Streeterville News April 2020

DIGITAL EDITION AVAILABLE ON thestreeterville.com

Got a story tip or question? Call (312) 690-3092

April 2020

vol. 3 no. 4

FREE

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

Restaurants respond to shutdown in unique ways

Page 11

Pandemic spring cleaning McCormick Place transforms into makeshift hospital Page 3

Page 10 The staff at Cupitol are dedicated to serving food to the community during this coronavirus crisis. Photo Courtesy of Cupitol

Virtual experiences to have at home

Page 2

Doorperson of the Month: Roosevelt Shivers

Page 3

Local kids ‘Zoom’ to virtual classrooms Page 7

Right now recipes from local food truck pros

Page 6

2 / APRIL 2020

N E W

E A S T S I D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

www.neatside.com

| NEWS |

How to Contact Us info@neweastsidecommunity.com

200 E. Randolph St. Suite 5100 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 690-3092 Editor: Elaine Hyde elaineh@neweastsidecommunity.com Managing Editor Stephanie Racine stephanieracine@ neweastsidecommunity.com Staff Writers: Mat Cohen Daniel Patton Doug Rapp Elisa Shoenberger Copy Editors: Vivien Lee Bob Oswald Layout/Design: Bob Oswald Community Contributors: Jon Cohn

Subscriptions info@neweastsidecommunity.com or visit neatside.com Advertising Contact (312) 690-3092 or info@neweastsidecommunity.com Eastside Enterprises LLC is the publisher of New Eastside News and Streeterville News. Eastside Enterprises has provided local community news to the Chicago area since 2012.

New Eastside News and Streeterville News are monthly papers that use community writers and contributors. The views expressed by community contributors are their own. Eastside Enterprises does not take responsibility for third-party announcements or events. Eastside Enterprises is independently owned and operated.

Published April 1, 2020 Copyright ©2020. All rights reserved.

The Field Museum is offering virtual tours of the Chicago museum. Photo courtesy of Google Earth

LIVE FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM New experiences to have at home

By Stephanie Racine Staff Writer Virtual museum tours Travel through the travel ban and visit some of the world’s most famous museums on a virtual tour. Some of the tours available include the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, which houses works from famous French artists such as Gauguin, Monet and Degas. Locally, virtually visit The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum and The Adler Planetarium, available through Google’s Art and Culture Platform. Visit artsandculture. google.com.

Help out a local Library The Newberry Library is looking for volunteers to help transcribe historical letters from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The process is simple and can

be done on the Newberry’s website. Read letters and diaries from people who lived in the midwest and those expanding the West, including some Native American history. Visit publications.newberry.org to get started.

Livestream a zoo The Cincinnati Zoo will be going live on Facebook every day at 2 p.m. through April 9. One of their animals will be highlighted each day and an activity will be shared. Those without Facebook can watch the daily video on The Cincinnati Zoo’s website, or YouTube. cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources Foster a pet PAWS Chicago is always looking for foster homes for their pets. Apply to foster a pet online at the PAWS chicago website. Some foster pets have specific

requirements. Other pet rescue organisations looking for fosterers include the Anti-Cruelty Society and ALIVE Rescue. pawschicago.org At-home meditation Meditation apps can help for relaxation and mindfulness. Calm and Headspace are apps that offer free or paid options. Listen to calming sounds or guided meditations in soothing voices.

Available on the Apple App store and Google Play.

Social media concerts A number of famous artists have taken to social media to perform livestream concerts. John Legend, Chris Martin of Coldplay and Keith Urban have taken requests on Instagram. Stay tuned on social media for the next surprise live performance.

www.neatside.com www.thestreeterville.com

N E W

E A S T S IS DT ER ENEETWE SR /VSI TL RL EE E N T E W R VS I L L E

| COMMUNITY CORNER |

Doorperson of the Month Roosevelt Shivers at The Streeter

By Mat Cohen Staff Writer This night owl has been building strong relationships and having some fun along the way.

Roosevelt Shivers, Streeterville News Doorperson of the Month, has been stationed on the late shift at The Streeter, 345 E. Ohio St., for 10 years.

“I love helping the residents feel at home when they come in,” he said. “When they see you smile, they smile, and it makes them feel better.

That’s the joy.”

Before working at the Streeter, Shivers spent about a year helping at different residential buildings when needed.

But the Streeter was something special.

“It’s a real down-to-earth, Roosevelt Shivers has been named the Streeterville friendly building,” he said.

Doorperson of the Month. Photo courtesy of Shivers “The leasing office treats us for any resident to talk, vent or joke like family, and I’ve never been a part around, which comes naturally to him. of a building that does, who let us use “I’m being just a shoulder they can the facilities. We have rooms that they lean on,” he said. “They’ll come talk let us rent out to family, if we need it.” and it’ll calm them down and get them “That’s the biggest thing for me. It feels like a family and it makes me want in a better mood. That’s the easiest part of the job.” to come to work,” he added. “I love it.”

Even on some late weekend Roosevelt grew up on the west side nights when residents are arriving of Chicago and loves the Cubs. When home after having some fun, he’s he’s working, he cherishes the full there for them. conversations with residents about the “They’ll come the next day and thank team. He’s also a self-proclaimed night me for everything,” he said. “My joke is, person, which helps him with overat least you made it back in one piece. night shifts. Even if he wasn’t working, “As long as you make it in the door, he said he’d still be up at 3 a.m.

I got you.”

“We’re the first thing they see in the morning and at night we’re the last To nominate your favorite doorperperson they see,” he said. “We’re there son, email info@neweastsidecommunity. just to make the residents feel welcom with their name and why you think come, have a good day, good morning, they should be the doorperson of the or have a good night. We’re just the month. Each winner will receive a $25 front line.” gift card to Mariano’s.

Throughout his shift, he holds space

N E W S

APRIL 2020 / 3

| NEWS BRIEFS | Downtown Chicago’s Lakefront closed

likely over concerns about the coronavirus and possible recession.

When sunny spring weather caused crowds to gather on the lakefront, Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered that the lakefront, beaches and the 606 be closed March 27 for an unspecified time to curb the spread of coronavirus. Chicago police patrolled the area to clear crowds and some areas have been fenced off.

McCormick Place transforms into makeshift hospital

A condo sells for $6.25 million in One Bennett Park A 4,800-square-foot apartment sold in March for $6.25 million at 451 E. Grand Ave. on the 63rd floor. The transaction is the highest amount for a condo sold in Chicago this year. The apartment is reported to have three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms with a lake view on three sides, according to a Related Midwest spokeswoman, the company behind the property. However, the Real Deal is seeing high-end property prices falling,

Plans are underway to turn McCormick Place into a 3,000-bed makeshift hospital to treat COVID-19 patients by April 24.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing kits to help transform several exhibition halls at the facility into a temporary medical site.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital restricts visitors In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, a no-visitor restriction has be implemented at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and its affiliates in Streeterville.

According to the hospital’s website, visitors are not allowed in all their in-patient and Continued on page 4

It’s Springtime in Streeterville!

