KCM-2-1-2014

FEBRUARY 2014

V

alentine

GIFTS

to warm the heart PAGE 32

A Most Important Meal

Artisan ingredients put breakfast at the head of the table PAGE 40

Building Business

Rowena Zimmers

fills housing niche with ALE Solutions PAGE 8

New Year

to

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Inside Home & Lifestyle 7 FAMILY, BUSINESS | Women of Distinction winner Maureen McAllister talks about the balance of family and work, and why she loves the business world.

8 HOME OFFICE | Energetic entrepreneur Rowena Zimmers builds her emergency housing business from the basement up.

10 CAREER CURE | For Sharon Tierney, when holistic methods cured her headaches, she found her career passion.

14 LIVING BY DESIGN | Decorator Michael Grudecki walks you through the elements essential to creating a romantic bedroom.

Family in Focus 18 THE XBOX FACTOR | Family columnist Michele Stien shares the good, the bad and the ugly parts of father-son video gameplay.

Health & Fitness

16

RETIRE IN STYLE At Geneva Place, active adults take advantage of great shopping, fabulous dining, and access to all downtown Geneva has to offer.

4 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

22 TOTAL RECALL | As we age, memory can deteriorate.

Additional factors, like nutrition, disease, and stress can contribute to memory. Find out how to retain and strengthen your brain with tips from local experts.

24 THE SKINNY ON NUTRITION | Learn about foods that can keep skin healthy and glowing 26 COLD WEATHER WORKOUT | grab a shovel and slip on your mittens for a workout worthy of the winter weather

Fashion & Beauty 28 FACE THE WINTER WITH PROPER SKIN CARE | Bundle up for the cold winter air, but don’t forget the most important layer, your skin.

Dining & Entertaining 32 EDITOR'S CHOICE-VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS | Looking for the perfect item to help you say just how you feel? Here's a list of our faves, for all the sweethearts in your life.

39 WINE NICHE | Popular craft beer takes foothold where grapes once reigned.

40 BATTER UP | Breakfast takes its seat at the dining table, as artisan ingredients hoist the first meal of the day into the limelight.

Out & About 44 ARTIST SHOWCASE | Batavia photographer Brian DeWolf. shares his image, “Pearl” an artistic view of downtown St. Charles.

47 CALENDAR | Movie screenings and lectures, live music and Valentine’s Day events fill the calendar this month, across the county.

48 SOCIAL LIFE | Even Flow Music and Sprits and Galena Garlic Company, both of Geneva teamed up to raise funds and awareness for Living Well Cancer Resource Center, with an evening of music by Chris Cavanaugh.

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JASON ADRIAN P H O T O G R A P H Y 630-730-3926 | JasonAdrianPhoto.com | J.AdrianPhoto@yahoo.com

The business world has changed a lot in the last ten years. Some industries have grown, others have faltered, and new innovations in science and technology have set the stage for unique career opportunities...if you’re ready to take the leap.

In the February issue of Kane County Magazine, we talk with local entrepreneurs, about work and career, and what it takes to keep it all together.

Finally, it’s Valentine’s Day this month, and we have great local gifts, whether it’s for your sweetheart, a cherished family member, or a fun-loving friend. Local designer Michael Grudecki offers tips to create a romantic bedroom, and our dining sections is filled with great options for a special dinner.

February is fabulous and the opportunities abound right here, in your communities.

For Maureen McAllister a balanced life means equal parts manager and mom.

By MELISSA RISKE

S

he always knew she wanted to start her own business but it was the date on the calendar that gave Maureen McAllister that little push to make her dream a reality.

Published by Shaw Media 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2 St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 630-427-6209 www.KaneCountyMagazine.com

“I always thought at some point in my career I would run my own business. I set a goal to be in business by the time I was 40,” she says.

Thanks for reading -

We meet Rowena Zimmers, who built her business from the basement up, offering emergency housing solutions to people at the most desperate times of their lives.

We chat with Maureen McAllister, honored in 2013 as a Suburban Life Woman of Distinction, for her work consulting clients that range from privately held, family run operations to multibillion dollar, foreign owned businesses.

We get to know Sharon Tierney, who after years battling pain and fatigue found her cure and her calling, in yoga and holistic health care.

Sherri Dauskurdas Editor

Publisher J. Tom Shaw jtshaw@shawmedia.com

Just a few months shy of her birthday the wife and mother of four children ranging in age from 5 years to 15 months old, met her goal and started McAllister Consulting.

General Manager Jim Ringness 630-845-5228 jringness@shawmedia.com

That was more than 20 years ago.

Editor Sherri Dauskurdas 630-427-6209 sdauskurdas@shawmedia.com

When you aren’t busy taking care of that career, it may be time to take extra care of yourself.

Local experts weigh in on everything from memory health to winter skin care, and their

Today she continues to run a successful consulting practice, assisting clients that range from privately held, family-run operations to multi-billion dollar, foreign-owned businesses. While most clients are traditional manufacturers, the company works also with sales, engineering, technical support and other service related operations.

Designer Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com

on the

COVER

Rowena Zimmers started her emergency housing company, ALE Solutions, in the basement of her St. Charles home.

Today, she employs 200 people.

Page 8.

Photo by JASON ADRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

6 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

FAMILY, BUSINESS

tips will leave you ready and refreshed to take on any challenge.

Account Managers Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 spetti@shawmedia.com Tricia Walter 630-845-5272 twalter@shawmedia.com Correspondents Elizabeth Harmon, Tom Witom, Melissa Riske, Stephanie Kohl, Michelle Stien, Allison Horne

“I’ve always loved the business world,” McAllister says.

Photo by Andrew Young

This month, discover your passion.

Photographers Jason Adrian, Joe Perez Jennifer Kaye, Jeff Krage, Andy Young Kane County Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send payment information and address to Kane County Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@ shawmedia.com.

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Taking the leap into the private sector isn’t for the faint of heart. McAllister says support from her husband, Ken Shepro, made a big difference.

Alice Bryson, the oldest daughter of McAllister and Shepro, says she admires her mom’s hard work and dedication. Just as her mom worked hard to invest time to make her business successful, she also invested her time and energy into her children, encouraging them to participate in music, sports and other activities.

McAllister was a parent cheering next to the cross-country course and a volunteer helping at the local swim meets, too.

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Bryson says even after she and her siblings graduated high school and moved on to college, her mom would make a point to travel for hours to visit, even if just for the day.

“I ran competitively in college and she would show up, watch me run and turn around and drive eight hours back home,” Bryson says.

McAllister says she enjoys time in the car and didn’t mind the day-long road trips to visit her children in college, and to lend her support to their academic and athletic endeavors.

“I lived in the car for a while,” she says with a laugh. “I wanted them to have those opportunities, to be out there in competitive activities. You’ve got to learn to be competitive if you really want to be successful in business and in life. That is especially true for women.”

McAllister has built a successful business as an operations consultant, helping her clients improve the quality of their product and to improve their efficiency, productivity.

“I offer a very personal type of service. I strive to understand their business and see what makes them tick, what makes them successful and what challenges they face,” she says.

Her interest in the sciences drew her to volunteer as a member of the Fermilab Community Advisory Board. Additionally, she was elected and served as a trustee for the St. Charles Library Board and continues to serve as an elected member of the Kane DuPage Water and Soil Conservation District, “She’s an amazing woman,” Bryson says. “I think she probably didn’t sleep for about 16 years.”

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 7

“When people believe in you and your abilities, it makes you feel that you can conquer anything,” -Rowena Zimmers, president and owner of ALE Solutions

Hard work, commitment bring success to St. Charles entrepreneur

administration and marketing. She also served as president of the Entrepreneurship Association and paid all of her college expenses, working at the Units store in Northbrook.

“As a young girl, the American Dream was always impressed upon me. It is part of the fabric of my life and runs through everything I do,” Zimmers says.

She graduated in 1989 and spent the next few years trying to settle on the right career path. “I dabbled in so many areas including multi-level marketing. Any career that I was curious about, I pursued, from retail fashion to computers to advertising to consulting,” she says.

Zimmers’ mother worked as a nurse in Birmingham, Alabama, and then moved to Chicago, where she worked at two, sometimes three, different hospitals. After five years, she became a U.S. citizen and reunited her family in Chicago. The family lived in the Rogers Park neighborhood for seven years, before moving to Mt. Prospect.

Throughout her childhood and into her teens, Rowena worked as a babysitter, cashier and retail salesperson. “At an early age, I learned that if I gave 110 percent in any job that was given to me, only the best would result from it. One-hundred ten percent meant to be willing to work hard, show up everyday and be passionate,” she says.

By ELIZABETH HARMON

F

Her mother, Clarita, set an example of work ethic.

When Rowena was two, her mother immigrated to the United States, to pursue the American Dream.

or Rowena Zimmers, president and owner of ALE Solutions, “entrepreneurship” isn’t just a buzzword. From the time she was small, it has been an integral part of her life.

After graduating from Forest View High School in Arlington Heights, she enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she studied business

In 2001, Zimmers, a mother of three, launched her temporary housing company in the basement of her St. Charles home. Thirteen years later, the firm employs more than 200 people and helps insurers provide short-term housing to customers across the country who have experienced property damage or loss.

Two mentors–Mary Razny, whom Zimmers met while working in retail, and attorney Irv Levinson, whom she met while working as a business consultant–helped her develop confidence in her business skills. “When people believe in you and your abilities, it makes you feel that you can conquer anything,” Zimmers says.

She also learned that what she enjoyed most was launching a new idea or service and building something from nothing. After starting a business services firm, she spent six years with a national relocation company. When the company revamped its business model, Zimmers decided to start a firm of her own, and launched ALE Solutions from her St. Charles home.

With her contacts and experience in the

temporary housing industry and a goal to build a national company, Zimmers marketed ALE as if it were large established firm. “It was a business I knew, and like in the past, I gave it more than expected. I saw a better mousetrap and ideas kept jumping out,” she says.

