One of my out-of-town readers...

...has expressed an interest in attending the First Annual BOWG Dinner (which in this case is actually a luncheon), tentatively scheduled for October 3 on Maxwell Street (weather permitting). In order to sweeten the offer, literally, I've decided to pass out complimentary jars of Dalmatia Fig Spread to all those who RSVP by, say, October 1. As if a Polish sausage with grilled onions (or any other sandwich on the menu) and scintillating conversation with an overly-opinionated, middle-aged, suburban white guy (who wears bad hats) wasn't already enough of an inducement to attend, you now have a jar of fig spread to motivate you, much like a dangling carrot in front of an old mule. (Not that any of you resemble old mules--quite the contrary.) I plan to be outside (there is no inside) Jim's Original and the Express Grill (which are actually on Union Street) from 11am to 1pm. After lunch, we can all hop on the expressway and head up to Loyola Academy and watch the Ramblers host the visiting Crusaders from Brother Rice in what is sure to be a key Catholic Blue conference showdown. So what have you got to lose? A couple hundred bucks in travel expenses? So what! Life is short. Besides, you'll never miss that money. But you will never get another opportunity to attend the First BOWG dinner (lunch). So put it on your calendar right now! You won't regret it.