Open Discussion on Things That Matter

I love my city and my county, and want to be a blessing here. In order to bless this community I’ve just started something I’m calling “Pub Talks.”

Pub Talks are regular opportunities for you to engage in conversations with others on a selected topic of interest, hot topic, local issues, etc. They are open to anyone from any point-of-view. The more diverse the discussion the more fruitful I think they will be. Last month the topic was religious freedom, dealing specifically with the current events of threatening Koran burning, the building of a NYC mosque near Ground Zero and what it means to be free as individuals and society.

This week the second round of Pub Talks are up. Topic: Does Money Buy Happiness? From the flyer…

It’s been said, “Money makes the world go round.”
But money is hard to come by. People are losing jobs, savings, houses, retirement & many are living with tighter budgets & fear of the future.

How did we get here? Who or what is to blame?
Is losing money or loving money the problem?
Is consumerism good, bad or neutral?
Would being rich make us happy?

Grab a beer & join the discussion.

There are two Pub Talks. First is Wednesday night at 7pm in downtown Crystal Lake at Williams Street Public House. Second is Thursday night at 7pm in downtown Woodstock at Odd Fellows. Hope you’ll join in an add your thoughts.

Willy Porter at the Opera House

Willy Porter’s concert in Woodstock was outstanding. I can’t believe more people aren’t finding these great concerts in our fair city. I strongly recommend you keep up with the Odd Fellows Events page for more great stuff from Bill and Dawn. These guys may be the best thing going for getting good local music to Woodstock.

Here are a few Willy Porter videos from the concert. Enjoy!

Willy Porter Coming to Woodstock

The good folks at Odd Fellows have once again provided Woodstock and the surrounding area with a great concert. Willy Porter will be at the Woodstock Opera House on Thursday, May 20th at 7pm. Check out Willy’s music. Buy tickets from the Opera House. Molly and I will see you there!

Alejandro Escovedo at the Opera House

Alejandro Escovedo in Woodstock

I love good music. Yeah, everyone says something like that. But it’s a real hobby of mine to find good music, and it usually isn’t found on the radio.

So when I heard from the good folks at Odd Fellows that Alejandro Escovedo will be playing in Woodstock, I started to drool. I hope you will join me for this concert on Sunday. Info below. A video of Escovedo is at the bottom to introduce you to him. I should also mention Willy Porter is coming in May.

Alejandro Escovedo
Sun., March 28th • 4:00 p.m.
Performing at the
Woodstock Opera House
Presented by Odd Fellows at the Waverly
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
To purchase tickets log on to: http://www.woodstockoperahouse.com/navigation/nowplaying.html
Or Call the Box Office at 815-338-5300

Escovedo’s music has been widely lauded by the media, appearing in several high-profile publications including Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, USA Today, PASTE, HARP and Entertainment Weekly. He was invited onstage by Bruce Springsteen to join The Boss and The E Street Band, playing Escovedo’s “Always A Friend” before a packed Toyota Center in Houston on April 14, 2008. He has also appeared on Conan O’Brian, The Today Show, The Tonight Show and performed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver to a wildly enthusiastic audience.

http://www.alejandroescovedo.com

5th Grade Art Class

I never much enjoyed art in school. It never clicked. Everything I drew or painted looked like the same blob. The past few years as I’ve become an artist through digital photography, I’ve really learned to appreciate all of the visual arts and wished I had a better childhood experience.

My photography has connected me locally to Starbucks as my galleries have been up three times there. I’ve also gotten to know local photographers a bit and even have talked about putting together a photography art show sometime. Good stuff.

Through all this I’ve also been able to connect with Ann Vanderbyl, the art teacher at Mary Endres Elementary School where three of my kids go. She gave me the opportunity to talk to the four 5th grade classes about photography a couple of weeks ago. Now, when I’m able, I get to wander the school halls with 5th graders and show them first hand how to take photos. The project is on shapes.

I’m really enjoying my time with these kids and love to help them grow an interest for photography. I hope this experience for them will lead them to see the world through the lens of the camera, and by that means to see the world in a new way. See all my “shapes” photos as I continue to help them with this project.

How can you serve in your local school?

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera.” -Dorothea Lange

Lighting of the Square

We enjoy the Lighting of the Square to kick off Christmas in Woodstock. We made a night of it. First we ate dinner at the always-delicious Pirro’s. Then, with winter coats and gloves on we took a stroll around the Square stopping in a few stores: Cobblestones, Read Between the Lynes and Starbucks. We spent a little time sitting and drinking our mochas/hot chocolates and watching the horse and carriage riders and the swelling crowd. Making our way around we then spent a bunch of time just watching the model trains in the front of La Petite Creperie.

