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At least 75 people shot in Chicago over the weekend. Cop among the 9 killed, 16 wounded in three mass shootingsSun-Times Wireon August 9, 2021 at 1:01 pm

At least 75 people were shot over the weekend in Chicago, more than half during a 10-hour span that saw a Chicago police officer killed and three mass shootings that wounded 16 people.

The mass shootings occurred about an hour apart in Gresham on the South Side early Sunday, not long after two Chicago Police officers were shot during a traffic stop in West Englewood.

One of the officers, Ella French, 29, died in the shooting, which occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at 63rd Street and Bell Avenue. Her partner remained in critical condition at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Other attacks:

— The first mass shooting was at a lounge in the 1800 block of West 87th Street on the South Side, police said. Around 2:05 a.m., a 24-year old man started shooting after getting into an argument with a a 37-year-old man, police said.

The older man was shot twice in the neck and three times in the back. He died at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said. The 24-year-old was shot eight times and was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition, according to the police. He was taken into custody.

At least five others at the lounge were also shot. A man, 38, was shot once in the abdomen and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, police said. Also taken to that hospital were a 23-year-old man, grazed in the face, and a 37-year-old woman shot in the back. Their conditions were stabilized, police said.

Two men, 33 and 56, were taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park where their conditions were stabilized, according to police.

— About an hour earlier and about two miles away, a gunman opened fire following an altercation with two security guards who wouldn’t let him into a club in the 8300 block of South Halsted Street, police said.

One of the guards, 40, was shot multiple times and was taken to Christ Medical Center where he died, police said. The other guard, 42, was shot in the back twice and in the thigh, police said. He was taken to Christ in serious condition, police said.

At least three other people standing nearby were shot, police said. Two males, ages unknown, were each shot in the leg and went to Little Company of Mary, police said. A man, 21, was shot in the chin and taken to the University of Chicago where his condition was stabilized, police said.

— Around 7 p.m., Saturday, four men were wounded in a shooting on the Near West Side that left three of them in critical condition, police said. The group was standing near a park in the 200 block of South Maplewood Street when someone fired from a car, according to Chicago police.

Three of the men, ages 23, 27 and 28, were struck multiple times and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said. A 20-year-old man was struck in the ankle and taken to the hospital in good condition, police said.

— Just before 12:25 a.m. Sunday, three people were shot while at a gathering outside in the 11400 block of South Throop Street in Morgan Park on the Far South Side, police said.

A man, 39, was shot in his lower back and woman, 24, was shot in the buttocks, police said. They were both taken to Christ where their conditions were stabilized, police said. Another man, 24, was grazed in his leg and was treated and released at the scene, police said.

— A man was fatally shot in the South Loop on the Near South Side. Just before 2 a.m., the victim, 24, was shot three times in his abdomen in the 2200 block of South Michigan Avenue, police said. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

— A person was found shot to death in a car on the Southwest Side. Just before 1:00 a.m., a man, 47, was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his torso in the 3000 block of West 38th Street, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. He has not been identified.

— In the weekend’s most recent fatal shooting, one man was killed and another wounded Sunday morning in Austin on the West Side.

About 11:40 a.m., the men, 30 and 62, were standing on the sidewalk in the 5400 block of West Augusta Boulevard when two people approached and fired, police said.

The 30-year-old was struck in the head and chest, and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He has not yet been identified. The older man was struck in the buttocks and taken to the same hospital, where his condition was stabilized, police said.

Fifty other people, including two boys 16 and 17, were shot across Chicago over the weekend.

Fifty-one people were shot, six fatally, citywide last weekend.

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At least 75 people shot in Chicago over the weekend. Cop among the 9 killed, 16 wounded in three mass shootingsSun-Times Wireon August 9, 2021 at 1:01 pm Read More »

A New Book Redefines the Refugee ExperienceLynette Smithon August 9, 2021 at 1:52 pm

What led you to Sullivan for your new book, Refugee High: Coming of Age in America?

