And so we carried on with our lives, in spite of daily news. Wars and plagues, and weather. The skies were overcast gray for days. Rain fell on the buds of new leaves.

There are wildfires raging in New Mexico. There were tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma A tornado touched down in Oak Brook, IL, too.

And then one morning, there was a light in the sky—the sun! And blue sky above the fair-weather clouds.

It was time to cut the high spring grass on the parkway. I got out the push reel mower.

Waiting all winter, the first cut of the season! And the push mower remembers the grass, the clover and the violets. It still works! Yes, me, too.

Yes, I remember the smell of cut grass, and the cheerful yellow of dandelions in the sun.

And still, every spring surprises me— the tulips, the magnolias, the emerging red shoots of the peonies.

Now, rain again and flower buds on the lilacs and the leaves of the lily of the valley.

The long cool spring may soon give way to much warmer temperatures. A big warm-up is forecast for next week. Highs in the 90’s in Texas, possible 80’s here. Suddenly, summer!

At just 4 years old Columbia Skye & Meadow Reign known as The Heath Dolls asked their mom if they could create their own clothing brand. Their mom shocked by such a bold request immediately asked why. Their response…“So we can always wear matching clothes with you”

Dressing in matching Mommy and Me clothing is something the trio has done since the girls were months old but mainly for special occasions and holidays. 

“My girls and I really enjoy dressing alike. It’s a real bonding moment for us. I have always loved creating our looks and taking pictures to have the memories I know will last forever” However, over the years I’ve noticed the lack of matching mother and daughter styles in stores-and the ones available never really met current style trends. Instead I would find childish prints, cheap fabrics and styles that either made me look like a child or them look like adults.” Nellisa Heath

It didn’t take long before mom and her girls began working on a signature brand that was was true to their lifestyle and personal style. They loved the idea of creating a brand that would meet the needs of quality, comfort, affordability, style, and accessibility. 

Now a year later, the world will soon be introduced to “Fancy Girl Lifestyle” A luxury lifestyle brand that they hope to bond generations of women and girls together through fashion and accessories nationwide. 

For inquires and or to learn more about Fancy Girl Lifestyle email [email protected]

Arcade Fire’s two-part single “The Lightning I & II” was a great return to form, and “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)” follows suit. Not that this band really makes bad music, but they’ve gone through phases, and stylistic changes, that have led some astray. Now we are getting a healthy dose of the original pop they broke through with.

Engelwood caught fire during the pandemic when a lot of people needed a pick me up, and he never petered out. His flame is still a blazing with “Limsa” the new single from his upcoming album of the same name.

I got a random text this week with a Spotify link. I didn’t click the link because I thought it might be a virus or spam. On Friday I got together with my friend Adam for a beer and he explained that he was the one who sent The Lumineer’s cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” That link made sense now and we both had a good laugh. I told him I did see the song pop up in my #RADAR, and that it was a really cool, piano-based cover, unlike any other version I’ve heard.

Regina Spektor releases “Up The Mountain” this week, her second single from her new album, Home, before and after, to be released on June 24. Her first single, “Becoming All Alone” was really good, and fans should be excited about the quality of this new release.

Last week Wilco was on our #RADAR with a live version of “Reservations,” originally released on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Word on the street is they are prepping a special edition for the 20th anniversary of that album, while Cruel Country, their new double album is on the docket for May 27 with CDs and records to follow the digital release. They will play that album live for the first time at their own festival, Solid Sound.

Johnossi’s “Sunny” was a sweet surprise this week. I’ve never heard of the artist, but at first listen there’s a little Chris Cornell going on here, and I love his fierce growl!

I’ve never been a Swedish House Mafia superfan, but this single here is the definition of a banger, and maybe the darkest thing they’ve done yet. “Mafia” just grabs your innards and pulls you out of your seat. Get the fuck up and dance! Know what I mean!?

Delvon Lamarr and his organ trio grab the coveted Jazz Cut Of The Week spot with “Can I Change My Mind – Live.” It’s a little slice of happiness, and that’s enough for me these days. Is it jazz or is it blues? You make the call!

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Peter Matt (photo by Stephanie Lynn)

AAA

St. Paul 8, Iowa 1

Top Performers

Jared Young: 2-4, HR (6), R, RBI (.213)Ildemaro Vargas: 1-3, BB (.250)Erick Castillo: 2-4 (.500)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Your @EMCInsurance Player of the Game is Jared Young with this solo blast! (yes, @voiceofcohen called it) pic.twitter.com/5gooUejlE1

May 5, 2022

Good news: Wade Miley is set to start for Iowa today. Alec Mills has begun throwing again after his setback following his first rehab appearance with Iowa last week.

Bad news: @IowaCubs trail @StPaulSaints 8-1 after 7 innings.

Good news: Cayne Ueckert just hit 99 mph six times in the 7th inning. Gave up one unearned run, but stranded bases loaded by striking out old friend Elliot Soto on one of those heaters.

