Pup Mania!

     On September 30, a jogger was on the California coast when they heard a strange noise. Upon closer investigation, it was found to be an orphaned sea otter pup.  After waiting around for the mother, the pup was rescued and taken to the Cetacean InstituteMonterrey Bay Aquarium.  A month later, the pup was adopted out to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, an institution with plenty of experience in dealing with rescued sea otter pups. When the female pup arrived, she immediately became a star, captivating millions of online viewers with her cuteness, as well as drawing the attention of J.K. Rowling. After spending another month as the clincal-sounding Pup 681, Shedd decided to give her a name.  First off, they opened the vote up to their members, letting them choose between 5 names:

• Cali(for California)
• Ellie(for Elephant Seals, which inhabit the same area where the otter was found)
• Poppy(the State Flower of California)
• Ana(for Ano Nuevo State Park in the same area where she was found)
• Luna(for Half Moon Bay, which is where she was found)

     After several hundred votes from Shedd's members,(as well as an unexpected contribution from J.K. Rowling) the voting went nationwide thanks to a partnership between the Shedd and Good Morning America.  The voting closed on the 11th, and a live reveal was held in front of Shedd's sea otter habitat this past Friday. After a brief chat about sea otters given by the head of Shedd's Marine Mammals Department and an appearance by a giant sea otter mascot, the moment that America had been waiting for arrived when Shedd announced the winning name live on Good Morning America.  After 10,000 votes from the public and 9 days of wondering, Pup 681's name was revealed as...LUNA!  After a few more words and pictures of Luna frolicking around in the main habitat, the ceremony ended and Luna went back behind the scenes.  For those of you who didn't go to the party, your first chance to see Luna on exhibit will come sometime in the Spring of 2015.

Trivia Thursday: The Fire That Wasn't

     Okay folks, we're back with more trivia.  First off, here's the answer to last week's question:  The deadliest aviation accident on American soil was the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 on May 25, 1979.  Now as for our bonus questions, here are those answers:  The plane flew out of O'Hare International Airport, and it was piloted by Walter Lux.  Now, on to the next question:

Back on October 4, The Great Chicago Fire Festival was supposed to be a triumphant celebration of the city's rebirth from the Great Fire of 1871, except things didn't exactly go as planned.  What went wrong?

     We'll be back next week with the answer and another question.

Chicago Style Poles

     Life in a firehouse. You've got the ever present firefighters, the engines, the chili(of course the chili), and the fire pole(plus a few other things). Let's talk about that fire pole. Such a basic piece of fire technology, so simple in fact that it could have been in use when Marcus Crassus started running around Rome extorting people into paying for his services. However, it's not quite that old. Legend has it hat the first fire pole was used in Boston. I'm here to tell you that legend has it wrong.

     To get the story, we need to go back to 1878 Chicago. Seven years after the Great Chicago Fire, the city is still making its comeback, and is 15 years away from hosting the Columbian Exhibition. One day that year, Engine Company #21(an all-black fire unit) was responding to a call when fireman George Reid slid down from the third floor using a pole that was intended to help stock the loft with hay for the horses(this was 1878, how else do you expect the firefighters to get to the fire?). Captain David Kenyon saw the wisdom here and convinced the Chief to make the change. Initially, other fire departments looked at them like they were crazy and even started to ridicule their pole method. That all changed when Company #21 started consistently being the first on the scene to fires in the city, at which point they (I imagine somewhat sheepishly) picked up the trend.

     By the early 20th Century, the trend had caught on around the world. Today, fire poles are on the decline, (due to their many risks) with many new fire stations being built ranch-style. However, many historical multi-level houses still have them, a continuation of a 136 year old Chicago tradition.

Trivia Tuesday: The Deadliest Accident

     Okay folks, we're back for more trivia.  But first, here's the answer to last week's question. The Chicago Sports Museum has any number of items on display, and I asked you to name 3 of them.  You could have said any of the following:

The home plate from Kerry Wood's final game before retiring(signed by Woody himself, of course)

The blasted smithereens of what used to be a baseball(that fell by a certain seat) used in a certain baseball game on October 14, 2003

Several pieces of memorabilia from the actor James Denton(who used to bus tables at the establishment when he was a struggling young actor)

Richard Dent's 1985 Super Bowl trophy

The bat used to make the final out of the 2005 World Series

Several old newspaper clippings reporting on classic moments in Chicago Sports History

     And now, on to this week's question:

The deadliest aviation accident on American soil happened right here in Chicago.  What date did it happen on?  For bonus points, what airport did the plane fly out of?  For extra bonus points, what was the name of the pilot of the plane?

     Best of luck, and we'll be back next week with the answer and more trivia.

Coming in a Blase of Glory: Chicago's New Archbishop

     Back in September, Pope Francis named Blase Cupich as the successor to the 77-year-old Cardinal Francis George as Archbishop of Chicago. On Tuesday, the appointment was made official when Cupich was installed as the new Archbishop in front of a packed house in Holy Name Cathedral. In his installation speech, he advocated for not becoming complacent with "the mountaintop of our self-assuredness, but rather walk into the mess". By all accounts, Archbishop Cupich is a demonstration of how Pope Francis is shaping the new face of the Catholic Church as a compassionate, caring front that is working to welcome back parishioners who have been jaded by the recent scandals that have befallen the Church.


     In his installation Cupich used an implement that had also been used by George Mundelein (a leader who was considered to be a compassionate and caring figure in his time as well) in his installation 99 years earlier, further symbolizing his reformist views.  In his installation address, Blase avoided making any overt political statements, instead making a point to recognize those who had shaped his ministry, such as his immigrant ancestors from Croatia and the Native Americans he had met as bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota(his previous posting).  Due to an interesting rule, Archbishop Cupich is not actually a Cardinal.  A diocese can only have one voting Cardinal at a time, and Francis George is eligible to remain one for another three years. After he turns 80, Cupich will become a Cardinal.


     Our new Archbishop is getting right down to business, going on a preaching tour of several ethnic parishes in the diocese.  He'll be going to the largest Polish parish in the city next month, but tomorrow he'll be going to a Lawndale parish that was caught right in the middle of the sex abuse scandal.  We can be sure that there are changes to come in the future, but through it all, Chicago has always had, and will continue to have, guidance from strong Archbishops, a club now joined by Blase Cupich.

Walking in the Sky: Surreal Chicago Week Day 5

     Back on November 2 (which was the night before the Red Bull Air Force made their appearance in Chicago), Discovery Channel broadcast a two hour television special talking about Nik Wallenda's attempt to add Chicago to his list of daredevil walks (if this sounds slightly familiar, that's because I've mentioned it before). In the days leading up to the walk, the hype train reached incredible speeds, and several articles were put out (like this one) that elaborated on some of the details of the walk. Since the actual walk only took up the last half hour of the show, they needed to throw in quite a bit of filler, so they started out the show by talking to such assorted personalities as his family, his parents, and even Pastor Joel Osteen. Yeah, Joel Osteen(you just can't make this stuff up[though to be fair, Wallenda did mention his faith several times, but it still seems like they were reaching a bit]). Then the time came for his walk. I'll elaborate more in a second, but to start off with, let's take in the walk looking straight down from Wallenda's perspective.


     Feel dizzy yet?  Here's what happened. First Wallenda crossed between one of the Marina City towers and the Leo Burnett building, going over the Chicago River in the process, and walking 451 feet across the river. After that, he took an elevator down to the ground, walked back to the other side of the river, then walked between the two Marina City towers, blindfolded. Yeah, you read that right, his plan was to walk 581 feet off the ground completely blind. They don't call him a daredevil for nothing.  After he safely made it across on his second walk, everybody let out a big sigh of relief, and Nik Wallenda was able to put yet another feather into his daredevil cap.

The Golden Throat is NOT toast: Surreal Chicago Week Day 4

     You've seen him amongst the throngs at Wrigley to take in a Cubs game(perhaps in the Bleachers). You've seen him at the Toast to Harry Caray. You've seen him at the Cubs Convention. Hell, I've even seen him walking down Clark Street at 11:00 on a Saturday night. But wherever he goes, he's always wearing a well-worn Cubs uniform with two words on back. "Woo Woo".


