KCM March 2016

HOMES EDITION

MARCH 2016

‘TREEHOUSE’

SANCTUARY GENEVA COUPLE CONVERT HOME INTO AIRBNB RETREAT PAGE 8

ULTIMATE OASIS

How to create an outdoor Shangri-La PAGE 26

HOBBY ROOMS Trends in spare-room transformations PAGE 14

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INSIDE HOMES 8 ‘TREEHOUSE’ SANCTUARY Geneva family transforms rustic home into Airbnb retreat

12 DESIGN DESTINATIONS Home décor stroll through local businesses

14 HOBBY ROOMS Trends in spare-room transformations

18 A LIVING LANDSCAPE Gardens can age gracefully with the home

20 DOORS OF KANE COUNTY A photography tribute to the “Doors of Dublin”

22 PRESERVING THE PAST Historic homes help tell the story of a bygone era

26 OUTDOORS OASIS Create your very own backyard Shangri-La

BUSINESS & CIVIC 29 PET WHISPERER Animal advocate Amber Walker’s career has been one wild ride

40

LA CUCINA ITALIANA

Isacco’s Kitchen brings northern Italian fare to First Street

DINING & ENTERTAINING 38 DON’T JUST WING IT …

Planit Kane delivers deals on quality dining close to home

40 LA CUCINA ITALIANA Isacco’s Kitchen brings northern Italian fare to First Street

OUT & ABOUT 42 THE CRAIC IS BACK McNally’s Irish pub opens in time for St. Patrick’s Day

44 ENJOY THE SHOW Geneva Film Festival is back and better than ever

46 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Check out a variety of March events, courtesy of Planit Kane

48 ARTIST SHOWCASE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

In “Marrying the Ketchups,” St. Charles painter Nick Freeman shares a scene of daily life

32 CYCLE OF LIFE

50 SOCIAL LIFE

Four stages of womanhood lead to wisdom

Glitter and Glue tour stops at Hotel Baker

34 QUICK DETECTION IS KEY In the fight against colon cancer

36 NUTRITION TRENDS Dietary needs for a healthy 2016

Photos by Missy Donovan

4 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

Editor's Note It’s no wonder why so much time and energy goes into making a house a home.

A home is a place of surrender. Its empty spaces are filled with memories and objects of affection. Its walls keep the tiny world we’ve created for ourselves intact. And it’s one of the few places where we allow ourselves to just be.

In this month’s homes edition, cover girl Selena Nichols - an outdoorsy, mother of three and major proponent of DIY projects - has created a wooded oasis to share with her family … AND the rest of the world. In “Treehouse sanctuary,” Nichols shares why she and her husband, Dan, decided to turn their rustic abode into a homestay listing on Airbnb.

For seekers of entertainment, we’ve got the scoop on the Geneva Film Festival. Moviegoers and film buffs, alike, will converge in Kane County this month to take in some of the best independent films from around the world.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day – and in the same vein of the “Doors of Dublin” photo feature – we’ve scoured the area for the most unique, colorful and intriguing doors scattered across the Tri-Cities.

It’s difficult to engage in St. Patrick’s Day revelry without the help of a traditional Irish pub. Well, McNally’s is back! Find out what’s in store for the St. Charles eatery and where else to enjoy some seasonal shenanigans.

Cheers! Or, as the Irish say, “Sláinte!”

Spring is a time of renewal. In “Outdoor Oasis,” discover how to change things up by turning your backyard into an outdoor Eden.

Wine cellars, libraries and basement bars are just a few of the creative ways people are utilizing extra space. For the latest trends in spare-room transformation, check out “Hobby Rooms.”

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

Kara Silva, Editor

EDITOR Kara Silva 630-427-6209 ksilva@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com

on the

COVER

From wooded oasis to Airbnb hot spot, find out why the Nichols family decided to share their “treehouse” with the rest of the world.

PAGE 8 Photo by ALDO D’LARA Salon Services by MARIO TRICOCI Stylist - ANDREA Makeup - RENAE

6 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Sandra Petti 630-313-0251 spetti@shawmedia.com Tricia Walter 630-845-5272 twalter@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Stephanie Kohl-McCord, Grace Tucker, Chris Walker, Tom Witom, Melissa Riske, Allison Horne, Elizabeth Harmon PHOTOGRAPHERS Aldo D’Lara, Joe Perez, Missy Donovan, Bill Huber

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

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‘TREEHOUSE’ SANCTUARY

GENEVA COUPLE TRANSFORM RUSTIC HOME INTO AIRBNB RETREAT

By KARA SILVA Photos by ALDO D’LARA “Beautiful forest views in this truly one-of-a-kind home” is how a Geneva couple describe their “Unique Treehouse” listing on Airbnb.

The residence of Selena and Dan Nichols is one of more than two million listings found on the Airbnb website, which enables people from all over the world to list, find and rent lodging.

Since 2008, the San-Francisco-based, home-sharing empire has accumulated listings in 190 countries and 34,000 cities – including Geneva, St. Charles and Batavia. Airbnb chiefly consists of shared- and privateroom rentals, as well as renting an entire home, but attracts visitors with its array of distinctive dwellings, from yurts, teepees and safari tents to tiny houses, campervans and airstream trailers.

“The concept of staying in other people’s places, [Airbnb wants] it to be unique; they want it to be an intimate experience with locals,” says Selena, whose four-bedroom “treehouse” seems to fit the bill based on occupancy rates and reviews.

Selena, Dan and their three children moved from Chicago to Geneva two years ago, when they decided it was time to trade the concrete jungle for a tranquil place amongst the trees. The home’s close proximity to downtown Geneva and the Fox River contributes to its rental potential. Since opening their rustic abode to the world seven months ago, the Nichols have racked up the highest possible rating – five stars – from their eight renters, and were displaced by guests for six consecutive weekends last year.

-Continued on page 10

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 9

“We often say that we have living wallpaper, because we’re so tied to the outdoors here.

The wallpaper changes with the seasons.”

– Dan Nichols, homeowner

AIRBNB ‘TREEHOUSE’ LISTING INFO: • Home sleeps eight guests (4 bedrooms, 5 beds) • Wood-burning fireplaces • Heated tiny home in backyard • Close proximity to downtown Geneva and Fox River • Use of kayaks and canoe • Outdoor fire pit and large deck • Zip line • Garage bar and pingpong table • Lofted master bedroom • TV and game room • Use of vintage bicycles • Fishing poles

-Continued from page 9 “It inspires us to travel more,” says Dan in regard to having to vacate his home for Airbnb guests. “It puts a couple of bucks in our pocket to pay for where we’re going and that works out. And we’re paying for this house every month, and it’s nice to get a little of that back.”

The Nichols call their rustic abode a “treehouse” because it was constructed around a series of 42-foot-tall, treated telephone poles, eliminating the need for a concrete foundation. A two-story wall of windows overlooks a sea of trees, which gives the home the illusion of being up in one itself.

“We often say that we have living wallpaper, because we’re so tied to the outdoors here,” says Dan. “The wallpaper changes with the seasons.”

The home was originally built by architect Ed Duffy in 1979. Environmentalist Ralph Green and his wife, Lucille, designed the home to

10 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

not only embrace the beauty of its natural surroundings, but to be noninvasive to the environment.

Over time, the Nichols have made interior upgrades to the home – such as a Moroccantiled master bathroom fit with a “cowboy tub” – but have kept the integrity of the space intact, including the home’s interior beams and woodwork, which were salvaged from a century-old printing plant in Chicago. Skilled in carpentry, Selena has injected rustic details into and around the house, from handmade wooden frames to a heated tiny house that she built in the backyard in just over a month.

“We like our house; we think it’s such a unique thing, and I’m glad that other people get to share it,” Dan says. “We’ve enjoyed [Airbnb].

It has exceeded my expectations with the quality of people that have stayed here.”

Regardless of the Nichols’ positive experiences with Airbnb, they’ve received occasional

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skepticism from friends and family, who consider the concept strange.

“I think it takes a certain kind of person to be into Airbnb,” Selena says. “I think the same kind of people that are willing to put their unique home on Airbnb are the same kind of people that will stay in a home and appreciate the little details that we put into it.”

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Dan agreed.

“In general, I think people are pretty good. They’re not here to steal my stuff or break my things,” he says. “They’re here because they want what we’re providing – a nice place to stay and a memorable weekend and experience.

We’re down with that. That’s what we look for when we travel.”

