” Burridge said. Greenhouse Scholars was developed out of his for-profit company Greenhouse Partners, a brand strategy and communications firm he created with the support from his wife Maria and his late mother Leslie Burridge. “For Greenhouse Partners, I looked back over our first five years in business, we have a chance to give back and make a big impact, so I thought about the things I was most passionate about, and one was the idea of leveling the playing field for young people, and the idea that everybody deserves an equal chance to build a life that they wanted. And the idea of education and its ability to span all kinds of different things came together to build our program model.’’ Burridge believed by working with the highest performing of the under-resourced young people in different communities and cities across the country, that he would be able to leverage them to make a broader impact in lower-income communities. “This was the best idea I had to make the broadest possible impact to communities across the world eventually,” he said. The evening’s event was themed “glass half full,” and was hosted by Pete’s brother Dick Burridge Jr., the founder of RMB Capital and a supporter of Greenhouse Scholars. His independent investment
advisory firm has a commitment to THERE IS A REAL philanthropy, which CONNECTION TO GROWING includes Greenhouse UP IN THE HINSDALE Scholars. The COMMUNITY. foundation expanded to Illinois in 2012 –PETE BURRIDGE and doubled in size, while cultivating the next generation of community leaders in low-income areas. According to Pete Burridge, each scholar that joins house and The Community House. My the organization is father is 88 years old, and still is involved selected based on incredible academic and lives in the area. So, there is a real achievements, demonstrated leadership connection to growing up in the Hinsdale skills, and a commitment to bettering their community, and for me, I’m a big believer communities—despite being from underin impact, and I think about how I want resourced backgrounds. n my life to look like—how I can make an Visit www.hinsdale60521.com for more impact with my interactions with people. on the following interview with Pete SCOTT: I’m sure you thought about Burridge and the Greenhouse Scholars the generational benefit of Greenhouse Glass Half Full event. Scholars program, and the long and
“
”
SCOTT: Pete, what was the inspiration for you in starting Greenhouse Scholars? PETE: My folks (Dick and Leslie Burridge) were extremely involved with philanthropic causes, and were on the boards of national and international charities which instilled a sense of community and locally here in the Hinsdale community, such as Wellness
enduring effect that education has. Is that the reason you chose education as your impact vision?
PETE: Yes, that’s right. There are two things there. In regards to families, there is a statistic that siblings are 75 percent more likely to go to college if the older sibling went to college. Then, if you carry that forward with college educated parents, their kids are four to five times more likely to go to college. So, there is a multiplier effect. The second thing is the only way to create lasting change in low-income communities is from within. I think a lot of people have thrown a lot of money to quote: fix low income communities, and at the end of the day, you can work with the genuine role-models in those communities to go back and give back, to pull up the generation behind them to make the change become lasting. SCOTT: Your Greenhouse Scholars like Nick Tarleton have taken on the role of mentors within their own communities. Nick actually told me that during his college years, he began mentoring highschool kids that he knew, as well as fellow college students. That’s impressive that he has taken on that mentoring on his own from learning from the people that mentored him. Continued on the next page
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HMpublisher’sprofile Continued from the previous page
PETE: Scott, an interesting statistic so far, together with our scholars, we have now mentored over 11,000 additional middleand high-school kids from low-income communities, because it’s core...to being a part of our program. We actually screen for it. We are looking for heads-up leaders and people that are out to inspire others. We work with these people from the beginning to help them understand that they have the potential to create that broader change. And that’s a great example. Nick is a special kid. He’s a great proxy for all the kids in the program. They are really all high achievers, and come from extremely difficult circumstances.
I’m proud that I get to be a part of it. It’s pretty neat.
SCOTT: What was going through your mind when Nick was thanking everyone?
PETE: I think so too. He’s a great guy. His mind is in the right place and really driven in all the right ways.
PETE: I’m really proud to be involved with these young people that are dealing with things that most of [us] cannot fathom. I came from Hinsdale, and 99 percent of us have trouble relating to what they have gone through and overcome, and then to come out on top to change their lives. Secondly, they all look at it with an obligation to bring others with them. So,
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SCOTT: At the night of your “Half Glass Full” event, I was watching Nick’s body language at the start of his speech. And at first, he naturally appeared a bit nervous in the beginning; but as he moved forward with his speech, he raised his shoulders and chin as he confidently addressed the room with such conviction and with passion. I never met Nick before that night, but I was proud just to see how he delivered this speech, and how he captured the room. I think he has a gift and will go a long way to make Greenhouse Scholars very proud of him.
Publisher’s note: The summer of Nick Tarleton’s sophomore year of high school, he participated in a four week research apprentice program at the University of Illinois, where he was first introduced to the food industry working on improving Quaker Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola
Bars. The following summer, he conducted a seven-week research study on childhood obesity and genetics in a research lab on the University of Illinois campus. After conducting research on childhood obesity, Nick was able to connect what he was learning with his own personal experience of losing multiple family members—his grandmothers, cousins and aunts to kidney failure, diabetes and other health problems. He discovered his passion to make the world a healthier place, and reduce the childhood obesity epidemic. Nick declared his major as food science and human nutrition, and set a long-term goal of starting a non-profit organization that would educate low-socioeconomic families on how to prepare nutritious meals and understand what they are consuming. Greenhouse Scholars was there mentoring him every step of the way. To learn more visit Hinsdale60521.com or Greenhousescholars.org.
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THANK YOU TO OUR PREMIER SPONSORS Dinner Sponsor: Walter Payton Power Equipment, LLC Drink Sponsor: Antipov Family Breakfast Sponsor: Merlo Lunch Sponsor: Tadano Cigar Sponsor: Guzy Financial Services, Inc Entertainment Sponsor: Andrew Arata
THANK YOU
Beverage Cart Sponsor: Merrill Lynch Crane Network Orange Crush Dark Financial Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers Sterling Lumber JDM Steel Hole Sponsors: John Burns Construction Company Krapils William Blair Hub International Porter Pipe Lifting Gear Hire MZI Group, Inc. TTSG KHS Wealth and Insurance Services Robert Ambrose - Telogis Aileen S. Andrew Foundation Naegeli Transportation Inc. Gayle Bohne - In Memory of Jonathan Bohne Liebherr Equify Martin and Martin Jewelers Buckner The Storm Team - Coldwell Banker Hill Crane Inspection Service National Life Group Lowis & Gellen LLP Proxibid Laurie & Brennan LLP Site Fuel Sabre Industries Snap Mobile Kelly Nissan MVP Erectors Art Flo Castle GMC Buick Bettinardi Golf
The Bohne Foundation would like to thank you for participating in their 4th annual golf outing.
Antipov Family
Andrew Arata
THIS YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE OVER $100,000. With the money raised, we are able to support various nonprofits like ours including SOS Family Villages, Africa’s Children’s Home, Muscular Dystrophy, Youth Camps, Peacemakers Village, Crisis Center of South Suburbia, American Heart Association, Marist High School, Palumbo Family Foundation, and other benefit and nonprofit organizations throughout the year that may need our assistance. Mark your calendars for FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017. We will be returning to Oak Brook Golf Club for our 5th annual golf outing.
Thank you to all of our donors that contributed a monetary donation or a raffle/silent auction prize: Fleet Pride • Gayle Bohne • Robert Silvestri • Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort • Mario Tricoci • Bonphotage LLC • Wilson Golf • Big Run Golf Course Bettinardi Golf • Imperial Crane • Nick’s Tavern • Steiner Electric • Charter Fitness • Muffins Ice Cream Shoppe • Zanie’s Comedy Club • Oak Brook Drake Apple Chevrolet • Ron Selby • Cine • IL Poggiolo • RELISH by Jeanie • Shaw Polymers • Witham Sales & Service, Inc. • Sabre Industries • Chuck’s Southern Comfort Café • Herb Harmon • Mike Walsh • McCallister Equipment • KHS Wealth and Insurance Services • That Girl Boutique •KHL Group • Nabuki McHenry Harley Davidson • Bruce Gay • Enterprise Fleet Management • Bushra’s Beauty Bar •iBooth Studio • FMR Photography • Mike Samson Design Gatwood Crane • John O’Connor • Fred Hoiberg • William Kohlsaat • Butler National Golf Club • La Dolche Vita • Dr. Cara VanWormer-Hartma Strive Matrial Arts • Daniel and Nancy Mackey • Corey Probst • Viren and Simel Patel • The MIX 101.9 A special thank you to Joe Castle of Castle GMC Buick for sponsoring the Hole in One contest. Unfortunately no one won, but there is always next year.
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HMholidayevents
CALENDAR
‘Tis the season for fun, family-friendly events in Chicago and the greater Hinsdale area!
