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Cellar Dweller: 2018 “Solemn Oath Bourbon Barrel-Aged Hobson Oak Milk Stout”on January 6, 2021 at 7:48 pm

Cut Out Kid

Cellar Dweller: 2018 “Solemn Oath Bourbon Barrel-Aged Hobson Oak Milk Stout”

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Cellar Dweller: 2018 “Solemn Oath Bourbon Barrel-Aged Hobson Oak Milk Stout”on January 6, 2021 at 7:48 pm Read More »

Feds hint at expansive evidence as man with mob ties pleads guilty in sports betting caseon January 6, 2021 at 7:14 pm

A federal prosecutor hinted at expansive evidence including “a large number” of recordings as a man with purported mob ties pleaded guilty Wednesday to running an illegal sports gambling operation.

Gregory Paloian of Elmwood Park also admitted he filed a false 2016 tax return. He entered his plea during a video conference before U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow, and he now faces a likely prison sentence of between two and three years.

The feds charged Paloian in October in a document known as an information, typically a sign a defendant plans to plead guilty. It contained few details.

However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Kinney laid out the extent of the evidence against Paloian during Wednesday’s hearing. Though Paloian was charged individually, Kinney said testimony at trial would have included “the testimony of co-defendants.”

He also told the judge there would have been recordings as a result of “a large number of Title III wire intercepts.”

Kinney said Paloian’s operation involved “five or more people.” He said Paloian had agents who recruited gamblers. And he said they used a website in a foreign country to place bets.

The prosecutor also said Paloian filed a 2016 tax return reflecting a negative income of $77,229, when he actually made at least $95,220 that year.

Kinney is also involved in the prosecution of a separate sports gambling case charged last year against several defendants, including Vincent “Uncle Mick” DelGiudice and Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher, brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher.

North Shore butcher Domenic Poeta was also sentenced to a year in prison in November after pleading guilty in a third sports gambling case charged in 2020.

In 2002, a federal judge sentenced Paloian to 41 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to bookmaking charges. A prosecutor said then that “this was a bookmaking organization run by the mob, for the benefit of the mob.”

Paloian’s new sentencing date is April 7.

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Feds hint at expansive evidence as man with mob ties pleads guilty in sports betting caseon January 6, 2021 at 7:14 pm Read More »

The Hot List for January 2021on January 6, 2021 at 6:13 pm

January 2021 hotlist
Photograph: Garrett Sweet

1. Sugargoat

WHAT Stephanie Izard’s latest project: a bakery that takes inspiration from childhood eats
WHY Cheez-It cake? Chocolate shake french fry pie? This menu is pure uncut Izard.
WHERE 820 W. Randolph St., West Loop
Website

Hot List January 2021
Photograph: Kristen Mendiola

2. Giant

WHAT A food truck with bites from Giant and sister spot Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar
WHY Save yourself the drive to two restaurants and load up on butter crust pizza, crab Rangoon, and Negronis when the truck rolls through your neighborhood.
WHERE giantrestaurant.com for locations

Photograph: Anthony Barlich

3.Brite

WHAT Two former Publican chefs serving doughnuts and other treats at Metric Coffee
WHY Whether your tastes run to vegan Earl Grey sticky buns or olive-fennel gougères, Brite has you covered.
WHERE 2021 W. Fulton St., West Town
Website

Photograph courtesy of Lost Lake

4. Lost Lake

WHAT Monthly cocktail and rum subscriptions from the tropical bar
WHY The rum pours come with plenty of tasting notes, so if you spend the winter schooling yourself on the spirit, you can show off your knowledge when the bar reopens.
WHERE 3154 W. Diversey Ave., Logan Square
Website

Photograph: Cornelious Bouknight

5. Pizza Finestra

WHAT A Sunday pop-up at Superkhana with überthin Roman pizzas
WHY Get the crispy crust topped with olive oil and tomato (or have it made into a mortadella sandwich).
WHERE 3059 W. Diversey Ave., Logan Square
Website

Photograph: Starr Nordgren

6. Gretel

WHAT Little Bad Wolf brings its something-for-everyone philosophy to Logan Square.
WHY Where else can you pick up pork belly nachos, frozen Irish coffee, and oyster-shucking kits in a single visit?
WHERE 2833 W. Armitage Ave.
Website

Photograph: Timmy Risden Photography

7. Kinzie Cucina Italiana

WHAT An Italian-focused virtual kitchen out of Kinzie Chophouse
WHY You can’t eat steak every night, so branch out with spicy tuna arancini and pork saltimbocca.
WHERE 400 N. Wells St., River North
Website

