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NBA gets its own version of NCAA Tournament’s ‘survive and advance’ with play-in gameson May 19, 2021 at 3:51 pm

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Boston coach Brad Stevens tapped into his experience coaching Butler to back-to-back NCAA championship games to prepare his Celtics.

Steve Kerr is ready to play two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry nearly every minute if that’s what it takes for the Golden State Warriors to get one win.

This is not how NBA players and coaches normally prepare for championship runs. Yes, this is the NBA postseason, but it’s not the playoffs. It’s the league’s new play-in tournament.

LeBron James may not have been in anything like this since high school or the Olympics. For others, this has a March Madness feel to it.

“It’s exciting,” Spurs guard Dejounte Murray said. “It’s one chance closer to get the opportunity to make the playoffs. So win or go home game. … You win and you move on, you lose you go home.”

Just ask the Charlotte Hornets, whose season came to an abrupt end Tuesday night in the NBA’s first play-in game after stumbling early and being pounded by the Indiana Pacers in what felt like an opening-round mismatch.

Welcome to the NBA’s mini version of the NCAA Tournament: Eight teams chasing four spots.

“We still have the opportunity to still make the playoffs,” Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant said. “We know what’s at stake. Just got to go out, handle business. Two games, one at a time.”

Stevens has been through survive-and-advance tournaments with great success: He took Butler to the NCAA championship game in 2010 and 2011. This isn’t exactly like those college-coaching days, but close enough for Stephens to draw a parallel.

“It’s a little bit like the NCAA Tournament from the standpoint of quick turnaround,” Stevens said before his Celtics secured the seventh seed with a 118-100 victory against the Washington Wizards. “We haven’t been in this situation much.”

Kerr is approaching these play-in games like one-game playoffs, much like a wild card or deciding game in the baseball postseason. That makes playing the newly crowned scoring champ every second possible — not something he would do during the regular season.

“It’s an option now because we’re in the thick of it and every game is crucial,” Kerr said. “But that’s about the limit, I would hesitate to play him much more than that. He has so much on his shoulders. It’s not easy playing for 40 minutes the way he plays especially.”

James might still be mad about the NBA’s new postseason play-in format, yet he and the defending NBA champs are in the middle of one of the biggest showdowns Wednesday night.

It’s LeBron vs. Steph, superstars who have regularly shared the NBA Finals stage now fighting for the West’s No. 7 seed. Kerr played Curry almost 40 minutes in the Warriors’ win Sunday against Memphis that determined play-in seeding.

Kerr likes the format even though his Warriors could end up missing the playoffs. Kerr believes it made the final month of the regular season much more interesting.

“We had really interesting mini battles in the standings, teams trying to stay out of the play-in at 7 and 8,” Kerr said. “So you had kind of a mini pennant race going on for fifth and sixth.”

San Antonio would already be sitting at home if not for the new format.

Instead, the 10th-seeded Spurs have a chance to keep playing as long as they keep winning starting Wednesday night at No. 9 Memphis.

Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV, in his third season, has never been in this situation with the added bonus of trying to make the playoffs. His college team, Miami, lost its one NCAA Tournament game his one season in 2018.

“So, I’m starving, I’m hungry, I’m excited,” Walker said. “I’m ready to play with my team and get the W.”

The NBA experimented last summer with a play-in format after the restart to the pandemic-shortened season. Memphis and Portland squared off for the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference. Portland needed only one game to knock out the Grizzlies.

Murray has been in enough NBA playoff games that the Spurs guard doesn’t think the experience of playing a single-elimination event like the NCAA Tournament, high school or AAU can help.

“It’s the NBA, both of those levels can never compare to this level,” Murray said. “I’ve been to the playoffs before, I know the atmosphere. I know the win or go home situation.”

Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks put it in perspective. It’s not a seven-game series, it’s survive and advance “or go to Cabo, as they say.”

