January 7, 2010

Rant On The A.H. Post Office

To be blunt, the mail service to our house stinks.  I haven't subscribed to magazines for years, because I'm tired of not receiving every third issue or getting the magazine so late the next issue is on the newstand.  Bills have to come electronically, because so many get lost in the mail. I'm still waiting for my my last property tax bill.  

Today was a banner day for the Post Office.  This photo is all the mail we received today that was not ours.

DSC_3446

Nine pieces of mail not for us.  Catalogs, a political mailing, but most troubling three pieces of first class mail - two from banks.  The best part, this mail is for three different addresses.  Guessing a lot of people would throw the whole pile in the recycle bin and end up with all my missing mail.  

I'll get the mail to the right people tomorrow.

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November 13, 2009

B and B at Harry's

Watching the remote of WSCR's Boers and Bernstein Show at Harry's.

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November 7, 2009

Fitness 19

Happy to see that someone found use for the former Essence of Europe space in Westgate.

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September 30, 2009

What's Up With Peter's Pink Hair

Why is Peter from the Campbell Street Bicycle Shop sporting pink hair?  Did he lose a bet?  Has he joined a New Wave band?  Has he simply just lost his marbles?

Click here to find out what is going on!


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August 14, 2009

Arlington Heights Ranks 8th in Environmental Study

[via - VAH.com] According to the Smarter Cities study by the National Resource Defense Council, which measures the environmental sustainability of a community; Arlington Heights ranks #8 out of 408 small cities (pop. 50K to 90K) across the U.S.

Looking at a breakdown of the study, it looks like our top assets are our 'Green Space', 'Recycling' and 'Environmental Standards and Participation'. Arlington Heights was in the Top 10 overall in regards to Green Space.

If you're like me, your next question is "Who finished ahead of us?"; so here is the Top 10.

Top 10 Sustainable Small Cities

  1. Bellingham, WA
  2. Mountain View, CA
  3. Norwalk, CT
  4. Sarasota, FL
  5. Burnsville, MN
  6. Fayetteville, AR
  7. Mission Viejo, CA
  8. Arlington Heights, IL
  9. Nashua, NH
  10. Redmond, WA

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August 12, 2009

Daily Herald | A little alley, a lot of art in Arlington Heights

via dailyherald.com

Shame on me for not mentioning this 'art alley' earlier, especially since one of the artists commented on a photo that I took of it on Flickr. I hope this project spreads all over town and maybe even get more artists involved.

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August 11, 2009

Photoentropy Showing At AHML

via photoentropy.com

Flickr pal Photoentropy (aka John Schroder) is showing his photography at the Arlington Heights Library this month. If you are in the area, make sure to stop by and take a look. You can also see the pieces on display on his website.

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August 10, 2009

Matty 'Boom Boom' Reed @ Campbell St. Bikes - Aug 28

Renown triathlete and olympian Matty 'Boom Boom' Reed will be visiting Campbell Street Bicycle Shop on Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m.

From the Campbell Street website:

It's going to be a banner day for our little bike shop, a visit from a professional athlete Matty "Boom Boom" Reed. Friday August 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Matty will be talking to us about his career, his training, and maybe a little Question and Answer. He will certainly be talking about his bikes, the Fuji D6, and Team. He will be in town to compete in the Chicago Tri.
Olympian Matty Reed, is one of the most decorated triathletes in competition today. Reed has been a dominant force in the tri world since 1994. Known for his strength across all three disciplines and one of the few true all around triathletes, Reed excels at both drafting and non-drafting formats, Matt has won international titles such as the USA Olympic Trials, USA Nationals, Escape from Alcatraz, St.Anthony's, French Iron Tour, World Aquathon Championships and World Teams Title..

Please feel free to tell your friends, come on down to the shop, there will be door prizes, and we are hoping to arrange a visit from the folks at SRAM Components to show off some of their goodies.

I'm a sucker for door prizes.

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July 18, 2009

2009 Arlington Criterium Photos

Some photos from my quick visit to the Arlington Criterium on Tuesday.

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June 18, 2009

Arlington Criterium Bike Race

The Arlington Criterium Bike Race is back this year and is taking place on July 14. We are the 5th stop on the 17 day long Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic. Information is available at the village website. Campbell Street Bicycle Shop tweeted that they had a course map in the window if you would like to see a preview of the course.

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June 9, 2009

Japan Festival / Walk and Tea

Two Arlington Heights events this weekend: Japan Festival '09 at the Forest View Educational Center and the Arlington Heights Historical Society House Walk & Tea.

Every year I mean to go to the Japan Festival, but something always comes up. Maybe this is the year.

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June 4, 2009

Finnerty Children Benefit Tomorrow

Several downtown Arlington Heights businesses are donating a portion of their profits tomorrow to benefit the Finnerty Children's Trust.

Borrowing from a list on bhr1's blog, here are some businesses that are participating tomorrow. There may be more business that are participating, that I haven't heard about.

  • Tuscan Market
  • Ciao Bella Shoe Boutique
  • Bentley's Corner Barkery
  • Campbell Street Bike Shop
  • Flaherty Jewelers
  • Runners Hi 'n Tri
  • Urban Harvest

Chase Bank is managing the trust, so you can also stop and donate directly to the trust.

Tuscan Market was planning to celebrate their one year anniversary of the wine bar with Amy Philpott at the helm. She is converting the celebration into a fundraiser, so a special 'hats off' to her and Tuscan Market.

The Finnerty Children's Trust benefits the two surviving children of the tragic fire this week.

UPDATE - This is from the Daily Herald. Village Bank and Trust is also managing a fund for the kids in the care of the guardian.

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the trust fund set up at Village Bank & Trust of Arlington Heights for the two surviving children.
Send donations made out to Jennifer Murphy, guardian, to Village Bank & Trust, 311 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

UPDATE Friday June 5th - Donations can also be made at South Middle School, 400 S. Highland Ave., Arlington Heights. Make checks payable to "South Middle School."

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June 2, 2009

Westgate Neighborhood Fire

A very sad story of a fatal fire at Evergreen Ave and Park Street in Arlington Heights. You can follow the story in the Daily Herald and The Cardinal. Please keep the family in your thoughts.

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May 30, 2009

Promenade of Art

A couple of snaps from the Promenade of Art this afternoon in downtown Arlington Heights. We had fun and bought a couple of prints. The weather turned from 'mehhh' to gorgeous and the streets filled up.

Dragons

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May 29, 2009

2009/2010 Metropolis Season On Sale

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre has their schedule for the 2009/2010 season on sale to the public. There is a wide variety of shows going on this year.

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May 17, 2009

Grand Finale

The USMC had their grand finale at Arlington Park today and they flew over the house right on schedule. For a full gallery go to Flickr or here.

Sunday Flyover

Sunday Flyover

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May 12, 2009

USMC Overhead

We had a couple of low fly-bys over the house this afternoon by the USMC helicopters and an Osprey. The reason the Marines are flying over town; it's Marine Week at Arlington Park. There is USMC vehicles and equipment on display at the track and there will be a grand finale on Sunday May 17th with a tactical aircraft demonstration and the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

USMC Overhead

USMC Overhead

USMC Overhead

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May 8, 2009

The Bacon Brothers at Metropolis

I have no idea if The Bacon Brothers are any good, but they've been around long enough to make me think they are. Now we can find out first hand as The Bacon Brothers (yes, including Kevin Bacon) are playing at the Metropolis Theater September 11th and 12th. Maybe there will be some celebrity sightings that week?!?

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May 3, 2009

More 2009 Frontier Days Acts

Thanks to a 'heads-up' from Mark on S. Evergreen; two more main stage acts for the 2009 Frontier Days have been revealed and one of them is a shocker (to me at least). We already know about Eddie Money on Friday July 3rd. On Saturday July 4th, Cherry Poppin' Daddies take the stage. Here's the big news however, Blues Traveler on Thursday, July 2nd! I could be wrong, but this seems like a big score from the Frontier Days organizers to me! Bravo to whomever booked them!

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April 27, 2009

Hersey and EGV H.S. To Be Home For Freddy Kruger

According to the Daily Herald, Hersey and Elk Grove Village High Schools will be sets for the upcoming Nightmare on Elm Street remake. Filming begins in Chicago on May 5th.

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April 6, 2009

Spring Will Not Be Deterred!

Spring Will Not Be Deterred

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April 2, 2009

A.H. Standoff Update

According to the Daily Herald, 30 handguns and assault rifles along with lots of ammunition and other gun related goodies like scopes, holsters and such, were found in the Arlington Heights standoff house. Some more details about he owner and the house in the story.

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April 1, 2009

It Wasn't Me, I Swear

For the record, I was not the guy holed up in his house on Harvard Avenue in an all-night stand off with the Arlington Heights police department. I was a block away and I slept through the entire thing; gunshots, tear gas, and several towns police forces including an armored car going past the house did not wake me up. Inga did hear gunshots and yelling around 4:30 a.m., which turns out to be when they flooded the guys house with tear gas and he surrendered. Being the street hardened person that she is, she rolled over and went back to sleep.

As of dinner time, the Arlington Heights police were still at the house collecting evidence. Many of the windows of the house are broken where they lobbed in the tear gas. Small groups of area folks gathered on the sidewalk across the street from the house all day. Traffic was up as people drove by to check it out.

I can only imagine what the neighbors of that guy are thinking tonight. I don't know anyone personally on that block, but we call it 'the kid block' as there are so many families with small children playing outside in the summertime. How does one feel with an armed stand-off just outside your door and being evacuated in the middle of the night with a house full of small kids? I'd be pretty upset right now as I assume many a block away are.

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March 18, 2009

Eddie Money To Play '09 Frontier Days

An early announcement as to one of the main acts to play at the Arlington Heights 2009 Frontier Days festival. According to Vintage Vinyl News, Eddie Money will be taking the main stage on Friday, July 3rd.

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February 24, 2009

BMAN Creating In A.H.

From a story in the Daily Herald today about how local artists are coping in this economy, discovered that there is a comic artist/video game designer that calls Arlington Heights home. Brian Babendererde (aka BMAN) pays the bills with his video game freelance work, but also is the creator of Soul Chaser Betty, a webcomic that has made the jump to graphic novel.

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October 19, 2008

Sign of the Times - "Help Wanted - Customers"

Went to two of our favorite restaurants yesterday and both said business had dropped off considerably. Thought this 'Help Wanted' sign in front of Los Jardines captures the mood of local business right now. (BTW - I've never been to Los Jardines, so in case you were wondering, it's not one of the two restaurants we visited.)

Help Wanted: Customers

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October 18, 2008

Nixon/Agnew

Like Christmas lights, some people don't take down their campaign lawn signs after the election is over. :)

Nixon/Agnew

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October 4, 2008

The Grand Station

We checked out The Grand Station at lunch today, as Egg Harbor was crazy busy with the Fall Festival. As previously advertised, the menu is classic American dining with some high end twists. We each ordered a panini: smoked turkey with avocado and grilled onions for me and a three cheese panini for her; both were excellent. Looks like there are a bunch of tempting dinner options (menu is on the website) and I would like to slowly explore the 'classic cocktail' selection. For us, it fills a dining option that we thought was lacking in town.

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September 14, 2008

Sunset Meadows Retention Pond

Turns out that park with the retention pond where the 'swimmer' drowned is call Sunset Meadows. We swung by today and snapped some pics as it was still flooded and New Wilke was closed.

Sunset Meadows Retention Pond

Sunset Meadows Retention Pond

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September 13, 2008

Man Drowns In Arlington Heights Retention Pond

I mentioned in my earlier post about all the rain and flooding today, that the retention pond at Kirchoff and New Wilke was full up to the street. Turns out someone drowned in that retention pond this afternoon, when he and a couple of friends decided it would be a good idea to go swimming in the flooded reservoir. It took divers about 3 1/2 hours to recover the body.

