Why I Oughta...

It was almost exactly a year ago that I posted the sad news that Fontano's closed on First Street in Downtown Elmhurst (April 22, 2011 ).  This morning, on the way home from Courts Plus, I spotted this bright red sign in Fontano's window that announces some good news:  We're getting an Italian Deli called Zanzi's.  From the listings, we'll be treated to Paninis, subs, salads, soups, espresso, cold cuts and....wait for it....Daily Specials!  Hooray!   The place isn't too terribly big, so I'm guessing that they'll focus on the deli counter/sandwich making, but we *could* use a good Italian Deli that sells some packaged goods.  I have to travel to either Addison or Westmont to pick up my Scamorza Cheese when I want to make pizzas.  Would be pree-tay pree-tay nice to be able to buy that (and other things) right here in Elmhurst.

See that little green guy in the middle of that photo above?  That's the first asparagus stalk of 2012 popping up through the mulch.  Last year, we were  able to harvest a few stalks ( see a post here ).   That's from May 11th of 2011, so depending on how fast this stalk shoots up and grows out, we're probably a few days/weeks early - as expected.  The Farmer's Market starts soon and they *always* seem to have asparagus their opening weeks, so maybe a cold frame would have moved this along sooner?  Either way,  hopefully we'll get a big bunch of stalks to grow up at the same time, so we can make a meal or two out of the harvest this year.

We went down to Champaign for the annual Orange and Blue Spring Football game.  We took my nephew and braved the rain.  Thanks to the Varsity "I" Association, we were able to watch the game from the comforts of the Colonnades Club - under a roof.  The game - which the Blue Team won - wasn't much of a game and the crowds were pretty thin.  The rain kept people away and I'm guessing that there's a lot of skeptics for first year Coach Tim Beckman. The Varsity "I" Association invited back all ex-athletes and letter winners to celebrate and gave us all nametags/badges.  Last fall, they featured "action shots" of us in uniforms.  This year they took our old headshots from the program out and used those instead.  My is *very* 90's with my Caesar haircut.

Today, we had the honor of hosting Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley - 5th District - at Google Chicago.  His district starts at the Lakefront and includes as diverse an area as Old Town and Downtown Elmhurst.  Starting this fall, he'll be *our* Congressman out here in Elmhurst.  I look forward to watching him as he serves the entire 5th District.

How very thoughtful of the fine folks at Menards:  they gave me this 14 piece LED precision screwdriver set last week for my 34th Birthday.  I've been accused (rightly) of having a Menards addiction.  Now, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing; I just prefer to do my shopping there over Home Depot or Lowes not based on location (HD is 5 minutes from our house, Menards is 15) but on a number of factors including price, knowledge of the store layout, a better seasonal section, their Christmas stuff in particular, and their selection. This screwdriver set retails for like $15.00.  For that small amount, they've bought even more goodwill from me now that will likely ensure that I spend all of my home improvement dollars there.  That's just good marketing.

My buddy Neil found himself down in Champaign recently and he stopped by our old Fraternity House.  In the Library, he found this photo that we had taken back in the Spring of 1998.  We were sophomores and I *think* this was taken on the day of a party called "Miami Triad".  There were a few of these photos that were hung in the library that were vintage - from the 1950's and 1960's, so we had the idea to get one done in sepia tone to make it look vintage.  We even stuck the retro Sigma Chi Cross in there like they did in the old photos. That's me crouching just to the right of the big cross.  I *think* I have a cigar in my mouth.  Neat to see some of these guys that I haven't seen in years.  We had more fun that we should have in that house.  Nat and I are heading down to Champaign soon ourselves.  If there's time, I'm sure we'll stop by the house and poke around a bit.

For Easter, my in-laws gave me this set of Beekman 1802 Heirloom Seeds.   They are part of the Beekman 1802 project  - which is billed as the 'World's Largest Community Garden" where 10,000 people all across the country grow the exact same thing from the same seeds.  You may know the Beekman's from their show , but I think the first time I came across them was when one of them was working for Martha Stewart.   She visited their farm back in 2011 . The set includes some items that I never considered growing including radishes and turnips.  Here's the full list. We're getting close to getting outdoors and planting the garden, so I guess I have to get planning!