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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DESIGN DESTINATIONS ¢ FLOURISHING FINISH Isaac’s Upholstering is now a part of Flourishing Finish. Family-owned for 40 years, Flourishing Finish specializes in custom upholstery and drapery, and an onsite workshop allows customers to create one-of-kind pieces. The business also sells unique furniture pieces and has a collection of vintage furnishings that can be used to customize and stage a special event.

830 E. State Street Geneva 630-208-9391 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday www.flourishingfinish.com

Photos by Joe Perez

¢ FURNITURE DOLLIES

Furniture Dollies specializes in furniture restoration. Using paint, Furniture Dollies can transform solid, quality antique and vintage furniture into one-of-a-kind, creative pieces for the home. (The shop’s showroom highlights completed projects that are available for purchase.) Furniture Dollies customizes pieces already owned by customers and also helps customers tackle projects through workshops. The shop also sells a selection of paint, wax and brush supplies, as well as home décor, gifts and local artisan creations.

239 E. Wilson Street | Batavia | 630-235-9753 HOURS: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday www.furnituredolliesltd.com

¢ VERVE ON THIRD Over 175 American artists, including Sticks, David Marsh, Story People and Shoestring Creations are showcased at Verve On Third. This whimsical art gallery specializes in unique, handcrafted lamps, yard art, clocks, furniture, glass, jewelry, pottery, table top items and more.

227 S. Third St. | Geneva | 630-845-1399 WINTER HOURS: Monday by appointment; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday; and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday www.verveonthird.com 12 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

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¢ AMERICA’S TREASURES

America’s Treasures Antiques, Furniture and Gifts is situated in a 5,800 square-foot space and has more than 30 dealers. The shop sells furniture, shabby chic and traditional antiques, lighting, home décor and paint, including Vintage Market and Design Furniture Paint, Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint and Fusion Mineral Paint. We also offer painting classes. Local delivery service is available for large or heavy items. Visit America’s Treasures Facebook page to see new items.

10 N. Third Street (formerly on Bennett Street) | Geneva | 630-208-1003 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday www.AmericasTreasuresGeneva.com

¢ THE LITTLE TRAVELER

¢ GENEVA ANTIQUE MARKET

Photos by Joe Perez

Established in 1991, the Geneva Antique Market has 14 experienced dealers and offers a wide range of items, dating from the 1800s to the 1980s. Collectors and casual browsers alike can find something of interest, in all price ranges. Antique market items include old cameras, toys and trains, as well as china, pottery, glassware, postcards, books, magazines, vintage costume jewelry (including Native American pieces) and linens. The mid-century era also is represented in record albums, lighting and art glass. The Market also has furniture, garden items, primitives, folk art and cabin decor. Spaces are available to rent. For a spot, inquire at the Market.

404 S. 3rd Street | Geneva | 630-232-4200 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays www.littletraveler.com

227 S. Third Street | Geneva | 630-208-1150 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday www.genevaantiquemarket.com www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

From trendy to classic, customers can find the finest bedroom and table linens, decorative pillows, table decor, home lighting, dishware and candles at The Little Traveler. Throughout the store, the walls are lined with paintings, mirrors and metal artwork. Look up to see an extensive collection of chandeliers in a variety of styles.

The Little Traveler’s conservatory is adorned with faux flowers, as well as outdoor table furniture, fountains, statues and seasonal decorations. The Little Traveler’s designers can create custom faux floral arrangements for the home.

Photos by Joe Perez HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 13

Photos provided by VARA Design in Aurora

14 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

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HOBBY ROOMS

Trends in spare-room transformations

By STEPHANIE KOHL-MCCORD

I

f you can dream up a project for your home, there is someone out there who can make it happen.

Nowadays, people aren’t always turning their spare bedroom into a guest bedroom, or using their finished basement as a second living room. Instead, they are getting a little more creative, with the help of area contractors, remodeling experts, designers and decorators.

Ken Bernard, partner with SeBern Custom Homes, 36W995 Red Gate Road, St. Charles, says he has noticed people are buying older homes, because they are priced better, and calling SeBern Custom Homes in to remodel and update the home.

People also like to make the best use of their space, and one of the ways they are doing that is eliminating the formal living room. Instead, that room is being turned into a study or a playroom for the kids, Bernard says.

-Continued on page 16

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 15

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Basements are taking on a life of their own, too. Bernard says home gyms, bars, wine cellars, game rooms, large family rooms and general entertaining space are really taking over basements.

“We call it a lower level because people are finishing them to such a higher level now,” he says.

One of SeBern’s current projects is a lower level remodel, which includes a kitchenette/bar area on one end, a family room area and a walk-up bar around the outer area of the family room. Clients also are looking to keep an open layout for entertaining purposes.

Bernard says that one of the great things about lower level remodeling is that, depending on the client, it can be done in a kid-friendly manner or in a more adultcentric manner by bringing the night-outon-the-town atmosphere into the home.

“We’re doing a lot more lighting,” Bernard says, adding LED strip lights that can change color are particularly interesting and can be installed above bars, in soffits or even behind crown molding.

Let's drive over to Papa Pat's to see what's for Easter !

Wine cellars also have landed on more wish lists lately but, Bernard says, these aren’t the wine cellars of before. Stainless steel 16 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

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has replaced wood and clear glass doors with access lights have replaced regular doors.

Aurora-based VARA Design can attest to the popularity of wine cellars, as well.

Wine cellars have become somewhat of a specialty for VARA. In fact, Megan Paul, chief creative officer, is a certified sommelier.

“We are getting a lot of people for abovegrade wine cellars,” Paul says. “We’re seeing a lot of people doing them as focal points in their living space.”

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Paul thinks people are seeking out these types of projects for myriad reasons.

~ Shop, Play and Eat

“People are collectors,” Paul says. “They’re prized collections, and people are proud of them.”

~ Arts, Theater and Culture ~ Restaurants, Cafés and Coffee Shops

In basements, Paul says that in addition to seeking a wine cellar, clients also are seeking tasting rooms to go along with it. VARA Design is currently working on a project that uses a tasting room as an extension of the client’s entertaining space.

Fun Never Ends in Downtown Crystal Lake

“It’s all custom built, so – typically – they are hiring someone like us to design that,” she says.

With her experience, Paul always suggests clients use temperature- and humiditycontrolled wine cellars. Materials can be customized to each client’s style. VARA Design did a custom wine cellar that used welded horseshoes to hold the bottles. The goal is to create a beautiful and functional wine cellar, she says. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

Plan your day with a visit to our website: www.DowntownCL.org KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 17

A living landscape Gardens can age gracefully with the home with MEAGAN PROVENCHER

A

s a home ages, so does its landscape. Many times, when a home is over-landscaped, it’s because a homeowner is trying to sell it, a home is being dressed up as a model or because the previous – or current – owner is a plant hoarder. (You know who you are.) Some homes sit vacant for a long time and their landscapes get neglected. A cluttered, tired, overgrown or neglected landscape is often easy to fix and doing so makes a world of difference.

OVERCROWDED AREA In an overcrowded landscape, too many plants were used to achieve that “finished” look and, while it looked good for a few years, now it looks overgrown and messy. I’ve seen some homes where the homeowner can’t even use the front door because the landscape has taken over.

First, consider removing the oldest, overgrown plants.

Sometimes “thinning the herd” helps open up an area.

Don’t be afraid to tear into the landscape. If you don’t like certain plants or the garden layout is nonfunctional, then there is no reason to keep it as it is. If you can’t remove certain plants without removing all – or most – of them, don’t despair; this creates an opportunity to make the landscape yours, and it also will allow you to properly install new plants so that the problem won’t persist. If you need suggestions for the proper plant for a specific spot, ask an expert at a nursery or a garden center for a few options. If you need to start over completely, or if you feel overwhelmed, try a landscape design.

18 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

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NEGLECTED GARDEN A neglected landscape often can be neatened up with a weekend of weeding, pruning and clean up. If a landscape was neglected for a significant amount of time, some plants may need to be removed if they are no longer healthy or aesthetically pleasing after being pruned. When plants are pruned rigorously for years and then left alone, they often take on strange shapes. If you can’t lightly prune them again to get them back into shape, it’s best to remove the plant and either replant the same plant again or try something different. Other landscape maintenance options include tidying up the edges of the lawn, patching dead spots, power washing the walkway and driveway, and adding a layer of mulch to make a landscape look fresh again.

DISJOINTED LANDSCAPE If a home has undergone landscaping by several previous homeowners, then it often will look disjointed and require a lot of maintenance. When dealing with landscapes, always remember that less is more.