We are proud to announce that Gail Spreen received the 2019 Chicago Association of Realtor’s Award for Top Producer And the Jameson Sotheby’s Award for Top Producing Team

Gail Spreen (312)925-7668 Gail@StreetervilleProperties.com

“YOUR STREETERVILLE EXPERT”

4 / APRIL 2020

N E W

E A S T S IS DT ER ENEETWE SR /VSI TL RL EE E N T E W R VS I L L E

N E W S

www.thestreeterville.com www.neatside.com

| NEWS |

Residents encouraged to work with police

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer Nearly 40 residents attended the March Community Beat Meeting for Chicago Police Beats 8331 through 1834—which includes the Magnificent Mile, River North, and Streeterville.

Hosted by the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) on the second floor of Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Ave., the semi-monthly gathering addresses resident concerns through “a partnership between police and community,” according to the Chicago Police website.

CPD Sergeant Christopher Schenk and Officer Alfred Robin-

son were on hand to represent the Chicago Police Department.

Beat meeting facilitator Craig Kaiser presented the statistics of crime reported between January and March 2020 with the same time frame from last year.

Although theft, deceptive practice, and robbery have declined, incidents of battery and criminal damage to property have increased, he said.

Officer Robinson offered a general description of the differences between theft and robbery: theft occurs when an item is stolen from a retail establishment; robbery occurs when something is stolen from a person.

Officer Robinson also noted that the CPD received more than

17,000 calls for service over the past three months and encouraged attendees to report crime when they see or suspect it.

“The more calls we get, the better off we are,” he said. “Don’t think that your call isn’t necessary.”

Next on the agenda, Kaiser updated the concerns expressed during the previous meeting.

Complaints of “repeat offenders” congregating near McDonald’s at Chicago Avenue and State Street persist, but the “significant” number of cell phone robberies reported near Chestnut and DeWitt, including one that involved battery, “seems to have disappeared.”

During the open forum, attendees described three

main concerns: mail theft, residents being followed and and incidents on the CTA Red Line.

According to one attendee, alleged perpetrators have obtained a copy of the Post Officer’s “master key” and have stolen mail from at least fifty buildings.

Another attendee raised a concern that young people in an SUV have been following residents around the neighborhood. The comment elicited a quick response from Sergeant Schenk, who advised people to “call 911 and articulate” the situation while walking toward an area of 24-hour safety if they think they are being followed.

“Know where your local hospital, fire house and police stations

are located,” he said. “Northwestern University works with the CPD, and Loyola security are certified police officers.”

He advised residents to subscribe to the Community Alerts issued by the CPD and added, “If you hear or see something during a crime, describe it to the police.”

Finally, an attendee asked for advice on what to do when a scene erupts on the CTA Red Line. Sergeant Schenk advised that riders to locate the “panic button” affixed to the walls of every CTA car. When activated, the button connects to the conductor and to the Office of Emergency Management & Communications, which handles the city’s 911 calls.

| NEWS BRIEFS | Continued from page 3 out-patient care sites with the following exceptions: Pediatric patients under the age of 18 (limited to one visitor/companion 18 or older) Neonatal ICU patients (limited to two visitors 18 or older, one at a time) Compassionate care, including pastoral care visits and end-of-life patients (limited to one visitor 18 or older) Laboring mothers (limited to one visitor 18 or older) Patients requiring transportation home after an ED visit or outpatient visit or procedure (limited to one visitor/companion 18 or older) In these exceptional cases, patients and visitors will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 or flu before being admitted. l

l

l

l

l

Crushed By Giants opening postponed to May Brewery and pub, Crushed by Giants, 600 N. Michigan, was projected to open in April but has been pushed back to May, according to the brewery’s website. The

brewery is taking over Seven on Heaven’s old space. Construction was scheduled to be completed by the end of March, according to the Eater, but recent closures with concerns over the coronavirus have likely delayed the construction and opening. According to its Facebook page, the brewery will be collaborating with other breweries.

Most recently, Crushed by Giants created a West Coast IPA called Live with Chicago with Hop Butcher for the World.

Cresco Labs announces second dispensary in River North Cresco Labs announced the Zoning Board of Appeals has granted the company a “special use approval” for a dispensary at 436 N. Clark St., according to a press release. Cresco is a publicly traded cannabis company with five locations in Chicago and another on the way. The final steps are “an inspection by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and being awarded an Adult Use Dispensing Organization License.” The store will be under the Sunnyside brand.

The company writes, “Illinois is expected to be a $2-4 billion dollar market at maturity.”

Thief robbed at least eight restaurants since early February Police have reported that a thief has robbed a minimum of eight restaurants in River North and Streeterville since the beginning of February. The suspect is said to have pried open the front door at each location, according to NBC. Locations include 700 block of North Wells Street on Feb. 1, and more recently 700 block of North LaSalle Street on March 8. The suspect is said to be “about 6 feet tall, between 45 and 60 years old, and wore dark clothing” according to Fox News.

Streeterville garage sold for $33 million The parking garage at 322 E. Illinois St. was sold to Cincinnati firm Bombe Ltd. for $33 million. The 475,000-square-foot garage was previously owned by Barings Asset Management and Laz Parking Re-

alty Investors who purchased it for $38.6 million in 2016. The companies had tried to sell it for $45 million in 2018. Bombe financed the parking garage that services the entertainment complex including AMC and Lucky Strike bowling alley with a $26 million loan.

Montessori school plans to double space in Streeterville Guidepost Montessori plans to double its size with a new elementary school in the fall. Located at 220 E. Illinois, the school plans on leasing 14,000 square feet from Optima Signature to accommodate the new elementary school, according to RE Journal. Optima CEO David Hovey Sr. said, “Since the school’s opening just over a year ago, many of the families living at Optima Signature—or who live or work in the surrounding neighborhood—have embraced the school’s convenience factor and its quality Montessori early childhood education program,” according to RE Journal. The building also houses GoodVets Streeterville, Egg Harbor Cafe, and others.

www.neatside.com www.thestreeterville.com

N E W

E A S T S IS DT ER ENEETWE SR /VSI TL RL EE E N T E W R VS I L L E

N E W S

APRIL 2020 / 5

| NEWS BRIEFS | “hold-harmless policies” to ease the burden caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effective immediately, Chicago will stop charging late fees on payment plans, utility bills, parking tickets, red-light citations, booting and other violations. “This is a common sense way that we can help mitigate the burdens and pressures many are feeling,” Lightfoot said. “We know that these practices disproportionately impact the residents that are most in need during this crisis.” The policies will remain in effect until April 30.

Social distancing will be practiced during voting in Chicago. Photo by Daniel Patton

Continued from page 3

2020 election wrap-up Democrats claiming victory after the 2020 Illinois Primary elections include incumbent Sen. Dick Durbin, who will run against Republican challenger Mark Curran in the November general election.

Incumbent State’s Attorney Kim Foxx will face Republican challenger Patrick O’Brien. Incumbent Rep. Danny K. Davis will run against Republican Craig Cameron for the Seventh District, which includes New Eastside, Streeterville and the West Loop.

