KCM-10-1-2013 by Shaw Media

OCTOBER 2013

Woman of Distinction

Meet CASA Kane Countyâ€™s Gloria Bunce, and nine other local women honored this month PAGE 26

Money Talks!

Get valuable advice offered up from local finance pros PAGE 8

Great Spot to stop:

Marwan Taib welcomes diners to experience craft beer and a creative menu, at Spotted Fox Ale House | PAGE 42

I talk to a lot of women. Whether I’m corresponding with a reader, trading “war” stories with other moms, or enjoying the camaraderie of my girlfriends over a glass of wine, my connection to women in our communities seems to grow stronger by the day. I think its fair to say we all know someone affected by breast cancer – mother, a sister, a wife, a friend – as it has become a disease that takes so much, but also shows us the value of the women around us. In this important awareness month, Kane County Magazine sat down to speak with some remarkable women, with unique and inspiring outlooks on this ongoing battle. We spent an awe-inspiring afternoon with Andrea Redmond Ferguson, a local business woman, author, philanthropist and international volunteer. She shares her take on a disease she continues to battle, and the surprising life lessons that she credits to her journey

On the lighter side, family columnist Michelle Stien takes her glib look at motherhood to new heights this month, as she waxes nostalgic for Halloween, in pearls and pumps. Money talks, and this month, it’s the local financial pros who have the floor, to offer advice and counsel on a variety of important financial topics. As always, the issue is full of things to do in and around your home. There is a new stop for tapas in St. Charles, runway shows and vocal concerts, and a wide array of fall festivities and Halloween activities. Whatever your pleasure, The Tri-Cities have it covered. So take a break from the daily grind and enjoy life this season, in Kane County. Thanks for reading -

We visited an innovative support facility in Geneva that’s been tending to the emotional and spiritual side of cancer recovery long before it was a recognized therapy. Through programs on nutrition, yoga, and stress management, Living Well Cancer Center is helping patients keep their lives moving throughout their battles with cancer.

Sherri Dauskurdas Editor

Magazine Publisher J. Tom Shaw jtshaw@shawmedia.com General Manager Jim Ringness 630-845-5228 jringness@shawmedia.com Editor Sherri Dauskurdas 630-427-6209 sdauskurdas@shawmedia.com Designer Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com

We take a moment to investigate the issues behind another cancer threat, HPV. This virus affects men and women, usually young adults, and has the potential to lead to cervical cancer. We offer the low-down on the virus, its implications, and its controversial vaccine.

Account Manager Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 spetti@shawmedia.com on the

COVER

Gloria Bunce, Director of CASA Kane County, advocates on behalf of Kane County children in desperate situations. She is one of 10 women honored by us this month, with a Woman of Distinction Award. Page 26 Photo by ANDREW YOUNG Salon services by OS2 SALON, GENEVA Stylist-Paul McNassar Makeup-Lynnette DeCorte Shot on location at Herrington Inn & Spa, Geneva

4 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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

Account Manager Tricia Walter 630-845-5272 twalter@shawmedia.com Correspondents Elizabeth Harmon, Yvonne Benson, Melissa Riske, Wendy Foster, Michelle Stien, Allison Horne, Martha Maddi Photographers Mary Solberg, Sean King, Jodi Dazzo, Jennifer Kaye, Andrew Young Kane County Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send payment information and address to Kane County Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@ shawmedia.com. kanecountymagazine.com

Inside 6 PERFECT HARMONY | St. Charles singers celebrate an anniversary of community entertainment

Home & Lifestyle 8 MONEY TALKS | Protect your finances with advice and guidance from local financial pros.

Health & Fitness 18 LIFE, BEYOND CANCER | Living Well Cancer Center in Geneva offers care, compassion and camaraderie to its patients, under the specialized care of outstanding local medical experts. 20 STATE-OF-THE-ART, IN THE HEART OF THE TRI-CITIES Cadence Cancer Center opens its doors in Geneva, with a modern high-tech focus on cancer treatment and care. 22 THE HPV ARGUMENT | It’s a virus that potentially can cause ovarian cancer, yet debate rages between parents and physicians over administering its vaccine to young girls.

Special Event: Women of Distinction 26 2013 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS | Shaw Media and the Kane County Magazine will honor 10 of the county’s most remarkable women, for their contributions to community and cause.

A GOOD LIFE

Business woman, philanthropist, author and volunteer Andrea Redmond Ferguson finds hope and opportunity in life’s trials Photo by Jodi Michelle Photography

kanecountymagazine.com

Fashion & Beauty 36 IN THE BAG | Boring briefcases be gone! The new season’s bags boast cool hardware and hot features for today’s busy woman.

Dining & Entertaining 41 WINE NICHE | Autumn has arrived in all its glory, and with it comes rich roasted meals and bold red wines. Vince Ballistreri shares his favorites for the season. 44 GOOD FOOD, SMALL PACKAGES | Spain's popular tapas cuisine has sparked a revolution in suburban dining, from traditional Spanish favorites to small plates of every variety.

Family in Focus 49 THE STEPFORD WIFE | Columnist Michelle Stien has discovered her alter ego, and a “scary” new blog, just in time for the Halloween holiday.

OUT & ABOUT 54 ARTIST SHOWCASE | Kevin Hunter of Batavia shares his oil on canvas piece, “Twins”. 56 CALENDAR | All the best our communities have to offer this month is at your fingertips. Our calendar will have you stepping out all over the area. 58 SOCIAL LIFE | The area’s most artistic and avante garde came out to celebrate fine art and fashion at the Water Street Studios runway show.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 5

St. Charles Singers

Commence 30th Season The St. Charles Singers, the internationally recognized professional chamber choir founded and conducted by Jeffrey Hunt, will launch its celebratory 30th season of choral artistry with a concert titled “Luminescence,” to be presented in St. Charles on Saturday, Oct. 5 and in Wheaton on Sunday, Oct. 6. The St. Charles Singers’ debuted in 1984 as the 14-member ensemble Mostly Madrigal Singers, made up of Hunt’s musically talented friends and family members from the Tri-Cities area and beyond. Its first public performance, on December 19 of that year in the Rainbow Room of the Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles, was held as a benefit for the local Salvation Army. The concert of Christmas music raised $400 for the charity, Hunt recently recalled in telephone interview.

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Today, the St. Charles Singers is an acclaimed choir of some 34 voices, all of whom audition for their positions and are compensated for rehearsals and concerts. The current roster includes three singers from the original 1984 ensemble: soprano Grace Bardsley and alto Jennifer Hunt, both of St. Charles; and chorus master Jeffrey Hunt — also a St. Charles resident — who sang in the tenor section during the organization’s early years. Over the decades, the choir has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival and with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, with whom it recorded a CD for the Naxos label. It has embarked on three European tours. The choir has sung live on Chicago’s WFMT-FM and was the subject of a profile on WTTW-TV.

Notably, it has earned the respect of British composer and chorus master John Rutter, a choral music superstar of the English-speaking world, who has flown to the United States on several occasions to guest-conduct the St. Charles Singers in the western suburbs and Chicago — and will do so again in May for the St. Charles Singers’ season-finale concerts. The St. Charles Singers also is in the midst of its Mozart Journey, a multi-year initiative launched in 2010 that’s providing audiences with the rare opportunity to hear all of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sacred choral music. The 2013-14 season concerts will reflect the ensemble’s enthusiasm for Mozart, while celebrating its history and displaying its special

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strengths and signature sound, Hunt says. “We’ll be looking ahead more than we’ll be looking back,” Hunt says. “I expect we’ll be making music for at least another 30 years.” Hunt’s ensemble has preserved the verve for public service that marked its debut concert. For many years, the ensemble performed at fundraisers for the Kane County branch of CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization that assists abused and neglected children. Each spring, the organization awards scholarship money to local high school seniors who’ve shown a commitment to choral music. In June, a group of performers from the choir donated their services to sing the national anthem at the opening ceremonies for the Tri-Cities Relay for Life event at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva, which benefited the American Cancer Society. The St. Charles Singers will present its Christmas concert, “Candlelight Carols: Carols and Anthems of the Season” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, North Michigan Avenue at East Delaware Place, Chicago; at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles; and at 3 p.m., Sunday, December 8, at Baker Memorial in St. Charles. In January,The St. Charles Singers will be joined by Anima, the internationally recognized, Glen Ellyn-based youth choral organization, for “Mozart for the Masses,” the eighth installment in the St. Charles Singers’ Mozart Journey series. “Mozart for the Masses” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1010 W. Webster Ave., Chicago; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, at Baker Memorial church in St. Charles. Tickets and general information about the St. Charles Singers are available at www. stcharlessingers.com or by calling (630) 513-5272. Tickets are also available at Townhouse Books, 105 N. Second Ave., St. Charles (checks or cash only at this ticket venue). Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the day of the concert, depending on availability. Group discounts are available. -Kane County Magazine

kanecountymagazine.com

Survival Saturday Series at Primrose Farm

Whether you’re preparing for the zombie apocalypse or the next superstorm, your local living history museum has skills to teach for everyy survival situation. Allow stewards of traditional knowledge and modern experts to prepare you for o real crisis situations. With a little help you can do more than survive, you can thrive.