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NBA gets its own version of NCAA Tournament’s ‘survive and advance’ with play-in gameson May 19, 2021 at 3:51 pm Read More »

Biden, in Netanyahu call, urges ‘significant de-escalation’on May 19, 2021 at 3:43 pm

President Joe Biden greatly increased the pressure on Israel to end the war with the Palestinians that has killed more than 200 people, telling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a telephone call Wednesday that he expected “significant de-escalation” by day’s end.

Biden asked Netanyahu to move “toward the path to a cease-fire,” according to a White House description of their conversation.

Biden’s call came as political and international pressure mounts on him to intervene more forcefully to push an end to the hostilities. Biden, until Wednesday, had avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire, or conveyed that level of urgency for ending Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas in the thickly populated Gaza Strip.

His administration had relied instead on what officials described as “quiet, intensive” diplomacy, including quashing a U.N. Security Council statement that would have addressed a cease-fire. The administration’s handling opened a divide between Biden and Democratic lawmakers, dozens of whom have called for a cease-fire.

Egypt and some others have worked without success to broker a halt to fighting, while Hamas officials indicated publicly they would keep up their rocket barrages into Israel as long Israel continued airstrikes. Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who is based abroad, said this week that the group has been contacted by the United Nations, Russia, Egypt and Qatar as part of cease-fire efforts but “will not accept a solution that is not up to the sacrifices of the Palestinian people.”

Netanyahu had given no sign of plans to immediately wind down Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders and supply tunnels in Gaza, a 25-mile by 6-mile strip of territory that is home to more than 2 million people.

“You can either conquer them, and that’s always an open possibility, or you can deter them,” he told foreign ambassadors. “We are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say, we don’t rule out anything.”

The fighting, the worst Israeli-Palestinian violence since 2014, has killed at least 219 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel.

The latest strikes came as diplomatic efforts aimed at a cease-fire gathered strength and Gaza’s infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power in 2007

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Biden, in Netanyahu call, urges ‘significant de-escalation’on May 19, 2021 at 3:43 pm Read More »

Leading Chicago Law Firm Takes on Tough Injury and Cancer Caseson May 19, 2021 at 3:30 pm

Leading Chicago Law Firm Takes on Tough Injury and Cancer Cases

There are many people facing cancer diagnoses, and some of these might follow taking a drug that seemed harmless and beneficial for years. For example, some former Zantac users have learned there might be a connection between taking the medication and their cancer diagnoses, and people in this situation deserve to have a legal advocate who knows how to protect their rights. That advocate is Malman Law.

Steven Malman founded Malman Law to stand up for people who are injured through no fault of their own. Since 1994, the firm has become one of the leading authorities on personal injury cases in the Chicago area. The legal team takes on a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, premises liability, product liability, nursing home abuse and neglect, medical malpractice, construction accidents, and worker’s compensation.

When researchers began connecting Zantac to cancer diagnoses, Malman Law knew they had to help. Taking on large pharmaceutical companies is never an easy task, but the team has the experience and resources to do so. The firm has since become the top legal representatives for Zantac lawsuits, which now make up some of the law firm’s most significant cases.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested a withdrawal of all over-the-counter and prescription forms of Zantac and its generic counterpart ranitidine from the consumer market on April 1, 2020. This came after studies revealed that ranitidine products might have unhealthy levels of NDMA, a known probable carcinogen that can lead to the development of cancer in users.

While former Zantac users facing cancer diagnoses have a long road to financial and legal recovery, they can have peace of mind knowing that Malman Law is on their side. The legal team is committed to holding manufacturers of medication and other products accountable for all of the harm caused to unknowing consumers. They are representing cancer patients and seeking compensation for past and future medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and more. If someone died from cancer and their diagnosis might be connected to Zantac, Malman Law is ready to help families seek justice and compensation for wrongful death.

Steven Malman has lived and cared for the Chicago area his entire life, and he has dedicated his life’s work to standing up for people in the area who suffer harm due to the negligence of others. His experience has taught him and his team how to empathize with the situation of injured individuals and protect their rights at all costs.

