Metromix staff blog

So you think you can pull off skinny jeans.

Kerry Leonard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:28:27 GMT

I'm one of those people who never wants summer to end. Until it ends. And then I'm ready. But until then, I want my skin to be pink (I don't tan), my hair to be light (ok, I get highlights) and my beer to be cold (actually, I want cold beer year-round). Nevertheless, I'm ready for the change of seasons.

One big factor is the blasted mosquito population of my backyard. Leave. Me. Alone. The other is that summer in Springfield is ssllloooooowwww. College kids vacate, the young and about-town retreat to the lake, and everyone else relishes in the cool comfort of their air-conditioned homes. I've tried to put together those weekly "best bets" since last spring only to realize that two items does not a list make. Fail. But the people have returned, and as for the best bets lists? Guess what folks, they're back.

Another big factor is switching out the clothes. In the spring, the warm weather wardrobe looks so promising and inviting... but when you're on a budget, your greatest hits of 2005 being traipsed out again gets real tired, real quick. Inspired by our fall style guide and the rebounding economy (my Chicago home finally sold), I treated myself to a pair of "skinny" jeans. Yes, "skinny" is in quotes, and in quotes it shall remain. But hey, with the right top (long) and the right boots (high), they're actually pretty cute. But yeah, the girls in the guide are pulling them off way better than I ever will. What are you gonna do.

Lastly, there's the food. I love me a fresh salad and halibut on the grill and all, but can I get some baked ziti please (insert brusque comment about "skinny" jeans here)? Part of it is football, and me engaging in some high-concept cooking to avoid getting jailed in front of the TV, watching my husband's Cowboys, and also because, well, that's what you do when the weather gets cool: you eat. One of the items I've been thinking about a lot, even though it's still too hot out, is Patton Alley Pub's macaroni and cheese. Dang, that stuff is good. It's like the M.C. Escher of macaroni and cheeses: you don't know where it all begins or ends. Friggin' huge bowl, people. The cheeses are quality, the bechamel is creamy and the slight kick from the cayenne pepper renders it anything but an "old standby."

Anyway, I'm rambling. Back to the season. My weekend looks to be a nice celebration of fall, both in what we're doing and the fact that we're doing it (as opposed to sitting at home and waiting for all the cool events to return). Tonight we're headed out to see music legend John Prine at the Gillioz; his music will be sure to bring childhood memories flooding back to both my husband and me. We're going to get a cocktail at Gallery Bistro first, and then perhaps a quick dinner at Izumi Hatake. Ooh, or maybe Riad. We haven't been to Riad in a while. I'm craving their kebabs. Then Saturday night I'm getting together with some girls to do a wine tasting. The theme is Austrailian wines under $30. Best believe I'll be hitting up Diamond Ridge Market to talk to Tyler for some expert suggestions.

Then Sunday I'll be jailed with the Cowboys. Maybe I can convince my husband to go out somewhere to watch it instead? I want some boneless wings...

Blog: What is with this (expletive) construction?

Kerry Leonard — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:40:48 GMT

By Kerry Trotter

Driving Downtown has somehow become a voyage to a "Tron"-like netherworld, replete with the confusion that comes with navigating a labrynthian, dimension-busting terrain, but minus the retro-hip "special effects" and Jeff Bridges.

What in the hell are they doing down there anyway? Apart from feeling sorry for myself when I forget which streets are no-gos and wind up cussing and pulling a 12-point turn on Olive, I feel sorry for the businesses on those streets that have just had to bid adieu to all that great pass-through traffic. When is this all letting up? Thanks to an email from Kathryn at the Downtown Springfield Association, we now know a little bit more. Check it:

"PARK CENTRAL SQUARE: This week, the contractor will be removing old concrete pavement and replace with new concrete pavement on South Avenue from the Square to McDaniel. They will also get both of the intersections at the south and the east connections to the square done this week. They will be pouring the red pedestrian area on the northwest corner this week. When all of this is complete, and the concrete tested (five days after concrete is poured), the entire quadrant from South Avenue to Park Central East will be open. WE ANTICIPATE THIS TO OCCUR BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK, AUGUST 7. After that, each remaining approach to the square will be completed and then the square pavement in between will be completed. EXPECTED DATE FOR ALL WORK TO BE DONE IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2009.
MCDANIEL STREET, SOUTH AVENUE TO CAMPBELL AVENUE: The north side of the street is complete and work has begun on the south side. When done the south side sidewalks will match the south side from Patton Avenue to Campbell. EXPECTED DATE TO COMPLETE PROJECT IS THIS FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009.

