Virtual field trip episodes will post on www.HitPlayChicago.org and air on WTTW

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Citadel have launched a weekly video series of Stay Home. Hit Play that showcases the city’s museums and cultural institutions.

Although the series is targeted toward families and students, I think anyone, even seasoned museum goers, would enjoy the tours.

The first virtual tour at the Shedd Aquarium was aired on Wednesday, April 29. In it, Mayor Lightfoot stops by the Aquarium for a visit with the penguins, feeds the sharks and says hello to Nickel the rescued sea turtle

You can see the 30-minute video here.

Following the episode at Shedd Aquarium, viewers were invited to learn more by going to the StayHomeHitPlay website where they could download worksheets on the biodiversity of Earth’s ecosystems that feature educational activities targeted to various age groups.

New weekly tours,  lead by Mayor Lightfoot, will continue at institutions including the Field Museum, the National Museum of Mexican Art, the Museum of Science and Industry, DuSable Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago and Lincoln Park Zoo.

Lightfoot will join museum curators and staff on virtual tours of their most popular exhibits and share hidden treasures and behind-the=scenes happenings not usually seen by the public.

A new episode will be aired every week on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. on WTTW (11.1) and on Mondays at 12:30 p.m. on WTTW Prime (11.2). The series will air online on the Stay Home. Hit Play website on Wednesdays and Fridays. All segments will offer related student worksheets that can be downloaded from the Stay Home. Hit Play website.

“The exciting launch of Stay Home. Hit Play. allows our city’s cultural gems to come to life, ensuring our students are able to stay connected and engaged with our world-class museums and institutions amidst the unprecedented restrictions of COVID-19,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “We are especially appreciative of the partnership of our parents, students, museum leaders and staff, WTTW, as well as Citadel, whose support was instrumental for the creation of this series. As challenging as this moment has been, we will get through it together, and I look forward to joining all of Chicago in re-experiencing these inspiring sites when this crisis ends.”

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Standing accused of a crime is Joe Biden

That for years, it’s alleged, he’s been hidin’.

This sexual charge,

Since released lurks at large;

A case the court of public opinion’s tryin’.

With most sports around the world on pause, revisit iconic sports moments from the past to help fill that void.

On May 3, 2011, Derrick Rose was named NBA MVP. At 22 years and six months old, Rose is the youngest MVP in NBA history.

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Lake County Forest Preserves (LCFP) announced today that all summer camps, science explorers and nature programs for summer of 2020 will be cancelled–many will be replaced with “virtual” programs (see below)–due to the Covid virus.

Members of the Lake County Forest Preserves Operations Committee approved a recommendation to cancel or modify all special events, concerts, and in-person education programs scheduled for this summer and fall.

Among the cancellations are the popular Civil War Days and Gospel Fest along with the Summer concert series at Independence Grove.

LCFP Golf Courses will open in phases with restrictions and no golf outings will be held. All Forest preserves and trails wii remain open 6:30 am to sunset but Dog Exercise areas will remain closed. The beach and marina at Independence Grove will also be closed for the summer of 2020.

Here are the details on events and programs that have been canceled or altered:

• In-person summer camps running June 15–August 14 are canceled and many will be replaced with virtual camps to offer a balanced learning experience for children ages 6–14. Fees and schedules will be modified and auxiliary activities will provide at-home learning along with an outdoor adventure component. Virtual registration will be available soon at LCFPD.org/camps.
• Science Explorers in Nature will be offered virtually. A remote version of the program using traditional e-learning techniques will be offered to students from disadvantaged communities.
• Conservation Explorers is canceled. The program has a two-night stay in Indiana, which is in question because the venues students visit are currently closed.
• All nature and history educational programs, senior programs, and USG-sponsored Thursday Night programs will be conducted remotely through the rest of the year.
• Civil War Days is canceled. The event requires up to 600 volunteers to interact in close proximity. In prior years, up to 4,000 people have attended this event over the course of the weekend.
• Kids Nature Funfest is canceled. The event requires many organizations to participate with hands-on activities.
• OAKtober Celebration may be modified. The tree and shrub sale could be accomplished safely through online sales and curbside pickup. The family activities and educational portions of the event may be modified to fit general health guidelines at that point in time.
• Halloween Hikes may be modified to adapt safety features.
• Adlai Stevenson Historic Home programs and events are canceled.

Dunn Museum
A future reopening date is undetermined and modifications may have to be made to permanent exhibitions to address public health concerns for visitors and staff.

School Field Trips
Educators are working on curriculum support for teachers. These resources help teachers with their classroom’s e-learning, supporting topics they had chosen as their field trips. Staff is piloting remote field trips when requested.

Other Events, Programs, Facility Rentals

• Golf Courses are opening in phases as allowed under current restrictions. Check LCFPD.org/golf for details.
• Golf outings are canceled for the season.
• Summer concert series at Independence Grove in Libertyville and Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago are canceled.
• Gospelfest at Greenbelt Cultural Center is canceled.
• Banquet and facility rentals at Independence Grove, Greenbelt Cultural Center and ThunderHawk Golf Club are canceled through May and may remain canceled into the future until state guidelines are in place that allow for large gatherings.
• Food service at ThunderHawk Golf Club is canceled through May and will then be re-evaluated.
• Independence Grove beach and marina will not open this season.
• Dog Exercise Areas remain closed and will not reopen at this time based on CDC guidelines that say, “Do not let pets interact with people or other animals outside the household. Avoid dog parks or public places where a large number of people and dogs gather.”
• Youth group camping areas and the model aircraft field are closed.
• Picnic shelter rentals are canceled through the end of May and may remain canceled into the future until state guidelines are in place that allow for large gatherings.
• Special use permits for third-party events held within forest preserves are canceled.
• Staff will work with members of Stevenson Center for Democracy at the Adlai Stevenson Historic Home and the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, both license holders of the buildings, to assist in following the state’s public health and safety guidelines.

Forest preserves and trails remain open 6:30 am to sunset, said Executive Director Ty Kovach. “Our Ranger Police continue to closely monitor preserves and trails to ensure safety rules, social distancing and other public health guidelines are being followed,” he said. “As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we will continue to follow CDC guidelines and work in close coordination with the Lake County Health Department and other local partners.”

Due to seasonal flooding, before heading out to a forest preserve, check the interactive map at LCFPD.org/closures for the current status (open/closed) of preserve trails, community trail connections, and trail underpasses along the Des Plaines River Trail and the Millennium Trail. Public access is restricted at closed trails and underpasses. Please follow preserve and trail signage, and use caution around closures, construction or detour zones.

Check the Lake County Forest Preserves website (LCFPD.org) for updates.

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Charles Evans, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, held a chatty, telephonic presser with twenty or more business journalists this morning for an hour at 9 am (CST). The over-riding theme? The Treasury and the Fed are in lock-step on handling the Covid19 crisis (There was no mention of President Trump, presumptive 2020 Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden or specific state governors). His emphasis? If the country stays together, believes in and acts on “Shared sacrifice,” we will get through this, although there is plenty of uncertainty as to the exact path to take and outcome that will result.

Two things we all know: 1st quarter U. S. GDP declined at 4.8 % and 2nd Quarter consensus forecast is a 20% to 40% GDP decline.

President and CEO Evans clearly is working to formulate policy with his Fed colleagues on the 19 member Open Market Committee, led by Chairman Powell, with that depression era consensus forecast hanging over them. That’s perhaps why Congress, Treasury, the Federal Reserve & Trump seem non-plussed by their three trillion dollar “Economic Relief,” federal program.

The 3rd and 4th quarters are shrouded in mystery. If you are a business economist, you place your bet, and we’ll see who gets it right.

What’s President Charlie Evans predict? He didn’t quite say. But, Charlie seems to think we are a bit more likely to have growth in the 2nd half of this year than not, but it doesn’t sound like he would bet the ranch on that.

He did however emphasize that the Fed is not set up to take financial losses. Especially it’s $600 billion Main Street lending facility. It’s not giving out grants on this one, but making loans, with little if any “Forgiveness.” That facility is intended to assist borrowers who are Not-For-Profit, small and large companies and universities that are illiquid, not insolvent.

President Evans emphasized the Fed works closely with the Treasury, who can cushion losses for Fed run credit facilities. That’s part of Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s job.

Asked about the massive and growing national debt, Evans indicated this is not the time to focus on that issue.

Instead, he thought the federal government team (including the Federal Reserve on this one) realizes that with 10 yr treasuries at 61 basis points, now is the time for needed social investment whose social benefits far exceed the borrowing costs.

Evans was asked by this reporter about the contrarian view of a COVID19 solution coming from former Stanford chief neuroradiologist Scott Atlas, WSJ, Wirepoints and others that Fed and other policy makers should put greater emphasis on avoiding the human toll of another depression by opening up the U.S. Economy sooner rather than later and sending kids back to school and non-at risk employees back to work.

Evans replied that he was aware of the herd immunity argument, but didn’t touch on the notion of self-isolating the high risk- elderly and/or those with underlying conditions, as opposed to essentially quarantining most of America by having 330 million people Stay at Home.

Nor did President Evans comment on concentrating our resources on protecting the most vulnerable and taking advantage of the fact that almost anybody can get infected but, other than those most vulnerable, not seriously ill from COVID.  Evans emphasized in his response “We put a high value on human life.”

The economic data driven President Evans discussed U.S. unemployment perhaps reaching levels like 20% or higher soon (if not already) and what unemployment might look like in January 2021.

If the U.S. unemployment rate falls back to 5% by the end of 2020, higher than our 3.5 historic low of earlier this year, well then- Evans said we would seem poised for a strong 2021- which President Trump has predicted will be a “Great year.”

Alternatively, if unemployment is at 9% in early 2021, then, unless fiscal and monetary policy can offset that in short order, President Evans suggested we are probably headed for the sluggish, slowish economic recovery of 2011-2014.

President Evans, who has no Fed OMC vote this year, but a strong voice on the Open Market Committee, is not worried about inflation (notwithstanding the extremely high, recent rates of growth of the money stock). He said, “Prior to COVID19, we could never even reach our targeted inflation rate of 2%.” Nor did the Chicago Fed President seem worried that interest rates might hover around zero per cent for a long time.

No, the 12 year Chicago Fed President is counseling patience, commitment and generally staying the course in terms of our current fiscal, monetary and other governmental efforts to survive this once in a life time, health issue of COVID19.  He says there is a lot we will have to try, see how it works and adapt, as needed.

President Evans has no silver bullets nor unclouded crystal balls, but his is a steady, firm hand on the Chicago Fed’s tiller, while many others might panic during the pandemic.

Fancy Like Mommy company partner with Chicago’s own TK photography for the “Styling with The Heath Dolls” Fashion and Lifestyle Blog Series

About a month ago, Three year old Chicago fashion models and style influencers DBA “The Heath Dolls” announced the launch of their new fashion blog entitled “Styling with The Heath Dolls” The publication will be housed on the Chicago Tribune Chicago Now now website and will offer insight into all things related to children’s fashion and lifestyle.

TK Photography, a well known and established children and family photography company located in Chicago IL, has joined forces with the production to capture the best fashion and lifestyle visuals featuring the “The Heath Dolls” and occasional guest. The amazing work from TK’s photography company can be found in several other publications including Chicago Parent Magazine, Bump club and Beyond and Chicagoland Families.

The first publication of “Styling with The Heath Dolls” is set to launch June 1st 2020. Fancy Like Mommy will be hosting a virtual launch party inviting families, children’s boutique owners, stylist, and media to celebrate the occasion. The virtual party, will be hosted on The Heath Dolls official Instagram page. Be sure to follow them here for exact dates and time. https://www.instagram.com/theheathdolls/

To learn more about this topic or to become a featured sponsor, Email [email protected]

 learn more about TK photography and or book private photography sessions visithttps://www.tkphotographychicago.com/