Barts Blog

First things first… The calendar is a little on the light side this month for a couple of reasons. Personnel is one. It’s inconceivable to me that in this economy we can’t find articulate people to make phone calls and search the web. So the advertisers are in the magazine and a few other clubs smart enough to get us their schedules. The rest will be on the web. And while I’m on that subject, there is always more information on the website. Unlike the magazine, the web updates real-time. So as we get the rest of the schedules and haunted house information, along with costume contests, we’ll get that posted to the web on the same day.

About my health… As hard as it is to believe, some people are already sick of hearing about me being sick. I understand some people are just like that. Add this to the fact that I’m doing better now than I was 5 months ago. Pancreatic cancer is a death sentence. But as long as I believe and continue to fight, I’ve got a stay of execution if you will. For this reason, I’ve taken a new approach to keeping everyone informed. If you’re curious as to how I’m doing, see page 11. I’ll list all the fundraisers, tell you about my health, and include excerpts from my new book; Dead Man Talking: A View from the Mic.

End of season… CD & ME is celebrating the end of their summer concert season with a huge bash on Halloween featuring Libido Funk Circus.  This is an all-inclusive package with a $35 cover, which includes dinner and libations.  Plus, what would fall be without a bonfire?

Welcome new advertisers… The Department in Joliet: this club features live music, DJ, and food, with particular interest to college students…. Europe: this intimate dance club located in Summit features live DJs (as opposed to the dead ones, which you normally find this time of year) and the latest Euro sounds.  From time to time they will bring in celebrity guest DJs.  Watch for this club opening at the end of October and keep an eye out for the new website: www.europedanceclub.net.

Ride ‘em cowboy… Saddle Up Saloon, located in the old Spaghetti Warehouse at the Fox Valley Mall on Ogden Avenue, not only gets our cover this month, but they also grab our hearts.  It’s been a while since we’ve had a real full-time country bar in the area, and Saddle Up fills the bill.  Country DJ and live dancing with instruction Tuesday through Saturday; Thursdays are country all day and all night.  Stop in and see Vanessa – standard stalking rules apply.  Speaking of country… you’ve got country karaoke every Thursday at Pete and Jonny’s!  So on Thursdays you’ve got a choice:  you can go sing country, or you can go dance country.  Pete and Johnny’s also features a country menu on Thursday.  Not exactly sure what that means, but I would certainly hope that barbeque and freshly picked ears of corn would be on the menu.  Saddle Up, by the way, is owned by our good friend Lynn, who used to manage Bamboo in Lombard.  She and her husband David did a wonderful job on the remodel – the club is beautiful.  Stop in and see them, tell them I said hi.

Live music… Shoeless Joe’s at Mannheim and Higgins will join the ranks of live music clubs starting October 23^rd, featuring nothing but the best bands every Friday night.  Bannerman’s in Bartlett gives us a blast from the past on October 17^th when they feature Dirty Dan Buck & the Boys. On October 24^th, you have a chance to relive the ‘70s with 7Deez at the Cubby Bear in Lincolnshire.  And if you like live music but aren’t into the full sound of a big band, you’ll enjoy Acoustic Saturdays in our local favorite watering hole, John’s Buffet in Winfield.  You can catch this month’s featured band, I.R.S., at Mickey Finn’s in Libertyville on November 14^th.  I.R.S. specializes in covers from the ‘90s, so get ready to sing and dance along!  Come to Shark City in Glendale Heights on Friday, October 23^rd and Saturday, October 24^th for the Thirsty Whale Reunion Concert Weekend!  This is going to be one not-to-be-missed event, with 40 bands on 2 stages.  Get your tickets at www.thirstywhale.com.

Something different… You can catch the Fight Chix at Maple Avenue Pub in Lisle on October 24^th.  Hot hot hot – hot pants, hot girls, just plain hot.  Oh, to be young again!  Illusions Night Club in Bridgeview has Dirty Bingo on October 8^th – it’s a fun, feisty time with great adult prizes.  And on Wednesday nights, you’ve got Trivia sponsored by Budweiser at Harry’s in Countryside.  I’m sure the $4 Bud pitchers will help sharpen your mind. 

Oktoberfest… Neighborhood Inn in Hoffman Estates is having an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 17^th.  Dust off your dirndl and sport your leiderhosen, because this is sure to be a rockin’ party, with beer and shot specials, DJ, and of course karaoke.  Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights is dedicating the entire month to Oktoberfest, until October 25^th!  Enjoy a pig roast from the spit, yodeling, live music, sing-alongs, and the ever-hilarious Chicken Dance.

Football is heating up… even though the weather is cooling off. If you can’t get down to the city to tailgate, head instead to Hawthorne’s Backyard, where they have a pig roast for every Bears game – yum!  Speaking of food, and I usually always am, you should check out the recession-busting food and specials at Chicago City Limits in Schaumburg.  Everything from $5 pizza to $2.99 burgers – and we’re not talking a little burger here, we’re talking full-size king of beef burger.  And if price-busting isn’t enough, there’s always Kids Eat Free Mondays at Capri in Oakbrook Terrace.  Capri, as you may remember, won Best Italian Restaurant in the last SNL readers’ poll.

Grand Openings… Club VIP: Located where Temptations used to be, you won’t recognize it once you step in the door!  Huge TVs, plasma screens – it’s a great place to watch the game.  It’s also a hot dance club, featuring Q, formerly of Hang Time at the Holiday Inn in Elmhurst… BreakTime Billiards in Naperville is now Last Call Sports Bar and Grill.  More than your typical sports bar, Last Call has added eight 10-foot projection screens, two 6-foot screens, and more televisions broadcasting in HD.  They’ve also added a comfy lounge area with Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, and the food menu has been expanded, including a great late-night menu.  Too many changes for you?  Never fear, 10 of the 19 pool tables are still there.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes… Closed: Ernie McCann’s in Aurora, Venice Tavern in Batavia, Chapala Restaurant in Batavia.  Andy’s in DeKalb is temporarily closed.

Tent event… Cigars & Stripes in Berwyn takes the Halloween seriously.  So seriously that the owner and operator of this fine establishment has purchased what just might possibly be the last intact, vintage, sideshow tent in all of America, once owned and operated by P.T. Barnum and the legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.  Who knows what this tent once housed! However, for one night, Thursday, October 29^th at 6:30 p.m., it will house the greatest beers in the world.  Thanks to the Midwest’s number-one craft and import beer distributor of all time: Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., you’ll have a chance to taste these incredible craft beer potions. In theme of the legendary Coney Island Freak Show, sample the human blockhead, sword swallower, Coney Island lager and the albino python.  And don’t forget the Halloween tradition of the Freaktoberfest…. Blood-red beer.  Enjoy. See you at the show, and it will be a show, I assure you.

Beer, Bears, Bagz… Fall into fun at the Chicago Loop with the Miller Girls on October 4^th from 1:30 – 3 p.m.!  They’ll be cheering on Da Bears and giving away collectible Tradition of Greatness Bears pint glasses with every Miller, Lite, or MGD purchase.  You can get a new one of these collectible glasses every month – this month’s star is Gayle Sayers.  Other Miller Girls giveaways include a Dick Butkus jersey and more!  Don’t forget, Chicago Loop offers a free halftime buffet at every Bears game!  Hawthorne’s Backyard in West Chicago is holding their Biggest Ever Bagz Tournament on October 17^th!  Sign your team up early and the entrance fee is $40; this goes up to $50 per team from 1 – 2 p.m. on the day of.  This will be tons of fun, with cash prizes and a pig roast! See their ad in this issue for more info.

