Kc mar2017eedition

MARCH 2017

Where the orangutans roam RIDING THE RAILROADS

HOPPS ON THE ROAD:

PAGE 12

PAGE 40

through rugged America

Breweries worth the trip

THE EUROPEAN TRAVEL ISSUE SAFARIS PAGE 20

Just Married Still Married We’re with you every step of the journey!

230 W State St. Geneva, IL 630.232.2085 statestreetjewelers.com

INSIDE

TRAVEL 8 SOUTHERN CHARM Scenic winding roads, quaint towns, state parks and wineries make Southern Illinois a great weekend escape 12 RIDE THE RAILS Six scenic train trips through America’s heartland 14 A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Sumatra jungle trek explores one of the last places on Earth where wild orangutans roam 19 WANDER WOMEN The rise of girls trips and solo travel

HEALTH & WELLNESS 42 ‘PREVENTABLE, TREATABLE AND BEATABLE’ National awareness month stresses importance of colon cancer screenings

BUSINESS & CIVIC 45 WOMAN OF DISTINCTION Fine Line executive director Lynn Caldwell weaves together a community of artists

47 ART EXPLORATION 20 ‘REWILDING’ PROJECT School of Art combines creative Spurs safari-style tourism to set up expression with critical thinking camp in Europe 22 ‘MOTHER ROAD’ TRIP Get your Kitsch on Route 66 24 ADVENTURES IN AIRBNB-ING From L.A. to Shanghai: a travelogue on homestays 28 APP HAPPY Must-haves for the tech-loving traveler 30 STATES OF THE ARTS Explore some of the nation’s most celebrated spots in cuisine, music and literature

22 'MOTHER

ROAD' TRIP

Get your Kitsch on Route 66

34 NEW ORLEANS Big time family fun in the Big Easy

DINING & ENTERTAINING 36 VOODOO ROOM New Orleans-themed bar jazzes up Main Street St. Charles 38 LUCK O’ THE IRISH Roundup of St. Patrick's Day festivities

HOME & LIFESTYLE

48 SPRING INTO ACTION How to take the planting plunge

OUT & ABOUT 51 THE GLASS-HALF-FULL GUY Travel truths: Debunking myths and doing away with terrible tips 52 BOOK NOOK Travel tales to whisk you away 54 OUTSIDE IN Hickory Knolls senior outreach programs bring the natural world indoors 56 ARTIST SHOWCASE Geneva resident Andria Burchett shares a colored pencil piece: 'Ernest B. And The Rag Tag Ramblers' 58 CALENDAR See what’s happening in Kane County this month!

40 HOPPS ON THE ROAD Wild and wonderful breweries worthy of the trip

4 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

It’s in the Details!

3D MAMMOGRAPHY NOW AVAILABLE 3D mammography takes images millimeter by millimeter, which allows our doctors to see in more detail. That detail can make all the difference.

When you choose to have your next mammogram, choose CDI and 3D.

SCHEDULE TODAY. CALL 630.208.9325.

An annual screening mammogram is recommended for women beginning at age of 40, according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI).

CDI GENEVA 1416 S. Randall Road, Suite 180 | Geneva, IL 60134

myCDI.com/IL

Editor's Note It’s nearly spring, and the desire to pack a bag and catch a flight to anywhere but here is in the air. After hibernating all winter, it’s time to thaw out under a palm tree with a tiki drink in hand and another one on the way.

If you can’t make an escape just yet, hopefully our travel issue will instill enough wanderlust to kick start the trip-planning process.

I got to take some vacation time of my own recently. And, after almost a year of planning, saving, booking and waiting, I finally got to go on my whirlwind journey through Southeast Asia. I returned with some good stories to tell, decent-enough photos to share and a little insight to impart on anyone who feels like listening.

One of this year’s travel trends is ethical travel – eco-friendly tours and trips geared toward animal welfare, conservation and sustainability. So, this month’s cover girl is an orangutan named Suma. A red-haired, semi-wild ape that I met while in the jungles of Sumatra. Find out how observing orangutans in the wild is one way to keep them protected.

For those looking to keep it low key and local this summer, we’re highlighting the quaint towns, wineries and state parks of Southern Illinois; road trip-worthy breweries; scenic train trips through America’s heartland; and the nation’s most celebrated spots in cuisine, music and literature.

Want to get a little farther from home?

An effort to “rewild” Europe is spurring safari-style tourism to set up camp across the pond. Imagine canvas tents, epic views, star-studded skies and an abundance of wildlife in places like Portugal and Romania.

On the local dining and entertainment front, we peeked inside the Voodoo Room to see how the New Orleans-themed bar is jazzing up downtown St. Charles. And, with St. Patrick’s Day in mind, we combed the county to find out where to find a bit o’ Irish revelry.

Happy travels and thanks for reading!

Published by Shaw Media 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2 St. Charles, IL 60174 Phone: 630-845-5288 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

DIRECTOR OF NICHE PUBLISHING Laura Shaw 630-427-6213 lshaw@shawmedia.com EDITOR Kara Silva 630-427-6209 ksilva@shawmedia.com

Kara Silva, Editor

DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com ACCOUNT MANAGERS Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 spetti@shawmedia.com Tricia Walter 630-845-5272 twalter@shawmedia.com

on the

COVER

Ethical travel is on trend for 2017.

Find out how embarking on an orangutan observation trek in the jungles of Sumatra is one way to galvanize support for these highlyintelligent and critically-endangered species, on Page 14.

Photo by KARA SILVA

6 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

CORRESPONDENTS Melissa Riske, Kelsey O’Connor, Kevin Druley, Chris Walker, Yvonne Benson, Allison Horne, Stephanie N. Grimoldby, Peter Stadalsky, Allison Manley, Paul Schneider PHOTOGRAPHERS Ron McKinney, Missy Donovan, Juan Carlos Muñoz, Paul Schneider

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.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

PARTY WITH US, WE’RE IRISH Come Celebrate the Luck o’ the Irish at Pheasant Run Resort St. Patrick’s Day party, Friday March 17th!

• Harp & Guinness on tap, plus Green Beer • Irish Music • Grand Reopening of Zydeco Jacks • Corned Beef & Cabbage Special only $12.95* *not including tax & gratuity.

1ST COME, 1ST SERVED! Visit pheasantrun.com or call 630-584-6300 for more information

For more information visit pheasantrun.com 630-584-6300

Southern charm Scenic winding roads, quaint towns, state parks and wineries make Southern Illinois a great weekend escape

By KELSEY O’CONNOR

It may be in the same state, but it feels like a whole new world.

An abundance of outdoor activities and unique attractions make Southern Illinois perfect for a weekend away. Visitors can hike, bike or drive along the winding roads that connect quaint towns, state parks, wineries and miles of breathtaking natural scenery.

Cory M. Jobe, director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, says that the area boasts some of the best outdoor recreation in the state.

“You can spend a week in Southern Illinois and get lost in all the amazing things there are to do there,” he says.

The southern part of the state also is home to award-winning wineries, artisans and other unique experiences.

From must-see sites to hidden gems, here are Jobe’s top picks of things to do in the southern part of the state.

8 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

p SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST If you drive south to Route 13, you’ll begin to see something you may not have seen for miles: hills. This change in landscape means that you’ve almost reached Shawnee National Forest, which is comprised of approximately 286,000 acres of land nestled in the southern tip of Illinois.

The forest’s natural diversity, coupled with an array of activities, makes it one of best forest preserves in the state, says Jobe.

The forest offers six natural ecological regions, resulting in an incredible assortment of plants, animals and geological features. In a single day, visitors can explore forests, wetlands, www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

10%

off

Your next flooring project Save up to $1000

Bring us your estimates from the Big Boxes or TV Guys

We beat them every time!

See more at

IWantToBeFloored.com SaleEnds03/31/2017-*SeeStorefor Details

Distinctive Hardwood

lakes, creeks and bluffs, and view rare wildflowers and towering cypresses.

Within Shawnee National Forest, visitors can hike and bike along more than 400 miles of trails. The area also is perfect for horseback riding.

Jobe recommends Rim Rock recreational trail, where hikers and equestrians are greeted by moss-covered rock walls and paths that meander through canyons.

Also, several areas exist within the forest where visitors can fish, swim and boat.

Thrill-seekers may be drawn to the Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour, a zip line tour that sends guests flying high above the ground through bluffs and valleys. Don’t let the adventure stop there; head to the scenic Jackson Falls for rock climbing.

The Shawnee National Forest offers a variety of camping options that range from rustic sites for backpackers to more developed campgrounds with showers and electricity. There are several camping areas dispersed throughout the forest.

Lake Glendale Recreation Area is centrally located, which makes it easy to visit all of the area’s main attractions.

¢ TUNNEL HILL STATE TRAIL The 47.8 miles of Tunnel Hill State Trail aren’t always easy, but they’re always worth it.

The trail, which stretches from Harrisburg to Kamak, follows the path of a former railroad. The route takes bikers back in time as they pedal through abandoned train

Beautiful Area Rugs & Easy Care Laminate

Comfortable Carpet

Elegant Tile

We have it all!

Carpet - Hardwood - Tile & Stone Laminate and Luxury Vinyl * Free Measuring and Estimates * Locally Owned for Over 30 Years * 1000s of Choices for Every Budget * We Make Custom Area Rugs

You Can AFFORD to Be Floored at Tri-State Carpet and Floor!

Tri-State Carpet & Floor 1525 Fleetwood Drive Elgin, IL 60123

(847) 695-2211 Find Us - Just South of 20 at McLean Ave., in Elgin

-Continiued on page 10 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

TRAVEL

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 9

“You can spend a week in Southern Illinois and get lost in all the amazing things there are to do there.”

– Cory M. Jobe, director of the Illinois Office of Tourism

-Continued from page 9 tunnels, picturesque trestles and the occasional ghost town. The ever-changing landscape includes ravines, rocky streams and reclaimed strip mines.

Bikers along the crushed gravel trail will experience extended inclines and dark tunnels.

If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with an up-close look at some of the state’s most stunning scenery.

q SHAWNEE HILLS WINE TRAIL While the area draws visitors for its natural wonders, “Shawnee is really known for its wineries,” says Jobe.

Blue Sky Vineyard is a must-stop for wine buffs.

Housed in an ornate, Italian-style villa, the winery offers regional wines that reflect the distinct attributes of southern Illinois. Stop in for a tasting or enjoy a bottle on the outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the rolling countryside.

Not a wine drinker? No problem.

“There are some fantastic microbreweries in the area,” says Jobe, who considers Scratch Brewing Company in Ava one of his favorites.

The farmhouse brewery offers a changing selection of small-batch beers made from foraged local ingredients, such as nettle, dandelion, maple sap and mushrooms.

¢ CACHE RIVER STATE NATURAL AREA These vast wetlands are situated in a floodplain created long ago by glacial floodwater. Today, the area offers a variety of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, biking, canoeing and fishing. The Cache River is home to a diverse collection of wildlife, including more than 100 endangered or threatened species.

Spend an unforgettable afternoon paddling through the area by canoe or kayak. White Crane Canoe and Pirogue Rentals offers tours that paddle through groves of massive, thousandyear-old cypress trees.

“It’s something people probably don’t know about, and it’s unbelievable,” says Jobe.

10 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

p MERMET SPRINGS This spring-fed stone quarry in Belknap is an ideal spot for scuba diving. The quarry is 120-feet deep and covers about 8.5 acres. Divers can explore a submerged airplane – used in the film “U.S. Marshalls” – a school bus, a semitrailer truck and a cement petting zoo. You’ll also get up close and personal with paddlefish, one of the largest freshwater fish. On-site training and equipment rentals are available.

¢ GARDEN OF THE GODS The spectacular rock formations of Garden of the Gods began forming more than 300 million years ago. Hikers can explore the dramatic landscape that includes towering sandstone pillars and scenic bluff overlooks.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Your Travel Specialists “The views are just amazing,” says Jobe. “There’s great hiking, and the rock formations you’ll see are incredible.”

The park covers more than 3,300 acres and features 5.5 miles of interconnecting trails for hikers of all ability levels. Make sure to see Camel Rock, Anvil Rock and Devil’s Smoke Stack. The park is open year-round, and there are campsites and picnic areas nearby.

312 W. State St. #111 • Geneva 630-845-8999 • info@genevatravelcruise.com genevatravelcruise.com

p GIANT CITY STATE PARK Get a taste of the best of Southern Illinois wilderness at Giant City State Park. The area has a striking combination of soaring sandstone bluffs and lush greenery. Visitors can marvel as they walk between the sheer, stone walls of the “Giant City Streets.”

Extend your visit by spending the night at the rustic Giant City Lodge, which features three types of cabins and an outdoor swimming pool.

F R E S H

17 S. Third Street

S K I N

+

B O D Y

Geneva, IL 60134

630-423-7140

¢ MAKANDA Makanda is the perfect stop after a morning spent exploring nearby Giant City State Park. The tiny artists colony is a quiet but thriving hub of cultural activity. Visit the historic boardwalk to peruse the galleries and craft shops of local artisans.

B O T A N I C

FIX THE DRY SKIN YOU’RE IN Stop in and try our Award Winning Body + Skin Care today!

This year, Makanda is hosting special events to celebrate the solar eclipse. The city will be the perfect spot to view the rare cosmic event on Aug. 21, and the occasion will be marked with festivals and parties. u For more information on Southern Illinois attractions, visit enjoyillinois.com.

SM-CL0355784

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

TRAVEL

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 11

Ride the rails Scenic train trips through America’s heartland By ALLISON HORNE

The U.S. is known for its sprawling plains and beautiful rugged mountain terrain, and there’s no better way to take it all in than on a carefree trip along some of the continent’s most scenic railways.

Railroads have been in the U.S. since the 19th century and, although they originally helped settle the west and aided in America’s industrial revolution, they also allow travelers and families to discover the vast sweeping beauty of the North American landscape.

From the Great Lakes and Adirondacks to the Rocky Mountains and California coast, here are six train trips – many of which depart from Chicago – to consider for your next big American adventure.

¢ ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FESTIVAL For anyone interested in a quirky yet familyfriendly adventure, this once-a-year trip takes guests from Chicago’s Union Station to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. The 10-day tour, which takes off on Sunday, Oct. 1, aboard the California Zephyr, includes 15 meals during the Noted as one of the most scenic train trips in the trip, seven nights of hotel accommodations, world, this fall adventure is one not to be missed. and admission to all attractions along the way.

Main stops include Grand Junction and Durango The trip departs Saturday, Sept. 30, from Union (an old mining town), Santa Fe and, finally, Station. Trips start at $1,995 and include four the scenic Albuquerque International Balloon nights in a hotel, food, and sightseeing options.

Festival. Prices start at $2,795 with additional p SIX NATIONAL TREASURES For more information about this package, visit fees for upgrades or bedrooms aboard the From canyons to towering mountains, this americabyrail.com. train. Additional details can be found by visiting train trip encapsulates all of the beauty North ¢ CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR americabyrail.com.

America has to offer. The 15-day trip departs For those who would rather not have a set from Chicago aboard the Empire Builder, and itinerary or simply want to travel across the spans 1,620 miles across some of the most scenic spots in the country. Stops include some country and see the sights, the California Zephyr provides the perfect opportunity. It runs of America’s most beloved national parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand daily from Chicago to San Francisco. The trip travels through the plains of Nebraska and the Teton and Glacier National Parks. Pricing starts mountains of Colorado to Salt Lake City, before at $3,695 and includes 25 meals, 12 nights of hitting Sacramento and San Francisco. A few hotel accommodations, and sightseeing at all of the highlights include the Rocky Mountains, of the stops. There are several departure dates the Sierra Nevada, Moffat Tunnel, Winter Park, to choose from in June, July and August. Visit Donner Lake and San Pablo Bay. For a full list of americabyrail.com for further information on prices and availability, visit Amtrak.com. booking a trip. ¢ AUTUMN IN THE ADIRONDACKS This train trip is all about enjoying the scenery as the leaves start to change in the Adirondacks.

Jump on board the Lake Shore Limited for a seven-day trip that cruises from Union Station to Lake Placid, Fort Ticonderoga, Utica, Raquette Lake and more.

12 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Your all Occasion & Holiday Meat & Sausage Headquarters

Kicking Horse Pass, BC. First Passage to the West route.

No Easter Dinner is Complete Without Our Award-Winning Smoked Hams • Spiral Sliced • Old Fashioned Bone-In • Boneless Order Early for your Easter Dinner!

Photo by Rocky Mountaineer

p THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER (Canada) This adventure is for mountain lovers and adventure seekers. The Rocky Mountaineer Train, which departs from Seattle, makes various stops in the Canadian Rockies. Trips can range in length from five to 12 days, and are priced at $2,300 and up. Amenities include all food, hotel stays and stops at the legendary Vancouver Lookout, Lake Louise (a must-see) and the rest of Banff Park. A valid passport is required for this trip. For further information on packages and deals, visit rockymountaineer.com or call 877-460-3200. t GREAT LAKES FAMILY ADVENTURE Calling all families with young children!

Embark on a five-day family adventure that ventures around the Great Lakes and includes stops in the Wisconsin Dells; Holland, Michigan; and at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, Michigan.

The trip departs from Chicago on Friday, Aug. 3. Pricing begins at $1,895 and includes four meals, four nights of first-class hotel stays, admission to all of the attractions and much more. For more information about this package, visit americabyrail.com.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Stop in and get our own delicious

CORNED BEEF

for your St. Patrick’s Day Feast! (Rounds & Briskets) www.ReamsMeatMarket.com Fine Quality Meats & Sausages Fresh • Aged • Cured • Smoked 250 S. Main St. (Rt. 47) • Elburn South of the tracks • 630.365.6461 Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm • Sat: 9am-4pm • Sun: 10am-4pm Closed Easter Sunday April 16, 2017

A GREAT OLD FASHIONED FULL SERVICE MEAT MARKET TRAVEL

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 13

Photo by Elton Silva

Jungle trek explores one of the last places on Earth where orangutans roam free Story and photos by KARA SILVA

I could feel an incisor tooth gently grinding against my skin. No pain. Just pressure. Her teeth were clamped around my index finger, between the knuckle and nail.

my own – tightly coiled around my wrist; my bony finger protruding from her lips like a toothpick. A surge of anxiety rattled my body as I tried to pry my arm free from her grip.

Somehow my hand had ended up in the mouth of Orangutans being several times stronger than humans, I quickly realized that I had no choice an orangutan. but to comply with my red-haired captor.

Hoping to be given fruit in exchange for It wasn’t your typical hostage situation, but it my release, Jackie – a semi-wild Sumatran was evident that this particular great ape knew orangutan – waited patiently while our guides nervously scrambled to find food in their overly- how to hustle in the jungle. Minutes later, Jackie was rewarded a ransom and I walked away with crammed backpacks. my appendages fully intact.

Jackie kept her hand – which closely resembled www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

TRAVEL

My run-in with Jackie took place during a two-day jungle trek through Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra. The Indonesian island is one of the last two places in the world where orangutans can still be found in the wild. (The other being Borneo.)

Orangutan observation tours not only fuel the local economy, but they also galvanize support for orangutan conservation; something that is so crucial to their livelihood, as deforestation continues to threaten their very existence.

-Continued on page 16 KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 15

BY THE NUMBERS 2

Number places where orangutans still exist in the wild (Sumatra and Borneo)

97

The percentage of DNA that orangutans share with humans

45

Average life span of a wild orangutan (in years)

8

The number of years between births (the longest inter-birth interval of any landliving animal)

40,000

The number of wild orangutans remaining in Borneo and Sumatra.

-Continued from page 15 The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists Sumatran orangutans as critically-endangered or, to be frank, on the brink of extinction. Estimates suggest that these highly-intelligent, thinking and feeling mammals – that also happen to share 97 percent of the same genetic material as humans – could be the first great ape species to become extinct in the wild, according to research published by the international conservation journal “Oryx.”

In fact, the IUCN (as of last year), stated that four out of six great apes – both kinds of orangutan and both kinds of gorilla – are currently listed as critically-endangered.

To see that our closest relatives are on the verge of extinction is daunting, especially since their demise is almost completely due to human activity.

Indonesia and Malaysia are the world's chief palm oil producers. Palm oil also happens to be the biggest threat to the survival of the orangutan. As plantations continue to expand, they encroach on the orangutan’s territory.

Adding to their decline, too, is the pet trade and illegal logging and killing.

60,000

The number of wild orangutans remaining in Borneo and Sumatra as recent as a decade ago

230,000

The estimated number of orangutans that roamed in the wild a century ago

Hope for the species lies in conservation efforts.

Jackie is one of more than 200 orangutans that were reintroduced to the wild by Bohorok Centre for ex-captive Sumatran orangutans – which gives her, and apes like her, a “semi-wild” status. Though the rehabilitation center closed in the ’90s, the area remains open to tourists who embark on two- to five-day observation treks into the biologically-diverse Gunung Leuser National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tropical rainforest also is home to the Sumatran rhinoceros and tiger, but sightings are rare.

During my guided two-day trek with the aptly named Sumatra EcoTravel – an ecologically responsible outfitter that leads jungle treks and other tours – we saw an abundance of native insects and wildlife. Short- and long-tailed macaques, an Asian Water Monitor lizard, a Thomas Leaf Monkey and around a dozen orangutans, which included the cute-as-pie babies of rehabbed, semiwild orangutans.

Bukit Lawang serves as the gateway to orangutan trekking in Sumatra. The small tourist-friendly village is connected by bridges suspended over the white waters of the Bohorok River. The villagers exude a contagious passion for the surrounding jungle and its inhabitants.

Tourists are embraced with open arms, as they serve a local economy that doesn’t involve the destruction of the forest. Locals seamlessly intermingle with tourists, and it’s common for jungle nights to be spent at local, open-air bars that fill with the sounds of acoustic guitars, bongos, cajón drums and participatory singing of familiar western songs.

B&Bs and guesthouses strung along the riverfront are the main form of accommodation, but treks into the jungle mean camping and sleeping in said jungle – an unforgettable experience. (Imagine waking up to the pitter patter of little monkey feet on the roof of your bamboo hut.)

6,600

The number of Sumatran orangutans remaining in the wild.

After six to eight hours of hiking in consistently changing elevation, tangled foliage and muddy, root-torn trails, a riverside campsite in the middle of the jungle greets its intrepid trekkers. But don’t think the wildlife watching ends there. Our arrival was soon met by Suma, another semi-wild orangutan and her baby. Some of the best orangutan observation took place at camp. The redhaired duo spent hours peering down at us from the

– Statistics and estimations are taken from Orangutan Conservancy, EcoTravel Sumatra Bukit Lawang and Orangutan Foundation.

TRAVEL

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

u IF YOU GO

treetops – watching us watching them. Suma even entered our campsite on multiple occasions to get a closer look.

SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN JUNGLE TREK TOUR OPERATOR:

It was at camp that I had my second memorable encounter with an orangutan.

EcoTravel Sumatra LOCATION: Bukit Lawang, Sumatra WEBSITE: sumatra-ecotravel.com EMAIL: info@sumatraecotravel.com

After trekking, I changed out of my sweat-soaked pants and T-shirt and exited my sleeping quarters to find Suma standing five feet from me.

Standing upright on two legs like a person, Suma had been observing some “wildlife” of her own – human life. Orangutan translates to “people of the forest,” and it was when we made eye contact that I could see the “humanness” in her.

There was something going on behind those eyes.

An intelligence. A quiet tranquility. More than I think we, as human beings, will ever have the full capacity or ability to know or understand.

Spending time with the orangutans in their natural habitat wasn’t just an unforgettable experience; it struck a deeper chord. It reminded me of the connectedness of everything – of life. And how

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

easily something as miraculous and perfectly imperfect as a living being – even an entire species – can disappear forever.

The situation isn’t hopeless. Conservation is key.

But, if there was ever a time to make this trip to this place, it’s probably now. Now, because the near future might be too late for the “people of the forest.”

TRAVEL

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 17

WANDER WOMEN

THE RISE OF GIRLS TRIPS AND SOLO TRAVEL By CHRIS WALKER

It takes guts to travel.

Especially when traveling to mysterious destinations that are thousands of miles away from home. It’s even gutsier to travel alone, and, possibly, even more so if you happen to be female.

According to Lonely Planet, the rise of solo travel will continue this year. In a survey, 51 percent of respondents said that they will be taking their next holiday solo, according to www. bookyogaretreats.com – which has seen a large amount of traffic to its women-only retreats.

Gutsy Women Travel, a leader in the travel industry in hosting an assortment of fullyescorted trips all over the world, provides a helping hand to like-minded women seeking adventure and trips catered to women.

“There is a gutsy woman inside each of us; one who occasionally needs to make time for herself to refresh and renew her mind, spirit and body,” it states on the travel company’s website, gutsywomentravel.com.

Gutsy Women Travel offers a variety of trips to Africa, Asia and the South Pacific, Europe and Latin America. Some of the trips offered this summer include Machu Picchu and the Galapagos (15 days); Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge and Tented Safari (12 days); and a Grand Baltic Sea Voyage (13 days), to name a few.

Terri Henderson, owner of Geneva Travel and Cruise, says that she has seen more women www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

traveling, some of whom are choosing to go solo, but hasn’t come across many trips specifically geared just for women.

A river cruise can be a great way for women to get their feet wet with solo travel or for women traveling in small groups, says Henderson, who recently booked an Asian cruise vacation for a solo female traveler. “…It does seem like it’s something many are looking to do,” she says.

Guided tours are another way for women to enjoy travel on their own, because it is easier to make friends with the group members with whom you are traveling.

“With the tour guides and others along to help, it’s not like you’re really traveling on your own,” says Henderson.

Darrellynn Hanes, a 30-year-old McHenry resident, has served countless curious travelers for 17 years at Worldwide Traveler in McHenry.

As someone possessing a lengthy list of places she has visited, Hanes shares a great deal of knowledge on group travel, catering trips to women looking to have a good time together.

“From what I’ve seen, it’s definitely been more common for friends and family to travel together as a group and to enjoy the experience,” says Hanes. “I’m sure some have been doing it, but I haven’t heard much from women looking to travel solo. We’ve had some bachelorette-type trips, and things like that, and I’m happy to help TRAVEL

GUTSY WOMEN TRAVEL 866-464-8879 www.gutsywomentravel.com GENEVA TRAVEL AND CRUISE 312 W. State St., No. 111, Geneva 630-845-8999 www.genevatravelcruise.com WORLDWIDE TRAVELER IN MCHENRY 1142 N. Green St., McHenry 815-385-6900 worldwidetraveler.net

them so that their trip is a safe and secure one.”

One trip, in particular, that has garnered a lot of interest is the Inca Trail in Peru.

“We’ve had more inquiries for that in recent years, and Costa Rica is also a popular one,” Hanes says. “There’s a lot of details involved in these kind of trips, so we’ve been happy to see people seeking us out for assistance so they get the most out of their vacation time and dollars.”

Whether you want your next trip be a girlfriends getaway or a solo adventure, there are more reasons why you should go then why you shouldn’t.

“People shouldn’t be held back from seeing something they want to see. So, if they want to travel, they should do it,” Henderson says.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 19

‘Rewilding’ project SPURS SAFARI-STYLE TOURISM TO SET UP CAMP IN EUROPE

By CHRIS WALKER

Zoologist Jim Fowler once said, “The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans.”

Echoing Fowler’s ideals with its latest initiative is Rewilding Europe, a nonprofit conservation organization aiming to make Europe a much wilder place.

According to the website, “rewilding” aims to make natural processes and wild species play a more prominent role in the wild, “meaning that after initial support, nature is allowed to take more care of itself.” Rewilding Europe plans to “rewild” 1 million or more hectares of land by 2020, which will result in 10 wildlife and wilderness areas.

The project is based on a philosophy utilized in Yellowstone National Park, where wolves and bison were reintroduced into the wild as a means of restoring the local ecosystem.

The effort also is providing opportunities for tourists to Europe to reconnect with nature through wildlife-watching tours and camps.

Through the collaboration with the European Safari Company, unique safari experiences are being offered to those seeking nature-based getaways.

Here are just a few of the many opportunities travelers to Europe will have to get up-close and personal with wildlife:

¢ FAIA BRAVA STAR CAMP | PORTUGAL Those with a bucket list should definitely add the Star Camp as a destination. Overlooking Portugal’s Côa Valley in the Faia Brava Reserve, sits Europe’s first real safari-style accommodation, featuring almost 100 hectares between the peaks of the Serra da Marofa and the vineyards of the Douro River.

Overlooking the awe-inspiring landscape of Western Iberia, the Star Camp offers the opportunity to visit a place that’s rich in wildlife, a varied habitat of olive trees and cork oaks, recovering Mediterranean forests, as well as abandoned farmhouses, shepherd shelters and dry stone walls.

Rooms include running water, a bathroom with a shower, double beds, WiFi, amazing starry skies by night and mountain views during the day. ¢ BISON, BEAR AND CHAMOIS ADVENTURE IN BISON HILLOCK | ROMANIA Bison disappeared from the wild in Romania approximately 200 years ago, but thanks to “rewilding” efforts from a variety of organizations, including Rewilding Europe, they’re making a comeback.

During the adventure tour, you will track bison and also learn why they are so significant to the world’s ecosystem. Several hours will be spent

hiking, so you’ll need to be prepared physically for this safari and need a good pair of boots.

As impressive as the bison may be, you might later contend that bear watching in the Tarcu Mountains in Romania is even more amazing. An experienced nature guide will accompany you on this trip, which includes accommodation in a cabin or tented camp. ¢ WILDLIFE WATCHING EXPERIENCE IN VELEBIT MOUNTAINS | CROATIA Become engaged with the sounds, smells and sights of nature in the Velebit Mountains in Croatia.

