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Couple of weeks ago, Chris (one of my 5 roommates at 900 N Damen) was back in Dallas briefly before leaving for India.

We went out to a dive bar called Ship’s Lounge to catch up. Among the information Chris passed along to me, which included an amazing story of how mistaken identity transforms ordinary men into murder suspects, the item that was most relevant to me and this blog had to do with last summer’s lawn project.

Apparently, the Elvis tapestry remained (remains? seeking verification) far longer than it was ever intended and even garnered attention from the illustrious Chicago Sun-Times.

The story was from July 28 so I had to pony up $2.95 to gain access to the full text, but, what the hell, I’ll pass on the savings to you, oh loyal reader.

(If you’re from the Sun-Times, don’t get your panties in a wad. You might even view this as a scoop since I’m revealing the origin of the display.)

July 28, 2008

In Ukrainian Village, Elvis is ‘always in the building’

Neighborhood joke takes on a life of its own — even if woman who lives there doesn’t worship The King

Mitch Dudek; The Chicago Sun-Times

What once was simply an Elvis Presley floor rug has taken on a life of its own in Ukrainian Village.

“The people who lived here before me had it on the living room floor and hung it up in the front yard to be funny when they moved out in September,” said Monica Prata, one of five 20-something roommates who rent the “Elvis House” at 900 N. Damen.

Since then Elvis has made some friends — and one foe. Fans left candles and little Elvis photographs in front of the sign on Jan. 8, Elvis’ birthday. A mysterious RIP Elvis tombstone was placed in front of Elvis on Halloween. On some days, cars slow down and honk approval. But one Elvis-hater drew a moustache on The King with a black marker recently.

Prata’s own relationship with Elvis is bumpy.

“People always saying ‘Oh! You live in the Elvis House.’ It gets annoying. I don’t even like Elvis,” said Prata, who works as a makeup artist and studies English at Northeastern Illinois University.

But Prata believes it’s fitting garnish for a house she describes as a “dive” in the middle of an increasingly trendy neighborhood — and she has no plans to bring down The King.

Melissa Cecola, the owner of the Spotland Yard pet boutique across the street, thinks the sign reflects the neighborhood’s artsy roots and uses it as a landmark when giving directions. “I love Elvis. He’s always in the building,” she said.

Twenty yards south, Katie Plikuhn, 25, paused between customers at Piccolo eatery Thursday to reflect on the Elvis sign. “There are two type of people: Beatles people and Elvis people . . . and maybe Rolling Stones people. I’m a Beatles person.”