Kendall County Magazine_Fall 2020

Kendall County FALL 2020

HACIENDA REAL FAMILY OPENS 10TH RESTAURANT, SECOND IN YORKVILLE PAGE 14

MAGAZINE 2020

P ets & Fa m i ly E d i t io n

HOME OFFICE HAVEN

HOW TO MAKE WORKING FROM HOME MORE EFFICIENT PAGE 18

C Cutest t t COMPANIONS PLUS

BACK TO SCHOOL

PUPS NEED SOCIALIZATION, TIME WITH OTHER DOGS

PAGE 4

A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON UPCOMING YEAR PAGE 8

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Editor's Note

Kendall County MAGAZINE

Hi, Kendall County!

I am so excited to be the new editor of Kendall County Magazine. I am a recent graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and delighted to be a new resident of St. Charles. Since my move here in late May, I’ve explored this little pocket of northern Illinois that we call home — and how lucky I feel that we do! I hope you’ve had a great summer; I know it looks different than years past, but hopefully you’ve still found time to unwind and enjoy the weather.

This issue is all about pets and families, two central parts of life that have become even more near and dear as we navigate a pandemic. My dog, Cooper, is gray and fluffy and the perfect companion for relaxing after a long day. When it comes to families, I have to give a special thanks to Mom, Dad, Tom, Louis and Norah for all of their support.

Whether it’s renovating your home office to be more efficient or finding a routine as school resumes, this issue has what you need to get fall off to a great start. If you’re hungry, head to Asadoras Argentina’s Burgers in Oswego (P. 16). I ate a burger there as

KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE part of my reporting, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I’m already planning my next trip there.

And if you’re curious how students feel about the upcoming school year, I’d highly recommend Alicia Beckwith’s column (P. 8). As a teenager, I wrote a children’s book series that was published, an experience that fundamentally shaped me as a person and writer. Because of this early exposure to writing and editing, it’s really important for me to amplify the voices of young writers. Alicia’s writing talent at 17 years old makes me think we’ll see more from her in the future.

If you have ideas or just want to grab coffee and talk about all that Kendall County has to offer, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to connect with readers.

Stay safe, and thanks for reading!

Hannah Hoffmeister, Editor

on the

COVER

Skyllar Greenslade and her family’s dog, Chompers, sit near the Fox River in downtown Yorkville.

Published by Shaw Media 109 W. Veterans Parkway Yorkville, IL 60560 Phone: 630-553-7034 news@kendallcountynow.com

PUBLISHER Daily Chronicle & Suburban Weekly Group Laura Shaw lshaw@shawmedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Ryan Wells 630-849-4347 rwells@shawmedia.com EDITOR Hannah Hoffmeister 630-427-6263 hhoffmeister@shawmedia.com ADVERTISING Kristin Hawkins 630-385-4404 khawkins@shawmedia.com Julie Harn 630-385-4402 jharn@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Allison LaPorta 630-427-6260 alaporta@shawmedia.com CORRESPONDENTS Pat Szpekowski, Vicki Martinka Petersen, Chris Walker, Diane Krieger Spivak, Erin Sauder and Nick Kelly

Photo by Locked in Photography est. 1851

2 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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INSIDE

FAMILY & PETS:

4 BACK TO DOGGIE DAYCARE Who let the dogs out?

Socializing is important for your pet 6 RAINING CATS & DOGS Adoptions soar during pandemic

BACK TO SCHOOL:

8 LOCAL STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE High school senior contemplates upcoming school year

10 RULE THE SCHOOL Here’s how to help your kids get back to a routine 12 STYLISH STUDENTS Kids’ hair and clothing trends you didn’t expect

DINING & ENTERTAINING:

14 FRESH, FLAVORFUL FARE Hacienda Real becomes 10th restaurant owned by Aréchiga family 16 NEW GRILL MASTER IN TOWN Authentic flavors delight at Asadoras Argentina’s Burgers

HOME & LIFESTYLE:

18 OPTIMIZE YOUR OFFICE SPACE Working from home just got so much better 21 MASK UP Wearing a mask sets a good example, Superdad says

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Janna Misek, Agent Bus: 630-554-1540

BUSINESS & CIVIC:

22 TALES FROM A PANDEMIC Tom McCartney and Sharon Piet on curious COVID-19 behaviors

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Janna Misek, Ins Agcy Inc

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY! KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 3

8/7/20 3:50 PM

IE G G O D O T K C BA

E R A DAYC

Socialization, regular routines can help your pets with transition back to normal

By Vicki Martinka Petersen

W

hether it was more walks around the neighborhood or frequent cameos during Zoom meetings, no one can deny that many pets relished their owners’ extra time at home this year.

