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U.S. Postage 

PAID 

Highland Park, IL 

Permit No. 72 

HIGHLAND PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

508 Central Avenue, Suite 206 

Highland Park, Illinois 60035 

PHOTO: Daniel Kullman, 

Bitter Jester Creative

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HIGHLAND PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

www.chamberhp.com 

508 Central Avenue, Suite 206 

Highland Park, Illinois 60035 

847-432-0284 fax 847-432-2802 

Virginia Anzelmo Glasner, Executive Director 

Carol Caris, Office Manager 

Kim Loprest, Membership Development 

Alycia Margolis, Special Projects 

OFFICERS 

President Sandy Saldano, Therapeutic Kneads 

1st VP George Markoutsas, The ABL Group 

VP Eve Del Monte, Prosumer Real Estate 

Treasurer Jeffrey Levin, JT Levin & Associates 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Scott Adams, National City Bank 

Nicolas DeGrazia, Bitter Jester Creative, Inc. 

Jesse Peterson Hall, Highland Park Hospital 

NorthShore University HealthSystem 

Adam Kaplan, FDIS-Northern Illinois 

Brian Lewis, Baizer Kolar & Lewis 

Ester Viti, Viti Financial 

Katie Wiswald, Highland Park Bank & Trust 

Jennifer Wood, Ravinia Festival 

EX-OFFICIO 

Steve Mandel, City Council Liaison 

Steve Meyer, Park District of Highland Park 

PUBLICATION GROUP 

60035@ehighlandpark.com 

Chairman, Michael Del Monte, Prosumer Real Estate 

Executive Editor, Deborah Barry, Wordspecs 

Assoc. Ed., Abbe Sparks, Abbe Sparks Media Relations 

Asst. Ed., Jane Giles, Leeds Communications 

Asst. Ad Designer, George Markoutsas, The ABL Group 

Carol Caris, Highland Park Chamber of Commerce 

Sharon Eisendrath, Signs Now 

Kelly Huegel, Park District of Highland Park 

Michael Metzger, Michael Metzger & Staff 

Wes Wenk, Wenk Insurance 

six00threefive 

© 2008 Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, published 

quarterly to promote the diverse business community 

CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK 

www.cityhpil.com 

1707 St. Johns Avenue 

Highland Park, IL 60035 

847-432-0800 

Mayor Michael D. Belsky 

Councilman Michael Brenner 

Councilman Steven Mandel 

Councilwoman Terri Olian 

Councilman Jim Kirsch 

Councilman Larry Silberman 

Councilman Scott Levenfeld 

Printed on Recycled Paper 

Holiday 2008 / 1

introducing 

only at 

Kinsley Design Group 

We’re all about style and function… 

Introducing pegRail, an innovative new product to add functionality to your home. 

Available only at Kinsley Design Group, pegRail is 

an innovative new product to add functionality and 

style to your home. A unique assortment of closet, 

kitchen, home office and bath solutions that will 

provide practically unlimited options for you. Let a 

Kinsley Design professional introduce you to 

pegRAIL and their other complete line of services 

and fine products. 

Don’t know where to start? We also work closely 

with you to achieve your organizational style. 

Contact Kinsley Design Group today to turn your vision into reality. 

FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION WE PROVIDE: 

•Complete design services 

•Project management and installation 

•Extensive custom and stock cabinetry 

•Countertops and backsplash materials 

•Flooring 

•Plumbing and lighting 

•Appliances 

•Furniture and home accents 

… even one-of-a-kind treasures 

T 847-681-1433 

F 847-681-1441 

W www.kinsleydesigngroup.com 

3330 Skokie Valley Road, Suite 102 

Highland Park, IL 60035

On Our Cover 

…With a Generous Helping of Community: 

Bob’s Pantry & Deli . . . . . . . . .26 

Features 

Giving Back…It’s a Gift . . . . . . . . .12 

East on Central . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

Our Neighborhoods: 

West Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 

Q&A: James C. Styer, Healthcare Foundation 

of Highland Park . . . . . . . . . . .34 

Columns 

Welcome, New Members . . . . . . . . .6 

Speaking Professionally . . . . . . . . . .8 

Contractors’ Corner . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Chamber Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 

Chef’s Day Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 

New to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 

The Last Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 

Contact Us Please call 847-432-0284 or 

email 60035@ehighlandpark.com, and be 

sure to make your subject line helpful! 

Reach Our Columnists Have news? 

Please call 847-432-0284, or email 

60035@ehighlandpark.com with the 

column name in your subject line. 

“Professionally Speaking,” to announce 

honors, awards, new staff, anniversaries for 

professional, service and non-profit 

organizations ~by Wes Wenk 

“Contractors’ Corner,” news of our fine 

building, designing, mechanical and 

contracting professionals ~by David Ariano 

“Chef’s Day Off,” about our restaurants, 

fast-food, catering and food and spirits 

purveyors ~by Jim Lederer 

“New to You,” retail and wholesale business 

news and products new or unique in 

Highland Park ~by Jane Giles 

Write Now!We have assignments for 

freelance writers and community volunteers. 

Please call 847-432-0284, or email 

60035@ehighlandpark.com. 

Advertising Information six00threefive 

magazine is published quarterly and mailed to all 

the homes and businesses in Highland Park, 

Highwood and Town of Fort Sheridan. To receive 

a complete Media Kit, please call the Highland 

Park Chamber of Commerce, 847-432-0284 or 

email 60035@ehighlandpark.com. 

When the going gets tough, the tough get stressed out. 

We offer many simple, safe, effective solutions. 

Purchase gift cards online! 

$25 OFF 

any service for 

first time clients 

We’re all tightening our belts, 

but economizing on your health 

is a cutback no one can afford! 

1779 Green Bay, HP 

m-th 9-8; fr 9-6; sa-su 9-5 

1775 St. Johns Avenue, at the corner of Laurel 

Downtown Highland Park 

www.SalonVoleHighlandPark.com 847.432.2640 

North Shore’s Professional Massage Therapy Center 

www.WeKneadYou.com 

847-266-0131 

IL State Lic. 227-001829 

Elements of Style 

Seaweed Shampoo and Conditioner + Brilliantine = Natural Elegance 

Bumble and Bumble. 

Holiday 2008 / 3

4 

RAVINIA’S RISING STARS 

Summer’s over but the music continues 

THE WORLD’S ALL-TIME CLASSICS JUST $20 

BRAHMS • HAYDN • SCHUMANN • RAVEL • BACH • VIVALDI • MOZART 

SCARLATTI • BARBER • MENDELSSOHN • SCHUBERT • BARTÓK • SCRIABIN 

OCT. 3 JOAN KWUON, VIOLIN 

OCT. 10 TIM FAIN, VIOLIN 

OCT. 31 RED PRIEST 

NOV. 7 GAVRIEL LIPKIND, CELLO 

NOV. 14ALESSIO BAX, PIANO 

/ Holiday 2008 

FEB. 13 LINCOLN TRIO 

FEB. 20 JESSICA RIVERA, SOPRANO 

KELLEY O’CONNOR, MEZZO-SOPRANO 

MAR. 6 BRYAN WALLICK, PIANO 

MAR. 13YURA LEE, VIOLIN/VIOLA 

MAR. 27MUSICIANS FROM RAVINIA’S 

STEANS INSTITUTE 

APR. 17ROBERTO PLANO, PIANO 

APR. 24HARLEM STRING QUARTET 

MAY 8 MUSICIANS FROM MARLBORO

Index of Advertisers 

Ambiance Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 

American Enterprise Bank . . . .inside front 

Antiquaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 

BBQ Pit, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 

Becker Archtiects . . . . . . . . . . . .5, 15 

Bluegrass Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Bob’s Pantry & Deli . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 

Bootery, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 

City Park Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

Crossroads Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

D&R Autoworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

Downtown HP Alliance . . . . . . . . . . .43 

Dream Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 

Extra Space Storage . . . . . . . . . . . .35 

Farmers Insurance/Michael Maione . . . .25 

Great Imaginings, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .43 

Hadassah House . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 

Highland Park Community House . . . . .17 

Indigo Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 

Infinity Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 

JT Levin & Associates . . . . . . . . . . .25 

Keyth Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 

Kinsley Design Group . . . . . . . . . . . .2 

Lake Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 

Las Puertas Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 

Luxuria Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

Marcus and Millichap/Phil Nowak . . . . .42 

Molly Maid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 

NorthShore University 

HealthSystem . . . . . . . . .inside back 

Notice, Accessories for Living . . . . . . .42 

Paint JAR, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 

Park District of Highland Park . . . . . . .21 

Port Clinton Square . . . . . . . .back cover 

Ravinia Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 

Ravinia Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 

Renassaince Place . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 

Rick’s Auto Care & Coll. Repair . . . . . . .11 

Romitti Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

Ross’s Boutique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 

Salon Volé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 

Spex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

State Farm Insurance/Palminteri . . . . . .17 

Therapeutic Kneads . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 

Uncle Dan’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Unique Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 

Viti Insurance/Viti Financial . . . . . . . .11 

Volunteer Pool of Highland Park . . . . . .31 

Wenk Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 

Williams Ski/Bernhardt . . . . . . . . . . .7 

Photo Credits: HNK Architectural Photography 

Think of us as your 

Flight to Quality 

Richard Becker, AIA 

Highland Park 

Architects 

and 

Residents 

Becker Architects Limited 

847 433 6600 

www.beckerarchitects.com

As of Sept. 15, 2008 

Welcome, 

New Members 

Reward the businesses that commit to our 

local economy. Call the Highland Park 

Chamber of Commerce at 847-432-0284 

to be referred to a local resource, or 

browse an up-to-date directory at 

www.chamberhp.com. 

If you have a business in Highland Park, 

whether storefront, office or home-based, 

your membership application is welcome. 

See what your re-investment in the business 

community can do for your bottom line. 

Marcus & Millichap 

Real Estate Investment Services 

Help clients create and preserve wealth 

by providing the best real estate 

investment sales, financing, research and 

advisory services available. 

Philip M. Nowak, Investment Associate 

8750 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 650, 

Chicago 60031 

773-867-1458 

www.marcusmillichap.com 

Midway Moving and Storage, Inc. 

Full service moving, storage, packing and 

secured document destruction 

Judy Bagdon 

4100 W. Ferdinand, Chicago 60624 

773-533-7328 

www.midwaymoving.com 

Luxuria Homes 

Custom design and building firm for homes 

and remodels. 

Jeannine Scheck, President 

200 Fairway Dr., Suite #196, Vernon Hills 60061 

847-996-0660 

www.luxuriahomesinc.com 

Nature’s Home 

One stop shopping for natural and organic 

products; household items, body products 

and clothing. 

James Heard, CEO 

4999 Old Orchard Center, F6, Skokie 60077 

847-674-2500 

www.yournatureshome.com 

Strength Time 

One-on-one, slow movement strength 

training. 

Joanna Hyams, Club Coordinator 

1884 Sheridan Road, HP 

847-433-3100 x2 

www.strengthtime.com 

6 

GET YOUR HIGHLAND PARK CHAMBER 

OF COMMERCE 2009 MEMBERSHIP 

APPLICATION! Call 847-432-0284, or 

email Kim@ehighlandpark.com. 


The 2008 Sidewalk Sale raffle, sponsored by Silberstein Orthodontics, was won 

by Pamela Eldridge of Aurora. With her $1,000 in Chamber Gift Checks, she 

and her son with special needs are enjoying local eateries and Highland Park’s 

great stores for his school supplies and clothing. You can purchase Chamber 

Gift Checks in $20 denominations. Call 847-432-0284 for more information. 

Mizrahi Grill LLC. 

Authentic kosher Israeli restaurant. 

Eli Mizrahi, Co-owner 

215 Skokie Valley Road, HP 

847-831-1400 

www.mizrahigrill.com 

Staples – Highland Park 

Office supplies and furniture 

Jose Lopez, General Manager 

1931 Skokie Valley Road, HP 

847-681-0029 

www.staples.com 

Trattoria Valle D’Itria 

Authentic Italian Restaurant 

Giovanni Chirulli, President 

581 Roger Williams, HP 

847-266-0600 

Bob’s Pantry & Deli 

Convenience store featuring fresh made to 

order sandwiches 24 hours a day, gourmet 

coffee & lattes that can be consumed in 

our comfortable indoor seating area with 

free Wi-Fi. 

Bob Crimo, Owner 

55 St. Johns Avenue, HP 

847-432-DELI (432-3354) 

www.432deli.com 

Renditions By Design LLC 

Provide design, consulting and cabinetry 

for new construction and remodels for 

kitchens, bathrooms, recreation rooms, 

and anywhere cabinetry can be designed. 

Karen Lodygowski, Owner 

668 Park Avenue West, HP 

847-780-4368 

Please Join Us! Chamber 

meet potential clients, develop your referral network, create B2B connections and 

develop life-long friendships. Non-members are welcome. 

events are powerful opportunities for you to 

Highland Park Networking Group First Wednesdays, 7:30–9:00 am 

Women’s Networking Group Third Thursdays, 8:00–9:30 am 

WNG Holiday Lunch, Dec. 18, at 11:30 am at Bluegrass; reservations req. Please bring one 

or more non-members as your guests. 

To be an event sponsor, exhibitor or presenter, your application for membership is 

most welcome. Let the power of the Chamber take your business to the next level. 

For details, call 847-432-0284, or visit www.chamberhp.com. 

PHOTO: Carol Caris

Outfit your family for winter fun 

Whether you ski or snowboard…and want the latest fashion or 

the best high-tech function, Williams ski haus has the best selection 

One stop shopping for the whole family with friendly winter sports 

enthusiasts to help you 

Home of the Snowflake Club…learn with us, have fun for a lifetime 

www.WilliamsSkiHaus.com 

We offer… Decorating advice. Outstanding service. 

New collections arriving all the time. 

Total home resource… 

Traditional or modern, bedroom, dining, 

living and family room 

www.BernhardtHomeFurniture.com 

847-831-4300 Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30, Thurs ’til 8, Sun 12-5 

1660 & 1672 Old Skokie Road in Highland Park. Take the Deerfield Road West exit off Hwy. 41. 

New locations every quarter…Is there 

one agency for worker’s comp, fire and 

liability, employment practices coverage? 

This business is more than dollars and 

cents. It's a legacy. Who can create the 

succession to my wife and children? 

Sound solutions 

to your insurance concerns 

Wenk’s got you covered! 

How do I attract and retain key 

employees? Could a thousand dollars be 

enough to start up a 401-k for them? 

My employees deserve health and 

dental, but can I take care of them and 

still stay in business? 