SURVIVA SATURDAY L S

0pm Chicken Butchering | Sat, Oct 19 3-4:30pm Ages 18+ | Resident $30/Nonresident $45 | Code: 22960 Learn humane and respectful butchering skills for chickens and other animals. Dispatch, dress, butcher and take home a chicken from the Primrose flock. Get Off the Road, Quick! | Sat, Nov 9 3-4:30pm Ages 8+ | Resident $10/Nonresident $15 | Code: 22962 Learn how to travel while covering your signs and track game. Hike the Primrose trails with staff as you practice tracking, stealth and dissembling a small camp. Water, Water Everywhere | Sat, Dec 14 3-4pm Ages 8+ | Resident $5/Nonresident $10 | Code: 22961 The survival essential needed first in any situation is water. Look at commercial options for water filtration and purification, improvised techniques and examine the ready-made stockpiles available in every home.

primrosefarmpark.com

5N726 Crane Road | 630-513-4370 KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 7

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Money Talks:

Divorce

A lot of life’s dilemmas revolve around money. Divorce is no different. But adding financial worry to an already emotional event makes it all the more difficult to keep a clear head about your finances. We took time with Marilyn Black, St. Charles resident and financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Geneva, for some helpful advice when it comes to making financial decisions in the midst of a divorce. Q. What is the single biggest financial concern for women going through divorce? A. “Will I have enough money to last the rest of my life?” This question is what causes so much anxiety and fear about life after divorce. It can cause you to feel out of sorts and overwhelmed, making the simplest decisions a challenge and financial affairs overwhelming. Q. Should I keep the house? A. There are pros and cons. Many people want to close the chapter on the family home once they are working through the realities of a divorce or loss of a spouse. I always recommend my clients think about what the ideal next home would be, where it would be located, what amenities do they need and then go look at open houses. In most situations, the idea of downsizing seems like a no-brainer; however, after doing the research they come to realize the next home likely is going to cost as much as they might net on the existing home, is obviously smaller since they usually downsize and many times more costly in terms of assessments, real estate taxes, etc. Of course there are those circumstances

8 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

where the real estate market correction makes it impossible for either party to keep the house. If there are school age children involved and it is at all feasible to maintain the family home, I always recommend that the couple set aside their personal differences and do whatever they can to keep the children in their home as long as possible. So many things change for children during a divorce but if they are to remain in the family home, the structure and the security of that home can really help them while they process the changes in their lives that they have had no part of and no control over. Q. Is there any financial benefit to seeking full custody vs. joint custody of the children? A. The children’s welfare should always be the first priority. If it is a situation where the parties children are literally splitting time equally between their two parents’ homes then it is also likely that neither party is paying child support. Most times there is a primary residential parent who receives child support from the non-residential parent, which amount is most likely similar or equal to a parent receiving child support who has full custody.

Q. What tax implications exist on the support I receive from my ex? A. This is something to pay close attention to the details as you negotiate your settlement as the amount you are receiving, if considered maintenance, will most likely be reportable and taxable to you. If you have not set aside the taxes over the course of the year, you may get an unpleasant surprise on your first post-divorce tax filing. There are no tax implications if you are receiving child support. If you are receiving payments representing the property settlement per a Marital Settlement Agreement, then ordinarily these payments are neither taxable to the party receiving them nor tax deductible to the party making the payments. However, if you are receiving maintenance a/k/a alimony, the payments made to one spouse by the other are both taxable to the recipient as well as tax deductible to the payer. My best advice to any woman is to be engaged in her financial affairs. This means despite being busy with your career, raising children and caring

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Jobs may change. Retirement dreams don’t have to.

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for elderly parents, be involved in the family finances. Should the unfortunate happen and you lose your spouse either by death or divorce, and you took the time to be involved, you will be prepared to confidently make smart financial decisions for you and your family during a crisis. This simply means know what you have compiled as a couple, be sure beneficiaries of life insurance, 401(k)’s and IRA’s are correct, know what bills you have and how they get paid, where your bank and investment accounts are held and whose names are on those accounts. Of course, always involve professionals to help guide you. Consult a good attorney, a CPA and a financial advisor who are all willing to work together in your best interests and make the process much easier and less time-consuming for you, during good times and bad. Finally, involve a family law attorney very early on before signing any deeds or documents, transferring or liquidating assets or making other decisions without understanding tax, practical and legal consequences.

If you’ve left a job and have a 401(k) or other retirement accounts, don’t forget about them. Rolling over assets you have with former employers or other institutions to an Ameriprise IRA can be important in making your retirement dreams a reality. Understanding and managing your retirement income strategies can help you put a conﬁdent retirement within reach. To start a conversation, call me at (630) 762.6556. Steve Smith Financial Advisor Associate Vice President 3 N. Second Street, Suite 200 St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 762.6556 Toll Free: 1 (800) 942.5959 Steven.L.Smith@ampf.com

MORE WITHIN REACHSM Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future ﬁnancial results. Brokerage, investment and ﬁnancial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2013 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Marilyn Black is a Geneva, IL based Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley serving individuals and families. Her mission is to help create a world where every woman is engaged in her financial affairs, confident in making smart financial decisions and feeling more comfortable enjoying life in their pursuit of happiness. Marilyn is a long time resident of St. Charles and is involved in area women’s and animal advocacy groups as well as hosting monthly Women Engaged and Educated events. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, or its affiliates.

Retirement isn’t an end. It’s just the beginning. A long and successful career should be followed by a long and happy retirement. Make it happen for you, by investing properly and following a solid investment plan both now and through your retirement years. Rick Romano Senior Vice President Financial Advisor 10 West State Street, Suite 204 Geneva, IL 60134 630-262-2038 rick.romano@morganstanley.com

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

www.morganstanleyfa.com/ rick.romano

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 9

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Retirement. For some of us, it seems a lifetime away. For others, itâ€™s soon to be a reality. But in todayâ€™s financial environment, the old standbys of retirement planning may not be the best bets.

Money Talks:

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A: Everyone is so different with regard to income and financial obligations. I can’t give a percent that works by age. However everyone should definitely contribute to a 401(k) if available. Start with as much as you can afford while keeping in mind the other expenses you’ll have in the years prior to retirement. If it means starting with as little as 1 percent the first year then increasing by 1 percent every year, in a few years you will be making substantial progress toward a comfortable retirement and you won’t even notice the payroll deductions. Q: How should I modify my risk as I get closer to retirement? A: There are a several types of risk. One may be that your retirement accounts decline so much in value there isn’t enough recovery time before retirement. Another may be that your accounts aren’t invested properly to provide reliable income in retirement. How many people want to start work again if they’ve made poor investment decisions? There are some fortunate people who don’t need income from their retirement accounts,

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but for most, investment choices are very important. You and your investment advisor can discuss these things in detail. Q: How can I get all my retirement fund money in one spot so I can better manage it? A: You’re allowed to rollover old 401(k) plans and IRAs into one single IRA. It’s a simple process that takes only a week or two to complete in most cases. Then you’ll be able to diversify properly to meet your objectives and keep track of your progress. Q: Is there any financial advantage to retiring earlier than 65? A: You may have a family situation or personal goals which would lead to you consider retiring early. From a strictly financial point-of-view, continuing to work at a career you enjoy until full Social Security retirement age and even to the maximum Social Security age of 70 would be desirable.

Q: What’s the biggest concern for women planning for retirement? A: It seems that women and men both are concerned about having adequate income during retirement to be able to pursue their retirement dreams. They want to feel like the day-to-day changes in the economy and the stock markets are not going to derail their plans. Q: What differences should I consider when opting for a traditional pre-tax 401(k), or an after-tax option? A: Generally I feel that for individuals in their 20s to 50s, the after-tax Roth 401(k) is an outstanding option. When you retire, all of your withdrawals come out tax-free and you’ve had many years of growth and compounding. For someone starting much later in life, it may be better to take the pre-tax option to reduce your current income tax obligation. Q: Do I need to make frequent changes to my investments in retirement? A: Generally, I feel that you should be invested so that frequent changes are not necessary or desirable. Retirement should be a time to enjoy life. If you have to worry constantly about your retirement accounts, I don’t believe those accounts are invested properly.

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As an Ameriprise financial advisor, Steve Smith believes success should be measured not just by your financial well-being, but by how confident you feel about your future. With 29 years of experience in retirement planning and strategy, his mission is to help clients reach their financial goals through a relationship based on personalized, knowledgeable advice, giving clients greater confidence.