As many companies cautiously welcome employees back into the office, the transition back to normal can take some time for all family members to adjust,

4 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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including the fur babies.

One way to help pets readjust to being back at daycare and around their peers is to maintain a consistent schedule with regular times for eating and taking walks, suggests Kristi Eberhardt, owner of Top Notch Kennels in Oswego.

“If you normally walk your dog twice a day but took your dog on multiple walks during

PETS & FAMILY

the stay-at-home order, it can take some time for them to adjust to not having those extra walks,” Eberhardt says.

It’s also not surprising if your pets are doggone tired their first few visits back at daycare.

“Dogs tend to be tired after not having much activity while everyone stayed home,” says Eberhardt. “They often go home after

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In addition to a return to the office, many families are venturing out on vacation again. If it’s been awhile since your dogs have been in a crate, it could be a problem when it’s time to take them in for pet boarding.

“You can help your dog get used to the crate again by putting them in it while you’re gone for short amounts of time like going to the grocery store,” Eberhardt says.

In some cases, dogs might be ready, but their owners might be anxious

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During the stay-at-home order, many people filled extra time at home by adopting a new pet. This left pet parents struggling to find opportunities for their new pets to socialize. Some ways to encourage socialization is to set up playdates with other dogs or sit on the driveway with a leash to acclimate dogs to others.

Top Notch Kennels offers a free evaluation to see if dogs like being in daycare.

“Even going into daycare once a week can help dogs become acclimated to other dogs,” suggests Eberhardt.

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For those not ready to return to doggie daycare, Eberhardt suggests leaving the TV or radio on during the day to keep the dog company. Another option for human interaction is having a dog walker come by.

about bringing them back to daycare.

Ask your doggie daycare or boarding facility what social distancing measures they have in place. Top Notch Kennels does staff temperature checks and has hand sanitizer stations. They also communicate with pet owners via phone calls and emails.

Photo provided by Top Notch Kennels

daycare and fall asleep without dinner because they’re tired after a full day of being with their friends.”

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Raining s g o D & s Cat I

f you need a silver lining for the first half of 2020, look no further than pets.

“Pets are amazingly resilient and wonderful in showing us unconditional love,” says Kristen Funk, executive director of Naperville Humane Society.

“Those two traits are essential in providing comfort to people in general and especially now during COVID.” The stresses of this spring also brought a sincere yearning for the presence and companionship of a furry friend while Zooming online, working from home or e-learning.

Pet adoptions soar during pandemic, providing comfort and love to new homes

By Pat Szpekowski

6 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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PETS & FAMILY

While there were fears no one would consider adopting a pet during this time, a large number of pets found new homes. Consider Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin and Tails Humane Society in DeKalb, both of which began appointment-only pet adoptions in early April. From that time through early July, a total of 1,315 pets found new homes. Of those, 61% were puppies or dogs, 36% were kittens or cats and 3% were little critters.

“We have been open for adoption by appointment only since the start of the lockdown,” says Funk, “and as our facility is not large enough to accommodate our normal volunteers, staff, and potential adopters, we have decided to stay by appointment only for the safety of everyone.”

Brooke Condon of North Aurora adopted Avery, a male puppy boxer mix, in April through Tales Humane Society. “We renamed our puppy Milo,” Condon says.

“He has been a great addition to our family. Getting out, walking and hiking with Milo has provided us with a lot of activity during a time when it’s easy to just remain sedentary.”

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Anderson Animal Shelter CEO Beth Foster says her adoption program has been going strong ever since it reopened. “This is an emotional time for people and we know that pets provide emotional support during times of stress,” she says.

Matching the right pet with a loving family is a key part of the process.

Potential adopters have honest conversations with shelter staff about what kind of pet would best fit their family’s needs and lifestyle.

“At Tales, a potential adopter completes an adoption profile,” says Michelle Groeper, executive director of Tales Humane Society, “where they answer questions about other pets in the home, kids, and if they have a quiet or active home. Before finalizing adoptions, we prefer all family members to bring along their own pets to meet the adoptables, too.”