11/5-12/24 Adventure to Santa A tradition of meeting Santa Claus with technological wizardry for a very special holiday experience. www. oakbrookcenter.com
12/2-11 Elf Jr. Buddy and friends take the stage in this delightful musical adaptation about everyone’s favorite elf. www. theatreofwesternsprings.com
11/10 5:30 to 9 p.m. Boutique Shopping Night Jewelry, holiday accents, apparel and more will be available at St. Isaac Jogues Parish Center. www.sij.net
12/2 Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk It is an evening of fun for the whole family. Shops stay open extra late, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa are all a part of the celebration. www. clarendonhillschamber.com/ events
11/17 Holidays Around the World See trees decorated to represent many cultures, plus weekend ethnic song-anddance performances. www. msichicago.org 11/17-20 Family musical: Rudolph Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a cheerful, songfilled live adventure. www. thechicagotheatre.com 11/18-1/2 Christmas Lights See colorful tree lights and interactive lasers on a one-mile walk at Illumination. www. mortonarb.org
Holidays Around the World Photograph by J.B. Spector/MSI
11/19 Jingle Mingle Giveaways, crafts, concessions, and visits from characters. www.burr-ridge.gov/events/ jingle-mingle
11/24 Thanksgiving Parade Featuring giant balloons, floats and marching bands in downtown Chicago. www. chicagofestivals.org
11/19 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Family events, tree-lighting parade and fireworks. www. themagnificentmile.com/lightsfestival
11/27 The Nutcracker Featuring the Chicago West Chamber Orchestra at the Hinsdale Central auditorium. www.saltcreekballet.org
11/25-27 Gingerbread Festival Weekend festivities in downtown Downers Grove. www.downtowndg.org
51ST ANNUAL HINSDALE CHRISTMAS WALK The Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce will host its 51st annual Christmas walk on Dec. 2. The magical evening features Santa’s arrival, carolers, giant storybooks, ice-carvers, a trackless train and the annual tree lighting ceremony in Burlington Park. Visit www. hinsdalechamber.com/christmas-walk for more information.
11/27-12/18 Brunch with Santa Celebrate the holiday season with brunch and Santa. For more information visit www. drurylaneoakbrook.com
12/11 Merry A holiday concert performance is the perfect way for your entire family to embrace the spirit of the season. www. westsubsymphony.org/concerts 12/11 Lunch with Santa Santa invites families for an afternoon of holiday cheer, including a light lunch, holiday music, crafts and games. www. clarendonhillschamber.com/ events
December 2
nd
TRADITIONS Children enjoy the traditional miniature train rides on First Street between Washington and Garfield Streets.
Hinsdale Christmas Walk Photograph by Marco Nunez
Hinsdale Magazine’s event calendar is provided as a service to the Hinsdale area community. Hinsdale Magazine does not endorse or certify any of the community events listed herein or the accuracy of the listing of said events including dates. Please confirm dates and times with other sources. The information contained in this email is a simple listing of events happening around the area that we think may be of interest to our community.
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Community House Holiday Ball co-chairs Artemis Anos and Eydie Jarosz are preparing an eclectic evening for Dec. 3.
Back to the
FUTURE
THE COMMUNITY HOUSE TURNS ITS FOCUS TO THE FUTURE AFTER CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY by Mike Ellis | Photograph by Kyle Hampson
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The Community House (TCH) will be wrapping up its 75th anniversary celebration this holiday season during its annual Holiday Ball on Dec. 3. “We’re delighted this year not only to have a wonderful and festive holiday ball planned, but also to cap off our 75th year celebration, and recognize all the folks whose hard work made this wonderful year possible,” TCH executive director Jenifer Fabian said. The Hinsdale-based non-profit organization has an extensive history in the greater Hinsdale community, offering programs and services that have expanded prolifically since its inception on Nov. 7, 1941. “The Community House was started as a local initiative to provide a place for resources and activities as young men and soldiers were coming back from World War II,” Fabian said. “We’ve just grown leaps and bounds, not only serving our own families, but also serving a wide reach of families in the area who reach out to us not only for recreation, but for support when times are
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tough. We’ve grown in so many ways, and it’s just amazing to be here at this point of the journey.” The original Community House was situated at the corner of First and Garfield in what was formerly a men’s club in a building that has
“We’ve tried to stay true to that legacy of neighbors helping neighbors, and being a place where people come together to make connections and build friendships, and also reach out and give back.” –JENIFER FABIAN
long since been razed. (The Garfield Crossing development now stands in this space.) Its current site at Eighth and Madison was built in the 1950s, and The Community House has resided in this structure ever since. “It was neighbors coming together to see how they could support each other,” Fabian said. ... “We’ve tried to stay true to that legacy of neighbors helping neighbors, and being a place where people come together to make connections and build friendships, and also reach out and give back.” Besides serving as a home to programs like Jodie Harrison Basketball and as a meeting place for a myriad of local organizations and even churches, TCH has expanded its programming beyond its walls through the years in the arena of social services. Fabian said for more than 40 years, The Community House has featured a counseling center onsite. “That was the first decision The Community House made to get into the area of social services,” she said. Then, just upwards of two decades ago, Fabian said TCH took a leading role in the Willowbrook Corner neighborhood in unincorporated Willowbrook south of Interstate 55, following a fatal shooting that involved a local student. Since that time, the non-profit has provided counseling and after-school programs and in the largely underprivileged neighborhood to the south. And roughly ten years ago, Fabian said The Community House assumed the reins at the Charlie’s Gift Autism Center in Downers Grove, which sees roughly 100 children and families each year that are impacted by autism and related disorders. Each May, approximately 1,500 community members unite for TCH’s Walk the Walk for Autism, which specifically raises funds for Charlie’s Gift. It is these programs and a litany of others that the holiday ball assists in funding the first Saturday evening of each December.
The theme of this year’s ball will be “Uptown Holiday,” promising to deliver a more modern and eclectic flair, and it will be co-chaired by Artemis and John Anos and Eydie and Peter Jarosz. Artemis Anos described The Community House as a natural and familiar fit for her family when they moved to Hinsdale. “We moved here, and right away, we became involved,” Anos said, “because growing up, my husband and I both had community houses—it was a very important part of our life. When we bought our house, we were near a park and a community house, and we knew that this was going to be an integral part of our children’s lives.” Anos said her children have been to Willowbrook Corner, “so they see what’s outside this nice place that they’re privileged to grow up in, and we want to teach them to give back too.” Eydie Jarosz, whose husband grew up in Hinsdale, said her friends Artemis and John invited them to the holiday ball about five years ago, thus stimulating their involvement with the organization. Jarosz said the vibe will be more “modern” and “urban chic,” while still maintaining many of the ball’s traditional elements and atmosphere. “We’re so excited about the new connections and energy and focus that [Jarosz and Anos] have brought to the event,” Fabian said. “When I think back to last year’s holiday ball, we had a wonderful kickoff of the anniversary year, and we spent the year really focused on our history. I love the energy and the modern feel to the holiday ball this year as a reminder of what a bright future we have.” Anos said one of the ball committee’s objectives has been to get the community more involved in the event, adding that Halo Salon and Ten Friends Blow Dry & Style House in Hinsdale will be contributing proceeds to The Community House for ladies that get their hair done the day of the ball. Jarosz and Anos have been working with Kristina Taheri Special Events and owner Kristina Taheri of Hinsdale on laying out the evening. The color palette will include deep reds with a smattering of gold. Jarosz said she has enjoyed working with Taheri, and has appreciated the opportunity to have a say in the planning process. One point of emphasis the ball co-chairs said they are placing on the night as TCH’s 75th anniversary celebration winds down is the transition from celebrating the past to focusing on the organization’s future. “We’re building on the past; now we’ve got to build for the future for our children,” Anos said. ... “There’s always going to be somebody in need, and that’s what we want to do is make sure that we have this Community House that will be able to give those in need whatever they need.” n The Community House Holiday Ball will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 at The Community House. For ticket information, contact The Community House at 630-323-7500. For more information about The Community House and its programs and services, visit www.thecommunityhouse.org.
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HMfashion&style NOVEMBER 2016 1. 4. 2.
5.
3. 1. PAIGE’s ultra-skinny, ultra luxe Verdugo pant in sumptuous emerald green velvet will take you through the holiday season. $189, nordstrom.com.
Kate Middleton in a black velvet Alexander McQueen gown
2. This vintage chocolate quilted velvet Chanel clutch is the epitome of chic. $867 at tradesy. com.
Va Va VELVET
3. Wrap yourself in a classic velvet Yves Saint Lauren scarf this fall, $85 at therealreal.com. 4. Throw a little glamour on your sofa with a pair of Daniel Stuart Studio Franklin velvet throw pillows in a dreamy aquamarine. $270 each at neimanmarcus. com.
Rich, luxurious and glamorous with an unmistakable air of romance, velvet has never gone out of style, but it’s everywhere this season—from velvet booties to velvet heels, velvet pants to velvet jackets, velvet throw pillows to crushed velvet bedding. by Kerrie Kennedy
7.
