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With large gatherings banned, some Chicago couples opt for micro-weddings
New Eastside NEWS Streeterville NEWS West Loop NEWS
End-of-summer bucket list for Chicagoans Page 8
Page 9 Felipe Fiorini de Vasconcellos and Amanda Vasconcellos married recently during an intimate ceremony aboard the Lady Grebe. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Maurie Photography
Neighbors step up after Streeterville shops damaged Page 13
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New Eastside NEWS Streeterville NEWS HowLoop to Contact West NEWSUs info@chicagostarmedia.com 200 E. Randolph St. Suite 5100 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 690-3092 Editor: Elaine Hyde elainehyde@chicagostarmedia.com Director of Brand Development Jay Kopp jaykopp@chicagostarmedia.com Managing Editor Daniel Patton danielpatton@chicagostarmedia.com Staff Writers: Angela Gagnon Nuria Mathog Copy Editors: Vivien Lee Bob Oswald Layout/Design: Bob Oswald Community Contributors: Jon Cohn
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 Sept. 1, 2020 Copyright ©2020. All rights reserved.
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Turn social distancing into a game Visualize Chicago-themed objects that match the six-foot required space between you and others By Jay Kopp Staff Writer We all may be a bit tired of the constant reminders about social distancing and the six-foot rule currently being emphasized. For some, this safety step has become a bit repetitive. So let’s shake things up a bit. Social distancing can be fun if you make a game out of it. You can play at home, play with friends, or even compare notes with complete strangers. It’s a great conversation starter. How to play? Visualize objects that roughly equal the six-foot required space between you and someone else. Remember when visualizing to use your “visual mask” and “visual gloves” and don’t forget to disinfect when you are done playing. This is a special Chicago edition of the six-foot game, so feel free to post your own six-foot ideas with the hashtag #ChicagoStarDistancing. We will try and publish some of the best responses on the chicagostarmedia.com website. Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling: Starting with the Chicago Bulls, how about the GOAT (greatest of all time) Michael Jordan when he stretches his arms out or half the length of the Chicago Bulls bench. It could be the circumference of the Bullimp, the Benny the Bull blimp that flies around the United Center. Or the athletic mascot Benny the Bull himself and his required six- foot personal space, remembering he needs room to do his famous standing backflip. Other possible six-foot visuals? Five delicious Chicago deep dish pizzas lined
Chicago-themed items that are roughly the six feet required for social distancing in size (clockwise from top): the head of the Field Museum’s dinosaur, Sue; the Art Institute of Chicago’s “A Sunday on La Grand Jatte” by Georges Seurat; 15 bottles of Old Style; and the circumference of the Benny the Bullblimp. Photos courtesy the Field Museum; The Art Institute of Chicago. Photos by Bob Oswald
up side by side. Or the head of the Field Museum’s iconic dinosaur Sue? Maybe a CTA car measured horizontally, a kayak on the Chicago River, 10 bottles of Malort or 15 of Chicago’s finest Old Style bottles lined up in proper formation. Maybe it is the Art Institute of Chicago’s “A Sunday Afternoon on The Island Of La Grande Jatte” by Georgas Seurat? If you want to get really Chicago morbid,
how about the length of Al Capone’s body while laid out, complete with chalk lines around him? The possibilities are endless so shoot us over some of your best ideas at ChicagoStarMedia.com. Of course, you could always just visualize the person next to you who may be about six feet tall. But what fun would that be?
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| NEWS BRIEFS | Ronald McDonald House Charities summer fundraiser Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is offering a powerful glimpse of its mission in a documentary-style summer fundraising video. Titled “Olivia’s Heart Dances”, the five-minute narrative tells the story of the Donnelly family, who frequently stayed at the RMHC while daughter Olivia received treatment for her heart condition. “(The Donnellys) met others who had to be strong for their children,” the narrator says. “It felt like having a second family in a place of love. It felt a lot like home.” Besides highlighting the support that RMCH offers to the families of children receiving medical treatment, “Olivia’s Heart Dances” underscores the importance of RMHC’s current summer fundraiser. Running through Sept. 10, the event gives donors a chance to help families stay together at one of five locations operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, including the facility at 211 E. Grand Ave. The Streeterville Ronald McDonald House provides overnight living quarters, activities and up to 162 combined meals per day. It is complemented by three Ronald McDonald Living Rooms located within specific hospitals and two fully-equipped mobile medical clinics known as Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles. Although recent unrest on the Magnificent Mile inflicted minor damage to the house’s front door, it did not disrupt any of its caregiving operations. “The families were not affected by the incidents as they were taking place,” said Vice President of Marketing and Communications Ruth-Anne Renaud. “But to know that that civil unrest took place and our house ended up being impacted, we take very seriously because we look to provide a home away from home for our families.” Since then, Renaud has been encouraged by the support that the Ronald McDonald House has received from the residents and businesses of Streeterville. “The community is coming together, and
several classic “bring-back” movies priced at only $5. Among them: “Black Panther,” “Back to the Future,” “Ghostbusters,” “Grease,” “Star Wars: Episode V—the Empire Strikes Back,” and the special “Inception” 10th anniversary event. The promotion follows a one-day only 15-cent ticket special that AMC ran on Aug. 20 in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
Beacon Tavern’s Maryland Blue Crab Boil is a dining experience
Ronald McDonald House Charities has created a documentary-style summer fundraising video titled “Olivia’s Heart Dances. Photo by Daniel Patton
that’s a beautiful powerful thing,” she said. To learn more about the RMHC Summer Fundraiser, visit rmhc.org.
Resident describes ‘anger, frustration’ over looting Benny Mathew, who has lived in Streeterville for the past five years, woke up to a series of concerned texts from friends after downtown looting in the early hours of Aug. 10, to a series of concerned texts from friends. When he visited the Streeterville Neighborhood Advocates Facebook group to find out what had happened, he was shocked to read about the destruction that had taken place in the neighborhood. “Anger and frustration were probably the two strongest emotions,” he said. “And I was sad, not just because of what happened last night ... For the last three weeks, there’s been so many shootings and robberies and the old man that got his car jacked right in front of my building, by the Whole Foods. So, I think it was just a lot of frustration and anger and feeling disappointed and sad.” Mathew, who described himself as socially liberal and financially conservative, said he would like to see the city allocate more money to developing police officers “so that they can handle things more correctly and make less mistakes.”
“I think systemic racism is something that’s very much rooted in big cities, especially Chicago, but that’s not something that’s going to get fixed overnight,” Mathew said. “It’ll take decades to fix, in my opinion. That’s the long-term play. But short term, I think you have to invest in having better training for police officers, attracting better candidates to be police officers and then getting rid of the bad ones. I think you need to have more protection around the city, because at the end of the day, Streeterville, River North, Gold Coast—that’s what makes Chicago.” Prior to the incidents in recent weeks, Mathew said he had considered Streeterville the safest place to live in the city. He hoped residents would work together to take action without pointing fingers. “It was always such an awesome neighborhood,” he said. “And I think we need to come together as a community to figure out what we need to do. I don’t have the answers. But I think if we can come together as a community, we can figure out some solutions and come to some agreement.”
AMC offers $5 ‘bring-back’ movies In addition to screening premieres and national releases, AMC River East will light up its 322 E. Illinois location with
Maryland Blue Crabs are the centerpiece of a seasonal group dining experience currently being offered at the Beacon Tavern. Served with a generous portion of garlic sausage, corn on the cob, red potatoes, house-made cherry pie, and (for a limited time) a bucket of ice-cold beer and French rose, the classic East Coast classic is highly recommended for al fresco dining. Nestled alongside the Wrigley Building, the Beacon Tavern is accepting reservations for up to six guests per table. In the event of rain, parties will be moved inside, directly next to the restaurant’s open, full-length windows. For more info, visit beacontavern.com.
Magnificent Mile Guidepost Montessori introduces elementary program Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile debuted a new lower elementary school option and classroom space in the Optima Signature building on Aug. 31. The elementary program is designed for children ages 6-9, said Sarah Silverman, head of school at Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile. In accordance with the Montessori method, the program takes a child-led approach that encourages students’ self-sufficiency and independence while tackling academic topics such as mathematics, reading, writing and cultural studies, Silverman said. “We always follow the child,” Silverman said. “We always try to figure out exactly where the child is and where their needs are, where their interests are. In many Continued on page 4
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| NEWS BRIEFS | Continued from page 3 ways, they guide the education. Teachers have goals for what they want them to achieve, but the children are very much choosing for themselves what they’re working on and what they enjoy doing.” At the elementary level, children will also participate in “Going Out,” which Silverman described as small-group field trips centered around the children’s interests. For instance, students wanting to learn more about ancient Egypt might opt to visit a museum, she said. “They figure out where could we go, when could we do it, what chaperones would we need to bring with us,” Silverman explained. “The teachers are there to help, but the child is really leading the charge.” Construction on the second-floor expansion in the Optima Signature Building finished on Aug. 1, and the school is currently setting up six new classrooms in the space, Silverman said. There will be a new classroom for each age group at the school, including a room designed for infants aged 12 weeks through 12 months, she said. For more information, visit guidepostmontessori.com/magnificent-mile.
Chick-fil-A opens on the Mag Mile Chick-fil-A opened a new restaurant at 500 N. Michigan Ave., former site of The Purple Pig, on Thursday, Aug. 13, one of two Michigan Avenue locations to debut in Chicago this month. According to a company news release, it is the first urban Chick-fil-A restaurant to feature a vertical food transporter that will span three levels and use a conveyer belt to move bagged items from a kitchen in the basement level to the ground level, where employees will take customers’ orders. In accordance with the restaurant’s safety precautions, the location will offer limited dining capacity and feature carry-out, third-party delivery and catering services. Customers can use the Chickfil-A app for contactless ordering and payment. Hours are 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. According to Chick-fil-A, the new Michigan Avenue restaurants are expected to create more than 140 full- and part-
The city awarded $2 million in grants to 191 Chicago nonprofit organizations, such as the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, through the CityArts Program. Courtesy of Jessica Sieck
time job opportunities.
Chicago awards $2M in grants to 191 nonprofits Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have awarded $2 million in operating grants to 191 Chicago nonprofit organizations through the CityArts Program. The annual program encourages Chicago-based arts and culture-focused organizations to attain excellence and financial stability by making general operating grants across all artistic disciplines. The general operating grants range from $2,000 to $30,000 and special project grants range from $2,500 to $56,200. This year’s recipients include Cinema/ Chicago, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Joffrey Ballet, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. “The COVID-19 outbreak is devastating the creative sector, and the need is tremendous,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “In these very challenging times, the City of Chicago is supporting its local arts organizations through the CityArts Program, other cultural grant programs and the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund.”
Four Seasons Chicago announces hotel-wide redesign The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago will debut a multimillion-dollar renovation to its facilities this fall, the hotel announced in a recent news release. Among the changes are a new restaurant and bar created through a partnership with Chef Jonathon Sawyer, enhanced event spaces, a reconceptualized lobby and newly-designed specialty suites and
Navy Pier’s temporary closure that will remain in place until spring 2021. Photo by Daniel Patton
apartments, the release states. “We are creating a destination where guests can revel in cultural immersion with locally-inspired food, drink, art and music that delivers the quintessential Chicago experience,” Stephen Wancha, the hotel’s general manager, said in the release. The redesigned lobby will include a day bar and social lounge, and a permanent exhibition curated by art consultant Shashi Caudill will showcase drawings, photographs and abstract expressionist works by local and international artists throughout the hotel. According to the release, more than 23,000 square feet of event space on the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago’s seventh and eighth floors, including the Grand Ballroom, will feature new furnishings and decor as part of a new design that will “preserve elements of the post-modern detail while contrasting this aesthetic with beautiful contemporary touches.” “Over the past 30 years, we’ve been so fortunate to host many exceptional events, from social celebrations to charity galas and corporate events,” Jamie Breslin, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago’s director of catering, said in the release. “I am excited for the forthcoming awe-inspiring enhancements to pair with our dedicated service, which is always aimed at exceeding our guests’ expectations.”
Navy Pier to close for the year on Sept. 8 Navy Pier has announced a “temporary closure” starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, and remaining in place until spring 2021. At
that time, the historic facility will reopen, provided that the “status of the pandemic” allows it to do so. Citing the “financial burden and impact of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the organization,” Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner said that the “very difficult decision” was necessary to “ensure the long-term success of (the Pier) and the communities it serves.” She added that the move would also help “preserve the future of the many onsite businesses, which continue to face hardships of their own as a result of the pandemic.” There are more than 70 local businesses located on Navy Pier, and most of them have experienced “significantly low attendance throughout the pandemic,” according to the release. After closing for nearly three months to comply with statewide pandemic orders, the majority reopened along with the Pier on June 10. But the Centennial Wheel, Chicago Children’s Museum, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater have remained closed since March 16. The absence of these “on-site cultural anchors”—together with capacity restrictions on restaurants, events, banquets and conventions—has prevented Navy Pier from “resuming full operations and offering full experiences to guests.” It has also reduced a significant revenue source for the Pier, an independent, 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that does not receive any public tax dollars to support its operating costs.
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| COMMUNITY CORNER |
Doorperson of the Month Mike Keenon, 777 N. Michigan Ave. By Daniel Patton Staff Writer Sometimes it seems like Mike Keenon can handle anything. After working in a multitude of industries, he has skills that could be useful anywhere. As doorperson, at 777 N. Michigan Ave., he seems to have found the place where they all fit perfectly. “It’s a very nice building,” he said. “One-hundred percent of the people here, you enjoy being around.” Born and raised in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Keenon began his career refurbishing desks for a company that made office furniture. He got the job “right after” graduating from Chicago Vocational Career Academy. “Carpentry was something I really enjoyed,” he said. From there, he managed quality control at a die casting facility that made transmission parts for vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, Chrysler, GM and Caterpillar. He remained with the company for 19 years until it downsized and moved to Germany. So he moved on to a new industry. “One of my mother’s best friends asked my mother if she thought I would mind helping take care of her husband, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s (disease),” he said. Keenon took home health care classes at Cath-
Mike Keenon, from Lake Shore Plaza, 777 N. Michigan Ave., is Doorperson of the Month. Photo by Daniel Patton
olic Charities. “I got certified and ended up using the same techniques on my mother before she passed.” While studying at Catholic Charities, Keenon frequently spent time with a friend who was the mail carrier at 777 N. Michigan. “After classes, I would walk over there and he and I would have lunch,” he said. “They told me about the doorperson job, and that was that.” Six years into the position, Keenon regards the residents as his favorite part of the job. “I really like the different personalities and the different people who you meet on a daily basis,” he said. “It’s really interesting.” As far as the building is concerned, he said the rooftop pool is one of the most peaceful places in the city. At home, Keenon enjoys
playing pool and digging into his movie collection, which contains about 3,000 Blu-rays and DVDs. “I like to watch them once and go to the next movie.” A few films, however, get second runs. Among them are “Cooley High” and old gangster classics starring the likes of Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. “When I go back,” he said, “I like to notice things I didn’t notice the first time around.” The only thing he seems to like more than work, pool, and movies are his son and daughter, who he calls, “my pride and joy.” 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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Staycation in Streeterville!
