Sheridan Road, March 2020

Gelberg, Private Mortgage–Banking Sales Supervisor ; Ellen Topel, Senior Private Banker ; Tom Hulick, WBS Financial Advisor*; Irma Parada, Private Banking Client Associate ; Mark Majoros, Wealth Advisor Client Associate

The personal approach to wealth management

Everything we do is built around you. In fact, we’re committed to working closely with you and your advisors to create a plan that fits your unique needs and goals. Ready to get started? Come meet the team of specialists at your local Northbrook Wells Fargo Private Bank.

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Wells Fargo Private Bank provides products and services through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the banking affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company, and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Brokerage products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Trust services available through banking and trust affiliates in addition to non-affiliated companies of Wells Fargo & Company. Insurance products are available through insurance subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company and underwritten by non-affiliated Insurance Companies. Not available in all states.

© 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801. IHA-B17087

(Left to right): Andrew Zimmerman, WBS Financial Advisor*; Colleen McCaffery, Wealth Advisor ; Brandon Johnson, WBS Client Associate ; Lisa Bertagna, WM Private Banking Advisor–Market Leader ; Joseph Karam, WBS Financial Advisor*; Shanise Evans, Fiduciary Advisory Specialist ; Russ

Individuals denoted by the asterisk (*) are employed by Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and are registered with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and work in conjunction with The Private Bank but are not employed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

1823 N MOHAWK ST

5 Beds | 5.2 Baths • $2,995,000 1823NMohawkSt.info

Stately brick and limestone home on a premier East Lincoln Park block! High-end kitchen will please the most discerning of chefs with an oversized island, polished stainless sink, gorgeous LaCornue range, & beautiful white cabinetry. The adjacent family room opens onto a large enclosed back patio with remote controlled awning and a garage top roof deck. The upper levels of the home offer four large bedroom suites, each with fantastic closet space. The master suite has a luxurious bath with soaking tub, & an oversized rain shower. Lower level offers a huge rec room, exercise room, and guest suite. Lincoln Schools!

1951 N KENMORE AVE

4 Beds | 3.1 Baths • $1,795,000

1951NKenmoreAve.info

Exceptional single-family home located on a quiet block just off Armitage. This home has been completely renovated and transformed. Enjoy fabulous outdoor living with panoramic city views and great living space on every level. The kitchen features a 10-foot island, with a gorgeous onyx countertop. 2nd level master bedroom has a fireplace and a fabulous walk-in closet. 3rd level rec room opens to the deck- perfect for hosting during the warmer months. The finished lower level is a great space for guests with a separate kitchenette, a huge mudroom, a cozy guest room. 1000sf of outdoor living space and a 2-car garage!

1452 W FLETCHER ST

6 Beds | 4.1 Baths • $1,950,000 1452WFletcherSt.info

Incredible wide lot home, ideally located in Lakeview/Southport Corridor. The main level has a formal living room featuring a fireplace and huge south windows all open to the dining room. The updated kitchen has quartz countertops and SS appliances. An adjacent family room overlooks the newly styled fab outdoor living space. 4 big bedrooms, including the master suite are on the second level. The lower level media room is a great place to watch a game. The outdoor space is unparalleled with a beautifully planted deck over the 2-car garage, a spacious stone patio, and a sport court.

399 W FULLERTON PKWY, 8E

4 Beds | 3.1 Baths • $1,349,000 399WFullertonPkwy8E.info

Beautifully renovated vintage co-op with the best Lincoln Park address! Expansive views of the park, harbor, and southern views over the city. Extra-large living room with wood-burning fireplace is adjacent to the large, sunny dining room allowing for easy entertaining. An updated white kitchen features SS appliances, a wine fridge, plus a butler’s pantry with direct access into the dining room. Luxe master with ample closets and a newly remodeled master bath with an oversized shower. Full service building with 24-hour door staff, valet parking, guest parking, exercise room and on-site engineer!

DREAM KITCHEN

is North Shore

The Circle

Since 1971, Motor Werks has been a staple of the Barrington community, and has grown into one of the largest, automotive retailers in the midwest.

But we haven’t forgotten what got us here. We take pride in offering an outstanding customer experience with every service we perform, to every customer, inviting you into something we call the circle Visit a place where excellence isn’t a goal, it’s the standard, and see for yourself what the circle is all about.

MOTOR WERKS welcome to the circle

1475 Barrington Rd, Barrington, IL 60010

LAKEFRONT LIFESTYLE. From a grand first impression to the boathouse at water’s edge, this Kenilworth favorite is ideal for large-scale entertaining and relaxed family fun. An impressive foyer reveals the open floor plan of sun-filled, spacious rooms with big Lake Michigan views. Four fireplaces, a secret bookcase door, and bay window seats are just some of the delightful details. The gourmet kitchen has it all: butler’s pantry, buffet-sized island, walk-in pantry, built-in desk, top appliances, and lakefront breakfast room. Upstairs, discover a dreamy master bedroom suite plus 4 more bedrooms, all with modern ensuite baths. The sitting room opens to a generous deck with spectacular views. You’ll fall in love with the large, level backyard with easy-care perennial borders and bluestone terraces. The lawn is perfect for a game of croquet or for a memorable celebration under a tent. A short walk down the terraced bluff leads to a charming boathouse designed by Hackley & Associates. OFFERED AT $5,750,000

Florida Sandcrabs in Coral

Texas Circles in Navy

Michigan Herringbone Strip in Blue Smoke

Illlinois Tweed in Blue

FEATURES

SR Teen’s race car driver Bryce Aron

by Frank Ishman

CLOSETS TAILORED TO YOUR Taste

Call (847) 327-0896 for a free in-home design consultation and estimate or visit us online at closetfactory.com

Call (847) 327-0896 for a free in-home design consultation and estimate or visit us online at closetfactory.com

©2020 Closet Factory. All rights reserved.

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Editor-in-Chief

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Contributing Writers

J.W. CONATSER

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DEBBIE LEE

KEMMIE RYAN

ELAINE DOREMUS

CONSTANTINE JAMES

ALLISON DUNCAN

ALLISON DUNCAN, MITCH HURST, ELIZA JARVI, JAKE JARVI, MONICA KASS ROGERS, ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER, MEGAN WEISBERG

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AMANDA ALVARADO, CHRIS GEIMER REDDING WORTH

FRANK ISHMAN, JON MILLER, LARRY MILLER, MONICA KASS ROGERS, ROBIN SUBAR

ROBERT RISKO

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GRETCHEN BARNARD, JENNIFER STURGEON

RAHEELA ANWAR, EILEEN BENNIN, RENEE CROWN, JEFFREY EISERMAN, MAUREEN GRINNELL, DANA HUGHES, JOYCE BRUCE JIARAS, JILL KATZ, LEXIE KNOX, YOANNA KULAS, ARTHUR MILLER, MEREDITH MITCHELL, SANDRA CASPARRIELLO MURPHY, RONI MOORE NEUMANN, IBBY PINSKY, AND MONIQUE WATTS

How to reach Sheridan Road

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445 SHERIDAN ROAD, SUITE 100 / HIGHWOOD, ILLINOIS 60040

Sheridan Road is published 10 times annually by JWC Media.

JWC Media accepts freelance contributions; however, there is no guarantee that unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or graphics will be returned. All rights to the contents of this magazine are owned in full by JWC Media. Sheridan Road may not be reproduced in whole or in part, including but not limited to advertisements and articles, without written permission from the publisher. Sheridan Road assumes no responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed by contributing writers, editors, or advertisers. However, comments or corrections or differing opinions are welcomed. The publisher reserves the right to edit and place all editorials and ads. © 2020 JWC Media

Strategic support, creative guidance, effective leadershi�: these are the qualities we offer our clients as they work through their challenges.

LYNCH CONSTRUCTION CORP.

EDITOR’S NOTE

THIS MONTH I WILL BE

READING

Jeanne Bishop’s Grace from the Rubble

March is the month that spring begins. So, with beginnings in mind, this issue highlights women who have experienced new beginnings in their careers. Our first feature introduces Winnetka tech exec Jayna Cooke, an entrepreneur and investor who has spent the last decade launching and scaling technology businesses. Her recent endeavors include adding motherhood and philanthropy to her busy schedule. Another Winnetkan, Lj Savarie is the subject of our second feature. Lj started her career in interior design at Traditional Home and Southern Living magazines. After years on the publishing side of the industry, Lj turned her own design work into a business—opening Savarie Interiors. Her most recent project is a collaboration with Michele Frigon reenvisioning the Lake Forest Showhouse’s mudroom. You can see their handiwork in person when you visit the show anytime between April 25-May 17. In our third feature, Portugal native and Lake Forest resident Sonia Afonso takes us inside the beautiful world of her new company Hoshi Collective. Sonia has traveled the world and in doing so has developed an interest in preserving traditions. She along with her co-founder hope to be active conduits of cultural preservation through Hoshi Collective’s handmade products.

VISITING

Pure Drawing: Seven

Centuries of Art from the Gray Collection at the Art Institute of Chicago

WISHING

You lots of happy beginnings this spring

Speaking of products, this month’s Shore vs. City features luxury bedding guru Meg Carroll, founder of everyone’s favorite bedding boutique Bedside Manor. Swapping comforters for the sport of professional car racing, SR Teen catches up with Winnetka’s high-speed Bryce Aron. His riveting performances have set him on a journey across the pond to compete in the U.K. for the 2020 season.

Trading burned rubber for canvas and paintbrushes, Art & Artist highlights Lake Forest art team Michael Ball and Wendy Thornycroft. This dynamic duo’s collaboration is an art form.

As spring break bikini season looms, Trending features Highland Park’s Chris Falcon who recently opened WIN Athletic Club in Glenview. This artist, writer, motivational speaker, and now gym owner shares how he stays on trend in this fast-paced world. After burning all those calories, be sure to visit Winnetka’s Tocco. Dinner Date peruses the Italian eatery’s menu this month.

Hungry for a trip to Spain? First Class takes us to Madrid and Marbella for a taste of Spain’s capital city and the Costa del Sol’s beachy gem. We close the issue with Susan Snyder, LEARN Excel, and the Winnetka Family Partnership. The WFP’s collaboration with LEARN Excel has turned into a powerful partnership for good. Cheers to warmer weather.

Dustin O’Regan dustin@jwcmedia.com

Follow Sheridan Road on Instagram: @sheridanrdmag

Bruno Abate, owner of Tocco

Hoshi Collective Quito Panama Hat in Natural, available at Hoshicollective.com

Grace Bedding Collection Romano Wall Mirror Leopard Oval Tray

Pomegranate Bedding

FeuilleBathRug

Cable Knit Velvet Pillow

INSIDER

YOUR GUIDE to the latest on PEOPLE, PLACES, and THINGS on the North Shore

Race car driver Bryce Aron Photography by Frank Ishman

SAVE the DATE

MARCH 15

BEETHOVEN’S 250TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

WHERE: Highland Park Community House

WHEN: 3 p.m.

TICKETS: $20 adults; $16 seniors; $8 students. Join Pilgrim Chamber Players for a celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Violinist Desiree Ruhstrat and cellist David Cunliffe with other marvelous string players from the Lyric Orchestra perform a Beethoven String Quintet and a Mozart String Quintet. pilgrimplayers.org

MARCH 16

HOUSEWARES CARES GALA

WHERE: Navy Pier, Chicago

WHEN: 5:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $350; $50 for after-party.

Join the Housewares Charity Foundation for an evening of culinary fun for a good cause. More than 1,000 are expected to attend the event which features tasting stations by James Beard Foundation chefs during the cocktail reception followed by an exquisite three-course meal. Stay for the after-party at Offshore Rooftop & Bar. housewarescharity.org

APRIL 2

CAC 45TH

ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT

WHERE: Knoll Showroom, Chicago

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. VIP event; 8 to 10 p.m. after-party.

