Fun Fall Festival

It starts today! Berwyn's 9th annual Oktoberfest will be bigger and better than ever this year! They've added crafters and vendors on Grove by Stanley Avenue, tons more stuff for the kids, and new this year: Dogtoberfest! Of course there will be the carnival, two stages of music, and tons of food. Oh yeah, and it wouldn't be Oktoberfest without beer, would it?

Two bands I have to plug (because they're local and I sell their CDs) are The Boogers--on the kids' stage twice on Saturday, and Hurricane Gumbo at 5 on the Main Stage on Saturday. Yes, Hurricane Gumbo is my husband Jon's band, and they are so much fun for people of all ages! Click on the title of this post for the official website of this awesome event.

We'll be open late--until the last shopper goes home. I'll be sampling 3 flavors of the dip mixes: Heavenly Horseradish, Loaded Potato, and the very spicy Habanero and Green Chile. I hope you can come out and enjoy the great weather and all the fun stuff the Oktoberfest Committee has provided. As always, Oktoberfest is free of charge!

Smencils are in!

They're here. I have regular Smencils and colored Smencils. You can buy them individually or by the pack of 10 (one of each fragrance). What are Smencils? They're smelly pencils (oops, I mean gourmet scented pencils!) . I extensively polled my customers who are under the age of 20, and they all agreed that Smencils would be a great addition to my inventory.

What's so great about a Smencil?

Smencils save trees because they're not made of wood--they're made of 100% recycled newspaper. They do come in plastic sleeves to help keep the fragrance pure, but it's biodegradable plastic made from corn. Both colored and regular Smencils come in the following fabulous fragrances:

• Very Berry
• Cinnamon
• Bubble Gum
• Orange
• Cotton Candy
• Grape
• Black Cherry
• Watermelon
• Root Beer
• Tropical Blast

The Dog Days of Summer

I keep seeing the cutest dogs out walking lately--probably because it's not too hot this year. I always have my dog water bowl right out in front, so please stop by with your pooch if you're in the neighborhood. I have several canine friends who stop in often (just to visit me, not because I give them treats). Feel free to bring your dog into the store if he/she is not a naughty sort of dog. The little Bostons above are Delilah and Mabel (and Mabel is not possessed by Satan or any other evil spirit, she's just got real shiny eyes). They like to come for the Cruise Nights with their dad, Rick. There is one more Cruise Night this year on August 18th. I'll be open until 9, so come and say hello!

As always, I have natural pet treats from Zuke's for sale (and free samples of the peanut butter flavor mini treats). I also have a zogoflex bones from West Paw, Flea Flee doggy bug spray and Dog Poo from Sunfeather Natural Soaps, and the ever-popular Gulpy water bottles.

I have coupons for a free day at the dog lounge, The Spot, 7324 Madison Street in Forest Park. They're good only for new clients and are a $25 value. This is for Fly Right customers only. The Spot is hosting an adoption event for the Animal Care league on August 29th. I have fliers for that too, so come on by!

One Year!

Can you believe it? I've been open for one year (actually one year and one week)! It's been an interesting ride--I just went back and reread some of my earliest posts. I have met so many great people and learned so much!

And I have some great news-- I got a new air conditioner put in last week!

Vacation or Staycation--we've got you covered!

This Summer, it seems people are sticking a little closer to home for their family vacations. We have just what you need to get out of town and possibly see an endangered species--the roadside attraction, weird water tower, or kooky museum. Berwyn author Jerome Pohlen has written a great series of travel guides, and we sell some of the ones closest to home: Oddball Illinois, Oddball Wisconsin, Oddball Iowa, and Oddball Indiana. I made him sign all the copies, so you not only get the book, you get the autograph at no extra charge! The books are divided into territories, so it's easy to look up the areas you'll be driving through. (the author warns us to call ahead and confirm that the attractions are still there--a good example is the Spindle here in Berwyn which is on the cover of Oddball Illinois).

While you're driving around out of town, why not let the locals know where you're from with one of the "Ich Bin Ein Berwyner" shirts--the newest batch is heather gray and comes in S-XXL.

Big fat wallets make driving a pain in the butt for the purseless among us. Come check out the ultra thin/light and super cool Mighty Wallets. They're made from Tyvek--a recyclable paper-thin material that's sturdy, waterproof, and recycled. They come in a variety of prints from tattoo images to shredded paper. Just looking for a small wallet to hold your ID and some cash? We have recycled plastic coin purses with cute images--waterproof and perfect for the pool or a small evening bag. For carrying your pool and beach gear, we have large totes made from recycled plastic as well.

We have some car-friendly toys and games for the young kids, and road trip journals for the older ones. Don't be like me and lose a small Barbie shoe in the seats of the car--it really ticks Dad off. . .

Solar Power!

We have gotten the cutest monarch butterfly garden stakes! The black-eyed susan's center is a solar panel, and the butterfly flutters when the sun hits it. I've been putting one outside in my planter at the store, and it really does get peoples' attention. It works on both sunny and overcast days. It would be great in a houseplant on a window sill or right in your flower bed.

I Scream You Scream

It's almost officially Summer, and that means it's time for ice cream! I'm lucky (or unlucky) to be located a half block from a great little ice cream parlor--Over the Rainbow. They serve hand dipped Hershey's ice cream and stock over 35 different flavors. Tom (the owner) laughs at me when I walk down there with my bowl and spoon in hand, but he knows I'm only trying to save the planet (and him a little money). . .

I have several customers who have mentioned to me that they or their kids can't eat dairy, so they have to miss out on one of Summer's best treats. GOOD NEWS! Tom has gotten some soy ice cream! And it's good! He's got two flavors: chocolate and peach cobbler. And it's from a local company called Temptations. They make it with Chicago Soydairy Soymilk, organic evaporated cane juice, and other ingredients. The chocolate flavor is even gluten-free!

Tom has toys for the kids to play with while you're there, including the Melissa and Doug ice cream parlor set. (conveniently available at Fly Right Gifts).