Photography-enthusiasts will spend their time soaking in everything nature has to offer in hides, which feature exterior designs that resemble a log pile. They accommodate up to six people and have plenty of viewing windows. They also feature a pair of beds for those looking for the unique experience of nighttime wildlife viewing.

This trip also offers hiking in the mountains and there are additional activities that can be enjoyed nearby, including mountain biking and boating along the coast.

Photo by Juan Carlos Muñoz / Rewilding Europe

u For more information about safaris and “rewilding” efforts, visit Rewilding Europe’s website at www. rewildingeurope.com.

Get your kitsch on

ROUTE 66

By KELSEY O’CONNOR

Route 66 is affectionately known as the “Mother Road,” and it also happens to be the mother of all road trips.

The roadway, which was completed in 1926, stretches across the country from the Midwest to the West Coast. Though the route typically can’t be found on modern maps, it doesn’t deter drivers from all over the world from taking what is largely considered the quintessential American road trip.

Route 66 kicks off in Illinois, beginning in downtown Chicago and running 300 miles across the state. The journey takes road-trippers through charming small towns and past enough historic sites and delightfully-weird roadside attractions to quickly fill your Instagram feed.

“I think what’s so iconic about Route 66 is the history and the entrepreneurship that occurs,” says Cory M. Jobe, director of the Illinois Office of Tourism.

“It’s all about mom-and-pop restaurants and shops that bring people together.”

Here are several road-trip worthy stops along the legendary Route 66:

Joliet

Kick off your trip with a little bit of history. The Joliet Area Historic Museum focuses on the rich history of the Joliet area. The main gallery features interactive exhibits, such as a Route 66-inspired drive-in theater. Nearby is the Rialto Theatre, a historic vaudeville movie theater listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For lunch, take your pick of two renowned eateries. On the way into town, you’ll pass Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, which has been serving up legendary fried chicken since 1946. On the way out, you’ll pass right by the legendary Polk-a-Dot Drive In where you can grab a bite to eat and check out the plethora of memorabilia.

22 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Pontiac

“Pontiac has really embraced its history,” says Jobe. “It’s just a neat little town; it’s a must stop.”

Check out some of that history at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, which displays an impressive collection of Mother Road artifacts. Classic car buffs will love the PontiacOakland Automobile Museum.

Before you go, traverse one of three historic swinging bridges over the Vermillion River and make sure to snap a photo in front of the colorful Route 66 murals.

TRAVEL

Springfield

A road trip through the Land of Lincoln isn’t complete without a stop in Springfield.

“You get a taste of both iconic Route 66 history and presidential history,” says Jobe.

Learn all about honest Abe at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. At night, catch a double feature at the restored Route 66 Drive-In (opens in April). Swing by the classic Cozy Dog Drive-In, home of the “corn dog on a stick.” As you leave Springfield, keep an eye out for the stretch of hand-laid brick in Auburn that was part of the original Route 66.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

ROUTE 66 PHOTO CHECKLIST The Illinois stretch of Route 66 is full of fun, kitschy attractions where you can snap Instagramworthy shots. See if you can spot any of these funky, roadside photo opportunities:

   

q GEMINI GIANT, WILMINGTON q PAUL BUNYON HOT DOG STATUE, ATLANTA q ABE RAIL SPLITTER STATUE, SPRINGFIELD q LAUTERBACH MUFFLER MAN, SPRINGFIELD q LIVINGSTON MUFFLER MAN, LIVINGSTON q WORLD’S LARGEST BOTTLE OF CATSUP, COLLINSVILLE q WORLD’S LARGEST COVERED WAGON, LINCOLN q HENRY’S RABBIT RANCH, STAUNTON

BEFORE

AFTER

Seeing is believing believing. If you’re you re considering transforming your kitchen or bathroom, start at Seigles.com/wow.

Photos provided

In addition to seeing the latest and greatest in countertops and cabinets, you’ll also see dozens of before and after photos of our past projects that are sure to inspire you. See for yourself— go to Seigles.com/wow or visit one of our showrooms today!

Atlanta

You won’t want to miss charming downtown Atlanta. Check out the historic (and octagon-shaped) Atlanta Public Library and Museum, then grab some quarters and head to the Route 66 Arcade Museum to play a few vintage games. The revitalized Palms Grill Café, well known during the heyday of Route 66, serves up award-winning slices of pie with a side of nostalgia.

    630-845-1300 • M-F 9am-5pm Sa 9am-3pm

SM-CL0386738

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

TRAVEL

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 23

Adventures in

Airbnb-ing FROM L.A. TO SHANGHAI:

A travelogue on homestays around the world Story and photos by KARA SILVA A cabin in the woods, a Pied-à-terre in Paris, a Yurt in Malibu or a villa in Tuscany – at Airbnb, there is no shortage of distinctive overnight accommodation options. A popular alternative to a hotel, Airbnb allows a community of hosts in 191 countries and 65,000 cities to rent out a room, guesthouse or their entire home for a night, week or month. Even though Airbnb has served more than 150 million total guests since it was founded in 2008, some travelers still harbor a bit of trepidation about staying in a stranger's home (naturally).

Having stayed in seven Airbnb homestays all over the world – from an authentic Khmer guesthouse in Cambodia to a contemporary home overlooking the Hollywood hills in L.A. – I have become Airbnb-obsessed, but every experience is not without its qualms. Here is a rundown of each experience – the pros, the cons, the perks and personal moments.

(Star ratings are taken from airbnb.com.)

Log Cabin in the Woods

Hollywood Hills Home

SAWYER, MICHIGAN ê ê ê ê ê TYPE: Cabin rental (entire home) NIGHTS STAYED: 1 PRICE: $110 per night (+$25 cleaning fee; $17 service fee) PROS: Clean, cozy and centrally-located CONS: Small; set too close to road and other cabins; no stove for cooking

L.A., CALIFORNIA ê ê ê ê 1/2 TYPE: Homestay (Top floor of house) NIGHTS STAYED: 1 PRICE: $74 per night (+$15 cleaning fee and $11 service fee) PROS: VIEWS! Clean; modern; updated; great suggestions from host on what to do in the city CONS: Host was at the house the entire day; home was removed from major attractions

OVERALL: The cute-as-pie cabin was centrally-located to attractions – just one mile away from Warren Dunes and one mile away from Greenbush brewery. It had a semi-private front porch, fire pit, wood-burning stove and heating. The second story had open lofts for sleeping, which were connected by a cat walk – perfect for a girlfriends getaway weekend.

24 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OVERALL: This contemporary bachelor pad was perched on a hill in L.A. Boasting a beautiful updated kitchen, dark wood floors, a fireplace, pool table and balcony with sweeping views. We spent nearly the entirety of our stay on that balcony. The top floor of the home, where we stayed, was fit with its own T.V. room/office, mini fridge and complementary beverages.

TRAVEL

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Photo provided

Surf Cottage

Condo City-scapes

ULUWATU/PADANG, BALI ê ê ê ê ê TYPE: Villa compound (four units) NIGHTS STAYED: 4 nights PRICE: $78 per night (+$38 service fee) PROS: A/C, Kitchen, infinity pool, rooftop terrace, privacy, easy access to scooter rental CONS: Extremely difficult to find; spider webs; linens need replacing; scooter rental a necessity; personnel, though attentive, were not always readily available

SHANGHAI, CHINA ê ê ê ê ê TYPE: Homestay: room rental in high-rise condo NIGHTS STAYED: 1 PRICE: $66 per night (+8 service fee) PROS: The views (from the balcony, bedroom and bathroom); luxury apartment building; location; high-end features CONS: Difficult to find; too many directions to access condo; not enough instruction upon arrival (couldn't figure out how to use the toilet); host's Lego collection took over the space

OVERALL: The Surf Cottage is an independent, private dwelling that was part of a large villa (owned by an artist) on a two-acre property overlooking the ocean. The property had a gorgeous infinity pool, as well as multiple thatch-covered lounge areas. A public phone for ordering takeout. Scooters were provided at $6 a day – no fuss. The rustic cottage had a kitchen, huge bathroom, four-poster bed, private front porch and rooftop terrace with views of the countryside. I spent most of my time on the terrace watching the sun rise, practicing yoga, drinking my morning coffee and watching thunderstorms. Absolutely would stay here again!

OVERALL: During a 22-hour layover in China, I rented a room in this highrise condo because of the amazing views – the shower even had views. We enjoyed sipping beers on the balcony that overlooked the beautiful Bund skyline. We stayed in the Japanese tatami-style bedroom with a superceiling bay window, which boasted more great views. The condo had marble heated floors and high-end fixtures.

Tranquility in the Rice Fields

Neighborhood Studio

UBUD, BALI ê ê ê ê 1/2 TYPE: Balinese villa rental NIGHTS STAYED: 3 PRICE: $89 per night (+$21 cleaning fee; $35 service fee) PROS: Plunge pool, lush foliage and wildlife, lotus/koi pond moat, indoor/ outdoor living (two living rooms and bathroom – all outdoors); layout of home; privacy CONS: No A/C; difficult to find; price; ant problem

SHANGHAI, CHINA ê ê ê ê 1/2 TYPE: Studio-apartment rental (Luwan Neighborhood) NIGHTS STAYED: 1 PRICE: $46 per night (+$10 cleaning fee; $7 service fee) PROS: Great neighborhood location; cute décor; unique layout CONS: Small; difficult to find; language barrier with host

OVERALL: After staying in this private Balinese hideaway, I started to wish that I actually lived there, and even hope to one day build a house of my own just like it. It had 13 coconut trees (one in the bathroom); the plunge pool was heavenly; and the property was peaceful with plenty of nooks to relax. It was my favorite Airbnb experience yet. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

OVERALL: Space is hard to come by in Shanghai, so I rented a newlyrenovated studio apartment that retained the character of a typical Shanghai studio. The location was unbeatable. It was in the heart of the old French Concession neighborhood, near Tianzifang Square (10 minute walk). However, some difficulty arose because our host didn't speak English and used a translator to communicate. Also, the building was impossible to find.

-Continued on page 26

TRAVEL

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 25

Our customers see us as a

destination.

-Continued from page 25

Traditional Khmer homestay

They see a high performance bank with a high performance culture.

St. Charles 360 South 1st Street | (630) 549-7065 | www.sterbank.com Full Service Bank | Customer Service Educational Seminars | Culture & History Giving Back to the Community 26 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA ê ê ê ê ê TYPE: Homestay NIGHTS STAYED: 2 PRICE: $25 per night (+$6 service fee) PROS: Entire top floor of family's home; free airport pickup; personal tuk-tuk driver (at additional cost) CONS: No A/C; large critter got into the room OVERALL: The family who hosted us allowed us to check in at an ungodly hour (7:30 a.m.) even though check-in wasn't technically until noon (no extra charge). The host, Vuthy, a local woodworker, offered us tea upon arrival, as well as the use of a personal tuk-tuk (taxi) driver for the duration of our stay. The home had a superb location – in a neighborhood, so I felt like a local – but still situated close to all of the major attractions, such as the Angkor Wat temple complex (3.5 miles). Before checking out, Vuthy surprised us with a six-pack of Angkor beer and a chicken dish made by his wife. Over a few beers, we chatted with Vuthy about his woodworking, politics and our cultural differences and similarities. The only hiccup came in the form of a large gecko that somehow scurried into our room one night. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

COLLECTIONS

WELCOME TO

138 N. Main St. (Route 47) Elburn | 630.448.1276

Amazing Grace Antiques

123 S. Third St. Geneva, IL 60134

UNIQUE TREASURES AWAIT

401 N. MAIN ST. (RT. 47) ELBURN, IL

630-365-2006

Antique ~ Vintage ~ New

OPEN: MON - SAT. 10AM-5PM

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm / Sun 11am-4pm

Antiques - Vintage - Gifts - Decor

SM-CL0356246F

SM-CL0356246H

Renew Your Vintage Furniture Before

103. N Washington Ave. Batavia, IL 630.235.9753 furnituredollies@gmail.com furnituredolliesltd.com

A painted Furniture Boutique Home Décor & Gifts Showroom Custom Painting

For All Your Vintage and Antique Adventures in Kane County

Afte After Go to our website for a FREE ESTIMATE

www.isaacsuph.com

ISAAC’SUPHOLSTERING

Flourishing Finish

How-to Workshops Paint Supplies

830 East State Street, Geneva, IL (630) 208-9391

UPHOLSTERY | FURNITURE | DRAPERY | INTERIORS | EVENTS | RENTALS

SM-CL0356246B

g

rs

Geneva

a Ye

tin

ra

25

leb

Ce

Experience the Charm of Shopping in a Grand Old Mansion

40 years in business Workshop On-Site Large Fabric Selection

Antique Market In the Berry House

20 VENDORS

Under One Roof!

re ~ Artwork Furniture ~ Lighting ~ Glasswa res & Much More ~Jewelry ~ Linens ~ Garden Fixtu Antique & Vintage Treasures in styles ranging from Victorian to Hollywood Regency to Cottage Chic Blue Victorian house located on the corner of Rt. 31 & Wilson St., Batavia ~ 630-761-0813 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • Sun Noon-5pm beeattitudesantiques.com

Vintage, New & Redesigned ... from Victorian & Primitive to Shabby & Cottage … unique decor & gifts ... furniture, linens, pillows, jewelry, clothing, garden & iron.

March 3-4-5 • Vintage Shop Hop! Ma SAVE April 7-8-9 • Spring Fling!

THE DATES Ma May 19-20-21 • Anniversary Sale!

You will Love our Shoppes!!

Open 7 Days a Week • 10-5pm 22 East State Street, N. Aurora ◊ 630-844-4468

APP HAPPY

Must-haves for the tech-loving traveler

By YVONNE BENSON

You probably have three to five travel apps on your phone already, as it seems nearly impossible to get anywhere new without Google Maps; and Google Translate is a must during those near lostin-translation moments when you need to communicate in an unfamiliar language.

Another go-to app you probably utilize is Yelp, which is excellent for finding great restaurants, museums or other items of interest.

But there are so many more! Here is a list of must-haves for the apphappy traveler:

¢ All-around apps TRIPADVISOR

WWW.TRIPADVISOR.COM

You probably can’t do much better than TripAdvisor for a great, all-around travel app. Not only does it help you with booking airfare, rental cars and hotels, it also makes recommendations for what to do when you arrive at your destination.

HOPPER

WWW.HOPPER.COM

Hopper is amazing in helping users purchase tickets for flights. Not only does it search multiple airlines for the best deals, it also tells you the best dates to get the cheapest prices. You tell the app where and when you want to fly, and the app will automatically track price trends and alert your phone when it’s the best time to buy. You can buy tickets right through the app, too.

¢ Lodging These days, it’s relatively easy to find a hotel online when making travel plans, however, these two apps might provide an alternative to traditional hotel booking.

AIRBNB

WWW.AIRBNB.COM

Airbnb connects users with residents who rent out their apartment, home or spare room. Don’t worry, you can read the reviews about the residents and chat with them ahead of time to give you peace of mind. It’s a great way to have a less expensive place to stay, without out sacrificing quality, in an area where hotels are more expensive. Plus, Airbnb prides itself on offering offbeat accommodations, such as treehouses, yurts, silos, tiny houses and even sailboats.

HOTEL TONIGHT

WWW.HOTELTONIGHT.COM

Hotel Tonight is another app that works at finding last-minute hotel deals. It’s like the Marshall’s or TJ Maxx of hotels. Hotels might have cancellations or rooms available that night that it’s willing to make available for a discounted price. This works well if you have last-minute travel plans or maybe you unexpectedly find yourself stuck somewhere overnight.

TRAVEL

¢ Virtual Tour Guide GUIDES BY LONELY PLANET

WWW.LONELYPLANET.COM/GUIDES

Deciding what to do or where to eat in a new place can be completely overwhelming. Instead of sorting through user-review apps, such as Yelp or TripAdvisor, and Guides by Lonely Planet simplifies the decisions in a couple of ways. First, it allows you to explore places ahead of time and add them to your trip folder. Second, It also tells you what’s nearby when you arrive at your destination. Minube is another app that works similarly.

¢ Transportation CITY MAPPER AND SIDEKIX

CITYMAPPER.COM AND WWW.GETSIDEKIX.COM

Getting around in a new city can be completely overwhelming so City Mapper and Sidekix make it painless. City Mapper works by helping you navigate public transportation, including buses, trains and even rental bikes. It identifies popular sites in the city and helps you figure out how to get there on your own. Sidekix is a little different. It specializes in guiding users on foot. Pedestrians can go against traffic on one-way streets, cut through alleys and walk through parks – and Sidekix knows that.

¢ Social

SCOUT

WWW.SCOUTGPS.COM

Scout is an app that coordinates a group of people meeting at a certain place and at a certain time. You can get directions to a meeting place, while also seeing the whereabouts of your friends or family members.

This app is great if group members want to do different things during the day, but need to meet up for dinner later. The app allows you to see that your sister is still at the museum and that your parents are leisurely walking the restaurant for dinner. Scout also enables the group to chat in order to keep members updated or make modifications to previously discussed plans.

POSTGRAM

SINCERELY.COM/POSTAGRAM

Postgram provides a fun way to take pictures and then mail them with custom messages as postcards. If your grandparents aren’t on social media and insist on seeing printed photos, Postgram can take care of that for you. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

REMODELWITHMCDOWELL.COM

630-584-2255 McDowellinc@sbcglobal.net 521 West Main Street St. Charles LIKE ou Fcbook pg, fo fo bou you om & poo of pojc

Have you done research online, got a folder of ideas, but aren’t sure where to start, or how to pull it altogether? We will help you shape your ideas through creative ideas and design, realistic budgeting, and quality construction. Whether a Kitchen, Bath, New Windows. Siding or a Basement Remodel, our team truly helps you through every step of the process...and your home will be what you’ve dreamed of & more!

Call or email us TODAY!

United States of

the Arts

Explore some of the nation’s most celebrated spots in cuisine, music and literature

By YVONNE BENSON

Whether it’s a sonnet, dish or book, one thing is certain: The arts have an ability to move you, and they serve as a reminder of all that there is to love about being human – and life. Listed are some of the nation’s top spots for travelers to take pleasure in the musical, literary and culinary arts.

MUSIC t RED ROCKS PARK AND AMPHITHEATER Morrison, Colorado redrocksonline.com Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is a perfect marriage of awe-inspiring nature and man-made music venue. Most of the time the park offers free entry for hiking the trails and you can even sign up for a $1 yoga class all while appreciating the towering red rocks that surround the venue.

Other family-friendly activities include classic film showings, such as “Grease,” “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” and “The Sandlot.” This year’s summer concert series will include Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Celtic Woman, Norah Jones and many more.

PRESERVATION HALL New Orleans, Louisiana preservationhall.com Walking down St. Peter Street in the New Orleans French Quarter to Preservation Hall is like walking back in time. You can buy tickets online or pay $15 to $20 cash at the door (line-waiting often runs about 30 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

an hour. The tiny venue can seat 40 people on benches or floor cushions and there is standing room for about 60 people. The hall features jazz performances by the house band or from a list of regular performers. You might find the hall’s resident cat, Sweets, wandering around.

MOTOWN MUSEUM Detroit, Michigan www.motownmuseum.org Motown Museum in Detroit was the original headquarters of Motown record company.

The museum is so popular that visitors must secure tickets to one of its tours, which begin every hour on the hour. During tours, people are immersed in the distinctive Motown sound that is familiar and legendary.

AMOEBA MUSIC Los Angeles, California www.amoeba.com Amoeba Music, located on Sunset Boulevard, claims to have the biggest – and most diverse – collection of music and movies under one roof.

However, it is more than just a music store. It’s a gathering place for music enthusiasts

to mourn the loss of industry icons while also enjoying live performances. Amoeba has regular free shows by artists, one of whom includes – most famously – Paul McCartney, who recorded “Amoeba’s Secret” during his performance.

Literature ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S BIRTHPLACE AND MUSEUM Oak Park, Illinois www.ehfop.org Oak Park is quite proud of its literary status as being the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway. Visit and tour the literary legend’s childhood home, where his peers never knew him as a famous author.

The museum has interesting artifacts, such as Hemingway's childhood diary and the famous letter – later portrayed in “A Farewell to Arms” – from nurse Agnes von Kurowsky that ended the couple’s engagement. Those who visit during the weekend of July 17 can participate in Hemingway’s birthday bash and the Hemingway 8K Running of the Bulls. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

$50 OFF

Spring Special!

Save $50 on your Sumps and Battery Back-Up Pumps

Offer expires 5/31/17. Coupon cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.

• We recommend our clients replace their sump pump every 5 years, sooner if it runs frequently.

It’s cheap insurance vs. a flooded basement • Mendel provides only high quality, industrial grade pumps and systems to protect your basement.

We don’t believe this is a place to install average grade equipment.

p MARK TWAIN HOUSE AND MUSEUM Hartford, Connecticut www.marktwainhouse.org Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, and his family lived in Hartford for nearly 20 years. It’s the same place where he said, “Of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see, this is the chief... . You do not know what beauty is if you have not been here.� It is in Twain’s house that you might feel the same inspiration he felt to write some of his most famous characters, such as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

POWELL’S CITY OF BOOKS Portland, Oregon www.powells.com Powell’s City of Books in Portland is known as the world’s largest independent bookstore. This place is a book-lover’s paradise, where people enjoy getting lost in the many wonders of the written word.

THE AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM Chicago, Illinois americanwritersmuseum.org

Ask us about our VIP Plan for preventative maintenance and additional savings on all our services!

Don’t let your home flood this spring ... contact Mendel for PEACE OF MIND!

(630) 377-3608 | CallMendel.com

The Company the Fox Valley Area Trusts

JUST SO L D!

Going above & beyond to help you achieve your real estate goals!

I AM YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERT offering a full range of services for buyers, sellers, renters, landlords and developers.

NIKKI LORENZEN

Keep an eye peeled for the May 16 opening of The American Writers Museum. Inspired by the Dublin Writers Museum in Ireland, the national museum will celebrate American writers and literature.

-Continued on page 32 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Schedule your service with Mendel today!

nikk i@berellc.com 6 3 0 . 6 4 9. 0 5 6 8

f @nikkilrealestate TRAVEL

CURIOUS ABOUT THE CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET? Contact Nikki today for a current market value analysis of your

home buyer kit.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 31

-Continued from page 31

Cuisine FRENCH LAUNDRY Yountville, California www.thomaskeller.com Repeatedly lauded to be among the best restaurants in the world, The French Laundry in the Napa Valley area is a destination where diners are blissfully rewarded for the tedium involved in securing a reservation and paying more than $300 a person (before tip and alcohol) to dine. Chef Thomas Keller challenges himself to never repeat an ingredient on a single menu and, in this way, leads diners in discovering the nuance behind tasting familiar ingredients but – seemingly – for the first time.

Fromm Dog Food

5 OFF

$

bags 26 lbs or larger

LE BERNARDIN New York, New York www.le-bernardin.com

Offer Expires 3-15-17

630-584-2024 • www.trellisfarm.com

Wasco • 40w 296 Wasco Rd

(Just west of the corner of LaFox Rd and Rt 64)

St. Charles • 2n492 Kirk Rd

Create Lasting Memories Parties Large or Small: • Girl’s Day Out • Anniversaries • Sunday Breakfast • Tea Party • Murder Mysteries

• Reunions • Private Parties • Showers • Weddings • Ceremonies/ Receptions

ALINEA Chicago, Illinois www.alinearestaurant.com

• Open to the

Public for Lunch and Tours on Wednesdays Call Tuesday for Reservations

The three-star-Michelin-rated Alinea is a Latin symbol that indicates a new paragraph. Chef Grant Achatz strives to take guests on an entire journey of performance and discovery. Guests begin by going down a hallway that is frequently transformed and always marks the entry into a different world. Dishes are disguised as centerpieces, enveloped in sweet smelling smoke and suspended by helium.

Upcoming Events: Easter Brunch

Mother’s Day Brunch

Please call for Reservations

Please call for Reservations

&

k rea

fast

• Accommodat

ion

A Historic

GENEVA

1800 West State Street Geneva, IL

630-232-0173

s f o

ELIZABETH Chicago, Illinois www.elizabeth-restaurant.com

r

ro

B

d

B

Sunday, May 14th, Live Music Seatings at 12:30pm & 3pm

G

e

Sunday, April 16th Servings at 12:30pm & 2:30pm

up

Lodging

GALENA

www.oscarswan.com

32 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

For chef Eric Ripert, food is an expression of memories and emotion. The menus at his highly- acclaimed and worldrenowned French Seafood restaurant, Le Bernardin, take diners on an extremelyrefined journey in fine dining. (Women are given foot stools for their purses). A top dish on the menu is the Yellow Fin Tuna Carpaccio – ibérico ham “chutney,” sea beans and lemon-extra virgin olive oil.

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

815-541-0653 TRAVEL

Led by Chef Iliana Regan, Elizabeth restaurant defines farm-to-table fine dining. Regan’s menu is described as honest, and she hearkens to her Midwest roots – a style that she likes to call “new gatherer cuisine.”

POSITIVE & REWARD BASED TRAINING

By Anderson Animal Shelter Featured Sponsor DePaw University Canine Campus

Anderson Animal Shelter uses entirely positive reinforcement (R+) and reward-based training and we want to encourage you to do the same. R+ means you add something such as food and treats to increase the likelihood of an acceptable behavior. It also means that R+ training does not condone or recommend the use of punishment to teach animal behavior. Punishment simply tells your dog “what not to do”. As a consequence, you reduce the trust you have built with your dog. If your dog already might not be as trusting as others, this can be incredibly damaging.

Even if you have a dog that becomes very excited. You can actively “wheel and deal” treats when your dog first sees a visitor.

When your dogs four feet are still on the ground give a reward.

However, if your dog jumps up on your guest you ignore that behavior, wait until your dogs four feet are again on the ground and give another reward. Pretty soon, your dog realizes that it pays off to keep those feet on the ground. With consistent practice, you can have the best door greeter around! And as an added bonus, your dog will love having visitors over because that means an opportunity to earn some well-deserved treats!

By taking a positive reinforcement approach, you can instruct your dog “what to do instead”. If you wait until a dog jumps up on your visitor before you react with a scold? How fair is that? You need to teach your pet what you would like them to do instead.

For instead to simply stand or sit patiently? By reinforcing desired behaviors proactively, usually with food, you can quickly teach your pet what you expect from them by focusing on what they can do, not what they shouldn’t do.

As owners, let’s not get bogged down and think our dog is a “bad dog”. The majority of problem behaviors in our pets stem from actions they take that we accidentally reinforced over time.

Let’s also focus on all the things your dog does well! This will give you some ideas on what skills to build off of to teach a suitable alternative behavior. Let’s look at what your dog does that needs correction, such as jumping up on visitors, and then look at what we would like for them to do instead. If you would prefer that your dog remains calmly sitting or standing. That behavior needs to taught and reinforced.

AGILITY CLASS

9 WEEK COURSE FOR $150

BASIC OBEDIENCE

ABOUT AGILITY • Has no size, breed, or age restrictions. • Is a fun and energetic team sport.

• Is great exercise for dogs and owners!

ABOUT INSTRUCTOR • Has competed in multiple levels of agility trials • Holds a degree in Zoology • 11 years of experience in agility work with dogs Please visit our website for complete course dates and times. depawK9campus.com

INVESTMENT OF $249/ PER 9 WEEK CLASS

Includes Free Socialization after class AND Lifetime Membership! $50/per additional dog

Register by calling us at 630.232.8663, stopping in, or email info@depawK9campus.com REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Class sizes are limited to the first 8 registrants. Book early!

BOARDING

TRAINING

DAYCARE

EDUCATION

GROOMING

100 S. Glengarry Dr., Geneva, IL 60134 • 630-232-8663 • depawK9campus.com

SM-CL0355875

A FEW MORE THINGS NOLA public transit utilizes streetcars, which kids love. Rides cost $1.25 (have exact change), but a Jazzy Pass can save money on multiple rides.

The World War II Museum is the top-rated tourist attraction in New Orleans, providing firstperson veteran accounts of the “war that changed the world.”

New Orleans hosted Season 3 of “American Horror Story,” and teens often enjoy haunted history tours.

Nearby shopping can be found at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk; Shops at Canal Place; the Shops at Jax Brewery; and on Magazine Street.

Just outside Jackson Square, hitch a ride on a mule-drawn carriage for a rustic tour of the French Quarter.

Swamp tours are family-friendly – kids love the airboats.

Big-time family fun in the Big Easy

By STEPHANIE N. GRIMOLDBY When you think of New Orleans, do you think of raucous parties on Bourbon Street? Local cuisine like crawfish and gumbo and libations like hurricanes and hand grenades?

“The zoo is a must-do when coming to New Orleans,” Smith says.

Besides new elephant and orangutan habitats, the zoo offers a Louisiana swamp habitat that discusses the It may seem like the Big Easy is “Adults region, the wetlands, and Cajun Only,” but don’t let its reputation as a culture, Smith says. In the summer party destination fool you. months, families beat the heat at the “Cool Zoo,” featuring a splash pad and “What a lot of people don’t realize is lazy river.

New Orleans is family-friendly,” says Tony DeVargas, a licensed tour guide The Audubon Butterfly Garden and with What To See and Do In New Insectarium, located inside the historic Orleans.

U.S. Custom House on Canal Street From free activities to attractions that in the French Quarter, is the largest are well worth the ticket price, there’s free-standing museum dedicated to insects, Smith says. plenty to see and do in NOLA - even with the kids in tow.

WORTH THE PRICE If there’s one (or two or three) slightly heftier attractions for a family to visit in New Orleans, it might be the Audubon sites.

The Audubon Nature Institute is a nonprofit organization comprising 10 parks and museums in the New Orleans area, and the Audubon Zoo, located in Uptown NOLA, is one of the top zoos in the country, says Katie Smith, director of public relations for ANI.

