Issuu

LOV E LOCAL

F O O D + B E V E R AG E

PA STRY CH EF TO PRACTI CE H ER CRAFT I N L AKE ZU RI CH

F E B R UA RY 2 02 4

LET’S HAVE A HEART TO HEART ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME MAKE YOUR MOVE WITH RENEE CLARK HOMES

WHEN MARKETING MATTERS CONTACT RENEE CLARK HOMES! • FREE STAGING • Custom Tailored Marketing • Local and Global Exposure • Accompanied Showings • Concierge Service from Initial Contact through Final Sale (and longer)

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#1 BROKERAGE IN LAKE COUNTY* | 170+ FIVE STAR ZILLOW REVIEWS | $263M+ IN LIFETIME TEAM SALES^ FOR SALE!

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21061 N Andover Rd, Kildeer

248 Melody Ln, Carpentersville

1521 Sumter Ct, Long Grove

23529 Sanctuary Club Dr, Kildeer

373 Bay Tree Cir, Vernon Hills

A SNAPSHOT OF DECEMBER HOME SALES IN SW LAKE COUNTY** When it comes to selling your home, Renee Clark is simply the best in the business. Her expertise, her marketing skills, etc. are second to none. She sold our home in the dead of a snow filled winter in just a couple of months. I highly recommend her. You will be glad you did. - DT

SUBDIVISION

LIST

Meadowood Estates $1,714,685 Estates of Indian Creek $650,000 Tallgrass $995,000 Braemar $574,900 Lakewood Meadow $699,900 Indian Creek Club $775,000 Wynstone $1,150,000

SOLD

SP:LP LMT BD/BA

SUBDIVISION

$1,790,423 $675,000 $1,010,000 $581,550 $705,000 $780,201 $1,150,000

104% 104% 102% 101% 101% 101% 100%

Flint Creek Farms $989,900 Biltmore $895,000 Hawthorn Woods CC $727,350 Sanctuary Club $975,000 Bishops Ridge $1,175,000 Royal Melbourne $1,500,000 Sanctuary Club $1,100,000

1 7 11 9 5 6 23

4/5.1 4/2.1 4/5.1 4/2.1 4+1/3.1 5/4.0 5/4.2

LIST

SOLD

SP:LP LMT BD/BA

$989,900 $895,000 $727,350 $965,000 $1,150,000 $1,450,000 $1,062,000

100% 100% 100% 99% 98% 97% 97%

2 5 1 28 146 8 10

4/4.1 5/4.2 4/3.1 5/4.0 5/4.1 5+1/5.2 5/4.1

*#1 Closed Sales Volume, Residential Properties (Detached & Attached) from 01/01/2023-12/31/2023. **Broker Metrics, LLC. MLS statistics from 12/01/2023-12/31/2023. All information herein has not been verified and is not guaranteed. Featured properties may not be listed by the agent/office providing this data. Supplied by Renee Clark, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. ^MRED, LLC, based on closed sales data, 01/01/2003 - 12/31/2023.

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Why Love Local Matters Sometimes February feels like a forced Hallmark greeting card moment. No offense to February 14, but shouldn’t every day of the year be right for expressing sentiments of love and care? With that in mind, this month we celebrate Love Local... the people, places and things that make living, growing and thriving in Lake County so special. Looking for a new favorite coffee shop? We sent out Graham Blus, one of our regular contributors, in search of new spots serving a toasty cup of coffee and perhaps a sweet treat or two. Graham came back with evidence of five spots to check out. We are smitten by Jenn Duke’s pastry skills and wish her much success as she embarks later this year on her own entrepreneurial journey as the proprietor of Après Pastry & Bakery, a new shop opening in downtown Lake Zurich. There’s nothing like reading a page-turner of a novel while sipping a cup of coffee. Deer Park’s Ray Franze has written a historical novel – his first – about the little known but highly influential mob scene in suburban Chicago Heights that had a significant impact for decades. Our own Editor and Chief Photographer, Stephen Neilson, a creator of so many memorable photos featured here on these pages, shares some insights on what he looks for in making outstanding photography. Looking for a restaurant for a Valentine's Day reservation? Be sure to check out this month's City List. So, this month while we teeter between the chill of Winter and the excitement of Spring, we hope you’ll be inspired to take a moment to come together with the people in your life. The ones in your home and on your street. In your neighborhood and your community. We’ve always believed that what we can do together is so much more than what we can do apart. And we continue to see that demonstrated through the stories we tell month after month.

