The Chicago Bulls should think about making a move prior to the 2021 NBA trade deadline on March 25.
Chicago Bulls: Fans should want these trades to happen soonon March 10, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »
The Chicago Cubs players and coaches are looking to shock all the skeptics out there who believe that this is an aging, underachieving team that’s better served being torn down at the trade deadline.
Unfortunately, the players and coaching staff are not making all the big organizational decisions. Those come from their General Manager, Jed Hoyer, and through their ownership, the Ricketts. Their actions throughout the offseason suggesting that the organization is all-in on rebuilding their farm-system as opposed to contending immediately for another World Series championship.
Chicago Cubs: Winning is an afterthought for 2021 seasonon March 10, 2021 at 12:00 pm Read More »
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Aquarius.
Because your idealism is aroused, and you’re willing to work on behalf of the welfare of someone else, this is an excellent day to deal with friends and groups. Your support for them might help finish something so that it can be released.
Today you will impress people in authority. In part, this could be related to the sensitive connection that you have with a friend or a member of a group. Because you know what is at stake, you know what is expected of you, and what a difference you can make.
You might hold a parent or someone in a position of authority in high regard. Perhaps this respect is what encourages you to help someone finish something related to medicine, the law, higher education, publishing or the media. You can get a lot done!
Your appreciation of beauty is heightened, which is why you will enjoy museums, galleries or a chance to admire the creative work of others online or in person. You might also feel attracted to someone who is “different.” (This could influence how you deal with shared property.)
Your sympathy for someone who needs your help will prompt you to set events in motion that will remedy circumstances for a third party. You might do fundraising or encourage someone else to contribute to a charitable cause. (This is your style.)
It’s a mixed bag today when dealing with partners, spouses and close friends because you might feel gratified and full of admiration; or you might be disappointed. Could go either way. Hopefully, you will get support for working to get better organized, which is what you want to achieve.
Your efforts might earn praise from coworkers today; or perhaps a colleague will seek you out for advice or counsel? You might wrap up a creative project or something related to your kids or sports. Trust your creative ideas today. Trust your sympathy with children.
Romance, the arts and your involvement with children cannot be ignored today. However, these areas might also trigger feelings ranging from admiration to confusion or discouragement. (A mixed bag!) Your involvement with a female family member or perhaps a parent could be important.
Today you will choose to trust your hunches about something. Or perhaps it’s a choice between eagle mind or mouse mind? (The big picture or the details.) Listen to your ideas about how to make where you live look more attractive. They might fly.
Your imagination is heightened today. Not only that, your Spidey sense is also heightened, which is why you will go with your gut instincts about situations and judgments about others (especially daily contacts, neighbors and siblings). “Use the Force, Luke.”
Your luck is a bit better than average today because the moon is in your sign. However, your financial judgment might be a bit off because instead of using your logic, you will go with your feelings. This is why you might go overboard being extravagant in some way. Oops!
Your sensitivity to others is very acute and highly developed today. (You’re picking up acid rock through your Mercury fillings.) Be careful because your usual buffer that you have every day when you’re dealing with others might not be there, which leaves you a bit exposed to everyone’s vibes. Protect yourself.
Actor Jon Hamm (1971) shares your birthday. You are passionate, independent and quick to take the lead. Nevertheless, you work well with others because partnerships are important to you. This year let go of what is no longer relevant or useful and move on to something new and different. This is not a time of loss. Au contraire! You are lightening your load to make room for new beginnings!
Horoscope for Wednesday, March 10, 2021Georgia Nicolson March 10, 2021 at 6:01 am Read More »
Chicago Restaurant Week is one of the most highly anticipated events of the entire year. Spanning this year from March 19th to April 4th, over 250 Chicago-based restaurants put together prix fixe multi-course menus at incredible prices in with the idea that dining at some of the city’s best restaurants doesn’t always have to break the bank. As bars and restaurants continue to open their doors wider for increased capacity, it’s a treat that Chicago Restaurant Week 2021 is a full-go with reduced capacity dining in-restaurant or takeout options for a delicious meal from the comfort of your own kitchen.
We took a few moments to dive into the depths of everything Choose Chicago’s annual meal parade has to offer this year and picked out 15 of our favorite restaurants, menus, and price points for Chicago Restaurant Week this year.
2542 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $39 per person |
Logan Square’s newest restaurant from husband-and-wife team, Chef Doug Psaltis and Pastry Chef Hsing Chen, is offering their modern Greek spread as a great intro to the restaurant. Choose from the Meze Collection or Andros Salad to start and either Grilled Calamari or Crispy Kataifi Cheese Pie; then move onto a main course of Pork Kontosouvli, Eggplant Moussaka or Wood Oven Roasted Sea Bream; with Baklava Frozen Yogurt as dessert.
