According to Entrepreneur.com women are starting an average of 1,200 businesses a day – up from 740 a day the year prior. The growth of women-owned firms continues to outpace the national average, plus they now lead growth in eight of the top 13 industries. On top of that, ladies are dominating the crowdfunding space, regularly outperforming their male counterparts. Meet these Local Ladypreneurs to Know. NICHOLE NIEMANN Director, Fashions with Flair, Inc. Nichole Niemann has lived in the western burbs since the third grade, “which is really a long time!” she says laughing. She’s been a ladypreneur since 1999 and credits a combination of factors for wanting to become a ladypreneurs. “The combination of controlling your own destiny, setting your own hours and the pride of managing something all your own are all factors that make being an entrepreneur the best career route,” she explains. Nichole is the Director and commentator for Fashions with Flair, Inc., a fashion show production company. “Everything that happens on the runway is within my purview,” she explains. Nichole is in charge of creating a relevant and exciting presentation and also manages a large team of coordinators, DJs, dressers, models and choreographers, all of whom come together to make a fashion show happen. For future entrepreneurial plans, fashion is at the top of her list. “Because I work with top models, designers and retailers, I have access to all the current trends,” she says. Nichole plans on branching out as an image consultant for companies, men and women who need a business revamp, and much more! “I’m using my talents in a meaningful way and I get paid to do something that is rewarding and exciting,” she adds. 1. Favorite motivational speaker? I don’t have one. I do love Pinterest. Nowhere else can you find an endless supply of 5-10 word motivational phrases to keep you on track and motivated. 2. #1 reason for being a Ladypreneur? I can still do my job as “mom” with 100% dedication. 3. The one thing you wish you had known when starting your business? I understood the product I was producing, but I had to learn that without good people to help you get there, you’ve got nothing. ANNE DILLS Franchise Owner, School of Rock (Naperville, Hinsdale, & Elmhurst) Anne grew up in Burr Ridge and Hinsdale as a child, so it made since when the opportunity came to open up her first School of Rock location in Naperville with her partner (and mom) Denise Dills back in 2010. She currently lives in Western Springs with her husband and the couple is expecting their first child in fall. Anne has since opened up two additional School of Rock locations in both Hinsdale and Elmhurst. When venturing out and starting her own business, Anne loved the idea of creating something from nothing. “I find it exciting and meaningful to create jobs that didn’t exist before and give people an opportunity to grow and develop,” she shares. School of Rock is a performance based music school, where both kids and adults can receive a great musical education. Anne also emphasizes the creation of a caring community within her School of Rock locations, where all students feel inspired and are supportive of one another. “Our faculty is a close knit group of professional rock musicians, who are still actively creating, recording and performing music,” she adds. As for her biggest inspiration and advocate to become a ladypreneur? That would be her mom, Denise Dills, who became a ladypreneur herself in her 50’s after her children were grown. 1. Favorite motivational speaker? Dale Carnegie. 2. #1 reason for being a ladypreneur? I decided to start my own company, so no one else could dictate to me the values I feel that it is important to live out in my family life and my professional life. 3. The one thing you wish you had known when starting your business? Ensure that you feel so passionately about the service or product you are creating that the journey of having it brought to fruition is worth the effort regardless of if you succeed financially. JAMIE VARGO Owner of Vargo’s Dance Studio Jamie Vargo has lived in Geneva for the past 13-years. She has always had a passion for dance and it was her dream to have her own dance studio. When talking about her first business she says, “Do lemonade stands count? If so I started my first business at 7!” Keeping with the idea and saying, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life..” Jamie did eventually fulfill her life-long dream of owning her own studio and opened Vargo’s Dance Studio in 2011. “Dancing with the Starts reminded our generation on how fun and glamorous ballroom dancing can be and at Vargo’s Dance, we like to bring an element of that to our customers,” she shares. “We also pride ourselves on meeting our students where they are so that they can cram for a wedding, enjoy a date night out or join our family of social dancers.” For future ladypreneurial plans, Jamie has already experimented with an organic juice shop in Geneva, “Smuzi.” “It was very well received, but not profitable enough to continue,” she adds. However, Jamie does see another dance studio in her future, “not sure where or when, but we’ll see,” she adds. 1. Favorite motivational speaker? Tony Robbins 2. #1 reason for being a ladypreneur? Same as any entrepreneur, Indepedence! 