Glancer Magazine, September 2022 : simplebooklet.com

FALL MOOD Kicking Off the Season with a Fall Preview This month we’re celebrating local events, shopping, dining and more as the community kicks off the fall season. Our pages feature must-visit shops, restaurants and autumn-themed events happening throughout the western suburbs, giv-ing readers a preview of all that’s to come locally this season. From pumpkin-themed events to outdoor markets like no other, there’s so much to love this season! Highlights include our newest feature New In Town introducing a new boutique in town and the fabulous localprenuer behind it’s creation. Also featuring 7 Spectacular Not-to-Miss Sunflower Scenes and 10 Trends In Autumn Afternoons, plus many more captivating features you’ll love. Thank you for reading! Lindy Kleivo Founder/Publishing Director Lindy Is Pictured with Her Daughter Madison Who Just Went Off to CollegeSEPTEMBER 20225 Hello From Glancer Magazine 7 5 Things to Do 9 Shop Hop: a Fun Fall Shopping Event 10 10 Trends In Autumn Afternoons Around Town 12 New In Town: The Founder of Dash of Nash 15 Literary Local: Meet this Glen Ellyn Author 16 Dining & Cocktails: Wild Wild West & More 20 Chicago Style: World Music Festival 22 On Stage: Dreamgirls at The Paramount 23 Shop Gallery Featuring the Hottest Shops 34 Unique In Suburbia: Nettle Creek 36 Fall Preview: A Guide to All Things Autumn 47 Health Spotlight: Microneedling for the Scalp 48 To Give, To Inspire: Love Purse 51 Anti-Aging Local Expert Katie McManigal 52 Women Inspired: A Passion for Theatre 56 Trendy Traveler: 8 Family Fun Destinations 59 2022 Wedding Guide 66 Mom’s Little Black Book: Grilling Fun! 69 Creating Your Dream Kitchen 70 Million Dollar Listing: On the River In Geneva 71 Cabinetry & Design Extraordinairre 76 Kid Stuff: The Alice In Wonderland Experience 82 7 Spectacular Not-to-Miss Sunflower Scenes TABLE OF CONTENTST E A M G L A N C E R PUBLISHER Glancer Magazine, Inc. PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Lindy Kleivo EDITORIAL | Print + Digital Kristen Kucharski Columnist / Writer Mindy Kyle Columnist / Writer Brianna Bartemeyer Features Writer SALES / MARKETING Lindy Kleivo Publishing Director PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Catuara Features Photographer P U B L I C A T I O N S GLANCER MAGAZINE A West Suburban Chicago Lifestyle Magazine Featuring the Best of West Suburban Chicago for Communities In DuPage, Kane & Kendall GLANCERMAGAZINE.COM A Hyper-Local Daily Features Site Highlighting On Trend Stories for Communities In DuPage, Kane & Kendall GLANCER GO-TO GUIDE Highlighting Local On Trend Events + Deals for For Communities In DuPage, Kane & Kendall C O N T A C T U S EDITORIAL Press Releases, Local Events, Community News editorial@glancermagazine.com ADVERTISING Digital Advertising + Local Marketing Solutions advertising@glancermagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Monthly Download + Daily Digital www.glancermagazine.comGlancer® Magazine, highlighting the best of DuPage, Kane & Kendall Counties, is produced by Glancer® Magazine, Inc. Glancer Magazine, GlancerMagazine.com. You’ve Been Glanced® and the Glancer® logo are registered trademarks of Glancer Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Maga-zine reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. SEPTEMBER 2022 | Vol 16, Issue 201 FALL MOOD Celebrating local events, shopping, din-ing and more as the community kicks off the fall season. Featuring must-visit shops, restaurants and autumn-themed events happening throughout the west-ern suburbs, this month’s pages give readers a preview of all that’s to come locally this season. Subscribe for daily, weekly and monthly updates at www.GlancerMagazine.com ©Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved Glancer Magazine, Inc. SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 22002222®Glancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 5

Page 6

Page 7

5 Things to Do AUTUMN 2022 2 Fall Colors Kayak Tour SEPTEMBER 24 4pm 3pm AURORA to BATAVIA This guided fall kayak tour down the tree lined Fox River offers the best view of the warm fall foliage Stops along the way include local favorites such as the Cave of the Spirit in Red Oak Nature Center and the bald eagle s nest at Mooseheart School and Harner s Bakery All skill levels 99 www howlingwolfe com guided 1 Oktoberfest 3 Graham s 33rd Annual Wine Chocolate Tasting SEPT 30 OCTOBER 1 NAPERVILLE Under Naper Settlement s large heated tent guests will enjoy German cuisine local and traditional Oktoberfest beer varieties and a blend of polka and rock music throughout the weekend On Saturday test your strength by participating in our stein holding contest There will also be a variety of lawn games for the whole family Grab your lederhosen and join in on the fun at this German festival www napersettlement org SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10 GENEVA This Wine Chocolate Event is celebrating Graham s 33rd Anniversary this year For 30 years they have been holding this event during Geneva s Festival of the Vine Enjoy Seven Deadly Sins creating a chocolate bite or pastry to go along with each of the sins paired beautifully with the wines we have expertly chosen to compliment them Held at 318 Coffee House on Third Street 4 Fox Fall Fest SEPTEMBER 18 9am 3pm OSWEGO Get in on the fun downtown Oswego at the Annual Fox Fall Fest Artisan Market Vendor Fair Family Fun Games and more Enjoy shopping fun photo opps and exciting fall fun for all ages www oswegochamber org www 318coffeehouse com 5 Whiskey Walks OCTOBER 15 Morton Arboretum LISLE Enjoy a hike and whiskey tasting while learning about the connection between whiskey and oak trees Arboretum experts will fill you in on all things oak during a 45 minute guided hike through the Oak Collection Learn how to identify types of oaks why they re an important part of the local woodlands and why they re so good for the barrels used to produce whiskey www mortonarb org Glancer Magazine SEPTEMBER 2022 WESTERN SUBURBS 7

