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Grocery shopping in Naperville

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Grocery shopping is not just a quick trip to one store anymore.

Growing up in Chicago, my mom would “let” me do the grocery shopping. Depending on where we were living… this was a trip to the local Jewel, A&P or Potash Brothers. I loved shopping then, and I still love grocery shopping now.

However, the shopping has gotten more complicated because none of the stores are good at everything.

I regularly shop at Caputo’s, Casey’s, Costco, Dominicks, Jewel, Michaels Fresh Market, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, World Market and Whole Foods.

Michaels and Caputo’s have great produce sections. Large open areas and bins piled high with fresh produce at great prices. These two stores also have great, reasonably priced deli counters. A pound of meat might cost 1/2 what it costs at the big name supermarkets. But Caputo’s (111th and rt59) is special.. the deli looms large, premade dishes and an extensive selection are just the tip of the iceberg at this place. As Grocery Shopping in Naperville IL - Michael's Fresh Market much as I love Michaels (next to Sam’s at rt 59 and Ogden) I would have to rate Caputo’s as a Naperville business that you need to know… also the best fresh bread department in town… Yum!

For your staples: cereal, milk, soda etc… Jewel, Dominicks and Meijer are the places to go and while they are pleasant places to shop, they are missing the boat in produce, meat and deli. Dominick’s has a very good web site where you attach coupons to your phone number (or card) so that you don’t have to worry about forgetting them.

Grocery Shopping in Naperville - Casey's If you like meat or quality prepared foods try Casey’s Food Market at Gartner and Washington (right by Trader Joe’s.. yum!) Casey’s always has a staff of butchers working, these guy’s know what they are doing… it’s pricey, so I save it for special occasions (love their heart of rib eye steaks – like Filet Mignon except with texture, flavor and richness)

Grocery Shopping in Naperville IL - Trader Joes and Whole Foods Whole Foods is conveniently located in the same mall as World Market (the BEST place to buy coffee) just across the street from Costco, this is like the one-two-three punch of greatness… the only problem is deciding where to go first….

Posted in Best places to live, Just for fun, Naperville, Observations, quality of life | No Responses »

An unwelcome visitor in the white house

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Ironically, it was house number thirteen on our tour of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. A white clapboard house on a large lot, standing alone on a dead end street on the western edge of Glen Ellyn.

Not a big house, but the buyer was attracted to the spacious front porch and the list of updates the MLS listing revealed. We had an appointment, rang the bell, and waited an appropriate amount of time before accessing the Sentrilock lockbox.

A shotgun style floor plan so that when we opened the door we were able to see all the way to the back of the house …. our initial impression was that the home was nicely staged. We stepped inside and got that skin crawly feeling that something was wrong. My eye was drawn to the back of the home where I noticed something on the floor by the back door, as I looked more closely, it appeared to be half of the blinds from the door and I also noticed that the door appeared to be chewed/scratched up…

Starting to get concerned about what kind of animal was big enough to cause that kind of damage several feet off the ground, I headed back toward the front… and started to notice what I had missed before… lamp on the floor, pictures askew and more window damage near the fireplace (even higher off the ground!) I’m starting to wonder… Raccoon? Rabid dog? Tasmanian Devil? Whatever it was, it was scared or cranky (or both)… I was just hoping it was gone!

The buyer was torn, she wanted to see the house, but also wanted to get the heck out of there. Needless to say, she’d feel more comfortable if I were leading the way. Being the brave soul that I am; I grabbed the nearest weapon that I could find (a piece of wooden statuary) and started up the stairs. The buyer following close behind; I reached the top of the stairs and went to the left towards the master bedroom (more window damage) when I noticed that the buyer had emboldened herself and had gone right toward the bathroom.

Between us lay the 2nd bedroom, I approached cautiously (not feeling emboldened at all) the room appeared normal with a bed sitting high on the floor… just outside the doorway I kneel down and look under the bed… when something came flying out at me! Completely forgetting my awesome weapon, I couldn’t process what was happening fast enough, when suddenly it flew past me and down the stairs… yes, that’s when things got squirrely.

Recovering from my surprise, I notice the buyer is cowering in the bathroom (could I have let some sort of inadvertent sound escape from me?) apparently, she hadn’t seen the beast (maybe I gasped when startled) and so I told her “it’s just a squirrel”

Unfortunately, the panicked squirrel is now downstairs where we have to go. We head down a Be careful of dangerous tenants! nd don’t see the little guy anywhere… we had decided to leave when the squirrel jumped out of the fireplace and ran right at us. He stopped two feet from us, gave us the pounce look, skittered left… skittered right… gave us a little more pounce attitude and took off back up the fireplace.

The bedroom sizes weren’t going to work for the buyer (for this we risk life and limb?) so I called the listing agent with that information and let him know that he had an unwanted tenant.

Posted in Glen Ellyn, Housing Adventures, Just for fun, Wheaton | No Responses »

New single from Naperville’s own Gina Glocksen

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Season 6 American Idol finalist (Naperville’s own) Gina Glocksen has just released her first original single and it’s available on Itunes.

