KCC_ KC Magazine September 2023

Fun Fact: When I was in college, I

my major and attending culinary school. I have always loved to cook – my Italian roots run deep – and I feel one of the most comforting things is being around the kitchen table enjoying a delicious home cooked meal with those I love. I also relish finding new restaurants to indulge in, and Kane County features some of the best options in Illinois.

If you have a desire to enhance your own cooking skills, you’ll find several establishments that offer a wide variety of classes for a range of ages. From healthy cooking to baking and beverage mixology classes, you’ll be sure to find an option that will fulfill a fun date night or a future birthday party idea for the kids (P. 12).

Eating clean is something we strive to maintain within our family, but I am also realistic when it comes to hectic schedules and the need for a quick meal to check dinner off the list during a busy night. Planning is key and giving yourself grace with the notion, “everything in moderation”

Managerʼs NOTE on the COVER

is equally important! Included within this issue are helpful guidelines such as locally sourcing staples within your kitchen and utilizing resources that can help you learn how to eat clean or even grow a container garden if you lack yard space (P. 16).

Speaking of “everything in moderation,” there is no shortage of delicious bakeries within our community, and you’ll want to stop in and enjoy a sweet treat, coffee or even something salty from one of these local favorites (P. 19.)

As the weather starts to cool, be sure to soak up the last weeks of warmth. Before you know it, fall will fully be upon us!

Thank you for reading,

Jaclyn Cornell, Local Sales Manager

PUBLISHER

Kane County Chronicle & Northwest Herald Laura Shaw 630-709-4497 lshaw@shawmedia.com

EDITOR Kelley White shawmagazineeditor@gmail.com

DESIGNER

Julie Barichello 815-431-4072 jbarichello@shawmedia.com

LOCAL SALES MANAGER

Kane County Chronicle & Niche Publishing Jaclyn Cornell 630-845-5234 jcornell@shawmedia.com

CORRESPONDENTS

Jamie Baker, Jon Bilyk, Patricia MacMillan, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Melissa Rubalcaba Riske and Diane Krieger Spivak

This magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like each month’s edition mailed to your home, send your request with payment information to Shaw Media, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

more

Next month: Level up your decor and lifestyle with our October homes issue!

Published by Shaw

Photographer Christopher Krause captures the sumptuous menu of Ella’s Italian Pub. Find out

on page 7.

seriously considered changing

s INSIDE

FOOD & DRINK

7 ALL ABOUT THE DOUGH

Ella’s Italian Pub cooks up Roman-style pizza

8 GEM IN GENEVA

Hacienda Real is an oasis of culture and authenticity

12 COOKING UP SOME FUN

Learn how to whip up your own deliciousness right here in Kane County

16 NATURALLY SIMPLE

Eat clean and healthy on any budget 18 LOCAL SWEETS & TREATS

Indulge your sweet tooth and cater to your cravings

22 PATIO PERFECTION

BEHIND THE BEST

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

28 ARTIST OF THE MONTH

WSS artist Melisa Celaya’s work features bold symbolism and color

30 EVENTS CALENDAR

Save the date for these fun activities around Kane in the month of September

31 GRAB A BOOKMARK

Check out librarian-suggested titles for September from Geneva Public Library

32 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Fall into reading with your local bookstore

34 MAKE WAY FOR ACORNS

Help oaks thrive in St. Charles

36 THE PERILS OF A DONUT DETOUR

Suburban Superdad finds unexpected positivity while stuck in traffic

BUSINESS & CIVIC

39 REAL ESTATE MARKET FORECAST

Navigate the next three months with the Move Smarter Team

40 EATING & DRINKING THE GARDEN

Add these plants to your menu

42 THE SILENT THIEF

My Advisor & Planner helps you prepare for inflation

Ella’s Italian Pub is

All about the dough

When a newly opened eatery elicits online comments like “Amazing,” “Phenomenal” and “Yummo,” you know it’s got to be something special.

Ask chef and co-owner Mike Bomberger the reason and he’ll explain what sets Ella’s Italian Pub apart from the pizza pack — Roman-style pizza. “Ella’s is really about the dough,” says Bomberger, who opened the pub at 407 S. Third Street, Geneva, in April with business partner, co-owner Brian Goewey, also a chef.

“Brian and I love pizza and started thinking about this project eight months ago,” says Bomberger. “He went to New York for a trip and had a Sicilian pie he really enjoyed,” The two experimented. “We talked about it and created this dough formula in the double-baked method that nobody has. It dates back 100-plus years in Rome.

The process results in a unique crispy bottom and a super light and airy inside. “I call it the stainedglass effect,” says Bomberger. “My bakers come in at midnight; they usually work overnight on the

By Diane Krieger

dough; I usually follow up early morning and pop about 10 doughs. When I hold them up to the light I can see through the dough like stained glass. That’s what makes our dough special. If we don’t see that then we have to start all over.”

After working together for 25 years, the fast friends know what they’re doing. Ella’s is the fourth eatery concept in the BG Hospitality Group, which also includes GIA MIA, Livia Italian Eatery and moto imōto. Customers can enjoy outdoor dining on Ella’s patio, and in fact, the partners are planning to open a second Ella’s in October, in Elmhurst.

In addition to pizza, Ella’s offers a creative and diverse menu, including Italian pub-style street food. “We make a great Arancini in Vodka Sauce,” says Bomberger. “It’s our number one best seller.”

Ella’s house salad is also a favorite with apple cider vinaigrette from scratch. “We use all fresh organic ingredients; everything is hand cut and the lettuces are hand-torn.” But obviously the big favorite for Ella’s is the Roman-style pizza.”

Ella’s also has bigger plates, bar bites and signature

pastas. Try the Blackened Scottish Salmon with Risotto, Tomato Braised Beef Short Rib with Polenta, or Soppressata Meatball Sliders with House Tomato Sauce and Arugula.

Guests can enjoy a full bar, which supports local breweries, and an extensive imported wine list. Cocktails include Ella’s Old Fashioned and a specialty lemonade drink. Happy Hour boasts a slice of chef’s Roman-style pizza and a beer — “all for a great price,” says Bomberger.

There’s one more thing that sets Ella’s apart, says Bomberger. “We love what we do. It’s our passion and our commitment to the food side of it, but I just have to say that everybody who works for us is like family.” Some of Ella’s team members have been with the restaurant group for more than 20 years. “It’s truly about them,” says Bomberger. “We work side by side.”

Spivak • Photos by Christopher Krause

GEM

enevainG

By Jamie Baker | Photos courtesy of Hacienda Real

Carlos Aréchiga takes his family’s legacy to new heights with newly minted eatery Hacienda Real

Six months ago, the Aréchigas introduced their newest rendition of Hacienda Real to the community of Geneva, setting the standard for an elevated, authentic Mexican dining experience right here in the suburbs.

“People can see how we’ve presented Mexican food in a different way,” says Aréchiga. “At this location, it serves better for special occasions like a birthday, baby shower or a Friday night out with your family. The community is not only excited for us, but a lot of people that have been to our other

restaurants have seen the growth in our family.” In fact, the Aréchigas wondered why they didn’t open sooner.

