One of my local articles, A Taste of Tinley Park, by Amy Derby, was featured on the front page of the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal community page today. In it, I mention five of my favorite places to eat -- all local businesses, primarily run by families and others who have made me feel at home here over the years in this community. This is by far not the most brilliant or well-polished piece I've ever written, but I think it's important to do whatever we can to help our neighbors in this economy -- even if it's simply mentioning them in a local article in hopes that new folks will find and dine at their establishments. They are all truly worth a visit.

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From Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park.

Continued from yesterday's post as I couldn't upload all the photos at once from my phone.

For more about the town's "Benches on the Avenue," read my story in the local paper:

Benches on the Avenue Draw Community Closer, by Amy Derby 

or, Oak Park Avenue Benches photos, by Amy Derby

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Every summer, local artists paint benches -- sponsored by local businesses -- all up and down Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park. I haven't taken pictures of all of them this year, but here are a few.

The "I want you" one is even creepier in person.

See also, photos of some of my favorite benches from previous years: Oak Park Avenue Benches, by Amy Derby at TribLocal

Got this flower -- okay, it's a thistle -- from a little boy at the Tinley Park farmers market yesterday. I was sitting by the fountain talking with a neighbor when this cute tiny guy came up to me, gave me this prickly purple weed, and said "Hi. I love you." He ran away, back to his daddy, before I could ask his name. So cute. Totally made my day.