The lack of tourists coming to Chicago leaves a unique opportunity for us to be tourists in our own city! This is a great time and chance, one we will not likely see again, for us to do all the things that we never have the time or inclination to do with the usual crowds of tourists. Chicago is chock full of cultural gems and spectacular sights. Tell us what quintessential Chicago thing you never did before!
Snap a photo of your experience & Tag GailSpreen on Facebook or Instagram! (312)925-7668 Gail@StreetervilleProperties.com
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| NEWS |
Police harness tech to fight crime By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer The intersection of technology and crime-fighting presents a unique challenge for law enforcement agencies in balancing community safety with individual privacy concerns and the potential for data misinterpretation. Following a wave of looting and property destruction at businesses in Streeterville, River North and other Chicago neighborhoods on Aug. 10, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) posted video clips and images of persons of interest to its website, and requested the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals. As of Aug. 24, more than two dozen felony arrests were detailed on the website. The City of Chicago uses remotely-controlled POD (police observation device) cameras to capture footage of potential crimes. According to the CPD’s website, the cameras were implemented as a pilot program in 2003 and the technology has advanced through the years, including the ability to detect gunfire and send alerts directly to Chicago’s Emergency Management and Communications Center. At this time, CPD spokeswoman Maggie Huynh said, there are no plans underway to upgrade the cameras for higher-resolution footage or acquire additional technology resources for this type of investigation. She noted the CPD regularly monitors publicly available, open-source social media as part of its crime-fighting strategy. On Aug. 14, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said police planned to create a 20-member taskforce to increase social media monitoring as part of an effort to deter future incidences of looting. In an emailed statement, ACLU of Illinois Executive Director Colleen Connell expressed concern that social media monitoring by law enforcement holds “a number of dangers,” including opening the door to targeting on the basis of protected speech, association, race and neighbor-
An Illinois law prohibits law enforcement officers from using drones for surveillance without a warrant, except for specific circumstances, such as locating a missing person. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Police observation device cameras were used to capture surveillance footage that led to arrests in the Aug. 10 looting incident in Chicago. Photo by Daniel Patton
A Chicago Police Department vehicle is pictured in front of the Macy’s in Streeterville. Some police vehicles are equipped with technology allowing the city to compare license plates with a list of stolen vehicles. Photo by Daniel Patton
hood. The organization filed a lawsuit against the CPD in 2018, asking officials to turn over documents regarding social media monitoring software. Police departments in other cities and abroad have employed sophisticated techniques to identify criminals. The New York Police Department has some of the nation’s most advanced crime-fighting and surveillance resources, according to The New York Times. In addition to facial recognition software, the department’s resources include drones, cell phone trackers and license plate readers. In Illinois, there are regulations governing police use of drones. The state’s 2014 Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act prohibits law enforcement officers from
using drones for surveillance purposes without a warrant, except in a few select circumstances, such as preventing acts of terrorism or locating an individual in a missing-persons case. In recent years, support has grown for the use of police body-worn cameras. By 2016, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, nearly half of general-purpose law enforcement agencies had adopted the technology. The CPD completed an initiative to equip patrol officers with body-worn cameras in 2017. Two years later, Chicago introduced the first of 200 patrol vehicles equipped with technology allowing the city to compare license plates with a list of stolen vehicles. That same year, the Denver Police
Department began using GPS vehicle pursuit darts, which launch GPS trackers at fleeing vehicles and allow police to follow the vehicles through an app, the Denver Post reported. The darts were designed to deter dangerous police vehicle pursuits, which have claimed the lives of nearly 355 people in the U.S. annually from 1996 to 2015, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Locally, a recent notable high-speed chase fatality occurred in Lakeview this June, when a squad car pursuing a man wanted in a homicide case struck another vehicle, killing a woman and injuring several others. The squad car in question was not equipped with the darts, as the CPD does Continued on page 14
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Beauty services a different experience during pandemic By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer The Illinois mask mandate is reshaping the way Chicago stylists perform traditional beauty services—and the way their clients approach make-up. While in-salon makeup application may be limited to above the mask line, there are still plenty of techniques to make clients’ eyes stand out, Salon Snob owner Jordyn Olawumi said. “Eyelashes are everything, because if you have limited eyeshadow, or none on, or no makeup, eyelashes make you look awake and alive, and it opens up the eye,” she said. “I think that’s very important, especially now that we all have to wear a mask.” The mask rules have created less demand for makeup, but Olawumi is still helping clients with their hair needs by creating customized Salon Snob hair kits for at-home use. Traci Fine, owner of Fine Makeup
Salon Snob clients pose during a July stop at the Streeterville salon. Courtesy of Salon Snob
Art & Associates, said her makeup techniques have largely stayed the same, but she is more cautious about maintaining a sanitary environment. Fine goes to her clients to perform hair and makeup services, which requires extra safety measures. Even prior to the pandemic, Fine said, she would mix products on a stainless steel palette to prevent cross-contamination. And because the makeup is designed to last for 10 to 12 hours, clients don’t have to worry about it transferring onto their masks, she said. River North resident Lisle Berndsen hired Fine to do makeup for her engagement photos this summer. Both women wore masks for most of the appointment, and Berndsen said she felt comfortable briefly removing her mask to have make up applied to the lower half of her face. “My makeup stayed on all day and looked absolutely flawless despite the sweltering heat
and the fact that we were outdoors for most of the day,” she said. Sarah Andersen, a broker specializing in Chicago home sales, relocations to Florida and lake homes in Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, used Fine’s hair and makeup services during a photoshoot in July. “She was great to work with and did an amazing job understanding and delivering the concept we wanted to achieve,” Andersen said. Andersen normally wears a simple CVS mask or a white handkerchief that barely touches the lips. “I don’t actually give much thought to the style of the mask, but they do look like you are wearing underwear on your face, so I see people playing that up—lingerie for the face where there is a mysterious sex appeal to not knowing what you might be hiding,” Andersen said. “However, I haven’t played along with that game with my CVS mask.”
New Eastside resident competing in SEA Blue Run By Daniel Patton Staff Writer New Eastside resident Alan Goldman will run something of a victory lap on Sept. 13. A prostate cancer survivor, he will be competing in the virtual SEA Blue Prostate Cancer Walk and Run. Now in its 16th year, SEA Blue is designed to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. Traditionally held in Lincoln Park, the event attracted over a thousand participants in 2019. Although the 2020 version will traverse a virtual course to accommodate COVID-era guidelines, Goldman plans to complete it while covering some real terrain (and, of course, ob-
serving safety precautions). “I’m actually inviting a bunch of friends and family to run with me,” he said. “Then we’re going to head over the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont to celebrate.” Goldman, who works by day as a CFO for a downtown law firm, was “looking for something to be compassionate about” when he became involved with Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, which is co-sponsoring the run along with Uropartners. After completing his first SEA Blue race “about four years ago,” he felt inspired to “contribute and give back.” “They were looking for board members,” he recalled. “I submitted an application, went
New Eastside resident Alan Goldman is set to participate in the SEA Blue Prostate Cancer Walk and Run. Photo by Daniel Patton
through the committee, and I’ve been treasurer for the past three years.” Several online activities will complement this year’s event.
“We’ll have thousands of people around the country running virtually and sending in pictures,” said Goldman. Afterwards, the post-race agenda includes a simulcast, educational speeches, and other various “things going on.” Goldman, who will be completing a 5K, has been a runner for more than 30 years. He also exercises about six to seven times a week — “three to four days running and, every other day, I swim.” Although finishing the race should be a matter of routine, he recalls a time when it seemed impossible. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer when I was 50,” he explained. “I’m 62 now, and thanks to an early diagnosis during a
routine physical, I was able to have many treatment options available to me.” Now he runs to inform other men and their families about the abundance of support groups and educational programs designed to keep them healthy. “That’s what Us TOO is all about: providing support, education and advocacy resources.” he said. Among the supporters cheering for Goldman will be his wife, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. His son will also be flying in from New York to run alongside him. To help Alan raise funds for Us TOO, visit ustoo.rallybound.org/SEABlue2020/ AGFamilyandFriends.
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| FEATURES |
SUMMER BUCKET LIST End-of-season goals for Chicagoans
Steve Majerus
By Daniel Patton Staff Writer The end of a summer that never really happened is approaching. Although it passed without a lot of fanfare, many Chicagoans are determined to make the most of the dog days before nodding into autumn. Streeterville resident Fred Gipson was preparing to ride to a Tinley Park motorcycle rally when he paused to reflect on the seasons. As owner-operator of an 18-wheeler, he has spent much of the summer transporting automobiles to destinations in the Midwest. Orders “slowed down a little bit” due to the pandemic, he said, but there were still enough to make it almost business as usual. Gipson’s bluish-tan 2017 Harley Davidson Road Glide boasts a 30-inch rim on the front and a pair of woofers in back. Unencumbered by social-distancing requirements, it helped him add a lot of mileage to one of his favorite summertime activities, riding through downtown. When asked about what he wants to achieve before fall, Gipson said, “Just relax and enjoy the rest of the summer with my girl.” Freshly satisfied by a Margherita pizza from Loconda on Walton Street, Rachel Kijak and her second cousin Azalia Ellis were at the start of a busy weekend. “Azalia’s here visiting me because her trip to the Netherlands was cancelled,” said Kijak, a nurse from Bridgeport. “So this is her getaway for something to do.” Ellis, a high school student from LaCrosse, Wis., was supposed to live with a Dutch family and “experience the culture” through the Rotary International program. Although the trip got nixed, she and Rachel were making up for it with a tour of Chicago. “We’re going to go down to Chinatown to have dinner tonight. We’re going to go to the Museum of Science and Industry tomorrow, take a bike tour up through Lincoln Park. We’re doing everything,” Kijak said. “In a Chicago bucket list, we will complete it (during) our whole weekend here.”
Ian Exline and Priya Praveen
Alexandra Kopot and Kion Huggins
“It’s a lot different than where I’m from,” Ellis said. “So it’s nice to see how things are here.” Statistician Priya Praveen and chef Ian Exline have been taking advantage of the local outdoor picnic spots. “One thing which we started doing this summer was having a lot of picnics,” Praveen said. “Very social-distancing picnics with our friends, like one or two: grab a blanket, pack lunch or dinner, and go and sit there and eat.” For leisure in the great outdoors, they prefer North Avenue Beach, Lincoln Park, Old Town and Navy Pier. When it comes to staying in, Exline likes to “mix it up” by learning new tricks of his trade in their Streeterville home. “You’ve got to try to find ways to keep it interesting, keep yourself busy, pick up new hobbies, start baking bread, make pastries,” he said. Before autumn begins, they’ve got their sights on the water. According to Praveen, the activity that would really complete the summer is “going to the beach.” Exline agrees. “Actually swimming probably would be the bucket-list item,” he said. Chicagoans Dominique Johnson and Mykeal Hood were waiting for an Uber on Michigan Avenue after making an impromptu purchase during a casual trip to the Magnificent Mile. “We bought some hot sauce,” said Johnson, who works as a surgical assistant. “It’s from Pepper Palace in Water Tower Place.” Both have sacrificed travel for the pandemic. Johnson
By summer’s end, musician Johnathan Howell hopes to get a million YouTube views of his song, “Follow Your Dreams.” Photos by Daniel Patt
skipped a trip to Las Vegas and Hood gave up a cruise, but they’re determined to make the best of it in Chicago. “Before the summer ends, I want to go paintballing,” said Johnson, who often enjoys the activity with friends and family. “I would like to actually go jet-skiing,” said Hood, who works in a hospital in the city. Musician Johnathan Howell is chasing an ambitious summer goal. “I just put the video for my song, ‘Follow Your Dreams,’ on YouTube,” he said. “If I can get a million views, that would be great.” A smooth R&B track with a groovy bass line, “Follow Your Dreams” has earned nearly 6,000 views since premiering on Aug. 2. Howell is an entrepreneur who resides in the Loop, but he prefers composing, recording and playing music. He studied music at the Chicago Conservatory when he was “a little kid” and got his professional start as the drummer for Chicago Express, launching a career that has intersected with artists such as Chaka Khan and Kool & The Gang. On weekends, he likes to set up his guitar and play for the people strolling along the Mag Mile. “This is my love,” he said. “If they took this away, I don’t know what I’d do.” It took a while for Steve Majerus’ summer to get rolling. As a partner at Island Party Hut, he kept his establishment closed to comply with city and state pandemic orders. Now that the venue and its fleet of party boats are up and running, he said nearby residents are
providing a re neighbors com One of the about the fall “We’re still Majerus said. people to com a pumpkin, p Pembroke P nian Village r summer buck in Barbados m end together “I usually d live in the mo whole goal wa Huggins su thinking for t visit Chicago, love it so far.” In the Park something of tiful and peac like you’re no After gradu gy. Kopot pla “My summ next one is to
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Chicago couples say ‘I do’ to micro-weddings By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer
Rachel Kijak and Azalia Ellis
Dominique Johnson and Mykeal Hood
egular source of relief. “We love having the me down,” he said. Party Hut’s goals for the summer is all l. looking at having a pumpkin patch,” . “We’re trying to activate October to get me down, draw a face on a pumpkin, carve pick up their pumpkin for the season.” Pines, Fla., native Kion Huggins and Ukraresident Alexandra Kopot fulfilled their ket list in mid-August. The Ross University medical students wanted to spend a weekin Chicago. don’t make bucket lists,” Kopot said. “I just oment. But now that I think about it, my as to get (Huggins) to Chicago.” urprised her to make it happen. “I’ve been the last two or three years that I need to ,” he said. “It surpassed my expectations. I ” k at Lakeshore East, they were able to have f a vacation within a vacation. “It’s so beauceful and family oriented,” Kopot said. “It’s ot in Chicago, but you’re in Chicago.” uation, Huggins wants to go into cardioloans to become a surgeon. mer bucket list is complete,” she said. “My o have him stay in Chicago.”
2020 has become the year of small gatherings, and major life events, such as weddings, are no exception. But with area venues offering micro-wedding packages, Chicago couples have no shortage of opportunities to make their big day a special and meaningful experience. West Loop residents Kayla and Michael Belmont tied the knot July 17 in an intimate rooftop ceremony at the Loews Chicago Hotel in Streeterville. The couple met through a mutual friend while living in Boston and got engaged in May 2019. They originally planned to marry in July in Naples, Fla. with 160-180 guests. “About a month before, when the cases started rising significantly in Florida, we switched to Chicago at the last minute,” Kayla said. “So, we had three to four weeks to plan everything.” Kayla and Michael were familiar with the Loews because Michael’s parents had a condo overlooking the hotel, so they decided to get married there. The couple had around 40 people at their wedding and were able to take advantage of the hotel’s large terrace to set up socially distanced seats for the ceremony. “It just looked like a traditional set-up,” Kayla said. “I didn’t think twice about it. I think part of it is that Loews is such a big space that we really were able to spread out.” Kayla said it’s important not to stress about the little details. “At the end of the day, we’re just thankful to have gotten married during COVID, and it’s definitely going to be something we remember for the rest of our lives,” she said. “And I don’t feel any sadness about not getting to have my big wedding.” Melissa Cesario, director of catering and conference management at the Loews Chicago Hotel, said the hotel resumed operations July 7 and several couples have gotten married there since the middle of July. Loews’ micro-wedding package includes private use of the rooftop terrace for up to four hours, a three-hour premium bar
Oliver the pooch accompanies Kayla and Michael Belmont as they tie the knot July 17 at an intimate wedding at the Loews Chicago Hotel. Photo courtesy of Kayla Belmont
package, a champagne toast, a bartender, a tent canopy with string lights, a ceremony set with white folding garden chairs, a microphone, speakers, mixer, lounge furniture, highboy and cocktail tables, barstools and lawn games. More information is available by contacting chisalesteam@ loewshotels.com. “Having a smaller, intimate wedding allows couples to focus on their love for each other and celebrate with their nearest and dearest while they say ‘I do,’” Cesario said. “It also gives them an opportunity to focus on elements of their special day that they may not have had in their budget originally for a larger affair, whether it’s the food, decor or venue.” Chicago’s First Lady Cruises is able to accommodate weddings of up to 50 people. While the company would normally have hundreds of cruises this season, because of COVID-19, staff members are anticipating fewer than 20 weddings, said Clare Agra,
the company’s director of charter sales. “Our wedding package is much more affordable than other downtown venues, at a flat rate of $500, which includes the upper deck setup for your “I don’t feel ceremony and switch any sadness over to reception layout, a microphone and about not stand for their officiant getting to and a white ceremony have my aisle runner,” she said. big wedding.” Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers an array Kayla Belmont of boats of different Bride sizes. The smallest boat, Lady Grebe, is “perfect for super intimate weddings of six guests or less,” Agra said. “One of our brides was supposed to have a large wedding ceremony and reception onboard this June, but, due to COVID, adjusted her plans,” Agra said. “So she, her husband and their closest friends sailed on Lady Grebe instead and had a small, beautiful ceremony on the day they were supposed to be married originally. And next year, they’re coming back for their reception.” The Mid-America Club hosted its first small wedding since the reopening on July 11, said Samantha Michaeloff, the venue’s private event director. “We have a modified intimate wedding package,” she said. “If people need a place for a ceremony, we can accommodate that ... everything’s here. We’re like a one-stop shop, which is awesome. All they need to do is bring flowers and a photographer, if they want one, or if they want some sort of musical entertainment, we’re allowing that as well.” The Mid-America Club offers a variety of different rooms that have been customized for maximum safety, depending on the number of guests, Michaeloff said. “It’s ever changing, but we’re reminding people that we’re here and we’re open if you need us,” Michaeloff said. “We’re taking the proper steps and following all the guidelines to make sure that people, if they still want to have these celebrations, that we’re willing and able to accommodate them.”
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Foxtrot, Connect Roasters team up to fight hunger By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer A new partnership between Foxtrot and a Chicagoland coffee company is assisting organizations providing food and other essential services during COVID-19. All eight of Foxtrot’s upscale convenience stores now carry 12-ounce retail bags of Quarantine Coffee, a blend developed by Bourbonnais-based Connect Roasters. A portion of each sale of the coffee benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Save the Children, an organization providing food and educational resources to children in rural communities. Quarantine Coffee is also available as a $4.25 pour-over option at each Foxtrot store, and the Streeterville location offers an additional espresso version for $3. Bags are priced at $15 apiece. The Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ is also a Quarantine Coffee partner. Caleb Benoit,
Chicago Cub Ian Happ is a partner in Connect Roasters’ Quarantine Coffee project, which benefits organizations that offer food and other essential resources. Courtesy of Connect Roasters
founder of Connect Roasters, said he connected with Happ over social media, and the second baseman developed the idea to use the coffee to support COVID-19 relief efforts.
“He’s a big coffee guy and particular about what he drinks,” Benoit said. “He also has a strong desire to give back to the community and make a difference off the field.” Through July, Quarantine Coffee sales have funded 6,574 meals at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and contributed $2,191 to Save the Children. Spencer Young, Foxtrot’s general manager of the coffee program, said there were a “multitude of factors” that led to the partnership between Foxtrot and Connect Roasters, but most notably, helping the Greater Chicago Food Depository was a shared cause. Through part of March and April, Foxtrot donated the delivery fees for each online order to the organization. “Beyond the philanthropic donations, it’s also just an incredible coffee,” Young added. “A perfect representation of a Guatemalan coffee—rich, well balanced, and very versatile.” Quarantine Coffee is produced in the
Acatenango region of Guatemala. Benoit said the company wanted to showcase a Guatemalan coffee to highlight the country’s “approachable, delicious coffees,” and the coffee is also a nod to Connect Roasters’ on-the-ground connections with Guatemala—the company sells a Guatemala El Faro blend that benefits Mision El Faro, a nonprofit focused on health and education services. Benoit launched Connect Roasters four years ago after embarking on several life-changing mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Seeing extreme poverty inspired him to create the company to “be part of the solution,” he said. Young said Foxtrot is always looking for new partnerships and projects to aid the community, and the coffee sold at the company is sourced from Chicago-area businesses. Foxtrot’s primary coffee provider is Metric Coffee Roasters, and the company also carries Four Letter Word.
Summer Vib and Views
Await at Chicago’s Largest Rooftop Lounge Serving neighborhood eats and crafty cocktails
Streeterville Social is downtown Chicago’s go-to rooftop bar and lounge, serving refreshing cocktails and local fare with a unique view on the city. Now open Thursday–Friday from 4pm–10pm | Saturday–Sunday from 2pm–10pm streetervillesocial.com | 312.840.6617 | 455 N. Park Drive
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Local CSO cellist awaits return to stage By Angela Gagnon Staff Writer New Eastside resident Richard Hirschl has been a cellist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) for more than 30 years. Although the pandemic has forced the CSO to cancel performances through December, the community has remained active. “The pandemic has been catastrophic for the orchestra,” Hirschl said, “But the patrons and donors have been extraordinarily generous in supporting the orchestra, which I give thanks to God every day.” Hirschl said the musical talent that brought him to the orchestra was “a gift from God.” But it also required a life-long commitment, supportive parents and talented teachers. Hirschl’s mother was a church organist, and his father was an amateur cellist. “I began music lessons at the age of seven learning to play the piano with my
mother,” he recalled. “But I was more interested in my dad’s cello.” Hirschl’s journey to the CSO cello section includes playing for the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and earning undergraduate and graduate degrees at The Juilliard School of Music in New York. While at Juilliard, Hirschl learned from teachers like Leonard Rose and Channing Roberts. “Mr. Rose was among the most famous solo cellists alive at that time,” he said, “and Channing Roberts was a particularly gifted teacher.” Hirschl landed the CSO job in 1989. “Being a member of this orchestra has always been and remains a humbling honor,” he said. “I am constantly awed by the capacities of the colleagues with whom I am so fortunate to collaborate.” Hirschl remains hopeful the season will resume in January, and he continues to find ways to keep his skills sharp until then. “During the pandemic, I have been
relearning the Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello by Bach,” he said. “Every time I return to one of the Suites, I am humbled by how much more I can find within them. Addressing all six at one time has really inspired me.” Hirschl performed some outdoor concerts this summer with colleagues from the orchestra. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle invited the group to play at Daley Plaza for Cook County employees, and they performed in Douglas Park for healthcare workers from nearby hospitals. Hirschl and his wife have been playing in small ensembles for the limited capacity congregation allowed to gather at his church since June. He has also been teaching and working with his daughters, one of his favorite parts of being a musician. “Participating in another cellist’s learning process is a fantastic challenge,” said Hirschl, who has instructed students ranging from
Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Richard Hirschl has been playing small outdoor concerts during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Richard Hirschl
8 years old to adult amateurs. “Working through the good and the bad with another cellist provides valuable self-perspective to my own playing, capacities, and limitations.” “I am among the most fortunate people I know,” Hirschl said. “My family loves living in the New Eastside, and we have deep friendships among our good neighbors that we hope to enjoy for many years to come.”
