Ex-baseball player finds himself behind different plate
Now on deck, behind the plate, and in the kitchen, meet Juan Acevedo, former Major League pitcher turned restaurateur.
The Dundee-Crown High School standout and graduate has teamed up with popular Lavender Café & Java Bar duo Klaudia Crawford and Gayle George to open Abanazz (ah-ban-ahhs) bringing a white-table cloth restaurant to downtown East Dundee.
Many of you know Juan from his days on the mound when he pitched for several Major League teams including the Mets, Yankees, Marlins and Rockies from 1995 to 2003.
Many of you also know the tasty Lavender Cafe offerings, and Gayle and chef Klaudia promise you won't be disappointed with their latest venture, which opens right next door at 102 N. River St. -- in the space once occupied by Mason's -- for lunch and dinner on March 13.
"The atmosphere is wonderful. The food is great. It's very comfortable," Gayle said. Steak, fish, pasta, Caribbean chicken, Spanish dishes and Klaudia's famous Hungarian goulash will be on the menu with prices ranging from $8 to $12 for lunch and $15 to $25 for dinner.
Klaudia also promises plenty of delectable desserts, including her homemade chocolate eclair cake among the offerings that will change daily.
I'm pretty sure some of you will also want to know about their $5 martini Thursdays. Now isn't that a nice way to pitch a new restaurant?
On the roads
Those of you who journey along Rakow Road will want to know about the open house and public hearing to expand that road from two to four lanes from Ackman Road to Route 31 in Crystal Lake. It's a key arterial for many of us as we try to navigate our way -- any way -- around the worsening congestion in McHenry County's southeastern corner.
Walter Dittrick of the McHenry County Division of Transportation says we're all invited to hear what's in the works at the meeting from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Crystal Lake South High School.
Thinking green
That March 15 St. Patrick's Day parade in East Dundee sounds like it's shaping up to be a fine event. Julie O'Leary tells me that they've heard from several more folks since our last column item and welcome still more. If you'd like to participate in the parade or volunteer along the sidelines, please call Beth at (847) 426-7300.
Following a woman
Hillary Clinton's quest to be the first female president has sparked both praise and jeers across the country. At my house, we are filled with wonder. No, not because a woman is in the race. But because cheering Hillary on has carried my 80-year-old Mom through yet more of the medical crises that have marked her life the past couple of years. She watches cable news night and day, has been riveted to each debate, each new development. We've dubbed her the Energizer Bunny for her ability to bounce back from some critical situations, each time to eagerly watch primary returns, cheering on "her gal for president." I do believe it even has my very Republican Dad quietly rooting for Hillary to stay in the race.
For that to happen, of course, Hillary Clinton just might have to borrow a bit of my Mom's bounce-back spirit … which she'll happily share.
Cheering on
Speaking of bouncing back prompts me to remind you that the national cheerleading competition that brought such a smile to Taylor Radtke will air at 1 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2. You'll recall the Universal Cheerleader's Association, part of Varsity Brands, treated Taylor to a special trip to Orlando recently as part of the little Johnsburg girl's Make-A-Wish dream. Can you guess what Taylor, who is doing well as she awaits her next medical checkup in April, will be doing Sunday?