TICKETS: $350; $70 for after-party only.

Join artists, art supporters, and the art curious as the Chicago Artists Coalition (CAC) celebrates its 45th anniversary. The nonprofit organization supports contemporary artists so they can work, live, and thrive. This year’s event will honor artists Nick Cave and Bob Faust. chicagoartistscoalition.org/get-involved/annual-benefit

APRIL 6-8 & 28-29

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

WITH WINGS

WHERE: The Eden Palais Carousel, Sanfilippo Estate, Barrington

April Graves of Light Drawn Studios captures the magic and innocence of youth during an exclusive photography session at the breathtaking Sanfilippo Estate. Dress up your little girl in exquisite feather wings and a stunning floral halo before she hops upon a magical carousel horse on the Eden Palais Carousel. Photography will appear in the 2021 Beautiful Things with Wings calendar with all session fees and proceeds donated to nonprofit WINGS. Please call Light Drawn Studios at 224-655-7801 to schedule your session. lightdrawnstudios.com

APRIL 16

26TH ANNUAL SPRING

LUNCHEON WHERE: Hilton Chicago

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. VIP reception; 11 a.m. general reception; 11:30 a.m. program

TICKETS: Starting at $200. The Woman’s Board of Rush

University Medical Center welcomes Cindy McCain as keynote speaker at its annual spring luncheon. This inspiring event sold out last year, so be sure to get your tickets today. thewomansboard.org/annual-spring-luncheon

APRIL 17

THE MAGIC OF GIVING

WHERE: Park West, Chicago

WHEN: 6 p.m.

TICKETS: Starting at $200. Prepare to be mesmerized by magician and star of Netflix’s Magic for Humans, Justin Willman, during the Winnetka Board of the Northwestern University Settlement’s signature fundraiser. winnetkaboard.com

APRIL 18

RAGDALE’S NOVEL AFFAIR

WHERE: Shoreacres, Lake Forest

WHEN: 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Ragdale’s 14th Annual Novel Affair brings together acclaimed authors and artists for a weekend of creativity and conversation. Ragdale kicks off the festivities with Novel Affair School Day on Friday, where featured authors will visit area schools to foster healthy self-expression and creative opportunities. The next day, guests are invited to a cocktail reception and book signing with all of the guest authors. The reception will be followed by an intimate dinner featuring two of the celebrated guests in a North Shore home. Dinner tickets are very limit-

ed and must be purchased in addition to reception tickets. ragdale.org

APRIL 20

MIC’S 2020

ANNIVERSARY GALA

WHERE: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

WHEN: 6 p.m.

TICKETS: $550

With the promise of an evening of splendid cuisine and elegant music, join the Music Institute of Chicago during its annual gala. Renowned pianist Evgeny Kissin will receive the coveted Dushkin Award and Helen Zell will be honored with the Cultural Visionary Award for Chicago. musicinst. org/anniversary-gala

APRIL 25

ART OF CARING

WHERE: Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest

WHEN: 6 p.m.

TICKETS: $250

The Women’s Board of Catholic Charities, Lake County Services presents its 31st annual signature event with a gourmet dinner, craft cocktails, live auction, entertainment, and more. catholiccharities.net

APRIL 25

A SHOW OF SUPPORT

WHERE: Briarwood Country Club, Deerfield

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $150 per person; $1,300 table of 10. Family Service of Lake County hosts its 90th anniversary cel-

Sheridan Road provides the North Shore’s comprehensive social calendar to see what’s doing and who’s doing it.

WORDS BY KEMMIE RYAN

ebration, presenting awards to the Highland Park Community Foundation, Sharon Fisch-Reichler, and DeSha Kalmar for their outstanding work in the community. famservice.org

APRIL 25-MAY 17

LAKE FOREST

SHOWHOUSE & GARDENS

WHERE: To be discovered, shuttles departing from two locations.

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. Kick off spring at the Lake Forest Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago’s 2020 Showhouse & Gardens. This year’s home is an elegant 23-room, 11,000 square foot home that sits on three acres of beautifully landscaped property. Special events will be held throughout the show

AGENDA

including a lecture and book signing by Honorary Chair Paloma Contreras on April 26 and a floral workshop with Katie Ford on April 27. lakeforestshowhouse.com

MAY 1

ICON GALA

WHERE: Harris Theater, Chicago

WHEN: 5 p.m. cocktail reception; 6 p.m. dinner; 8 p.m. performance.

TICKETS: $1,200; $35 for performance only.

One of the Chicago area’s most exciting cultural events—the Harris Theater for Music and Dance hosts a stunning cocktail reception and dinner on the theater rooftop before a much-anticipated performance of Pina Bausch’s Palermo Palermo. harristheaterchicago.org/ support/icon-gala

MAY 2

NWLF SPRING GALA

WHERE: Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest

WHEN: 5:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $300; benefactor tables available for $5,000. Kick off spring at an innovative and seasonal dinner prepared by a local top chef and paired with local spirits. After dinner, guests are invited to participate in a live auction with one-ofa-kind offerings, and dancing into the night. The evening is hosted by the Women’s Board of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital (NWLF) and chaired by Yvonne Bruce and Kristin Carruthers. lfh.org/womens_board

MAY 7

ART ENCOUNTER GALA: KALEIDOSCOPE

WHERE: Greenhouse Loft, Chicago

WHEN: 6 p.m. VIP reception; 7 p.m. gala and art auction. Evanston-based Art Encounter hosts its color art auction and benefit in downtown Chicago, this year honoring Lynne Warren, curator of the MCA. artencounter.org

MAY 7

SIP & SWING: SOUNDS OF THE USO

WHERE: Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Skokie

WHEN: 7 p.m.

TICKETS: $30 general; $15 for members. Lindy Hop, jitterbug, and jive into the night to the musical sounds of Big Band Boom! during a classic USO tribute, celebrating the 75th anniversary of liberation and the end of World War II. ilholocaustmuseum.org

The Winnetka Board of the Northwestern University Settlement’s THE MAGIC OF GIVING will feature Justin Willman of Netflix’s Magic for Humans on APRIL 17. Photography by Jillian Sipkins

NEWSWORTHY

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Highland Park’s award-winning Susan Merdinger is a concert pianist and Steinway artist who has been actively performing in Chicago, nationally, and internationally her entire career. In addition to her many awards, she was recently selected as one of eight Honored Artists of The American Prize. A frequent performer at Carnegie Hall, Merdinger has released more than 10 CDs of her interpretations of classical piano and chamber music. Her recent CD, American Melting Pot, features the works of two Chicago-based composers, Ilya Levinson and Elbio Barilari, and Chicago native, Aaron Alter, as well as Morton Gould and Fernando Vazquez, and was awarded a Gold Medal in The Global Music Awards and won Best Classical Album from the Clouzine International Music Awards. Merdinger founded SHERIDAN MUSIC STUDIO and joining forces with Dr. Svetlana Belsky, has opened a new studio in the city’s historic Fine Arts Building. Taking advantage of the sweeping views of Lake Michigan, the duo has launched a new Sunday concert series called “Music with a View,” during which they will conduct a live videotaping of a new podcast, Steinway Sundays with Susan and Svetlana. Don’t miss Merdinger in April when she performs with the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. For more information visit, sheridanmusicstudio.com.

The Art Center Highland Park celebrates its 60th Anniversary throughout 2020, with year-long activities, including a “birthday party” during its Annual Spring Benefit on May 1. Begun as The Suburban Fine Arts Center (SFAC) by a group of artists who wanted to share their passion for self-expression, the center consistently grew in popularity and sophistication. Judith Roth, Ed Paschke, and other noted local artists have been among its faculty. In 2002 SFAC moved into its current home, the former American Legion Hall located at 1957 Sheridan Road, and changed its name to THE ART CENTER HIGHLAND PARK. It currently hosts three professional level galleries, has 2,400 annual class enrollments, and offers nearly 200 scholarships a year, as it continues to grow and expand from the “little gem” of the North Shore to a highly regarded gallery, school, and event location. For more information and to join the celebration, visit theartcenterhp.org.

AN ARTFUL JOURNEY LANDSCAPE

ANNE LOUCKS GALLERY showcases Recent Landscapes an exhibition of 30 paintings by artists Rodger Bechtold and Mary Jo O’Gara opening March 20. Bechtold’s paintings capture the Midwestern landscape in a manner that blurs the line between abstraction and representation. Charged with energy, vibrant color, and seemingly effortless brushwork, Bechtold’s compositions offer a unique sense of place and spaciousness that extends beyond the canvas. O’Gara’s paintings represent a study in harmonious layers of color, texture, and light. Intentionally uncomplicated and always fresh, her compositions include barns, outbuildings, and wide-open landscapes inspired by her Midwest surroundings. For more information, visit loucksgallery.com.

Red Barn with Green Trees by Mary Jo O’Gara

Susan Merdinger

Whirled by Jill King

SHORE CITY

AFTER COLLEGE, MEG CARROLL RETURNED

TO THE SHORE TO BUILD A BUSTLING BEDDING BUSINESS, OPENING THE FIRST BEDSIDE MANOR LTD IN 1985 WITH HER COLLEGE ROOMMATE. BY 1988, SHE AND HER HUSBAND MICHAEL WERE AT THE HELM AND OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS EXPANDED THE BUSINESS AND THEIR FAMILY. CARROLL’S OLDEST DAUGHTER RECENTLY JOINED THE COMPANY AND, WHILE WEARING MANY HATS, FOCUSES ON THE STORE’S WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA. CARROLL TOOK TIME FROM KEEPING NORTH SHORE AND CITY RESIDENTS STYLISHLY WELL RESTED, TO SHARE HER CITY AND SHORE FAVORITES.

EDITED

DUSTIN O’REGAN

What’s on the horizon? We are celebrating 35 years in business. Ever grateful to our wonderful team and loyal customers. With a shopping experience that is always satisfying, we are inspired to share our expertise and be part of improving the quality of life and good sleep for our clients Mantra? The best is yet to come Best grooming tip? A good night’s sleep Guilty pleasure? Vinyasa yoga Favorite foods? A delicious green salad with garden tomato and avocado. Fresh fish that came from the ocean that same day Music you love? Gentle, easy sound and recently began enjoying vinyl again Best advice ever given to you? My mother would say, “You can conquer your world after a good night’s sleep” Best advice you’ve given? Do the best you can, tell the truth, and be on time Earliest memory? Three years old going up the rope tow with my dad at Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire When you wake up, you? Look forward to my big mug

ON THE SHORE

Your style is? Classic and easy, pulled together with a scarf Can’t leave the house without? Lip gloss Transportation? By car— my Volvo XC90 Driving music? NPR or the Cubs game Place to eat? Michigan Shores Club Shop? La Colonna, The Grand, or The Book Stall Best thing about the Shore? My amazing book group: dedicated, strong, smart ladies, and so fun Worst thing about the Shore? Can’t think of a thing The perfect day is? Meeting up with dear friends for a nice, leisurely lunch and catching up

of very robust coffee Before bed, you? Wind down the day watching or reading something, and always a little kiss good night What’s on your bookshelf? Mostly what my book club has selected, which is varied and rather eclectic. Classics, historical fiction, memoirs, etc… You can’t live without? My amazing and loving family Love to escape to? Chatham, Massachusetts where we enjoy: fresh ocean air, wildlife, fish/clams/oysters, the beach, meals together, the sky, taking walks, kayaking, biking, running, and smiles on everyone’s faces Advice you would give to your younger self? It’s true—life goes fast

IN THE CITY

Your style is? Classic and easy, pulled together with a scarf Can’t leave the house without? My keys Transportation? Volvo XC90 Driving music? NPR Place to eat? Osteria Langhe in Logan Square Shop? Lori’s Shoes, Unabridged Bookstore, and Art Effect Best thing about the City? Our kids all live nearby and the lakefront path is only half a block away Worst thing about the City? There is no terrific grocery store like The Grand or Heinen’s The perfect day is? Not actually getting in the car to go to a store, a work-out, a restaurant, or a museum

BY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR HAIR, MAKEUP & STYLING BY CONSTANTINE JAMES

Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire

Volvo XC90

Unabridged Bookstore

THE NORTH SHORE’S SPEED RACER

WINNETKA TEEN BRYCE ARON ON THE PROFESSIONAL RACING TRACK.

