Dino Anthony's closes in Frankfort

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Dino Anthony’s, a popular Italian restaurant, closed its doors this week at 20590 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort after being open less than a year.

Fans of owner Dino Pavoni’s pizza can still get it at Simply Slices, 14280 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood, which remains open. Simply Slices offers pizza and sandwiches but none of the pasta dishes that Dino Anthony’s served.
Dino Anthony’s is the second restaurant to fail in that location. It was originally a Tore’s restaurant.

Once Upon A Child opens in Chicago Ridge
A Once Upon A Child resale shop opened late last year at 9990 S. Ridgeland Ave. in the Chicago Ridge Commons.
The store buys and sells "gently used" children's clothing, toys, baby equipment and furniture, as well as movies, books and other items for children.
For more information, call (708) 499-7035 or visit www.onceuponachildchicagoridge.com

Chocoholics prefer Fannie May
The votes are in and readers overwhelmingly prefer Fannie May chocolates. The chain received more than half of the votes in last week’s poll.
This week, we’re asking readers to choose their favorite local burger joint. The nominees are all local businesses, though one or two have more than one location. We’ll do another poll in the future on your favorite fast-food burgers.

Meet Otis Wilson
Former Bears great Otis Wilson will be signing autographs and posing for pictures from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Super Kmart at 16300 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort.

Pet contests at Alsip Nursery
The pet department at Alsip Home Nursery will be holding Best Looking Pet and Most Unique Pet contests on Saturday and Sunday at 20601 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort and 10255 Wicker Ave. in St. John, Ind. There also will be free treats and free nail trims for your pets.

Cubs owner to visit Southland
New Chicago Cubs Chairman Thomas Ricketts will be the guest at Monday’s monthly luncheon for the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce.
The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Tinley Park Holiday Inn & Convention Center, 18501 S. Harlem Ave.
Two lucky guests will win tickets to a Cubs home game.
Cost is $25 for chamber members and $35 for non-members. Make reservations at 708-957-6950 or Chicago Southland Chamber

Party for Bill Gleason in Oak Forest

By Chuck Ingwersen
Southland Savvy

Bill Gleason's going-away party won't be a solemn event. You can count on attendees sharing exuberant stories about the legendary sports columnist, raising a glass in his name and enjoying the jazz music that stirred Gleason's soul.

Gleason, who died at age 87 on Dec. 31, 2009, wouldn't have it any other way. The celebration of a life fully lived is scheduled for April 10 at Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Dixieland jazz will be provided by the Mississippi Mudcats, and the event will serve as a fundraiser for the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, S.D.

Gleason grew up on the south side of Chicago, was a decorated Army veteran of World War II, and worked for 60-plus years in sports journalism. It was my honor to work with Gleason during his years as a columnist for the Daily Southtown. I was in awe of him when he joined the Southtown, having read and admired him for years when he was the premier sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. But I found him to be generous and gracious — and always supremely entertaining.

It should be a great party.

Here's a favorite video clip of mine, posted shortly after his death. It features Bill discussing former White Sox owner Bill Veeck, as well as his love for jazz.

CharleyHorse returns to northwest Indiana

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The CharleyHorse is back in Munster, Ind.

Years after the original restaurant closed its doors near Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road, a new CharleyHorse opened last month at 8940 Calumet Ave. in the former Charlie’s Ale House.

The Munster restaurant was originally supposed to be called Savard’s Hall of Fame with former Black Hawks star Denis Savard lending his name to the project. He pulled out of the deal in January.

CharleyHorse also has restaurants in New Lenox and Tinley Park.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, with brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call 219-836-4040 or visit www.thecharleyhorse.com

Catching up

Reflections Yoga Center opened late last year at 18675 Dixie Highway in Homewood. The phone number is 708-960-4996, the Web site is www.ryogacenter.com

One Shot Kustoms, an auto restoration and customization business, moved late last year from Lockport to new digs at 9232 Gulfstream Road in Frankfort. The phone number is 815-524-4016. Check out owner Justin Clark’s MySpace page.

Neptune Society, a cremation service, opened late last year at 15111 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. The phone number is 708-226-6928, the Web site is www.neptunesociety.com

Antonis restaurant opened late last year at 1151 E. Ninth St. in Lockport. They don’t have a Web site but the phone number is 815-836-8141.

Black Hawks to appear

Black Hawks players Andrew Ladd and Colin Fraser will stop by the CharleyHorse at 9501 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There is a $30 wristband autograph fee. For more information, call the restaurant at (708) 873-9455.

2 Sisters Frozen Custard the Deal of the Week

2 Sisters Frozen Custard, 4734 W. 147th St. in Midlothian, will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday starting tomorrow. Co-owner Lisa Callaghan says you will get 10 percent off if you say you read about 2 Sisters in Comings & Goings.