What type of a pet is a good fit and for whom? “High energy, outgoing dogs and cats tend to fit better into active families,” says Foster, “while lower energy and fearful pets tend to do best in quiet homes and may be suitable for older adopters.” She also encourages adopters to pay more attention to a pet’s personality rather than appearance when making adoption decisions.

“Tails was amazing,” notes Condon, “helping us set up private meets and following up with us to make sure all was going well.”

Setting your new pet up for success is important. Provide a calm and safe environment for them at home. Set up a quiet crate where your new pet can be left alone to get used to his or her new home, Foster says. And then — get ready to receive loads of love.

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KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 7

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LOCAL STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE For many families, going back to school is going to feel different this fall. Kendall County Magazine wanted to hear how students, regardless of format, were looking at their return to learning. What better way to contemplate the upcoming year than by hearing what a student herself has to say?

O

ne day we were talking with our friends in the hallway, and the next we were stuck at home learning through a screen. Masks became a fashion trend, and social distancing was considered proper etiquette. We thought we would have an extra week of spring break, but very quickly things took a turn for the worse. All schools closed, prom was canceled, SAT and ACT tests were postponed and drive-thru graduations took place. The world became a completely different place than it had been six months ago.

Everyone lost something important this year that cannot be given back. However, after seeing our teachers and classmates for months through a screen, it is time to go back to school. Our school shopping lists will consist of pencils, paper, proper face covering, Clorox wipes and gloves. This is uncharted territory.

We have no idea what to expect.

Will we continue “A” and “B” days, only seeing half our class for the year? Will we have our sports seasons, homecoming or prom night? With all of 8 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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these questions come fear: fear of the unknown, fear of change. But sometimes fear is a good thing: It means there is something to lose.

Ever since I was a freshman, I have been waiting for my senior year — my senior night for cheerleading, performing in front of my parents for the last time; my senior yearbook; my graduation in a hot, packed gym.

The possibility of not experiencing these once-in-alifetime moments scares me. I don’t want half of senior year to be in my bedroom on a Zoom meeting with my sister right across the hall from me.

Instead, I want to walk through the halls of Sandwich High School with my peers. I want to be able to cheer on the Sandwich Indians football team. I want to go to my senior homecoming and dance with my friends. I want to plan my senior yearbook with an amazing group of people and Mrs. Heilemeier, who helped me decide to become a teacher. I want to have a normal senior year.

But “normal” is not going to happen.

This year is going to be unlike any other, but we will overcome it together. We will wear masks, go to school with half our class and have online learning days. We may not have homecoming night, football games or

BACK TO SCHOOL

club meetings. All the things that we take for granted as students may not happen. And while it is scary that we may not get these things, we have to remember we are living through history.

Our generation is going to be in books that our children learn about in their history lessons. The way our grandparents talk about the Great Depression and our parents tell us about 9/11 is how we will talk to our children and grandchildren about 2020. So, every time we feel frustrated that we don’t get a “normal” school year, we need to stop and think about all the stories that we get to tell our grandchildren: “I lived through a pandemic.”  Alicia Beckwith is a senior at Sandwich Community High School. As editor-in-chief of the school yearbook, President of Educators Rising, a member of the National Honors Society and a varsity athlete on the cheerleading team, Alicia is an active member at her school. She enjoys writing and is planning on majoring in English education to become a teacher and spread her love for reading and writing.

| FALL 2020 |

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Like most retail stores, rare coin stores o!en sell more September through Christmas. Like most stores, we want to stock our shelves NOW - so we can sell September thru Christmas.

Even though many coin dealers, pawn shops and jewelers sell to us, our number one source for our “product” is still the collector or person that inherited a collection. As we say, “Sure we’ll still buy a�er Christmas. But we want to buy now in time for Christmas sales.”

Unlike most shops that buy gold and silver scrap from the public, we’ll buy that too, but our emphasis is on the scarce coins and collector coins and currency.

Many people ask us, “Why do you only advertise that you are buying?”

Simple - because avid coin collectors already know about us and come in to our store.

But if you aren’t a numismatist (fancy word for coin collector), you maybe don’t know where to sell that old box of coins or strange piece of paper money.

When you come to our store, we can give you a free verbal appraisal on your items.

If you want to sell any, some or none, we don’t charge.