City rents hotel rooms for people with coronavirus Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office said certain people who test positive for coronavirus or are awaiting test results would be housed in hotel rooms rented by the city beginning March 23. The measure will apply to those “who cannot safely return home (but) do not need hospital care.” At the time of the announcement, the city had already reached agreements with local hotels to provide more than 1,000 rooms for those “exposed to or mildly ill with COVID-19.” According to the Chicago Tribune, the program could expand to include up to 4,000 hotel rooms costing nearly $175 per night, and the expense will be covered by “federal funds and other potential sources.”

New Eastside and Streeterville political races to watch How to give back in the Unless a challenger emerges, incumbent neighborhood State Sen. Robert Peters will run unopposed in the race for Senate District 13, which includes Streeterville and everything east of Columbus Dr. in New Eastside. The same holds true for incumbent Kambium Buckner, who won the primary for House District 26. Lamont Robinson ran unopposed and won the primary for State House District 5, which includes everything west of Columbus Drive in New Eastside, all of River North, and the eastern half of the Loop.

City suspends late fees on parking tickets and more On March 18, Mayor Lightfoot announced that the city has initiated several

In a recent email newsletter, Alderman Reilly thanked the community for their enquiries into how to give back locally in the time of the coronavirus pandemic.

There are many ways to help.

l CPS teachers or childcare providers can volunteer to care for the children of first responders and healthcare workers by registering at sittercity.com.

CPS nurses or healthcare providers, including retired healthcare workers and those with out-of-state medical licenses, can sign up for the Illinois Medical Reserve Program. The IMRS is in need of volunteers to help support the healthcare field at this time. For more information, visit illinoishelps.net.

The country is also experiencing a l

l

blood donation shortage and the Red Cross is asking for more donations. If you are eligible, visit redcross.org For those who are unable to leave their homes or food insecure, there are several Chicago organizations that could use help and donations. One of which is Greater Chicago Food Depository. They are looking for volunteers ages 18-60 at chicagosfoodbank.org Please keep in mind if you have exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus or come into contact with someone who has exhibited symptoms or been diagnosed in the last 14 days, you should stay at home and not locally volunteer. For more information visit ward42chicago.com l

Deals on Divvy To help ease the burden of Illinois’ stay-at-home order, the City of Chicago has arranged a deal to reduce the cost of renting Divvy bikes. The cost of an annual Divvy membership has been reduced by 50%, from $99 to $49.50. The steeply discounted memberships are available through April 30.

Other measures include reducing the regular $3 cost of 30-minute Divvy bike rentals by 66%, which comes out to a dollar for a half hour.

“Chicago is committed to ensuring reliable and accessible transportation for every neighborhood and community,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a news release. Divvy is also launching a 30-day program to give critical healthcare workers free bikeshare rides.

Local grocery stores enact dedicated hours for senior citizens Seniors, and those with underlying medical conditions, are at the most risk for serious coronavirus complications, according to the CDC. To make essential trips to the grocery store and pharmacy easier for those individuals that are most at-risk, local stores have enacted senior-specific hours.

Whole Foods, 255 E. Grand Ave.: Shoppers 60 and up can begin shopping at 7 a.m., before the store officially opens at 8a.m.

Whole Foods, 30 W. Huron: Those 60 and up can begin shopping at 8 a.m, before the store officially opens at 9 a.m.

Target, 401 E. Illinois St.: Each Wednesday, the first hour of shopping is dedicated to seniors and those with underlying health concerns. 7-8 a.m.

Mariano’s, 333 E. Benton Place: 6-8 a.m. is reserved for senior citizens and those with underlying health concerns.

Jewel-Osco, 550 N. State St., For seniors and those with underlying health concerns, priority will be given on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9 a.m.

Walgreens: 8-9a.m. on Tuesdays is senior shopping hour. l

l

l

l

l

l

CTA, Metra help to ease COVID-19 burden Starting on March 24, The Chicago Transit Authority offered partial credit to customers who purchased fare cards but were unable to use them due to the coronavirus.

“A one-time credit,” according to a CTA press release, applies to “any remaining days left on an active 7- or 30-day pass.” In other words, a person who purchased a 7-day pass but only used it for one day would be credited with six days of “Transit Value” that would be “added to the cardholder’s Ventra account.”

The CTA also offered reassurance that it will continue operations during the stayat-home order.

To receive a Transit Value credit, send an email to customerservice@ventrachicago.com with the following information no later than April 13, 2020: Account holder’s name.

Transit account ID number (12-digit code associated with your Ventra account, not your Ventra Card number), Type of pass (7- or 30-Day) in which a credit is being requested.. l l

l

6 / APRIL 2020

N E W

E A S T S I D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

www.neatside.com

| FEATURES |

Right now recipes from local food truck pros

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer Social distancing has elevated the kitchen to a new level of importance.

To keep things tasty and efficient, local food truck owners and cooks share some tips on how they make delicious meals with limited supplies.

Mario Martinez’ huevos a la Mexicana “Everybody has eggs,” said Mario Martinez of Tacos Mario’s.

“Everybody has onions, tomatoes.

You can make Mexican Eggs.”

Martinez, born Mario Martinez in Mexico City, immigrated to Chicago, where he built Tacos Mario’s, a two-truck restaurant that has been honored by the WGN program “Chicago’s Best.”

“It’s sliced onion, sliced tomato and sliced hot peppers,” he said. “Fry the vegetables together and when they are ready, just throw in the eggs and stir it all up.

That’s it: huevos a la Mexicana.”

The peppers can be either hot or sweet.

“My favorite is Serrano pepper,” Martinez said. “It’s tasty. It’s better than the jalapeno. It’s the perfect hot pepper for everything.”

Thomas Brewer’s Roast Chicken Chicago native Thomas Brewer learned how to cook while watching YouTube at home in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood near 75th and Halsted streets.

He used the skill to launch Whadda Jerk Food Truck—where Jamaican and Mexican cuisine come together in a crunchy taco shell—which can usually be found serving customers near Northwestern Hospital at 251 E. Huron St. “When I don’t have much stuff,” he

Thomas Brewer

said, “I hit the freezer and thaw some chicken thighs or chicken wings, some chicken legs.

“If I have a whole chicken or hen in the freezer or in the refrigerator, I would season it up with some seasoning salt, pepper, onion, garlic and a little Caribbean spice,” he said. “Dry rub it on, put it in a pot, put butter on top, add a little water and just let it simmer for about an hour and thirty minutes,” he said.

The chicken should roast at 375 degrees for one to two hours, depending on size.

During that time, according to Brewer, “the steam from the water will start tearing that meat apart.”

The best way to serve it is over rice.

Curly Adams’ Ham and Eggs Curly Adams learned his way around a kitchen growing up with four brothers in Chicago. “My mom made sure we all know how to cook,” he said.

Today he uses Curly Adams that skill in Harold’s Chicken Shack food truck, often located on Huron Street across from Northwestern University Hospital. When it comes to quick and easy meals, he prefers the breakfast route.

“Ham and eggs,” he continues. “I have my toast in first. Then I put my ham in the microwave. Then I scramble my eggs.

