New Eastside News December 2020

VOL. 8 NO. 12

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Santa, trees-to-go and pop-ups bring cheer to Chicago

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West Loop NEWS New Eastside NEWS Streeterville NEWS West Loop NEWS

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New Eastside resident Julie Romeli and her daughter Kalista hang out in a holiday-themed VW bus parked outside the Village Market Holiday Shoppe. Photo by Daniel Patton

Lettuce Entertain You founder on his past, the industry’s future Page 9

NICU fellows give critically-ill newborns a helping hand

CANDID CANDACE’S

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New columnist

Holiday Hot List

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New Eastside NEWS Streeterville NEWS How to Contact Us

West Loop NEWS info@chicagostarmedia.com 200 E. Randolph St. Suite 5100 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 690-3092 Publisher and Editor: Elaine Hyde elainehyde@chicagostarmedia.com Director of Brand Development Jay Kopp jaykopp@chicagostarmedia.com Staff Writers: Nuria Mathog Daniel Patton Angela Gagnon Copy Editors: Vivien Lee Bob Oswald Layout/Design: Bob Oswald Community Contributor: Jon Cohn Columnist: Candace Jordan

Subscriptions info@chicagostarmedia.com Advertising Contact Jay Kopp jaykopp@chicagostarmedia.com New Eastside News and Streeterville News are published by Chicago Star Media.

New Eastside News and Streeterville News are monthly papers that use 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.

Published Dec. 1, 2020 Copyright Š2020. All rights reserved.

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| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | Chicago Skyline Village stays in touch with older adult community In mid-March, as Chicago’s restaurants and other meeting venues began to close, our organization, Skyline Village Chicago, was discussing new ways to connect with and reach out to our members.

Skyline is a community of older adults engaged in offering, prior to the pandemic, in-person cultural, educational and social programs. Skyline Village Chicago members are active,

informed and connected advocates within our unique, vibrant high-rise neighborhoods.

Many of us had become familiar with Zoom, a relatively easy new way to communicate with friends and colleagues. As we considered topics for our upcoming programs, relevant themes began to develop, such as the health crisis, the impending election, and racial tensions.

Neighborhood news organizations took notice and offered to help publicize our events. As a result we were able to

extend our outreach and attract a growing number of attendees.

In addition to providing programs of interest, our attendees told us that their participation helped to mitigate the loneliness and isolation that was becoming more of an issue as entertainment and cultural events began to shut down.

So, thanks to Chicago Star Media, and to Zoom, our programs are reaching more people than ever before.

Nancie Thompson Skyline Village Chicago

Streeterville News to be mailed to residents, free Beginning in January 2021, Streeterville News will be distributed to residents via mail, rather than delivered in bulk to downtown apartment buildings. This is part of an ongoing initiative by Chicago Star Media to reach more residents directly and better serve the community through increased access to our unparalleled hyperlocal coverage.

Residents who do not currently receive Streeterville News at their address and wish to begin receiving copies of the newspaper should contact info@chicagostarmedia.com to request to be included in the list of mailing routes.

| MASK POLICY | Chicago Star Media safety policy Chicago Star Media follows numerous precautions to maximize the health of its staff and readers. The company requires masks to be worn and proper social dis-

tancing to be maintained at all meetings and functions. It also requires staff writers and photographers to observe these precautions while conducting indoor interviews and taking photographs. Chicago

Star Media allows masks to be removed for photographs that are taken outdoors, provided that the subject and the photographer remain at least six feet apart from one another.

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| NEWS BRIEFS | Village Market Holiday Shoppe will deliver fully-decorated trees The Village Market is hosting a Holiday Shoppe at 333 E. Benton Place.

Created and operated by Chicago event decor company Kehoe Designs, the festive pop-up offers wreaths, trees, garlands, lights and ornaments. It is open every day of the week and also provides delivery for phone orders.

Kehoe Designs, which traditionally prepares the featured trees at the Peninsula Hotel and the Waldorf Astoria, also offers holiday design consultations to help customers get in the spirit.

“We’re not your average tree lot,” said event producer Kelly Poland. “We also have the capability to deliver fully-decorated holiday trees.”

So far this season, trees have been the most popular items in the Holiday Shoppe at the Village Market.

Kehoe Designs will be opening four pop-ups in Chicago over the holidays. The Village Market location is open 10 a.m. to 6 pm Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

City announces new measures to help hospitality industry Chicago has launched four initiatives designed to provide financial aid and resources to restaurants, bars and hospitality workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting indoor dining closures.

The Chicago Hospitality Grant Program, a $10 million program financed by reallocating funds from the CARES Act from the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, will provide emergency relief to bars and restaurants in the form of $10,000 grants. The funds are required to be used for operational costs, inventory and/or mortgage replenishment and rent and utilities payments.

Program grants will be distributed via a lottery system, and 60 percent of the grants will be reserved for businesses in low- and moderate-income community areas. Applications for these grants opened the week of Nov. 16, and the city plans to host several webinars in the coming weeks to help bars and restaurants apply.

Eligible establishments must be a bar

Pritzker announces statewide Tier 3 restrictions

A holiday-themed VW bus parked outside the Village Market Holiday Shoppe.

Photo by Daniel Patton

or restaurant, earn less than $3 million in revenue annually and have experienced COVID-related economic loss and distress after March 1, 2020, amounting to at least 25 percent of annual net revenue. Businesses ineligible for grant funds include adult entertainment facilities and regional and national chains with more than two establishments.

Chicagoans who are in a financial position allowing them to support local bars and restaurants are encouraged to participate in the city’s new “Take Out Chicago” contest. Through this program, launched in conjunction with Choose Chicago, residents who order take-out from 10 unique restaurants and bars through Dec. 15 can enter a contest to win a VIP experience at a city cultural institution, such as the Art Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Soldier Field and DuSable Museum. Residents can submit their entry at Chicago.gov/takeout, and the winners will be determined via lottery.