Four months after opening, she moved the company from her home to an 800-square foot office in the building the company still occupies. “We just kept knocking down walls and expanding until we took the whole thing over,” she says.

“She’s built a business on integrity and heart, both qualities that she embodies. I admire her keen intuition and sense for the next big thing,” says Landgraf.

Zimmers and her husband Rob, who works as ALE Solutions’ Chief Executive Officer, are committed to continued growth, benefitting their customers, employees and families. “God has blessed my husband and me with opportunities and we want to be stewards of that blessing for everyone here. Having a business like ALE makes me proud that I am able to provide jobs for so many. It’s rewarding to see the many people our company touches,” Zimmers says.

A native of the Philippines, Zimmers remembers going with her grandmother to sell home-grown produce in their small community. “She used to take me to the open market every weekend, where we would find a good location to set out our bamboo mat and sell the vegetables we grew.

Sometimes we would barter a small pig for a bag of rice for special occasions. I think this was my first taste of being an entrepreneur,” says Zimmers.

8 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

kanecountymagazine.com

Photos by Jason Adrian Photography

“As long as I have known Rowena, I have admired her passion, vision and will to win. She has an indomitable spirit and a drive to always be the best she can be,” says longtime friend and colleague Christa Landgraf, vice president with ALE Solutions.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 9

PRO In 2005, Sharon Tierney was trying to juggle career, marriage and the raising of two kids when suddenly her body decided not to cooperate.

“I was getting sick and feeling tired all the time. After a surgery in 2008, I had a pulmonary embolism and just didn’t recover well,” she says.

Diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she experienced chronic pain, fatigue and depression. “Usually I was a get-up-and-go type of person, but I couldn’t get myself to snap out of it. It was very frustrating.”

At one point she was taking eight to ten different medicines, some of which caused side effects that required still others to fix.

“I was on a downward spiral, but fortunately someone steered me to an article on how fibromyalgia sufferers have benefitted from tai chi and yoga,” Tierney says. That led her to Body & Brain Yoga in Schaumburg. At the outset, she attended daily yoga sessions. “I had a lot of work to get myself better, but I could see there was a way out. I started making the turn almost immediately.”

After six months of immersion in Dahn Yoga, Tierney was off all medication. The Dahn system of physical exercise, founded in 1985 by Ilchi Lee in South Korea, emphasizes physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and interrelates yoga, tai chi and certain martial arts exercises.

St. Charles entreprenuer finds career in holistic treatment

If you’ve left a job and have a 401(k) or other retirement accounts, don’t forget about them. Rolling over assets you have with former employers or other institutions to an Ameriprise IRA can be important in making your retirement dreams a reality.

By TOM WITOM

Understanding and managing your retirement income strategies can help you put a confident retirement within reach.

master and was able to teach classes at the center there. She also took a healer course so she could do energy massages.

To start a conversation, call me at (630) 762.6556.

Now, Tierney finds herself at the helm of her own Body and Brain franchise, Empower Body & Brain, one of the newest businesses to take root in St. Charles.

Steve Smith Financial Advisor Associate Vice President 3 N. Second Street, Suite 200 St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 762.6556 Toll Free: 1 (800) 942.5959 Steven.L.Smith@ampf.com

Member care is what differentiates Body and BRain Yoga from other yoga Classes, she says.

“We meet with members individually to determine their specific neeeds and goals," she says. "Based on this, we create a customized program to ensure these goals are met.”

Manage

At her holistic health center, students participate in group or individual classes covering Dahn Yoga, tai chi, core strengthening and energy movement.

All sessions include stretching exercises, breathing postures and energy meditation.

Stress • Weight • Emotions

Alleviate Pain • Fatigue • Depression

Tierney describes the profile of the average member who comes to her center as people in their mid- to late 40s. Some 75 percent are women, although interest among men is starting to grow.

Gain Strength • Focus • Inner Peace What Do You Want to Change?

Unlike the typical gym exercise classes where participants are content to learn to stretch more, Tierney says “we want to connect a member’s mind and body. And the result leaves them feeling more energized and free of stress.

First Class is

“My goal is to help others feel better so they can empower themselves and regain control of their life,” the 52-year-old Tierney explains.

Empower Body & Brain is located at 2000 W. Main St., Unit 1B in St. Charles, IL 630-549-7921 | www.bodynbrain.com/St-Charles/ HOME & LIFESTYLE

MORE WITHIN REACHSM Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Attention to Detail

From Concept to Completion

Full Service Remodeling • Design - Build Services

FREE!

Call to schedule:

630-549-7921

Photos by Jennifer Kaye

“Early on I realized that if this could help me, I wanted to figure out how to help others,” she says. This led to a decision to pursue programs in Schaumburg to become an instructor. After nine months she attained the level of

10 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Jobs may change.

Retirement dreams don’t have to.

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Contact Us: 2000 W. Main Street • Unit 1B St. Charles, IL 60174 630-549-7921 stcharles@bodynbrain.com http://www.bodynbrain.com/St-Charles/

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Remodeling • Additions • Kitchens • Baths

TOM RITCHIE

CONSTRUCTION

Inc.

From patient to

tomritchieconstruction.com • 630.584.4400 HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 11

App Finder:

Best organizational apps Career plus home plus family means a lot on your to-do list. Get it all organized with the help of handy apps like these, that eel everything in order and at your fingertips.

CALENGOO: This is an Android app that syncs with your Google Calendar across devices. It's especially handy when you have multiple people who want to organize schedules, as family members (or co-workers) can input information and it will share it.

There are reminders via pop-ups, emails or text, and more. $5.99 for Android. http://android.calengoo.com/ THINGS: This is similar to CalenGoo, but it's for Apple devices. It helps you organize your schedule by breaking it into chunks, gives you reminders, lets you put time limits on tasks and more. Like the app above, it syncs across all your devices. $9.99 for iOS. http://culturedcode.com/things/iphone/?r=100 ANY.DO: This is a free organizational app. This app helps you organize your day, gives you reminders, lets you use speech recognition and more. If you're not using Google or Apple calendars and don't want to spend the money on an app, this might be a good option for you. Free for iOS and Android. http://www.any.do/ CONCIERGIST: And finally, what's organization without a personal concierge? This free live-chat app lets you talk to a real person about tasks such as finding a restaurant, booking hotels and much more. Free for iOS and Android. http://www.conciergist.com/ -More Content Now

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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Financial Planner Loves His Work

By Elizabeth Harmon A heart for helping others and a passion for ďŹ nance inspired Je Martin of Geneva to build a second career as an investment management professional.

As the owner and president of KDM Investment Management in Geneva, Martin specializes in retirement planning, investment and wealth management services, with an emphasis on creating an understandable, workable plan to help clients prepare for, and carry them through retirement.

He also assists clients with other savings goals, such as funding their children’s education.

Martin’s approach, known as Strategic DiversiďŹ cation operates on six principals; focus on the long-term, manage risk, diversify, control cost, utilize the latest investment research, and customize each portfolio based on the client’s objectives.

A systematic approach to investing is more eective than chasing trends, a common mistake for individual investors, Martin said. “People tend to chase hot stocks, but are slightly behind the curve and that has a detrimental eect to their long term investments. The

right way to maximize returns is to use a consistent strategy, with someone watching and monitoring what’s going on.�

Working with a professional can also prevent emotion-driven decisions during the market’s inevitable ups and downs.

Establishing trust is a key component to building a successful relationship with clients, Martin said.“Rather than receiving commissions for steering clients to one product or another, my interests are aligned with theirs. We’re very transparent as far as fees are concerned, which clients really appreciate,� Martin said.

Martin gets to know clients one on one.“I know more than just their ďŹ nances. I learn about their lives, their families, their goals and that helps me design a solution based on their speciďŹ c goals and situation,â€? he said.

He said that a typical new client is between age forty-ďŹ ve and sixty. “They’ve been saving for a long time, but everything is scattered around in a lot of dierent accounts. They need to organize things and maximize their investments to meet their ďŹ nancial goals,â€? Martin said.

He also helps those who are beginning the planning process.“We develop a written plan, so they can understand the decisions that need to be made in order for them to meet their goals. The earlier you start, the easier it is, but it’s never too late,� Martin said.

Martin is the author of “Strategic DiversiďŹ cation,â€? available in

hardcover through Amazon and on his website, www.kdminvest.com. “It helps people understand the system I use and the right way to invest,� he said.

The Geneva resident is a married father of three, who is involved with local schools, youth sports and the Geneva History Center.

Prior to becoming a ďŹ nancial planner eight years ago, he worked for a computer data outsourcing ďŹ rm.

Mentor David Webb, a ďŹ nancial planner from Indianapolis, advised Martin about the certiďŹ cations and training he would need to move into the ďŹ eld. After achieving certiďŹ cation,

Martin ran Webb’s Geneva oďŹƒce for four years, and then opened KDM Investments four years ago.

LIVING BY

DESIGN

with Michael Grudecki

100+ Lines of Furniture $ Home Accents $ Rugs $ Florals $ Home Staging $ Space Planning $ General Contracting

Start a love affair with your bedroom using color, texture and light February is here, a month steeped in the promise of love and affection. But just because this month marks a celebration of romance, doesn't mean you can't keep the fire going all year long. One great way is with bedroom style that offers the allure of a romantic getaway right in your home.

It's all about ambience, and choice of lighting is essential whenever you design a bedroom that is also a romantic retreat.

Chooses three-way lights to offer options.

When you are looking for sensual time in the bedroom, you want to set the lighting dim.

Try battery-powered candles. Timed for foursix hours, you can scatter them throughout the room. Set them on during the day for a certain time, and they shut off on their own, so you can fall asleep to candlelight every evening. Complement with music or a sound machine to aid your escape from the rest of the word.

HOME & LIFESTYLE

kanecountymagazine.com

Michael Grudecki

Vignette Home Decor: Your Locally Owned, Locally Operated Small Business.

St. Charles Resident and Batavia Business Owner

VIGNETTE HOME DECOR

630.482.3000

FIND US ON:

1952 W. Fabyan Parkway • Batavia, IL 60510 (Between Trader Joe’s & Office Depot) • www.vignettehomedecor.com

NOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, LET’S START

The focal point of any bedroom is the bed, and you want to create the feeling that you are floating on a cloud. You want a bed that lures you to stay under the covers all day long. The key to this are your sheets. Look for higher thread counts for a softer more luxurious feel. Bamboo sheets are super soft and silky. They scream "Romance!" to your skin. They can be a little more expensive than traditional fabrics, but they are washable, and more durable than cotton.

14 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Celebrating 6 Years in Business!

Most important, romance is about two people, so keep both parties' preferences in consideration, and you can't do it wrong!

From the linens on the bed to the lighting and even the color of the walls, a romantic room can be yours in no time.

When it comes to style, the last thing you want in a romantic bedroom is distraction.

Keep it simple. Choose soothing yet inviting colors, tending toward rich jewels in toneon-tone designs like damask. Deep greens

Why Support Chains and Out of State Stores?

and shades of gold are wonderful – not bright, but with grey or brown undertones.

Don't be afraid of chocolates and reds.

Where pastels and whites are more spalike and relaxing, richer tones are super scrumptious. Play off of those colors with a throw or some patterned throw pillows.

“…Beyond doing fabulous work...McDowell employees went above and beyond their job requirements when in our home everyday...leaving the job site immaculate, bringing in garbage cans when out, letting the dog out while we were away. I trust this company, all their employees and subcontractors too, do an outstanding job every time and YOU can too!” ..excerpt from a client letter

PLANNING YOUR PROJECTS FOR 2014!

BATHROOMS KITCHENS WINDOWS DOORS ROOM ADDITIONS THREE SEASON ROOMS LOWER LEVELS SIDING ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

Michael Grudecki is president and senior design consultant with Vignette Home Decor, Inc. Stop in for more advice, and see what's in the store at 1952 W Fabyan Pkwy, Batavia.

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630-584-2255 TO SET A TIME! OR EMAIL US AT

MCDOWELLINC@SBCGLOBAL.NET

WWW.REMODELWITHMCDOWELL.COM HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 15

RETIRE with style In the heart of downtown Geneva

They call them "golden years" for a reason.

With children grown and on their own, and the demands of careers behind them, many older adults are finding they now have the time, the money and the energy to live life for themselves once again. And while they may no longer want the work or commitment of a large home, they are too active and too able to need a traditional care facility.

The people at Geneva Place understand that.

This posh apartment complex in the heart of beautiful downtown Geneva is a rental alternative to the senior subdivision, offering

residents 55 and older the benefits of modern amenities and luxury décor in an active, pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Some of the finest shopping and dining in the suburbs is just steps out the front door.

Picturesque bike and walking paths connect you to the tranquility of the Fox River. An array of planned activities, both at home and away, offer a chance to build friendships and stay active easily, something marketing manager Danielle Leach calls a “facilitated lifestyle.”

“People tend to pull away if they don’t have someone to do things with,” Leach says.

“Living here creates a network of friends.”

Wider halls and doorways, emergency pull cords and available transportation are attractive amenities to older adults, and daily light breakfast is available in the first-floor common area, providing a place to congregate with friends. In the warm weather, the courtyard patio is a hidden gem, offering respite and relaxation away from the bustle of the busy downtown.

Leases are month-to-month, with no long-term commitment, and no penalties.

The building is secure, pet-friendly, and grandchildren are welcome at any time.

For residents with relatives from further away, a rental apartment in the building is offered for reservation by visiting family members, providing a “guest room” arrangement.

“It really is just like your home,” Leach says.

“People notice when you’re not at breakfast, and there’s a sense of family. It’s a fun place to be.”

Geneva Place is located at 27 North Bennett Street in Geneva. For more information on living at Geneva Place, call 630-232-7733, or request a tour of the common areas and model apartments.

Operated by Covenant Retirement Communities, Geneva Place is a faith-based organization, appealing to those older adults who don’t need any sort of onsite healthcare.

“When people think of senior living, they tend to think of assisted living,” says Leach. “But we do not provide care, nor do we manage it.”

What they do handle, however, are the details. The 53-unit apartment building offers well-appointed surroundings in one and two-bedroom layouts, complete with in-suite washers and dryers and full-sized kitchens.

Photos by Jason Adrian Photography

16 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

FAMILY IN FOCUS

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FAMILY IN FOCUS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 17

I thought my addiction to Candy Crush was bad.

This was downright ridiculous.

A few weeks ago, I was trying to get the family ready for church and my son and husband were playing Xbox. I had to threaten both “my boys” with a time-out or grounding them from the game if they didn’t get off their butts and get ready for church. (I thought my addiction to Candy Crush was bad. This was downright ridiculous.)

the

XBOX

factor

W

e’ve entered a new phase of play in our family—video games.

We’ve had an Xbox 360 for several years now, but it wasn’t until recently that my son began choosing the video games over trucks and trains.

Technically, the Xbox system belongs to my husband. I bought it for him as a Christmas gift a few years ago. I justified buying my grown husband the gaming system with the thought that we could play “as a family.” It had “Kinnect,” where you get up and the camera allows you to play games using your body instead of a controller. We also assumed our son, who was two-years old when I bought it, eventually would start playing video games.

Flash forward some 24 months and I can count on one hand how many times we played it “as a family.” The kids and I enjoy showing off our 18 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

dance moves with games like Dance Central and Just Dance, but beyond that, I have avoided any kind of gaming like the Plague.

On the contrary, our son did, indeed, take a liking to it. And while it provided me an opportunity to clean the house, do laundry and have a moment’s peace to myself, I knew he likely would become addicted to the damn thing. Sure enough, he now wakes up in the morning and without saying a word he goes into the toy room, turns it on and picks up where he left off the night before.

There are occasions he insists I sit down and play, usually some sort of Lego game (the purpose of which completely escapes me.) But at least the Lego games make more sense than Minecraft, which boasts graphics that harken back to a meld of Coleco and Atari with a dash of Intellivision. Though unlike Minecraft, those games all were simple to understand. I wish they FAMILY IN FOCUS

made Tetris or Super Mario Brothers for Xbox 360.

It was time to put my foot down on this nonsense. I had to have serious talk with my husband about how he is setting a bad example by disrespecting me. I have a hard enough time getting out the door to go to work, get the kids into bed at a reasonable time and limit the amount of time they stare at any given screen in the house. I don’t need the biggest kid in my house fueling the fire and making it any worse.

On the bright side, my son in so in love with his precious video games that I now have something to hang over his head when he is misbehaving.

Even the thought of losing his Xbox privileges has him standing at attention. Now, if I could just get my husband to fall into line.

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I do my best to feign interest in Lego Star Wars, but I usually fall short of my son’s expectations to get him out of a tough level, and that is where my husband steps in. I remember when I would count down the minutes until he got home so I could hand off a screaming baby. Now I await his arrival home to save me from video-gaming Hell.

I appreciate this new bond that has developed between father and son. But they also are partners in crime – ignoring me while they are playing, sitting there, the two of them, with the same blank looks on their faces…while their fingers work the controls with the madness of Mozart at the piano – jump, punch and run.

I nearly have to turn the game off to get their attention.

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Write This Down with Michelle Stien

Michelle Stien is a stay-at-home mom of two children, ages 4 and 6. Her mother always told her to “write this down,” so she is sharing her experiences with other Kane County women to help them deal with the craziness of being “Mom.”

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Veronica’s story begins on August 16, 2013. Little Veronica was just a mere 10 weeks old at that time. The starving pit bull puppy found herself lost, severely dehydrated and sick on a 108 degree August afternoon. No one knows how long Veronica was abandoned to suffer in that dry brutal heat. What we do know is that one kind hearted man stumbled across her lying in the grass.

At ďŹ rst the man wasn’t sure what he had seen, upon closer inspection it turned out he found himself face to face with a dying puppy. Veronica was so weak she couldn’t even lift her head to acknowledge the man who was about to rescue her. The man brought little Veronica to Anderson Animal Shelter where the clinic team immediately went to work.

Veronica was in bad shape; besides for being weak and malnourished, Veronica had parvovirus. This particular virus is especially deadly in puppies like Veronica killing roughly 91 percent of those infected. Veronica’s parvovirus attacked her intestinal system causing vomiting and other severe issues. It’s no wonder Veronica was so feeble and frail. The Shelter treated Veronica with an aggressive course of antibiotics and after many hours of dedication and weeks of care, it seemed as though Veronica had put the worst of the virus behind her.

Once healthy, Veronica put on weight and blossomed into the silly,

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playful and loveable puppy she was always meant to be. Veronica’s forever home came soon after where she wiggled her way in to the heart of her family at an off-site adoption event in October of 2013.

The opportunity to do good is all around us. Good Samaritans, like the one who saved Veronica, and our generous and caring local communities come together to bring the mission and work of Anderson Animal Shelter to life. In order to provide pets like Veronica a chance to ďŹ nd a loving and forever home, the Shelter, a 501c3 organization, relies on individuals and businesses for monetary, gift in-kind support, skills, resources and more. Can you help like this Good Samaritan did? Call us to ďŹ nd out how.

For additional information about the Shelter including adoptions, donation drives, volunteerism and programs or services, please contact us at info@andersonanimalshelter.org or (847) 697-2880.

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Meditate

By MARTHA MADDI

Our brains store an amazing amount of information. So it’s no wonder we sometimes forget where we put our car keys or accidentally miss a doctor’s appointment. Mild memory loss is a normal part of the aging process, occurring when the structure and function of the brain slowly change. But research has found that keeping the mind active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells, maybe even generating new ones.

Here are some ways to defy this mental decline and sharpen your mind: Eat a brain-healthy diet

Exercise regularly

Dark-skinned fruits and vegetables have the highest levels of naturally-occurring antioxidants, according to Jocelyn Vetrano, sales and marketing director for Autumn Leaves, a memory care assisted living environment with facilities in Kane and DuPage Counties. So include in your diet kale, spinach, brussel sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, beets, red bell peppers, onions, corn and eggplant. As far as fruits, opt for prunes, raisins, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, red grapes and cherries. Protein choices that benefit the brain include cold-water fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as halibut, mackerel, salmon, trout and tuna.

Nuts, like almonds, pecans and walnuts, are an excellent source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that bolsters the mind.

Recent research indicates that physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain. Indeed, aerobic exercise improves oxygen consumption, thereby reducing brain cell loss in elderly people. “Just 30 minutes of walking, bicycling, gardening, tai chi and yoga will get your heart pumping,” Vetrano says.

Physical activities that also involve mental activity – plotting your route, observing traffic signals, making choices – provide additional value for brain health and doing these with a companion offers the added benefit of social interaction, according to Vetrano.

22 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Never stop learning The more education you have, the more protected you are against memory loss. Vetrano explains that education strengthens brain cells and their connections. “Well-educated individuals still can get Alzheimer’s, but HEALTH & FITNESS

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symptoms may appear later because of the protective effect,” she said.

But less formal learning can help too. So read, write and do crossword puzzles. “Stay curious and involved – commit to lifelong learning,” Vetrano said. Other beneficial activities include attending lectures and plays, enrolling in courses at your community college or community group and gardening. Playing free brain games online, such as those offered on the website Luminosity. com, can safeguard your memories.

Socialize According to Harvard Medical School, relationships stimulate our brains. In one study by the Harvard School of Public Health, researchers found that people with the most active social lives had the slowest rate of memory decline. Volunteering, joining a club, meeting with friends every week and even having a dog can boost your brain health. kanecountymagazine.com

Meditation allows the brain to de-clutter itself, thereby increasing awareness and focus. Sharon Tierney, owner and Dahn master instructor at Empower Body & Brain in St. Charles, said most people have 70,000 thoughts a day and meditation allows them to slow down the external thinking and focus on the present. “The amazing power of the brain is inside each of us; it is simply covered up with external thought,” she said. Tierney pointed to a recent study that found even as little as 20 minutes of meditation per day boosts performance on timed concentration and memory tests.

In a separate study by Massachusetts General Hospital, researchers found that meditation actually increased the thickness of the cerebral cortex and caused more connections between brain cells.

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Use memory helpers According to Harvard Medical School, repeating what you just learned out loud or writing it down can help commit it to memory. Spacing this repetition is important too. Review the new information after increasingly longer periods of time – once an hour, then every few hours, then every day. Mnemonic devices are helpful in remembering lists. They can take the form of acronyms, such as R.I.C.E. to remember the first-aid treatment regimen: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Or mnemonics can be sentences, such as “Every good boy does fine” to remember the musical notes E, G, B, D and F. kanecountymagazine.com

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lunging temperatures call for more than just cozy sweaters, boots and coats — they can also challenge daily eating and wellness routines, which can negatively impact skin. A personal regimen that effectively combines diet (chock-full of fresh, in-season foods), exercise, skincare and wellness this winter can be a powerful tool in achieving a glowing, healthy-looking appearance.

TOMATOES

Ellie Krieger, a nutritionist and host of the Food Network and Cooking Channel’s “Healthy Appetite,” says she believes positive food choices lead to beautiful skin and overall well-being. Here are some good options:

Digested more slowly than refined grains so they can help you achieve a steadier blood sugar, which may reduce inflammation and acne flares and lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health issues. Quinoa has gained popularity recently, but other alternative grains such as farro and bulgur are just as delicious and packed with fiber and minerals.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH One of the top sources of beta carotene, an antioxidant form of vitamin A that helps protect skin and speeds up the cell renewal process. Beta carotene imparts a yellow-orange color to food and can also enhance complexion tone.

BEETS High in folate, manganese and potassium. When buying fresh beets, select those with the greens intact because beet greens, like other green leafy vegetables, are not only delicious, they are also packed with nutrients, especially vitamin C, which is important for collagen production. Try sauteeing cooked beets with the greens or some kale along with garlic and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Or, whip up an elegant beet salad enhanced with watercress dressing by food-processesing the watercress, goat cheese, buttermilk, vinegar and salt until smooth and creamy, and add walnuts as a topper. kanecountymagazine.com

A crucial “skin food.” They provide lycopene, which helps protect skin against damage from UV radiation.

Canned tomatoes and sauce make it easy to incorporate this fruit into everyday meals. Cooking tomatoes concentrates their lycopene, and adding olive oil in tomato sauce helps the body absorb the antioxidant.

WHOLE GRAINS

TOMATOES provide lycopene, which helps protect skin against damage from UV radiation.

— Ellie Krieger, nutritionist and host of the Food Network and Cooking Channel’s “Healthy Appetite”

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HAVE A SNOW-FUELED

WORKOUT It's winter. Your gym is packed. Don't wait in line for a machine; get a workout in your driveway and pick up a shovel.

It's more economical than a snow blower, and shoveling is an intense cardio workout that exercises muscles in your legs, core, back, shoulders and arms. If you want to overachieve, you can extend the workout by shoveling the sidewalks or helping out your neighbors.

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snowfall, or the need to chop ice, you'll burn even more calories as your body fights to stay warm and increases exertion. (Be safe, of course, and don't shovel snow if you have a medical condition or you don't normally exercise.)

Burn up calories. The exact amount depends on pace and intensity, but expect to burn around 250 calories for every 30 minutes of shoveling.

If you experience lower temperatures, heavy

Work different muscle groups. Shoveling snow is a high-intensity workout - especially if you shovel fast - and it works all of your major muscle groups.

You will feel it the next day in your legs, core, back, shoulders and arms. Use a full range of motion and fire your core muscles as you bend and lift.

Use proper technique. As with all workouts, proper technique will help improve your workout and avoid strains and soreness. First off, make sure to squat and lift the snow with your legs, not your back. Second, avoid bending over at the hip flexors.

Lastly, keep the shovel close to your body and walk to where you will dump the snow instead of overextending, twisting or leaning to toss it.

Dress right. Layer, layer, layer. Skip the frostbite and retain the quality workout. Being too cold can be dangerous and will tighten up your muscles. Dress in winter layers, wear good boots with traction (snow and ice mixed can be treacherous) and cover up your hands, ears and head.

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Geneva 1101 E. State St. 26 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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Phone: 630-232-7544

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Fax: 630-232-4409 kanecountymagazine.com

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HEALTH & FITNESS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 27

“The combination of chronic dehydration and dryness causes skin to become more sensitive.”

Tiffany Lewis, owner of Tiffany Lewis Skin Care

FEBR 2

23

SPOIL HER WITH

FACE THE WINTER with proper skin care

By ALLISON HORNE

W

inter is in full swing, and the chilly Winter is in full swing, and the chilly gusts and enormous snowdrifts are forcing everyone to bundle up in layers, often forgetting about the most important layer underneath it all—your skin.

The cold, dry air that goes hand-in-hand with the winter season often brings about dry skin, blood vessel breakage, and other disorders like eczema.

Even if you are a regular moisturizer and take care of your skin on a daily basis, it might not be enough during the cold, harsh winter.

Suburban skin specialists are sharing their knowledge for keeping your epidermis in tip-top shape in the harsh weather that comes with the winter months.

28 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

TAKING ON THE WINTER Staying out of the cold is unavoidable in the winter, but there are many skincare tips that can help keep your skin as healthy as possible. Some of the problems that estheticians come across during the cold months include dry, red, itchy, and damaged skin. The two main causes of stress on skin are dry air and indoor heating, both of which are prevalent throughout the winter.

“In addition to dry skin, the winter also causes sensitivity,” Tiffany Lewis, owner of Tiffany Lewis Skin Care, says. “The combination of chronic dehydration and dryness causes skin to become more sensitive.”

Every person is different and their skin responds

FASHION & BEAUTY

• Exfoliate your face and body to get fresh skin • Find a serum with anti-aging and peptides to assist with moisturizing • Seal it all in with a moisturizer Cheryl Santucci, director of esthetics and retail at Mario Tricoci, notes that using creamy cleansers combined with exfoliation, serums and a highmoisture content cream is the best solution to defeating dry, irritated skin. She recommends the Organic Radiance Facial at Mario Tricoci, which features a fruit acid peel and organic creams, both great for combatting rough winter skin.

REMEDIES AT HOME If it’s not possible to make it to the spa for a professional facial during the winter, there are several ways to manage and maintain healthy skin without even leaving the comfort of your home.

For starters, when you do leave the house to go outdoors, bundle in layers and protect the face, arms, hands and any other sensitive areas.

“It is equally important not to expose skin to

kanecountymagazine.com

harsh elements inside or outside so wear a protective layer,” Santucci says.

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Something as simple as placing a humidifier in the home will help add moisture to the air that is lacking, and drinking more water to stay hydrated will also help to add moisture to the skin.

Be my Valentine!

Lewis also recommends doing your own mini at-home facial treatment, by opening the pores over a pot of steaming water, and using a facial and body scrub on a regular basis.

When it comes to moisturizers, the thicker, the better.

“Don’t forget about the body,” Lewis says.

“People have a tendency to forget about the body, but it’s important to keep that hydrated as well with a body scrub and body butter.”

Another simple tip that doesn’t take much effort is using a makeup that protects and keeps your face looking healthy. Mario Tricoci offers a line of Cose mineral makeup that is ideal for harsh weather and helps make skin weatherproof.

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“Pure mineral makeup ensure that the moisture is locked in and skin has an extra layer of protection,” Santucci says.

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When it comes down to it, your skin will be the most important layer you have this winter, so be sure to hop into a day spa and exfoliate and moisturize accordingly.

kanecountymagazine.com

4

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A Day of Pampering Extra!

to the climate differently, so Lewis does not offer any “cookie cutter” facials at her spa. Rather, each facial is fully customizable depending on the level of moisture in the skin. Lewis follows three basic steps to keep skin glowing both with her patients at the spa and at home:

3

Hint, hint9 xoxo 16

UARY

FASHION & BEAUTY

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 29

Come to my no-sheet White Sale.

~ Claudia

Bring Your Valentine to No towels, either.

Just wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, prom and ball gowns, as well as a couple of slinky 1930s screen siren dresses.

All in glorious white.

At up to 85% off retail.

So, get married, go to a dance, or just feel like Bette Davis, smoking an unfiltered Chesterfield as she enters a room filled with thin guys wearing Tuxedos.

You’ll look great.

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30 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

27 S. Third Street, Geneva • 630-208-MOSSY • www.TheMossyTwig.com

FASHION & BEAUTY

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Editor's Choice

Great gift ideas for the Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day has an uncertain history. One legend suggests St. Valentine was a priest in third century Rome, who secretly married young lovers despite a wartime law that outlawed new marriages. Another story tells of a priest who after helping prisoners to escape Roman torture and persecution, was imprisoned himself, and wrote beautifully romantic letters to his beloved from jail, signing them “From your Valentine.”

But regardless the history, today’s Valentine’s Day celebrates a range of love, friendship, camaraderie and romance. The gifts and greetings exchanged range from playful to passionate, clever and cutesy. We’ve complied a list of our favorite local finds for spreading Valentine’s Day cheer this year. u A spa package from Mario Tricoci Salons is as romantic as it is luxurious. Choose from salt scrubs, facials and more, or a day of full on beauty at the salon. Prices vary by service, or choose a gift card and let your sweetheart design their own day.

32 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

u What could be a more luxurious gift than a massage? A one-hour aromatherapy massage w/herbal wrap & steam is the perfect way to say you care. Available at Halsa, the Aromatherapy Shop and Spa in Geneva for $125. u If your valentine appreciates the artistic and out-of-the-ordinary, perhaps a piece of artisan jewelry is the perfect gift. At Crystalline Velvet, a dozen local jewelry artisans work with everything from crystal and gemstones, to resin, fused glass, upcycled materials, circuit boards and chainmail to create beautiful and unique pieces as original as the person receiving them. u Create a gift that’s sure to please with a personalized gift basket from Rocky Mountain Chocolate in Geneva Commons.

Dipped fruit and pretzels, smooth and creamy fudge and exotic-flavored truffles fill the cases in decadent style, awaiting your choices. u Surprise your sweetheart with a relaxing treat. Choose a bottle from a wide array of sparkling wines at Geneva Wine Cellars, and enjoy a romantic evening in! u Please the youngest of valentine’s with nostalgic sweet delights from Little Traveler in Geneva. It’s candy shop harkens back to a time gone by, with jars of hard candies, ribbon candies, and foil-wrapped hearts and chocolate dipped treats.

Become

a f an!

Designer Names Without the

Price!

❁

Louis Vuitton

❁

Coach

❁

Tiffany

❁ Michael Kors

u Pour on the glamour with a sparkling gift from the Tacori fine jewelery collection at State Street Jewelers in Geneva. Choose from brilliant spring colors like rose amethyst, lemon quartz, and blue topaz.

u The original stars of BROADWAY’S runaway hit Jersey Boys take The Paramount stage in Aurora with a whole new musical act that celebrates the music of the 1960s.

Valentine’s Day show times at 1:30 and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45.

u Looking for a sweet treat for that special someone? The Aroma Chocolate Line, from the All Chocolate kitchen in Geneva highlights four regional based Grand Cru truffles, with influences from Bolivia, Ghana, Madagascar, Grenada and Venezuela. Looking for something simpler, yet all together delicious? Try the decadent blend of chocolate and smoke with ACK’s chocolate drenched bacon.

u Add some sparkle to their Valentine’s Day with a beautiful bracelet from Azar Jewelers in Geneva. Gemstone bracelets for her, choices for him and birthstone bracelets too mean there’s the perfect “fit” for whomever is on your list.

DINING & ENTERTAINING

kanecountymagazine.com

kanecountymagazine.com

❁

Kate Spade

❁

Fine Jewelry

❁

Coopersong

❁

And many more

27 W. State St. Geneva

Follow the Kane County Magazine at facebook.com/KaneCountyMagazine.

DINING & ENTERTAINING

630.262.0944 www.anewwaytoshop.com KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 33

THE GOLDMINE customers - whether they are buying an engagement ring, having a piece of jewelry appraised or selling gold or silver. The Goldmine is always abuzz. A goldsmith is onsite and repairs are done quickly and to your satisfaction. Stop by The Goldmine.

We look forward to serving you in the near future!

213 West Main St. | St. Charles 630.377.4653 thegoldminejeweler.com

One visit to our store and you'll discover why Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is the number one destination of chocolate lovers everywhere. Throughout our store you will discover a fantastic variety of yummy chocolates and confections to satisfy cravings of even the most ardent chocoholic! Watch as we dip crisp apples in thick, bubbling caramel from a traditional copper kettle. Smile as we roll them in a rainbow of tasty toppings to complete your old fashioned treat.

Linger awhile longer and learn how fudge

is made, as we fashion a creamy loaf on a traditional marble slab, the old-fashioned way, right before your eyes. And of course, everyone gets a free sample!

But don't leave without sharing the experience with a gift of fine chocolate, elegantly crafted and beautifully packaged in boxes, tins and baskets.

Visit us on Facebook 1308 Commons Dr. | Geneva 630-208-1484 rockymountainchocolatefactory.com

Photos by Jeff Krage

The Goldmine is a true hometown jeweler. Jay and Lynn Montgomery have owned and operated The Goldmine for more than 31 years in the same location in downtown St. Charles. The Goldmine has the largest selection of high quality jewelry in the Fox Valley area. Personal service combined with a genuine passion for their business sets The Goldmine apart from the others. On any given day, you will see a steady flow of

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY

floral wonders The Art of Floral Design To create beauty in the world, one must first appreciate its many forms.

Appreciation runs deep at Floral Wonders where each arrangement is a lesson in proportion, balance and creativity. Our purpose lies within expressing our clients’ exact

WILSON TRAVEL & CRUISE

sentiments during times of celebration, reflection, distinction and appreciation.

We invite those who desire their aesthetics to reflect their point-of-view to join us.

Located in downtown St. Charles for more than 50 years, Wilson Travel & Cruise offers the best service and expertise for your vacation travel planning. Tammy Moudy, honeymoon and destination wedding specialist, creates personal relationships with her clients to learn about their travel and lifestlye preferences. Her journey as a travel agent began in 1986, becoming a certified Honeymoon & Destination Wedding

310 Campbell St. | Geneva 630-945-6559 evasfloralwonders.com

Photo by Jeff Krage

Villa Verone

sweet NATALIE'S

Photos by Jason Adrian Photography

34 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

If you're looking for a one-stop shop to satisfy the most discerning sweet tooth, Sweet Natalie's co-op bakery, owned

by Ilene Keivel, is the place to go! Here, you'll find a variety of products from over 10 local bakers, including: an assortment of gluten-free, egg-free and dairy free, peanutfree, vegan and organic pastries, as well as

gourmet popcorn, cheesecakes, decadent cupcakes, brownies, bars, hand-decorated sugar cookies, French macaroons, and more!

Visit us on Facebook 228 S. 3rd St. | Geneva 630-232-7434 *Makeup by Dana Schuster

For a taste of old Italy, head to Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano, housed in an historic stone home in downtown Geneva. For more than 18 years, Villa Verone has embraced the values of authentic southern Italian cooking and an Italian family. Come and enjoy a delicious meal, great atmosphere and fabulous service. The Upper Club, located on the second floor, is the

perfect place to unwind and listen to live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Villa Verone and enjoy our $90 per couple special. It includes one appetizer, two entrees, one dessert and one bottle of selected wine.

416 Hamilton St. | Geneva 630-232-2201

love is in the air... sweet romance DINING & ENTERTAINING

Specialist in 2009. She is committed to our customers and offers great service backed with destination knowledge, which helps make their special day or trip much more memorable. Stop by or give Tammy a call about your wedding, honeymoon or beach vacation.

203 E. Illinois Ave. | St. Charles 630-377-3700 wilsontravelandcruise.com

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DINING & ENTERTAINING

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 35

Full Slab BBQ Ribs

of

Mango Margarita

Tom Yum Soup with Larb Kai Salad

Course EL CASANOVA Mexican Restaurant 1890 MILL ST. | BATAVIA

Caprese Salad

Photo by Jennifer Winder

4 N. BATAVIA AVE. | BATAVIA

Tapas Desser t: Chocolate Molten, New York Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie and Peanut Butter Pie

1

P

Stockholm's 306 W. STATE ST. | GENEVA

Photo by Jeff Krage

Villa Verone 416 HAMILTON ST. | GENEVA kanecountymagazine.com

204 S. 3RD ST. | GENEVA DINING & ENTERTAINING

Photo by Jason Adrian Photography

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 37

Thai Village R E S TA U R A N T

1890 Mill St. Batavia (Located just south of Randall 15 Theaters)

630-406-0669

Party Room available for up to

70 PEOPLE!

Sun-Th 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm

DAILY DRINK DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS SPECIALS TUESDAY: $2 All Bottled Beer THURSDAY: $3 Margaritas

$6.95

Choose from 18 different entrees all served with rice and beans Mention this

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KIDS EAT FREE*

4 N Batavia Ave, Batavia, IL 60510

Award Winning Voted #1

Visit our Website for Daily Deals:

www.elcasanovarestaurant.com

For a taste of old Italy, head to Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano, housed in an historic stonehome in downtown Geneva. For over 18 years, Villa Verone has embraced the values of authentic southern Italian cooking and an Italian family. Come and enjoy a delicious meal, great atmosphere and fabulous service.

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Open 7 Days a Week Dine-in • Carryout • Catering • Delivery

Gratto Italian Tapas TAPAS. PASTA. PIZZA & MORE

DAILY SPECIALS TUESDAY: 1/2 Price Wine Bottles *On Selected Bottles

WEDNESDAY: 1/2 Price Pizza *With purchase of a beverage

THURSDAY: $5 Martinis Night *On Select Martinis off the menu

FRIDAY: $4 Smirnoff Cocktails

CelebrateValentine’s Day with us enjoy our

The ever-growing culture of beer

Gluten Free and Vegan Dishes Available

Family Owned & Operated

The Upper Club, located upstairs, is the perfect place to unwind and listen to live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Wine

The BestThai Food in Kane County

Menti

Mon-Wed: Free kid’s menu entree with purchase of adult entree.

Not valid with any other offer.

SATURDAY: $5 Homemade Sangrias SUNDAY: Kids Eat FREE

Daily Lunch Specials Monthly Entertainment

VINCE BALISTRERI is general manager and sommelier at Niche Restaurant in Geneva. He offers his expertise in the wine industry to the Kane County community.

See website for details

NEW CRAFT BEER LIST Hours: Tues & Wed 4 pm - 9 pm Thurs 11:30 am - 9 pm Fri - Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm Monday Closed

*One child per adult, children’s menu only

$90.00 PER COUPLE SPECIAL

When the economy took a hit a few years back, it opened the opportunities for a growing craft beer industry.

Where wine was over saturated and often overpriced, beer jumped in and struck hard. Today, the craft beer culture is taking hold, and capturing wine drinkers as well as brew enthusiasts.

Important to note is that breweries can offer a fairly inexpensive supplement for your average drinker, and a lot more variety. Brewers are starting to really play with the old standard recipes and create some great and extremely interesting beers. By adding different yeast strands, foods and spices the sky is the limit on taste.

It seems like nearly every town with a dining district now has its own microbrewery or brewpub restaurant.

That's a wonderful thing. Beer's climb to fame has just begun. It's a hot market, and everyone wants a piece of it. The price point is good, and let’s face it, Americans love beer. And while I see the growth topping out in the next two years, the industry should stay strong for a long time. There are just too many different flavors and styles for boredom to set in.

There now are smoked beers, and sours with kumquats, peanut butter and banana, to white chocolate beers.

Wine will always be one of my loves but beer has made a nice dent. And even if you take your very expensive "cult" beers, the highest you are going to pay retail is about $30.

*All subject to change and all not valid with any coupons or offers.

Some restrictions apply.

It includes one appetizer, two entrees, one dessert and one bottle of selected wine.

416 Hamilton Street, Geneva, IL 60134 630-232-2201 • www.villaverone.net

38 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

www.thaivillagebatavia.com 630-879-5495

}3 FLOYD’S PERMANENT FUNERAL – American Double Imperial IPA }LAGUNITAS SUCKS – American Strong Ale }SURLY DARKNESS –Russian Imperial Stout }THE BRUERY RUEUZE – Belgian-style blend of lambics }GOOSE ISLAND PROPRIETORS – Bourbon County Stout }PIPEWORKS ELIJAH’S REVIVAL – Barleywine }PIPEWORKS NINJA VS UNICORN – American Double Imperial IPA }3 FLOYD’S BEHEMOTH – Blonde Barleywine }DESCHUTES ABYSS –American Double Imperial Stout }REVOLUTION BEAN GENE – American Porter style There are also some great breweries in the area like Solemn Oath in Naperville, Penrose in Geneva, and Two Brothers in Warrenville and Aurora. Check them out and enjoy all the area has to offer in craft beer.

207 S. 3rd St. Geneva 630-208-9988 www.grattogeneva.com

DINING & ENTERTAINING

Here are some of the amazing beers I have tried in the last year, available at nearby liquor stores and various restaurants around the Tri-Cities.

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DINING & ENTERTAINING

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 39

Breakfast takes its place on the dining food chain

"We’re really good about getting them what they want – even if it’s not on the menu.”

-Jody Lay manages Nosh in Geneva.

At McNally's Irish Pub in St. Charles, breakfast diners can enjoy The Full Monty a large and satisfying traditional Irish breakfast.

Irish Eggs Benedict - McNally's Irish Pub, St. Charles

Artisan ingredients, creative combinations make morning meals marvelous

By YVONNE BENSON

K

ick starting the day has become increasingly experiential. While most mornings remain a monotonous plodding of essential tasks to prepare for the day, that tedium can be broken by a surprising and satisfying breakfast. And as chefs and foodies alike embrace the most important meal of the day with the same enthusiasm once reserved for dinner, our taste buds are reaping the benefits.

The Geneva Diner has been serving up breakfast since 1921 and still plates all the classics.

Manager Bill Aizazi says, “Any breakfast restaurant needs to have omelets, skillets, and pancakes.” However, he continued, “Corned beef hash is our specialty. It’s the most popular

40 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

dish that we have. People love it because it’s homemade.”

Menu items at the Geneva Diner come straight from the customers’ comments, he says.

“We come up with some things on our own but then people ask for modifications and then we decide to give them a name once they become popular,” he says. “We just go with the flow.”

Jody Lay manages Nosh in Geneva. “Flexibility is the biggest thing. People have an idea in their minds of what they want for breakfast and we don’t always have it on paper in their hands.

We’re really good about getting them what they want – even if it’s not on the menu.”

That isn’t to say that Nosh doesn’t have

DINING & ENTERTAINING

specialties. “Our most important and signature menu item would be our Nosh French Toast,” she says. It’s challah bread that’s battered with a sweet egg mixture, griddled, and then covered in our crème anglaise – a vanilla and orange sauce – which just adds a hint of sweetness with the combination of the batter and toast. The combination is absolutely incredible!”

What’s most important for the folks at Nosh is that they emphasize fresh ingredients and many flavor influences. “People come here for a meal and usually leave with a whole experience.” She credits her staff for that.

McNally’s in St. Charles offers up a traditional Irish breakfast all day and night. You’ll find it under the name The Full Monty on the menu and

kanecountymagazine.com

it’s enough to last you all day long. An Irish breakfast contains rashers of bacon, a couple of pork sausages, black and white pudding, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, a couple of fried eggs, and some fried Irish Soda Bread.

“Anyone who has ever been to Ireland is familiar with that,” Owner Shay Clarke says. “It’s awesome.

Absolutely.” For people who have smaller appetites they have a mini version.

On weekends they open up the pub from 8:00 AM11:00 AM for breakfast and they also offer a regular brunch menu. Clarke says it’s been popular with families, which initially surprised him.

“They’re always telling me that it’s the kids who choose to come here,” he says. “Kids choose what they like and we look after them.”

Photos by Jason Adrian Photography

r o f g y n o i d u e n e h yt r e v ! s E l a e m o i u c r s i l e w t i n e d & y s ea Voted V t d 2013 Best B t Meat Market / Butcher Shop in Kane County!

Ream’s Elburn Market

How theater can make you

LAUGH, REFLECT and RECONNECT

By John Gawlik, Fox Valley Repertory Artistic Director

!

Come taste 25 different extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars from all over the world.

Unique Gift Baskets Available.

315 James St. • Geneva, IL (630) 262-0210 www.olivemillgeneva.com

Store Hours Mon-Fri 10am–6pm

Fine Quality Meats & Sausages Fresh • Aged • Cured • Smoked 128 N. Main St. • Downtown Elburn West side of Rt. 47 • 630.365.6461

Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm • Sat: 9am-4pm • Sun: 11am-4pm

Thursday 10am-8pm Saturday 10am-5:30pm Sunday 12pm-4pm

A GREAT OLD FASHIONED FULL SERVICE MEAT MARKET

HICKORY KNOLLS DISCOVERY CENTER

– the newest wedding venue in St. Charles –

offering a unique alternative to traditional wedding venues.

This LEED-certiďŹ ed building is adjacent to community gardens and a 130-acre natural area with a spacious lobby and exible seating arrangements.

A unique banquet facility in a beautiful natural setting.

e n i l y k S

• Snow blowing for brick paver driveways • Professional Snow Plowing • Fully licensed and insured • Family-owned and operated • Serving the Fox Valley for over 25 years

Available weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Reasonable rates.

Kitchen and audio visual equipment available.

Make your reservation today – 630-513-4399.

Also Offering: • Storm Damage Services • Stump Removal • Tree Removals • Tree Trimming • Lot Clearing

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Skyline Tree Service and Landscaping, Inc.

Located within the James O. Breen Community Park at Peck & Campton Hills Roads.

Complete driving directions at stcnature.org.

P.O. Box 3058 • St. Charles, IL 60174 • (630) 584-2221

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is an award-winning facility of the St. Charles Park District.

42 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Save your pavers!

Snow blow with

DINING & ENTERTAINING

www.skylinetreesvc.com

kanecountymagazine.com

There is nothing like the antipitation of sitting in the audience before the lights dim. . The excitement and hushed voices around you as you wait for the show to begin. It can be electric. And with the right show, the night can truly be an amazing shared moment.

When a performance has touched you in a way that makes you laugh, reflect and even reconnect to moments in your own life, you know that performance will be a memorable one – an experience that you can recount and even share with ones around you for years to come. So many times patron will say to me, “that show reminded me of my own childhood memories� or “this show helped me relive the excitement of falling in love for the first time.�

At Fox Valley Repertory, we strive to create these kinds of moments for you. And as we begin our 2014 season, we are thrilled to have you as part of our audience. These plays and musicals will each take you on a wonderful journey from the quirky Catholic musical (Nunsense), to the coming-of-age comedy (Cheaper by the Dozen), followed by the nostalgic story of The Andrews Sisters (The Sisters of Swing), then to Neil Simon’s heart-winning comedy (Brighton Beach Memoirs), and finally to a holiday music revue (Christmas on Broadway). Five nights to share with family, friends and new acquaintances as you look across the aisle and see young and old all smiling and ready to participate together in the joy of theater.

Fox Valley Repertory is a 501(c)(3) notfor-profit theater company in residence at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles; dedicated to creating an engaging theater experience by producing shows that inspire you to laugh, reflect, and reconnect to moments in your life. www.foxvalleyrep.org

kanecountymagazine.com

!

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Have a cute pet?

Then enter the Kane County Chronicle Cutest Pet Contest!

From now until February 16, you can submit a photo of your pet at http://goo.gl/dxlMcx. Then, beginning February 17, you can vote for your favorite photo! At the end of the contest, the reader who’s photo receives the most votes will win a great prize package, and the top three photos will be published in the Kane County Chronicle!!

One photo submission per person allowed.

Must be 18 or older to participate.

DINING & ENTERTAINING

www.KCChronicle.com

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 43

Batavia Fine Arts Centre Friday, February 7, 2014, 7:30pm Hemmens Cultural Center Saturday, February 8, 2014, 7:30pm Sunday, February 9, 2014, 2:30pm

Ta Tania Miller, Conductor Br Brandon Ridenour, Trumpet Jo Journey through Italy as Brandon Ridenour, a former trumpeter with the Canadian Brass, Bra performs “Agitata da due venti” from La Griselda, and a world premiere of Fa Fantasy Variations composed by the trumpeter himself. Strauss’ Aus Italien will con continue your journey through the beauty of Italy, leaving you with images of the vib vibrant culture and countryside.

Beethoven Inspired Andrew Lewis, conductor

artist

showcase BRIAN DeWOLF | Batavia “PEARL” PHOTOGRAPH

Elgin Choral Union UIC Symphonic Choir

Proud Fox Gallery in Geneva announces a new, and limited edition, image from well-known Fox Valley photographer, Brian DeWolf.

The image titled, “Pearl” is a view of downtown St. Charles. Evening sun strikingly highlights the waterfront and the center-east business district with the historic, Art Deco, marble municipal building being the centerpiece. The image is an interplay of light and shadow, dramatic sky and reflecting water, that includes fishermen below the dam and the Hotel Baker’s brick gazebo.

Brian DeWolf has artfully recorded life, and scenery, in the Fox Rive Valley since 1995. He is a long standing member of Professional Photographers of America, where his work has merited in every international competition that he entered, and he had a solo exhibit in France 2009.

Only ten images will be printed, but various sizes can be ordered. The standard size is 10x20 inches. They are printed on museumgrade watercolor paper and sealed with a protective lacquer spray. Brian DeWolf’s

standard Collector Series pricing applies for this limited edition print. The 10x20 print is $150.00.

Proud Fox Gallery in Geneva is the premier framing and art gallery in the Fox River Valley with over 25 years experience. We have a large inventory of framed art and our custom framing is truly a craft.

Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 9, 2:30 p.m.

Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

Experience ESO

Contact Tomomi or David at Proud Fox Gallery (630-262-8797). Decorate with art by esteemed Fox Valley artists.

To submit an entry to Artist Showcase, email artwork, title of piece, name and village of residence of artist, a two- to three - sentence description of the piece, short bio and artist photo to KaneCountyMagazine@shawmedia.com, subject head “Local Artist Submission.”

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 45

V

Young singers headed for

CARNEGIE HALL Three Tri-City teens are headed for the most famous stage in the nation.

to showcase the finest individual student musicians from North America and abroad in one incredible concert at Carnegie Hall. Each year, selected students experience a five-day program that allows them to study under master conductors, interact with accomplished student musicians, enjoy the excitement of New York City, and ultimately perform at this world-renowned venue. These high-achieving students are chosen through an application and selection process, allowing the most talented and dedicated musicians to take part in this opportunity.

ero Voce School of Visual and Performing Arts in St. Charles has announced that three of its students have been awarded the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in February 2014. Katelyn Jassoy, 17 (St Charles), Ashley Fritz, 14 (Geneva) and Erin Kingseed, 16, (St Charles), students of Dawn Harkins owner and voice teacher of Vero Voce School of Performing Arts and Theater, were accepted into the High School Honors Performance Series after a rigorous audition process. They will spend a week studying and rehearsing in New York City before performing with the National Honors Choir before a distinguished audience including representatives from collegiate and professional music programs.

Also, honored as first runner up was Timothy Hommowun, 16 (St Charles) for oboe.

The High School Honors Performance Series was established

This continues the line of successes with winners and finalists in national and state events including the prestigious Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, NATS Illinois State Competition, various local idol competitions and Summer Music/ Musical Theater programs such as Northwestern University and Interlochen.

“I am so pleased that their hard work and dedication has afforded them this great opportunity”, said Vero Voce director Dawn Harkins.

“This once-in-a-lifetime experience will increase their passion for music and excite others as they share their experience."

Vero Voce was established in 2001 specializing in private voice, piano lessons and musical theatre coaching expanded into a 5,000 square foot facility with multiple studios, classrooms, and a theatre at 951 State Avenue, Suite F, in St. Charles. Course offerings include all instruments, voice and theatre classes and a full season of adult musical and non-musical productions and a full season of children’s theatre productions.

More informationcan be obtained by visiting verovoce.com or calling (630) 584-0139

–Young Performers Series–

DISNEY’S LITTLE MERMAID JR. Feb 8-16, 2014 Sat at 3 pm & 7 pm / Sun at 3 pm Tickets $15 Adult / $9 Child

Box Office: (630) 584-0139

Online: www.verovoce.com/children-s-theatre

–Mainstage–

When the five Sisters of Hoboken discover that 52 fellow nuns were accidentally poisoned by their cook, Mother Superior desperately —and hilariously— stages a variety show to raise funds for the burials. Here you'll meet Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of the Novices; streetwise Sister Robert Anne; wannabe-ballerina Sister Mary Leo, and the delightfully wacky Sister Mary Amnesia. Rating: PG13. Tickets start at $32. For tickets or more information, call 630-584-6342 or visit www.foxvalleyrep.org.

FEBRUARY 1 | THE MUSICAL BOX: SELLING ENGLAND

BY THE POUND 8 p.m. at the Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles A Tribute to the classic Genesis album. This is one amazing performance you do not want to miss! Tickets start at $39. For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit http:// www.oshows.com.

FEBRUARY 1 | 9TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY FAMILY FESTIVAL 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library, at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin Everyone is invited to the Black History Family Festival.

Participants will learn about how African Americans successfully contributed to American war efforts. The event will include a presentation by the Tuskegee Airmen, the black Americans who fought for freedom as pilots during World War II. For more information, call 847-742-2411 or visit www.gailborden.info.

FEBRUARY 2 | THE MUSICAL BOX: FOXTROT 8:30 p.m. at the Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles The Canadian group re-creates this classic Genesis performance with such stellar detail, it is as if you are being taken back in time! Tickets start at $39. For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows.com.

FEBRUARY 2| SUPER SHUFFLE 5K 10am at Geneva Middle School South, at 1415 Viking Drive in Geneva Take part in this fun, annual 5k. Afterwards, head to the Game Day Party featuring pre-game food, drinks, football toss, cotton candy and more. Make sure you wear your game colors. The event continues with the Game Day Party, located at the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center, at 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Cost is $34 for pre-registration and $39 for day of registration. To register or for more information, call 630-2324542 or visit http://genevaparks.org.

FEBRUARY 4 | TRANSATLANTIC 7 p.m. at the Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles Transatlantic is the progressive rock supergroup founded in 1999

by Mike Portnoy, who envisioned an all star progressive rock band with the finest players from prog's leading bands. Tickets start at $39. For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows.com.

NEW PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL Up and coming playwrights will have one act plays produced over the course of 3 weekends. Roughly 8 one acts per performance.

Tickets $15 for performance or $35 for 1 performance each weekend.

FEBRUARY 9 | THE BEATLES 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 4:30 p.m. at The Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles

Box Office: (630) 584-0139

Online: www.verovoce.com/theatre

951 State Ave., Suite F • St. Charles, IL • 630-584-0139 www.verovoce.com • www.facebook.com/verovoce 46 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

THROUGH MARCH 9 | NUNSENSE at the Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run Resort, at 4051 E. Main Street in St. Charles

FEBRUARY 6 | CHOCOLATE 101 WITH KEVIN ROBLEE 12 p.m. at the St. Charles Public Library, at 1 South 6th Ave. in St. Charles

Feb 20 - Mar 9, 2014 Thu-Sat at 8 pm / Sun at 3 pm

Vero Voce Theater

FEBRUARY EVENTS In Kane County

OUT & ABOUT

kanecountymagazine.com

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Chocolatier Kevin Roblee will be on hand to talk about the flavors and nuances of chocolate from around the world and explain the finer attributes of chocolate enjoyment. Tastings included! Free admission. To register or for more information, call 630-584-0076 or visit www. stcharleslibrary.org.

Re-live the magic of the moment The Beatles took the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show, making rock history! Starring The Liverpool Legends, and Louise Harrison, George's sister! Tickets start at $29. For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows.com.

FEBRUARY 10 | WRIGLEY FIELD'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY 6:30 p.m. at the Geneva Public Library, at 127 James Street in Geneva

will speak to the historical context that inspired his book Wrigley Field's Last World Series: The Wartime Chicago Cubs and the Pennant of 1945. To register or for more information, call 630232-0780 or visit http://gpld.org.

FEBRUARY 14 | THE MIDTOWN MEN 1:30 p.m. & 8 p.m. at The Paramount Theatre, at 23 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora The original stars of Broadway's runaway hit Jersey Boys take The Paramount stage with a whole new musical act that celebrates the music of the 1960s. The Midtown Men branch out from their acclaimed renditions of songs by the Four Seasons to bring you more sensational music by The Beatles, The Beach Boys and the best artists from the golden age of Motown.

Tickets start at $45. For tickets or more information, call 630896-6666 or visit http://paramountaurora.com.

FEBRUARY 14 | GROOVIN' THE SIXTIES 8 p.m. at The Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles Orchestral Events and arranger/conductor Mariano Longo bring classic pop artists Gary Puckett and The Buckinghams together with a full symphony orchestra. Tickets start at $49. For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows. com.