So, ten minutes, breakfast is ready. That’s why you got that microwave.”

www.neatside.com

N E W

E A S T S I D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

APRIL 2020 / 7

| FEATURES |

Virtual classrooms at GEMS help students learn during coronavirus era

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer

Fifth grade student Shiven Kammula meets via Zoom with his class and the school counselor to discuss coping strategies for boredom and ways to interact socially. Photo courtesy of GEMS World Academy

GEMS World Academy temporarily shuttered its New Eastside campus on Friday, March 13, in accordance with Illinois Governor Pritzker’s order to close all of the state’s public and private schools to combat the spread of coronavirus. Classes resumed via online videoconferencing the following Monday. Since then, GEMS hasn’t missed a beat and has been executing their remote learning plan every weekday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the term while keeping pace with the teachers’ original lesson plans. At-home learning for Gems include community and socializing

Follow along on social media with the hashtag #GEMSatHome to learn more about the school’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accepting Applications for 2020 312.809.8910 | gemschicago.org | 350 East South Water St., Chicago, IL 60601

time, and individual work.

“We kind of sensed this was coming, so we already had this conversation with kids,” said Head of School Tom Cangiano. “They were prepared and had all the equipment they needed.”

The equipment includes iPad minis that students received when they were in junior kindergarten and MacBook Pros in fourth grade. The gear makes a fitting complement to the school’s tech-savvy methodology for its young scholars.

GEMS is an International Baccalaureate school that educates a diverse population of students from preschool through grade 12. With a strong focus on innovation, it incor-

porates emerging technology into the daily routine.

As a result, students made a rather easy transition from classroom to home. Plugging into online applications like Zoom and Google Meet, they attend class, form breakout groups, learn from guest lecturers, and collaborate on digital versions of the traditional whiteboard. Recently, the fourth graders studied immigration by listening to the personal stories of a Filipino archaeologist from National Geographic Explorer.

According to Director of Innovation Peg Keiner, it’s been more or less Continued on page 9

8 / APRIL 2020

N E W

E A S T S IS DT E R ENEETW E SR /VSI TL RL EE E N TE W R VS I L L E

N E W S

www.neatside.com

| FEATURES |

Coping in the coronavirus era: Residents and visitors react Two weeks after President Trump declared a national health emergency in response to the to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago appeared rather desolate on a foggy Friday afternoon. But a smattering of people were out and about, and they carried on almost as if everything was normal (almost).

Photos and story by Daniel Patton

David and Jill Newton, Streeterville The Newtons wore their optimism well as they prepared to make an unplanned relocation from Chicago. Since the native Englanders lived as Streeterville residents during a previous two-year stint, they have found many things to love about the city.

David, who has been working at home since Kraft Heinz closed its offices in the Aon Center three weeks ago, rearranged his retirement so that he and his wife could spend time with their children near Liverpool. “I had a month of celebrations for me retiring all planned, but none of that’s happening now,” he said. “We want to get back and see our kids and be close to them.” But he will miss “getting on the lakefront.”

Jill will miss the theatres, museums, opera, and symphony. “It’s just a great place to live and I hope that things will return to normal before too long and it will be the great city that it is,” she said.

Erin Matsumura, East Lakeview Personal trainer and dog-walker, Erin was strolling near the Columbus Avenue Bridge with 6-month-old boxer Mia when she said the stay-athome era helped her realize, “simplicity is maybe the way to go.”

“Everything I thought I needed, I don’t,” she said.

“I’m actually pretty much a minimalist anyways, but I mean, you know, buying day-to-day things you think you need or things you think you need to do, you really don’t.”

With so many businesses closed, some of her clients have reached the same conclusion. “People are home, so a lot of them don’t need their dogs walked,” she said. “It’s not like it used to be.” With gyms closed, Erin offered suggestions for exercising at home. “Go easy and get dialed in with the basic movements,” she said. “Just move—walking, stretching, you know, your basics. If you want to dance, dance. Whatever. Anything to move.”

Susan (last name withheld), downtown A retiree “very involved with the performing arts,” Susan was accustomed to going out “every night” until the health crisis came along. Now she spends her days with a new friend.

“I have this dog to take care of as long as we’re sheltering in place,” she said.

“His name is Oreo, which makes no sense because he’s not black and white at all.”

Susan decided to foster Oreo after Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the bars and restaurants in Chicago. “I realized that if I was going to be home all the time, I could get a dog,” she said. When she’s not walking the dog, Susan checks out free concerts that The Metropolitan Opera streams each day. It’s not the same as the live performance of Wagner’s Ring Cycle that she intended to attend before it got cancelled, but she said, “it’s really generous of them.”

Oreo has been adopted by a Missouri family, but that’s on hold “because of what we’re dealing with right now.” Same goes for his favorite places to walk— the Riverwalk and the lakefront—but he and Susan still manage to get out about four times every day.

Lynn and Elizabeth (Lizzy) Brahin, New Eastside Lynn and her daughter Lizzy were enjoying an outdoor lunch in Streeterville when they paused to explain how the pandemic had affected their lives.

Lynn, a Corcoran Urban Real Estate broker, is mostly showing houses through virtual tours to accommodate the stay-at-home order, a process she believes may ultimately prove to be beneficial for the industry. “Buyers will become much more informed,” she said.

“Back in the day, it would take a long time to visit several properties.”

When the order is lifted, she looks forward to enjoying the intimacy of companionship once again. “That in-person, eye-toeye, human contact is so much different than anything else,” she said. “It’s priceless.”

Lizzy, a junior high school student at Walter Payton College Prep, has been studying at home. But she said there’s been an unexpected catch. “You can do the assignments to improve your grade,” she explained, “but not doing them will not make your grade worse.”

Lizzy said a school trip to San Francisco, where she was scheduled to participate in the Knowledge at Wharton High School Investment Competition with the economics and investment team, was cancelled.

Thoa Le, Vietnam Vietnamese medical student Thoa Le came to Chicago for a cardiology conference but ended up sightseeing when it was cancelled. She was disappointed to learn that Millennium Park was closed, but understood. “Every store and market in Vietnam had to close for at least 14 days,” she said. “The pandemic is dangerous and it can cross borders without a visa.”

www.neatside.com

N E W

E A S T S IS DT E R ENEETW E SR /VSI TL RL EE E N TE W R VS I L L E

N E W S

APRIL 2020 / 9

| FEATURES |

Mariano’s extra effort keeps customers safe, satisfied

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer Mariano’s has devoted energy into creating a customer wellness program to meet the needs of shoppers during the social distancing period.

Director of Strategic Brand Development Amanda Puck explains how Mariano’s innovation continues to help make it a neighborhood favorite.

Some Lower School team members from GEMS have a virtual meeting on Zoom.

Photos courtesy of GEMS World Academy

Virtual classrooms at GEMS Continued from page 7 school as usual. “We had the infrastructure in place, and teachers were already doing this,” she explained.

“We have a program that believes that children can learn everywhere. We just added Zoom.”

Cangiano, who teaches a literature class, said that replicating the dynamic of a group discussion with students “is not as challenging as you think.”

“Teachers are using all kinds of different strategies,” he added. “They might be sharing their screens and embedding videos.”

