Julia Messina
To Submit News Contact:
cgbookcafe@yahoo.com Visit Us @
723 S. Clark Street
Utica, IL 61373
815-866-5167
Less than 5 minutes from Starved Rock State Park & Lodge, Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort, Matthiessen State Park, Buffalo Rock and the I & M Canal
723 S. Clark Street, Utica
Shop Phone & Fax
815-667-4203
Cell: 815-866-5167
Email: cgbookcafe@yahoo.com
www.cgbookcafe.com
Winter Hours
Thursday through Sunday
7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Mon, Tues, & Wed from 7:30am to 2:00pm
Visit our backyard
wine & coffee garden!
Call to reserve it for your next big event: bridal & baby showers, fund raisers, birthday & anniversary parties--even weddings!
Regular Mail Common Grounds BookCafe’ 723 S. Clark Street Utica, IL 61373
If you plan to pay by credit card, We need the following information:
• Shipping address
• Billing address (address that your credit card bill is sent to)
• Card number
• Expiration date
• Name on the card
• 3-digit ID code from the back of your card
Retro, Political & Naughty Magnets available at the shop or online: $4.75
Local Authors' books available at the shop or online:
Ron Bluemer, author of Fire Below! The Cherry Mine Disaster of 1909; Speakeasy: Prohibition in the Illinois Valley,Home Front: WWII in the Illinois Valley, and many more titles. (All Bluemer books:Price $21.00)
Dan Churney, author of Capone's Cornfields: The Mob in the Illinois Valley. (Price:$21.00)
David Crosby, author of Chasing Charlie Chan (Price:$19.95)
David Crosby, author of The Zero Defects Option This groundbreaking work by industrial quality management consultant Crosby explains your role in producing defect-free products and services. The U.S. Army awarded Crosby the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for his work on the Army Zero Defects Program. His book is available at Common Grounds BookCafe. (Price:$23.95)
Myke Feinman, author of The Teddy Bear Conspiracies. (Price:$21.95)
Father Dominic Garramone, OSB, author of 'Tis the Season to Be Baking (Price:$12.00) and the Baking Bread with Father Dominic series. (Price:$19.95)
Dr. Gnagey (Thomas Atherton), the Clinical Psychologist who disappeared 20 years ago from Ottawa and who has recently surfaced and author of My Unrelenting Darkness (Price: $14.99).
Father Bernard Horzen, author of Maybe Be Rain, a memoir of beloved and highly respected St. Bede Academy monk, science whiz, and world traveler. It'll make you laugh and make you cry--reading his words is like listening to his quirky, Slovenian-inflected, wonderful voice. Great anecdotes. (Price:$15.00)
Donna Kelly, author of Cop Eyes and former appellate defense lawyer for Chester Weger, convicted of the Starved Rock Murders. (Price:$21.95)
Amanda Kennedy, author of The Romance Gone Wrong. (Price:$19.95)
Carole Ledbetter, author of Who Am I Now? Growing Through Life's Changing Seasons.(Price:$16.00)
Susan MacQuoid, author of Dead Dog (Price:$19.95)
Monica Morris, author of Rory's Song. (Price:$19.99) Check out her website: monicatheresemorris.com
Laura Neuhalfen, RN, CNEH, author of A Hospice Nurse Finds the Many Faces of God. (Price:$10.95)
Doris Popovich, RN, MA, and Joan Cantwell, RN, MA, authors of 21 Peaceful Nurses: Essays on a Spiritually Guided Practice. (Price:$14.95)
Barbara Seuling, author of Say It with Music, (Price:$16.95) published by new Illinois Valley publishing house, Boxing Day Books. Check out the website: www.PaulaMorrow.com
Judith Sment, author of My Walk with God.A woman's spiritual journey. (Price:$24.95)
Karen Super (Also writing as Amanda Kae Hope), author of A Super Cookbook, With Dietary Rules from Scripture (Price:$16.95) and The Adventures of Thalia, Poppy, and Pepper. a children's tale of adventure and spiritual awakening. (Price:$19.00)
Steve Stout, author of The Starved Rock Murders (Price:$10.00) ; Starved Rock Stories (Price:$20.00) and Starved Rock State Park: A Pictoral Guide. (Price:$5.00)
Rhonda Telfer, author of Grandpa's Treasure. Farm life photo essay--growing up on a Midwestern farm. (Price:$21.00)
Steve Wiggins, author of Streets of Warsaw.Fascinating narrative on the Polish Resistance Movement during WWII. (Price:$21.95)
Paul Wood, author of The Traveling Heart. Collected poems of a life in turmoil and travel. (Price:$12.95)
Robin Weidner, author of Secure In Heart, a woman's spiritual journey to find her place in the world--an examination of the Eve tradition. (Price:$15.00)
Ann Maxwell-Weisbrod, author of Pick Your Nose & Make A Face, an interactive magnetic art book that showcases Ann's wildly creative and humorous artwork. To view many of her original pieces, visit her Peru, Illinois, restaurant, MarkAllen's, where her interactive art adorns the walls throughout. (corner of 10th & Peoria Streets 815-220-0642). (Book Price:$18.95)
David Youngquist, author of Ghosts of Interstate 80 (Price:$9.95) and the soon-to-be-released title, Ghosts of the I & M Canal (Price:$9.95) (Photo cover by local photographer, Paula Guttilla).