In an effort to aid hospitality workers who have lost their jobs and are no longer able to access the now-expired additional federal unemployment benefits, the city is working with the Chicago

Cook Workforce Partnerships to create ChiServes.com, a portal designed to connect members of the hospitality industry with employment resources. A new SMS text campaign will also allow registered recipients to receive information such as job listings, workshops and hiring events.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also announced she plans to partner with City Council members to pursue legislation that would temporarily place a cap on the fees third-party companies can charge bars and restaurants for delivery services.

“As we navigate the second surge of COVID-19, I am committed to using every available resource to its maximum potential to protect our residents and support our businesses,” Lightfoot said in a news release. “Our hospitality industry is at a crossroads and we each have a role to play in helping our bars and restaurants survive. This city relief package will help, but we still need all residents to wear a mask, social distance, avoid gathering in large groups and wash their hands. When we all do our part to bring cases down, we not only save lives but also ensure that our businesses can reopen quickly and safely.”

Rising COVID-19 cases throughout Illinois and the U.S. prompted Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to announce statewide Tier 3 mitigations, that went into effect Nov. 20.

Designed to encourage residents to stay home whenever possible and limit gatherings in an effort to slow the virus’s spread. These measures affect industries, businesses and institutions such as retail, health and fitness centers, personal car services, bars and restaurants, manufacturing and hotels, offices, meetings and social events, organized group recreational activities and indoor recreation, theater and cultural institutions.

Among the guidelines are 25% capacity limitations at retail stores—grocery stores and pharmacies are permitted to operate at up to 50 percent capacity—no indoor services at bars and restaurants and closures of casinos, performing arts centers, theaters, amusement centers and indoor museums. A full list of guidelines can be found at coronavirus. illinois.gov.

“I’m hopeful that by limiting our in-person interactions, we will succeed at avoiding a stay at home order like what we had in the spring—when the choice between saving lives and saving livelihoods was even more stark,” Pritzker said in a news release.

“Tier 3 may allow us to do both. Like in other states like Michigan and California and Washington, it’s our best effort to avoid a stay-at-home order and save lives.”

The IDPH plans to continue tracking COVID-19 positivity rates and hospital capacity metrics for a two-week monitoring period to determine the next steps forward. Returning to Tier 2 mitigations requires a region to have a seven-day test positivity average of less than 12 percent for three consecutive days, ICU and hospital bed availability exceeding 20 percent for three consecutive days and a decline in the seven-day COVID hospitalization average for seven out of the previous 10 days.

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| NEWS BRIEFS | Local eateries respond to COVID restrictions by offering free delivery A trio of neighborhood restaurants is making an effort to ease the burden of COVID restrictions by offering free delivery to neighborhood buildings in Lakeshore East.

Eggy’s Diner, Drunken Bean and Gordo’s Tiny Taco Bar have announced that patrons who request delivery within the neighborhood and place orders directly from the restaurants will get their food delivered for free. Each of the restaurants is located on the Park at Lakeshore East.

Eggy’s and Gordo’s also supply food and drink for the Lakeshore East Food & Beer Garden.

Nick Papagiorgio, proprietor

of all three establishments, has been a fan of the neighborhood since his first visit.

“The people are the greatest thing about this neighborhood,” he told New Eastside News. “The people, the park, the atmosphere, you know, you’re in a suburb in the city.

Which is pretty cool.”

Eggy’s Diner Mon-Sun 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

(773) 234-3449 eggysdiner.com Drunken Bean Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

(312) 549-8000 drunkenbeancafe.com Gordo’s Tiny Taco Bar Sun-Thur 3-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 3-10 p.m.

(312) 240-5000 gordostinytaco.com

Aon to invest $30 million in apprenticeship program

Chicago-based Aon is spending $30 million to expand its corporate apprenticeship program over the next five years.

Launched in 2012 in the UK and in 2017 in the U.S., the Aon program trains more than 290 apprentices globally, providing “opportunities for diverse professionals to develop vital skills in the workplace while earning as they learn,” according to a news release.

Permanent positions with competitive salaries, benefits and financial educational support are among the perks available to apprentices working in areas such as human resources and information technology.

“The apprenticeship program has brought so many talented

Aon’s apprentice program trains more than 290 apprentices globally.

Photo by Jay Kopp

colleagues to our firm,” said Greg Case, chief executive officer of Aon. “This is an innovative way for employers to attract and retain diverse talent, prepare future leaders and contribute to building

a more future-focused, resilient workforce.”

The Chicago Apprentice Network was launched by Aon, Accenture and Zurich Insurance Group in 2017. Since then, it has grown from 25 to more than 40 employers working with 740 apprentices.

Together with Accenture, JP Morgan Chase, The Hartford and Zurich Insurance, Aon will expand the network with more than 100 apprentices in U.S. cities. The company intends to lead the development of a nationwide network of employers to create 10,000 apprenticeships by 2030.

“My administration is making apprenticeships accessible to students and transitioning workers statewide to help Illinoisans get training for jobs that offer greater long-term opportunity, all while businesses expand their workforce,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.

Get Snowed Inn at Loews Chicago Hotel Snowed Inn provides everything your family needs to stay cozy during the winter months. Book today and enjoy: • Overnight accommodation • Self-parking for one vehicle • Hot cocoa and cookies* • 1 free in-room movie rental per stay (up to $19.99)* • Kid’s pop up tent and campfire set to enjoy during your stay (on request, not for take-home use)* • 15% off Starbucks, discounts taken at check-out • Perk: BOGO Adult Bowling and $5 per hour bowling for kids. All pricing includes shoes and socks.* Terms and Conditions Subject to availability. Available for selected dates only. Applies to new reservations only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Credit card guarantee required at time of booking. Should you wish to modify or cancel reservations, please do so at least 24 hours in advance to avoid cancellation penalties. Rates are per room, per night, based upon double occupancy and exclude applicable taxes, gratuities and incidental charges. Black-out dates apply.

Welcoming you like family

6 / DECEMBER 2020

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| NEWS |

Downtown community comes together for Streeterville Week

By Chicago Star Media staff Residents rallied behind their neighborhood businesses at the inaugural Streeterville Week celebration, a new event designed to raise Chicagoans’ spirits and bring the downtown community together held Nov. 13-22.

The 10-day event, presented by Chicago Star Media in partnership with more than two dozen local businesses, encouraged Chicagoans to shop locally and support local artists and the many restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses that make up the heart of Streeterville.

Participating businesses offered premium sales and discounts throughout the week, including limited-time special menus, and the event was covered by several area media outlets, including NBC 5 Chicago and FOX 32 Chicago.

A lively kick-off ceremony hosted by Marley Kayden of WGN-TV’s “Chicago’s Best” on Nov. 14 brought a dose of cheer to the occasion. The event, held at Ogden Plaza, featured music from a number of Chicago performers: singer Andrew

Jaden Berkman (left) and Camila Isabel give a performance at Ogden Plaza.

Cellist Nurlan Zhetiru performs Nov. 14 at Ogden Plaza as part of a kick-off event for Chicago Star Media’s inaugural Streeterville Week celebration. Photos by Nuria Mathog

David, known for his cover of “Hallelujah” in the city’s empty streets this spring; saxophonist Derrick Tate; cellist Nurlan Zhetiru; singer Camila Isabel, accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Jaden Berkman on guitar; and Vikram Konkimalla, who plays Tiny Tim in the Goodman Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”

Visitors enjoyed the performances while collecting freebies such as bouquets from

City Scents Floral & Home and gift certificates to Robert’s Pizza & Dough Company.

Participating Streeterville Week businesses included Pinched on the River, Renew U Medispa, North Michigan Ave Chiropractic, Amazing Lash Studio, Labriola, Tallboy Taco, Anna George Salon & Spa, Robert’s Pizza & Dough Company, Francesca’s at Chestnut, Pinstripes, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Sweet Mandy B’s, Beatrix, FireLake Grill

House & Cocktail Bar, Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile, Carr Workplaces, RUNAWAY Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, Loews Hotel Chicago, MagMile CrossFit, Pure Barre, Garrett Popcorn Shops, Rosebud Steakhouse, Saigon Sisters, Aloft Chicago Mag Mile Hotel, City Scents Floral & Home, The Mid-America Club, Volare Ristorante Italiano, GoodVets Streeterville and Cupitol Coffee & Eatery.

Community Conversation input part of 2021 police plan

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer Hundreds of downtown residents last month discussed safety, crime prevention and police engagement during a pair of Zoom forums hosted for Part Two of the Chicago Office of Community Policing’s “Community Conversations” program. Sharing experiences and offering suggestions, they provided insight that will be used to help create the 2021 Chicago Police Strategic

Plans, according to District 1 Capt. Sheamus Mannion.

“We want to have the community involved,” he told participants at the start of the 1st District event. “Taking those ears and eyes and putting them together so we have one voice.”

Zoom “breakout rooms” were created to allow residents to discuss issues such as violent crime, drug sales and homelessness.

Designed as 17 safe virtual spaces, they offered a presumption of anonymity, so direct quotes

from the conversations will not be published. A brief summary of general observations is provided below.

1st District Many residents of the 1st District—which includes New Eastside, Printers Row and the South Loop—seemed to focus on violent crimes. One resident described an incident in which several people illegally attempted to enter a residential high-rise during the Aug. 10 looting spree,

but were thwarted by residents armed with baseball bats.

18th District Attendees at the Nov. 19 meeting for the 18th District— which includes Streeterville, River North and the Magnificent Mile—described patterns of unruly public behavior including drug use, street parties and hotel parties that spill onto the street.

Complaints about noise from drag racing, the ineffective bonds

imposed by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, and the problem of homelessness were mentioned in both meetings.

Proposed solutions included the creation of a video surveillance network, an increase in notification procedures from City Hall and greater police presence and engagement.

For updates about the CPD’s Strategic Plans, visit home.chicagopolice.org/office-of-community-policing/ district-strategic-plans.

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| FEATURES |

Downtown residents ready to move forward after election

By Daniel Patton

l

Staff Writer

On a recent sunny morning, a handful of residents and visitors shared their thoughts on what the country should do going forward. Photos by Daniel Patton

Ethan Smith, health department administrator, western suburbs Ethan Smith was delivering personal protection equipment to a company in New Eastside.

What should be the top item on the United States’ to-do list?

Probably work on international relations, and then from there work on internal issues … police reform and so on.

What have you learned over the past year?

Public health is important.

How do you plan to shop for the holidays and what are you giving to loved ones?

You know, it’s just going to probably be an Amazon bucket list grab. Whatever they can find and get delivered quick … probably a PS5 for my nephew.

Dubi Kaufmann, IT professional, South Loop Dubi Kaufmann is an immigrant to the U.S. and an art school graduate who frequently satisfies his creative urges at a “hacking space” called Pumping Station One. What should be the top item on the United States’ to-do list?

I think supporting democracy around the world. There’s a global trend against democracy, and I feel this administration is not vocal enough. It’s Erdogan. It’s Victor Urban. It’s Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil. Hungary. Turkey. Going towards authoritarianism.

What have you learned over the past year?

I really miss live music. I think rock and roll soothes the soul. It’s important. I like the White Stripes. Guns N’ Roses, I love what they do.

How do you plan to shop for the holidays and what are you giving to loved ones?

I’m going to make it. I’m not sure what it will be, but I’m going to make it in the hacker space.

Heather McKinney, phlebotomist, Chicago Heather McKinney was on a short break from her job assisting the city’s effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.

What should be the top item on the United States’ to-do list?

