By Steve Rhodes
“Illinois researchers are collaborating with scientists across the globe in a new project aimed at studying the universe and dark energy,” AP reports.
“The Dark Energy Survey involves at least 200 scientists, including some from the University of Illinois, the University of Chicago and Fermilab in suburban Chicago.”
Well, that makes sense since the source of so much of the universe’s dark energy is nearby.
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Too easy? Maybe you thought I was going to go with Wrigley Field?
Hey, it’s hard to stay fresh after seven years of doing this site.
Whole Paycheck
“While many city officials trumpeted the news of a Whole Foods coming to Englewood, some who’ve worked for years to sell fresh produce in the area advise cautious optimism and lots of education,” WBEZ reports.
“They also question the sustainability of a Whole Foods in Englewood barely a week after Fresh Moves, a widely touted non-profit that sold produce in the area from converted CTA buses, announced it was shutting down its mobile operations due to lack of funds.”
There’s more to this story to digest – no pun intended – but for now I’m focused on the context more than the news itself, if you will. First, to the Twitter stream of WBEZ’s Natalie Moore for insight:
Fair questions about affordability of Whole Foods in Englewood. But I don’t think most folk understand how $$ corner stores can be.
— Natalie Y Moore (@natalieymoore) September 4, 2013
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Re Whole Foods in Englewood: I’m seeing a lot of racist comments from whites and low expectation comments from blacks.
— Natalie Y Moore (@natalieymoore) September 4, 2013
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I read all these racist comments abt @WholeFoods in Englewood and I think ppl are secretly hating that the market isn’t coming to their area
— Natalie Y Moore (@natalieymoore) September 4, 2013
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@natalieymoore oh yeah, there is definitely an underlying “Englewood doesn’t ‘deserve’ a WH” sentiment in some of these comments.
— Keidra (@kdc) September 4, 2013
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Telling a neighborhood you don’t deserve a grocery store is thinly saying: “You shouldn’t be allowed to eat good food, leave that to us.”
— James T. Green (@onthefirefly) September 4, 2013
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don’t even bother going to trib or suntimes. MT @elmcitytree Read the comments on Whole Foods coming to Southside Chicago … predictably
— Natalie Y Moore (@natalieymoore) September 4, 2013
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Now, to City Hall:
Yes. MT @ChiTribCloutSt: Is timing of announcement on Whole Foods (not slated until 2016) to push back on Trib food deserts story?
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) September 4, 2013
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This was the item I wrote up last week about that Trib report:
You Can’t Eat Press Releases
“Mayor Rahm Emanuel has rushed to declare ‘great progress’ in the war on food deserts, but the Tribune has found that many of his announcements about making healthy foods more readily available to Chicagoans have fallen short,” Bill Ruthhart reports for the Tribune.
“Among the findings:
- Two years ago, Emanuel proclaimed that Walgreen Co. would be selling fresh fruits and vegetables at 39 food desert stores by this June. City Hall counts nine that are open, but three of those are not in food deserts.
- The mayor also announced that 17 new grocery stores would open in food deserts. Nearly two years later, just four of those are open and one is being built, with at least two of them approved before Emanuel took office.
- Emanuel called on grocery CEOs at a ‘food desert summit’ to build stores on 11 parcels primed for development. All 11 lots remain vacant.
“After the Tribune contacted several supermarket and drugstore companies this month about the gap between what Emanuel pledged and what has been delivered, the mayor’s press office put out a news release claiming its success in eliminating food deserts.”
How Rahmellian.
Seeing as how there are no coincidences in Chicago politics, and seeing as how I would slice off my finger if someone could prove to me that Rahm didn’t hit the roof after seeing the Trib story, and seeing how Rahm is a press release mayor, I can confidently say that the timing of this announcement is no accident – especially considering the store isn’t scheduled to open until 2016 – so far off that the Cubs’ top prospects aren’t expected to arrive in the big leagues until just about then. And I’m pretty sure it doesn’t take three years to build a grocery store. (Whole Foods CEO John Mackey said it took two years for his company to find this site, which is also highly questionable.)
More likely, Rahm called John and said “Bail me the fuck out or you’ll be sorry!”
(By the way, the Ricketts’ and Chick-fil-A must be wondering what values Whole Foods has that they don’t.)
But the “news” has been a welcome distraction for City Hall, hasn’t it? Safe Passage and shootings pushed aside while, and according to sources close to Google, Rahm’s coup has spread much further and wider than the Tribune’s far more important report, which has just dropped into a black hole.
See item 1.
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Elsewhere on the Beachwood today:
Follow The Mayor!
He’s waving at you, or something.
The Bears’ Magic Number Is 10
After all, they aren’t worse than last year.
Local Music Notebook: Persons Of Interest
Including Lupe Fiasco, Neko Case, Kanye West, Robbie Fulks, Chief Keef, Andrew Bird, and Sammy Sosa.
The Cub Factor
Promotional Considerations.
Local TV Notes: Oprah & Al Jazeera
Right of the dial.
Fantasy Fix: Week 1 Jitters
Best player vs. optimum matchup.
Random Food Report: Chicken’s Golden Age
Plus: Gentrified Jerks & Pepsi-Flavored Cheetos.
Local Book Notes: Lemony Snicket & The Coffin Haulers
Plus: Which books did Rahm supposedly read this summer?
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Pitch: Rahmony Snicket.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: A point of light.
Posted on September 4, 2013