Chicago Star May 2022 Marching to Memorial Day

Candid Candace Jordan gets cookin’ with Chef Art Smith Page 7

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VOL. 2 NO. 5

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Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade, seen here in 2013, is set for May, 28 and marks the beginning of summer. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Alan Haraf, U.S. Coast Guard District 9

Memories of Small Town, U.S.A.

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Embracing the spirit of Chicago May brings flowers, clear skies and sunshine-filled days — and more importantly, it heralds the return of some of our favorite Chicago pastimes. This month, we encourage Chicagoans to browse fresh local produce at the nearest farmers market and explore the fascinating story of the Chicago River at The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, which reopens its doors May 14.

It’s the perfect time to celebrate our city’s rich history and traditions, and in this issue, we’ve highlighted some of the many ways to celebrate Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekend. And for readers who have loved ones serving in the military, or who simply wish to make a difference, we’ve created a special guide dedicated to care packages and other gestures of support for our armed forces.

At the Chicago Star, we’re creating some of our own traditions as well. We recently celebrated our publication’s one-year anniversary with a wonderful evening at Robert’s Pizza & Dough Company surrounded by friends, contributors, advertising partners and members of our community. Our City Buzz newsletter (sign up today at chicagostarmedia.com) continues to deliver Chicago’s top stories to our readers each week. And from May 20-30, we’re bringing back our annual Streeterville Week for the third straight year — check out our insert on Pages 11-14 to learn all about our amazing local businesses and what they have to offer.

While we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Chicago, we’re so thankful that the essential qualities that define our amazing city — community, solidarity and opportunity — never change.

- The team at Chicago Star Media Background photo by Grace Ho on Unsplash

CHICAGO STAR BOARD MEMBERS MANOLIS ALPOGIANIS

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ISRAEL IDONIJE

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MAUREEN AND MARC SCHULMAN

TOM KEHOE

President, Eli’s Cheesecake Company

MICHAEL KUTZA

Chef/Author, Co-founder, Common Threads

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Chicago Star is a monthly paper that uses community writers and contributors. The views expressed by community contributors are their own. Chicago Star Media does not take responsibility for third-party announcements or events. Chicago Star Media is independently owned and operated.

Philanthropist

Founder, Chicago International Film Festival

MELISSA HARRIS

SHERREN LEIGH

Founder, Associated Publications

TODD HATOFF

SARGENT M. McCORMICK

General Managing Partner, G2T3V

ALEXANDER PISSIOS

Former Chicago Tribune Food Critic

Published May 1, 2022 Copyright ©2022. All rights reserved.

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LEE BLACKWELL BAUR

CEO, M. Harris & Co.

Founder, Today’s Chicago Woman

Former President/CEO/Owner, Allen Brothers

LESLIE HINDMAN

Founder, Hindman Auctions

PAUL IACONO

President, Chicago Dowel Co.

Director, Harvester Trust

CHEF ART SMITH

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HOWARD TULLMAN PHIL VETTEL

President, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios and Cinecares Foundation

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Celebrating Mother’s Day in the city

By Angela Gagnon Community Contributor There are plenty of ways to show mom how much she’s loved this Mother’s Day with food, fun and gifts.

Dining Kick off her day with breakfast in bed or take mom out for an unforgettable city brunch.

Big Star in Wrigleyville is offering a buffet brunch perfect for the whole family including pancakes, horchata French toast, mixed fruit, sausage, bacon and eggs. Kids can enjoy a cookie decorating station. Visit bigstarchicago.com for more information.

It’s a “Mommapalooza” Mother’s Day Brunch Blow-Out at The Duck Inn Chicago with Latin spiced deviled eggs, smoked salmon, spring vegetable salad and

more. Reserve between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on exploretock.com.

STK Chicago is taking reservations for brunch and dinner.

Enjoy mimosas, bloody marys and specials featuring lobster benedict.

Visit stksteakhouse.com to reserve.

Try Dusek’s in Pilsen for inventive farm-to-table dishes during brunch. Feast on flavorful, creative dishes, seasonal pastries and artisan cocktails. Visit dusekschicago.com.

Take mom to a decadent brunch buffet at Thorn Restaurant and Lounge in Rosemont from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All moms receive a free mimosa and a complimentary family photo. Visit thornrestaurant. com for more information.

Things to Do Set sail on a cruise full of festivities aboard the Spirit of Chicago

on Lake Michigan. Get out on the water and enjoy a buffet, interactive DJ, dancing and breathtaking views. Choose from brunch or dinner cruises at cityexperiences.com.

Treat mom to a luxurious day of pampering at The Chuan Spa at The Langham, Kohler’s Waters Spa in Lincoln Park or Aire Ancient Baths. The Spa@TheWit is offering Mother’s Day specials during May. Visit spaatthewit.com.

Stop and smell the flowers with mom at the Garfield Park Conservatory’s Spring Flower Show, Knock Knock. The show ends on Mother’s Day, so be sure to get there in time for last call.

Book a photoshoot with your favorite photographer. Mom will feel glamorous, and the photos will create lasting memories for years to come.

Take mom out to the ballgame

THE BROTHERS HAYDN May 8, 7:30 pm

North Shore Center, Skokie

to see the Cubs play the LA Dodgers at Wrigley Field at 7:08 p.m. on Sunday, May 8. Catch the White Sox on TV as they take on the Boston Red Sox at 10:35 a.m.

Gifts You can’t go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for mom on her special day. City Scents Floral and Home in Streeterville offers high quality floral arrangements with a personal touch. cityscents.com.

For a sweet treat, try Stephanie Izard’s Sugargoat in the West Loop. You’ll find special occasion treats and creative flavor combinations that will make the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Sip, socialize and create with mom at Bottle & Bottega in the South Loop. Book on Sunday, May 8 to paint freshly picked

Elizabeth Zwiedinger, 3, brings Mother’s Day flowers to her mom.

Photo submitted by Sarah McNamara

flowers, a peaceful sunset or a Mommy and Me at the Lake set. paintingwithatwist.com Take a bike ride on one of the many cycle-friendly paths in Chicago like the 606 or the famous Lakefront Trail. Both offer miles of traffic free lanes with beautiful views of the sparkling city.

CHORUS & ORCHESTRA

May 9, 7:30 pm

Harris Theater, Chicago

The musical brothers Haydn were no strangers to sibling rivalry. Joseph traveled in fancy musical circles in Esterházy; Michael set up shop in Salzburg where he befriended the Mozart family. Decide which brother was better as Dame Jane Glover leads a celebration of each man’s unique artistry.

