Choo Choo Johnnys Daughter is a Champion!

Pictured above is Meagan Ethell the daugther of Choo Choo Johnnys owner Patty Ethell competing at the Board of Miami Tournament. She placed first and is currently ranked #1 in world in her age group. Way to go Meagan!



Ashlee Ann Angel Koerner Remembered....

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ashlee Ann Angel Koerner who passed away 5/6 after a battle with Leptomenigeal Melanoma. A trust fund has been set up to help the family pay the medical bills. Ashlee was a frequent guest at WCCQ Softball games. Donations can be sent to....

Bank of Elwood
c/o Ashlee Koerner Fund
430 W. Mississippi Avenue
Elwood, IL  60421

Ashlee was taken from us at a very early age. We'll miss you Ashlee!



WCCQ/ Bearden & Son Printing Softball 2008 Schedule

Join the WCCQ Softball Team for another season of fun @ Joliet's Inwood Fields behind Memorial Stadium on Route 52. Thanks to our friends at Bearden & Son Printing Company of Plainfield for the awesome jerseys!

Bearden & Son Printing can do any job: letterhead, envelopes, business cards, carbonless forms, flyers, brochures, newsletters, raffle tickets, note pads, calenders, door hangers, labels, invitations, placemats, menus, booklets, & proposals from 1-4 color process.

Plus they print t-shirts and do direct mail in house; which means they will print your letter/advertisement, fold it, insert it into a printed envelope, seal it, address it from your list or one that's been purchased, then deliver it to the post office.

For great service, high quality, & resonable prices, give Bearden & Son Printing at call at 815-254-2883 or stop by 23852 W. Industrial Drive North off Route 59 in Plainfield.

 
Date                 Field #                 Time               Result

5/6                       5                      8:30pm         Won 6-4
5/13                     5                      7:30pm
5/20                     1                      6:30pm
5/27                     BYE........
6/3                       1                      8:30pm
6/10                     2                      6:30pm
6/17                     2                      7:30pm
6/24                     4                      6:30pm
7/1                       4                      7:30pm
7/8                       4                      6:30pm
7/15                     BYE........
7/29                     3                      8:30pm
8/5                       5                      6:30pm
8/12                     1                      7:30pm




Economic Stimulas Mailing Schedule

The IRS says your Economic Stimulas checks will be mailed based on the last 2 digits of your social security number. People that use direct deposit will be among the first to receive their payments. Below is a chart and a link for more information to the IRS Economic Stimulas site. Here is the link for more info including a chart to calculate how much you'll be getting from Uncle Sam.

Direct Deposit

Last two SSN Digits                                  Payment Will Be Transmitted

00 through 20                                            May 2
21 through 75                                            May 9
76 through 99                                            May 16


Check

Last two SSN Digits                                  Payment Will be Mailed by

00 through 09                                            May 16
10 through 18                                            May 23
19 through 25                                            May 30
26 through 38                                            June 6
39 through 51                                            June 13
52 through 63                                            June 20
64 through 75                                            June 27
76 through 87                                            July 4
88 through 99                                            July 11



Best Taverns to Visit when visiting Wrigley Field

The Chicago Sun Times put together a list of the best taverns to visit when you watch the Cubs play ball this summer. Here is their list.

Casey Moran's
3660 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 755-4444
http://www.caseymorans.com
Hours: open daily during Cubs season; opens 10 a.m. for day games

Casey's is one of the newer sports bars on the Clark strip, and one of the most expansive. Not just for game days, this upscale place is packed to its 400-person capacity on most weekend nights, and the line often goes out the door. Check out the one-through-five special on Thursday: dollar burgers, $2 Bud Light drafts, $3 Absolut cocktails, $4 Fat Tire drafts and $5 grape/cherrybombs.

Dark Horse Tap and Grill
3443 N. Sheffied Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 248-4400
http://www.darkhorsechicago.com
Hours: open daily during Cubs season; opens 11 a.m. for day games

While not as large as the other spots on the strip, the Dark Horse offers some obvious perks: It caters to an above-frat-level crowd and serves above-average bar food. Dressed up options include pulled-pork nachos and the name-says-it-all Fried Egg Burger. The beer selection, however, is pretty basic (Guinness, Newcastle on draft). But it's worth it to avoid the Clark Street madness.

Gingerman
3740 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 549-2050
Hours: open daily during Cubs season; opens one hour before all day games

The Gingerman is a very relaxed, mostly-non-sporty joint on the north edge of Wrigleyville. Its $3 PBR pints are a refreshing change after ballpark prices, and the absence of a sardine-packed atmosphere is even better. Hit up the back room for some of the best pool tables in town.

