Captain Obvious over at the New York Times (http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/aaa-warns-against-drunken-driving-dangers-over-new-years/)  is reporting a study that Alcohol-related road crashes increase during the holiday season and that New Year’s Day is the worst period of all.  Anybody who has bar-tended or waited on tables in their lives knows this.  However, it probably won’t hurt to remind everyone to celebrate the upcoming New Year of 2011 with good sense and with an eye towards making 2011 the best year ever!

DUCKFAT RESTAURANT – YUM!

Took a client out to lunch this afternoon over at Duckfat Tavern & Grill, 7218 Madison Street in Forest Park.  I had their Fish Tacos as an appetizer followed by their signature Duckfat Burger with a side of Duckfat Fries.  The ambience was fantastically improved from the days of Horan’s Snug.  Pretty friendly service and more flat screen televisions than I could shake a stick at.  Try eating at the bar!

Duckfat Tavern & Grill
7218 Madison Street
Forest Park, IL 60130
Phone: (708) 488-1493
www.duckfatgrill.com
Hours
Sunday – Thursday 11AM–2AM
Friday – Saturday 11AM–3AM
Kitchen Hours
Sunday – Thursday 11AM–10PM
Friday – Saturday 11AM–11PM

LOOKING FORWARD – FOOD TRENDS

From Bret Thorn a writer over at Nation’s Restaurant News (http://nrn.com/article/food-writer%E2%80%99s-top-trend-list) … the new trends for food in 2011 are:

• Burgers and friends – The trend of hamburgers featuring higher quality beef and other protein, artisan buns, house-made toppings and other upscale touches will continue, but restaurateurs & chiefs will differentiate their sandwiches by pairing with other comfort dishes on the side.
• French fries – Since everyone knows that fries are fattening – including the food police – the trend will be to make them seem more healthy and better for you.
• Single Origin – Whether it is a question of security, environmentalism, health, animal rights or just shopping locally, food that can trace it’s origins to someplace specific – that is food that tells a story is undeniably appealing.
• Bad Caffeine – Caffeine may emerge as the new bad thing.  The FDA’s assault on canned caffeinated malt liquors such as “Four Loco” may be part of a broader attach.  Or we may be due for a renewed attack on carbohydrates or even the evil gluten.

Here is hoping that everyone has a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous New Year!

This being the Thursday before the Holiday Weekend and with getting ready for the weekend holiday, The SOP Box thought that we should remind everyone some Holiday Safety Tips, to raise public awareness of some common crimes of the season by offering the following tips to help reduce the chances of become a victim.

Motor vehicle theft…Many autos are reported stolen during colder months after being left unattended to warm up, unlocked and running with the keys in the ignition. This can happen on the street, in a garage or while making a quick stop at a store. Leaving a running vehicle unattended not only increases its risk of it being stolen, it also is a violation of state law.

Auto burglaries…Packages and valuables left visible in auto – even if it is locked – are an invitation to thieves who may be willing to damage the vehicle to get at them. And if you have to make multiple trips from your car to your home to unload, be alert – especially if the trunk or a door must be left open.

Pickpockets and thieves…While out shopping or dining take care with purses, bags and wallets. Thieves like bags and purses hanging on chair backs, left in shopping carts, sitting unattended or simply put down while the owner answers a telephone or is otherwise distracted.

Package theft…If you are expecting deliveries, make arrangements with friends, family or neighbors so that packages will not be left out where thieves can see and get them.

If you even think that you see something suspicious, call 9-1-1.  “Let’s all be careful out there!” to quote the Police Sargent from Hill Street Blues.

GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE

According to published accounts, River Forest Board of Trustees Hoke and Dudak are leaving the Board.  Maybe without their poison, invective and toxic presence perhaps the Village of River Forest can recover and regain a higher level of service and move forward.

FAMILIAR STORY

The story is so familiar to many of us in that uncertain age… Teenage children headed to college and a parent who suffers a fall and becomes a new part of the household.  As the newly ensconced elder relative’s health declines, taking care of them becomes a 24/7 focus from the family, friends and perhaps a hired caregiver.