Page 8

Page 9

VINTAGE SHOP HOP ENCOURAGES SHOPPING SMALL IN YOUR COMMUNITY October 7 & 8 at 350+ Locally Owned Shops, Including Trend + Relic ROSCOE–Thousands of shoppers will converge on northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin once again for the fall edition of the popular Vin-tage Shop Hop™ on Friday and Saturday, October 7 & 8, 2022. The event is a self-guided road trip for vintage and antique lov-ers in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin region to satisfy their ‘vintage’ addiction and support small business at the same time. Typically, between 350 to 400 locally owned vintage shops, antique malls, women’s boutiques, occasional and pop-up shops, home décor, upscale consignment shops and vintage barn sales in the two-state region participate in this one-of-a-kind event. What started with 180 shops eight years ago, the Vintage Shop Hop has increased in popularity with each event. “The past three years in the retail world have been brutal for brick-and-mortar stores. These small business owners sometimes need an economic shot in the arm to boost their sales in a traditionally slow retail season, not to mention the online shopping competition. This event gives shoppers a reason to leave the house to ‘shop small and shop local’, especially during the COVID world we live in today”, say Ann Campos, founder of the event. The idea came to Campos nine years ago after talking with a hand-ful of shop owners in her town who had experienced slow sales dur-ing the then harsh winter. “After spending several years producing large vintage markets, I decided to marry my love of vintage decor with my background in tourism promotion, event planning and mar-keting to come up with a way to reach out and do something for local small business” Campos said, “the result is the Vintage Shop Hop.” Social media has played a huge role in the rapid growth of the event. The event Facebook fan page was launched during the first year and has grown to over 70,000 followers between the company’s three social media pages. “The event was des-tined to grow quickly. Between the shop owners looking for a unique, low-cost way to pro-mote not only their shop but their town too, and then add in shoppers who are excited to have a list of hundreds of fun shops dropped in their lap, you can’t hold them back!” Campos laughed. The event stretches across two states from the Mis-sissippi River on the west to Lake Michigan on the east, goes north to the Stevens Point & Green Bay in Wisconsin and south to I-80 in Illinois. Each shop is required to have an “in-store” promotion for the week-end, and many shops go miles beyond just complimentary refresh-ments (like mimosas and dessert treats). “We encourage the shops to create a day unlike the other 363 days of the year,” say Campos. As a result, shoppers will find fun promotions like “pop a balloon” or “spin the wheel” to determine their discount, door prizes, meet-the-maker, paint demos, live music, food trucks and free swag bags just for stopping in. Others create punch card promotions to get people moving around their region, hire live music and invite food trucks to park in their lots. All shops will be ready and waiting to greet new faces to their store and provide the shoppers with the best in cus-tomer service. Road trip planning for the Vintage Shop Hop is made easy with the interactive Google Map and Master List of Shops. The Google Map includes all shop details that can be accessed on mobile devices while shoppers are traveling the area. The list and map are both found on the event’s blog page 24/7/365 and can be printed off www.vintageshophop.blogspot.com or follow the facebook page at www.facebook.com/VintageShopHopEvent. A direct link to the in-teractive Google Map is here: https://bit.ly/VintageShopHopMap_Oct2022 SHOP HOPGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 9

Page 10

10 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine10TRENDSAutumn Afternoons Around Town Inhale, Exhale, Relax & Enjoy This month we invite you to shop, dine, relax and unwind by spending your autumn afternoons en-joying some of the simpler things our community has to offer– from wine walks and art festivals, to sunset yoga and healing garden. #1 | Be You In St. Charles ST. CHARLES–St. Charles has so many shopping destinations to love. Checkout the Vintage Shop Hop & Store Sale at Trend + Relic in early October where you’ll find unique treasures for the home, boutique pop-ups and more. Other shops to love include The Pep Line for beautiful home designs and Jeans and Cute Top Shop for on trend clothing, accessories & more. www.stcalliance.org #2 | Festival of the Vine GENEVA–Savor the flavor of Geneva during Festival of the Vine September 9-11th and celebrate the autumn harvest. Initially a celebration of anything grown on a vine, the festival now revolves around food and wine in the Flavor Fare Tent, Wine Tent, Beer & Seltzer Options, Austin Cocktails, Entertainment, and other Special Happenings & Events. www.genevachamber.com/festivals-events/festival-of-the-vine/ Mirus, Batavia

Page 11

#3 | Fine Arts Festival DOWNERS GROVE–The Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival will be cele-brating 45 years this fall on September 10th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The fes-tival is held in the middle of award winning, historic, Downtown. Enjoy boutiques, cafes and a children’s art area that will complement the high cal-iber of art that will be present at the show. www.downtowndg.org #4 | Fall Container DIY NAPERVILLE/AURORA–The Growing Place container designers will be on staff to help you create colorful fall containers to spruce up your porch or patio. No registration required for Saturday, September 10th in Naperville, and Sunday, September 11th in Aurora. Sessions at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.thegrowingplace.com #5 | Riverwalk Fine Art Fair NAPERVILLE–Don’t miss the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair 2022 in downtown Naperville on September 17 and 18 from 10am-5pm. Established in 1985, the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is among the top rated art fairs in the nation. Held annually on the prestigious Riverwalk in Naperville, Illinois, the two day event has earned the reputation of being well juried, skillfully organized and very artist friendly. www.napervilleartleague.com #6 | Awakening in Nature Retreat ST. CHARLES–The Healing Gardens at Stone Hill Farm is offering an ex-perience that teaches the concept of using nature as a guide to rediscover what truly energizes you on September 17 at 8:45am. to 3pm. Learn how to use nature as a tool to sustain yourself with the challenges of daily life. Op-tional opportunities journaling, drawing, poetry, time in nature, and small group sharing create a personal practice of mindful living accessible anytime, anywhere. www.healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com #7 | Sunrise Yoga, Mimosa Breakfast, Afternoon Shopping WHEATON–Head to downtown Wheaton on September 25th at 7 a.m. to start your day enjoying fresh air, nature, and good company as NEXT Yoga for an outdoor yoga session. Following the class, head to Egg Harbor Cafe for a fresh mimosa and a delicious breakfast, then make your way to after-noon shopping at cute boutiques like Jeans and a Cute Top Shop. www.downtownwheaton.com/events #8 | Glen Ellyn Wine Festival GLEN ELLYN–Enjoy sipping on 50+ international and domestic specially curated wines while taking in the views of Lake Ellyn and listening to the sounds of Gavin Coyle, a talented musician and Glen Ellyn teacher on September 25th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Plus, enjoy wood-fired pizza from ZZA Baby, a new and upcoming Neapolitan & Chicago inspired pizza bar in downtown Glen Ellyn. Walk away with a keepsake wine glass. www.kozewine.com #9 | Fall Wine Walk NAPERVILLE–Mark your calendar to stroll through Downtown Naperville while tasting a variety of wines and snacks on October 2nd from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy thirteen stops with 1-oz. Pours and a souvenir wine glass. Ticket proceeds benefit Career & Networking Center www.downtownnaperville.com #10 | Sunset Yoga in the Garden SUGAR GROVE–Come unwind in flower gardens for yoga on the farm at sunset. Your experience at the farm will begin with an hour long beginner yoga session and end with time to wander the farm and enjoy a beverage for purchase. Be sure to bring your mat and invite your friends! www.rosewfarm.com Downtown St. CharlesGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 11

Page 12

Page 13

Meet Erica Sebesta, Founder of Dash of Nash, Naperville NAPERVILLE–Erica Sebesta of Villa Park has built her life on trusting in God’s plan, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,'….and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20. With that faith, even in the midst of a major health challenge, she dug her roots and planted Naperville’s Homegrown Honey Bou-tique in November 2016. “It gave me purpose again,” she shares. As the business grew, the business was rebranded in 2022 to DASH OF NASH with a goal to create a unique shopping experi-ence with handpicked clothes and accessories that brings a Dash of Nashville to Naperville! Erica’s personal style is trendy with a twist - edgy with a little coun-try flair. Her go-to fashion accessory is a flat brim hat, which she says truly completes any outfit; and she looks forward to Fall 2022 bringing navy blue hues and of course, prints - checkered, plaids, and plenty of fringe. As a business owner, she believes in charitable giving, and also supports other local establishments such as Empire, or enjoying a good margarita at Fat Rosie's. FALL SHOPPINGGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 13

