Good Cheer

• A whole bunch of dogs rescued from the Hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast arrived in Champaign today. Foster homes will be needed, and a report on Channel 3 says interested people should call Tailwagger’s Pet Chateau in Savoy. Kudos to those involved. If anyone has more information, I would be happy to pass it along.

• Looking for a gift for Jewish friends or family members this holiday season? Come to the Chanukah Showcase Sale at Sinai Temple this Sunday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.. The Sinai Temple Gift Shop is one of Champaign’s best-kept secrets. Their selection is great and their prices reasonable.

• I drive by Rock’s Bar on Springfield quite often. Whoever writes the copy for their sign is quite clever. (I’ve still never been in the place, though).

• The Mobil station at the corner of Bloomington and Prospect is contending for cheapest-gas-in-Champaign honors. I saw it was down to $1.83 the other day.

Turkey Week

We interrupt this otherwise quiet Thanksgiving holiday week to announce that … a new business is going into the old Panera space on John Street, and it’s one I think lbotp readers will enjoy.

Another Chicago import is coming to town in the form of Bar Louie. This neighborhood bar/casual restaurant is a little hip, a little upscale, but a lot of fun. It’s the kind of place you could go to with your friends on a Saturday afternoon, relax and have a beer without feeling like you’re at a bar. Overall, I think it’s a good addition to campustown and will fill a niche for campus people who want a more sophisticated atmosphere without having to drive to downtown Champaign. Also, it will be a nice place to go for a weekday lunch. Here’s a menu from one location.

This place could be a big hit.

A few other random thoughts before we head over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go:

• Hot Diggity! has reopened for its limited holiday season run.

• Burned the turkey? Trash it and head out to Famous Dave’s BBQ, Kennedy’s at Stone Creek, or Jim Gould’s. All will be hosting buffets.

• DO NOT FEED YOUR DOG turkey with the skin on it.

• The excellent tiramisu at Za’s (on Springfield) costs $2.99. The tiramisu at Biaggi’s costs $5.99. Is it really worth the extra $3?

• The British film “Millions” finally is out on DVD. Pick it up — you won’t regret it.

Have a great Thanksgiving and see you next week!

Off To Hogwarts We Go

Any muggle who’s worth their galleons knows that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth installment of the popular wizard yarn, is coming to a theatre near you this Friday.

Good news for Champaign-Urbana fans: the Beverly in Champaign is selling advanced tickets to the film (if you like getting shot at), while the Savoy 16 will let you buy a ticket three days in advance of the show you want to see.

Why one still can’t buy movie tickets online here on the “Silicon Prairie” remains a mystery. (The lone exception being, of course, our friends at Boardman’s Art Theatre.)

Movin’ on Up

See, even the son of a Champaign corn and bean farmer can get his wedding announcement printed in the Old Gray Lady.

“Amy Jean Fletcher and James Paul Eichhorst were married last evening at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in Florida. The Rev. Thomas P. Harp, a Presbyterian minister, officiated. … Mr. Eichhorst, 43, is a director of government affairs at the Biotechnology Industry Organization, in Washington. He graduated from the University of Illinois. He is a son of Sandra and Lee Eichhorst of Champaign, Ill. “

Eichhorst is a former chief of staff for Congressman Tim Johnson.

Oh, Dear

According to a survey by insurer State Farm, Illinois ranks third in a dubious competition: most vehicle-deer collisions per state.

This is not surprising. Consider how many people you know personally who have had an unfortunate run-in with Bambi. I should have counted how many deer carcasses I saw on the side of the road while driving down I-57 last weekend.

I wish I could say I was more afraid of the deer than I am of my fellow drivers on I-57 … especially ones with Texas or Tennessee license plates.

Non Sequitor

• Did I read the sign right that Pickles is now smoke-free?

• Realtor Coldwell Banker says that Champaign-Urbana ranks as the fifth-most affordable college town in the Big Ten when it comes to housing. The caveat? How they made the comparisons. “The College Market HPCI evaluated average home values for a single-family dwelling in a middle-management community measuring approximately 2,200 square feet with four bedrooms, two and one-half baths, a family room (or equivalent) and two-car garage.”To get such a deal in Champaign-Urbana would cost the average Joe $223,317. I know my house doesn’t qualify.

• Is it any wonder that Willard Airport is floundering once again? The powers that be haven’t even taken the time to update their Web site to reflect that they no longer have service to St. Louis.

• Why has the News-Gazette all but ignored the huge role that one of our very own residents played in a massive federal illegal steroid investigation that has swirled around baseball royalty?

• Did anyone see this?

• One of the most original costumes I saw this Halloween: two little girls emulating their Red Hat Lady grandmothers.

Walgreen’s Nation

It seems Walgreens has no loyalty to its home state. Just days after the pharmacy giant’s newest Champaign store opened at Windsor and Duncan, the corporation announced it had opened its 5,000th store in Richmond, Virginia.

Couldn’t they have fudged the opening so this corporate milestone would happen right in its own backyard?

Another Walgreens thought … why do they all look alike??? Not even McDonald’s uses that tactic anymore.