First, try to remove the most glaring offenders, followed by any undesirable plants. It’s OK to remove plants that aren’t dead. Don’t feel bad about ripping out a living thing; it happens all of the time and once that giant Juniper is yanked out of the ground, everything will seem more congealed.

When adding new plants, pay close attention to the mature size of the new ones so that they don’t interfere with the old. To avoid having a busy – or mismatching – landscape, try to repeat the same plants that already exist in the garden. While sometimes it’s difficult to match types of boxwoods, yews or other evergreens, usually it’s easier to match deciduous shrubs – such as lilac, weigela and spirea – with other plants.

There is no reason that a landscape can’t age gracefully with a home. A few simple changes can keep a home looking great for many years to come.

Meagan Provencher is the Sr. Landscape Designer for Wasco Nursery & Garden Center in St. Charles. She can be reached at 630584-4424 or design@ wasconursery.com.

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91 Years A Growing Legacy Everything you need for your beautiful garden

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Meeting your growing needs since 1925 41W781 Route 64 | St. Charles | 630-584-4424 | wasconursery.com HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 19

DOORS OF KANE COUNTY

By KARA SILVA Photos by Carol Manderfield and Kara Silva

In Ireland, Dublin is known for the array of colorful doors that dot the city and accentuate its Georgian architecture. In this month’s homes edition (and in honor of St. Patrick’s Day), we’ve decided to pay tribute to the “Doors of Dublin” by compiling a collection of colorful, unique and eye-catching doorways that reflect the culture of Kane County.

A door is a portal into the home and the lives of those who live inside.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 21

Photo by Bill Huber

Preserving the past HISTORIC HOMES HELP TELL THE STORY OF A BYGONE ERA

By ELIZABETH HARMON

T

he older homes that dot the area offer a look into Kane County’s history.

The Fabyan Villa in Geneva and the Beith House in St. Charles have both earned spots on the National Register of Historic Places, which is an official list of sites deemed worthy of preservation by the National Park Service.

While one house is a distinctive dwelling designed by a great American architect, the other once served as a modest home for a middle-class family. Regardless of their stature, each local abode helps tell the story of a bygone era. ¢ BEITH HOUSE

and doors. The Beith House’s front gable with adjacent wing configuration is not commonly seen in the Midwest, according Located on along the Fox River in St. Charles, to The Field Guide of American Homes. the simple two-story house was home to The Beith House also has the distinction of Scottish immigrant William Beith and his being one of the area’s least-altered early family from 1850 to 1860. A stonemason and homes. prominent builder in the area, Beith used “No one who bought it was extremely limestone quarried nearby to build the Greek wealthy, so it’s remained a great example of Revival style home. a middle class in-town home,” says Safanda.

Greek Revival architecture was popular in In the 1860s – after the Beiths moved to the early to mid-1800s and is characterized a new, larger home on what is now known as by low-pitched rooms, decorative trim around the roofline and tall, narrow windows -Continued on page 24 8 INDIANA STREET ST. CHARLES

22 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HOME & LIFESTYLE

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 23

Live Healthy. Live Happy. Live Life.

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-Continued from page 22

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Beith Road – the house changed hands and was eventually divided into apartments.

By the late 1970s, the home was quite dilapidated and in danger of being torn down. Local residents began collecting money to save the building, and it was eventually deeded to the Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley for $1.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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a working lighthouse, barns, a boathouse and more. Not only is the home significant because of its style, and its famous creator, but also because of Fabyan himself.

As the founder of Riverbank Acoustical Laboratory in Geneva, Fabyan was a pioneer in the field of cryptology and helped decode enemy communication during World War I. The couple lived in the home until their deaths, and – in the early 1940s – it was deeded to Kane County Forest Preserve District. “In 1974, the Geneva Garden Club started restoring the garden and by the 1980s, the Friends of Fabyan had gotten involved,� says Elizabeth Safanda, executive director of Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley. The Villa was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and is open to the public as the Fabyan Villa Museum. “[The museum] tells the story, not only of Frank Lloyd Wright, but also of Nelle and George Fabyan, their estate and riverbank,� says Safanda. “There are many exhibits and artifacts, and the coding stuff [from World War I] is fascinating.�

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 25

Outdoors Oasis

Creating your very own backyard Shangri-La

By ALLISON HORNE

F

orget about that fancy vacation or those luxurious spa services, because – with the help of local landscapers, hardscapers and pond experts – it’s possible to have your very own backyard oasis.

From fountains and ponds to outdoor barbecue and fire pits, there are so many ways to transform your yard into something unique and fun for the entire family.

“People used to spend all this money going on vacation, but now they can get their own vacation in their yard,” says Gary Gronwick, consultant at Aquascape Designs in St. Charles. “You can wake up in the morning, enjoy a cup of coffee with your feet in the water and the koi nibbling on your toes.”

¢ GETTING STARTED With a plethora of available options for creating an idyllic outdoor space, getting started can be overwhelming. County Wide Landscaping in Elburn offers free consultations and Aquascape in St. Charles has a showroom chock-full of options and a staff ready to assist.

Aquascape offers ecosystem ponds, pondless waterfalls, decorative fountainscapes, rainwater harvesting systems and water gardening, and they also work with landscape and backyard renovation companies to help complete a project.

“My favorite part about my job is designing,” says Brian Larsen, owner of County Wide Landscaping. “I do everything in 3-D, and I love to see people’s faces when they see how much it transforms their whole backyard.”

¢ DESIGN OPTIONS Whether your backyard budget allows you to decorate with a few lawn ornaments or build an in-ground pool, many local businesses can work with you to create a water feature or backyard relaxation destination.

Aquascape has showrooms and project showcases open all year, but they also will have a display at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show from Saturday, March 12, through Sunday, March 20, at Navy Pier in Chicago.

“Even after working 8 to 9 hours a day designing and working with ponds, I love going home to my own pond,” Gronwick says. “It’s so peaceful to enjoy a cocktail or a cup of coffee and watch my koi swim around. It’s fascinating watching their lifestyle.”

“This year’s Garden Show will have more manageable and affordable displays, including all different kinds of water features in a common backyard setting,” Gronwick says.

Gronwick, who was retired at the time, decided to get into the water feature business after he realized what his pond had done for him.

County Wide Landscaping does water features as well, but they also specialize in large-scale hardscaping projects.

Hardscaping consists of nonliving or man-made fixtures in an outdoor area, and includes features like kitchens, fireplaces, gazebos and other patio spaces.

“When people that don’t have a pond come to my yard, they’re in awe of what can be done with waterscaping,” Gronwick says.

“There’s a lifestyle and peacefulness when you’re there – it’s like your own backyard oasis.”

- Continued on page 28

Huge 2016 inventory to choose from

- Continued from page 27 In addition to water features, there are plenty of trendy backyard designs and patio options that can help give any yard a facelift.

“Outdoor kitchens are really popular right now,” Larsen says. “People love going to lake houses and entertaining, but now they can entertain at their own home.”

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In addition to landscape and hardscape design, County Wide Landscaping also specializes in outdoor speakers, movie screens, grills and pools.

“It’s nice to stay home and grill out on the weekends, and kids love being outside while parents like entertaining in their own backyard,” Larsen says. “Not only that, but it also increases resale value of the home.”

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“There’s really no limit to what we can do,” Gronwick says. “We can build acre ponds, small ponds, ponds with goldfish or even pondless waterfalls that are lowmaintenance – just to get the sound that generates from waterfalls. You can create whatever you want depending on the yard and the scope of what you want to accomplish.” u For more information about Aquascape Designs, call 630-659-2057 or visit www.aquascapedesigns.com. For information about County Wide Landscaping, call 630-365-3412 or visit www.countywidelandscaping.com.

Photos provided by Aquascape Designs

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Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2014 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (7/14) 28 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

At Aquascape, decorative water features start around $4,500, and small ponds start around $6,000, and go up from there.

HOME & LIFESTYLE

PET WHISPERER

Animal advocate Amber Walker’s career has been one wild ride

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE

A

mber Walker has been working with animals since she was given her first pet as a child.

Growing up in Florida, Walker says she always dreamed of becoming a dolphin trainer or a marine biologist, but her mother encouraged her to think broader and study zoology.

Through Animal Intuitions, LLC – the business that Walker operates out of her Batavia home – Walker says she focuses on puppies because, without a good base of training, adult dogs will end up with – what pet owners consider – unwanted problems.

“I know how to train animals, but the owners – they, too, have to be educated to work with their animals.”

