Better Spring 2021

CHICAGO | NORTH SHORE SPRING 2021

Family Matters SPACES AND PLACES TO CELEBRATE THE ONES YOU LOVE

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Source: BrokerMetrics LLC, Closed Sales Volume, Residential Properties, Chicagoland, 1-1-20 to 12-31-20

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N 1 ˚ CHICAGOLAND 12.3% Baird & Warner 7.0% Coldwell Banker Realty 6.3% Compass 5.8% Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago 3.9%

Market Share by Sales Volume

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P ROMOT I ON

Super-Size Your Charitable Giving When I opened my personal email “inbox” this morning, I counted seven solicitations from organizations and friends that in one way or another asked me to contribute to a very worthwhile cause. I’m sure I’m not alone. We’re all frequently asked to donate to non-profit organizations.

Most of us find it somewhat easy to delete the emails, discard the “junk” mail that arrives in the mailbox, and ignore the radio/tv commercials, but we find it harder to say no to requests from friends and family. The challenge is, there are so many good causes. How do you decide which gets your money?

In my thirty years as a financial advisor, I’ve watched hundreds of clients give away generous amounts of their money, without any type of strategic plan. They write a check for a couple of hundred dollars, buy a table at a fundraiser, or bid generously in a silent auction.

While “every dollar counts” to many organizations, it’s my opinion that your donations should not be ad hoc. Instead, approach philanthropy with forethought and include it in your overall wealth-management strategy. I believe that families or individuals who are fortunate enough to be able to make sizable donations should do so with passion.

There are four steps to making this happen.

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Steps for Choosing Wisely Step One—Soul searching: Spend some time thinking about what matters to you. If you can’t decide, try taking an interest inventory test. These self-administered questionnaires ask you about your likes and dislikes and can help you discover something you feel passionate about. Include your spouse and adult children in the decision as this may help create another generation of passionate supporters.

The goal is to pick one or two areas to concentrate on. Some examples include fighting hunger, protecting children, animal welfare, the arts. A focused approach ultimately enables you to donate more money to fewer organizations, which will have a greater impact.

Step Two—Decide what you want your impact to be: Think about how your donation can further your objective. We all hope that our donations are meaningful, so it’s important that you pick causes or charities that best meet your objective. Perhaps donating tablets to a school system achieves your goal of improving education for under-funded school districts.

Will a contribution earmarked to purchase new equipment for a hospital provide better healthcare? Does creating an ongoing art scholarship sound interesting? Can funding a trap/neuter/return program reduce the stray animal population?

Step Three—Research which charities are aligned with your objectives: One way to begin is with Charity Navigator.

Their website allows you to look up a specific charity by name or search by keyword. They rate charities “by evaluating Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency… show[ing] donors how efficiently a charity will use their support, how well it has sustained its programs and services over time, and their level of commitment to accountability and transparency.”

Once you have identified a couple of possible candidates, contact them to schedule an in-depth interview. At that time, you can ask specific questions like: • What is the goal of your current capital campaign?

• Can I earmark my donation for a specific campaign?

• How will my gift make a difference?

• How does your board inspire its team, board, and donors?

• In addition to my donation, what other ways might I be of help to your charity?

If you like their answers, it’s time to speak with your financial advisor.

Step Four—Prepare to say no: Prepare a thoughtful script to explain why you have selected that one (or two) organization(s).

That helps you say “no” when friends/family asks for help for their favorite. You may find this a challenge at times. But when you explain

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P ROMOT I ON

that you’re maximizing the impact of your giving by narrowing your charitable focus and becoming more involved, others will respect your passionate response.

Creating the Charitable Giving Plan Sitting down with your advisor is likely to be the easiest part of your journey. Together you can decide how much to give over what period of time and select the proper vehicle to maximize your donation. I recommend that you allocate 90% of the designated sum to one or two causes.

The remaining 10% can be discretionary, for something unexpected that arises.

A good advisor will help you consider the tax benefit of your gifting strategy, which may enable you to be more generous or save on income tax.

For example, a common recommendation of creative advisors is to avoid large cash donations and, instead, gift highly appreciated stock. Your conversation may also include a discussion of donor-advised funds, donating directly from an IRA, or establishing your own charitable giving trust. These discussions allow you to maximize the impact of your donations.

The Gift of Time It’s important to remember that charities need more than money. If you’re heading into retirement or already retired, consider gifting your time and expertise. For example, one of my clients has an HR background. She’s donating her time to help a 501 (c) 3 with recruiting efforts.

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Another client has real estate experience. He helps local organizations buy and sell property.

A friend owns a marketing business. She helps the local cat sanctuary promote its activities and raise funds. The examples of involvement are endless, and each has enriched the giver’s retirement years immensely.

Giving Promotes Happiness Don’t be concerned that giving money away will cause anxiety. Multiple studies have proven a link between giving and happiness. In one experiment, a group of people were given money.

Half were required to spend it on themselves, and the second half were required to spend it on other people. Those who spent the money on others consistently reported feeling happier and got more pleasure out of the experienceAnd the feelings are not just emotional, they’re physiological. MRI data shows us that when people think about giving, the generosity activates a part of the brain that usually lights up in response to something pleasurable, like chocolate.

Sharing Family Values A final important part of your strategic gifting plan should be to share your intentions with family members. Call a meeting, either in person or via videoconferencing, and explain your plans for helping others and increasing your own joy, while not neglecting your family.

It’s a great opportunity to teach your children and grandchildren about the complexities of managing wealth and discuss how the donoradvised fund, trust, or foundation will work. You can seek support and involvement by soliciting input, but don’t give into pressure.

You can use the words of my friend CJ McClanahan who says, “No longer are we defined solely by our income, job title, or size of home.

Instead, the focus is moving toward our hearts and the amount of kindness we deliver to others.”

Kathy Roeser is a Wealth Advisor at The Roeser Barbanente Group at Morgan Stanley in Chicago.

Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Morgan Stanley.

Kathy Roeser is a Managing Director and Wealth Advisor with the Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Chicago. The information contained in this column is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments.

Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or its affiliates. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC, member SIPC.

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Contents SPRING 202 1

FEATURES

IN CHICAGO

32

17

35

SPACES A North Shore remodel turns a midcentury Glencoe home into a stylish, soothing retreat.

22

Shop Local The best stylish and practical finds to elevate your life, work and play at home.

40

67

44

OUT & ABOUT

Inspirational Athletes 8 athletes who use their platform to advocate for social change, on and off the field.

Summer Camp Guide The best summer camps to check out around Chicago and the North Shore.

EAT & DRINK

64

Pizzas Worth Obsessing Over 13 new Chicago pizzas that are a must-try.

On the Cover: Claire's daughter Willa in her colorful playroom. Photo by Kevin Penczak

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Currents A Marvel exhibit comes to Chicago, the origins of green beer, Chicago Sky welcomes Candace Parker, and a Q&A with Equilibria’s founders.

Prints Charming A look inside designer Claire Staszak’s chic and family-friendly home.

60

Calendar A look at what’s happening this late winter and spring – virtually or distanced.

COLUMNS

10 Letter from the Editor 62 Better Makers 74 Reflections FOR THE BEST of Better magazine delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the Better Letter at better.net/newsletters. And follow us on social media.

DUSTIN HALLEK

Homegrown Healthcare Some of the year's biggest medical breakthroughs happened right here in Chicago.

3/1/21 12:43 PM

Be Better — the rest follows.

Be better...everyday. These are serious times. The world is being challenged on so many levels. As with everything, we should navigate through it in a better way. Be respectful and grateful while being smart and empathetic.

Those same principles apply to the real estate market.

The market continues to move aggressively on the North Shore and we are re-evaluating daily as we see properties selling at a faster rate than normal. Market expertise and strategic insights are more important than ever in this market. Acutely managing the public and private aspects of the North Shore is our commitment to our clients.

Do Better...

Take action. With the paradigm shift in real estate, we actively seek innovative ways to do better every day. To do better for our clients, The Paige Dooley Team has added more world-class team members across disciplines and continues to work tirelessly to serve our clients with expertise and a splash of fun.

Paige Dooley paige.dooley@compass.com 847.609.0963

The Paige Dooley Team is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.

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BETTER.NET

FOUNDER & PUBLISHER OF BETTER MAGAZINE AND MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP Susan B. Noyes

Editorial

Media

NATIONAL DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR. Brooke Geiger McDonald

MEDIA DIRECTOR Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Patrick Regan

MEDIA CONSULTANT Julie Eldring | jeldring@makeitbetter.com

PRINT EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mimi Towle

MEDIA CONSULTANT Sharon Coleman | scoleman@makeitbetter.com

SPACES EDITOR IN CHIEF Liz Logan

STRATEGIC EVENTS AND MEDIA CONSULTANT Jennifer Woolford | jwoolford@makeitbetter.com

SENIOR DIGITAL EDITOR Jessica Gliddon

MARKETING MANAGER Natasha Romanoff | natasha@makeitbetter.com

MANAGING EDITORS Macaire Douglas, Kasia Pawlowska DINING EDITOR Julie Chernoff SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Caroline Hetzel DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT Jessica Dlugosz EDITORIAL INTERN Aliyah Armstrong CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brittany Anas, Tate Gunnerson, Melanie Haiken, Laura Hine, Kirsten Jones Neff, Jessica Suss, Ann Wycoff

Art GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Hilgers PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Alex French CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dustin Halleck, Jessica Kaplan, Matt J. Wood

Administration CIVIC DEVELOPMENT Sharon Krone CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh TECHNICAL ADVISOR Jennifer Speaker

For more up-to-the-minute articles, tips, trends and things to do, subscribe to our Better Letter and follow us online at @betterchicago and better.net

MEDIA ART MANAGER Alex French

Regional Sales Offices WINE COUNTRY Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / TAHOE Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com NEW YORK Karen Couture, Couture Marketing | 917.821.4429 HAWAII Debbie Anderson, Destination Marketing | 808.739.2200

Reader Services MAILING ADDRESS 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago IL, 60601 PHONE 847.256.4642 INQUIRIES subscriptions@makeitbetter.com | 818.286.3111 editorial@makeitbetter.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please send letters to editorial@makeitbetter.com.

Be sure to include your full name, city, state and phone number. Better reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and style.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Rates are $14.95 for out-of-state subscriptions or free for Illinois subscribers. To subscribe, manage your subscription or change your address visit better.net/chicago/better-subscription BULK ORDERS For information on bulk orders of Better, please email circulation@makeitbetter.com MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP INCLUDES

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Better, 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago IL, 60601. Make It Better is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Copyright 2019 by Make It Better LLC. All rights reserved.

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S I M P L Y E XQ U I S I T E

S I M P LY T H E B E ST O F T H E N O RT H S H O R E .

Yo u r N o r t h S h o re G e t aw ay !

Get out and explore everything the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort has to offer.

Enjoy 175 acres of outdoor fun plus luxurious accommodations, farm-fresh dining, and championship golf.

Make your next adventure Simply Spectacular!

• Uniquely tailored getaway packages • 18-hole, par 70, Crane’s Landing Golf Course • Craft beer and casual fare at Wright’s Brew & Bistro • Outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, and swimming

MARRIOTT.COM/CHILN 10 MARRIOTT DRIVE, LINCOLNSHIRE, IL 60069 847.634.0100

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View from the Team

Happy Chaos

Susan's mother and son bond over a jigsaw puzzle.

Susan takes a break from the happy chaos in her home.

Happy chaos – that’s our definition of healthy family life. It’s also an apt description of publishing for our beloved readers. Many moving parts and valued voices are lovingly – and sometimes frantically – coordinated to bring you each print issue and our incredibly rich online and event content.

We’re hopeful “happy chaos” describes at least some of how your family life has been during these complicated pandemic times. With families spending more time together than ever, or, feeling the stress of separation and loss more than ever, we understand the struggles as well as the opportunities of this unique time. Like you, we yearn for our city and suburbs to return to the happy chaos of normal life.

Everything we bring you in this issue and online is designed to help improve your family’s home, life, and community. Our team brings you the best family resources in Chicago and the North Shore for outdoor adventures, home improvement, dining, and wellness, as well as think pieces, as we work to support the organizations and local businesses which make this such a special place.

In this issue, you’ll find our family home feature and summer camp listings - because NOW is the time for parents to sign up for these camps and start planning their summer - plus our list of new pizzas to check out with your crew, and much more. All this is with the intention, to help you, our reader, to experience more happy chaos in your lives.

How has the pandemic affected your family life? Here at Make it Better Media, I found myself unexpectedly delighted with the dynamics of having my mother – who is battling cancer – move in and my adult children visiting for extended periods of time. Three generations teasing, cooking, playing and, yes, sometimes fighting together, makes for richer days than empty nester quiet.

IF YOU LIKE US IN PRINT, YOU WILL LOVE US ONLINE!

subscribe to the Better Letter at better.net/newsletters. And follow us on social media

@chicagobetter

@betterchicago

@chicagobetter

Happy chaos has shown up in our Make It Better Media Group’s video conference calls over the last few months, too. Observing unexpected guest appearances by children and pets during company meetings brightens our work days and deepens our company bonds. This happy chaos improves our work on your behalf too.

As usual, we love your feedback, please let us know how you’ve been experiencing happy chaos, during the pandemic, we would love to share any tips you might have on finding the humor and the silver lining through these very unusual times. Reach us on social media @ChicagoBetter.

Cheers to chaos, Susan B. Noyes, Susan@MakeItBetter.com, and the Make It Better Team

Patrick

For the best of Better magazine delivered to your inbox,

@betterchicago

@betterchicago

betterchicago

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BETTER SPRING 2021

WEBINARS

We're Growing!

Make It Better Media Group is pleased this month to announce an expansion of its editorial staff with the addition of five team members.

Our new employees join the same core that you’re used to seeing in Better magazine and at better.net, and we can’t wait to see the great things our staff will accomplish as our recent hires join our talented veterans.

Patrick Regan is our new Chicago editor-in-chief. He joins us from the Chicago Tribune, where he worked in various editorial leadership roles over the last 14 years. He’s from the north suburbs and lived in the city for a decade before settling Patrick with his wife and their two children in the west suburbs.

Our new SPACES editor-in-chief is Liz Logan. Liz previously worked as a senior editor at Better, then moved to New York where she wrote extensively about art and design for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal and ARTnews. We're thrilled to welcome back Liz. She lives with her husband, a Highland Park native, and their toddler in Lincoln Square.

Caroline Hetzel is Make It Better’s new social media manager. A Northwestern graduate and Tennessee native, Caroline worked for three years in the San Francisco Bay Area creating videos and content for Brit + Co and Sunset. She lives in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood with her fiance and two dogs.

Jessica Dlugosz joins our digital marketing team at Better. She previously worked as a content marketing coordinator for Innovation DuPage and is a graduate of Elmhurst College. She loves lifestyle content and tracking the latest trends and ideas.

Aliyah Armstrong is our editorial intern. She’s a senior at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, minoring in sociological studies, and is passionate about arts and entertainment reporting.

Aliyah

Liz

FAMILY FINANCE CREATING YOUR LEGACY: What You Need to Know About Family Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer David A. Handler, P.C., Partner / Trusts and Estates, Kirkland and Ellis, M. Zach Mangels, MSFP, CFP® Advisor, Principal, Private Ocean

MARCH 18, 2021 • 11 AM PT • 1 PM CT

REDUCE YOUR COLLEGE COSTS Pay for College Without Going Broke!

Gary Sipos Gary Sipos, MBA, AIF®, Founder, College Cash Solutions Gary Sipos returns to the Make It Better stage to discuss how you can structure your finances to maximize your student’s scholarships and grants with reduction strategies that work well for high-income earners and business owners.

April 6, 2021 • 11AM PT • 1P MCT

Register on our website better.net/virtualevents

SUSTAINABILITY GOING GREEN: How to Lead a Sustainable Lifestyle.

Patrick

Jessica

Caroline

Join us for an important discussion about what it means to Go Green in 2021. Learn from a diverse panel of sustainability experts as we cover topics like sustainable architecture, green investments, conservation and much more.

April 22, 2021 • 11 AM PT • 1PM CT

Register on our website better.net/virtualevents

And be sure to check out our past virtual events! better.net/bettertv

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Connect with Us

better.net

EXPLORE • FOOD & DRINK • HOMES • HEALTH • ARTS & EVENTS • STYLE • TRAVEL • COMMUNITY • GUIDES

TOP STORIES ONLINE 31 THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

CHICAGO’S TOP BLACK WOMEN OF IMPACT

Read up on our other Powerful Lists at better.net/most-powerful

TOP GRAM OUR TOP Instagram post last month was by Matt J. Wood, @matt.jwood. Want to see

THE BEST IRISH MOVIES TO WATCH THIS MARCH

your photo in print? "I took this image at North Avenue beach on what feels like the first real day of winter in Chicago. I bundled up warm and headed out in the hope of finding some first ice formations. These are the famous ‘Chicago Pancakes,' which form in specific air/water temperature conditions and from the swirling of water, in this case around the pier." Tag us @betterchicago with your best snap.

WANT MORE? DO you receive our Better Letter? It’s filled with ideas for weekend fun and then some. Sign up for our e-newsletters at better.net/newsletters and follow us online. @chicagobetter

@betterchicago

@chicagobetter

@betterchicago

@betterchicago

betterchicago

Find more Entertainment roundups at better.net/what-to-watch

SUPERFLY X (THE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE); KERRY BROWN/BLEECKER STREET (WILD MOUNTAIN THYME); SUZANNE LE MIGNOT BY JACLYN SIMPSON

The best socially distanced events can be found at better.net/calendar

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Want to raise more money for your nonprofit?