Spooks… GreenMan Theatre Troupe presents “Spooky Stories of the Season,” an autumnal storytelling program with a scary twist!  Performances will be at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, October 2 – 3, at the First United Methodist Church in Elmhurst.  The first half of the program will feature family-friendly stories and songs appropriate for children.  After admission, the second half features scarier tales for grown-ups!

Personal notes… Don’t forget: October 26^th, 27^th, and 28^th, do your shopping at Jewel-Osco.  Grab one of the coupons from this magazine or download it from our website.  The wonderful folks at Jewel will be donating a percentage of every sale at any Chicagoland store to the trust fund which will take care of my family after my untimely demise.  That’s any Jewel-Osco, any purchase – all you need is the coupon. Whether you’re stocking up for the game or Halloween candy, doing your weekly family shopping, or you just need a pack of cigarettes: help us out.

An Excerpt from my forthcoming book "Dead man talking; A view from the mic"

As the 1970's are mostly a blur, it’s kind of surprising I remember this little story at all. I had just recently?been hired as the DJ at a dance club in St. Charles… It might have been ’84 or ‘85, so forget?I mentioned the 70's blur thing.

The club has long since closed and this remains my only memory of it. It was my second night at the club and a group of regulars weren’t thrill to see their vinyl vixen had been replaced by a slightly over-weight body attached to a magnificent voice?now occupying the DJ booth. For the first hour I tolerated their jabs, barbs and general obnoxiousness, for the most part they could not be heard over the music.?But even I had my limits and after a few libations they actually got smarter and realized if the music wasn’t playing more people could hear them and the laughs would probably be bigger, something I discovered years earlier while I was sober.

Shortly into the?second hour, one particularly loud insult made it to my ears. Don’t ask me what it was. Like most insults it was easily forgettable and meaningless. My?response was simple enough. I turned on the mic and told him I was going hunting on Sunday and would he like to come along as bait. I must have caught him at a good time. With the music off, the mic was on, all ears in the house were on my dimwitted friend who with a liquor bloated quick wit replied, "Sure what are you hunting?"

"Assholes," I replied.

I recently remembered this story while I was answering a survey about the amount of time I spend on social networking Web sites. The Web is populated with all types of fun facts, fiction and interesting people, along with hecklers and a-holes. No bait required. The latter are mostly filling their time while wasting yours. When you have stage-three cancer you normally do not have a lot of time left.?

My time is valuable. In an effort to justify my existence, I’ve been trying to get together in person with small groups of people?whom I either attended school or worked with. Ironically, the best place to track them down is through the world-wide Web.

At one of these recent unions, five of my high school classmates got together at a local Irish pub. We got together late (after 8 p.m.) and took a table in the dining room. We planned on being loud and possibly off color and did not want to bother the patrons in the bar. Silly us, the dining room was busy as well, yet still we stuck to our original plan. It was fun. It was informative. It was better than anything on cable and it was a productive utilization of my precious remaining time.

The real surprise came the next day in an e-mail. And with the sender's permission, I place it here, unedited. If I ever have to defend or justify my life, I think this will cover it.

First things first... Hollywood Palms, the new cinema, bar and eatery in Naperville, will open to the public on Sept. 9. Several Hollywood heavyweights will highlight the three-month grand opening celebrations to follow soon thereafter. Join the fun on Sept. 18 and 19, when Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss hosts special screenings of some of his greatest works. Screenings of “Jaws” and “What About Bob?” will be shown Sept. 18 with “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” to follow on Sept. 19. Each night Dreyfuss will host a question-and-answer session with the audience and sign autographs.

Karen Allen will also host a Q&A and sign for fans after screenings of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on Sept. 25 and 26. The “official” Grand Opening Party will take place on Sept. 24 with national recording artists “Parachute,” hosted by Eric and Kathy from The Mix, 101.9-FM. On Sept. 26, Roger Ebert will sign copies of his book “Awake in the Dark: the best of Roger Ebert” with closing ceremonies of the Naperville Independent Film Festival to follow.

Other big names scheduled to appear in future months include the cast of “Twilight: New Moon,” Terri Garr (“Mr. Mom”), Elliot Gould (“M*A*S*H”), and Tippi Hedren (Hitchcock’s “The Birds” and “Mamie”).

Exploring Marz... Breakaway Bar & Grill in Villa Park has a huge act this month: Marz from Billion Dollar Ballers (BDB) will perform on Sept. 19. He was on tour with Paul Wall (a bayou rapper and favorite of Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot, who has a bobblehead doll of Wall prominently placed in his locker) and Tec Nine. Marz is doing his first show ever right here in our backyard. Stop by Breakaway for this one-of-a-kind experience.

Get hot... Is that beer belly getting out of hand? Too many martinis stretching your stretch pants a bit to the breaking point? XSport Fitness in Downers Grove is offering a free week's membership if you mention their ad in this month's edition of NiteLife ask for Tiffany Justice. Get fit, folks.

Get in the games... this month at Maple Ave. Pub in Lisle. Starting on Wednesday nights in September, Maple Ave. will host Beer Pong and Flippy Cup competitions. Enjoy making your friends drink due to your ridiculous skills? Then this is the place for you. They'll also host a Bagz tournament on Friday, Sept. 11.

Party room... If you're looking for a quality establishment to host your next private party or corporate function, look no further than Pete & Johnny's on Odgen Ave. in Lisle. Their spacious party room can comfortably host groups between 30-65 people. Great food, great atmosphere.

Warm up those pipes... The Oswego Idol Contest kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 10. Head to the Cantina in Oswego to enter one of the qualifying rounds and make yourself eligible for the $500 grand prize. Overall, $1,000 in cash and prizes will be given away.

They're coming to America, Lemont specifically... Super Diamond, a nationally acclaimed Neil Diamond tribute band, will perform at CD & ME in Lemont on Friday, Sept. 24 at 9 p.m.

At least these Cubbies will be playing in October... The North Siders won't make the playoffs this year, barring the mother of all September miracles. But that won't stop the fun at the Cubby Bear in Lincolnshire. Make your plans to join them for their annual Oktoberfest celebration Oct. 2, 3 and 4. Plenty of live music, German food – even a German DJ spinning hits.

Authentic German celebration... There is a reason why Schnitzel Platz on Il. Rt. 64 in Glendale Height is our favorite German Restaurant in the U.S. They serve authentic German food and beer year-round, and it gets kicked up a notch this time of year during their annual Oktoberfest celebration. The party begins on Sept. 4 and runs all the way through Oct. 25. Schnitzel Platz will be serving original HB Oktoberfest beer throughout, complementing pig roasts, live music, yodeling and sing-alongs. Take the time to take the family and don’t forget to tell them I sent you.

Oak Park bids farewell to summer... Celebrate the autumnal equinox at OakToberfest in Oak Park, Sept. 18-20. Taste a variety of micro-brews and wines along with delicious fall food from local vendors, and enjoy special live music performances featuring bands from all over the country.

Da Bearz.... Harry's in Countryside is your Bears giveaway headquarters this season. Watch the game there to enter to win a free, three-night trip to Vegas! You can also win Bears tickets during Sunday Bears games. Stop in for the season opener on Sunday night, Sept. 13 when the Monsters of the Midway take on their arch-rival Green Packers live from Lambeau Field.

Get messy for a good cause... JD Muggs in Addison will host a Jello wrestling fundraiser on Sept. 26, beginning at 9:30 p.m. If you've ever seen the pictures from previous Jello wrestling nights at JD Muggs, you know what a great time this is. The bar is looking for female wrestlers who don't mind a little cherry Jello in their hair, not to mention various other areas, to round out the card. See their ad in this issue to get in touch and cement your spot.