     Ronald Wickers first started attending Cubs games in the late 1940s. By the end of the 1950s, he had started his own unique cheer. By the 80s, he was firmly entrenched in the annals of Cubs Lore. In 1983, Bill Veeck asserted that "The best way to appreciate Ronnie is when he's about 100 feet away and not in your ear. All throughout the glory years of the 60s(even the heartbreak of '69), and the Bleacher Bum era of the '70s, Ronnie was there.  when some of his family members died in the 1980s, he all of a sudden found himself homeless without a stable job.  Between 1984 and 1990, he even attended Cubs games off of the grace of fellow fans.  In the 1987 season there was a period where he stopped showing up at Cubs games, and some loyal fans began to worry that he had died.  Eventually Ronnie contacted a local news organization to confirm that he was still very much among the living.


     Since 1990, Wickers' life has taken a minor upswing.  He has found several sources of income, be they washing windows in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, selling Streetwise magazines, and even working a job set up for him by a friend.  In 2001, he sailed to new heights when he sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Wrigley, joining such luminaries as Bill Murray, William Petersen, and (cough)Mike Ditka.  Ronnie is still a persistent presence at all things Cubs to this day, retaining his position as the city's Biggest Cubs Fan.

Meteors, Skydivers, and Cans: Surreal Chicago Week Day 3

     Back on November 3, there was a strange sight flying over Chicago.  Some people thought they saw a meteor.  Others thought they saw a fireball descending from the night sky.  Here's a video, maybe you can see it for yourself:

     As you can see, the apocalypse is not upon us(so stop the mad dash to the doomsday shelters).  In fact, what it was that night were 3 members of the Red Bull Air Force doing a jump.  The Red Bull Air Force is a team of skydivers who tours the country doing different performances and showing off their death-defying leaps.  They were in Chicago to do a promotion for the Red Bull Art of Can exhibit that ran in Millennium Park earlier this month.  From the 7th through the 16th, the public was welcomed to a special indoor facility on the Chase Promenade where they could see different works of art by various artists.  The catch?  All the art had to be constructed out of empty cans of Red Bull.  Even with the somewhat interesting materials requirement, there were still several very ambitious and interesting pieces that came out of the exhibition, such as a deer head, a swing set, a jeep, and a cobra, all made out of cans of Red Bull.  Both the exhibition and the skydive went well, and certainly made Red Bull's contribution to the city this month very surreal.

Spider Dan: Surreal Chicago Week Day 2

     The 1980s in Chicago. A time of Chicagofest, big hair, NO DISCO, Da Bears(and their Superfans), and many other things. One of the more surreal Chicago events from that decade came in 1981. First, on Memorial Day, a gentleman by the name of Dan Goodwin scaled the Sears Tower using (among other things) suction cups in an effort to call attention to the challenges of rescuing people from high-rise fires(a peril he knew firsthand from watching the infamous MGM Grand fire a year earlier in Las Vegas). His climb took seven hours, and aside from a few attempts by the Fire Department to stop him, he reached the top of the tower and unfurled the flag to honor his father.

     Six months later Dan came back for Veterans Day. After having just climbed 56 stories in Dallas 4 days earlier, this time he had his sights set on the 100 story John Hancock Center. He started out, this time in a wetsuit made to resemble a Spider Man outfit. As he went, he swung across the building on a rope in order to elude firefighters who were trying to catch him with a window-washing machine. The firefighters then switched to using fire hoses in an attempt to blow him off the side of the building, while at the same time using axes to break the windows of the Hancock in order to deprive Goodwin of handholds. In addition to all of that, they also stuck poles through the windows to dislodge him. Finally, Mayor Jane Byrne stepped in to stop the madness and allowed Spider Dan to finish his climb unimpeded. Of course he was arrested at the top of the building, but he raised awareness anyway.

     Over the intervening 33 years, Goodwin has climbed several more buildings, including the CN Tower, the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and even a building in Chile this past March, but Chicagoans will remember him as the man who took on the 2 tallest buildings in the city-and lived to tell the tale.

Trivia Tuesday: Chicago's Sporting Past.

     Readers, it is time for more trivia.  YAY!  But first, here's the answer to last week's question: Chicago's very first Planetarium was the Atwood Sphere, which opened up in the Chicago Academy of Sciences on October 27, 1913(17 years before the Adler Planetarium).  And now, for this week's question:

The Chicago Sports Museum inside the Navy Pier location of Harry Caray's has many items from Chicago's sporting past.  Name 3 of them on display.

     Thanks for playing, and we'll be back next week with the answer and more trivia.  Cheers!

George Streeter-The Man, The Myth, The Squatting: Surreal Chicago Week Day 1

     War Veteran. Squatter. Captain. Gun-runner. Pioneer. Criminal. Land owner. Scoundrel. Liar. All of these words(and many others) could be used to describe George 'Cap' Streeter, an eccentric Chicagoan from the late 19th Century who inadvertently played a large part in helping create the Chicago we all know today.

     According to his own self-aggrandizing legend, the whole thing started in 1886 when he ran his boat (named the Reutan) aground off the shore of Lake Michigan. Finding that the boat was impossible to extricate from he sandbar, Streeter just left it there. At this time, the Lake was still a popular dumping ground for all sorts of waste produced by the city(a practice that had started in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire).  This, combined with the natural accumulation of silt, meant that eventually Streeter's boat was connected to the mainland of the city. By this time Streeter had organized the "United States District of Lake Michigan" around his wreck, refusing to recognize any outside authority, and inviting other squatters to join him. In 1889, he moved to another ship that had run aground in the dump, naming it the Castle. This touched off a period where Streeter and his fellow squatters would periodically fight off interlopers, be they dismayed wealthy land owners and industrialists in a court of law, or constables with gunfire and pots of boiling water(he beat the rap on the gunfire on account of the fact that buckshot wasn't considered to be a deadly weapon).

     By 1892, the land that made up Streeter's squatter village was valued at approximately $300,000(which is equal to roughly $7.9 Million today). The following year, the District had accumulated quite the underworld element, attracting prostitutes, the homeless, and other 'undesirables'(somewhat reminiscent of another infamous red-light district). That same year, Streeter took advantage of the Colombian Exposition to make some more money.  He re-floated the Reutan(the original boat he ran aground in 1886) and used it to ferry folks back and forth from his District to Jackson Park(the site of the fair). In the aftermath of the fair, there were many subsequent attempts to remove him, all of which were fought off either in the courts or in person. Streeter maintained his right to the District until his death in 1921(even though he moved to East Chicago 3 years earlier).  Despite all the bad blood he'd had with the city through his life, the mayor of Chicago(who at that time was the infamous Big Bill Thompson) allegedly attended his funeral.

     The actual facts of Streeter's life are a bit different. While he did serve in the Civil War, he wasn't a captain. He had acquired his boat in an attempt to take up a gun-running operation to Latin America. Coming upon the lakefront, he saw an opportunity to make a quick(and illegal)buck. He obtained permission from a landowner to dock his boat on the shoreline, and from there plotted to have the shoreline filled in so as to obfuscate the land titles, letting him "claim" land that was owned by(amongst others)the estate of William Ogden(Chicago's first mayor), Potter Palmer, and the Chicago Title and Trust Company. He then sold plots of land to other squatters, even going so far as to keep detailed records of collected property taxes. Eventually, Streeter claimed to own 186 acres of land right off of the lake. In reality, much of that landfill had actually been created for the building of Lake Shore Drive. To reassure skittish investors(as well as pressure landowners into paying him off) Streeter would periodically stage 'invasions' where he would lead a band of squatters onto his land with shanties. They would set up shop, the landowners would quickly send their goons after them, and then Streeter would complain that his rights were being infringed by the big, bad landowners. This process repeated itself until Streeter was convicted of manslaughter in 1902. After being sent to prison, Streeter eventually died at the age of 84 in 1921 from pneumonia.

     While many of the facts of Streeter's life rest on the fence of him either being a folk hero or just a low-rent thug, what cannot be argued is his impact on the city. After all the squatters were evicted from Streeter's 'District', the developers moved in and started building. The building never stopped, and today the site of the John Hancock Center and the surrounding neighborhood is known as Streeterville.