Featured works include Michael Haydn’s Symphony No. 26— until 1907, believed to be by Mozart—and Joseph Haydn’s Creation Mass, declared by one of his contemporaries, “the greatest work of a very great man.”

baroque.org | 312.551.1414

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Candid Candace CITY SEEN

PAWS Chicago’s Animal Magnetism Party

Alison Victoria with adoptable dog Gigi.

Domanique Woods with Peanut.

The Cause: PAWS Chicago’s Animal Magnetism Party returned for the first time since the start of the pandemic and was a sellout, attracting hundreds of pet lovers, many accompanied by their canine companions. The event, cochaired by Paige Krueger and Jena Gambaccini and emceed by FOX 32’s Jake Hamilton and 103.5 KISS FM’s Fred of The Fred Show, raised over $190,000 to support life-saving programs for homeless dogs, cats and at-risk pets.

Lars Ebsworth with Carter.

The Setting: Guests bid on live and silent auction items and dined from tasting stations by some of Chicago’s top restaurants like Avli on the Park, Truluck’s and Lou’s Backyard. Canine attendees participated in all festivities with their people, from photos at the Pup-parazzi Station, to posing for the caricature artist, to relaxing in the Dog Spa after being treated to a doggie buffet with paw-dicures and massages. Several adoptable pets made their debut at the event, including Jefferey, a 6-year-old Yorkshire terrier who received a lifesaving dental surgery and Gigi, a 3-month-old retriever mix, who was diagnosed with parvovirus and required round the clock care and intensive treatment to survive.

Jenn Mazzolini and Dylan Minor with Fred.

Event co-Chairs Paige Krueger and Jena Gambaccini with adoptable dogs Les and Lily.

The Scene: The night was topped off with a variety of desserts for people and pets and many danced the night away to beats by DJ D Jones. One PAWS cat alum was also in attendance with his adopter Augustus Corgan, son of Billy Corgan and Chloe Mendel. The Animal Welfare Leadership Award was presented to Esther Barron for helping expand PAWS’ community outreach programs in under-resourced communities and to Ellie Feldmann, Michele Herdzina, Alison Lindholm, Lisa Printen, Carrie Reznicek, and Jessica Cambry, volunteers who offer critical support as repeat fosters to animals in need. Photos by Sparenga Photography

Melissa Canning, PAWS Chicago board president, with adoptable puppy.

Nikki and Joanne Nemerovski with Sophie.

Matthew Bowersox and Kristine Chrapek with Lily.

Taylor Janeczek and Neil Dave with Miska.

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Discover Bennett Day School in Chicago’s West Loop

At Bennett Day School, a progressive PreK-12 school in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, students learn by doing. Whether they’re forming connections through community service or collaborating on a project tailored to their class’s interests, students at the school are continually challenging themselves by engaging with the world around them and the world within.

Since it first opened its doors in 2014, Bennett Day School has been committed to advancing creativity, innovation and the development of lifelong learners and leaders, fostering a collaborative culture that nurtures students’ innate sense of inquiry and curiosity.

Cameron Smith, Bennett Day School co-founder and CEO, was inspired to create the West Loop school after the birth of his first son, when he and his wife Erica identified a need for more progressive, independent schooling opportunities in Chicago. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Smith was determined to create an educational experience that incorporated elements of his alma mater’s collaborative learning process. Through his research, he discovered the Reggio Emilia approach, an educational philosophy developed in Italy that focuses on cultivating key life skills such as inquiry, innovation, perseverance, resilience, teamwork and critical thinking — qualities that inspired the foundation of Bennett Day School’s approach to learning.

Educators at Bennett Day School promote a student-driven learning environment to help students develop a strong personal connection with their education and engage with the world around them in authentic ways. Community awareness and service form an important part of the Bennett Day School experience, encouraging students to make an impact beyond the school walls.

The school’s focus on project-based learning and real-world problem-solving inspires students to cultivate a mindset of growth and adaptability, with small class sizes further ensuring that each child’s voice is heard and valued. Bennett Day School has moved away from the traditional grading scale by using a competency-based approach that provides learners with personalized, actionable feedback based on their strengths and areas of growth.

By working together as a team, Bennett Day School students develop core social-emotional skills such as conflict resolution and communication. Studies conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California and Michigan State University have offered compelling evidence that project-based learning leads to better outcomes for all students — including historically marginalized ones.

In 2014, its first year, Bennett Day School welcomed 23 pupils. Today, more than 300 students attend the growing West Loop school, and enrollment is now open for the 2022-2023 school year for students in preK (age 3) through 12th grade.

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6 / MAY 2022

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Memories of Memorial Day in Small Town, U.S.A.

I

love living in Chicago, but I get very nostalgic during the holidays for my hometown of Dupo, Ill. It’s the summer celebrations like Memorial Day that really make me wistful for days gone by in this Southern Illinois railroad town of 3,000 people set near the banks of the Mississippi River.

Candid Candace And although I’ve appreciated the Jordan great parades in Chicago and its ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER multiple street festivals, nothing can compare with the homespun touches that only a small town can offer.

The parades in Dupo are a little bit different than those I’ve seen anywhere else. For what they lack in size, they make up for with heart. The fire trucks (both of them) are polished for weeks leading up to the celebration and by the time they’re spritzed and spruced, you can see your reflection. Former Dupo local Kathy Donigan recalled, “The VFW service is what I remember. As Girl Scouts, we marched in a parade from the VFW to the memorial in the triangle by our church for a ceremony. I recall it being very solemn and an honor to be the flag bearers. We got to wear white gloves.”

The American Legion Hall and the VFW are the top two hangouts in town and, throughout this weekend, little plastic American flags dot the tables and bars brightening the dark wood. Townspeople who have served in wars pin medals on their shirts and walk a little taller. The pool tables in town are always crowded with new faces, many returned home from wars we’ve been fighting.

Besides the parade, the biggest highlight of Memorial Day for me has always been the Dupo Park picnic.

In times past, the whole town would show up for this must-attend affair where you got to see all of your old friends and classmates. You could smell the fish frying from inside the little stands as families staked their claims on strategically placed picnic tables. The beer stands had the longest lines and, being close to Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, everyone was loyal to their hometown brands.

Since you can reach out and touch the cornfields, the corn-on-the-cob was always a best seller, too. There were small carnival rides, live entertainment and sometimes even mouse races! (And before you ask—straight track, six lanes, you bet on a mouse and, if he wins, you win money depending on the odds). And don’t even get me started about the rooster crowing contests.

I still miss my friends there, the wonderful pace of the town and the beautiful scenery. I have no idea what the celebrations honoring our fallen heroes will look like

this year. I hope it’s similar. It would be a shame to lose these traditions.

The village, founded in 1750, was originally a French colonial settlement named Prairie du Pont. I remember scouring the bluffs for arrow heads that were left in abundance by the Cahokia Native Americans. In nearby Cahokia, Ill., the Indian mounds have been designated a National Historic Landmark.

