Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Nominate Lou's for the 4th Annual Shorty Awards!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:28:00 GMT

Have you nominated Lou's for the Shorty Awards yet?

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media, recognizing the people and organizations producing real-time short form content across Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Foursquare, and the rest of the social Web.

We have really enjoyed interacting with you - our customers and fans - on a daily basis through social media and now we get the chance to show the rest of the blog-o-sphere that there's more to Lou Malnati's than deep dish pizza. You have until February 17, 2012 to nominate your favorite pizzeria in the #Food category on Twitter and ShortyAwards.com!

You can nominate us by:

- Filling out the nomination form at ShortyAwards.com

- Sending a tweet like this:

I nominate @LouMalnatis for a #ShortyAward in #food because… [must add reason here].

Please note: A tweet will not be counted unless you include a reason! We encourage you to get creative with the reason - let 'em know why you love Lou's!

Thank you so much for your support!

Celebrate New Year's Eve with Your Family at Lou's!

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:00:00 GMT

Enjoy an annual tradition and ring in the New Year a little early with your family at one of Lou Malnati’s full-service restaurants. The Lakewood, Lincolnwood, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove and Naperville pizzerias are hosting a family celebration, including pizza, soda, a mock count down, sparkling cider toast and a balloon drop.

Each location will have two seatings around 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm, but times vary at each location so please call the restaurant directly for specific times or click here for details. All locations will be open until 9pm on New Year's Eve.

Lou’s pizzerias will be open on New Year’s Day. Happy Holiday’s from Lou Malnati’s!

Deliver Christmas Cheer with Lou Malnati's!

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:49:00 GMT

The tree is up, the stockings have been hung, and preparations for holiday feasts have begun. Why not let us help out a little – whether you want a hot and ready-to-serve meal or you would like a signature dish prepared to be reheated later, we have just what you need to add a little something extra to your holiday spread. A number of our homemade entrees can be prepared and delivered to you partially baked or fully prepared on Christmas Eve so you can reheat them on Christmas Day. Items include par-baked pizzas, lasagna, beef sandwiches, meatballs, salads, antipasto trays, bruschetta trays, fruit trays, and veggie trays. Check out our Catering Menu to view our other options.

If Christmas dinner is already taken care of, what about lunches and dinners in the days leading up to Christmas? Cut down on the chaos and let our catering department help you provide a hot and fresh meal for you and your loved ones so you can concentrate on spending time with your family instead of slaving over a stove. Contact our Catering Department today for menu ideas and suggestions to help make the holidays a little easier and definitely more delicious!

'Tis the Season for Chicago-style Treats!

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:46:00 GMT

Every year, we're reminded that the holidays are a time to give back. What better way to give back and show someone you care than with a package from Tastes of Chicago? Certainly unique, all packages are guaranteed to put a smile on a loved ones face and fill their stomach with delicious Chicago-style food. To help you with your holiday shopping, we've compiled a list of our Top 10 Tastes from Tastes of Chicago.

