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Chicago West

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Free | Tuesdays from 3-7pm | June 25-September 17 NAPERVILLE–The Naper Settlement Farmers Market offers an assortment of goods from mission-based, fair-trade, or local vendors, from coffee to candles, plus fresh produce, pottery, honey, and more on the picturesque grounds of Naper Settlement. While you stroll through the museum’s Village Green, you’ll hear acoustic music performances from local bluegrass and country singers held on the Paw Paw Post Office porch. After you shop, head on over to the Mary and Richard Benck Family Agriculture Center to listen to guest speakers lead agriculture-based classes that will educate and inspire you. The Naper Settlement Farmers Market provides a beautiful backdrop for the community to gather, learn, and grow together while supporting and connecting with local farmers, businesses, and artisans. LEARN MORE

NAPERVILLE |

Free | Tuesdays from 3-7pm | June 25-September 17 NAPERVILLE–The Naper Settlement Farmers Market offers an assortment of goods from...

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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS ”A Strong Back and a Strong Mind” at Naper Settlement NAPERVILLE–Naper Settlement commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Naperville Fire Department with the sitewide exhibit, "A Strong Back and a Strong Mind: 150 Years of the Naperville Fire Department.” Opening on May 7, the exhibit highlights the evolution of the Naperville Fire Department and the unique ways it serves the community while recognizing the courage, physical strength, and extensive knowledge firefighters must have to perform the job. The exhibit also takes a look back at how the Naperville Fire Department adapted and grew with the community it served. With the exhibit located throughout the museum site, visitors will get the chance to explore a variety of artifacts, participate in fire trivia and activities, and more. www.napersettlement.org/exhibits

NAPER SETTLEMENT | Sitewide Exhibit Displays the Evolution of the Naperville Fire Department

150 Years of the Naperville Fire Department

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FUN ON THE FOX RIVER Paddlewheel Riverboats ST. CHARLES–Take in the beauty of the Fox Valley aboard an historic paddlewheel riverboat – an iconic attraction in St. Charles for more than 75 years. This recreational activity that has spanned generations began in 1945 when the late Chet Anderson bought his first paddlewheel riverboat to charter cruises up and down the Fox River. Traveling from the era of Mark Twain through a green corridor of scenic beauty, each riverboat trip offers something completely different. Sometimes you might see an eagle or a turtle, other times an osprey or a family of foxes. This completely unique way to explore the city and the beautiful Fox River is affordable and memorable for all ages during both public and private events. On the public cruises, the riverboats tell stories from the past. While taking in the scenery, guests will learn about the Pottawatomi tribe that roamed the banks of the shore prior to St. Charles settlement and several historic landmarks. More fun is had when you hear the tales of icehouses and underground railroads as well as community lore regarding Al Capone’s infamous “hideaway.” These beautiful boats and their homegrown story are something that St. Charles can truly be proud of, and rest assured, the Andersons’ legacy and the generations of family memories these boats carry is in good hands with the dedicated staff of the St. Charles Park District at the helm. Purchase online. www.stcriverboats.com

PADDLEWHEEL BOATS | All Aboard St. Charles Riverboats

Enjoy Fun on the Fox River with this Local Attraction

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As You Embark Upon Your House Hunting Endeavors..... THE MULTIPLE OFFER GAME! THE MULTIPLE OFFER GAME! If you're a buyer, you've probably grown weary of this chant. But fear not! Position yourself as the ultimate contender by offering the most favorable terms and price. EMBRACE "AS IS" - Don't flinch at this phrase. It still grants you the opportunity to inspect, but refrain from seeking repairs. In our market, even in an "AS IS" scenario, buyers may still request a radon mitigation system if levels are high. Avoid nitpicking for repairs like GFCI outlets and clogged drains. If everyone else is going "AS IS" and you aren't, you're out! APPRAISAL WAIVER - It's standard practice here to include an appraisal gap waiver, ensuring the seller the offered price exceeds the list price. If you're offering $50K above but won't add a waiver, and everyone else does, you're out! The home only needs to appraise for the list price, and you cover the difference at closing. Some buyers even offer a full waiver, committing to the contract price regardless of appraisal value. ESCALATION CLAUSE - These are a boon, eliminating the guesswork of winning bid amounts. While sellers' agents might not favor them in multiple offer scenarios, as a buyer, go for it! Set an amount to exceed any offer and cap it. CASH IS KING - Cash buyers hold sway if they come in strong. Interestingly, they might lowball assuming their cash is king. But at what point would a seller choose a well-vetted mortgage buyer? I'd wager around the $10,000 mark—a sweet deal for the seller's pocket! CHOOSE YOUR FINANCING WISELY - Opting for 90% financing when others offer 80% might weaken your position. Consider rearranging funds. Your choice of lender matters too. A reputable name will impress both the listing agent and seller. YOUR AGENT IS KEY - You need a seasoned, reputable agent in your corner. They'll navigate these terms expertly and negotiate on your behalf. Wishing you success in your house hunting endeavors!