So, on this Memorial Day weekend, not only will I be giving thanks and prayers for the veterans, the fallen and Gold Star families, but I will also be giving thanks for growing up in a small town, where life’s little pleasures become lasting memories.

Brendan Beyer, Austin Ramey, Erin Pulcher, and Jodie McKnight march in Memorial Day Parade in Dupo, Ill.

Checking the fish fryers before Dupo’s Memorial Day picnic.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a hub in Dupo, Ill.

The Dupo fire truck figures prominantly in the Memorial Day Parade festivities.

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MAY 2022 / 7

GET COOKIN’ WITH...

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Gene & Georgetti Chef Art Smith

By Candid Candace Jordan

Associate Publisher hef Art Smith is known around the world, but we here in Chicago claim him as our own. For years, we saw him on TV cooking with Oprah (where he got his start) or building Common Threads, a nonprofit conceived in a South Side basement, into a national healthy eating model for children in underserved communities.

With his twinkling eyes, a face that looks like Santa Claus and an easy southern drawl, he is very easy to love.

His list of accomplishments, TV appearances and awards would fill several books, so here are a few highlights.

Art is the executive chef Chef Art Smith and his late mom, Addie Mae Smith, with and co-owner of Blue Door his famous fried chicken.

Kitchen & Garden in Chicago, Homecomin’: Florida Kitchen in Orlando in the kitchen. He answered a few of my questions below. and Art Bird & Whiskey Bar at Grand 1) When you’re not cooking, what do Central Terminal in New York City.

Some of his memorable TV appearances, you love to do? “Bake sourdough bread and tend to my ducks and chickens.” besides Oprah, include an ABC Thanks2) When will Reunion open on Navy giving special with Lady Gaga, Top Chef Pier and what will it be like? “Chef Art and Top Chef Masters; and Extreme Smith’s Reunion is scheduled to open late Makeover: Home Edition, where he lent June. We will welcome families and friends a hand to a deserving family who had devoted their lives to providing meals for to nice big tables with healthy comfort foods. There will be a great big bar with the less fortunate. my own family’s recipe for moonshine, The author of three award-winning ‘Reunion Moonshine,’ which will premiere cookbooks, Art has been featured on at the restaurant. I also created Hemp the cover of Parade Magazine and was Seed, Local Peaches Cake exclusively for honored as a Chicagoan of the Year Reunion and guests can expect delicious

by Chicago Magazine. He was named breads to eat and take home.”

Humanitarian of the Year by the James 3) When you cook for your family, what Beard Foundation in 2007, and in 2010, is your top dish or the dish they love the the late Mayor Richard Daley promost? “Well, tonight it’s steak and broccoli! claimed Sept. 30 as Chef Art Smith Day They love beef and after eating from the best in Chicago. restaurants in Chicago they have great taste.

Today, he is happily married to Jesus They love my Basque Cheesecake with Fresh Salgueiro and is a family man to his four Florida Strawberries.” children. He spends a lot of his time One of Chef Art’s top dishes, and one traveling between Chicago and Jasper, most requested, is his famous recipe for Flo., where he grew up on a farm. He is fried chicken. Find it online at chicagoalways moving forward with kindness starmedia.com. and compassion and unparalleled skills

C

Cinco de Mayo at Mariano’s!

Cinco de Mayo — May 5th — is one of my favorite days of the year. The occasion marks Mexico’s victory over France during the Franco-Mexican war in 1862, and it’s also a great time to honor Chicago’s rich Mexican history and vibrant culture. My favorite way to celebrate is by gathering with loved ones and savoring Mexican culinary traditions — arguably some of the best in the world!

Mariano’s stocks a range of authenAlfonso Sotelo tic Mexican ingredients, perfect for creating a festive menu. Try whipping up this Chicken Tinga, courtesy of Alfonso Sotelo, chef/owner of 5 Rabanitos in Pilsen (1758 W. 18th St.) “Chicken Tinga is a classic shredded chicken taco or tostada filling,” says Sotelo. “It’s served throughout Mexico City, and has a smoky flavor with just enough heat from the chipotle.”

Add tortillas or chips, pair with tequila, and you’ve got a recipe for a Cinco de Mayo feast. Salud!

CHICKEN TINGA Serves 4 1 pound whole boneless chicken breast 4 plum tomatoes 2 tablespoons canned chipotle 3 cloves garlic, divided (one whole clove, 2 sliced) 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup chicken broth 3 tablespoons cooking oil 1 ¼ large white onions, sliced Salt In a large saucepan, cover chicken with an inch of water. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove chicken from the cooking water, saving the broth.

Allow chicken to cool. Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces then pull apart with your fingers to finely shred.

In a blender, combine tomatoes, canned chipotle, 1 garlic clove, Mexican oregano, black pepper and 1 cup reserved chicken broth. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute.

Preheat a large frying pan over me-

Chicken Tinga dium-low. Add cooking oil. Add sliced onions to the pan. Cook until the onion starts to become translucent, about 4 minutes. Do not allow onion to caramelize. Add sliced garlic to the pan cook for 1 more minute. Turn heat to medium and slowly pour sauce into the pan with the onions and garlic.

Cook for 5 minutes. The sauce will start to reduce. Add shredded chicken and mix well with the sauce.

Cover the pan and allow to simmer for 25 minutes. The sauce will reduce more and coat the chicken and onion.

Salt to taste. Serve on corn tortillas, tostadas, tortas, as a main dish or with chips and salsa.

8 / MAY 2022

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| THE BULLETIN |

A round up of Chicago's top stories City to assist residents with rising gas costs through prepaid cards To help counteract increasing inflation and gas prices, the city’s new Chicago Moves program will provide $12.5 million in relief funding, consisting of prepaid cards that can be redeemed for gas and public transit, to disadvantaged city residents.

Starting in May, the city will distribute up to 50,000 prepaid gas cards of $150, which can only be spent on fuel costs at gas stations in Chicago and will be valid for one year after receipt.

Chefs Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores at their restaurant Kasama, a bakery and modern Filipino restaurant that just earned its first Michelin Star.

Four Chicago restaurants earn Michelin stars

New mixed-use building in Streeterville to feature luxury apartments Mavrek Development, Luxury Living Chicago Realty and GW Properties are partnering on a mixed-use development that will include 248 luxury apartments, along with office space and retail space, replacing a parking garage currently at the downtown location. Construction on the development, which has not yet been named, is scheduled to begin later this year, and the apartment units are expected to be complete in early 2024.