A slightly modified version of the school’s unique Field Studies program also continues to thrive. As part of a commitment to inquiry-based learning, the program has traditionally encouraged students to explore their surroundings, engage with the community, and learn from their experiences. It complements the school’s “Chicago curriculum,” which Cangiano summarized by saying, “you become a great global citizen if you are a great local citizen.”

Fourth grade students in French class, via Zoom, practice counting.

Now that students are studying remotely, instead of analyzing the food supply chain by visiting Mariano’s or observing symbiosis by watching dogs and their owners in the park, the students journey through their immediate surroundings.

“We’re encouraging kids to look at the things we can learn from home,” Keiner explained. “Normally, we would go to Mariano’s, but now we’re going to go to the fridge.”

What is Mariano’s doing to ensure the wellness of employees and customers?

We’ve always taken the safety of our associates and customers very seriously, but in light of the pandemic, we have upped the measures and precautions. We have increased our cleaning schedule. We are coaching employees. We are working with customers and employees to maintain distancing guidelines. We are installing plexiglass barriers at checkout stands and floor decals that say please wait here so customers know where to stand… The protocols may end up being permanent because we don’t know what the new normal is going to be.

What about your in-store classes events?

We are actually bringing that all online starting in April. We’re going to have wine-tastings, chef classes, and “Live at Mariano’s” with musical talent streaming performances and kids concerts.

Ready to feed the neighborhood. Pre-packaged meals are abundant at Mariano’s Lakeshore East. Photo courtesy of Mariano’s

How has the situation affected Mariano’s daily routine?

Hiring for us is the biggest challenge, because pickup and delivery are more in demand than they’ve ever been before, especially for seniors and people at home. We’re hiring at all stores to increase those operations. We’ve already hired 500 new associates, and we’re looking to hire 500 more. So if anyone’s interested they can apply online now on mariano’s.com

about food supply and wondering if they are going to get their groceries, and the answer is yes. But as a community we also have to realize that we can’t be hoarding. Mariano’s places limits on water, bread, dairy, eggs, sanitizer, and toilet paper. We’re also expecting large shipments of toilet paper soon. This may change all of our lives forever and, in some ways, it’s humbling and gratifying to know that we can deliver what our customers need.

How have Mariano’s employees responded to the new safety protocols?

Our associates are the real heroes—well, obviously, in addition to the first responders handling medical emergencies. But the associates are totally ramping it up. Our staff come in every day, every night, unloading trucks. We are there around the clock. We have overnight teams replenishing stores.

What do you intend to do when the stay-at-home order is lifted?

My husband and I miss our restaurant friends and community. We’ve been doing pickup. We just picked up from a place and the manager said I really miss you and come back as soon as you can.

How are the customers dealing with the changes?

The customers have been unbelievably supportive. Of course, they’re concerned

What’s your favorite thing to eat from Mariano’s?

I love Mariano’s fried chicken. I think it’s the best.

And I love our Poke Bowls, which are made-to-order.

We just launched a new salmon teriyaki bowl and it’s healthy, fresh, and delicious.

10 / APRIL 2020

N E W

E A S T S IS DT ER ENEETWE SR /VSI TL RL EE E N T E R W VS I L L E

N E W S

www.neatside.com

| NEWS |

Neighborhood restaurants still cooking through the ban

By Stephanie Racine, Elisa Shoenberger and Daniel Patton Staff Writers The Chicago culinary community is not taking a backseat during the restaurant shutdown.

With With President Donald Trump’s stay-at-home order extended until April 30, local restaurants have had to alter their methods of feeding the community.

Streeterville’s Volare Ristorante Benvenuto “Benny” Siddu, owner of popular Streeterville eatery Volare Ristorante Italiano, is responding to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis by helping others.

“Twice a week, we donate

food for 50 people at the Ronald McDonald House,” he said. “We are not allowed to go in, but we drop it off and we do whatever they need.” Ronald McDonald House supports families of children who are hospitalized.

Siddu is also doing everything possible to retain the staff that has helped his restaurant thrive for 23 years.

“We’ve got 120 employees,” he said. “Yesterday, everybody came to pick up their checks and we offered to feed them all.” When the ban on in-person dining at restaurants is lifted, he hopes to “have a general meeting with the entire staff and hopefully compensate them for the time that they have taken off.”

Located at 201 E. Grand Ave., Volare has become known for

Benvenuto “Benny” Siddu

an extensive menu that includes traditional pasta, robust chops, grilled calamari and spaghetti and meatballs. Siddu, who was born in Italy, said that his favorite dish is the linguine with zuppa di pesce—linguine with fish soup.

Besides serving its full menu Continued on page 13

Streeterville eatery Volare Ristorante Italiano is responding to the COVID-19 crisis by helping others, including a donation of food for 50 people at the Ronald McDonald House. Photos courtesy of Voltare Ristorante

AMERICA’S PASTIME POSTPONED Remembering the games that never happened The delay of baseball’s opening day expands a chapter of American sports that involves U.S. presidents and a future Supreme Court justice. Here’s a brief summary of games that never happened and seasons cut short.

restore the game, owners voted to use replacement players, and President Clinton ordered everyone to find common ground.

But the strike continued.

On March 31, future Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a preliminary injunction against the owners, essentially ending the strike. The sides abided by their previous agreement until a new deal was reached.

Major League Baseball Strike of 1994 A strike launched by players on Aug. 12, 1994, eventually caused the cancellation of the World Series.

The dispute began when team owners proposed salary caps, revenue sharing, and a restriction on player mobility to increase equity among clubs. During the winter of ‘95, Congress introduced bills to

NFL Players Strike of 1987 The strike that began on Sept. 22, 1987, forced team owners to cancel play for three weeks before they started hiring replacements to resume the season.

The players wanted free agency, better pensions, and no artificial turf.

The owners responded by signing veterans from the former United States

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer

Football League, a defunct organization that included future U.S. President Donald Trump among its owners. They also signed dozens of “ordinary dudes from all walks of life who were delighted to jump at the opportunity to play NFL football,” according to Deadspin’s Dom Cosentino.

A number of regular players also crossed the picket line, including Doug Flutie, Steve Largent, and Joe Montana, weakening the leverage of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). On Oct. 14, 1987, NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw ordered everyone back to work.

The Olympic boycotts of 1980 and 1984 On March 21, 1980, President Carter pulled the U.S. out of the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet

Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. He eventually convinced Canada, China, Japan, and others to stay home.

The Soviets lost millions in TV deals as a result and launched their own boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles four years later.

Without competing against Soviet powerhouses like East Germany and Romania, the U.S. won 174 medals. But the success spelled disaster for some.

A McDonald’s Olympic promotion awarded U.S. customers with free food whenever the country won a medal: Big Macs for a gold, fries for a silver, a drink for a bronze. When half of the world didn’t show up to play, it caused nearly 7,000 restaurants to “reportedly run short of Big Macs,” according to the New York Times.

www.neatside.com

N E W

E A S T S I D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

APRIL 2020 / 11

| NEWS |

Pandemic spring cleaning

By Mat Cohen and Daniel Patton Staff Writers Spring cleaning comes every year, but with the addition of Illinois’ stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone in Chicago has time to take precautionary health measures.

