Thursday: FREE Dental Care for Veterans at Skokie Public Library

This just in...

Aspen Dental’s MouthMobile, a 42-foot-long dental office on wheels, will stop in Skokie on Thursday, October 5 to provide free care to local veterans as part of its 30-stop cross-country tour.

Dentists and their teams from area Aspen Dental practices are volunteering their services at the event. Aspen Dental is working with Got Your 6 nationally to identify interested veterans and schedule their appointments.

The MouthMobile is part of Aspen Dental’s Healthy Mouth Movement. Through the program, dentists and their teams from Aspen Dental practices have provided free care to 17,000+ veterans over the past four years.

WHAT: Free dental care to dozens of local vets

Details: Vets must schedule appointment in advanceContact Stefani Alexander at 202-263-2588.

WHEN: 9 am -3 pm Thursday, October 5

Where: Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077

WHY: Nearly 150 million Americans - just over half the adult population in the U.S. - didn’t go to the dentist last year, and millions more live in communities where there is little or no access to care. This is an especially challenging issue for many veterans who do not receive dental benefits through the Veterans Administration unless they are 100 percent disabled, have a service-related mouth injury or were a prisoner of war.

Family Peace Fest, Saturday, August 19

Met performance and creativity coach Marta Lettofsky at Women Belong

Marta offers free monthly Inner Artist workshops on Chicago's north side. They include guided journaling, small group discussion and the chance to look at the fears and obstacles that show up around ones art.

“Performance anxiety, writer's block, dealing with rejections are just some of the very normal reactions to a life in the arts. Turning in toward those sticky places, with safety and support, will bring more clarity, confidence, courage and creativity to your work and life,” says Marta.

Details about Marta and her June 25 workshop is at InnerArtistry.space/group-coaching/.

* * *
        

Women Belong is a new organization for women (by birth or identity) dedicated to supporting their business and personal development.

Lunch at 90 Mile Cafe in Lincolnwood was my first time attending one of their luncheons. Seeing some familiar faces there--like Angela Valavanis', Jennifer Guth's, Tazima Davis', Sharan Tash's and Nancy Benjamin's--was nice. The formal and informal networking was time well spent, very useful. Conversations got deep in the line to the buffet when we got talking about being LGBTQ and how family members and colleagues adjust, or not, to their loved ones or friends coming out.

One of my tag lines for this group is "Come as you are. Cussing accepted." Another one: Women Who Get Shit Done." The laundry hanging in the hall on the way to the restrooms seemed appropriate for this group, especially the bra.

Tea with Jan Schakowsky

When we fight, we win! -- Jan Schakowsky

 

Enjoyed witnessing the exchange between neighbors who are honing their community activist skills and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky--one who has been working it as least as long as we've had expiration dates on our food--at neighbor Janice Page's home.

Discussion included running for local office, Morton Grove's pending welcoming community ordinance, minimum wage opt-out ordinance(s), politics in among our representatives and senators in Congress and likelihood of impeachment. 

Participants included Kim Moldofsky, Janice Kantro Page, Laura Frisch, Elizabeth Jones, Tammy Astor, Shabnam Syed, Margaret Grau, Jill Alali, Anjum Ali, Sharon Maitino, Ruth Goldman Helgemo, Janice Cha, Mari Blechman Plotnik and others.

Making conversation with family and strangers

Killian Kring, my oldest nephew,
graduated from UIC this month.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

~ Ferris Bueller

A new friend of mine just said “May is crazier than Christmas”. I’m feeling that too: Graduations, weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, Mother’s Day, birthdays, oy.

If you have trouble making conversation at family events, here’s some conversation starters. Consider putting them in a handy place on your mobile device to consult with when you get stuck. These are meant to be light questions, but can get heavy in a hurry, so if you’re not in the mood to get to deep, choose wisely.

Who would you invite to your ultimate dinner party, living or not?

What do you do for fun?

What was the happiest moment of your life?

What are some of the best lessons you’re ever learned?

What kind of a student were you?

Who was your favorite teacher?
Favorite topics?

Who has been the kindest to you?

What is your earliest memory?