We all scream for ice cream... particularly Uncle Harry's brand of ice cream. The popular Addison ice cream shop closed its former location last spring with plans to reopen a bigger and better shop a couple of miles east on Ill. Rt. 20 in Addison. The beautiful new store is now open in the strip mall directly behind Portillo's at 48 W. Lake St. Stop in for a few scoops of Uncle Harry's award-winning ice cream during their free, weekly car show every Sunday at 6 p.m. Tell Leif (Uncle Harry) I said hi and get a bottle of Green River and some ice cream to take home.

Whitey gets feted... The Irish Mill in Mundelein is hosting a salute to Whitey O'Day the first weekend in September. Whitey has been providing his style of classic Irish and American songs in the suburbs for two generations, and the Irish Mill will celebrate his 35-year career with a weekend of Whitey. Call the Irish Mill for details.

So long... MT Barrels Restaurant and Brewery in downtown West Dundee has closed its doors, along with The Colosseum Complex in Mokena.  The Complex includes The Colosseum, The Pearl Room, Capone’s, Maximus, and The Beer Garden.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes… The Chicago Loop has a new manager: our good friend Scott, formerly of Mullen’s and Egg’lectic in Wheaton…. And Paul Steinhauer of the Lodge and Kingpin gets the GM position at Tailgaters…

Boo!!!... Are you getting ready for Halloween? Evil Intentions Haunted House will open Sept. 25 at the abandoned Elgin Casket Co. in Elgin from 7 p.m. until midnight. You have until Nov. 1 to experience “the place where the wretched reap the souls of the pure.” Kinda creepy! I like it.

Around the lake... Michiana’s largest haunted theme park, Niles Haunted House Scream Park, opens Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. and runs until Halloween! Experience the scariest, creepiest, most blood-curdling attractions in three unique haunted houses, a haunted hayride, the Field of Screams, and more. All this terror is for a great cause – the Park raises money for a wide variety of local charities. Check out www.NiteLife.org to print out a coupon for savings on a Frightful Nightful at Niles Haunted House.

Going live... The Auld Dubliner on Boughton Rd. in Bolingbrook will host live music on Friday in September. Don't miss dancing with music from the DJ on Saturdays, beginning at 10 p.m.

School's back in session, so is the great entertainment... at Otto's in DeKalb, where they'll host a great lineup in September! Don’t miss This Must Be the Band, a Talking Heads tribute, on Friday, Sept. 11, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on Sept. 18, and Heart-Set Self-Destruct on September 26 – they have shows almost every day of the week at Otto's.

Sing it, baby... Open Range Southwest Grill in Sugar Grove is starting Karaoke Nights on the second and fourth Friday of every month, beginning Sept. 11! Join Ben and Linda with Singer’s Choice from 9:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. and sing your heart out!

Benefitting my family... It’s particularly hard to write this section mostly because the beneficiary is me. My condition continues to improve, to the amazement of my doctors and nurses. My pain is managed and I’m more mobile now than I was a month ago. But there have been so many friends, fans and readers contributing to the fund, that this is really the best place to acknowledge them. There is a fund set up at the community Bank in Wheaton under the name “Loiacono Irrevocable Family Trust.” It will of course be there for my wife and two sons to help defray the costs after I’m gone. I remind myself daily about my “second opinion,” who said I wouldn’t survive past June. Nevertheless here I am – grateful for every day God gives me to spend time with my two boys, Max and Cash, and my wife. Following is a list of people, bands, and businesses who have helped by making a generous gift of time and money to grow the fund: Guardian Construction; Augustine’s Rock and Roll Deli; St. Isidore’s; Cub Scout Pack 317; Boy Scout Troops 375 and 575; Auld Dubliner; Wheaton Religious Gift and Church Supply; the William Stroner family; Arra; Big Fun Band (formerly The Big Bear Band); BreakTime Sports Bar & Grill; The Britney Experience; Catfight; Cheeseburger in Paradise; Chicago City Limits; Chili’s Karaoke; The Cryan’ Shames; DJ Praz;  DJeneration K; Loyal Reader Earl; Hot Rocks; Jewel (Army Trial & Bloomingdale Rds.);  Mighty Joe; Robert Hansen; Scramble; Shark City; Sherry & Jack Schultz; Top Hat Entertainment; The Fundamentals; Avalanche; Perfect Strangers; Tamara Wilson; the Taschetta family; Kashmir; Bob Zalewski.

Also, I'd like to personally thank store manager Mr. H. and my wife’s supervisor, Brenda, from Jewel, who have set us up on the Jewel Network. For three days in October, the 25th – 28th, Jewel will donate a percentage of every purchase to the fund. All you need to do is download the special identification slip from our website. The great thing is, you can do this at any Jewel.

Personal notes... Happy birthdays this month to my sisters Marya and Clarice and my niece Angela.

First things first...

I'd like to thank all of you for your prayers throughout my battle with pancreatic cancer. They must be working because my cancer has had no growth. We're still fighting the good fight.

My deepest thanks go out to all who have been coming out to the benefits, and I want to thank the many talented musicians who have generously donated their time and skills at these events. This means more than I can explain.

More benefits are in the works for September and beyond. If you'd like to assist my cause in August, please stop by Illusions Niteclub at Niko's in Bridgeview on Aug. 6. Another large benefit will take place at one of the best live-music venues in the area when Chicago City Limits in Schaumburg hosts a night of music featuring three incredible bands: Hot Rocks, Arra and Catfight. The show begins at 5 p.m. and the live music will continue until midnight. Obviously, there's a lot going on this month that doesn't involve my personal cause, so let's get to it...

Open mic nights... Many a superstar got his/her start at open mic nights. Hone your skills or simply blow off some steam by toting your ax to one of the many open mic nights taking place throughout Chicagoland, as featured in this month's print edition of NiteLife.org. Two I'd like to point out in particular are Two Rivers in Lemont and Diamond Jim's in East Dundee. Two Rivers will host an open mic every Thursday in August with $10 buckets. Start your night out with half-price appetizers between 4-6 p.m., then stay for some great live tunes.

Diamond Jim's open mic night takes place every Tuesday in August in the huge, outdoor beer garden. Diamond Jim's provides drums, P.A.'s, and microphones. Just bring your instrument and talent. All ages are welcome until 10 p.m.

You've gotta see this... The South Side is now home to one of the best entertainment venues in the metro area, thanks to Showtime at 133^rd and Cicero Ave. in Crestwood, a huge but elegant 25,000 square-foot live entertainment venue consisting of two custom-built and designed showrooms. Showtime is family-owned and operated, and brings top-of-the line performers and shows to Chicagoland at the peak of their popularity and demand. The venue is currently presenting big-act comedy shows, DJs, and karaoke. This unique locale offers an eclectic mix of entertainment, and some very big things are coming in the near future. Showtime will be hosting live professional fight nights (boxing, wrestling, MMA), Broadway shows and plays, national comedy acts, fashion shows, concerts, and big-name live bands. Along with being the South Side’s largest bar, Showtime’s venue is constructed with an atmosphere of royalty, first-class design and elegance, giving a fresh-new style and feeling to the South Side. Make sure to check out their ad this month in NiteLife. Coming up on their packed schedule: Showdown at Showtime, a live boxing match on Aug. 22nd. If you've never been to a live boxing match before, it's an experience like few others. A must-see in my humble opinion.  Make sure to check out their website: www.ReadySetShowtime.com.

This salsa isn't mild... Looking for a good place for salsa dancing? Look no further than Galaxy Nightclub inside the Stardust Bowl on Lorraine Rd. in Addison. DJ Mikey Shotz will be your host for a night of salsa dancing on Friday, Aug. 21. Mikey Shotz is also your host every Thursday in August for the Addison Idol, with a $50 nightly cash prize and a whopping $500 Grand Prize!  These terrific Thursdays also bring great deals with $1 drafts and $2 domestic bottles.

Athens Sister City Shuffle… It's all about Greece at the second Annual Athens Sister City Shuffle on Thursday, Aug. 27 on Chicago's lakefront, an event that honors Athens, Greece, one of Chicago's 27 sister cities. From the 5K chip-timed run (participants are encouraged to wear toga garb) to the Greek-themed after-party, featuring entertainment, food, beverages, awards, and more, fun will be had by all. Among the highlights will be girl-rockers, Catfight, the acclaimed Jesse White Tumbling Team, and the Olympian Greek Dance Troupe. For an additional $15, participants can enjoy a post-run Gale Street Inn-catered authentic Greek meal with drinks. On the menu will be chicken, pork, and swordfish shish-kabobs, Greek Sausage, Greek salad (with feta cheese and Greek olives, naturally) as well as beer and wine. The top overall run winners will be honored in a traditional Olympic-style ceremony complete with olive-leaf crowns! If you ran for the French in the Bastille Day 5K, come shuffle with the Greeks at the Athens Sister City Shuffle. You don't have to run or walk – come enjoy the feast and entertainment, Greek-style! Registration/block party opens 5 p.m., Race starts 7 p.m. – party until 10:30 p.m. To register or for more information, visit www.chicagoevents.com.

The weekend isn't over yet... Rehabilitate yourself with the third party of the weekend, After-Hours Sundays at Cadillac Ranch on Ill. Rt. 20 in Bartlett. Win $100 every week at their late-night Cosmic Bagz Tournament. That's right – everything glows in the dark! Fulfill your late-night craving for pizza with the free pizza buffet from midnight until 3 a.m. Well cocktails along with $4 premium bombs and energy drinks will be on special all night long. DJ Lucky and DJ Bryan Nash will be your party hosts, spinning top hits until 4 a.m. Receive complimentary admission on Sundays after 10 p.m. with a Bar Pass! Come in during the week to see your favorite staff member and receive yours.

McHenry county's new hotspot... Snug Harbor, a new riverside restaurant and indoor/outdoor entertainment complex, just opened a few blocks from downtown McHenry. Guests can drink with panoramic views of the Fox River from inside the restaurant or dine outside on a 5,000 square-foot, multi-level riverside patio and deck area along 200 feet of scenic river frontage. Snug Harbor will fire up for lunch at 11 a.m. and keep buzzing after work for dinner and “Life After Dinner,” with entertainment until 2 a.m. nightly, including live acoustic bands every Thursday and Saturday starting at 10pm. On weekends, guests can kick back at the water’s edge with a sizzling burger from the deck barbeque crew and request a favorite summer classic from the “wireless DJ” roaming through the deck and patio areas. Feel like a cruise? Snug Harbor has a fleet of luxury party boats for guests who want to get out on the water and “Party Like a Yacht-Star” with friends and family.  For those with boats of their own, Snug Harbor has 60 slips to cradle your pride-and-joy in luxury. For those who support positive environmental efforts by local businesses, I'd like to point out that Snug Harbor is the first restaurant in Northern Illinois to generate more than 10 percent of its electrical power with a wind-powered turbine generator, helping to keep the Fox River Valley “green.”

Beads, beads and more beads... Over 5,000 beads will be handed out at Zero Gravity in Naperville when they host a Mardi Gras party on Saturday, Aug. 8. The area's top non-alcoholic dance club will host six different DJs spinning live, not to mention Hottest Male and Hottest Female contests with over $200 in cash and prizes. This is also the official Dance Vision 11 Release Party, so free copies will be given out throughout the night. Zero Gravity will also host the suburbs’ largest foam party on Aug. 9, with a 2-for-1 cover for everyone before 10:30 p.m.

Well, can you or can't you?... All Star Sports Bar & Grill in Oakbrook Terrace is hosting a karaoke contest entitled “So You Think You Can Sing!” Join the crowd at this popular sports bar every Tuesday from 8-11 p.m. through the finals on Aug. 11. Show up to compete for the $500 Grand Prize (You must attend one of the Tuesday events to qualify for the finals).

R.I.P.... Maple Avenue Pub is hosting a Dead Artist Theme Party this month: come in dressed as a deceased celebrity and be eligible to win giveaways and cash prizes. Music throughout the whole night will be a tribute to the fallen stars. Also, American Lover Boys will be back to dance for a Girls’ Night Out, so come on over ladies and check out these bodacious bods. And brought to you by popular demand, you’ve asked for it guys, and it’s finally here: American Lover Girls! So come one, come all for this memorable Boys’ Night Out.

Riding for Abby... Uncle Paulie's in Glendale Heights will host its 5^th annual Abby Rose benefit on Aug. 15. Like in past years, the festivities will include a poker run and pig roast. The bar opens at 10:30 a.m. with bikes out at noon and returning at 6 p.m. The pig roast and raffle will take place at 7:30. Abby passed away on April 10, 2005. Patrons of Uncle Paulie's have since raised over $35,000 to help send 25 kids to college. The goal this year is $10,000 with your help and participation in this great cause. More item donations for the auction would be appreciated. Tickets are on sale now. For any questions or donations, please e-mail Matt at mattup1@comcast.net.

Not your grandma's bingo game... Here's something original. Coming Aug. 13 to Illusions nightclub at Niko's in Bridgeview: Dirty Bingo. How will they make bingo dirty, you ask? By offering adult prizes to the winners. Grandma would faint... or would she? Hmmm. They'll play on the second Thursday of every month.

Under new management... Club VIP in Franklin Park is now The Main Event. This ultimate sports and dance club features darts, karaoke, air hockey, pool tables, free Happy Hour appetizers, the biggest dance floor in the area, UFC fights and sporting events, and a DJ Fridays and Saturdays. They specialize in one-of-a-kind parties, so if you’re celebrating something, get to The Main Event.

Get some culture already... at one of our area's local theatres in August. Noble Fool in St. Charles stages two great shows: “The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?” and “Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding,” the popular interactive event. The Players, Please Theatre in Lombard presents “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” starting August 14. Get metaphysical at The Riverfront Playhouse in Aurora with “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.” Laugh with “Church Basement Ladies” at The Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin or “Studs Terkel’s Not Working” at Second City in Chicago, and sing along with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Up & Coming Theatre in Palatine. If you’d rather participate than watch, head over to open auditions for Green Man Theatre’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s masterpiece “Pride and Prejudice,” Aug. 16-18 at First United Methodist Church in Elmhurst.

There's nothing like live music... So don't miss the 8th Annual Musicfest taking place Aug. 2 at Sideouts Bar and Eatery in Island Lake! Admission for Sunday is only $5 and the shows are for all ages. Live bands will be playing throughout the day, including the main event – Modern Day Romeos. In addition, there will be vendor booths, including bike builders, body painting, t-shirts, tanning spas, martial arts, a bikini bike wash, and more. Come join this great, outdoor, annual event.

So long... City Club in Naperville has closed, as has Vangelos in Carol Stream.
‘Vette night... Double G’s in Long Grove will host their 2^nd Annual Corvette Show, with outdoor entertainment, starting at 11 a.m. with Rick Lindy & The Wild Ones playing retro rock from the ‘50s and ‘60s!

Aug-toberfest... The Schwaban Verein in Buffalo Grove celebrates their 132^nd Annual Summer Festival, Oktoberfest in August. The party runs Aug. 22-23: Saturday, 1 p.m. – midnight; Sunday 1 p.m.– 10 p.m. Oktoberfest in August will feature traditional German music by the Fidelen Kirchheimer, a 14-piece band direct from Germany, plus special guests the Corpo Musicale Oligatese from Oligato, Como, Italy, on Saturday from 2-3 p.m. Oktoberfest will also have food and drink, singers and dancers, raffle prizes, a moon walk, and amusement games.

First things first...

My sincere thanks go out to all of you who have asked how I'm doing as I continue my battle with pancreatic cancer.

I'm doing better than expected. I continue to astound my doctors with the progress I've made in my fight, and my numbers have looked good of late. One doctor told me I wouldn't live to see 55. However, in late June I celebrated my 55^th birthday at a party with family and friends. I had a great time. I expect to have more great times.

I have my good days and my bad days, but I've been encouraged as of late, which wouldn't be possible without the incredible support I've received from my family and friends. Thank you all so much.

If you're wondering how I am doing in July, please feel free to stop by my home in Wheaton and see me for yourself. Company is always appreciated. Just e-mail me at bart@nitelife.org to let me know if you're coming by.

I also want to thank all of those who have been organizing benefits on my behalf. I have two girls in my office, Laura and Michael, who have been doing a wonderful job of organizing the benefits. If you are interested in organizing a benefit, please contact them at our office at (800) 339-2000.

And for those who have graciously inquired about making a direct donation, you can send a check to Bart's Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 428, West Chicago, IL 60186-0428.

For 25 years I have been the emcee of the Wheaton Fourth of July parade and fireworks show. I won't be performing those duties this year. Instead, I'm being honored as Grand Marshall of the parade. I'm humbled by the honor.

The benefits begin... Family, friends, NiteLife Magazine co-workers and many generous people throughout the suburban hospitality industry have been banding together to host benefits on my behalf, which will begin this month. Here's a list of some of those benefits finalized by press time. More are in the works. We'll update the Web site with additional information, so please log on to nitelife.org for the most up-to-date details.

· A HUGE benefit will take place on Sunday, July 12 at BreakTime Billiards on Ill. Rt. 59 in Naperville. It'll be a live music show dubbed “Rockin' for Bart.” The incredible lineup includes live performances by Acoustic Set, Big Fun, Scramble and headliners, the Cryan' Shames. The show begins at 7 p.m. Thank you, BreakTime Billiards.

· The first benefit of the season, titled “Singing for Bart,” will be hosted by my good friend Brandon Filipello, your karaoke host for the evening, and our longtime supporters at Tailgaters on Boughton Rd in Bolingbrook on July 7 from 9 p.m.–2 a.m. There will be a $5 donation at the door and a great drink special: for $25 it's all-u-can-drink from 9 p.m. until midnight. Sing karaoke all night long with $100 to the best entertainer of the evening. There will also be hundreds of dollars in prizes and giveaways until closing time at 2 a.m. Thank you, Tailgaters.

· Shark City in Glendale Hts (Army Trail and Bloomingdale Rds.) will host a “Best of Bart” benefit on Monday, Aug. 3 ($15 cover). The evening will include liquor samplings, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, prizes and a variety of live entertainment, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thank you, Shark City.

· My friend Ron Larson of Chili's Karaoke is hosting multiple karaoke shows in the next two months with a benefit theme in my name. Thank you to the clubs who have generously donated to my cause by hosting these events, and my deepest thanks to Ron for getting them involved and making this effort. There will be a recommended $5 cover at the door, and Ron will point out how to donate during these shows for those interested in doing so. We'll be supplementing his prize closet with gift certificates for various hotel overnights stays and gift certificates to the Sybaris.

Here's the lineup of shows: Friday, July 17 at Brunswick Zone on 103^rd St. in Oak Lawn; Saturday, July 18 at Dillagaf’s on Cicero Ave. in Crestwood; Monday, July 20 at Marcotte's on Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest; Tuesday, July 21 at Zante Lounge on Roberts Rd. in Palos Hills; Wednesday, July 22 at O'Leary's on Waverly Ave. in Midlothian; Thursday, July 23 at Morgan's on Old LaGrange Rd. in Mokena; Friday, July 24 at Groucho's Bar and Grill on South Pulaski Rd. in Chicago and at Jack Duggin's on Cicero Ave. in Crestwood; Saturday, July 25 at Durbin's on South Kedzie Ave. in Evergreen Park and at Traverso's Restaurant on Harlem Ave. in Orland Park; Sunday, July 26 at O'Malley's on Pulaski Rd. in Alsip; Tuesday, July 28 at Rack Bar & Grill on Southwest Hwy. in Palos Hills and at Big Al’s on Ridgeland Ave. in Chicago Ridge; Thursday, July 30 at Bobby McGee's on Harlem Ave. in Chicago Ridge and Chicago Blu on Lagrange Rd in Frankfort; Friday, July 31 at Dalton's Pub on 87^th St. in Burbank; Saturday, August 1 at Dakota Inn on Crawford Ave. in Alsip, at TC's Pub on Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn, and at Rolling Lanes on Joliet Rd. in Countryside; Thursday, August 6 at Illusions Nightclub at Niko’s on Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview.

Ch-ch-ch-changes.... North Beach in Downers Grove, a staple of the suburban bar scene for the last two decades, closed its doors in June. One of the first bars in the suburbs to ever house an indoor sand volleyball court, this islands-themed live music venue and multiple-time winner of Best of the ‘Burbs awards will be missed.... One of the more anticipated openings of the season is set to take place this month in Lake in the Hills when Moretti's opens on Randall Rd. just north of Ill. Rt. 62 (Algonquin Rd.). Expect the same delicious food and prompt service you've come to expect at the other six Moretti's located throughout the city and suburbs.

Friday Night Fever... Break out the bell bottoms and the leisure suits and step into a time warp to the 1970s when Avalanche Pub in Glendale Hts. goes retro for a disco party on July 24 at 7 p.m. I Am Mike will be the DJ, and the July beer special – $2.50 Miller Lite drafts – will keep you dancing like Travolta (the young, hip Travolta, not the goofy, overacting Scientologist).

Vie for the national title... Nina Karaoke Pub in Mt. Prospect will host the Karaoke World Championships in July. The competition continues every Saturday (except July 4) from 9–11 p.m.

Not your grandma's bingo game... Here's something original. Coming Aug. 13 to Illusions nightclub at Niko's in Bridgeview: Dirty Bingo. How will they make bingo dirty, you ask? By offering adult prizes to the winners. Grandma would faint... or would she? Hmmm. They'll play on the second Thursday of every month.

Hot, hot summer fun... It's just too hot for clothes, right? If you've got a body that stops traffic, show it off on July 11, when Breakaway Lounge in North Ave and Addison Rd. in Addison hosts its Hot Body Contest. Show of your top form at this 18-and-older, photographed event and get your groove on with music from Chicago's favorite DJ: E.L.I.

Country summer fun at Pheasant Run... One of the best country shows of the summer will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center on Ill. Rt. 64 in St. Charles when Big & Rich plays on Sunday, July 26. The big show is sold out already, but you can join the crowd for the US99 pre-party barbecue, beginning at 2:30 p.m. The pre-party will feature Two Foot Fred, Cowboy Troy and music by the PennyMaeDixon Band. Tickets for the barbecue are available for $22 in advance or $25 at the door. Joining the band will be the winner of Pheasant Run's Country's Next Big Star competition.

The Bard would approve... The First Folio Theatre in Clarendon Hills closes its “Season of Passion” this month with performances of MacBeth as part of its 13^th annual Shakespeare Under the Stars series. Shakespeare's dark drama still reverberates in modern times with its exploration of passion, power and the darkness that rises from within and without. Spread out a blanket with family or friends (or both) and enjoy a night under the stars with a gripping live performance. Previews take place on July 8, 9 and 10 at 8:15 p.m. Opening night is July 11, also at 8:15 p.m. The shows take place every Wednesday through Sunday, running through Aug. 9.

Aloha... Harry's in Countryside will host a good old-fashioned Hawaiian luau party in their huge beer garden on July 12. Bring your hula skirt and shake those hips better than Shakira.

Live from West Chicago it's Saturday Night... Hawthorne's Backyard on Hawthorne Rd. in West Chicago will host live music in July, starting with Woody and the Wildcats on July 11. See the live entertainment calendar in this issue for a full listing. Hawthorne's is a great place to enjoy live music with its dedicated indoor stage. Come for the live show, and enjoy the cold beer and delicious food, particularly if you're a fan of mouth-watering, fresh, smoked barbecue.

I know you wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go... No, that's not a clear sign you're about to be slapped with a restraining order. Those are just some of the famous lyrics you can sing along with when legendary band Three Dog Night performs at the big summer party at Stage 151 in Joliet on July 8.

Riding for Abby... Uncle Paulie's in Glendale Heights will host its 5^th annual Abby Rose benefit on Aug. 15. Like in past years, the festivities will include a poker run and pig roast. The bar opens at 10:30 a.m. with bikes out at noon and returning at 6 p.m. The pig roast and raffle will take place at 7:30. Abby passed away on April 10, 2005. Patrons of Uncle Paulie's have since raised over $35,000 to help send 25 kids to college. The goal this year is $10,000 with your help and participation in this great cause. More item donations for the auction would be appreciated. Tickets are on sale now. For any questions or donations, please e-mail Matt at mattup1@comcast.net.

Fore all touched by cancer... The Cubby Bear in Lincolnshire will host its 10^th annual golf outing at Deefield Golf Club in Riverwoods on Thursday, July 16 with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, where more than 250 world-class scientists and physicians are working to find answers and share hope with patients and families touched by cancer. A foursome is $600 and or $150 for individuals, which includes 18 holes with GPS-equipped cart, free practice balls before the round, tee gift with logo golf balls, beer and refreshments on the course, an hour of open bar following gold and a complete gourmet steak dinner. Attend the dinner only for $75. Register online at www.cubbybear.com or www.deerfieldgolf.org.

'til next month,

Bart

Now open… Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, a Chicagoland favorite, is now open in Mt Prospect. Formerly Famous Freddie’s Roadhouse, the new Moretti’s brings to the neighborhood a 15,000 square-foot, family-friendly casual dining establishment that will accommodate up to 300 people in the dining room and bar. Another 150 people can sit in the outdoor garden. Expect daily food and drink specials, live music on the weekends featuring local bands and karaoke every Wednesday — plus premium sports viewing and high-tech toys!

The Mt. Prospect location is the sixth Moretti’s to open, joining Chicago, Fox Lake, Schaumburg and Bartlett. A seventh location in Lake in the Hills is scheduled to open soon in the Randall Rd. building formerly occupied by Govnor’s Pub.

Now open… Good news for DuPage residents looking for the perfect location for a summer night out with family, friends or both: Hawthorne’s Backyard in West Chicago opened in early May. Located in the building previously occupied by King James and, more recently, Boondocks, new owners Frank Indelli and Lou Kopinski remodeled the interior for two months before opening in early May. This place is family-friendly. Frank and Lou have reinstituted the Friday fish fry so popular with customers during the King James days, complete with the old recipe. The new owners are pros. Frank and Lou met while working together at Crossroads in Elmhurst, a consistent winner in NiteLife’s Best of the ‘Burbs competitions due to the great atmosphere and top-notch food. Frank ran the front of the house. Lou ran the kitchen, which won awards for best ribs and wings, among other food categories. Reunited and running their own establishment, they intend to win customers over with an above-average American menu and fleet service.

The smokers already on-site were kept, allowing Hawthorne’s Backyard to specialize in a delectable pulled-pork sandwich, already a crowd favorite, not to mention mouthwatering ribs. Enjoy dinner or lunch at a table with the family or pull up a stool at the sports bar and watch all the games on hi-definition flat screens. Many beers on tap.

One of the best features of Hawthorne’s Backyard is the actual backyard itself. Located on 4 ½ acres on Hawthorne Rd (just east of the DuPage Airport between Rt. 64 and 38), the spacious lot allows for lots of outdoor fun. There’s a big beer garden under the shade of trees, a sand volleyball pit, space for bagz tournaments, a horseshoe pit and an outdoor stage area. Here’s a cool summer special: show up at Hawthorne’s Backyard any Saturday or Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on your "Hog" and get a pulled-pork sandwich for free!

A tradition like no other… The Master’s Patio, that is. Just blocks from the hustle and commotion of busy Rt. 20 is a secluded summer patio spot guaranteed to help you escape. Located at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, the Master’s Patio is now open.

Single no more… If you want to find someone, you’ll find someone. All you have to do is put yourself out there. Start with two exciting new dance nights. Join Thunderbird Dances and After Dark Singles for dance parties at Nikos in Bridgeview on Wednesdays and Fridays. Come to Wild Wednesdays – free admission and a free buffet from 10 p.m.–1 a.m., including roasted chicken, barbecue pork, braised lamb, roasted potatoes, California mixed vegetables, baked mostaciolli with Italian sausage, and more. Wild Wednesdays also feature DJ Gay, the former house DJ for The Living Room nightclub. You’ll lose yourself in the state-of-the-art sound and light system – all in an art deco nightclub with a huge bar and seating area. Hundreds are expected for this very special event. On select Fridays, join Nikos for special live events in the dining room. After the show, join the party and have a drink in Illusions Nightclub, with free admission every Friday.

Gotta dance… Shake it on Famous Fridays at Famous Freddie’s in Fox Lake with a dance party hosted by B96’s Chicago DJ Dougie Style with DJs Adolfo Martinez, George May and DJ eFFekt. It’s worth checking out just for the bikini contest every Friday. Ladies: you can win cash and prizes and join the live photo shoot by jozephoto, all the while enjoying $2.50 Miller bottles and $3 u-call-its.

And dance… Chicago Style, suburban location. Join Funk Fridays at Crystal’s Party Bar in Crystal Lake, where it’s one giant party every Friday night. Hang out at the biggest club in Crystal Lake and enjoy $2.75 Miller Lite, MGD and MGD 64 bottles and $4 Absolut. Dance to hits by DJ Rich Too Much Funk.

Fore... Bannerman’s on Rt. 59 in Bartlett will host its third annual golf outing on June 26. Call or stop by for details.

Stay thirsty my friends… Harry’s Sports Bar & Grill in Countryside is offering delicious beer and liquor tastings in June. Pretend to be the most interesting man in the world while trying Dos Equis on June 5, and enjoy the orangey goodness of Grand Marnier June 19.

Enter for free stuff… Stop in Shark City in Glendale Hts. to win some cool prizes. They’ll give away a Cubs/Old Style jersey on June 30 and a NASCAR grill on July 11.

Just add water… Jell-O wrestling. It’s back! J.D. Muggs. Addison. June 13. Funny. Memorable. Messy.

Bagged… Looking for a challenge? Tired of beating the neighbor kid 21-0? Pick on someone your own size at the Alumni Club’s Summer Bagz Tournament, hosted by Bryan Nash. Starting June 4 and continuing every Thursday at 7 p.m. until the finals on Aug. 6, Schaumburg’s finest bagz players will be pitted against one another in a head-to-head battle for a grand prize of $250. Up the degree of difficulty with buckets of four Miller Lite bottles for $10, $2.50 Stoli Malibu cocktails, and $2 Coors Light Drafts.

Batavia Open Mic at Panera… Musical styles of all tastes (at reasonable volume levels) as well as poets and other performance artists are invited to perform at the Batavia Open Mic at Panera Bread in Batavia on Friday, June 5 from 6:30-10 p.m. The Batavia Open Mic is an informal nonprofit organization affiliated with the nonprofit Batavia Rennassance Project. For information, call Dave Ziffer at 630-879-0620 or Jen Thompson at 630-715-6957.

