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Suburban Life MAY 2016

MAGAZINE THE 2016 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION PAGE 9

WORLD

Traveler WALKS IN FOOTSTEPS OF INDIANA JONES PAGE 18

WILD AMBITION LIFE'S A ZOO FOR VET TECH PAGE 14

Let Roberto’s Cater Your Event

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1/2 Pan

Full Pan

1/2 Pan

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14.00

28.00 Spaghetti or Mostaccioli

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64.00

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28.00

56.00 Baked Mostaccioli

36.00

72.00

Fried Calamari

39.00

78.00 Ravioli

41.00

82.00

Funghi Ripieni

32.00

64.00 Tortellini

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82.00

Baked Clams

37.00

74.00 Gnocchi

41.00

82.00

SALADS

1/2 Pan

Full Pan

Cavatalli

41.00

82.00

21.00

42.00 Raviolini Salvia E Basilico

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Diced Seasoned Plum Tomatoes Over Toasted Bread

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Fresh Mozzarella, Sliced Tomatoes, Roasted Red Pepper, Olive Oil & Fresh Basil Breaded Calamari with Marinara Sauce Stuffed Mushrooms with Breading Medium Clams Breaded & Baked with a Lemon Butter Sauce

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Meat or Cheese Filled, Topped with Choice of Meat or Plain Sauce Meat or Cheese Filled, Choice of Meat or Plain Sauce Choice of Meat or Plain Sauce

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Full Pan

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36.00

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Add Alfredo Sauce or Vodka Sauce 104.00 Add Chicken Add Broccoli

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Italian Sausage Sauteed with Mixed Peppers in a Garlic & Oil Herb Broth (½ pan-16 pc. full pan-32 pc.) Bone-In Chicken Cooked with Garlic & Oil, Fresh Herbs & White Wine Served with Roasted Peppers

Breaded Veal Topped with Fresh Mushrooms, Tomato Sauce & Melted Mozzarella Served with Side of Pasta

Rigatons Pomodoro - Salsiccia - Piselli44.00 Pasta with Ground Sausage, Peas, Tomato Sauce & Parmigiano

QUARTS OF SAUCE

Vodka Sauce – Alfredo Sauce Polo Parmigiana 39.00 78.00 Meat Sauce Breaded Chicken Breast Topped with Tomato Sauce & Melted Mozzarella Served with Side of Pasta Eggplant Parmigiana 48.00 96.00 Marinara Sauce Bolognese Sauce Breaded & Layered Eggplant Topped with Tomato Sauce & Melted Mozzarella Served with Side of Pasta Boneless Chicken Breast 49.00 98.00 SIDES

• Marsala with Mushrooms & Marsala Wine Sauce • Piccata with Capers & Onions in a Lemon Butter Sauce • Pepperonata with Roasted Red Pepper, Onions, Touch of Garlic & Oil, Brandy Wine Sauce, Served with Potatoes • Vesuvio with Garlic & Oil, Herbs & Wine Sauce, Served with Potatoes

Italian Beef (by the Pound)

Fresh Sliced Italian Beef in our own Herb Broth (Bread Not Included)

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88.00 16.00 16.00 12.00 Full Pan

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All Trays Do Not Come With Bread 1/2 Pan Serves 8-10 • Full Pan Serves 16-20 Please give 24-hour Notice MON-THURS 11AM - 11PM, FRI 11AM - 12AM, SAT4PM - 12AM, SUN 2PM - 10PM Tax Not Included with All Pricing Prices Subject To Change Without Notice. We also do Catering and Private Parties before our regular hours.

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Editor’s Note During the Women’s Power Luncheon series in March, an annual event hosted by Suburban Life Magazine, we were asked a question: Who are the women who helped shape your life?

Naturally, my mother was the first person that came to mind.

But then my mind was flooded with faces of women, some of whom I know well or call family, while others I may have only encountered briefly, but – somehow – they managed to make a lasting impression. I realized that we take bits and pieces from one another, all of the time. Ordinarily, we won’t know when something we do or say will influence someone else, but every single woman with whom I surround myself has taught me something; has made me want to be better in some way.

The answer to that question, for me, is too many to count.

Undoubtedly, the group of ladies we’ve selected to profile in this month’s Women & Careers issue will not only motivate and inspire, but they also are a small representation of what it means to be a modern American woman.

veterinary technician, who contributes to the conservation of exotic wildlife at Brookfield Zoo. Other interesting local ladies include Aynne Paganini Malmborg, an adventurer who has traveled to nearly every corner of the world; Joanne Zienty, a librarian who followed her dream of becoming a novelist; 77-year-old Joan Harris, who – after losing her husband to Alzheimer’s disease – decided to begin again by opening her own business; Karthika Gupta, a native of India, who left a cushy, career in corporate America to pursue her passion for photography; Caribbean Corner chef Raquel Black, who kept her mother’s memory alive by opening a restaurant; and Laura Pekarik, a bakery owner who created Cupcakes for Courage to help support her sister after being diagnosed with cancer.

I hope you enjoy our lineup of ladies. And to all of the women out there, keep being courageous and dedicated; support each other and stay true to your convictions.

Thanks for reading, ”

In honor of National Endangered Species Day on May 20, our cover girl is Ashlee Webb, a Chicago Zoological Society

Kara Silva Editor

Suburban Life Suburban Life Magazine Published by Shaw Media 1101 W. 31st Street Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: 630-368-1100 suburbanlifemagazine@shawmedia.com General Manager Laura Burke lburke@shawmedia.com Director of Partnerships Sherri Dauskurdas 630-427-6263 sdauskurdas@shawmedia.com Advertising Bill Korbel 630-427-6230 bkorbel@shawmedia.com Editor Kara Silva 630-427-6209 ksilva@shawmedia.com Designer Carol Manderfield 630-427-6253 cmanderfield@shawmedia.com

on the COVER Brookfield Zoo veterinary technician Ashlee Webb provides care to Isis the lion during a routine physical examination at the zoo.

Webb shares her passion for wildlife conservation on Page 14.

Shot at BROOKFIELD ZOO Photo by RON MCKINNEY

4 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Correspondents Melissa Riske, Sherri Dauskurdas, Jonathan Bilyk, Elizabeth Harmon, Chris Walker, Stephanie Kohl-McCord, Allison Horne, Kelsey O'Connor Photographers Ron McKinney, Joe Perez, Aldo Risolvo

Suburban Life 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 Suburban Life Magazine, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 or via email at subscriptions@shawmedia.com.

