Families are so fundamental to our existence that we forget the degree to which they affect our well-being and overall capacity as human beings. In an era marked by change in family composition, high divorce rates and struggle to care for aging relatives, it’s comforting to hear about a truly “happy” family. It may seem absurd to suggest that people need to be taught how to create a “happy” family, however dysfunctional families stemming from the lack of nurturing in the home environment indicate otherwise. In our midst is a truly “happy” family that grew from a foundation in grandparents, …
In MSNBC Dateline's popular show My Kid Would Never Do That, hidden cameras capture children as they make critical choices. Parents are usually surprised by the bad choices their children make as revealing scenarios unfold. As the show progresses, those who tune in learn raising awareness is often not a strong enough deterrent when peer pressure and questionable adult behavior are involved. Eventually experts weigh in on the importance of building healthy self-esteem as the most effective means to equip and empower children to make better decisions in the future. In line with this school of …
There's something romantic and definitely nostalgic about the newly opened restaurant/lounge Coop’s Den. Co-owned by Lawrence and Samantha Cooper, the Bolingbrook-based husband and wife team, are entrepreneurial heirs who seek to operate a thriving business while paying homage to their roots. Although the business has been opened a month, the owners strategically planned the grand opening for May 25 in honor of the fifth anniversary of the passing of Samantha Cooper’s father. Family-minded, the parents of seven grown children that range in age from 21 to 35 consciously sought to create a …
There is an old adage that says, "It’s not how much money you make that matters; what matters is how you make do with the money you make." Members of the Bolingbrook-based S.O.S. Investment Club put this premise to the test recently, investing 21 days in a “financial fast,” and then hosting a panel discussion at the Fountaindale Public Library to share the results. The program, coordinated by club member Anna Banks-Simeon, included a presentation by business school professor Dr. Darryl Franklin entitled “How to Make Your Money Last So You Can Enjoy Life.” Dan Dorger, branch manager for the US…
Stylists, sequins and stilettos were in demand in Bolingbrook on Friday for one simple reason—prom. One was held at the Bolingbrook Golf Club for Bolingbrook High School students, the other at Meadowbrook Manor for the facility's senior citizens. Although busy at dizzying heights, Vida Cortez, owner of Family Image Salon, was the epitome of calm. “After 15 years I’ve gotten used to this," she said. "Everyone that works here is. I don’t have to be directing traffic, everyone knows what to do.” Cortez's confidence in her staff’s abilities allowed her to spend much of the morning donating her …
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Jamie McGee Elementary capped off a week dedicated to reading by hitting the beach for a little educational R&R. The faux beach created last week in the school’s gymnasium lent a "sensational backdrop" as all grade levels were extended the opportunity to enjoy 45 minutes in the tropical atmosphere. "As a school we are always looking for avenues to promote positive behavior, "says Gail Shaw, physical education instructor and event co-chair. "This is actually our second year. It went over so well with the kids and parents that we’ve decided to …
Elegance and sophistication set the tone Saturday evening as the Will County Black Bar Association hosted its annual Barristers Ball on Feb. 18. Bolingbrook resident Sherri Hale, a litigator for the Will County Public Defender’s Office and the association's immediate past president, co-chaired the celebration which recognized organizational milestones before heralding the efforts of local seekers of justice in addition to awarding deserving graduating high school seniors with scholarships. The association, which consists of diverse members of the legal profession throughout Will County and …
In a weak economy, cancer is yet another challenge that has the ability to push a family further into poverty. This realization led DuPage Township Supervisor Bill Mayer to again expand the realm of services offered by the branch of government closest to the people. "I can’t think of one person who hasn’t been touched by someone who has fought or lost the battle to cancer," Mayer said. "You don’t have to be the one who has it. We’re all affected by cancer and we all can do something to help." That sentiment led township staff to do their part, donating space Friday evening at the Bolingbrook-…
