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Rhubarb galette from Floriole (photo by Joseph Storch)

I've always been a fan of Sandra Holl's work. Over the past few years, she's maintained a small booth at the Green City Market in Lincoln Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays, selling her French pastries and ethereal seasonal berry bread pudding. But she's always wanted to have a full-time space, with a real kitchen and a cafe, so she could expand her offerings as well as start selling some savory items as well. After more than a few delays and equipment setbacks, Holl opened Floriole Cafe & Bakery on West Webster Avenue (just a few doors West of Sweet Mandy B's) a few weeks ago, to the delight of many of her weekly fans at the Market. 

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When it comes to the National Radio Hall of Fame, will the fourth time finally be the charm for Howard Stern? And if he does get voted in, will the self-proclaimed "King of All Media" even bother to show up for the honor?

^{Howard Stern}

Those were among the first questions that leaped to mind Tuesday when the Chicago-based Radio Hall of Fame announced its 2010 list of nominees. Stern, who's been nominated three times before, is competing this year in the "national active" category with Carl Kasell, retired news anchor on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and official judge and scorekeeper on "Wait, Wait . .

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Last week, readers of Mission Amy K.R. were invited to share their favorite life quote.  Essentially crowd sourcing through the comment section, we were able to gather, curate, produce and–as of this moment now–distribute this one-of-a-kind Quote Book….in the span of one work week!

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(photo by Lee Bey)

Demolition is going on full-tilt at the massive old Kennedy King College campus at 69th and Wentworth. Aw, don't act so surprised about the building being torn down. I told you about it earlier this year.

The Brutalist concrete college once straddled Wentworth Avenue, much like the Old Main Post Office does at the mouth of the Eisenhower Expressway. But as you can see from the above photo, the wings on the west side of Wentworth are gone now, leaving behind rubble and upturned dirt.

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There are dozens of salads in the Thai repertoire (often called yum, appropriately enough) but few can match the complexity, and downright deliciousness of som tum. This shredded green papaya salad has everything going for it: salty, sour, spicy, sweet and lots of crunch to boot. It shows up on both the regular menu - as well as the Thai-only, secret menu that has been translated into English - at TAC Quick Thai in Lake View, just a few blocks North of Wrigley Field. As we say goodbye to Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this week, say hello to this one-of-a-kind salad.

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Chicago's seven CBS Radio stations could be in line for a new programming czar.

^{CBS Radio Chicago studios}

Although that's not what they're calling the position -- the official title would be vice president of programming -- the job description says the person would be "responsible for ultimate ratings success and digital initiatives for [the] diverse group of radio stations."

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I recently discovered the music lover's website Grooveshark. I'm guessing many of you have too. It's pretty cool, right? I'm just getting familiar with all the features, but one thing I was immediately drawn to is the ability to create and share playlists. Which got me thinking.

I believe it is now time that we create an official Mission Amy K.R. soundtrack.

So: Imagine watching yourself on a big screen...just living...going about your day...what music is playing? What would the soundtrack of your life be? That's how I want to approach this.

To get us started, I've created this mini playlist.

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