WORDS

BY MONICA KASS ROGERS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN ARON

The day Bryce Aron turned 16, he not only got his Illinois Driver’s License, he got his Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)-sanctioned professional car racing license.

“It’s true,” smiles Aron, explaining that he had to have both to compete in England’s iconic Formula Ford Festival, where he was the youngest race car driver on the track. One of three drivers chosen to represent America as part of Team USA in the World Cup there, Aron’s participation came at the conclusion of a brilliant rst year in professional racing: He placed third in the U.S. National 2019 Pro Formula 1600 series, among a host of other racing wins. Such a strong rst showing earned Aron an invitation to drive with the Cli Dempsey Racing team in the U.K., where he will compete for the 2020 season. Running from April to October, the U.K. racing year culminates with the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy race. Aron’s dream is to be the rst American in history to win the Festival’s main event.

Unusual? Yes. But there’s not a lot that’s usual about this fast, and focused teen.

“I’m ultra-competitive,” laughs the New Trier High School sophomore, who maintains a 4.0 grade average, de-

spite the intensity of commitment that racing requires. Racing cars, and mastering everything about them in the push toward faster speeds, and bigger wins, consumes Aron.

“I’ve always loved cars,” he says. “My parents tell me my rst sentence was, ‘I see car.’ So even when I was really little, I wanted to nd a way to pursue cars as my passion. I was like, ‘But how do I do that?’ Watching car races on TV—Top Gear, Formula One, Indy Car, my four-year-old self thought: ‘Racing! at’s how I’ll do it!’”

Touring the Lamborghini headquarters with his father during a family vacation in Italy when he was eight years old made a big impression on Aron, who spent the tour asking questions about racing and learned about go-karts—the entry ramp to professional car racing.

“After that visit, I went from, ‘I want to race,’ to ‘I have to race,’” he says. “From then on, it was just me asking, ‘When can I do go-karts? When can I start in go-karts?’ which probably annoyed the heck out of my mom and dad.”

Despite initial reservations, Aron’s parents Alyson and Jordan did research and agreed to take Aron to a recreational indoor go-kart track to try it out.

“ e kart was way too big for him,” Alyson recalls, “but he just took to it. He seemed to just naturally know what to do.”

Aron’s ease with speed and maneuverability, and his unrelenting determination to race, eventually led to participation in competitive go-kart racing on an outdoor track when he was ten. That first go-kart race remains one of Aron’s most memorable.

“It was a brilliant, sunny day,” he says. “We didn’t have great equipment or a big group of supporters standing there. But there I was, on the grid, ready to race, and my dad leaned in and said to me with this huge smile, ‘This is where it all starts!’ And then as soon as I drove off, immediately there was the speed, the feeling of being one with the machine, pushing it to the absolute limit. I loved it.”

Aron placed fifth in the race, and with each subsequent competition, has learned and improved, advancing from go-karts, to the Formula 1600 cars he races now. Hints of the racing life peek out at the edges of the Aron’s home in Winnetka: Go-karting trophies in one corner stand almost four-feet tall. A half-dozen racing coveralls hang in the coatroom, with two helmets on the shelf. And Aron’s first go-kart—now a battered relic—hangs quietly in the garage. But Aron’s room is the motherlode. Shelves wink and sparkle, lined with trophies, medals, racing swag, and empty champagne bottles (traditionally handed out to winners on the podium and filled with liquid that Aron has been too young to actually drink.) But despite the trove of riches, Aron keeps a quiet profile at school, doesn’t talk much about racing with his friends and maintains the disciplines required to fulfill his dream of one day making it to the top of motor sports.

“Friends know I race, but most do not really understand it,” he says. “They hear racing and think NASCAR, which is on an oval track, and Ricky Bobby. Open wheel, which is what I race with the Formula 1600/Formula Ford cars, is different. These are open cockpit, single-seater cars mostly driven on road courses with right, left, and hairpin curves.”

“Someone once described driving these cars as akin to wrestling a giant wild boar while traveling at speeds in excess of 150 mph and passing others who are trying to hold onto their own wild boars,” adds Alyson. “And all of this takes place in conditions that are sometimes treacherous.”

A great deal of physical strength, and endurance, plus intense mental focus, and strategy are required to succeed. To achieve this, Aron works out daily, with a focus on building shoulder, arm, and abdominal strength. He also analyzes film footage from races— his own, as well as races won by motor sport stars such as Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton.

“People may think of racing as a one-person thing,” says Aron, “Just the driver behind the wheel of a very fast car. But it really is a team effort. I may be in the car by myself, but it’s the team— from the driver coach, to the data engineer, to the engineer, to the mechanics, that leads to success.”

Aron explains that each Formula 1600 car he races is equipped both with an onboard camera, and a data-logging unit that captures the minutiae of everything he does on the track, from throttle, braking, and shifting inputs, to steering. Studying the video footage and data with his coaches and engineers is what helps Aron find ways to correct movements and strategize toward faster times. It’s something he studies every day.

“Am I a little bit too wide in turn three? Or too narrow? Am I taking a late apex? Early apex? Am I on throttle too early? Am I braking too early, or if I’m braking too late—am I overcharging the corner? Studying all of this allows me to break things down to a couple of feet, or even inches. Because in a race, if I am breaking a foot later than another racer, that could add 1/100th of a second to my time. And in this setting, where races can be won by a cou-

ple thousandths of a second, that can mean the difference between a win or a loss.”

Because Aron is a perfectionist, his biggest challenge has been not beating himself up mentally if he makes even the slightest mistake on the track. “If I get down on myself and get stuck there, it affects me in the car. It’s hard to bounce back, but you have to stay out of your head. Because if you get frustrated or angry, it shows immediately in your race performance. If I lock a brake and spin, for example, or get too sideways and lose time on a qualifying lap, I have to brush it out of my mind right away. I can’t say, ‘Dang it! I screwed up!’ I have to immediately say, ‘Okay I made a mistake, now move on!’ And put it to the back of my mind.”

Aron’s mantra is, You either win or if you come in second, you are the first person to lose. “Ultimately? I want to make it to the top of motor sports. I want to be paid to do my dream. So, I’m aiming to make it to Indy Car, or to the absolute pinnacle which would be Formula 1,” he explains.

At the end of the day, Aron concludes, “This is not just something I’m doing for fun, this is something I want to do for the rest of my life. I put my heart and soul into it. I get out of a race car and I’m still thinking about it. I go to sleep thinking about it. I wake up thinking about it. How can I be faster? How can I win? I’m willing to do anything to get there.”

For more information visit, brycearon.com.

Race car driver Bryce Aron

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• PTSD

Chicago’s first private facility to offer clinically proven intravenous ketamine therapies for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, pain and other ailments.

• Potential to eliminate your medications and their unwanted side effects

Chicago’s first private facility to offer clinically proven intravenous ketamine therapies for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, pain and other ailments.

Chicago’s first private facility to offer clinically proven intravenous ketamine therapies for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, pain and other ailments.

• Potential to eliminate your medications and their unwanted side effects!

• Potential to eliminate your medications and their unwanted side effects!

• Minimal downtime and no lingering side effects

• State-of-the-art medical facilities in River North and Lincolnshire

• Minimal downtime and no lingering side effects

• Minimal downtime and no lingering side effects

• Customized therapy in a private, luxurious setting

• State-of-the-art medical facility in River North

• State-of-the-art medical facility in River North

• Customized therapy in a private, luxurious setting

• Onsite anesthesiologist, registered nurses, and skilled staff

• Customized therapy in a private, luxurious setting

• Onsite anesthesiologist, registered nurses, and skilled staff

Hailed as “The most significant advancement in mental health in half a century”, ketamine is up to 80% effective in relieving treatment resistant depression (TRD). It is also effective in treating chronic pain (CRPS and fibromyalgia), migraines, OCD, PTSD, neuropathy, and more. Additionally, Chicago Ketamine Centers is now offering SGB (Stellate Ganglion Block), the breakthrough instant treatment for PTSD. As featured on “60 Minutes,” this treatment is transforming lives.

• Onsite anesthesiologist, registered nurses, and skilled staff

Hailed as “The most significant advancement in mental health in half a century”, ketamine is up to 80% effective in relieving treatment resistant depression (TRD). It is also effective in treating chronic pain (CRPS and fibromyalgia), migraines, OCD, PTSD, neuropathy, and more. Chicago Ketamine Centers is now providing this proven therapy utilizing proven protocols.

Hailed as “The most significant advancement in mental health in half a century”, ketamine is up to 80% effective in relieving treatment resistant depression (TRD). It is also effective in treating chronic pain (CRPS and fibromyalgia), migraines, OCD, PTSD, neuropathy, and more. Chicago Ketamine Centers is now providing this proven therapy utilizing proven protocols.

KETAMINE FOR DEPRESSION

As far back as ten years ago, ketamine was noticed to have a profound and rapid effect on improving the symptoms of depression, and many strong clinical studies have since repeatedly supported this. In fact, ketamine can be up to 80 percent effective for treatment of resistant depression, or TRD, which is defined as clinical depression that has failed treatment by two or more antidepressant medications that were taken for an adequate course of therapy.

Because of its success in treating depression, ketamine has been and continues to be also studied in treatment of other mental disorders with very good results. It is for this reason that ketamine has been called “the most significant advancement in mental health in half a century.” As part of this revolution, IV Solutions & Ketamine Centers is the first and most experienced private medical facility to make this treatment available in Chicago. The clinic offers customized therapy in a confidential setting with anesthesiologists, registered nurses, private treatment rooms, and skilled staff.

Developed in the 1960’s as an anesthetic drug, ketamine has been used to successfully treat depression for more than 10 years. It has a safe profile when administered by an experienced anesthesiologist. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA cell receptors, which raises levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Ketamine also remaps and stimulates growth of nerve elements for longterm relief of clinical depression and essentially does a “reboot” of your brain. In fact, sophisticated imaging studies on mouse brain nerve cells has shown that ketamine can stimulate this nerve growth or neurogenesis as early as 24 hours after a single ketamine infusion.

Although primarily used to treat major depression, ketamine can also be just as effective when used to treat bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and even OCD utilizing modified protocols. It is typically effective within hours to days with minimal side effects, as opposed to oral antidepressants which are only effective in about 40 percent of patients, take a month or longer to work, and have many undesirable side effects. Many patients have improvement after their first or second treatments and are comfortable while they are receiving the treatment. Many people, with the guidance of their physician, may be able to decrease or even eliminate their other medications over time.

After the series of six 45-minute infusions for depression done over a period of 2 to 3 weeks, patients typically report relief of symptoms for many weeks to months, after which time booster infusions may be scheduled as needed. Patients can inquire directly for the treatment or can be referred by their physician or mental health professional. Our clinic prefers to integrate your psychiatrist and mental health providers into your care.

WORDS BY DR. BAL NANDRA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

The year 2020 brings us a new year, a new decade, and the opportunity for a new beginning. I’m Dr. Bal Nandra, Medical Director of IV Solution and I want to tell you how ketamine infusions can treat your clinical depression and change your life in a few days.

“I noticed a change the day after my first treatment,” says patient Kathy Wrubleski. “I think clearly, I make decisions effortlessly, I am calm. I’m fully present in the moment and I get goose bumps just thinking about how much I am now loving life. I liken it to waking from a coma. I have to learn how to live again.”