WE CAN HELP!

We know how to draw a crowd and put eyeballs on your important work.

Hundreds attended Better's 2019 Philanthropy Awards in Chicago.

• Our team will build a custom media campaign integrated across our digital platform that will elevate your cause.

• Let our content experts tell and share your story.

• Grow connections to broaden your membership and donor base.

• Promote your event in our calendar listings.

• Apply for our Philanthropy Awards.

• Solicit donations from our vast, engaged audience.

• Launch a $10,000+ Matching Grant Campaign.

“The Food Depository…exceeded our projected revenue by 339%!...That’s the power of a matching gift challenge, and that’s the power and impact Better…had upon our giving!

Thank you for your generous commitment to our mission.” — Greater Chicago Food Depository

Find more at better.net and email our team at partnerships@makeitbetter.com

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Your Chicago / NEW IN TOWN

Fresh Finds

BY ALIYAH ARMSTRONG

From restaurants to fitness centers, there is no shortage of new businesses popping up all over Chicago and the North Shore. If you’re looking to continue supporting local restaurants during the pandemic, you can add the new Greek spot Andros Taverna into your rotation. For those interested in trying out a new workout routine, Vibez Fit is offering a Power Plate technique you may not have tried before. And, if spending more time at home has you rethinking the design of your living space, Rebel House has you covered with interior and exterior design.

Check out what’s new in town.

Studio Three

FOOD & DRIN K Andros Taverna Chicago Chef Doug Psaltis opened up his contemporary Greek restaurant in Logan Square this month. He is joined by Hsing Chen, a distinguished pastry chef who is also his wife, and Ryan and Anna O’Donnell, the husband and wife team behind Ballyhoo Hospitality to form Andros Restaurant Group. The menu is guided by the Mediterranean diet with quality vegetables and seafood and the dessert options feature remixed traditional sweets such as vanilla soufra and baklava frozen yogurt.

773.365.1900 2542 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago androstaverna.com

Andros Tavern

Dough Daddy’s This virtual pop-up is bringing Detroit-style

pizzas to the West Loop. Helmed by Chef Noah Zamler, a Michigan native, the pizzas are all created with a 5-year-old sourdough starter and shaped into the distinct square shape with a caramelized cheese crust. The menu is rounded out by a range of appetizers and sandwiches. Wine and cocktails are also available to go with a 2 for $20 special on cocktails. Dough Daddy’s is available exclusively for

takeout and Grubhub delivery.

1134 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago doughdaddyschicago.com Guanajuato Contemporary Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar Margarita Challenger and Executive chef Jovanny Diaz have recently opened up a new space offering authentic Mexican food and margaritas.

Complete with large seating areas, a bar and

Andros Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen

an outdoor patio, they offer indoor dining, take out and delivery.

847.242.0501 1003-1005 Green Bay Road, Winnetka guanajuatotogo.com

Get updates about the latest new business openings by subscribing to the Better Letter at better.net/subscribe. To be considered for future listings, email editorial@makeitbetter.com.

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Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba!

The little sister of the Lincoln Park tapas restaurant opened in River North. The menu will feature the classic dishes and sangria guests enjoy at the main location as well as new dishes such as RiojaBraised Short Rib with manchego mashed potatoes. Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! is open for dine-in, carryout and delivery through DoorDash.

312.985.6909 441 N. Clark St., Chicago cafebabareeba.com/ lil-ba-ba-reeba Platter Pantry When the space next to The Lucky Platter opened up, owner Derek Gaspar expanded to offer a small grocery option. Platter Pantry sells The Lucky Platter’s products like Apricot

Cheese Flakeys as well as outside brands like Jeni’s ice cream. The products will change based on customer habits, but for now frozen family meals, grab and go sandwiches, snacks, pantry essentials and more will be available.

847.869.4064 514 Main St., Evanston luckyplatter.com

H E ALTH & FITN ESS Delos Therapy Offering precise and innovative therapy for chronic pain, muscle stiffness and athletic injuries, Delos Therapy has opened their newest location in Winnetka.

Using their proprietary 3-dimensional technique, they target fascia and knots for optimal muscle pliability and function, providing a

unique solution to pain management.

312.600.7716 547 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka delostherapy.com Perspective Eyes Owned and operated

by Dr. Daisy Mendez, Perspective Eyes is an independent medical optometry practice and optical boutique. They provide eye and vision care to patients of all ages, style glasses in a personalized way and provide contact lens fittings.

224.255.6450 548 Chestnut St., Winnetka perspective-eyes.com Studio Three Fulton Market Studio Three’s newest location is now open in Fulton Market. Its fitness

Rebel House/ Dustin Halleck

WANT MORE? Keep track of all the businesses that have been brave enough to open during the pandemic by checking out new restaurants, shops and other openings at better.net/new-in-town.

Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! approach combines three disciplines — interval, yoga and cycle.

During the pandemic, Studio Three has pivoted to maintaining safety for its members by reconfiguring the studios and has been awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating.

312.638.9292 333 N. Green St., Chicago studiothree.com Vibez Fit This new fitness studio uses the Power Plate, a machine that uses harmonic vibration. It is supposed to help develop strength, muscle tone and definition in 30 minutes compared to longer workouts. They also

say it increases calorie expenditure and blood circulation. Vibez Fit offers six types of classes to suit your preference. A single class is $30 and they also have memberships and class packs.

312.624.9473 664 N. Wells St., Chicago vibezfit.com

SHOPPING The Jewelbox Dress Co. Created by Christy Vegosen, The Jewelbox Dress Co. is designed for busy women in need of modern, wearable dresses. She aims to provide comfortable and versatile pieces, and her label includes dresses, skirts, t-shirts and more for adults

and children in a variety of fabrics. The studio is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

725 Elm St., Winnetka Thejewelboxdressco.com

HOM E Rebel House Design Known for its work on residential projects, Rebel House Design recently opened a location in Hubbard Woods.

Specializing in couture environments, Rebel House tells a unique story with each of its designs.

773.661.9661 905 Green Bay Road, Winnetka rebelhousedesign.com

Aliyah Armstrong is an intern at Better with a passion for arts and entertainment reporting. A senior in Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, she is also minoring in Sociological Studies. Aliyah supports the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Black Youth Project 100, an organization that aims to create justice and freedom for all Black people.

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Keep track of all the businesses that have been brave enough to

Stylish. Smart. Strong.

At the forefront of beautiful home design

Home is more than an address. It’s where you find peace of mind, comfort and security – and where you spend time with those you love.

The High Design/Low Carbon™ team at Kipnis Architecture + Planning and NextHaus Alliance incorporates sustainable, resilient design into every luxury residential project because your health and well-being matters.

Whether you're considering a new residence, historic renovation, significant addition or a second home, we're ready to help you take the first step to a new footprint - wherever that may be. kipnisarch.com 847-864-9650 | info@kipnisarch.com

https://www.kipnisarch.com/about-nh

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Your Chicago T H E P E O P L E . T H E P L AC E S . T H E C AU S E S .

Chicago Assemble!

The Museum of Science and Industry reopens March 7 with a can’t-miss exhibition celebrating 80 years of the Marvel universe.

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Your Chicago / CURRENTS

WANT MORE? Find guides to Chicago’s best museums and more at better.net/chicago/arts-events

comics displaying iconic characters and their development through the years and across mediums.

Visitors can see how WandaVision characters Scarlett Witch and The Vision were portrayed in the comics; size up Captain America’s shield and Dr. Strange’s cape; and honor Chadwick Boseman and his legacy with a look at Black Panther costumes and film stills.

A must-see for diehard fans, newcomers to the MCU, and pop culture enthusiasts alike, the exhibition, a collaboration between SC Exhibitions, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and Marvel Themed Entertainment, is getting an extended run at MSI through Oct. 24.

March 7–Oct. 24 The Museum of Science and Industry; msichicago.org

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COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO SKY

You need not be a hardcore comic book fan to geek out on this deep dive into Marvel history. Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes at the Museum of Science and Industry celebrates eight decades of storytelling through a showcase of more than 300 artifacts.

Get a close-up look at costumes and props from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s blockbuster films alongside original artwork and

BY BROOKE GEIGER MCDONALD

SANDRO VANNINI (MARVEL APRIL 2018)

Calling All Heroes

CANDACE PARKER COMES HOME WNBA superstar and Chicago-area native signs with the Sky One of the most accomplished Chicago-area athletes of all time is coming home, the Chicago Sky announced in February.

Candace Parker, a two-time WNBA most valuable player and five-time all star, signed a contract to join the Sky starting next season after playing the last 13 years with the Los Angeles Sparks.

“Chicago is where my family raised me, where I first learned the game of basketball, and where I first fell in love with this orange ball,” Parker said. “I am excited to continue the next chapter of my career where it all began. To my new teammates, my new organization, and my new fans: I’m home.”

Parker, 34, grew up in west suburban Naperville, where the outdoor park district court where she practiced as a kid is named for her. She attended the University of Tennessee and was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the WNBA in 2008. Since then, she’s proven herself as a standout scorer, passer and defender while piling up a mountain of awards.

Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, league MVP, finals MVP.

Parker’s won them all. She also earned Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. women’s basketball teams in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.

“It’s indescribable to put into words what this moment means to our organization and to the city of Chicago,” Sky general manager and head coach James Wade said. “It’s an incredible story of a homecoming between a team striving to become a championship organization and one of the best players in basketball.

Candace is someone who has meant so much to the game - and not just in L.A. and Chicago - her stature is truly unmatched.”

In September, she became the first female Board member for the Social Change Fund. The organization was created by philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and former Chicago Bull Dwyane Wade to address issues affecting the Black community.

For a look at more elite competitors making a difference in their communities, check out our feature on inspirational athletes in this issue.

Tips for effective corporate social responsibility practices 64%

OF MILLENNIALS SAY THEY WILL NOT

TAKE A JOB IF THE COMPANY DOESN’T HAVE ANY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PRACTICES, UNDERSCORING THAT A SOLID CSR STRATEGY IS INCREASINGLY ESSENTIAL TO A COMPANY’S SUCCESS. THAT AND OTHER CSR TOPICS WERE DISCUSSED DURING AN EVENT HOSTED IN JANUARY BY THE EXECUTIVES CLUB OF CHICAGO AND MODERATED BY SETH GREEN, THE FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF BAUMBART CENTER AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO. THE PANEL FEATURED CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LEADERS JAMIE JONES EZEFILI FROM NORTHERN TRUST, MATT KRUSE FROM GROUPON, MIGNON SENUTA FROM MCDONALDS, AND ALAIN TURENNE FROM WALGREEN CO. THEY OFFERED SEVERAL TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CSR PRACTICES, INCLUDING: BRING IN EXPERTISE: CONVERSATIONS WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE ALLOW MORE LEARNING TO TAKE PLACE AND HELP COMPANIES CONTINUE TO PROGRESS. UNDERSTAND YOUR BUSINESS: EZEFILI SAID IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE PURPOSE OF YOUR BUSINESS. FOR NORTHERN TRUST, IT’S VITAL TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE COMPANY MAKES MONEY, HOW IT LOSES MONEY, WHAT CLIENTS NEED, AND

WANT MORE? Read about others making a difference at better.net

WHAT DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY NEED, EZEFILI SAID. THEN THEY COMBINE THOSE PRINCIPLES WITH A BUSINESS MINDSET TO SEE HOW TO

COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO SKY

SANDRO VANNINI (MARVEL APRIL 2018)

MAKE AN IMPACT. PRIORITIZE CULTURE: “WHEN YOU’RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT CULTURE, ALIGNING WITH IT, ACTIVATING IT AND ENERGIZING IT WITH THE WORK YOU DO IN CSR, I THINK THAT’S WHERE THE BIG DIFFERENCES ARE MADE AND WHERE SUCCESS HAS REALLY HAPPENED,” KRUSE SAID. – BY ALIYAH ARMSTRONG

WANT MORE? Keep up with the latest developments in CSR at better.net/csr

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Your Chicago / CURRENTS

Finding Balance

A Q&A with the founders of the Chicago-based wellness brand, Equilibria

BY MACAIRE DOUGLAS

whose Board I has served for almost a decade, and having delicious martinis (now over Zoom) with dear, long-time friends.

What makes Equilibria unique?

MARCY: Equilibria sets itself apart as the only CBD company offering highly personalized dosage support, driven by science and fueled by a team of passionate cannabis educators, all from the safety of your own home. We are owners in our organic, labtested supply chain and ensure batch to batch quality and consistency.

What are your thoughts on Chicago as a market to launch a new business?

COCO: Chicago is often underestimated as a place to bring talented, positive, hard working people together to build new companies — including those in the cannabis, healthcare, or tech spaces like ours.

Folks who assume everyone has fled to the coasts are wrong, especially in a pandemic! There is a certain work ethic, focus, and business model orientation Chicagoans bring to the table.

Our team is of course now remote-friendly with cross-functional leaders in many major US cities,

Born out of an eagerness to find balance in their busy lives, Chicago-based Marcy Capron-Vermillion and Coco Meers, who also has a home in Lake Forest, launched Equilibria in 2019. Offering a curated (and chic) line of CBD products for the modern woman, their goods are single sourced, hand harvested, nongmo, organic and gluten free, and come with dosage support to make the journey unique.

We chatted with Coco and Marcy to learn what it takes to launch a wellness company in the competitive CBD landscape. Here’s what the serial entrepreneurs had to say.

Equilibria is all about helping women find a balance — how do you find balance between your personal and busy professional lives?

COCO: Unplugging! It's impossible to do. Everything feels urgent and important all at the same time, but that kind of reactive, always-on behavior will ensure burnout and fatigue. One of our core values at Equilibria is balance — the core benefit CBD brings to the human body — so for me that looks like spending weekend time present with my two kids and husband, playing cardio tennis for a great workout, supporting local arts organizations like the Joffrey Ballet on

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but as a launch location, the Chicago ecosystem was very nurturing and receptive as we built traction. You can get a slice of the kinds of American consumers that exist nationwide right here, making it a great place to launch a concept. For Equilibria, our focus has been on those less familiar with cannabis (of any kind - hemp or marijuana) as a way to bridge “fears of the unknown”— since the “unknown” in this case can change lives! — and the Midwest, South, and other non-coastal areas are our ideal audience.

What are your tips for those new to CBD? MARCY: First of all, invest in a high quality product.

Not all CBD is created equal. Equilibria is an owner in our exclusive organic farm in Colorado. By partnering strategically at the farm level, we’re able to take full control of both quality and consistency.

Second, invest in a daily routine. CBD works best when taken regularly, so commit to taking it for at least a week and assess how you feel. Many people quickly write off CBD simply because they haven’t taken it long enough to work appropriately, which can take 4 to 12 weeks to see full effect.

What are your favorite products to use to help you wind down?

COCO: We purposely built Equilibria to meet women where they are, so we have an assortment of products depending on how you’re looking to incorporate CBD into your daily routine.

If you have trouble with sleep and are open to taking ingestible CBD, I highly recommend the Daily Drops. Members love taking these oil drops before bed to increase relaxation, and during the day to promote focus and decrease tension. If you’re more looking for topical relief, our Mineral Soak and Relief Cream are an amazing way to relieve discomfort, cramping, and soreness.

Read more of our interview with Equilibria at better.net/equilibria, and shop their products at myeq.com WANT MORE? In these difficult times, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the small businesses are adding something good to the world. Check out better.net/get-inspired

St. Patrick’s Slime Story Ahh...green beer. Just the sound of the name makes your stomach curdle, doesn’t it? In spite of references to the verdant beverage popping up as early as 1910, a New York physician named Thomas H. Curtin is usually credited for creating the drink around 1914. The beer is created by adding blue Read about more fun holiday traditions at dye, which mixes with the yellow, and ta-da — www.better.net/holidays green. But brewers use the term differently. “Green beer” is beer that’s too young and still contains acetaldehyde, which can taste bad as it’s not yet fully fermented. —KASIA PAWLOWSKA

ROMNEY, KLOBUCHAR TALK GOVERNING FROM THE MIDDLE BY SUSAN B. NOYES Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Mitt Romney discussed the need for Democrats and Republicans to govern with bipartisanship through the crises of our times, during a January event moderated by David Axelrod for The Economic Club of Chicago.

Romney, R-Utah, and Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, expressed a hopeful belief that Americans, when treated with respect and told the truth, will drive political healing and bipartisan governance, particularly to navigate the COVID-19, economic and climate change issues we face.

“The American people give me hope that we can return to greater unity inside the Capitol and between our political parties,” said Klobuchar.

They also presented a unified perspective on the power and impact of corporations to move the country forward on social issues.

“Leadership matters,” Romney said, “more than most people realize.”.

David Axelrod, top, moderates a discussion with Sens. Mitt Romney and Amy Klobuchar for The Economic Club of Chicago.

WANT MORE? Hear more about important leaders making a difference at better.net/ get-inspired

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Your Chicago / SHOP LOCAL

HOME SWEET HOME Elevate your life, work and play with these stylish and practical items from local stores.