10.
6.
5. Channel Old Hollywood glamour with a platinum velvet duvet cover and shams (monogramming optional). Prices vary based on size, westelm.com. 6. Pair this off-the-shoulder velvet top in Oxblood with leather leggings for the perfect date-night outfit. $59 at asos. com. 7. Dress up a pair of jeans—or leggings—with a long royalblue velvet duster, $248 at Free People, freepeople.com. 8. L.K. Bennett’s Pellino floral velvet bootie is pure Victorian romance. $495 at nordstrom. com. 9. Kick it up a notch with a strappy Halogen lace-up sandal in burgundy velvet, $109.95 at nordstrom.com. 10. He wore blue velvet. Navy velvet blazer, $465 at nordstrom. com.
9.
8.
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OUT&ABOUT
Everything that’s new and exciting around town by Kerrie Kennedy
DINNER ZIP IT As much as jeans are an integral part of any woman’s wardrobe, they are also notoriously hard to shop for. Finding the right style and the right fit is often complicated. We don’t want our daughter’s jeans, but we don’t want “mom jeans” either. Luckily, a Chicagobased jeans boutique is literally coming to the rescue—in Hinsdale. ZipFit Denim, which offers an appointment-only showroom where both men and woman can have a private consultation with a fit expert, will now come directly to your home, saving you the trip downtown. Featuring such designer brands as Hudson, Paige, 7 For All Mankind, AG and J. Brand, ZipFit’s process involves taking a client’s measurements in order to determine the best brand and style, saving those measures to make future online purchases seamless, tailoring the denim to ensure the perfect fit, and then shipping them directly to the home. Best of all, the whole process, including tailoring and shipping, is complimentary. For more information about ZipFit, or to book a fitting, call 872-2162451, or visit zipfitdenim.com.
IN A FLASH
With the busy holiday season on the horizon, it makes sense to have a few shortcuts in your back pocket. And Westmont-based caterer Truffleberry Market offers several, starting with dinner delivered straight to your front door. “Truffleberry Tonight” features seasonal dishes— from forest mushroom gnocci to oven octopus to Wagyu beef with porcini, coffee and sage—made by hand that same day by Truffleberry chefs. This is an easy solution for everything from weeknight family dinners to dinners for extended family over the holidays, with no one the wiser but you. And of course, for a full-fledged holiday soiree, Truffleberry is prepared to make it jolly. Truffleberry Market is located at 825 N. Cass Ave., Suite 303 in Westmont. For more information, call 630-301-2669, or visit truffleberrymarket.com.
THE PIE’D PIPER
Let’s face it—Thanksgiving is as much about the pie as it is about the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. The only difference is pie is much more difficult to pull off. That’s where Hinsdale-based, European-inspired Toni Patisserie & Cafe comes in. Offering all the holiday standards— apple, pecan and pumpkin—, Toni is also known for its cherry almond streusel and pumpkin roulade, a pumpkin cake with Mascarpone cream, rolled into a log and covered with a cinnamon glaze, both of which have become true Hinsdale holiday traditions, recently available in downtown Chicago as well. Toni Patisserie & Cafe is located at 51 S. Washington Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-789-2020, or visit tonipatisserie.com.
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BEST READER FAVORITES of
From best pizza joint to best steakhouse, best shopping destination to best hair salon, our readers have spoken in a survey that produced more than 9,000 votes spanning 40 different categories. BY THE READERS’ SURVEY AND HINSDALE MAGAZINE, INC.
Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 MO R NI N G R O U T IN E S
BREAKFAST BLUEBERRY HILL BREAKFAST CAFE Darien
Standard Market
EGG HARBOR CAFÉ Hinsdale PAGE’S Hinsdale PATTI’S SUNRISE CAFÉ Burr Ridge YIA YIA’S PANCAKE HOUSE Hinsdale
BRUNCH DRURY LANE Oakbrook Terrace PRASINO La Grange THE BAKED APPLE BREAKFAST COMPANY Downers Grove
Café La Fortuna
THE CLUBHOUSE Oak Brook THE DRAKE Oak Brook
COFFEE HOUSE CAFÉ LA FORTUNA Hinsdale DUNKIN DONUTS Hinsdale STANDARD MARKET Westmont STARBUCKS Hinsdale TONI PATISSERIE AND CAFÉ Hinsdale The Drake
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Drury Lane
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 M O O D FOOD
ROMANTIC AMBER CAFE Westmont
Amber Cafe
CAPRI RISTORANTE Burr Ridge MON AMI GABI Oak Brook VIE Western Springs ZA ZA’S TRATTORIA Clarendon Hills
FRENCH CHEZ JOEL BISTRO FRANCAIS Chicago LE BOUCHON Chicago MÉCÉNAT BISTRO Western Springs
Vie
MON AMI GABI Oak Brook VIE Western Springs
SUSHI DAO Burr Ridge NABUKI Hinsdale SUSHI HOUSE Westmont WILD GINGER Hinsdale WOK N FIRE Burr Ridge Mécénat Bistro
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Sushi House
Hinsdale M AGAZ I NE
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 HOT, SP I CY & SAUCY
Il Poggiolo Restorante
MEXICAN AGUAMIEL RESTAURANTE Clarendon Hills CAFE SALSA Countryside CINE Hinsdale SANTIAGO’S La Grange UNCLE JULIO’S Lombard
BARBEQUE CHUCK’S SOUTHERN COMFORTS Darien Q-BBQ La Grange Cine
REAL URBAN BARBECUE Oak Brook THE PATIO Darien UNCLE BUB’S BBQ Westmont
ITALIAN CAPRI RISTORANTE Burr Ridge IL POGGIOLO RISTORANTE Hinsdale MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY Oak Brook SCAPA ITALIAN KITCHEN Clarendon Hills ZA ZA’S TRATTORIA Clarendon Hills Uncle Bub’s Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016
H APPY HOUR & FAVO R ITE SPORTS
MICROBREWERIES BUCKLEDOWN BREWING Lyons
Miskatonic Brewing Company
DJ’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL Westmont MISKATONIC BREWING COMPANY Darien OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE Oak Brook YORK TAVERN Oak Brook
IRISH PUBS BALLYDOYLE IRISH PUB Downers Grove FOX’S Hinsdale PALMER PLACE La Grange
Fox’s
RAFFERTY’S IRISH PUB Countryside THE KERRY PIPER Willowbrook
SPORTS TEAMS BEARS BLACKHAWKS BULLS CUBS WHITE SOX
Old Town Pour House
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Buckledown Brewing
Hinsdale M AGAZ I NE
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 HAN D HE L D S
Fuller House
BURGERS COUNTRY HOUSE Clarendon Hills FULLER HOUSE Hinsdale PORTILLO’S Willowbrook STANDARD MARKET GRILL Westmont YORK TAVERN Oak Brook
PIZZA AURELIO’S La Grange FOX’S PUB Hinsdale Aurelio’s
GIORDANO’S Willowbrook and Oak Brook GIULIANO’S Hinsdale LOU MALNATI’S Western Springs
SANDWICH SHOPS BERNARD’S CAFE & DELI Willowbrook FONTANO’S SUBS Hinsdale JIMMY JOHN’S Westmont and Willowbrook KRAMER FOODS Hinsdale POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP Willowbrook Fontano’s Subs Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 S W EET TOOTH F IXES
BAKERIES
Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop
KIRSCHBAUM’S BAKERY Western Springs KIRSTEN’S DANISH BAKERY Burr Ridge SWEET ALI’S GLUTEN FREE BAKERY Hinsdale SYLVIA’S BAKERY Darien TONI PATISSERIE AND CAFÉ Hinsdale
ICE CREAM ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD Countryside OBERWEIS Western Springs TATE’S OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM SHOP La Grange
Kirsten’s Danish Bakery
THE DAILY SCOOP Clarendon Hills THE PLUSH HORSE Palos Park
Kirschbaum’s Bakery
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The Plush Horse
Hinsdale M AGAZ I NE
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 E V E RYD AY I ND UL G E N CE S
Bakersfield Wood Fired Grill
GROCERS BROOKHAVEN MARKETPLACE Burr Ridge KRAMER FOODS Hinsdale MARIANO’S Western Springs and Westmont STANDARD MARKET Westmont WHOLE FOODS Hinsdale and Willowbrook
CASUAL DINING BAKERSFIELD WOOD-FIRED GRILL Westmont COOPER’S HAWK Burr Ridge Kramer Foods
FULLER HOUSE Hinsdale STANDARD MARKET GRILL Westmont VISTRO Hinsdale
OUTDOOR DINING BAKERSFIELD WOOD FIRED GRILL Westmont GIBSONS Oak Brook PALMER PLACE La Grange REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL Oakbrook Terrace TOPAZ CAFÉ Burr Ridge Gibsons Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 DATE NIGHT SPOTS
ASIAN
Nabuki
HAU TING Hinsdale JADE DRAGON Hinsdale NABUKI Hinsdale SUSHI HOUSE Westmont WILD GINGER Hinsdale
STEAK DITKA’S Oakbrook Terrace GIBSONS Oak Brook PERRY’S Oak Brook THE CAPITAL GRILLE Lombard WILDFIRE Oak Brook
SEAFOOD BOB CHIN’S CRAB HOUSE Wheeling
Parkers Restaurant
MCCORMICK & SCHMICK’S Oak Brook PAPPADEAUX SEAFOOD Westmont PARKERS RESTAURANT Downers Grove REEL CLUB Oak Brook
NEW RESTAURANT CASA MARGARITA Hinsdale FULLER HOUSE Hinsdale GRILL 89 Westmont STIX & STONES Burr Ridge VISTRO Hinsdale
The Capital Grille
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Grill 89
Thank you for voting us BEST Pizza!