Part of their resounding success lies in a rather subtle feature: the architecture. “One of the things we’re learning as we grow as businesspeople, my brothers and I, is that the ambiance has a lot to do with our product,” says Aréchiga. “In our case, we have worked with selling food for so long that we have always focused on recipes and presentation. But the more we grow, we realize the more we invest in the surroundings, like at the table where you’re going to enjoy our dishes – it just makes the experience a more wholesome one.”

The layout of Hacienda Real was already established with their predecessor, Bar Louie. “In this case, because we inherited a beautiful building that was already designed pretty well as far as architecture goes – the way the kitchen is positioned and the way the bar is the first thing you see when you walk in – we just decided to modernize it and make it fresh with a little bit of a wow factor.”

The Aréchigas had several handmade pieces imported and installed a stunning display of cages above the bar. “One of my favorite things to do is stand by the door and watch people get their phones out and record,” says Aréchiga. “With the social media world, they all want to have stories of recording from the moment they come in to when we take them to their table. It’s pretty cool to see that.”

Carlos has received plenty of requests from fashion brands and photographers hoping to use the gorgeous restaurant as a background for their camerawork. “It’s such a compliment that we’re super excited about,” he says.

Keeping the restaurant fresh means updating an already spectacular menu as the seasons change in Northern Illinois. “Our summer menu is probably going to be extended until September, but we do have some pretty exciting changes,” says Aréchiga. “We are noticing a growing number of people that are interested, culturally, in the Day of the Dead celebration. It is part of the Mexican culture and I feel like ever since ‘Coco’ more people are interested and know what it means and are starting to see it the way they see Cinco De Mayo or other celebrations associated with Mexican culture.”

Hacienda Real will be taking that interest even further by adding some items to the menu honoring the incredible cultural holiday. “We’re going to have some items that are reminiscent of fall and seasonal ingredients that we can incorporate and bring in like woodfire grill tastes with sweet potato and zucchini – things that are associated with October, orange colors and flowers,” says Aréchiga. “We’re going to feature an appetizer and a dessert as well as some beverages as some of our fall items.”

Aside from exciting new menu items, the restaurant will continue to enjoy their patio, bringing the outside in for a truly singular experience. “The openness has a direct effect on the mood and the vibe, it’s refreshing and something we want to keep going as long as we can,” says Aréchiga. “At least for

a few hours people can say ‘I just want to go to Hacienda Real, sit at the patio, enjoy a margarita and feel like I went to Mexico for a few hours.”

This stunning new restaurant is a true gem in Geneva and one not to be missed. “We set out to build the place you want to go when you go out,” says Aréchiga. “And we have had amazing success with the wonderful people in this community.”

Now Open

GENEVA COMMONS & YORK VILLE CROSSING | W W W.HACIENDAFLAVORSOFMEXICO.COM

Cooking up

some fun

Develop

Kane County kitchens

Cooking has been elevated to celebrity status. No longer a necessary drudgery relegated to the ranks of domestic servant, food preparation owes its newfound popularity to a number of sources — the pandemic forced people to stay home and make their own meals, a plethora of cooking shows like “Hell’s Kitchen,” “The Great British Baking Show” and others entice audiences to take the plunge.

Just ask Jess Evans, who owns Fox Den Cooking Classes in St. Charles. “People are terrified at first; then it’s cool to see the ‘aha’ moment,” says Evans. “My focus is I want it to be more of an

experience than learning a technique. It’s more of a feeling people remember than learning something fancy. When I was growing up, preparing food at home was the center of love.”

Evans employs a number of cooking teachers who specialize in healthy cooking, baking, gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. Partnering with local breweries and wineries, Fox Den also offers classes in mixology. Try a Tapas and Bevvies class or learn to make cocktails and mocktails. There’s even a Kings in the Kitchen class for guys — a bourbon pairing with food — and pairing foods with beer.

Lori Smerz, owner of The Party Kitchen

By Diane Krieger Spivak

by Leave Her Wild Photography, The Party Kitchen and Farmhouse School

Photos

a new hobby and learn valuable skills in these

in Geneva, hosts birthday parties, especially cupcake decorating birthday parties, which are most popular with ages 7-10. “As they get older, we get into more baking and cooking. Scout troops can earn cooking badges,” says Smerz.

There are taco classes for adults beyond basic ground beef, including chicken and Asian tacos. Or try an Italian dinner party or themed class like gingerbread men or tailgating appetizers. Smerz’s dessert impersonator classes include cupcake cheeseburger sliders and

With a background in food and nutrition, Smerz also offers healthy cooking classes and can customize a class for special requests. Want to get your kids off the screen, onto real food and have them enjoy the experience? Leslie Meredith’s Farmhouse School is the perfect setting. She hosts farm-to-table classes on a historic property in Campton Hills. “I base my cooking over what’s seasonal and what’s local with a true understanding of who grows the food,” Meredith says. She grows, cans and freezes food for year-round cooking in her 1840s

farmhouse kitchen that’s like a “giant Home Ec class. It’s a full, hands-on class where you make a meal with main courses, side dish and dessert,” Meredith says. Eat in the farm’s beautiful perennial herb garden shaded by a huge grape arbor with a giant gazebo and walking paths.

Meredith’s mission is twofold — “to get kids to try new foods with the understanding that healthy foods can taste delicious, and to inspire people to be confident enough to cook one meal a week at home.”

A President’s Day class features

FIND THE PERFECT PAIRING

ACQUAVIVA WINERY

Maple Park • (630) 365-0333

www.acquavivawinery.com

An 85-acre estate where grapes are grown and aged from sprout to bottle. This winery holds tastings and tours, all revolving around their comprehensive range of wines and award-winning vintages.

GENEVA WINERY & TASTING ROOM

Geneva • (630) 402-0739

www.genevawine.com

Wine connesiuers rejoice with Geneva Winery and their “internationally inspired” wines. Try The Viking, a “moody red wine” featuring “notes of blackberries” with a striking profile. Or take a sip of their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon with its earthy dark chocolate tones.

Washington’s cornbread made with corn meal from Mount Vernon, Mary Todd Lincoln almond cake and Obama chili, while the Once Upon a Time camp features spaghetti from the book “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” and recipes related to “Little Women,” “Anne of Green Gables” and “Harry Potter.”

Adult, family and corporate team building classes are also on the table at Farmhouse School. Mixology classes include batch cocktails. “I did a drunken botany class with cocktails and mocktails, shrubs and kombucha, using things you might find in your garden,” says Meredith.

ASPEN LANE WINE COMPANY

Aurora • (331) 250-1123

www.aspenlanewinecompany.com

Partnered with local nonprofits and spearheaded by a beloved winemaker, Aspen Lane Wine Company is one not to be missed. With each bottle of wine bought, a substantial donation is made to one of the company’s nonprofit partners.

COOPER’S HAWK WINERY

St. Charles • (630) 940-1000

www.chwinery.com

This St. Charles extension of renowned Cooper’s Hawk Winery is a perfect opportunity to indulge in delicious food and award-winning international wines carefully curated by a professional team of connoisseurs.

BROKEN BRIX

St. Charles • (630) 377-1338

www.homebrewshopltd.com

Try your hand at a variety of wines, meads and ciders (if you’re feeling a little more fall-inspired). This Homebrew Shop is an expert at small batch crafting.

