Last week I left my house to pickup a prescription at the pharmacy drive through window while wearing a disposable paper mask. The pharmacy technician could not understand me, so to communicate effectively, I untied the mask. Granted, we were talking through a glass window, but this alerted me to the fact that if someone with normal hearing could not understand me, communication will pose great challenges when we return to the workplace.

Most people who enter our office have difficulty hearing. Talking through a mask muffles speech, which creates a barrier to overcome. Visualizing the mouth while having a conversation gives cues for communicating. The masks that we recently ordered have a clear window over the mouth. We’re confident that using these masks will help. However, this is far from an ideal solution.

We are quite concerned about what our patients are experiencing right now. With social distancing, we are communicating at a distance of six feet which is difficult if not impossible with a loss of hearing. Going to the grocery store, socializing with others, or processing and collecting information at a medical appointment is more difficult than it used to be. If conversation is not understood, ask the person to write down what is being said. Request a written summary after any medical visit.

Thinking into the future is important for us so that we can plan for communicating with our patients. Masks pose so many concerns. Talking on the phone while wearing a mask makes conversation sound mushy. Wearing a mask is uncomfortable. Eyeglasses steam up. The list goes on. We will need to have a generous supply of masks on hand.

Anyone who walks through the door of our office will need a mask to enter. A huge shout out and thank you to our partners at Starkey Hearing Technologies for making it possible to obtain the personal protection equipment that we will need before opening our doors.

We are all going to have to try a little harder. Remember to speak slowly and distinctly. Face the person you are talking to. Don’t turn your head when you are having a conversation. Ask the person who you are communicating with if they understood your directions.

We all look forward to the future when life becomes a little easier. Until then, be cognizant of the communication difficulties created by wearing a mask. Be patient. Be kind. We all deserve it.

With all the Coronavirus stories clogging up the airwaves and print media, there are quite a few stories that have gone unnoticed or unreported for lack of a better word. I guess one could say the Virus is probably the most important story in most of our lifetimes. Imagine for a few fantasy seconds that the virus never happened.

Without question, a mass killing in Canada by a lone gunman posing as a Police Constable would be headline news, the slaughter of 18 innocent people was relegated to the back pages of most dailies and a mere blip on the newscasts. Another weekend in Chicago a City that is under a stay at home order has another horrific violent weekend with 35 people shot and another 5 murdered. Nineteen days in April all under stay at home orders, the violence totals are 175 people shot and 43 murdered.

DUH! Some folks are not staying at home. However, the Mayor has seen fit to drive around selected neighborhoods badgering people to get into the house and practice social distancing. One Major Chicago paper made no mention of the shooting violence whatsoever and the other one covered it only on line. I’m not a news professional of course, but life does go on for close to 2.6 million people that have not contacted the virus.

One Major paper in Chicago today had 27 Coronavirus stories covering the entire online edition before low and behold there was a story, READY! about Prince Harry and his bride Meghan not being comfortable anymore with the British Tabloids. Easy to be a critic I guess but it is a tad frustrating. Another rather interesting story that slipped on by unnoticed was that 65 years ago today Richard J. Daley was sworn in as Chicago’s Mayor. A run that began in 1955 and ended with his death in 1976. Machine politics from its infancy to one of the most powerful political organizations in the world. His run was so complete it paved the way for his son who was elected Mayor in 1989, after the death of Harold Washington. The Chicago Machine rumbled on.  Between them, father Richard J and son  Richard M. Virtually ruled Chicago for 42  years.

Without getting into the merits of either Daley’s regimes, and actually 42 years of running a big City it would take an entire library to list all the pros and cons, though the great Chicago Columnist Mike Royko did write a brilliant book on Richard J called “BOSS.” The Daleys had lots of things in common, but the most glaring ones were their comedic Malaprops and distortions of the queens English. The senior Daley at times would become so frustrated he just let loose and the reporters loved it. His most famous Malaprop below is still making the rounds. Somehow Richard M mirrored his dad when it came to letting loose with the press but we’ll get to him a little later.

“THE POLICEMAN IS NOT HERE TO CREATE DISORDER THEY’RE THERE TO PRESERVE DISORDER.”

