Has it only been a week since last Monday? Well, yes, of course. But it feels like a lot’s happened. For one, here in Chicago we’re going to have a new mayor. Lori Lightfoot, who was a long shot of a long shot when she announced her candidacy—won the election hands down. It was a […]

This past Saturday Beth and I took the Amtrak to Champaign, Illinois to attend a memorial service for our very dear friend, Jim Spencer. Jim came from a big family, all of whom are well known around Champaign-Urbana—Beth and I have always joked that if you live in Champaign-Urbana, you’re either a Spencer, related to […]

Every other Wednesday, I head down around the corner for something that’s become a neighborhood ritual. Bingo. Seriously, BINGO! It all started weeks ago when a favorite barkeep at our favorite local (Half Sour) pleaded with us to come in on an upcoming Wednesday evening. Half Sour has big second bar used for special events. […]

Years ago I had an idea for a Saturday Night Live skit: “The baseball organist at home.” I imagined the mother, on her off day from the ballpark, sitting at the organ. The kids would leave for school and she’d play, “Na na na na, na na na nah, hey-hey, good-bye.” There’d be a walkup […]

 Get thee to a movie theater with a great big screen for “Apollo 11.” Late at night, after Beth retires, I usually channel surf. Most of the time I come up disappointed. Sometimes I run into an old favorite and rewatch it, and then kick myself the next day for staying up too late […]