August 21 was three months since losing my cat Lizzy. Too long living without another sentient being, especially during these days of isolation.

So I started to look at the cat pages on the website of PAWS, where my friend Bobbie, a volunteer, encouraged me to find my next feline companion. The winner, whom I named Fanny, was suggested by the adoption counselor and looks uncannily like Lizzy: the same charcoal-colored fur and petite body. Maybe Lizzy was glancing down from cat heaven, realized that I miss her, and sent me her lookalike.

My friends who live with four-legged roommates and no other humans all say that their pets have helped them get by as we’ve had to keep distant from people. While a hug or a clasped hand have been off limits, ankle rubs and head butts supply a needed touch.

The coronavirus is too recent for research reports on how people coped with isolation, but ample studies previously showed that pets have emotional benefits for their humans.

“[C]ontact with pets help reduces stress and anxiety, particularly when you are experiencing a stressful situation,” Tufts University professor Megan Mueller, who researches how pets help people, told a TuftsNow writer. “[P]ets are physically present in a way that other forms of social and emotional support aren’t these days for many people, and there’s really something to having that tactile component of petting or touching a pet.”

Researchers have found that pets help reduce anxiety and depression and further recovery from trauma. We feel less alone and isolated when there’s another living creature in the house. Dogs and cats listen to us as if they understand, give us warm bodies to stroke and snuggle with, coax us to play with them, and amuse us. They deflect our thoughts away from worrying about the uncertain future and invite us to take a break and chill. They fulfill our need to take care of a living creature. There is nothing like a cat or a dog for feeling loved and needed. Feeding, playing with, and grooming a pet can put structure and meaning into days that can seem like shapeless blurs.

Isolation seems to be driving large numbers of people to pet shelters to adopt furry companions. The New York Times has reported that shelters are seeing increases in applications for adoption and fostering. My friend Bobbie says that PAWS has an incredible 22,000 applications at present, compared with a couple hundred a week in normal times. Having more time at home to attend to a pet is a factor in the increased interest, but many applicants also say they want company when they’re trapped indoors.

Lizzy was supposed to be my snuggle buddy during isolation. She excelled at lap sitting during the day and curling up by my shoulder overnight. “So glad to have Lizzy now,” I wrote in my journal in March as the lockdown began. Although she was almost 15 and had a medical condition, I didn’t expect to lose Lizzy in May, especially not when I needed her more than ever. I might have looked for her successor sooner if not for a remodeling project that dragged on longer than expected.

If folks without pets are thinking about bringing an animal into your home, but you’re not sure about a long-term commitment, fostering for a limited amount of time is an option. If you still hesitate, you can get some of the stress-reducing benefits of pets just by watching funny cat and dog videos online.

Fanny has been here three days now and looks to be a sweetheart. This morning she’s been following me around and, when I sit down, places herself about two feet away. It feels wonderful to touch fur again. Fanny is only 2, so with luck she’ll be with me many years after we emerge from the pandemic. Animals are helping us get through this, but it’s not like they won’t be needed afterward. Those of us who have had cats and dogs know their value in any scenario.

*****

MICHAEL MOORE SENDS A WARNING

This sent shivers down my spine: Filmmaker Michael Moore, who predicted that Donald Trump would beat Hillary Clinton, warned us anti-Trumpers not to let the current presidential polls bring on complacency. “I’m warning you almost 10 weeks in advance. The enthusiasm level for the 60 million in Trump’s base is OFF THE CHARTS!,” Moore posted on Facebook Friday. “WE have to wake up every day for the next 67 days and make sure each of us are going to get a hundred people out to vote. ACT NOW!”

It can be hard to figure out how to help a Democratic presidential candidate when your state is a given for that candidate. Texting and making phone calls for the Biden campaign are actions we can take from home.

*****

ANTI-TRUMP COMMENTS: 127TH IN AN ONGOING SERIES

“[T]his is the core of Trump’s reelection message: You should give him credit for the economic recovery he inherited from Obama. And you should blame someone else for the disastrous response to the coronavirus. Inspiring stuff.”
— Ezra Klein, Vox

Tickets Now on Sale

Calling all foodies

While Chicago’s 2020 festival calendar has virtually bit the dust, due to the big bad pandemic, Chicago Gourmet has taken a bad thing and spun it into something golden.

Employing 2020 vision, Chicago Gourmet is rolling out an impressive lineup of foodie events and celebrities both live and virtual.

And that’s not all.

They have taken what previously was a week long festival and extended it to a full month.

The team, including the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA), the event’s founding sponsor – along with presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spiritshe Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA), the event’s founding sponsor – along with presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, have curated a full schedule of programming from September 1-30.

Reservations and tickets are now available at chicagogourmet.org.

Here’s the lineup:

CAN’T STOP THE HOP

A crowd favorite and always a sellout, Hamburger Hop, traditionally held on the Friday night before the Millennium Park event on the Harris Theatre Rooftop, will be held virtually this year from September 1-13.

The good news–more burgers

Because this year’s event is virtual 100 chefs will be competing instead of the typical 15. More good news, the guest list is open to more participants.

Here’s how to participate

Burgers will be available for for dine-in, delivery or carry out from September 1-13. Burger lovers can hop around town, or visit the DoorDash app or website, and try as many burgers as possible.

Your Vote is Important

You can vote for your favorite,  based on flavor and overall presentation, at chicagogourmet.org.

The champion will be announced the week of September 14 and will receive a magnum of fine wine from Josh Cellars, a Yeti cooler filled with premium meat and seafood from Buckhead Meat of Chicago and bragging rights for a lifetime.

Go Gourmet Dinner Series

View of the River from Gibson’s Italia. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer

Held on various dates between September 14-30, fans can experience multi-course dinners paired with wine and spirit selections. The lineup includes:

• Monday, September 14 – Wednesday, September 16 & Monday, September 21 – Wednesday, September 23: Chefs Laura, Kelly + Michael Cheng, Sun Wah BBQ
• Tuesday, September 15: Chef Jose Sosa, Gibsons Italia
• Wednesday, September 16: Chef Carlos Gaytán, Tzuco – With special guest chefs Gaby Ruiz from Carmela & Sal (Mexico City) and Gourmet MX (Villahermosa, Tabasco); Rodrigo Estrada from Agua & Sal (Mexico City) and Yemanyá (Mexico City); and Benito Molina from Manzanilla (Ensenada, Baja California) to commemorate Mexican Independence Day
• Thursday, September 17: Chef Kevin Hickey, The Duck Inn
• Sunday, September 20: Chef Erick Williams, Virtue
• Monday, September 21: Chef Norman Bolden, Norman’s Bistro
• Tuesday, September 22: Chef Tony Priolo, Piccolo Sogno
• Wednesday, September 23: Chef Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde
• Thursday, September 24: A special collaboration between Chef Cedric Harden, River Roast, and Chef Carolina Diaz, Terzo Piano (held at River Roast)
• Wednesday, September 30: Chef Mari Katsumura, Yūgen

Reservations

Reservations can be made directly with participating restaurants. To see the full lineup and reservations information, visit chicagogourmet.org. Prices and times vary per restaurant. All will adhere to current occupancy orders and health and safety guidelines.

Go Gourmet Virtual Series

Rick Bayless gives some cooking tips to the mayor Chucago Gourmet 2019. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer

Fans can purchase tickets to simply watch, or order meal kits in advance from anywhere in the U.S. to cook along and learn in real time. The virtual schedule includes:

• Monday, September 14: Chef Art Smith, Blue Door Kitchen & Garden
• Wednesday, September 16: Chef Lorena Garcia, Lorena Garcia Cocina/Lorena Garcia Tapas
• Thursday, September 17: Chef Thai Dang, HaiSous/Cà Phê Đá
• Friday, September 18: Chef Fabio Viviani, Siena Tavern/Prime & Provisions/Bar Siena
• Sunday, September 20: Chef Kwame Onwuachi
• Tuesday, September 22: Chef Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill/ Topolobampo/XOCO/Tortazo/Bar Sótano
• Saturday, September 26: Chef Jernard Wells, The Family Chef
• Sunday, September 27: Chef Stephanie Izard, Girl & the Goat/Little Goat Diner/Duck Duck Goat/Cabra
• Tuesday, September 29: Chef Jeff Mauro, The Kitchen/Sandwich King

A Good Cause

All Go Gourmet events benefit the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. In addition to those named above, the series is made possible thanks to Mariano’s, US Foods, Bank of America, Gordon Foodservice, Performance Foodservice, Choose Chicago, Pepsi, Coker Service Inc. and Coca-Cola.

Online Auction

Chicago Gourmet’s annual online auction returnsSeptember 14-30 with wine, spirits and dinner experiences benefiting the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Visit chicagogourmet.org for details, reservations and tickets.

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(A multipart reflection on fellowship written by Lira Luis)

“Everything that happens only once can never happen twice. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”

-Paul Coehlo, The Alchemist

Part 3 – The RSA Fellowship

Just imagine receiving a nomination to join the Fellowship of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA) at the height of the pandemic this summer. It’s a global Fellowship that is awarded to exceptional individuals worldwide who can demonstrate that they have made significant contributions to social progress and development through serving society in important ways within the Arts, Manufacture or Commerce, and support the mission of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). When I learned about the nomination, I bet most architects are a bit like me, especially if you’re BIPOC (Black/Indigenous People of Color) or AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) — you’ve been told many times you’re not the “right” (fill in the blank) or you don’t have the “right” (fill in the blank) for a successful outcome. It can be tempting to give in to that impostor syndrome.
Being elected FRSA came on the heels of my election as 2020 Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) at the onset of the pandemic.

I was already happy and content with the one I received from a global community of architects. Who wouldn’t be? I was fortunate to be in Fellowship with the 2020 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates and 2020 Royal Gold Medallist for architecture!

(Source: RIBA booklet from the RIBA Fellowship Ceremony)

While a second Fellowship was a welcomed bonus, I needed a better reason to pursue another one so I contemplated its value. I also sought the advice of a Chicago architect who already achieved two Fellowships himself (from the Society of American Military Engineers and American Institute of Architects) and advised “It depends on what you (want to) focus on and if that fellowship is aligned with what you do”. I took this to heart.

First, I studied what the “FRSA” is all about. Founded in 1754, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious learned societies in the world with a global network of 30,000 Fellows (a small fraction of the world population achieve this Fellow status). Past and current Fellows include leading activists, artists, architects, engineers, writers, journalists and former politicians who have made significant contributions to their fields. Some of them are Stephen Hawking, Charles Dickens, one of America’s Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin, and two-time Nobel laureate Marie Curie to name a few. Plus I’m a big fan of the latter two.

Marie Curie driving an Ambulance Taxi during WW I demonstrated her Humanitarian Heroism.

Its strengths include engaging a diverse network, tapping into many skills, identifying great ideas (in other words they have an ability to spot and curate powerful new ideas), promoting and sharing, and testing and growing. These gave me reasons to pursue the Fellowship: The values they uphold, such as how they “value other people’s work and wisdom, treat them with respect and do not attack or steal the work of others. (The Fellows) judge (themselves) by the contribution they make to society — not by the benefits they gain as an organization; and how they ”value the quality and rigor of ideas — not where they come from (or born and raised).” They are gate facilitators and not gatekeepers for enlightened thinking and collaborative action in service to society.

(Source: RSA)

Lastly, I evaluated my work and submitted this: I amplify minority perspectives, connect diverse communities, and capitalize innovation to bring quality architectural solutions for the benefit of the underserved and vulnerable. And at the core, I help those impacted by extreme climate and inequities. It demands overcoming preconceptions. While these were the attributes that met the FRIBA criteria and led to my election as Fellow, they were similarly recognized as significant contributions to social progress and development in my election as Fellow of RSA.

The positive contributions to architecture demonstrated in my submission — from working with poorer communities in my own country, to designing infrastructure abroad, and the desire to support, influence and affect change, were equally celebrated by both the RIBA and RSA.

There’s a saying, if something happens once, it’s highly probable that it is a fluke. But if it happens a second time, there is a high probability that it has merit and indicative of a likely pattern to produce similar outcomes. Repetitions are solid evidence of merit manifested in those repeated outcomes. This two and too, is a welcomed bonus:

The RSA has had an immense impact on the world that included recording the first use of the word ‘sustainability’ in an environmental context (RSA Journal 1980) and offering rewards for the reduction of smoke emissions (1770), to name a few. “No matter how great our past has been, we believe we can have an even better future, and Lira Luis is now part of that story,” writes RSA Chief Executive Matthew Taylor.