SW Lake February 2015

SW Lake FEBRUARY 2015

SWLakeLifestyle.com

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north barrington • lake zurich • hawthorn woods • kildeer • deer park • long grove

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Editor’s Letter

Hello Friends A

s football season ends and Valentine’s Day approaches, your February SW Lake Lifestyle is here with some inspiration to carry you into spring. Love is in the air and throughout these pages, as are many local events to keep you busy during this short, but sweet, month.

Your Lifestyle Calendar truly has something for everyone!

If you’d like to get away with your Valentine, our Romantic Destination article will start you dreaming of the warm white beaches and clear blue waters of somewhere faraway from the polar vortex of our beloved Chiberia.

The photographs alone will warm your heart! Perhaps your team didn’t happen to make it to the Super Bowl? Former Chicago Bear, Israel Idonije, will certainly win you over and inspire you with his amazing ability to motivate children and create community. His story is wonderful as is his choice to lead by example, on and off the football field. Also, we LOVE your submissions and story suggestions that we’ve received. Please continue to send your good news our way.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this issue and that this February is as exciting as the area we live in!

north barrington • lake zurich • hawthorn woods kildeer • deer park • long grove

FEBRUARY 2015 publisher Peter Fetzer | PFetzer@LifestylePubs.com

editor Wendy Willison | WWillison@LifestylePubs.com

contributing writers Stephanie Cernivec, Dana Fricke, Teresa Myers, Ryan Rosser, Sue Shimkus, Mike Willison

contributing photographers Dona Blundt, Stephanie Cernivec, Juli Schatz

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corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore regional sales director | Mike Arel production director | Christina Sandberg director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Sara Minor ad coordinators | Cyndi Vreeland, Samantha Engel layout designer | Liesl Poet

Wendy Willison, Editor WWillison@LifestylePubs.com

copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham application architect | Michael O’Connell it director | Randy Aufderheide

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| SWLakeLifestyle.com | on the cover Israel Idonije gives us a

glimpse into his life off the football field.

Read about what is next for the former Chicago Bear on page 18. photography by Gavin Smith

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P.O. Box Box 12608 12608 P.O. Overland Park, Park, KS KS 66282-3214 66282-3214 Overland Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 3:5-6 SW Lake Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is Tulsa Lifestyle™ published monthly

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February 2015

Departments 8

22

Good Times

10 Around Town 12 Home Matters 14 Real Wives 16

What's Cooking?

17 Financial Fitness 26

Parent’s Corner

27 Healthy Lifestyle north barrington • lake zurich • hawthorn woods kildeer • deer park • long grove

29 Sold Properties

12 The ‘Smart’ Thermostat in Action

30 Lifestyle Calendar

It knows what to do 34

Parting Thoughts

18 Free Agent Philanthropist Israel Idonije off the playing field

22 Romantic Destinations Not just for Valentine’s Day

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When you support local businesses in SW Lake Lifestyle, you get to: ~ Shop Businesses Conveniently Located Near You ~ Enjoy Special Offers Only Available to Our Readers ~ Support Our Local Economy For a complete listing of our current advertisers, check out the Business Directory on page 33.

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Good Times

Motor Werks Infiniti of Barrington Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the Village of Barrington were on hand to celebrate the opening of the new Motor Werks Honda and Infiniti showrooms.

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

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February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

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Around Town Barrington Celebrates 150 Years The Village of Barrington will celebrate its 150th year in 2015.

Officially incorporated on February 16, 1865, Barrington’s Sesquicentennial Celebration this year will feature a number of planned events over the next 18 months.

As a gift to the future of the community, the stately former Robertson family home, known as the Barrington White House located at 145 W. Main Street, is being repurposed and renovated into an elegant and highly functional community and cultural center. The Barrington White House will not only provide the opportunity for the community to give itself a very special 150th birthday present, but the finished product will embody all that we have held dear as a community for the last century and a half.

The celebration kick off is February 16, with “Happy 150th Birthday, Barrington” parties throughout the village. The Village Board will celebrate with cake and ice cream, while local merchants will feature birthday-themed offerings. Churches, schools and local organizations will take part in the celebration as well. For more information on Barrington’s 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration, please visit Barrington150.org.

new wine selections include a Single Vineyard Shimman Canyon 2012 Chardonnay and Pull 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend.

To complement their wine selections, Broken Earth offers savory cheeses and wine-friendly snacks, along with gift items and accessories, such as cheese boards, knives and wine racks. Visit BrokenEarthWinery.com for more information.

LAKE ZURICH JAZZ BAND MARDI GRAS EVENT The Band Boosters of Lake Zurich (BBLZ) will host its 7th annual “Jazz by the Lake” (JBTL) concert and fundraiser February 6th. The theme this year is “Mardi Gras-LZ Style” in honor of the Lake Zurich High School Jazz Bands upcoming trip to New Orleans in March.

The event will feature a New Orleans-inspired evening of jazz, dinner and fun held in the Grand Ballroom of the Makray Memorial Golf Club in Barrington. The award-winning Lake Zurich High School Jazz Band will perform all music for the evening.

This year, as the band volunteers for three days helping those still in need after Hurricane Katrina, they will have the opportunity to play at several venues in New Orleans, as well as perform with a local New Orleans High School in an exchange concert.

The Jazz by the Lake event is $45 per person. JBTL tickets can be purchased through LZBandBoosters.com. Adding additional fun and excitement to the evening, there will be a “wine pull” and “raffle” to earn money to support the New Orleans trip.

Newly Opened in Long Grove Galena Canning Company, a longtime favorite of Long Grove festival goers, recently opened a brick and mortar shop in downtown Long Grove (217 Robert Parker Coffin Road). Although many of Chef Ivo Puidak’s gourmet products have been sold in Long Grove for over 20 years, by adding a permanent location fans of Galena Canning Company can now easily access homemade, fat-free, gluten-friendly barbecue sauces, salsas, dressings and marinades, mustards, pepper jellies, butters, pickled vegetables and more. For more information about Galena Canning Company, call 847.276.4041.

