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In
The News
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Photo Radar in Illinois Speed Zones
By Ryan
 Many of
you may have seen the following email in your inbox at some point in the
last year:
"Illinois will
begin using photo radar in freeway work zones in July. One mile per
hour over the speed limit and the machine
will get you a nice$375.00 ticket
in the mail. Beginning July 1st, the State of Illinois will begin
using the speed cameras in areas designated as "Work Zones" on major
freeways. Anyone caught by these devices will be mailed a $375.00
ticket for the FIRST offense. The SECOND
offense will cost $1000.00
and comes with a 90-Day suspension. Drivers will also
receive demerit points against their license, which allow insurance
companies to raise Insurance rates.
This is the harshest penalty
structure ever set for a governmental unit involving PHOTO speed
enforcement. The State already has two camera vans on line issuing
tickets 24/7 in work zones with speed limits lowered to 45 MPH. Photos of
both the Driver's face and License plate are taken. Pass this on to
everyone you know who might be
affected!!!"
When
I first read this email my initial reaction was one of anger. How can
they possibly do this? While fully understanding the danger that the men
and women whom work in these construction zones put themselves in day
in and day out, a penalty of this nature seemed to be too severe. It
would make sense in the capacity that the state of Illinois would
continue to take money from our pockets and then continue to take money
from our pockets down the
road thru our increased insurance
premiums. All for driving 46 mph in a 45mph zone. To me, this
would just not be fair! Those people that do disregard the law and
cruise thru speed zones
at 10-30mph over the limit, those should be the ones that are dealt
with, not the people trying to follow the law that accidentally hit 46
or 47 on the speedometer.
In
reviewing the email a little further and visiting snopes.com
I came to find out that this email
has been circulating for quite awhile and there seems to be some
confusion over the current "work zone" speed limit laws that were enacted in 2005.
While photo radar is used in some work zones throughout Illinois and
other states, it is probably not used in the capacity that this email
indicates. While it does not appear that you would ever be ticketed for
driving 1mph over the speed limit in any of these work zones, the laws
currently in place are making a difference. In 2003, 44 construction
zone deaths were documented and that number had decreased to 31 in 2008.
Hopefully in the next few years that number will approach zero as "work
zone" laws continue to be enforced. Please continue to obey work zone
speed limits and keep our state workers safe. We don't need the
accusations of this circulating email to become true. Read to clarify the misleading construction zone email
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Playlist Theater Artist Update
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Griffin House
By Kris
There is some pretty cool stuff happening for Griffin House. Just a few years ago when he started performing here not many people knew who he was. It's great to have been part of something when it starts to get this much attention.
 At Griffin's last performance here at our Playlist Theater, he debuted his new song "Head For The Hills" which has been released on video. The video premiered on "Larry King Live" on June 28th. It's pretty cool that something that is getting this much media attention was first played here in our little venue! Head For The Hills Video Just last week Griffin was chosen as "Writer of the Week" by American Songwriter. Read the interview at the link below. American Songwriter "Writer of the Week"
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On the Menu
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Taste Summer
by Crystal From mouthwatering dishes to awesome
drinks, it's definitely summer at Uptown! We have done
some specials and even featured some of them in articles, which you may
have seen already....the housemade sangria, infused vodka, summer
salads and housemade desserts (who would have ever thought that we
would have S'mores).Today I want to draw your
attention to a few new "Taste Summer" specials. Southwestern Scallop
Ceviche! Bay scallops tossed with
lime, cilantro, red onion, roasted
corn, mango and avocado.....need I say more? What's interesting about
this dish is that the chemical reaction of the citrus in the lime is what cooks the scallops! It is served with
fried cumin tortilla chips.
Cucumber infused gin! That's
right, gin! Now, I am not a gin lover by any means, but this is
definitely worth a taste! We take sliced cucumbers and infuse them
with Tanqueray Gin for a delightful
taste of summer!BLT Club Chop Salad! Chunks of warm
toasted pane bigio bread, smoked turkey, applewood smoked bacon, chopped
romaine, grape tomatoes,
green onion,
applewood smoked bacon dressing.....oh, you had me at chunks of warm
pane bigio bread. This is a favorite! Be on the look out for
other "tastes summer" that we will have coming your way! |
In The Environment
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Gulf Oil Crisis
By Courtne
It's been two months since the subsequent sinking of the
Deepwater Horizon oil rig that caused massive amounts of oil to begin leaking
into the Gulf of Mexico, and in that time industry across the Gulf Coast has
been affected, from the commercial fishing industry to tourism to food
distribution.
As a region known for its cuisine
due to the availability of fresh caught seafood , and the dense history and
melting pot methods of preparation, this "accident" may have lasting effects
that are difficult to measure. As a
result of these dark realizations, in May, several restaurants from Louisiana
and Florida filed a class action lawsuit against BP and their subsidiaries, which the U.S. Coast Guard has identified as the responsible
party, according to the Oil Pollution Act.
The class action was filed by
several restaurant owners and others in the seafood service industry who have or will suffer lost profits due to the spill. The action states that as a result of the dangerous environmental contamination
the fishing, shrimping, oystering, and other commercial activities have been
suspended and will likely continue to be legally and/effectively reduced , therefore causing a loss of revenue
and earning capacity for these businesses.