As the Boomers go forward in life, the demand for informal caregivers–like family members, friends or neighbors–is expected to increase by more than 20% in the next 15 years–and by 85% in the next 40 years—according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.  Almost 62 million Americans are already caring for another adult – at least part-time.  It is an expensive undertaking.

Even caregivers who hire paid help can expect to spend an average of 24 hours each week on actual care, according to a 2007 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare. And the 56% of caretakers who live with their charge spend more than $4,500 per year on directly-related out-of-pocket expenses such as food, transportation and medication.  And that doesn’t count the other difficult-to-detect costs such as the wear and tear of caring on your health, the ending of your career, delaying your own retirement and extra pressures from inter-family squabbles.

Mr. I. B. Good-Elf, Santa Claus’ Chief Information Officer, announced that the Real-Time Naughty-Nice List has successfully passed re-certification and will be fully implemented for the Christmas Holiday season.

In the past, children around the world could be naughty after Christmas Eve and still receive gifts, due to the size and complexity of maintaining The List. However, by using Open Source Software Tools, Global Positioning Technology and Military-Grade Satellite Communications equipment, Santa Claus will be receiving real-time updates while in flight.

“This enables the Elves on 24-hour duty in Santa’s World Gift Headquarters to issue an Bad-child Abort anytime up to on-site delivery” said Mr. Good-Elf.

“We are confident after extensive field-testing last year, and significant upgrades and optimization, that this will enable faster and more reliable delivery of gifts to good boys and girls” said Mr. Good-Elf “I know that Santa is really excited to be in real-time communications with the North Pole – at least that’s what Mrs. Claus says.”

Mr. Good-Elf also confirmed that Santa would be using the latest and most modern secure cellular communications technology to stay informed of landing sites – either on the roof or in the courtyard of the homes of Good Boys and Girls along with the access codes to avoid false security alarms.

To schedule an interview with Santa Claus, or Mr. I. B. Good-Elf please wait until after Boxing Day.

“Merry Christmas to All! And to All a Very Happy Holiday Season!” stated Santa Claus.

Snow… we got snow!  It would appear as if last night’s snow will stick around for Christmas.  So we will be enjoying a White Christmas, to the evident delight of all those who love snow (and probably do not have to shovel it).

FEDERAL JUDGE RULES: INSURERS DO NOT HAVE TO PAY DRYWALL CLAIMS

U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon, a federal judge in Louisiana has ruled that Insurers do not have to pay for corrosion and faulty materials apply to tainted Chinese drywall installed in U.S. homes.  Thousands of homeowners, mostly in the Southeast, have said the drywall emits foul odors, corrodes wiring and damages appliances.  The judge ruled, rejecting the homeowners’ claim that the exclusions did not apply because the drywall “functioned properly as drywall.”  Happy Holidays to all those in the Southeastern US who have had to deal with the mess!

FCC GRABS CONTROL OF THE INTERNET

Federal telecommunications regulators approved new rules Tuesday that would for the first time give the federal government formal authority to regulate Internet traffic.  Even though the Courts have indicated that the FCC does not have the right to do so.  As an example the new rules would prevent broadband providers such as our own AT&T and Comcast or Verizon Communications from downgrading the flow of information from online video services such as Netflix.

The real issue is that the FCC wants to classify the Internet and ISP’s under the same hobbling, draconian  rules as telecoms – which places individual consumers at a significant disadvantage.  Watch for a plethora of challenges from both Congress (Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) on Tuesday called the FCC’s action “flawed” and said lawmakers would “have an opportunity in the new Congress to push back against new rules and regulations.”) and from interested parties such as consumer advocate groups and Internet Service Providers.

SNOWY ENGLAND

One of the world’s busiest international air hubs, the United Kingdom’s Heathrow Airport, has been hit with a weekend snowstorm that arrived at the height of holiday travel season.  Officially measured at 3.5 inches (9 centimeters), the cold and ice that followed, have crippled the airport since then.

A spokeswoman for the airport said that on Tuesday, Heathrow canceled 752 flights—389 arrivals and 363 departures—out of 1,300 flights that usually pass through airport as opposed to Gatwick canceling 50 flights Tuesday out of 695 scheduled, according to a spokeswoman.

Happy Travels to all!