Local organizations and businesses are taking extra steps alongside residents to start fresh as summer begins to roll around.

The Chicago Transit Authority The CTA has created a new “Coronavirus Info” page on its website detailing their response to the current health crisis. Daily procedures for CTA train stations include cleaning and disinfecting faregates, turnstiles, Ventra machines, escalator handrails and elevator panels. The daily schedule for buses and trains includes cleaning and disinfecting seats, straps, handrails and fare boxes.

The vehicles also undergo routine deep cleans that include intensive floor scrubbing.

The Chicago Loop Alliance Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) and Power Washing Systems took to the streets March 25 to wash sidewalks, trash cans and any other public structures from Ida B. Wells Drive to Wacker Drive. In a news release from CLA, Bill Mologousis, president of Pressure Washing Systems, said the company is taking extra measures for everyone’s safety.

“We’re not just allowing this wastewater that’s generated from these cleaning operations to enter the storm sewer system and maybe create an environmental impact,” Mologousis said. “Anyone can pressure wash this into the sewer, not many companies have equipment that will prevent it from going into the sewer system.”

CLA will team up with Pressure Washing Systems to clean and disinfect sidewalks,

SPRING CLEANING TIPS FROM THE PROS Take baby steps l Set a timer if you’re starting to declutter, increase that time as you go l Be comfortable with an empty space l Look at your space as a luxury l Make it enjoyable l

Courtesy: Organizing With You

trash cans, and other infrastructure each week in the Loop. The process will use a quaternary disinfectant cleaner called QuatSan, which is “effective at killing a variety of bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19,” according to a news release.

McHugh Construction The company responsible for raising Vista Tower 1,200 feet into the air is “still working,” according to a recent post on its Facebook page. Construction is among the categories that are exempt from Governor Pritzker’s March 20 stay-at-home order.

But McHugh is also “taking significant steps to ensure we are extra vigilant as the situation involving coronavirus continues to rapidly evolve,” the post said. Among them: requiring employees who have a house member that is sick with respiratory illness to stay home, limiting business travel and large gatherings, allowing employees to work from home, and monitoring supply chains and CDC guidelines.

Local Residents On the residential side, Mission 2 Organize and Organizing With You are professional companies who offer many different

Chicago Loop Alliance Clean Team Ambassador clean up on State Street. Photo courtesy of Chicago Loop Alliance

services, including virtual sessions to help people declutter and organize.

Schae Lewis and Bahar Partow founded Mission 2 Organize a decade ago after reassessing their own lives and deciding they’d rather work for themselves. As the business took off, the duo quickly realized they were getting five-star Yelp reviews and adding value to people’s lives.

Pooja Gugnani shared a similar experience when she founded Organizing With You. “I noticed I was helping people to get organized and I felt like I could add value,” Gugnani said. “I decided to look into setting up a business.”

Organizing With You has just celebrated its 10-year anniversary. It offers reorganization in any area of the home or business and helps with time management or relocation. The company also offers

customized virtual organizing, a process that begins with clients walking Gugnani through their space while she develops a maintenance plan.

Gugnani said in Chicago, where space is limited, it’s important to stay clean and organized to help with mental clarity, especially after a big life event or the new stay-at-home order.

“It will increase mental and physical well-being,” she said. “After a death or a divorce it can truly help, it can save a lot of time and help with mental challenges.”

Visit mission2organize.com and organizingwithyou.com for more information.

Organizing With You is offering a firsttime client special in honor of its 10-year anniversary. You can also visit Mission 2 Organize’s blog with many helpful tips at mission2organize.com/blog.

12 / APRIL 2020

N E W

T E R ENE ET W E S R /V SI TL R L E E NT EE W S I L L E E A S T S S I D R V

Long-time New Eastside Real Estate brokerage makes a change of name, but not a change of philosophy — Clients First

By Urban Real Estate Corcoran Urban Real Estate brings the Corcoran brand to the Midwest region for the first time. Serving premier Chicago residential neighborhoods, the firm is led by Urban Real Estate managing partner Matt Farrell and senior partner Michael Emery, both of New Eastside.

“We are very excited about the direction we are headed, and look forward to adding value to the city, but especially to our neighborhood,” Farrell said. “As local residents and business owners, we take pride in each client we represent.

For us, this business has and will always be about people.”

The announcement was made in early March by Pamela Liebman, president and CEO of The Corcoran Group. This was the third Corcoran affiliate to launch in the U.S. On the launch of the new affiliate, Liebman said, “As Corcoran expands its presence across the U.S. and around the world, we look for opportunities for growth and development and for firms such as Corcoran Urban Real Estate that align with Corcoran core values and believe in the primacy of the client. Chicago offers a very promising and exciting future ahead.”

Corcoran Urban has gone into full COVID-19 mode, looking for ways to continue serving clients while the city lives in a shutdown following the pandemic’s arrival. As the market and current climate bring uncertainty and fear, real estate brokers across the country are fielding inquiries regarding whether

now is the right time to make a move to buy or sell. Corcoran Urban brokers continue to work with clients while utilizing best practices in social distancing to help guide clients in this market.

What you need to know Brokers are actively taking clients on tours via video chat. Corcoran Urban clients are asking to schedule showings of properties, and agents are showing properties via phone. Not only are our eyes your eyes, but you can ask the broker at any time to show you cabinetry, what the view is like or do slow scanning of the kitchen, to carefully examine the home, as if you were there.

Take this time to declutter. Many of our clients are asking us for comparable pricing for similar properties and evaluating what’s available for purchase.

There is nothing like having your perfect setting to live in, if the one you have no longer meets your personal or financial needs.

We are still accepting offers, and making closings happen. Title companies remain essential businesses - notaries are now recognized electronically - and we continue to bring deals together.

These are trying times, but there is also an evolving market in real estate across the country, and buyers and sellers are contemplating deals and change. Let Corcoran Urban help you navigate what you might need to know, and how we go about getting you there. Call us at 312-528-9200 and let us help you with your next steps.

N E W S

www.thestreeterville.com www.neatside.com

Make your home shine this spring

By Sheetal Balani It’s true: most of us are thinking about other things right now, so it’s understandable that you could have missed the vernal equinox on March 19th. This date marks the astronomical first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

It also serves as a reminder that our seasons come and go. We can say farewell to subzero temperatures and piles of dirty snow. Warm weather is on the horizon and the barren trees will finally find their bloom again.

Since we will have to wait a while longer to enjoy the Chicago rooftops or dining al fresco, let’s focus on what we can do: Spring Cleaning! This annual home overhaul has an interesting history that goes back for generations.

Before the days of ComEd, people used whale oil or kerosene heated with coal or wood to light their homes. As a result, home interiors were left with a thick layer of soot following the harsh winter months. Once Springtime arrived, homeowners were ready to open up the windows, breathe in the fresh air, and scrub their homes of the accumulated grime.

This tradition carried forward through the years to encourage a fresh start to welcome a new season, which is especially worthwhile if you plan to sell your home in the near future. With a proper game plan and my simple “Spring Cleaning Checklist,” you’ll be prepared to get started in no time!