“It couldn’t have been a better decision because I was able to work with far more than marine mammals,” says Walker, who has since worked with 172 different species of animals at various jobs, which also includes a yearlong stint as a dolphin trainer at Brookfield Zoo. Walker also has worked at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; she spent time in Seward, Alaska, where she did rescue and rehabilitation work with marine mammals; and has volunteered at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Today, she enjoys helping owners and their pets live in harmony. But, when she decided to create her own animal-training business six years ago, she soon learned that it wasn’t solely about teaching a dog new tricks. She had to learn how to teach pet owners, too.

Photo by Ron McKinney

Walker couldn’t have a dog or cat due to family members with pet allergies, but – when she was in fifth grade – her parents gave her a black, lop-eared rabbit that she named Shadow. She cared for the rabbit dearly, and her father built it an exercise area to help it stay healthy. Shadow lived to be 14 years old – far longer than average for a domestic rabbit – which Walker attributes to the care and exercise it received daily.

“I know how to train animals, but the owners – they, too, have to be educated to work with their animals. It requires teaching them about management. Educating through management will help fix or alter the pet’s behavior,” says Walker, who supplemented her animal-training experience with classes that taught her how to educate pet owners.

“I think we should educate and train [dogs] when they are young so we can have great dogs in the community,” Walker says.

Gail Russell of Geneva is a volunteer who assists Walker with puppy classes.

Russell says that Walker’s teaching methods and use of positive reinforcement make her a great trainer. She enjoys assisting with the classes and watching the dogs and owners flourish under Walker’s guidance.

“Amber is really good about problem solving,” Russell says. “She’s got such a wealth of knowledge. I’m in awe about how much I learn from her.”

While most of her pet clients are dogs, she also has worked with several other species of domesticated animals, including parrots, guinea pigs and even a Juliana pig.

worked on fundraising programs for the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and also tries to support the Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue, as well as local animal shelters and wildlife centers.

Though she misses the warmer winters months in Florida, Walker says that she loves the area and is happy to have her children grow up in Batavia.

“My kids will grow up with the same passion, and same understanding of nature, and – hopefully – the same love of animals,” Walker says.

Beyond training, Walker enjoys educating the public on conservation matters. She has

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BUSINESS & CIVIC

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 29

Is In The Giving A non-profit feature

Kane County has an assortment of nonprofit services providing support for families and individuals at their time of need. Each month, Kane County Magazine will feature a county-wide nonprofit organization. It is our hope that this will not only give you hope, but ideas on how to help others in your own way.

Without the support of hundreds of volunteers, Kane

County’s nonprofits would not survive. Take time to get to know the services available right here in Kane County. Maybe someone you know needs support. Maybe you can give time or resources to help.

One great thing about Kane County is that we have so many excellent nonprofit supports and our communities are contributing to their success.

Seven Centuries of Music in 90 minutes!

Jeff Hunt, Music Director St. Charles Singers

April 17, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Charles, Ill.

The St. Charles Singers, conducted by founder Jeffrey Hunt, is a Fox Valley nonprofit, arts organization, and one of the Chicago area’s premier professional choruses. The choir began in 1984 as a 12 voice ensemble, The Mostly Madrigal Singers. Thirty two years later and known now as St. Charles Singers, the choir typically presents 32 singers who perform a capella and classic choral compositions. The choir is often lauded for its uniquely beautiful blend of voices. The St. Charles Singers enjoy and embrace their role as musical ambassadors of the Fox Valley region of Illinois.

A concert highlight will be Thomas Tallis’s rarely heard English Renaissance motet Spem in alium (Hope in any other) with 40 individual vocal parts. The late-16th-century sacred work expresses hope and trust in God. The full ensemble, divided into mixed-voice “solo choirs,” will encircle the audience for a surround-sound experience. Hunt says Tallis’s score yields a lively musical give-and-take between the solo choirs. It also demands a high level of vocal artistry from all of the choristers because each has a solo role.

In April St. Charles Singers will conclude its 2015-16 season with “Choral Eclectic” a bold performance during which the choir will traverse seven centuries of song. Two concert performances are scheduled:

The earliest composer on the program is Josquin des Prez (1450-1521), an international musical celebrity of Renaissance Europe. The St. Charles Singers will offer his four-part French song of romantic love, “Mille Regretz” (A Thousand Regrets), which became a hit in its time.

Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Ill.; and 3 p.m. Sunday,

Concertgoers will also hear Orlande de Lassus’s “Musica Dei donum optimi”(Music

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is a gift from God), his heartfelt, mature work of thanksgiving for a long life in music; Claudio Monteverdi’s passionately romantic Italian madrigal “Si ch’io vorrei morire” (Yes, I would like to die); Antonio Lotti’s “Crucifixus 8,”an eight-part motet based on text from the Mass; J. S. Bach’s “Dona nobis pacem” (Give us peace) from his monumental Mass in B Minor; and much more. The additional significant and colorful works that complete the program are listed on the choir’s web site, www.stcharlessingers.com A concluding set of twenty-first century choral works will include Craig Hella Johnson’s vibrant arrangement of pop singer Carly Simon’s award-winning song “Let the River Run,” in which the St. Charles Singers will be joined by young choristers from its SING! training program.

For concert tickets and information, and to support the St. Charles Singers visit www stcharlessingers.com or call 630.513.5272.

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CYCLE OF LIFE FOUR STAGES OF WOMANHOOD LEAD TO WISDOM

W

omen go through four distinct and dramatic stages during a lifetime: childhood, maidenhood, motherhood and – finally – the “wise woman” stage.

After birth, each stage is ushered in by a dramatic shift in hormones that affect one’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. While these changes are usually considered disruptive – with each stage – they also offer an opportunity for a woman to access a more profound level of consciousness and wisdom. By being kind to ourselves and honoring our needs during these transitions, we eventually experience a rich reward: the connection to our authentic selves and an inherent wisdom.

A woman approaching the “wise woman” stage will often find it the most challenging. Having been through puberty and the childbearing phase (or other creative endeavors), a woman in

32 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

her middle years has learned a great deal about herself and is usually settled into a way of living and being that works for her.

She has stability and reliability – then all of that changes. As a woman begins perimenopause and then menopause, she may start to have hormonal symptoms (hot flashes, sleep disruption, erratic menses) or she may experience a sense of discontent and may think that something is missing in her life.

Whatever the symptoms, women are usually caught off guard and feel they don’t know themselves anymore. Our first reaction is to resist. We long to go back to our previous

HEALTH & WELLNESS

normality. It doesn’t seem like anything good could come of this.

Rather than resist, women should stop and listen to their bodies, minds and hearts. It is important to first get comfortable, and there are a number of natural and medicinal remedies available to get more comfortable during menopause.

Next, listen to your heart. Women are usually not accustomed to listening deeply to themselves, but – instead – put their own needs aside for others. Receiving support is very important during this time.

Women who take the opportunity to care for themselves physically, emotionally and

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HealingSpace founder Marilyn Mitchell, M.D. has integrated holistic practices with traditional medicine for more than 35 years.

Marilyn Mitchell, M.D.

The physical body communicates what impacts a person on all levels. The body can compensate for many things, but it has its limits. Eventually when there is a disease or a disorder the physical symptoms are the signal that something deeper is occurring. Until we examine the mental, emotional, spiritual levels, even the soul’s longing, a permanent cure is less likely to occur. The medical model deals with the physical body.

Integrative Medicine incorporates natural remedies. In my practice, I go further to address the underlying origins of dysfunction. When I’m with a patient, I use an intuitive listening process which provides a space for them to get in touch with their full, deeper self. From this place, we are able to recognize the patterns that are being mirrored in the physical body. The patient may be realizing this connection for the ďŹ rst time. This process allows me to design a treatment plan for the patient to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

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mentally during this transition have the opportunity to discover within themselves their authentic voice, and can achieve a new level of contentment and well-being.

Many wise women have found this stage to be the most creative time of their lives.

When you empower yourself by following your heart and your authentic truth, you naturally move into the status of a wise woman.

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KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 33

QUICK DETECTION IS KEY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COLON CANCER Swimming.

Rock climbing.

Trapeze flying.

Christy was active every day, until she found out she had colon cancer.

Presented by Northwestern Medicine

C

hristy was diagnosed with colon cancer when she was 41 years old. As a Korean-American, she had a very low risk and, given her age, healthy diet and active lifestyle, her diagnosis was unexpected. While colon cancer was considered rare for Christy, the American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 140,000 cases of colorectal cancer occur each year.