BY MACAIRE DOUGLAS

Wonder City Studio Ceramic Bungalow Vase/Planter $195, wondercitystudio.com A landmark of the Chicago landscape, these oneof-a-kind charming bungalow vases or planters are sculpted and painted by hand by Katie Lauffenburger in her Ravenswood Studio.

Bedside Manor Ltd. Milano Throw By Cobi $400, shopbedside.com 920 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka Talk about luxe warmth — these wool and cashmere blankets are avaliable in three different colors with a doublefaced finish.

Chalet Nursery Zags Mocha Woven Wool Rug $122, chaletnursery.com 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette Find this durable and stylish wool chevron rug at one of the North Shore’s favorite home and garden stores.

It is perfect to keep your toes cozy under your desk.

Citywoods Tabletop Backgammon $215, citywoods.com 651 Central Ave., Highland Park Quite the statement, this heriloom backgammon set in the Hitchcock print is perfect for any cozy nook or library.

Maze Home Roscoe Basket $360, mazehome.com 735 Elm St., Winnetka In stunning white and navy stripes, this basket with leather handles is perfect for blankets, books or slippers.

Art Effect Always Better Together Teapot and Mugs $40, shoparteffect.com 934 W Armitage Ave., Chicago Not only is this teapot and mug set useful, but it’s adorable displayed on the kitchen counter, adorned with our favorite hashtag: #BetterTogether.

Lake Forest Book Store Sister Pie: The Recipes and Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit $25, bookendsandbeginnings.com 662 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest This one is a no-brainer: we all know the best smell to waft through your home is that of a freshly baked pie.

It screams comfort, and the sister bakers’ recipes will turn any frown upside down.

Bloom 3 Evanston Tatine Sanctuary Candle $45, bloom3.com 1503 Chicago Ave., Evanston Made in Chicago, Tatine’s candles are luxurious, emitting a beautiful soft golden light that radiates peacefulness. We are particularly fond of the and light Sanctuary scent, coriander and sparkling mimosa.

WANT MORE? Looking for local gifting gems? Find all you need at better.net/shop-local

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Inspiring Change One of today’s most influential voices on equality, Alicia Garza — political strategist, organizer, and author — shares her insights on what it takes to create change in her new book, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart.

BY JESSICA GLIDDON

When Alicia Garza wrote what she called, “a love letter to Black people,” in the aftermath of the murder of Trayvon Martin, her statement, “Black people, I love you. I love us. Our lives matter,” helped set the stage for what would become the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

She, along with co-founders Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, would one day grace the cover of Time when they were listed in the 2020 100 Women of the Year list.

Her achievements since then are innumerable: she is Principal of the Black Futures Lab, whose mission is to make Black communities powerful in politics; a founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network, an international organizing project to end state violence and oppression against Black people; the Strategy & Partnerships Director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the nation’s premier voice for millions of domestic workers; and the co-founder of Supermajority, a home for women’s activism. She also hosts her own podcast, “Lady Don’t Take No,” and was a headline speaker in last year’s Chicago Humanities Festival.

Wherever she brings her talents, her message is always clear: that Black communities deserve to be powerful like all others, that women’s voices should be elevated, and that building a movement takes a lot more than just a hashtag — it takes people. Delving into the history of the country, the movements she has supported and her own story, her first book is a fascinating look into how change is created.

We caught up with the author to hear more about how her background brought her to where she is today.

What motivated you to write this book and what do you hope it can achieve? My hope is that this book helps others get inspired to become a part of the change you want to see in the world.

My book is all about how to build movements that can put more power into the hands of more people. I’ve been doing work to change the world for the last 20 years, and the questions that I hear from people are always the same — how did we get here? How can I get involved? What’s my role in making change happen? How do I get started? How can I turn a hashtag into a movement?

I hope that this book helps provide some answers to those questions, using my own experiences as a reference point. In so many ways, this is the book that I would have wanted when I was first getting started!

How do you think where you grew up shaped your experience and informed your ideas?

Growing up in Marin County, CA, I often felt like the “other,” being the daughter of a Black mother and a Jewish father. I grew up in a community that was very homogenous in a lot of ways, and that had a profound impact on how I shaped my own identity as a Black woman.

It really made me grounded in being different, rather than ashamed of it or fearful of it.

Race wasn’t talked about while I was growing up, except through euphemisms about who belonged and who didn’t, who was worthy and who wasn’t, and I think that has shaped why I am so insistent that we need to address the elephant in the room. My mother would get pulled over relatively often, getting asked about where she was going and where she lived. Quite a few times, my dad had to intervene.

Growing up there also gave me a very

interesting perspective on class and wealth, and the stories we tell each other about each other. My partner grew up in a working-class family and environment, and would often tell me their stories about what they think wealthy people do, and whether or not wealthy people had any of the same problems as working class people, and I would laugh and say that yes, they’re much of the same problems except there’s money to hide it better! It taught me a lot about what it means to look behind, beneath and around the corner, and it made me fascinated with the study of people — how they work, what shapes and drives them. This is all necessary for the project of social change.

Getting to know people and what they care about is at the center of all great organizing.

Your book is written from a personal perspective. What was the journey like for you writing it, and why did you decide to take this approach? Writing your personal story is an incredibly vulnerable act. But ultimately, I wanted this book to be something that people could relate to and learn from, and so it felt important to be brave enough to share my own story of how I have come to be who I am, so that others can share their stories too, and learn from those stories. I really want people to know that to create change, you don’t have to be someone out of the ordinary, exceptional, charismatic, all those things. To create change, you just have to be someone who cares about what is happening in the world and has decided that you’re going to do something about it. I hope my story inspires others to take that next step.

WANT MORE? For more books related to social justice and race issues, see Alicia’s list of recommended reads at better.net/alicia-garza.

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11 Tips To Guide Your

Family Philanthropy During Complicated Times

BY SUSAN B. NOYES which you’ve given before. Moving quickly is key. Get money out the door to organizations who will use it wisely faster. Accelerate long term or multi-year commitments and don’t make organizations apply over and over with the same information.

3

Give to unrestricted general operations as much as possible.

You provide the most flexibility and support to nonprofits when your grant comes with no restrictions. These are the dollars non-profits need as they suddenly discover, for example, that they need buy laptops for all staff so that they can provide virtual counseling.

4

As Covid rages on, need continues to mount in the midst of social justice reform efforts, as well. We hope and pray that plans put in place by our new administration will tame the virus, develop more inclusive norms, and reignite our economy. But until then, philanthropic experts recommend that individuals and families respond similarly to foundations and other large institutions and give through a lens unique to these times to maximize impact. Here are some tips to help you with this that were presented by such experts at our recent Family Philanthropy Seminar:

1

Because nonprofits serving or led by people of color are experiencing greater stress than others, donations and collaborations that empower them can be extra impactful.

Organizations led by or serving people

of color have experienced disproportionate drops in funding this past year. However, the confluence of crises also created potential for meaningful and enduring change which help shift the paradigm toward a more conscious and equitable giving sector. Thoughtful donors and decision-makers are becoming more inclusive and collaborative, with community members included in the process.

2

Now is the time to aggressively review your giving standards, including mission and standards to make it easier to give to the most impactful organizations.

Donors can and should minimize due diligence and streamline application standards when organizations meet clear standards — particularly for Not For Profits (NFPs) to

Communication is critical — ask questions and listen to grantees.

Don’t tell NFPs what they need. Ask questions and listen well. If you have an existing relationship with an organization ask if they can spare a couple of minutes telling you what their highest needs are and what they are seeing and hearing in the community. You will become a better informed and more engaged donor, too.

5

Assess your giving through a racial equity lens — and see who is missing.

Black-led non-profits are consistently funded at lower levels than white-led organizations that focus on the same issues. Latinx, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islander communities are disproportionately funded, as well.

Between 1999 and 2009, only 1.3 percent of all philanthropic dollars went to Latinx communities, while those same communities represent 18 percent of the US population.

And only 0.3 percent of foundation grants target Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, even though they are the fastest growing

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demographic in most states. Fortunately, the future looks more promising. Donors and family foundations are hungry to learn and to hear those voices.

6

Don’t assume that bigger is always better when assessing where to give.

If you’re always funding the larger organizations it may be a sign that your application outreach or evaluation criteria are screening out community-based or startup organizations. Your donated dollars may go much further with smaller NFPs.

7

Understand the difference between direct and indirect giving and creating maximum tax efficiencies.

There are three main ways to go about giving to a nonprofit: (A) Direct giving, which means giving money or assets directly to an operating charity.

(B) Indirect giving, which means giving money to a tax-exempt organization that’s more like a fund than a mission driven operating nonprofit. Private foundations are a good example of this. They provide control over investments and future grant-making, but offer the worst tax advantage going in and the most burden with respect to operating rules in the future. A donor-advised fund (DAF) on the other hand, accomplishes many of the same things a foundation does, but comes with the

greatest tax advantage possible, because it’s treated just like a public charity.

(C) Split-interest giving, which places an asset or pot of assets into a trust with a charitable andnon-charitable beneficiary. The most common examples of this are charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts.

However, please work with professional, trusted advisors on these techniques as they are complicated legal instruments. There are 11 different types of charitable remainder trusts and four different types of charitable lead trusts. Families need to find the right trust to accomplish their philanthropic and investment transfer goals.

8

The most tax advantaged gift to give is an appreciated asset.

While cash and public stocks are easy to give and easy for a charity to receive, from a donor’s point of view, giving an appreciated asset allows you to score a charitable trifecta.

Done correctly, you get a fair market value deduction for your donation, you don’t pay tax on the appreciation (capital gains), you don’t pay a healthcare surtax either.

9

To be responsive to so much crisisdriven, immediate need, develop short- and long-term giving strategies.

In order to be able to respond to and support a community’s needs in the midst of unforeseen challenges, wise donors continue some

of their traditional annual and long term grant-making strategies, while creating a parallel process, such as a discretionary fund for emergent needs like wildfi res and other disasters. In other words, keep your giving North Star, but set aside funds and a process to be able to respond quickly to community needs.

10

Collaboration is key: Strategic partnerships leverage impact.

Many nonprofits rely on partnerships to reach the individuals they serve.

Organizations focus on their individual strengths, creating greater efficiencies. For example, a nonprofit that provides supplies for children — like warm, winter outerwear — work with other organizations that provide services to needy families in order to identify and distribute to the correct population. This assures more holistic care for families, too.

11

Family matters: Involving multiple generations in planning and making philanthropy decisions teaches important financial lessons and brings families closer.

Philanthropy and wealth education go hand in hand. Philanthropy is a great way to involve subsequent generations in discussions about important values, learn thoughtful money management and foster connections that will endure.

Family Philanthropy Virtual Event Panelists: TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Misti Sangani, Senior Philanthropic Strategist, Bank of America Private Bank; Patricia Chaves, Philanthropic Market Executive, Bank of America Private Bank; Tihana Zubak, General Manager, Loro Piana MIDDLE ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Shoshana Buchholz-Miller, Executive Director for Cradles to Crayons; Celena Roldan, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross greater Chicago and Tiffany Circle; Shelley Patenaude, President of the Founders’ Board of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago BOTTOM ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Sharon Krone, Civic Development, Make It Better Media Group; Brooke McDonald, National Content Director, Make It Better Media Group; Ramsay Slugg, Wealth Strategies Advisor

WANT MORE? Discover more ways to give back with our family finance guide at better.net/familyfinance.

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Health Markers

Medical experts weigh in on why we need to look beyond our blood pressure and BMI and use biomarkers as a roadmap to optimal health.

BY ANN WYCOFF

While most of us will agree that our health is our most valuable asset in life, how many of us are truly living in an optimal state of health? Are you relying on annual exams and basic bloodwork as a path to longevity and good health? Do you know your risk factors or the triggers that are potentially fueling future disease?

“While traditional medicine has been important in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes and lowering blood pressure, the overall preventive aspect of medicine has been very weak,” explains Eric Verdin, MD, CEO + President of the Buck Institute. “We need to stop the idea that you are considered healthy until you are suddenly sick or have a catastrophic event when we know there is gradation. We need to identify who is at risk very early and why. This is why biomarkers are important

tools to be employed to allow us to monitor our health.”Biomarkers measure different aspects of your condition, revealing where you are in your trajectory of health. They can measure the presence or progress of disease, the effects of treatment, and can be good predictors of what the future may hold, so a healthcare provider can intervene aggressively when needed.

“This approach will usher in a different era of medicine which will be much more preventative and more focused on who is at risk,” adds Dr. Verdin. We conferred with a group of experts in various areas of health to get the latest cutting-edge information on key markers, important testing, screenings and vital information that you may want to discuss with your own healthcare provider.

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Cardiovascular Disease + Inflammation Expert: Mimi Guarneri, MD Guarneri Integrative Health Pacific Pearl, La Jolla, CA

“Cardiovascular disease is still the number one cause of death in men and women, but the medical world has been following the wrong markers for many years,” says Dr. Mimi Guarneri, a cardiologist and integrative medicine specialist who co-founded Pacific Pearl in La Jolla, California. According to Guarneri, cardiologists now believe inflammation plays a bigger role in coronary artery disease than cholesterol. Studies have shown high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to be more important than low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, meaning if two people have the same LDL cholesterol, it’s the one with the higher hs-CPR that does worse with cardiovascular disease. “It’s an inflammatory disease with some very specific markers that everyone should know,” adds Guarneri. In addition to watching your cholesterol levels, it’s imperative to test for inflammation as a preventative and life-saving measure.

Get Help Guarneri Integrative Health Dr. Mimi Guarneri, who pioneered the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, is the co-founder and medical director of Guarneri Integrative Health at Pacific Pearl in La Jolla, California, where state-ofthe-art Western medicine meets the best of holistic and global healing traditions.

She is also president of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. Boardcertified in cardiology, internal medicine and nuclear cardiology, Dr. Guarneri leads a team of experts in conventional, integrative and natural medicine. pacificpearllajolla.com

Cleveland Clinic

BIOMARKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dr. Guarneri suggests checking the following which can predict cardiovascular disease.

Advanced Lipid Panel: checks LDL size and LDL-particle numbers ApoB: measures potential artery-clogging HDL2B: indicates how well excess lipids are removed from cells

Oxidized LDL: reveals LDL cholesterol damaged by free radicals Hs-CRP: reveals overall inflammation levels.

Lp-PLA2 + MPO: specifies artery inflammation PULS score: predicts the risk for a cardiovascular event over the next 5 years TMAO: high levels of this gut bacteria byproduct can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke

This renowned, multi-specialty academic medical center integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education.

For 26 consecutive years, the Cleveland Clinic has been ranked as the #1 heart program in the US for heart and vascular disorders, tests, treatments and prevention by the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” list. Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD, the head of Preventive Cardiology, led the team at the Cleveland Clinic to first identified TMAO as a cardiac biomarker in 2018. TMAO is produced when gut bacteria digest choline, lecithin and carnitine — nutrients that are abundant in animal products such as red meat and liver. The clinic offers extensive inflammation testing at their Cleveland Heat Lab. my.clevelandclinic.org

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Inflammation in General Expert: Dr. Stephen Devries Gaples Institute Deerfield, Illinois

The Gaples Institute offers free educational programs on nutrition to the public and healthcare professionals at gaplesinstitute.org. The nonprofit seeks to advance the role of nutrition and lifestyle in medicine. The institute is led

by Director Dr. Stephen Devries, a preventive cardiologist for 25 years, former Northwestern Universisty associate professor, and author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Cholesterol.

Get Help These two progressive tests deliver insight into your inflammation so you can take action and change the course of your health.

IAge®

BIOMARKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bloodwork For general inflammation investigation, Dr. Guarneri suggests Hs-CRP, Lp-PLA2, MPO, oxidized LDL, and PULS score, the same ones recommended for cardio-related inflammation, along with Homocysteine, TNF alpha + Interleukin 16, which all test for inflammation.

But as Guarneri aptly points out, “it’s not only about ordering these tests, it’s knowing how to interpret them, leading to treatment strategies to prevent disease.”

Micronutrient Assessment A blood and urine test through NutrEval Plasma® evaluates over 125 biomarkers and assesses the body’s functional need for 40 antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support and other select nutrients.

This test also screens for heavy metals which can cause cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. “With heart and cognitive disease linked to oxidative stress, it’s important to look at antioxidant and micronutrient levels,” adds Guarneri.

Food Sensitivities Assessment Discovering one’s food sensitivities can be done with bloodwork and through an elimination diet. Culprits include soy, dairy, nuts, eggs, wheat and glutencontaining grains. Food sensitivities cause low-grade chronic inflammation with symptoms like headaches, joint and muscle pain, sinus congestion, IBS, brain fog and more.

Microbiome Assessment A three-day stool test looks at the cross-section of the bacteria strain living in the gut and inflammation markers (calprotectin and secretory IgA), along with pathogens and parasites. Another important marker in the microbiome to note is Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), as high levels are linked to cardiovascular disease.

Adrenal Stress Index This 24-hour salivary test determines levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can wreak havoc in the body. If cortisol is too high it can be addressed with nutraceuticals or adaptogens. “Ongoing stress can make you feel fatigued all the time as the body pumps out cortisol to the point where you can’t sleep at night. It’s like being on steroids,” explains Guarneri. The goal is to balance the hormones.

