Why I Oughta...

Do you know a worthy organization that needs financial support from the community of Elmhurst? Well...there's some good news.  Each year, the Elmhurst Newcomers and Neighbors Club selects a new group or organization to support. ENNC is a non-profit community organization for women in Elmhurst, IL that helps women and their families meet new people, connect with others with similar interests, participate in community service projects and generally become more familiar with the Elmhurst community. This group holds an annual Spring Fundraiser to raise money for local charities. My wife, Natalie is involved in the organization and is helping lead on the event and I'm glad to be able to help her spread the word. ENNC just announced that they're now taking nominees for their 2013 event - online! The application can be found by clicking here . Interested parties need to fill out the nomination by November 4th 2012.  Get goin' and nominate a good charity, group, or

Nat and the girls came back from TJ's with these beauties in their bag yesterday and while I'm a fan of the traditional TJ's cookie of fall (Their Maple Cookies), I have a soft spot for their holiday-themed Joe Joe's. These ones are particularly cute with the jack-o-lantern face and orange cream in the middle.   With Halloween being 3 weeks away, I'm seriously doubting that they'll last that long.

This morning, I pulled a paper cup from the stack and the bottom was taped in red.  On the left is a normal cup.  On the right, my cup this morning. Is this like the Wonka Factory tour Golden Ticket?  Is ECOProducts - the makers of our paper coffee cups - trying to send me a message?  Seems like a recycled paper product factory tour is going to be a lot less fun than a candy factory.  But...maybe it wouldn't be all bad.  Perhaps, I'd meet someone like Veruca Salt?

Yesterday, we parked our car in a garage but couldn't figure out which way was out.  The markings weren't exactly clear.

The packaging on this guy at Costco says indoor/outdoor.  Being an outdoor-ready decoration is likely the only way I can get this past Nat.  We don't have a huge house and it already is busting at the seams with Christmas decorations.  So a life-size Santa Ho-Ho (as we call him) isn't going to be workable. But he would look really good in the backyard, wouldn't he?

On the walk to the train this morning, I noticed a sign went up for Athletico Physical Therapy in the big commercial space on 3rd Street just west of York.  There are senior homes above the new home of Athletico.  It seemed like this place was vacant for a couple of years.  While I'm not thrilled with another physical therapy place and not a bookstore or restaurant of some kind (brew pub?), a tenant is a tenant.  And Elmhurst City Center can use more of them!

After watching it under construction for what felt like a year, last night I was able to get to Pinstripes Bowling Bocce and Bistro in Oak Brook. How was it?  Meh.  The place seems designed like an office building.  The food?  It was ok.  The staff was very helpful and attentive.  But...I don't think I'll need to go back. The place is HUGE, though and they have basically the same floorplan on the first floor as they do on the second.  That whole second floor is for corporate events and private parties.  So, perhaps they're going to do gangbuster business in private events?

Wouldn't it? Maybe the Babe can go pro in pop-a-shot?

If you listen to Nat, you'd likely think that I have the worst taste in everything.  Clothes.  Interior design.  Food. But, I think she's likely on the same page as me when it comes to the rehab/renovation of Sunshine Nails on York Street in the Elmhurst City Center.  This photo doesn't do it justice.  There is so much stuff going on in the new windows.  Two fountains with smoke/fog machines.  Statues.  Weird dried leaves.  And, I haven't even gotten to the signs/banners. Now, I'm really not trying to pick on this place because I'm glad to see an entrepreneur take a risk and I know running a small business isn't easy.  But, I can't quite figure out who they're trying to appeal to.  Does anybody know?

Yesterday, we spent a few hours in the morning getting some of our Halloween decorations up in the yard and around the house.  Still plenty more hours left until we get our stuff set up. For the "Pumpkin Cemetery", I grabbed a few pieces of tongue-and-groove boards from the remnant rack at Menards and printed out the letters in a funky font.  Then I traced them on with pencil and painted the letters in black.  I threw on a few coats of polyurethane to seal it in and provide a little bit of weather-proofing. I picked up a little bit of edging fencing from Menards, too.  And stuck that in the ground. For the pumpkins, we debated between real and fake.  We ended up going with real.  Not sure if that is going to end up being wise in the long run, but only time will tell.  I painted on the eyes and mouths and then painted (with a pastry brush) a slurry of red pepper flakes and water all over them.  Before that water dried, I also sprinkled on a bunch of chili powder. You