BROKEN EARTH WINERY EXPANDs After opening Broken Earth Winery this past fall, the Forsythe Family (new owners and long-time residents of Long Grove) has expanded their operation. The expansion includes a comfortable lounge area, equipped with TVs and two fireplaces, making the space perfect for parties and private events.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response and support Broken Earth Winery has received within the Long Grove community,” states Marsha Forsythe. Since opening, Broken Earth has added new wines to it’s expansive list, including Broken Earth’s 2010 Limited Reserve Tempranillo, 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Reserve Petit Verdot, and a 2011 Moscato. Additional

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

Solicitors Knocking? Natural Gas Aggregation Not Available...Yet Several residents have seen an increase in the number of solicitors knocking on their doors offering enrollment in programs that will reduce their natural gas bill. Often times, these solicitors ask to see your Nicor bill and sometimes they claim to represent the Village of Lake Zurich.

While not always a scam, please be aware that the Village of Lake Zurich does not offer a natural gas aggregation program and solicitors are not representing the Village.

There is an official Lake Zurich electricity aggregation program that has saved residents and small businesses millions of dollars over the last few years, but there is no natural gas aggregation program.

The State of Illinois has not passed legislation to enable municipal aggregation of natural gas, although the legislation has been introduced at the committee level. Until this legislation is passed by the General Assembly, municipal aggregation programs for natural gas will not happen. In the meantime, residents can chose an alternative natural gas supplier individually.

PEACH CARR’S NEW LINE DEBUT AT YORK FURRIER IN DEER PARK From the New Yorker cartoon pages, Peach creates whimsical handbags that are absolutely FUNctional. Each piece is handcrafted with a humorous motif and trimmed with unique closures. Shapes include a silver chain trimmed oval clutch, the thin leather trimmed baguette, a jeweled knuckle handle minaudiere, and a rhinestone closure pouch clutch. For day or evening use, these Peach Carr handbags will add personality to any outfit. A self-taught fashion designer, Peach Carr burst onto the fashion scene with her appearances on Season 8 and Season 2 All Stars of Project Runway. Taking inspiration from the music and vibe of the 60’s and 70’s during her youth, Peach designs chic fashions that are also super comfortable to wear. See the collection in person or visit YorkFur.com.

February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

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Home Matters

The ‘Smart’ Thermostat in Action It Knows What To Do To Save You Money Article Stephanie Cernivec | Photography Provided

D

uring transitional seasons, your thermostat runs a number of “sprints,” per se, in order to heat or cool your home on particularly hot or cold days. However, when winter comes around, your thermostat jumps into “marathon” mode, running on a daily basis to keep its inhabitants comfortable.

To see the integration in action, WarmlyYours Radiant Heating, based in Lake Zurich, observed a single-family home in Kildeer heated entirely with in-floor radiant heat. Every room in the home features a Nest thermostat that controls the heated floor.

Between February 11 and March 10, 2013, the average outside temperature was 28.8 degrees. During that time period, the 505-square-foot basement in the Kildeer home consumed approximately five hours worth of electric radiant heating each day in order to reach 70 degrees. This equates to roughly $3 each day.

Between March 11 and April 7, 2013, the average temperature rose to 34.8 degrees, and the radiant heat ran for nearly an hour less to heat the basement to 70 degrees. This equates to about 50 cents less a day in electricity costs.

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

Similarly, radiant heating in the 240-square-foot living room ran nearly seven hours between February 11 and March 10, 2013, which equates to $1.64 a day. When the average temperature rose to 34.8 degrees, it only ran for 3.25 hours to reach 70 degrees. This equates to less than $1 a day.

In these instances, the home was able to save energy and money mostly because the temperature outside rose. However, heating each room in the home with radiant heat offers an additional advantage.

By using radiant heat as the primary heat source with a thermostat in each room, homeowners can simply boost the heat in the rooms in which they are spending the most time; there is no need to heat the entire house. In other words, if the upstairs is only used at night, the homeowner can keep the thermostat setting low throughout the day and boost it to a comfortable temperature about an hour before the family typically goes to bed.

By comparison, with gas heat, if you want to heat one room, you have to heat the entire home unless you go from room to room closing vents as needed. And who wants to do that?

To determine if your home is a good candidate for using radiant heat as a primary heating source, check out the WarmlyYours Heat Loss Calculator at WarmlyYours.com. Even if you’re only using in-floor heating for supplemental heat, integrating with third-party controls can help you save significant energy and money throughout the entire “marathon” of winter.

Stephanie Cernivec writes for WarmlyYours Radiant Heating. The Lake Zurich, IL company offers a range of heating solutions including in-floor radiant heating, snow-melt systems, roof and gutter deicing systems, towel warmers, radiant panels and more.

February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

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Real Wives

introducing

FLORENCE LEE real wives of SW Lake What do your record on the DVR? I record Homeland and The Real Housewives.

Favorite cocktail?

A margarita on the rocks, which I make during the summertime.

What’s your favorite indoor/ outdoor activity?

Running outdoors while listening to my favorite music.

Favorite gadget or gizmo?

Our Vitamix blender. I sneak veggies into my kids’ smoothies all the time!

Unique or interesting fact about yourself?

I taught in the inner-city of Los Angeles before I had my children.

Who lives in your house?

Paul (husband of 13 years), Charley (age 11), Samantha (age 7), and Gulpers (pet goldfish)

Title of a book on your bedside table?

Our book club is reading Little Big Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Who is the person you respect the most, and why?

My father. He has a great work ethic and was a successful scientist. He is also very generous and kind, and has inspired me my whole life.