Do you believe in love at first sight?

What are you proudest of?

Who are your best friends?

Who are your favorite relatives?

Have you ever experienced a miracles?

How would you like to be remembered?

If you weren't doing what you're doing now for a living, what else might you be doing?

When you meet God, what do you want to say to Him/Her?

The above questions are inspired by StoryCorps’ Great Questions.

The following are all mine. Two of my go-to “cocktail party” questions are these: 1) Have you ever been arrest? 2) Imagine that you’ve just spent the night with someone special, exchanged all kinds of bodily fluids, would you use their toothbrush in the morning?

Got any of your own questions you like asking? I'd love to hear them.

BizPics: Headshots for Business, Sunday, May 21

If you need a new headshot for social media, a website, media relations or other purposes, I'd love to make it for you. My next BizPics shoot is at Creative Coworking in Evanston Sunday, May 21, 2017.

If you find the prospect of getting your portrait made daunting, but you know you need one, this is the shoot for you. These shoots are fun, a cross between a fashion shoot and a party. If you come, you'll get some smart pictures made of yourself while having a good time. In fact, consider bringing a friend or loved one.

Skokie's Dr. Susan Becker Doroshow
 

This in from Skokie dentist, Dr. Susan Becker Doroshow, about BizPics: The business portrait that Karen made was literally the springboard for a revitalized practice image, new marketing materials, and a clear brand that truly resonates with my patients and staff. I never knew that a photograph could accomplish so much. Karen is an artist and creative genius!

From non-profit executive Thomas Applegate: I finally took advantage of the opportunity with...BizPics to get new photos for use online at Linkedin, Facebook and all of the rest. A great current photo is essential for my professional and social image online.

Karen and her crew are great to work with at the shoot. Even though I wasn't nervous about having my picture taken, I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was. Karen...made it fun and easy. I met other professionals while we waited for our turn and that casual conversation helped my photos look relaxed and natural. The process from sign up to selection of my favorite shots was quick and easy.

My only regret is that I waited so long to sign up for a shoot.

Registration and details for the May 21 shoot are up at https://bizpicsmay21.eventbrite.com.

Pray for our leaders, neighbors and for those you disagree with, with others, May 8

St. Luke’s Community Church’s pastor Elizabeth Jones invites people of all stripes to gather for prayer the second Monday of the month.

This month’s interfaith prayer gathering is on…

Monday, May 8, 2017
7:30-8:30 p.m.
at
St. Luke’s Church
9233 Sherman (at Harlem)
Morton Grove

This monthly gathering, focused on building bridges and mutual support, includes ecumenical prayer for our leaders, communities, neighbors and for those we disagree with.

I plan to be there. (I mention this despite not knowing if that encourages you to come or encourages you not to come. Ha!)

More gatherings are scheduled for June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11 and October 9.

RSVPs are not necessary, but if you’re new to this group, giving Rev. Elizabeth a heads up that you are coming will please her. Also, if you missed participating the month before, contacting her to confirm where the gathering will happen is a good idea. July might include a picnic not at the church. Elizabeth can be reached at elizajon(at)aol.com or 847-476-0612.

Easter Eats 2017

You're not up for cooking yourself, so...decisions, decisions. Want to stay close to home? Check out these offerings.

Bar Louie at Holiday Inn Skokie, 5300 Touhy, Skokie, 847-763-3068. The Easter brunch buffet is spread out and includes cold and hot food tables; carving, pasta, waffle, omelet and dessert stations and a bakery corner. The $26.95 tab for adults includes a choice of champagne or mimosa; children aged 5 to 12 are charged $14.95. Service goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Libertad, 7931 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, 847-674-8100, serves brunch most Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call to confirm they'll be serving on Easter.

Alexander's, 5025 Oakton St. Skokie, 224-251-7492, serves bunch most Sundays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Call to confirm they'll be serving on Easter.
 
There is Annie's on Oakton in Skokie, Le Peep on Church in Evanston, but don't you go there on other weekends during the year anyway? Maybe Easter is the time to do something less usual. Consider these spots.

