Rarely does Forest Park have such a great honor bestowed upon one of its own as will happen to Augie Aleksy next spring.
Augie will be honored with a Raven award at the annual Edgar Awards banquet in New York City in April. Augie will accept his award along with Sara Paretsky, who will be presented with a Grand Master award at the dinner. The Raven award recognizes outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing.
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore was also named one of the ten best bookstores in the Chicago area by the Chicago Tribune. Rick Kogan often mentions C&S on his Sunday morning program on WGN. If you heard the program last Sunday you already know that outstanding mystery writer Libby Fischer Hellmann will be at our bookstore this Saturday signing copies of her latest opus, Set the Night on Fire, a book that encompasses the ’60s mystery and a great plot. The Tribune mentioned the fact that hundreds of author readings, mock trials, debates, “meeting of Minds” (often in costume) and other innovative programs are featured at C&S. The bookstore was nominated for the Publisher’s Weekly “Bookseller of the Year.”
By the way, Ms. Paretsky occasionally stops in at the store, and whenever she does, she makes it a point to also include The Brown Cow in her visit. As you probably figured out, the Edgar award is named for Edgar Alan Poe; the Raven for his mysterious poem, “The Raven.” (“nevermore”) Congratulations to Augie. Stop by the store and read the Sun-Times’ announcement.
The Michael Teolis Singers announce their holiday concert this Saturday, Dec. 4 at the First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Avenue at 7:30 p.m. Included in the concert will be a collection of 10 traditional Spanish carols accompanied by harp, guitar and marimba.
Familiar carols and songs of the season in English, French, German, and Latin will be featured. Michael Shawgo, music director at First, along with David Richards will accompany the group. Tickets are $18 adults, $12 seniors/students, cash only. The church is handicap accessible, and there is on-street parking. For more information contact Nancy Greco, 708.366.2889. Forest Park singers with the group are Nancy Greco, Erik Johnson and Louise Brueggemann.
Hannukah begins Dec. 2 so happy Hannukah to all.
Happy birthday to these birthday celebrants beginning Dec. 1st: Bradley Speckter, Gerry Janopoulis, Roland Maughm, Joan Previs, Dixie Quitsch, Reagan Hosty, Barbara Hosty, Adele Sharkey, Carli Loyd, Kallen O’Shea and Matt Pingel. Thanks for your time.
Jackie is a former Chicago and Elmwood Park schoolteacher with an undying love for music, friendly pets and a host of life’s other treasures too numerous to list. She was born on the far southwest side of Chicago in a great neighborhood when it was a great time to be young.