615 W Randolph St, Chicago, Illinois 60661
141 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in + to-go packages | $110 for two |
avec’s brand new, airy location in River North is offering its iconic rustic Mediterranean dishes for Restaurant Week. Start with house-marinated olives, ciabatta and the chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates, enjoy a salad of shaved brussels sprouts with Calabrian chili and golden raisins, then move on to the main course of wood oven paella with confit chicken, escargot, sausage, mussels and tangerine aioli. Finish with a dessert of coffee hazelnut dark chocolate tiramisu. Available for $55 per person for dine-in at River North. Available to-go from the West Loop location in a meal kit for two for $110.
817 W Lake St, Chicago, Illinois 60607
Quick Hits: Dinner | Available for dine-in, pick-up or delivery | $55 per person |
The award-winning luxe steakhouse in Chicago’s West Loop is reopening this March after a winter break of service. Indulge in a choice of classic Caesar, Wedge Salad, Onion Soup Fondue or Lobster Bisque to start, before choosing your main course of Steak Frites with bone marrow butter, King Salmon, Vegetable Risotto or Organic Half Chicken with truffle chicken jus. For dessert, your choice of strawberry cheesecake or sticky toffee pudding.
221 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in, to-go, and delivery via GrubHub | $39 per person |
FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, the restaurant located at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, is offering a four-course Chicago Restaurant Week special. Start with the Soup of the Day, followed by your choice of House Made Smoke Sausage with caramelized onions and peppers and spicy tomato sauce; or Pork Belly with honey garlic roasted pork belly, and jalapeños creamed corn. For the main, choose between the FireLake Rotisserie Half Chicken with natural jus, fennel potato salad, and skillet corn; or the Half Slab Calabrian Pork Ribs with house made Calabrian chili barbeque, fennel potato salad, and cornbread. For dessert, enjoy a decadent Chocolate Cake.
2075 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60614
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $55 per person |
At Lincoln Park’s favorite neighborhood destination, Gemini, guests can start off with their choice of Prosciutto and Burrata Crostini, Lobster Bisque, or Grilled Octopus. For the main course, guests have the option between Berkshire Pork Chop, Alaskan Halibut, or an 8oz Filet Frites. For dessert, choose between Apple Pie or Chocolate Cake.
340 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Quick Hits: Lunch and Dinner | Dine-in and to-go | $25 per person for lunch, $55 per person for dinner |
Nonnina is offering signature dishes from their classic Italian fare menu for Chicago Restaurant Week. Start off with Meatballs, Beet Salad, Breaded Eggplant, or classic Minestrone soup. Followed by fresh-cut pasta offerings including Carbonara, Braised Short Rib Pappardelle, Seafood Risotto or Roasted Mushroom and Cauliflower Bolognese. For the main course, guests can choose from Pork Belly and Polenta, Chicken Parmesan, Branzino or Roasted Vegetables.
1200 W Webster Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60614
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $39 per person |
At the neighborhood Mexican cantina, Old Pueblo Cantina, guests can start off with their choice of a Roasted Beet Salad or Chicken Tortilla Soup. For the main course, choose from Chili Lime Shrimp Skewer or a Skirt Steak Skewers. For dessert, diners have their choice of Flan or house made Churros.
565 W Randolph St, Chicago, Illinois 60661
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $55 per person |
Chose your adventure with PROXI’s globally inspired cuisine this Chicago Restaurant Week 2021, the first time they are participating. The iconic tempura elotes are naturally a choice for the first course, or choose Muhammara paratha, grilled eggplant with Thai basil or soba noodle salad with gochujang and crispy vegetables. For the second course, choose grilled squid, Knanom krok with coconut milk pancakes, burrata or black pepper pork; for the third, choose a fried half chicken, braised pork belly, grilled king trumpet mushroom and tofu hotpot or the popular Corvina in coconut moilee. Finish with a black sesame chocolate brownie dish or coconut panna cotta with blood orange and spiced dukkah.
4229 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Quick Hits: Dinner | To-go only | $55 per person |
For Chicago Restaurant Week 2021, diners will receive the ultimate three-course French meal from North Center’s new Robert Et Fils. Guests will receive both a housemade Demi Baguette with Cultured Butter and Watercress Soup for their first course, followed by Pepper Steak and Mashed Potatoes. For dessert, guests will receive Vacherin Agrumes, a preserved citrus meringue with whipped cream.
123 N Jefferson St, Chicago, Illinois 60661
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $55 per person |
Enjoy a seasonally inspired Michelin-starred meal from Chef Andrew Zimmerman. Choices for each of the four courses include: ricotta gnocchi, smoked trout or roasted sweetbreads to start; a second course of Lady Edison ham, potato agnolotti with black truffle butter or Sablefish misoyaki; a third course of duck breast, roasted monkfish, grilled broccoli and curry, or grilled beef sirloin. For dessert, choose either milk chocolate and banana or cheesecake and pear.
1146 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $55 per person |
At Sophia Steak, guests can start off with their choice of Prosciutto and Burrata Crostini, Lobster Bisque, or a Baby Iceberg Wedge. For the main course, guests can choose from Soy Glazed Jumbo Shrimp, Steak Sophia, or Short Rib Tagliatelle. For dessert, guests have the option between Lemon Cheesecake and Butterscotch Creme Brulee.
145 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60602
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in and take-out | $55 per person |
The popular Loop tavern from sisters Clodagh & Amy Lawless is reopening this March just in time for Restaurant Week. To start off the meal, chose between Hamachi Crudo or a Tasting of Two Prosciuttos, before moving onto your main with a choice of Robata Grilled Salmon Steak or Braised Beef Short Ribs. For dessert, enjoy a Smores Crunch Bar with optional cocktail or wine pairings.
1134 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60607
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $55 per person |
For Chicago Restaurant Week 2021 , guests who dine at The Press Room will receive a complimentary welcome cocktail. For starters, diners will have their choice of Brussel Sprouts, Kale Caesar, or Steak Tartare. For the second course, diners can choose from Tagliltelli Norcina, Parsnip Agnolotti, or a King Trumpet Mushroom. For the third course, guests can choose from Seared Scallops, Short Rib, or Roasted Cauliflower. All guests will have the option between a Tahini Brownie or Vanilla Panna Cotta for dessert.
400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Quick Hits: Brunch, lunch, and dinner | Dine-in and to-go | Weekday Lunch/Weekend Brunch $25 per person, Dinner $39 per person |
The popular River North restaurants is offering all three meal periods for Restaurant Week — don’t miss out on the weekend brunch menu which includes choice of cocktail in the price, starters such as Oysters, and popular mains such as Shrimp & Grits, Benedict Johnny and Vanilla Bean French Toast. For dinner at $39 per person, choose from Brick Pressed Chicken, Salmon with Beets and Potatoes or Butternut Squash Bucatini as the main, with Mocha Brioche Bread Pudding or Sorbet for dessert.
3335 N Halsted St, Chicago, Illinois 60657
Quick Hits: Dinner | Dine-in only | $39 per person |
Wood, the 6-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, is offering the ultimate three-course dinner for Restaurant Week. Guests can start off with Warm Spiced Carrot Soup, Rabbit Rillette en Croute, House Charcuterie & Cheese, Chicago Spring Garden, or a Gem Salad. For the main course, guests have the option of Double Cheeseburger & Frites, Hand-Rolled Spinach Tagliatelle, Slagel Family Farms Chicken Schnitzel, Radiatore Pasta, and more.
Chicago Restaurant Week 2021 Featured Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
The pandemic has been brutal on everyone, including businesses trying to survive with closures and reduced capacity. I’m still not game for sitting indoors at a bar or restaurant; therefore, I have become a winter badass looking for accessible patios.
First Draft is a winner!
A recent experience was delightful at a favorite venue in the South Loop neighborhood. First Draft is well-known for its extensive, solid beer list. I have yet to explore their food menu, as I always end up reserving my appetite for the beer. That’s not a bad thing, right?
I appreciated the great service
Upon arrival, I could see the patio wasn’t set up. I went inside to inquire and a lovely gentleman jumped right in and said “give me 5 minutes.” He did an amazing job, providing me with a small heater near my feet along with a full-size heat lamp. My Saturday was already complete.
Unique beers were calling my name
I started off with a bang, ordering a Cahoots Barrel-Aged 5 by Cahoots Brewing. This is an anniversary Russian Imperial Stout with a whopping 15% ABV. It warmed me to my toes with a flavor profile consisting of bourbon, a bit of chocolate and vanilla, and oak. So good!
My second beer was a Hypnopompa, an Imperial Pastry Stout by Omnipollo (microbrewery in Sweden) and brewed at Twelve Percent Beer Project. This beer is loaded with marshmallows and vanilla beans, sitting at an ABV of 11%. I mostly tasted coffee and chocolate, which made it a little bitter and not as sweet as other pastry stouts I have had. It was still tasty, though.
I can’t recommend First Draft enough and look forward to trying their food one of these days. If you prefer indoors during the winter months, the venue is nicely spread out for comfort. There is also a heated tent on the patio; however, I chose to sit at a table outside of the tent. Cheers!
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Cahoots Brewing, Chicago, craft beer, first DRAFT, Omnipollo, South Loop, stout, Twelve Percent Beer Project, winter patio
Meet The Blogger
My greatest passion is street art. I’m constantly pounding the pavement in search of murals with eyes wide open, so follow me on my colorful journey. View all my findings on Instagram @eyespystreetart.
Another passion is beer. I consider myself a beer snob with a preference given to stouts and porters. I’m always willing to try new styles because beer is life. Prost!
Catch me on Twitter @muralhunter
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First Draft will leave you coming back for moreon March 9, 2021 at 4:39 pm Read More »
In his first game of the spring football season, Illinois State junior wide receiver Austin Nagel posted a career-best 132 receiving yards for the Redbirds.