Garrett Popcorn Shops Christmas Popcorn Tin & Lou Malnati's Pizza
Add a festive touch this holiday season by combining two Lou Malnati's pizzas with a 1-gallon Christmas tin of Garrett Popcorn Shops' famous Chicago mix. Also available in quarts.
Eli's Cheesecake Holiday Sampler & Lou Malnati's Pizza
Celebrate the season with one Lou Malnati's pizza and an Eli's 8-inch holiday sampler cheesecake. The holiday sampler contains three slices of these popular holiday flavors: pumpkin, eggnog, peppermint, and white chocolate raspberry. Also available with four Lou Malnati's pizzas.
Six Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Pizzas - Best Value!
There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with six authentic Lou Malnati's deep dish pizzas! We use only the finest ingredients available to make our Chicago-style pizzas. Also available in packs of 2 or 4.
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
The Chicago-style hot dog has not changed in 115 years and we offer the two best Chicago dogs you can find. Send your loved ones a real taste of Chicago this holiday season with Portillo's or Vienna Beef hot dogs.
Holiday Pie Trio
Despite all the delicious foods available at Tastes of Chicago, sometimes all you want is the sweet taste of home. Enjoy the delightful combination of Long Grove's brown bag apple pie and Wildfire's famous key lime and pecan pies. Makes a great gift for the holiday host/hostess!
Kay's Chocolate Rum Balls & Lou Malnati's Pizza
This holiday indulge in the delightful decadence of Kay's Candies. Combine two Lou Malnati's pizzas with a half lb. box of Kay's rum fudge balls. Each of these creamy rum flavored fudge balls is hand dipped in rich milk chocolate and rolled in nuts.
Candy Cane Mint Meltaways & Lou Malnati's Pizza
Say Happy Holidays with candy cane mint meltaways and deep dish pizza. Wrapped in a holiday box is 8-oz. of Long Grove's famous mint meltaways with smooth chocolate mint centers enrobed in dark chocolate and creamy white chocolate topped with crushed candy cane, and includes four Lou Malnati's pizzas.
Ultimate Tastes of Chicago Combo
When you crave it all, go for the Ultimate Chicago Combo Kit! One Lou Malnati's cheese or sausage pizza, one slab of Carson's ribs, a Vienna Beef hot dog kit, and one Eli's plain cheesecake. The perfect gift for your favorite out-of-town Chicago food lover!
Chicago Sports Team-Themed Packages
These packages are the ideal gift for any Chicago sports fan, and the perfect supplement to go along with a couple delicious deep dish pizzas. Combine two 9" Lou Malnati's pizzas with team logo'd mugs, flags, or grill covers to create a unique gift for your Chicago-sports-fan friends and family!
Traditional Gift Gard with a Long Grove Chocolate Gift Box
Having trouble deciding which gift to get? Let the recipient choose their own Taste of Chicago with a traditional gift card. Make this gift extra festive by sending the gift card enclosed with a holiday inspired Long Grove Confectionery 2 oz. box of Milk chocolate mint meltaways.

As always, prices include the cost of shipping so there are no surprises when it comes time to checkout. Not only are gifts from Tastes of Chicago a unique way to show someone you care, they also encourage coming together to share a meal with friends, family and Chicago food-fanatics alike. In the end, though, time with loved ones is probably one of the greatest gifts you have to give - it's irreplaceable, priceless and you're always left with warm and happy memories. Happy Holidays!

Gratitude is the Best Attitude

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:06:00 GMT

We are grateful and thankful for many things this holiday season. First and foremost, we are grateful for YOU. Your loyalty and patronage are the reason we love what we do and the reason we have come so far from where we started 40 years ago. We strive every day to give you the best service, food and overall experience because you deserve it. Thank you for your loyalty and for including us in your family's meal times and traditions.

Along with having the very best customers, we are also very fortunate to have an amazing staff that work hard day in and day out to provide and serve our customers with the very best. Operationally, Lou Malnati's runs like a well-oiled machine because of their dedication and hard work, and we are grateful beyond measure for them. Not only do they give their all while on the clock, but they find time to volunteer and help out in the community. This past Saturday, for the second year, Lou Malnati's employees gathered at the Northbrook headquarters and helped assemble Thanksgiving food baskets for 500 local families in need. With the help of over 150 employees, these baskets will help feed families that otherwise would not have had a Thanksgving meal tomorrow. Their generosity and attitude of gratitude make us proud to work with them, side by side.

From our family to yours, we hope you have a joyful Thanksgiving filled with love, delicious food, and lots of laughs and time spent with your loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Home of the Brave

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:27:00 GMT

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

-George Washington
President of the United States, 1789-1797

It has been 92 years since former President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Day. On this day, we recognize the members of the Military that sacrifice their lives on a daily basis for the good of our nation. They leave behind their friends, family and loved ones to report to their duty stations and protect the United States from those that try to harm us. Not only does Lou Malnati's stand behind these men and women, we salute you and your families for the sacrifices you all have made. We are grateful for you and would like to thank you for your services. Thank you for your courage, tenacity, bravery, selflessness and, above all, your dedication to your country, family and loved ones.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
-Elmer Davis

41st Annual Lou Malnati's Cancer Research Benefit

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:00:00 GMT

This year marks the 41st year of the Lou Malnati's Cancer Research Benefit, and we look forward to another successful year of raising funds for cancer research and education programs. All proceeds go to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Gilda's Club of Chicago, and Children's Memorial Hospital. This year's event will feature an evening of drinks, food, live & silent auctions, live music & fun! We hope you will be able to join us!