Many will remember Gina as the “rocker chick” from AI season 6, she demonstrated versatality on the show but has released a terrific song that starts slow (showcasing Gina’s vocals) and features a chorus with a rock anthem like vibe. You can visit her website at Gina Glocksen

My family has given it a big thumbs up. Take a listen to “Superhero” and let me know what you think in the comments section.

Locals might remember that Gina was married to her husband Joe on New Years eve (Dec 31, 2008) at the Naper Settlement.

Posted in Just for fun, Naperville, Observations | No Responses »

About Food, Not Naperville Real Estate

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Well, several years ago I was trying to write about some of my favorite restaurants here. With the popularity of Yelp, a community of other people who like to eat, it seems to make sense to post my restaurant experiences there.

Recent reviews by Angus W.

What’s this?

While it’s not really real estate related, it IS something I enjoy

Posted in Downtown Naperville, Just for fun, Observations, Personal, quality of life | No Responses »

Naperville Library takes first place again!

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

The Naperville Public Library is tops again!

With over 8,000 Libraries being ranked… for the 10nth year in a row… Naperville been ranked the #1 library in it’s class (population between 100,000 and 249,999)

Personally, I love the library. It’s easy to find anything you need online, you can reserve books and manage your account with ease. E-mail reminders are a blessing and the terminals in the library make check out a breeze.

If you want personal help; the staff is friendly, dedicated and knowledgeable.

The library features three branches to serve the spread-out town, the main branch in Downtown Naperville (Nichols), the Naper Blvd branch and my favorite; (pictured) the 95th street branch. The Nichols library’s parking lot can get qet full at times but there is ample parking at the other two.

The fact the they feature some Dr Seuss statues makes them that much cooler.

Posted in Best places to live, Just for fun, Naperville, quality of life | 2 Responses »

The Naper Settlement – History in the heart of Naperville

Wednesday, January 17th, 2007

The Naper Settlement - Naperville IL

Central Naperville offers a little of the unexpected… history in the form of a piece of land preserved as it might have been in the 1800′s. A cultural museum called the Naper Settlement

Located on Aurora Avenue, just steps from Naperville’s thriving downtown and renowned riverwalk… the Naper Settlement preserves a long and rich history to the benefit of the community. A 13 acre 19th century village complete with costumed villagers.

Enter the Settlement at the Pre-Emption house, a hotel and tavern where Grover Cleveland and Abraham Lincoln would stop for a pint or two. Abraham Lincoln once gave a speech from the Pre-emption house roof. This building is a recreation of the original which was located just a couple of blocks away.

The Pre-Emption House - The Naper Settlement - Naperville IL

The expansive grounds are home to many historical buildings… one of the most notable being the Martin Mitchell Mansion a beautifully restored mansion and carriage home from 1883. A three year renovation at a cost of 2.8 million dollars has returned this magnificient building to it’s former grandeur. The Martin Mitchell Mansion is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Martin Mitchell Mansion - The Naper Settlement - Naperville IL

In addition to it’s many magnificient structures, the settlement is home to many of the more modest dwellings of Naperville’s early settlers, including a log house, blacksmith shop, chapel (available for weddings) and firehouse.

Not only does the Naper Settlement offer a delightful return to yesteryear but it reaches out as a vital member of the community, hosting numerous events for the town (Civil War Days, Classic Cars and Art shows etc…) and hosting many outings for the local schools. Truly one of Naperville’s hidden gems and a beacon of community spirit!

Visit my site for more information about Naperville or Naperville Real Estate call Angus at 630-717-7386

Labels: Downtown Naperville, Historic Naperville

Posted in Best places to live, Downtown Naperville, Historic Naperville, Just for fun | 8 Responses »

More than you probably want to know about me… in my Meme

Wednesday, January 10th, 2007

I was originally memed by my friend Linda Davis… so I responded with my meme inserted in the comments of Jays enormously popular post .

My friend Teri Isner then was nice enough to meme me… and then Bonnie Erickson & Kay Van Kampen!

So I’m having a chat with my bud (the most awesome loan guy) Jeff Belonger (the g is pronounced like the first g in George) and he wants to know why I didn’t post my meme where people could comment on it. So I did, but I inadvertantly made it a members only post on Active Rain.. I am reposting it here for any that might be interested.

I’m going to include my original meme and add to it for Teri, Bonnie and Kay… since I didn’t do it the right way the first time.

The Original Post:

I named, and they complied:

Kristal Kraft, Ann Cummings & Elaine Reese – Thanks!

1. I got my first real job at the age of 11 delivering Chinese food for a Rush street restaurant called The Cantonese by bicycle (including in the snow) I always had a job after that.

2. I was an only child for most of my life, raised by my mom because my father passed away when I was a baby. I’ve always been one to keep busy. Somehow I inherited the job of getting the groceries early in life and to this day I still love to do the grocery shopping…. all of it. So, yes that’s me at the store and if it’s after midnight it means that I am so busy with Real Estate that it’s the only time I can get it done.