UP NORTH WINE TASTING ROOM

Geneva • (630) 345-6833

www.upnorthwinegeneva.com

After falling in love with the pace and culture of Northern Michigan, Up North Wine owners decided to bring a taste of the peninsula to Geneva. Choose from a wide range of wines and experience for yourself the unique taste of “up north.”

NATURALLY

You don’t have to break the bank or skip fun foods to eat clean

By Vicki Martinka Petersen Photos courtesy of Elly’s Nutrition

For Laura “Elly” Ortega of Aurora, her journey to clean eating began as a way to improve her health. She had high cholesterol, was a borderline diabetic and began having knee and back issues. When her doctor prescribed medication to manage her cholesterol, that’s when Ortega decided to change her lifestyle.

To Ortega, clean eating is a diet filled with foods that are sugar free; low in fat, carbs and calories; and high in protein.

“There’s lots of ways to eat healthy. You don’t have to eat organic to eat clean. I don’t buy organic because it’s too expensive,” Ortega says.

Clean eating can also mean buying food grown in natural soil without fertilizers and food grown within 100 miles.

“Locally means it’s not traveling a long distance and sprayed with nitrogen, so the food looks good. If you buy locally, it’s put in a truck in the morning and shared with a local farmers market or restaurant the same day,”

says M. Grace Grzanek, founder and executive director of Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley, which is based in Batavia.

The Just Food Initiative strives to teach people in Fox Valley about clean eating through frequent Facebook posts about ways to eat cleanly, such as buying produce directly from farmers.

“When we buy local, we’re not only eating clean but we’re also supporting local communities,” Grzanek says.

The Just Food Initiative also runs seminars at libraries and other community venues about ways people can eat clean. One of their popular programs is teaching people how to grow produce from an Earth Box – a container garden for people who don’t have yards for a garden. They also show people how to preserve leftovers after growing season by canning, freezing and pickling their bounty.

“It’s not enough to tell people what not to eat but what to do as alternatives,” Grzanek says. Even treats like donuts and waffles can be made healthy with the right ingredients. At Elly’s Nutrition in Aurora, which Ortega owns,

SIMPLE

they sell these baked goods using almond flour and added protein.

“It’s high in calories but it’s protein calories, not glucose calories,” says Melissa Waidzulis, Ortega’s daughter and co-owner of Elly’s Nutrition.

When making food choices, for Ortega, it all comes down to portion control.

“You can eat anything you want as long as you watch your portions. You can eat any type of pasta but instead of having a full serving, maybe you have just one spoonful,” Ortega says.

Tips for clean eating

n Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a way to support local farmers and enjoy seasonal produce.

n Shop at a farmers market.

n Cook or bake yourself. “Diets start in the kitchen where you can control what goes into your food,” Waidzulis says.

n Grow your own fruit and vegetables.

n When shopping at the grocery store, stay away from the middle aisles. “Your least expensive items will be fresh fruits and vegetables which are on the perimeter of the store,” Grzanek says.

By Patricia MacMillan Photos courtesy of Sweetness Cookie Company, Haylie B’s Bakery and Elder + Oat

SweetsTreats & Local

SWEETNESS COOKIE COMPANY

When it comes to deep dish, two things can be counted upon: flavorful tomato sauce and an abundance of gooey cheese. Well, not in Vanessa Bucaro’s world. While still hot out of the oven, her delectable dish features chocolate chips instead of savory ingredients.

“The deep-dish chocolate chip cookie is our number one seller,” said the owner of Sweetness Cookie Company in South Elgin.

And Bucaro doesn’t stop with the classic. The store offers five gourmet cookies, its lineup changing each week.

“We always make a stuffed cookie,”

she said. “We’ve done ones with Oreo, Nutella, and different candy bars. People really look forward to seeing what we’re going to do.”

So much so, she adds with a laugh, that the store gets phone calls and online messages if she doesn’t update the business’s Facebook page quickly enough.

Decorated sugar cookies are also a big draw — Bucaro’s artful eye and steady hand produce swoon-worthy designs — as are Rice Krispies, cake pops and macarons. Customers can also treat themselves to Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream or opt for a pick-me-up in the form of local Coroco Coffee cold brew in addition to Energy Refresher drinks in a variety of flavors.

Haylie Bollweg’s patrons follow their noses to her Bataviabased bakery.

“I have regulars who are dragged into the shop by their dogs because they know I have fresh-baked pup treats waiting for them,” said the owner of Haylie B’s Bakery. “Dogs are some of my best customers.”

But all who enter, wet nose or not, find the treats that await them undeniably alluring.

Haylie B’s Bakery specializes in cupcakes, offering ten flavors daily. Standing options include chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream and lemon, while

three rotating flavors take direction from the time of year, incorporating fruit or other seasonal ingredients.

The bakery also serves larger cakes — Bollweg is regularly commissioned to create custom wedding cake orders — cookies and dessert bars. Vegan and gluten-free items are also available via special order.

“My customers have expressed how much they appreciate having a bakery in town and how much they enjoy supporting local, which makes a small business owner like myself feel really special,” Bollweg said.

Elder + Oat’s offerings may be as fresh as they come but the establishment itself speaks of a time nearly 200 years ago.

The inspiration for the moniker of the self-described community coffee shop and micro-bakery came from a store established in West Dundee by local denizens Elder John and Nancy Oatman in the mid-1800s.

“It’s a bow to the past with an artisanal approach to coffee and bread,” said Scott Swisher, co-owner of the cafe.

The store presents sweet and savory in equal measure, with an emphasis on bread — focaccia is particularly popular.

Additionally, Elder + Oat makes scones, quiche, breakfast sandwiches and miniature loaves that change with the season as well as a stuffed pastry pie playfully known as a Scott pocket. Customers can choose fillings of ham and cheese, veggie or chocolate. Vegan options also abound.

But the space’s most popular pick is its old-fashioned doughnuts, which are sold in a variety of flavors. Apple cider doughnuts are available all year long.

“Our raised glazed doughnuts are very airy in the middle,” said Swisher, who recommends pairing them with one of the shop’s many coffee drinks. “They’re nice, light and super delicious.”

Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead

113 W. North St., Elburn

630-320-2255 | www.drinkobscurity.com

Obscurity Brewing is a traditional barbeque restaurant with a 1000 pound capacity wood smoker, the second largest in Illinois. It’s located in the heart of the agriculture district of Elburn, preserving the old Farm Services Offices and Warehouse space. The love of craft beer, the passion for mead, the live music, the childhood memories of eating your favorite BBQ and the desire to give back to the community. All these things drive the creation of our atmosphere and experience in the restaurant, brewery, and outdoor beer garden patio.

moto imoto

181 S. First St., St. Charles 630-425-0990 | www.motoimoto.com

moto imōto is a unique blend of “East meets West” Pan-Asian culinary experiences. Our Asian street-food inspired menu offers shareable plates, signature sushi rolls and chef-designed farm fresh dishes that allow us to elevate and heighten the overall guest dining experience. Our open-air wraparound patio offers a comfortable dining experience while also being right within the heart of St. Charles. From our Half-Price Sushi Tuesdays (available all day Tuesday for dine-in or carryout), our happy hour every weekday from 3-6 in our custom designed lounge area, to our various bento box specials and creative pan-asian creations, our fresh and new dining experience is sure to be a highlight of your day.

