By Steve Rhodes

“Milos Forman, a filmmaker who challenged Hollywood with his subversive touch, and twice directed movies that won the Oscar for best picture, died on Friday. He was 86,” the New York Times reports.
“Mr. Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – a tragicomic story of revolt and repression in a mental institution – won five Oscars, including those for best director and best picture.
“The film put Mr. Forman in the front rank of those who struggled to make big, commercial films with countercultural sensibilities. His sympathy for the odd man out was always apparent.”
*
McMurphy: But I tried, didn’t I? Goddamnit, at least I did that.

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Posted on April 15, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

“In a symbolic milestone, Sears will soon close its last store in Chicago – the city the iconic retailer has called home or been closely connected to for 120 years,” USA Today reports.
“The store, at 4730 W. Irving Park Road, will go out of business in mid-July with the liquidation sale of its merchandise starting on April 27.”
That’s the Six Corners store. It used to look like this. Now it looks like this.
Soon it will look like this:

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Posted on April 13, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

“The cause of strep throat is bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Hello group A streptococcus, my old friend.
*
I am a 7-year-old.

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Posted on April 12, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

Tribes.

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Posted on April 11, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

“Despite almost a decade of newsroom cuts, which have left no more 25,000 journalists in the more than 1,300 dailies across the country, journalists have been remarkably accepting of their buyouts and layoffs,” veteran media reporter Ken Doctor writes for Nieman Lab.
I don’t know what the fuck that first sentence means, but that’s the way he wrote it. And now, a cutaway (or four):
Ladies and Gentlemen . . .

Mr. . . .

Conway . . .

Twitty.

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Posted on April 10, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

The forecast and field conditions have postponed the home opener at Wrigley Field until tomorrow. The forecast calls for rising temps throughout the week. https://t.co/3JbFoYEa9j pic.twitter.com/RF6wyea2vj

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) April 9, 2018

*

About 8 miles south of Wrigley, less snow and ready for 1:30 first pitch. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/t7BzfER0aY

— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) April 9, 2018

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Posted on April 9, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

“This year Zanies celebrates its 40th anniversary,” Steve Heisler notes for the Reader, “but it’s the only remaining comedy club within city limits that programs stand-up seven nights a week.”
I did not know that.
“Its vibe, however, remains trapped in the 80s. Most shows cost $25 but stipulate a two-drink minimum.”
So two drinks on top of $25 tickets? That’s pretty pricey, especially to see folks who are probably at least moderately funny but not exactly household names.

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Posted on April 7, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

“A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicago’s Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil,” the Tribune reports.
“The $70 million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the county’s insane asylum.”
SoftTacoSupremacist wins the day with this presentation of the story on Reddit: “Future Haunted CPS School Being Built On Site Of Estimated 38,000 Unmarked Graves.”

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Posted on April 6, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

“Settlement agreements between Bill O’Reilly and two of his accusers – made public for the first time on Wednesday – filled in previously unknown details about tactics employed by the former Fox News host to silence women who came forward with sexual harassment allegations against him,” the New York Times reports.
“The documents show that two women who reached settlements, Andrea Mackris and Rebecca Gomez Diamond, were required to turn over all evidence, including audio recordings and diaries, to Mr. O’Reilly. In addition, Ms. Mackris was required to disclaim the materials ‘as counterfeit and forgeries’ if they ever became public.”

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Posted on April 5, 2018

By Steve Rhodes

“Members of Loyola University Chicago’s nontenure-track faculty staged a one-day strike Wednesday, frustrated that more than two years of negotiations have yet to produce the union’s first contract,” the Tribune reports.
“Instructors in the College of Arts and Sciences and the English Language Learning Program started picket lines Wednesday morning at the Rogers Park campus and held a rally in the afternoon to support efforts to secure better pay, health benefits and job security.”

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Posted on April 4, 2018