Harvey Pranian Grows YEA! Day

Are you an artist? Before you jump to answer “no,” reflect on your day. Did you arrange flowers? Come up with a creative sales strategy at work? Play a game that made getting ready this morning fun for your kids? If so, Evanston resident Harvey Pranian thinks your answer should be “yes.” “You almost don’t […]

Bonnie Bock: Owner, Someone’s in the Kitchen

If you don’t know your chop from your mince and aren’t sure you have a knife that could accomplish either, then you need to meet Bonnie Bock. Her store, Someone’s in the Kitchen, is a Libertyville favorite—she was nominated by numerous readers for this issue—because of Bonnie’s willingness to share and help. “Food is fun,” […]

Gale Gand: Executive Pastry Chef and Partner, Tru

Gale Gand is royalty in the food world. She’s a successful cookbook author, Food Network personality and a rare female partner at a world-class restaurant.   When President Hu of China recently came to Chicago, Mayor Daley asked Gale to cook dessert for the welcome dinner—she has the signed chef’s jacket as a souvenir. As […]

Hecky Powell: Owner, Hecky’s Barbecue

Before he became known for his barbecue sauce, Hecky Powell was the Executive Director of Neighbors at Work, a community economic development association in Evanston. But after years in social service, he felt he could do more for the community by giving local kids jobs and teaching them a trade. He bought the small restaurant […]

Heather Behm, Vince DiBattista and Steve Schwartz

For Steve Schwartz, Heather Behm and Vince DiBattista, the two Ts in restaurant stand for team. Their trifecta of talents has made three restaurants successful in Evanston, and they’ve stayed on the pulse—if not one step ahead—of trends in the food world. “We have three sets of knowledge—that’s power,” Heather says. “Having a partnership is […]

Misericordia Candy Days

State budget cuts have put Misericordia in a tight spot – and Gregg and Susan Hartemayer of Winnetka are out to do something about that. Their son Kirk, 25, has been a resident at this home for more than 600 children and adults with developmental disabilities for three years. “He’s got a wonderful life. He […]

John des Rosiers, Owner and Head Chef, Inovasi and Wisma

The first thing John des Rosiers remembers cooking are pierogi. When he was seven, he started helping his Polish grandmother, and at Christmastime they would turn out thousands of the dumplings. By high school he had a part-time job at Gabriel’s Restaurant in Highwood. Even then, he says, “the school part meant less to me […]

Earth Day Activities

With gas prices pushing $5 a gallon in the Chicago area, Earth Day is a great time to start teaching your children the importance of conservation and care for the planet.   Celebrated on April 22 this year, Earth Day began in the 1970s in Wisconsin as a simple “teach-in” day. By 1990, it was […]