Part 1: The Declutter.

Go through each of your rooms with a fine tooth comb. Purge the stuff you’ll never use and donate or re-purpose what you can. All that clutter can make your home feel smaller than it actually is. Haven’t worn that dress in over a year? Donate it. Have expired bottles of herbs and spice mixes in your pantry?

Toss them. Create space in your home for the things you actually use.

Part 2: The Preparation If thought of sanitizing every inch of your condo or apartment is daunting, know that you are not alone. I’m a list maker, and start by creating a list of rooms and what specifically needs to be accomplished in each room. Make a list of all the supplies you will need. If you think you’ll need the help of a professional, call and make that appointment in advance!

Last minute hardwood floor refinishers this time of year will be almost impossible to score. For me, preparation also means creating an upbeat playlist of music. Put together a list of your favorite artists to keep you motivated and on task.

Part 3: The Clean You purchased the Clorox wipes and the Windex. You created your priority list of tasks for each room. Your music is blasting on the Sonos throughout the house. Now it’s time to let the cleaning begin...and enjoy that sweet satisfaction of crossing things off a list!

Whether you plan to sell your home during this Spring season or you simply want to enjoy living in a clean home, it’s the perfect time to do a deep clean.

If you need advice on spring cleaning your home or getting your home ready and positioned to sell this season, I’m always a phone call or an email away!

Sheetal Balani is a senior broker at Compass, with over 15 years experience in residential real estate. Contact her at (312) 863-9555 or Sheetal.Balani@Compass.com

www.neatside.com

N E W

E A S T S I D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

APRIL 2020 / 13

| NEWS |

New Eastside resident makes open offer to help

By Daniel Patton Staff Writer New Eastside resident Karin Long has added a unique voice to the ongoing dialogue about the current national health crisis: she’s offering to help.

Whether it is fetching groceries, waiting in line at the pharmacy or completing some other small task, the Loyola law student recently posted her commitment to “getting those essentials for people who can’t get them” on the neighborhood app Nextdoor.

After reading the offer, people responded with “a massive outpouring of shock and gratitude for what seems to me to be a very normal response to the crisis,” Long said.

“I got like a hundred replies,” she said. “But only one person took me up on my offer.”

So she picked up some groceries for a fellow resident.

The gesture helped solve a problem similar to the one that inspired her to get involved in the first place.

“My grandmother, who lives in In-

Karin Long

diana, needed someone to go to like four different stores to find toilet paper,” she said.

It also reinforces her desire to change the conversation.

“I saw a lot of people shouting online about being scared and telling others what to do,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘what kind of action could I take to help take care of our little corner of the earth and help out your neighbors?’”

Now Long is willing to help with additional requests, and she has suggestions for those who are unsure

about what to ask.

“I would love it if moms would say, ‘I’m homeschooling my kids could you just get us groceries,’” she said.

She hopes the effort will effect some change on a larger scale.

“You hear all these stories from World War II of people pulling together to get through the tragedy,” she explains. “I hope my generation can do something similar.”

But first, it’s about the little things.

For anyone who needs a hand, Long can be reached via Nextdoor.com

Local restaurants

Continued from page 10 every day, Volare has also increased the size of its pasta dishes for the duration of the in-person order. “We do 16-ounce portions,” Siddu said. “That’s a one-and-a-half order.” The restaurant also plans to repeat a half-priced special on steaks that ran last week and sold out the entree.

And if Siddu is available when the food is ready, he’ll make the delivery in person.

“The neighborhood has been more than gracious to us,” he said. “They have made me who I am today and I love what I do.”

To place an order, call (312) 410-9900 or visit volarerestaurant.com.

Sweet Mandy B’s Business at the Streeterville bakery has been “pretty solid with online delivery” during the in-person restaurant ban, according to Assistant Manager Laura Amelang.

“We have temporarily reduced staff, but we look forward to being fully staffed when things get back to normal,” she said.

“We had to figure out a lot of changes very quickly because we had just opened when the in-person prohibition was issued.”

Amelang said the most popular items are the cupcakes, with red velvet, peanut butter chocolate and lemon among the favorites, but she likes the confetti best. There is

Miki’s Park Omma’s Dumplings available for take out or delivery now. Photo courtesy of Miki’s Park

also a big demand for birthday cakes.

To order, visit sweetmandybs.com any time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., when the last online order is taken. Customers have until 6 p.m. to pick up their goodies.

Miki’s Park Calling itself “a Korean bar with Seoul,” the new River North venue opened just in time to greet the in-person dining ban, but that hasn’t stopped it from cooking away.

“We are currently doing a carry out and we are available on caviar,” said Chris Johnson.

He remained in high spirits while speaking on a drizzly Saturday afternoon. “We are all keeping our fingers crossed and hoping that sooner than later we can be open again.

I’m spending 13 hours a day at this takeout window on a street that’s usually really busy,

The staff at Cupitol are dedicated to serving food to the community during this coronavirus crisis. Photo courtesy of Cupitol

and there’s not a soul on it right now.”

The takeout menu is available every day from 11a.m. to 11p.m. To order, visit mikispark.com.

Cupitol Coffee and Eatery Owner Sellia Georges thanks her staff for being adaptable and rolling with the tide.

“Everyone is working more as a team now,” Georges said. “My barista is helping run food, or my food runner is making a smoothie”

Georges has retained employees who relied on Cupitol as their sole job, and is hoping to re-hire everyone back when this is over.

Customers are being generous with tips and new people are ordering for pickup and delivery services. Coffee and all of the morning sandwiches seem to be the most popular orders, according to Georges.

Cupitol is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for delivery and pick-up. Visit, cupitol.com to place an order.

14 / APRILVelvet 2020 Taco_Chicago

Delivery Pick Up Ad.pdf

N E 1W 3/26/20 E A S 1:40 T SPMI D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

www.neatside.com

| EVENTS | C

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

HAPPY HOURS M

Y

April 3

CM

MY

20% OFF

CY

CMY

entire menu

K

Boston Rock Livestream Independent rock musician Rick Maguire, from the Boston band Pile, will be livestreaming his concert from the Church of the Covenant in Boston. Maguire started the band as a solo project when he was 21, and years later, Stereogum notes that “Pile is best known as THE Boston Rock Band.” 7:30 p.m., free but donations appreciated, pilemusic.com

April 11

MingHin on Grant Park Inc., 333 E Benton Pl Ste #300, Chicago, IL 60601

312.228.1333

Carry-Out & Delivery Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

MONDAY

to FRIDAY 3PM - 6PM

Dine in or Carry out only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

OPEN for Pick Up & Delivery

SAVE 20%

BOMBAYWRAPS.COM

on orders over $40

HAPPY HOURS

LAKEVIEW 3149 N. Broadway St. | 773.799.8989

www.BombayWraps.com (Streeterville location) Use Code “Streeterville”

LOOP Valid STREETERVILLE at Streeterville location. Valid till 4.12.20. Multiple Uses.

Cannot combined with other offer.

