Make It Better January 2014

january 2014

the

w 20 el 14 ln H e ea pa s s lt g g H e u & 31 id e

Power issue

Bright Pink Founder Lindsay Avner

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contents VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3

JANUARY 2014

features

25 31 46 51 58 66

Feel the Power

By Julie Chernoff, Coco Keevan, Susan B. Noyes and Meghan Streit 2014 Health & Wellness Guide

By Christy Coughlin, Coco Keevan, Susan Pasternak and Lindsay Roseman Do Cruises Float Your Boat?

By Andrea Guthmann Office Space

By Laura Hine RUSH Into Winter Fashion

By Evangeline Politis

25

31

46

51

58

66

27 Live Needs Your Love

By Julie Chernoff

on our cover Lindsay Avner, founder of Bright Pink Photo by John Reilly

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34 63

80

family

dining & entertainment

32

68

34 38 40 43

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Moo-ve Over 2 Percent!

By Lindsay Roseman How Molly Became the Most Popular Girl in School

By Coco Keevan 7 Tips to Improve Your Health Today

By Christy Coughlin Juicing Your Way to Better Health

By Susan Pasternak The Cacari Berry A superfood you need to know about

By MIBS Power Up With Core Strength

By Christy Coughlin

70 72

Power Restaurants

By Julie Chernoff Best Books for Book Club

By Kelly Konrad Theatre is the Cure for the Winter Blues

By Robert Loerzel

make a difference

76 80

Better Makers and Their Impact SASI Knows There’s No Place Like Home for Seniors

By Coco Keevan

in every issue

a better you

10

editor’s letter

14

you said it

62

16

new in the northern suburbs

18

recommended events

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events listing

22

make it better column

57

tech mamma lounge

71

music by val

74

give time, give things, give support

82

closing thoughts

63 64

Nanny Taxes: What You Need to Know

By Meghan Streit Serums: The Power of Moisture

By Jenny Muslin 5 Ways Power Affects Sex and Marriage

By Marjie Killeen

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Carrying forward the best of magazine

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Make It Better is to be the most-trusted, easiestto-use community resource and magazine that helps you make your life, and the lives of others, better.

Make It Better North Shore (ISSN No. 2151-0431) is published 12 times per year by Make It Better LLC, 588 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093. Phone: 847.256.4642. Copyright 2014 by Make It Better LLC. All rights reserved.

Application to Mail at Periodicals Rates is pending at Wilmette, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Make It Better, 588 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093. Make It Better is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Copyright 2014 by Make It Better LLC. All rights reserved.

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E di tor’s l Et t E r

power from the people by julie chernoff

For those of you wondering why I am a cartoon character, it’s because I am continuing as Dining Editor of the magazine and need to maintain some semblance of anonymity!

Also because it’s cool to have an avatar.

HAPPY NEW YEAr! I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there’s a new editor in town, and now that I’ve got a little bit of power, what should I do?

First of all, I’ll take some pointers and Feel the Power (p. 25) emanating from our wonderful feature subjects. Next, I’ll read up on how to take care of myself—and my family—in our Annual Family Health Guide (p. 31). Then, I’ll deal with my personal life and learn what to wear by checking our readers’ favorites from the RUSH Fashion Show (p. 58); how to create the perfect home Office Space (p. 51); and where to eat to see and be seen (p. 68). The timing of this issue couldn’t be better!

Honestly, I’m thrilled to be the new Editor in Chief of Make It Better, which I truly believe to be the best local lifestyle magazine around. If reading our magazine empowers you to learn something new about yourself or your community—whether it’s a new strategy for coping with stress or a vacation idea, a new restaurant or a worthy nonprofit organization that needs your attention—then we’ve fulfilled our goal as a trusted resource.

Working with such a dynamic group of writers, editors and artists makes me feel so very blessed… and that’s a powerful feeling.

Thank you,

money raised for not-for-profit organizations: $2,044,065

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january 2014

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The Power of

Precision Cancer Treatment Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) now offers expanded genomic tumor assessment, a form of precision medicine that may identify cancer treatment options some patients haven’t previously considered. This innovation reveals the DNA alterations that are driving the growth of a cancer, which better enables us to provide cancer treatment therapies that target changes in the tumor’s genomic profile.

At CTCA®, we believe that every family, every patient, and every tumor deserves a personalized treatment plan. Genomic tumor assessment is helping us better understand individual tumors, right down to their unique genetic composition, taking personalized treatment to a new level of care.

If you or a loved one has complex or advanced-stage cancer, call 1-800-950-2822 or visit cancercenter.com.

Located in North Suburban Chicago (Zion, IL), just off I-94 and easily accessible by Metra.

© 2013 Rising Tide

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ON L I N E

OUR BETTER HALF IS ONLINE

click to win: power up with powerocks!

Charge your mobile devices on the go with this pocketsized portable power charger. Its 2800mAh battery capacity yields two full charges for your smartphone, so you’ll never be caught dead again! Enter to win one of four Powerocks portable chargers (compatible with Apple, Samsung, Blackberry and most mobile devices)

pinspiration

Our followers can’t get enough of these pins. Follow Make It Better on Pinterest to repin your faves and read more.  PINTEREST.COM/MAKEITBETTERMAG

 DOWNLOAD OUR FREE IPAD EDITION OR VISIT MAKEITBETTER.NET/POWEROCKS.

what’s hot on makeitbetter.net

We LOVE this idea for a headboard: Cover most of the wall with plush upholstered silk for a sleek, modern look.

ORGANIZED HOME

Dirty Secret No More: Junk Drawer Clean Up

habits of happy high schoolers

FOOD & DRINK

Michelin Chicago Guide 2014: The Ratings Are In! FASHION & BEAUTY

Finals are quickly approaching… Is your teen feeling the pressure? National experts and local parents share their best tips to help your child de-stress and stay positive.

The Best Products for a Faux Glow BEAUTIFUL HOME

Should You Move from the Suburbs to the City?

 MAKEITBETTER.NET/HAPPYTEENS

Warm up with these 4 soup recipes from North Shore chefs!

download make it better on your iPad Each month, our free iPad app is packed with cool interactive features, bonus iPadexclusive content, videos and much more.

Download the app now.  MAKEITBETTER.NET/IPAD

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JANUARY 2014

DIY beauty treatment we love: priming lip scrub. Click for 5 more homemade, all-natural product recipes.

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S U B S C R I B E TO O U R B ET T E R L ET T E R — A B I W E E K LY E M A I L N E WS L E T T E R — FO R U P -T O -T H E- M I N U T E T I P S , TRENDS AND THINGS TO DO.  MAKEITBETTER.NET/BETTER-LETTER

the sunday letter This Better Letter will arrive in your inbox on Sunday, and it will be full of articles to make your life easier and better. Articles will cover topics like: family home health recipes education

the wednesday letter This Better Letter will arrive in your inbox on Wednesday evening, and it will focus on fun for the weekend. Articles will cover topics like: where to go new restaurants to try what’s happening in the northern suburbs and Chicago quick & easy ways to make a difference fashion & beauty

sneak peek at upcoming topics Negotiating Step Parenting Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet Home Shopping Parties The Best Drugstore Beauty Products Staying Fit in the New Year

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you s a i d i t

We love to HeaR fRom You, So PleaSe keeP Sending uS YouR StoRieS, commentS, oPinionS, ideaS and RevieWS! facebook

tWitteR

facebook.com/ makeitbetter.net

@makeitbetterNS

email

online

susan@makeitbetter.net

makeitbetter.net

A note from a concerned reader, excerpted below: RegaRding “So YouR HuSband WatcHeS PoRn” (novembeR, 2013):

editoR-in-cHief’S ReSPonSe:

Betty, we understand your conPornograPhy may not have anything to do with the partner, your ar-

ticle said. It may be enjoyed together, it said. But I wish there would have been more homework done for this story.

Pornography won’t lessen because someone watches it with their spouse.

And it doesn’t make the real thing better. The sad truth is that pornography too easily can become addicting, as well as lead to other problems.

Despite its legal legs, the porn industry, in fact, aids and abets sex trafficking. Porn fuels trafficking and vice versa.

A National Geographic investigation highlighted how it’s not just career criminals in red-light districts who are luring down-and-out minors to sexual slavery. There is a growing swell of U.S. traffickers who are wealthy and “upstanding citizens” in suburban and rural America. Recently, someone from Glenview was arrested for this.

To say the least, I am very disappointed in the slant and direction of your article. Pornography doesn’t make it better.

—Betty Tessien, RN

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and thank you for writing such a thoughtful letter in response to Marjie Killeen’s recent Sex and the Suburbs column. Marjie shares your concerns. “I am absolutely against the sexual exploitation of anyone,” she tells me. “In fact, one of the main goals of the column is to give women information that empowers them… Porn is a huge, controversial topic, and [due to column constraints] I had to narrowly define the scope of my piece.”

She goes on to say, “All three women therapists were consistent…they recommended that women try to understand why and how their husband uses porn rather than react judgmentally… My column was based on their professional opinions, not my own.”

The intent of Marjie’s piece was to honestly address a question that she had been repeatedly asked to cover by her readers. It was in no way meant to justify or promote the porn industry, but simply to deal with a very real problem in the lives of some married couples. I think we all can agree that pornography can be exploitative, and that its proliferation on the Internet is cause for alarm.

—Julie Chernoff

cerns

Midwest CareCenter @midwestcarectr Proud to be honored on National Philanthropy Day by @makeitbetterNS with a Philanthropy Award for Health! Grateful for their support!

Megan Waugh @MeganWaugh It was so fun to meet the @makeitbetterNS crew today. So happy to be part of the award-winning team at @LitForAll! #MIBPhilanthropyAwards

Y.O.U. Evanston @YOUevanston We are so happy to be among the amazing organizations recognized by @makeitbetterNS! A million thank yous!

N’western Settlement @NUSettlement What a great way to celebrate #NationalPhilanthropyDay! Thank you for this award and your support, @makeitbetterNS!

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588 Lincoln Ave. Winnetka, IL, 60093 | 847-256-4642 Founder & CEO Susan B. Noyes Editor In Chief Julie Chernoff Digital Editor Lindsay Roseman Assistant Editor Anna Carlson Art Director Sarah Philippart Designer Lesley Smith Dining Editor Fashion Editor Finance Editor Fitness Editor Home Editor Senior Living Editor Sex & the Suburbs Editor

Julie Chernoff Evangeline Politis Meghan Streit Christy Coughlin Tate Gunnerson Stuart Greenblatt Marjie Killeen

Contributing Writers Val Haller Laura Hine Coco Keevan Kelly Konrad Robert Loerzel Jenny Muslin Susan Pasternak Kristina Tober Photographers John Reilly Scott Shigley Creative Director Cheryl Berman

Publisher Kimberly Carroll Co-Founder & Vice President of Marketing Mindy Fauntleroy Chief Operating Officer Sandy Tsuchida Ad Sales Manager Megan Holbrook Senior Account Executives Patti Augustyn Julie Carter Account Executives Jenny Newman Martha Sheridan Director of the Tech Mamma Lounge Christina Lundin

make it better foundation Director Sharon Krone Director of Community Development Denise Borkowski Editor Coco Keevan

Got feedback? Email susan@makeitbetter.net to advertise: Contact megan@makeitbetter.net Have an event? Email anna@makeitbetter.net

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FR E SH

BY JULIE CHERNOFF AND ANNA CARLSON

GLENVIEW GRIND GIVES BACK When Caribou Coffee closed its doors in Glenview, employees and loyal customers were devastated.

But the town wasn’t without local caffeine for long.

Glenview Grind opened in its place a few months later, and the espresso machines are manned by the same friendly faces locals had come to know at Caribou. This new coffee shop is also committed to giving back to the community. They donate all profits to local organizations and events, so you can feel good about getting that second coffee, tea, smoothie or tasty Meier’s Bakery pastry. GLENVIEW GRIND: 989 Waukegan Rd., Glenview, 847-729-0111, glenviewgrind.com—AC

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JANUARY 2014

GLENVIEW GARB Grace Yoon studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, interned at Burberry and worked as an Assistant Designer to Cynthia Rose. She then spent time with Lyell NYC before moving back to her hometown to introduce Ella Louvi, a new boutique open in The Glen Town Center. Purchase original clothing created by Grace, as well as sterling-silver jewelry designed by her friend, a private jeweler. Grace is committed to giving her customers the best in clothing, jewelry and beauty, so stop by and meet this charming local designer. ELLA LOUVI: 1879 Tower Drive, Glenview, 847-657-7571, ellalouvi.com—AC

THROW SOME PUNCHES New year, new workout! If you struggle to find time to work out or are bored with your regular routine, try 9Round in Northbrook. Opened by longtime Northbrook residents Linda Mayer and Abby Kurz, 9Round offers 30-minute kickboxing fitness programs that are changed daily. You never have to make an appointment, and your first workout is free. Love it? Pay $59 a month for unlimited workouts, a personal trainer, nutrition guide, nutritional support, gloves and hand wraps. What are you waiting for? Get in the ring!

9ROUND: 1007 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook, 224-235-4840, 9round.com —AC

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EACH BUSINESS

GOURMET STREET FOOD Tania Merlos-Ruiz went from selling her homemade empanadas at Evanston’s indoor Farmer and Artisan Food Market last winter to opening her own storefront this past fall—they’re just that good. And those delicious empanadas have company: soft tacos, burritos, gorditas, a mouth-watering Coconut Tres Leches cake, and even a Spanish Olive-Oil Cake with Pomegranate Sauce. The fillings you’ll find at Tomate Fresh Kitchen are out of the ordinary, too, including Yucca with Chimichurri, Caramelized Onions and Charred Poblanos, Chorizo and Black Bean, and Heirloom Pumpkin with Mole. So many yummy choices guarantee the necessity of a return visit! TOMATE FRESH KITCHEN: 914 K Noyes St., Evanston, 847-9050194, tomatefreshkitchen.com —JC

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e v e n ts

r e c o M M e n D e D

By anna carlson

New Year LifeStyle Fair January 8 | State of Illinois Building, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago chicagoevents.com a new year means new resolutions. no matter what you’ve committed to doing, the new year LifeStyle Fair, now in its eighth year, has experts to help you reach your goals.

