Back to the Future with the Northshore Concert Band

By Linda Gartz

Mallory Thompson will conduct the Northshore Concert Band in the finale of its 50th season. Photo courtesy of North Shore Concert Band

Fanfare please: The 50th Anniversary season of the Northshore Concert Band is drawing to a close, and these 110 dedicated, talented volunteer musicians have earned the right to toot their own horns. This premier wind ensemble will fill Northwestern University's Pick-Staiger Concert Hall with its powerful sound when it presents its 50th Anniversary Celebration Finale Performance on June 4. The NCB even picked a motto for this anniversary year: "Honoring the past. Embracing the future." After all, what are anniversaries about if not looking back – and forward?

"If you only do one, you're missing out," says Mallory Thompson, artistic director and the band's new conductor as of this year. Ms.Thompson is eager to lead the band into the future because she is so connected to its past. Her teacher was the legendary John Paynter, founder and conductor of the NCB for forty years before his death in 1996. He first invited her to play in a 1975 concert when she was a trumpet student at Northwestern University. She is intimately familiar with the history of what makes this band of unpaid musicians great.

"What every band member has in common is they love music. They make an effort to make music – and to play at the highest level," says Ms.Thompson. And that is a piece of history about to repeat itself. To celebrate the band's 50th anniversary, somewhere between 75 and 100 Northshore Concert Band alumni will travel from all over the country to join present band members on the Pick Staiger stage to make huge, magnificent music at the June 4th concert. "We might just have to put musicians in the rafters if they all show up," joked Dave Zyer, president of the NCB's board of directors for the past eight years and band member for 15 years.

Yet many are not familiar with this stellar symphonic band, right here in Evanston. "We're probably more famous nationally and internationally than we are locally," says Mr.Zyer.

Maybe that is because the NCB has been invited to perform 27 times at the Midwest Clinic, the world's largest and most prestigious band and orchestra conference. "It draws 15,000 people from the United States and internationally – the top conductors, composers, performers in the wind world," says Mr. Zyer. Add to that three international tours, seven CDs released since 1993, and a book published in 2003 tracing the band's history and influence on community bands nationwide ("On the Path to Excellence" by William S. Carson), and its reputation should be secure. "Some people think of a band in terms of pops," says Mr. Zyer, "but we play a serious repertoire with the highest musical standards."

Mallory Thompson adds, "The rich history of this band means that we have practiced and experienced excellence for so long it is part of the ensemble's DNA."

The plan is to pass on this trait of excellence to the young musicians of today. So every spring the Northshore Concert Band – along with Northwestern University – co-sponsors the "Festival of Music." More than 3,500 young musicians have a chance to participate in three days of band clinics as well as solo and ensemble events.

The NCB not only wants to support young musicians now, but also wants music to be a part of their future lives. That is why the band started the "Lifetime of Music" program. Every year at the band's February concert several Chicago area band directors select some of their finest students to play with the band. One outstanding young musician receives the John P. Paynter Scholarship to continue musical studies at college – and gets to solo with the NCB.

Embracing the future applies to the band's music and guest performers as well. It has commissioned four world premieres this anniversary year, including a brand new fanfare to be played on June 4. Christopher Martin, the new principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, will be guest soloist at the anniversary concert.

But in the end, everything the band stands for – past and future – comes down to this: making glorious music for its listeners. "We're always thinking about our audience," says Mr. Thompson. "People have so many choices today. There has to be something in the experience that affects them personally. My hope is that we move our audience to happiness, introspection, delight."

Those attending the Celebration Finale Concert will undoubtedly recall such emotions fondly after June 4 – when this 50th anniversary season is past. Then it will be time to look to the future – and the beginning of the Northshore Concert Band's next half-century of excellence.

The 50th anniversary celebration finale performance will take place at 3 p.m. June 4 at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall on the Northwestern University campus. Tickets are $15 regular, $12 seniors, $6 students/children. Call 877-BAND-TIX or visit www.northshoreband.org. Seating is limited; advance reservations recommended. All seating is assigned.

aRound the Community

Walk-a-Thon, Health and Safety Fair to Benefit Missing Children
The fourth annual "Walking for Children" walk-a-thon and health and safety fair, designed to raise money for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), will be held 9 a.m. – noon on May 21in the Skokie Sculpture Park, McCormick Boulevard at Main Street.
The event is sponsored by Pivot Point Cares for Kids and Dr. Tony Breitbach of Wellness Revolution. For more information or to register, call 847-866-0500, ext. 7711 or visit www.pivot-point.com.