REAL ESTATE LOCAL | How to Win a Competitive Buyers Market by Penny O'Brien

As You Embark Upon Your House Hunting Endeavors.....

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MARKET FUN IN OSWEGO Shop Fresh, Shop Local at the Oswego Country Market OSWEGO–Presented by the Oswegoland Park District, the Market runs from 9am to 1pm every Sunday from June 2-September 29. Enjoy fresh air shopping with plenty of choices to buy locally grown produce, specialty foods, and handmade items. Oswego’s Country Market is located on Main Street in charming downtown Oswego. Visit oswegolandparkdistrict.org for more information or follow the Market on Facebook at facebook.com/oswegocountrymarket . www.playoswegoland.org

OSWEGO COUNTRY MARKET | Held on Sundays Starting June 2

OSWEGO | Oswego Country Market • Sundays Starting June 2

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2024 Naperville Jaycees Last Fling Announces Musical Lineup!   Naperville –   The Last Fling will happen Labor Day Weekend, Friday, August   30   through Monday, September 2 , 2024   as an end-of-summer block party-style event along Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville. Save the date to  join the Naperville Jaycees, community volunteers, and your neighbors for  the weekend’s live music, food, beverages, and carnival fun!    Friday, August 30 will feature Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press at 8PM, a live performance powerhouse bringing joy to the eyes and ears of all in attendance, you don’t want to miss this show!   Michael C. Hayes  will keep you rockin at 7:15PM after Sammy & The Knights  kicks-off the weekend’s musical line-up at 5PM; their songs will have your guests singing and dancing along to R&B and Rock n’ Roll favorites from the sixties and seventies.   The fun continues on Saturday, August 31 with Hi Infidelity  headlining the Jackson Avenue Stage at 8PM, performing 80’s Rock favorites; Journey, REO, Bon Jovi and Boston along with new classics too !  Taking the stage at 5:15PM is Motown Nation  will bring hits from Stevie Wonder, Aretha, Temptations, The Blues Brothers, Frankie Valli, Supremes, Dion, Four Tops and more.  A t 2:30PM, you will be entertained by The Chain  with Fleetwood Mac’s lineup from the Rumors era!.  Opening the musical entertainment on Saturday at 12PM is Sonic Roadtrip , bringing a wide variety of rock and dance cover songs to the Fling.  Brent Brown  will keep you rocking at the Beer Garden Stage all day long!   On Sunday, September 1, Sixteen Candles tops the night at 8PM with their undeniable energetic and exciting concert experience which audiences won't soon forget!  At 5:15PM, 90’s Pop Nation  performs covers of the biggest pop hits, one hit wonders, sing-alongs, and dance hits from the 90’s!    At 2:30PM, you will be entertained by Heart 2 Heartbreaker , who capture the sights and sounds of women that changed the Rock & Roll status quo while Rockhouse  takes  the stage at 12PM mixing some classic rock gems, along with some more interesting deep cuts for your entertainment.  Brent Brown  will provide entertainment at the Beer Garden Stage throughout the day!                                                                                     Closing out the 2024 Last Fling on Labor Day Monday, The Ron Burgundys  will croon their special kind of  soft rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s on September 2 at 3:45PM with Michael C. Hayes at 3PM .  Starting at 12PM, Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones will salute legendary artists such as Elvis,  Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, The Beatles and more during a complimentary lunch for Military Veterans, in the Sponsors’ Area, near the Jackson Avenue Stage.  All times are subject to change, more details via lastfling.org

LAST FLING 2024 | Musical Entertainment Line-Up Announced for Popular Summer Festival in Naperville

The Last Fling will happen Labor Day Weekend, Friday, August 30 through Monday, September 2, 2024