GIA MIA

13 N. Third St., Geneva | 630-405-5544

31 S. First St., St. Charles | 630-415-0770 www.giamiapizzabar.com

Gia Mia provides chef-driven, farm-to-fork concepts such as Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas, creative small plates, fresh pastas and so much more. Along with our mixology bar, we also feature craft beers and exclusive wines carefully picked to complement any meal. At our open-air patio we feature a lovely pergola at our Geneva location and an inviting piazza at our St. Charles location. With offers such as our $13 lunch special, half-price pizza Mondays, and our Wine-Down Wednesdays, it’s the perfect time for your family to enjoy the summer weather with our family.

Salsa Verde

1850 Lincoln Hwy., St. Charles 630-444-0673 | www.salsaverderestaurant.com

Salsa Verde redefines the concept of modern, fast-casual Mexican food by offering dishes prepared from authentic recipes in a friendly and vibrant environment. Tamales, tortas ahogadas and traditional street tacos are among the specialties diners love to order. No reservations needed. Dine in and try Salsa Verde’s one-of-a-kind salsa bar, which features different salsas and garnishes prepared fresh daily. In a rush? The restaurant also has a drive-thru for those on the go. Salsa Verde also offers catering, where clients do the planning and Salsa Verde takes care of the cooking. For updates and promotions on popular catering packages, visit the website.

Livia Italian Eatery

207 S. Third St., Geneva 630-402-6444 | www.liviaitalianeatery.com

Livia Italian Eatery features a broad Northern Italian inspired menu featuring dishes that range from pastas and fresh greens to crowd favorites like our New Zealand lamb chops. Along with other specialty entrées, each dish stays true to our farm-to-fresh motto. Our open-air patio features a sunken-in design in the heart of Geneva that allows for a more private outdoor dining experience, along with a ramp for easy access. With happy hour from 3-6 every week day and our new weekend brunch menu, a summer outing at Livia is the perfect place to unwind.

Ella’s Italian Pub

407 S. Third St., Geneva 630-457-1115 | www.ellasitalianpub.com

This summer, experience BG Hospitality Group’s newest location: Ella’s Italian Pub. Ella’s is located in the heart of Geneva’s historic shopping district on the corner of Fulton and Third Street. With one visit, Ella’s will soon become your favorite spot to dine and unwind. Our family-friendly dining experience starts with our signature Roman-style pizza made from handcrafted dough, accented by creative Italian pub-style street food offerings along with an extensive wine list and crafted cocktails, making it the perfect destination for any occasion. Be sure to stop by and try our off-the-menu specials: $8 Happy Hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar area or our Late-Night Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Visit our website for more. What makes us different? It’s how we “dough it!”

Hacienda Real

1602 Commons Dr., Suite 600, Geneva 630-884-5998 | www.haciendaflavorsofmexico.com

Hacienda Real is a contemporary Mexican restaurant with a focus on craft cocktails, chic bites and high-end tequila brands. With locations at Geneva Commons and Yorkville, we offer an intimate and sophisticated setting fit for our exceptional clientele. HR is the newest concept of Arechiga Restaurant Group, a food and hospitality company with locations in the Chicago west suburbs and the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

Stockholm’s

306 W. State St. , Geneva 630-208-7070 | www.stockholmsbrewpub.com

Out back and tucked in a nook with the neighboring building, protected by a high fence and covered with a shade sail, Stockholm’s patio is a little intimate dining gem. Voted the Western Suburbs’ Best Neighborhood Tavern by the readers of both the Kane County Chronicle and West Suburban Living Magazine, Stockholm’s is known for its expansive menu of freshly prepared meals using only the highest quality ingredients. You can also enjoy its handcrafted beers, brewed in an Old World tradition, naturally conditioned and unfiltered, from the Tri-Cities’ oldest brewery.

Village Squire

480 Randall Road, South Elgin | 847-931-0400

125 Washington St., West Dundee | 847-428-4483

www.villagesquire.com

Village Squire Restaurants have been part of the Fox Valley since 1974, family owned and operated. The Squire is an English pub-style casual dining restaurant featuring live music Wednesdays through Sundays and a cozy atmosphere with a great outdoor patio featuring two fireplaces for enjoyment in the warm weather months. Some of their specialties include charbroiled steaks, juicy prime rib and a wide variety of gourmet burgers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pasta and fresh fish. Famous for their house drinks, Mai Tais and Rum Barrels are made in-house and are an all-time favorite. For a casual drink or dinner, Village Squire is a great place to be!

BULLDOG PLUMBING

580 S. River St., Batavia 630-313-9109

www.bulldog-plumbing.com

BULLDOG PLUMBING

Husband and wife team Jamie and Douglas Saam have operated their plumbing business successfully for over 12 years, maintaining excellent and comprehensive service for customers throughout the Fox River Valley.

“We officially registered the business in April of 2011,” says Jamie Saam. “My husband had been a union plumber for years prior to starting our own business. Neither of us had been business owners before but felt the experience I had working with businesses would help us. We knew there was a good client base in this area, so we decided to try it on our own.”

After finding their first reliable client, the Saams obtained their business licensing, health department licensing and insurance bonding. “We started conversations about doing some work with Tivoli, who owns all of the Classic Cinema Theatres throughout the region,” says Saam. “They were doing some major remodeling of their historic buildings and wanted to work with a company that was insured, bonded and licensed, so when we knew we could work with them as a trusted partner, we decided to go ahead and take those steps to start the business, and we still work with them today.”

Residences and businesses within the TriCities deal with a lot of hard water and flooding issues, as well as aging plumbing mechanics. Some of Bulldog Plumbing’s top services include water conditioning and sump pump maintenance to combat these regional issues.

“We do both residential and commercial service for new construction, existing homes and remodels,” says Saam. “We are experts in tankless water heaters and are seeing a lot more of requests for basement watchdog systems with the sump pump,

electronic apps and monitoring systems to better monitor the water conditions inside homes.”

The Bulldog Plumbing family includes a mixture of licensed plumbing technicians, a few apprentices and a water conditioning specialist.

“One issue we’re dealing with, like other contractors, is a lot less people going to trade school, while many tradesmen are retiring out of their jobs,” says Saam. “We’re trying to encourage younger individuals to consider it as a successful and fulfilling career path, so we are working with a couple of schools in the area as well as the Batavia Chamber of Commerce to get that information out.”

Being part of and receiving Best of the Fox recognition is an honor, says Jamie Saam, especially with so many plumbing businesses in the area to choose from. “It’s amazing to see people in our community, people who use us on a regular basis, really do feel that we are the best option for their plumbing needs,” says Saam. “We are grateful they welcome and trust us in their home and that they share with others that we are a great option for plumbing services.”

By Jamie Baker • Photos courtesy of Bulldog Plumbing

DORJATH Law Center

ttorney Nancie Dorjath is a longtime lover of Batavia, the city she calls home to her estate planning practice and the neighborhood where she and her husband David raised their children.

“We live in this community and Batavia is a great place that supports itself,” she says. “It was important to me to have my business in town and my kids went to school here as well.”

