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THIS LOCAL VOLUNTEER IS SUPER STYLISH IN ALL THAT SHE DOES Art, music, culture, design – these concepts blend together effortlessly for Brianna Bartemeyer. Her education, athletic participation, cultural endeavors, and career all integrate elements of creativity, a requisite for Brianna. Having grown up in Naperville (she’s an ’02 Central grad who went on to pursue English, advertising, and PR degrees at MSU and an advertising study-abroad program at the American University of Rome) and partaken in its sports and music and taught voice and piano, she deeply appreciates its cultural outlets now that she’s an adult resident. She also has volunteered her talents for area organizations such as Operation Support Our Troops’ Rockin’ for the Troops annual concert, Feed My Starving Children, the Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest festival, and with her church and local junior-high youth programs. “I love that Naperville has so much to offer,” Brianna says. “Great restaurants, unique shopping, ample parks, an endearing downtown district, the Riverwalk, Centennial Beach, fun festivals, museums, passionate high school-level sports, and direct public access to Chicago!” Brianna is now a design consultant and marketing coordinator with Naperville’s Great Western Flooring Company. Their aim? “To (produce) chic, thoughtful, and creative designs” in order to cater to clients’ interest in “unique and custom products that make their project stand out.” Brianna is well-suited for this creative-meets-practical approach, as it fits her own style mantra as well: “Style is about visually showcasing your personality; it’s an unwritten language that’s as unique as we are.” -Lisa Gangi, Photo by Mike Mantucca #SoStylish #october2014

She is cherished by her family and admired by the community. She demonstrates strength, courage, and concern for others. Meet the hero inside these local moms.... CECILY MORSE, NAPERVILLE Committed to Community Using her experience as a corporate event planner, Cecily co-chaired the Hobson School of Naperville’s 50th anniversary gala. The play-based cooperative school relies heavily on parent volunteers and receives no outside funding. With Cecily’s help, the gala was well-attended and raised nearly $25,000 via corporate sponsors and raffles, as well as live and silent auctions. All three of Cecily’s children have attended the school and her years of volunteering and dedication help keep the school thriving. NECIA MUNRO, DOWNERS GROVE Helping Hallie Special Needs Trust Necia’s daughter, Hallie, has hetetotaxy with polysplenia, a genetic syndrome where none of her organs formed correctly or in the right location. Necia also has two sons with special needs, so medical appointments and expenses are abundant. With the creation of the Helping Hallie Special Needs Trust, Necie is hoping to manage the costs of frequent doctor visits and extensive hospital stays through fun and fundraising events such as the upcoming 5K and craft bazaar this month. ANNA RASMUSSEN STANSBURY, HINSDALE Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy Sam Rasmussen may have Duchene muscular dystrophy, but he has learned to make the most of every day after the loss of his father in the 9/11 tragedy. He receives strength and support from his mother, Anna Rasmussen Stansbury, who demonstrates through actions that life carries on and regardless of disability, anything is possible. Duchene’s muscular dystrophy has made huge strides in research thanks to the many fundraisers championed by Anna, who has helped raise nearly $500,000. JANET WAGNER, GLEN ELLYN International Adoption After becoming a mother alongside practicing commercial law, Janet decided she wanted to do more for families with children with special challenges. As a result of her personal passion and the interest she developed through her own experience in international adoption, Janet pursued an advanced law degree in child and family law. She currently serves as the co-vice chair of the school law committee of the DuPage County Bar Association and the governance task force for Bridge Communities. -Photos Submitted

