Kcm june 2016

JUNE 2016

THE

ART

of

INNOVATION

PAUL LENCIONI BRINGS

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INSIDE

THE MEN’S EDITION HOBBIES & CAREERS 8 SUPERMARKET MODERNIZATION Blue Goose Market owner Paul Lencioni continues four generations of innovation

13 THE MAN’S MAN Police detective Ted Fanning explores hobbies in home brewing and barbecue

Photos by THOMAS J. KING

A go-to guide for gardening

44 CLIMATE CONTROL Smart thermostats a wise investment

FASHION & BEAUTY

Geneva resident blends love of wine and Napa Valley to create Bright Angel label

46 IVY LOVE BOUTIQUE Brings men’s fashion to Geneva shopping scene

22 THE OTHER CHRIS CHELIOS

48 THE GIFT OF TIME

For this former professional hockey player, the ice is his classroom

Trends in men’s watches

26 DISTILLING DOWN BY THE RIVER

50 MAN CAVE ESCAPES

DINING & ENTERTAINING

Preview to the 20th annual Blues on the Fox festival

42 LANDSCAPING SMART

17 WINEMAKER TO WATCH

Mike Orlando taps into craft spirits trend and Geneva history at Fox River Distilling Company

65

HOME & LIFESTYLE

30 GRILLMASTERS: BARBECUING AND BEYOND

OUT & ABOUT Why go home when you can go out?

54 KANE COUNTY FAIR Kick off this summer with some festival fun at the oldest and longest-standing fair in the country.

58 EDITOR’S CHOICE A Father’s Day gift guide

Hot spots for smoked meats and killer cuts

60 WET, WILD AND WORRY-FREE

BUSINESS & CIVIC

St. Charles Park District’s summer ‘Swim Safe’ programs stress aquatic safety

35 HOMETOWN PROMOTER Batavia MainStreet executive director Jamie Saam helps Batavia bloom

HEALTH & WELLNESS 37 REAL MEN DO YOGA Male instructors clear up common misconceptions associated with the practice

FAMILY IN FOCUS 40 TIRED OF FEELING EXHAUSTED?

62 ARTIST SHOWCASE After 36 years of teaching, Geneva potter jumps into art exploration.

64 CALENDAR OF EVENTS See what’s happening in Kane County this June. Plus, a preview to the 20th annual Blues on the Fox festival.

66 SOCIAL LIFE Fashion at the Airport showcases runway style

Addressing fatigue requires more than a quick fix

4 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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Editor's Note In honor of Father’s Day, June’s edition is dedicated to men.

Even though I consider myself a feminist of sorts, I cannot deny that most of my favorite writers, TV personalities, artists and musicians are, indeed, men.

I know how that sounds. But let me explain.

It can be argued that women have only just begun being viewed as equals among men, and we still have a ways to go. But that’s not what this letter is about.

This is about the evolution of man.

As the roles of women continue to change, so do the roles of men.

In many American families today, both parents are working, share household responsibilities and co-parent, which relieves women from having to assume the position of “domestic house-wife.” As men stand as pillars of support for their women, women are freer to pursue their own dreams and follow their convictions. The mentality is changing, and – as a woman – I am grateful for having such strong men in my life to foster characteristics of strength.

Blue Goose Market has been in Paul Lencioni’s family for four generations, in “Supermarket Modernization” find out how the St. Charles resident is employing the art of innovation to keep things “fresh.”

Other featured men include Geneva resident Ted Fanning, a police detective, home brewer and a barbecue savant; Pat Pipp, also of Geneva, recently had Bright Angel, a wine label he started with his wife, featured in Wine Enthusiast magazine; Chris Chelios, a former pro athlete turned hockey director for area youth, discusses his passion for the ice and the sport’s rise in popularity; and Fox River Distillery owner Mike Orlando, who is pioneering the local craft spirits trend, shares how his distillery gives a hat tip to Geneva’s history.

From trends in men’s watches and a Father’s Day gift guide to man cave escapes and top spots for killer barbecue, we’ve got it all here.

Happy Father’s Day, and thanks for reading.

As a daughter, my father has never instilled any sort of limitations on whom I was capable of becoming, which is probably a lot more than I can say for my grandmothers, or even my own mother.

Kara Silva, Editor

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

GENERAL MANAGER Laura Burke 630-427-6213 lburke@shawmedia.com DIRECTOR OF NICHE REVENUE Sherri Dauskurdas 630-427-6263 sdauskurdas@shawmedia.com EDITOR Kara Silva 630-427-6209 ksilva@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com

This month, we’ve come up with a slew of interesting specimens to represent the XY chromosome.

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 spetti@shawmedia.com

on the

COVER

Paul Lencioni employs the art of innovation while at the helm of his family’s business – Blue Goose Market. Find out how he keeps things “fresh” after four generations of ownership, on Page 8.

Tricia Walter 630-845-5272 twalter@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Chris Walker, Melissa Riske, Kelsey O’Connor, Jonathan Bilyk, Shonda Dudlicek, Yvonne Benson PHOTOGRAPHERS Ron McKinney, Joe Perez, Thomas J. King

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.

Photo by RON MCKINNEY

6 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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SUPERMARKET

MODERNIZATION

Blue Goose owner PAUL

LENCIONI

continues four generations of innovation

By JONATHAN BILYK Photos by RON MCKINNEY

F

ive years ago, Paul Lencioni was already well on his way to making a name for himself.

Through the preceding years, the St. Charles native had coupled his college education in accounting and finance with the lessons learned from a childhood spent in his family’s supermarket. He quickly worked his way up through the ranks of a national distributor of convenience store products, ultimately landing a spot as a senior vice president of sales, with a territory that included all of the markets east of the Mississippi River between Wisconsin and Georgia.

But now, about four years after giving all of that up to return to where he started, Lencioni says he often finds himself feeling nervous, standing behind a counter at the Blue Goose Market in downtown St. Charles, concentrating on nothing more in a given moment than properly emulsifying a perfect hollandaise sauce.

“First of all, it’s super tough, because you’ve got to get it just right. But standing there, it’s worse – everybody can see me,” he says with a laugh.

Since 2012, Lencioni, son of former Blue Goose president David Lencioni, accepted his family’s invitation to become the fourth generation to take the helm of the store in more than 85 years.

-Continued on page 10

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HOBBIES & CAREERS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 9

-Continued from page 9 Being an independent, family-owned store has meant that, while some things change, others never do.

“We have a tradition of taking care of people,” Lencioni says. “We’re doing business with friends, family, neighbors.”

But the independence also has meant the store has enjoyed a lot of room for innovation, he says.

And since taking his dad’s chair – and “Yes, I’ve got his chair,” Lencioni says – that is a part of the job Lencioni also has enjoyed.

While in many ways Lencioni has stepped into his family’s tradition, he says, in other ways, it’s not all just a matter of following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather

10 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

and other family members.

While knowing what has led to Blue Goose’s success in the past, Lencioni says he’s working to ensure the supermarket remains successful in the 21st Century.

“We’re asking, ‘What does innovation look like in 2016?’” he says.

For Lencioni, that means expanding the selection of gluten-alternative foods; launching a craft beer club and partnering with local restaurants on special beer dinner events; and enlisting a team of chefs to create the “Supper Club” to craft recipes to help customers simply cook – and eat – better at home.

Working with the chefs has challenged

HOBBIES & CAREERS

Lencioni to boost his own culinary knowledge. Right now, he says, he’s “addicted to making the five ‘mother’ sauces” of French cuisine – a collection that includes hollandaise. Sometimes that process plays out in the store, itself.

“I’m trying to learn everything I can,” he says. “It’s my responsibility to go as deep as possible, so I can see what we need, hopefully, before someone asks for it.”

While he loves the new and innovative aspects of the family business, Lencioni says his favorite part of the day is still the same thing that helped him fall in love with Blue Goose as a child – the face time he enjoys daily in the store with his customers and his family.

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“I love the check [out line],” he says. “I love the conversation and never knowing who you’ll see come through.”

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And with the store located just blocks from his St. Charles home, he says his wife and daughter, 7, are always able to come into the store and share a meal and some family time.

You can sign up for private instruction in just about every medium, and we even offer custom-designed classes for individuals and groups.

“I’m pretty lucky to have a cool job like this, where family, community, the store – it just all blends together,” Lencioni says. “And it works. It just works.”

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 11

THE MAN’S MAN

POLICE DETECTIVE EXPLORES HOBBIES IN HOME BREWING AND BARBECUE

By JONATHAN BILYK | Photos by JOE PEREZ

Geneva resident Ted Fanning says it’s his buddy Ray who deserves the blame – or the credit, as Fanning sees it now – for turning him into a beer snob.

But no matter the connotation, Fanning’s family, friends, neighbors and a number of people he has never met are likely satisfied with the results – or soon will be.

As a police officer at a department in DuPage County for more than 16 years, Fanning says he has never been one to shy away from a new challenge.

Being a police officer is a trait that runs in Fanning’s DNA, as both his grandfather and great-grandfather served and protected their communities.

“I love my job, and I’m honored to follow in the footsteps my grandfather paved in the beat he walked,” Fanning says.

For the last 13 years, Fanning has served as a detective, and

what’s kept him coming back to work every day is the chance to solve complex problems and get “answers for people that were somehow wronged,” he says.

“Every case seems to get more and more complicated, so I seem to constantly be challenged,” Fanning says.

That love of challenges has sloshed over into his personal life, as well. The married father of two and his neighbors decided, about four years ago, to branch out from the conventional and sample some new brews.

“We had no idea what we liked or what we were buying,” Fanning says.

That’s when Ray moved back to town and stepped in, as he “came over one night and gave us a beer tutorial,” he says.

From there, Fanning says his working knowledge of and experience with quality beer has accelerated in a short time, as research and reading about beer – how it’s made and the qualities that make a good brew – occupied much of his free time outside of work.

-Continued to page 14 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

HOBBIES & CAREERS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 13

“I love my job, and I’m honored to follow in the footsteps my grandfather paved in the beat he walked.”

-Ted Fanning, DuPage County police detective and Geneva resident

-Continued from page 13 It wasn’t long before he paired what he learned about beer with his other longtime pursuit – cooking.

A fan of grilled meat and barbecue, Fanning also has dedicated himself to developing the art of smoking meat. While he had been barbecuing on his gas grill for some time, about five years ago, he purchased more legitimate barbecuing equipment and began experimenting with “legit smoking,” producing beef brisket, pork shoulder and pizza in the process.

He says his favorite aspect of barbecue, however, remains finding the sides to best complement the meat.

“When I was in college, I worked at a restaurant where they served a barbecue chicken salad, and the dressing was a

14 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

coleslaw dressing which paired so well with the barbecue sauce,” he says. Recently, Fanning says, he developed a coleslaw dressing of his own, which he serves with pulled pork.

“I’ve had great feedback from that,” Fanning says.

While he hasn’t entered his smoked meats in contests outside of his own neighborhood, Fanning did marry his newfound enthusiasm for craft beer with his grilling hobby. In 2013, his burger recipe – a hamburger patty containing craft beer with beer cheese and caramelized onions on a pretzel bun – won first place in the Ultimate Recipe Contest sponsored by the Tap House Grill restaurant chain. He called the winning recipe the Brown Shugga’ Burger, named after the Lagunitas Brewing Company

HOBBIES & CAREERS

Brown Shugga’ beer it contained.

The prize included $250 in gift cards and placement of his burger on the restaurant’s menu. Fanning says he didn’t know if the burger was still being served, but he says a burger on the restaurant’s menu seems to “look remarkably similar” to his invention, he says.

In the years since, however, Fanning’s enthusiasm for craft beer has only increased, leading him, just as with his barbecue, to accept yet another challenge: brewing his own.

After first experimenting in his kitchen three years ago, Fanning and his friend, Jimmy, have taken the process underground, to his basement, where they are installing a new brew kettle, allowing them to brew

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“I like learning how to make things that I enjoy eating, so I kind of changed ways a little when I started to learn how to brew,” Fanning says. “It’s not that I was tired of anything; it’s actually quite the opposite. I still like making food that people like, but I now want to make beer that people like.”

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 15

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BEFORE

AFTER

Winemaker

TO WATCH

Geneva resident blends love of Napa Valley and wine to create Bright Angel label

Pat Pipp believes that accomplishments big and small should be celebrated with friends, family and a good bottle of wine.

That’s what inspired the Geneva resident to create his own wine label.

Pipp and his wife, Robbin, founded Bright Angel wines in 2014.

Pipp first became interested in winemaking when he and his wife traveled to Napa Valley five years ago to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

“We decided that [what] we really wanted was to make a wine, that was a special wine, from an area that we love,

“We were always wine people but we really just fell in love with the area, the culture and the environment there,” says

By KELSEY O’CONNOR | Photos by JOE PEREZ

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

for people to celebrate special moments in their lives,” he says.

-Continued on page 18

HOBBIES & CAREERS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 17

“We want to bring a little bit of Napa to the people of Kane County in terms of getting that kind of experience, drinking high-end wines and learning about the history of the wine.”

- Pat Pipp, COO of Bright Angel wines

-Continued from page 17 Pipp, who – upon his return to Geneva – began experimenting with bottling his own wine to share with friends and family.

to the desert and the squiggly line that separates each color depicts the rim on the Grand Canyon and the Bright Angel trail.

His hobby soon transformed into a budding business. Pipp partnered with a custom crush facility in Napa that could help them start to bottle wine and produce a wine label. Pipp is the COO and his wife is the CFO. Together, they manage the many details of the winemaking process, from selecting which varietals to bottle and which vineyards to harvest grapes to choosing the type of wood barrels to use during the aging process.

“It helps us tell the story; I think people really relate to it,” says Pipp.

The name, Bright Angel, was inspired by one of the Pipp’s personal success stories.

In 2008, the family spent two days trekking across the Grand Canyon, hiking to the top along the canyon’s Bright Angel trail.

“It’s a difficult hike, but when you reach the top you have completed your journey, and you can celebrate the success,” says Pipp.

Bright Angel currently produces four types of wine: chardonnay and pinot noir in the spring and sauvignon blanc and cabernet in the fall. The cabernet sauvignon, made exclusively with Napa Valley grapes, is far and away the Pipp’s bestseller. Bright Angel received recognition in Wine Enthusiast magazine’s April issue by scoring 90 out of 100 points for its 2013 cabernet sauvignon.

Their inventory is small, but growing. Last year, Bright Angel made about 50 cases; this year they plan to make 150. They hope to double that number in 2017.

people of Kane County in terms of getting that kind of experience, drinking high-end wines and learning about the history of the wine,” says Pipp. u For more information on wines or tasting events, contact pr@brightangelwines.com.

Bright Angel wines are primarily sold directly to the consumer through marketing events in the community and tasting events at the Pipp’s home, but it also can be purchased at SavWay Fine Wine & Spirits in Geneva.

That joyful feeling of accomplishment is Local residents can also schedule tasting exactly what Pipp wanted Bright Angel wines to embody. The memory of the family events in their own homes. trip is even incorporated into the wine bottle “We want to bring a little bit of Napa to the labels. The red and orange tones pay homage

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 19

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The OTHER Chris Chelios For this former professional hockey player, the ice is his classroom

By CHRIS WALKER | Photos by JOE PEREZ

E

very morning when Chris Chelios wakes up, he looks forward to getting on the ice and teaching hockey.

“I’m truly blessed,” he says. “I get to do something that I love and am so passionate about every day. The only things that are important to me are family and health.”

one is as the hockey director of All Seasons Ice Rinks (Aurora area),” he says.

“Basically, I help kids who are just starting out playing hockey, and I’m teaching them how to skate and to develop skills so they can move onto youth hockey, such as the Sabres Youth Hockey Organization.”

That’s where Chelios serves as skill instructor and midget director.

“I basically teach skills to the experienced players,” he says. “And the midgets are His list of responsibilities is a lengthy one. the high school guys, and I oversee that Since hockey players don’t wear hats, let’s whole program.” just say that he wears many helmets.

He’s also the Sabres’ head coach for U16 “I have a bunch of roles, but my main

and U18.

-Continue on page 24

HOBBIES & CAREERS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 23

15 Years

-Continued from page 23

in Illinois

Basically, his life revolves around hockey, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Once his professional playing career ended – one that included stints in the CHL, the ECHL and a year in Germany – Chelios stepped right into his role as hockey director.

“I was always doing hockey clinics and had come home from playing with the Shreveport Mudbugs, and Steve Morrissey (general manager for All Seasons) asked me if I was interested in the hockey director position,” he says. “I kept declining and then finally on the last day of the clinic, he asked again and I told him to give me two weeks to consider it.”

Chelios realized he wasn’t go to the NHL and that this would give him the opportunity to teach hockey for the rest of his life.

He’s now been coaching for more than 20 years.

“I decided that I could give back to the game and give to the kids what the game has given me,” he says. “I retired from pro hockey and have been with All Seasons ever since.”

He’s there so often that you usually won’t find him at the family-owned Chelios’ Pub & Grill in Geneva and Aurora.

“I’m so busy that I’m just the guy in the background for when anything is needed,” he says. “But it’s a great place to grab a burger and watch hockey. It’s got great ambiance.”

As for being the “other Chris Chelios” – his cousin of the same name is a former Blackhawk and Hockey Hall-of-Famer – Chelios says he’s proud to share the name.

“It’s cool. I don’t mind it at all,” he says.

“We’re both named after our grandfather and we’re both the first born in our families.”

And both have spent most of their lives doing great things on the ice.

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24 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOBBIES & CAREERS

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

“Hockey’s great right now. You see all these kids wearing Blackhawks jerseys and players come out and do appearances.

There’s a lot of great things being done to promote the sport and more kids are getting on the ice because of it.”

– Chris Chelios, hockey director of All Seasons Ice Rinks and co-owner of Chelios Pub & Grill in Geneva and Aurora

Ream’s Meat Market

e m m u S s i h t s r e t r a dqu a e H g n i l l i r G r u Yo OF JULY,

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AY, 4TH D ’S R E H T A F FAMILY & S D N E I R F H YOUR T I W S E I T R A P

Treat Dad to Steak and Chicken Kabobs Celebrate the Family Our Own Italian Beef, Smoked Pulled Pork Homemade Deli Salads Meat and Cheese Trays

July 4th

National Grand Champion Bratwurst Beef Wieners and more Steaks Burgers

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www.ReamsMeatMarket.com Fine Quality Meats & Sausages Fresh • Aged • Cured • Smoked 250 S. Main St. (Rt. 47) • Elburn South of the tracks • 630.365.6461 Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm • Sat: 9am-4pm • Sun: 10am-4pm Open Father’s Day 10am-4pm • Closed July 4th

A GREAT OLD FASHIONED FULL SERVICE MEAT MARKET www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

HOBBIES & CAREERS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 25

DISTILLING DOWN BY THE RIVER Mike Orlando taps into craft spirits trend and Geneva history at Fox River Distilling Company

By KELSEY O’CONNOR

26 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOBBIES & CAREERS

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

www.trellisfarm.com

SHOW YOUR TEAM PRIDE

Y

ou’ve heard of craft brewing.

Now, craft distilling is the newest trend changing the way you drink.

Independently-owned distilleries incorporate traditional techniques to produce small batches of spirits. Mike Orlando is pioneering the craft distilling movement in the Kane County area. In 2014, he opened the first and only local distillery – Fox River Distilling Company, located in Geneva.

630-584-2024

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“Most craft producers are batch-style production,” says Orlando. “You have a smaller batch that may be anywhere from 50 to 500 gallons a year. The major producers, they run continuous stills that pump out millions of gallons a year. Craft producers are more concerned about taste and quality than yield.”

• Custom Gift Baskets • Chocolate Covered Strawberries • Fresh Fudge • Boxed Chocolates • Sugar Free Chocolates • Large Variety of Caramel Apples

Fox River Distilling Company produces a variety of sprits, including gin, vodka, whiskey, bourbon and moonshine. Its products are served in bars and restaurants across the Chicago area. You also can get a taste during one of its weekend tours or at one of its popular First Friday events that feature live music and local restaurant showcases.

Now Serving SOFT SERVE

ICEGeneva CREAM! Commons Located between Starbucks & Noodles & Co.

-Continued on page 28 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Open 7 Days a Week Mon - Fri 8-6 • Sat 8-5 • Sun 11-4

2N492 Kirk Rd. • St. Charles

1308 Commons Dr • Geneva • 630.208.1484 HOBBIES & CAREERS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 27

Live Healthy. Live Happy. Live Life.