There’s so many. I feel like they should do more screening for police officers. There’s been way too many things going wrong with that. I’m pro Black Lives Matter for sure.

What have you learned over the past year?

To keep a mask on and wash your hands all the time. Stay away from corona.

How do you plan to shop for the holidays and what are you giving to loved ones?

I’m getting everything shipped to me. Just got to disinfect it before I open it. I use Lysol spray and then I also have wipes just in case I run out.

Brian Liu, business analyst, Streeterville Streeterville resident Brian Liu was walking his dog, Theodore.

What should be the top item on the United States’ to-do list?

Well, I think for Chicago the biggest thing would be to get more opportunities for people maybe on the South Side because, you know, there’s a big difference between living up here and going down to the south. It’s like a whole different world. Maybe get more jobs down there and recruit bigger companies, like tech companies.

What have you learned over the past year?

I think just being more clean in general. Washing my hands all the time, you know.

How do you plan to shop for the holidays and what are you giving to loved ones?

Amazon, for sure. You know, tech stuff.

Andi Leineberg, fresh graduate of Loras College Aspiring public relations professional Andi Leineberg and her mother, Staci, planned to “just kind of walk around a little and enjoy the fresh air,” according to Staci.

What should be the top item on the United States’ to-do list?

Andi: Handling coronavirus, for sure, because it’s impacting so many families and businesses and I feel like it’s the most urgent issue at hand.

What have you learned over the past year?

Andi: I definitely feel like being more politically engaged has been something that I’ve seen a lot with me and my friends and also staying vigilant and paying attention to the news, especially with COVID. How do you plan to shop for the holidays and what are you giving to loved ones?

Andi: Sadly, we’ll probably do all our shopping on Amazon.com.

Staci: It’s going to be a gift-card kind of year.

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| LOCAL LEADER |

Lettuce Entertain You founder Rich Melman on his past, the industry’s future Besides the current pandemic, what other obstacles have you faced during your career?

When I was first starting out, so many people didn’t even want to talk to me about my restaurant ideas. I was an unknown, without a track record. I was a college dropout, and I probably wasn’t very good at selling myself. Plus I was always changing my ideas, and thinking about new things.

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer In 1971, Rich Melman worried that he might have been a little too ambitious after opening his first Chicago restaurant, R.J. Grunts. “It didn’t take off right away,” he said. “I remember thinking, “I’m going to have to take two jobs: one to live off and one to pay my part of the debt”.

A half-century later, the venue is one of more that 120 belonging to the restaurant group that he founded, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. It thrives on a reputation of good food, friendly attitude and (depending on whom you ask) inventions like potato skins and the salad bar. But like every other restaurant in the state, R.J. Grunts faces COVID restrictions literally designed to keep customers away.

Melman has never been in this kind of a situation before—nor has anyone else, for that matter—but he has learned a thing or two about perseverance. Here, the Chicago-born legend talks about his continuing effort to create restaurants that offer joyful experiences.

What do you think of the government COVID restrictions on restaurants?

Well, they’ve been devastating for the restaurant industry, without question. And the saddest part is what is happening to our people. I wish everyone in Illinois would have hunkered down in the beginning, when the restrictions were first put in place last spring.

Maybe we wouldn’t be back in such a bad situation now. Lettuce is in a number of locations outside of Illinois, and no other state we’re involved in is as bad as here. I know the vaccine is coming, but right

Rich Melman opened his first Chicago restaurant, R.J. Grunts, in 1971. Courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises

now is still rough. I’m hoping for the sake of restaurateurs throughout the country that another PPP from the government is approved, and I hope the Democrats and the Republicans can work together to help our industry.

How has it affected your personal life?

I’m just trying to stay home and not see too many people. My kids keep reminding me that I have to take care of myself. It isn’t easy for me, but I’m really laying low, doing a lot of Zoom calls, and thinking and writing.

Have your restaurants tried the innovations like outdoor igloos?

We’ve done everything we could think of. We’ve got a great team that has been very creative.

What will the industry look like when we emerge from this pandemic?

I don’t think we’re going to

come back overnight, even when everybody gets vaccinated. It would be very difficult to get back quickly to where we were before COVID. I hope that slowly and gradually people will start coming back to eat in our restaurants—that they will want to go out and have fun and resume normal lives. If we can get COVID under control—if the infection rate stays around 6% or so, I think the governor and the mayor will probably open up seating a little bit. But, that could take a while. And, as people get vaccinated, I think they’ll have more confidence about going out. I also hope we’ve learned a lot during this time. I know we’ve learned a lot in terms of medical advancements. I think there will be many positive changes in business as well. Basically I’m an optimistic person.

What was the operating philosophy of that first restaurant, R.J. Grunts?

It was pretty simple. I wanted to do something I liked, do it well, and hopefully make some money. I wanted the servers to be friendly and polite. I wanted cold food served cold, and hot food served hot. I wanted service to be on time. The servers didn’t wear uniforms—they could dress any way they wanted. A lot of them wore jeans and many didn’t wear bras. It was the times. R.J. Grunts kind of had the feel of the hippy places that were so popular then, but we were more professional. In a lot of places then, if you came to eat at 6, and were planning to see a movie at 8, you might not get served in time to get to your movie. We made sure you’d get out in time at Grunts.

What about the salad bar?

People credited me with having the first salad bar, and that might be true. I remember reading about one in Hawaii that was much simpler, and I thought it was a neat idea. R.J. Grunts is very small—only about 98 seats.

When we opened, we didn’t have room for a salad station in the kitchen, so I thought it would be efficient for people to make their

own salads while their entrees were cooking. Little did I know the customers considered the salad bar a great value. It was also perfect for vegetarians.

What other innovations did you introduce back then?

In the 1960’s, before Grunts, I partnered with a friend of mine, Bruce Sears, to start a business financing inventors. We put an ad in the Chicago Tribune: Inventions wanted; will finance.