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Jeans a Cute Top Shop www.jeansandacutetop.com 161 S 1st St, St Charles, IL 60174 (630) 444-0999 123 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 690-5287 facebook I nstagram TWO BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS WITH THE LATEST TRENDS WHEATON & ST. CHARLES–Jill Card opened Jeans and a Cute Top after years of working in retail and corporate sales jobs, wearing boring suits, uncomfortable pantyhose, and predictable white dress shirts. The name was inspired by her first date with her husband when she asked, “What should I wear?” and her husband replied: “Jeans and a cute top.” When Jill was getting ready for that first date, she didn’t have a great pair of jeans or a cute top in her closet and had to borrow an outfit from her sister, a flight attendant with a much more fun wardrobe. As she got older, Jill couldn’t find any great jeans for women in their 30s and 40s. Stores catered to teenagers or grandmas. The unflattering ‘Mom’ jeans filled in that age gap. Now, in Jill’s closet, you’ll find about 40 pairs of jeans. She has 8-10 pairs in regular rotation. Her go-to, favorite pair is the Gia from Liverpool—the denim is super soft and keeps its shape. Jeans and a Cute Top is the solution for women who don’t want to look ridiculous trying to dress like their daughters but also refuse to settle for shapeless loungewear. Jill hand selects every item in the store, going to trade shows looking for style over trend, and finding affordable, beautiful clothes that work for all women, not just size 0 models. You will find Jill working the floor of one of her shops every day—she is committed to changing the world for women one great fitting pair of jeans at a time. Photos by Ruta Drulia VIEW SHOP GALLERY

JEANS & A CUTE TOP SHOP | Shop Gallery

Two Beautiful Locations with the Latest Trends

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ON TREND ESSENTIALS FOR THE STYLISH AT HEART Urban Echo Shop www.urbanechoshop.com Located Inside The Rustic Fox 1790 Town Centre Dr., North Aurora • Vendor #3 facebook I nstagram NORTH AURORA– Urban Echo Shop features on trend essentials for the stylish at heart–from clothing and accessories to home decor, unique furniture, gifts and seasonal trends. Owned by local mom Lindy Kleivo, along with her daughter in Sugar Grove, Illinois, Urban Echo Shop was created to be an adored virtual hometown boutique where only the latest styles and trends are featured. Residents are invited to sit back and relax while browsing the shop’s simplified trend collections online or shop at The Rustic Fox, where you will find over 120+ unique vendors. Each day is a new day at Urban Echo Shop. ON TREND ESSENTIALS FOR THE STYLISH AT HEART Located Inside The Rustic Fox 1790 Town Centre Dr., North Aurora • Vendor #3 VIEW SHOP GALLERY

URBAN ECHO SHOP | Shop Gallery

On Trend Essentials for the Stylish at Heart

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COMBINING YOUR APTITUDES WITH YOUR INTERESTS FOR CAREER SUCCESS What are you doing after high school? After college? Are you going to college? Do you need help to find the right career choice? The Career Vision Aptitude Advantage does just that. Aptitudes identify your strongest talents and the jobs you would enjoy, and be good at doing. Combining your aptitudes with your interests, we show you specific career choices. There are resources about college majors, job outlook, and what you need to prepare for those careers. If you have asked “What should I study?”, “What will I do after college?” and want to learn how Career Vision can help, give this Glen Ellyn business a call. Career Vision's assessment process is a positive and objective way to give you the confidence to make good career choices. And, your personal career consultant will take time to discuss the test results and all of your choices. If you are going to college and want to know why and what to study, give them a call. If you have graduated college and still haven’t found your best fit, the professional consultants at Career Vision can help you, too. For over 30 years Career Vision has been helping people find their best career choices. Career Vision www.careervision.org (630) 469-6270 PICTURED ABOVE: Career Vision Glen Ellyn Location; Georgia Koch, Community Outreach Coordinator, Career Vision

CAREER VISION | Unique Assessment Process Gives Residents Career Direction

Glen Ellyn Enrichment Center Combines Your Aptitudes With Your Interests to Help with Career Success

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Exciting & Fun in Naperville for Your Special Day NAPERVILLE–WhirlyBall Naperville has over 45,000 square feet of space perfect for your wedding. An industrial-chic vibe meets an adventure-loving spirit with an artisan craft beer taproom-style setting. From bachelorettes to bumper cars, we have everything in-house you need for your "wedding with a whirl!" Whirly Ball Naperville 3103 Odyssey Court, Naperville | 630-932-4800 www.whirlyball.com/weddings

