The Remains of Angelos Steakhouse: A Festivus Miracle

Any of you who travel home along S. Decatur Street must recall the rise and apparent fall of Angelo's Steakhouse which was located across from the Patterson Court projects...er...public housing...er...subsidized government run housing area that surrounds the defiant Decatur Street Moody Hardware store. Those of you who know of what I speak will no doubt recall their pitiful little sign that chronicled each day and month and eventually a year that they were "Still Open After ___days/months. Thank the Lord!" (I apologize to the atheists in the audience for this politically incorrect reference to the Supreme Being...er... life force...er...belief system of religious persons. However, the government has not yet prohibited private companies from acknowledging help from above).



I blame myself a little for their demise. I cannot honestly say I ever dined there nor that I know of anyone who did. But I recall pulling for them to make it in what had been an old convenience store. And I recall a tinge of melancholy upon noticing one day that the entire building was gone except for the little sign perched on the pole still proudly proclaiming: "Angelo's Steakhouse" before an empty lot. The flashing sign, flashing no more, remained for a while proclaiming: "Thank God for a Year!" until it was stolen.

What occurred to me is that the little sign was a sort of ....a sign. A minor miracle, a "Festivus" Miracle so to speak. It took a lot of guts to try to start that little business and probably all the money some family had saved to break out of their existing situation--which I presumed involved living across the street. Can't say I know who they were or where they are now or what they are doing although I doubt they were Greek. But on today, December 23, which for PC reasons--is known as "Festivus"--I see that sign still standing as a reminder of the innate will of man to improve themselves and better the lot of their families. It is that drive that has propelled "human" kind to strive for continued progress...er...advancement of society...er...destruction of the planet.

So with every day you pass the little "Angelos Steakhouse" sign remember that it stands today either as a tribute to our dreams for success in life or a warning of what the future holds for all who strive for the Almighty dollar at the expense of the less fortunate. For the guilty, Festivus donations are welcome and provide some relief and the suggestion that the donations will be used for the good of someone--namely Shadow Pup, who may actually be some one's pet. After all, it's "Festivus for the Rest of Us" so spread the wealth (and the health care).

Happy Festivus!