Page 14

Page 15

by Mindy Kyle Photos SubmittedTom Montgomery Fate The Long Way Home: Detours and Discoveries GLEN ELLYN–Glen Ellyn resident Tom Montgomery Fate, retired College of DuPage English Professor, taught creative writing and literature for more than 30 years. During his tenure educating stu-dents, he also found time to author five creative non-fiction books, including Cabin Fever, a nature memoir and Steady and Trem-bling, a spiritual memoir. This summer’s newly published book, The Long Way Home: Detours and Discoveries, is a travel memoir that follows Fate’s ventures from his small-town upbringing to vastly different cultures around the world. “I am often inspired by what I call framed moments (or images) which are charged with emotion and meaning,” says Fate. “They often have metaphorical implications and can be extended into a story.” With experiences that include praying with Lakota elders in a sweat lodge in South Dakota, canoeing with his son in the freezing rain in Canada and teaching English at a small college in the Philippines, Fate brings the reader through his spiritual journey to a different definition of “home”. Readings and discussions of The Long Way Home are scheduled Sunday, September 11th at the Printers Row Book Festival (11am, Grace Place) and on Sunday, September 18th at the First Con-gregational Church of Glen Ellyn (11am). The Long Way Home is currently available in local bookstores as well as online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. LITERAARRYYlocalKNOW A LOCAL AUTHOR? We’d Love to Meet Them! Introduce Us at editorial@glancermagazine.comGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 15

Page 16

WILD WILD WEST, AN IMMERSIVE DINING EXPERIENCE NAPERVILLE–This ain’t JoJo’s first rodeo, but it is the first time Wild Wild West is coming to Naperville! Think JoJo’s but bigger, badder, and wilder. Wild Wild West is transforming the treehouse into a country hoedown that any cowboy can throw down at. Think colorful cowboy boots, barrels of hay, and more wild western fun. JoJo’s is gonna be the top saloon in town. Don’t miss this unbeatable immersive dining experience. JoJo’s Biggie Shakes have always been outrageous, but get ready for the wildest one yet. The specialty Cowboy Shake. It’s big. It’s bold. It’s wild. For those looking to take the edge off, try a specialty cocktail like the Cowgirl Sangria, a pinot grigio and prosecco blend with lemon, peach, blackberry, and orange bitters, all served in a plastic cowgirl boot. JoJo’s Wild Wild West is for everyone: the parents who need to let loose, kids looking to get wild, and especially those desperate for the perfect fall photo. Saddle up and get loose with friends and family at the wildest event of the season. JoJo’s Wild Wild West will run at both River North and Naperville locations from September 2-September 25, 2022. www.jojosshakebar.comNEXT STOP: NAPERVILLEWEST SUBURBAN DININGDININGDINING + COCKTAILS16 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 17

DINING + COCKTAILSYou’re Invited to Celebrate Whiskey Acres’ Season Finale SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 • 3-8pm DEKALB–Whiskey Acres season is coming to an end. Join them on Saturday, September 24 for their Season Finale! They'll have all of your favorites, along with their special signature Drunken Bourbon Bird Sauce. www.whiskeyacres.com A New Cocktail Bar Inspired by the Energy of Mexico...Yes, Please! CHICAGO–Located on the 7th floor rooftop of The Emily hotel in Chicago, Selva is a new cocktail bar inspired by the energy of Mexico by night. Stylishly moody and intriguingly vibrant, it's here you’ll find an elevated list of handcrafted cocktails that transport you to another place and a menu of casual fare to savor over shared stories and rounds of mezcal. Sip into the sunset with Selva this summer at this brand new rooftop bar! www.emilyhotel.comCCoocckkttaaiillssIf You Love Small Plates, Then You’ll Love Mirus Batavia BATAVIA–Batavia’s newest tapas restaurant is now open serv-ing a globally inspired small plate menu and unique drinks such as a specialty wine list, specialty beers, and their own cocktails including house creations of Aronia Spritz, On Wednesdays We Wear Pink, and Almond Smackaroon. www.mirusbatavia.com Glancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 17

Page 18

Page 19

Page 20

Annual World Music Festival Chicago SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 30 CHICAGO–This city-wide, multi-venue festival is perfect for music lovers and artists! It has a unique blend of different countries and cultures which makes it a great experience for locals and visitors. The festival takes place from September 30 to October 30, 2022 The annual World Music Festival allows you to experience musical acts from around the globe. This free, city-wide fes-tival features over 30 artists from 22 countries at venues around Chicago including Millennium Park and the Navy Pier, bringing even more diversity to Chicago’s already rich per-forming arts scene.This festival, which has been held in Chicago for more than 20 years, embraces well-known stars and emerging artists in genres that range from traditional to contemporary. You can hear everything at the World Music Festival — from Indian classical music to Bulgarian bagpipes and Congolese funk. WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP This year’s schedule includes musical acts from a diverse array of global regions, performing at some of the city’s more unique venues. Here are a few highlights: Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 at Chicago Cultural Center Global Peace Picnic Oct. 1 at Humboldt Park Boathouse World Music Festival Finale Oct. 9 at Navy Pier Chicago StyleCHICAGO STYLEEmbracing Well-Known Stars and Emerging Artists In Many Genres20 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 21

Page 22

NOMINATED FOR 11 TONY AWARDS, INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL AURORA–It’s the 1960s where the sound of Motown is on the rise. Meet the Dreamettes, Effie, Deena and Lorrell, three women trying to break their way onto the music scene. When car salesman Curtis Taylor Jr. signs the three singers to a record label, he sets in motion a series of events that will forever change their lives, for better and for worse. Join the Dreamgirls as they navigate the highs and lows of life, love and fame. And remember, all you gotta do is dream. Now playing at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Suggested for ages 10+, includes some adult language and relationship content. www.paramountaurora.com/events/dreamgirls/Dreamgirls – Risking It All for the American Dream ON STAGE26 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 23

Page 24

Shop Gallery H O M E D E S I G N AS FEATURED IN HGTV MAGAZINE ST CHARLES The Pep Line and Peppeard Design Principal Designer and owner Shannon Peppeard has been working with clients to create amazing spaces in their homes for over 15 years Peppeard Design quickly gained traction in the industry by incorporating Shannon s signature style into clients needs and desires with a livable design Her work has been featured in HGTV Magazine House of Markor Magazine and recently named one of 2021 s My Rowe Designers The Pep Line shoppe is located inside The Collins House one of St Charles oldest buildings and offers a wide variety of home goods including in stock furniture such as sofas ottomans chairs side tables rugs and lighting Pieces of art mirrors greenery planters vases draperies planters kitchen entertaining items including serveware barware seasonal d cor and gifts for her are also part of the collection This allows clients to come in with photos ask questions and walk out with furniture from a large inventory of in stock items or a short 2 3 week turnaround Clients can also choose from a vast drapery line of ten colors two widths six length pinch or euro pleat options The design team works with a variety of styles colors and patterns as well as traditional staples with muted darker colors They help pick out the finishes furniture accessories and help facilitate the design and build to attain a beautiful cohesive end result within budget and scope Shopping opportunities extend to The Pep Van Styling providing an at home experience or Pep Parties with wine and friends Get inspired Shop today Kristen Kucharski The Pep Line Peppeard Design 201 Cedar Avenue St Charles 630 549 7088 www thepepline com www peppearddesign com Photos By Kelly Vanderploeg 24 WESTERN SUBURBS SEPTEMBER 2022 Glancer Magazine

