Taste of Chicago - Chocolate
The taste of Chicago was very crowded as thousands of people walked past the food booths deciding what to eat. The people from the new movie, Rattatoui tried to get us to pose for a picture, but we declined. As we walked along, we were surveying our options about what to eat.

My friends and I all had something different for our main course: orange chicken, shrimp and noodles and BBQ ribs. Two of us had Eli's Cheesecake and one had key lime pie. All three of us had chocolate bourbon ice cream, water and churtles from the Chicago Chocolate Company.

We walked and walked and walked. We visited Buckingham Fountain, watched a performance by "Wedding Band". Instantly, I was reminded of "The Wedding Singer" movie ... most members of the band wear polyester suits, so we are all relieved that the temperatures were in the 70s and that it was a perfect day to be Lake Michigan.  The lead singer did this high kick thing that made his wig move around. It was humorous for a while.

Near the ferris wheel, the aroma of chocolate filled the air. The taste of the fresh chocolate made from the Chicago Chocolate Company, booth #60 was fresh, delicious and the perfect dessert to end our visit. If you go to the Taste of Chicago, visit their booth.

You can get information at the Taste of Chicago website at http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Taste+of+Chicago&entityNameEnumValue=166 .

After your taste the chocolate, please send me your feedback about the Chicago Chocolate Company's products by sending me an email at linor06@comcast.net

After the Taste, I spoke with Noreen of Neeron Marketing about a new marketing plan. Later, after sampling her favorite new drink, Mojitos, made with rum and mint, I spent the night in her guest room. You can only have one, and that one will knock your socks off.

Ice Cream
Do you scream for ice cream? You can make your own with an ice cream maker.  Visit our new page at www.linorstore.com/ice_cream.htm for more updates.

Here are some ice cream recipes: http://www.trib.com/articles/2007/06/26/features/enjoy/172214a4f9bd479f872572ff006d384d.txt
Defensive Driving Course
I took the most recent Defensive Driving Course. Many of you might know that one pays for the privilege of taking this class by getting a speeding ticket. Court supervision for one year and this 4-hour class are requirements for not having the ticket appear on your driving record.

The police officer teaching the class told us several stories about accidents he investigated. Most involved speeding - one of the big 3 causes of accidents.

After the course, I find that I:
- no longer speed and that saves on gas
- check the mirrors frequently
- am more aware of what is going on in front of and behind me.
- do not tailgate anymore

It would be a good idea for many drivers to take this refresher course in safe driving. And now, my husband tells me to go faster and doesn't have his foot covering the brake while he's in the passenger seat.


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Do you know that you can host a jewelry party, have a PC set up or have help with your software installations? LinorStore provides all of these services, plus being your one-stop gift shop. Plus, you can order online with PayPal, by mail or email.

On August 18-19, come see us at the craft show at Riverfest in South Elgin. As it gets closer, more details will be at www.linorstore.com.

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Entertainment
Like many people, I'm waiting for the new Harry Potter book and movie. I have all the DVDs and love to watch the movies over and over.

Books
My reading has slowed down a bit for the summer because I'm getting jewelry ready for the craft show. I'm reading Ines of my Soul by Isabel Allende, author of Daughter of Fortune. It was translated (awkwardly) and it is a slow read. If I read it in Spanish, I'm sure I'd miss the descriptions. So far, I'll just say that the reader can tell that English is not the writer's first language. I'll forge on and let you know. I loved Daughter of Fortune.  

I just ordered Blaze by Richard Bachman/Stephen King. I'm a huge King fan, but am starting to like Dean Koontz's books as well.

What are you reading? If you'd like to recommend any good books, I'm open to suggestions.

Summer Vacations
I'm not sure if I'm going anywhere else this year. I went to Michigan in June for a spiritual retreat and it was wonderful. My boss just returned from upstate New York and a few co-workers went to the Grand Canyon. A friend is returning from a fishing trip in Canada this week. Another went to London and Ireland. Can't wait to see pictures.

At Noreen's house, we watched Larry King interview Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono, and saw part of the new Cirque de Sole Love using Beatles' music. It's playing in Vegas and the child within me wants to see it. Maybe it'll be a weekend trip to Vegas!

What are your plans for vacation or have you been anywhere yet?

Submit your story and if it gets published online, you'll receive a free CD wallet. Send me an email at linor06 at comcast dot  net.

Tell a friend to subscribe, too.

Peace,

Linda Blatchford
Etailer, Writer, Web designer, PC Troubleshooter www.LinorStore.com