JEFFERSON AVENUE, OLIVE STREET TO ST. LOUIS STREET: City Utilities contractor started work July 20, to replace a leaking water main near the middle of Jefferson Avenue. They attempted twice to make smaller repairs, but the main is in such poor condition that the entire block had to be replaced. Once the water main is replaced the street will be resurfaced and opened to two full lanes of traffic. EXPECTED DATE TO RE-OPEN IS AUGUST 7, 2009

RESURFACING OF MARKET AVENUE, COLLEGE TO MCDANIEL & OLIVE STREET, CAMPBELL TO MARKET: This project will complete the surface work for the College Station Development. The work will take one day. We do not have a schedule from the contractor at this time. EXPECTED DATE OF RESURFACING IS IN AUGUST, 2009."

So what does all this mean exactly? Well, that we're sort of screwed for the time being. And that we should be riding our bikes more.

(Courtesy of Kathryn Vicat-Dlabach at the Downtown Springfield Association)

95 degrees, huh? What now?

Kerry Leonard — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:01:49 GMT

Um, so, yeah. It's hot.

Like, real hot.

I shouldn't complain, because I would much rather be hot than cold, but my fair irish constitution grapples with these elements. You will never meet a person more enamored of hot weather who is less capable of physically thriving in it than myself. I was built for the rain-whipped fields of the West Coast of Ireland, yet developed the dreamy insouciance of a beachcomber on the West Coast of the U.S. I sweat like a large man, my curly hair doubles in size, I burn in seconds, I swell, I get heat rashes, I'm a walking Thanksgiving dinner to mosquitoes -- yet I want nothing more than to be outside when the mercury rises. Never the twain shall meet. Ah well.

There are some solutions to my corporal / spiritual disconnect, starting with water and ending with frozen drinks. Even though I don't dig on crowds, I might have to frequent a public pool this summer (sheep-dipped in SPF 1,000,000). I cannot wait to see what local growers are bringing to the farmers markets, supplementing my husband and my own (crowded) backyard garden. It's now the perfect time for a big glass of boozy lemonade. OK, maybe two glasses. The summer heat makes me think of grilling, which makes me crave burgers (including the newest place slated to open Downtown, Whisler's) more than ever. We have a new puppy, so trips to shallow rivers to cool her and her older bro off are essential. I'm newly married, so my husband and I also want to hit patios around town for happy hour, and cannot wait to try this place. It's been open for a minute and there's no patio, but we've been pretty busy (see above mention of wedding and new pup) so we haven't had the chance. Oh, and also taking time away from our newlywed dining plans is this. My husband has pledged to hit the "links" and regularly dominate our friend Dirk. Dude, consider yourself warned. Also, July 4 is around the corner, and we've compiled a list of all the fireworks and parades in the Ozarks. There are some really good options so be sure to check it out.

So as I sit in an air-conditioned office penning my plans, a sweaty, frizzy, swollen day perched on a river bank with a boozy lemonade in my hands sounds pretty much like heaven in the Ozarks. Bring it. -- Kerry Trotter, Metromix

C-Street Jam Lineup Announced

Kerry Leonard — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:13:45 GMT

I'm giving credit where credit is due. I just saw this on TheFourFour: The 2009 C-Street Jam Lineup has been announced.

Thanks to the fine folks at Springfield's favorite music site, I bring you the following... in their words because, well, I couldn't have done it better. Behold:

"Not only is C-Street Jam not dead, one could argue it’s better than ever before. Even the first C-Street Jam, conceived as a showcase for Commercial Street’s image rehabilitation in 2006, kept all of its acts to one stage at a time. This year’s event, scheduled for May 9, will have six stages in all, and a pretty sweet rosters of performers to populate them. Find out who is part of the resuscitation of Commercial Street’s music festival after the jump.

The schedule looks like this:

Main Stage (Under the C-Street Market pavilion)

6 p.m.–The Cropdusters
7 p.m.–The Tiffany Christopher Band
8 p.m.–The Bel Airs

Class Act Courtyard- Rock/Blues
3 p.m.–Chance Ray Band
4 p.m.–Clyde the Slyde
5 p.m.–Techs and the Roadies

Cook’s Kettle Courtyard- String Band
3 p.m.–The Greg Burris Band
4 p.m.–The HillBenders
5 p.m.–Hot Whiskey

Firehouse Courtyard- Jazz
3 p.m.–Kyle Aho
4 p.m.–The Fourfront Jazz Band
5 p.m.–The Springfield Jazz Collective

Norr/ SIFE Footbridge Plaza
Truett and the Traitors
Lee Ellen Stark

Lindberg’s
Blue Plate Special
Mike Mac and Revolver

So a revived Lindberg’s teams with a revived C-Street Jam to once again showcase The New Commercial Street. It’s nice to have both back. We’ll get times for the SIFE Footbridge Plaza and Lindberg’s when they become available."

Thank you, fourfour dudes!