Page 25

Page 26

TWO LOCAL BOUTIQUES FEATURING LIVERPOOL FALL STYLES WHEATON & ST. CHARLES–Jill Card opened Jeans and a Cute Top after years of working in retail and corporate sales jobs, wearing boring suits, un-comfortable panty hose, and predictable white dress shirts. The name was in-spired by her first date with her husband when she asked, “What should I wear?” and her husband replied: “Jeans and a cute top.” When Jill was getting ready for that first date, she didn’t have a great pair of jeans or a cute top in her closet and had to borrow an outfit from her sister, a flight attendant with a much more fun wardrobe. As she got older, Jill couldn’t find any great jeans for women in their 30s and 40s. Stores catered to teenagers or grandmas. The unflattering ‘Mom’ jeans filled in that age gap. Now, in Jill’s closet, you’ll find about 40 pairs of jeans. She has 8-10 pairs in regular rotation. Her go-to, favorite pair is the Gia from Liverpool—the denim is super soft and keeps its shape. Jeans & A Cute Top is the solution for women who don’t want to look ridiculous trying to dress like their daughters but also refuse to settle for shapeless lounge wear. Jill hand selects every item in the store, going to trade shows looking for style over trend, and finding affordable, beautiful clothes that work for all women, not just size 0 models. You will find Jill working the floor of one of her shops every day—she is committed to changing the world for women one great fitting pair of jeans at a time. www.jeansandacutetop.com Expires 9-30-22Shop Gallery26 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 27

Page 28

28 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer MagazineON TREND ESSENTIALS VISIT ONLINE OR IN NORTH AURORA NORTH AURORA–Urban Echo Shop features on trend essentials for the stylish at heart– from clothing and accessories, to home decor, unique furniture, gifts and seasonal trends. Owned by a mom and her daughter in Sugar Grove, Illinois, Urban Echo Shop was created to be an adored virtual hometown boutique where only the latest styles and trends are featured. Residents are in-vited sit back and relax while browsing the shop’s simplified trend col-lections online or shop at The Rustic Fox, where you will find over 120+ unique vendors. Each day is a new day at Urban Echo Shop. ON TREND ESSENTIALS FOR THE STYLISH AT HEART 1790 Town Centre Dr., North Aurora • Vendor #3 • At the EntranceShop Gallery

Page 29

Page 30

DOWNTOWN BATAVIA The Right Dress Can Take You Anywhere BATAVIA–Special Occasions has been charming area residents throughout Chicagoland since 2009 as a premiere destination loca-tion for beautiful gowns, dresses and evening wear. Guests travel from near and far to experience the selection of their dream dress in person, not just online. Upon entry into this beautiful downtown Batavia shop, you are wel-comed by an array of unique dresses that you can touch and feel, of-fering you endless possibilities as you search for your dream dress, along with a knowledgeable stylist who is there to guide you. Here, you will find each season’s most sought after styles and must-have dresses. Founded by Mary Marconi-Popiel in 2009, the shop’s attention to de-tail makes the ordinary more extraordinary, giving you a shopping ex-perience that you will not forget. Special Occasions does not simply sell dresses– this local dress boutique sell dreams! Visit today for your next Special Occasion. Special Occasions 2 N Batavia Ave., Batavia, Illinois (630) 406-1515 www.specialoccasionsontheavenue.com Shop Gallery30 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 31

Page 32

32 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer MagazineOVER 45 VENDORS VINTAGE SHOP SHOP • OCT 7 & 8 ST. CHARLES–trend + relic is an experience that shoppers remember, as this unique multi-vendor marketplace has carefully selected experienced merchants who are artisans, builders, refinishers and painters, boutique owners and more each offering the most special items to adorn your home and make you feel beautiful. The talented merchants work hard to create and curate unique items, both vin-tage and new. Many of the treasures that you will find at trend + relic have been handcrafted including jewelry, candles, furniture & art and they have a variety of clothing & accessories, too. Each of the wonderfully talented merchants have created beautiful spaces in the shop as well as local markets so you will find some of your very favorites here. Owned by Karri and Heather, together they bring years of retail, decorating, de-sign, staging and painting experience to the shop. Their vision was to bring a unique shopping experience to Saint Charles like no other– creating a space that felt inspired, comfortable, friendly and passionate. At trend + relic, we are confident that you will experience all that and more. You will also find monthly paint classes which include ‘How To’ and ‘Make and Take’ workshops. Call the shop or visit to learn about upcoming classes, includ-ing girls night out boutique events THE OUR AUTUMN EVENT August 27 & 28 – Events Happening All Weekend Long! trend + relic, 1501 Indiana Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois • (630) 803-5253 www.trendandrelic.comShop Gallery

Page 33

Page 34

NETTLE CREEK LAVENDER FARM “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.” –Buddha MORRIS–They shed light in darkness. They weather storms. They are vibrant in color and add beauty to their surroundings. They have the unique ability to evoke passion, love, hope, joy, forgiveness and comfort. What are ‘they’? Flowers. In a way, they are our constant through the highs-and-lows … a universal language, grounding us in nature. U-pick farms are beloved destinations that expose us to the sounds, sights and serenity that nature has to offer. And as we’ve learned, slowing down, practicing gratitude and observing our surroundings allows us to reset. Whether its flowers, fruits or vegetables, u-pick farms are the perfect retreat. Nettle Creek Lavender Farm, located in Morris, is a small family-owned-and-operated farm. Once a soybean and corn farm, Nettle Creek now harvests lavender, flowers, herbs, fruits and honey. The 4-acre property includes: lavender fields (1,200 plants - 17 varieties!), cut flowers (annuals and perennials), mini orchard (sour cherries and red raspberries), open-air farmstand, vintage greenhouse, children’s garden, twig pergola and apiary. They offer: u-pick flowers (July-to-frost), u-pick lavender (June-to-July), yoga (June-to-September), pri-vate/group workshops (February-December), farm tours (June-September), fresh flower bouquets (April-to-frost) and honey. They handcraft a variety of products too; all with its own farm-grown lavender and herbs. Be sure to try the lip balm, hand soap and linen spray! Fun is certainly in bloom at Nettle Creek. It’s time to channel your inner farmer, get nostalgic and go back to our roots. Happy pick-ing! UNIQUEby Brianna Bartemeyer Photo Submitted by Nettle Creekin Suburbia34 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 35

Page 36

36 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer MagazinePINOT’S PALETTE Girls Night Out Fun! NAPERVILLE–Fall is here! Plan a GNO. Pinot’s Palette is the best night out in Naperville! It’s a fun-filled, party atmosphere where you and your friends, family or date can talk, laugh, paint and sip. You don't need any art experience – their talented local artists will guide you step-by-step through the night painting. Follow their instructions or go rogue and end up with a one-of-a-kind masterpiece! They also offer Mosaic Classes, Chunky Knit Blankets, Take Home Painting Kits, Virtual Live Streaming, In Studio and Virtual Private Parties! • Aprons and supplies provided • Snacks are welcome • Real wine glasses – no paper or plastic • There’s always rockin’ music Pinot's Palette Naperville 175 W. Jackson Avenue Downtown Naperville www.pinotspalette.com/naperville 2022 AUTUMN PREVIEW