• One-On-One Personal Training

-Continued from page 27

• Private studio with the focus on you

Orlando first experienced craft distilling while living in the Quad Cities area. He and his wife were on the first tour of a new craft distillery in the area.

• Certified personal trainers with over 30 years experience • Clients ranging from 10–90 years old

“We were so enamored by the creativity involved in what they were trying to do,” Orlando says.

• Customized programs based on your fitness levels and goals

Inspired and hoping to meet new people, Orlando and his wife started volunteering as bottlers at the facility.

• FREE, No Obligation, Consultation

After 18 months of volunteering, it was clear to the couple that they had stumbled upon a new passion. They decided to open a craft distillery of their own, but needed a location. One of the owners of the Quad Cities distillery, recently back from an anniversary trip to the area, suggested Geneva – a place where, coincidentally, the Orlandos had lived five years prior.

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28 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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HOBBIES & CAREERS

It is said that the city of Geneva was founded by a distiller, James Herrington, and the Fox River area was home to many small distilleries prior to the Prohibition era.

NEW VEIN PROCEDURE The original Fox River Distilling Company operated multiple locations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. It shut down in 1918 due to corruption and the growing temperance movement.

It was no easy feat for Orlando to revive the Fox River Distilling Company name.

There were no other operating distilleries in the Geneva area to set a precedent, so Orlando had to work with a planning commission to create a new ordinance through the Geneva City Council. There also were federal and state licenses to obtain. The entire process took about two years.

Orlando credits the rise in popularity of craft distilling to a shift in consumer preferences.

“This is the way distilled spirits were purchased before Prohibition, and I think that’s what we’re getting back to – people appreciate buying local,” he says.

“They’re looking for a better quality, and a better connection with the community.

That’s what they get with a craft distiller; they get a deeper connection and a deeper relationship.”

Dr. Shao was the 1st in the Chicagoland Area to perform the VenaSeal, 2nd in all of Illinois.

The VenaSealTM closure system is the first and only treatment approved for use in the U.S. that uses an advanced medical adhesive to safely and effectively close the diseased vein segment as a result of chronic venous insufficiency.

Tumescent anesthesia is not required.

Unlike other varicose vein treatments, there is rapid return to normal activities.

SYMPTOMS OF VENOUS REFLUX DISEASE • Varicose veins • Leg pain, aching or cramping • Leg or ankle swelling

• Leg heaviness and fatigue • Skin changes or rashes • Ulcers, open wounds or sores

WHAT IS THE VENASEALTM CLOSURE SYSTEM? IF YOU GO WHAT: Fox River Distilling Company WHERE: 204 Dearborn Court, Unit 110, Geneva RETAIL HOURS: Noon to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays TOURS: Tours take place at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Fridays (no 5 p.m. tour during First Fridays events); and noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays INFO: foxriverdistilling.com or 630-402-0027

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630.797.0895 472 Briargate Drive, Unit 107 South Elgin, Illinois SM-CL0348842

HOBBIES & CAREERS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 29

Grillmasters:

Barbecuing and beyond

By SHONDA DUDLICEK

How do you barbecue?

Do you buy the best cuts of meat to adorn your backyard grill? Or would you rather enjoy dining on smoked meats at a local restaurant?

Whatever your preference, a variety of cuts can be found in local butcher shops, supermarkets and restaurants.

What makes Ream’s Meat Market in Elburn so special, according to its owners, is the on-site smokehouse and grinders.

“We use pork butts to make our own pulled pork… ,” says Joel Ream, manager.

Ream’s offers wieners, bratwurst, beef jerky, deli meats, aged salami, charcuterie, bacon, ham, whole-muscle smoked meats, and smoked and cooked sausage.

“For rubs, we do make our own,” Ream says. “We offer Ream’s Rub, derived from one of our sausage spices. It’s good for pulled pork, beef, chicken.”

The market also offers a popular rub made

by Excalibur, a family-owned business operating out of Pekin, Ill.

30 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

DINING & ENTERTAINING

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Father’s Day June 19th

Your Local

Butcher

Let us Cut that Special Steak for Dad Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignons ~ Boneless Ribeye ~ Prime Rib T-Bone ~ Bone-In Strip Steak ~ N.Y. Strip ~ Porterhouse

We dry ry age ge choice & pr prime cuts of American Beef and cut them to yo your specs! pe

If you don’t feel like barbecuing at home, but enjoy a more casual tailgate-esque or picnic-like atmosphere, another option is to attend the parking-lot barbecue held every Saturday – weather permitting – at Josef’s Elegante Meat & Deli in Geneva. The Italian deli offers five or six different entrées each weekend outside the shop. Place your order, and the food will be grilled to your specifications, “More cheese, less cheese, whatever,” says owner Pat Falcone, Sr. Specials include a 12-ounce, jumbo sirloin burger stuffed with bacon, onion and cheddar for $7.

“It’s off the charts,” Falcone says. “A lot of people call it an ‘asphalt burger’ because we make it out here on the asphalt. It’s a burger that you never forget – a thrill on the grill.”

Other specials include an 8-ounce Philly ribeye steak with cheese, pepper and onion for $8; a quarter-pound, all-beef hot dog with the works for $4; an Italian sausage sandwich with peppers for $4; or a beer and onion bratwurst for $4. The shop is open for beverages and other add-ons, as well.

Enjoy Grilling Season with our

COOKOUT FAVORITES! Homemade Italian or Polish Sausage • Brats • Aged Tender Steaks • BBQ Ribs • Jumbo Chops

Signature Burgers for the Grill (12oz. each) • Tuscan • Blue Cheese • Bacon-Onion Cheddar • Jalapeno Jack • Gourmet Sliders A Summer Favorite!

20 Different Fresh Salads Daily and Our Own Homemade Potato Salad What’s a party without Josef’s potato salad?

Featuring a full Line of Boars Head Lunceheon Meats Engstrom Plaza 716 West State St., Geneva (Entrance on 7th Street)

630-262-1878 www.josefsmeats.com

About a decade ago, Josef’s Deli started the outdoor barbecues as a way to get people to sample products.

-Continued on page 32

Hours:

Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM We are closed Mondays

CUSTOM CATERING FOR GRADUATION PARTIES

Choice Dates Still Available!

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

DINING & ENTERTAINING

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 31

-Continued from page 31 “We had a small grill and we wanted people to taste our sausage and brats, so we’d grill them up, and cut them up, and put them on toothpicks and have them taste it,” Falcone says. “But then customers started to ask, ‘Why not make this an event? We want to buy this.’”

People come from all over for the barbecue, Falcone says. The grill is up and running from 11 a.m. until 2 or 2:30 p.m., he says. But the weather has to cooperate, he warned. The cookouts are summers-only, but that doesn’t stop people from calling year round.

“We’ve had people calling when it’s 37 degrees and snowing or raining. But we can’t take it out then,” Falcone says. “It’s up to the man upstairs whether we grill or not.”

During the summer, Falcone says that steaks are a popular item for customers to purchase for at-home barbecuing.

“Bone in, prime rib, New York strips, filet mignon – all cut to order,” Falcone says.

“They will melt in your mouth. We’re known for our sausage and brats, too.

We use only natural pork, and it’s all in-house.”

CAR SHOWS on Mondays in St. Charles

Dine-in ONLY. Not valid with any other offer. Beverage purchase required.

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ROOKIES 2 ROOKIES 3 THE GROVE, ELGIN HUNTLEY 2486 Bushwood Drive 12220 Princeton Dr. Elgin (Rt. 47) Huntley P: 847.551.9006 P: 847-669-8600 F: 847.551.9043

WWW.ROOKIESPUB.COM

32 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

¢ If you go REAM’S MEAT MARKET 250 S. MAIN ST. ELBURN 630-365-6461 www.reamsmeatmarket.com JOSEF’S ELEGANTE MEAT & DELI 716 W. STATE ST. GENEVA 630-262-1878 www.josefsmeats.com

ROOKIES 4 POPLAR CREEK PLAZA 4607 West Higgins Rd. Hoffman Estates P: 847-645-0005 F: 847.645.0295

“Rookies All American Pub & Grill” DINING & ENTERTAINING

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

– Come See Our New Location! –

¢ Barbecue hot spots

Noble House in Geneva

p SLOW-SMOKED SUSTENANCE NOBEL HOUSE 305 W. STATE ST. | GENEVA Features slow-smoked wings, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, pit ham and dry-rubbed, slow-smoked baby back ribs.

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Keep it Cool While You Sip

THE LODGE ON 64 41W379 ROUTE 64 | WASCO A rotisserie steakhouse bar – serves fresh, “never-frozen” ribs, steaks, organic chicken and duck slow-roasted over a wood-burning rotisserie spit.

Chill your wine or favorite beverage to the perfect temperature

See our wide selection of wine accessories and gifts CrosstownPub & Grill in Batavia

p ‘MAN-WICHES’ & WINGS CROSSTOWN PUB & GRILL 1890 MILL ST. | BATAVIA Offers wings with more than 15 dry rubs, such as the Pizza Dry and Devil’s Dust. The restaurant also offers seven unique steak burgers – including the Hairy Uncle Dan with Chorizo sausage, tater tots, American cheese, applewood bacon, a fried egg and a cream cheese and chorizo-stuffed jalapeño to garnish. Smokehouse Sundays feature limited quantities of “what the chef eats” until it’s gone. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Live Entertainment on Sundays Serving Wine by the glass or bottle ~ Featuring Wine Slushies ~ ~ Wine Tasting Bar Daily ~

GALENA CELLARS Vineyard & Winery 477 South Third, Suite 100 • Geneva • 630-232-9463 DINING & ENTERTAINING

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 33

Oscar Swan Presents A LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM

Weddings & Events Large or Small...

...We do it all!

• • • • •

Weddings Showers Rehearsal Dinners Anniversaries Reunions

• • • • •

Sunday Breakfast Pool Parties Tea Parties Murder Mysteries Memorial Events

Union Illinois

The Illinois Railway Museum is composed of over 400 Railroad & Transportation vehicles representing different aspects of United States railroading. Ride trolleys, interurbans and coaches on our railroad!

Hours of Operation: Sundays: April – October: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturdays: May – October: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekdays: Memorial Day – Labor Day: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

www.oscarswan.com A Historic Bed & Breakfast Accommodations for Group Lodging

GENEVA

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1800 West State Street Geneva, IL

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

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34 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM BUSINESS & CIVIC

Call 1-800-BIG-RAIL or visit: www.irm.org 7000 Olson Rd., Union IL 60180 www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

HOMETOWN PROMOTER Batavia MainStreet executive director Jamie Saam helps Batavia bloom

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE

T

here was a time when Jamie Saam was a typical teenager, making plans and complaining about nothing to do in her hometown of Batavia.

These days, there is no shortage of things to do in her hometown and she enjoys the opportunity to help draw in visitors to dine, enjoy and shop in Batavia.

As the executive director for Batavia MainStreet, Saam always is looking to provide activities for residents, work with businesses and local organizations to plan events, and bring visitors to the community.

“We’re all part of the pieces that make Batavia awesome,” Saam says. “The downtown is the heart of the community. It’s everyone’s neighborhood.”

Saam grew up and attended school in Batavia.

She left for college and, after meeting her husband, decided to return to her hometown to raise a family.

“I loved growing up here with good schools and great community,” Saam says. “I love raising our kids in town.”

Shortly after moving her young family to Batavia, Saam saw a restaurant post asking for part-time help, and she decided to apply.

The restaurant became a way to meet fellow business owners and residents. She made connections with the director of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and Batavia MainStreet. Through her connections, she was invited to help with the annual gala; she agreed to serve as the co-chairwoman of the event.

Saam says Sue Bauer, her academic adviser for the Key Club, and other members of the

“Serving the community and others is a part of me,” Saam says. “Continuing to volunteer and be active in the community has had surprising benefits both personally and for my business.”

In 2010 when her husband, Douglas, was laid off – due to the economic downtown – he and Saam decided to launch their own business, Bulldog Plumbing. Saam admits the name pays homage to Batavia and its high school mascot.

Through her connections in the community and friendships – and a lot of hard work – their business took off.

Photo by Ron McKinney

“It is truly a big, small community,” she says.

“Although there are 27,000 people in this city, it has the feel of a small community. There are so many happenings and everyone loves participating.”

organization helped to spark her interest in volunteering.

As Saam balanced the family business, and her role as a busy mother of three, Saam continually made time to volunteer with local organizations and groups, from Water Street Studios to serving on the board of the Batavia Arts Council.

She even has served as a city councilwoman.

She was elected as representative of the 4th Ward in 2013, and is proud to have made the accomplishment as a young woman, not yet 30.

She had made a run for office a few years earlier and lost, but Saam says that she didn’t let her prior loss discourage her.

“I don’t think you can succeed without having some failures,” Saam says.

She served on the city council for more than two years, choosing to resign when she took the job as Batavia MainStreet executive director, last year.

“I forget she is as young as she is because she has made choices in life that create the most remarkable set of circumstances for her,” says Cathy McNally, assistant director for Batavia MainStreet. “She has a lot of energy and a lot of ideas.”

McNally and Saam work closely to manage Batavia MainStreet and the calendar of activities it supports, including the farmers market, BatFest and the annual fundraiser, Cocktails in the Park.

But of all the activities happening in town, Saam says some of her favorite times are family bike rides to the Riverwalk for a summer concert or sitting outside during a summer evening and watching the bats flitter through the sky at dusk.

“I want Batavia to be the best place for my family and really everyone’s families,” says Saam. “That’s why it is easy for me to get up and put my heart and soul into the community.”

HEALING SPACE 2075 Foxfield Road, Suite 102, St. Charles, IL 60174

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

BUSINESS & CIVIC

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 35

YOGA REAL MEN DO

Male instructors clear up common misconceptions associated with the practice

By SHONDA DUDLICEK

-Continued on page 38

TRI

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-Continued from page 37

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ven though yoga was practiced by men in India 5,000 years ago, when the discipline was introduced to this country in the 1960s, it was practiced primarily by women.

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When Combs started practicing yoga several years ago, he couldn’t even touch his toes. Now, he not only can touch his toes, but he can plant his hands firmly on the ground.

pages of Kane County Magazine!

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Today, yoga may have the reputation of being a woman’s practice, but male yoga instructor Todd Combs extols the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of the practice.

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Combs, a yoga teacher and practitioner at Yoga by Degrees in Western Springs, Elmhurst and Downers Grove, used to lift weights, “probably more than I should have,” he says.

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

“You go to a gym and there are people grunting and throwing things around. I don’t go to the gym anymore. I lift my body weight and that’s adequate,” he says. “I used to push through my pain, now I listen to my body better.”

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“Now I lower my heart rate by up to 10 points just by breathing correctly,” he says.

Tom Barry, a yoga teacher and practitioner at Prana Yoga Center in Geneva, considers yoga to be a “very complete” practice.

“On the physical side, it’s really all about flexibility and strength,” Barry says. “It’s a very grounding practice. It’s great for stress relief; all the physical breathing work, meditation – it’s all the key. Men tend to have less flexibility than women.

Yoga is really beneficial in that and on stress levels, too. Men hold that in.

Breathing and mental focus will help get it under control. It’s really beneficial for everyone.”

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

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Barry recently started running to work – about 3 miles.

“I have no soreness or pain,” Barry says of his run to work. “I’m building my stamina through breathing from yoga.

It’s definitely for athletes; great cross training [and] great for mental focus, too.”

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Sean Richards, a yoga teacher at Next Yoga in Wheaton, suffered a sacroiliac joint injury that prevented him from playing basketball, so he took up yoga.

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“I’m a lot more grounded with my energy. I [have] my head on more tightly,” Richards says. “I used to smoke a pack a day, and I haven’t had one in three years. The breathing has grounded me in the present. It’s a stress reliever.”

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He says that yoga has even helped him get back out on the basketball court.

Andrew Krause, a yoga instructor and co-owner of Sure Movements Yoga in Batavia, took up yoga to help with his martial arts training while living in Thailand.

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“The functional fitness aspect made me feel the best I’ve ever felt,” Richards says.

“The body awareness aspect in space with shooting and defense, I’m more in the moment and able to read and know where the ball goes before it goes there.

You pick up where the other person is going to take it.”

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“I got into yoga, personally, as a supplement for other sports,” says Krause. “Yoga was the perfect balance because it was the opposite.”

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“Men think it’s just stretching,” Barry says. “It can be very challenging physically.”

“The only judgment is what the early practitioners make on themselves.

The whole community of yoga is so welcoming and kind,” Combs says. “Yoga meets you where you are. Yoga shows you to sit and be still. You don’t have to be doing something to have value. It’s OK to sit and observe and not be constantly moving and doing.”

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Combs says that first-timers shouldn’t worry about being judged in yoga classes.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 39

Tired of feeling exhausted?

ADDRESSING FATIGUE REQUIRES MORE THAN A QUICK FIX

F

atigue, even exhaustion, has become one of the most common complaints I hear from my patients. During our busy lives, we tend to push through fatigue, ignore it and use stimulants, such as caffeine, to get by. Eventually, we are forced to stop and listen to what the body is telling us. I have found it most fruitful to address fatigue in a holistic and comprehensive way, so that there can be a complete recovery of well-being – not just a quick fix.

First, we want to assess sleep. Most of us realize that restorative sleep is important for mood and energy, but regular, uninterrupted sleep is truly vital to physical and emotional health.

Adults generally need seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, consisting of two, full sleep cycles, including dreaming.

Obviously, poor sleep quality can be a primary cause of fatigue, so ensuring a good night’s sleep is important. The adrenal gland is an organ particularly vulnerable to lack of quality sleep, and – conversely – if the adrenal gland is struggling, interrupted sleep may result.

So, the next place to look is the adrenals.

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenals become over-taxed and cannot keep up with the demand. Factors that can contribute to adrenal fatigue include poor diet, drug or alcohol abuse, sleep disturbances, and toxins in our foods, environment and personal products. Continued stress and anxiety can put a strain on the adrenals. While we support the adrenal to curb the dysfunction (using supplements, improved sleep patterns, dietary changes), it is just as important to remove the stressors that continue to pose a challenge.

40 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Sometimes the thyroid can be weak. When hypothyroidism is confirmed with blood testing, it is important to support the thyroid with supplements, such as iodine, so it will have all of the elements it needs to make T4 and T3 (thyroid hormones). Some patients will need to take thyroid medication, but this is often temporary.

Even people who have taken medication for a long time may be able to wean slowly off their meds with support. We now know that gut health is important to thyroid function, so addressing food sensitivities, such as gluten, and ensuring a healthy microbial, probiotic environment can help.

FAMILY in FOCUS

In addition to supporting the body, it also is important to address the anxious mind, trapped emotions and languishing spirit. Practices that connect us with vitality, such as meditation, relaxation techniques and energy healing, can help enhance treatments and bring us into optimal well-being.

Board-certified Physician Marilyn Mitchell, M.D. is the founder of HealingSpace Medical Center, an organization promoting and encouraging an integrative approach to medicine.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Energy Healing Event - FREE! Thursday, June 23 6:00-7:30pm

Dr. Mitchell will discuss the type of energy work we offer. Ask questions, meet our healers, experience Energy Healing, & learn techniques to access your vitality. Registration Required.

Call today 847-304-5526 Our specialty is treating patients with common and complex medical conditions that are not readily helped by traditional treatments alone.

We succeed by using an integrated approach to guide all our patients to complete healing and wellness.

HealingSpace Medical Center • Integrated Medicine • Men & Women’s Health Services • Holistic Gynecology • Integrated Cancer Care & Survivorship • Breast Health/Thermography • Energy Medicine • Homeopathy • Nutritional Counseling

• Permanent Weight Loss • Therapeutic Massage • Manual Lymph Drainage • Lab Services • Educational Workshops • Insurance/Payment Options Available • CareCredit

2075 Foxfield Road, Suite 102, St. Charles, IL 60174

HEALINGSPACE medical center SM-CL0349066

847.304.5526 www.healingspacellc.com

Landscaping smart

A GO-TO GUIDE FOR GARDENING

I

got to thinking the other day that sometimes I take for granted the knowledge I possess that makes my gardening life easier. I thought it might be nice to share some of these “gardening go-tos” with you.

¢ Do your lilacs bloom? Never prune them (or any other spring flowering shrub) after July 4.

Remember to prune in June. ¢ Groundcover not spreading? Don’t mulch the areas where you want groundcovers to spread.