Spring in the Ozarks

Kerry Leonard — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:42:02 GMT

Where I come from, early March is the painfully frustrating zenith of "Why Do I Live Here?" season. Winter's angry fist is still pounding the collective skulls of the city with "wintry mix" haymakers, while movies, magazines, clothing stores and all our West Coast friends are reminding us that elsewhere, it is Spring. Chicago has many merits, but the length and ferocity of this season is not one of them. When I lived there, I had adapted an old saying to fit my experiences: "March -- In like a lion, out like a ... mountain lion." You can expect its furor in the beginning, but at the end it's more spry and unsuspecting.

But I live here now and I gotta say, I'm digging the weather. Sure there was some snow and ice and chilly days, but after all the hoopla, I tended to look around and say, "That's it? Why haven't I been awoken by a salt truck rumbling down my street? Where are the Fiat-sized potholes? Why can I still feel my hands?!?" I can't recall any winters in my lifetime where a 60º January day wasn't an aberration, and a 70º February day wasn't a call for retreating to a fallout shelter. This was winter-lite, folks.

And here we are, on the precipice of Spring, and it's pretty glorious. My yard has had wild crocus blooming for weeks and my flip-flops are already in rotation. Sure it could turn on a dime and I'll be caught off guard, "jorts"-clad and knee-deep in snow, but I choose to think we're on an upswing.

As a result, all I can think about is the outdoors. I picture myself wearing that yellow, strapless sundress in the window of Staxx (even though I look terrible in yellow). I can almost taste the refreshing, hoppy Mueller Pale Ale on the sundeck of BrewCo. I crave guacamole, homemade from the freshest avocados, or with a pitcher of margaritas at Cielito Lindo. I'm hankering for walks in our neighborhood, curiously plotted to include a serendipitous stroll past Ebbets Field. Related to that, I am so very ready for baseball season. I am anxiously awaiting the return of the light, zesty chicken tortilla soup at St. Michael's. I'm jonesing for a window seat at Kai, taking a long pull of an icy Asahi to cool the fire from their fiery Kai Confidential roll. I have a yen for runs along the Galloway Trail in my last throes of marathon training, having jettisoned my perfunctory long underwear in favor of shorts and t-shirts. Oh, and immediately followed by a Fat Tire and veggie quesadillas at Galloway Station. I can almost feel the rock bed of the Buffalo River under my feet, watching my dog dive for the ball my fiance thew, and yes, still with a beer in my hand.

The thing is, it's within reach. I still miss my old home, but all this is certainly softening the blow. And the three consecutive days forecast to be in the 70's this week? I hope you enjoy it, because I'll be back in Chicago getting pummeled by a lake wind for the weekend. Sigh.

-Kerry

(Producer)

Sertoma Chili Cook-Off

Kerry Leonard — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:35:52 GMT

This was my first Chili Cook-Off--both as participant and observer. And to be honest, when I first heard about it, I didn't really get it.

That many people? All that work? For chili? Seriously?

Yes, chili, seriously, replied the masses. It's a big deal. People get into it. It's madness, they said. But I couldn't get past eating all that chili without taking Pepto Bismol through a beer bong and curling up in the fetal position on my couch. The masses reminded me that it's not an eat-off, it's a cook-off. It's a huge social event that reins in great throngs of people. OK, I said. I'll believe it when I see it.

I saw it. Boy, did I see it. But not before a 5 a.m. wakeup call, carrying a cooler of 40 pounds of meat to my car in sideways snow, having a good cry over chopping 10 onions before 7 a.m. and a mid-morning beer. As harried as the process was at moments, it turned out to be a lot of fun. And I wasn't even a spectator. The only chili I sampled was our own (good stuff if you tried it. Kung Fu Chili--spicy with a hint of something asian) and the only moments I had to walk around were when I was making harried rushes to the bathrooms after gallons of water and several Boulevard Wheats. Speaking of, those were some nice bathrooms. Never had to wait.

But back to the matter at hand, Chili Cook-Off was quite a sight to behold. My sweaty, tomato-stained hat goes off to the Sertoma folks because this was one seriously well-organized event. People were polite, courteous and complimentary. As a competitor, the whole set-up process was expedited by friendly, helpful people. Even in the heavy traffic areas (beer cart, band stage) folks were respectful, if a little tipsy. I'm aware that they've had 28 years to get the process down, but still. With that many hungry people in one spot, there's a lot left to chance.

I was expecting to end the day with the meat sweats and with a newfound aversion to chili powder. Instead, I walked out of the Expo center with pots scraped clean of our delicious handiwork (thank you to our coworker Pat Moore for the recipe) and compliements still pouring in. Even as I was getting in my car, redolent with the smell of beef on my filthy cooking implements in the backseat, I realized that it still smelled good.

In fact, just three days after the fact, I think I'm craving chili again.

Click here to see pictures of the event. You all clearly enjoyed it as much as I do--these pictures have been wildly popular. Enjoy!

-Kerry (Producer)