We thought we could become big business successes. Amazingly we got nearly 200 responses. We met one prospective inventor for lunch. He was a guy who had a mid-level job with the Post Office. His goal was to quit that job and write a book about the correlation between eating properly and good health. When I ordered mashed potatoes with gravy and spaghetti and meat sauce for lunch, he was appalled.

The more we talked, the more he made me think about serving healthy food, and I remembered that when Grunts opened almost 10 years later.

How do you determine what to put on the menu?

It’s part art, part instinct, part science. I want great tasting food, a well-balanced menu, and I want the whole package to work together.

What do you like to cook at home?

I’m not a cook. There’s not one thing I can make…No, I take that back. I think I make great malts and shakes. I’m also a good sandwich maker. But, I think I’m a great taster. I know what the public wants, and I give good directions to chefs.

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| NEWS |

MIRACLES ON THE MILE

Northwestern’s NICU fellows learn to care for critically-ill newborns

By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer A competitive fellowship offered by Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine gives young doctors hands-on training in a particularly challenging medical subspecialty: caring for some of Chicago’s smallest and most vulnerable patients.

The three-year neonatal-perinatal medicine program, which attracts more than 100 applicants annually, accepts just four fellows each year and involves a combination of clinical practice and research, said Patrick Myers, the fellowship’s program director.

“I think people skills are actually the thing that I’m the most interested in,” Myers said. “Because if you’re dealing with parents that have a really critically ill child, being able to communicate well, be empathetic, communicate fairly complicated science and medicine to people—in a way that people understand when people are really stressed—is super critical. And then I look for people that are able to clinically handle the load, because it’s pretty stressful, and I like people that have a research interest with what the section does.”

Myers said he was drawn to neonatology because it offers the opportunity to work closely with families during “a really tough point in their lives.”

“You get to develop a relationship over sometimes weeks and months, and you can really make a difference in people’s lives,” he said. “The other cool thing about babies is that the trend is toward health— generally, every day you get a little bit bigger and stronger as a baby.”

Ivana Brajkovic, a Milwaukee native, is now in her second year in the program.

A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, she completed her residency at University of California San Francisco and spent an additional three years as a neonatal hospitalist at Stanford University before joining the fellowship program.

One of the factors that initially attracted Brajkovic to the fellowship was the

James Collins (left), Feinberg School of Medicine professor and NICU unit director at Lurie Children’s Hospital, greets second-year NICU fellow Ivana Brajkovic at the hospital. Photo courtesy of Ivana Brajkovic

opportunity to work with James Collins, a Feinberg professor who has researched racial and ethnic group disparities in birth outcomes. Brajkovic’s research also focuses on how racial disparities in care affect infants’ morbidity and mortality, and she is currently investigating potential differences in infants born to Caucasian and Hispanic mothers by using an epidemiological tool that engages the contrast between poor and wealthy individuals in Chicago neighborhoods.

Brajkovic’s time at the fellowship is divided between two Chicago hospitals: Lurie Children’s Hospital and Prentice Women’s Hospital, which she described

as one of the busiest delivery hospitals in the country.

“Lurie is all subspecialty care, so referrals from around the Chicagoland area and beyond, and they have a lot of interesting, rare cases, surgical cases,” Brajkovic explained. “So, there’s a good mix of both traditional and very premature infants that are born at Prentice, and then having a lot of different subspecialty care at Lurie’s.”

In addition to getting hands-on training in essential neonatology skills such as critical intubations and central line placements, one of the most important skills she has learned so far is how to have difficult conversations with families, she said.

“It’s something they’re probably going to think about for the rest of their lives and remember that that’s the beginning of their child’s life,” she said. “I model from my attendings how best to do that, how not to speak as much, give them time to process things and present information in the way that families are interested in hearing it. So, I’ll now start and ask them a couple of questions to see how to make the conversation go.”

This year has been especially unusual in that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of new changes in the NICU, Brajkovic said. Health care providers now wear increased personal protective equipment, and because of limitations on the number of visitors who can come to the hospital, video calls through iPads have become a common way to communicate with parents.

“We never would have thought to do that before, and we have to adapt,” Brajkovic said. “And in a way, it’s kind of nice. It makes it convenient for families to see their kids more often and talk to their providers more often.”

After completing the fellowship, Brajkovic plans to stay at an academic medical center and focus on both research and clinical medicine. She is also working toward a master’s degree in public health through Northwestern and said she would ideally like to work with a public health department or look at epidemiological data alongside her clinical responsibilities.

Brajkovic said she would advise students interested in neonatology to know that while it’s “a long road ahead,” it’s also a rewarding career that is worth all of the training.

“I’d get exposure to pediatrics or neonatology early on in training, because neonatology in particular is a pretty specific specialty within medicine, and within pediatrics,” she said. “You might not even have experience with it in medical school. So, seeing it ahead of time before making a decision about a specialty would be important.”

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| FEATURES |

A CANDID CANDACE CHRISTMAS

H

ello! I’m “Candid” Candace Jordan and I am excited to be a new contributor to Chicago Star.

This journey will take you on a thrill ride of our city, showing you new sights, meeting exciting people and sharing family-friendly news you can use. I’ll also be Candace Jordan creating videos from time to time COLUMNIST so you can “see what I see,” and I hope you check us out online and follow us on social media too. As my friends know, I’m an absolute fanatic about Christmas with a love bordering on obsession. I have a curio cabinet filled with antique Christmas collectibles that stays up year-round and my husband says you can see our small, decorated patio from outer space.

Here is a Holiday Hot List of my personal favorites. I think this year, above all others, we need a solid dose of happiness.

Drum roll please… (in no particular order) 1. Taylor & Company’s Fa-La-La Holiday Pop-Up Experience Running through Christmas Eve, event designer Derrick Taylor has recreated the North Pole at 2819 W. Montrose.