September 2014 - GEO CACHING AND ROPE COURSES Remember the old game of Hot and Cold?...........Freezing, colder, cold, warm, hot, hot, steaming hot and then screaming you found it! Just like everything in the world today, the game of Hot and Cold has been electronically modernized into a treasure hunt called Geocaching. This outdoor treasure hunt can be played anywhere in the world using a GPS-enabled device and websites like www.geocaching.com. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. On the surface, it may sound a bit confusing and that’s why we decided to test our skills locally at the Lincoln Marsh Nature Area via a Geocaching program offered through the Wheaton Park District. Geocaching is offered during all seasons and is recommended for ages 8 and up. All the equipment and training is provided and costs about $10/person to participate. It didn’t take longer than a few minutes for our group of gals to learn the GPS unit and hit the trails running to seek and find the hidden cache (container). It’s as simple as following an arrow (similar to a compass) and watching how near or far you are from your treasure. Once you discover the container, you can take a prize, and are encouraged to leave a prize for the next person. As we searched the nature area for containers, we passed many other awesome activities offered at Lincoln Marsh, such as the High Ropes Course which is the perfect quest for team building exercises, scouts, family reunions, youth groups, etc. Participants engage in a series of challenging activities that enable them to work together to accomplish a task. There are low and high rope courses, power poles, a 50-foot climbing tower, crate stacking, and more. The park also features additional outdoor adventures including cross country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, orienteering, hiking, and bird watching. Endless, outdoor, year-round fun for all ages! - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW The park features wetlands, grasslands, prairies, woodlands, and offers nature discovery programs, high ropes courses, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing (at Northside Park), geocaching, orienteering, scout badges, hiking, bird watching, and picnicking. Lincoln Marsh Natural Area, Corner of Harrison and Pierce Avenue, Wheaton, IL 630-871-2810 www.lincolnmarsh.org Hours: Dawn till Dusk Prices: Entrance to the natural area is free, program cost vary depending on selection #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #September2014 #MBBHikingNature #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #KidsTeens

August 2014 - CABIN CAMPING By now, you all know how much I love the outdoors and I love adventures, but what you may not know is that I hate setting up and sleeping in tents. I find the tent experience is labor intensive from setup to cleanup, the food options limited to what my cooler can hold, and let’s not even talk about the nighttime bathroom hunt. So, I have found an incredibly affordable compromise at the Kankakee South KOA Campground. Did you know that there is probably a KOA within 45 miles of your house? The best part is, I could rent a little cabin that not only had beds with linens provided, but its own full private bathroom with towels, a kitchen sink, refrigerator, and microwave, and a television! And, if the kids still wanted to sleep in a tent on the cabin lawn, it doesn’t cost me anything extra. A win win for both of us! You can even bring your dog and save on boarding fees! I felt like we were a million miles from home as I sat on my porch swing and the kids launched water balloons with the super sling shot. They had a blast swimming in the pool which allowed inflatable rafts and swim noodles, as well as playing at the playground. There is also a basketball court, volleyball court, and arcade games in the laundry area, in addition to a wide selection of board games, bag boards, and books you can borrow from the office. With a charcoal grill just outside our cabin and our own bonfire pit, dinner and s’mores completed the evening. Checking out of my cabin was as simple as closing the door behind me and loading up the car. Added bonuses of the Kanakee location include a 10 minute drive to the Bears Training camp, as well as nearby activities such as canoeing, hiking, and fishing at the Kanakakee River State Park. KOAs also offer Saturday morning crafts and special activities on most weekends. OVERVIEW Camping with options to rent a cabin, bring your RV, or tent. Amenities include a pool, playground, basketball and volleyball courts and a game room. Kankakee South KOA, 425 East 6000 South Road, Chebanse, IL 60922 815-939-4603 www.koa.com/campgrounds/kankakee Hours: April 1-October 31 Prices: Prices vary based on time of year and rental option #GlancerMagazine #MomsLittleBlackBook #KristenKucharski #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBHikingNature #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #August2014 #KidsTeens

July 2014 - COOK COUNTY'S ONLY CANYON You know it’s going to be a good adventure when they tell you to be prepared to wade through streams and suggest wearing rain boots or old gym shoes; or when the tour guide brings a little white bag to collect any snakes you might find en route; or when I have packed a change of clothes, just in case one of the girls completely falls in the slippery waters during the hike. Would you guess that this adventure is just 30 minutes from Naperville in nearby Lemont? Did you know that the Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve is Cook County’s only canyon and individual access is restricted to protect this unique and fragile site of rare plants and awesome rock formations? And how cool is it that in the wintertime, Sagawau becomes a chief Nordic ski location, with rentals, lessons, and groomed trails? But throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, you can participate in many free programs offered at the center, including the weekly canyon hikes. Although highly educational, the hike is great for any age from preschoolers on up. The kids were given enough freedom to explore the canyon walls and caves, and peak through a natural chimney; as well as investigate the waters for wildlife. They most enjoyed walking directly in the middle of the stream and tempting fate as they jumped from rock to rock and climbed a log that lay over the stream like a balance beam. We were fortunate to hike during Snake Migration season which happens each Spring. As temperatures rise, snakes leave their burrows in the canyon walls and property signs alert hikers of the anticipated snake sitings, such as the little brown snake we saw! For an afternoon adventure, just a short drive from home, checkout Cook County’s only canyon sometime this summer! OVERVIEW Sagawau Environmental Learning Center promotes the study of nature in a relaxed setting. A visitor center includes exhibits on geology, history, and habitat management. Featured programs also include tours of Cook County’s only canyon. Sagawau provides habitat for over 100 species of migrant and resident birds, and is home for the banding program of the Chicagoland Bird Observatory. Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th Street, Lemont, IL Phone: 630-257-2045 http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/sagawau-environment-learning-center/ Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily Prices: Free #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBHikingNature #MBBOutdoorAdventures #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #KidsTeens

June 2014 - MUDDY FUN My husband has completed two Ironman competitions which has inspired my girls to want to compete in races and triathlons. I, on the other hand, simply enjoy goofing around on the sidelines and taking photos of everyone else hard at work. I am more of a Dine N’ Dash (Roselle Park District) race participant which requires the fourth team member (who does not run!) to devour a giant, ice cream covered chocolate chip. Having found my perfect race niche and the amazing discounted prices via Living Social and Groupon, I am now able to enjoy these types of activities with my family. This past May we completed our second Heroes Mud Run held in Aurora. For the child that just loves to play in the mud and rain, this is indeed heaven on earth. The kid race, designed for 4-13 year olds, is about 2K and does not require swimming, unless you choose to take a dive in the mud pool, which is of course, exactly what my girls did. The giggles of two muddy girls could be heard across the country. Armed with our new found fun, we have our eye on other suburban fun runs that are open to almost any age, including babies in strollers! Checkout the Glow 5K Run for Reading in Naperville on June 7th (http://nicaricoliteracyfund.org/glow/index.cfm); The Color Vibe in Aurora on June 15th (www.thecolorvibe.com/aurora.php#) - where kids under 7 years old are FREE; the Buggy Boogie Stroller 5K in Aurora on September 6th (https://foxlink.fvpd.net/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp) - which includes admission to the Fun Fair at Blackberry Farm; and what could be more fun than playing in the bubbles, in the dark, at the Foam Glow on September 20th in Bridgeview (www.foamglow.com). These great charitable races include more than just exercising – they include fun bonus activities (and don’t forget the FREE t-shirts) for most any age!! OVERVIEW The Little Heroes Kid’s 2K Course is for ages 4-13. It contains 6-8 obstacles and parents are welcome to run alongside and aide their children. The Heroes Mud Run is held in Aurora, IL on the grounds of Marmion Academy and Abbey Farms. info@theheroesmudrun.com http://theheroesmudrun.com/ Hours: Every May Prices: $10.00 if purchased from Living Social and includes youth t-shirt, goodie bag and upon finishing, official Heroes Mud Run Dog Tag #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBSportsRecreation #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBGivingBack #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #June2014 #KidsTeens