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Celebrate the Milestones of your Life at Flight 112

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INSIDE 18

THE NOMAD

Adventurer mirrors own life after Indiana Jones

WOMEN & CAREERS 9 THE 2016 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION Twelve local women are honored for their achievement professionally and personally, their contributions to the community and their ongoing support of the greater good.

12 DEDICATED TO SERVING OTHERS Kathleen Yosko’s career in health care spans four decades 14 WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Brookfield Zoo veterinary technician contributes to wildlife conservation 16 CUPCAKES FOR A CURE Courageous Bakery and Café owner Laura Pekarik does more than serve sweet treats

FASHION & BEAUTY 31 WORK IT Fashion guidelines for office attire

HEALTH & WELLNESS 32 THE POWER OF PEACE OF MIND Physician discusses why busy women should make health a priority at every age

FAMILY IN FOCUS

18 THE NOMAD Adventurer mirrors own life after Indiana Jones

34 ANSWERING THE CALL Caring for senior parents when you’re not there

20 CULINARY DREAMIN’ Chef keeps memory of mother alive by opening Caribbean restaurant

OUT & ABOUT

22 PURVEYOR OF THE WRITTEN WORD Librarian follows dream of becoming a novelist 24 BEGINNING AGAIN Wheaton home décor shop gives 77-year-old owner a new lease on life

36 CALENDAR Check out a variety of upcoming May events and festivals 38 SCENE AROUND THE SUBURBS Fresh style hits runway during Fashion at the Airport fundraiser

26 CAPTURING THE MOMENT Photographer trades corporate life for creative career

6 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

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8 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

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By SHERRI DAUSKURDAS | Photos by ALDO RISOLVO

Introducing the 2016 Women of Distinction

mysuburbanlife.com/magazine

W

omen of Distinction honors 12 amazing local women for their achievement professionally and personally, their contributions to community and their ongoing support of the greater good. In addition to recognition at a celebratory event May 19, we highlight each honoree with a fullpage extended personal feature, published each month throughout the year.

Some of the most influential and inspiring women in the suburbs can call themselves Suburban Life Women of Distinction!

WOMEN & CAREERS

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 9

ANN GRAHAM Owner/Instructor Jazzercise Glen Ellyn/ Schaumburg

“My heart will forever be influenced by my mom, who I lost 19 years ago to a sudden heart attack caused by health related issues. She is the spirit behind my energy, passion, excitement and motivation in encouraging women to make time for themselves in pursuing a healthy lifestyle” – Ann Graham

PATRICIA FRANCIS OP, Psy.D., SEP Director of Counseling Services and Psychologist Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center

“…The more one is involved, the more one sees additional needs and the networking and expansion begin. From these roots – the simple response to a need – so many other opportunities opened.”

– Patricia Francis

10 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

MARY ELLEN YOUNG President Authentic Me, LLC

“Being a Woman of Distinction means many things. It can mean being the mother who honors her child for who they are, or being the doctor or nurse who takes the time to hold the hand of someone who needs comfort, or being the business woman who has overcome the challenges inherent in our culture to succeed.”

– Mary Ellen Young

SUSAN MITCHELL EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer Edward-Elmhurst Health

“Being involved in my day-today Human Resources work that supports the great doctors, nurses, administrators and employees of our health system is so rewarding. These professionals touch peoples' lives every day in improving the health and well-being of our community. I cannot think of a more worthwhile mission to be a part of.”

– Susan Mitchell WOMEN & CAREERS

KATHY STEELE Founder and CEO Red Caffeine Marketing and Technology

“By adopting Open Book Management, Kathy has given every employee skin in the game.

We review our financials together monthly and all have a stake in increasing revenues and cost efficiency. We can most definitely track our 'return on values.'”

– Nominator Bunny Mirrilees

ROZ LONG President RGL Marketing for the Arts

“I feel humbled and blessed to be a significant part of the cultural arts scene in vibrant Elmhurst. My passion for the arts in this creative town embodies my soul.”

– Roz Long

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EMILY ELLSWORTH Artistic Director Anima-Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus

“I’m passionate about the combination of great music and young people who love to sing!

It’s a true privilege to work for an organization with a long history of excellence, which provides worldclass opportunities for young singers.”

– Emily Ellsworth

AMY VAN POLEN Resource Development Director Bridge Communities

“There is great joy in connecting persons with the heart and capacity to give with those persons that are most in need.”

– Amy Van Polen

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CANDACE KING Executive Director DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform

“Candace identified over $65 million in previously untapped resources, and assisted DuPage County organizations in accessing these funds, which greatly expanded services for the homeless, low income uninsured and other vulnerable populations.”

– Nominator Lourdes Lonergan

BARBARA SZCZEPANIAK Director of Programs DuPage Foundation

“I love the opportunity to develop relationships with so many different people through my work. It’s very rewarding to be able to connect the donors to the organizations that align with their interests.”

– Barbara Szczepaniak

WOMEN & CAREERS

PENNY LINNEWEH CPA, Tax Preparer Linneweh Ltd

“I learned early that I would need to take care of myself and my sister but I also learned that there were people who would lend a helping hand. I’ve always felt an obligation to pass on help and support to others, especially children, whenever I can.”

– Penny Linneweh

MARTA CULLEN President/Principle Designer Dream Interiors

“Marta is just a force of creative energy. Whether she is talking about a design or throwing herself into a community project, her enthusiasm is contagious.”

– Nominator Sherri Dauskurdas

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 11

DEDICATED TO SERVING OTHERS Kathleen Yosko’s career in health care spans four decades

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE

A

s the president of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Kathleen Yosko’s days include meetings, fundraising projects and business development plans.

But she’s never too busy to answer a personal request, visit someone’s mother, check in on someone’s uncle or just stop to chat with the clinicians in the hospital units.

While she’s spent a large part of her career as a hospital administrator, Yosko has never forgotten her nursing roots. The care of patients and the needs of her hospital staff remain at the top of her priority list.

changes to the facility, the hospital couldn’t continue.

With the support of the board, she got to work. She created a strategic plan, established a fundraising arm through a foundation and coordinated the plans for a new hospital, which opened in 2006.

“She was responsible for creating a state-ofthe-art hospital,” Oken says, adding that he remembers that the others who tried to bring change were unsuccessful at the task. Oken says Yosko brought together the board, the sisters – who, at one time, managed the facility – and the staff to create a vision for the future.

young men and women returning from the Vietnam War, to her decision to take a jointappointment position in Chicago in early 1978, working as both director of nursing at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and a clinical professor of nursing at Rush University. Throughout her career, she has traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for improved care for those with disabilities.

