Streeterville News January 2020

VOL. 3 NO. 1

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January 2020

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BACK AT THE SCENE

Crash victim on mission for safer Michigan Avenue

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Beating the Blue Monday blues Set realistic resolutions that work for you Page 8 Page 11 Phyllis Mitzen meets with a CDOT official at the scene of her accident on Michigan Avenue. Photo by Mat Cohen.

Chicagoan ready for round two of roaring 20s

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Doorperson of the Month: Justine Kotlarz

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Gino’s East adds vegan pizza to menu Page 3 l’Aventino brings Roman pizza to Streeterville Page 12

A cookie on a milkshake: JoJo’s to expand

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| NEWS |

How to Contact Us info@neweastsidecommunity.com

200 E. Randolph St. Suite 5100 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 690-3092 Editor: Elaine Hyde elaineh@neweastsidecommunity.com Managing Editor Stephanie Racine stephanieracine@ neweastsidecommunity.com Staff Writers: Mat Cohen Jacqueline Covey Angela Gagnon Doug Rapp Elisa Shoenberger Copy Editors: Vivien Lee Bob Oswald Layout/Design: Bob Oswald Community Contributors: Jon Cohn

Eastside Enterprises LLC is the publisher of New Eastside News and Streeterville News. Eastside Enterprises has provided local community news to the Chicago area since 2012.

New Eastside News and Streeterville News are monthly papers that use community writers and contributors. The views expressed by community contributors are their own. Eastside Enterprises does not take responsibility for third-party announcements or events. Eastside Enterprises is independently owned and operated.

Published Jan. 1, 2020 Copyright ©2020. All rights reserved.

Chair Yoga helps New Eastsiders embrace an active lifestyle

By Mat Cohen Staff Writer When people think of yoga, they often think of twisting, sweating and breathing in a 95-degree room. However, that’s not always the case.

Chair Yoga is practiced around the neighborhood, including at Renaissance Court in the Chicago Cultural Center and a senior class at the Maggie Daley Park Fieldhouse.

Peggy Figiel teaches the class at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Renaissance Court.

“Seeing people move into the pose and smile and say ‘I did it,’” she said, “that’s one of the best things.”

Figiel began teaching yoga to seniors at a suburban park district 16 years ago.

“I felt like (seniors) understood it better,” she said.

“It wasn’t about twisting and sweating. It was about relaxing, going inside and finding your inner peace. It was more of an inner exercise.”

There are benefits beyond calming your mind. In Chair Yoga, students do exercises sitting in a chair and standing beside it. They won’t be on their knees or lying on a mat.

“Even doing chair yoga you are still going to improve your balance, your muscles, your bones and increase range of motion,” Figiel said.

Fifteen women regularly attend the Chair Yoga class at Renaissance Court. Figiel makes the environment welcoming for participants of all abilities.

“There are so many ways to

Peggy Figiel (right) leads a Chair Yoga class as Elvira Azarcon follows along at Renaissance Court. Photo

by Mat Cohen

modify and they can still do yoga,” she said. “There are unmeasured benefits and I’m just here to guide them along.”

Rose Lathan, who has been taking the class for four years, said the modifications are very helpful.

“I also take a class at LA Fitness with the mat and I can’t do all the poses,” she said. “But here she shows me different ways I can do it and be successful. I always feel great after.”

Another regular yogi, Elvira Azarcon, clearly feels the benefits of the class.

“It’s really great,” she said.

“I’ve been coming for a while and I can feel a difference with my flexibility and my joints.”

Figiel also teaches classes in 400 E. Randolph, 360 E. Randolph and 340 E. Ran-

Rose Lathan and Elvira Azarcon follow along with Peggy Figiel during a Chair Yoga class at Renaissance Court in the Chicago Cultural Center.

dolph. She loves the New Eastside community and working with the people in the neighborhood.

“Everyone is still very active,” she said. “You have to walk and you have to be mobile.

People can’t run or ride their bike maybe as much as they

want to, but they can still get a workout doing yoga.”

For more information about the Chair Yoga classes at Renaissance Court, visit chicago. gov and for information about the programs at Maggie Daley Fieldhouse visit maggiedaleypark.com

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| NEWS BRIEFS | City names 2020 ‘Year of Chicago Music’ Throughout 2020, Chicago will be holding a celebration of Chicago music.

Following the success of similar efforts for public art in 2017, creative youth in 2018 and theater in 2019, the year-long festival will celebrate Chicago’s rich music history.

There are plans for a 17-day celebration starting Memorial Day weekend including the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago House Music Festival and Chicago Blues Festival. Other plans include grants to support the local music industry, professional support for local musicians and support for local neighborhoods and venues.

Chef Tony Mantuano has left Spiagga After almost 35 years, chef Tony Mantuano is leaving the Michelin star-winning Italian restaurant Spiaggia. Mantuano told the Chicago Tribune: “It’s the right time for me. Eric (executive chef Eric Lees) is crushing it, and the team is strong.

It’s time for the next generation to take over, and I get to figure out what I want to do next.” Currently, Mantuano and his wife Cindy are traveling around Italy but Mantuano says he is not retired. Earlier this year, executive chef Joe Flamm left Spiagga to open a Croatian-Italian restaurant. Mantuano has other restaurants in Chicago including Terzo Piano, Maddon’s Post and others.

Crushed by Giants brewery and restaurant to open Spring 2020 From the owners of Lakeview’s DryHop Brewers and Corridor Brewery and Provisions, Crushed by Giants is slated to open in Spring 2020. The brewery and restaurant will take over the space that used to house Heaven on Seven and will share an address and entrance with AMC at 600 N. Michigan. Crushed by Giants plans to focus on tacos and its beer selections, according to the Chicago Tribune. Greg Shuff, owner of Crushed by Giants, told the Tribune he is looking forward to being one of the only brewpubs in the immedi-

Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research. He is replacing Patrick Magoon who had announced that he was retiring after 22 years in July. He will be serving as president emeritus for one year.

River North building sells for $17 million to East Coast investors

Vegan thin crust will be offered at Gino’s East. Photos courtesy of Gino’s East

Vegan deep dish pizza also comes to Gino’s East.

Gino’s East adds vegan pizza to menu Gino’s East now offers a vegan deep dish and thin crust pizza at its downtown Chicago locations. It’s dairy, egg, soy, nut, and gluten free. The vegan cheese is made from potato starch, pea protein and coconut oil. The new vegan offering will eventually be rolled out to other U.S. locations. Offering vegan options is part of a larger trend the past few years.