Colorectal cancer, which includes both colon cancers and rectal cancers, is the third most common cancer in both men and women – outside of skin cancers – and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. However, when it’s caught early, the cancer is one of the most curable.

treatment plan. In Christy’s case, a Northwestern Medicine surgeon removed her tumor and a number of lymph nodes, all of which appeared clean due to how quickly the team caught the cancer.

Early detection is key to colon cancer treatment: If found and treated early, 90 percent of cases are curable. Moreover, polyps can take many years to develop, allowing screenings to identify cases before they develop. Colonoscopies are the most common form of screening, but fecal occult blood tests and fecal immunochemical tests are used too.

Regular colonoscopy screenings are recommended for anyone over 50 years old, though more and more people are getting Treatment depends on overall health, the screened earlier. People younger than 50 years extent of the disease and tolerance for various old can also be at risk if they are overweight, therapies. In addition to surgery, radiation consume too much alcohol or tobacco, have a therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and family history of cancer or a personal history of palliative medicine can all be part of a successful chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In most

cases, following a nutritious diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight can help prevent colon cancer. However, certain colon cancers cannot be prevented, making regular screenings and early detection essential for successful treatment for patients like Christy.

In these cases, being aware of your health can help you and your primary care physician identify symptoms that could call for a colonoscopy.

These can include a change in bowel habits, bleeding, cramping or gnawing stomach pain, decreased appetite, vomiting, unintended weight loss or weakness.

While she was an outlier given her age and good health, Christy’s response to her symptoms and the quick detection and rapid response of her multi-disciplinary team at Northwestern Medicine is indicative of effective colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

u Northwestern Medicine has extensive experience with digestive cancers that draws on technical expertise, ongoing research and clinical trials.

Multiple locations offer advanced surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatment options. To schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage or Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospitals, call 630-933-4234.

34 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

SHE HAD A RARE FORM OF CANCER. FORTUNATELY, SHE HAD AN EVEN MORE RARE FORM OF DOCTOR. As a Korean-American, Christy was at a much lower risk for colon cancer. Which makes her doctors’ discovery even more amazing. Read Christy’s story and see our impact at ImpactEveryDayNM.org

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© 2016 Northwestern Medicine

NUTRITION TRENDS

DIETARY NEEDS FOR A HEALTHY 2016

By GRACE TUCKER

Trends in dieting come and go, but good eating habits are crucial to leading a healthy lifestyle. From sprouted and ancient grains to plant-based foods and beets, there are plenty of dietary staples to incorporate into your diet and nutrition trends to follow this year.

Push for pulses

The 68th session of the General Assembly of United Nations declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses, which are a source of plantbased proteins and amino acids. Pulses include dry peas, beans, chickpeas, and lentils. Along with traditional cooking and serving methods associated with these foods, such as soups and hummus, there is more experimentation with their flours as higher-fiber, higher-protein alternatives to traditional breads and baked goods.

“The jump-in, gluten-free eating created the need for other sources of nutrition,” says Andrea Klouda, founder and owner of Nutrition for Life in Aurora. “Glutenfree substitutes, such as corn and rice, are not nutrient dense. Beans are a jackpot of good nutrition, carb and fiber, and protein. People who aren’t gluten-free, are eating these beans.”

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, pulses should be eaten as a means of addressing obesity and to prevent and help manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes, coronary conditions and cancer.

36 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Fat really is back

Good fats – the unsaturated kind found in olive oil, fatty fish (like salmon), olives, nuts and seeds continue to be an important part of any diet.

“Research shows that people need fat in their diets,” says Klouda. “It gives you the feeling of being satisfied and full. If you’re starving after a meal, you’re not really doing your diet well.”

Full fat dairy is making a comeback.

“Consumption of whole-milk dairy products is on the rise as part of a whole, natural and real trend. And there’s a growing understanding that milk fat isn’t bad for you and may actually be good for you,” says Gregory Miller, president of the Dairy Research Institute.

Organic milk is a clean source of food, says Klouda.

“You have to take this research in perspective,” says Klouda, adding that ingesting saturated fat is OK for those who already have a healthy lifestyle, but to always choose clean, “good saturated fat, such as organic grass-fed beef.”

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Delnor Health & Fitness Center

Weight Loss The Next Steps fitness program at Delnor Health & Fitness Center gets to the heart of managing your weight loss through realistic goal setting and changing habits.

8-Week Program Includes Fitness assessments Individualized exercise plan Two 60-minute supervised group workout sessions or classes per week

The plusses of probiotics

“Good bacteria,” like L. Acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri, have been found in yogurts and yogurtlike products. The good bacteria found in yogurts can decrease the risk of neurodegenerative and some autoimmune diseases. Research also suggests that probiotics may be helpful in treating symptoms of depression.

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“Probiotics and prebiotics improve digestive function, support [the] immune system [and] energy balance,” says Klouda.

www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

HEALTH & WELLNESS

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 37

For a great dining experience, don’t just wing it …

P

lanit Kane is a one-stop shopping guide for quality dining and entertainment, featuring the best restaurants, events, activities and deals in and around Kane County.

Take advantage of restaurant vouchers that offer $10, $20 and $30 off of your dining experience. Easily searchable and decidedly affordable, Planit Kane vouchers allow diners to try a trendy new eatery or visit a community staple.

Searching for something to do this week? Check out Planit Kane’s event directory and interactive community arts and entertainment calendar for information about concerts, stage performances, lectures, festivals, workshops and presentations in the Tri-City area.

While visiting the Planit Kane website, choose “Deals” and you’ll be taken to page offering a host of local shopping and dining options.

A favorite feature of Planit Kane is the deals. A convenient voucher system allows diners to find great offers from local restaurants. With so many places to dine in Kane County, you can’t go wrong with Planit’s deals.

Beef Shack

38 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Dining close to home? Shop by town. If you have a special place in mind, check out Planit to see if your destination has a deal. Better yet, sign up for regular updates of the week’s deals, so that you can plan your culinary adventures.

u Find great deals on these restaurants (and more!) online at www.planitkane.com

Abby’s Breakfast & Lunch

Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant

Paisano’s Pizza & Grill

Shore Louie’s Pizza

DINING & ENTERTAINING

Stockholm’s

Sorrento’s Restaurant

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¢ BEEF SHACK

2115 W. MAIN STREET | ST. CHARLES

¢ PAISANO’S PIZZA & GRILL

¢ CLADDAGH IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT

Voted “Best Beef” by the Kane County Chronicle for three years, the family-owned and operated restaurant is a quick-service eatery featuring high-quality ingredients. Beef Shack specializes in Italian Beef with a choice of melted mozzarella, sweet or hot peppers and garlic spread. The eatery also serves fresh cut French fries, salads, hot dogs and cheeseburgers.

1702 COMMONS DRIVE | GENEVA

¢ ABBY’S BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

¢ STOCKHOLM’S

106 N. MAIN STREET | ELBURN

The Irish pub will provide a festive dining and drinking experience. Fire pits and a full-service bar decorate a large, wrap-around patio. Start with Guinness Beer Cheese and Pretzels, Scotch Eggs or Shamrock Wings, before enjoying an Irish entrée, such as Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage or Claddagh’s award-winning Fish and Chips.

The family-friendly eatery opened in downtown St. Charles last year and offers fresh, home-style fare for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant serves Kona Coffee, Bloody Marys, craft cocktails, wine and craft beer, as well as hearty, signature dishes like Corned Beef Hash and Sweet Potatoes with eggs, Waffle Biscuits and Gravy, and Chicken Chorizo Enchiladas.

¢ SHORE LOUIE’S PIZZA

151 E. ROUTE 38 (LINCOLN HIGHWAY), SUITE H | ELBURN

306 W. STATE STREET | GENEVA

11 N. THIRD ST.REET | ST. CHARLES

Specializing in homemade and made-to-order cuisine, Paisano’s menu includes pizza, pastas, calzones, sandwiches, burgers, brats and desserts. As part of its Pies of the Month, the restaurant features three recipes, like Apple, Chocolate Éclair and Chocolate Peanut Butter (previous offerings) that change each month.

As a nod to Geneva’s Scandinavia roots, Stockholm’s offers dining and drinking in a tavern-like setting. The full-service restaurant and microbrewery located in downtown Geneva offers pub grub and Italian fare. Each month, the eatery hosts four-course beer dinners, pairing Stockholm’s handcrafted brews with menu items like the Mixed Mushroom Encrusted Pork Chop and the Banana Caramel Egg Roll. ¢ TRIBELLA GRILL

1900 MILL STREET | BATAVIA

The urban, Italian-American bistro specializes in pastas and steaks. Start with an order of Prince Edward Island Mussels, enjoy Veal Piccata or Ravioli Florentine in a Champagne cream sauce, and end with an order of Tiramisu. Hardwood floors, whitelinen dressed tables, leather upholstered booths and Venetian walls create an inviting atmosphere.

