Get a start with holiday shopping at Boosters' craft show

Some craft fairs give shoppers more than just handmade crafts. They include retailers hawking mass-produced items.

Not so for Saturday's Rolling Meadows High School Athletic Boosters' annual Holiday Craft Boutique.

Sure, you can call it purist, says organizer Joanna Metzger. "Shoppers don't want to be hounded."

Metzger, who is planning the event for her second year, found that many crafters don't want to have to compete with retailers. "We made a hard and fast rule that we wouldn't allow that," she said.

So what does that leave?

About 130 crafters and artisans selling their own goods, including jewelry, vases, wooden pens, copper figurines, framed cartoon prints, holiday items, even gifts for pets.

There's also a raffle for a furniture gift certificate and other prizes, plus candy-making and other activities for children.

The boutique, in its 29th year, is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the boosters, which supports all athletic programs at the high school.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school, 2901 Central Road in Rolling Meadows. Admission is $2 for adults; children are free. Coupons for $1 off can be found at businesses throughout the city.

Hey, what better way to jump start your Christmas shopping?

If you're hungry:ΠA restaurant called Hungry? has a few palate-tempting suggestions.

The city's newest place to eat opened last week at 1673 Algonquin Road, offering "real cooking with real chefs," owner Sam Syreggelas says.

Syreggelas took a break from the bustle of opening day to chat. "There are always surprises when you're opening, no matter how much planning you do," he said. "But I've been getting some good feedback."

He calls the restaurant family oriented in a "fast casual" setting. "The concept is to walk in, get your order number, stop at the self-service drinks, then the food is brought out and afterward the table is bused," he said.

Among the dishes Syreggelas recommends is the steak sandwich with bordelaise sauce. "One that I'm really excited about is our shepherd's pie," he said. "We make it to order."

Syreggelas grew up in the restaurant business, but this is his first venture on his own. He chose Rolling Meadows because it seemed like a good fit, he said. "We love the location. The shopping district where we're at is very dynamic."

Hungry? serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Book bargains: Shop early for the best selections at the Rolling Meadows library's Fall Book Sale. Admission is $5 for the presale from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Regular sale hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 17, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18.