In the medical field there is no slowing down.

Bringing in the latest techniques to care for patients, continually fundraising to support the hospital and navigating the ever-changing world of health insurance keeps Yosko busy. Earlier this spring, she was part of a team that brought together a new merger with Northwestern Medicine.

Yosko says that she is proud of her staff.

Marianjoy’s employee engagement ranks nationally in the 98th percentile. Each year, Marianjoy associates are honored for their years of service – some have more than 35 years When she arrived at Marianjoy as President and under their belts. Yosko says staff longevity CEO in 1998, Yosko found the previous facility – a and positive ratings are humbling. She aims for transparency and trust, celebrates successes hospital converted from a former convent for and works hard to allow her staff to have the the Franciscan sisters – outdated and lacking.

Yosko says the care was impeccable, but without resources and technology they require to meet patients’ needs.

“For the last 40 years, I have served people with disabilities as an executive clinician and patient advocate,” Yosko says. “I have been very fulfilled.”

With her own career spanning more than 40 years, Yosko admits there is likely to come a time when she may need to pass the baton of leadership, but she is adamant that she won’t be sailing off into the sunset. For a career that has included nursing, teaching, lectures, leadership and administration, Yosko says she is happiest serving others.

“It’s hard to imagine myself totally disengaging,” Yosko says. “My goal, at some point, will be to rewire, not retire.“

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12 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Photo by Joe Perez

“She’s a great leader – a wonderful boss to work for,” says Dr. Jeffrey Oken, chief medical officer of It took two years of planning and fundraising Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. before ground broke on the new facility, which was completed in 2006, and it was In a career that has spanned more than four followed by additional renovations for a new decades, Yosko has worn many hats. From her early days as a nurse at a hospital in Pittsburgh, outpatient pavilion and the Marianjoy Assistive Rehabilitation Technology Institute. where she provided rehabilitative care for the

WOMEN & CAREERS

mysuburbanlife.com/magazine

Take your health off cruise control and get to a healthier place.

Deciding which physician to entrust with your health is a big decision. It’s important to choose a doctor who’s truly driven about improving your health – and the health of your family.

That’s why we encourage you to consider an Edward-Elmhurst Health physician.

Call our physician referral line – (630) 527-6363 – or visit EEHealth.org. You’ll find informative bios and videos about the healthy driven doctors who are constantly moving us all to a healthier place.

(630) 527-6363 EEHealth.org

Where the wild things are

Brookfield Zoo vet tech follows dream of working in wildlife conservation

By ELIZABETH HARMON | Photos by RON MCKINNEY

A

lifelong love for animals drew Ashlee Webb to a career as a certified veterinary technician with the Chicago Zoological Society.

Before Webb’s first year, she worked in an animal hospital, treating small and exotic animals. Her second year internship took her to Alabama, where she worked in Auburn University’s veterinary hospital – with both large and small “I wanted a career that would allow me to animals – and at the Southeastern Raptor contribute to wildlife conservation, and help animals individually,” says the Lombard resident, Center, where she worked to rehab and release injured birds of prey. She gained experience in who has been working at Brookfield Zoo since zoo medicine working at the Montgomery Zoo May 2014. “While some days can be draining in Montgomery Alabama, and at the Fort Wayne and incredibly busy, I feel honored and blessed Children’s Zoo in Indiana. to be working with these unique animals.”

As one of seven certified veterinary technicians After graduating from JJC with an Associate at Brookfield Zoo, Webb helps care for animals in degree in Applied Science, Webb passed her the Zoo’s animal hospital, as well as in the park, certification exam and worked for another two years in a small/exotic animal practice. A postand also maintains the zoo’s health equipment. graduate internship at Brookfield Zoo, which On any given day, she can be found monitoring she completed while holding down a full-time anesthesia; assisting with surgery or routine position at the veterinary practice, brought her check-ups; operating imaging equipment, closer to her goal of working with zoo animals. such as digital radiology, endoscopes and CT scans; preparing, dispensing and recording medical prescriptions; or working in the lab, inspecting blood, urine or feces samples under a microscope.

“There was an opening for a veterinary technician at Brookfield and I applied,” says Webb. “My prayers were answered and my dream became reality.”

In addition to a love for animals, Webb says that patience and a willingness to be flexible are important qualities for a veterinary technician to have.

“In zoo medicine we’re constantly adapting and learning,” she says.

While the field is small and competitive, Webb encourages those who are interested in entering it, not to be discouraged.

“It’s important to apply yourself, and be open to new opportunities when they arise,” she says.

“And don’t be intimidated by the amount you have to learn, because going to school is half the fun of it.”

A typical workday begins with a medical staff meeting to discuss patients’ progress, and the day’s schedule. Mornings are devoted to appointments and procedures, either in the park or at the hospital. In the afternoons, Webb is busy with lab work and updating medical records.

“But an emergency can change all that, so every day is different,” she says.

She trained for her career through Joliet Junior College’s Veterinary Technician Program, which is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The two-year program requires internships for first and second year students.

mysuburbanlife.com/magazine

WOMEN & CAREERS

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 15

Cupcakes for a cure

Courageous Bakery and Café owner Laura Pekarik does more than serve sweet treats

By STEPHANIE KOHL-MCCORD | Photos provided

F

or Laura Pekarik, what began as a way to escape illness has turned into a successful food truck business, bakery and café.

IF YOU GO WHAT: Courageous Bakery and Café WHERE: 108 W. Park Ave., Elmhurst HOURS: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday).

INFO: 630-834-2253 or cupcakesforcourage.com

In May 2010, Pekarik’s sister, Kathryn Chandler, was diagnosed with nonHodgkin T-cell lymphoma. Pekarik, an Elmhurst resident, took time off to be with her sister and, while sitting at the hospital or just spending time with her sister when she wasn’t feeling well, the two got to talking about baking.

The sisters had always enjoyed baking growing up, and their mother regularly whipped up tasty treats with them, Pekarik says.

Before long, Chandler was dreaming up creative ideas for cupcakes and Pekarik was going home at night to try to create the cupcake Chandler had invented that day. Pekarik would bring the cupcakes to the hospital the following day for her sister to try. Over time, the two shared plenty of baked

the kitchen space Pekarik was renting, she had yet another decision to make.