MICHAEL BEIGHTOL, PUBLISHER @SWLAKELIFESTYLE

February 2024 PUBLISHER

Michael Beightol | michael.beightol@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Stephen Neilson | stephen.neilson@citylifestyle.com STAF F W R I T E R

Christina Sikorski CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michael Beightol, Graham Blus, Stephen Neilson, Christina Sikorski C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Graham Blus, Tim Elliott, Stephen Neilson, Kasia Vetter

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 SW Lake Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the SW Lake area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/SWLAKE

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in SW Lake Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Timing is Everything. Why wait for the spring market when you can take advantage of the current demand and low inventory? You need an expert to guide you and an advocate on your side. By listing your home now, you can stand out in a less crowded market and attract serious buyers who are eager to make a move. Don’t miss the opportunity to capture the attention of motivated purchasers before the spring surge. Inventory of Homes for Sale 2023 6,699 6,519 6,235

February

March

April

*Barrington and Surrounding Areas *All data from Midwest Real Estate Data LLC as of 12/14/23.

Scan the QR code below to check your home value! Heidi Seagren Founding Agent • Barrington Top Producer for 27 Years 847.306.0600 heidiseagren@compass.com Seagren Fine Homes is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

inside the issue FE B RUA RY 2 0 2 4 | LOV E LO CA L

26 16

Featured

14 16

26 28 6

French Bakery Opening

Later this Spring a New Bakery is Set to Debut, Elevating Downtown Lake Zurich.

New Author Releases Debut Novel Deer Park’s Ray Franze Spins a Fast-Paced Story That’s Never Been Told Until Now.

Love Coffee Local

14 On the Cover

Departments

Jenn Duke and several of her handcrafted baked goods grace our February cover in anticipation of the upcoming opening of her new Après Pastry & Bakery in Lake Zurich, on Old Rand near Main Street.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

City List

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAG E

Local Limelight LIFE + CULTURE

Maker’s Studio PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Local’s Choice FOOD + BEVERAGE

Five Lake County Coffee Shops You’re Gonna Love.

Community Group Shares Hope

The GPF Foundation Spreads the Message of Harm Reduction.

Photography: Stephen Neilson

Inspired By HEALTH + WELLNESS

Events

Ask about our exclusive SW Lake discount!

Trust your neighborhood 360° Painting For all of your painting needs

“Call now for an estimate to lock-in a date to bring your vision to reality.” - Steven (Owner/Operator)

Call 872-259-7840 for a FREE Estimate 360Painting.com/Lake-County

FEBRUARY 2024

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

THE SIDE LOT

STEPHEN NEILSON

2 STEPHEN NEILSON GRINGO SUSHI STEPHEN NEILSON

STEPHEN NEILSON

1: The Side Lot’s unique “NYE Sux!”-themed dinner featured elevated comfort cuisine with well-paired sparklers. 2: Sumptuous Maryland Crab Cakes were served with Mumm sparkling rose’ and sideways-facing antigravity feature. 3: Co-owner Phil Costello (left) w/members of The Side Lot team serving up holiday cheer. 4: Main course: Filet mignon with fried wedge potato and seared green beans. 5: Creme Brulee Cheesecake, served with caramel and the spoon’s swirling reflections of holiday lights/decor. 6: Wauconda’s NYE Ball: a fanciful, Rube-Goldbergian construct of Christmas lights, pegboard & chicken wire. 7: DJ Mikey-Mike pumped up the festive crowd welcoming in New Year’s Day 2024.

Want to be seen in the magazine? TA G Y O U R I N S TA G R A M P H O T O S W I T H @ S W L A K E L I F E S T Y L E

C I T Y SC E N E

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FEBRUARY 2024

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Student Summer Adventures Start Here

Changing of the Guard at Lake Zurich Chamber

Kids can discover stories of where we live through hands-on education programs from the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Registration opens March 1 for Summer Adventures led by experienced educators who prioritize safety, inclusion and experiential learning. For high-schoolers there’s a two-week outdoor program, culminating with an overnight camp-out, to study ecosystems. For younger students, there’s “Fossils to Ferns” about the natural and human history of the county. Learn more at LCFPD.org.