Most refugees in Chicago are resettled in Rogers Park, and for many of them, Sullivan is their neighborhood school.

The kids have incredibly varied needs. Some can only communicate through Google Translate. Others refuse lunch because they’re used to eating just one meal a day in their home countries. What is Sullivan doing right for them?

You think of a refugee kid, and then you don’t necessarily think about how diverse that set is. You have kids from Syria who graduated college but fled and don’t have any of their papers, so they’re reluctantly back in high school. Or you have kids in the same classroom who spent their entire lives in a refugee camp and have very little formal education. It comes down to flexibility and understanding that the education is going to look different for every kid.

The book originated as a story in Chicago magazine. What made you think there was more to mine?

With a book, there’s just so much more space to explore contradictions and nuances and all the small, beautiful things about these kids’ lives. I was interested in complicating this idea of a refugee narrative.

One way you do that is through interludes that tell the parents’ stories. What’s one that resonated with you?

I had heard that Tobias [the father of a Congolese refugee] probably wouldn’t talk to me. And you can tell that he is broken in a lot of ways without even talking to him. I went into that interview expecting very little. There was a moment where I was sitting there, and he started telling me about when he fled the Congo with his daughter. He started singing this lullaby out of nowhere, the lullaby he would sing to his daughter over and over again as they were making their way in the dark through the jungle. That completely changed everything I had thought about him.

And what about the kids?

So many of the stories we hear are focused on, understandably, the trauma that refugees experience, the life in camps, the hardship. But you walk into Sullivan, and you see that these kids are doing TikTok dances or they’re Snapchatting. They’re flirting. They’re gossiping. They’re just teenagers in ways that are immediately recognizable. There’s something really magical about that.

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A New Book Redefines the Refugee ExperienceLynette Smithon August 9, 2021 at 1:52 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears Rumors: Justin Fields close to becoming starting quarterbackRyan Heckmanon August 9, 2021 at 1:41 pm

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Chicago Bears Rumors: Justin Fields close to becoming starting quarterbackRyan Heckmanon August 9, 2021 at 1:41 pm Read More »

If you’re falling short of 10,000 stepson August 9, 2021 at 1:43 pm

Retired in Chicago

If you’re falling short of 10,000 steps

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If you’re falling short of 10,000 stepson August 9, 2021 at 1:43 pm Read More »

Halas Intrigue Episode 168: The Bears’ big week aheadSun-Times staffon August 9, 2021 at 12:02 pm

Patrick Finley, Jason Lieser and Mark Potash talk about the Bears’ injury bug, Justin Fields’ big week ahead and Mark’s punishment, back in the day, over a case of loose grapes.

New episodes of “Halas Intrigue” will be published regularly with accompanying stories collected on the podcast’s hub page. You can also listen to “Halas Intrigue” wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Luminary, Spotify, and Stitcher.

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Halas Intrigue Episode 168: The Bears’ big week aheadSun-Times staffon August 9, 2021 at 12:02 pm Read More »

Molly Yeh’s lockdown life filled with recipes, baby firstsKelli Kennedy | Associated Presson August 9, 2021 at 12:30 pm

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Somewhere between testing beet and carrot juice, blueberries and mint in search of the precise hues for a four-tiered rainbow cake celebrating her daughter’s first birthday in spring 2020, Food Network star Molly Yeh was forced by COVID’s gathering storm clouds to abruptly cancel the party she’d spent six months planning.

The food blogger and author of “Molly on the Range” had already sketched the tablescape, sent hand-drawn invites incorporating the vegetable theme, and crafted cute marzipan carrots as cake toppers.

Since then, the 32-year-old Yeh has balanced the daily frustrations and isolation of quarantine life with the many joyful firsts of her toddler, Bernie. The constant that has held it together is food, or in Yeh’s case, tahini. She’s fond of incorporating her favorite ingredient in original recipes that fuse her Chinese and Jewish heritage.

“Food has truly taken on a different meaning, both in starting a family and also in the pandemic,” says Yeh, who lives on a sugar beet farm with her husband and baby near the Minnesota-North Dakota border.

Food blogger and cookbook author Molly Yeh attends the Chef's Afterparty in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 22, 2021, during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
Food blogger and cookbook author Molly Yeh attends the Chef’s Afterparty in Miami Beach, Florida, during the 2021 South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
Scott Roth/Invision/AP

The young family never went to a restaurant and rarely ordered takeout, cooking from scratch and finding delight in Bernie’s milestones, despite monotonous routines and seemingly endless household chores.

“There were so many special moments that were happening in this terrible thing around us,” says Yeh, who recently caught up with The Associated Press while in town for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. “Imagine your first time smelling and tasting fresh bread, your first time baking cookies.”

The kitchen became the source of field trips and experiments. There was a fake vacation to Florence, Italy, where the family pulled out the pasta maker and made homemade pizzas. There was a day trip to the Italian Alps, aka a nearby hill where they sledded on an inflatable unicorn. And blissful spa days were coconut baths with a face mask and book during Bernie’s nap time.

Yeh, the star of Food Network’s “Girl Meets Farm” show, has been a bright spot in a gloomy year for many viewers, with her infectious smile, recipe mashups (think harissa honey labne, hummus dumplings, kale matzo pizza, and bacon and egg drop soup), and endearing habit of liberally dousing desserts with homemade sprinkles or marzipan.

Host Molly Yeh (from left) and judges Chris Rivard, Ali Tila and Jet Tila sample a competitor’s dish on “Ben and Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones.”
Courtesy Food Network

Her latest venture is hosting “Ben & Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones,” a four-episode competition series debuting Aug 16 on Food Network and discovery+, wherein veteran ice cream makers must capture the essence of a celebrity or pop culture icon in a new and innovative ice cream flavor. Chicago’s Jessica Oloroso, owner and chef of Black Dog Gelato, is one of the six contestants featured in the series.

Pretzel challah was among the first recipes that gained traction on Yeh’s blog “My Name is Yeh.” And she’s delighted to report that her daughter’s art canvas of choice is painting egg wash on a braided loaf.

Yeh has experienced a rough pandemic year full of pitfalls and pivots like the rest of us. She shacked up with her in-laws while overseeing a massive home renovation, and started work on a new cookbook, “Where The Eggs Are,” featuring easier, go-to weekday meals.

While these recipes are less fussy, Yeh has never shied away from celebratory and sometimes labor-intensive dishes. She grew up in the kitchen with her mother, making everything from scratch, finding comfort in the rituals and routines — perfect preparation for pandemic life.

Early in 2020, as Americans baked their way through the uncertainty, Yeh’s older cake recipes became popular again, including carrot cake with hawaij (a Middle Eastern spice) and tahini caramel frosting; chocolate cake with halva filling and tahini frosting; and mini pumpkin loaf cakes with cream cheese glaze and candied bacon.

The new mom admits she struggled when she realized she’s not the fun parent. “It’s become clear that Nick is the fun one, dancing and singing and spinning her up in the air,” she says.

But food has fixed that too.

“I get to see Bernie’s face when she eats my chicken noodle soup, and I get to fill the house with the smell of mac and cheese when she wakes up from her nap,” she says.

Yeh met her husband when they were students at Juilliard, and made her debut at Carnegie Hall as a percussionist at age 17. Her father, John Bruce Yeh, plays clarinet with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and was their first Asian-American member when he joined in 1977.

One of her favorite moments on her show was cooking chicken pot stickers, scallion pancakes with maple syrup slaw and, of course, a sprinkle cake, before performing a Bach invention with the man she calls her biggest musical inspiration.

“It’s that same creative, special, joyous feeling that I get making cake and making food for other people that I get from playing music for people that I love,” said Yeh. “If life can be a lot of those moments strung together, that’s a life I want to live.”

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Molly Yeh’s lockdown life filled with recipes, baby firstsKelli Kennedy | Associated Presson August 9, 2021 at 12:30 pm Read More »

Chicago Real Estate Market Update: July Sales 3rd Highest In 25 Yearson August 9, 2021 at 12:37 pm

Getting Real

Chicago Real Estate Market Update: July Sales 3rd Highest In 25 Years

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Chicago Real Estate Market Update: July Sales 3rd Highest In 25 Yearson August 9, 2021 at 12:37 pm Read More »

Despite key losses, Illinois State defense poised to continue solid traditionon August 9, 2021 at 10:55 am

Prairie State Pigskin

Despite key losses, Illinois State defense poised to continue solid tradition

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Despite key losses, Illinois State defense poised to continue solid traditionon August 9, 2021 at 10:55 am Read More »

Chicago’s R&B music scene ever-evolving, with an eclectic mix of artists, soundsEvan F. Mooreon August 9, 2021 at 10:30 am

Chicago’s music scene — known for gospel, rock, funk, punk, hip-hop and the birth of house music — also has a long-standing history in the R&B scene.

Over time, music fans have seen Sam Cooke; Curtis Mayfield; Chaka Khan; Minnie Riperton; Lou Rawls; Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White; Mavis Staples; Donny Hathaway; Syleena Johnson; Jennifer Hudson; Jeremih; Chantay Savage, and, among so many others, make names for themselves in the Chicago R&B scene.

Chicago area singers Carl Thomas, Donell Jones, and Dave Hollister recently formed an R&B supergroup, “The Chi.”

What about the current group of local singers? How do they view the state of Chicago’s R&B scene? Whom do they look toward for inspiration? How can the local scene do better by the artists? Is the music — and the artists — all the same? Does anyone stand out?

Lauren Dukes, a singer who specializes in blues, soul, jazz and R&B, has mixed feelings about the Chicago R&B sound. While there is an abundance of access for creatives to share their music with the masses, she prefers traditional forms of R&B.

“Well, locally, something I definitely like is it’s easier and more accessible for the average independent artist who doesn’t have major label backing,” said Dukes, who recently released “Hectic Love Week,” a song from her self-titled five-song EP. “I gravitate toward artists that keep a more authentic sound; not that genres can’t evolve, but just that it’s more reminiscent of the R&B that has a message and substance — and feeling behind it.

“What I don’t like about the [Chicago R&B scene] is — this may not be subject to just locally — I can’t tell the voices apart. I think we’ve moved toward less singing — melodic rap. Not that there isn’t space for everybody, but rap has its own sub-genres. R&B doesn’t need to go into that direction. I’d like to hear more singers. The R&B artists I tend to gravitate toward are ‘sangers,’ as we say in the church.”

South Side-bred artist Matt B took the route less traveled by many R&B artists by releasing his early work in Europe and Japan, charting on the iTunes R&B charts. He says depending where one resides in Chicago, the sound varies.

“I think what’s great about local R&B is how diverse the sound is,” said Matt B, who says he works with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) to bring local artists on the city’s radar. “You could go on one side of the city and you could hear more of an R&B and hip-hop blend. You can go on another side of the city and you can hear more of a blues and R&B sound.”

Chicago’s Josh K (right, with New York rapper Fabulous) is preparing to release his follow up to “Lovers Lane: Act 2.”
DDP, LLC

A common complaint from R&B fans — young and experienced — is that the musical content consists of sex primarily, instead of love.

So where does Chicago R&B fit in?

Josh K, who is preparing to release his album “Lovers Lane: Act 3” with features from Fabolous, Jeremih and Tory Lanez, says even though he prefers Chicago’s R&B sound from the ’90s — artists sounded “vulnerable” back then, he says — the genre is on the upswing.

“Compared to the last five years, I’d say the state of Chicago R&B is looking up,” said Josh, who cites local singer Tink as one of the city’s best R&B artists. “I feel like it’s starting to come back around full circle. We’re starting to get the spotlight on us a bit more which is great. … Chicago’s music scene is looked at only for drill and gangsta rap. I feel like Chicago forgets that there’s still R&B artists of our nature.”

BJ The Chicago Kid’s music is featured on season four of the Showtime series “The Chi.”
Luis Vela

And some artists, such as South Side native, six-time Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter BJ The Chicago Kid, who recently released “4 AM,” a four-song EP, says he prefers to stay in his own lane.

“I haven’t really been tuned into much; I’ve been recording so much music on my own and trying not to be a sponge — just being creative,” said BJ, whose music appears on season four of the Showtime series “The Chi.” “There’s a lot of ‘playground legends’ — I like to call them — who weren’t able to get [record] deals, and church singers.

“Chicago is one of those cities that breeds musicians, singers, producers and rappers, of course, as the new generation has shown us.”

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Chicago’s R&B music scene ever-evolving, with an eclectic mix of artists, soundsEvan F. Mooreon August 9, 2021 at 10:30 am Read More »

Horoscope for Monday, August 9, 2021Georgia Nicolson August 9, 2021 at 5:01 am

Moon Alert

Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 7 to 10 a.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Leo into Virgo.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This is a playful, fun-loving and romantic day for you! The sun, the moon, and Mercury are all in your fellow Fire Sign, which promotes the enjoyment of sports, entertaining diversions, romantic tete-a-tetes, vacations and playful times with kids.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Although you feel playful and into social diversions and fun activities; nevertheless, the sun, the moon, and Mercury will draw your attention to home and family issues. Family discussions and home repairs might be important.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This is a fast-paced, busy day, and you’re full of ideas! You want to express your ideas so that others will hear what you have to say. This is an excellent day for those of you who sell, market, teach, act or write for a living. Yada, yada, yada.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You’re never casual about money because you are a thrifty, frugal sign. (Sometimes, you open up your wallet to let a moth out and blow it big time — but not often.) Today your focus is on cash flow and moneymaking ideas. Ka-ching!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

The sun, the moon and Mercury are all in your sign empowering you in all your dealings with others. People will listen to you. Things will tend to go your way. This means it’s a good day to do what you can to advance your agenda. Check moon alert before shopping for beautiful things.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

The stars are sending you a conflicting message today. In one way, you want to hide behind the scenes and keep a low profile. Nevertheless, fiery Mars and fair Venus are in your sign, urging you to go forth and dazzle others! It’s your call.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

This is a social day for you, which is why you will enjoy schmoozing with friends and members of groups. In particular, you might have a warm conversation with a female acquaintance. It’s a good day to share your hopes about something with someone else. (A secret love affair might take place.)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

You are definitely high visibility today. Not only do people notice you more than usual, especially bosses, parents, teachers and the police, they also admire you! Obviously, because you have this slight advantage, go after what you want! Make your pitch!

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Today you’re hungry for adventure! You want to travel and learn new things and be stimulated by life. (“Yes, I want it all!) This is an excellent day to study something. Meanwhile, your ambition is aroused. Bosses and authority types look kindly on you. Time to take a bow.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

This is a passionate, emotional day for you, especially regarding romance. (Yes, it’s the stuff of movies.) Someone unusual or different will appeal to you. Likewise, travel plans will also appeal. Nevertheless, this is an excellent day for discussions about shared property and banking.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Today you have to go more than halfway when dealing with others. No biggie. This simply requires courtesy, cooperation, accommodation and a little compromise. Nevertheless, disputes about shared property might arise. Fortunately, you can sweet talk your way out of anything.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Today you want to get better organized. Roll up your sleeves and dig in because you want to take a hands-on approach to things. You also want to improve your health because you’re on self-improvement kick. (This is always a good thing.)

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor Dan Levy (1983) shares your birthday. You are likable, friendly and entertaining. You are also goal oriented and hard-working to the point of being a perfectionist. You are a caring, loving person and have a strong sense of the responsibility to others. This is a year to create solid foundations in your life. Let simplicity be your mantra. This is also a good year to take charge of your health.

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Horoscope for Monday, August 9, 2021Georgia Nicolson August 9, 2021 at 5:01 am Read More »