Page 37

Page 38

Page 39

Page 40

40 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBERT 2022 • Glancer MagazineDOWNTOWN DOWNERS GROVE A Fun Season Ahead DOWNERS GROVE–Our variety of small businesses, amazing owners and community support makes downtown Downers Grove the destination it is today. Downtown Downers Grove is continuing to welcome new businesses! Dr. Diva Aesthetics at 5103 Washing-ton Street, Salon Tango at 4956 Main Street & Ellie Mental Health at 5151 Mochel Drive. Orchid Heart Boutique has a new location at 4958 Main Street, Gianna Lauren Lashes and Beauty is relocating to 937 Curtiss Street. Leffelman Meat Center is opening soon at 4952 Main Street. Our Annual Fine Arts Festival will be held Sept. 10-11, 2022. Shop the talented juried artists of a variety of mediums that will line Main Street. Make sure to visit our boutiques, cafes and restaurants while here. Our restaurants and cafes can please every taste bud. Our extended outdoor dining offers many alfresco options in addition to indoor. Learn more about downtown Downers Grove and our Fine Arts Fes-tival at downtowndg.org. Mark your calendar for Girls’ Day Out Sept. 29th! www.downtowndg.org2022 AUTUMN PREVIEW

Page 41

2022 TUMNAUTUMN IN AURORA Pumpkin Weekends AURORA–Every fall, just about the time Mother Nature starts to change her outfit, historical Blackberry Farm and its natural beauty plays host to Pumpkin Weekends – a popular, monthlong event for families to celebrate the sea-son and add memories to the digital scrapbook. Pumpkin Weekends are held every Saturday and Sunday in October, along with Columbus Day, at Blackberry – the Fox Valley Park District’s living history museum, located at 100 S. Barnes Rd. in Aurora. Guests can roam the 52-year-old park, festively decorated in the spirit of pumpkin season, and enjoy hay wagon rides, ponies, paddle boats and the replica steam-engine train. A picnic area will have pumpkins for purchase and an assortment of decorating materials will be provided. www.blackberryfarm.infoGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 41

Page 42

Page 43

Page 44

Page 45

Page 46

Page 47

Microneedling with PRP for Scalp (Hair Restoration) WARRENVILLE–Microneedling and PRP are two different things, but when combined together it can pack a punch at restoring hair growth and creating healthy well-functioning follicles. Microneedling is the process of using fine needles with a very precise tool that penetrates the scalp at the proper depth and intensity in order to induce the formation of collagen, growth factors, and neovasculariza-tion (the formation of new blood vessels) in order to ensure optimal health and circulation at the follicle site. Additionally, the penetration of micro needling opens up micro abrasions on the scalp in order to allow other topical substances that promote hair growth to penetrate more deeply and therefore improve absorption and utilization. PRP is one of those growth substances we can apply to the scalp with microneedling in order to stimulate dermal papilla cells which play a very important role in hair growth. PRP is short for Platelet Rich Plasma. The process involves using a needle to remove a small amount of your blood, and then spinning that blood down to separate the platelets and growth factors from the red blood cells. When applied via microneedling or in-jection, the platelets and growth factors stimulate healing and tissue re-growth. The procedure is safe, quick, and most importantly, effective! We combine the above therapy with red light therapy which helps to stim-ulate and repair the hair follicles, and we often utilize peptide therapy in order to reduce systemic inflammation and stimulate regrowth at the fol-licle. The best way to determine your most effective course of action for hair regrowth is to schedule a consult with one of our functional nurse practitioners to determine the best course of action for your situation spe-cifically. Peak Health Institute 3S517 Winfield Rd, Warrenville (630)791-9335 www.peakhealthinstitute.com HEALTH + WELLNESSGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 47HEALTH SPOTLIGHT

Page 48

Page 49

LOVE PURSE Ladies, how attached are you to your purse? I know I am. There is a sense of security to be able to carry my important personal items with me wherever I go, and if I forget it at home, I feel kind of lost. That feeling is what helped spark the idea of the Love Purse, an organization that helps put purses filled with needed essentials and toile-tries into the hands of women in shelters. “When you have to leave sometimes in the middle of the night because of danger and you just run out, you have nothing,” says Maria Castro, Love Purse’s Founder and CEO of Inspiration. It all started during the pandemic when a close friend of Maria’s that owns a homeless shelter in Chicago needed help with toiletries since the residents could no longer share. Castro quickly went out and bought all the toiletries herself and decided she would put them in a purse to give to the ladies individually. “I thought using a purse helped give dignity and hope to women in distress who found themselves in the shelter,” says Castro. While assembling the purses, she came up with the idea to write notes of inspiration to put in each purse to show the recipient how much they are loved and respected. Now that the love purse donations (thanks to social media) have multiplied and expanded into many shelters, that note is still the most important part of their mission – putting love on the shoulders of women in need, one #LovePurse at a time. Since the organization’s incep-tion, they have donated over 6000 purses and not just in Illi-nois, but in Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada and the Ukraine. “We couldn’t do it without all of our angel ambassadors,” says Cas-tro referring to someone who helps collect donated purses, for example, by having purse parties, toiletry drives, collec-tions at churches and places of employment. “Our angels have become very creative with the different avenues to collect purses, and they are key in ex-panding this mission all over the world.” Love Purse will host its Inaugural Gala and Silent Auc-tion this fall on Thursday, October 6th at the beautiful Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst. The evening will feature keynote speaker Dennis McKinnon (former Chicago Bear), entertainment, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. To find more information on attending or sponsoring the Gala, becoming an angel ambassador or donating to the cause, visit www.lovepurse.org . www.lovepurse.org ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Master of Fine Arts degree in cre-ative writing from DePaul University and is a veteran of Chicago’s theater and commer-cial world as well as a graduate of the Second City Improv School. Mindy lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land. VIEW MINDY’S MONTHLY COLUMN AT www.GlancerMagazine.com/to-give-to-inspire Non-Profit Organization Helps Fill the Purses of Women in Local Shelters with Life’s Everyday Necessities HEALTH + WELLNESSGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 49

Page 50

Page 51

Covid 19 and Hair Loss WARRENVILLE–If you’ve experienced the Covid 19 virus over the past 2 years, around 25% of you have likely experienced hair loss after the virus. Just when you think you’re past the worst and you’ve made it out without lasting damage, this experience can be frustrating, overwhelming, and downright scary. While the hair loss that accompanies Covid is not dan-gerous, hair is part of our identity for many people and it can be unsettling to know if and when it will stop, and if there’s anything you can do about it. Telogen Effluvium is described as a temporary shedding of hair after a major shock to the system. This shock to the system can push the hair follicles into a rest state that precedes the hair falling out. You can lose up to 3 times the amount of hair that you typically lose on any given day. The reason many people’s hair loss may not start for 2 to 3 months after ex-periencing an infection with Covid 19 is that the follicles remain in that resting phase for 2 to 4 months prior to falling out. Many people will regain this hair over time, but much depends on the state of one’s systemic health and oxidative stress (inflammation) heading into the hair loss event. Basically, the worse off your underlying immune and metabolic health is heading into Covid, the worse the hair loss experience can be and the harder it can be to fix. We do recommend ruling out additional root causes such as underlying thyroid conditions or autoimmune disease, as these can also be contrib-utors to hair loss. Once you’ve ruled out additional underlying root causes, you now have two choices. 1) You can wait and see. Many people will begin to see re-growth around the 3 to 6 month mark after the loss completely stops OR 2) you can take an active approach to make sure all systems are opti-mized, follicle health and stimulation is top priority for your system, and systems are in place to optimize hair growth. ABOUT THE WRITER Katie McManigal is a board-certified nurse practitioner who specializes in functional and regenerative medicine. Her mission and passion are in bringing optimal health to each individual she serves. Katie completed her nurse practitioner degree at Purdue University and went on to open Peak Health Institute in Warrenville, IL. Peak Health Institute is a functional medicine and lifestyle clinic devoted to providing residents with the tools needed to optimize their health. Learn more at www.peakhealthinstitute.com HEALTH + WELLNESSLO CA LlndustryEXPERTⓇⓇAnti-Aging LOCAL INDUSTRY EXPERTGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 51