Photograph: Jason Little

8. How Bao Dat

WHAT Chuck Graham’s virtual eatery is all about the Chinese buns.
WHY His bao cross borders with fillings like jerk chicken with kimchi and beef with gochujang barbecue sauce.
WHERE 2537 S. Wabash Ave., Bronzeville
Website

Photograph: Rjay Ricalde

9. Side Project Coffee

WHAT :A coffee shop that highlights side projects, from food to art
WHY Sip ube chai and snack on doughnuts from Downstate Donuts as you start your own side hustle.
WHERE 5139 N. Damen Ave., Ravenswood
Website

Photograph: Benjamin Stern Photography

10. Cluck It

WHAT A virtual hot chicken restaurant from two fine-dining vet
WHY Burn your tongue on nuggets, wings, or thighs — or try their invention: Nashville hot chicken–fried lobster.
WHERE 2537 S. Wabash Ave., Bronzeville
Website

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The Hot List for January 2021on January 6, 2021 at 6:13 pm Read More »

A deep exploration of the science and data of the coronaviruson January 6, 2021 at 5:56 pm

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

A deep exploration of the science and data of the coronavirus

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A deep exploration of the science and data of the coronaviruson January 6, 2021 at 5:56 pm Read More »

2 detectives involved in Breonna Taylor raid are firedon January 6, 2021 at 4:59 pm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville police have fired two detectives, one who shot Breonna Taylor and another who sought the warrant that led to the deadly raid.

Det. Myles Cosgrove and Det. Joshua Jaynes were fired Tuesday after receiving notification last week from the department’s interim chief that they would be dismissed. A letter informing them of their dismissal was released Wednesday.

Taylor, a Black woman, was killed March 13 by police executing a narcotics search warrant. None of the three white officers who fired into Taylor’s home were charged by a grand jury in her death. Cosgrove and two other officers who fired into Taylor’s apartment were not charged in her death by a grand jury in September.

Investigators said Cosgrove fired 16 rounds into the apartment after the front door was breached and Taylor’s boyfriend fired a shot at them. Federal ballistics experts said they believe the shot that killed Taylor came from Cosgrove.

Gentry wrote that Cosgrove failed to “properly identify a target” when he fired, according to media reports of the letter, which has not been released.

Jaynes was not at the scene the night of the shooting but sought the warrant that sent police to Taylor’s home. Gentry said Jaynes lied about how he obtained some information about Taylor in the warrant.

An internal investigation by Louisville police found Jaynes violated department procedures for preparation of a search warrant and truthfulness. Jaynes acknowledged in a May interview with Louisville police investigators that he didn’t personally verify that a drug trafficking suspect, Jamarcus Glover, was receiving mail at Taylor’s apartment, even though he had said in an earlier affidavit that he had. Jaynes said he relied instead on information from a fellow officer.

Jaynes and Cosgrove have been on administrative reassignment, along with another officer who was at the raid, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly. Mattingly was shot in the leg by Taylor’s boyfriend, who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home.

Another officer, Brett Hankison, was fired in June by then-interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder, who said Hankison “wantonly and blindly” shot 10 rounds of gunfire into Taylor’s apartment. His termination letter said Hankison violated the rule against using deadly force.

Mattingly said in October that he intended to retire from the department.

In September, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who took on the role of special prosecutor in the case, announced that a grand jury had indicted Hankison on wanton endangerment charges, saying he fired gunshots into a neighboring home during the raid. No one in the home was hit. Hankison has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Cosgrove and Mattingly were not charged with Taylor’s killing because they acted to protect themselves, Cameron said. The decision disappointed and angered those who have been calling for justice for Taylor for six months, and protesters vowed to stay in the streets until all the officers involved were fired or someone was charged with her killing.

Three grand jurors, speaking anonymously, have since come forward to say that Cameron did not allow the grand jury to consider homicide related charges against the officers for Taylor’s death. The three grand jurors said they believe they would have brought criminal charges against the officers if given the chance.

For months, Taylor’s name has been a rallying cry for activists protesting the extrajudicial killing of Black men and women. Famed musicians, actors, athletes and politicians had called for the officers’ arrests.

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2 detectives involved in Breonna Taylor raid are firedon January 6, 2021 at 4:59 pm Read More »

Songs for an unprecedented win in Georgiaon January 6, 2021 at 4:57 pm

I’ve Got The Hippy Shakes

Songs for an unprecedented win in Georgia

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Songs for an unprecedented win in Georgiaon January 6, 2021 at 4:57 pm Read More »

The winningest high school basketball programs of the decade: No. 28 St. Viatoron January 6, 2021 at 4:07 pm

When high school basketball fans think back to the 1980s, programs like Quincy, Providence St. Mel, East St. Louis Lincoln and the arrival of city powers King and Simeon are easy to think back on.

The 1990s brought us memorable basketball giants in Peoria Manual and Thornton, a few steamrolling Proviso East teams and the continued dominance of King.

The first 10 years of the 2000s included Glenbrook North, Peoria High and the beginning of a Simeon juggernaut.

Now, with the calendar inching closer to wrapping up an unforgettable 2020, the end of this month closes out another decade. And it’s another high school basketball time period to look back on.

Earlier this year we broke down the decade’s best teams and best players. Now, with every season of the past decade complete, it’s time to look at the Chicago area programs who won the most.

This list is comprised of the 50 winningest programs over the past 10 years, starting with the 2010-11 season and concluding with the 2019-20 season. Every team in every class throughout the Chicago area will be broken down in a variety of ways. But total wins, with winning percentage used as tie-breaker, determined the rankings.

We present No. 28 St. Viator today and will add one program a day going forward.

28. ST. VIATOR: 206-90

Decade’s biggest storyline: The biggest storyline of the decade was the level of success St. Viator achieved over the past 10 seasons. Overall, the basketball program took a significant step forward under coach Mike Howland and Quin Hayes in terms of success and the talent pool expanding.

The decade was by far the most successful run in program history with seven regional championships and six 20-win seasons. By comparison, St. Viator had just three regional titles and three 20-win seasons in program history prior to the start of the decade.

Underrated highlight: There was a ton of winning throughout the decade but the Cinderella run from an under-.500 team in 2016-17 stands out as an underrated highlight.

St. Viator entered postseason play with just an 11-16 record but won regional and sectional championships. The sectional title was just the second in school history. The dramatic 76-74 sectional title game victory over North Chicago came in overtime and included 28 lead changes. St. Viator lost to Fenwick in the super-sectional.

Player of the Decade: Ore Arogundade (2014)

St. Viator's Ore Arogundade fires a difficult three at the buzzer for a chance to defeat Loyola.
St. Viator’s Ore Arogundade fires a difficult three at the buzzer for a chance to defeat Loyola.
Sun-Times file photo

All-Decade Team: Kevin Walsh (2012), Ore Arogundade (2014), Jeremiah Hernandez (2019), Treyvon Calvin (2019) and Connor Kochera (2020)

Other decade highlights:

-Ore Arogundade certainly left his mark on St. Viator basketball. The 6-2 guard went on to play at Drake after leaving as the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

-There have been four conference titles in the history of the program and two came this past decade with unbeaten East Suburban Catholic Conference championships in 2011-12 and 2017-18.

-The 2018-19 team advanced to a sectional championship game, where it fell to DePaul Prep, en route to winning a school record 26 games.

-The past season 22-win St. Viator was still playing when the pandemic ended it all. The Lions won a 53-52 overtime thriller over conference rival St. Patrick in the sectional semifinal and was set to play top-seed Notre Dame in the sectional championship game.

-St. Viator produced 10 different college basketball players throughout the decade, including five Division I players.

-Mike Howland, a St. Viator grad who coached the Lions for three seasons and won three regional titles while compiling a 69-19 record, left for college coaching in 2014. He spent a year at Missouri State, four seasons at Winthrop and is now in his second season as an assistant coach at William & Mary.

-Quin Hayes, who led St. Viator to a 123-58 record in his six seasons, left this past year to take over the Glenbrook North basketball program.

-Michael O’Keefe, a 2007 St. Viator graduate who was the head coach at Wheeling the past five years, takes over the St. Viator program heading into the new decade.

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The winningest high school basketball programs of the decade: No. 28 St. Viatoron January 6, 2021 at 4:07 pm Read More »

Playboy cancels its Playmate of the Month feature! Say what?on January 6, 2021 at 4:02 pm

Candid Candace

Playboy cancels its Playmate of the Month feature! Say what?

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Playboy cancels its Playmate of the Month feature! Say what?on January 6, 2021 at 4:02 pm Read More »

Let’s have a rational discussion about vote reformon January 6, 2021 at 4:46 pm

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

Let’s have a rational discussion about vote reform

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Let’s have a rational discussion about vote reformon January 6, 2021 at 4:46 pm Read More »

Between Water and Skyon January 6, 2021 at 3:09 pm

For my money, the view west from the DuSable Bridge at Michigan and Wacker has always been one of the most exciting in Chicago. A century’s worth of tall buildings spring from the banks of the Chicago River along Wacker: the LondonHouse Chicago, with its curved limestone façade; the new towers at Wolf Point; and, in between, a murderers’ row of fine high-rises, including the midcentury icon Marina City. By comparison, the view to the east has always struck me — with the exception of Harry Weese’s silvery, blade-like Swissôtel Chicago — as architecturally meager.

