I got tricked — and treated — by Cheap Trick’s lead singer Robin Zander.

Long story short: I was at the House of Blues last week, taking pix at a charity benefit for the San Miguel Schools (which do great things for kids in underserved communities), featuring both Badfinger and Cheap Trick. The latter group’s members were tossing out guitar picks like candy, and I wanted one to add to my other Cheap Trick pick from a show probably three decades or so ago.

On the stage in front of me sat my backpack-like purse, heavy with camera equipment. Taking pictures, my eyes were behind the camera and not watching for flying picks, so I kept missing out on them.

Zander saw what was happening, and he bent down and acted as if he put something in my bag. Our eyes met, and I pointed to a pick, really wanting one for my rock ’n’ roll collection. He nodded, and signaled downward to my purse. I took that as meaning, “I threw one in there.”

But when I got home, I went through every nook and cranny of that bag and found nothing! So, unless Robin Zander slipped his phone number in on a piece of paper and I threw it away while looking for that pick (highly doubtful, unfortunately), I got totally tricked and definitely treated (as in dissed), just in time for Halloween.

So what’s the point of this story? I wanted to run this cool pic of Zander, because even though he cheap tricked me, the concert was still a real treat.

And I did eventually end up with a pick, thanks to guitarist Tom Petersson.

Want to help kids? ... Learn how at the Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference, Nov. 4, at the Metcalf Federal Building, 77 W. Jackson Blvd.

The day, filled with workshops, brings together tutoring and mentoring leaders, adult volunteers, organizers, educators, donors and others. Expert keynote speakers — which have included President Obama in the past — address topics including starting youth mentoring programs, fundraising, training mentors and tutors, and successfully developing relationships with at-risk youth.

Dan Bassill, president of conference sponsor Tutor/Mentor Institute, 315 W. Walton St., said adult volunteers have as much to gain as the kids, who desperately need extra attention.

“The conference helps people take on roles to fit with who they are and where they are,” said Bassill. “It’s the people who don’t live in poverty that we need to get thinking, ‘What can we do.’”

There are lots of ways people can make huge contributions, and although Bassill would love to have Tutor/Mentor on folks’ Christmas giving lists, there are many other ways besides monetary to help. He deals with more than 170 organizations in the Chicago area, and there are no age limits for volunteers.

“People say, ‘I can’t do anything,’” said Bassill. “In fact, they can do a lot.”

Advance registration required, www.TutorMentorConference.org.

In the dark … The Near North Neighbors’ DeeDee Spence was “very surprised” to hear of plans for new lights — like those on Bellevue — for Elm Street. She and others say they’re “extremely unattractive,” and Spence has requested a meeting with 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly for neighbors on Elm and Cedar Streets, or at least take a survey to find out what area residents think.

“I have heard nothing about these lights, nor have we received any information concerning these lights in the mail,” complained Spence, who sent two e-mails, called twice, yet received no response from the alderman’s office.

Gee, I remember when “transparency” was Ald. Reilly’s motto.

Happy Halloween birthday … to my favorite 90-something witch, Lake View resident Yvonne Pen.

---

By jill from UK
Posted: 10/27/2011 7:17 PM

can wee see the photos you took anywhere ???