Get Help The highly respected Mayo Clinic has sleep disorder campuses in Arizona, Minnesota and Florida. Progressive treatments can be found for narcolepsy, REM disorder, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, sleep apnea and more. mayoclinic.org

“Good sleep is a cornerstone of top health,” relays Dr. Ari Laliotis, board-certified internal medicine and sleep medicine doctor at Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group in Del Mar, California. “Practicing good sleep hygiene is a critical part of this. For most, that means trying to maintain a regular bed and wake time, avoiding distractions in bed, such as phones and laptops, and consulting with your primary care doctor if sleep becomes more of a problem.”

Sleep deprivation causes cortisol levels to go up, blood pressure to rise, weight gain, higher blood sugar, weakened immunity, mood swings and more. In addition to the adrenaline stress index to check cortisol, you may want to be tested for the respiratory disorder obstructive sleep apnea.

The novel Inflammatory Age® test measures one very specific aspect of aging — systemic chronic inflammation, the root cause of major age-related diseases. Based on a 10-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded longitudinal research from Stanford University and advanced artificial intelligence methods, a team at Stanford developed the world’s first biomarker composite scoring system to measure inflammatory and immune health of an individual. Inflammatory Age®, founded

by Buck faculty member David Furman, PhD, predicts cumulative damage , as measured by the accumulation of up to 10 major diseases of aging. Based on test results, Edifice Health, a spin-off company to commercialize the comprehensive data collected from the Stanford project, has identified over 150 actionable interventions to improve your Inflammatory Age® including targeted nutritional supplements, immunoactive food ingredients and medical foods. edificehealth.com

Glycan Age This team in London has created a test for biological age and wellness based on glycans, sugar molecules that cover our proteins. Bloodwork measures your IgG glycosylation, which directly correlates with the level of inflammation. The testing analyzes 24 glycans — carbohydrate-based polymers that regulate a variety of processes, including immunity — and combines the results to calculate your Glycan Age or biological age.

After receiving your Glycan Age you receive a one-to-one consultation with a health specialist who analyzes the results and offers lifestyle interventions. Glycan Age stands out as the first biological age test that has proven responsiveness to lifestyle (and pharma) interventions with statistical significance. glycanage.com

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Bone Health

Our bones provide structure, protect our organs, anchor muscles and store calcium. And yet they are constantly changing, as new bone is created and old bone is broken Expert: Kevin Ellis down. Ninety percent of our bone mass is acquired by age 18, and this amount peaks at age 30. From there Integrative Health Coach + it’s a decline, gradual for some, while others are not so Bone Health Advocate fortunate. Myriad factors can contribute to bone loss St. Louis, MO BoneCoach.com — from age, nutrition deficiencies, hormone levels and gut issues, to stress, poor sleep, medications and other health conditions. Most doctors don’t recommend getting a DEXA scan to track bone density until we are in our 50s to 60s, which is often far too late.

When it comes to testing, Bone Coach Kevin Ellis says, “the earlier the better so you can establish a baseline to monitor.” Anyone who had an eating disorder, poor diet and nutrition, health issues, or who is postmenopausal, should get a DEXA scan as well. The results of that DEXA scan will indicate one of three things: normal bone density, osteopenia, or osteoporosis. Osteopenia indicates you have lower bone density than normal with an increased likelihood of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis means “porous bone” and is an indicator of reduced bone strength and an increase in fracture risk.

If diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis, many doctors will immediately recommend pharmaceuticals like Fossamax or Prolio, but according to Ellis, there’s more biomarker testing to be done and questions to ask before taking drugs that can have severe long-term consequences. Ellis suggests that patients also request a C-Telopeptide (CTX) blood test. This looks at the activity level of the cells (osteoclasts) that break down and resorb bone. “If the activity level of those cells is high, it could be an indicator of active bone loss.”

Other important tests he recommends include Vitamin D levels, parathyroid hormone, thyroid function, inflammation levels, and tTG-IgA and Total Serum IGA testing to rule out celiac disease. “Many people with celiac disease are asymptomatic and lack the classic GI symptoms, unaware that the villi in the small intestines are being damaged, contributing to the malabsorption of nutrients. If key bone-healthy nutrients like calcium and phosphorus aren’t being absorbed, your body will pull those minerals from the bones to serve other purposes in the body,” adds Ellis.

Medications can also affect bone health as studies are showing that SSRI’s, PPI’s/proton pump inhibitors, corticosteroids like Prednisone, and breast cancer medications can contribute to bone loss, so discuss the risk versus reward of taking these prescriptive drugs if you have osteoporosis with your healthcare provider.

Get Help BoneCoach.com Kevin Ellis, a certified integrative health coach and bone health advocate, has helped people in over 1500+ cities around the world with osteopenia and osteoporosis address bone loss, build bone strength, stop fearing fracture, and lead active lives.

He and his team of experts offer the latest cutting-edge research, interactive counseling and guidance, bone-specific nutrition, hormonal and sleep advice, stress reduction, and bone-strong exercise and physical therapy plans. Their holistic approach is to identify and address bone loss, nourish the body with minerals and nutrients that are properly absorbed, and build strength of body, mind, and bone in ways that prevents fracture and injury. bonecoach.com

OSTEOSTRONG

BIOMARKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Understanding T + Z + TBS Scores DEXA scans provide bone health scores that are important baselines to know. A T-score compares a person’s bone density with that of a healthy 30-year-old of the same sex. The Z-score compares a person’s bone density with that of an average person of the same age and sex.

Normal: A score of -1 or above Osteopenia: A score between -1.1 and -2.4 Osteoporosis: A score of -2.5 and below.

If you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, in addition to getting your T-score and Z-score, ask your healthcare provider if their DEXA machine has a Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) capability as this new technology and recently-developed analytical tool can assess the quality of your bone — another important piece to the bone health puzzle. Find a medical group that offers TBS here: medimapsgroup.com/find-a-clinic-with-tbs.

Located across the country, these wellness studios focus on skeletal strength and use a process known as Osteogenic Loading — brief, intensive resistance exercise to stimulate the bone building cells. These sessions can be a great complement to your bone health plan to improve bone density, posture and balance, but anyone with osteoporosis should first check with their healthcare provider to see if osteogenic loading is appropriate for your bone health protocol. osteostrong.com

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Genetic Testing

You’ve heard it before: genes are not destiny. Science has shown that the environmental and lifestyle choices like eating well, exercise and sufficient deep sleep play a much Expert: Eric Verdin, MD greater role than genetic factors in regard to our health CEO and President and longevity. “When you look at relative risk in terms of The Buck Institute of health and life span, the relative roles of your genes versus Research for Aging + your environment and lifestyle, the latest number is about Longevity 7 percent of the outcomes are from your genes. It’s a really minor component,” explains Buck Institute CEO Eric Novato, CA Verdin. “That said, there is some value in genetic testing.”

Genetic testing for pregnancy issues and specific forms of cancer can be an effective tool.

If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, ask your healthcare provider about testing for the BRCA1 and BRAC2 mutations. Testing for Factor V Leiden makes sense when there is a history of miscarriages and blood clots. Even the home test kits like 23andMe look for both of these genetic variants, along with others like the APOe4 mutation, which is predictive for increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Since most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are already 80 to 90 percent into the process, early detection is key since science is working to uncover potential preventive therapies and treatments.

BIOMARKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

But one also has to consider the psychoCutting-edge science is providing new ways logical toll of gene sequencing, which can also to understand and measure the factors create a burden of worry and fear. “This is that cause cognitive decline and accelerate when you have to remind yourself about the aging. And while there are many biomarkrelative importance of your genes compared ers for a variety of diseases from anxiety to your lifestyle choices,” says Verdin. “That to diabetes and cancer, here’s some exercising, eating well, sleeping enough — information on Alzheimer’s Disease and factors you can control — are so much more epigenetic clocks. important than knowing what your genes are.”

Still Verdin encourages people who are interested in their health to get all the information they can. “But you should have a reasonable expectation of what genomic testing really tells you as it’s somewhat limited. At this point, we do not know to read the human genome very well, but I suspect this will change.”

Alzheimer’s Disease

Genetic variations in fat-metabolizing Apolipoproteins (APOe) are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and those carrying the APOe4 allele are at increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease; the APOe2 variant is protective. Research shows that Alzheimer’s is influenced by many factors including toxin exposure, inflammation, chronic pathogens, vascular compromise, trauma and insulin resistance. While there is much to learn about this disease that affects more than five million people, biomarkers for Alzheimer’s could provide detailed measures of abnormal changes in the brain, inflammation, insulin levels, gut integrity and the blood brain barrier and may help in predicting, monitoring and preventing the progression of the disease.

EPIGENETIC CLOCKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Geneticist Steve Horvath at the University of California, Los Angeles, a pioneer in epigeneticclock research, created the Horvath Clock. It measures biomarkers of DNA methylation at 353 different sites in the genome to reveal one’s biological age, which can be either similar or different from your chronological age and correlated to lifespan and health span. Other examples of epigenetic clocks include the PhenoAge Clock by Dr. Morgan Levine at Yale and the GrimAge Clock created by Ake Lu from UCLA.

Get Help 23andMe These affordable, director-to-consumer genetic test kits deliver information on ancestry and assess genetic risk for 10 conditions approved by the FDA (Parkinson’s, Celiac, Alzheimer’s and more), though results are not intended to diagnose any health-related issues. DNA is extracted from a saliva sample that’s tested to spot genetic variations as a means to encourage people to be aware of their genetic risks and be more proactive about their health and longevity. Kits start at $199.

23andme.com

Human Longevity Inc. American-born biochemist-geneticist J. Craig Venter helped crack the genetic code by sequencing the first human genome and deciphering essentially all the genes in human DNA in hopes of providing keys to the diagnosis and treatment of numerous diseases from diabetes and heart disease to Alzheimer’s and various cancers. He cofounded the company Human Longevity Inc., which offers full genetic assessments to the public with a goal to use this genetic knowledge to transform treatments from reactive to proactive, preventative and personalized. Prices range from $5,500 for basic testing to upwards of $25,000 for full genetic assessment. humanlongevity.com

Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.

It focuses on how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Biological age is the way in which your cells have changed over time and can be influenced by many different lifestyle factors versus one’s chronological age.

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Pharmacogenomics The Way of the Future

Genetic testing has entered the world of pharmacology as pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes affect the body’s response to certain medicines. Before you commit to prescriptives like anti-depressants, statins, or beta blockers, you should consider pharmacogenetics testing to determine how your body metabolizes specific medications to see which drug works best for your genetic inheritance. This relatively new field will help reduce adverse drug reactions; make better, safer medications; establish more accurate methods of determining appropriate drug dosages; and create better vaccines.

Get Help Companies like GeneSight, GenoMind, Admera all provide pharmacogenetic testing that makes use of this emerging science, looking at both the effect a drug has on your body (pharmacodynamic parameters) and how your body effects the drug (pharmacokinetic parameters).

Vaccines like the Covid-19 Messenger RNA (mRNA) are made from genetic material versus a live virus, and promise all the benefits of existing vaccines without all the risks. They activate the immune system by teaching our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response, but don’t cause potential infections thanks to pharmacogenomics.

BIOMARKERS ON THE BRINK The Development of SenescenceAssociated Biomarkers The Buck Institute is studying the SASP (Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype), a group of pro-inflammatory molecules that are secreted by cells that are senescent — damaged cells that are no longer capable of dividing. “With age, there is an accumulation of these senescent cells that are spewing off SASP which causes chronic inflammation. We suspect this will be another biomarker — determining the SASP load in the body,” explains Verdin. To that end, the Buck Institute has created a Proteomic Atlas of Senescence-Associated Secretomes, a database of proteins for the research community. The hope is that these biomarkers will help identify factors that drive aging and disease in specific tissues.

Unity Biotechnology is in clinical trials with two drugs which would eliminate senescent cells in diabetic eye disease and osteoarthritis.

Stiffness as a Marker of Age and Inflammation Factor As we age, our tissues get stiffer which causes tension in our cells. At some point this stiffness can result in fibrosis, which damages our organs. Buck Associate Professor Dan Winer, MD, and his team have discovered that the cellular tension impacts our immune system, creating a negative feedback loop that contributes to the low-grade chronic inflammation that fuels many of the diseases of aging: more inflammation results in more stiffness. Winer says technology that can track stiffness in organs currently exists. That technology could allow for early detection of stiffness and make it easier to test the efficacy of new drugs that would break the inflammatory loop.

WANT MORE? If you’re looking to get more expert health advice, explore our health pages for tips and information. Better.net/health

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Homegrown Healthcare Some of the year’s biggest medical breakthroughs happened right on our doorstep.

BY BRITTANY ANAS

A Northwestern Medicine doctor performed the first-known double-lung transplant on a Covid-19 patient in the US. Lung damage can persist even after recovery from Covid-19, researchers from Northwestern Medicine in Chicago discovered in a first-of-its-kind study that was published in Science Translational Medicine.

The researchers found that the coronavirus can destroy the fundamental framework of the lungs in some patients, making lung transplantation the only option. Researchers explain that when the framework of lungs are destroyed, the progenitor cells — which are necessary for healing — have no place to go, and the lungs develop large holes that can harbor infections. “Think of it this way: after an earthquake, if the basic structure of a building survives, it can still be refurbished.

However, if it is leveled, the only option is replacement,” says Ankit Bharat, MD, chief of thoracic surgery and surgical director of the Northwestern Medicine Lung Transplant

Program, and the principal investigator of the study. Northwestern Medicine in June 2020 performed the first known double-lung transplant on a Covid-19 patient in the United States, and has performed several since.

Researchers are hopeful that new treatments will be developed to prevent permanent lung damage and that information from this study will allow for more patients to receive lung transplants.

Abbott developed an affordable rapid Covid-19 test.

As the vaccine rollout has been slower than anticipated, rapid testing to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 remains paramount at a time when children are returning to in-person learning, essential employees continuing to work and those in retirement communities await their vaccinations. Several rapid tests have been developed in recent months, but one that particularly stands out is Chicago-based Abbott’s BinaxNOW,

which got emergency-use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration over the summer. Abbot’s antigen test manages to be both quick and affordable: For $5 a test, it can deliver results within 15 minutes, and doesn’t require special lab equipment. The BinaxNOW rapid tests have been distributed through the Department of Health and Human Services to entities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, historically black colleges and universities. Next, organizations like schools, workplaces and pharmacies can buy and use the tests. "We've intentionally developed the most comprehensive COVID testing portfolio and the most advanced family of rapid tests to have the greatest impact we can," said Robert B. Ford, president and chief executive officer, Abbott in a news release.

University of Chicago Medicine contributed to a new peanut allergy treatment getting FDA approval.

Peanuts are one of the

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Ankit Bharat, MD, chief of thoracic surgery and surgical director of the Northwestern Medicine Lung Transplant Program

most common food allergies, affecting an estimated 1.6 million children in the US, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.

Now, a new immunotherapy treatment can help protect children with peanut allergies from life-threatening anaphylactic reactions should they be exposed to the allergen.

This medical advance comes as a welcome relief to parents who worry their children could end up in the hospital if they unknowingly eat a snack at school that contains peanuts or a dish at a restaurant that’s been cross-contaminated. University of Chicago Medicine was part of a landmark clinical trial that led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Palforzia, which is manufactured by Aimmune Therapeutics.

While not a cure altogether for peanut allergies, the treatment gives kids exposure to a miniscule amount of peanut protein every day, which could help reduce their sensitivity WANT MORE? Read about six more top medical breakthroughs that happened around the country at better.net/medicalbreakthroughs.

to peanuts over time. “The patients I treated have universally expressed relief that they no longer have to live in constant fear that one wrong bite of something with peanuts will result in an emergency injection of epinephrine,” Christina Ciaccio, MD, MSc, UChicago Medicine associate professor of pediatrics and medicine and the site’s principal investigator, said in a news release.

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center identified the next great brain food.

We’ll end on a sweet note.

Not only are strawberries tasty, but they’re also great brain food, according to researchers from Rush University Medical Center who have developed and studied The Mind Diet. The diet, which focuses on foods that prevent mental decline, is a regular on U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Diets” list. (It landed at No. 6 spot this year on the list). Researchers have long espoused the benefits of blueberries for helping ward off

mental decline, but they’re now intrigued by the role strawberries can play, too. Of the 925 participants who were followed for nearly two decades in the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP), those who ate strawberries more than once a week were 32 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s dementia than those who didn’t eat them, according to the Rush team. Puja Agarwal, a nutritional epidemiologist and assistant professor of internal medicine at Rush University, is investigating pelargonidin, a pigment found naturally in strawberries, to better understand the connection between strawberries and the lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. The Mind Diet’s emphasis is on eating “brain-healthy food groups,” which include green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil and wine.

Brittany Anas is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, and more.

She spent a decade working at daily newspapers and is a former federal background investigator. She also works with domestic abuse survivors, helping them regain financial stability through career coaching.

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A midcentury home in Glencoe is reinvented with a peaceful color palette

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Artwork by Darren Oberto from Alley Gallery adds a one-of-a-kind element to the living room, where a sectional sofa from RH and chairs by Four Hands offer tons of space for the family to spend time together.

Right: Over a steel console with a concrete top from RH, an art piece from the owner’s collection adds a splash of color to the cool gray tones in the den.

