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WHAT DO YOU DO? WHAT DO YOU DO?citizen john q publicon June 4, 2020 at 5:15 am

Go Do Good!

WHAT DO YOU DO? WHAT DO YOU DO?

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WHAT DO YOU DO? WHAT DO YOU DO?citizen john q publicon June 4, 2020 at 5:15 am Read More »

5 Independent Plant Shops for Gardening in ChicagoAudrey Snyderon May 29, 2020 at 7:13 pm

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As we self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic, many folks are looking for ways to pass the time, connect with other living things, and stay in touch with nature. Not only are people adopting and fostering animals in record numbers, but interest in home gardening also appears to have risen. If you’ve been wanting to get green with everybody else while supporting local businesses, check out these five plant shops for gardening tools and tips in Chicago.

plant shops chicago
Photo Credit: adamsandsongardens.com

Adams & Son Gardens

1057 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

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Family-owned and operated since 1993, this neighborhood garden center also runs a blog on their website full of helpful tips for different gardening projects. At the shop, they’re able to accommodate requests for floral baskets and arrangements.

plant shops chicago
Photo Credit: Gethsemane Garden Center Facebook

Gethsemane Garden Center

5739 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660

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This shop in the Edgewater/Andersonville area is committed not only to helping you realize your home gardening dreams but also to building a strong and connected community through events and neighborhood projects.

plant shops chicago
Photo Credit: Plant Shop Chicago Facebook

Plant Shop Chicago

4601 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

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You can find just the right plant babies to grow big and strong on your empty windowsill with the help of Plant Shop Chicago, located in the Albany Park/Mayfair area. The people of Plant Shop Chicago are here to help you select something that truly fits your life and your budget.

plant shops chicago
Photo Credit: City Escape Garden Center & Design Studio Facebook

CityEscape Garden Center

3022 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60612

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This Garfield Park-based, European-style garden center has been bringing a wide and impressive variety of flowers and other greenery to Chicago for over 10 years. In addition to finding the supplies you need to complete your home gardening project, you can also work with design staff to plan your new backyard (or back patio) paradise.

Photo Credit: Fertile LTD Facebook

Fertile

1646 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614

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Catering to everyone from landscape professionals to… homebound nonprofessionals, Fertile (of Lakeview) not only sells cut flowers, shrubs, trees, and more but can also provide guidance for garden design and maintenance.

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5 Independent Plant Shops for Gardening in ChicagoAudrey Snyderon May 29, 2020 at 7:13 pm Read More »

PHOTOS: Eric Ferguson, of ‘Eric in the Morning,’ sells Hinsdale home at a loss for $2.9 millionChicagoNow Staffon June 3, 2020 at 2:41 pm

ChicagoNow Staff Blog

PHOTOS: Eric Ferguson, of ‘Eric in the Morning,’ sells Hinsdale home at a loss for $2.9 million

©2020 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
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PHOTOS: Eric Ferguson, of ‘Eric in the Morning,’ sells Hinsdale home at a loss for $2.9 millionChicagoNow Staffon June 3, 2020 at 2:41 pm Read More »

Bella and Bubba — Petraits RescueChicagoNow Staffon June 3, 2020 at 2:40 pm


Pets in need of homes

Bella and Bubba — Petraits Rescue

©2020 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
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Bella and Bubba — Petraits RescueChicagoNow Staffon June 3, 2020 at 2:40 pm Read More »

Donald Trump, the pandemic, protests and 2020: Great for writers, bad for humanityHoward Mooreon June 3, 2020 at 9:00 am

I’ve Got The Hippy Shakes

Donald Trump, the pandemic, protests and 2020: Great for writers, bad for humanity

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©2020 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
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Donald Trump, the pandemic, protests and 2020: Great for writers, bad for humanityHoward Mooreon June 3, 2020 at 9:00 am Read More »

Nonviolence does work; rampage, cruelty and destruction do notDennis Byrneon June 3, 2020 at 5:02 pm


The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

Nonviolence does work; rampage, cruelty and destruction do not

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Nonviolence does work; rampage, cruelty and destruction do notDennis Byrneon June 3, 2020 at 5:02 pm Read More »

DJ and producer Jordan Zawideh drops an homage to oddball old-school houseJ.R. Nelsonon June 3, 2020 at 11:00 am

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Jordan Zawideh - PHOTO BY M. VILLARREAL

Chicago DJ and producer Jordan Zawideh has house music in his blood. Since moving here from Detroit in 1998, he’s introduced countless dance heads to top-shelf tracks–not just from behind the register at beloved record stores such as Weekend Records & Soap and KStarke but also from behind the decks at countless local nightspots, including Danny’s and Berlin. He hasn’t released many jams of his own, but on Friday, May 1, he dropped the double 12-inch Ce Es Music (via Dutch label No “Label”). A couple years back, Zawideh says, “I had a crate of some pretty rare sentimental records stolen.” He created these tracks in the weeks after the theft, and like many of the lost classics in that crate, they’re laced with the delightfully rude samples and oddly syncopated rhythms of old-school house. Gossip Wolf can’t wait to hear the acid-dipped “Work Delay” and the dubbed-out, juddering “In a Dream” on a packed dance floor, instead of just on headphones!