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Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular u January 9 | North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie | northshorecenter.org Celebrate the King’s 79th birthday with this annual tribute concert. This year’s special guests are rock and roll Hall of Fame member DJ Fontana and Elvis’ award-winning back-up singers The Sweet Inspirations.

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editor’s pick Chicago with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra January 25 & 28 | Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago cso.org The Grammy award-winning band joins the Grammy award-winning orchestra to perform some of their most popular hits, including “If you Leave Me now,” “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long” and “Saturday in the Park.”

This special event is one you won’t want to miss.

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The Chicago 9 Sketch Comedy Festival January 9–19 | Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago | chicagosketchfest.com In its 13th year, this festival will have more than 150 shows and 800 performers in eight days. Don’t miss out on seeing some of the best sketch groups from around the country.

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Bubble Wonders January 11 | Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights | metropolisarts.com Bubble-ologist Geoff akins doesn’t just have fun with bubbles. He shares stories of life’s great lessons to teach kids how to be confident and persistent.

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Winter WonderFest 1 Through January 12 | Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago | winterwonderfest.com Get out of the cold and inside navy Pier for winter fun indoors. new attractions this year include Hot Cocoa Cups, Ice Line Express Zip Line and Snowman Bouncer.

But there are still favorites like the Chicago Blackhawks Indoor Ice Skating rink, Candy Cane Lighthouse and an indoor Ferris wheel.

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The 25th Annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival January 17-February 23 | PROP THTR, 3502 N. Elston Ave., Chicago | rhinofest.com Chicago’s longest-running fringe festival Jan

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gives you the chance to see local companies as well as national artists.

Day of Celebration 18 Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. January 18 | Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St., Evanston | cityofevanston.org Join the Evanston Children’s Choir, Evanston Community Drill Team and Christ Temple Praise Dancers to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through music, dance and excerpts from his speeches.

Jan

Weekend Family Class: 18 Hot Chocolate u January 18 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe | chicagobotanic.org Grab the kids and head out to learn about this favorite winter treat. you’ll mix several historic chocolate drinks and take home samples of chocolate mint and chocolate pepper to experiment with on your own.

Jan

Photos courtesy of DaviD M . earnisse anD north shore center for the PerforMing arts

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Commitment Day 5K January 1 | Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago | commitmentday.com Start the new year strong! This nationwide event is all about healthy living, and the 2014 race supports the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life. initiative.

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Polar Adventure Days 19 January 19 | Northerly Island, 1521 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago | chicagoparkdistrict.com Just because it’s winter in Chicago doesn’t mean you have to stay inside. See Siberian huskies and wolves, make nature-inspired winter crafts, enjoy music from the Old Town School of Folk Music, and, if there’s snow, explore the island on snowshoes.

BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN; TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFE TIME FITNESS

JAN

The Nureyev State Ballet Theatre Presents Sleeping Beauty January 26 | Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan | geneseetheatre.com For one day only, the Nureyev State Ballet Theatre, from Ufa, Russia, brings the beloved Sleeping Beauty to life.

2014 Family Snow Ball January 26 | Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago chicagochildrensmuseum.org This annual party includes a kid-friendly dinner, seasonal family programming and music by Lester Palmiano of the LooseLeaf Lounge. Money raised from the ball will allow the museum to provide transportation for families who would otherwise not be able to visit.

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The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Presents A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald January 31 | James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake | jlc.clcillinois.edu The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and New York Voices co-founder Kim Nazarian pay tribute to “The First Lady of Song” with arrangements not heard by live audiences in more than 40 years.

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Disney On Ice Let’s Celebrate!

31 Presents January 29-February 9 | United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago unitedcenter.com The gang’s all here! Join Mickey and Minnie, the Disney princesses and even the Disney villains for a celebration of holidays and festivals from around the world.

JAN

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e v e n ts l ist i ng

By anna carlson

The holidays are over, but Chicago’s winter is just beginning. Keep the winter blues away by taking advantage of one (or more!) of the many museums in the area. You can even visit some for free!

t Keep Calm and Carry On: Textiles on the Home Front in WWII Britain Through January 26 Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center | 9603 Woods Dr., Skokie ilholocaustmuseum.org State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda Through February The Field Museum | 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago | fieldmuseum.org

museum exhibits Beyond the Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges Opens January 2 The DuSable Museum of African-American History | 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago dusablemuseum.org Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence Through January 5 The Field Museum | 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago | fieldmuseum.org Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair Through January 5 Chicago History Museum | 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago | chicagohistory.org

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Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Through May 4 Museum of Science and Industry | 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago | msichicago.org Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair Through September 7 The Field Museum | 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago | fieldmuseum.org

more museums Chicago Children’s Museum 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago chicagochildrensmuseum.org Evanston History Center 225 Greenwood St., Evanston evanstonhistorycenter.org Lake County Discovery Museum 27277 N. Forest Preserve Rd., Wauconda lcfpd.org

Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art 40 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston blockmuseum.northwestern.edu National Museum of Mexican Art 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org Wilmette Historical Museum 609 Ridge Rd., Wilmette wilmettehistory.org

enjoy free days at...

The Art Institute of Chicago Every Thursday from 5–8 p.m. for Illinois residents Chicago Children’s Museum Every Thursday from 5–8 p.m.

First Sunday of every month for visitors 15 and younger The DuSable Museum of African-American History Every Sunday Mitchell Museum of the American Indian First Friday of every month Museum of Contemporary Art Every Tuesday for Illinois residents Museum of Science and Industry January 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-31 Shedd Aquarium January 6-7, 13-14, 19-21, 24-28 Swedish American Museum Second Tuesday of every month

photo courtesy of MuseuM of fine arts, Boston

Storyland Through January 6 Kohl Children’s Museum | 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview | kohlchildrensmuseum.org

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m a k e i t bet t e r colum n

the best route to business, community and personal success?

giving.

An interview with Adam Grant By susan B . noye s

professor ,

organizational psychologist, and author of The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller “give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success,” which posits that the most successful people are givers, not takers or matchers. His theories have intriguing implications for parents, schools, small businesses and communities, as well as for those climbing the corporate ladder. fo r pa r en t s SBN: What strategies do you recommend for parents to use with children and teens to teach them to be givers who succeed in school, at work and in life?

AG: For starters, i would look for acts of giving and helping from our children and change how we praise them. Research suggests that it’s powerful to shift from verbs to nouns. instead of saying, “That was such a helpful thing to do,” it’s better to say, “You are such a helpful person,” which leads children to internalize helping as part of their identities.

Also, role modeling is extremely important. Children and teens are more likely to give when their friends and family members give. Family giving activities, such as volunteering together, are an excellent step in this direction.

for local businesses SBN: Small, local businesses in our community and across the country work harder than ever to stay in business. They often are hit with several requests each week to donate to nonprofits. What recommendations do you have for them?

AG: My advice would be to give insofar as it doesn’t compromise their ability to pursue their goals and deliver on their commitments to their

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key stakeholders. To borrow an analogy from airlines, they need to secure their oxygen masks before coming to the assistance of others. i would also suggest giving where they can have a unique impact. This might mean volunteering to provide strategic advice or make connections, rather than giving money. for affluent communities SBN: Experts frequently claim that wealthier communities are less giving than poorer ones. if the most successful individuals are givers, why aren’t the wealthiest communities also the most generous? Do you have any recommendations to change these dynamics?

AG: i’ve been working on redefining giving; it’s not about philanthropy, but about whether you strive to help others without expecting anything in return. givers, by my definition, are more focused on succeeding in ways that benefit others than on accumulating wealth per se. There are many paths to wealth, and recent research shows that when people gain wealth, they tend to become more distant from those in need, which makes it harder to empathize. We can disrupt this pattern through more intergroup contact. We now have half a century of research demonstrating that when people have direct exposure to those in need, they cross the empathy chasm and become more motivated to help them.

Hear Adam Grant Speak Live January 7 and 8 make it better is proud to be the media sponsor of fan’s presentation of adam Grant (for more details, visit familyactionnetwork.net). for more information about Grant and his book, please visit giveandtake.com.

Photo courtesy of adam grant

adam Grant is a Wharton business school

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B Y J U L I E C H E R N O F F, C O C O K E E VA N , SUSAN B . NOYE S AND MEGHAN STREIT

What do a philanthropist, a theater director, an architect, a university president, a U.S. Senator and a business patriarch have in common? All have achieved powerful positions in their respective fields, and they use that power for good; they exemplify what true power should look like. It’s not simply the power of one that matters, but how they wield their considerable influence to make the world a better place to live. So whether they’ve passed legislation, raised money for a cure, earned a genius award, built a global business empire, or run a theater company or a world-class university, it’s with an eye to a better future for all of us.

For more in-depth power profiles, visit makeitbetter.net/power

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BY MEGHAN STREIT AT AGE 23, LINDSAY AVNER underwent a risk-reducing double mastectomy because her family history and genetic testing indicated she had a high chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Her great grandmother and grandmother both passed away after battling cancer, and as a young girl she watched her own mother fight the disease.

Avner, now 31, made a bold personal decision about her health, and that experience inspired her to arm other women with information to do the same for themselves. On the heels of her 2007 surgery, Avner founded Bright Pink, a nonprofit that educates women about

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early-detection support for those at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

In six years, Avner has grown Bright Pink into a powerful vehicle for female empowerment. With its $2 million annual budget, the organization provides 10 free programs, reaches 5 million people each year through educational outreach and has big-name corporate sponsors like Walgreen’s, the Chicago Bulls and eBay. “I was recently in New York and a Bright Pink billboard was occupying a whole corner in Times Square,” Avner says. “That was one of those moments when you pinch yourself.”

PHOTO BY JOHN REILLY PHOTOGRAPHY

Lindsay Avner Founder, Bright Pink

Avner says that one of the most gratifying aspects of her job is getting emails from women who have taken action to prevent cancer—possibly saving their lives—as a result of outreach from Bright Pink. Those emails used to come in every few months, and now Avner says she receives grateful messages on a daily basis from women whose lives she has touched.

At this stage in her career, Avner says she thinks power is synonymous with influence; and she is determined to continue using hers. “I look at influence as closing the gap between the problems and the solutions,” she says. “Creating urgency around prevention—I consider that as my life’s work.”

Over the years, Avner shares that she has received advice and support from a number of powerful people.

She counts Richelle Parham, chief marketing officer at eBay, Events 360 CEO Jeff Shuck, Matrix Psychological Services CEO Kurt Malkoff and Joan Hilson, former CFO of American Eagle Outfitters, among her mentors.

“I think the key to finding a good mentor is choosing someone who you feel comfortable with sharing your failures,” Avner says. “It’s not always about getting ahead; it’s also about sometimes being able to say, ‘This is a way I really screwed up.’”

With several years leading a successful nonprofit under her belt, Avner now finds herself in the position to dispense professional guidance. She mentors the women who work for her and three younger women whom she’s known for many years. Avner sets high standards for her employees, but once people prove themselves capable, she says, she trusts them implicitly.

“It’s incredible to see that you can shape young women’s lives,” Avner says.

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Lester Crown Chairman, Henry Crown & Company

Mark Kirk U.S. Senator

THE POWER OF

THE POWER OF

BY SUSAN B . NOYE S

BY SUSAN B . NOYE S

BUSINESS

PHOTO COURTESY OF LESTER CROWN, PHOTO OF MARK KIRK BY FRANK FEY

AT A YOUTHFUL 88, LESTER CROWN proves that good guys really can finish first. He inherited an industrial empire from his up-by-the-bootstraps father, along with fine personal values like hard work and a love of family, community, religion and philanthropy. Crown gained enormous civic respect as he expanded and diversified family business interests into real estate, professional sports and finance while raising seven children in Wilmette with his wife, Renee. The Crown family now includes 27 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, so it’s not surprising that Crown is thinking about the future.

What do you love most about what you do?

Everything! I enjoy almost all the things I do because there is such a variety—corporate operations, relationships within the family in order to keep it together and provide for succession, civic and charitable involvements.

How do you define power?

I don’t consider it power; I consider it opportunity.

How are you wielding your power to make the world a better place?

Locally, in addition to the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club, I serve on the Council of Global Affairs and the boards of the Lyric Opera, Ann & Robert Lurie Hospital and Northwestern University.

Who mentored you and who are you mentoring now?

My family, in both cases. We have lived through the golden age, the end of WWII up to 1995. It was a time of real opportunity, with a substantial lack of bias, in the best country in the world.

Because we had the good fortune to succeed, we owe a great deal back to the society that allowed us to succeed. Naturally, we would like to see this continued for our kids and grandchildren.

POLITICS

SERVING ON THE COMMITTEES ON Appropriations, Banking, Housing and Urban Development and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) knows what it takes to walk the halls of power in D.C. But it was climbing the 45 steps to reach the U.S. Capitol last January, one year after suffering an ischemic stroke, that was his biggest triumph. We already knew that he was powerful; now we know he has real strength.

How do you define power?

Having the ability to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

How are you wielding yours to make the world better?