3. The one thing you wish you had known when starting your business? I wish I would have known how many responsibilities and expenses come with owning a business. Sometimes it’s hard to balance the passion and creativity with those secondary business activities. KELLY MCCARTY Owner of Kelly McCarty Esthetics, LLC. Kelly McCarty is a full-time mom and business owner. Her three amazing children, Kylee (12), Joey (8), and Macklen (4) are her world, but she also finds time to run her business, Kelly McCarty Esthetics, LLC., and is the admin for Kaneland Moms Working Together, the Facebook group. Kelly is all positive actions and has taken a role to help her spread the cheer. “Recently my newest adventure is spreading inspiration to others on The Captains Pod, called “Good News Kelly on Meaningful Mondays,” she shares. Kelly has been an esthetician for 17 years, but in December 2014 she decided to become a ladypreneur and work for herself, thus creating her business. The path to ladypreneurship started 4 years ago. In April of 2012 she lost her then fiancé to depression that resulted in suicide. Since the 1 year anniversary of his death, she has done Random Acts of Kindness on that day and every day after that. “I always tell my kids that it’s important to never give up and just keep going,” she shares. The Facebook group Kaneland Moms Working Together was recently started to help others that have independent businesses a platform in order to help get the community to work together. “I believe if you help each other out and work together, the community as a whole is a much better place to live.” 1. Favorite motivational speaker? Ellen DeGeneres. 2. #1 reason for being a ladypreneur? When I lost my fiancé 3-years ago, I had a choice to be positive and I wanted to inspire other people and also provide for my children. 3. The one thing you wish you had known when starting your business? It can be a lot on your plate, but it’s important to get it done. DONNA SWANSON Founder of Simple Gifts Foundation Donna has lived in Aurora for 16-years and has two daughters, Kamille and Abigail. Donna started the Simple Gifts Foundation in 2003 and applied for non-profit status in January of 2005. The organization provides assistance with basic, personal, emergency and other needs to children with disabilities and families in need in DuPage County and the surrounding counties as well. Donna has always wanted to do two things in her life, “adopt a baby with Down syndrome and have my own food pantry,” she shares. Kamille, her oldest daughter, has Down syndrome and “the adoption came quite quick so it came time to move on to my next endeavor!” she says. Donna extended the food pantry idea into the Simple Gifts Foundation, to serve those with special and medical needs and their family. As for future entrepreneurial plans, Donna plans on continuing to give, with the assistance of the Simple Gifts Board and volunteers, more community-based activities for kids to grow skills and confidence, along with all that the foundation has to offer, which is “a place for kids to feel like they are accepted and belong, a nurturing friendship and appreciation for who they are,” she says. 1. Favorite motivational speaker? My dad. He has been my rock since day one and helped kick off the Foundation along with my mom and family members. 2. #1 reason for being a ladypreneur? I never set out to be an entrepreneur of any kind, rather, I just wanted to offer a humble, giving service to these kids. 3. The one thing you wish you had known when starting your business? I wish I knew how much work it would be! But all good things cost us a big of work and having a non-profit organization has been such a blessing in so many ways. MARIANNE CIELAK, ESQ. Owner of Skinnysweet Frozen Yogurt Marianne Cielak has lived in Elmhurst for the past 7.5 years with her husband and 3 children. Marianne has been a ladypreneur since April 2011. She had the idea of starting her business when she was on vacation with her family in Arizona and they came across a soft-serve frozen yogurt concept that was self-serve. “We knew this was something where there was a need back home and so the journey began,” she shares. “We developed our own concept that was similar, but something that was all our own.” They developed a self-serve frozen yogurt concept, but also serve gelato, sorbet, and Italian ice. Skinnysweet Frozen Yogurt focuses on selling a premium product that is hormone-free and antibiotic-free. Marianne has found that while it’s good to be first in any market, it doesn’t matter as much as having a good product. “If you have a good product, you’ll do well,” she explains. “But, if you cut corners, people will pick up on that.” For her ladypreneurial journey, Marianne has found that it’s not all about the prize or the reward at the end. “No matter how long the steps are, the prize will always be there, so focus on the work to get there instead.” 1. Favorite motivational speaker? Tony Robbins, Mike Eruzione and Lou Holtz. 2. #1 reason for being a ladypreneur? My driven personality and giving 110% and doing things the right way the first time. What better way to do that than to be in business for myself. 3. The one thing you wish you had known when starting your business? Location is key and it can turn out to be your greatest asset or your biggest challenge. #July2015