ONLINE ORDERING NOW AVAILABLE AT FOXSPUBS.COM OGDEN
AVE.
I-294
YORK RD.
KINGERY HWY.
777 York Rd. | Gateway Square, Hinsdale | (630) 734-1400 | foxspubs.com
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 BIG & LITTLE LUX URIES
FLORISTS HINSDALE FLOWER SHOP Hinsdale
Merry Richards Jewelers
JANE’S BLUE IRIS Hinsdale PHILLIP’S FLOWERS & GIFTS Hinsdale THE ENGLISH GARDEN FLOWER SHOP Clarendon Hills VINCE’S FLOWER SHOP Burr Ridge
HAIR SALONS I DESIGN SALON Hinsdale JAMES JOSEPH EXPERIENCE Hinsdale MARIO TRICCOCI Oak Brook
The English Garden Flower Shop
SALON HYPE Oakbrook Terrace ZAZU Hinsdale
JEWELERS BELLA COSA JEWELERS Willowbrook BROWNING & SONS JEWELERS Hinsdale CAFFRAY JEWELLERS Hinsdale MERRY RICHARDS JEWELERS Oakbrook Terrace RAZNY JEWELERS Hinsdale Bella Cosa Jewelers
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James Joseph Experience
Hinsdale M AGAZ I NE
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 B E ST D RE SSE D
Alixandra Blue
WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE ALIXANDRA BLUE Hinsdale CHICO’S Burr Ridge SHOP 10 Hinsdale STOCKHOLM OBJECTS Hinsdale THE GREEN GODDESS BOUTIQUE Hinsdale
MEN’S CLOTHING BROOKS BROTHERS Oak Brook JOS. A. BANK Burr Ridge Nordstrom
MEN’S WEARHOUSE Oak Brook and Willowbrook NORDSTROM Oak Brook TRUNK CLUB Hinsdale
DEPARTMENT STORE KOHL’S Downers Grove MACY’S Oak Brook NEIMAN MARCUS Oak Brook NORDSTROM Oak Brook VON MAUR Lombard Trunk Club Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 BES T S H OPPING
RETAIL
Restoration Hardware
ARTQUEST GALLERY Hinsdale ASHLEY’S Hinsdale KING KEYSER Hinsdale LINLY DESIGNS Clarendon Hills TROUSSEAUX Hinsdale
FURNITURE ARHAUS Oak Brook RESTORATION HARDWARE Oak Brook ROOM & BOARD Oak Brook TOMS-PRICE Wheaton WALTER E. SMITHE Oak Brook
GARDEN CLOVER’S GARDEN CENTER Willowbrook
Wet Nose
HINSDALE NURSERIES Willowbrook THE HOME DEPOT Countryside VERN GOERS GREENHOUSE Hinsdale WANNEMAKER’S Downers Grove
PET STORE PET SUPPLIES PLUS Westmont PETCO Hinsdale PETSMART Countryside TWO BOSTONS Burr Ridge WET NOSE Oak Brook
Trousseaux
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Vern Goers Greenhouse
Hinsdale M AGAZ I NE
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 B E ST FI XE RS
Normandy Remodeling
HOME AIROOM ARCHITECTS Lincolnwood FULLER’S HARDWARE Hinsdale THE HOME DEPOT Countryside MENARDS Hodgkins NORMANDY REMODELING Hinsdale
FINANCIAL BMO HARRIS BANK Hinsdale CHASE BANK Hinsdale HINSDALE BANK & TRUST Hinsdale PNC BANK Hinsdale WINTRUST Hinsdale
Fullers Hardware
FLOORING DESITTER FLOORING Oak Brook EMPIRE TODAY FLOORING SOLUTIONS Hinsdale THE TILE SHOP Countryside YONAN CARPET ONE Downers Grove
DRY CLEANERS ALL CLEANERS Hinsdale CD ONE PRICE CLEANERS Countryside GATEWAY CLEANERS Hinsdale KERKSTRA’S CLEANERS Willowbrook HINSDALE CLEANERS Hinsdale
DeSitter Flooring Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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Hinsdale MAG AZI N E
BEST of
READER FAVORITES
2016 H EALT H Y LIV ING
HEALTH CLUBS
Life Time Fitness
FIVE SEASONS Burr Ridge LIFE TIME FITNESS Burr Ridge SPARK FITNESS Hinsdale MIDTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB Willowbrook ORANGETHEORY FITNESS Willowbrook
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AMITA HEALTH ADVENTIST HINSDALE HOSPITAL Hinsdale DUPAGE MEDICAL GROUP Hinsdale
Loyola Center for Health
EDWARD-ELMHURST HEALTH CENTER Elmhurst HINSDALE ORTHOPAEDICS Hinsdale LOYOLA CENTER FOR HEALTH Burr Ridge
Amita Health Adventist Hinsdale Hospital
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Midtown Athletic Club
ITALIAN TRATTORIA & PASTERIA
THANK YOU for voting ZaZa’s as a BEST of 2016 Reader Favorite! Private Events and Catering
441 Ogden Ave. | Clarendon Hills | 630.920.0500 Z A Z A SC LARENDONHILLS.COM
Lunch M-F 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner M-F 5pm-9:30pm Saturday 5pm-10pm Sunday 4:30pm-8:30pm
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HMfeaturestory NOVEMBER 2016
BURR RIDGE
Burr Ridge Village Center
PART TWO—BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL GROWTH DRIVE BURR RIDGE FORWARD by Mike Ellis
While Burr Ridge was blossoming as a residential community, it was also attracting an assortment of businesses small and large. Among the village’s most noteworthy is Mars Chocolate North America, where candy giant Mars makes its Snickers, Milky Way and Dove brands. “We have 11,000 people, but we also have 11,000 employees that come to Burr Ridge,” Burr Ridge mayor Mickey Straub said. “We have companies that make everything from the Dove ice cream bars like Mars chocolate, to right next door, there’s a company called Chicago Technical, [which] built the engine that broke the land-speed record.” Straub, who owns a business in Burr Ridge himself (Sales Activity Management, Inc.) said Burr Ridge also boasts a company called Fusion that makes “everything from refrigerators for army bases to computers for oil rigs in Korea.” “It’s amazing the number of businesses that are in Burr Ridge that you never think are here,” he said. Many corporations like Mars make use of warehouse and office space in the large office park bounded by Frontage Road and 83rd Street to the north and south, and by Madison Street and Ill. Rte. 83 to the west and east. Straub said this area was crafted cerebrally so as not to interfere with the residential areas scattered across the rest of the village. “The one thing that Burr Ridge did really well was to section off the business and industrial areas, so that it would not adversely affect our quality of life,” he said. As was the case with residential development, Straub and other village officials imputed much of the business allure in Burr Ridge to its location—conveniently situated adjacent to the Interstate 55/ Tri-State Tollway interchange and near both O’Hare and Midway Airports.