“It was a way for us to not think about Luckily for her, a space opened up just what was going on at the time,” Pekarik down the street.

“Eventually, I took a leap of faith and says of the sisters baking adventures. signed the lease,” Pekarik says.

In 2011, Chandler finished her goods with the nurses and other staff that helped care for Chandler.

treatments and was planning to head back to work, which left Pekarik with a decision to make: Go back to school and continue her education or invest her savings in a food truck and launch Cupcakes for Courage.

So, Pekarik bought a food truck, rented kitchen space and, in May 2011, hit the streets of Chicago with her mother and sister.

“In the beginning, it was a guess and check,” Pekarik says of finding the right locations to sell her cupcakes. But, before long, Pekarik teamed up with some other food trucks and built a schedule – and a clientele.

When the lease was about to expire on

Courageous Bakery opened in September 2012, and it just recently became Courageous Bakery and Café, 108 W. Park Ave., Elmhurst. Through her business, Pekarik donates a portion of her profits to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for cancer research, as well as to the Ride Janie Ride Foundation – an organization developed to raise money to support individuals and families affected by various types of cancer. Chandler was one of four recipients in 2011.

“Being that my sister and family went through that, [giving back] was part of it from the very beginning … In the end, we felt really fortunate (Chandler) had fought and won,” Pekarik says.

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HARLEQUINADE An Italian Fairy Tale

Now, with two food trucks, an appearance on “Cupcake Wars” and a flourishing bakery and cafe under her belt, it’s hard to say what’s in store for Pekarik in 2016. As a business owner, baker, mom and more, Pekarik wears many hats and has to always be prepared for anything – like a recent broken-down truck.

“One thing I’ve learned is you can make the best plans, but things can always go awry,” Pekarik says. “… We make adjustments and we move on and we move forward.”

Confident in the product line that has been created over the past four years, Pekarik looks forward to continuing to perfect her offerings in the coming year and is enjoying the bakery and café’s recent remodel.

Saturday May 14 3:00p Sunday May 15 1:00p

McAninch Arts Center College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, IL) ITALIAN BALLET CLASS offered onstage after Sunday’s Matinee for children and families.

Call TODAY for more info!

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630.942.4000 atthemac.org The GroverHermann Foundation

WOMEN & CAREERS

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 17

THE NOM D ADVENTURER MIRRORS OWN LIFE AFTER INDIANA JONES

By CHRIS WALKER | Photos provided

As soon as she watched “Raiders of the Lost Ark” for the first time, Wheaton resident Aynne Paganini Malmborg determined that she wanted to be just like Indiana Jones.

“That was the best movie I ever saw and when I saw that I said, ‘I want to be [Indiana Jones]. I was able to go to the desert, and the towns it was filmed in, and retraced his steps.”

- Aynne Paganini Malmborg, Wheaton resident and world traveler

18 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

“That was the best movie I ever saw and when I saw that I said, ‘I want to be him,’” she says. “I was able to go to the desert, and the towns it was filmed in, and retraced his steps.”

The Wheaton resident has left footprints all over the world. She has stepped foot on all seven continents and has traveled to more than 50 different countries.

WOMEN & CAREERS

Malmborg, who speaks multiple languages, got hooked on travel at a young age.

“There was a trip to Paris and London in high school, and I was very enthusiastic and wanted to go,” she says. “It was different back then in the ’70s. Everyone got dressed up to go on the planes.

It’s funny because I married a man who does not like traveling, and I got tired of going by myself.”

Tired of flying solo, in 2006, she founded the My Travel Meetup group with the motto, “We go places!”

The members of the international mysuburbanlife.com/magazine

Get Out on the Dance Floor travel club have visited destinations often found at the top of many people’s bucket lists. Group members have soared over the African Great Migration in hot air balloons; sailed the Nile River on a felucca boat; rode camels across the Sahara Desert; snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; rode elephants through the jungles of Thailand; and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Speaking of which, the group also has kayaked in Antarctica.

“The penguins were everywhere, and I could watch them for hours,” she says of the Antarctica trip. “They are like torpedoes that pop right in front of you like popcorn.

It’s really amazing that I get to do this stuff, but I work my butt off and research on Twitter and Facebook to come up with ideas and travel plans to places before they are overrun.”

An avid reader and fan of films, some of her travels have been inspired by novels and classic films, including “Casablanca,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “The World of Suzie Wong” and, of course, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” “I love the old movies – the classics,” she says. “Many people probably don’t remember ‘The World of Suzie Wong’ but it’s a great love story, and I went with my son to Hong Kong the first time, and it was really neat to visit some of those locations.”

Her fondness for travel has resulted in her securing a part-time position as a travel agent at R&R Travel in Naperville. A desire to share the experience with other avid travelers led Malmborg to create the My Travel Meetup Club.

“I tapped into people who wanted to also travel to exotic places, but not alone,” she says. “I asked, ‘who wants to go to Egypt to see the pyramids’ and 28 people wanted to go.”

Her next trip is scheduled for early June and will include stops in Tibet, Xian, Hong Kong, Suzhou, Beijing, Shanghai and, lastly, Chengdu to hold pandas. mysuburbanlife.com/magazine

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SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 19

Culinary dreamin’

CHEF OPENS CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT IN MEMORY OF MOTHER

By ALLISON HORNE | Photos by JOE PEREZ Starting a new job is always scary, but leaving behind a 26-yearlong career to open a restaurant for the first time is downright terrifying.

But Raquel Black did just that when she opened Caribbean Corner in Downers Grove. Black and her husband, Dave, opened the eatery in September 2014.

Black always had a passion for food, and although her career in healthcare administration was thriving, she decided to become a part-time student in the College of DuPage culinary school just for fun. Black’s mother had always wanted to open up a restaurant of her own when she and her family lived in Miami, but it never became a reality for her.

recipes she uses are rooted in the Dominican Republic, where her parents’ background – but she also uses influences from Miami, where she lived for a large part of her life after being born in the Caribbean.

“There was a huge Cuban influence in Miami, and it’s the comfort food I grew up eating,” Black says. “Those are the flavors I really love, and that’s what I really enjoy most.”

Black’s menu features a handful of dishes that would be considered traditional by Caribbean standards, but she also features some unique dishes, like her Cuban sandwich, on which she put her own twist. In addition, her Jibarito sandwich has fried green plantains instead of bread, “Ever since she passed away, that bug and – as a dessert – she makes her kind of bit me,” Black says. “I started mom’s recipe for bread pudding with really seriously thinking about it, and caramel sauce.