IV Solutions and Ketamine Centers is located at 300 Village Green Road, Suite 225 in Lincolnshire and at 712 N. Dearborn Street in Chicago. For more information, call 844-9-IV-MEDS (948-6337) or visit chicagoivsolution.com or ketaminechicago.com to watch and listen to our many patient testimonials, news, and radio stories.

Ketamine infusions treat clinical depression and other mental heath conditions.

Dr. Bal Nandra

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Move over to Westleigh Farm without sacrificing what makes Lake Forest so special.... Come see the spectacular re-envisioning of the historic King Estate and experience the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “I once thought Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world, maybe it was.”

Move over to Westleigh Farm without sacrificing what makes Lake Forest so special.... Come see the spectacular re-envisioning of the historic King Estate and experience the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “I once thought Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world, maybe it was.”

Lake Forest’s Premier New Home Community

Move over to Westleigh Farm without sacrificing what makes Lake Forest so special.... Come see the spectacular re-envisioning of the historic King Estate and experience the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “I once thought Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world, maybe it was.”

Move over to Westleigh Farm without sacrificing what makes Lake Forest so special.... Come see the spectacular re-envisioning of the historic King Estate and experience the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “I once thought Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world, maybe it was.”

Move over to Westleigh Farm without sacrificing what makes Lake Forest so special.... Come see the spectacular re-envisioning of the historic King Estate and experience the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “I once thought Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world, maybe it was.”

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NEW PLAN Starting at $999k Lower Maintenance Single Floor Living 47 Acres of Lush Gardens, Ponds, Walking Paths and Community Clubhouse 188 S. Ridge Rd. Lake Forest, IL | (847) 865-9906

CULTURE & ARTS

THE NORTH SHORE’S MOST CREATIVE PURSUITS

ART FORM

FROM THE COLLABORATIVE PAINTINGS OF A LAKE FOREST DUO TO THE MUSINGS OF HIGHLAND PARK’S CHRIS FALCON, HERE IS YOUR EXCLUSIVE TICKET TO STAYING ON TREND

“Backstage” 24” X 36” acrylic & marker on canvas by Wendy Thornycroft and Michael Ball.

Photography by Christopher Ball

FERMENTED MODERNISM

Michael Ball and Wendy Thornycroft create art side by side.

WORDS BY ALLISON DUNCAN / ART PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER BALL PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRI SHERMAN

In November 2015, artist Michael Ball flew to Chicago from San Francisco to help his mentor ISz with a gallery exhibition in their joint hometown of Peoria, Illinois. The Friday before the Saturday opening, artist Wendy Thornycroft returned from two weeks in Japan determined to attend the show in support of her friend; that is, ISz.

The rest, as they say, is history. Thornycroft and Ball spent the night talking, then started a texting relationship that eventually graduated to lengthy phone conversations and one year later, in the fall of 2016, the couple married.

“We’re like George and Lennie,” says Ball. “We’re inseparable and are happy simply being around each other. We enjoy each other’s presence and are very likeminded.”

That translates to their work. After sharing a studio for a short time, the two decided to collaborate and took alternate turns at the canvas until they soon started working on the same piece at the

same time in a style all their own, dubbed “fermented modernism.”

“We’re big fans of abstract expressionists from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s,” says Ball. “We take that older style and ferment, or change, it to be something a little more current and visually new. The style of our work tends toward what Wendy did before we met, which is much more ethereal.”

As a high school student at New Trier in Winnetka, Thornycroft says she was “all about art” and would not have graduated without the support of art department chair Lynn Duenow. She later studied at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and at the San Francisco Art Institute, spending most of her time on sculpture. She’s been said to inherit the American tradition of abstract expressionists but with a personality and style all her own.

For Ball, guidance came from his family and, specifically, his grandfather. Self-taught, Ball started drawing as a little kid and grew up making paintings for his high school friends. In the 1970s,

“The Tao Of Us” 24” X 24” acrylic & marker on canvas

he turned from realism to abstraction, and his style emerged, one punctuated by linear images with color, pattern, and texture between the lines. He credits ISz as his biggest learning influence.

With both Ball and Thornycroft’s work, they’re said to stimulate thought and make the observer live a great variety of different experiences.

“I want the viewer to lose their mind, forget about where they are and let their eyes take them to another place,” says Ball. Adds Thornycroft, “I want people to look at something and hopefully be as moved as I am when I’m working on it. I like to see people have that enthusiasm.”

Thornycroft says working together has helped both of them push past their comfort zones, which she says is always a good thing. “The struggle is anytime Wendy doesn’t do what I tell her

to do,” laughs Ball.

Perhaps because of their love, the two say emotion plays a large role in their work, which they describe as passionate. When looking for inspiration, Thornycroft says she finds ideas in traveling, new cultures, and nature. She and Ball went to Bilbao, Spain two years ago to experience the Guggenheim Museum, and Thornycroft even dedicated a series to the Iguazú Falls in Brazil.

“It’s drugs for me,” jokes Ball. “Really, though, it’s very spontaneous. The inspiration is just being alive and still on two feet. The planet, the universe, we’re all part of the same cosmic dust, and my

“My Beach No Beach” 28” X 55” acrylic & marker on canvas

“Mission to Mars” 26” X 55” acrylic on canvas

ART & ARTIST

work is a reflection of that. Spiritual, right?”

Thornycroft teases him: “I’m in tears over here.”

Thornycroft counts American painter Joan Mitchell as a favorite artist, joking that it’s because her work is “like mine.” Ball’s favorites include ISz, of course; along with Pablo Picasso, a favorite of Thornycroft’s, too; Jackson Pollock; Mark Rothko; and German painter Albrecht Durer.

Art permeates everything the couple does. For 20 plus years, Thornycroft has been a member of the North Shore affiliate of the Museum of Contemporary Art and, this April, she and Ball will open their home for the organization’s Board Walk.

“We live in a dollhouse,” says Ball. “Our furniture stylings are eclectic, and we have a whole lot of art on the walls. Our home is small but esoteric.”

In their free time, the pair like to cook and garden—they have a four-foot cast concrete reproduction of the Greek sculpture “Venus de Milo” in their front yard—and visit museums, like Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art in Evanston.

“I struggled to find my own voice, and it took the better part of the ‘70s and ‘80s before it finally popped for me,” says Ball. “Now this is all ours and nobody else’s, which is pretty groovy.”

For more information, follow them on Instagram @tball_gallery.

Wendy Thornycroft and Michael Ball

A WIN-WIN

Highland Park’s CHRIS FALCON was born creative. He is a writer, artist, motivational speaker, tness enthusiast, and host of e Rebel Mindset Podcast. Falcon recently added gym co-owner to his resume opening Glenview’s WIN Athletic Club. Founded on the beliefs that the tness experience is better shared with like-minded people and a tness plan works best if balanced, the gym o ers eight types of classes including indoor cycling, boxing, strength and conditioning, yoga, and more. In addition to classes, music and art are incorporated into the club culture. Falcon’s artwork lines the walls and the music selection is carefully curated to encourage conversation. WIN (which stands for “What’s Important Now”) sounds like a win-win. Here is how the multi-faceted Falcon stays on-trend.

EDITED BY DUSTIN O’REGAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

ON HIS NIGHTSTAND

“I am currently reading Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant. e book was gifted to me by serial entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore. It discusses why it’s important to skip the default setting and pave your own way through life. In many ways it reinforces a mindset that has fueled the majority of my adult life. I always take the road less traveled.”

ON HIS MOBILE

“I’ve really been into following tattoo artists and muralists lately. In a world that is loaded with so much stimulation, I nd it refreshing to observe people that live their lives unapologetically, and express it visually. Chicago artists @nixxi_tattoos, @_dwightwhite are two of my favorites. I am also addicted to NPR’s How I Built is with Guy Raz podcast.”

IN HIS EARBUDS

“Music is truly my rst love. I spend a lot of time creating original melodies on my Taylor acoustic guitar and experimenting with my invention the Ergopick, but when I am listening to music, which is almost always, I listen to e Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, and Chris Cornell. Most of this music is high on feel and tells a story. Music helps me connect with the true nature of the ‘Experience of Life.’ at experience is omni in nature and includes all ups, downs, love, hate, etc. I love music!”

FOOD & TRAVEL

FROM A SPANISH EXPLORATION TO THE ITALIAN FARE OF WINNETKA’S TOCCO, HERE IS THE INSIDE TAKE ON THE BEST OF FOREIGN TRAVEL AND LOCAL CUISINE

Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort’s pool

TOCCO

Incredible Italian food in a lovely, contemporary space.

WORDS BY JAKE AND ELIZA JARVI PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

Tocco is a study in appealing contrasts. The food tastes as if it comes straight from the cluttered kitchen of deep Italian tradition. The flavors conjure warm tones of perfectly aged cheeses and decades of making pasta by hand. However, walking into the space feels like walking into a modern gallery. At the far wall, massively oversized light fixtures frame a moss accent wall. Triangular sound dampeners hang overhead like sculpture, serving double duty of form and function.

Even the drinks combine the old and the new. Expert cocktails that emphasize the flavor of spirits over sweetness in sleek glassware arrive with long, uncut, uncooked pasta serving as straws. Another beautiful marriage of form and function with charm to spare.

Our favorite touch, though, is Bruno’s Cheese Cave, an all-glass walk-in cooler where wheels of imported Italian cheese and slabs of Italian butter await their dining room destinies. From time to

time we watched as owner and chef Bruno Abate would escort people in to tour the cave and heads would crane all around the room to see them gesturing and appreciating the stores like culinary artwork. Again, a gallery.

From the fresh-baked table bread accompanied by rich olive oil and potent, fresh-shredded Italian parmesan to the final bite of one of the best desserts we’ve ever had, Tocco is the real deal. And that handmade pasta . . . oh, man, that handmade pasta.

MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA

The pride in using imported Italian ingredients is evident throughout the entire menu but is perfectly exemplified in the Buffalo Mozzarella appetizer, which isn’t on the menu but has been a frequently offered special ever since Tocco opened its doors. Creamy, rich, and surprisingly complex, this mozzarella is a flavor journey all its own. They could just set the pillowy sphere on a plate unadorned and call it a day. The final dish includes a minimum number of impeccably sourced ingredients so that the palate can absorb each flavor—olive oil, a sprinkle of black pepper, sliced tomato, and basil leaves. If this is one of the specials on the evening of your visit, it’s a must.

Tocco is located at 507 Chestnut Street in Winnetka, 847-386-6955, tocconorth.com.

PAPPARDELLE ALL NORCINA

There are two pasta sections of the menu, one for imported, one for handmade in-house. The Pappardelle all Norcina makes an extremely compelling case for Tocco’s in-house pasta. The thick noodles are so fresh and buttery covered in a mouthwatering cream sauce with crumbles of savory Italian sausage and black truffles. It’s exceedingly rare to find a pasta that doesn’t feel heavy, especially one with such decadent flavors, and yet this one pulls it off. Undoubtedly the highlight of our night.

TORTA DI RICOTTA

The cheesecake we didn’t know we’d always been waiting for. This slice of heaven comes with a buttery top crust like an apple pie and a blissfully warm ricotta filling. A dollop of chocolate mousse on the plate acts as a nice palate cleanser between bites since the flavors are so starkly different from one another. The dish is then decorated with eye-catching smears of raspberry syrup, drizzles of chocolate sauce, and a sprinkling of powdered sugar. Once again, a dish that delivers incredibly rich flavors while still feeling light.

A SPANISH EXPLORATION

Venture on a journey from Spain’s historic capital city to a beachy Andalusian gem.

WORDS BY DUSTIN O’REGAN

Spain is like its native tapas cuisine—offering a little something for everyone. Boasting diverse terrain, the country is home to ski resorts, beach towns, picturesque villages, and cultural meccas. We chose Madrid and Marbella to experience both a bustling cultural center and a coastal hub.

MADRID

Madrid is full of artistic attractions, which mirror the different styles that have left their imprint on the city over the centuries. Beautiful architecture, winding narrow streets, and cultural treasures make it easy to fall in love with this romantic city, and the ability to easily navigate its clean, safe streets is real plus for visitors.

Stay at the five-star luxury NH Collection Palacio de Tepa, which is located in the heart of the Madrid’s “Las Letras” district. Housed in a 19th-century palace designed by Juan de Villanueva, the architect of the Prado Museum and Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s main square, the hotel combines a rich history with modern luxury. From the meticulously preserved brick façade to the 16th-century artifacts displayed in the lobby, the hotel transports you back in time. Open the door to your room, however, and you step into the modern era where exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, contemporary furnishings, hi-tech access, and gorgeous views abound. Suites offer a loft sleeping area that my daughter adored. The hotel is a five-minute walk to Plaza Mayor, a 15-minute walk to the Royal Palace, and a 15-minute walk to the Golden Triangle

View of Cathedral la Almudena and the Royal Palace

of Art—the nexus of the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums.

If you have only one or two days in Madrid, start with the museums. The Prado Museum should top your list, as its vast collection lands it a spot as one of the world’s top museums. I was giddy with anticipation as we approached this treasure trove of artwork. Like a kid in a candy store, I hungrily progressed from Sala to Sala to view the work of masters including Velazquez, Goya, Caravaggio, and Reubens. Next, visit Reina Sofía Museum, home

to Picasso’s “Guernica.” To complete the trifecta, visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum where you will find a collection of international paintings that perfectly complement the Prado’s old masters and Reina Sofia’s modern and contemporary works.

Fully sated with art, take a rest near the Crystal Palace in the Parque de El Retiro and contemplate your visual feast. Once rested, set off to visit the balcony-lined Plaza Mayor to sit among the locals for a coffee and grab a bite to eat at the glass-encased San Mercado market. Just a stone’s throw away is the must-see Royal Palace. Take on the persona of a monarch as you wander through the imperial hallways commissioned in 1738 by the first Bourbon King of Spain, Philip V, and completed nearly thirty years later. The Royal Palace continues as the official residence of their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.

Next door is the mammoth Cathedral la Almudena and just to the north is the Temple of Debod—an Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century that is exquisitely lit in the evening hours. Use all five senses to absorb what the city offers—from the laughter spilling out of open cafe doors to the lively, cartoonish acts in the squares—as you stroll through Madrid’s enchanting streets and squares before returning to the hotel for dinner.

View from Palacio de Tepa

View of Palacio de Tepa lobby’s glass roof

Palacio de Tepa guest room

FIRST CLASS

MARBELLA

Arrive via bullet train (two and a half hours from Madrid) to Malaga where a one-hour scenic trek west, delivers you to the gem of Andalusia—Marbella and its Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort. Entering the glass doors of the blush-colored, Tuscan-style hotel, you find yourself in a lavish lobby and glass-ceilinged courtyard. Stunning grounds, glorious restaurants, three remarkable golf courses, a garden pool, and a heavenly spa complement the hotel’s remarkable art collection—a passion of the husband and wife team who built the Villa in 2003. Michelle Obama and her daughter Sasha enjoyed all of the Villa’s offerings on their visit in 2010 staying in a villa now dubbed the “Obama Villa,” which is the only whitewashed residence (aka “White House”) on the property.

If the arrival weren’t intoxicating enough, we were whisked off to a cocktail tasting with the world-renowned Diego Cabrera-trained team at Eddy’s Bar. The master mixologist is considered one of the best in his field and has carefully curated Eddy’s cocktail menu. Adolfo, a Cabrera protégé, conjured up heavenly creations. The Paloma, my favorite, is a divine concoction of tequila blanco, lime juice, grapefruit, and a whisper of sugar. Now that you are well-versed in cocktail crafting, head just outside to 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant for dinner. You’ll sample a fusion of East meets West in several innovative dishes—all combining the freshest Spanish produce with classic Japanese presentation. I recommend the spicy tuna tartar with wakame seaweed in a kimchi sauce to start.

At evening’s end, on your immense bed you’ll find a thoughtfully-placed “pillow menu” offering a selection of six types of pillows. I chose the Grace Kelly pillow and slept a princess’ sleep.

Start your morning on La Loggia’s sunny terrace. Sitting beneath swaths of fabric and crystal chandeliers, you will enjoy an enormous buffet bursting with beautiful fruit, fresh juices, local cheeses, sliced local meats (including Iberian ham—a local delicacy), and smoked salmon—while you toast the gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea with glasses of bubbly.

If you have time, take a day trip to visit Ronda—one of the oldest towns in Spain. The one-hour drive takes you along cliff-hugging roads offering views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the African coast. Upon arrival, winding, narrow streets deliver you into the darling city center where whitewashed

houses and orange trees adorn the squares. Be sure to see Ronda’s most dramatic element—El Tajo—a deep rocky chasm that splits the town in two. Follow in the path of the Romans, as you cross from one side to the other along an ancient bridge.

Tour the Bullring Plaza de Toros where bullfighting started in the 18th century and drew famous Europhiles like Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles. Welles cherished the city so much that his ashes were scattered here.

Be sure to stop for a tour at LA ORGANIC, known for its olive oil—internationally referred to as liquid gold. Taste various oils in their modern and pristine tasting room. Founded just over a decade ago, the company has become an “organic beauty pioneer,” promoting the belief that you are what you eat and that the nutrition of food is a result of the soil it came from. Art dots the landscape as LA ORGANIC’s design was developed by French designer, Philippe Starck, one of the world’s most well-known product designers.

After a day of sightseeing, visit the Villa’s spa (one of Europe’s largest) boasting exceptional facilities including a thermal circuit and numerous treatment rooms. It awaits hidden behind the gardens and the outdoor swimming pool. I highly recommend a “water journey” followed by the signature Anantara massage.

For sunbathing, it will be difficult to decide between the Villa’s

Villa Padierna lobby

Villa Obama exterior

pool and its Beach Club. The pool is fringed by gardens of palms and pines and lotus ponds fed by turquoise-tiled canals and elaborate fountains. The Beach Club, a short shuttle ride from the Villa, is located where the sandy palm-lined beach meets the aqua Mediterranean Sea.

At the Beach Club we enjoyed a four-course meal including a sea bass dish prepared tableside. The fish arrived encased in salt and was then set aflame. The chef deboned the fish, adding potatoes and roasted vegetables to complete the exquisite palate-pleasing main course.

One evening be sure to enjoy dinner at La Loggia. In the formal yet cozy dining room you’ll dine on artistically presented seafood and meat dishes surrounded by trump l’oeil garden scenes with a view of vine-covered pergolas.

Every great trip must come to an end. However, Spain leaves visitors with a desire to return again and again. Perhaps to visit another part of the country’s diverse terrain or simply to return to Madrid and Marbella to recreate treasured memories.

Hasta pronto mi amiga.

For more information, visit nh-hotels.com/Madrid/Palacio-De-Tepa and villapadierna.es.

Villa Padierna facade

Club de Mar Beach Club at Villa Padierna

Villa Padierna suite living room and bedroom

Photography by Dustin Halleck

THIS OLD HOUSE

A young family breathes new life into one of Wilmette’s oldest homes with the help of SCOTT SIMPSON DESIGN + BUILD—modernizing it for how families live today with a nod to the home’s rich history.

WORDS BY ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUCE VAN INWEGEN

HOME TOUR

With one small son and another on the way, Jeremy Hollis and his wife Amanda knew that their days of living in the city were numbered.

“We loved our life in Chicago, but once we had kids, we wanted things to be simpler,” says Hollis. “My wife’s sister lived in Evanston so we were familiar with Evanston and the surrounding area.”

Deciding to focus their new home search on East Wilmette, the couple found a house online that they had to see. “It was the only house we ever walked through,” Hollis says of the home they bought. “We knew it was what we were looking for.”

Surprising themselves, the Hollis family chose a grand, neoclassical home that was originally built in 1893. It is one of the oldest homes still standing in the neighborhood from this era. “We’re definitely not ‘old home’ people,” Hollis says. “We lived in a brand new condo in the city. But there was something about this house.”

Having undergone several renovations over the years, with some of its largest transformations taking place in the last decade, the homeowners previous to the Hollis family engaged North-

brook-based Scott Simpson Design + Build to help them with a two-story addition on the north side of the home.

“We researched information on the original home using resources at the Wilmette Historical Society,” says Scott Simpson, a founding partner of Scott Simpson Design + Build. “From old plans, pictures, and on-site research, we were able to find the story in what remained of the original home to make plans that would respect the vision of the home’s first architect.”

Simpson and his team were mindful of the Greek Revival details inherent to the home when they added dormer windows at the roofline and commissioned hand-carved ionic-style capitals to top the deteriorated exterior columns. Though now supported by the modern conveniences of radiant heat and a top-of-the-line furnace, original features like a wood-burning fireplace in a second- floor bedroom continue to convey the charm of the 1800s. In 2008, this home received a Wilmette Historic Preservation Award because of the work that had been done to preserve this piece of the community’s history.

Now working with the Hollis family, Simpson, alongside his principal architect Amy Mangold and partner Thomas “TK” Kenny, has overseen the remodeling of the Hollis’ kitchen, a new mudroom, family room, master bedroom and bath, and a SoulCycle-inspired lower level gym that required significant digging under the Hollis’ home. The Simpson team also rebuilt the exteri-

LEFT: The home’s original arches greet guests in the foyer and provide views into a light-filled formal living room with French-door access to the covered porch ABOVE: The formal dining room welcomes guests as they enter the home’s gracious foyer and provides views to the living room and porch

or entertainment porch, created the first fire pit in Wilmette, and laid a fresh bluestone and iron-gated front walkway. Additionally, the team replaced every window in the house—while preserving the original stairwell windows, and an oval window on the second level that was uncovered during construction.

“The oval window is a really cool story,” says Hollis, whose enthusiasm for his home is contagious. “We had to replace the siding on the exterior of the house. In some old pictures of the original home, we could see that there was an oval window on the southside of our home. Because we couldn’t see it any more, we just assumed it had been removed. But when Scott’s team took down the siding and drywall, they found this window from 1893, completely preserved—just covered up. We decided to restore it and today it looks great, just how the original architect had sketched it.”

In addition to looking great, replacing and restoring the exterior of the home has helped the Hollis’ improve their house’s heating and cooling efficiency. “I’m a carpenter at heart—that’s how I started in this business—and if we can make the structure of a home better, I feel like I’ve done my job. It does cost a lot to tear off siding but if we can get in there and add more insulation, it is money well spent,” explains Simpson.

Today, the Hollis family has a new 3-car garage and an outdoor kitchen in the works with Simpson Design + Build.

“We couldn’t be happier working with Scott and Amy,” Hollis says. “I don’t want to say that we’re demanding, but we might be a little demanding,” Hollis adds with a laugh. “They’ve been great partners allowing us to have input. I think we’ve always ended up with a product better than we could have predicted.”

“Jeremy and his wife are just the kind of couple we need to have buying these older homes,” Simpson adds. “They appreciate what it means to own a piece of history and they’re willing to do what it takes to make it work for their family. Jeremy’s passion for these projects has been exceptional. Amy said it best when she told Jeremy that his home is lucky to have such incredible stewards because that is exactly what his family is.”

For more information about Scott Simpson Design + Build, visit scottsimpsondesignbuild.com.

TOP LEFT: The original stairwell windows were preserved throughout the loving restoration of the home TOP RIGHT: Natural light now floods the updated kitchen which boasts handsome dark cabinetry and a sleek, yet functional, island ABOVE: South facade showing original 1893 oval window above the porch

here!

COASTAL TWIST

EDITED BY ELAINE DOREMUS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELIKA FRIDAY

When a Maine-based family approached the Divvy House about doing a renovation to their Lake Forest home, Divvy founder and principal designer Amy Erb knew right away the project was a perfect t. Originally from Lake Forest herself, Erb understood the family’s vision.

“ ey wanted to remain consistent with the traditional style in Lake Forest, but with a fresh and modern approach that reminded them of their home in Maine,” Erb says.

Having completed many projects with a similar mission, the Divvy House knew how to deliver. e result is a custom design vision that merges East Coast and rugged Maine with preppy Lake Forest in a fresh way. e result: classic, modern, and serene with a dollop of elegance.

To accomplish this, the Divvy team completely transformed the home by brightening up the Tudor space with a new lighting plan, adding custom-built cabinetry and wall paneling, selecting a lighter coastal palette of blues and soft neutrals, and adding personalized touches incorporating the family’s East Coast roots.

Over the past two decades, the Divvy House has been realizing Erb’s original dream to marry her knowledge of design and architecture (from her studies at Harrington School of Design) with her extensive experience in managing blue chip clients in the corporate world.

With projects completed in the Chicagoland area, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Michigan, Erb credits their success to their client advocate approach. “My top priority when creating the Divvy House was to remain completely client driven,” she says.

e Divvy House prices competitively and by the hour, leav-

ing the client in control of time spent on services. Erb chose a business model that passes along her trade discount to the client, allowing for signi cant cost savings. Her design approach prioritizes the taste and needs of the client, instead of adhering to a speci c design taste or style. Another priority when creating the Divvy House was to enlist a design team with diverse styles and skill sets. e designers’ styles range from modern to traditional, enabling the rm to provide the best client/designer pairings.

In addition to interior design services, the Divvy House o ers architecture services, home remodeling, project management, home staging, custom millwork, window and wall coverings, art and accessories, and furniture, rug, and metal design.

“Our goal is to create something timeless,” Erb adds. “Our priority is not necessarily to implement what is trending at the moment. Instead we seek to understand the client’s personal style and bring that to life to create a home they will enjoy for years to come.”

e Divvy House is currently working on several other projects along the North Shore and in downtown Chicago, as well as a custom build project in Milwaukee.

For an overview of all of Divvy House’s services and for additional project information and photos, call 312-371-0832 or visit divvyhouse.com

Divvy House’s most recent project showcases a modernized and coastal approach to traditional Lake Forest style.

1033 ILLINOIS ROAD, WILMETTE

4 BED | 2.1 BATH | $899,000

Fall in love with this elegant home on .39 acre near schools, parks, transportation, and more. You’ll be impressed with high ceilings, stunning craftsmanship, and 1st floor Master Suite.

728 ROMONA ROAD, WILMETTE

5 BED | 4.1 BATH | $1,399,000

Turn your dream into reality. Customize 728 Romona’s floor plans to make it your own. Choose your cabinets, plumbing fixtures, counters, lighting and other details. Great location and XL lot offers big, private yard. Move in by Fall 2020!

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1033ILLINOIS.INFO CALL

PRIVATE ADDRESS, CALL FOR DETAILS

6 BED | 7.1 BATH | $3,000,000

Live the dream on 1.5 acres in East Glenview. Built in 2001 with WOW-factor but recent renovations mean you don’t need to lift a finger. Enjoy over 10,000 sqft on 4 finished floors in this impressive sun-filled home. Relax in your resort-style luxury estate. COMING SOON!

10 Sixpenny Amelia Chair, available at Sixpenny.com 11 Brooke & Lou Julia Pillow in Stone Grey, available at brookeandlou.com 12 Neve Sculptural Table Lamp, available at Crate and Barrel Old Orchard, 847-674-6850 13 Acrylic tray with industrial metal handles with a fragrant Nest Candle on top, available at Style Shack in Highland Park, 847-579-4525 14 Sophia Fluted Table Lamp, available at Ballard Designs Oakbrook, 630-686-9982 15 Brooke & Lou Rush Chair in Charcoal, available at brookeandlou.com 16 Brooke & Lou Border Stripe Art in Camel, available at brookeandlou.com 17 Jonathan Adler Ether Shearling Kidney Ottoman, available at Jonathan Adler Chicago, 312274-9920 18 Nalia Bedding by Sferra, available at Bedside Manor Ltd in Lake Forest 847-295-8370

YOUR HOME, YOUR WAY

Loomcraft Fabric Outlet in Vernon Hills now offers in-home design consultations. In-home consultations begin at $50 per hour, with that entire amount credited towards your redecorating purchase upon use of their professional custom workrooms.

One of the largest retailers of decorative fabrics in America is now offering in-home design consultations for Chicago’s North Shore. No more multistop visits to reinvent your home. Now, one call to Loomcraft Textiles (847-680-1119) is all you need to get your redecorating started.

The staff at Loomcraft make redecorating as easy as a walk in the park. Tell us your favorite textures—perhaps chenille, velvet or flat woven. Let us know your ideal color pallet—evergreen, blush or Pantone’s 2020 Color of The Year, classic blue. And finally, let us know the parameters of your budget and we will get right to work.

Loomcraft’s in-house design team will come out to your home with samples of the latest and greatest fabrics to make your drapery, window treatments, bedding, headboards, and other upholstery jobs exactly how you have always envisioned.

“We are a one-stop-shop. You can call us or come in anytime seven days a week and we will work with you to make your dream home a reality,” says Andrew Frankel, Loomcraft’s head of retail operations. “Our Dorell Private Label develops tons of unique new products each year, many of the items you can find at Loomcraft cannot be found anywhere else in country.”

Loomcraft Textiles has been the North Shore’s home for redecorating projects for more than 30 years.

Let their trained professionals guide you in reinvigorating your home this year and you certainly won’t regret it. Measurements will be precise for customized drapery and window treatments, and all installations will be done with care by Loomcraft professionals.

In addition to fabric selection and custom work, Loomcraft offers pillow forms, gorgeous trims and newly launched Royal Pet Beds. Made of their own exclusive Royal Velvet, Loomcraft is one of six brick and mortar stores nationwide that will retail the most luxurious pet beds you’ve ever seen. These beds are fully washable and made with a tempurpedic-like orthopedic memory foam.

“Whether you are an experienced interior designer or looking to redecorate your home for the first time, Loomcraft is the North Shore’s must-stop-shop for every home decor project,” Frankel notes. “Loomcraft staff are trained, eager, and excited to help you redesign the home of your dreams without breaking the bank.”

Loomcraft Fabric Outlet is located at 645 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills, right near the Vernon Hills Police Department, Open 7 days, 847-680-1119, thefabricoutlet.com/VernonHills.

TACKLING TECH

Jayna Cooke

WORDS BY ALLISON DUNCAN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ISHMAN HAIR, MAKEUP & STYLING BY CONSTANTINE JAMES

In 2008, entrepreneur, corporate executive, and investor Jayna Cooke was responsible for generating 25 percent of online marketplace Groupon’s net revenue after helping launch various national and local sales strategies and closing deals with retailers like Nordstrom and Gap. Those smart deals changed the trajectory of Groupon—even helping the company capture the attention of Oprah, who made Groupon one of her coveted “Favorite Things,” further building on the company’s enormous buzz. Today, the company is valued at over two billion dollars.

Known as a growth hacker, Cooke intuitively harnesses data analysis and metrics to identify rapid growth opportunities, which is exactly the strategy she used to rocket Groupon to success. Prior to Groupon, she helped Echo Global Logistics grow from its inception to its public offering and, post-Groupon, Cooke served as CEO and co-founder of EVENTup, an online marketplace that helps companies find the perfect venue for events. During her tenure, she led the company to a successful 2018 acquisition within just four years.

Cooke’s ability to see the big picture and to problem solve has earned her a reputation as a skilled and in-demand advisor, and she was an early investor in well-known Chicagobased brands like Protein Bar, PopularPays, and Bucketfeet.

“There’s no shortage of great ideas to invest in right now, but I bet on teams that inspire me,” says Cooke. “When I’m looking at a potential investment, it’s less about the idea and more about the person and the team that’s leading it. Chicago has some of the hardest-working, honest, and purpose driven entrepreneurs in the world.”

That includes Cooke, who throws herself fully into every pursuit. In the last year and a half, she has added a new pursuit to her life: family. She and her husband Andy have two daughters—Sienna, who’s two-and-a-half, and Gigi, seven months.

Both have inspired Cooke to double down on her commitment to philanthropy. She’s a long-time supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and is now the executive director of finance mogul Chris Gardner’s social impact foundation Permission 2 Dream. Gardner’s life story was memorialized in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith. The mission of Permission 2 Dream is to inspire underprivileged youth to dream big but also give them the tools they need to achieve their dreams. The foundation’s goal is to reach more than 100,000 students in 2020.

“Having kids, especially girls, has changed my perspective and reminded me that the people who are going to make the biggest difference in the world are the next

generation,” Cooke says. “I’m lucky that I grew up with stability, so now I want to help people overcome the circumstances given to them, not created by them. We show students how they can do that.”

With Permission 2 Dream, Cooke is focused on funding sponsorships and year-round programming. Currently, the organization has a four-year, ten million dollar proposal on the table, and Cooke says the best is yet to come.

Although Cooke and her family just moved to Winnetka in the fall for Andy’s job and to be closer to friends and family, this year she’s spent time in Boston, studying corporate governance at Harvard University in an executive education program.

“I’ve been in board meetings, served on boards, and reported to my own boards,” Cooke says. “But I never stop learning, and I wanted deeper education on how to effectively be on, and work with, boards for public companies.”

Cooke says she would “definitely” start her own company again and is always trendspotting as an investor. She wishes she had invested in Instacart and she recently eyed an investment in the try-before-you-buy space, a consumer trend that she believes has enormous growth potential.

“I do a lot of online shopping at 9 p.m. because it’s hard for me to get anywhere with two little kids,” says Cooke. “I needed a queen duvet cover the other day and bought three different kinds. I’ll return whatever doesn’t work. In the future, paying for one but getting to try the others will be a big consumer trend.”

After being the top sales person at Groupon, founding EVENTup and having it acquired by a major private equity firm, and now serving as the executive director of a foundation focused on making a difference in students’ lives, it’s easy to see that Cooke is passionate about solving big problems. And now, as a mother of two, she’s happy being someone equally valued at the head of a Girl Scout Troop as at the head of a boardroom.

“I read the Harvard Business Review and look at company filings and financial reports in my free time because I love using data to spot growth opportunities,” Cooke says. “I also take my kids to music classes and spend a little extra time inspecting blades of grass on long walks home from the park. I’m glad to be at a place where I can manage both.”

For now, Cooke is settling into the North Shore. You may see her and her family having dinner at Mino’s Italian or playing at Hubbard Woods Park or at The Book Stall. She’s working on decorating their new house and designing an outdoor space in time for summer.

“Living on the North Shore is a big change for us, and really, we’re just excited to raise our girls here and make an impact in the community.”

How JAYNA COOKE is transforming the industry from the boardroom to the classroom.

At HOME with LJ SAVARIE

Lj Savarie standing in a Winnetka client’s living room outfitted with fabrics from CASA by PC

Designer LJ SAVARIE shares her journey to Savarie Interiors and her recent collaboration with Designer Michele Frigon on the Lake Forest Showhouse project.

WORDS BY ALLISON DUNCAN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ISHMAN HAIR, MAKEUP & STYLING BY CONSTANTINE JAMES

Interior decorator Lj Savarie has always loved design, starting from a young age visiting the beautiful homes of her parents’ friends to her career in publishing with Traditional Home and Southern Living magazines to today, as the founder of her eponymous firm Savarie Interiors in Winnetka.

Her stint at the two magazines introduced Savarie to the work of talented designers on a daily basis, and she had a behind-the-scenes look at their processes, which would eventually influence and inspire the work she does today.

“I’m a Midwesterner that loves Southern style,” says Savarie. “In general, my aesthetic is traditional, but I love to add a bit of surprise and something unexpected in the details. I really appreciate the comfort and warm feeling in Southern homes. All of my clients have families, so I want their homes to be beautiful, of course, but also feel thoughtful and practical.”

Savarie eventually left publishing to start her own family with her husband Andy, and they now have four kids: Chip, the oldest, and Ryan, who are both in college and who Savarie refers to as the

‘bigs,’ and the ‘littles,’ Clayton and Logan, the only daughter. “With three boys, I couldn’t give her a name like Tiffany,” jokes Savarie. She put her career on hold to raise her children but once they were a bit older and more independent, Savarie slowly started to help friends with their design projects. Eventually, Andy pushed Savarie to turn her side hustle into an actual business, and Savarie Interiors was born in 2013.

“There were plenty of times dinner wasn’t ready or the laundry wasn’t done, but my kids and husband really rallied and stepped up,” says Savarie. “I feel lucky because I was able to turn my passion into a career but still be present for my family. It’s never the perfect time to start a new business but, if you love it, then you make it work.”

Now, Savarie is partnering with fellow North Shore interior designer Michele Frigon on the 2020 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens benefitting the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. The two designers—and friends—are working together on the 23room, 11,000-square-foot home’s mudroom, which ticket holders can see starting April 25.

“The mudroom is typically the main point of entry to the

Lj Savarie

“WE’LL MAKE SMALL UPDATES ALONG THE WAY BUT IF YOU HAVE GOOD DESIGN, THEN IT SHOULD BE TIMELESS.”

home, not just for its residents but for their friends and extended family, too,” says Frigon. “But it’s often overlooked from a design perspective, even though it’s the first room people see. We were inspired by the idea that this room is the first glimpse into the grandeur of the home overall and wanted to surprise visitors and welcome back residents with an upgraded aesthetic that still maintains functionality.”

Savarie and Frigon had both independently submitted their names in consideration for the Showhouse but eventually decided to partner, as their styles complement each other.

“Lj’s focus is the design details, while my twist is pulling in graphic elements and natural materials,” says Frigon.

The palette of the space is built on neutral tones with a pop of color; specifically, slate blue and grass green. The duo is using vendors like The Fine Line for tile, Phillip Jeffries, CASA by PC for textiles, Colleen & Company for lighting, and Fiberworks.

“The mudroom had great bones, like beautiful existing architecture, millwork, and brick floors, and we wanted to take it to the next level,” says Savarie. “We added a charging station, an ottoman, a place to throw keys, a sink—we wanted to add a bit more function.”

Savarie believes that clients today expect both quality and performance and that they want to be able to use all aspects of their home. To make her work stand out—and stand the test of time, like the work of the late Billy Baldwin, one of Savarie’s icons—she adds custom elements that are unique to each home and makes sure to layer in fun details.

“I hope my clients love their homes for the next 25 years,” says Savarie. “Sure, we’ll make small updates along the way but if you have good design, then it should be timeless.”

Savarie finds inspiration from travel and is always taking photos with her phone to refer to later. But she also says she appreciates vacation and time off more now than ever before and makes a conscious effort to be present when with family and friends, some of whom she’s known since moving to Winnetka 20 years ago.

In between traveling and watching her kids play sports, Savarie has a “laundry list” of updates she’d like to make to her own home.

“Like the old adage that doctors make the worst patients, designers are the same,” says Savarie. “When it comes to my own home, I pause. There are so many choices that I am slow to pull the trigger. I’ll just wait.”

Perhaps she, like us, will find a few ideas in the Showhouse, open April 25 through May 17.

For more information visit savarieinteriors.com, michelefrigondesign. com, and lakeforestshowhouse.com.

Michele Frigon’s sketches will come to life in Frigon and Savarie’s design collaboration of the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens’ mudroom. The 2020 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens features an elegant home set on three beautifully landscaped acres. In 1928, the William A. P. Pullmans purchased the property and engaged architect Stanley Anderson to make extensive changes to the original 1906 design by Frost and Granger.

The 11,000 square foot house features 23 elegantly appointed rooms surrounded by grounds originally designed by Annette Hoyt Flanders of New York City. Visit the Showhouse & Gardens to view the work of exceptional interior and landscape designers all in support of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. For more information and to purchase tickets to visit between April 25 and May 17, visit lakeforestshowhouse.com.

Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens’ mudroom rendering/ Copyright (c) Michele Frigon Design LLC

HOSHI COLLECTIVE

Mara bracelets

WORDS BY ALLISON DUNCAN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY SONIA AFONSO

Portugal native Sonia Afonso calls the world home, having lived in far-flung locales like Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and Tokyo before eventually landing in Lake Forest. But it was during a 2018 ski trip to Granite Peak, Wisconsin with her family and their friends when Afonso found a way to combine her love of travel and culture with her interest in fashion. The result? Afonso’s lifestyle label Hoshi Collective with her business partner Rute Ribeiro Martins, a fellow Portugal transplant.

“During the four-hour drive back to Chicago, we came up with everything: the business plan, name, and what we should sell,” says Afonso. “The next day, we officially formed our partnership.”

Combining Ribeiro Martins’ passion for sustainability with Afonso’s interest in cultural preservation, Hoshi aims to create timeless pieces for women who are looking to define their own style with sourcing from cultures around the world. Each product is developed with the idea of promoting local craftsmanship, and the launch collection includes handmade baskets from artisans in Portugal and Panama hats from Ecuador. Each is designed by Hoshi but made by local artisans.

“My interest in cultural preservation comes from living abroad and from embracing and experiencing different cultures,” says Afonso. “In Norway, every time there’s a wedding or an import-

ant party, like the National Day, they always wear traditional costumes— the bunad. In Japan, women wear kimonos for tea ceremonies, festivals, and special occasions. With Hoshi, we want to keep those traditions alive.”

Afonso says moving across the world—nearly every three years for her husband’s job—gave her the freedom to try something new. When the family first moved to Switzerland, she learned German; in Sweden, she volunteered for humanitarian organization UNICEF; and, in Tokyo, she furthered her interest in photography and launched a travel blog, Out and About Tokyo, which led to freelance web design work in Norway.

“I love moving and the feeling of a new place,” says Afonso. “I’ve gained so much from embracing new cultures. I understand others more and don’t judge as much.”

Of all the places she’s lived, Afonso counts Japan as her favorite and says its impact on her is “difficult to explain.” The name Hoshi comes from the Japanese word for “star,” and Afonso says the star is the brand’s unifying element, as no matter where you are in the world, we all look at the same sun.

Even though Afonso had no formal background in fashion, her parents used to run fashion retail stores in Portugal, so she’d

Lake Forest’s SONIA AFONSO, a citizen of the world, creates beautiful goods with an eye toward cultural preservation.

Quito Panama Hat

Gunung Tote Bag

always had a passion for the industry. And she still uses her background in photography and web design with Hoshi today, wearing many hats, if you will.

“The day we launched last May, I couldn’t believe it was finally happening,” she says. “Every brand takes time to build and sales are important, for sure, but we want people to see that we’re doing something that goes beyond that. That’s what gives me motivation to continue and makes me feel proud.”

Hoshi gives one percent of its sales to Chicago-based Dress for Success, a global nonprofit organization that provides professional attire for low-income women to help support their job-search and interview process. Not only does Hoshi donate money, but Afonso gives her time, too, and volunteers when she can.

“Dress for Success really resonates with what we are doing,” says Afonso. “Not everyone is in the position to start something because they simply might not have the resources or connections, but we all have dreams. We want to help women come back to work and find their way.”

Hoshi does just that outside of Chicago as well by working with artisans worldwide who bring their vision to life with contemporary designs that are usable for day-to-day life. Next up Hoshi plans to launch bracelets made by the Maasai tribe in Kenya and a new hat soon after.

But first, Afonso plans to spend the summer in Portugal with her kids and wants them to know they’re Portuguese, even though one was born in Switzerland and the other in Sweden. And, until then, she’s taking painting and drawing classes at the Stirling Hall Art Center in Lake Forest every Tuesday, focused on charcoal portraiture; frequenting Sushi Kushi Toyo, the Deer Path Inn and Mino’s Italian; and cross-country skiing at the Lake Bluff Golf Course.

“It’s been very easy to adjust,” says Afonso. “The community is great. We all love it here. I think we’ll stay for a while.”

For more information, visit hoshicollective.com.

Quito Panama Hat

Quito Panama Hat

B.A. Yale, M.D. Northwestern Rush University Medical Center Plastic Surgery Staff

LIVING & GIVING

PEOPLE, PHILANTHROPY, AND EVENTS

ACWIS’ 70TH ANNIVERSARY GALA, PAGE 92

The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) and 300 guests celebrated the Institute’s 70th anniversary at The Geraghty.

14TH ANNUAL AIF CHICAGO GALA, PAGE 94

Guests raised a recordbreaking $1.25 million at the American India Foundation’s Chicago Gala.

The Drake Hotel in Chicago was transformed into a sizzling “Havana Night” during The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s annual gala. PAGE 96

FINDING MRS. FORD BOOK SIGNING AND LUNCHEON, PAGE 98

Author Deborah Goodrich Royce helped kick off Maze Home’s spectacular 10th anniversary celebration with two events surrounding her debut novel, Finding Mrs. Ford

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRAINMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Kristel & Michael Nesrallah

& LIVING GIVING

ACWIS’ 70TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

weizmann-usa.org

The Midwest Region of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) and 300 guests celebrated the Institute’s 70 years of making advancements in scientific innovation during its annual gala. Held at The Geraghty, the evening’s theme was “Celebrating Chaim, An Ambitious Vision for Science and Humanity,” and featured special guest and Weizmann neurobiologist Dr. Ofer Yizhar. More than $700,000 was raised during the event chaired by Edward & Lester Anixter Family Foundation, the Brodsky Family, David Jonas, and Richard and Linda Price and family.

Oleg Voloshin, Anna Zinoviev

Jerry & Adrienne Bauer

Dr. Ofer Yizhar

Neil & Shari Levin, Tom & Barb Harris, Courtney & Seth Levin

Emily Merjan, Ruth Perlman, Winifred Nimrod, Carol Angelescu

Darci Koziel, Kim Boundy

Robyn Tavel, Juan Alzate

Eliah & Katherine Najjar

& LIVING GIVING

14TH ANNUAL AIF CHICAGO GALA

BY MARY CLARE GLABOWICZ

The American India Foundation (AIF) and Presenting Sponsor, TransUnion, welcomed more than 400 guests during its annual gala at the Field Museum. The evening was emceed by Ali Velshi of MSNBC, and featured spectacular floral displays by The Flower Firm, sound and lighting by Frost, cuisine by Mantra by Indian Garden, and entertainment by the Northwestern Bhangra Dance Troupe. After the program, where Alorica, Inc.’s Chairman and CEO Andy Lee was honored, guests hit the dance floor. A record-breaking $1.25 million was raised during the evening, helping to further AIF’s commitment to social and economic change in India, and building a lasting bridge between the U. S. and India.

Vimal & Bulbul Bahuguna, Anita & Prabhankant Sinha

Haritka Talwar, Andy Lee

Mukta & Kailash Purohit

& LIVING GIVING

TOMS-PRICE GRAND REOPENING

tomsprice.com

Toms-Price opened the doors to its flagship store in Wheaton for a special grand reopening in January. Guests perused the latest designs, colors, fabrics, and finishes throughout the completely remodeled store and Toms-Price designers were on hand to help guests create the perfect space. The expert designers also announced special celebratory savings at each of Toms-Price’s five stores, and a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree during the event.

Greg Gale, Scott Price, Alison Gale

Ken & Rosetta Sauers, Juliene Guffey

160 TIMBER LANE, GLENCOE 3 BED • 2.2 BATH • $1,699,000

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MAKING AN IMPACT: HAVANA NIGHTS

crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Despite the cold temperatures outside, the Drake Hotel in Chicago was transformed into a sizzling “Havana Night” during The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s annual gala. With more than 200 in attendance, guests enjoyed entertainment by Latin Street Music & Dancing, cocktails, Cuban cuisine, auctions, and more. The Goldman Family of Highland Park and MacKenzie Grabher were honored during the festive affair.

SHERIDAN ROAD 96

Karen Goldman, Carol & Peter Goldman, Amy & Jeff Goldman

MacKenzie Grabher, Erin Doherty, Brian Septon

Elizabeth & Phil Leonard

Katie Geary, Steve & Barbara Cogswell, Chris Cogswell, Kim & Dr. Eugene Yen Rachel & Danny Fisher

THE CURATED HOME BEGINS HERE

Beauty and detail result from thoughtfulness and planning. With Century Furniture, you’ll love the ability to create a fully custom piece that is unique to you. Choose from a wide variety of furniture styles, over 2000 fabrics, leathers and trims, and 50+ finishes. The design possibilities are infinite. Start planning your dream room with one of our designers today.

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FINDING MRS. FORD BOOK SIGNING AND LUNCHEON

Owner Cindy Galvin hosted author Deborah Goodrich Royce during Maze Home’s spectacular 10th anniversary celebration. Kicking off the festivities, Royce signed copies of her debut novel, Finding Mrs. Ford at the Winnetka store followed by a reading and Q & A. The next day, guests joined Galvin and Royce for a luncheon in a hydrangea filled room, a nod to the book’s cover, at a private club in Chicago.

Cindy Galvin, Deborah Goodrich Royce

Sally Brown Thilman, Wentworth McGovern

Katy Sutter, Kathleen Fanning-Lojkovicw

Zig Smith, Donna Constant

URBAN EXPERT

WORDS BY MITCH HURST / PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

We hear a lot about the challenges faced by city residents who’ve outgrown their loft or condo and want to find the right suburban community and home, especially when it comes to finding schools for their children.

What about those wishing to go the other way? For couples and parents whose kids may have graduated and gone off to college or started professional lives of their own, the city offers enough living options and amenities to make the head spin.

That’s where Emily Sachs Wong comes in. A luxury broker with @properties in Lincoln Park, Wong is one of the top real estate advisors in the City of Chicago. Just ask her about a neighborhood and she’ll give you a rundown of its pros and cons and distinct features. This knowledge helps her direct property searches for those who may be unfamiliar with the city.

“What I see time and time again is clients whose kids are gone and their reasons for being in the suburbs are gone,” Wong says. “They want to be in a building that has amenities, that’s fun for them and their kids and grandkids. They want comradery and access to shops, restaurants, and classes.”

Chicago’s diverse housing stock—vintage two flats, luxury high rises, classic ‘70s midrises, new townhomes and single family residences—can make the task of finding a home overwhelming. Wong specializes in helping clients refine their choices based on budget, desired amenities, and other priorities. One trend she is seeing of late is buyers scooping up older condos in one of Chicago’s finest neighborhoods.

“I’m seeing a resurgence of buyers taking older condos in the Gold Coast and cleaning them up,” she says. “There are some

fantastic older buildings that have pools and balconies.”

Other trending neighborhoods include the West Loop with its green spaces, and the Cathedral District on the Near North Side. The growing Logan Square neighborhood offers options for those with a hipster side.

If they want to avoid being in a situation where they’re paying two mortgages, city dreamers must first sell their suburban properties, and Wong has some sage advice for potential sellers who are downsizing.

“Today’s buyers are looking for more space for the money, good schools, and they’re used to things being perfect,” she says. “This generation does not want to paint or replace light fixtures or faucets.”

Wong recommends a facelift or mini-facelift, which might include painting cabinets or installing new countertops. Staging the home for sale might be the key.

There’s one other thing sellers on the North Shore who are making plans to move into the city should do while prepping their home for sale. Put in a call to Emily Sachs Wong.

“Every neighborhood in Chicago has special things about it, whether it’s an elevator building in Lakeview or Lincoln Park, or a loft building in Wicker Park or Bucktown,” says Wong. “The most important thing to me is to be able to relate to buyers and use my knowledge of the neighborhoods to get clients what they want and need.”

Emily Sachs Wong is with @properties, 1211 West Webster Ave. in Chicago, 312-286-0800, eswchicago.com.

Emily Sachs Wong helps North Shore residents who dream of city living find the perfect Chicago home.

PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING

WORDS BY CHIRAG PATEL, MD PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ISHMAN

Taking care of seniors involves various preventive measures. One important aspect we consider is male prostate cancer screening. Although often asymptomatic, prostate cancer symptoms include frequent urination, weak or interrupted urine flow or the need to strain to empty the bladder, the urge to urinate frequently at night, blood in the urine, blood in the seminal fluid, and onset of erectile dysfunction.

African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer have higher rates of prostate cancer and related mortality from the disease. For male patients aged 55 to 69, the PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test has been routinely ordered, however, there is controversy with testing results and overdiagnosis. Overdiagnosis involves the diagnosis of asymptomatic cancer that never would have resulted in symptoms or death.

The American Cancer Society has the following recommendations for screening:

• Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years;

• Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree

relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65); and

• Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).

The DRE (digital rectal exam) may also be performed as a part of screening. The repeat testing frequency or interval is based on various medical factors and should be discussed with your physician. One consensus is not to administer a PSA blood test after the age of 70 if the life expectancy is less than 10 years. This is due to the slow-growing nature of prostate cancer that would not affect a man with a less than 10-year life expectancy.

Screening and preventive medical care are paramount in my practice, especially with life expectancy increasing and seniors hoping for a better quality of life, as related to their health and fitness. Male patients aged 55 to 69 and higher-risk patients, should work together with their primary care physician on a screening schedule based on risk factors, most recent guidelines, and any potential symptoms.

Hansa Medical Groupe has offices at 5250 Old Orchard Road, Suite 300, in Skokie, and in Chicago, 847-920-0902, hansamedicalgroupe.com.

WORDS BY STEVEN BLOCH, M.D.

One of the most frequent requests that I get is for a “Tummy Tuck.” Many patients find that despite diet and exercise they cannot achieve the shaped, toned, flat abdomen they desire.

In assessing a patient for a “Tummy Tuck” multiple factors are taken into account.

1. What is the status of the overlying skin and the degree of laxity? Is the laxity confined to the lower or upper part of the abdomen or both?

2. What is the status of the underlying muscles? Do they meet in the midline or are they separated from pregnancies or intra-abdominal fat.

3. What is the distribution of excess fat? Is it diffuse or localized in the lower upper abdomen? Does it extend to the flanks?

Depending upon the above assessment a customized operation can be performed to address these concerns. There are multiple procedures or techniques that can be employed.

The procedures vary from non-invasive to full abdominoplasty or some combination.

Methods include:

1. Non-invasive CoolSculpting or CoolTone

2. Minimally invasive BodyTite or Renuvion for skin tightening

3. Vaser liposuction for fat reduction

4. Modified abdominoplasty for lower abdomen

5. Full abdominoplasty combining liposuction, repositioning umbilicus, skin tightening, and underlying muscle repair

These above procedures can often be combined to give you a customized operation to achieve the results you desire.

For additional information, visit bodybybloch.com or Dr. Bloch can be reached at his Highland Park office at 847-432-0840.

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Plastic Surgery Update: Tummy Tuck

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Steven Bloch MDBodybybloch

Signature Seyfarth Manor in East Glencoe

976 Oak Terrace, Glencoe

Magnificent Architecturally Significant Property with Spectacular 1.25 Acres and Handsome, One-of-a-Kind Home. Masterful Recent Renovations, Exquisite Original Details and Grand-Sized Rooms Create the Perfect Environment for Casual Family Living and Graceful Gatherings. Inviting Library, Stunning Dining Room, Large Custom deGiulio Kitchen has a Fireplace + Additional Service Kitchen Area, Huge Family Room and Interior 3-Room Apartment/Studio. Second Floor includes Serene, Spacious Master Suite Featuring a Sitting Room, Two Deluxe baths and Two Walk-in closets + 4 Additional Bedrooms, each with Newer Private Bath. Basement Rec Room and Third Floor Gym, too! Fabulous Property with Pool and Large Entertaining Terrace Completes this Exceptional Residence on a Quiet Lane near the Village and the Lake. Offered at $3,500,000

“A particular pleasure at this stage of my career is working with the children of my friends, and the friends of my children.”

PARTNERS FOR GOOD

e Winnetka Family Partnership impacts children’s lives through cross-generational community involvement.

WORDS BY MEGAN WEISBERG / ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT RISKO

In 2007, a group of six Winnetka families were asked to launch LEARN Excel, the second campus within the LEARN Charter School Network located in Gar eld Park. e families, inspired by LEARN Charter School’s mission of providing children from historically underserved communities with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree, banded together to create the Winnetka Family Partnership (WFP). is external partnership between LEARN students and educators also built an internal partnership between WFP parents and students—one that has created brighter opportunities for thousands of LEARN students.

Susan Snyder, a WFP founding partner and member of the LEARN Charter School Network Board of Directors, explains that the WFP “takes what we treasure about our community and shares it with other children. WFP is what happens when people want for other children what they want for their own, from a community that has so much.”

John Keller, a founding partner of WFP, speci cally “looked for initial support from families.” Keller recognized this involvement meant “children of Winnetka families would be exposed to some aspect of life in the inner city.” is initial support has developed into an extraordinary multi-generational partnership between Winnetka families and LEARN students.

Recognizing that WFP families had unique skill sets, members began to create programs that funneled their individual talents and resources to LEARN. For example, Nancy Santi, a WFP founding partner and former teacher, developed a program for parent volunteers to tutor LEARN students on a weekly basis. Katie MacCarthy relied upon her background as a yoga instructor to create a program teaching LEARN students mindfulness techniques.

Following their parents’ example, WFP students regularly interact with LEARN students. Fourth-grade students from Crow Island Elementary participated in pen pal programs with LEARN students while North Shore Country Day’s students spent their interim break volunteering in the LEARN classrooms. A teenage daughter of a WFP family and her friends provided musical instruments and after-school music lessons for LEARN students. Each year LEARN students, who have limited access to outdoor space, spend a day of eld games at the New Trier West campus. During Field Day, now a beloved tradition for LEARN Excel, a coalition of students from New Trier, Loyola, and North Shore Country Day plan and manage a fun- lled day for LEARN students in grades K to six.

WFP’s successes have generated so much community excitement that local businesses and organizations have stepped up to participate. Stephanie Hochschild, owner of e Book Stall, orchestrates author visits to LEARN schools while the Children’s eater of Winnetka annually invites LEARN students to attend dress rehearsals.

Since 2007, WFP has grown to 76 Winnetka families who have to date contributed more than two million dollars to LEARN Ex-

cel, while the broader network of LEARN Charter Schools now encompasses 4,000 students across 10 campuses. Greg White, President and CEO of LEARN, observes “I stood humbly before these families in 2007 with an acorn of an idea that might help more low-income students graduate from college. anks in part to the WFP, this idea has blossomed and our students are graduating college at 10 points above the national average regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic status.”

irteen years after its creation, the WFP is a resounding success because of the e orts of both its parent and student members. While working together to bridge the academic and economic gaps facing LEARN students, WFP parent and student members have developed a powerful partnership for good; one that spans generations while raising community awareness and nurturing the spirit of generosity.

For more information, visit learncharter.org.

Susan Snyder

RUG SALE

1840 Skokie Blvd

Northbrook, IL 60062

847.835.2400

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