Evanston, IL

Did it rain on our parade?

It did not! We had a small break in the weather last night, as Coldwell Banker and PHH Mortgage sponsored our offices' Summer Night-Out, at Ravinia. It rained earlier in the day, and as such, we arranged for a tent (provided by UBS). The weather held off... we we threatened by a few sprinkles... and then a rainbow emerged and the evening was saved.

We spent the bulk of the evening on the lawn, overlooking the giant screen. We listened to Pat Benetar and Blondie (the consensus was that Deborah Harry held up better than Pat Benetar over the years), and rocked out to some familiar anthems... Love IS a battlefield!!, and hearts are still made of glass, and yes, they're still eating cars!!!

Cornelia, Greg, Lambert & Linda provided sandwiches, chicken and pasta, and a good time was had by all.

As part of our Evanston Fourth of July Parade this past Saturday, one of the participants was an organization called the South Shore Drill Team.

The South Shore Drill Team is a perennial favourite, here in Evanston, and the Chicago area in general. In fact, they're so popular, that the Evanston parade puts them at the end of the parade.. because people won't leave until they've seen the South Shore Drill Team.

In addition to their popularity, the South Shore Drill Team is a terrific organization. They were founded in 1980, by Arthur Robertson, a former Chicago Public School teacher, as an outlet to keep inner-city children from being drawn to gangs and drugs. Arthur's philosophy of "idle hands are the devils' workshop" caused him to create this group, which tries to focus on positive activities.

They have been recognized for their precision drilling and wide range of dance. With 350 members, from ages 7 through 21, all members must be students in good standing, as well as gang-free and drug-free.

The team offers youth the ability to develop self-esteem, self-discipline, teamwork and the opportunity to be a part of something much larger than themselves. Every year, the South Shore Drill Team performs at over 100 events (including our own Evanston Fourth of July parade) with a combined audience of over 35 million viewers.

the South Shore Drill Team is a not-for-profit organization, and welcomes donations of all sizes. They say that it costs about $2,983 a year to provide a child with the experience of being part of a winning team. And it costs close to $29,200 a year to maintain a young person in the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.

I apologize for the quality of the photos, they are from our parade on Saturday, and it was pouring rain at the time. You can see more photos, and video at their web site. I have no affiliation with the South Shore Drill Team, I just happen to think they're entertaining and a worthwhile organization to know about.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com

Saturday, was pretty much eclipsed by the 4th of July Parade, and subsequent fireworks, here in Evanston.

We attended the parade, and got rained upon. But the rain didn't dampen our spirits. We thoroughly enjoyed our 120 entries in the parade. We hooted, and hollered at our favourites.

And then after two hours, we gathered up our chairs, and headed home to take care of gus-gus, change, and head out to our friends for a 4oJ backyard barbecue.

When we arrived at home, little Gus-gus (our Havanese) was behaving a little oddly. He was barking and whining looking under the couch in the living room. Sometimes he does that when he's lost a toy under there... it's easy for a ball to roll under there, and he can't reach it.

So I peeked underneath the couch... and couldn't see anything. "Okay, okay" I told the dog, "I'll move the couch". I lifted one end of the couch and pulled it away from the wall... and no sooner had I moved it, then Gus rushed back behind the couch and wooooosh... out the other side came the little fella you see in the photo to the left.

(Now, before you ask: "NO, we don't have a pet chipmunk!")

The chipmunk made a mad dash for the stairway, with the dog nanonseconds behind him, as I yelled up the stairs to my wife "Chipmunk on it's way up the stairs" so that she wouldn't be too surprised.

Of course, that's not a standard warning... and she said "What?"... I repeated the warning... "There's a chipmunk running up the stairs!!"... she again responded, somewhat confused..... "Whaaattt???" quickly followed by a cartoon quality "Shriieeeeeeek!" (Seriously, if they're ever filming another Scoooby Doooby Doooo, they could use my wife to voice the screams!).

My wife danced around the oncoming rodent, and it made it's way into my daughter's room, and directly into the closet... (where it should be safe, because every single inch of the ground in that closet is covered, and makes a good place to hide.).

Over the course of the next half-hour, or so... with the assistance of Gus, the rodent-tracking-pointer... we chased the little bugger out of each and every hiding place. And eventually trapped him under a kitchen strainer. It was awesome. My daughter's room looks like the set for Apocalypse Now, but there is no longer a stripey rodent in the closet.

And then, because my wife and children wouldn't speak to me again, if I sent the little critter off to meet his maker, I gently deposited him in a yard-sized trash can. Went back and snapped this photo. It was then that I realized that he was a Spanish-speaking rodent, as you can see he was reading HOY!

Quite a bit of excitement, here in Evanston. Happy Fourth of July!!

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com

For those who were unable... (or too afraid to get wet) to attend yesterday's Evanston Fourth of July Parade... we had a great time. I had great seats (right in front of Coldwell Banker @ 2929 Central Street, right here in Evanston)... unfortunately, that means that many of the photos that I took showcase Baird & Warner. Oh, well... rather than blur out the competition's name... just enjoy some of the highlights from the photos that I took yesterday.

The parade started promptly at 2:00... while we were experiencing some drizzle, and heavy overcast. 2 hours later, we were in full downpour, and the intrepid souls in the parade toughed-it-out, and finished anyway.

This year represented the 88th year of the Evanston Fourth of July parade. Our parade was ranked number three by Country Home Magazine in their 2001 edition. Washington D.C. was 1st, and Boston (with their Boston Pops' performance) was 2nd... and believe it or not... we were #3!! Quite an honour for a home spun parade.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com

I would call this Wordless Wednesday... but it's clearly not. It's more like "speechless" Wednesday.

Here, in Evanston, IL, we have a fabulous 4th of July Parade. (I'll post more about that, after it's occurred).

It's a home-spun, silly, irreverent, romp through town, and there are typically over 100 entries in the parade... from Professional Marching bands, to Senators and national politicians, as well as floats hand made by neighborhoods.

We have the "All American Drum and Bugle Corps" that's pronounced CORPSE, not "core". The Evanston Marching Kazoo Band, the Jesse White Tumblers (Jesse White is our Secretary of State), the South Shore Drill Team (a perennial favourite), as well as the Backlot float.

We, Evanstonians, get heavily into our "grass-roots" campy parade. People line the parade route (Central Street) with lawnchairs, days in advance... (yes, there are already chairs out there now) and come out in force to support their local parade.

So, when Beth Lewis, with Guaranteed Rate, one of my recommended lenders, sent us a package containing some Fourth of July accessories to wear for the parade (including Mardi-Gras-style red, white and blue beads... slotted sun shades, and red,white & blue "jesters" hats... where the balls bounce and light up... battery included)... we just couldn't wait to try them on outside of the office.

Here's a photo of a handful of jocular agents (self-included), standing under our awning, just to stay out of the rain. If you're at the parade, please stop by... my wife and I will be sitting out in front of the Coldwell Banker office (2929 Central Street) along with some of our friends, and if our children are willing to be seen with us, they might put in an appearance. Stop by, introduce yourself... tell me that you read my blog (for some reason... I just love that), and wish my wife (Amy) a happy birthday! Yep, she's a fourth of July baby!! She'll be 39 again this year.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com