Dorjath Law Center focuses on estate planning and working with clients from every walk of life. “Estate planning is for anyone over the age of 18,” says Dorjath. “Part of my job, I believe, is to educate the public on what estate planning is and why you need it, and then I let my clients decide what the best approach is for them. Estate planning shouldn’t be cookie cutter. It should be based on each individual family’s needs.”

The pandemic offered a unique opportunity for Nancie with her clients, providing a way to continue her practice and opening an avenue to stay connected with them through Zoom. “During Covid, if it wasn’t for Batavia, I don’t know if my practice would have survived,” she says. “I was doing drive by signings and everything via Zoom, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. We would do things through windows – we became very creative.”

Estate planning, in particular, is a passion of Nancie’s. Taking care of clients and providing them with a trusted professional to handle the delicate details of their lives is an important pillar at Dorjath Law.

“Estate planning is very personal, it’s very intimate,” says Nancie. “I learn a lot of family secrets and kind of know everything about them, so it’s my job to make people feel comfortable and make

sure they know they can trust me. I want to get to know people and understand them because they are letting me in their world, and for that, I am very thankful.”

To Nancie, it doesn’t matter who someone is or how much money they have, everyone who comes in her door gets the same respect, dignity and service. “It’s all about giving people the time and attention that this work requires,” she says. “You want people to listen to you, hear you and acknowledge you. If someone doesn’t have the money, that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve representation. I think it’s my duty to help everyone, regardless of their availability to pay.”

As one of the Best of the Fox winners, Dorjath Law is incredibly grateful to their community. “It’s the absolute best,” says Nancie. “For my clients to take the time and vote for me makes me feel like what I am doing is worthwhile and people appreciate it.”

By Jamie Baker • Photos courtesy of Dorjath Law Center

FINANCIAL

Serving the community of Geneva and beyond, family-owned business Lenity Financial is a global boutique investment firm that understands the value of personal connection and care for their clients. Husband and wife team Lisa and Mark Bova have lived, worked and invested in the Geneva community for the past 21 years.

Today, they are continuing their passion in their firm and utilizing more than 25 years of experience to best serve their clients. “We work with families and business owners, planning and investing their wealth for today and their future,” says Lisa. “We offer Wealth Management services including investment management, financial planning and tax planning.”

As a fee-only fiduciary, Lenity Financial provides monetary guidance for businesses, individuals and families across Geneva and throughout the world. “We are forward thinking and leverage technology toward a “best in class” client experience,” says Lisa. “Whether providing online access to accounts, financial plans or tax reports, Lenity Financial utilizes the industry’s top technology.”

It’s crucial to the Bovas that their clients understand their place in the markets as well as their position in regard to retirement. “We educate people that don’t know about certain things we find cause them more concern and anxiety,” says Lisa. “We give them clarity and help them to know the probabilities of success. We can help people understand how their money will work for them in their next phase and in retirement.”

Mark, in particular, has multifaceted and comprehensive experience in investments. “[Mark] was the Head of the ETF Knowledge Center overseeing $32 billion in exchange traded funds servicing, distribution and educating portfolio managers at nearly all of the top investment firms on Wall Street,” says Lisa.

Together, the Bovas make a unique and formidable team with a strong sense of financial acumen and personal touch. “It’s been a world of growth for us personally because, not only do we experience the trials and tribulations of the market finances and challenges of everyday life like everyone else, but then we are doing it together,” says Mark. “Personally, we have grown with that experience. Professionally, we work really well together, and we are in each meeting with our clients.”

Their success is evident in the longevity of their client relationships, many of them having been established prior to opening Lenity Financial. As for being named Best of the Fox as Financial Advisors? “We’re so joyful and it is such an honor, especially as a boutique firm,” says Lisa. “To know that there were that many people who recognized us, we were genuinely surprised and genuinely honored.”

“Fortunately, for what we do and the people we do it for, it’s super personal and I think that their vote is an attestation for the regard and the personal connection they feel with us, and it’s reciprocal,” adds Mark. “We care so much about our clients’ success and keeping their legacy for their heirs and their community. This work is heartfelt and so important to us.”

By Jamie Baker • Photo by KimberleeB Photography

Artist

Melisa Celaya

The Tri-Cities are booming with arts and artists — perhaps nowhere more vibrantly than Batavia’s Water Street Studios, which hosts events, galleries and up to 25 artists in residence. Each month, Kane County Magazine and Water Street Studios are partnering to highlight artists and their work.

Melisa Celaya has been a resident artist at Water Street Studios for close to a year after happening upon the art gallery during the Aurora All Stars show. “When I realized it was exactly what I had been searching for, I immediately put my foot in the door and became a part of the community,” says Celaya.

Aurora is Celaya’s hometown, and the artist has spent a good amount of quality time at Society 57. “It has such a great environment in the heart of Aurora,” says Celaya. “I have met many great artists and people with deep passion and ambition.”

At the height of the pandemic, Celaya found an artistic pathway through portraying spirituality with symbolism. “My piece, ‘The Human Experience,’ was made in 2020,” says Celaya. “In a moment of solitude and darkness, I found myself working on something so revolutionary to my kind of work. It was something that was so groundbreaking to me. I fell in love with the idea of displaying spirituality in a symbolic way. It changed the trajectory of my work completely.”

Celaya’s piece, “Duality,” was completed in 2022 and relates to who Celaya is as an artist. “Each time I find myself working on larger scaled projects, pushing myself to work larger has brought on new challenges I did not expect,” says Celaya. “’Duality’ showcases Nonbinary beings joined together sharing light, connecting them regardless of their polarity.”

This connection is not only vital in Celaya’s work, but in the role of art in the community as a whole. “Art is for everyone; it creates memories and connections,” says Celaya. “Being able to find moments to come together and simply have the creative freedom to create can spark new things into people. For children especially, art shows them there are no wrong answers.”

About the Artist

Melisa Celaya, 20, has been a Water Street Studios resident artist since Nov. 1, 2022. Celaya’s body of work revolves around human experience and the way it reacts and coexists with society. Celaya’s pieces carry bold colors that showcase the polarity seen in humanity.

DETAILS OF Melisa celaya’s WORK:

To view more of Melisa Celaya's artwork, follow on Instagram @issaxartt.

u Knocking On the Staircase to Heaven: mixed media painting

v Human Ascension: oil on canvas

w Duality: oil on canvas

For more information on the artist of the month, head to waterstreetstudios.org or the organization’s social media pages.

3.

SEPTEMBER 2023

2

and plan ahead for the month of September!

Clip out this page

Take a breather: sit back and relax on Labor Day with your family!

8 9

Indulge at Geneva’s Festival of the Vine and enjoy the taste of Geneva under the Flavor Fare tent, sip wines, check out arts & crafts and more!

Witness thousands of lanterns filled with hope and love launch into the river with the amazing Aurora Water Lantern Festival @ RiverEdge Park, 4:30-9 p.m.

Sample refreshing and delicious beers from 12 local breweries at Pints by the Pond in Batavia from 2-5 p.m.

First day of fall!

Take in live music @ Sidecar Supper Club in Batavia with Fiddle Face from 8-11 p.m., $5 cover.

Bring the whole family for free events during Fall Fest Day 1 @ Wasco Nursery in St. Charles.

