<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
	<title type="html"><![CDATA[Elgin Forum]]></title>
	<link rel="self" href="http://elginite.org/forum/extern.php?action=feed&amp;type=atom"/>
	<updated>2010-01-01T08:52:53Z</updated>
	<generator>FluxBB</generator>
	<id>http://elginite.org/forum/index.php</id>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Just ZOO It! Holiday Fundraiser]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=407&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Our goals are ambitious and the Holiday Fundraiser for the Zoo is kicking off December 1 - 31!

No worries, be it $10 - $10,000, there are MANY ways to support your zoo and aid in making important improvements and care for 2010 season!

Visit [url=http://www.LordsParkZoo.org]www.LordsParkZoo.org[/url] | Download the Donation Form online to send in, Make a Donation Online via Paypal or visit Red Bar Winery and pick-up a few bottles of wine to benefit our cause!

Bison Wine Holder?Would you like to pick-up a bottle of Bison Red or Elk's Winter White for your Holiday party? (Red Bar Winery perfect) Only $15, with partial proceeds benefiting our fundraiser.

Our Zoo Window for Winter Wonderland will have extra company on Saturday 12/12 - come on down to Elgin and say hello to Elmo the Donkey and his animal friends, courtesy of his farmer-parents, Phil & Laurie Nomanelli, and our Lords Park Farm Zoo.

Remember to VOTE for our window in the Home for the Holidays decorating contest and also stop by to pet Elmo and get a Stamp on your Passport to enter the contests and get a free photo with Santa!

To pick up a donation flyer and form in person, please visit the following Elgin Businesses:

    * Books at Sunset
    * In the Neighborhood Deli
    * Keeny’s Sporting Goods
    * Paul’s Restaurant
    * Red Bar Winery
    * Ravenhart Coffee
    * Super Print

Our original "Support Lords Park Zoo in Elgin" group will be closing on 12/31/2009 to be replaced by our Facebook page for Lords Park Zoo - as the zoo is saved to remain open in 2010, it's about time we have our own Facebook page and fans!

Join today!
[url]http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elgin-IL/Lords-Park-Zoo-Elgin-Illinois#/pages/Elgin-IL/Lords-Park-Zoo-Elgin-Illinois/186674039200?ref=ts[/url]]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Gibster]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2654</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2010-01-01T08:52:53Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=407&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Best place for alterations?]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=406&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I have several pants that need to be hemmed so I called around a bit to see what the prices were. 

brothers - $10
summit - $8
bazos - $8
royal - $10
new randall - $11
signature - $10
top - $12
country 1 hour - $9

The only places I could think of were dry cleaning shops :)

Can anybody vouch for the quality of work done at any of these places? 

Are there any real tailors in Elgin (not part of a dry cleaning operation)?

Thanks.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[RS]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2618</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-09-02T18:03:45Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=406&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Save Lords Park Zoo in 2009!!!!!]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=403&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[[b]I invite all to join our group and grow this Cause on Facebook[/b] - maybe the City Council and local media will follow? Elgin Alive should get involved in this initiative to include Lords Park Zoo as part of the Elgin Sustainability Plan in 2009.... just thinking out loud... ;)
***

[b]We started a FB Group to save the integrity of Lords Park and the Zoo... [/b][url]http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=94171719347&ref=nf[/url]
***

[b]Notes from those at EPM about the zoo...[/b]
No Lords Park Zoo. After having had one since 1905, City has decided to shut it down. Museum staff is devastated
10:46am - 04/20/2009
Still no word on the baby animals but the grass is green and the park looks beautiful. Come out on the week end and visit the museum
Fri 9:13am · 04/17/2009
Still holding out hope for the Lords park Zoo, but I'm guessing there isn't any
April 14 at 1:46pm]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Gibster]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2654</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-08-22T03:56:38Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=403&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[GOP...Down the Drain]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=404&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Charlie: Cheney is not the one to blame for the GOP going downhill. I was a Republican all of my life until I saw the light. The GOP has changed so much in the last several years that it is hard to recognize it as the same party of yesterday. I got out when it was starting to go downhill. It will continue to scramble for money, new voters and will stumble for a new breath.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Dave Reinert]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2662</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-24T15:58:45Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=404&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[New owners of CASA LARA (Jalapeño’s)]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=405&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[So, we ventured out for lunch on Tuesday 05/12 to try the new Casa Lara in clock-tower plaza.  It's in the old Jalapeño’s space, which had decent food in the past.  One reason my husband and I ventured there in particular was two GLOWING reviews posted on the internet the past 2 weeks, one was even featured in post about the Elgin Wine Festival and what a great food sponsor was to be found in Casa Lara - the new owners are fixing up the restaurant for higher clientele, wine selection, etc.