Gold and Silver prices are

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Because we are wanting to stock up now BEFORE November 1st, we are arranging house calls now through October. We want to limit the house calls to those that either have so much it’s too hard to bring in to the store or for people that it is just too hard to travel to our location. Also, we want to cater to the people that are inclined to sell (if the price is right for you). If you are strictly looking for an appraisal, we can do that too, but please wait till a�er the busy holidays for that.

We say: “ If you have coins and enjoy them and are avidly collecting, great. We’d love to help you fill out or upgrade your collection. But if they’re just sitting in a closet or in a costly safety deposit box and you don’t remember when you even looked at them…we are always buying and assure you they will find a happy home.

Did you know that Fox Valley Coins was the high buyer of over 2,800,000 old pennies from a national coin marketing company? An interesting fact: if you lay 2.8 million pennies touching side by side in a line they would be 20 miles long! By the way, that penny deal launched Fox Valley Coins to also be their number 1 supplier of old coins and currency.

Did you know that Fox Valley Coins is a leading buyer AND seller of gold and silver bullion the Midwest? We stock all major gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars and coins.

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4S100 N. Route 59, Naperville, Illinois 60563 1 Light North of I-88 at Naperville/Warrenville Border Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-3, Closed Sun & Holidays BACK TO SCHOOL

KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE 9

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RULE the

SCHOOL

Healthy habits like eating breakfast, going to bed earlier help establish school routines

By Chris Walker

S

chool hasn’t begun yet, but Chris Palmisano is already inviting kids to take a field trip.

The eighth grade teacher at Yorkville Middle School says a simple trip for groceries could teach kids a lot about how things will look in the schools this fall.

“I encourage the kids to take a field trip to the grocery store with their parents,” Palmisano says. “People are standing 6 feet apart, they’re wearing masks and there’s one-way distancing going down the aisles. School is going to be a lot of the same, with traffic flowing in one direction like a grocery store, and a lot of kids

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BOOKS

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responsibilities that come with it.

“When we work with families, we often talk about returning to a schedule about a month or two weeks before school returns to help them adjust,” says Tami Curry, a clinical social worker for Oswego Wellness.

“Parents play a big role and can influence kids by also being optimistic about the new opportunities this next year will offer. Although we are aware this next year will be a challenge for so many, it is helpful to focus on the positive outcomes.”

Friends also can play a huge role in kids getting in the right mindset, driving home the fact that summer break is nearly over and school will begin soon.

“There’s a lot of buy-in with peers, interacting, finding out who their teacher is, who is in your class, so there’s a lot of buy-in from that

socializing piece,” Curry says. “With it being somewhat e-learning it’s a little more challenging, but parents can ask questions like, ‘What are you most excited about?’ and ‘What are you nervous about?’ to help the child process the start of school.”

Getting to bed at a respectable time, rising early in the morning and eating a good breakfast also can prepare kids for school routines.

“Sleeping well, and not staying up until midnight and getting back into a more structured regimen the last two weeks can help get in the mindset of being a learner,” Palmisano says.

“Turning off the TV and the video games, intentionally going to sleep earlier and purposely starting your day earlier can help.”

Healthy habits like reading regularly keeps kids focused; those who haven’t read much this summer can

start now. And reading while wearing a mask can help kids prepare for what it’s going to be like in a classroom.

“I think it’s important to understand how engaged our kids have been in the summer,” Palmisano says. “Are they reading? And it doesn’t have to be some type of academics or long — just getting back into 30 minutes a day can activate the mind again.”

Similarly, adults can help kids get back into the swing of things by being positive and listening.

“From the kids you get that ‘This stinks, I didn’t get a summer, the water park never opened, didn’t get to go to Six Flags,’” Curry says. “Listen to them, it is difficult. And it will continue to be different, but kids are resilient and with support can adapt to this new environment. We should foster that. It’s an amazing skill to have in moving forward.”

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STYLISH STUDENTS 12 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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GRAPHIC TEES, SHAVED SIDE S HAIRCUTS AND TIE-DYE AMONG TRENDS FOR KIDS HEADED BACK TO SCHOOL

By Erin Sauder

hether students are roaming the hallways or sitting in front of laptops for remote learning, there’s no question about trending hair and clothing styles.

Carlos Padilla, owner of Razorsharp Barbershop in Oswego, says the most sought-after look for his male tween, teen and adult clientele is long hair on top and shaved on the sides.

“Clients pretty much would like a bald fade on the sides with little hair and the top of the hair long,” he says.

Another take on the cut is shaved sides with curly hair on top. For some, that means spending some time in the stylist’s chair getting a perm.

