Aug. 28--Kerry Wood finds himself keeping his schedule light in October. If the Cubs were to make a run in the post-season, Wood wants to be able to watch the games and not have to worry about potential scheduling conflicts.
"I've got some stuff planned in late-October, but it's all stuff that can be canceled," said Wood, who will host the Wood Family Foundation's first annual Storybook Gala with his wife Sarah Wood Sept. 25 at Moonlight Studios. "I never planned anything in October as a player, even when we lost 100 games. I felt guilty planning something in October. But this is a reality."
The reality is that the Cubs are in position to make the playoffs with a little over a month left in the regular season. The team has been heating up as of late, which explains why more Chicagoans have been wanting to talk baseball with Wood when they run into him on the street.
"Nobody wanted to talk baseball years ago," Wood said. "There was nothing to talk about. But now there's a buzz around town. There's a lot of talent and (the Cubs) only going to get better."
Wood's soldout Storybook Gala will honor Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and benefit his charity's "Pitch In" mentoring program at the Lawndale Community Academy. The plan is for the gala to have a different children's book theme each year, with this year's gala, dubbed "Pure Imagination," inspired by "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." The foundation has hosted casual fundraisers at Wrigley Field, Joe's Bar, Harry Caray's locations and 10Pin Bowling Lounge, which suit Wood's laid back style -- why host a gala now?
"We're trying to get into that arena to compete with the big boys," Wood said. "The event is soldout, so it's already a huge success. This is a great opportunity to get the word out to a different group of people and show them what we have going on in Lawndale."
Celebrity dish: Giordano's has added an Anthony Rizzo-inspired deep dish pizza to its menu for a limited time. "The Sizzlin' Sicilian" features meatballs, pepperoni and sausage and is available at its Illinois locations now until Sept. 14. Giordano's signed a sponsorship deal with the Cubs last year.
On the record: "Come on, who is this?" -- Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh's reaction when Michael Jordan introduced himself over the phone, via espn.com
"You're going to be shocked and everyone will be wondering one thing: How did Simeon Rice do this?" -- Former Illinois football player Simeon Rice talks about the movie "Unsullied," which he directed and wrote, with the Tribune
Heads up: Cubs' manager Joe Maddon is set to host his Main Event fundraiser Wednesday at Ravenswood Event Center. The benefit will feature amateur boxing, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Crushers Club's youth boxing program in Englewood. ... Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski is scheduled to speak Sept. 10 at the Renee Israel Foundation's annual fundraiser at B'nai Tikvah in Deerfield. ... Fire players will walk the runway during the Soccer and Style Fashion Show Sept. 16 at Roof at The Wit hotel. The third annual fundraiser benefits the Chicago Fire Foundation.
Sightings: Jordan was spotted Aug. 14 and 20 at Municipal Bar and Dining Co. and Aug. 16 at C Chicago... The Bears' Matt Forte had lunch Aug. 17 at Formento's. ... The Bulls' Joakim Noah dined Aug. 19 at Chicago Cut Steakhouse. Rizzo celebrated his mom's birthday Friday at Chicago Cut Steakhouse. ... The Cubs' Jon Lester dined Friday at RPM Steak before hitting Bub City. He was also spotted Aug. 17 at RPM Steak. Teammate Kyle Schwarber dined Sunday at RPM Steak. ... Fellow Cub Justin Grimm dined Friday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab. ... Former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen dined Saturday at RPM Italian. ... Cubs hitting consultant Manny Ramirez hung out Aug. 20 and Friday at Studio Paris and had lunch Aug. 17 at C Chicago. ... Former Chicago baseball stars Ryne Sandberg and Ron Kittle attended the street dedication ceremony for Dutchie Caray -- widow of legendary baseball announcer Harry Caray -- Aug. 20 outside Water Tower Place mall.
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