EMERGENCY
Poison Control
Non-Emergency Police
Non-Emergency Fire Department
SCHOOLS School District 101 School District 106 McClure Junior High Lagrange Highlands Middle School
Lyons Township High School North Campus
Lyons Township High School South Campus
St. John of the Cross Parish School
Laidlaw Elementary
Field Park Elementary
Forest Hills Elementary
Highlands Elementary
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Village Hall
Chamber of Commerce
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
Post Office
Western Springs Park District
Western Springs Swimming Pool
UTILITIES
Nicor (gas)
ComEd
Lakeshore Recycling
Western Springs Public Works
JULIE (call before you dig)
AREA DIRECTOR/ ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jill McCain, Western Springs Resident Jill.McCain@n2pub.com
Jennifer Rosiere | Lyla Lane Photography www.lylalanephotograpy.com
Lauren Enright | Lauren Enright Photography
www.laurenenrightphotography.com
AD STRATEGIST
CREATIVE TEAM
Brenda Tiedke | westernspringsliving@n2publishing.com
N2 Design Team (The N2 Company is the company that Western Springs Living Community partners with to produce Western Springs Living Community).
WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR RESIDENTS who would like to participate in the magazine, find great stories and send us ideas. Let’s celebrate the great things happening in our community! No contribution is too small. Please email jill.mccain@n2pub.com with your pictures, suggestions, or requests.
This section is here to give our readers easier access when searching for a trusted neighborhood partner to use. Get to know the businesses who make this magazine possible. Please support them in return and thank them if you get the chance!
AUDIO/VIDEO/SECURITY/WIFI/THEATER
Low Voltage Service Inc (630) 774-7621 lowvoltageservice.com
AUTOMOTIVE
Highline Automotive (708) 482-4900 highlineautorepair.com
BASKETBALL SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Breakaway Basketball (630) 842-5986 breakawaybasketball.com
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
ABC Applied Behavioral Consulting (815) 267-6354 www.abcbehavioraltherapy.com
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Root & Bloom Chiropractic (630) 537-1781 www.rootandbloomchiro.com
CLEANING/MAID SERVICE
Katarzyna’s Cleaning Service (708) 722-2909
CUSTOM HOME BUILDER/REMODEL
JonVon Construction & Homes (630) 842-6988
DANCE STUDIO
Jo’s Footwork Studio (708) 246-6878 josfootworkstudio.com
DENTAL SPECIALIST
Cameo Dental Specialists (708) 579-0488 www.cameods.com
DENTIST
James M. Maragos, DDS (708) 352-7358 maragosdentistry.com
DESIGN AND BUILD
Liv Companies (708) 267-9262
www.livcompanies.com
Maglux Construction & Restoration LLC (708) 722-1999
www.magluxusa.com
DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT
WDW Park Planners (630) 605-8790
www.wdwparkplanners.com
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Electric Work Force, Inc (708) 866-5785 electricworkforceil.com
FAMILY RESTAURANT & EVENTS
Ledo’s Pizza (708) 354-4500
www.ledospizza.net
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Randy Porzel - Private Vista (312) 831-4420 myprivatevista.com
Todd Nyberg - Edward Jones (708) 246-2802 edwardjones.com
Verus Capital Management (708) 966-0129 veruscapitalmanagement.com/
FLOORING Desitter Flooring (630) 327-8309 desitterflooring.com
Yonan Carpet One (630) 963-2000 www.yonancarpetone.com
FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES
Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services (630) 325-2300 adolfservices.com
GYM / PERSONAL TRAINING
Strive Village (715) 529-0939
www.strivevillage.com
HARDWARE/PAINT
Village True Value Hardware (708) 246-0892 truevalue.com/villagehdw
HVAC
The Heat Engineering Co. (708) 246-3300 heatengineering.com
INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES
Andy Herrero - State Farm (630) 969-2388 teamherrero.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
HaylieRead Design, LLC (630) 335-1272 www.haylieread.com
The Design Bar (630) 734-0000 thedesignbars.com
JEWELER Browning & Sons (630) 986-0880 www.browningandsons.com
LACROSSE TEAMS & TRAINING Lakeshore LaCrosse www.lakeshorelacrosse.com
LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION
Jane Dilworth & Associates (630) 515-1230 janedilworth.com
LANDSCAPE DESIGN & MAINTENANCE Jells Garden (217) 377-3551
www.jellsgarden.com
LANDSCAPING
King’s Landscape Design (630) 514-0347
kingslandscapedesign.com
Phil Robin Landscapes (630) 325-7000 philrobin.com
LASER & SKIN CARE
Oakbrook Laser Center (630) 200-8333
www.oakbrooklasercenter.com
LAW FIRM
Fornaro Law (708) 639-4320
www.fornarolaw.com
LIGHTING
Tower Lighting (708) 246-9429
www.towerlighting.com
MEAL SERVICE / IN-HOME DINING
Chef Beau’s Klean Kitchen (708) 354-4844
chefbeauskleankitchen.com
MORTGAGES
United Home Loans - Jeff Dulla (708) 531-8388 UHLoans.com
OPTOMETRIST
Davis Eye Care Associates (708) 636-0600 www.daviseyecare.com
Glimpse Vision (630) 325-2020 www.glimpsevision.com
ORTHODONTIST
Petty & Dragstrem Orthodontics (708) 246-4000 mypdsmile.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Lyla Lane Photography (630) 290-4270 www.lylalanephotography.com