Finally we made it onto the Square to sing Christmas Carols along with the Woodstock City Choir and the thousands who had gathered. Thirty minutes later Santa said something Christmas-y and Miss Woodstock threw a big switch and the Square lit up. Buildings outlined. Trees coated. A beautiful sight and cheers from the crowd. A few more songs capped off the night for our family and we went home with a song on our lips.

If you missed the Lighting, check out the other stuff happening over the next few weeks. Woodstock is a great place to enjoy the Christmas season.

Victorian Christmas – Woodstock, Illinois

Got a Victorian Christmas schedule of events for Woodstock at Read Between the Lynes. The card is really well done and the schedule is also found at the Chamber of Commerce site. I posted it below.

How will you be enjoying our great city this holiday season? We get both free things to enjoy and opportunities to support local retailers. So much to enjoy!

OPEN HOUSE AT SELECT RETAILERS
Saturday & Sunday, November 21 & 22
Start your holiday shopping early!

A WEEK OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING & FAMILY FUN
November 23 – November 27
Enjoy late-night shopping!

LIGHTING OF THE SQUARE
Friday, November 27, Festivities begin at 6:30pm
This annual event is fun for the entire family, including a special visit by Santa himself! Enjoy cozy carriage rides all weekend, live entertainment and late-night shopping & dining. Delight in the warm glow of lights, decorated trees and the wonderful aroma of roasted chestnuts. Be a part of our Woodstock winter tradition!

THE DICKENS CAROLERS
Saturday, November 28, 2:00 – 5:00pm
This festive group will stroll the Square singing traditional carols and contemporary songs of holiday cheer.

SANTA & HIS REINDEER
Saturday, November 28, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Santa’s bringing some of his helpers … Come see the magic of the holidays through your kids’ eyes!

CHRISTMAS PARADE AROUND THE SQUARE
Sunday, November 29, 2:00pm
Be sure to stop for milk & cookies with Santa after the parade!

LADIES NIGHT OUT
Thursday, December 3, 5:00 – 10:00pm
By offering special items for gift-giving and entertaining, Woodstock retailers once again salute the women who bring the holiday season home to friends & family.

TREE OF LIGHTS
Sunday, December 6th, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Presented by Woodstock Hospice at the Old Courthouse Arts Gallery.

THE WAVERLY HOLIDAY FIZZ
Thursday, December 10, 7:00 – 10:30pm
Join the holiday crowd at Woodstock’s beautiful ballroom for an evening of music, dancing, food and friends.

KIDS HOLIDAY FUN
Saturday, December 12, 10:00 – 5:00pm
Jingle all the way down to the Square for an afternoon geared for your kids. Visit participating stores for activities.

ICE SCULPTING DEMONSTRATIONS
Saturday, December 12, 2:30 – 3:30pm
Creating magical holiday visions!

AUNT HOLLY
Sunday, December 13 & Saturday, December 19, 12:00 – 2:00pm
Join Aunt Holly reading Christmas stories in her rocking chair to children at the Stage Left Café in the Opera House.

CARRIAGE RIDES
Friday & Saturday, November 27 & 28, 12:00 – 6:00pm
Sunday, November 29, 12:00 – 4:00pm
Fridays, December 4, 11 & 18, 4:00 – 8:00pm
Saturdays, December 5, 12 & 19, 3:00 – 7:00pm
Sundays, December 6, 13 & 20, 12:00 – 4:00pm

SANTA’S HUT
Saturday, November 28, 1:00 – 3:00pm
December 9 – December 23,
Monday – Friday 5:00 – 7:30pm
Saturdays & Sundays 2:00 – 5:30pm

(SPONSORED IN PART BY The Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Industry)

Got Hope Benefit – Video

Just a quick cut of some music (and crazy dancing by my kids) as Stockwood played at the Waverly House for the Got Hope Benefit…

Got Hope Benefit – October 10th

Would love you to join with us in supporting the Got Hope Benefit at the Waverly House ballroom & Oddfellows Tavern on October 10th. From the Got Hope Benefit website…

On July 29, 2009, twelve year old Hope Fuller was diagnosed with Stage 4 Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a very aggressive tumor.

Hope Fuller is the daughter of Deb & Jay and the sister of JD. She loves swimming, acting, running, shopping and music (especially Taylor Swift). She is involved with school band playing the saxophone. She is an accomplished singer in her hometown’s “Youth Chorale” and is in her school’s choir.

This past year Hope joined the cross country and track teams at school, following in her brother’s footsteps. Hope also has a great passion for food and if you didn’t know better, you’d think she was Italian. Pasta or anything with noodles is what she would prefer for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

“Sauce on the side, please.”

Buy your tickets today and join us on October 10th for a lot of fun at the Waverly House and a lot of benefit for someone in need. If you can’t go, you can donate here.