"I went to a restaurant that served 'breakfast at any time...'"

"So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance."

Okay, okay, so the Steven Wright quote is a little dated, it still makes me laugh. But if there's a topic I'm serious about it is breakfast food. I love breakfast food. I have never met a carb I didn't like and along with carbs, breakfast provides a unique blend of salty, sweet, fatty, yeasty delights. I'm not too interested in people who think a half a cantaloupe counts as "breakfast." Nor can I indulge in a luxurious morning meal most days - a hot, multi-course breakfast gets reserved perhaps for Sundays or special occasions. What I want to know from you is: who makes the best breakfast in Des Plaines (other than your spouse or your mom)?

Let's skip the ubiquitous Dunkin Donuts and other fast food options (although if you offered me a Dunkin Donuts buttermilk donut right now I would be powerless to turn you down). I'm talking about ham and eggs, a big stack of flapjacks, omelettes, waffles smothered in whipped cream, and yes, French toast. I see lots of choices for breakfast in Des Plaines, some new and some longtime favorites. You tell me where to head the next time I want a delicious, filling, warm breakfast in a nice setting.

My New Year's resolution is to use this blog and our Web site to help promote local businesses, but I need your input to help me. Let's start with breakfast and see where we go from there.

Write your comments about DP breakfast spots in the "Comments" section below. You can comment anonymously, use your name or login with a Blogger/Google account - it's entirely up to you. I'd prefer positive comments rather than nasty-grams aimed at places you don't like. Let's talk breakfast - you start.

We interrupt this blog with very important information!

I had just decided on a new start for PlainTalk and encouraged you to start brainstorming about breakfast spots when some very important news arrived. Pardon me for a quick interruption - we'll get to breakfast in a few days, but first here's an opportunity for you to help some local folks get breakfast, lunch or maybe dinner.

Food For Fines is coming to the Des Plaines Public Library from January 18-31!
Clear those pesty overdue fines from your library record while helping restock the shelves at the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines.

The details:

1. From January 18 through January 31, 2010, Des Plaines Public Library patrons may bring in non-perishable foods to get money subtracted from their library fines. Each food item brought in will result in $1 of fines being cleared. Patrons can bring in as much food as they want, but the program is only applicable to overdue fines, not charges for lost or damaged materials. All donated food will go to the Self-Help Closet and Pantry.
   
   
2. This is particularly helpful because: The Library Board has recently made a change to the policy on fines, lowering the maximum amount allowed for fines from $9.99 to $4.99. Fines of $5.00 or more now result in a block to the user’s account and must be paid before checking out items or placing holds.
   
   
3. Library fines may be paid in person at the Library, online using a credit card or with food donations between January 18 and January 31. Please, check the expiration dates: no expired food will be accepted.
   
   
4. DPPL charges overdue fines primarily to encourage patrons to return materials in a timely fashion. Our current circulation numbers are at a record high. We want to get library resources out to everyone who needs them, so bring 'em back, pay those fines (with food) and more people than ever will be able to enjoy this wonderful Library. Plus, local residents in need will be able to enjoy a meal thanks to your generosity. It's a win-win situation, folks!
   

New Year - New Focus?

PlainTalk has been chugging along for about 2 1/2 years now and, I admit, it's a struggle some days to understand where I'm going. The initial focus on the blog was to be a community conversation about life in Des Plaines, as well as the day-to-day goings on of the library. I tried spotlighting particular events, library employees and videos, or linking readers to library resources on specific topics, from gardening to love stories. I also tried to get some discussion going about our community - which restaurants are the best? what are your biggest frustrations about Des Plaines? Some of our most vigorous conversations have been about the library's services. I'm really grateful when you tell me what works for you on our Web site and in our online catalog and what does NOT work for you at all.

In 2010, I'm thinking I'd really like to shift back to the community at large. Perhaps, if you're willing to join me, we can build this into the kind of resource I'd imagined - a place where people can look for reviews of local services/shops/restaurants, a place where people can voice their opinions about where Des Plaines should be headed in the future. A place where you can brag about the city or express your disappointments. What do you think? Good idea? I see it as a way of improving and promoting the business community in town. You post something here about a favorite business, or a business that needs to shape up, and believe me, plenty of Google searchers will find what you have to say. (And, just to be clear, you can post your thoughts anonymously. Just please, keep your language and subject matter appropriate to a family-oriented institution) I'll start out in a few days by asking you a pretty simple question: what's the best breakfast spot in town? Start thinking that over - I'll be back in a few days to collect your favorites.

Please accept a "Happy New Year" wish from all of us here at the Des Plaines Public Library. It's a pleasure and an honor to serve you, year after year.