Blackhawks Superfan Party

 The Blackhawks Superfan Party


The Blackhawks Superfan Party at the Grand Victoria went like this. I met my friend Al over at his house and practiced tossing the dice on his craps table. Everything looked good after about 25 minutes of practice. The Grand Victoria Casino was only 10 minutes from his house and we got there at 4:50. There was a line of people waiting to get into the Fox River Room. They were a little late opening the doors. Once we entered they gave us a Red Blackhawks hat. 

 

  Stan Mikita

Tony Esposito

Stan Mikita

People started lining up in the back of the room to get whatever they brought to get autographed. You were only allowed one item  to get signed by the three great Blackhawk players, Tony Esposito, Steve Larmer and Stan Mikita. Al and I stepped up and stood with all three players and had our picture taken. The photo will be ready on line at the Grand Victora's web site in 2 weeks.

 I had brought my grandson's hockey shirt. He played in a team in Des Moines Iowa called the Blackhawks so it was really cool that all three players signed his shirt. Al got his red Blackhawks Cap signed by the three players.

 

TonyEsposito

 

  Stan Miktia

Steve Larmer 

  They had a buffet set up with Italian beef sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Hot Chicken Wings, and Bar-B-Que Beef. All the stuff Chris Farley and "Da Bears" fans here in Chicago love to eat. Dessert consisted of several kinds of cookies and Ice Cream Sundaes. It's a good thing I go to Cardiac Rehab 3 times a week.

   They had a big Screen set up in the River Room when the Blackhawks hockey game began. Al and I watched for a little will but we decided to go into the casino and play at the craps table until they had this drawing during intermission after the 2nd period. They had a drawing for 3 signed jerseys. Al stayed at the table while I went back to see if I won anything at the drawing. Of course I didn't win. With my luck there could have only been 4 entries in the drum for 3 signed jerseys and I still would have lost. I was hoping to win some tickets but they didn't draw for them,  (Sorry Charles). When that was over the 3 Blackhawk Players left and I went back to the craps table and met back up with Al again. I was down $15 during the drawing. Al and I didn't stay long but long enough so that I made +$45. That's always cool.

 

 I took a few pictures while I was there. In fact when the Blackhawk players went up to speak to everybody, I turned on my camera and I thought I had a pretty good video but when I went to look at it after I shot it, I discovered that my camera somehow focused on this bald man's head sitting just in front of me. The interview of the all three Blackhawk players turned out blurred. I have a great shot of a bald man's head if anyone wants to see it. Needless to say I was pissed when I found out.

 Well it was something different to do and I had fun.

The Four Seasons

The North Pole must have shifted and is now located over Chicago. This is what our four Seasons look like now. No petty flowers or green trees. It's become a frozen wasteland around here.

The Northwest Suburban Republican Gubernatorial Debate

Listen to the Debate

http://www.stationcaster.com/stations/wls/media/mpeg/Northwest_Suburban_Republican_Gubernatorial_Debate-1392133582.mp3

 I went to the Northwest Suburban Republican Gubernatorial Debate tonight. I have been following Dan Rutherford since I first met him at Pancakes Eggcetera in Rosemont Illinois when he was the Chairman of the Romney Campaign in Illinois. Mitt Romney won the primary here in Illinois but lost the presidency to Obama. Now Dan Rutherford is running for Governor of Illinois. This was my chance to see my first live debate and I didn’t want to miss it.

 When I got to the debate I had to wait an hour and a half before it started. I got there a little early because I wanted to get a seat up front so I could take some picture as the night went on. I was never into politics growing up although my Grandfather was an Republican alderman in the 41st Ward in Chicago from 1931 to 1935, Republican ward Committeeman from 1932 to 1953, and appointed by the president as director of the Federal Housing Administration from July 1953 to October 1958. He was a Cool Grandfather. Maybe it’s in my gens.

 I got aisle seat up front and started taking pictures. The room was empty and there were so many seats, maybe 6 or 700 of them. I didn’t see how they would fill all of them but by the time the debate was about to start it was standing room only. 

I took some pictures as the candidates came up on stage. I thought this was so cool. There were four podiums but only 3 candidates. Dan Rutherford was there, so was Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard. Where was Bruce Rauner, the rich guy that has all those ads running day and night? It was 6:06 when the debate started. The moderator told the audience that Rauner had declined to come to the debate. The debate was moderated by 89 WLS morning show co-host Dan Proft. The questions were generated by members of the Republican township organizations hosting the debate including: Addison, Barrington, Bloomingdale, Dundee, Elgin, Elk Grove, Hanover, Northfield, Palatine, Schaumburg, Wayne, and Wheeling.

 The 1^st hour went by so fast. There were many funny moments and the audience laughed. Every half hour WLS had to take a break for the news. During the 7:00pm brake Dan Rutherford came down into the audience. He noticed me and came over and shook my hand. He was all smiles. I said, “This debate is fun.” He agreed with me and it was.

 It was time for the last half hour. Time sure goes by when you’re having fun. During the whole hour and a half debate, that one empty podium stuck out like a sore thumb. The candidates mentioned it along with the moderator.

After the debate was over, each candidate had their own little reception room with some treats to snack on. I hadn’t eaten since noon so I filled my plate. Dan Rutherford had to do a couple of TV interviews so I left and went home. I was so glad that I went. It was so much fun.

 William Kaufman