Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
• Get Lucky’s
• Firehouse #78
• Wrigleyville Real
Estate Update
• Mid-Autumn’s
Night Dream
Page 2
Contents:
Get Lucky’s - Page 4
Tim O’Riley is the editor-in-chief of Wrigleyville Magazine and also keeps fans posted on all
things Cubs year-round on his Facebook page, Between the Vines (http://facebook.com/between-
thevines). His Facebook page for Wrigleyville Magazine is http://facebook.com/wrigleyvillemag-
azine. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WrigleyMagazine and http://twitter.com/Cub-
sStories. You can also email him at tim@wrigleyvillemagazine.com.
DECEMBER 2010
Page 3
Get Lucky’s
Take two slices of ultra-thick French bread, put your favorite hand-
sliced marinated meats, cole slaw & fresh sliced tomato inside, top it
off with a fried egg and/or a dash or two of zesty hot sauce, add in
a hearty side of hand-cut French fries, and you’ve got one of Wrig-
leyville’s most popular lunch combos. Anyone who has even just oc-
casionally dined in Wrigleyville would know that we’re talking about
Lucky’s Sandwich Co. (or simply Lucky’s, as it’s known to the locals).
This quaint, medium-sized establishment can be found just south of Wrig-
ley at 3472 N. Clark St. For the past six years, Lucky’s has been serving up
their simple but delicious sandwich concoction along with enough fries to sat-
isfy the heartiest of appetite (well, most appetites anyway, but more on that in a
minute.) It was Lucky’s co-owner and Pennsylvania native Mike Feczko who, in 2004,
brought the idea with him from the Pittsburgh area to Chicago.
Lucky’s was named after Charles H. “Lucky Charlie” Weeghman, a “lunch counter mogul” in his day, who
used part of his fortune to build Weeghman Park in 1914. He moved the Cubs from their original home,
West Side Park, to Weeghman Park after the Federal League, a league Weeghman himself helped to
found, folded in 1915. In 1921, Weeghman used land that he owned in Lake Zurich to host the first state-
wide Ku Klux Klan rally. Soon after that, Lucky Charlie’s lunch counters began their demise and he started
selling his shares of the Cubs to chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. In 1923, he was forced to sell
his last remaining shares of the Cubs to Wrigley and his lunch counter chain was bankrupt. Weeghman
Park, after a short stint as Cubs Park, would later go on to become Wrigley Field.
Lucky’s Sandwich Co. was opened in a building originally constructed in 1914, the same year as Weegh-
man Park. So it’s no coincidence that Lucky’s is considered by many to be the “friendly confines” of lo-
cal establishments. If you’re looking for a place where you can take the kids,
Lucky’s definitely has the atmosphere you’re looking for. From the warm
greeting that you receive at the door, to their inviting, simple dé-
cor, you’re going to feel right at home every time you come to
Lucky’s. Watch your favorite team on one of several TV’s con-
veniently located around the restaurant or enjoy the beat of
the not-too-overbearing mix of classic rock playing in the
background. Lucky’s is the type of place where you can
meet a friend for a quick bite before a ball game, en-
joy the company of family or friends anytime, and a
place where you can get one of the best sandwiches
around, all without ever having to raise your voice.
Page 4
menu. But they you’ll probably never even
notice. Among the favorites at Lucky’s,
the Fredo (ham, salami, capicola, w/
swiss) and the Two Bagger (corned beef
& pastrami) combo sandwiches are the
two most popular. For those with more
simple tastes, roast beef, turkey, and fried
fish are among the dozen or so sandwich-
es available. Regardless of which over-
stuffed sandwich your taste buds long for, I
highly recommend adding a fried egg. It’s a
taste unlike anything else and will leave you
wanting more. All of course, are topped with
Lucky’s signature toppings of hand cut fries, vin-
egar-based cole slaw and sliced, fresh tomatoes.
Just over two years ago, Lucky’s was featured on The Travel Channel’s Man vs.
Food. Thanks to host Adam Richmond, Lucky’s Sandwich Challenge has become
an event. According to DeRosa it has practically turned into a daily occurrence.
