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June 2011 Archives

Thumbnail image for danahey2 copy.jpgJeff Turner and In the Neighborhood Deli, 185 Edison, won the inaugural Elgin's Crosstown Classic Challenge against Downtown Madness Champion Greg Shannon and Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., in a battle for pulled pork supremacy.

After all the votes from the public were counted, In The Neighborhood Deli's Pulled Pork defeated Elgin Public House's Pulled Pork by 6 votes in the Downtown Neighborhood Association promotion.

The announcement was made live on Tuesday morning's Chef Jeff (Turner) and Jeff (Meyers) show on WRMN AM-1410.

For their victory in the Crosstown Classic Challenge, In the Neighborhood Deli now has the privilege of naming the dish that both Turner and Shannon will cook and sample at the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market on Thursday, July 14. Fans of both establishments are encouraged to come out to the market to enjoy some great food and cheer on their team once again.

It was also confirmed by the two proprietors that nearly 100 lbs. of pulled pork was sold between the two restaurants during the DNA's week-long social media promotion.

Steve Knight, who voted for In the Neighborhood Deli, had his name drawn at random from all of the winning team's votes to snag a pair of White Sox tickets for the July 30 game against the Boston Red Sox at U.S. Cellular Field - courtesy of Crosstown Classic Challenge presenting sponsor, Van Galder Bus Company.

-- Mike Danahey, Staff Writer

Thumbnail image for danahey2 copy.jpgNOTE: In a revival of this "classic" Friday feature, Courier-News reporter Mike Danahey guesses how much beer (or other beverage of choice) it might take him to pay money to see a recently-released movie. His opinions are based on trailers, ads and advance hype.

Here are some of the movies playing this weekend...


Bad Teacher



On the HDTV you can tell cougar Cameron Diaz has collagen lips. And that pretty much sums up this movie: It wants to be naughty, but it's probably just filler. My guess is "South Park" is better at this sort of tastelessness-as-satire in any given episode.

Beer rating: I'm just not thirsty enough this week.


Cars 2, after the jump.

Thumbnail image for danahey2 copy.jpgNOTE: In a revival of this "classic" Friday feature, Courier-News reporter Mike Danahey guesses how much beer (or other beverage of choice) it might take him to pay money to see a recently-released movie. His opinions are based on trailers, ads and advance hype.

Here are some of the movies playing this weekend...


Green Lantern



Moratorium on superhero movies, OK? This looks like an ad for an energy drink for guys with all that disco energy and the world's most sexy man in his tight alter-ego outfit and perfect hair. It also looks like a thousand other comic book movies. You can only blow up so much crap before even teenagers notice the lack of a script or anything interesting to say.

Beer rating: All the green beer leftover from St. Pat's Day.


Mr. Popper's Penguins, after the jump.

Thumbnail image for emily.jpgYou probably remember Natalie Chastain. Her incredible smile and positive attitude is hard to forget, according to her teachers and classmates at Elgin High School.

She's also made headlines a few times this year -- first, when her wheelchair disappeared while she was waiting for a school bus in the fall. Then, overwhelming donations from around the country to help her buy a new one and joyous news her wheelchair was found. The heartbreaking news her mother unexpectedly died in January. Then again, the donations from the community to help Natalie prepare for college and beyond.

Natalie was back in our headlines again Sunday: Thanks to those donations, Natalie has been able to purchase a van, custom-built to meet her needs, as she has cerebral palsy. She also is off to college this fall to pursue her dream of becoming an architect.


natalie with van.jpg

Natalie with her new van at Mobility Works in Villa Park. Left to right: Steve Martin (Mobility Works salesman), Kevin Gallery, Jennifer Gallery (standing) and Teri Rosenberg (Natalie's case manager).


Here's a letter from Natalie, thanking the community in her own words:


I want to thank everybody from my heart who supported me through everything that has happened this year. Especially those who came to my fundraiser and to those who donated to my fund at Elgin High School. You have made it possible for me to go after my dreams of being an architect. Because of your kindness, there are more opportunities available for me. I can never thank everyone enough.


The rest of Natalie's letter, a photo from her bowling fundraiser and how you can help, after the jump.

Thumbnail image for danahey2 copy.jpgNOTE: In a revival of this "classic" Friday feature, Courier-News reporter Mike Danahey guesses how much beer (or other beverage of choice) it might take him to pay money to see a recently-released movie. His opinions are based on trailers, ads and advance hype.

Here are some of the movies playing this weekend...


X-Men: First Class



Am I the only one who hates prequels? Didn't anyone learning anything from how dull the Star Wars ones were? Oh, wait? So what if they stunk. They still made spaceships full of money. I'm surprised this one isn't in 3D. Maybe 3Z, as in Zzz.

Beer rating: Just a lot of water. I had too much beer Memorial Day weekend.

WHAT?! You were looking for a REAL movie review? Our Sun-Times Media colleague Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times does a swell job at that.


--
Mike Danahey, Staff Writer




Thumbnail image for emily.jpgInstead of "marriage," it's called a "civil union." And instead of rings, one Fox Valley couple exchanged dog tags.

"The fact is it is different," said Tracey Supan of Kendall County.

Supan shares her thoughts about her union ceremony with her partner of nine years in today's article, "Fox Valley Couples Enjoy Their Civil Union Rights."

Meantime, you've shared your thoughts on civil unions coming to Illinois on our Facebook and Twitter pages today. Here's what you've had to say:

Peggie Thomas Stromberg: I think civil unions are progress but still fall short.. As long as it is not recognized by the Federal government as a marriage, then it isn't. via Facebook

MrDaltonJacobs (Rich Jacobs of Elgin): @couriernews United for 20 yrs, John & I had religious ceremony in Elgin of '03; LEGALLY MARRIED in CA of '08 & now legally recognized in IL via Twitter

GibbyPhD (Laurie Faith Gibson-Aiello of Elgin): @couriernews Your photo gallery has me tearing up - the emotion of love and happiness from the couples in line is overwhelming to see. A+ via Twitter

emesavage: @couriernews Long overdue. Rights that so many took for granted are now a reality for so many more. It's a beautiful thing. #Civilunions via Twitter


-- Emily McFarlan, Readers' Reporter

About this Archive

This page is an archive of entries from June 2011 listed from newest to oldest.

May 2011 is the previous archive.

July 2011 is the next archive.

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