Not only is the retention pond deep (25 to 30 feet), it has large drains to suck the water out (which would pull you under) and is full of the sports equipment like soccer nets and baseball backstops to get tangled in.

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September 12, 2008

Lattof Chevrolet Closing It's Doors

Sad news for an A.H. business institution - Lattof Chevrolet is closing it's doors after 70 years. Considering the state of the economy and even more so, the American auto industry, it shouldn't be a surprise, but I am kind of stunned none the less.

You can't help but wonder what will happen to that land. Oh, let me guess - hmmm... how about row-houses and condos with retail space on the first floor. (sigh) : )

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September 11, 2008

Olympic Swimmer Coming to Town

Downtown Arlington Heights business Runner's High 'n' Tri is sponsoring a visit by Olympic Silver medal winning swimmer, Kara Lynn Joyce. She'll be at the store on Wednesday, Sept 17 from 7-8 p.m. with all her medals.

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September 9, 2008

Himawari and Clementi's

We visited two newer Arlington Heights restaurants this past week/weekend, so I thought I would hammer out a quick paragraph on each.

First we had a late lunch at Himawari (161 W. Wing St - across the street from Jewel and two doors down from Tuscan Market). As you can probably guess from the name, Himawari is a Japanese restaurant which specializes in sushi though they do have plenty on the menu for non-sushi lovers (aka weirdos) like teriyaki, katsu, yakisoba and udon. Now when it comes to standard types of sushi like single item makis and nigiris, I always say that it can only fall into two categories: very good or very bad. Fresh/good cuts of fish and quality rice = very good. Not so fresh fish and/or bad cuts = very bad. There is no middle ground. I had a lunch combination sushi and it was very good as was Inga's tempura udon. I didn't have any of the chef's specialty kinds of sushi, where a sushi chef/restaurant can shine past the 'very good' category, so that will be for a later time. The place is stylish and cute and the prices are decent. It doesn't knock Naomi Sushi off it's perch as the best in town in either food or price, but it is within walking distance so we'll most likely pop in again.

Then on Saturday night we walked to Clementi's (602 W. Northwest Hwy - In the spot formerly occupied by Paprikash and before that, Rapp's) to give them a try. We have been on the lookout for a new Italian place for a while. Average Italian food just doesn't cut it with us and there are a lot of average Italian places out there (for the record - I'm not talking about Olive Garden either - they don't make a category low enough for that crap). We were pleasantly surprised by our experience. The pasta in Inga's cavatelli arrabbiata had a wonderful freshly-made pasta bite to it with a great sauce. My pasta fresca special had a parmesan cheese subtlety that I really enjoyed. The staff was attentive and 'on the ball'. The hostess/(assumed) manager ran a tight ship; keeping tabs on everyone and everything - she was a pleasure to watch in action. So we have a new Italian place that we really like and to top it off, we can walk there. No excuse to not walk off a big meal now.

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August 27, 2008

Asian Bistro Chef Interview

There is a great interview in the Daily Herald with Jack Liang the chef and owner of one of our favorite restaurants, Asian Bistro.

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A.H. Yoga Instructor To Give Complemetary Class @ Lululemon

Willow Yoga co-founder and yoga director, Becci Robinson will be leading the Serenity Sunday yoga class at lululemon althletica in Northbrook Court this Sunday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. It's an all-levels class, so unless you are like me and deathly allergic to any activity more strenuous than lifting a coffee mug on Sunday mornings, you should check it out.

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July 18, 2008

Poo Vandals Smear Obama Signs

Wow, this is a sick new low. Obama signs on an Arlington Heights lawn were vandalized by someone who smeared them with fecal matter.

It makes you wonder how these poo vandals would support their candidate. Maybe a fertilizer fundraiser?

[via - Chicagoist]

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July 17, 2008

The Redwalls To Play Arlington Park

This is more than the average bar band that usually plays 'Party At The Park' at Arlington Park. Tomorrow at 7pm, The Redwalls take their 60's-esque sound to the Arlington Park stage for WXRT day. Never heard of The Redwalls? Hailing from Deerfield, they were getting a lot of buzz as the next big thing. Probably worth a trip to the track to see this higher than normal caliber of band.

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July 9, 2008

Frontier Days Upskirt Photographer - MacArthur Big Wig

That story I linked to yesterday about the guy arrested for taking upskirt photos at Frontier Days. Turns out he's a Managing Director at the MacArthur Foundation. Not surprisingly, he lists photography as one of his hobbies on his bio (which I'm guessing will be taken down or edited eventually). Just goes to show, you never know what creepy things lurk behind seemingly normal lives.

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July 3, 2008

Ready, Set, Go!

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

Part of me hopes to hear stories of brawls and rampant claim-jumping as people stampede to grab their spots along the parade route.

I don't get the obsession with this particular parade. Never have, never will.

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June 3, 2008

Thar Be Pirates Afoot

Thar Be Pirates Afoot

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May 26, 2008

Pneumonia Front

According to the National Weather Service, we're going to experience a 'Pneumonia Front' tonight, which is basically a quick and dramatic drop in temperature. Here's the bulletin with the definition of a Pneumonia Front at the end.

.. Pneumonia front moving down Western Lake Michigan...

A pneumonia front currently in far southeast Wisconsin will
continue to rapidly drop southward into northern Illinois and
Indiana tonight. This front has been marked by a drastic change in
temperatures and a strong wind shift. Temperatures along the
lake front have dropped from the low to mid 70s to the mid to
upper 40s as the front passes. Winds have shifted from being light
and out of the west to out of the northeast and gusting up to 40
mph at times along the lake. This front will be into lake and
McHenry counties by 10pm... Cook... dupage..Kane... DeKalb... and
Boone counties by 1045pm... and the rest of Northwest Indiana and
north central Illinois by midnight CDT.

A pneumonia front is a rare... meteorological phenomena that is
typically observed along the Western Lake Michigan shoreline
during the warm season. These fronts are defined as lake modified
synoptic scale cold fronts that result in one hour temperature
drops of 16 degrees fahrenheit or greater.

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May 7, 2008

Kirk Wants No Second Life

Our Rep. Mark Kirk is sponsoring a bill to ban access to Second Life in schools and libraries because of lack of robust age verification. The American Libraries Association as well as others oppose the legisltation.

Good job Rep. Kirk. It's not like there is anything important like a war, recession, housing meltdown, global food crisis, and runaway energy prices to worry about. Kirk is also anti-net neutrality and pro government eavesdropping. He just loves legislating new ways to protect us from ourselves. Wish our Representative would work on real issues, but that takes some real work.

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April 22, 2008

Night Ranger Playing Frontier Days

It's not on the Frontier Days website yet, but according to Vintage Guitar Magazine, Night Ranger is playing Frontier Days on July 2nd.

What other bands of the past will emerge from the darkness to play Frontier Days this year? Like every year, I can't wait to find out.

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March 14, 2008

Text The Library

You're out with a friend and he insists that Kevin Bacon was in Red Dawn. You tell him he's wrong, but he's adamant and even bets you dinner that he's right. If there was a computer nearby, you'd head over to the IMDB and show him the error of his ways. Unfortunately, you're waiting to get seated at the restaurant and you'd really like him to pay for your dinner tonight. What do you do? Send the Arlington Heights Memorial Library a text message!

Yes, our Arlington Heights library can now answer your questions via text message. All you have to do is text your question to 265010 and start your message with "ahmlq:"

For example: 265010
ahmlq: Was Kevin Bacon in the film Red Dawn

Someone will answer question as soon as possible - probably before you get the appetizer. The new text message service is part of the latest AHML YouTube video.

BTW - you can also find the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on MySpace and Facebook, so pay them a visit and add them to your friends list.

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February 8, 2008

A.H. CFL Recycling

Arlington Heights is taking part in the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County's (SWANCC) compact fluorescent light bulb (CFLs) recycling program along with other area towns. The twisty CFLs can be dropped off at the Arlington Heights Village Hall, but they are not accepting the 4-foot tubes. The SWANCC site has a list of other drop-off points and where you can drop off those pesky 4-foot tubes (like the ones I have been collecting in the basement).

CFLs have a tiny amount of Mercury in them, not enough to be hazardous if broken individually, but thousands/millions in a landfill would add up to toxic mess. So like all the computer/electronic waste, be responsible - save them up - and drop them off so they can be disposed of responsibly.

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Posted by JB at 10:32 PM | Permalink

A.H. CFL Recycling

Arlington Heights is taking part in the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County's (SWANCC) compact fluorescent light bulb (CFLs) recycling program along with other area towns. The twisty CFLs can be dropped off at the Arlington Heights Village Hall, but they are not accepting the 4-foot tubes. The SWANCC site has a list of other drop-off points and where you can drop off those pesky 4-foot tubes (like the ones I have been collecting in the basement).

CFLs have a tiny amount of Mercury in them, not enough to be hazardous if broken individually, but thousands/millions in a landfill would add up to toxic mess. So like all the computer/electronic waste, be responsible - save them up - and drop them off so they can be disposed of responsibly.

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January 22, 2008

Slots or Not

The Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce wants slots. The trustees and mayor don't want slots. I'm all for taking a suckers money. Arlington Park is too big a venue to leave closed most of the year.

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Posted by JB at 4:58 PM | Permalink

Arlington Heights Man Found Dead

Missing Arlington Heights resident, Leslie Wroblewski was found dead in his car in Wisconsin. Foul play is not suspected. No other details so far.

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January 21, 2008

Trader Joe's Bare Leg Extravaganza

Television trucks will be parking outside Trader Joe's before you know it. Over the weekend the Daily Herald and today WBBM Newsradio 780 covered a story about a shorts wearing contest at the store. At the beginning of the fall, a group of employees bet each other to see who could wear shorts the longest into the winter. With the recent single digit temperatures, there are four short wearing employees left and the local media has gotten a whiff of a story.

I predict that the shorts wearing contest will go into next winter unless they take my unsolicited advice - make the length of the shorts incrementally shorter over time. Stocking produce in hot pants - oh the crowds they would draw.

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January 19, 2008

Have You Seen This Man?

Leslie Wroblewski
Signs are up all over town - asking if you've seen Arlington Heights resident Leslie Wroblewski. From the CBS2Chicago website:

Leslie Wroblewski was last seen at 9 a.m. Friday in Arlington Heights. He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds.
Wroblewski was last seen wearing a black leather jacket and jeans. His car is a 1994 two-door blue Nissan Sentra, with Illinois license playe Y399220.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911, or the Arlington Heights Police Department at (847) 368-5300.

[photo from CBS2 Chicago]

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January 13, 2008

Protestors

Maybe Rep. Kirk was in the area or they were just taking advantage of a busy intersection, but there were anti-war protestors on the corner of Arlington Heights Road and Northwest Highway late yesterday afternoon. I was coming back from a solo 'photo excursion' in Des Plaines and the light was fading, so I snapped a couple shots from the driver's seat.

A.H. Anti-War Protestors

'Support the Troops - End the War' Sign

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January 11, 2008

Flamingo and Fuego

Just finished watching 'Check, Please!' on WTTW-TV (not sure if it was new or a re-run) where they gave Flamingo in Mount Prospect a very favorable review. I had been tempted to pop-in as it looks inviting (it's a block away from ChoDang Tofu), so now it is towards the top of my list of restaurants to try. Unfortunately, they are now going to have the 'Check, Please!' wave of diners filling the restaurant for a couple of weeks. I'll have to bide my time.

Seeing Flamingo reminded me about something I was meaning to say about Fuego in Downtown Arlington Heights, since the holidays. I blogged a long time ago after it first opened, that I wasn't super impressed. Fate has pulled me back into Fuego a few times recently, and I want to officially give it an upgrade from my original blah opinion. My recent meals have charmed me especially a tilapia and jicama special they had on Christmas Eve that knocked my socks off. I don't know if anything changed with them or me, but It's on my fave restaurants list now.