Chicago Returns Week to offer giveaways, activities To welcome Windy City residents back to the office, Chicago Returns is teaming up with the City of Chicago, BOMA/Chicago, and World Business Chicago to launch a special week full of outdoor activities, live music performances and events. During Chicago Returns Week, which kicks off May 2, Chicagoans are also encouraged to post a picture of their downtown experience with the tag #chicagoreturns or @ chicagoreturns to be eligible for prizes, including stays at downtown hotels and Skydeck tickets.

The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience” recently opened at 5336 S. State St. and is set to run through the summer. Photo by Federico Imperiale

‘Bridgerton’-themed experience makes Midwest debut in Chicago with setting from Regency-era London “The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience” will transport guests straight to England’s Regency-era London to mingle with other members of the Ton as they sip on cocktails and partake in an evening of music and dance. The 90-minute experience, which features immersive rooms and a live performance by a string quartet, is located at 5336 S. State St. and is slated to run through the summer.

CPS preschool applications open

Illinois eliminates travel masking requirement

The preschool enrollment period has begun at more than 600 Chicago Public Schools and other community programs. CPS full-day programs are only open to 4 year olds; children who are 3 years old must be enrolled in one of the district’s half-day programs or a community-based early learning program.

The application period will remain open through May 10.

In accordance with a recent judicial ruling that struck down the federal mandate requiring travelers to wear masks on airplanes, buses and other forms of public transportation, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the travel masking requirement will also be removed from Illinois’ statewide mandate. CTA, Metra, PACE, Lyft and Uber have announced they no longer require masks.

This year, several newly-starred restaurants are joining the Michelin Guide Chicago: Claudia and Kasama in Bucktown and Galit and Esmé in Lincoln Park, each receiving one Michelin star. A full list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago is available at guide.michelin.com.

May offers exciting race lineup Chicago runners have their pick of races this month, beginning with the Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K, which kicks off 8 a.m. Sunday, May 1 at Maggie Daley Park. Soldier Field will offer a running musical festival experience with the Night Nation 5K at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and Grant Park will host the Girls on the Run 5K/kids run at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 14.

For more information on these races and other upcoming events, visit letsrun.com.

Chicago Park District seeks summer lifeguards The Chicago Park District is recruiting seasonal lifeguards to supervise beaches and pools throughout the district this summer. Applicants 16 and older can apply online at chicagoparkdistrict.com.

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Video dating gets boost after COVID slowed down in-person meetings Dear Candid Candace: Older generation question here. In our day, the dating sites and singles meeting groups were kind of considered unusual and out of the ordinary. But, it seems these days there are so many twenty- and thirty-somethings who have met online.

Where do you think the future is going as far as singles meeting and all the computer dating?

— I Met My Wife In A Bar

a local district and running as a Republican. A question both my husband and I have asked—why do judges run under a political party? Aren’t they supposed to be neutral? I have never understood, when all the flyers come in the mail for judgeships, why they are either Democrat or Republican. Any insights here?

— Dazed and Sort of Confused

Dear I Met My Wife In A Bar: I think the dating scene is definitely heading in the digital direction, for many reasons.

First off, COVID changed so much for us, including this aspect of our lives. We couldn’t meet in-person so, video online dating became quite popular. And this isn’t something new. Research from the National Academy of Sciences shows one-third of marriages in the U.S. started online nearly 10 years ago. These relationships were also found to be a little more satisfying and a little less likely to end in divorce. This demonstrates that online dating doesn’t just get people first dates—in some cases, it also leads to committed relationships.

This method of dating might not be for everyone, but it does open you up to a larger pool of potential partners, which is especially helpful for people with limited opportunities to meet others. Research shows that three in ten Americans have used a dating site or app, but like you, I’m old school. I met my husband in a bar too—32 years ago.

Dear Dazed and Sort of Confused: This is an excellent question and quite a head-scratcher. One of the city’s top attorneys, my dear friend Mary Pat Burns, told me Illinois is a state that allows for a partisan election of judges for state courts, meaning judges are chosen through elections where they are listed on the ballot with an indication of their political affiliation. As of December 2021, eight states use this method at the state supreme court level and eight states use the method for at least one type of court below the supreme court level. Mary added, “Interesting to note, federal judges, including federal judges that serve in Illinois, are not elected but are selected and appointed based on merit.

As you know, in order to vote in a primary, a voter is required to pull either a Republican or a Democratic primary ballot. Once you receive that ballot you are limited to voting for the individuals listed on the ballot as potential candidates. But you can see why politicians want to preserve this method of voting for judges as it gives the “parties” and their “political leaders” great control over who serves as a judge.”

Dear Candid Candace: I know another political season is almost upon us, and I have sort of an off-beat question. One of our friends is running as a judge for

Send questions to: CandidCandace@ ChicagoStarMedia.com. Follow Candid Candace (Candace Jordan) on Facebook, Insta, LinkedIn and Twitter.

MAY 2022 / 9

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| COMMUNITY CORNER |

Doorperson of the Month Jose ‘Big Jose’ Estava, North Harbor Tower, 175 N. Harbor Drive

By Susan Berkes Freelance Reporter For more than a quarter century, Jose Estava—affectionately known as “Big Jose”—has been the friendly, upbeat doorman greeting North Harbor Tower residents as they enter the building.

The lobby of the North Harbor Tower has an almost festive atmosphere, bustling with upbeat music and activity, and it’s clear to see that Estava is well-liked.

A coworker at the building joked when asked about Estava, “Hey, you’ve never worked with the guy.”

Born in Mexico City, Estava has lived in the U.S. for 34 years and went to high school on the southwest side at Marie Sklowdowska Curie Metropolitan High School.

He’s held various customer service-oriented jobs along the way, including positions at Midas and Jewel.

Currently, Estava lives in the suburb of Palatine with his family.

Estava said he knows the vast majority of tenants by name and is “always running.” He handles any and all tasks that present themselves, such as making sure that food and deliveries are well-organized, making sure no vehicle overstays its welcome within the culde-sac near the entrance of the building, and attending to the little things like a resident’s limping dog.

He is also coordinating

Pizza + Jazz

Jose Estava, at North Harbor Tower, is Doorperson of the Month. Photos by Susan Berkes

North Harbor Tower, 175 N. Harbor Drive

a building maintenance project. While he juggles many balls, he is able to keep them all in the air.

The challenges during these pandemic times are common to many buildings. The proper cleaning of facilities is of the utmost

importance and since fewer people are patronizing stores, deliveries have increased dramatically and can be tough to keep up with.

Estava is bilingual, and finds it an asset, as he wants to help people through his work. He considers wanting to provide the best customer service possible one of his biggest strengths.

Although Estava said his tenure has been “26 years too long,” he said it with a smile that tells it all: He very much enjoys his job.

To nominate your favorite doorperson, email info@ Chicagostarmedia.com with their name and why they should be the doorperson of the month. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.

