Wonderful Wednesday

Hossein Jamali: Filling the Stomach as He Feeds the Soul

Welcome to Wonderful Wednesday, where Naperville Patch puts the spotlight on people in the community doing great things.

Welcome to our regular weekly feature, Wonderful Wednesday. Every Wednesday, Naperville Patch will introduce you to someone doing great things in the community. Do you know someone who deserves the spotlight? Contact Local Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com.  This week, we recognize a restaurant owner who believes in giving back to his community, helping to feed the soul as well as fill the stomach. This week, Ray Kinney nominated Hossein Jamali, owner of Mesón Sabika, as Naperville Patch’s Wonderful Wednesday recipient. In his own words, Kinney said of Jamali: “I would like to give a warm community hug to the owner of Mesón Sabika, Hossein Jamali, and his family for all of the things they do yearround to help those in need both …

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Get Out: Food, Family and Fido

A few options for ways to spend your weekend.

For the next three days we are here to offer some ideas and options. This is a holiday weekend, so we are certain you have plans for more than a little R&R. We’ve been offering a weekend guide since our launch back in September. This weekend we are trying a new format to try and better meet your needs. Here are our picks for five things to do this weekend in Naperville. Saturday the discs and dogs will be flying at the Naperville Riverwalk for the Windy City K-9 Disc Club’s dog-disc championship. Bring the family and don’t leave Fido at home. Sign him up to compete.  Just a reminder that the DuPage Children’s Museum will soon be switching to its summer hours starting May 31. A new gallery exhibit at the museum features the works over area …

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Cuisine for a Cause Event Rallies Community Support

Naperville Care’s event feeds and entertains while raising money for those in need

More than 25 restaurants banded together to feed a hungry and gregarious crowd at the 8th annual Naperville Cares Cuisine for a Cause event on Saturday night. Tellabs Global Headquarters in Naperville, which has been home to the event for the past few years, provided more than ample space for the more than 400 guests who came to lend their support to the local nonprofit. Guests enjoyed wine and beer tastings from Tasting deVine Cellars and Stella Artois and sampled a wide variety of food from local establishments like Meson Sabika, Jimmy’s Grill, Catch 35 and Shinto. Those looking for a sweet treat were enticed by Gelati, The Melting Pot and others. Naperville Cares, a local nonprofit founded 11 years ago, provides short-term, emergency …

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Indies Only

Red Geranium Blossoms at New Location

Unique store returns to its Naperville roots.

Nestled away in a blue house behind Mesón Sabika is The Red Geranium. At first glance, from the outside, it seems like a gardening center. Brightly colored flower pots of all shapes and sizes, garden statues, lawn ornaments, and bird baths decorate the store's front yard.  Walk in the front door it's clear The Red Geranium goes way beyond gardening. Winding from room to room, shoppers are bound to find a hidden treasure. The Red Geranium offers everything for under the roof and outside the house: clothing, jewelry, party favors, candles, gourmet foods, purses, house decor, wine glasses, Mexican pottery, gift baskets ... an endless list. The Red Geranium originally was located at the corner of Washington and Benton streets, until about …

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Students, Diners Help Raise Funds for Japan

Local fundraising efforts will benefit the American Red Cross in its efforts to help people in Japan.

Discussing current events in her 5th grade class at Cowlishaw Elementary School, Christi Grezlik saw an opportunity. Rather than just share photos and discussion about the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, Grezlik thought it was a chance for students to take action. “This seemed like a great opportunity for the kids to think about other and others outside of the school,” Grezlik said. “It seems so far away and I just think it was a way for them to reach out to other people far away.” A fundraiser ensued and it became a school-wide event, with students collecting funds. Every day announcements were made in the school reminding students to bring in money. Some students donated allowance they earned. Others did extra chores around the house to…

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Patch Picks: Romantic Restaurants

Here are five options in Naperville for a sizzling Valentine's Day dinner.

Love is in the air! Well, it’s there, although it may be frozen from all the snow and cold. But, what better way to raise the temperature and get things sizzling than to enjoy a romantic dinner with someone you love, or at least like a lot. Next Monday is Valentine’s Day. Along with all the candy and flowers that will be purchased, dinner out is almost a requirement. Keep in mind the number of lovers who will be dining out, and consider calling or making an online reservation when possible. Here are some of our Patch Picks for romantic dining spots in Naperville. Sullivan’s Steakhouse Setting the mood is key. So, start the evening with a cocktail, maybe a mango tango or “The Knockout” and some appetizers, such as the chilled seafood …

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Alyssa Marunde

5:13 pm on Thursday, February 10, 2011

I highly recommend The White Chocolate Grill. Beautiful decor, friendly, romantic atmosphere, not to mention their food is phenomenal!   more ›