Racism has proven deadly when allowed to fester in atmospheres born of ignorance and intolerance where hate and fear thrive. The most effective tool in ending racism’s spread is exposure and education. For the past 12 years, attorney Anita Kontoh Scott and Bernard Winston, two of three original founders of the Black History Month Awareness Club, have employed these tools via a Bolingbrook-based social venue for the purpose of halting the spread of racism. "It took a long time for people to understand and respect that this is not a tool of division, but a tool of inclusion," Kontoh Scott said…
Instead of worrying about the weight of the recession in 2011, volunteers of the Bolingbrook-based P.O.W.E.R. Connection, one of Will County’s largest food pantries, focused their efforts on garnering the support of residents, public officials, businesses and organizations. The net result of these efforts allowed the non-profit organization to feed 32,000 under-resourced individuals last year, in addition to helping countless others receive the training and certification required to gain employment. These monumental accomplishments were recognized Saturday evening at the Bolingbrook Golf Club…
Farmers markets are one of the lasting legacies of the 1980s dot.com-era. Their roots can be traced to the San Franscisco Bay Area. Thirty years ago, “yuppies” flush in disposable income that sought to improve the quality of their food unknowingly hastened the “buy fresh, buy local” movement. Although the dot.com’s have all but evaporated, farmers markets continue to flourish. In Bolingbrook, a partnership between The Promenade Bolingbrook and the event management company Make It Happen DuPage brings the concept right outside our door. The Promenade will hold its last market today from 4 p.m…
This Memorial Day my heart is full. I’ve spent much of the holiday “road tripping” on the way to a family reunion to in Dallas. Along the way, we stopped for the night in Norman, Okla., where we only planned to spend the night before continuing on the last leg of the trip. But thanks to an animated breakfast attendant, our trip took a detour to Oklahoma City, where we visited the site of the federal building that was bombed 16 years ago. It's hard to find the words to describe the looming sadness. Right after the tragedy, a fence was erected in tribute to the victims. To this day family, …
If you’re the parent of a college student returning home for the summer, you're both elated and maybe a little apprehensive about having them back. The reality is college students generally forsake all boundaries. And although they are thrust into the midst of an intellectually stimulating and intensely academic environment, for your adult child, returning to propriety can be understandably jarring. Therefore an effort is required, on both sides, to make adjustments. I speak from experience on this subject, after just having this conversation with my daughter. Be forewarned that broaching …
We were all born little yogis. Lying in our cribs as youngsters, we could effortlessly pull our toes up to our ears. But then we aged, lost flexibility, inherited stress and began carrying it in our necks, shoulders and backs. In short, we became unbalanced. Regaining that balance is one of the many reasons our neighbors rush from their high pressure jobs every Monday evening to the Fountaindale Public Library, where they can tune in to the mellow voice of local yoga instruction Carole Savard, the library's yoga instructor, promptly at 6:30 p.m. Savard, a self-proclaimed "activity junkie" who…
Love Dancing with the Stars? Wish someone would teach you those moves? Well if you’re partial to Latin dances, you’re in luck. Twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays, Bolingbrook resident and certified personal trainer and Zumba instructor Annette Damron leads a high-spirited class through an hour of heart-pounding, hip-shaking, foot-stomping, feel-it-to-the-core, calorie-burning fitness experience. Zumba is a brand name derived from the Colombian slang word meaning to buzz like a bee or move fast. It was launched in 2003 after co-founder Alberto Perlman teamed up with Colombian dancer and …
I've always enjoyed writing a community column because it gives me the opportunity to periodically share "helpful tips" that have made my house feel more of like a home. In my experience, people who maintain a clean home send multiple messages that speak volumes about organization, pride, and care. If these are the messages you want to communicate, April is a great time to begin working on this area of your life. The good new is that the job doesn’t necessary need to be completed in one day. Although cleaning is never effortless, it is manageable with a plan. In the Wright household, the …
