Back to Our Old Stomping Grounds-- Part 3: Hawthorne Mall (Now Westfield)

Back when we lived at the apartment in Vernon Hills (1974-1975), a new indoor shopping mall was opened by Milwaukee Avenue (Il-19) and Il-60 named Hawthorne. It became an immediate hit for us, especially with a Greek restaurant called the Athens. Absolutely loved their gyros, which was a new thing for us back then. One of the first places to have it in the area.

We continued to go back even after we moved to Round Lake Beach. At the time, Hawthorne Mall sat essentially by itself. Now, there is more shopping in the area around it than in the mall. It is regular strip mall/big box America.

Definitely a safer place for me to go and not spend money as there is not a single book store or record/CD store in the whole place.

 Saving My Money. --RoadDog

Back to Our Old Stomping Grounds-- Part 2: Bill's Pub

July 16th, we drove to Libertyville for a concert in Independence Grove. Much of the way, was the route I used to take going to my teaching job in Round Lake for two years back from 1973 to 1975 from Des Plaines and then Vernon Hills. Quite a few changes since then.

We decided to go to our old favorite place to eat, Bill's Pizza in Mundelein, and I have to say, other than the sign warning about peanuts (in this age of people who will die or get really sick or die if they come into contact with peanuts, something I had never heard of before until the last decade or so) and, of course, prices, this place hasn't changed a bit.

Right away, the waitress brings you a basket of peanuts which you munch and throw the shells on the floor (something I am not allowed to do at home). We ordered the classic Bill's Special pizza which is essentially a garbage pizza with a whole lot of great toppings. And, it tastes just the same. Some of the best-ever pizza. 

Then, there is the North Woods decor with all the stuffed animals, fish and heads.

Great Fun and Eating. --RoadDog

Back to Our Old Stomping Grounds: Mundelein and Vernon Hills-- Part 1

Back on July 16th, we drove to Libertyville, planning on seeing Mr. Myers perform that Tuesday night at Independence Grove. Unfortunately, there was no show due to a bomb scare. Since then, police have found the culprits.

Every Tuesday during the summer they have a concert at the forest preserve, costing $5 a carload if you arrive after 5. Thinking about trying to see another concert there tonight, this time by a group called "Three Guys in Kilts" playing Irish music and oldies.

Of course, these are our old stomping grounds as we lived an apartment in Vernon Hills for a year back in 1974 to 1975 before we moved to our new house in Round Lake Beach.

--RoadDog

Blackhawk Parade and Rally-- Part 8: A Rare Chicago Championship

Now, all festivities are on the stage with a regular sea of red out in front of it. I like the red jerseys best by far. The mayor got up and off before anyone had a chance to boo, but Quinn's, the govs., greeting more than made up for it. Of course, all this for a practically forgotten team as late as six years ago.

Of course, we also know that due to salary cap, a whole lot of the members of the 2010 team were playing elsewhere for the next season. Stan Bowman had the job of rebuilding that team.

When he spoke he said today was his birthday and that it "was the best birthday ever." At which point, the crowd started singing "Happy Birthday."

When it was Coach Quennville's time to speak, the chant was "Q." Letty Sherry said she had waited 49 years for 2010 and now three years for this one and wants them to do it again.

Good Day to be a Hawks Fan. --RoadDog

Four Days, Six Bands, Five Bars, Two Festivals and Eight Clydesdales

Good times around here since Thursday.

JULY 25TH: It's Thursday Festival in Antioch. Eight-horse team of Clydesdales at Anastasia's. Wings at Sequoit Lodge. The great Funk du Jour 12-piece band with horn section at the Antioch Grandstand.

JULY 26TH, FRIDAY: Rain all day. One of the last NTN games (they're dropping it after twenty years) at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes. Italian Bomber sandwiches.

JULY 27TH, SATURDAY: Walla-palooza Cancer Fundraiser in Johnsburg. Saw the bands Days of Mayhem (heavy metal), Partyhardigans (you've got to see 'em to believe 'em) and American English (Beatles tribute).

Then, went to Captain's Quarters for Selective Recall (80s band).

JULY 28TH, SUNDAY: Classic car show in Spring Grove. Bloody Mary at Dirty Rooster overlooking Grasslake. Rhythm Kings playing at Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake. Firepit on Grand Strand (sun patio). 

Good Times. Why Go Away on Vacation? --RoadDog

Ice Cream!!

Last night, while at the bonfire on the Grandstrand...well firepit, I heard the distinctive sound of an ice cream truck several blocks away...one of those special sounds of summer.

I was not the only one who heard it as from somewhere off in the distance, I heard a child's voice yelling, ala Homer Simpson, "Ice Cream!!"

Somewhere, off there in that distance, a parent got $2 poorer.

The Sound of Summer. --RoadDog

It Would Appear We're Back to the Run-On Paragraphs

Once again I can't compose in the body of the writing and I'm not sure exactly what I did a couple weeks ago to fix it.

Like I said, I hate run-on paragraphs.

Today is September 22, 2018, and right now I am going back and putting in paragraphs for eight months of seven blogs.

Hope I do. RoadDog

No More NTN at Donovan's Reef

I have to admit that we had kind of been expecting it for quite some time, but yesterday when we went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, we found out that the owners were going to drop NTN, National Trivia Network, also called Buzztime.

We have been playing NTN there since at  least 1994 and really putting the place on the NTN Top Twenty Board.  We've had people from all over the U.S. visit because they say they've seen us on the rankings so many times.

We generally go there once a week to play and have noticed that fewer and fewer people are playing.  Most of the regulars completely ignore the game.

With it costing $450 a month for ten boards, that is a lot of money being spent for little return, so I am not surprised.

Barb says they will keep it until some friends we met in Myrtle Beach come a visit in early August.

The last seven years or so, the people running NTN have done one thing after another to anger me and try to attract a different group of players, so I have grown disenchanted with it so this will not cause me to miss it as much.

Things Change.  --RoadDog

What to Do Today?

Well, it finally rained all day yesterday, something we badly needed.  Since I hadn't cut the grass in over two weeks, perhaps that is in order for today.  But only if it gets sunny, which it hasn't yet at 8:57 AM.

We have two options for this afternoon.

Either drive to Wauconda, Illinois, about ten miles south of us and check out their painted Adirondack chairs along the streets and see Terry Spizzirri play out on the deck at Dock's overlooking Bangs Lake.

Either that, or we could also go to Johnsburg, about three miles from us for Wally-Palooza, a fundraiser for cancer.  They have a large number of bands playing there including one I've just heard of, the Partyhardigans which, from what I have found out, is quite a unique group.

Also, American English to their excellent Beatles tribute and capping the entertainment tonight, one of the really popular local bands, Modern Day Romeos.

Of course, the weather plays a lot in our decision.  Not only is it overcast, but quite chilly.  I even had to wear a sweatshirt out on the front porch this morning to eat breakfast.

What to Do, What to Do?  --RoadDog

JAB'D Wednesday

As in Just Another Boating Day.

This past Wednesday, we got in a rare day boating.  Sure like to do more, but last week it was all too hot and this week, with improved weather (cooler) I have been doing yardwork.

Boated over to Hidden Point on Fox Lake and met Kevin and Kelly who had been downriver to McHenry to get passport stamps.  Hidden Point used to be Korpan's for many years and since then has been a whole bunch of places, the best of which was Templeton's Point.

Hidden Point is exactly what a successful bar on the Chain shouldn't be.  No specials, hit-and-miss food (sometimes they have it, sometimes not).  Entertainment on the weekends, well, maybe.

Then, we boated over to NAC, National Athletic Club on Fox Lake's south shore.  Sometimes they are open, sometimes not.  We called ahead to make sure they were open.  It is a private club, but open to boaters who pay full price for drinks.

Two More Passports Signed for the Chain Crawl.  --RoadDog


POLICE COMMENTS TO PERPS  You don't know how fast you were driving?  I guess that means I can write anything I want on the ticket, huh?

Going Places on a Monday

This past Monday, Liz had an eye doctor appointment in McHenry, Illinois.  While waiting for her, I went to some various stores and bought four VHS (that's right, VHS) tapes at the Salvation Army Thrift Store and did some banking.

Then we drove to Broken Oar on Fox River and had lunch, then we went to Kief's Reef, also on the Fox River, for an appetizer.  We used our Chain Crawl coupons and also got our passport stamped at both places.  Hey, 40 bars in one summer by boat, just the challenge.  However, we also drive the car to some of them.

Back to McHenry.  Liz dropped me off at the Vinyl Frontier on Water Street while she went to Vickie's Place and the Snuggery, both on the Fox River, to get two more passport stamps.  I bought three CDs and the first album by the Chicago 60s band Cryan' Shames, Sugar & Spice, featuring that song.

A stop at Sports for l
Less, located by Vickie's, the kind of a place I should always avoid as way too much temptation with all that sports stuff.  I ended up buying two wind-up walking Bear figures and a hockey puck with the 2013 Stanlet Cup (of course, won by the Chicago Blackhawks) on it.

Then to Oak Park Lounge and Hotel, one of the original Chain of Lakes resorts dating back to the 1890s and were entertained by Bomber, the very spoiled and pampered black lab.

That's Five Passport Stamps in One Day.  --RoadDog

Blackhawks Parade and Rally-- Part 7

It was kind of strange to see "Star-Spangles Banner" singer Jim Cornelison without his usual tux belting out the song.  And then there was the United Center yelling and cheering during the song by a million plus people.

They had a montage of the 16 games the Hawks won in the playoffs in order to get the Stanley Cup.  Neither Liz or I could remember who the Hawks played first those six weeks ago.  Turns out it was the Minnesota Wild.  Then, that real hard series against Detroit when, at one point the Hawks were down three games to one, but won those last ones.  Then, it was last year's winners, the LA Kings and then the previous Cup winners, the Bruins.

Team owner Rocky Wirtz got up and said he had to give his speech in one minute and 17 seconds, a real magic number around here as in the last game, with the Hawks down 2-1 with just that amount of time remaining, the Hawks scored twice in 17 seconds then held on to win it all.

There was no sitting whatsoever in Grant Park for the whole thing.  Glad I wasn't there as my feet would be hurting, especially after the walk from Union Station there.

Governor Pat Quinn was roundly booed when he said a few words.  Mayor Emmanuel was up and down so fast there wasn't much chance for him to get booed.

Not Through Yet.  --RoadDog


POLICE COMMENTS TO PERPS:  Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second?  Because that's the speed of the bullet chasing you.

Time for Next Gas Gouge: Gas "Down" to $3.90

Best get over and fill up the cars today as yesterday I saw gas down to $3.90 in Fox Lake, Illinois.  Time  for Big Oil to "pop" it back up to $4.20 (or more).

And, then there was the platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday.  I heard it was natural gas, but they will figure out some reason to use it as an additional excuse.

And, after all, it is still Summer Driving Season.  And, the refineries have cut production.  And, we're shipping oil overseas.

By the way, isn't it time for quarterly reports.  I SURE would like to know how much Big Oil made this last 3 months.  For the most part, these huge profits are kept secret.  Or, at least I don't come across the figures.

Come on, Guys.  --RoadDog


NOT FUNNY.

Good Times This Past Weekend

THURSDAY, JULY 18TH

Movie "Lone Ranger"  then Antioch Taste of Summer.  The band B.B.I..  Cooling off at the Lodge and Wings, Etc.


FRIDAY, JULY 19TH

Movie "Pacific Rim."  Stormy Monday for drinks with Usual Suspects.


SATURDAY, JULY 20TH

Classic Boat Show at Freddie's Roadhouse in Fox Lake, Vietnam Traveling Wall in McHenry, McHenry Fiesta Days Art in the Park, Several bands playing at various locations, Town Tap, Polish Legion, After the Fox, Twisted Moose.


SUNDAY, JULY 21ST

Antioch Taste of Summer, Band 7th Heaven, Rain, The Lodge, Captain's Quarters and band Sugar High.  Chased by rain at both Antioch and Captain's, unfortunately, none of that rain fell at home.

Why I Like to Stay Around Home During the Summer.  --RoadDog

Blackhawks Parade and Rally-- Part 6: Stanley and the Others

The Stanley Cup has to be the most touched and handled trophy of any professional sports.  As a matter of fact, most regular folks do not get a chance to even see the NFL, NBA or MLB championship trophies.  Just millionaires and that sort get to see them.

Well, the Stanley Cup is really "The People's Cup."  It tours, it goes places.  Even now, local stations have a "Where Is It Now" segment to tell where the Cup is and where it will be.  Recently, it was in a Chicago suburb with one of the Hawk front office people (they get to take it for a day as well).  He had "donated" it to a church who charged $25 for a chance to have a photograph taken with it for charity.  One guy put his young baby in the cup bowl.  Now, that will be a cherished keepsake.

I also have to say it is probably the ugliest with the base of it being so much bigger than the cup.

As the buses arrived at Grant Park, we got to see trophy row with Der Stanley and four other trophies the Hawks won this year.  One was for winning the Western Conference, another for the Campbell and the Con Smyth.

One guy interviewed said this was his 8th championship rally that he'd been to: 5 for the Bulls, two for the Hawks and one for the Sox.

Goalie Ralph Emory shoukld do well in free agency since the Hawks were 17-1 in games where he tended the net.  Sorry that he will be leaving as he is a really good goalie, but I'm sure he wants to be the number one goalie, something that wil not be happening with the Blackhawks.

Chelsea Dagger.  --RoadDog

POLICE COMMENTS TO PERPS:  If you run, you will only go to jail tired.

Movie Scratches: Epic-- Steel-- Earth-- Z

Movie Scratches: A Dogs-Eye view of current movies.

25.  EPIC--  5-29--  McHENRY $5--  A war for forest control among the little guys.  You gotta love Ozzie.


26.  MAN OF STEEL--  6-19--  FOX LAKE FREE--  How it all started.  "I am your father, Cal."  Where have I heard that before?


27.  AFTER EARTH--  6-19--  FOX LAKE $6--  A real father-son bonding experience.  Just learn to control your fear so the boogie monster doesn't get you.


28.  WORLD WAR Z--  6-26--  FOX LAKE $4.50--  Fastest-moving zombies I've ever seen with a lot of teeth-clicking.  Be quiet, be very quiet.

No Senior Specials on Sony Films.  --RoadDog


POLICE COMMENTS TO PERPS:  If you take your hands off your car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document.

Blackhawks Parade and Rally-- Part 5: Dumb Hats and the Stanley Cup

A real neat thuing was seeing such Blackhawk legends as Bobby Hull. Stan Mikita, Dennis Savard and Tony Esposito riding on those buses.

Watching some of the Hawk players getting off the buses, I'd have to say some of them did not know where the bill of their hat should go, but, at least the bills were curved, none of those flat bills like the young folk like to wear now.  I don't like those flat bills at all.  At one time, the curved ones had gone too far and were practically touching each side, they were that curved.  As dumb as that looked, it was nothing like the dumbness shown by the flat bills, especially when they are worn backwards or sideways.  At least the Hawk caps were curved.

Then, the announcers talked about the beating the Stanley Cup takes as it travels the whole world going to the hometowns of the Stanley Cup winners, which, as if you didn't know, would be the Hawks this year.  I call the Stanley Cup the "People's Cup."  The NBA, NFL and MLB championship trophies are essentially the "Millionaires Trophies."  Essentially, if you don't have a million dollars or are connected to the owners, you're not going to see them.  The Stanley Cup is the People's Cup.  Lots of non-millionaires and regular folk get to see and touch it.

For That Alone, NHL Is the Best.  --RoadDog


POLICE COMMENTS TO PERPS  Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new.  They'll stretch out after you wear them for awhile. 

Blackhawk Parade and Rally-- Part 4

Another point made were the injuries and hurts that both the Hawk and Bruin players suffered, including the Boston guy who had displaced ribs and played.  The point being a comparison with Chicgo Bulls player Derek Rose, who sat out the entire season with his injuries, even after the doctors cleared him to play.

Of course, today, we heard lots of "Chelsea Dagger."

For the most part, the programming was commercial free and the announcers kept saying this one one was even bigger and better than the celebration in 2010, the last time the Hawks won.  Had I gone, I would have liked to see the prade  by Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, but after seeing all the people there who also were going to the rally, I don't think so.

They wondered whether Coach Q had gotten all the toilet paper off his trees.  The front of his home and yard was absolutely covered the morning after they Hawks clinched on Monday.

WGN reporter Pat Tomazullo was in plenty of out-in-the-street interviews.  We had sure enjoyed his faking out Boston fans by walking the streets of that city with a case about the size of the Stanley Cup and looking very official.  The guy definitely has a sense of humor.  He told one guy wearing his pants kid-style down below his butt to pull them up and show some respect to his mama.  The 20-something-year-old did.

The crowds lining the streets got larger as they approached Grant Park.  We had some of the Usual Suspects who went to the event and planned to be at the ceremony at Grant Park, but I later found out that they had decided with the huge crowd just to watch along the parade route.  Had I known that, I probably would have gone with them.

But, I Was Glad to Get to Watch It On TV.  --RoadDog

POLICE COMMENTS TO PERPS:  You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through.