PHYSICAL THERAPY / WELLNESS
Clarity Physical Therapy & Wellness Center (708) 505-3900 claritypt.com
PLUMBING / SEWER
Terry Plumbing Co. (708) 579-1010
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING
Lovely Living Homes (708) 280-1608 www.lovelylivinghomes.com
REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY
Spencer & Rozwadowski, LLP (773) 600-9424 law-sr.com
REALTOR
Deidre Rudich - Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group (773) 875-7608 DeidreRudich.com
Lindsay D’Aprile - Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group (773) 245-4397 LindsayDaprile.com
Mary Nell Walsh - Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group (708) 710-0365 MaryNellWalsh.com
Sheila O’Malley - @properties (312) 330-0027 somalleyteam.com
RESTAURANT
GP Italiano (708) 582-6536 www.gpitaliano.com
Vie (708) 246-2082 www.vierestaurant.com
Wolf’s Head Restaurant & Bar (708) 246-0400 www.wolfsheadrestaurant.com
SALON & SPA Salon Hype (708) 352-4222 salonhype.com
SPORTS PERFORMANCE & STRENGTH TRAINING
Basefit Performance (708) 639-4199
www.basefitperformance.com
SWIM SCHOOL
Goldfish Swim School (630) 485-7300 goldfishswimschool.com
TENNIS & FITNESS Five Seasons Family Sports Club (630) 570-5200 fiveseasonssportsclub.com
TREE SERVICE Bartlett Tree Experts (630) 960-4001 bartlett.com
TREE SERVICES
Tomax Tree Service LLC (630) 918-4657 www.tomaxtreeservice.com
URGENT CARE
AFC Urgent Care Willowbrook (630) 415-6541
www.afcurgentcare.com/willowbrook
WINDOWS & DOORS
Schaaf Window Co., Inc (708) 342-0900 schaafwindow.com
Design • Install • Maintain • Landscapes •
As I sit here thinking about March, I’m struck by the beauty in the re-emergence. I love to watch bulbs start to pop up from the ground, temperatures being to rise, and more neighbors out enjoying a stroll with their dog or a hot cup of coffee. I hope you too find joy in the little signs of spring.
This month is jam-packed with goodness. Special thanks to the Salemi family, our featured “Meet Your Neighbors” this month. This adorable family is full of love and laughs and has such an incredible outlook on life.
This month we welcome Marissa Weihofen to our contributor team. “The Book Nook” will feature her book suggestions as well as local book clubs you can tap into.
Would you be interested in being featured? Do you have a recommendation of a neighbor we should include in an upcoming issue? Simply email us for more information at greetwesternsprings@n2co.com for more information. You can also submit an article directly through our Instagram link in our bio @greetwesternsprings. We’d love to hear from you!
This publication is made possible by our wonderful sponsors. Please consider giving them a call the next time you need their goods and services. Having met with each of them individually, I can attest that they will work hard to earn your business. This month, it’s our pleasure to feature Browning & Sons Fine Jewelry of Hinsdale. Rachel Browning and team are incredibly committed to providing high fashion, curated pieces that her clients can wear every
Jill McCain
Area Director + Western Springs Resident Jill.mccain@n2co.com
JENNIFER ROSIERE Lyla Lane Photography
NATALIE KING, LCSW The Straight Side of Curvy RANDY PORZEL Financial Fitness
DIANA GERAGHTY Events Coordinator
BRENDA TIEDKE Ad Manager ELLEN BURT Western Springs Neighbors and Newcomers
JILL MCCAIN Area Director/ Advertising Inquiries
ALI RAGO Social Media Coordinator
ROSS BARTOLOMEI The Hair Expert BECCA KUBEK WSNN TONY HOLMES Channeling Your Inner Nerd
MARISSA WEIHOFEN The Book Nook ZACH PIPER Z-Bar
JAMIE ROSENBAUM
MADDIE O’MALLEY Junior Writer STELLA KRUEGER Junior Writer WILL PRENGER Junior Writer
GRANT SMITH Junior Writer
LINDSAY FOREBAUGH Junior Writer
Family member names: Steve, Shannon, Piper and Theo Rusch Street address: 5124 Caroline Ave How long have you lived in this house? 2 years
Did you design or decorate it yourself? If not, what company did you use? I have always had an interest in interior design, so I had some ideas coming into the project. We did have an amazing designer, Tracy Kurc, and I could not have done it without her help and expertise. She made sure that each room was special but the whole house has a cohesive feel. Kearny Builders did a fantastic job with the construction and execution of the house.
What was your inspiration? Our plan is to live in this house for a long time, so we wanted a timeless but unique feel. We have young kids, so it was also important that we had a balance between the design aspects of the house and the functionality. Our designer describes our house as “New Traditional”. She says, “The home is mastered by family function and a contemporary outlook. It is a home with charm and a fresh perspective.”
Did you decorate the entire house at one time, or over was it a long-term project? We decorated the house at one time. Although, I don’t think the project is ever officially done because it is so fun to make little adjustments here and there. Our designer, Tracy, was a big help with this portion of the project. She would send me mood boards with different options and then we would make selections from there.
It was a really fun project, and we love the end result so much!
Do you have a favorite home decorating store? We sourced a lot of furniture from Arhaus and Restoration Hardware. A lot of decor pieces that I fell in love with, we found at Kathy Kuo home. We also incorporated a lot of indoor trees and plants to keep the feel light and fresh.
What is your favorite room in the house and why? My favorite room has to be the kitchen/pantry. It is exactly what I dreamed of in my head. I love the brightness of the kitchen, with the pop of the green island, which is my favorite color. Coming from living in the city and never having a true pantry, our walk-in pantry is definitely a dream come true and makes our life so much easier.
“I found Jon VonDruska to be professional, knowledgeable, and straightforward. Jon is concerned about maintaining both the character of LaGrange and Western Springs homes, and the integrity of the environment.”
~
Dick
B, Western SpringsYour community minded Design/Remodel/Builder Jon VonDruska www.jonvonconstruction.com
630.842.6988
BY ROSS BARTOLOMEI, SALON HYPE OWNER
Spring 2023 hair color trends are turning fairly low-maintenance, and all about working with, rather than against, your natural color and texture. This year, mushroom brown is the tone all brunettes should be striving for; its cool and beige tones are really beautiful. Red is regaining popularity with new multiple shades and colors. Blondes are turning warmer as the ultra-cool ashy transition to gold and make you feel alive again!
What we’ve been seeing at Salon Hype is a big push by hair product companies to help maintain and enhance your color at home. Shampoo and conditioner from Shu Uemura give your hair an abundance of shine and tone. For brunettes, there are green tones that neutralize unwanted orange and red tones. For blondes, there are golden toned conditioners to add warmth and violet tones to cancel out yellow tones. We encourage you to check them out!
Salon Hype is a L’Oréal and Kerastase top 100 salon in the country.
Keep your hair Alluring!
FOR A CONSULTATION OR TO SCHEDULE
AN APPOINTMENT CALL:
708.352.4222- La Grange
630.323.4222- Burr Ridge
Visit our website: salonhype.com
As school and work adjourned for the holidays in late December, some of Congress’ most substantial efforts of the year were underway as its members sought to pass a 2023 fiscal year spending bill. Ultimately, they succeeded, with a $1.7 trillion package being signed into law by President Biden on December 27th. Among other measures, the legislation contains the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act 2.0.
The Act, which builds on prior legislation passed in 2019, includes a wide range of provisions to help both older and younger workers, including further increasing the age at which required minimum distributions (RMDs) must be made and enabling employers to “match” student loan payments with retirement plan contributions.
Here are key SECURE Act 2.0 provisions to note and review with a financial advisor as you plan for 2023 and beyond.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) - The age for required minimum distributions has increased to 73 and will increase to 75 in 2033. In addition, the law reduces or eliminates the excise tax imposed for not taking RMDs.
Catch-up Contributions - For those aged 60 through 63 (effective for tax years after 2024), catch-up contribution maximums would be increased to $10,000 or 150% of the regular catch-up amount for those aged 50 and older, whichever is greater. The new catch-up limit for SIMPLE IRA Plans is $5,000. All catch-up contributions are subject to Roth rules, rather than the plan in which the individual participates.
Roth Matches - Beginning this year, employersponsored plans can provide plan participants the option to receive matching contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis. Under previous law, matching in employersponsored plans was allowed only on a pre-tax basis.
Student Loan Matching - Starting in 2024, employers could match student loan payments with plan contributions. The provision would not be limited to governmental debt and could be applied to any loan taken for higher education expenses.
College-Savings Account Rollover - Leftover 529 account savings could be rolled over into a Roth IRA without penalty, provided the rollover amounts fall within IRA limits and the 529 is at least 15 years old.
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) expansion - Starting this year, as part of their QCD limit, individuals age 70 ½ and older may make a one-time, $50,000 distribution to charities through charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts and charitable remainder annuity trusts. This amount counts toward your RMD, if applicable. Also beginning this year, the annual IRA charitable distribution limit of $100,000 will be indexed for inflation, meaning it may increase every year, based on cost-of-living adjustments.
These are just some of the key provisions from the legislation’s 300-plus pages. To understand if and how these changes apply to your situation — and for help with next steps — please reach out to us. We work closely with our clients’ accountants, attorneys and other advisors to help optimize financial plans, and this new legislation provides the opportunity to uncover new opportunities together.
Article By: Randy Porzel, CFP® RICP®: Randy is a Partner and Lead Advisor at Private Vista LLC. He began his financial planning career as an intern and worked his way up through every job at the firm. Randy finds joy in taking clients through Private Vista’s planning process, using tools that answer questions and clear uncertainty so that clients can look forward to their idea of an enriched life. In his free time, Randy enjoys serving on the boards for the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and The Darien Lions Club, whose mission is to serve those in the community with visual impairments.
The views expressed represent the opinions of Private Vista, LLC and are subject to change. These views are not intended as a forecast, a guarantee of future results, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. The information provided is of a general nature and should not be construed as investment advice or to provide any investment, tax, financial or legal advice or service to any person. Additional
information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on Private Vista, LLC’s Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.
Hightower Advisors, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser. Securities are offered through Hightower Securities, LLC member FINRA and SIPC. Hightower Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This material is not intended or written to provide and should not be relied upon or used as a substitute for tax or legal advice. Information contained herein does not consider an individual’s or entity’s specific circumstances or applicable governing law, which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and be subject to change. Clients are urged to consult their tax or legal advisor for related questions.