THE ROAR OF MY LION'S MANE….AND HOW TO TAME IT I’m experiencing what you might call “technical difficulties” with my hair. I won’t go on and on (ok, maybe I will) but those of you who read me regularly know that I tend to participate in the antics of a mad woman. And I have news…this month shall be no different. First and foremost, it’s not that I don’t love my Bon Jovi hair – I do! At times, it borders on ridiculousness how much I love its big, bad boldness. However, one caveat - I have to be in the mood. Take for instance a rainy day…or when I’m going on a job interview…or wait - formal tea in one of Chicago’s most elegant tea rooms. The last thing I want is a big bushel of bizarreness sitting atop my head when sitting down for tea. In that moment, my hair should say Lady Di, not Lady Gaga. So I went on a quest in search of something to tame my tangled tresses. And then it came to me – like a dream in the night, an oasis in the desert…an air guitar in the middle of a rock concert. Maybe a blowout is the new Bon Jovi? So I landed in a little beauty of a space in downtown St. Charles called Bombshell Blowout Boutique and Spa- home to the most fabulous blow out a girl could ever dream of. Ooh-la-la, who knew hair heaven was just around the corner? This finishing hotspot is everything social media has promised and more. So chic and sophisticated…not to mention, they give you champagne (and it ain’t the cheap stuff)! What is a blowout, you may ask? Well, it is so much more than just drying your hair. A true blow out leaves your hair straight yet bouncy and full of volume & shine. Its awesomeness lasts about two days, which is oh-so-sweet, especially when you have back-to-back fun planned on a busy weekend. Their sophisticated stylists are the masters of the round brush and the queens of the blow dryer. With the roll of a brush, or the flick of a wand, this hot trend takes an average of 20-40 minutes to complete depending on hair length and costs $35. You can add a Moroccan Oil scalp treatment or hydrating mask for $15, adding more pampering to the already magnificent experience. So there you have it, ladies. My quest has been fulfilled, in a “Bombshell Blowout” kind of way. This trip to the salon was just the break that my Bon Jovi hair and I needed. Stay sassy (and classy) Glancer girls! OVERVIEW Bombshell Blowout Boutique is a finishing salon in the heart of downtown St. Charles offering affordable blowouts, waxing, massage, facials, make-up and more! Located at 1 West Illinois St Suite 180, Downtown St Charles; www.bombshellbb.com about the writer Tiffany Schultz resides in Sugar Grove with her husband, two kids and Shih Tzu. While seeking balance between her dueling roles as wife, mother, daughter, friend and professional, Tiffany spends as much time as possible daydreaming on her screen porch. She enjoys cooking, traveling and yoga and hopes to one day learn Italian and make the perfect crème brulee. #July2015

Naperville Ribfest Presents Rocker Sammy Hagar and The Circle Naperville’s Knoch Park was packed with excitement and energy with the anticipation of The Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest 2015 main stage performance of Sammy Hagar and The Circle featuring: Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson. In a personal Glancer Magazine interview, it was evident that these four legends are having the time of their life while sharing the utmost respect for each other. “I’ve been a solo artist again for a long time – we all know that – and I choose to be in a band again - because of this band,” Hagar says. “It’s like magic – good chemistry!” He went on to brag about Michael Anthony’s bass and vocal talents regarding him as one of the top three rock bass players and vocalists in rock history; continued to highlight Vic Johnson as one of the hardest working guys he knows; and emphasized the respect of serving the music properly when playing songs from Jason Bonham’s, Led Zeppelin Experience. “With this band, we try to serve the music as good as we can, as best as possible without destroying the essence of it - and then try and put our own soul and energy into it,” Hagar said as he explained why the band is named The Circle. “This band can play my whole career – my whole everything I’ve done – it’s come full circle.” When not playing music, these guys love their food and plan extra days in cities they anticipate having the best food joints in the country: like, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, and Dallas. “Ask these guys what we talk