Not only are there live habitats, pinned insects, a butterfly garden and coy pond, there also are hands-on exhibits – such as Bug Appétit, where chefs discuss how other cultures incorporate insects into their diets as a source of protein, and viewers get to sample waxworm salsa, chocolate “chirp” cookies and more.

“It’s definitely something you’re not going to find in that kind of scope in another city,” Smith says.

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is located along the

Mississippi River in the French Quarter, but you’ll learn about more than Mississippi creatures – such as “Chompitoulas,” a white alligator coyly named after a New Orleans street – Tchoupitoulas.

As its name suggests, the aquarium spans the Americas, meaning you’ll see a Gulf of Mexico habitat showcasing King Midas, a giant sea turtle that survived Hurricane Katrina; three species of sharks; the Great Maya Reef, which focuses on South America and features lobsters and tropical fish; and the second-level Amazon Rainforest, which houses birds and snakes.

FREE STUFF If you want to stick to the budget, there are plenty of free attractions around NOLA. Woldenberg Riverfront Park, an ANI park, is “the front porch to the French Quarter,” says Smith, offering green space, walking paths, artwork and more.

It’s also a great spot to watch one of the busiest ports in the world. The kids will get a kick out of seeing the barges, ferries and boats scurrying across the Mississippi. Plus, around 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. (on most days) you can see the Steamboat Natchez – an authentic stern wheel steamboat known for its jazz cruises – and hear its steam calliope (pipe organ) concerts.

Woldenberg Riverfront Park butts up to the French Market, where you can haggle for items at the flea market, shop the retail stores, sample a praline, explore local cuisine or visit the farmers market on Saturdays.

Photos provided

First-timer to the city?

Try a VIP City Tour, which travels through parts of the French Quarter, city parks, the Garden District and past other notable landmarks – all on an air-conditioned bus.

New Orleans

TRAVEL

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Photo by Stephanie N. Grimoldby

Jackson Square is a great place to sink into NOLA culture. The square itself is a park, and it’s surrounded by an open-air artist colony, small shops, residential properties and the St. Louis Cathedral – the oldest cathedral in the U.S. It’s a great place to people-watch, listen to street performers and relax as the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter moves around you.

PLAN MORNINGS WISELY New Orleans is not a morning city, so if your little ones are early risers, utilize your mornings by sampling the city’s famous beignets (a cross between a French pastry and a donut, covered in powdered sugar) and café au lait (half coffee, half warm milk) at a local café.

The original Café Du Monde, which opened in 1862 in the French Market, is open 24 hours, 7 days a week (closed on Christmas).

inc.

Connecting Kids through Play

REGISTER FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS NOW! Education and Adventure Program collaboration with

Full/Part Day Extended Day and More!

Ages 15 Months - School Age

www.kidsconnection.info • 630-587-9400 2011 Dean Street, St. Charles • SE corner Dean & Randall Roads

Times and Fees on our Web site Now.

Sip Some Wine & Paint Public & Private Parties for 10-50 People

Café Beignet serves up morning specialties with a side of live jazz music starting at 8 a.m. Musical Legends Park sits right in front of the cafe’s Bourbon Street location, so – after breakfast – it might be a good time to let the kids walk the infamous street without having to worry what their little eyes might see.

Plantation tours are another good morning activity, as some start as early as 8:30 and 9 a.m., DeVargas says. These visits are great ways to tour Antebellum homes and learn what life was like in the 1800s.

Choose your date & painting or barnwood project from our gallery.

If a cemetery tour is on your list of things to do, visit early, as the cemeteries close at 4 p.m.

Make a special memory last a lifetime

1 W. Illinois St Suite 110 St. Charles

331-422-7301

www.thepaintedvinecellar.com www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

TRAVEL

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 35

Voodoo Room NEW ORLEANS-THEMED BAR JAZZES UP MAIN STREET SCENE

By ALLISON HORNE Photos by MISSY DONOVAN

There’s no need to wait for Mardi Gras or even head all the way to New Orleans to partake in the southern city’s vibrant culture, good drinks and good times. That’s where Dawn’s Voodoo Room in downtown St. Charles comes in.

Dawn’s Voodoo Room, a New Orleans-themed bar, is the brainchild of Huntley resident Dawn Humer, who also owns Dawn’s Beach Hut just around the corner.

When Humer decided to open another bar, she knew she wanted it to revolve around a vacation town known for partying and having fun.

“I was thinking about what else I could do,” Humer says. “When I was like, ‘of course!’ New Orleans.’”

Dawn’s Voodoo Room opened its doors in November last year – about eight years after Humer first opened her Florida Keys-themed, tiki bar.

“I think a lot of other people feel the same way I do,” Humer says. “When I go out, it’s not just going out for a drink somewhere; it’s about the experience. I leave the house because it’s an escape.”

36 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Dawn’s Voodoo Room is covered wall-to-wall with French provincial décor, from vintage seating to red drapery and intricate chandeliers, which creates an inviting setting.

“All of your senses are immersed,” Humer says. “That’s what I’m trying to do; it’s unique and something different.”

Though the décor is whimsical, the cocktails complete the New Orleans-style atmosphere.

Humer prides her bars on their signature drinks, and Dawn’s Voodoo Room is no different.

“Obviously, I can’t take credit for the New Orleans drinks,” Humer says. “Those are drinks that have been around for many years. But all of the signature cocktails I have developed myself.”

Her menu is divided into three different sections: the first of which features the classic drinks synonymous with New Orleans; another section features old-time classics, such as Manhattans,

DINING & ENTERTAINING

and Whiskey sours; and, finally, there’s an ice cream drink section with items, such as a cappuccino frappe. One of the highlights of the menu is the Voodoo Cane, Humer’s twist on the classic New Orleans hurricane drink.

“Our menu is very unique,” Humer says.

“You can’t get the drinks anywhere else around.”

Humer is no stranger to opening bars, as Dawn’s Voodoo Room is her sixth. Generally when she will open bars, she builds them up and then sells them, but she says her passion for both the Beach Hut and the Voodoo Room might keep her around for a bit.

“I love the Beach Hut, and I would never want to let that go,” she says. “But this is the first time I’ve owned two at once.”

Humer notes she’s constantly bouncing back and forth between both bars as the manager, but – sometimes – she has to jump behind the bar, as well. But it doesn’t faze her.

“I personally worked the Beach Hut, and I know www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Wednesday to Saturday

“Our menu is very unique.

You can’t get the drinks anywhere else around.”

– Dawn Humer, owner of Dawn’s Voodoo Room and Dawn’s Beach Hut in St. Charles

to better service your needs.

FEATURING:

Fresh, Uncooked • Avg. 12–14 lbs

1/2 PIECE CORNED BEEF BRISKET Uncooked • Avg. 7–10 lbs

ORDER EARLY Limited Dinnersle Availab

my customers personally,” Humer says. “All through the years, I would ask what they were looking for and the culmination of the Voodoo Room is what I heard.”

Despite being able to execute two different themes in both St. Charles bars, Humer says that she has never been to the Florida Keys or New Orleans.

WHOLE CORNED BEEF BRISKET

COOKED CORNED BEEF DINNER Completely Prepared Cooked Meal Cabbage, Carrots & Potato Pick Up, Heat And Eat Feeds 4-5 People

We do Homemade so you don’t have to!

“People say I nailed it,” she says. “Nobody can believe it.”

Humer says that she is looking forward to spring, when can open the Voodoo Room’s patio. During the cold winter months, she has opted to only open the Voodoo Room on the weekends from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. but, once the weather warms up, she plans on being open all week.

Engstrom’s Plaza 716 W. State St. • Geneva (Entrance on 7th St.)

630-262-1878

www.josefsmeats.com

“I can do a lot of really cool things with the bar, from the décor and drinks to music,” Humer says. “But what really makes a place is the people. And the people here are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

G N H E I C R / / T DELI // CATER BU SM-CL0386733 SM-CL0386733

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-5pm • Sun. 10am-2pm DINING & ENTERTAINING

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 37

Luck o’ the Irish

St. Patrick's Day festivities

By KEVIN DRULEY

As Shay Clarke sees it, Irish eyes smile a wee bit wider when St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 – falls on a Friday, as it does this year.

“Absolutely, absolutely,” says Clarke, general manager of McNally’s Irish Pub in St. Charles.

“But, for us, it’s a season. You know that, right?”

McNally’s will host a St. Patrick’s Day Festival, beginning Friday, March 10 – one week before the holiday itself – and it will run through Monday, March 20.

MARCH 14 A Guinness Pour-Your-Own-Pint instruction MARCH 15 Irish trivia and music from Joe Cullen MARCH 17 Mass at 8 a.m. and live music by tenor Gavin Coyle, followed by “breakfast and then we have the rest of the day’s madness, including dancers and pipers again,” Clarke says.

MARCH 20 The Guinness Social

Prepare for a copious amount of Irish dancing, bagpipers, comedy and, of course, “loads and loads and loads” of corned beef, says the Ireland native.

¢ DOWNTOWN ST. CHARLES PARTNERSHIP

“More corned beef than you can shake a stick at,” Clarke says.

The annual St. Patrick’s Parade in St. Charles is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11, on Main Street, between Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue.

Spectators traditionally flock to join fellow revelers while watching colorful floats and listening to marching bands and Irish music. For more information or to learn about volunteering opportunities, visit www.downtownstcharles. org.

The one thing that McNally’s patrons won’t see on the premises during the festival is green beer.

In fact, Clarke says that the back of the pub’s St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts will read: “Green beer, my arse!”

“Because we don’t bother with that stuff,” he says.

Here’s a glance at more St. Patrick’s Day-themed activities hosted

by McNally’s and other local businesses and restaurants:

¢ MCNALLY'S IRISH PUB 109 W. Main St., St. Charles 630-513-6300 | www.mcnallyspub.com HIGHLIGHTS OF MCNALLY’S FESTIVAL (BY DATE) WILL INCLUDE: MARCH 10 AND 11 Irish music, dancing and bagpipes MARCH 12 AND 13 Irish music and comedy

2 E. Main St., St. Charles www.downtownstcharles.org

¢ FLANNERY SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE 1400 Foundry St., St. Charles 312-344-0957 | www.flanneryirishdance.com Expect to see an exuberant contingent of students marching in the St. Patrick’s Parade in St. Charles on Saturday, March 11, periodically showing off dance moves during stoppages.

“Everybody loves this time of year,” instructor and co-owner Shane Kelly says. “It’s busy. It’s hectic. It’s certainly a lot of fun.”

At the time this story went to press, the school was still finalizing its holiday appearances at various pubs, theaters and nursing homes.

¢ EVENFLOW MUSIC AND SPIRITS 302 W. State St., Geneva 331-248-0269 | www.evenflowmusic.com General manager Ernesto Rivero says that “we expect a huge crowd” Friday, March 17, for the St. Patty’s Bash, which will include a 9 p.m. performance by Fox Valley party rock cover band Tricky Mission.

¢ THE CLADDAGH IRISH PUB AND RESTAURANT 1702 Commons Drive, Geneva 630- 208-0337 www.claddaghirishpubs.com/geneva The Claddagh Irish Pub and Restaurant has scheduled numerous band performances, as well as a series of Irish dance appearances by members of Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance in Algonquin. The live music and dance performance schedule (by date and time) will include: MARCH 11 Noon to 4 p.m.: Trillium 5 to 6 p.m.: Batavia High School’s String Theory 7 p.m.: Irish dancing 8 to 10 p.m.: The Bare Hambones MARCH 12 4 to 7 p.m.: Celtic Sounds jam session 6 and 7 p.m.: Irish dancing MARCH 17 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Celtic Sounds 3 to 5 p.m.: DJ Mindmonic 5 and 6 p.m.: Irish dancing 7 to 11 p.m.: Close Enough MARCH 18 Noon to 4 p.m.: Peter and Katie Whalen 5 and 6 p.m.: Irish dancing 7 to 11 p.m.: Mulligan Stew

Join us for Corned St. Patrick’s Day age bb Ca & Beef

MONDAY

Miller Lite (25oz) 4.00 Zombies 6.99

THURSDAY

nner .99 BBQ Ribs Di LF SLAB 13 17.99 • HA ) FULL SLAB r kids’ menu EE! (From ou tree FR t Ea ult ds Ki per ad en al me s’ kid free Includes 1 . purchased ms d Mushroo 75¢ Stuffe une) yle or Nept (Chicago St

Dine-in only. cepted. s ac No coupon quired. rchase is re Beverage pu

MONDAY eatloaf 11.99

FRIDAY

M Homemade Pizza Half Price Wings 75¢ Buffalo

TUESDAY

ff 13.99 n Strogano Filet Migno Burgers ice Pr lf Ha r menu! burger on ou Half off any rs ge Fin en 75¢ Chick

AY WEDNESD s Sandwich Gyro Half Price Saganaki Half Price n Filet Migno k 13.99 Pepper Stea

TUESDAY

Sauza Margaritas 5.00 Corona & Corona Light 4.00

.99 Fry N PERCH 11 Friday Fish N EAT OCEA 12.99 ALL YOU CA RED COD) IPS (BATTE CH & H FIS d The Juicy Kin 14oz 24.99 Prime Rib • • 12oz 22.99 10oz 19.99

SATURDAYJuicy Kind

The Prime Rib • 14oz 24.99 • 12oz 22.99 10oz 19.99

WEDNESDAY

Martinis 5.50 Coors Light 3.00 Daiquiris 5.00 Strawberry, Banana, Raspberry or Mango

THURSDAY

Guinness 5.00 Rum Barrel 6.99 Half Price Bottles of Wine Can’t finish? Take it home!

FRIDAY Long Island Iced Tea 5.50

SATURDAY

Squire Mai Tai 6.99

SUNDAY

Absolut Bloody Mary 5.50 Mimosa 5.50 Half Price Bottles of Wine Can’t finish? Take it home!

SUNDAY

-Eat All-You-Can gers 11.99 Chicken Fin e Juicy Kind Th Prime Rib • 14oz 24.99 • 12oz 22.99 10oz 19.99

LIVE

ENTERTAINMENT THURS. thru SAT.

Kitchen Open Late SM-CL0386737

¢ THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora 630-896-6666 | paramountaurora.com Nearly 25 years ago, “Far and Away” – director Ron Howard’s tale of a 19th Century romance between Irish immigrants Joseph (Tom Cruise) and Shannon (Nicole Kidman) during the Oklahoma land rush – hit theaters. At 7 p.m. Monday, March 13, it will screen at the Paramount as part of its Classic Movie Mondays film series. Tickets cost $1 (cash only). Debit and credit cards will be accepted for concession purchases.

Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.

““Great place to be!” www.thevillag esquire.com SOUTH ELGIN • 847-931-0400 • 480 Randall Road WEST DUNDEE • 847-428-4483 • 125 Washington Street

Become

a f an!

Time for Spring Clean-Up Skyline Tree Service was established in 1988 and is family owned and operated.

After 29 years of service, we still hold strong to our original commitment to excellence to provide our customers with quality tree care services

¢ BALLYDOYLE IRISH PUB 28 W. New York St., Aurora 630-844-0400 www. ballydoylepub.com

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

Removal • Lawn Service Emergency Services • Tree Trimming Stump Removal • Landscaping Plant Health Care 630-584-2221 | WWW.SKYLINETREESVC.COM

Residential, Commercial and Municipal DINING & ENTERTAINING

SM-CL0386739

The first of several performances from the McNulty Irish Dancers are set for 7 p.m.

Friday, March 10, followed by a 9:30 p.m. show by Wild Colonial Bhoys, a band of Celtic rockers. Activities continue through St. Patrick’s Day, including numerous musical acts and dance performances.

Good time to trim trees while they’re dormant!

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 39

HOPPS

ON THE ROAD

WILD AND WONDERFUL BREWERIES WORTHY OF THE TRIP Story and photo by PAUL SCHNEIDER

There’s something about wild beers and wild places that just demand that you put them together.

As a brewer with Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville – and an adventure lover ¬– that’s how I like to plan my vacations.

These seven breweries will take you from the sea to the mountains in the Pacific Northwest; surround you with “fourteeners” (mountains with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet) in Colorado; send you mountain biking in the Blue Ridge Mountains; and even steer you toward some hidden gems in the Midwest.

Here are four road trips to enjoy wild and wonderful breweries and the great outdoors:

The Pacific Northwest DE GARDE BREWING 6000 Blimp Blvd., Tillamook, Oregon 503-815-1635 | www.degardebrewing.com The beer at De Garde is as wild as the Oregon coast – quite literally. All of De Garde’s beers are spontaneously fermented, using only the naturally occurring yeast and bacteria in the air.

Try half-pours of their funky, tart beers – many made with Pacific Northwest fruit.

While you’re there: Head out to Cape Lookout State Park in the late afternoon and hike to the end of the cape for an awe-inspiring sunset with sweeping ocean views and a chance to see gray whales on their yearly migration. Return by headlamp.

PFRIEM FAMILY BREWERS 707 Portway Ave., No. 101, Hood River, Oregon 541-321-0490 | www.pfriembeer.com Head inland and find a world-class Belgianinspired brewery perched deep within the Columbia River Gorge in Hood River. Go kitesurfing or take a stand-up paddleboard out on the river during the day (rentals and lessons

abound in town), then hit the brewery patio for the Frambozen – a lambic-inspired beer made with fresh raspberries; pair it with the pastrami burger.

While you’re there: On the way back to Portland, put in 12 miles (out-and-back) on the Eagle Creek Trail. You’ll hike through lush moss and fern-filled temperate rainforest and end up at 175-foot-tall Tunnel Falls, where you can bask in the cooling spray of the falls as you pass through the tunnel behind them.

The Mountain West CROOKED STAVE ARTISAN BEER PROJECT 3350 Brighton Blvd., Denver, Colorado 720-550-8860 | www.crookedstave.com

CASEY BREWING AND BLENDING 3421 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, Colorado 970-230-9691 | www.caseybrewing.com Make your way west across the Rockies and end up in the Roaring Fork valley, northwest of Aspen. There you’ll find one of the youngest and most celebrated breweries in the nation.

Troy Casey earned instant acclaim for his beers fermented and aged in oak and made exclusively with Colorado ingredients. Try any of the Casey Family Preserves, each made with a hefty, three pounds of fruit per gallon, but don’t sleep on the more mildly flavor, rustic saisons either.

While you’re there: The valley is slow and lonely, but that’s the perfect setting for fly fishing in the Roaring Fork. With Gold Medal stream status, the river supports more than 1,000 pounds of fish per mile.

Drive or fly into Denver, and make straight for this brewery built on Brettanomyces, a wild yeast that Crooked Stave has harnessed for its signature farmhouse funk. Go for the Nightmare The Southeast on Brett, a Brett-fermented beer aged on rotating WICKED WEED FUNKATORIUM 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville, North Carolina varieties of cherries and berries.

While you’re there: Head out of town and spend 828-552-3203 | www.wickedweedbrewing.com a few days exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike to Flattop Mountain from Bear Lake is a thigh-burner, gaining and losing nearly 3,000 feet over nine miles (out-and-back), but the views you earn standing atop the Continental Divide make it worthwhile.

Quench your thirst at the Funkatorium with Brett farmhouse beers and barrel-aged sours, such as Guajava – a golden sour ale aged in oak barrels with guava.

While you’re there: Asheville is a Mecca of beer, barbecue and bluegrass, but fight the urge to rush there right away in order to spend some time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Hike 11 miles (out-and-back) to Gregory Bald in late June to catch a stunning wildflower display and big Appalachian views. Continue on the Oskar Blues REEB Ranch where you can camp or rent a creek-side cabin or barn apartment while you spend the days mountain biking the adjacent state forest trails. Rentals and guides are available on site.

Join us for...

Sunday Brunch 10am to 1pm

The Midwest SIDE PROJECT BREWING 7373 Marietta Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 314-224-5211 | www.thesideprojectcellar. com The views might not be as grand this close to home, but the beer sure is. Side Project has a stellar reputation for oakfermented and aged farmhouse and wild ales. The selection varies as founder Cory King blends barrels only as they reach maturity. Aim for a single-barrel selection or something aged on stone fruit, such as peaches, apricots or nectarines.

While you’re there: Eat at Pappy’s Smokehouse, then spend the late afternoon exploring Cahokia Mounds, a once-bustling Native American city whose ruins tower over the Mississippi Valley.

SCRATCH BREWING COMPANY 264 Thompson Road, Ava, Illinois 618-426-1415 | www.scratchbeer.com Head southeast until the green, hilly landscape makes you wonder if you’re really in Illinois. Find your way to Scratch, where many ingredients for its farmhouse beers, such as maple sap, elderberry, hickory and dandelion, are grown on site or foraged.

While you’re there: Enjoy the forested setting on the patio with a wild passion fruit saison, then continue southeast to Shawnee National Forest, where the sandstone hoodoos, canyons and caves at Garden of the Gods make a strong case for best hike in the state. u Paul Schneider is a production manager at Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville.

Retire on your terms.

Since 1894, Ameriprise Financial has worked for our clients’ futures, helping millions of Americans retire on their terms. Doing what they want. When they want. Let’s talk about how you can begin to put a confident retirement more within reach, call me today at 630.762.6556.

Steve Smith Financial Advisor Associate Vice President 3 N Second St, Ste 200 St. Charles, IL 60174 630.762.6556 steven.l.smith@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/steven.smith

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2014 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (7/14)

DINING & ENTERTAINING

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 41

‘Preventable, treatable and beatable’

NATIONAL AWARENESS MONTH STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF COLON CANCER SCREENINGS

By KEVIN DRULEY

During the month of March, health professionals across the U.S. observe National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, when patients, survivors, caregivers and advocates come together to spread awareness for colon cancer by wearing blue, hosting events and discussing the importance of screenings.

More than 50,000 people die from colorectal cancer annually, and about 140,000 are diagnosed, but the disease is considered “preventable, treatable and beatable” by the Colon Cancer Alliance. Colorectal cancer – which affects the lower part of your digestive system – also is considered the second leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Tarun Mullick of Gastrointestinal Health

Specialists in Geneva stresses the importance of colonoscopy screenings no matter the time of year. Taking preventative measures, namely a colonoscopy-screening test is a vital first step.

“Colon cancer can affect anyone at any time,” Mullick says. “However, the guidelines for screening indicate starting colon cancer screening at age 50 for all patients, whether they’re men or women. Unless they have family history, in which it would start at the age of 40.”

Screening tests assist in looking for colorectal cancer when a person does not experience symptoms. A patient could have colorectal polyps – a precancerous growth that could spread cancer into the colon – and not know it. ¢ Other symptoms may include: • Blood in or on stool • Persistent stomach pain, aches or cramps • Sudden weight loss “Colon cancer is one of the most overlooked and late-to-present situations there is,” Mullick says.

“Often, those symptoms are in later situations, not earlier, and thus it can affect anyone without

symptoms. They should get screened no matter what.”

CDC research states that if every adult age 50 or older had regular screenings, at least 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented.

Mullick, who is in his 14th year as a medical practitioner in the Tri-Cities, finds that “there’s a lot of reluctance behind that concept of getting screened” for a handful of reasons.

Sometimes, prospective patients are leery about undergoing anesthesia. Others simply are bothered by the prospect of the procedure itself or the laxative-heavy colonoscopy prep that patients complete the day before the screening.

Mullick says that African-Americans “show a higher predilection of colon cancer,” and therefore recommends accelerating the screening guidelines by five years. ¢ Others who may be at a higher than average risk of colorectal cancer include: • Those who have had colorectal polyps or cancer before • Those with relatives who previously have had colorectal polyps or cancer • Those with inflammatory bowel disease • Those with genetic syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer Mullick is adamant about the importance of being proactive. If you are diagnosed with polyps, he advises to get them removed, and then get a colonoscopy.

“There are many situations in which the surgery itself can be curative if it’s caught early,” he says.

“The key is to get screened and to get surveyed periodically, because the preventative aspect or the earlier diagnosis portends a much better outcome, which is a cure.”

THE GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS 2631 Williamsburg Ave. | Geneva 630-232-2025 | www.mullickmd.com 42 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Consult your doctor about whether you might require earlier or more frequent screenings.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

TRI

CITY AUTO • From Major Collision Damage to Minor Dent & Scratch Repair

LOSE WEIGHT NOW!

Connie, Batavia -- “Lost 44 lbs, with Dr. Mullick’s recommended system, and it stayed off.”* Jamie, Geneva -- “Lost 12 pound in my FIRST MONTH!! It really works.

Had triedWeightWatchersTM which did not work for me, but this system works.”*

Call for appointment NOW!! TAKE CONTROL & LOSE WEIGHT NOW

Program invented by a Physician at Johns Hopkins Supported by Dr. Mullick who trained at Johns Hopkins. Lose up to 15 lbs per month* Clinically proven & sustainable program

TARUN MULLICK M.D.

• Paintless Repair

Call today to make your appointment Geneva/Elgin 630-232-2025 or Sycamore 815-895-5252

• Lifetime Warranty

Pay LESS for your colonoscopy or endoscopy.

Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30–5:30pm Saturday 9:00–11:00am

Facility Fees are significantly lower. Cost of health care is going up. Pay less for your test. We are JCAHO certified.

Met your Deductible?? Get in before year end. Save on your deductible. Pay LESS.

Heartburn, Diarrhea, Constipation, Liver Disease, Pancreatitis, Abdominal Pain, Colitis, Crohns/Ulcerative Colitis, Gallbladder, Rectal Bleeding We have quality doctors and team on staff to serve you well. Its our honor to take care of you.

AMERICAN COLONOSCOPY AND ENDOSCOPY CENTER

2631 Williamsburg Ave 301. Geneva, IL. Call now for your appointment. 630-232-2025

IF YOU DO BREAST CANCER SCREENING, GET COLON CANCER SCREENING.

It affects men and women BOTH and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It is VERY important to get this screening done - colon cancer is beatable and treatable if caught early enough through colon screening.

630-584-5115 Rt. 64

* Randall Rd.

TriCity Auto, Inc. EST 1972 110 N. Randall Rd. St. Charles tricityautoinc.com

SM-CL0386743

Celebrating Our 11th Year in Geneva Special Tastings of our Products Every Weekend

Dear Dr. Mullick, My family never had polyps or cancer. Do I really need a colonoscopy? Jane Dear Jane: Great question. Colon cancer can affect anyone, regardless of family history.

Everyone over age 50 should get a colonoscopy. If you have family history you should start at age 40 or 10 to 15 years before the youngest relative with a problem. Screening helps reduce risk.

Dr. Mullick, I’ve got bloating and gas. Sometimes I have diarrhea or nausea after I eat.

Could I have food allergies? My doctor said it’s IBS (irritable bowel). Kristen Dear Kristen: Yes, food intolerances to lactose, sucrose and fructose are common, so you may need to avoid those. We have tests in the office for that. The symptoms of IBS and food allergies are often similar, so testing for food allergies is reasonable. We can test for that, too. We have helped many patients diagnosed with food allergies, so it’s not all IBS.

SAVE YOUR LIFE! TELLYOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Come taste 60 different extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars from all over the world. Unique Gift Baskets Available.

Homemade Skincare Products made with Olive Oil: Soaps ~ Lip Balms ~ Lotion Bars

See Us For Our Monthly Special

Get colon cancer screening. Beatable,Treatable, Preventable in most situations.

S. from Geneva. “I am glad I had my colonoscopy done at the American Colonoscopy and Endoscopy center. I had some polyps removed and that will likely prevent a cancer.

The facility was wonderful and it saved me money.”

LET’S BEAT IT! 630-232-2025.

BACK PAIN. CARPALTUNNEL.WRIST PAIN. PAIN IN FOOT. PAIN IN LIMBS Store Hours

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm ~ Thurs 10am-8pm ~ Sat 10am-5:30pm ~ Sun 11am-4pm

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

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

PERIPHERAL NERVE TEST Certified center & trained team.

Call now for your clinic appointment and test date. 630-232-2025.

PPO, Medicare, and Cash payment accepted HEALTH & WELLNESS

*Results may not be typical.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 43

Ready to Take Your Fitness to the Next Level?

NEW

Ignite Small Group Training Designed to Take Your Body to the Limit Priced affordably.

630.938.9100 delnorhfc.com TTY for the hearing impaired 630.933.4833.

THE ART INSTIGATOR

Fine Line executive director Lynn Caldwell weaves together a community of artists

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE | Photo by RON MCKINNEY

H

er title may be executive director of the Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, but don’t be surprised to find Lynn Caldwell in the classroom where she may be teaching a course or learning a new skill for her own enjoyment.

Caldwell has been at Fine line since 2006, but the first time she ever visited the arts center was when she was a college student in need of weaving yarn for a course.

“I fell in love with weaving,” Caldwell says, adding that she still has the first piece that she ever created using the yarn purchased from the Fine Line supply store.

She pursued a bachelor’s degree in textiles and clothing with a minor in art at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. After graduation, she found work at a women’s apparel business, while continuing to pursue her interest in creating hand-woven clothing. Eventually, Caldwell started her own business in designing and creating hand-woven apparel.

Ellen Jo Ljung, vice president of the board of directors for Fine Line, says that Caldwell is quite talented as an artist, as an art instructor and as a leader for the facility.

“Her greatest skill is as a leader [of] fine arts and the way she creates opportunities for others,” Ljung says. “She is a major art enabler.

She has overseen so much growth [at] Fine Line.”

Caldwell and her staff have worked hard to make Fine Line a place for creativity on many levels. There are adult classes for all skill levels, including professional artists and first-time students who are possibly pursuing art as a hobby.

“I think people can get intimidated or scared [about art classes], and they don’t want to take a risk. But, at Fine Line, there are no grades – just a welcoming place to try something new or re-connect with something from your past,” Caldwell says. “We have a huge selection of classes from beginners to advance.”

“I’m a capable artist,” she says, speaking modestly about her skills and talents for weaving. “My art currently is facilitating others in their art experiences. I’m an art instigator.”

In addition to art classes, and under Caldwell’s leadership, Fine Line began offering Exploration Day, where people pay a flat rate for four mini classes.

She remained connected to Fine Line through the years by shopping for supplies, volunteering, participating in the center’s annual Uncommon Threads fashion show – which began in the 1990s – and, later, by teaching classes.

“That is really popular and a great introduction,” Caldwell says.

Fine Line marked its 25th anniversary in 2005 and, after chairing the celebration event, it was then that Caldwell applied to fill the vacant executive director role. Caldwell says that the role is a great fit, combining her love of art and business skills.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

New this spring is Create. Friday., where artists can sip wine while creating a piece of art in enamel or making a screen print. Each month will feature a different activity.

Caldwell also just wrapped up a four-year term working with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Board. She says that the experience was great and that it helped her to see how the area serves as a large draw for tourists. She’s

BUSINESS & CIVIC

hopeful that many visitors and locals alike will enjoy the summer installation of “Sculpture on the Prairie” – Fine Line’s first outdoor sculpture exhibit, which was coordinated by Fine Line with support from a grant.

“We try to really fit into the community with whatever we provide,” Caldwell says.

No matter her title, Caldwell can still be found in the classroom. She teaches courses in Kumihimo, the art of Japanese braiding, and takes ongoing machine knitting classes.

In her free time, Caldwell and her husband – who teaches blacksmith classes at Fine Line – love to watch their son, Ryan, a musician, perform at local venues.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 45

ENIOR ORTRAITS

121 S. MAIN ST. | ALGONQUIN, IL 847-989-2782RONMCKINNEYPHOTO.COM

exploration

SCHOOL OF ART COMBINES CREATIVE EXPRESSION WITH CRITICAL THINKING Inside each of us – no matter our age, our training or our background – is an artist.

You might doodle on a napkin, retouch old family photos, draw whiteboard diagrams for business presentations or even make little animals out of twist ties. No matter the means or medium, the School of Art in Geneva believes that everyone has something to gain from exploring and practicing their art form.

The owners aren’t alone in that belief.

Shortly after opening in 2015, a retired neuropsychologist found herself needing something more during her days in retirement.

So, she enrolled in her first painting class since her days in school. Now she spends time in the studio three times a week, and has become a friend as well as a student.

“She really just found that art’s been a passion for her now that she’s retired,” says business manager Jennifer Siracusano.

The School of Art serves as a creative outlet for a diverse student body with wide ranging goals. From younger students exploring different artistic media to local business owners wanting to learn the Adobe suite in a bid to boost their brand or operation and advertising efforts, all students receive the same attention for their individual needs.

at Disney – having worked on films, such as “Aladdin,” “The Lion King” and “Lilo and Stich” – is the lead instructor. He is joined by instructors Amy Henkel and Bettina Adorjan.

The school offers classes in drawing, painting, animation, digital design and Lego EV3 Robotics. There are two classes for students in kindergarten through second grade, while a variety of classes cater predominantly to those in third through 12th grades. Vincent Siracusano also helps students looking to advance their education or career path by assisting them with the development and honing of their art portfolios.

Helping students grow as young artists is a key component of the school’s offerings. For younger children, the school focuses on fundamental approaches to art, working across diverse mediums to help the students see their subjects from different perspectives. The Siracusanos have found that students’ observation skills really start to improve by third grade, namely the vital ability to identify and organize shapes within items they observe in life.

Jennifer Siracusano uses the example of painting or drawing a Coca-Cola bottle to illustrate what that means.

Aiming to engage with students throughout the Tri-Cities, the Geneva school continues to extend itself, and its work, since it first opened.

The School of Art looks forward to continuing to engage with the community at a variety of levels in order to become a long-term part of the local fabric.

“Before third grade, they would not know, ‘Oh, that’s a cylinder with a cone on top,’” she says, adding that analysis and the visualization of shapes in classes is important. “That whole sequencing of how you build a drawing requires a little bit more thought than just, ‘OK. Everybody do it. Everybody make the circle.

Everybody make the cylinder below the circle.’

“Last year, we did every festival we could possibly participate in to reach out and become part of the community,” says Siracusano.

“Supporting the community – being part of the community – is a huge goal for us.”

The School of Art’s approach involves using critical thinking, as well as creativity during the art-making process. This allows each student to learn and understand their own particular approach to representing a subject.

Siracusano’s husband, Vincent, an animator turned art teacher with an extensive background

“The whole point of School of Art’s approach is if everybody’s copying the instructor, then they’re not really thinking and, if they’re not

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

BUSINESS & CIVIC

really thinking, then they’re not going to be able to reproduce that individually,” says Jennifer. “So, we want to teach them skills that they’re going to bridge to their life. We want to teach them skills that they’re going to use again and again and be able to pull out and know when it’s appropriate to use them.”

This approach makes each student’s art personal and a part of them.

Because when people express themselves through their art, then they begin to love the artist that is within them and they see the world in a slightly different and – possibly – better way.

– This story was contributed to

by Andrew Downie.

IF YOU GO SCHOOL OF ART WHERE: 1772 S. Randall Road, Suite 220, Geneva PHONE: 630-338-3833 WEBSITE: www.schoolofartchicago.com HOURS: Open Mondays through Saturdays.

For more information regarding class times and costs, email Jen@schoolofartchicago.com.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 47

Spring into action!

How to take the planting plunge

By MEAGAN PROVENCHER

Gardening is a great hobby and anyone of any age can enjoy it.

It doesn’t come with a lot of requirements, mandatory equipment or rules. However, many beginning gardeners are afraid to jump in and sometimes they get frustrated.

Gardening shouldn’t be hard or give you grief.

Here are some ideas to help you get started and get over some fears:

¢ Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

If you are a beginner, it makes no sense to try to landscape your entire yard in a weekend. Sure, the shows on DIY channels make it look so easy, but those shows often have an entire staff on-site (and off camera) that does all of the work. If you are a beginner DIY-er, separate your yard into sections. You’ll still end up with the same results but it will be at a pace with which you are comfortable.

¢ Don’t overthink it.

When gardening, many people worry about bugs, weeds, watering, weather, more bugs and maintenance. In the biz, we like to tell folks to “take it as it comes.” There is no magic chemical that you can spray to cure all woes (nor should you want to!). Watering is a science that no one fully understands,

but useful tips are available to help you attempt to master it. Maintenance is one of the most scrutinized aspects of gardening. New plants, for the most part, do just fine on their own once they have a growing season under their belt. Sure, plants will need an occasional drink in times of drought – or maybe a trim every four or five years – but they certainly don’t need to be messed with every day or even every week. To get the lowdown on the maintenance requirements of plants that you love before you buy them, talk to a garden center staff member.

¢ Don’t worry about killing

plants. (I do it all the time!)

Of course dead plants are not the desired outcome, but – sometimes – death happens. Use it as a learning experience.

Talk to garden center staff members and be honest when you explain how you cared for the plant. Sometimes plants just die. Other times you may have contributed to their death – but that’s OK! Just find out what went wrong and move on. The next plant will thank you for it.

¢ Don’t be afraid to ask

questions and educate yourself.

Good garden centers tend to staff the some of the best in the business.

Employees have a passion for their jobs and want to know everything and anything about plants. They also don’t mind questions. Nothing is considered “dumb,” as everyone can learn from even the most basic questions and concerns.

Bring a list of things that went wrong and tackle them all at once or email your questions as they arise. Also, try to attend seminars that take place at local garden centers. Bottom line, it’s my job to make you feel comfortable gardening, and I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do. Your success is my success, and I enjoy every step of it.

¢ If all else fails, hire a

professional.

It’s OK to hire a professional landscaper to help you tackle your yard. Use a landscaper to get your yard back in shape, and then take the reins once it’s been redone.

Meagan Provencher is the Senior Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery & Garden Center in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-5844424 or design@ wasconursery.com

Let Us Take Care of All Your

Landscaping Needs

• Landscape Design & Installation • 10-Acre Garden Center • Tree Planting • 140-Acre Retail Nursery • Greenhouses

Ask about our 3 Year Guarantee

Since 1925 Wasco Nursery has been known for its highquality, locally-grown plant and landscape material, expert advice and professional installation and design services.

No home is complete without beautiful landscaping. Choose from several design options to determine the process that best fits your project.

Visit us today @ wasconursery.com

“Meeting your growing needs since 1925.”

41W781 Route 64 | St. Charles | 630-584-4424 | wasconursery.com SM-CL0355887

HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 49

GOOD ADVICE

The GlassHalf-Full Guy:

TRAVEL TRUTHS Debunking myths

and doing away with terrible tips

By PETER STADALSKY

Being a traveler for almost a decade, I’ve gotten some pretty horrendous advice. Typically, it wasn’t true either.

Here is some of the worst travel advice that I’ve ever received: ¢ TRAVELING IS DANGEROUS This will probably be the first false fact that your friends and family will offer you. A majority of the people who give this advice have never even left their own country. The Global Peace Index Report, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, ranks countries from most peaceful to most dangerous. To give you an idea of where the U.S. scores – it’s not even in the top half of the most peaceful countries.

I’ve been to 15 foreign countries and never once felt threatened in any way. Letting fear dictate your travel choices severely limits wonderful possibilities. It is wise to do research about the areas you want to visit, but just because an attack happened in southern France doesn’t mean the entire country is a mayhem fest. A little dose of “street smarts” or intuition will suffice. If you don’t have it, bring someone who does.

¢ YOU NEED TO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY

u Peter Stadalsky is an Aurora resident and adventurer. He shares his travel experiences with a “glass-half-full” view of the world.

This depends. Are five-star hotels, private jets and all-inclusive resorts required for your journey? If so, then yes. If you are willing to pack a few lunches, fly coach and settle with a hostel or campsite, then this theory is trash.

Travel does not have to be synonymous with splurging.

Affording travel is really about budgeting, not trust funds or glamorous salaries. Last year, I traveled 121 days through Europe on a bicycle. I was able to budget my income at an entry-level job and save enough money for a four-month trip in just two years. This meant reducing how often I ate out, and I had to sacrifice entertainment, such as concerts, on occasion.

I kept my 10-year-old car instead of upgrading

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

OUT & ABOUT

and canceled my media subscriptions.

By delaying some instant gratifications at home, I got to experience a world of cultures.

¢ STICK TO POPULATED AREAS I don’t know who came up with this logic, but cities often have higher crime rates. Funnily enough, I’ve also heard the opposite advice: Stay away from populated areas.

Don’t take every piece of advice you receive to heart, including mine. I can’t remember how many times people said I was going to be kidnapped or fall victim to the next Jeffrey Dahmer. If I took their advice, or let the fears of others become my own fears, I would’ve missed out on hundreds of friendships and experiences. If you want to explore the world, impale those myths and go find out for yourself.

You won’t be disappointed you did.

Explore the places that entice you, enjoy the unique cities of the world, and don’t miss out on the richness of villages and small towns.

A cousin to this “safety in numbers” myth is “don’t talk to strangers.” Contrariwise, talking to strangers is how you make friends. Locals of the land know the best spots away from the tourist groove and can show you beyond the guidebooks. Ditch the guided tour for a day and spark up a conversation with a local. Most people are happy to make suggestions or even show you around. The magic of travel is in the unexpected.

Book Nook

TRAVEL TALES TO WHISK YOU AWAY

By ALLISON MANLEY

While it feels like we’ve had an unusually warm winter this year, I still find myself tempted to pack a bag and take a weekend trip somewhere warmer. I envy those who get to travel for work, since ¬– for me – travel is about meeting people and eating delicious local food.

For others, travel might be more about nature, spa visits or the exploration of different cultures or local history. Regardless of the reasons for traveling, its ability to transform and inspire has been so well-acknowledged by writers that there is an entire genre devoted to the subject.

Featuring travelers on three unique journeys, these books helped whisk me away as I daydreamed about warmer locales.

Allison Manley was born in Georgia and raised in Island Lake. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in creative writing. She loves opera, craft beer, and (of course!) reading.

52 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

¢ ‘I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT YOU’

By Terry McMillan In McMillan’s novel, Georgia – a divorced, 54-year-old eye doctor from California – learns from a patient that one of her former lovers died years earlier. The discovery prompts an epiphany, and she decides to take a train trip through Canada and find a new vocation in life.

Life gets in the way, however, as drama in the lives of the people close to her unfolds.

The novel – written by the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “Waiting To Exhale” – has enough emotional action to keep a reader interested, but the present tense and frequent switches between the past and the present really keep you on your toes. ‘I Almost Forgot About You’ isn’t just a reflection on romance. Through all of the reminiscing about old relationships, there’s also plenty of intergenerational frustration, frank meditation on (and appreciation of) aging and an understanding of what it means to be a friend. After sharing the experience of Georgia’s travels down memory lane, you may be surprised by the ending! ¢ ‘BLUE HIGHWAYS: A JOURNEY INTO AMERICA’

By William Least Heat-Moon William Least Heat-Moon’s travelogue is the embodiment of the road not taken – or rather, the road trip not taken – as he circles the U.S. continent for three months while avoiding large roads as much as possible. The book shows his off-the-beaten-path stops, many of which are in small towns, which he doesn’t portray through the stereotypical “quaint” lens you see in other depictions or rural life. He names his van Ghost Dancing, and it’s the perfect title for a vehicle that helps him explore the literal and figurative hauntings of the places he visits. The van’s name also reflects his relationship with his Native American identity, which regularly affects the interactions he has with the people he meets on his journey.

OUT & ABOUT

“Blue Highways” is a tasting menu of moments and memories, including brief – but substantial –descriptions of each town he visits. With each bit of local history, Least Heat-Moon also shows how he progresses on his personal journey; he gives readers so much fodder for introspection that they will inevitably join in their own journey of self-discovery. ¢ ‘STATION ELEVEN’

By Emily St. John Mandel Set decades after a new flu strain wipes out 99 percent of the population, “Station Eleven” follows a cast of characters as we see where their lives were before, during and after the initial devastating outbreak.

The primary character, Kirsten, is an actress and musician in the Traveling Symphony, which roams what was once known as America to perform works by William Shakespeare to anyone willing to listen. After accidentally losing two of its members, the troupe decides to search for an airport nicknamed the “Museum of Civilization” – one of the most denselypopulated areas left in the country.

Unlike other dystopian fictions, Mandel’s novel doesn’t offer any overt social or political commentary, and thus lacks the gritty writing you see in other post-apocalyptic pieces. There’s a part-sad, part-sentimental quality to the story as the characters muse on things they miss from before “Year Zero” – conveniences such as internet and ice cream, but also their loved ones who either died or were lost because they could no longer make contact over long distances. My favorite theme from the novel is that art – for better or for worse – can have a great impact on humanity and that, even in the midst of tragedy, it can give people hope.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Experienced the Sensation of “Yesterday Once More”

4 EXCITING NEW SHOWS

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE

“Yesterday Once More”: A upbeat ribute to the music of The Carpenters and other legendary artisits including Barbra Streisand, John Denver, Dolly Parton, Elvis & more. All shows feature original “Laugh out Loud” song parodies.

White Fence Farm

Chandler’s Chop House

2017 Lunch & Dinner Show 11:30 & 5:30 • August 25, 2017

2017 Lunch Show • 11:30 May 19, 2017

LETS GO TO THE HOP ONCE MORE “Let’s go to the Hop Once More”: A fun filled trip through the doo wop decades of the 50’s & 60’s

White Fence Farm

Chandler’s Chop House

2017 Lunch & Dinner Show 11:30 & 5:30 • June 23, 2017

2017 Lunch Show • 11:30 September 29, 2017

AMERICA ONCE MORE

“America Once More”: A patriotic salute to this great country of ours. Music from WWII, Korean War & Vietnam War Eras

White Fence Farm

Chandler’s Chop House

2017 Lunch & Dinner Show 11:30 & 5:30 • October 27, 2017

Advanced Tickets Now on Sale!

Each Show combines Music, Fun Facts & Unique Comedy with Original Laugh Out Loud Parodies.

White Fence Farm 1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville

Chandler’s Chop House 401 N. Roselle Rd, Schaumburg

CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE

“Christmas Once More”: Celebrate the season with Songs you know & love... and a few surprises! Featuring Seasonal “Laugh out Loud” song parodies.

White Fence Farm

2017 Lunch & Dinner Show 11:30 & 5:30 • December 1, 2017 2017 Lunch Show 11:30am • Dec. 5

CALL FOR TICKETS

www.yesterdayoncemoremusic.com

2017 Lunch Show • 11:30 July 20, 2017

630-816-8590

Chandler’s Chop House

2017 Lunch Show • 11:30 Dec. 8, 2017 2017 Lunch Show 11:30am • Dec 15

$40 EACH

INCLUDES MEAL, SHOW, TAX & TIP

ENRICH YOURSELF

A NEW ART SHOW OPENS MONTHLY

Join us on the second Friday of each month See amazing art, meet the artists, enjoy live music, a cash bar and free food! There’s something for everyone from 6pm to 9pm, so bring friends & family!

Learn more at

WaterStreetStudios.org 160 S Water Street, Batavia www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 53

Outside in Hickory Knolls senior outreach programs bring the natural world indoors

By CAROL HAGGAS Though the great outdoors beckons, it’s not always easy to get out there to enjoy it. From winter’s bone-chilling cold to summer’s energysapping humidity, there are days when a walk in the woods can be a daunting proposition even for the most intrepid trekkers.

life can relate to. From gardening and flower arranging to bird watching and hiking, many people have included nature in their daily lives through hobbies and special interests.

For permanent residents of retirement centers, assisted living or memory care facilities – or for regular drop-in attendees of senior activity groups – these nature-on-the-go programs serve a vital function: to connect seniors to and inform them of the many fascinating wonders of the natural world.

Many of Hickory Knolls’ Outreach Programs celebrate other cultures, such as the important Native American influence found in the St. Charles area. Other programs, such as “Home Sweet Home” and “Adorable Animal Babies,” shed new light on the resourcefulness of animals as they create habitats and nurture their young from babies to independent adults. Still others, such as “Life in the Desert” and “Secrets of the Rainforest,” introduce environments and habitats different from those found nearby.

“Nearly everyone has a treasured childhood memory that has to do with being outdoors But thanks to the outreach programs offered by and interacting with nature,” says Joy. “Maybe the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles, it was climbing a tree or playing in the creek. the sights, sounds and sensory delights of the These programs take people back to those happy outdoors can be enjoyed indoors. times.”

“We bring nature to a traditionally underserved segment of our population,” says Jeanette Joy, nature outreach coordinator. “People tend to think of educational programs as strictly being the purview of school groups and, while we do offer outreach to preschools and daycare groups, too, we are especially proud of the impact we’re making on the senior community.”

Through power point presentations, visuals and unusual props – such as shells, hides and feathers – Joy makes environmental subjects come alive by putting nature – literally – in the palms of audience members’ hands.

“We typically bring different animals’ pelts from our collection for people to pet,” says Joy. “They get a kick out of telling their grandchildren that they petted a skunk today.”

Nature itself is a unifying and universal theme that men and women of all ages and walks of

“Seniors have an inherent love of learning,” says Joy. “I really pack a lot of information into these programs, and the people who attend respond to being intellectually stimulated.”

For Joy, there is a real joy that comes from conducting these programs.

“I benefit from the interaction as much as they do,” Joy says, adding that the best part of her day is when she watches a person’s face light up as he or she touches a bear pelt for the first time.

Currently, Joy brings her outreach programs to more than a dozen different centers, serving the senior population of the Tri-Cities. In 2016, Joy conducted nearly 50 programs that reached more than 1,000 older adults.

u Each outreach program lasts about one hour and can be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. To arrange an outreach program, contact Jeanette Joy at jjoy@stcparks.org or 630-513-4357.

54 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Pottawatomie Golf Course Most Beautiful Golf Course in the Fox Valley!

Tournaments • Refreshments • Rentals • Pro Shop • Leagues • Lessons

2017 Green Fees (through September) Before 8am 8am-3pm 8am-3pm* 3pm-Twilight Replays & Twilight**

M-F $15 $19 $17 $15 $12

SaSu & Holiday $20 $20 $20 $20 $12

*Ages 18 & Under and Ages 60+ ** Walking only...times subject to change throughout the season due to change in daylight hours.

Carts & Club Rentals Pull Carts Riding Carts Clubs

$3 $10 per rider $15

The Perfect Gift! Punch Cards - $84 May be used for any tee time, a family outing or small group visits.

A Certified Audubon Sanctuary along the Fox River • A facility of the St. Charles Park District

845 N. Second Avenue, St. Charles, IL 60174 • In Pottawatomie Park

Tee Times: 630-584-8356 • pottawatomiegc.com

"See us for your next Cabinetry Project"

I.B. QUALITY CABINETS INC. Complete Service in Cabinets, Countertops

Your One Stop Shop • Family Owned & Operated • 4th Generation

Clothing and accessory store created with love and passion for all things unique, meaningful and practical.

Browse for yourself and find gifts for them.

SPRING

Specials

25 S Third St. Geneva, IL 60134

612 S. First Street, Geneva • 630.262.9133 • www.ibqualitycabinets.com www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

OUT & ABOUT

www.joriandjune.com KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 55

Artist SHOWCASE

ANDRIA BURCHETT | GENEVA COLORED PENCIL ON BLACK 'ERNEST B. AND THE RAG TAG RAMBLERS'

Like most artists, Andria Burchett has always dabbled in drawing. But when she discovered the colored pencil medium 26 years ago, it was just beginning to gain recognition in the world of fine art.

commissioned work. Her work was technically realistic, and she “worked hard to get every feature, value and texture perfect,” she says.

Over time, however, Burchett has continued to evolve creatively.

“The appeal of the colored pencil medium for me has evolved over the years, from convenience to technical mastery to creative experimentation,” she says.

“I was a young mom with three small children and one big dog, so it was quite appealing to me that this medium would not spill or need to be immediately put away after each use,” says Burchett.

“I need to be inspired by an emotionally-charged experience, challenged by a new technique or curious about a new substrate to commit to a project that will undoubtedly require months of drawing with this wax-based pigment,” she says.

In “Ernest B. and the Rag Tag Ramblers,” three of the musicians are brothers and the other members of the group were soccer teammates, who were performing together for the first time in a competition.

For many years, the Geneva resident focused on portraiture, and had a steady flow of

Just as the colored pencil has "grown up" in the world of fine art, Burchett finds that her work

"Their enthusiasm was infectious,” she says.

“There is an energy about this piece that I never

56 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

also is maturing.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

The ESO

Four-me Winner of IL Professional Orchestra of the Year!

Copland nd & Tchaikovsky TTc March M arch 3-5

Tickets start at just $30

Inside the Music

Brahms’ 4th SSymphony Brahms Sym

March M arch 31 31

Rachmaninoff & Brahms April A pril 1 & 2 Valet or free parking

get tired of. It is in the vibrant colors, the posture of the band members and – delightfully – in the ‘conversation’ between the guitar and banjo.” u To view more of Burchett’s work, visit beechtreestudio.com.

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.” www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Photo: Paolo Cascio

847-888-4000 8 4 7 - 8 8 8 - 400 0 OUT & ABOUT

ElginSymphony.Org ElginSymphony.Org KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 | 57

MARCH 2017

CALENDAR

‘SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET’ WHEN: Runs through March 19 (times vary) WHERE: Paramount Theatre 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Paramount Theatre in Aurora is staging “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” This Stephen Sondheim masterpiece has been nominated for Tony Awards in 3 different decades. The suggested rating is PG-13 and the runtime is 2 hours and 40 minutes, including 15-minute intermission. Tickets cost between $44 and $59. For tickets or more information, visit paramountaurora.com.

THE ALBRIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS ‘INCORRUPTIBLE’ WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m.

Sundays, running March 3 through March 18 WHERE: The Albright Theatre Company 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia “Incorruptible” is rated PG-13. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Reservations are highly recommended. To reserve a spot, call 630-405-8838. For more information, visit www. albrighttheatre.com.

BACKYARD BEEKEEPING CLASS WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, and Saturday, March 11 WHERE: Heritage Prairie Farm 2N308 Brundige Road, Elburn Heritage Prairie Farm will re-offer their interactive, two-part Backyard Beekeeping Class in March. The course will cover the basics of backyard beekeeping and everything you will need to know. To participate in the class, you must reserve your spot online. Tickets cost $100 a person. For tickets or more information, visit www.heritageprairiefarm.com/product/backyardbeekeeping-class.

KANE COUNTY FLEA MARKET WHEN: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 5 WHERE: Kane County Fairgrounds 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles The Kane County Flea Market features up to 1,000 dealers selling antiques, collectibles and more. A country breakfast is served on Sundays. For more information, visit www.kanecountyfleamarket.com.

AN EVENING OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER WHEN: 3 p.m. March 5 WHERE: Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles

MAPLE SUGARING DAYS WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. March 11 through March 12 WHERE: Creek Bend Nature Center 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles

Arcada Theatre will host a salute to the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, including hits from “The Phantom of The Opera,” “Cats,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and more. For tickets and more information, call 630-962-7000 or visit www. arcadalive.com.

The Creek Bend Nature Center will host its annual celebration of spring – Maple Sugaring Days.

Naturalists from the Forest Preserve District of Kane County will teach guests how to tap a maple tree.

Attendees also will be able to watch sap as it thickens to syrup, sample pure syrup and join a "Sugarin' Time" hike to learn to distinguish maples from other trees.

For more information, call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com.

CREATE. FRIDAY. – ‘THERMOFAX’ WHEN: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 10 WHERE: Fine Line Creative Arts Center 37W570 Bolcum Road, St. Charles Designed as a stress reliever, Create.Friday. explores your inner artist. One Friday a month, attendees will be able to create a finished piece in a friendly atmosphere. During the March event, participants will learn to quickly embellish fabric using a Thermofax copier. Fine Line will provide scarves for guests to print on. Each month will feature a different project.

The cost is $48. Registration is required. For more information, visit fineline.org.

GREEN NIGHT OUT: THE WISDOM TO CHANGE WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 11 WHERE: Batavia City Hall, Council Chambers 100 Island Ave., Batavia The Batavia Environmental Commission, with the support of the Batavia Park District, will host Batavia’s ninth annual Green Night Out at the Movies. The “green”-themed film “The Wisdom To Survive” will be screened. The movie accepts the consensus of scientists that climate change has already arrived, and asks, what is keeping us from action? The free screening also will include free popcorn and a drink (for those that bring a reusable cup and bowl). After the film, there will be a discussion. The Eco Expo starts at 6 p.m. and the program and movie start at 7 p.m. For more information, keyword search the event on Facebook.

ST. PATRICK'S PARADE WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (activities) March 11. The parade is at 2 p.m.

WHERE: 6th Street and Main Street in downtown St. Charles The St. Patrick's Parade will feature Irish dancers, authentic Irish music, floats and more. For more information, visit downtownstcharles.org/stpats.



The Norris welcomes back The Ragged Rascals to "Music in the Gallery." The group performs their own brand of Irish songs just in time for St. Patrick's day. For additional information, visit www. norrisculturalarts.com.

‘THIS IS NOT WHAT I ORDERED’ – PLAYHOUSE 38 WHEN: 7 p.m. March 16 through March 18; and 5 p.m. March 19 WHERE: Playhouse 38 321 Stevens St., Suite P, Geneva “This is Not What I Ordered” is a Playhouse 38 adult production. Enjoy a night out with a funny and touching play about finding love. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For tickets or more information, visit genevaparks.org.

YOGA AT FOX RIVER DISTILLING COMPANY WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18 WHERE: Fox River Distilling Company 204 Dearborn Court, Suite 110, Geneva There will be a yoga Class followed by a tour of the distillery and sampling of some home-grown (distilled) spirits, including vodkas, moonshine, whiskey, bourbon and lemoncello. Space is limited. Tickets cost $20. For more information, visit www.bentdogyoga.com or find the event on Facebook by keyword searching “Yoga at Fox River Distilling Company.”

BACKYARD CHICKENS WORKSHOP WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday, March 19 WHERE: Garfield Farm Museum 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills Interested in having a small flock of backyard chickens but don’t know where to start? Garfield Farm staff member Dave Bauer and volunteer Samira Bamberger will host an introduction to raising chickens, from incubation to egg collection. Reservations are required. The cost is $8. For more information, visit www.garfieldfarm.org.

tea • oil and vinegar • spice • essential oil

29 N. River St., Batavia • 630-425-3340 58 | MARCH 2017 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

THE RAGGED RASCALS – ST. PADDY'S PREVIEW WHEN: 3 p.m. March 12 WHERE: Norris Cultural Arts Center 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles

OUT & ABOUT

LARRY REEB AT ZANIES WHEN: March 23 through March 25 WHERE: Zanies Comedy Club at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles Stand-up comedian Larry Reeb will take the stage at Zanies Comedy Club. Attendees must be 21 years old or older. There is a two drink/food minimum purchase per person. For tickets, call 630-524-0001 or visit www.stcharles.zanies.com. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Bring in this ad for * 15% off your Entire Bill *Mondays & Tuesdays only through April 15, 2017. BYOB excluded.

Restaurant Located at 131 S. First St., St. Charles 630.444.0202 | www.isaccokitchen.com isacco@isaccokitchen.com Private Chef • At Home Cooking • Cooking Demos

Let us create the kitchen of your dreams.

Fine Custom Cabinetry

AWARD-WINNING DESIGNERS AND ARTISAN TRADESMEN

321 Stevens Street, Geneva • 630.232.9500 www.genevacabinetgallery.com HOURS: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or by appointment