Padilla, also known as Mr. Ultimate Fresher, has a second location, called Razorsharp Barbershop 2, in Yorkville. There’s a noticeable difference in what clients are asking for at each location, he says.

“Oswego kids like to get a lot of designs shaved into the sides. In Yorkville, it’s a little different.

We do more traditional cuts and styles...maybe a baseball number design,” he says.

And it’s not just boys and men who are asking for this look.

“Girls and women get the backs of their head shaved or the sides,” says Padilla. “Some want designs in there like a lotus flower or stars. The

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barber world is definitely entering the cosmetology world.”

He’s enjoying the new trends.

“We’ve been doing comb-overs for the last 10 years, so it’s fun when we can do new haircut trends and different styles.”

Mollie Habbe, a stylist at Hair Creations Salon in Yorkville, is getting similar requests from her tween and teen male clientele.

“I have done a couple of perms on them,” she says. “They all want that curly volume on top with short or shaved sides. It looks good when they put a little product in it to help the curl stay up and defined. And if they’re not asking for a perm, it’s still short on the sides and pretty long on top.”

“We are seeing that teens and college students are loving tie-dye, especially two-piece shorts and tops sets,” she says. “Tie-dye is the best because it’s for everyone.”

Animal prints are also on trend — you’ll even find them on the newest must-have accessory of the season: the face mask. Bellagia Boutique has a wide variety to choose from. “Cheetah and snakeskin print, as well as some pastel florals, have been some of the favorites,” Shaw says.

For casual wear, clients are pairing paper bag shorts, flowy skirts and biker shorts with graphic tees.

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“Everything eventually makes a comeback, and it’s always exciting to see what old style is the new hot trend,” says Shaw.

She’s also seeing a comeback in ’90s hairstyles. “The middle part, long side bangs with a ponytail,” she says, including some who are upping their game with accessories such as big, blingy snap hair clips.

As for color, the balayage craze is still going strong. The technique differs from traditional highlights because no foil is used. Instead, the color is gently painted on for a more natural look.

“I think it’s great for younger girls that don’t want a lot of maintenance or are just starting out to color or highlight their hair,” Habbe says.

When it comes to apparel, Stacy Shaw, store manager for Bella-gia Boutique in Oswego, says tie-dye is all the rage.

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8/7/20 3:51 PM

Fresh, FLAVORFUL FAR

T

Carlos Aréchiga says. “A horse being such a representation of the country life, we wanted to bring a little bit of it back.”

The Aréchiga family bought the horses from a vendor in Mexico when searching for art for a new restaurant in Yorkville. They wanted something that paid tribute to the restaurant’s namesake, Hacienda Real.

Sitting outside of one of Yorkville’s newest restaurants, each horse signifies one of Clemente and Carmen Aréchiga’s sons. A fourth horse will soon join them after a delay in the shipping process.

“Hacienda has to do with a big estate, working the fields and raising animals,” co-owner

The four sons have been an integral part of the Aréchigas’ growing restaurant business that

he three horses are difficult to miss.

They stand in different positions, metal hair blowing in the wind. Look close enough, and the horseshoes that make up the entire body of the horse sculptures come into view. Each one has been welded together from recyclable metal in cars.

14 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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DINING & ENTERTAINING

The horses serve more than one symbolic purpose. Not only do they embody the name, they also represent the foundation of Hacienda Real: family.

| FALL 2020 |

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ARE

Hacienda Real in Yorkville becomes 10th restaurant owned by Aréchiga family

By Nick Kelly | Photos courtesy of Hacienda Real

started in 2012. The name of their first restaurant might sound familiar: Salsa Verde, which also calls Yorkville home. Since then, the Aréchiga family has added nine restaurants in places like the western Chicago suburbs and Indiana. Hacienda Real is the 10th. Seven total family members have been regularly involved.

The latest restaurant’s opening does not mean a closing of the original, though. Although the first and 10th restaurants each sit in Yorkville, Carlos Aréchiga will tell you they serve different roles. All of the food is Mexican, but Salsa Verde is the place to stop on a lunch break or while on the go. Hacienda Real is a full-service establishment with a bar, lounge area

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and patio.

“Hacienda Real is the place you come with your family and spend your time,” says Hacienda Real manager José Nieto. “You get transported into a little piece of Mexico. You can travel, basically, without the passport.”