If You Missed The Sold Out Premier

of Dennis & Gail’s Documentary: “The History of South Streeterville” it will be available to watch online soon! Contact Gail for more info & keep your eyes out for future sponsored showings of the film in Streeterville!

Gail Spreen—Your Streeterville Expert (312) 925-7668 Gail@StreetervilleProperties.com

16 / MAY 2022

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Watch what you say at the watercooler

T

o say that these are “touchy” times doesn’t begin to fairly describe what we can all expect our office lives to be like as we Howard Tullman slowly return to the COMMUNITY workplace. There are CONTRIBUTOR many reasons to look forward to getting out of the house, off the Zoom calls, and back to the office, but one of the most satisfying will be getting back to the daily “watercooler” conversations.

These pipelines of gospel, gossip, and the goings-on in any business are, without question, the most effective purveyors of company culture ever invented. And, just to be clear, in most companies, more important information flows back and forth during these gab sessions than in any formally organized meetings where no one wants to be too outspoken, too woke, not

woke enough, or too far ahead of the pack.

It turns out that we still basically want to trust the folks we work with every day to give us the straight scoop. But it’s already clear that the office environment’s going be considerably different than what we remember. As much as we all think we’ve just been cooped up in suspended animation for two years, the fact is that we’ve had very different experiences—mostly bad—and they’ve left scars, sour spots, and a lot of tender sensibilities.

Companies are trying a variety of ways to entice their workers back and to smooth

and sweeten their eventual return. Google is having a concert by Lizzo for its employees this month and other companies are adding events, activities, swag and other perks as well as game nights and trivia contests to try to restore some of the longgone camaraderie because they know that the common ground, the shared views, and even the conversations around the water cooler simply aren’t going to provide the safe spaces which they once did.

Businesses will need to set out some new rules of the road and some limitations on what are going to be acceptable conversations in the “new” world of work and implement them in a way that doesn’t simply cause new and different problems.

One thing is for sure, discussing politics in the office is a no-win proposition, a waste of breath, and bad for the business as well.

If you’re a business trying to get your people back to business and trying to keep them from spending every day lecturin’, learnin’, and arguing with each other about things that don’t mean a hills of beans to the business, here are a few suggestions.

First and foremost, focus on the few.

It’s likely only a small percentage of team

Luxury Real Estate Team Licensed in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, and Tennessee www.mbluxurygroup.com

members will be the most active sharers—they’re well-intentioned, think they’re being additive and helpful, and frankly they can’t really help themselves. These are the folks who make it their business to mind other people’s business and they’re the ones that need to be reminded that the office is no longer the place for too much chatter about sensitive subjects.

Second, create a better outlet for the troubling topics. You might have a weekly “allhands” lunch combined with an “educational” event for your folks to listen and learn.

They don’t have to agree with the speaker, they don’t have to participate in the discussion, and they don’t have to be convinced of anything. But these forums become the only place where the team talks about these complicated and contested concerns.

Finally, and this is the hardest question, decide whether, why and how your company—as a business - is going to express a position on some of these hot button issues given that you can be certain that there is ZERO consistent agreement across your entire workforce on any of these matters.

If even Disney still can’t figure out how to take a consistent company position on the recent “Don’t Say Gay” legislation without grief and gotchas, maybe discretion is the better part of valor for you and your business, at least for the moment, and, as Thumper’s Mom once said: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”

Howard Tullman is a Chicago Star board member and G2T3V general managing partner

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| TOP PICK EVENTS | Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@chicagostarmedia.com

May 1

May 8

Sailing lessons at Burnham Harbor Learn a variety of maritime skills through hands-on sailing lessons at SailTime’s Burnham Harbor location, taught by ASA-certified instructors.

Classes are scheduled according to student demand. Burnham Harbor, (815) 356-8791, sailtime.com Chicago City Markets Beginning this month, Chicago City Markets, managed by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, will again begin to sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds. Highlights include the Green City Market, open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays at 1817 N. Clark St., and the newly reopened Maxwell Street Market, open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays at 800 S. Desplaines St. For more information, including individual market schedules, call 311 for City Services or visit www.chicago.gov

May 4

‘Immersive Frida Kahlo’—Near North From the producers of the blockbuster, “Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit,” comes the larger-than-life multimedia experience that brings the work of Frida Kahlo to life. Officially endorsed by the Frida Kahlo Foundation, the exhibit uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver a 360-degree experience to take you inside the colorful and vibrant world of magical realism for which the artist was known.

The Lighthouse Immersive gallery is the ideal backdrop for the large-scale projections, ravishing musical score, and fantastical elements that animate the work and life of the legendary artist. Through May 28, tickets start at $40, Lighthouse ArtSpace, 108 W. Germania Place, (844) 307-4644 immersive-frida.com

May 5

‘Relentless’—Goodman Theatre After a sold out run this winter, Tyla Abercrumbie’s world-premiere play comes to the Goodman. Set in the Black Victorian era, “Relentless” weaves a mother’s past with her daughters’ present in a

Mother’s Day Brunch - Pinstripes This year’s Mother’s Day brunch menu at Pinstripes features various exciting new spring dishes, including an egg white “Mom-let”, a lobster & egg bruschetta, steak and eggs, chicken and waffles, and a smoked salmon flatbread. Mom may also enjoy a game or two at the bowling or bocce lane to make her special day even more fun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Pinstripes, 435 E. Illinois St., pinstripes.com

Jacobson Family Farms celebrating the return of farmers’ markets at Green City Market in Lincoln Park.

centuries-spanning tale of family, legacy and progress. After the death of their mother, two sisters discover her diaries and find themselves confronted with a woman they never really knew, exposing buried truths from the past. Tickets start at $20. Through May 8, Goodman’s Owen Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., (312) 443-3800, goodmantheatre.org

May 6

Riverwalk Guided Kayak Tours Chicago’s world-famous city scapes and historic architecture are jaw-dropping when experienced from the waterline along the city’s Riverwalk. Take it all in, beginning May 6, with a guided tour or paddle lesson with Urban Kayaks. Open seven days a week, Urban Kayak’s Riverwalk location offers an historic Chicago tour, sunset tour and Riverwalk intro paddle. Or go it on your own with a personal rental and see the sights at your own leisure. Packages start at $40. Through summer, Riverwalk, (312) 965-0035, urbankayaks.com

May 7

Motown Revue Mother’s Day Brunch —Hyde Park Don’t wait to hear it through the grapevine. Make plans now for mom to feed

her body and soul with an amazing brunch accompanied by the uplifting rhythms of Motown’s hottest artists performed by some of Chicago’s top talent. You’ll be walking on sunshine after a morning full of The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin and more.

