Mrs. Elvis & I were in Cleveland this weekend, attending a family friend's son's
wedding. I am originally from Ohio (canton), but had never been to the mistake-on-the-lake, I mean the city of the burning river, no-um... Cuyahoga's Catastropheville, where fun-goes-to-die, er... uh...I mean friendly downtown Cleveland.
We arrived on Saturday, and stayed right downtown at the Marriott attached to the Key Center. Downtown Cleveland boasts some great architecture, and a very walkable downtown. Saturday evening began with a rehearsal dinner, at a local bar called the Cadillac Ranch. This is a trendy nightspot in downtown Cleveland, replete with a Mechanical bull, and the requisite drunken ladies attempting to ride it.
Fortunately, we had a private backroom (called the barroom), to celebrate the union of the young 
bride and groom. It was a lavish event, with everything fried that could be fried... and there might have been some alcohol involved... I don't remember.
The wedding wasn't scheduled to take place until 5:00 on Sunday, so we had the bulk of Sunday available and were "scheduled" to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in the morning, and then watch the Seattle Mariners beat the snot out of the Cleveland Indians in the afternoon... (or at least a part of it).
It turned out that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was far more interesting, and far more time consuming than you'd have thought. We spent way too much time there, and most of us missed the ballgame (although a few did jump out, and watch the massacre)...
The Hall of Fame already has a Michael Jackson memorial in the lobby (see photo), and a full wall in the museum's basement dedicated to the late
performer. You're not allowed to take photos inside the museum, or I'd have way more here to show you... But I didn't know, when I took the photo of Michael's memorial, that photography was prohibited.
Here is a complete list of the inductees to the Hall of fame, it's an interesting list to peruse. Are your personal fave represented? Is there someone important, missing?
I'm happy to say that Elvis was inducted the first year (1986), that the Rock and Roll hall of fame began accepting inductees.
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
My daughter Liz, got pinned on Friday.
No, it's not what you think. She didn't get a new boyfriend...
Liz was a student at the University of Illinois Chicago campus, for her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy, and Friday was the culmination of that study.
You should know that UIC is considered to be one of the top (if not THE top) program in the country for the study of occupational therapy. Liz graduated with 28 other students at the ceremony. OT is a burgeoning field as we baby boomers age, so it would appear that she'll have some serious job-security (once she gets a job) for years to come.
She'd studied hard for two years, pulled in a 4.0 grade point average through effort and hard work, spent months doing fieldwork at locations around the Chicagoland area.
During this time, she also obtained a graduate assistant-ship, wherein she was an assistant to one (or more) of the university's professors, got to meet and greet potential and 
incoming students to the program, and supplemented her income. Liz was solely responsible for her tuition, room and board, scholarships grants and loans, and she carried that burden beautifully. She made all the applications, applied for all the scholarships (and she did obtain some), applied for the appropriate loans. Ahh... it was a thing of beauty...
And she did all of this while pursuing her degree, and maintaining a 4.0 average. Her mother and I (along with the rest of her family and her friends, I'm certain) couldn't be more proud of her.
So, Friday, was her "pinning" ceremony. Even though she'd technically graduated weeks earlier, this was the visual representation of
that "walk across the stage" to receive her O.T. Pin (much like a nursing ceremony, where they're pinned)... and her diploma will follow.'
Liz had also been chosen to "present" an award to one of the professors, and had been nominated for a student award.
Liz will spend the next weeks, studying for her license, so that she can go out and join the ranks of the gainfully employed. Job opportunities for O.T.s seem to be out there, and available. And she's lined up several good interviews... the world is truly her oyster, at the moment.
Co-incidentally, one of my clients (who Elizabeth had referred to me) also graduated at the same ceremony (Liz Michalowicz, pictured at the left with her husband Martin... Congrats Liz!)
I would have posted this story on Friday (or at least Saturday).. but there were two things that conspired against us... #1 was the fact
that we couldn't seem to get the photos off of my wife's camera on Friday... so I had to bring the camera in to my office this morning to do that... #2 was because we left at 8:00 Saturday morning for a wedding in Cleveland (more on that in a different post), and didn't return 'till last night.
Stay tuned... we're expecting great things from Elizabeth... and I'm sure we're not going to be disappointed.
Congratulations Liz. We're incredibly proud of you, and love you loads!
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
Allow me to tell you about our experience last night. We went to a restaurant called Pizza Art Cafe, in Lincoln Square.
The four of us arrived at the restaurant, sans-reservation, last night around 6:30. Granted... prime-time. We were promptly greeted by a lovely young lass, who told us unfortunately, all tables were currently filled.
The waitress informed us that they don't ""take reservations".
(Long Stupefied Pause... remember that phrase, we're going to use it again, and again... but we'll shorten it for you, as LSP.). "Uh... we don't want to make a 'reservation'... we're already here. Can't you just put us on the waiting list?"
"No, we don't take reservations".
L-S-P
Don't you have a waiting list?
No. Where would you want to sit... inside or out?
Outside would be preferable, but we'll take first available.
Well, I can't just "kick them out" (pointing toward the outside guests).