The Nagel name in his hometown of Lemont is synonymous with football as four cousins also played college football.
Along with catching footballs, Nagel enjoys exploring different restaurants, spending time with his four siblings and would like to challenge teammate John Ridgeway, a 325-pound defensive lineman to a race because he’s knows he can win.
And, Nagel really, really, really misses eating ice cream every day.
Learn more about Nagel in our Moving the Chains Q&A feature:
As an athlete, you have to stay in great shape. What food do you love that you can’t eat much of anymore?
Oh man. I try to limit the ice cream I eat, but it’s a little difficult. I used to eat a lot of sweets and desserts after dinner, but I’ve had to cut those out — especially ice cream.
My love for ice cream started when I was younger. My grandma had an ice cream shop, so I used to go there every day in the summer. She’s just like any other grandma. She would make sure we had our fair share of ice cream every day. It was crazy. I was spoiled in that sense.
What has been the most challenging part of the pandemic for you as a college athlete?
I’ve really had to watch where I go, who I associate with. You have to keep your circle small. You have to stay with athletes. If you’re going to do something, it’s always got to be with other athletes. You really have to watch where you go and who you hang around because if you test positive for the virus, your buddies on the team likely will be out for a little while. It really has been tough on all of us.
You have four siblings. Where do you stand in the family order?
The oldest is my brother Spencer. He also goes to Illinois State. We’ll both be graduating in December. That’s pretty cool to have him here.
I have a younger brother, Cameron, who is two grades younger than me. He plays baseball at Lake Land College (in Mattoon). I have two sisters in high school. Hannah is going to graduate this year, and she’s not sure where she’s going to go to college. We’re trying to get her to come to Illinois State, but she’s a little hesitant about following her two older brothers.
I have a younger sister, Abby, and she’s a sophomore.
What are the best and worst things about having four siblings?
I could tell you that real quick. (Laughs) I still share a room at home with my oldest brother. Privacy is very hard to come by in a house with five kids. I’d say the best thing is there’s never a dull moment. There’s always something going on. Someone’s going to be there to do something with. If my younger brother Cameron is there, I love tormenting him and making his life a little harder.
Who has the best uniform in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, not including Illinois State?
I’ll go with the (blue and gold) South Dakota State jerseys.
There have been about a dozen movies filmed in your hometown of Lemont. Have you ever been on a movie set growing up?
I honestly never have. I did hear that there have been movies shot in the downtown area. But I’ve never been around one.
Movies and TV shows have been a popular entertainment choice during the pandemic. What’s the best thing you’ve watched?
I recently watched this series on YouTube called “The Chosen.” A couple of my teammates put me onto it. It’s the story of Jesus Christ, but it’s not all Biblical. It brings in other elements. It’s a good show.
Lemont has produced numerous pro athletes, including your cousin and former NFL player Coby Fleener, along with pro baseball, hockey and cycling athletes. Why is the town a haven for great athletes?
I can’t remember my life without sports. We have a great youth program that all of my cousins and all the pro football players I know of played in. It’s called the Lemont Hornets. We all started young there and had really good coaches who motivated us more than any coaches ever have.
Growing up, which Lemont athletes did you look up to the most?
My (Nagel) cousins played through Lemont for years. When I was super young, I was watching Aaron, Brett and Connor. When I was getting into middle school, I would go watch my cousin Flynn’s games at Marist (High School). Watching them go through high school and play, they all really motivated me to play.
Your cousins Aaron, Brett and Flynn played football at Northwestern, while your cousin Connor at Truman State. Those teams both wear purple. How did you not choose a program that had purple team colors?
I never thought about it like that. (Laughs) Illinois State was my only full-ride scholarship offer. I took what I could get. But I’m happy I’m here.
What’s the best restaurant in Lemont that you wish was located in Bloomington-Normal?
I’ll have to go with Lemon Tree. Their butter garlic fries are stellar. I miss those.
What’s your favorite spot in Bloomington-Normal to hang out, other than Hancock Stadium?
I’m big on restaurants, and I love trying different foods. Pop-Up Chicken Shop in Bloomington is definitely the spot that I like to be when I get some time. They have a great chicken sandwich.
What’s the best Missouri Valley football stadium you’ve played in during your career?
Fargo, for sure. There’s nothing like playing (against North Dakota State) in Fargo. There’s nothing like all those crazy fans screaming when you’re on the field, then complete silence when (NDSU) is on offense. I’ve never seen anything like it.
ISU quarterback Bryce Jefferson said the ISU wide receiver corps has “crazy speed.” Who’s the fastest player on the roster?
I might get some heat for this one. This is a debate. (Senior cornerback) Jarrell Jackson.
If there’s one guy you could challenge to a race, who would it be?
A guy I think I could beat? (Laughs) It would probably be (325-pound defensive lineman) John Ridgeway. (Laughs)
Who is your most inspirational teammate?