Every day in office, you have an opportunity to make a major difference in the lives of all Americans. My latest effort is to boost the quality of health care Americans receive following a major medical issue. After suffering from a serious stroke in January 2012, I made it my mission to improve the care of all Americans who face serious medical complications. That’s why I recently introduced my “Stroke Agenda,” several pieces of legislation that will streamline stroke research and improve access for rehabilitation services. I know better than most that rehab works, and every American should have the same opportunity to get back to work following a major health issue.

Who are you excited about mentoring right now?

While Congressman Porter’s legacy drove much of my congressional service, my inspiration now comes from an 11-year-old named Jackson Cunningham, who lives near Champaign, Ill. Jackson suffered from a stroke when he was 8 years old, and we both underwent rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. While I was recovering, Jackson wrote to me and urged me to not give up...I’ve watched Jackson progress as he continues with his rehab. It’s an inspiring story that helps motivate me to continue with my own rehab, and be an advocate for other victims of stroke and serious medical issues.

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BY JULIE CHERNOFF HOW’S THIS FOR IMPRESSIVE CRE-

a 2008 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, an Honorary OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and numerous Joseph Jefferson awards.

But when Barbara Gaines first started the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) in 1986, she had no idea that she would be sitting firmly atop the theater world nearly 30 years later.

She only knew that she had a profound love for the works of William Shakespeare, instilled by her Northwestern professor Dr. Wallace Bacon. “His DENTIALS:

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was the most important class I’ve ever taken,” she says.

Call it karma. Like the opening of their handsome Navy Pier flagship theater in October 1999, exactly 400 years after the opening of London’s Globe Theater, where Shakespeare’s works were first performed. Or the irony of a mentor named Bacon who taught her to truly appreciate Shakespeare.

The Bard is the driving force, Gaines says. “I get to explore the most extraordinary works ever written expressive of the human condition…

Shakespeare is our soul. The thing that holds it all together, our spinal cord.”

Keeping Shakespeare relevant: CST continues their family outreach program with Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which will run February 22 to March 22 in their Courtyard Theater. The 75-minute production will be followed by actor Q & A after the show, then photo opps in the lobby for young fans.

PHOTO BY PETER BOSY

Barbara Gaines Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Shakespeare Theater

And as Gaines is quick to point out, she is not on this journey alone. The creative team at CST is a very tightknit group of artists who “share the same ascetic, which is to create life in a very dark universe.” Gaines is the Founder and Artistic Director, but Executive Director Criss Henderson has been a treasured business partner for the past 25 years, and working in tandem with Creative Producer Rick Boynton and Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin has been a great joy for her.

“Yes, I have the power to hire people, and it makes me deeply humble,” she confides. “Chicago has a hell of a lot of extraordinary actors that don’t get enough work.” So CST does their best to cast shows to reflect the deep talent and diversity that can be found here. “Quality has to come first. The actors must be able to bring life to these 400-year-old works.”

What does power mean to Gaines?

“Power, for me, is a reverence for life, a respect for other people’s differences.

Power is empathy; power is giving back. That’s why we do this work: to help other people feel less alone. That’s what gives Shakespeare the power to in some way illuminate, inspire and entertain audiences.” And that’s the great gift that Gaines has given, and will continue to give, to Chicago.

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12/9/13 10:58 AM

Jeanne Gang Principal, Studio Gang Architects

Morton Schapiro President, Northwestern University

THE POWER OF

THE POWER OF

BY JULIE CHERNOFF

BY CO CO K E E VA N

PHOTO OF JEANNE GANG BY SALLY RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY; PHOTO OF MORTON SCHAPIRO COURTESY OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

ARCHITECTURE WHEN GLENCOE’S WRITERS THEATRE WANTED to make a statement with their brand-new theater, they turned to hot commodity Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects in Chicago, whose virtuoso $28 million contemporary arts-complex design will make a big splash on the North Shore. Her 2011 MacArthur Fellow “Genius Grant” describes her architectural work as “integrating conventional materials, striking yet functional designs, and ecologically friendly technology in bold structures that challenge the aesthetic and technical possibilities of the art form.”

The Writers Theatre building, which will debut in 2016, will be a state-of-the-art facility with two theaters, plus rehearsal and support spaces. Other local recent projects, like the eye-catching Chicago River Boathouses and the sinuous AQUA Tower, attest to the power of her work. Her collaborative style and award-winning designs have put her at the top of her profession; integrity and passion are her driving forces.

EDUCATION MORTON SCHAPIRO KNOWS A BIT about power, though he’s reluctant to talk about it.

Moving up through the academic ranks, from teaching at Penn, to USC deanship, to the presidency of Williams College, he’s seen it all, while still continuing to teach and write.

Now, as president of Northwestern University, consistently ranked among the best undergraduate and research institutions in the nation, Schapiro (known as Morty to students) wields influence over the nation’s future best and brightest.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love spending quality time with the undergrads, who are just amazingly intellectually engaged. They’re fixated on serving society, but they lack the kind of entitlement many young people have when they’re told they’re the best and the brightest.

How would you define power?

I would say the ability to do good. You might be in a position where people look at you as a role model; the whole key is how you exercise that privilege.

How do you define power, and how are you wielding yours to make the world a better place?

Power, as history shows, has the tendency to be abused, so I am skeptical of the idea of power being wielded. As a quality, power can work for the greater good, but its prerequisite is integrity. I want to employ integrity and power to make progress on environmental issues through architecture and design.

What are you most proud of?

What we’re really trying to do here is provide the kind of really good community-based undergraduate education, in the context of one of the world’s great research universities. We’re not sacrificing research. In fact, we’re doubling down on it, even as a lot of people step back. We’re continuing to do everything we can to attract the best scholars of the world, but at the same time, we’re focusing on the undergraduate experience.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love the feeling of discovering something. It could be big or small; it could happen in the model shop, on a site, or through research, alone or with others. Discovery is the part of architecture and design that gives me the biggest rush.

Who are you excited about mentoring now?

I try to be a positive role model to students, to inspire. Every night, I’m doing a talk at a sorority or a fraternity or a dorm.

Students cook me dinner. As president, you talk to students, you show them that you’re normal. I’ve been inspired by a lot of people, so if I can ever inspire anyone, it’s like giving back. makeitbetter.net

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2014 health & wellness guide

2014 GUIDE Knowledge is power, so arm yourself with the information found in our annual family health guide to ensure that your family stays well— mentally and physically—in the coming year.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT are out of our control, but we do have the power to affect real change in the health of our families.

Have a child with a milk allergy? Educate yourself about the many options available. Wondering about the efficacy of juicing? Read up on why and how it can work. Stay strong with exercises that emphasize your core, and see what celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak has to say about ways you can improve your health today. And if you haven’t met Molly, the newest club drug, consider yourself lucky, but learn about the dangers of this scary stimulant to protect your family.

Make it your New Year’s resolution to take care of yourself and the ones you love most. A little prevention is worth a pound of cure!

We wish you all health and happiness as we ring in 2014 together.

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2014 health & wellness guide

Coconut milk

moo-ve over 2 percent!

B Y L I N D S AY R O S E M A N

an allergy or intolerance to dairy? The grocery store shelves are stocked with plenty of tasty, dairy-free milk options that cater to all kinds of health and dietary needs.

Since milk is the second-most common allergy in kids (not to mention the nearly 50 million Americans who are lactose intolerant), ditching the cow’s milk could be the answer to keeping little tummies happy.

Serve up one of these alternative milks to make sure your child gets the nutrients they need at every age to build strong, healthy bones.

Flax milk

What this milk lacks in protein it makes up for in vitamin B12, which is particularly beneficial to vegans and vegetarians. It’s free of gluten, dairy and soy, and is both organic and a non-GMO product.

Because of the lower amounts of protein and calcium, this one is better for older kids and adults.

NUTRITION: 70 calories, 4.5g of fat, 7g of sugar, 0g of protein, calcium 10% of DV, vitamin A 10%, vitamin D 30%, vitamin B12 50% (So Delicious Coconut Milk Original) FLAVOR: The So Delicious brand tested was watery and almost tasteless. We recommend trying the Vanilla Coconut Silk for an option that’s sweeter, thicker and more flavorful.

GREAT FOR: Cereal, smoothies, shakes, sweet recipes

Another soy-free, gluten-free, lactosefree option, flax milk is made from water, cold-pressed flaxseed oil and other natural ingredients. It has no major allergens, is Kosher and vegan and is actually a tasty option. Try Good Karma Flax Milk Protein+ Vanilla, which has 5g of protein, a dose of essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, and as much calcium as a glass of milk.

NUTRITION: 50 calories, 2.5g of fat, 0g of sugar, 5g of protein, calcium 30% of DV, vitamin A 10%, vitamin D 25%, vitamin B12 25% (Good Karma Flax Milk Protein+ Vanilla) FLAVOR: Creamier consistency with an earthy taste GREAT FOR: Drinking by the glass, cereal, soups and savory recipes

Soy milk

Hemp milk

Full of nutritionally complete soy protein, soy milk is nutrient dense and free of dairy, lactose, gluten, egg and MSG. The high amounts of calcium, protein and vitamin B12 make this plant-based drink a solid option for growing kids.

NUTRITION: 100 calories, 3.5g of fat, 8g of sugar, 6g of protein, calcium 45% of DV, vitamin A 10%, vitamin D 30%, vitamin B12 50% (Silk Vanilla Soymilk) FLAVOR: Thick and creamy consistency, sweet taste (kids will love the vanilla and chocolate varieties) GREAT FOR: Drinking by the glass, cereal, smoothies, shakes, creamy and savory recipes

Hemp milk is vegan, free of dairy and allergens, and loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It also has all 10 essential amino acids, which help develop lean body mass and promote muscle repair in active kids.

NUTRITION: 100 calories, 6g of fat, 6g of sugar, 2g of protein, calcium 30% of DV, vitamin A 10%, vitamin D 25%, vitamin B12 25% (Living Harvest Tempt Hempmilk Original) FLAVOR: Smooth, watery consistency with an earthy, nutty taste GREAT FOR: Sweet and savory dishes (especially puddings and soups), smoothies, shakes

Rice milk

Almond milk

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE

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Made from a mixture of water and partially milled brown rice, this is the friendliest option for those with allergies to dairy, nuts and soy. It has the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk and is entirely natural, but it does lack in protein.

NUTRITION: 120 calories, 2.5g of fat, 10g of sugar, 1g of protein, calcium 30% of DV, vitamin A 10%, vitamin D 25%, vitamin B12 25% (Rice Dream Rice Drink) FLAVOR: Watery, but super sweet with a yummy rice flavor GREAT FOR: Cereal, smoothies and shakes

Almond milk is made from ground almonds and water and is free of lactose, soy and cholesterol. It’s calcium enriched, with high levels of vitamins and minerals, but it’s not a solid source of protein for growing kids.

NUTRITION: 60 calories, 2.5g of fat, 7g of sugar, 1g of protein, calcium 45% of DV, vitamin A 10%, vitamin D 25% (Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almond Milk Original) FLAVOR: Smooth, creamy consistency with a sweet, nutty taste GREAT FOR: Cereal, smoothies, shakes

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2014 health & wellness guide

how molly became the most popular girl in school

BY CO CO K E E VA N

If you haven’t yet met Molly, the latest drug of choice for teens and young adults, you’re in for a parental scare.

MOLLY,

THE

STREET

NAME

FOR

MDMA and the sister drug of early ‘90s club drug Ecstasy, is pervasive, and she’s showing no sign of leaving town.

Purported as being the “pure” form of MDMA, Molly is often anything but.

The drug, found primarily in powder, capsule or crystal form, was highly popular among attendees of summer concerts, specifically electronic dance music (EDM) shows. MDMA acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, inducing feelings of euphoria, diminished anxiety and enhanced feelings of empathy and closeness.

Overdoses of the drug were responsible for two high-profile deaths at New York City’s Electric Zoo Festival, where two attendees, ages 23 and 20, consumed fatal doses purchased on the street. Their deaths were among a string occurring across the country at EDM festivals, and the drug has since

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expanded its reach to college bars, high school parties, and even, by some accounts, innocuous activities like tailgating. Touted as a “fun” experiential drug, Molly can produce a high-energy sense of joy, emotional warmth and sensory distortion.

Molly isn’t such a good girl after all Users emphasize Molly’s perceived purity, but researchers suggest this misconception is the most dangerous aspect of the drug’s image. “You don’t know what you’re taking,” says Dr. Charles Grob, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UCLA School of Medicine. “There’s no drug that I’ve ever heard of that has worse reliability.” For adventurous teens, this mystery capsule can be a recipe for disaster.

Molly’s potentially deadly side effects read like a parent’s worst night-

mare: confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems, extreme dehydration and drug craving. Additionally, problems with increased heart rate or blood pressure regulation can cause a sudden hypertensive episode, leading to a stroke or heart attack.

While studies show that use of the drug can increase empathy, facilitating communication and interaction, the fallout of frequent use can lead to serious depression. “Individuals who have underlying vulnerability for serious mental illness can, under the influence of a drug like this, decompensate and go into a manic psychotic episode,” Grob says. After a period of time, he adds, continued use can also cause a significant residual lowering of mood.

Doctors at Lurie Children’s Hospital are baffled by the Molly cases they see in the ER. “Modern medicine doesn’t know how the body can handle

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these new drugs,” says Dr. Craig Smith, who notes he’s seen teenagers come in unconscious after suffering seizures related to Molly. He emphasizes that there is a very narrow window to treat the dangerous effects of such drugs.

Miley and Molly Miley Cyrus has extolled its virtues in song, as have pop stars like Madonna, Rihanna and Kanye West. The drug’s ubiquity in popular culture has only increased its reputation as a fun club drug, causing teens to emulate the behaviors practiced by those in the spotlight.