Festival of the Vine

Grab a

FOR ADULTS:

“Anxious People ” by Fredrik Backman

This is a story about idiots. But to stop there would be doing the characters a disservice. This fascinating web of characters each have their own compelling story and find themselves tied together by a rather unusual circumstance. It all begins with a crime that never happened: a failed bank robbery where the “almost” perpetrator accidentally finds themselves taking on unintended hostages. Neither the hostage-taker nor the hostages know how to proceed. But each has their own personal reason for staying and to see the situation through. Local detectives are on the scene. In their quest to secure the area, catch the perpetrator and identify a motive, they keep running into roadblocks. Strangely, these roadblocks are created by the hostages themselves. This book is as humorous as it is reflective. A friend once said, “Even with heavy issues like depression and anxiety, there is always lightness and hope.” Mr. Backman certainly brings this message home. Recommended for anyone who loves a lighthearted and quirky exploration of a deeper message.

– Mary Foster, library associate

FOR KIDS:

“Squished” by Megan Wagner Lloyd

This heartwarming, funny graphic novel tells the story of 11-year-old Avery, who feels “squished” living with her parents and six siblings. She loves her younger siblings, but they take up a lot of her time and attention, leaving her wanting a space of her own. As she tries to balance friends, family and finishing her art entry in the summer fair, her parents mention a possible move to the other side of the country. How will Avery get through it all when she feels surrounded on all sides? This is a charming and imaginative book that will teach kids about resilience, friendship and the importance of embracing one’s unique abilities. With its inviting illustrations and engaging narrative, “Squished” is a must-read for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale.

– Sandy Lang, libray associate

Reading nourishes your mind with knowledge and entertainment! Here are two recommendations for your September reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.

BO OK recommendations

Feed your mind – and in some cases, your stomach –with these reading suggestions from Town House Books in St. Charles and The Book Shop in Batavia. Booksellers share a variety of titles featuring recipes, chef memoirs, global cuisine and a peek behind the kitchen doors of restaurants, plus a few books to sate your appetite for fiction and nonfiction.

Photos courtesy of Town House Books

FOOD-RELATED BOOKS

Recommendations from David Hunt at Town House Books

n “Half Baked Harvest Every Day”: Tieghan Gerard’s recipes never fail to be unfussy, uncomplicated and delicious.

n “On Rue Tatin”: This charming memoir paints a rich picture of the author’s life running a cooking school in France – with recipes!

n “The Last Chinese Chef”: A foodie mystery exploring the history of Chinese cuisine.

n “Taste”: Lovable and relatable Stanley Tucci explores his past.

n “The Forest Feast for Kids”: Simple vegetarian recipes for kids.

n “Kitchen Confidential”: Funny – and sometimes shocking – look at the world of restaurants and professional kitchens in Anthony Bourdain’s thoroughly relatable, conversational voice.

n “Kitchens of the Great Midwest”: We meet the character Eva as a baby and follow her culinary and personal adventures on her way to becoming a world-renowned chef.

n “Dinner in One”: The go-to one pot, pan, skillet, bowl cookbook. Great easy recipes.

MORE READING TO FEED YOUR MIND

Recommendations from James Josef at The Book Shop Batavia

n “A Manual For Cleaning Women” by Lucia Berlin is a collection of short stories that are beautiful in their everyday ambience. I recommend it to everyone, especially writers.

n “Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too” is a book I bought for my daughter, and within mere days she’d read it several times. It’s wonderful in its honesty and vulnerability. Children and parents should share in reading this book.

n “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” by Carson McCullers is a classic that more people should read. It tells the story of a group of people with one friend in common: a kind, deaf mute. The perspectives change from character to character as they tell their individual stories of loneliness.

n “The Constitution of Knowledge” by Jonathan Rauch is timely and needed. It explains how we come to knowledge. Rauch intelligently tackles how we should handle disinformation and conspiracy theories. I also recommend his earlier work, “Kindly Inquisitors.”

n “Of Boys and Men” by Richard Reeves is a heartfelt and intelligent dive into the problems facing young and adult men. Reeves artfully lays out with statistics what the problems are and how we may help in an age of loneliness and disconnection. I highly recommend this book for teachers, coaches and especially parents of young men.

ACORNS for Make Way

Forest cleanup efforts are helping oaks thrive in St. Charles

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske • Photos courtesy of St. Charles Park District

hey’ve been called mighty oaks, their long branches reaching out across the canopy of trees.

But since the time of European settlement, oaks have been harvested, had to compete with introduced species and are less common as landscaping trees as communities planted parkway trees like the non-native pear trees that look pretty in the spring with their white blossoms, or the Norway maples whose leaves offer bright hues in the autumn. Some of these introduced species have spread into natural areas and are making it difficult for oaks to thrive.

DID YOU KNOW ...?

St. Charles Park District maintains an inventory of trees within the park system. An interactive map featuring sites, specific tree species and their ecological and economic benefits is online at stcharlesparks. com/information/tree-inventory.

The map also denotes Gold Medal Trees, which are the top 8% of the parks’ most beneficial trees.

Within the St. Charles Park District is an effort by ecological restoration staff to help with the conservation and even a bit of a comeback for oak trees. St. Charles natural areas contain many red, white and burr oaks, some of them 100 to 150 years old.

Based on documents from the Federal Land Survey in the 1830s, roughly 22 percent of the land in the Chicago region was known as oak woodlands, said Chris Gingrich, assistant superintendent of outdoor education for the St. Charles Park District. Oak trees provided lumber for early settlers. Today, less than 27 percent of those original oak woodlands remain and, without efforts to educate, preserve and plant more oaks, that number will continue to decrease with passing time. “A lot of species rely on oaks. They’re a pretty important tree in the forest,” Gingrich said.

Ecologists consider oak trees a keystone tree in the forestry ecosystem. From the birds and squirrels that make their homes in the branches of a tall tree to the insects, as well as other small mammals that will make their homes in a fallen oak in the forest. Birds feed off the insects in the trees, in addition to enjoying acorns, which are an important food source for small mammals like squirrels. There are even fungi that live on the trees.

Avid fans of wildlife understand that native trees, like oaks as well as native plants, attract wildlife. Gingrich explained animals and insects are drawn to these native species.

“These plants and trees attract wildlife and pollinators because as they’ve evolved together over hundreds of

Fall Happenings at the St. Charles Park District

BARN DANCE

years, they’ve been a reliable source of food and shelter,” Gingrich said.

The St. Charles Park District has made a commitment to preserve oak trees in its natural areas, as part of its restoration and conservation efforts. Gingrich said the oak tree seeds and acorns need plenty of sunlight to grow. When there are densely growing plants, like the invasive species of buckthorn or maples extending large amount of shade, acorns and oak seedlings can’t get enough sunlight.

Naturalists and volunteers have worked hard to clear out buckthorn and other underbrush to provide room on the forest floors in wooded park lands, to help the acorns in woodland parks such as Delnor Woods Park, Hickory Knolls Natural Area, Norris Woods Nature Preserve and Persimmon Woods. Utilizing burn regimes can help clear the forest floor, Gingrich said. At times, this clearing away brush can look extreme, but opening up the woodlands will make a difference for future generations.