about – city by city – it’s the restaurants - it’s not the women, it’s not the strip joints - it’s the restaurants,” Hagar says. In Chicago, favorite stops include Gibson’s Steakhouse and The Wiener Circle; and in Naperville – the ribs, of course! We also found out that Vic “Hellcat” Johnson makes some of the best ribs around! Although Hagar made it clear he has no plans to change professions, he has a new cookbook coming out in September which will include recipes he has created with chef friends like Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Julian Serrano, and Michael Mina. After our interview, these guys rocked Naperville like no other. They graciously signed autographs while performing on stage, took photos with fans, and before leaving Naperville - Hagar donated $2,500 to Loaves & Fishes Community Services. –Kristen Kucharski PHOTO GALLERY Concert Photos by Mike Catuara, Interview Photo by Lynn Logan #July2015 #SammyHagar #Ribfest

INSPIRING. PASSIONATE. DETERMINED. These are just a few of the words that describe these dynamic Ladypreneurs and their businesses! Their unique brand of products and services combined with their perseverance and drive are at your service, right here, in the western suburbs. CAFFRAY JEWELERS I Hinsdale CJ Grad has been making jewelry, and friends, since 1981. And creating custom jewelry is her passion! While there’s a chain jewelry store on every corner, all of their pieces tend to look similar. Why not incorporate your own ideas into a piece you will wear for years to come? www.caffrayjewelers.com IMAGE AWARDS, ENGRAVING & CREATIVE KEEPSAKES, INC. I Geneva This full service engraver creates awards for sports teams, corporate recognition, and gift giving. Owner Patty Donahue, in business for 21 years, says about being a ladypreneur, “I’d never engraved anything before I decided to go into business. I just knew I could do it! My drive, determination, and authentic self run the show!” www.imageawards.net HERITAGE HOUSE FLORIST I Downers Grove Coming from a family who has been in the floral business for over 75 years, owner Kathy Viskocil has always known the sweet smell of success. Celebrating 25 years of ownership in November, Viskocil and Heritage House Florist pride themselves on quality customer service and beautiful flowers and arrangements. www.heritagehouseflorist.com TINA’S CLOSET I Lisle Having fit more than two million bras for thousands of women in the Chicago area, Tina Karakourtis really has her hands full. But this 28-year business owner is always up for the challenge, especially when it comes to helping women, of all shapes and sizes, overcome all of their bra woes! www.tinasclosetinc.com SIMPLY HAIR SALON & RENEWAL SPA I Naperville With everything under the sun in spa and salon services, it’s no wonder owner Dolly Long has been in business…so long! The goal at Simply Hair is to integrate health, beauty, and wellness into their customers' lives by offering the latest in cuts, color, styling, massage, makeup, and more. www.simplyhairinc.com FACE TO FACE COMMUNICATIONS AND TRAINING I Oswego Face to face communication – a thing of the past? Owner/operator Gail Johnson doesn’t think so, and her company (started in 1997) is designed to strategically plan for your company’s future. “Strengthening communication skills between workers and managers and peers and especially workers and customers is the key to success in this era where miscommunication abounds.” www.face2facetraining.com PARK BLVD DENTISTRY I Glen Ellyn After 32 years in Lombard, Sharon Szeszycki decided to move her practice to Glen Ellyn. “We are proud of the services we offer and simply love our new location,” says Szeszycki. The Glen Ellyn location offers the newest in dental technology in a comfortably designed space that makes patients feel “at home on their first visit.” www.parkblvddentistry.com Watch For A Uniquely Themed “7 Spectacular” List In Every Monthly Issue. View Upcoming Issu eThemes Online Under Editorial. Share this List On facebook & Twitter www.glancermagazine.com #7SpectacularList #July2015

“The empires of the future are empires of the mind." -Winston Churchill Progress happening around town is both exciting and inspirational. There are many new businesses opening up month after month in the communities where we publish. Here, we have highlighted 15 of them– some are charming & unique, while others fill a local niche. Congratulations to these 15 west suburban businesses on their grand opening. We wish each of them much success in their new endeavor as we contiune to encourage our readers to shop local. 1. CORE POWER YOGA • GLEN ELLYN People come to CorePower Yoga for physical and emotional nourishment. This studio houses two large and luxurious yoga rooms as well as a range of amenities including changing rooms with showers and private lockers. This studio also features a full retail boutique showcasing men's & women's active wear and accessories. (630) 343-5339, Glen Ellyn 2. ELEMENTAL YARNS • OSWEGO Elemental Yarns Oswego recently opened! You will find a medley of fine yarns from today's most popular manufacturers. They offer a welcoming atmosphere where the needle artists and hobbyists can gather to learn, share and mingle in a creative, no-pressure environment. 