Red Robin invites local officials to taste test

You know how restaurants hold promotions so you can test their service before a full opening?

My boss here at World Headquarters tells me the new Red Robin in South Elgin had such an event and that local heavy hitters showed up to sink their teeth into some of the eatery's juicy grub.

Village President Jim Hansen tells me he was there, as was Village Administrator Larry Jones.

Trustees Bill DiFulvio, John Sweet and Steve Ward were in attendance, as well during the two-day promotion, Hansen said. Village Clerk Margo Gray told me she went with family members.

Jones told me the burger he had at Red Robin was simply delicious.

Hansen went a healthier route, opting for a chicken salad he said was so big he ended up requesting a doggie bag to finish it at home.

So what sort of dressing did the president spread on his salad? Ranch. Lots and lots of creamy ranch dressing, which isn't necessarily fat and cholesterol free.

"I figured as long as I'm eating a salad, I could afford it," he said.

I only wish Red Robin had remembered to send me an invite because I would have inhaled all that food and put everyone to shame.

Remembering Cal Sutter: On Saturday there's a wine tasting and open house at Top Shelf Wine and Spirits in South Elgin to benefit Cal's All-Star Angel Foundation, Inc.

Ed Mundt, a South Elgin Little League coach and board member, won this party at an auction earlier this year during the foundation's golf and dinner fundraiser.

"Cal's foundation is doing some great work and can use all the extra help they can get," Mundt said via e-mail. "Please come out, have a glass of wine and support this great cause."

Five percent of the event's proceeds will go to the foundation, which is named in honor of Cal Sutter, the 13-year-old South Elgin boy who died of leukemia last year .

The foundation uses its funds to fulfill small wishes for pediatric cancer patients, to assist their families financially and to offer scholarships to a senior from South Elgin High School and St. Charles North High School.

The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Top Shelf Wine and Spirits, 240 S. Randall Road. The winery will provide cheese and crackers.

Book alert, book alert! Mike Powers is a lot of things -- a radio man, a council man and the guy who discusses the classic movies the Cultural Arts Commission shows in Festival Park during the summer.

Now he can add author to the list.

Powers' book is titled "All-American Stories: Elgin Myths and Memories."

In the book, which hits shelves soon, Powers highlights stories about the people and places he knew and frequented during the 1960s and '70s.

Included in the book are stories about Rick Hopkins, the basketball player from Elgin High School; his brother David Powers, who played football and ran track at the school; and Central Barber Shop and the Razor's Edge, places he got his hair cut.

"It's something that, for people in the baby boom generation … would relate to and would know a lot of these people and these places," he said.

He'll hold a discussion and answer questions on the tome, published by State Street Publishing, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Gail Borden Library.

George Rawlinson, owner of the publishing company, says the book will cost $19.95 and is tentatively scheduled for a Thursday release. He's still in the process of deciding who will carry the book.

Bright lights: Thought I'd give a quick rundown on who's having their Christmas tree-lighting ceremony when and where.

Pingree Grove, which turned 100 earlier this year, will hold its first-ever such tree-lighting service at 4 p.m. today in the new Centennial Park on Reinking Road.

Also for the first time, Elgin will have its ceremony in the new Festival Park -- it was previously held on South Grove Avenue near the Tower Building. It's scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

And for all my South Elgin peeps, your tree-lighting service is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Expect to exercise your vocal cords with village officials as you will all be singing Christmas carols.

• Lenore Adkins covers South Elgin, Elgin neighborhoods, Pingree Grove and Central Unit School District 301. Reach her at (847) 608œ2725 or via e-mail at ladkins@dailyherald.com.