They can’t root themselves and move around when there is thick mulch around them. Just leave bare soil where you want your groundcovers to go nuts. ¢ Going away for the weekend and need to water your gorgeous annual containers? Fill a gallon sized Ziploc bag (or several small ones) with ice cubes and cut off the tip of a corner. Set them gently in your containers or hanging baskets.

As the ice melts, it will water your containers slowly.

¢ Do Japanese beetles eat all of your plants in July? Now is the time to apply a systemic insecticide to plants they love. Plants suck up the insecticide, and then they taste bad to the beetles – no more trying to kill the beetles by spraying willy-nilly only to have them come back tomorrow.

Protect your plants from the inside. (Stop by nursery and ask for the “beetle stuff,” and we’ll get you the goods.) ¢ Those that know me, know that I hate volcano mulching. Nothing gets me more fired up than seeing giant piles of mulch choking trees.

Do not lay mulch more than 2 to 3 inches deep around your plants, and the mulch should never touch the trunk of the tree or shrub.

¢ Did you know that there are two types of weed killers? Without naming names, lets just ¢ Do you have leggy tomato plants? Did you know that you can bury your tomato plants almost say that the one that starts with “R” is a grass killer, and the one that makes weeds go away is all the way up to the very top of the plant when the one to use for dandelions, thistle and other you first plant them? Snip off the bottom sets of broad leaf weeds. Make sure you are using the leaves and just leave a few at the top (around correct one when you are trying to solve weed four is good). Bury the root ball and the stem up problems. to those few leaves at the top. Stronger plants are produced because the stems have the ability to make roots. Put the plant cages on right away, Meagan Provencher, 2016 too.

Illinois Certified Nursery ¢ Do you hate salvia or catmint because it flops over after it blooms? Hate no more! Just cut the whole plant back – all the way to the ground – and you’ll get fresh foliage and more flowers. You can do this several times per season.

My rule of thumb for perennials is – if you can’t stand looking at it anymore, cut it back.

42 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Professional of the Year, is the Senior Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery & Garden Center in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630-584-4424 or design@wasconursery.com.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

91 Years A Growing Legacy Quality Plants, Professional Service & Expert Advice . . . Since 1925

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 43

Climate

control

Smart thermostats a wise investment It would have been nice if smart thermostats existed 20-plus years ago.

As a child, I remember waking up to go to school in the morning, and the house would be freezing cold. Once, when I was 10 years old, I turned the thermostat up to 80 degrees and forgot to turn it back down before I left for school. Eight hours later, my mom and dad came home from work to find our dog, Blue, laying on the kitchen floor panting and waterless and my hamster,

Joey, laying in his water dish. Thankfully, the pets allows you to set your temperature at different times during the day while the thermostat survived, but I got in big trouble that day. programs itself to learn your temperature Had smart thermostats existed then (and preferences. For example, the thermostat can smart phones for that matter), my mom or dad be programmed to shut off the furnace or air could have received an alert and monitored the conditioner as you go to bed at night. temperature in our house from their phones.

Six or more temperature settings can be structured into your daily routine to provide The concept of a smart thermostat is relatively heating and cooling when you need it. Plus, you new, and is based on thermostat technology that can manually override the thermostat without affecting temperature settings.

Thermostats aren’t what they used to be.

A smart thermostat understands its environment – hence the name. It can learn your behavior and adjust heating and cooling levels in accordance; and it can raise or lower the heat at night while you sleep or while no one is home. It begins to learn weather patterns, the size of the home, the number of occupants and the type of HVAC system that runs.

Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled, and you can program any computer or device to turn the temperature up or down. The technology has touch screens that allow homeowners to follow prompts to set up their programs. The systems also allow for total home automation, including keyless entry to the home and the ability to turn lights on and off from anywhere.

Minor adjustments made on a regular basis can reduce the amount of energy that you use within your home, as well as lower your utility bills.

According to the Department of Energy, more than half a home’s energy consumption is related to heating and cooling. If you’re looking to cut energy costs, it may be time to take a look at smart thermostats for utility savings.

44 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

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Nest Wi-Fi Thermostat!

When you purchase a two year preventative maintenance agreement from us for only $480, you'll receive a FREE Nest Wi-fi thermostat digital, programmable and fully installed!

Nest Wi-fi value $499.

There are many models of smart thermostats including the Nest brand, as well as the ecobee3 and the Honeywell Lyric smart thermostats. The Nest and Lyric can be programmed to adjust the temperature in the mornings when you awake.

The Nest Learning Thermostat retails for around $250 (plus installation) and has many features.

Typically a smart thermostat can be installed and fully tested in as little as 60 minutes or less.

A smart thermostat is an investment, but its ability to change settings from wherever you are and its ability to adjust according to the variables around your home, will result in the form of a lower energy bill.

Tom Wangler Jr. is president and 2nd generation heating and cooling specialist of Confident Aire located at 416 E. Wilson St., Batavia.

For more information call 630-761-9007 or visit www.confidentaire.com

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 45

TRENDY IVY LOVE BOUTIQUE brings men’s fashion to Geneva shopping scene

By KELSEY O’CONNOR Photos by JOE PEREZ

46 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Downtown Geneva is known for its plethora of local shops, from home décor and antiques to women’s apparel and jewelry. Until recently, one thing had been missing – a men’s clothing boutique. Ivy Love Boutique, which opened in January, is filling that gap in the downtown Geneva shopping scene.

The State Street boutique carries trendy men’s and women’s clothing, unique gifts and products, and even has an on-site hair salon.

“The boutique has been a tremendous success so far,” says David Cane, coowner of Ivy Love. “The feedback has been amazing and we’ve had so many repeat clients.”

Cane opened the boutique with his girlfriend, Maria Kanakaris of St. Charles, who was a hairstylist in Crystal Lake for 20 years. The duo was originally looking to open a salon with a small boutique attached. But when they found the perfect location – a building built in 1848 – the old plumbing system

FASHION & BEAUTY

couldn’t handle a full salon. So, the couple changed course and opened a full boutique with a one-chair salon.

Kanakaris does haircuts and color in the salon, and also stocks the women’s retail selection. Cane picks out all of the men’s products. He says he looks for a more rugged, modern look, while keeping an eye on the latest brands and trends.

“We’re always looking for something unique and different. We’re always trying to find the latest creative idea,” Cane says.

The shop carries both recognized and exclusive brands for men, including Hudson, AG, Buffalo and Supreme.

The shop also will be adding Diesel to its roster soon. There also are more than 30 different women’s brands, such as Hudson, Level 99, DL1961 and Julian Chang. Other products include accessories, hats, bags and jewelry.

One of the shop’s hottest products right now are the trendy S’well stainless steel water bottles. The sleek bottles come in a www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

GREAT PLACE TO COOL DOWN & REFUEL!

OPEN YEAR ROUND

Ice Cream • Smoothies Shakes • Hawaiian Shave Ice Frozen Cappuccino Ice Coffee Drinks • Sodas Cakes for All Occasions We Sell Dry Ice

4 N Island Ave • Batavia • 630.482.3729 • www.BataviaCreamery.com y.com

Edgy & Modern Clothing for Women & Men IF YOU GO

Featuring the Latest Brands & Hottest Trends from DL1961, Level 99, AG, Hudson, Nphilanthropy S’well Bottles

WHAT: Ivy Love Boutique WHERE: 123 W. State St., Geneva HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday PHONE: 630-208-1040 Necklaces & Bracelets

123 W. State St., Geneva 630-208-1040 SM-CL0348869

GENEVA’S MIDSOMMAR FESTIVAL JUNE 21 – 26 variety of colors and can keep beverages hot or cold for up to 24 hours.

The Giving Keys necklaces also are popular.

The philanthropic brand sells jewelry made with hand-etched keys, which helps employ those transitioning out of homelessness in the Los Angeles area.

Cane says that being the first men’s boutique in the area requires breaking down some barriers, but the reception – so far – has been positive.

“The biggest challenge is getting men, when they come in, to embrace it,” he says. “Going into a boutique for a man can be a little intimidating. It’s exciting to see how the men react and how they embrace it.”

The store gets plenty of local shoppers, as well as visitors from near and far.

“We get people from all over. It’s like a new surprise every day,” says Cane. “We’ve made a lot of new friends. We hear a lot about their lives; we know about their kids and their families. You never know who’s going to walk in the door.”

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

How Swede it is!

Come fest at one of the Best of the West – Swedish Days, Geneva’s Midsommar Festival! The whole family will enjoy fabulous food, carnival rides, live music & entertainment nightly, plus Sweden Väst, our tent that’s everything Swedish. Visit www.genevachamber.com for a complete event schedule, or call us at 630-232-6060. Summer fun doesn’t get any swëder than this!

A picture postcard .

™

630-232-6060 • visitgenevaillinois.com

FASHION & BEAUTY

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: • Circus on Third – Games & activities for kids • Craft Brew Tent • Swedish Days 5K Lopp – A certified 5K race • 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament • Grand Parade on Sunday

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 47

The A gift of time

watch has always been a timeless accessory, but it seems as if there has been a new surge of vitality in the piece, bringing the functional accessory to the forefront of fashion. Between smart watches and trendy wooden watches, is there still a place for fashionable status symbols, like Rolexes and Movados, particularly for men?

TRENDS IN MEN’S WATCHES

By YVONNE BENSON

“Men continue to enjoy a great variety of watch styles to own – chronographs, dive watches, rugged military designs, and, of course, timeless dress models from Rolex,” says Corey Perlman, owner of Perlman Fine Jewelry in Geneva. Perlman Fine Jewelry was established in 1960 in downtown Elgin by Corey’s father, Milton Perlman, a graduate of the famous Elgin National Watch Company’s Watchmakers College.

“Many young men were comfortable with using their smart phones for telling time. But that trend has shifted, and – now – they have discovered that having a wrist watch is much more convenient to wear.”

- Corey Perlman, owner of Perlman Fine Jewelry in Geneva

Smart watches are popular because they work in combination with other Wi-Fi devices, says Corey Perlman.

Jones says that younger clients want what’s on trend in men’s watches, rather than the traditional sort.

“They are fun and techy, but they don’t take the place of a conventional watch,” says Perlman.

“What I have noticed trending for men’s watches is that [customers] want a colored face with a leather band,” says Jones, adding that younger customers want retro, vintage watches, rather than chunky, cumbersome watches. “They would like the watch to be flat and attractive … to be noticed under their dress shirt or to wear with jeans; for example, Daniel Wellington, which can be for both sexes.”