Tribella Grill

Since opening last year, Shore Louie’s has been regarded as one of the top pizzadelivery places in Elburn. Shore Louie’s offers authentic, New York-style pies with dough made fresh daily. Other menu items include salads, sandwiches, calzones, Stromboli and appetizers, like garlic knots, buffalo wings, fried calamari and mozzarella sticks. ¢ SORRENTO’S RESTAURANT 50 W. 187 ROUTE 64 | MAPLE PARK

Established in 1974, Sorrento’s offers the finest in Italian American cuisine. The restaurant specializes in aged prime rib, broiled lobster tail, hickory-smoked barbecue ribs, steaks and seafood. ¢ DOUBLE YOLK PANCAKE HOUSE AND RESTAURANT

1555 BUTTERFIELD ROAD, SUITE 101 AURORA

Boasting prompt service and a clean, pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, Double yolk has a large breakfast menu to tantalize the taste buds of any diner. Tiramisu pancakes, The Dutch Baby German pancake and Banana Swedish Pancakes dot the menu, as well as skillets, omelettes, eggs Benedicts, Belgian waffles and a solid variety of lunch items, like salads, burgers, wraps and sandwiches. ¢ PUB 56

1555 BUTTERFIELD ROAD | AURORA

Double Yolk Pancake House & Restaurant

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Pub 56

DINING & ENTERTAINING

A classy sports bar that’s fun for the whole family, Pub 56 specializes in high-end pub fare, smoked meats, Kobe beef burgers, homemade pizzas and craft beer. The sophisticated setting boasts 40 tap handles: five reserved for domestics and 35 reserved for craft and imported brews.

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 39

IF YOU GO WHAT: Isacco’s Kitchen WHERE: 131 S. First St. St. Charles CONTACT: 630-444-0202 (Reservations are suggested.)

HOURS: Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday.

Dinner is served from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday, and 4:30 to 11 p.m.

Friday through Sunday.

La cucina Italiana

ISACCO’S KITCHEN BRINGS NORTHERN ITALIAN FARE TO FIRST STREET

By TOM WITOM | Photos by MISSY DONOVAN

I

sacco Vitali’s decision to relocate Isacco’s Kitchen a little closer to central downtown St. Charles wasn’t made on a whim. After all, the northern Italian restaurant had built up a following during its sevenyear run on nearby Cedar Street.

The move to a newer site meant more visibility, heavier foot traffic and ample parking, says Vitali, the restaurant’s chef and owner. It also made offering lunch service for the first time a feasible option.

And its smaller, more intimate footprint – total seating capacity, including the bar, is 42 – has worked out just fine, allowing the hard-working chef and his madefrom-scratch dishes to better connect with customers.

The transition began Aug. 22 when the lights went out at the original site on Cedar Street. It continued until two weeks before Christmas, and lasted “a little longer than expected due to various technical reasons,” says Vitali, who has had about 20 years of experience as a chef.

Longtime customers have remained loyal to Isacco’s Kitchen, which draws customers from nearby towns,

40 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

DINING & ENTERTAINING

such as St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Elgin. The Italian eatery also pulls diners from a 10-mile radius – as far away as Naperville, Aurora and Wheaton.

“Consistently offering a good product is key,” says Vitali. “It’s what keeps people coming back. Everything else is important, but food is the main focus.”

Though the menu was tweaked during the move, it’s similar to the old one.

“We make bread daily, as well as most of our pasta – something that appeals to our customer base,” says the Italian-born chef who was educated in England and learned about the culinary arts in his native country.

“Some recipes may occasionally change from day to day, but I basically have the same menu year-round and supplement it with seasonal specials.”

Crab and lobster tortellini in a spicy vodka sauce is one of the most popular menu items. The signature dish has remained on the restaurant’s menu from the start.

Another in-demand course is braised lamb shank in a saffron risotto.

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The lunch menu features lighter fare, though some dinner entrees can be ordered as a midday meal. Customers can expect to pay – on average – $33 to $40 a person for a full dinner.

Desserts are custom-made for Isacco’s Kitchen by an independent pastry chef who makes tiramisu, chocolate-semifreddo, ginger crème brûlée, chocolate soufflé and cannoli.

Kitchen Open Late

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““Great place to be!”

WEST DUNDEE • 847-428-4483 • 125 Washington Street

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Because its food is prepared from scratch, the restaurant can accommodate those with special dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian.

“Even though the menu is small, as long as we have the ingredients, we can create new dishes,” Vitali says.

The dining room at Isacco’s Kitchen is light and airy and has a rustic, wine-bar look. Racks filled with wine bottles line two walls within the restaurant.

Fabio Casarini, Vitali’s cousin and right-hand man, says the bar offers a small selection of bottled beers, such as Italian, Belgian, domestics and a few artisanal brews. The bar is equipped to handle cocktail orders, and it’s stocked with grappa, bourbon and scotch.

The restaurant serves Italian wines predominantly, but also has a selection of varietals from California, Oregon, Washington and two recent additions from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The restaurant offers takeout, is available for private parties, and customers can book its services for off-site catering.

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For more information on Isacco’s Kitchen, visit www.isaccokitchen.com.

DINING & ENTERTAINING

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 41

THE CRAIC IS BACK

MCNALLY’S OPENS IN TIME FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY

By CHRIS WALKER

An old friend is back just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. McNally’s Traditional Irish Pub in St. Charles recently reopened. The Irish eatery closed last year, not long after Bill Stavrou purchased the restaurant and transformed it into the Valley Lodge Tavern. The Tavern shut its doors in December.

Manager Seamus “Shay” Clarke says that McNally’s has not only returned to its former glory, but is better than ever.

“We’ve restored it and we’ve also improved it,” Clarke says. “We’re absolutely delighted to be back. It’s a vindication for many of us. It should’ve always have been an Irish Pub. Trying to change it into something it wasn’t was a brave effort, of course, but McNally’s is truly an Irish Pub.” Clarke, who is from Dublin, Ireland, doesn’t know exactly what special events will take place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but – if celebrations from previous years are any indication – there will be plenty of reasons to stop in.

“We’re hearing a lot of good things about us coming back,” he says.

“But we’re going to have to find everybody again. We’ll have to earn their trust and their business.”

Some of the former staff members are returning, and the restaurant has a new chef, Kevin Gillespie, who has worked at other local restaurants, such as The Patten House and Foxfire – both in Geneva.

“This is as authentic as you can get,” Clarke says. “If I wasn’t in this business, I would just retire. I can only do Irish. The hospitality, the food, the music, the culture, we’re the whole thing wrapped up in a bow and tied nicely.”

42 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

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WANT TO GET RICH? BLOCK OUT THE NOISE!

By Jeff Martin

LOCAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY SHENANIGANS ¢ ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Kane County’s signature “green” event in March will be the 17th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Sixth Street and Main Street in downtown St. Charles.

for food, but it will include corned beef and cabbage.

Pub 222 also will have live music from Mike Hayes on St. Patrick’s Day.

¢ CLADDAGH IRISH PUB 1702 COMMONS DRIVE GENEVA Live music, entertainment and food and drink specials galore are set for Claddagh Irish Pub in Geneva. It will “There will be lots of bands all begin Friday, March 11, and floats and, last year, we with a Guinness flight promo had a record of 18,500 people,” sampler, featuring Guinness says Ellyn Calay, officer Blonde Ale and Guinness Nitro manager for Downtown St. IPA. There will be Irish music Charles. “We expect another throughout the week, including large turnout. performances by Peter and Katie Whalen and Trillum, as The parade will feature Irish well as a jam session with dancers, Irish music, floats Celtic Sounds. There will and performances by the St. be multiple appearances by Charles East and St. Charles Irish dancers and various North marching bands. The event also will feature a “deck promotions. out your lucky dog” contest. ¢ BALLYDOYLE Those who dress up their dogs IRISH PUB in Irish clothing can walk in the 28 W. NEW YORK STREET parade.

AURORA Ballydoyle has lots of ¢ PUB 222 entertainment leading up to St. 222 W. MAIN STREET Patrick’s Day and the weekend ST. CHARLES after it. Try the Harp Battered Pub 222 will have plenty of Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, festive offerings from Saturday, Bangers and Mashed, Beef March 12, through Thursday, and Guinness Stew, and more.