Tips for parents Grob, who specializes in youth substance abuse, encourages parents

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to open up a dialogue early on about such drugs. “Parents need to be aware of what the latest trends among kids are,” Grob says. “They need to have a supportive relationship with their kids.

Good communication is vital.”

“Any drug like this has very potent effects on the brain,” adds Dr. Harriet de Wit, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago.

“Adolescents are going through profound development, which includes their central nervous system and brain,” Grob adds. “It’s not the time in life to be experimenting with these potent drugs.”

Here are a few things parents should be aware of: • Molly is readily available online and is surprisingly easy to find.

• Single doses are relatively inexpensive, running from $20 to $50.

• It’s likely your child has a schoolmate who has already tried Molly. According to a 2012 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 12 percent of 18to 25-year-olds in the U.S. have tried it.

• Since 2009, MDMA has been linked to 10 deaths in the Chicago area, and MDMA-related emergency room visits here rose to more than 1,000 in 2011.

Ultimately, Grob stresses, experimenting with Molly is a dangerous exercise. “Who knows what’s in there?” he poses. “It’s a bit like playing Russian roulette—you just don’t know what’s in there until you swallow the wrong thing.”

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2014 health & wellness guide

sponsor e d con t e n t

magnetic modulation for depression, OCD and pain mitigation By the neuroscience center

with pharmaceutical options targeted at relieving depression and anxiety. The first line of treatment is often a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and if that doesn’t work, adjunctive medications are often prescribed. Unfortunately, nearly 80 percent of people relapse after treatment of their first depressive episode and, according to a major follow-up study, 58 percent of patients were still suffering symptoms 12 years after their initial depressive episode. What can be done?

barded

Transcranial magneTic sTimulaTion (Tms)

For those suffering with treatmentresistant depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a viable treatment option. TMS is not only a viable course of treatment for treatment-resistant depression patients, but has also been used successfully to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), provide palliative care and pain relief for cancer patients, investigate the brain activity of people who stutter and assess brain activity of coma patients.

Researchers are finding new uses for TMS every day, but there are a few key points to remember:

• TMS is FDA approved. It is not an experimental procedure.

• TMS is not electroshock therapy.

It is not painful or invasive. It does not use seizures or convulsions to cause a beneficial effect. It often improves cognition and memory.

• TMS uses varying magnetic fields to induce an electric charge to the part of the brain that needs stimulation to alleviate depression, anxiety and other neurological illnesses. Magnetic fields are applied while the patient rests comfortably in a chair. Each procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes and many people report improvement in as little as one day.

It is important to choose a safe and dependable means of receiving TMS. This means taking the time to find a physician who has experience operating TMS devices and a proven track record of success using TMS as a main treatment for depression and anxiety. A qualified TMS physician knows which parts of the brain must be stimulated and can make accurate dosage adjustments during each procedure. Many local clinics are operating outside of common-sense safety parameters, and some of the newer providers are not medical professionals.

Steven Best, M.D. has been successfully helping those who suffer with neurological disorders and those resistant to traditional medication through a unique combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and infused ketamine. Over the years, nearly all of his patients have experienced rapid relief of symptoms and very gratifying social and mental recoveries tantamount to full remission.

This unique combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ketamine—performed at only a few centers around the country—affords relief of symptoms in as little as two hours, where traditional medications might take weeks or months to achieve similar results.

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KeTamine

In addition to TMS, the infusion of ketamine, a commonly used anesthetic, has shown rapid antidepressant effects in many research studies, including a recent report in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Ketamine affects brain systems that are completely separate from those targeted by traditional antidepressants, and it has been found especially effective at combating depression resistant to typical antidepressants, relieving symptoms in as little as 24 hours, weeks in advance of any SSRI. Its efficacy extends to cases where depression is accompanied by suicidal ideation, chronic fatigue and anxiety. Moreover, ketamine infusion is a safe procedure for both unipolar and bipolar depression.

The Neuroscience Center is known for their use of TMS and Ketamine, having years of experience successfully using these techniques before their recent popularity.

Patients whose lives were interrupted by depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, substance abuse and bipolar disorder have made nearly full recoveries and have returned to their families to live enriching lives.

This one-of-a-kind treatment, in addition to cuttingedge on-site diagnostics, is made available most days at his Deerfield practice, The Neuroscience Center.

To learn more about The Neuroscience Center, visit www.neuroscience.md/info. Or call Steven Best, M.D. at 877- 774-9048 for a free confidential interview.

Photos courtesy of the neuroscience center

These days, paTienTs are bom-

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2014 health & wellness guide

Pasternak’s clients are big fans

of his approach to fitness and nutrition—it’s easy to follow and is based on healthy strategies backed by science, unlike many of the fad diet and exercise plans. Pasternak backs his work up with a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Sciences and an Honors Degree in Kinesiology.

Pasternak is hugely popular because of his reasonable and doable approach to diet and exercise that has his followers raving about their results. He has appeared on “Oprah,” ABC’s “Good Morning America” and in numerous publications like Cosmopolitan and Men’s Health.

Here’s what he has to say on the state of health today:

Why are people bored with exercise, and what can they do to make it more exciting?

harley pasternak 7 tips to improve your health today

By Christ y Coughlin

Harley Pasternak is a renowned fitness and nutrition expert who has worked with some of the hottest celebrities, including Halle Berry and Kanye West.

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Mix it up, he says. “A recent survey showed more than 50 percent of exercisers are bored with their current workout and had lack of motivation after 30 minutes.” He sees little variation in the type of exercise and location.

Pasternak emphasizes variety in your workouts, including different types of activity, varying workouts between indoor and outdoor, changing up the equipment you use, and motivating yourself with great music.

What is the biggest mistake people make when it comes to exercise?

“Most are doing too much too quickly,” he says. “Looking for fast results, people try programs like CrossFit or Insanity and get injured. ‘Biggest Loser’ fans see participants doing crazy hard workouts, but they don’t always see the resulting hamstring pain.”

Harley has these 7 tips to improve your health today: 1. Get a pedometer or a Fitbit and Get movinG.

Take 10,000 steps every day. Many people are sedentary for most of the day and only move during their hour of exercise. We all need more movement.

He suggests walking to your coffee break and parking further away from your destination to get more steps.

2. Get a blender and make smoothies with healthy Fat, Fiber, protein, Fruits and veGetables.

a smoothie can be a meal substitute or a powerful snack.

3. Focus on strenGtheninG the muscles in the back oF your body.

Most people focus on the muscles in the front and are left with weak muscles in back. Pay attention to your lower and upper back, hamstrings and back of the arms.

4. hydrate!

Thirst is often confused for hunger.

Drink all day to stay hydrated. Try a flavored water, like Vitamin Water Zero, or throw a lemon wedge in your water to keep it interesting.

5. don’t Go it alone.

recruit a friend to join your program and work together. you will be much more likely to stick with exercise, and you’ll have someone to get you back on track quickly.

6. Follow a Good proGram, every day.

Knowing there is a plan for tomorrow will help you stay focused and prevent “falling off the cliff.” Find a good trainer, buy a book, or search online for a balanced program that works for you.

7. stop complaininG that you have no time to workout.

We all can make the time—or be forced to spend all of our time dealing with eventual illness that comes from an unhealthy lifestyle.

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2014 health & wellness guide

juicing your way to

better health

BY S U S A N PA S T E R N A K

Feeling like you could use some kale in your diet, but can’t quite stomach the dark green leaves?

JUICING, THE LATEST NUTRITIONAL FAD to sweep across the country, might be for you.

Fortunately for newbie and veteran juicers alike, the North Shore is home to a slew of new juice bars: True Juice in Winnetka, Peeled in Evanston and soon-toopen Juice One and My Juice Fix in Highland Park, the latter of which will focus on home delivery. Whole Foods in Deerfield and Glenview both sell BluePrint juices, a favorite among the celebrity set, and Highland Park’s Sunset Foods recently added Evolution Fresh juice to its refrigerated case.

So what’s the skinny with juice? Many juicers, including myself, find that it’s a great way to pack in vegetables that might otherwise be difficult to fit into our busy lives. Drinking veggies such as kale, carrots and cabbage can also provide a boost to one’s immunity and overall health.

“Clinically, I’ve seen it help my patients; they have more energy and fewer digestive complaints,” says Dr. Leslie Mendoza Temple, M.D., medical director of NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Integrative Medicine Program, and the co-owner of Mingle Juice Shop, set

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to open in The Glen Town Center this spring. “It’s empowering to know that everything you’re putting in your body is clean and only goes to the higher good.

That’s medicine in and of itself.”

Green juicers take note: This is not your grandmother’s prune juice. True Juice’s executive chef Jona Silva says he applies the same approach to juice mixes as he does to food. A splash of lime boosts the acidity level of Silva’s greens-heavy juice, while a sprinkle of Kalahari Desert salt strikes just the right balance of acidity and sweetness in the spicy lemonade.

One downside to buying juice at a juice bar: The drinks can cost a whopping $9 for 12 ounces. Thankfully, many companies have come out with home juicers that make as good of a product, if not better.

Our favorite pick: the Omega 8006 Masticating Juicer ($299), which quietly grinds the produce, separates out the pulp, and creates a juice without any foam on top. Breville makes the JE900 Juicer ($119) that fans say juices as well as the more expensive options, but is a little trickier to clean and produces that foamy top because of the heat generated from the motor. But if you don’t mind a kale “cappuccino,” this could be the perfect fit.

Get juicinG! each of these recipes makes 2 servinGs. The elecTric Green

10 kale leaves 1 cucumber 1 carrot 1 green apple 1 lemon, rind and pith removed The Pink crush

2 handfuls spinach 1 cucumber 2 celery stalks 1 red beet 1 lemon, rind and pith removed 1 green apple

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2014 health & wellness guide

SPONSOR E D CON T E N T

enhance your health through yoga

BY FORE VER OM YOGA

emotional health and improved fitness to boot (not to mention what some say is the best booty around)? Roll out your mat and get with a yoga program.

It’s been long known in cultures around the world that practicing yoga increases overall wellness, both emotional and physical, as various asanas (poses) and attention to the breath detoxify the body and bring clarity to the mind.

Greater flexibility is an obvious benefit; but there are more. Practicing yoga—and yes, even the most seasoned and enlightened yogis still “practice”— can reduce stress and anxiety, improve balance, range of motion and strength, and create an overall feeling of well-being. Both traditional and alternative physicians tout yoga as a natural way to reduce risk factors for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as alleviate chronic conditions including depression, pain and insomnia.

“It’s been so rewarding to see people growing through yoga along with our studio,” says Priscilla Stoll, who opened Forever Om Yoga in Lake Forest four years ago. “People tell me that yoga has essentially saved them, whether it’s helped them emotionally through a divorce or another traumatic event, or boosted their confidence in their bodies.”

With local yogi practitioners increasingly realizing the benefits of stretching, twisting and planking, it’s no surprise that the North Shore yoga studios are attracting top-notch instructors, as well as featuring guest instructors who bring SEEKING A NATURAL BOOST TO

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new methods and strategies for that hard-to-achieve forever om yoga handstand and other asanas.

Forever Om is For more information about bringing two of the workshop, and a general the nation’s most schedule at Forever Om Yoga, visit foreveromyoga.com well-regarded yoga instructors to its studio for a series of mind- and body-bending workshops in February. The California-based teachers—Dice Iida-Klein and Briohny Smith—are best known for arm balances and inversions that would make even a Cirque de Soleil performer swoon.

The five different workshops, running February 7–9, will focus on standing postures (think warrior, eagle and tree poses), strengthening the core and engaging the mysterious internal bhandas to further achieve mental clarity and physical strength. In the more advanced workshops, yogis will learn the fundamental alignment points for handstand through a thorough study of foundational asanas like downward facing-dog, plank, chaturanga and the dynamic interlinked movements of the yoga vinyasa.

“I love bringing in different instructors, and this is a really amazing couple and a unique opportunity for our yogis,” Stoll says.

f

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12/9/13 11:11 AM

2014 health & wellness guide

caçari berry A superfood you need to know about

By MIBs

Caçari—no, it’s not a typo.

The caçari (kuh-Sar-ee) berry iS

a tiny powerhouse of a fruit found in South America, and it serves up more vitamin C than any known plant on earth—including the Amazon’s other berry darling, the açai.

Not only does the berry contain more vitamin C than any other plant (30 to 60 times more than an orange), but it also has all the necessary amino acids and minerals for maximum absorption.

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Here’s what you need to know about the new superfood:

It’s rich in flavonoids.

Caçari, sometimes called camu camu, contains a high amount of different flavonoids, antioxidants that shield cells from nasty free radicals and oxygen damage. Flavonoids have been shown to slow the aging process and support vitamin C absorption resulting in: • A natural alternative to anti-aging treatments • Improved memory • Reduced inflammation • Lowered risk or prevention of migraines, varicose veins and allergies

ing in the produce aisle compares to caçari. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is a unit of measurement for antioxidants developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Here’s how caçari stacks up against your favorite berries’ ORAC levels: • Caçari: 70 grams • Blackberry: 51 grams • Blueberry: 68 grams • Raspberry: 55 grams For even MORE health benefits of caçari and information on where you can find it, visit makeitbetter.net/superfood.

It has potent antioxidants.

Berries you find at the market pack a powerful antioxidant punch, but noth-

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2014 guide to family health

power up with core strength

BY CHRIST Y COUGHLIN

REMEMBER WHEN YOU DID HUN-

of sit-ups in the quest for sixpack abs? Now we know that those muscles, rectus abdominis, are only part of the deal.