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“We’re close to both airports; we’re close to the city itself—21 miles west of it,” said Janet Kowal, communications and public relations coordinator for the Village of Burr Ridge. And unlike surrounding communities like Hinsdale and Western Springs that share a similar location, Burr Ridge had large amounts of open, undeveloped land tracts to carve out space for businesses large and small. “We’re blessed with geography,” Straub said. In recent years, the village has experienced considerable growth in the retail sector through the development of the Burr Ridge Village Center, which opened in 2007. Situated off of County Line Road just south of I-55, the village center resembles a miniature Oakbrook Center, featuring national retailers like Eddie Bauer, New York & Company and Victoria’s Secret, mixed with a few locally-based businesses like Topaz Cafe. In addition to the shops and restaurants, the village center hosts Burr Ridge’s annual summer concert series, Concerts on the Green, which regularly attracts several thousand attendees on Friday evenings. “It’s helped to unify an otherwise fragmented village,” Straub said, adding that his wife believes it is the best thing that has come to Burr Ridge. With the objective of increasing the mall’s visibility, former Burr Ridge mayor Gary Grasso spearheaded an effort to “brand” the County Line Road bridge over I-55 using a combination of federal, state and local funding. Straub, who was also a proponent of the concept, oversaw the project to its completion last year, and said he has future plans to develop the “bridge to Burr Ridge” further. “I still have a dream to have a pedestrian walkway across I-55 connecting north and south Burr Ridge,” he said. “That was one
of the main reasons I pushed so hard for the bridge to take it across the finish line—because before, when you crossed the bridge, you thought you were in a different town. It was just an industrial, train-like bridge. Now it feels like you’re more in the same town.” Despite the advances Burr Ridge has made from a commercial standpoint in recent years, officials said there are still a number of improvements and enhancements they would like to make. One short-term goal is filling the village center to its retail capacity, as the spaces behind the concert shell on the village green remain untenanted. Len Ruzak, a former Burr Ridge village president, said he believes the untenanted portion of the mall amounts to about 30 percent of its capacity. Straub said he envisions Burr Ridge growing into something of a “technology center” akin to the 1871 technology and entrepreneurship center in Chicago. “This village center would be the perfect place for a little Apple Store,” he said. “They’re overrun in Oak Brook; they’re overrun in Orland Park; they need another one.” Another challenge facing the village center is that while the decorative bridge garners attention, neither I-55 nor the Tri-State Tollway has signage directing drivers to Burr Ridge. Kowal said the village is currently attempting to secure signage from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) on I-55 for the Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial, located on County Line Road just south of village hall. A self-proclaimed “car guy,” Straub said it might also be worthwhile for the village to explore promoting historic U.S. Rte. 66, a small portion of which passes through Burr Ridge. “We’ve always ignored that, and I don’t know why,” he said. “Rte. 66— we’ve never laid claim to it.” Straub said the village is also seeking its own Zip code from the United States Postal Service: 60528. (Burr Ridge currently shares 60527 with neighboring Willowbrook.) Although Burr Ridge still has room for growth and progress in its next 60 years, Straub said he is optimistic about the future of the village. “Burr Ridge’s star is rising,” he said. “It has been for many years.” n Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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Dr. Cynthia Satko, D.D.S., M.S
BEST of NON-NARCOTIC PAIN CONTROL for Oral Surgery Patients One of the most common questions asked by patients about their oral surgical and implant procedure is, “will it hurt afterwards?” The second is, “is it safe?” Patients want to get back to their normal activities as soon as it is possible. Many patients are also concerned about opioid addiction from prescription medications. There is a delicate balance for each patient between comfort and safety. I offer custom options for my patients such as:
IV Ofirmev® (A type of acetamenophen, non-narcotic pain control)
Exparel® (A time released long acting local anesthetic)
Toradol® (A non narcotic anti-imflammatory pain reliever.) With these options we can ease your mind when it comes to postoperative pain control. With many high school and college students home for the holidays, it is a good time to schedule their third molar wisdom tooth removal. Call us at 708-246-6400, for a consultation!
800 Hillgrove Ave., Suite 202 Western Springs, IL 60558 708.246.6400
www.drsatko.com We do a complementary benefits check at your first appointment before starting treatment. Satko Oral Surgery offers CareCredit interest-free financing plans and accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
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Minimum $20 purchase required. Dine in only. Not available on weekends and holidays. One offer per table. No cash value. No change given. Cannot be combined with other gift checks or discount offers. Gratuity not included. Please tip on full amount of bill.
13 Grant Square | Hinsdale, IL | 630.487.5600 YIAYIASPANCAKEHOUSE.COM Hinsdale60521.com | HINSDALEMAGAZINE
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HMdining&entertainment
Chef Paul Virant discusses what makes his Chicago restaurant fresher than the rest by Melanie Stone
C
hef Paul Virant always wanted a restaurant in the city. In May 2011, his dream became a reality: Perennial Virant (PV) opened in Lincoln Park, bringing new flavors and seasonal offerings to the corner of Clark Street and Lincoln Ave. Chicago welcomed Virant with open arms. Many residents knew about the success of Vie in Western Springs, and they wanted something closer. “The one thing I just heard over and over was, ‘Paul, I’ve heard about Vie, but Western Springs— where is Western Springs? I’m not going out there,’ ” Virant said. PV—ironically, the chef’s high-
Beer jam-glazed pork ribs, roasted brussel sprouts and mashed sweet potatoes at Perennial Virant in Chicago
school and college nickname— became the farm-to-table destination spot. PAUL VIRANT The menu is Chef, partner and restaurateur driven by produce, and there is a One of the chef’s favorite heavy emphasis on preservation. offerings is the charcuterie. It’s The restaurant is conveniently a platter meant for sharing, located across the street from the and the contents are constantly Green City Market—a haven for changing. Right now, foodies thoughtful, local ingredients. can enjoy chicken liver mousse, When it comes to cooking, summer sausage and milk bacon, Virant’s style is distinctly new accompanied by whole grain American, but there is a European mustard, smoked cherry mostarda, influence as well. The uniqueness grilled bread and house-made stems from preservation. giardiniera. “It’s not just opening a jar “It’s a great way to sit down of pickles, and putting them on and start your meal,” Virant said. plates,” Virant said. “It’s curing, “I like to share with whomever I’m fermenting, preserving.” out to eat with.” At Perennial Virant, the menu is ever-changing and always surprising—thanks to Virant’s philosophy of preservation. The result is a celebration of food, beloved by Chicagoans and visiting Hinsdaleans alike. n
To make a reservation, please visit perennialchicago.com.
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Photography provided by Perennial Chicago
Guru of Preservation
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HMarchitecture&design
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th anniversary edition
Arguably the oldest four-wheel drive mass-production vehicles now known as SUVs, and described by the Museum of Modern Art as a masterpiece of functionalist design, the GP, or Jeep as it’s known today, went into production in 1941 as the primary light, four-wheel-drive vehicle of the U.S. Army and the Allies during World War II, and has been used by every service of the U.S. military. www.jeep.com
Military
STYLE
The land of the free and the home of the brave defines cool with iconic pieces rooted in the military. By Julie Jonlich IIDA
Awarded to Air Force officers upon completion of basic flight training, and worn with as much pride as their wings, the bomber jacket was invented and developed to provide warmth in barely-heated cockpits at high altitudes for World War II US Army Air Forces pilots, navigators and bombardiers. www.herringtoncatalog.com Herrington WWII authentic A-2 fighter jacket
HMarchitecture&design NOVEMBER OCTOBER 2016 2016
A fashion icon in the modern world and re-invented many times, the crossbody originates from the haversack bag. Used during the American Civil War, and World War I, the US Army adopted the M-1910 as the standard backpack for all infantrymen. The Marines developed their own exclusive pack system in 1941 because the M-1910 was considered to cumbersome for jungle fighting in the tropics of Central America during the Banana War years. www.ralphlauren.com
Ray-Ban aviator classic Ralph Lauren fringed leather cross-body bag
Designed to reduce distractions for pilots caused by the intense blue and white sky, aviator or “pilot’s glasses” were developed in 1929 by New York-based medical equipment manufacturer Bausch and Lomb at the request of U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. General John MacCready to provide pilots an anti-fog alternative to flight goggles. Made famous by a photo taken of General Douglas MacArthur when he landed on a beach in the Philippines during World War II, Bausch and Lomb dedicated a line of sunglasses to him in 1987. www.Ray-Ban.com Used by the U.S. military 100 years ago during the Pancho Villa expedition, World War I was the first time a Harley-Davidson motorcycle had been adopted for military issue. Production peaked during World War II, with more than 90,000 military motorcycles being produced, many of which were provided to Allies. www.harley-davidson.com
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Getting to know YOU! At Steil Dermatology we offer cutting edge cosmetic procedures and treatments, but our first priority is you. We keep that commitment by really getting to know you – not just your skin! Recently Dr. Rachel Bognet of Chicago left an excellent, large dermatology practice to join Steil Dermatology. Why? “Because,” she says, “I saw something happening there that rarely happens anywhere in medicine today: Steil Dermatology really gets to know their patients, even treating multiple generations of the same family!” It’s true: as Dr. Christina Steil puts it, “when we treat several generations of a family we know we are providing the excellent care we promise.” So, what does it look like to be one of these “Steil Dermatology families?” Meet Ann, of Lemont, age 53, who shares her story: Q: Why do three generations in your family see Dr. Steil for their skin health? A: Well, it must have been 15 years ago, I was struggling with adult acne and my general practitioner sent me to Dr. Steil. She did wonders for my skin. Then, she treated my fair-skinned children when they were little, for rashes, and later she treated them for acne, with the then-new Isolaze laser. It totally cleared it up. She taught us all about the importance of sun protection too. Q: So acne and sun protection and rashes. That’s why you are a Steil Dermatology family? A: No, wait, I haven’t gotten to the best parts, also the scary parts. My husband had a scab on top of his head that wouldn’t heal. I (finally!) convinced him to see Dr. Steil. Guess what? It
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“IT’S A VERY UNIVERSAL PRODUCT THAT CAN BE USED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.” –STEPHANIE JOHNSON
Money Mastery A local pair takes on financial literacy by Kerrie Kennedy Stephanie Johnson and her partner, La Grange native Colin Schwendt, are on an educational mission. Their goal: to promote financial literacy by teaching the necessary skills at a young age. It’s something Johnson’s father taught her when she was growing up in Kalamazoo, Mich. “My dad made me and my brothers keep a ledger,” Johnson says. “Each week, he would give us an allowance if we kept up with our ledger—what we saved, earned and spent. If it matched what we had in our bank account, we would get our allowance. It was a great way to learn how to manage money.” After talking to friends and colleagues about the process, Johnson, who works at a brand experience agency in Chicago, realized she had the makings of a business. So naturally, she decided to join forces with her boyfriend Schwendt, a CPA. “With my accounting background, I thought this would be a very good skill to impart to kids,” Schwendt says. “I took entrepreneurship classes at school, so I was able to help make this dream and this product a reality.” This past March, My Learning Ledger was born. Retailing at $16.95, the ledger/book caters to ages 5 to 12, incorporates basic financial terms, ideas on ways to earn money, and offers a number of activities that reinforce financial prowess. For example, “Who’s on your money?” provides descriptions of every dollar bill and coin, so kids today understand what a “Jackson” and a “Benjamin Franklin” are. In this day and age of electronic transactions, financial know-how is becoming a thing of the past, Johnson says.
