Not so long ago, l guest-lectured at Columbia College in Chicago. My topic? ‘A Woman’s experiences in Sports Journalism.’

To the Gen Y’s in the room, who had grown up in a Post-Title IX era, it seemed incredible that l had to fight for my place in sports journalism, that l, as a Pre-Title IX baby, that l was refused the opportunity to play in Little League, and that l was restricted in my career about mentioning women’s sports during broadcasts. After all, their generation had grown up in Little League and gym together.

Afterward, a student asked me, “When do you think women will be accepted without reservation?’

My ‘Baby Boomer’ professor jumped in. “When men my age die, ” he said, without a hint of irony.

Six years ago, l wrote several Token Female columns about the lack of women show hosts in Chicago radio. I also wrote several columns regarding remarks Score hosts had made regarding women. With the hiring of Julie DiCaro and Maggie Hendricks, l had no need to write any columns, as the remarks about women diminished to nil. And DiCaro’s ratings were in the Top 10 for evenings…no small feat for a Chicago all-sports station.

And then, they were gone, in an apparent Covid-19 related purge.

Coincidentally, it appeared that the ‘Boys Club’ returned, this time in the person of afternoon host Dan McNeil, whom I’ve known since my internship days at WBEZ.

Let’s let Awful Announcing, who broke the story, take it from here:

During Monday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, Dan McNeil of Chicago’s 670 The Score sent out the following tweet about ESPN sideline reporter Maria Taylor: “NFL sideline reporter or a host for the AVN annual awards presentation?” (note: AVN is an adult video awards show)

As l was writing this column, a follow -up column by the venerable Robert Feder announced the following:

…”Announcing that McNeil was no longer employed by The Score, Rachel Williamson, senior vice president and market manager of Entercom Chicago, announced that McNeil was no longer employed by The Score in an email to staff.

“For each one of us our words have power. For our brands and on-air personalities that are amplified and brings increased responsibility in how we chose to use our voices. Last night’s tweet, and its degrading and humiliating tone to a fellow female broadcaster, was unacceptable,” Williamson wrote.

While l applaud the swift decision by Ms. Williamson to shut down such ‘Boys Club’ actions, l have another suggestion:  Let’s bring back Julie and Maggie as afternoon hosts. Their salaries are certainly ‘in-line, ‘ they have a built-in audience, and Danny Parkins is a fine addition to any show The Score offers. He’s proven that over the years.

As for my long-time friend, Danny Mac: I support you as a fellow broadcaster. Please use these moments to evolve, and use your voice to support women in broadcasting. You were an early supporter of mine, and l don’t forget that. Those who know better, do better.  Please do better.

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Chicago Eats is sad to report that the pandemic has taken another life. This time it is Wells Street Market.

It was last November that I stopped by Wells Street Market for a special event at Fry the Coop. The Market was rock’n.

Wells Street Market to Close September 18

Who would have dreamed that ten months later it would be lights out.

The Loop’s food hall in the middle of it all (or what used to be the middle of it all) has made the difficult decision to close its doors.

The food hall will have its last supper on September 18.

Hurry

Until then, the Market will be offering specials and freebies to thank their patrons for all of the love and support over the past few years.

Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer

“From all of us at the Wells Street Market, it has been an honor and a joy to serve Chicagoans every day. It’s been a remarkable journey with all of our wonderful tenants including Firecakes, Fry the Coop, Fare and so many more. We hope to one day bring back the excitement that was first created when we opened our doors.”

Specials

• On Monday, September 14 – Friday, September 18, Grand Central Bar will be open from 12pm – 7 pm, offering drink specials and wholesale deals on all unopened bottles of liquor & spirits.
• On the last day of service, Friday, September 18, between 11am – 3 pm, Fry the Coop is treating all patrons to a free meal including a sandwich, fries and a drink.

The Future

It is still unclear what the future will hold for the Wells Street Market, but we hope for the possibility of reopening one day when life goes back to some sense of normalcy.”

About Wells St. Market

Located along the Chicago River on the northern edge of Chicago’s Loop, steps from the Merchandise Mart and the Chicago Riverwalk, Wells Street Market taps into the city’s best chefs, purveyors and artisans for its elevated take on an urban food hall. Located at 205 W. Wacker Drive #100, the airy, casual market boasts nine fast-casual food stalls and appeals to a wide range of tastes with American, Asian, Italian, Mediterranean and Mexican cultures serving as inspiration. Grand Central Bar, where fine-casual fare meets remarkably modern cocktails, offers a rotating selection of seasonally inspired cocktails, wine and beer, plus food menu.

Created by Michael Marsal, Victor Alvarez and the entire team at Alvarez & Marsal Property Investments, Wells Street Market is on the ground floor of a high-rise building nestled on the corner of Wells & Wacker. The 10,500 sq.-ft space designed by Studio K presents a sophisticated atmosphere with modern accents throughout, along with accordion-style and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the outdoors in. Weather permitting, a sidewalk patio provides additional seating outside, plus indoor event space accommodating up to 300 people.

Wells St. Market is open Monday – Friday, 7 am – 7 pm until September 18. For more information, visit www.wsmchicago.com or call 312.614.4176.

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Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs airs at 8:30 pm and midnight on Cable Ch. 21 (CAN TV). 

The show features  a discussion of the potential  threat to Mike Madigan’s decades long reign as speaker and freedom as the Feds appear to consider filing charges against him and others at or involved with COMED, Illinois state government, Chicago and/or Cook County politics and/or politicians.

Watch Jeff Berkowitz and Illinois Channel’s Executive Editor Terry Martin discuss the Federal investigation relating to Speaker Mike Madigan, former COMED CEO Anne Pramaggiore, fomer long time City Club of Chicago President Jay Doherty and already charged (by the Feds) former COMED senior VP, Government Relations, Fidel Marquez.

The COMED deferred prosecution agreement with the U. S. Attorney (ND, IL) John Lausch and its implications, along with those of other public reports, for the possible actions against Madigan, Pramaggiore, Doherty and others are discussed in detail

Also discussed is the deferred prosecution agreement’s statements about discussions purporting to relate to Speaker Madigan’s desire to influence the appointment of someone to the COMED Board of Directors.

Also discussed is former State GOP Chairman Pat Brady and his somewhat peculiar decision to endorse Democrat Cong. Sean Casten in the IL 6th CD contest involving incumbent Casten and his challenger, former State Rep. Jeanne Ives.

Ives came within 20,000 votes of becoming the Republican nominee for Governor in 2018.   Brady has never held a publicly elected office.

You can also watch 24/7 the show featuring cameos by Governor Pritzker, Pat Brady and Jeanne Ives by clicking here.