May 2014 - MOM'S BUCKET LIST Since May and Mother’s Day go hand-in-hand, I decided to indulge myself and put the Mom back in Mom’s Black Book this month, taking my family on a Mom’s Bucket List adventure. I’ve chalked many things off my bucket list such as traveling to Europe, getting my motorcycle license, skydiving, going to trapeze school, and now playing with the dolphins just 3 hours from Chicago! The Dolphin In-Water Adventure at the Indianapolis Zoo is an easy day trip or a great weekend get-away and is an experience families with kids at least 6 years old and 54 inches tall can experience together. This incredible adventure had us all in the water, side-by-side, personally interacting with the dolphins. The most intimidating part of the experience was putting on the mandatory wetsuit to participate in the activity! I am not sure if my husband or my girls enjoyed the activity most, but I can tell you my personal experience is something I will never forget. The ability to be a trainer for the day was so awesome – we learned basic hand signals working with the dolphins to carry out specific behaviors, we rewarded our dolphins with fish directly in their mouths, and we were educated on the dolphins’ characteristics using a touch and feel approach with the dolphins’ fins, tail, and snout in hand. We hugged our dolphin, received a kiss from our dolphin, and then got splashed by our dolphin as he said good-bye! It was personal, it was emotional; it was absolutely amazing! After seeing all the animal experiences offered at the zoo, such as Animal Art Adventures where you paint directly with an elephant, penguin, dolphin, or pinniped; plus, hearing about the epic experience to be had at the new International Orangutan Center opening May 24th, we will be back! OVERVIEW Animals and exhibits; White River Gardens; Rides and shows; Interactive animal experiences, overnights, and workshops; International Orangutan Center; Splash park and playground. Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222 317-630-2076 www.indianapoliszoo.com Hours: May 23-September 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday & Holidays. Closed June 13th. Prices: Pick Your Day, Pick Your Price, Pick Your Package to save the most money by purchasing your tickets online in-advance. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #May2014 #KidsTeens

November 2013 - GET THE ENERGY OUT Not quite sure what to expect of the new Ball Factory Indoor Play & Café in Naperville, I ventured out without my own tween girls and took my college girlfriend and her toddler to explore the new facility on the southwest side of town. As soon as I walked in, I knew instantly my girls would be upset with me because the environment was indeed perfect for all ages from infants to tweens. With a gigantic, multi-level play structure boasting a grand 30 foot long triple slide and over 20 different obstacles and experiences that includes steps and mazes, a huge ball pit, and a separate room completely dedicated to blasting your friends with foam balls - any child, of any age, is sure to get their energy out. My girlfriend’s toddler was just as entertained in the safety of the enclosed area designed specifically for little ones under four years old, full of soft indoor play equipment, extensive padding, balls, foam blocks, a mini-slide, and a swing. The gate protected the teenies from getting trampled by the tweenies but offered enough stimulating activities that she was completely entertained. The café is ginormous to say the least. There is a huge area of tables with free Wi-Fi access, a snack bar, and a pool table for teens and adults to stay entertained while the littler ones play. Beyond the multi-level play structure is an area of pedal cars as well. There is enough open space that if the kids wanted to just run in circles, they could literally do just that. Being budget conscience, although I was excited about the new indoor play facility, I was a bit put off by the price. After further investigation, I discovered that you can purchase a punch card which brings down the price considerably. If you don’t think you will go often enough to use the punches, don’t forget, you can buy the card and share it with friends. So if you plan ahead to meet a group of pals there, purchase the punch card, split the price, and share the punches to get a full day of play at a discounted rate. - Kristen Kucharski Sidebar Location: Ball Factory Indoor Play & Café, 864 IL Route 59, Naperville, IL 60540 Phone: 630-445-8365 Website: www.ballfactoryfun.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Prices: 6 months to 4 years, $9-Monday through Friday and $11-Saturday & Sunday; Kids 5 & Up, $12-Monday through Friday and $14 Saturday & Sunday. Adults are free. Punch passes available. Description: Ball Factory is an indoor play arena for children 0 months to 13 years old and includes a 4-level play structure with slides, a soft padded play area for younger children, a ball blaster room, pedal cars, a café with seating, and a pool table for teens and adults. Socks Required! #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #November2013 #KidsTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