But not anymore.

With major construction now all but complete, Jeanne Gang’s 101-story St. Regis Chicago, at 363 East Wacker Drive, has fundamentally shifted our vaunted skyline’s center of gravity. The undulating profile of the trio of towers — the westernmost one attaining 1,191 feet, making the St. Regis the city’s third-tallest building (and the country’s 10th tallest) — takes on the tones of sky and water in a bewitching play of light and color. Gaze at the building a bit longer, and you’ll notice something else: The central tower is suspended, creating a passage underneath that connects a formerly enclosed park to the river — thus cracking open a whole new way for people to move around this oft-overlooked corner of downtown.

The birthing pains of the hotel-residential complex, formerly called Vista Tower, have been well publicized. The Chinese-owned consortium Wanda Hotel Development Company pulled out last year, spurring the buyers of a handful of the multimillion-dollar condos to try to follow suit. Chicago’s Magellan Development Group bought Wanda’s stake, and this fall it brought in hotelier St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, prompting a name change and, it’s hoped, restoring the development’s momentum.

None of that detracts from the building’s architectural and engineering marvels. The photographs here capture the subtle geometries and innovative techniques Gang deployed in her design. As the 56-year-old architect, whom I’ve known for nearly two decades, described her creation to me, I could sense she was having fun — exuding the same energy I felt looking east from the DuSable Bridge and realizing our skyline will never be the same.

PYRAMIDS …

The fundamental building block of Gang’s design is a geometric form called a frustum, which is a pyramid with its top shaved off. You can see it rendered as a visual motif in the window mullions (above) and, more prominently, in the building’s overall form (top of page). “They get stacked on top of each other to make a tower,” says the architect.

… AND A CUBE

The building’s height may command attention, but one of its most arresting elements is close to the street: a three-story ground-level space that will house a ballroom. (The previous photo was taken from inside it.) “It got nicknamed the Cube,” says Gang. “It’s like in the old hotels, where you would have a very special big room. The idea was to reward someone who comes up closer to the building, and to make it stick out to give great views down the river corridor.”

PROTECTED VIEWS

The St. Regis boasts the highest residential balconies in Chicago — topping out at the 91st floor. This one, which offers unobstructed views north and west, belongs to a duplex, occupying the 71st and 72nd floors, that sold in 2018 for an undisclosed sum (asking price: $18.5 million). From the ground, you can barely tell there are balconies at all. “They’re like ‘innie’ balconies instead of ones that are projecting out,” says Gang. “That was a response to the wind.” (The recessed balconies can be seen running up the length of the tower in the photo at top of page.)

GEOMETRIC RHYTHMS

This view skyward from the ground reveals that the frustums, or truncated pyramids, forming the towers do not line up with each other. “That gives it this dynamic, rhythmic appearance,” Gang says. “But it’s also good for the inside, because you have the benefits of the multiple exposures for the apartments.”

A DRAMATIC PORTAL

This is the view that pedestrians will have if they look straight up before entering the south portal of the passageway under the central tower. The white-paneled curved surface in the foreground swoops upward from the tunnel entrance, reaching the railing of an overlook at the Upper Wacker level.

A SLEEK PASSAGEWAY

The interior of the underpass is clad in polished metal panels and illuminated by recessed lighting, creating an inviting space that encourages pedestrians to flow freely from north to south and vice versa underneath the central tower. “The concept of it is, this will be a nice public connection between Lakeshore East Park and the Riverwalk,” says Gang.

CONTROLLING THE LIGHT

The view up Lake Shore Drive from the south highlights the distinctive reflectivity of the building’s exterior, which is surfaced in six different gradients of custom-coated glass, each designed to keep solar exposure consistent across the building’s undulating facade. As Gang explains it, “When you have the bigger floor plates that are in the center of one of these frustums, you don’t need as much coating on the glass. And then more tint is used as you go toward the narrower part.”

A PHANTOM FLOOR

One of the building’s most visible features is the so-called blow-through floor at the 83rd story, added to minimize swaying caused by high winds. “It’s not a big, fat building that can just overcome [swaying] with stiffness, which is the other tactic you can use,” Gang says. “I’m always in favor of a lighter-touch solution.”

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Between Water and Skyon January 6, 2021 at 3:09 pm Read More »