Then, slide up to the bar for “Motown and Mimosas.” Tickets start at $40.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m., The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. W., (312) 801-2100, promontorychicago.com Night Nation Run—Soldier Field Run, walk, skip, dance and glow with family and friends at Night Nation Run, the world’s first running music festival. More than a run, you’ll experience music all along your route with live DJs, light shows and “bubble zones,” finishing at iconic Soldier Field. Cool down with a “Main Stage After Party” featuring some of the area’s top headliner DJs. This year, the Night Nation Run is proud to support Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a supporter of innovative cancer research, as their official charity. Tickets start at $49.99. Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, (312) 235-7000, nightnationrun.com

Mommapalooza Mother’s Day Brunch Blow Out—The Duck Inn Mommapalooza is the Mother’s Day event that makes mom the star of the party. The “Brunch Blow Out,” hosted by pre-prohibition era tavern, The Duck Inn, showcases Chef Hickey’s seasonally driven, modern American cuisine. An extensive beverage program filled with craft beers, contemporary cocktails and a creative wine service is also worth the bill. $68, The Duck Inn, 2701 S. Eleanor St., (312) 7248811, theduckinnchicago.com Music of the Baroque—The Brothers Haydn Dame Jane Glover leads a celebration of the Haydn brothers’ unique artistry.

Featured works include Michael Haydn’s Symphony No. 26—until 1907, believed to be by Mozart—and Joseph Haydn’s Creation Mass. 7: 30 p.m. Sunday, May 8, North Shore Center, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 9 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St., baroque.org

May 10

Together for a Cure Luncheon— The Loop The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “Together for a Cure Luncheon” will benefit the organization by raising funds and awareness to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis. The event, emceed by Candace Jordan, will honor philanthropist Bethany Florek, VP of Human Resources at Greeley and Hansen. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., nationalmssociety.org

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| EXPLORE CHICAGOLAND | May 7

Naperville Food Truck Festival With amazing food and fun festivities set amid expansive historical grounds, you won’t want to miss this family-friendly favorite. The 3rd Annual Naperville Food Truck Festival will feature more than 25 of the area’s best food trucks, live DJ entertainment, face painting, a beer garden, bubble artist and a vendor village featuring local businesses. Plus, with this year’s event falling on Cinco de Mayo weekend, there’s even more to look forward to, including a Mexican beer garden “Taco Showdown.” Tickets run $5-$10. Naper Settlement, 523 South Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org

May 14

Service Club of Chicago Spring Hat Lunch co-chairs, Dr. Stacie McClane, Sherry Lea Holson and Pat Maxwell. Photo courtesy of Service Club of Chicago

May 16

Spring Hat Lunch—The Service Club of Chicago Celebrate the arrival of spring with your finest millinery at the Service Club of Chicago’s annual Spring Hat Lunch. The event benefits the organization’s Philanthropic Fund, which supports nonprofits in the Chicagoland area. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., theserviceclubofchicago.org

May 20

Craft Beer Festival—Fulton Market Windy City beer lovers will go bottoms up for the Chi Town Craft Beer Fest when it returns to Fulton Market for its 10th year. There will be daily afternoon tastings where ticket holders can sample from a selection of more than 40 specialty beers crafted by more than 35 local, regional and national breweries.

May 20-22, tickets $35, Fulton Market, (773) 868-3010, givesignup.org Mayfest—Lincoln Park If it’s May in Chicago, it must be time for Mayfest at Lincoln Park. Celebrating its 25th year, for many, Mayfest marks the official launch of the city’s festival season. Expect nothing but the best of summertime fare, including great music,

ice cold drinks for parents and kids, quality entertainment and festival food.

Celebrate summer in Chicago, rain or shine. May 20-22, $10 suggested cash donation, Lincoln Park, 29 W. Armitage Ave. (773) 665-4682, starevents.com

May 26

‘Paint the Town Red’— Pritzker Pavilion For the first time since 2019, Chicago Children’s Choir’s signature city-wide celebration of music’s power to bring people together will return featuring thousands of Choir singers from all Chicago zip codes, alongside special guest artists. 10:30 a.m., Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., ccchoir.org Golf 101 at The Mid-America Club Learn how to talk the talk before you tee off! Join the Mid-America Club for a fun, casual evening of networking with others who love the game or just want to have their questions answered by a golf professional. Enjoy spiked Arnold Palmer cocktails from the club’s mixologist while making new connections. Reservations are required and space is limited.

RSVP to our Membership Director at (312) 856-9484 or email melissa.czyz@ clubcorp.com. Business-casual attire is

Spring Fun Fest—Rosemont Ready, set, fun! Bring the whole family to Parkway Bank Park for a day full of outdoor “Spring Fun Fest” festivities. Kids will lose themselves in a gaggle of free activities including balloon sculpting, bounce houses, face painting, petting zoo and live entertainment by Scribble Monsters. The park is home to 15 venues offering upscale international cuisine, live music, comedy, state-of-the-art film, bowling and more. Free admission, Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 349-5009, rosemont.com requested. 6-7:30 p.m., Mid-America Club, Aon Center, 40th Floor, 200 E. Randolph St., clubcorp.com

May 27

Mole de Mayo—Pilsen Who will be this year’s winner of the “People’s Choice” and “Best Mole” at the 13th annual Mole de Mayo Festival? Find out while you savor a variety of regional and specialty mole dishes from some of Pilsen’s popular eateries and surrounding neighborhoods. Since 2009, the Mole de Mayo Festival has worked to deliver a culturally dynamic outdoor food festival to support a range of short and longterm economic and social benefits for Chicago’s historic Pilsen neighborhood.

May 27-29, $5-10 suggested donation, Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, (312) 733-2287, moledemayo.org

May 28

Navy Pier Fireworks When you notice the skies above Navy Pier exploding in color, it’s a sure sign

summer has officially arrived. After a long, dark winter, Chicago’s favorite sky spectacle returns Wednesday and Saturday nights from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Watch the dazzling free display set to dramatic soundtracks from anywhere on the pier or nearby beaches and trails.

Starting May 28, free admission, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., (312) 595-7437, navypier.org Sueños Music Festival—Grant Park Expect the unexpected at the festival that is bringing one of the biggest Latin lineups ever seen in Chicago to Grant Park. In addition to the huge main stage, the 18+ event will feature multiple bars, curated local Latin food vendors, a Ferris-wheel, merchandise, art, activities, free water and more. A great way to support local businesses, festival goers will enjoy a world-class Latin music festival experience right here in Chicago. May 28, 29, tickets start at $200, Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., (312) 742-7649, suenosmusicfestival.com

20 / MAY 2022

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Armed Forces Day: A day to remember

By Joseph Luther Freelance Reporter As a holiday, Armed Forces Day doesn’t typically garner a lot of fanfare, but for Chicagoans with family or friends in the military, this May 21 is a day to remember.