94.7 WLS-FM's Office Tour with Lou Malnati's

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:05:00 GMT

Photo courtesy of www.947wls.com

Dave Fogel and Marti Jones of 94.7 WLSFM got a taste of what their listeners will receive if they are the winners of Dave and Marti's Office Tour. Lou Malnati's has teamed up with Dave and Marti to cater lunch for a Chicago area business each week until the end of October.

Whether you are bringing in food for your office, hosting an event, or celebrating with friends and family, Lou's catering is great food at a great value and more than just pizza! We also offer salads, pastas, sandwiches, party trays and desserts. Click here to register now for your chance to win lunch for your office, catered by us and delivered by Dave & Marti! A winner will be announced every Friday!

Sweet Summertime

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:01:00 GMT

Summer is a time for outdoor BBQ's, swimming, vacationing with family and enjoying the outdoors - apparently it's also a time for Mother Nature to wreak havoc and fill basements with water. You have to take the bad with a grain of salt though, especially when we have a weekend coming up that's supposed to be filled with sunshine, milder temperatures and some soulful tunes - that's right, folks... Lollapalooza starts tomorrow and we're ready to have some fun! Lou Malnati's is once again headed to Lollapalooza's Chow Town, August 5-7, where we will dish out slices of our legendary pizza to concert-goers. We are setting up shop in Chow Town South, near Balbo and Columbus, and will be offering slices of cheese as well as cheese and sausage deep dish. So if you're headed to the 3-day music festival, stop on by between sets to refuel and take a breather or stop by our Gold Coast location after the day is done - we'll be open until 2am, Friday and Saturday!

It's been one month since our newest location in Chicago's Gold Coast opened its doors and we have had a blast! From the opening parties to seeing the looks of amazement on our regulars' faces when they walk in - it's great. If you have stopped in recently, you have probably seen Marc Malnati himself running pizzas to tables and greeting diners. Since this location is his new 'baby', Marc wanted to make sure that every diner has a great experience and really wanted to hear suggestions and comments from the source. If you haven't stopped in yet, you're definitely in for a treat. Featuring a special bar menu that's unique to this location, you can sip on one of Mamma Malnati's Signature Martinis or savor one of our Windy City Mojitos. Along with specialty drinks, we also whipped up a few new appetizers that will satisfy any long time loyal Lou's fan. Check out the slideshow for a peek inside!

We hope you come by and visit us soon!

We've Been Caught!

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:19:00 GMT

Busted! Our Evanston Café location was caught - in a good way! - by the City's Public Works Department and sent the following notice:

As you can see, it wasn't for anything bad - we were just caught "thinking G.R.E.E.N." during the month of May. This may be the only location that got acknowledged but we make every effort we can to be environmentally conscious at every one of our 33 locations. Our ultimate goal is to reduce our carbon footprint and run our business so that we efficiently use and recycle resources in order to better our environment. The City of Evanston has acknowledged our efforts and we are very excited to be receiving this recognition. We are committed to running our pizzeria's as "green" as possible and encourage our patrons to think and act "green" as well. After all, in order for the Earth to take care of us, we have to take care of the Earth. What sorts of things do you do to reduce your impact on the planet?

Sizzling Summer

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:43:00 GMT

Summertime is officially here and boy have we been busy! From preparing for the Taste of Chicago and our 4th Annual Rooftop Event to putting the final touches on our new Gold Coast location - this summer is definitely going to be one to remember!