Today, it’s all about core strength.

Your core includes all the muscles in your torso—abdominals, back, hips, butt, and hamstrings—all of which are critical muscles for daily living, athletics and good health.

Dr. Cherise Russ of NorthShore Orthopaedics, who works with patients ranging from high school athletes to professional football players, sees a direct correlation between core strength and the ease of daily movements and athletic performance. The core muscles support and protect your spine and allow for easy movement in all directions, coordinating the upper and lower body.

DREDS

A strong core…

• Allows you to easily complete daily tasks like picking up a heavy bag of groceries, reaching for a book on a high shelf, sitting at your desk, or even getting dressed.

• Provides balance and stability, especially in your lower back. Your stable core adjusts for changing terrain when you walk, keeps you upright on black ice, and

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provides a solid center for lunges at the gym.

• Supports good posture, which allows your organs to function optimally and makes you taller. Strong muscles in your middle pull it all in and make you look thinner.

• Gives you the muscle strength for critical functions like labor and delivery, continence, and even improved physical intimacy.

• Powers your athletic endeavors.

Whether you run, walk, swim, bike, golf or play tennis or basketball, the core provides the muscle energy for all sports. A strong core will make you a better athlete.

• Reduces the risk of injury. According to Dr. Russo, women lacking core strength often suffer pain in the lower back, SI joint, knee, hip flexor and even into the foot, as a weak core forces other muscles to do more work than they are designed to handle.

Pay close attention to your core strength to power through the day, whether you’re chasing a toddler, going from one meeting to the next, shoveling snow or playing a vigorous game of tennis. A strong core will help keep your body functioning at the highest level, help prevent injuries and keep you comfortable in your own skin.

Eric Smoot of Redefined Fitness (redefinedfitness.net) helps athletes improve their performance by strengthening their entire core. He suggests doing these four exercises several times a week to help strengthen those important muscles.

Side Crunch

WORKS: abductors, obliques • Lie on your left side with your right hand behind your head • Raise your right leg and right arm • Return to starting position • Repeat 5-10 times on each side

Moving Plank

WORKS: abductors, adductors, rectus abdominis • Start in forearm plank • Shift your hips from right to left • Hold each position for 1 second • Repeat 5-10 times

Pilates Crunch

WORKS: rectus abdominis, hip flexors • Lie on your back, with one leg bent and the other straight • Extend your arms overhead • Bring your arms and the extended leg up • Return to starting position • Repeat 5-10 times on each leg

Transverse Lunge

WORKS: glutes, quadriceps • Start standing with feet wider than hip distance apart, knees bent • With your right leg, take a big step to the left, and lunge • Hold for 2 seconds • Come back to center • Step back with the left leg • Repeat 3 times on each leg

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FA M I LY | travel

do cruises

float your boat?

BY ANDREA GUTHMANN

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What’s the Deal?

Doherty’s advice for getting a great rate on a cruise: “There are often excellent deals on last-minute bookings, if your travel schedule allows for that.

You’ll see ads in the local papers for these cruises, or your travel agent can be on the lookout for you.”

Recent ship mishaps have meant rough seas for the cruise industry.

However, their bad press could mean a good deal for you. Carnival Cruises (carnival.com), already known as a budget-friendly cruise line, just announced a 110 percent money-back guarantee.

For anyone nervous about cruising, this is a great way to test the waters. Carnival’s so certain you’ll have a great time aboard what’s known as the Fun Ship, they’re agreeing to give passengers their money back, plus an additional 10 percent, if they want off a cruise in the first 24 hours. If you do decide to jump ship, they’ll fly you out of the next port and cover the cost of a hotel.

Rolling on the River River cruises are moving full steam ahead. Doherty credits their popularity to the growing number of retired baby boomers. “Riverboats don’t have the extensive resort and theme-park facilities of the big cruise liners, but they offer the intimate guest experience

and personalized service of the small luxury ships, at a much more affordable price,” he says. “Best of all, riverboats usually dock right downtown in fantastic cities, with major attractions often just steps from the gangplank.”

Natural Selection Are you someone who loves nature and adventure? Eco-voyages aboard expedition boats can make for a great vacation where you really get to learn about a place. Consider joining trained naturalists aboard Un-Cruise Adventures (un-cruise.com) for a once-in-alifetime whale-watching trip through the Sea of Cortes. Jacques Cousteau called this region of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, teeming with marine life, “the world’s aquarium.”

Ride like the Wind If you’ve always wanted to live out a pirate fantasy, unleash your inner swashbuckler aboard a sailing ship like Star Clippers (star.clippers.com/ us-dom). Drop anchor in out-of-theway coves and islands that the mega ships can’t get to.

Up for even more adventure? Be the captain of your own destiny by chartering a boat. Live out your Jimmy Buffet fantasy, island hopping to some of the most scenic spots on the planet.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STAR CLIPPERS

feelings about cruising. Some love that you can sample a variety of destinations and get your feet wet, rather than diving right into one place. Others get a sinking feeling about crowds, claustrophobia and constant buffets.

If the thought of casinos and wacky shipboard activities makes you want to steer away from a big ship, don’t despair. Mega ships aren’t your only cruising option. Today, there are cruises for every kind of traveler. Whether you want to plunge into a non-stop party or relax on a refined river cruise along the Danube, there’s likely to be a cruise that floats your boat.

So how do you decide which cruise line and itinerary to choose? If anyone can navigate these tricky waters, it’s Charles Doherty. He’s spent the past 29 years as editor of the bi-monthly magazine, Cruise Travel (cruisetravelmag.com), edited and published out of Evanston since 1979.

“The best part about cruising? No need to pack and unpack, waste time in airports, or endure many of the other hassles of a land tour,” Doherty says.

“Your ship is a home-away-from-home that moves with you. Add in the value of the almost all-inclusive package and onboard entertainment, and what’s not to love?”

PEOPLE TEND TO HAVE STRONG

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If you’re a confident sailor, you can consider going on your own, or bring a skilled captain along for the ride.

Established yacht charters like Sunsail (sunsail.com) and The Moorings (moorings.com) can steer you in the right direction.

Children on Board Cruising has become increasingly popular with families. Why? There’s something for every age. High-quality children’s programs give Mom and Dad time alone. Combine that with fun activities the whole family can do together, from dance classes and cooking demos to ziplining and sports tournaments.

Not surprisingly, younger children will love the chance to vacation with Minnie and Mickey aboard a Disney cruise (disneycruise.disney.go.com). Parents will find a Disney Cruise magi-

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cal for their own reasons. Unlike most cruise lines, Disney has a nursery, where babies as young as 3 months can be dropped off.

Got teens and tweens too cool to get goofy with Disney characters?

They can head over to Vibe, Disney’s teens-only lounge. No adults allowed in this über-hip hangout with a dance floor and the latest computer and video games. Other mega ships like Carnival, Royal Caribbean (royalcaribbean.com), Princess (princess.com) and Norwegian (ncl.com) also have teen clubs.

Charting Your Course So, how do you map out your adventure? “There are so many great worldclass cities that are also major cruise ports, from Honolulu to Rio, Bangkok to Barcelona,” Doherty says. “Lovely little Portofino, a fishing village/jet-set

resort on the Italian Riviera, is perfect.

You can see it all in a few hours—both churches, the museum, the lookout point, the fine shops, and still have time for a fine meal.”

Doherty recommends cruising out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. if you’re looking for a quick getaway. “[There are] plenty of direct flights and you’re practically within walking distance of the cruiseship piers. But to be safe, it’s always best to fly in the day before your cruise.”

There are plenty of hotels just a mile or two from the port. Consider staying at the Harbor Beach Marriott along the ocean, or the Westin Beach Resort and Spa, in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s famed “strip” with its long lineup of bars and restaurants along the beach.

Whichever destination you choose, don’t miss the boat. There are lots of cruises for every age and interest!

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sponsor e d con t e n t

don’t let tuition scare you By college illinois!

Planning to pay for college is easier than you think

roCketed.

Tomorrow, they will cost even more. The yearly tuition increase is a reality that every family must face; it lingers in the back of your mind, then in the blink of an eye, the kids are ready for college, but your checkbook is not.

The good news is that you have a range of options to help financially prepare for your student’s future. One is to enroll in a 529 college savings or 529 prepaid tuition plan. A 529 plan can help you set up an effective way to save for college, so when the time comes, tuition will be take care of.

What Are 529 Plans?

529 plans let you set money aside today so you can pay for college tuition tomorrow. These plans are sponsored by the state to help families fund future college costs with tax benefits granted

by Section 529 of the IRS Code. You can choose between a 529 college savings plan where you invest in various portfolios to gain a return depending on how they perform, or a 529 prepaid tuition plan like College Illinois!®. A College Illinois! Prepaid Tuition Plan lets you purchase semesters of college

at current contract rates, helping to protect against future tuition inflation. Both options offer plans that can fit into your budget, making it a little easier to start saving for college.

to attend a school in one of the other choice options,” and benefits can be applied to most in-state and out-of-state public and private colleges and universities.

When Saving for College, the Sooner the Better

Wrap Up College

Tonya Polk, Marketing and Sales Manager for the College Illinois! Prepaid Tuition Program, knows preparing for the future isn’t always easy. She talks to families all over Illinois about ways to plan to pay for college. Her advice? Start now. “It’s always best to start saving for college early because as your child gets older, you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay for an ever-increasing college tuition,” says Polk.

With a College Illinois! Prepaid Tuition Plan, you’ll be able to send your student to college knowing that tuition is taken care of. “It’s a great gift because when the beneficiary is ready for college, they don’t have to worry about how they are going to pay for it,” says Polk. “Give your child a gift that lasts a lifetime—a college education.”

Take Care of Tuition Today College Illinois! makes enrolling in their Prepaid Tuition Plan easy.

The Program offers a simple process to select a plan and payment option to start prepaying for college little by little as your child grows up. According to Polk, families like the flexibility of the Program because “all plans are interchangeable if the beneficiary decides

Call 1-877-877-3724, or go to Collegeillinois.org for more information.

this material is provided for general and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide legal, tax or investment advice or for use to avoid penalties under u.s. federal tax laws. this material is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. you should read carefully the Disclosure statement and Master Agreement before purchasing a contract. Purchasing a contract does not guarantee that a beneficiary will be admitted or permitted to continue to attend an eligible educational institution.

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Photo courtesy ofcollege illinois!

College tuition rates have sky-

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12/10/13 11:53 AM

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12/5/13 1:21 PM

HOM E

An office in your home can be so much more than just a space to answer emails and file papers.

It’s a room that can express your personality, taste and accomplishments. Here’s how three North Shore homeowners transformed their offices into spaces uniquely suited for them.

STORY BY L AUR A HINE Cheryl Berman’s Office

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PHOTOS BY SCOT T SHIGLE Y

12/9/13 11:16 AM

C r e at i n g a B r a n d

Cheryl Berman is CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Unbundled, which helps clients like American Greetings, Arbonne and Joffrey Ballet creatively brand their identities and products. Her work is creative, collaborative and even musical, and her Wilmette home office reflects that with space for client meetings, a keyboard for composition and a desk that looks out over the trees to Lake Michigan.

“We turned this into my office in 2007 when I left Leo Burnett,” says Berman as we toured the thirdfloor office. As Chairman of Leo Burnett USA, she brought in clients including McDonalds, Disney and Kraft, and she still serves on its Board of Directors.

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Berman worked with a painter on the wall color and finish to unite the space’s angles and ceiling heights. The space under the eaves, which might otherwise be wasted, was turned into built-in file storage and shelves to hold her awards and mementos of favorite campaigns.

In addition to her office, the home, which she shares with her husband Randy Kretchmar, has a beach house where she holds client brainstorming sessions. But this colorful space is where Berman goes when she needs to get work done. “It’s good to have a space that reminds you that you’re good at something.”

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wooden refuge

When Cyndee Keiser and Fred Wall moved into their stately Georgian Colonial 13 years ago, they knew the Evanston home needed work, but loved the home’s high ceilings and symmetrical, large rooms.

A realtor with Coldwell Banker, Keiser admits that they didn’t anticipate the renovations would take 11 years, but she says, “It was a case of the might-aswells…”

A priority was an office off the formal living room.

Keiser describes the original room as having white walls, awful windows and particleboard shelves. “Really, it was like being in an aquarium.” The couple put it on the list, and when their carpenter Jeff Jokela

finished the family room, he started on Wall’s office.

Jokela picked out mahogany for the woodwork and, working with the couple, designed a whole new room. He rebuilt the windows, custom milled all the wood for the ceiling, trim and walls, and rebuilt the cabinetry to make a space masculine enough for Wall, but special enough to be visible from the living room.

And the pheasant? Wall bought that for Keiser because she uses pheasant feathers throughout their home in dried floral arrangements. It’s a nice combination of their two interests in a home that they’ve made—with Jokela’s help—all their own.

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power couple

For the past 27 years, when Catherine and Bart Rocca have needed to hash something out, or just sort the mail, they retreat to their partner desk in the library of their Victorian home in Evanston.

“I can’t tell you how many problems we’ve solved sitting across from each other,” Catherine says. They found the partner desk many years ago at an antique store in Winnetka, and realized it was perfect for the space and for their needs. The home, originally built in the 1870s, was “modernized,” which she says in quotes, sometime in the 1920s.

“There was some remodeling to take it from being so Victorian to a lit-

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tle more Tudor,” she says. When they moved in, they updated some more, removing heavy drapes and adding in furnishings collected as they’ve traveled around the world.

The couple has purposely kept the office as a place to read and talk, versus a place to answer emails. “We both have computers, but we keep them on the second floor,” she says. “This is where we conduct our family business.”