Grandview Research notes that the global vegan food market was worth $12.7 billion in 2018 and is projected to grow over the next few years. ate downtown area. However, despite the location, Shuff hopes to keep the spirit of a small craft brewery. For more information, visit crushedbygiants.com

The First Noise Sensitive Zone declared in Streeterville The City Council passed ordinance for noise sensitive zones on November 20. The area between Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the first designated zone. According to the ordinance, the Superintendent of Police can recommend certain locations—such as hospitals and schools—for the designation; aldermen and members of the public can make recommendations but the final designation requires a council vote. Signs will be installed to notify people about the designated zone. The hospitals already were designated quiet zones but Alderman Brian Hopkins introduced the bill to expand the scope. United Here Local 1 had been striking in the nearby Cambria Hotel but reduced the amount of noise earlier this year after receiving a cease and desist letter.

Langham Hotel wins gold as top hotel Langham Hotel makes Conde Nast’s annual Gold List of top hotels and resorts around the world for 2020. The review says that going to the Langham is “to step into the story the building tells about the American city. You feel like you could be a character in a spy thriller as you pass through the note-perfect midcentury lobby and take the elevator to the elegant second-floor reception area.” Earlier this year, Conde Nast named Chicago as “Best Big City” for the third year in a row.

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has new CEO Dr. Thomas Shanley has become the new CEO and president of the Lurie Children’s Hospital after a board vote.

Previously he was chief research officer and president of Lurie’s Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute and chair of pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Before he came to Chicago, Shanley was at University of Michigan Medical School and

Michael Palumbo and Elmdale Partners have sold the loft office building, 435 N. Lasalle, for $17 million to Vista Property Group. Vista, an East Coast property group, owns other properties in Chicago including 1000 W. Washington Blvd. which they purchased in 2018.

Palumbo and Elmdale Partners bought the 50,000-square-foot building in 2015 for $8.2 million and renovated it for $3 million. They financed the project with $5.6 million of debt and then refinanced it for $12 million in 2018. The sale provided Palumbo and Elmdale Partners with a substantial profit, 52% of what they put in.

Lettuce Entertain You to open new seafood restaurant on river Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise plans to open RPM Seafood at 317 N. Clark St. in mid- to late-January. The multi-level restaurant will have views of the river with its floor to ceiling windows. Lettuce Entertain You has partnered with Bill and Giuliana Rancic for the RPM restaurant brand. Other RPM restaurants include the RPM Steak Chicago, and RPM Italian in Chicago and DC. Pizza Portofino, another Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, opened in the same building and RPM on the Water, a 6,000-square-foot private event space, opened this past fall.

Two Marijuana companies aim to open in River North Cresco Labs and Greenhouse Group have filed their applications for locations in River North. Cresco Labs wants to open a location at 436 N. Clark St and Greenhouse Group at 612 N. Wells St. To open, both companies have to comply Continued on page 5

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| FEATURES |

Travel around the world at language centers

By Elisa Shoenberger Staff Writer Local filmmaker Hadley Austin was grounded due to an injury.

The injury meant that she had to step away from aerial circus classes for a while. While Austin had limited mobility, she was able to explore the francophone world through her French classes at the Alliance Française.

Alliance Francaise is one of four language centers based in Streeterville and River North.

The Cervantes Institute, Goethe Institut, and ItaCultura let people travel the world without leaving Chicago through language classes. People can learn French, Spanish, German, and Italian at these centers, with a new term starting in January.

“We teach French to people who like to either learn or improve or discover the French language and we have cultural events,” Director of Learning

A teacher leads a French class at the Alliance Francaise. Photo courtesy of Alliance Francaise

Center at the Alliance Française, Geoffrey Ruiz said. They offer 80-100 French classes every two months that cover general language study and topical classes about literature, history, art, and

wine, for people of all ages and all levels.

But for many students at the Alliance Française, it’s a community.

“People take class together,

they move levels together,” Ruiz said, “People have been friends (for) five years and they go to each other’s weddings and birthdays.”

In addition to language instruction, many language institutes offer cultural events. In February, Cervantes Institute will be having a Flamenco Festival which will feature artists from Spain who will perform at the Institute.

The Alliance Française will be hosting an open house Jan. 31 where prospective students can take 30 to 45-minute sample classes, tour the facility and enjoy some cheese and wine. On Jan. 22, the Alliance will have a “Northern Rhône: Advanced Taste and Toast” for people interested in wine of the Rhône.

Kicking off the new year, the Goethe Institut will be hosting a concert and featuring musicians Spider Saloff and Bradley Williams on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Following the concert, researcher Noah Zeldin will discuss “Brecht

and Weill: Artistic Collaboration in the Weimar Era.” Now that Austin’s injury has healed, she is using her French professionally as she travels the world for work and goes back to the circus.

Alliance Française 810 N. Dearborn St. Chicago, Ill. 60610 af-chicago.org Cervantes Institute 31 W. Ohio St. Chicago Ill. 60654 chicago.cervantes.es/en Goethe Institut 150 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 200 Chicago, Ill. 60601 goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/chi.html ItaCultura 500 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1405 Chicago, Ill. 60611 italculturachicago.com

Children’s Choir singers ‘have to be excellent’

By Jacqueline Covey Staff Writer The best young voices in Chicago perform with the Chicago Children’s Choir in storied locations like the grand-glass roofed third floor of the Chicago Cultural Center.

Members of the Voice of Chicago choir, the Chicago Children’s Choir’s premier mixed-voice ensemble, have performed overseas and in front of international leaders, such as former South African President Nelson Mandela.

The mantra for this elite group, instilled by Judy Hanson, senior associate artistic director with the Chicago Children’s Choir, is “the more excellent, the more magic.”

“They have to be excellent,” Hanson said.

At a recent holiday-themed performance of “We Are One” at the Chicago Cultural Center, students in leader-

ship roles addressed the audience at an open rehearsal.

“We connect to people through music,” said Isaiah Calaranan, a member of the choir. “We’re breaking down barriers and outside social constructs.”

During performances, the reaction of the crowd gives immediate feedback to the performers. “I love seeing their faces light up,” Calaranan said.

During the civil rights movement, the choir was founded in Hyde Park to bring children of diverse backgrounds together.

Hailing from Rodgers Park, Calaranan followed his brother’s footsteps throughout each level of the organization, starting when he was nine.

“We have to be role models,” Calaranan said. “We are what (other groups) want to be. We are the end goal, but we keep inspiring and changing lives even after high school.”

Judy Hanson, long-time music educator, directs the Voice of Chicago at an open rehearsal. Photo by Jacqueline Covey

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| COMMUNITY CORNER |

Doorperson of the Month Justine Kotlarz at 247 E. Chestnut St.

By Jacqueline Covey Staff Writer For 17 years, January Doorperson of the Month Justine Kotlarz has worked at 247 E. Chestnut St. greeting residents, tending to their needs and handing out cookies—to those with two and four feet.

About two months ago, Kotlarz lost her brother Nick Bolhak.

“My brother got me in his place to train,” Kotlarz said, her voice straining the way one’s does when holding back tears. “And then a spot here opened.”

When Kotlarz was 50 years old, she hadn’t planned on losing her job at a printing company—no one plans for their long-time career to abruptly stop. But her brother, who she had raised her since he was 15, was there to return the helping hand. He brought her into his building at 2626 Lakeview, his place of employment for about 20 years, and she fell into a new career.

“I hope I can stay here for a long time,” she said. “I don’t want to retire. I just love this job.”

Kotlarz comes to work in the early hours, from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. most days of the week.

In the middle of her interview, a resident came down to put in a last minute-request for overnight parking. Kotlarz was happy to oblige, apparent by the smile on her face through-

Justine Kotlarz behind her desk at 427 E Chestnut St. Photo by Jacqueline Covey

out the task of filling out a time slot.

“The people here are so nice and friendly,” she said.

“They let me decorate and put flowers out.”

One former board member at the complex, Kotlarz remembers fondly, would garden with her outside and plant flowers on the sun deck. She looks back at her years in the garden as a time split between two homes.

This is generally her outlook when she thinks about her job, the residents and the people she works for. She is a giving person, trying to provide the best service to her tenants—and the job has given back.

A few years ago, Kotlarz was unable to work for

a year due to a medical condition. Regina Gubic, her manager at the time and one still within Sudler Property Management, was immensely understanding of her hardship.

“She called me one day (while I was on leave),” she said, “and told me she was saving my job for me.

“She’s just…,” Kotlarz tried to finish that sentence three times. Finally finishing with glassy eyes, “She’s just a treasure.”

To nominate your favorite doorperson, email info@ neweastsidecommunity.com with the doorperson’s name and why you think they should be the doorperson of the month. Each winner will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.

NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 3 with city and state regulations including obtaining licenses from the state as well as receive City Council approval. It may take a few months because the state will begin reviewing licenses in March and issuing new dispensary licenses in May. In the new year, only dispensaries selling medical marijuana will be able to sell recreational marijuana until additional licenses are issued.

Carrie Nahabedian’s new restaurant opens

Beard Award winner Carrie Nahabedian opened her new restaurant Kostali on Dec. 10. Photo by Elisa Shoenberger

Beard Award winner Carrie Nahabedian opened her new restaurant Kostali on Dec. 10. The new restaurant, housed in the Gwen Hotel, will offer Mediterranean food including seafood and a diverse wine selection selected by sommelier and cousin Michael Nahabedian including Croatian wines. Nahabedian was behind

the former Michelin-starred restaurant Naha that closed in 2018 after 18 years.

The cousins have a second restaurant, Brindille, that opened in 2013. The new restaurant is also designed by another family member, Tom Nahabedian, who won a Beard Award for his work on Brindille.

Gail Spreen & Dennis Downes Celebrating “Irrational Passions” at our Streeterville Holiday Party with Friends & Neighbors !

Gail Spreen (312)925-7668 Gail@StreetervilleProperties.com

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| NEWS |

Gluten free eats offered in the neighborhood

By Angela Gagnon Staff Writer

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We are looking for volunteers for a focus group to find out how we can better serve our communities as the local paper. Participants could receive a gift card or other surprises. Those interested please email stephanieracine@ neweastsidecommunity.com

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Maintaining a gluten free lifestyle is challenging, and especially important for those with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition where ingestion of gluten leads to damage of the small intestine.

Two community members living with celiac disease shared tips on how to eat gluten free in the neighborhood for those looking to revamp their diets in 2020.

“I ask a lot of questions,” said Abigail Manville, who works in the New Eastside and was diagnosed celiac as a teenager. “I rely on the waitstaff and kitchen staff when dining out. I’ll call ahead and ask if they can accommodate me, and I avoid busy meal times so the chef can come out and talk to me.”

New Eastside resident Alexis Jones is also living with celiac disease.

“There is a lot of good (gluten-free) food out there. You just have to find it,” Jones said. “But being able to eat at restaurants and be part of the social scene is important, so I’ll talk to the chef and see if they can customize the menu or create something that works for me.”

“So much of our socialization is built around food,” Manville said, “so going gluten free can have a big impact on that.”

Jones said it’s hard to

Abigail Manville enjoys a freshly baked gluten free donut from Do Rite Donuts in the Loop. Photo by Angela Gagnon

share meals when eating out unless everyone agrees to go gluten free.

Chicago’s downtown area has some options for those who can’t tolerate gluten. Whether avoiding gluten is a preference or an allergy, it’s possible to navigate the vast culinary landscape in downtown Chicago to meet your dietary needs.

“Brown Bag Seafood, 340 E. Randolph St., has food that is simple in terms of ingredients,” Manville said. They also label their gluten free menu options on their website.

Jones said Brown Bag has a good gluten free clam chowder, which is hard to find.

Eggy’s Diner, 333 E. Benton Place, offers gluten free waffles and pancakes. “I can go there for breakfast or dinner food,” Jones said.

Wildberry Cafe, 130 E. Randolph St., has a variety of gluten-free breakfast and lunch items, labeled “GF” to make it easier to order.

Jones and Manville also recommend Do-Rite Do-

nuts, 50 W. Randolph St., for a sweet treat because they offer several gluten free varieties, prepared using separate equipment from the regular donuts. This is important for reducing cross contamination.

Brightwok Kitchen in the Loop, 21 E. Adams St., “is an awesome dedicated gluten free build your own stir fry place,” Manville said.

“And if I want a fancier meal when my family is in town, we will go to The Berghoff.”

The German restaurant, 17 W. Adams St., has extreme handling procedures to make the gluten free dishes celiac-friendly.

Mariano’s grocery store, 333 E. Benton Place, has hundreds of gluten free products, which can make shopping for groceries a little easier.

“I’ve learned to make everything from scratch,” Jones said, “so shopping for gluten free ingredients is important.

“Living in the city makes life easier for me. If I can eat at 10% of the places, that’s still a lot of options.”

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| NEWS |

Chicago restaurants showcase future of dining

By Doug Rapp Staff Writer Self-ordering kiosks with food appearing in a cubby minutes later. Robots working as concierges and assisting restaurant servers.

All of these are happening in Chicago in what might be a version of dining in the future.