Life | Auto | Home | Aircraft 

Employee Benefits | IRA | 401(k) 

Property | Casualty | Liability 

Yes, we do restaurant insurance! 

WENK INSURANCE AGENCIES 

847-433-8370 

600 Central Avenue, Highland Park 

Free 24/7 quotes: 

www.WenkInsurance.com 

Soaring for 

75 Years 

Holiday 2008 / 7

PHOTO: Lewis Family Archive 

Baizer & Kolar, P.C., is now Baizer Kolar & Lewis, P.C. Long-time 

Highland Park resident and active Chamber volunteer Brian Lewis has been 

named partner! Barack Obama � celebrates Brian’s ascension to partner— 

or at least that's what Brian likes to think! Brian has been with the firm 

(nationally known for its catastrophic injury and malpractice litigation success) 

since 1999. During Brian’s tenure with the firm, he has been responsible for 

verdicts and settlements for his clients in excess of $40,000,000. 

“We’re very pleased that Brian has decided to join our law firm as a 

partner,” states Bob Baizer. “He brings a combination of intelligence and 

passion to his practice that is very apparent in the courtroom when he 

delivers a closing argument,” Bob adds. Lewis is a long-standing member of 

the Board of Advocates of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and speaks 

regularly at legal seminars on the use of technology in the courtroom. He’s 

also been featured in the American Bar Association’s Law Practice journal 

for his high-tech approach to streamlining trials. 

Baizer Kolar & Lewis is a small, aggressive law firm concentrating on 

plaintiffs’ catastrophic personal injury cases, with emphasis on wrongful 

8 


death, medical malpractice, auto, truck, and aviation negligence. 

513 Central Avenue, HP, 847-433-6677, www.baizlaw.com 

“I am very honored to serve in my new 

position as Director of Oral and 

Maxillofacial Surgery at Highland Park 

Hospital. It’s one way that I can make a 

difference in my community,” says 

Mark Jacob, DDS, MS. Jacob has 

extracted almost 70,000 teeth, averaging 

10 procedures a day. Two themes have 

dominated his 20-year career—his 

fascination with anesthesiology and his 

love of Highland Park, where he grew 

up and lives today. After attending Green 

Bay Road School and, later, Elm Place 

Junior High and Highland Park High 

School, it was on to Indiana University 

and a double major in biology and chemistry. He ultimately earned his DDS 

and BS from the University of Illinois, with dental stints at the University of 

Iowa, Northwestern, Cook County and even the London Health Sciences 

Centre in Ontario, Canada. 

Jacob’s quest to practice in his hometown was aided by good friend 

Dr. Leslie Heffez. After teaching for a while at UIC, Jacob joined Highland 

Park Hospital with the goal of making it back to Highland Park to practice, 

which he did by 2002. “The hidden treasure of practicing in HP and on the 

North Shore is the honor and gratification of being part of the fabric of this 

amazing community. As important as craniofacial procedures are to correct 

cranioskeletal abnormalities really—and molars and implants may be— 

what excites me most are the conversations with my patients about 

preserving our architecture, keeping our streets uncongested, town 

improvements and how our high school is performing nationally. That’s 

what makes practicing here so rewarding!” Jacob remarks. 

Mark Jacob is obviously as happy to be here in town, as we are to have 

him here! Make an appointment. You could be extraction number 70,001! 

1893 Sheridan Road, HP, 847-433-6636 

“Most people don’t understand the true nature of epilepsy,” points out 

Maureen Galassie, Executive Director of Epilepsy Services for 

Northeastern Illinois (ESNI), “and we’d like to see more awareness within 

the general population. People often think that those who live with epilepsy 

are afflicted by the convulsive type of grand mal, or tonic-clonic seizure, often 

PHOTO: Silvia Kern, Wenk Insurance

PHOTO: Nancy Wolff, the Bootery 

depicted on TV and in the movies. These are actually the least common types 

of seizure, though patients rarely recall the event after the fact.” 

Nancy Wolff, co-owner of the Bootery in Highland Park and who 

herself has epilepsy, brought this wonderful, yet under-publicized service to 

our attention. And it’s right here in in Highland Park. ESNI has been working 

for 30 years to help those affected by epilepsy. Its staff and committed Board 

of Directors provides programs including counseling and psychotherapy, 

community in-services, education presentations, and information and referral. 

Their office � is tucked away in Highland Park near the train station and 

delivers programs to all who seek services, regardless of income. 

“ESNI can often clear up any questions not already answered by the 

attending physician,” explains Maureen. “We offer counseling, 

psychotherapy and other coping skills to deal with possible depression and 

other difficulties involved with this curious neurological disorder.” 

Nancy adds that she is grateful for discovering ESNI. “My experience 

with ESNI became a most valuable connection, as ESNI referred me to 

doctors who were able to do more for me than any professionals I had 

seen previously.” 1698 First Street, HP, 847-433-8960, 

www.esniinfo.org 

When we left the long-time multi-sport Highland Park Coach Schramm 

(Spring 2006), he was beginning a whole new chapter devoted to the pure 

fun of playing basketball. Coach had always pictured a “Basketball 

Heaven,” with clinics and competitive leagues, from the tiniest 2- and 3year-olds, 

who are just able to walk, through junior high kids. 

Well, business is booming over at Schramm’s Gym, now a key part of 

the Warehouse Gym and Boxing Club. In the Gym, “having fun with 

basketball” rules the operation, including conditioning and private lessons. 

Many of the boys and girls now competing in various leagues were, years 

ago, members of Schramm’s “Little Dribblers,” learning the game from a 

guy who always made sports so much fun. 

But, hey, Coach, we know you’re great with the kids. How about 

holding a grandpa’s and grandma’s 3-point shoot contest? We’ve earned it, if 

only for sitting in the stands for so many games over the years! 1582 Old 

Deerfield Road, HP, 847-951-0315, www.schrammsgym.com 

(continued on next page) 

Don 

version 2.0 

the 

Joe 

version 3.5 

Size does matter after all! 

Thanks to your confidence in us, 

business has doubled in the last 10 years… 

So, after 80 years in Ravinia, 

we needed a bigger building 

1580 Old Skokie Road 

Still in Highland Park, near Williams Ski 

highland park 847.433.1911 

lake geneva 262.348.1911 

Dave 

version 3.0 

Family owned since 1938 

www.RaviniaPlumbling.com 847432-5561 

shop our website: 

thebootery.com 

for Chicago area’s 

most complete selection. 

Holiday 2008 / 9

PHOTO: Deborah Barry, Wordspecs 

Speaking Professionally (continued from previous page) 

Do you worry about osteoporosis or bone density loss? Are normal agerelated 

changes in balance and muscle strength prohibiting you from 

maintaining an active lifestyle? Are you physically impaired from performing 

moderate or vigorous exercise? Are you training for athletic competition? 

(Are we asking too many questions?) If the answer to any of these is “yes,” 

you should investigate the rejuvenating benefits of Power-Plate training! 

Power-Plate training is a form of whole-body vibration, a neuromuscular 

training method that uses a low-to-moderate vibration stimulus to improve 

strength and power. The theory is that these vibrations stimulate the body’s 

natural stretch reflex and cause involuntary muscle contractions, similar to 

when a doctor taps your lower knee. These vibrations activate a natural 

reflex of rapid muscle contractions at 35 times per second, releasing 

pleasurable hormones at a rate much faster than from conventional exercise. 

Power-Plate works best combined with a traditional exercise 

program, but for those who cannot exercise, it offers health benefits such 

as increased bone density, greater muscle strength and power, improved 

balance and a slowing of age-related bone and muscle loss. “Sessions are 

short and affordable, and progress can be seen almost immediately,” 

reports Elline Eliasoff, an American College of Sports Medicine Exercise 

Specialist, Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist and owner of Elite 

Personal Training. You can contact Elline at 847-962-9155. To learn 

more about the Power-Plate and schedule an evaluation with a Power-Plate 

certified trainer: Ann Connor at Fitness Plus, 847-432-8121 or Sandy 

Saldano at Therapeutic Kneads, 847-266-0131. Sandy is shown � 

demonstrating Power-Plate to Rick Shoemaker of Rick’s Auto Care. 

We have to take just a moment to salute the husband-and-wife team that 

has devoted an almost full-time effort to this magazine, Deborah and Al 

Barry � —a magnificent labor of love. six00threefive has gone way 

beyond anything even the most ambitious Highland Park promoters could 

ever have envisioned! 

Nobody told Deborah to magically turn an 8-page Chamber bulletin into 

a slick, award-winning, 48-page energy boost. Sixteen issues later, this 

magazine has done more to aid more HP businesses than any of us could 

have dreamed. 

Al, who is an independent sales representative for manufacturers, has 

tirelessly pounded the local pavements selling ads to finance this 

publication. Advertising is what supports the constantly impressive 

columns and features that Deborah compiles with the loyal help of the 

Publication Group (see page 1 for a complete list) and mostly volunteer 

writers and photographers. We had nothing more to start with than a local 

pledge to help cover any shortfall. But what resulted has been an 

amazingly classy magazine with one purpose: to drive customers and 

clients to Highland Park businesses. 

This columnist salutes the Barrys and my colleagues in the Publication 

Group for raising the bar on Chamber publications everywhere! Bravo! 

Wordspecs, 847-550-1275, www.wordspecs.com; 

Barry Technical Sales, 847-550-1277, www.barrytechsales.com 

“Volatility in investment securities has investors turning to commercial real 

estate for its strong fundamentals and stable returns,” says Phillip Nowak of 

Marcus & Millichap. The company provides free monthly webcasts to help 

commercial real estate investors grasp rapidly changing market trends. 

“Apartment Investors” airs online November 18. Contact Phil, who specializes 

in Highland Park and Lake County, for investment opportunities or to register 

for the next webcast. 773-867-1458, www.marcusmillichap.com 

Wes Wenk covers the professional endeavors in Highland Park: 

financial, medical, legal, consulting, office and home-based, as well 

as our non-profit organizations. Email wes@wenkinsurance.com, or 

fax 847-433-1345. 

PHOTO: Michael Metzger Photographer

We Won’t Tell… 

…not your folks …not your spouse …not even your kids! 

Recommended by friends and adjusters! 

Pickup and Delivery • Detailing • Free Estimates 

Repairs Warrantied As Long As You Own Your Car 

“Sooner or later, 

we’ll bump into each other!” 

Rick Shoemaker 

Unofficial Ambassador of HPHS 

1500 Old Skokie Road 

847-831-3165 

Online at: 

RicksAutoCareHighlandPark.com 

Painting interior/exterior 

Restoration 

Older home care 

Plaster and drywall 

Wall coverings 

Decorative finishes, murals 

Bath remodeling 

Kitchen remodeling 

Home maintenance 

Construction…all phases 

847 926 9476 

www.paintjar.com 

Holiday 2008 / 11

PHOTO: K-9 Reading Buddies 

Giving Back…It’s a Gift 

Abbe Sparks 

Whether we write a check, donate goods and services or volunteer precious time, 

we sometimes overlook lesser known grassroots initiatives. These, a few among 

many, were created by remarkable, selfless people who lead by their example. 

They demonstrate how to put one’s passion to work for the good of others. 

Buddy of a Different Breed” is the idea behind K-9 Reading Buddies of 

the North Shore. This Highland Park-based effort is a volunteer program for kids 

“AReading 

grades K-5. One goal of the program is to help youngsters across all socio-economic 

levels overcome their struggles with reading by using certified therapeutic dogs as projection tools. 

Using what is known as an Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA), children read aloud to a specially trained 

therapy dog—certified through Therapy Dogs International (TDI)—in a warm, safe, non-judgmental 

environment. 

K-9 Reading Buddies also strives to catch “at-risk” readers before they enter first or second grade— 

children reading below grade level for whom reading becomes a barrier to academic success. This is 

accomplished by bringing the therapy dogs into the schoolroom. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is 

documented and goal-oriented. K-9 Reading Buddies works with teams of teachers (intervention and 

reading specialists) and social workers to identify children who not only struggle with reading, but 

whose lives are complicated by their home or social experiences. 

Founded by Highland Park-resident Carole Yuster � (mentoring a young reader), K-9 Reading 

Buddies was born out of an experience her late mother had while hospitalized—a visit from a 

therapy dog, a golden retriever. Her mother was so delighted by the experience, she made Carol 

promise to get a golden retriever for her grandson Adam, then 2. “That dog visit to my mom was so 

therapeutic for her,” remembers Carol. “During her hospital stay, it was the only thing at the time 

that she responded to positively,” she adds. “So, I honored my mom’s request and acquired a golden 

retriever and named her Minnie. I believe strongly that we are meant to give in the same way we 

receive, so Minnie was trained as a therapy 

dog. Reading was a natural extension, because 

my mom loved to read and her biggest gift to 

my son was her love of books.” 

Carol was first introduced to a therapy dogassisted 

reading program at a community library 

in Wisconsin, where she lived for a brief time. 

When she returned to Highland Park, Carol 

recognized the need for such a reading program 

here and felt that residents would benefit greatly. 

The K-9 reading program premiered at the 

Deerfield Public Library in January 2007, and by 

February of this year, the Highland Park Public 

Library came on board. The program began with 

five dog/mentor teams, including Carol and her 

dogs Minnie and Mickey. A team consists of 

certified TDI therapy dogs and their handlers, 

who become the “mentors” in the K-9 reading 

program. These mentors include certified 

teachers, reading specialists, social workers or 

stay-at-home moms as well as high school 

students from HPHS and New Trier (the most 

recent library to add a program is Wilmette). 

Each library offers the program once a month 

(days differ per library), where kids can preregister 

for a 15-minute time slot to read to a 

therapy dog. After each session, readers are 

awarded with motivational tools including a 

custom bookmark with the dog’s picture, an 

“I Read to Rover Today” sticker, a paw print 

stamped on their hand and a custom trading 

card with their therapy dog’s statistics. The 

children take away a warm feeling of success 

and a strong desire to return. The Highland Park 

Public Library offers the program on the first 

Monday of each month. You can pick up a copy 

of The Laurels, the library’s newsletter, or visit 

www.hplibrary.org to learn more. 

Expanding the program into the school system 

proved a bit more challenging. But in June 2007, 

with Councilwoman Terri Olian’s support, Carol 

succeeded in having the City of Highland Park’s 

Dog Ordinance amended. Previously, dogs had 

been prohibited on school property; now, there is 

an exception for certified therapy dogs. By 

autumn, certified therapy dogs made their 

entrance in District 112’s Early Childhood 

Education Center, tailored to meet the needs of 

preschoolers, including children with special 

needs and kids who have a fear of dogs. Carol 

hopes to begin a customized, age-appropriate 

program in the District’s elementary schools.

PHOTO: Music Institute of Chicago 

Currently self-funded, including all 

motivational materials, K-9 Reading Buddies is 

growing quickly. The program now has 16 

mentors and 18 reading buddies. By year’s end, 

K-9 Reading Buddies will have served nearly 

350 children and is anticipated to reach over 

450 by the end of 2009. 

Carol wants to expand the program 

throughout Chicagoland. You can help K-9 

Reading Buddies by volunteering, signing up as 

a mentor (you will need a TDI certified therapy 

dog) or by fulfilling the K-9 Reading Buddies 

Wish List that includes: a pro bono tax attorney 

for 501(c)(3) filing assistance, a graphic artist 

(logo design), a web master, a printing company 

(posters, bookmarks, stickers) and meeting 

space (a dog-friendly room to accommodate 

training and new-member orientations). Carol 

can help you pursue TDI certification for your 

dog or learn more at www.tdi-dog.org. To 

contribute your time or services to K-9 Reading 

Buddies, contact Carol. 847-208-2267, 

cyuster@comcast.net 

Creative arts therapy, while not a new concept, 

is a new offering at the Highland Park Campus 

of the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC). 

Just last month MIC’s nationally recognized 

program, the Institute for Therapy through the 

Arts (ITA), opened on the Highland Park 

campus. ITA boasts Highland Park High School 

alumnus Ted Rubinstein � as its Clinical 

Director. Founded in 1975, ITA is one of the 

few comprehensive, community-based arts 


Holiday 2008 / 13

Giving Back (continued from previous page) 

therapy programs in the US offering all four 

arts modalities: Music, Drama, Art and 

Dance/Movement therapies. Each area 

addresses social, emotional, cognitive and/or 

physical issues through the unique art form. 

ITA therapists work with individuals of all ages 

to encourage them to achieve their fullest 

potential through self-expression. 

Individualized therapy is conducted on the 

HP campus in its remodeled back studio (the 

gray barn directly behind the main building). 

Ted conducts the therapy with the individuals 

here in HP, where his mom is still a resident. 

Ted first discovered the ITA program when he 

himself was a student at HPHS and worked parttime 

in the original program. 

According to Greg Dietrich, Associate Dean 

and HP Campus Director of MIC, “We are very 

pleased to be offering Creative Arts Therapy in 

Highland Park. Of the many new programs and 

opportunities resulting from the merger with the 

Music Institute, ITA is one of the most significant 

and needed in our community. We look forward 

to further expanding ITA services after we 

relocate to our new facility in the Highland Park 

Community House in early 2009.” 

The ITA program has reached more than 

2,000 persons, with 62 percent of its clients being 

children under 18. All ITA therapists are fully 

credentialed as Art Therapists. You can help 

expand this program in our area by earmarking 

your donation for the “HP Campus ITA Program.” 

Send donations to: Music Institute of Chicago, 

517 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. 

847-905-1500, www.itachicago.org 

Parents and coaches alike take pride in 

youngsters’ athletic achievements, at any 

level. And we all recognize the kind of 

commitment it takes to qualify for regional and 

national competition. So imagine what local 

Sensei Jeff Kohn felt when boys in his karate 

program captured media attention at the USA- 

National Karate Federation’s Nationals in House, 

Texas, last July. Highland Park resident Al Brint, 

who is blind, competed in the USA-NKF Karate 

Nationals in Houston, this past July, as did 

Michael McCarthy, a double amputee, � with 

Kohn. Both boys medaled in their division. 

Helping children with special needs has been 

a life passion for Sensei Jeff Kohn. This is the 

14 


passion behind the recently organized Kids Can-Do! Foundation. The Sensei (a Japanese word for 

“instructor”) a member of the USA Olympic Committee and the Special Olympics, has been actively 

involved with adding Karate events to the Special Olympics and the Paralympics. 

And it seems his students have internalized the meaning of the words “can do.” Michael climbed 40 

flights of stairs on his prosthetic legs at a Children’s Memorial fundraiser held at Chicago’s 80-story Aon 

Center. Another 11-year-old student suffering from the neurological disorder Tourette’s Syndrome won a 

USA-NKF regional title and qualified for the national championships. 

In its infancy, Kids Can-Do!, a non-profit organization spearheaded by the Sensei, is devoted to 

helping children with special needs reach their fullest potential through the teachings and techniques of 

karate, a martial arts discipline that improves physical, cognitive and emotional health. Individualized 

training is offered for children with challenges including autism, ADD/ADHD, physical disabilities, 

behavioral problems, Tourette’s syndrome, genetic disorders and cognitive disabilities, among others. 

Two of the Kids Can-Do! goals are to coach special need students who hope to compete in the 

Special Olympics and the Paralympics in 2012 and 2016, and to mentor young black belts for the skills 

necessary to teach children with special needs. 

Many readers already know nationally renowned coach and expert Jeff Kohn, a Deerfield resident 

who has been teaching and training karate to children—both typically development children and those 

with special needs—for over 30 years. In the early ’90s, his karate studio, then called North Shore 

Martial Arts, was located in downtown Highland Park on Elm Place (where Walgreens is now). His 

studio, North Shore Dojo, has since relocated to Glenview. 

A World Karate Federation 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor, Sensei Kohn is also the 

USA National Karate-do Federation Team Coach overseeing the National and Junior National teams for 

PHOTO: Kids Can-Do! Foundation

all competitions. In May of 2008, the North 

Shore Dojo officially launched the new Kids 

Can-Do! Karate for Kids with Special Needs 

program, based in Glenview. This is one of the 

only programs in the nation devoting half of its 

schedule specifically to special needs kids. The 

program currently serves up to 50 special needs 

students, many from Highland Park. 

As we go to press, the Kids Can-Do! 

Foundation is applying for its 501(c)(3) non-profit 

status. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to express your 

special interest in special needs children by 

getting involved as a donor or volunteer! 

847-729-0001, kidscando@hotmail.com, 

www.northshoredojo.net 

Highland Park resident Barbara Paget has 

long advocated to honor and support 

breast cancer survivors with a beauty and 

spa day to the umpteenth level. What began as a 

single event five years ago at HP-based salon 

“Femmes,” has turned into a nationwide event 

with more than 1,000 salons taking part this 

year in Cancer Survivor Beauty & 

Support Day. The first Tuesday in December 

is always the official day set for this celebratory 

event. “I chose that date based on a 

conversation I had many years ago with a 

psychiatrist that told me that from Thanksgiving 

through the end of the year is the hardest time 

for anyone in a difficult situation, be it healthrelated 

or personal,” says Barbara. 

Her involvement with breast cancer 

survivors stems from her long-time volunteer 

work with breast cancer patients at Highland 

Park Hospital. The late Arthur G. Michel, MD, 

was a surgeon specializing in breast diseases. 

Barbara learned what cancer survivors face 

dealing with their illnesses. In 2001, she became 

the founding chairperson of the Arthur Michel 

Breast Health Center at the hospital and works 

tirelessly to raise funds. 

Barbara began honoring cancer survivors with a 

beauty and spa day five years ago when the salon 

she goes to, “Femmes” in Highland Park, agreed to 

offer an evening of free services. The women 

stayed to enjoy Barbara’s homemade refreshments 

and discovered bonds among themselves that 

reached far beyond their shared diagnosis. Barbara 

hosted three more “spa evenings” at Femmes 

before finding a way to expand her concept around 

the country. “So many families are separated by great 

distances and can’t be around to give their loved 

ones the support they need—especially during the 

holidays,” says Barbara. “Cancer research is 

imperative, but offering support to those already 

diagnosed is also so incredibly important.” 

Barbara’s personal crusade to salute cancer 

survivors became a state-wide reality last year. With 

the assistance of State Representative Karen May 

and State Senator Susan Garrett, the Illinois House 

passed a Resolution and Proclamation in support of 

an annual Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day. 

Our Highland Park City Council passed a similar 

resolution in support of the event; that resolution 

was forwarded to communities throughout Illinois, so they, too, could declare their support. 

Through her perseverance and hard work, Barbara gained the additional support of the Y-Me 

National Breast Cancer Organization and its 12 chapters; the Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Gilda’s Club 

Worldwide and its 20 affiliate clubs; the National Cosmetology Association and the Day Spa 

Association. She created “how to” packets with detailed instructions for salons and spas who want to 

host a Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day in their own establishments. 

Last year, more than 125 businesses statewide participated in the event, including some here in 

Highland Park. “One salon owner, Jennifer Zanotti (Jen Z’s Beauty Services in HP), heard about the event 

only two weeks before the celebration and desperately wanted to participate,” recalls Barbara (� with 

Jen). “She very diligently located me, and we worked out the details at the last minute so she could take 

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Holiday 2008 / 15

Moving Forward (continued from previous page) 

part. It’s so touching to get that kind of passion and support from salon 

owners in my own community,” says Barbara. Thanks to Barbara’s vision and 

efforts, nearly one thousand women, men and children received loving care 

and support with complimentary haircuts, manicures, pedicures and other 

personal services. 

Joining the local event this year is Highland Park-based Therapeutic 

Kneads, a healing massage therapy center at 1779 Green Bay Road. 

Owner Sandy Saldano says, “As a cancer survivor for 17 years, this is 

a cause near and dear to my heart. More than that, I have seen what 

massage therapy can do for survivors in dealing with the recovery 

process.” Therapeutic Kneads offers a wide range of services that can 

assist in this process, including manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) for 

post-surgical swelling (edema) and massage for decreasing stress and 

relieving insomnia. 

“We welcome any opportunity to educate the community about 

massage therapy,” Sandy adds. “Massage is not a luxury. Because it can 

alleviate pain and reduce the damage done by stress, massage is important 

for everyone to take better care of themselves.” 

Other Highland Park salons to participate on Tuesday, December 2 are 

Femmes, Andrews Coiffures, Michael Thomas, Salon Morris and Taylor 

Reese. Additionally, the salon chain Great Clips, with 114 salons in Illinois, 

is on board statewide. Barbara’s goal is to secure the entire network of 

2,600 Great Clips salons nationwide to participate this year. 

16 

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The best bar in town. Bar none. 

Her dream for a nationwide Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day is 

close to fruition. Legislation has been drafted, and Barbara is working with 

U.S. Senators to get it passed by Congress. At press time, she had secured 

the cooperation of Evanston-based Pivot Point Academy, a global beauty 

educational organization, and is close to including other national salon 

chains. She now has a logo, and a dedicated web site is in development, to 

be launched before year’s end. 

You can help cancer survivors celebrate the holidays by telling them 

about this year’s observance and by encouraging your own salon to get 

involved. If you are a salon owner, the opportunity is yours. “The beauty of 

the day is the support and friendship that is given to the survivors, both 

from the professionals and from each other. It’s a true celebration for all,” 

says Barbara. For more information, contact Barbara: 847-951-0261, 

bnphp@aol.com. 

It’s time to take your holiday spirit and spread it around. If you have 

a passion, build your own initiative. Or, if you are more a worker 

bee than architect, volunteer! And to make an impactful charitable 

donation, consider local causes for your gift list this season. 

Abbe Sparks specializes in media relations, cause-related 

marketing, web-content development and special events for nonprofits, 

arts and entertainment organizations. She is also associate 

editor for six00threefive magazine. Abbe Sparks Media Relations, 

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Holiday 2008 / 17

David Ariano’s 

In the last issue we printed the wrong phone 

number for Sliders. Our apologies to Charlie who 

operates Sliders, and who is in the business of repairing 

any type of sliding door, indoor and out. That includes 

changing defective hardware and rebalancing the doors. In any 

weather, he’ll even remove the calcium from shower door tracks and 

all that pet hair from the tracks of your closet doors. I’m confident you 

can reach Charlie at 847-940-7200, www.SlidersNorthShore.com 

In this issue I’m presenting three new companies, all of which are womenowned. 

The first is All Star Residential Services. Lorena Bacci and her 

business partner � George opened up shop in January of this year. One of 

the first wise moves was joining the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. 

Lorena felt that there was a gap between basic handyman services and 

medium-sized jobs that typically are more complicated. Both Lorena and 

George have backgrounds in residential new construction, and Lorena has 

additional expertise in electrical contracting. In addition, Lorena was born 

and raised in the Highwood-Highland Park area; that gives her knowledge 

of area homes and the necessary experience associated with home repair 

and maintenance. 

All Star Residential Services can turn a closet into an office cubby, build 

decks, perform remodeling work and, of course, take care of any 

maintenance needs, as no job is too small. Because of their backgrounds in 

construction management, All Star has many resources to make a referral to 

specialty contractors for larger projects. Lorena was kind enough to provide 

18 


a few maintenance tips and safety ideas for the upcoming winter: 

• Caulk around windows to keep winter snow from penetrating. 

• Replacement windows can save a lot of money on your heating bill, 

compared to older single-pane windows. 

• Seals around doors should be tight to keep out cold air. 

• Keep fireplaces clean to prevent fires due to a build-up of creosote. 

• Change batteries in smoke detectors. 

• Installation of snow-melt systems on your roof will help prevent damage 

to your roof and ceilings due to ice damming. 

• Ice melt systems in your gutters will prevent overflow from freezing on 

driveways and walkways; those areas can become a slip-and-fall hazard. 

Lorena says, “We’ll take care of all your Honey-Do lists and home repair 

needs. Experienced and quality craftsmanship is only a phone call away!” 

They even offer free estimates! 327 Palmer Avenue, Highwood, 

847-681-0430, www.allstarresidentialservices.com 

The second company, HP Electrical 

Services was started two years ago by 

president Olivia Paitich � and her 

husband. The “HP” doesn’t stand for 

Highland Park, but instead are the 

initials of her husband’s grandfather. 

Olivia states that being family owned 

has allowed them tighter control over 

the quality of their work. And while 

they continue to grow, they are not 

interested in becoming large to the point 

where their personal touch is lost. 

Community involvement is important to 

Olivia. In addition to being a member of 

the Highland Park Chamber of 

Commerce, she is involved with the 

PTO and Giants Club. 

While they are located in Highland Park, HP Electrical Services works 

with clients in all of Lake County and northern Cook County. 

Aside from repairing minor electrical problems in the home or office, 

upgrading an electrical panel, installing new electric for a remodel, installing 

outdoor lighting or wiring for phone or data, HP Electrical Services 

specializes in emergency service and back-up power generation. 

Olivia provided some insight into back-up power generators: A power 

outage can result in losses due to basement flooding from unpowered sump 

pumps, freezing due to unpowered furnaces and boilers, spoiled food in 

refrigerators and freezers and a lack of security. All of these conditions can 

be remedied with the installation of a back-up power generator. 

Because we live in an area rich with vegetation and trees, storms can 

cause tree branches to knock out power lines. While a generator is a large upfront 

investment, it pays off in the long run with security and peace of mind. 

A generator needs to be properly sized to the electrical appliances in the 

home needed for emergencies. Since most power outages average four 

hours, the recommended generator size is 8.5KW to 12KW. This generator 

(continued on page 20)

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Contractors’ Corner (continued from page 18) 

can and will handle your most important appliances such as the sump pump, 

furnace, refrigerator, small TV set, computer, toaster oven, furnace fan, 

garage door opener and, last but not least, security system. Successful 

installation requires an electrician familiar with sizing and proper wiring. Call 

Olivia for a quote: 847-748-7543, www.hpelectricalservices.com 

Judie Baum, a native of Highland Park, owns Design Lighting Group. In 

business for over 20 years, her husband started with a lighting company 

located in the Merchandise Mart. Judy started contract lighting part time 

while raising her kids. Once her kids were grown, she transitioned to fulltime 

work. The couple now provides both wholesale services and acts as a 

manufacturer’s representative for many lighting companies. 

Judy explained that their expertise is in hotels, stores and nursing 

homes. They interface with architects, designers, engineers and building 

owners to customize their lighting products for each job, and have the 

ability to meet any budget. 

Judy concentrates on the aesthetic aspect of lighting while her husband 

works on the technical side. Together they design lighting products to meet 

the specific needs of their customers and will contract their designs to high 

quality manufacturers that can meet their design requirements. 

While much of their work is in wholesale decorative and functional 

lighting fixtures, they have a estimator on staff for new residential 

construction or remodeling. 312-664-2000, designltgroup@aol.com 

Finally, it is with great sadness that Ravinia Plumbing & Heating Co. 

will be moving from the Ravinia Business District. Our company started in 

the basement of the old hardware store east of the tracks in 1928 and 

moved to its current location in 1956. My father Don and I have doubled 

the size of our company over the last 10 years, which has made it 

increasingly more difficult to operate efficiently out of the same space. Our 

search for a larger facility started four years ago. 

While we had a few opportunities to move over the last several years, 

those moves would have taken us out of Highland Park. We have been here 

for 80 years and did not want to leave a city that we are so fond of. When 

the old Highland Park Millwork building became available in the Briergate 

district (just west of the Edens at Deerfield Road), it was too good to pass up. 

Our new facility, a few doors south of Williams Ski & Patio and the 

Comcast building, doubles our space and still has a showroom for 

customers to obtain faucets, 

fixtures or repair parts. The big 

move is scheduled to be 

completed by the time you read 

this. Our previous location on 

Roger Williams—three 

storefronts—is available for lease. 

No matter where you are, 

please do not hesitate to call or 

email with any questions or 

comments. 1580 Old Skokie 

Road, 847-432-5561, 

www.RaviniaPlumbing.com 

PHOTO: Phil Goldman

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East on Central 

Judith MK Tepfer 

The source of creative inspiration. What is it that inspires an artist to convert an 

observed landscape into a painted canvas or to words into moving prose? Would 

bringingvisualartistsandcreativewriterstogetherformutualinspirationgenerate 

an enhanced dimension within their work? Such were the thoughts of Sumner 

Garte, who was a VA Hospital therapist and a painter. He and four writers served 

as the catalyst behind the creative exchange now known as East on Central. 

Back in 2001 when Sumner Garte took early retirement from the VA Hospital, it was to devote more 

time to his art and his ideas. As a member of the board of the Suburban Fine Arts Center in Highland 

Park (now The Art Center), Sumner had a suggestion for a new program that would bring visual artists 

and writers together for an experiment in mutual inspiration: how can cross-genre discussion within the 

artistic community generate an enhanced dimension that artists could bring to their work? 

Sumner’s inspiration was put on hold because, initially, the only people to respond to his call were 

writers; apparently artists tend to see themselves as even more solitary in their work than do writers. 

But four of us—Sandy Strauss, Emma Kowalenko, Judith Bernstein and I—met as a writers’ workshop 

for a year while contemplating where to go from there. We all were aware of the difficulties in getting 

work published. We all were interested in bringing the work of local writers to the community. 

Recalling how we had been brought together, we asked Sumner to join us for a brainstorming session. 

As an experiment, he brought one of his 

paintings from which the rest of us could draw 

Creation 

inspiration. 

by Judith Bernstein 

Three poems and a short story were written 

in response to Sumner’s painting entitled 

Biting tongues 

“Survivor,” a depiction of the Hancock Building 

Crossing arms 

rising from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire. 

Staring out into distant space 

That painting and accompanying literature 

How we concentrate 

became the Creative Exchange section in a 

When we create. 

fledgling publication and the core concept for all 

future editions: That every artist’s work can be 

A dot of paint 

enhanced by experiencing the art of others. 

A swift sure line 

That was the genesis of East on Central, a 

Jotting down the perfect phrase 

Journal of Arts and Letters from Highland Park, 

Illinois. Our group reached out to the City of 

What to do next 

Highland Park for a modest grant; that was used 


to publicize and print the work of 39 local 

artists and writers in a 64-page, black-and-white 

The thrill of inspiration 

paperback. And the title? The knowledge that at 

The vision realized 

one time in our city’s history, Central Avenue 

Community appreciation 

had been a one-way street heading east inspired 

What we crave 

Judith Bernstein, a former member of the board 


of the Highland Park Historical Society, to come 

up with the title for the journal. 

22 


Judith also recruited Georgann Humphrey, a 

professional graphic designer who has been the 

creative mind behind the journal’s bold look and 

impressive production values. Georgann has 

designed all seven of the journals, in addition to 

creating a new East on Central website, 

www.eastoncentral.org. The board of East on 

Central was completed with the addition of 

local writer and screen-writing instructor Paul 

Max Rubenstein and artist Sam Bernstein, who 

serves as treasurer. 

Over the years, East on Central has 

expanded its list of artistic contributors, as well 

as its database of supporters and its source of 

grant funds. We are fortunate to have been the 

recipient of grants from the Illinois Arts Council, 

the City of Highland Park Cultural Arts 

Commission, the Park District of Highland Park 

and, most recently, the Highland Park 

Community Foundation. While much of the 

grant money is used for publication, some is 

used for programs called “Creative Encounters,” 

which take place several times a year. It is often 

from these programs that we draw new 

contributors and new creativity for the journal. 

For example: 

~ Don Meyer, a professor of music history at 

Lake Forest College whose very personal 

poetry and prose has been featured in more 

than one East on Central, is also a composer. 

He was invited to play an original piano 

composition at one of our events, while 

writers and artists listened and created original 

pieces of their own, inspired by Don’s music. 

~ James Krauss, chairman of the art 

department at Oakton College, has come on 

more than one occasion to hold a 

“Constructive Critique,” where visual artists 

bring their work to receive the benefit of his 

expertise. His comments are presented in a 

very positive manner and are always well 

received. 

~ Ina Beierle, on the staff of The Art Center, 

assembled a still life to which artists and 

writers responded. The resulting pieces, 

which included poetry (see left), prose, 

photography and paintings (see right). All of 

the pieces were published in the 2008-2009 

journal as a Creative Exchange entitled 

“Still Life as Inspiration.”

That most recent editionboasts 122 pages of stories, poems, essays and full-color paintings, 

photographs, sculpture and crafts. On June 19, 2008, a publication party was held at Saks Fifth Avenue. 

The public was invited to meet the artistic contributors. We celebrated with food, wine and music, and 

were treated to readings from the book as well as discussions of selected pieces by the artists who 

created them. More than 100 people attended. 

A very special introduction to our most recent journal is an essay by Illinois’ Poet Laureate Kevin 

Stein, entitled “Poetry’s Soulful Lollygag.” The essay is a guide to the rewards of reading and listening 

to poetry. East on Central was privileged to co-host a reading by Professor Stein at the Highland Park 

Library in April 2008. The approximately 90 people who attended in celebration of Poetry Month 

heard a very down-to-earth gentleman read poems reflective of the American experience and discuss 

his efforts to bring poetry to small towns around the state. The evening was co-sponsored by the library 

and Highland Park Poetry. 

Ours is a story of the potential of creativity and the power of community. As reflected in its mission 

statement, “East on Central strives to provide a forum for the artistic expression of the local creative 

spirit…[and] to foster a tradition that is a tribute to the beauty and complexity of our home, Highland 

Park, Illinois.” 

One recent summer day, as my husband and I were on our way to Country Kitchen for a Sunday 

breakfast, a couple came power-walking past us with an enthusiastic greeting. I acknowledged their 

greeting even though I didn’t recognize them (assuming I was having a “senior moment”). The 

gentleman looked back at me and called out, “Look at us. We’re walking 

east on Central!” “Omigosh!” I exclaimed. “I do believe we’ve done it!” 

Please contact East on Central for information about submission 

requirements or programs. 1991 Sheridan Road, HP, 847-757-1184, 

www.eastoncentral.org, eastoncentral@comcast.net 

Howard Jacobs, “Living Still Life” 

Jan Burke, “Pink Satin Shoes” 

East on Central can be bought: 

In Highland Park: 

The Art Center 

Borders 

CityWoods 

The Custom Framer 

Hi-Land Art & Frame 

Perfect Blend 

Princeton Frame & Art Gallery 

Sunset Foods 

In Glencoe: 

Gallery 659 

Judith MK Tepfer was born at the age of 

50, before which she had one middle initial 

and neither the ability nor the inclination to 

write creatively. Her late-in-life muse 

directed her to other writers and visual 

artists and the eventual founding of East 

on Central. She is Editor-In-Chief of East 

on Central, poet and freelance editor. The 

journal’s designer is Georgann Humphrey. 

The editorial committee is Judith 

Bernstein, Sumner Garte, Paul Max 

Rubenstein, Sam Bernstein, Emma 

Kowalenko and Sandy Strauss.

A look at the personalities 

of Highland Park neighborhoods 

West Ridge 

Michael Del Monte, 

Prosumer Real Estate 

Softball and soccer in the evening and summer 

camp during the day! This is what residents of 

the West Ridge neighborhood like about the 

area. Most people I spoke with agree that it is a 

great family neighborhood, especially being 

within walking distance to Red Oak and 

Sherwood Schools and the Northern Suburban 

Special Recreation Association (NSSRA). 

The West Ridge neighborhood is basically the 

southwest area of Highland Park, adjacent to 

Northbrook and Northbrook Court. Its 

boundaries are generally defined as 

Central/Deerfield Road on the north, Lake-Cook 

Road on the south, Route 41/Skokie Highway 

on the east and the Deerfield/Highland Park 

border on the west. According to information 

provided by the Highland Park Public Library, 

the City of Highland Park, and the West 

Deerfield Township Assessor, the area started its 

development around 1945-1955 during the post 

war building boom. 

The neighborhood has four public parks; 

West Ridge Park � , Woodridge Park, 

Devonshire Park and Magnolia Park. Larry Fink 

Park and the Deer Creek Courts are nearby, off 

Clavey, just east of the Eden’s Expressway. The 

24 


PHOTOS: Michael Del Monte, ProSumer Real Estate 

elementary and middle schools are in District 112. The elementary age children primarily attend Red 

Oak School, and some attend Sherwood School. The middle school students attend Edgewood and 

Elm Place Middle Schools. The high school is in District 113; some of the older children have the 

choice to attend either Highland Park or Deerfield High School. 

Based on information in the MlsNI, in the first quarter of 2007 there were only two sales with 

an average of approximately 265 days on the market. There are currently 50 properties for sale in 

the area, ranging from $300,000.00 to $2,275,000.00, including ranches, split levels, older two 

stories and upscale new residences, with an average market time of over 240 days. Recently, as in 

other areas of Highland Park, tear downs have slowed or stopped, due to the slowing economy, long 

marketing times and especially the excess inventory of newly constructed residences currently on 

the market. However, there is a new housing development across from Northbrook Court, on Lake- 

Cook Road, that appears to be a success. 

The West Ridge area and its proximity to Route 41, Crossroads, Garrity Square, Jewel, one of my favorite 

restaurants—Bluegrass�, and the Old Deerfield Road commercial district provides all the suburban amenities 

within a short walk or drive. This is also the home � of the Highland Park Police . 

Our next article will focus on 

the Braeside area. If you have old 

photos, any information or 

anecdotes about the area, please 

contact me right away. Thanks! 

Michael A. Del Monte is one of 

the broker/owners of Prosumer 

Real Estate. He can be reached 

at 847-831-9700 or email at 

Mike@ProsumerRealEstate.com.

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Holiday 2008 / 25

PHOTO: Daniel Kullman, Bitter Jester Creative 

…With a Generous Helping of Community 

Nicolas DeGrazia, Bitter Jester Creative 

In an era when “business” has about as bad a name as names get, you may be 

feeling that the little guy, the working guy, doesn’t stand much of a chance. You’d 

be wrong. The little guy is alive and well and opening his own business in 

Braeside. It’s a story worth telling, and you’ll be proud to say it happened here. 

You’ve probably already met Bob Crimo. If 

you haven’t or if you don’t recognize his face 

from these photos, Bob is the guy who used 

to run the White Hen Pantry in Ravinia, on 

Roger Williams just west of the tracks. In a 

typical contemporary corporate turn of 

events, Bob was turned out of his 

business. But the relationships he had 

built, the meaning he had given to 

the word “community,” stood him 

in good stead. Now, it’s all coming 

back to him many times over. 

Merriam-Webster defines 

“community” as a unified body of 

individuals; a group linked by a 

common policy; a body of persons 

of common and especially 

professional interests scattered 

through a larger society. 

Read on, and you might find the name “Crimo” 

in there, too. For Bob Crimo, the word 

Community, like his last name, begins with a 

capitol “C.” Of course, when we think about 

what community means, things have changed in 

the last 50 years—heck, even the last 20. And 

it’s approximately 20 years ago that this story 

really begins. 

From 8:30 a.m. on February 22, 1990, until 

the morning of December 13, 2007—nearly 18 

straight years—the Ravinia White Hen never 

closed its doors to the public a single time. But 

Bob recalls one particularly treacherous 

moment: “Do you remember that microburst 

back on May 16, 2000? Not even that shut us 

down!” Bob explains, “We had lost power in 

the middle of the storm. Then, out of the blue, 

one of my customers actually shows up with a 

generator to keep us in business.” 

Hold on a second! The sky is literally green 

and swirling, houses are falling on witches 

outside and, in the middle of all this, a 

customer lugs in a gasoline-powered generator, 

out of the kindness of his heart! What gives? 

Well, that’s the thing you’re going to learn 

about Bob. His character just inspires that 

kind of altruism in others. To understand 

why, you need a bit of background.

A Trip Down Memory Lane 

Bob was born at Highland Park Hospital in 

1964, was graduated from HPHS in ’82, 

and has lived here in Highland Park all 

his life. A shrewd and clever businessman from 

the beginning, his first job was to manage all of 

the purchasing and scheduling for a large 

manufacturing company in Northbrook. His 

responsibilities included purchasing more than 

$1 million dollars in merchandise, overseeing 18 

workers on the factory floor, coordinating 

production, and shipping out the finished 

product. He was 19 years old at the time. “It was 

a hell of an experience, and I’ll never forget it.” 

Then, at the age of 21, he became the 

owner of a food and liquor store for a year, 

with a silent partner. Realizing that the 

business would never do better than to break 

even, Bob sold it. Almost immediately his 

former boss hired him back. But Bob was 

growing restless. So he tried his hand at a few 

other purchasing jobs; nothing really 

challenged him. In 1989 he decided to go it 

alone and looked into a White Hen Pantry 

franchise opportunity that had opened up in 

Ravinia. The rest, as they say, is history. 

It’s easy to understand that Bob was already a 

pro at coordinating large amounts of product and 

the complicated scheduling of a large team, but 

ultimately, his success was based on how Bob 

feels about his fellow human beings. As long-time White Hen customer Judy Koster is eager to point out, 

“Anyone you talk to in Highland Park will have a story about Bob. He knows my kids and their friends. 

He knows everything about this community.” Judy was a regular at White Hen (the more concise 

corporate identity the company took on) for at least 15 years. “For me, it all started when I walked in and 

saw the ‘give-a-penny/take-a-penny’ tray sitting on his counter. Everyone has one of those now, but back 

then, it was new.” His friendly nature was also sincere. “Bob’s mentality was never, ‘I have better things 

to do than deal with you’; it was always, ‘How can I get it done?’ no matter what,” Judy says. 

Lester Dotson, another Highland Park resident, had shopped at the White Hen since the day it 

opened. “People would go in just to cash a check—Bob had no problem with that. Or they might be 

short a little money—no problem! He’d just say, ‘When you get a chance, come back in and drop the 

money off.’ It takes a real neighborhood type of person to do a thing like that.” [Ed. Note: This actually 

happened to me.] On one occasion, a mother stopped by on a Moped with her daughter to buy a bag 

of groceries. She was ready to drive it all home, but Bob wouldn’t let her. Instead, he dropped it off at 

her front door later that day. There’s even a story that one guy, having missed his train, was 

chauffeured all the way back to Chicago by Bob. Of course, to step away from your own business for a 

little while, you have to have trustworthy employees. 

“He had a great crew working for him,” says long-time customer and Highland Park resident Dave 

Auerbach. “They all had different personalities, and you got to know them each.” Judy Koster says, “It 

was a family operation. His dad worked there, his brother worked there, you’d see his kids there and 

all their photos were up on the door to Bob’s office. It was just a really warm place.” 

Auerbach admits the food’s quality didn’t hurt either. “I think, one day, I had all three meals there: 

breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’m sure my wife won’t appreciate that, but it’s true!” he says with a chuckle. 

“At a minimum, I’d be getting coffee and a bagel almost every day. I just liked being there.” Koster adds 

“Aside from the slushies that my kids couldn’t do without, Bob made me feel like I was shopping at the 

corner grocery—the way I remember it when I was growing up. He brought that feeling back. It wasn’t 

like other White Hens. The same people always worked for Bob every year, even the people not related 

to Bob! There wasn’t any turnover in the employees, and you hardly see that anymore.” 

Shock and “Aw, No!” 

On December 13th, 2007, Bob was forced out of his old location by the corporate powers that 

be. The situation is best explained by Bob, in his own words. “It happened pretty much at a 

moment’s notice. In a nutshell, 7-Eleven had bought out White Hen about a year and a half 

before. I had three years left on my White Hen agreement. I could have continued operating as a 

White Hen, then paid 7-Eleven a $125,000 franchise fee to switch to their name. I thought: ‘After 

18 years, why should I pay to stay?’ It was kind of silly. 

“I also had to fight pretty hard to keep the deli counter, which had always been a big draw at the 

store and was a passion of mine. I don’t think the 7-Eleven people liked that, either—a deli case isn’t 

something you see in a typical 7-Eleven. Well, in the interim, while everything was being worked out, 

the White Hen people came up with an offer: ‘If you sign now and switch to 7-Eleven now, we’ll waive 

the fee and do the remodeling.’ They would also let me keep the deli. That seemed like a great deal! 

I could just move forward. I figured I’d give it a try. 

“Well, five days before we were going to switch over, I was notified that 7-Eleven had found a 

minor violation in my agreement. I was told that I had three options, none of them good. The first was 

that they’d come in at 6 a.m. and take over the store—since I had been there for 18 years, they were 

nice enough to give me the courtesy of notice. The second option was that I take care of the minor 

violation within 24 hours. Well, that was physically impossible, and they knew it. My third option was 

that I surrender the store immediately. 


Holiday 2008 / 27

Crimo (continued from previous page) 

“A little time passed and their corporate 

contact never got back to me as he said he 

would, so I assumed the worst. I spent the next 

33 hours straight cleaning out my office and the 

inventory that I owned. As I was packing, I 

hung a sign in the window saying goodbye to 

my customers. After being in the community for 

so long, I thought people at least deserved a 

goodbye. Early that morning, December 13, 

I was out. Corporate wasn’t too thrilled about 

the sign I’d hung, and they took it down the 

minute I left. Eighteen years, and I didn’t even 

get to say goodbye to my customers.” 

But people had already begun to figure things 

out. While Bob and his wife Denise were 

packing, customers came into the store to yell at 

the corporate personnel who were watching to 

make sure Bob didn’t steal anything. Meanwhile, 

Bob ran back and forth between packing his 

boxes and refunding, out of his own pocket, all 

the pre-paid coffee cards he’d sold to customers. 

Dave Auerbach saw the sign in the window 

that morning. “I was mad! It was your typical 

big business decision. This was not a transient 

place like some kiosk at an airport! I’m a 

business owner; this was simply bad business.” 

Judy Koster was having her nails done with a 

few other ladies down the street the morning 

that the news came in. “We all went crazy! We 

were appalled! Some big corporation could come 

in and kick out our guy? This was personal, and 

we all took it personally.” Judy continues with 

an astute observation: “It wasn’t just a store 

closing, it was an institution.” And the fact was, 

everyone felt that way—the people who lived in 

Highland Park, the shop owners in Ravinia, even 

the people who didn’t live in town, but who 

patronized the White Hen. They were angered 

by what had happened. 

“It was like plucking someone out of our 

neighborhood who was an essential part of the 

wheel. We were livid. All of us,” says Judy. 

Bob, on the other hand, took a breath and 

remained calm. “I knew I had to move on. Any 

negative energy I put toward White Hen would 

do me absolutely no good for the future, so I just 

focused on moving forward.” 

After the holidays, he wrote a letter to the 

Highland Park News explaining that he had to 

move on but vowed to come back with a bigger, 

better store and offered his personal cell phone 

28 


number, should anyone want to reach him with questions. Within a few days, the item (published in 

Chuck Wenk’s column) had garnered four dozen phone calls. “I was kind of floored,” Bob laughs. “I 

was speechless, actually. People told me that they missed us already. They said, ‘It’s just not the same, 

the character’s gone, and it’s a lot different now, it’s totally sterile, it’s generic and they don’t have the 

selection of products you used to have…and there are no sandwiches!’” 

Judy Koster would prefer to go overnight without milk rather than shopping at a national chain. 

“There used to be mom-and-pop stores when I was growing up,” says Judy Koster. “All that slowly 

disappeared. And yet there was Bob—with a franchise, no less—and he made it feel more like a family 

store than most of the others ever did!” 

Dave Auerbach now goes to Starbucks for coffee and drives to the gas station for his newspapers. 

“I’m angry. They ruined it. I won’t go there, not at all. And neither will my friends or my wife’s friends.” 

Auerbach and his cohorts are not alone, according to Lester Dotson. “I don’t go there unless 

I really have to. I really missed Bob and his people.” 

All is not lost, Dave and Judy! Bob is opening a new place in the Braeside neighborhood, on the 

site of the old Convenient store just north of Lake Cook Road on St. Johns, across from the Braeside 

train stop. He’s as optimistic as ever. “Right now I’m ecstatic,” he says. “I’m ready! I’ve been having 

people drive by honking, stopping in to check our progress. It’s been really exciting!” 

Bob might want to check that enthusiasm at his new door, warns Dave Auerbach: “I’ve had to go 

to Starbucks so many times since December 13, the first thing I plan to say to Bob on opening day is 

that he owes me about 300 cups of coffee!” 

Once More, with Feeling 

The minute Bob signed his new lease at the real estate office, he literally grabbed his tools and 

rushed out the door. “I couldn’t wait! I drove right over and got started with the demolition. 

I was ready! I worked for about nine hours straight.” 

Bob’s new store is the aptly-named “Bob’s Pantry & Deli.” The site hadn’t changed much—well, 

really, not at all—since the 1970s. In fact, as Bob discovered during the renovations, the building had 

all of the same equipment as when it was first opened. Mixed in with the dust, dirt and grime, Bob 

found price tags from John’s Food Mart on many of the products (John had been gone about 15 years 

by then), as well as some porn magazines stashed in a corner. As it turns out, Bob was cleaning up the 

place literally and figuratively. 

“I knew we had to gut the place and start over,” Bob says. “It’s been almost completely renovated.” 

In fact, the only parts that haven’t been completely replaced are three of the outside walls. The west 

side will have huge, brand-new windows and a counter eating area. “We have nine new drains, a 

brand new 400-amp electrical service and a new HVAC unit with all new duct work. People who 

remember this building as it used be have stopped in; who knew the former businesses that had been 

here have stopped in; their jaws just drop open. All they can say is, ‘Wow, what a difference.’ 

“I’ve been aware from day one that the previous, dirty place might still be in people’s minds. It’s 

definitely going to be a hurdle to convince new customers that we’re a clean, legitimate, entirely fresh 

facility. I hope people will check it out for themselves.” 

The structure isn’t the only razzle-dazzle that Bob is adding, either. Every single piece of equipment 

Bob has ordered is factory direct. “Our tunnel oven’s got a double-wide conveyor belt—you can 

actually fit a pizza in there. It’s a Lincoln Impinger.” According to their own website, “Lincoln 

Impinger conveyor ovens are the premier continuous cook platform for the food service industry. Using 

the latest advancements in air impingement technology, Impinger ovens allow for rapid heating, 

cooking, baking and crisping of foods.” Bob brags, “It’ll toast your sandwich in 52 seconds!” 

Speaking of sandwiches, Bob’s new-found status as an independent business owner allows for some 

creativity behind the deli counter. “The thing I’m most excited about in launching my own place is our 

deli.” As at his White Hen, Bob’s Pantry will carry all the meats and cheeses you can imagine—

PHOTO: Daniel Kullman, Bitter Jester Creative 

including the entire Boar’s Head meat line—plus all the toppings and sub rolls, white, wheat, rye and 

challah breads. The potential combinations are far too many to count, but to make your job a little 

easier, Bob suggests you try one of their signature sandwiches. “The ‘Nicky D’ is named after one of 

our good customers who holds the record for eating the largest sandwich we’ve ever made. It has over 

a pound of up to three kinds of thinly sliced meat (your choice), cheese and all the condiments we 

carry, hot peppers and everything. We thought we’d name a sandwich after him; we’ve had a few 

other people try, it but no one else could never finish the thing!” 

“The Paulie Special” is his brother’s specialty (that’s Paulie � going over the architectural plans 

with Bob), but the ingredients are a secret at this point. “My brother is quite the chef in the kitchen, 

and he comes up with some interesting sandwiches. It’ll be delicious meats and spices and that’s all 

I’m going to say right now,” Bob defers with a grin. “We’ll also have wraps, garden salads, chicken 

Caesar salads, and we’re even going to have ‘The Crimo Supremo,’ our version of an Italian Sub.” 

Last, but certainly not least, they’ll have an amazing veggie sandwich, ‘Denise’s Delight,’ designed 

by and named after Bob’s wife Denise. “It’s a beautiful sandwich, but only half as beautiful as my wife 

is,” Bob raves, earning a few extra brownie points. 

Bob’s Pantry also will carry Vienna’s Bistro 

Soups (there are 50 varieties; Bob will serve four 

each day), groceries and quickie-snacks, and a 

machine that automatically squeezes fresh 

oranges in about 15 seconds, right before your 

very eyes. When asked if an automated orangesqueezing 

machine was a good investment, Bob 

didn’t even blink. “We’ve been squeezing by 

hand for a couple of years, but in a fast-paced 

environment, the time it’ll save in terms of labor? 

It’ll pay for itself in no time. In the past we went 

through five cases of oranges a week—that’s 

between five and eight gallons of juice—and we 

weren’t even advertising it! So with the display 

where everyone can see it, I think we can easily 

beat our record.” 

About as feng shui as one might imagine a 

24-hour convenient store’s layout to be, Bob 

describes the proposed coffee island. (In Bob’s old 

location, this was a huge part of most morning 

commuters’ daily routine.) “I’ve laid it out in a 

way that will keep the flow going and not cause 

any ‘traffic jams’ at the coffee bar. What’s more, I 

found a great gourmet coffee that will be roastedto-order—Eclect 

Coffee (www.eclectcoffee.com). 

Denise loves her coffee, but always with cream 

and sugar. When I brewed a pot of of the new 

coffee and brought it home for her to taste, she 

asked for the cream and sugar. I said, ‘Just try it 

black, I want your thoughts.’ She reluctantly tried 

a sip…tried a second sip…then a third sip, and 

then she said, ‘Put that stuff away, I’m going to 

drink it black.’ It was so smooth to her, and she 

told me she’s never had coffee like that. Well, at 

that point I was really excited!” Bob says with a 

huge laugh. “It’s very important to have a strong 

coffee program in my store. I want someone to 

come in, have a cup of coffee and say ‘WOW.’ If I 

didn’t have great coffee, I’d be very embarrassed.” 

Bob plans to carry the beans as well; you can take 

them home, whole or ground. 

Unlike the White Hen, a dine-in area will 

hold between 25 and 30 people at two- and 

four-seat tables. There will also be a couple of 

big, comfy chairs in the corner under a flat-panel 

TV, and a long granite counter with 10 bar 

stools for people to eat or read the paper while 

they wait for the train right across the street. In 

the evenings, a small stage will be home to 


Holiday 2008 / 29

Crimo (continued from previous page) 

musicians playing live music as part of Late Nite HP. Next Spring, Bob will 

open a large, shaded, outdoor area with tables and chairs for dining under 

the trees in nice weather. 

Even the walk-in cooler makes Bob’s face light up like a new father. The 

brand new five-door freezer is significantly bigger than Bob’s old one. 

Giggling, Bob explains: “To give you a little bit of comparison, at my old 

place the cooler was 11 doors that were each 24 inches wide. We now 

have 12 doors that are each 30 inches.” For those who remember the old 

White Hen drink cooler, this new one is basically seven feet wider and a 

foot-and-a-half taller. The larger cooler gives Bob 12 more shelves. “This 

sucker’s capable of holding a lot of cold drinks! I’ve also installed extraheavy 

condensers so that if beverages come off the truck warm, they’ll can 

be cooled down quickly while everything else stays cold. It’ll hold the 

temperature.” Other stations will hold chilled wines, an expanded beer 

section, lottery tickets, cigarettes and magazines, and a larger selection of 

hard liquors than before. 

“Over the last two decades in business, I’ve really tried to give my 

support back to the community,” Bob explains. “I’ve been in the Fourth of 

July parades, we’ve supported our resident sketch comedy troupe for the 

last nine years [full disclosure, the author is one of those comedians] as well 

as various other causes.” That list of additional causes is too long to name 

in full, but among the groups that Bob has supported are Highland Park 

Hospital, the City of Highland Park, Highland Park High School, all of the 

local elementary schools, various little league, soccer and baseball teams 

and numerous social and educational groups. That kind of commitment has 

earned Bob some remarkable and equally selfless thank you’s. 

“About a month after I closed my old store, I was perusing the Internet 

and came across an obituary written about my White Hen Pantry. It pretty 

much summed up everything I had hoped to achieve in the way that I ran 

my business and treated my customers. It was very touching, to say the 

least.” Among the praises in the obit are such sentiments as “Five stars to 

the memory of a great chain store that functioned like a local corner 

grocery of the bygone era,” and “As they say with many things in life, ‘You 

don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’” and “The White Hen in 

Highland Park was a crossroads of the community—this place had soul.” 

Bob’s Pantry & Deli will be a new crossroads—and so much more. Bob’s 

Pantry will be a welcome breath of local ownership in a town that has, in 

recent years, seen more and more national and regional operations take hold. 

Welcme Back, Old Friends 

How many names can you recall? Bob Crimo knows more than 1,500 of 

us just by looking at our faces. We, the Community with a capitol “C,” 

should support the sense of community that means everything to a man 

(and a business) who has already touched so many of our lives. “I know 

that my wife and I will go there,” says Dave Auerbach! “We’ll be in there 

spending our money! Hopefully, Bob can pick up some additional business 

from Glencoe. He should do great!” And if Bob does attract out-of-town 

customers, that’s good for Highland Park. 

30 


The original crew �: (back row) Mario Sanchez, 

Josh Phillips; (middle row) Paul “Paulie” Crimo, Bob Crimo, 

Sr., Elva Velez; (front row) Denise and Bob Crimo, Jr. 

So whether you have known Bob for 20 years or met him for the 

first time in this story, drop in any time—no matter how far you have 

to travel. The sandwiches alone are worth the trip. It’s just a mile or so 

south of his previous location, just about 900 feet north of Lake Cook 

Road on St. Johns. 

Lester Dotson was very happy to hear that Bob was opening a new 

place. “I told him he would definitely get my business. And once Bob’s 

Pantry opens—boom, it’ll knock the competition out of the water!” 

Judy Koster exclaims, “Oh my gosh, we can hardly wait! We’re going 

to camp out there. We’re going to take advantage of it more now than 

we ever did before. There was limited parking on Roger Williams, he’s 

closer to Ravinia Festival now, all that good stuff! I hope he makes three 

times as much money, and now he doesn’t have to pay anybody a fee!” 

PHOTO: Daniel Kullman, Bitter Jester Creative

Your visit to Bob’s Pantry & Deli will also get you free Wi-Fi and 

something that’s all too rare, loyal employees � who treat the 

customers well…and vice versa. “At my new place, I can’t tell you 

how proud I am that my entire staff is returning. Even the utility guy wants 

to come back.” Aside from saving Bob the trouble of training new 

employees, he starts off on the right foot, knowing that his is one place 

where the idea of community is valued from the top down. Bob puts it more 

simply: “It doesn’t cost anything to be nice. That’s just the way I operate.” 

Remember theCheers theme song? “Makin’ your way in the world today 

takes everything you’ve got. Takin’ a break from all your worries sure would 

help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you wanna go where 

everybody knows your name. And they’re always glad you came...” In our 

stressed-out economy, in this season that reminds us to value family � and 

friends, it’ll cheer us all to have such a place right here at home! 

Bob’s Pantry & Deli, 55 St. Johns, HP, 847-432-DELI (3354) 

“To the Highland Park community I would really like to 

say thank you. Thanks to everyone for all the support 

they’ve shown in all different ways. It means a lot to 

me; it’s more than I ever thought I might see, and it’s 

truly very touching. In fact, it just makes me want to 

strive that much harder not only to recreate what 

existed before, but to move forward into this new, 

exciting chapter of our lives! My family and I hope to 

see you soon at the new store!” 

Nicolas DeGrazia is the Creative Director/Co-Owner of Bitter Jester 

Creative, a video, photography and theatre production company. 

Contact Nicolas at 847-433-8660 or ndegrazia@bitterjester.com. 

Everyone’s an expert! 

Put your passion to work 

Volunteer in your community 

•Share your life experience 

•Feel a unique sense of satisfaction 

•Develop deeper bonds within your hometown 

•Connect outside your usual circles 

•Explore new professional paths 

Volunteer Pool 

of Highland Park 

847-433-2190 

VolunteerPoolHP.org 

Established in 1964, the Volunteer Pool is a not-for-profit agency. 

Donations are welcome and are tax-deductible. 

Holiday 2008 / 31

Are You In? 

Get fit for 2009 

Highland Park Chamber of Commerce presents 

its second Lose Weight Feel Great Challenge. 

The contest begins January 12, 2008, and will 

last for 10 weeks. 

In our first challenge this past spring and 

summer, 30 people competed in three teams, 

sponsored by Fitness Plus, Equinox and 

Angela’s Fitness. We had a mix of half men 

and women ages 34-63. 

Participants lost 446 pounds in 12 weeks, 

with weight losses ranging from an encouraging 

10 pounds to the highest, 33 pounds. 

Some of the winners � received a 

makeover, with hair and makeup by Michael 

Thomas Color & Hair and wardrobe stylings 

by Kerri Nevin, Design Your Life Image 

Consultant. Kerri either “shopped” in the 

contestants’ closets or accompanied them on 

trips to favorite stores. Then Dick Smurlo, 

Norman Phillips of London, photographed 

them. The results are shown here, and the 

results certainly show! 

Ann Connors of Fitness Plus reports that she 

has several contestants who have continued to 

train with her. One recently weighed in with a 

60 pound loss since beginning on May 12. 

For the upcoming challenge, we are looking for 

75 participants who will work with certified 

personal trainers, nutritionists and psychologists. 

Prizes and awards will be given. 

Be one of the first to sign up! If you do so 

before December 15th, you will receive a 

discount off the registration fee. 

For information and registration, please call 

Anne Connors at 847-910-3016, or the 

Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, 

frontdesk@ehighlandpark.com or 847-432-0284. 

32 


Robyn Pissetsky Robin Paull 

Be There! 

The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce hosts 

many activities all year long—there’s sure to be 

lots that appeal to you. Members of the Chamber 

pay a reduced fee at those events for which there 

is a charge. Membership applications are 

available for 2009 by calling 847-432-0284 or 

email frontdesk@ehighlandpark.com. 

• Wednesday, November 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

Business After Hours 

Dream Kitchens, 799 Central Avenue, HP 

No Fee 

• Thursday, November 20, 8 a.m. 

Women’s Networking Group 

The Art Center, 1957 Sheridan Road, HP 

$5 Chamber members/$10 non-members 

• Wednesday, December 3, 7:30 a.m. 

1st Wednesday Networking Group 

Cosí, 1825 Second Street, HP 

$5 members/$10 non-members 

• Thursday, December 18, 11:15 a.m. 

Women’s Networking Group 

Holiday Luncheon 

Bluegrass, 1636 Old Deerfield Road, HP 

$15 members/$25 non-members 

Michael Hoffman, Michael’s Restaurant, 

will sponsor the 2008 Highland Park 

Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, 

Thursday, December 11, 8 a.m. Though we 

do get down to business— electing your 

2009 Executive Board and Board of 

Directors—this is one of the most fun events 

of the year, and a great way to learn more 

about the Chamber and fellow 

businesspeople from every walk of life. 

Members and prospective members alike, 

please RSVP. 847-432-0284, 

frontdesk@ehighlandpark.com 

PHOTO: Michael Metzger Photographer PHOTOS: Dick Smurlo, Norman Phillips of London

Festive Days 

& Dazzling 

Nights 

Get ready for another fabulous holiday season at 

Renaissance Place. Discover great gift ideas, including 

chic fashions, delightful home accents, pampering 

services and more. Share a meal with friends and take 

in the spirit of the season all in one charming location. 

Stop driving around in circles. 

Take advantage of three hours of FREE PARKING in our 

underground parking garage. 

Enter from the Saks Fifth Avenue parking lot or at the north 

end of the Green Bay Road parking lot. 

ANN TAYLOR � BACK IN COMFORT � BELLY DANCE MATERNITY 

CHICO’S � CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL � DALAJ-MEN’S CLOTHING 

FRANCESCA’S COLLECTIONS � JAMBA JUICE � JOS. A. BANK CLOTHIERS 

RENAISSANCE PLACE THEATRE � L’OCCITANE � M-SALON � POTTERY BARN 

RESTORATION HARDWARE � ROSEBUD RESTAURANT OF HIGHLAND PARK 

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE � STARBUCKS COFFEE � SUNGLASS HUT � VERIZON WIRELESS 

WILLIAMS-SONOMA 

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RENAISSANCEPLACEONLINE.COM 

PROFESSIONALLY LEASED AND MANAGED BY

James C. Styer 

The Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park is an independent charitable 

foundation that supports health care programs and services in the geographic 

area served by Highland Park Hospital, especially community-based 

organizations. We spoke a few months ago with its chairman, James C. Styer. 

34 

Deborah Spector Barry, Wordspecs Advertising Agency 


PHOTO: Michael Metzger Photographer 

Jim, tell us about yourself and your family. 

I grew up in Hyde Park and went to high 

school there, then earned my BA in insurance at 

Michigan State. I’ve been in insurance for 48 

years, the last 24 at Mesirow Financial. 

I am married to Merle Kirsner Styer, who’s 

been in residential real estate for almost 30 years 

in Highland Park. I moved here in 1972, our 

five girls went through District 107. Now I live 

in the Edgewood neighborhood. Our five girls 

are everywhere—Manhattan, New Jersey, 

Denver, Steamboat and Los Angeles. 

So, how did the Foundation come to be? 

The Foundation was established in 2000, as 

part of the merger of Highland Park Hospital with 

ENH. We did not want the community to feel 

that we sold the hospital to an organization that 

was so big that they would discount the 

community of Highland Park. Highland Park 

Hospital was built by the community, and we 

wanted to keep dollars in community health care. 

How was the Foundation funded? 

The Foundation is a community trust. ENH 

provided seed money along with funds from the 

old hospital foundation reserves. We opened with 

$100 million. 

What was different about the new Foundation? 

It was new in that it had two goals: One was 

to monitor ENH after the merger—they had made 

certain commitments to the community and to 

Highland Park Hospital to enhance the facilities 

and quality of healthcare. Over time, they spent in 

excess of $120 million on the hospital campus. 

The second commitment was to support 

healthcare anywhere in the hospital’s service area. 

How did you do, relative to those goals? 

I believe we have done very well. The 

original hospital funds had been raised within 

this community, and Highland Park received 

the greatest benefits. You no longer have to 

leave town for open heart surgery or cancer 

care. The new Ambulatory Care Center 

provides more capacity for same-day, 23-hour 

surgeries. Everyone has access to better

physicians—critical care physicians, teaching physicians—all on the Highland Park campus. 

Does the hospital’s recent affiliation with the University of Chicago impact the Foundation? 

No, we’re an independent entity. Fundraising by what is now the NorthShore University 

HealthSystem is completely separate from us. They raise funds for Evanston, Glenbrook and Highland 

Park Hospitals. We focus only in this area. 

So if an individual wanted to donate just to Highland Park Hospital…? 

You could earmark “for Highland Park Hospital” any gift to the NorthShore University HealthSystem 

Foundation. Or you can make a gift to the Auxiliary, which is fundraising specifically for the hospital. 

How does the Foundation determine how much it gives to the hospital? 

The Foundation was committed to give the hospital 8 percent of our earnings in our first year, 

6 percent in the second and third, and thereafter 4 percent in perpetuity, about $4 million a year now. 

So the grants derive from investments? 

Yes, we have a very conservative board who has invested very wisely, in a way that allows us to 

continue, effectively, forever. We have given away in excess of $50,000,000. 

With four million a year for the Hospital, what’s left for the community? 

We are currently [as this goes to press] considering 30 grants for a total of $6.3 million. We have 

never turned down a grant because of a lack of funds, and there’s no set limit on yearly grants. 

Tell me about the grant process? 

The process is very simple. Really, all that’s required is a phone call, email or letter to me as 

chairman. I spend some time to get a sense of what the 501(c)(3) is about. Then, we send out our 

Requests for Proposals in September to everybody who has ever asked to apply, even if they might 

have been previously refused, plus new applicants. The subcommittee reviews the RFPs in October, 

and the entire board decides on them in December. 

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Does the hospital still has that “community 

hospital” feeling, given its regional affiliations? 

People do think their hometown hospital is 

gone—until they become a patient. Then, the 

obvious connection is there. The volunteers are 

people from within the community, and the 

entire staff is community-oriented. From my lay 

perspective, prior to the ENH merger of the 

hospital, I would get complaints to me at least 

once a week about things that were “wrong” 

with the hospital. In the last year, I’ve had only 

one complaint. And now more than ever I get 

compliments, especially about the emergency 

room and continuation of care. ENH spent more 

than $120 million on capital improvements. 

How did you come to the Foundation? 

Maybe 20 years ago, I was asked to serve on 

the old hospital foundation board, to raise money. 

I became chairman of the old foundation in 1996. 

Had you done fundraising in the past? 