Source: https://www.plansponsor.com/secure-2-0-bill-delivers-supported-provisions/
Source: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/retirement-savings-plans-see-bigchanges-tax-and-administrative-implications-with-secure-act-2-0
Young kids ages 4 to 14 recently attended a free, indoor lacrosse clinic hosted by Lakeshore Lacrosse. Most of the children had never played lacrosse before, so this was an excellent introduction to the game to see if they’d be interested in playing it. Lindsey Baer among ther highly energetic ladies lead the hourlong clinic. Lindsay started playing lacrosse when she was 6 and is now the director of Beginner and Interim Training Programs at Lakeshore Lacrosse. Lindsay and her team of coaches lead the kids through exciting and fun drills and games helping them learn the fundamentals while Taylor Swift played through the speakers hyping the kids up! When asked about their favorite part of the experience Keira Gondell and Scharlotte Geraghty, both first graders at Highlands Elementary School said, “we loved playing red light green light and sharks and minnows with our sticks and not dropping the ball!”
Lakeshore Lacrosse is a female run company with a mission to empower and educate young athletes by providing a medium for athletes to develop
their skills, embrace sportsmanship, and experience camaraderie with others who love the game. Lakeshore aims to provide options for all ages and skill levels starting with their co-ed Little Laxers classes and ½ day summer camps for players ages 4-7. The Spring Lakeshore Rec program is perfect for players a little older who want to continue learning lacrosse skills, gameplay and rules in a fun team setting with weekly practices and Sunday games!
Village True Value Hardware 835 Burlington Ave | Western Springs | 708-246-0892 www.truevalue.com/villagehdw Find the right products for your projects, plus expert advice. THE GARDENER IN YOU. Let us inspire WE HAVE ALL YOUR SUPPLIES peat pots, seed starter, fertilizer, and more!!
Family Member Names: Deena, Andy, Marco, Matteo, Giuliana Pets: Cuddly, Teddy (Both Hamsters) Profession(s): Deena - Customer Success Lead at Google; Andy - EVP & Director of Specialty Finance at Veritex Bank & President Regal Realtors What college/university did you attend? Andy - DePaul University
Deena - University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
Activities/Hobbies: We love to travel to new places and explore new cities as a family. We enjoy attending local sporting events, swimming in the summer, family game nights in, impromptu dance parties, and hosting our family and friends throughout the year.
Park/Play Area/Place to hang out: Some of our favorite places to hang out as a family are Springdale Park, Get
Air Trampoline Park, Chuck E Cheese, Pinot’s Palette, Kenny’s and in our own backyard around the fireplace!
Restaurants: We love some of the local restaurants in the area like Hillgrove Tap, Kenny’s, Capri, and Nabuki. We also love visiting restaurants in downtown Chicago like Quartino’s and Pizzeria Portofino on the river.
Vacation Destination: One of our most memorable vacations was when we visited the Rosemary Beach area and rented a beautiful home near the beach that was equipped with a cool golf court for easy traveling along Seaside. Some of our other favorite destinations include Cancun, Bahamas, and Wisconsin.
Sports Teams: We are a football family and Norte Dame is one of our favorite teams to root for! We
also enjoy attending White Sox and Blackhawks games.
TV Show/Movie: On a weekly basis, you can catch us watching Impractical Jokers or Shark Tank. Some of our favorite movies to watch as a family include Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, and Weird Science.
Music: We are a fist-pumping EDM family and we love to dance. You will find Techno, EDM or Pop music bumping throughout the speakers in our house. When we host a party, they are often accompanied by laser lights and a fog machine! We are also huge fans of Country music and love a good trip to Nashville. Yeehaw!
Family Dinner: Our family go to for dinner is all things Italian especially pasta and pizza!
Way to unwind/relax: We are a family that is constantly on the go. When we do take time to unwind, you will find us on the couch watching TV, reading a book, or enjoying a bubble bath!
Did you grow up in this area? If not, what spurred your move? Growing up, Deena lived in the Garfield Ridge area on the southside of Chicago and Andy lived in Bloomingdale. While we both were very familiar with Western Springs, we chose to move to the bustling River North area of Chicago after we got married. We enjoyed living blocks from the lake and the fast pace of city life for a couple years. When we decided to start a family, we wanted to slow down and began exploring suburban areas to raise our children. We were drawn to Western Springs because of their amazing school districts, proximity to downtown Chicago given our work commute, and the fact that it was equidistant to both of our families. We fell in love with Western
Springs for it’s charm, beauty, and location. Little did we know we would be joining one of the most incredible and extremely social communities!
How long have you lived in this community? What drew you to the area? In what ways are you involved in the community? We have lived in Western Springs for the past 10 years. We found a charming home that was perfect for our growing family. We did a complete gut-renovation on our home and redesigned it to meet our family needs and lifestyle. We absolutely love this community and enjoy volunteering at our local school district, working with the school foundation to plan events and raise funding, and we also volunteer our time to help coach recreational sports for our children.
What is your favorite part about living in your community? Our
favorite part about this community is the people. We have made such wonderful friendships over the past 10 years. From car pools, to food trains, social events, and playdates we have such a strong support system in one another.