Work outside the home?

Yes, I am a real estate agent and work for RE/MAX Showcase in Long Grove. I help clients sell their homes or find their dream homes in both Lake and Cook Counties.

How would your best friend describe you?

Fun, a good listener and trustworthy.

What outdoor activities do you enjoy?

Running, hiking, biking and gardening

Organization that gets most of your volunteer time?

My son’s Cub Scout den. I have been their leader since he was in first grade.

What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to?

My wedding. We had great food and music, and were surrounded by our loved ones!

Best vacation ever?

Paris, France, with my husband, Paul.

What is one of your favorite quotes?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Native or transplanted to the area?

Native to the Chicago area, but have also lived in Los Angeles, CA and Brooklyn, NY. What’s on the floor of your car right now?

Reusable shopping bags. I try my best to minimize my carbon footprint. We drive energy efficient cars, a Prius and a Tesla.

Favorite ‘pamper yourself’ or splurge item?

A beautiful floral arrangement. It brightens up my home and my mood. Hydrangeas are my favorite.

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

Favorite date night?

Getting dressed up, taking the train into the city to meet Paul after work, and trying a new restaurant.

Best thing about living in SW Lake County?

Living near trails and forest preserves, and seeing wildlife in my backyard. It is a very beautiful and peaceful place to live!

Do you know a Real Wife of SW Lake we should spotlight? Email WWillison@LifestylePubs.

com for details.

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What's Cooking?

Show Off Your Sweet Side This Valentine’s Day

T

reat family, friends and co-workers to something they will all love this Valentine’s Day by making easy and impressive cookies. Start with your favorite roll-out cookie recipe or simply dress up store-bought ones by adding some simple details with icing.

From the cupids at Wilton, here are three ways to leave them smitten with sweets this Valentine’s Day: • Desserts with dimension. Triple your treats by stacking three decorated cookies in different sizes together and attach them with icing.

Divide royal icing into three equal portions, and tint 3 shades of rose.

Thin a portion of each shade following recipe directions. Use tip 3 and full-strength tinted icing to outline cookies. Use thinned tinted icing in cut decorating bag to fill in cookies; gently tap to smooth icing. Let dry overnight.

Use icing to attach cookies, stacking largest to smallest; place icing decoration on top.

Scalloped Heart Cookies

• Complement with color. A simple piping technique looks stunning when piped in different colors on your cookies.

• Get to gifting. Wrap your finished treats in a Valentine’s Day treat bag or box.

For more fun and delicious Valentine’s Day recipes, baking tips and inspiration, visit Wilton.com.

Stackable Ombre Heart Cookies

Favorite roll-out cookie recipe Royal icing (recipe on wilton.com) Rose Icing Color Heart Micro Mini Icing Decorations Prepare and roll out cookie dough following recipe directions. Use 3 smallest cutters from 4-piece heart nesting cookie cutter set to cut out shapes. Bake and cool cookies.

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

Favorite roll-out cookie recipe Ready-To-Use White Creamy Decorator Icing Icing Colors: Burgundy, Red-Red and Christmas Red Prepare and roll out dough following recipe directions. Use largest cutter from the 4-piece heart nesting cookie cutter set to cut out shape. Bake and cool cookies.

Divide icing into four equal portions. Tint one of each portion light burgundy, dark burgundy and combination of red-red/Christmas red. Reserve last portion white.

Starting from top edge of heart, use tip 102 and icing in dark burgundy, light burgundy, red and white to pipe V-shaped groups of two petals, one piped from left and one from right, to create row of petals in alternating colors. Repeat with second row between petals in first row. Continue to repeat pattern until cookies are covered.

Financial Fitness

Finance Tips Every College Student Should Know W

hen the acceptance letter arrives from a college or university, it’s cause for celebration. But it’s also time to do some serious number crunching and take steps to mitigate potential education-related debt.

The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) estimates that the average student leaves higher education with a diploma in hand, and a debt load of more than $26,0001.

Even families who have saved for postsecondary education for years find themselves looking at ways to manage expenses as the cost of tuition, books and room and board add up. Exploring both traditional and non-traditional sources of financial aid can help make those mounting expenses more manageable.

Schedule a meeting with financial aid. As soon as you have settled on which school you’ll attend, contact the financial aid office and request an appointment with an advisor. If you’re within a drivable distance, it’s a good idea to meet in person and develop a relationship with someone who can help you identify potential aid sources you might not have considered otherwise. Closer to home, do the same with your high school counselor, who can keep an eye open for scholarships that match your credentials.

Explore association scholarships. Many professional associations and member-based organizations offer competitive scholarship programs. Check with the major employers in your area, particularly any in your chosen field, to find out if they offer any scholarship or grants. You can also check with family members to determine what organizations they belong to and whether you are eligible for any funds. For example, Foresters™, an international financial services provider committed to family well-being, offers the Foresters Competitive Scholarship2, which awards up to 250

tuition scholarships worth up to $8,000 each for eligible members, their children and their grandchildren in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the scholarship opportunities awarded by Foresters at www.foresters.com.

File for federal aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if you don’t think your financial circumstances make you eligible for a grant. You may be surprised by what is available. In addition, research national grants such as Pell Grants that can help defray your expenses.

Secure a career-relevant job or internship. While classes, studying and enjoying a healthy social life are all important aspects of the college experience, gaining experience in your future career field is valuable too. Consult with your school’s career center or an advisor in your area of study to uncover paid internship opportunities that will help you develop your resume and bolster your bank account.

Making the most of potential resources to pay for your degree lets you keep your focus squarely on your studies so your next big cause for celebration can be your college diploma.

