County Offers Roadside DUI Death Markers

On what may be the biggest drinking "holiday" of the year, Cook County announces a new plan for roadside DUI death memorials.

The night before Thanksgiving is known as the biggest party night of the year. Almost a holiday unto itself with a name of its own, Black Wednesday is a night to rival New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day for overindulgence in alcohol.  In many communities, extra officers will be on patrol and local officials warn bar owners not to overserve their patrons. So it's not a coincidence that Cook County this week announced a new DUI Memorial Program. For $150, families of anyone killed in a DUI fatality can purchase a roadside memorial marker to be placed alongside any highway under the county's jurisdiction.  The marker includes a “Please Don’t Drink and Drive” sign and an optional commemorative plaque with the deceased loved one’s name and …

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Does Your Beer Say Something About Your Politics?

National Journal sifted through marketing data to see if there was a link between the brand of beer someone drinks and how—as well as if—they voted. Find out what the media outlet uncovered.

Call it the Year of Politic-Ale Correctness. Between the White House press corps dogging officials about President Obama's homebrew and Mitt Romney's Mormon faith keeping him from touching the stuff, this alcoholic beverage has become a campaign tool to establish a candidates common man bona fides—or lack thereof. Another sideshow under the giant political big top to distract from this year's free-wheeling election circus. So it's no surprise that National Journal, a nonpartisan media outlet that covers Beltway politics, tackled the beer issue straight on. "We've analyzed Scarborough Research data, which includes 200,000 interviews with American adults, to determine the politics of beer drinkers," said in an article it posted to its …

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Hey, Mom and Dad: Is It OK to Ask Your Kids to Grab You a Beer?

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking. This week we're wondering: Is it wrong to ask your youngster to grab you a brewski?

New Craft Beer & Wine Store Opens in Homewood

Last Friday, the Village of Homewood officially welcomed the latest addition to our business community, boutique wine and craft beer store Grape & Grain Co.

While the weather outside was dreary, spirits were high last Friday evening as Homewood Village President Richard Hofeld and several other village officials gathered for the ribbon cutting of Homewood’s new craft beer and wine store: Grape & Grain Co. The new shop, located at 18031 Dixie Highway, opened on Labor Day. Grape & Grain Co. is anything but your average liquor store. And don’t let the bar fool you. This isn’t a place you go to drown your sorrows in pint after pint of domestic suds. As owner Ron Khalaf promised in a Patch article months ago during the planning stages of Grape & Grain “It’s … a classy place.”  The clean, modern sign on front of the building just north of Ridge on Dixie Highway gives a preview of what customers are …

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Ron K

5:07 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012

We will have wine classes starting in January of 2013. No need to go elsewhere, Rich, we got you covered!!!!!!   more ›

Names in the News: Homewood Awards $47K to New Business Owner Khalaf

The money is being awarded as part of Homewood’s Retail Enhancement, Façade and Property Improvement and Go Green Reward programs.

Ron Khalaf, owner of upcoming Homewood boutique wine and craft beer store, Grapes and Grain Co., received just over $47,000 from the village in tax incentive money for property improvements for his new business location during last Tuesday's village board meeting. Last May, we announced the planned opening of Khalaf’s new store at 18029 Dixie Highway. “It’s going to be a very classy place,” Khalaf said. Grapes and Grain Co. is scheduled to open roughly around the beginning of August.

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Ron K

7:21 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012

We will be opening this Monday ( Labor Day) at 11am. Come check us out!   more ›

Add the Punchline to Our Begging Man Cartoon

If you've got wit, add your punchline to Patch's weekly comic and win a personalized print.

Fancy Alcohol on the Horizon: Good or Bad for Homewood?

Last Tuesday's Homewood Village Board meeting gave indication that a new craft beer and boutique wine shop will likely be opening on Dixie Highway in downtown Homewood.

Last Tuesday's Homewood Village Board meeting gave indication that a new craft beer and boutique wine shop will likely be opening on Dixie Highway in downtown Homewood. READ: CRAFT BEER AND BOUTIQUE WINE SHOP CLOSER TO OPENING IN HOMEWOOD While the new shop isn't entirely confirmed yet, the trustees made it clear that they would consider it a welcome addition to Homewood. Even Village President Richard Hofeld, who has often referenced his preference of ice cream to alcohol, thinks so. “I think it will add a new dimension to the downtown for shopping and I think it will be a very nice business to have in town,” Hofeld said. However, some of our readers have commented on their disapproval of the new liquor store. "I was still very …

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Ron K

1:31 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012

Thanks Kone   more ›

Craft Beer and Boutique Wine Shop Closer to Opening in Homewood

The Homewood Village Board agreed to draft an ordinance creating a new liquor license to cater to an up-and-coming downtown craft beer and boutique wine shop.

Homewood is one step closer to getting a new craft beer and boutique wine store, after village trustees Tuesday voted in favor of drafting an ordinance to create a new liquor license catered to the potential shop. Ron Khalaf, owner of Vino e Birra in La Grange and former owner of the now-closed Barley and Hopps in Glenwood, was present during Tuesday night’s board meeting to present his concept. Khalaf said he has 20 years' experience in the liquor business and has been working closely with the village for over six months to determine a location for his new store, tentatively named Grapes and Grain Company. “I’m not coming to Homewood to open another liquor store,” Khalaf said. “It’s going to be a very classy place.” According to Khalaf, …

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Ron K

7:20 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012

We will be opening this Monday at 11am (Labor Day). Come check us out!   more ›

Concerts, Visual Arts and Garage Sales: The Week Ahead

A preview of what's coming up this week.

YOU CAN FIND MOST OF THESE EVENTS AND POST YOUR OWN ON OUR PATCH CALENDAR When/where? 7:30 p.m. at Homewood Village Hall Discussion of a liquor license for a potential new craft beer and wine store is on the agenda for Tuesday night's meeting. When/where? All day at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School When/where? 7 a.m. at the Egg & I Business networking at its best!  We get more done by 8:30 AM than most people get done all day! When/where? 6 p.m. at The Great American Bagel Art students from H-F showcase their artwork in a community setting. When/where? 5 p.m. at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery Please help Coldwell Banker raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House of Chicagoland. All are welcome to this event. Tickets are $25 …

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Sox Bar vs. Cubs Bar? Last Chance to Decide

Our competition for best local bar to watch the ballgame at will end this week. It's not too late to let us know which is your favorite!