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January 2, 2008

Hi Ya

Hi Ya

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December 3, 2007

Tuscan Market Ups Their Game

Exciting news for fans of The Tuscan Market and Wine Shop, which includes us (another Turkey Panini and White Bean Salad please!).

From their emailed announcement:

The BIG NEWS!

Last week The Tuscan Market and Wine Shop secured our Class E Alcohol License (sounds big huh?). This is pretty cool for all of us because now, not only can you taste wine (which we will be doing more of), you can come in and grab a bite to eat and enjoy a glass of wine or beer while you relax. This is a grand event and is one that we need to really start to enjoy. Our hope is that more of you would like to come to Tuscan (over a restaurant) on occasion and take advantage of our unique and inviting setting. After the holidays, the area up the ramp will return to a nice dining area (currently, it is gift basket central). We have high hopes of making Tuscan a true destination for many more people over the coming months.

Other BIG NEWS!

Thursday Night Out
Beginning this Thursday, December 6, 2007, Tuscan Market will be the place to come on Thursday Nights. Every Thursday Night from 7:30-9pm there will be a tasting event held at the store. Our goal is to provide these for free, but there will be occasion where there is a small fee (when we have chocolate or cheese). If you need an excuse to get out of the house or to gather with a few friends, you work is done. This Thursday we will be conducting a Vineyard tasting with Vineyard Rep Steve from J. Lohr. Each Thursday night in December has been scheduled with a tasting and we will send more details in the weekly email!


Cool Beans Guys! Thursday is a yoga night, but we might be able to do a quick shower and swing in for the weekly festivities.

For those of you who haven't been or don't know where Tuscan Market is, they're located at 141 W Wing St in Downtown Arlington Heights; next to Washington Mutual and across the street from the (Tylenol) Jewel.

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Posted by JB at 10:48 PM | Permalink

November 18, 2007

Faux-Controversy?

There's a story on CBS 2 news about a 'controversy' over a painting being shown at a local artists' exhibit at the Arlington Heights Historical Society. The have received an undisclosed amount of emails calling a painting 'Innocence' by Fred DeAsis, pornographic.

This really stinks of hype to create controversy and promote an artist and show or making much ado about nothing to fill a slow news day. First off, the undisclosed amount of complaints has been received by email. Is it one puritan sending a couple of anonymous emails or an artist/PR flak firing off some emails doing it to create controversy to promote a show? A legitimate complaint would have a name attached. If there is and the news story isn't pursuing who made to complaint to get their side the story - shame on CBS 2 news.

Second, looking at the artwork in question, it's pretty pedestrian. If someone thinks it's racey or pornographic, they're probably upset that women can show their legs in public. The piece doesn't show frontal nudity, just a bare back. Usually a tasteful nude showing female breasts gets some Philistine to grumble, but this piece is very tame. Maplethorpe it is not! (NSFW - but it's art) Any urban gallery or art museum have pieces 10x more edgy. It's very hard to swallow that this work would raise an eyebrow let alone spark 'controversy'. It's tameness and blandness make me smell a rat.

If I'm reading this wrong and there is a groundswell of outrage over this piece - we should all be ashamed of ourselves for living in a backwards and 'Disneyfied' community.

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Posted by JB at 12:35 PM | Permalink

November 17, 2007

Arlington Heights Eatery News

Funny how I haven't found anything happening locally to pass along in awhile, and then BOOM! A couple of things pop up all in one of my favorite areas - food, namely restaurants - and all in the Daily Herald.

First, personal favorite Naomi Sushi got a real good write-up in the Daily Herald this week. The reviewer gave them high marks across the board - from the quality and creativity of the sushi to the skillful use of the fryer for tempura. I popped in Naomi Sushi for a birthday dinner Friday evening and they mentioned that the Thanksgiving Herald will have a piece on their cocktails.

Looks like Jimmy D's is trying again to get their expansion plans approved by the Village. Thankfully there is no mention of making it a Cubby Bear (f#$@ing cubs), but they still want to encroach into the residential neighborhood behind them. That was a deal killer last year and I'm guessing it will be again. I'd be mad if my neighbors house was leveled for a parking lot, be it for a restaurant or bar.

Lastly, downtown Arlington Heights' two Italian restaurants, Regina's and Armand's presented plans to expand as well. Regina's wants to add a second story for an office and storage - the dining area would not change. Armand's wants to expand into the space next door, formerly occupied by Metamorphoses Gallery.

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Posted by JB at 12:39 AM | Permalink

October 23, 2007

New Illinois Drivers License Design

The Secretary of State of Illinois is phasing in a new drivers license design. Your photo will be in two places on the front and will look just as awful as on the old licenses.

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Posted by JB at 10:00 PM | Permalink

October 14, 2007

La Chicanita Expansion Story

The Daily Herald has a story about the future expansion of La Chicanita and all the hang-ups they've had along the way. The most exciting tidbit from the piece, is that after the expansion that the restaurant will change it's name to 'Javier's' after the owner Javier Villareal.

The expansion plan sounds good. Too bad their food is so...average...and for Mexican food that's just not worth it.

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Posted by JB at 9:25 PM | Permalink

September 18, 2007

Beaner's To Biggby

I was always curious about the name choice of Beaner's Coffee since they moved into the area. Watch one episode of Mind Of Mencia and you'll know that 'Beaner' is derogatory slang for Hispanics - an odd choice to name your coffee house. On the other hand, they are an established, fairly large chain, so you figure they made peace with their name choice. (Anyone remember the restaurant chain, Sambo's?)

Maybe word about their name double-entendre took a while to reach Beaner's East Lansing Michigan headquarters as the Daily Herald says they are changing their name to Biggby Coffee. If they want to keep spreading around the U.S., it's a good call. Our Arlington Heights location should have it's new name by the end of January.

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Posted by JB at 9:12 AM | Permalink

August 29, 2007

'c'oral paradise

UPDATE - 8/30/07 - Someone didn't take kindly to the alteration. Walked by the sign today and it was almost completely removed.


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'c'oral paradise

I think this is more a suggestion on how a racier name might of brought in more customers than vandalism. Coral Paradise has closed it's doors, if you haven't noticed.

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Posted by JB at 10:04 PM | Permalink

August 18, 2007

Follow-up - Rough Day In A.H.

Couldn't find anything in the news or police blotter about Blockbuster being robbed. I'll keep looking for something or ask my friend to talk to his clerk/friend next time he goes in.

As expected, the commotion at the train station was a man vs. train collision. A local homeless man crossed under the wire fences that separate the tracks and was blind-sided by a 'semi-express' train, killing him instantly.

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Posted by JB at 12:22 AM | Permalink

August 16, 2007

Rough Day In A.H.

Looks like today was a rough day in downtown Arlington Heights.

A friend of mine stopped by the office this afternoon and said that he walked into the downtown Blockbuster Video right after it had been robbed. No info to pass along as the clerk was too shaken to say much...surprised they didn't close the store for a little while.

At rush hour, I can only assume that a pedestrian lost a race with a Metra train just outside the station. The police had the Vail St. crossing closed and had a wide area taped off with a full complement of emergency vehicles present. After yoga, things were still closed off. Lots of commuters walking around as trains looked to be backed up with delays.

Have to see what details pop up tomorrow.

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Posted by JB at 11:41 PM | Permalink

August 10, 2007

Arlington Million

Chicagoist has a great, quick and to the point summation of the Arlington Million tomorrow.

Arlington Million, the largest annual stakes race in Illinois.

Among the field is last year's winner, Tin Man, with 3-1 odds. The nine-year-old is looking to defend his title against this year's favorite, After Market. The favorite at 2-1 odds, After Market is trained by John Shirreffs, who also trained 2005 Kentucky Derby champ Giacomo.

For the first time, the winner of the Arlington Million — as well as the winners of the lower stakes Beverly D. and Secretariat races that will be run on Saturday — all win spots in the prestigious Breeders' Cup championship races on Oct. 27. While not a Triple Crown event, this added incentive should certainly help raise the profile of the Million.

For those who cannot make it out to Arlington, ABC will televise the Arlington Million from 3-5 p.m.
Time for my annual blimp-watch!

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July 31, 2007

Eddie's Closes Its Doors

Wow, this is a shock. Don't believe the 'Closed For Remodeling' sign on the door. Downtown Arlington Heights fish fry hub, Eddie's closed it's doors for good this weekend after 40+ years.

According to the Herald story, the children of the original owner sold the restaurant/bar last September to McGann's Gathering Place and Eatery. The new owners promised to keep things as they were.

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Posted by JB at 10:10 PM | Permalink

July 22, 2007

Naomi Sushi and Pierogi Place

Naomi Sushi


Fish One is now Naomi Sushi! Naomi took over Fish One (1309 N. Rand Rd. Arlington Heights) many months ago and has made a constant series of improvements from the decor to the menu. Now she's put her name over the door!

I won't hide the fact that this is one of my and my family's favorite restaurants. The food is terrific and there is much more than sushi. My dad, a confirmed meat and potatoes guy, loves the steaks and shrimp. Naomi is a gem and bends over backwards to make you welcome. If you've never been to Naomi Sushi (Fish One) or haven't been in awhile, check it out.
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Last week, I also went to Pierogi Place in Rolling Meadows on Algonquin Rd near Golf (in the Sam's Club/Wal-mart shopping center) several doors down from Sushi Station. Why there aren't more Polish casual dining/fast food places, I don't know. They have 15 different kinds of Pierogi as well as a wide variety of other Polish delicacies. My friends and I had pierogi (sauerkraut and mushroom, potato and cheddar, and meat and spinach) and they were terrific, fried with healthy amounts of onion and bacon. Deliciously heart stopping. The have a website url on the menu but there is nothing there yet . If you are looking for something quick and different in the area it's another terrific option.

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Posted by JB at 8:11 PM | Permalink

July 4, 2007

Parade Turf War

I don't get parades in general let alone why you would stake out a spot to watch a parade days in advance. I can understand staking out a spot to see a free concert at Frontier days (kind of), but to see marching bands and community groups wave to you as they walk or roll by on floats? Forget it. You need to get a some excitement in your life.

Anyway, ABC7 news did a story on the Arlington Heights parade route parkway stake-off.

BTW - Hope the parade was a thrill...

Posted by JB at 10:55 AM | Permalink

June 10, 2007

2007 Frontier Days Music Line-up

Okay, time to plan your Fourth of July weekend and what days you'll be heading out to Frontier Days. Here's the musical line-up this year:

  • Wednesday, July 4th - American English
  • Thursday, July 5th - The Smithereens
  • Friday, July 6th - Kansas
  • Saturday, July 7th - Rick Springfield
  • Sunday, July 8th - Tequila Sunrise

All shows start at 8 p.m. except for the Sunday show which starts at 7:30.

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June 3, 2007

80 New Arlington Heights Actors

80 players from the Arlington Cowboys youth football team were chosen to be in a scene of the upcoming movie "The Express" which is being filmed in Blue Island. The 80 were chosen from 200-plus players who tried out. On Saturday, the met at the Christian Liberty Academy (old Arlington High School) to be given uniforms, haircuts and to practice the plays that will be shot in the film. The scene is set in the 40's, so they all received buzz-cuts and their football helmets have no face masks.

'The Express' (scheduled to be released in 2009) will be about the life of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961 while playing for Syracuse. He was drafted number 1, but died of leukemia before playing in the NFL.

[via - Daily Herald]

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June 2, 2007

Chopper @ North Arlington Barbershop

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Working At Beaner's Coffee

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June 1, 2007

Photo Offer For Arlington Parade Participants!

Here's an offer to the groups that marched in the Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade this past weekend. David Gonzalez photographed the parade and wants to share photos he took with the groups that participated. If you are interested in taking him up on his offer, send him an email - david.gonzalez[at]mindspring.com . (don't forget to replace the [at] with @ before emailing - damn spammers...)

Here are some photos he took of Arlington Heights VFW Post 981 in the parade. Thanks David!

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Posted by JB at 12:24 AM | Permalink

May 25, 2007

Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade Info

Arlington Heights: Parade, 9:30 a.m. Monday, starts at Arlington Heights Road and Sigwalt Street, and ends at Memorial Park. Sponsored by Arlington Heights VFW Post 981. (847) 253-5960.
[via - Daily Herald]

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Posted by JB at 9:37 AM | Permalink

Two New Downtown Arlington Heights Restaurants Proposed

Two new restaurant proposals were brought to the Arlington Heights planning commission; both proposed for downtown A.H. Homemade Pizza, a Chicago area chain of cook at home pizza stores, is looking to open on S. Dunton between Urban Harvest and soon to open Jimmy John's. Brama Bread would be an all-good-for-you restaurant serving breakfast and lunch at 6 S. Dunton.

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Posted by JB at 9:32 AM | Permalink

May 9, 2007

Correction on 2007 InfoTubey Award Credit

Bill Pardue dropped me a note that the 'Tip of the Hat' I gave for the Arlington Heights Library winning a 2007 InfoTubey award should have gone to Ingrid Lebolt, who heads up the Web Services Department.

My bad... Sorry about that Ingrid!

Congratulations to Ingrid and the AHML staff for the InfoTubey award!

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Posted by JB at 12:24 AM | Permalink

May 5, 2007

Northwest Community Hospital and Movie Set

It's been a few years since there has been a movie crew in Arlington Heights, but they're back and setting up shop at Northwest Community Hospital. This weekend, film crews are setting up for scenes at Northwest Community (which will be used for German Hospital scenes) for the upcoming film "The Return" starring Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams, and Michael Pena. Filming begins on Monday with the stars and about 30 - 50 extras. Keep your eyes open for celebrity sightings.

From the IMDB, here's the plot summary for "The Return":

"Written by Burger and Dirk Wittenborn, the story revolves around three soldiers -- Collee (McAdams), T.K. (Pena) and Cheever (Robbins) -- who return from the Iraq War after suffering injuries and learn that life has moved on without them. They end up on an unexpected road trip across the U.S., with Collee on a mission to bring her boyfriend's guitar back to his family because he saved her life, T.K. seeking confidence to face his wife after a shrapnel injury that threatens his sexual function and middle-aged Cheever planning to hit the casinos in a desperate effort to pay for his son's college tuition"

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Posted by JB at 9:59 AM | Permalink

May 2, 2007

Tiki Trash Can

I can't get over how cool this trash can is at the A.H. Trader Joe's. I believe store 'crew member' Andy painted it, but I have to confirm this.

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Posted by JB at 5:32 PM | Permalink

April 26, 2007

AHML Wins 2007 InfoTubey Award

Update - May 9th - Bill Pardue says that the 'tip of the hat' I gave for the winning of the InfoTubey award should really go to Ingrid Lebolt who heads up the Web Services Department at the AHML. Ingrid - Great Job!!!

Congratulations to the staff at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on winning a 2007 InfoTubey award at this year's Computers In Libraries Conference. The inaugural InfoTubey award is given to libraries showing 'Excellence In Library YouTube Productions'. The AHML won for their 'What's Up At The Library' series.
Tip of the hat to Bill Pardue and the AHML staff involved in putting that series together.

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April 24, 2007

Teddy's / Wellington Connection

Turns out there is a local backstory to new restaurant Teddy's Just Good Food, going up on Rand Rd in the Arlington Plaza Shopping Center (Burlington Coat Factory). The restaurant is a start-up by Ted Pappas, former 20-year owner of The Wellington. Teddy's is going in a different direction from his former establishment being more of a fast food/casual dining eatery.

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Posted by JB at 9:39 AM | Permalink

April 21, 2007

Fuego Owner Plans New Restaurant

Fuego owner Eddie Nahlawi is eyeing the corner of Vail and Campbell (currently the Metro Lofts offices) as the future home for his 'Grand Station' restaurant. His second restaurant would be an American cafe style eatery.

"Grand Station would be open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, Nahlawi said. The menu would include a variety of salads and wraps along with American classics like meatloaf and turkey with gravy..."

The Arlington Heights plan commission and village board need to approve the plans. Mr. Nahlawi is looking to have his restaurant open in September.

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April 13, 2007

A.H. Coyote Sightings Down in 2006

According to the Arlington Heights village board, coyote sightings were down from 30 in 2005 to 4 in 2006. The Arlington Heights Police Department now keeps a 'Coyote Log' to record coyote sightings.

We saw our first coyote in town this winter around Highland and Oakton. I wonder if this decline in sightings is due to less coyotes or people getting used to seeing coyotes around town. I'll put my money on the latter.

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Posted by JB at 5:47 PM | Permalink

April 1, 2007

The Riv Coming Back To Downtown A.H.

After turning over the restaurant to new owners and it's subsequent closing; The Riv (The Riviera) will be reopening with it's original owners at the helm. The Daily Herald story recaps the past years changes and future plans for the Riv.

I miss their Veggie burgers!

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Posted by JB at 10:44 PM | Permalink

March 22, 2007

Stella!

Phil Wackerfuss from Palatine, wins the Stella! Yelling Contest at Peggy Kinane's. The competition was sponsored by the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre to promote 'A Streetcar Named Desire' which opens today.

[Via Merge]

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Posted by JB at 9:01 AM | Permalink

March 20, 2007

Bye Bye Bovis

Bovis House

Alas, Bovis is gone. If there was a full sized sedan going slowly down Northwest Highway (more often than not driven by a man in a hat), odds are it was headed for the Bovis House.

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Posted by JB at 11:07 PM | Permalink

March 17, 2007

Los Lobos @ Metropolis

I never know what to say after I see a concert. Los Lobos last night at the Metropolis was great. You really can't go wrong with a concert there. In such an intimate venue with great acoustics, the artist would really have to have a bad night for the show to not be at least decent. The first half of the show was mainly traditional Hispanic music (mostly Mexican but at least one Venezuelan song). After the intermission, they switched more into rock mode and hammered out a rousing version of 'Cinnamon Girl'. On their encore, all the women who wanted were pulled on stage to dance with the band

After the show, Los Lobos stuck around to sign autographs and take photos with fans. We didn't stick around for that, but I did get a cool toque and t-shirt.

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Posted by JB at 11:31 PM | Permalink

March 16, 2007

Arlington Heights Trustee Candidates Video

Campaign signs have sprouted up all over town signaling the arrival of local election season. Polls will open on April 17th for electing Arlington Heights trustee, school, park, library and township boards.

I'm especially interested in the Village Trustee elections (as there is a certain current nasally -voiced trustee that I think needs to go). The Daily Herald and Arlington Heights Memorial Library have put together an informational video that introduces the candidates for Arlington Heights Trustee. Each candidate gets one minute to introduce themselves and give a quick pitch on why you should vote for them. Please watch and of course, vote too.

A.H. Trustees Candidates Video

Recorded at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

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Posted by JB at 10:21 AM | Permalink

March 14, 2007

Bovis House Meets The Wrecking Ball

Drove down Northwest Highway towards the end of the afternoon and saw a fence surrounding the closed Bovis House restaurant. As I pulled closer, I saw that the back quarter of the restaurant was already leveled. Bye bye Bovis House. I assumed that someone would move in an try to make a go of it, but the parking is not all that great there. Several times I saw vehicles from the Accent Cafe (in Des Plaines I believe) in the lot and thought they might be interested in a new location.

My guess is that the space stays vacant for awhile. Then again, maybe they'll try to wedge some sort of housing in the space.

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Posted by JB at 11:23 PM | Permalink

March 11, 2007

Enter - A Piano Bar

Catching up on a weeks worth of email and RSS feeds and my body is still trying to get into synch with Central Standard Time.

This little local news nugget was in the pile. I've heard rumors of a piano bar coming to downtown Arlington Heights for a while. Turns out those rumors are true as the village board approved plans for the Big Shots Restaurant and Piano Lounge in the space formerly occupied by The Boiler Room (2 S. Vail Ave). Hope they can make that space work out, as it seems like a cool spot for a little music venue.

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Posted by JB at 9:57 PM | Permalink

February 15, 2007

Lone Skier

A souvenir from the recent snowstorms. Taking advantage of the empty unplowed streets.


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February 8, 2007

CoCo Key Cold Snap

The deep cold snap shut down the new Coco Key water park for a few days. The park was shut down Saturday through Wednesday afternoon as the heating system had trouble keeping 195,000 gallons of water at a toasty 84 degrees. Things are back up and running. Considering that the temps barely got above zero for a few day, keeping a giant water park balmy is an HVAC marvel.

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Posted by JB at 9:02 AM | Permalink

February 7, 2007

Windy City Pulp And Paper Convention

conanIt's cold...damn cold. It's the season for nesting and outside of the snow sculpting competition this weekend, there isn't much going on.

Events are starting to pop up for the spring like the Windy City Pulp and Paper Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest (Arlington Park Sheraton) on May 4-6. Hopefully it will be a rainy weekend, because I wouldn't mind checking out the old pulp movies especially the silent Call of Cthulhu film.

If it's sunny and warm, it will be hard to get my nerd on though. What I wouldn't give for a day in the high 60's right now.

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Posted by JB at 9:17 AM | Permalink

January 31, 2007

Los Lobos Tickets Still Available For Metropolis Shows

los lobosAccording to an email today from the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, there are still a few tickets left for the two Los Lobos shows on March 15th and 16th. Frankly, this is shocking news and as soon as word gets out those few tickets will be sucked up fast. So hurry up and get those tickets!!!

I grabbed a pair of tickets way back when they first went on sale. While I am only a casual Los Lobos fan, you can't pass up a chance of seeing a band of this caliber in such an intimate venue.

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Posted by JB at 12:26 AM | Permalink

December 28, 2006

Snow Sculpture Competition Moves To Randhurst

snow sculpture

The contest has been re-scheduled to the February 9-11 in the hopes of colder weather...

The Third Annual Snow Visions Snow Sculpting Contest has moved from Roosevelt University to Randhurst Mall in Mount Prospect on January 12th - 14th (see note above). It's hoped that moving the contest to a more visible and larger area will attract more spectators (80,000 last year). Hopefully, the weather will cooperate too.

The blog posts of last year's event can be found here and here as well as a Flickr photo gallery of the creations. This event is a true winter jewel for the area and with the added benefit of being free, is there any better way to spend a winter weekend?



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Posted by JB at 11:24 AM | Permalink

December 19, 2006

Jonathan Spector - A.H. Native in the Premiership

In my passive trolling for Arlington Heights news, I discovered another Arlington Heights native playing soccer abroad - Jonathon Spector. He popped up on the news as he scored a goal in West Ham United's 1-0 upset win over powerhouse Manchester United.

Spector has been in the FA Premier league since 2004, signing with Manchester United who eventually loaned him to Charlton Athletic. In June he moved West Ham United (I can't figure out if it was a trade or free agent move as I don't fully understand the lingo and how players are moved in the Premiership). He was part of Team USA, but did not play in the World Cup because of a separated shoulder. Spector's soccer career has a lot of highlights (more than I care to list here), so I would recommend checking out his Wikipedia page or his player bio and news headlines on Yanks Abroad.

We recently upgraded to digital cable and now have the Fox Sports Soccer channel. With two Arlington Heights guys in the Premiership (Brian McBride plays for Fulham and maybe more that I haven't found out about yet) there's some additional reasons to check out the games.

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December 16, 2006

AHML Online

There's a lot of internet goodness going on at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library (AHML) beyond the free Wi-Fi.

The online answer services of the AHML and other Illinois libraries are getting some attention in the press with the demise of Google Answers. Using your chat client or email, you can ask a librarian at the AHML for help in answering your question and best of all, it's free. AHML Virtual Services Librarian, Bill Pardue explains the question answering services of AskAwayIllinois and the AHML in the Hypertext blog at the Chicago Tribune. In fact there is a YouTube video with Mr. Pardue, that walks through the question answering services at the AHML.

This existence of this video brings up another cool thing the library is doing - they're video blogging. The 'Lib VLog' section has the latest happenings at the library and it's updated three times a week. Keeping in mind that I'm a bit biased in favor of blogging; the VLog is a great channel to get the word out about what's going on in a timely fashion (especially when I think about how many times the monthly library newsletter made it to the recycling bin before I read it).

Last but not least is NorthStarNet Arlington Heights, an online directory maintained by the Arlington Heights library, that has links to just about anything Arlington Heights related you could imagine. Plus it has links to upcoming events in town as well as links to the services at the library. Best of all there is a link to this humble site.

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December 8, 2006

Arlington Park Goes Synthetic

The giant mounds of dirt that stretch along the Euclid Road side of the track property, told passers-by that Arlington Park was doing something with the track surface. I assumed that they were probably putting down a new sub-layer in response to the 20+ catastrophic horse breakdowns last year.

In reality, Arlington Park is doing much more than that as they announced that they are replacing the dirt track with a synthetic racing surface. The new surface will cost around $10 million and will be ready for the 2007 racing season which starts May 4th. Four other tracks in the U.S. use a synthetic surface.

This is probably one of the only ways to dispel the ghosts of the horse breakdowns of last year. Despite the consultants that said the track was fine and additional pre-race exams by vets, the breakdowns kept mounting. The first inevitable breakdown will bring the tracks safety into question again and bring back the P.R. nightmare. Hopefully the new surface will dispel any doubts of the tracks safety.

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December 2, 2006

Paprikash Review On ABC 7

The affable Steve Dolinsky had a review of Paprikash (602 W. Northwest Hwy. in Arlington Heights) on the ABC7 news yesterday. The video and transcript of the review is available on their website. If the video is still up, I'd suggest giving it a view as the creation of their Beef Wellington is something to behold in all it's artery clogging goodness.

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November 29, 2006

Metropolis Re:Create

The folks at the Metropolis Preforming Arts Centre have redone their website and have a new online magazine called re:create. A letter from Metropolis Executive Director Tim Rater tells the story of some recent successes. Hope it's a sign of more good things to come.

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Posted by JB at 8:56 PM | Permalink

November 28, 2006

Oooh, Look At The Blinky Lights...

Looking at the server logs of Harvard Avenue, I see that there are people searching for info on the Christmas light show at Arlington Park (2200 W. Euclid Avenue in beautiful Arlington Heights for those who have never been to Arlington Park). Why oh why the fascination with paying money to see Christmas lights? Too much trouble to look outside at your neighbor's tacky light displays?

Here is the official page for the oh so Christmas-y sounding: 'Washington Mutual presents Clearbrook's Wonderland of Lights'. Ahhh...nothing says 'Happy Holidays' like corporate sponsorship.

All kidding aside, the money raised from the light show goes to Clearbrook, which provides services to children and adults with developmental disabilities.

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November 26, 2006

Metaphors Gallery

Metaphors Gallery

Wow, a downtown Arlington Heights gallery that isn't full of pieces that look like they came from a 'Starving Artists' sale. (I'm kidding just a bit. The gallery that used to be at the corner of Vail and Campbell a year or two ago had some interesting pieces.) We popped into Metaphors Gallery on Saturday. The gallery is a breath of fresh air; full of lively fresh contemporary art. The pieces that I was drawn to, which were quite a few, were fairly priced to boot.

This Saturday, December 2nd, Metaphors is having a Grand Opening celebration starting at 6 p.m. I may have to stop by. There is some digital artwork there that I would be interested to learn the steps to it's creation. Plus there's food and entertainment which are always welcome on an aimless Saturday night.

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November 7, 2006

My Pen! And Other Problems

my pen!

Turns out there is a voting controversy in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago including Arlington Heights. It doesn't involve electronic voting, but surprisingly the low-tech pen. There was a pen shortage at polling places causing complaints and delays.

Gilda Karu, vice president of the League of Women Voters for Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect and Buffalo Grove, said Arlington Heights precinct had four pens for five booths when she voted at 6:30 a.m. "There should've been a box of pens there," Karu said. "People could walk off with the pens or they could run out of ink."


According to the Daily Herald story, Cook County officials said that the pens cost $1.14 each so they had to limit the amount of pens they passed out. $1.14 for a pen! I wonder who has the contract to sell pens to the county. Inga voted with a paper ballot and on hearing the pens cost $1.14, said 'the pens weren't that nice'.

In addition to the shortage of pens, the television news is reporting problems with the downloading of the data from the Sequoia voting machines in the Northwest Suburbs. Sequoia is saying they tried to push too much data through the counting process and the computer(s) crashed.

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Posted by JB at 9:28 PM | Permalink

My Electronic Voting Experience

There has been a lot of justifiable concern of electronic voting this year (Dial 1-866-OUR-VOTE if you have any problems voting or see anything that isn't kosher). I went to vote this morning. Our voting precinct is pretty small compared to the other precincts that surround us, so there was only one electronic voting machine and about 5 paper voting stations. The sole electronic voting machine was available, so I took the opportunity to take it for an election day test drive.

I was given a small cardboard ticket similar to a CTA pass and led to the machine. The worker put my ticket in the slot of the machine, told me I was all set to go and the ticket would eject when the the voting was complete. The card has a chip in it that activates the machine. When the card is ejected, it is also erased which prevents multiple uses/votes. I sat down and met the Sequoia AVC Edge II Plus, face to face.

AVC EdgeSince using the machine this morning, I've learned that the Sequoia AVC Edge II Plus has some issues like having a reset button 'feature' that some say can be used to stuff the ballot box and not being certified to use by the Illinois State Board of Elections when early voting started in Cook County. I couldn't find information if it had been approved by election day. Knowing how things work in Cook County, I doubt it was.

In my experience today, the machine was easy to use and there were no obvious problems. (Some issues would make for a more exciting post though...) All the right names popped up on the screen and a big green check mark appeared next to the correct name after making my choice. After finishing the 13 screens of voting choices, there was a review all my choices on the screen with a chance to change or approve them. These machines were also equipped with a printer to provide a paper trail (why isn't this required everywhere?). Behind a plexiglass screen on the side of the voting machine, my choices were printed off a long strip of paper to be verified for a second time, with another chance to make corrections. After this second approval step, the paper was pulled into the machine for storage and the voting card ejected. There is a step-by-step demo on how to use the machine here.

On the surface everything with the whole process seemed to be problem free. I'm sure there are possibilities for shenanigans, but they were there in the past too. Now we have the opprotuntiy for new digital shenanigans instead of the tired and dusty paper ones we were used to. The problem with the whole electronic voting thing is that it doesn't seem to solve anything that a better designed paper ballot couldn't. All the potential problems still exist.

Personnally, the paper trail gives me some piece of mind if an issue were to pop-up here, it could maybe be addressed. We still get to choose between electronic and paper voting which I hope is still an option for a long time to come. If there are problems, I'll opt for the paper ballot next time. I am still concerned with the machines in areas with a history of problems like Ohio and Florida, but from my local view in Arlington Heights Illinois, the electronic voting seemed to work just fine today.

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November 3, 2006

Governors Race Slithers Through Town

When we went out to dinner tonight, there were several insanely large clusters of Topinka signs on Northwest Highway and Arlington Heights Road that I didn't notice before. Seeing the evening news, they were probably some kind of preemption or reaction to Blagojevich visiting Arlington Heights today. He stopped into Dunton House to shake hands and such.

I would rather have both gubernatorial candidates stay out of town and go back into the holes they crawled out of. They're both embarrassments and equally repulsive choices for governor without an honest bone between the two of them. It's lose/lose choices like this that make people stay home on election day in disgust that there is no one evenly halfway decent to vote for.

I'll be curious to see how many votes the Green Party candidate for governor will get . There are a lot of other reasons to get out and vote this year, so maybe they will pick up a larger than normal percent of protest votes. That's where my vote is going.

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Posted by JB at 11:42 PM | Permalink

Northpoint Sold For $62 Million

northpointcenter.jpgThe NorthPoint Center (the mall at Rand and Palatine roads in Arlington Heights) was sold to a joint venture for $62 million dollars. There are plans to remodel and add a Circuit City.

Why am posting about this? Because I had no concept on how much something like a mall would cost and find it a bit interesting. Not that most of us will ever be in the market to buy a shopping mall.

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September 25, 2006

Oh No....Christmas

Not counting the catalogs with Christmas stuff that have already come in the mail, I had my first and way too early Christmas sighting today. Crews were putting up Christmas lights on the trees downtown on Northwest Highway.

It's September 25th and three whole months until Christmas...

Is it to late to buy my Halloween candy?

Bah Humbug.

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September 24, 2006

Wayne's Pizza

I jumped on the computer to look up the number for Wayne's Pizza. According to their website, they have been making pizza since 1964. Wow! That's staying power; fending off the advances of local and national chains. According to the standards of Joe at the Cheap Date Show, that would qualify them as a 'dining tradition'.

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September 11, 2006

The Cheap Date Show

Last week, I received an email 'Hello' from a fellow Arlington Heights blogger, Joe Lynn. Always good to hear from another blogger in the neighborhood.

Since then, I've become the latest fan of the Cheap Date Show podcast that he puts together with his girl-friend Lisa. As the name suggests, the podcast focuses on cheap eats in the Chicagoland area as well as fun things to do and other assorted tangents. Joe and Lisa sound like they're having a good time doing the show and in turn, makes the podcast fun to listen to.

I'm slowly making my way through the archives as they have been to a bunch of places I have been wanting to try. I've also been comparing their opinions of places that Inga and I have been to as well. So far, it seems like our dining tastes are pretty close. There's a list of restaurants that they've visited on their site so you can go straight to the episode with the place you are interested in. All in all - pretty cool.

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September 3, 2006

Water Park To Open In November

The new water park that is going into the Sheraton Chicago Northwest (the Sheraton hotel next to Arlington Park) will be opening in November. (link requires registration - use bugmenot).

The new 65,000-square-foot indoor CoCo Key Water Resort will open in mid-November at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest Hotel, 3400 W. Euclid Ave. in Arlington Heights.The $25 million resort will have a capacity of more than 1,150 people, and the pool itself will hold about 190,000 gallons of water. Admission will be $30 per person during the week and $40 per person on the weekend.
The water resort will feature a Starbucks coffee shop, four water slides, an activity pool, a floating movie theater, an indoor adventure river, an indoor/outdoor spa, an interactive play island, a wave beach, an outdoor splash pad, a snack bar, a lounge, an arcade, cabanas, a bar and six party rooms.

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September 1, 2006

"Give Me Your Money Or I'll Give You Cooties"

There was a robbery attempt at the Chase Bank at 43 E. Golf Road in Arlington Heights, albeit a poorly planned and executed one (registration required - use bugmenot). A man walked up to the drive-thru and passed a note through the tube to the teller. The note said the paper was infected with a 'bacterial virus' (which one is it, Jesse James?) and demanded cash. The teller panicked and the would be robber ran off. The fire department determined that the note was harmless.

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August 29, 2006

Dog At Liquor Store

dog at liquor store

Took this photo while I was waiting to get a pizza at Acquafredda's Pizzeria Sunday night. BTW, the pizza was pretty good.

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August 14, 2006

Arlington Million and Blimp

Blimp2

Sure, the Arlington Million is the biggest day of year for Arlington Park and Arlington Heights (at least until the Breeder's Cup comes back) with the parties downtown and the national television coverage, but the Arlington Million means one thing to me...blimps.

Parties and high stakes races are fine, but I get a kick out of the blimp that slowly flies over our house. Every year about an hour before the race, the blimp doing aerial shots of track passes over again and again. It's not loud; sounds like a distant helicopter that steadily drones on as it slowly pushes over. This year it was the Met Life blimp, last year it was Sanyo. There are usually a few low passes, but I think the winds forced them to stay higher.

Blimp1

 

The Mane Event drew an estimated 12,000 people to the party downtown.

The races went off without incident. Last year's winning jockey, Kieren Fallon, was denied his racing license application. His license was revoked in England because of a charge of 'conspiring to defraud bettors'. Gorella won the Beverly D. Showing Up won the Secretariat. Eight year old Tin Man won the Arlington Million.

Continue reading "Arlington Million and Blimp"

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July 30, 2006

U.S. Open Brass Band Championship

I'm just mentioning this because it is one of those things that I didn't know existed, sound goofy and it's in town. The Fourth Annual U.S. Open Brass Band Championship is coming to St. Viator on November 4th. The competitors are: Two-time defending Champions, Brass Band of Central Florida, Eastern Iowa Brass Band, Fountain City Brass Band, Milwaukee Festival Brass, Motor City Brass Band, Sheldon Theatre Brass Band, Jaguar-Coventry Brass Band (in their US Open debut) and the host group, Prairie Brass Band.

If you have a tuba fetish, now you know where to go.

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July 27, 2006

Brian McBride retires from international soccer

Arlington Heights native, Brian McBride announced his retirement from international soccer.

The 34-year-old McBride, who plays for Fulham in the English Premier League, is the second-leading scorer in U.S. national team history with 30 goals in 95 games.
The three-time World Cup veteran has the second-most appearances for the U.S. in World Cup matches with 10, starting all five games in 2002 and scoring one goal each against Portugal and Mexico. He also had the team's only goal in 1998.

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July 21, 2006

Arlington Park Passes Inspection

Earlier this week, Arlington Park passed an inspection by an independent consultant and was deemed safe for racing.

"The track at Arlington is remarkably consistent and uniform," Gregory Coon wrote in a letter to the racing board's executive director, Marc Laino

So that turned out as I expected. Now it's time to come down on over-racing and see if the veterinarians catch anything.

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July 13, 2006

A.H. Library Sells Pirate Ship

I did not see the Arlington Heights July 4th parade (I just don't understand the appeal of parades...), but it looks like the library had a pretty cool pirate ship float to promote their summer reading program. The float builders documented the creation of the float on the site Operation: Eye Patch, documenting the transformation of a 1977 Dodge Titan camper into the pirate-ship float.

pirate ship float

The story doesn't end with a dismantling party after the parade. The float was put up for auction on eBay and sold to a Wisconsin Scuba Diving company for $2,550; a $750 profit for the Friends of the Library who put up the money for the project. That is a terrific idea, though the thought of using to plunder the surrounding towns for booty sounds good too...

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July 6, 2006

Arlington Park's Growing Problem

There is no question that the rash of catastrophic injuries at Arlington Park (17 horses destroyed since May 5th) is a huge problem. The track gets a bad reputation, horse owners hesitate to race at Arlington, and the most important consequence; people stop wanting to go to the track. The good work Arlington Park has done to draw in casual fans and families is going to be quickly undone by the fear of seeing (or the risk of seeing) a thoroughbred break down in front of the wife and kids. This reality might really kick in now that the story is filtering into the national media and is hard to avoid seeing.

We heard the story about the injuries before the holiday weekend, when the number of horses put down hit 15. With this news and thoughts of Barbaro still on her mind, it took some arm twisting to get Inga to the track on Sunday. Had we known that horse #17 broke down the day before (I Love Lisa was the latest casualty), I think it is a safe bet that she wouldn't have gone. Yes, Arlington was packed on Sunday, but the next broken leg is going to be the lead story on the 10 o'clock news and people will find alternate way to spend the afternoon. The equine ambulance that we see when we enter the parking lot has turned into a very ominous sight.

Arlington Park did have an outside consultant inspect the turn for home where all the injuries have occurred said the conditions were fine. The Illinois Racing Board announced today every horse will go through a pre-race physical and increased the number of veterinarians on duty to four. Previously, there was one vet who gave physicals to less than half of the horses.

Now that the track itself has been cleared, the additional physicals will likely bring to light the real reason the horses are breaking down. The majority of people in the business say that the pool of race horses in Illinois is too small and therefore the horses are over raced. Add in over breeding and it's a recipe for problems. I'm putting my money on this being the problem. There may be a lot more scratches, but I'd rather that than more bad news about Arlington Park.

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June 18, 2006

McBride Bloodied In Penalty Filled Tie With Italy

Brian McBride caught an elbow to the face, which resulted in an Italian red card and the horror of all his female fans. As Deadspin put it, McBride was looking more like wrestler Ric Flair at this point.

I didn't watch the game, but by many accounts it was an oddly officiated penalty filled game. With the tie to Italy and Ghana's surprise victory over the Czech Republic, the US are still alive. McBride and Team USA face Ghana on Thursday.

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June 15, 2006

Japan Festival 2006

While in a sudoku and coffee zen state this morning, I had a flash of recollection that the annual Japan Festival was sometime in June. Surprisingly, it hadn't passed but is coming up fast. June 24th and 25th at the Forest View Educational Center (2121 S.Goebbert Road) in Arlington Heights. I'll be there, camera in hand.

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June 12, 2006

Zbikowski Fight Video

Okay this is the last post on Tom Zbikowski until he fights again or does something newsworthy.

Zbikowski's pro-boxing debut is available on YouTube. At a brief 49 seconds, you can squeeze a quick viewing into your day. Personally, I like the second knockdown that ended the fight.

Also, if you were wondering what kind of boxer Robert Bell is, he now has a record of 2-3-0. I have seen a lot worse opponents for a debut fight.

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June 11, 2006

Zbikowski Wins Debut Fight

Tom Zbikowski won his pro boxing debut with a 49 second TKO over Robert Bell.

In the deluge of local stories about him this weekend, it is worth mentioning that he had over seventy amateur fights and is waiting for the results of his Chicago Firefighters exam.




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June 9, 2006

Watching Brian McBride In The World Cup

Brian McBrideAlso on the subject of Arlington Heights athletes on the big stage, keep an eye on Team USA's Brian McBride in the World Cup (which starts today). The Arlington Heights native, who moved up from the MLS to Fulham in the English Premier League is described in Scripps News Service capsule as "[the] Target man is the blunt edge of attack".

I remember doing a few posts a long time ago on the old site, maybe about the last world cup. Since then, I gather from the Google searches, that he has become a bit of a sex symbol and was part of the 2003 SI swimsuit issue with his wife, Dina.

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Posted by JB at 10:26 AM | Permalink

Arlington Heights Boxer Debuts Tomorrow

I was just grazed by the micro-media blitz about the boxing debut of Arlington Heights native, Tom Zbikowski. The buzz isn't because he is from our fair town, but that he is also a safety for Notre Dame. Surprisingly the usually draconian NCAA rules, allow him to be a professional in one sport and keep his college football eligibility (with some caveats).

Zbikowski's four round heavyweight boxing debut will be part of the Cotto v. Malignaggi pay-per-view package this Saturday.

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June 3, 2006

2006 Frontier Days Music Line-up

It just popped in my head to check on one of the sure signs of summer; the announcement of the music acts for Frontier Days. As luck would have it, they have been but I don't know how long this info has been out there. Old news or not, here are the bands that will be visiting Arlington Heights for Frontier Days.

Friday, June 30th - American English (of course. I wonder how many consecutive years they have played Frontier Days? Why not, people love them and by now, their appearance is a tradition.)

Saturday, July 1st - Dave Mason

Sunday, July 2nd - Charlie Daniels Band

Monday, July 3rd - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Tuesday, July 4th - Infinity

So the organizers landed Dave Mason, The Charlie Daniels Band, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Pretty impressive. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will be the tops on my list to see with Dave Mason coming in second.

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May 30, 2006

Arlington Jockey Thrown - Goes To Hospital

Arlington Park Jockey, Eduardo Perez, was thrown off his horse Cats Jazzy on Monday. Cats Jazzy 'broke down' down the stretch and Perez was thrown. He was able to walk away from the accident, but asked to be taken to the hospital (Northwest Community).

I love Arlington Park and horse racing, but the sad reality is that not all horses are treated like Barbaro when they get injured. Barbaro is the exception to the rule since he is so valuable to stud even if he can't race. There is no word on Cats Jazzy, so... Well, lets not assume the worse. I'll keep searching for news on him.

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May 3, 2006

No Arlington Classic Criterium This Year

CriteriumBad news. There will be no Arlington Classic Criterium this year. Surprisingly, the event has not been organized by the village in the past, but by local couple Karen and Jim Inman. The Inmans say they need a break this summer from the time intensive event coordination, as they also run two businesses and have two ankle-biters.

Also the village had not allocated the $10,000 they usually contribute to the event in their 2006 budget. Village Manager, Bill Dixon, said that if their was a public outcry, they would look at taking over the event.


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March 15, 2006

Mitsuwa Arlington Heights/Chicago Site

When I was in Mitsuwa yesterday (a Japanese Marketplace), they were promoting the website for their market pretty heavily, so I am assuming that it is new. Regardless, it is an excellent site with lots of information about Japanese cultural events at the store, a sake guide, info on the many restaurants and of course sale info. You can also make purchases through the site. Excellent!

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March 13, 2006

Finally Fuego

After much waiting and being turned back by the crowd, we finally ate at Fuego (in downtown Arlington Heights this weekend).

The restaurant itself has a very cool decor with the large murals on the walls and vaulted wood ceiling. They spent as much time on the inside as they did with all the touches on the outside. Though not much of a drinker, the bar area was impressive. There was a nice mixed drink menu that had a nice variety without being too big. We had a mojito and a margarita which were both very good. Watching the bartenders hand mix margaritas and checking out all the exotic bottles behind the bar makes the table wait go fast.

As to the food, it had all of the classic Mexican dishes plus some interesting variations like my poblano burrito. Everything was fresh, but Inga and I were disappointed that the dishes seemed 'Americanized' by toning down the bold Mexican flavors. The tomatillo sauce on my burrito was very pedestrian bland and Inga's vegetable fajita was good, but was simply grilled veggies with no added spice.

Fuego wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. There are lots of Mexican restaurants with toned down dishes. Maybe that is what people like, but then again people like Olive Garden and Chili's too. For Americanized Mexican, it is good. Personally, I'll stick with authentic not as pretty places like Las Torres in Des Plaines.

From this sites logs, I can see that there are a lot of searched for Fuego. Their website is www.fuegomexgrill.com though it currently has no info other than an address and phone number. They are open everyday for lunch and dinner.

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March 8, 2006

Fire Fest and Illinois Youth Soccer Expo

The Chicago Fire is hosting their annual fan event 'Fire Fest' in Arlington Heights in conjunction with the Illinois Youth Soccer Expo. Here are the details:

The Chicago Fire has announced a return to the northern Chicagoland suburbs to host the 2006 FireFest on Saturday, Mar. 18 at the Forest View Educational Center, located at 2121 S. Goebbert Rd. in Arlington Heights, IL. For this year's edition of FireFest, the Fire organization has partnered with Illinois Youth Soccer and the 2006 Illinois Youth Soccer Expo for an exhibition and seminar event that will take place from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. CT. Admission to the FireFest/Illinois Youth Soccer Expo is free of charge, but all those who attend must be registered in advance. For more information on how to register, please visit www.Chicago-Fire.com or www.illinoisyouthsoccer.org.

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February 24, 2006

Paprikash

According to the Daily Herald, Paprikash (located on Northwest Highway in the old Rapp's location) will be opening in about two weeks.

The owners have another restaurant, of the same name, in Chicago on Laramie. The Paprikash website has a menu if you want to get an idea of what to be in store for. Accord to the site, they were featured on 'Check Please' on WTTW Channel 11, which rings a bell. I'll have to keep an eye on the reruns.

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February 9, 2006

Snow Sculpture Contest This Weekend

Fran Volz Snow SculptureThe Second Annual Chicagoland Snow Sculpting Competition, founded and organized by Arlington Heights sculptor Fran Volz, is this weekend at the Campus of Roosevelt University in Schaumburg (near Ikea). Last year's event drew 80,000 to 100,000 people and this year is expecting similar crowds. The event was originally supposed to be held in January but was postponed do to warm weather. Public viewing will be on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m, to 10 p.m.

Fran Volz is the creator of the William Dunton statue in downtown Arlington Heights and the long time series of large snow sculptures on his front lawn on Arlington Heights Road.

You can see the sketches of this year's proposed entries here and last year's entries here.

Fran's snow sculptures can be seen here and his bronze sculptures can be seen here.

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February 6, 2006

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February 1, 2006

Pics

customer-parking


palatine-ambulance

The ambulance came by as I was taking the top picture at Jimmy's on Northwest Highway and New Wilke.

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January 22, 2006

Alan Greenspan / Arlington Heights connection

Found this little piece of Arlington Heights and Alan Greenspan trivia on the Forbes Magazine website in a story called "Greenspan - Economist as Pop Culture Phenom"

Alan Greenspan Way. For one month in 2000, the Fed chief had a street named after him in Arlington Heights, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. The honor was the brainchild of 75-year-old Al Smith, a retired bank liquidator who was miffed that the city of Chicago had named a street after Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.
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Pizza In A Bowl / Pizza For Adults

I like to stick to Arlington Heights restaurants, but this is right on the edge of town, so I'll include it anyway.

Last night, looking for a change, we tried the new Chicago Pizza Company, on 1657 Algonquin Rd (near Golf Rd in the shopping complex with Sam's Club and Wal-mart). They advertise that they are the home of 'Pizza In A Bowl'. When I told Inga about this, she said "It sounds like lasagna". When we walked in, the host asked us if we had been there before and explained what a 'pizza in a bowl' is. The host explained that they don't have thin crust / thick crust and that turns some people off. Undeterred we went in.

The interior is dark and woody with tall booths that offer privacy from the other tables. The bar looks nice and would be a fine place to wait for a table, if necessary.

So this 'pizza in a bowl' thing, what is it. Basically I decided the best way to describe it is pizza for adults. They offer three types of pizza: sausage, vegetarian and spinach. The pizza ingredients are put in a bowl, capped with dough, and baked. The pizza comes to your table looking like a delicious golden brown mushroom or dome. The bowl gets obscured by the dome-cap. The server takes the pizza-bowl flips it upside-down on your plate, taps and removes the bowl. The dough cap relaxes and the ingredients fill the dough. The result is a pizza that is not greasy and doesn't make you feel too guilty eating. You also have to use a fork and knife, no hands with this one. The fillings are basic, but the quality of the fillings is high. The sauce is tangy-sweet from good tomatoes, not sugar, the whole mushrooms were fresh and cheese was good without being to much. Personally, I am a fan of th taste and texture of the dough-cap.

Chicago Pizza Company doesn't cater to kids and that is fine because I think most kids would hate that it is different. It also is not for the pizza and a pitcher of beer crowd or the people who think more is better (We all know how the size of portions at restaurants has gotten out of hand.) This is more in the league of wood-fired pizza crowd. Pizza taken up a level for adults to enjoy a night out. Quality over quantity.

The menu is simple but also includes sandwiches (which also looked good going by) and salads. One full size pizza-bowl with a salad I think would be fine for a couple who doesn't want to feel over stuffed when leaving. I could see myself being able to finish off a whole one by myself if motivated and in a mood to do some damage to my diet.

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January 11, 2006

Northwest Community Hospital Makes Fortune Magazine List

Our very own Arlington Heights medical institution, Northwest Community Hospital, has made Fortune Magazine's '100 Best Companies To Work For' for 2006!

According to Fortune Magazine:

What makes it [Northwest Community Hospital] so great?
Work and family happily coexist here. Flextime options range from one-day-a-week shifts to nine or ten days every two weeks. Part-timers can also opt for weekend programs and compressed workweeks.

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January 9, 2006

The Joy of Forgotten Tickets

With the headphones on this weekend, listening to my music files shuffle along, I was hit with a sudden feeling of dread. Did I miss the Poi Dog Pondering show at the Metropolis? Panicked, I rifled through my desk drawer and found the tickets. Phew...January 20th!

When you buy tickets so far in advance, you forget about the show and it comes back to sneak up on you months later. The postmark on the ticket envelope is mid-June, so a seven month gap. Time to get pumped about the show! Look at the Poi Dog website, it looks like they took 2005 off and this will be the second show of the year after a New Years show. Considering the very intimate venue, it should be an awesome show!

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January 8, 2006

Arlington Heights Toys 'R Us To Close

The Toys 'R Us in Arlington Heights (on Rand Road), along with 4 others in Illinois, will close it doors this spring. Toys 'R Us which was purchased by a private investment group last year, is closing 73 stores in the U.S. and converting other stores to Babies 'R Us.

A liquidation sale was supposed to begin this weekend. Bargin hunters attack!!!

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December 27, 2005

Arlington Heights Lowe's To Open January 13th

We're all curious and now we know. The Lowe's that is going up in Arlington Heights in the Surry Ridge Shopping Center on Algonquin Road near Golf Road, is opening on January 13th.

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December 22, 2005

Village Website Redesign

Not that it matters much, but the Village of Arlington Heights website has had an overhaul. The old site was fine, but the new site has gone from utilitarian to classy.

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December 5, 2005

Enforsaken

Enforsaken LogoNot only do we have anarchists in Arlington Heights, we also have our own death metal band, Enforsaken. A PR piece in Blabbermouth.net announced that Enforsaken are working on their second album, 'Sinner's Intuition' on the Crash Music label. Checking out the information on their site, they seem to be pretty well established and this second album will be better distributed in major outlets. If you like death metal you can give them a listen on the Enforsaken MySpace page.

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Arlington Heights Five

As a result of the Minuteman protests in October, we now have the 'Arlington Heights Five'. According to a piece in the 'Anarchists In Trouble' section of Infoshop News, the Arlington Heights Five had their day in court on December 1st. Unfortunately, three of the Five were late for their hearing and the judge ordered them arrested. When they did show up, they were taken to 26th and California. I think the Chicago Seven were more prompt. Lets work on that. You don't want to come across as slackers.

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November 29, 2005

Gumrai Thai Has Liquor License

We did go back to Gumrai Thai last week and they do now have a liquor license. I know this is a make or break issue for some. For you guys, you can now go.

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I Tried To Go To Fuego But...

...they were packed. 90 minute wait! I'll try again later, but the restaurant looked cool and the joint was jumping. Granted is was a Friday night and figured they would be packed, but sometimes you have to roll the dice.

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November 23, 2005

Christmas Light Drive-Thru

Here's a Christmas Crap-tacular event in the area, like you needed another... The only plus is that you can do it in the privacy of your car with your dearest family members and not have to worry about being trampled by over sugared brats and middle-age women in teddy bear appliqué clothing.

Here is the press release for the 'Wonderland of Lights' event at Arlington Park as a benefit for Clearbrook

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT: Journey on a spectacular holiday adventure at Clearbrook's Wonderland of Lights, a 1.6 mile dazzling drive-thru light show held daily at Arlington Park Racecourse. Fun for the whole family, the show features millions of lights and animated holiday scenes in a convenient, drive-thru setting.

WHEN: November 18, 2005 - January 1, 2006 Monday - Thursday 5 PM - 9 PM, Friday - Sunday 5 PM - 10 PM Open daily including all holidays

WHERE: Arlington Park 2200 W. Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights Located between Euclid Avenue and Northwest Highway, just east of Route 53 in Arlington Heights. Enter off of Euclid Avenue.

ADMISSION: $10 per car Monday through Thursday $12 per car Friday through Sunday

CHARITY: Proceeds benefit Clearbrook, an Arlington Heights based organization serving more than 2,300 children and adults, and their families, with disabilities.

INFO: Call Santa's hotline at 847-577-HOHO (4646) or visit Clearbrook's website at http://www.clearbrook.org .


Bah Humbug!

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November 21, 2005

Fuego Finally Opens

Personally long anticipated Mexican restaurant, Fuego, finally opened in downtown Arlington Heights. Will pass along my impressions as this holiday week will probably be a good time to check it out.

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October 24, 2005

Gumrai Thai

gumrai Gumrai Thai opened last weekend and after trying them, we have a big problem; two good Thai restaurants about two blocks from each other. How to choose between Gumrai Thai and AltThai? The good news is that while both are good, they are both very different.

Gumrai Thai is at 170 N. Arlington Heights Road at the corner of Northwest Highway (next to the Egg Harbor Cafe in the space formerly occupied by Edwardo's) in downtown Arlington Heights. Gumrai's dining area is open and inviting with simple Thai decoration. In fact the dining room is downright spacious with plenty of room between tables and no worries about hearing the conversations around you. The menu is large with all the traditional Thai fair, but also make forays into Chinese and Japanese dishes, making Gumrai a good option for mixed parties with non-Thai fans. Some of the Japanese dishes (soba noodles and tempura especially) may be choices on some of my next visits.

We started with a cucumber salad and 'Golden Bags' (crab and shrimp lightly fried in a pastry bag - excellent). Inga had the curry noodles (red curry and wide rice noodles) and I had one of their house specialties, the Salmon Chu-Chee (grilled salmon with chu-chee curry sauce). Both we very good though the vegetables were lacking. The vegetables in the curry noodles seemed like a throw in and the broccoli and carrots that came with the salmon were uninspired. The salmon in contrast was excellent: fresh, cooked perfectly and a very generous portion. Overall it was very good and we'll make it a regular part of our dining circuit.

Compared to AltThai, Gumrai is not as fancy and is a better option for families. AltThai is a classy, modern, little place with Thai dishes that explore new takes on classic dishes. It's cozy and great for couples. Gumrai is more traditional, better for larger (louder) parties and has the advantage of plenty of parking. There are times when we are in the mood for Thai, but don't feel dressed-up enough for AltThai (not that AltThai is dressy, but we feel that you don't go to a place like that in a t-shirt and track pants). Gumrai has the edge in carry-out if you don't live in the surrounding high-rises as it is much easier to park and run in. This is a make or break option for some, but I do not know if Gumrai has a liquor license. I didn't notice anything on the menu, so I'll have to confirm that. AltThai has an extensive wine list, so for some that would be a big edge for AltThai.

So overall, Gumrai Thai is good and worth visiting. AltThai is better, but Gumrai has it's pluses too, that will make us come back.

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October 20, 2005

Photographing The Photographer

photographer

Outside the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

I am starting to have a small collection of photos of photographers, which of course means a theme gallery in the future.

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Arlington Park - Lexus Event

If you were around Arlington Park last week and weekend, you could tell from all the signs Lexus was having one of those mini-auto shows there. Chicagoist attended and recapped the Lexus happening.

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Arlington Market Development

Plans were introduced to the Arlington Heights planning commission to redevelop Arlington Market on Dryden and Kensington. The plan calls for 112 condos, 55 single family homes and 40,000 sq ft of retail space.

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October 16, 2005

Minutemen and Protestors Face-Off in Arlington Heights

Minutemen and Pro-immigration sides face-off in Arlington HeightsThe first summit of the Chicago Minutemen project met in Arlington Heights at the Christian Liberty Academy and were met by about 500 demonstrators, mainly from the Coalition of African, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois. We live just a few blocks from where the meeting face-off occurred, but unfortunately didn't notice anything until the crowds had moved away down Euclid towards the courthouse. There were police and tactical vehicles from all over the area in our neighborhood. Five protesters were arrested for assaulting police officers.

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October 11, 2005

Jarrett Payton Week Two - First Touchdown

In a follow-up to Jarrett Payton starting in his first NFL regular season game; this week he had his first NFL touchdown last Sunday versus the Houston Texans. Way to go! I don't know if he'll play much more after Travis Henry gets back from his drug suspension, but we'll see,

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October 3, 2005

Asian Bistro

Why, why, why do I miss the obvious sometimes. I felt a bit guilty this weekend, after finishing another great meal at the Asian Bistro, that I had not had a mention of it on HarvardAvenue. Shame on me as it is one of the gems of Arlington Heights dining. It is time to right a wrong.

Asian Bistro, located at 65 W. Golf Rd (at Arlington Heights Rd) in Arlington Heights, is not your typical Chinese restaurant. Forget what your typical Americanized neighborhood Chinese restaurant is like. The Asian Bistro has a colorful loft style look with art and graceful Chinese touches. The menu is huge with every Chinese dish you can imagine (and others you have not seen before) as well as Thai and Vietnamese dishes, though they tout their specialty as Mandarin and Szechwan. Dishes range from the traditional (real) Chinese to Americanized fare, but you cannot go wrong either way. Everything is fresh and homemade; none of those pre-made cabbage filled egg rolls that other places serve. Personal favorites are the Scallion Pancakes and the Kung Pao Tofu.

There is a full bar as well as a long list of fruit drinks and teas. A pot of Jasmine tea is highly recommended.

The best thing about Asian Bistro are the people. The wait staff is helpful and friendly and the owner is always present with a warm smile, checking up on things.

Carry out is available. Check them out!

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October 2, 2005

Jarrett Payton Makes NFL Game Debut

Jarrett Payton, son of Walter Payton and St. Viator graduate, made his NFL pro game debut today with the Tennessee Titans. Payton entered the game after an injury to starting running back Chris Brown versus the Titans. His day ended with four carries for 37 yards in a losing effort against the Indianapolis Colts.

Many years ago, when Jarrett Payton was a child, he came with his mother to my parents house, as my Mom did some sewing work for Mrs. Payton. We had a dog at the time. Max, who was half Rhodesian Ridgeback which is a breed that has a strip of hair down the back that goes the backwards forming the 'ridge'. Jarret asked 'what is wrong with that dog's back?'. Okay, not a very exciting story, but now my parents can say that they had an NFL pro player in their home.

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September 28, 2005

Weird Crime Follow Up

The man who was arrested in Arlington Heights this weekend with fake license plates, police equipment and multiple i.d cards, was released on bail Monday. The F.B.I. did check him out. He is due in court October 24th in Rolling Meadows.

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September 25, 2005

Water Park Coming to Sheraton

We will be getting a water park in Arlington Heights that will supposedly rival those in Wisconsin, at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest on Euclid and Rohlwing road (next to Arlington Park). The proposed park is over 46,000 sq ft and will hold over 1100 people.

Now they will have another attraction besides the hawks living on the balcony.

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Arlington Heights Weird Crime Weekend

Two weird crime stories in Arlington Heights this weekend.

First, a man wielding a 3 foot long samurai sword attacked his wife's friend as she tried to intervene in a domestic dispute on Thursday. The victim was cut several times but none of the wound were life threatening. The man fled the scene but was arrested the next morning at his work.

The second crime was on Friday as a man was pulled over for traffic violation. The car was found to have red and blue emergency lights, police scanner, cb as well as fake (homemade) New York state license plates. The driver was carrying California and Illinois drivers licenses, a Hong Kong residency card, and a passport showing recent travel to Canada, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The driver was charged with unlawful use of red and blue flashing lights, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and failure to signal turns. The F.B.I. has also been called in to check out the individual.

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September 23, 2005

HarvardAvenue.com and email back up

Took longer than anticipated, but everything is back up. If you sent any emails to the harvardavenue.com or .net addresses recently, please resend them.

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September 22, 2005

Arlington Park 2005 Season Review

Arlington Park issued a press release recapping the 2005 racing season.

Some of the highlights:


  • $54,070,047 was wagered over the course of the season, which was a 2.8% decrease from the previous year. (2005 season was 2 days shorter than 2004)
  • The average daily amount wagered was $575,213.
  • Total attendance was 715,023 with an average daily attendance of 7,607.

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September 20, 2005

So Long Rapp's. Hello Paprikash.

Rapp's

Long time Arlington Heights seafood restaurant, Rapp's at 602 W. Northwest Highway has closed it's doors. A new eatery is already setting up shop here, as Paprikash, a Hungarian restaurant is set to open around November 1st.

Won't we all miss the big neon sign!

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September 17, 2005

Carlos & Carlos Now Open

Carlos & CarlosA follow-up to a previous posting of Downtown Arlington Heights restaurants opening in the future, Carlos & Carlos in the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre building at 111 W. Campbell St has now opened for business. They are open for dinner every day at 5:00 p.m. From the outside, it looks very nice. Unfortunately, there was no menu posted anywhere, so there is no information to share on that subject ( just a little important ). If one goes up later, I'll pass it along.

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Directus Furniture Signs Lease In Southpoint Mall

The Southpoint Shopping Center on Rand Road in Arlington Heights (the one with the Cub Foods) has a new tenant with Directus Furniture signing a lease for 80K sq. Ft.
Googling Directus furniture and their parent company, the Ou Ya Group out of China, I came up with nothing except that the owner is the second richest entrepreneur in China according to Forbes. Guess we'll see what it is like when they open their doors.

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September 10, 2005

Follow Up - Mayor Mulder Elected To Metra Board

As thought would happen, Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder was voted to the Metra board.

Posted by JB at 10:00 AM | Permalink

September 9, 2005

HUD Charges Arlington Park/Churchill Downs

This will probably bring the protestors out again, as HUD has charged Arlington Park with violating the Fair Housing Act. By not allowing families to occupy all the dormatories at the track, HUD says the track is descriminating against families. Arlingto Park says that some of the housing is too close to horses and heavy machinery to be safe for children. (Very simplfied)

Posted by JB at 4:58 PM | Permalink

Mayor Mulder In Line for Metra Board

According to a piece in the Chicago Tribune, Arlington Heights Mayor, Arlene Mulder is a near shoe-in to fill a vacancy on the Metra board. In added drama, there is a segment of the board that wants to push out the Chairman from Lake County, Jeffrey Ladd and out a Cook County member in the lead chair. Mayor Mulder is rumored to be a candidate for the Chairperson position as well.

Note: As of this posting, you do not need a login to look at the linked story. If the Tribune puts a login on the story, do not forget to use 'BugMeNot'.

Posted by JB at 4:45 PM | Permalink

September 7, 2005

Town and Coutry Mall Re-Do

Visited that hot spot of high school days, Town and Country Mall to see how the re-build was going. It's been empty for so long, that it's surprising it didn't go condo.

T-and-C-1.jpg The center/movie theater section is no more.


T-and-C-2.jpg
The new retail space is taking shape.

In the new spaces will be an Ashley Furniture (don't know them and don't care), JoAnn Fabric (boring), and a Dick's Sporting Goods (ALRIGHT!!!!, A+++).

Posted by JB at 12:10 PM | Permalink

AltThai Website Revisited

A while back when I initially wrote about the excellent restaurant AltThai, I mentioned that their website stunk. Revisiting the site, it has been overhauled and has all the info you need including, most importantly, a menu.

Posted by JB at 7:59 AM | Permalink

August 26, 2005

Two New Coffee Shops in Town

Two new coffee shops are coming to Arlington Heights. First is a Java Depot to be put in the remodeled Arlington Park train station. The second will be a cafe operated by Clearbrook at the corner of Central and Wilke. Called the Clearbrook Cafe, it will be used to raise funds for Clearbrook programs and to provide opportunities for developmentally challenged persons that they assist. Great Idea!

Source - Pioneer Press

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August 22, 2005

Balcony Collapse

Five people had minor injuries when the balcony they were on in the Tanglewood Apartments in Arlington Heights, collapsed. Looks like the building inspectors will be busy on Monday.

Don't you love how the Daily Herald tries to draw comparisons between this relatively minor event (though a close call - luckily there was no one underneath.) to the porch collapse in Chicago two summers ago that killed 12 people? Please!

Source:Daily Herald

Now Playing -- Shikasta:Song- Fairweather:Album- Weight Of The Sun

Posted by JB at 11:00 AM | Permalink

August 21, 2005

Kelly Oldsmobile Demolition

Kelly Olds DemolitionKelly Oldsmobile has been closed for awhile now, but now it is truly meeting it's end as the wrecking ball has gone to work. Brownstone-style townhouses are going up in its place.

When the demolition is complete, maybe it will exorcise their old radio jingle that is stuck in my head from childhood. (...has anybody here seen Kelly? Kelly Olds in Arlington Heights! ) AARGH!!!!

Now Playing -- The Afghan Whigs:Song- Now You Know:Album- Gentlemen

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August 19, 2005

New Arlington Heights Restaurants: Here and on the Horizon

There are two new restaurants on the horizon in downtown Arlington Heights and one that just opened.

fuego

First is Fuego at 25 W. Campbell St.(Next to Regina's, near the corner of Vail and Campbell. If the food is as good as the remodeling job they have done on this building, it will be exceptional. The old resale shop has been transformed to a very cool looking restaurant at the very least. Can't wait to try it.

Carlos & Carlos

Carlos & Carlos is located in the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre building at 111 W. Campbell St. I haven't seen much going on here, so I hope they have not hit a snag in opening. It seems like a good location, but the casualties at that location are mounting.

Takkatsu

Last but not least is Takkatsu, tucked away on 161 Wing St., which just opened for business this week. Takkatsu is a Tonkatsu restaurant which means they specialize in a lightly fried breaded pork cutlet among other things. From what I have researched, Takkatsu was formerly in Winnetka and has quite a following despite the relocation taking a long time. I'll give this place a shot soon and post a review.

Now Playing -- Various:  Song- Federico Aubele / Postales:  Album- Ultra Chilled 05.02

Posted by JB at 8:20 AM | Permalink

July 24, 2005

Arlington Heights Car Wash's French Connection

The Northwest Auto Wash on Euclid and Northwest Highway was a stop for French cyclists for the sixth consecutive year. Owner Dan Palenske hooked up with the cyclist six years ago when the cyclists found that the owner of the car wash/truck rental business had been the president of the International Car Wash Association.

Source: Daily Herald

Posted by JB at 11:04 AM | Permalink

July 12, 2005

Arlington Heights Golden Rule Amendment

Arlington Heights trustees voted a 'Golden Rule' into the village code, to counter a swell of complaints originating from the home construction/remodeling boom. Basically it says to work at reasonable hours and stay off/not restrict access to the neighbors property. Just a reminder to the contractors to show common sense. Unfortunately, you have to have a rule in the books about it.


Posted by JB at 11:04 AM | Permalink

June 11, 2005

AltThai

Feeling a little bad about not mentioning this last weekend. We tried the new restaurant AltThai in downtown Arlington Heights last weekend. Looks like we have a new favorite Thai restaurant!

AltThai is a bit on the small side, so it gets crowded fast during the peak dining hours. The set-up is very modern/hip with a cool water sculpture and wine bar as focal points. The menu is quite large with all the Thai classics plus many other new takes on Thai flavors. I had a catfish curry featured on the house specials that was incredible. Inga had a tofu based dish that she can't remember exactly that she also enjoyed.

AltThai has a website that is in desperate need of attention! How about a menu and a graphic that hasn't been blown up so much that it is pixelated and unreadable! But I digress.

AltThai is awesome. Check it out, but leave a table for us!

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