20% off spring yarns in July! www.elementalyarns.com Oswego 3. SUGAR GROVE SENIOR LIVING • SUGAR GROVE Sugar Grove Senior Living is anticipating opening its doors in September 2015 at 119 W. Galena Blvd. North West Housing Partnership and PIRHL developed Sugar Grove Senior Living, a 60-unit apartment community for independent seniors to address the absence of affordable senior housing in the community. Contact Elizabeth Mooney for details: emooney@ludwigco.com Sugar Grove 4. LEXTECH • DOWNERS GROVE Lextech is a mobile app development company that evaluates business workflows to identify and build apps that improve processes and make the complex simple. Lextech has designed and developed apps for companies in various industries, including logistics, manufacturing, financial services and retail. Check out their website for more info www.lextech.com Downers Grove 5. ‘TIL DRESS DO US PART • NAPERVILLE Til Dress Do Us Part Bridal Boutique recently opened on South Washington St. in Naperville. Offering unique and stylish women’s clothing and formalwear, you’ll find the perfect outfit for whatever the occasion. The boutique boasts clothing from the hottest designers from New York to L.A. and also local designers. (630) 357-6114, www.tildressdouspartbridal.com Naperville 6. BATAVIA ANIMAL CLINIC • BATAVIA Batavia Animal Clinic has a new owner, Adam Schanding, D.V.M., offering a full service animal hospital that welcomes both emergency treatment cases as well as patients in need of routine medical, surgical, and dental care. The Clinic’s goal is to offer a personalized and comfortable hometown environment while providing high quality care. (630) 879-8005 Batavia 7. BU WELLNESS CLINIC • HINSDALE BU Wellness Clinic recently opened this June and is located on E. Ogden. Medical Director and Founder Dr. Christina E. Kim is a board certified anesthesiologist with over 25-years of experience. With a full menu of services, Dr. Kim combines knowledge and innovative aesthetic expertise to create customized and methodical approaches to address the challenges of aging. Hinsdale www.BUWellness.com, (630) 891-3131 8. ORANGE THEORY FITNESS • SOUTH NAPERVILLE Orange Theory Fitness provides a unique way to work out. The physiological theory behind the Orange Theory workout is known as “Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption”. You work out at 84% or higher of your maximum heart rate. Recently opened at Naperville Crossings. Check out orangetheoryfitness.com or call (630) 857- 9. MICHAEL GRAHAM SALON • DOWNTOWN NAPERVILLE Michael Graham Salon and Spa recently opened in downtown Naperville on Main St. They offer a wide-range of salon and spa services and are backed by highly sought after product lines. Relaxation and attention to their clients is their number one priority. (630) 946-6055 or visit their website www.michaelgrahamsalon.com. Downtown Naperville 10. SENIORS HELPING SENIORS • BATAVIA Seniors Helping Seniors provides a unique, peer-to-peer business model that provides seniors with “a way to give and to receive” by engaging seniors to provide nonmedical services to other seniors. These in-home services are provided at a reasonable fee to families in need while also providing fair wages to caregivers. (630) 937-4246 Batavia 11. KAMINSKI CHIROPRACTIC • SUGAR GROVE Michael Kaminski of Kaminski Chiropractic has expanded his services and opened a branch in Sugar Grove. He offers traditional chiropractic services such as adjustments, traction, and soft tissue manipulation. He also provides instrument adjustments for those who are uncomfortable with the “pop and crack” of manual manipulation. (630) 777-3058 Sugar Grove 12. BROTHERS COUNTRY SUPPLY • OSWEGO Brothers Country Supply offers a large variety of animal feeds and supplies. Offering products for any animal including dogs, cats, horses, cows, chickens, fish, birds and so much more. They currently have stores in Morris and Ottawa with a new Oswego location opening mid-August. No matter where you're on budget and beliefs, they have something for you. www.brotherscountrysupply.com, Oswego. 13. SKAFF FLORAL CREATIONS • HINSDALE Specializing in weddings, special events (parties, showers, anniversaries) and holiday home decorating. Other services offered are corporate and residential weekly flowers, custom silk and preserved arrangements, funeral arrangements and much more. 15% off any order of custom silk or preserved arrangements during the months of July and August. Consultation by appointment only. (331) 801-0018, www.skafffloral.com. Hinsdale silk or preserved arrangements during the months of July and August. Consultation by appointment only. (331) 801-0018, www.skafffloral.com. 14. GIA MIA PIZZA BAR • WHEATON Gia Mia Pizza Bar focuses on chef-driven, farm-to-table food concepts such as Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas, creative small plates, fresh homemade pasta, antipasto, and hand-made mozzarella to name a few. Their mixology bar concept will include offering specialty craft beers as well as an exclusive wine list with flavors carefully chosen to complement their delectable food plates. www.giamiapizzabar.com, Wheaton 15. CARRIBEAN CORNER • DOWNERS GROVE Carribean Corner provides a unique restaurant experience to “tempt your taste buds with an explosion of Latin flavor”. They offer a wide range of foods from sandwiches that reflect the Carribean theme to elegant dinners, such as their Ropa Vieja, satisfying any appetite. Located on Main St., Downers Grove. www.caribbean-corner.com #July2015