Third Ward Meeting Set
Third Ward Alderman Melissa Wynne invites community members to a Town Hall Meeting, set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. on May 20, in the auditorium of Lincoln Elementary School, 910 Forest Ave.

Fifth Ward May Meeting
Alderman Delores Holmes invites community members to the next Fifth Ward meeting, set for 7 p.m. on May 18 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St. Alderman Holmes holds a meeting monthly on the third Thursday at the same place and time

Experience the "Textures of Italy."
Chicago writer and photographer Lucia Mauro presents "Textures of Italy" at 7 p.m. on May 17 at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. She will take the audience on a visual journey of Italy through her color architectural photographs that appear in her book, "Frieze Frame: Textures & Colors of Italy." Her photographs capture ten years of Italy's lush and worn façades, arches and passageways – all highly tactile and bathed in natural light. The event is free; call 847-866-0300.

"Celebrate Life" Benefit for Senior Connections
Musicians and performers from Evanston and Chicago joined in "Celebrating Life," the seventh annual benefit for Senior Connections, Friends in Christ, and Faith in Action last month. The three organizations represent the visiting ministries of more than eight churches, synagogues, and hundreds of volunteers who provide friendship, visits, transportation, respite and other caring outreach to people who are homebound by age, disability or illness. The object is to value each individual as an important member of the community. The concert also celebrated the 15th anniversary of Senior Connections.

Kiwanis Club Honors Memory of Ed Drumm
The Kiwanis Club of Evanston created the Kiwanis Edward J. Drumm Scholarship Fund to help young children through the Evanston Kiwanis Foundation. At a recent meeting, past president Scott Hopf presented an award to Eileen Drumm, Drumm's widow, acknowledging the family's contribution. Mr. Drumm was president of Promotion Group Central, a Chicago-based company specializing in providing promotional items to retail organizations.

Lawyer Honored
Kaethe Morris Hoffer, an Evanston lawyer, a partner in the Evanston law firm of Morris Hoffer Karns PC, has recently been recognized for her achievements and accomplishments on behalf of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The firm specializes in the representation of victims of sexual assault and abuse.

In April the YWCA-Metropolitan Chicago awarded Ms. Morris Hoffer the Dawn Emmons-Julien Community award for her work on the Gender Violence Act (GVA) which she co-authored. Earlier this month, Ms. Morris Hoffer was honored by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) at the 2006 Recognition Ceremony in Springfield. ICASA commended her for her legal and political work on behalf of survivors of sexual and domestic violence, including her successful efforts to stop a judge from forcing a rape victim to watch a video made of her sexual assault.

Garden Clubs Brighten the City

One of the many touches of beauty from the four garden clubs in Evanston.

The Garden Fair, to be held this weekend at Independence Park – Central Street at Stewart Avenue – offers a wide selection of plants and an educational opportunity to get the best information available from the local gardeners. Avid and enthusiastic gardeners in Evanston have banded together as garden clubs and as members of the Evanston Garden Council. The clubs – Four Seasons Garden Club, Green Gardeners, Highland Garden Club, Travelers Garden Club and Lincolnwood Garden Club – offer assistance to the City through contributions of money, expertise and physical labor to enhance the community.

These clubs contribute to public thinking on the environment, food production and the beautification of the world as we know it. Their members also spend hours cultivating, weeding, planting, and maintaining right here in Evanston's parks and public places. They provide education for adults and students alike.

Various clubs tend to the gardens and plantings at the following places: Dawes House, Davis Street Post Office, McCulloch Wild Flower Garden, Patriots Park, Thelma's Garden, Peter Jans Golf Course, landscaping at Hill Arboretum Apartments, Lincolnwood School garden, Oakton School Landscaping, Evanston Ecology Center and the Blue Star Memorial marker. In addition clubs have donated the following: summer camp scholarships for the Ecology Center, a shed to the horticulture project at Evanton Township High School, money to ETHS, plantings at Evanston Library, a granite entry marker for education project at ETHS, benches for the high school garden, and money to Evanston Children's Center and the YMCA scholarships fund.

The 56th annual Evanston Garden Fair will take place under colorful tents from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 20and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 21 at Independence Park, Central Street, two blocks west of Green Bay Road.

"Abide with Me"

"Abide with Me" by Elizabeth Strout is set in the small Maine village of West Annett in 1959.