The tables were built in Mexico. The chandeliers are from Mexico. And the menu pays tribute to Guadalajara, the city where the Aréchigas are from.

“For us, it’s important to have that true touch,” Carlos Aréchiga says.

Seafood is a staple on the menu, another way they pay homage to their home on the west coast of

DINING & ENTERTAINING

Mexico. Traditional plates such as carne asada are also staples. In addition, Nieto highlighted the pozole rojo soup; enchiladas topped with red, green and mole sauce; and the tacos, which include handmade tortillas made fresh every day.

If there’s one main element that embodies Hacienda Real’s mission, it’s fresh.

“Being able to come back to Yorkville to show a different side of doing things, it’s not only very exciting for us but very humbling because a lot of these people have seen our growth and have supported our other restaurants,” says Carlos Aréchiga. “To us, it’s pure excitement.”

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NEW

“It was excellent.

Thank you!” says a man walking in from the outdoor dining area to drop off his empty tray.

That’s a common sentiment from customers of Asadoras Argentina’s Burgers, a relatively new burger joint in Oswego. The restaurant serves authentic Argentinian food, including empanadas that sometimes sell out in the middle of the day.

“All sources and recipes are from Argentina,” says Jesus Herrera, whose job encompasses everything from serving guests to administrative duties to general customer service.

Asadoras, a word that translates to “female grill 16 KENDALL COUNTY MAGAZINE

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in Town

masters” in Spanish, got its start when nationally recognized grill master Sandra Honzcar started the franchise in Buenos Aires. The franchise expanded to the U.S. last September when its Oswego location opened. Kristen Ghazaleh, 26, and her parents tweaked Honzcar’s recipes and perfected their own kitchen science.

It’s a science that customers love. “The reviews speak for themselves,” Ghazaleh says. “We’re proud to be here.”

A highlight has been seeing everyone so satisfied with the food, the first-time restaurant owner says.

“It’s one thing that (Honzcar) gave us the recipes, but like I said, it takes a science,” Ghazaleh says.

“Just the fact that we executed it as flawlessly as we could, it makes me very proud.”

Troy Parlier, the village president of Oswego, is a regular. “I love it,” he says, noting the “fantastic” food, large portions and reasonable prices. “I go there very frequently.”

His go-to order is an off-the-menu creation, a double cheeseburger with bacon dubbed “the

mayor’s burger.” The Asadoras team modifies the patties slightly from the usual recipe.

“This is a great addition,” Parlier says of the restaurant’s presence in Oswego.

Burgers make up the majority of the menu at Asadoras. The patties are hand-packed fresh every day from a mixture of ground sirloin steak, eggs, breadcrumbs and spices.

The Criolla Burger, one of the most popular, comes with mozzarella cheese, salsa criolla, chimichurri and mayo, all on top of a beef patty and enveloped between a thick, fresh bun. A red, green and yellow pepper salsa made with olive oil and vinegar, salsa criolla adds a flavorful Argentinian flair to the burger.

“We like to be timely — we’re not considered fast food, but fresh,” says Ghazaleh. “We make it in the moment.”

The fries at Asadoras are a twist on wedge fries — literally. They’re thick, slightly curled and are finished with a brush of butter, Herrera says. While | FALL 2020 |

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light Authentic flavors de na’s at Asadoras Argenti Burgers in Oswego

BY HANNAH HOFFMEIS

testing recipes, the Asadoras team tried adding chimichurri on top of the wedges and discovered it worked.

Chimichurri is used generously at Asadoras and in Argentina.

For an appetizer or even main course, try the empanadas: chicken or beef, which uses the same ground sirloin steak from the burgers. They’re fried, not baked. “We can’t keep them on the shelves,” says Ghazaleh, referencing a huge catering order she had just received.

Ghazaleh shares ownership of the restaurant with her mom, Ericka

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Cevallos, who also runs an ice cream shop two doors down. Since opening last December, La Yummy Michocana Ice Cream has become a hot spot for kids in need of a sweet, cold treat. “All the kids of the community come. They’ll come in packs of 20,” Ghazaleh laughs.

Beyond expanding their own family enterprises (they’re opening an insurance agency next door), Ghazaleh hopes to grow the Asadoras chain.

“I plan to have 10 Asadoras,” she says with a smile.

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DINING & ENTERTAINING

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I

f you are among the many whose homes have continued doubling as offices, it may be time to carve out a place that’s

more conducive to productivity than the kitchen table.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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Chris Ciesla, owner of Artisan Enterprises Inc., a building and remodeling contractor in Yorkville, suggests converting existing space into a home office.