Do you have any unique family traditions? As a family, we try and spend as much time as possible with our extended family. This includes Sunday family dinners, backyard barbeques, and even making homemade wine and soppressata together. In the fall, one of our favorite traditions is apple picking and making homemade apple pie while carving pumpkins. For the holidays, whether it be Santa stacking presents in huge piles, the Easter Bunny leaving us a special bunny inspired breakfast, or the Leprechaun making our milk green, we have special traditions that we look forward to each year.
If you have kids, with what activities are they involved? Our children are involved in several recreational activities in the area. The boys enjoy flag football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, violin, and hip hop. Our daughter loves dance and gymnastics. Above all else our kids love spending time outdoors, playing with friends, and “chillaxing” at home.
List any of your favorite family memories, funny things that have happened to your family,etc. Help your community to get to know you better: Our fondest memory is the day our family became complete and our daughter was born. Getting to see the joy and adoration on our son’s faces when they first met Giuliana at the hospital was nothing short of amazing. The bond they share started in that moment and has grown stronger each day since. One thing I can say about our family is that we are very resilient. We have overcome many obstacles while building our family and we are in awe everyday at the three little miracles we get to call ours. These hurdles have given us a new outlook and appreciation on life and the way we live it. We challenge ourselves everyday to not sweat the small stuff, be thankful for one another, spread kindness, be inclusive, work hard, and live life to the fullest. Our hearts and home are always open to those who walk in it.
∙
ABOUT AMELIA FIORENTINO:
Age: 6 1/2
School: Field Park
Brothers or Sisters: Peter - 5 and James - 3
Sports I Play: Soccer, Jazz & Poms, Tennis, Basketball
Musical Instrument I Want to Learn: Guitar
Something Unique About Me: I love fishing
When I Grow Up I’m Going to Be: A mom and a nurse
Activities/Hobbies: Art / Listening to Music
MY FAVORITE THINGS:
Animal: Cheetah
Color: Pink and Purple
Food: Pasta, Crab legs, and steak
Movie: Encanto
Music: Movie Soundtracks
Place to Play: At the Park
Sports Teams: Green Cheetah Stars (my soccer team!), Chicago Cubs
Subject in School: Library
Vacation: Folly Beach, SC
Age: 13
School: Saint John of the Cross Sport: Soccer, basketball, volleyball
What drew you to participate in this sport? My dad has always loved soccer, so I started playing when I was young and it stuck with me. My best friend inspired me to play basketball and volleyball because I knew she was going play them and that she liked them, so I gave it a try and ended up liking it too.
How long have you participated in this sport?
Soccer - 8 yrs • Basketball - 7 yrs • Volleyball - 4 yrs
Where/how often do you normally practice? Soccerat least twice a week at a park (Gordon Park or Sedgwick Park) Volleyball- once a week at my school Basketballone to two times a week at my school or at home
Are you on a team? Yes, I play soccer for the club team United. And I play volleyball and basketball for St John of the Cross.
In what types of events have you participated (tournaments, other types of competitions, etc.)?
Soccer - “Socktober Fest” Tournament in Aurora Lockport Tournament Labor Day Tournament Basketball- Catholic schools league tournament
What have you learned from participating in this sport? From all of these sports I have learned the importance of team work and support. We always do better when everyone is positive and cheering on the team, and over the years, everyone has bonded, so we’ve grown as a team and as individual players.
What do you like the most about the sport? Games
What is your favorite teacher/coach/ mentor’s name? Soccer coach/mentor: My dad (Terry Sheehan) Soccer coach: (Dean Arowsmith) Basketball coach/ mentor: My best friend’s dad (Sean Ryan)
Who do you idolize in this sport? On a smaller scale, I idolize my dad and my sister who are both very good at soccer and always work hard at it. I idolize my best friend’s dad, Sean Ryan because he is an amazing basketball player and coach. I also look up to professional soccer players like Alex Morgan.
Give a tip for someone looking to get into this sport: These sports take lots of practice, but if you work hard at it and do your best, you will get better. Start small with simple goals and you’ll slowly get better and better.
The British have customs and traditions that Americans often try to adopt. One of many is Afternoon Tea. They are noted for everyday tea, but Afternoon Tea is special. Our high-end hotels and restaurants try to make this come alive at Christmas time, but we make it more regal by calling it High Tea. The Four Seasons and The Drake in Chicago do a fabulous job in recreating this special ritual.
When I was in London not long ago, my daughter took me to Fortnum & Mason for Afternoon Tea. It’s the finest food hall in the city - even better than Harrod’s. And... while in England, pronouncing scones correctly means ‘scone’ rhymes with ‘gone’, not ‘bone’.
To give you a little background, Afternoon Tea has been around in England since the 1800s. Then, as now, it took place in the late afternoon to offset some hunger pangs before dinner and allowed the ladies to hear the latest gossip of the week.
Tea generally takes the form of three tiers: finger sandwiches; scones; and petite pastries. It is accompanied by a pot of tea, often rich with exotic spices. It can be fancy or casual, can start with a glass of bubbly, and often the finest China is used so the table looks fit for a queen. It’s a time to relax and enjoy the company around you.
One of the most famous cooks in England is Mary Berry. You may remember her from the “British Bake Off” television series or the “Best Pudding Contest” in England for the Queen’s Jubilee.
I really like Mary’s simple approach to cooking with delicious results, so I thought I’d share one of her scone recipes, as scones are my favorite part of Afternoon Tea. I think you’ll find these scones quite tasty and a nice change from American coffee cake or quick bread.