“When I realized you can actually cooking became an obsession. I was cook for a career, that was lifealways thinking about new recipes changing for me,” Black says. and what I could cook and it really took on a life of its own.”

Although being a chef is generally The food at Caribbean Corner draws inspiration from the flavors Black remembers from childhood. The

viewed as a male-dominated career, Black doesn’t see it that way at all.

In Caribbean culture, the men rarely

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cook, and the women usually spend most of their time in the kitchen cooking for their families, so being in the kitchen has never been an intimidating experience, she says.

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“Back in the day, it was predominantly [a] male industry, but it has really changed,” Black says. “I don’t see it that way anymore. I see as many women out there as men and I applaud them.”

In June, the business will be moving from its current location to a bigger venue at 970 Warren Ave., which will allow the restaurant to feature more dine-in opportunities for guests.

“We really love Downtown Downers Grove,” Black says. “I’m really excited because we have a lot of customers that have been asking for dine-in. It’s definitely going to be a good change.”

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Although the restaurant is thriving, it wasn’t an easy task to open a restaurant from scratch.

“It was difficult and the process was challenging,” Black says. “The very first day we had a soft opening for lunch, and it was so tiring – emotional and physically exhausting. When the day was over, it hit me that we have to do this all over again tomorrow. I collapsed in a chair and said, ‘what have I done.’”

But she got back up and did it again the next day, and the day after that. Now it has become a destination for Cuban and Dominican food in the suburbs. Was it worth it? There’s no doubt in Black’s mind.

“It is so worth it,” she says. “Every day I leave, I look forward to coming back the next day and working in my kitchen.” mysuburbanlife.com/magazine

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SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 21

Purveyor of the written word Librarian follows dream of becoming a novelist

By JONATHAN BILYK Photo by JOE PEREZ

J

oanne Zienty won’t call Snooki her muse, but Zienty does credit the “Jersey Shore” reality television celebrity for giving her the push needed to achieve her dream of becoming an award-winning published author.

In the intervening years, she continued to work at writing – bit by bit – as she moved into adulthood, married, became a mother of two daughters, moved to Wheaton and eventually entered into a career as a librarian.

For the Wheaton resident, the literary journey began when she was a child growing up in Chicago’s Calumet Heights neighborhood on the city’s far South Side. The avid reader would always be searching for good stories to read. But when she couldn’t find good stories, Zienty decided to write her own.

But, it was those intervening years that provided the inspiration underlying her first published novel, “The Things You Save.”

In fifth grade, Zienty wrote what she calls her “first novel,” a story about a girl and her racehorse. She also wrote a Thanksgiving play for her school.

“So, I began to think about all of the memories and emotions we invest in the objects in our lives, particularly objects we save along the way – ticket stubs, photographs, letters, dried flowers, cards, objects that belonged to people who were significant to us,” she says. “And a question formed: What if those memories invested in those objects were bad instead of good? What if keeping those objects was a way of holding the world at bay, instead of keeping memories close?”

While taking a writing class through the University of Chicago, Zienty says she was performing a writing exercise, where she had to meditate on an object from her past.

From that spark, Zienty says she shaped the story of Claire, a woman estranged from her family for years, who has a “Marshall Field’s box of artifacts from her childhood and adolescence.” Following the death of her grandmother, Claire returns home to help her father handle her grandmother’s estate.

During the process, readers follow Claire back through her memories, learn what the objects in the box mean, “why Claire saved them, and the mystery behind some of the broken relationships that she’s had.”

After writing the book, Zienty set out to find a publisher. As the months dragged on without a nibble, she says she became discouraged, thinking her work would remain locked away in her computer.

Then, she saw that Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi – a celebrity “basically known for drinking,

22 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

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“I said, if Snooki’s going to have a book, so am I,” Zienty says.

Using CreateSpace on Amazon, Zienty decided to have her work self-published.

Within three months of its publication, the book had received positive reviews. And, in 2014, the work won her the Illinois Library Association’s “Soon To Be Famous Illinois Author” contest.

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While still working by day as a library media specialist at Forest Elementary School in Des Plaines – in part, because she says “it’s rare for a fiction writer to make a living on his or her writing” – Zienty has continued to devote herself to her craft, carving out time to continue to write.

The author encourages all women seeking to write to similarly make time to follow their passion.

“I think it’s a matter of setting priorities, saying ‘This is important to me and makes me a better person, so I need to set aside some time to do this,’” she says.

She also recommended writing classes, such as the one she took that inspired her book idea. The criticism she received in the class “was the crucible through which my writing was refined and improved,” she says.

Zienty says she hopes to have a draft of her next novel finished by the end of this summer. Until the work is finished, however, she says the topic is something she’ll save for herself.

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SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 23

WHEATON HOME DÉCOR SHOP GIVES 77-YEAR-OLD OWNER NEW LEASE ON LIFE

By ALLISON HORNE | Photo by JOE PEREZ

T

wo years ago, longtime Wheaton resident Joan Harris learned firsthand that change is never easy.

Harris spent the better part of seven years as the full-time caregiver for her husband, Bob, who had Alzheimer’s disease. When her husband progressed to the point that Harris could no longer take care of him, he was put into a senior care facility. When he died, Harris found herself suddenly alone after being married for 52 years.

“You are working 24 hours a day as a caregiver, and suddenly it’s like ‘what do I do with myself?’” Harris says. “My aim wasn’t to get back in the dating game. That’s how I looked at it. In my wisdom, I decided to open a store.”

The store, Joan’s Place, located in downtown Wheaton, sells furniture, décor and other small, one-of-a-kind pieces from all over the country that reflect Harris’s personal attitude and zest for life. Some of the items showcased online include an antique wine barrel Meursault (Burgundy,

24 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

France), a wine bar bookend side table and a blue farmhouse dough cabinet, as well as handpoured candles and bohemian jewelry.

Harris opened Joan’s Place, 120 N. Main St., Wheaton, two years ago, at the ripe age of 75.

“I’ve always loved home décor and fixing houses and that sort of thing, and I knew I needed something to do,” Harris says. “I didn’t want to become a bitter old lady. So, here I am.”

What started as a bit more of a traditional store has morphed into something a little more eclectic over the years. Harris was originally bringing in a lot of traditional pieces, but now she travels all over the country with her son, Patrick Harris, and picks up unique items that can’t be found online or anywhere else.

Patrick, a commercial pilot by trade, was originally brought into the operation to move items while on medical leave from his job, but it has turned into a full-time gig.

