creativeoptions.com

Casual yet elegant? Fine dining and outstanding service? Old world charm?

At the end of a hectic day, when all creativity has been drained from evey bone in my body, I dream of a trip to the sunny Mediterranean. I crave quality food lovingly prepared from the freshest natural ingredients. I long for an environment that is relaxed, casual and rejuvenating. And, I yearn for service that re-establishes my sense that all’s well with the world.

Yes, yes, I know. A quick trip to old-world Greece or Italy or Spain would be just the ticket… a quick jaunt to an off-the-beaten-path countryside would be absolutely perfect. But current demands just don’t allow that luxury right this moment. And international travel is no longer the joy it once was. So, what’s a harried Chicagoan to do?

I’ve found a solution. It’s so simple! It doesn’t require a passport or an expensive cross-Atlantic flight. It’s right in my own backyard, so I can enjoy it any time.

The solution? Thyme & Honey Restaurant (7525 Madison, Forest Park).

Thyme & Honey Restaurant was well known in Oak Park. For ten years this family-owned restaurant earned a reputation for delivering first-rate dining experience at affordable prices. Then it was shut down to make room for more Condominiums. Now, a year later, Thyme & Honey Restaurant is back…and better than ever. The environment is warm and welcoming…a casual Mediterranean decor reminds us that dining is more than one of life’s necessities. The owner and staff take great pride in delivering quality service and an extensive menu of outstanding meals made from the freshest ingredients. They welcome each customer as an old friend.

Right now I’m on my way to enjoy a Greek Salad made with the freshest garden vegetables and imported feta cheese….or maybe I’ll ask for the chicken breast on salad greens…or, just maybe I’ll get the Thyme & Honey Crepes with pecans, peaches, strawberries and sour cream…yum!

Would you like to join me?

There’s a game afoot… Everyone is a player…

The object of the game is to deliver services or products for a profit if you’re a corporation or business; and, to get products or services at a fair rate of exchange if you’re a consumer. The transactions are based on whatever the seller is willing to sell for and the buyer is willing to buy for. There is no agency to monitor whether the initial agreements are fair. And, there’s no agency to make sure that agreements will be completed in accordance with the initial agreements of the players.

Businesses may:   

1. Send bills - even bogus bills for non-existent services. 

2 Expect, even demand, payment whether or not services/goods are delivered.

2. Change the terms of agreements - adjust pricing, change contract dates, and otherwise tinker with customer contracts at any time for any reason.

3. Buyer beware is a safety net that will protect business interests in the event of a dispute.

Consumers who want to avoid scams are encouraged to: 

1. Check, and double check all contracts.

    * how long is the contract? Are you SURE it’s a one year contract - and not a three year contract?

   * Is there a clause that says that the contract automatically renews unless you specifically write to stop the contract 60 days before it’s termination?

   * Are the terms of the contract available to you BEFORE you pay - or are they in a sealed package that, once opened, voids any warranties?  

   * Does any wording in the transaction allow the business to change its terms or rates without your previous knowledge and approval? 

   * Do you have any recourse if the service or the product you’re buying is deficient? 

HOW TO WIN: Watch those bills! Read the small print and the backs of every piece of paper related to your transaction…(even get out your magnifying glass to do it). Check the page numbers to be sure that no pages are “missing”. Look especially for any hidden charges, open-ended amounts and weazel words.

If the transaction appears to be acceptable — you’re getting value for value — don’t stop there!!! Roll the dice, a time or two…move forward cautiously…then stop and check the original terms of sale. What has changed? Has the price increased? Is the contract longer than you understood? Is the service or product you purchased broken beyond repair with no way to repair or replace it?  Are you still getting what you’re paying for?

Uthoh.. do you have a bill for something you don’t recall purchasing? Or maybe there’s an added fee that you don’t recognize?  Gulp….you’ve won the booby prize.  Go back to Jail, don’t pass Go don’t collect $200. But rest asured that you’ll have lots of company with you.

This is one game where everyone is a player. You don’t have much choice - although you don’t have to purchase anything if you don’t want to…and you certainly don’t have to lose. But, to arrive safely at the end of the game, you do need to be eternally vigilant. The rules of this game change moment by moment. No one is going to tell you what those rules are. It’s up to you to find out what the rules are at any given moment and to take whatever action you can to protect your own interests.

Condominiums are pretty nifty. They give residents a place to hang their hats while - generally minimizing all the work and expense of maintaining a free-standing property. But, this easy lifestyle can be desceptive.

Too many invest in a condomininium thinking that they will have no more responsibilities than a renter does…not so. Community living has its drawbacks and a unique set of responsibilities.

For one, owners pay assessments which are designed to cover the costs of maintenance and upkeep of the property. And, for two, all owners must pro-actively care for their common investment if they don’t want it to devalue.

Here’s just one example. Condominiums most often are positioned in the more congested and highly traveled areas of a city. They are located - and create - a high density area. This means more traffic (and need for courtesy).

A condominium here in Oak Park has a fairly expansive yard for the enjoyment of the residents. It affords grassy areas and gardens that the owners can freely enjoy. But it’s surrounded by other condominiums and single family homes on what has recently been turned into a highly trafficed through-street. People in the neighborhood - both neighbors and passers through  - think nothing of respecting this as private property. They walk their dogs through the yard leading to extensive damage of the grass and bushes on the property. They toss cast off debris (paper, fast food wrappers, empty liquor bottles and coke) cans in the yard never taking into account that they’re damaging private property. They dare the owners to speak up and tell them that this is not a public park.

With congestion comes a need for heightened vigilance and consideration on the part of all. Owners need to be willing to police their property more closely, lest the trash and damages mount leading to falling property values. And, neighbors and passers-by need to respect the rights of the owners.

Oak Park does have a mounting problem. Laxity may well undercut the Village’s reputation  and quality lifestyle. It doesn’t have to. But there it is….a challenge to all and a call for Pride of Ownership and appreciation of Private Property Rights.

Will the residents of this community rise to the occasion? Or will the area be allowed to slump to the level of inner-city slums? Time will tell.