As one of the regular hosts of The Moth here in Chicago (the incomparable Brian Babylon being the other), I like to open the show with a Ken Nordine-inspired piece of word jazz that sets up the theme for the night. All of the stories are required to utilize the theme in the telling so I like to try and cover a multitude of angles tellers can approach.
Phil Jackson on Bulls past and present
May. 24, 2013
It has been 15 years since Phil Jackson rode out on his motorcycle and ended his coaching career in Chicago. He continued his success after his six Bulls NBA Championships with the Lakers and earned five more rings. Now at the age of 67, he has authored a new book aptly titled, "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success."
Jackson held court about his new book at the Trib Nation's Printers Row session conducted by the Chicago Tribune's beat reporter K.C. Johnson. An audience of dignitaries, including new Bears head coach Marc Trestman, and a large group of fans filled the Palmer House Hilton Ballroom.
Congress Theater liquor license revoked
May. 24, 2013
UPDATED 4:45 P.M.: NEW COMMENTS ON THE APPEAL AND THE PORTAGE THEATER
Controversial Congress Theater owner Erineo “Eddie” Carranza has lost his liquor license at the embattled Logan Square concert venue.
“We will appeal,” Carranza said.
Despite the city’s revocation of the liquor license, state law allows a venue to continue to sell alcohol during the appeals process.
The city issued an order to police to close the venue. But Carranza’s attorney Harlan Powell said the appeal was filed this afternoon and copies were forwarded to police, who should allow the next public event, a Latin music show on Sunday afternoon, to continue as scheduled.
Today’s decision from the Liquor Control Commission comes after three sessions of sometimes harrowing testimony before Hearings Commissioner Robert Nolan.
Why Chicago summers are the best
May. 24, 2013
“Chicago in the summer...” I began in a conversation with a friend since junior high school.
“Oh, there’s nothing better,” she finished.
What do people mean when they say Chicago is the greatest city in the summer? Well, they mean a couple of things, I suppose. If we truly consider the weather, Chicago summers are usually unbearable. The stickiness is never pleasant. By mid-July, the weather rules with an iron fist. It becomes difficult to imagine a Chicago outside of these temperatures. Where is the cold? Where is the chill? Where is the bite?
But in the beginning, a Chicago summer is nothing short of heavenly. Chicago truly only has two seasons: hot and cold. To live here is to know this. Chicago exists in a binary and to escape the months of cold feels like a triumph over the adversity of snow and ice. “I made it! I finally made it,” you think. The winter is an obstacle of the spirit.
Running for my life
May. 24, 2013
Saturday I’m running the Soldier Field 10 Mile race and there is a chance I may cry at the end of it. I mean, there is a good chance my bones and feet and various chafed bits will cry both figuratively and literally but there are other things going on as well.
This is my first big race since I had the baby in August. When I signed up for the run in January, I envisioned the race being the cap on my post-baby physical transformation—all the baby weight would be lost and I would be in shape again. I’d be back to normal.
Having run eight pretty undramatic miles on Saturday, I feel physically ready for the race. I can envision crossing the finish line and (let’s just be honest) posting my triumphant photo on Facebook and then wearing my finisher’s medal as I drink my lone complimentary beer. Barring any dramatic weather or broken legs, worst case scenario, I will run/walk this thing and that will be that.
As for the other stuff, the weight, the shape, the normal? We’ll see. Depending on the day, I’m six to eight pounds away from being back to my pre-baby weight.
Bleacher bums arrested
May. 24, 2013On May 24, 1920 the Chicago police staged their biggest gambling raid in years. Forty-seven people were arrested at a single location—the bleachers at Cubs’ Park.
Club officials had been aware of the problem for some time. The gamblers had staked out their own section of the stands. Anybody in the park who wanted to place a bet knew exactly where to find the action.
So undercover cops infiltrated the open-air casino. They wore various disguises–"teamsters, sailors, soldiers, ice wagon drivers, sewing machine agents, bootblacks, farmers," the Tribune reported. They ate peanuts and drank pop like ordinary fans. They watched the gamblers operate.
The Cubs were playing the Phillies.
Handpicked: Radler sausagefest, holy mole and more
May. 24, 2013
Friday, May 24
Inaugural WBEZ Day of Service registration deadline. Presented by WBEZ and Chicago Cares, volunteer for service projects with a range of non-profits across Chicagoland. Food-wise, on Wednesday (May 29), sort and pack donations for food pantries and soup kitchens at the Greater Chicago Food Depository; and Thursday (May 30) throw a Bingo and Birthday Party for 40 seniors with food, balloons, and lots of fun at the CHA’s Flannery Apartments. On Saturday (June 1) celebrate service with your first Goose Island Green Line Pale Ale on the house at Schubas. Admission FREE, but reservations required here.
Saturday, May 25