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February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

17

Professional Football, Philanthropy & Superheroes ISRAEL IDONIJE IS JUST GETTING STARTED Article TERESA MYERS | Photography Provided As a child Israel Idonije would lay in bed at night and envision himself inventing things, achieving success, making a difference in the world, and growing up to be “big and strong.” At 6’6” and weighing 275 pounds, Idonije certainly is big as well as strong. He is best known for his excellent football prowess as an 11-year veteran defensive player for the NFL. However, as much as he loves the competition and as dedicated as he is to being the best defensive player he is capable of being, Idonije’s “dream big” approach to life has him achieving goals and accomplishments far beyond the NFL. When his college career ended, Idonije had been named team MVP, the Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year, and the top lineman in Canadian university football. What many people don’t know and what is a character reveal of him, is that while he was studying, practicing, training and playing at the University of Manitoba, he was running the after-school program at the local elementary school.

After the UofM, a door opened to the NFL–although he wasn’t just handed a spot. When he wasn’t invited to the league’s annual tryout, he sent tapes of himself to coaches. It was the Cleveland Browns who initially signed him as an undrafted free agent in May 2003, but released him several months later. The Bears brought him on to their practice squad that November, and he worked his way up to be signed with them the following spring.

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

Idonije is the oldest son of the family’s four children, and his earliest memories are of helping his family serve in the community. His parents taught him the importance of a good education, as well as the values of charity, compassion, benevolence and humility.

Idonije’s parents were missionaries and taught their children by example–even establishing a charity that distributed food to people in need.

Idonije continues to not only find and walk through doors of opportunity, but he builds doors that open to hope and success for him and others to walk through.

“My parents did a tremendous job of raising me to understand that the world is bigger than just me,” says Idonije. “Part of making our world better is just doing what we can with what we have. Everybody–regardless of background or socio-economic status has the ability to inject some level of positive change into their surrounding world. My entire life, I watched my parents do it with the very little they had–trying, working, affecting, inspiring, and being that positive influence on many lives. Now that I have this tremendous platform of being an NFL player, I feel an even bigger responsibility to help and serve others. It’s who I am and what I know.”

In 2007, he started the Israel Idonije Foundation to help underprivileged children in Chicago, where he lives now; in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he grew up; and in West Africa, where he was born. Helping children is something very near to Idonije’s heart and he lights up when he talks about his life’s work.

His character is seen in the beginnings of his charity. He just showed up one day at the Alex Haley Academy in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood–no publicist, no manager, no camera–and asked the principal how he could be of service because he really wanted to help. Idonije continued

to go to the school week after week. The Foundation began in his garage with Idonije personally arranging and appearing at events, filing paperwork, getting T-shirts printed, ordering school buses for field trips, and paying the bills to cover it all. It now has a functioning board and continues to do great work in several communities.

“I work with an incredible team of doctors, teachers, principals, volunteers and community members who make the work we do possible,” says Idonije.

His goal is turn the light on inside the children helping them to see their potential to make good decisions.

“I feel it’s important to incorporate social and emotional development skills to the programs we offer,” Idonije says. The five steps he adopted from another program include teaching youth self-awareness, social-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making and effective communication.

“I focused on my education and set goals in my life, and despite all the distractions I stayed focused,” he explains. He emphasizes to the kids that staying focused on education and goals will help them achieve in life. “This world is crazy, and all sorts of things happen where they come from, but their education is the number one equalizer. Coming to school every day, making the right decisions, staying positive.

I tell them, ‘If you do that, you’ll end up in a better place.’”

Unlike many other athlete-run charities, his organization is not a means to promote himself. Idonije has goals to continue building and maintaining the foundation long after his football career is over. He has always known he wanted to do something that impacts lives long after he is done with football. He spends his time wisely and purposefully looking for ways to positively impact the world around him. He truly walks the walk. continued >

February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

19

free agent philanthropist

(continued)

“I want everything in which I’m involved--whether it be football, charitable work, or business--to be purposeful and reflect my core beliefs,” says Idonije. “Whatever I’m doing has to be innovative, it has to have a global approach to it, and it has to be able to make the world a better place or provide us the opportunity to add value to the community because of its success.”

Growing up Idonije was a fan of comic books, so it’s no surprise he had an idea for his own superhero story. His company, Athlitacomics, has soft-launched The Protectors issues #0 and #1. The Protectors will appeal to both die-hard sports fans and comic book enthusiasts alike.

“This is a project of love and one of the most exciting things in which I’ve been involved,” says Idonije. “To hold the actual graphic novel in my hands has been my dream since I sat down and began writing the concept on my notepad.”

The Protectors is a story about five professional athletes who are all stars in their respective sports. Each is blessed with a genetic gift that when fully activated will give them amazing abilities and awesome responsibilities. Each of the athletes learns about their abilities in their own way. Within The Protectors story is an underlying message to youth that they, too, are each blessed with gifts and abilities that are to be nurtured and developed. That they, too, will be confronted with difficulties and obstacles: drugs, negative peer associa-

tions, struggles with schoolwork, and other temptations that might cause them to lose focus of their potential. That they, too, will need to set goals, make good choices and stand firm to achieve success in their pursuits and to become all that they can be. They, too, can become “Protectors” of all that is good. It will be a great tool for literacy with books currently found in the 80 Chicago public libraries While his football career, his Foundation and his handful of business endeavors keep him busy, he can still be found as a guest to other charity fundraisers, making appearances at special events or at home learning how to play an instrument.

He’s had some great achievements, but Idonije believes anyone can achieve great things.

“Regardless of who you are, if you have an idea, you can achieve it,” he says. He enjoys cheering people on and being an inspiration to others.

The biggest revelation of his character is the refreshing humility found in Idonije. He is uncomfortable being put in the spotlight for the things he does. He feels he is doing what he is supposed to do, and that he has an obligation and responsibility to be the best person he can be helping others along the way.

Most people would think the things he envisioned while laying awake at night as a child have all been accomplished, but the truth is Idonije is just getting started.

“Regardless of who you are, if you have an idea, you can achieve it.”

20

SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

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Getaways to Destinations Not Just For Valentine’s Day Article Dana Fricke | Photography provided

Tahiti

As Valentine’s Day will soon be here, Lake Zurich Travel Romance Advisors decided it a perfect opportunity to share our favorite romantic destinations. These wonderful resorts, located in some of the most magical places on earth, offer the ultimate in romance and luxury for your honeymoon, anniversary, couples trip or a simple, short romantic getaway!

Nicaragua

HAYMAN ISLAND Defining the luxury resort experience within Australia, One&Only Hayman Island presents astonishing natural beauty, restorative peace, indulgence and adventure. Hayman Island, Australia’s iconic private island resort re-opened in July 2014 and is located off the coast of Queensland, nestled at the northernmost point of the Whitsunday Islands, beyond verdant cliffs reaching into the endless sky. RelTahiti ish in spectacular dining experiences, surrender to a signature Ocean Massage, explore private beaches and immerse yourself in captivating underwater adventures. Hayman Island is a unique destination of discovery set in one of the seven wonders of the natural world-Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Both Dana and Sue from Lake Zurich Travel loved their visit to this resort!

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

MUKUL BEACH RESORT If you’d rather make a shorter trip to indulge in your romantic vacation, The Mukul Beach Resort in Nicaragua might be the perfect option.

Hawaii

Hawaii

Nicaragua

Mukul–the Mayan word for secret–features 37 standalone and private bungalows, each with a stunning ocean view, pool and your own personal private staff. The palapa, restaurants, pool and beach are theocommon spaces, with an intense focus on privacy. Other resort amenities include Spa Mukul, with six private spa-treatment casitas; a beach club featuring romantic dining along the ocean; lounge areas and a beautiful, pristine swimming pool. Guests can enjoy access to the property’s four miles of white-sand beach and rugged coastline. Take a nice long romantic stroll along the 12 miles of nature trails on which you can hike or bike to observe numerous species of monkeys and other wildlife that reside in the lush coastal forest. Guests can also explore Nicaragua through customized experiences that introduce them to the nature, culture and people of this up-and-coming tourism destination, known as the “land of lakes and volcanoes.”

ANDAZ PAPAGAYO RESORT Location, Location, Location! The Andaz Papagayo Resort sits in the “sweet spot” where the ocean meets the mountains in Costa Rica. A beautiful and scenic 45-minute drive will bring you to the Liberia international airport and attractions like the Rincon de La Vieja volcano are near enough for day trips.

Gorgeous views, two stunning beaches, and beautiful natural surroundings create a true modern paradise. This extremely romantic resort option is easily accessible from the U.S. and is located on 2,200 acres that cover two peninsulas along the Pacontinued >

February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

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Romantic getaways

(continued)

Hayman Island

pagayo Gulf in Costa Rica’s Bay of Culebra. The resort itself is on a 28-acre area adjacent to Marina Papagayo, and features 153 guestrooms including 21 luxury suites. If you’ve never been to Costa Rica, let this be your motivation!

ISLANDS OF FRENCH POLYNESIA Why not take your sweetie to Tahiti? It is truly the most romantic island in the world! Whether you’re on honeymoon or not, The Islands of French Polynesia are a marvelous place to escape!

In Bora Bora, the spectacular scenery and private water villas perched on stilts above the turquoise lagoons score a perfect ten on the romance scale. From sunrise to sunset, each resort boasts its own offering of unique romantic experiences for guests to choose from. Many Tahitian accommodations feature overwater bungalows with private plunge pools. Descend your own ladder into the pristine clear-blue water to snorkel and swim in your very own piece of the ocean in this enchanting destination.

Costa Rica

MAUNA LANI BAY HOTEL & BUNGALOWS The combination of the beaches, the water and the Aloha Spirit make this Hawaiian getaway perfect for lovers. Romance is everywhere you turn at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows. Indulge in a private sunset dinner on the beach for a personalized evening to celebrate an engagement or vow renewal, or to simply cherish a night under the stars with your love. Enjoy a beautiful sunset from the privacy of your beachfront cabana, explore the undersea world together and relax at the many award-winning spas. The resort offers unique swimming pools, championship golf courses, tennis, bike riding, surfing, private waterfalls, lagoons, botanical gardens and hidden nature walks.

You won’t need a passport for this exotic adventure with your favorite Valentine!

Dana Fricke is a luxury travel specialist at Lake Zurich Travel and Romantic Travel by Design.

24

SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

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Barrington Pools, Inc. February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

25

Parent’s Corner

Take a Spring Break from Social Media Removing the Digital Mask

Article Ryan Rosser

T

hroughout schools, hammers thunder against their bells, signaling the day’s end. Excited hands shove books into bags.

And feet scurry out of classrooms, down crowded corridors and through doors marked “exit.”

It’s Spring Break, a time for children and teens to do anything but learn.The very title of this venerable vacation week expresses rejuvenated life through separation from stress.

Homework can wait.

They’ll disconnect from their studies, but remain connected online. Unless your teens unplug from their digital persona they’ll continue to be entrenched in gossip, drama, and image. The pressure to remain connected is 24/7. You can take the kid out of the school hall, but you can’t take the school hall out of the kid.

Profile pictures portray the best of us. Friend counts, like counts, comments and shares place a numeric value on self-worth.

And a driving need for attention flaunts photos best kept private.

But promoting a false or not-quite-true image actually isolates us from one another. The eventual outcome is loneliness. This is true regardless of apparent confidence or ability. Social media, therefore, is a misnomer. It fails as a medium for true social interconnectivity. It’s depressing. Literally.