I hope you’ll give it a go. The scones can be served with jam and clotted cream or butter. They are best enjoyed shortly after made (aren’t all desserts?!), but can be frozen and shared with tea another time. And if you’re really looking to indulge, pop open a bottle of champers while the scones are baking and save the tea for later!
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¼ cup sugar
• 7 Tbl butter, softened and cut into pieces
• 2 eggs
• Milk (see below)
• A handful of raisins or currents
• Feel free to add zest of lemon or orange, or other dried fruits
• Serve with jam and clotted cream or butter
1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Lightly grease two baking trays.
2. Put the flour, baking powder and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Crack the eggs into a large measuring cup, then add enough milk to make the total liquid 12 fl oz. Putting a little bit aside to brush on top of the scones later, stir the egg and milk into the flour and mix to a soft, sticky dough.
4. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface, knead lightly and work in the raisins/currants if using, as well as any zest or other dried fruit. Roll out to a rectangle about ¾ inches thick.
5. Cut into as many rounds as possible (suggestion: use an upside-down floured juice glass to cut out), each about 2 inches in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking trays. Brush the tops of the scones with the setaside egg and milk mixture left in the measuring cup.
6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the scones are well risen and a pale, golden-brown colour. Lift onto a wire rack to cool. Eat as fresh as possible.
7. To serve, split the scones horizontally and serve with strawberry jam and a good dollop of clotted cream or butter.
If you find yourself having one of those blissfully free afternoons with nothing to read, pick up a copy of Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures and dive right in.
Tova Sullivan works as the night cleaner for the Sowell Bay aquarium until a kitchen mishap forces her to rest and the aquarium to find a temporary replacement in the form of California derelict, Cameron Cassmore. Unable to stay away due to her fondness for the resident Giant Pacific Octopus, Marcellus, Tova decides to act as Cameron’s helper until she has recovered. Marcellus is mischievous and at the end of his life. He dreams of
escaping back to the sea before he dies, but he has a mission to complete first: find a way to tell Tova why her son disappeared three decades ago and bring love into her life once more.
Van Pelt’s debut novel has won the stamp of approval from the TODAY book club with Jenna Bush Hager, and rightfully so. What stands out most about this story is how Van Pelt cleverly evokes empathy in her readers for a protagonist that isn’t human. This fast-paced and heartwarming tale of love, loss, and finding healing in the most incredible places reminds us that the answers we seek are often closer than we realize.
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• WSNN Book Club meets the first “teen” Tuesday of each month. If interested, please check them out on Facebook or contact Kathleen Stark at westernspringsnewcomers@gmail.com
• Village Club Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month. If interested, please check them out on their website or contact the VC at info@thevillageclub.com
Continues Fine Jewelry Legacy in Recently Renovated Store
Few people are fortunate to know what their career calling is from a young age. Rachel Browning, owner of Browning + Sons Jewelers, is one such person.
Rachel always had a love of jewelry that became her lifelong passion. Her mom took her to their local jewelry store to pick her graduation gift, and the store owner asked if she’d like a job. That was the start of her now nearly 40-year career in the industry. She enjoyed that position for 12 years before going out on her own.
Browning’s son, Johnny, joined the team 10 years ago. With his encouragement, the store underwent a makeover last summer. The renovations were based on what’s happening in the industry today and the experience they hope their clients have. While many jewelry stores are focused on one particular style, the Browning’s focus remains on
BY: KAITLIN HALL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LYLA LANE PHOTOGRAPHYconsistently evolving, cutting edge fashion, along with updated classics that continue to surprise clients. They operate under the adage that their “Collections are Curated by Us for You.”
She said, “We are a niche jeweler because we curate collections to fit not only our style, but that of our clients, the feeling of our store, and the appeal in the market today.”
They also pride themselves on the fact that their jewelry is only U.S. or Italy sourced. They enjoy working with clients to discover how they will use the jewelry on a daily basis, not just special occasions.
Another one of their greatest strengths is their ability to repurpose and restyle existing pieces with special meaning to their clients. Whether it is a family heirloom or an unused piece, multipurpose use for clients is important to them. They also set
themselves apart by designing and stocking a line of eternity bands, available in all diamond shapes.
Rachel said, “We develop great connections with our clients through this process and therefore are able to match the product to the client’s wants.”
Rachel has a second son, Carmen, and is proud of both boys. From the time they were born, they have been around her business and grew up knowing what hard work is and how to stick with it. She said it’s “just part of their fabric.”
In their spare time, the Browning family enjoys hanging at their lake house. Stop in the next time you’re in town. Browning + Sons is located at 46 S. Washington St. They can also be reached at 630-986-0880 or by emailing info@browningandsons.com. Be sure to follow them on Instagram as well (browningandsons), which she said is a great source for design.
www.browningandsons.com
It was always the husband-wife duo Dr. Ramzi Daibis, DDS, MS, and Dr. Tamara Oweis’ dream to open their own practice. That dream became a reality in 2018 when they opened Band & Wire Orthodontic and Pediatric Dentistry, the area’s only dual specialty dental practice.
Dr. Ramzi graduated from dental school at the top of his class in 2004 before joining the orthodontics residency program at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2007. He earned his master’s in oral science and his board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics in 2010 and was recertified in 2018. Board certification is attained by only one in three orthodontists in the United States.
