Oh, for one more drive with Wally Phillips' voice again
I wanted nothing more than to twist the dial.
A quick punch to FM and the ride to school would be far less painful for a young teen wishing she was the one behind the wheel and in control of the radio.
Instead, I endured many a drive with Wally Phillips.
My dad found the popular broadcaster's calm, steady morning patter just right for the ride to work, dropping me off on the way.
I was begging for Dick Biondi and the Beatles.
Then, one day, as my own children itched to turn the knob -- and despite the little voice crying "You've got to be kidding!" -- I, too, found myself enjoying Wally in the waning days of his career on WGN radio, then on WAIT-AM out of Crystal Lake.
Much wiser souls than I will explain his appeal as many of us reminisce after learning of Wally's death Thursday. All I know is I found a comfort in his quick, wry humor, a peacefulness in his spirit. He's been off the air for a long time. But I think many of us can still hear him. Or wish we could.
Got gum?
Thinking of Wally Phillips seems a natural push down memory lane.
Remember those tiny desks we used to slide into so easily? Some of us wouldn't stand a prayer of cramming even partial body parts in there these days.
Well, some of those desks have taken on a whole new look thanks to some creative souls in the Community Unit District 300 region.
You can get a peek by going to the District 300 Foundation's Web site, d300foundation.org and take a look at the 1960s-era desks on parade. Better still, stop by Roosevelt University in Schaumburg where the desks, decorated by local artistic souls, will be on display from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 4 through April 24. The school is at 1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
You can bid on the desks that have been turned into a magic carpet, a Star Wars ship, hidden havens, changing landscapes and much more starting April 3. Check out the creative ventures and I'll bet you'll want to bid on a few. If only our desks had looked like these …
Snow - what?!
Dear Mr. Snowman: You can stop now.
Come clean!
Tim Boivin of Cary is justifiably proud of Cary Pride Day, a day when volunteers from Cary, Oakwood Hills and Trout Valley join together to make their combined communities a cleaner, better place. Since he became director of the program five years ago, he's seen it grow from a couple of dozen people fixing up the Cary Cemetery, schools and ballparks into one involving many dozens throughout the communities.
They've landscaped, painted fire hydrants, murals, curbs, playground equipment and the senior center, washed cars, picked up litter and more. He invites you to join in this year's Cary Pride Day from 8 a.m. to noon April 19 at Briargate Elementary School, 100 S. Wulff Road (one block south of West Main Street.)
If you'd like to join in or if your organization needs volunteers for a service project, let him know. Contact Tim at (847) 516-2863 or tim.boivin@techimage.com.
Coming soon
The owners of Rookies All-American Pub & Grill promise you'll soon enjoy visiting their latest venture. The same folks who own Village Squire and Alexander's Restaurant in West Dundee will soon open Rookies in the Grove in Elgin, just off Randall Road, north of the tollway.
That's near Burnt Toast -- which has terrific breakfasts, by the way, and Village Pizza, which is wonderful.
Once open, it won't be long before Rookies features one of their popular $1 burger specials, owner Bob Karas tells me. That's a half pound burger!
You'll also find 28 TVs featuring sports so you'll be able to find the game you're looking for. Don't you wish they were already open, hoops fans?!