The office décor reflects the family’s international roots and interests. With two grown children who live with their young families in Italy, another daughter in California, and a son in

Evanston, the couple travels frequently. Their artwork includes Australian Ironwood bird carvings, Navajo folk art and an original photograph of President John F. Kennedy taken by Bart’s college roommate at a HarvardPrinceton football game.

The bookcases are filled, as the couple loves to read, but the library and comfortable side chairs mean this room isn’t off limits to family. Children and grandchildren alike enjoy the comfy space to read and talk. But the desk, Catherine admits, is pretty much their space. “It pulls us in face-to-face,” she says.

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12/11/13 5:10 PM

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12/10/13 11:54 AM

A new year means new beginnings and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether you’re looking to get back into the workforce, or you want to learn how to use Twitter or Facebook, the Tech Mamma Lounge is a place to do all that and more.

Upcoming Classes Pinterest Made Easy WITH CHRISTINA LUNDIN

January 7 How to Raise More Money for Your Favorite Nonprofit WITH SUSAN B. NOYES

January 9 Keys to a Successful Brand WITH BETSY WESTHOFF

January 13 Twitter 101 WITH JULIE CHERNOFF

January 14 How to Grow Your Local Business WITH SUSAN B. NOYES

January 16 Secrets of Microsoft Outlook WITH JENNIFER SPEAKER

January 21 How to Write and Distribute a Press Release WITH JULIANNE BECK

January 22 Website in a Day WITH JENNIFER SPEAKER

January 25 Social Media Boot Camp WITH JENNIFER SPEAKER

January 26 Intro to Facebook WITH LINDSAY ROSEMAN

January 28

588 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka • 847-256-4642

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12/6/13 10:17 AM

bet t e r you | fashion

RUSH Into winter fashion

by E va n g E l I n E P o l I t I s

As AlwAys, the rush university Medical Center Women’s Board’s fashion show was a starstudded event.

From “Bachelorette” and “Bachelor Pad” star Ed Swiderski to Fox 32 Chicago anchor Anna Davlantes, a variety of local celebs strutted down the runway in the gilded ballroom of the Palmer House Hilton.

The October event supported the advancement of science behind the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, and the Woman’s Board raised $500,000.

Appropriately titled “Breathtaking,” the 87th annual show featured looks from retailers Anne Fontaine, Chalk, Champagne & Caviar Bespoke, Frances Heffernan, The Lake Forest Shop, Marian Michael, Max Mara, Neapolitan, Paul Stuart, and Ralph Lauren.

Concluding the evening, four lucky fashion design students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago sent designs from their collections down the catwalk.

Our readers voted online for the best runway looks from the evening, and here are your top picks for making a statement this season. captions on page 61

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1 Jacque Nygaard

Neil Bieff gown, $5,280, Frances Heffernan

2 eriN charchut

Neil Bieff cap-sleeve gown, $4,950, Frances Heffernan

3 SuSaN templetoN

Blue Label Holiday “Halston” dress, $1,298, Ralph Lauren Black Label leather Hayden moto jacket, $2,998, Ralph Lauren

4 KaylN aSpluNd

MSGM floral sleeveless dress, $795, Chalk J Brand “Connix” leather jacket, $1,495, Chalk Balenciaga Le Dix cartable handbag, $1,945, Chalk Tom Binns quiet riot necklace, $975, Chalk

5 Stacey cavaNagh

Wes Gordon stud-embroidered pullover sweater, $990, Neapolitan Wes Gordon metallic lambskin skirt, $1,850, Neapolitan

6 amy Brumfield

Fagotta colorblock Dress, $735, MaxMara Musette leather double buckle waist belt, price upon request, MaxMara Jumcos beige suede leather pump, $525, MaxMara Gamma Hollywood calf leather faux croc handbag, $1,395, MaxMara Vettura natural mink collar, $1,350, MaxMara

7 Kerry Wood

Wool two button, notch lapel suit with flat-front pants; silk pocket square; wool tie; custom-made slim fit spread collar shirt; $1,799 for entire look, Champagne & Caviar Bespoke

8 tom Waddle

Wool cashmere two button, notch lapel suit with flat-front pants; custom-made, slim-fit shirt; silk pocket square; wool tie; $2,200 for entire look, Champagne & Caviar Bespoke

9 JohN maceNtee

Phineas Cole suit, $2,487, Paul Stuart Phineas Cole necktie, $198, Paul Stuart Phineas Cole camel flynn chesterfield with chocolate velvet collar, $1,987, Paul Stuart Phineas Cole self stripe dress shirt with Vesuvius button cuff, $228, Paul Stuart Cap-toe double monk, $728, Paul Stuart

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bet t e r you | finance

What You Need to Know

BY MeghaN Streit

If you use the services of a nanny, did you realize that you are required to pay taxes just like any employer would? Many parents are not aware of their responsibilities around “nanny taxes.” So we asked Laura Weiland, president of The Nanny Tax Company, a tax preparation company in Park Ridge, for the scoop. Here’s what you need to know.

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Q: I have a nanny; how do I know if I need to pay taxes?

A: Even if you don’t have a fulltime nanny (or housekeeper or assistant who works in your home), you may need to file taxes. Weiland says anyone who pays someone $1,000 a year or more to work in their home is liable for state and federal unemployment taxes.

And, if you pay a worker at least $1,800, you are also responsible for the employer portion of Medicare and social security taxes.

Q: How much is this going to cost me?

A: Weiland says you should plan on spending 10 percent of your nanny’s gross wages on taxes.

Q: I know people who don’t pay nanny taxes. Is it really illegal not to file?

A: The short answer is yes.

“The IRS is understaffed, so people think, ‘What are the chances I’ll get audited?’ But someone

Q: Is there a legal way to reduce my nanny tax bill?

A: If you or your spouse has a flexible spending account at work, Weiland says you can have up to $5,000 deducted annually from your paycheck, and those tax-free

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might get on the IRS’s radar. Say the kids go to school and the nanny goes to file for unemployment benefits and the employer portion has never been paid. The employer would have to file back taxes.

You’re not going to get thrown in jail, but it becomes problematic.”

funds can be used to help cover your nanny tax. “If you don’t have a flexible spending account, you can take a dependent care credit on your tax return,” Weiland says. “$1,200 was the most you could deduct last year.”

Q: How do I pay nanny taxes?

A: First you have to register with the IRS and the Illinois Department of Employment Services as a household employer, Weiland says.

You can request to file taxes annually instead of quarterly. Let your tax preparer know you employ a nanny so he or she can include that additional expense in your tax planning. You can hire The Nanny Tax Company to take care of all nanny tax filings for $475 a year plus a onetime $100 registration fee.

makeitbetter.net

12/9/13 11:21 AM

be t t e r you | beauty

the Power of moisture

By Jenny muslin

Move over BB creams, CC creams and oils; skincare is all about the facial serum.

What makes serums so powerful? While a moisturizer hydrates your skin’s surface, a serum distributes nutrients and vitamins into the deeper levels of your skin that a moisturizer just can’t reach. The concentrated liquids treat various skin issues, so you’ll want to choose the right serum for your skin type and needs. although serums are typically costly, a single pump is all you need, and a 1-ounce bottle should last you about three months.

The majority of serums promise visible results in four weeks. Serums are the right choice for most skin types, except those with eczema or rosacea (the serum may disperse into the skin too quickly and irritate). If you have very dry skin, you’ll want to layer the serum under your moisturizer.

Follow directions on the bottle.

Photos courtesy of the manufacturers

SerumS to try: Natura Bisse Diamond Life Infusion ($590 for .8 ounces) This revolutionary product launched last summer and quickly became a top seller due to its ability to rejuvenate the skin an average of 3.9 years in seven days. With the use of 16 potent anti-aging ingredients, Diamond Life lifts and firms, increases collagen, and improves skin elasticity. It is also beneficial to use after surgery procedures due to its intensive regenerating capabilities.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II ($62 for 1 ounce) This new serum from Estée Lauder works with your skin’s natural nighttime purification process to help strengthen, smooth and hydrate skin while you sleep. The oil- and fragrance-free serum fights premature aging by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving skin radiance and evenness.

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum ($23 for 1.7 ounces) Olay uses aminopeptide complex, vitamins and green tea extract to hydrate and soften skin while reducing the look of wrinkles. Customers raved about the nongreasy formula and extreme hydration for chapped skin (a must-have for winter in Chicago).

Tata Harper Skincare Boosted Contouring Serum ($184 for 1 ounce) Tata Harper doesn’t use any toxic chemicals or synthetic ingredients in her products. This serum is comprised of 35 natural ingredients that fight anti-aging in all three layers of the skin. algae extract and goldenrod flower are used to slow the aging process by protecting cells from free radicals.

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Radical Skincare Youth Infusion Serum ($170 for 1 ounce) Sisters Liz and rachel Edlich noticed that many anti-aging formulas would lose their potency when put into a cream. after much tweaking, they found that trylacel technology kept the antioxidant effectiveness in their products, making the line considerably more potent than its competitors. The serum is especially lightweight and softens skin instantly.

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bet t e r you | sex & the suburbs

context. But if someone is actually trying to control the other person, it will probably feel very bad and not increase the erotic component.”

By Mar jie Killeen Power and sex are two dynamics that are hard for couples to talk about, but both are huge factors in marital happiness.

Dr. Cheryl Rampage, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and Executive Vice President at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, has worked with couples for decades and knows from her practice—as well as the latest research—how a balance of power and good sex can strengthen long-term relationships.

Rampage defines power as “the ability to have a voice and make it count, the ability to have influence within the relationship.” Many power issues play out in everyday routines like household chores, care of children, and how a couple spends their free time. Here are five important things to know about sex and power in relationships:

1. Women are turned on by equality.

When a woman feels she has less power in the marriage, she is less attracted to her husband. “In heterosexual relationships, there’s a lot of research data that marital satisfaction is highly correlated—for women—with equality in the marriage,” Rampage says. “A man still finds his partner appealing regardless of power. But the woman who has less power finds her husband less desirable, particularly if she perceives his privilege as unfair.”

A man who wants more sex might consider whipping out the vacuum or cleaning up the kitchen once in a while. Because research shows, Rampage says, when husbands do housework, their wives are more likely to find them sexually interesting.

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2. Marriages where the husband accepts his wife’s influence are happiest.

Men who are fathers today are much more willing to help with the parenting responsibilities than in generations past, but the majority of household chores still fall to women. Rampage says that’s often because the guys just don’t care about how the house appears or the “right” way to fold the towels.

“This gets into the issue of power and influence,” Rampage says. “Who gets to set the standards for how the house looks?” A man may not care about presoaking the laundry, but if he’s willing to do it to accommodate his wife, research shows he’s doing a good thing for his marriage. “One of the highest, most positive correlates to marital satisfaction is a husband accepting his wife’s influence,” Rampage says. Generally, most married women do respond to their husband’s influence. It’s the husband reciprocating that boosts satisfaction.

3. The best sex is about play— not power.

In our society, the theme of female submission is often considered erotic for both men and women, but it shouldn’t be taken literally, Rampage advises. Women may have fantasies of being taken sexually, but they wouldn’t actually want to be raped or ravished.

They play with the fantasy of it, because it creates tension and excitement.

It’s the play that’s hot—force is not.

“The best sex often has a lot of play in it: play acting, roles, just being playful,” Rampage says. “‘Come over here, I’m going to throw you down on the bed,’ can be really erotic in a playful

4. Good sex helps, but a lack of sex really hurts.

Studies have shown that good sex increases marital satisfaction by 20 percent. But the more significant finding is that when a couple has little or no sex, happiness decreases by 50-70 percent.

“You don’t have to have fabulous sex for sex to be a protective factor for marital stability, but you have to have some,” Rampage says. “When one partner has a normal interest in sex but the other has none, it’s liable to create distress in a marriage.”

Women are more often considered the lower libido partner because, as Rampage says, “female sexuality is way more complicated than men’s. What makes women feel desire is just not as straightforward.”

Women may not walk around craving sex, but once they start fooling around, they often get into it. Men and women need to be OK with that, says Rampage. Also, women need to give their partners guidance about what feels pleasurable. Doing this isn’t always easy; but the communication to keep sex alive is vital to a relationship.

“Coordinate between the two of you so you have enough sexual contact and intimacy and connection so that you’re both satisfied,” Rampage says. “If you do that, you’re good.”

5. Pay attention to intention.

Rampage’s biggest piece of advice is to be deliberately considerate of your partner. “Be intentional, “ she advises. “That means thinking about your spouse in a positive way, doing positive things to get their attention, making their life easier. It can be in very small ways, like bringing a cup of coffee.

Each of these is like a deposit in the marital satisfaction bank.”

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12/9/13 11:23 AM

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DI N I NG

BY JULIE CHERNOFF

I’ve been to 27 Live twice. Both times, the meals were enjoyable. Both times, the room was virtually empty.

IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE location, just slightly off the beaten path in downtown Evanston (but only two blocks away from the bustling movie megaplex)?

Or perhaps it can be chalked up to the weather, on one night a drizzly mess, and the other with a wintry chill in the air?

Or maybe it’s because Evanston doesn’t yet realize that the restaurant has been open for business since early October. The attached concert venue has been open for a good chunk of time now, and seems to be doing a brisk business in private parties and events. It is a great space for a party, and I’ve been to a few there already.

The restaurant, which has its own

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entrance in front of the music hall, has large picture windows looking out onto Church Street and a pleasant clubby atmosphere. One wall is lined with reclaimed wood; a short bar sits at the far end. The colors are warm and inviting, and the booths are comfy. So far, so good, although I wasn’t feeling the “rock and roll” vibe touted on the website.