The New Orleans based law firm
representing the plaintiffs explains that "prices have already begun to rise,
and there is significant risk that loss of tourism and oil service jobs will
diminish the customer base. Higher
prices and limited availability because of long-term environmental effects have
owners fearing for their customer base".
The class action alleges that BP
knew of the dangers of deep water drilling and failed to take appropriate
measures to prevent damage. When will
this mess become a distant news story? Or will the mass damage linger, eventually reaching into the way we
eat? In a recent poll conducted in an
article in Rolling Stone two thirds of Americans support criminal prosecution
of BP. Perhaps someone should be
accountable before Big Oil heads to the Arctic this fall.
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Behind The Bar
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Pyramid Curveball Ale
by Jimmy Nothing says summer more than cold beer and baseballl. Coming soon
to our draft beer selection is Pyramid Curveball Summer Ale.
Pyramid Brewing Company (Originally
Hart Brewing Company), located in Seattle, Washington in 1984, it produced one
of the first American microbrews. Over the course of the next 10
years, it changed its name to its best known brand, Pyramid. Pyramid
used to feature one of the single largest selections of beer types among
a single brewer in the United States. They made beers covering all the
major types including, ales, lager, weizens, ciders, porters, and IPAs.
Nowadays, the selection has been pruned to six styles.
Over time, they
have also expanded operations to include alehouses in Sacramento,
Berkeley and Walnut Creek in
California and
one in Portland, Oregon. Their
alehouse located directly across the street from Safeco Field, home of the
Seattle Mariners, makes
it easy to understand where they got the idea for this beer.
Curveball
ale is a crisp, clean tasting lagered blond ale. A great thirst quencher
for those beer lovers on a hot summer day. Although we might not have
the peanuts or cracker jacks, you can get an ice cold Curveball next
time you're in.Click here for more information on what makes this microbrewery different from some of the bigger guys. |
Employee Updates
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July Birthdays and Anniversaries
by Kris
We thought that it would be
nice to recognize our employees birthdays and years of service each
month. I promised them that I would not reveal what year they were born,
however, once a month we will give a list of all of the employees who
will celebrate either birthdays or anniversary dates for that month.
 
Jessica McWhorter Brett Witek, 2 years
Andy Eiten Eric Swanson 1 year* just like in
Roger Konczak baseball, Eric's stats have an *.
Courtne Camp He had worked for us for several
Brian Nolasco years. He returned last July and we
Brooke Hannen are very
happy that he is back.
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| Not Your "Everyday" Specials |
 Friday Nights, Seafood Mixed Grill
It
includes
a 4 oz lobster tail with
drawn butter, 4 oz salmon filet with basil
cream and 4 oz whitefish parmesan with lemon caper
butter. All for only $19.75
Monday Nights, Steak Diane
Every Monday after 4 pm, we will be serving Steak Diane for $13.75. This will be just like the Red Door Inn. With Victor's stamp of approval.
 Sunday, All Day,
Sizzling Sunday Fajita and Margaritas
You
get a chicken
fajita for two with a 64 ounce pitcher of margaritas for only $20! Imagine this on a Sunday afternoon on the patio or at a sidewalk table
with the sunshine and a nice breeze! No, your not in Cabo, but it sure
feels like it!
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| On Our Special | |
Malpaque Oysters on the Half Shell
Southwestern Scallop Ceviche
Country Pate
Red, White and Blue Artisanal Cheese Sampler
Panini Sandwich with Raisin River Ham, Brie and Apricot-Dijon Glaze.
BLT Club Chop Salad
Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Tilapia with Orange Hollandaise Sauce
Smoked Sausage and Vegetable Penne
Weinerschnitzel
Steamed Broccoli with Tillamook Cheddar Cheese
Gourmet S'mores
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Win a Free Lunch
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Foodie Fight Free Lunch Contest
by Kris
 Each week in the newsletter we will ask 3 questions from the Foodie Fight cards. The first person to email us (see link below) the correct answers to all three questions will receive a complimentary free lunch. The winner has to have the correct answer for all three questions, no exceptions. The following week we will publish the correct answers and the winner from the previous week. So come on in and have a drink, study the cards, test each other and have fun. Good Luck!
1. What is removed from butter when it is clarified?
2. What fortified wine is a classic match with Stilton Cheese?
3. What is made with the juice by-product of sugar refining?
foodiefight@uptowngrill.com
Fine Print...
You must be the first person to respond with all three correct answers.
The response must go to the email address in the above link.
You must reply within 24 hours from the time the newsletter is published.
Participants are eligible to win a limit of 3 times a year.
Last Week questions and answers....
1. What puppet
celebrity said, "Never eat more than you can lift"? Miss Piggy
2.
What is the nickname of the sitcom character Yev Kassem, a role based
on an actual New York City vendor? Soup Nazi
3. What does the
Wheaton Shucking Machine use to open 60 oysters per minute? infrared light
Last weeks winner of the free lunch ... Brian Duttlinger
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| Playlist Theater | |
Tickets on sale now.
Upcoming Shows
 Roy Davis
Friday
August 13th
Tickets on sale now
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Uptown Grill
601 First St.
La Salle, Il 61301
815-224-4545
Mon - Thur 11 am to 10pm - Fri & Sat 11 am to 11 pm
Sun Noon to 10 pm
Uptowngrill.com
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