Jamie Jones, owner of Billy’s Closet Gentlemen’s Consignment in Wheaton, says that many of the college-age students working at her store don’t know anyone their age buying smart watches.

Furthermore, despite all of the advertisements for smart watches, Perlman says that there’s a hearkening back to the basics happening.

“Many young men were comfortable with using their smart phones for telling time,” says Perlman. “But that trend has shifted, and – now – they have discovered that having a wrist watch is much more convenient to wear. Plus, wearing a watch is an extension of your individual style, and the choices are plentiful.”

State Street Jewelers in Geneva offers techoriented, midrange and upscale choices for men.

“Most men – myself included – seem to gravitate toward more technical pieces,” says Jeff Hampton of State Street Jewelers.

“Chronographs, limited edition and collector watches get the most attention. We handle Baume and Mercier as our more upscale choice; that collection features more traditional automatic movements, some with transparent case backs to view the handmade workings. We also

carry Tissot, as our midrange. Tissot tends to offer more tech-oriented options, such as multiple time zones, altimeters and built in compasses.”

Perlman has noticed that men, across the board, are still interested in wearing larger-sized watches.

“While quartz movements are extremely accurate and low maintenance, self-winding, highly-jeweled Swiss movements continue to attract watch buyers,” Perlman says.

The older clientele seek the well-known brands – like Longines, Bulova – and a lot want older Rolexes, Jones adds.

Perlman says that Rolex is the most popular brand he carries, and – in case it’s out of a customer’s budget – his store exclusively carries pre-owned Rolex watches.

“Each one has been professionally serviced and refinished like new,” says Perlman. “What our customers love most is the price. Our pre-owned Rolex watches are so much less expensive than brand new models, and they are treasured just as much.”

Despite what’s trending, Jones says that – when buying a watch – all that matter’s is what the consumer likes.

“I think they have so many watches out there, that every person has their own fashion, and can express themselves by the watches they wear,” Jones says. “No one cares anymore what is trending; it’s what that individual likes.”

Why go home when you can go out?

By CHRIS WALKER

I

t’s a song you’ve undoubtedly heard many times, but – perhaps – you haven’t listened to its words.

The “Cheers” theme song lyrics, “Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. / Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot,” serves as a plausible reason for why many men escape to a local bar or neighborhood hangout instead of just going home at the end of a long day. A man cave escape is a place of refuge, where a man can be amongst other men doing the very same thing.

Similarly to the iconic TV neighborhood bar, LaVita Cigars offers people a place to hang out amongst new and old friends.

-Continued on page 52

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 51

-Continued from page 51

Da Vinci Academy seeks to impact your child’s learning and development in meaningful ways.

While many private schools offer small class sizes, Da Vinci Academy provides students with a full experience designed to equip young innovators with the tools to overcome tomorrow’s global challenges.

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With early opening hours and late closing times, the cigar lounge – which has a walk-in humidor – allows patrons to smoke cigars indoors and enjoy the comfortable atmosphere by relaxing on leather lounge chairs while watching a sports game on TV. Visitors can purchase an array of coffee options, including specialty drinks, on site and the cigar lounge is a BYOB (bring your own alcoholic beverage) establishment, so it’s not uncommon for customers to bring something along to complement their cigar.

“We offer thousands of different cigars and more than 40 types of pipe tobacco,” Gorlewski says. “We really strive to make it an enjoyable place for people to come and hang out, smoke a cigar, relax and watch TV.” Some visitors will bring their laptop to read emails before getting started with their day, as there is free Wi-Fi, while others will spend their time at LaVita to unwind.

Samuels Farmer D.D.S.

• Second Opinions Given • Sleep Apnea Solutions • Tooth Whitening!

• Kids Welcome

309 Hamilton St., Suite C Geneva 630-232-1111 View our Special Offers at www.HamiltonHouseDental.com

52 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

“In our fast-paced world you don’t often have a chance to just sit down and not do anything for an hour, but you can do that here,” says Andrew Gorlewski, manager of LaVita Cigars. “If you go home you’re probably taking care of the kids or mowing the lawn, but here you can smoke a cigar and take it easy. There aren’t many other places where you can just go and do that.”

OUT & ABOUT

“People can stop in and make a quick purchase, but most enjoy having their cigars cut and lit, and kicking back,” Gorlewski says. “They can lounge around and talk with friends and get away from the world for awhile. That’s what it’s all about.”

Sometimes unwinding means more than smoking a cigar, and the Filling Station Pub and Grill in St. Charles, is one of many neighborhood hangouts that offers great food and drink.

Pottawatomie Golf Course

“We’ve got great drinks, great beers and awesome burgers and sandwiches,” bartender Allison Manley says.

Mo ost Beautiful Golf Course in the Fox Valley!

Men’s Match Play Tournament

Burger options include the Whiskey Bacon burger – cheddar cheese, grilled onions and Kentucky bourbon sauce – and The Inferno – fire-grilled jalapenos with pepper Jack Cheese and spicy avocado ranch dressing.

Sat & Sun • July 16-17 & July 23-24 This is a unique match play event for men, ages 18+, to test your skills against your peers. Flights will be determined by a golfer’s handicap; thus a verifiable CDGA Handicap is required to participate in this tournament. Handicap Index must be established by the July 1 revision.

The bar’s outdoor patio is a favorite among locals during the summer months; it’s dog-friendly, as well; and the sports channels come in high-definition.

• Open to all participants regardless of their residency.

• Caddies and spectators are welcome.

• Ages 18+ • Fee is $60 per golfer.

• Register at the Pro Shop.

• Registration deadline is July 10 at 7pm, or a full 96-player field, whichever comes first.

“It’s a great place for the guys to hang out and, since the Blackhawks lost, it’s been all about the Cubs and White Sox,” Manley says. “I’d say that 80 percent of the people here are watching baseball and eating and drinking.”

A Certified Audubon Sanctuary along the Fox River 845 N. Second Avenue, St. Charles, IL 60174 • In Pottawatomie Park

For more info, visit pottawatomiegc.com.

A facility of the St. Charles Park District SM-CL0349072

If you go LAVITA CIGARS WHERE: 2015 Dean St., Suite 4 | St. Charles INFO: 630-513-7799 or lavitacigars.com

FILLING STATION PUB AND GRILL WHERE: 300 W. Main St. | St. Charles INFO: 630-584-4414 or filling-station.com

Retire on your terms.

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

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

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

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

OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 53

KANE COUNTY FAIR offers 148 years of fun

By PATRICIA SZPEKOWSKI In Kane County, summer is the season of fun. There’s so much to do and so many places to be.

The area has a plethora of festivals and fairs to keep you busy, but one event that has remained a constant for the last 148 years is the Kane County Fair. Considered one of the oldest and long-standing fairs in the country, the Kane County Fair is a five-day festival that will run from July 20 through July 24 at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

Each year, the fair offers a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy.

“Our features, this year, include our familiar grandstand favorites, such as the professional championship bull riding and Smash ’Em Bash ’Em Demolition Derby, but – to mix it up – we’re adding a unique charro (cowboy) event this year, too,” says Larry Breon, president of the Kane County Fair Board. “It’s a popular and very colorful Hispanic/Mexican rodeo that includes horse-trick riding and trick roping.”

In the air-conditioned Prairie Events Center building, parents can rest and cool off while the children play basketball and floor hockey or hit a few balls in the batting cages.

The fair also is steeped in tradition.

“We’re so proud and happy to hear every year that many of our patrons are now bringing their kids or grandchildren to the fair so they can experience the same fun they had many years ago,” says Breon.

“Fair Board members have lived in Kane County their entire lives, raised families, grown their own local businesses or work successfully in agriculture.”

Breon says that, over the years, he has seen the community transition from largely rural to suburban.

“Many farms are still active and thriving today on the outskirts of Randall Road; it’s what makes Kane County rich in business diversity and gives us all the chance to enjoy local food, which you can enjoy at the Fair,” he says, adding that 4-H continues to be an important component of the fair for many young people.

-Continued to page 56

54 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

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www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 55

IF YOU GO ¢ WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, AND THURSDAY, JULY 21 Hours are from 3 to 11 p.m. Admission is $5, and seniors ages 62 and older, children ages 2 and younger and guests with a military ID will be admitted free of charge.

A carnival wristband costs $20 and includes unlimited rides and Kane County Fair admission, if purchased at the gate. ¢ FRIDAY, JULY 22, AND SATURDAY, JULY 23 Hours are from noon to midnight. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 to 12; and children age 2 and younger will be admitted free of charge. A carnival wristband costs $20 for unlimited rides and is available from noon to 5 p.m. ¢ SUNDAY, JULY 24 Hours are from noon to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 to 12; and children age 2 and younger will be admitted free of charge. The $5 special admission price is from 6 p.m. to closing. A carnival wristband costs $20 for unlimited rides and is available from noon to 5 p.m. A carnival “last blast” costs $15 and includes unlimited rides from 6 p.m. to closing.

“We’re so proud and happy to hear every year that many of our patrons are now bringing their kids or grandchildren to the fair so they can experience the same fun they had many years ago.”

- Larry Breon, president of the Kane County Fair Board

-Continued from page 54

Norm Skala (second from right), 90, a longtime Kane County Fair board member, was given a gold belt buckle from the Professional Championship Bull Riders in 2014. Pictured (from left) is Jack Anderson, superintendent of Kane County Fairgrounds; Robert Sauber, president of Professional Championship Bull Riders; Skala; and Larry Breon, Kane County Fair board president.

Board member Norm Skala, who is in his 90s, still loves the fair after being involved with it for most of his life. His professional legacy includes breaking horses and actively taking part in rodeos across the country. Skala’s eyes light up when he watches expert bull riders take the challenge or during the 4-H horse and pony judging, he says.

This includes tasting fair food favorites, such as turkey legs, grilled chicken, burgers, fresh roasted corn, red velvet elephant ears and more. Attendees also will be able to enjoy the thrill of carnival rides, cheer at grandstand events and visit local businesses during the commercial expo.

The Kane County Fair remains a family tradition for many locals.

Live musical entertainment on the Miller Lite soundstage will include The Boy Band Night, 7th Heaven, Hi Infidelity, Hillbilly Rockstarz, Mariachi Tierra Jalisciense and Mariachi Universal.