For the Love of Chicago! Is 2020 Almost Over? By Vikki Kokuzian
If you are thinking what I’m thinking, you must be wondering, “What’s next?” As an owner and Specialized Luxury Realtor of the New Eastside, so much has changed since my last article in June. Let’s not avoid the elephant in the room, but yes, the luxury condo market has slowed down. What do people do when they are uncomfortable or uncertain about the future? They panic! Undoubtedly, we are living through one of the most difficult experiences of our lifetimes. Ironically, the stock market and indexes have been relatively stable
considering the circumstances. So now what? Well, the routes are there to take, and being a WGN Radio morning traffic reporter with The Bob Sirott Show, I can tell you many parallels between getting you from point A to point B on the roads and getting you from point A to point B in real estate. If you need help, please talk this out with me! What is your goal? Financially? Your lifestyle? Are you planning to rent your whole life (Not such an amazing idea, but let’s talk!) or do you have a property that you can use as cash flow? Are you engaged and want to find a place to start a new chapter in your life? What is your why? Why do you do what you do everyday? There is a thought process behind every journey, with
certain speed bumps or detours along the way. I get it! Each person will take a different route, but in the end we all want to end up at our most desired destination... HOME.
Vikki Kokuzian works and lives in New Eastside.
Vikki Kokuzian Global Luxury Condo Specialist Coldwell Banker Gold Coast 676 N. Michigan Ave. Suite #3010 Chicago, Il. 60611 Cell : 312.545.0076
Photo by Daniel Patton
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Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune Film Critic By Daniel Patton Staff Writer As cinemas welcome viewers back and fans prepare for online premieres of highly anticipated films like Mulan, and Antebellum, one of America’s most noteworthy reviewers explains why movies are (almost) always worth waiting for. Michael Phillips’ influence is rising as the stay-at-home era continues. Besides being the Chicago Tribune film critic, he is a regular contributor to WFMT’s Soundtrack, which highlights film, television, and video game soundtracks, and an occasional guest on WBEZ’s Filmspotting. It is difficult to estimate the number of households that rely on his opinion. One of Phillips’ main goals as a critic is to explain why a film makes him feel the way he does. Without that “why,” he says, the review is meaningless. Besides earning him 100 or so appearances on the nationally syndicated At the Movies, the show made famous by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and more recently presenting 100 or so films on Turner Classic Movies, the “why” supports his grateful outlook: “It’s so cool to be able to inflict your taste on the public.” Why are movies important? Film history means looking at where we’ve come from, and what we’re dealing with today in terms of technique, subject, everything. Movies are important because they speak a different language to everyone, and they show us the world a million times over. Also, it’s good to remember that you can, and should, hold more than one opinion about a movie to be honest about your reaction. What is your method for reviewing films? I take notes all the time. Sometimes I have to write right away and get a review to the editor in two, maybe three hours. Pre-COVID, I’d see a screening with an audience on Monday or Tuesday night; a film at the screening room at 10 a.m. or noon; and one or two other titles on Vimeo or via screener link. The great advantage when you have access to rewatching the film before writing is that you can rewind and really examine a scene. If you do your job perfectly, what do readers get out of it? I never go for perfection—satisfaction is tough enough! But when I feel like I’ve done my job, it’s because the review works in one way for people who haven’t seen the movie but might see it next week. And it works a different way for people who’ve seen it, but want to engage in someone else’s response to it, agree or disagree. What about vintage films coming back around? With drive-ins becoming popular this year because of the pandemic, you can’t avoid Ferris Bueller if you tried, along with Jaws and The Goonies and the rest. We’ve all seen these things. So if I’m writing about the drive-in
Quick takes with Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips at the Music Box Theatre. Photo by Daniel Patton
experiences in Chicago, and there are plenty, I sure as hell don’t need to grind through the plot of Ferris Bueller. On that note, how is John Hughes’ work holding up? As a 20-year Chicagoan, I find myself at odds with the John Hughes mystique. I just don’t love his movies. He certainly helped the careers of Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick and so many others. But there’s something facile about his stuff that never really clicked for me. You go back and revisit some of those films and you think, that’s a big load of North Shore White privilege. Also, the way he depicts high school cliques has a way of reinforcing those cliques rather than questioning them. So much that was made before the 21st century is sexist, racist, homophobic, misogynist, and patronizing to anybody who didn’t look like a ‘typical Caucasian.’ Then again, so much that was made THIS YEAR is sexist, racist, homophobic, misogynist and patronizing, too. I’m deliberately avoiding the use of the phrase “cancel culture” because I hate that phrase. It’s generally favored by zealots who miss the way things were, however they were. What if you don’t like a film but you like the filmmaker? Hiding your opinion doesn’t do anybody any good. If you’re simply honest and open to what a film has to say and what the filmmakers think and you have no ego about learning as you go, people appreciate where you’re coming from. But sometimes, I’m also talking to these filmmakers and hearing about the obstacles and challenges and your heart just kind of goes out to them. Before you write about the movie itself, you have to wipe the slate clean and write honestly and specifically about why it worked for you, or didn’t, or somewhere in between. There’s nothing worse
ALMOST FAMOUS Like it. Not quite clear on why some people treat it as a masterwork. APOCALYPSE NOW Until the last 30 minutes, I love it. BODY HEAT Entertaining, but not as good as the movies it’s ripping off, like “Double Indemnity.” BLUE VELVET Love it. INCEPTION Not one of the Christopher Nolan films I love. The premise, with its three different levels of time and physics, feels a little more like work than fun to me. Movies about deadline anxiety, you know, not my favorite. Nonetheless it’s a pretty gripping experience. JOKER Hate it. THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER Liked it and I like that director, Yorgos Lanthimos. His movies have a way of giving me the cold creeps, in a fully inhabited way. LA LA LAND The film’s not perfect, but it has so much movie musical savvy going for it, and a lot of it’s beguiling. I wish Ryan Gosling hadn’t been chosen as the male lead – he’s only halfway up to Emma Stone’s level—but the director-writer Damien Chazelle has serious skills. THE LION KING, ALADDIN (live-action remakes) Artistically lifeless, corporate-made extensions of the brand, but they certainly did the job for Disney, and a lot of people were pleased. I’m looking forward to seeing “Mulan” because the director Nikki Caro is a more interesting filmmaker than people generally assigned to these adaptations. THE NAKED GUN Pretty funny, but the TV show (Police Squad) was better. MOONLIGHT Fantastic. One of the few almost-perfect films of the last ten years. PI Itchy, and grabby, but haven’t had the impulse to revisit it. UNDER THE SKIN Not an easy film to watch, but I think about it all the time, and I wish more science fiction had the guts to relay a story secondarily (or poetically, or allusively) and as pure experience first. Great musical score by Mica Levi, too. —Daniel Patton
than reading a compromised review where the critic’s actual feelings can only be found by reading between the lines. How do you describe a film you don’t like but you know other people will? Critics deal with that all the time. In the case of The Hangover, I remember being basically the one guy not laughing at a preview screening. I’ve also been the one guy laughing when no one else was cracking a smile. I’m not there to be a weathervane for the public. I’m there to explain why I did or did not like something and what that film says or doesn’t say about filmmaking or where we are in the world. Sometimes I might reference a movie with Continued on page 14
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Community rallies around damaged Streeterville shops By Nuria Mathog Staff Writer Streeterville businesses that incurred damage and financial losses during a wave of widespread looting Aug. 10 have seen an outpouring of support from local residents. Community members have launched GoFundMe campaigns to help affected small businesses, including Nail Perfection, a nail salon run by Vietnamese immigrants. Nail Perfection manager Christy Pham has been with the salon for 18 years of its two-plus decades in the community. She first learned about the damage to the shop from one of her clients. The salon window was broken,
and several items were stolen from the business, including a portable manicure machine and a barstool, she said. Jenny Ly, a friend of Pham and a Nail Perfection client, was inspired to launch the salon’s campaign after Pham sent her photos of the destruction. “It’s my first time with a GoFundMe, and when I told employees that we had it, everybody was so excited,” Pham said. “Any amount really helps us.” A GoFundMe page has also been set up for family-owned liquor and wine superstore UnCorkIt Chicago. Deborah Gershbein, president of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, said the community had “never had a situation like this before.”
