By Steve Rhodes
No column today, but please enjoy these fine pieces:
* Songs of the Occupation: Johnny 99.
Like several other songs on the Nebraska album, “Johnny 99” is a song about complete despair. It has direct links with certain songs on Nebraska: the protagonist in “Johnny 99” notes that he has “debts no honest man could pay,” repeating a line used by the protagonist in “Atlantic City”, and, like the title song, “Johnny 99” is about a murderer – though rather than being a psychopath like the protagonist in the title song, “Johnny 99” is motivated by his economic circumstances.
* Mark Suppelsa Is A News Man You Can Trust Because He Used To Bring His Trumpet To Cubs Games.
The right skill set for TV, but for journalism?
He was a front-page Tribune profile subject 24 years ago.
* Extreme Snowmobiling In Wrigleyville.
The competition will take place on one of the most jaw-dropping courses that the sport has ever seen. Thousands of cubic yards of woodchips, dirt and turf will be laid to the asphalt beneath three mammoth steel ramps. Between flips, grabs and big-air tricks, the unrelenting series of kickers will let riders ferociously vie for victory in front of captivated onlookers, and a panel of heavyweight judges.
Inspired by the Big Eddy Spring, the lifeline of the Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wis. since 1867, the Big Eddy brand offers big beer fans complex, yet balanced flavors beyond the mainstream. The Russian Imperial Stout, only available November to January, is a deep mahogany brew featuring dark fruit, espresso and mocha character and finishing with toffee and molasses notes.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Like sugar.
Posted on November 1, 2011