The Taste of Chicago runs from Friday, June 24 to Sunday, July 3rd this year and we will be serving up our famous deep dish from booth #36 near Buckingham Fountain. What's on the menu? Cheese Pizza and Sausage Pizza slices, chopped Malnati Salad, and Bruschetta. As one of the few vendors that actually produces the product at the festival, the production alone is worth seeing. Each pizza is handmade at the Taste, and loaded into one of the 24 pizza ovens set up in Lou Malnati's custom-designed tent.

This summer also marks the 4th Annual Lou Malnati's Charity Rooftop Event at Wrigley Field. Watch the Cubs take on the Giants under the lights on June 29th from Wrigleyville Rooftops while supporting Cancer Research. Tickets are are still available! All you can eat and drink on one of Wrigleyville's best rooftops for $125. Go to www.events.org/lmcbcubs to purchase tickets or make a donation to the Lou Malnati Cancer Research Fund.

The fun doesn't stop there - our newest location at 1120 N State is set to open July 4th! This highly anticipated location will be the largest restaurant to date and feature a unique urban design. In addition to our traditional menu, we will be introducing an exclusive bar menu that will include new specialty drinks and appetizers to satisfy those late-night appetites. Opening on the heels of our newly expanded South Loop location, this new restaurant is definitely one location you don't want to miss!

Our plate is definitely full but we like it that way :). We hope your summer is off to a great start!!

Sweet Treats for Mama

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:20:00 GMT

With Mother's Day just around the corner, we thought we would share our favorite Tastes of Chicago gift packages that are sure to please the woman who brought you into this world! Whether your Mom lives down the street or across state lines, Tastes of Chicago's Mother's Day packages are a great way to express your love and appreciation. All packages include the cost of shipping so no surprises at checkout!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries & 2 Pizzas
These decadent berries are the perfect way to show you care. Two 9" Lou Malnati's Pizzas and 1 lb. box of Long Grove Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookie & Pizza
An authentic Chicago favorite: a 9" round pizza and a 9" heart shaped chocolate chip cookie. This is the same recipe as the famous chocolate chip cookie pizza served in the Lou Malnati's Pizzerias.
Lezza's Chocolate Cake & 2 Pizzas
Lezza's fabulous triple layer cake is a feat for chocolate lovers nationwide! Mom will be delighted by the moist layers of rich yet perfectly fluffy cake engulfed by creamy chocolate frosting.
Wildfire Key Lime Pie & 2 Pizzas
Send a Chicago-style indulgence: two Lou Malnati's pizzas and a Wildfire 9" key lime pie. This pie is Wildfire's most popular pie and has a sweet graham cracker crust and a tart key lime filling.
Kay's Peanut Butter Crunch Balls & Pizza
Let Mom indulge in Lou Malnati's legendary deep dish pizza and the delightful decadence of Kay's Candies. Package includes 1/2 lb. box of Kay's peanut butter crunch and 1 Lou Malnati's pizza.

Even if Mom is a fan of the Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Sox or Blackhawks - Tastes of Chicago has what you need to make it a special and delectable Mother's Day! Be sure to visit our website to view more delicious options.

Making Chicago Proud

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:44:00 GMT

Chicagoans have a lot to be proud of - the beautiful skyline, mouth-watering deep dish pizza, our amazing ability to handle just about anything Mother Nature throws at us, successful sports teams, and so much more. Two of Chicago's favorite hometown teams have gone to the playoffs and we're rooting for them to come out on top. The Blackhawks have been battling the Vancouver Canucks since April 13th and have their fourth game of the Stanley Cup Playoff series tonight. We hope to see them continue on their playoff journey so they can reclaim the Cup and keep it in Chicago for another year. Go Blackhawks!!

We're also pulling for the Chicago Bulls as they continue to take on the Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. With two wins already secured, the Bulls have a chance of sweeping the first round and continuing on! Go Bulls!!

No matter the outcomes though, Chicago's sports teams have continued to make this city proud and we stand behind each and every player 100%. So let's get down to business, Blackhawks and Bulls - you all have some winning to do! And don't forget to load up on those carbs - we hear pasta and pizza are great for that ;-).