3. I have a fear of speaking in groups and frequently can get tongue tied… this would not normally be too bad but I will occasionally sit on panels or make presentations to large groups… it’s gone from a major near-heart attack kind of overwhelming fear to a simple heart racing dumbstruck kind of fear. Some of you have been able to witness this… usually I muddle through because it is a requirement to share in some of the groups that I have been fortunate enough to be invited to join.

4. I love to read. I’ll read the self help books and how to’s… but I really love to read novels… lot’s of them, 1-2 per week… usually intrigue, mystery, action, political/legal/financial thrillers… in my younger, less busy days… I would read a book every 1-2 days.

5. At the age of 9, Bobby Schuller broke off pieces of chalk in the locker doors (where you could put a lock, if we were allowed) in the Hall at my elementary school… then told my fourth grade teacher (Mrs Falbo) that I did it. I had just (finally) earned the right to be a “door guard” and she took it away from me. I haven’t trusted authority since. (not that I hold a grudge or anything)

The new stuff:

6. I thought I was Scottish… My name is Angus, I could quote Robert Burns (A fig for those by laws protected…) at 5 and they made me wear a kilt and for goodness sakes… I ate Haggis … isn’t that a lot of suffering for someone that just has a Scottish name? My Grandfather (Angus) was named after his Doctor (Angus Beaton)… which I discovered upon his death when I flew to Connecticut to pick up his ashes and drive them to Concord, New Hampshire…. where I met a lot of family that I didn’t know. The Woodbury’s have been here since the 1600′s and we are all related through the 2 brothers that got off the boat (from England)

7. In the mid 90′s when I built my first site and submitted it to Yahoo, they told me it might be days or weeks before it would show… but I had impulse control problems and checked frequently… finally the new listing for Angus Woodbury showed up, I clicked the link and it took me to another new site by another Angus Woodbury III.. go figure. His branch of the family came from the “other” brother. We exchanged e-mails for a while.. my oldest Angus the 4th was enthralled… so we asked him if the kids had come up with some of the same nicknames. His list was very much the same as ours.

8. I run 4 miles three days a week and lift weights on alternating days… my body fat hovers at around 10%… as an ex-smoker I am in better shape today than at any other time of my life. But I still like greasy fried foods.

9. I love Thai food!

10. I was born in Seattle, moved to New York (Manhattan and Rye) and Connecticut (Byram) before settling in Chicago at the ripe age of 6. I was mugged by a couple of other 7-8 year old boys within 2 months of moving to the city.

Bonus #11 I love being in the real estate business. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude that I found something to do that I enjoy so much.

Angus

Posted in Just for fun, Personal | 3 Responses »

Realty Times "Site of the Day"

Thursday, March 16th, 2006

March 15, 2006 – Our site was just recognized by Realty Times as their “site of the day“.. Thanks!

Posted in Just for fun, Personal, Technology | 1 Response »

Another Favorite Restaurant

Tuesday, February 14th, 2006

Have I mentioned Angeli’s?

This is small storefront restaurant on Chicago Avenue in the strip mall just west of Naper. Family owned, Angeli’s is known for their catering… but as a restaurant it’s a terrific place. Italian food (betcha guessed that one!) is the specialty… all of the Pastas are good as is the Veal Piccata.

However, I have a favorite that has to be requested: “Santa Fe Chicken” (not on the menu) Yes, Yes I know… it doesn’t sound very Italian but it’s become the dish that we look forward to. We had the Santa Fe Chicken there as a special once, and later found out that several other people love it too, so they are willing to make it on request. It’s a cream based sauce (a little spicy.. southwest!) with spinach and chicken.

Simple decor with abundant locals in attendance. Angelis is a delight not only for the tastebuds, but the wallet as well.

Visit their site here

Posted in Downtown Naperville, Just for fun, Personal | No Responses »

Best Festival in the Midwest

Friday, January 20th, 2006

The dates for Naperville Ribfest have been set!

Four days of fun starting July 1, 2006 and culminating in some spectacular fireworks on the 4th. So far, Matt Kaley has done a great job of lining up the Doobie Brothers and the Charlie Daniels band… I can’t wait to see who else he gets.

We’ve been attending Ribfest for over 15 years, I’ve been a sponsor for the past few and have to say that the Exchange Club does a magnificent job of having fun raising money (more than $5,000,000 to date) for the prevention of child abuse. The folks in the Exchange Club work tirelessly (all volunteers) to make this happen, my hat is off to them.

In addition to the entertainment, we will certainly over-eat. Not only do I have a weakness for good ribs, but all the deep fried stuff (Curly Fries, Elephant Ears, Funnel Cakes, Blooming Onions) too. Hopefully, Lisa will be training for the Susan G Komen Three Day and we will work some of the calories off with several very long walks through town.

Posted in Best places to live, Downtown Naperville, Just for fun, Naperville, quality of life | 5 Responses »