“If you haven’t attended, we invite you to come and experience the fun, enjoy the carnival rides and listen to the music,” Breon says. “We are trying to mix it up a little and bring something new yet keep [it] tried and true.”

Daily outdoor family events will include the Kane County 4-H, the Swifty Swine racing pigs, a Sheer Magic show, a petting zoo and a special appearance by Ozzie of the Kane County Cougars.

“The Kane County Fair is grateful for our sponsors, too,” says Breon. “We appreciate the support of Presence Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin, Presence Mercy Medical Center Aurora, Euclid Beverage, Dave and Busters, Kane County Cougars and Golf Club of Illinois.” u For more information, call 630-584-6926, visit www. kanecountyfair.com, follow the fair on Facebook or watch for news on the upcoming Kane County Fairgrounds app.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

EDITOR’S CHOICE:

FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

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Dad’s can be difficult to buy for. Yes, you could go the standard route by picking up items considered stereotypically “manly” – sports equipment, golf gear, fishing tackle – or something along the lines of a “Best Dad Ever” T-shirt, but why not stray from the norm. Bypass that department store Father’s Day display and try shopping local for that one-of-a-kind find for the man who probably taught you how to ride a bike and tie your shoelaces.

58 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

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OUT & ABOUT

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 59

Park district’s ‘Swim Safe’ programs stress aquatic safety

By CAROL HAGGAS

W

ater. It’s everywhere, right?

What better way to enjoy and appreciate such a refreshing resource than by knowing how to behave in and around it safely and with confidence.

Whether you’re heading to the lake with grandparents, going on a boat with friends or plunging into one of the park district’s pools, you’ll have a better time having mastered some essential skills. With both St. Charles Park District aquatic facilities (Otter Cove and Swanson Pool) open, there’s no better time to get ready for a season of safe swimming.

Introduced for the first time in 2015, the park district’s “Swim Safe” program was implemented in order to share water safety tips and encourage swim lessons for participants of all ages, according to Meg Jourden-Messerich, assistant superintendent of recreation.

“It’s an important topic – one shared nationally and internationally,” says Jourden-Messerich.

u For more information on all of the “Swim Safe” classes and activities, contact Rosie Fasching at 630-513-4334.

60 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

This year, the park district will be working with the Pauly D. Foundation to discuss swim safety through school programs. The program will introduce students and their families to the park district’s “Swim Safe” pledge, wherein patrons can commit their support for the “Swim Safe” program when they visit the pool. Along with a wall poster signed by all staff members, visitors can sign their own “Swim Safe” pledge form. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Pottawatomie Po ottawatomie Golf Course Mo ost Beautiful Golf Course in the Fox Valley!

Tournaments • Refreshments • Rentals Pro Shop • Leagues • Lessons

The Pauly D. Foundation is the creation of Paul and Gianna Delle Grazie, whose 4-yearold son – Paulino – died in a drowning accident in 2014. The Pauly D. Foundation aims to increase people’s awareness of water safety and the importance of introducing swim lessons as early as possible in a child’s life.

For anyone who wants to take a swim lesson for the first time or work on refreshing their skills, Friday, June 24, will be a day for the record books – the Guinness Book of World Records, that is. At pools and aquatic facilities around the globe, people will unite during swim lessons aimed at increasing water safety awareness.

“It’s a great program that brings a little twist to it,” says Jourden-Messerich.

“Working with other swim lesson providers to break a world record is a fun thing to think about while stressing the basics of water safety and swimming lessons.”

Both aquatic facilities will offer a number of “Swim Safe” activities during the month of June to further communicate this important message. Free (with daily admission) drop-in, pop-up programs highlight tips and demonstrate proper behavior through contests and games, such as “cannonball with a lifeguard” – which stresses the importance of knowing the depth of a body of water – and the “2 p.m. conga line” – which instructs people on how to walk safely on the hard, wet surfaces around the pool. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

2016 Green Fees (through October)

Carts & M-F SaSu Holiday Club Rentals

Before 6am Ages 18-59 Ages 60+/Ages 17 & under Replays & Twilight*

$16 $18 $16 $11

$20 $20 $20 $11

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Pull Carts $3 Riding Carts $10/rider Clubs $15

*Twilight is walking only, subject to change throughout the season due to the change in daylight hours.

Pottawatomie Golf Course 630-584-8356 pottawatomiegc.com 845 N. Second Avenue In Pottawatomie Park

The Perfect Gift! Golf Punch Cards - $78 May be used for an individual, a group or even an outing at the golf course.

A Certified Audubon Sanctuary along the Fox River

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

Tee Times: 630-584-8356 pottawatomiegc.com A facility of the St. Charles Park District SM-CL0349081

OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 61

Artist SHOWCASE BARBARA DYCHE | GENEVA MIXED MEDIA: hand-built terracotta clay; fused glass bead eyes; hand-braided cotton wings and tail “TERRA COTTA PRIMA DONNA”

A college degree in elementary education with a minor in art gave Barbara Dyche the opportunity to learn and teach a variety of subjects in her career.

“I loved learning and teaching all the subjects in school and used my artistic talents to make them as exciting and colorful as possible,” she says.

After teaching for 36 years, having also earned a bachelor’s degree and two advanced degrees, Dyche finally has the time to focus primarily on exploring art freely.

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To foster her creative talents, Dyche began exploring various artistic media at Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles. Dyche says she has settled on pottery as her medium of choice.

“With so many other choices available to explore [at Fine Line], I moved into several other departments and ended up enjoying working with mixed media with pottery as my base,” she says. “My art experience has been more an exploration of many media rather than delving deeply into and mastering any one.”

Dyche’s work has been shown and sold at galleries and shows held at Fine Line, 37W570 Bolcum Road in St. Charles.

Come in and see for yourself why All Spoked Up is the best, service oriented, local bike shop in the Fox Valley area!!

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Mon. - Wed., Fri. - Sat. 10:00am - 6:00pm Thurs. 10:00am - 7:00pm Sun 11:00am - 3:00pm

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

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OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | 63

CALENDAR

JUNE 2016

TWO BROTHERS SUMMER FESTIVAL 2016

WHEN: Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, June 3, and gates open at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4 WHERE: RiverEdge Park 360 N. Broadway St. | Aurora The Two Brothers Summer Festival is an annual music and beer festival with proceeds benefiting Make-AWish Illinois and Emmanuel House. It’s the eighth year for the event, which will feature music headliners Cold War Kids, Lord Huron, The Lone Bellow and PHOX. It also will be the official release event for Two Brothers Hop Centric Double IPA and Hop Centric Black IPA, with a full lineup of Two Brothers beer and guest beers from breweries across the country. General admission is $25. For tickets and more information, visit www. twobrothersbrewing.com/summer-festival.

‘WHEN NOT THAT GOOD WILL DO’ – FINAL WEEKEND

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 5 WHERE: Steel Beam Theatre 111 W. Main St. | St. Charles The Steel Beam Theatre is staging the final weekend of the world premiere “When Not That Good Will Do.” Every July, the Scanlons come together at their Cape Cod home to celebrate being a family, but, this year, it’s even worse than usual. The family comedy is written by Emmy Award-winning author Richard Culliton. Tickets cost between $22 and $28.

VERO VOCE THEATER STAGING ‘NEXT TO NORMAL’ AT PHEASANT RUN

WHEN: Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays, running through Sunday, June 12 WHERE: Pheasant Run Resort 4051 E. Main St. | St. Charles Vero Voce Theater in St Charles is presenting “Next to Normal” at Pheasant Run Resort’s Mainstage Theater in St. Charles. “Next To Normal” explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score, as well as the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students, and $12 for children. The show is rated PG-13 for strong language. For tickets, visit www.verovoce. com or call 630-584-0139.

TRI-CITY CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL

WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday, June 25 WHERE: Lincoln Park N. 5th and Main Streets | St. Charles The inaugural Tri-City Craft Brew Festival will provide more than 60 samplings from more than 30 craft breweries. Guests will have an opportunity to taste and learn about new beers from up-and-coming local, regional and national craft breweries. There will be food trucks, music and vendor booths. Tickets start at $15.

For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook page.

64 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

MICHAEL BOLTON TO PERFORM AT ARCADA THEATRE WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28 WHERE: Arcada Theatre 105 E. Main St. | St. Charles

Michael Bolton, a multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and social activist, will perform at the Arcada Theatre. Tickets start at $69. For information, visit www.oshows.com.

PIG GIG FARM DINNER

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 16 WHERE: Heritage Prairie Farm 2N308 Brundige Road | Elburn The Heritage Prairie Farm and Penrose Brewing Company will team up for a farm dinner and beerpairing. The cost is $90 a person. To order tickets, call 630-443-5984 or www.heritageprairiefarm.com.

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY CONCERT

WHEN: Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 25 WHERE: RiverEdge Park 360 N. Broadway St. | Aurora Willie Nelson & Family will perform at RiverEdge Park with special guest Kris Kristofferson. Tickets cost $50.

For tickets or more information, visit riveredgeaurora. com.

GOOD TEMPLAR PARK SWEDISH DAY FESTIVAL

WHEN: June 19 WHERE: Good Templar Park 528 East Side Drive | Geneva Geneva’s Swedish Midsommar Festival will offer a smorgasbord of family and cultural activities, including Scandinavian music and dance, old time games, traditional foods (both Swedish and American) and a maypole celebration. The annual festival, which got its start 105 years ago in Chicago, is a celebration of the traditions and accomplishments of Scandinavian Americans. Returning to headline the entertainment line-up will be ABBA Salute. Other entertainment will include Linda and Paul Muhr and the Nordic Dancers of Chicago. Visitors can tour the traditional Swedish stugas (cottages), enjoy Viking re-enactors and tours of the authentic Viking ship featured at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. For more information, call 847-845-2640, email swedishday@gmail.com or visit swedishday.net.

MID-AMERICAN CANOE AND KAYAK RACE WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5 WHERE: McCullough Park 150 W. Illinois Ave. | Aurora

The canoe and kayak race is for paddlers of all ages and abilities, and features 11 canoe divisions, eight kayak divisions and one open (non-competitive) division. There are two race options from which to choose: a 10-mile run from St. Charles or a 6-mile run from Batavia. Both races will finish with a post-race party at McCullough Park in Aurora. There will be a free shuttle service between the start and finish lines.