January 2014 - FREE FOR SCOUTS In the midst of the hustle and bustle of west suburban living sits a log cabin out in the woods in the middle of Plainfield. Glisson Archery Range and Pro Shop is owned by Plainfield resident, Walter Glisson, otherwise known as Sonny, the Master Instructor. Over the past 30 years, Sonny has taught more than 250,000 scouts how to accurately hold a bow and safely shoot an arrow – and he does this for FREE. Sonny is extremely passionate about the sport and takes his instruction seriously, yet ensures a good time by adding balloons or Zombie targets to add a thrill to the experience. My good friend Jane organized an outing for my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop and we headed to the range to learn a bit about hitting a bull’s eye. With both an indoor and outdoor range, we were guaranteed a good time regardless of what the weather brought our way. Taking advantage of the 14 position NFAA certified 20 yard indoor range; every girl in our troop was able to shoot simultaneously; therefore eliminating any unnecessary whining about having to take turns. Sonny appreciates a watchful eye so be sure to bring enough chaperones with your group. Not a scout, not a problem. The range is open to everyone – members and non-members. For just $5/hour and a $5/equipment rental fee (indoor only), you can shoot anytime the range is open. If you are new to the sport, you can learn with your own on-site private instructor for just $10/hour. The more experienced shooters can use their own equipment on the outdoor 3D range which boasts 52 McKensie game targets at distances up to 50 yards; a broadhead range with targets out to 40 yards from ground level or tower elevations; and long distance target stations at 30/40/50/60/80/100 yards. So in a month when health and wellness are at the forefront, and the weather cannot be your excuse, get out and get active with the entire family! - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Indoor and outdoor target range facilities, a well-equipped pro-shop, outfitting and repair services, hunting trips and instruction. Glisson Archery Range and Pro Shop 22900 E Main Street, Plainfield, IL 60544 1-815-436-5803 www.glissonarchery.com Tues.-Thurs. Noon to 8 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $5/hour. Rental equipment (Indoor Range Only) $5/day. Free to organized Scout groups. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #January2014 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens

February 2014 - LOCAL SKIING & TUBING FUN Funny, how a beginner skier like me, can gain a lot of confidence as the day progresses. After a couple hours of flying down the tubing hill, going backwards, forwards, and partnering with my daughters down the slope, we ventured down the bunny hill and got our ski legs back. So, as I relaxed on the quad chair lift to the top of the intermediate ski hill, I couldn’t help but look down at the four-year-old taking on the most difficult slope of mole hills and jumps, and think arrogantly, “if she can do it, I can certainly do it.” My daughters had been eye-balling the difficult slope too, so I knew it was game-time and of course, send mom down first because if SHE can do it, anybody can! So I decided to point my toes inward and take it slow. The girls followed me and once we reached the bottom, we all felt like true professionals. So with smirks on our faces, we went to the top again and headed down with a bit more speed. I caught air! I screamed a big “yahoo”, hit the next hill and flew out of my skies and tumbled. Ha! I posed no threat to the preschooler who went before me. The point of the story is whether you are a skilled snowboarder taking on the most difficult jumps or a toddler who is just beginning to ski; Villa Olivia is a great day trip adventure, without the added costs of hotels and extra gas. With tubing hills and various levels of ski hills, this is indeed a great family adventure for all ages and all levels. Take advantage of group and evening rates to save big money on this thrilling activity. - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing with 100% snowmaking capability. Ski & Snowboard lessons for all levels, and rental equipment available. The hill includes seven runs, a chairlift, six rope tows, and a tubing hill. Villa Olivia, Bartlett Park District 1401 W. Lake Street, Bartlett, IL 60103 630-289-1000 www.bartlettparks.org/villa-olivia December 13th-March 2nd (weather dependent), Monday-Friday 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; extended hours for holidays and days off. Prices vary depending on day/evening, equipment rental, tubing/skiing/snowboarding #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #February2014 #KidsTeens