City of the Surreal

     This is Chicago.  We're known the world over as the Second City, City of Big Shoulders, Skyscraper Capital of the World, a town of legendary corruption, as well as many other monikers.  But among all those things, we've also had some pretty weird stuff go down in the past 177 years.  Some of it I've written about(Al Capone's Vault, fisticuffs at Wrigley, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Disco Demolition Night) but some of it we haven't.  Over the next 7 days, I'll be taking you on a tour of some of Chicago's more surreal stories, events, and people. These stories range in setting from the 1880s to just 2 weeks ago, and other times in between.  But whenever they took place, they are all surreal in one way or another.  Stay tuned for the first entry later today, as well as entries throughout the week.  Cheers!

Jane Byrne Memorial Digest

     Yesterday the news came across the wire that Jane Byrne, former mayor(and first and only female mayor) of Chicago, had passed away at the age of 80.  In remembrance of that, here are 2 articles I put out earlier this year talking about plans to have something in the city named after her.
   
     If Thompson made the city corrupt, and Daley I made the city work, Jane Byrne was the Mayor that started to make the city the world-class destination that it is today. True, Daley II played a major part in the large scale beautification and downtown renaissance of the 1990s, but Mayor Byrne took the first steps a decade earlier. Coming to power in the wake of the (politically) disastrous 1979 Blizzard, Byrne saw the need to shake things up.

     Her first big contribution was fine-tuning ChicagoFest. At that time, Navy Pier had seen a lot in its years of use, ranging from shipping, to sailors during World War II(including the skydiving nonagenarian himself, George H.W. Bush), to students enrolled in the University of Illinois(prior to the establishment of UIC). But by 1978 it wasn't seeing much except for disuse and neglect. Mayor Michael Bilandic saw this as an opportunity, and so began a two-week long music festival in the middle of the summer.  After taking office, Byrne saw an the opportunity as well and continued the festival as Mayor Byrne's ChicagoFest. The affair was highly successful, and continued for several more years until it was retired and reimagined. You'll be able to check out Chicagofest in all its modern glory this year at the Taste of Chicago. In addition to that, Byrne was also responsible for helping to extend the Blue Line all the way to O'Hare.

     In 1983, Byrne attempted to run for Re-Election was opposed by Harold Washington as well as a then lesser-known Richard M. Daley. Now you've heard of minority candidates running for an opening and splitting the Black/Hispanic/Asian vote? Well in '84 Byrne and Daley split the White vote allowing Harold Washington to take the election. Mayor Washington went on to leave his own legacy prior to his untimely death in 1987, a legacy that was properly memorialized with the naming of the new library. However, there has been no similar remembrance of Mayor Byrne's legacy. That may soon change though as Alderman Ed Burke has recently submitted a proposal to investigate different possible opportunities to pay tribute to the aging Byrne, some of which include:

• Buckingham Fountain(as in renaming it)
• The International Terminal at O'Hare
• The Plaza in front of Water Tower Place
• Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom.

     Of course, this being Chicago, the land where matters of money, power, and politics are in a constant state of flux, there'll be more to this.
__________________________________________________________________________________
     As I mentioned last month, there has been a push as of late to honor Former Mayor Jane Byrne by renaming one of the myriad tourist attractions in the city in her honor.  Well, coming down the pipeline fresh today, the City Council has made its decision.  By a unanimous vote, Mayor Jane M. Byrne will be honored through the renaming of the park outside of the old Water Tower.  This represents the culmination of a long process that ultimately wound up honoring the first(and so far only) female mayor of Chicago.  Additionally, Chicago is also the largest city in the United States to have ever had a female mayor as of 2014.  Now Byrne's legacy is preserved for both posterity and countless future generations of Chicagoans.

Trivia Friday: Planetariums

     Okay folks, here we are with another bit of trivia.  But first, the answer to the last question.  The Killer Cop in question(Two-Gun Pete) was named Sylvester Washington.  And as for the bonus question, the famed music producer in question was none other than the one and only Quincy Jones.  Now, onto the next question.  This time, there's no bonuses, no two-parters, just one question for all the marbles:

What was the first Planetarium in Chicago?

    

     We'll be back next time with the answer, as well as another question.

Trivia Wednesday: A Killer Cop

     Okay folks, time for more trivia.  The answer to the previous question is this. In 1929, the Chicago Defender started the Bud Biliken Parade, a celebration of summer that still goes on to this day.  And now, for this week's question:

Which notorious Chicago cop was known as "Two-Gun Pete"?  (And for bonus points, which legendary music producer dreamed of one day making Pete pay for his sins?)

   We'll be back next week with the answer, as well as another question.

Trivia Tuesday: The Innovative Defender

     We're back!  After a few more days off than I was intending, let's start right back up with the trivia!  Here's the answer from 2 weeks ago:  The deserted CTA Station in question is the Mannheim/22nd station, on the far reaches of what today would be the Blue Line.  Except it never was part of the Blue Line, as it was abandoned in 1951.  And now, this week's question:

Which enduring part of Chicago was started by writers for the Chicago Defender in the 1920s?

 We'll be back next week with the answer and another question.

The Chicago Eight: Marathon Week Day 3

     Ever since the first running of the Mayor Daley(Chicago) Marathon way back in 1977, tens of thousands of different people have crossed the finish line.  But there are 8 individuals who have actually ran every single marathon.  Some of them may be a bit long in the tooth, some of them may not be as fast as they once were, but they all are still keeping at it, and they all will be running on Sunday.  These are their stories:

• Daniel Skrzypczynski ran his first Chicago Marathon in 4 hours and 20 minutes, and has covered the gamut of times and experiences, from finishing the 1977 Marathon with his brother to walking the marathon course with his daughter in the aftermath of undergoing meniscus surgery.
• Ron Williams polished off the 1977 race in 4 hours and 45 minutes, and some of his most cherished memories of the run are completing the race with his daughter, as well as being able to remember when the women's field was so slim that he could easily count the number of women running the race.
• Henry Kozlowski's first time was 5:09, and recalls his parents greeting him at the finish line of the first race proud of him, but also wondering if their son had taken leave of his senses.  One year he came back from falling off of a ladder and still finished the Marathon that same year.  Ultimately, he wants to reach the 50 marathon mark, after which he'll just start doing it for the fun of it.
• Andrew Praxmarer completed his first Marathon with a time of  3:12:57, and one of his cherished memories is running with his wife in her first marathon in 2004.  He recalls the treacherous 2007 edition, remembering how he'd never seen so many people start walking early on in the race.
• George Mueller(who ran a 4:50 his first time) also ran in 2007, but his experience was much more uplifting, as it was completing a comeback from a broken leg.  He didn't even realize it had closed until he finished.
• Randy Burt's first time was 3:36, but his most vivid memory comes from the 1984 Marathon, where he saw Steve Jones running the opposite way as him on his way to setting a world record.
• Larry Moon walked to the starting line in 1977 having never ran more than 20k.  He ended up running that race in 4:20, and made it to the halfway spot just in time to see the first winner crossing the finish line.
• Joseph Antonini ran his first Marathon in 4:05:58, and remembers just how much community spirit there was on the course.  He wasn't sure if he could finish it, and as he approached Soldier Field he saw many people sitting on the side of the course.  He persevered and made it, and all the finishers embraced each other in congratulations afterwards

Come tomorrow morning, all 8 of these men will be stepping off for their 37th Chicago Marathon.  If you see them, wish them well.

Running in an Oven: Marathon Week Day 2

     In the days leading up to the 30th Chicago Marathon, the prognosis was not looking good.  Forecasts were telling of an unseasonably hot race day, with temperatures approaching 80 degrees at the time of the race.  Upon hearing this, the organizers sprung into action.  From notifying local running clubs and emailing all the registered runners, to plastering the heat advisories all over the expo the day before, the word was spread all throughout the running community that this race could potentially be very hot.  Not just that, but Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski met with the Chicago Fire Department to request some backup equipment.  All told, he acquired a ventilation van, a giant misting machine, bike patrols, and 22 open fire hydrants that could be used to spray water.  On top of that, 28 ambulances stood at the ready along the course, and the Marathon team had arranged for several more ambulances to be at the ready across the state, ready to be activated via the MABAS(Mutual Aid Box Alarm System).  The 15 aid stations were all outfitted with 200,000 extra servings of water and sports drink, as well as ice and cooling sponges.  As yet another line of preparation, 5 CTA buses were turned into cooling buses and placed along the course to aid overheated runners.  But no matter how much they prepared, they could only wait for race day to see how it could all pan out.

     October 7, 2007 dawned on the city of Chicago warm, bright, and full of anticipation, as tens of thousands of runners made their final preparations.  Meanwhile, Pinkowski was making sure his team was ready, checking over all their preparations one final time.  He carried a jacket and gloves with him, both out of a force of habit and as a hope for some kind of breeze or cloud cover.  But neither of those things were to be had.  Runners were breaking into a sweat while waiting in their start corrals, and things only went downhill from there.  9,000 people didn't even start the race.  For those who did, problems started becoming apparent almost immediately.  Folks who were skilled runners, those who normally wouldn't even start to get thirsty until after Mile 10, were guzzling water at the first aid station at Mile 1.7.  Water started to run out, and it did so quickly.

     Meanwhile, spectators at the finish line were treated to a spectacular show, as the men's race came down to a photo finish, and the women's race featured a thrilling comeback in the final 100 meters.  But this belied the travails going on further back in the course.  By the time most runners hit Mile 15, folks started dropping like flies, and a thermometer in Pilsen was seen to record a temperature of 92 degrees.  By 11:24, Pinkowski made the call to activate MABAS.  11 Minutes later, the Chicago Marathon was cancelled.  But cancelling the race and getting the racers off the course were two different animals entirely.  While officials did create a diversion point where the slower runners were directed off the course, that still left many runners on the course with a dwindling support system.  Unfortunately, this ended in tragedy for one runner, a 35 year old policeman from Michigan who collapsed and died on the course.  All told, only 25,534 out of the 45,000 registered runners finished the race, with only 1,363 of them finishing before the race was officially cancelled.

     Even though the response seemed chaotic, the quick thinking and efforts of the medical team assuredly saved lives and kept people out of hospitals.  Despite the chaos of race day, Pinkowski remained in charge of the Marathon, a post which he holds to this day.  Sunday's weather forecast calls for a high of only 58 degrees, so I think it's safe to say we won't have the same problem this year.

Chicago's Marathon: Marathon Week Day 1

     This Sunday, 45,000 runners will take to the streets of Chicago in an attempt to conquer the Marathon. 26.2 miles of pure, unadulterated, grit and determination. But did you know we've had a Marathon here ever since the first Roosevelt Administration? That's right. The 1896 Olympics turned the world's attention to the Marathon distance, and within a year, Boston had already started running their own yearly Marathon(which is still going to this day). Interest eventually spread to Chicago, and the city held its first Marathon in 1905. The course ran from Evanston all the way to Washington Park, where 100,000 people gathered to watch the thrilling finish. The first iteration of the Marathon continued until the 1920s, when it was sidelined.


     In 1972, Frank Shorter won the Olympic Marathon in Munich, spawning renewed interest. Then in 1976, the New York City Marathon ran a course that encompassed all of the city, popularizing that concept. At that same time, Mayor Richard J. Daley was thinking about re-establishing the Chicago Marathon. Lee Flaherty entered the picture, and helped push the idea. Daley died before the Marathon started, so Mayor Bilandic had the first race in 1977 called the Mayor Daley Marathon. Bilandic even handed out medals at the end with his wife. The race didn't truly become a world class destination until 1982, when sponsorship allowed for better prize money, attracting better runners. This was also the final year that an American won the Men's race, with a time of 2:10:59. In 1987, only a half marathon was run due to a lack of sponsorship. In 1994, LaSalle Bank became the sponsor, and then in 2008 Bank of America began to sponsor the race.


     The race itself goes through 29 of Chicago's 77 neighborhoods, giving a diverse glimpse of all the areas of the city. And the residents put on a show of their own. As the runners go through Boystown, they'll be treated to an all-male cheerleading squad, and in Chinatown they'll meet up with dragon dancers. Not just that, there are also several cheer zones set up along the course where spectators can cheer on the runners.  But the spectators aren't only restricted to the Cheer Zones, they line the streets of the city from start to finish.  Some of them even climb up on the city's bridges to get a better view. Regardless of how you watch it, the Chicago Marathon is truly a sight to behold, and a great time for all ages.  Make sure to come down to the city on Sunday to catch all the action live.

The Great Chicago Fail Festival

     Back in 2009 when Chicago was bidding for the Olympics, Jim Lasko started brainstorming as to what Chicago's Opening Ceremony might look like.  Looking for something uniquely Chicago, he came up with the beginnings of a plan.  But once Chicago lost the Games, his thinking was put on the back burner. This past Saturday night 30,000 people lined the banks of the Chicago River between State and Columbus to see the realization of Lasko's vision, which had taken form as the Great Chicago Fire Festival. The festival was meant to be a celebration of the city's rebirth from the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.  The event, which was organized by Redmoon(a Chicago-based arts group), was actually the culmination of several months worth of smaller interactions and engagements with many of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.


     October 4, 2014 was to be the conclusion of the Festival, the Grand Spectacle, which would culminate in 3 Victorian-style house mock-ups being set on fire in the River.  The first activity was a neighborhood bazaar taking place along Upper Wacker Drive, with various artisans and other vendors selling their unique wares that helped to show off Chicago's diversity.  Starting at 5:30, there were two stages set up(one of them being in Pioneer Court) where various acts performed for the next two hours, such as She, The O'Mys(just over a month removed from their successful show at the Bash on Wabash), Dragon Dancers from St. Therese Chinese School, Keyani, a performance by the Happiness Club, as well as many other acts. At 7:35, there was an announcement of winners and a trophy presentation at one of the stages, and the show was all set to begin.  After the arrival of some dignitaries on boats, the Spectacle was on.  First up, two stars from NBC's Chicago Fire(because of course they'd do that) lowered a fire cauldron from the Michigan Avenue Bridge.  Other participants lowered 14 more cauldrons.  Then 3 steamships came through, led by the S.S. O'Leary(because once again, of course they'd do that).  The steamships were to take the fires from the buoys and use them to ignite the Victorian mock-ups mentioned earlier.  After the houses burned, a "symbolic, interior core" was to be exposed.  After that, fireworks would go off and 30,000 screaming fans would cheer their approval, then the first annual Great Chicago Fire Festival would be a success.  Right?

Wrong.

     It was all going so well. The stage acts went off without a hitch, there were 30,000 people waiting on the banks of the river, Jesse Spencer and Taylor Kinney lowered the first cauldron, and the O'Leary fleet did their thing.  Just one problem: the houses didn't burn up, they just caught on fire and then fizzled out.  Apparently, the safety system integrated into each of the houses was too efficient for its own good.  The internal propane tanks in each house were designed not to unleash the propane until an electrical impulse was issued from the pilot light.  Unfortunately, the houses were so moist that the impulses failed to go.  Ergo, no fire.  After several failed attempts, Redmoon cut their losses and went straight to fireworks.  In the wake of the let down, there has been an uprising on Twitter, disappointed Chicagoans, a comparison to Geraldo's ill-fated attempt at digging up some dirt on Capone, and even an inquiry by Alderman Ed Burke into just how much money was wasted on the spectacle that wasn't.  As of now, the head of Redmoon says that they intend to try again next year, so I guess the answer for now is just to stay tuned for 2015.

Trivia Tuesday: Deserted Stations

     Okay guys, welcome back.  First off, last week's answer.  A commuter who wanted to go from Zion to Ogilvie for a whole year on Car 553 would need to pony up $3,378.  That's $2,478 for 12 Metra monthly tickets at $206.50 each, plus $900 for the annual fee to join Car 553.  And now, this week's question(and no math this time, I promise):

Which CTA station grew so deserted by the end of its run that it looked like a dilapidated shed?

  We'll be back next week with the answer, as well as another question.

Daaa Superfans: Bears Week Day 4

     Saturday Night Live has come out with some groundbreaking sketches over the years, but only one of them succinctly wraps up the mindset of the stereotypical Bears fan so well. It premiered in 1991(mere hours before the Bears were to take the field for a playoff match up with the New York Giants), and originally featured Joe Montegna(who is from Chicago), Mike Myers, Chris Farley, Rob Smigel, and Kevin Nealon. The plot as it first went was that Bill Swerski(played by Montegna) and his cronies are all camped out in Mike Ditka's Restaurant, holding court over copious quantities of brats, Polish Sausage, and beer, all while discussing the fortunes of the Bears at that specific moment in time, kind of like this:

     The sketch was originally written by Rob Smigel in 1988 for another comedy show he was attached to, basing the characters on Chicago broadcast personalities from the 70s and 80s. Since Montegna was just the host for that first sketch, he was replaced in subsequent airings by George Wendt, who played his brother Bob. Bill's absence was explained away by Bob saying that his "brudder had anudder heart attack"(heart attacks were quickly becoming their go-to ailment). The fans made several more appearances on SNL, discussing such things as how well Ditka would do in a Hurricane, how he'd do in the Indy 500(he'd finish in first place driving the team bus), and how Da Bearss would do against Da Bullss.  The fans also branched out into talking about the Bulls a bit, pondering over how Jordan would perform in a game played while lounging on a recliner, or saying that Da Bullss would blow out the Pistons 402-0(but Jordan would be held to under 200 points).  In their heyday, both Jordan and Ditka would make appearances in the sketch.

     Their final appearance on SNL came in 1997, courtesy of a comedic "where are they now" sketch hosted by Bill Kurtis.  Chris Farley died 2 months later, precluding any more skits.  Regardless, the Superfans have popped up in various media over the years since, including appearances by a relative of the Swerskis on Weekend Update, a few appearances on ESPN, a call-out in a GEICO commercial, and this ad for State Farm:

They're Not Here to Start No Trouble: Bears Week Day 3

    In late 1985, members of the Chicago Bears gathered in a vacant recording studio in Chicago to record a song. At first blush, the idea of pro footballers laying down a track sounds about as appealing as a DVD boxed set of Cop Rock, but this was different. That February, the Bears brought the Lombardi Trophy to Chicago, and the legend of the Super Bowl Shuffle was born. Well on their way to a commanding 15-1 record, a local fan named Randy Weigand had an idea to write and choreograph a rap number for the team. His girlfriend(who just happened to be a cheerleader) got him in touch with Willie Gault, who in turn communicated with the rest of the team, which really got the ball rolling. And this was the result:

     Almost the entire lineup took part in the production, save for Dan Hampton, who thought the whole thing rather arrogant(which to be frank, it probably was, but what would the '85 Bears have been without it?) In reality, the whole affair had a charity angle to it as well, with the Bears donating roughly $300,000, a fact which Walter Payton emphasized in verse, saying "Now we're not doing this because we're greedy, the Bears are doing it to feed the needy." The song was a hit far beyond any expectations, making it to #41 on the Billboard charts, making the Bears the only American pro team to ever have a hit record. In the subsequent years, the song has spawned many imitations, many of them done by teams who didn't actually win it all, others becoming only slightly popular, but none of them achieving the stature of the Super Bowl Shuffle, a performance that still holds up 29 years later.

50 years at the Confines: Bears Week Day 2

     The Chicago Bears were founded way back in 1921.  However, they didn't play their first game at Soldier Field until 50 years later.  Why, you ask?  Because they spent the intervening years playing games at Wrigley Field.  That's right, the Bears played at Wrigley from 1921 all the way till 1970.  And while there, they had some memorable moments.  They won 8 championships there(that's about 8 more than the Cubs have), and they fielded some of the most memorable teams and players in NFL history.  This is where Gale Sayers accomplished the gargantuan feat of scoring 6 touchdowns in a single game.  This is where Bronco Nagurski ended up running into the outfield wall, cracking it, and remarking to George Halas that "That last guy hit me awfully hard".  This is where it became hip to Bear Down. Not just that, but this is where the Bears first wowed the nation with their T formation and became known as the Monsters of the Midway.  George Halas, Mike Ditka, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, and many other players all made their marks and their legends here.


     Ultimately the team was forced to leave Wrigley after the 1970 season because the place simply couldn't have any more seats jammed into it, but their 50 years at Wrigley remains the 2nd longest period of occupying one stadium by any team in the NFL(the Green Bay Packers have played in Lambeau Field since 1957)

Trivia Tuesday: Train Math

     Welcome to another round of trivia.  First off, last week's answer. In 1881, the 200 people who almost died near Moingona, Iowa owe their lives to a 16 year old Irish immigrant by the name of Kate Shelley, who was able to warn the oncoming train of a washed out bridge.  And as for what this has to do with Chicago, the timetables for the Union Pacific West line are colored "Kate Shelley Rose". Why UP West?  Because that line is the distant descendant of the line that had its train saved by Shelley.  And now, this week's question: 

How much would it cost for a commuter who lives in Zion and comes into Ogilvie to have a yearly membership in Car 553?  (you can find Metra fares here)

     We'll be back next week with the answer, as well as another question.  

Paulie!

     Over the past 15 years, there has been one constant on the city's South Side. Between new stadium names, managerial shakeups, good seasons, bad seasons, and everything in between, White Sox fans have always been able to count on seeing Paul Konerko step up to the plate for the team. Yesterday, Paulie played his final game as a member of the team, capping off a career that has seen him bring a World Series title to the South Side, as well as make a name for himself. It all started out in 1994 when he was drafted by the Dodgers, entering into their farm system and briefly making it to the big league squad before being traded to the Reds. After spending a few games in Cincinnati, he ended up coming over to the Chicago White Sox.

     In 2000, he made his arrival known by helping the Sox make it to the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Even though they were swept in the first round, Paulie had made his impression. In 2005 the team returned to the postseason. That venture was slightly more successful. Konerko made an instrumental impact on the ALCS, driving in several runs and punching their ticket to the World Series. Once they got there, Konerko made another impact, smacking a Grand Slam homer to motivate the Sox and helping them to a sweep of the Astros. At their victory rally, Konerko produced another memorable moment:

    After the departure of Frank Thomas, Konerko became the face of the franchise, and he had several more special moments left in his career.  In 2008 he became the final opposing player to hit a home run in Yankee Stadium.  The next year he partnered with Jermaine Dye to become the first ever players to both hit their 300th home run in the same game.  Late in the 2010 season, he was hit by a pitch in Minnesota, which led to a contentious conclusion to the game.  In 2011 he was elected to his 5th All-Star Game in the midst of a season where he hit 30 homers and had 105 RBIs.  After Ozzie Guillen's departure following the season, Kenny Williams even considered making him player-manager.  Ultimately he decided against it and hired Robin Ventura, but Konerko remained a valued team-mate.  He announced that this 2014 season would be his last, and wrapped up his baseball career having played all but 81 of his 2,348 career games with the White Sox.

Peering Across the Cheddar Curtain: Bears Week Day 1

     When it comes to rivalries in the National Football League(and Bears lore), there is none more prominent than that which is separated by the Cheddar Curtain. The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers have shared a deep animosity ever since the dawn of the NFL. Their first game against one another occurred in 1921. They've faced off 187 times since then. George Halas tried to get the Packers thrown out of the league back in the day. Both teams have experienced periods of dominance over the other. They hold a combined 22 NFL Championships. They've played some great games over the years, and here are some highlights:

     1921 saw the first game ever between the rivals, with the Bears prevailing for the first time by a score of 20-0. 3 years later, the first ever ejection for fighting during a game occurred in a Bears-Packers match up. In 1941, the two teams split the regular season series, but the Bears defeated the Packers in the first-ever playoff game between the two franchises. In 1962, the Packers beat the Bears 49-0, before repeating that very same score in another game 6 weeks later. 1971 saw a game with all of 2 points being scored, those coming against the Packers thanks to a safety.

     With the dawn of the 1980s, there was a dawn of the great years for the Bears. It all started on December 7, 1980, when the Packers came to Chicago and proceeded to get blown out. By the 4th Quarter, Green Bay was pretty well beaten, and had trotted out their backup QB. Much like the Honey Badger, the Monsters of the Midway didn't care. They still ran a full-strength blitz defense and went on to score two more touchdowns. When the smoke cleared, the Bears had won by a score of 61-7. Needless to say, the Packers were pissed. The Bears had been out for blood, as well as revenge. The coach of the Bears had been unceremoniously fired by The Pack years before, and had an axe to grind. After the game, Dan Hampton said that the loss "couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of pricks." The rest of the decade saw a long period of Bears dominance, with Chicago not losing a single game from 1984 to 1988.

     The streak was broken in 1989 with a controversial game that saw the Packers take advantage of a little-used NFL rule. There was so much consternation over the game that Da Coach himself ordered an asterisk placed in front of the score in team publications. But that was just a prelude, as the 1990s brought about a new era of dominance(and sexting) in Green Bay when Brett Favre took his first snaps as Quarterback. From 1994 to 1998, the Packers won every single game played.

