VOL. XVI, NO. 10

It is 3:26, and the wind blows across the winter‑beaten, barren Maine West campus. If one looks closely, he may be able to see a tumbleweed or two roll its way across the football field. One sighs and turns to watch the big hand on the Elgin clock tick its last seconds to 3:27, when students will be set free for an entire 10 days of spring vacation. However, a heart hangs low in a rib cage, for aside from being one of three people left in school during ninth period, you are also one of the same three students from Maine West who will be stuck in Des Plaines for the entire spring break, while every friend you've had since first grade will be heading for the Arctic slopes of Colorado and the sunny, white‑sand beaches of Florida.

Realizing your problem, the Westerner has decided to offer an exclusive tourist guide to Des Plaines, specifically suited to your needs. Let's face it; you can only get so emotionally involved in "Father Knows Best."

When this supply of entertainment is exhausted, go on over to the K-Mart grill. Here, you can sit and sip your Coke in a plush booth and watch the junior high kids choke on their cigarettes at the same time. Or the Lionel train with your French fries as it delivers cheeseburgers to hungry construction workers.

Des Plaines night life is equally as exciting as its day life. At night, one only has to pay $.75 to see the latest disaster movie at the Des Plaines Theater. If you are lucky, you may be able to see two greasers fight over the only seat still upholstered in the theater. For an added treat, you may see some of our D.P. celebrities, such as Mayor Behrel, Officer Friendly, and Lois Czubakowski, enjoying their evening at Manda's.