Established under President Harry S. Truman in 1949, and celebrated on the third Saturday in May, it’s the day Americans the world over come together to recognize serving members of the military, regardless of their designation or service branch.

Not to be confused with Veterans Day, which honors those who served the nation in war, or Memorial Day, which honors those who died while serving in war, Armed Forces Day is the proper day to honor all members of the military currently serving as well as those who have served and sacrificed to defend the nation, including in the reserves or National Guard.

Truman called upon the nation to “display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day and to participate in exercises expressive of our recognition of the skill, gallantry, and uncompromising devotion to duty characteristic of the armed forces in the carrying out of their missions.”

There are other meaningful ways to show your support, too.

The United Service Organizations (USO) is a good place to start.

The USO supports America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service. As a nonprofit charitable corporation, the USO relies on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its programs.

This year, the war in Ukraine

USO Illinois and the Chicago Red Stars mascot, Supernova, spreads joy to military families at a Red Stars game.

Photos courtesy of USO Illinois

means U.S. military service members and their families can really use a little extra help. In response to Russia’s escalations in Ukraine, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that thousands more U.S. troops are being deployed and repositioned throughout Eastern Europe in support of NATO allies.

Ways to help One of the easiest ways to help is to make a financial contribution to the USO, making it possible for the USO to support service members and their families. Donations support members of the military from the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments and as they transition back to their communities.

The USO also supports military spouses in Illinois by connecting them to social, professional and community networks.

Care packages Care packages are a great way to stay connected to your

serving family member or loved one. They provide a welcome piece of home to warm the heart. Besides the USO, other trusted organizations for donating or sending care packages include Operation Support Our Troops America, Operation Gratitude and Support Our Troops. But there are some important things to know before you get started.

Wait until after boot camp: Care packages are usually discouraged for recruits in boot camp. In fact, receiving an unauthorized package may result in a punishment for your recruit or their entire unit. Letters of encouragement, however, are always welcome.

Little things can make a big difference: When far from home, the small things matter. Family members may want to send music, toiletries, food and treats.

Partners can send notes, cards and other small items that remind them how much you care.

Photos from home are always nice to see.

Be careful what you send: Some items can be rejected by the post office or commanding officer. Packages may be inspected before they get to your service member and valuables can sometimes get lost or broken.

Digital can be delayed: Texts, digital cards and email may not reach your service member as cell phone use is usually limited and dictated by the service branch and commanding officer.

Make a request first: If you want a specific service member to receive a care package, you should make a request. Most organizations won’t allow unsolicited packages. Packages sent are usually at the request of a military person or their loved one.

Looking for ways to help closer to home? Check out one of these programs that support our troops here in Illinois.

A participant at a USO Illinois military family event shows off his completed art project.

USO “Sweet Home Illinois” Bags Businesses and other organizations can donate or volunteer to make these welcome home bags for returning service members for distribution at Midway and O’Hare airport gates as well as welcome home ceremonies and other events.

The bags are great morale boosters for military personnel returning home. Contact the USO to make arrangements for your service member to receive one or for more information on contributing to the program.

Dogs on Deployment Dogs on Deployment is an online listing resource and network that allows deployed military service members with pets to connect with volunteer boarders to care for them. Through the service, pet owners and boarders can contact one another to arrange for pet care.

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Be part of...

The Israel Idonije Foundation’s efforts range from aiding inner-city youth to providing basic necessities for survival to Nigerian children.

Win the game of life NOW IS YOUR TIME

By Israel ‘Izzy’ Idonije Community Contributor In life, like all games, there are rules, skills are required and we are all playing to win. Regardless of who you are, where you’re from or any details about your past, you can achieve and do great things. Here are five tips from my personal playbook on how to win in the game of life.

1. Self-awareness Assess your gifts and abilities. You have many—intellectual, physical, spiritual, emotional—all unique to you. There are abilities you use out of necessity, for hobbies and ones you are passionate about. There are gifts and abilities that you may need to develop to take you to the next phase of life.

2. Preparation When you understand the rules of the game, you gain a clear understanding of the actions you need to take and what needs to be executed to win the opportunity in front of you—are you still in school, early career, mid-career, close to retirement? In any stage, you must ask yourself what next step must be done to ensure the win.

3. Your Plan Your win is unique to you. Scale down your game plan to a day-by-day approach focused on small wins. Knowing your gifts and abilities and understanding the rules of the game will help you translate your vision into little wins that must happen to

achieve big picture success.

4. Discipline and flexibility Doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it, is paramount to success. It’s also key to make corrections during the micro wins and losses. Your long-term goal requires that your shortterm goals be constantly adapted—if you wait too long, it may be too late to adjust.

5. Mentorship Receiving feedback, advice and support from someone you trust, who is where you’d like to be someday, is invaluable to accelerating the execution of your game plan. A good mentor will share critical details and insights on how they overcame challenges. A mentor will help you form key relationships and will guide you to fill areas where you might have gaps.

The odds were stacked against me, but these five keys led to a successful 11-year NFL career and building a successful life after football. I challenge you to start with these key steps—invent or implement your big idea, solve a problem or build something. Whatever it is, wherever you are, there is nothing holding you back. It’s time for you to win.

Israel “Izzy” Idonije, a Chicago-based philanthropist and former Chicago Bears player, is the founder of Impact Fund, a nonprofit providing community support to youth, and FBRK Impact House, a Chicago philanthropy hub.

Lend us your voice, wit, positivity, inspiration.

Become a community contributor today.

Share your: • Ideas • Photos • Letters to the editor • Jokes • Where am I pictures • Columns • Opinions

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Late bloomers take life at their own pace

I

’ve always been late to the game and in the spring of 2004, it showed.

I was a college senior and couldn’t wait to graduate. I was done with living in Champaign, Ill. and was dying to move to Chicago. I envisioned myself wearing beautiful Bridget McGuire J.Crew suits, flared Seven jeans with COMMUNITY peep-toe pumps on casual Fridays, CONTRIBUTOR living in Lincoln Park: a real working woman. Slight problem was that I didn’t have a job, let alone a resume. I’m not sure who I thought was paying for my Ally McBeal meets Sex in the City lifestyle.

After graduation, I moved back home to Western Springs, the suburb where I grew up, and began my job search. I was oblivious to the fact that my peers had been prepping their resumes and going on interviews during the second semester, even though my roommates would ask to borrow my car to attend job fairs. I’d toss them the

keys, yell “good luck!” and then settle back into my spot on the couch to watch “MTV Cribs.”

After a nutty summer internship, numerous interviews and getting rejected from an event planning company three times, I got my first job as an assistant at a company.