815-541-0653 KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 11

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Q: How much should I be putting away for retirement in my 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s?

GREAT WESTERN FLOORING CO. The Great Western Flooring Company began in 1981 as a family owned and operated business serving Chicago’s Western Suburbs. Built on a foundation of hard work, attention to detail and a joy in serving people, GWF’s rapid growth was easy to predict. Today, GWF remains devoted the A.R.T. of Flooring: Accountability, Reliability and Trust – our promises to you. GWF transforms your Chicago area home with flooring design and installation that bring style, function and flow to your rooms. With insight into both current trends and classic fashions, we provide the skill, creativity and materials to make your home a more defined expression of you. Your investment is then secured with our outstanding warranties, giving you the peace of mind and security to enjoy your GWF purchase for years to come. 2061 LINCOLN HWY | ST. CHARLES, IL NEXT TO HOBBY TOWN-BEHIND GOODY'S 630-488-3000 www.greatwesternflooring.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreatWesternFlooring Twitter: www.twitter.com/GWFlooring Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/GWFlooring

Fall In Love Janeen Home Décor

can provide the answer to your design question. Whether you simply need help with refreshing a silk floral arrangement or would like to have an in home design consultation Janeen O’Brien and her knowledgeable staff can be of great help to you. Over the last 20 years, Janeen has helped many Geneva area home owners turn their house into the home of their dreams. She helps folks with color selection, furniture placement and can take the mystery out of interior design challenges. Our shop in historic downtown Geneva is also a fun place to celebrate all the holidays, right now we are busting with great Fall and Halloween décor, and new Christmas items are coming out every day. Janeen and her crew also decorate the interior of over 40 homes for the Christmas Holidays. 215 W. STATE ST. | GENEVA, IL | 630-232-7885

Photos by Jennifer Kaye

Windmill City Spinners & More Décor

Windmill City Spinners & More Décor recently has opened its doors, behind the historic Gammon House,13 South Batavia Ave. Batavia. Local owners Bill and Julie Saloga are proudly fulfilling their enterprenuerial dreams, while following a family tradition in home decor set forth by Bill’s parents Vickie and Marc Roth, 20-year owners of the Cottage Garden Farm in Waupaca, Wisconsin. The shop specializes in artisan garden spinners, crafted by Bill’s skilled hands. These beautiful pieces are as efficient as they are artistic, using an aerodynamic and bearing technology Bill and his dad developed, allowing the spinner to perform with as little as two m.p.h windspeed. Windmill City’s artistic presentation of home, garden and seasonal décor makes the shop a worthy destination in the Tri-cities. 13 S. BATAVIA AVE. | BATAVIA | 630–406–6801 Facebook us @ Windmill City Spinners

Photos by Jodi Michelle Photography

WITH YOUR HOME Wasco Nursery & Garden Center

Located on Route 64 west of St. Charles, Wasco Nursery and Garden Center has been growing great trees since 1925. But you will find a lot more today: Three farms totaling nearly 160 acres; a 10-acre retail garden center; landscape design, water gardening, and garden gift departments; delivery and planting services. It also is the place to go for all your fall planting and decorating needs. Pumpkins, gourds, mums, grasses, cabbages, kales and more will bring a fresh look to your home. You have plenty of time this fall to plant some trees, shrubs, evergreens or perennials. Plan ahead this fall and plant spring blooming bulbs. After 88 years, Wasco Nursery is still focused on its mission to provide area residents with high-quality, locally-grown plant and landscape material, expert advice, profession installation and design service. 41W781 Route 64 | St. Charles 6 miles west of Randall Road 630-584-4424 | Wasconursery.com Photos by Jodi Michelle Photography

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Breathe

life into

home decor

ature is bringing a breath of freshness into home decorating, but it's more than just incorporating flowering pots or opening windows. The latest home decorating trend features natural elements in the textures and finishes of furniture and accessories, giving homeowners an elegant - and often calming - result of blending nature and home living into a beautiful space.

Walk in and Make Your Own

Terrariums

Bring your own containers or use ours. Classes forming now, call today for more information!

27 S. Third Street, Geneva 630-208-MOSSY www.TheMossyTwig.com 14 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Bring this elegance into your own home with the following tips: • Exotic wood. Try rosewood or zebra wood - woods formerly reserved for custom furniture. As both new construction and remodeling projects embrace the open floor plan concept, cabinets are visible from several rooms, which makes it a style upgrade not only for the kitchen, but for adjacent rooms, as well. • Organic furniture. Leave table tops in a natural oak wood finish, or incorporate driftwood into furniture or accessories. The pale gray coloring of driftwood combined with honey or pale colors used on other furniture or the walls is opening up spaces. • Beautiful bathroom. The natural look isn't just for the kitchen and living areas; it's also perfect for the bathroom. Vanities and mirrors can harness the warmth of

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Weddings withElegance Medinah Banquets 550 Shriners Dr. • Addison, IL weddingswithus.com

630.458.0200 Prime Friday and Sunday Dates Available! Plus discount pricing on select dates for 2014. Call for details wood species using high-definition scans that are printed on the backside of the glass surface. The result: an easy-tomaintain material that won't be affected by humidity or heat. A trend to consider: the Belgiuminfluenced neo-industrial style, which brings a softer, natural yet industrial touch to rooms. Combine wood elements with metal - even if that metal is a gold leaf.

Ask us about our off-premise catering Convenient to expressways north, south, east and west. Serving Chicago and Suburbs since 1959.

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If you can't afford major landscaping, focus on the entrance to the home. Updating with paint and hardware on the front door will be a welcoming touch, while a couple of really great potted plants at the entryway add to that focal point. Seeking to add color to your home's exterior? Take into account the colors of fixed features related to your home, such as the brick, stone or stucco found on your foundation, porch or walkway. Selecting color options for the trim, shutters and the front door should only come after the main color has been selected.

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Remodeling • Additions • Kitchens • Baths

TOM RITCHIE

CONSTRUCTION

Inc.

The railing is a sure way to upgrade any deck from drab to fab - adding style, as well as safety and support. Enhance the beauty of your railing and set the mood for alfresco dinners with LED dimmable deck lighting that will extend the time you can spend outdoors. -More Content Now

tomritchieconstruction.com • 630.584.4400

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 15

Photo by Jodi Michelle Photography

LIFE Andrea Ferguson finds hope and opportunity in life's trials By Wendy Foster

There’s a sign over a doorway in her home that reads, "A good life is not the same thing as an easy life." It’s an adage to which Andrea Redmond Ferguson fervently subscribes. Corporate executive, Geneva restaurant owner and local philanthropist, Ferguson proclaims that she has a life that's perfect for her. “I am so blessed. I’m involved with all things that I’m passionate about, and I’m working with people who are just extraordinary,” she says Perfect, perhaps. But as her door sign denotes, not easy. Over the past 14 years, Ferguson has battled breast cancer four times, most recently in 2012. When diagnosed, Ferguson had been working for a large, global executive search firm, where she was employed for 20 years. She commanded her career despite her disease, and her experiences inspired her to co-author the book “Comebacks: Powerful Lessons from Leaders Who Endured Setbacks and Recaptured Success on Their Terms.” Eventually, Ferguson decided she was ready for a “different life,” she says. She cut back, settling on working half time with one of the CEOs she had recruited in the past. This schedule frees her up to pursue her other, very diverse interests. Locally, Ferguson is on the board of directors for Allstate Corporation, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Living Well Cancer Resource Center in Geneva. She also serves on the advisory council for the Breast Cancer Research

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Foundation in New York. But for the past several years, Ferguson has become very involved with redevelopment efforts in Rwanda. A few years back, a friend encouraged her to join the board of Bridge 2 Rwanda, a not-for-profit that helps to support the nation’s recovery. As the result of her work on the board, she became a member of the advisory council for the president of Rwanda, traveling to the African nation twice yearly to meet with the council. Ferguson has had Rwandan college students living in her home, and has co-authored the book “Rwanda, Inc.: How a Devastated Nation Became an Economic Model for the Developing World.” Closer to home, Ferguson embraced her passion as an avid equestrian and foxhunter, as owner of Bull Run Equestrian Center in Elburn with her husband, Bill Ferguson. “I’d ridden horses and fox hunted for many years and of all of the facilities I visited, Bull Run was one that I loved, and it became available to buy. We have a team of people who are terrific, and a great group of boarders too. We’re really blessed,” she says. Another endeavor of love was Niche Restaurant in Geneva. “We were friends with the former owners of 302 West, which was the restaurant on the corner of Third Street and State. When that fell apart, we felt that the western suburbs needed to continue to have a fine dining restaurant.” she said. “In my

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A Good

business I had to be a quick study and be able to do a deep dive. I thought, ‘how hard could it be?’ "The truth is, this is very difficult but we have an amazing team,” she says. Amidst all of the joys of her many interests, Ferguson said that her multiple battles against cancer have, without question, had an enormous impact on her life and that of her family. “With the repeated recurrences, I’ve had to find a way to live with that little voice on my shoulder asking, ‘when will this come back again?’" Not wanting her experiences to be wasted, Ferguson often commiserates with people who are newly diagnosed with cancer. “If I don’t do that, what is the purpose? It makes sense for me to turn this around and help someone else,” she says. Ferguson added that she finds gifts in everything., including her diagnosis. “That makes a lot of people mad when I say that," she explained. "When you’re sitting getting chemo and you’re really sick and knowing that you have months ahead of the same, the last thing you want to hear is that there’s a gift. But if you can come out on the other end and survive it, you hopefully have a different appreciation for your life and the value of others. It sounds trite, but I’ve learned to really live life to the fullest.” Ferguson said that the sign above the doorway in her home helps to guide her. “I’m very blessed in every way to have had all of the experiences that I’ve had, to lead me to where I am today,” she says.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 17

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Life, beyond cancer Support center helps patients live well after diagnosis By Wendy Foster Life changes after a cancer diagnosis. “You hear those words and nothing is the same again,” says Nancy Vance. “But it doesn’t mean you can’t live well with cancer, because the fact is … you can.” Vance has seen it first-hand. As executive director of Living Well Cancer Resource Center in Geneva, she works with staff and volunteers dedicated to making it possible for more than 1,500 people each year to live well, despite their diagnoses. Living Well provides psychosocial support services, education, wellness activities and information to cancer patients, their families and caregivers.

18 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Founded eight years ago by people whose own lives had been touched by cancer, the Living Well center fills the important need for support for cancer patients and their loved ones as they navigate a new, complex, and often overwhelming journey. “We call Living Well a ‘soft place to fall’ for people facing cancer,” says Vance. “Our people are so compassionate and caring, many times people say entering the building feels like getting a hug.” Living Well has 14 staff members and 150 dedicated volunteers. Of the volunteers, about half are professionals in related fields, including oncologists, massage therapists, nutritional counselors, social workers and more.

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Living Well is supported by Cadence Health System, which purchased the center’s building after it outgrew its former site. However, LivingWell operates independently from Cadence, with its own board of directors and staff. All services are provided free of charge. Consequently, Living Well is completely dependent on private and corporate donors and grants to support its programs. “The coolest thing is that we serve anybody, regardless of where they receive their medical care,” says Vance. “We have a presence in 15 different hospitals and cancer centers. This is a real tribute to Cadence. They want us to be able to serve anyone. I find that amazing.” Vance adds that more professionals and patients are recognizing the tremendous impact that Living Well is making, and as a result, the number of participants at Living Well has been growing by at least 25 percent each year.

“More and more people are understanding and learning about what we do and how we help. We have physicians from 26 oncology practices and 19 hospitals referring to us,” Vance says. Participants receiving services from Living Well such as counseling, massage, nutritional support and more, are likely to have better outcomes including pain management, less anxiety and depression and fewer ER visits.

Vance and her team members treasure the positive impact that they have on the lives of people throughout their community. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” she says. “It is such a privilege to be part of this organization, and every staff member feels the same way.”

“We help to create a plan for participants so that their emotional issues are taken care of and they can concentrate on their medical treatment in order get well,” she says. And it’s not just the cancer patients who get support at Living Well. The services for family members and caregivers are important for everyone’s wellbeing. “Cancer affects the entire family,” says Vance. “Everyone is being thrust into a world that they didn’t want, and didn’t sign up for and there’s a lot of stress and even guilt. We give them the tools they need to get through what they’re facing.”

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“All of our staff and volunteers understand our mission and want to be part of it,” Vance says.

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Cadence brings latest in cancer treatments to Tri-Cities By Elizabeth Harmon

20 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

tate-of-the-art treatment, delivered in a warm, caring environment can be found at the new Cadence Cancer Center at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

brachytherapy (implantation of radiation devices within the body) mean that treatment now can be delivered quicker and more effectively.

“It’s a beautiful facility, inside and out. For years we’ve had a great team dedicated to cancer care, and because of this investment, we have a great facility to demonstrate that commitment,” said Dr. Christopher George of Cadence Physician’s Group. George serves as Oncology Site Leader at the free-standing center, located at 304 Randall Road in Geneva.

“Many cancers are treated with radiation and this allows us to deliver treatment with surgical precision. For patients, it means more efficient treatment, with fewer side effects and less waiting time. It’s state-ofthe-art treatment and a major upgrade in what we can offer,” George said. Those receiving chemotherapy are treated in an attractive, sun-drenched area that is designed to offer comfort and privacy. “It’s very soothing atmosphere that almost feels as if you’re outdoors. It’s a nice place to be,” he said.

The $20 million, 36,000 square foot center opened September 3, offering comprehensive cancer care – from diagnosis through treatment – and ongoing support services in a soothing, patentcentered atmosphere.

Consolidating services under one roof means more convenience for both patients and staff. “Before, different services were housed in different parts of the hospital and it took longer to get things done. This cuts down on delays, which allows us to treat more patients,” he said.

Features and services include a new radiation oncology suite, a chemotherapy infusion area featuring 13 private and two semi-private rooms, examination rooms for medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, an on-site laboratory and pharmacy, plus facilities for support services including patient navigation, nutritionists, social workers, and financial counselors.

But the improvements are more than just bricks and mortar. The new center is expanding its staff to include more surgical oncology specialists, as well as support team members. “These are services that were in place before, such as our social workers and financial counselors, but now we have room for more of them,” George said.

Advanced technology treatments, such as RapidArc® and Cone Beam Imaging, and

The new center will also offer services similar to those offered at the Living Well

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While the new center is lovely to look at, George is quick to point out that the benefits go beyond a pretty building. “A cramped, outdated space can affect a patient’s attitude, and state of mind has a lot to do with whether treatment goes well. A place that’s inviting, soothing and relaxing puts your head in the right place,” he said.

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n this month of Breast Cancer Awareness, mindfulness of another potentially cancerous affliction affecting women is building across communities – the human papillomavirus, more commonly known as the HPV infection. Some 15 strains of the virus (there are about 100 in total) have been said to lead to a variety of cancers, predominantly cervical cancer. It is widespread and symptoms are rarely visible, spread through sexual contact and carried by both men and women. The progression to cancer is a result of ongoing cell mutation, and the process typically takes years before it becomes apparent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) about 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV. But a relatively new vaccine, released in 2006, is designed to halt the HPV virus. In a June 2013 press release, the CDC pointed to a recent study that showed that since the 2006 introduction of the vaccine, the cancercausing strains of HPV cases have decreased by 56 percent among female teenagers 14 to 19 years of age. “Our mission is preventing illness, and the HPV vaccine is one way we protect public health,” says DuPage County Health Department spokesman David W. Hass,. It is effective and that is why we offer it through kanecountymagazine.com

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Health officials say boys and girls ages 11 and 12 should receive the Gardasil vaccination, according to the CDC. It is given as three injections over a six-month period. In females ages 9 to 26, Gardasil helps protect against two types of HPV that cause about 75 percent of cervical cancer cases. In males and females ages 9 to 26, it helps protect against 90 percent of genital wart cases. If girls and boys have not been fully vaccinated by age 12, the CDC recommends that females through age 26 and males through age 21 receive the vaccine. About one-third of girls aged 13 to 17 have been fully vaccinated at this point, according to CDC Director Tom Frieden. “Our low vaccination rates represent 50,000 preventable tragedies – 50,000 girls alive today will develop cervical cancer over their lifetime that would have been prevented if we reach 80 percent vaccination rates,” Frieden said. kanecountymagazine.com

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 23

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of WOMEN distinction

Awards Luncheon Date: Time: Location: Price:

Wednesday, October 23,2013 11:30am â€“ 1:30pm Mill Creek Golf Club, Geneva, IL $35

You are cordially invited to attend the Women of Distinction Awards luncheon on October 23, 2013. The Women of Distinction Award will be presented to Gloria Bunce, Mary Cortes Benjamin, Maria Dripps-Paulson, Elizabeth Eakins, Kristen Johnson, Maureen McAllister, Mary Oâ€™Brien, Lynne Schwartz, Donna Steele, and Mary Agnes Zellmer. These ten women have been chosen as representative role models and leaders in their fields and communities. A welcome reception will provide networking opportunities that will precede lunch and the awards ceremony. The awards ceremony will honor the Women of Distinction and provide honorees with an opportunity to share their stories.

Women of Distinction Luncheon Reservation Order Form General Admission Tickets - $35 each

Name ____________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ City ______________________________ State _________ Zip _____________ Phone ____________________ ________ Number of Tickets _______________ E-mail ___________________________________________________________ Total $ Amount Enclosed _____________________________________________

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Complete, clip out and mail this registration Form by Monday, October 14, 2013 along with a check made payable to Kane County Magazine. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can mail tickets to you. Absolutely NO REFUNDS will be issued. Mail form and payment to: Women of Distinction, Kane County Magazine, 333 N. Randall Rd, Suite 2, St. Charles, IL 60174. Tickets can also be purchased at our office, located at the address above, or with a credit card over the phone at 630.845.5237. For questions, call 630.845.5237.

Luncheon Sponsor

This month, Shaw Media and Kane County Magazine will honor 10 of the county's most remarkable women, for their contributions to community and cause, at the annual Women of Distinction Awards luncheon. We introduce our honorees here, and in each month that follows, tell the complete story of one of these outstanding local women. -Profiles by Melissa Riske -Photos by Andrew Young

Gloria Bunce CASA Kane County Aurora resident In her role as executive director for CASA Kane County, Gloria Bunce is a leader for the organization that plays a vital role in helping children throughout the county.

children in Kane County [to become] a very recognized service to the community for children who deserve some happiness in their young lives” one nominator wrote.

CASA is the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, a nonprofit organization that seeks the best interests of children in the juvenile court system. Many of these children are abused, neglected and in need of a grown up who truly has their best interests at heart.

One of her greatest accomplishments was establishing the operational endowment called Grow a Healthy Child Program. Initiated in 2011, it provides a lifetime of child advocacy to many vulnerable children in Kane County who live under extraordinary conditions of abuse or neglect at home.

“She was able to bring the relatively unknown organization that provides a vital service for

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 27

Mary Cortés Benjamin

MARIA DRIPPS-PAULSON Kaneland Arts Initiative SUGAR GROVE resident

Wheaton-Warrenville School District 200 GENEVA resident

Maria Dripps-Paulson was nominated for her role as the executive director of the Kaneland Arts Initiative, which has brought professional visual and performing artists to Kaneland High School for the one-day Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival since 1998.

While her title lists her as a school social worker, she is more than a sounding board for questions. In a time of trouble, Mary Cortés Benjamin is there. She is a leader in crisis management, supporting students and staff during some of the most difficult of days.

While her work with the arts festival, and its expansion through the years is quite notable, it is far from the end of her dedication to the community, her students and her family.

“Mary Cortés Benjamin is accomplished in her profession and has made a difference in so many people’s lives,” her nominator wrote. In addition to her work with the school district, she is a lead counselor and consultant for the program Concerns of Police Survivors, which supports the children of police officers and federal agents who have been killed in the line of duty. She is a camp counselor and leader, organizing a week of camp during National Police Week in Washington, D.C.

Benjamin is a private therapist at Riverside Counseling Services in St. Charles and an American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteer. She is an active member of First Baptist Church in Geneva.

For more than 20 years she has been a music teacher. A few years ago she combined her dedication to the festival and love of music and teaching in the Summer Musical Theatre Program. This year she will expand the program again, with a winter play produced in January 2014. Her mission is to keep arts alive and supported in the local schools and community.

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ELIZABETH M. EAKINS Lazarus House ST. CHARLES resident One of the nominators wrote of Elizabeth M. Eakins, “Her achievement is the ability to accept people as they are; to see the inherent good in all of us; to instill hope in those who have lost all hope.” Eakins is the executive director of Lazarus House in St. Charles. The agency serves those in the Tri-Cities that are facing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, offering emergency shelter, transitional housing and outreach programs with rent, mortgage and utility assistance. She is a dedicated wife and mother of four who, as her nominator wrote, never lets on that she is overwhelmed. “She is a committed, supportive, dedicated and caring woman in the community,” her nominator wrote, Maria Dripps-Paulson is one of the finest educators, directors, mothers, and friends I know.”

EXPERIENCE the difference

In her role, Eakins supports the clients and staff of Lazarus House. Her nominators describe her as a woman of faith, leading by example at work and in her personal life. She is a wife, a mother of three sons and a role model and leader. In 2012 she earned a Partner in Peace award from the Crisis Center for her work on behalf of victims of violence.

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 29

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30 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

“Kristen Johnson amazes me every day with what she’s able to successfully accomplish,”one nominator wrote. A Batavia wife and mother, Johnson is more than a volunteer with agencies in the TriCities. Through the years, she has been a cochairwoman, a vice president and president within the organizations in addition to her efforts to raise funds and manage events. “She doesn’t just join groups to have something to put on her resume," her nominator wrote. "She is passionate about each one and puts her time and effort into anything her name is on.”

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In her day job, Kristen Johnson makes sure the tenants of the commercial and residential properties she manages stay happy. And when the work day is done, she is often still trying to help others through the hours she volunteers with local agencies including the Batavia United Way, Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice and the Batavia Women in Business Council.

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The actual rate you receive will be based upon your credit and other qualiﬁcations. Rates and terms are subject to change. Rate includes KCT’s ecoAuto and ecoLoan discounts. To qualify for the ecoAuto Discount members must ﬁnance a hybrid, fully electric, or other vehicle that gets more than 40 mpg to receive a 0.50% ecoAuto discount. KCT ecoLoan Discount excludes Credit Cards, Home Equity Loans & Lines of Credit, and Campu$ Ca$h Loans. KCT ecoLoans allow members to apply for and close their loans online with online applications and digital signatures. Addition of eStatements at the time of loan closing may qualify you for a KCT ecoLoan Discount of 0.25% APR. Payment Example: For every $1,000 borrowed at 1.49% APR for 24 months, your payment would be $42.32.

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MAUREEN

McALLISTER

Mary o'brien

McAllister Consulting WAYNE resident

Fox Valley Orthopedics GENEVA resident

Mothers rarely have a day off. Factor in managing her own business and volunteering in the community, and it's a wonder Maureen McAllister can juggle it all. A native of Iowa, McAllister has lived in Kane County for more than 25 years, serving in various community organizations in support of the community she loves. She is a board member for the Kane-DuPage Water and Soil Conservation Committee and a member of the Fermilab Community Advisory Board. She is a former St. Charles Library trustee. McAllister continually finds way to support her family. From the time her children were young, she continually found a way to attend swim meets, cross country races, dance recitals, musical recitals and baseball games. As her children grew and attended colleges McAllister became the master of road trips, traipsing to sports and

Whether it is at the office, out in the community or at home with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mary O’Brien embodies leadership. For the last 28 years, she has been the CEO of Fox Valley Orthopedics, presiding over the company’s growth and expansion. She has been a national leader in healthcare serving on the Board of Directors and as President of the American Association of Orthopaedic Executives. scholastic events, ever the cheerleader. As her nominator wrote, “Her excitement for seeing her children has never decreased.” McAllister is a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and a physics buff and she and her husband, Ken Shepro, are active with the Kane County Republicans.

Through the years she has been a leader in the community, as well. She has been on the board of directors for Tri-Cities Family Services, a member of the advisory board at Elgin Community College and served as the president of both the Geneva and St. Charles Rotary clubs. Breaking barriers, O'Brien was one of the first

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CASA Kane County is a non-proﬁt, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglectd children within the Juvenile Court system.

For more information on ways you can volunteer or donate, please call us at 630-232-4484 or visit our website at www.casakanecounty.org

32 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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

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In the short time she has been executive director of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, Lynne Schwartz has made significant progress in reshaping the organization and implementing new programs and activities to increase the viability of the downtown business district. Schwartz joined the Downtown St. Charles Partnership as an integrated marketing communications manager in 2010 and quickly demonstrated her ability to handle multiple projects. When the position of executive director opened in March of 2012, the board of directors selected Schwartz to fill the role, utilizing her skills as well as her energy and positive outlook.

women in the country to serve as a president of a USGA Golf Club when she became president of the Eagle Brook Golf Club in Geneva. “Mary is truly a ‘Woman of Distinction,’ " her nominator wrote, "and a worthy role model for all women in Kane County and beyond.”

Her nominators praised her ability to juggle the day-to-day tasks at work and care for her family which includes her husband, twin 13-year-olds and her mother, adding that she demonstrates a clear understanding of the challenges small business owners face and provides training and educational programs to assist business owners while supporting campaigns to promote the community.

lynne schwartz Downtown St. Charles Partnership WEST CHICAGO resident

“Lynne Schwartz is a stellar role model and leader to the downtown St. Charles businesses and civil community, acting as a champion for all businesses and women professionals,” one nominator wrote.

Hamilton House

DENTISTRY Shannon Samuels Farmer Come taste 25 different extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars from all over the world. Unique Gift Baskets Available. 315 James St. • Geneva, IL (630) 262-0210 www.olivemillgeneva.com

Store Hours Mon-Fri 10am–6pm Thursday 10am-8pm Saturday 10am-5:30pm Sunday 12pm-4pm

kanecountymagazine.com

D.D.S.

• Geneva Chamber of Commerce • American Dental Association

AVAILABILITY

SERVICES

Mon: 9am–5:30pm Tues: 9am–2pm Wed: 10:30am–7pm Thurs: Closed Fri: 9am–3pm Sat: 9am–2pm

• Cosmetic & General Dentistry • Dentures & Repairs • Extractions & Implant Restorations • Kids Welcome!

Member:

309 Hamilton St., Suite C Geneva, IL 60134 630-232-1111 www.HamiltonHouseDentistry.com

Remind your little ghosts and gobblins of the importance of brushing and ﬂossing after sweet treats this Halloween.

Accepting New Patients KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 33

DONNA STEELE Steel Beam Theatre FORMER ST. CHARLES RESIDENT When Donna Steele raised the curtain at the charming 79-seat theater in 2001, she also raised the bar for the community’s expectations of live theater. As the founder of Steel Beam Theatre, she transformed an unused downtown St. Charles storage facility into an intimate theater that has hosted more than 2,500 performances over the course of 12 seasons. As an actress, Steele has performed at the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens. Today, her title is executive and artistic director, but as the theater’s only full-time employee she has served in nearly every capacity; from producer and director to a costume designer, makeup artist, lighting design, sound stage and office manager. Steel Beam has become a cultural hub and a true

partner with the community. The Steel Beam Children’s Theatre provides entertainment and a learning ground for hundreds of youngsters. Steele created an internship program for high school students to serve as assistant directors, choreographers and stage managers for children’s productions.

I.B. QUALITY CABINETS INC. Complete Service in Cabinets, Countertops - Family Owned & Operated • 4th Generation

MARY AGNES ZELLMER Zellmer Childhood Disease Foundation GENEVA RESIDENT What began as a mother’s way to help her son, has grown into a two-day festival raising thousands of dollars to support children with diabetes and the research to cure the disease. In 2004, Mary Agnes and Paul Zellmer’s son, Jim, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The realization that the six-year-old boy would be taking shots and managing this disease for the rest of his life spurred Mary Agnes to find a way to support the research for a cure. The Zellmer family created Pumpkins for a Cure in 2005, selling the gourds from Jim’s grandparents’ farm out of their front yard. Each consecutive year, Pumpkins for a Cure has grown larger, adding more pumpkins and more events to raise even more money. Today, the event includes a race, a diabetes wellness expo and much more. In 2012 more than 3,000 people attended Pumpkins for a Cure and Taste for a Cure. Through the years, more than $350,000 has been raised to support research for the disease and 39 camp scholarships for children have been created.

Summer Specials Stop in for a free estimate.

Her nominator wrote, “She is a dedicated woman who deserves this outstanding award.”

612 S. First Street, Geneva • 630.262.9133 • www.ibqualitycabinets.com 34 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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C'est la Vie by Sylvie

Redefine Your Wardrobe with our 2013 Fall Collection

Photos by Andrew Young

25 S. THIRD ST. | GENEVA | 630-578-6018

F&B

G A B

in the

3 1

36 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

kanecountymagazine.com

F&B

6 4

7 | Orange suede clutch with padlock hardware by Nailah | $150 Jeweled cuff bracelet by Dimitriadis | $184 Available at Strut | Geneva

lberg

ary So Photos by M

kanecountymagazine.com

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 37

F&B

I have so many black dresses, I could open a black dress shop.

~ Claudia

I have nearly 2,000 designer dresses in the shop, and a huge number of them are black. Short. Long. Simple. Foofy.

For parties, balls, coronations, the Oscars—you name it. I have your black dress. At up to 85% off retail.

217 West Main Street, Saint Charles, IL 60174 - 630-584-8009 www.claudiasboutiquecloset.com - Facebook: claudiasclosetconsignment boutique Hours vary. Visit us on the Web or Call.

Claudia’s Closet

Featuring

Designer Names Without the

Price! AT

❁

Louis Vuitton

❁

Coach

❁

Tiffany

❁ Michael Kors ❁

Kate Spade

❁

Fine Jewelry

❁

Coopersong

❁

And many more

ON THE AVENUE

2 N BATAVIA AVE BATAVIA

630.406.1515

more than 10 Artists... Custom Jewelry Bridal Jewelry Jewelry Repair

...to offer a wide variety of styles

27 W. State St. Geneva

630.262.0944 OPEN MON-SAT 10-5, TH 12-8, SUN 12-5

38 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

www.anewwaytoshop.com

228 S. Third Street, Geneva • 630.262.9113 kanecountymagazine.com

Nestled on historic 3rd street in downtown Geneva is OS2 Salon. Bringing city ﬂair to the burbs, our stylists are truly passionate about their craft and receive extensive training in hair design, color and trends to make you radiant. Our cosmetologists add beauty to your day or evening look with custom makeup application and artistry nail care. Our salon environment is chic and comfortable with our focus being totally on you. OS2 offers a full menu of services paired with a boutique product offering from UNITE Eurotherapy, newly introduced to the Chicago area and exclusive to the western suburbs at OS2. Looking for a new fall look? Visit or call our salon today for a more beautiful you, tomorrow.

OS2 Salon

507 S. 3rd. St - Geneva (331) 248-0316 Colorist/Extensions – Melanie Eurick Nail Artist – Paul Mc Nasser Make Up Artist – Lynette DeCorte Photography – Jennifer Kaye Photography Model – Lindsay Bergland

Nails

Sun up or Sundown this girl is getting noticed in eye catching Wilfred Fire Red Shellac.

Extensions

I used Dream Catchers extensions, which is 100% human hair, and known to be the best quality in the world. They where kept long to lengthen Lindsay’s face, and to create a more youthful appearance.

Color

Warm copper browns, and gold where chose for Lindsay. This selection was made to bring out the pretty green in her eyes, and to warm up her skin tone.

Lindsay is a cancer survivor, and this is the first real makeover she’s had since fighting that battle. It seems to have already done wonders for her confidence.

Make-up

Bronze, Burgundy, Browns, and Pinks where used to give Lindsay a warm glamorous, night out on the town look. Foundation, and contour cream where blended from chin, neck, and chest for a more youthful blended appearance. On cheeks, I used a bronzing powder to highlight her amazing cheek bones, and Bordeaux color on lips to complete her look.

H&L

Wine WARM REDS FOR COOL NIGHTS The cool climate is making its way to the Midwest. This is my favorite time of year–football, beautiful colors, camp fires, and big, braised food which pairs well with all the red wine I have been sitting on through the warm summer months. Vince Balistreri is general manager and sommelier at Niche Restaurant in Geneva. He offers his expertise in the wine industry to the Kane County community. Photo by Megan Kelly

It is the time of year to switch from fish to meat on the grill, and to delve into your favorite stews and casseroles in the kitchen. Fattier foods take preference as the air chills. Perhaps our bodies are telling us to fatten up for the cold winter, or it could just be that be that all these fatty foods pair really well with autumns root vegetables. Either way, start corking those big red wines.

Another great choice, as you carve into a juicy steak, is the almighty Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the most popular varietals of red wine, it’s not known for its grace and elegance, but sought rather for its power, and ability to handle rich foods and red meats. Put a rare rib eye in front of me, and I am demanding a Cabernet. The two were supposed to be together. Choose another red, and it would be Art Garfunkel without Paul Simon. If you are looking to vary your autumn wine, here are some varietals to consider, and I encourage you to experiment with all kinds of red blends available.

• Cabernet Franc • Tannat • Cabernet Sauvignon • Petite Verdot • Petite Sirah • Zinfandel • Syrah • Grenache • Charbono • Mourvedre • Malbec

I tend to think of France as the home of fall wine, and some of my favorite wines this time of year come from there. You can find a nice Bordeaux, at a great value for around $10, and it generally will outdrink any other American wine at that price point. There is no reason to think you need to drop $3,000 on a Chateau Lafite - Rothschild. (But if you do feel like taking that route, just give me a call at the restaurant and I will be right over!) But you can “visit” the Rhone Valley as you drink delicious blends of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and more. These wines don’t need to break the bank as you can get a good Rhone blend for about $12. These styles are also not hard to find, and most of your liquor stores and wine shops should carry at least a few of them.

40 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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Wine Shop

At Home

We bring the winery to you! We do private wine tasting events conducted in homes and business settings, where people are able to taste a variety of amazing fine wines produced in Napa Valley. We pair the wines with cheeses and chocolates and provide some information about how best to enjoy fine wines. Guests can fill their wine cellars with their favorite exclusive wines shipped direct from Napa. For a low cost of $29.95 a host can arrange for a special private wine tasting for their friends, including five to six bottles of wine to serve up to 15 people. WineShop at Home is a California winery located in the heart of Napa Valley, producer of the finest hand-crafted, artisan wines. Our wines are exclusively distributed through wine club subscriptions and wine tasting. We also offer personalized custom label wines, which are a popular gift items for businesses, and for commemorating a special event such as weddings, anniversaries, and special birthdays. Contact Nancy to set up your private Wine Tasting for the Holidays Nancy Manisco, Independent Wine Consultant www.WineWithNancy.com | 630-802-7161 | Nancy@Manisco.com

The wine room at The Little Traveler features a collection of artisan wines from as far as the famed wine regions of Germany, Italy, and Chile to the vineyards of California, and even a few from our own backyard. The collection changes with the seasons, and for autumn, youâ€™ll find wonderful cool-weather wines like Illinois River Halloween wine, Prairie State Pumpkin Wine, and Round Barn Apple and Cranberry Wines. Perusing the 36-themed rooms of The Little Traveler is an experience in itself, and the friendly staff in the wine room pours free tastings of seasonal favorites every day. Stop by to see what's come uncorked.Â

Photo Jennifer Kaye

The Little Traveler

404 S. Third Street | Geneva, IL 630-232-4200 | www.littletraveler.com

Photos by Jodi Michelle Photography

GALENA CELLARS Vineyard & Winery Enjoy a wine tasting adventure at one of our three unique locations: our scenic, family owned country vineyard, our restored 1840s granary at the gateway to Galena' s Main Street, or in Geneva at Dodson Place-- in the heart of the historic Third Street shopping district. Taste Galena's bounty. Sample from more than 40 varieties of delicious red, white and fruit wines, many of which have received international awards. Wine tastings are offered daily at all three locations. Our retail stores also offer fun and distinctive gifts for every wine lover. Galena Cellars is proud to be a part of the Upper Mississippi Valley AVA, designated in 2009 as the world's largest designated appellation. 477 S. 3rd Street | Geneva, IL 630-232-9463 | www.galenacellars.com

The spot to

stop

Spotted Fox Ale House taps into trends for craft beer, trendy cuisine By Sherri Dauskurdas

N Photos by Jodi Michelle Photography

ear the corner of Kirk Road and Main St. in St. Charles, amidst the strip malls and the supermarkets, sits a haven for foodies and craft beer enthusiasts, and respite for groups of family and friends.

42 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

The Spotted Fox Ale House is located conveniently, albeit surprisingly, across the road from the Charlestowne Mall. Its sleek combination of sports pub and torqued up casual dining, serves the area well, catering to families shopping or catching a movie, and business folks seeking a lunch or happy hour locale.

That’s purposeful, says restaurant owner Marwan Taib, who created the Spotted Fox provide the “complete dining experience” for guests. “It’s more than just a place to get a meal, it’s the full experience,” says Taib. “It’s the way the place makes you feel, the ambience of the room, the horseshoe bar. This is a craft beer bar, but it’s more than that. It’s a place you can bring a date. It’s a spot for a business lunch. It’s a great casual dining spot for families.” Yet it also is a place where you can enjoy more than 30 craft beers. Featuring brews from the West Coast to the Eastern seaboard, and some of the most famous local brews available. “We tap beers for the Midwest, from California, Portland, and some of our favorites from right here in the Chicago area,” says Taib.

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With a pint of Lost Coast Tangerine or a Left- Handed Milk Stout in your grasp, grab a fork and dig in to any of the tasty entrees and appetizers on the Spotted Fox menu. The house-made Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta provides a fusion of flavor that's sure to please, and the Fox Club twists the sandwich classic into something uniquely satisfying, filled with ham and oven roasted turkey, white cheddar cheese and dijon mustard.

date, or their business colleagues,” says Taib.

For the undecided, a trio of sliders offers options – crisp pork belly with pickles, traditional burger with crispy shallots, and melt in your mouth Reubens. A Friday fish fry cooks up filets in a classic beer batter, tweaked with the fresh hoppy goodness of the popular beers that flow from the restaurant's taps.

With its extensive revolving menu of craft beer and its family-friendly ambience, The Spotted Fox Alehouse is proving itself a valuable addition to the Tri-City dining scene, and a change of pace to the typical east side fare.

What goes better with a craft brew and some great food than the game on flat screen TV? At Spotted Fox, diners can enjoy their favorite sports on screens strewn throughout the restaurant, but without the typical rowdy sports bar atmosphere. “I want people to know they can come here and enjoy game in a classy setting, a place they would be happy to bring their family, their

kanecountymagazine.com

The alehouse is celebrating its first year anniversary this month, and so far, the 250-seat Spotted Fox has proved a popular venue, not only for the casual diner, but also as a spot for rehearsal dinners, charity events and corporate functions. Taib says he wants the restaurant to be "a pillar of success" in an east side corridor that's just been revamped and upgraded.

“It's a local place where you can catch all your sporting events,” says Taib, “and it's all right here, right near your home.” Spotted Fox Ale House is located at 3615 E. Main St., St. Charles Open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mon. through Thur., 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fri. through Sat., and 9 a.m. to midnight Sundays. 630-584-2239 spottedfoxalehouse.com

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 43

Photos by Joddi Michelle Photography

D&E

Passing, fancy Spanish tapas traditions influence small plate offerings across cuisine By Yvonne Benson

t’s been that food brings people together. In fact, we’ve been breaking bread together for centuries. So it’s no surprise that restaurants have evolved to create an even more social environment by offering small sharable plates of food.

patrons to come in just because they are really hungry.

a menu that sets it apart from other tapas restaurants.

It’s more about having a great time,” he says. “ Food happens to be part of that time and not the main thing.”

Spanish tapas restaurant Macarena has been facilitating good times as its main dish at its Naperville location for years, and opens its St. Charles location in October, at 1890 W. Main Street.

In fact, Macarena takes pride in changing the notion of tapas and small plate dining throughout the area. Borras explains that tapas once was viewed as appetizers, but has evolved into a way for diners to try many different foods, share, and socialize. At Macarena Borras says he tries to offer

“It’s not always dates wrapped in bacon,” Borras said, “We change it all the time to keep it like Madrid or Barcelona – you would eat the same food there.”

Owner John Borras says he doesn’t want

44 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

It’s clear that creating a social and comfortable ambiance is something that many other restaurants are trying to emulate, picking up on Spain’s tradition of small plate sharing.

kanecountymagazine.com

D&E

Chef John Borras prepares a succulent tapas menu rich in meats, cheeses and fresh fish at his restaurant, Macarena, which opens in St. Charles this month.

Gratto in Geneva is an Italian restaurant that invites guests to indulge in the great flavors of their small plates. “Our atmosphere and ambiance are really quaint,” Owner Danielle Sisto describes. “It’s quite romantic.” What could be more romantic than sharing multiple small plates of Italian food – a generally large entrée sort of dining – with a new friend? “I think [small plates are] popular because people can taste a bunch of things and don’t have to have a big plate of pasta or a big dinner,” Sisto explains Rodrigo Cano, owner of Bien Trucha in Geneva agreed that the trend is in the trying. His restaurant specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine. “It’s about different and complex flavors,” he says. “[We have a] small menu but you can order three or four different things and they’re all different.” But it’s not just about the 12 different tacos (each with their unique salsa) at Bien Trucha. It’s also about the social atmosphere. Tables are set close to one other almost banquet style, promoting the sense of community that was built within the framework of traditional tapas dining.

kanecountymagazine.com

“We’re not that sort of restaurant, where you can have your own booth,” he says. “It’s more of a fun, social restaurant, where you can talk to the table next to you. You can ask them what they’re eating and how they like it… That creates a social atmosphere when you talk about more than just your own meal.” Spanish tapas might have floated the idea of sharable menu items, but Japanese sushi-style restaurants have been on board for a long time. Designed for sharing, it’s the perfect date night choice. Nobody blinks an eye should you grab a slice of a spicy tuna maki roll from your date’s plate at the sushi bar, or an indulgent bite of Aceitunas Marinades (marinated olives) from Macarena, but your date might see a red flag if you snag a twirl of spaghetti from his or her plate. But there’s much more at stake when attempting to share a plate of spaghetti, as opposed to a dinner made of several small plates of finger food. While Spain might have cornered the market on tapas and Japanese has a firm hold on sushi, small plate dining now is a trend for the rest of the world to interpret and share. Gone are the days of choosing just a single entrée and keeping it entirely to yourself.

Chef John Borras, Macarena Tapas

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 45

Course

EL CASANOVA Mexican Restaurant 1890 MILL ST. | BATAVIA Photo by Jennifer Winder

Fiesta Fajitas

Smithwick's-Guinness-Harp

Carpaccio

1702 COMMONS DR. | GENEVA

204 S. 3RD ST. | GENEVA

Cucumber Salad

Ganache Covered Brownie with Ice Cream and Hot Fudge

Stockholm's 4 N. BATAVIA AVE. | BATAVIA

306 W. STATE ST. | GENEVA

Family Owned & Operated

Gratto Italian Tapas TAPAS. PASTA. PIZZA & MORE

MONDAY: $4.00 House Red/White

DAILY SPECIALS

Daily Lunch Specials Monthly Entertainment

TUESDAY: 1/2 Price Wine Bottles

See website for details

*On Select Wines

*On Selected Bottles

NEW CRAFT BEER LIST

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

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

FRIDAY: $4 Smirnoff Cocktails SATURDAY: $5 Homemade Sangrias

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

SUNDAY: Kids Eat FREE

*One child per adult, children’s menu only *All subject to change and all not valid with any coupons or offers. Some restrictions apply.

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

Thai Village RESTAURANT

www.thaivillagebatavia.com 630-879-5495 4 N Batavia Ave, Batavia, IL 60510

Award Winning Voted #1 The BestThai Food in Kane County Construction Chaos Special: Mention this ad for 20% OFF with $3500 minimum order Good thru 10/31/13. Not valid on the weekend, lunch special and other offers.

PLAN NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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

630-406-0669 Sun-Th 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm

Visit our Website for Daily Deals

Gluten Free and Vegan Dishes Available

* NO MSG * * BYOB * Open 7 Days a Week Dine-in • Carryout • Catering • Delivery

PARTY ROOMS AVAILABLE ~ CALL FOR DETAILS CATERING AND GROUP EVENTS

Daily Lunch h Specials S i l $ $6.95 $6 95 Choose from 18 different entrees all served with rice and beans

www.elcasanovarestaurant.com

Stepford Wife.

would like to pretend, for just one day, that I am a perfect wife and mother. These days, I feel far from perfect. My fuse is shorter, my kids more unruly. No matter how hard I try, no matter how much I discipline them, no matter how much I do to provide fun activities, nothing ever seems good enough. A friend of mine works for a talk show produced in Chicago, and she reached out to me to submit some video clips for an upcoming segment. She asked me to give a quick snip-it, admitting something I do as a parent that might make me a “bad mom.” I was hoping she was asking several other mothers and not just me. It would be embarrassing to think she got this assignment and immediately thought, “I know a bad mom! I’ll contact Michelle Stien.” And while I can think of a million and one things that cause me to second-guess myself every day, I hoped I wasn’t the worst of the bunch. As I lamented, life continued as usual. My kids both were grounded from playing with our neighbors for throwing temper tantrums. That followed with Colin losing television, video game and iPod Touch privileges for an entire day, just for his general behavior. And when I thought I had finished with the punishments, (there weren’t many more things I could take away from them) I found out Colin dropped an F-bomb in the childcare center at my gym. In his defense (and mine) another boy said it first and then Colin retorted with the same phrase. Still, I felt like the inmates were running the asylum and perhaps I was “The.Worst.Mom. Ever.” Smack in the middle of my pity-party, I came across a blog on Facebook that put everything in perspective. The blog post was titled, “To the Unwashed Masses of Mothers” at scarymommy.com.

kanecountymagazine.com

FinF

For Halloween this year, I have decided to be a

Initially, I thought the post was going to slam moms like me – the ones who yell at their kids at the grocery store. The ones who don’t care if a shower comes at the beginning or end of the day. The ones who, for a brief moment while shopping, look as if they are abandoning their screaming, temper-tantrum throwing four-year-old who wants a toy. The one who at that moment throws “1-2-3 Magic” and “Love and Logic” out the window in favor of an old-fashioned tongue-lashing. But the post offered a kinder, gentler take on moms like me. The bottom line: “You are doing better than you think.” Another line that struck a chord with me: “There is no such thing as a perfect mom.” It went on to quote a Yiddish saying, “There is one perfect child in the world, and every mother has it.” I sighed in relief. I had been struggling with my column, feeling like everything I have been writing has been a farce. I had no words of wisdom. Quite frankly, I usually feel like I should be the one seeking out parenting advice. But this woman, all in one 600-word blog, made me feel like a million bucks. She made me remember why I started writing about my kids in the first place, and why so many readers continue to follow my crazy tales. They are honest, realistic and relatable. Together, we can laugh and find humor through the chaos that is motherhood. There’s a reason there is an entire talk show segment dedicated to parents doubting themselves. We’re not alone. I’m not alone. So, no. I’m not perfect. To be quite honest, I don’t want to be. At the end of the day, I still look at my kids in wonder and amazement for how incredible they are. I still can’t believe how much love I feel for them. They still cry when I leave the house, hug me when I come back and think that I’m “The. Best. Mom.Ever.” And I wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything, imperfections and all.

Write This Down

with Michelle Stien Michelle Stien is a stay-at-home mom of two children, ages 3 and 5. Her mother always told her to “write this down,” so she is sharing her experiences with other Kane County women to help them deal with the craziness of being “Mom.”

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 49

D&E

Live Entertainment Thurs–Sat

Simple ways to optimize your mornings A Great Old-Fashioned Meat Market

We make over 100 varieties of smoked meats and sausage.

NEW TAILGATER BRATWURST Octoberfest Brats Green Onions & Swiss Cheese Bacon and Blue Cheese

Award winning • Bratwurst • Frankfurters • Thuringer • Weisswurst and more!

Ream’s Elburn Market Fine Quality Meats & Sausages Fresh • Aged • Cured • Smoked HOURS: Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm Saturday 9 am - 4 pm • Sunday 11 am - 4 pm

Even the most chipper of morning people can sometimes wake up groggy and tired. And if their children wake up feeling the exact same way, mornings can definitely drag. There are, however, little things you can do - from scheduling exercise at optimal times, to packing protein into breakfast, to planning daily goals - that will make a big difference. • Wake up and work out: Do you start your morning with a healthy dose of exercise? The time you begin your workout matters more than you may think. A study shows that those who work out before eating in the morning burned approximately 20 percent more than those who wait until after breakfast. • Make time for breakfast: Never skip breakfast - not only will that deplete your energy, but it can also negatively impact your health. In fact, recent studies show that those who opt out of breakfast time are at a 27 percent higher risk of having a heart attack. The same study also finds that those who eat breakfast are likely to be healthier eaters overall. This is especially important for children as they develop habits over time. So, help them establish a healthy breakfast habit early. If time is an issue, make breakfast a priority (and a convenience) by filling

128 N. Main Street • Downtown Elburn - West side of Route 47 • 630.365.6461 50 | OCTOBER 2013 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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THERE IS STILL TIME TO FRESHEN UP A GUEST BATH, UPDATE THE KITCHEN, CREATE A PLAYROOM IN THE LOWER LEVEL…IF YOU CALL NOW!

630-584-2255

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: DOORS, WINDOWS, SIDING, KITCHENS, BATHS, LOWER LEVELS, ROOM ADDITIONS & MORE……

your pantry with quick, healthy. low-fat options. • Create a checklist: Think of your entire day as a series of small goals and write them down in the morning or the night before. Then cross out tasks as you complete them. Not only will you reduce stress from having a better visual of your family's day, you will feel more productive as you progress through your list. • Shake up the morning: Get out that blender and toss in healthy foods. Breakfast smoothies and shakes are a fast way to get the essential nutrients to jumpstart your day. Plus, they're easy to pour, and they're mobile - throw in a straw and sip while you walk. Recruit your children to help, and let them have fun mixing up their own tasty creation with fresh fruit like pineapple, banana and blueberries.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR IDEAS, PICTURES AND INFO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REMODELING AND MAINTAINING YOUR HOME! WWW.REMODELWITHMCDOWELL.COM

NORTON’S PRODUCE AND GARDEN CENTER

Check out the Corn Maze at Norton Farm! FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

Local Honey Available

5 ACRE CORN MAZE & Norton Hollow (play area) Check our website or call for CORN MAZE and HOLLOW hours. Pumpkins • Fall squash & Produce Fall Decorations: straw bales - gourds - corn bundles MUMS & Fall Flowers Caramel Apples - Apples - Apple Cider Donuts FREE Hayrides Oct 19,20,26,27

• Pause: Before you leave the house, take one minute to breathe. Feel good you ate breakfast and warmed up your body with exercise. And don't forget to take your to-do list with you. You never know what opportunities the day will inspire.

-More Content Now

39W369 IL Route 64 | St. Charles, IL 60175 | 630.377.8118 2.5 miles west of Randall Road Visit us at: nortonsproduce.com Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm; Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 10am - 4pm

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Open 7 Days a Week

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2013 | 51

D&E

HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT SPRUCING UP YOUR HOME BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS?

Is In The Giving A non-proﬁt feature

SAVE THE DATE Strike a Pose for Women at Zonta’s Bowl-A-Thon Sunday, Nov. 3

�� of women ��