The cost to participate ranges between $15 and $25.

To register, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

OUT & ABOUT

SHINING SPOKES

WHEN: 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, June 11 WHERE: Shine | 5 N. River St. | Batavia Shine yoga center in Batavia will host “Shining Spokes,” which will feature a 10- to 15-mile group bike ride along the Fox River, a full yoga practice designed specifically for cyclists and a delicious breakfast at the Shine studio. No experience is necessary to participate. The event costs $25. For more information, visit just-shine.com.

AURORA GREENFEST

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11 WHERE: Prisco Community Center 150 W. Illinois Ave. | Aurora The seventh annual Aurora GreenFest will feature a community trade show, an auto and bike show and children’s eco-village with more than 100 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors from the Fox Valley Region. This year’s event will include topics related to local farms and food, renewable energy, nature and conservation, recycling, healthy living activities, sustainability and resilient communities. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit auroragreenfest. com.

KISS THE SKY BLUES FESTIVAL

WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11 WHERE: Kiss the Sky | 180 First St. | Batavia Kiss The Sky record store in Batavia will host an allday Blues Festival, featuring Toronzo Cannon, Edward David Anderson, Andrew Diehl & The Nightmen, Bubbles Brown and Ross Berman. There will be two stages, five acts, art, and food and beverages. The event will take place inside Kiss The Sky and Water Street Studios. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The event will be capped at 300. For more information, visit www.bluesonwaterstreet.com.

FESTIVAL OF THE FOX - RIVERFEST

WHEN: Thursday, June 9, through Sunday, June 12 WHERE: Downtown St. Charles The Festival of the Fox will feature a carnival, a water ski show, picnic at Pottawatomie Park, an outdoor family movie night, sanctioned dragon boat races on the Fox River, a 40-ton fantasy sand sculpture, a children’s live entertainment stage and three days of non-stop live musical entertainment. For more information and a schedule of events, visit festivalofthefox.com.

CHICAGOLAND TOUR DE CURE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL WHEN: Sunday, June 12 WHERE: RiverEdge Park 360 N. Broadway St. | Aurora

The Chicagoland Tour de Cure Ride and Music Festival will raise funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy in support of the American Diabetes Association. Chicagoland Tour de Cure Ride and Music Festival is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone. Route distances range from 10, 20, 40, 65 and 100 miles along the Illinois Prairie Path and some of the best roads in Kane and DuPage counties.

Every route will be supported with rest stops and food to fuel the journey. At RiverEdge Park, there will be a post-ride festival, featuring food, giveaways, live entertainment, kids activities and more. The registration fee is $30 and there is a fundraising minimum of $250. For more information, visit www. diabetes.org/chicagotour. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

HENRY DAVID THOREAU’S JOURNEY ALONG THE FOX RIVER - A TRANSCENDENTAL TRAVELOGUE

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WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 16 WHERE: Creek Bend Nature Center 37W700 Dean St. | St. Charles

What started as a street fair two decades ago, has evolved into a renowned, riverside blues festival, drawing hoards of music fans to appreciate the genre’s soul and power.

American author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau traveled through northern Illinois and the Midwest in the spring of 1861, during which time he wrote about scores of native plants and wildlife. Thoreau scholar and former Elgin High School librarian Corinne H. Smith will lead an evening travelogue of the famous transcendentalist’s last and longest journey. Copies of Smith’s book, “Westward I Go Free: Tracing Thoreau’s Last Journey,” will be available for purchase and signing. The event costs $10. For more information, visit www.kaneforest.com or call 630-2325980.

KOOL AND THE GANG CONCERT

WHEN: Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; show starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 24 WHERE: RiverEdge Park | 360 N. Broadway | Aurora Kool and the Gang hits include “Celebration,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Get Down On It.” Guests are encouraged to bring folding and bag chairs. The event is general admission only. Tickets cost $30 through May 31, and $45 afterward. For tickets, call the RiverEdge Park Box Office at 630-896-6666.

SWEDISH DAYS

WHEN: Tuesday, June 21, through Sunday, June 26 WHERE: Third and State streets in downtown Geneva Swedish Days, the “granddaddy” of Illinois festivals, will feature a host of family-friendly activities with live musical entertainment, the Granquist Music Competition, a carnival, Kids’ Day fun, a parade, Geneva’s Got Talent, food vendors, Sweden Väst – a block of all things Swedish – and a 5K run.

BATAVIA ICE CREAM SOCIAL

WHEN: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 12 WHERE: Batavia Riverwalk | 151 N. Island Ave. | Batavia The second annual Ice Cream Social is a family-focused event that will include food, games, music and activities for all ages. The Batavia Community Band, along with other Batavia music groups will perform. Join fellow Batavians – and guests – to create a giant human flag on the Houston Street hill, cheer on your favorite driver in the Soap Box Derby Races and shop at the All Things Batavia Red, White and Blue Market, which will take place at City Hall. The event is a fundraiser for the Batavia Fourth of July Sky Concert and serves as a kickoff to Batavia’s 100th anniversary of Flag Day celebration.

FLAG DAY 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. June 14 WHERE: Peg Bond Center | 151 N. Island Ave. | Batavia On National Flag Day, the Batavia Riverwalk will glow with 1,777 luminarias, representing the year the Continental Congress first adopted the national flag.

The party will feature patriotic music performed by the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest and the Batavia Patriotic Pop-Up Chorus. Winners of an essay contest, “What the American Flag Means to Me,” will read their essays. Plans for a Flag Day Memorial to be built in Batavia will also be revealed to the public for the first time. For more information, visit bataviaflagday.com or email info@bataviaflagday.com.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

his year, the Blues on the Fox festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Riverside

soul

Blues on the Fox festival celebrates 20th anniversary Photos by THOMAS J. KING

This year’s event will be more than a two-day-long party Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway in downtown Aurora; it will be a celebration of where blues music has been, where it is now and where it’s going, according to a news release.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday, and Marcia Ball will kick off the evening at 7 p.m. with her Louisiana beats and wild piano playing. At 9 p.m., soulful blues rockers The Robert Cray Band will take the stage.

On Saturday, gates will open at 2 p.m. and Leland will take the stage at 3 p.m. Leland is a band created to pay tribute to the area’s roots in blues music, including the blues songs recorded in the 1930s at Aurora’s Leland Hotel, according to a news release.

Blues guitarist Larry McCray will perform at 5 p.m., with East L.A. rockers Los Lobos taking the stage at 7 p.m.

The Tedeschi Trucks Band, featuring married couple Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, will take the stage at 9 p.m. Trucks is the slide guitarist from The Allman Brothers Band, and Tedeschi is the band’s guitarist/ vocalist.

The event also will feature festival food, craft and domestic brews and views of the Fox River. Concertgoers should bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Friday’s concert tickets cost $20 and Saturday’s cost $40. For tickets, visit RiverEdgeAurora.com or call the RiverEdge box office at 630-8966666. Tickets also will be sold the day-of, beginning at noon.

SOCIAL Fashion at the Airport showcases runway style

Life

On April 23, Geneva-based Exceptional Events by Shuki Moran hosted Fashion at the Airport, a benefit that featured the fashion line of radio and TV personality Jenny McCarthy. The event featured cocktails, a runway show and dance party in a hangar at DuPage Airport and Flight Center in West Chicago.

The fashion show raised money for Fox Valley Food for Health, an organization that teaches teens to make healthy, organic meals that are then delivered – for free – to people fighting cancer.

Photos by JOE PEREZ

66 | JUNE 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

FIVE REASONS TO CONSIDER FOSTERING A PET

By Anderson Animal Shelter Featured Sponsor DePaw University Canine Campus

Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin has nearly tripled the number of kittens, cats, puppies, dogs and little critters that have been adopted in the past two years. Last year, 2,067 animals found loving homes, and the shelter is on pace for 3,000 adoptions in 2016.

A big reason for the positive uptick: A growing network of local foster care givers allows Anderson to partner more often with animal welfare organizations in Illinois and other states to rescue and transport pets that may have otherwise had no chance. That’s why Anderson is always seeking more temporary foster homes to fulfill and increase its life-saving mission.

4. Expand your network. Fostering is a great way to meet new people who also care about pets. You’ll interact with, learn from and be supported by other foster families, as well as shelter staff and volunteers.

5. Just add love. All veterinary care, food and litter are provided by Anderson.

This allows foster families to focus on giving attention and affection to their foster pet, who may be in their home for a few days or a few months, depending on the situation.

Have you thought about fostering? Here are five reasons to consider this worthwhile opportunity:

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1. Save lives of more pets. The amount of available space in animal shelters is often the only limiting factor in how many homeless cats and dogs they can rescue. Foster homes greatly expand the capacity of shelters like Anderson to welcome and save more pets. “The biggest thing I have learned as a foster is that I can make a difference,” says Julie Curry, who has been fostering for seven years. “I am saving a life. I am making a difference for a dog or puppy and for the family who is adopting the dog.

Because I fostered and that dog found his forever home, there is now room for another dog or puppy to be rescued and given a second chance to be happy, healthy and live a life being loved.”

2. Open up your happy home. Foster care givers offer a temporary place where adoptable animals – some for the first time – can learn what it’s like to be in a home environment, filled with lots of love and positive reinforcement. In addition, foster homes are always needed for newborn Is it difficult for fosters to give up the pet they have fostered? “You bet it is,” kittens and puppies (and often their moms) until they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and available for adoption. A foster home gives them says Curry. “But to know another animal is out there waiting to be rescued, waiting for me to open my heart and home again, makes it all worthwhile in a healthy head start in life. my eyes.”

3. Experience variety. Maybe you’re thinking about getting a pet, deciding If you’re interested in fostering or learning more about Anderson Animal whether to welcome another animal to your home, or not quite ready for full-time pet ownership. If so, fostering could be a great option. You can Shelter’s foster program, visit www.andersonanimalshelter.org/foster, (847) learn about and experience a variety of personalities, ages and breeds, 697-2880 x35 or email us at info@andersonanimalshelter.org. Adopt at the without any long-term commitment. Consider it a test drive that saves lives! shelter: 1000 South LaFox, South Elgin.

“One of the high points of fostering is the opportunity to experience such a varied array of dog breeds,” says Susan Cudden, who has fostered dogs ranging from a Basenji mix to Chihuahuas. “If you love dogs, there is no end to what you will learn. They are very good teachers.”

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