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“When I started bringing this up to different people, their initial reaction was to make it an app,” she says. “I have always been a firm believer in the hard, physical book, and having kids physically write down their transactions themselves. I think kids right now are so used to seeing credit cards being swiped. Because of that, they don’t ever really understand the process.” Johnson and Schwendt hope to bridge that gap. In the meantime, they’re learning a lot themselves. “I’ve been heavily involved in the finance side of the business,” Schwendt says. “There’s a lot that goes into building a business. Even to develop a little book, there’s product design, pricing, setting up an LLC, lots of administrative work, learning how to withhold sales tax, working with a manufacturer. I’ve learned a lot, and it helps me in my current job as an auditor.” While both Schwendt and Johnson hope to make their business a full-time venture down the road, for now, they are content with promising sales via their Web site and on Uncommon Goods, an online retail store. They’re also working with several local schools, and hope to work with local Boy and Girl Scout troops as well. “We hope to get into some of the big-box retailers, and develop strategic partnerships with educational organizations, including those that cater to low-income populations,” Schwendt says. Schwendt and Johnson are also eager to work within local communities to market their product to families. “It’s a very universal product that can be used in a lot of different ways—not just for allowances, but when kids get money for their birthdays, first communions, holidays, lemonade stands, etc.,” Johnson says. And who knows—perhaps this financially-minded duo will inspire some budding entrepreneurs just like themselves. n For more information, visit mylearningledger.com.
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Hinsdale Magazine professionalprofile
CHARLIE RUSS, MBA CLU® Financial Advisor Hunken Financial Group 225 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60606 312-767-0256 charlie.russ@hunkenfinancial.com
Q: Charlie, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. A: I’ve been in Chicago area my entire professional career. I had an enriching experience leading global consulting engagements with Price Waterhouse (now PwC) and Ernst & Young. Since I’ve always excelled at financial analysis, I enjoy my role as a financial advisor. My wife Adriana is a Doctor of Audiology at Loyola Medical Center and our son, Charlie is in fourth grade at the Lane School in Hinsdale. Q: What are you currently working on in the community? A: Education has always been a passion of mine. I’m volunteering with the grass roots committee in support of the referendum to build a new Hinsdale Middle School. We must invest in the education of our children. We must VOTE YES for HMS on Nov. 8! As a member of the DuPage County Junior Achievement Board of Directors, we helped deliver a fun and brilliant curriculum to over 500,000 children in the Chicago area last year! Q: What do your clients take away from working with you? A: Clients are like my neighbors; we talk about realistically fulfilling their dreams by considering the totality of their specific situation in order to maximize it. My relationships develop over time, building a sense of security and trust that leads to ongoing peace of mind. No two people aspire to the same purpose; but all appreciate the knowledge I share about the rules of finance and taxation. As a result, we work together to integrate all aspects of their financial life in order to make higher quality decisions about their retirement and avoid obvious traps. The result is real comfort and satisfaction as they work to realize the best for their retirement.
Registered Representative r of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 2550 Compass Rd., Suite H, Glenview, IL 60026 (847-564-0123). Securities products offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Guardian. Hunken Financial Group is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. CA Ins. Lic# OF700935 2016-29825 Exp 10/18 Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation.
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HMgivingback
HOPE, COMPASSION AND SUPPORT Left: Jonathan Magic at mobile pantry; Right: Volunteer Denise Raddatz, Beulah and Calvin Bell
GIVING TREE Capital campaign helps HCS Family Services expand community offerings by Mike Ellis
HCS Family Services is celebrating its 80th birthday in the Hinsdale community, and is getting a boost in the form of a newlyrooted fundraising initiative. Sprouted out of a partnership forged between HCS and members of the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club (HJWC), the “Giving Tree” allows community members and local businesses to donate funds directly to HCS in the form of contributions ranging from $250 to $1,000. Between now and mid-March, contributors can donate to HCS through the Giving Tree, and earn a “leaf” ($250, $500 and $750 donations) or a “bird” ($1,000 donations) on a “tree” at the Hinsdale Memorial Building, which functions as a home to HCS and its basement food pantry. Irene Wood, chair of the 2017 HJWC’s annual benefit, said she and some fellow club members saw the work that HCS was performing for underprivileged individuals in the community, and realized that it could benefit from a capital campaign. All proceeds raised from the tree, which is being underwritten by the Evergreen Bank Group and Megan and Mark Hickman of Mark Hickman Homes, will go directly towards HCS Family Services. Mary Henthorn, executive vice president at Evergreen Bank Group, said her company hopes its involvement will
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make a tangible difference both financially and in raising awareness for HCS. “Evergreen Bank and its employees are committed to fighting hunger by increasing access to food in our community,” Henthorn said. “We believe in the HCS mission to serve our neighbors in need. Our support of the Giving Tree will hopefully raise further awareness of this need.” Megan Hickman reiterated the same sentiment. “Mark and I feel passionate about helping to end hunger—especially with children,” Hickman said. “Helping raising funds and awareness is the least we can do to help. We are committed to helping our community and those in need.” Through its basement pantry at the memorial building and its mobile pantry, which is moving to a new location in Darien, HCS provides food to more than 21,000 underprivileged people predominantly in southeast DuPage County each year. A considerable portion of those served reside in unincorporated Willowbrook, Westmont, Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills. A part of the Hinsdale community since 1937, HCS Family Services supplies its services to low-income families and individuals through private funding from their neighbors in the same region. Although Hinsdale and many of its surrounding suburbs are recognized for
wealth and privilege, according to HCS, approximately 20 percent of children in the area are confronted with hunger. Despite the amount of service that is being provided through HCS Family Services, Wood said only roughly a quarter of the need in southeast DuPage County is currently being met. The non-profit organization is in the process of opening a new food pantry site in its highest-need area of unincorporated Willowbrook within the walls of Anne M. Jeans Elementary School. Originally pitched to the District 86 Board of Education, this pantry is designed to serve needy families with at least one schoolaged child at the various feeder schools into Hinsdale Central and South High Schools. As a result, HCS Family Services’ reach has doubled, and the Giving Tree will assist in supplementing its increasing operating costs and fulfilling the growing need. n For more information about HCS Family Services, visit www.hcsfamilyservices.org.
HMcommunityscene
Hinsdale
FALCONFEST Photography by Ginger Kroll A great deal of fun was had by all at FalconFest 2016 on Sept. 24 at The Community House in Hinsdale. FalconFest is the annual fundraising and thank-you event for Hinsdale Falcon Football and Cheer families, volunteers and supporters. Hinsdale Falcon Football and Cheer have operated a youth travel tackle football and cheerleading program serving Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and surrounding communities for decades. For the 2016 season, the programs have more than 280 participating boys and girls, and more than 75 volunteer board members and coaches. The event raised more than $20,000 for the non-profit, volunteer program.