“It was a challenge in the beginning,” Patrick says. “I never planned on working with my mom … no one does. I’m supposed to be flying airplanes, and now I know more about jewelry than engines.”

Patrick is expecting to return to the skies soon, but is still planning on being there for Harris when needed, especially for the website side of the business.

“The poor kid got sucked into this, but knowing what I know now, I couldn’t have done it myself,” Joan says. “It’s a lot more stressful than I thought it would be.”

“We both go on trips, but he goes to Las Vegas But it’s a labor of love, and Harris spends every alone,” Joan says. “We’ve gone to Atlanta and Dallas and other different places to find one-of-a- moment she can nestled between antique wine barrels and handcrafted dog tag necklaces. kind furniture.”

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For now, the store comprises what Joan loves, and Patrick expects her to keep on running it until the day she stops having fun and enjoying herself.

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SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 25

CAPTURING MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHER TRADES CORPORATE LIFE FOR CREATIVE CAREER

By KELSEY O’CONNOR Photo provided

J

ust two years ago, Karthika Gupta would never have called herself a professional photographer.

When Gupta launched her photography business, she was still working a full-time marketing job for a major bank. But everything changed in 2014, when Gupta left her finance career in order to focus on building her photography business, Memorable Jaunts.

“Once I quit my marketing job, I really started introducing myself as a photographer,” the Naperville resident says. “The more I said it, the more I realized that is who I am; that is what I do, and I love doing that.”

Gupta’s path to that point was anything but straightforward.

She studied computer science engineering in India, before moving to the U.S. to pursue a master’s degree from Illinois State University.

After graduation, she moved to

Chicago where she began working in IT consulting for the financial sector.

But soon Gupta found she needed to get in touch with her creative side. Gupta began dabbling in photography, taking shots of her newborn son and their outdoor adventures. She spent nights and weekends teaching herself everything she could about using a camera and did photo shoots with family and friends, who encouraged her to start her own business.

“I didn’t get much sleep for three years … ,” Gupta says with a laugh.

“But it was very fulfilling because I was able to exercise both sides of the brain, the analytical side at work and the creative side doing what I love.”

She started Memorable Jaunts in 2010. Originally, she focused on portraits and travel photography, but soon expanded to weddings.

In 2014, she made the leap to practicing photography full-time.

“I was doing two things for awhile and it was just physically and mentally very exhausting,” Gupta says. “I couldn’t focus on what I really love to do. I had to make the choice and I was OK with failing at it, as long as I had tried and given it my best shot.”

“I have a very clean, minimal approach to my photography,” she says. “My goal is for clients to see their images and really relate to them. The session is about who they are – I don’t want it to be overly stylized and overly processed. When you have images that reflect your true personality, you love it more.”

Gupta’s deep connection to her homeland also has an important impact on her artistic style. Her latest venture, Dvara Magazine, is a limited-edition print publication that showcases traditional Indian culture, art and people – all with a modern perspective.

“I wanted the magazine to be a way to bridge that gap between the country I come from and the one I live in,” Gupta says.

Making the leap to becoming a creative entrepreneur can be daunting, says Gupta, but incredibly rewarding.

“For me, success is just being happy in what I do,” she says. “I heard this somewhere, and I think it’s so true: It’s better to fail at something you love than to succeed at something you don’t. Take that plunge. It will be worth it some way, shape or form.”

u For more information about Memorable Jaunts, call 630-261-5663 or email info@ As her business has evolved over the memorablejaunts.com. years, so has Gupta’s photography style.

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SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 27

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between CoolSculpting and liposuction lies in the treatment approach and the degree of invasiveness involved. CoolSculpting is a completely non-surgical, non-invasive procedure, which makes it more suited for patients who wish to avoid invasive cosmetic treatments but without having to compromise on the effectiveness of the procedure.

CoolSculpting makes use of a unique cooling process to freeze away unwanted fat cells in the body’s fat pockets. The fat cells gradually die and become eliminated from the body in a natural way. The treatment avoids any collateral damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, involves little or no downtime, and does not carry the risks that are typical to any surgical procedure.

Liposuction procedure, as compared to CoolSculpting, adopts a traditional, invasive approach to fat reduction. It is a more complex procedure and should ideally be performed only by a qualified cosmetic surgeon. The patient must be agreeable to undergo local anesthesia for this treatment. Since liposuction is an invasive procedure, it involves certain amount of downtime, depending on the extent of treatment performed. Liposuction has the usual risks that are associated with any minor surgery.

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The liposuction procedure begins with one or more incisions made by the operating doctor in the targeted areas. A cannual is then inserted through the incisions, and fat cells are disintegrated and sucked out through the cannula. The treatment is effective for people with stable weight, who are not looking for weight loss, but for reduction of fat deposits from targeted areas of the body. Sometimes the surgeon may decide to split the procedure over two days, if a larger amount of fat needs to be removed from various parts of the body.

CoolSculpting, on the other hand, does not involve any incision, injection, or any other surgical intrusion. The treatment is performed non-invasively, using an applicator to deliver focused cooling to the fat cells in the targeted area. Once the fat cells are frozen, they gradually begin to disintegrate. As a result, they start getting removed from the body system in a natural manner. The patient can start seeing results within a few weeks, and improvement will continue to happen for up to three to six months.

Work it

FASHION GUIDELINES FOR OFFICE ATTIRE You shouldn’t have to compromise your style for your job. Fashion is not always about what’s trendy, it’s about what makes you feel good. And we all know when you feel good, you tend to be more productive.

With that said, you can easily translate your fashion sense into office attire if you follow some of these simple style guidelines:

1. SLEEVELESS BLOUSES

Warmer weather is on its way and that means sleeveless shirts are coming out of storage. So, what’s acceptable to wear to the office?

Definitely not strappy, strapless or halter shirts, but a shirt that extends to the ends of your shoulders – at a minimum – is OK.

2. BLAZERS

Blazers are still all the rage and coupling them with a sheer (though not completely see-through) blouse will soften the outfit for summertime.

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3. SUMMER SHOES

No flip-flops! When in doubt, check your human resources manual, but I am sure it will agree with me on this.

You can never go wrong with a pump, flats or a healed summer shoe. There are plenty of fun summer colors to choose from this season and most companies do not mandate wearing pantyhose.

4. COVER UP

Try not to show too much skin with necklines and hemlines. Apply a 4-inch rule to both; no more than a few inches above the knee and below the collarbone. If you opt for a shorter skirt, where a lower heal.