Bruce Wittmeyer was elected 2024 President of the Board of Directors for the Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce. Wittmeyer, co-owner with his wife, Dawn, of International Hair Designs in the North Lake Commons, succeeds Kent Smith (Byte Outfitters) who replaces Amanda Howland (College of Lake) as Immediate Past President. The mission of the chamber is to help “create a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable business climate that encourages job growth, workforce development and economic prosperity.”

Photography: Tim Elliott, Liz Rose Fisher

Photography: Michael Beightol

Excitement Builds for the Opening of Lago in Lake Zurich Lago, a new restaurant in Lake Zurich conceived by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, promises to deliver a "downtown experience" close to home. Viviani, a Barrington Hills resident, is excited to have one of his restaurants nearby so that he can work in the kitchen, at the bar and among the tables. The menu will emphasize steak, and Viviani promises that the seafood will be unsurpassed, flown in from wherever it’s freshest. Learn more at LAGOLakeZurich.com. Photography: Stephen Neilson

Scan to read more

Want to be featured? G E T I N T O U C H AT C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E . C O M / S W L A K E

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

BE PART OF YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER? UNIQUE MARKETING CONNECTIONS

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Stay on top of legislation relevant to your business and connected ADVOCACY to local officials

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LEADERSHIP Step into leadership roles within the community

Opportunities to help with community events & meet new people

847.438.5572 WHERE YOU BELONG www.lzacc.com FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

PICKS FOR

VE L OCAL B U

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

CITY LIST

the

R OU

Art Gallery Absurd Art Gallery theabsurdartgallery.com | 224.662.4817 Kaleidoscope Gallery & School Of Art kaleidoscopeschoolofart.com | 847.381.4840 Mainstreet Gallery mainstreetartcenter.com/gallery/gallery_home.htm | 847.550.0016 The Starline Factory starlinefactory.com | 815.943.4805 Hapi Art hapiart.com | 773.658.9356

Restaurants D&J Bistro dj-bistro.com | 847.438.8001 Bacchus Nibbles bacchusnibbles.net | 847.438.3212

Want to suggest a monthly pick? G E T I N T O U C H AT CIT YLIFEST YLE .COM/SWL AKE

C I T Y LIST

North Point Kitchen + Bar northpointkitchenbar.com | 224.662.4178 Francesca's Famiglia of Barrington miafrancesca.com | 773.334.8368 DiPiero's Ristorante dipierosrestaurant.com | 847.438.3253

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KNOWLEDGE. EXPERIENCE. COMMITMENT.

Estate Planning, Probate & Contested Estates • Real Estate Tax Appeals Asset Protection • Strategic Business Planning & Solutions 1699 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 400, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

(847) 466-5280 THE WINKLER GROUP LLC

winkler-law.com

THOMAS W. WINKLER JD, CPA, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Accredited Estate Planner (AEP)

remodeling services

224-634-8210 NW Suburbs

www.briggs.design

Your source for stunning Amish-handcrafted cabinetry, made right here in Illinois! FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

ARTICLE BY MICHAEL BEIGHTOL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN NEILSON

LATER THIS SPRING A NEW BAKERY IS SET TO DEBUT, ELEVATING THE DOWNTOWN LAKE ZURICH SCENE.

FRENCH BAKERY OPENING 14

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

She had me at the macaroons. Delightfully colorful. Light, almost airy with a satisfying crunch to the outer shell followed by a not too sweet meltin-your-mouth creaminess.

Bakery (an independently-owned artisan bakery focusing on hand-hewn, naturally-fermented breads & pastries) and a year at Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie in Barrington. Significantly,

FOR A TREAT OR SPECIAL OCCASION, JENN DUKE’S BAKERY WILL APPEAL TO EVERYONE. Jenn Duke, a 30-something mom and Lake Zurich resident, is busy planning for the opening of Après Pastry & Bakery. It will be right next door to Lake Zurich Florist on Old Rand Road (near Main Street). Duke’s first foray as an entrepreneur represents an early career change for her. A 2009 grad from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), she used her communications training to first work as a public relations and marketing associate in the healthcare and consulting industries. A hankering for a career change led her to the French Pastry School. Founded in 1995 and located in downtown Chicago, it’s the only major culinary school in North America dedicated to all things sweet and baked. Duke continued her education with internships, working two years at Hewn

to further establish her French credentials, Duke also served as a stagiaire at Pierre Hermé in Paris. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, Duke is preparing for the grand opening of Après this spring. Right now her days are busy with requisitioning equipment and furnishings, designing marketing and staff uniforms, and refining recipes for her French-focused approach to baking. Duke is even planning some Asian influences as an homage to her family heritage. When her bakery opens, expect a warm and welcoming place, perfect for a sweet treat while visiting with friends or for picking up a fresh croissant or a special order. To learn more about Après Pastry & Bakery follow them on social media or visit them at ApresPastry.com.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BEIGHTOL