Coffees available @ Common Grounds BookCafe
Fair Trade & Socially Conscious Coffees Always Sold Here
Ethiopian Harrar $11.95 one pound foil bag (whole bean)
Sumatra $11.95 one pound foil bag (whole bean)
Dominican Republic $11.95 one pound foil bag (whole bean)
Decaf Organic House Blend $13.00 one pound foil bag (whole bean)
Half-Caf Organic Full City Blend $11.95 one pound foil bag (whole bean)
This month we recommend The Traveling Heart by Paul Wood CGBookCafe review The Traveling Heart by Paul Wood
Stirring and evocative verse reflecting the nomadic life that Paul has led, The Traveling Heart is a collection of his reflections on the various cultures, experiences, and traditions that have come his way. An Englishman, Paul traveled through Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Asia Pacific to experience life and love and laughter and tears. Many of his poems deal with man's inhumanity to man, while at the same time trying to wring some hopefulness from near-hopeless situations. --Julia Messina
The Traveling Heart
Italian Lessons
Italian Lessons available with native speaker $15.00 per lesson Weekends
Call 815-303-5126 to
set up individual & group lessons
****
Certified Professional Translations
Italian to English and English to Italian
Call 815-866-5167
****
Want to rent a vacation home in Scopello, Sicily?
Comfortably sleeps 5 to 7 guests
$800 per week May through September
Give us a call: 815-866-5167
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“...for an extremely pleasant coffee break, stop at Common Grounds BookCafé,
723 S. Clark St., on Illinois Highway 178, about four blocks south of
downtown Utica. There is a small selection of unique books, and when we visited,
a guy giving a guitar lesson at one table.” —Barbara Brotman, The Chicago Tribune,
Feb 16, 2006
"Hands down the BEST Italian cappuccino I've had since my last trip to Italy!"-J. Peters
"Intimate, welcoming bookstore with tables for working and sofas for lounging. WiFi and Internet access on your laptop or their computer. Big backyard for summer concerts, drum circles, or just sipping a cup of coffee or glass of wine and reading a good book. Good selection of children's and adult books, art, gifts, specialty foods for sale. Note: most books discounted! Superior customer service-- everyone who walks through the door is a VIP.” --P. Morrow
”Best espresso drinks and friendly atmosphere: Stopped in on our way home from Starved Rock and were greeted like we were old friends, served great cappuccinos, and had a fun conversation with locals. We even bought a couple of great (and inexpensive) books. This is a really unique place--the afternoon we stopped, there was a guy and his son playing Russian folk tunes on the guitar and the balalaika in the children's book section--way cool. We'll be going back whenever we're in the area.” –Hikerclan
"This café offers great coffee and books! The menu includes espresso, cappuccino and iced mocha. There also sandwiches and soups to enjoy while you read and relax. Frequent events, internet access and a friendly atmosphere keep you coming back!" --Marriott.com City Guide
“I enjoy this cafe so much. I love to stop in for a fresh cup of great coffee and a great book. This is a very friendly and clean cafe. They treat you like you are the most important person to walk in the door that day. I am very pleased with this business and always look forward to stopping there to relax for awhile.”-Ronald M.
"Great selection of eclectic books."-J. Corcoran
"It's like finding a jewel in the prairie."-A. Miller
“Common Grounds BookCafe is always ahead of the curve. It's where interesting people meet to discuss important and mundane issues, and it's a place where all opinions are solicited and respected. It's a relaxed, warm environment where people can get great, authentic Italian coffees and outstanding books by local, national, and international authors as well as purchase art by local artists and gifts from around the world. WiFi and Internet access are available, too." – M. Lewis
"You meet the most interesting people there."-B. Aplington
Common Grounds Photo Gallery
Upcoming Events @ Common Grounds BookCafe’ & other venues in the Illinois Valley Area
MAY 2008
May 2, 2008 Wake The Sheep CD Release Party on the Veranda at Starved Rock Lodge: 8pm to 11pm--Don't Miss This One!