“We had maybe 12-13 pictures on the wall and not that many attempts,” explains
DeRosa. “But since Man vs. Food was aired we’ve had between 1,500 and 1,600
people try, and just 73 have succeeded.” If you’ve ever eaten just one Lucky’s
sandwich, you know this is no small feat. The challenge consists of three over-
stuffed sandwiches with all the toppings. Each contestant is allowed 1 hour to finish
everything (even the droppings in your basket). If you complete the challenge suc-
cessfully, Lucky’s will spring for the 3rd sandwich, your photo is permanently added with
the others on the wall, and you’re awarded a Lucky’s t-shirt. If that wasn’t enough they de-
cided to take it a step further: Consume the nearly five pounds of food in 30 minutes or less and
DECEMBER 2010
all three sandwiches are on the house. The most important rules to remember for this chal-
lenge are 1) No leaving the room or taking a bathroom break and 2) Once you eat your lunch
you cannot lose your lunch! But that’s a small price to pay for eternal food glory, right?
Page 5
If you’re not up to the three sand- that actually serve lunch during lunchtime hours throughout baseball’s
wich/thirty minute challenge, a offseason. With the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas days,
meal at Lucky’s is still very afford- Lucky’s is there when you need your sandwich “fix”. Their hours are
able. Every sandwich, regard- 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday thru Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
less of your specific taste, is only on Saturdays.
$7.00. Add extra toppings like a
fried egg, bacon, double cheese, For those of you who can’t seem to get enough of Lucky’s, fear not.
hot peppers or onion for a nomi- A second location is in the works. According to DeRosa, “Once we
nal 50 cents. There is even a kid- receive all the necessary licensing from the City of Chicago, we’ll be
size sandwich for the little ones ready to go.” The new Lucky’s will located at Maxwell & Halsted, near
or if your appetite isn’t ready to the University of Illinois- Chicago campus, and they hope to be up and
tackle the more-than-one-pound running in late January or early February.
of food the regular sandwich in-
cludes. Throw in a soft drink or Let’s just hope that Lucky’s is never asked to allow a billy goat. Or that
even a cold beer and you can still the ghost of “Lucky Charlie” never shows up. “Lucky Charlie” might not
leave full for around $10.00 per have been so lucky, but with Lucky’s Sandwich Co. right in the heart of
person. Wrigleyville, the rest of us are. – Karl Kroening
DECEMBER 2010
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sides. Today, a technology-laden, state-of-the-art fire engine makes
its way out of the brick structure when an alarm sounds. While parked
in the station, the engine’s computer must be plugged in to keep it
charged, lest it fail in the midst of an emergency. In years past, a much
simpler time, horses led a pack of firefighters to their appointed site.
On eighty-one days of the year Chicago Cubs fans occupy the build-
ing across the street from the firehouse. The ballpark’s public address
system fills the air with critical line-up information, pitching changes,
advertising, as well as the most popular and timely crowd-pleasing
music. In the 1960s and 1970s fans might have thought they were
attending a Greek wedding as music from a number of ethnic back-
grounds filled the park. An appointed professional reverently sings the
National Anthem, a tradition that began in the early days of this north
side Chicago ballpark. A celebrity belts out “Take Me Out to the Ball-
game” before the bottom of the seventh inning. Crowds in excess of
40,000 cheer their beloved team and boo the opponent in the hope
that the Cubs can somehow defy the odds and win a World Series
championship, something that has not happened for 102 years.
Most of the buildings that line the perimeter of Wrigley Field, whether
on West Waveland Avenue or North Sheffield Avenue feature rooftop
seating for baseball fans. The three-story apartment building immedi-
ately to the east of Firehouse 78 has several rows of stands that afford
an adequate view from over the left-field wall. No seats rest atop the
firehouse; the only egress to the roof is by way of a very narrow ladder
that runs along the interior wall of a tower where fire hoses are hung to
dry. The tower itself resembles a chimney and, like a circular clothes
line, allows as many as four hoses to dry at a time.
plywood, is octagonal rather than circular. The idea for the fire pole
Page 9
goes back to the era of the horse-drawn firefighting days as every ef-
fort was made to decrease the time it took to respond to a fire.
The next time I attend a game I am going to walk over to the left-
field bleachers and look out on Firehouse 78. That experience will
remind me of the rich history of the building along with the heroism of
those who have served there.