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markrh . (RHD-037CS5) Jordan Zawideh – Work Delay

Talented musicians from around the world have been buying scores from sheet-music emporium Performers Music since 1981, when it was opened by violist and violinist Lee Newcomer. Newcomer says sales have plunged due to COVID-19, putting the store’s future in doubt. Performers (now located in the Fine Arts Building on Michigan) has set up a GoFundMe, and Gossip Wolf recommends donating–so much of the music ecosystem is now in crisis that it’s easy to overlook this kind of niche institution!

Last year, Chicago bedroom folkie Jess Shoman released her first album as Tenci, My Heart Is an Open Field. Its tender songwriting and fragile, windswept melodies won over this wolf, and they’ve since earned her lots more fans–including the folks who run Austin label Keeled Scales, which will reissue My Heart Is an Open Field on Friday, June 5. Shoman will celebrate with a Hideout Online set at 8 PM the same day; there’s a $5 suggested tip. v

Got a tip? Tweet @Gossip_Wolf or e-mail [email protected].

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DJ and producer Jordan Zawideh drops an homage to oddball old-school houseJ.R. Nelsonon June 3, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Chicago Events That Have Been Canceled This Year Over COVID-19Alicia Likenon June 1, 2020 at 2:02 pm

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It hasn’t been a great year for Chicago events. Many city leaders have had to make heartbreaking decisions to cancel beloved activities due to safety and health concerns. But before we dive into everything that’s been canceled, let’s start on a high note and quickly call out things that are still happening (as of publishing): Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, The Air and Water Show, and Taste of Chicago are on. 

Even though this year’s been a bust, we’re already stoked for summer 2021. There’s a good chance we’ll look back on this time like, “2020? We don’t even know her.” So with that said, let’s take a peek at everything we can officially remove from our calendars. 

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Music events, concerts, and festivals

ravinia cancelled
Photo Credit: Ravinia

Ravinia Festival

June – September @ Ravinia | Canceled

Located in Highland Park, Ravinia is North America’s oldest music festival with over 140 musically diverse events, typically running June through September. Big names like John Legend and Sting have taken the Ravinia stage. The event draws large crowds which has forced organizers to cancel all public and private events.

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Grant Park Music Festival

June 10 – August 15 @ Millennium Park | Canceled

We won’t be enjoying live music in Millennium Park this year. The festival staff and board decided to cancel the 2020 season, originally scheduled for June 10 through August 15. However, there may be a digital experience in the works. Festival President and CEO Paul Winberg has stated, “We are working on creative solutions to bring the joy of the Grant Park Music Festival to our audience through virtual free programs this summer and to continue inspiring Chicago with the power of music in this difficult time.”

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Logan Square Arts Festival

June 26 – 28 @ Logan Square | Canceled

The folks at I AM Logan Square have decided not to move forward with the 2020 Logan Square Arts Festival which was planned for June 26 – 28. On their website, they’ve stated, “we are going to spend the rest of 2020 looking at other ways to benefit and celebrate this community. The LSAF will be back in 2021. Be safe.”

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Pitchfork
Photo Credit: Pitchfork Music Festival Facebook

Pitchfork Music Festival

July 17 – 19 @ Union Park | Canceled

The staff at Pitchfork made a tough call to cancel the popular event saying, “It can be pretty daunting to think about the future of live music right now, but know that we are fully committed to bringing Pitchfork Music Festival back in 2021.” If you already bought tickets, you’ll be contacted directly through email on refund options. 

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Jimmy Buffett

July 18 @ United Center | Canceled

Sorry, Parrotheads, but you’ll have to wait until next year to see Jimmy and the Coral Reefer Band. Originally planned for July 18th at the United Center, the one-night-only margarita-themed event was set to draw large crowds. But unfortunately, tailgating and coronavirus don’t mix. 

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Food and drink

Chicago Craft Beer Week 2016

Illinois Craft Beer Week

May 15 – 22 @ Multiple Venues | Canceled

This statewide, weeklong celebration of tap takeovers, beer tastings, and fun events at local breweries and bars was supposed to go down May 15 – 22. However, the event has been put on hold indefinitely and most likely won’t happen this year. 

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Taste of Randolph

June 19 – 21 @ West Loop | Canceled

Chicago’s most iconic street festival was originally scheduled for June 19 – 21, however, the event has been canceled by the West Loop Community Organization. Some good news: event organizers say there will be alternative programming in June.

Athletic activities

Bike the Drive
Photo Credit: Bike the Drive

Bike the Drive

May 24 @ Lake Shore Drive | Canceled

This annual event typically sees thousands of bicyclists trekking for 30 miles along Lake Shore Drive. Unfortunately, city officials put the Fifth Third’s Bike the Drive on halt, which was originally scheduled for May 24. If you paid for registration, you can donate your money to the non-profit’s fund for next year’s event or request a full refund. 

World Naked Bike Ride Chicago

June 13 @ Secret Location | Postponed

According to their website, the World Naked Bike Ride is “an international clothing-optional people-powered event where participants ride in mass bringing attention to freedom from oil while also promoting positivity.” Originally scheduled for June 13, the 17th annual ride date has yet to be determined. 

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Pitchfork Music Festival

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Chicago Events That Have Been Canceled This Year Over COVID-19Alicia Likenon June 1, 2020 at 2:02 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: 4 players facing make-or-break seasons in 2020Ryan Heckmanon June 3, 2020 at 11:00 am

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Chicago Bears, Matt Nagy

Chicago Bears (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Going into the 2020 NFL season, the Chicago Bears have to see improvement out of some players.

It is my hope for the 2020 Chicago Bears that they are a group led by a general manager and head coach who are not messing around. Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy have to attack the coming season with that type of approach. There can be no more settling for average performance.

I believe those two are in that mindset, especially seeing how they went about the quarterback position this offseason. Pace has built, for the most part, a Super-Bowl-ready roster. This defense will carry the team week-in and week-out. But, at the same time, the offense has to catch up now.

From 2018 to 2019 we saw some players regress in a big way. We saw Nagy regress, too, if we’re being honest. The 2020 season has to see a collective effort to right the wrongs from a year ago. It starts at the top.

Though it starts at the top, the players are the ones on the field. The product depends on elite performance from these guys, and the Bears might see a few players on their way out after the 2020 season.

This is a crucial season for both Pace and Nagy. The offense has to be better, which means there are certain players who must be better. The future of the Bears depends on these guys. Heck, their own future depends on their play in 2020. The Bears have some players who will be playing for a contract next offseason, and whether or not that contract is in Chicago, I’m sure these young men would like to maximize their money.

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In particular, I see four players who must drastically improve in 2020. In order for the Bears to be a better football team all around, they have no other choice. Let’s break each one of them down real quick.

Next: Player No. 1

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Chicago Bears: 4 players facing make-or-break seasons in 2020Ryan Heckmanon June 3, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Chicago Cubs: Players set up for success against AL CentralRyan Sikeson June 3, 2020 at 1:00 pm

(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

As part of the league’s proposal, the NL Central would play within the division and the AL Central. Which Chicago Cubs are set up for success?

While we wait on the owners and MLBPA to seemingly agree on the number of games for the 2020 season, at least we know one item is for certain. In an effort to reduce the amount of travel – and thus exposure – to the coronavirus pandemic, MLB is proposing to realign the NL Central with the AL Central. So the Chicago Cubs would play their normal divisional opponents as well as crossover with the Twins, Tigers, Royals, Indians, and oh yes, the White Sox.

It seems like eons ago like the hottest topic was whether the Cubs would trade Kris Bryant. He will remain with the team at least through this year, and unless traded, next year with the hope that he and the Cubs can agree to a long-term extension. Through his first five years, Bryant has hit a cool .250 against the AL Central with five home runs and 15 RBI over a 39-game sample size. Unfortunately, he also has the most strikeouts (56) on the team since 2015.

Let’s look at the rest of the Cubs roster and see who has (or hasn’t) had success against the AL Central.

Jason Heyward: .214 AVG, 1 HR, 5 RBI

Ian Happ: .263 AVG, 3 HR, 8 RBI

Kyle Schwarber: .275, 11 HR, 28 RBI

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Schwarber has been one of the most productive in terms of home runs and RBI. The majority of his production has come against the White Sox, hitting .263 with four bombs and 13 runs driven in. However, over smaller sample sizes, Schwarber has also had success against the Indians (.345 AVG, 3 HR, 6 RBI) and Tigers (.333 AVG, 3 HR, 5 RBI). He, of course, went off in the 2016 World Series, and his .471 batting average at Progressive Field is easily the best at any AL Central ballpark.

Javier Baez: .285 AVG, 5 HR, 18 RBI

Anthony Rizzo: .307 AVG, 9 HR, 34 RBI

David Bote: .308 AVG, 3 HR, 13 RBI

Willson Contreras: .320 AVG, 8 HR, 26 RBI

Who could forget Contreras’ granny off Lucas Giolito last year? And another in the bottom of the third inning.

Albert Almora Jr.: .342 AVG, 8 doubles, 8 RBI

What about Cubs pitchers?

I’m glad you asked because that’s a different story. Only Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks have a sub-4.00 ERA against AL Central opponents since 2015. And the turnover in the Cubs rotation and bullpen could be problematic this year as Jose Quintana has a 6.23 ERA against AL Central foes, while Tyler Chatwood sporting a 7.97 ERA. Not great, Bob.

Quintana is a fascinating story and could go down as one of the biggest trade regrets in Cubs’ history simply because of what they gave up to get him here. That said, don’t be surprised if the Cubs entertain the idea of bringing him back next year. He’s still just 31 years old and is a serviceable fourth or fifth starter.

Plus, for whatever reason, he pitches phenomenally against the Brewers – 2.87 career ERA and .207 average against, easily the best against any opponent.

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Chicago Cubs: Players set up for success against AL CentralRyan Sikeson June 3, 2020 at 1:00 pm Read More »