MAY 3, 2008 Lubriphonic @ Canal Port: Live BLUES fusion, beginning at 10:00pm--Way Beyond Great...Don't Miss This One! Call 815-667-3010
MAY 3 & 4, 2008 Seasons Gone By Celebrates its 3rd Anniversary with a Garden Party from 10am to 5pm (FREE Refreshments & Giveaways): 124 Mill Street, Utica-- Call 815-667-4321 for more info
MAY 9 & 10, 2008 The Double Dave Trio, featuring the Tarnowskis, will be performing not ONE but TWO nights at Fitzgerald's Piano Lounge in Princeton this weekend, Friday May 9 and Saturday May 10, from 8 to Midnight.
MAY 12, 2008
MAY 23, 2008 An All-Faiths Mini-Seminar on Women and Change @ Common Grounds BookCafé 7:00 to 8:00 PM
An evening with the author of: WHO AM I NOW? Growing Through Life’s Changing Seasons
The workshop will cover topics such as:
The God We Follow The Roles We Play The People We Become The Hope We Have
Author, Carole Ledbetter, will share thoughts from her book, Who Am I Now? Growing Through Life’s Changing Seasons No charge for the seminar, but all participants must have the book, which is available at Common Grounds BookCafe, BookMouse & through the author.
Cost of book: $16.00
To register for the seminar: phone Julia at 815-866-5167 or email: cgbookcafe@yahoo.com
Weekends on the Veranda at Starved Rock Lodge, from 8:00pm to 11:30pm
No Cover Charge
May 30/08: Steve Sharp & Wake the Sheep--Classic Rock
May 31/08: Brian Neumann & Mark Pyszka--Acoustic
June 6/08: Road Angel--Classic Rock
June 7/08: Leo Moran--Acoustic
June 13/08: Crossroads--Blues
June 20/08:Three Olive Martini--Jazz
June 28/08: Brian Neumann & Mark Pyszka--Acoustic
May 5th through June 29th, 2008--The Ottawa Art League’s 41st MEMBERS ONLY ART SHOW. Monday May 10 Press Party from 2 to 4pm. Throughout the exhibit period the general public may vote for its favorite work of art. On June 29th, the winner will be announced.
At The Book Mouse in downtown Ottawa: www.ottawaartleague.org for more information.
MAY 10, 2008 Book signing by Kim "Howard" Johnson, author of The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives & Legends of Del Close at 10am @ Common Grounds BookCafe
May 17, 2008 Kids Fishing Expo at Baker Lake in Peru
MAY 24, 2008 Book signing by David Crosby, author of The Zero Defect Option at 10am @ Common Grounds BookCafe
MAY 28, 2008-Wednesday Webseminar sponsored by Small Business Administration: HOW SBA CAN HELP YOU START OR EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS
FREE Webinar
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) invites small business owners and entrepreneurs to attend a FREE webinar.
Presenter: Ms. Valerie Ross, Branch Manager for the Springfield, IL SBA Office. This webinar session will provide information to individuals, small business owners and entrepreneurs about the programs and services available to them through the US Small Business Administration.
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
1:00p.m.—2:00p.m. Central Time
This Webinar will use ReadyTalk, SBA's multi-media training tool. ReadyTalk allows you to attend valuable training from the convenience of your home or office at no cost to you. It's easy to use!
Registration Procedures:
Send an email to laura.cawley@sba.gov with WEBINAR RESERVATION in the subject line. Include your name, phone number and (if applicable) your organization, agency or company name. We will send you an email confirming your registration, and include the toll-free conference dial-in number and the participant access code for both the phone and web portions of the seminar.
Register Today! Space is limited
On the Horizon...
June 7, 2008--Saturday Secret Gardens of Utica
June 7, 2008--Saturday "Privy to History" Speaker Jeff Springer sheds light on the fascinating world of LaSalle County privies, otherwise known as outhouses, bekhouses, potties, donnikers, heads, johns, latrines, lavatories, thrones, cans...Don't miss this amazing and amusing "Potty Talk" at the Ottawa Scouting Museum (Fox River Park, Ontario & St. George Streets)-Ottawa. Sponsored by the LaSalle County Historical Society. Call 815-667-4861 for details.
June 7, 2008--Saturday Kids Fishing Tournament at Lock 14 in LaSalle
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Local Business News--in the Illinois Valley
Fun New Things to Buy at Common Grounds Bookcafe--Stop In and Buy or Order Online! Fun Cookie & Cake Decorations: From the ocean, zoo and farm, selections of shapes just for fun for any occasion. $4.99 each variety pack
Yummy Desserts & Great Hostess Gifts! only $13.99 each
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I & M Canal Visitors Center opening on the corner of 1st Street & Joliet, in LaSalle.