“We try to clear out the non-native species and the underbrush,” Gingrich said. “This gives the native species a chance to thrive.”

Additionally, park district staff promote planting new oaks and other native plants for residential landscaping. Homeowners who are interested in using natives in their own landscaping can work with organizations like the Wild Ones Greater Kane County Chapter, which promotes the use of native plants in landscaping, gardening, naturescaping and land restoration.

Gingrich said, “The more we use native plants, the more the area will be hospitable to oaks.”

Saturday

September 16

ALL Ages

5-9pm • Adv. Ticket: $13/person

At the door: $15/person

Usher in the harvest season with music, dancing, a bonfire and an amazing sunset. Ticket includes a beginner dance lesson.

Saturday

September 23

Ages 21+

Ticket times: 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm $35 per person

St. Charles Park District Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park while sampling delicious local libations. Advance registration required. Mt. St. Mary Park • Prairie Street, east of Rt. 31 • St. Charles

More info & tickets: stcparks.org/events

Primrose Farm • 5N726 Crane Road • St. Charles

The perils of a Sunday

To ensure we are all clear on this: Getting stuck in traffic is still awful. But this particular time, to be completely truthful, it did bring a slight smile to my face.

And I may have chuckled a bit at how I had allowed myself to drive right into it. Almost like it wasn’t somehow just so awfully, well, normal.

It all began with a quick trip out on a Sunday morning to pick up a bag of dog food. Under normal circumstances, this particular shopping run would never have happened. Most weeks, my family and I would rather eat mystery leftovers from the back of the fridge before setting foot in a supermarket on Sunday mornings.

Plus, we knew our pup still had enough kibble to last for a couple days.

But this particular Sunday, we were headed out of town for a week. So, after our younger child kindly alerted us at 10 p.m. on Saturday that the pooch’s food container was nearly empty, an unexpected shopping trip suddenly barged into our itinerary. (Caring for the dog is part of the younger one’s daily chores, so kudos to her for remembering to tell us, I suppose –even if it could have come about 12 hours earlier.)

About an hour after sunrise on Sunday, out of bed I rolled, and out the door I went, seeking to ensure ample time to load the car with suitcases and other assorted necessities and sundries for the road trip upon my (presumedly, quick) return.

After making it out of the store in good time, a quick glance at the clock proclaimed enough time remained for a quick detour to our neighboring community for a morning treat: a box of our favorite donuts for the road.

Mind you, my family are not food snobs, particularly when discussing donuts. (Though, there are some brands we may be a little less enthusiastic about).

But we do have our favorites. And especially on a Sunday morning, there is just something a little more special about the glazed cinnamon rolls, raspberry jelly-filled bismarcks, chocolate-dipped yeast rings and long johns from this particular bakery, normally about 10 minutes away, in the quaint downtown area in the next town over.

That is where I was headed this particular Sunday morning, my mind on cruise control, completely oblivious to what my car was headed into.

The first clue of trouble ahead perhaps should have been the tumbleweed blowing through the pickedover pastry case at the big box store. In retrospect, an alert mind may have asked: Why would their cases of clearly inferior donuts be so empty, so early, on a Sunday?

My mind, however, was nowhere near so alert. Instead, with dog food and a couple other grocery items in tow, whistling a tune (yes, literally whistling), I headed for our preferred local bakery.

Perhaps you might say, even a mind already slipping into vacation mode would have noticed the unusual number of police cars and city workers buzzing about the streets, as one drew nearer downtown. You might also say, one should have taken note of the unusual amount of traffic, particularly as one stopped whistling and began to ponder why so many people were out so early on a Sunday morning on local streets, if they didn’t appear to know where they were going.

By the time I saw the orange-and-white striped barricades, blocking the road, two blocks away from the bakery, realization at last dawned:

I had driven into the annual downtown car show.

Yes, I had read the articles in the local paper. Yes, I had heard the ads on the local radio. Yes, I had seen mentions made on social media, all the week prior.

No, it did not dawn on me until that precise moment where precisely I was, and what precisely I had done. And now, there was no way out, but through the maze of detours, caught in a crawling conga line of vehicles, all trying to either find their way to a parking spot not too far from the action, or, like me, trying to find their way back to a road that will carry them away, as quickly as possible.

I suppose you might say, I was out of practice. After all, the car show, while an annual tradition, had taken two years off, as did many community traditions all over the region and the country, during the Covid pandemic.

And, even though it had returned in 2022, it had been a smaller event, playing to smaller crowds.

But now, here it was splayed out before me, in its full splendor: Blocks of glistening muscle cars, roadsters, hot rods and big beautiful tail-finned convertible automotive boats, all shimmering under the early morning summer sun, classic rock music blaring, the smells of popcorn and grilled meats wafting through the morning air, and so many people, already packed in, and streaming in by the dozens and hundreds from all sides, most carrying cups of coffee and bags of – you guessed it – donuts.

Not only was the car show back, it was by many measures, bigger than ever, with all of the associated traffic.

As that traffic wound slowly around, my mind also fully wound itself around the spectacle.

It was messy. It was loud. It was, in many ways, annoying. But after so many years of emptiness, cancellations and general foreboding, this just felt oh so normal. In its simple, homespun beauty, it was as heartwarming and soul-stirring as any late summer sunrise over the misty emerald fields of corn that surround these places we call home.

Indeed, you might say it was almost distracting enough to make me happy for more traffic jams, or make me forget about the donuts.

Almost.

n Jonathan Bilyk writes about the triumphs and travails of being a modern-day dad who legitimately enjoys time with his family, while tolerating a dog that seems to adore him. He also doesn’t really like the moniker “Superdad” because it makes it sound like he wants to wear his undergarments on the outside of his pants. (Also,the cape remains on back order.)

FORECAST REAL ESTATE MARKET

NAVIGATING THE NEXT 3 MONTHS AND BEYOND

As we approach the end of the year, the national real estate market is poised for an intriguing journey. After experiencing unprecedented fluctuations and challenges over the past couple of years, the next three months hold promise and uncertainties alike. However, it is essential to remember the national real estate market does not always reflect the dynamics of local markets. This is why staying informed through reliable sources and local realtors is imperative for homebuyers and sellers.

Over the next three months, the national real estate market is expected to maintain its upward trajectory, albeit with some moderation. Mortgage rates may experience slight fluctuations, but they are projected to remain the same. Home price appreciation might decelerate as more inventory becomes available, easing the pressure on buyers.

As the year comes to a close, there may be increased opportunities for first-time homebuyers and those looking to relocate as sellers become more active in listing their properties. Overall, the market is likely to retain its strength, ensuring a favorable environment for sellers and buyers alike.

LOCAL MARKET NUANCES

While national trends provide valuable insights, they might not align with what is happening in your local real estate market. Real estate is highly localized – each region, city or even neighborhood may have distinct dynamics impacting supply and demand.

Factors such as local job markets, population growth and regional economic conditions play a significant role in shaping real estate trends. Some areas might experience an accelerated pace of growth, while others may encounter a slower market due to specific economic factors or demographic shifts.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH LOCAL REALTORS

To navigate the complexities of the real estate market, it is crucial to seek guidance from local real estate professionals. Realtors possess intimate knowledge of the local market, including up-to-date information on current listings, recent sales data and emerging trends. They can help buyers identify suitable properties and negotiate competitive offers, and sellers can benefit from their expertise in pricing strategies and

marketing.

