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Pete Wentz talks about his favorite time of the year
There is something about the smell of a burning autumn fire and the crunching sound of multicolored leaves beneath my feet that will always get to me. As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, fall rolls in and brings by far one …
Sherrill Bodine knows firsthand how the casual use of a word causes harm
As an author I understand and respect the power of words. I know how words can both uplift and inspire or wound and destroy. Recently, I was wounded when a well-known commentator called the President of the United States “a retard.” This cruel, thoughtless word …
Matt Eversman on what it takes to make it as a chef
I believe those wanting to be a chef fall into two categories. The first group has a sincere and passionate desire to cook for others, and understands the commitment and sacrifices that come with this career path. The second (much larger) group includes those without …
Jaslene Gonzalez wants people to get involved
Back in 2009, I played the lead girl in the music video “Por un Segundo” by Aventura. To me they’re like the Spanish Beatles — I grew up listening to them; I idolized them. The reason I bring that up is that I recently ran …
Solstice Mobile founder J Schwan mentors I.C. Stars to join Chicago tech community
I walked into a hip River North loft building and was greeted by a young African-American man — probably in his early twenties. “Mr. Schwan?” he asked. ‘My name is Malcolm. Would you mind if we talked before we sat down for tea?” That’s how …
Julie Latsko: Chicago’s latest store openings make it a retail heavyweight
Before you plan a shopping trip to New York, take a walk around Chicago’s newest shops. You might reconsider buying that airline ticket. These days, when retailers think expansion, Chicago is often on the top of the list. In the last year, retail outlets ranging …
Rohini Dey laments the state of her country’s cuisine in America
I am a foodie (though I detest the word). I await new restaurant openings and showing up to experience a whole new evening. Every time. Anew. It’s my analogy to a mini-vacation. I love getting all critical and observant and relishing the details: crisp menu …
Mark Tebbe leafs through the newest digital alternative to books
As winter approaches, the earlier sunsets and cooling weather inspires me to start reading more books. Or in my case, read more books on my Kindle — and even more specifically, read books on my brand new Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon’s latest entry in the e-reader …
Common points to Chicago before the upcoming NBA season
Basketball season is almost here. I cannot wait. We could go back and forth all day on who’s going to take it all the way this year. For now, I’m going to keep my thoughts to myself. But have you noticed that Chicago always seems …
Gary Sinise shares the history of moving theater productions out east
Thirty years ago this month — October 1982 — Steppenwolf Theatre moved a play to New York for the first time. That play was Sam Shepard’s “True West.” It was early in our company’s history, and a time when moving a show to another city …
Celebrity trainer Jim Karas dishes on the concept of satiety
In the blockbuster books and movie entitled “The Hunger Games,” 24 young men and women are sent into a huge stadium to compete. Only one will be the winner and the rest will “lose” in a pretty big way. (They’re killed.) I thought about this …
Bright Pink founder Lindsay Avner stresses the importance of action
For our team at Bright Pink, October is show time. It’s where our Chicago-based non-profit takes center stage, nationwide, with exposure ranging from New York Times Square takeovers to high-profile celebrity auctions on the eBay homepage. As much as I love all the pink, we …
The mayor outlines the tough choices he’s proposed in the new city budget
The proposed 2013 budget I delivered before the City Council represents a dividend of the heavy lifting we did in last year’s budget and a down payment on the hard work still needed to right the ship. By making tough decisions last year, we produced …
Sun-Times chairman recognizes savior of Chicago’s Catholic schools
Whenever I hear the expression “lead by example,” one name that always comes to mind is Jim O’Connor Sr., the retired Unicom and ComEd chairman who introduced me to the Big Shoulders Fund several years ago. Of the many causes friends have asked me to …
Tom Ricketts’ home plate
Well, the baseball season of 2012 is in the books. It was a disappointing season, but I hope fans understand there are better days ahead. We bought this team because we are committed to delivering Cubs fans the World Series championship they deserve. We believe …
Judy Baar Topinka steps it up for breast cancer awareness
In the month of October there is a color among the changing autumn oranges, reds and yellows — it’s more vibrant than fall fashion metallic and more proudly displayed than the hues of a hometown football team. It is the reason I have decided to …