WHIRLY BALL | The Wedding Page

Exciting & Fun in Naperville for Your Special Day

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ENJOY A WONDERFUL EXTERIOR REMODELING EXPERIENCE West suburban-based exterior remodeling company Opal Enterprises wants you to enjoy your remodeling project! Recognizing that new roofing, siding and windows is often a once in a lifetime purchase, why should the experience be one that frustrates and angers you? Come visit their James Hardie Siding and Andersen Window showroom and you will also see the words “Have a Wonderful Remodeling Experience” splashed all over the walls as they have developed this mission statement into a company culture. Opal Enterprises has raised the bar in expertise with installing specifically James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding, Andersen Windows and GAF brand roofing. Over the last 20+ years in business they’ve evaluated what they do best and made it a target focus to work on the how we do it the best. Opal Enterprises sought out to strengthen their training and relationships with the manufactures who have certified them as their preferred contractor, all so that your home is remodeled right the first time! Opal Enterprises Showroom 127 Ambassador Drive, Suite 159, Naperville Info@opalenterprises.net • (630) 355-6557 www.opalexteriors.com

OPAL EXTERIORS | Providing a Wonderful Remodeling Experience

Spring Fling Sale on Windows, Siding & Doors with Opal Enterprises

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Her Story is a Testament to the Beautiful Blend of Motherhood and a Thriving Real Estate Career BATAVIA–Ewelina is a dedicated realtor from Batavia, Illinois, with Coldwell Banker Realty. Her story is a testament to the beautiful blend of motherhood and a thriving real estate career spanning 7 years. Ewelina's busy household, overflowing with love and companionship, includes her two daughters, aged 24 and 17, three stepsons, and a delightful mix of furry friends. Juggling client calls amidst family commitments and orchestrating showings around vacations, Ewelina exemplifies adaptability and dedication. Her genuine care for both clients and loved ones resonates through her approach, rooted in empathy and integrity instilled by her mother. Beyond transactions, Ewelina's passion lies in creating memorable experiences for families house hunting in the Western Suburbs—transforming each search into a joyful exploration of communities, forging lasting connections, and guiding them towards their dream homes with unwavering support and personalized care. Get to know more about Ewelina in her own words.... The Balancing Act How do you balance being a fantastic mom and a top-notch realtor in the West Suburbs? Seamlessly blending motherhood and real estate is all about adaptability and dedication. Whether it's answering client calls while cheering on my daughter at a dance competition or scheduling showings around family vacations, I make it work. My clients understand that family comes first, and they appreciate the genuine care and attention I give to both them and my loved ones. It's about finding balance and being fully present in every moment, whether it's negotiating a deal or attending Friday night football games. From Mom to Mom Can you share a heartwarming story of helping a family find their dream home in the West Suburban area? Recently, I had the honor of helping the Anderson family find their dream home in our community. They were looking for a place with enough space for their growing family and a backyard for their children to play. After weeks of searching, we found the perfect home that checked all their boxes. Seeing their faces light up as they walked through the front door was truly priceless—a moment that reminded me why I love what I do. I Learned It from My Mom What's the best advice your mom gave you that influences how you approach motherhood and real estate? My mom always emphasized the importance of empathy and integrity in everything I do. She taught me to listen deeply, to understand others' needs, and to always act with honesty and compassion. This advice guides me in both motherhood and real estate, reminding me to prioritize relationships, to advocate for my clients with sincerity, and to create spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. House Hunting Fun How do you make house-hunting fun and engaging for families looking to settle down in the West Suburban neighborhoods?  House hunting in the Western Suburbs is more than just finding a house—it's about discovering a community that feels like home. I make the process fun and engaging for families by organizing neighborhood tours, highlighting local parks, schools, and family-friendly amenities. From scavenger hunts for the kids to personalized welcome packages, I strive to make every step of the journey exciting and memorable, turning house hunting into a cherished family adventure.   Finding the Perfect Home As a mom and a realtor, what's your favorite aspect of helping families find their perfect home in West Suburban Chicago?  My favorite aspect is the opportunity to build genuine connections with families as they embark on this journey. I love getting to know their unique preferences, aspirations, and the little details that will make a house truly feel like home for them. Being able to guide and support them through such a significant milestone in their lives is incredibly rewarding—it's about forging lasting relationships and being a trusted ally in their pursuit of happiness. CONTACT EWELINA

COVER STORY | Realtor Mom: Ewelina Rafael of Batavia

Her Story is a Testament to the Beautiful Blend of Motherhood and a Thriving Real Estate Career

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Latest Issue
March 2024

Glancer Magazine March 2024

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► March 2024 Issue, Western Suburbs

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