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SISTER Act

NORTH SHORE INTERIOR DESIGNER JODI MORTON TRANSFORMS HER SISTER’S GLENCOE MIDCENTURY HOME INTO AN EMINENTLY STYLISH, SOOTHING RETREAT. B Y TAT E G U N N E R S O N • P H O T O S B Y D U S T I N H A L L E C K

IT SEEMED LIKE FATE WHEN MARK AND WENDY LA VARRE FIRST TOURED THIS SINGLE-STORY MIDCENTURY HOUSE ON A LUSH lot in Glencoe. Designed by architect, Samuel Abraham Marx, and built in 1953, the light-filled main living areas boasted floor-to-ceiling windows and a breezy layout that wowed the soon-to-be empty nesters. And that’s to say nothing of the house’s location, just steps from the lake – so close they can often hear the waves.

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A pair of console tables from Croft House flank the custom limestone fireplace mantel that interior designer Jodi Morton designed for the living room. The sconces are from Urban Electric.

D

espite the home’s many charms, the couple held no illusions about the work it would take to bring the dated dwelling into the modern era. The kitchen was smallish and cut off from the main living area, for example, and the finishes were well past their prime. Seduced by the possibilities, they hired Wendy’s sister, interior designer Jodi Morton, to rethink the space.

“I would not have bought this house if Jodi wasn’t going to help me do it,” she says. “We’re on the same page with style.”

In a complete gut renovation, Morton redesigned the layout, flipping the dining room and kitchen and creating a new butler’s pantry.

By strategically moving walls, she also ballooned the size of the tiny third bedroom. And, inspired by a dream, she made an executive decision to paint the window frames black.

“It adds a lot of dimension and warmth,” she explains. “I wanted this house to be serene and peaceful, like you’re on vacation.”

That’s certainly the case in the front den, its gray walls creating a soothing backdrop for a plush couch from Montauk Sofa and a pair of barrel-back chairs atop a wool rug with a subtle pattern from Oscar Isberian.

The palette flows into the open great room, WANT MORE? For more home décor and design inspiration, expert advice from industry leaders, and stunning pieces by local artists, visit spacesmag.com.

where a gray sectional sofa and a pair of woodframed chairs create plenty of space for the entire family to cuddle up together and binge their favorite shows. Often disguised as art, the TV hangs above the custom limestone fireplace mantel, which is flanked by matching steel-framed console tables from Croft House.

A CHEF'S PARADISE

The space is open to the gleaming new kitchen, which Morton outfitted with white cabinetry, a cerused oak island and white Santorini quartzite countertops with subtle gray veining. A pair of black pendants with an industrial edge tie in with both the windows and the custom blackened steel hood with stainless banding.

The designer flipped the script in the butler’s pantry, outfitting it with oak cabinetry – the uppers with glass doors – and a quartzite countertop and backsplash.

For Wendy, having so much storage and a space to cook while conversing with the family has been a godsend. “I spend so much time in the kitchen,” Wendy explains. “I cook a ton, and I love it.”

BLACK AND WHITE

Dinner is served in the new formal dining room, where a black-and-white rug sets the tone,

grounding a double-pedestal, wood dining table from Palecek and chairs by Four Hands below a contemporary black chandelier. Abstract paintings by Dana DeAno from Alley Gallery in Evanston reinforce the black-and-white theme.

“They lend femininity to the space and soften the strong lines of the table and windows,” Morton explains. “Every piece is strong enough to stand on its own.”

A FAMILY AFFAIR

According to Jodi, designing a family member’s home carries unique challenges. “There’s a whole different level of pressure, because it’s your family, and because as a designer you’ll be internally critiquing your own work every time you visit,” she says. “But I’m so proud every time I walk in the house.”

Despite the pressure, the t wo relished the rare opportunity to spend so much time together. Wendy was also thrilled with the outcome. “It was a special experience,” Jodi says.

The project wrapped up in March of 2020, when the COVID lockdown was in full force.

The timing was perfect for relocating closer to the lake, where Wendy and her eldest daughter took daily walks during the spring and summer.

“I can’t even believe I live here,” Wendy says.

“Pinch me.”

Tate Gunnerson is a Chicago-based freelance journalist with an equal appreciation for natural beauty and good design. He is a passionate supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the National Kidney Foundation.

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An elegant black chandelier from Urban Electric, sculptural chairs from Four Hands, and abstract artwork by Dana DeAno from Alley Gallery in Evanston are juxtaposed with white walls in the formal dining room.

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COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO CUBS (ANTHONY RIZZO)

hey have captured our attention with unparalleled athletic ability, and have also led us toward a more humane society; they are champions who champion justice and equality.

Tennis legend Arthur Ashe was notoriously soft spoken, but relentless in his stand against Apartheid in South Africa, while Billie Jean King has fought for gender equality in sports for decades. NBA star LeBron James ignored news anchor Laura Ingraham’s call for him to “shut up and dribble” and funded community programs and voting rights initiatives in underprivileged neighborhoods. Perhaps the most visible athlete activist of our era, former 49er Colin Kaepernick, steadfastly kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police violence toward Black Americans. Kaepernick lost his job as an elite NFL quarterback, but gained his status as one of the most important social activists in history. These athletes have encouraged others to use their platform to create change. Here we honor the work of athletes who are as extraordinary off the field as they are on the field (or court or track).

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WNBA star Gabby Williams established her basketball prowess as a collegiate athlete at UConn and a professional on WNBA team the Chicago Sky. Now Williams, just 23 years old, has become a vocal advocate for social justice. In 2020, Chicago Sky took a leadership position as her teammates came together collectively to launch an initiative entitled #SkyTakesAction, pledging to donate $10 per point, $100 per win and $50 per loss toward community organizations. The money benefits By the Hand Club for Kids, BYP100, the Movement for Black Lives, Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago and Future Ties and Williams specifically supports the Chicago Community Bond Fund. “We know what it’s like to feel discrimination, so that’s why we’re doing this. It’s Chicago Cubs three time All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s

not performative at all, it’s for us. It’s to make sure we’re safe. It’s

life changed in 2008 when he went through 6 months of chemo-

to make sure people who look like us are safe,” Williams told the

therapy and survived Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Rizzo’s experience

Chicago Tribune last July.

gave him insight into the struggle of cancer patients and their families and he established the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO CUBS (ANTHONY RIZZO)

in 2012 with a mission to raise money for cancer research and provide support to children and families battling cancer. Rizzo has donated over 4 million dollars to the Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. “As a survivor of cancer myself, I know the emotional and fi nancial strain the diagnosis of cancer can put on a family. I believe that an individual does not battle cancer alone, his or her entire family does,” says Rizzo. “That’s why my foundation provides direct grants to families so they can focus on being together instead of how to pay their next bill.”

WANT MORE? Want to get fit like the best of the best? Get going on your own fitness plan by streaming a workout. Check out our top picks at better.net/workouts.

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“Over the past couple of years, I have become a

The moment was huge: the world watched as

Women’s basketball Hall of Famer Jennifer

lot more open about my struggle with depres-

women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe led team

Azzi is a trailblazer on and off the court. Among

sion and have shared my mantra that ‘it’s ok

USA to a World Cup victory in France in 2019,

her accomplishments, Azzi led Stanford to its

to not be ok,’” writes Michael Phelps in a let-

earning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball

first NCAA title in 1990, played profession-

ter on the homepage of the Michael Phelps

award for her play. Rapinoe has been equally

ally in the WNBA and won gold medals in

Foundation website. Phelps, who won 28

bold in her work off the field, using her plat-

the Atlanta Olympics and in two FIBA World

Olympic medals, is considered the greatest

form as a superstar to make an impact in the

Championships. In 2016, while coaching the

swimmer in history. By speaking openly about

realm of civic activism and charity. She was

USF Dons, Azzi became the first openly gay

his struggle with depression, Phelps uses his

one of the first white athletes to consistently

NCAA head coach. Now running her own

platform to de-stigmatize mental illness.

take a knee in solidarity with former NFL QB

Azzi Academy she works in partnership

His foundation was established to promote

Colin Kaepernick, protesting police brutal-

with Paul Austin of Marin City’s Play Marin,

“healthy, active lives, especially for children,

ity. Working with the ACLU, Common Goal,

the Warriors Community Foundation, Ikea

primarily by expanding the opportunities

and the Seattle Boys and Girls Club, she has

Foundation and the Good Tidings Foundation,

for participation in the sport of swimming,”

fought relentlessly for equality — focusing on

to provide facilities, instruction and equal

and in 2018 developed a curriculum of emo-

pay equity, LGBTQ rights and voter registra-

athletic opportunities for low-income kids.

tional wellness lessons provided to Boys &

tion. “If you’re going to ask athletes to be a role

Azzi has also hosts clinics for Her Time To

Girls Clubs and Special Olympics participants

model, you can’t then be upset when they’re

Play, a national Jr. NBA and Women’s Sports

across the country.

role models. You can’t be upset when they

Foundation initiative “dedicated to champion-

speak out for what they feel is right,” Rapinoe

ing change on behalf of girls and women.”

told the LA Times in 2018.

• Azzi Academy • Play Marin, Warriors Community Foundation • Ikea Foundation • the Good Tidings Foundation the Movement for Black Lives • Firehouse Community Arts • Center of Chicago • Future Ties Community Bond Fund • Kicks 4 the City • SAGA Education • 42 S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 B E T T E R

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In 2014, Alysia Montaño was 8 months pregIn 2020 the Chicago Bears formed a social

nant when she ran the 800 meters at the US

On the basketball court, the Warriors’

justice committee featuring linebacker

Track and Field Championships. In 2017 she

superstar point guard Steph Curry can

Sam Acho, tight end Trey Burton, defensive

ran the same race 5 months pregnant. An

make almost anything happen. Now Curry

lineman Akiem Hicks, quarterbacks Chase

Olympic gold medalist and six-time national

has joined forces with his wife, restaurateur

Daniel and Mitchell Trubisky and four front

champion, Montaño has turned her atten-

and author Ayesha Curry, to support at-risk

office staff members, including Chairman

tion to women’s rights, specifically a woman’s

children and families through their Eat.

McCaskey. Last fall the team announced that

choice to pursue career and motherhood.

Learn. Play. Foundation. The Curry’s family

five Chicago area community organizations

In 2019 she wrote an opinion piece for the

foundation’s mission is to work to end child-

(By the Hand Club for Kids, Kicks 4 the City,

New York Times about Nike’s unfortunate

hood hunger, ensure students have access to a

SAGA Education, YWCA Lake County and

maternity policies that led to a congressional

quality education, and provide safe places for

My Block, My Hood, My City) would receive

inquiry and company reform. Her founda-

all children to play and be active.

$813,850 in donations. The team also sup-

tion &Mother works to address what has been

ports regional public schools and has been

described by Stanford sociologist Dr. Shelley

in continued discussion with the University

Correll as “The Motherhood Penalty,” mean-

of Chicago Crime Lab to better understand

ing mothers get hired less, promoted less and

which areas are most in need of assistance.

paid less, not because they aren’t skilled at their jobs, but because they are mothers.

Kirsten Jones Neff is a writer, filmmaker, gardening teacher and poet who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work has appeared in numerous periodicals and magazines including Stanford Magazine, Edible Marin and Wine Country and The Believer.

Her Time To Play • Women’s Sports Foundation • &Mother • Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation • Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation • By the Hand Club for Kid • BYP100 YWCA Lake County • My Block, My Hood, My City • Michael Phelps Foundation • Boys & Girls Clubs • Special Olympics • ACLU • Common Goal B E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 43

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Camp CBG

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CHICAGO-AREA

CAMPS

to Check Out This Summer The vaccine is rolling out, and summer is just around the corner — which means you can officially get your darling children out of the house for a glorious eight hours at a time (trust me, they’ll be thrilled too). But with the whole, wild world of summer camps, where should you send your brood? Here are 14 camp around the Chicagoland area that are sure to appeal to any future camper.

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For the little one:

Little Beans Café and Playspace 430 Asbury Ave. Evanston, 847-807-3731 Little Beans is perfect for the small ones who will surely grow up to while away the hours in their favorite coffee shop. And what better way to start them off than this fun-filled camp for kids between the ages of 3-9? Each week of camp has a fun, unique theme that is incorporated into all of the activities and classes. With imaginative play, sports, art classes, outdoor games and more, your little one will never want to leave the café. Bonus: they do birthday parties and also function as a space for working parents. Pass me a cappuccino, please.

North Shore Montessori Schools Summer Camp Riverwoods and Glenview, 847-945-8661 North Shore Montessori Schools are accredited by the American Montessori Society.

They pride themselves on providing children with the freedom to move at their own pace and engage in hands-on learning. Their camps are nine weeks long, and are located in Riverwoods and Glenview.

For the baby botanist:

Camp CBG at the Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, 847-835-5440 Surrounded by some of the loveliest landscaped and wild gardens, campers ranging from pre-k to 7th grade will find out just how neat nature can be. Each day, campers will visit a different area of the Garden, conduct a science investigation, do an art project, and prepare their own healthy snack as they learn more about the natural world. Plus, you can sign up for a single day or the whole week, depending on your needs. Your kiddo might be a little muddy when they get home, but you can bet this summer camp will help them bloom.

For the techie in training: iD Tech Summer Camps at Northwestern University Evanston, 888-709-8324 For children interested in all things

Lincoln Park Zoo

technology, this is the STEM camp for them.

Campers learn coding, game development, design and robotics in small groups. At the end of the program, everyone receives an iD Tech diploma and skill certification to add to their portfolio.

For the soon-to-be Jackson Pollock:

Summer Camps at School of the Art Institute of Chicago 36 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 312-629-6100 This one’s for the kid who can never put down the crayons (or, perhaps, has already graduated to pastels). Campers between the ages of 4 and 9 will complete exciting, creative projects and visit the Art Institute on a daily basis. Campers will express their inner artiste with a variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, mixed media, fibers, performance, wearables, and animation.

Each session has a different project, so students can sign up for multiple weeks. With themes such as Upcycled Artists and World Builders, this will be a summer full of artistic exploration — don’t forget your apron!

For the naturalist:

Field Museum Summer Camps 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, 312-922-9410 The one who has to stop and stare at every leaf...inspect every bug...can never have too many books about dinosaurs (this was the author, for the record -- right down to the

collection of cicada shells)...there is summer camp at the Field Museum. Tragically, they cannot accommodate overeager 29-yearolds, but they can offer programming for everyone between pre-k and high school.

Young ones can attend dino camp, while older kiddos can engage in more immersive science and natural history experiences.

Teens can even be a part of the summer volunteer program at the museum.

For the avid snorkeler:

Summer Splash Camp at the Shedd Aquarium 1200 S Lake Shore Drive Chicago 312-939-2438 Yes, you can go to summer camp at the Shedd Aquarium. Yes, the author is blind with jealousy. Catering to campers K-5, kids will learn about different aquatic animals (like the penguins who famously got to wander around the rest of the aquarium at the start of the pandemic) and various aquatic habitats. Plus, if you have multiple campers sign up for the same session, you get a discount...so it seems like this is the perfect summer for everyone to learn about the wonders of the watery world.

For the future veterinarian:

Zoo Camps at the Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark St, Chicago 312-742-2056 Kids from preK to 8th grade will do handson activities, learn about conservation, and,

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o

of course, meet the animals. Campers will learn about animal habitats and explore various themes surrounding animals of all stripes, spots, and feathers. By the end of the summer, they might be headed for a career in zoology...or they might just have a welldeveloped love of the beautiful animals on our beautiful planet.

For the all-around experience:

Discovery Day Camp 241 US HWY 45 Lincolnshire 847-367-2267 Discovery Day Camp has been in the business of enriching campers lives since 1984, and this author can personally attest to the wonderfulness of a summer there. For campers ages 4-14, there are all of the classic aspects of summer camp: from daily swims, to arts and crafts, to sports, to lanyards, to a ropes course, to glasses of bug juice at lunch, Discovery has it all. Caring counselors, small troop sizes, and good-old-fashioned fun are in abundant supply at Discovery Day Camp.

camp is great for children looking to experience a variety of new activities.

Banner Day Camp 1177 Riverwoods Road, Lake Forest 847-295-4900 At Banner Day Camp, campers participate in sports, aquatics, arts, adventure programs and more. Swimming is essential to the camp experience and participants enjoy swimming at least once a day. The non-competitive environment is designed to help children develop social skills and self-esteem in small groups, with one staff member for every three campers.

Crew Camp Park District of Highland Park, 847-579-3128 The Park District of Highland Park’s Crew

Camp is for children in grades 1-8. Some of the activities include Camp Olympics, culinary classes and swimming at Rosewood Beach and Hidden Creek Aquapark. Grades 1-2 meet at the Sherwood School and Grades 3-8 meet at the Red Oak School.

Gorton Community Center Camps 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest 847-234-6060 Gorton Community Center offers several camps including Art Camp, Sewing Camp, Acting Camp and more. The week-long sessions allow students to learn new artistic and STEM skills, and improve the ones they already have. Best of all, there are options for kindergarten-age children up to age 15 so everyone can participate.

North Shore Country Day School Day Camp 310 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, 224-286-6798 At NSCDS’s day camp, campers ages 4-12 can participate in age-specific activities such as gymnastics, swimming lessons, archery, outdoor adventures and more.

For five days a week, campers are placed in groups with other children their same age and gender along with experienced senior counselors and junior counselors.

McGaw YMCA Day Camp 1000 Grove St., Evanston, 847-475-8580 For rising 1st through 5th graders, the McGaw YMCA’s day camp gives them the opportunity to explore different “camptivities” including fishing, drama, crafts, field trips and more. Each week has a different theme to help promote camp spirit. This

WANT MORE? Figuring out the best camps for your kids can be challenging. For the latest listings on the best summer camps, visit better.net/chicago/camps

McGaw YMCA Day Camp

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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Now is the time to sign up!

Contact camps to find out 2021 rules and restrictions.

To find additional choices visit better.com/camps

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SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2021 CHICAGO

Adler Planetarium Summer Camps Education, Science, Ages 3-12, 312.322.0329, adlerplanetarium.org/learn/kids.and.fam/ summer.camps Alliance Française • French Summer Camp Education, Language, Ages 6-12, 312.337.1070, af.chicago.org/summer.camp Apachi Day Camp, Multiple Locations General, Ages 3-14, 224.406.9242, daycamp. jccchicago.org/our-camps/ Bash Sports Academy Summer Baseball Camps Sports, Ages 9-13, 773.588.BASH, bashsportsacademy.com Bei Dou Kung Fu Summer Camps Sports, 4-14, 773.327.4710, beidoukungfuchicago.com Big City Day Camp With JCYS General, Ages 7-14, 773.281.2533, jcys.org/ big-city-day-camp Bilingual Summer Camp at the National Mexican Museum of Art Education, Art, Language, Ages 7-12, 312.738.1503, nationalmuseumofmexicanart. org/content/bilingual-summer-camp Bit Space, Wilmette Technology, Science, Ages Vary, 773.654.1691, bitspacechicago.com Bubbles Academy Summer Camp, Lincoln Park General, Early Childhood Education, Ages 15mo-5, 312.944.7677, bubblesacademy.com

Oui Chef, Chicago

Dance to Evolve Summer Dance Camps Dance, Ages 3-8, 773.770.5327, dancetoevolve. com/chicago/summer-dance-camps DePaul University Girls Soccer Camps Sports, 773.325.4735, Grades K-12, depaulgirlssoccercamps.com Field Museum Summer Camps Nature, Education, PreK-Teen, 312.922.9410, fieldmuseum.org/our-events/summercamps-programs Girls In The Game Summer Camps Sports, Leadership, Grades 3-8, 312.633.4263, girlsinthegame.org

Chicago Children’s Museum Summer Camps Education, General, 312.527.1000, chicagochildrensmuseum.org

GTA Photography Campus Art, Photography, Ages 8-17, 800.832.1273, gtaphotographyclasses.com/kids-teens/ summer-camps/chicago

Chicago Cubs Baseball Summer Camps Sports, Ages 5-14, 773.289.1505, chicago.cubs. mlb.com/chc/fan_forum/summercamps.jsp

Hi.Five Sports Camp Sports, PreK-Grade 9, 312.226.6555, hifivesportsclubs.com/

Chicago Red Stars Soccer Camp Sports, Girls Only, Ages 7-17, 720.587.7653, chicagoredstars.com/camps-clinics

Intrigue Dance Summer Dance Camps Dance, Ages 6-18, 312.765.6755, intriguedance.com

Chicago Rowing Foundation Sports, Grades 6-11, 312.636.1239, rowchicago. com/summercamp

Kids Clay Room Art, Pottery, Ages 5+, 773.416.4511, kidsclayroom.com/in-studio-summercamp.html

Chicago Park District Summer Camps General, Arts, Sports, Ages 6-12, 312.742.7529, chicagoparkdistrict.com/day-camp CircEsteem and the Chicago Youth Circus Summer Camps Athletics, Circus, Self Improvement, Ages 8-16, 773.732.4564, circesteem.org

Kids Science Labs, Lincoln Park Education, STEM, Ages 4+, 773.798.2012, kidssciencelabs.com/summer-campslincoln-park

Lakefront Children’s Academy Summer Camps General, Ages 2-8, 312.819.1760, lakefrontchildrensacademy.com/ programs.html Lincoln Park Zoo Conservation Summer Camps Science, Nature, Education, PreK-Grade 8, 312.742.2056, lpzoo.org Lilstreet Art Camp Art, Ages 3-16, 773.769.4226, lillstreet.com/ department/camps Little Linguists Academy Summer Camp Language, Education, Ages 1-14, 773.557.9726, littlelinguistsacademy.com Little Hands Learning Center Summer Camps General, Education, Ages Infant-6, 773.445.1900, littlehandspreschool.com Mad Science of Chicago Summer Camps STEM, Education, Science, Ages 3-12, 773.227.3345, chicago.madscience.org/ summer2016camps.aspx Oui Chef Culinary Arts, Ages 5-9, 773.799.8451, ouichefchicago.com Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Summer Camps Education, Nature, Ages 5-8, 773.755.5100, naturemuseumcamp.org Robot City Workshop Summer Camps Education, STEM, Ages 5-12, 773.281.1008, robotcityworkshop.com

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Marin Home / TKTKTKTK SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2021 Brookfield Zoo Summer Camp, Brookfield Nature, Environmental Education, Ages 4-14, 708.688.8000, czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/ Learning/CampBison/SummerCampvip

Camp CBG at Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Camp CBG at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe Nature, Environmental Education, Ages 4-8, 847.835.5440, chicagobotanic.org/camp/ summercamp Center for Enriched Living, Riverwoods General, Special Needs, Ages Vary, 847.315.9920, centerforenrichedliving.org/ summer-camp Decoma Day Camp, Northbrook General, Ages 6-13, 847.945.4455, decomadaycamp.com Discovery Day Camp, Lincolnshire General, PreK-Grade 9, 847.367.2267, campdiscovery.com

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Summer Arts Camps Education, Fine Arts, Ages 4-9, 312.629.6170, saic.edu School of Rock Songwriting Camp, Multiple Locations Music, Ages 7-17, schoolofrock.com/ seasonal-camps Second City Summer Comedy Camps Improv, Theatre, Ages 7-18, 312.664.3959, secondcity.com Shedd Aquarium Summer Camp Education, Nature, Grades K-5, 312.939.2438, sheddaquarium.org/programs-and-events/ camp-shedd-summer-splash Steve and Kate’s Camp, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, West Loop General, Skill Building, Ages 4-12, Lakeview: 773.219.0133, Lincoln Park: 773.219.0332, West Loop: 773.219.0496, steveandkates camp.com The Kids’ Table, Lakeview, Wicker Park Cooking, Ages 4-10, 773.235.COOK, kidstable.com/summer-camp The Road Less Traveled Summer Camps Sleepaway, Adventure, Travel, Grades 6-12, 773.342.5200, theroadlesstraveled.com Unicoi Art Studio Summer Art Camps Art, Ages 3-15, 773.975.6515, unicoistudio.com University of Chicago Super Summer Sports Camps Sports, Grades K-8, 773.702.9065, athletics. uchicago.edu/community/summer_camps

West Loop Soccer Club Soccer, Ages 2-14, 773.312.5054, westloopsoccerclub.com World Camp: Immersion Summer Programs in 5 Languages Education, Language, Ages 3-18, 773.665.8358, lyceechicago.org/ summer-camps

SUBURBS

Actors Training Center at Wilmette Theatre, Wilmette Drama, Ages 7-18, 847.251.8710, actorstrainingcenter.org Bach to Rock, Arlington Heights, Naperville and Northbrook Music, Ages 5+, 877.227.8558, bachtorock. com/camps Baker Summer Discovery Camp, Wilmette General, Outdoors, Ages 3-14, 847.425.5800, bakerdemschool.org/summer.program

Doug Bruno Girls Basketball Camp, Naperville Sports, 800.645.3226, ussportscamps.com iD Tech Summer Programs in Chicago, Evanston, Lake Forest Education, STEM, Ages 7+, 888.709.8324, idtech.com Jewish Council for Youth Services Summer Camps, Chicago, Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Ingleside General, Early Childhood Education, Ages 6 weeks-Grade 6, 312.726.8891, jcys.org/ summer-camps KidzToPros, Wilmette, Glenview, Elmhurst Education, General, STEM, Art, Sports, PreKGrade 12, 877.202.1544, kidztopros.com Little Beans Chicago, Evanston General, Early Childhood Education, Creative Play, Ages 3-9, 847.807.3731, littlebeanscafe. com

Banner Day Camp, Lake Forest General, Outdoors, Art, Ages 3-15 847.295.4900, bannerdaycamp.com

New Vision Athletics Summer Camp, Lake Forest Sports, Ages 5-13, 847.295.0682, newvisionathletics.com

Big Blue Swim School, Wilmette Sports, Ages 6mo-6+, 847.729.7665, bigblueswimschool.com/programs/ swim-lessons

NIKE Junior Golf Camps, Chicago, Hillside, Lemont, Vernon Hills Sports, Golf, Ages 5-16, 800.645.3226, ussportscamps.com/golf/nike/illinois

Breakthrough Basketball, Chicago, Deerfield, Marion, Peoria, Romeoville, Orland Park Sports, Grades 3-12, 319.360.3706, breakthroughbasketball.com/camps/cities/ chicago-il.html

Nike Soccer Camps, Elmhurst Sports, Soccer, Ages 5-16, 800.645.3226, ussportscamps.com/soccer/nike Northwestern Center for Talent Development, Evanston General, Education, Ages 3-18, 847.467.1575, ctd.northwestern.edu

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SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2021 Northwestern Volleyball Camp, Evanston Volleyball, PreK-Grade 9, 847.467.3893, northwesternvolleyballcamps.com Northwestern Youth Soccer Camps, Evanston Soccer, Grades K-12, Girls: 847.467.5297, Boys: 847.467.1312, northwesterngirlssocceracademy.com N. Suburban YMCA Camp, Northbrook General, Grades K-8, 847.272.7250, nsymca. org/summer-camp Piven Theatre Workshop, Evanston Theatre, Grades 4-8, 847.866.6597, piventheatre.org Tamarak Day Camp, Lincolnshire General, Ages 5-14, 847.634.3168, tamarakdaycamp.com Wilson Collegiate Tennis Camps | Premier Sports Camps, Evanston Tennis, Ages 6-18, 330.333.2267, wilsontenniscamps.com

OUT-OF-STATE

Camp Birchwood, LaPorte, Minnesota Sleepaway, General, Girls Only, Ages 9-17, 800.451.5270, campbirchwood.com Camp Birchwood for Boys, Grand Marais, Minnesota Sleepaway, General, Ages 9-17, 218.388.4402, campbirchwoodforboys.com Cedar Lodge Summer Horseback Riding Camp, Lawrence, Michigan Sleepaway, Sports, Equestrian, Ages 7-16, 269.674.8071, cedarlodge.com Harand Theatre Camp, Evanston, Illinois and Kenosha, Wisconsin Theatre, Ages 7-18, 847.864.1500 Illinois / 262.551.2149 Wisconsin, harandcamp.com Hoofbeat Ridge Summer Camp, Mazomanie, Wisconsin Equestrian, Ages 7-15, 608.767.2593, hoofbeat.org

Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, Michigan Sleepaway, Performing Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Creative Writing, Multimedia, Grades 3-12, 800.681.5912, camp. interlochen.org McGaw YMCA Camp Echo, Freemont, Michigan Sleepaway, General, Grades 3-12, 231.924.0829, mcgawymca.org/campecho Timber-Lee Summer Camp, East Troy, Wisconsin Sleepaway, General, Christian, Grades 4-12, 262.642.7345, timber-lee.com Victory Briefs Institute, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Virtual Education, Debate, Grades 6-12, 330.3DEBATE, vbidebate.com

Don’t miss our newly updated camp listings online at better.com/summer-camps.

OVERNIGHT CAMP IN LAKE DELTON, WI 2nd–10th grade REGISTER AT CAMPCHI.ORG JCC Chicago is a non-profit organization inspired by Jewish values, bridging traditions and generations to create a more vibrant, connected community.

JCC Chicago is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. ©2021 JCC Chicago JCCChicago_Better_0321_FNL.indd 1

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Destinations

T H E L AT E ST LO C A L T R AV E L D E A L S A N D G E TAWAYS PLU S J O U R N E YS A RO U N D T H E G LO B E

ALL IN THE FAMILY Reunion travel destinations with something for everyone.

BY MELANIE HAIKEN

Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head,

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Destinations / GO Reunions are top of mind for many Chicago-area families separated by distance and Covid-19. And what better place to reconnect than a resort positioned for sun and multi-generational family fun? Here, 5 resorts where your family’s time together will be as memorable as it is meaningful.

Playa Largo

Playa Largo

PLAYA LARGO RESORT AND SPA Key Largo, Florida From its beach shack restaurant and ceviche bar to its sparkling pools and crystal white sand, Playa Largo Resort and Spa is a Swiss Family Robinson fantasy come to life – complete with high-thread-count sheets. Slip into a hammock shaded by palm fronds and savor the

sense of being on a tropical island just 60 miles from Miami.

What’s even better for families: Playa Largo’s Ocean Residences, a string of three-story candy-colored houses each boasting a better ocean-front view than the last. And breakfast comes every morning by delivery, packed in a picnic basket you can take straight to the beach. Speaking of dining feet in the sand, the

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Hilton Head

resort’s new Sol in the Sand culinary event features a Caribbean-inspired menu served at community tables on the beach.

Playa Largo is enthusiastic about hosting reunions, with numerous indoor spaces such as the Tavernier Ballroom and a host of private courtyard, beach and lawn areas such as the Miramar Courtyard, Mirasol Courtyard, Event Lawn, and the lawn at Club Playa. Families often use the three-bedroom Beach as a hub as well. Catering options range from candlelit dinners to a catered Luau with a full pig roast.

SEA PINES RESORT Hilton Head, South Carolina With 5,000 acres – a third of the island – and a history stretching back 50 years, Sea Pines Resort knows how to entertain families in style, with a variety of accommodations from homes big enough to sleep 12 to historic inns and pet-friendly policies that mean Fido doesn’t have to stay at home.

Pools, tennis courts, and golf courses are the daily activities of choice, though you may find yourself dozing away the afternoon head pillowed on a warm dune.

Best of all, this 42-mile-long barrier island is rich in wildlife; walk the trails at the Coastal Discovery Museum to see butterflies in the

Hilton Head

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Destinations / GO

oaks and bottlenose dolphins in the marshes, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge to see alligators, deer, and eye-catching birds like the white ibis. Or Driessen Beach to look for nesting sea turtles from its wetlands boardwalk. Islanders Beach Park features a cleverly designed playground where kids can let off steam.

Long a popular venue for large-scale events, the Sea Pines offers access to facilities like the Sea Pines Beach Club, the Plantation Golf Club, and the 10,000-square-foot Harbor House Clubhouse. Custom-tailored menus are available for groups small and large, and in addition, the resort’s restaurants can be used as banquet facilities.

ADERO SCOTTSDALE Scottsdale, Arizona Star light, star bright takes on a whole new meaning at the ADERO Scottsdale, the first resort located in Scottsdale’s Fountain Hills Dark Sky Zone. Not only do all 177 of the boutique resort’s rooms boast large private balconies for sky viewing, but programming includes nightly telescope tours of the galaxy led by official Dark Sky Zone guides.

The resort is spread across 17 acres of spectacular red rock canyon, making it the perfect basecamp for families to explore McDowell Mountain Regional Park and its 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horse-

Conrad Punta de Mita

Conrad Punta de Mita

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back riding. Learn about the botany and geology of the Sonoran desert with the resort’s own adventure concierge, who leads guided hikes morning and night, while partnerships with the SunRidge Canyon Golf Club and McDowell Mountain Cycles add more opportunities for fun.

Views define the event spaces at the ADERO, which include the Four Peaks lawn, terrace, and ballroom and the Sonoran View Room. The ADERO’s event team of planners and onsite caterers can help you create a family gathering as unforgettable as the Sonoran desert’s starry skies.

ADERO

CONRAD PUNTA DE MITA Riviera Nayarit, Mexico One look at the Conrad Punta de Mita’s vast infinity pool, its entirety tiled in vivid indigenous motifs, and you know you’re in for something different. Brand new this year, the resort takes full advantage of its location on the sunny Riviera Nayarit north of Puerto Vallarta to bring life outside, with plenty of palm-shaded outdoor patios and gazebos framed in wicker and rattan.

As if the resort’s three pools and four restaurants weren’t enough, horseback riding and ziplining are on offer to thrill kids and teens. At the end of the day, relax with a Vaváuri Caríma deep tissue therapy massage in one of the 10,000-square-foot open air “cocoons” or enjoy the sweat lodge-style Temazcal Therapy.

Every one of the Conrad’s 324 rooms overlooks the Pacific, and features like plunge pools, outdoor showers, and extra-large patios make the casita-style villas perfect for spacious living.

Families planning a full-scale gathering of the clan will appreciate the Conrad’s multifunctional and flexible event spaces, which include not just meeting rooms but set-apart lawn and beachfront areas.

WANT MORE? Looking for more family-friendly trips for a post-Covid-19 reunion? Get all the ideas you need at better.net/family-vacations.

LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB La Quinta, California Privacy has been a hallmark of La Quinta Resort & Club from the days when Clark Gable and Greta Garbo chose this desert oasis 25 miles from Palm Springs as their secret hideaway, and today’s families will benefit just as much from the chance for some seclusion.

And with more than 600 casitas, some with private pools, hot tubs, and outdoor fireplaces, it’s not hard to carve out your own personal space. And the family dog can come too, welcomed with the PAWS La Quinta canine experience which includes a cozy bed and treats, expansive lawns and dog-friendly trails.

The activity offerings are just as extensive, from the three golf courses to tennis and pickleball courts to miles of winding bike paths and bike shops stocked with rentals. And if you need a refresher or jumpstart to do any of those things? Lessons are available onsite.

While there’s enough on property to keep

ADERO

you busy for weeks, you’ll still want to venture to nearby La Quinta Cove park to watch the sunset turn the hills every shade of pink.

With 45 acres studded with private lawns and terraces, the La Quinta has seemingly endless options for group gatherings, and the new Summer Group Experience includes room upgrades and discounts as well as 20 percent off standard food and beverage rates.

Melanie Haiken is an award-winning San Francisco Bay Area-based writer whose work has appeared in magazines like Parade, AFAR, National Geographic, Real Simple, Woman’s Day and many other national publications and websites.

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Destinations / GO

Closer to Home

EDITED BY MACAIRE DOUGLAS

The midwest really is the best, so why not keep your reunion local? From Michigan to Wisconsin, these luxury properties are perfect year-round.

MISSION POINT Mackinac Island, Michigan

BY JESSICA SUSS

Historic Mackinac Island, in the upper reaches of Michigan’s mitten, is just a quick 6 hours and 29 minutes (minus stops for gas and snacks, of course) away from Chicago. Once you reach Mackinac City, you’ll board a ferry to the blissfully car-free island boasting itineraries that everyone in the family will enjoy.

If you’re traveling with kids, Mission Point Mackinac Island, an award-winning resort on the shores of Lake Huron, offers free dining to guests under 12 and has a wide range of complimentary kids activities so parents can go...well, elsewhere. The resort has strict COVID-19 protocols to make sure that guests are pampered and safe. They even have family package experiences for the whole crew — dog included!

Mission Point has a variety of dining options available, all utilizing the seasonal flavors of the island. “People never thought of Mackinac Island of being a foodie place but they have stepped up their game when it comes to food,” says VP of Travel Michigan David Lorenz.

What is there to do on the island? From hiking and water sports, to wineries and horsedrawn carriages, the question might be what

Grand Geneva

isn’t there to do on Mackinac Island. It’s a truly unique experience that all ages will enjoy.

“People want to go to a place where they’re not burdened with all the realities of life right now, and we offer that,” Lorenz says. “We offer that sense of normalcy where you can feel like the entire world hasn’t gone crazy.”

GRAND GENEVA Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Just north of Chicago is a gem of a tourism destination: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Centered by Geneva Lake, the area looks and feels like one of those storied resort communities on the east coast, with comparisons regularly drawn to Newport, Rhode Island, for its prime shoreline and magnificent mansions, yet it’s only a two-hour drive from Chicago.

Among the many resorts surrounding the Lake Geneva area is the expansive Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, perfect for hosting your midwest family reunion. With 1,300 acres of activities near or on property all year-long,

including skiing, golfing and a world-class spa, there are endless opportunities to make memories that will bring the family together.

The Grand Geneva boasts amazing dining, including Geneva Chophouse and Leinenkugel's Mountain Top Lodge, but if your group wants to head into town, it’s only a three minute trip. Lake Geneva’s robust city center features shopping, entertainment and dining, including several spots for a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned.

The resort also has some unique history: built in 1968, it was the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel, the first of its kind in the United States. In 1993 the property received a complete update that included 335 guestrooms, 29 Villas, 225 Suites and the Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, making it the perfect yearround escape for families.

WANT MORE? Get away without going too far, and feel safe while you do it. Discover nearby trips for your family at better.net/local-getaways.

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Out & About

A R O U N D U P O F T H E H O T T E S T L O C A L E V E N T S , V I R T U A L G AT H E R I N G S A N D P L A C E S T O E AT A N D D R I N K

“Immersive Van Gogh” is now open at Lighthouse ArtSpace PHOTO BY MICHAEL BROSILOW B E T T E R S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 59

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Calendar

T H E L AT E S T H A P P E N I N G S T H I S S P R I N G

B Y A L I YA H A R M S T R O N G

THRU MAY 2: “The Long Dream” at the Museum of Contemporary Art This exhibition encourages viewers to see Chicago, the world and themselves through the eyes of 70 local artists. Organized by the Artistic Division which includes the curatorial, learning and content teams, “The Long Dream” features painting, performance, sculpture, video and sound art. The exhibition is in the Griffin Galleries on the fourth floor. 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago mcachicago.org/ exhibitions

THRU SEPT. 6: “Bisa Butler: Portraits” at the Art Institute of Chicago Butler uses fabric to construct images of Black life. The quilts engage with themes such as family, community, migration and more. Ticket prices vary depending on area of residency. An exhibition ticket is not required to view “Bisa Butler: Portraits,” but guests must join the virtual line. 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago rtic.edu/exhibitions THRU SEPT. 6: Immersive Van Gogh Experience After debuting in Toronto, the Immersive Van Gogh

experience is opening in Chicago. The hour long, walk-through exhibit features more than 50 projectors showing Van Gogh’s works including “The Starry Night,” “Irises” and more, and music by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi. Ticket prices for the digital art exhibition start at $39.99 for adults and $24.99 for children 16 or younger. 108 W. Germania Place, Chicago vangoghchicago.com OPENS MARCH 7: Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes at the Museum of Science and Industry Explore Marvel history with

artifacts including original comic book pages, costumes and props from the movies and more. The exhibit, running until Oct. 24, allows guests to learn about how characters have evolved over time.

An additional ticket must be purchased to experience this exhibit.

Tickets cost $18 for adults and $14 for children ages 3-11. 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago msichicago.org MARCH 11: Erie Neighborhood House: Future of Promise Erie Neighborhood House supports immigrant and low-income families in Chicago through

programming and resources for children and youth, mental health, adult education, legal services and more. Their Future of Promise virtual event on Thursday, March 11 at 6 p.m. will allow you to hear from their community and all event donations will support the services and programs they offer. eriehouse.org/ future-of-promise-2021 MARCH 11: Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana: 2021 Tribute to Achievement The annual dinner is shifting online this year to award individuals and

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COURTESY OF LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO, AMERICAN RED CROSS, JUSTIN BARBIN (THE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE)

2020/21 SEASON: Lyric Opera of Chicago To begin the second half of its 2020/21 season, Lyric Opera of Chicago is premiering previously announced programs and new spring experiences virtually.

Offerings include “Sole e Amore,” “Twilight: Gods,” The Sonata Sessions and more, featuring the Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Lyric Opera Chorus, Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and artists from around the world. lyricopera.org/shows/ upcoming

COURTESY OF ART ON THE MART & ADLER PLANETERIUM

Art on theMART

companies. Girl scouts, honorees, and special guests will share a defining moment that changed their lives.

The chapter will honor Carrie Hightman with the Luminary Award, the Polk Brothers Foundation with the “Girl Scout’s Own Award” and Sidley Austin LLP with the corporate award. The event begins at 6 p.m. pjhchicago.com

COURTESY OF LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO, AMERICAN RED CROSS, JUSTIN BARBIN (THE FRIENDS EXPERIENCE)

COURTESY OF ART ON THE MART & ADLER PLANETERIUM

REOPENS MARCH 17: The Friends Experience Explore the popular TV show when The Friends Experience reopens March 17. The experience will run through May 31 and is complete with set-recreations, original props, costumes and more. Tickets are $35 plus tax for a timed entry to visit the 12 rooms and activations.

540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago friendstheexperience. com/chicago

April 1-30, and then at 9 and 9:30 p.m. May 1-Aug. 31. It is best viewed from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells St. and Franklin St. artonthemart.com OPENS APRIL 7: “Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition” at the Museum of Science and Industry As the longest running exhibit of African-American art in the country, “Juried Art Exhibition” showcases over 100 pieces by professional artists and local student artists. This year an online gallery will also be available for those unable to visit in person.

The Black Creativity Innovator Gallery will feature five leaders in

recipient is Gary Sinise, an actor and humanitarian who is being honored for his efforts on behalf of military families. alplm.org APRIL 17: Northern Illinois Food Bank Fight Hunger 5K/10K To fight against hunger during the pandemic, the Northern Illinois Food Bank is hosting a 5k and 10k that can be completed virtually or in-person in Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

Registration proceeds go toward providing groceries for people in Northern Illinois. Adult registration is $45, and youth 12 and under is $25. 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton secure.qgiv.com

MARCH 19-21: Shamrock Shuffle The race is moving virtual this year and includes an 8K run, 2-mile walk or The Mile. The registration fee is $30 and includes race apparel and digital resources. shamrockshuffle.com OPENS APRIL 1: Art on theMART In collaboration with Adler Planetarium, “Art on theMART” is bringing the show “Astrographics” to the Chicago Riverwalk. The piece will include four movements — Earth, Other Worlds, Stars and Beyond — and it will explore the ways humans visualize their universe and how that has changed over time.

The 30-minute program will be shown for free nightly at 8:30 and 9 p.m.

an onsite gallery and video interviews. The exhibition is included in general admission tickets. 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago msichicago.org/explore APRIL 13: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation: Lincoln Leadership Prize Ceremony The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation will host its Lincoln Leadership Prize Ceremony virtually. The 2021 prize

APRIL 22: Leadership Greater Chicago Celebrate Leaders: A Celebration of Community This annual event recognizes LGC Fellows, community leaders and organizations who’ve made a significant impact on the greater Chicago region.

This year, Allstate is the corporate chair and JPMorgan Chase will receive the Corporate Civic Leadership Award.

Additionally, Sol Flores, deputy governor of Illinois, will receive

Lyric Opera

the Distinguished Fellow Award and Civic Consulting Alliance will receive the Civic Catalyst Award. Proceeds from the event will support LGC’s Signature Fellows Program. lgcchicago. org/celebrateleaders APRIL 22: Start Early Luncheon The luncheon will take the form of a 45-minute virtual show from 12-12:45 p.m. this year. Start Early’s focus is investing in early childhood education through professional development, early learning programs and more. The show will feature stories from individuals sharing their journeys to success. startearly.org APRIL 23: Clearbrook 33rd Annual Shining Star Ball Clearbrook provides opportunities, services and supports for people with disabilities. This year the group’s Shining Star Ball will be held virtually on April 23 at 6:30 p.m. and will include an update on how the pandemic has affected the individuals the organization serves and the impact of supporters. Of every dollar raised, 92% goes toward programs and services. clearbrook.org APRIL 29: American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast American Red Cross will honor local heroes

who contributed to their community in various categories. The breakfast will take place virtually Thursday, April 29. Scott Falk will posthumously receive the Heritage Award in addition to heroes in 11 other fields. www.redcross.org/local/illinois THRU APRIL 30: Joffrey Ballet & Action Lines for 150 Media Stream “Interim Avoidance” features six dancers experiencing loneliness and solitude who launch into movement. The video installation is the

MAY 11: Rush Woman’s Board Annual Luncheon The annual luncheon will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 11 at 11 a.m. It will include a musical welcome, introductions, and remarks and a Q&A with Cindy McCain.

McCain will share about her experiences as a humanitarian, philanthropist and businesswoman and how those roles have shaped her. The luncheon will raise funds to support the medical center’s programs. thewomansboard.org

The Friends Experience

inaugural work by the Chicago-based production company Action Lines, in collaboration with The Joffrey Ballet.

It can be viewed Monday through Friday 8-9:30 a.m. and 4:30-8 p.m., and Saturday 1-7 p.m.

150 N. Riverside Plaza, Chicago 150mediastream.com

MAY 26: City Year Chicago Ripples of Hope Celebration Join City Year in a virtual celebration as they honor Paula Gold-Williams, President and CEO of CPS Energy, as well as the dedicated service of their 90 AmeriCorps members who help Chicago students succeed through mentorship. cityyear.org

BETTER EVENTS For the latest events and local highlights, visit better.net/chicago/arts-events

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Better Makers

R ECO G N IZI N G CH I C AG O ’ S E V E RY DAY H E RO E S A N D T H E I R I N CR E D I B L E I M PAC T

EDITED BY ALIYAH ARMSTRONG & MACAIRE DOUGLAS

CHILDREN’S HOME & AID GENERATES MORE THAN $72,000 FOR FAMILIES IN NEED Doing #WhateverItTakes to help families during this challenging time Children’s Home & Aid’s Holiday Campaign raised revenue to support its mission to create hope, opportunity and bright futures for children, youth and families. In addition to the $72,000 raised, the organization also received pledges for over $35,000 and more than 200 gift cards were donated.

At the Donor Town Hall on Dec. 10, CEO Mike Shaver gave an introduction to the group’s work and the impact Covid-19 has had on the families they serve. The event also featured an educational panel, and staff shared how partners’ dollars are benefiting the children and families experiencing increased need during the pandemic.

Children’s Home & Aid is still raising funds to help families this winter and beyond. To learn how you can make a difference, visit: childrenshomeandaid.org/chicagoholidaycampaign.

IMPACT The funds raised during the Holiday Campaign provide gifts and essential items to Chicago-area families in need, giving them a brighter holiday season.

Scott Early Learning Center

SPONSORS INCLUDE: ABBOTT, Aon, Allstate, Bank of America, BMO Harris Bank, Chicago White Sox Community Fund, Discover Financial Services, Exelon, Kirland and Ellis, JPMorgan Chase, Northern Trust, Pritzker

Foundation, Wintrust, and more.

Tara Harper, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

WANT MORE? For more inspiring success stories, matching grant opportunities, deserving nonprofits to support, and easy ways you can help those in need right now, visit better.net/philanthropy.

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Theresa Stern with her guide dog Wills

IMPACT Together, Cradles to Crayons, Make It Better Foundation and other generous supporters helped provide 3,525 coats to Chicago-area children in need.

CRADLES TO CRAYONS AND MAKE IT BETTER FOUNDATION Warming hearts and hands during the Gear Up for Winter campaign Cradles to Crayons, a recipient of the 2019 PA Judges’ Distinction Award, supplies children from birth to age 12 with basic necessities, helping mitigate clothing insecurity in Chicago. Before the pandemic, approximately 225,000 Chicagoland kids experienced poverty, and this number has since increased.

In December, the Make It Better Foundation matched dollar for dollar, up to $16,000, to help Cradles to Crayons provide 3,500 children with new coats this winter. The Gear Up for Winter campaign aimed to provide 37,000 Chicagoland kids with new and like-new warm clothes and essential hygiene items.

The need for donations is ongoing. If you would like to help, visit cradlestocrayons.org.

HORIZONS FOR YOUTH RAISES OVER $300,000 FOR STUDENTS WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT Helping students achieve their full potential Horizons for Youth’s 21st annual On Cloud Nine event raised funds to help break education barriers for students. Over 100 guests from around the country attended the Feb. 6 virtual event that focused on learning how past donations have helped members.

Guests got to hear from Executive Director Greg Borkowski and Horizons for Youth members such as the Patterson-Moss family, which was a highlight of the event. The family, and one of their children’s mentors, spoke about Horizons for Youth’s impact on their lives — all four kids are now in high school and middle school and are long-term participants. The event also included a live raffle for donors and a youth talent show where students showed off their skills.

Horizons is a former Philanthropy Award winner, and is still seeking donations to support its efforts. Horizons-for-youth.org

Xxx

IMPACT Funds raised went to Horizon for Youth’s need-based scholarship program for educational mentorships, helping students of all academic ability levels and ages.

SPONSORS INCLUDE: ERNST & YOUNG, Sidley Austin LLP, Artemis Design, Jackson National Life Insurance Company, RCP Advisors, Rex Carton Company, Value Industrial Partners, Stern Cassello & Associates, Vogue Tyre & Rubber Company, William Blair and more.

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Obsessing Over

13 New Chicago Pizza Pizzas There’s more to life than deep dish.

O

BY JULIE CHERNOFF

bsessing about pizza is not new to me. Growing up in Michigan, I was all about Buddy’s Detroit-style pizza, the crispy-airy-cheesy crust, spicy pepperoni nestled under a swath of mozzarella and brick cheeses, with a lick of sweet tomato sauce layered on top.

I could even occasionally appreciate the journeyman Little Caesar’s at a friend’s bowling birthday party (it was a thing), or a Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza after school. College in Connecticut exposed me to sheet-pan-sized, blister-crusted New Haven-style pizza (Sally’s and Modern Apizza were the play there), and then it was on to big, sloppy, foldable slices in NYC, eaten on the run — sometimes even in the (gulp!) subway. A stint working for Wolfgang Puck in San Francisco introduced me to California-style pies and hip toppings like smoked salmon with crème fraîche, or shrimp with cilantro pesto. Finally, my family settled here in Chicago, which 30 years ago was the land of deep-dish and tavern-style pizza. I’ve put in the miles.

Bill’s Tavern Pizza

partner Christine Cikowski — of Avondale’s wildly successful Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Sunday Dinner Club. But I’m telling you right now that he has devoted his life to the study of pizza, and he is a veritable shaman of pizza cuisine. Sure, we all grew up loving pizza, happily consuming it at birthday parties, Little League banquets, cast parties and the like.

But for Kulp, whose father was an excellent home cook who made fresh pizza dough from scratch, it became something bigger.

“Pizza has a couple of elements that drive me crazy and keep me coming back for more,” says Kulp. “The life of pizza dough is endlessly fascinating to me: how it’s proofed, rested, shaped, and cooked all have an effect on the final product.