DECEMBER 2010
Page 10
K’s for Kids
On May 6, 1998, Tom Bu- As the game moved along, Tom Tom never went to Wrigley again
jnowski took the day off from would eventually realize that after that without making sure
his job as a suburban school there was a very good possibil- that he brought along enough K’s
ity that he may not have made to get him through the game. He
teacher to attend a Cubs game
enough placards. Beginning to took his son’s teams and teams
at Wrigley Field. His father get a little nervous about this, he that he coached, always re-
had just passed away following asked those seated around him cruiting the youngsters he had
a 15 month bout with cancer whether anyone had any red or brought with him to hold up the
and Tom wanted to go to the blue body paint. Within thirty sec- placards whenever a strikeout
place where he and his dad had onds, he had vials of both colors. was recorded by a Cubs pitcher.
shared so many great memo- As the pitcher recorded his 17th He also took kids who wanted to
strikeout of the game, Tom was go but who, for whatever reason,
ries together. It was his way of
forced to paint a “K” onto the were never able to get to a game
both grieving and of honoring chest of a nearby volunteer. He at Wrigley Field. The kids were
his father. He also chose this would have to repeat this with thrilled each time to be the one
particular day to debut a new three more willing participants be- chosen to hold up the next “K”.
idea which he had been con- fore Kerry Wood would be done Tom believed that every kid who
templating for a while. Tom for the day. That’s right, appropri- had the desire to spend a sun-
had designed a set of unique ately enough, the first time that drenched day at Wrigley should
Tom Bujnowski brought his “K” get the opportunity to do so. He
placards with the letter “K”
placards to a Cubs game was began to put together an organi-
on them for himself and oth- the same day that Kerry “Kid K” zation to make this happen. Sad-
er Cubs fans to hold up in the Wood, in just his fifth big league ly, in 2007, Tom Bujnowski would
bleachers every time a Cubs start, would tie the major league pass away before he would fully
pitcher recorded a strikeout record with 20 strikeouts in a nine get to see his dream of “K’s for
and he decided that this would inning game. That’s how and Kids” come to fruition.
be a great day to try them out. when the “K” was born at Wrigley.
As both a tribute to Tom and as
a way to honor his memory,
Tom’s friends and fam-
ily immediately de-
cided to con-
tinue with
the work
that
DECEMBER 2010
Page 11
Tom’s passing had left unfinished. Brad Hofvander, a fan touched by
the K’s for Kids dream, whom Tom had met one day in the bleachers
during a game, along with Tom’s own nephew, Matt Corning, him-
self inspired by his uncle’s efforts and determination, together
picked up the reins of the organization, and spearheaded the
efforts to carry on Tom’s legacy. Today, Brad is the president
and Matt the vice-president of K’s for Kids, Inc., the organi-
zation formed out of Tom’s dream to help underprivileged
kids experience the phenomena that is Chicago Cubs base-
ball. In addition to attending what is, for most, their first Cubs
game at Wrigley, the kids who participate also receive a K’s
for Kids t-shirt and $10 in Cubs Cash ($15 in 2011!) to spend
any way they like within the friendly confines of the ballpark.
The K’s for Kids visits to Wrigley Field are supported by an annual
fundraiser as well as through generous donations from event spon-
sors and private personal donations. Thanks to the hard work of the
staff over the past two years, K’s for Kids was finally able to obtain sta-
tus as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in March of 2010. In most
cases, this change means that private contribution to K’s for Kids
are tax deductible. (Note: Please consult with your tax advisor
as to the deductibility of your potential donation.)
On March 15, 2010, K’s for Kids held their second annual
fundraiser at The Ram in Wheeling. This year, with aware-
ness of their efforts growing more rapidly and despite a
DECEMBER 2010
Page 12
day, that they have been invited back by the kids to have Thanksgiving
dinner with them. Corning also says that the kids wear their K’s for Kids
t-shirts and play baseball every day, even when it’s cold outside. “We
touched a lot of lives and that’s what it’s all about”, he said.
K’s for Kids is only getting started with their project. They are currently
busy planning their next fundraiser which will again take place at The
Ram in Wheeling. This year’s event will happen on March 13, 2011. For
more information or to register, click here. You can also add your name
to the list of their supporters on their main
Facebook page, which you can find
here. If you’re on Twitter, you can
follow them by accessing their
page right here. If you’d like
to make a donation to K’s
for Kids, you can do that
as well, using Paypal,
your bank account,
or any major credit
card, right here. Matt
Corning also tells
me that they hope,
in the near future,
to be able to host
their silent auction
online prior to their
fundraisers so that
fans from around the
country and, in fact,
around the world, can
bid on memorabilia items
that they have available.