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1. Performance cheer; 2. Hinsdale Falcons; 3. Falcon cheerleader performance; 4. Falcon cheerleaders squad; 5. FalconFest chair Heidi Novatney and Falcons board president Jay Novatney; 6. Wes Novatney and Lily Kroll; 7. Randy Pile, Mike McCurry and Bob Allegra
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HMcommunityscene
Hinsdale Central
HOMECOMING Photography by Corey Huth Hinsdale Central’s Homecoming traditions run deep. The Friday pep assembly kicked off the weekend in grand style with cheerleaders, pommers, band members and color guard all performing in front of the entire student body. The Homecoming court attendants put on jungle-themed skits, and the football players and alumni sang the school alma mater. The gameday rain didn’t dampen the spirit of the Red Devils the following Saturday. The game would be a tough test against Glenbard West, an opponent the Red Devils hadn’t beaten since 2006. In the fourth quarter, the Red Devils rallied from ten points down to tie the game at 24-24 on a field goal by kicker Quentin Wallace. Hinsdale scored on the second play of overtime, when senior quarterback Josh Bean’s pass was caught by Matt Bjorson in the corner of the end-zone, making the score 31-24. Glenbard scored a touchdown on its first play of overtime, but failed on a twopoint conversion attempt, giving Central the win, 31-30. Bean completed 15 of 21 passes for 197 yards, while Bjorson secured seven receptions totaling 122 yards.
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1. Hinsdale Central linebacker Peter Pigatti; 2. Max Mittelstadt yells out in celebration; 3. Court attendants Lila Loughlin and Eric Chang; 4. Cheerleaders perform a mount at the Friday afternoon pep rally to get students pumped up for Homecoming; 5. Court members Alison Albelda and Marshall Moller with Tim Moser (giraffe costume) at the pep rally; 6. Marching band member Caitlyn Isaacson; 7. Social chairs Chaz Zayed and Will Angelis
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HMcommunityscene COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER & LIVING ROOM OPENING
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Dozens of community leaders and area residents assembled for the grand opening of the Community Wellness Center and Living Room in La Grange on Sept. 29. Formed through the collaboration of community partners, the Living Room will function as a place for individuals 18 and older experiencing an increase in mental health symptoms. Located at the front of the building, the Community Wellness Center will complement the Living Room as a station for educating individuals about mental health. Greg DiDomenico, CEO of the Hinsdalebased Community Memorial Foundation, said the center developed in response to needs expressed within the community, as local police departments reported a “significant increase” in mental health calls, while local school administrators indicated an increase in “school anxiety” and “suicide ideation.” For more information, visit livingroomlg.org.
CHICAGO SPORTS SUMMIT Photography by Kyle Hampson
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1. Dr. Brian Cole, sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush; Mark Bartelstein, president of Priority Sports & Entertainment; Mark Kaufman, president and founder of Athletico Physical Therapy; Dr. Gordon Nuber, team physician for Chicago Bears; Joel Quenneville, head coach, Chicago Blackhawks; 2. Brooks Boyer, senior vice president of marketing, Chicago White Sox; Atul Khosla, COO for Chicago Fire Soccer Club; 3. Dr. Anthony Romeo, sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush with Jim Delaney, commissioner, Big Ten Conference
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The biggest names in Chicago sports shared their expertise on the business of sports and how it impacts the city during the first-ever Chicago Sports Summit on Oct. 5. The event featured presentations by Chicago sports personalities, including team CEOs, coaches and players. Twenty Chicago sports leaders, including Joel Quenneville, Michael Reinsdorf, Ted Phillips and Jim Delaney discussed the impact of sports on Chicago, including building fans and staying profitable, the challenges of professional sports team ownership, how injuries affect professional sports, and the concerns and challenges of representing high-profile athletes. The summit raised funds for After School Matters, a non-profit organization that offers innovative extracurricular activities in the arts, communication, sports, science and technology for teenagers. For more information, please visit www. afterschoolmatters.org.
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HMcommunityscene MADISON SCHOOL DASH & BASH
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1. Emerson Cassell and grandfather Ollan Cassell, a 1964 Olympic Track & Field gold medalist.; 2. Madison principal Kim Rutan with Sarah Meltzer, Tess Tortorello, Kendall Miller, Logan Baskel, Gabi Adamo and Emerson Cassell
More than 750 registrants participated in the Madison School Dash & Bash on Sept. 25. The dash-and-bash is an annual event that brings the school community together for family fun and socializing after a 3K walk-run. Committee co-chairs Helen Becka and Laura Preusser said the Madison Dash & Bash has become a school tradition over the last six years. The event is a fundraiser as well, and generated more than $24,000 this year. “These funds are going to help enhance and enrich the experience of Madison students,” the co-chairs said. “Our emphasis will be on investing in technology and our weCreate Laboratory.”
BOOTS VS. BADGES
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Photography provided by the Hinsdale Fire Department 1. Matt Johnson, son of the late Hinsdale deputy fire chief Mark Johnson; 2. Hinsdale firefighter/ paramedic Bob Patittuci; 3. Hinsdale firefighter Steve Tullis, captain Kevin Votava and fire chief Rick Ronovsky
The Hinsdale Fire Department hosted its annual charity softball event in honor of deputy fire chief Mark Johnson on Sept. 18 at Veeck Park in Hinsdale. The one-day event, which is in its sixth year, raised more than $8,000—bringing the six-year total to $60,000 donated to local charities, including Wellness House and HCS Family Services. The Village of Hinsdale fielded four different teams—the police department, fire department, public works and for the first time, a team made up of village hall staff. Other teams included the Western Springs, La Grange Park, Westmont and Clarendon Hills Fire Departments, as well as the Pleasantview and Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection Districts.
ROTARY RUN CHARITY CLASSIC
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Photography by Mike Ellis 1. Individual runners were recognized for outstanding efforts; 2. Runners of all ages participated in the Rotary Run Charity Classic; 3. Oak Elementary School was recognized as the top participating elementary school; 4. Some young participants also enjoyed pumpkin decorating back under the tent in The Community House parking lot.
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Hundreds of local residents toughed out wet conditions by participating at the annual Rotary Run Charity Classic starting at The Community House (TCH) in Hinsdale on Oct. 16. Organized by the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Rotary Club each year, the run raises money for a number of local charities and non-profit organizations, including TCH, the Hinsdale Humane Society (HHS), the Ray Graham Association, the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation and the District 181 Foundation. For more information about the HinsdaleClarendon Hills Rotary Club, visit hinsdale. clubexpress.com.
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Its not too early to plan for the holidays. Why settle for the ordinary when the extraordinary is less than an hour away. Our ability to provide fireplace furnishings that reflect the varied styles of our clients is what sets us apart.
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HMtechknow
Student LAPTOPS THREE LAPTOPS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR—FROM POWERFUL DESIGN MACHINES TO FAST AND SECURE DEVICES by Errol Janusz A perfect fit for your high-school design or photography student, the 13.3-inch 2560x1600 screen is a high-end option that will create AutoCAD drawings, and manipulate photographs at an incredibly fast speeds. The most impressive new design for the latest Mac laptops is Apple’s Force Trackpad. The trackpad is force-sensitive, so it can tell how hard you’re pressing down. But instead of an actual button that gets clicked, there’s a set of electromagnets that move enough to feel like a click is occurring. Apple MacBook Pro, i5 processor, 8GB memory, 512 flash storage, $1,750
Continuously using a laptop with a Windows operating system will better prepare the college student for the real-world office environment. Since Windows still holds approximately 90 percent of the market share of operating systems, it is a good idea to be already trained in the world’s most common operating environment. While paying off your student loans, this affordable laptop will seamlessly perform Internet research, while quickly editing Microsoft Word essays. The 256GB Solid State Drive is a more reliable and much quicker available option than a standard hard-disk drive. Acer Aspire, i5 processor, 8GB memory, 256GB Solid State Drive, $460
If you are in residency in the medical field or you are studying for the bar exam, you will positively need a computer that is both fast and secure. A Dell XPS with an i7 CPU is a perfect fit for viewing X-rays and creating large-case data. Now more than ever, security requirements are high for students that study in the medical and law fields. In addition to virus protection, you should also backup your laptop in the event of a crash. For more information, visit www.HIPAAIllinois.com. Dell XPS, i7 processor, 16GB memory, 256GB Solid State Drive, $649
Errol Janusz is president and lead technician at Edward Technology in Hinsdale. For more information, contact Errol at 630-333-9323, ext. 303, or e-mail ejanusz@ hinsdale60521.com. You can also visit edwardtechnology.com.
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WHY A HUMMINGBIRD? This sweet and precious little bird of joy, ever so strong and beautiful, symbolizes great courage, determination, persistence, uniqueness and wonder. It is capable of the most amazing feats despite its small size. Hummingbirds are known to bring playfulness and joy into our lives just as our children do!
