Sarks and My First Article with the NBC5 Street Team

North Shore Favorite Comes to Lincoln Park

July 12, 2009 by Lindsay | Edit

Lindsay Saewitz, NBC Chicago Street Team

Hey everyone! I’m SO excited to be part of the NBC Chicago Street Team! I’ll be writing about a few of my favorite things — bars, food, and maybe a snippet of reality TV. Today let’s get started with some food!

Since the 1950s, North Shore high schoolers have flocked to this Evanston hot spot, half for the Lorettas and half for the scene. With this winning combination, it makes perfect sense that the new Sarkis location, named Sarks in the Park, is located in the heart of Lincoln Park at the corner of Clark and Fullerton (in the former Sinbad’s spot).

Check more out here:  http://nbc5streetteam.wordpress.com/2009/07/12/north-shore-favorite-comes-to-lincoln-park/

Trader Joe’s Opening at Diversey and Clark…Hooray!

In college I lived on Trader Joe’s frozen scallops and granola (no, not together). But since then, there really hasn’t been a TJ’s on my route. I’ve resorted to muy expensive Big Apple grocer and even Peapod. I’m SO excited to report a new TJ’s opening up on the border of Lakeview and Lincoln Park at Diversey and Clark in the old Barnes & Noble. Scallops are so much cooler than books.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=33362

Business Ventures, Bachelorette, and Beyond

Just when you think things are getting old and tired, a great night out in Chicago restores hope for all.

It started off with a Bday party in Wicker Park @ Loft 610…Now this place pretty much sucked (review coming soon) but if I hadn’t been there then I wouldn’t have seen BRAD from this season’s Bachelorette walking down the street right outside. Brad got kicked off recently and, i’ll be honest, seemed pretty lame on the show, but I think that’s because he wore a suit the whole time and was pretty skinny/dorky looking compared to everyone else on the show. He seemed pretty cool though. I basically ran him down on the street and he chatted with us for a bit, posed for a photo, etc. I thought this was totally awesome until I spoke to my friend Laura who, on the very same night, saw MICHAEL who also recently got kicked off the show. Bachelorette reject convention in Chicago?

Brad from the Bachelorette

Loft 610 didn’t just put us in the right spot for a Bachelorette sighting. The clientele also inspired our new business venture. Here’s the picture that started it all. We’re going to be rich.

Eek...

Next stop was Aberdeen, my birthday party location from this past year. Sure enough there was another birthday party there, and just as we arrived, a waitress brought the Costco sheet cake that was sitting out on a table into the back room. It is pretty hard to keep me away from a sheet cake (More to Love, what?). I coaxed the DJ into letting me go back and grab a piece, and then got the waiter to go back and get us seconds. Costco sheet cake. Amazing.

Next, I whored myself out at Piece to cut the live band karaoke line (after all, I did have to practice for AI auditions). I took the tip bucket around the bar and made Liquid Courage about $30 bucks. Then I rocked some Sublime on the mic.

I pulled some tricks again at Louie’s pub and cut the line to do some more karaoke just before closing time. I told the karaoke master that I was trying out for American Idol (he was too) so he let me rock out. It was great to practice more and everyone seemed to enjoy the performance. I met a Michigan guy and of course tried to get him involved in the Club. He Facebooked me the next morning. How the hell does that happen???

A chicken finger meal at Hollywood Diner was the cherry on top of a great ice cream sundae kinda night. Hooray for Chicago.

First Commercial – More to Love

I’ve had multiple people call me already since this aired saying “OMG u totally made the right call!” While I agree, I still can’t wait to watch. I also think the guy is kinda cute too. But I’d be dead bullshitting if I stood up there and cried saying I want to find true love and get married right now. Check it out:

Sarkis Location Confirmed

As suspected, Sarkis (this location named Sarks in the Park- kinda lame/cliche) has taken over the former Sinbad’s spot at my building, 444 W. Fullerton Pkwy at Clark. The space is not the biggest which lends itself to hour-long crowds, but there is a huge patio to take advantage of in the summer months. And while you’re waiting you can work out at the gym, get a manicure, or get a little appetizer at House of Hunan (they have the BEST cinnamon fried wontons). More to come as Sarkis opens and the smell of Lorettas drifts through my window!

Host Chosen for Show I was Supposed to Be On!!!