My roommate (and fellow wide receiver) Taylor Grimes. He tore his ACL about a year-and-a-half ago, early in the 2019 season against Northern Arizona. He came back stronger and faster than ever. It was pretty crazy how good he came back.
He just keeps going. He always wants to get better. He always makes the guys around him better because he’s always trying to get better. It’s really good to be around him.
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Illinois State University, ISU Redbirds, Missouri Valley Football Conference
Meet The Blogger
Blog co-authors Barry Bottino and Dan Verdun bring years of experience covering collegiate athletics. Barry has covered college athletes for more than two decades in his “On Campus” column, which is published weekly by Shaw Media. Dan has written four books about the state’s football programs–“NIU Huskies Football” (released in 2013), “EIU Panthers Football (2014), “ISU Redbirds” (2016) and “SIU Salukis Football” (2017).
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–Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs airs at 9:03 pm on Cable Ch 21 (CAN TV). It features Part 1 of our interview with GOP GOV candidate and former downstate senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo).
Do career Illinois K-12 teachers receive the most generous pension benefits among their peers? Does the average pension benefit for Illinois state retirees = 71K? Is that what Wirepoints contends? Are they right? Does Candidate Schimpf disagree with Wirepoints? If he does, does he have the data to support that argument?
*********
You can also watch the Schimpf show 24/7 by clicking here.
Watch this evening’s “Public Affairs,” in 25 Chicago Metro N and NW suburbs with show host Berkowitz interviewing GOP GOV candidate and former Senator Paul Schimpf at 8:30 pm on:
—Comcast Cable Ch. 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette and on
—Comcast Cable Ch. 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.
For Schimpf to keep his promise not to cut IL state employee and teacher pensions, must he cut current and future education, healthcare or human services spending for decades? Or, some combination, thereto?
You can also watch the Schimpf show 24/7 by clicking here.
Issues & topics for tonight’s show w/Lt. Col. Paul Schimpf (USMC, Ret.)
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Lawrence Jones provides more reasons for why parents and students, if not everyone else, should be angry, actually furious, about the evil that has visited our children because of the overwrought COVID-19 lockdown.
If you think you are wise and well-informed by supporting the teachers unions’ obstinate and self-serving campaign for their members to stay out of the classroom, you owe it to yourself to watch and listen with an open-mind. Below is moving evidence how badly children are hurting.
And for those of you who think Jones saying this on Fox News automatically disqualifies his point of view…well, be happy wallowing in your self-satisfied ignorance and indifference.
There are school board elections coming up. Board members who have mindlessly caved into the union demands to keep schools closed need to be removed. Here’s a resource. For people in Illinois Northfield Township District 225 that oversees Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools, I recommend this.
My historical novel: Madness: The War of 1812
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LaSalle Lake reopens on Monday, some big largemouth are being caught at Braidwood Lake, coho go on southern Lake Michigan, ice-out comes, and river fishing builds for this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
LaSalle Lake reopens Monday, coho are being caught in fits on southern Lake Michigan, some big largemouth bass are being caught at Braidwood Lake, ice-out comes, and river fishing builds for this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
Scott Oglanian messaged the photo at the top and this from Braidwood:
I was looking for a big one and I got 1
I should say so, as he noted:
5.1 at Braidwood!
Caught her in the afternoon on a jig.
14lb fc sniper
Enticer jig with a rage tail trailer
About the biggest I heard of so far from Braidwood.
LaSALLE LAKE OPENER
As usual, the cooling lake south of Seneca reopens on March 15, Monday. My preview will be in Saturday’s Sun-Times. Hours are the usual 6 a.m. to sunset.
LAKEFRONT PARKING
Sale of the Chicago Park District’s parking passes for the two small fisherman’s parking lots on the Chicago lakefront (DuSable and Burnham) are ready to go as soon as official clearance comes.
Readers suggest SpotHero app downtown. Otherwise, here are some basics: Foster (free street parking or pay lot); Montrose (free street parking); Belmont (pay lots on north and south sides); Diversey (pay lot or street parking); DuSable Harbor (pay lot); Northerly Island/Burnham Harbor (meters); 31st/Burnham (meter parking between McCormick Place and 31st Street Harbor); 43rd (limited meters); 63rd Street/Casino Pier (pay lot); Steelworkers Park (free street parking at east end of 87th); Cal Park (free parking).
AREA LAKES
Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait texted:
. . . Waiting for some ice to go away on small lakes. Take care
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Larry Green tweeted the photo above and this:
My last hurrah for the season was good to get out. Photo by Andy Hansen
Jim Anderson emailed last Wednesday this and the photo below, capturing the essence of the joy of late-season ice fishing:
lake county Ill 54 outside temp great day late ice !
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22358074/fotw03_10_21pikeonice.png)
Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed:
Hey Dale,
Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing.