Page 13
Wrigleyville Real EstateUpdate
Baseball season is long over for the Chicago MLS. Of these, only four are detached single-fami-
the Cubs, but their hometown ly homes. The rest are condos, duplexes or other attached prop-
neighborhood is still a home erties. For the most part, attached properties in Wrigleyville offer
one- or two-bedroom floor plans. However, there are 16 three-bed-
run for many Chicagoans look- room units on the market right now. Average list price for attached
ing for that perfect property to properties with two or fewer bedrooms is $348,820. Larger condos
purchase in the city. This com- are available for between $275K and $800K,
munity has a variety of condos which will get you a beautiful penthouse
for sale that range from vin- duplex. Average market time for at-
tage greystones to new con- tached properties in Wrigleyville is
struction flats. Most buildings around 200 days.
in the area are three- or four- If a detached house is what
story walk-ups—you won’t see you’re looking for, the av-
residential high-rises in this erage price hovers around
neck of the woods! Finding a $1.670 million in the Wrig-
parking spot in Wrigleyville leyville neighborhood.
can also be tricky, but don’t You can get a three-bed-
worry—many properties have room abode for about $1
million, but most single-
designated garage or street family dwellings listed in
spaces. Parking is often extra, this area have five or more
in addition to the price of the bedrooms with an average
unit, so make sure to read the price of $1,866,000.
fine print.
There are a number of deals cur-
Here is a recent account of what’s rently available in Wrigleyville, in-
happening in the Wrigleyville cluding a gorgeous 4-bedroom duplex
housing market… condo at 928 W. Roscoe that is listed for
Only two attached residen- $399,900. The home offers 2600 square feet of liv-
tial properties closed during the ing space on two levels and has tandem garage parking included in
month of October in Wrigleyville. the price. The property features brand new hardwood floors in the
The units both had three bed- living room, spacious granite and stainless steel kitchen, separate
rooms with an average sales price dining room, family room, bonus storage above the garage and a
of $507,500. The average market great private outdoor deck. Other perks of this unit are ample closets
time for the properties was 158 (a walk-in in the master bedroom), laundry, 3 full bathrooms, wood-
days, after which the homes sold burning fireplace and a fantastic location within walking distance of
for 94% of the list price. the ballpark, restaurants, bars, shops and public transportation. As-
sessments for this Wrigleyville property are $191.40 per month and
DECEMBER 2010
Page 14
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Search every home for sale in Chicago from a single, easy-to-use site. DreamTown.com is the top-ranked website for real
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remember… the best home search in town is Dream Town.
Page 16
I would highly recommend getting Pro Football Tomorrow ($5) features an array of impersonators and
a group of friends together or tak- Monday morning quarterback comics as a NFL satire. Upcoming per-
ing your significant other to see formances for this show are on Nov. 20 and 27 at midnight in the Del
this show. It is a truly unique expe- Close Theater.
rience with laughs every minute.
It’s a show that cannot be dupli- If you want to participate in a show, Improv Jams ($3) is for you. Vet-
cated and that itself is worth the erans of the IO play games with willing audience members to create
price. Along with the laughs. that onstage chemistry. Performances for this are on Nov. 20 and 27
in the Cabarnet Theater.
The IO started in 1981 and has
since expanded to Los Angeles. There are dozens of shows every week, three or four a night and each
Since it’s beginning over 5,000 of them are completely unique. The IO Chicago is a great place to take
people have trained at the IO in a date or a group of friends to sit and listen to the type of comedy that
search of a dream. One of the sets Chicago apart from the rest.
most influential individuals, who
made the IO world famous, was It’s truly a great venue for entertainment and the possibility of witness-
Del Close. Close was a director ing the next Tina Fey or Mike Meyers. There is no place in the city with
and an improvisational genius. so much untapped star potential, and the ability to witness it, than IO
The idea was to create a mind- Chicago.
set in which actors would respect
each other as artists, geniuses Ricardo Torres is the entertain-
and poets, and from that attitude ment columnist for Wrigle-
they will become those things. yville Magazine. You can
And from that--- tada, modern im-
prov was born.
contact him at rtorres02@
mail.roosevelt.edu
There are dozens of shows to pick
from and all are free for IO stu-
dents. The Sketch Comedy Cage
Match ($5) is an ongoing show
on Nov. 19 and 26 at midnight
in the Del Close Theater
and will feature three
comedy groups in a
tournament style
competition.
At the end of
the show one
group moves
on and at the
end of the
whole tourna-
ment, will be a
single winner,
DECEMBER 2010
a champion of
Chicago sketch
comedy.
Page 17
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