The Doings Weekly

A Spanish delight

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:56:02 -0500

My husband had the good fortune of hosting Luis, a Spanish exchange student, during high school, and his family had the good sense to preserve their relationship for decades. As a result, I found myself in the kitchen years ago with Luis’s mother, Carmen Lucy. Clad in an American flag apron, she taught me how to make Tortilla Española; working together we sliced potatoes and simmered them gently in olive oil. While I had never cooked anything in such copious amounts of oil, I was delighted to discover the resulting dish is not at all greasy. Ever since Carmen Lucy …

Be clear on symptoms, signs of concussion

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:32:49 -0500

Equipment and good coaching techniques help prevent sports injuries, but unfortunately, concussions are commonplace for young athletes. Concussions are a unique injury, as the symptoms all depend on how the patient feels or if others observe even a subtle change in behavior. It is important for athletes, parents, coaches, trainers and teachers to be fully aware of the various signs and symptoms of a concussion. Routine concussions are usually self-limiting, but there is good scientific evidence that suggests serious complications can result when not taken care of properly. There is no way to predict how severe the symptoms will be …

New book brings top chefs’ food to any table

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:31 -0500

Plenty of folks would shy away from coaxing even just one recipe out of their favorite restaurant chef, but Chicago food writer Amelia Levin collected 59 such recipes for her first cookbook, Chicago Chef’s Table (Lyon’s Press, 2012). “I started by reaching out to as many chefs as I could, assuming that not everyone would be able or would want to contribute. But actually, most did,” Levin explained. In her kitchen in Chicago, the Highland Park native edited each recipe, ensuring the order of ingredients matched the instructions. In some cases, measurements had to be changed. “Restaurants use a lot …

Community Calendar

Thu, 24 May 2012 03:22:24 -0500

The Doings welcomes items for the Community Calendar. Items must be received a minimum of 10 days prior to desired publication. Email items to doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com. Community Fine Arts Festival: Featuring paintings, ceramics, textiles, mosaics, pastels, stained glass, jewelry and photography from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 2 and 3 at Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook. Free. Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival: Taking place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 9 and 10 at Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave., Hinsdale, sponsored by the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Hinsdale Center for the Arts. In addition, Impact Dance Studio …

Chef stays true to red, white and blue

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:06:00 -0500

When the American flag flies proudly on days like Memorial Day, Chef John Lane weaves the nation’s favorite color combination into many of the foods he makes. For his Memorial Day weekend menu at The Perfect Dinner in Oak Park, Lane will make plenty of pies and tarts colored by fresh red raspberries, blueberries and white cream cheese mousse. But he’ll also make something more out of the ordinary for the special day: red, white and blue pulled barbecue pork sandwiches. Patriotic eats “Memorial Day is a super American holiday,” Lane said. “Hard-working people are given a chance to relax …

Lessons in potty training

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:45:30 -0500

Mention “potty training” in a roomful of parents and you’re likely to hear horror stories, along with some helpful hints, for a smooth transition. Let’s face it. Kids don’t always cooperate with toilet training. It’s the one element in their life they can fully control. Parents can force a child what to eat, what to wear and when to go to bed, but they cannot make the child use the bathroom. So when I tell a parent you won’t accomplish training in a weekend, I often hear a panicky, “But he needs to be trained by the end of summer …

Health Calendar

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:32:09 -0500

Blood drive A LifeSource: blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14 at RML Specialty Hospital, 5601 S. County Line Road, Hinsdale. All donors get a Baskin-Robbins certificate for a pint of ice cream. Call (877) 543-3768. Fitness Zumba® fitness: from 7-8 p.m. every Wednesday at The Village Club of Western Springs, 4221 Lawn Ave. Cost is $10 for walk-ins and $7 for a punch-card visit All are welcome; minors need a guardian’s signature upon arrival. Contact Megan at meganaalbee@gmail.com or (847) 567-8236. ACT II: an Adventist Midwest …

Health People

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:55:08 -0500

Loyola gains expert in cancer surgery Carol Bier-Laning, M.D., will bring her expertise in the treatment of head and neck cancer and transoral robotic surgery to Loyola University Health System. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Bier-Laning will be an integral part of a clinic at Loyola’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center that offers treatment options to people diagnosed with head and neck cancer. This includes transoral robotic surgery, which is less invasive and can be used to remove benign and some malignant tumors in adults. Most recently, Bier-Laning …

Foods of the 28 NATO countries: Go Hungary

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:04:29 -0500

In the same way I’d hope summit participants will be able to enjoy a Chicago-style hot dog or quintessential Italian beef sandwich while they are in the Windy City, I want to embrace the spirit of NATO in my home kitchen. Here’s how.

Mayslake Plant Sale continues to grow

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:18:07 -0500

The unusually warm spring provided the best weather ever for the annual Native Plant Sale at Mayslake Peabody Estate, which was buzzing with eager gardeners this weekend. As the primary fundraiser for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s education department, the Plant Sale provided an opportunity to purchase plants indigenous to the county, support local programs and receive advice from Forest Preserve District staff. Retired florist and LaGrange resident Joyce Cincer stopped by and picked up a bag full of liatris flowers as she prepared to work on her very large garden at home. “It provided a lot of …

Plant sale planned at Indian Prairie Library

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:59:05 -0500

The Darien Park District Garden Club will be conducting a plant sale, co-sponsored by the Indian Prairie Public Library, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 2 on the library grounds, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien. The event will be held rain or shine. The sale will offer perennials dug from club members’ gardens, annuals, vegetables and herbs. Members will share their gardening wisdom. This year, there will be an assortment of day-lilies that were cultivated from the garden of Eugenia S. Gazarek, a past member of the club and the Chicagoland Daylily Society. There will also be a raffle of …

Thank Mom with breakfast in bed

Sun, 06 May 2012 10:44:01 -0500

Even in the hands of the most capable chefs, a perfectly balanced dish can be elusive. Sour, bitter, salty and sweet are in constant opposition, but these basic elements of flavor can work in unison to elevate the essence of a dish to new heights. Motherhood is a little like finding the harmony between divergent flavors in a single dish. Children are complicated little creatures and mothers channel their inner chef every day in their attempt to create a sense of balance at home. Children can quickly become bitter, but deft mothers know just how much acid and sweetness are …

Community Calendar

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:00:53 -0500

The Doings welcomes items for the Community Calendar. Items must be received a minimum of 10 days prior to desired publication. Email items to doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com. Community “Celebrate with Spiritual Song!”: Highlands Presbyterian Church, 1902 W. 59th St., LaGrange Highlands, will present a music and worship Sunday experience at 10 a.m. May 20 in the church sanctuary. Church choirs will perform spiritual songs under the direction of Maria Rohloff, accompanied by W. Perry Johnson. A reception follows the service at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. The program is free and open to the public and is appropriate for all ages. Call …

`Health Calendar

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:42:01 -0500

Blood drive Four local: fire and police departments will go head to head in a “boots versus badges” blood drive. Anyone who donates blood or platelets between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. through May 10 at the Adventist Lab Partners Blood Center, 121 N. Elm St., Hinsdale, will have the opportunity to “vote” for their favorite department among the fire and police departments representing Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Oak Brook and Western Springs. Prior to donation, a mini-physical is conducted; it includes a check of blood pressure, temperature and iron level. Platelets – cells that aid in coagulation are also in …

Doings calendar for May 10

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:42:01 -0500

The Doings welcomes items for the Community Calendar. Items must be received a minimum of 10 days prior to desired publication. Email items to doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com. Community Armed Forces Day: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 19 at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Enjoy fun filled family and educational activities honoring the U.S. Armed Forces. Free parking all day. Four local seventh-grade: Cadette Girl Scouts are taking on bullies as they finalize plans to host their Anti-bullying Rally at 6 p.m. May 19 in Kiwanis Park, 8820 Brookfield Ave., Brookfield The campaign is part of their Silver Award, the second highest award …

Treatments can help manage troubling arthritis

Fri, 11 May 2012 23:54:24 -0500

People who experience pain, aching, stiffness and swelling around their joints are not alone. Millions of people across the country experience these common symptoms of arthritis — and they can be severe. Arthritis, which is a broad term encompassing many diseases and conditions, affects people of all ages, although it is more prevalent in those over the age of 65. Known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Other common forms include rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis, which carry a higher degree of joint inflammation. While each of these conditions can have a serious impact …