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The Big Red Bus – Episode 60 – Stalled Bus vs the HawksNick Bon April 12, 2021 at 1:27 pm

A huge game for Zach LaVine couldn’t offset a big collapse by the Bulls down in Atlanta, and tensions are running high on the Big Red Bus as a result. What does another tough-to-swallow loss mean for the home stretch of the season as the Bulls work to make a playoff run?

The post The Big Red Bus – Episode 60 – Stalled Bus vs the Hawks first appeared on CHI CITY SPORTS l Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Fans – Rumors.Read More

The Big Red Bus – Episode 60 – Stalled Bus vs the HawksNick Bon April 12, 2021 at 1:27 pm Read More »

CPS ‘firmly committed’ to reopening high schools next week despite CTU’s threat to stay remoteNader Issaon April 12, 2021 at 1:58 pm

Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey  speaks to reporters outside the Thompson Center in March 2020.
Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file

High school teachers and staff returned to in-person work Monday but could revert to remote teaching this week if a deal isn’t reached with CPS.

Chicago Public Schools officials say they are “firmly committed” to reopening high schools next week for the first time during the pandemic despite a plan by the Chicago Teachers Union to have high school teachers and staff work remotely Wednesday in an attempt to pressure the district into a reopening agreement.

The district has held “productive discussions with CTU leadership to ensure a smooth transition back for our students and staff,” and the two sides are working to reach an agreement “as soon as possible,” CPS CEO Janice Jackson and the district’s education chief, LaTanya McDade, wrote in a letter to high school families Monday.

“Over the weekend we made progress on a number of areas and have general alignment on topics including the scheduling models schools will use and safety protocols to keep students and staff safe in high school buildings,” they wrote.

“We have also agreed that high school staff will be able to work on Wednesdays, which is a remote day for all students, and we will work to support vaccinations for students when they are eligible and doses are available.”

The union’s House of Delegates, however, “told the leadership of the CTU in no uncertain terms that we’re not simply reopening schools without more progress at the bargaining table and without a return agreement in high schools,” CTU President Jesse Sharkey told reporters during a virtual news conference Monday.

CTU delegates voted Sunday evening for about 5,350 high school teachers and hundreds more staff to work remotely Wednesday if a reopening deal with CPS isn’t reached by then. CPS had directed those workers to return this week, and they’ll be in schools Monday and Tuesday. About 26,000 high school students are expected back next week. As of now, the collective action wouldn’t affect elementary schools, which have been open for over a month.

“We’re asking for some basic safeguards and some reassurances that we’re not pouring gasoline onto a fire, that we’re not making an unsafe situation worse,” Sharkey said.

“We expect to see progress at the table. … If we do not see that, the members of the CTU are not going back into buildings under those conditions.”

Asked if the potential walkout would extend past Wednesday, Sharkey said the union would hold another meeting this week to discuss the latest bargaining updates and figure out what to do moving forward.

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CPS ‘firmly committed’ to reopening high schools next week despite CTU’s threat to stay remoteNader Issaon April 12, 2021 at 1:58 pm Read More »

Spotify podcast ‘Dissect’ examines Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’ song by songEvan F. Mooreon April 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm

Kanye West performs an impromptu gig near Swan Lake in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 12, 2015. The Kardashian sisters, along with Kim’s husband Kanye West and their daughter North are on a visit to their ancestral Armenia. The concert was halted by police after the singer jumped into a lake, prompting hundreds of fans to jump in after him. (AP Photo/PAN Photo / Vahan Stepanyan) ORG XMIT: MOSB104
Kanye West’s “Yeezus” album was released in June 2013. | Vahan Stepanyan/AP

The Chicago native’s sixth album is a double-platinum RIAA certified record.

A Spotify podcast known for discussing the nuances of contemporary music via archival research is looking at one of Kanye West’s most controversial albums.

Dissect, which is in its eighth season, takes a deep dive into the former South Side resident’s sixth studio album “Yeezus,” song by song.

“Yeezus,” a double-platinum RIAA certified record — released in June 2013 — shot to the top of the Billboard Top 200 charts, with singles “Black Skinhead” and “Bound 2.”


Spotify
Spotify podcast “Dissect” examines memorable albums from music’s most successful artists.

Early highlights from season eight — which debuted last month — include controversial moments from West’s personal and professional life including his interruption of Taylor Swift’s 2009 MTV VMA’s acceptance speech; the death of West’s mother, Dr. Donda West; his “Watch the Throne” album with Jay-Z, and his budding romance with reality TV star Kim Kardashian, among many others.

Podcast creator and host Cole Cuchna, who says “Yeezus” is his favorite West album to date, says the Chicago native altered his image, forcing longtime fans to decide what to make of him, and the album.

“I have a very personal admiration and enjoyment of [‘Yeezus’] which, of course, fuels the show,” said Cuchua. “Having a huge audience, and challenging the audience with something new that pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo — love it or hate it, [‘Yeezus’] demands your attention.

“What makes ‘Yeezus’ so interesting to me is, in wrestler terms, [West] turned ‘heel.’ He makes a confrontational, aggressive, and polarizing album. He understood at that point public perception was a marionette he could control — and he purposely went the other way.”

Previous seasons detailed the nuances of the albums of standout artists including Beyoncé’s “Lemonade,” Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” and West’s fifth album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” among others. Episodes go live on Tuesdays.


Spotify
“Dissect” podcast creator and host Cole Cuchna.

Cuchua says he noticed so much more about “Yeezus” when juxtaposing him listening to it as a fan and for work purposes. The show includes research from “Dissect” collaborators Chris Lambert and Travis Bean, who co-host “Watching the Throne,” a podcast chronicling West’s discography.

He describes the feeling as “art appreciation.”

“Generally speaking, I’m looking for albums that we’re going to look back 100 years from now and these are the ones that we’re going to remember,” said Cuchua. “I try to approach current records with a historical lens; how are we going to talk about these records years from now? What can we learn about them? I think the goal of the show is, outside of everything else, we’re gonna spend a lot of time with this one thing, and hopefully learn some valuable life lessons through this art.”

And more content on West is heading toward the masses as several outlets reported this week that streaming giant Netflix purchased the rights to a documentary series about West.

It’s by filmmakers Coodie & Chike, who directed West’s first video, “Through the Wire” and the 2009 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “Benji,” chronicling the life and death of Simeon hoops legend Ben Wilson.

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Spotify podcast ‘Dissect’ examines Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’ song by songEvan F. Mooreon April 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Man hit by CTA train at ArmitageDavid Struetton April 12, 2021 at 2:12 pm

Sun-Times file photo

The delays were announced about 7:40 a.m. in an alert from the Chicago Transit Authority.

A man was injured after he walked in front of a moving CTA train Monday morning at the Armitage stop in Lincoln Park.

The man, 46, walked in front of an approaching train about 7:30 a.m. and was struck, according to Chicago police. He was in serious condition with an ankle injury at the station, in the 900 block of West Armitage Avenue, police said.

The man was awake and talking when paramedics brought him to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, according to Chicago fire spokesman Larry Langford.

Red, Brown and Purple Line trains were temporarily suspended at the station until about 8:20 a.m., according to service alerts from the Chicago Transit Authority.

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Man hit by CTA train at ArmitageDavid Struetton April 12, 2021 at 2:12 pm Read More »

High school football schedule: Week 5Michael O’Brienon April 12, 2021 at 2:30 pm

Nazareth’s Benjamin Michel (10) looks to pass the ball against Marist.
Nazareth’s Benjamin Michel (10) looks to pass the ball against Marist. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

All the games on tap for Week 5 of the 2020-21 football season.

Thursday, April 15

ILLINI BIG SHOULDERS

Hyde Park vs. Dunbar at Gately

ILLINI GREAT LAKES

Ag. Science vs. Comer at Eckersall

Johnson vs. Catalyst Maria at Gately

Friday, April 16

CHICAGO LAKE STREET

Corliss vs. South Shore at Gately

CHICAGO MADISON STREET

Senn at Taft-B

CHICAGO STATE STREET

Clemente vs. UIC Prep at Lane

ILLINI BIG SHOULDERS

UP-Bronzeville vs. King at Eckersall

ILLINI HEARTLAND

Kennedy vs. ITW Speer at Rockne

ILLINI LAND OF LINCOLN

Raby vs. Lincoln Park at Lane

Westinghouse at Taft

ILLINI RED BIRD

Kenwood vs. Simeon at Gately

ILLINI WINDY CITY

Amundsen vs. Sullivan at Winnemac

CCL/ESCC RED

Leo vs. Fenwick at Triton

Marian Catholic at St. Ignatius

CSL NORTH

Deerfield at Niles North

Highland Park at Maine West

Maine East at Vernon Hills

CSL SOUTH

Evanston at Glenbrook South

Glenbrook North at Niles West

New Trier at Maine South

DUKANE

Batavia at Glenbard North

St. Charles North at Lake Park

Geneva at Wheaton North

St. Charles East at Wheaton Warrenville South

DUPAGE VALLEY

Naperville Central at Metea Valley

Neuqua Valley at DeKalb

Naperville North at Waubonsie Valley

FOX VALLEY

Jacobs at Prairie Ridge

Dundee-Crown at Burlington Central

Crystal Lake Central at Cary-Grove

Hampshire at Huntley

McHenry at Crystal Lake South

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Coal City at Reed-Custer

Manteno at Herscher

Wilmington at Peotone

INTERSTATE EIGHT

LaSalle-Peru at Morris

Kaneland at Ottawa

Plano at Sandwich

Rochelle at Sycamore

KISHWAUKEE RIVER

Harvard at Woodstock

Richmond-Burton at Johnsburg

Woodstock North at Marengo

METRO SUBURBAN BLUE

Aurora Central at Chicago Christian

McNamara at IC Catholic

Wheaton Academy at Riverside-Brookfield

METRO SUBURBAN RED

Elmwood Park at St. Francis

Ridgewood at Aurora Christian

Westmont at St. Edward

MSL EAST

Elk Grove at Hersey

Prospect at Buffalo Grove

Rolling Meadows at Wheeling

MSL WEST

Conant at Fremd

Hoffman Estates at Barrington

Schaumburg at Palatine

NORTH SUBURBAN

Warren at Mundelein

Lake Zurich at Waukegan

Zion-Benton at Libertyville

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

Antioch at Grant

Grayslake Central at Lakes

North Chicago at Grayslake North

Wauconda at Round Lake

SANGAMON VALLEY

Clifton Central at Momence

Dwight at Seneca

SOUTH SUBURBAN BLUE

TF South at TF North

Lemont at Tinley Park

Bremen at Hillcrest

SOUTH SUBURBAN RED

Reavis at Eisenhower

Richards at Evergreen Park

Shepard at Oak Lawn

SOUTHLAND

Thornridge at Rich

Thornton at Kankakee

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE EAST

Joliet Central at Plainfield Central

Joliet West at Plainfield South

Romeoville at Plainfield East

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE WEST

Minooka at West Aurora

Oswego East at Plainfield North

Yorkville at Oswego

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE

Homewood-Flossmoor at Bolingbrook

Sandburg at Lincoln-Way East

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN RED

Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lincoln-Way West

Lincoln-Way Central at Stagg

Andrew at Lockport

UPSTATE EIGHT

East Aurora at Streamwood

Elgin at West Chicago

Glenbard South at Larkin

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Morton at Willowbrook

Hinsdale South at Addison Trail

Leyden at Downers Grove South

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

Downers Grove North at Lyons

York at Oak Park

Glenbard West at Hinsdale Central

NONCONFERENCE

St. Viator at Mount Carmel

St. Patrick at Marist

Hope Academy at Marmion

DePaul Prep at Joliet Catholic

St. Rita vs. Benet at Benedictine

Lake Forest at Stevenson

Lisle at Streator

Montini at De La Salle

Carmel at Brother Rice

Providence at St. Laurence

Oak Forest at Argo

Monmouth United at Ottawa Marquette

Saturday, April 17

CHICAGO LAKE STREET

Bowen vs. Lindblom at Eckersall

Butler vs. Fenger at Gately

CHICAGO MADISON STREET

Pritzker at Marine

CHICAGO MICHIGAN AVENUE

Dyett vs. Little Village at Stagg

Richards/Harper vs. Gage Park at Stagg

CHICAGO STATE STREET

North Lawndale vs. Collins at Rockne

ILLINI BIG SHOULDERS

Bowen vs. Lindblom at Eckersall

ILLINI GREAT LAKES

Bogan at Goode

ILLINI HEARTLAND

Rauner vs. Juarez at Rockne

Prosser at Steinmetz

ILLINI LAND OF LINCOLN

Phillips at Lane

ILLINI PRAIRIE STATE

Payton vs. Young at Orr

Clark at Orr

Solorio vs. Bulls Prep at Rockne

ILLINI RED BIRD

Hubbard vs. Morgan Park at Gately

Curie at Perspectives

ILLINI SECOND CITY

Washington at Brooks

Vocational vs. Carver at Eckersall

Julian vs. Harlan at Gately

ILLINI WINDY CITY

Schurz vs. Von Steuben at Winnemac

Mather vs. Lake View at Winnemac

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

Walther Christian vs. Iroquois West at Gilman

SOUTHLAND

Crete-Monee at Bloom

UPSTATE EIGHT

Bartlett at Fenton

Glenbard East at South Elgin

NONCONFERENCE

Notre Dame at Nazareth

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High school football schedule: Week 5Michael O’Brienon April 12, 2021 at 2:30 pm Read More »

28 shot, 4 fatally, in Chicago over weekendSun-Times Wireon April 12, 2021 at 2:45 pm

Police responded to homicides in South Shore, the Near West Side, Bridgeport and Lawndale over the weekend. | File photo

A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot Friday in Bridgeport.

Four people were killed and 24 others wounded in shootings across Chicago this weekend.

Police responded to homicides on the Eisenhower Expressway, Bridgeport, Lawndale and South Shore. The homicide victims ranged in age from 17 to 54. One of the victims was a woman.

Overall, the period was less deadly than last weekend, when 34 people were shot, eight of them fatally.

3 shot, 1 fatally, on I-290

The most recent homicide this weekend left a man dead and two injured on the Eisenhower Expressway near Damen Avenue. A 22-year-old man was shot as he drove near Ashland Avenue just after midnight Monday, according to Illinois State Police. He crashed on the Damen ramp and died at the scene. His name hasn’t been released.

Two other people in the car were treated for gunshot wounds. State police found another crashed car nearby that was empty.

South Shore homicide

Early Sunday, a 54-year-old man was shot and killed in the South Shore neighborhood. He was shot and he stood outside about 12:15 a.m. in the 6700 block of South Jeffery Boulevard, Chicago police said.

Harold Green of South Shore suffered nine gunshot wounds to the back and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

A witness told officers they saw the gunman fire shots from inside a gray Chrysler, police said.

Woman killed in Lawndale

On Saturday, a woman was killed and another wounded in a shooting in Lawndale on the West Side. About 9:05 p.m., they were standing in the 2300 block of South Kirkland Avenue, when they heard several shots and felt a pain, police said.

Samone Hill, 29, was struck in her back and arms and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where she died, authorities said. The second woman, 28, was struck in the lower right leg, and taken to the same hospital where she was stabilized.

Teen murdered in Bridgeport

A shooting left a 17-year-old boy dead Friday night in Bridgeport on the South Side. The teen and two others were sitting in a parked vehicle about 9:45 p.m. in the 200 block of West 37th Street when a black Dodge Durango pulled up and two men exited and began shooting at them, police said.

Davion Ward, 17, was struck in the back and was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

A 16-year-old boy suffered a graze wound to the head, and the other person, a man between 18 and 20 years old, was struck in the chest, police said. Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

Nonfatal shootings

In nonfatal attacks, a teenage boy was shot Saturday morning in Lawndale on the West Side. The boy, 15, was shot in the lower leg about 5:45 a.m. in the 2100 block of South Kostner Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in good condition.

Earlier Saturday morning, a man was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side. The 34-year-old was standing outside about 4 a.m. in the 100 block of East 119th Street when someone inside a red-colored vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said. He was struck five times and taken to Roseland Hospital, where he was stabilized.

In the weekend’s earliest reported shooting, a person was shot Friday night on the Eisenhower Expressway on the West Side. The driver was shot about 9:30 p.m. near Cicero Avenue, and their injuries were not life-threatening, according to Illinois State Police.

At least sixteen more people were wounded in shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday in Chicago.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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28 shot, 4 fatally, in Chicago over weekendSun-Times Wireon April 12, 2021 at 2:45 pm Read More »

8 Incredible Polish Restaurants in Chicago for Pierogi, Kielbasa, and MoreAudrey Snyderon April 12, 2021 at 1:33 pm

The Polish community and its foods have been an integral part of Chicago since the mid-1800s. Carrying on the tradition of warm, comforting dishes full of cabbage, sausage, and potato, a myriad of great Polish restaurants populate Chicago and the surrounding area. From full dinners to pierogi combos, red borscht to stuffed cabbage— you’ll find exactly the dishes you’re looking for at one or more of these fine Polish establishments.

Staropolska

3030 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60618

Avondale-based Staropolska offers hot appetizers, salads, soups, and countless other Polish favorites. Tuck into potato and cheese pierogies, scalloped pork tenderloin, or Hungarian-style potato pancakes.

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Podhalanka

1549 W Division St, Chicago IL 60642

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Head to West Town for stick-to-your-ribs Polish classics. Beef or pork stews, stuffed cabbage, and sour borscht are only a few of the options on Podhalanka’s menu.

Pierogi Heaven

169 N Wells St, Chicago IL 60606

Drop in for some Polish eats while you’re bopping around downtown! Classic pierogi flavors, hearty soups, and Polish sausage will fuel any excursion in the Loop. 

Smakosz

5619 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago IL 60630

As their website says, you’ll find food “just like Grandma used to cook” at Smakosz. Start off with some potato pancakes or sauerkraut soup, followed by a main course of breaded pork chop, and finished off with some sweet blintzes.

Polish Bistro

8303 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago IL 60634

Not only is Dunning’s favorite Polish restaurant a great place for food, but it’s also got plenty of beer on tap. Grab a Zubr beer, order some red borscht, and fill up on some cheese and potato pierogies with your best pals.

Qulinarnia

1730 W Golf Rd, Mt Prospect IL 60056

A little further out in Mt Prospect, you’ll find the quli-nary delights of Qulinarnia. Try a fancier version of the pierogi, filled with lobster and spinach; choose from any number of hearty, meat-filled main courses.

Smak-Tak

5961 N Elston Ave, Chicago IL 60646

Jefferson Park’s family-operated Smak-Tak offers a selection of soups of the day, breaded meat and fish main courses, stuffed cabbage, dumplings, and more. 

Polish House

5753 W Belmont Ave, Chicago IL 60634

This cozy eatery in Belmont Cragin serves Polish-style lunchtime soups and sandwiches, with heartier selections for their dinner menu. Stop in during the day for a Kielbasa lunch, or drop in after work for the hunter stew dinner.

Polish Restaurants Chicago Featured Image Credit by anialaurman from Pixabay 

 

The post 8 Incredible Polish Restaurants in Chicago for Pierogi, Kielbasa, and More appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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8 Incredible Polish Restaurants in Chicago for Pierogi, Kielbasa, and MoreAudrey Snyderon April 12, 2021 at 1:33 pm Read More »