122 N. Wells St. | 312.737.9727 330 E. Ohio St. | be 312.955.0733

20% OFF

122 N. We l ls St. / 330 E O h io St. / 31 4 9 N . B ro a d w a y St .

entire menu

Cupitol is open 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. for takeout and delivery Order online at cupitol.com

7 Deaths of Maria Callas Bayerische Staatsoper, or the Bavarian State Opera, will be broadcasting “7 Deaths of Maria Callas,” an opera project by performance artist Marina Abramovic with music by Marko Nikodijevic and scenes of operas by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi and Georges Bizet, 11:30 a.m., on-demand for 24 hours, free, staatsoper.de/en

General Knowledge

Masterclass with Celebrities Learn to take photographs like Annie Leibovitz or or cook like Thomas Keller. Masterclass provides courses taught by experts in their fields. Each course is broken up into an average of 20 video segments covering different lessons. $15 a month (all access), $90 for a single class, masterclass.com The Great Courses The Great Courses offers more than 500 college level courses on CD, DVD and streaming services. Experts from many fields teach courses on everything from the History of WWII, History of Science to Understanding Investments. Prices vary by course and platform, thegreatcourses.com

Cooking

Kitchen Quarantine Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura is leading cooking lessons on his Instagram account. While the

classes are not teaching cooking skills, he’s sharing his cozy kitchen with the world and showing people how to make pastas, and a Thai curry salads.

Live classes 2 p.m. on various days or check out his Instagram, free, instagram.com/massimobottura Epicurious Epicurious has a robust YouTube channel covering basic skills, food Q&As and videos aimed at kids.

Learn how to make delicious ramen or better understand how to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Free, epicurious.com/video

Exercise

Core Power Yoga on Demand Core Power Yoga is offering a variety of online yoga and meditation classes.

Videos focus on different parts of the body and poses such as C2 Forearm Flow or YS Strong Body Side and short meditations such as Find Your Breath. Videos are free, members will have access to special classes, corepoweryogaondemand.com Fitness Blender Fitness Blender offers a diversity of fitness videos for all budgets available online. People choose the right kind of fitness video for their needs using their extensive filtering system. fitnessblender.com Aaptiv: At-Home Workouts The Aaptiv application has curated a free list of wellness, sleep and fitness podcasts. The classes will be updated on Mondays. The full subscription includes thousands of workouts with 50 new ones each week. Free and paid options, aaptiv.com

Science

The Brain Scoop Chief curiosity correspondent Emily Graslie has hosted The Brain Scoop Continued on page 15

www.neatside.com

N E W

E A S T S I D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

APRIL 2020 / 15

| NEWS BREAK |

What’s most important right now?

I

am a coach, so competition is always running through my mind even during these difficult times. I started to think of the items that are the most necessary while I am hunkered down at home. I started playing a game.

Jon Cohn I thought of all the essentials. I COMMUNITY started with hand sanitizers, books, CONTRIBUTOR paper towels and news updates.

Then I kept at it: going for a walk, Netflix and Amazon Prime, alcoholic beverages, chicken breasts (man are they hard to find these days), sleep and rest, toilet paper, house cleaning, family discussions, the computer, board games and even mental toughness and resilience.

That was my “sweet sixteen.” But I wanted to know which is number one? What is most vital?

After some intense deliberations and difficult eliminations, I cut the list in half. What survived were news updates, Netflix/Amazon Prime, books, toilet paper, hand sanitizers, going for a walk and mental toughness and resilience.

I still wanted to narrow it down to just one.

After an extremely painful back and forth, the final four: hand sanitizers, news updates, toilet paper and mental toughness remained. I felt bad about losing my books and especially “going for a walk,” but something had to give.

Still, to get down to one wasn’t easy. In the end, sorry news updates, I will miss you (maybe), and sorry hand sanitizer, you were so hard to find and now I have lost you again.

But I brought it down to the final two: mental toughness aka resilience or toilet paper. The logic, the sentiment, the

Jumble RAOMR LEANCD

LAKAO POCSE

NORAML

March answer: A man calls his dog from the opposite side of a river. The dog crosses the river without getting wet and without using a bridge or boat. How? THE RIVER WAS FROZEN

Where am I? Do you know where this is?

Answer to March Where am I? Seneca Park across the street from the Museum of Contemporary Art. Congratulations to Maria Cesario, David Grossman, Vikram Konkimalla and Bob Wittebort for correctly identifying the spot.

John Cohn is a New Eastside resident.

| EVENTS |

Every night I’m told what to do, and each morning I do what I’m told.

But I still don’t escape your scold. What am I?

If you think you know, email us at info@neweastsidecommunity.com.

morality play here would be for mental toughness. Goodness knows in the coming weeks we will need this.

But I couldn’t stop the momentum of toilet paper. The sheer practicality of it all. It’s gaining popularity. It was a close and intense battle, but bottom line? Toilet paper wiped out the competition.

Some two months ago toilet paper was a mere afterthought. An easy to get resource that we all took for granted. How times have changed. The previously disregarded TP stood out as champion. The king of essential home items. Standing atop the world and looking down on all of us who may have looked down on it.

Lesson learned TP, and no hard feelings. Won’t ever take you for granted again.

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

ING-ROOM-CONCERTS or broadContinued from page 14 wayworld.com from The Field Museum’s YouTube channel since 2013. Fun for all-ages, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Brain Scoop answers questions about The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra science, anthropology and questions will be streaming its performances to about working behind the scenes “keep the music going.” The Orchestra at a museum. Free, youtube.com/ began with Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Schethebrainscoop herazade” and plans to stream additional performances. Free but donations Kids National Geographic encouraged, mso.com.au Kids National Geographic provides a variety of animal and nature content Activities for Kids for curious children, such as quizzes, Frist Kids action and adventure games. There’s The Frist Art Museum has developed video also great videos to show funny animal art projects for children to do at home. antics and how the world works. Free, Topics include: Shapes in Architecture, kids.nationalgeographic.com Creating Marbled Paper and Color Theory to keep children learning and creative. Free, Performing Arts fristkids.org Broadway World Living Room Concerts iCivics Since Broadway has dimmed its lights Founded by Justice Sandra Day for the near future, Broadway stars O’Connor, iCivics is an online platKathryn Gallagher and Andrew Barth form to teach children about civics.

Feldman are performing in their Children watch videos and play living rooms. In March, performers games (such as “Running for the released new content each weekday to White House”) and improve their add some delight into people’s days. literacy. Free, icivics.org Free, broadwayworld.com/topic/LIV-

16 / APRIL 2020

N E W

E A S T S I D E

N E W S / S T R E E T E R V I L L E

N E W S

www.neatside.com

Local news is essential and important to communities. We are proud to continue to connect you with information and resources in your area during the current health crisis.

This month, 20,000 readers will pick up a copy of this paper in their mailrooms.

Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to bring you the most up-to-date information regarding the local impact of the pandemic in New Eastside and Streeterville. We thank our loyal readers and local businesses for their support. We are in this together with you.

See you on the other side.

(312) 690-3092

www.neatside.com www.thestreeterville.com info@neweastsidecommunity.com