We mean it. Channel that inner smart ass and let us know what you think!

We’ve opened up the “comments” feed on our blog roll for you - our NorthShoreInsider friends. If you read something that makes your ears burn or your heart sing in agreement, post a comment! If there’s a blog about a great restaurant, and you can one-up us, go for it! If you want to chime in with a “OMG! I love that place too!” - we want to see it! From time to time, we’ll ask a question - if you’ve got an opinion, share it!

NorthShoreInsider can only get better when we hear from the people that use it - namely, you. So don’t be shy! To start things off on a summer theme, we’re asking you:

What’s your favorite beach and why?

Post a comment and let us know - where’s the best sand? Who’s got the best looking lifeguards? Where are the kids the friendliest? Best concession stand? Talk! Talk!

Deal Alert!

Every once in a while, we get those Omaha Steaks mailers - the ones that promise about 50 pounds of meat and fixings for the low, low price of just $50. I’m not big on ordering food through the mail - I like to see it before I buy it. But…sometimes it can be really tempting. For example, the most recent mailer promises four 5 oz. top sirloins, four 4oz boneless pork chops, four 4oz chicken breasts, TEN 4 oz steak burgers, two 4.5oz stuffed sole with scallops and crabmeat, eight gourmet franks, and four stuffed potatoes, for $50. Seriously? That’s a lot of food.

But still, it’s through the mail, right? What if your package comes and sits in the spring sun on your front porch while you’re at work? No one wants to spend $50 on a case of spoilage, right? So my husband gets the bright idea to see if perhaps the local Omaha Steaks storefront will honor the deal. Guess what?

They do!

I called over to the Wilmette shop, located in Edens Plaza off Lake and Skokie Rds., and was told that you simply bring in the flyer and they’ll honor the price. That’s one piece of junk mail that’s worth something! Steak this weekend!

Omaha Steaks
WILMETTE
Edens Plaza Shopping Center
3232 Lake Avenue, Suite 220
Wilmette, IL 60091

Phone: (847) 853-6180
Fax: (847) 853-6182
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5

Technorati Tags: Wilmette shopping, Omaha Steaks, North Shore Chicago grocery shopping, North Shore Chicago grocery specials

Having had to put our precious Snowshoe kitty, Cleo, to sleep earlier this month, I thought it would be a very, very long time before I was ready to have another pet. Making that decision to end a pet’s life is a tough one, even if it’s the right one. So color me surprised that as of this weekend, I’ve got two little furballs running underfoot.

I couldn’t help it – I found myself wandering over to Petfinder.com just to peek to see what was available locally. Not that I was going to get anything, right? I was just looking. But then, I came across this:

Argh! How can you even think of looking away from such cuteness? North Shore, meet Moo. Of course, Moo had a buddy:

Oh, but is this little guy is a LOVER. How could I resist a kitty named Comet? After much sitting-on-pins-and-needles waiting, I finally got the call - we could come pick up these little guys!

We found them through a Petfinder.com link to Adopt-A-Pet, a Mount Prospect-based foster care organization for animals in need of a new home. You simply complete an application, then let them know if there’s an available pet that has struck a chord with you. Be warned - they check references - both the ones I had listed told me they got a call. This organization loves their animals, and want to make sure they are going to a “forever” home. When the kids and I went to get Moo and Comet, we were greeted by a foster mom with 14 cats in her home, only a couple of which were staying with her forever. (Gosh, I hope someone goes to get Jonah! Adorable!)

Seriously – while I don’t discount the allure of owning a purebred – we did, too – what an awesome way to bring a lot of love into your home, while doing something so beneficial. These cats and dogs are just as loving and adorable as purebreds, and need a good home! Check them out - I am SO glad we did!

Technorati Tags: Adopt-A-Pet, Mount Prospect Adopt-A-Pet, North Shore pet adoptions, North Shore Chicago pet adoptions, North Shore Chicago cat adoptions, North Shore Chicago dog adoptions, Glenview area cat adoptions, Evanston area cat adoptions, Northbrook area cat adoptions, Skokie area cat adoptions