January 2010 - CLIMB AND EXPLORE Cute, cute and cuter were the first words that came to mind when I walked into Little Monkey Bizness. This article is a Now and Later article as I will tell you about Little Monkey Bizness Now in Western Springs and lucky for us, is coming to Naperville in 2010. For now, from southwest Naperville, Western Springs is an easy 35 minute drive. Their tagline is ‘Where Kids Monkey Around’ is perfectly fitting for this incredible play place designed for children ages 6 and under. Children over 7 are not permitted on the equipment. Children and parents can both be entertained. There are built in carpeted benches in the play zone for the parents to enjoy coffee and socialize, while their children play. There is also a full service coffee house on the premise serving food and drinks. A bonus room to the main play place is the art room filled with paint, crayons, markers, smocks, and child size tables and chairs. A great clothesline hangs across the room to allow your creative artwork to dry while your child burns energy in the play area. Your child can play in the bounce house, explore the maze tower, slide down the slides, swing on the swing, play in the tree, pretend in the imaginary house, and explore the many other slides, tunnels, and bridges, while discovering a whole world of play. The entire play zone is enclosed with a half wall and locking doors so the children are contained in the space and separated from the café area, art room, bathrooms, and exit. The infant zone which is designed for children under age 2 is perfectly safe with padded hills, arches, mats and ride on toys. This area is enclosed to protect the little ones from their active preschool counterparts. Little Monkey Bizness is located at 4700 Gilbert Ave, Ste 51, Western Springs, IL 60558. Phone is 708-246-9600. Website is www.littlemonkeybizness.com. Parents, Guardians, and Infants are always free. Admission for children over 1 and walking is $7.50. Crawlers under age 1 are $5. Look for coupons. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-12pm, and Sun 9am-12pm. Coming soon to Naperville! #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #January2010 #KidsTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

January 2011 - MAGICAL ADVENTURE Sometimes I give myself credits. Money credits. When I do so many free things, I get to do something a bit out of the ordinary price range, just because I have been so budget sensitive. So this next adventure took us to another kingdom. We entered the gates and left earth as we know it to explore another world. MagiQuest is best described by the company’s website as an interactive, live-action, role playing experience where players embark on quests and adventures in an enchanted fantasy world using magic wands to solve the mysteries of the game. You can consider this adventure as an investment to many adventures to come as your wands can be used over and over again and learn you as a player and learn what quests you have accomplished and still need to accomplish. There are various locations throughout the country and overseas. Great Wolf Resorts is home to several MagiQuest, as well as Six Flags Great America. So your wand can travel with you to other MagiQuest locations so you can continue your journey no matter where you are. I went with a group of kids ranging in ages from 4-9, but there were also many preteens, as well as adults playing. It is indeed a place to entertain both the kids and daddy so I consider it a very good investment! There is a preschool specific program for the younger kids that are not able to read. They are given picture clue cards to help with their adventures. The older kids are given guide books. I can best liken this adventure to a magical scavenger hunt where you use clues to accomplish quests so you can advance to the next level. You earn points as you go and can redeem those points to dual another player. This is where players are each trying to determine which spell to cast with their wand that will trump the spell casted by the other player to ultimately win the dual. The magic of MagiQuest is that there is no death or evil or inappropriate images. MagiQuest is located at Yorktown Center in Lombard, IL on the lower level. Phone is 630-932-6645. Website is www.MagiQuestChicago.com. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. Admission varies depending on length of adventure and if you have previously purchased a wand. Coupons are everywhere online. Kristen Kucharski #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #January2011 #KidsTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