     On November 7, 1999 the Bears squared off against the Packers for the first rivalry game of the season. Somewhat more significantly, this was the first game since the untimely passing of Walter Payton. In an emotional struggle, the Bears prevailed by a score of 14-13. 2002 saw the series go on the road to Memorial Stadium in Champaign, as Soldier Field was being renovated at the time. 2008 saw the coldest game ever to take place at Soldier Field, and a game that went right down to the wire, and then beyond. The Bears eventually won it on a Robbie Gould field goal in overtime.

     In 2011, the Bears and Packers met up for only the second time ever in the Playoffs. The teams met up at Soldier Field on the 23rd of January. The Packers jumped out to an early lead, and then Jay Cutler lamed up. Even though the backup came in and performed admirably, the Packers still wound up winning the game and a trip to the Super Bowl, which they ended up winning.  Over the 9 decades that they have played each other, both sides have proven time and again that this is the premier rivalry in the National Football League.  Those two teams face off again today.  And so, in the spirit of the rivalry, I leave you with this image:

The Girl on the Building

     The Chicago Board of Trade casts an imposing figure at the intersection of LaSalle and Jackson. But one of its more unique attributes cannot be seen from street level. In fact, you would need a bird's-eye view to see it. Perched atop the building is a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. Interestingly enough, that statue was modeled after a person. What is even more interesting is that we know who that person was. Her name was Madelyn La Salle, one of several daughters of a local businessman. The sculptor saw her one day and decided that she had to be his model. After several sessions, the likeness was done, and Ceres was realized in 31 feet of aluminum atop the Board of Trade. La Salle's life didn't cease to be interesting there however. She lived on for another 73 years, a life that saw her voted Miss Cook County, get married to a polo-playing playboy, open an art gallery, marry the famed bandleader Ted Fiorito, and eventually move out to California. She finally passed away at the age of 87 in 2001, but not before living a full life-and giving the city of Chicago yet another of its many architectural icons.

A Bovine Oasis in The Loop

     When you're in the loop, you expect to see the usual stuff: office buildings, elevated tracks, restaurants, bars, busy commuters/tourists/residents enjoying the downtown ambiance, and even the occasional indigent individual. One thing you wouldn't expect to see are cows(well, except for that one time in 1999). And you're right, there are no cows on the city. But there is a cow path.

     It all goes back to those days far in the past(before the city was even incorporated) when Chicago was just a glorified frontier village with a Fort. People started coning to the city in droves, and a development boom kicked off. Suddenly properties in the future area of the Loop were being snapped up like hotcakes. By the time 1844 came around, the market was in full boom mode. This was when local farmer Willard Jones decided to take a piece of the action for himself, and began selling off parcels of his land. However, he needed to look out for his cattle and still ensure a clear route to take them to pasture. So in all the deals he made, he included an easement that provided for a clear path to bring the cattle back and forth. Chicago boomed, Chicago burned, and Chicago rose from the ashes. Old Farmer Jones stayed loyal to his cattle until he eventually passed on. The 20th Century dawned and the Loop was certainly no place to be raising cattle anymore. But in 1925, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Jones' easement was still a legally binding contract which developers had to respect.

     To this day, you can still see evidence of a cow path in the Loop if you know where to look. It may be an unusually large alley, an out of place gap in the buildings, or even a locked black door in the middle of a row of shops, as can be seen at 100 W. Monroe.  Over the years, the Illinois Livestock Exposition would periodically bring cows to this area for photo ops, startling office workers in the area. A sign that used to mark the path disappeared several years ago, but the evidence is still there, providing yet another link to Chicago's frontier past.

Poopgate

     On August 8, 2004, several people taking one of the many tours of the Chicago River got way more than they bargained for. In fact, it could be said that they had a downright shitty experience. And it all had to do with the Dave Matthews Band. No, their music isn't that bad(I actually think their stuff is pretty good, but that's just me talking), but the judgment of one of their bus drivers might have been.

     On that day the bus was going throughout the city and crossing the Kinzie Street bridge when driver Stefan Wohl decided to empty the septic tanks on the bus. Now dumping waste into the Chicago River is a time-honored tradition just as old as the corruption(it was even the indirect cause of reversing the river in the first place), but being that it was 2004 and not 1904, that kind of stuff was frowned upon. Additionally, that kind of stuff is really frowned upon when there happens to be an open-air tour boat crossing underneath the bridge at the moment you let loose. Long story short, about 800 pounds of human waste fell onto the boat, the Chicago Architecture Foundation had to issue refunds as well as decontaminate the boat, the bus driver was fired, and the band wound up paying around $300,000 in restitution to various sources.

     Ironically, the band was nowhere close to its bus at the time of the incident. Dave Matthews himself was on a plane and didn't know a thing about it.  All he knew was that some bus had dumped its tanks on top of a tour bus, which seemed slightly humorous at the time-until he touched down and realized that one of his buses was responsible for the incident. While definitely remorseful, he does offer some thoughts on it. "If Snoop Dogg had done it, it probably would have raised his record sales, but it applies differently to everyone". 

One Day in Chicago: Baseball Heartbreak

     45 years ago today.  September 24, 1969.  Two sides of town, two groundbreaking moments, and two infamous stories that live on to this day.

     In 1969, the Cubs were entering Leo Durocher's 4th season as manager. After coming in with a thud in a 101-loss first season(the last time before 2012 that the team would lose over 100 games), the team had performed better every year, culminating with an 84-78 record in the 1968 campaign. With the core back and getting hot at the right time, things looked great. Ernie Banks even said that "The Cubs will be fine in sixty-nine" And for the first several months of the season, it looked like Banks was right. They led the National League East for 155 days, a welcome sight for a fan base that hadn't seen postseason baseball since 1945. The team sent its entire infield to the 1969 All-Star Game, putting the world on notice that these Cubs were for real. All throughout the rest of the summer the team dominated. But then September reared its ugly, ugly head.

     It all started when the Cubs were at Shea Stadium playing the Mets on September 2nd. Ron Santo was in the on-deck circle when a cat got loose and made its way onto the field. Not a big deal, right? Did I mention that the cat was black? That was just the first nail in the coffin. After that you had Santo mercilessly castigating a young player for a rookie mistake, the Cubs going 18-27 down the stretch, Leo Durocher riding the players too hard for too long, day baseball, and before you knew what hit you, it was September 24, 1969, and the Mets won the NL East.  The Cubs' postseason dreams were crushed. Those freakin' New York Mets. After coming on the scene in 1962 and setting the modern day record for futility with 120 losses(never fear 1899 Cleveland Spiders, your actual record will never be touched), they'd spent the next 6 seasons as the universal joke of Major League Baseball. Then they came out of nowhere in 1969, not only overtaking the Cubs, but also leapfrogging established powers like the St. Louis Cardinals to win the pennant and the World Series. The collapse of 1969 left the city and the fan base numb with shock and disappointment, and many fans of a certain age remember the Fall of 1969 like it was yesterday.

One Day in Chicago: Courtroom Drama

     45 years ago today.  September 24, 1969.  Two sides of town, two groundbreaking moments, and two infamous stories that live on to this day.

     In 1968, the youth of Chicago gave the Democratic Party a welcome that they would not soon forget. Amidst all the fracas and police riots, several people were arrested. More than a year later, on September 24, 1969, 8 of them were brought up on charges, and the circus was all set to go.

     This was where the flippant and authority-challenging Abbie Hoffman would run headlong into the Hon. Julius Hoffman, with all the showboating, disrespect, and theatrics that you could imagine. This was where Bobby Seale, after going through two different lawyers, eventually found himself bound and gagged in the courtroom, and soon thereafter dropped from the case. This was where Judge Hoffman seemed hell-bent on obtaining justice his way and his way only, going so far as to briefly jail two lawyers who were ill prepared, and even threatening to detain the jury until they reached a verdict. This was the trial that featured legal professionals, experts, and counter-culture luminaries all sharing the courtroom. This was where the outside of the courthouse was just as much of a circus as inside, with the roster including such groups as infamous 1970s terror group The Weather Underground. This was the trial that cemented the Chicago Seven's place in history. This was a trial for the ages.