Goose Island Wrigleyville
3535 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
773) 832-9040
http://www.gooseisland.com
Hours: open daily during Cubs season; opens 10 a.m. on opening day

This is, of course, an extension of the Chicago brewery and pub. It doesn't run regular specials because of its pride in its product (good luck finding a macrobrew here), but expect salad and sandwich specials (the better to soak up the beer with). Grab a pint of the 2006 World Beer Cup-winning Nut Brown Ale and catch all the action on one of three projection screens.

John Barleycorn
3524 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773) 549-6000
http://www.johnbarleycorn.com
Hours: opens two hours before the game on game days

John Barleycorn also pairs an Irish attitude with the sports scene, and you can't beat a Thursday night of $2 Guinness or Black and Tans. The party is in full force on game days, and you can even take it up a notch on the upstairs dance floor, which usually turns into a huge mass of humanity in no time.

Murphy's Bleachers
3655 N. Sheffied Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 929-7061
http://www.murphysbleachers.com
Hours: open daily

Located outside Wrigley's northeast corner (behind the scoreboard, basically), Murphy's is an always-popular bar and grill destination at any time. It's often tough to get in the door on game days, and crowds overflow out the patio. But there's no better place to people-watch, and you can't get much closer to the park.

Sluggers
3540 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 472-9696
http://www.sluggersbar.com
Hours: open daily

Sluggers is the only place in Wrigleyville boasting dueling pianos, a sports complex with batting cages, a full sports bar and dance bar under one roof. This "sports bar on steroids" is located steps from the field, and usually fills all three rooms downstairs. Specials change daily, so call ahead to double check if you're hoping for something in particular.

Yak-zies
3710 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 525-9200
Hours: opens at 11 a.m. daily; 6 a.m. on opening day

In business since 1990, Yak-zies calls itself one of the original "four corners" bars. On most days, you'll find a focus on food and drink rather than just draft after draft. Case in point: Wild Wing Wednesdays, which feature half off wings with $2 Coors, and $9 pizza Mondays. The beer garden now has both outdoor seating and a tented area, just in case there's a rain (or, gulp, snow) delay.

Johnny O'Hagan's
3374 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 248-3600
http://www.johnnyohagans.com
Hours: opens 11 a.m., 10 a.m. weekends

There are a number of places in Wrigleyville aiming for the whole "Irish sports bar" theme, but was their bar actually made in Ireland? Johnny O'Hagan's was, and imported to Wrigleyville along with (it seems) the menu of shepherd's pie, fish 'n' chips and chicken curry. Beer specials rotate monthly and weekly drink specials also vary. Come by to watch the rugby games it shows, some starting at 7:30 a.m.

Trace
3714 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 477-3400
http://www.tracechicago.com
Hours: opens two hours prior to game for day home games

The complete opposite of it's down-to-earth predecessor Dugan's, Trace provides a more upscale option for Wrigleyville drinkers. Specials stay with drafts and well drinks, but its full bar offers classier mixed-drink options; the dark wood accents and loft-style space with exposed brick bring a touch of the Gold Coast to Clark Street.

Tryst
3485 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 755-3980
http://www.trystchicago.com
Hours: opens 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday except for home games, when it opens two hours before game time.

Prefer martinis to Miller Lites? Tryst is the place for you. Featuring $5 martini specials on Wednesday nights and a small-plates menu through the week, Tryst caters to a much different scene than the back-to-basics sports bars on the Clark Street strip. It might be a bit pricier than you're used to in the 'hood, but after an ahi tuna salad mixed with a Xanadu martini, you'll wonder why you wanted to hang with those dirty sports fans in the first place.

Full Shilling
3724 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 248-3330
http://www.fullshillingpub.com
Hours: open daily during Cubs season; opens 11 a.m. for day games

Known as a popular pre- and post-game spot, the Shilling is quite comfortable in the off-season. Enjoy reasonable beer prices with daily food and drink specials, including free hot dogs with beer purchase before and after games. And if you're feeling daring, order one of the table tappers that's always a hit for big groups.

Harry Caray's Tavern
3551 N. Sheffield
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 327-7800
http://www.harrycaraystavern.com

The newest incarnate of the legendary restaurant chain finds a perfect home just steps from Wrigley Field (and the famous Harry statue outside). It's a step up in class from Hi-Tops, which used to take this massive space, and a perfect spot for a pre-game lunch or dinner. Try a variety of burger options from the Holy Cow! Burger Bar, or order up a plate of their specialty, the chicken vesuvio. Beers aren't cheap, but what do you expect from a ballpark bar?

Rebel
3462 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
(773) 871-1200
http://www.rebelchicago.com

In the space that used to house the Ivy on Clark, Rebel is smack dab in the middle of the Clark Street strip. There are bars on each floor, and TVs everywhere. A DJ spins after games, when the party gets started. They offer the standard bar food and drink, but if you're feeling extra daring, get the Mike Tyson Punch Out ($15) – 60 ounces of Bacardi and juice goodness.

Dog plays fetch with itself

Did this TV Show Take it Too Far?