December 2009 - HIGH SPEED RACING Whenever I see coupons for something FREE, at a new place we haven’t been to yet, we get very excited. I recently came across coupons for a free 5 minute race at Speed Alley Racing in Westmont. Five minutes didn’t sound like a lot of free time, so I was a bit concerned that this might be a pricey outing with six children in tow. Much to my surprise, this was a very affordable, very fun, new adventure for our crew. With the coupon, each child got a slot car and a five minute race. I paid $14 for four kids to each get a total of 20 minutes to race (so only $3.50/child). The two 3 year olds were content with their 5 minutes and playing with the remotes. The atmosphere is interesting as you kind of feel like you are in someone’s unfinished basement, but the staff is informative, helpful, courteous and especially nice. The room is filled with super sized race tracks for slot cars. There are many different tracks and different slot cars to choose from. Each track is color coded to a remote and matched to your color on the tv screens above to count your laps and keep track of your time. This sport is simple enough for three year olds and competitive enough for teenagers and adults. We learned very quickly that slot car racing is indeed a sport and can be competitive. We learned that it takes more to race your car than pulling the trigger on your remote, as hard as you can, to make your car go as fast as it can. Without skill and personal talent to corner the curves, you can wipe out very quickly. At times, the 3 year olds seem to do better than the older children because they didn’t pull the trigger so hard. Speed Alley Racing is located at 201 W. Ogden, Westmont, IL 60559 (630-493-4100). It is located inside Suburbanite Bowling Alley. Website is www.speedalleyracing.com. Hours are 11am-9pm, Monday-Saturday, Sunday 12-6pm. Car rental is $2/car, track rental starts at $2 for 5 minutes up to $17 for 60 minutes on the weekends. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #KidsTeens #December2009 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

A Colorful Affair, More than Painting Many of us have experienced the sip & paint events around town, but A Colorful Affair in Naperville has added new artistic opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy. Regardless if you are a preschooler who wants to finger paint or a senior who wants to reconnect with your creative side, there are a variety of project experiences to be found here. The tween group seemed very drawn to making their own candles, while I was personally drawn to trying out a fused glass project, as I have never worked with this type of art medium before. The energy and excitement in the studio was high as we viewed our options, which included designing our own jewelry, crafting a set of coasters, or a glass platter with sheet glass, rods, and stringers. Making your own candle or customized body scrub was like selecting the toppings at a frozen yogurt shop – trimmings and choices galore to completely personalize your scents, colors, textures, and style. Kids can make their own cupcake soaps, personalize a night light, or paint a penguin. The options were endless and the atmosphere was light and fun. You could literally spend several hours just hanging out – bring your own lunch or snack and unleash your creative side. If you are in the area but don’t have time for a specific project, you can stop by and play with the sidewalk chalk outside the front door. As the weather turns cooler and the holidays approach, the girls are excited to come back and make Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and Christmas gifts. Personally, I was thinking it would be a great place to hang out with my adult friends, as they offer Ladies Nights Out events too. So whether you have a toddler or a grandma living in your house, it is likely you will find happiness and fun for everyone here! THE DETAILS Location: A Colorful Affair, 3027 English Rows, #105, Naperville, IL 60564 Phone: (630) 806-1915/(331) 229-3524 Website: www.colorfulaffair.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; private parties available Prices: Prices dependent on creative project selected Description: A creative space offering classes, events, and open studio times using a variety of art media such as canvas, ceramics, soap, scrubs, fused glass, and candle making! Sip & paint events offered several times per month. about the writer Naperville mom Kristen Kucharski graduated from Illinois State University in 1992 with an International Business Degree. She is married and has two energetic daughters and her house is always full of children. Kristen joins Glancer Magazine with her column titled, Mom's Little Black Book, a monthly feature written for moms who are looking for ways to keep their kids busy.

