Sts. Connie and Helen ... that's the insider's lingo for Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church on 76th Street, just south of North Avenue, which hosts a great church festival.

We strolled over in the sizzling sun yesterday to check it out. I grew up around the corner from a Greek church and remember going every year for the deep fried dough balls with honey (I never know the names, I'm sorry) and the saganaki (OK, I know that one). There were also games, rides and great Greek music.

That about sums up Sts. Connie and Helen's fair, too. Outside, there's a tent with vendors selling beer, corn, honey balls, baklava, saganaki (stand back when they throw the booze on the bubbling hot cheese) and more. There were also a couple carnival games and a dj spinning Greek music (probably a lot like the music at the small table of the vendor selling CDs).

Adjacent to the tent, a clutch of older men -- talking animatedly in Greek -- keeps the two dozen spits -- which hold whole chickens and pigs -- turning above a blazing hot brazier.

Inside, in the gym, there were young Greek dancers, a raffle, more vendors selling jewelry and the like, and dinners, including a Friday fish fry, chicken dinners, stuffed grape leaves and more.

Sts. Constantine and Helen's fair obviously serves the Greek community but it also feels like a great, little neighborhood fair and, therefore, it's perfect for me.