Rain Stops Play

On a hot humid Memorial Day crowds gather for the annual parade. Participants in the Where's Waldo? contest wait patiently for the results of the pre-parade competition.
"Mommy'll never find us under here."
Before the parade a fly past....
And with Mayor Pradel behind the wheel, they're off!

"Has anyone seen the third trombone?" Municipal Band Director Ron Keller seems to have lost his musicians.
The Naperville Trolley sails through. All is well....and then! Kaboom! The skies open and everyone dashes for cover as the 93rd annual Naperville parade is declared a wash out.
We take cover outside the library, which is the nearest Grumpy has ever got to stepping inside.

"Might as well take the plug out..."
Some boys will never learn....
The sodden folk of NCTV17 are left to dismantle their rig in the rain.

But water's always a good thing when you're a swimmer.
Oh well, there's always next year....

Trouble Down Below

Today was even hotter than yesterday, but where did we spend it? On the beach at Lake Michigan? Strolling along the Riverwalk? No, we spent pretty much the entire day peering down a hole in the concrete floor of our basement.
Although this month celebrates three years since we bought our Naperville home, sometimes I feel like we just broke in. Even after all this time, we still have little idea about the complicated workings of an American home. Although Grumpy's inability at DIY it has been widely documented (by me); at least in England he had some knowledge of how plumbing and electrics were meant to work, even if he couldn't necessarily get them to do so himself.
Since Jett and his men moved out we've done very little, although to be fair I nearly took out an ad in the paper when Grumpy successfully replaced a faucet the other day.
It all started when I went down to the basement and found a pool of water on the floor. Grumpy knew exactly what to do. He peered down the hole and promptly slipped over on the wet floor.
"Call Jett," he said.
"We can't really use him as a handyman, anyhow, it's a holiday weekend," I said.
Grumpy picked himself up and rushed into action. He dashed round to the hardware store to buy a wet/dry vac while I did the other important job. Update my facebook status.
"I think it's the air conditioner," Grumpy said. "Call an air conditioning company then."
I found one gummed onto the side of the air conditioner, registered my problem and waited for the emergency guy to come round.
"Actually forget that, I think it's coming from underground."
I called to cancel the first guy and was about to call for a plumber when Grumpy decided to go for help. Within minutes Superneighbor (the one who carried my piano up the stairs you may recall) was on the scene.
"Oo, it looks like you're sewer is backed up," she said. "That's not just dirty water, it's sewage."
An hour or so later she had one of her friends round with a long bendy wiry thing poking down the hole. Unfortunately this achieved nothing, but we did learn it would be a really good idea to stop using the toilets, shower and any other water in the house. On her way home, she stopped to water my plants which shows a) was a Superneighbor she really is and b) that I really need to spend less time blogging or on Facebook.
At 4 p.m. the plumber arrived, which proves updating my Facebook status wasn't as silly as it sounds because a friend recommended a local company to me.
The good news was his emergency call out fee was less than the first guy's, but bad news because he's still here after nearly two hours and he charges by the hour. Good job my midwife never worked on that basis because the kids would have had to have dug their own way out.
So as I write this Grumpy is mopping up the floor and the plumber is still searching for the blockage. With all this consulting and confusion, perhaps we'd have been better to just call House.

For Art's Sake

On a boiling hot Memorial Weekend we drove up to Barrington, Illinois, for their annual arts festival.
The area is famous for an usual breed of cows that you can't find anywhere else in the world.

"I painted one just like that last week..."

The artist really stuck his neck out with this one.
Some of the prettiest artwork was completely natural.

Sex and the Shopping

Today sees the opening of Sex and the City 2. I was delighted when the Sun asked me to imagine what would happen if the girls went shopping in Naperville. I'm not sure this is quite what they wanted, but they printed it anyway so kudos to them for allowing me to write outside the box for a change....

It was Thursday. Thursday in downtown Naperville. At 11 a.m. the boutiques were just opening because it gave their clients the necessary four hours to have their hair and make up ready before venturing out of the house. The sound of four women click clacking down the side walk was unmistakable. It could mean only one thing. Three sets of Manolos and a pair of Jimmy Choos.
Carrie, resplendent in grey silk Valentino with a pink feather boa and giant sunflower on her head shrieked: “If I don't stop shopping, I'll end up a bag lady; a Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady.....”
“You know girls, this is a lot of fun, but we do have a movie premiere to get to,” breathed Samantha. “Sex and the City 2 opens today.”
“I know,” said Carrie. “But there’s always time to do some last minute shopping. This city is so cute – the downtown stores could have been made with us in mind.”
“Oo, let’s go try this one,” said Charlotte. “It’s perfect for me now I have two little girls. Hot Mama.”
“Excuse me, I think I’m the hot one,” said Samantha pushing past her.
The ladies fell upon the racks of clothes, hardly noticing assistant manager Amy Kiel talking to a dowdy middle aged reporter in the corner.
“Customers in Naperville want to be on the trendy edge of fashion,” she said. “Women are more willing to take some risks. They come to town for the restaurants and shopping.”
Shopping bags in hand, the girls moved on to Little Luxuries. Carrie immediately spied some hand-made purses with detachable decorations.
“These are fabulous,” she exclaimed, “and a steal at only $300. I’ll take six.”
Next, jewelry. At Baubles by Maclyn, Kellyn Machacek said:
“I think that Charlotte, now having two babies - Lily and now Rose would absolutely LOVE the custom made name pendants. She could also choose from a selection of fun baubles to match any outfit. This necklace is perfect for the on the go new mom, and lets her brag about her girls, without being blatant.”
So much to shop for in so little time. Fortunately Kate Mulcahy, Boutique Proprietor of Benefit Cosmetics was able to help Miranda.
“You Rebel Lite tinted moisturizer, Coralista blush, Bad Gal Brown mascara,
Go red head fab with light coverage, a poppy coral cheek and lush dark brown lashes," she said, piling the goodies into a little bag.
“Thanks,” said Miranda. “You know my husband Steve comes from Naperville, although he goes under the name of David Eigenberg when he’s in town for some reason.”
“I think I’ll just pop into Lil J’s Bohemia to get some more Indian style clothes like the ones we wear in the movie,” said Carrie. “All of their Mata Trader dresses are handmade by women artisans in India. They are fairly traded which means the artisans were paid a fair wage for their work and work in good working conditions, no sweatshop or child labor.”
“Ok,” said Miranda, “I’ll head to Zano’s for a Brazilian wax. I forgot before we started our last movie. I don’t want to get caught out again.”
“Speaking of forgetting things, I still have to get my dress for tonight’s premiere,” Samantha suddenly remembered.
It didn’t take her long to find the perfect thing at Bri’Zan couture – a hand made custom designed Stephan Yearick dress for $3,400.
“Well it does have Swarovski crystals all over it,” laughed Samantha as Charlotte examined the price tag.
By 4 p.m. the girls were exhausted. Fortunately help was at foot from the girls at the Coldwater Creek Spa. Hot River Stone Pedicures soon had them feeling refreshed.
“You know we still have time for the most important meal of the day,” said Miranda, “cocktails!”
“Yummy,” giggled Charlotte. “We could be really decadent and ditch the Cosmos for Cocoatinis at Le Chocolat du Bouchard. Its Italian espresso and Belgian hot chocolate frothed to perfection with a dusting of Venezuelan cocoa for $4.75, but don’t ask me how I know that.”
“Sorry girls, I’ll have to meet you later at the movie,” said Samantha waving goodbye. “I have to make a quick stop in Cress Creek to buy one last thing for myself, and it comes from Lover’s Lane!”
Katie Wood, Executive Director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance added: “Carrie and the SATC gals would love Downtown Naperville! They could shop most of the day in their stiletto heels at our many boutiques and jewelry shops – and afterwards, have a great meal paired with a cool pink Cosmo! Women from all over make day trips to Downtown Naperville to do just this (with or without the heels)!”

The Last Word on Evan

From today's Naperville Sun:

The first time I laid eyes on Evan Lysacek was on November 27^th, 2007. He was taking part in the Hometown Holidays Parade in downtown Naperville and I had absolutely no idea who he was. I realize the mere fact I know the date makes me sound like a stalker, and in a way you’d be right. By the time he won his Gold medal in the Vancouver Olympics I was going around saying “that’s the guy who I saw in the parade.” Since March 25^th, the day I found out I was on the media coach covering Evan Lysacek Day, I’ve been completely obsessed.

What stands out most about that day was what a true gentleman he was. He was in town for less than 24 hours, yet was consistently charming to everyone he met including the 30 journalists who interviewed him during the day. His parents, Don and Tanya, were with him every step of the way, as they have been since he started skating as an eight year old (and no doubt for a few years before that too).

We already knew then he was taking on two more consecutive gargantuan challenges – a national skating tour with Smucker’s Stars on Ice and ABC’s Dancing With the Stars – the country’s top rated TV show.

I watched him perform live at the All State Arena, and helped arrange viewing local DWTS viewing parties. Before long I found I was part of the stories that I had followed from the outside. The Lysacek effect is certainly contagious and the whole city was swept along as we rooted for our home town Golden boy who ended up having to be content with silver this time round.

Mayor Pradel has frequently told me what a great role model Lysacek is for Naperville – both in showing local kids just what you can do with the right determination and in promoting Naperville as his home town to the rest of the world.

What the rest of the world may not know that Lysacek is Naperville personified. Attractive, charismatic, almost pretty darn perfect. If Naperville was a novel, Lysacek would be its romantic lead.

My English teachers taught me there is always a better adjective to use than ‘nice’, but that’s only because they’d never lived here. I’m usually sceptical about people I meet for the first time, but when you dig below the surface here, I’m afraid nice is usually what you get.

So I plead guilty to often referring to Naperville as a little bubble of perfection, which would definitely perpetuate the myth if it was one.

Party Time!

After 10 long weeks we finally reached the finals of ABC's Dancing With The Stars last night. Our Golden boy Evan Lysacek got silver as he came in second, much to our disappointment, but not surprise. Pussy Cat Doll Nicole Scherzinger had dominated throughout. Here's a look at the viewing party we held at Raffi's on Fifth....

Local band Zazz were a little disappointed.
"When you said we were playing at the DWTS finale, we thought you meant we'd be in L.A!"
"I want what he's having."
"Howzat!" Sarge and Elizabeth from DeSarge Danceworld keep the competitors on their toes with their Argentine tango scoring perfect 10s!
Party hostess Denise Provenzano gave a warm welcome.
While Mayor Pradel said what a great role model Evan is for Naperville.
Me with host Dr Bob Weil, Evan's world famous foot doctor....
Raffi's new state of the art computerized menus are a hit!

We've Got A Friend

On Monday night we were lucky enough to see yet more of my personal American heroes in concert, James Taylor and Carole King. Enjoy....

Creeping Round The Stars

Poster courtesy of Nettie McFarlan Badgley, Monarch Marketing.

I never quite know where my relentless quest for fame will take me next! Regular readers will know that I have written previously about my only slightly veiled contempt for people who sponge off others' success. Well I'm coming clean. Here I am doing it myself!
Yes, now on top of being a reporter, humorist, playwright, lyricist, model, during dinner speaker, director and all round show off, if you look at this poster you'll see I'm now a producer!
From watching the first viewing party on the TV news, to reporting on others for the Naperville Sun and Glancer Magazine, I find I am now somehow partly responsible for this final one. All this goes to show its amazing what people will let you do when you volunteer for something in this city!
On Tuesday evening Evan Lysacek will hopefully win the Mirror Ball Trophy, marking both the end of a hard fought contest and the end of my career. I've become obsessed with him since I discovered someone from Naperville was likely to win a gold medal in Vancouver. I stalked him throughout Evan Lysacek Day, have befriended his parents in a desperate attempt for material, saw him skate live at the All State Arena and keep a date with him every Monday and Tuesday night as he dances his way through Dancing With The Stars.
Now you could say, and I hope you will, that this just means I'm an ace reporter always putting my readers' needs first. Or you could be forgiven for saying I'm just another one of the paparazzi looking after her own interests, which to be fair I wouldn't take as an insult.
Either way, life will never quite be the same again after Tuesday when the season comes to an end. Unless you know anyone else in Naperville on the brink of super stardom, that is.....

Civil Duty

Yesterday found us hard at work handing out programs at the Naper Settlement for Civil War Days. The event included a full scale battle re-enactment complete with rifles and canons. Unfortunately Grumpy was included among the wounded - he suffered a paper cut.
"Dearest Mary, I am writing this letter because e mail hasn't been invented yet."
"Ok troops, rally at the bottom of the mountain...."
John tries to take photographs before realizing it's actually a carrot slicer.



"You'll never get the photo if you insist on using a carrot slicer."
Civil War doze....
Captain Bigsby fails to notice the cannon is firing from the wrong end.

"I told you to go before the battle ..."
The real reason Abe Lincoln wanted peace was because he couldn't stand the noise of cannon fire.

"Are you sure the other kids are going to be dressed like this on the first day of school?"
Mind the Gap!
"Give us a hand will you?"