Hotel EMC2, which bills itself as “at the intersection of art and science,” has added two robot concierges. Named Leo and Cleo, the robots deliver amenities for guests who book the Bot Experience Package through March 2020, according to website Travel Pulse.

The X Pot, a Chinese hot pot restaurant, plans to use robots at its South Loop location opening this summer, according to the Chicago Tribune. Owner David Zhao told the Tribune the robots will move around similarly to Roombas, delivering food to tables and taking away empty dishes.

Wow Bao, a fast Asian street food eatery,

has two fully automated locations, plus a semi-automated one in Streeterville. At the 200 N. Michigan Ave. spot, customers order from a kiosk and their food is placed in a cubby, limiting human interaction.

“It makes the ordering process a lot faster and more accurate because you’re entering your own order,” said Christine Reznicek, Wow Bao’s marketing manager.

The restaurant usually has two to three employees preparing the food, according to Reznicek, and a concierge up front during peak times to assist customers.

Reznicek said it’s a feature the company wants to move forward with.

“We like the excitement that it encourages,” she said. “It definitely is a draw for traffic coming in.”

The reception has been almost uniformly positive, Reznicek said.

“It’s been great. Once everyone gets used to the order flow, they like it. We’re pretty big with tourists. They hear about it and want to

At Wow Bao, 200 N, Michigan Ave., customers order from a kiosk.

come check out the animations.”

She was referring to the dancing bitmojis that traipse across the cubbies’ thin screens at the 200 N. Michigan location.

KDM Engineering employee Mani Appalamcen, who was picking up lunch, said he “loves” the vegan options at Wow Bao. “I like the way your order appears on the monitor and then in the cubby,” he said.

“That’s cool and it’s convenient.”

Cleanna Smith, a supervisor at the 200 N. Michigan location, said the technology rarely

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A customer at Wow Bao reaches for drinks inside the cubby. Photos by Mat Cohen

has problems but occasionally a guest needs help navigating the ordering stations.

“I just like that we have all this technology that’s a new experience for people,” Smith said.

Apply Now for 2020-2021 School Year

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| LOOKING FORWARD 2020 |

Realistic resolutions: Keep ‘new year, new you’ working Gym managers say setting smaller goals along the way helps

By Mat Cohen Staff Writer You’re not alone. According to Strava, a social network for athletes, most people don’t keep their New Year’s resolutions past Jan. 12. That’s when, just nearly two weeks after the start of the year, lack of motivation creeps out like a monster from under the bed.

Roughly 55 percent of resolutions are health-related, according to The Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, so how can we avoid biting off more than we

can chew in early January?

Head trainer Kelsey Slotter from Planet Fitness at 240 E. Illinois St. has some ideas.

Slotter says finding other people with like-minded goals can keep people motivated.

“We offer free fitness training that is included with all our memberships,” she said. “Utilize group training classes to provide the encouragement, energy and motivation you need to reach your goals during the holidays.”

Lakeshore Sport & Fitness assistant general manager Luis

Planet Fitness lead trainer Kelsey Slotter has some advice for taking on your New Year’s resolutions.

Photo courtesy of Planet Fitness

Davila says having a solid foundation to grow upon and utilizing a fitness assessment the gym includes for new members, is important for hitting goals.

“It’s important for people to

understand resources when setting fitness goals,” said Davila who explained that setting smaller goals can help along the way.

“One thing might not be the answer for the full year and you might need to change it up,” he said. “I think that’s critical to understand when people are setting their goal.”

Slotter believes enjoying small victories on the path to reaching a bigger goal is as important as celebrating the final accomplishment.

Planet Fitness has a pizza party planned for January to keep the pressures of a resolution at bay.

“Ten minutes on the treadmill can lift your mood and help you get through the day,” Slotter said.

“Schedules this time of year may

not allow for a longer workout, which is okay, but just hit the gym when you can.”

For those with kids, Davila, a father, says the family membership at LSF which includes free childcare and a family play space is great for him.

“It’s hard for me to even come in and work out in the mornings,” he said. “Having that option during group classes, during your regular routine, that is an absolutely huge help as far as breaking a barrier to entry and a commitment to year-long fitness goals.”

Both locations offer new year promotions on membership. For more information visit lakeshoresf. com and planetfitness.com

Beating the Blue Monday blues

By Doug Rapp Staff Writer

Chicagoans brave the cold through dark January days and past Blue Monday, a name given to what some think is the most depressing day of the year. Photo by Mat Cohen

After a white Christmas, there may be a Blue Monday.

Blue Monday is the name given to what some consider the most depressing day of the year—usually the third Monday in January.

The idea originated with a Welsh academic as a marketing plan for a travel company, according to the British newspaper Telegraph. A formula involving debt, time past since Christmas, winter weather and failed New Year’s resolutions add up to the infamous day in January.

A Northwestern Medi-

cine psychologist believes Blue Monday is a myth.

“There are so many other factors that contribute to depression,” said Dr. Stewart Shankman, chief of psychology in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “I don’t think there’s a certain day of the year that’s the most depressing day.”

Shankman allowed that even without Blue Monday, January may be the most depressing month of the year.

“What’s interesting is seasonal affective disorder (SAD, a seasonal type of depression), the onset of that actually tends to be in the beginning of winter,

more like October or November,” he said. “As the weather starts to get worse, that’s when you see the onset of SAD. It might hit its peak in January.”

Joyce Marter, a licensed psychotherapist who founded the multi-location counseling practice Urban Balance, agreed.

“More of the population is impacted by SAD in Chicago, due to the cold and gray weather during the winter months,” she said. “Poor weather can worsen any underlying mental health issue, such as anxiety and depression, and decrease motivation.”

Chicago’s brutal winters Continued on page 10

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| LOOKING FORWARD 2020 |

Chicagoan ready for round two of roaring 20s

By Mat Cohen Staff Writer The 1920s was a decade unfamiliar to most. But Wanda Bridgeforth remembers it well.

Bridgeforth saw the Great Depression, World War II and lived in Chicago when the tallest building was eight stories high.

As the year 2020 begins, she’s ready to welcome the changes that a second shot at the ‘20s will bring.

Bridgeforth, 98, takes a writing class at the Chicago Cultural Center but has more stories to tell that aren’t on paper.

“My life has been different than average,” she said. “But I’m still a kid at heart.”

Bridgeforth grew up in Bronzeville and has lived in Princeton Park, the Loop and now Hyde Park for the past 16 years.

As a kid in the 1920s, Wanda’s family visited downtown Chicago once a year to see the Christmas decorations.

“We got dressed up to come downtown with gloves and hats,” she said. “Once a year we came down to Marshall Field’s to see the tree. Then we went up to the eighth floor to look down on it.”

Wanda Bridgeforth, 98, alongside Beth Finke who leads a writing class at the Chicago Cultural Center that Bridgeforth attends. Photo courtesy of StoryCorps

She said although the Christmas setup is still the same, most things have changed drastically.

“Downtown is so different than what it was,” she said.

“The department stores, the theaters, all the high-rises.

Sometimes I just have to suck in my breath and go with the flow. Everything is moving so fast these days with all of this technology. It’s just amazing to me.”

As a kid, she saw neighbors stick together through thick and thin.

“The Depression came when I was about six or seven,” she said. “That’s when everybody’s life turned upside down. We had a closeness and a strong community spirit that we don’t have now.”

This tightness helped during World War II when her husband was stationed overseas.

“When he went overseas it was 56 days from Chicago to India,” she said. “I didn’t know he was in India, I just knew he was away from home.”

Beth Finke, who leads the writing class, has grown close to Bridgeforth. “(Wanda) is profoundly deaf and I am totally blind,” she said. “Maybe we connect because both of us acknowledge our disabilities without letting it define us. We both are resourceful and have to figure out ways to do certain things that others do with their ears and eyes.”

Bridgeforth said there was another reason she was drawn to Finke.

“We clicked immediately,” she said. “Primarily through (Finke’s guide) dog because I love animals.”

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| LOOKING FORWARD 2020 |

Blue Monday Continued from page 8

Megan Masako Haley (Gretchen Wieners) (from left), Mariah Rose Faith (Regina George), Jonalyn Saxer (Karen Smith) and Danielle Wade (Cady Heron) star in the National Touring Company of Mean Girls. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

Mean Girls musical teaches important life lessons

By Elisa Shoenberger Staff Writer While many people will be snapping their fingers to the music while leaving Mean Girls, they will also be taking away some life lessons.

“It’s very clear that (though) it is a comedy that there are dire repercussions to being mean—to being a bad person,” said Danielle Wade, principal actor playing the lead role of Cady Heron.

Wade appreciates that Cady Heron “starts out one way and goes through all these emotions that we have felt and dealt with in high school or post high school. She faces repercussions for actions too and I think that’s really important.”

The Mean Girls musical is based on the 2004 movie by Tina Fey. It’s the story of

Cady Heron who grew up in Africa and finds herself in the world of high school cliques in the suburbs. She becomes part of the Plastics, a popular trio of girls led

by Regina George, and faces some tough challenges arising from her decisions.

The musical has something to offer for everybody.

“There is a character within the show that everyone can relate to—or parts of each character that everyone can relate to,” Wade said. She’s met many people at the stage door that have told her that they saw themselves in various characters.

When Wade was on Broadway, a woman told her she realized that she was Regina in high school and needed to go make an apology phone call to her high school friend.

“On the inside, I was like ‘Regina is very scary, that’s scary to me.’ That was

cool that she recognized that and felt she needed to say something,” Wade said.

Mean Girls helps people better understand issues of cliques and bullying.

“I think it’s given people language to talk about this problem. When 12 to 13 year old girls refer to ‘Mean Girls,’ we know what they are talking about,” child therapist and president of Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute Erika Schmidt said.

Wade hopes that people will take something away from the show.

“The show is goofy and it’s rooted in humor, but it’s really truthful. As much as we joke and are dressed head to toe in pink outfits, it’s an important message for people to hear,” she said.

Mean Girls runs through Jan. 26 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, and will tour across the U.S. throughout 2020.

limit social and physical activity while possibly raising fattening food intake, according to Heloisa G. R. Roach, a psychotherapist at Urban Balance’s South Michigan Avenue location.

“In January, we might also experience stressors of post-holiday financial concerns and seasonal unemployment (which) intensify these feelings,” Roach said.

Several mental health professionals said even if Blue Monday isn’t an actual phenomenon, they do see more patients in the first month of the year.

“January does tend to be a busy time for therapists,” said Alicia Hoffman, a licensed clinical professional counselor with a private practice in New Eastside.

“A lot of people put off starting therapy during the holidays and understandably wait until after. Some people are coming to fulfill a New Years resolution, and some people come because they had to spend a lot of time with family which can be triggering and high stress.”

There are several ways to fight winter depression according to healthcare providers.

Light exposure is essential, through limited sunlight or a sun lamp. A healthy diet with plenty of Vitamin D , while avoiding excessive alcohol use, can help. Maintaining physical activity, whether indoors or outdoors, is important, along with keeping social contact with friends and family and avoiding too much “hibernation” and screen time.

Marter added that cultivating a positive, grateful attitude is also beneficial, and, if possible, arrange a trip somewhere warm between January and April. She said research indicates the anticipation of a vacation could be more helpful than the trip itself.

If none of these lift your spirits, professionals said it may be time to seek help.

Roach said if you experience a significant loss of energy in the winter, it’s worth consulting a mental health professional to see if you’re experiencing a seasonal episode of depression.

Shankman said anyone can have sad moods, but if it impairs your work or family life, seek treatment.

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| NEWS |

Crash victim on mission for safer Michigan Avenue

By Mat Cohen Staff Writer On Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m., Phyllis Mitzen walked with a cane along E. Delaware Place and across Michigan Avenue along with her husband, Michael.

She’s on a mission to make crosswalks safer.

Six months ago at this crossing, Mitzen was knocked to the ground by a van which rolled on her leg. She spent 15 hours in surgery, 10 days in the hospital and three months in rehabilitation.

On Dec. 16 she walked with a cane to the corner of Michigan and Delaware, meeting with 20 people and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) official Samadi Malihe, to initiate a discussion about making the area safer.

One of the women supporting the conversation was Janice Lewis. Her son was involved in an accident 10 years ago in Montgomery, Mich. When Lewis went to the hospital she didn’t recognize him.

He died Jan. 4, 2010.

“It changes lives,” she said. “So anything we can do, let’s do it.”

Since 2012 there has been an average of approximately 75 pedestrian deaths each year in Chicago, according to CDOT. The crossings along the Magnificent Mile between Oak Street and Chicago Avenue make the strip the third highest area for fatalities.

One of the main changes Mitzen is asking for is extended traffic lights to give slower walkers a chance to cross.

The group highlighted that slower people, mainly young kids and the elderly, have to start walking as soon as the light changes to have enough time to cross.

But with busier intersections, cars try to get through the lights as late as they can, delaying pedestrians from crossing.

Mitzen serves as the president of Skyline Village Chicago and is a member of the Mayor’s Commission for Age Friendly Chicago. She’s also planning, along with State Representatives, a town hall meeting

Phyllis Mitzen and her husband Michael talk with a CDOT official about making the crosswalks along Michigan Avenue safer for pedestrians. Photo by Mat Cohen

in February at Ogden Elementary School to focus on pedestrian safety.

“I think they certainly heard what we had to say,” she said. “And having (Alderman Brian Hopkins) come certainly helped. We’re following up with a town hall meeting at the Ogden School and two state Reps. will come. We’ll ask for updates there.”

She will also be asking for updates on the plan for Vision Zero, a strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities.

“It’s a worldwide initiative for an age friendly city,” Mitzen said. “Chicago is signed on and it’s not clear where they are with the plan.”

For more information on Vision Zero, visit chicago.gov

Local charities left short-handed after season of giving

By Jacqueline Covey Staff Writer The Chicago Help Initiative gives free meals to guests who are in need.

During the holidays, there is no shortage of volunteers, but post giving-season, this organization, like many non-profits in the area, becomes short-handed.

Executive Director of Chicago Help Initiative Doug Fraser sees an increase in volunteerism around Christmas each year, but he said that’s not when it’s needed. Between now and February, he’s calling on Christmas-time aides to re-sign up with the organi-

zation. New volunteers are always welcome, too.

Every Wednesday, volunteers provide sit-down dinners to 130 guests and 70 take out meals as part of the Chicago Help Initiative free meals program. The idea is that providing a dignified experience fulfills a sense of place for participants.

Before dinner, some guests take advantage of classes in technology, creative writing and art facilitated by Catholic Charities at their community center located at 721 N. LaSalle St. “We are all a community, we all have each other,” said Sandra Dillion, a student in the knitting group. “We

Catholic Charities is home to the Chicago Help Initiative’s Wednesday free meals. Photo by Jacqueline Covey

share our ideas and our thoughts. If we get stuck, we are here to help each other out.”

The first dinner was in 2001 when Catholic Charities opened their space for a weekly gathering with food donated from local restaurants. A speaker

mini-series was added, then social and health services were brought in and over the years relationships have been built between long time volunteers and guests.

“We have volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, some of whom have been

coming for years,” said Brigid Murphy of Catholic Charities. “There are lovely relationships that have developed among volunteers and supper guests.”

The organization has created a space built on respect where social stigmas are broken down. For a couple hours, guests can enjoy the simple joy of having a warm meal in a warm place with friends.

“What we’ve learned is that if you treat a homeless person with respect… we can get them off the streets,” founder and president Jacqueline Hayes said.

“Efforts to help are good, but we fill them up with

such good feelings about themselves.”

As a Chicago real estate broker specializing in retail leasing along the Magnificent Mile and Oak Street, Hayes sought ways to help the homeless population that congregated at storefronts.

Now, 20 years after the group began, the organization is still growing largely as a result of a robust volunteer community.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the Chicago Help Initiative, 440 N Wells St., Suite 440, Chicago, (312) 448-0045 or visit chicagohelpinitiative.org

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| FEATURES |

The crust is crucial: l’Aventino brings next-generation Roman pizza to Streeterville

By Doug Rapp Staff Writer When Adam Weisell would return to Rome after growing up there with his United Nations-employed parents, he often heard about a new style of pizza.

People would tell the budding chef about pinsa (pronounced “peen-sa”).

“I’d go eat it and think, ‘This is delicious,’” Weisell said.

He was used to the wide, thin-crust Roman pizzas but pinsa had a different crust—a crispy exterior with an airy texture, moist and fragrant inside.

Weisell loves pinsa so much that after nearly two decades cooking for others, including Mario Batali, he’s opened his own restaurant, L’Aventino Forno Romano, 355 E. Ohio St., featuring this “modern play on a very traditional Roman pizza.”

“Chicago is such a pizza town and yet there’s a style that’s vastly underrepresented here,” said Weisell, who has cooked in mostly Italian restaurants in New York City, San Francisco and Chicago, including Eataly.

“Pinsa hasn’t come across the U.S. in a big way and I’m hoping to be part of that,” Weisell added, noting that oval flatbread pizzas are popular throughout Italy and Europe.

Chef Adam Weisell Photo by Jeff Sciortino

Open since late November, l’Aventino has three levels that seat 48, a full-service bar and patio that will open for warmer weather.

“It’s a little funky,” Weisell said. “It reminds me a lot of a Roman restaurant.”

The menu features several pinsas, with a variety of toppings and vegetarian-friendly options. Weisell said the crust is made of soy, wheat and rice flours and takes 48 hours to ferment, which increases its flavor and digestibility.

“The reception has been overwhelmingly positive,” Weisell said. “Once people are in the door and eat it, I think most people are hooked.”

Weisell said l’Aventino, named after one of the seven hills ancient Rome was built on, has gotten a lot of foot traffic from people coming in out of curiosity.

“One of the appeals of the location is that people are going to be constantly walking by on their way to the (Northwestern Memorial) hospital or their way home from work,” he said.

Weisell said he’s pleased with how his first restaurant is going.

“At the end of the day, this is dough with sauce and cheese on it, so it is not that different,” he said. “It’s just a slightly different style.”

A cookie on a milkshake: JoJo’s Milk Bar to expand

By Stephanie Racine When it’s hard to decide between desserts, JoJo’s can save the day. Have your cookie and eat it too—on top of a delicious milkshake.

JoJo’s Milk Bar, which has been making waves in the dessert bar scene with intricate and decadent offerings, opened in River North in February 2019 and recently expanded to a milkshake kiosk in Streeterville.

JoJo’s Shake Bar is on the second floor Mezzanine of Water Tower Place, near kid-friendly shops such as American Girl, The LEGO Store and The Art Of Dr. Seuss.

Salted Caramel BIGGIE To Go Hot Chocolate

Unicorn Shake Photos courtesy of JoJo’s Milk Bar

JoJo’s will be partnering with Unicorn World By Lola + The Boys, another nearby kids store,

to offer The Unicorn Shake, a blueberry cherry shake, topped with items like cotton candy, a

sprinkle-dipped cone and candy Do Do’s.

Co-founder Robbie Schloss is excited to bring JoJo’s to Water Tower and hopes customers will take part in the “grander-thanlife” experience. The “enhanced retro diner” was inspired by Schloss’s childhood and named for his daughter.

Unlike its River North location, which serves food and alcohol, JoJo’s Shake Bar focuses on sweeter fare. Menu items include the Chocolate Nirvana, a shake with oreos, and the BIGGIE Salted Caramel hot chocolate.

The site offers infused milks and assorted freshly baked cookies—

if you prefer them separate from the milkshake.

JoJo’s Milk Bar in River North is also adding some new options.