“I think the chains will survive okay, but the independent businesses are the ones that need help,” she said. “But we don’t want the chains to move out either.” Gershbein said businesses are concerned about reopening, as the events of Aug. 10 marked the second major looting incident in the area since June. The most important step the city of Chicago can take, Gershbein said, is to “prevent this from happening again and to create a sense of safety for businesses and residents.” Gur Manhas, who runs Streeterville flower shop City Scents Floral & Home with his wife Nima, said the damage to the store included smashed windows
City Scents Floral & Home was one of several small Streeterville businesses damaged by looters the morning of Aug. 10. The store was able to reopen two days later. Photo courtesy of City Scents Floral & Home
in the storefront and the cooler in the back, as well as stolen iPads and money. The couple and their staff spent two days cleaning up before reopening on Aug. 12. Manhas said he wanted to thank the shop’s employees for all their hard work, adding he was grateful for the support City Scents had received from the community. As minority business owners themselves, the couple has been
dedicated to researching and supporting minority-owned and black-owned businesses from the beginning, Manhas said. “We have items in the shop that we’ve been adding on, either in the city or in general, from black-owned, women- and minority-owned businesses,” Manhas said. “So, we’re trying to do more of that.” Daniel Patton contributed to this report
Food distribution brings community together By Jon Cohn Community Contributor The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago and Chicago Catholic Charities have long been known as city locations providing meals to those most in need. That need has increased exponentially during the pandemic, and both organizations have stepped up to provide much-needed extra assistance. But it hasn’t been easy. Coordinating the volunteers, staff, security and patrons who help prepare the meal offerings has reinforced the expression, “it takes a village.” Mike Usiak, the Meals Ministry Coordinator for Fourth Presbyterian Church, knows
this all too well. “It has made the job more challenging,” he said. “We are limited now on how many volunteers we can gather at one time. But we have continued on, and it is so rewarding to see smiling faces and know people are enjoying a good meal.” Security guard John Bolden is at Fourth Presbyterian nearly every day talking to patrons, making sure order is kept, and reminding people to wear face masks, which are distributed to those in need. “Almost all of (the patrons) are very respectful and very polite,” he said. “On occasion, we will have a problem, but that is only in the rare cases.” Fourth Presbyterian, like
Catholic Charities, has moved its dining experience from an indoor location to the outdoors. No timeline has yet been set on when the inside service will resume. Bolden said they’re adapting to the changes. “Since the pandemic we have seen some new faces, but many regulars as well,” he said. “And they do miss being served inside because in the dining hall there was a bit more socialization.” “It almost felt like a home for them when they were all together,” he added. Volunteers are a big part of the process as well. Lisa Quinlan, who recently moved from New York, has been serving and coordinating meals
on Monday nights at Catholic Charities. “Not only do I find it rewarding, but it has allowed me to meet a lot of new people,” she said. “Most of all, I enjoy the interaction and getting to know our guests.” Christian, 17, a senior at Hinsdale South High School, makes the trip from Burr Ridge just about every Sunday to volunteer. “My dad works nearby, so that is how we found out about the opportunity and we thought it would be a good father-son service project,” he said. “I love getting to meet some of the people and hearing about their experiences. One thing I have learned is that each person has their own story.” What really makes the food distribution programs special,
though, are the patrons. Tom has been part of the program for nearly eight years and enjoys the service. “I love it,” he said. “I even like the outdoor serving better, because the lines move quicker and the food seems more varied.” Chloe, a near regular for three years, also likes the meals outdoors. “It seems like it is easier and smoother outside,” she said. Typically, 80 to 130 people are served at each meal. Meals are served every weeknight at Catholic Charities from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Lunch is served at Fourth Presbyterian Church at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The church also has a special hot meal offering on Sunday night.
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Michael Phillips Continued from page 12
the same intentions as the one I’m writing about, but it’s one I responded to fully. And then you try to figure out the “why.” If the “why” is not in there, the review doesn’t really do the job. What are the greatest compliments and criticisms you’ve ever received? Ten, 11 years ago, when we were on At the Movies together, A.O.Scott and I did a New York morning show. The other guest that day was Don Cheadle, an actor I’ve always loved. This was right around the time of The Blind Side, a film I just hated. The hosts asked us about the film, and I said something about it being patronizing garbage and everything wrong with using a White character to run a Black character’s story. It marginalized the protagonist in his own story. Cheadle said something about not being able to put it better than that, and that was a nice thing to hear. I remember an email I got from Michael Bay. I’d written a piece about the Transformer films and the Bourne movies, about how they embodied certain right wing/ left wing ideas either under the surface or right there on the surface. Bay didn’t appreciate that characterization, but he basically just needed to express his own feelings, and he was pretty gracious about it, in the end. He said something about resenting that the piece was well-written enough to force him to read it through to the end. Beyond that, I get a lot of really nice responses and a lot of “you’re a tool” hate mail, and I say: Bring it on. How has film evolved during the pandemic? Movies and television are all becoming one form of
entertainment. There’s stuff premiering on Netflix and Hulu and Amazon and Disney Plus that would’ve been in theaters six months ago. The big question is, will the public return as the theaters reopen? We’ll see. Nobody wants to take a chance on their health by going to the movies. The Music Box does a great job taking the cleaning protocols seriously. You feel safe there. What kind of films will the current pandemic inspire? It’s hard to watch anything without considering where we are in 2020. In a pre-COVID movie, everybody’s hugging each other or coughing on each other in tight spaces, for laughs. Interestingly, if you look at a hundred years ago, the movies did not really acknowledge the impact of the 1918 epidemic at all. They just wanted to forget it. What films will the current political situation inspire? If you look at all the movies made during and after the Iraq War, very few of them found a big audience. The best of them, like The Hurt Locker, transcended politics and offered a visceral experience that did find an audience and also reminded people of just how good Kathryn Bigelow is. That story was pure life and death, over and over. If a movie like that had stopped dead to talk about the ramifications of the war and the validity of the administration, it wouldn’t have seemed truthful. But the shadow of Trump is going to be heavier and longer than that of the Bush administration. Something tells me that the political divisions and the cultural divisions have become so deep, it’s going to take a generation to improve. I don’t have much hope for common ground in the short run. I only hope that film remains a way for people to both escape the real world and confront it.