All Aboard!
Board the horse-drawn LaSalle Canal Boat and enjoy the scenery, history and relaxation of a ride on the waterway that changed the face of the nation – the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal.
Your one-hour, roundtrip journey on a full-size replica canal boat will take you on the same hand-dug waterway that Abraham Lincoln and other 19th century pioneers traveled. Your guides, dressed as Canal Era crew and passengers, will take you back in time to life on the American frontier and the Illinois prairie.
Spend the day, or spend the weekend. The popular Starved Rock State Park and other attractions are only minutes away.
Lock 16 Visitor Center
A few short blocks from the LaSalle Canal Boat will be the Lock 16 Visitor Center. The restored vintage building that was once home to a horse buggy maker now celebrates another historic form of transportation: the canal boat.
A hub for LaSalle Canal Boat rides, with ticket sales and bus drop-off for group tours, the visitor center will also be a place to linger and learn, snack and shop.
Savor light fare at the café. Buy gifts and souvenirs at the canal-themed heritage gift shop. Enjoy special I&M Canal exhibits, talks and cultural programs.
Fun. Engaging. Relaxing. Educational. The Visitor Center will be all that and more.
Beginning-of-Spring Deals at Common Grounds BookCafe':
Bring in Market Guide Coupons for 50% Off on books (except NYTimes Best Sellers & Local Authors)
FREE small coffee with 2 breakfast sandwiches (egg, ham, salami & cheeses on grilled whole grain bread)
Try our Creamy Hot Chocolates & Espresso Drinks and Our Outstanding Iced Coffee Drink Specials
Visit Common Grounds BookCafe' in Utica, Illinois, for a true taste of the Mediterranean.
Enjoy authentic Italian coffee drinks made by people who know how to make them, and purchase unique coffee-related gifts.
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Interesting People Are Always Reading & Buying Books at Common Grounds BookCafe, Your Locally Owned and Operated Bookstore in the Illinois Valley!
This Month's Author is Poet Paul Wood with his Ode to Common Grounds BookCafe
"The Muses of Utica"
In tranquil times erudite scholars sit
Giving and receiving learned wisdom
Sharing literary humour and wit
Passionate debate alleviates boredom
Renaissance ambience nurtures the mind
Calliope the goddess Muse resides
With Erato, Euterpe behind
Muses all in poetic dance bestrides
Voices raised to lift poetic song
Painted visions enshrined on canvas bold
In Utica where they belong
Sweet Julia her noble court does hold
Far and wide the learners come to play
And at the temple Common Ground they pray
Artists’ Corner
Featured Artist: Ann Maxwell-Weisbrod
This month we are featuring the art of Ann Maxwell-Weisbrod: Artist & Gracious Illinois Valley Restauranteur
Pick Your Nose & Make A Face TM
Peru IL—Ann Maxwell-Weisbrod started a Wisebroad Designs in 1998 to
market her collectible sculptures. After years of work, a presentation box
representing hundreds of hours of hand built work came back smashed to bits
on Sept 11, 2001. Stunned by the loss of innocence in the bigger world and in
her personal, artistic one, her work and focus drastically changed. Today her
work defines a new genre. Ann has alchemized her love of painting and
sculpture with her irrepressible lust for fun by creating an amazing array of
gorgeous, outrageous and addicting art play and functional products.
In Ann’s words…”We’ve gone beyond conventional design to create amazing
painted concepts that bring a new attitude to play and a playful attitude to
function. It’s a very cool look… SPIRITED, ENGAGING …ART WITH ATTITUDE.
We’re calling it ARTITUDE, and it brings art with an edge to a vast array of play
and functional product possibilities.
Pick Your Nose & Make A Face brand of play books and board
sets won THE GRAND PRIZE at the Toy and Game Inventors Forum in Las
Vegas. Pick Your Nose & Make a Face
also won the BEST NEW PRODUCT award at the summer Chicago Gift
Show.
Today, Pick Your Nose & Make A Face products are found in stores and museum
shops across the country, and AWD is licensing her look and concept.
A Wisebroad Designs has exhibited at the International Licensing Show in NYC
for the past 4 years. This year AWD will launch a new Trademark, I am a Money
Magnet. She has exhibited at the American Folk Art Museum in NYC,
is a member of the Illinois Artisans Program, and has sold her work
throughout the United States. She also shows annually at the One of a Kind Show
Chicago, and at other shows in and around Illinois.