Fa-La-La is a socially-distanced, pop-up experience offering fun for the whole family. Santa will be granting wishes on December 6 and 13, with professional digital memories included. Wreath-making classes, a showroom filled with snow globes, custom Christmas ornaments and more (all

by Illinois craftsmen) will be offered too. Since 1947, Taylor & Co. has been a family business specializing in event planning, floral design, gifts, holiday decor and more. taylorandcoevents.com

“Eleanor” author Denise McGowan Tracy with her book. Photo courtesy of Kehoe Designs

Event designer Tom Kehoe introduces his holiday shop pop-ups. Photo courtesy of Tom Kehoe

mas story is appealing to the young and the young-at-heart and will be streaming from Nov. 27 through Dec. 27. It’s the tale of a toy who is “left behind” and her journey to find happiness. A “Party in a Box” is available to enhance the experience with a copy of the book, holiday party hats, an Eleanor ornament and a reindeer ring toss game. eleanorswish.com 3. The Holiday Shoppe This festive jewel box is event design guru Tom Kehoe’s first holiday shop and it’s filled to the brim with wreaths, garlands, trees, centerpieces and ornaments at the corner of Superior and Rush streets (108 E. Superior). Other pop-up locations include The Park at Lakeshore East (333 E. Benton Place), Ranalli’s in Lincoln Park (1925 N. Lincoln) and Federales in the West Loop (180 N. Morgan). kehoedesigns.com/green-market-garden www.chicagostarmedia.com 16 / DECEMBER 2020

2 “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas, the Musical” First the book and now the heartfelt musical. Written by Chicagoan DeniseN McGowan www.chicagostarmedia.com 16 / DECEMBER 2020 E W E A S T S I D Tracy, E N E W Sthis / S T Rcharming E E T E R V I L LChristE N E W S

4. Santa Baby Christmas Bar I discovered the Santa Baby Bar last year and I didn’t / 16 any better than on my first trip but I thinkwww.chicagostarmedia.com itDECEMBER could2020get

was so wrong. It’s even more over-the-top festive than I remembered! It’s almost like children have been let loose to decorate however they see fit, with boundless enthusiasm and a love of abundance. Deuce’s Major League Bar, renamed “Santa Baby” for the holidays, 3505 N. Clark, will put any Grinch in the holiday spirit.

Reservations only, through mid-January. santababybar.com 5. Mangel Florist You wouldn’t think of a hotel shop as being something special, but Mangel’s is an exception and definitely worth a visit. Besides exquisite floral arrangements, the store has a selection of holiday decor and gifts arranged as if

by Mrs. Claus herself. This year, the store and the hotel it lives in, The Drake, are celebrating 100th anniversaries. mangelflorist.com N E W

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I hope you’ve enjoyed my first column. I can’t wait to share more and will add new info online as I discover more holiday happenings.

CHICAGO STAR

CHICAGO STARshop local at the

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VISIT GUIDE shop local atTHE the STREETERVILLE HOLIDAY CHICAGO December 11-27 CHICAGO Learn more about local festivities at chicagostarmedia.com/holidayguide

holiday market

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| COMMUNITY CORNER |

Doorperson of the Month Darryl Richardson, Aon Center

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer Aon Center doorperson Darryl Richardson began perfecting the skills of his trade in the mid-1980s, when he accepted a security job for a summer program at Chicago’s Tilden High School. “After that I got hired at Zayre’s Department Store as a security doorman,” he said. “That really started my career.”

Working with plainclothes detectives to prevent theft was much more appealing than the classes he had been taking at Columbia College, so he stayed with it.

The role allowed him to help young people from the neighborhood.

“You get kids and teens coming in and you kind of lecture them on what’s right and wrong,” he said. “That helped the young people get their life on the path and also helped me know that I was doing something good for the community.”

Richardson was raised near Comiskey Park, former home of the Chicago White Sox, and graduated from Wendell Phillips High School. He credits his success in part to his mother, a nurse’s assistant, and his father, a Yellow Cab driver.

“They’ve been in my life and doing what’s right as far as being parents,” he said.

After spending several years in security, Darryl moved into the hospitality industry and became a supervisor at the Chica-

Aon Center’s Darryl Richardson is Doorperson of the Month.

Photo by Daniel Patton

go Hilton on Michigan Avenue. Besides overseeing staff responsible for three entire floors, he got to meet people such as Gov. James R. Thompson and rhythm and blues legend Chaka Khan, who stayed at the hotel during his time there.

“Everything was good,” he said. “The hotel atmosphere is exciting.”

But a historical event motivated him to return to his original calling.

“The attacks of 9/11 inspired me to contribute to securing our country,” he said. “To have that little all-American feeling that I’m doing my part.”

Since then, Richardson has worked security throughout downtown Chicago. He has been with the Aon Center since 2013.

“The people are awesome,” he said. “I really enjoy what I do.”

In addition to providing customer service, surveillance and reporting, the job has required him to use life safety skills.

“About two years ago,

a young lady came into our lobby area and asked if we knew CPR,” he said.

“I made a call on my twoway radio to let our team know we had an emergency and went to assist and started performing CPR.” The person left the building safely with paramedics, and Richardson credits the “great management team” for preventing the tragedy.

“I was trained by the best,” he said.

When he’s not saving lives at work, Richardson enjoys watching 70’s vintage private detective movies and shows like “Shaft,” “Mannix,” “Cannon” and “Barnaby Jones,” and visiting with his mom, daughter and two granddaughters on social media apps to maintain a safe social distance.

To nominate your favorite doorperson, email info@ chicagostarmedia.com with their name and why you think they should be the doorperson of the month.

Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.

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| FEATURES |

Memorable gifts for an unforgettable holiday season

By Bob Oswald Staff Writer Celebrating a unique holiday season should include unique gifts. Sellers in the city have the perfect present for your favorite Chicagoan and a special way to remember 2020.