Elmhurst free concerts… As its annual gift to the greater Chicago community, Elmhurst College announces its 14th annual Summer Extravaganza, a free outdoor concert on the lawn of the Elmhurst College Mall. This year’s concert on Saturday, June 20 at 6 p.m. will feature a tribute to legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson performed by three musicians affiliated with Ferguson’s band: Denis DiBlasio (saxophone), Wayne Bergeron (trumpet), and Steve Wiest (trombone), all accompanied by the Elmhurst College Jazz Band. Admission is free and families are welcome at Elmhurst College’s annual celebration of summer and the arts. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Sing your heart out… Are you the next Carrie Underwood? If you have what it takes to perform in front of a live audience, join the fun as Pheasant Run Resort hosts a karaoke contest to find country’s next big star. Registration begins at 9 p.m. in Jambalaya restaurant and bar within the resort. The second preliminary will be held on June 26 at 10 p.m. Must be 21 or over to enter. The finals will be held in the St. Charles ballroom on July 17. The winner will receive two premier tickets to Big & Rich, meet & greet passes, overnight accommodations and the opportunity to sing one song with The PennyMaeDixon Band at the preshow barbecue on Sunday, July 26. For full details, visit www.pheasantrun.com/concerts.

Surroundings made for music… The view at Motefiori Live in Lemont positively sings, so it’s only fitting the location now showcases live music on Thursday nights. This upscale, outdoor venue’s 28 acres are impeccably landscaped. It’s also the perfect place for our next corporate party, wedding or other large event.

We want ice cream!!! Particularly, Uncle Harry’s ice cream, which was named best ice cream in the Midwest by Midwest Magazine in addition to consistently being voted best ice cream in our Best of the ‘Burbs contests. Don’t despair, folks. Uncle Harry’s in Addison closed a couple of months ago, but the plan all along has been to reopen at a new location right down Ill. Rt. 20. The new Uncle Harry’s will open in late June at 1453 W. Lake St. Expect cruise nights every Sunday at 6 p.m.

Live two fer… Tailgaters on Boughton Rd. in Bolingbrook will host two great bands on June 7 at 9:30 p.m. Over the Limit will open for Arrival, which features members of Arra with Ronnie Platt on vocals. Enjoy the high-decibel music of Journey. Tailgaters now hosts Original Music Nights every Wednesday with no cover charge.

Thursday dance concerts… Start your summer weekends a night early at the "Dance the Night Away" summer concert series every Thursday night this summer at CD & ME on LaGrange Rd. in Frankfort. One of the best dance spots in the south suburbs opens its doors every Thursday at 6 p.m. with bands starting at 8 p.m., rain or shine.

Ch-ch-ch-changes… We’ve learned of a couple of closings this month: the Galway Tribes Irish Pub and Alehouse in Frankfort; and the Grape Restaurant on Cass Ave. in Westmont.

Winning hand… Last Shot in South Elgin will host a Poker bike run on June 20. Entry is $15 per bike ($20 per couple). First and second-place win prizes. The run starts at noon.

Laughing for a cause… Enjoy an evening of music, comedy and friends at Gasthaus on Grove Ave. in Elgin. All proceeds go toward purchasing a handicapped-accessible vehicle for Jay Cramer. Jay, a quadriplegic will perform comedy from his wheelchair and there will be live music from Groovy Love Vibe, The Hatters

Mad, & Doomsday Luck. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., music 8 p.m. A $20 donation is suggested.

The advantage of youth is that wonderful feeling of invincibility. But the moment you realize your own mortality there’s a whole shift in the way you think.

It’s a huge shift.

I’d been losing a lot of weight and feeling good about it. I was exercising 30 minutes a day on the treadmill — nothing big, but I wanted to lose weight and get in shape. I didn’t want to be Mr. Saggy anymore.

And it was working. I was getting down to my old dating weight. And then some health issues kicked in.

People would tell me I didn’t look so well. "Oh, really," I would say. "I feel pretty good." But I was fatigued, tired. Way too tired.

And then you go through the course of events. You go see a doctor. The doctor wants to take pictures. And then the pictures come back with something that shouldn’t be there. And then you have to have the biopsy. And then the biopsy says that you’ve got cancer.

Well, that just sucks.

All of the sudden, all those things you were going to do over the course of your lifetime… Well, you realize you don’t have a lifetime to do it. You have a limited amount of time. Whether it be 18 months, be it three years, be it 10 years. I think it’s a matter of how much you want to fight.

And that’s actually been a big question: how much do I want to fight?

I’ve never been a quitter. I’m self-employed. I’m a self-starter. Every company I’ve ever run, I’ve started. I built businesses from scratch, including the publication you’re reading right now. I’m an entrepreneur. The last person I worked for was the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad back in 1978.

So, everybody knows the economy stinks. I was forced to let go of half of my staff last year, and lost my group policy as a result. When I lost my group, I lost my health insurance. Considering our current economic state and the outrageous price of health insurance in this country, I didn’t pick it back up. I figured, ‘Hey, I’m 54 and I’m healthy.’ Hell, I was real healthy at the time. Like I said, I was working out, losing weight, doing everything I had to do.

But back to that doctor thing when he tells you he wants pictures and then says you have cancer. You find out pretty quickly that you’re not Superman, not invincible, not invulnerable.

When you have to tell your two boys, which is not an easy thing to do, you leave out certain details because you don’t want to just come right out and tell them. So the first question your son asks is: "So, is this one of the bad cancers?"

And the answer you unfortunately have to tell him is yes.

Is it the worst cancer? No. Is it one of the bad ones? Yes. I have Stage 3 pancreatic cancer.

Plus, since I’m self-employed and uninsured it’s not only one of the bad cancers, it’s one of the expensive cancers. The price of an overnight hospital stay these days is unbelievable. An MRI can run $5,000.

So, one of my friends calls me up one night and says, "Dude, we’re going to have all kinds of fundraisers for you. We’re going to have 20 of them in one night. We’re going to raise $1,000 at each one of the clubs and raise $20,000."

I told him, "Great, that’s two days in the hospital." It’s about $10,000 a night in the hospital. It’s absurd. Mexico has better health coverage than we do. We have the absolute worst health care of all of them. And you know why? Money. Just follow the money.

So, where do we go from here?

Well, my legacy is this magazine, and that has to continue. I’ve taken several steps to make sure it continues. Fortunately, the economy and job market stink right now, so I’ve been able to find some quality people at an affordable price recently. With proper incentives and proper motivation, and by giving them a piece of the action, they’re working like it’s theirs because, in part, it is.

Everyone knows the print industry is down overall. What they don’t realize is that small independents, the local papers, are in really good shape, especially with the bigger dailies in trouble. We’re only asking for little chunks of money; whereas, they ask for big chunks of money. That works out good for us. My industry, the niche publication industry, is in good shape. Suburban NiteLife, NiteLife.org and the NiteLife.org print publication will be around long after me.

The fortunate thing is I created something in my lifetime that was bigger than me. And that’s kind of a good legacy to leave behind. Not everyone can say they left behind an important legacy, that they made a difference. I can actually look back on my life and say, "Yes, I did. I did make a difference."

I had a restaurant/bar in the late 1970s called Baker Street. It was a Sherlock Holmes-themed restaurant. I started a mobile disc jockey company in the 1980s and emceed hundreds of weddings, graduation parties, bar mitzvahs, birthdays. And in 1992, I started this publication.

I sometimes wonder: how many people would I not have met had I not started those companies? How many relationships would never have been? How big of an effect did we have?

So here’s what I’m humbly asking you to do in return. If at any point in time you got any benefit out of my businesses, particularly this magazine; if we did something good for you, if you liked what we did; if you simply used us because we were free, whatever—consider it shareware. We’ll take voluntary donations, stipends to defray the cost.