Area lakes-In-between. Ice has been coming off over the past week. On some lakes the shorelines are open and others are soft. Main base under all the slush is eroding and lakes will be open by weeks end with rain in the forecast.
Nows the time to organize tackle, clean and re-spool reels, and get the long rods ready.
Last sentence is words to the wise.
Pete Lamar emailed for the first time in a while:
Hi Dale,
First report in a long time that doesn’t involve chopping a hole in the ice. This is from Sunday afternoon, so it may not be completely relevant even a couple of days later, as things are changing rapidly.
. . .
As far as lakes and ponds, there was still a lot of ice to be melted. The only open water was on some of the ponds on the north sides, where they get the most sun exposure. Again, with luck warm weather and rain will do a lot to open things up soon.
Pete
BRAIDWOOD LAKE
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22358050/fotw03_10_21braidwoodbass.jpg)
Hey Dale got this at Braidwood today after work
Also see Scott Oglanian’s beauty at the very top of the post, which may be the biggest caught in the early going.
Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait texted this from customer reports:
. . . Braidwood very good. . . . Take care
Open daily 6 a.m. to sunset.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA
Proprietor Greg Dickson at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said, “Guys are still ice fishing. Is it a situation where we recommend they go? Probably not. But they will continue fish places like Deep Lake, which holds its ice longer. In all practicality, I think the masses should be buttoning up their ice fishing gear and thinking spring fishing.”
Arden Katz, who ice fished through the weekend on the Chain said, “If I was retired, I would be out there now.” Over the weekend, he caught perch, crappie and bluegills; he fished a lot of holes, key was hole-hoping; a lot of fish were halfway down, so he jigged on the way down. Waxies are the best bait, he used them on tungsten jigs. “But I put my ice fishing gear away, I am done now,” he added.
DOWNSTATE
POWERTON: Shore and boat fishing is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SPRING: Open for fishing.
EMIQUON: Basically, go to the launch. General information at http://experienceemiquon.com/sites/default/files/LakeAccessRules.pdf.
HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed for the year.
SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing.
FOX RIVER
Dicky’s Bait Shop in Montgomery reported small catfish on crawlers or shiners Monday at Aurora; a good muskie at Montgomery dam; some small smallmouth, first bites of the season, around Geneva/Batavia. Crawlers are starting to go, supposed to finally get some suckers this week.
Pete Lamar emailed for the first time in a while:
Hi Dale,
First report in a long time that doesn’t involve chopping a hole in the ice. This is from Sunday afternoon, so it may not be completely relevant even a couple of days later, as things are changing rapidly.
With steelhead fishing fast approaching, I wanted to practice two-handed casting. There are some spots on Fox tributaries wide enough to allow it, so I explored a couple of places along the way. There was still a lot of snow on the ground and evidently a lot had already melted: the water was high, turbid and cold-it never got to 40 degrees while I was there. Streams and rivers won’t really start to warm up until all the snow is gone, hopefully later this week. The only fish or wildlife activity I saw was a pair of bufflehead or goldeneye ducks. They saw me before they got close enough for an exact ID. This is about the only time of year I see them around here, when they make a brief stop on their way to their breeding grounds.
. . .
Pete
GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN
Guide Mike Norris emailed:
Fishing Report 3/8/2021
Mike Norris
The Wisconsin general game fishing season closed last weekend but fishing for panfish remains open. Game fish can still be harvested on Lake Puckaway because it is part of the Fox River system, which remains open year-round in my area. We may see the end of safe ice this week with above average air temps early this week and rain predicted for Thursday.
I am keeping my fingers crossed Fox Lake holds up a little longer. Shallow water ice fishing for bluegills and crappie has been exceptional there the past three weeks. Last Sunday my fishing partner caught an 18-inch crappie in 4 ft of water on Fox Lake.
If the ice does not hold up, I will begin to focus on open water fishing on the Fox River in DePere, Wi. Big female walleyes are beginning to enter this river system from lower Green Bay, and it is a great time to vertical jig for walleyes which can exceed 8 lbs. To protect spawning walleyes, the WI DNR has instituted special regulations for the Fox River from the DePere Dam downstream into Lower Green Bay. From March 8 to May 1, the bag limit is one walleye with a minimum length of 28 inches. Afterwards the regulation changes to a daily bag limit of three with no size limit.
GREEN/STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN
Click here for the Wisconsin DNR weekly report, if it is updated.
HEIDECKE LAKE
Reopens April 1.
LAKE ERIE
Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.
LAKEFRONT
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Jason “Special One” Le on Tuesday messaged on Instagram the photo above and this:
Chicago Powerline
A couple days earlier he captured the feeling of many with this:
At Chicago lakefront
Finally they’re here
At montrose
Jim Shell and his son Casey did steady on lakers and coho Saturday jigging or trolling crankbaits around Chicago Light. They also earned FOTW honors.