The lawyers of Malman Law have seen firsthand how devastating the effects of an unexpected injury can be. They know that negligent individuals and corporations should be held fully accountable for all of the losses that they cause, whether it is from a traffic crash or selling medication with potentially harmful side effects.

With 25 years of experience representing people throughout the Windy City, Malman Law knows the personal attention and commitment needed to represent clients in the best manner possible. As the leader of the firm, Steven Malman ensures he has a personal touch on every case the team takes on. The attorneys have helped more than 25,000 people who suffered injuries in the Chicago and greater Illinois area, and they will continue to do so.

Anyone seeking a personal injury attorney should consider the experience, resources, and philosophy of the law firm. People often find this combination at Malman Law. The firm offers services regarding all types of personal injury cases in both English and Spanish. The fee system ensures that every single injured person can afford an attorney, as they do not receive any payment unless clients recover for their losses. The firm’s success depends on the success of its clients.

No case is too small or large for Malman Law. Whether someone slipped and fell in a grocery store or wants to take on big pharma, the lawyers are ready to help. They will always fight for maximum compensation that each client deserves. If insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements, the experienced litigators are ready to file an injury lawsuit and represent the client’s rights in court.

In addition to helping injured clients, Malman Law is also committed to helping the community. The firm participates in many events, including A Night at the Museum, Sista Strut Breast Cancer Walk, Taste for the Homeless, Fiesta Del Sol Driver’s License Expo, and Diversity Scholarship Foundation.

If anyone needs help after an injury, they can trust Malman Law to take their case seriously and fight for their rights. Injured individuals can contact the firm directly.

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Leading Chicago Law Firm Takes on Tough Injury and Cancer Caseson May 19, 2021 at 3:30 pm Read More »

How Sharone R. Mitchell Jr. Hopes to Fix a Broken Justice Systemon May 19, 2021 at 2:58 pm

What was your view of the police while growing up in West Pullman?

My community had its share of violence. Even with all of that, the thing that made me most scared was red and blue lights in my rearview mirror. Billions of dollars are paying for this institution, and people still have to have conversations with their children about how to not get killed by the police.

What did your parents tell you?

Say “Yes, sir. No, sir.” Keep your hands on the wheel. Don’t be disrespectful. Don’t make any fidgety movement. Follow their directions. Pray.

What drew you to this role?

I interned at the public defender’s office as a law student. One of my tasks was going into the back of the courtroom and meeting with the men and women who have court dates that day. One of the first days, I link eyes with a guy I went to grade school with. After that, I looked at a fifth-grade picture and compared the number of dudes that were in jail or lost their lives to the number of guys that had gotten through. That day I decided I was going to be a public defender.

What do you know now that you didn’t know then?

The public defender’s office has a monopoly, quite frankly, on the stories, the narratives, the data, all the things that we can use to learn about why the system is broken. Our attorneys and investigators are literally in the trenches on the fight against mass incarceration, on the fight against wrongful convictions, on the fight against permanent punishments. I’m so excited to put our team in the center of this conversation around reform.

What changes do you have in mind?

Substantive sentencing reform. We use our prison system to punish. I don’t think that we do a very good job of using our system to get folks better. I would really think about how we use our prisons, how long people go to prison, and how often we give folks felony records.

How hopeful are you about being able to make changes?

People are understanding how broken the legal system is and how we can benefit from changing it. With that said, we live in a big city where people are nervous about crime. Sometimes, they convolute making the system more fair with making us less safe. It’s not true. But that common thought is always a risk.

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How Sharone R. Mitchell Jr. Hopes to Fix a Broken Justice Systemon May 19, 2021 at 2:58 pm Read More »

It’s Official, Lollapalooza is Approved for Summer 2021 (UPDATED 5/19)on May 19, 2021 at 3:26 pm

After taking the year off for obvious and heartbreaking reasons, Lollapalooza has been approved to return to Grant Park this summer, according to an exclusive report by Variety.

