A new branch of San Francisco's famed Boudin bakery opens this week in Lombard, and in a publicity stunt designed to ensure its authenticity,  Boudin master baker Fernando Parilla flew some of the original sourdough starter--the mother culture begun 158 years ago--in from the Bay Area last Thursday. Upon landing, the precious cargo was given a police escort from the airport to the bakery. Allegedly, they're going to repeat the trip every 28 days until . . . who knows when.

The first 100 customers at Tuesday's grand opening get free bread for a year. Meanwhile, the locavores of Lombard grieve.