Dr. Oweis followed a similar path, graduating from dental school in 2008 and also attending the orthodontics residency program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Both started their careers in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Ramzi served as the lead orthodontist for a dental corporation, treating patients in multiple locations across the city while Dr. Oweis also practiced in various locations in the area, where she discovered her love for treating younger children and teenagers.
Dr. Lee joined the team last year. She received her doctorate in dentistry from Northwestern University and went on to receive her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at The University of Illinois. She has more than 20 years of experience treating infants to college-aged patients, as well as children with special needs. Like Dr. Ramzi and Dr. Oweis, she also values building long-lasting relationships with her patients, encouraging them to be advocates for themselves so they are eventually comfortable attending their appointments independently.
Band & Wire’s aim is to serve patients using a team approach. They collaborate on cases often to provide the best treatment option. They serve orthodontics patients of all ages by correcting bites and straightening teeth using braces or Invisalign. Additionally, they provide pediatric dentistry services, which include checkups and cleanings, fillings and restorative dentistry.
“We serve children from the moment they get their first tooth through the late teenage years,” said Dr. Ramzi. “Our dual specialty offering is helpful for parents and patients alike. Adults receiving treatment can bring their kids for appointments at the same time.”
What sets them apart is their treatment philosophy. Backed by vast clinical experience and strong research background, they use state-of-the-art technology that’s proven to work in the simplest, fastest and least uncomfortable way. They are a nearly 100% digital practice, planning treatments on the computer. They are also a Diamond Plus Invisalign provider, the only one in the area, and they provide LightForce braces, which are custom 3D printed braces. In the area of pediatric dentistry, they can diagnose cavities without having to do X-rays! They also utilize laser dentistry, which allows them to treat cavities without the use of a drill and numbing patients. These technologies result in a better experience and faster outcomes.
Dr. Ramzi said, “We know many parents have concerns with their child having radiation exposure and anxiety that comes with visits and drillings. The technologies we offer reduce or even eliminate these concerns.”
Their practice is located on Ogden Street in Clarendon Hills, centrally located to most nearby towns. They love that they get to treat people they know and serve their local community.
Residing in Hinsdale, Dr. Ramzi and Dr. Oweis have two sons and one daughter, ages 9, 7 and 3. As a family, they enjoy visiting museums and parks, and they recently took their second trip to Disney. They are also passionate about their community, sponsoring local school activities and other community organizations and events.
In Dr. Lee’s spare time, she likes spending time with her husband and college-aged twin daughters. She loves to travel, pursue culinary adventures and try her hand at arts and crafts, and you’ll often find her on a bike trail in the summer enjoying nature.
Poncho’s Family Members: The Reedy Family: Corinne, Nick, Madelyn, Dominic and Faith
Pet Name(s): Poncho
Type of Animal/Breed: A Ginger (like his mama)
Male or Female: Male
Pet’s Age: 15
Why did you decide to get your pet? Corinne got Poncho when she was a single girl in the city, but he has adapted well to family life in the suburbs. More rooms to roam, more doors to try to escape and now more laps to lay on.
Is there anything unusual/unique about your pet? Poncho’s Likes: - Ear rubs - Making muffinsSun bathing - Playing escape artist - Sitting on that important piece of mail you are trying to open - drinking out of your water glass - All boxes (not picky)
Poncho’s dislikes: - any petting that he did not approve that lasts longer than 50 seconds - belly rubsfamily vacations
Favorite Foods: Chicken, Whip Cream, Cheetos (in that order, all acquired through stealing)
What do you like best about your pet ownership?
Poncho is very outgoing (some might also call it codependent). Every single time we come home, he is there to greet us at the door and meow until we pick him up.
Do you have any funny or heartwarming stories about your pet you would like to share? Poncho never misses bedtime, he likes to go from room to room to say good night to the kids.
He’s also become quite the cat burglar... he knows how to open doors. Because I work from home, I had to put a special lock on my office door so I wouldn’t get any surprise guests on my zoom meetings (see picture attached).
We also tried to get him a cat harness to take him outside (since he’s always trying to escape), but he learned how to maneuver himself out of the harness, so now he has now spoiled that for himself (pic also attached).
How has your pet enriched the life of your family?
Poncho has been my best friend for 15 years and nothing makes me happier than seeing the bond he now has with my husband and the kids. Many who knew Poncho as a kitten (a scrappy kitty from the mean streets of downtown Chicago) would never have imagined the softer lover-kitty he has now turned into (well, most of the time).
March 11th, 9:30AM-1:00PM
Cossitt Elementary School
The Cossitt Clothing Sale is an event you don’t want to miss. Come shop for your little ones and pick up some preloved clothes and shoes. Our sale is open from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm, with a half-price sale from 12:00 pm –1:00 pm. Parking is available in the lot behind the school or on the streets around the school. Enter through the northwest doors off the school playground.
ST. PADDY’S FAMILY BOWLING PARTY
March 17, Time TBD
Suburbanite Bowl
Western Springs Neighbors & Newcomers is taking their luck to the lanes on St. Paddy’s Day. Bring your family for some bowling fun. You can contact westernspringsnewcomers@gmail.com for more information.
BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY
March 19th, 9:00AM-10:00AM
Park District of La Grange Recreation Center, 536 East Ave
Hop on over to the Recreation Center for a light breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Breakfast will begin at 8:30am and consist of donuts, yogurt, fruit, coffee, milk or juice. Each child will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and create some holiday crafts. Pre-registration is required, and the deadline is March 10th. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
LEARNING ANTI-RACISM TOGETHER (LART)
BOOK DISCUSSION
March 22nd, 7:30PM on Zoom
Heal Your Way Forward, Myisha T. Hill
Email learningantiracismtogether@gmail.com to register. *Subject to change. Email us for more information.
TWEEN FLASHLIGHT EGG HUNT
March 31st, 7:30-8:00PM
Sedgwick Park (E 48th St & 10th Ave)
It’s that time of the year, so paint those eggs, keep an eye out for the bunny and……grab a flashlight??? That’s right! Get ready for a great night looking for eggs filled with candy and tickets that represent prizes too big to fit in an egg. Each participant must be accompanied by a parent. Registration deadline is March 17th.
PLAY CAFE
Every Friday, 9:30AM-11:00AM
La Grange Bible Church
Weekly playdate for kids birth to 5. Great way to meet other local families of littles! No registration is required.
When work turns into a family vacation!
Family Member Names: Leigh, BJ, Lili, Avery
Profession(s): Assistant Coach - United States Mens National Team What schools do your kids attend? Field Park and McClure
How did you get involved with the Men’s US Soccer Team? I have been coaching soccer for 20 years, prior to moving to Chicago and joining the USMNT , I was a coach for the Philadelphia Union (MLS). After the US did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, they were looking to hire a new coaching staff, and was fortunate enough to be asked
You and your family got to travel to the World Cup, tell us about your adventure. Unfortunately for BJ, this trip was all work and no play. Leigh and the girls were able to explore and immerse themselves more in the culture. The highlight of the trip was definitely attending the 3 group stage games. Qatar had built 8 brand new stadiums in preparation for the World Cup all within 45 minutes of where we were staying. The stadiums were extremely unique including one built to be dis- assembled and fit into 974 shipping containers so that it can be transported and setup in different locations, one that emulated a Bedouin style tent, and one designed to represent the Gahfiya – a traditional woven cap worn by males across the Arab world and beyond.
How long was the trip to Qatar? Any stories about the travel? BJ was in Qatar for about 3.5 weeks. Leigh and the girls did a 12 day trip. The flight to Qatar is 12.5 hours while the return is almost 14.5.
Can you tell us about your work with the US Team while at the World Cup? My primary responsibility on the staff is to lead the opponent analysis, and help build the game plans for the team. I work alongside a team of 3 analysts to make sure the players are prepared for their individual responsibilities, along with providing them clear ideas on how we want to approach the match from an offensive and defensive standpoint. I sit up at the top of the stadiums and communicate with the bench much like a defensive/offensive coordinator does for American football.
What did your family enjoy doing while you were working? We participated in the US Soccer Friends and Family program. Over 250 people stayed in an apartment building on The Pearl - a man-made island in Doha. We enjoyed exploring the city and all that the country had to offer. We went on an afternoon desert excursion where we traveled out to a Bedouin style campsite in the middle of the desert. There we did falconry, sand-boarding, dune-bashing In Land Cruisers, saw a beautiful sunset, star-gazed and ate a wonderful Middle Eastern meal. On our other non-game days, we got to explore the many unique neighborhoods that Doha has to offer. We saw the Katara Cultural Village, attended a local mosque, explored outdoor markets and went to Souq Waqif which is one of the oldest markets in the world.
I could write a long and involved article about how to accomplish a specific technical achievement that would require a free weekend and a lot of motivation, but I’m not going to do that. Instead, here are some quick tips that you can use right now to improve your digital life! You’re welcome.
1. Plug in your USB right, the first time! Since USB came out in 1996, there has not been a single person to plug it in correctly on the first attempt. Ever. But here’s a surefire way to eliminate the frustration. Look at any USB cable and you’ll see a symbol. That symbol should be pointed up to let you know that you’re plugging it in correctly. Now if your port is vertical, like it is on my monitor, well, then you’re screwed.
2. Watch YouTube videos without the ads. Want to watch a video on YouTube but hate the annoying ads? In the video’s link simply insert a hyphen (“-”) between the “t” and the “u” of the word “youtube” in the URL of the video you want to share. Here’s a comparison of the two URLs, with ads and without:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPyFIvCvh8U
www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=cPyFIvCvh8U
3. Reopen closed browser tabs. Does this sound familiar? You have a baker’s dozen worth of browser tabs open and you accidentally close the one you needed. Well, I guess you could go into your browser history and find it there but an easier way is to simply hit Ctrl+Shift+T on your PC or Command+Shift+T on your Mac to automatically reopen the tab you just closed.
4. Share a YouTube video that starts at a precise point. A lot of times, when you want to share a YouTube video, there can be A LOT of fluff at the beginning or maybe there’s just a specific section of a video that you wanted to share. Well, rather than making your intended viewer scrub through the entire video trying to find the part you’re talking about, you can share a link that will automatically start the video at a particular spot. Just append &t=XX after the link - and where XX is, that’s where you put the number of seconds. So if you wanted it to start at the 30 second mark, it would look like: &t=30. If you want to jump ahead by minutes, use: &t=30m15s (this would start at the 30 min 15 sec mark).
The information contained herein has been obtained through sources deemed reliable by The N2 Company, but cannot be guaranteed for its accuracy. Any information of special interest should be obtained through independent verification.