The food, “upscale comfort food with a twist,” was actually much better than I had expected. Proprietor John Tasiopoulos also owns the Old Neighborhood Grill on Evanston’s Central Street, which serves very casual, counter-service grill food. 27 Live is a few steps up from that.

Start with the very generous-for-themoney portion of Chestnut Gnocchi ($7), little dumplings (I saw the chestnut color, but didn’t really taste its distinctive flavor), tossed with nubbins of bacon, roasted celery root and tossed with a brown sugar-brandy glaze, not as sweet as you would think and very effective in the dish. Grilled Octopus ($9) has a pleasant char and chewiness, and is paired with a puddle of romesco sauce (a classic Spanish red pepperbased sauce), and perches atop crispy chickpeas and arugula. Points for presentation on that one.

Three of us split a Classic Caesar Salad ($7) on one visit, and it arrived on three separate plates, each it’s own nicesized portion. I started to wonder if I had been “made,” since the chef delivered it to the table, but later I saw another table getting similar love. I’m chalking it up to the dearth of diners. I think they were just glad we were there!

Entrees include a Duck Confit ($19), a (kind of scrawny) duck leg roasted in duck fat and served on a small mountain of roasted butternut squash and kale and topped with a sour cherry compote tinged with mustard seeds. It was yummy, but could have been meatier.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER FRANKFURTER

27 Live 1012-1014 Church St. Evanston 855-927-LIVE 27live.com

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We also enjoyed the Pan-Roasted Chicken ($18). The moist breast and thigh (that sounds so “50 Shades of Grey”… my sincere apologies) rested on a bed of crème-frâiche mashed potatoes, with a side of roasted root veggies and a light rosemary jus.

Sandwiches are another good option, especially if you’re stopping by before or after a movie for a quick bite. We dug into the Salmon Pinwheel ($10), a rolled and grilled salmon filet on a pillowy brioche roll with aioli, cucumber, arugula and tomato. Given the choice of carrot chips or fries, go carrot. The fries, while well seasoned, weren’t crispy enough, but the carrots were divine, a glorious orange tangle of lightly fried carrot strips dusted with cinnamon.

The Goat Cheese Burger ($10), on that same yummy brioche roll, arrived medium-well instead of medium as ordered, so I can’t make a fair ruling. The Braised Shortrib Sandwich ($12) was like an haute BBQ sandwich. I really liked the whipped Taleggio cheese, but fair warning: It’s a strong flavor and not for everyone. The pretzel roll was a plus; the sturdier bun was a necessity.

Desserts were meh. Strangely, the Blackberry-Apple Crumble ($7) arrived in a tart shell, and there was very little fruit. There was, however, an enormous chunk of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with caramelized peach sauce. The Butterscotch Panna Cotta ($7) was served in an Irish Coffee mug and looked more like a latte than a panna cotta. It tasted fine, but the consistency was more of a dense pudding.

As for service, one time it was clueless, the next, flawless. So that was a draw.

Please, people. Show this restaurant a little love. At least check them out next time you head to a show in Evanston.

Parking is a little easier on that stretch of Church, and a little Evanston secret: If you park around the corner on the north part of Oak Street, it’s crazy cheap at the meters, which are meant for Metra commuters. You’re welcome.

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12/10/13 12:26 PM

DI N I NG

POWER RESTAURANTS

BY JULIE CHERNOFF

Bobby’s Deerfield

Del Frisco’s 58 E. Oak St., 312-888-2499, delfriscos.com Occupying three floors of the once glamorous Esquire Theater, the décor—and the enormous wine tower—is out of control.

BARRINGTON

RL 115 E. Chicago Ave., 312-475-1100, rlrestaurant.com East Coast machers—or those that wish they were—chow down on comfort food in an uber-preppy, clubby atmosphere.

Barrington Country Bistro 718 W. Northwest Hwy., 847-842-1300, barringtonbistro.com This contemporary bistro means business.

The food is at once appealing to both men and women, from Onion Soup Gratinée to Steak Frites.

CHICAGO

Blackbird 619 W. Randolph St., 312-715-0708, blackbirdrestaurant.com 2013 James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Kahan’s first restaurant, and still every bit as delicious as the first day it opened. Randolph Street’s Restaurant Row starts here.

Chicago Cut Steakhouse 300 N. LaSalle St., 312-329-1800, chicagocutsteakhouse.com Every thing about this place screams “CLOUT,” from the shellfish bouquet to the massive Porterhouse steak.

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MK 868 N. Franklin St., 312-482-9179, mkchicago.com Open 15 years, and not a sign of slowing down. The atmosphere is conducive to conversation, but the food might just stop you in your tracks.

Rosebud Prime 1 S. Dearborn St., 312-384-1900, rosebudrestaurants.com This is a power staircase if I’ve ever seen one. It’s a Chicago steakhouse with speakeasy glamour—and a killer burger.

DEERFIELD

Bobby’s Deerfield 695 Deerfield Rd., 847-607-9104, bobbysdeerfield.com This new American bistro with an Italian accent makes a mean martini and serves it up with a yummy Caesar salad (or Kale and Quinoa, if you’re feeling health conscious) and Gnocchi with Beef.

EVANSTON

Pete Miller’s 1557 Sherman Ave., 847-328-0399, petemillers.com The menu here is almost as big as the 22-ounce Bone-In Ribeye. Almost.

Quince 1625 Hinman Ave., 847-570-8400, quincerestaurant.net At any given moment, there’s a professor from NU signing a contract in the corner, or maybe an offer dinner from a big consulting firm. And the food? It’s worth a drive.

GLENVIEW

Wildfire 1300 Patriot Blvd., 847-657-6363, wildfirerestaurant.com The 1940s-era dinner-club vibe works well with the food. Order the Cedar-Planked Salmon and seal the deal.

HIGHLAND PARK

Nieto’s 429 Temple Ave., 847-432-0770, nietosrestaurant.com No one can make you feel quite as welcome as owner Debbie Nieto. The menu is userfriendly and the feel is clubby and casual.

LAKE BLUFF

Inovasi 28 E. Center Ave., 847-295-1000, inovasi.us Proprietor John des Rosiers knows his way around a plate at this contemporary American favorite. There’s something here for everyone to agree on.

PHOTO THIS PAGE BY NATHANIEL PERRY, PHOTO OPPOSITE PAGE BY ERIK DAVIS

eating, although I’m certainly not ruling that out, either. These are the restaurants you go to when you’ve got business to attend to; where to take a meeting, where to see and be seen, where to use your expense account.

Not surprisingly, the list is red-meat heavy. It’s much easier to negotiate when you’re well taken care of and your belly and your glass are full.

I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT POWER

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LAKE FOREST

NORTHBROOK

Lovell’s of Lake Forest 915 S. Waukegan Rd., 847-234-8013, lovellsoflakeforest.com After you sign the contract over a beautiful double-cut pork chop, head to the Captain’s Quarters to celebrate with a snort of brandy.

Morton’s the Steakhouse 699 Skokie Blvd., 847-205-5111, mortons.com When a restaurant has been around this long, you know they’re doing something right. You did your first business deal at Morton’s. Why not your next one?

Market House on the Square 655 Forest Ave., 847-234-8800, themarkethouse.com American comfort food with a twist, everything made from scratch, and a country-club feel… no wonder it’s perennially packed.

Prairie Grass 601 Skokie Blvd., 847-205-4433, prairiegrasscafe.com This is a bustling restaurant with a conscience. So as you eat your locally sourced, sustainably produced and flat-out tasty meal, you can feel good no matter which way the deal goes.

LINCOLNSHIRE

SKOKIE

Eddie Merlot’s 185 N. Milwaukee Ave., 847-276-2000, eddiemerlots.com The Chef’s Creations, including a TriplePrime Meatloaf and Beef Bourguignon, all include a Caesar and side dishes and they’re only $28. Your business associates will think you’re a genius.

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McCormick & Schmick’s 4999 Old Orchard Shopping Center, 847-763-9811, mccormickandschmicks.com For a classic business lunch, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better location on the North Shore. Fresh seafood and a very worthy happy hour combine to make a winner.

Inovasi

12/11/13 12:35 PM

book l ist

best books for book club b y k e l ly k o n r a d

Whether you set your book-club list for the year in one shot or like to make selections by theme, this collection of ideas is certain to have something for everyone in your group.

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Choosing a classic? Try… Fear of Flying Erica Jong One could say it’s the original work of chick-lit writing. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, jong’s book is a classic tale of a woman taking charge of her identity and sexuality.

For parents and animal-lovers…

A Beautiful Truth Colin McAdam a parallel story with Looee, an adopted chimpanzee, at the center. Looee first finds himself the adopted son of Walt and judy, then a resident of a research facility. remember, it’s just a few strands of Dna…

The next “it” book could be…

The Aviator’s Wife Melanie Benjamin Being touted as the next “Loving Frank,” Benjamin takes aim at another famous historical couple, Charles and anne Lindbergh.

Is it the month for suspense?

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands Chris Bohjalian Emily’s dad just may be the reason an entire town is lost—and now that he and her mother are gone, she has to figure out a new life on her own.

Everyone’s talking about…

The Goldfinch Donna Tartt receiving rave reviews, this book is on a number of “Best of” lists and is ripe for book-club convo. Themes of love, loss and suspense will keep you turning the pages.

Like a little interpersonal dysfunction?

Want Not Jonathan Miles Three different protagonists, including freegans, mid-life crisis victims and a guy earning his money off others, make their way through life in this very wry tome.

Need a love story? Read…

The Girl You Left Behind JoJo Moyes True love, the ravages of war, sudden death and a painting that ties it all together. Here’s a great choice for a mother/daughter month from the author of “Me Before you.”

For sci-fi fans…

The Panopticon Jenni Fagan What happens when you’re off to the Panopticon, a home for young offenders? a family is born and an experiment is revealed, that’s what. This one’s a great book to share with teens.

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makeitbetter.net

12/9/13 11:02 AM

motivate me

BY VA L H A L L E R

As owner of a music website, one of the most commonly asked-for playlists I hear is workout music.

What you mean is: MOTIVATE ME. that makes you want to get up out of your chair and move? Of course, there’s the science behind the phenomenon; you’ll find whole chapters on the topic in one of my favorite books, “This Is Your Brain on Music” by Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist, musician and author (tinyurl.com/d6pdhtq). But how does pre-game pump-up music better warm up an athlete? Why do your earbuds help nudge you out the door for your run? Why does certain music help you focus, zero in, get in the zone?

As a playlist creator, I take this responsibility very seriously. But workout music is tricky business. Why? Because music, like art, speaks to everyone differently, and thus motivates differently.

So how do you make workout playlists with a universal appeal?

My interns will tell you that these are the hardest playlists to create because everyone is not created equal. Your workout music intimately and viscerally affects you. It’s the difference between a good workout and one you can’t wait to end.

People tell me all the time about the

WHAT IS IT ABOUT MUSIC

music at their workout joint. “It’s bad; it’s always the same; it’s boring.” Don’t be hard on the instructor! (I used to be one.) They’re really trying to motivate YOU. Our differing ages, moods and energy levels make us a finicky bunch at the gym.

No matter what your workout music preference, the one thing we can probably all agree on is that music motivates. We have workout playlists of all types on ValslistRadio (the new Valslist iPhone app for busy adults). Give them a whirl. I hope you find one you love.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPACE

VAL’S PICKS: CONCERTS TO PUT IN YOUR JANUARY CALENDAR

Jan. 4 Otis Clay at SPACE (date night) Jan. 15 Micaela Davis at SPACE (girls’ night out) Jan. 18 Jake Bugg at Riviera (take the grandparents—R&B/soul)

Jan. 23-27 An Intimate Solo/Acoustic Performance by Citizen Cope at City Winery (a must-see) Jan. 29 The Strumbellas at SPACE Jan. 30 Lord Huron at Metro (grab some friends and go) Jan. 31 Dark Star Orchestra at Vic Theatre

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12/11/13 12:11 PM

e n T e rTa i nM e n T | theatre

theater is the cure for the

winter blues January brinGs soMe ClassiC shows to local stages, led by a complex female

protagonist in “Hedda Gabler” and the Weimar naughtiness of “Cabaret.” And if those stories are too serious for your tastes, head to Drury Lane for a monster moaning “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” hedda Gabler January 7–March 16 | Writers’ Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe | 847-242-6000 writerstheatre.org Two consistently great Chicago theatrical artists, actress Kate Fry and director Kimberly Senior, teamed up in “The Letters” last season at Writers’ Theatre. This time, they’re taking on one of the most famous female stage roles ever written. Is the title character of “Hedda Gabler” a feminist heroine or a manipulative villain? Critics and audiences have been arguing over that question ever since Henrik Ibsen wrote the drama in 1890. Fry and Senior promise to deliver an intimate look at this fascinating fictional woman.

CabareT January 15–March 16 | Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire | 847-634-0200 marriotttheatre.com

The rising Nazi party looms in the background and decadence hangs in the air, but the dancing and romance continue inside Berlin’s seedy Kit Kat Klub in the 1930s.

“Life is a cabaret, ole chum, so come to the cabaret,” the tune goes. This show, featuring memorable songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb, is one of the most enduring musicals written in the 1960s—and when John Bell directs it in the round at the Marriott, the odds are good that the whole theater will feel a bit like a cabaret. younG franKensTein Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace | 630-530-0111 drurylaneoakbrook.com This musical based on the hilarious 1974 movie by Mel Brooks got mixed reviews when it opened on Broadway in 2007, paling in comparison with Brooks’ earlier smash hit “The Producers.” But given how

The hyPoCriTes One Acts by Tennessee Williams January 15-March 2 the-hypocrites.com CadillaC PalaCe TheaTre “The Phantom of the Opera” January 9-March 2 broadwayinchicago.com CourT TheaTre “Seven Guitars” January 9-February 9 courttheatre.org house TheaTre (aT The ChoPin) “Rose and the Rime” January 17-March 9 thehousetheatre.com

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MPaaCT (aT Greenhouse) “Quark” January 17-March 2 mpaact.org orienTal TheaTre “Ghost the Musical” January 7-19 broadwayinchicago.com Profiles TheaTre “Gidion’s Knot” January 17-March 9 profilestheatre.org

fun the original material is, it seems like a good bet that Drury Lane’s talented team will jolt the show to life. luna Gale January 18–February 23 | Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago | 312-443-3800 goodmantheatre.org The Goodman’s artistic director, Robert Falls, pairs up again with one of Chicago’s best-known playwrights, Northwestern professor Rebecca Gilman. Their previous collaborations, “Dollhouse” and “A True History of the Johnstown Flood,” sparked some debate among critics and audience members. In this world premiere, a social worker deals with two teenage drug addicts who are accused of neglecting their baby—but her actions may end up making things worse. luCK of The irish January 16–February 23 | Next Theatre, 927 Noyes St., Evanston | 847-475-1875 nexttheatre.org Kirsten Greenidge’s drama echoes the themes of two noteworthy Chicago plays: Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize-winning “Clybourne Park” and Lorraine Hansberry’s classic “A Raisin in the Sun.” Like Hansberry and Norris, Greenidge explores racial boundaries and barriers in a neighborhood—but her story in set in Boston rather than Chicago. Damon Kiely is directing the Midwest premiere.

a red orChid TheaTre “Solstice” January 9-February 23 aredorchidtheatre.org red TaPe TheaTre “hamlet is dead. no gravity” January 29-February 22 redtapetheatre.org sideshow TheaTre (aT ViCTory Gardens) “The Golden Dragon” January 18-February 23 sideshowtheatre.org sTeeP TheaTre “Strangers, Babies” January 23-March 1 steeptheatre.com

TheaTer wiT (KoKandy ProduCTions) “Sweet Smell of Success” January 10-February 2 theaterwit.org TheaTer wiT (sTaGe lefT) “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” January 11-February 16 theaterwit.org TiMeline TheaTre “The How and the Why” January 28-April6 timelinetheatre.com

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menTOr aT-riSk YOUTH BUILD Chicago 773-227-2880 | buildchicago.org BuILD (Broader urban Involvement & Leadership Development) needs volunteers to support its mission to engage at-risk youth in the schools and on the streets.

Current opportunities include: tutoring, mentoring, coaching or refereeing a youth sporting league or tournament, chaperoning a field trip, providing a business internship, offering a “job shadow” to high school students, presenting at a career development session, employing a BuILD youth, providing pro-bono expertise or hosting a Brand BuILD jewelry sale in your home or office. BuILD originated as a gang-intervention program in one community and now serves more than 3,500 youth annually in 11 Chicago communities. For more information or to sign up, contact Bessie alcantara at balcantara9@gmail.com.

GiVe VicTimS Of dOmeSTic ViOLence a freSH STarT House of Peace Shelter 224-430-4977 | houseofpeaceshelter.org The House of Peace Shelter requests donations from its wish list to help make its temporary housing a home. requested items include: small kitchen appliances, flatware and dishware, cooking utensils, knife sets, glassware, mixing bowls, cutting boards, Disney DVDs, twin mattresses and new pillows. The House of Peace Shelter, an outreach of Most Blessed Trinity’s Community Social Services in Waukegan, provides such temporary housing for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Programming includes: translation services, support groups, play therapy for children, bilingual counseling and referrals for families.

For more information or to learn about additional volunteer opportunities, contact aida Segura at 224-430-4977.

HeLP cHiLdren reacH THeir fULL POTenTiaL Urban Initiatives 312-715-1763 | urbaninitiatives.org Help bring engaging and empowering health, education and character development programming to students in Chicago Public Schools. urban Initiatives encourages Chicago’s underserved children to adopt healthy lifestyles, improve their academic performance and build strong character through athletic youth development programs. Services are free to families, and urban Initiatives relies on generous donations to run its programs. The organization takes a collaborative approach to child development through its Work to Play, Take the Lead, and Play with Potential programs.

For additional information on volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, visit urbaninitiatives.org/support.

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Offer YOUr BUSineSS eXPerTiSe Y.O.U. 847-208-0495 | youevanston.org youth Organizations umbrella of Evanston (y.O.u.) is seeking business professionals willing to share their expertise and stories with youth as part its entrepreneurship education programs. y.O.u. needs business leaders to become storytellers for one of its three business and entrepreneurship programs: Biz World, youth Entrepreneurship Summer (yES!) Camp, and Speed networking. y.O.u. provides services and leadership to meet the emerging needs of young people and their families in Evanston and Skokie. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in such programming, contact Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Ellen Muench at 847-866-1200, ext. 221, or by email at ellen.muench@youevanston.org.

SUPPOrT edUcaTiOn fOr TrOUBLed YOUTH  Allendale Association 888-255-3631 | allendale4kids.org allendale association requests contributions to reinforce the organization’s mission of providing quality care, treatment, education and advocacy for troubled youth and their families. Donations benefit all of allendale’s programming, including providing art and music supplies, Therapeutic recreation programming, community-based job training and technology. allendale serves children and adolescents with moderate to profound emotional and behavioral disabilities and their families. They receive care and treatment through residential treatment, education and community-based clinical programs. Donations can be submitted securely online. For more information, call 888-255-3631 or visit their website.

Photo courtesy of allendale association

giv e su pport

giv e things

giv e tim e

m a k e a di ffe r e nce

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12/2/13 2:39 PM

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12/10/13 11:56 AM

M A K E A DI FFE R E NCE

better makers and their impact 1

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Symphony Ball September 21, 2013 Symphony Center and Chicago Palmer House $1.2 million raised SHOWN IN PHOTOS:

(1) Scott and Judy McCue of Evanston with Executive Committee Immediate Past Chairman John Aalbregtse of Winnetka; (2) Carl Stern and Holly Hayes of Kenilworth; (3) Jim and Maxine Farrell of Lake Forest; (4) Katherine and Jonathon Miller of Wilmette; (5) The “Once Upon a Symphony” program for children ages 3-5 features a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.

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IMPACT PHOTO BY TODD ROSENBERG; ALL OTHER PHOTOS BY ROBERT CARL

CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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12/9/13 11:06 AM

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BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER

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The Legacy Continues: An Evening with Roberta Flack October 18, 2013 Hilton Chicago $250,000 raised

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLACK EMSEMBLE THEATER

SHOWN IN PHOTOS:

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(1) Black Ensemble Theater performers; (2) Gala emcee and co-host of ABC 7’s “Windy City Live” Val Warner of Lansing; (3) Lance Chody of Lake Forest; (4) Students from Ella Flagg Young School perform their school theater project.

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SERVICES FOR ADULTS STAYING IN THEIR HOMES

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The Ruby Slipper Event October 19, 2013 Evanston Golf Club $90,000 raised SHOWN IN PHOTOS:

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SASI

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(1) Ruby Slipper Co-Chairs Ellen Browne and Ann Searles, both of Evanston, get together at the Evanston Golf Club to plan the menu; (2) John Searles with Ruby Slipper sponsor and Advisory Board member Dale Bradley and wife Tracy, all of Evanston; (3) Ruby Slipper CoChair Ellen Browne of Evanston, Honorary Chair Julie Hamos of Chicago, SASI Executive Director Jeanie Ramsey of Evanston; (4) A client shares her family photographs and memories with a SASI caregiver.

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Make It Better was the media sponsor of this event.

ACT IMP

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12/10/13 3:05 PM

INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY OF EVANSTON

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Centennial Celebration November 4, 2013 FOUND Kitchen $105,000 raised SHOWN IN PHOTOS:

(1) Dan and Susan Maslauski of Evanston with Jane Chandler of Winnetka; (2) Peter Horwitz and Kathy Quinn of Chicago; (3) IWSE board member Kara Sokol with Paul and Dorothy Marschke, all of Evanston; (4) IWSE students learn to papiermâché.

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MIDWEST PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARECENTER

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF IWSE

Make It Better was the media sponsor of this event.

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Urban Art Party November 2, 2013 Mini of Chicago $18,000 raised SHOWN IN PHOTOS:

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Make It Better was the media sponsor of this event.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIDWEST PALLIATIVE

(1) Urban Art Party Chair Lina Nicklin and husband Matt of Wilmette; (2) John and Lisa Stiffler of Winnetka, Bill and Mindy Fauntleroy of Winnetka, Joe Dondanville of Wilmette; (3) Paul Tashima of Wilmette, Andrea and David Tingue of Northfield, Jenny Tashima of Wilmette; (4) CampCare recipient.

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WINNETKA COMMUNITY HOUSE

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Antiques + Modernism Preview Party October 17, 2013 Winnetka Community House $100,000 raised SHOWN IN PHOTOS:

PHOTOS BY JILL BRAZEL

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(1) A+M Winnetka Show Chair Laura Reynolds and Co-Chairs Amy Swartchild and Karen Vorwald, all of Winnetka; (2) Allegra Biery of Wilmette and Raheela Gill Anwar of Winnetka; (3) Karen Peters, Wendy Ferguson and Sally Jones, all of Winnetka; (4) Winnetka Community House works to enrich the lives of North Shore residents and families through educational, cultural, social and recreational programming and events.

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loc a l t r e a su r e

by co co k e e va n

Services for Adults Staying in Their Homes (SASI) is committed to helping older adults age in place safely and with dignity.

By providing exceptional, af-

and employing outstanding caregivers, SASI assists clients who, due to aging, illness or injury, need assistance with personal care and daily activities. SASI caregivers are better trained, paid and retained than the industry standard, and the agency tailors their services to the individual client’s needs year-round, including holidays.

fordaBle services

sasi by the numbers

• SaSI’s live-in aides are available 24 hours a day, 1 to 7 days a week.

• Schedules for come-and-go aides are typically 4 to 12 hours.

• 16 mandatory hours of caregiver training, double the state’s requirement • Well-being visits paid to new clients 30 days sooner than the state • $84,000 raised by 2012 ruby Slipper Event • 85 percent caregiver retention rate • More than 200 clients served since 2008 • 27,312 service hours completed between january and august 2013

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“SASI is the best practice for caring for older adults,” says Executive Director Jeanie Ramsey. “We respond quickly, offer flexibility and are clear about our services and fees. If we make a mistake, we own up to it.”

SASI understands that client choice defines its relationship with older adults; the staff works to respect the wishes of its clients to remain where they are most comfortable while they receive care.

“We recognize that life can change very quickly for both clients and caregivers,” Ramsey says. “So we go out of our way to be flexible and understanding while maintaining structure and purpose.”

One client, a retired human services professional suffering from dementia, required round-the-clock care to ensure she remained safely in her North Shore condominium. Prone to wandering and unable to find her way home, she posed a danger to herself, but as a highly independent former professional, the client found her situation difficult to accept.

SASI helps make living at home easier Established in Evanston in 1976 as the Senior Action Service, SASI aimed to improve and enrich the lives of North Shore residents over 65 years of age.

Its primary objective was to help older adults find part-time employment. In the 1980s and ‘90s, SASI evolved into a home services agency to respond to the growing need for older adult home care services.

With clients ranging in age from mid-70s to nearly 100, SASI works with clients who suffer from dementia or chronic illnesses, as well as those who may be recovering from surgery. Clients tend to live in single-family homes or facilities, and client preference defines SASI and its relationship with older adults. “Our mission is to support the efforts of adults to remain in their homes,” Ramsey says. “We make living easier.”

SASI goes beyond the state’s home services licensure mandate, requiring wellbeing visits to new clients sooner and annual tuberculosis testing for its caregiving staff. SASI’s services, too, are among the area’s most affordable, with a 2012 survey of 10 local home-service agencies showing SASI’s rates were the lowest for four or more hours of home care.

In addition to providing caregivers, SASI offers in-home administrative help, preparation for a client’s return home after a hospital stay, applicant screening and caregiver placement.

Photo courtesy of sasi

SASI worked with her family to develop a unique plan to meet her needs and maintain a respectful semblance of space. SASI caregivers accompanied her on emergency hospital visits, shopped for groceries to cater to her unique diet, and spent considerable time on the phone with her, keeping her spirits up and her anxiety levels down. For more than a year, the woman depended on SASI caregivers, and her family believes their program allowed her to live where she was most comfortable—her home—for as long as possible.

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CLOSI NG T HOUGH TS

“Out on that court, I may not be the most skilled guy, but I am the most passionate guy. Whatever you want to do with your life, you have to have passion. Whether it’s college, work or basketball, find something you’re passionate about, and give it 150 percent.”

— Joakim Noah

Bulls center and occasional power forward Joakim Noah is used to being in the spotlight. The son of a French Open champion and a former Miss Sweden, Noah remains a star in his own right as an integral member of the Bulls starting lineup. And with team MVP Derrick Rose out for the season with a knee injury, Noah’s role is even more vital. But Noah isn’t too much of an All-Star to give back to his community. He founded the Noah’s Arc Foundation with his mother, Cecilia, to empower kids to express themselves through art and sports. In October, Noah visited Deerfield’s Joy of the Game to participate in a Basketball ProCamp with more than 100 aspiring players, ages 7 to 18.

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PHOTO BY KATHRYN HASTINGS PHOTOGRAPHY

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