Our social persona feels vital to our survival. It’s no wonder most teens balk and fight when asked to unplug. But despair not ye parents of burgeoning millenials, for there is a solution! Here are six steps to help you and your teens navigate the social media mine field this Spring Break.

on Wednesday. No tech at the dinner table. Charge your portable devices in the kitchen overnight. Keep them out of the bedrooms.

Unplugging can include social video games and television for your vitamin D-deprived child. Whatever unplugging looks like for your family, be consistent.

1. Communicate early and often

6. Do it together

Invite your teens into creating a plan to unplug. Empower them to make wise choices. Take unplugging for a test run before Spring Break. National Day of Unplugging is March 6-7. Join the movement at NationalDayOfUnplugging.com.

You’re a family. A team. Be willing to accept the same boundaries for yourself that you ask of your child. Turning off the tech isn’t punishment. It’s a recalling of family and friends together.

When you choose to disengage social media for yourself along with your teen, you send a bold message: They’re worth engaging.

It won’t be long before books are removed from bags, seats are taken and the break is over. So make this Spring Break count.

Even without the retweets and friend requests.

2. Turn off the tech

It’s difficult to unplug, but it can be done. Set limits. Here are some to try: No tech until noon. No tech in the evenings. No tech 26

SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

3. Turn on creativity

Give your kids an artistic gift. Is Instagram your child’s favorite? Give them a bag full of disposable cameras. Does your kid prefer Facebook? Moleskine journals and good pens are a great combo for keeping track of low-tech status updates. Give them a reason to unplug, and get creative!

4. Engage the world

The tech may be off, but that doesn’t mean friendships have to be put on hold. Gather a few of their best buds, grab a Frisbee and prepare a picnic. They’ll laugh out loud as their digital emoticons become real-life, actual smiles. Craft the stories they’ll share when asked, “What did you do for Spring Break?”

5. Encourage their inner qualities

Break the mask. Compliment the qualities and gifts that go unseen. Your nerdy kid knows they’re smart. Your athletic kid knows they’ve got game. Recognize the hard work it’s taken to get them there. No one has a greater potential to call out the truth more than an engaged parent.

Healthy Lifestyle

Show Your Heart Some Love Wellness tips for body, mind and heart

E

ach day offers new opportunities to make choices that impact your health and overall wellness. Though hectic schedules can cause many of us to let healthy habits fall to the wayside, it is important that we give our bodies the attention and care they deserve.

Consider these small steps to gradually improve your whole body and heart health, which can help you enjoy a happier, longer life: • Strike a balance. Take a simpler approach to the traditional idea of “dieting.” Balance calories in versus calories out with a combination of good food choices, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and regular exercise, such as walking or hiking. Incorporate low-calorie, naturally fat-free foods into your diet, such as new Dole Red Grapefruit Sunrise Fruit Bowls, which bring all-natural fruit together with 100 percent juice. They are a great way to start the day or just enjoy as a delicious snack. Grapefruit naturally offers a plentiful source of nutrients, including phosphorus, potassium and vitamins A and C.

• Dine in the a.m. Don’t let a rushed morning routine get in the way of enjoying a heart-healthy breakfast. A complete morning meal includes a combination of whole grains, protein, and fruits or vegetables. For a convenient, on-the-go option, throw an individually-sealed cup of Dole Red Grapefruit Sunrise in your laptop bag or purse. Each cup contains peak-of-ripeness, wholesome, peeled grapefruit and allows you to enjoy grapefruit all year around. Plus, they’re gluten free, contain no GMOs (genetically modified or engineered ingredients) or artificial sweeteners, and feature BPA-free packaging.

• Drink more water. For your body to function properly, it needs the right amount of hydration. According to the Institute of Medicine, the average required intake for a male is about 13 cups, while a female requires about 9 cups. Switch out sodas and sugary drinks with water to reap its benefits, and to shave off extra “empty” calories that may contribute to weight gain.

• Watch the middle. According to the Mayo Clinic, that extra weight you carry around the mid-section can cause serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Work to keep this common problem area in check by reducing caloric intake and increasing physical activity.

• Get routine exams. A yearly doctor’s examination keeps you more informed of your body’s ever-changing status, and it keeps your health care provider in the loop, too. Educate yourself and understand the import numbers for your heart, including blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides.

• Skip the stress. While a little stress is part of being human, too much can be taxing on the heart. Find activities that engage your mind and naturally relieve stress such as knitting, crafting or working on a puzzle.

A happy life starts with the right mindset and a few easy routines. For more ways to boost your body’s wellness and healthy snack ideas, visit Dole.com.

February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

27

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Sold Properties

Recently SOLD SW Lake Properties subdivision

list price

sold price

% sold/list

dom*

bdrms

f/h bath

city

Willow Valley

$599,900

$565,000

94.00%

118

4

4/0

Long Grove

Lake Eleanora Estates

$599,900

$594,100

99.00%

20

4

6/1

Long Grove

Wynstone

$650,000

$600,000

92.00%

73

4

3/1

North Barrington

Pine Lake

$618,800

$600,000

97.00%

35

5

3/1

Kildeer

Hawthorn Woods C.C.

$627,000

$607,000

97.00%

13

4

3/1

Hawthorn Woods

Lakewood Estates

$664,900

$639,650

96.00%

100

4

3/1

Hawthorn Woods

Lakeview

$674,900

$657,000

97.00%

264

5

3/1

Barrington

Hillside Estates

$699,900

$675,000

96.00%

9

4

4/1

Hawthorn Woods

Wynstone

$795,000

$705,000

89.00%

68

4

3/2

North Barrington

Preserves Long Grove

$799,000

$725,000

91.00%

36

4

4/2

Long Grove

Wynstone

$777,000

$745,000

96.00%

72

4

4/1

North Barrington

Foxborough Estates

$844,900

$790,000

93.00%

90

4

3/1

Kildeer

Eagle Pointe

$999,900

$950,000

95.00%

34

5

6/2

Barrington Hills

Lakeshore Estates

$995,000

$972,000

98.00%

22

6

6/1

South Barrington

The Glen

$1,165,000

$1,150,000

99.00%

235

4

4/2

South Barrington

The Enclave

$1,299,000

$1,200,000

92.00%

131

5

4/1

Kildeer

Herons Landing

$1,399,000

$1,220,000

87.00%

29

6

8/1

Long Grove

MLS Statistics from 12/1/14 - 12/31/14. All information herein has not been verified and is not guaranteed.