For those sheltering in place during the pandemic, a new culinary guide offers downtown diners a chance to get discounts on take-out orders while supporting local charitable organizations.

“DineIt4ward,” a guide with deals from more than 70 restaurants, includes special codes allowing the buyer to direct a portion of the purchase price to a variety of area nonprofits, including Lurie Children’s Hospital, Green City Market, the American Cancer Society and Pilot Light.

“We’re hoping people will see (the guide) as a good gift, for themselves or for anyone who likes food,” Co-Founder and Chicago resident Laura Goodman said.

In April when the COVID-19 pandemic brought restrictions on dining out, Goodman saw eateries struggling to stay open. At the same time, she said, charitable organizations were struggling to raise money. So she created a way of “dining it forward.” Most restaurants were happy for a chance to get people in the door and benefit charities.

“The idea is to give charities an additional tool to raise money,” she said. “And restaurants needed the business.”

With the guide, Goodman said, people can buy something that helps the community. And, with the latest restrictions, the takeout discounts will come in handy beyond the holidays.

The Dine It 4ward Culinary Guide is available for $50 plus

LEFT: “A Chicago Christmas” cards, $20. ABOVE: Chicago Hot Dog Puzzle, $15, mcachicagostore.org

The DineIt4ward culinary guide offers food discounts and a chance to donate to local charities, $50, dineit4ward.com. Photo courtesy of DineIt4ward

Sue face mask, $24.99, store.fieldmuseum.org

The Art Institute of Chicago’s Closed coffee mug by artist David Shrigley, $12, shop.artic.edu Banned books face mask, $12, americanwritersmuseum.org

shipping at dineit4ward.com.

Use the code PILOTLIGHT20, LURIECH20, GCM20 or ACS20 for an $11 discount and 20% of the sales proceeds will go back to one of those organizations.

From the gift shop The city’s museums offer online shopping with a variety of gift ideas that are uniquely Chicago, including a few that particularly reflect this crazy year.

Face masks are a safety pre-

caution and a fashion statement.

Chicagoans and dinosaur fans can get a mask from the Field Museum featuring Sue, the museum’s 40-foot long Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Three styles to choose from. $24.99, store. fieldmuseum.org The American Writers Museum offers wearers a chance to “show your support for all published books” with a face mask that features banned books, according to the museum’s website. $12, americanwritersmuseum.org

To reflect the recent coronavirus shut downs and closures of the season, a coffee mug from The Art Institute of Chicago shows each day of the week as “closed.” The mug features a design by artist David Shrigley, whose “work conjures up ironic comments on everyday situations and human interactions,” according to the website. $12, shop.artic.edu The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) has items to let everyone know where you live. A box of 15 holiday cards, titled “A Chicago Christmas,” parodying the song “The Twelve

Days of Christmas,” includes Windy City-themed lines such as, “Nine Cubs a-Batting,” “Eight Aldermen Schmoozing,” “Three Screeching Els” and “A Picasso in a Pear Tree.” For those stuck inside, MCA has a Chicago Hot Dog Puzzle. The image shows an all-beef frank with all the toppings except ketchup, “which is of course completely unacceptable on a Chicago hot dog,” according to the MCA website.

Cards, $20, puzzle, $15, mcachicagostore.org Chicago has been called a city of neighborhoods and the Chicago History Museum has a T-shirt that features more than 100 of them. Each neighborhood is displayed in a unique logo or style. $24.99, shop.chicagohistory.org

Chicago neighborhoods T-shirt, $24.99, shop.chicagohistory.org

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Holidays at home

Classic Christmas shows move online

By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer This December, Chicagoans can enjoy many of their favorite wintertime productions from the comfort of their living room.

Lookingglass Theatre Company is streaming its 2019 production of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” from Dec. 1-27. The show is based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and was written and directed by Mary Zimmerman, an ensemble member at the company.

“I wanted to do something holiday-ish and something very, very visual,” Zimmerman said. “It’s very visual, very colorful and very bright and ultimately moving, but it’s ultimately very accessible.”

The production is unique in that it is performed without any spoken language at all, Zimmerman said.

“It’s like a silent movie, but it’s accompanied by music that’s written for it at any moment,” she explained. “So, it’s very musical.”

Tickets for online access, $25, can be purchased at lookingglasstheatre.org. The opening night livestream, which costs $75, is set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1.

The Goodman Theatre’s long-running rendition of “A Christmas Carol” returns for its 43rd year as a free audio production that can be streamed.

The show includes an all-Chicago cast and will be available from Dec. 1-31, in addition to airing on WBEZ 91.5 FM and Vocalo 91.1 FM at 3 p.m. Dec. 24 and 11 a.m. Dec. 25.

Thomas Cox, who reprises his role as Bob Cratchit, said a reason

Limited winter festivities, traditions return to city

By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer Celebrating the holidays may look a little different this year, but Chicago has plenty of wintertime activities to offer, including holiday take-out meals, visits with Santa and charitable drives to make children’s Christmas wishes come true.

Lookingglass Theatre Company’s 2019 production of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” will stream online through December. Photo by Liz Lauren

the show has had such timeless appeal is the way it focuses on community and the importance of taking care of one another.

“That really ends up being the most important thing for any of us at any given time, whether good times, bad times, middle of the winter, middle of summer,” he said.

Vikram Konkimalla, a New Eastside resident cast as Tiny Tim in the production—a role he also held in 2019—said getting to play the part was “amazing.”

“You get many opportunities to do stuff, and I love to close the show by saying, ‘God bless us every one,’” he said.

To adapt to an audio format, the cast rehearsed via Zoom and recorded in small groups at booths set up at the Goodman Theatre, said Susaan Jamshidi, who returns as Mrs. Cratchit.

Virtual events Dec. 1-Jan. 2, select dates It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago This live interactive Zoom show marks the 19th year American Blues Theater has performed a version of the classic Frank Capra film. Tickets

for the 90-minute show can be purchased at americanbluestheater.com.