“Typically people have a dining room or den that they’re not using that can be converted into office space,” says Ciesla. While the entryways into such rooms are typically open, one way to delineate living area from office area is to install french doors, which let light pass through while shutting out distracting sounds. “They’ll have

their own private space, but yet, they’ll be at home,” he says.

Another useful addition is a built-in shelving system along one wall with a set of cabinets along the base, adds Ciesla. “I’ve had people doing wood or a solid surface countertop, with built-in shelving above and on either side and a center opening for a computer desk area. Built-in filing cabinets are an option some people like.”

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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ow that your home office is ready, here are a few tips from Flexjobs.com on working successfully at home:

supplies. The desk area countertop can be made of granite or quartz for a more finished look as well as added comfort and durability, adds Ciesla.

Any new workspace calls for some color. Lifestyle website The Spruce suggests first looking at the type of work you do. Those who work with numbers, statistics and lists can be more productive with calming colors. Creative types may want a more stimulating color. Yellow is “motivating, happy and positive,” without overpowering, according to The Spruce, which adds that a muted purple can be calming and energetic at the same time. For those who seek the ultimate calm, shades of gray or warmer greiges can set the tone.

 REDUCE DISTRACTIONS. Get everyone in the house on board with your need for privacy while you work. Remove temptations like open tabs on your computer (yes, this means Facebook). Keep TV out of your workspace and a pad of paper near your computer to jot down extraneous non-work “to do” thoughts that you can get to later on.  DEVELOP A ROUTINE. Start each day the same way, and at the end of the day, make a to-do list for tomorrow. Then change your clothes to mark the end of your day.  USE TOOLS. Make friends with your calendar or consider trying new apps, which are available for just about everything: productivity, breaks, scheduling, etc. Use time blocking to get specific tasks done faster.

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HOME & LIFESTYLE

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 SUBURBAN SUPERDAD 

MASK UP

Wearing a mask sets a good example, especially for the little ones watching

F

or years, the routine when leaving the house, or preparing to leave a party, or getting out of the car virtually anywhere, has been the same.

Three quick taps, one on each thigh and a third on the right side of the ol’ glutes. It’s called: “K-P-W.”

As in: The nerves in the fingertips will conclude that my keys, phone and wallet are safely ensconced in the pockets of my pants before walking out the door to life’s next great adventure. Or to get groceries. Whichever comes first.

However, lately, the universe has conspired to force a fourth initial onto the K-P-W acronym: the letter “M.” This one adds an entirely new wrinkle to the program. As you may have guessed, astute reader, the M stands for “Mask” and masks, as you also know, are made of fabric and seriously harder to detect with a simple tap to the hip pocket. Frustration bubbles up as one approaches the front doors of the local supermarket or Walmart and realizes the mask was absentmindedly left in the car, parked a half mile away across a broiling hot ocean of asphalt.

However, retrieve it, I must.

Sure, I could choose to be one of those people, standing at the front door and shouting at the attendant who gets paid peanuts to listen to me rail about my rights, the Constitution, the governor, America and some court case somewhere.

But as the owner of a slice of private property a few miles away from the aforementioned | FALL 2020 |

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supermarket, it just makes sense to let out a sigh, return to my vehicle, don the mask and walk back to the front door to resume my adventures, silently swearing for forgetting (again) and pledging to retire from my vocabulary any mention of the term “2020.”

(And, yes, having worn glasses since childhood will make that task much easier.)

Are masks a nuisance? Undoubtedly. An inconvenience? Unquestionably. Uncomfortable and look ridiculous (especially when riding in a car)? Indubitably.

But are they required in the moment? Most assuredly.

The evidence backing the benefits of wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 has mounted this summer. The use of masks has been shown to reduce the reach and concentration of the aerosolized droplets that would otherwise carry the viral load sufficient to cause infection by everyone’s least favorite coronavirus. That alone should be sufficient to persuade us to mask up in public, to protect our friends and neighbors.

But even when their effectiveness may have seemed less apparent, my family and I still chose to wear them as soon as the signs were posted in the front entrances of stores and other buildings. Why? Because we all would expect the same courtesy.

I know, I know: In 2020, courtesy can seem to be in short supply.