Found, 1631 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-868-8945; FoundKitchen.com. Celebrate Easter Sunday with spring-centric, family-style menu, available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Chef Nicole Pederson offers kale and swiss chard salad with cranberries, candied nuts and seeds, as well as pan-roasted salmon with crispy polenta, arugula and Meyer lemon. The family-style brunch menu is $38 for adults and $18 for kids. The standard a la carte dinner menu also will be offered from 5 to 8:30 p.m. with certain specials available.

Pete Miller's, 1557 Sherman Ave., Evanston, 847-328-0399; www.petemillers.com. Listen to live jazz music by Nicole Kestler (10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) and Jeannine Tanner (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) while you enjoy a buffet featuring carving and omelet stations, a seafood and raw bar and a sweets table. Admission is $46.99, $23.50 for kids ages 6-10 and free for kids younger than six and entitles you to a two-hour reservation.

Hearth Restaurant, 1625 Hinman Ave., Evanston, 847-570-8400; www.hearthrestaurant.net. Start your meal with complimentary freshly baked breakfast breads, then order a la carte. Dishes including cinnamon roll pancakes, skirt steak benedict and avocado toast. Mimosas, bloody marys, bellinis, fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee and tea are also available. Brunch is served from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Stained Glass, 1735 Benson Ave., Evanston, 847-864-8600; www.thestainedglass.com. Enjoy made-to-order omelets and eggs benedict, carved leg of lamb with mint pesto and ham with pineapple chutney, and other fare including doughnut French toast, tomato mozzarella salad, and scones. Brunch is $32, half-price for kids ages 4-12 and free for kids under age 3. Adults get a complementary mimosa or bloody mary. The buffet is available from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

The Barn, rear of 1016 Church St., Evanston, 847-868-8041, www.thebarnevanston.com. The Barn is offering a special three-course brunch with options such as Soup de Poisson ($9.95); Little Gem Salad and Creamy Dijon Salad ($11.95); The Grand Central Caviar Sandwich ($18.95); a choice of Prime Heritage Angus steaks, Za'Atar Roasted Half Chicken ($22.95); and more.

The weather forecast expects no rain for Sunday and to get as warm as 61 F with some clouds, some sunshine. If you’re in the mood for a drive, consider these places.

Convito Cafe and Market, 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, 847-251-2654, ConvitoCafeandMarket.com. Easter brunch specials like grilled rack of lamb, honey lavender roasted ham and convito hash will be offered with the regular menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Restaurant Michael, 64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, 847-441-3100; www.restaurantmichael.com. A three-course menu offers a choice of starters such as a duo of chilled jumbo lump crab and crab cake with sweet pea sauce. Entrees include rack of lamb and grilled garlic lamb sausage and a dessert such as strawberry soufflé with candied kumquat. Brunch is $54, $26 for kids younger than age 10 and reservations are available every half hour from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Maya del Sol, 144 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 708-358-9800, www.mayadelsol.com. Bring some Latin fare to your celebration, with a brunch buffet featuring tilapia ceviche, chipotle-marinated skirt steak, vegetable enchiladas and sweet corn tamales with poblano cream sauce. Brunch runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and costs $29 or $14 for kids ages 4-12. Kids younger than age 4 eat free.

Rob Roy Golf Course, 505 E. Camp McDonald Rd, Prospect Hts., IL 60070. 847-296-4653. This River Trails Park District golf course club house offers Easter champagne brunch buffet on Sunday. First seating: 9:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m. Second seating: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.. Bill will be $24.95 Adults, $14.95, Children 4-12, Free, Kids 3 and younger. Let them know you're bringing kids so the Easter bunny can deliver a special gift. Reservations required: 847-296-4653 x6.

Magnolia Café & Bakery at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville, 847-362-4636; www.lambsfarm.org. A buffet offers carved meats, classic breakfast fare, fresh fruit and vegetables and bakery treats. Reservations are available at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. and the meal costs $24.95 or $10.95 for kids ages 2-12. Kids younger than age 2 eat free.

Chicago Botanic Garden, Nichols Hall, Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe, 847-835-5440. Easter brunch menu includes breakfast pastries, turkey and glazed ham from a carving station, a spring vegetable quiche and vanilla french toast bread pudding among other dishes. Bloody Marys, Mimosas and champagne cocktails are available for purchase. Tickets are $32 for adults and $24 for children 3 to 12 years old; members get a discount. After brunch, stop in the Rose Garden for an Easter egg hunt.

Allgauer's on the Riverfront at Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, 847-664-7999, www.northbrookallgauers.com. Choose from more than 100 items offered at this champagne brunch including oysters on the half shell, dozens of fresh salads, peel & eat shrimp, snow crab, hand-carved beef, made-to-order omelets, kids items and desserts. The Easter bunny will also make an appearance. Brunch is served from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and costs $42 or $18 for kids ages 4-12.

Monastero's, 3935 E. Devon Ave., Chicago, 773-588-2515, www.monasteros.com. Champagne brunch will take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Entrees begin at $22, with a children's menu starting at $16. Cost includes choice of entree; soup, fruit or salad; dessert trip, coffee, tea and choice of a glass of champagne, orange juice or mimosa.

Cafe Touche, 6731 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago, 773-775-0909, CafeTouche.com. Full brunch offerings available between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Lucky Monk, 105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington, 847-898-0500, www.theluckymonk.com. Easter brunch entrees will include corned beef hash, short rib benedict, stuffed French toast and chicken and waffles. Kids eat for $8.95, which includes an ice cream sundae station. Brunch begins at 10 a.m.
Good idea for big families…

White Eagle, 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, 847-647-0660, www.whiteeaglebanquets.com. Seatings for a family-style menu including bread, soup, roasted chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, beef brisket with gravy, Polish sausage and sauerkraut, pierogi, Honey-baked ham and dessert, will take place from noon to 6 p.m. with a cost of $27.50 per person. A buffet-style menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a cost of $29.50 per person and feature a breakfast station, fish station, carving station, Italian station, Polish station and a dessert station.

White Pines Golf Club & Banquets, 500 W Jefferson St., Bensenville, 630-766-0304. The Easter brunch, a family event, has a lineup that will include traditional favorites as well as some culinary surprises from Executive Chef Rich Mancini. The tariff for adults is $35.95 and for children 5 to 10, $15.95. Seatings run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bloody Mary and champagne bars are available at an additional cost.

Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, 847-696-1234 Ext. 4602. This popular brunch is designed to offer something to appeal to a broad spectrum of diners as they stop at buffet stations highlighting seafood, breakfast fare, waffles, Italian specialties, sushi, carved delicacies and desserts – including many gluten-free choices. Prices are $48 per adult and $26.50 for children aged 5 to 12. Seatings will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sources: Restaurant websites, Skokie Review, Skokie Patch’s bulletin board, Northbrook Star

Know Your Rights discussion :: Saturday March 18

Here’s what’s going on in Morton Grove on Saturday: Know Your Rights discussion and address from Senator Dick Durbin.

When

Saturday, March 18
1:30-3:30 p.m.

Where

Muslim Education Center
8601 N. Menard Ave.
Morton Grove, IL

What do you do if you are detained a the airport/border crossing?
Visited by ICE?

Asked about immigration status?
Bullied at school?
What are students’ rights?

Sessions for students and adults/non-students will offer some answers.

Senator Dick Durbin to speak at 1:45 p.m.

Click here to learn more.
 

Most Wanted and Decorated Woman of WWII: Nancy Wake

Nicknamed "The White Mouse", during World War II, Nancy Wake found herself on the Gestapo's most wanted list, then after the war, she was the war's most decorated Allied woman. She received the British George Medal, the American Medal of Freedom, the French Legion d'Honneur, and three Croix de Guerres.  She was made a member of the Order of Australia.

Not caring much about awards, Wake sold off her medals. When asked why she sold a trio of Croix de Guerres, she said, "There's no point in keeping them… I'll probably go the hell and they'd melt anyways."

She lived to be 98 years old.

I find her story inspiring.

In an interview, at the age of 89, Wake appeared to have lost none of her fighting spirit. "Somebody once asked me: 'Have you ever been afraid?' Hah! I've never been afraid in my life," she said. 

Hmm. I wonder.


Part 1 of 6

Part 2 of 6

Part 3 of 6

Part 4 of 6

Part 5 of 6




Part 6 of 6

 

Sources:
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/index.cgi?id=27450552861

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/08/nancy-wake-white-mouse-gestapo

Men who were Wrong

"Everything that can be invented has been invented."
— Charles H. Duell, Director of US Patent Office 1899

"Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote."
— Grover Cleveland, 1905

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"
— Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

"There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom."
— Robert Miliham, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923

"Heavier than air flying machines are impossible."
— Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895

"Ruth made a big mistake when he gave up pitching."
— Tris Speaker, 1921

"The horse is here today, but the automobile is only a novelty - a fad."
— President of Michigan Savings Bank advising against investing in the Ford Motor Company

"What use could the company make of an electric toy?"
— Western Union, when it turned down rights to the telephone in 1878

Source: http://www.leadershipnow.com

Tuvya Miller's Yamakas

Oh, the people and things one sees at Starbucks.

I met Tuvya Miller while coworking at Starbucks (the one on Dempster just west of Crawford). What a coincidence! He was wearing his Starbucks yamaka.

He mentioned he has many with brands on them. Some favorites include the watermelon-patterned one and the one with the Google Chrome symbol on it.

I appreciate his observance of religious tradition with a nod to secular contemporary culture and his personal style.

Nice to meet you, Tuvya. Thanks for the conversation.

New healthy eating podcast: ASK CHELLE

NUTRITIONIST MICHELLE GILLESPIE

My Health Hack’s partner, nutritionist Michelle Gillespie, and I are starting a podcast: ASK CHELLE.

It’s new, so some things are still being worked out. Currently we think we’ll do one episode per month, but we might bump it up to two soon. For now we’ll post on SoundCloud and under “ASK CHELLE” at https://healthhackschicago.wordpress.com/

We have enough questions to get started, but I invite you to submit questions about whatever you’re wondering about for our next episode.  Sugar. Fat. Protein, Carbs. Whatever you’re pondering, bring it on. Submit your questions to HealthHacks2015@gmail.com. We'll give you a shout out, if we use your question, or possibly even if we don't, unless you prefer to be anonymous.

I’ll let you know here as soon as when Episode 1 is posted.

It's a new year. Let's get healthy.

Grassroots Organizing and Millionaires

Grassroots organizing, to me, has meant organizing "from the bottom up". The "bottom" being individuals with the kind of power that is not optimal until they collaborate and push for change together and rise "up".  After gaining a certain momentum, the organization includes like-minded individuals considered to have greater power and influence. I've not thought that grassroots organizing would include millionaires from the get-go, but I'm pondering a shift, because I got this in my inbox today. It's possible Warren Buffett did not initiate this email at all. If he did, is this grassroots organizing or an example of a member of the American gentry rallying troops for his own cause? Is this a case of America's working class looking for a knight in shining armor to swoop in to help save us.

I heartily invite you thoughts and comments.

Warren Buffett is asking everyone to forward this email to a minimum of 20 people, and to ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in the United States will have the message. This is an idea that should be passed around.
 
The BUFFETT Rule

Let's see if these idiots understand what people pressure is all about.

Salary of retired US Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180,000 FOR LIFE.

Salary of House/Senate members . . . . . . . . . . . . $174,000 FOR LIFE.
This is stupid

Salary of Speaker of the House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $223,500 FOR LIFE.
This is really stupid

Salary of Majority / Minority Leaders . . . . . . . . . . $193,400 FOR LIFE.
Stupid

Average Salary of a teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$40,065

Average Salary of a deployed Soldier . . . . . . . . . . $38,000

Here’s where the cuts should be made!

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:

"I could end the deficit in five minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election".

The 26th Amendment ( granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds ) took only three months and eight days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure.

Warren Buffett is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2017

1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman / woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present, & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 3/1/17. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.

Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and go back to work.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people, then it will only take three days for most people in the U.S. to receive the message. It's time!

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

If you agree, pass it on.