Then came his hysterical introduction of Chicago’s Poet Laureate. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE WITH US TODAY THE POET LARIAT OF CHICAGO”.

THEY HAVE VILLIFIED ME: THEY HAVE CRUCIFIED ME: THEY HAVE EVEN CRITICIZED ME.

Coming to grips with looters with this classic.”WE HAVE TO FACE IT: IN AMERICA TODAY THE WAY TO HAVE FUN AND CELEBRATE IS TO BREAK A STORE WINDOW AND TAKE SOMETHING. THAT’S THE WAY IT IS TODAY IN AMERICA, AND WE HAVE TO ACCEPT IT.

Next, we have one that’s kinda in vogue today.”THE NEWSPAPER IS THE LOWEST THING THERE IS.”

Not all of Daley’s quotes were of the humorous variety, one in which I had a  front row seat. When Dr. King was assassinated in 1968 Chicago witnessed some of the worst rioting in the country. Vast sections of the west side were burning and the looting was fierce. Many were shot and killed and it seemed to be nonstop. Frustrated by the arsonists and looters Daley issued his infamous shot to kill order. He gave the order to the Police Superintendent to shoot to kill arsonists and to maim looters. Even as angry as he was it was the most chilling blunder imaginable. I had thought about it while on the westside, when a teenager ran by me with a Gumball machine in tow.  Imagine if Chicago’s cops followed that order.

When Richard J. died in office in 1976, the City was Daley free until 1989 when his son Richard M was elected Mayor. Almost immediately the Malaprop,   humorous misuse and distortions of words received a rebirth.

Richie (I went to De La Salle high school with him, he’ll always be Richie)  may have had a prophetic moment when it comes to describing then Governor Rod Blagojevich. “I’VE SAID CUCKOO ONCE, I’LL SAY IT AGAIN (CHIRPING) CUCKOO.” In my opinion the most on the money description of Blago ever. Shortly after he went to prison for corruption and said he wanted to teach Shakespeare to the inmates. Man Daley was right, they don’t make nest big enough for that Cukoo.

When asked by a reporter how effective his gun control law would affect people he responded “WHILE HOLDING UP A RIFE: IF I PUT THIS UP YOUR BUTT YOU’LL FIND OUT HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS.”

This one when Democrat Neal Hardigan lost the Governorship to Jim Edgar.

I WORKED FOR HIM. I RAISED MONEY FOR HIM. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? TAKE OFF MY PANTS.” I think old Richie has something going with his pants or shorts, it always seemed to come up, or off depending.

Finally, this last one that is still kicked around today.” SCRUTINY! what else do you want? Do you want to take my shorts? Give me a break, how much scrutiny do you want? Go scrutinize yourself, I GET SCRUTINED, EVERY DAY. DON’T WORRY FROM EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. IT DOESN’T BOTHER ME.” A change a pace from the Coronavirus and maybe Harry and Meghan who somehow managed to sneak in.  But let’s face it, its damn hard to upstage the Daleys in a normal world. Stay safe and watch out for the Mayor if your outside breathing fresh air.

Elden Selections

Finally some good news in the midst of an ongoing Chicago winter and sheltering-in-place: Burgundy wines under $35 delivered right to your doorstep! The mere mention of Burgundy has long evoked wistful sighs and murmurs of anticipation but these ethereal wines are often out-of-reach or generally inaccessible due to price and availability.  Elden Selections hopes to change all that with their online Burgundy-specific wine shop.

Elden Selections focuses on Burgundies that are small-production and estate-bottled all delivered right to your door (shipping included). Always on the lookout for hidden gems, they also strive to have 30 Burgundies available that are under a $35 price point. Ranging from Region and Village-designated wines to Grand Crus, there are higher-priced wines available too, but anyone who has looked for a good Pinot Noir from anywhere in the world (let alone Burgundy) knows that $35 is quite an achievement for this very finicky grape.

I recently had the pleasure of getting to try out Elden Selections’ website as well as to taste a lovely sampling of 6 of their wines.  The website itself is very straightforward and offers a thorough but abbreviated primer on Burgundy including its regions, geology, quality designations, and even how to read a Burgundy label. Given how confusing Burgundy can be, this site offers a wonderfully approachable way to start learning about it as well as to taste some of the various regions at more palatable price points.

Eleanor Garvin and Dennis Sherman

My first question was how Elden Selections picks their wines and at these price points? Owners Eleanor Garvin and Dennis Sherman have lived in Burgundy for the past 30 years and have established relationships with local producers whom they like and respect.  Living there enables them to become fully immersed in each harvest so they are truly “hands on the grape” as they select the wines that become available to us as consumers.

The wine selection process begins before harvest as Eleanor and Dennis observe the year’s weather and vintage conditions.  Next, wines are sampled in their respective grower’s cellar before bottling and then again once bottled. The wines are then taken back to Elden Selections and tasted in private and with friends.  If everyone still loves the wine, it becomes one of their offerings (often not available in the U.S.) that we get to experience as well.

I happily made my way through 6 sample bottles (three whites and three reds), all interesting and diverse in their own ways.  One of my favorites was the 2015 Domaine Mouton, Givry 1er Cru, Clos Jus ($52) from the Côte Chalonnaise.  Tasting of dried cranberry and dusty herbs laced with earthy tobacco whiffs, vibrant acidity backed fine-grained tannins on the lingering savory finish.  I loved it just to drink alone but it really came into its own with Filet Mignon.

The 2016 Domaine Jean Fery, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru ($69) from the Côte de Beaune was a more black-fruited expression.  From the excellent but challenging 2016 vintage, this wine comes from the Savigny valley on east-facing, iron-rich slopes.  Blackcurrant, clove, and black pepper notes cascaded through the long spicy finish.  Incidentally, Domaine Jean Fery has also been a biodynamic vineyard since 2006.

The last red, the 2014 Domaine de Suremain, Château de Monthelie ($52) was from the Côte de Beaune and produced from 4 different parcels of vines.  Black cherry, leather, and forest floor notes hallmark this elegant and complex wine with many more years coiled in it.

The white wines were also terrific.  The 2016 Château Cary Potet, Montagny 1er Cru “Les Burnins” ($42) was from the Côte Chalonnaise. Montagny is known for its terrific White Burgundy and this wine was a perfect example of that. Montagny’s southerly location typically yields excellent grape ripeness and this round wine tasted of fragrant orange blossom interlaced with stony minerality.  A year in French oak added a hint of smoke, spice, and a complex textured mouthfeel.  Lively acidity complimented the rich finish peppered with slight butter notes.

The 2016 Jean Dauvissat Père et Fils, Chablis ($34), from the left bank of the Serein River, tasted of mouthwatering lemon drops and orange peel.  Scintillating mineral and mushroom notes accompanied tingly acidity through the long linear finish. A lovely expression of Chablis which can be one of the most delightful white wines around with its chalky minerality and trademark acidity.

While 85% of Savigny produces red wine, the white wines from this area can produce beautiful wine with nervy minerality. The 2017 Domaine Jean Jacques-Girard, Savigny les Beaune tasted of ripe red apples, sweet spice, and fresh saline notes.  Zesty acidity and a pleasantly supple mouthfeel rounded out the intertwined fruit and earthy flavors.

Once you’re made it through the wines, there is also a tantalizing collection of recipes on the website ranging from Beef Bourgoignon and Venetian Pea Risotto to Fresh Apricot and Pistachio Cake.

Bread Oven at Domaine de Cromey

And if you’re in the day-dreaming mood, once the world re-opens, Elden Selections has a luxury manor house with 6 en-suite rooms at Domaine de Cromey, located just south of Beaune, France.  They also have their own wine school, Wine School at Cromey if you want to take your Burgundy knowledge to the next level.  In the meantime, definitely check out Elden Selections and take advantage of getting some wonderful new (and affordable) wines delivered right to your door.

Domaine de Cromey

https://domainedecromey.com/

With most sports around the world on pause, revisit iconic sports moments from the past to help fill that void.

Michael Jordan, the greatest player in basketball history, announced his second comeback to the NBA on Sept. 25, 2001. This time with the Washington Wizards where Jordan proved he could still produce memorable moments.

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• NBA lookback: Michael Jordan as a Wizard

  from ChicagoNow Staff Blog by ChicagoNow Staff
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