Needless to say - NOTHING is changed in there, it’s 10x’s worse!!! I was a little disappointed when walking in to the EMPTY dining room at 12:30,. but we ordered to give them a chance – and they seemed eager and welcoming to please new customers. 

Our drinks (a diet coke and margarita) took 10 minutes to make and the coke was flat, the time from ordering of food to serving was 40 minutes, and the orders were completely wrong and the food cold – but we had chips and salsa to munch on in our wait, argh.  

With the food -- for example, I order a Burrito Suizo with Asada steak... it was cold, no suizo, filled with beans and rice and 2 pieces of meat total.  The owner, who was also our cook, didn't know why we were upset.  My husband asked for Ground beef in his enchilada’s and received a mix of cheese, beans and 'mystery meat' on a cold plate of more beans and dry rice.  

We gave then $10 for the drinks and chips and walked out – I found my Asada Steak at Quizno’s on Douglas street in the form of a 'sammie' – hubby had the Tornado in a hurry, we just ran out of time to venture to a more reliable Mexican Restaurant on our lunch hour.

I will suggest that they get things in order really quick there, especially since they appear to be posting their own reviews on the web about how great and upscale everything is now.  So beware the food from CASA LARA at the Elgin Wine Festival next weekend. I usually don't post negative reviews, but this was the hands down WORST lunch service, food and experience I've had in Elgin to date.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Gibster]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2654</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-14T23:00:47Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=405&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Disappearing coffee houses]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=401&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Unless I totally blanked out, it appears the Ravenheart coffee in the Algonquin Commons is gone along with the Encounter Cafe (on route 20- the one in the church near Nestler).  Encounter was a great space, hopefully it will return as the housing market does...]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Gibster]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2608</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-04-21T03:25:19Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=401&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Liquor In Elgin]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=400&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I just read the Elgin city council is to consider banning 32 brands of beer, and all malt liquor sales in the city. Is this true? I like Mickey's Malt Liquor. Does that mean I must go outside the city to purchase this?]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[jessica]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=464</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-04-10T20:07:35Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=400&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Tongue-N-Chic Dental Boutique on 14 Douglas, Downtown Elgin]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=402&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Yesterday, I visited Tongue-N-Chic for the first time for a dental checkup and cleaning.  This is a new dental office that has just opened up, very close to the Elgin Tower Building.  There is a free public parking lot on Douglas just North of the office.

The office looks very upscale, so I was a bit worried about being gouged on prices.  As it turns out, the X-rays cost $30 (4 exposures: upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right) and the cleaning cost $50.  My total bill was $90.

What was upscale?
  1) Large flat-screen TV in reception area and leather furniture to sit in.
  2) Another large flat-screen TV in waiting room with leather furniture.  Offered a variety of beverages while I waited.
  3) Modern (brand new) dental equipment, including a "digital" x-ray machine that uses a lot less radiation.

The dentist, dental assistant, and staff were all very friendly.  Since the practice is new, I think I received a lot more time and attention than I would in a more established place with the "assembly line" in full swing.  It was nice to be able to talk with the dentist about options and stuff at a leisurely pace.

The only drawbacks I see are 2:
  1) They expect payment from you immediately after your visit.  If you have insurance, they will bill it for you, but the insurance money goes to you because you already paid the dentist.
  2) The staff is new, so the Dentist is teaching the staff how to do things still.  Your data entry, for example, may take a bit longer than an established office.

Overall, I was very pleased and highly recommend the place.  My 7-year old son had a good visit also (though my 2 year old daughter wouldn't cooperate...).  My wife will be going shortly.