I didn’t understand what the company did, but they were willing to pay me $35,000 a year with health insurance, so I took it, packed my bags and moved straight to Wrigleyville.

One day I met my friend for lunch. She worked for the company that rejected me thrice. During that interview, my friend’s boss, Cindy, asked me, “Do you want to be rich when you’re older?”

“Definitely,” I answered.

“Well this is not the industry for you,” Cindy replied.

Woah, woah, woah. Trick question, Cindy! First of all, who doesn’t want to be rich when they’re older? Second, what’s older when you’re 22? 25? 31? I just wanted the means to move to the city; I had no idea what I wanted to do.

That day at lunch, my friend told me she was joining the East Bank Club, an expensive health club that most 22 year olds can’t afford. She told me she was willing to go into debt, because she was investing in herself to get a husband. She suggested I do the same. I wholeheartedly agreed. I was a 22-year-old virgin, but now seemed like a good time to find a husband.

Fast forward 18 years later. My friend is happily married with three kids. Her plan worked. I, on the other hand, never made it to the East Bank Club. On the way to sign up, I stopped at a 7/11 and bought a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and a pack of Marlboro Lights. No husband for 22-year-old me. Nowadays? Well, maybe I should look for a boyfriend first. Some of us are late bloomers, you know.

Bridget McGuire is a Chicago-based storyteller, stand-up comedian and is a co-producer of “All That Good Stuff,” a traveling comedy show that started on the southside of Chicago. Follow her on Instagram at @bmcguire82.

Chicago sucks you in – in a good way

By Andy Frye My author friend Jeff Winkowski is your classic Wisconsinite. He loves Old Style beer, cheese curds and the Green Bay Packers, and he won’t shut up about NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. Recently he said how fond he was of his time living in Chicago (and I’m paraphrasing): “Chicago was 10 years of summer days, hanging out at record stores, watching Bulls games, playing music and being ‘I’m-more-punk-than-you’ with my frenemies.”

Jeff was talking about being young, soaking up the local culture and being part of it, too. Music, sports, friends and a Midwestern twenty-something experience that thousands anticipate upon arriving each summer.

Andy Frye

Even though I grew up on the East Coast, I easily ditched any ideas about moving to New York City post-college, landing in Chicago, June 1994, and spending my first night at the unglamorous Lawson YMCA, before bunking at Northwestern’s

empty grad school dorms that summer. From my first Chicago moments, I was sucked in.

Never mind that Michael Jordan was swinging bats down in Alabama and that soon the Cubs and White Sox would be on strike. My first day here, I

saw the Sox win at Comiskey, as Frank Thomas hit back-toback homers.

I spied—perhaps Michael Sneed-style—Roger Ebert strolling Michigan Avenue, before peeking into Magnificent Mile art galleries. I noshed deep-dish at Gino’s East, to observe the graffiti and because friends said I just had to go. Within weeks, I’d biked Chicago, been to blues bars and started to feel like a native—even if I was still a tourist.

Then my first prospects—both for jobs and dates—fell through.

But, Chicago had already sucked me in. In a good way.

It’s why I’ve spent 25 years here, and the last five years crafting what I hope is the quintessential Chicago novel, “Ninety Days In The 90s.” The story is basically: Out-of-towner meets quirky locals and gets

tips on where to go to enjoy nightlife and Old Chicago.

Even better, the CTA has a train line that goes back in time.

(It’s called the Gray Line. You didn’t know?)

Whether or not you care about Chicago history, traditions or its sports, love the Weiners Circle or are more of a Chicago Cut type, there’s something for everyone. Unlike other big cities, with their gridlock and insular ways, Chicago, more than anywhere, invites everyone to become a local. Now as someone who is a local, it’s got me doing the same.

Andy Frye writes about sports for Forbes, and has written for ESPN Chicago and Red Eye. His debut novel “Ninety Days In The 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story” comes out next month.

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| NEWS BREAK |

For this column, take notes

T

his is not a serious topic, but I may still need some help.

I know there are many support groups out there, but I’m not sure they have one for people with my particular affliction—those of us (though, I could be a party of one here) who have developed a serious note-taking obsession. UnJon Cohn COMMUNITY derstand, we are not talking about CONTRIBUTOR major disease control here (so I will keep this aggravation in proper perspective), but it is problematic, and in my case it has gone from worrisome, to bad, to much, much worse.

Doctors have refused to speculate on this unique condition, but my wife, on the other hand, has estimated that if the problem continues or gets worse, my life expectancy could be three more years at best.

The obsessive note taking has a foundation. Basically, in non-medical terms, my short-term memory is abso-

Jumble

IHBTR RNOIB LPEDUD

lutely shot. I can’t remember anything if it is not written down. Ideas will pop into my head, and one minute later, boom!—gonezo—can’t remember a thing. A brilliant idea (like something for a newspaper column!) is immediately forgotten and sadly irretrievable.

As a result, my go-to coping mechanism has become the notepad. Lots of them.

This is how bad it has gotten: I have four active notepads with me at all times. I’ve got my long-term to-do list, my short-term to-do list, my today to-do list and my tomorrow to-do list. And that is just the start. These are on four separate small white notepads. Then, on a yellow larger eightand-a-half-by-eleven-inch notepad, I keep yet another list, which has groceries to buy, movies to watch, restaurants I want to check out, friends to keep in touch with, etc.

I even keep separate note pads for my wife and two boys, as gentle friendly reminders of what they need to be doing or taking care of. Their responses to these, not surprisingly, are neither friendly nor gentle.

In a final act of desperation caused by this note-taking

obsession, I even tried the notepad app on my cell phone, but the problem is I would get home and forget to check it. I actually needed a notepad to remind myself to check the notes app. How bad is that?

If anyone has any self-help ideas for my apparent lista-holic condition, please shoot me an email. I am open to all suggestions. Again, I do understand this is not exactly a critical medical situation, but the problem is getting worse. The clock is ticking here, folks.

Jon Cohn is a New Eastside resident. Email ideas for Jon to info@chicagostarmedia.com

Community photo LCOEVR AIORWBN EAMRMILO

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Green and covered with vegetation: Previous puzzle answer: A soft, chewy sweet often found in Easter treats: MARSHMALLOW

WHERE AM I? Do you know where this is?

If you think you know this spot, email us at info@chicagostarmedia.com Answer to previous Where am I? Chicago Star reader Elena Pitt correctly identified the location of April’s photo as the exterior of Osteria Via Stato at 620 N. State St.

More than 70 chefs participated in the Chicago Chefs Cook for Ukraine event at Navy Pier, led by Eda Davidman (from left), Tony Priolo, Sarah Stegner and Darren Gest. The event raised more than $500K.

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