     But this wasn't even the most pressing thought on the minds of many Chicagoans 45 years ago today. For that, we must turn to the North Side and the type of heartbreak that strikes sports fans but once in a generation. We must turn, to the 1969 Chicago Cubs.

Trivia Tuesday: A Heroic Teenager

     It's Tuesday.  You know what that means, time for more trivia.  First, last week's answer: The park to which I am referring to is Chopin Park, located in the Portage Park community on the city's northwest side.  And now, this week's question:

On July 6, 1881, 200 people almost died in a train crash near Moingona, Iowa.  Who was responsible for their salvation? (and what in the world does this have to do with Chicago?)

     As always, make sure to check back next week for the answer, as well as the next question.  Happy sleuthing!

Friends in Windy Places

     The last time that country superstar Garth Brooks played in Chicago, we hadn't heard of Britney, barely knew anything about Justin, and knew way too much about Bill and Monica. Times certainly have changed. Brooks has begun his comeback tour, and he got the ball rolling right here in Chicago. To kick things off, he played an 11 concert engagement over at the Allstate Arena which his fans gobbled up like a good home-cooked meal. His fans weren't the only ones affected though. The Chicago Sky were forced to play their home games of the WNBA Finals at the UIC Pavilion because Garth was taking up the Allstate with his comeback shows. But Garth did more than just play old hits and kick the Sky out of their home court.

     Before one of the shows, he met backstage with roughly 20 sports figures who have worked with his charity over the past several years. Two of those attendees just so happened to be coaches with the Chicago Fire, who went on to present Brooks with a team jersey during the meet and greet. After that, it was time to take the stage. The house lights went out, and all of a sudden a skull and crossbones appeared. After a light show and rousing intro by his band, Garth came out to perform one of his newest songs. After going back to some old standards, Garth had a small mishap when he fell onstage. While on a riser in the middle of a song, he tried to jump off, but misjudged the landing and took a spill. But he handled it like a champ, rolling into it and hopping back up on his feet. All told, Garth Brooks is back, and Chicago loves him. 

     And now, a little ditty on your way out:

Remember, Remember, the 2nd of November

     Over the past several years, one name has become synonymous with death-defying high altitude stunts more than any other: Nik Wallenda. Wallenda is a 7th generation member of the Flying Wallendas, a band of aerialists with a legacy stretching back to the start of the 20th Century. Besides holding 7 Guinness World Records, Nik is perhaps best known for the stunt that he pulled 2 years ago, when he walked over Niagara Falls. This fall, he takes his act to Chicago. On November 2nd, he will attempt to cross the Chicago River on a tightrope 500 feet in the air, stretched between the Leo Burnett Building on one side, and Marina City on the other.  We'll be there to update you on the potential success of his endeavor, so stay tuned for November 2...

What a Riot!

     This past weekend, we saw one more signpost that summer is almost over, the annual return of Riot Fest to its Humboldt Park abode. Celebrating its 10th edition this year, the fest has grown from a few bands playing in a scattering of area clubs to more than 160,000 fans cramming into the outdoor venues. Many different acts graced the stages, ranging from Dashboard Confessional, The National, Wu-Tang Clan, to acts like Patti Smith, but one of the most highly anticipated bands came directly in the face of international infamy.


     I am specifically referring to the Russian femme-punk group Pussy Riot, fresh out of a 20-month stint in a Russian jail for daring to criticize the Putin Regime(you mean there's an act out there that got sent up the river for a good reason rather than dealing drugs/other shit like that? Yes Virginia, I guess there is a Santa Claus after all). The panel featured several other punk names, from such acts as Black Flag, Bad Religion, and Rise Against. On the final day of the festival, Patti Smith took the stage to perform a moving set as she paid homage to her late husband, while at the same time extolling the youth of today to not lose their edge: "We do have the power!...Don't forget it!...People, you can change the f*****g world!"


     Of course, having 160,000 people roaming around a wet field all weekend isn't going to be very good for the field.  In fact, so bad that the field was a wet, muddy mess afterwards.  There was scheduled to be a walk through today to see how bad the damage is, but last year's cleanup cost $54,000.  With this year's increased attendance, costs could only go up.  So we'll see how that goes.  Otherwise, Riot Fest proved to be yet another successful festival in the city's crowded music calendar.

Everybody Gets a Car!

     On September 13, 2004, Oprah Winfrey kicked off the 19th Season of her acclaimed talk show with Harpo Studios filled to the brim with 276 screaming fans.  As the episode went on, Oprah was teasing some big thing happening at the end of the show, leading all the viewers on and making them wonder what it could possibly be.  Then the moment came, and Oprah announced that 11 members of her audience were going home with brand a new Pontiac G6.  As a final act, she distributed boxes to every member of the studio audience under the pretense of one of the boxes containing keys to a final car being given away.  She even told the audience: "Do not open it[the box). Do not shake it,".  And then, they opened the box.  And one lucky audience member found the keys to a new car.  And then the person sitting next to them found the same thing.  And then the next guy too.  And so on and so forth until...Well let's just let Oprah say what happened next, shall we?

     Yes, all remixed and everything.  Alas, the aftermath of the giveaway wasn't nearly as rosy as the buildup to it.  You see, all 276 models of the Pontiac G6 that were given away that day were prizes.  And thanks to the quirks of U.S. tax law, the winners(audience members) had to pay taxes on the value of those cars, which worked out to roughly $6,000.  Some winners chose to either forfeit the cars, or sell them to pay the tax bill.  Of course some people kept the cars, and a few of them are even still on the road today 10 years later(On a separate note, in 2010 Oprah did the same kind of giveaway, except this time the taxes were taken care of already.)  While many of those cars aren't with their original winners anymore, the Oprah Winfrey show has been off the air for over 3 years, and the Pontiac brand has even been shuttered by GM, the legacy of that day and its immediate impact will live on for years to come.

Trivia Tuesday: Classical Influences

     Okay everybody, it's time for more trivia.  But first, the answer to last week's question: Who was ultimately fingered for the Tylenol killings?  While the FBI took hard looks at several suspects, such as James Lewis, Roger Arnold, and even the Unabomber himself, nobody has actually ever been convicted of the crimes. Okay, now that that's done, here is the question for this week:

There is a park in the city(that I have mentioned on here) that is named after a classical composer.  Which composer does it honor, and where is it?

     We'll be back next week with the answer, and another question.  Cheers!

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Mercury Poisoning

     Coming back to Chicago, the Sky were up against the wall, having dug themselves an 0-2 hole against the Phoenix Mercury.  But their home floor was waiting for them.  Well, not exactly their home floor.  Due to the Garth Brooks concert(more on that later), the Sky were booted out of their normal home at the Allstate Arena, and trekked it over to the West Side to play at the UIC Pavilion(which was their first home upon joining the league).  Regardless of the venue change, their fans still showed up to cheer them on as they made a bid to avoid the sweep.

     One thing that the Sky had going for them was the absence of Mercury star Brittney Griner, who was sidelined due to an eye injury she sustained in Game 2.  The Sky came out of the gates hard and fast, and were hanging even with the Mercury through the first quarter.  By halftime, Phoenix had a 2 point lead.  But in the 3rd, the combined efforts of Chicago's Big Three(who put up a total of 62 points) started to show when the Sky ended the quarter with a 63-61 lead.  It all came down to the 4th Quarter, where the Sky made one final stand to save their season.  Alas, the effort came up short, and they wound up losing to Phoenix 87-82, allowing the Mercury to capture their 3rd WNBA title in 7 years.

Bacon!

     Like all good things, this summer must come to an end, and the same goes for our summertime coverage.  I'll be keeping the party going for the next week and a half, before wrapping our summer up on September 21(you know, around the time of the actual end of summer).  But for now, let's take a look at one of the most important food groups out there-Bacon.