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All of our licensed therapists have either their master’s or doctorate degrees and have many years of pediatric experience. Preferred Provider through BlueCross BlueShield Illinois Licensed & Insured In The State of Illinois Proud Member of the American Speech Hearing Association Proud Member of the Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association
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HMpeakperformance by Jim Fannin
WHAT IF YOU COULD FOCUS BETTER? How’s your attention span? What’s the amount of concentrated quality time you can spend on a task without being distracted? This is crucial for achieving your long-term visions and their corresponding goals and tasks. There are two types of attention span or focus: Short-term attention: This is your instant response to an internal and/or external stimulus that temporarily attracts or distracts your attention. According to my 1974 research, this attention span was approximately 15 to 20 seconds on average. In 2000, this number decreased to approximately 12 seconds, and today, it has shrunk below ten seconds. Short-term attention spans are moving in the wrong direction. Conscious, sustained attention: This intentional, continuous focus produces the most consistent results over time. Research shows the variance of holding one’s focus from a few minutes, to as long as 20 minutes. This could be the root of your golf challenges, as a typical round is approximately five hours. However, there are many champions from all aspects of life that can hold their focus for long periods of time. Like any other physical and mental activity, this takes commitment and relentless practice. The short attention span of young children was a challenge for most educators in 1974; however, a revolutionary new way of teaching children was discovered. Based on my 18-month research study of 250 children ages 4 to 8, we learned that 40-minute tennis classes for children was ideal for super learning. Concentration could be maximized even at this young age. Most educators at this time vehemently disagreed. In fact, the president of the United States Tennis Association’s education arm wrote a scathing letter to us stating, “Children of this age cannot focus long enough to play tennis. Period.” Based on how they approached teaching tennis to children, they were right—but their approach was ineffective, because a new one was about to hit the market. With the deployment of innovative, exciting and fun drills and exercises designed to maximize focus, coupled with the ability of passionate teachers to swiftly change their voice inflection and tonality, the “Tennis Tots” program (based on
the S.C.O.R.E. Success System) became wildly successful. More than 250,000 children were enrolled in the late 1970s and 1980s in 73 facilities worldwide. The program developed four national tennis champions and scores of state champions. Of course, winning was not the point—young children were learning the rudiments of self-discipline, concentration, optimism, relaxation and enjoyment (S.C.O.R.E.), utilizing tennis as the vehicle. They were also learning how to attract a peak-performance state of mind called the “zone.” Young minds were increasing their attention span. A new teaching technique called “Cartoon Teaching” was created, evolved from intentionally watching hundreds of hours of cartoons. How did cartoons capture the minds of children? What was their secret? You could call your child’s name, but he or she was too tuned-in to the “toons” to respond. Trained Tennis Tots instructors changed drills, exercises, voice tonality, class configuration and voice inflection every three to five minutes, depending on just one child losing his or her focus. Sometimes, the instructor restructured the class environment after only seconds of introducing a new drill or technique. It was the discretion of the teacher, based on his or her students’ body language. Cartoon Teaching™ was born after we learned that TV cartoon scenes jerked violently every .5 to 2.5 seconds, with a simultaneous change in music from soft to loud or loud to soft. This constant change kept children on the edge of their seats, and a 30-minute cartoon show could be watched and thoroughly enjoyed without leaving their chairs. The fast-paced Tennis Tots classes with Cartoon Teaching hit their mark. With a maximum of five children per instructor, the fun-o-meter was off the charts, and super learning had arrived. Unfortunately, for the majority of the world from 1974 to present, attention spans have dropped and productivity has diminished. Multi-tasking, however, has increased, due to children being raised in the Internet-based, social media world. I’m not sure this is a good trade-off. n This article will conclude in the December 2016 issue of Hinsdale Magazine.
JIM FANNIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Burr Ridge resident Jim Fannin is a world-class thought leader and coach with 42 years of experience in life, business and sports. To learn about his latest thoughtmanagement program, go to 90secondrule.com, or visit jimfannin.com.
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Our Customers
Our customers are the most important asset to our business. Each and every member of our team knows we are not doing our customers a courtesy by delivering a service, they are doing us a courtesy by giving us an opportunity to do so.
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Many businesses will say they love your neighborhood, but not many can say they actually live in it. Windy City owner, George Jacobs, knows the Hinsdale area like his own because his backyard’s in it.
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HMspiritualinsight by Dan Meyer
The glorious table THE INVITATION The award-winning film, Babette’s Feast, depicts a day in the life of a cluster of Danish Puritans whose particular form of piety made them an unusually grim lot. The Danes in this story had dedicated themselves to serving the memory of a certain dead minister—one who long ago had taught them to despise their physical senses in pursuit of some sort of disembodied spiritual life. One look at their pinched faces, and you know why you would never choose to invite them to your Thanksgiving table! Here, however, is where the wonder of the story begins. A cook in one of the Puritan households is preparing a meal to which these dour disciples have been invited to come. And with little else to fill their narrow lives, the invitees arrive at the appointed hour. They come with a certain losses and dashed dreams stuffed behind starched uniforms and staunch faces. They come with a secret sense that life hasn’t dealt them what they’ve worked for or believe they deserve. They come to the table expecting little more than another tired meal at the close of a disappointing day in a dark Danish village. They come without a clue that on this day, they will taste glory itself.
it with confidence, and receive it in gratitude.”
ANOTHER PURITAN THANKSGIVING Many years ago, another band of Puritans gathered at a table—this one in Plymouth, Mass. The year before, 110 of them had landed on the shores of this new world, hoping to build a life free of the religious persecution from which they’d fled. That first winter, however, was devastating. Half of their number died of exposure, illness, and malnutrition. But the survivors of that terror persevered. Cleaving more firmly than ever to God and one another, they built better shelters and learned, with the help of kind Native Americans, to cultivate the land. As the second winter crept in, their governor, William Bradford, proclaimed that on Nov. 29, 1621, the colonists should cease their striving, and gather as a community. They should welcome to their table the American natives who had shown such compassion to these refugees from another land. They should give thanks to the God whose mercy is infinite. Something about that first Thanksgiving had a transforming effect like Babette’s feast on the consciousness of those American Puritans. The nation to which they would give rise would not be a pinch-faced, parsimonious one. America would be an extraordinarily THE MEAL AND THE MAKER To mounting amazement, the guests are treated to plate after generous nation —one that offered shelter to strangers and mouth-watering plate of the richest of fare. I dare not describe the sojourners, and those “huddled masses yearning to breath free.”1 menu, or you’ll drop this magazine and head for the fridge! Trust It would be a nation that made space around a common table for me when I say that the heavenly ambrosia that fills their mouths diverse peoples, that came to the aid of people in periods of crisis and disaster, and that showed unusual grace even to the nations transports these dour Danes. With each spectacular course comes an even more magnificent it defeated in war. America would do these things not because it wine, till those around the table can no longer find words sufficient was socially convenient to do, or economically easy to do so, or to describe the superlative splendor of the aromas and flavors that politically correct to do so; but because it was the character of the overwhelm their senses and inflame their souls with a passion to divine “power that had made and preserved us a nation.”2 laugh and sing, to proclaim their love for one another, and to shout FINDING OUR WAY BACK TO THE TABLE out thanksgiving for the joy of being alive! Many times over the course of our country’s history, we have You see, behind this epiphany is a fabulous secret. Babette is forgotten the spirit of that original feast. Threatened or discouraged, not actually the mundane maiden for whom she has been taken. we have descended into fear, cynicism or selfishness. We have slid Babette is the former chef of the Café Anglais, the finest restaurant towards that political or religious extremism that is the source of so in all of Paris. She has just won a small fortune in the lottery. Yet much turmoil and terror across the world. rather than keeping the treasure for herself, Babette has chosen to Thus far, however, Americans have always found their way back take every cent of her winnings, every resource at her disposal, and to the vision embodied by those Pilgrims at Plymouth. They’ve pour it into preparing this magnificent meal that, in a sense, fills the recovered the dream of forging together a commonwealth marked lives of her guests with glory. by unusual faith, hope and love. And at our best, this impulse has The transformative power of Babette’s love and self-giving is made us an exceptional people, and an inspiration to other nations. reflected in a toast given by one of the guests. Gen. Lowenhielm has Think about that at your tables this Thanksgiving. Reflect on been a severe, rigid, duty-bound and daily-burdened military man. the attitudes and actions needed from each of us to build a better But compelled by the glorious generosity of what he is experiencing, America after the harsh winter of this recent election season. Talk the general rises from the table, glass in hand, and says, “Man, in his about what it means to be a people whose “eyes have been opened weakness and shortsightedness, believes [all the weight of life rests to the infinite mercy at the heart of the Universe and who receive it on him]. ... But...there comes a time when your eyes are opened. and others with gratitude.” n And we come to realize that mercy is infinite. We need only await 1
DAN MEYER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Dr. Dan Meyer is the senior pastor at Christ Church of Oak Brook.
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Words from the inscription on the Statue of Liberty 2 Words from the Star-Spangled Banner