December 2013 - FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Soon the kids will be off of school for winter break and bouncing off the walls for a blissful two weeks. In addition, the in-laws will likely be coming to town and everyone will be packed inside your warm cozy home to share in the joy of the holidays! When you are looking for a place to escape for all to enjoy, from young cousin Billy to Grandpa Joe, head to Luigi’s Pizza and Fun Center in the heart of Aurora just blocks from the Paramount Theater. Locally family owned and operated, this pizzeria offers the best of both worlds – great food and a huge playground for all ages. I was pleasantly surprised at the “real pizza” and full service bar. Yes folks, you read that correctly. Little Johnny can play in the arcade and you can enjoy a glass a wine, a mug of beer, or sip of soda while checking your email on the free WIFI. The enormous game room is separated from the eating area by a glass door/window which allows for easy conversation while the games ding a ling bling in the next room. The arcade has games as lows as a quarter and entertain the kids for hours while they earn their tickets and select their prizes. When the kids have tired of the games, send them on to the 4500 square foot, three level laser tag arena. With its many coves, caves, and columns, I couldn’t sit this one out and it was game on with adults versus kids for a 30 minute session of dodging light beams, laughing, and squealing! After the laser tag session, the kids re-entered the game room to play some air hockey and take advantage of the 10 frame mini-bowling for only $3. We are heading back over winter break to make our own pizzas! With advance reservations, anyone can call and make a date to hang out in the kitchen. At Luigi’s, you can make your own personal pizzas for only $4.50 and that includes unlimited soda! The kids couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity! We also plan on taking advantage of the $10 unlimited laser tag offered every Monday, as well as the game and pizza specials offered each Tuesday. And yes, they are open on Christmas Eve Day and New Year’s Eve Day. - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Family friendly pizzeria with an extensive menu, plenty of seating, and full bar service. All ages will enjoy the huge game room and multi-level laser tag arena Luigi’s Pizza and Fun Center, 732 Prairie Street, Aurora, IL 60506 Phone: (630) 896-9861 Website: www.luigispizzaandfuncenter.com Hours: Restaurant opens at 11 a.m. every day; dine-in, carry-out, or delivery. Game Room and Laser Tag open at 4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. weekends. Extended hours on days off of school and special hours on holidays. Prices: Games as low as $0.25. Pizza and Laser Tag specials including $10 unlimited laser tag. . #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBMiscellaneousFun #December2013 #KidsTeens

February 2012 - PLAYDATE FOR MOMMY Did you read the title correctly? This play date adventure is for the mommies to take a break from the daily grind; the hustle and bustle of running the kids here there and everywhere, the cooking, the cleaning, the projects, and tending to the significant others in our lives. You have gone to the spa, had a manicure, relieved stress through a massage; you also probably left feeling relaxed, comforted, and peaceful. But sometimes you need to let loose and release your stress by speeding, bumping, banging, and shooting. Grab your girlfriends for a whole new Girls Night Out. If you haven’t played WhirlyBall, you must try. It’s definitely not kids play and you must be over twelve years old and at least 4’6” or be an adult to play. It is most fun if you go with a large group of people and form teams of five. The game has been likened to lacrosse, hockey, and basketball, all combined together while adding bumper cars. If laughter is the best medicine, you will feel incredible after this play date. Picture yourself in a bumper car with a stick as your steering wheel, while holding a hand-held scoop and trying to shoot a whiffle ball into a basket. After a few trips up and down the court, you quickly become an expert driver and learn how to work with your team members to block shots, cut off those in pursuit of YOUR whiffle ball, and leave the court feeling exhilarated and empowered! The game of WhirlyBall becomes quickly addictive and a professional referee ensures that even the most aggressive players stay in check. In between games, you can enjoy refreshing drinks at the full service bar or a quick appetizer and pizza to satisfy your hunger. While waiting your turn, you can also enjoy a game of foosball or air hockey, and even LASERTRON at some locations. WhirlyBall has multiple locations and offers a west suburban spot at 800 E. Roosevelt Road in Lombard. Their phone number is 630-932-4800 and the website is www.whirlyball.com. Court times and fees vary, call for details. Kristen Kucharski #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBSportsRecreation #February2012 #KidsTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog