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Vacation Safety: Six Tips to See and Be Seenon July 13, 2021 at 2:24 pm

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Vacation Safety: Six Tips to See and Be Seen

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Vacation Safety: Six Tips to See and Be Seenon July 13, 2021 at 2:24 pm Read More »

Daily Cubs Minors Recap: Balego homers as he continues to rake on rehab; DSL season kicks offon July 13, 2021 at 2:29 pm

Cubs Den

Daily Cubs Minors Recap: Balego homers as he continues to rake on rehab; DSL season kicks off

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Daily Cubs Minors Recap: Balego homers as he continues to rake on rehab; DSL season kicks offon July 13, 2021 at 2:29 pm Read More »

Wolf pup births in Michigan’s Isle Royale a hopeful sign for wolves there, scientists sayJohn Flesher | APon July 13, 2021 at 1:44 pm

Wolf pups have been spotted again on Isle Royale, a hopeful sign in the effort to rebuild the predator species’ population at the U.S. national park, scientists say.

It’s unknown how many gray wolves roam the island chain in northwestern Lake Superior. The coronavirus pandemic forced cancellation of the census that Michigan Technological University experts had conducted each winter for 63 years.

But remote cameras detected four pups on the park’s eastern end in January, the researchers say in a new report.

The sightings and other clues such as previously observed scats and tracks suggest that two litters were born in the area last year and perhaps another on the western side.

Park officials said last fall that at least two pups likely were born in 2019.

The population was 12 to 14 during the last Michigan Tech survey in the winter of 2020. The latest births would indicate it is higher now, but some older wolves might have died.

“It most likely will be winter of next year before we have firm information,” said Sarah Hoy, a research assistant professor and animal ecologist. “Things are definitely looking up.”

Scientists with Michigan Tech, the National Park Service and State University of New York will combine available information with genetic analyses to produce a population estimate based on death rates and numbers of litters.

Wolves are believed to have migrated to Isle Royale from Minnesota or the Canadian province of Ontario around the middle of the 20th century, crossing about 15 miles over the frozen lake surface.

Once established, they began feasting on the park’s abundant moose and helped keep the herd from outgrowing its food supply. But wolf numbers plummeted in the past decade, which scientists blamed primarily on inbreeding.

The National Park Service announced plans in 2018 to restore the population, which had fallen to two. Crews took 19 wolves from Minnesota, Ontario and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the island in a series of airlifts. Some have died. At least one wandered back to the mainland. But most appear to be settling in.

“They’re killing moose, starting to function as they should,” Hoy said.

The goal is to have 20 to 30 wolves within three to five years. Officials haven’t decided whether to bring more in.

“As wolves bounce back after nearly disappearing from the park, their presence as a predator on the island will help all wildlife and native plants thrive at Isle Royale,” said Christine Goepfert, Midwest associate director for the National Parks Conservation Association.

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Wolf pup births in Michigan’s Isle Royale a hopeful sign for wolves there, scientists sayJohn Flesher | APon July 13, 2021 at 1:44 pm Read More »

Silog at Uncle Mike’s PlaceLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm

Among the classic American diner fare at Uncle Mike’s Place, you’ll find a second menu featuring silog, or Filipino breakfast combos. In 2008, co-owner Lucy Serrano made herself one, catching the attention of nearby Filipino customers. Her husband, co-owner Mike Grajewski, added a few components, and the rest was history. Their silog comes with a bowl of lugaw (chicken rice porridge), a plate filled with sinangag (garlic fried rice), eggs, and your choice of longanisa (anise-cured sweet sausage), tocino (anise-tinged grilled pork), Spam, bangus (butterflied milkfish), or skirt steak (pictured). Dip the meat into the vinegar or eat it with the tomato, green onion, and cilantro served on the side (you can also mix the vinegar and veggies together for a chunkier dip). The meal ends with champorado, a chocolate rice porridge, to send you on your way with a kiss of sweetness. From $9.25; 1700 W. Grand Ave., West Town

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Silog at Uncle Mike’s PlaceLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Griddled Burger at Edzo’s Burger ShopLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm

The beloved menu staple at Eddie Lakin’s counter-service spot is everything you want a griddled burger to be. An amply seasoned, smashed-flat quarter-pound patty of freshly ground chuck is seared on a just-greasy-enough flattop until the meat is crisped around the edges before getting topped with your choice of cheeses, like American or Merkt’s cheddar spread, and condiments. A double gets you two patties; a triple gets you respect. $5.75 for a single; 1571 Sherman Ave., Evanston

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Griddled Burger at Edzo’s Burger ShopLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Pączki at Dinkel’s BakeryLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm

Let New Orleans have its Mardi Gras parade. We celebrate Fat Tuesday here by actually getting fat — eating as many pączki as we can. If you’re planning to pig out on this Polish filled doughnut, first learn to pronounce the name: “punch-key.” Then try one at the nearly 100-year-old Dinkel’s, which sells them on the six days leading up to the big day. The pączki here are pillowy and stuffed with exactly the right amount of filling, with flavors ranging from strawberry and lemon to Boston cream. $2.09; 3329 N. Lincoln Ave., Lake View

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Pączki at Dinkel’s BakeryLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Bagel and Lox at Kaufman’s Bagel & DelicatessenLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm

You’re going to have to forgive Kaufman’s its high-gloss update and shelves of gourmet packaged goods. Look deep into the menu and you’ll find a through-line to a much older vision of what Eastern European Jewish immigrants wanted — endless choice. How much fat do you want on your corned beef? What about the pickles? Half sours or full? Regular egg salad or just the whites? Similarly, the lox comes in three speeds: The belly is so old-country salty you’ll need a thick schmear of cream cheese on the bagel to balance the salinity. The Scottish salmon is luscious and rich, while the nova, the least salty of the three, comes closest to modern tastes. Also this: Whichever you choose, if you don’t order the bagel and lox — ideally with you and your S.O. going halfsies on it and an overstuffed pastrami sandwich — you’re doing Kaufman’s wrong. From $11; 4905 W. Dempster St., Skokie

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Bagel and Lox at Kaufman’s Bagel & DelicatessenLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Doña Cuca Gordita at Carniceria AguascalientesLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm

For the past four decades, this butcher shop and restaurant has been turning out Chicago’s best gorditas — griddled disks of masa stuffed with meaty fillings. The gorditas here come filled with cheese and beans along with your choice of al pastor, nopalitos (cactus), arrachera (skirt steak), carnitas, or chicken, but the Doña Cuca is what locals order. Named after former owner Andres Macias’s mother (the business is now run by his son and daughter-in-law), it’s stuffed with both carnitas and buche (pork stomach) and punched up with a housemade salsa verde. $4.25; 3132 W. 26th St., Little Village

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Doña Cuca Gordita at Carniceria AguascalientesLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Superdawg at SuperdawgLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm

The namesake item at this iconic drive-in, which Maurie and Flaurie Berman opened in 1948 (that’s them, in hot dog form, on the restaurant’s roof), is a Chicago-style hot dog — just a bit bigger and better. The oversize all-beef wiener is served on a poppy seed bun and comes topped with mustard, onions, a dill pickle, a hot pepper, and the genius addition of pickled green tomatoes, which solve the out-of-season tomato problem and add some piquancy. It’s lovingly tucked in a box with crinkle-cut fries and served via carhop. The experience is enough to make you nostalgic, even if you didn’t grow up coming here. $6.75; 6363 N. Milwaukee Ave., Norwood Park East; 333 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling

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Superdawg at SuperdawgLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Pork Chop Sandwich at Jim’s OriginalLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm

Chicago’s most famous 24-hour eatery has been a part of Little Italy for more than 80 years, and you know you’re close when you can smell grilled onions in the air. Tourists might be quick to order a Polish sausage, but picky locals go down the street for one of those (see Polish Sausage at Express Grill), because they know the tender bone-in pork chop sandwich, topped with those grilled onions, is the star of the show. The sandwich comes dressed with yellow mustard and spicy sport peppers, and it’s all nestled into a bun, bone and all. Don’t fear that bone: Use it as a handle and carefully bite your way toward it. $6.60; 1250 S. Union Ave., Little Italy

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Pork Chop Sandwich at Jim’s OriginalLynette Smithon July 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »