As Requested....

This is the garbage statue of which I spoke in the last post. Its official name was Big Bil-Bored. It was created in 1980 and I would like to say that I don't think I ever met anyone that said they liked it. The statue, is made up of old crap, like used toasters and fans, encased in cement. In the end--1993 being the end-- the craptacular statue was torn down not for being an eye sore and an embarrassment, but for being an environmental hazard. It seems the appliances were rusting and rust water was draining off into the community.

Click here for a color, interactive image that allows you to zoom in. Have fun! You'll find yourself saying things like "Is that a ...plunger??? "

You can see some of the other art objects that were in this shopping plaza, such as my personal favorite, the Pinto Pelt, here.

Music Monday: Son of Svengooli

I am bursting with pride for my hometown right now. Son of Svengooli, like the garbage statue, and the car kabob are all Berwyn originals, so imagine the luck when I happened to find this on YouTube.

For those not from the Chicagoland area, Son of Svengooli hosted a show on one of those channels that doesn't come in very well, which featured horror movies. A hometown hero, kids dressed up like him at Halloween.

Knowing that this is the sort of thing I watched growing up, will probably explain a lot for my friends.

R.I.P. (way, way, off topic)

As if watching the Cubs lose last night wasn't bad enough, insult was added to injury when WGN TV Chicago broadcast images of the destruction of "The Spindle."

The Spindle was an art object in my hometown Berwyn Illinois, and probably the most recognizable feature of the city. It had a 2 second cameo in the movie "Wayne's World"and was considered an off-beat roadside attraction.

Despite a valiant effort by the Save the Spindle Foundation the statue, nicknamed "The Car Kabob" by some residents, was torn down last night without warning. Efforts to sell the statue on ebay for a starting bid of $50,000 plus moving costs, were not successful as no bids were received.

The site will now be the home of yet another Walgreens.

It's a sad day when a unique city feature is destroyed to be replaced by a chain.

Route 66 Road Food, Berwyn Illinois

Novi's Beef, Berwyn Illinois

Located on what used to be the begining of Route 66, Novi's Beef has long been a staple for residents of the Berwyn area. As the area changes, Novi's continues to survive and has even expanded over the years. As far as I can tell, it remains an independent restaurant and has not gone the route of so many others by franchising, and if this is so, they deserve credit. Menu items are the typical Chicago Hot dog stand items of Italian beef, hot dogs, polish sausage, and burgers. The Italian beef, while good, tends towards the dry side at times, probably because the roll tends to be heaped with a little bit too much meat. Ask for a side of giardiniera, which is a pepper type relish packed in olive oil that goes great on both sandwiches and pizza.


http://www.dineometer.com/