The next three months and the end of the year hold exciting opportunities in the national real estate market. However, it is essential to remember that national trends may not reflect local realities. To make informed decisions, rely on the expertise of your local realtors who can provide tailored insights and help you navigate the unique dynamics of your specific market. With the right guidance, both buyers and sellers can make the most of the evolving real estate landscape.

Samantha Bauman and Raul Delgado are agents with The Move Smarter Team | Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Chicago. They can be reached at 630-303-1052. For information, visit www.themovesmarterteam.com.

Eating & Drinking the Garden

Do you know that many plants in your garden have edible flowers or stems?

In addition to fruits and vegetables, many plants can be used as an ingredient in soups, jams, syrups, cocktails, mocktails, infused teas, water and lemonades, as well as garnishes.

I just attended a garden tour in Michigan. As the tour guide, who is a plant breeder for a nursery, walked by a large blooming rose – a Flavorette Honey-Apricot rose by Proven Winners – he grabbed a bloom and stuffed it in his mouth! He didn’t even check for Japanese beetles first – I admired his confidence. Through chewing, he explained

breeders are breeding some plants to be useful in the kitchen and be gorgeous in the garden. Roses and other similar edible flowers are pretty on cakes and pastries and are used as garnishes in salads and soups. Roses have a peppery/spicy flavor with strawberry or apple notes. Flowers can be “sugared” to make them even prettier as a garnish. Freeze them in ice cubes and float them in sparkling water. Simple syrups can be made using fruits, leaves or flowers, and extras can be added to drinks as garnishes. Make sure edible flowers are used sparingly and with simple ingredients so their subtle taste is not diluted. Here are some plants that you can add to your garden and your menu, as well as a few drink

recipes from Wasco’s retail manager, Amy – the queen of garden cocktails!

n Edible flowers: Pansies, nasturtium, roses, marigolds, dianthus, clover, dandelions, perennial hibiscus (use the giant flowers as a salad plate), impatiens, tall garden phlox, alliums (chives and onions – all parts are edible on all types).

n Herbs: Anise hyssop (tastes/smells like licorice), basil, bee balm (used in many teas, the flowers have a minty flavor with hints of citrus), borage (excellent in lemonades, punches and gin and tonics), cilantro, fennel, lavender (float a flower stem in a glass of champagne), lemon verbena, mint (many different flavors available now), oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme.

Recipes for your garden harvest

Simple syrups are easy and a great way to use up extra herbs and flowers. You can use them in cocktails, mocktails, lemonade, iced tea and more. Some of Amy’s favorites to use in the summer are mint, rosemary, lavender, jalapeño, basil and pineapple sage.

AMY’S SIMPLE SYRUP

1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar*, heat on the stove over low heat until dissolved. Once sugar is dissolved, remove pot from burner and add a few sprigs of herbs, fruit or flowers of your choice. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes.Strain to remove the herbs, pour syrup into a mason jar and let cool, then cover and refrigerate. Use within one week.

*You can also use honey or brown sugar for a little different taste.

JALAPEÑO MARGARITA

1 1/2-2 oz. silver tequila

1 oz. Cointreau

3/4 oz. fresh lime juice (can also add a splash of fresh orange or grapefruit juice) 1/4 oz. jalapeño simple syrup (use above syrup recipe with jalapeños as fruit)

Add all ingredients with ice to a shaker, shake for 30 seconds, strain into saltrimmed glass and garnish with a few jalapeño slices.

(I can vouch for the amazing taste of this margarita – your guests will love it!)

Another of Amy’s favorite ways to use her garden harvest without making a simple syrup:

CUCUMBER GIN & TONIC

Few slices of cucumber

Small bunch of mint or basil

2 oz. gin

1/2 - 3/4 oz. fresh lemon or lime juice

Tonic or club soda

In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber and mint or basil. Add gin, lime/lemon juice, ice, shake for 30 seconds.

Strain into ice-filled tall glass; top with tonic or club soda. Stir gently, garnish with mint or basil and/or cucumber slice.

Be sure and wash all of your harvest before using and DO NOT use any herbicides or pesticides on or near your edible plants. Use organic fertilizers. Always make sure you identify each plant carefully and make sure it’s truly edible by consulting trusted edible flower references. Do not use flowers or plants that are growing by the road or in the wild. Remove the reproductive parts (pistils and stamens) before serving. Separate the petals from the rest of the flower just before using to prevent wilting. If you are unsure, don’t eat it. Just because a flower is edible does not mean it’s tasty to you. Try a sample before you use a flower in a recipe!

Meagan Provencher is the Senior Landscape Designer at Wasco Nursery in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@wasconursery.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Silent Thief the

Recently we were cleaning out my 91-yearold mother’s basement and came across her teacher’s contract for a full-time high school English and speech position. The sum total for the year was a whopping $5,400, which was to be paid in 12 equal installments of $450 each. Having other teachers in the family, I know those who pursue the profession do so out of a passion to educate rather than to pursue a lucrative career. Understanding that a teacher’s salary may not be high, the real story here is the impact of inflation over time. (In 1959, inflation was 2%.)

You probably remember your first “real job” as an adult and what you were paid. In 1987, I was in institutional sales and was paid a salary of $20,500 that year plus a company car, small bonus and other perks. Having just left a college campus where I worked three jobs to get through school, I thought I had hit it big. (In 1987, inflation was 4.1%)

For purposes of this article, we are going to reference the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the measurement of inflation. The CPI is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. For July 2023, CPI had increased 3.2% over the prior 12 months – this despite the Federal Reserve’s determination to try to drive inflation back down to an annualized target level of 2%.

At right is a snapshot of some of the common components of CPI for July as shared by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/cpi).

12-MONTH PERCENTAGE CHANGE

Consumer Price Index, July 2023, not seasonally adjusted

How inflation affects a consumer’s purchasing power & why you should plan ahead

Why is the Federal Reserve so intent on trying to get inflation back down to a low target? One of the reasons is the eroding effect that inflation has on the consumer’s purchasing power. As paltry as the salaries referenced above are today, back in their time they represented a competitive wage. A common mistake many early retirees make is that they assume their current retirement income will continue to be sufficient to cover their living expenses throughout retirement. Those who find themselves on a fixed income, such as a pension, can find themselves painfully transitioning from a comfortable lifestyle to one where it can be increasingly difficult to pay the bills as time progresses.

Not to belabor the point, but let’s look at a few simple examples of what the following items average cost was at that time:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual inflation from 1959 to the present has ranged from a low of 1% in 2010 to a high of 12.4% in 1980. The average rate from 1959 through June 2023 has been 3.7%. With many people being concerned about outliving their money, inflation is something we all need to pay attention to.

How have you positioned your portfolio to account for inflation? If you are not sure how to go about this task, call your financial advisor for assistance, or you can call our team – we’ll be happy to help!

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor, or plan provider. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Tom McCartney and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice.

Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a Wealth Manager, RJFS. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. My Advisor & Planner is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Tom and his team are located at 65 N. River Lane, Suite 212, Geneva, IL and can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.