I don’t know who Emme is…..but I guess she’s a well-respected plus-size woman. According to this article….this may make the show legit!? SHIT. If all these biotches become super famous or the guy is cute then I’m going to be PISSED.

from the Hollywood Reporter:

Emme to host ‘More to Love’

Dating show premieres July 28 on Fox

By James Hibberd

June 10, 2009, 02:24 PM ET

Emme (Getty)

Full-figured model Emme will host Fox’s new dating competition series “More to Love.”

Emme became the first “plus-size” model to land a contract as a cosmetics company spokesperson when she signed with Revlon. She’s written four books, including “True Beauty,” and has been a vocal advocate for women adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Executive produced by Mike Fleiss, “More to Love” is billed as the first dating show for “average-looking” people.

The casting of Emme could help ease some concerns about the tone of the show, which drew criticism from some viewers assuming the program will mock overweight contestants.

Details about the show’s bachelor have not yet been announced. “More to Love” premieres Tuesday, July 28.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ibc30ab7d8da37db85ad7a40f4fd0b011

Sarkis coming to Clark and Fullerton!!

First Orange, then Five Guys, and now Sarkis, OH MY!! Sarkis, a choice breakfast spot amongst the North Shore high schoolers, is opening up at Clark and Fullerton in Lincoln Park. Sarkis will be right under my building at 444 W. Fullerton Parkway- I assume in the recently-closed Sinbad’s spot. This means outdoor patio!!

So while the coming of Sarkis means glorious Loretta’s for Lincoln Park’s finest…it also means extra hours in the gym for me! Good thing Lincoln Park Fitness Center is two doors down.

Five Guys coming to Clark and Fullerton

Buh Bye Ritz Camera…Hello Five Guys! Five Guys, the national burger-and-fry chain, is opening up on the southwest corner of Clark and Fullerton. What started as a small burger joint in Arlington, VA is now a cult-followed national chain of over 400 locations across the country. Five guys small menu consists of made-to-order burgers with a wide variety of toppings, hot dogs, and fries. Just what I need opening up right across the street from me.  Here are some fun facts from Five Guys:

• There are over 250,000 possible ways to order a burger at Five Guys
• They use only fresh, never frozen, ground beef
• There are no freezers in Five Guys locations, just coolers
• They use only Peanut oil
• They use only Idaho potatoes
• The menu is trans-fat free

Check out the Five Guys website for more information.

American Idol Audition Dates SET!

Now that the Bulls are done for the season, it’s time for some other fame-seeking championship hopefuls to take over the United Center…AMERICAN IDOL AUDITIONS ARE COMING!!!

Registration will take play Saturday June 20th and Sunday June 21st.

Auditions will take place Monday, June 22nd.

Find out FAQs and rules HERE!

Crime in my hometown!

from: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/deerfield-ice-cream-money-swiper-located.html

Deerfield ice-cream money thief located

June 3, 2009 10:52 AM | 1 Comment

A woman who swiped $20 from a 12-year-old girl at a Baskin-Robbins in Deerfield last month has been turned in by her husband but won’t face criminal charges, police said today.

The woman has promised to pay back the money police believe she accidentally took from the counter at the store at 671 Waukegan Road, Deerfield Deputy Police Chief Tom Keane said today–although she hadn’t paid it back by this morning.

The ice cream saga began May 15, when a 12-year-old girl placed a $20 bill on the counter when another customer, described as a blond woman in her 40s, distracted the girl by asking about her favorite ice cream flavor.

Grabbing her own ice cream and the girl’s money from the counter in the same motion, the woman exited the store with three young children in tow, police said. The woman was believed to be a regular customer.

The petty theft became an out-of-proportion news story when video surveillance tape of the incident was released, and the case was cracked when a friend of the woman’s family recognized her in the footage, Keane said.

The friend called the woman’s husband, and on Friday, the husband notified a passing patrol officer that his wife was the woman in the video, police said. The patrol officer called detectives, who went out and interviewed the woman Friday, Keane said.

On Monday, police informed the woman they expected not to charge her, and an arrangement was made with the 12-year-old’s family to have the woman repay the $20, Keane said. The payment hadn’t been made by midmorning today, Keane said.

Last week, Baskin-Robbins said the ice cream chain planned to give the girl an ice cream party and a gift certificate for an unspecified amount.

– Robert Channick