L-S-P
she finally relents, and agrees to put our name on the waiting list (there is no list.. but she asks... give me your phone number... I'll call you when the next table opens up).
We said "that won't be necessary... we'll be standing right here"!
Oh... okay... I've got my eye on you...!, she says pointing at me! (What?!)
as we're waiting... the waiter approaches us.... "can I help you?"
We're waiting to be seated.
Do you want me to put you on the waiting list? he asks.
we... uh... .think we're on the waiting list... but if you can just check.
As we're sitting and waiting, we hear the waitress on the phone with a patron saying... "No, it's not too busy, there's only one group of 4 ahead of you... would you like to make a reservation?"
L-S-P now she takes reservations?
Shortly, we're seated outside.
We ask the waiter what he recommends. He says "it depends... if the brick oven isn't busy, I recommend the pizza."
"and If the brick oven IS busy, I recommend the pizza".
L-S-P
He talks us into ordering a pizza with smoked beef... which he tells us they make in the restaurant. "we have a dryer" he says "in the back".
Oh, I asked... you have a dehydrator??
No... a "DRYER". It doesn't actually spin, but we light a fire under it... the chamber turns... but the beef doesn't.
Pizza Art is a B-Y-O-B, bring your own bottle... so we break out the bottles, and the waiter tells us. "you can't drink that out here".
L-S-P
Why not? we ask. City Ordinance, he replies... and he brings us two paper bags to put the alcohol in... now we're sitting at a table on the sidewalk drinking alcohol out of paper backs, like the homeless.
Thank God the Pizza is good, cause otherwise this place would have burnt to the ground a long time ago.
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
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
-------------------------------
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
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com
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Residential Real Estate specializing in Evanston, the entire north shore, and northern areas of Chicago. Evanston Realtor, Evanston Real Estate, Buying in Evanston, Selling in Evanston.
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
CNS - Certified Negotiation Specialist
ABR - Accredited Buyer's Representative
USAA Certified as a listing or buyer relocation expert
Cartus Certified as a listing or buyer relocation expert
President's Circle National Award Winner.
I am a residential real estate agent practicing on the north shore of Chicago. I specialize in Evanston properties, but also work in all the north shore suburbs (Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Skokie, Glenview, Glencoe) as well as into the city (Rogers Park, Andersonville, Edgewater, Lakeview).
The opinions expressed in my blog are those of the author only, and are not necessarily endorsed by the author's company or affiliated businesses. Any data provided is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in comments to this blog are not necessarily endorsed by the author
I am not a strong believer in Open Houses. They are a wonderful tool that allows me to connect with new potential clients, but they're not a very good method of finding a buyer for your property. I'm also not a huge fan of print media. Sellers like to see Open Houses and Newspaper ads, because they're really the only tool that sellers are familiar with.
I stress a strong internet presence, broker's tours, professional photographs and virtual tours, color brochures, direct mail flyers and I like to make sure that I get a copy of your listing, directly into the hands of the top 100 agents in the area, who sell properties matching your description.
“Alan did an amazing job in helping us find our house in Chicago. He displayed professionalism, patience, and knowledge in showing us between 30 and 50 properties, while knowing we still had a house to sell in Seattle in the worst market in years. We could only look at houses during short trips to Chicago and Alan coordinated showings down to the minute and provided expert knowledge of neighborhoods we were looking in. Alan was referred to us by USAA and has since become a friend. While we hope not to have to sell//buy again soon, we know we will be including Alan in our next search.”
G. & L. September 23, 2009
“Alan was the real estate agent for the sale of our home in Evanston, as well as for the purchase of our condo in Chicago. We were worried about being able to sell our house in today's market. However, as a result of Alan's extensive knowledge of the market and his demonstrated salesmanship skills, our house sold quickly and at a great price! I would recommend Alan without hestitation.”
P.B. Friday, Jan, 22, 2009
from a fellow Realtor: It was a pleasure working with you on the sale of (Address). Your professionalism and attention to detail made for a seamless transaction. Many thanks."
J.M. Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
"I have bought and sold five properties with Alan. Alan is professional and knowledgeable and has become much more than merely a Realtor. He has become a confidant, counselor and a friend. I have used Alan in the past, and will use and recommend him in the future."
P.T. Tue Oct 3, 2006
"We interviewed three agents, and chose Alan May of Coldwell Banker. He suggested we price our home higher than the other two agents did. At first, we thought he was just telling us what we wanted to hear, but he convinced us that our home was worth more than the other two agents thought. We didn't list at the highest price of the range that he suggested, but we went under contract, with multiple offers, selling within $5,000 of Alan's suggested listing price! Alan was right, and if we'd listened to either of those other agents, we would have left a lot of money behind."
C. & J. Tue Jan 15
"Alan was the second agent I chose. I wish I had chosen him first. He was helpful and hands-on. I never had to wonder what was going on, he gave me ongoing feedback, and ultimately sold my unit for more than we both expected... well at least more than I expected."
Steven Sat Feb 18, 2006
"We have so much to thank you for, but did want you to know how we so appreciated all your efforts on our behalf"
S. & J. Tue Aug 30, 2005
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