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Police tech Continued from page 6
not use this technology. The use of facial recognition techniques in fighting crime has come under scrutiny in recent months amid ethical concerns. In May, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that facial recognition technology provider Clearview AI had ended its contract with the CPD. The company was the recipient of an ACLU lawsuit on grounds that its technology violated an Illinois law preventing past and present residents’ biometric information from being used without permission.
Major cities such as San Francisco and Boston have banned police and other municipal agencies from using facial recognition technology, and companies such as Microsoft have prohibited law enforcement agencies from using its tech for crime-fighting purposes. “Any kind of umbrella artificial intelligence tool, whether it’s machine learning, whether it’s optimization algorithms, whether it is natural image processing, the issue is, how do you know what you know?” said Desmond Patton, a Columbia University associate professor of social work who has studied diversity, inclusion and equity in AI
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and the relationship between social media and gun violence. “We’ve already identified many issues with how these systems can’t accurately interpret Black faces.” Patton recommended Chicago police question whether social media monitoring is the best approach and take into consideration the ability of third-party tools, artificial intelligence and human intelligence to actively interpret context. He said he would like to see this particular tool handled by community outreach organizations that focus on violence prevention and are more connected to what is happening on the ground.
Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@chicagostarmedia.com Chicago Park District’s “Night Out—at Home” View performances by 2020 partners like Art Institute of Chicago, Environmental Encroachment, and Mandala South Asian Performing Arts. Online, chicagoparkdistrict.com/ night-out-at-home The Cultural Asset Mapping Project (CAMP) Background Join a community storytelling and data visualization project where Chicago artists and residents collaborate to better understand artistic excellence and cultural vibrancy in our communities. Online, chicagoparkdistrict.com/camp.
Through September
Strategy meeting will most likely be conducted virtually via Zoom. Contact the 18th District CAPS office for URL: caps.018district@chicagopolice.org OR (312) 742-5778. 6 p.m. free.
Sept. 5, 6, 8
Live on the Lake at Navy Pier Free live music in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. Sept. 5 - Brian Allison, bq, and Katie Kadan (2-11 p.m.); Sept. 6 - Carpacho y Su Super Combo, DJ Papa G, and Gizzae (2-8 p.m.); Sept. 9 - Ana Everling, DJ Papa G, Kofi and the New Roots (2-8 p.m.). Free, 600 E. Grand Ave., (800) 5957437, navypier.org/eventsand-public-programs
Mad Hatter’s (Gin &) Tea Party An immersive experience including a welcome drink, three original cocktails, afternoon tea treats, and a Mad Hatter hat. Various dates and times, $65, 2239 S. Michigan Ave., madhatterginteaparty.com/chicago
Sept. 12, 26
Sept. 3
Sept. 23
Lake Shore Park “Pitch In for the Parks” The citywide volunteer cleanup effort comes to Streeterville. 9-11 a.m., free, Lake Shore Park Field House, 808 N. Lake Shore Drive, register online at eventbrite.com CAPS: Streeterville community police meeting The September Chicago Alternative Policing
Jane Addams Memorial Park “Pitch In for the Parks” The citywide volunteer cleanup effort returns to Streeterville. 9-11 a.m., free. 550 E. Grand Ave., register online at eventbrite.com Social Interactive Playtime at The Mid-America Club Lakeshore East Residents are invited to the 80th floor of The Aon Center for a safe night of networking at the Mid-America Club’s “Community in the Sky.” 5:30-7 p.m., free, 200 E. Randolph, 80th Floor, RSVP at (312) 856-9484 or email melissa.czyz@ clubcorp.com
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They said ‘try something new,’ so I did
F
or years I’ve observed nail and manicure salons throughout the Chicago area, wondering, as I pass each one, what exactly is the draw? Jon Cohn COMMUNITY Can there really be CONTRIBUTOR that much demand for the health and beautification of fingernails and toenails? During these virus-induced slow times, we are constantly reminded “it’s a good time to try something new.” I threw caution to the wind and took my now-questionable manliness into the Cuticle Nail Salon in the Village Market. Yes, at the ripe old age of 64, I went to get my first-ever pedicure (a manicure seemed
Jumble HANEEV ESRRETO ATFSYIS
At 64, I got my first pedicure
too tame so I figured why not go crazy?). This quantum leap was not without trepidation. My two main fears: I am ticklish in the feet and not sure how I would respond to all the touching and rubbing, and my toenails can look at times like the aftermath of a war zone. What would they think? Both concerns were quickly deflated by the very nice, comforting and competent presence of store manager Gina, who assured me everything would be fine. Gina led me to the back of the salon (strategic location: good move) where I suddenly started to feel like a farm animal being led to slaughter. The first step of the pedicure process was soaking my feet in hot water. Off to
a great start. Very soothing. I could have done that for half an hour and been a happy man. But no such luck, as my pedicurist Tina had other thoughts. What followed was a veritable onslaught of foot therapy and reimaging. First, there was the clipping of the nails (goodbye, war zone). Then some filing, a little scraping, cuticle clipping, more filing, a foot rub (thank goodness the mask I wore stifled some of my ticklish laughing), ointment treatment, a bit more scraping, another ointment treatment and, finally, a rather aggressive foot massage. Pedicurist Tina was not only outstanding but also an interesting contrast. She was quiet, soft and shy on the outside, while her hands told a completely different story. They were strong, aggressive and demanding. I found this curious, if not
Jon Cohn gets a pedicure at Cuticle Nail Salon in the Village Market. Photo courtesy of Jon Cohn
somewhat humorous. When the thirty-minute session concluded, my thoughts on my first-time pedicure? Not bad, not bad at all. I walked out proudly, heading to the nearest shoe store in search of an opentoed pair of sandals so I could show off my new-look feet with those lovely well-rounded toenails. Cuticle Nail Salon, 333 Benton Place, can be contacted at (312) 888-3627. Jon Cohn is a New Eastside resident.
Community photo AWSLYA URVSEVI REYAD
The gathering of a ripened crop. Previous puzzle answer: The hot, sultry period of late summer. DOG DAYS
Where am I? Do you know where this is?
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.
If you think you know, email us at info@chicagostarmedia.com.
New Eastside
Streeterville
Answers to August Where am I? New Eastside: Courtyard behind Illinois Center. Streeterville: Cityfront Plaza. Congratulations to Cooper Holmes, Dawne Davenport and Cheryl Gardner Moore for correctly identifying the Streeterville spot.
Clouds hang in the sky as a tour boat travels down the Chicago River. By Joy Carson, River North freelance producer
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