May 5, 2022

AA

Tennessee 10, Birmingham 4

Game Recap

Two of the hottest hitters in the Cubs system, Chase Strumpf and Nelson Velazquez, hit solo home runs in the early going. Singles by Levi Jordan and Luis Vazquez knocked in three more runs in the 4th. It was all the offense Ryan Jensen and Smokies pen required.

Footage: pic.twitter.com/njiaotErKa

May 4, 2022

Jensen wasn’t very efficient, and I struggle to see enough progress from him this year to expect him to remain a starter long term, but he limited the damage through four innings. Blake Whitney followed, and continued his strong season to earn the win. Next up was Burl Carraway, he threw well in his first inning, but lost control in his second, which allowed the Barons to pull within a run in the 8th.

The Smokies offense added four insurance runs in the top of the 9th to pull away.

Top Performers

Nelson Velazquez: 2-3, HR (9), 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB (4) (.278)Chase Strumpf: 3-5, HR (5), 3 R, RBI (.229)Andy Weber: 2-4, R, RBI, BB (.261)Levi Jordan: 2-4, R, RBI, BB (.400)Christopher Morel: 2-5, 3B, R, RBI (.309)Harrison Wenson: 1-3, RBI, BB (.154)Ryan Jensen: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K (5.51)Blake Whitney: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (W, 2-0, 3.38)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Ben Hecht (2021 TJS) threw a bullpen in Mesa according to AZ Phil.

High-A

South Bend 6, Peoria 3

Game Recap

Alexander Canario and Bradlee Beesley, who were pivotal in their comeback victory the night before gave South Bend, homered to give them an early 3-2 advantage. Joe Nahas allowed a run in the 3rd which tied it, but held the Chiefs there over the next five innings. Nahas has been a key piggyback starter in the org the last couple of years. He’d struggled a bit to open the year, but hopefully yesterday was springboard to get him back on track. He punched out seven over six innings.

The Cubs are making a habit of late inning offensive dramatics. This time it was an 8th inning three-run Matt Mervis homer which secured the victory for South Bend.

ICYMI… Today we belted 3 @hoosierlottery homers, including a game-winning 3-run homer from Matt Mervis in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/9qssYZ5QZp

May 4, 2022

Top Performers

Alexander Canario: 1-2, HR (7), 2 R, RBI, 2 BB (.289)Bradlee Beesley: 1-3, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, BB (.246)Matt Mervis: 1-4, HR (5), R, 3 RBI (.299)Caleb Knight: 1-2, R, BB (.182)Scott McKeon: 1-3, SB (2) (.200)Yohendrick Pinango: 1-4, 2B, R (.244)Joe Nahas: 6 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 7 K (W, 1-0, 4.70)Jeremiah Estrada: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (S, 2, 1.08)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Kohl Franklin started and went two innings. The Cubs are not pushing him very hard after he missed the last two years of development. He’s looked understandably rusty. The stuff looks good, but he’s shown very little command thus far. It is going to be a slow build up for him this year, and I wouldn’t expect great results during the first half of the season.

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 24, Salem 6

Game Recap

I’m not even sure what to say. The Pelicans are riding high in 1st place and it is becoming a regular occurrence for them to blow teams out. This was another level though.

With @Cubs outfield prospect Peter Matt unexpectedly leading the way with 2⃣ homers and 7⃣ RBIs, @Pelicanbaseball delivered the young season’s biggest show of offense: https://t.co/4L9dxgxFYr pic.twitter.com/kwhrAoERyD

May 5, 2022

No. 13 @Cubs prospect Reginald Preciado plated a career-high six runs … and he wasn’t even the @Pelicanbaseball biggest RBI man Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/XPPPqpVROU

May 5, 2022

Put it in the books!@Cubs prospects Pete Crow-Armstrong (No. 6) and Reginald Preciado (No. 11) played major roles in the 24-run offensive barrage by the @Pelicanbaseball: https://t.co/gBNyK1qjOz pic.twitter.com/UYZGa7d2di

May 5, 2022

Top Performers

Peter Matt: 3-5, 2 HR (1, 2), 3 R, 7 RBI, SF (.259)Pete Crow-Armstrong: 3-6, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB (.392)B.J. Murray: 3-4, 2 2B, 4 R, 5 RBI, BB, HBP (.276)Reginald Preciado: 4-6, 2 2B, R, 6 RBI (.186)Yeison Santana: 2-3, 2B, 4 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB (.327)Cole Roederer: 4-7, 2 2B, 3 R (.545)Ethan Hearn: 2-4, 4 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB (3) (.214)Kevin Alcantara: 0-3, 2 R, 2 BB (.232)Luke Little: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 4 K (3.86)

CHICAGO —Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced today that the City has selected Bally’s Corporation to be the recipient of its sole casino license and the developer to create a world-class casino-resort and entertainment experience in Chicago on the site of the Tribune Publishing Center.  

Not the best kept secret

For over a week word has been leaking through the media that the Bali project would be selected as the site of the new casino. Well the mayor denied this until today when he said: “I am proud to announce that Bally’s Corporation will create a world-class entertainment district in our city that will delight residents and tourists alike, she continues, “Following significant analyses and community input on all aspects of our three finalists for Chicago’s casino license, the selection committee and I have chosen Bally’s to move forward in the development of the City’s first integrated casino resort. We are confident that Bally’s Tribune Publishing Center development will shore up the City’s pension funds, create thousands of good-paying jobs, and lead to a bright financial future for our city.”  

A closer look at the proposal

The proposal from Bally’s entails a $1.7 billion casino project and hotel on a portion of the current industrial Tribune Publishing Center. This includes a 3,000-seat theater; an Immerse Agency exhibition experience; an extension of the Riverwalk; pedestrian bridge; a 500-room hotel tower; an outdoor park; an outdoor music venue; an amenity terrace featuring a large pool spa, fitness center and sun deck; and six restaurants, cafes and a food hall. The casino will offer space for 3,400 slots and 170 table games. Bally’s Corporation projected the development will add more than 3,000 construction jobs annually and 3,000 permanent casino jobs.  

Why Bally?

Economic and Financial Benefits to the City: Bally’s offered the strongest overall financial offer to the City. Bally’s provided a $40 million upfront payment at the time of the signing of the Host Community Agreement along with $4 million annually per year thereafter.  Bally’s has also provided the highest minimum capital commitment to the project, and is the only submitting operator that did not have a competing casino in the Chicagoland region.  Job Creation: Bally’s has completed an agreement with organized labor, which the City deems necessary for this process to move forward. Bally’s will commit to 60% minority hiring and will create a jobs program specifically targeting neighborhoods with the highest levels of unemployment and lowest income. The jobs program also will include clear career pathways for upward mobility.  Equity: Bally’s has provided a unique proposal concerning equity through a crowdfunding initiative, which includes the ability for small investors to leverage up their investment with non-recourse debt. The casino also will create opportunities for small, local restaurants and businesses to have business opportunities in the casino. Design, Planning, Amenities, and Transportation: The casino is proposed on a site that sits within an important land-use transition zone, with several large-scale existing industrial and commercial uses nearby that will continue to provide critical services to the City.  Site: Bally’s will be purchasing the entire Tribune site and is, therefore, flexible in how the other parcels within this planned development can be redeveloped; the company has committed to take input from the community for these pieces. Temporary Casino: Bally’s anticipates operating a temporary casino at the Medinah Temple. This was chosen due to its proximity to major transit and retail/hospitality corridors, as well as its ability to assist in the City’s post-Covid revitalization. 

What; Next

Now that Bally’s Corporation has been selected, a comprehensive host community agreement memorializing the agreed upon terms will be negotiated. The host community agreement will then be evaluated by an Aldermanic special committee. The committee will consist of all the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of City Council Committees as well as President Pro Tempore Alderman Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward. The Special Committee will be chaired by Alderman Tom Tunney, 44th Ward, and vice-chaired by Alderman Jason Ervin, 28th Ward. All of the City Council will be involved in the process for the final recommendation.  

On May 9 there will be a subject matter hearing for the special committee to ask questions about the selected finalist. The City will host a community engagement event at UIC Forum, 725 W Roosevelt Road on May 12, 2022 from 7PM – 9PM. The public can register to attend beginning May 5, 2022 at 11AM on the registration page

A Long Time Coming

The City of Chicago first declared intentions to develop a casino more than 30 years ago. Original legislation for the casino license passed in Springfield in May of 2019 and months later the City fielded public interest in a Chicago casino with a survey that revealed favorable responses. The City then identified tax rates were too high and Union Gaming conducted a feasibility study in August 2019 that determined at the current rate, a casino would not be feasible in the city. The City earned an amended tax structure in May 2020 and Union Gaming announced via a whitepaper in August 2020 that under the amended tax structure, a Chicago casino was an operationally and financially feasible option. With the pandemic impacting much of the gaming industry, the City issued a request for information (RFI) which led to 11 responses from interested potential bidders.  

In April of 2021, the City issued the official requests for proposals (RFP). The RFP closed in October and resulted in five proposals from four bidders. In March of 2022, following a complete evaluation report and community presentations in December, the City narrowed the bids to three finalists. In April 2022, the finalists held community engagement with each of the bidders, and following further evaluation, on May 5, Bally’s Corporation at Tribune Publishing Center was selected as the recipient of the City’s sole casino license. . 

The Location

The location of the proposed casino at Halsted and Chicago Avenue in the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center promises to be an exciting extension to Chicago Riverwalk creating a one of a kind entertainment center.