March 17. The pub will have a The Tooles will perform on heated tent, green beer and Friday, March 11; Without U2 lots of Guinness to go around. will take the stage Saturday, There will be a limited menu www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

March 12; and St. Patrick’s Day will feature a smorgasbord of entertainment, including the McNulty Irish Dancers, the Babin Brothers, Mulligan Stew, Red Rebel County and Flatfoot 56. Deacon Blues will take the stage Saturday, March 19. ¢ ST. GALL CATHOLIC CHURCH 120 W. Shannon St., Elburn In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, St. Gall’s will host the 133rd annual turkey dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13.

“During World War II, it was a difficult time and very expensive to get corned beef so they opted for turkey instead,” says Carrie Walter, director of communications for St. Gall. “It’s got a neat history.

We’ve got a little book about it that’s been passed down for years … [it] shows the original press release and talks about the weather and how many we served.”

The feast will include turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce and more.

Dinner costs $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $8 for children (11 to 15 years old), $5 for children (6 to 10 years old) and children ages 5 and younger will be admitted free of charge.

OUT & ABOUT

The news on the worldwide stock markets has been scary so far this year.

Market complacency reminds me of the year 2000 – 1/22/16 – CNBC.com Job cuts soar 218% in January – 2/4/16 – money.CNN.com Global Stocks Sink on Fresh Growth Fears – 1/20/16 – WSJ.com U.S. Stocks Tumble as Risk Flight Intensifies – 1/12/16 – Bloomberg.com $1 trillion erased from stocks so far in 2016 – 1/12/16 – money.CNN.com The final headline is my favorite. Come up with a large number that has been “lost” and use it to scare people into reading your article.

I assume the number is just in the US. The total value of all publicly traded stocks in the US was $21.6 trillion on December 31, 2015, so to “erase” $1 trillion in value means the US stock market is down 4.6%. This is a relatively common occurrence and is not even considered a correction in the stock market.

Reading all of these headlines makes you think that the stock markets are falling apart. Maybe you should sell all of your stock holdings? Not so fast. The job of these news organizations is to get readers, not help you accumulate wealth. If they can scare you with the headline, there is a good chance you will read the article.

As I write this on February 4, 2016, the US stock market was down 12.6% from its July 2015 high. In stock market terms a drop of 10% or more is a correction and a drop of 20% or more is a bear market. From 1926 through 2015 there have been 152 corrections. This type of drop happens more than once a year! The average annualized compound return over the next 5 years following a correction has been 10.07%.

I’m not predicting a 10.07% compound annual return over the next five years. I do not believe that anyone can consistently predict market movements. What I am saying is that you should develop an investment plan that includes an allocation of your investments based on your objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. The plan should include a process to bring your investments back to their initial targets before they stray too far. Then, follow the plan, block out the noise and grow your wealth!

321 Stevens Street, Suite R Geneva, IL 60134 630-232-9097 www.kdminvest.com KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 43

ENJOY THE SHOW GENEVA FILM FESTIVAL TO SCREEN QUALITY INDIE FILMS

By ALLISON HORNE

During the ninth annual Geneva Film Festival, moviegoers and film buffs, alike, will be able to take in some of the best independent films from around the world.

Screenings will take place from Thursday, March 10, through Saturday, March 12, at various locations throughout Geneva. The film festival aims to accentuate the vibrant community while showcasing rising talents in film.

recognition program that provides a stepping stone for quality films to rise through the festival circuit. Many films that start here go on to receive national and – sometimes – international recognition.”

After being founded in 2007, the nonprofit festival has consistently grown in size – nearly doubling in attendance each year, for the past three years.

Organizers expect this year’s festival to be bigger than in previous years.

“I think we’re going to have a great turnout,” says Scott Rolf, executive director. “The buzz that came off of last year and the attention that we’ve gotten is really great.”

A few of this year’s highly anticipated films include “Alzheimer’s: A Love Story,” “Caste a Wave” and “Mariam.”

Films fit into several main categories: narrative features, narrative shorts, documentary shorts, animated features, animated shorts and student shorts, while student features and musicals are other categories considered.

“Our mission is to bring international film to the Geneva community and to give everyone a really unique experience, as well as independently produced films you won’t find anywhere else,” says Kelsey Rankin, The festival will be broken up communications chair and digital into one-and-a-half- to two-hour media manager. blocks, which may feature 10 to 12 short films or a few longer More than 100 films, films. Each block will cost $10 representing 20 different to attend, and attendees can countries, were entered in the choose which blocks they want this year’s festival. A panel of judges pared the list down to 37 to attend based on the schedule films, representing 12 countries. that is listed on the Geneva Film Festival website.

“The festival also serves the “I mix up a lot of the shorts so role of recognizing films and that people can really get a taste filmmakers that produce of everything,” Rolf says. “People exceptional work,” says Chris get a really good sense of what Bennett, promotions, social the festival offers.” media and public relations volunteer. “We have an awards

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Creat� Lasting Memories Screenings will take place at four different venues in Geneva, including the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva (102 S. 2nd St.), City Hall (22 S. First St.), Playhouse 38 (524 W. State St.) and 25N Coworking (25 N. 3rd St.).

The festival also will feature a filmmakers’ roundtable from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, when viewers can meet the filmmakers, learn about the process and ask questions through a moderator.

• Girl’s Day Out • Anniversaries • Sunday Breakfast • Tea Party • Murder Mysteries

• Reunions • Open to the Public for Lunch • Private and Tours on Parties Wednesdays • Showers Call Tuesday for • Weddings • Ceremonies/ Reservations Receptions

Upcoming Events: Please call for Reservations

Easter Brunch Sunday, March 27th Servings at Noon & 2:30pm

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“It’s a unique experience to see films you won’t see anywhere else,” Rankin says. “Even if you’re not that interested in film, you can learn something new and get exposed to artistic filmmaking.

It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

Parties Large or Small:

e

In addition to submitted films, the festival also will be showing the winning films from the Emerging Cinematographer Awards, which will be the only screening in the Midwest.

up

GENEVA

Lodging

GALENA

1800 West State Street Geneva, IL

www.oscarswan.com

630-232-0173

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

563-590-8972

“One of the things about our festival is that we’ve always had a sense of community,” Rolf says. “Filmmakers mingle with the filmgoers and are always more than happy to talk about their films. Our festival is very community-based and that’s what we’re going to try to continue.”

Similar to last year, the festival will end with a wrap party at Wildwood restaurant, 477 S. 3rd St., Suite 190, in Downtown Geneva. Tickets cost $20 a person and will include hors d’oeuvres, live music and appearances from some of the filmmakers.

“The festival promotes a sense of community that you won’t find in larger venues,” Bennett says. “Geneva is a welcoming place and the festival adds to the community atmosphere.”

*ATTIC BASEMENT CLOSET

Friday & Saturday April 22 & 23 8 am - 4 pm To participate as a seller: genevachamber.com to register

u To purchase tickets or view the list of films and showtimes, visit genevafilmfestival.org. www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

To participate as a buyer: genevachamber.com for online and printable map

8 S. Third Street • Geneva 630-232-6060 • www.genevachamber.com OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 45

Learn Art with Our Experienced Experts Water Street Studios School of Art

Offering a variety of classes from local, accomplished artists.

Classes include: clay/ceramics, drawing, collage, oil painting, printmaking, jewelry/bead-making, metal-smithing, enameling, and graphic design are available.

Put the art in your next pARTy. Have your next art-themed party at Water Street Studio’s.

Includes: painting, drawing, and pottery.

Discover more at planitkane.com

Water Street Studios also offers private art instruction.

ALBRIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS ‘OTHER DESERT CITIES’

Visit waterstreetstudios.org or call 630-761-9977 for more information and to register for classes.

WHEN: Weekends, running through March 12. Performance times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.

WHERE: The Albright Theatre, 100 N. Island Ave. (third floor of the Batavia government building), Batavia

Friday 1-9 p.m. • Saturday and Sunday 12-4 p.m.

160 S. Water Street Batavia, Illinois 60510

s e o r e h r e p e u r S u t a N of Friday, March 18 • 6-8:30pm Nature is full of superheroes! Special guests from DuPage County Forest Preserve’s Willowbrook Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will highlight the amazing Blanding’s turtles. Join us for an exciting evening of critter visits and games as we uncover the super powers of turtles, spiders and bats.