“JoJo’s will also embark on a new partnership with Chicago-based manufacturer of organic Cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD products, Half Day CBD, for adult diners interested in adding CBD oil or gummies to milkshakes, cocktails, hot chocolate drinks and floats,” according to a news release.

JoJo’s Shake Bar is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit jojosmilkbar.com.

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| STREETERVILLE EVENTS | Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@neweastsidecommunity.com.

Ongoing: Saturdays

Prohibition Walk Tour Chicago sites made famous and historic by Prohibition. Check out speakeasy rooms in Gold Coast, River North and Streeterville where famous gangsters like Al Capone and Dion O’Banion visited. This event is only for those 21 and up. 4-5:30 p.m., $25, meeting locations will be emailed once a date is picked, americanwalks.com/ prohibition

Sundays

Pour Decisions Brunch The Eno Room hosts a drag show each Sunday during brunch. Noon to 2 p.m., Fox E. Kim hosts the show with a rotating cast. Some entertainers have even been on RuPaul’s Drag Race. For $45, receive bottomless mimosas, a starter and a choice of one of four brunch entrees from the executive chef ’s menu. Eno Wine Room: Michigan Avenue, 505 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 321-8749, enowinerooms.com

Mean Girls comes to the Nederlander Theater. Photo by Aneesah Muhammad

Through Jan. 26

Mean Girls the Musical The popular movie turned Broadway musical comes to Chicago’s Nederlander Theatre. Cady Heron, who grew up in Africa, has to deal with a new jungle—a suburban Illinois High School. The production is recommended for those over 10. Times vary, tickets start at $33, Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., (312) 977-1700, broadwayinchicago.com

Jan. 7, 9, 14

Winter WonderFest Festival Hall at Navy Pier becomes an indoor winter wonderland. Enjoy the indoor playground featuring an ice rink, carnival rides, and holiday-themed activities. Fun photo ops with a giant rocking horse or a sleigh will be available. Opens 10 a.m. every day, prices vary, Navy Pier Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave., (312) 595-7437, navypier.org/winter-wonderfest

Candlelight’s Vivaldi: Four Seasons A series of candlelit performances comes to Chicago after success in New York and Los Angeles. The performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” will take place in a historic Chicago location as the combination of atmosphere and music create a unique experience.

Candles will be flameless for safety. 7 or 9:30 p.m., tickets start at $30, Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, (312) 943-9090, newberry.org

Through Jan. 26

Jan. 24-Feb. 9

Through Jan. 12

Toys ’R Us Adventure Taking over the old Top Shop building in a pop-up, the classic kids store features fun toy experiences across eight rooms.

Enjoy favorite toy box-themed rooms with familiar friends like Paw Patrol and Melissa and Doug. 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., 11 a.m. on Saturdays, $28 for adults, $20 for kids 4-12, kids under 4 are free, Toys “R” Us Adventure Chicago, 830 N. Michigan Ave., toysrusadventure.com

Chicago Restaurant Week 400 restaurants will participate in Chicago Restaurant Week this year.

Special prix fixe menus will be offered at these restaurants in affordable price ranges. Reservations are not required to participate in Restaurant Week, but they are recommended. Times vary, $24 for lunch or brunch, $36 or $48 for dinner, locations vary, choosechicago.com/ chicago-restaurant-week

Interactive show Wake Up, Brother Bear is at Chicago Children’s Theatre Jan. 25 to Feb. 16

Jan. 25-Feb. 16

Wake Up, Brother Bear An interactive show for kids ages 0-6.

The story follows two loveable bears through the four seasons. There will be pre and post show activities in the lobby for the little ones including music and interactive movements, with butterflies and waterfalls. Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., $22-$32, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave., (312) 374-8835, chicagochildenstheatre.org

Jan. 2

CAPS Meeting CAPS meetings begin again for 2020.

Meet with police representatives that cover the community beat. Raise new issues of concern, or find out how the police and Alderman’s office have responded to previous problems. This is a monthly event. 6 p.m., free, Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Ave., (312) 7425870, home.chicagopolice.org

Jan. 3

Wine Down Foodlife at Water Tower offers wine pours, passed appetizers and more. This

event is offered monthly on the first Friday of every month. RSVP not required.

6-8 p.m., $20, Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 335-3663, foodlifechicago.com

Jan. 5

Doctor Who Meetup Meet up with other Whovians to go see a screening of the first episode of the new season of Doctor Who, starring the thirteenth Doctor, Jodie Whittaker.

RSVP on the group’s Facebook page or Meetup, which you can find on their website. 12:30 p.m., tickets start at $15, AMC River East, chicagodoctorwhomeetup.com

Jan. 9

Speed Dating 2.0 A new type of speed dating comes to Streeterville. Those participating will be matched live and use their phones to find one another—no name tags or table numbers needed. For ages 25-39. Fill out a free CitySwoon profile before attending. 8-10:30 p.m., $39, The Hampton Social Streeterville, 164 E. Grand Ave., cityswoon.com Events continue on page 14

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| STREETERVILLE EVENTS | Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@neweastsidecommunity.com

Jan. 11

Girls Build! Day A STEM-centered event for girls ages 11-17. Girls will have the opportunity to meet with industry leaders, plus learn and build with them. Although drop-ins are allowed, participation in the whole day is recommended due to the schedule of events. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., $8 for adult chaperones, free for students 11-17, Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr., register by calling (312) 922-8687, architecture.org The Answer to Your Skin SOS Join First Aid Beauty at Sephora to receive a mini facial using their brand new FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask. A brand ambassador will be on site to recommend other products to add to your skincare routine. RSVP required.

12- 6p.m., free, Sephora Michigan Ave., 605 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 649-9343, sephora.com Chicago Ale Festival More than 100 craft beers will be available at this winter beer event. Food trucks like Beaver’s Donuts will be on scene for snacking. Enjoy games, yoga and a DJ spinning tunes. This event is for adults 21 and up only. 3-7 p.m., $50, Navy Pier Aon Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Ave., chicagoalefest.com

Jan. 15

New Volunteer Tutor Orientation For those interested in becoming a volunteer tutor with Chicago Lights Tutoring. Please bring a valid driver’s license or state ID, the addresses of where you have resided the past five years, and two personal references. For more information email msutter@chicagolights.org.