Featured properties may not be listed in the office/agent presenting this data. Supplied by Scott Collins, RE/MAX Showcase.

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February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

29

Lifestyle Calendar

February FEBRUARY 1 7TH ANNUAL VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE RIDE & SHOW COOK PARK, WAUCONDA

Celebrating 47 years of snowmobiling history. Enjoy food and beverages, snow or no snow. Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. and entry donation is $3 per sled. Everyone is welcome to come and have fun.

For information, call 847.682.9110.

ment and how to make every trip a success. Dress in synthetic clothing with base layers. Hat, gloves and warm socks encouraged.

Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Snowshoeing equipment will be provided for class use. Register online or call 847.968.3308.

FEBRUARY 7-8 ZURKO ANTIQUE AND FLEA MARKET LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

FEBRUARY 7 WAUKEGAN’S ANNUAL MARDI GRAS CASINO NIGHT GLEN FLORA COUNTRY CLUB

Come out and enjoy the Annual Mardi Gras Silent Auction and Casino night. In keeping with the Mardi Gras Krewe tradition, this event features a Vegas-style casino and $500 cash raffle, a live jazz band, dancing, photos and a delicious dinner. Please visit WaukeganMainstreet.org for more information.

For 45 years, Zurko Promotions has been bringing quality antique shows and flea markets to the Midwest. This event will offer a variety of antiques and collectibles, including country furniture, estate jewelry, Victoriana, postcards, art glass and porcelains, advertising items, old toys, vintage clothing and linens, coins, decorator items, paintings, primitives, treasures and much, much more.

FEBRUARY 11 LITTLE CHEFS HOLIDAY KITCHEN CREATIONS BARRINGTON PARK DISTRICT

Create your own special dishes that highlight Valentine’s Day. You’ll learn about cooking, utensils, safety and basic food preparation by following simple recipes and eating your creations for dinner. Gluten and dairy products will be prepared and consumed in this class. Visit BarringtonParkDistrict.org for registration.

FEBRUARY 13-14 JOHN TARTAGLIA’S IMAGINOCEAN AT THE GENESEE THEATRE WAUKEGAN

FEBRUARY 7 LEARN TO SNOWSHOE RYERSON WOODS FOREST PRESERVE

Discover the freedom of snowshoeing. During this two-hour field outing, you’ll learn snowshoeing techniques, proper use of equip30

SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

Tony-award nominee John Tartaglia starred in the acclaimed musical Avenue Q, appeared on Broadway in Shrek The Musical, and in Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Now he has grown some creative gills with the production of John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean. This is a one-of-a-kind live black-light puppet show and magical undersea adventure for kids of all ages – and it all starts with a treasure map!

FEBRUARY 14 BEER LOVERS MEET-UP LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Bring that special someone or come out and meet up with someone new at the first Beer Lovers Meet-up. Enjoy craft beer and plenty of great company. Details to come, please check the website for updates.

FEBRUARY 20 MOTHER & SON SWEETHEART DANCE WAUKEGAN PARK DISTRICT

Mothers and Sons (ages 4-13) will enjoy a wonderful evening of dancing and fun. Memories of this evening will last for years to come. This unforgettable evening will include a catered dinner, music by a professional DJ, dancing, a picture, prizes and more! Please call 847.360.4700 to pre-register.

FEBRUARY 21 HAWTHORN WOODS WINTER CARNIVAL HAWTHORN WOODS COMMUNITY PARK

It is time to make plans to shake loose from being cooped up inside and get out and enjoy Community Park for a spectacular fun family evening. The afternoon will be complete with refreshments, entertainment, music, snowman building contest, games, sledding and old fash-

Show some

ioned wagon rides. Come make some wonderful family memories!

Contact 847.847.3531 for details.

FEBRUARY 21 VEHICLE & EQUIPMENT CONSIGNMENT AUCTION LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Looking for a special piece of equipment? Come out for this auction which includes cars, vans, SUV’s, 4x4’s, trucks, farm and garden tractors, trailers, loaders, mowers, shop or landscape equipment, power tools and more.

FEBRUARY 21 FATHER AND DAUGHTER DATE NIGHT WAUKEGAN PARK DISTRICT

Dads bring out your special little girl for a night of dancing. Dance the night away with a professional DJ, enjoy a catered dinner, have a photo taken for the memories and maybe even win a prize! Girls ages 4-13 and dad. Pre-register by calling 847.360.4700.

Cost is $15 resident and $17 non-resident per person.

FEBRUARY 21 ARTWAUK WAUKEGAN MAIN STREET

Come out and enjoy an evening of arts, music and more. Walk around and visit several locacontinued >

GIVE A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION

for your community!

Learn more at

SWLakeLifestyle.com February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

31

Lifestyle Calendar tions filled with fine art. There will also be free live entertainment and art shows. Admission is free.