Page 52

Page 53

Co-Founder of BrightSide Theatre, Julie Ann Kornak NAPERVILLE–Julie has been a Naperville resident for the past 25 years and enjoys concerts, eating out, and taking in a good sporting event with her husband, Adam of 25 years. Her three chil-dren. Aidan and Amanda (Freshmen) and Ryan (Senior) attend Waubonsie Valley High School and participate in a wide variety of activities including, Special Olympics, swimming, baseball, musicals, and choir. Growing up, Julie was surrounded by music and took voice lessons early on. She quickly discovered her passion for musical theatre and performed in elementary and high school, ultimately prompting her pursuit of a degree in Human Resources and minor in Theatre. After a successful career, Julie focused on building her family while continuing to participate in music ministry; however, she deeply missed performing and felt an obvious void in Naperville for a pro-fessional theatre. “I wanted to build an artistic home for myself and other artists out in the suburbs, so I co-founded BrightSide Theatre, now in it’s 10th season, and have continued to build our program-ming with our Artistic Director, Jeffrey Cass,” Julie says. “In ad-dition, I continue to sing in six dif-ferent churches in the area and am also the Associate Director of Music at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville.” She lives by the motto Make it Work....somehow, some way! Julie believes anyone can reach their goals in all areas of life with the right mindset! Today, BrightSide Theatre is Naperville’s Only Professional Theatre performing in the Historic Downtown District and is committed to En-lighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. BrightSide Theatre is partially sup-ported and funded by a generous SECA Grant, the DuPage Foun-dation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, and the Naperville Lion’s Club. Don’t miss the 2022-2023 shows: She Loves Me, City of Angles in Concert, The Odd Couple, Gypsy, Sister Act, Jr. www.brightsidetheatre.com Glancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 53

Page 54

Page 55

Page 56

56 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer MagazineTrendY From the sunny beaches of Florida to the mountains of Montana, there are many ideal locations across the country for families and friends to visit together. When traveling with a group, booking a vacation home in these popular destinations allows families to stay under one roof and pro-vides privacy and other family-friendly amenities like kitchens, private pools, backyards and more. To help inspire families to travel and stay together, Vrbo announced its first ever Vacation Homes of the Year. The vacation homes meet a combination of selection criteria – including 5-star ratings, guest reviews, number of bookings and family-friendly amenities available – and represent a variety of price points, destinations, types of properties and designs to meet the different tastes and vacation prefer-ences for families. Check out these family-friendly travel destinations and ex-plore the full list of best-in-class vacation homes at www.vrbo.com/vacation-homes-of-the-year. 8 Family-Friendly Travel DestinationsTravelerTRENDY TRAVELERBig Sky, Montana

Page 57

Big Sky, Montana: This remote mountain lodge is located on 20 acres in the mountains near Yellowstone National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts can appreciate the hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and fishing, but the scenic views can be enjoyed by all kinds of travelers. Broken Bow, Oklahoma: This pet-friendly modern cabin is perfect for extended families, multi-generational groups and those traveling with kids. It sleeps 18 people and comes with a spacious outdoor patio for grilling and a game room with 12 bunk beds. East Hampton, New York: A short walk from Georgica Beach, this contemporary farmhouse features a gourmet kitchen, private pool and 15-foot screen in the home theater. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: This cozy chalet is located near Dol-lywood and Smoky Mountain National Park and provides out-door lawn games, indoor arcade games and a pool table. Hilton Head, South Carolina: Featuring panoramic views of the ocean, this luxury beachfront house also has a heated pool, fully stocked chef’s kitchen and 24/7 concierge services. Santa Rosa Beach, Florida: This oceanfront beach house sleeps 16 guests and has its own private pool and balconies overlooking the waves. Sawyer, Michigan: A modern property near Lake Michigan, this getaway is a short walk or bike ride to Warren Dunes State Park and boasts multiple outdoor gathering spaces by the hot tub and firepit. Telluride, Colorado: A perfect place for adventurous trav-elers and nature lovers, this mountain lodge is situated be-tween Telluride ski resort and Mountain Village. It’s called “Overlook Haus” because of the breathtaking mountain views from almost every room.TRENDY TRAVELERSawyer, MichiganEast Hampton, New York Santa Rosa Beach, FloridaGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 57

Page 58

Page 59

Page 60

Page 61

Page 62

Page 63

AURORA The Blackberry Farm wedding team is excited to create an ex-perience which delivers a lifetime of memories for you and your guests. Our one-of-a-kind setting features country elegance and personalized service that caters to your needs – all at a value that can’t be matched. Planning the big day is a piece of cake. We’ll remove any stress, answer all your questions, and anticipate and communicate every detail in advance of your event. Our space is flexible and beautifully appointed, featuring rustic touches and country charm amidst Blackberry Farm’s historic backdrop. With a convenient location and ample parking, The Barn at Blackberry Farm is the perfect showcase for your big day. As you browse information regarding your wedding, please note that ALL packages include table and chairs at no extra cost. We hope to extend every hospitality to you along your decision-mak-ing process and are here to answer any questions or schedule a tour at your request. SPECIAL FEATURES Picturesque locations throughout Blackberry Farm, Outdoor Ceremony Options, Whiskey Barrel Cocktail Tables, Rustic Bar, Outdoor Patio and Lawn Space The Barn at Blackberry Farm Aurora www.blackberryfarm.com/wine-food/dinner/barnGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 63

Page 64

Page 65

ST. CHARLES The Hotel Baker has established a tradition of elegance and personal service for our many married couples. No matter the season, our professional wedding specialists can assist you in creating a beautiful wedding with memories you will cherish for a lifetime. Dreaming of a beautiful outdoor ceremony? With the scenic Fox River as your backdrop, recite your wedding vows on our Water-front Patio or in our lovely Rose Garden. Then move inside to either our newly-renovated Waterfront Ball-room or our spectacular, two-tiered Rainbow Room where you’ll share your first dance as a married couple amidst the multi-col-ored lights. Your guests will be enchanted with our historic splendor, pol-ished service, and spectacular cuisine. For your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, or reception, the expertise of our wedding staff will ensure that everything, from setting to decor, is abso-lutely perfect. Our wedding menus, from traditional to unique, are designed to provide elegant dining on your special day. Let Hotel Baker turn your fantasy wedding into reality! Our dedicated wedding con-sultants are ready to assist in planning every detail of your wed-ding… Hotel Baker, St. Charles www.hotelbaker.comGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 65

