Slaughterhouse Thursday

Slaughterhouse is once again, almost upon us, and for the first time since Slaughterhouse 1, I had nothing to do with planning it. If you’re in the rally mood early (very early), come to Motoworks at 7am Thursday for a live gymkhana telecast on FOX News Chicago, who will be the first television news outlet to cover Slaughterhouse before it happens, which makes a lot more sense than running a story afterwards, when you think about it. Here’s some video of last year’s gymkhana for reference. Thursday night, the official Slaughterhouse party is Delilah’s 15th anniversary party* with DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up! Records, or check out The Organization’s “Hard Mod” night at Holiday Club**.

* Oh, Crash Palace, how I still miss you, but Delilah’s has certainly grown on me, especially after Mike let me DJ once, back when he was desperate for customers, an unforgettable night when some wag asked me “Do you have anything good?” Sure, I brought a dude nearly to tears by playing the long version of Throwing Muses’ “Soul Soldier,” so you win some and you lose some. Anyway, congrats on 15 years Mike and Delilahs, and good luck with the new Bottom Lounge, which I haven’t checked out yet but it sounds like a great venue.

** Once at Holiday (well, at the old location, ten years ago, ha) a waitress snidely refused to take my friend’s ten dimes as a tip on a $1.50 glass of soda. Sure, he may have been short on paper currency at the moment, but a 66% tip is is a 66% tip. I liked the DJs (Kristine DJed my wedding!) and some of my friends were bartenders there, but that was lame and I kinda stopped going there after that.

UPDATE! Ryan will be shuttling people (on his BV200) between the two bars for the low price of one british pound sterling. Phil has offered a rival service priced at 15oz of any liquid. That name again is Mr. Plow.

Vespa Vino Vici 2008

Oh, almost forgot, the subject of my Googlestalking yesterday was the organizer of a scooter tour of the Michigan wine country on September 13-14, 2008. As I suspected from the handsome site and the Brookfield meet-up location, it’s Alana, an old friend I haven’t seen around in a while. The ride sounds great, hopefully 2sb will be there, at least for the drinking and ferrying part.

Chicago Hard Mod and Milwaukee Rockerbox

Chicago’s Hard Mod Weekender kicks off tonight (well, actually last night with the Circuits reunion at the Globe, sorry for posting this so late!). Tonight’s the Stone Lightning Band and the Irving Parkas with DJs at Phyllis’, tomorrow is a Moto Show and Jumble sale at the new Bottom Lounge (can’t wait to check that place out, it sounds great), and more bands and dancing later at the Volcano Room, and Sunday morning there’s a soul breakfast at Holiday.

Tomorrow is also Rockerbox in Milwaukee, one of the best vintage motorcycle shows around. That’s a tough choice to make.

Bulgogi and P.E.A.C.E.


Alix Bryan of P.E.A.C.E Scooter fame passed through Chicago while I was at Amerivespa. I’d hoped to meet her for dinner at a Korean restaurant Sunday night with some Modern Buddy folks, but I got back kind of late and some wires got crossed so I ended up eating with Ryan instead. Sorry Alix. We made this peace sign out of the banchan dishes, in your honor.

Alix got some news coverage in Cleveland the other day, and her months-long journey will end Friday (August 8, 2008) with a victory lap around the White House (a group ride leaves from Vespa Arlington at noon), then Scoot Richmond is hosting a party for her at 5pm on Saturday, featuring the final raffle drawing. Congratulations Alix!

Chicago city stickers expire today

Chicago motorcycle medallions 2008It’s Chicago “Vehicle Sticker” day! If you live in the city, your old car stickers and motorcycle medallions expire on June 30, and must be updated today. All motorcycles and scooters are required to display the tag. Despite commonly being called “parking medallions,” they’re required whether or not you park on the street. Remember that motorcycle tags do allow you to park in any “neighborhood” parking zone. Generally, hardcore enforcement starts at the end of July, so if you haven’t yet, send Miguel Del Valle your $45. This year, the medallion has been redesigned, it’s smaller and looks more like a dog tag, tastefully anodized in orange to match Blurs, Buddys, and Stellas. Good call, Miguel.

Mods vs. Rockers 2008

Update: Scooterists are meeting at the Globe at 10:45am Saturday, to ride down to Delilah’s as a group.

I would tell you that Chicago scooter rally season kicks off this weekend with Mods vs. Rockers 2007 but the truth is, it’s been going on for a while already. I’m woefully behind on events posts and you already missed a Comic Book Release Party and the ModChicago’s Weekender (Sorry, mods!) But don’t miss the Motorcycle/Scooter/Hot Rod show at Delilahs from Noon-4pm on Saturday, and the Fish & Chips Dinner and Chicago Premiere of Brittown at the new Bottom Lounge on Saturday night.

Chicago’s first ride of 2008

Right now in Chicago, we’re having a heat wave (it’s 21°F and sunny with an inch or two of snow on the ground) but it’s been mostly in the single digits lately. That hasn’t stopped SoloSC and Team MD (I think they’re serious) from planning an 80-mile round-trip ride to a ski jump competition this Sunday (forecast high 33°, low 22, with rain and snow). I think I already have plans that day.

Galewood Cookshack on Food Network tonight!

Tonight’s the debut of a new episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network featuring The Galewood Cookshack. If you read 2sb, you know all about our little pocket of Chicago called Galewood, and you know Grace Delcano, a scooterist, friend, and neighbor who honed her BBQ recipe at several years worth of Galewood scooter rallies. She’s gone pro and sells pulled pork sandwiches and nachos from her customized RV at street fairs, farmers markets, and auto/motorcycle events, and it’s great to see her getting the attention she deserves. Also keep an eye out for my better half, Vina, working it. If you’re in the neighborhood, come to the Kat Klub tonight for the viewing party!

Update: The show usually visits three places, this show they visited four, and the Cookshack was the last chunk of the show, so the segment wasn’t all that long, but Grace and the RV looked great, and the show certainly made me hungry. Vina didn’t get much airtime (I actually got more) but Su and Neil were prominently featured. Here are airtimes for reruns.