Come hungry! We will be prepared to feed your inner ninja turtle with a supper of pizza, drinks and dessert. Costumes encouraged. A parent must be registered for this event. One parent may accompany multiple children from the same household. Advance registration required.

Ages 3+ • RES $15/NR $22.50 • #5725

3795 Campton Hills Road • 630-513-4399 • stcnature.org 46 | MARCH 2016 | KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE

GREAT MARCH EVENTS

OUT & ABOUT

The drama, “Other Desert Cities,” explores the hidden secrets that hold a family together and threaten to tear it apart. In the story, it’s Christmas Eve 2004 at the Palm Springs home of Polly and Lyman Wyeth – old-school Republicans who counted Ronald and Nancy Reagan among their close friends. They are joined by their daughter, Brooke, a liberal New York writer; son, Trip, who produces a celebrity courtroom reality show; and Polly’s sister, Silda, fresh out of rehab. The holiday begins to unravel when Brooke announces she is about to publish a memoir, dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound her parents don’t want reopened. It is rated PG-13. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Reservations are recommended. For reservations or for more information, call 630-406-8838 or visit www. albrighttheatre.com.

MAPLE SUGARING DAYS WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13 WHERE: Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles Creek Bend Nature Center will host Maple Sugaring Days, an opportunity to explore the art, science and folklore associated with the “sugar bush” or maple grove. Attendees will learn how to tap a maple tree and simmer sap over an open fire while watching as it thickens www.kcchronicle.com/magazine

to syrup. A “Sugarin’ Time” hike, will help participants to distinguish maples from other species of hardwood trees. No registration is required. For more information, visit www. kaneforest.com.

DOGGIE EASTER EGG HUNT WHEN: Noon Saturday, Mar 19 WHERE: West Main Community Park, 40W101 W. Main St., Batavia The Batavia Park District will host a Doggie Easter Egg Hunt at the Bark Park. Eggs will be filled with doggie treats. All dogs must be leashed during the event. Registration is requested, but registration will be accepted at the gate to the Bark Park, beginning at 11 a.m. The cost is $10 per dog. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Anderson Animal Shelter. The hunt will begin at noon. For more information, visit www.bataviaparks.org.

ARCADA THEATRE’S ’40S NIGHT WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31 WHERE: Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles The St. Charles History Museum will host an evening of live music and dancing. Attendees should wear their best ’40s-inspired attire and enjoy a performance by The Flat Cats. The event will include heavy appetizers and dance lessons provided by Vargo’s Dance Studio.

Tickets cost $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase at St. Charles History Museum or at www. stcmuseum.org/events. As an added benefit, members of the museum will receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Arcada Theatre. For more information, call Alison Costanzo at 630-584-6967.

BRIDAL SHOWCASE WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5 WHERE: Shannon Hall, 14 N. Van Buren St., Batavia

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The Batavia Park District will host its inaugural bridal showcase. Approximately 40 local vendors will be available to help brides plan their big day. Vendors will include TBM Productions, Spare Wheels Transportation, Photography by Scott Pfeiffer, Service Ministries and Costco Wholesale. The first 50 brides will receive a complimentary swag bag.

For information about the event, call 630-8795235 or visit www.bataviaparks.org.

OUT & ABOUT

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 47

Experience the Elgin Symphony Orchestra!

Artist SHOWCASE Brahms & Ives

NICK FREEMAN | ST. CHARLES OIL ON CANVAS “Marrying the Ketchups”

“Marrying the Ketchups” depicts a waitress finishing her chores at the end of a long shift at Corfu Restaurant in St. Charles.

“My aim is to create paintings that are engaging,” Freeman says. “Happily, in the spectrum of contemporary art, there is a growing appetite for realism.”

The painting was one of 80 pieces featured in Freeman’s 2014 solo exhibition, entitled “The Wine of Life,” at the Norris Cultural Arts Center. (A signed, limited-edition print of this oil painting is available through the Norris.)

Other local landscapes featured in Freeman’s paintings include Blue Goose Market and the Kane County Flea Market, both in St. Charles; the Fabyan Windmill in Geneva; and the Loyalty Day Parade, a springtime event in Batavia.

Freeman also has published a book, entitled “Good Old Neon Signs You’re in Chicago,” a collection of 130 photographs of the “gaudy, garish and delightful” neon signs taken in and around Chicago.

More of Freeman’s work can be seen at galleryfreeman.com.

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

Andrew Grams, conductor Alexander Schimpf, piano

Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 Ives Symphony No. 2

Rachel Barton Pine

Plays Dvoˇák r April 1 - Schaumburg Prairie Center April 2 & 3 - Hemmens Cultural Center David Danzmayr, conductor A Tribute to Maud Powell Visit ElginSymphony.Org for a description of week-long activities dedicated to Aurora native Maud Powell, who blazed a trail for women musicians

Composers Unleashed:

Bernstein & Mahler April 30 & May 1 Hemmens Cultural Center

Andrew Grams, conductor Laura Wilde, soprano Bernstein Symphony No. 1, Jeremiah Mahler Symphony No. 4 Tickets start at only $30* *Taxes and fees will be applied at checkout

OUT & ABOUT

Experience ESO! 847-888-4000

ElginSymphony.Org

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Nick Freeman has been painting scenes of daily life in and around the Fox Valley for more than 30 years.

March 12 & 13 Hemmens Cultural Center

KANE COUNTY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 | 49

Life

SOCIAL

GLITTER AND GLUE TOUR STOPS AT HOTEL BAKER

New York Times bestselling author Kelly Corrigan entertained and delighted the roughly 200 patrons who attended the Glitter and Glue benefit Jan. 30 at the historic Hotel Baker in St. Charles.

Corrigan attended the event as part of the Glitter and Glue For Good Tour – a multi-city, book-release tour for her memoir, “Glitter and Glue.” The 16-city tour aimed to raise money for her fans’ favorite charities along the way.

The benefit raised close to $50,000 for LuMind Foundation, says event organizer Nicole Gibbard, who added that the sum “will be matched by a generous donor.”

LuMind Foundation works on cognition research for individuals with down syndrome.

Photos by Joe Perez

PETS

HOW TO HELP ADOPTABLE ANIMALS FIND THEIR “HOME SWEET HOME”

By Anderson Animal Shelter

Featured Sponsor: DePaw University Canine Campus

“Home sweet home” is what every adoptable companion animal wants to find and experience. Last year, 2,067 dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and little critters got their wish when local families adopted them from Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin.

In fact, it was the most adoptions in Anderson’s history, nearly doubling adoptions from 2014 and more than tripling the animals who found homes in 2013. This year, Anderson celebrates its 50th anniversary and its mission of improving the lives of pets and people through service, education and advocacy. Anderson is also focused on saving even more lives and helping more companion animals find loving homes in 2016.

What does “home sweet home” mean to the adopted animals and their owners? Here are two of many success stories from 2015.

Alice was abandoned at Anderson’s doorstep in 2010 when she was only a year old. This gentle tortoiseshell cat was adopted once but unfortunately returned to due a family member’s allergies. Alice was also diagnosed with diabetes that can be managed with a wet-foodonly diet. A staff and volunteer favorite, 6-year-old Alice was adored and cared for at the shelter. She waited five years to finally find her forever home in August 2015, when Adam decided to adopt her.

“Alice is loving her forever home, and it’s hard to even remember a time when she wasn’t around,” said Adam. “She loves lounging on the couch and begging for her breakfast with the loudest meow the world has ever heard!”

When Tom and Marti were thinking about adding a dog to their family, an Anderson volunteer and foster caregiver encouraged them to visit the shelter and check out the adoptable animals on its website. After meeting several dogs, they fell in love when they saw Anna (now Sadie), an 8-month-old American Red Heeler/lab mix who had been rescued and transported from Oklahoma.

“Sadie brings so much joy and love to our house and family,” says Tom. “She is full of life, loves to run and play, and loves to cuddle on the couch. She is very intelligent and learns things quickly. We are so happy that we chose to rescue her or, should I say, Sadie chose to rescue us. She is one of the best dogs that we have ever

had. We highly recommend that everyone looking for a pet should visit the shelter.

For some, it may mean several visits until the right pet adopts you.”

Tom and Marti also adopted Sadie through the shelter’s new Military Veterans Program, which offers qualified veterans a discount on adoption fees.

For more information on how you can be a “home sweet home” for a homeless pet or to meet the available adoptable pets, please call or visit Anderson Animal Shelter, 1000 South LaFox, South Elgin, www.andersonanimalshelter.org, (847) 697-2880.

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