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Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait texted:
Coho continues w some lake trout deep. Some perch reports at 87th on the lake. . . . Take care
Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor, which formally reopened Saturday, texted:
Hi Dale right now our hours are 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7 days a week.There are a few Coho being caught in the area also a few Browns and Steelhead. Most of the reports have been on power lines with nightcrawlers or large minnows about a 50/50 shot. I did have a customer went South to try for Coho around 87th Street and cut some really nice perch Saturday and Sunday.It is great to be back at the shop open and functional.
I love word of the perch.
LaSALLE LAKE
Reopens Monday, March 15. Preview coming Saturday in the Sun-Times.
MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN
Click here for the update from D&S Bait.
MAZONIA
Both units open.
MILLE LACS LAKE, MINNESOTA
Justin Lederer emailed from McQuoids Inn in Isle, Minn.:
Justin Lederer checking in from McQuoids Inn Lake Mille Lacs the pike are in the bays hitting 5-7” suckers. From the guys I have been talking to they are doing the best in 5-8’. You can still get perch out in the 20-30’ range they should be moving in shallower real soon as we trend into the spring thaw. The lake is still holding up pretty well for the weather we have. Open water is just around the corner season opener is May 15.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua emailed:
Finally, a nice send off to the end of the inland gamefish season here in the Northwoods! Usually, it’s ended with little to get excited about, but this weekend anglers got out for a last chance at Walleye, Northern Pike and Largemouth, all with good results and some nice reports of large fish (Walleye to 28”, Pike to 39” and Largemouth to 19”).
Now it’s Panfish time!
Bluegills: Very Good – While some anglers still plying the deeper mud flats with success (as proof, an 11” er brought in over weekend), for the most part the shallower 6-10’ weeds doing best as Gills have been slurping up small dark jigs tipped with waxies, beaver tail or plastics (red, pink, purple, brown top colors).
Crappies: Very Good – Tip-down action picking up as mild temps keeping holes open and a little water flow into holes seems to encourage bites! 8-12’ tall, standing weeds best, using #8 Rockers, Little Cecils and Shrimpos to present waxies, plastics (white, yellow, silver, chartreuse) and Beaver Tail as tempters. Deep mud flat Crappies on tip-downs or glow jigs small fatheads (rosies seem to be done for the season). The deep fish bite, while still good, has slowed as fish filtering back into shallows.
Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Congregations starting to show over mud flats. Pinhead spoons, Halis and Pimples to get down quickly – wigglers preferred, but very hard to get. Use red spikes or minnow heads if wigglers not available. Plastics with scent also viable solution.
With ice thickness ranging 24-32” and little snow cover, coming rain and warm temps could eat into thickness. Slush problems from early last week are diminishing as warmth is melting snow cover. Great opportunities for late ice pan fishing in March coming up!
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
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The ice conditions just a few hours to our north fascinate me.
NORTHWEST INDIANA
Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:
Yes very bizy people fishing all over around here all ice gone
Gary light area and up and down the wall outside of pastrick marina good for boat fisherman using thinfish j9 rapalas and dodger and Flys
Shore fishing in portage and Michigan city has been on the slow side last few days
Musky suckers already in stock here.
ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN
Click here for the Wisconsin DNR’s report, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday.
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor boaters made it out for the first time on Tuesday; anglers are able to get out on south pier at St. Joseph (fishing is slow) but not the north pier because of ice; there’s steelhead at Berrien Springs and the camera is going again. Paddle and Pole hosts the Berrien Springs Fish Ladder Camera.
SHABBONA LAKE
March site hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT
Click here for the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR.
WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN
When I texted guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont early Tuesday, he texted:
River is open, fishing now, I’ll get back to you later
That made my morning.
Then he added this at noon:
The river is very low for this time of year. Fished 2 1/2 hrs , not a bite. This could change by the weekend, with rain in the forecast tomorrow. Still a few on the ice, but the landings are going fast
Here’s Tuesday’s news on how COVID-19 is impacting Chicago and Illinois.
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As the first COVID-19 shots went into arms outside the United Center Tuesday, public health officials announced another 75,372 vaccinations had been administered statewide the day before.
Monday’s shot total was nearly double the figure from a day earlier when fewer than 30,000 doses were given out, but it was still barely half the state’s record high of more than 134,000 set last week.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he expects those numbers to consistently increase as vaccine supply grows and as more vaccination sites are up and running like that outside the Near West Side stadium.
Illinois providers are now doling out an average of 92,180 shots per day, “a number that’s already growing every week,” Pritzker said at the United Center.
Twelve weeks since the first vaccine shipments arrived in Illinois, almost 3.5 million shots have been administered. About 1.2 million residents have been fully vaccinated since then, or about 9.4% of the population.
Half of all Illinoisans 65 or older have gotten at least one shot, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Overall, about a fifth of residents 16 or older have gotten a dose, Pritzker said.
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic as if the county was “about to be hit by a tsunami.”
That’s what the reading she’d done at the time indicated as news of the virus began to dominate headlines. And the former history teacher said it shaped her perspective — and her approach.
