Destination: Depot Diner
The 1940s décor makes The Depot Diner a gift of a setting for any artist who needs a time machine. And with a film studio nearby, that fact hasn’t been lost. During a visit to The Depot last November to check on their plans for Thanksgiving, we had to chat with Robert and Annemarie Nava on the sidewalk just outside their place. An A&E crew had scooched them out to prep inside for a scene with Patrick Swayze, who, sure enough, walked up as we were talking turkey takeout.
Cops had Roosevelt Road cordoned off for blocks. The following Sunday afternoon, it was more of the same, just with a shorter stretch blocked off. A film crew from Columbia College was there shooting a romantic comedy.
The Navas didn’t let the buzz get to them. At 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, they were open, serving their roasted turkey with all the fixin’s – sage stuffing, soup and salad, sweet and mashed potatoes, and cornbread – for $15.95. Reservations weren’t necessary. And the whole meal was available for takeout, too. They were open till 2 p.m. on the holiday most folks are home resting.
If you haven’t been to The Depot, you can see all the charm of its décor at Zagat’s Web site: www.zagat.com/Verticals/PropertyDetails.aspx?VID=8&R=116837.
If you want to help save The Depot, see page 31 for details on the Friday night fundraiser. If you just want to dine there, go to 5840 W. Roosevelt in Chicago from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday or from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
No panky for Hanke
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Hanke Gratteau hasn’t been inactive since she left her former employer, the Chicago Tribune. Gratteau, an Oak Parker married to Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown, was asked to serve on Gov. Pat Quinn’s Illinois Reform Commission, which is seeking ways to reduce political corruption in a politically corrupt state.
Now she has been named executive director of the John Howard Association of Illinois, which advocates for prison reform. She assumes her position on April 6. According to a press release, she will “oversee projects and research aimed at monitoring and improving conditions in the state’s prisons, jails and juvenile detention facilities.”
This is no Johnny-come-lately organization. The John Howard Association has been around since 1901. If you’re interested, check their Web site, www.john-howard.org.
Paris to be feted
Plans are being finalized for an event to honor outgoing River Forest Village President Frank Paris. The four-term president, who is wrapping up 20 years on the village board, will be the man of honor at a planned Thursday evening, May 7 soiree at Dominican University.
It’s being characterized as a “post-election, non-partisan event open to anyone who would like to join us to recognize one of the people responsible for changing the face of River Forest in very substantial ways during the term of his leadership.”
“Residents and friends of River Forest will have an opportunity to join together at the [Dominican] Social Hall to express their thanks to Frank Paris for 16 years of service and leadership,” said Laurel McMahon, one of the organizers.
Official invitations will be sent out in the near future.
Pobst heads to Naperville
Former OPRF High School instructor Kevin Pobst is continuing his southwestern migration. The soon-to-be-former Hinsdale Central principal is taking his act to Naperville North High School this fall.
A popular principal at Hinsdale, the news left many feeling bereft. A PTO representative was quoted in the Hinsdalean newspaper describing the community as heartbroken. “We’re a broken community again,” said Terry Edwards. “He has had a profound affect on our children. His shoes are so great, we have no one to fill them.” Supt. Nick Wahl said, “He’s one in a million. We don’t replace people like Mr. Pobst.”
High praise.
Buy? Ad? It’s a natural
No one likes to have his name misspelled in the newspaper. So first, we apologize to Alessandro. Second, congratulations on being printed in our Design An Ad section (Winberie’s ad, which appeared last week on page B9). Alessandro is a boy, but his last name is not “Boy” as we rendered it last week. His name is Buy, a natural for someone designing an ad. We should have known better.
We regret the error.