Committed to Excellence

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:14:00 GMT

Our daily lives revolve around all sorts of different commitments; family, work, friends, hobbies, finances, significant others, etc. When you are committed to something, be it a relationship, a team or a personal goal, you do anything and everything you can to see that you fulfill your promise. A commitment is described as an “agreement or pledge to do something in the future.” At Lou Malnati’s, not only are we committed to providing customers with the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza on the market, we are committed to providing unsurpassed customer service - just because we have grown to 32 locations doesn’t mean we can slack off! We have gotten this far because our fans and customers believed and continue to believe in our product, our company and our overall mission.

What sorts of commitments have you made in your life? Have you lived up to them? How do you help others fulfill their own personal commitments? We're always here to help you with your commitment to eating the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza that is out there - after all, it's what we do best!

Earth Hour 2011

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:36:00 GMT

At 8:30pm tomorrow night, people across the globe will switch off the lights in their homes and businesses for one hour - Earth Hour. It is the world's largest public movement for the environment and this year, the World Wildlife Fund is asking people to go beyond the hour and commit to actions that will benefit the planet in the year ahead. What started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia has grown into a globally recognized sustainability movement with participation by over 100 countries and territories.

"'Earth Hour is a chance for people and communities across the globe to join together with the common purpose of a sustainable future for our planet,' said Andy Ridley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Earth Hour. 'This year Earth Hour asks people to commit to an action, big or small, for the coming year, taking Earth Hour beyond the hour.'"

Here at Lou Malnati's, we are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint. We turn off lights, printers, computers, monitors, and other devices when we go home for the day and when they're not in use during the day. We recycle waste in our stores and corporate office, and offer recyclable pizza boxes and carry-out containers. Any and every action, big or small, is a step in the right direction. We encourage you to go beyond the hour and reduce your impact on the planet.

"Earth Hour will be held on Saturday March 26 at 8.30pm-9.30pm wherever you are in the world. This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour,to think about what else you can do to make a difference when the lights turn back on."
www.earthhour.org

Cheers to 40 Years!

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:14:00 GMT

Lou Malnati's has a rich history that is deeply rooted in family, pizza and tradition. What started out as a family endeavor has continued on that path and blossomed into a deep dish corner stone of Chicago.

Jean, Marc, Rick and Lou Malnati
Lincolnwood Opening Day, 1971

The first Lou Malnati's opened in Lincolnwood on March 17, 1971 and here we are, 40 years later with 32 locations across the Chicagoland and we can't help but feel grateful and humbled. What has helped set us apart from the rest hasn't just been our signature deep dish, it's the values and beliefs which the company was built upon, the amazing customers that have supported us through the years, and the incredible employees that we have come to think of as family. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to at the same time. We could not have gotten this far without the loyal customers that come back time after time and introduce their loved ones to Chicago-style pizza or the dedication of our employees that keep Lou's running like a well-oiled machine. Thank you. Thank you for your unwavering support and for 40 fantastic years - we are looking forward to 40+ more!

So, You Wanna Enter Our Contest?

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:42:00 GMT

Scenario: You've got an amazing idea for a video to enter into our Devoted to Deep Dish Video Contest and you're sure it will win. You've planned out your execution, developed your script and even got a few friends in on the soon-to-be masterpiece motion picture.
Problem: You realize you don't have access to a video camera and now feel like someone threw a monkey wrench into your well thought out plans.