But try to think of it this way: If you went over to someone’s house, and they asked you to take off your shoes and you refused, and then railed at

HOME & LIFESTYLE

them about your rights to wear shoes, and how your feet might hurt without your shoes, what would that make you? Hint: The answer is not “a hero,” “inspiring” or “a patriot.”

Since I may request your guests park in a certain spot, or remove their shoes, or not run through the house when dripping wet, wearing a mask at the request of a fellow private property owner during a pandemic suddenly doesn’t seem like such a hard thing to do.

So, please: When going out, mask up.

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

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Tales from a

C I M E D N PA A

s I shake my head in disapproval of not properly managing the submission deadline for this article, I can’t help but reflect on interesting behaviors that seem to have popped up during this pandemic.

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The COVID-19 pandemic itself is certainly no laughing matter, and regardless of your political orientation, all of us should be concerned about our country’s failure to better control the spread and to “flatten the curve” of infection. I pray for those infected and am grateful to those, including my wife and son, whose work puts them in harm’s way during these times. Wry reflection in stressful times, however, is a common coping mechanism and one I’m no stranger to. Allow me to share a few observations on my way to an investment recommendation.

be a revision in policy: Only two visitors allowed per patient. Sometime while in recovery, that policy went from two visitors to zero as the hospital scrambled to roll out new protocols to address the virus. Observing a nervous staff, I was anxious to get home and able to negotiate my release at the end of the following day.

Gina, my wife, was not allowed past the guard station on the first floor, so I had to make my own way to her after growing weary of waiting for help to do so. It was a good idea to get home but not the wisest method of exit.

As a backdrop, at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12, I checked in at a major hospital in Chicago for back surgery. The employee processing my intake was skimming a notice he had just received while cradling his first cup of coffee and trying to pay me the appropriate attention. After a moment, he looked up and let me know that starting immediately there would

Next came the COVID-19 market correction, during which investors saw the fastest drop in history. Instead of convalescing the next few weeks, our commitment to serve our clients found me at the office each day working until late at night. We also decided it wise to implement a work-from-home policy for the team to protect staff and reduce risk. For most of the next

BUSINESS & CIVIC

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several months, there were only two heartbeats in a building that normally has five active businesses operating out of it — mine and my rescue dog Ivy’s. We opened the lobby in the morning to allow mail delivery and then locked up at the end of each day. At times I felt like I was preparing to star in a sequel to the movie “I Am Legend.”

Fortunately, in June the curve in Illinois had flattened, and the team returned to the office. Things were not back to normal, however. Before I knew it, we had three sanitization stations throughout our office and a timed aerosol dispenser was set up to spray a mist of disinfectant throughout the area where our desks are. As absurd as I found the president’s comment regarding the ingestion of disinfectant, I swear I found myself inhaling a mist every 15 minutes that surely has been killing 99.9% of household germs in my body. Long-term effects? TBD. I can assure you that our team has not cornered the market on quirks. Sheltering in place seems to be fertile ground for curious behaviors — both good and bad. More time with family and reflection on what is really important in life has been a plus for many. Occasionally, however, some may find themselves obsessing over things that may not be productive, like getting into a competition with friends to find more ways to cook with newfound, homemade sourdough — or fixating on your portfolio.

This spring’s market drop has been unsettling and caused many to revisit their risk appetite. Reviewing risk tolerance and objectives with your financial advisor is healthy. Obsessing over investment holdings and portfolio performance is not. Our current recovery is uneven among market segments with continued volatility likely. Focus on your underlying investment strategy and be patient with high-quality holdings.

Stay disciplined, and we’ll get through all of this safely!

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor, or plan provider.

Photo by Indre Cantero

FILE# 3177994.1

 Tom McCartney and Sharon Piet are teammates at My Advisor & Planner and are Registered Representatives and Investment Adviser Representatives with M Securities. Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Adviser, Member FINRA/SIPC. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated.

Tom and Sharon can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net, at 630-457-4068, or you can visit them at www.mapyourfuture.net.

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BUSINESS & CIVIC

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Use Chamber members first.

Look to the chamber for referrals to local area businesses.

JOIN THE CHAMBER!

Think of us as your “Yellow Pages� referral service.

Contact The Chamber 73 W. Van Buren Street | Oswego, Illinois 60543 p:630-554-3505 | f: 630-554-0050 | e:info@oswegochamber.org

Upcoming Events Spirits on the Farm: Sept 12th Fraidycat: Oct 25th KN_FallEdition.indd 24

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