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 Top Towns in Which to Live
If home is where the heart is, as the old saying goes, then for many folks, their heart is also where their home is. Or to put it more directly, people love where they live and tend to be proud and protective of the towns they call home.
While some of the reasons people are passionate about their communities are the same objective reasons they chose to move there in the first place, there is also a subjective element that is different for each individual. That’s because when a person lives in a town for a few years, he or she inevitably starts making friends, creating memories and putting down roots. And with roots come an instinctive loyalty — a person’s town becomes a part of their identity.
Realizing this, the list above is inevitably going to generate some knee-jerk disagreement. How did that town finish ahead of mine, or how come my town isn’t on the list, you might ask? There is no easy answer because the rankings are based on an analysis of a variety of criteria, some objective, as summarized in the charts on the following pages, and some subjective, because certain quality of life attributes like community ambiance are hard to quantify.
(For the full story, see the May/June issue) |
 Gardening Responsibly
Native Plants, organic fertilizers and water conservation are all key elements of an eco-friendly landscape.
By Sara Pearsaul Vice
Not all suburban home landscapes are kind to the environment. Consider the lawns treated with chemical fertilizers and weed killers that run off into storm sewers or soak into the groundwater with every rainfall – plus the extra watering and constant mowing needed to keep lawns green and tidy. Seemingly innocent flowerbeds can even pose a problem if planted with exotic or invasive plants that require extra watering or treatment with toxic pesticides.
In order to be a little more sensitive to the environment in our own backyards, we asked area landscape experts to share their advice on creating a garden that enhances the environment, rather than hurts it.
(For the full story, see the May/June issue) |
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 Simply Stunning
While still emphasizing a clean and uncluttered look, a new, softer approach to contemporary design allows for more flexibility and personalization.
By Lisa Sloan
While it’s true that, by nature, contemporary design is of the moment, it also possesses a simplicity that is timeless. When integrated properly, contemporary pieces can provide a fresh twist to other design styles, from country to traditional. And its pared-down approach appeals to homeowners looking for less stuff and more substance in their lives.
As Machiko Penny, merchandise manager for Walter E. Smithe observes, “Clean lines and uncluttered looks seem to rule at the moment. Contemporary design has always been around, but it seems stronger than ever right now.”
(For the full story, see the May/June issue) |
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 Joint Replacement
When a bad knee or hip makes walking difficult and painful, it could well be time to trade in for a high-tech prosthetic substitute to restore your mobility.
By Denise Linke
Kurt Spengler waited until he was 60 before replacing his right knee with a prosthetic joint.
“I tried everything to handle the pain,” the Lombard resident recalls. “I took pain relievers, and I had a couple of cortisone shots, which gave me some relief for a short time. My wife bought me some glucosamine supplements that I took for a while. I spent a couple of years in pain before I finally
decided to go ahead and have the surgery. It just got too painful to walk.”
While the average joint replacement patient is still in his or her early 60s, that standard age range is quickly ratcheting down, area orthopedic surgeons agree. More and more people are seeking joint replacements as early as 43 or 44 — and getting them.
(For the full story, see the May/June issue.) |
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 St. Charles Town Focus
The "Pride of the Fox" is reflected in many ways in this historic river town.
By Lynn Petrak
Many cities claim to be picture-perfect communities. But far west suburban St. Charles really lives up to a postcard-ready reputation, thanks to its scenic surroundings, iconic buildings, eclectic attractions and friendly residents.
Indeed, the charm of St. Charles has been discovered well beyond its borders. Last year, the city of about 32,000 was ranked number one in a Family Circle magazine list of top cities and towns for families. It has made the list of “150 Great Places in Illinois,” and regularly draws thousands of visitors a year for business, shopping, dining and entertainment.
Otherwise known as “The Pride of the Fox,” St. Charles is as much a well-known destination as it is a perennially popular place to put down roots, according to those who know and love the city.
“St. Charles is a very well respected and well regarded city nationally, and that, combined with the rich history, really puts the city in a positive light,” says Ron Onesti, president and CEO of Onesti Entertainment, who restored and now runs the historic Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles.
(For the full story, see the May/June issue) |
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 Savvy Shopper
The art of bargain hunting: Tips on where to go and what to do to find the best deals.
By Dashley Biller, Brittany Clingen and Lauren Dixon
The thrill of the hunt. It’s an aspect of our essential being that has existed since the beginning of time. We are predatory animals. We forage for the essentials. And while we may have long abandoned the type of hunting that requires a harpoon, make no mistake, the instinct is still there — and it lies in the cutthroat arena of shopping.
But in a world of so-called deals and bargains, it might be hard to distinguish what’s actually a good buy. A Marc Jacobs dress for $50 off the original price of $1,500? Not so much. A plasma TV for half-off retail price? Now we’re talking. But how does one locate truly great deals? The western suburbs have no shortage of places to get your good-deal fix. Following is a sampling of where to go — from thrift stores to department stores — and tips and strategies to get what you want at a great price.
(For the full story, see the May/June issue)
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 Domestic Abuse
The not so uncommon secret that no one wants to talk about.
By Brittany Clingen
There are few feelings more exhilarating than being in love: the butterflies residing in your stomach; the inside jokes only you and your beloved share; the undulations of praise and affection you shower upon one another. But what happens when the person you love and trust — perhaps the man or woman you’ve pledged to spend the rest of your life with — hits you? Pushes you? Throws something at you?
Many people believe that the issues of domestic violence are, while disturbing, fairly straight forward. It is never acceptable to abuse a spouse or partner, and the target of the abuse should take immediate action following such an incident. However, for those immersed in the cyclical and secretive world of violence and abuse, resolution of the problem is almost never that simple.
(For the full story, see the May/June issue)
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 Q&A
With Professional Golfer Mark Wilson
By Eric Lutz
At 5-foot-8 and 150 lbs, Mark Wilson is far from the biggest hitter on the PGA Tour. But taking after his golf idol, Ben Hogan, the 37-year-old Elmhurst resident has translated his attention to detail and hard work into five career PGA victories. By winning the Humana Challenge in January and finishing third at the Accenture Match Play Championship in February, he also found himself ranked in the top 10 in the current FedEx Cup standings and 25th in the world, with almost $2 million in year-to-date earnings.
After playing in the recent Masters, Wilson took a few moments to discuss golf, his Christian faith, his favorite Elmhurst-area hangouts, and to request forbearance that his Wisconsin roots make him a die-hard Packers fan.
(For the full interview, see the May/June issue) |
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 Charitable Events Planner
Welcome to our 2nd annual Charitable Events Planner, a resource we hope serves as the most comprehensive guide to non-profit and charitable fundraising activities and events.
For those of you who are regular readers of West Suburban Living, this booklet is a natural outgrowth of our commitment to helping the many organizations in the area that support important programs and serve worthy causes.
(For the full planner, see the September/October issue, view the entire planner online here or search for events by date and location on our Out & About page under "social & charitable" here.) |
 Best of the West 2012
The votes are in! When it comes to knowing what's best in the western suburbs, we go right to the source, our readers. Following are your choices for the best the western suburbs have to offer in more than 80 categories — a pretty impressive list, indeed.
A sincere thanks to all those who voted. For those who didn't, we hope you will next year. And to all our readers, we hope you find this information both fun and useful.
For a listing of the winners, click here or see the full March/April issue here.
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≤≤ Access the full May/June issue here. |
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