Toppings are fun, of course, but it’s all about the crust for me.

Each batch is its own event.”

During the pandemic, pizza has proliferated.

Michelin-starred chefs, Indian restaurants, and ghost kitchens alike have turned to pizza.

Creative toppings abound; established pizza restaurants are

Fold Pizza Co. Margherita Pie

trying on new styles, and pizza has been added to a few surprising menus around town. It travels well, reheats beautifully, fits most budgets, and loves a good pass-through window. Chicago, once known mainly for its casserole-style deep-dish, now supports and welcomes pizza in every form. The new crop of pizzerias (and restaurants now featuring pizza) is impressive in scope, encompassing these myriad pizza types from Detroit-style and NYC Slice to Sicilian- and tavern-style pies.

Kulp doesn’t favor one particular style over another, and he’s no snob. Whether the pizza is from a newbie or long-time stalwart, as long as the ingredients are treated with respect and the dough well made, he’s a fan. His food-exploration travels have taken him all over the United States, and he always makes time to discover the best pizza joints

NICK MURWAY (BILL’S TAVERN PIZZA)

I’m drawn to like-minded pizza obsessives. So, when I wanted to explore the newest pizzas Chicago has to offer, I turned to chef Josh Kulp. You may recognize Kulp as co-chef/owner – along with business

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NICK MURWAY (BILL’S TAVERN PIZZA)

wherever he goes. Kulp’s U.S. (non-Chicago) Top 5 are Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix), Pizzana (L.A.), Pizzeria Beddia (Philadelphia), Lucali (Brooklyn) and Razza (Jersey City). In town, he frequents Piece Pizza (New Haven style), Spacca Napoli (Neapolitan style), Vito & Nick’s and Marie’s Pizza (both tavern style), among others. He’s got some thoughts on some of Chicago’s newcomers as well.

Here’s a baker’s dozen we’d like you to add to your must-try list.

New York Style or Fuhgeddaboutit If you prefer your pizza New York Style (meaning big slices that can be eaten on the run, as long as you’ve got that all-important folding technique down), there are four new contenders in town. Kulp is bullish on Ryan Lee’s Fold Pizza Co., a pop-up that you follow on Instagram to find out what is available each week. “You can tell he’s obsessed with pizza,” says Kulp. “The sharp cheese, tangy and rich tomato sauce…it reminds me of Beddia, and that’s high praise.” Chef Lee sees Fold as his outlet to practice his passion and thinks of it as more of a “thin-crust Jersey slice, with just enough crackle when you bite into it,” but still foldable. The best part? The pizzas are free, as long as you make a donation to the featured charity, which in the past has included hunger relief (Greater Chicago Food Depository, No Kid Hungry) and racial justice (My Block My Hood My City) and mental health awareness (Hope for the Day, NAMI). Doing good and eating great pizza at the same time is a warm feeling in these cold times.

Kulp also recommends the new pandemic pizza window at Paulie Gee’s Logan Square, where they’ve added New York-style slices to their repertoire. The concept has proven so popular that they’ve just opened Paulie Gee’s Wicker Park Slice Shop (in the former Bonci Wicker Park space). You can order whole pies as well as slices, chosen from a display case you can see from the sidewalk and reheated in one of their big electric PizzaMaster ovens. Pazza Pizza in Old Town is also serving up thin-crusted, super-cheesy slices of deliciousness — of course, whole pies are an option, but we’re talking big, New Yawk slices here — and while you can’t go wrong with plain cheese, the Buffalo Chicken & Bacon is a tantalizing option as well.

Rounding out the bunch is Pizza Lobo, another option in pizza-rich Logan Square. Dan Snowden (of

the late, lamented Bad Hunter) gives his sourdough pizza crust a few days of cold fermentation before creating these masterpieces. The white-sauce pizza with Brussels sprouts, pancetta, red onion, pecorino and charred lemon honey is among the many offerings worth your attention.

Tavern Style: South Side, Represent One of Lettuce Entertain You’s two new virtual pizza concepts is Bill’s Original Tavern Pizza, inspired by the South Side tavern-style pizza of RPM Restaurants’ partner Bill Rancic’s youth. He partnered with Pizzeria Portofino’s chef Sam Dickstein to create a totally different pizza then the Neapolitan style offered at Portofino. This is a thin-crusted, square-cut pizza reminiscent of Vito & Nick’s, and like there, the Italian Sausage pie is king with its herby notes of fennel and oregano and a whole lot of cheese — Lugano mozzarella, in this case. Order for delivery, or to carry out at Pizzeria Portofino’s host stand in Chicago, or at Bub City in Rosemont.

It’s easy to figure out what’s on the menu at Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream, where they hit on the three most important food groups. But this Bridgeport place, which started out making big Sicilian-style slices, has switched to cracker-thin, tavern-style pizza. Order online for pickup or delivery; start with cheese and build your dream combo from there. The sausage gets high marks.

A New Chicago Deep Dish Deemed “amazing” and “a true labor of love”

by Kulp, Milly’s Pizza in the Pan is named for chef Robert Maleski’s beloved grandma, and his pizza style inspired by the late Burt Katz’ legendary deepdish pies with its perfectly caramelized crust, each slice a meal in itself.

Maleski is working out of a ghost kitchen in Logan Square, the new epicenter of Chicago pizza. He’s doing it all himself, and it’s a labor-intensive process, so hours — and pizzas — are

limited. But Kulp says it’s well worth the effort, each “amazing” pizza adorned with “great toppings and a bright, beautiful tomato sauce.” Vegetarians will love the Clickbait, loaded with Castelvetrano olives, red onion, mushrooms, mini peppers, kumato tomatoes, jalapeño, Calabrian chilis and fresh ricotta cheese.

When in Chicago, Do as the Romans Do If you’re looking for a fabulous, non-traditional calzone, head to Superkhana International for their famous rendition with butter chicken. But visit Superkhana’s side window for their new pandemic pizza pop-up, Pizza Finestra (“pizza window” in Italian), where they’re serving up Roman-style pizza (think Bonci) to great acclaim. “This is crispy, Old World-style Italian pizza, with plenty of olive oil in the crust,” says Kulp, reverently. “It’s like an art project.” Toppings on the long oval pies are purposefully spare to let the crust shine, as in the Pizza Bianca (just olive oil and salt), the Pizza Rossa (brushed with a perfect tomato sauce), or the Pizza Con Patate e Rosmarino, the classic Roman topping of thinly sliced potato, onion and rosemary.

The Arch

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B Square Pizza Mikey B’s Pizza

Detroit, Pizza City Lettuce Entertain You gets (virtually) into the game with this late entry into Chicago’s crowded Detroit-style pizza market. B Square Pizza is the result of a partnership between Saranello’s executive chef Michael Brownell and LEYE chef/partner Mychael Bonner (Saranello, Di Pescara, Petterino’s), looking to create a light and airy deep-dish crust with crispy edges and the classic Detroit blend of mozzarella, Wisconsin brick and parmesan cheeses. These are BIG pies, with the 12” yielding 16 pieces (feeds 3-4), and the 16” (25 pieces, feeds 5-6). You can order for delivery, or pick up at Osteria Stato in River North, or at Sarnello’s in Wheeling. We opted for delivery and devoured the Mike B’s Special, loaded with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, shaved onions, olives, and pickled peppers. There were no survivors.

Cheffed-Up Sicilian Style The nomenclature is a little tricky: is it Grandma-Style or SicilianStyle pizza? The shape is similar, as both are stretched into a rectangular metal pan that’s been anointed with a fair amount of olive oil. But the Grandma pie is so named because the Italian nonna Fold Pizza Co. Pepperoni and Mushroom.

didn’t have time for the longer fermentation of the Sicilian pizza pie — she had to feed her family! The Grandma has a thinner crust, and the garlicky tomato sauce is traditionally ladled with a heavier hand. I think of Sicilian-style pizza as more of a restaurant pie; the dough gets a longer fermentation, and though thicker, the best of them will sport a crispy exterior crust with a light and pillowy interior. The Sicilian is also substantial enough that you can really go to town with the toppings, and these two new versions come from chefs with a Michelin pedigree.

Michelin Bib Gourmand-winner Table, Donkey and Stick had never offered pizza before the pandemic, but it had been making its own crusty breads and serving up gorgeous boards with unctuous cheeses and house-made charcuterie since it opened. Pizza – the ultimate take-out and delivery food – was a pivot, and it has proven a valuable one.

The dough is long fermented, with just the right amount of chew. Intriguing options include the ‘Nduja, topped with house-made spreadable salame, smoked onions, and mushrooms, or perhaps the Eggplant and Spinach with smoked eggplant “caviar,” spinach, and Calabrian pepper.

Ukrainian Village newcomer Pizza Friendly Pizza is a collaboration between restaurant group 16” on Center and two-star Michelin chef Noah Sandoval (Oriole, Kumiko). “This one is super delicious,” says Kulp. “It’s truly its own style, and he’s put a lot of effort into that gorgeous crust.” The pizza, available by the slice or as a whole pie, is served through a carryout window in the tradition of most great street food. These are thick, square Sicilian pan slices but with plenty of loft, and you can taste the welcome tang of fermentation in the crust. Fabulous combos like the Fig & Pig (confit pork, roasted figs, caramelized onions, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar), The Apple of My Pie (apple, Gouda cheese, caramelized onion, thyme, and hot honey), and the charred Pepperoni and Basil (made with Ezzo’s pepperoni, fresh burrata, and basil) will keep you coming back to see what else Sandoval has up the sleeve of his chef coat.

The Hybrid The Arch, a DMK restaurant, just opened inside The Railway Exchange in the South Loop. Brian Huston (The Publican, Boltwood) is the executive chef, and along with baker Matt Pontarelli (Boltwood, Publican Quality Bread), has created a hybrid pizza with nods to Chicago, Roman and Detroit styles — but this is no Frankenstein creation. It’s a carefully researched and developed pie that will push all your buttons. The sourdough crust is fermented for a few days, the crushed tomatoes are from Chris Bianco (of Pizzeria Bianco fame), and the toppings are locally sourced whenever possible. These pizza rounds can be bought piping hot on site or via delivery; you can also opt for the take-and-bake option. Our White Pizza, topped with mozzarella, ricotta, pecorino, garlic, and basil, came out of our home oven all puff y-crispy crusted and gloriously cheesy, the perfect kickoff for our stay-at-home Super Bowl viewing.

You’ll fi nd another hybrid-style pizza at Lefty’s Pizza Kitchen, which after three tasty years in downtown Wilmette opened a more northern outpost in Highland Park earlier this year. They describe their pizza as pan-style, and it has elements of both Chicago- and Detroit-style pizza, sporting a caramelized cheesy crust like the latter, but round, like the former. Their most popular style is the BBQ Chicken Pizza, which starts with the made-fresh-daily crust, house-made BBQ sauce with a touch of sweetness, then strewn with plenty of cheese, roasted chicken, bacon, and onion. Bring. It. On.

Julie Chernoff, Better’s dining editor since its inception in 2007, graduated from Yale University with a degree in English — which she speaks fluently — and added a professional chef’s degree from the California Culinary Academy. She has worked for Boz Scaggs, Rick Bayless, and Wolfgang Puck (not all at the same time); and counts Northlight Theatre and Les Dames d’Escoffier International as two of her favorite nonprofits. She currently serves on the national board of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.

WANT MORE? Looking for more great places to eat?

Satisfy your cravings at better.net/food-drink.

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Chicago Home

F RO M B E AU T I F U L B U I L DS A N D S T U N N I N G

M A K EOV E R S TO TO P T R E N DS A N D R E A LTO R I N S I G H T S

In the front hallway, Staszak kept the original black and white tiles and updated the space with graphic wallpaper by Relativity Textiles. She had the front door painted a glossy black.

PRINTS CHARMING Designer Claire Staszak’s Chicago bungalow is both chic and family-friendly.

PHOTO CREDIT

BY LAURA HINE PHOTOS BY KEVIN PENCZAK

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Chicago Home / BACKSTORY

With a toddler at home, Staszak replaced the marble coffee table in the living room with a faux-leather ottoman that opens up for storage.

C

laire and Luke Staszak bought a Tudor bungalow in 2016 knowing a couple of things: first, the house needed a lot of work; second, it wasn’t their forever home, so they had to be careful to not overimprove the house for the neighborhood. The house, which was built in 1932, “was a diamond in the rough, with good bones and lots of character,” Claire says. “But, it definitely needed updating in every room.”

As the owner and founder of Centered by Design (centeredbydesign.com), which she started in 2015, Claire was in a great position to update the house both for her family

and as a showcase for her design talents.

(Professionally, she has designed residential and commercial interiors throughout Chicagoland, as well as vacation homes in Michigan and Florida). The couple started with the first floor, which included a very dated kitchen. “If this was a 10-year home for us, I would have enlarged the space,” Claire says. “Instead, we decided to work within the original footprint.” The couple fully gutted the kitchen and updated it with resale in mind. “We did a lot of things that are designersavvy, like butcher-block countertops that are amazing, but a little lower in cost,” she recalls.

Designing for family life

In 2018, Claire and Luke welcomed their daughter, Willa. Once she began to toddle around the house, some of the design decisions Claire had originally made needed to be revised. “The first thing we did was get rid of the marble coffee table in the living room,” Claire says. “We changed it to an ottoman that’s covered in faux leather, so it never stains, it’s easy to wipe down and it opens up for a ton of storage.” It was also significantly softer and less dangerous than hard stone with sharp corners. But overall, the couple decided not to radically change the house’s design because they were parents. “Live with

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The cheerful play stove was a hand-me-down from a cousin; it originally came from Pottery Barn. The art above the stove Staszak found at a Santa Fe flea market.

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Chicago Home / BACKSTORY

what you love is my philosophy,” Claire says, noting that she absorbed this tenet during an apprenticeship at Nate Berkus Interiors. “We try to be practical, but it’s not worth living in fear all the time.” With that in mind, the white area rug and white curtains stayed. The rug is a very practical one-hundred-percent wool.

The only major incident they had involved a guest and full glass of red wine—definitely not Willa’s fault—and it cleaned up beautifully.

Chairs covered in a mohair and a sofa that has been recovered in a cotton velvet are similarly durable and held up to family living.

Bringing in a touch of nature

Last summer, Claire got the itch to redecorate two of the home’s main spaces. Like all of us, the family had spent a lot of time indoors during the pandemic, and they were ready for a change of interior scenery. The

dining room was typical of a Chicago bungalow in that you pass through it to get to the rooms at the back of the house. During the initial renovation, Claire placed the table and light fixture off-center to allow for easy passage, but she didn’t feel the dining room flowed with the living room. “I was feeling so stuck inside,” she says of the months that followed Chicago’s initial lockdown. “I wanted to feel nature, plus that room needed

The dining room is one of the living spaces that received a refresh during the pandemic, with new wallpaper, chairs and rug.

WANT MORE? For more home décor and design inspiration, expert advice from industry leaders, and stunning pieces by local artists, visit spacesmag.com.

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Chicago Home / BACKSTORY

a little more green to connect it to the living room.” Raphael wallpaper by Sandberg as well as new chairs and curtains gave the room a total refresh and related it to the living room’s green chairs.

The second space that Claire tackled was her former office, which is right off the kitchen and now serves as three-year-old Willa’s playroom. “We don’t have a finished basement, so it’s nice to have a playroom,” Claire says. “And since red is Willa’s favorite color, I thought it would be fun to design around that.” The Carly wallpaper by Schumacher starts with an orangey red, mixes in floral elements and lands in a bright, happy place that’s playful enough for a child but not cloying for the adults who also spend considerable time in the room. “I was ready for something a little bolder,” Claire explains, “and I knew that wallpaper was going to make me happy. I was eager to bring in a little more joy!” To finish the room, Claire added a simple shelving unit with baskets to corral the clutter in the chicest possible way and a custom chandelier from Sullivan + Phenix.

Overall, the process was joyful – and not just because the Staszaks had become a family of three. “For these updates, I really felt free,” Claire says. “I’ve grown as a designer, and this felt like a chance to use that confidence.”

The suitcase that provides a vintage touch in the living room belonged to Luke’s grandmother. It held everything she took with her to college. Right: Claire and her daughter Willa work together at the art table in the colorful playroom.

Laura Hine is a design and style writer based in Chicago. She's a former editor-in-chief of Better, as well as the Modern Luxury publications CS Interiors and NS.

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! spacesmag.com/subscribe

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Ref lections

Braving the Outdoors

Despite the cold, Midwesterners understand the importance of getting outdoors, at all costs. A brave paddle boarder was captured early this winter by photographer Jessica Kaplan: “Fresh snowfall on a mild January day lured me out to Wilmette’s Gillson Park to capture the white splendor. As a I trudged from the beach toward the empty harbor, I spied a lone daring paddle boarder creating a gentle wake in the water. I knew that if I was going to capture something special, I would need to be patient. So I waited – and watched. And then I heard the music. Ennio Morricone’s iconic soundtrack from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” emanating from a small speaker on his board. The fearless cowboy in the distance went back and forth several times, giving me ample opportunity to document his fortitude on this picturesque morning.”

Jessica Kaplan Photography offers portraits, headshots and fine art prints. jessicakaplanphoto.com WANT MORE? See our Instagram at @betterchicago

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