FEBRUARY 24 CLICK, CLACK, MOO AT THE GENESEE THEATRE WAUKEGAN

Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals’ demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in a hilariously “mooooo-ving” new musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book

by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin. Recommended for grades K-4. For groups of 15 or more, tickets are $9 each with one free ticket given for every 15 paid. Individual tickets are $12. GeneseeTheatre.com

FEBRUARY 28 CLC’S 31ST ANNUAL SALUTE TO GOSPEL AT THE GENESEE THEATRE WAUKEGAN

FEBRUARY 21 VERNON HILLS’ CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL SULLIVAN COMMUNITY CENTER

Come out for a great craft beer tasting event. There will be several area breweries pouring samples of their ales, lagers, and stouts. Along with celebrating the microbrews of the area’s most skilled brew masters, listen to some live music and purchase beer-inspired food. There is a limited number of tickets available, so don’t wait to buy tickets today.

Receive a free tasting glass with each ticket. Must be 21 years or older.

Enjoy an exciting evening of gospel music at the College of Lake County’s 31st Annual Salute to Gospel Music program featuring Grammy® Award winning singer Donnie McClurkin, who has also won Dove Awards and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist. The other featured singer is Anita Wilson of Atlanta. The CLC Gospel Choir, directed by Charles Thomas Hayes, will also perform. Visit GeneseeTheatre. com for ticket information.

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Electrolysis, recognized by the FDA as the only method to permanently remove hair, treats each hair follicle removing its individual root. Unlike other methods, Electrolysis is suitable for all skin and hair types on women, men and teenagers of all ethnicities.

Call 224.730.4919 for your FREE electrolysis consultation and one hour session valued at $100

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SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

NORTH SHORE Dr Elysa Fisher Women’s Life Center 118 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette, IL

Lourdes Cornelius Licensed Electrologist

Business Directory Education

St Viator High School (847) 392-4050 stviator.com

Financial Services & Planning PMG Wealth Management (847) 550-6100 pmgwealth.com

Health & Wellness Illinois Vein Specialists (847) 277-9100 illinoisveinspecialists.com/

Skin Wellness by Renee (847) 525-3640 skinwellnessbyrenee.skincaretherapy.net

Home Builders & Remodelers Boone Creek Cabinetry and Design (815) 385-8414 boonecreekcabinet.com

Patrick Finn Construction (847) 358-4133 patrickafinn.com/ Prestige Renovations (847) 296-5500 prestigerenovation.com

Home Services 855Bulbman (855) 285-2626 bulbman.com

All Temp Heating and A/C (847) 526-9082 alltemp.net Seasonal Landscape Solutions (847) 652-8458 seasonallandscape.com Strategic America (Estimate #14479/Service Experts Inc.) (847) 419-1996 serviceexperts.com

Insurance

Bizco Inc (847) 805-8690 alloneinsurance.com

Property & Real Estate

Landstar Realty Group (847) 478-0202 landstarnorth.com Scott Collins-Remax (847) 308-6550 scottcollinshomes.com

Salons & Spas Avalon Salon-Spa (847) 726-8855 avalondeerpark.com

Salon Coccole (847) 540-7006 saloncoccole.com

Travel & Leisure American Sale (708) 614-6552 americansale.com

Barrington Pool (847) 381-1245 barrington-pools.com/ Lake Zurich Travel & Cruise (847) 438-5551 lztravel.com

Hand and Stone Kildeer (847) 550-1870 handandstone.com Lourdes Cornelius (224) 730-4919 elotrolysisforyou.com

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Founder and Licensed Esthetician My name is Renee, I am a licensed clinical esthetician and the founder of Skin Wellness in Barrington. Unique to my facial treatments and available homecare is the ability I have to customize each one for any skin type and condition. The fusion of science, natural botanicals and essential oils result in a healthy glowing youthful skin. Please look at my website to learn more about me and the services I offer. I provide complimentary consultations and skin analysis.

For Appointments Call (847) 525-3640 skinwellnessbyrenee.skincaretherapy.net February 2015 | SW Lake Lifestyle

33

Parting Thoughts

Do More by Doing Less Words Mike Willison

A

recent restaurant visit proved to be a profound exercise in archaeology when faced with the vast hieroglyphics of the cocktail list. It had been crafted, curated, locally-sourced, painstakingly-procured and whimsically presented by the list’s adorable docent, of course. Ingredients were pre-prohibition, pre-Pasteur and pre-historic, all obtained with the aid of a grizzled, old shaman at no small amount of risk to the establishment’s ingredient farmer, and they had bottles of Pappy Van Winkle that you could look at, and one you could pay to smell.

Cynicism aside, the list was filled with baffling details. Each drink was built upon the general theory that a very many bizarre things could be mixed together to make one very good thing. Further, their particular bailiwick was the mystifying use of Things We Turned Into Other Things™; things such as: “Hood Strawberry and mint-infused Mosel Riesling gelée powder” (powder!) and “Hay smoked watercress and endive gin distillate.” All of this is true. Now, this is very inventive, I grant you, and this probably tastes very good. Probably. Maybe.

34

SW Lake Lifestyle | February 2015

I am not in the habit of squishing any creative endeavor, and these creations could very well be a good thing in and of themselves, however, when a laundry list of aromatic liqueurs, tinctures, oils, and curlicues of exotic flora are added, then shaken or stirred over an ice cube carved out of Pleistocene glacial remains, and snuggled into a 1890’s coupe, it is precious beyond precious.

It’s like watching a soccer riot; so much is happening but you can’t really pick any of it out and then the stadium collapses. A far cry from spirit, sugar, water and bitters.

Call me old-fashioned, but I really don’t think making a drink with 25 ingredients, transmogrified into superhero versions of themselves, despite their impeccable provenance, is a thing that is or can be good. In fact, what rankles me the most is that many of these ingredients, such as wine, spirits, and bitters, have already been painstakingly curated and Turned Into Other Things™ for you! How very novel. A wine, beer and spirits list that is tight, clean, well-chosen, cozy, and a bit edgy is a thing of beauty when done right. When done wrong, dinner lasts a century.