MARCH 2011
WHEATON/GLEN ELLYN
Arrival Week of March 1, 2011

PICKET FENCES
This month we celebrate the many beautiful homes in the community - inside & out! Residents all over town will enjoy reading about their neighbors and learning what it is that make their home so sweet....

LOCAL REMODELING: Big Results in Little Time
Sometimes a room needs more that a coat of paint. Outdated appliances, sagging cabinets and poor use of space are just some of the reasons local homeowners give for undergoing a home remodeling job. Here are three stories of successful projects in local homes.
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7 SPECTACULAR: Steps to Beautiful Curb Appeal
Set the tone of your entire home by making that first view an inviting one. From adding accessories and going green, to investing in home improvement, you can improve visual beauty and add to homeowner enjoyment when you follow these 7 SPECTACULAR STEPS TO BEAUTIFUL CURB APPEAL:
> Complete List

HEALTHFRONT: Against the Odds
29-year Old Aneurysm Patient: Doctors Say Recovery "is a Miracle" A coyote had been lurking near the parking lot of the Naperville florist supplier where Elin Inorio works. One November evening, the coyote was back, so Inorio accepted a co-worker's offer to walk her to her car. She collapsed before she got there. Without any apparent warning, a blood vessel in the young woman's brain had ballooned and burst. Her co-worker was there to call 911.> Full Story

ENTERTAINMENT: In & Around Town This Past Month
Check Out What's Happening in the world of arts & entertainment in Wheaton & Glen Ellyn > Full Story

WINE CRITIQUE: The Forgotten Region
On a recommendation, I tried Boutari Santorini '08 from Greece. Before I get into that I realize wine from Greece is not very main-stream. Why is that? It's enjoyable and affordable! Yet you tend to find these wines standing up in a forgotten corner almost collecting dust at some big box liquor stores.
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PORTRAITS: The Art of the Playroom
Adults can be kids again as they set up a dollhouse, lay out the train track or become a superhero while they play with their children. These parents created spaces for their children dedicated to play, the true business of childhood.
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RESIDENT RECIPE SHARE: Inviting All Ages into the Kitchen "The two biggest reasons that people give for not cooking is that they are intimidated by recipes and they don't have time," says Downers Grove mom, Kristi Fera. "Both are not valid reasons. There are plenty of simple recipes that can be done quickly." Kristi has a background in food service training and also teaches classes for adults and children through the Downers Grove Park District. She continually challenges adults to eat healthier by preparing their own meals. "If you don't like an ingredient like asparagus, leave it out or put something else in its place. You can change recipes and make new ones," she says.
> Full Story

SPLENDID CHEF: Russell Brenza of Delectable Dining
For those who enjoy good food but just cannot decide which restaurant to go to, Russell Brenza has the answer. The personal chef, and owner of Delectable Dining, will come to your home with all the food and equipment you need for a delicious meal. He'll prepare, cook and serve a romantic dinner for two or a large dinner party.
"You can actually save a lot of money," says the Naperville based chef. "It's comparable to eating out but can be a lot less expensive."
Prices range from $12 a head to $22 for a lavish menu like lobster and beef tenderloin.> Full Story

RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH: Famous Beef Is Famous Once More Phil Lombardi knew it was time to make his dream come true when he drove by the empty storefront in Wheaton. It was time to bring back Lombardi's Famous Beef, a company his father Mike Lombardi founded in 1953. "He opened a store on Grand and Pulaski in Chicago and the big seller was the Italian beef. He had so many requests for catering and from restaurants wanting to sell his beef, he changed his focus to manufacturing and catering," recalls Phil.
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BOUTIQUE OF THE MONTH: Making A Room Look Complete Even after painting the walls in the exact shade and carefully arranging the furniture, a room does not always look complete. Look again at the design magazine where you got your inspiration and note the carefully placed pillows, the bold painting on the wall and the fascinating sculpture on the shelf. Accessories are the final pieces needed in a room to make the design complete.
> Full Story

MOM'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK: Westmont Yard
Just when the kids might be climbing the walls from the long winter, Westmont Yard saves the day with its vast and very affordable recreational solutions for all ages.
Open Monday through Friday for open playtime hours, Westmont Yard Indoor Sports Complex offers regulation size sports fields, a playroom, and a five level play structure for open play. I went there recently with kids ranging in age from 2 to 12 and miraculously every one of them was entertained from 10am to 3pm, with a short break for lunch.
> Full Story

HAPPY WITH GRUMPY, MONTHLY HUMOR COLUMN BY HILARY DECENT: Cold Comfort It's funny how quickly you can grow to hate a house. We have a deal. I agree to keep it clean and in return, our house keeps me cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Well I'm now suing it for divorce. In the depth of a super cold spell, cold even for Chicago, the house let our furnace die. Had the house left me for another younger owner I wouldn't have minded so much. But to leave us in the cold in the depths of winter is unforgivable. > Full Story

WONDERFUL WOMEN: Two Sisters & a Shovel
Two sisters who grew up loving to garden with their family have blossomed into business owners. Maureen (Brassil) Bulwan and Kathleen (Brassil) Finckle are Two Sisters and a Shovel - a female only gardening company in Glen Ellyn.
"There is nothing we can't do," says Maureen. "We've built an English stone wall out of huge boulders. "Maureen says some clients prefer female gardeners.
"They can relate to us and we are more communicative," she said. "We let them know what we are doing and they know they can trust us." > Full Story

CODE CHIC: Pretty Things for Pre-Spring
I can't help it. Before the first crocus pops out of the ground, I'm thinking about spring fashion. It's simply irresistible: the cheery colors, the lighter layers, the (slightly) increased exposure that begin to take shape each March all add up to warmer-weather fashion in which it's a delight to indulge.
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CARING & SHARING: Tracey Stills, Look Good Feel Better at Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove
Tracey Stills talks from the heart when she counsels cancer survivors at Good Samaritan Hospital. She knows that although doctors will tell you about your condition, they don't always have time to discuss the side effects of treatment. She knows what it's like for a woman to lose her hair and develop a sardine-like taste in her mouth after chemotherapy. She knows the anguish of having to tell your daughter or mother that you are sick.
> Full Story

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