“I told my staff early on ‘everybody’s going to know somebody who’s been sick, and everybody’s going to know someone who’s passed away,’” Preckwinkle said. “This is what we’re headed into. Everyone. And that’s surely been true, and so we have to figure out every way that we can to support folks.”
She’d studied the 1918 pandemic, and learned from it.
“What my reading told me was ‘you’re about to be hit by a tsunami, and so that’s the perspective that I took — a tsunami is coming,” Preckwinkle said.
Read more from Rachel Hinton here.
6:29 p.m. Volunteers are key at vaccine sites. It pays off with a shot
SEATTLE — When Seattle’s largest health care system got a mandate from Washington state to create a mass COVID-19 vaccination site, organizers knew that gathering enough volunteers would be almost as crucial as the vaccine itself.
“We could not do this without volunteers,” said Renee Rassilyer-Bomers, chief quality officer for Swedish Health Services and head of its vaccination site at Seattle University. “The sheer volume and number of folks that we wanted to be able to serve and bring in requires … 320 individuals each day.”
As states ramp up vaccination distribution in the fight against the coronavirus, volunteers are needed to do everything from direct traffic to check people in so vaccination sites run smoothly. In return for their work, they’re often given a shot. Many people who don’t yet qualify for a vaccine — including those who are young and healthy — have been volunteering in hopes of getting a dose they otherwise may not receive for months. Large vaccination clinics across the country have seen thousands trying to nab limited numbers of volunteer shifts.
It’s raised questions at a time when supplies are limited and some Americans have struggled to get vaccinated even if they are eligible. But medical ethicists say volunteers are key to the public health effort and there’s nothing wrong with them wanting protection from the virus.
Ben Dudden, 35, of Roanoke, Virginia, volunteered at a mass vaccination clinic in the nearby city of Salem on a day off from his part-time job at the Roanoke Pinball Museum. His wife, a nurse practitioner who was administering doses, encouraged him to volunteer in case he could get vaccinated.
3:18 p.m. Illinois’ daily COVID-19 caseload, death count dip to last summer’s numbers
Illinois public health officials announced 1,182 new cases of the coronavirus Monday as well as five deaths — the lowest daily fatality count in nearly six months.
The new cases come from a batch of 39,636 tests. As of Sunday night, 1,178 people with COVID-19 were reported to be in the hospital. Of that number, 266 patients were in intensive care units throughout the state; 118 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The state’s preliminary seven-day statewide case positivity is 2.3%.
The last time the state saw a daily death toll this low was Sept. 14, when the state logged five deaths. Illinois hasn’t seen a single-digit daily death rate since early Oct. 11, when health officials announced nine deaths.
The deaths reported Monday bring the state’s total COVID-19 toll to 20,767 people.
Health officials also reported 3.38 million vaccines have been administered so far, with an average of of 90,135 doses administered daily in the past seven days, slightly less than the 93,183 rolling average of shots reported Sunday.
State health officials on Sunday reported 1,068 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest number of new cases recorded in a day since July 21. Illinois’ daily caseload has surpassed 2,000 only twice so far in March.
Read the full story from Rachel Hinton here.
9:27 a.m. At Dubai airport, travelers’ eyes become their passports thanks to iris scanner identification
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai’s airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, already can feel surreal, with its cavernous duty-free stores, artificial palm trees, water cascades and near-Arctic levels of air-conditioning.
Now, the key east-west transit hub is rolling out another addition from the realm of science fiction — an iris-scanner to verifies each traveler’s identity, eliminating the need for any human interaction when entering or leaving the country.
It’s the latest artificial intelligence program the United Arab Emirates has launched amid the surging coronavirus pandemic — contact-less technology the government promotes as helping to stem the spread of the virus.
But the efforts also have renewed questions about mass surveillance in the federation of seven sheikhdoms, which experts believe has among the highest per capita concentrations of surveillance cameras in the world.
Dubai’s airport started offering the program to all passengers last month.
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis said Monday he weighed the risks of a high-profile trip to Iraq during the coronavirus pandemic, but said he decided to go ahead with it after much prayer and belief that God would look out for the Iraqis who might get exposed.
Francis described his decision-making process en route home from Iraq amid concerns that his four-day visit, which featured oftentimes maskless crowds in packed churches, singing — could result in the spread of infections in a country with a fragile health care system and a sustained surge in new cases.
Francis said the idea of a trip “cooks over time in my conscience,” and that the pandemic was the issue that weighed most heavily on him. Francis has experienced close-up the ravages of COVID-19 in Europe given Italy has had one of the worst outbreaks in the world, with the official death toll soon to hit 100,000.
“I prayed a lot about this. And in the end I took the decision freely,” Francis said. “It came from inside. I said ‘He who makes me decide this way will look after the people.’”
“I took the decision this way, but after prayer and knowing the risks,” he said.
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