Mike and Cody are friendly, healthy, sweet and extremely handleable, five-week-old brother rats looking for a loving guardian.
These boys love each other and are easy to pick up and handle.
The boys eat rat blocks as their main diet, but enjoy very tiny bites of a lot of other foods including brown rice and beans, fruits: apples, cherries, grapes, strawberries, melons and plums, and veggies including broccoli, peas, carrots, cooked sweet potato, kale, parsley, bok choy and squash. They can get diarrhea if you give them too many treats.
They love to run around the house while supervised. They are gentle and have never bitten anyone.
The two rats, their MidWest Critter Nation Deluxe Small Animal Cage, wheel, water bottle, food and litter are available for an adoption donation of $150 to the Friends of Petraits Rescue. If you only want the rats and not their supplies, they are available for an adoption fee of $50.
They are currently being fostered in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. To adopt Mike and Cody, please contact [email protected].
Show Me Chicago previews, reviews and expresses opinions on what’s happening in Chicago from Blockbuster Theater, to what’s new in dining, arts, and the neighborhoods.
Show Me Chicago previews, reviews and expresses opinions on what’s happening in Chicago from Blockbuster Theater, to what’s new in dining, arts, and the neighborhoods.
When I volunteered to give my first Chicago Greeter tour in four months, I didn’t know that I’d be taking out a Washington Post travel writer. After we met, she let me know that she was writing a story about the new normal of travel.
In between seeing Chicago’s first residential loft district and the murals on Wabash, she asked me questions. How did it feel to return to giving tours? How was it different from before? Did I feel safe? Would I volunteer for another tour soon?
The bottom line was assessing the risk. That seems to be a main topic in every conversation as Illinois waits in phase 4 for a coronavirus vaccine or an effective treatment.
Consider whether one needs to do it, not whether one wants to, was the advice in one article. The choice could be more nuanced, I think. If needing to do it were the basis for deciding, I’d be stuck in phase 1, going out only for groceries. Or maybe having them delivered, not going out at all.
A better criterion would seem to be whether one can get the risk down to one’s comfort level. Absolute safety cannot be guaranteed in life.
I’ve been willing to walk and eat outside with one or two friends; eat indoors with neighbors and relatives; take the “L” and the bus; use the treadmill in my building’s fitness center; get a haircut; donate blood; and go to a Juneteenth march and rally, staying on the fringes.
I haven’t yet eaten indoors at a restaurant; met with more than two friends at a time; or returned to volunteering for my church’s food ministry.
The out-of-town visitor asked me to dine with her and two of her friends. I wanted to but changed my mind. Eating with two people I didn’t know, and one I’d met just hours before, wasn’t worth the risk. An invitation from a friend I haven’t seen in months would be harder to turn down. So, there’s another criterion: how important is the activity to me?
I have friends who are more cautious than I am, unwilling to take public transportation or get together with anyone but family members. Some of them have underlying health conditions, and everyone has a different tolerance level.
But even for healthy folks, it’s not just our own risk that needs consideration. It’s other people’s. That is what the young people who are crowding into bars are forgetting — or are too selfish to care about.
“I don’t think it’s really fair to expect us, who are low risk, not to get together with other low-risk people,” a college student told a reporter investigating how college towns would keep the virus at bay when students return.
He was discounting that professors and campus staff aren’t necessarily low risk, and that students go home to see parents and older relatives. The student’s mother said that his behavior will prevent the family from visiting his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
My main consideration has to be my 93-year-old mother. Outdoor visits were restored at her assisted living home a week ago. When I see her next Saturday, it will be outside, six feet apart, and masked. I feel satisfied that she’ll be safe.
For the foreseeable future, we’re going to be juggling — juggling the risk to ourselves, the risk to vulnerable others, and our human need to be with people. Applying the two criteria of how important the activity is to me, and whether the risk to myself and others can be reduced to a tolerable level, I probably won’t go to a movie theater or dine indoors soon. I’ll happily get together with friends outdoors.
After returning from that first Greeter tour, I signed up for another. Chicago Greeter later informed me that it would cancel the tour if the guest’s state remains on the list of states whose visitors Chicago is asking to quarantine for two weeks. It makes me feel good to have help with these risky decisions.
