Pierre Thomas's and Dwyane Wade's Southland glory days

When former Southland athletes sparkle on the grandest sports stages, we like to remind the masses of those stars' roots. It was exhilarating to watch Pierre Thomas help propel New Orleans to its first-ever Super Bowl title on Feb. 7. The former T.F. South standout's 16-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown was a key play in the Saints' 31-17 victory over Indianapolis. The dynamic running back rushed for 30 yards and caught six passes for 55 yards in the game.

Exactly one week later, another former Southland prep star put on a dazzling display in a history-making game. Dwyane Wade, who starred at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, was named Most Valuable Player in an NBA All-Star Game that was witnessed by a crowd of 108,713 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That's the largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game (the previous record being 78,129 at Detroit's Ford Field in 2003 for a college game between Kentucky and Michigan State). Wade scored 28 points, dished out 11 assists and grabbed six rebounds in helping the Eastern Conference All-Stars edge the Western stars 141-139. Earning MVP honors in an All-Star Game is a high honor, but we're guessing it won't make Wade forget his past achievements. Those include an NBA Finals MVP award in 2006, when he lead the Miami Heat past the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA scoring championship (30.2 points per game) in 2008-2009, and an Olympic gold medal (2008).

So let's salute these two pro stars with a brief glimpse back at their high school years. The first video shows Thomas scoring his first touchdown for T.F. South, in a game against Rich Central in 2000. The second video shows Wade highlights from a 1999 state playoff game against Brother Rice.

Traverso's means a full belly for you

By Dennis Robaugh
Southland Savvy

The Traversos say there are two great places for a family to sit down for a meal -- your dining room and theirs. That was clearly true on the evening of our meal, as we shared the room with three family gatherings, large groups spanning generations seated around tables pushed together for the occasion.

We passed by a couple of chain restaurants, parking lots full, to ease into a table at Traverso's in Orland Park. Some people don't know what they're missing.

Our meal meal kicked off, literally, with an appetizer of buffalo wings with blue cheese and ranch dressing and a few stalks of celery. Extra saucy and tangy with just a kick of hotness, these wings rival those you'll find in any hot wing specialty chain. And every piece offered plenty of meat. No shriveled up, over-fried wings here.

A crusty loaf of hot bread came to the table alongside a simple, crispy dinner salad. Traverso's doesn't skimp on the dressing, either.

For the main course, we dined on chicken parmigiana and shells with Italian sausage. The breaded chicken breast, a surprising three-quarters-of-an inch thick, was juicy through and through. Known for its hand-made pastas, Traverso's pasta and savory sausage proved all-too filling.

The Traversos have been doing this for 35 years. They know how to send you away happy and full. We didn't even have room for dessert. You could've rolled us out the front door.

We've had their pizza in the past, which features a sweet sauce and a chewy thin crust. A loaded pie and frosty mugs of beer make for a great Friday night chow down.

On Mondays, through spring. Traverso's offers two-for-one pasta dishes, and Tuesday features half-price pizza.

Traverso's
3 out of 4 stars
15601 S. Harlem Ave.
Orland Park
(708) 532-2220



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You can reach Dennis Robaugh at dennis@southlandsavvy.com

Cherish the Ladies come to Frankfort

Nimble of knee and fleet of foot, loose-limbed Irish dancers kicked up a joyful time Sunday afternoon at Lincoln-Way North High School's Performing Arts Center during the featured performance of Cherish the Ladies, the famed Irish folk music troupe. They performed as part of the school district's "Spotlight Series" before a crowd of more than 600.

Whether mournful or mirthful, to my ear Irish folk tunes have always borne the tone and tenor of the brogue itself.

There was plenty of mirth from band leader Joanie Madden throughout the show. Telling the audience one of her dancers was a Chicagoan, the young lady revealed her true roots grew from Northwest Indiana soil.

"But I live in Lincoln Park now," she added, to chuckles from the audience.

"They don't seem to be impressed by that," Madden replied.

The South Side Irish, they're a hard lot they are!



Dennis Robaugh can be reached at dennis@southlandsavvy.com