6-7:30 p.m., free, Fourth Presbeteriyan Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., (312) 7874570, chicagolights.org

Jan. 17-18

Cubs Convention The annual Cubs convention will include current and past players, coaches and

January races F^3 Lake Half Marathon 13.1, 5K, 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, Soldier Field Aon Step up for the Kids stair climb, 8 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, Aon Center

more. Get autographs, attend meet-andgreets, see panels and participate in activities and experiences. Packages bundled with hotel stays are available. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Sunday, oneday passes start at $40, Sheraton Grand, 301 E. North Water, mlb.com/cubs

Jan. 18

Rose Fest Sip rosé wine while enjoying the view from the Godfrey Hotel’s rooftop. Over 12 rosé wines will be included in a tasting. Freebies are included in ticket price, like $7 in DoorDash credits. Enter a photo contest to win by tagging #rivernorthfests on Facebook or Instagram.

1-5 p.m., tickets start at $30, I|O Godfrey Rooftop Lounge, 127 W. Huron St., (312) 374-1830, chicagorosefest.weebly.com

Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium.

Times vary, free, locations vary.

Jan. 23

First Bites Bash The official launch event of Chicago Restaurant Week 2020. 60 chefs will be in attendance showcasing their celebrated items to be tasted. Host chef Thai Dang and mixologist Danielle Dang hail from HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen. 6-9 p.m., general admission tickets $125, Field Museum, 1400 S. Lakeshore Dr., firstbitesbash.com

Jan. 24-25

White Sox Festival The 28th annual event heads to McCormick Place this year for more space and more activities. Meet your favorite Sox player, management or coach. Additional special guests to be announced closer to the event. Event sponsored by Beggars Pizza. Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., one-day passes start at $50, McCormick Place West, 2301 S. Indiana Ave., (312) 674-1000, mlb. com/whitesox

Free Museum Day Free admission to several Chicago-area museums is offered on Martin Luther King Day, if you have a valid Illinois ID. Both the Art Institute and the Chicago History Museum will have MLK-centered events.

Other participating museums include the

Jan. 25

Polar Bear Plunge The 19th annual Polar Bear Plunge raises money for charity as participants take a dip in Lake Michigan.

Participants can register on Polar Bear Club’s website. After the plunge, head to Moe’s Cantina in River North for a celebration. Noon, registration starts at $30, Oak St. Beach, chicagopolarbearclub.com Mac & Cheese Crawl Enjoy seven mac & cheese options at this crawl through River North. Drink specials and giveaways are also included in the price of admission. This event is for those 21 and up. Exact schedule to be announced the day before the event. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., tickets start at $10, River North, macandcheesecrawl. weebly.com

Jan. 29

New Parishioner Reception If you’re new at Holy Name Cathedral, come meet your fellow parishioners, learn about the Cathedral and mingle with the staff. Mass will follow the reception and tour of the Cathedral. Online registration required. For more information email ParishPastoralCouncilHNC@ gmail.com. 5:15-8 p.m., free, Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., (312) 7878040, holynamecathedral.org

2020 Sneaker Fashion Gala This fourth annual fashion event is all about sneakers. A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to War International, an anti-human trafficking organization.

Shop from vendors and enjoy the cash bar available. There will also be a silent auction and a presentation on human trafficking. 7-10 p.m., general admission tickets $45, Loft on Lake, 1366 W. Lake St., eventbrite.com

Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Day

Check-in will be on the first floor of the store. 21 and up only. Times vary, $54, Eataly, 43 E. Ohio St., (312) 521-8700, eataly.com

Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 Sample Italian Wines and Cheeses at Eataly.

Photo courtesy of Eataly

Jan. 24-25

Winter Wine & Cheese Fest Enjoy 15 Italian cheeses and 15 Italian wines with a tour around Eataly. Receive 10% off Eataly’s marketplace with ticket purchase on the day of the event.

Ligia Lewis: Water Will (in Melody) Ligia Lewis performs the final piece in her three-part performance series BLUE RED WHITE. Water Will (in Melody) features dancing, spoken word, lights, and mist. The performance focuses on the concept of will in all its forms, including willfulness and fate. 8 p.m., $30, The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., (312) 280-2660, mcachicago.org

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| NEWS BREAK |

Restaurant Week the ultimate test for New Year’s resolutions

T

he challenge is on, and it won’t be easy. The problem? This month features Restaurant Week.

One of Chicago’s most celebrated winter events is about to kick off and it will provide the greatest of challenges to those Jon Cohn still fighting to keep those resoCOMMUNITY lutions of eating a little less and CONTRIBUTOR watching their waistline.

Dangerous territory, indeed. If you do venture out, here is some basic information: More than 370 of Chicago’s finest restaurants will par-

ticipate in the 13th annual Restaurant Week from Jan. 24 to Feb. 9. The event has grown every year and features a multitude of the eateries from downtown, nearby neighborhoods and the suburbs—all offering discounted meals that include some of their finest selections.

Special menus are concocted, new items offered and the friendly, service-with-a-smile atmosphere make up a truly tempting 17 days of potentially eating your way through the Chicago area.

Yes, those New Year’s resolutions will be severely tested.

Can they hold up under the pressure of some of last year’s favorites such as octopus at The Dawson, cauliflower soup at Baptiste and Bottle or chorizo-stuffed

dates at Avec Mediterrenan Restaurant? The popular pork bellies at Enzo can rip apart New Year’s resolutions faster than Michael Phelps cuts through water.

New restaurants will be fighting for your attention, including Pizzeria Portfolio on the riverfront; Tzuco in River North featuring a unique take on Mexican food; Cebu, a Filipino restaurant in Wicker Park; and Galit, a new Lincoln Park eatery specializing in Israeli food.

Bottom line? It will take some real fork discipline and a little mental toughness to not overindulge. I think they call that The Chicago Way. For more information, go to ChooseChicago.com John Cohn is a New Eastside resident.

Out and About in December

Jumble

LAANYM PARLOYL RURTEO

TASE LOEUS

Send photos and captions to info@neweastsidecommunity.com for a chance for your photo to be featured.

What question can you never answer yes to?

?

December answer: You throw away the outside, eat the inside, then throw away the inside. What is it? Corn on the cob.

Where am I? Do you know where this is?

Pat Downes, Kurt Fujio and Gloria Ai at the Streeterville Properties Annual Holiday Open House hosted

by Gail Spreen and Dennis Downes.

Photo by Mat Cohen

Answer to December Where am I? Lakeshore East Park at the corner of Westshore and E. South Water St.

If you think you know, email us at info@neweastsidecommunity.com.

Debbie Harlan, Philip Harlan and Dave Berggren at the Streeterville Properties Holiday Party. Photo by Mat Cohen

Ryan Augenstein and Jillian Stanley celebrating Christmas at the Bean. Photo by Stephanie Racine

Dennis Downes and Gail Spreen hosted the Streeterville Properties Annual Holiday Open House Dec. 12.

Photo by Mat Cohen.

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