*****
ANTI-TRUMP COMMENTS: 121ST IN AN ONGOING SERIES
“We may not be fully on board with the Democratic agenda, but this is a one-issue election: Are you for Donald Trump, or are you for America?”
— Kristopher Purcell, 43 Alumni for Biden, a Republican anti-Trump organization
I retired in August 2015 from Northwestern University after 25 years as an editor in University Relations. I live in the South Loop and am a volunteer Chicago Greeter. Getting the most out of retired life in the big city will be a recurrent theme of this blog, but I consider any topic fair game because the perspective will be that of a retiree.
Show Me Chicago previews, reviews and expresses opinions on what’s happening in Chicago from Blockbuster Theater, to what’s new in dining, arts, and the neighborhoods.
Charlie Daniels, the Southern rock legend behind the iconic hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” died Monday morning, his publicist confirmed. The country music singer was 83.
Daniels passed away at Summit Medical Center in Hermitate, Tennessee. The official cause of death was a hemorrhagic stroke.
Daniels was a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Known for his fiddling and guitar prowess, he was also inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame.
He co-founded The Journey Home Project in 2014 to help veterans of the U.S. military.
“There are few artists that touched so many different generations in our business than Charlie Daniels did,” said Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO, via statement. “Today, our community has lost an innovator and advocate of country music.”
He had suffered what was described as a mild stroke in January 2010 and had a heart pacemaker implanted in 2013 but continued to perform.
Daniels, a singer, guitarist and fiddler, started out as a session musician, even playing on Bob Dylan’s “Nashville Skyline” sessions. Beginning in the early 1970s, his five-piece band toured endlessly, sometimes doing 250 shows a year.
“I can ask people where they are from, and if they say ‘Waukegan,? I can say I’ve played there. If they say ‘Baton Rouge,? I can say I’ve played there. There’s not a city we haven’t played in,” Daniels said in 1998.
Daniels performed at White House, at the Super Bowl, throughout Europe and often for troops in the Middle East.
He played himself in the 1980 John Travolta movie “Urban Cowboy” and was closely identified with the rise of country music generated by that film.
“I’ve kept people employed for over 20 years and never missed a payroll,” Daniels said in 1998. That same year, he received the Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music.
Charlie Daniels (center) joins members of the Charlie Daniels Band with their Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in 1980, as best country vocal performance by a group for their hit “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” AP
In the 1990s Daniels softened some of his lyrics from his earlier days when he often was embroiled in controversy.
In “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” a 1979 song about a fiddling duel between the devil and a whippersnapper named Johnny, Daniels originally called the devil a “son of a bitch,” but changed it to “son of a gun.”
In his 1980 hit “Long Haired Country Boy,” he used to sing about being “stoned in the morning” and “drunk in the afternoon.” Daniels changed it to “I get up in the morning. I get down in the afternoon.”
“I guess I’ve mellowed in my old age,” Daniels said in 1998.
“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” was No. 1 on the country charts in 1979 and No. 3 on the pop charts. It was voted single of the year by the Country Music Association.
He hosted regular Volunteer Jam concerts in Nashville in which the performers usually were not announced in advance. Entertainers at thes shows included Don Henley, Amy Grant, James Brown, Pat Boone, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, Alabama, Billy Joel, Little Richard, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eugene Fodor and Woody Herman.
“He loved his God, he loved his family and he loved his country. And we all loved him!!! He lived it and breathed it every day. What a great American!,” pioneering music legend Brenda Lee said, via statement.
Contemporary country artists like Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean also paid tribute to Daniels on social media. “What a hero. A true patriot, Christian, and country music icon. Prayers to his family,” said Bryan in a tweet.
Other fellow musicians released statements on Daniels’ passing late Monday.
“I will truly miss my friend and fellow Country Music Hall Of Fame member,” said country music star Charley Pride. “He was one of the most honest and genuinely nice people in the business. I will miss our talks. We shared lots of memories and supported each other. My prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
“Charlie was such a beloved part of our community! He was a great friend and a fellow patriot. I will always cherish the countless shows we worked together over the decades and our backstage talks. He leaves an immeasurable mark on country and southern rock music,” said singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood and his wife, and Kim, in a joint statement “Charlie was a great leader and philanthropist, incredibly humble and one of the biggest supporters of our armed forces and veterans.”
Daniels, a native of Wilmington, N.C., played on several Bob Dylan albums as a Nashville recording session guitarist in the late 1960s, including “New Morning” and “Self-Portrait.”
Eventually, at the age of 71, he was invited to join the epitome of Nashville’s music establishment, the Grand Ole Opry. He was inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
He said in 1998 that he kept touring so much because “I have never played those notes perfectly. I’ve never sung every song perfectly. I’m in competition to be better tonight than I was last night and to be better tomorrow than tonight.”
Daniels said his favorite place to play was “anywhere with a good crowd and a good paycheck.”
“Charlie Daniels was an incredible musician, entertainer and friend. I was thrilled to get to know him on the road and in the studio throughout our careers. He will always be remembered as a patriot, and a faith-filled Christian above all else,” said Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis, in a statement Monday.
Contributing: Sun-Times staff reporter Miriam Di Nunzio
The flicks will be shown Wednesdays through Sundays. The lot opens at 7 p.m. with musical performances by DJs and local artists happening until the showing begins at 8:30 p.m.
The initial lineup features a list of classic movies, including “Groundhog Day,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day off,” “Fast & Furious,” “Grease” and “Shrek,” respectively.
Tickets won’t be available for purchase on site, but can be bought for $55 per vehicle (up to six people) on ticketweb.com. That price includes a bucket of popcorn.
For social distancing purposes, eight feet of separation will be established between cars and pedestrian areas, Block Club reported. Concessions will be cash-less and there will also be “sanitation stations” around the lot.
With social distancing at the front of most people’s minds due to the coronavirus pandemic, drive-in movie theaters have made a comeback, with many new venues popping up in and around Chicago in recent weeks.
The ChiTown Movies drive-in in Pilsen and Chicago Drive-In Theaters in Bridgeview opened for business last month.
Summertime in Chicago will (almost) make you forget about the winter season. The ability to run along Lake Michigan, walk through Millennium Park, or go to a nearby bar and restaurant are just a few things that help make summertime in Chicago great. However, this year you should take advantage of the warmer weather even further by expanding your horizons and checking out some of the city’s best rooftop bars.
View the Best Frozen Drinks for Summer in Chicago
Trying to beat the heat? View our list of the best frozen drinks for summer in Chicago.
At Offshore, the nation’s largest rooftop bar, you will find a food and drink menu that will satisfy all cravings and stunning panoramic views of the Chicago skyline.
LondonHouse Chicago is considered one of the city’s most premier rooftop bars. Here you will take in stunning views of the city along the Chicago River while being able to enjoy premium cocktails and food.
302 North Green Street, Floor 3, Chicago, IL 60607
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In the middle of Chicago’s historic Fulton Market lies Aba. This Mediterranean inspired bar and restaurant is a great place if you want to sit back, relax while taking in the stunning views of Chicago’s infamous skyline.
Whether you want to get a delicious cocktail after work or enjoy some Sunday brunch, the IO Godfrey has you covered. The best part is you will not find a bad seat in the house at this rooftop bar.
For anybody who wants to take in a beautiful view of the city while drinking craft beer or exquisite bourbons and whiskeys, then look no further than Fountainhead.
The rooftop patio and bar at the Bottom Lounge is the place to go if you are looking to cut it loose after a long week. Just so long as you follow the sign that leads you to the rooftop filled with beers, booze, and burgers.
1816 N Clark Street, 13th Floor, Chicago, IL 60614
The J. Parker is the rooftop bar to go to for stunning 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and Lincoln Park below. Not to mention the exciting signature cocktails to go with it all.
Although not located in the same vicinity as many other Chicago rooftop bars, that doesn’t mean Gene’s Rooftop Beer & Wine Garden shouldn’t be worth a visit. Located in Lincoln Square, this European-style rooftop is the ideal place to enjoy a cold beer while chowing down on a grilled sausage.
One of Chicago’s newest additions to the rooftop bar scene, the VU Rooftop Bar is a 13,000 square-foot rooftop bar located 22 stories above McCormick Place.
The open rooftop deck at Raised Bar will give you a different vantage point of downtown Chicago and the Chicago River, all while you are able to enjoy classic cocktails and classic style bar food with a twist.
800 North Michigan Avenue, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611
Right off the Magnificent Mile, the modern french and sushi infused rooftop bar and garden of NoMI provides you with beautiful views and artful and delicious cocktails at the ready.
The Soho House Chicago rooftop and bar doesn’t just feature a bar with trendy drinks. It also contains a swimming pool, should you feel you get the urge to cool down.
This outdoor rooftop patio located at Homestead on the Roof is a must-see. The venue includes a 3,000-square-foot organic rooftop garden, a vertical hanging garden, and dozens of vegetable and fruit planters.
On the 18th floor of the Viceroy Chicago lies an intimate rooftop lounge and bar with sweeping views of Chicago and poolside cocktails for anybody that desires one.
At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.
Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!
The public health order issued on the evening of Thursday, July 2nd, by Dr. Allison Arwady, the leader of the Chicago Department of Public Health, goes into effect today. Chicago’s Emergency Travel Advisory was ordered by Mayor Lori Lightfoot last week amid the concerns of rising coronavirus case numbers in a multitude of other states. The advisory is intended to control and quell the spread of cases in Chicago from outside travelers and/or returning residents from these hotbed states.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
View Where to Get Tested for COVID-19 in Chicago
It’s important to be safe. Check out where to get tested for COVID-19 in the city.
Cases of COVID-19 are continuing to climb at worrying rates in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. The travel advisory would require that anyone traveling to Chicago or returning to Chicago from these designated states should self-quarantine for two weeks.
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Lightfoot hopes that this measure will keep Chicago from reverting back to Phase 3, seeing as the city has recently been opening up more and more businesses and areas (such as zoos and Navy Pier) to the public as part of its Phase 4 venture. The order applies to any person coming to Chicago who has spent more than 24 hours in one of the above-designated states with surging case numbers, regardless of if they are simply visiting from out-of-state or are a resident of the state to which they’re returning.
Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo
There is no clear end date for the advisory, and any changes will defer to the recommendations of the city’s public health officials. We can guarantee that the 15 designated states will remain on the list for at least a week. Starting Tuesday, July 14th, the list will be updated and will add any states if they find themselves with an infection rate higher than 15 new cases of COVID-19 per every 100,000 residents across a seven-day rolling average. States that mitigate case numbers and end up dropping below that threshold will be removed from the list.
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Even if someone tests negative and hasn’t developed any symptoms, the city still encourages these individuals to self-quarantine for two weeks. The city also said that violators are subject to fines ranging from $100 to $500 per day up until $7,000, though it’s unclear how the policy will be enforced.
Photo Credit: Enjoy Illinois
Those who travel for “essential” work are exempt from the order, including state, local, and federal officials and employees traveling in official capacities on government business (this includes military personnel) but the city would still urge caution to these folks and hopes they will avoid public areas as much as possible.
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For those engaging in personal travel, those who travel for medical care or shared parental custody are also exempt from the advisory. Similarly, those who pass through the flagged states but haven’t stayed for longer than 24 hours are also exempt from the advisory. For example, drivers on short trips of those who have connecting flights through the designated states can continue on as normal. Officials also noted that international travelers are also exempt but are still encouraged to follow guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.
Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!
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Featured Image Credit: Columbia College Chicago Facebook Page
On July 31, professional basketball returns to the spotlight as the NBA plans on resuming the 2019-2020 season. When the league first made their announcement, they decided on only allowing the top 22 teams in the standings to return to play. Unfortunately, this meant that our favorite hometown team, the Bulls, was done for the year. Up until recently, we had no timeline on when the ChicagoBulls would return to play, but all that has changed in the past week.
Recent talks around the league have hinted towards a second ‘bubble’ for the eight teams not headed to Orlando. A recent report by ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan indicates that these discussions are pretty serious, which is great news for Bulls fans. There’s a strong chance we’ll see Chicago Bulls basketball return a lot earlier than we thought!
As of late, all reports indicate that Chicago will be the chosen destination if a second bubble occurs. Before the league settled on restarting the season in Orlando, Chicago was one of the cities that they considered in their original bubble. Ultimately, Orlando was given the go-ahead because they could create their own campus to contain the players at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. But now with only eight teams included in a second bubble, Chicago becomes much more feasible. The NBA also has the added benefit of learning from the first bubble, which helps expedite things for the second one if it occurs. All of the safety protocols the league is implementing due to the Coronavirus are expected to be enforced at the second site in Chicago.
After choosing a location, teams will have to make decisions on who to play during these games. Coaches have stressed the importance of the bubble towards the development of younger players. A second bubble allows for mini-camps and scrimmage games, something that is needed after the shutdown placed a pause on all basketball-related activities. It’s also likely that games played in the Chicago bubble will have zero significance towards standings or the future draft order. This means players like Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors might opt to sit-out of playing at all until next year. While that might take away from the overall excitement, it gives more opportunities to younger players on teams playing in Chicago.
A post shared by Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) on Jun 27, 2020 at 7:30am PDT
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What to Watch for if the Chicago Bulls Return
Should the league choose to move forward with the second-bubble, there will be a couple of things to look for in the Chicago Bulls return to play. For starters, it will be interesting to see which of our players choose to play. While players like Zach LaVine or Lauri Markennan might sit-out, our younger stars will have the chance to be put in the spotlight.
Before the season came to a halt, rookie Coby White was on a tear over his last ten games. White averaged nearly 34 minutes of playing time, shooting 46 percent and averaging 24.7 points-per-game. It’ll be fun to see if he can keep things going after the hiatus. Among other things to look out for will be the coaching of Jim Boylen. Throughout the season, Boylen had difficulties getting through to the team, which was visible on the court. He’s definitely on the hot-seat for next year, but this second bubble might be exactly what he needs to prove himself. That being said, we can’t wait to see the Chicago Bulls return this year!
At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.
Tell us what you think matters and what we should write about next in the comments below!
In the continued struggle for justice and equality against racial injustice, with much of our current landscape in the struggle shaped in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and an unbelievably expansive list of other names, Black economic support and solidarity is the next push forward.
The campaign for Blackout Day 2020 challenges Black people, people of color, and other supporters and allies to avoid purchase in-store and online on July 7th unless the purchase directly supports a Black-owned business. For those with limited financial capacity (especially amid the COVID-19 crisis), organizers of the event ask that necessary purchases from larger corporations be made today or the day after Blackout Day; the restraint of purchases at these corporations and businesses on July 7th is meant to exemplify the importance and power of the Black dollar.
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If you have the means and would like to put forth monetary efforts into supporting Black-owned businesses, we’ve compiled for you plenty of ways to aid the cause.
We’ve got a great list of Black-owned boutiques that sell a range of clothes for folks from all walks of life right here in the city! Get some amazing imported dresses and fabrics, or cop a dope custom hat. All of these places will keep you fitted with the freshest styles and so many of these spots are budget-friendly.
From braids to wigs, to weaves, styles outside or in-between, these Black-owned salons and Black stylists know their way around hair; that’s an undisputed fact. Even if you don’t need work on natural hair, plenty of these stylists and salons can do hair coloring, too!
Food is our (self-proclaimed) specialty here, so would this list of places to support be complete without us leading you to some of the best eats in town coming from Black-owned restaurants? Of course, it wouldn’t. From mouth-watering cuisine like jerk chicken to hearty mac ‘n’ cheeses, every eat on these lists will bring you to your knees!
For over 20 years, Shall We Wine has been bringing wine and class to the city of Chicago. Owner Regine Rousseau helps with in-store demonstrations much of the time, but Shall We Wine can also be booked for other events and retreats. Grab a glass (or a bottle) and elevate your wine game!
Our list of Black makeup and nails influencers from Chicago has a whopping number of Instagrammers where you can get amazing inspiration or just straight-up book an appointment. You can have it all: daring looks, a casual glam-up, acrylic nails, gels, and more! With so many options available, there’s no way there isn’t something for you!
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At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.
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Featured Image Credit: Chicago Black Restaurant Week Instagram
Like all great social justice movements, Chicagoan Kale Williams’s revolution involves cats–namely, Gingy, a sweet lil fur baby with quite the social media following. Williams and Gingy are at the helm of #iPlan2Live, a two-veined project that involves animation and personal testimony via social media platforms. As of writing this article, the hashtag is trending on TikTok with over 150K views and is still gaining traction.
Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
KT Hawbaker: Let’s talk about the roots of your work. When did you become aware of racism as a concept?
Kale Williams: In high school, my “best friends” outed me as queer; I had kids come up to me saying their parents were known KKK members and that they “kill faggot niggers.” In another situation, a group of white kids and one Black girl went up to my grandfather’s car and screamed, “Don’t bring his faggot nigger ass back here!” As we left and drove down the highway, I took my shoes off and stuck my feet in the window. I remember that Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” was on the radio–It was a moment that’s stuck with me.
How did your perception of racism change as you got older?
I realized my culture was hidden and my color was fetishized. In order for me to succeed, I had to coat my tongue in the jargon of the oppressor. This manifests three ways: physical, how we dress to assimilate; mental, how we internalize the ideas and viewpoints of white supremacy; and spiritual–there are some Black people that have let that cloak cover every bit of them. The unfortunate truth is that we all involuntarily follow white supremacy, and we all need to take active action. I like to tell people that all lives do matter, but don’t forget Black is included in that, too.
Was there a specific incident that led you to virtual organizing?
I saw people outside protesting–many of them people who look like me. But, the reality for white protesters is that activism ends when they go home. Meanwhile, I’m in my house seeing headlines about lynchings. I wanted anyone, even one person, to know that I plan on spending every second of my life with purpose. So I took to the Internet, a tool for continued growth and mobilizing.
Why did you choose the phrase #iPlan2Live?
For Black people, our breath is activism, and breath is life. I want every second guaranteed for all Black people–trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, and intersex included.
Something that really moved me about your initial video is how you tell the viewer that you are now friends. It’s a very tender moment. What do you think the role of softness is when it comes to movements like #BLM and #iPlan2Live?
Let me specify: BLM is a history. #iPlan2Live is a movement within that history.
It’s important to not mistake softness for weakness. My philosophy in life is to exude as much love and light into the world as possible. Obviously, I am human and have made mistakes but I do my best. I hope every person who sees my video considers us friends and supports all identities within blackness. I want to give the world a face for softness in a Black man–a smile, a touch on the heart, and familiarity.
What are your goals for the movement?
In the abstract, I want to humanize all Black people. I want to push the seeds of love into the hearts of anyone who sees these videos and build a community dedicated to change. I want to collaborate with leaders so every second is guaranteed for all Black people, regardless of how hate stems even within our community.
More concretely, I plan on spreading key terms, definitions, and ideas related to BLM through the #iPlan2Live cartoon series. I am willing to educate. I’d also like to connect with a streaming service that takes information sharing seriously. Most people are uninformed, and information is power, information is love, and that love will eventually lead to peace for my people.
Tell me about how you came up with that idea.
The #iPlan2Live cartoon series features cute cats speaking about important concepts regarding marginalized identities. I chose cats because my cat, Gingy, is super cute and has 19K followers on TikTok. A total influencer! And, my segment of followers tend to be cat-loving folks for social change. The end result is a diverse cast of cats voiced by Maliyah Arnold, Brando Crawford, Grace Ahn, Adrian Stein, Meiling Jin, and Lizbeth De Los Reyes. I want to take this series to Jupiter and back, because I know it’s important to spread information. It keeps us adaptable. Ideally, it would wind up as a Netflix or Hulu show–whoever can see the power and potential in my work and me.
In the meantime, how can folks get involved?
They can use the hashtag on their social media channels to join the conversation and follow the cartoon series–we’re releasing one episode a week.
In order to sustain this, we also need animators, accountant, and investors for the cartoon. We also welcome actors, local and global celebrities–really, anyone else who wants to help. The first steps: Follow us at @IPlan2Live on Instagram and @GingyTheConcernedKitty on TikTok. Continue to demand justice for all Black people. v
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View the Best Frozen Drinks for Summer in Chicago
Cases of COVID-19 are continuing to climb at worrying rates in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. The travel advisory would require that anyone traveling to Chicago or returning to Chicago from these designated states should self-quarantine for two weeks.
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