Tyler Caskey, the new Congregational minister, is young, good-looking and affable and has won over the town with his wonderful sermons.

However, a tragedy occurs: Tyler's wife, to whom the town never quite warmed, has died, and he now rears his 5-year-old daughter, Katherine, alone. A younger daughter, as precious as her older sister, lives with Tyler's mother.

Connie Hatch, a nondescript elderly woman who lives in a trailer with her husband, works as Tyler's housekeeper. Tyler continues to deliver sermons, but they are not quite the same. It seems he is looking for God and avoiding his parishioners.

The townspeople are caught up in their own winter blues. Doris wants a new church organ and is angry that Tyler will not take a stand. She knows that, if he would just indicate his approval, the church board would vote yes. Her husband, the head deacon, has grown gruff and unresponsive. Some days he seems to be living in another world.

Tyler's daughter Katherine is so needy she will pull the love right out of anybody. But now she has quit talking and taken to screaming in school when she does not get her way. Her young teacher thinks she needs professional help, but when she tells this to Tyler, it only angers him. His "Kitty-Kat" is just going through the process of grieving for her mother.

Soon the Ladies Guild is gossiping about Tyler.They even think there might be something going on with his housekeeper.

Tyler was brought up to always be considerate – to always think of the other person first. He went to seminary because he felt a calling to teach God's love. But now he is at a crisis in his own life. He cannot really talk to anyone. He visits his old teacher at the seminary, but even that does not help.

His mother is too busy telling him all the things he is doing wrong and then trying to fix him up with some woman she knows. The only soul who seems to connect with him is Connie, who sometimes shares with him a glance of understanding.

This is a wonderful story about loss, and about guilt and forgiveness. It is also a story about life in the 1950s, when women were supposed to be content staying home.

As the author notes, everyone in West Annett comes to church on Sunday mornings, not so much out of a religious calling but because it was a day to get dressed up, get out of the house, see other people and feel good for a time. Tyler Caskey is letting them down. But eventually it is the town that heals Tyler Caskey.

"'Master Harold'...and the Boys"

Those who are satisfied with today's race relations and who perceive the 21st century as leaps and bounds ahead of our racist past should disregard the TinFish and Blue Heron Theatres' production of "‘Master Harold'….and the Boys" as too thought- provoking.

However, if the words, "Brownie's doin' a heck of a job" evoke anger, this examination of the roots of oppression will probably be appealing not only as a condemnation of apartheid circa 1950s South Africa, but as a reflection of the present world as a whole.

Before Nelson Mandela was freed from prison, Athol Fugard's play, published in 1982, was banned by the South African Publication Control Board, which found the play to be, "indecent, obscene, immoral and offensive to public morals." Mr. Fugard wrote the play in response to his experiences growing up under the fist of oppression, and his work poses moral and ethical questions while exposing injustices.

"‘Master Harold'… and the Boys" presents the story of Willy (Howard White) and Sam (Darren M. Jones), two black African men who are employed at a rural South African diner by the parents of Hally (Dustin Ayers). Despite the obvious difference in race, the distinction between the men can be seen in the black men's black-and-white servers' uniforms and aprons and Hally's khaki pants and blue, buttoned-down shirt. However, we quickly see that the men share a bond seemingly unlimited by race. Willy and Sam have been servants for Hally's family since he was a boy, and, from the first act, their friendship seems strong.

As the play unfolds, we witness the dissolution of this friendship, and the rise in racial tensions among the three. Hally's alcoholic father is ready to come home from the hospital, and the emotional scarring he has caused Hally boils to the surface. The angrier Hally becomes, the more bigoted he behaves.

Mr. Fugard explores the nature of oppression, and – through his depiction of the transformation of Hally – how some people need to injure and tear down others in order to build themselves up. Hally's former innocent, liberal, self is suffocated by his inability to stand up to his father. As Sam tries to offer advice to Hally, the latter begins to order the black men around, degrading them and even spitting on his former friend. Hally eventually demands that the men call him "Master Harold," defining their subservience once and for all.

Director Dejan Avramovich faithfully delivers Mr. Fugard's work as a sparse, uncomplicated production. The lighting is appropriate. The play takes place in one setting, the lone set construction (by designer Erich Muhammed), consisting of three perspective-altering stools, a pastry counter, a table, and a velvet-covered jukebox.