Yes, for the Jewish United Fund (JUF), for 

Glenkirk, for the old Michael Reese Medical 

Research Center, among others. 

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Holiday 2008 / 35

36 

FUNtastic Family Fair 

Fun hands-on 

exhibits & 

entertainment. 

Wellness, 

fitness, arts & 

expression. 

Sun. Jan. 25th, 1:00 - 4:00 

At Highland Park Country Club 

$5/person, kids under 4 free 

Details: infinityfoundation.org - 847.831.8828 

One FREE adult entry with this ad, limit one. 

Visit InfinityFoundation.org 

to register for upcoming courses. 


Call 847.831.8828 

for a free cource guide. 

CEUs available. 

Q&A James Styer (continued from previous page) 

So what stands out about the Foundation? 

One of the results of the ENH merger was that this Foundation got out 

of fund-raising. We just give the money away. It’s a pleasure to give money 

away instead of asking for it. We operate with the initial $100,000,000. We 

don’t even accept unsolicited funds. 

It’s that simple? 

Yes, we keep this very simple. We meet only three times a year, May 

and October and then grants are decided in December. The rest of the time, 

I communicate by email, working out of my office at Mesirow (in Port 

Clinton Square). We have a lawyer, an accountant and an investment 

advisor, but no paid staff. The entire board is volunteer. 

So, what is it like, giving away money? 

As I said, it’s wonderful. The biggest thrill for me was the Lake County 

Health Clinic (between the old Karger Center and the Firehouse). The 

patients are people who would never go to a hospital; they used to go to a 

doctor in Highwood who would charge them…now they get complete 

health care at the clinic. We don’t support programs that Lake County 

funds; we fund additional programs not available at any other clinic. 

Another one that I love is Family Focus Right from the Start. That 

provides prenatal education and health care, up through 3rd grade, for an 

all Hispanic patient population. Because of the wealth in this community, 

the uninsured and underinsured are not visible. 

What other former grant recipients might our readers recognize? 

We’ve done a lot of things within the disabled community. Glenkirk has 

served people with developmental disabilities for years. It’s so wonderful to 

see their kids’ high functioning, children who wouldn’t stand a chance in 

life if it weren’t for Glenkirk. In fact, Glenkirk recently took over 

Opportunity Inc. Opportunity was one of Highland Park’s major employers 

and hired people with disabilities. Sadly, the projects they depended on for 

income were outsourced to China. 

The Anixter Center is another recipient. It has an Adult Community 

Transition center here in Highland Park, including mental health care. 

It must be very difficult to turn organizations down. Who gets to write 

tha letter? 

Actually, we make our accountant do that. But if we refuse somebody, 

they can reapply. The Cradle, an long-time Evanston organization has care 

programs for infants with special needs. We initially said no but asked them 

to come back and demonstrate more clients within our hospital’s service 

area. They did so, and we gave them a grant last year. 

How do grant seekers hear about the Foundation? 

Strictly word of mouth. Public relations is the one thing we lack. We 

were mentioned in Crain’s as one of the largest foundations in Chicago, so 

we’re amazed that even with all the professional grant writers out there, 

we get so few requests, maybe six new organizations in 2008. But the 

people on our board, the minute they hear about a worthy organization, 

they bring it to our attention. Mayor Belsky has been instrumental in 

putting us together with organizations that need our assistance. 

You have no web site. Why? 

One reason is that my board didn’t want to do it. Their theory was that

we would be inundated with applications that were not in our bailiwick. 

Our concentrated area is where Highland Park Hospital works, and that’s 

where we want to remain. 

So to be more specific, what do you look for? 

We determine the program’s proximity to our hospital service area. Who 

is their target population? Does this part of Lake County need that kind of 

program? What is the financial need of the program and of the people 

served by the program? How stable is the program—management, 

governance, fiscal soundness. We also have to have a way to evaluate the 

effectiveness of the program. When the applicant is a newer program, 

without a history, we want to look at their actual spending, which is one 

method of measurement in the early days of an organization. 

Well, now, every home and business in Highland Park and Highwood is 

going to know about the Foundation. Are you prepared for that? 

There is no limit to what we will do. We want to give away the money, 

we want to support healthcare in the area. We ask everyone to demonstrate 

how much of their service is going to the Highland Park Hospital service 

area. For example, take Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind. They were able 

to identify specific numbers of people served in our area, so we felt this was 

a worthy grant. 

And who serves on the board? 

Right now, we’re a combination of new people and some who served on 

the old foundation board. We have both Mayors Dan Pierce and Mike Belsky. 

We recently brought on Jesse Peterson Hall (president of the hospital), 

because we like the connection to the hospital itself. One of the things we do 

at every meeting is get a hospital report. 

In addition to Mike, Jesse and Dan, Robert D. Appelbaum (Secretary), 

Robert Lund, Sandra S. McCraren, Lawrence R. Miller (Treasurer) and 

Ronald G. Spaeth serve on our board. 

Are you looking for new board members? 

The board can be expanded. I will talk to anyone who wants to serve. 

It’s a great board. We always have an eye out for people who have a sense 

of community, a sense of charity and a willingness to serve. 

What do you see in the near future for the Foundation? 

Because of the economy, I think that charities are going to be hurting, 

and we would very much like to help. I think we’ll be able to honor all 31 

grant requests, and as the economy recovers, I think we’ll be able to 

increase the number of new grants by five or six a year. I’m very critical of 

the insurance industry and our government, I’m discouraged that they just 

can’t put together something that makes sense. Until a public/private 

solution can be engineered, we’ll continue to address the needs of people 

here who do not have access to health care. The need for what we do 

continues to grow, especially in a recessionary economy. 

Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park, 610 Central Avenue, 

Suite 200, HP, 847-681-2450, jstyer@mesirowfinancial.com 

Deborah Spector Barry is the principal at Wordspecs Advertising 

Agency and executive editor of six00threefive magazine. She consults 

on start-ups and expansions of owner-operator enterprises, including 

visual branding, media buys and ad campaign execution. 

BASIC’S BOUTIQUE 

BUY ONE 

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Get down to basics 

in downtown style 

625 Central, Highland Park 

847-433-4340 

OPEN 7 DAYS 

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exp. 12/15/08 

Holiday 2008 / 37

PHOTOS: James Lederer, Back Back, LLC,. starving artist that he is… 

Chef’s Day Off 

Jim Lederer, Bluegrass Restaurant 

The holidays are the time to plan that wonderful year-end thank you for 

friends, family, business associates, partners and employees who helped you 

get through what has been a challenging year. And during post-holiday 

letdown, you can brighten up a few dreary months with a party. By all 

means, take advantage of what our local business people have to offer. 

I put out a request for party ideas and have gathered the responses here, 

including venues that can facilitate large and small groups in some unique 

settings. Just think of Highland Park as a little city rich in diversity, so your 

options for get-togethers are abundant as well. Mix and match from caterers, 

venues and restaurants…let your imagination go. 

Restaurants 

Bluegrass handles groups of 25 to 75 on site, and recently released a “Half 

Pan Menu” for small to large home or office parties off site. Saturday and 

Sunday afternoons and anytime Monday, you can have the entire place for 

your private event, no room fee! They can also set up for smaller parties off 

to one side in the dining room any day of the week. 1636 Old Deerfield 

Road, HP, 847-831-0595, www.bluegrasshp.com 

The guys from the former Forty-One North (� l. to r., Arnie, Mike and 

Ted Holleb) now run City Park Grill. Their party room can accommodate 

up to 55 people for a sit-down event, up to 75 people for a cocktail party. 

Their web site has a dedicated section with menus and pictures of the 

room. They are also a full-service, off-site caterer for events at your home or 

office, with or without their staffing. Please contact Arnie via phone or web. 

1783 St. Johns, HP, 847-432-9111, www.thecityparkgrill.com 

38 


Stash’s / Guido’s Pastaria is able to seat 120 people inside, with 

multiple catering menus, from simple to lavish. The two professionals to 

contact are Karen Uhlmann 847-287-3202 or Bobby Dubin 847-436-5069. 

610 Central (Port Clinton Square), 847-432-6550, 

www.stashsrestaurantandgrill.com 

Yummy Bowl has a great room off to the side of the main restaurant, 

accommodating up to 120 people; they can also take care of smaller groups. 

The menu is a great mix of Chinese and Thai. Theresa Chang has been a 

Highland Park fixture for years. Check out their party menus on line or 

contact Theresa at 847-849-3510 or theresa@yummybowl.com. 

1908 Sheridan Road, HP, 847-266-8880, www.yummybowl.com 

Venues with Catered Options 

Some places around in town have dual personalities, business and party. 

They have beautiful rooms that provide a change in atmosphere from the 

standard dining room. These people are party pros, so think out of the box! 

Mick Ter Haar at Cork and Canvas has been in the hospitality field for 

years; his shop doubles naturally as a setting for cocktail or dining parties, up to 

50 people standing comfortably, half as many seated. Mick’s a Certified 

Sommelier who can plan a wine tasting or a full-blown dinner. Use your 

ownpreferred caterer, or ask Mick to recommend one of the many chefs he 

knows. Prices vary depending on wines selected, type of event, day and time. 

Email mick@corkandcanvas.com. 1839 Second Street, HP, 

847-780-4243, www.corkandcanvas.com 

Victoria Highwood is one of the oldest locations in town for a large affair. 

As the old Scornavaco’s site, the stories that that building could tell! Let’s just 

say, it has character. They can easily seat 185 in one room, 100 more in 

another room or 300 standing for cocktails. Call Mary Ellen Powers for 

menus and options. She’s a hockey mom (with lipstick!), so you might catch 

her at the rink or email mpowers@victoriabanquets.com 550 Green Bay 

Road, Highwood, 847-433-5515, www.victoriabanquets.com 

Highland Park Community House is another charming setting, a 

beautifully renovated historic landmark available for private and non-profit 

rentals. The red brick, Colonial Revival-style house has a spacious ballroom, 

large living room with bay windows, a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, 

new restrooms and three outdoor garden areas. “No event is too small,” says 

Wendy Horwich. Your caterer or their recommendation. Either call or email 

wendy@hpcommhouse.org. 1991 Sheridan Road, 847-432-1515, 

www.HighlandParkCommunityHouse.org 

Do guests have trouble mixing? Do co-workers yawn when you mention the 

annual holiday party? Are you bored by girls’ night out? Therapeutic 

Kneads offers something completely different, a massage party! Perfect when 

your employees have been putting in nights and weekends and an ideal way 

to thank your top sales people and best customers. Bring their talented 

therapists to you or you can take over their entire new location for a private 

event. The planning is stress free, and your guest couldn’t be more relaxed. 

Your caterer or theirs. Contact Sandy Saldano or her staff. 1779 Green 

Bay Road, HP, 847-266-0131, www.wekneadyou.com

PHOTO: Kendall Karmanian, Chicago Magazine 

Melissa Edelman currently hosts a private “European Classic Cocktail 

Party” and has superb menus at her shop Antiquaire �(“Exquisite 

European Antiques”). The excitement is the ambiance, quite the place for 

conversation amidst Louis Philippe, Murano, Guillerme and Chambron! 

She has a large flat-screen TV for slide shows, awards presentations or 

watching sports, with surround-sound for background classical music or 

full-blown rock! Antiquaire has one main showroom and two smaller back 

rooms, seating 50 people comfortably, 75 standing…but if you like it 

crowded, more are fine. 1900 Sheridan Road, HP, 847-480-4779, 

www.Antiquaireonline.com 

Park District of Highland Park has three venues with different 

atmospheres. In all cases, food must come from an outside vendor; there’s 

no “preferred” list. General information is found at www.pdhp.org 

The Recreation Center has two multi-purpose rooms: one will hold 

approximately 40 people, the other room will hold 50-60 people. The two 

rooms can also be configured into one larger room. For an added fee, you 

can have the gymnasium and/or the indoor swimming pool. Simply give 

Debbie Pierce, 847-579-4049, or email her, and she will take great care of 

you 1207 Park Avenue West, HP, dpierce@pdhp.org 

Heller Nature Center, on the west side of town, offers a more rustic 

setting. Call Aude Wilkins to plan a party of 80 people seated, 100 people 

standing (maximum occupancy for the room). 2821 Ridge Road, HP, 

847-433-6901, awilkins@pdhp.org 

And at West Ridge Center, the party room holds 100 people 

maximum. Please note: No alcohol is allowed at this location. Michele 

Long will help you. 2821 Ridge Road, HP, 847-579-3134 

Tidbits 

BE OUR GUEST! Receive a $100 Gift Card 

details below 

Ed. Note—Columnist Jim Lederer won’t toot restaurateur Jim 

Lederer’s own horn, but we will! Bluegrass is the #1 Neighborhood 

Gem, say real people on OpenTable.com. In fact, Bluegrass is the 

only North Shore spot named. It’s easy to find, just across the 

street from the Highland Park Police Station. 

Jim Lederer always has a lot on his plate, but if you can eat it or 

drink it in Highland Park, he wants to write about it. Send your news 

of restaurants, caterers, groceries and beverages to 

jim@bluegrasshp.com or call 847-831-0595. 

Visit our showr om during December 2008, receive a $1 0 Gift card for any new purchase of $500+. Not valid on previous orders. 

Holiday 2008 / 39

Jane Giles 

Where better to shop for that special gift or 

perfect holiday-party outfit than in Highland 

Park? And with so many of us extra cost 

conscious these days, our focus is on finding 

special gifts in line with current budgets. 

For the holidays, no one’s more fun to indulge 

than children! At North Shore Kidz, that’s 

easy. Billed as a boutique warehouse, this 

children’s clothing shop stocks the finest designer 

apparel for the under-6 set, all at discount prices. 

Tucked away behind Route 41 on Old 

Deerfield Road, this shop’s “off-the-beaten-path” 

location and other low overhead translate into 

savings that owner Rebecca Soifer � passes 

along to customers. “Our everyday prices, 10 to 

50 percent off retail, deliver the best bang for 

your buck on today’s most popular and trendy 

40 


high-end children’s clothing, from preemie to girls 6X and boys size 7.” The most budget-minded 

shoppers will walk out with something wonderful. 

Looking to spend $10 or less? Check out the shop’s hair accessories: bows and clips—even noslip 

clips for super fine baby hair, in assorted colors and fabrics, adorned with Swarovski crystals or 

embellished with rainbows of ribbon, all for about $6. For less than $30, keep baby’s toes toasty 

warm in Isa Booties, adorable super soft, no-slip booties that keep their shape even after countless 

washings, or doll her up in outfits adorned with the cute and colorful floral appliqués and detailed 

smocking that are hallmarks of the Baby Nay clothing line. 

Shipments of holiday themed and special occasion outfits have been arriving since fall. Ralph 

Lauren rompers in velour to traditional oxford cloth button downs and classic khaki slacks. Prices start 

PHOTO: Michael Metzger Photographer

around $35. High-end lines priced $150 and up 

elsewhere top out from $60 to $75. 

And what says love better than a special lovie? 

Soft and snuggly blankies at half-off retail become 

that all important security blanket for as little as 

$10 to $15. Made by Cach Cach, they resemble 

baby animals, with whimsical little animal heads 

that make it easy for kids to drag around! 

Whether your jet-setting junior’s fashion sense 

leans to country club classic or pure funk, North 

Shore Kidz has the perfect and perfectly priced 

gift. The store also helps others look and feel 

good. A big supporter of other mom-based 

businesses and causes, Rebecca stocks items from 

other moms who design and market children’s 

apparel and also provides frequent cause-related 

promotions. This past summer, shoppers received 

15 percent-off coupons for donating baby items 

like diapers, wipes, shampoos, bibs and new 

clothing as well as adult personal care products. 

North Shore Kidz donates teses to Connection for 

Abused Women and their Children. Rebecca has 

similar plans in the work for the holiday season. 

North Shore Kidz, 1480 Old Deerfield 

Road #15, HP, 847-235-0015, 

www.northshorekidz.com 

“Scarves! They are the must-have hot accessory this year,” insists Iris Baer, owner of Gemuine 

Boutique, a boutique accessories shop located in Northbrook’s Shear Elegance Salon off Dundee and 

Pfingsten Roads. “Everyone in New York and Europe is wearing scarves—with T-shirts and jeans, or as 

shawls for warmth.” Iris explains that her shop carries a range of styles to suit any ensemble or budget. 

“Pashminas are so in,” she says of these long, two-and-a-half foot wide scarves with fringed ends. 

“They’re so versatile—worn as a scarf or a wrap. The latest look is tying them around and around the 

neck, looping over in front, or gathered under the collar for a long scarf.” Gemuine’s pashminas come in 

bright colors, fall hues and animal prints as well as your choice of 100 percent cashmere, silk and 

cashmere blend, or in synthetic fabrics that run as low as $20—up to $200 for the select, made in Nepal, 

all-cashmeres. “I also have little neck scarves that start at $9, all-silk square, bandana style ones for $25 

and tie-dyed scarves in the $30 to $50 range – all of which are ideal to dress-up or dress-down an outfit.” 

Gemuine also carries a terrific line of jewelry and accessories, barrettes and belts, purses and their 

accompaniments—wallets, keychains, business card holders, mirrors—with plenty in the $25 to $50 

range. Her fashion jewelry is the real deal, where a collection of sterling silver and semi-precious stones 

dominate. “We have so many beautiful pieces—some with pearls, amber, black jet, mother of pearl, 

turquoise, coral and more. Lariats—long, open-ended necklaces—are very big this year and start 

around $25.” Big, chunky beaded necklaces of semi-precious stones are also this year’s rage; sterling 

pieces from $15; and Austrian crystal and cubic zirconia. Iris says gold is coming back, while brushed 

silver and gold frosted metals are also hot. Stacking bangles for $20-$30 are a lovely gift as are the 

ultra-feminine Mary Frances compacts and other purse accessories. 

Gemuine does gift wrapping, and all items are returnable for exchange only. “My boutique is 

where you can pick up something truly special without spending hundreds of dollars. Many come to 

Gemuine looking to spend $25-$50 and are very impressed with our wide selection of beautiful and 

special gift-appropriate selections. Located in Shear Elegance Beauty Salon, 2750 Dundee 

Road, Northbrook, 847-205-1950 


Holiday 2008 / 41

New to You (continued from previous page) 

Twenty years ago, returning from summer vacation, Neil Rubenstein’s sons begged him to take a detour 

to Ann Arbor. The purpose: to buy official University of Michigan football jerseys and sweatshirts. One 

hour and $250 later, Neil was convinced plenty of other parents were being pressured to do the same. 

And so, Campus Colors was born, opening in Highland Park to bring fans authentic college sports 

merchandise. Last year, they opened Pro Colors next door, expanding into pro team apparel and novelties. 

While the store carries lines for men, women and youth, it’s a haven and special favorite among 

guys of every age. Even less-than-fashion-conscious fellas and those you wouldn’t typically gift with 

clothing are thrilled to don the colors and logos of their favorite teams. And with hoodies taking the 

place of fall and winter jackets these days, their $30-$50 price range makes them a terrific gift. 

There’s also a huge selection of T-shirts and hats around $20, as well as shorts and jerseys in the $50 

range. “New this year and especially popular are ring-spun T-shirts,” advises Neil’s son Jon � , 

now a partner and VP of this family-owned and operated company. “Ring-spun shirts are extra soft, 

42 

ACCESSORIZE YOURSELF AND YOUR 

HOME A 

For the Holidays Holidays 


yet durable and are pre-washed so there’s less 

shrinkage.” 

There’s also room décor such as rugs, 

football pillows, clocks and bed linens. For 

those who are looking to spend less, there’s a 

vast array of clever and functional novelties: 

pennants, license plate frames, gym bags, mugs, 

sweatbands, desk accessories and key chains. 

Depending on your choice and wallet 

constraints, you can find something special for 

less than $10, a wide selection of great stuff in 

the $25-$50 range and more elaborate $100- 

$300 gifts. Shipping rates start at $8. “Online 

shoppers pay a flat $5 for shipping and 

purchases over $75 are shipped free,” adds Jon, 

who encourages customers to checkout 

Campus Colors’ website. “With the price of gas, 

more and more people are purchasing gifts 

online. Why fight the holiday crowds when you 

can shop in your PJs at 1 a.m.? And, with our 

internet fulfillment done out of the Highland 

Park store, UPS makes multiple pickups each day 

so packages arrive on-time.” Campus Colors, 

1860 First Street, HP, 847-433-2300, 

www.shopcampuscolors.com 

CHIEVING R ESULTS VS. 

H OPING FOR R ESULTS 

he typical approach to marketing real estate in the current 

T market is simply hoping for results. At Marcus & 

Millichap, 37 years of specialized expertise and the industry’s 

most powerful marketing system are engaged to match each 

property to the optimum pool of qualified and active investors. 

That is why our clients are moving capital, maximizing value 

and executing with success even in today’s environment. 

To access the real estate market, contact the Lake County market leader. 

PHILIP M. NOWAK 

(773) 867-1458 pnowak@marcusmillichap.com 

Offices Nationwide www.MarcusMillichap.com 

Investment Sales ♦ Financing 

Research ♦ Advisory Services 

PHOTOS: Michael Metzger Photographer

In September, Half Price Books opened in Highland Park, marking its fifth location in Chicagoland. 

The 8,000+-square-foot store in the Crossroads Shopping Center (at Lake-Cook and Skokie Valley) is 

one of 101 stores nationwide that buys and sells new and used books, magazines, comics, records, 

CDs and DVDs and collectibles. 

If you think about shopping as soon as the Thanksgiving leftovers hit the fridge, be in line Friday, 

November 28 at 7 a.m. That’s “Green Friday”; everything’s 20 percent off until 10 a.m. The first 100 

people receive a free reusable tote bag with a $5 Half Price Books gift card; one lucky bag will have a 

$100 card. Since November 1, all shoppers get a $5 gift card for every $50 gift card purchase. Treasure 

seekers enjoy the store’s unique offerings of new and used books, music and more, all at half the 

publisher’s price or less. Most DVDs run under $10, as do many beautiful journals, note cards, address 

books, gift sets and other stationery items. There’s even an assortment of unusual magnets, stuffed 

animals, coffee mugs, games and even a little ceramic head you crack open to grow herbs (think Chia 

Pet.) In the $15-$20 range: amazing coffee table and art books, books on photography, antiques, 

quilting, scrapbooking, weaving, military history and special interests like travel books for those planning 

trips, dog care and training books for new puppy owners, a Scrabble dictionary to accompany the game, 

vintage editions of beloved book favorites, 

cookbooks and memoirs of favorite celebrities. 

And in the spirit of giving, Half Price Books 

supports hundreds of literacy projects. On behalf 

of its Half Pint Library Book Drive, the company 

has donated nearly two million books and 

created hundreds of Half Pint Libraries in 

hospitals, community centers and schools for 

children with special needs across the nation. 

151 Skokie Valley Road, HP, 

847-831-2820, www.halfpricebooks.com 

Still stuck for inspiration? Chamber gift checks, 

$20, give “purchasing power” at participating 

stores, restaurants and service establishments. 

847-432-0284, 508 Central Avenue, HP, 

chamber@ehighlandpark.com 

What’s new in wholesale and retail? Tell 

Jane Giles, a principal at Leeds 

Communications and Asst. Ed. of 

six00threefive. Jane is a PR consultant, 

specializing in branding and marketing 

mid-sized and health care companies. 

Email 60035@ChamberHP.com, SUBJECT: 

“New to You,” or call 847-607-8216. 

English/Spanish Book + CD + Teaching Guide: $34.95 

English/Spanish Book + CD: $24.95 Tax and shipping are not included. 

Holiday 2008 / 43

PHOTO: John A. Schreurs, 

courtesy Highland Park Public Library 

Calling All Lincoln School Alums Lincoln 

celebrating its 100th birthday on February 12, 2009. The school was 

School is 

dedicated in 1909 on Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, and next year’s 

celebration will coincide with the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. The PTA 

will be using this unique learning opportunity for our current students to 

see how the country, Highland Park and their own families have evolved 

throughout a one hundred year period! 

If you are a graduate of Lincoln School (shown � before the 1924 

building addition), they would love to hear from you! Please share a favorite 

memory or story, or provide some information about what it was like to 

attend Lincoln School in your day. They also hope to build an archive of 

materials. The goal is to compile an archive with information from each 

decade of the school’s existence. If you have photographs they can copy, old 

yearbooks or other materials from Lincoln you would like to donate, contact 

the committee. Lincolns100th@aol.com 

Dysfunctional Family Reunion Attic Playhouse, 

another local gem, presents Drinking Alone, by Norm Foster, November 14 

through December 22. This touching, thought provoking comedy with an 

edge is by Canada’s most prolific and popular playwright. 410 Sheridan 

Road, Highwood, 847-433-2660, www.atticplayhouse.com 

Oak Terrace School Needs Your Support! The PTA will 

be hosting a silent auction fundraising dinner being held on 

February 28, 2009. Within the walls of Oak Terrace School, the academic 

needs are met for a very diverse socioeconomic and cultural population. 

Over 60 percent of Oak Terrace students are on the free or reduced cost 

lunch plans. Oak Terrace school also continues to serve, as it always has, 

the education needs of many families serving in the military. Funds are 

44 


utilized to provide extracurricular opportunities for all our children, many of 

whom would not otherwise have access to these opportunities. For more 

information, please contact Oak Terrace PTA President Joanne Gordon. 

847-338-2671 or OakTerracePTA@gmail.com 

Editor’s Note Forgive our slipping out of the editorial “we,” but 

after 16 issues as executive editor of six00threefive, I am passing my red 

pencil on to my colleagues in the Publication Group (formerly the 

Communications Committee). This magazine is a concept I have been 

kicking around for a couple of decades; it never would have come to life 

without the perfect mix of people and personalities. That’s why I know 

six00threefive will continue to improve, season after season, under their 

sharp eyes and warm hearts. 

The “PubGroup,” as it’s called in these days of we’re-all-too-busy-tospell-anything-out, 

are the busy professionals who take time from their day 

jobs to mentor local writers, showcase Highland Park photographers and 

secure sponsors. Listed in our masthead on page 1, you can think of them 

as “producers.” Then, on page 5, read the names of our “corporate 

underwriters.” Without sponsors and producers, there’s no six00threefive. 

And without you, our audience, there would be no “reason to be.” 

Highland Parkers love to say, “I know the owner.” This magazine is your 

not-so-secret handshake. 

And to think this all began when Sandra McCraren thought to send the 

chamber newsletter to everyone in town. That newsletter became this magazine. 

The magazine’s authenticity is immediately apparent. At its core, 

six00threefive reflects the uncanny ties woven through the fabric of our 

hometown. Cliché? You betcha! Say what you will about name dropping, 

but dropping names is what makes six00threefive eminently “Googleable,” 

attracting an ever-widening audience to our online archive. 

Reading these pages, you think, “I know him.” “Didn’t you go out with 

that guy?” “She went to school with my sister!” “I think that’s the family 

who lived above Aunt Fanny in the three-flat.” 

Still, once this project was realized, for me, the appeal lay in the 

PubGroup itself, the most energetic, creative people in town—Abbe, Jane, 

George, Carol, Mike and Michael, Sharon, Kelly and Wes. Everyone will tell 

you, even our meetings are fun—because we sit at the center of absolutely 

everything going on in town. 

And then there are Pete, Justin and Jeff at Vogue Printers, who unwind 

the toughest technical tangles and make up for our lost time. 

I’ve mastered one trick: Hang out with experts; they make me look good! 

Believe it or not, I'm at a loss for words of farewell, but I am excited to 

have arrived at the next stage in my career. After a long road trip to collect 

vintage housewares and garden junk, I’ll transition Wordspecs from a 

traditional ad agency to a consultancy, helping 21st century enterprises 

navigate the ever-more-fragmented world of advertising. 

And I’ll wait eagerly, as do you, for the next issue of six00threefive. 

~ Deborah Spector Barry

IS NOW 

Since 1891 

WE’VE BEEN HERE FOR YOU, 

AND NOW OUR NAME REFLECTS THAT. 

Where better connections will always mean better care 

Hospitals: Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park I Medical Group I Research Institute I Foundation I northshore.org 

©2008 NorthShore University HealthSystem

E NJOY T HE SEASON OF GIVING 

IT’S ALL THERE 

AT THE SQUARE 

ADESSO 

A PEA IN THE POD 

DAIRY QUEEN 

NEW BALANCE NORTH SHORE 

PORT CLINTON JEWELERS 

STARBUCKS 

STASH’S/GUIDO’S PASTARIA 

STATIONERY STATION 

SUSHI BADAYA 

TALES &TOYS 

WAVES HAIR SALON 

THE MALE ROOM 

WALKER BROTHERS 

PORT CLINTON SQUARE 

THE SQUARE IN THE CENTER OF DOWNTOWN 

HIGHLAND PARK ON CENTRAL AVENUE 

Indoor Parking, 3 Hours Free 

847.433.5306 x10 

www.PortClintonSquare.com

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Highland Park, IL ... - Wordspecs

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