Have no fear, future Quentin Tarantino, we're here to help. We've come up with a few suggestions for you to get your devotion to Lou Malnati's deep dish broadcasted for all to see:

Enlist the help of a friend: We all know the saying "the more the merrier", right? Round up a couple of friends - especially the one that just got a Flip Camcorder for Christmas - and film your action-packed video.
Take a visit to the library: Most libraries will rent out video equipment to card-holders - check with your local library to see if they offer this type of program.
Use your cell phone: Most cell phones today come equipped with a video camera built right in! While it may not produce a video with quality similar to a professional camcorder, we'll be able to see past the fuzziness to the true core of the matter - your heart-felt story about Lou's.
Use your digital camera: Like cell phones, most digital cameras have a video setting that will shoot a more than decent movie. Again, the quality of the video may not be up to your standards, but we're not worried - we're looking for the quality of the content you will be filming.
If all else fails and you have absolutely no access to any video whatsoever, try this: Create a photo montage in PowerPoint, write out your story on a slide and convert it to video. You could even get as creative as narrating it for us! Don't know how to convert a PowerPoint presentation to a movie? We've got you covered - here's how you convert your presentation using Windows and Mac.

If you're still stumped, shoot us an email and let us know. We don't want anyone to be singled out as we think everyone has a story that is worthy of being heard. Now go get 'em, Tiger! We're looking forward to seeing our fans' creative talent!

Are You Devoted to Deep Dish?

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:35:00 GMT

We've been devoted to making delicious deep dish pizza for 40 years but where would we be without our loyal customers? We want to know what keeps you coming back.

In a two-five minute video clip, show us your devotion to deep dish by sharing a story, memory, or your thoughts relating to Lou Malnati's.

Clips will be judged on creativity and your overall enthusiasm for Lou's. Videos can be witty, sappy, dramatic, action packed - the possibilities are endless! So, whether you are re-enacting your first taste of our mouth-watering pizza or recalling a special birthday or anniversary celebration at your local Lou's, we encourage you to be original!

The Grand Prize winner will receive their choice of either a Lou Malnati's 12-Month Taste of the Month mail-order package from Tastes of Chicago or a Lou Malnati's gift card worth $1,000 which can be used at any Lou Malnati's restaurant/carry-out location and online at www.tastesofchicago.com.

We will begin accepting entries on Monday, February 21, 2011 at 12am MIDNIGHT through our Facebook Page! So get your camera out, grab some friends, start filming and show us how devoted you are to Lou Malnati's deep dish!!

Love is in the Air

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:23:00 GMT

Ah, Valentine’s Day. A day to show your love and affection to the one dearest to you as well as a day to devour mass amounts of chocolate and heart-shaped deep dish pizza. The history of this day is a bit murky but the premise is notable: show someone you love them, no matter how over the top it may seem. It’s a day to pull out all of the stops and show that extra-special someone you care for them in a way that goes beyond the everyday “I love you”. A friend-of-a-friend described Valentine’s Day as “training wheels to remind people to take a minute from work, bills, kids, the house, other family and stop and say ‘I love you’, even if they have to have Hallmark write it down for them.” Or, in our case, have us cook up a heart-shaped deep dish. Do you enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day? What does it mean to you?

What a Week!

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:19:00 GMT

From snow storms to Super Bowl Sunday snafus, it was definitely a week for the books.

We asked some of our Twitter fans what their favorite name for the historic snow storm was and these were the most popular: Snowpacolypse, snOMG, Snowtorious BIG, Snowcago, Snowmageddon - many names for a blizzard that had an incredible impact on the Midwest last week. By now, everyone has had a chance to dig themselves out but commuters everywhere are still feeling the effects. The storm gained intensity Tuesday night to the point where we had to close some locations earlier than the predicted 9pm closing time. As everyone knows, conditions only worsened come Wednesday, so much so that Lou Malnati’s stayed closed - we did not want to risk the safety of our customers and employees. Things finally got back to normal on Thursday and we were able to dig ourselves out and start the ovens! We would like to thank everyone once again for their patience and understanding last week. We truly do have the best customers in the world – even those that root for the Packers!

While we were sad the Bears weren’t the ones playing the Steelers last night, we have to admit it was an exciting game. Those that weren’t too interested in the game had the chance to catch some hilarious commercials – which one was your favorite? The Darth Vader Volkswagen commercial was pretty funny – check it out:

All in all, we think it’s safe to say that we’re ready for things to get back to normal after last week’s whirlwind of events and we’re ready for a change in pace as far as sports are concerned…. How many more days until Spring Training starts? =)