The performances are impressive as well. Harold White is convincing as the uneducated Willy, a ballroom dancer who takes his anger at society out on his girlfriend. Dustin Ayers' performance is an emotional fireball that builds throughout the play. Darren Jones is a revelation, and his portrayal of Sam emits intelligence, wit, passion and moral righteousness. Sam's anger is a product of both pride and the desire not to lose his lifelong friend, and Jones embodies Sam with a penetrating force.

"‘Master Harold'… and the Boys" runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. until June 4 at the Weissbourd-Holmes Family Focus building, 2010 Dewey Ave. For tickets, call 847- 392-0226.

Frequency Below: "Foundation"

The Chicago-based quartet Frequency Below pursues several genres on their CD, "Foundation," creating a soothing, sonic soundscape of funk, blues, soul, rock, reggae and trip-hop. The mostly mellow offerings are soundly fortified by Caroline Yohanan's soulful, throaty vocals, reminiscent of a Natalie Merchant-Beth Gibbons (Portishead) hybrid. William A. Ocasio's style-shifting percussions/drums cement the foundation for Armando Perez's funky, bluesy guitar riffs, and Ryan Schoen's stellar bass strumming.

"Foundation" begins with the funky "Lover's Lament," playing on the guitar riff that is the theme from "Inspector Gadget." Sexy and fun, the song grabs hold of a groove and refuses to let it go. When Ms. Yohanan croons in the chorus of "Rejoice," it is hard not to comply.

After a brief, trippy interlude, tracks 3 and 4, "Heartbroken Happiness" and "Darling," offer bluesy, melancholy melodies. While the former expresses a lovelorn lament through Ms. Yohanan's seductive voice and Mr. Perez's emotive guitar solos, the latter thrives on Mr. Schoen's beautiful, brooding bass lines, which sound like the crushing of a lover's soul.

After the expressive but depressing "Just Say My Name," which incorporates a modern rock feel (with elements of the long defunct "Mad Season"), the album hits its stride with "Chula's Dream," the trip-hop offering that has the band hitting its sonic heights. Mr. Ocasio's bass drums boom with a solid beat, emulating the sounds of both Portishead and Massive Attack. "Chula's Dream" writhes with regret, enough to put the listener in a reminiscent trance.

The second half of the album bounces, from the reggae joints "Monday Morning" and "Never Know Unless" to the instrumental jam "One to Agree For Five." It includes several successful wild cards, such as the instrumental "Fausto's Afternoon," which sounds like a trip-hop ode to Cindy Lauper's "Time After Time." Further, Frequency Below offers a 70s- inspired, lazy-day-afternoon track ("Sweet Like Candy"), an acoustic, country/blues anthem (the playful "Fool Me Once"), a lone ballad ("Brush and Canvas") and a jazzy, hip-hop tune (the immensely chill and enjoyable "Shorty Rock").

"Foundation" is a thoroughly enjoyable recording, brimming with soul. Frequency Below puts forth a commendable effort, and there are gems aplenty here. While the band needs to develop more focus on their breaks (which is probably remedied with improvisation during live performances), "Foundation" is an album worthy to groove to. Visit www.frequencybelow.com for more.

Frequency Below Live

See Frequency Below with Alma Afrobeat Ensemble and Treologic on May 19 at 9p.m. at the Morseland Cafe, 1218 W. Morse St., Chicago.

EEAC Is Now Interfaith Action

Evanston's Christian ministers and lay leaders took a historic vote on Monday night when they elected to open their exclusively Christian organization to congregations of other faiths.

The 36-year-old Evanston Ecumenical Action Council, a coalition of more than 50 churches – primarily from Evanston – will be renamed Interfaith Action, and any "religious or spiritual community" in Evanston and the surrounding communities will be eligible for membership.

EEAC sponsors a network of daily soup kitchens, warming centers during the winter months, and a year-round morning shelter offering job counseling and discussion of addiction issues.

"We feel compelled to acknowledge the fine work of the many Jewish, Baha'i and Unitarian folks who are serving weekly in our network," said Lois Carlson, chair of the steering committee.

The purpose statement of Interfaith Action is "to bring together communities of faith and spirit to feed the hungry, serve the needs of the homeless, and express our shared values through action and interfaith dialogue."

Reverent Mark Dennis, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church, which sponsors two of the soup kitchens each week, said, "The problem of hunger and homelessness is not getting better, but worse.It would be a sin not to welcome the broadest faith coalition to help address these needs."

Lake Street Church pastor Robert Thompson, said he feels the interfaith conversation is an essential one.