Check it out!]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[RS]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2635</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-04-07T03:32:32Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=402&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Old Spring Garden now is a pancake house]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=399&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[My wife and I went in the restaurant yesterday. It is located in the Tyler Creek complex on McLean Blvd near Big Timber. The restaurant has been many things, the last being Spring Garden. We met the owner, very nice man, restaurant totally redone or almost totally. Some of the favorites are gone like Julliane Salad (strange why someone would not have that in a restaurant), and chopped steak (which we loved). Prices slightly higher (of course), food is good, restaurant is clean, waitresses friendly. Owner is Greek so good usual Greek fare.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[elginite]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=464</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-03-01T12:58:12Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=399&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Hickory Stick Restaurant]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=397&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Here is a little known restaurant in Elgin that is a neat hideaway. It is in the clubhouse of the Highlands of Elgin golf course in the Elgin Sports Complex off of South McLean Blvd. I stumbled upon it today and it is a beautiful restaurant with a bar. On Fridays they have a fish fry and many things on the menu that looked wonderful. They only have a small sign on McLean which most people miss, I am sure. There is ample parking, banquet rooms and this fine looking restaurant. I haven't dined in there yet, but I sure plan to.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[elginite]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=464</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-03-01T12:57:09Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=397&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Waiting for La Quebrada]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The original GBL and the old Marlene's is set to become La Quebrada, a mexican restaurant.  But it's sure taking them a while to open...

Does anyone know what's going on?]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[elginite]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=3</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-03-01T12:53:21Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Maciano's Pizza and Pastaria in Elgin]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=396&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Got a mailing today from Maciano's (yeah Maciano's not Maggiano's!) today and was surprised to see that they've opened a location at the Galleria of Elgin at the corner of Route 20 and Nesler Road on the Far West Side.

The menu they included looks pretty good. It's an extensive Italian menu, not limited to pizza. Has anybody tried them out yet?

This is their website:

[url]http://macianos.com[/url]

Apparently they have a lot of locations in Chicagoland.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[elginite]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=3</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-03-01T12:52:21Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=396&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Prairie Rock - R.I.P. - 2/28/09]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=398&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Prairie Rock is closing its doors today.
See the [url=http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1453982,Elgin-Prairie-Rock-closing-EL022709.article]Courier[/url]
and [url=http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=275646&src=32]Daily Herald[/url].
Although not surprising, it's still a shame. The food was hit or miss, and inconsistent, but what was good was really good. I loved the wings and burgers, and why they took the rotisserie chicken and beer cheese soup off the menu is a mystery to me. They were both great. 
I also thought the beer was great. Love that Pale Rider and great porters and stouts. Sure the beers weren't as aggressive as some of the other local brewpubs, but I still think Jim did a great job.
The thing I will miss the most is the Rock Garden. What a great space. I have no idea why they stopped having bands out their the last few summers. It would get packed.
One recent problem I think they had was it was impossible to tell if they were open at night. I ride by on my way home from work every night right at dinner time and the lights outside are never on. If it's dark out, and your sign and lights are not on, people will not know you are open. I must have told them the lights were off a dozen times, even calling once, and every time they acted surprised. In spite of that, many nights when I went there they would be pretty busy. The regulars may have known but the new or casual customer would have no idea.
Well let's hope something else moves in the space soon, and hopefully they keep the brewery!
R.I.P. Prairie Rock. You will be missed.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Nile]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2570</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-02-28T16:59:47Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=398&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[U46 Superintendant Retirement Package!]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=304&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Now I'm not one to interject politics into educational matters and I don't even begrudge leader of large public institutions a fair and equtible compensation package but.......

This is just WRONG: And when school board relection time comes I will remember which members got bamboozzled into this give away of public money.


[url]http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/552705,3_1_EL12_A1CONNIE_S1.article[/url]]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Nile]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=657</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-02-12T09:21:43Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=304&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Akina's Thai]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=362&amp;action=new"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[23 S. Grove.  

Delicious, delicious, delicious!  I do have one warning: if you don't want MSG in your food, you have to ask!  I figured this out the hard way after getting a killer migraine from eating there.  It still tastes good w/ out the MSG though, so I'll keep going back.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[elginite]]></name>
				<uri>http://elginite.org/forum/profile.php?id=2064</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-01-30T20:21:47Z</updated>
			<id>http://elginite.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=362&amp;action=new</id>
		</entry>
</feed>