     This past weekend, the Great American Bacon Festival took up residence in the Great Hall of Union Station.  Put on by Red Frog Events(who have produced several different events in the city over the past few years, but they might be best known as the folks behind the Warrior Dash), the event celebrated bacon and the love of bacon in Chicago.  With such fare as Hickory Smoked Bacon, Jalapeño Bacon, Canadian Bacon, and Dry Cured Bacon, the fest conspired to tug at the taste buds(and cholesterol levels) of all Chicagoans.  A spokesman for Red Frog put it best when he said that "We as a company love bacon...who doesn't?...We don't think there's an end to the love of bacon in Chicago."  He's right, there most certainly is not.  And with so many bacon-infused dishes, how could there be?  Oh yes, I did say bacon-infused dishes.  Here are some examples:

• Smoky Bacon & Quinoa Salad
• Cajun Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
• Smoked Bacon Chili
• Bacon Caramel Corn
• Smoked Gouda Bacon Mac n' Cheese
• Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potato Croquet
• Moroccan Spice Rubbed Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnut

     Plus many, many more things containing what is said to be America's favorite food group.  In fact, so much of a favorite that the Great American Bacon Festival was the 4th major Bacon event to take place in the city in 5 months, after Baconfest(a porcine-themed hoedown at the UIC Forum), the Bacon, Sports, and Beer Celebration, and Red Frog's own Bacon Chase 5k/.05k back in June.  But the timing of this specific fest also served a purpose, according to the Red Frog spokesman. "This is also a nice way to extend summer as long as possible in Chicago."  Yes, indeed it is.

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: 0-2,(and once again) in the hole

     After losing the first game of the series, the Sky were back for Game 2. Plus, after missing most of Game 1, Elena Delle Donne was back at full strength for Game 2.  Additionally, the Chicago Sky came out of the gate much more physically.  Unfortunately, all that was for naught, as the Mercury drubbed Chicago for the most lopsided win in WNBA Finals history.  Specifically, Phoenix capitalized on a 15-2 run to put the Sky away for good.  After suffering a few facial injuries, Brittney Griner put the team on her back and rallied for the victory.  Even though Delle Donne scored 22 points, the combined effort of the Sky still fell short.  Right now the Mercury is up 2-0, and one win away from locking up their 3rd title.  The pivotal Game 3 tips off on Friday over at the UIC Pavilion.

Trivia Tuesday: The Tylenol Killer

     Okay guys, here's another round of trivia.  First last week's question:  There were several buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire, but the 3 I've mentioned in this blog are St. Michael's Church, the Water Tower, and the Pumping Station.  And now, for this week's question:

In 1982, the city was gripped in fear over the lacing of several bottles of Tylenol with cyanide.  Eventually the killings stopped.  Who was ultimately found guilty of the crimes?

     We'll be back next week with the answer, and the next question.  And keep an eye open on Thursday, for a special edition of Trivia.

The Memorial Fountain

     If you've indulged in one of our city's many river cruises, you may have noticed a giant jet of water shooting over the river at various times throughout the day. Well, what you have seen is not a fluke, but it is one of Chicago's more unique memorials. Built in 1989, the Nicholas J. Melas Memorial Fountain was erected to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The creation of the MWRD came about at a time when the Chicago River had devolved into a disgusting and disease-ridden cesspool that emptied straight into the source of the city's drinking water. After one too many cholera outbreaks(I'm not joking) the city decided to reroute the river. The MWRD was created for that, and it worked. The fountain itself sprays across the river for 10 Minutes every hour on the hour. It was named after Nicholas Melas, who had been a member of the MWRD for 30 years, including the last 18 as President.

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: The Sky is the Limit

     After JRW's success on the Little League diamond, guess what?  We get even more playoff action, this time coming to us from the land of the Women's National Basketball Association.  The Chicago Sky have spent most of the time since their founding in 2006 on the outside of the playoff picture.  Not recently though. Last season the sky made the playoffs but lost in the first round(the WNBA runs its season from May to August with the playoffs coming in September). This year the Sky returned to the postseason and rolled through the first two rounds, beating both Atlanta and Indiana 2 games to 1. And so, they've now made their way to the WNBA finals, which is a best-of-5 format.  They're up against the Phoenix Mercury(a founding member of the WNBA when it started in 1997), who've made the playoffs 9 times and have 2 titles to show for it.  Game 1 of the Finals was contested yesterday, and the results were not beneficial.  The Mercury took it to us early and often, and the Sky ended up losing the game 83-62.  It didn't help that Elena Delle Donne was still suffering from an injured back and only played 11 minutes of the game.  Sylvia Fowles picked up some of the slack by chipping in for 19 points, but the combined forces of Candice Dupree, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner proved to be too much for the Sky.  Game 2 is tomorrow night in Phoenix, and we'll hope for a better result then.

Trivia Wednesday: Sturdy Construction

     You know what time it is:  Trivia Time!  First, last week's answer:  The boy murdered by Leopold and Loeb was named Bobby Franks.  And now, this week's question:

As destructive as it was, several buildings survived the Great Chicago Fire.  I've mentioned several of them in passing.  Name one of them.

 

     Obviously, multiple answers will be accepted.  Check back next week for the answer and another question!

The Chicago Way for a Chicago Union: Labor Day Digest 6/6

     After 5 entries about Labor History in Chicago, it's time for one final post.  As a recap, so far today we have talked about The Jungle, the Pullman Strike, Samuel Gompers, the Haymarket Affair, and International Worker's Day(aka May Day).  But now, we wrap it all up by getting acquainted with the Teamsters...

     Ever since 1887, the American Federation of Labor had been organizing groups of teamsters(the term is derived from workers who would lead teams of draft horses that moved goods from place to place) into groups to better advocate for themselves and their causes. In 1898, the AFL created a separate division specifically for Teamsters.  However, this failed to satisfy a group of Teamsters in Chicago, who created the Teamsters National Union in 1901. 2 years later, the AFL arranged for its teamster union to merge with the Teamsters, creating the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which is what the union is known as to this day.  Even in the very first election held by the Teamsters, the future corruption of the union was evident, as the man elected President of the Teamsters(Cornelius Shea) was accused of embezzlement prior to the election.

     Once taking office, the accusations against Shea were borne out in the actions of the Teamsters.  As the Teamsters were the union representing drivers, a strike by them could quite literally paralyze commerce throughout an entire city.  During Shea's administration, the Teamsters would routinely abuse this trait by soliciting bribes from city officials to avert Teamster strikes.  The Teamsters did participate in some legitimate actions during Shea's time, including strikes in support of railway workers and meat cutters.  In 1905, the union walked out in support of tailors at Montgomery Ward.  Everything went great, until it was revealed that Cornelius Shea had spent the duration of the strike carousing in a brothel hosting lavish parties all in the company of his 19-year-old mistress.  This marked the beginning of the end of the Shea era, and his successor was elected President in 1907.

     For the next 45 years, Daniel Tobin took the helm, a period of time that saw the union reach new heights in both membership and levels of corruption.  By the dawn of the 1950s, the Teamsters' corruption reached new levels when they started mingling with organized crime.  It was also during this time that the Teamsters started trying to absorb other unions into their ranks.  This started with the International Longshoreman's Association, a union that was even more corrupt than the Teamsters, even to the point of electing a known mob associate as VP of the union.  This attempt was vetoed by the AFL, but another attempt was made to merge with the Brewery Workers Union. When this was vetoed by the Brewers, the Teamsters raided the union anyway, an action that drew harsh criticism from the AFL, which wound up passing an anti-raiding bill in the wake of the incident.

     In 1957, the Teamsters elected Jimmy Hoffa to be their president, and he once again upheld the status quo of corruption that was the Teamsters' trademark.  This time, the graft of choice was taking monies from the union's pension plans and funneling them to the Mafia in order to aid their erection of Las Vegas as we know it today.  This involvement with The Mob got Hoffa caught up in the anti-organized crime crusade that was being led by Robert Kennedy, and Hoffa was sent to prison in 1967.  President Nixon pardoned him in 1972, but on the condition that he suspend all involvement with the Teamsters until 1980, at which point Hoffa could make a comeback.  This was not to be however, as Hoffa disappeared without a trace in 1975, never to be heard from again.

     In more recent times, the Teamsters have tried to initiate reforms, stemming from the organization of individual union members into groups such as Teamsters for a Democratic Union, which has been a force since the late 1970s.  Over the years, the TDU has fought for and won much greater transparency at all levels of the Teamsters.  No longer could upper management strike deals on contracts and pensions in smoke-filled rooms and keep the everyday union man in the dark.  Also in this period, the rank-and-file teamsters won the right to directly elect the top leadership of the union for the first time.  Today, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters still advocates for the rights of haulers everywhere, while continuing to clean up its checkered past