With a rich background that includes a degree in fine arts with study abroad,
teaching art, owning a successful retail store in a small, rural Midwestern
community and now building a restaurant business (MarkAllen’s, in Peru, Illinois) that brings art to play, Ann has guided
AWD to a position of limitless opportunity. It has taken remarkable talent,
humor, courage, heart and relentless determination…an apt definition of the
woman and her work.
For Gallery, Wholesale, & Licensing opportunities contact:
Ann Maxwell-Weisbrod
A Wisebroad Designs 501 N 6th St Princeton, Il 61356
815 872 0598 phone 815 878 7762 cell 815 872 0598 fax
awisebroad@yahoo.com www.awisebroad.com
To Purchase a Copy of Pick Your Nose & Make a Face contact:
Julia Messina @
Common Grounds BookCafe
723 S. Clark Street
Utica, IL 61373
cgbookcafe@yahoo.com
815-866-5167
Ann’s magnetic art book, Pick Your Nose & Make a Face will be featured on the Common Grounds BookCafe website during the month of April and available for purchase for as long as they last on the shelves. Check out Julia’s website, at www.cgbookcafe.com or stop in the shop in Utica! They have a great selection of children’s books and great coffee and goodies!
Ann is also painting an art dog for Friends of Strays in Princeton. If you would like to sponsor an artist to do a dog or cat for this worthy no kill shelter, please call Bonnie Doty at the shelter for details. We will let you know when all of the dogs and cats will be on display this summer.
New at Mark Allen’s bar!
Lemon Drop Martini’s with Limoncello, Berry Berry and Peach Daiquiris, Cabo Wabo and Pomegranate Rita’s, and our mojitos will include some new flavors too! We are ready for some warmer weather and our drinks are HOT!
Musicians' Corner
--This Month's Featured Music
The Spark
New music club for high school-aged people and beyond. 701 1st Street in LaSalle. Check out their website on myspace: www.myspace.com/thesparkillinois.
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Now for just a really funny English music YouTube video called "Happiness," by Goldfrapp
Sfincione alla Palermitana What You’ll Need:
*Pizza dough (2 lbs)
*8 oz bread crumbs
*15 oz can of chopped tomatoes
*1/2 lb Asiago cheese
*2oz can of anchovies
*2 onions
*3 tablespoons olive oil
*spray oil for the baking dish
*salt & pepper-to taste
*oregano & basil – one teaspoon each
* sugar—1 teaspoon
What to Do:
*Heat oven to 425*F for 20 minutes
*Coat the baking dish with spray oil
*Spread out dough in baking dish/rectangular cake pan
*Drizzle olive oil over the dough and place anchovies throughout
*Layer thin slices of Asiago cheese on top of the dough
*In a separate skillet, saute’ the chopped onions and tomatoes, season with salt, pepper, sugar, oregano & basil
*Cool the tomato/onion/spice mixture, then spread on top of the dough
*Spread a layer of bread crumbs on top of the tomato mixture
*Allow to rest and rise for half an hour then put it in the oven for 20 minutes
Serves 6 or more
Recipe Compliments of Common Grounds BookCafe’ (Still Celebrating Carbs)
Jobs & Announcements
Valley Job Connections & Announcements
Let People Know What You’re Looking For $10.00 per listing, per month
Send Your Listings to: cgbookcafe@yahoo.com
make checks payable to : Common Grounds BookCafe
723 S. Clark Street
Utica, IL 61373
Farm-Fresh Produce
& Litterbox-trained Kittens!
Call Liz @ 815-538-2820 for info and directions:
Café’ in a Box
Commercial restaurant equipment available for purchase:
2-door undercounter Tru commercial refrigerator: $600
2-steel 48” prep tables:$125 each
2-group Astoria commercial espresso machine:$5,000
36-inch 4-burner gas stove:$500
French pastry display case (dry case):$1,200
Electric outdoor illuminated sign:$1,000
Chest freezer 5’cf:$75
Call 815-866-5167
or email: cgbookcafe@yahoo.com for further info
otherwise known as outhouses, bekhouses, potties, donnikers, heads, johns, latrines, lavatories, thrones, cans...Don't miss this amazing and amusing "Potty Talk" at the Ottawa Scouting Museum (Fox River Park, Ontario & St. George Streets)-Ottawa. Sponsored by the LaSalle County Historical Society. Call 815-667-4861 for details.
dinosaurs*dolphins*stars*moons*bears*fish*
cows*pigs*ducks*chicks
fish*stars*bears*dolphins
turtles*tropical fish*sharks*seals*sea horses*dolphins
elephants*alligators*lions*dolphins*gorillas*seals
"The Muses of Utica"