6. ACCESSORIZE

It does an outfit good. It can add pizazz and even completely transform an otherwise boring or everyday look.

7. WHITE

Wear it. Don’t worry about the rules.

You can wear white before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. Image consultant Judith Rasband has been quoted with saying, “The way we dress affects the way we think, the way we feel, the way we act and the way others react to us.” So, it’s OK to show off your unique style even at the office.

5. CLEAN LINES

Wrinkle-free is always in style. Make sure your clothes are pressed, always.

FASHION & BEAUTY

Stacy Kallas is the director of marketing and advertising at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale. She has served as a director for super regional shopping centers throughout the Chicago area for more than 15 years. She highlights current fashion trends and stores within Stratford mall.

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 31

The power of

PEACE OF MIND with DR. MAIS TRABOLSI, ELMHURST MEMORIAL MEDICAL GROUP

Women, make your health a priority.

Whether you’re a young woman just starting out, a busy mom working inside or outside the home or enjoying the golden years of life, you’re busy. With such a full plate, it can be easy to let checkups and screenings slide, but don’t. Make your health a priority so that you can keep doing all of the things you love to do. As an internist, I’m all too familiar with patients seeking help after disease has developed. Preventive medicine and screenings are keys to good health and longevity.

Doctors can help you understand how often you should visit them and can determine your need for tests, But a woman’s age determines general exam and screening needs. It’s important to discuss health concerns and risk factors at regular visits with your doctor, but here are some other reasons for paying your doctor a visit, according to age.

AGES 50-64 Blood pressure, Pap and HPV testing continue during this age range and by age 50, women should have a screening mammogram once every two years. At this time, your doctor will evaluate your health history and risk factors and may recommend certain laboratory tests or a bone mineral density test. Colorectal cancer screening may also be recommended at age 50.

AGES 65 AND OLDER Blood pressure and laboratory testing continues based on medical history and doctor recommendations. If not done already, a bone density mineral scan will be recommended. Discuss your need for a Pap test with your doctor at this time.

Screening mammograms continue every two years through age 74 and colorectal screening through age 75.

Regardless of a woman’s age, it’s critical to establish a relationship with an internist or AGES 18-39 primary healthcare professional. As your partner in Women should have their blood pressure tested health, your doctor considers your family history, every two years, annually (if between 120/80 and risk factors and lifestyle along with your age to 139/89). Higher pressures warrant a treatment plan create a preventive medicine and health-screening determined by your doctor. Between ages 21 and 30, plan just for you. a Pap test is recommended once every three years.

There’s nothing more powerful than taking control After 30, a Pap test can be performed every five of your health; it’s up to you to take the first step. years in conjunction with HPV (human papilloma virus) testing.

AGES 40-49 While general blood pressure testing recommendations remain the same throughout a woman’s life, your doctor may now recommend a baseline for other tests, such as cholesterol, diabetes and mammogram. Pap and HPV tests should continue every five years.

Mais Trabolsi, MD, is a board certified internal medicine physician with Elmhurst Memorial Medical Group.

u For information about Edward-Elmhurst Health’s women’s health services, visit www.eehealth.org/services/ womens-health. For information about the primary care physicians of Elmhurst Memorial Medical Group visit www.EEHealth.org/ElmMemMedGroup or call (331) 221-6930.

32 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

GENEVA

GALENA

1800 West State Street Geneva, IL

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

630-232-0173

563-590-8972

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 33

ANSWERING THE CALL

CARING FOR SENIOR PARENTS WHEN YOU’RE NOT THERE

C

ountless times each day, an adult child receives “the phone call” about his or her senior parent. There’s been a fall, a bout with shortness of breath, maybe a case of food poisoning.

For the adult child, such a call is – naturally – cause for concern or even fear. But for the adult child who no longer lives close to his or her parent, the long-distance caregiver that calls can trigger a heightened sense of dread.

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, one in four households is involved in elder care today, a surge of more than 300 percent

34 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

since 1987. Nearly 34 million people in the United States provide or manage care for someone age 50 or older, with 15 percent of them living more than an hour away.

Long-distance caregiving takes many forms, including providing money management and advising parents on everything from insurance benefits to medical equipment.

Here are four ways to care for your senior parent when you’re not there.

¢ STAY IN TOUCH

Today, the key modes of connectivity are the telephone and the Internet.

In the first six months of 2012, more than one in every three households (35.8 percent) did not have a landline telephone but did have at least one wireless telephone, according to the National Health Institute Survey.

In spite of the physical separation that exists between an adult, child and senior parent, there are ways to address the challenges that With Internet-based computer applications, distance creates. like Skype, families can see and talk with each other in real time. In 2013, Skype

FAMILY in FOCUS

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reported that its users spent more than 2 billion minutes connecting with each other on Skype in a single day.

¢ VISIT YOUR PARENT WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Though it can be difficult to arrange an in-person meeting, a face-to-face visit is the optimal way for an adult child to assess the health and well-being of his or her senior parent. It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy each other’s company, whether you’re gathered around the Sunday dinner table or spending a day at a theme park.

¢ ASSEMBLE CONTACTS THAT CAN KEEP YOU INFORMED

Whiter, Healthier, More Beautiful Smiles

“So Far Away: Twenty Questions and Answers About Long-Distance Caregiving,” published by the National Institute on Aging, offers this advice: “Seek out help from people in the community: the next-door neighbor, an old friend, the doctor. Call them. Tell them what is going on. Make sure they know how to reach you.

¢ RELOCATE YOUR PARENT

Despite your best efforts to be an effective long-distance caregiver, you may feel your parent would be better off living nearby. If such a move is financially feasible – and if the parent is agreeable – it may be time to make a change.

BEAUTY EXCELLENCE ARTISTRY Utilizing the latest technology

Attending to a senior parent can be a challenging responsibility. For the adult child whose parent lives in a different city or state, the degree of responsibility is magnified.

Although there is physical distance between you and your parent, you can provide care.

For more information on the challenges of aging, download the “Parent Care Guide” at www.lexingtonsquares.com.

BARBARA R.WEBSTER, D.D.S. 1121 Warren Avenue | Suite 130 Downers Grove, IL 60515 630.663.0554

Renee Cerveny is Executive Director at Lexington Square Senior Residence in Lombard

Webster Dental upholds the highest standards for quality care.

We are committed to creating an atmosphere of honesty, trust and professionalism where each patient feels welcomed, comfortable and cared for. When you visit us we want you to have peace of mind that we will provide you with the very best of care for your dental health and appearance. It is our goal to provide you with the same care we would give to members of our own family.

www.SmilesInDownersGrove.com SM-CLS0260504

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FAMILY in FOCUS

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 35

CALENDAR

Congratulations to the Women of Distinction!

MAY 2016

GARDEN ART SALE

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15 WHERE: West Lawn at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle The Morton Arboretum will host its threeday Garden Art Sale, featuring items to transform an outdoor space. Natureinspired items, including art, furniture, pillows, birdfeeders, statuary and more, will be available for purchase.

New this year will be the Kids’ Garden Art Tent, where children can create a nature-related craft. Craft kits will be available for purchase in the main tent.

p LOMBARD LILAC FESTIVAL PARADE

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15 WHERE: Glenbard East High School (steps from Main Street and Wilson Avenue) in Lombard

5109 Main St., Downtown Downers Grove (630) 968-0700 (800) 968-0704 www.heritagehouseflorist.com

This year’s Lilac Festival Parade theme is time travel. The event is free to attend. For more information, visit www.lombardlilacparade.com.

TASTE OF GLEN ELLYN

WHEN: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 19; 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 20; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 21; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22 WHERE: Along Main Street in downtown Glen Ellyn

SM-CLS0260500

The 39th annual Taste of Glen Ellyn will feature food, music, carnival rides, a business expo and craft festival. A carnival wristband costs $20.

Thursday night will be country music night; and Friday and Saturday will be rock and roll favorites. For more information, visit www. glenellynchamber.com.

EVA’S UPSCALE RESALE

HUSTLE UP THE HILL FOR THE HOMELESS

WHEN: 8 a.m. Sunday, May 15 WHERE: Blackwell Forest Preserve, located off of Butterfield Road in Warrenville

Cash or Consignment for name brand or designer clothing, handbags, shoes and jewelry.

BURBERRY • MICHAEL KORS EILEEN FISHER • TORY BURCH LOUIS VUITTON • CHANEL • ESCADA ARMANI • GUCCI • COACH • CHICOS BCBG • ST. JOHN • ETC...

Bring in your gently used or new, recent style items and make some cash on things you don’t use anymore!

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.

Bring this ad in to receive

$

5 OFF

WITH $20 PURCHASE. EXPIRES MAY 30, 2016

800 OGDEN AVE. | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | 630-241-3353 | HOURS: M-F 10-6 SAT 10-5

The second annual Hustle Up The Hill For The Homeless will feature a 30-minute walk/run up and down the 150-foot Mt. Hoy. Runners/walkers will try to attempt as many trips up and down the hill as they can. All of the proceeds will go toward housing a homeless family for two years as they transition to self-sufficiency. A T-shirt, water and snacks will be provided to all participants. Heats will start at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. The cost to participate is $30. For more information, visit www.active.com.

PAINTING, CHOCOLATE & WINE

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19 WHERE: DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley, Wheaton Join local artist Rick Napier for an evening of painting, appetizers and wine. Create a masterpiece under Napier’s instruction while enjoying time with friends. The event costs

SM-CLS0260512

36 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

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Your Career Outfitters $40 a person and includes beverages and appetizers. To register, call 630-510-4941 or visit wheatonparkdistrict.com/tickets. The event is for adults ages 21 and older.

SPRING ART FESTIVAL AT OAKBROOK CENTER

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22 WHERE: Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook The third annual Spring Art Festival will feature the artwork of more than 100 artists in various mediums, such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry and wood. The event is free and open to the public. Visit amdurproductions.com.

› Multiple locations › Accelerated formats Adult programs: Bachelor’s • Master’s • Certificates Call (630) 829-2277 or visit ben.edu/adultED.

Benedictine University’s National Moser Center

BLOOMING FEST

WHEN: 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21 WHERE: Main and W. Washington street in downtown West Chicago Celebrate the long-awaited return of spring at West Chicagoís annual Blooming Fest. The downtown garden festival combines the West Chicago Garden Clubís plant sale with a car show, craft and fine art show, childrenís activities, music and food. The one-day, outdoor event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 630293-2200, ext. 140, or visit www.westchicago.org.

VINTAGE AUTO FEST

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21 WHERE: Glen Ellyn History Center and Stacyís Tavern Museum, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn The third annual Glen Ellyn Vintage Auto Fest will feature a variety of vintage automobiles for visitors to enjoy, and speakers throughout the day will be offering talks in the History Center about the history of automobiles.~ The featured car, this year, is the Cadillac.~A Bake Sale sponsored by the Glen Ellyn Historical Society will offer pastries, pies and cookies. Fresh made pizzas baked on an open fire on the auto fest grounds also will be available.~Stacy's Tavern Museum will offer free mini-tours from noon to 3 p.m. and will host an exhibit on the Quilts of Barbara Ann Weber Leak: A Celebration of American Folk Art. For more information, visit [ http://www.glenellynhistory. org ]www.glenellynhistory.org.

ART AND MUSIC SHOW AT FITZ'S SPARE KEYS WHEN: 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 21 WHERE: Fitz's Spare Keys, 119 N. York Road, Elmhurst

Local photographer, actor and writer Evan J. Thomas will host the Bad Ass Art & Music Show, which will feature the work of more than 30 artists, music performances and celebrity guests.

Tickets cost $5 and $8 at the door. For more information, visit www.BadAssArtAndMusicShow. com.

Embark on fun and challenging Quests and Adventures in MagiQuest, play in our Double Decker Laser Tag arena or dine at the Crooked Crossbow and you’re certain to have a memorable and magical adventure with us!

AdvRealm.com 331-777-4342 63rd & Woodward, Downers Grove

GENEVA’S MIDSOMMAR FESTIVAL JUNE 21 – 26

How Swede it is!

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

A picture postcard .

™

630-232-6060 • visitgenevaillinois.com

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CHICAGOLAND’S NEWEST, MOST UNIQUE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE!

OUT & ABOUT

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

SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE | MAY 2016 | 37

scene

suburbs

around the

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

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

Photos by JOE PEREZ

38 | MAY 2016 | SUBURBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

OUT & ABOUT

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Graduates 2016

To the Brilliant

of

Remember, Having Rocks in your Head is Simply Brilliant 230 West State Street | Geneva, Illinois | 630.232.2085 www.statestreetjewelers.com M-F 10-6; TH 10-8; Sat 10-5; Sun 11-4 SM-CLS0254574

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