FEBRUARY 15 | 3RD ANNUAL GALA CASINO NIGHT 6 p.m. at The Paramount Theatre, at 23 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora Includes Sit-Down Dinner, Awesome Live Entertainment, OPEN BAR, Gambling for Big Prizes and Fast-Paced Fun. Elvis will be there, along with showgirls, lots of gambling tables and a few more surprises. Enjoy a plated dinner, then head over to the gorgeous Paramount Grand Gallery for gambling. $100 gets you everything. For tickets or more information, call 630-896-6666 or visit http://paramountaurora.com.

FEBRUARY 15 | 10,000 MANIACS 8 p.m. at The Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles One of the most critically acclaimed bands of the last three decades, 10,000 Maniacs, was founded by Robert Buck, Dennis Drew, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo and Natalie Merchant in the fall of 1981. Jerry Augustyniak joined in 1983. Together with artists like R.E.M., they defined college rock and created the first wave of alternative rock bands and what became know as the alternative rock format on FM radio. Tickets start at $29.

For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www. oshows.com.

FEBRUARY 16 | THE PEKING ACROBATS 5 p.m. at The Paramount Theatre, at 23 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora Renowned for the grace, artistry, and feats of seemingly impossible physical daring, the Peking Acrobats are a marvel to behold. Watch these talented performers climb, flip, and fly their way into The Paramount Theatre on their journey to astound audiences everywhere. Your whole family will be enthralled by this amazing display! Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for kids 12 and under. For tickets or more information, call 630-896-6666 or visit http://paramountaurora.com.

FEBRUARY 18 | THE RED SKY'S THE GREAT MOUNTAIN 9:30am & 12 p.m. at The Paramount Theatre, at 23 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora Inspired by the story Jumping Mouse, this action-packed play is centered around Nuna. Hearing the Great Mountain's cries, Nuna sets out to heal the grieving environment. The experience invites young audiences to recognize their potential to make a difference to the future of our planet. For grades K-6. Tickets are $8.50. For tickets or more information, call 630-896-6666 or visit http://paramountaurora.com.

FEBRUARY 21 | EAGLES NIGHT WITH HOTEL CALIFORNIA 8 p.m. at The Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles It's an exciting showcase of The Eagles mega-hits such as "Take it Easy," "Heartache Tonight," and "Hotel California" as well as newer releases "Get Over It" and "Love will Keep Us Alive." The group also performs select titles from the solo works of Don Henley, Glen Frey, and Joe Walsh. Tickets start at $29. For tickets or more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows. com.

FEBRUARY 21 – MARCH 15 | THE BAY OF PORTUGAL Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Steel Beam Theatre, at 111 W. Main Street in St. Charles Romeo and Juliet never had to pay rent, change a diaper. Thirty years ago, it was love at first sight for Gwen and Jack, but they didn't make it through the first year of marriage. Can they get through their daughter's engagement party without killing each other? Tickets for adults are $28, Seniors (62+) $25, Students (16 and under) $23. For tickets or more information, call 630587-8521 or visit www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

FEBRUARY 22 – MARCH 15 | BABE THE SHEEP PIG at the Steel Beam Theatre, at 111 W. Main Street in St. Charles Don't miss this special Children's Theatre Production of Babe The Sheep Pig! Tickets for Adults are $15, Seniors (62+) $15, and Students (16 and under) $10. For tickets or more information, call 630-587-8521 or visit www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 14 | WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Albright Theatre, at 100 N. Island Ave. in Batavia After more than a few drinks George and Martha return home from a party when Martha announces that she has invited a young couple in for a nightcap. Their guests are Nick, an opportunistic new professor (who teaches at the same college as George) and Nick's shatteringly naive new bride, Honey. When they arrive the charade begins! Rated MA (LDV). Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, call 630-406-8838 or visit www.albrighttheatre. com.

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Charles Billington, nationally known author and sports historian,

kanecountymagazine.com

OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 47

Retirement isn’t an end. It’s just the beginning.

A long and successful career should be followed by a long and happy retirement.

Make it happen for you, by investing properly and following a solid investment plan both now and through your retirement years.

Rick Romano Senior Vice President Financial Advisor 10 West State Street, Suite 204 Geneva, IL 60134 630-262-2038 rick.romano@morganstanley.com www.morganstanleyfa.com/ rick.romano

Life

As a Financial Advisor, I have the experience and resources to help develop an investment plan to help you realize the retirement you envision, manage any changes to your circumstances or goals and keep your wealth working for you. Call me today, and let’s get started.

© 2013 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. GP11-01370P-N09/11 7177651 MAR005 07/12

SOCIAL

O�ca� Swan Presents

Even Flow Music and Sprits and Galena Garlic Company, both of Geneva, teamed up to raise funds and awareness for Living Well Cancer Resource Center, with an evening of music by Chris Cavanaugh.

Parties Large or Small: • Girl’s Day Out • Anniversaries • Sunday Breakfast • Ghost Hunting • Murder Mysteries

• Reunions • Open to the Public for Lunch • Private and Tours on Wednesdays Parties Call Tuesday for Reservations • Showers • Weddings • Private Brunch or • Ceremonies Luncheon for 10 or more people Please call for Details

Upcoming Events: Elgin Youth Symphony

Fundraiser - Downton Abbey Tea Party at Oscar Swan

Please call for Reservations

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GENEVA 1800 West State Street Geneva, IL

630-232-0173

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Valentine Brunch at Noon March 2nd from 2-4 pm Sunday, February 9th • Accommodat Sunday, February 16th fast ion s f eak r B or & d B A Historic

up

Lodging

GALENA 3351 Elizabeth-Scales Mound Rd. Scales Mound, IL (Near Galena)

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Photos by Joe Perez

48 | FEBRUARY 2014 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

kanecountymagazine.com

OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2014 | 49

The Heart of Kane County is in the

Giving A non-profit feature

FVEC surrounds entrepreneurs with opportunities Launching a product as a first time entrepreneur or venturing into a new territory as an established business owner can be daunting tasks. While exciting and full of potential, the process can feel overwhelming. Finding support, encouragement and guidance from established, successful, local professionals can prevent the missteps and isolation that such an endeavor may create. This is where the the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Council comes in. FVEC was created as a collaboration of expert advisors and mentors to assist Illinois small businesses, stimulate local economic growth and enhance the success of local business strategies. From understanding the local economy to the ability to access strategic resources, FVEC mentors are focused not on sharing bricks and mortar, but on maximizing intellectual capital. FVEC surrounds qualified entrepreneurs with the opportunities, connections and resources they need.

The vision of FVEC is to be an active partner in making the Fox Valley a fertile ground to start-up and grow thriving companies, thereby adding increased value back into their subsequent communities, creating jobs and stabilizing the local economy.

The FVEC accepts businesses that exhibit the following qualities:

and put it back together in order to understand each business. The business will then receive valuable input from these experts that help to refine or redesign its strategy. Once a month, the FVEC steering committee meets to review potential clients and receive updates from companies already in the program. When an applicant is accepted, an FVEC consultant will be assigned to shepherd that company through a 90-day business accelerator program. The FVEC consultant and client are required to make monthly presentations to the FVEC steering committee on current progress.

One of FVEC’s local success stories is Batavia-based small business IHAP. After launching an award-winning Integrated Health Advocacy Program a decade ago, founders Maria Kuhn and Dr. Christina Krause turned to FVEC to help improve their sales pitch and go-tomarket strategy. FVEC consultants and partners helped them with their pitch, provided a venue to practice and obtain feedback, and guided them through some of the intricacies of the benefits industry.

Here is their story of success with the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Council:

“Austin Dempsey, VP of Batavia Enterprises Inc., introduced us to a wonderful resource, Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center (FVEC)” states Mary Anne Callahan, Director of Communications at BPA, founder of IHAP. Dempsey is also a member of the FVEC board of directors.

• Be doing business in Illinois • Have obtained at least one year of revenue • Have potential for significant revenue growth • Plan to create new jobs in the near future • Have good financial/credit credentials Through its stated mission of assisting small businesses in the Fox River Valley, the FVEC implements its vision by offering advocacy and providing strategic services to its clients through a network of established volunteer consultants.

Each client strategy session involves two or more FVEC consultants who listen to business plans and ask a lot of questions. They’ll take a client’s current strategy apart

“We applied for a grant,” Mary Anne explained, “that offers support and advice to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The FVEC awarded us that grant. Their grant and consulting support pulled us out of that sense of isolation that small business owners feel when trying to build their companies. Whenever we contacted them for advice or support, the FVEC readily sent us the consultants we needed to get through our next steps.

They also participated in monthly meetings with our

staff.”

“The FVEC reviewed our business model and made it market ready. They advised us on how to adjust our pricing so we can actually make money instead of just barely getting by.” noted Callahan. “They have helped us internally to better identify the strengths and weaknesses of each staff member as well as identify areas where staff was needed to fill important voids. This translated to a better use of staff time as well helped us improve our internal processes and data management. Externally, they have helped us to better identify our market. Because of the FVEC team’s work with us to strengthen our company so we could form incredible partnerships and I don’t think we could have done this without their guidance.”

SUPPORT

For more information on the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Council and how it can change your business for the better, visit www. fvec.org For more information on Benefit Performance Associates, LLC and the Integrated Health Advocacy Program, contact Maria E. J. Kuhn, Managing Partner, at 20 N. Lincoln St., Batavia, IL 60510, email: info@ihap. com or call (630) 761- 4427 (IHAP), or go to www.ihap. com.

S

t. Charles Bank & Trust is proud to support the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center.

L-R: Jim Brannen, Thomas W. Hansen CFA, Austin Dempsey, Dr. Ray Benedetto, Daniel A. Sergi, CPCU and Chad Walton (not pictured) are the FVEC Board of Directors.

Sponsored by

411 West Main Street | St. Charles, IL 60174 630-377-9500 | www.bankstcharles.com

St. Charles Bank & Trust Company 411 West Main St. | St. Charles, IL | 630-377-9500 | www.bankstcharles.com

©2014 St. Charles Bank & Trust Company