The music festival, which attracts roughly 100,000 suburban high schoolers in basketball jerseys, has been earmarked for the weekend of July 29th to August 1st and rumors have it that the festival will be allowed to come back at “near-to or full capacity.” Two weeks ago I couldn’t sit at Fireplace Inn with more than six people and now we’re ready to bring back the biggest music fest in the midwest in less than three months? I’m not mad about it, but OK.

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The Lollapalooza announcement comes on the heels of a few other Chicago summer staples also launching plans to return in Summer 2021. Chicago favorites such as Old Town Art Fair, Pride in the Park, Windy City Smokeout, The Chicago Auto Show, Hyde Park Jazz Fest, Printers Row Lit Fest, Market Days, Chinatown Summer Fair, and Southport Art Fair have all announced return dates, including capacity limits and augmentations to the festival experience.

Pitchfork Music Festival, which is regularly held in Union Park, is tentatively planned to come back September 10th through the 12th, per the Tribune. In addition, per Block Club Chicago, The Chicago Park District has placed and administrative reservation on Grant Park from July 14th through August 6th, aligning that with rumored festival dates and the two weeks needed to set up the festival.

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The city has slowly started opening up. It seems that week by week we inch closer and closer to full normalcy. Just this week the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox announced they would be opening home games up to 60 percent capacity and the Cubs would experiment with a program that allowed fully vaccinated individuals to sit in the centerfield bleachers with no distancing limitations.

Of course now that the festival itself has been approved, a lineup is needed. And with that, speculation and rumor loves to run rampant. Organizers have hinted that a lineup could drop by the end of the month, but what fun is waiting. We at UrbanMatter are beyond excited to see Drake coincide his much anticipated release of Certified Lover Boy with Lollapalooza. Too much? Probably. But hey, that’s the game we’re in.

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For more information, releases, and rumors, check back to this article for updates as they come through.

There it is, Chicago. It’s officially official. From the mouth of your mayor herself. Lollapalooza had been set for the weekend of July 29th and after much deliberation between city official and the public health department, it’s a full go. Now comes the fun part of rumoring headliners and the various acts that will converge on Grant Park for the one thing that’s most synonymous with Summertime Chicago.

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One band we do know will be there is the Foo Fighter. Dave Grohl said in the video, “What’s up Chicago? I’ll see you this summer with my good friends the Foo Fighters.” At least we know the mid-90s will be well represented. The festival announced that the full lineup will be released sometime Wednesday.

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“Here in Chicago, the word ‘Lollapalooza’ has always been synonymous with summer, great music and four days of unforgettable fun — which made last year’s decision to postpone it all the more difficult,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “Now, less than a year later and armed with a vaccine that is safe, effective and widely available, we are able to bring back one of our city’s most iconic summer music festivals.”

We’ll be back later today when the full lineup drops!

Featured Image Credit: Wikipedia

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It’s Official, Lollapalooza is Approved for Summer 2021 (UPDATED 5/19)on May 19, 2021 at 3:26 pm Read More »

Chicago Bulls: 3 reasons Zach LaVine deserves max contract extensionon May 19, 2021 at 3:00 pm

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Chicago Bulls: 3 reasons Zach LaVine deserves max contract extensionon May 19, 2021 at 3:00 pm Read More »

Getting the Perfect Suit for Your Next Interview: 7 Points to Rememberon May 19, 2021 at 3:16 pm

Small Business Blog

Getting the Perfect Suit for Your Next Interview: 7 Points to Remember

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Getting the Perfect Suit for Your Next Interview: 7 Points to Rememberon May 19, 2021 at 3:16 pm Read More »

Tallulah Willis ‘punished herself’ for looking like her famous father: How she copes with body dysmorphic disorderRasha Ali | USA TODAYon May 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm

Tallulah Willis attends the screening of “Hala” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on November 18, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
Tallulah Willis attends the screening of “Hala” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on November 18, 2019 in Hollywood, California. | Getty Images

The actress also reminded her followers that body dysmorphic disorder is a valid “psychological pain” not a “stupid, vain issue.” She encouraged them to ask for help if they need it.

