By Steve Rhodes
“Marie Wuczynski could be found most nights holding court at her Bucktown bar, a shot of Jagermeister, a glass of soda and a pack of Parliaments within easy reach,” Becky Schlikerman writes for the Tribune.
“The ebullient queen of Marie’s Rip Tide Lounge on Armitage Avenue, known for her towering pouf of whitish-blonde hair and bawdy sense of humor, danced and sang along to tunes from the old-time jukebox into the wee hours, entertaining an ever-changing late-night crowd.
“‘That was Marie,’ said Leo Zak, a bartender at the Riptide. ‘She made you feel like you belonged.’
“Mrs. Wuczynski, 88, died of heart failure Monday, Feb. 7, at her home one flight above the tavern.”
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The classic portrait of Marie.
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“Marie Wuczynski had a favorite number on the jukebox of the venerable Marie’s Rip Tide, 1745 W. Armitage,” Dave Hoekstra writes for the Sun-Times.
“Mrs. Wuczynski would often go to sleep after listening to number 120 on the juke. That song was “Melody of Love,” with 1940s era WGN all-night radio personality Franklyn MacCormack reading a poem with the Wayne King Orchestra playing a waltz . . .
“Mrs. Wuczynki loved telling jokes, like the true story about the drunk man she encountered in 1961. The Rip Tide had a back screen door and a front screen door. ‘I put the hook on the back door and he starts shaking it,” she recalled. “I told him he couldn’t come in because he was too drunk. He goes away. Then he starts shaking the front door. I said, You heard me, you can’t come in here! He jumps back and says, How many fucking taverns do you own?'”
His Own Chinaman
Richard M. Daley is returning to China for the fifth time; one more and he qualifies for residency. Look for his name on the 2012 ballot.
Chicago Province
Killing State Street’s Character One Storefront At A Time.
At least the store names aren’t yet in Chinese.
CAN TV vs. Channel 5
You tell us which one is a joke.
Just In Time!
“All six mayoral candidates spar for first time.”
With just 12 days left until Election Day.
Tumbling Dice
“Over the years, the Jesse White Tumblers have trained 13,000 young athletes and, according to White, ‘Only 105 of them have gotten into trouble with the law.'” Steno Spielman reports.
1. That may very well be true, but I’d want to see some documentation before publishing it. Does White keep a spreadsheet or something?
2. That may very well be true, but how does that compare to the general population as well as the population of disadvantaged kids who presumably comprise the tumblers? And are they cherry-picked, so to speak?
Perfect!
“Rancic Introduced Cavallari To Cutler.”
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Rancic is now working on setting up Jennifer Aniston. Hey, this guy’s single now!
Yeah, This Isn’t Good Timing
“Groupon Says It Plans To Expand Its Online Coupon Service To China ‘Soon’.”
All You Need Is Love And Lisa Madigan
“Illinois wants to rescue John Lennon’s guitar from the defunct Peace Museum,” the Courthouse News Service reports. “The guitar and other stuff has been sitting at storage sites, one of which may have ‘suffered significant water and mold damage,’ Attorney General Lisa Madigan says.”
Madigan has filed a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court seeking a receiver to take over the assets of the troubled museum.
Jeff Tweedy (D-Rahm)
Turns out Billy Bragg was right.
Rahm’s Values
Skips community forums but finds time to speak at Housewares Show.
How To Stop Rahm
A Beachwood exclusive.
The Jersey Way
Here comes Michigan.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Pouring one out for Marie.
Posted on February 10, 2011