A 5013c charity is being set up at one of the local banks. You can make a donation through PayPal, or you can just help out by attending one of the benefits in the works. There will be a number of them, and we would truly appreciate your support. Keep checking my blog at nitelife.org for upcoming events.

Thank you,

First things first…
Here comes The Club… How do I begin to describe The Club on 77th St. in Burbank? How about huge! I am not just talking about an ordinary club hitting the market with some fancy light show or the world’s hottest go-go dancers. Your jaw will drop upon entrance to one of the largest clubs this side of Las Vegas. This 4,000-capacity club has been divided into two separate venues. One side will be hosting large concert events featuring local bands and artists, including national acts like Two Live Crew and Van Winkle (also known to us as Vanilla Ice). They have also tapped into some of the biggest names off the European circuit, including Poland’s popular Doda.
The other side of this beautiful monstrosity houses the bar and clubs. I would like you to notice my plural usage of the word, “clubs.” The Club has over 10 theme rooms – enough for an entire fraternity house to party in – without any concern about disturbing other partygoers. It also has three large, separate bars, a full dance club and a fully-constructed log cabin room for the Paul Bunyan types. Watch out, ladies, I might be forced to pull out the flannel shirt for this one.
Check out their Web site at www.theclubchicago.com for more details, as some of the concert nights are open to 18 and over. This is one of the largest club openings in the Chicago suburban scene in a while, so make sure to check out the grand opening scheduled for May 9. See their Web site for tickets and more.
Mango-flavored fun… There is always a feeling of hope when heading out to the local club that hosts a night of Latin or salsa dancing. Maybe it’s the fantasy that drives the Latin feel, beautiful people in tight, brightly-colored clothing, flowers being tossed onto the dance floor, a little romance in the night air. Mango Restaurant, at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Dempster in Niles, meets and exceeds those expectations. The place evokes images of the Chicago underground scene as soon as you walk through the door, the feeling you have discovered a great salsa club. The owner, Sam, fills Mango with enough energy to keep you dancing into the morning hours. And I haven’t even described the food yet. We’re fortunate to have many establishments throughout Chicagoland that serve delicious, authentic Mexican food, but this menu goes miles beyond your favorite late-night burrito stand. OK, I’m just going to say it: this is now my favorite spot for authentic, south-of-the-border food. I’ve been craving Mango’s enchiladas all month and I plan on returning for more. A great place to take that special someone.
Naperville goes Hollywood… With all the closings we’ve seen in recent months, it’s good to announce a grand opening, even if it’s still a few months off. Hollywood Blvd., the wonderful full-service eatery in Woodridge, will open its second location in Naperville. Called Hollywood Palms, the new location on Rt. 59 is expected to open around Labor Day Weekend.
Welcome… To the Rusty Nail Lounge on 95th St. in Oak Lawn. For those of you who don’t know, the Nail is not your everyday karaoke bar adding excitement in your life every Monday night. No, no. The Nail has decided to give you all the karaoke you can handle — a full week of it. If that’s not enough, how about a 10-week karaoke contest with a final prize of $5,000? Yep, you heard me, 5K in crisp bills. All you have to do is show up, sing, and win. Prizes are given out weekly, with the grand prize of $5,000 to be awarded at the end of 10 weeks. You only have to show up and sing, as this contest is won by lottery, not singing skill! So for all of you William Hungs out there, the contest begins May 17th at 9 p.m. Call or stop into the Rusty Nail for details.
Das good… Everyone’s favorite German restaurant, Schnitzel Platz on Rt. 64 in Glendale Hts., now has Spaten Maibock on tap. Mmmm, beeeerrrr. Don’t forget to bring Mom out on May 10, when the restaurant will offer a special Mother’s Day menu. Mom always did love a good knockwurst.
Ticket giveaway… Stop in to Q Billiards in Darien every Friday in May for your chance to win a pair of Cubs or Sox tickets.
Looking for bands… Playoffs on Rt. 64 and Carol Stream is looking to add bands and DJs to their entertainment calendar. New bands and DJs, this is a great opportunity!
Sing it, Huskies fans… Anyone who attended NIU or has ever visited friends in DeKalb has undoubtedly enjoyed a night or 20 at Otto’s Niteclub and Underground on Lincoln Hwy. If it’s been a while since you’ve stopped in, give it a shot on an upcoming Thursday night when Otto’s hosts its Team Karaoke nights, hosted by BSTARR, who keeps the crowd moving with a wide range of music and keeps them coming back for more. Team Karaoke differs from other karaoke nights in that singers are encouraged to sing songs designed to involve the crowd. Country songs (the new stuff) have been deleted from the songbooks in favor of classic rock, 80s, indie rock, and almost anything else you could think of. In between songs, BSTARR pumps electrifying dance jams as much for the crowd as for himself, and he’s been known to bust moves all over the dance floor and stage. Team Karaoke happens every Thursday Night from 9 p.m.—2 a.m. Otto’s also offers great drink specials, multiple pool tables, darts, foosball, a separate bar, and is your DeKalb County headquarters for touring musical acts.
Now if they could only deliver the Sphinx… If you enjoy the delicious entrees, pizza, sandwiches, pasta, or salads at the Pyramid Club in Addison, you’ll be delighted to learn they now deliver the same great food to your door. No, the delivery guy will not be dressed as Pharaoh.
Forever and Evergreen… If you’re looking for the perfect place to kick back with a cold one and watch the Cubs or White Sox on a beautiful outdoor patio, look no further than Ray’s Evergreen Grille on Main St. in St. Charles, home of the famous outdoor “Tiki Bar.” They call it the western suburbs’ best full-service outdoor bar and it’s hard to argue with that assessment. Catch the games on their huge plasma TVs and enjoy some of the best drink specials in town for mixed drinks, draft beer and daily specials!
Try them on Friday nights for a traditional Guinness beer-battered fish fry, voted the best in the suburbs, then sing karaoke. Saturday is steak night. After you enjoy your 10-oz strip steak grilled to perfection on the outdoor open grill for $9.95, escape with their eclectic offering of live entertainment, which ranges from reggae to country to pop. Join one of the bagz tournaments every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights on the grass under the lights and win prizes. And you can’t miss College Night every Monday! Bring you school ID and take advantage of 50 cent draft beers and shot specials. Just another reason to enjoy summer.
Talking it over during the game… The local sports bar scene has continued to shine—even in this economy—as people flock to their local watering holes to gossip and let off steam about, well, whatever they need to yell about! I loved this new place, X’s & O’s Sports Bar in Burbank. It’s right off 79th Street, just west of Archer Ave. You will find a more than exceptional staff. I thought the service was great. This beautiful sports bar gives you options. And, boy, do I love options. From pool and darts to video games and DJ dancing, this place will suit anyone’s taste. Make sure to check it out this month!
Frankfort Bar boom… Check out CD & ME as they kick off their Thursday Summer Concert Series starting this month. Make sure to spend some time in their beer garden, as it’s a great place to enjoy music and drinks under the summer night sky. You can also inquire at CD & ME about large private events for corporate parties or if you plan on tying the knot... Bella Martini on Old Frankfort Way is more than just Chicago-style, it’s what a martini bar is supposed to be. This small club gives you a big city feel, a speak-easy location to enjoy with friends or after a long day at the office. They have more than 25 choices of martinis on their house mixers list, which includes a huge variety, more than just the classics. Bella Martini has even embraced another great Chicago tradition that has landed south of I-80, the Italian beef sandwich. Yep... the beef is buona—or should I say Bella! They also have a sampler menu that includes sausages, meatballs, and quesadillas. A great place to see and be seen in ever-growing Frankfort.
‘til next month,