Tallulah Willis is opening up about struggling with body dysmorphic disorder and is sharing her advice for others who may be struggling.

In an Instagram post Tuesday, Willis said she used to punish herself for resembling her dad Bruce Willis instead of looking like her mom Demi Moore.

“I resented the resemblance as I believed wholly my ‘masculine’ face was the sole reason for my unlovability — FALSE!” she wrote alongside a series of photos of her and her mom. “I was/am inherently valuable and worthy, at any life stage, at any size, with any hairdo! (As are you).”

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a mental health disorder in which you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can’t be seen by others.”

Willis wrote she’s come to terms with the idea that her face will change with age.

She noted it’s normal for people to want feel confident and look good, but it becomes dangerous when hyper-focusing on appearance “creeps into a deeper, spookier place where it begins to devour your essence bit by bit.”

The actress also reminded her followers that body dysmorphic disorder is a valid “psychological pain” not a “stupid, vain issue.” She encouraged them to ask for help if they need it.

Willis also shared her tips for coping with the disorder:

  • Willis said she puts a “towel mirror over the mirror” or takes mirrors down when she is having a “BDD spiral.”
  • She also takes breaks from social media. “I scroll 9GAG to disassociate instead,” she wrote, referencing the meme-sharing app.
  • She also reads fantasy books. Most recently she enjoyed the “Court of a Thorns and Roses” series “but reach out to (sister) @scoutlaruewillis she always has the good good recommendations.”
  • “Find a safe person, circle, community who you can vocalize the triggering moment/current obsession/spiral,” she suggested.
  • Willis also encouraged her fans to “go for a walk and listen to music.”
  • She also recommended taking a soothing bath “and smear body oil/ lotion all over your tender skin.”
  • The actress has found writing to be a helpful tool as well. “Word vomit EVERYTHING that is gurgling within your mind onto a piece of paper and then tear it up or burn it. Let it flow out of you and no longer take up the precious space in your mind.”
  • Her final tip is to breathe. “Close your eyes. REMEMBER that you are allowed to take things 5 minutes at a time. For as long as you need to.”

Scott M. Granet, a 66-year-old licensed clinical social worker at the OCD-BDD Clinic of Northern California, said body dysmorphic disorder (often also referred to as body dysmorphia) impacts approximately 2% of the population. Having been diagnosed himself, Granet told USA TODAY in March it took him years to discover that he had been struggling with the disorder.

Marla W. Deibler, a licensed psychologist and executive director of The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, said that many people with BDD are convinced of their negative self-perceptions, despite feedback to the contrary.

“BDD may be challenging to recognize in oneself, because insight into the inaccuracy of one’s misperception of their body is often poor,” she said.

Contributing: Jenna Ryu

Read more at usatoday.com

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Tallulah Willis ‘punished herself’ for looking like her famous father: How she copes with body dysmorphic disorderRasha Ali | USA TODAYon May 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm Read More »

2021 NBA Offseason Arrives For The BullsDrew Krieson May 19, 2021 at 1:49 pm

The Chicago Bulls season came and went in the blink of an eye. While we didn’t have enough to get into this year’s NBA playoffs to gain some postseason experience, we’d say it was a positive year overall. The team moved some pieces around while continuing to develop their young guys like Patrick Williams and Coby White. Unfortunately though, they failed to finish the job and will head into the 2021 NBA offseason.

It was nowhere near the outcome we expected for this team. Especially given the acquisition of Nikola Vučević at the NBA trade deadline. Down the stretch of the season, the Bulls faced an uphill battle. They had a tough schedule, some injuries, and All-Star Zach LaVine, missed 11 games due to quarantining for a positive COVID-19 test. It was the right mix of the wrong scenarios for this franchise and its fans, but at the end of the day, this season was more good than bad. And now we have the offseason and 2021 NBA draft to look forward to before next year.