Speaking to the concern of how different faith communities will worship together, Father Robert Oldershaw of St. Nicholas Church said, "Living as Jesus lived is more important than worshipping in His name."

Seth Weinberger, member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, said, "To be a Jew is to have felt exclusion both personally and historically.To be offered a seat at this table is a very important symbolic step forward, and is an opportunity to create a very powerful change agent for bothinterfaith dialogue and community service." Visit www.interfaithactionofevanston.org.

Bees: Ban or Restrict Them?

By Zach Brennan

The possibility that the City will ban all beekeeping in Evanston seems slim, but it still might place limitations on Evanston beekeepers, which could prevent Gabriel Jacobs and his mother, Susan Dickson, from building a beehive in their backyard on the 1500 block of Madison Street.

"We've been sifting through ordinances of other cities in Illinois and abroad and we're just trying to distill all of this information," said Jay Terry, director of the health and human services for the City. "If a ban is not appropriate, there may still be restrictions in terms of distancing and density. Even the most ardent advocates of beekeeping have said that a small back yard was not necessarily the best place for beekeeping and there are basic pre-cautions that we need to take."

The upside to beekeeping seems to be an increase in pollination for plants and a significant production of honey from a colony of between 60,000-80,000 bees, which would be the eventual size of the colony that Ms. Dickson and her son proposed to the committee.

Professional gardener and Evanston resident Debbie Hillman said, "I have a peach tree and last year the pollination was bad and the tree suffered. We use all sorts of chemicals on our plants that kill indiscriminately and many good pollinators are killed in this process. The most beneficial product for the environment of beekeeping is pollination."

But the health risks associated with keeping such a large number of bees in a back yard are swarms of bees that will affect those who are allergic to bee stings, says retired Illinois Department of Agriculture apiary inspector Charles Ott.

"Allergies are the biggest problem, and the only way to tell if you are allergic is if you get stung," said Mr. Ott. "Swarming happens when a hive gets overpopulated and the queen decides to split off. But the public shouldn't worry too much about swarming – you can call the local fire department and they can smother them with soapy water to diffuse the swarm."

But even if Ms. Dickson and her son are allowed to form a colony of honeybees, their colony would be monitored for safety considerations by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) inspectors. IDA requires all beekeepers, under the Illinois and Apiaries Act, to register their colonies at no cost to the beekeepers. The act also states that the IDA Apiary inspectors will examine all honeybee colonies "to detect diseases and pests and to provide advice on needed treatments."

Also, Ms. Dickson and her son would not be the only ones keeping bees in Cook County. As of July 1, 2004, the last time that official data were collected by the Illinois State Beekeeping Association, there were 478 registered colonies of bees in Cook County, which was the tenth highest number of colonies per county in the state.

"It seems clear from the expert testimony [from the Health and Human Services committee meeting on May 1] that honeybees aren't harmful," said Ms. Hillman. "Honeybees are kept in some places in Logan Square and do not pose any health risks… .Hopefully common sense and wisdom will prevail."

Get fired up About Grilling

By Claire Bryant

Lynn Epps, meat and seafood manager at FoodStuffs on Central Street, offers grill-ready meats and rubs. Photo by Claire Bryant

Barbecuing, along with baseball, is one of those great American traditions. Every summer the grills come out and backyards are transformed into outdoor dining rooms. In just a few weeks, the smells of hamburgers, hot dogs and brats will fill the air as neighbors gather for Memorial Day celebrations. As many begin preparing the menu, the thought of choosing a meat as the main course may seem overwhelming, but there is a meat out there for the skill level and budget of every barbecuer.

When getting ready to choose the meat for a barbeque, Lynn Epps, meat and seafood manager at FoodStuffs, offers a piece of helpful advice: "Keep it simple, and stick to what you know."

For the novice griller, hamburgers and hot dogs maybe the safest route and are also an economical choice. "The classic barbecue is burgers and dogs; you can't mess that up," says Kosta Douvikas of D and D Finer Foods. Although it may seem easy, there is still a variety of choices when it comes to choosing hamburgers; they are not just beef anymore. Ground turkey is a good choice for a healthier version, but if beef is preferred, ground sirloin has the least amount of fat, says Mr. Douvikas. Foodstuffs offers a leaner burger taken from hormone-free, grass-fed cows, and although they may be a healthier option, they are also much more expensive.