Page 66

A Gargantuan Grilling Experience It was not what I expected! We walked onto a gorgeous covered patio, staged perfectly in front of a beautiful fountained lake, set with an abundance of charcoal and gas grills, and an array of seasonings and utensils. Chef Klaus was in the house and brought his energy and passion for grilling to our class which was the perfect mix of couples, buddies, and parents with adult children. Selecting our class was no easy task given the broad options that go well beyond the typical land and sea possibilities and also run year round. This time of year, the choices include Reef & Beef, Tacos & Margaritas, Pizzeria Weber, Tailgating & Football, Retro Backyard Favorites, Smoke and Ebers, Wine & Dine, Prime Rib Rotisserie, Gril-ling with Bacon & Bloody Mary, and even a upcoming Kid’s Halloween Grilling Class, and Thanksgiving Feast! We chose the classic Surf & Turf and started out in amazement when we learned to grill our romaine lettuce as an opener for our salad! Who knew you could grill lettuce! Chef Klaus competentently shared his knowledge in an engaging and interactive presentation. He then sent us to our individual stations to turn his instructions into our own personal masterpieces. MOM’S little black book66 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 67

“Chef Klaus was in the house and brought his energy and passion for grilling to our class. We laughed as we tried to mimic his cutting and cracking of the lobster shell and display beautifully butterflied lobster tails as he exhibited. Some did it much more gracefully than I, but they all made it to the grill along with the petite filet of beef, and herb grilled asparagus. As a group we worked together to prepare our indi-vidual plates. After creating each sensational course, we ate at a communal table. Learn, grill, eat, repeat! So after our romaine, we ate caesar salad; after our reef & beef, we dined; then headed back out to grill our dessert - pound cake with roasted strawberries! Yum!! It was the perfect evening of education, entertain-ment, and enjoyment filled with friendship, food, and fun! The ambience was casual and pleasing and made for a perfect #MomsBlackBookAdventure. Overview The Weber Grill Academy provides monthly cooking classes, wine and beer dinners, patio parties, menu tastings, and more. The Academy offers both in-person and virtual classes for private groups as well as scheduled events. The classes are packed with grilling tips, good food, and fun! Weber Grill Restaurant & Academy 2331 Fountain Square Lombard • (630) 953-8880 webergrillrestaurant.com/grill-academy/ Hours: See website for schedule, also available at Schaumburg location ABOUT THE WRITER Kristen Kucharski’s days are never dull, her kids are never bored! Over the years #MomsLittleBlackBook has explored hun-dreds of kid friendly things to do in our surrounding community and on the road. As her girls have grown and gone away to college, she continues to enjoy unique activities, excursions, day trips, weekend get-a-aways, and road trips while rediscov-ering my own passion for adventure with friends, girls nights outs, and date nights. In her words “Life is a journey–might as well have fun along the way. Go, fly, roam, travel, voyage, explore, discover!”MOM’S LITTLE BLACK BOOKGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 67

Page 68

Page 69

DDRREEAAMM KKIITTCCHHEENNHOMEWERKS Home Remodeling Gallery Online NAPERVILLE– Recognized as a premiere remodeling company, with a 10,000 square foot showroom in Naperville, HomeWerks has a beautiful online gallery of photos and ideas to help you plan your next remodeling dream come true. Now’s a great time to start planning your next kitchen, bath or basement project! Family owned and operated since 1996, HomeWerks special-izes in full service remodeling. The kitchen and bath displays are interactive, allowing visitors to experience many product features first hand. With the focus of providing high quality products, pro-fessional installation and exceptional customer service HomeWerks Kitchen and Bath • www.myhomewerks.com Glancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 69

Page 70

Page 71

Page 72

Cabinetry & Design Since 1997 BATAVIA–West DuPage Cabinets and Gra-nite has been providing cabinetry and design since 1997 when the company began as a custom home builder. Today, Catherine Sanzeri (pictured) and her talented team continues to fill a niche in the west suburban home design marketplace by providing a full range of products to fit every budget while providing lifestyle-focused de-signs with top industry designers. As a proud member of the NKBA and KCMA, this women-owned local area home design estab-lishment guarantees your absolute satisfac-tion. THE DESIGN PROCESS Catherine shares that today’s trends include timeless kitchen designs that incorporate the latest products into the design to fit each homeowners needs. This is West DuPage Cabinets and Granite’s area of specialty. If you’re looking for a new kitchen or bathroom design, West DuPage Cabinets & Granite’s talented design team will visit your home for a consultation, take measurements and look at the lifestyle components of the home. Does your family cook often? CCAABBIINNEETTRRYYand design72 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 73

Do you like to entertain? How many people are usually in your kitchen at once? Once they have all of the information needed, the team will create a design to present to you, the homeowner, upon a visit to the Batavia showroom. Homeowners enjoy a stress-free process with this local one-stop home designer, as this top-rated Batavia business has everything needed to complete a kitchen or bathroom design– including labor for each project. Additionally, West DuPage Cabinets and Granite extends their discounts at the supply houses to their clients (specifically for appliances and plumbing fixtures). The entire process is coordinated with your designer who stays with you through the entire project, leaving the homeowners com-pletely satisfied throughout. INDUSTRY TRENDS Catherine noted that the industry is always changing with future trends leaning towards larger islands, coffee bars and entertain-ment spaces, including a wine refrigerator in the kitchen and more features to accommodate larger groups. LEADING THE WAY The company has received many awards and accolades through the years including Best of the Best in Kitchen and Bath Remod-eling 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, in addition to Glancer Magazine’s ‘Best of the Best’ Kitchen Designer for Kane County in 2021. One of Catherine’s most cherished projects was when her team designed and built a first floor master suite for a client whose husband had MS and could no longer walk up the stairs. “The improved quality of both of their lives was a gift to see!” shared Catherine. -Photos by Mike Catuara West DuPage Cabinets and Granite (630) 414-2363 143 S. Batavia Ave, Batavia www.westdupagecabinetsandgranite.comCABINETRY AND DESIGNGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 73

Page 74

PERSONABLE, ENERGETIC & CREATIVE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL SUSAN COLELLA OF BAIRD & WARNER This proud Naperville resident shares that helping local sellers and buyers doesn’t feel like work making it easy to be dedicated and results oriented When she is hired to list a home she gains much of the mar-keting inspiration from her sellers when she asks “ what do you love about your home?” From there she designs high end customs booklets with professional photography & drone shots, descriptions of updates, & develops unique ways to target the right buyers on the internet. Re-styling her listings with professional staging , 3D tours great for out of state buyers and constant follow up with all parties are all included for her recipe of success! Susan is currently meeting with sellers & buyers now in anticipation of a thriving Spring market~ Call luxury listing agent Susan Colella anytime to discuss your real estate goals for 2022. Susan Colella, Baird & Warner, (630) 946-3813Susan Colella76 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer Magazine

Page 75

Susan ColellaGRUNYK FAMILY LAW Active Member of the Community Gives Back, Helping residents as a Seasoned Litigator NAPERVILLE–Leah D. Setzen is a seasoned litigator whose practical, empathetic approach to even the most difficult, emotionally-wrought cases is appreciated by the men and women she represents. Leah gives back to the Naperville community by serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and NCTV17, Naperville’s own community television station, and to the legal community as a member of the editorial board of the DuPage County Bar Association Brief. Leah also serves as a presenter to local advocacy and support groups, mental health and financial professionals, bar associations, the National Business Institute and by volunteering in the classroom to inspire the next generation of legal minds. Photo by Deonna Caruso Photography Learn More About the Award-Winning Team at Grunyk Family Law Today (630) 428-3300 • www.grunyklaw.com FFAAMMIILLYY LLAAWWGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 75

Page 76

Kid Stuff76 • WESTERN SUBURBS • SEPTEMBER 2022 • Glancer MagazineGet Creative this Fall! COLOR ME MINE INVITES YOU IN NAPERVILLE / GENEVA–There’s tons of FALL fun planned for September at Color Me Mine! Get creative and have a blast painting unique treasures together. Color Me Mine is an inter-national paint-it-yourself ceramics studio with locations through-out the western suburbs. Each offers Pottery Painting, PYOP, Ceramics, Ceramic Painting, Homemade, Gifts, Paint your own pottery, pottery studios, paint your own ceramics, ceramics stu-dio, ceramics painting and more. www.colormemine.comPumpkin Weekends AT BLACKBERRY FARM ALL SEASON LONG! AURORA–Pumpkin Week-ends are held every Sat-urday and Sunday in October, along with Colum-bus Day, at Blackberry – the Fox Valley Park District’s liv-ing history museum, located at 100 S. Barnes Rd. in Au-rora. Enjoy! www.blackberryfarm.infoThe Alice In Wonderland Experience AT A TBD LOCATION IN AURORA –OCTOBER 8 • 9am-5pm AURORA–Alice is trapped in Wonderland and time is running out to save her! Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and enter a topsy-turvy world of ad-venture, intrigue and impossible things at this immersive Alice in Wonder-land event. For one day only, the streets of Aurora, IL will be transforming into a giant, escape-room-style experience on Saturday, October the 8th, 2022. Don’t be late! Solve clues which just get curiouser and curiouser, take on mad and mischievous challenges, and uncover a dark conspiracy at the heart of Wonderland. www.cluedupp.com/products/alice-aurora-il

Page 77

KID STUFFDUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Family Fun Friday Nights Return NAPERVILLE–Every visit to DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) is an ad-venture that will spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and lead to new discov-eries. After a long week of school (or work!) unwind with a trip to the Museum. Make a splash in AWEsome Water, put on a cape and “fly” through AWEsome Air, build with real tools in the Construction House, and then refuel for more play at Bean Sprouts Café; open on the Museum’s lower level. Beginning Friday, September 23 DCM is open until 8:00pm every Friday night. Join us that first Friday night for a Pajama Party com-plete with fort building, toothbrush painting, and more to celebrate the ex-tended hours! Plan your visit today. (630) 637-8000 www.dupagechildrens.org adventure awaitsGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 77

Page 78

Page 79

FITNESSCAREER VISION APTITUDE TESTING CAN HELP STUDENTS CHOOSE MAJORS AND CAREERS What are you doing after high school? You know further edu-cation is important. Do you need help finding the right career choice? The Career Vision Aptitude Advantage can help. Aptitudes identify your strongest talents, the jobs you would enjoy and be good at doing. Combining your aptitudes with your interests, Career Vision reveals your career choices. You also receive resources about college majors, job outlook, and preparation needed for those careers. If you have asked “What should I study?”, “What will I do after college?” and want to learn how Career Vision can help, give them a call. Their assessment process is a positive and an objective way to give you confidence to make good career choices. And your Personal Career Consultant will take time to discuss the test results with you and go over all your choices. If you are going to college and want to know what to study, reach out to Career Vision today. If you have graduated col-lege and still haven’t found your best fit, the professional con-sultants at Career Vision can help you, too. For over 30 years they have been helping students and adults find their best ca-reer choices. Career Vision • www.careervision.org • (630) 469-6270CCOOLLLLEEGGEE TTIIMMEEGlancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 79

Page 80

KUIPERS FAMILY FARM SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL MAPLE PARK–Kuipers Family Farm’s Sunflower Festival featur-ing fresh cut sunflowers and some fantastic photo opportuni-ties will be ongoing throughout the month of September as long as the blooms keep blooming. Enjoy over 7 acres of 20+ differ-ent sunflower varieties in the fields. Many adorable photo ops for capturing the perfect selfie or family photo. Enjoy weekends full of blooms, live music, and food trucks on the scenic orchard lawn. www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com HEAP’S PUMPKIN FARM SUNFLOWER HARVEST Enjoy over 9 acres of sunflowers, zinnias and other flowers to take photos, cut your own flowers to take home and enjoy the other activities on the farm! Sunflower Harvest runs through September 18 or longer depending on the blooms. Admission includes: Ac-cess Sunflower & Zinnia Patch, 1 Bloom Per Day, Corn Maze, Soy-bean Maze, Milo’s Castle Play-ground, Giant Slide, Oliver Express Train Playground, and Heaps O’ Fun Barn Playground. www.heapsgiantpumpkinfarm.comTHE SUNFLOWER CRAZE September sunflower blooms can be enjoyed all month long at these local area farms and fields. Some are back again from years prior, while others are offering sunflowers for the first time. With many sunflower fields popping up throughout the Chicagoland area, residents of all ages are excited to experience the bright yellow rows of flowers that await. Selfies are a must! Here are 7 Spectacular Not-To-Miss Sun-flower Scenes:NOT-TO-MISS SUNFLOWER SCENES2.1.KELLER’S FARMSTAND SUNFLOWER FIELDS Over 3-acres of pick-your-own sunflower fields and over 60,000 blooms with plenty of photo opportunities. The fields are bigger and better with more types of sunflowers! PLUS, new for 2022 is their Cut Flower Field, with more than a dozen varieties of the most beautiful flowers you’ve ever seen. You may even pick a bouquet to take home! The Keller’s Summer Playground is also included with your Flower Field ticket purchase. www.kellersfarmstand.com3.Glancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 80

Page 81

GOEBBERTS PUMPKIN PATCH SUNFLOWER MAZE Enjoy capturing fun photos at strategically placed stops amidst over 4 acres of bright sunflowers in the sunflower maze. Fall Festival is packed with family friendly activities such as Animal Land, Pedal Karts, Tire Mountain, Corn Stalk Maze, Wagon Rides Haunted House, Munchkin Maze, Straw Bale Maze, Western Town, Pumpkin Eating Di-nosaur, Goebbert’s Pumpkin Express Train Ride, Pumpkin Slide, Jumping Pillow, Chicken Show, Pig Races, Corn Box and more! www.goebbertspumpkinpatch.com 6. MATTHIESSEN STATE PARK SUNFLOWER ACRES Visit Starved Rock Country and the 1629 acres of beautiful Matthiessen State Park which consists of 60 acres of sunflowers. Parking is available within walking distance of the fields. Flowering fields feel as though they go on forever! A must see in early September. www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/Matthiessen.aspx M & D FARMS AND GARDEN CENTER SUNFLOWER PATCH The Sunflower patch will be open the first couple weeks of September. The petite patch is small but quaint and budget friendly at only $5 per person, 3 and under is free. Fresh cut Sunflowers are available at the counter for $2 each. Also enjoy fresh produce such as tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, peaches, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet onions, summer squash, zucchini, pickles, peppers and raw honey. www.manddfarmandgardencenter.com4.5.7. VON BERGEN’S SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL Von Bergen’s Country Market is hosting its 4th Annual Sunflower Festival with over 30 acres of sunshine. Enjoy the day with your friends and family taking photos, enjoying the country air, and enjoying the beautiful blooms. www.vonbergens.com/sunflower-festival7.6.Glancer Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2022 • WESTERN SUBURBS • 81