Nancy Milton, REALTOR, GRI

Well...maybe not vote "often," but definitely vote early.

This weekend my family took advantage of Madison County's early voting opportunity. We did it so that our daughter, home for a couple of days from the University of Illinois, could vote at home rather than registering in Urbana and so that my husband and I could avoid the long lines at the polls on November 4.

And as a bonus, when you vote early you get to use the super cool electronic voting devices (the kind with the no-shenanigans paper trail so you can actually see how your vote registers).

So, on election day I'll be wallowing in the election coverage on CNN rather than fighting the crowds. If you'd like to vote early too, you have until October 30. There are locations throughout the county including the Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville, Lindendale Park in Highland, the Collinsville Senior Center, Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey and many others.

For a complete list of early voting locations, click on www.MadisonVotes.com.

Labor Day weekend is an event-rich time in Southwestern Illinois, Madison County and the greater St. Louis region. You can travel back in time to the Victorian era, enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture, rock on to the St. Louis blues and party with the Greek community.

Following is just a quick selection of some of the best events. Get out and take advantage of the wonderful things to see and do this time of year.

ALTON BLOCK PARTY

3^rd Street between Piasa and State streets
Saturday, August 30, 2008, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Just steps away from the Mighty Mississippi River, Alton turns 3rd street into a live music and dance venue for the evening. The Night Owls start the music at 6:30 and local restaurants and clubs hit the street with a big variety of goodies. Kids' activities start at 4 p.m. (618) 465-6676.

79th ANNUAL BETHALTO HOMECOMING

August 29 - August 31, September 1; Friday, 5 p.m. - Midnight; Saturday & Sunday, noon - Midnight; Monday, noon - 10 p.m. Bethalto Park is the site for this annual Labor Day festival featuring carnival rides and games, crafts, tasty food items and plenty of free entertainment. 618-377-1072

ST. NICHOLAS GREEK FESTIVAL

Central West End neighborhood, in St. Louis, 4967 Forest Park Blvd. at Kingshighway. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. 314-361-6924. Say Opa! It's time for the best Greek food in the region. Go hungry and order Moussaka (bakes eggplant and ground beef cassarole), lamb shanks, spinach pies, honey-sweet Baklava and much more. Plus there are performances by Greek folk dancers at 1:15, 3:15 and 5:15 each day, tours of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and a Greek goods marketplace.

BIG MUDDY BLUES FESTIVAL

Laclede's Landing entertainment district, Downtown St. Louis, Find out how good feelin' bad can be at the Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival. The free festival focuses on the best local, national and regional blues artists performing on three stages.

JERSEY COUNTY VICTORIAN FESTIVAL

August 30, 31 & September 1; Hazel Dell Historic Farm, 25007 Highway 67, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. $7 admission, $2 for kids under 12. This annual iving history event presents a large Civil War reenactment. Bluegrass bands, tours of the Fulkerson Mansion, arts and crafts, antiques and great food are part of the day. See steam engines, tractors and other historic farm equipment plowing, threshing and sawing. Don't get in the middle of the Duel of Honor or stagecoach robbery which take place daily. For more information (618) 498-5590.

JAPANESE FESTIVAL

August 30-31, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; September 1, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Grounds open at 9 a.m., go early to beat the rush.) Missouri Botanical Garden. From massive Sumo wrestlers to delicate flower arrangements and stirring Taiko drummers, this festival celebrates all things Japanese. Set in the delightful Missouri Botanical Garden -- home of the largest authentic Japanese Garden in North America -- the festival is an annual family favorite in the St. Louis region. For more information, 314-577-9400.

It's Friday and that can only mean one thing in Madison County: Fish Fry Night.

If you're new to the St. Louis metropolitan area -- or new to the Midwest -- this might be an unfamiliar ritual. It involves calling a bunch of people you know and arranging to meet them at the Fish Fry of your choice. My family and friends have patronized the American Legion Post in Collinsville, Illinois for years, so that is the event I'll detail for this blog post.

There are certain restaurants in the world where you have to know exactly what to do before you set foot in the door. Mother's in New Orleans is one ("whatchu havin', baby?), and the famous Soup Nazi from Seinfeld is another ("No soup for you!). The Fish Fry is also a prime example of a place where you have to get your act together before stepping up to the order taker. But bypass the rules here and the friendly workers will still let you have your fish.

In this case, things are pretty simple. There's fish. It's cornmeal breaded and fried. The tasty filets can be served on white or rye bread. If you want a fish platter, then it comes with fries and tangy cole slaw. You can order sides of sharp, white onion or a large, unsliced dill pickle. Packets of tartar sauce and ketchup bottles are on the tables. (My friend Mary makes a pinkish sauce by combining the two into the perfect fish condiment. I am not convinced.) As an aside, Collinsville is home to the world's largest catsup bottle, so maybe it's fitting that folks are using it on fish.

The menu also offers fried shrimp and a few other items. I have never seen anyone order them, but I'm sure it happens from time to time.

Order as you enter the hall. Be sure to specifiy which bread you want. And buy your drinks at the same time (soft drinks or beer). There will be a long line behind you, so stare at the overhead menu as you approach the order table and make your decisions.

Then seat yourself. The best way to do that is to plop down at a long, gradeschool-type table with others. You'll get a good conversation and maybe even some new business opportunities. The last time I was there, I met a fellow who had invented lighted safety triangles for use by truckers. They're now being marketed all over the country.

Servers will come around to take your order ticket and bring your food and drinks. Don't forget to tip them by leaving some bills on the table as you head home.

For dessert there's pie. Maybe. Get there early and you might get lucky.

At the Collinsville Legion Post, the event takes place each Friday beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing until about 8 p.m.

Next "Madison County Traditions" post, we'll cover one of the region's other ubiquitous weekend activities: the Trivia Night.

The Madison County Recycling Program is hard at work again helping everyone stay safe and green.

if you have household hazardous waste, it can be turned in on Saturday, September 27 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Just take your items to the Madison County Wood River Facility at 101 E. Edwardsville Road in Wood River. (That's the former Wood River Hospital.)

You will be asked to show proof of Madison County residency to participate.

If you have questions, call the Madison County Recycling Hotline at 618-296-6647 or click on www.madisoncountyrecycles.com.

(Car lovers can be environmentally responsible too by taking part in the Used Tire Collection event on October 3 and 4. Your worn tires can be turned in on October 3 & 4 at the Nike Base Storage Facility on Fruit Road north of Marine, IL.)

Those of us who enjoy Japanese food know that a little wasabi -- that firey green horseradish-based condiment that comes with sushi -- goes a long, long way.

That's not the case with the restaurant called Wasabi -- with popular outposts located on Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis and in Clayton's central business district. Just a little bite there leaves you happily wanting more and visiting again and again.

The Goshen Gourmet is happy to report that Wasabi will be opening a restaurant in Edwardsville, Illinois in October. (Note the photographic evidence from the Goshen Gourmet's spy satellite on this page.)

The sign is on the door of the new plaza at the corner of Buchanan and Vandalia, across from the Library and park on the west and St. Boniface on the north. CVS and Buffet City are neighbors in the plaza.

Those who don't embrace sushi (yet) will enjoy the restaurant's Bento Boxes -- little trays that offer beef, chicken or shrimp with rice and sauteed vegetables. Tempura, tasty fried tidbits of meat and vegetables, also is available.

Wasabi has been named St. Louis' favorite sushi bar by the readers of Sauce Magazine. Learn more here.