Dec. 12-Jan. 3 Holiday Sing-Along with the Symphony New Philharmonic’s virtual concert invites viewers to sing along to classic holiday tunes.

Lyrics will be shown on the screen. The event premieres at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and will be available through Jan. 3. Tickets available at atthemac.org/events/sing-along.

Dec. 19-Jan. 1 Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a free online version of its popular 2018 production. The 80-minute show will be available on demand and streamed from the group’s website, chicagoshakes.com.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” The animated holiday classic will stream exclusively on Apple TV this year, including two free days from Dec. 11-13. For more info, download the Apple TV app or visit tv.apple.com and sign up for a seven-day free trial.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” will air on PBS and PBS KIDS at 6:30 p.m. on Dec 13.

Spending time with Santa Santa will return to Water Tower Place for the holiday season, with hours of operation 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, according to Rachel Wille, senior public relations and social media specialist for Brookfield Properties.

“We are doing all that we can to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for our guests,” Wille said.

“This includes touch-free experiences that allow for our guests to visit with Santa in person.”

As part of the annual tradition, guests can take an interactive 4D ride to the North Pole on Santa’s sleigh, which will be cleaned and sanitized between each group ride, Wille said.

Visits with Santa will be conducted in a socially-distanced manner and daily health and temperature checks will be completed for all staff members, including Santa.

Wille said guests who are not comfortable visiting Santa in person can participate in a live virtual visit. Reservations for virtual visits can be made at ExperienceJingleRing.com.

While Swissotel Chicago will be unable to operate its Santa Suite as an event space, guests can book the festively decorated room as a guest room, said Brittany Robbins, the hotel’s marketing manager.

Among the amenities included in the package are a build-your-own-

hot-cocoa bar, Moet & Chandon champagne, holiday cookies, daily breakfast, a cookie decorating station and complimentary parking.

Dining for the holidays The Walnut Room at Macy’s on State Street is debuting take-out holiday meals, available in both individual and family-style packages. The family-style option is $95 and comes with a choice of holiday turkey and gravy, Mrs. Hering’s pot pie dinner or family-style oven-baked meatloaf.

Diners can place a take-out order from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily from the Walnut Room Wine Bar and through GrubHub, by calling (312) 781-3139. For information, visit macyswalnutroom.com.

Making a difference with donations The Salvation Army is offering both traditional and virtual versions of its Angel Tree program, which encourages donors to purchase gifts requested by children in need. The trees contain paper tags with each child’s age, gender and wish list.

The Salvation Army has 28 corps community centers throughout the Metropolitan Division, which runs from Rockford to Lake County, Ind., many of which are based in Chicago, said Katie Heinz Pfingsten, public relations manager for the organization’s metropolitan division. Donors interested in contributing to virtual Angel Trees can locate the nearest corps community center at centralusa.salvationarmy. org/usc/location-search.

“With more families facing financial hardship this year, the need to serve those most vulnerable is greater than ever before,” said Lt. Col. Lonneal Richardson, divisional commander of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.

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| NEWS BREAK |

Game day: All quiet on the Soldier Field front

T

his month I went on a mission to check out Soldier Field and my beloved Chicago Bears football team.

More specifically, Jon Cohn COMMUNITY what was it like to be CONTRIBUTOR around the stadium on a game day when no fans were allowed to attend?

Normally, a couple hours before game time, people would be hustling and bustling about, marching into the stadium and antic-

Jumble

TFGI ECEDRBME CSTEOILS

ipating game day festivities. Others would be heading to parking lots for elaborate pre-game tailgate gatherings. Concessionaires would be hawking their Bears-related goods, food stands would be selling hot dogs and tacos and Chicago police officers would be blowing their whistles, directing the busy traffic in and around the stadium.

Loud, busy, definitely high energy. That’s the normal scene for those eight special Sundays every year when Soldier Field plays host to NFL football.

In 2020 with no fans allowed inside, sadly, this year, all seems quiet on the Soldier Field front.

“Very weird,” said Jose Melger, a Field Museum employee who works Bears games on Sundays. “Totally different than previous years. It is like a ghost town.”

“Surreal” is the way a Monterrey Security guard employed for Bears games described it, pointing to the street separating the Field Museum and Soldier Field.

I was surprised to find the Chicago Bears Pro Shop at the base of the entrance to the stadium was still open. At least there was little “action” going on.

Thalila, long-time employee at the pro shop, pointed to the doors. “Usually there would be long lines waiting just to get

into the store on game day, but as you can see…not today. To say the least, sales are way down,” she said.

Maybe the weirdest thing was walking around the stadium once the game had begun. No roar from the crowd. No “oohs” or “aahs,” no sounds of excitement, no boos, no cheers—only the sound of the P.A. announcer breaking the truly eerie quiet.

The only thing that was strangely similar? The Bears lost the game.

Jon Cohn is a New Eastside resident.

Email ideas for Jon to info@chicagostarmedia.com

Community photo LCDENA GILHT UNLIOORSTE

Send photos and captions of things going on in the neighborhood to info@chicagostarmedia.com for a chance for your photo to be featured. Photographers will receive $25.

Plural for “a piece of news” often used as the second word in a holiday greeting.

Previous puzzle answer: English settlers who came to North America on the Mayflower. PILGRIMS

Where am I?

Do you know where this is?

If you think you know these spots, email us at info@chicagostarmedia.com.

Answers to November Where am I? McClurg Street stairs to the Ogden slip and North entrance to the Aon building. Congratulations to James West for identifying the New Eastside site.

Young Professionals Streeterville members during the group’s fall service event on Nov. 7, which involved cleaning up Grand Avenue and Ohio, Ontario and Illinois streets from Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Avenue. Alderman Brendan Reilly’s office supplied the clean-up equipment for the event. Photo by Casey Doherty

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