What We Know For The NBA Draft

This year’s NBA draft takes place on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Yes, that’s a long time from now, but for us Chicago Bulls fans, it’s one of the next biggest things coming up in the NBA offseason. As it currently stands, the Bulls have a 20% chance of keeping their first round pick in 2021. If you recall from the NBA trade deadline moves with the Magic, the Bulls gave up this year’s first rounder in the deals. However, the pick stays with us if it turns into a top 4 spot at the Draft Lottery. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed until June 22.

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Approaching the 2021 NBA Offseason

The draft is really the big question mark for us this offseason. It’ll all come down to the lottery in about a month. There is a chance the front office makes deals to secure a first round pick. Arturas Karnisovas made it a point in saying that the Bulls aren’t done with improving the roster. It really leaves anything on the table for the NBA Offseason in 2021. Could Chicago trade away Lauri, White, or even Williams? We like to say there’s no chance at White or Williams leaving, but some fans might not be too heartbroken if management moves Markkanen. It’s sad to say, but of all guys on the current roster, Lauri is most likely to leave by next season. Would a trade involving him mean a new player or draft pick? We can’t really say. But ultimately, it could be what’s best for our future.

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The post 2021 NBA Offseason Arrives For The Bulls appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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8 Best Places to Get Macarons in Chicagoon May 19, 2021 at 1:42 pm

The tradition of French baking is an illustrious one, and few confections compare to the singularly French treat that is macarons. Made from almonds and characterized by airy meringue and a sweet, delicious filling, some of the best examples of these tasty creations are found right here in Chicago.

1114 W Belmont Ave, Chicago IL 60657

Head to Lakeview for a sweet and delightful treat! Get into light, springy flavors with a box of lemon, raspberry, and pistachio macarons; or, try a package of rich, chocolate ones instead.

1547 N Wells St, Chicago IL 60610

Made with almonds from California, these meringue cookies at La Fournette come in flavors including bourbon vanilla, raspberry chocolate, mango/passion fruit, and more.

2108 N Clark St, Chicago IL 60614

Buy your macarons by the piece, by the box, or even as a tower at Vanille. From floral and fruity flavors—like elderflower blackberry or rose— to richer ones like chocolate or caramel, there’s something for everyone here.

1736 W Division St, Chicago IL 60622

The French bakery “with a modern twist” sells macarons in a variety of packages, making it easy to give these treats as a gift (even if it’s just a gift to yourself). Flavors change with the season, but recent offerings have included hazelnut praline, coconut lime, and balsamic fig.

2564 N Clark St, Chicago IL 60614

Macaron flavors at Maison Parisienne are more traditional, but include all of the classic favorites: salted caramel, pistachio, chocolate, lemon, vanilla, and passion fruit. Stop here for a French café experience, where “the secret ingredient is love.”

1814 Central St, Evanston IL 60201

Beth’s macarons come in just about every flavor combination you can think of. Double down on your commitment to French treats with the creme brulée macaron, or remember your favorite bounty-hunting space dad with the Baby Yoda macaron.

1945 W Wilson Ave, Chicago IL 60640

3129 W Logan Blvd, Chicago IL 60647

With pastries made in Chicago with flour imported from France, La Boulangerie is committed to authentic French baking done locally. Stop by their Wilson Avenue or Logan Boulevard locations to try macarons with flavors like blueberry, lavender, and sea salt caramel.

1403 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago IL 60613

With French pastry training and roots in Georgia, chef Amanda Tommey Terbush’s patisserie specializes in “French-style pastries served with Southern hospitality.” Available flavors change regularly, but recent selections have included raspberry rose, lavender, and lemon curd.

Featured Image Credit: Ylanite Koppens on Pexels

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