The "standards" are also a good way to please a crowd, because "everyone likes hot dogs and hamburgers," says Mr. Douvikas. Grilling these are also good practice for the less experienced. "You can learn to become a great griller by cooking burgers and hot dogs," says Mr. Epps.

If flipping burgers seems dull, steaks, though pricier, are available in many varieties. "Sirloin is the cheapest, but it's tough," says Mr. Douvikas. He recommends choosing a New York strip steak or a rib-eye for grilling. They are more tender and, though a little more expensive, are still moderately priced. When purchasing a steak, the leanest cut may seem like a good idea for the waistline, but giving up the fat will sacrifice the quality of the meat. "The leaner they are, the tougher they are going to be," says Mr. Epps. He suggests looking for a cut that is "nicely marbled" and is thinner for easier cooking.

The filet mignon, whose name suggests a heavy price tag, is usually the most expensive of the steak cuts but is also the most tender, says Mr. Douvikas. He recommends keeping the meat together by wrapping the edges with bacon or suet, a fatty tissue that comes from cattle; this will hold it in place and help prevent overcooking. If the extra fat does not sound appealing, a piece of twine will also do the job, says Mr. Epps.

To add extra flavor without adding fat, cut a slice lengthwise into the side of the meat and stuff it with garlic or spices, says Mr. Douvikas. To make sure none of the cuts gets too tough, he suggests cutting into the meat to check the color several times until it is cooked.

Pork tenderloin is a lean and tender option for the grill. "There's no fat on the tenderloin," says Mr. Douvikas. But beware: if cooked too long, "it will taste like sandpaper," he says. Pork tenderloin can be prepared for several people at once since it is cooked in large pieces.

A less temperamental pork product is the pork chop. Mr. Epps says these are often available at his counter, rubbed with seasoning and ready to grill. They are also relatively easy to cook and take about only six minutes on each side, he said.

Because of its light weight and tender meat, fish may seem difficult to grill, but it is relatively simple and needs little attention on the grill. Any fish, from salmon to walleye, can be cooked easily by creating a steamer. Take a large piece of foil and poke holes in it, then wrap the fish loosely inside the foil, place it on the grill, put the lid on the BBQ pit and let it go. "It will finish by itself," says Mr. Epps. It allows the cook to leave the grill without having to worry about overcooking because the closed grill will "steam it perfectly, he says. Check back on the fish every 4 1/2 to 5 minutes.

With summer almost here, it is time to take advantage of all the warm weather has to offer. For only a short time each year the smells, tastes and the wonderful grill lines of the barbeque pit are avalaible in one's own back yard.

Seminar Helps Educators Teach Healthy Eating Habits

By Perry S. Ames

From left Jean Saunders, Lynn Hyndman and Joel Smith teach the habits of eating "slow foods" instead of fast food. Photo courtesy of KEB

A recent seminar held at the Ecology Center showed about 50 Evanston educators how to instill healthy eating habits in their students. Judy Elsass, vice-president of Keep Evanston Beautiful, Inc., welcomed the group and talked about KEB's exciting collaboration with Slow Food Chicago to create a model edible school garden at Dawes School.

Joel Smith, co-director of Slow Food Chicago (slowfoodusa.org) explained the need to bring families back to the dinner table as a center of family life, of our culture and as a place to enjoy wholesome food.

Lynn Hyndman, KEB's School Gardens chair, presented an overview of the Dawes School edible garden project. This program teaches an ecological approach to growing food and involves students in planting, harvesting, preparing and tasting the end results.

Jean Saunders reviewed local policy initiatives governing food in our schools, including the work of the Healthy Schools Campaign (healthyschoolscampaign.org) and the Wellness Policy Committee of District 65. She also touched on the Farm to School programs that will be implemented in some Illinois school districts.

To comply with a federal law, school districts throughout the United States must establish a wellness policy by the beginning of the school year 2006, which is late August or early September for many districts.

After the program, in the Slow Food tradition, guests enjoyed fresh spring salads prepared by Keep Evanston Beautiful board members. In keeping with the event's earth- friendly theme, biodegradable plates, knives and forks (made from corn) were used.

The seminar's co-sponsors, KEB and Slow Foods Chicago, are grateful to the individuals and groups who participated, helped fund and facilitated this gathering. Special thanks to the staff of the Evanston Ecology Center.

Student Essays

Read the student essays here.

Excellence in Mentoring Awards

Three teachers were honored with Excellence in Mentoring Awards at the May 5 ceremony:
• Dale Campbell, Library Media Specialist at
Dr. Bessie Rhodes Magnet School, nominated by Jan Troy
• Bernadette Simcoe, Special Education Teacher at Evanston Township High School, nominated by Bryan Millington
• Lynn Sperling, Fourth-grade Teacher at Lincolnwood School, nominated by Mona Taman

Health and Fitness

Exploring Firsthand the Benefits of Massage Therapy
By Anna Mussa-Ivaldi

To better explore the benefits of therapeutic massage, this reporter decided the direct approach was the best approach. In the name of professional accuracy, she subjected herself twice to a massage. Both visits achieved the same results: relaxation to the point of forgetfulness; relief from shoulder and neck pain; a widespread, pleasant feeling of joint looseness; and a recovered memory of the notion that it is possible to feel physically good.

Therapeutic massage is one of many tools used by professional massage therapists to remediate both physical pain and serious stress caused by trauma. The RoundTable interviewed staff at Therapeutic Massage and Body Works and Healing Touch Massage Therapy. 

 “We are different from a spa,” said Ellen Kruse of Therapeutic Massage and Body Works. “Spas don’t go beyond boundaries. We, instead, work with people who are in pain or are seriously stressed.” 

The term “therapeutic massage” covers a large spectrum of modalities. The most basic is Swedish massage, which stimulates circulation, promotes relaxation and “pushes out toxic waste,” says Kristine Karlson-Flynn of Healing Touch Massage Therapy. Among the more complex are myofascial massage, neuromuscular massage (NMT), known also as deep-tissue massage, sport massage and Reiki.

In their training, therapists learn basic massage therapy as well as pathology, physiology and kinesiology. Ms. Karlson-Flynn says, however, that many other kinds of therapeutic massages can be learned outside the classroom.

Myofascial massage works with connective tissue and its underlying muscles. To explain what connective tissue is, Ms. Kruse compared the human body to a big ball of yarn: Connective tissue is the membrane that holds everything together, even individual muscle fibers. “It wraps muscle bundles together,” Ms. Karlson-Flynn added, “and holds our organs together.  It looks like a web.” Damaged connective tissue, she says, is the result of tension, stress, injury, repetitive motion or poor posture: The fascia becomes “glued” to the underlying muscle, impairing the blood flow to it. 

Massage therapists use myofascial massage to release the restrictions in the body’s connective system. The massage is gentle at first, at a superficial level, and then goes deep into the muscles and the bone structure. Myofascial massage also is said to help release any holding pattern developed through bad posture. People who spend long hours sitting at the computer, for instance, tend to come forwards with their heads, and the muscles at the base of their neck have to work harder to keep the head back, said Ms. Karlson-Flynn and Ms. Kruse.

Elizabeth Robins has been a faithful visitor to Ms. Karlson-Flynn’s office for seven years. She travels 70 miles every week to find relief from her headaches and from the tendinitis in her elbow. “If I can’t come for six weeks or two months, I really notice the difference,” she said. Ms. Robins stressed the importance of trust in the relationship between massage therapists and their clients. “If you are in pain and somebody is touching you, you really
need to trust that person,” she said.

Massage therapists claim that most people who suffer from spinal injury can find relief in neuromuscular therapy, also known as both deep-tissue massage and trigger-point myotherapy. In this type of massage, the pressure on the area of the muscle spasm is applied in different levels of intensity with the fingers or knuckles.  The purpose of the therapy is to restore proper blood flow and oxygen to the muscles affected by the spasm by eliminating lactic acid, said Ms. Kruse. “We are trying to lengthen the muscles so the person has greater possibility of motion. To get long-term results, a good therapist will concentrate on dealing with releasing muscle attachment,” she added.

The recommended duration of treatment depends on the type of problem, said Ms. Kruse. If the problem is posture-
related, she said, people who make enough changes to keep good posture do not need to return.

“It takes a long time to reverse bad habits, because we don’t want to force the body too much and all at once,” said Ms. Karlson-Flynn. People with chronic diseases, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and degenerative disk problems, may need weekly treatments.  Some, said Ms. Kruse, are eventually able to reduce treatment to a maintenance level.

Although most people seek massage therapies for their healing powers, some use them for prevention and general wellness. An expert massage can be relaxing after a long day of work. For this reporter, the only regret after an exploratory session was that it did not last longer.

After attending the Chicago School of Massage Therapy or a similar institute for two years, massage therapists have to take a national test and, since 2004, must be licensed by the state. The cost of therapeutic massage varies with the length and the type of massage. Although most insurance companies do not pay for them, health savings accounts established by independent owners or flex-spending accounts for those who are employed can absorb part of the cost.

Reiki Massage
This is a healing technique born in Tibet 2,500 years ago. The idea behind it is that physical pain is the external manifestation of emotional, mental and spiritual states. When performing Reiki Massage, the therapist places her/his hands on the person’s body in order to let the “energy from the universe flow from it to heal the patient.”

Hot Stone Massage
Smooth stones are heated by the therapist
in 140-degree water and applied to the skin in
a constant movement pattern. Swedish massage is used in this therapy, but the therapist may also leave the stones in a specific area, for instance, along the spine, or in the palm of the hands. Although this massage has long been practiced in India and was practiced in the Mayan culture, it was introduced in this country in 1993 by Mary Hannigan, a native of Tucson, Arizona.

Aging Well, Breathing Well 
Participants in the breathing workshop at the sixth annual Aging Well conference, held May 6, learned the importance of correct breathing. The conventional “taking a deep breath,” if done properly, can help control stress and calm the mind. Above, participants practice the “Ujjayi” or “victorious breath,” breathing through the nose with mouth closed.

During a class in seated aerobics, participants learned what to do when someone who is alone in the house takes a fall: without getting up, a person can pull himself or herself along the floor to a solid object such as a chair or table, preferably one with a phone in close range.
Still without wholly standing, and using the furniture for support, a person can pull up and onto the chair, reach the phone and call for help. Staff from the YMCA and local nurses pointed out that calling 911 in such cases is proper. “The firefighters don’t mind making a wellness check,” said Ellen Butkus of Senior Connections. “They’re glad to do this and glad to know you’re ok.”

Fifth Annual Community Mental Health Conference
“Depression in Adults between 20 and 50: Prevention and Solutions,” the Fifth Annual Community Mental Health Conference, will be held on June 4 at Beth Emet Synagogue. Community members can register online at the conference web- site at www.naomicohenfoundation.org For additional information or conference brochure, contact Harvey Saver, Mental Health Services, 847-448-8053. 

The scheduled keynote speaker is Dr. Peter D. Kramer, clinical professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University. Dr. Kramer is the author of the groundbreaking books, “Listening to Prozac,” and “Against Depression.” 

Terry Wise is the featured speaker for the conference. She wrote “Waking up: Climbing Through the Darkness,” which provides a road map for the restoration of emotional health. Wise was the recipient of a National Mental Health Award sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company. Ms. Wise is a survivor of several attempts of suicide and speaks from the patient’s chair about the consequences of untreated depression.

Mental Health Association of the North Shore Honors Community Mental Health Volunteers

The Mental Health Association of the North Shore honored community volunteers Irene Doyle Sandler of Evanston and Dr. Frederick E. Miller
of Glencoe, chairman of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare’s (ENH)
Department of Psychiatry at its Spring Benefit on May 7. “The two volunteered their time, energy and creative resources to improve mental health accessibility and to dispel stigma in our communities at its spring benefit,” said Sue Laue, MHANS president.

Dr. Miller, MHANS’ 2006 Outstanding Community Service Honoree, has created nationally award-winning video programs to reach teens with a powerful message, “there’s No Such Thing As Crazy,” and a website, www.nosuchthingscrazy.com.  “Kids in our culture are so overexposed to negative stereotypes about mental illness through movies, TV, and jokes, that it’s not balanced,” he said.

Through the videos and website, Dr. Miller creates compassion in teens for their peers suffering from a mental illness or emotional disorder, and gives them a first-person perspective that instills a more balanced view.  He also wants to reassure struggling teens that they could make it and come out on the other side, still struggling but with a note of hope.

Irene Doyle Sandler, MHANS 2006 Outstanding Community Volunteer
honoree, is a MHANS past president and active community volunteer. “Irene is someone who focuses on a task and gets the job done with a smile and a positive spirit that engages and empowers others. The new ideas just keep
coming to dispel stigma and promote mental health,” Ms. Laue said.

Some of Ms. Sandler’s accomplishments for MHANS include serving as past president (1994-96), breathing new life into the organization. She spearheaded an incredible outreach campaign on depression and suicide prevention by promoting “Rock Against Depression” with its creator, volunteer Paul McComas. They also created the MHANS Youth Advisory Committee.