NEW AUTHOR RELEASES DEBUT

novel

DEER PARK’S RAY FRANZE SPINS A FAST-PACED STORY THAT’S NEVER BEEN TOLD UNTIL NOW.

It was the summer of 1913 and the Heights, 30 miles south of the Loop was booming. Three thousand Italians made up 30% of the Sal Liparello is a character straight out of central casting. A student at the school of hard knocks. A peer to Capone, Accardo and Giancana with an underworld empire that stretches from Illinois to California. He’s the kingpin of vice from Chicago Heights. Never heard of him? That’s because Sal is the protagonist in The Heights, the first novel by Deer Park’s Ray Franze. But wait, Chicago Heights? Thanks to 30 years of research and scouring 5000 pages of FBI files, Franze

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L I FE + CU LT U RE

town’s population, having left the poverty of southern Italy, drawn to the growing steel and railroad industries in Chicago Heights.

Ray Fra nze

Autho r

has shed light on the significant role played by little-known, publicity-averse gangsters from Chicago Heights. Franze’s novel is based on the true story of an Italian immigrant who ruthlessly fought his way into the top echelon of the Chicago mob and expanded organized crime across the West. It’s a story one reviewer called “more fact than fiction.” Another review proclaimed that The Heights “deserves to be in the same conversation as The Godfather.” It’s a whale of a tale by a first-time novelist, but it’s something that Franze said he came by naturally. His parents were both originally from Chicago Heights, and like many from their era, stories about the mob influence in their hometown were very common. Many families either had family connections to the underworld or were mob-adjacent. Growing up and hearing bits and pieces of adult conversations, Franze said “There were always stories about the mob and family and friend connections.” For Franze, writing The Heights was a creative itch that needed to be scratched; and besides, “the influence of Chicago Heights’ own homegrown mob is a fresh take on another branch of the mob in Chicago’s history.” He also believed that this was a great story waiting to be told because of its cinematic qualities across a long sweep of the 20th century. Franze said that to get the story told he needed either a screenplay or a novel. He elected to write a novel as a kind of personal challenge: “I wanted to see just how far I could take this idea. I still don’t think of myself as a creative. Sure, I’ve written a book and my efforts have been validated by a publishing company, but it is still kind of a pinch-me-moment that I’m living right now.” After putting the finishing touches on his manuscript, Ray considered taking the vanity press route, meaning having his book published in limited quantities and relying mostly on wordof-mouth and online fulfillment to sell it. He discarded that idea quickly because he wanted to see if an independent publishing company would see the sales potential for the story. “In the long run, working with an editor to refine the CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

“I wanted to see just how far I could take this idea. I still don’t think of myself as a creative. Sure, I’ve written a book and my efforts have been validated by a publishing company, but it is still kind of a pinch-memoment that I’m living right now.” book, and then getting validation from my publisher, Blue Handle Publishing, that my book is good enough for them has been an incredibly valuable lesson for me.” Franze is a realist, however, who has no plans on retiring anytime soon from his 30-year career as a trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange where he met his wife, Nicole. Franze, 51, grew up in Arlington Heights, and after high school earned a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. As a kid, he had relatives in Barrington and was familiar with the area. “If we were going to live in the suburbs, we wanted it to be in the Barrington area,” Franze said. He and Nicole have lived in Deer Park for 19 years raising three daughters (ages 15, 17 & 19). The Heights is likely not Ray’s only project. He says he is kicking around at least six other ideas, including a comedic screenplay on growing up in the northwest suburbs. The Heights is available on Amazon or BookShop.com.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L I FE + CU LT U RE

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1 20

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | P RO FE SSION AL SE RVICE S

T H E A R T OF T H E E V E RY W H E R E PHOTO Finding Real Life Inside Your Camera

Photos happen for any old reason these days, now that everyone’s packing many megs of pixels in their pockets under the hood of their smartphone. Call it blessing, call it curse, but it’s definitely in our best interest to take a bit of control, and learn to make some truly good photos… or even better, photos we’ll want to look at, share, and enjoy for years to come. Whether you’re a social media toe-dipper or deep-diving devotee’, you’ll be rewarded when you regularly see signs of “real life” coming from your camera. Here are a few tips (highlighted in bold) you might find helpful, paired with some of my favorite shots to illustrate.

Photo 1 (at left): For live shots of someone in action at their craft, try taking them somewhere unusual. Steve Gritman (fiddler extraordinaire) and I drove around till we saw a solitary scraggly tree in a poorly fenced-in field, with the sun beaming through its branches; one clambered-over fence later, and voila’. We featured a black-and-white version of this photo on a previous SW Lake cover a few years back and received a reader message about “the man firing a rifle.” That was just proof positive that everybody interprets images differently. When taking your own photos consider shooting from unusual angles; here, I was

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ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN NEILSON

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

lying on the ground shooting up through Steve through the tree, into the sun — usually a no-no, but here it created the cool lens flare beaming down on Steve… hence one more tip: break some rules and see how it goes. Photo 2 (following page top left): Couple things here: for staged shots, try building a tableau. Sometimes, more is more. Why not have your friend serenade Santa on his guitar, along with all his stuffed North Pole friends? No props, you say? Visit a place with plenty, as we did here at TreeTime Christmas Creations in Lake Barrington with singer/songwriter Pat McKillen. Also, echoing the unusual angles tip: shooting this from 12 feet up a ladder brought in the scope of the store and its festive holiday trimmings. Photo 3 (top right): Learn how to put your camera in shutter priority mode (yes, even your phone’s camera) to capture fast action; it was a literal kick catching Linda Donner from Restoration Fitness in mid-air. Even my 125 frames/second setting still left some motion blur which luckily added even more drama to the photo. Photo 4 (lower left): Use helpful accessories. Here, Jenn Duke (see the article about her new bakery on page 14 of this issue) is shot from directly above, using a monopod gripping my iPhone 14 Pro Max tilting straight downward, with remote viewscreen and triggering via my Apple Watch. The top-down shot lends a kind of geometric Zen to her delicious-looking baked goods display. Photo 5 (lower right): Try Portrait Mode in iPhones to greatly increase editing power later. Computational photography has come a long way. Using iPhoto to edit at home, I easily kept the couple and the baked goods both in crisp focus while the background gently blurs. Alternatively, not choosing a specific focal point can leave the entire depth of field rendered with unusual clarity. And afterwards, spend a little extra time with your editing app (whether on your computer or

your phone itself) to neaten up (not “phony” up) your image. Crop in on your subject(s). Straighten an image clearly clashing with the horizon, ceiling lines, etc. Adjust the lighting if needed. Most of all, don’t overdo it. Learn your app’s basic editing tools so you’re not leaning on “filters” all the time. Photo 6 (next page, top): When you’re in oddly-lit settings with strobes/colored lights and the like, you might think to cut through by using a flash, but instead how about using Burst Mode to increase the odds of getting some shots that work. Against all odds, this shot of Wauconda Wildside’s Gringo Sushi in mid-vocal rode the visual tsunami of light flashes and background Halloween decorations to an appropriately-raging-red color tone and clean expressive focus on the subject. Photo 7 (bottom): For group shots, my motto is, “Go for the combo plate.” First, get a few “straight” shots in hand, then release the hounds for a set of semi-coached or simply spontaneous "go crazy everybody” shots, like at this “Day of the Dead” bike ride at Main Street Outfitter. Yell “Freeze” when maximum mayhem is achieved. Rinse and Repeat. Again here, burst mode and faster shutter speeds are your friend. I look forward to you trying out a few of these tips, and taking advantage of the huge amount of helpful (and often free) photography and photo editing tools, tutorials and resources available at your local library, online, and elsewhere. About the Author: Stephen Neilson is SW Lake’s Editor and Chief Photographer. His more than 27 years of experience at a Fortune 100 company in training, communications, and employee engagement provided a solid foundation of photo and video skills. Contact Stephen at 847.487.7464 to discuss event, personal, or corporate photography or videography opportunities.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | P RO FE SSION AL SE RVICE S

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BV FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

Love Coffee Local FIVE L AKE COUNT Y COFFEE SHOPS YOU’RE GONNA LOVE.

1 / Area Coffee. When you are ready to break away from Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, I found five great locally owned coffee shops you may want to check out this month. 1/ For a great start-me-up, especially for folks in or around Mundelein, you've gotta check out the giant Instagram-ready mural outside Area Coffee. Inside, enjoy coffee, tea and goodies in a playful atmosphere. 18 E. Park Street; Area-Coffee.com. 2/ Just steps from the Libertyville train station is Hansa Coffee. The aroma of roasting coffee is intoxicating as local workers and students tap away on laptops. 755 N. Milwaukee Avenue; HansaCoffee.com.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | FO OD + BE VE RAGE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRAHAM BLUS

2 / Hansa Coffee.

3 / Long Grove Coffee Co.

4 / Blu Fig Cafe.

5 / Pepper Park Coffee.

3/ Long Grove Coffee Co. by the stoplight downtown has comfy seating and wooden tables for spending time with friends while sipping a coffee and nibbling something sweet. 126 Old McHenry Road; @LongGroveCoffeeCo. 4/ Long Grove’s Blu Fig is quaint with amazing bagel breakfast sammies. I can’t wait for warm weather to sit outside and enjoy the view. 225 Robert Parker Coffin Road; BluFigCafe.com. 5/ Pepper Park in Lake Barrington has coffee, tea, baked goods and a great space to relax or get some work done. In a hurry? Use the drive-thru! 22000 N Pepper Road; PepperParkCoffee.net. FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

Community Group Shares Hope THE GPF FOUNDATION SPREADS THE MESSAGE OF HARM REDUCTION.

It was the kind of news no parent wanted to hear that changed the lives of Nancy and Ross Friedman. Their son Greg, a vibrant and successful 27-year-old, had passed away. The events leading up to Greg’s death in 2017 have since propelled the Lake County couple, with loving support from family and friends, to help other families avoid the same kind of tragedy they experienced. The Friedmans co-founded the GPF Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to saving lives by supporting education, appropriate treatment and overall awareness of the dangers related to recreational drug use. The Foundation operates on parallel and complementary tracks: Provide education to allow young adults to learn about the risks associated with recreational drug use, and develop research-driven training tools for first-responders, medical students, physicians, and doctors. In the years since its founding the GPF Foundation has made considerable strides, including: • Developing harm reduction community events held on college campuses, as well as in coffee shops, high school classrooms and suburban living rooms. • The launch of a training program, shared via a medical simulation app, to teach medical personnel and med school students how to correctly diagnose and treat patients suffering from drug-induced psychosis. To date, nearly 140,000 nurses, doctors and students have completed the online class, thanks to a partnership between the GPF Foundation and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science.

ARTICLE BY MICHAEL BEIGHTOL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRAHAM BLUS

I NSP IR E D BY | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

• Publication of research articles in medical journals and periodicals, including a special issue of the medical journal, Pediatric Annals, so that pediatric and adolescent health care providers have practical knowledge to perform substance-use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment to help reduce drug-related morbidity and mortality among adolescents. • The debut of a first responder training program in Lake County that helps police, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians identify when a patient is having a drug-induced medical crisis. To date, the training has been held at Glencoe Public Safety, Mundelein Police Department and C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) of Lake County. A long-time partner is Lake County’s only medical college, Rosalind Franklin University, where every year a new class of Foundation Fellows are selected to work on scientific projects, as well as lead training programs. Interns are also selected annually, drawn from campuses that include Lake Forest College and University of Wisconsin (Madison). This year the GPF Foundation is developing new programs, including gamifying a training program to spread the word about harm reduction to gamers and young adults so that they are fully aware of the risks from recreational drugs. The Foundation’s main fundraiser is an Annual Event held each of the last six years (including a virtual event during the pandemic shutdown). In 2023 the theme was “An Evening of Enlightenment” that featured a keynote address by author Don Winslow, the winner of many writer’s awards who has seen his novels turned into TV series and motion pictures. Of note is Winslow’s border trilogy, a collection of novels that examine the devastating impact that the cartels have had on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border.

CONTINUED >

“The GPF Foundation is a Lake County based not-for-profit that is dedicated to saving lives through harm reduction efforts, both educational and medical.” Left page: Nancy and Ross Friedman, co-founders of the GPF Foundation This page: Michael Beightol and Don Winslow at the GPF Foundation 6th Annual Event

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

“To date, nearly 140,000 nurses, doctors and students have completed an online class based on Greg Friedman’s case, thanks to a partnership between the GPF Foundation and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science.”

Winslow captivated the audience of 200 supporters with a nuanced talk that reflects his heavily researched novels best described as fact-based fiction. Topics ranged from the War on Drugs, the impact of drug adulterants such as fentanyl, and the importance of grassroots local organizations, including the GPF Foundation. Prior to his appearance at the Sixth Annual Event, Winslow spoke with a local journalist in a Zoom interview: “Pessimism isn’t an option,” he said. “I do see hope and I see it in a lot of places. I see tremendous hope in the coming generations. I see hope in the sort of organizations {that include the GPF Foundation} that are looking at a problem, tackling it fearlessly and with honesty and openness. So, these are all reasons for hope. So yeah, I’m optimistic about the future.” Learn more by visiting GPFFoundation.org, including seeing an exclusive 4-part video interview series with Don Winslow.

Don Winslow's presentation captivated the crowd.

I NSP IR E D BY | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S W L A KE

FEBRUARY 2024

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S A LL M ON T H LO N G

Dark Side of the Moon 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's classic album in an immersive setting at the Grainger Sky Theater. Enjoy all 10 tracks starting at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, and 9:10 p.m. Wednesday. Visit AdlerPlanetarium.org for ticket information, and remember that the museum is free for Illinois residents on Wednesdays. F EB RUA RY 4 T H

Sweetheart Dance in the Barn 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods | 6:00 PM For parents, grandparents and children ages 3 to 9; wear your favorite dress or suit and tie while dancing the night away on date night. Snacks will be available, and registration in advance is required. Presented at the Barn at the Village of Hawthorn Woods. Find more info at VHW.org. F EB RUA RY 1 0 T H

Cocoa Crawl Pepper Road in Lake Barrington | 1:00 PM Enjoy visiting shops and dining establishments in Lake Barrington while sipping hot cocoa along the way. This is a ticketed event that includes a map, souvenir mug, free treats and raffle prizes. Presented by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more and sign up at BarringtonChamber.com. CONTINUED >

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Morris Day and The Time 1476 Miner Street, Des Plaines | 8:00 PM Morris Day played an essential role in the Twin City dance-club scene of the 1980s. A founding member of Prince’s band, he remained with the group until 1984 when he launched his solo career. Presented by Onesti Entertainment at the Historic Des Plaines Theatre across from the Metra Station. Tickets at DesPlainesTheatre.com. F EB RUA RY 1 5T H

Elephino Trivia at The Side Lot 110 Slocum Lake Road, Wauconda | 7:30 PM Join MC Hill for another legendary edition of Elephino Trivia. Bring your team, crew or posse to enjoy some great food and drink and try not to be stumped by the brilliance of Hill's humor and good cheer. Hosted by The Side Lot gastropub. Thursday night food and drink specials are available; call (847) 865-0281 for details, or visit TheSideLot.com. F EB RUA RY 1 6T H - M A RCH 30TH

James and the Giant Peach 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire A boy discovers a magical world as he starts a great journey, all within a super-sized piece of fruit. This special children's theater production of the Roald Dahl classic is just one hour long; children can quickly meet the cast and ask questions after the show. Presented by the award-winning Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre. Learn more and purchase tickets at MarriottTheatre.com. F EB RUA RY 1 8T H

Goodbye Yeller Brick Road 203 N. Genesee Street, Waukegan | 7:00 PM Be ready to laugh with Lewis Black, a Grammy-award winning comic for the final show of his “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road” tour. This show includes adult-themed content. Presented at the Genesee Theatre. Read more and purchase tickets at GeneseeTheatre.com. F EB RUA RY 1 9 T H

Great North American Eclipse Online | 7:00 PM Get ready for the next solar eclipse on April 8 by learning about eclipses, how to view them safely, and where and when is the best place to watch from. Presented by the Ela Area Public Library. Learn more about this online event by visiting EAPL.org. F EB RUA RY 2 0 T H

New York Times Bestselling Author Julia Quinn Online | 7:00 PM Talk romance this month with a discussion about Bridgerton and the beloved characters created as part of Julia Quinn’s world. This online program is in conjunction with the Illinois State Library and the Barrington Area Library. Learn more at BALibrary.org.

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