November 2011 - BOUNCE JUMP FLIP Extreme fun can be very affordable if you gather your friends and go together. A few months ago, I talked about the power of group rates. This is one adventure you will want to work in numbers, to get the best rate possible. Xtreme Trampoline offers hours of indoor fun, laughs, thrills, and exercise for everyone. On a recent day off of school, it was very easy to gather over 35 people and pay only $6 for two hours of bouncing, flipping, dodge ball fun. The normal rate per person is $16 for two hours, so you see how planning with friends can save a bundle. Form your group, have everyone pay you cash, and use with your credit card to secure your rate. Easy! The building is huge and overflowing with excitement. Trampoline pits positioned by foam pits provide plenty of opportunity to flip, twist, and dive. Trampolines formed to make a dodge ball court give a competitive edge to those who want to form teams to throw balls, jump, and lunge to avoid getting hit. There is a trampoline area specifically for the young ones so they can feel free to leap, hop, and bounce without being pounced on by older counterparts. There is a specific area for older kids so they can have their own space and feel free to push the boundaries of gravity. There are trampolines on the walls to give added dimension to your imagination and padding everywhere in case you fly wild. There is no admission rate, so if you choose to go and watch, there is no fee, but if you choose to participate, it’s a great form of exercise, a fun way to burn calories, and a fantastic way to tire the kids out. Xtreme Trampoline is located at 485 Mission Street, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Phone is 630-752-1400. Website is www.xtremetrampolines.com. Admission varies by the hour and by group size. The more people you bring, the more money you save! If you bring friends, be sure to have the waiver signed by the appropriate guardian prior to leaving home, there are no exceptions to their waiver rules. – Kristen Kucharski #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens #November2011

January 2012 - MESSY FUN Often I save my budget for something really unique and different and we found just that at Make a Messterpiece in Glenview. This is another activity that is cheaper if done with a small group of friends. At the time, we were able to purchase one unlimited access punch card and share the punches, one punch for each kid, giving them full access to do everything available which included the Drumroll, Creative Kitchen, Bubble’ology, Experimentation Station, Lil Sprouts, and the Splat-tacular Tables. This place offers every messy project your child always wants to do, but that you never want done in your own home. Would you ever fill drums with paint and let the kids bang away while paint flies across the room, onto the walls, and all over their clothes? At Make a Messterpiece, it’s a dream come true. Kids are clothed head to toe in rain coats and goggles, sent into a glass enclosed room and literally play the paint filled drums while parents remain clean and dry with camera in hand to document the chaos. You are able to leave the paint filled rain gear behind and move onto the next messy project while the staff cleans up. It’s fantastic! Creative Kitchen gave the kids the opportunity to cut up their own fruit and make smoothies using their own blenders. They also used the pieces of fruit to make a jello creation that was refrigerated and eaten as a snack later in the day. We brought our own lunches and enjoyed a full day of messy, creative, and uniquely fun activities from science projects to cooking inventions to flying paint; and when all was said and done, we left the mess for someone else to clean up. Brilliant! Make a Messterpiece is located in The Glen Town Center, 2050 Tower Drive, Glenview, IL. Phone is 847-730-5275. Website is www.makeamessterpiece.com. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Sunday. Fees vary based on activities selected. Check for additional hours on holidays or days off of school. Activities are best suited for ages 1-12, but great for anyone with an imagination. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #KidsTeens #January2012 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

February 2013 - COUPLES WHO PLAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER Oh – Game On my darling! You may have gathered by now that I live for adventure and new experiences and there is nothing better than telling me we are going to the fastest and largest indoor go-kart racing facility in the Midwest to get my adrenaline pumping! My husband and I have a bit of a competitive relationship and love the thrill of a challenge. The Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix was just the place to get our game on as we raced around the track to see who could garner the fastest lap time. At a facility geared towards older teens and adults, this is no child’s play; the go-karts can reach speeds up to 40mph! When the safety video and brief training session made me more nervous than skydiving, I knew I had met my match of fun for the evening. After donning my full race suit and pink helmet and meeting my husband on the track, it was nothing but thrilling. I was not about to let him beat me. Our daughters came as spectators and laughed as I had to use four booster seats to reach the pedals and spun out at nearly every corner of the first race. But after a few tidbits from the manager, I was ready for the second race where my personal best lap time beat Joe’s by nearly .001 of a second! With the ever changing race track throughout the year, this place can never get old. Once you think you have mastered the track, they change the course to add continued variety. Worried about the smell of gas – no need – this place is environmentally conscious and clean - burning propane powered 9hp engines. Word to the wise, you are racing, so don’t wear your finest and best clothes and don’t forget your closed toed shoes. Sleeved shirts and long pants are also recommended. After your race is complete, you can have your professionally timed results posted to your Facebook page or emailed to you directly. Then take your bragging rights and enjoy a game of pool and arcades, as well as a cool beer in the Fast Karts Café. Overall, a perfect get-away for a unique date night, girls’ night out, or any group event! OVERVIEW The ultimate go-kart driving grand prix experience in the fastest and largest indoor facility in the Midwest. Geared to those 54” or taller and possess a valid state driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Age restrictions apply on certain days. Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix, 2225 W. North Avenue, Melrose Park, IL Phone: 708-343-RACE Website: www.mpgrandprix.com Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to Midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to Midnight Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday Prices: Prices vary depending on day of week and number of races. Memberships available. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #February2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens